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."
For a few long seconds Sansa just stared at the Queen with disbelief, and then softly questioned, "Marriage? Between two women?"
"My advisers wouldn't shut up about a marriage between our houses, to solidify peace, and put the wheel firmly back to where it rightfully belongs." Daenerys explained, "However, I have no interest in your brothers, only you, as I prefer the company of women. It is my little way of compromising with them. And taking the most beautiful woman in this land as my bride."
Sansa tried and failed not to blush at the compliment, before protesting, "You flatter me, your grace. But-"
"I speak only the truth." Daenerys interrupted.
"But, it..." Sansa cautiously continued on, "It is forbidden."
"In the books of The Seven? Yes, but you worship the old Gods, do you not?" Daenerys questioned, "I could not find any objection from them. Nor in the rules of law which govern this land."
"Perhaps." Sansa admitted softly, before pointing out, "But most people will not accept it. Especially in the North."
"Most people will struggle to accept a female ruler. My sexual preference is something that they will have to learn to endure as well." Daenerys said firmly, "But I am the Queen. I have the men, and the dragons, and now I have the throne. People may not like me in the beginning, or my choice of bed mate, but they shall fear me too much to do anything about it. Or to do anything to you. Whisper behind our backs? Yes, but they will do that anyway. And I think you know that. That it will be something we need to endure, even if we earn the respect of the people as good Rulers. And perhaps even the love. Some will simply hate us for being women. And I care not what those people think. Why should you?"
There was a long pause, which allowed Daenerys's words to hung in the air, and sink deep into Sansa's head. Automatically she was suspicious of it, because it seemed too good to be true. Because she had come here fearing death. Expecting it, even. This was a vast improvement, especially considering everything it could entail.
But Sansa needed to control her desires, and think about this rationally. Daenerys had made a lot of good points, but it wasn't like this was the first silver tongued person with power who had tried to seduce her with pretty little promises. So if there was any floor in the argument, she needed to find it now. And more importantly, she needed to know exactly what her 'sacrifice' would gain.
"I marry you, and the North is free?" Sansa asked cautiously.
"The North... gets what it wants." Daenerys said, tempted to leave it there, especially given the look on Sansa's pretty face. But nevertheless, she clarified, "A Stark ruling over them. And the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. Why declare independence, when you're on top? What kind of sense does that make?"
There was a long pause, then Sansa softly argued, "It isn't what we fought for."
"Isn't it?" Daenerys argued, "The North appears to object to being ruled from the South, but neither of us are Southerners. I will always be a foreign whore to them, while you will always be their favourite daughter. You can visit the North regularly, reassure them you are the one making the decisions, ones which will always benefit them, as long as you promise to return to my side."
"But you make the decisions?" Sansa guessed, finding the flaw she'd feared.
"Yes, but I promise to always heed your council. Especially for the North." Daenerys insisted.
