The following day started early for the Targaryen Princess. She and her mother were scheduled to meet with the Starks in order to go over the legalities of the potential marriage alliance between their houses. Mostly it would be a discussion between Daenerys and Sansa. However, with the way the two women had greeted each other the previous day, Kelnaerys wondered if their meeting would turn into something much closer to an argument than a conversation.

The evening before, after Yraexes had thoroughly reburied himself deep in the snow, Kelnaerys had walked Kyra back to her room. In hindsight, it had been a sweet thing to do. It wasn't till after the Stark girl closed her door for the night did the princess realize she had no idea how to return to her own room. After asking a few servants for directions around the dark keep, Kel finally arrived at her designated chambers.

As she got dressed that morning, Kelnaerys took a look out of her window and found the day much brighter than yesterday. The sun was midway between rise point and high point, which led her to believe it was still in the morning. For clothes today, she chose a simpler tunic that was light grey with a subtle scale pattern and white cotton pants. Feeling the need to represent her house, the princess still wore her dragon-head pin and red cape. Kel was sliding on her riding boots when a knock came from her door.

"Come in." The heavy, wooden door that looked like it had seen better days swung open with a creak. From the doorway appeared Daenerys.

"Good morning dear. You look fetching." The Queen praised in a motherly tone. She smiled, as she often did, at her child and took a seat on the bed bedside her. "How did it go with young Lady Stark last night?" Of course her mother wanted all the details. Kel's face flushed even though she knew the outing with Kyra had been almost entirely platonic. Yet, the paleness of her face betrayed her, giving away her blush.

"If you must know, it was very cold. I don't know how the Starks live in such freezing conditions." Kelnaerys reported, a shiver returning to her body at the thought. "But it was a nice night. Kyra showed me around Winterfell and she even met Yraexes." The princess said calmly, trying to control the heat in her cheeks.

"How did Yraexes take to her?" Daenerys questioned, showing even greater interest in her daughter's answer. Kelnaerys glanced at her mother with a bit of surprise but eventually shrugged it off. Dany often took extreme interest in all her child's affairs so it wasn't necessarily a question Kel thought to be odd.

"My dragon was infact, quite gentle with her. He even let her bring a hand to him." The princess said with honesty. The knowing expression on Daenerys' face curled into a silent smirk.

"Dragons, I've found, have been known to be very good judges of character, my love." Daenerys rose gently from her seat on the furs. "But enough talk of the Lady Kyra for now, we must meet with her and her mother." The Queen's tone shifted to one of mild annoyance. Kel took this opportunity to ask Daenerys of Sansa Stark.

"Lady Sansa seems to be..." Kelnaerys paused, trying to find the words,"...rather displeased with our visit." She had a feeling this might spur her mother on a tangent but Daenerys merely turned towards the hearth in Kel's bedchambers and folded her hands in front of her. The princess could practically feel her mother's steely facial expression forming.

"The history between Sansa and I is, how you would put it, complicated. I believe we could've been great allies. Maybe even friends, if her sense of misplaced family honor had not threatened my reign as Queen. In ways, I understand her motives. Sansa was playing the game of thrones, as she would say. She lacked trust and respect for me because of what she endured at the mercy of another queen. You must understand that." Her mother's tone was hard, but Kelnaerys knew it was not at her. "I want to warn you that Lady Stark isn't the most accepting of people." Daenerys turned toward her young princess. "Sansa's past is muddled with horrors no young girl should ever encounter. She was thrown into the lion's den with nothing to protect herself but her ability to observe and endure. In that way, I sympathize with her. I can even relate to her pain. But that does not excuse her actions, nor does my past excuse mine." Kelnaerys suddenly felt a surge of grief not only for her mother but for Sansa Stark as well.

"By the lion's den you mean the Lannister's?" The princess asked as more of a statement than a question. During her history lessons with Tyrion, Kelnaerys had read of the clever, often times terrible, deeds and deals of House Lannister. "A Lannister always pays his debts', Tyrion would say. There was no better person to learn from than a Lannister himself.

Kelnaerys remembered reading of the Last War and the Battle of King's Landing. The history books told of the valiance of Queen Daenerys Targaryen and the honorable death of her father, Jon Snow. The Unsullied and the Northmen stormed the city as her mother destroyed Euron Greyjoy's entire fleet on dragonback. There were eye-witness accounts of the sheer power displayed by Daenerys Stormborn as she blew threw the gate of King's Landing with Drogon, melting the Golden Company down to liquid metal. The Lannister soldiers realized fighting was futile. They surrendered themselves and were taken as prisoners of war. When the fighting ceased, all were given the option to bend the knee or die by dragon fire. Every, single soldier bowed to their new Queen.

Yet, Cersei refused to surrender, even though the battle had clearly been won. Daenerys was left with a choice; burn the city down to the foundation or rip the Lion Queen from the tower in which she hid. Kelnaerys knew of the horrors Cersei had committed, how she ordered the murder of Rhaegal and executed her mother's best friend as a ploy to hurt Daenerys. The princess had always been silently proud of the way her mother recovered, choosing to fly Drogon to the Red Keep to seek revenge on the mad woman over killing thousands of women innocents. When Daenerys finally found Cersei making her escape from the castle, the sickening crunch her body made as Drogon's massive teeth sunk into the flesh of her body was loud enough for the whole city to hear. Only her head was left. Or so the books said anyway.

"Yes, the Lannisters." Daenerys confirmed, snapping the princess from her thoughts. "Enough talk of the past for today. If you find yourself with more questions we can discuss it another time. We are already late." With that, the Dragon Queen turned on her heel with Kelnaerys in hot pursuit. There was a guard detail of Unsullied waiting outside the bedchambers to escort them to the Great Keep to meet with the Starks.
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When the Targaryens arrived, the members of House Stark were seated around a large, circular table with Sansa at the far side. The room was dimly lit and smelled strongly of leather and dampness. Kyra sat to left of her mother with Bran on the right. Arya was nowhere the princess could immediately observe.

"Greetings, Your Grace. I hope you found the sleeping arrangements to your liking." Lady Sansa began stiffly, her and Kyra rising as Daenerys and Kelnaerys entered. Bran stayed sitting for no other reason other than he couldn't stand. He bowed his head shallowly instead. When the Queen and the princess took their seats, Sansa and her child sat back in their chairs.

"They were, my Lady. I appreciate your...hospitality." Daenerys responded with a queenly voice. Her stunning grin stuck to the Queen's face without falter. The Dragon Queen had a way of making you feel as though you were worth a million gold pieces with that smile, but Kelnaerys had known her mother long enough to know when it was just for show.

"As do I appreciate the hospitality of Winterfell, Lady Sansa." Kelnaerys piped, trying to smooth over any budding hostilities. Sansa turned her gaze to the princess, the flicker of a short smile forming on her lips. She then quickly returned her attention to Daenerys.

"Your Grace, I believe we have some important matters to discuss." Sansa noted, honey dripping like blood from the sharp edges of her blade-like words.

"We do in fact, Lady Stark." Daenerys nodded and looked towards Kelnaerys. The princess tried to ignore the tension in the room by focusing on Kyra, who sat silently next to her mother. The young Lady Stark caught her staring and gave her a gentle smile. Kel felt the blush creep back up onto her cheeks.

"Your Grace, I think it is worth mentioning that a marriage between women cannot produce any heirs." Sansa's icey blue eyes never left the amethyst of Daenerys'. "I don't see how this union would benefit the realm or our Houses." Sansa folded her hands on the table in front of her.

"If the topic of producing an heir is the most pressing issue of this potential marriage than I'm sure there is a way to resolve your worries, Lady Stark." Kelnaerys chipped in, much to her mother's surprise. The tedious political lessons Daenerys urged her to endure were finally coming to use.

"This is true. The Red Woman brought Jon Snow back from the dead. Who knows what other powers the red priestesses behold." The Queen remarked in support. Sansa visibly sneered at the mention of her late brother.

"The men and women of the North do not look fondly upon the marriage of two women, Your Grace." Sansa seethed outwardly in a manner that you'd miss if you blinked. Daenerys looked unimpressed.

My mother knew Sansa would resist, Kelnaerys thought inwardly.

"Opinion of the public regarding our private affairs have mattered little to the Targaryen dynasty. I will certainly not prioritize them now after centuries of answering to neither gods nor men." The Queen claimed strongly. The look in her eye was of sheer determination.

"My Queen," Sansa started again, coldness entwining with irritation,"...if marrying a woman was what you had in mind for your child, out of all the eligible, young ladies of the realm, why must you choose my daughter?" Sansa practically huffed, bringing a hand to her brow. Kelnaerys could feel the mood in the room souring quickly and they'd only just begun.

It briefly occurred to the young princess that it seemed as if Sansa was trying to insinuate that her daughter was not fit enough to be the wife of a future queen. With that, Kelnaerys felt a sudden urge to defend Kyra Stark.

"Lady Sansa, if I'm not mistaken, are you trying to tell me that Lady Kyra would not be a suitable wife to me?" Kelnaerys accused, the Targaryen apt for boldness that had been bred into her very blood beginning to take root. Daenerys beamed like she'd never been prouder while Sansa looked as if she was about to silently pop a blood vessel with the way she glowered at the princess.

"Lady Targaryen, in my experience, marriage arrangements are made by the heads of the House. Not the—" She was cut short.

"My daughter has just as much a say in her marriage as I do, Lady Stark. Do well to remember that." Daenerys commanded with authority. The Queen sat straighter in her seat with a stare that dared Sansa to speak to her child in such a way again.

"Perhaps I may interject?" Bran spoke up. Kelnaerys had almost forgotten he was there. "It may not be a mistake that both Stark and Targaryen blood are destined to be bound together yet again." His voice was monotone and almost entirely devoid of emotion. The princess was quickly gathering the idea that Bran was always this ominous.

"If you are referring to Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and our Aunt Lyanna, now's really not the time Bran." Sansa snapped.

"No." His gaze fell onto Kelnaerys, who was entirely enthralled with what the mysterious man had to say. "I speak of Queen Daenerys and our brother Jon." For the first time, Dany and Lady Stark held the same confused expression.

"What do you mean?" Daenerys was quick to ask.

"It seems fate has a way of bringing our houses together, again and again. Rhaegar and Lyanna planted the seed, but their actions left little hope of ever watching it grow." Bran turned to Daenerys. "And Jon loved you very much My Queen, yet even if he survived the battle, your love was doomed to falter because he could not accept the fact that he was your nephew and you his aunt." Kelnaerys watched her mother as Daenerys listened to Bran intently, grief and rage warring against each other on the Queen's face. "Perhaps, this bond was being saved for a Stark and a Targaryen who could love each other without strife and bring peace to Westeros. True peace." The Three-Eyed Raven finished as quickly as he'd started, finally returning to his stagnant, contemplative state.

The room fell silent for several moments as the occupants mulled over the prospective truth of Bran's words. Kelnaerys had been rather dumbstruck, learning of her father's true lineage. Not that she particularly cared, as Targaryens had wedded incestuously for centuries. After it seemed like the quiet would last for eternity, a voice was finally heard.

"It would honor me greatly to be the wife of the Crown Princess of Westeros." The voice belonged to Kyra Stark, who hadn't said a word since the gathering begun. Sansa was swift to break from her reflective state.

"I do not want my child to die because she chooses to wed a Targaryen, Your Grace. At the very least you must understand that." It sounded almost as if Sansa was pleading. Kel couldn't tell whether the sympathy was false or not.

"As head of the House Targaryen of King's Landing, I would like to formally propose the betrothal of Kelnaerys Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Dragon's Daughter, and Heir to the Iron Throne, to Lady Kyra of House Stark." The Queen projected and Daenerys had never looked more fierce. The princess loved when her titles were rattled off, especially by her mother.

Sansa looked to Kyra, who met her mother's gaze with a hint of determination. The dragon had overpowered the wolf.

"I, Sansa Stark, Lady of Winterfell and Wardeness of the North, accept your marriage request to my daughter, Kyra of House Stark." The red haired woman agreed with exasperation in response. Considering the way this conversation started out, Kelnaerys wondered if Sansa had realized the benefit of a Stark in King's Landing. It seemed to be all politics with her anyway.

"Wonderful. Preparations will begin immediately." Daenerys motioned one of her guards forward. "Have a raven sent to Lord Tyrion notifying him of Kelnaerys' betrothal. Have him prepare the Keep for our return." With that, the man scuttled off in a hurry to complete the Queen's task.

After everyone had dispersed from the room, Kelnaerys made her way back into the yard of Winterfell. The princess was debating on whether or not to go bother Yraexes when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning to look, she spied her mother.

"Congratulations my love." Daenerys mused.

"Thank you mother, even though you did all the heavy lifting." The princess chuckled, holding onto the pommel of her sword.

"You did very well for it being your first meeting with another house. Especially a discussion with wolves." Daenerys glanced toward Sansa Stark and her daughter who stood across the way. They appeared to be speaking with a maester.

"I am to marry a wolf." Kelnaerys whispered, mostly to herself.

"You are. As was I." A solemness brimmed in Daenerys' voice. "I hope Bran is right. You will be the dragon that unites us all. Let her be the wolf that guides you through the winter." The Queen gestured to the young Stark girl. "Go inform your future bride she will be joining us on our journey back to King's Landing while I go talk to Sansa. We leave in two days." With that, Daenerys walked back towards the Library with her Unsullied in tow. After her mother had left, Kelnaerys realized Kyra was by herself. She decided now would be as good a time as any to tell her.

"Hello, My Lady." The princess greeted, arms folded behind her back. The silver chain connected to her three-head dragon pin clinked as she walked.

"Your Grace, it's good to see you. I apologize for my mother's brashness." Kyra responded with an eagerness Kel was glad to see from her.

"Do not worry, Lady Kyra. And please, we are to be wed, call me Kelnaerys. Or Kel for short." The silver haired girl told her. "My mother wanted me to inform you that you will be joining us on our return to King's Landing." Kyra has not been expecting the invitation if the look on her face was any sort of judge.

"Oh well, I—does my mother know, Your—Kelnaerys?" Kyra stumbled.

"My mother just sought to speak with her." Kel confirmed, hoping to ease some of her future bride's worries. In the grand scheme of things, this whole situation was extremely nerve racking for the Targaryen Princess and she could only imagine how anxious her betrothed must be. At least she was not being taken from her home.

Kyra merely stayed where she stood, looking over the yard. A pair of horses pulling a wagon full of timber rolled through the way, mud from the melting snow sloshing under the weight of their hooves. Kel could hear the clank of a blacksmith's hammer in the background.

"Will you miss it?" She finally asked. Kyra did not face her.

"I will." Said the Stark girl. "I've never know anything but Winterfell. This is my home yet, I feel as though I don't belong here. Do you find that odd?" She turned to face the princess.

"I suppose it isn't." Kel told her. In her life time, she had travelled far and wide from the sands of Dorne all the way to the continent of Essos and the Dothraki Sea. Kelnaerys couldn't imagine what it would be like to be stuck in one spot for her whole life. "When we are married, we can travel to wherever you wish. I promise it." She declared, taking Kyra's hand in hers.

The Stark nodded lightly, taking a step closer to Kelnaerys. "I would like that." She said softly, gazing softly into the blue-violet of her betrothed's eyes with her own honey-brown ones.
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Later that evening, Kelnaerys was leisurely making her way to her mother's room to speak with her. As she walked, she admired the dark cobblestone of Winterfell's walls and how different it was from the marble and sandstone of the Red Keep. When she reached Daenerys' chambers, the faint sound that came from inside made Kel wonder if her mother was alone. The two Unsullied soldiers that stood guard outside the Queen's door quickly recoiled at the sight of their princess. Kelnaerys knocked twice and waited.

From inside, shuffling and the sound of a chair skidding across the hard floor made the princess quirk an eyebrow in bewilderment.

What in the seven is my mother doing in there, Kelnaerys began to wonder. Her thought was stopped premature as the oak door began to open. The face that emerged from the dark bedroom made the Targaryen Princess's jaw drop square to the stone beneath her feet.

"Lady Sansa??" Kelnaerys announced, completely astonished. The woman's firey, red hair was messy, the sheen of sweat glazed her pale skin like glitter, and her dress hung lazily off her right shoulder. Sansa closed the door shut tight behind her.

"Your Grace." Sansa responded faintly, the usual coldness of her voice drained. She never met the Targaryen's eyes, which was surprising as Sansa seemed to live for looking people right in the soul with that intimidating stare. Yet, without another word or glance, Lady Stark hurried down the dim hallway and was out of sight within seconds. Suddenly, Kelnaerys was genuinely afraid to grasp the latch to her mother's bedchambers. She took a deep breath and pushed forward.

As she entered, a musky smell lingered in the air and a fire raged beneath the hearth. Daenerys was sitting at the table next to it, sipping a glass of wine.

"My love, are you alright?" Daenerys asked. Kel noticed she wore only a thin robe that was partially see-through. The furs and blankets of her mother's bed were everywhere, some even sparsely thrown over the floor. Her hair too was a mess, the platinum braids loose and tangled. It was also practically impossible not to notice the deep, purple-red marks littered up the sides of Daenerys' neck and shoulders.

The princess deeply considered that this was exactly what it looked like.

"Well..." Kelnaerys began. Whatever reason she had for seeking out her mother before had entirely been eradicated from her mind. "....what was Lady Sansa doing in here?" Was all she could come up with.

"Lady Stark and I had a....conversation." Dany took a sip of her drink, grinning as she did so.

"It seems it may have been more than just a conversation." Kelnaerys challenged. She was not angry, not yet at least.

"What makes you think that my love?" Her mother chirped, the faux innocence of her demeanor not fooling her princess in the slightest. Kelnaerys was sure she was doing it on purpose. Daenerys rarely hid anything from her child unless for good reason. Clearly, this was not something she intended to keep secret, though, Kel did find her acting amusing.

"My Queen, do I even have to begin to list them?" Kel mentioned sarcastically.

"No, perhaps you shouldn't." Dany exhaled, playfully defeated.

"You and Sansa....?" The younger Targaryen didn't even need to finish her sentence.

"Yes." Was all the Queen offered. Kel approached her, unafraid. When it was just the two of them, formalities were thrown out the window.

"Shall I even dare ask how this happened?" Whatever the answer to this question was, Kelnaerys was sure she'd be listening extra carefully.

"You could. And I'd tell you. But I'd rather leave it up to the imagination." Daenerys chuckled quietly, leaning back in her chair. Quite frankly, after Kelnaerys left this room tonight, she wonder never speak of this again. She would try to forget this ever happened. Likewise, she would never look at Sansa Stark the same either.

"Mother, I am to marry her daughter!" The Targaryen Princess preached with conviction.

"And if she's anything like her mother, then you've got your hands very full my beauty." Daenerys smirked devilishly, finishing the last of her wine. Kelnaerys looked to her mother with embarrassed horror, a blush burning so fiercely on her cheeks the princess thought she might be set ablaze. On the off chance that did happen, thankfully, she was fire proof.
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                        Author's Notes:

Enjoy everyone!

-Wolf