Author's Notes: Hey everyone, I know some of you are a bit concerned about where this story is going. When I started this story I wanted her to use her wits and her warging has become a Deus Ex Machina. It is also leads directly into something I have planned. Also a lot of big events are coming up and I wanted her to have a front-row seat. As always I own nothing.
The voyage was an uneventful affair, once Sansa's powers were restrained Melisandre allowed her free reign of the ship. Sansa at first found this to be a rather dull affair in and of itself. The crew all spoke a foreign tongue and so Sansa could not speak with any of them. The knights were courteous, but formal and, in truth, Sansa did not wish to speak to them either. Melisandre was even worse, though the two women shared the cabin the older woman was rarely in it. She spent most of her time on the deck, either preaching to the knights or the crew in their strange language. In the evenings she would stand before a brazier on the deck, staring into it for reasons Sansa could not guess and which she was not sure that she wanted to know. However; the voyage did prove to be informative. The knights had no one to speak to but each other and they seemed at times to forget that Sansa was there and spoke as if she could not hear and it was thus that she was able to learn that Stannis was still alive.
It was the first full day of the voyage and after a restless night she went out onto the deck where Melisandre was concluding one of her services. As the knights went about Sir Massey and another of the knights were talking and did not seem to notice that Sansa was within earshot. At first Sansa was paying them no mind and then she heard what they were talking about and she gave them her full attention.
"The Lady Melisandre was not pleased." Sir Massey was say.
"It was not our fault." The other knight insisted in an angry tone.
"Besides," the man insisted; "It was the Lady's own idea to have Que.., Lady Selyse poison Stannis's wine. How were we to know that that fool Flint would interfere if the flames did not tell the Lady?"
"Have a care Sir Whitewater. The Lady may not take kindly to such words. That northern oaf may have spoiled the poison plan, but it was you and yours who failed to kill the Usurper's men."
"We were counting on there being confusion after the man's death. Even so we dealt with Sir Gerald Gower, Sir Andrew Estermont, Sir Omer Blackberry and another of others."
"Some, but not enough." Sir Massey countered.
"Sir Rolland Storm killed both Sir Benethon Scales and Sir Lambert Whitewater; nor were they the only ones. The losses were greater than the rewards gained. Stannis still lives and by the now the Golden Company will be with him." Whitewater made a dismissive snort.
"What of it. The Golden Company is nothing but a collection of dispossessed men and their heirs. They have made their reputation killing other sell swords and glorified peasants in the disputed territories. Even when Daemon Blackfyre and Btittersteel led them the Targaryens sent them running with their tails tucked between their legs like whipped dogs five times, even when they did not have dragons. If they are not already running back to the Disputed Lands then they soon will be." They might have said more, but at that moment Sir Massey became aware that Sansa was listening and she quickly moved on to avoid suspicion.
As she moved away she considered what they had said. The King was still alive! She had not anticipated this. This had the potential to change everything. Since the King was alive that meant that the war would continue. Among other things it meant that her value to the Dragon Queen had just increased. Before Sansa had assumed that when the Queen moved against the North the North would be leaderless and have no choice but to submit. Now; however, with the King to lead them, they would fight to avenge the insult of having their liege lady kidnapped. This meant that having Sansa submit to Daenerys Targaryen became more than just a formality. The King would be weakened by this treachery and would need the North's strength, depleted as it was, more than ever.
The question now was how would Daenerys seek to gain her submission? Would she offer incentives, or would she seek it in a…less pleasant manner? Sir Massey had stated that the Queen might send her armies and dragons to fight the threat coming from the north. If she made the offer, did Sansa have the right to refuse? She had thought that settled this question, but now, with the likelihood that victory would be the Queen's? Surely it was her duty to protect her people and the Targaryen queen seemed to be the one most likely to accomplish that.
This all; however, was based on the assumption that the Queen would attempt to win her through gentle means. As her grandfather, uncle and aunt had learned to their cost the Blood of the Dragon was not always gentle. The Queen had bargained before and Sansa had refused her, now Sansa was coming to the Queen as a prisoner. There was no need for the Queen to offer a second time, now she could merely demand Sansa's submission and if refused again might employ some of the methods her ancestors did. It was with these troublesome thoughts plaguing her mind that she passed the remainder of the voyage.
The saw no other sails till the rejoined the remainder of the Queen's fleet as it lay at anchor near Stannis's ancestral home of Storm's End around midday. Sansa had expected them to stop, but they did not and the voyage continued on. Once the anchor was dropped the boats were lowered and the Lady Melisandre and a number of the knights got in them and rowed ashore. A short time later the boats returned for Sansa and the remainder of knights. Once ashore she was met by Sir Barristan, who greeted her with a bow.
"Lady Stark. It is a pleasure to see you again. Though I will admit that I wish it could be under more auspicious circumstances. The Queen desires to speak with you and I would be honored if you would allow me to escort you to her." Before she could speak one of the knights who had accompanied her from the ship spoke up.
"Forgive me Sir Barristan, but the Lady Melisandre instructed us to escort the Lady Stark to the Queen." Sir Barristan gave the man a cold look.
"I am Lord Commander of the Queen's Guard." He said in a tone equally cold. "I do not answer to you, or your priestess." Without another word he and Sansa walked away from the knights and down the pier.
"Thank you Sir Barristan." She said once they were out of earshot of the men.
"Think nothing of it my lady." He paused for a moment, as if reluctant to speak, then he continued.
"In truth I dislike working with such men. Their efforts have aided our cause and they will continue to do so, but still. They broke their oaths and attempted murder Stannis Baratheon. I despise turncloaks, it is like being with the Kingslayer again.
"I broke my vows to House Targaryen and there is not a day which I do not regret that fact. I did what I did out of a sense of obligation and a belief that there was none of the Royal line left to serve; what these men are doing they are doing out of fanaticism and for gain. No better than sellswords. Perhaps worse, sellswords do not pretend to be anything but what they are." He said no more as they made their way to the camp.
It seemed as if the camp had grown even larger. Everywhere she looked she saw the banners of Westerosi lords. There were the banners of House Martel, there the colors of Highgarden now openly flew beside those of the three-headed dragon. Accompanying them were a number of other banners which she did not recognize. It seemed all of southern Westeros was now with the Dragon Queen. Strangely there did not appear to be as many of the Unsullied about the camp; though she did hear the roar of one of the dragons.
Sir Barristan led her through the camp to the Queen's pavilion, though the walk was not long and the weather cooler than it had been before Sansa was still sweating by the time they arrived. It was not improved when they entered the tent and there were fires burning in several braziers. Again seated on her throne was Daenerys Targaryen. Seated on the Queen's right hand was Oberyn Martell clad in armor over which he wore a tabard of yellow silk with his house sigil emblazoned on its center. Also present was the Queen's herald and a number of nobles both from various houses and others from Essos. As Sansa and Sir Barristan entered the pavilion the herald spoke up.
"Her Grace, Daenerys of the House Targaryen, the First of her Name, Queen of the Andals, the First Men and the Rhoynar. Lady Regnant of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, Defender of the Faith, Princess of Dragonstone, Queen of Meereen, Liberator of Astapor and Yunkai, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Called Stormborn, the Unburnt, the Breaker of Chains and the Mother of Dragons, calls on Lady Sansa of the House Stark to yield herself as the Queen's honorable prisoner." Sansa had heard that such statements were made on the battlefield, but she had never thought to be on the receiving end of such a demand. Still, if she was going to be in this situation, she would not shame her ancestors by showing weakness. She took a step forward and went down on one knee.
"I, Sansa of the House Stark, Lady of Winterfell and Wardeness of the North, yield myself as your honorable prisoner." Her remark seemed to mollify the Queen, who spoke for the first time.
"It is unfortunate that we meet under such circumstances. I had hoped that when we met again it would be for me to accept your oath of fealty. It is not too late to make it so." Sansa merely shook her head.
"I fear that, while the turning of coats many be fashionable among some, those of my family honor our oaths." Oberyn and Sir Barristan both seemed to be suppressing smiles, but the others maintained their solemn expressions. After a moment the Queen spoke.
"That is most unfortunate. You shall remain with me as my honored prisoner as we await the fall of Storm's End. If you are willing to swear by all the gods, both old and new, that you shall not by word or deed attempt to harm my cause or my people then I shall allow you freedom of my camp." Sansa had expected this and as she listened to the Queen's words she felt the ruby at her throat grow warm.
"I swear," she said formally; "That I shall not, by word or deed, harm your Grace's cause or followers." It was nothing for her to speak the words and granted her a great deal of freedom and an oath made with a sword to the neck was no oath at all. This last part she kept to herself and the Queen smiled.
"Exhalent. We already have a tent prepared for you and as I said, feel free to wander the camp. I am sure that there are some here eager to see you." She turned to Sir Barristan.
"Sir Barristan, would you be so kind as to escort the Lady Stark to her tent?" The knight bowed.
"Of course your Grace." He turned and motioned towards the entrance. Sansa exited and he followed her out. They walked through the camp till they came to a tent that, while large, was still smaller than the Queen's own.
The interior was comfortable furnished; including a large comfortable bed, a table and several chairs and a vanity, all of it set on a thick carpet. The tent was not entirely unoccupied. There was already a young woman in the tent. She was a few years older than Sansa, had Dothraki features and was nearly as muscular as Brienne. Her face did not appear to be in the least bit friendly and gave only the most miniscule of bows when Sansa entered the tent. Though she was clearly there to serve Sansa, Sansa did not think the woman was anymore thrilled to be here than Sansa was to have her. Sir Barristan bowed and departed. Weary from the voyage Sansa lay down and was soon asleep.
When she awoke she found that a bath had been drawn and new clothes laid out. After bathing she found that the clothing consisted of a dress of green silk trimmed with gold thread. After she dressed the woman brushed her hair and tied it into a long braid. As she finished the tent flap opened and the Queen came in. Both Sansa and the woman bowed as the Queen entered, though she quickly motioned for them to rise.
"Forgive me Lady Stark, I know that it is rather late, but I was hoping that I might talk to you for a time." One could hardly say no to a queen, so Sansa quickly acquiesced. The Queen said something to the serving woman in a language that Sansa did not recognize and the woman brought refreshments.
These consisted of wine and a tray of lemon cakes. Much had changed for Sansa, but one thing that remained the same was her love of lemon cakes. While Sansa rather enjoyed hers the Queen nibbled on her own.
"Do you not enjoy them your Grace?"
"They are fine, I fear that certain delicacies of Westeros are still an oddity to me." She sighed and took a drink of wine.
"And, in truth, I find that I do not always have a great appetite at the end of the day." Sansa recognized the expression on the Queen's face, it was the same one that she had often had herself, the effects of the burdens of leadership.
"It seems sometimes that no matter how hard you work you never seem to get anything done." Sansa said. The Queen nodded ruefully.
"People complain that you are being tyrannical and yet they always seem to want you to make all of the decisions."
"It is even worse when you are a woman. It seems that they are always questioning your resolve and you have to act like you are mad or bloodthirsty before they respect you." The Queen gave a laugh which sounded slightly bitter.
"Oh gods yes," she agreed; "And if you think that the nobles of Westeros are bad, you should see Dothraki khals. I swear that if things continue in this vein I shall begin drinking as much as my Hand." They both laughed and Sansa felt a sense of connection form with the other woman, a connection formed by the strain of trying to rule. They might have said more, but at that moment a horn sounded. They both jumped to their feet and rushed out.
All around them men were rushing about with some throwing on armor and others calling for their horses. Silent as a shadow Sir Barristan fell in behind the Queen. Despite all the activity it did not seem that anyone knew what exactly was going on. At last they reached the Queen's pavilion, where they found Oberyn, assisted by his squire, putting on his armor.
"Oberyn," the Queen said; "What is happening? Have the Lannisters come?" He looked at her and flashed her a brilliant smile.
"No, my Queen, it is not the Lannisters. No, it is another of your rivals."
"Who is it? Who is attacking us?" The Queen demanded.
"It is Euron Greyjoy, self-proclaimed king of the Iron Islands and the rest of Westeros. He has come and he has brought the Iron Fleet with him.
Author's Notes: Hello everyone, sorry that it has been so long since I last updated, this chapter did not want to be written. Also, now that I finished school for some reason I found it necessary to obtain employment. Anyway, what did you think? I think in a way a prisoner like Sansa could bond with Dany more than her own people. She knows what the stress of ruling and as an enemy prisoner Dany can open up to her in ways she couldn't with her own people, whom she must always seem strong and without any doubts. Well, the setup is over. Next chapter things are going to get good. Just so you all know I will be using the Euron from the books, including stuff from the Winds Of Winter sample chapter, so your warned. Till then please pray for the people affected by the fires in the US, Christians and all others persecuted and all who need prayer. Bye and may Jesus bless you.