I'm having so much fun writing this, I can't believe I have 5 chapters up already! I've been imagining this story line ever since season 5 wrapped up, and just had to write it down. Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to read and comment.
SANSA
I'm exhausted. She had spent the past two hours speaking with the queen, Tyrion listening along, about every horror she's encountered since her arrival in King's Landing. She had just finished explaining her escape from Winterfell when Daenerys asked Tyrion to leave the room for a few minutes. When the door was shut, Daenerys looked at Sansa with eyes full of sympathy. "Woman to woman, Sansa, and as your queen, I'm afraid I must ask you a few more questions". Sansa knew what they were already. "No. Tyrion and I never consummated our marriage. He never forced himself on me." Daenerys considered this for a moment. "You are no doubt aware of his reputation. Why am I to believe that a famous womanizer like Tyrion would deny himself the pleasure of his young, beautiful, virgin wife?" She asked. "He was shocked when I told him I was fourteen." I replied, "I could see it in his eyes that he would hate himself for doing that to someone who was no more than a child. Yes, he frequented many brothels prior to our marriage, but none of those girls were terrified children like me, and he did not have to force himself on them." At least I surely hope not.
"From what I've gathered in my time with Tyrion, I'd say you're right Sansa. I'm prepared to offer you two options. You do not have to decide today, however it would be wise to be quick about it." What options is she talking about? I have no options, I need to stay here in Mereen and fight the Lannister's. I need to be rid of Ramsay. I need – "Your first option is simple, I will annul your marriage to Ramsay on the grounds that you were already married to Lord Tyrion. I can then annul your marriage to Lord Tyrion, on the grounds of nonconsummation. The second option would be the same as the first, but you would remain married to Lord Tyrion. No one needs to know that it was not consummated if the question were to arise, since you've lost your maidenhead." She didn't say that last part without sympathy. Sansa just stared at her wide eyed. She suddenly realized that she had no idea what she wanted out of this. I need a woman's advice.
"May I be so bold as to ask for your input, your highness?" Daenerys smiled, anticipating the question. "The decision is yours to make, however I will give you my take on the matter." She sighed and stood, pacing the room slowly as she spoke. "Sansa, I do not want you to be offended by what I am about to say. I mean no disrespect to your honor or to your character." She stopped to look at her. "I understand your Grace; I wish to know as much as I can before making my choice. Please, continue." The queen continued her pacing. "Very well, let us begin with option one. You would be a free woman, unmarried and answering to no man. When I reign, I will do my best to find you a suitable husband, as I assume you would like children one day" Sansa nodded. If one thing hasn't changed, it's my desire for children to love. "The problem with this solution, and I beg you to take no offence, is that you are no longer a virgin, through no fault of your own. You are young, beautiful, and you have a strong family name, but you know how difficult it is to be married under those circumstances." Sansa knew this already, but hearing it did not make the reality any easier. She could be a free woman and live her life as she pleased, with no one to answer to. However, she knew she could not have any legitimate children without a husband. She also wanted to reclaim Winterfell one day, and she knew she had to leave an heir for her bannermen. It is possible that Daenerys could find her a suitable one, but so far, luck had not been on her side in the area of love and men. She finally nodded, indicating for her to continue.
"I know you did not choose to marry Tyrion Lannister, though that is a reality for most highborn ladies to have arranged marriages to unite houses. I do not care for the Lannister family, and as you know, I plan to take care of the remaining few who are still in King's Landing. As you no doubt already know, Tyrion is not like his family. If that was not the case, he would be dead." Sansa nodded. "If you choose to stay in this marriage, your children will belong to two of the greatest houses of Westeros. I would give you both control of Winterfell and Casterly Rock." Sansa thought about this.
"If I chose to leave Tyrion, what of Winterfell?" she asked. Daenerys smiled sadly. "You know full well the traditions in the North. They would welcome you and protect you as a northerner, but they will look for a strong Lord for their home." Sansa knew she was right. It was a man's world, unfortunately. I know that I am smarter and more cunning than most of the men I've met in my life. If I were I born with different parts, I would make a great Lord. She looked up at Daenerys, who had finally decided to sit next to her guest. Surprised, she found her hands in her new Queen's. "Sansa, you've suffered enough in your short life. I wish to see that end and I wish to see you happy. I can find you a new husband, if that is what you desire. But let me tell you this: Tyrion Lannister is not his father or his sister. He is a decent man who would take great care of you and any children you had together. He would not hurt you. Do you still dream of a gallant and handsome knight?" Sansa creased her brow.
"My Queen, I thought once that I loved Joffrey Baratheon. He was gloriously beautiful, just like his parents. He was the most evil person I'd ever met; that is until I was forced to marry Ramsay Bolton. Handsome too, but in a different way than Joffrey, maybe even more so. But his style of evil was more hands-on. Yes, I thought I wanted a handsome husband and that he would be kind and loving and gentle. I was terribly wrong." She took a deep breath to stop the tears before they started. "I would like to speak with Tyrion alone, if I may." What in the seven hells am I doing?