Game of Thrones Season 8 divergence
Chapter 2 Queen Daenerys Reign
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Game of Thrones. It is owned by David Benioff, D. B. Weiss and HBO while A Song of Fire and Ice book series is owned by George R. R. Martin.
Posted October 26, 2021 (Tuesday)
Word count (I am counting the AN as I put effort into writing them)-4387s words
AN1: I know this is like my least popular story and I still don't know a lot about Game of Thrones but this is a fun one to write. (I forgot Davos in chapter 1 but he has a large role in this one). I have finished the show by the time I post this. And yes I KNOW I screwed Sansa's name but I do NOT redo chapters
I am not sure but pretty sure that Sansa is only the Lady of Winterfell so she is "lady" while Jon is "Your Grace" (even though Jon lets the position be more figurative as Sansa has the Lord of the North ear)
YES I know its been over 2 years since I updated. Yes I know I appear to bash Sansa but I really dislike how she treated Dany in season 8 (and seems to refuse to accept and responsibility for pushing Dany over the edge).
I MIGHT make a third chapter as there is more plot I have in mind. But no promises (I only 12 reviews for this after all)..
2 Years Later
2 years had past since Daenerys Targaryen had offered her terms for neutrality between her and the North. 2 years since Jon Snow had to watch as the woman he loved walked out of his life after the North all but abandoned the Dragon Queen cause. It was also 9 months since the North started to stave from their own arrogance.
"To think it took us 9 months to convince Sansa to even consider marching South." Jon said with a sigh as he rode in a carriage with his half siblings Bran, Arya and Sansa to Kings Landing. He was in the front controlling the horses while his siblings were huddled in the back. For the full year that Daeneryshad sent them food the Northerners felt no reason to stock up and ate without hesitation. The food supply shipments made all the Northern Lords feel like they had won a victory when in reality Jon knew it was nothing more then a Queen honouring her word for peace.
"DaenerysI hope you are well." Jon said to himself sadly. He had not heard word from the South since the food shipments had begun and any Ravens sent never returned so news was scarce. He could only infer Daenerys had completed her goal and was now sitting on the Iron Throne she had deserved. He had countless times asked Bran for visions on what was happening to the South but the Three-Eyed Raven refused to answer which his sisters could care less.
"We made our bed Jon and we must sleep in it." Bran had told him in his normal emotionless voice but on could almost hear a hint of regret in the Three-Eyed Raven's voice.
"Davos I hope you found peace after our last meeting." Jon mused to himself as he saw Kings Landing in the distance. He began to think of the last time he had saw his trusted advisor and friend.
9 months ago
"This is unacceptable!" Sansa shouted pounding her fists onto a table as a council of the Northern Lords, Starks and Davos was being held. "What do you mean the North is running out of food?!" Sansa demanded of the Lords who looked away from her.
Luckily Davos was brave enough to answer having dealt with Stannis legendary temper. "My Lady the food shortages will only last us a few months at best as there have been few attempts to gather food for the rest of the year." Davos explained quietly keeping his head down as Sansa glared down at him.
"Sansa enough. Davos is just stating facts." Jon said sternly at Sansa who sighed but backed off as the Northern Lords started to look nervous.
"What should we do then?" Arya asked as she gave her older siblings a concerned look.
"Might I have a suggestion? My Grace and Lady." Davos asked with respect. Seeing Jon and Sansa giving him nods he continued. "Might we ask Queen Daenerys for aid?" Davos suggested but looked annoyed when shouting erupted.
Jon could only sigh when he hears every Northern Lord exclaim how they didn't need a Southerner help with Sansa being the loudest. "Enough! I will hear no more of this talk! We do not need the Dragon Queen aid!" Sansa declared as the Northern Lords shouted their approval. "We earned our independence with blood, sweat and tears! We did not throw it all away for a little hardship! We were fine long before Daenerys Targaryen was born and we will continue to thrive long after she has passes!" Sansa shouted as everyone but Jon and Davos shouted in agreement. Jon did notice that Arya looked less certain but did not speak up.
"Ser Davos what is the matter?" Arya asked as everyone looked at the old man who had gotten up and was walking to the door.
"If the North wants to squabble when its people are starving, I want no part of it." Davos said coolly as he ignored the anger shouts hurled back at me.
"Davos where do you plan to go?" Jon asked desperately worried about his old friend who gave him a sad look.
"I will go as far South as I can. If I happen to die at least I can see Shireen once again." Davos admitted sadly as Jon went up to stop him only for Sansa to raise her hand letting Davos past.
"What are you doing? He could die out there!" Jon asked Sansa furiously as she gave him a cool look in return.
"We don't need traitors in our midst or in our North." Sansa told him not phased by the glare from Jon.
"If he wants to go a fantasy quest thinking Daenerys Targaryen will somehow save him be my guest." Sansa told Jon coldly as Jon glared at her and ran past her to find Davos outside.
"If you return North, we will have your head Ser Davos." Sansa added as Davos bowed his head but scoffed softly.
'There is nothing from the Old Gods or New that would make me want to return to this wasteland of wolves and backstabbers.' Davos thought bitterly.
Davos was walking with a small bag and had just about to reach the Gates of Winterfell.
"Wait!" Jon yelled at Davos stopped looking at him in surprise.
"Your Grace. What are you doing here?" Davos asked with a smile. He thought of Jon as his own son even without sharing blood.
"Please come back. I am sure Sansa and the other Lords can be reasoned with." Jon begged as Davos sighed.
"You as well as I know they would send me off to die at any moment on some suicide mission at any minute and not even have the curtsey of crying at my funeral." Davos retorted as Jon winced.
"What will you do my friend?" Jon asked Davos who looked into the far distant skies.
"Jon. Do you want to know my only regret besides serving Stannis who let his own daughter burn at the stake for some vague prophecy?" Davos asked Jon who shook his head.
"I stood quiet like you and your brother and sister while Sansa berated and humiliated Queen Daenerys in front of the Northern Lords who enjoyed the rightful Queen being put into the snow. A Queen who offered her help freely and lost her people fighting in a war the North refused to thank her for." Davos said sternly as Jon gripped his fist.
"Daenerys was the one who left of her own free will!" Jon insisted stubbornly trying to hide his own hurt and guilt about driving his love down South.
Jon winced when Davos glared at him.
"She left because she knew that staying North would never get her rightful throne back and staying away would let that cunt Cersei to torment the people she 'ruled.'. Davos said harshly as Jon looked away in shame.
"The only thing I can do to repent is go to King's Landing and beg on my knees for forgivieness for not speaking out to the injustice done to her in the North." Davos said sadly as he was about to walk away.
"Wait. Please take at least this horse and provisions for your journey." Jon said softly as he came back with a horse and staddle and bag in hand.
"Thank you. May your fortunes be well Jon Snow." Davos said with a smile as he used his left hand to shake Jon's right hand.
"May the Old and New Gods give their fortune to us all." Jon said sadly as he watched his closest advisor ride away from him.
As Jon walked back into the castle Arya came in to pat him on the shoulder.
"I am sorry Jon he left but it might be for the best." Arya tried to sooth him as Jon sighed.
"Because he is not 'one of us' right?" Jon asked rhetorically.
'Sometimes I don't even know what 'us' means anymore.' Jon thought sadly.
Back in the present Day
Riding behind the 'Royal Family of the North' was several dozens of soldiers on horseback to defend their leaders when and if needed.
"I cannot believe we have to go back to that shithole of a capital to ask that Whore Queen for help." Sansa sighed as Jon turned around with a glare while still keeping their horse on track.
"Shut your mouth. Daenerys is Queen of the South is certainly no whore." Jon yelled back angrily as Sansa stuttered in shock.
"Jon! Don't talk to Sansa that way! She is our sister!" Arya lectured Jon who growled.
"Sansa should not be able to speak her mind like that especially to the Queen of the people who we asking for help." Jon said firmly as Bran put a hand on Arya shoulder.
"He's right. We are not in the North anymore and insults like that will not be tolerated by Queen Daenerys' people." Bran warned as Sansa scoffed.
"Her people should be happy to give us supplies and let us be on our way to our home." Sansa said grumpily as in her mind the other kingdoms still 'owed' the Starks for helping get rid of the Mad King. AN2:
Soon they arrived outside the gates to King's Landing and the First Thing both Sansa and Arya noticed was the smell.
"Hmm. We can't I smell the scent of shit for miles?" Arya asked abit amazed.
"Shit?" Jon asked as they got out of the carriage as several men wheeled Bran out while Arya and Sansa walked out.
"Yeah, I mean when Robert made father Hand of the King and we arrived here all these years ago the smell of shit and piss could be smelled for miles outside the gates." Arya noted as Jon looked intrigued.
"Tch. Anyone can make a place smell nice. I am sure the people are just working in the fields and that is why we can't smell the shit." Sansa said with a nasty tone refusing to believe Daenerys was running a city in any positive way.
"My Lady. Perhaps we can save the insults when we get inside the city? Queen Daenerys does in fact rule the land by all the laws of Man and Gods." Brienne of Tarth suggested. Brienne was the sworn shield of the Stark girls Sansa and Arya by an oath Brienne made to the late Catelyn Stark.
"She's right. Queen Daenerys did seem rather nice so perhaps the city is thriving?" Podrick asked cluelessly as he shuddered when Sansa sent him a quick but intense glare.
"Whatever. Lets get this over with so we can return North." Sansa snapped as Jon and Arya shared a small smirk.
'Ironic for the girl who wanted to come to South the most is now the one who wants to stay North forever.' Arya thought ironically.
"Sansa! Arya! This is a meeting of peace. We will be on our best behaviour." Jon said sternly with him staring at Sansa in particular who rolled her eyes.
"Jon. We know. We will behave." Arya said with a smile as Sansa sighed but nodded.
Soon the Starks and their guards went through the gates although Sansa was abit annoyed when they only got stiff nods from the guards.
"Tch. You would think we were foreign invaders instead of honoured guests." Sansa said quietly with clear annoyance.
"Is that not how you treated Daenerys when she came up north with Jon?" Bran asked with no emotions as Jon winced while Sansa and Arya looked defensive.
The first thing they heard after passing the gates were the joyful sound of people as everywhere they looked, they saw happy Smallfolk laughing and children playing.
"They look happy…. Like they have not a worry in the world." Jon said in sheer amazement where Podrick openly had a huge smile. Brienne looked impressed while even Arya whistled in appreciation.
However, Sansa thought differently. "Is this some sort of act for our visit?" Sansa suggested condescendingly.
Before Jon could rebuke Sansa, the smallfolk seemed to finally notice the Starks and were instantly on edge.
"Aren't they?" A young girl asked with clear disgust on her face.
"Sweetie don't look at them." Her mother said as she quickly placed her daughter behind her protectively.
Soon families all around the Starks showed their clear distrust and annoyance at the North.
"How dare they treat us like this? We are the last Starks and they are treating us like lepers!" Sansa asked outraged while most of the Northern guards looked ready to attack.
"I wouldn't do that if I was you Lady Sansa. The guards and soldiers do have orders to apprehend people who disturb the citizens." A familiar voice warned as everyone turned around to see a familiar Dwarf.
"Tyrion!" Sansa said with a smile with a much happier expression then before.
"Welcome Starks to My Grace Queen Daenerys King's Landing." Tyrion said with a smile as he patted Jon's hands and nodded to the rest of the Starks.
Before Sansa could make a sassy and rude remark towards the Dragon Queen Jon took command.
"Hello Lord Tyrion, please escort us to the Queen's Throne." Jon said diplomatically as Tyrion smiled in appreciation.
"Wait! Where's that fancy pin from before? The Hand of the Queen pin." Arya asked as Tyrion sighed.
"Things have changed while you were in the North the last two years." Tyrion admitted as the North and him started to walk to the palace.
"Did Daenerys fire you? That woman has no brains if she could not handle your council." Sansa suggested with a tone suggesting that Tyrion was much better than Daenerys.
"I quit. I was not suited for the job and being Master of Coin is much more rewarding when I can improve people's lives." Tyrion said flatly with a hint of impatience much to Sansa's surprise.
As they got near the door it was opened by Gendry Baratheon much to everyone surprise.
"Gendry!" Arya shouted with a huge smile as she embraced Gendry who hugged her back but with a strained smile.
"Lady Arya. Lady Sansa. Your Grace. Lord Bran." Gendry greeted after he pulled away with Arya looking abit hurt at his formality.
"Gendry! Why the formality?" Arya demanded as she stared at Gendry with a hint of accusation.
"Arya. Things are different now. I am the last Baratheon now and am Lord of Storm's End. My Queen needs me to put our people first." Gendry said softly as he sighed as him and Tyrion walked ahead. AN3:
Arya looked rather annoyed as Jon coughed getting the party to walk with Tyrion and Gendry.
Much to their surprise they were not heading to the throne room but to the Small council room.
"Our Queen thought you would like a seat for this meeting." Tyrion added with a hint of mirth as Sansa looked rather bewildered.
Soon the party was forced to leave the Northern Guards at the door despite Sansa's protest but Briene and Podrick were allowed as 'special guests' to the Stark ruling party.
When the door opened they were surprised to see TWO tables with Tyrion and Gendry taking their spot in the head table.
"Um Gendry? Why are you part of this meeting?" Arya asked as Gendry was about to answer.
"Because Lady Stark. Lord Baratheon is one of my Master of Laws." Daenerys said with a kind voice as she walked to her chair which was slightly fancier with all the grace expected from a queen.
'Dany…' Jon thought as he lost his breath for a moment when he saw the Dragon Queen again. Daenerys seemed even more beautiful than the last time she was in the North. Daenerys had not grown much taller but seemed to have all the confidence and grace she was not allowed in the North and her crown seemed to fit her hair like it was made to be there. However, her eyes lacked the sparkle of warmth directed at him when they made love.
"My grace." Tyrion and Gendry instantly said together as they bowed their head.
"At ease. I have told you the formality when in a private setting is not necessary." Daenerys chided with a fond smile.
"And I told you My Grace that we choose to address you like this." Gendry replied as Daenerys gave a sigh but nodded.
"King Jon. Lady Sansa, Lady Arya, Lord Bran. I offer you the hospitality of the crown and King's Landing." Daenerys said diplomatically.
Arya stayed quiet while Bran had an unreadable expression.
"Daenerys." Sansa said flatly as Jon sent her a glare.
"Your Grace." Jon corrected as Sansa frowned.
"I suppose you are wondering why I named Gendry ONE of my Master of Laws?" Daenerys asked as Arya nodded her head furiously.
"I decided a change to the Small council needed to be made. I feel having up to two people for each position will work better so I can have more opinions on matters." Daenerys explained as Gendry beamed up at her.
"Its wonderful. It allows us to discuss and focus on different aspect of the job." Gendry said happily.
"It seems rather inefficient to have so many people on the Small council." Sansa sniped as Daenerys looked at her flatly.
"Well Lady Sansa, I do not believe a Lady of the North has any right to the affairs to what happens in MY small council." Daenerys retorted with a smirk as Sansa glared at the Lady remark. It showed despite her attitude Sansa was still not a Queen like Daenerys.
"Forgive my sister your Grace." Jon apologized as Daenerys nodded.
"No offense taken. Now please tell me why you made the journey south." Daenerys asked with her eyes focused and her tone formal.
Jon was about to speak but Sansa decided her blunt response was needed.
"We want more food and resources Daenerys." Sansa said with a smirk.
Gendry looked outraged at Sansa's tone but Daenerys just put a hand up so he stayed in his seat.
"Why would I order my people to give up their grain to the North?" Daenerys asked as her eyes narrowed.
"Well, you grace. My people are starving and the food you sent us was not enough." Sansa mocked as Jon glared at Sansa.
"Sansa! Watch your tone." Jon shouted as Sansa crossed her arms angrily.
Seeing her brother and sister were about to argue Arya decided to be abit more diplomatic.
"Surely your Grace can spare us some food just so the North can sustain itself after while?" Arya suggested although with a notable twitch of her eye for being 'ladylike'.
Gendry could not help but smirk at Arya poor attempt to be 'polite'.
"Lord Tyrion." Daenerys said as she turned to her Master of Coin.
"Yes, your Grace." Tyrion answered as he faced his Queen.
"I was not raised in a castle like most of us here but correct if me if I am wrong? 'Non-aggressive pact' simply means we do not attack each other. It does not mean the North can come here to make demands, correct?" Daenerys asked with a smile but her eyes were rather cool.
"You are absolute correct, Your Grace. We made the terms after Cersei's defeat rather clear and there is no reason the terms of the arrangement have changed." Tyrion confirmed much to Sansa's annoyance.
"Well, there you have it Starks. I have lived up my end and sent the 1 year of Grain and not declared war on the North. I expect you to live in the North and not make complaints to the South." Daenerys said with a hint of finality and a stare fitting a queen.
"We are starving and you would turn your backs on us?" Sansa retorted angrily as she ignored the warning from Jon.
"Very well. Anyone who wants to move to the South from the North will be allowed to do so as a citizen of MY kingdoms and be treated as one of us." Daenerys decreed much to the Starks surprise.
"However, I will not ask my people to send their food and resources up North so YOUR people can have their independence and take from us at the same time." Daenerys said coldly.
Before Sansa could retort Missandei came in with a Silver Hand of the Queen pin on her dress.
"Your Grace, Shall I have these foreign Northmen escorted out of the city?" Missandei suggested as she sat on Daenerys right hand.
The Starks were offended at the term 'foreign'.
"Hoe dare you!" Arya shouted as she got up.
"Well, the North as declared independence and we are not in the North so from our view you are foreign invaders trying to steal from us." Missandei remarked matter of factly.
Sansa stood up as Brienne stood by her side.
"Well Daenerys you do realize this will be war right? And it will be on your head for a Queen too petty to spread her food to us." Sansa claimed with a smirk.
"No. It will be a war with the kingdoms uniting against the North who is ungrateful." A gruff voice said as the Starks gasped.
"It can't be." Arya stuttered.
"This must be a trick!" Sansa claimed angrily.
"Father?" Jon sputtered as everyone watched a tall man walk from the door behind Daenerys.
"Your grace." The man bowed to a knee.
"Rise Eddard Stark my Left Hand." Daenerys announced as he got off his knee and took his seat opposite to Missandei.
"What is the meaning on this?!" Sansa demanded but she wilted at the glare sent by Ned.
"Watch your tone Sansa. This is not Winterfell where you can speak to my Queen like this." Ned said angrily reproaching his daughter.
Sansa fell to her seat in shock.
"How can this be?" Arya asked as she started to walk to Ned but his cold glare made her flinch.
"The Lord of Light brought your brother back, correct? He did the same for my Hand but it was not without a price." Daenerys said sadly as Ned bowed his head.
"The lives of three Priestess I will never be able to pay back but I will do everything I can with this second chance Your Grace." Ned promised.
"I know you will." Daenerys smiled as Ned bowed his head.
"Father! Tell Daenerys she is starving the North and she is unreasonable." Sansa demanded expecting her father to agree with her.
"Sansa. Its your own belief that the North needs to be independent that is causing the ruin of the North." Ned said coldly.
"You don't have to do this Lord Stark." Daenerys said gently but Ned shook his head.
"Its okay Your Grace. Its because my blood runs through them I need to tell them straight." Ned said as Daenerys nodded.
"Father! How could you say that? We are just having the North independent like it deserves!" Arya tried to explain.
"When Robert one the Iron Throne I had the North stay as part of the Kingdom because I knew independence was not possible. Yet when I died my son and later my daughter used it as a rallying cry for something I NEVER wanted." Ned said sadly before he gave a look of disappointment to the Stark children.
"I am sad my blood runs through you all. If I could I would weep tears at how my children ended up." Ned said coldly and sadly.
Jon and Bran looked down in shame, Sansa was angry and Arya was confused.
"Like my hand has said. If war must come nobody will come to your aid. If you declare war, you will fight all the Kingdoms and Essos as well." Daenerys warned with a fierce glare.
Soon Edmure Tully and Davos came in and bowed to Daenerys.
"My second Master of Law and my Master of Ships thank you for joining us." Daenerys said with a smile.
"The honour is ours Your Grace." Edmure said with a smile as he sat next to Gendry. His smile turned to a snarl when Sansa and Arya tried to smile at him.
"My life is yours Your Grace." Davos said reverently as he took a seat.
Davos shared a happy smile with Jon but it turned to a frown when he looked at the rest of the Starks.
AN2: I know kinda bad reason but in this story she is pretty entitled and still thinks anything she says cannot be disputed BECAUSE she is the 'legal' last Stark (as Bran gave up his last name to become the three Eyed-Raven)
AN3: I know in the books there is Eric Storm but he doesn't exist in the TV series so he doesn't exist here.