Sorry for the delay. Now that the season is over, hopefully i'll be able to go back to updating more frequently. This isn't quite a Dany/Jon chapter, but I hope you like. But we are back in the North anyway.

Thanks again for reading.

Let there be treaties, bridges… to be spanned, sustained:
Extremity hates a given good or a good gained…
The time's spoiled children threaten what they will do,
And those they cannot shake by petulance, they'll bribe out of their wits by show.
Against extremity, let there be such treaties as only time itself can ratify,
A bond and test of sequential days, and like the full Moon slowly given to the night,
A possession that is not to be possessed.

from Against Extremity by Charles Tomlinson

Sansa

§

As she made her way North, she realized she had not done much more but travel since she first left Winterfell. Even her time in Riverrun felt long past and her visit short, though in truth it had not truly been either. Her trip to the Tooth felt like little more than a heartbeat, and she had only spent a week in the Vale, before writing to Jon and departing.

As she had hoped, Ser Davos had not yet arrived when she returned to Riverrun, so luckily there would be no need to explain her short visit to the Westerlands. As she waited for him, she prepared Littlefinger's coach, should his spies who thought him still alive have their eyes on her.

When he arrived he'd informed her of Queen Daenerys' impending visit to the North, and though she knew they would never make it, she wasted no time in telling him of her plans. He did not dislike them, and so they left Riverrun the next morning.

To avoid being seen, they did not stop at the Crossroads Inn, instead they rode late into the night, and Podrick found them a small inn on the High Road.

After Brienne, she had given him leave to go, should he want to. He'd landed in her service a second time in a strange twist of fate, but Cersei was long gone, and he was free, she did not think it kind to hold him to her knight's vow. After she had spoken, she knew she did not want him to leave, without the Lady of Tarth at her side, and her brother hundreds of miles away, she was alone once again, like she'd been before.

"I am no knight," He'd said, not quite confidently, "Nor a skilled fighter as Lady Brienne had been, but I would like to continue serving you my lady, in any way that I can."

"In her honour," He added awkwardly after a moment.

And with nothing but a gentle nod, and a 'Thank you, Podrick,' he stayed. She felt relieved though it was true, he was no warrior, but he was loyal and she trusted him, and she could not say that for many.

It was after their way up the High Road, once they reached the Bloody Gate, that she realized that Ser Davos, might be included on that list. It seems she had underestimated him; he was quick-witted and smart, and managed to get them to the Eyrie without so much as a second glance.

When she'd finally reached Robin, she told him the truth about his mother's death, that it had been Littlefinger who'd done it. He had not taken this news well, and had demanded to see the man, to hear the truth from him. When she told him he was dead, it was only thanks to Ser Davos, that her cousin finally listened to reason.

Lord Royce was made protector of the Vale the very same day, and though her cousin had much to learn still, she was relieved Littlefinger's last piece on the board was finished.

He was finally gone.

Having spent the night at castle Cerwyn, it was still morning by the time they reached Winterfell. As the castle came into view, she smiled, feeling glad to be home. Her brother Jon waited in the courtyard for them, Ghost at his side. She hugged him, feeling comforted by his embrace, as if she was finally safe with family. She wondered briefly, if she would ever put her arms around Arya or Bran again.

After, he turned to Ser Davos, his lips turning up as their eyes connected.

"Your Grace," the Onion Knight said with a grin, before he dipped his head in deference.

"Ser Davos."

Jon turned to her once more, "I'm sorry, for lady Brienne."

She wasn't sure she appreciated him bringing it up so soon, but she felt her defences slip for a moment before she reigned them in, and spoke in a small voice, "So am I."

She hoped he would say no more about the Lady of Tarth, she was not ready to speak of that, not now, in front of everyone.

He seemed to understand and turned to Ser Davos once more,"It is good to have you both back in the North."

"It is good to be back your Grace, despite the cold. I hear Winterfell has a new guest?"

who is too busy to does not seem to have the time to receive us. it would seem

His smile disappeared before he answered, "Queen Daenerys is attending to her own matters, you will meet her later, when she returns."

That sounded odd to her, where else could she have possibly gone in the North? She said nothing about it though, knowing Jon would tell her when the time was right.

"Is it true?" She asked suddenly.

She'd heard whispers on their journey here, of the Targaryen Queen, and the reason she was in the North, enough that she actually wondered if there was any truth to them.

"What?" Jon asked, with feign ignorance.

That in of itself was answer enough.

"It is, isn't it?"

He froze, clearly taken aback by her words.

Suddenly Ser Davos spoke, "Perhaps we ought to talk somewhere more private milady, we have tales of our own to share with the King."

Her brother agreed, his nod somber and grave as usual.

"Fine," She relented.

§

"So is it true?" She asked impatiently, once they were settled in what used to be their father's solar, along with Ser Davos, who remained standing.

"What is it you want to know Sansa?" Her brother finally answered, sounding slightly irritated by her pushiness.

She smiled, not discouraged by his tone. It was obvious they all knew what she was referring to, but she finally said it aloud, "Are you to marry the Queen in the South?"

He let out a deep breath, closing his eyes before he answered, "I am."

She had already known, but the confirmation of it managed to shock her silent. She wasn't sure what could have possibly gotten into his mind that he gave in so easily. Of course, the dragon queen could have burnt him to a crisp just as she had Euron and his armies, so perhaps marriage was a lucky offer, considering. With that thought though, his motivations suddenly became very clear.

"And she has agreed to pledge her men to our war," She stated more than asked, as she did not wait for his answer. He seemed surprised she had picked it all up so quickly, but he did not seem to realize that though she was no fighter, this was her battle zone. One she understood all too well, and the importance in playing it right.

"What of her dragons?" She asked.

He frowned before answering, "We're still working that part out."

In her sudden lapse of silence, Ser Davos snatched at the opportunity to speak, clearly in an effort to derail her from further questions.

"Congratulations your Grace," He started, then smiled brightly before he continued, "You don't waste time, I see. Last I heard, you were awaiting her arrival and now she's about to be your wife."

She could not help grinning at the knight's jest, especially as Jon grumbled, "It was not exactly my idea."

This she had already assumed, the Targaryen Queen came to conquer of course, and as no battles raged, it was allies she wanted, and no better way to make alliances than with marriage.

"I accepted, for the good of our people," He said a moment later, sounding as if he was ready to drop the topic.

There was more she wanted to know, but for now she would press no further. Ser Davos took that as his queue, and pulled out two small scrolls from an inner pocket in his cloak, and handed them to Jon.

"Your Grace, these are from Lord Edmure, and Lord Royce."

Her brother looked at them for a moment before turning back to her, his expression unreadable.

"What happened in Riverrun?" He asked.

Suddenly the room seemed to bear down on her, as Ser Davos had not heard the complete story either.

She reached for her cup of mulled wine and took a sip, savouring the heat and spice in her mouth and then her throat as she swallowed, hoping it would give her the courage she needed to tell them the truth.

It seemed to have worked as her words came out in a rush.

"From the moment we arrived I knew My Uncle Edmure's loyalty was true. In that trust, I saw an opportunity to end Littlefinger once and for all. He betrayed our father and he sold me to the Boltons, so I took it. Brienne paid for my foolishness and arrogance with her life."

The room grew quiet for a moment before Ser Davos interrupted the stillness.

"And ended the tyranny of perhaps the most dangerous man in all of Westeros, true- little comfort, but you both saved many lives."

She did not argue this, only waited a moment before sharing all the other details; how Brienne had died and Lord Baelish's plans. Jon did not interrupt though she could tell he was angry and likely blamed himself for not being there.

"It was Littlefinger who killed my Aunt Lysa," She continued, to prevent him from dwelling on such thoughts.

She realized she'd been successful in distracting him when his expression turned solemn, and his anger dissipated, as she had never shared this bit of information with him. In fact, it was only one of many things she had not shared, and though she regretted that she was still unable to speak to him of them all, she knew he had his own secrets, and she did not begrudge him them, she only hoped he would do the same.

"I had to tell him before word spread, because I knew the extent of Littlefinger's hold on my cousin. Even with the truth, Robin took Lord Baelish's death rather hard. In the end, it was Ser Davos who made him see the truth of what that man truly was."

Jon turned to the Onion knight then, both surprised and impressed at her revelation.

His shoulders went up a little before he answered Jon's unspoken question.

"I'm good with children?"

Jon's expression softened, a smile tugging at his mouth before he turned to her once more.

Taking that as her queue to continue, she did.

"As for Lord Royce, he never had any great love for Littlefinger, in fact had always seen him for what he was. He has promised to do his best to train and help make Robin a better man. But I think it would be wise he spend some time away from the Eyrie. So he may see the world for what it truly is."

The smile disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"He will come North, and soon. As well as Lord Royce and your Uncle Edmure. I have sent word."

She immediately understood what this meant as well, "Has the Queen written to the lords and ladies in the South?"

She did not think his expression could harden any more than it had, but she was wrong it seemed.

"As well as Theon," He said after a moment, his voice deep and begrudging.

That explained it. She'd told him what had happened after all, how Theon had helped save her. Only, Jon was not as quick to forgive him for betraying Robb and taking Winterfell. He had not truly known Ramsey after all, and could not see Theon had long since served his sentence, ten times over. She could never try to make him see it either, if she did, he would only see her own pain more clearly.

"I will be glad to see him," She said, deciding not to hide how she felt.

She stood then, coming to the conclusion that this was the perfect moment to take her leave.

"I think I'll retire. I'd like to freshen up before I meet the Queen. My old chambers are ready for me I hope?"

With said Targaryen likely in her mother's chambers, Jon had probably taken the master, for appearances. She was relieved when he nodded, looking properly abashed. She smiled, hoping he understood she was not bothered by it. She turned her grin on Ser Davos before flashing it at her brother once more before she left.

§

Sitting by the fire, she heard the knock at her door, and did not wait for her handmaiden to get it as she stood, and walked over to answer.

"Hello," She said in surprise, not recognizing the girl who stood before her. She was quite pretty with her curly brown hair and dark skin, despite the serious expression on her face.

"Lady Sansa," She spoke with an unfamiliar accent.

"Queen Daenerys wishes to speak with you."

"Of course," She answered amiably, stepping out of the room, waiting for the girl to escort her as she was like to do, despite knowing the way better.

They walked in silence, and though she had been playing it close to the heart since she accepted the summons, she could not help her suspicion of the dragon Queen, for she was a Targaryen, and three Starks had died by their hands.

Thankfully it did not take long to reach the Queen's chambers. They arrived in that moment, and at her door stood four men, dark skinned and serious. They said nothing, only opened the door to let them pass, the girl nodded at them before guiding her inside.

The silver-haired Targaryen sat in the same spot, she herself had only just left in her own chambers, though the room was bigger of course. There was another chair by the fire, as well as a small table with a platter of food and a half empty cup of wine.

She stood when they entered, her eyes locking onto her escort before finding her own as she approached. She was beautiful Sansa realized, and petite, shorter than her by at least a foot, though there was strength in her gaze that made her seem taller somehow.

"Lady Sansa," She smiled warmly, "It is a pleasure to meet you."

She returned the grin, before bowing her head, "Your Grace. I am honoured."

Queen Daenerys took her arm before she spoke, "It is I, who is honoured. Come, let's sit. Would you like a glass of wine?"

"Yes, thank you your Grace," Sansa replied as she took the seat opposite from where the Queen had been.

Suddenly her handmaiden approached her, a cup in hand.

"Thank you," Sansa said gratefully, taking the proffered glass.

"This is Missandei," Queen Daenerys said then, "My most trusted friend."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Sansa," She spoke with a smile.

It is good to meet you as well Missandei, and I hope the North has been kind to you."

She nodded but did not say anything, only turned to Queen Daenerys before she bowed lightly and left. Caught in the girl's silent departure, Sansa did not speak.

"How was your journey? Everything went well in the Eyrie I hope?"

Sansa should not have been surprised she knew, with the Spider at her service, it was no wonder, yet she had thought to be of no import to the southern Queen. Her silence must have given her away though, because she spoke again.

"I was not keeping tabs on you of course, but it seems Lord Varys always kept an eye on Littlefinger, and when you appeared alone in the Vale, it did not take him long to figure out why."

She had not come out and said it, yet it was clear Queen Daenerys knew at least, that Petyr was dead. The news was not common knowledge, considering his remains were only now on their way back to the Fingers.

"Yes, thank you your Grace," She repeated her earlier words once more, deciding to address only her question.

"My cousin Robin as well as my Uncle Edmure, are both loyal to House Stark," She added, hoping it was the confirmation she needed to hear that all was well in the Vale, and the Riverlands.

Either she did, or she decided not to press further Sansa was not sure, but in any case the Queen changed topic.

"I take it you have heard, of my betrothal to your brother Jon?"

Sansa did not address her words directly, only nodded. She was not bothered by this news, but had yet to be convinced in the truth of it. Though Sansa had not seen the dragons with her own eyes she'd heard of them, she had no doubt how easy it would be for Queen Daenerys to take the North by force, as she did with Pyke. So why had she not done so? It was clear what Jon and the North got from this bargain, but what did the Dragon Queen truly gain aside from a husband, and the fealty of his land?

Either something in her expression had given her away again, or the Queen was good at reading others, she was not sure.

"I do not blame your suspicion, considering our family's history, but I hope you can believe me when I tell you, that my only wish is to unite the kingdoms, all of them. To put an end to the tyranny of evil men."

She spoke forcefully, and Sansa couldn't help wondering if she actually meant what she said. She had never met a Targaryen, but Daenerys seemed everything one would be, fire and blood, and yet, there was kindness too, hidden deep in her voice and eyes, one only had to be looking carefully to see it.

"Begging your pardon your Grace," Sansa said keeping her voice smooth and submissive, "But as long as mankind lives, there will always be tyranny."

"I am no man. I am the mother of dragons, the breaker of chains, the unburnt," Queen Daenerys answered, her voice forceful, but even.

Suddenly though, her eyes softened as she spoke again, "You do not know me, but I have heard a great deal of you, from many sources. We are much alike, you and I."

Sansa was not sure how to take this, from her change of topic once more to wondering who exactly had spoke of her, and what they had said. Queen Daenerys did not let her dwell on it though.

"Like you, I have been both used and betrayed, have suffered at the hands of my enemies, and those who would protect me. I took matters into my own hands to survive, and was made stronger by my pain."

Sansa could not be sure of course, as she knew very little of the Queen's life, but her words resonated within her none-the-less.

"I too, have married twice."

For a moment, her words hung silent but heavy in the air between them. Though her two husbands had been polar opposites of each other, and she held no ill will towards Tyrion, in fact the opposite, she was grateful for his kindness towards her, Sansa still did not much care for thinking of either of them. It only did to remind her of own powerlessness, something she was sure she did not want to feel ever again.

"And though I would have liked my third to be for love, I am at least grateful that he is a good man, and that the realm will prosper from our union."

The Queen had sobered, serious once more, by the time she finished speaking. She reached for her glass of wine and took a sip before she summoned Missandei once more. Sansa was grateful for the interruption, and followed the queen's lead by taking a long swig from her own cup.

She arrived moments later, a basket of a fair size in her arms, which she gave to Sansa when she reached them.

"A small token of my appreciation for your hospitality," The Queen said, smiling.

She looked inside and realized it was filled with precious items, fine silks in bold colours, delicate jewelry of silver and gold, and three pearls, which glimmered in the firelight. Unable to help it, she picked them up by the clear thread that held them together.

"They were given to me by a Dornish man, who claimed he'd gotten them from a mermaid who wished to trade for a few of the fish he'd caught that day. He said it was her, who fashioned them into pendants, using some of his fishing line."

Sansa finally returned the grin, and spoke, "They are beautiful, it all is, thank you your Grace."

It would not do to refuse the kindness, and she would be sure to sew some of the fabric soon, perhaps even wear one such garment to the queen and Jon's own wedding.

"I am pleased you like it," She replied, standing.

She glanced over to Missandei and the girl nodded, taking the basket back from her.

"Missandei will take it to your chambers, come let us go take a stroll before the evening meal. I have become very fond of the Godswood, although I am still adjusting to the cold winds."

Sansa nodded and stood, her distrust finally disappearing as she realized the Queen was a gentle woman underneath her tough exterior.

"As am I, your Grace," She answered with a smirk.

§

More than a few days passed before Sansa came to understand what else the Queen hoped to gain in her new northern allies. She had accompanied her once more, on a turn through the Godswood and had run into her brother Jon, sitting in the same spot their father once did.

It was a rare moment, the three of them alone, one Sansa quickly realized, the Queen had orchestrated.

"There is unity in the kingdoms, or there will be once we marr- well once the south and north are one realm," She began cryptically.

Jon would soon marry the Targaryen Queen, here in the North, once the Lords and Ladies arrived, and though he hadn't seemed pleased at first, he didn't seem to mind as much anymore. They spent a lot of time together already, and it was rumoured that he'd been seen riding the green dragon alongside the queen. She was not sure of the latter, as she spent much of her time preparing the castle itself for winter, and their enemy, but it was clear they'd grown fond of one another at least.

"There is one more union though, that would truly bind the kingdoms, once and for all."

Whatever she intended on sharing, it was clear Jon did not know either when he stilled at her words, both their gazes heavy on the Targaryen Queen.

"I mean to ask Lady Sansa to marry, for the good of the realm," She answered, sure to keep her voice gentle.

Sansa suddenly suspected she was going to send her to King's Landing and back to her old husband, who currently guarded the place, but she told herself once she got out, she would never go back.

"Where would you have me go?" She managed to ask evenly.

The Queen hesitated for a long moment before she finally spoke, her voice heavy, "The Westerlands."

Of all the answers in all the world, it was the one she'd least expected, and she couldn't hide the confused shock on her face.

Frowning she inquired, "Casterly Rock?" Thinking surely that it couldn't be.

She nodded solemnly.

"But lord Tyrion is in King's Landing-" She stopped when she realized it wasn't Tyrion she meant.

"You wish me to marry the Kingslayer?" Her tone was surprised, not only because he was vastly older than her, but the notion seemed inconceivable, her marry Jaime Lannister?

"They call him the Knight of Mercy now," She continued, her voice gentle once more, clearly trying to make the best of a terrible situation.

"Mercy, for whom?" She replied, though it was clear she didn't expect an answer.

The Queen said nothing at first and avoided looking over at Jon. It was obvious she did not truly wish to ask this of her, but as Sansa thought of it, she began to see why she had. With Jon and Daenerys married, House Stark and House Targaryen would be bound, ending a decades old feud. If she wed Jaime, so too would House Lannister be bound, and it would signify the start of peace in a way only the union of wolf and lion could.

"You would wed my sister to another Lannister?" Jon finally spoke, his voice dark and deeper than she'd ever heard it.

Standing, he sheathed his blade once more, his movements tight and controlled, silent as the sound of Longclaw sliding into the scabbard filled the air.

"If she will agree, I would," The Queen answered, her own temper flaring.

"It is good then, that she is not in your charge," He answered contemptuously.

Though Sansa knew he was only trying to protect her, she still could not help herself, as she spoke in turn, looking at her brother, her own voice strong and defiant, "I am in no one's charge but my own."

He was not subdued, and took a step towards her.

"I am the King in the North and you are my sister. I will not allow you to be sold off to a Lannister, even with your own consent."

He gave her a long and dark glare that kept her silent before he finally turned to the Queen once more. For the first time since Sansa had ever seen them together, the mother of dragons looked like the petite woman she was physically, Jon seemed to tower over her though he was not much taller.

"I had not thought you capable of trickery, but it seems I was wrong. I have declared our union, but I have not yet given my word."

His anger faded suddenly, and though he was not looking at her, Sansa could tell he'd been hurt by the Queen's omission. He turned away then, his eyes finding his sister's once more.

"I once promised you I would never put you in harms way, and I intend to keep my word."

She remembered Brienne then, and everything she had learned about Jaime Lannister. How it was because of him that she'd been able to go find her, that it was him who'd sent her. That he was honourable, and good, even though he was a Lannister. Tyrion had been kind to her once and had never used nor abused he, so she didn't have that hard a time believing it exactly, especially not after meeting him herself.

And Jaime loved his sister, of that she was certain, it was likely even in death, he still did. Surely, he would have no interest in her in that way, and after everything she'd suffered, it hardly seemed like a hardship, what the queen was asking of her. She would gain a husband, a broken man who would likely never touch her, and she saved herself from being sold off to some other man who intended to wed and bed her. As for heirs, there was no rush in solving that little problem.

She turned to the Queen, and by her expression, and her steady and worried gaze on Jon's face, Sansa realized she had actually come to care for her brother, or his opinion, at the very least.

Glancing back at her brother she finally spoke, "The great war is coming Jon, and you said it yourself, we must fight together if we are to win. I don't believe the Queen intends on putting me in harm's way."

It was at her own words, that Sansa remembered something Queen Daenerys had said to her, the day they had met.

"Jaime is a good man, Jon. Brienne always said it," She said, before she turned to the Queen once more, her gaze steady.

"In any case, I should like to meet with him before accepting, your Grace, if you would allow me."

She seemed relieved though Sansa had not agreed exactly, but her cheeks burned red when she spoke, "He will be here within a fortnight, maybe less. Though I had expected you to say no, I asked Tyrion to send him so that you could meet him at least, anew. He is guilty only of loving the wrong woman."

"And of being a Lannister, and fathering the monster who killed our father and abused our sister," Jon interjected.

And then Sansa did something, she had not ever done. She stood up for a Lannister.

"He also helped save my life."

Queen Daenerys followed her lead, "He killed his sister, the woman he loved, to save the city. He has proven his loyalty with her life, do you not agree?" Her voice boomed in the quiet of the Godswood.

Sansa reached out, putting a hand to his arm, forcing his gaze to hers once more, the anger dissipating as his eyes found hers, but he said nothing, only looked at her for a long moment before turning to the Queen for the briefest of seconds before he pulled his arm away.

"I will not allow it," He said before he left them.

The quiet held for a few moments before Sansa spoke.

"Why does he think he comes?"

Letting out a deep breath, she answered, "To swear fealty to your brother, and attend our wedding as a lord of the realm. And then, if you will have him, you will wed."

She nodded and grinned without mirth, "You intend to wed us here, in the North."

"I admit, it is what I hoped."

"I am relieved not to be the only one ensnared in your ploy," Sansa admitted, almost smiling. "I will meet him, but I make no promises."

She'd nearly completely agreed to the arrangement, and she wasn't sure why. Maybe it was her girlish memories of ser Jamie, he'd been far from her favourite, but she'd seen his tenacity in the joust, and she'd admitted that he was very handsome, with his golden locks. He was older now of course, but his looks had not faded with age. Beauty was not everything, but she could not deny it helped.

"I will talk to my brother as well," she added, glancing over to where he'd stalked off.

"Thank you Lady Sansa," The Queen replied gratefully.

a/n: Hard to believe, considering this is a Sansa chapter and she's not my strongest pov, but this is my longest chapter to date. Inspiration was hard to find for awhile there, but it's back with a vengeance it seems. Thankfully.

As always, reviews are appreciated. Thanks again.