November 4, 2018

Dany looks after her citizens.

ext. Winterfell landscape - day

A wide landscape view of Winterfell shows REFUGEES lined up outside the gates, in a long winding procession of people, carts, and horses.

DOTHRAKI RIDERS deposit their human cargo with rough-handed efficiency before wheeling and galloping off again into the countryside.

ext. Winterfell gates - day

At the gates of Winterfell, the procession moves slowly into the castle. The people look tired, hungry, and very cold. Among them, we see the ELDERLY COUPLE that Arya had threatened, in 804. They stare dully at the ground as they shuffle along with the rest of the crowd, guided by STARK GUARDSMEN.

A dragon's cry rings out from above. Everyone stops and looks up. Mouths gape open as the Northern commoners behold a sight straight out of myth and legend. The old man and woman reflexively clasp each other. Their eyes are huge with awe -- half fearful, half amazed. We hear the flapping of dragon wings and see an enormous shadow fall over them.

EXT. WINTERFELL COURTYARD - DAY

Small boy

Is it true that you can ride them?

DAENERYS TARGARYEN is sitting in the Winterfell courtyard, surrounded by a gaggle of wide-eyed NORTHERN CHILDREN. The courtyard is packed with refugees of all ages, resting after their long journey.

DANY

Yes, it is. Would you like to see one day?

13.

SMALL BOY

(eager)

Could I ride with you?

Dany laughs.

DANY

I don't imagine your mother would approve.

SMALL BOY

I don't have a mother. She died when I was a baby.

DANY

I'm very sorry to hear that, Benny. My mother died when I was a baby too.

A little REDHEAD GIRL pipes up.

Redhead girl

Why is your hair white?

DANY

It runs in my family. Does red hair run in your family?

REDHEAD GIRL

Mother says my nan used to have hair like mine. But now it's white like yours. Only it's not so long and pretty.

DANY

You're very kind, Palla. I think your hair is beautiful. Is it your mother who braids it for you?

The little girl nods, smiling shyly.

Ext. WINTERFELL COURTYARD - elsewhere - day

SANSA

How much room do we have left?

SANSA STARK is walking through the Winterfell courtyard with MAESTER WOLKAN, her eyes scanning the crowd critically.

Maester wolkan

The Great Keep is nearly full, my lady, but there is still room in the western tower.

14.

SANSA

We're going to need more room than that. We can't very well turn people away once we run out of rooms in the castle.

MAESTER WOLKAN

Perhaps we could house the newcomers in the winter town?

SANSA

The winter town won't be safe when the attack comes. We need to make room within the walls of Winterfell. Do we have tents, perhaps?

MAESTER WOLKAN

I'm sure we do, my lady.

SANSA

Instruct the guardsmen to pitch tents wherever there's open ground. In the godswood, even. Everywhere except the lawn of the broken tower.

MAESTER WOLKAN

Yes, my lady.

Maester Wolkan bows and departs. Sansa stops walking and looks around at the people in the courtyard with a pensive expression.

Sansa's POV: our gaze lingers on individual Northerners. A little boy tugging at his father's arm, pointing at the Stark wolf banners. A young mother shushing her crying infant. A teenaged youth draping a blanket around an old woman's shoulders.

DaNY

You look troubled, Lady Stark.

Sansa turns to see Dany approaching her.

SANSA

(reserved, polite)

Your grace.

DANY

What's on your mind?

15.

SANSA

Surviving the war, your grace.

DANY

Anything in particular, just now?

Sansa hesitates, thinking. Snow crunches underfoot as they walk together through the courtyard.

DANY

I hope you feel you can speak freely with me, Lady Stark.

SaNSA

In truth, your grace, I was thinking that we haven't dug enough latrine pits.

DANY

(musing)

Latrine pits.

(beat)

They don't put that part in the songs, do they?

SANSA

No, your grace.

DaNY

Did you used to daydream about being a lady, as a child? About ruling a castle?

SANSA

Yes, your grace.

DANY

Did you imagine it would be like this?

SANSA

No, your grace.

Dany casts Sansa a quizzical, mildly amused look.

DANY

You don't need to address me as "your grace" in every sentence, Sansa. May I call you "Sansa"?

SANSA

If it pleases your grace.

16.

Dany gives her a look. Sansa realizes what she just said -- she glances back at Dany, a look of sheepishness briefly disrupting her perfect poise. Dany laughs.

SANSA

I'm sorry. It's a habit.

DaNY

No need for apologies.

They walk on in silence for a bit.

DANY

Is there anything I can do for you, Sansa? To lighten your burden?

SaNSA

That's kind of you. But unless you know how to double the size of our castle, or turn snow into wheat...

DANY

You're short on food?

Sansa pauses, weighing her words carefully.

SANSA

We might have had enough for our own people. And we're deeply grateful for your aid in this war, of course, more than we can express.

DANY

But?

SANSA

(careful, diplomatic)

Feeding your armies and your dragons is necessary for the living to prevail. I'm glad for their presence. But as it stands now, thousands of my people will starve to death by winter's end.

Dany regards Sansa soberly.

DANY

It isn't easy, is it?

(beat)

Without my armies, your people face slaughter. With my armies, your people face starvation. These people look to you for protection, and yet you know already that you will fail them. I know how hard it is.

17.

Sansa watches Dany's face, saying nothing. Dany lets the silence hang for a moment.

DANY

My fleet is not as large as it was. But it should be enough. If the living prevail, you should expect regular shipments from White Harbor.

Sansa stops walking, surprised.

SANSA

...your grace?

DANY

The first voyage is already underway. After your brother and I disembarked with my Unsullied, I ordered the fleet to set sail for Braavos and pick up as much food as they can carry.

Sansa is still staring, slowly absorbing this bit of unexpected good news. Dany watches her expression with a slight smile.

DANY

I can't very well let my citizens starve, can I?

Sansa finally finds her voice.

SaNSA

Thank you, your grace.

There's sincerity in her voice, this time. Dany gives her a nod and a smile, and together they resume walking through the Winterfell courtyards.