Dany landed atop the wall, and the men around Sansa and Bran scattered. But the Stark children did not move. They barely, Daenerys noticed, bothered to flinch.
She dismounted, and Drogon took off as quickly as he'd landed.
"Lady Sansa." Daenerys called. Sansa was surprised, but stepped forward. "I'd like to audience with you alone."
Sansa turned to the men around her, and nodded. She walked forward, alone, to Daenerys. They crossed the icy top of the wall, to the edge, where they stood alone.
"You must forgive me for leaving your husband unaided." she said, motioning to the lone figure of Jon amongst the dead. Tormund, Sansa noted, had already began his way towards Jon, a spare horse in tow. "I had no horse, and I'm afraid the cold was getting to me."
"It's not much warmer, yet." Sansa said. "But the thaw will be here, now that they've gone. I worry, though, for the words of my house. Winter came. And it was destroyed, and left."
Daenerys smiled, and Sansa smiled back.
"Jon told me of his true heritage." Dany said finally. "Of course, it would have become clear. Dragons answer nobody but Targaryens."
Sansa looked down, tightening her hands above the fabric protecting her stomach.
"I am going to tell you something, Sansa Stark, that nobody else knows. And you must promise me not to tell anyone, aside from your husband. Although, I'm sure..." she motioned towards Bran. "But nobody else."
"Of course." Sansa said.
"I can't have children." Daenerys said. "I sacrificed that ability to attempt to save someone I loved. I will never have children."
Sansa waited, but she felt her heart sink for Daenerys. This young woman, who had come this far to sit on the throne, couldn't do anything herself to assure her name and house remained strong.
Daenerys smiled at her again, a gentler smile.
"Don't feel pity for me, Sansa. I will sit on the Throne. I will bring honor to my family. But I know that's not what you want, not my throne. Jon neither. Neither Stark will sit on the throne."
Sansa nodded. They'd made that very clear.
"But your child...and any other children you bear for Jon. They will."
Sansa let this sink into her, and realized what she meant.
"You can't tell anyone Jon's true name." Sansa said. "We worry the North will answer only to a Stark."
"I won't." Daenerys said. "Not for a very long time, Lady Sansa. Your home is safe. Your house is safe. And your children, of course, will be just as Stark as they are Targaryen."
Sansa nodded, but was silent.
"I am trusting you, Sansa." Daenerys said. "Because I see myself in you. I see the fire that burns in me, just as strong, in you. I won't take your children from you, either, I trust you and Jon more than anyone in Westeros. You will raise them, and can join them in Kings Landing when they come of wedding age."
Sansa fell to her knees. She looked out over the ruined stretch of ice, covered in bodies. This war had been won. Another victory to celebrate. She felt tears stinging her eyes. Tears of relief, of joy.
Daenerys turned, looking down at Sansa.
"I'll need you and Jon in the north, for now. To aid your people in the time of transition. But I may call upon you, Sansa Stark. Do you swear to me your allegiance? Can I trust you to do this for me?"
"Yes." Sansa whispered, looking at the ground. And then up at the face of Daenerys. "Yes. For you, my Queen, anything."
"You are a Queen as much as I." Daenerys said, again with a gentle smile. She helped Sansa to her feet. "We stand on equal ground."
Sansa nodded, feeling ridiculous for the tears that were solidifying on her face.
"Forgive me." Sansa said, brushing them away. "Being with child causes havoc on my self-control."
Daenerys smiled, wide and bright.
"We will rest at Winterfell, Sansa." Daenerys said. "And then, then we will march to King's Landing."
Jon and Sansa reunited at the camp. Jon could nearly cry with relief, at seeing her beside Dany. Ignoring any sort of proper behavior, he rushed Sansa, taking her in his arms. She sighed, pressing her head against his chest.
There was great excitement in the camp. A battle well fought, and well won, with nearly no loss of life on their side. There was great barrels of ale being broken open, and Jon was sure he'd seen a couple women being pulled into tents, from the nearby brothel.
"We ride for your home, tomorrow." Daenerys said to him. "And then take leave there for a few days, before Kings Landing. Tonight, though, sleep soundly." she said, reaching for him, kissing him on the cheek. She turned, and did the same to Sansa.
She left them, and Jon guided Sansa through the camp, to the tent at the far edge.
"There will be a day," he said. "where our lives are surrounded only by thick stone walls, and no longer canvas."
She smiled, gladly pulling off her top coat, feeling the weight on her shoulders decrease.
"Not a day too soon." she said, sitting in a chair.
"What did Daenerys have to say to you?" Jon asked.
"She wanted to ask a favor of us." Sansa said softly. "Since you have Targaryen blood, she wants our children to sit on the Iron Throne."
"But what about-" Jon asked after a second, and Sansa shook her head.
"She can't, Jon. She can't do it herself." she said.
"If the men in the north found out who I am..." he began, and she shook her head again.
"They won't, not for a long long time." she assured him.
He clenched his jaw.
"That's a lot of pressure, Sansa."
"I know." she said. "But we needed her. She needs you."
He sat across from her, taking her hands.
"If you're alright with it, Sansa." he said, and she nodded.
She stood, bending to meet his face. She gently took his face in her hands, and puller him closer. "We've won a great battle, Lord Stark." she kissed the side of his jaw, and then his neck. She could smell the scent of dirt, blood, and smoke on his clothes. But lower was the smell of Jon, and together, these smells made her suddenly visceral.
She bit gently on his neck, and he groaned in surprise.
"We can't." he whispered.
She frowned.
"The rest of the men do."
"Aye." he said, lowering his hand from her shoulder to her hip. "But what if someone is to come in? See their King and Queen acting so undignified?"
Sansa pushed away from him, and stepped into the night.
"Brienne!" she called, but saw Podrick outside the tent, alone.
"She's just sleeping, m'lady." Podrick began. "I can go wake her."
"No need, Podrick." she said. "You'll do fine. Just...do not allow anyone in this tent. Unless we are screaming for assistance, or the tent is ablaze, nobody enters."
He looked nervous, and glanced around to see if anyone else heard.
"Of course, m'lady. Nobody." he said.
She nodded, and shoved back into the tent.
"There." she said, matter of factly. Jon laughed, and reached for her. He tucked her hair behind her ear, and then pulled her closer, to his chest, holding her. He felt her fingers working carefully, untying the straps at his chest.
"There's no rush." he said to her softly. She looked up, and then smiled.
"I'm sorry." she said, shaking her head. "I guess...I always feel like I have to hurry. Like you'll slip away."
"I'm right here." he said. "Not going anywhere."
She smiled, and leaned her forehead against his chest. After a long moment, he felt her hands slowly lingering up his belly. He laughed, and then she giggled.
"I guess I just can't help it." she admitted.
"Come on." he said, nodding to the bed. "Let me help you then."