TYRION

It can't be. Why is she here? Is she really here? Am I imagining it? He hadn't thought of Sansa Stark in weeks. He can't say he never thought about her, though. He thought they had come to like one another in their short, loveless union. They had been kind to each other and understood the kind of pain that only an orphaned girl with no family, and a hated demon-monkey dwarf could know. He understood why she fled, of course. She was given an option to leave safely in the face of chaos. He had been mad at her for abandoning him when he was under trial for the murder of his nephew, but time and collected information helped him see why she chose to run. It was hard to forget that she was naught but fourteen at the time. You wouldn't know it now, he thought as he studied her. He was still confused by her reaction upon seeing him. He didn't know if she was upset that she'd be stuck with him again, or if she was just really happy to see him. Right, dwarf, that's it. Your long lost wife is dying to be in your arms again. He shook his head at the painful reminder of what he was. He looked at her again from a distance. She was sitting in the throne room, staring straight ahead, and waiting for the Queen to receive them. Tyrion stood a few feet to the side and could not stop looking at her.

She looks the same, he thought, but somehow completely different. She wasn't any taller than he remembered, but she had definitely grown. In that dress, it was hard to miss the newly filled out chest of a woman, and the curves of her hips. If he thought she was beautiful at fourteen, she was nothing short of glorious now. Yes, he thought about her often during their nearly two years apart. But always as a sad, fleeting memory of one he would never see again. He certainly never expected to be reunited with her here, so far from their homes. He must have been staring at her longer than he thought, because just then she turned and looked right at him. She did not turn away shyly when she caught him watching her, but boldly looked into his eyes. He was unable to look anywhere else, though he should have been embarrassed, probably. Her face was unreadable. The girl he used to be able to read like a book had built up walls stronger than Winterfell's. Surprisingly though, she was not looking at him with disdain, hatred, or disgust. If anything, the look was calculating if maybe a bit sad. He was about to say something when the door behind the throne opened. "All stand for her highness, Queen Daenerys Stormborn, rightful heir to the Iron Throne". Sansa slowly looked away from Tyrion and stood up to greet the queen.

When Daenerys made it in front of the throne, Sansa sunk into a deep curtsy, only rising when the queen was sat. "You may sit, Lady Stark, as may your companions". They did as they were bid and waited for further instruction. "Lord Varys tells me that you are here to offer your services to me. Are you acknowledging that I am the one and only Queen of Westeros?" she was looking directly at Sansa. "Yes, your grace. I lived in the capital for many years, and blood aside, I do believe that you should be the one and only Queen. Those in power now are directly responsible for the deaths of my parents, my brother Robb and the disappearance of my three younger siblings. I've been left with them alone as their ward for over two years and traded like a piece of meat, only to be rescued by Petyr Baelish for him to do the same. I do not believe you are the sort of ruler who would do that to a person" she concluded. She had stolen a glance at Tyrion as she spoke. He hoped his face hadn't given much away. So it was true, then. She was used by Little Finger as much as she was by his father and sister. But at what cost?

"You would be correct in that belief Lady Stark. Is it Stark? I've heard conflicting information in terms of your marital status" she glanced at Tyrion, who avoided her gaze. Sansa blanched slightly, and looked at her feet. "Your grace, I fear I have committed adultery" she began, "I was married to Lord Tyrion Lannister when I was fourteen in Kings Landing. When I left after Joffrey's wedding I was made to marry Roose Bolton's bastard, Ramsay, by Peter Baelish. He assured me that I would be saved by Stannis Baratheon and would be named Warden of the North." It was obvious to Tyrion that she was holding back tears. Her voice got heavy and her nose red, but she continued. "I did as I was bid and married him. For weeks or months, I do not know, I was tortured in every way. If I can ask but one thing from you, your highness, it would be to have my marriage to Ramsay Bolton falsified on the grounds that I was already married to Tyrion Lannister, and was forced against my will by the Bolton's to go with their plan". I've underestimated that girl. Then again, she survived my nephew, my father, and my sister. What she said hit him then. Is she saying that she wants to remain married to me? No, you fool. You're her way out of that second marriage, she'll figure a way out of this one too, he concluded sadly.

"Lady Stark, perhaps we could discuss this private matter in my chambers. I feel you do not want to share more information in front of the entire court." Sansa sighed in relief. "Thank you, your grace." Daenerys was just about to stand when Sansa interjected "Your grace? Could Lord Tyrion join us? I feel he deserves some explanation for my absence and my sudden reappearance." The Queen studied her for a moment, and then looked to Tyrion, eyebrows raised in question. He nodded and followed the two ladies to the Queen's quarters. He tried to catch Sansa's eyes, but she was looking decidedly ahead of her. What do you want, girl? They were escorted to Daenerys' sitting room and were offered food and beverages. Sansa helped herself to a goblet of Dornish wine and waited for the queen to ask her questions.

"I am so sorry to hear of your family, and of your personal troubles as well, Sansa. Know that I am a fair ruler, and will annul the marriage between you and Ramsay Bolton as soon as I ascend my throne. I must, however, ask you some personal questions about your marriage with both Tyrion and Ramsay." She looked sympathetically at Tyrion before continuing. "Are you certain that you want Lord Tyrion present?" At this point, he felt he should interject. "Really Sansa, what happened between us was so long ago. You do not owe me anything." Sansa finally looked at him with that unreadable face, and turned her attention back to Daenerys. "If he does not mind hearing the answers, I would prefer him to stay". Tyrion nodded his agreement and the questioning began.