dear_mun | Fought it off long enough...

How can you possibly keep track of a thousand - if you do not mind me asking?

It's difficult, but I manage. If I did not keep track of them, calamity would ensue, people would suffer and I would not reach my goal. These are things I cannot permit.

You are a very driven woman. I cannot help but admire that.

I wasn't always, if that is any consolation to you. I spent a great deal of my life letting men control me, but no longer.

I fear I depend too heavily on men. (And she doesn't want to.) I never imagined I would marry for any other reason but love.

Mmm, then you and I have a great deal in common, it would seem. I was married to give my brother the army he needed. But I was fortunate that I grew to love my husband.

You need not rely so heavily on men if you do not wish to. You need only find that strength within yourself to stand on your own.

I have a plan. (She can reveal that in this place - but not in any other.) I must leave King's Landing first and foremost. Nothing has gone right since I traveled south. I should like to see the north again.

King's Landing? That's where you are? A dangerous place for anyone, and you say men are putting pressures upon you? Not surprising. What is your name?

Currently... When I return... Yes. (She fidgets and raises her gaze slowly.) I'm Sansa...Lannister. (The last name is said sadly. No, she doesn't want to be a Lannister.) I am the daughter of Eddard and Catelyn Stark.

[She's conflicted. The Starks aided in the rebellion against her father. And it was a Lannister who killed him.]

[But this girl is not Lannister by blood...and Dany can never seem to turn away from someone oppressed and in need of help, particularly when that person is a female like herself...]

So you're a Stark by blood, Lannister by marriage. I can't say as I blame you for hesitating to announce the latter...Lannisters cannot be trusted, anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.

It may please you to know that I have a plan myself. One that shall free all of Westeros from the oppression of the Lannister and Baratheon clans alike. When I am done you, and anyone else, will no longer be oppressed by the likes of these men.

Edited 2014-11-12 03:19 (UTC)

(And slowly the pieces are coming together. Even in the stronghold of the Red Keep, news of her has traveled fast. The last Targaryen. The woman born during the storm.)

Are you...Daenerys? (She brings a hand to her mouth, her fingers trembling.) They speak of you...and your...dragons?

(But surely that's just a farce? Dragons don't exist. Not anymore.)

I shall not mourn the passing of those who beheaded my father. (It has taken a long while for her tongue to loosen. She still likes to mind her manners, yet it's nice to speak to a woman who might understand.) King Joffrey... We were betrothed...

And he did it right in front of me. Then he made me look at his head on a spike.

[Dany can't help but be a little pleased at Sansa's reaction - so she's earned that much recognition that people still tremble in fear of her in Westeros, excellent.]

I am indeed - Daenerys Targaryen; Stormborn; First of My Name.

[She smirks a bit - as if sensing Sansa's disbelief in that little hesitation before the word...]

Mother of Dragons. Yes. They are real.

[More and more her grudge against those clans who rebelled against her father melts - at least for this lone Stark wolf. She nods slowly, understanding more and more as Sansa explains the plight she's experienced.]

Then you're stronger than you know. I cannot say as I was unhappy to hear of the passing of Eddard Stark - he had his role in the usurption of my father's throne, you see.

However...as he was your father, I give to you my heartfelt condolences, Lady Sansa.

And he certainly did not deserve the death he received. You are fortunate that you were not married off to that sociopath. Then you were married to someone else? Ah, a Lannister, yes, you said so - which one?

[When last she knew, Jaime Lannister was a Gold Cloak. So that left...Tyrion, correct? But surely there are other Lannisters...]

(A lady of Daenerys's standing - one pursuing the Iron Throne - surely deserves a curtsey. Sansa gives her a low one, unable to hide her innocent wonder - for there is still much that is innocent about her - at the thought of dragons. She fears them - oh yes - but maybe there is more of Arya in her than she originally thought.

They could be beautiful.)

You are their mother? How did you help them hatch? (Her imagination paints dragon eggs as lovely jeweled things that glisten in the sun.

When the conversation turns, she looks down at her feet, frowning.) He would not have given the Baratheons so much power if he had known what the Lannisters would do. By the time he realized, it was far too late.

(The condolences are accepted graciously with another dip of her head.)

I was not powerful enough to wed, so he chose a Tyrell in my stead. (Which is fine by her.) Tyrion, my lady. He is not...cruel. I think there is some kindness in him at times.

Edited 2014-11-12 04:00 (UTC)

[The perfect topic: Nothing makes Dany happier than talking about her dragons, her pride and joy. To her they are indeed the most beautiful creatures in all the world.]

They were petrified with age when they were given to me. I kept them out in the open, with candles around them, for they were lovely to look upon and gave me comfort when I was sad or otherwise less than happy.

[Her smile falters a bit.]

When...when my husband died, we prepared a funeral pyre. I set the eggs in the pyre, all three, then...I joined them in the blaze.

[She pauses, but then looks to Sansa with a smile on my face.]

You'll think it a tall tale, I'm sure - but I speak only the truth. Come daybreak the next day, I emerged unscathed from the fire with three dragons newly-hatched. This is why they call me Unburnt.

[When Sansa glances down again, Dany's brow knits a bit in displeasure.]

Your reverence is appreciated, Lady Sansa - but you needn't look at the floor constantly when you talk to me. You're a lady, high-born, act like it. Hold your head up and have some pride! A man is far more likely to bow to you if you look straight upon him instead of bowing your head like a sheep.

A Tyrell, you say? Interesting...

Hmm...kind or not, he's a Lannister all the same. Lannisters always protect their own - their blood kin, I mean - no matter the cost. But, at the very least it saved you from Joffrey.

(She wants to inquire about the young woman's sadness but she is Daenerys Targaryen. Such a strong woman might not take well to having her weaknesses brought forth into the light.)

How did he perish? (The way Daenerys spoke made it seem like his death had been a true loss. Yet hadn't she said something about being married for the sake of an army?) So the stories are true.

(This is overwhelming for Sansa. She steps back and lowers herself onto a seat, expression troubled.)

You seek to conquer King's Landing with them, do you not? There are many who are unhappy under the Lannister regime. (That's as close as she will come to saying Daenerys might have support there.) I was taught...

King Joffrey often had one of his knights strike me when I displeased him. (So meeting the eyes of others isn't as easy as it seems. Abuse leaves it mark - something Daenerys will understand all too well.) I do not doubt that. But even so...

He gives me some freedom. We have not...consummated. (Which is a relief to a young, inexperienced girl.) Yet I have been reminded, almost daily, that the King can take me whenever he wishes.

(There is a flash in her blue eyes - something of the wolf surfacing, ready to rend a throat or two before the lady overwhelms it.)

[Dany bristles a little at that - it's still so hard to think about Drogo's death, how foolish she'd been at the time.]

I do not wish to speak about it... [There's a harshness in her tone but a softness in her eyes - she doesn't mean to offend, but she is queen. If she doesn't wish to speak about something, that's the end of it.]

Even if I was only married to him for the sake of convenience, I...we grew to love each other. He did things for me that Dothraki would not do otherwise. He was a great man, a good husband.

[Would have been an ideal father. But no, she pushes that thought from her mind, it will only bring tears.]

[The fact that there are unhappy citizens under Lannister control is not surprising, but Dany seems to pick up on Sansa's true message, and a small smile plays across her lips.] I'm sure - only a fool wouldn't be. As I said: Lannisters look out for Lannisters, no matter the cost.

But Joffrey had one of his servants, a knight, no less, strike you? How dare he!? King or not, that is disgraceful! Knights have great strength, they are not meant to use it against maidens! [But she knows that kind of abuse all too well...yes, they do indeed have a great deal in common.]

...you have been married to Tyrion Lannister and you have yet to consummate the marriage? Gods...that seems...so bizarre - I had heard tales of his debauchery halfway across the world, yet for you...perhaps indeed he is a different kind of Lannister... [But she's still wary.]

Listen to me. Joffrey can only take what you leave open for him. It is the same as leaving precious jewels in the open for a thief. If it is your maidenhead he desires, you must protect it with a ferocity I know you possess - by whatever means necessary.

Remember: He is not the true ruler of Westeros. I am.

(She flinches, but not because of Daenerys's ferocity - though she is a true Queen to be obeyed. Rather, Sansa realizes that this woman had lost one she had loved too - perhaps viciously and suddenly. Though young maidens are wed to old men all the time, she can't imagine a woman so vibrant falling for one much older than her.

It must have been a tragedy. Thus why she consigned herself to the flames.)

I cannot think else of him if you speak so highly of him, Dothraki or no. (All she knows about the Dothraki is that they are outrageously wild. But men are men, are they not?) Keep your eyes on Queen Cersei. King Joffrey is cruel - as is Lord Tywin - but her anger never cools. She will have her vengeance for even the smallest of slights no matter how much time passes.

I have done my best to keep in her good graces for I have seen her rage, but she will seek your death undoubtedly.

(Her eyebrows raise in unison and a flush colors her cheeks.)

He has kept such information from me. Though he would, wouldn't he. (She wishes she could be more surprised.) Men follow their desires without forethought.

(Finally she meets Daenerys's gaze and listens earnestly. It's a rare joy for her to have a strong woman - who seems to want her to be happy - nearby. Any advice is welcome and she takes the words to heart, her forehead furrowing.)

Do you mean I should fight him?

(A small smile plays on her lips.) I think I would like for you to claim the Iron Throne. The only reason my father stood up against your father was because...

He said he was mad. (There is empathy in her voice. She has never hated Aerys.) The way he died was...not as my father wished.

[The statement about Drogo makes Daenerys smile. She keeps that smile even when Sansa warns her of Cersei - it even cracks a bit into a slight laugh.]

Sansa, I'm a Targaryen. A dragon. Dragons fear not the strength of lions, for we have it a thousandfold. Believe me when I tell you that I don't plan on giving Cersei time enough to feel vengeance towards me. When I come for King's Landing, I shall have Joffrey's head - then Cersei's. I daresay the foot of the Iron Throne shall be decorated with Lannister skulls!

[Her delight speaks a bit of madness, but how can she not desire the bloodiest and most macabre of vengeance against a usurper and his whore mother?]

I have no need to keep any Lannister alive. I promise you they shall be brought before me when I take the Iron Throne to answer for their betrayal.

And what I mean is that you should show him the ferocity of the wolf. Lions are boastful, lazy creatures. Wolves have loyalty and strength and agility. You could easily put Joffrey off if you show him he has a wolf in the Red Keep and not a lamb as you have been.

[The last sentiment has Dany pausing. It's her turn for her cheeks to turn pink as she smiles at Sansa.]

I am grateful for your support - certainly my father did...questionable things. [To put it lightly...] That was before my time. All men do things when they have power - that is why they shouldn't have it, if you ask me.

Women manage power much easier than men. The Iron Throne would be best filled by a woman - Westeros would be better ruled by a Queen.

(It gives her no little delight to think of the Lannisters cowering before a Targaryen and her dragons. With how many backs they have stabbed and how many deaths they are responsible for, Sansa can't feel pity for them. Even so, the idea of beheadings makes her feel queasy. Her face pales and she, subconsciously, reaches out for Daenerys's hand.)

Do with them as you wish, Your Grace, but please... Bring peace. We have seen enough of war...and loss. I do not know if any of my family survives.

(And even if they do, they are far, far out of her reach.)

What is a wolf without her pack? (Though she knows she is stronger than she knew in her true childhood. Wolves too can walk alone - particularly if they are Direwolves.)

We are Direwolves. Bigger and stronger than regular wolves. Lions wouldn't stand a chance if they were caught amongst a pack of Direwolves.

(And the Lannisters knew that.)

No wonder they extinguished them. I...will be strong. I will fight. I do not want to bear his child or feel his touch.

(It disgusts her to even see him smile with his wormy lips.)

Only certain men should rule. There are those who can see to the good of their people...

Women are the same way. I do not want Westeros to be ruled by a woman like Queen Cersei for example, but...

Queen Daenerys, who can keep track of a thousand things and still have a kind word for a stranger...

She I would support.

[Sansa's touch startles her, but only a little. She wasn't expecting it. But Dany smiles and wraps her other hand over Sansa's.]

I want peace in my kingdoms more than anything. But I understand that sometimes war must be waged to win that peace. I promise you, with all my sincerity, that I shall only use what force is necessary to win back my throne. Once I have done that, there will be no need for war, and the Seven Kingdoms will know peace and happiness once more.

But lions are indeed sneaky that way - dividing and conquering, it's a basic battle strategy. I promise you, that when I am in King's Landing and have developed some control, I shall help you find your family, and I pray to the Seven that they are still with us.

Until that time, you know the strength of the Direwolf. Show it to Joffrey, show him your fangs, and that even separated from your pack, you are not one to be trampled upon. If he is half the skittish cub I know him to be, he'll run screaming in terror with one exhibit of such strength.

[Her smile only broadens when Sansa again expresses her support.]

Not all share in your high opinion of me, Lady Sansa - I hope only to prove myself worthy of such devotion, and that others will see me as you do and not the Targaryen tyrants they remember.

I shall always have kind words for those who suffer as I have suffered - I have been where you are, Sansa Stark. [She refuses to call this lovely girl a Lannister.] And it has made me who I am today.

Keep that in mind, and you shall become the Direwolf you keep hidden away.

As do most others.

I have no doubt of that. But I've a war to wage, a new empire to maintain and am under constant threat of assassination.

I have other things to worry about than amusing this mundane here...

Amusing them is typically far less dark than facing what is before you.

I suppose that would depend upon what amuses them, would it not?

Fought it off long enough...

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