@amongvipers
She had expected the Red Keep to seem...smaller upon her return. Not by much, perhaps, but the world loomed so large to little children. Surely, maturity of body and mind could only provide clarity or at least perspective from a greater height. Instead, Margaery found that the keep seemed larger, sprawling well beyond the bounds she'd constructed from the remants of fuzzy memories.
It should not have been a surprise. Nearly nine years had passed since she'd been sent back to Highgarden to continue her education. Much and more can change in such a time and the recollection of a girl not-yet ten could hardly be relied upon.
She could only hope it would be one of very few misconceptions. Few enough would be afforded to her at court.
Margaery let the worry, minute as it was, float away as she trailed after her mother down the long corridors of Maegor's Holdfast. She would be properly presented at court on the morrow but this audience with the queen would be her first test of her mettle. Her mother spoke in a quick, quiet manner, uttering reminders that had been writ in ink on her mind long ago. She said nothing, letting the nerve in the older woman's voice pass through her without letting it touch her own resolve. I am ready as anyone is like to be.
They paused at a set of grand double doors and waited as the kingsguard on duty slipped inside to announce them. Lady Alerie took the moment to turn to her daughter, taking her in as though for the first time that day. "You'll be perfect." Her tone was equal parts encouragement and expectation. The door opened and they were being escorted inside before Margaery could think of a response.
The queen's solar was a noisy place. Voices filled the air with laughter and warmth that could not be attributed to the heat of midday. Women chatted happily and moved about in a manner that portrayed absolute ease. At the center of it all was the queen herself.
Before she could take in anything else, her mother ushered her forward at once and made the introduction. Margaery dipped into a curtsy, barely able to catch a glimpse of the queen's face as she cast her eyes down in the proper reverence. She thought her familiar, the planes of her face evoking vague memories of warmth and the sort of kind words spoken only to a child.
"Thank you for receiving me, Your Grace. I hope to be of service to you, just as my mother has all these years."
