[ my lady is an interesting misstep to begin with. dany is a queen, even if she is not alayne's queen, and the disrespect irks her from the start. but she reads the message with mild interest all the same, genuinely surprised alayne took the time to write her at all.
the style of the message and its contents seem much the same. very summery, terribly polite, and certainly insincere. there is something to be said for the truth, however harshly spoken.
and dany would prefer bitter truths to sweet lies, regardless of the scenario. she thinks alayne most truthful in her salutation, in that slight insult of daenerys' claim.]
Alayne,
I fear I have also mistreated you. What we discussed still simmers, and I stand by all that I said, though I wish I had said it with more grace. You see, I would also have your forgiveness, if you would offer it.
And if you wish for my forgiveness, I only ask why you desire it. You do not think me a queen, so you owe me no such courtesy.
I would gladly acknowledge you for a Queen, my lady. But perhaps not of every land to which you lay claim. My allegiances tend elsewhere. And yes -- perhaps for that reason alone, I am afraid.
[ very afraid. but she is willing to prostrate herself if it might spare her family more bloodshed. ]
But I will give you that title -- and, of course, forgive all that's passed between us before now -- if you would forgive me one hard truth: I cannot name you Queen of all Seven Kingdoms.
[ there is one kingdom alone which she pledges (in her heart) to another. ]
Keep the other six, but in the North I would see that kingdom of old restored.
[ she is (at best) making a childish stand. and at worst, making more of an enemy for herself. but in truth sansa does not presume to negotiate for hard land or real claims. she is merely staking the hypothetical ground: naming her allegiance to the house stark. ]
I would say that its people have suffered enough. But such an argument could be made of any of our lands. Instead, let me say that the North is...she is a creature unlike the other six. Her customs and her faiths are unique to her. Her children do not do well for themselves south of their lands.
You should know that I've no intention of causing suffering, only righting the wrongs of the past. My unsullied are not like the warriors of Westeros. They do not take pleasure in harming others, for they, too, have been harmed in unforgivable ways. They do not rape or pillage. They only act as I choose fit, and I'll not see Westeros bleed without great cause.
When I sail, it will not only be in pursuit of justice for my family, but also food for the smallfolk and mercy for the innocent. [ shout out to gendry for suggestion that first part. ]
I apologize because I was dishonest with you. You proclaim yourself and name yourself and would bravely be identified for who you really are. I am not so brave; I am quite craven.
[ sansa's actions take shape in her mind, particularly with regards to arya and ned.
the daughter of a traitor, a murderer — dany holds little pity for eddard stark, but perhaps she can muster some for sansa. a girl would not know better, as she did not so long ago.
No. Not at all. [ indeed, she'd given the false name well before daenerys had given her honest one. ] It's a charade I kept long before we both found ourselves in this court. I want to trick the lions -- and tricking a dragon was never the reason for it all.
[ but the lie remained convenient to her so long as she'd been fatherless in this court. but now...now she could serve her father better by being sansa. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
the style of the message and its contents seem much the same. very summery, terribly polite, and certainly insincere. there is something to be said for the truth, however harshly spoken.
and dany would prefer bitter truths to sweet lies, regardless of the scenario. she thinks alayne most truthful in her salutation, in that slight insult of daenerys' claim.]
Alayne,
I fear I have also mistreated you. What we discussed still simmers, and I stand by all that I said, though I wish I had said it with more grace. You see, I would also have your forgiveness, if you would offer it.
And if you wish for my forgiveness, I only ask why you desire it. You do not think me a queen, so you owe me no such courtesy.
Tell me, Alayne. Are you afraid?
-- QUEEN DAENERYS STORMBORN OF HOUSE TARGARYEN
no subject
[ very afraid. but she is willing to prostrate herself if it might spare her family more bloodshed. ]
But I will give you that title -- and, of course, forgive all that's passed between us before now -- if you would forgive me one hard truth: I cannot name you Queen of all Seven Kingdoms.
[ there is one kingdom alone which she pledges (in her heart) to another. ]
no subject
Then who would you name?
[ she cannot want joffrey (or renly — perhaps stannis, as true as he is). ]
no subject
[ she is (at best) making a childish stand. and at worst, making more of an enemy for herself. but in truth sansa does not presume to negotiate for hard land or real claims. she is merely staking the hypothetical ground: naming her allegiance to the house stark. ]
no subject
[ a sincere question. ]
no subject
I owe you another apology.
no subject
When I sail, it will not only be in pursuit of justice for my family, but also food for the smallfolk and mercy for the innocent. [ shout out to gendry for suggestion that first part. ]
But why must you apologize?
no subject
no subject
[ perhaps Alayne Snow, then, of the North ]
no subject
That was not always my name, no.
no subject
Then who are you?
[ my enemy? ]
no subject
[ each letter is a miniature confession in and of itself. but it's still a lie -- for after all, she still insists on omitting her husband's name. ]
no subject
the daughter of a traitor, a murderer — dany holds little pity for eddard stark, but perhaps she can muster some for sansa. a girl would not know better, as she did not so long ago.
after a significant pause. ]
I see. Was this charade only for my sake?
[ could someone fear her alone so much? ]
no subject
[ but the lie remained convenient to her so long as she'd been fatherless in this court. but now...now she could serve her father better by being sansa. ]
no subject
Then you and I have both hidden from lions in our time. How strong you must be, to have survived them.
[ and stags. ]
no subject
[ and in petyr baelish. ] Please, do not call me what I am not. I am to be honest now.