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When the Lady of Winterfell entered the throne room the Queen ordered her royal guard to leave to give them privacy.
This was not common, Daenerys Targaryen knew the possibility that there were still assassins everywhere and did not trust many people to be alone without the protection of their guards or their dragons, but Sansa Stark was one of those people.
"Your Grace."' Sansa said bowing appropriately.
"Lady Stark."
After Ser Barristan left, Daenerys walked up to her and put her arms around her and added "Sansa."
It felt so good to have her in her arms, they didn’t had any moment alone in the days since the conquest of King’s Landing. And that morning Sansa announced she would come back to Winterfell.
"I heard you desired my presence."
"You heard right."
"To say goodbye?"
"Yes."
"But not exclusively for that, right?"
"Yes, again, you seem to know a lot about how the minds of monarchs work."
"Or maybe I just know how your mind specifically works Dany."
"You called me Dany."
"My apologies, your grace."
"No need to apologize, I liked it. You haven't called me that since the end of the war, I didn't realize but I guess I was missing it a little. Who knows, maybe my Targaryen madness is finally manifesting if I feel nostalgia for that time, but I believe that if we had met in a more favorable situation, your support and friendship wouldn't have meant so much. Are you sure I can't convince you to stay in King's Landing for a few more months?"
"Winterfell needs a Stark."
"They have your sister."
"Arya must be bored with her duties there, and technically speaking she's a Baratheon now, not a Stark."
"Technically?"
"You may have made Gendry a Baratheon, but you must be aware that many continued to see him as just a bastard."
"Yes, but I doubt anyone would publicly challenge the legitimacy of his name while he has my support."
"And certainly not while you have your dragons."
"If it were someone other than you who said that, perhaps I would consider cutting out your tongue for disrespect."
"Their tongue would be yours to do with as you wish, just as mine is." Sansa said blushing slightly, knowing the memories this comment would bring.
"Good."
"What else does your grace wish to speak about?"
"Margaery Tyrell."
Daenerys noticed that Sansa seemed to tense up a little.
"What about her?"
"You interceded for her, I want to know why."
"The Tyrells are still a powerful family, one of the richest in Westeros, Willas is still alive and from what I understand he is very fond of his sister, making them your enemies would be unwise."
"A response that makes perfect sense politically, but I saw the fear in your eyes when my council suggested her execution, that wasn't rational, that was emotional."
Sansa just continued to stare at her.
"You don't need to be afraid Sansa, I just want to understand why."
"She was kind to me."
"Just because of that?"
Sansa hesitated for a moment.
"There is nothing small about kindness. She made me happy at a time when there was only misery in my life, I am well aware that it is likely that our friendship only came about because of her family's interest in Winterfell, and that like everyone else she perhaps just wanted use me, but instead of using threats, fear and pain she used kindness and hope, she made me dream of flowers and made me smile. Maybe it's because moments of any happiness have been so rare in my life since I left Winterfell as a girl, but I can't hate her, not now and certainly not for the rest of my life."
"Yes, but she could be sent to the silent sisters, it would still be a very merciful fate, but you asked to take her to Winterfell as your guest."
"I remember the day I received the invitation to see her for the first time, I had no idea what she wanted with me, but I remember thinking how the people loved her, if she wanted me to love her too. I'm still not sure if that was her goal, but if it was, she achieved it.”
"And you want her to love you too?"
"Maybe. Yes. I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize, I appreciate your honesty."
Daenerys looked at her in silence for a few seconds.
"I wish you didn't have to leave, in fact I wish you had been born a man so I could make you my king. Although thinking about it a little maybe that wouldn't be necessary, everyone knows that the Targaryens don't follow the same laws as men, we have been marrying our blood for centuries and many kings have had more than one wife, having you as my queen perhaps wouldn't be such a strange thing when compared to all of that."
"Is that a proposal?"
"Depends on your answer."
Sansa looked a little sad for a moment but then looked at her queen and said:
"I thank you, but I want Winterfell much more than I want a crown, and I couldn't have my home and you at the same time."
"I know, but it would be a much fairer world if you could."
"Yes Dany, it would be."
“Kiss me one last time.”
“Is that a command?”
“No, just a request.”
“It will probably make our parting even more difficult.”
“I know. Do it anyway.”
And she did, and for a moment they both pretended the kiss didn’t have to end.