A New World [Caitrin | Guinevère]

[Guinevère]

Guinevère could still feel the euphoric feeling of riding into the city's gates on a horse with her brother and the other new knights of Camelot behind her. She had not meant to take the lead but the need to see Arthur and grown and grew until she could hold back no longer. When he had walked toward her and held her down, and kissed her she had only thought of that moment. That he was ALIVE! That he had done the impossible!

A week later, she could still feel the euphoric hope that kept them all going while repairs were still being made, and lives were still healing. There was now butterflies. A nervous feeling of near panic every time she walked into a room. Between her brother becoming a knight, and the grand kiss in the courtyard--everyone seemed to know her name now. Not Gwen. Not the servant, nor the blacksmith's daughter. But Guinevère, the girl who was in the running to be Camelot's next queen.

She wasn't sure she liked the feeling. She had known that some would think her a social climber, and some others would disapprove greatly. She was a servant, and for the first week of Morgana's rule she had stood by her side. While she had pretended, it appeared to many she had taken her mistress' side. Ever since Arthur had taken back the kingdom, she had spent most of her time helping the people in the lower-towns, and as a nursemaid to Arthur's father. They were poor and Morgana's rule had taken many lives, ruined many homes, and hurt so many. Such as Uther Pendragon, whom was not well at all. He was still frightened, and weak.

She looked forward to being Arthur's wife! She was afraid to be his queen.

Tonight Elyan had escorted her into the room. He walked her though the doors of the dinning hall and she could feel everyone looking at her. She prayed she did not falter, trip or turn and run. To build courage she paused and spoke to Percival the sweet giant; and to tease Gwaine, and ask Merlin about Arthur.

When Elyan got them to their seats, she sat down, letting her brother push her chair up for her. They were seated very near where the king sat, she she would be able to talk some to Arthur if she wanted. (And she always wanted), but everyone would be able to over hear and she felt shy and awkward to do so.

Elyan was to her left, looking to her right she gave a soft smile at the lady there. "Hullo," She said softly, hoping the slight confidant sound was mostly hidden under the noise.

She'd been a maid to a lady for years, but she had no idea as to how to be a lady. Did they say Hullo, or did they wait to be acknowledged?

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin found herself slightly nervous at the prospect of being back in Camelot. She knew there was nothing to fear because Arthur had come back, which she knew he would, and Camelot was once again restored to the Pendragon dynasty. She had been invited to attend a small dinner and Caitrin hadn’t been sure whether to take up the invitation but her Uncle had insisted upon her attendance as it would take her mind off what had passed. So she was here now, donned in a scarlet dress and her hair was pulled back so that half of it was braided at the back of her head; the rest lay messily on her shoulders.

She was here alone tonight, she probably could have persuaded, or even just asked, her Uncle or even Griflet to attend the meal with her but she hadn’t wanted anyone here. She felt like her first time back in Camelot was something she had to do by herself. She pressed a hand to her belly, feeling a bit sick as she even thought about the amount of pain Morgana had caused everybody. What had possessed her to turn so violently on the people on Camelot? Caitrin wasn’t even particularly sure she wanted to know. Her reign had been nothing but trouble for Caitrin, as her loyalties had remained with Arthur. However, that was all over now, Griflet was back and they were rebuilding; she knew it would be a long road but she was sure everything would return to normal soon enough.

Caitrin didn’t even look round as she heard someone sit down beside her; she was too wrapped up her own thoughts. It would probably just be another knight anyway. Camelot felt like a very different place to be residing in, and it had only been a week since Morgana had fallen. Even just looking around the table Camelot felt much changed, she had heard stories of these men, that they were not of noble birth and Lancelot, who she had once treated, was there as well. She gave him a small smile of acknowledgement but so far she had avoided speaking to anyone. She wasn’t feeling particularly social but she knew she had to get back into the swing of things, it would do no good to be moping around her Uncle’s estate forever.

“Hullo.” Caitrin blinked and looked round at the woman sitting to her left. They were around the same height so she caught her eye line straight away. The woman certainly had a natural beauty about her, which shone through, but her words were not said with confidence and for a moment Caitrin faltered. She knew exactly who she was, she had seen her about court enough to know this was Morgana’s old servant. She had heard the rumours that Arthur and she were involved; Caitrin hadn’t believed it at first but she supposed the woman’s merely being here proved the rumour true straight out. Why else would a servant be sat waiting to be served? She caught her thoughts and smiled politely back at the woman, feeling slightly bad she did not know her name. She had seen her around court enough but had never enquired her name, then again she had never had reason to. She bobbed her head to the woman, who she assumed must be a Lady now to be eating with other’s of noble birth; it was all rather odd to Caitrin, but something she was prepared to approach with an open mind, she owed that much to Arthur anyway.

“Good evening my Lady.” She continued her smile, wondering if she should be so formal if the woman was not used to it; then again if the rumours were true and Arthur was intending to take her as his Queen then she would have to get used to it. Harsh but true. “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Lady Caitrin de Archer.” She stopped herself there, hoping that her new acquaintance didn’t think her too pretentious and finished it with another soft smile, waiting for the woman to return the favour and to introduce herself.

[Guinevère]

“Good evening my Lady. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Lady Caitrin de Archer.” Guinevère wasn't used to people addressing her as such--or even at all from cretin ladies of the court. Two weeks ago, she was still making the beds, and scrubbing the floors, and cleaning their underthings. Now she was seated among them for her brother was a knight, and with both Elyan being close to Arthur (as well as the other new knights) as well as Arthur's own feelings for her--she was seated closer to the new king then some other higher ranking nobles.

It was telling. Guinevère also noticed the woman gave her family name. Guinevère didn't have one. Servants and lower class did not often do surnames or family names. They were something the nobles used to show bloodlines. "Gwe-inevere." She gave her name with a soft start. She had almost said Gwen. Gwen was the servant, and while she might feel more comfortable there, she knew that her longer name fit more.

Arthur had been the only one to call her it for years, and he still said it in a special way. One she loved, for she loved him. She paused for a moment trying to think of something to say, "I am Sir Elyan's sister." Not that anyone didn't know that. It seemed the knew knights were the talk of the court. Perhaps that would serve in stead of a surname?

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin wondered if she should have been quite so formal with someone she knew wasn’t used to it. Then again, like she had already thought, she would have to get used to it one way or another. Caitrin had heard the whispers about this woman, despite her absence from Camelot. Her Uncle didn’t approve one bit of what Arthur was doing. Her Uncle had never been one for change, and it was fortunate that Caitrin never really agreed with her Uncle’s point of view. She felt a bit odd dining with those who probably would have been serving her a few weeks ago, but she supposed if Camelot was destined for change then this was just one part of it.

Caitrin smiled as the woman gave her name, noticing the hesitation in her voice. Guinevère, so this was the woman everyone was speaking about. Caitrin considered her for a moment, she had heard both the good and bad sides to the woman, through rumour of course, but Caitrin had always been one to make her mind up on her own about these things anyway. Caitrin cast her glance at Arthur and then back to the woman everyone was certain would one day become his Queen. She had been close friends with Arthur for years, since she had arrived in Camelot really, so she would approach this situation with an open mind; she owed it to him.

Ah, that would explain her elevation into noble status. If her brother had been elevated into the position of being a Knight then naturally the whole family would benefit though his status. She pressed her lips together, and assumed the man sitting next to her was her brother. “I am sure you are incredibly proud of your brother.” She gave a wide smile, being a Knight of Camelot was a great honour and one which some men trained all their lives for. So, for Elyan to be knighted, especially seeing as he was not of noble blood, was an honour indeed.

Caitrin wasn’t quite sure to go with the conversation from there. She was slightly out of practice with conversing with other noblewomen. She had few real friends at court, and most of them were male and they determined a different approach altogether. “I am the ward of Rouland de Archer, he’s my Uncle.” She added softly and gave Guinevère a soft smile, the woman seemed nice enough if her few words and the way she held herself were anything to go off.

[Guinevère]

Once Guinevère had given her name she noticed the lady glanced at Arthur. That was how it often was, even if he was not in the room. Every time she meet someone new (or for the first time as a lady rather then as Morgana's handmaiden) they looked or though of Arthur right away. The lady's lips pressed together and Guinevère waited for some remark about 'how lucky she was to no longer be a servant' or 'how high she had climbed'. Something that while not outright scandalless, was meant to be coy or make her feel the odd one out.

However the words were not harsh, and were kind. “I am sure you are incredibly proud of your brother.” Lady Caitrin wasn't the only one who had been kind to her--there were a few ladies who either were willing to be bold or feared to loose Arthur's good graces and were nice to her. She hoped it was the former, but with the glances at Arthur that everyone made, her worry was that it might be the later. "I am. Of all the knights." Mostly the ones who had stormed the Citadel and fought a immortal army knowing they might die. . . . knowing that they would die. "They are very brave men."

“I am the ward of Rouland de Archer, he’s my Uncle.” Guinevère knew of the family, but had never meet any of them personally. She vulgarly recalled a few times Morgana had spoke of them or spoken with them. However, as a servant she had stood back and not joined the conversation. She wished she recalled more! Something that would allow her to comment on the name with more grace. "I have heard of him, but not had the pleasure of meeting him." She answered softly, but knew enough to know that they lived close to Camelot (she hoped) so the ride here was at least short. "I hope your travels here were smooth."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin continued to smile softly at Guinevère as she spoke. Caitrin wondered if the woman knew just how much people were talking about her, and Arthur’s intentions towards her. Caitrin had always been blessed with being on the outskirts of court, so she was never the topic of conversation which could only be a good thing. Caitrin had never been aware of Arthur’s affections towards Guinevère , even though she thought herself quite a close friend to the man. Then again, neither had she ever asked. Caitrin was sure as long as Guinevère ‘s intentions towards Arthur were as genuine as his appeared to be towards her, rather than just using him for hers and her brother’s advancements, then they would get along perfectly well.

Caitrin knew the knights around her had been the ones who had restored Camelot to the Pendragon rule, and as Guinevère had said, they were all incredibly brave. Even though there were still some who believed those who did not possess noble blood could not become knights, but if it were not for these men she supposed none of them would be sat here tonight, Camelot would not be safe and Arthur would still be in hiding, or worse. “They are.” Caitrin agreed confidently, “We should all be extremely proud of what they have done for Camelot.”

Caitrin was sure that if Guinevère had heard of her Uncle personally she wouldn’t think that it would be a pleasure to meet him. She was sure that her Uncle would not make an enemy of Guinevère though, especially if she was going to be their Queen one day. He had that much sense at least, “I am sure you will have the pleasure of meeting him eventually my Lady, he will make the journey to court eventually.” It was no secret Rouland de Archer despised court, he had little to gain from it so he found little point in it. Caitrin was still young and enjoyed the thrills of being in company, even though this dinner was a more formal affair than she was used to, she was still determined to enjoy herself.

Caitrin nodded at Guinevère’s question, “I do not live far from Camelot, so it was only a short trip.” She smiled to confirm her words. She’d enjoyed the fresh air that the ride to Camelot had brought, she knew it was time to move on from the past few week’s events, and her being here proved that she was moving on. “A little lonely though.” She admitted, of course her Uncle would have laughed at her if she’d have asked him to accompany her, but she supposed she could have asked Griflet. After all, they were betrothed now, and she even had the ring to prove it. She wasn’t sure now why she hadn’t asked him, she hadn’t wanted to bother him she supposed, and Arthur was her friend not Griflet’s so it made no sense to ask him to a dinner he hadn’t been invited to. That was her logic anyway.

[Guinevère]

“They are. We should all be extremely proud of what they have done for Camelot.” Oh Guinevère did! She had watched them ride off knowing that -IF- they made it back it would not be whole, and some would never return. She had waited for days while the love of her life, her best friends and her brother rode off to help Arthur save his father--a man he could not forgive. When they arrived and told her of how they had won and Arthur as waiting--she had cried. Joy. Relief. Love.

"Yes, they are heroes." She said softly and looked over at them talking. Elyan, Gwaine, Percival, Merlin and all the others. Heroes. “I am sure you will have the pleasure of meeting him eventually my Lady, he will make the journey to court eventually.” Looking back at the noble woman, Guinevère made sure to look attentive. As a servant she had learned to hear with out looking at nobles, so she had to break that habit. She tried to make sure she looked like she was paying attention as well.

“I do not live far from Camelot, so it was only a short trip, a little lonely though.” Had she traveled alone!? "Did you travel alone, my lady?" -- Did noble women call each other my lady, or just other things? -- "I hope not, these are still dark times." Morgana could be anywhere. "I look forward to meeting him, and your family when they can next visit the castle."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin smiled at Guinevère as she gave the knights the title of ‘heroes’. It was true of course, Camelot under Morgana's rule wasn’t even worth thinking about. It hadn’t been the place she had made her home anymore, it had just been hell. They’d lived in fear for those short weeks, not knowing what Morgana would press upon them. Caitrin had always believed that Arthur would return to Camelot, but her Uncle had remained unconvinced, but Caitrin had known that the Prince wouldn’t just abandon his Kingdom; it wasn’t in his nature. She smiled at her companion and nodded in agreement. “They are. We owe them so much, I cannot imagine still being under Morgana’s rule my Lady.” She solemnly admitted.

Caitrin noted Guinevère’s concern at her actions but shook her head in a small sort of way. Griflet would not have let her come to Camelot without an escort, so two of her Uncle’s men had accompanied her to the castle, and would take her back to the de Archer estate when she finally left the feast. “My Uncle’s men accompanied me my Lady.” She reassured Guinevère and then took a sip from the goblet in front of her, “I merely meant that it was lonely as I have not been apart from my family, and fiancée, this past week.” None of them had really left the estate that much, if at all over the past week. Her Uncle had been seeing to his affairs in his lands, and seeing the people who worked his lands had not been too badly affected by Morgana’s reign. Caitrin smiled at Guinevère’s later words as she was sure that her Uncle would be quick enough to show his face at court now it was certain the Pendragon’s rule was secure. “I am sure my Uncle, Aunt and fiancée will return to court soon enough.”

She then thought that perhaps she was being a bit too formal with Guinevère as she knew that the woman was new to conversing with noblewomen, but Caitrin was still getting a feel for Guinevère’s character. She settled herself back slightly and asked kindly, “Are your family from Camelot?” It was a way of keeping the conversation in flow, whilst allowing Caitrin to learn a little of the woman she was conversing with.

[Guinevère]

“They are. We owe them so much, I cannot imagine still being under Morgana’s rule my Lady.” Morgana. Guinevère only just held back a shiver at the name. Odd how once she had been her best friend and sister and now . . . Oh Morgana. Guinevère's heart was filled with sadness at the memories from both long ago and recent. How long had she been pretending? How long had she in the same with with a foe and not her sister? And why. Why did she turn on everyone who loved her above all others?

“My Uncle’s men accompanied me my Lady. I merely meant that it was lonely as I have not been apart from my family, and fiancée, this past week.” Guinevère looked surprised, but she knew that she should not. She had not even known the Lady's name, and to learn she was going to get married soon. "Congratulations." She said softly and wanted to know more but did not wish to pry in case it was an unwanted match. She knew that sometimes it happened but hope it was a love match.

“I am sure my Uncle, Aunt and fiancée will return to court soon enough. Are your family from Camelot?” "I hope so, family is very important." She would know, she had lost most of her's. Her mother in child birth, her father to . . . Family was important. It was why she had embraced the new knights as brothers. They and Arthur were her family now. "What is the name of your fiancée? Have you known him long?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

The silence at her earlier words of being glad to be free of Morgana’s rule was appreciated. She did not want to think about the past few weeks at all, the whole thing had been incredibly unpleasant and even she had feared for her life on more than one occasion. Of course she’d never lost faith in Arthur, or the Knights of Camelot; she knew they would come back to liberate them all from Morgana’s reign.

Caitrin noticed Guinevère’s shock but ignored it for the most part. Telling of an engagement was quite intimate information to one who had only just become an acquaintance, but the ring was plain enough on her hand to show that she had indeed given herself to just one man. The engagement had been rather shrouded by the chaos that Morgana’s rule had brought, as they had been engaged not long before Morgana was proclaimed Queen. “Thank you.” Caitrin smiled warmly as she truly meant it.

Caitrin did not look back to Arthur, but as she continued to focus her attentions on Guinevère she wondered if she made Arthur as happy as Griflet made her. She would want nothing else for her friend, and almost felt slightly protective over him in this matter.

Whenever she thought of her fiancé, Griflet, annoyingly she could not help a smile warming her lips. A few years ago she would have thought it impossible for any man to warm her heart, but now things were quite different. She had been so certain as a young girl that she would never fall in love, but she supposed that sometimes in life you could not help which way you fell. Caitrin was happy, and she was sure Griflet was happy too and that was all that really mattered at the end of the day wasn’t it? “His name is Griflet Aubert, he is Sir Lucan’s brother.” Lucan of course being one of the Knight’s of Camelot. Caitrin had felt sick when she had learned of his imprisonment at Morgana’s hands, she didn’t even want to consider what would have happened to Lucan if Arthur had not returned when he had. “I have known him for a while now, but it feels as if I have known him for much longer.” She gave another wide smile, it had been just under two years since she had been introduced to Griflet but it did not feel like they were particularly rushing things. They were engaged yes, but neither had spoken of dates or guests yet, they were just taking things as they came which was advisable given the past few weeks events.