Chapter Text
Daenerys returned to Dragonstone, with Missandei, from the East, to face a perfect storm. The Lord of the Vale, and Lady Sansa, were strongly suspected of having murdered the young Lord Arryn. Worse, they’d attempted to wage war against the North, an act which could only be viewed as treason.
And then, Gilly made a most peculiar suggestion to her, as they lay in bed together, the morning after she had come back.
“What if, the Gods forbid, Missandei were to perish? You’d need another heir?”
“Well, she won’t.”
“But, you can’t know that? You’ve given this Realm years of peace. But, if there’s no heir, all the lords and ladies will go back to war.”
“Well, I suppose Jon’s in the line of succession.”
“And, if he dies before you do, what then?”
“You have a point. But, there’s nothing I can do. Children aren’t created by magic.”
“No, you’d need to lie with Jon.” She sat bolt upright.
“For the Gods sake, Gilly! You know our marriage is only for show!” The thought of coupling with Jon Snow horrified her.
”Lots of highborn ladies have to bear children to men they don’t love.”
”Leaving side my own feelings, Gilly, and I think you know what they are, what about Jon’s? He finds me physically repulsive. He made that plain enough, all those years ago. In his eyes, I’m a whore. Even more so, because of what takes place between you and me. Not even I would force a man who’s disgusted by me, into my bed.”
"I think he's had the chance to reconsider things. Things seem a lot better between the two of you, these days. Why else would you have made him your Regent?"
"I accept that Jon is capable, and yes, relations have improved between us, if nothing else, for the sake of Missandei. I don't want her to grow up to hate her father. Once I did. Once, I longed to tell her how he used me, and tried to murder me. But, she doesn't deserve that, I can see it now. But, to sleep with him ...? And, what do you think? You'd hate it surely?"
"I doubt if you're the first highborn wife whose taken another woman as a lover. There's only one way of making children, and you need more children, to secure your rule. You can make marriage alliances, as well."
Gilly had become very wise, she realised. No doubt, she always had been shrewd, she had to have been, to survive her monstrous upbringing, but it was not until she'd learned to read that she'd reached her potential. She was right. Both Rhaena and Rhaenyra had been lovers of women, yet they had also borne children. Her own nature was twisted, she understood that. Whether it was in her blood, or due to the things her first husband had made her do, she could not say. That need not alter matters. Like the most skilled of whores, she had feigned delight at every filthy act Khal Drogo had made her perform, and Jon was a kinder man than that brute, at least.
"And, have you spoken to Jon about this?"
"No, but I'm prepared to do so. " She thought again.
If Jon is willing, and I want it to be made absolutely clear that there is no compulsion on his part, then, yes, I shall lie with him."
A strange beginning to the day, she thought, as she entered the Great Hall, to deliver judgement upon the three traitors, Ser Harrold Hardyng, Lady Sansa Stark, and Mya Stone, who were led under guard. She sat on a dais with her husband. Gilly, Arya Stark, Yohn Royce and others were present. She had discussed her plans with both Jon, and Gilly, the night before, to which they had agreed.
"Mya Stone. You have, by your own confession, plotted the murder of your liege lord, Lord Robyn Arryn. That makes you a confessed traitor. Ser Harrold, and Lady Sansa, I have grave suspicions that you murdered the young lord in an especially cruel fashion. I could place you on trial for that crime, but frankly, there is no need. The pair of you plotted to wage war on the North, without seeking the permission, either of myself, or of Prince Jon. That makes you guilty of treason. A charge of murder would be superfluous.
"You are, I have no doubt, well aware of the sentence for treason. For a man, to drawn to his place of execution on a hurdle. There, to be hanged by the neck, for a short period, and then gelded, disembowelled, quartered, and beheaded. That is the sentence to which you are condemned." She saw Ser Harrold go white with shock, and start forward, but his guards held him back.
"For a woman, the sentence is to be drawn to her place of execution, and her tongue removed with pincers. And there to be burned to ashes. That is the sentence to which you are both condemned." Mya gave a little shriek, before falling to her knees, imploring mercy. Lady Sansa remained defiant.
"In your case, Mya, I believe there are mitigating factors. I am satisfied that Lord Robyn committed grave offences towards you. You may therefore opt to join the religious order of your choice, but should you ever leave that order, your sentence will be carried out in full. For you Ser Harold, and you, Lady Sansa, there are no mitigating factors, save your birth, and in the case of the latter, kinship to my husband." She couldn't help catching Gilly's eye, and seeing her give a little grin. She nodded at Ser Harrold, "You are granted the option to take the Black, and to serve Master Samwell Tarly, at Eastwatch. You, Lady Sansa, will spend the rest of your life in confinement at Gaston Grey". There were few creature comforts to be had, on the Dornish prison island. "In the event that either of you should escape, your sentences will be carried out forthwith."
As Dany and Jon rose to leave the Hall, she saw Sansa quite deliberately, spit on the ground, at the foot of the dais. Arya Stark turned to her sister, before saying "an idiot to the last, I see. Thank all the Seven that your life has been spared." Arya herself would be permitted to live where she pleased, in her Realm.
A week later, Daenerys gingerly entered Jon's bedchamber. It appeared he was agreeable to Gilly's proposal. But, she had to know for certain. He was already naked, waiting for her.
"You may refuse this, and I assure you, it will make no difference to us, Jon."
"I've wanted this for years, Daenerys. I thought, quite rightly, you'd never give me a second chance."
"You'll have to share me with Gilly, I'm afraid."
"Better that than with another man." That surprised her, but she could see the logic. She undressed swiftly. There'd be no elaborate strip tease, nor playing the whore. They lay down together, and began kissing. She'd forgotten how much she'd enjoyed it with him, all those years ago. She enjoyed it even more as he kissed and sucked on her breasts. By the time he dipped his head between her thighs, she realised it felt very good indeed. Gilly liked to do the same of course, but she really couldn't decide who was better at it.
When it was over, and he'd spent himself inside her, she found herself kissing him, and curling up in his arms. It really had been a lot better than she'd been fearing. The bards would say they had wed for love. Nonsense, but they had found a certain contentment, and that was surely enough for any married couple.