The smell of the sweet cakes is warming and calming, indeed, but it is the brightness of her grandmother’s smile that brings her true happiness in that moment - - a smile free from all of the lies and half- truths of court, all love instead.
Myrcella thinks she has never loved her grandmother as much as she does in this moment, and she has always adored Joanna.
“And I to see him, though I must confess that I am glad to have this time with you. It is not the same, writing letters, though I have been glad for every one I received from you.”
Her grandfather is a busy man, she knows, the best guardian of the West she could ever have hoped for. It is no surprise, really, that he is not at home. The disappointment of the realization passes quickly, to be replaced with gladness that she shall have time to speak uninterrupted with her grandmother ‘til he returned.
joanna pulls a chair out first for her granddaughter, and then for herself ; she takes a small cake for herself, scooping some of the icing off with a slender finger and plopping it in her mouth with a laugh.
( she does not have to be the lady of casterly rock with myrcella. right now, she can just be her silly grandmother. )
“ —- writing letters does have its drawbacks, i admit, but it is always lovely to hear from you. if there comes a day where we aren’t so BUSY, perhaps we could come visit YOU in king’s landing. “
She bore a world upon her slender shoulders, all the realms with all of their lords and ladies, men and women and children. The fates and the fortunes of high and lowborn alike, they were her burdens, now.
(but here, at casterly rock, with her grandmother’s arms around her, her shoulders do not feel quite so heavy.)
It is easier by far to be the young woman she is, to be the Queen and yet not feel the crown’s weight, if only for a moment.
“You shall spoil me, Grandmother, and then how shall the kingdom fare?”
But she is smiling, her words are playful, and she reaches out to link her arm with Joanna’s.
the brightest of smiles is shone down upon her granddaughter as she leads her to the dining hall, the aroma of cakes greeting them even from several strides back.
“ you would be hard-pressed to find a QUEEN who was never spoiled, my love. the kingdoms will go on just as well, i assure you. “
it is then that they finally reach the massive room, the sweet smell nearly overwhelming as the doors open.
“ your grandfather won’t be joining us JUST YET, i’m afraid, but he SHOULD be back tonight. he is very eager to see you. “
She feels as though she has not slept since she was crowned Queen, always something else to worry over or deliberate on. Always something to be. QUEENS, as it turned out, were less free than were little girls.
(though she was not so little, not anymore - a woman grown, a woman crowned).
But Casterly Rock is a different place from King’s Landing, and there - though she is still Queen, with all attending duties - she is also just Myrcella, granddaughter of Joanna and Tywin. It is only here (and in Dorne) that she feels truly free, truly herself.
The moment her horse is taken to its stall, the moment she sees the gentle, familiar face, courtesies are set aside and she is smiling, rushing forward to embrace her.
“Oh, grandmother, I have missed you so! Tell me, do you fare well? And how are things here? It feels an age since I saw you last!”
the crowning of her granddaughter as queen had absolutely DELIGHTED joanna ; myrcella was doing wonderfully in the position thus far. all was WELL, as it should be.
she’d been looking forward to this, to seeing the sweet girl once more. she meets the embrace with open arms, holding her close and fighting back tears that were suddenly threatening to fall.
( oh, how she’d missed her. )
“ oh, sweetling, i assure you that i have missed you MORE. your grandfather and i are doing wonderfully, truth be told, albeit anxious for our lovelyqueen to arrive. things are simply splendid, my love. come, i’m sure you’re tired from your travels ; i’ve had sweets prepared for you, all your favorites. “
when tywin had told her the news —- that her granddaughter, her only GRANDDAUGHTER —- was being sent to dorne, she had fought. she had fought with everything in her to keep her HERE, in king’s landing, with her mother and with her house … all to no avail. she was leaving on the morrow.
now, however, her voice is gentle ; a soft contrast to the princess’ protests. ( she does her best to hide the fact that her heart is BREAKING for this child. )
“ look at me. things will work out for the BETTER, i promise you. dorne is a BEAUTIFUL place. and i’m sure that trystane martell is a DELIGHTFUL boy who will love you very much ; how could he not ? you will be the talk of all the dornish, my love. you will be the fairest, most beautiful lady any of them have laid their eyes on. and i’ve had some cooler gowns made for you to wear, one in our favorite green. you can wear it when you miss me, and i’ll wear mine when i miss you. you see ? “
“MUCH less, I should think. Oh, would you, Grandmother? I think that would be lovely.”
“ of course !anything for you, my love. although i do fear i simply have NOT been capable of making my hair look DECENT lately, and i do not wish to bother my hand maidens —- perhaps you could braid it for me this evening ? “
She turns, slowly, emerald-green fabric flaring in the turn. Green to match her eyes, trimmed with gold to match her hair. “Thank you! I am glad you like it. Do you think I should wear it to the feast tonight, or would the family colors suit the occasion more?”
“ that is a question more suited for your mother, but i think it would be fine. IN FACT —- i have a gown in the same green. if we wear them together, we’re less likely to get in trouble, yes ? “
