Friendly Ties

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin kept changing the circlet she was wearing in a rather absent minded sort of way. She was killing time, she knew she was, and that made the wait more agonising. Her father and brother, Jeffrey, had left early this morning to attend business with one of the other Lords. However, her brother being as rash as he was, forgot to send word to his friend, Prince Oliver to say that he would be late attending their hunting trip. With the rest of Caitrin's siblings away for one reason or another, she had been left with the task of entertaining the Prince until they returned.

Although she hadn't really had a choice in the matter, she wasn't completely annoyed by her fathers command. She had seen Oliver quite a lot, as he and Jeffrey were extremely close friends. Caitrin though of course had never been left in his company on her own before, and she was rather looking forwards to the prospect. After all, he had his share of good looks, and he seemed to always be quite friendly. She wondered if he had ever really noticed her before now, well, this would be the test wouldn't it?

One of the servants downstairs shouted to her, to tell her that a visitor had just arrived. This could of course only mean on thing; Oliver had arrived. Suppressing a wide grin, Caitrin straightened out the front of her blue silk dress, straightened her circlet and quickly rushed for the stairs. It wasn't incredibly ladylike to half jump down the stairs, but the servants wouldn't say anything, and her father wasn't at home to shout at her so she could do what she wanted. Oliver wouldn't have seen it anyway either. Straightening herself out again her mind went slightly blank. Was she supposed to wait for him to come in, or was she supposed to go outside and greet him? She was at a slight loss, she had never done this before and she looked round to one of the servants who was watching her, who shrugged as well.

As bold a move as it was, Caitrin decided there and then to meet Oliver outside with the horses, wasn't that what Jeffrey usually did anyway? She didn't want him to be waiting out there all day after all. So, her boldness and headstrong ways in the forefront of her mind, she hurried out to the stables where she assumed Oliver would be tying up his horse. She was quite proud when she found that her prediction had been correct. See, she could do this by herself!

"My Lord Prince." She said softly, hoping she did not need to introduce herself as she swept into a low curtsy. "My brother sends his apologies, but business has caused him to delay your hunting trip."

Timeline: Pre series 1- Caitrin is 14
Setting: The de Archer Manor; Mercia
Tags: Prince Oliver Leofric de Mercia
Music: Cuckoo- Lissie
Notes: Hope this is ok!Slight god mod in getting him to the stables... Let me know if you want me to edit any of the details [/size]

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Oliver was taking his time riding towards the de Archer estate which wasn’t really a long ways off from the castle. He and his childhood friend Jeffrey de Archer had agreed to go on a little hunting trip in the forest just outside the city walls. Well, truth be told, he was hunting, and Jeffrey was going to meet some village maiden, who according to Jeffrey is prettier than any daughter of a noble in Mercia. She was also going to bring another village maiden to meet the prince. Oliver laughed at the thought. Jeffrey was very much like him, and it was no wonder why they had been the best of friends since they learned how to walk and talk. Both have never really warmed up to the strict traditions of royalty and nobility, and would gladly welcome the chance to bend the rules a little bit.

Seeing as he’s a prince of Mercia, Oliver knew it could be dangerous to go out and about without his knights, as outlaws out there could be after his head for a ransom. But he knew full well that with Jeffrey and his able servant Lot he’d be just as safe as if he was inside the castle.

He led his horses to the de Archer stables like he always does whenever he drops by, and was greeted by their stable boy. Oliver’s brows furrowed in confusion when he looked around and not see Jeffrey anywhere. Usually, his friend would be waiting for him by this time. Just when he was about to ask the stable boy, however, he was greeted by a sight much fairer than his best friend. Jeffrey’s little sister Caitrin was all pretty in her blue silk dress, and her presence immediately lit up the place.

“Hey there, Cat,” he greeted the young miss with a small bow of his own. When Cat told him where Jeffrey was, Oliver's smile turned into a frown. He heaved a sigh as he crossed his arms over his chest. “That scalawag, how dare he let a prince wait! Would you mind telling your brother that I am ending our friendship right now?” Oliver said, feigning an annoyed tone as he started to turn away from Caitrin. The turn was rather slow though as Oliver waited with concealed amusement as to how Caitrin would react to his mock outburst.

At 14, Caitrin was already every bit the beautiful young lady that she is turning out to be. He wouldn't be surprised if suitors start to come a-calling by her doorstep any time now. Oliver had to admit she was no longer that little kid who used to shamelessly run around in her bloomers trying to join him and Jeffrey while they play tag outside the gardens. She could certainly give the other, more older ladies of nobility a run for their money in the beauty department.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was glad that it was turning out to be quite a warm day, as her dress wouldn’t have been suited to weather which was anything but warm. Indeed it clung to her slender figure quite nicely. Her father had given her the silk to make the dress, and she had hoped that it would mean she would be spending more time at court. However she still seemed to spend most of her time at the estate, wondering where her next amusement would come from. As he bowed and looked back towards her she noted that his looks had not changed at all. She had not seen him for a while for one reason or another, and his looks had if anything become much more enjoyable in her eyes.

The way Oliver used one of her nicknames with such ease just kept the gentle smile on her face. Jeffrey usually called her Cat, so she supposed he had got it from him. That was of course just one of her nicknames, Cait was her other favoured nickname, though she didn’t mind which one was used. “I trust I find you well this morning?” She then asked cheerfully. She was now surprised at how at ease she felt with being on her own for the first time with Oliver, and hopefully she would continue to feel this ease.

Caitrin could not take his words seriously, everything about him said that he was joking and she suppressed a giggle. She could however not hide her grin and she raised her eyes mockingly at him.”I think you know as well as I do that he will give as good as he is given if I tell him such a thing.” She grinned once more, Jeffrey defiantly had the de Archer streak, and was uncommonly stubborn, just like the rest of them. He was sure that even Oliver had not been spared his temper at some point or another. “But he did ask me to make sure you weren’t so bored that you went off without him.” There, she had declared what purpose she would be serving this morning to him, and if he allowed her to serve the purpose then she would fulfil it well. Or at least she hoped that she would!

“Do you have any particular things you wish to distract your attentions with?” She asked him softly, with a hint of flirtation underlying her words. It wasn’t often she got to try a flirt or two, her father was often breathing too close down her neck for her to even think about flirting with men so frivolously. She hoped Oliver did not still see her as the small girl who had first met him all those years ago, she was growing into a woman now, indeed she could have really already been married. Although she was only fourteen she felt quite mature for her age, and she was sure she could use this to her advantage in many ways; this meeting could be one of those occasions.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

“I trust I find you well this morning?”

True enough, the young Lady Caitrin was anything but fooled by his acting. Either he was a bad actor or she knew him too well to take him seriously. Oliver knew it was the latter. While he and Caitrin haven’t exactly been spending much time alone together, he and Jeffrey had been practically brothers. Oliver was a constant presence in the de Archer household as was Jeffrey was at the palace. Usually, Cat would be around joining them, annoying them with her little sister antics.

Dropping all his unnecessary pretentions this time, Oliver turned back to Caitrin with a chuckle. “I am feeling very well now, thank you. Who wouldn’t be when they are greeted by a sight as lovely as you,” Oliver replied charmingly. He chuckled when she told him just exactly how Jeffrey would have reacted to his earlier declaration. He would do that. Jeffrey and Oliver were by all means mirrors of each other in that area.

Not really wanting to go back to the castle, Oliver was trying to think of something else to occupy his time while waiting for Jeffrey. He had thought of visiting the marketplace to catch up with the folks there or at the tavern for a pint or two. When Caitrin told him Jeffrey had asked her to keep him entertained, Oliver tried to suppress a small smile. At least his friend hadn’t completely left him in the cold while waiting for him. Jeffrey had assigned his beautiful sister to keep him company. Who was he to complain. “I hope you don’t mind babysitting me. I can be quite a handful,” Oliver joked as he walked towards where his stallion was tied, and ran his hand over his soft and smooth body.

“Do you have any particular things you wish to distract your attentions with?”

Did he really just say that? Oliver turned to look at Caitrin, just to be sure he heard her right. She can’t have…he told himself. Surely, she meant well, she had no intentions of flirting with him whatsoever really. Right? Still, Oliver couldn’t shake the tingling feeling that ran down his body as he closely watch Caitrin standing there all prim and proper, with that hint of coyness about her. Any man would be a fool not to see her all growing up to be a fine young lady. Definitely not him. If Jeffrey weren’t his best friend, he would have probably already made a pass at the beautiful young lady standing there before him. His eyes wandered down her pretty face to the dainty curve of her neck, her chest, her small waist and round hips. She truly was anything but the little girl he once knew.

“I am thoroughly distracted now actually,” Oliver blurted out suddenly, his thoughts making their way out of his mouth, and he caught himself a little too late. He felt his face redden, and he immediately turned his head away from her to compose himself. He took a deep breath and turned back to look at Caitrin with a smile. “Forgive me, that came out wrong. Please…I am at your mercy, my lady. Distract me all you want,” he added with that hint of mischief this time, walking towards her and offering his arm to for her to take. He knew full well he’d never be able to salvage his pride anymore anyway, might as well enjoy the time he was given.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin of course knew Oliver too well to take him seriously when he was mocking anger. He had tried similar tricks like that before, and she was no more fooled by them now than she had been in the first place. Oliver had been much like another older brother to her, (as if she needed anymore of them) but he was different because they didn’t live together, therefore as a child she had been quite in awe of him in some respects. As she was now a young woman of course their relationship would differ somewhat, but she just didn’t want that change to be for the worse. It was certainly true that his looks only seemed to get better and more refined in her eyes. He had certainly grown into a handsome Prince to rival his brother, and the other high ranking nobles of the lands.

Caitrin also knew better than to fall for Oliver’s charms like a giggly young girl. She had seen enough of her older brother’s charms to the noblewomen of Mercia to know when you could take men seriously and not. That however didn’t mean that she couldn’t appreciate the fact that he had said it, as Caitrin always took great care in her appearance. She smiled back at him in appreciation and felt quite proud for a moment before turning back to jest towards Oliver. “What, a more lovely sight than my dear brother?” She asked him jokingly. She wondered if she was truly a pleasurable alternative to her brother, but she couldn’t just come out and ask such things could she?

Of course Caitrin had no issues whatsoever with looking after the Prince for a few hours. She had no idea when her brother would be back, but given the warm reception Oliver had given her, she hoped his business would delay him somewhat as she was quite enjoying herself already. Chuckling at his words she raised her eye brows, “Not as much as a handful as I am, I am quite sure of that.” She answered mischievously. Everyone knew she had a reputation for being headstrong for a woman, her father had hoped she would grow out of it. Instead of growing out of it, she appeared to have only grown into a stronger sense of defiance and stubbornness.

She watched as he stroked his stallion, quite in awe in a way, Caitrin would have loved to have her own horse. The only mare she could ever take out was used by her sisters and sometimes even her brothers, so the opportunities to ride out were few and far between. His sudden outburst tore her from her thoughts and she could not hide an amused smile as he blushed and turned away from her. Although she felt slightly bad for causing such an uncomfortable reaction, she was quite proud her flirt was so well received with him and it had clearly had some sort of positive effect if he had blushed so quickly. His words were only encouraging and she just smiled softly at him. “No, no it is fine, I didn’t know I had already done such a good job of distracting you.” Her words were still playful with the undertone of flirtation still there. Well, she was hardly going to abandon it now was she? As he told her she could distract him all she wanted her smile could only increase. “I intend to my Lord.” She replied, her flirtations more overt in that last sentence.

Taking Oliver’s arm with a wide smile on her face she began to walk with him, now considering what she could actually do with him to keep him occupied, and in her company, until her brother got back. “Would you like to walk around our gardens?” She asked brightly, “Or you could join me in some archery practice, it is a nice enough day for either.”

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

"Ugh...Jeffrey is ugly. If I were to have it my way, I'd rather go hunting with you!" Oliver teased back, an impish grin on his face. Must he spell it out for her? The young prince thought with amusement. Caitrin may all seem like the coy little lady that she is, but he knew she knew exactly what she was doing. Quite admirable really for someone as young as she was. He should know. Oliver had been around quite a number of young noblewomen in all 20 years of his life. He could tell when they're all coy with the real questions just hidden underneath, waiting for the right time to surface.

With Caitrin's company now, Oliver was starting not to care where Jeffrey had gone off to or when he'd be returning. Perhaps, this was a good opportunity to know more about his friend's little sister now that she's all grown up, spend some bonding time with her. Caitrin didn't seem to mind. Why would he?

“Not as much as a handful as I am, I am quite sure of that.”

"Exactly how handful are you?" Oliver asked with a smile. He had learned from Jeffrey that little Cat was growing more stubborn every day that his father's teachings hardly had any impact or effect on her. Oliver vaguely remembered teasing Jeffrey then that stubbornness seem to run in his family, and Jeffrey had tackled him off his horse for that. Oliver knew he himself had been a major source of headache for his father for all the "dilly-dallying" he was doing, spending more time outside the castle hunting than performing his princely duties unlike his older brother, the Crown prince Edmund.

Oliver had quickly recovered from his earlier slip. The good thing that came out of it was that, at least now, Caitrin knew she was having an effect on him. He may be a prince, but he was still a guy after all. He couldn't help the laughter that bubbled out of him as she continued to play with him. If only she weren't his best friend's little sister, Oliver had probably already pounced. But he knew he had to keep himself in line. And it was not an easy thing to do.

"Do you even need to ask?" Oliver replied when presented him with two options for distraction. Oliver and archery go together like bread and butter. Unlike Edmund who loved the sword more than anything, Oliver had quite an affair with the bow and arrow. He was a skilled marksman, an excellent hunter. While a walk in the gardens with Cait may be fun, Oliver knew he'd be more comfortable with a bow and arrow. At least it will help him not to get too distracted by the Cat's enchanting presence walking there beside him. Yes, it was the safer choice.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Oliver certainly played the part of a charmer rather well, he certainly rivalled her brother in that respect. This was one of the first times she had been in direct receipt of his flirts, and she was enjoying every moment of it. Her nurse had often told her when she was growing up that many men would try to charm her, or pull her one way or another. Clearly Oliver was no exception to the rule, but she didn’t really want him to be. As he replied to her, his face almost lit up slightly which just accentuated his features, and made him seem more handsome than she had ever thought him to be. “Well as I cannot join you on your hunt, I shall make the time before that more enjoyable.” She declared boldly and grinned at him for a few moments. She would be true to her word, and see to it that Oliver enjoyed his time with her, she really wanted him to just see her as the young woman she was becoming and not the little girl she had once been.

Caitrin was now enjoying this morning more than she could have ever thought possible. She could not possibly think of a better way to spend it than in Oliver’s company, as this was the first time they had been alone, and she didn’t have to worry about conventions as much, or worry about what her father might say. She could relax a bit and be at ease, and on top of all this she could just be herself. Oliver already seemed to appreciate that side of her, so she was not going to stop now.

Chuckling at his words, she put on a playful sort of smile, raising her eyes to meet his. “So much so my father says that the man who eventually takes me hand will have nerves of steel.” In truth what her father had said was a lot cruder than that, but Caitrin was a Lady and would not repeat such language, especially not to Oliver. “But perhaps you will find out how much of a handful I can be.” She said with flirtatious tones ringing through her words. She did not mean of course a handful in her stubborn nature, rather in the flirtatious aspects of her personality, and of course her rather playful nature. Some found it hard to deal with, perhaps Oliver would not be like this, perhaps he would change the trend and actually rise to some of her teases.

She laughed at his answer and nodded her head. That was true, she had known that Oliver would of course choose archery; he was almost famed for his love of the bow. Smiling softly, she began to lead him in the direction of the targets and bows; they were unused for the most part as only she and Jeffrey tended to use them. “Archery it is then.” She declared softly as the plot to the back of the house, which was set on greenery, became visible. On it was one standard sized target, and beside the side of the house there was a sort of stand where the bows were placed when they were not being used. Caitrin took her own bow and left Oliver to choose his own; only he would know what he felt comfortable with after all. “Do you often practice archery with noblewomen?” She asked out of genuine curiosity before fetching two quivers; handing one to Oliver gently. “Or will I have to set the standard?” This time she winked cheekily back at him. After getting the first reaction out of him she felt slightly empowered, and would not stop her advances now for anything.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

"Well as I cannot join you on your hunt, I shall make the time before that more enjoyable."

It was actually turning out to be that way, Oliver thought. And they haven't even technically started yet. Caitrin seemed determined to give him a grand time while waiting for her brother that Oliver decided to just go with the flow. No use fighting it. And why would he? It wasn't like he was forced to do something he didn't want to do. Sure, it may seem like wasting a few good hunting hours, but lovely Caitrin and her own brand of charm and coyness was more than enough to waste those hours over. So in essence, they weren't a "waste" at all.

What he especially liked about spending this free time with her was how carefree and undemanding it was. Oliver usually leave the confines of the castle when things get overwhelming for him. It wasn't like he was dodging his princely responsibilities, he just thought he needed a time out. And besides, he wasn't exactly Crown Prince. He'd leave all the hard work to his brother Edmund. He needed to do them anyway to prepare himself for the throne when the time comes. He, Oliver, was just a mere supporter. And he liked it that way. And Caitrin, well, she was anything but imposing on him. Well, she did impose. She imposed on him to have a good time with her. Oliver liked that kind of imposing.

Smiling impishly at her response and the not-so-subtle invitation that she was giving him, Oliver gently pulled her towards him and leaned his head so that he could whisper. "Is that a challenge?" he breathed out, his warm breath tickling the back of her ear. "You do know I never back down from anything." Yes, two can certainly play at this, and he was thoroughly enjoying it. It wasn't just Caitrin who knew the game, Oliver too had played it more than a dozen times.

He let her lead him to the back of the house, and then chose his bow. It didn't take long for him to choose one. He had tried and mastered almost all sorts of bows, knew perfectly well how to romance every kind to suit his needs and make them respond to his touch. Whether they were stiff or pliant, Oliver knew how to use them to his advantage. He'd like to think it was also like that with women. They needed to be wooed and handled in all the right places to respond well. Sadly though, Oliver liked his bows and arrows more than most women he'd met. None so far has measured up to his standards. Some are too shy. Some too brazen. Some too soft. Some too hard. "I have never practiced archery with any woman before," he told Caitrin. That was true. Most women he met would rather watch him shoot arrows than play with him. "You are practically my first," he added as his eyes bored into hers while the edge of his lips curved up into a small suggestive grin.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin surprised herself with the amount of confidence which she had in front of Oliver. She had spent so much time just watching him whenever he called on her brother that she had worried she might not be able to converse with him with such ease. Happily she was being proven wrong, and she was enjoying every moment of it. There was no awkwardness that she could sense, no they both seemed quite at ease with each other, and Caitrin could only hope that continued. Oh, her sisters would be so jealous of her position right now. They both often spoke of Oliver, and how handsome he was and how he would make a woman a good husband one day. Caitrin however never told them her feelings on the matter, no, these things she kept to herself. Anyway, she was not conversing with Oliver to make her sisters jealous, she was conversing with him because she wanted to, and because he didn’t seem to mind one bit.

Caitrin couldn’t ignore the tingle that his breath on the back of her ear left her with and she pressed her lips together, trying to prevent a small giggle erupting from them. This was managed with more ease than she had thought possible, and she playfully looked back up at Oliver. She was quite enjoying this exchange of flirts, she had been concerned that he would not react to them as he was such good friends with Jeffrey, but what Jeffrey didn’t know couldn’t hurt him could it? Caitrin had known Oliver long enough to be able to challenge him, and let her feelings be known in whatever form she chose. This was just one of the ways she chose to show her feelings. Mischievously pressing her lips together, Caitrin inclined her head towards Oliver, tipping her head to one side slightly. “In that case, yes, I do challenge you.” It would be quite interesting to see how he continued this exchange with the challenge now in play. Oh, how Caitrin wished her brother could just not return all day and leave her and Oliver in their own company.

She watched as Oliver chose a bow with ease, of course Caitrin was using her usual bow; it had been a Christmas present from her Uncle Rouland. She had only met the man a few times, and the last time she had met him had been when she had been six years of age but he still insisted in keeping in contact with her. She had never really bothered to ask why, it was nice to have word of Camelot now and again as that was where he resided. Her father had often spoke of sending her to live with him, but it had never come to anything so she never paid much attention to it.

Caitrin turned her attentions back to Oliver and smiled softly as he confirmed that she was the first woman who he had practised archery with. She picked up on the subtle tones in his words and matched his grin, stepping towards him and once again inclining her head towards his. “Well then, I shall make sure not to disappoint.” Caitrin winked softly at him and then looked towards the target, and then back to Oliver, tones of suggestion creeping into her grin, “Would you like to start the proceedings, or would you like me to go first?”

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

And the challenge was officially on.

Oliver couldn't remember the last time a woman had come on to him like Caitrin did. Most had been too shy to talk to him openly. Some had been too formal that Oliver was almost always drawn to boredom. These women were much too aware that he was a prince of Mercia, and they were conscious of it. Of all people, Caitrin was the one he least expected to tease him so openly and be confident about it at her age.

At 14, he had not expected her to act like a woman, a full-grown and experienced woman. And yet, she was. She didn't act like the girlish, giggly teenager most ladies her age do. And somehow, he liked that about her. He had expected her to go all red and blushing at his every word, but it seemed she had it all under control. In fact, earlier, it had been the other way around. She had made him blush. What a coup that was! Truly, right now, he had nothing but admiration towards the girl.

When Caitrin walked towards him, Oliver slowly reached a hand out towards her waist...but stopped midway to rest on the bow in her hand instead. He stroked the smooth wood, and smiled at how perfect it felt under his touch. "I heard you're good. I'm pretty sure you'll perform well enough to please me," he replied back with that same lazy, charming smile of him. Oliver couldn't deny he was thoroughly enjoying this. She was already making him feel all excited about things as they are now. Archery and women may not mix well from his experience, but with Caitrin, it all seemed to come together naturally.

“Would you like to start the proceedings, or would you like me to go first?”

Oliver had eyed the target when she did, and their eyes met once again as Cait asked her permission. Standing there, mere inches in front of her, Oliver eyes moved from her eyes down to her cute stubborn nose, finally resting on her lips, lingering there for a good few seconds. A heartbeat passed, and then Oliver held an arrow between them. "Ladies first." He stepped back to give her room, but not far enough to give her too much space. Hands on his back, he stood there looking at her, not her hands, not her bow, but at her, waiting for her to prepare for her shot.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was sure that she was going to enjoy this. She had never been so forward with a man before, and Oliver seemed to be receiving her words well so why should she stop? She didn’t want to stop, so therefore she would not. “So do you accept the challenge?” Caitrin now asked him, wondering what form his advances would take.

Caitrin watched Oliver’s hand, and pressed her lips together in a moment, almost sure he was going to reach out towards her. But no, instead the hand went to caress her bow. “Well my aim is to please.” She replied softly, her lips curving up into a suggestive grin. This was really more fun than she could ever have imagined it being. She had seen her sisters try to court and throw themselves at men, but they were always too overt and preferred physical messages to those woven into words. Caitrin always preferred to be more subtle in her somewhat limited experience. It meant that there was a certain ambiguity to her words. Men could see into them what they wanted, but unless they pursued their advances they would never know the true meaning behind her words, or whether it was merely in their imaginations. She wondered where Oliver’s thoughts were. She knew he probably knew exactly what she was doing as he was returning her flirts.

As he just stayed watching her for a few moments, Caitrin felt her heart almost miss a beat for a moment, and then it fluttered with the pure excitement of being this close to Oliver, and the possibilities that this, and her flirts could lead to. She was finding it rather hard to keep her eyes from his, her eyes dropped from his rather deep eyes to just rest above his lips for the time being, pressing her lips together in a sort of reaction.

She blinked as he produced the arrow and did not let it show how lost in her thoughts she had been. Letting a smile caress her lips, she took the arrow and regretfully stepped away from Oliver and instead moved to a position where she could line up her target. Her eyes cast back to him, and she could see him just watching her. Her cheeks tweaked a slight pink but she didn’t let it put her off and she knocked the arrow and began to line up the shot. It should be easy enough after all, she’d used this target many times before. Drawing the string back, she pressed her chest out slightly, still aware that Oliver was watching her. It was not done so quickly though that Oliver would think she had done it on purpose, no in fact it almost seemed natural and would hopefully spark a reaction.

Pressing her lips together, Caitrin raised her bow and released the arrow, watching it as it landed quite neatly just outside the inner circle. For a first attempt she believed that it was enough to at least show Oliver that she had quite a good shot. Maybe next time she could even hit the inner circle. With a feeling of satisfaction, Caitrin turned back towards Oliver with a wide grin and flicked her hair slightly, “So what do you think?” she asked him, walking quite confidently back towards him until she was mere inches away from his face once more. A position Caitrin had decided that she defiantly enjoyed, “Am I setting the standard for you?” Of course she was referring to setting the standard for female archers, but her words also had quite a flirtatious tone which she knew Oliver would not miss.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

“So do you accept the challenge?”

“With all my heart and mind, my dear Lady Caitrin,” Oliver responded with ease. She was clever in that she had to get his word before completely moving forward. These words when spoken carry the weight of a pact, signed and sealed, holding the giver and the receiver to a bond that none of them can easily break without consequences. Whatever it was that Caitrin was up to, Oliver had just expressly given her his consent to do as she pleases. And whatever happens, they are now both in on this. Somehow, if that pact translated into promising to have fun and create fun together, Oliver would totally be in it one hundred percent. He’d even give his word a million times over if need be.

“Well my aim is to please.”

And she was just as beguiling as he was, catching his flirtatious retorts with ease, and throwing them back at them with flair. Not a lot of 14-year-olds can do that. Any man would be lucky to be in her company right now, and Oliver was somehow glad it was him. He had to admit that he was looking forward to whatever it was that she was going to throw at him next. She doesn’t look like she’s about to back down any minute, and Oliver was going to milk it for all its worth. Forget his friend and her brother Jeffrey. He and Caitrin were alone right now, having the time of their lives clearly flirting with each other, exchanging suggestive remarks, casting each other coy glances. Both of them stoking the fire.

As he watched her prepare for her shot, Oliver couldn’t help but notice yet again how Caitrin had indeed grown to be quite the lady. Gone where the baby fats and the chubby cheeks of her childhood. In their place was the blush of her slender cheeks, the dainty curve of her neck, the plumpness of her chest as she pressed them out slightly, the slim waist and the round hips. They were all screaming woman, ripe for the picking. No, Caitrin wasn’t a child anymore. And Oliver had to heave a deep sigh to keep his own nerves under control, for they were starting to get into a crazy frenzy just by gazing at her like that. Add to that the sight of her masterfully holding a bow and arrow…it was such a turn on to the archer in Oliver. Who was he fooling when he told himself earlier archery would distract him from her?

“So what do you think?”

He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard her voice, and saw that she had stood close to him like earlier. He turned his head to look at the target, and gave her an impressed smirk when he saw where her arrow had landed.

“Am I setting the standard for you?”

Turning to look at her, Oliver leaned a bit further in, his lips just an inch away from hers, his head inclined a bit as if moving in for a kiss. She was setting the standard for him all right. “Lucky shot,” he teased, as he reached behind him and grabbed an arrow from his quiver. “Watch and learn,” he told her as he moved around her, and positioned himself in front of the target. Should he go for the bull's eye or play around for a bit just like what they were doing? He decided for the latter for it was more fun that way.

Oliver released the arrow and shot it right beside Caitrin’s. “Ugh…so close,” he remarked in jest. He walked back to where Caitrin was standing, not stopping until their chests almost touched. He placed another arrow in her hand, his hand touching hers and lingering there this time. “My arrow seems to want to stay close to yours,” he said with another one of his disarming smiles.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Ah well now she had gained Oliver’s personal consent he would have no choice but to not back down from her little challenge. She was sure now more than ever she would continue her flirts, she had his permission after all didn’t she? He wanted to see how much of a handful she could be, and she was determined to show him. Of course she would not go too far, and would not continue if Oliver found it uncomfortable, but he seemed to be giving her signs of encouragement so who was she to put words in his mouth?

Caitrin gave a wide grin of satisfaction at his words and nodded in a bold sort of way, acknowledging that yes, now the challenge was well and truly on. She would not let him away with backing down from this little challenge either, though she knew that he would probably never back down. That could only be a good thing, and perhaps Jeffrey would stay away long enough for Oliver to see just how much of a handful Caitrin could be without her father around.

Caitrin truly never wanted this encounter to end. Oliver was certainly proving to be more encouraging than she could have ever hoped. It wasn’t made any better by his features on the whole. It was just everything about him which made Caitrin sure that she just wanted to continue to keep him this close in her intimate attentions. She began to notice the little things, like the fact his hair sat perfectly when he looked round at her, and that his grin just lit up his entire face and just increased this flutter of her heart.

The sensation of his lips so close to hers was making her head spin. It was impossible to think of anything but him when he was so close, and intimate, towards her. Breathing out slowly she began to try and calm her senses down, she did not want to give just yet. Caitrin gave a gentle laugh as he jested that her shot was mere luck. She knew it was not luck, but it would ruin the mood to stubbornly point this out. Instead, Caitrin was preoccupied with being was irritated as he moved to take his shot, as she would have much preferred to keep him by her side but he supposed he had to take his turn. So she watched silently, and smiled at him as his arrow landed quite neatly beside hers. As he walked back towards her, Caitin’s eyes could focus on nothing but him. He had so changed in her view from that older brother sort of figure she had once known. No, this was something completely different. It was just everything about her which set her feelings racing, it was his grin, the way he looked at her, and even the flirts which he gave her with ease. She snapped into focus however as she felt him place an arrow in her hand, leaving his hand there too. For a moment she just glanced down at their embrace, checking that it was actually happening and it was just not wistful thinking.

Her eyes rose to Oliver slowly, just taking him in with her glance. She inclined her head towards him, trying some of this new found confidence out with ease. Her lips did not stop until they were practically just raised above his as she whispered. “Would you like to keep it that way?” Caitrin’s soft breath caressed his soft lips; leaving her mark. Her hand stayed pressed against his, and even she could not ignore the tingle at her fingertips his touch left her with. His touch was just so warm and inviting, everything about him was just making her heart flutter in her chest. He knew the rules of this game better than she did, but she did not mind him exploiting that a little, especially if it meant gestures such as the one they were sharing now.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

So close. She was terribly, and yet perfectly, close. And Oliver briefly wondered if he had gone too far encouraging her advances the way he just did, assenting to that challenge. The noble prince in him told him to rein it in. She was after all his bestfriend's younger sister. But the man in him would not want to be easily tamed. Here was a girl--a lady--presenting him with an all too tempting offering that could very well make or break him in her eyes. It wasn't hard to see what or how Caitrin was seeing him as right now. The look she was giving him, the moves she was making...he'd be a fool not to notice.

And he knew he too was mirroring her every moves. His own actions did nothing but encourage her, fan the flames even more. Because he knew deep inside, he wanted this too. He wanted her. Curse the circumstances. He wanted every bit of the woman playing coy with him right now, with bows and arrows to boot. No man, no archer in his right frame of mind, could withstand such a tempting treat. But then again...she is his bestfriend's sister.

And Oliver almost let out a curse at this silent fight going on at the back of his head. However, every minute of his interaction with Caitrin was making the fight a little less pronounced. She wasn't giving him any room to entertain these doubts, what with all the not-so-subtle flirtation she was bringing on. And Oliver was only too happy to give in.

Their eyes met as they stood there face to face, breaths mingling, lips nearly touching. He could feel the rather erratic thudding against his own chest, the tightening of his nerves as her breath caressed his lips. He knew he was losing the battle when his hand left hers and finally snaked around her slender waist to the small of her back. Gently, Oliver pulled Caitrin towards him. "I know what I like..." he whispered back against her lips, his own feathering dangerously over hers. "...do you?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

Oliver was so close to her now, she had not expected him to be so willing; not that she was complaining of course. She was finding it harder and harder to keep her emotions in check. Never could she have imagined she would ever be in this situation with him. She was no longer that small girl he had once known, but she was growing into a woman, and she expected to be handled as such. If this was Oliver’s way of handling her then Caitrin was more than keen to let it continue. She had tried soft teases and flirts on a few men before, but it had always felt awkward or the man had not responded to her. Oliver however was different.

Now more than ever she wanted him to continue, for him to just continue to mirror her actions and act as she did. He was being too encouraging for Caitrin to back down her advances now. Instead she began to focus her eyes on Oliver, and began to feel her lips burn for him as his breath ran over the soft skin. It felt like there was a fire burning in her, which was yearning out for his every touch. These feelings were so new to her; she didn’t want this sensation to end.

Caitrin had not been expecting him to be as bold as to pull her towards him. She let him press her softly towards the warmth of his body. She had no reason to prevent it after all. This was what she wanted. To steady herself she placed one of her hands on his waist. With their bodies pressed against one another’s Caitrin could feel her heart racing in her chest. Her breathing quickened and she raised her eyes so that her gaze was locked with Oliver’s and nothing, and no one else.

The temptation was there; it was burning through her. His lips were so close it would have been so easy to just inch her lips forwards and merge them together with Oliver’s. Jesu, she wanted to. The sensation of his warm breath on her lips was making her dizzy and lightheaded. She breathed out softly, her lips practically brushing against Olivers. The urge to just lean forwards was screaming out to her but somehow she managed to stay back, just for those few moments. “Perhaps you should show me what you like.” Her voice was little more than a whisper; her breath smoothed against his lips. They were so close it was almost painful for their lips to stay parted for much longer.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

He couldn't quite believe that this was truly happening now. If Jeffrey were here, he would have probably already cut Oliver's head off just by staring rather wantingly at his younger sister. He couldn't be too sure though. They hadn't really talked about Caitrin before in that aspect. Jeffrey hadn't brought the subject up, and now Oliver was just as clueless as to whether Jeffrey minded him being this intimate with his little sister. Maybe it hadn't crossed Jeffrey's mind. Maybe he had not thought about the possibility. Maybe he had been thinking all this time that Oliver only see Caitrin as a little sister, nothing more.

How wrong Jeffrey was. At that very moment, on that very spot in the de Archer estate, Oliver and Caitrin practically have their hands around each other, their lips only a breath apart. And all signs were pointing to them definitely going in that direction. Well, not exactly towards being serious lovers, but towards a flighty dalliance, light, playful, no-strings-attached flirtation that is utterly and just as dangerously enticing as those of lovers.

“Perhaps you should show me what you like.”

The pull was much too strong to resist any further, and somehow Oliver could no longer hold himself back. "Gladly," he spoke, his voice low and husky, as his eyes bored into hers. He leaned his head down and moved his mouth closer and closer towards hers. Just before their lips would touch, Oliver paused and smiled, “Jeffrey is going to kill me, but what the hell…” As soon as the words left his mouth, Oliver closed the remaining distance between their lips and captured them in a soft and gentle kiss.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin had quite forgotten that she was supposed to be keeping Oliver occupied until her brother got back. That had quite slipped her mind. She was certainly keeping Oliver distracted, and vice versa, but he supposed that this wasn’t exactly what Jeffrey had in mind. Her brothers knew that she was a little bolder than the typical noblewoman, but they probably didn’t know how deep that that boldness ran. She had changed her stubborn and rebellious attitude to a more successful pastime. The fact she was so confident did nothing but help her with her advances with men, and she wasn’t complaining one bit.

The burning in her stomach was still there, and she had to breathe out slowly to prevent it coming to a head too soon. No, she had to resist the urge to merge their lips just yet, it would be all the more sweet if she prolonged the moment. The tension was rising between them, and neither of them could deny its presence. She shifted the hand that was on his waist to mirror his own hand as it found the small of his back. She could feel the warm flesh through the cotton of his shirt and the sensation made her feel weak at the knees.

Although all these sensations were running through her young body, Caitrin made sure to keep her head in the game. She couldn’t lose control, no she wouldn’t let herself. It was always important to remember to keep your feelings out of encounters with men; Caitrin had learnt that from her sisters. They often said one thing and meant another. You had to try and see what men said and did at face value, and not see too much into it. Caitrin wasn’t looking for anything serious with Oliver; men were just too fun to toy with for her to let the opportunity pass her by. He was not unwilling and neither was she so they went together quite nicely for the time being.

As Oliver’s lips pressed against her own her mind went completely blank for a few moments. Her sensations were just filled by him, his touch, his alluring scent; his everything. As her head moved into motion she moved her lip softly over his, not bothering to answer his words about her brother because at the moment the last thing she wanted to think about was what Jeffrey would say about this. Her spare hand, which had held the arrow, dropped it casually to the side as she placed the now empty hand on his waist to steady herself.

Caitrin drew back ever so slightly, so their lips were still practically brushing together. Her eye raised to Oliver’s and she finally spoke. “So this is what you like?” She asked suggestively and pressed her lip back down on his softly, savouring the soft flesh of his lips. One of her hands raised itself almost confidently and brushed through his hair before returning to his waist. Two could play at this game.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

It felt good the kiss. Oliver had expected guilt to assault him for kissing his bestfriend's sister, but there was none of it. It was soft and sweet...and it was good. He couldn't deny that he was enjoying that sweet magical moment between him and Caitrin boldly exchanging the sweetest of kisses and right in the middle of their estate yet. Nothing but the smell of her perfume wafted around him, giving that ethereal atmosphere that well-meant kisses usually exude.

Oliver had meant it to be a quick kiss, the slightest of touch. But it obviously didn't turn out that way. When she moved her lip softly over his own, all thoughts were lost to the wind and he immersed himself in the taste of her lips and the softness of her body pressed against his own. How a young girl of 14 could make him feel light-headed like this was was beyond him. And he didn't care. All that mattered right now was this intimate little exchange between them.

“So this is what you like?”

When Caitrin pulled back, Oliver felt himself still drawn to her lips, but stopped himself when she spoke. He gave her another one of his charming little smiles before reaching a hand up to cup her cheek and graze his thumb over her lips. Then a hint of mischief flashed in his eyes.

"Hmmm...not really. I was actually hoping to shoot more arrows," he joked, a wide grin plastered on his face. Yes, he had just exchanged kisses with his best buddy's little sister and instead of feeling ashamed or guilty about it, he was actually feeling quite good. He didn't realize he wanted it until the last minute, and yet he took the chance. “Tell me...do you often practice kissing with noblemen?” he asked rephrasing her own question to him earlier, a playful and impish grin on his face. “Or am I setting the standard for you?” He wondered how many men or boys Cat had kissed before him...or if he was the first.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was certain that this little fling between her and Oliver would forever remain a secret. She would not be in a hurry to tell her brother and father what they had been up to, and she suspected that Oliver wasn’t either. Caitrin really didn’t want either her father or brother to come home anytime soon and catch her in this compromising position, but neither did she want it to end. This vibe and these feelings she was getting from Oliver were worth the risk of being caught; they would always be worth the risk.

In truth, Oliver was the first man who Caitrin had kissed, which made this encounter all the more iconic. She’d flirted, teased, but she’d never kissed before. Her father would never have let anyone at court make such a bold advance on her. When they were here, on their own at her manor, the rules were what they made them to be. Caitrin suspected, because of her confidence in this advancement, that Oliver certainly would not be the last man she kissed either. It was quite an exciting prospect but the feelings which Oliver was causing to pulse though her were almost addictive.

She let out a small laugh at his jest but did not reply to it as he had been the one who had stopped their bout of archery so he mustn’t have been that much into it. Perhaps Caitrin had just been a better distraction than she had supposed she would. This certainly was proving to be a more entertaining morning than she could have ever hoped for it to be. Oliver was certainly matching her advances and surpassing them in cases. "It's not one of my habits." Caitrin admitted softly at his question, but there was almost a hint of flirtation and suggestion in her words, "But it might start becoming one."

Caitrin pressed her lips together, not wanting to let up the opportunity for yet another tease in Oliver’s direction. “Perhaps.” The words rolled about in her tongue thoughtfully as she drew up to Oliver until their lips were once again practically brushing, “But I’m sure you can raise the standard once more.” There, she was challenging him. Hadn’t he said before that he never backed down from a challenge? It would therefore be interesting to see what shape this challenge would take; if he did indeed accept it.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Oliver didn't know whether he should be thankful for Jeffrey for not telling him ahead of time that he wouldn't be here early for their hunting trip or not. He had to admit that at first he had been a tad bit annoyed. But after the interesting turn of events, who was he to complain? His friend may have tasked his sister to keep him "occupied" while he's away, but Oliver doubted Jeffrey expected Caitrin to occupy him this way. Still, Oliver was not one to complain being at the receiving end of such pleasant attention and affection from Caitrin. He'd be a hypocrite if he were to tell Jeffrey that he didn't enjoy his time. Still, telling Jeffrey all that's happening right now might not be the best idea. Oliver surmised Caitrin would also want this little flirtation to remain a secret between them. Their dirty but wonderful little secret, yes.

"It's not one of my habits.But it might start becoming one."

A playful groan issued out of Oliver. Did he just create a little kissing monster out of Caitrin? Jeffrey would surely have his head if he finds out. No, he and Caitrin would best come up with a more believable story later when Jeffrety returns and asks them what they were doing while he was away. Oliver couldn't deny that that thought about lying to his friend tickled him a bit. At 19, he should have been acting more mature and forthcoming. With Caitrin, he was anything but that. He told himself he'd best make the most out of this moment, since he will be leaving behind his teenage years in a matter of weeks anyway. "Just don't tell Jeffrey I taught you this habit," he said winking at her.

While she didn't give him a straightforward answer, Oliver had a feeling he was her first kiss. No, it wasn't because she didn't kiss well, she kissed just as sweetly as other girls. It was because he knew how strict Caitrin's father and brother's were when it comes boys for the little miss. She may be out and about with them, but Oliver doubted she have had the chance to be alone with them like they were now. Lucky Oliver!

Just when he was starting to relax, he felt her brush her lips against his once again, and it sent his nerves into another tizzy. Then came her challenge, and Oliver was lost. He feathered one light kiss over her lips before pulling back from the embrace. "Let's get out of here." He took her hand, and gently led her towards the nearby clump of trees. They were right smack in the middle of the grounds, and Oliver thought it was best to get themselves out of clear view should Jeffrey arrive unexpectedly.

Oliver lightly pinned Caitrin against the huge trunk of a tree before leaning in for another kiss, this time longer though still soft and tender.