"Good evening to the ladies and gentlemen of Winterfell and the North. This is our first proper meeting since before the war, and I want to offer my sincerest gratitude to the brave men and women who fought to protect their home and the world as we know it. It took tremendous courage and sacrifice, and for that we are all standing here today."

Cheers rang out across the hall. After watching Daenerys ride her dragon and play the crucial role that she did holding back the army of the dead from infiltrating Winterfell, the North had warmed to her. They watched her wield a sword against the white walkers, and they accepted her help when she cleaned wounds and comforted the injured on that night. They understood, through nothing more than her actions, that she would make a great queen.

"For those who have fallen, a funeral, as per tradition in the North, will begin tomorrow at dusk. I, and many others, have lost loved ones very close to our hearts."

She stopped a moment, thinking of Jorah.

"Tomorrow, our lifelong quest to keep them alive in our memory, to remember who they were and what they stood for, begins. I ask all who are able to join us."

The crowd bowed their heads for a moment.

"The other important news that I bring tonight is what comes next. As many of you know, I came to Westeros to take back the Iron Throne as the rightful heir, and bring peace and prosperity to these lands. Cersei has left those in King's Landing starving and deprived, and I plan to lift the strains of her oppression much like how I broke the chains of slavery in all of Essos, and left them with the guarantee of freedom."

Joy filled Daenerys' heart as she heard their cheers yet again. She wanted nothing more than to better the lives of all she met, and it made her feel more secure now that she was loved by the people she had sworn to protect.

"Our military council will meet tomorrow to begin strategizing for the Last War, but for now I would love for you all to celebrate our success, and most importantly, Arya Stark, the hero of Winterfell!"

Daenerys lifted a glass of water to Arya, who smiled back slightly as those around her applauded wildly.

The dinner was started. Daenerys picked very lightly at a piece of bread, and talked of old times with Missandei while trying to explain to Jon and the others what Essos was like. Jon tried to remain pleasant and interested, but the thought of Theon made any other feelings impossible. Sansa smiled and joined in occasionally, but her heart was set on finding Theon. Surely he would come to see her if he survived, right? The thought began to consume her more as the days went by, and she knew the chance of his safe return diminished with each passing hour. Her heart pounded with the possibilities, and she tried to act normal, forcing herself to engage in the conversations around her. She couldn't help but notice that Jon avoided eye contact with her the entire night.

As people danced and sang folk tunes, Daenerys pulled a very drunk Tyrion aside.

"Tyrion, as one of my most trusted advisors, I must tell you something rather important concerning myself," She said, trying to stay nonchalant.

"Please don't tell me you've been mortally wounded, I don't think we could find another Dragon Queen overnight, as the Northerners like to call you." He mumbled, happy that his plan to impress the North had worked.

"Tyrion, I need you to focus with me for just a moment, please."

"Your Grace, why are you not drunk? Shouldn't you need something to relax after staring death in the face," he said, offering the wine to her.

Normally she would have deeply scolded him for this behavior, but she knew after such a battle, this was expected. She gently pushed the wine away from her face.

"Tyrion, I can't drink that, I'm with child, and no one can know," she whispered in his ear.

His face froze, and he looked at her in the eyes,

"Who's the father?" He deadpanned.

"Who do you think the father is? It's Jon." She whispered, slightly irritated.

"Well, I suppose that is important. Congratulations, but we're going to need to figure out how to properly publicize this relationship, and get you married quickly so that no one suspects anything. Your secret is safe with me, but there's a lot that must be sorted."

"Yes, and that's all fine and good, but we need to secure this upcoming battle. Wouldn't you agree that's more important at the moment?"

"What's important is the support of the people, because without them, you lose a considerable amount of your army. Many of the men you brought from across the sea were lost in the war, but the Northmen will pledge to fight with you, especially with a marriage to Jon. If the remaining forces from your army and Jon's army come together, we could get back to the amount of soldiers we had when we sailed for Westeros. The ramifications of this pregnancy, a marriage and a secure heir, well, they may be the final pieces of how you win this war."

"I suppose this could all work. Tomorrow, we will figure this out. I'll talk to the Northern armies, and try to convince them to fight for me."

Tyrion nodded,

"One more piece of advice, Your Grace. Let Jon do that. They are as loyal to him as the Dothraki and Unsullied are to you, and it will save you energy and time if you let him help you. It won't hurt."

"Thank you Tyrion, for everything."

He raised his empty wine glass to her and then excused himself to find another one.

When people began to retire for the night, Jon pulled Sansa aside.

"Sansa, I must tell you something, it's about Theon."

Her heart stopped and she looked at him. He saw nothing but fear in her eyes.

Arya appeared in the Great Hall. Daenerys sat in the center with her hands folded neatly on her lap. It was late, and the hall was now empty, though it seemed to be echoing the cheers and songs that had lived in the room just hours before.

"You wanted to see me Your Grace?" Arya asked stoically.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I did."

Arya sat down a couple of chairs away from Daenerys.

"First, I'd like to thank you immensely for what you did, if you hadn't killed the Night King, we would all be marching south to kill Cersei, but not as I imagined it, I'm afraid."

Arya didn't smile. Daenerys swallowed, and continued,

"I know you see me as an outsider, as someone who has never seen your home in her life but who thinks she knows what's best for it. But I am the last living Targaryen, and I am the rightful heir to the throne. I don't want to cause more war, I want to free the people who have been oppressed, and I want to see that they remain free," She paused, not sure if anything was working.

Arya finally looked up,

"At first, I didn't like you. I thought you were entitled and rude. But I saw what you did during the battle. You risked your dragons, and you risked your own life defending that same land you know nothing about. I don't trust easily, Daenerys, I've seen too much for that, but I do believe you are a good person. If it's me you're worried about, don't be. I wouldn't threaten you; I know you're trying to help."

Daenerys smiled, unsure how to fully interpret that answer. Arya stood up to leave.

"I appreciate those sentiments Arya, but I had another question for you,"

Arya looked up, stunned by the continuation of the conversation.

"From what I've heard and seen, you're a skilled assassin. You know King's Landing well enough to navigate parts of it. I'd like for you to be on the military council, and assign you to the very specific task of killing Cersei when the time comes, if you are willing to risk your life again."

Arya smiled widely. Daenerys couldn't take credit for this idea fully; it was Jon that suggested giving Arya this opportunity would help her to move fully to Dany's side.

"That was already my plan, but I would be honored. Thank you Your Grace."

Before she left, she bent the knee. It was quick, but it was all Daenerys needed to see that she now had all of the Starks on her side. Well, all except Bran.

Sansa stumbled back to her room, broken and alone. She was numb, and felt nothing as she undressed, slipped into her nightclothes, and laid her head on the pillow. Clara began to whimper from her crib on the side of the bed. Sansa slowly lifted Clara onto her shoulder, and rocked her gently. She began to hum a lullaby that she sang to her with Theon the day after she was born, when they escaped Winterfell. Eventually, she lied back and stared up at the ceiling. Sansa didn't sleep that night.

Notes: Thank you for reading, please leave a review if you liked it! Next chapters will be up very very soon!