There are many great official pairings in the world of Game of Thrones. Some of the romances were beloved by fans, but fan-fiction gives people a chance to explore other possibilities.
Fan-fiction writers have explored many different pairings over the years. Some of the stories they write are set in the modern world, while others are set in the world that George R.R. Martin created with A Song of Ice and Fire. Of course, there are always going to be some pairings more popular than others, even if you don’t initially think you’ll like them.
Using data from popular fan-fiction repository Archive of Our Own, we’re taking a look at the eight most popular pairings from the Game of Thrones universe, arranged from the most popular to the least, and explaining why so many people are behind them and why there are so many fan-fics written with them at the center.
1. Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth
One of the most popular pairings among Game of Thrones fan-fic writers is Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth. It’s a ship that sort of happened on the show itself, although it didn't last long. Fans had so much hope when these two got together in the final season of the show, only for Jaime to ride south to die with his sister Cersei.
That’s one of the big reasons for the ship's popularity: people are able to write a new ending for this pair. In this version, we see that Brienne was the best thing that happened to Jaime, and that they could have had something more had Jaime chosen her. Fans get the opportunity to write Brienne the happy ending that she deserved.
2. Jon Snow and Sansa Stark
This Game of Thrones pairing may seem odd at first, considering that Sansa grew up believing that Jon was her brother. However, we all have to remember that they were cousins. At least, that’s what the TV show ended with. Plus, it’s not like incest never happened on this series!
The ship rose in popularity after Sansa and Jon reunited in the sixth season. Sansa escaped Winterfell with the help of Theon Greyjoy, and then made for Castle Black, hoping she would find protection with Jon. In their first scene together, she ran straight into Jon’s arms. They were able to apologize for the way they treated each other as kids, mending fences knowing that they were some of the only Starks left.
There are also those who view a relationship between them as a great political alliance. Later in the series, Jon is made the King in the North. And at the very end, Sansa becomes Queen in the North, ruling over the newly independent kingdom. The two could have ruled side by side, and Ned Stark’s line could continue in Winterfell.
3. Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen
There is one ship that many fans of the series (and even the books) would have liked to see more of. Jon and Dany were clearly attracted to each other after meeting for the first time in season 7, and there was hope that the two could end up ruling the Seven Kingdoms together. But after it came out that they were actually aunt and nephew, Jon couldn't bring himself to be with Dany, who was threatened by Jon's claim to the Iron Throne.
Fans have had a chance to correct a few wrongs. They’ve been able to allow the relationship between these two to grow into one of mutual respect and love. Instead of Jon killing Dany at the end, they’ve been able to see what could have been.
There are also stories about Jon and Dany set in the present day. These stories explore the highs and lows of their relationships, often bringing in Dany's infertility and exploring how the couple could handle that.
4. Gendry and Arya Stark
For the longest time, nobody wanted to see Arya Stark with anyone. She was just a child, and we watched her grow up. However, Gendry was always a constant for her, and he showed just how much he loved her at the end of Game of Thrones by proposing. At the same time, he also showed how much he respected and understood her by understanding when she turned him down.
Fans liked that but wanted more. They wanted a relationship built on trust and respect. They've written storylines about Arya exploring the world west of Westeros with Gendry waiting for her at home. And we have modern-day stories where they carve out a place themselves in our world.
5. Sandor Clegane and Sansa Stark
When it comes to men who prove they are more than what they initially seem, Sandor Clegane is one of the best. The Hound was scary, but he had a soft heart for the women who deserved it and needed protecting. At first it was Sansa and then it was Arya. For Game of Thrones fans, the relationship between Sandor and Sansa is one that many love to write about.
It’s not always about a romantic relationship between the two; many stories depict them as close friends who are loyal to each other. However, when it does come to a romantic relationship, fans get the chance to show how love can grow between two people who don't seem like they would fit together. There’s a chance to show that Sansa has grown as a person, and she’s able to look past the fear of what she sees and love the Hound for the man that he really is.
6. Ned Stark and Catelyn Tully
When it comes to official relationships, Ned and Catelyn Stark had one of the best relationships in all of Game of Thrones. They had a relationship of love and respect, but we didn't see a lot of it. The two were separated early on, and they never did find their way back to each other.
Fans want to show the life Ned and Catelyn once had. They want to see the story of Ned bringing Jon back and telling his lie to protect the baby, and they want to see the attitude Catelyn had. Then they want to see how the two were able to fall deeper in love with each other, moving past Catelyn’s fears that Ned would go off with someone else. People also want to see how that love continued as their family grew, as this is when some relationships fail. Ned and Catelyn prove they have what it takes.
7. Jaime Lannister and Cersei Lannister
It shouldn’t be that surprising that Jaime and Cersei are on the list. While the two are twins, the show made it possible for us to forget that at times. There was an undeniable chemistry between them, even if it was extremely toxic.
In some cases, fan-fiction authors want to be able to create a love triangle between Jaime, Brienne, and Cersei. They want to make it possible for Jaime to choose Brienne, and the only way to really show that is to include his love for Cersei as well. Other stories give us looks into how Jaime and Cersei might have been as parents to characters like Myrcella and Tommen, which we didn't see much of in the show.
8. Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark
When it comes to this ship, it’s all about showing what could have been. Game of Thrones briefly touched on the relationship in a conversations about how Lyanna was abducted by Rhaegar, who cast side his wife Elia Martell. The series made it clear that Lyanna and Rhaegar loved each other, and it’s something that fans wanted to see a lot more of.
Fan-fiction makes it possible. Many have the opportunity to show their take on the love between these two. They have the opportunity to show how Ned found out about Lyanna to get there in time for Jon’s birth. We get the opportunity to understand why Rhaegar would abandon his wife and children, and leave them to die their brutal deaths at the hands of the Mountain.
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