Dangerous Animals

Chapter Two

Tyrion smiled, keeping his head down. Of course the King in the North would not abandon Winterfell, the previous one had made that mistake, and Northerners were not about to repeat history. The smile disappeared from his lips almost instantaneously when he looked up. He had seen Daenerys this upset very few times, and the hatred in her eyes nearly made him want to look away.

"This man, this boy calls himself King in the North, and then refuses to even meet with his rightful Queen? He sends his sister, the daughter of the traitor Ned Stark and a girl who was betrothed to the son of the Usurper Joffrey Baratheon? How dare he!" In the dim light Daenerys' face appeared more like a skull than a young woman, with hollowed cheeks and eyes dancing with fire.

Olenna Tyrell shifted in her chair, leaning towards the young queen, "the girl is not of your concern, an uninteresting daughter of an uninteresting man, hear her out, then turn your focus to King's Landing, to our real enemy, Cersei Lannister," Ellaria Sand nodded in agreement, and Yara Greyjoy appeared as uncaring as before. Theon shifted in his chair and opened his mouth, ready to defend Sansa, but Tyrion beat him to it.

"It was unrealistic for us to believe that Jon Snow would abandon his throne to meet the daughter of the man who burned his uncle and grandfather alive," Daenerys opened her mouth to protest, but Tyrion continued, "Sansa Stark has a name, a title, and more control over the North than we could ever hope for, we must respect her for the North to respect us," Tyrion leaned into the table, staring into his Queen's eyes directly, "my father once told me that Sansa Stark was the key to the North, and this remains the case. There is a reason Jon Snow sent his sister in his place, and it is not because he intended to disrespect you, at least it is not the sole reason. Sansa grew up in King's Landing, she understands how the game is played, and she will be determined to protect her home. We must appease her, and understand that she is the determining factor in King in the North's allegiance to our cause. The uninteresting girl that you knew in King's Landing, Lady Olenna, is the most important factor in our grab for the Iron Throne."

Lady Olenna glanced at Daenerys and then at Tyrion, "I've met many Northmen during my time on this earth, and believe me when I say that they are a dreadfully loyal lotl. How would you be sure that the men would fight for you even if this bastard Jon Snow bends the knee? You have dragons, you can win this war without the North. A dragon does not submit to anyone, not a lion, not a viper, not even a wolf."

Although her eyes remained fiery, Daenerys shook her head, standing up to study the map of Westeros before her, "if I wish to be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, then I must have Seven Kingdoms to support me. I will not murder thousands if I have another option, and the North is another option. What is Cersei meant to do when she has no one in her corner? Even lions can be caged, and the North will help me capture her. I will listen to Sansa Stark, I will consider she and her half-brother's wishes, and I will gain the North's support," Olenna Tyrell made no effort to hide her disapproval, but wisely remained silent.

Ellaria Sand raised her head, finally seeming to care about the conversation set before her. "Lord Tyrion, if you do not mind me saying," Tyrion was sure he was going to mind, "although your concern for the North is quite endearing, I must say that seems you are concerned with the well-being of Sansa Stark as much as the rightful queen of Westeros. I do recall that the two of you were married when Oberyn and I were in King's Landing and you seemed quite enamored with her. I fear that your relationship with her may be clouding your best judgment."

Daenerys glanced at Tyrion, an eyebrow raised. He cleared his throat, "It is no secret that my marriage to Sansa Stark was nothing more than a facade, and I believe that I have informed my Queen of this on several occasions," he glanced at Daenerys, who simply nodded her head, confirming his defense. "As for a relationship with the girl, well, relationships are typically reliant on both parties, and I can promise you that Sansa Stark holds no kind feelings towards a man whose family murdered her own."