I don't own GoT.

CHAPTER 8:

TYRION:

Tyrion was tired. His body ached from over-work and a lack of sleep. But he couldn't stop. If he stopped working, he would have to start feeling. He wasn't ready for that.

Fortunately, he had been keeping himself occupied- or rather, their Queen had been keeping him occupied.

This clandestine meeting with the great houses of Westeros had the whole of the Red Keeping in a state. There was much to be done in the way of readying the Keep for their guests. He didn't know what she was planning, and as her Hand as well as the head of a great house…not knowing was worrisome.

And then there were the empty seats on her council to be filled.

He thought he might suggest Bronn for Master of Coin. It would take some convincing as Daenerys likely wouldn't be too keen on the idea, but he didn't have a better option. Besides, he felt a man as obsessed with having money as Bronn would be unlikely to bleed the Realm dry.

He felt Ser Brienne should serve as Master of Laws. Not only was Brienne a great warrior, but she had more honor in her little finger than most men had in their entire beings. She had the most well-developed sense of justice he'd ever seen. He believed she would execute the role more nobly than any other choice. However, she was still pledged to Sansa Stark, and he doubted she would accept the role without her Lady's approval.

It was the role of Master of Whisperers that was stumping him. He knew of no one with the kind of insight needed to manage the secrets of the Seven Kingdoms. The Queen would never agree to the likes of spies. They needed someone loyal and without personal ambition. Someone who could see the full scope of a potential threat without fear of treason.

They needed Bran Stark.

Someone who could see the future would be useful when it came to maintaining peace in the Realm. Would the boy accept it? If he did, would Sansa let him go? Would Daenerys accept another Stark into her personal circle?

He needed to speak to the Queen. He felt odd going to her at this time of night, but he knew neither of them had been sleeping much as of late. He grabbed a decanter of wine and two cups and headed towards her quarters.

As he approached her door, he found it odd that there were no Unsullied standing guard. Had she dismissed them? If so, why?

Tyrion raised his arm to knock, but the voices he heard inside caused him to pause.

He had not expected to hear Mormont in the Queen's chambers at this hour. He could hear their exchange through the door. They were making no effort to muffle their voices, likely assuming no one else would be up and wondering the halls at this time of night. They sounded as if they were having a lover's quarrel.

"I don't see why not."

"Daenerys…as long as I share your bed, I am a liability to you. You need to be free to make alliances."

So… it was as he suspected. He had noticed subtle changes in their relationship for weeks- hesitant, intimate gestures and lingering looks- but hadn't been sure of their meaning until now.

It wasn't unexpected, he supposed, but it was significant, nonetheless.

"I am an old, exiled knight with no lands or titles. I cannot help you hold the Seven Kingdoms."

"Then I restore you the title of Lord of Bear Island. Here and now."

"Even so, the minor lord of a remote holdfast does little for you. You need someone who can help you maintain a good relationship with the North… Ned Stark wanted my head. Sansa Stark will not have forgotten that."

Correct, he thought.

"You died defending the people of Westeros. You've paid your debts."

Also a fair point.

"Yes, and while other loyal Northern men stayed dead, I was resurrected. Sansa Stark will not soon forget that either. Peace with the North is vital to peace in the realm."

Indeed. Their Queen certainly seemed to prefer gloomy, undead warriors.

"Khaleesi-"

"Just trust me. I know what I'm doing."

Perhaps she did know what she was doing. Gods know plenty of kings throughout history have taken lovers. Why shouldn't a queen? There was no harm in seeking a little pleasure.

"I love you. I love you, Jorah. I will not lose you again."

However, that could be a problem…

"I love you more than my life; never doubt that."

"Then stop arguing and just love me."

The sounds that followed were unmistakable, making even Tyrion feel embarrassed. He moved away from the door and started back towards his chambers. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs and poured himself a cup of wine. He needed to digest what he had just heard.

He didn't know what to do with this new information. They all knew Mormont loved her, but what did it mean for the Realm if she loved him?

True, it wasn't an ideal match. But again, Tyrion didn't believe that Bran Stark had seen the future and decided that Jorah should be brought back from the dead just to serve in her Queen's Guard.

Then again, Mormont was right. Any potential threat from the North would make Daenerys' claim vulnerable, and an advantageous marriage would make her more secure. But was the North even a potential threat? It troubled Tyrion that he didn't know the answer.

Lady Stark had grown into a formidable ruler; she was sure, measured, and unyielding as Wardeness of the North. However, years of violence, betrayals and manipulation had made her distrustful of outsiders. And to Sansa Stark, Daenerys was an outsider.

Even if the North was granted independence, would it be enough now that Sansa knew Jon was the rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms? He didn't believe Sansa to be malicious…but she had learned much from Cersei and Littlefinger.

Sansa Stark was loyal to her people and her family above all, and Tyrion feared that Lady Stark saw their Targaryen Queen as a threat to both.

JORAH:

Jorah woke as the morning sun broke through the window, casting bright yellow streams of light across the room. He rolled to his side and looked at the small figure still sleeping quietly beside him.

She looked so peaceful. The morning light washed over her pale skin and silver hair giving her an otherworldly luminosity.

Gods she was stunning.

He had never truly believed that they would spend a night in each other's arms. Yet, here he was waking up in her bed. They had filled the night with soft moans and whispered endearments.

She said she loved him. It seemed too good to be true. He had conditioned himself not to hope for such things from the women he loved- never daring to believe they might love him back.

But she said she loved him and he believed her.

He knew it was unwise. He could offer her his love and his guidance, but not security on the Iron Throne. It might have been enough if they were two different people.

But they were not.

She was his Queen first. He must never forget that. Certainly no one else would forget it.

She began to stir. Without opening her eyes, she reached out for him. He grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on her palm. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled when they found his face.

"Good morning," she yawned.

"Morning." He rubbed circles on the back of her hand with his thumb.

"You look tired."

"Well, I was up all night serving my Queen," he gave her a wry look and she giggled.

"I couldn't have asked for a more diligent Lord Commander." With this she leaned in and kissed him.

"Speaking of which, as your Lord Commander, I do have duties to perform. I should go." He kissed her once again and then stood to dress.

"Now? The sun's just come up."

"I shouldn't be seen leaving your chambers when the others wake."

"I'm not concerned with the opinions of others."

"I know...but we should still be discrete for the time being.

"If you insist."

She watched him dress.

"Will you join me again this evening?"

"If you'd like me to, it would be my pleasure," he said.

"And mine as well, I expect." She smirked.

"Tonight then."

He kissed her goodbye and exited her chambers. He hurriedly descended down the spiral steps that led to the main corridor of the Red Keep. At the base of the stairs he saw a most unexpected sight; Tyrion Lannister asleep on the bottom step. As if Tyrion had heard him coming in his slumber, the small man lurched awake.

"Mormont! Come have a drink with me. Or don't drink and just watch me do it. Either way, we need to talk."

Thanks for reading! I couldn't ask for more generous and supportive readers. You're all absolutely brilliant.

I just want to say that I have no intention of abandoning this story. I've just run out of my pre-written material so it takes me a bit to form chapters I'm satisfied with posting. Stick around because I promise to finish it.