A/N: I took a liberty here, so that my story can progress. I'm sure you all will pick up on it. TBH, battles and such are not things I am altogether comfortable writing about, so I needed to make this thing happen so that the narrative could continue. Please forgive me that!
She was standing there, having just heard Sansa tell them all that she and Tyrion had been married…
…and she felt faint.
Dany swallowed her emotion, and said, "You were married?"
And all sorts of things went rushing through her mind. . .but the one thing that seemed to be constant was…They were in love, for Tyrion would not have agreed to marry if there was no depth of feeling.
And Dany was overwrought…she needed to compose herself…but she felt as though she was falling…
So, she stood.
She needed to speak to him alone…she needed to feel in control of the situation…
And once she left following her interrogation of him, she felt humiliated and exhausted…as though she had run very fast, and on the verge of tears…
Getting back to her rooms that night was an odd experience. She was embarrassed, for she felt as though she had been unnecessarily flirtatious with Tyrion.
She couldn't help herself.
She hadn't thought about it at all, but looking back, she had been rather coy with him for the entirety of their relationship.
She laid down, covering herself with the overlays which blanketed the bed, and she closed her eyes…
The corridor seemed to be endless, and she felt lost and alone. How much longer must she walk before she reached the end of it? The Red Keep was irritating in this way.
For her entire life she had been told about the beauty of King's Landing, but Dany did not find it terribly beautiful. It was cold, grey, and dank…moisture seemed to seep in through the cracks in between the stones.
She heard people talking up ahead, and she suddenly felt as though this was what, or who, she was looking for…her pace increased.
And she heard mutterings behind the door to her right, so she went to it, and placed her palms on the door, and leaned in to listen…
She heard no words, but there were sounds of pleasure issuing from the inside…
And she was suddenly afraid to open the door.
But she also knew that she had to, that beyond that door was what she was looking for…she placed her hand on the knob, and nearly burned herself. This was curious, as she was Targaryen, and seldom was burned.
And so she swallowed, and she turned the knob…
She opened the door, and saw…
Sansa Stark atop Tyrion on a bed, and they were writhing about in a lustful embrace…
Dany wasn't immediately spotted by either one, but she did not turn away. She stood there, watching, and as she did, she realized that cold tears were streaming down her face…
…and Tyrion looked at her then, and he went to push Sansa off …
But Dany turned, and she ran from the room, ice forming in the halls as she ran, and her tears froze to her face…
She awoke in a panic, and sat up.
She touched her face with her fingers, still feeling the cold trails of ice from her dream tears.
Dany turned and her feet hit the floor. It was quite cold.
She decided to light a fire, not knowing the time of day.
She set about it, her hands shaking violently. Once the fire was lit, she retrieved some water from her basin she used to wash her face, and took a cup, drinking it. She was very thirsty from her being emotionally overwrought.
Dany slumped in her chair by the hearth…the one she had passed so much of the day previous in.
She knew what that dream meant.
She then realized that she had known for some time without acknowledging it to herself.
She was in love with Tyrion Lannister.
"My Hand, I'm certain, will have a plan soon enough, Lord Snow," Dany was smiling widely as she stood in the courtyard that morning, seeing the Starks and their small troop of guardsmen back to Winterfell. They meant to hurry back to the North, and cut their travel time in half. It would mean tired horses, but with the threat of the Night's Armies at hand, there could not be a moment to lose.
"I hope so, Your Grace. You will need to be on your way in a few days' time," Jon nodded.
Dany nodded. "I can promise you dragon fire. And with me on Drogon's back, we might meet you at Winterfell," she smiled. She then looked at Sansa… What a lovely young woman she was! And she looked at her brother with such affection. "Thank you for your commitment to your house, Lady Sansa. And for making this arduous trip to King's Landing, especially considering your history here," she paused. "And thank you for your counsel on the clothing. It will make things much warmer for us all here."
Sansa nodded. "I hope to see you quite soon," and she mounted her horse.
Dany returned the nod, then turned and went back into the Red Keep.
She made her way quickly to the Small Council room, equal parts anxious and nervous to meet Tyrion.
She wondered if she would be able to confess herself to him that morning. She could simply say it, but then, she thought that he may not appreciate such bluntness in such dubious times.
But it couldn't remain unsaid for too long…
After all, Jaime had said that he suspected that Tyrion was in love with her. What had she to be anxious about?
She walked into the room to find it empty. She was instantly irritated, as she had specifically asked the Council to be ready to meet about the North first thing.
She went and sat at the head of the table, and waited for her Council to arrive…
Varys was the first to come in. "Good morning, Your Grace," and he sat.
One by one, they arrived, Tyrion last to come. "Apologies for my dilatory arrival. I was drawing up plans for the North," and he placed a largish map of Westeros on the table. "Her Majesty will need to bring her dragons as the first wave of enforcements. Fortunately," and he unraveled a piece of parchment he retrieved from his pocket, "We have news from a Samwell Tarly at the Citadel. He writes,
As the Night's King draws nearer, I have discovered that dragon fire will largely eliminate the armies of whites. The Wights, however, can be killed with obsidian and from Valyrian steel," he paused. "This is not remarkable, excepting the bit about the dragon fire not having much of an effect on the captains of the armies," he continued:
"I am leaving posthaste for Winterfell, as I have an urgent message for Jon Snow. I hope to find the armies of King's Landing descending on the North."
Tyrion looked up smiling. "I think that this is, in all, good news. While Varyrian steel is not something we have stores of, obsidian was found to be in the catacombs here. Her Majesty can ride a bit ahead with the dragons, provided that they can survive well in the cold," he looked at Dany for assurance.
"I cannot answer that, as it's never been tested."
"Well, let's hope that the fire in their bellies translates into warmth for their scales…now. She will ride ahead, by only a day or so, and while she does so, we will craft some of the old obsidian into weapons. Shouldn't take too long, really. We can alert the Iron Born to meet us all at Riverrun, which still has Lannister armies there. Jaime can command those, as they are likely awaiting his arrival, anyway. When Her Grace arrives, hopefully with another dragon rider so that she may not be completely alone, the North can prepare to mount an offensive. The rest of the armies will arrive not far behind, and can attack the Wights, the real dangers, with a massive force."
Dany nodded. "Does anyone have any objection to this? I can send a raven today. The whole of Westeros against the Night's King," she smiled. "It seems a simple enough plan."
"And," began Olena. "Once this war is done, we will all retire to our own houses for the winter, I trust?"
"Yes of course, Lady Olena. I know that you are anxious to get to your people," Dany nodded.
"Then let's get on with it. What sort of timeline do you have in mind, Tyrion?"
He sat back. "I'd like to get started on the weaponry today, if possible," he looked at Dany.
"Only the Unsullied have been charged with any task today."
"Then today we begin. Perhaps in a few days Her Grace can begin her journey North to burn the whites."
Varys now spoke, "Who will ride with her? Who else can ride a dragon? We cannot have her make the journey alone. It's too dangerous."
Missandei then said, "Lord Tyrion has experience with Rhaegal and Viserion."
Dany's eyes lit up. "Have you, Tyrion? I did not know that you ever handled them."
"Well, I…" he cleared his throat. "Where is the wine? When I was Hand with Joffrey there was constantly wine in this room."
Dany smiled and got up. She fetched a carafe from the desk just behind her, and poured out a few glasses. "I would not get accustomed to this from me, any of you. I am merely toasting the plan Tyrion has devised," and she handed out glasses.
"I'm glad someone thinks of these things," Tyrion observed, taking the glass and sipping. "Now, Missandei speaks the truth. I did, when you were gone from Meereen, set your dragons loose to hunt and stretch out their…wings."
"And they allowed you to get close enough?" Dany sipped, a bit shocked.
"Well, of course they did. I was very calm. Told them a story or something," and he finished the wine, and poured some more.
Dany did not take her eyes from him. "They never allow anyone close enough to touch them," she paused. "Except me."
"Well. I'm just that charming, I suppose. Pity Tywin isn't here to bear witness to this. He surely would have some objection to this character trait."
"It isn't a matter of being charming," and Dany smiled. "Apparently, you are meant to befriend them," and in her mind, that was all she required to solidify her love for him.
"Then he can go with you, Your Grace," said Missandei. "It makes the most sense, doesn't it?"
Dany looked around. "Has anyone any objection to this proposal?"
No one said anything, but Tyrion appeared to be troubled by something, though he said not a word.
"Then it's settled," she stated. "What else have we to discuss? The clean up of King's Landing?"
Such went the meeting for a few hours hence. Tyrion was mostly quiet, but he did add some things here and there. Mostly, he sipped his wine and looked out of the window.
The meeting ended, and everyone stood. "Thank you, everyone, for meeting. It was long and complicated…but I think we have accomplished some things this day," the company nodded, and began to exit. "Lord Tyrion, might I speak with you for a moment?" and she turned away right after he bowed his assent to her request.
She breathed deeply and lit a fire.
"You have servants who can see to that, Your Grace," she heard him say.
"And what sort of woman would I be if I could not light my own hearth?" she asked, turning toward him once more.
"A woman who is the Queen," Tyrion replied.
"And as Queen, I wish to see to some things myself," she sat once more at the table. "Sit, please."
He did.
"What happened when you set Rhaegal and Viserion free?"
"They…well," he paused. "They flew away, obviously."
"They did not try to harm you?"
"No. Though they did growl a bit. I suppose I was frightened for a moment," and he poured more wine for himself.
"Just a moment?" she smiled.
He looked at her. "Perhaps a bit more, then," and he sipped.
"Tyrion, I want to tell you something."
"Very well. Shall I get comfortable?"
She smirked at him. "That's up to you, my Lord," and she stood. "I have long held the vision of my dragons all having riders. Drogon has benefited from my being able to mount and command him…"
Tyrion swallowed at that.
And Dany went to the window. "If you are able to do this, it would ultimately help them all."
He didn't answer.
"Well?" she looked at him. "Are you not interested in riding one of my dragons?"
He chuckled a bit. "Your Majesty…ever since I was a child, I had dreamt of seeing dragons. And now," he looked at her. "Now, I dream only of being able to fly on one of them."
"Then you shall," she smiled, and began to walk toward him. "I knew that this would be."
"What would be?" his brow furrowed.
"That you would be the one to help me tame the dragons."
"I cannot tame anything, Your Grace," he objected as she reached him.
Dany knelt by his side and placed her hand on his. "But you already have," and her eyes found his.
"I don't…"
"You have won my heart, Tyrion Lannister. You have accomplished that thing I believed to be impossible."
His mouth hung agape.
"And now," her hand slid tangentially along his. "We ride North together to rid Westeros of her final and greatest enemy. It is poetic, is it not?"
He found his voice. "Please, Your Majesty…"
"Dany. You may call me Dany."
His eyes squinted in disbelief. "Then tell me, Dany. After everything that I have done, how can you do this to me?"
"What?" she removed her hand from his, and rocked back a bit.
"I expected more. Much more, than the mockery I am receiving."
She stood. "You think I am mocking you?" she whispered.
And he stood as well. "It's most unflattering, really. There are many other, more attractive means of accomplishing your goals. And so you know, I do have feelings. Quite often they are hurt. As now," and he turned to leave.
"Tyrion Lannister, look at me," she spat.
He sighed, and turned.
"I am in love with you."