She had heard stories of Kings Landing, and just how bad it smelled. But sadly none of the stories did it justice, the smell was horrid, and even from five miles away she could smell the stench. The smell made her want to gag. It was the exact opposite of the floral scents of Highgarden.
A large convoy of the men of The Reach had formed. The men that escorted them were two hundred household guards. The only champion for the bouts the Reach had brought was Loras Tyrell which was a shame. Though Margaery had every confidence that her brother would prevail. However, she did believe that Hobber Redwyne would compete in the melee, which was also a shame. But for a different reason entirely.
They had been traveling for a fortnight and could finally see the towering Red Keep and the Sept of Baelor resting on Visenyas hill. Loras asked her to ride in the carriage with Olenna but Margaery had to impress her betrothed. They had similar interests in riding, boating, dancing, and reading. They also had similar interests in giving to the poor, and he apparently would visit orphanages now and again. So she would keep riding, Margaery would damn herself if she was going to fail this early after all her grandmother had taught her.
They strode into the city, and men of the City Watch parted their way to the Red Keep. Margaery had already been planning on visiting some of the more impoverished parts of the city. To mainly create love for House Tyrell in the capital, but a small part of her actually felt some sympathy for the orphans and impoverished people.
The gates to the Red Keep were opened, and because of House Tyrell's nobility and renown, they were welcomed by the Royal family. The Lord Paramount of the Reach did not see fit to join, as he didn't trust anyone who wasn't a Tyrell to rule the castle. It was only preparing Loras for leading by introducing the three Tyrells who did go to the capital, she mused. But Olenna is also here, and she doubted she would let Loras introduce them.
She had heard stories of how handsome King Robert was in his prime but now he was simply a fathead drunk. To the right of the king was the Queen who was wearing a beautiful brown silk gown. To the King's left was Lord Eddard as she saw the golden sigil of the Hand of the King resolutely placed on his chest. Beside Lord Eddard, two boys of similar height stood, they looked like twins from a distance but as she got closer she noted some differences. One looked younger and in a trance while the other looked slightly older. So she assumed that the one in a trance was Prince Tommen and the other was Prince Joffrey. Princess Myrcella was standing beside who she assumed was Prince Tommen and she was whispering something in his ear.
They came to a stop as Loras dismounted off of his stallion and walked over to help Margaery down from hers. Olenna had already walked out of the carriage and was walking up the steps of the Red Keep walking faster than Margaery had ever thought her capable. Both Loras and Margaery had to speed up to catch up to her, five minutes in the capital, and she's already trying to make us look bad. Five damn minutes!
They eventually caught up to her as Olenna intentionally slowed down. "Lady Olenna." The King said in a loud and jovial voice.
"Your Grace," she said while bowing her head. Loras and Margaery were now behind Olenna. Margaery shot the boy who was looking at her a smile then directed her attention towards the King. "These are my grandchildren, Loras Tyrell and Margaery Tyrell." Olenna completed. Loras bowed while Margaery curtsied.
"Aye, I've seen him joust before. I'm sure he'll have the Kingslayer on his back in no time!" Robert jovially said.
Margaery saw who she assumed was Jaime Lannister turn his head in anger, and the queen rolled her eyes which she thought hilarious.
Robert then gathered himself together he gestured to the prince closest to him and said "This is my son and heir Prince Joffrey Baratheon." Then slightly extended his hand toward the direction of the other prince "That is Prince Tommen Baratheon." She noticed Prince Joffrey looking at less respectable areas of Margaery's chest while Prince Tommen reddened as he peered into her eyes in an endearing sort of way. The King introduced the rest of the royal family and they all exchanged formal greetings.
Margaery had decided to dress a bit more respectably for meeting the royal family but at the same time, she wanted to show a bit of what men considered her best attributes. Both Margaery and Olenna knew that her body wasn't her best quality it was her mind; she decided she would need it if she was to survive the political hellscape that was Kings Landing.
As they made their way to the Tyrell compartments Joffrey took the lead of showing them their quarters. Margaery was unsure of what to make of either of the princes at least not yet. Loras, Margaery, and Olenna were following the two princes to their quarters. Tommen seemed to remain quiet as he walked slightly ahead of them but slightly behind Joffrey as if he wasn't sure who he wanted to walk by.
It was a long walk but they finally reached the compartments for the Tyrells, before the two princes left though, Margaery offered Tommen a walk in the gardens later that evening to which a gracefully accepted.
The gardens in the Red Keep were nothing in comparison to the gardens in Highgarden not nearly as beautiful but they masked the smell of shit somewhat. She found Tommen sitting on a bench in the gardens when she made to join him. He was wearing a bright orange doublet with the brooch of the crowned stag. He rose when he heard her footsteps and smiled. He approached her and when Margaery held out her hand he kissed it. They laced their arms together and began their walk through the gardens. It was Margaery who spoke first "So my prince, I hear we are to be man and wife within two years."
Tommen looked at her for a moment before continuing to look ahead, "Yes, I'm sorry if it's too soon for you. I think I could get my father to postpone it if you want."
Margaery laughed softly "No, it's quite alright. Personally, I can't wait, I've never planned for a wedding before… Where would you want us to spend our honeymoon?"
Tommen smiled widely then "I've always wanted to visit Highgarden my lady, and your letters only make me want to visit it more."
Margaery had her first genuine smile of the day. "Really? Why Highgarden?"
Tommen responded almost immediately "Because I hear it is a very beautiful castle with lush gardens that put the ones here in the Red Keep to shame. And I would want you to feel as comfortable as possible."
"I assure you I'm quite comfortable here."
"Yes well… I'm concerned for my comfortability too, and I'm quite certain I would be more comfortable in Highgarden than in the Red Keep."
After a moment of looking at Tommen Margaery spoke "May I ask why?"
"You can ask me anything and I'll answer truthfully Margaery but… the reason I don't like it here in Kings Landing is because of the political intrigue… the scheming… the lying. It would be nice to be in a place that wasn't so-"
"Corrupt," Margaery completed.
"Yes, and It would be nice to be at a place that didn't smell this bad."
"Indeed," Margaery said with a small chuckle.
"And where would you want to go Lady Margaery? For our honeymoon I mean."
Margaery pondered for a moment, "Other than Highgarden, I hear that Lannisport is quite lovely."
"Indeed it is… I just hope my Grandsire doesn't hear of our visit."
Margaery smiled leaning in closer to him, Tommen spoke again, "If it doesn't trouble you, my Lady. The Tourney of the Hand is in two days and I would like you and your family to join me in the royal compartments."
"Why of course, that sounds wonderful. I often enjoy watching Loras practice against my father's bannermen in jousts and dueling. He jousts more than he duels which is almost every day. He loves it and frankly beats anyone who goes against him."
"Then I'm sure he's bound to win," Tommen said
The rest of the evening went by swimmingly as Tommen and Margaery got acquainted with one another.
Two days after the Tyrells arrived in Kings Landing the Tourney of the Hand had begun. The Tyrells were invited to the Royal compartments to watch the jousts with the Royal family and important members of the Kings' cabinet. Margaery sat next to her betrothed watching men knock each other off horses with sticks. It wasn't that amusing but a twinge of pride always flowed through Margaery when she saw the Knight of Flowers stride in. Margaery noticed her betrothed betting an awful lot of coin in the jousts but luck seemed to never escape him thus far. He had won all the bets with Littlefinger and Renly and was almost swimming in gold. He seemed to place most trust in Loras and Sandor Clegane, which amused her a bit that he trusted in Loras so much despite the physically superior Gregor Clegane and the famous Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer.
The heat was a bit unbearable, making Margaery glad she dressed down a bit. Tommen seemed to be having the time of his life constantly putting down both Littlefinger and Renly. It got to the point where neither of them would no longer bet with him because of his neverending luck. Tommen stopped betting when the Mountain and Ser Hugh of the Vale went against one another. Margaery was unsure as to why though. He was doing great thus far.
The contestants lined up beside one another. Ser Hugh had no decoration for his armor, Tommen had told her that he was once Jon Arryns squire and was competing for his honor. When Margaery turned her attention to Ser Gregor she finally understood why he was called the 'Mountain that Rides' The man was massive and intimidating.
"Start the damn joust before I piss meself," the King said in a drunken voice and swayed a little when he stood.
The two riders lowered their visors and went to their opposing ends where they were given their lances and shields. The Mountain began his charge and Ser Hugh wasn't far behind on the first joust neither hit the other. They lined up for a second run charging at one another, their armor bounced up and down off of them as they surged forward. They moved their lances into position as they got closer and closer to one another. BOOM! The crowd gasped and there were some screams as the Moutain struck true, sending Ser Hugh flying off his horse. But the Mountains lance shattered sending a large piece of it into Ser Hugh's neck.
Margaery watched as Ser Hugh brought his armored hands up to his neck while he choked on his blood. She felt true fear for the first time in her stay in Kings Landing. She heard several women cry but Margaery simply gasped. Tommen seemed shaken too but less so.
Once he was dead two men carried the body away Margaery's nerves soon calmed. She was afraid yes but not for Ser Hugh and his family. She felt afraid for Loras, and Tommen seemed to sense this fear as he moved his hand to grasp hers and she eventually held his hand back. The King called the matches to stop after that where they would resume the tilts tomorrow, but for now, they made their way to the feast that had been prepared.
The Tyrells were once again invited to a place of honor at the high table with the King, The Tyrells sat at the right end of the table. Tommen sat to Magaerys left and to Tommens left sat his sister Myrcella. To Margaery's right sat Olenna who had not attended the tourney but claimed she would attend the next day. And beside Olenna at the end of the table sat Margaery's brother the Knight of Flowers, Loras.
Olenna was rambling on about something to Loras, while Margaery made small talk with Tommen. He seemed calm especially when compared to his brother Joffrey or his father Robert. They were calmly talking and drinking their wine when they heard a loud voice boom on the other side of the high table. "DAMMIT, WOMAN IF I WANT TO FIGHT I'LL FIGHT!" The king roared with a loud voice making everyone in the great hall silent, and the king promptly stormed out of the room.
But soon the feast resumed as people went back to eating and drinking. Margaery over the course of her stay had not built up a good opinion of the Royal family. Myrcella and Tommen being the exception. Joffrey seemed to be rather posh and arrogant always wearing a fake smile that she surmised was a sneer. She had only talked to the Queen once and that was when they formally met, speaking miles to Margaery about how the Queen thought of her sons betrothed. The King was a boisterous drunkard fool who whored and drank.
Margaery felt bad for Joffrey's betrothed Lady Sansa. She had not met her yet, but from what she had observed so far she seemed like a girl hopelessly in love with a fool. Though Olenna was married to a fool and she still loved him. Margaery mused.
She heard Myrcella ask Tommen if he really thought that Robert was going to compete in the Tourney, and Margaery listened in, genuinely curious if the fat king would bout against her brother. Tommen simply laughed then said "I think he thinks he's going to fight. Lord Stark or Barristan will probably knock some sense into him." Margaery was unsure whether to trust that reasoning or not, the King did seem rather adamant.
When the feast ended all of the different nobles that attended went back to their separate quarters. Margaery lay in her bed worried for her brother. She had no doubt her brother could win the tourney but seeing that man choke as a piece of a lance was lodged in his neck did nothing to reassure her.