Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
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Sansa Stark used to dream of going to Kings Landing. She used to tell everyone she was going to live there someday with her Prince, and had been so excited when she first arrived, as it seemed all her dreams were coming true. But those dreams had quickly turned into nightmares, which she feared she'd never awake from. Even when she left this place, her life had continued to be a nightmare, and even now she wasn't sure it was over.
After all, the dead were defeated, as were the Boltons and the Lannisters. But Sansa feared they had replaced one tyrant for another. That history would repeat itself once again, and a Stark would go south, only to be brutally murdered. Perhaps in the way that her grandfather and uncle were.
However, despite promising herself she would never return to Kings Landing, Sansa Stark was breaking that promise today, in the name of finally ending this nightmare once and for all. After all, there was so many in the North who had given their lives to earn their freedom, the least she could do was risk her life in return, especially now they had never been so close to that goal.
Certainly not within her lifetime. And there was reason to hope that her worst fears about Daenerys Targaryen would prove to be unfounded. She had, after all, kept her word up until this point. So perhaps she would grant the North it's freedom, since it was the reason that the other Six Kingdoms hadn't been overrun by the dead.
It was hard to concentrate on those hopeful feelings though, as she made her way through the city streets where she'd nearly been raped, past the place her father was executed, into the castle she had been held hostage in, and then finally, into the throne room she had been humiliated in. The only saving grace was that she had guards every step of the way up until that point, but they weren't allowed inside the throne room.
Thankfully, Daenerys had no guards. In fact, there were only handmaidens, who she really dismissed, and left the room while glancing at her with a strange look which made Sansa feel uneasy. Or more accurately, more so than before, which was really saying something.
After a brief pause Sansa took a deep and calming breath, and then slowly walked through the Great Hall up to The Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, Queen Daenerys Targaryen. God, the woman was beautiful. It had been the very first thing that Sansa had thought when they first met, and it was even more true now. She'd seen others sit in the chair, and chairs like it, but no one had seemed like they belonged there.
No, they had always been pretenders, unworthy of power. This was a goddess, who had dissented from the heavens to come to rule over them all. Or at least that was how it looked. Sansa had to remember that, to remember why she was here, and avoid the urge she felt to bow down to this incredible beauty.
"Good to see you again, Lady Sansa." Daenerys greeted warmly, with a disarming smile, "I hope the seas weren't too rough."
"They were kind, thank you, your grace." Sansa return that disarming smile with one of her own, "And it's good to see you too. And to see you succeed in your goal. I'm glad."
"Are you?" Daenerys raised an eyebrow.
"Yes." Sansa quickly responded, before sighing as she added, "On reflection, I may have been a little unfair to you in Winterfell. But please understand, my family has been betrayed before. Often because they trusted the wrong people. I feared you would take after your father. And honestly, I still do. But you have kept your word, and if you continue to keep it, I'll be happy to admit that I was wrong about you."
There was a brief pause as Daenerys had to take a moment to admire the girl's boldness, before questioning in amusement, "Is that an apology?"
"It was meant to be." Sansa smiled bashfully, "Forgive me, I'm out of practice."
"There is nothing to forgive." Daenerys said dismissively, quickly clarifying, "I find your honesty refreshing."
"In that case, I confess, I'm eager to discuss the reason I came." Sansa said softly, cautiously taking a step towards the throne.
"Which is?" Daenerys question teasingly.
Sansa was a little wary of that response, but pushed on, "Freedom from The North. As you promised in your letter."
"Ah yes, that." Daenerys said coolly, before reminding her guest, "I also mentioned, there would be a price."
"Whatever it is, I'll pay it." Sansa said firmly.
"Are you sure?" Daenerys questioned, before pointing out, "I thought that the great Sansa Stark was the smartest person in all the land. Far too bright to agree to something without knowing the terms in advance."
"My people have fought and died to achieve freedom." Sansa pointed out, "Surely I cannot expect them to do something I wouldn't do myself, if I could."
"Many rulers would disagree." Daenerys pointed out dryly.
"We are not those rulers." Sansa countered dryly.
"Indeed." Daenerys chuckled, before ordering, "Come closer, Lady Stark."
"Yes, your grace." Sansa replied, cautiously ascending the stairs until she was standing in front of the Queen.
Once her pray was close enough, Daenerys questioned softly, "What if I told you, Lady Stark... that the price I required, is you."
Fearing the worst Sansa pushed, "Meaning... my head?"
"No." Daenerys chuckled, "Your hand."