One Problem at a Time (Lucan)

[Caitrin de Archer]

The commute to Camelot had become a lot more boring since Caitrin had been forced to abandon her mare because of her condition. Although it irked Caitrin no end, she knew that the advice to give up horse riding while she was pregnant was only in hers and the child’s best interests, and she wasn’t sure if she would be able to forgive herself if anything happened to them. Therefore she had started to take her Uncle’s carriage to the town as she still enjoyed being in the hub of society despite the fact she was now five months pregnant. Her belly had already swollen out quite significantly and had forced her into looser dresses. However, her condition was still visible, and she was proud of it; she was proud to be carry hers and Griff’s child.

Today her business in Camelot was quite straight forwards. She was getting some material so that she could start making some clothes for the baby. Money wasn’t exactly forthcoming as the estate hadn’t been doing particularly well. Therefore instead of buying pre-made clothes, Caitrin was merely making her own. She was quite nifty with a needle, she just usually didn’t engage in the activity as there always seemed to be so many other things to do in the day. Walking through the courtyard, Caitrin clutched her small basket of fabrics tightly. She had been careful to select quite neutral colours, seeing as they wouldn’t know the gender of the child until it was born. It was better to be prepared anyway.

It was a day or so since the visiting Princess had left Camelot, and Caitrin wasn’t quite sure what to think about the whole situation. She hadn’t expected a proposal from the meeting, but who was she to comment on such things? Caitrin hadn’t really seen Arthur since after the morning of his would be marriage, but she hadn’t thought that he would rush into such a match that quickly. Wrapped up in her own thoughts she spun around and felt herself collide with someone in the gentle flow of people that were ebbing through the courtyard. Her basket fell from her hand to the floor; its contents spilling out. Instinctively her eyes followed the basket and she tried to lean down and pick it up straight away. However, she got as far as arching her back before she shot back up again, feeling a shooting pain in her back. She kept forgetting the restrictions that her condition left her with. A hand went to her back, and one hand went over her belly. She could at least apologise to the person before she scrambled on the floor to gather her things, “I’m sorry I wasn’t look-“ Her eyes finally laid to rest on the person she had collided with and automatically she felt quite defensive, “Oh... Lucan.”

Timeline: After episode 11
Tags: Sir Lucan Aubert
Location: The Courtyard[/size]

[lucan]

The mid afternoon rush of people made Lucan's head spin slightly. It was the time where everyone would be bustling about trying to finish off outstanding chores, starting new ones, buying or selling. Lucan himself had a battle to get through the hoard of people in the market place. He'd been patrolling and had finally finished, readying himself for an afternoon of battering Yvain on the training field, and then after the days work was over - visiting Camila. Just that thought alone brought a smile to his face. Not long now and he would call her his wife.

Lucan wove himself in and around people leaving the courtyard and entering. Unfortunatly he made the error walking straight into some poor woman and knocking all the contents of her basket to the ground. "Im sorry my lady" he quickly apologised as she was also doing the same. Then he saw the red hair...

“Oh... Lucan.”

"Lady Caitrin" he nodded and knelt down to gather her things from the floor. "Here let me get these for you." He couldn't allow her to pick them up in her condition, let alone pick them up anyway. The family reunion hadn't exactly been the most delightful of experiances, but then again - no Aubert Family reunion ever was. Lucan was just hoping that one day he and Caitrin could actually get along.

Placing her things back into her basket, he handed it back to her. "Are you well?" he asked noting seeing her place one hand on her back and another over her stomach before, as she'd gone to pick up her things.

[Caitrin de Archer]

It was bad enough that Caitrin had walked straight into someone, but it was made even worse at the fact that the man in question was Griff's brother. She didn't make an attempt to help as Lucan scrambled to gather her things. It wasn't because Caitrin was being ungrateful, but more because she didn't think that she was capable of bending down that low in a comfortable position. Jesu, if she was this bad t five months she wouldn't be able to move once she was full term.

"Thank you my Lord." She all but forced out as Lucan offered to get her fabrics for her. Even though it was Lucan she was incredibly grateful that he had gathered her things for her. She and Lucan had never seen eye to eye, and it wasn't something that Caitrin was particularly proud of. The meeting with Lucan and his father had been one of the most awkward experiences of Caitrin's life. It just hadn't been pleasant having them all in the same room.

The ache she had felt as she had bent down began to subside, and she moved the hand from her back to smooth over her belly as well; breathing out slowly. It wasn't a scare or anything so dramatic, but carrying another life within her came with its own aches and pains. Taking the basket off Lucan she managed a small smile, "Thank you" He had saved her the trouble of picking up the fabrics so of course she was grateful. "I am well thank you, just a little achy." She jested lightly, and gave a small awkward cough, "And yourself?"

[lucan]

He'd clearly caught her in a good mood. Lucan wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or bad. In his eyes yes, good would be delightful but then again with Caitrin - her mood could change rapidly, especially with her condition.

"No problem" he nodded as she thanked him, "I wouldn't have let you pick them up anyway"

He smiled lightly as she told him that she was well. That was ok then - had she said anything else then he would have been concerned. Lucan knew nothing of women and carrying children so he couldn't determine whether the sign of achyness was good or not.

"Im well thankyou, i've just finished patrolling actually - were you on your way to anywhere in particular?" he asked, not wanting to keep her if she had somewhere to be.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin just let herself smile at Lucan's little gentlemanly gesture. She wasn't quite sure if he was being so nice because it was in his nature or if it was because of his knightly duties. It was probably a mixture, and as much as she and Lucan didn't see eye to eye, he had not said anything to insult her publicly. Therefore she could only think that this was Lucan's true nature. "Well you saved me from a rather uncomfortable stretch." She joked softly and grinned at Lucan, rearranging the fabrics in her basket. The basket wasn't that heavy, and if any of the fabrics had been dirtied in the fall then she would just sort them out when she got home.

Caitrin knew that it was natural to feel achy and irritable because of her condition as she was carrying a weight that she wasn't used to. Therefore it was natural. It wasn't hurting as much as it had done at first, as she was used to her bump now, but she was only going to get bigger and heavier as the months went on. Caitrin couldn't imagine being any bigger than she already was; the thought just worried her and amazed her.

She shook her head at Lucan's question. Now that she had got the fabrics for the babies clothes there was nothing to preoccupy herself with. Boredom really didn't suit Caitrin anyway. "No, I have finished my jobs. I just had to pick up some fabrics." She gestured to her basket and looked back to Lucan. If he had said that his patrol was over perhaps he wanted to keep her company a while longer. "Would youl like to walk with me a while? I know we haven't spoken since the little family reunion."

[lucan]

Lucan smiled at Caitrin's reply, in all fairness she was quite a witty woman - he could see why Griff had married her. "I dread to think of the outcome that may have caused" he gave a small chuckle, "however entertaining it could have been." he gave her a knowing look that was the Aubert cheeky side of his nature coming through.

"Would youl like to walk with me a while? I know we haven't spoken since the little family reunion."

"Ah...yes..." he agreed and the nodded, "If you want to? but on the term that we will never breathe a word of that meeting again - quite frankly that's something I never want to witness again" he smiled and ran a hand through his hair, walking along next to her. "Anyway, I want you to know that the only reason that I wrote to my father to tell him of you and Griff wasn't because I thought you unsuitable for his choice of wife..." he began and looked to Caitrin.

"It was because I wanted him to see for himself just how much Griff had calmed down and had taken control of his life - he and my father have never seen eye to eye because he doesn't want his life to be as controlled as it was by our father" Lucan admitted, "I wanted our father to see that Griff had found his own way, and im pretty sure that by the end of the meeting he was certain that you have been a blessing, and not another inconveniance."

Ok so now he'd got that off his chest he looked to Caitrin. "I know that you probably think that the whole of what i've just said is a lot of rubbish, but it's true" he paused. "and although i've never said anything to you or Griff, I have accepted you into the family from the start - because I know that Griff couldn't aim any higher than you already are - and that's the truth, whether you choose to believe it or not." Lucan finished.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin knew enough of the Aubert family to know when they jesting with her. She grinned back at Lucan, contemplating what could have come of an uncomfortable stretch. Her bump wasn’t too large yet to make it an impossible task, just an uncomfortable one. “Well I’m sure it wouldn’t have been as amusing as it would be in a few months time.” She winked at Lucan, she expected by the time she was full term she wouldn’t be able to see her feet at the rate her bump was swelling. She was sure it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle, after all, she had come from a large family with no complications in terms of child bearing, and she was in safe hands.

She nodded back at Lucan, she wouldn’t have asked him to join her if she didn’t want him to. She honestly wasn’t that polite. She offered Lucan her free arm, the one which wasn’t holding the basket of fabrics, as it was customary. He was her brother in law after all, and the least they could do was to share a friendly walk together. She couldn’t help but laugh at Lucan’s comments about the family reunion. Caitrin didn’t think it had gone that badly... well, it could have gone worse. “I’m sorry about my Uncle’s behaviour at the gathering.” She got out rather quickly, “I think sometimes he does not know where to stop.” Rouland was hardly ever in company and usually despised it so the gathering had been no different really.

Caitrin listened to Lucan patiently as he spoke, and was even half inclined to believe him. Of course she believed at the first instance that Lucan had just wanted his father to come and see Griff’s poor choice for a wife. It was a failing on her train of thought, and not Lucan’s. For a few moments she felt rather uncomfortable, and didn’t look up at him. She did feel quite guilty now of her accusations against Lucan if what he was saying were true. He had no reason to lie anyway, lying to her wouldn’t achieve anything. She flushed slightly at his latter compliment. “Did your father say that?” She asked, though she was unable to keep a smile far from her face. She felt quite privileged in a way and she was sure any effect had had on Griff had been replicated by himself for her. She was quite different to how she had been before she had met Griff. “I think we have both had an effect on each other.” It wasn’t all her, she knew she had her faults as well, an Griff had helped her to recognise those, and show her that she didn’t have to have her defences up all the time.

Again, Caitrin had no reason not to believe Lucan, and she wasn’t quite sure what had brought this all on. True they had never seen eye to eye, but that was more on her part than anything. From the off she had always believed Lucan thought she wasn’t good enough for his brother. But here he was, saying the complete opposite, and as uncharacteristic as it was; Caitrin blushed. She’d never really been accepted by many families, Jesu her own family had turned her out of the Kingdom. But it was important now to know that the rest of the Aubert clan thought highly of her as well. “In that case I must apologise Lucan.” It was hard enough to say, admitting she was wrong was not something which came easily to Caitrin, “I believe I have misjudged you.” That was probably the understatement of the century, but still it needed to be said. “And for what it’s worth, I’m proud to bear the name of Aubert now, and that my children will become part of the family.” She smoothed some of her fingers over her belly and just smiled at Lucan. She wondered if he and Camila would have any children. “What do you think of being called an Uncle then?”

[lucan]

Lucan took her arm and led her through and around the people, trying to avoid his sister in law from being knocked to her feet again. He was a little surprised when she apologised from Rouland's behaviour, but then again he hadn't expected anything else from the nobleman. "I was expecting it, after all - your uncle does enjoy entertainment that takes his fancy" he smirked, "and I guess a family bust up was certainly something to look forward too." All Luc had done was stand casually in the corner to allow the chaos to unfold.

He noticed Cait become a little flustered after he'd finished speaking about his true motives for the meeting. Giving her a small nod, he steered her slightly towards him so as a man with a cart didn't flatten her in the middle of the street. "He said something to that extent, although he's too proud to admit when he's wrong." Lucan could read his father better than anyone else, and he knew that Corneous hadn't expected Caitrin to be his brothers wife, but a giggling barmaid or peasant girl with no money. Lucan had to give his brother some credit though, when it came to women he always aimed high.

“I believe I have misjudged you.”

Lucan shook his head. "You were protecting my brother and so was I - we just happened to get off to the wrong start. I'd rather have you for a sister in law than anyone else though, at least you hold a good fight and believe me, we need that!" he paused, "So i believe that I have also misjudged you and for that im sorry." He grinned as Cait said that she was proud for her children to bear their family name. "Uncle Luc?" he scrunched up his nose a little at the name, "It will take some getting used to...although im afraid babysitting's out of the question" a smirk was thrown her way. "So i'll tell you now, i'll probably be terrible with babies."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was glad that Lucan took her arm, after all they were family and it was the proper thing to do. She was going to enjoy walks like these for as long as she could, as she knew when she came near to her due date, walks like these would become more tiresome and hard. She did wonder what it would be like when she was nearly full term, but she presumed she would get there soon enough to find out by herself anyway. As they walked she noticed Lucan was steering her out of the way of the oncoming people. Usually she would have made some comment about being able to do all that herself, and that she could look after herself, but she knew Lucan was just being polite and for that she was only grateful. “Well at least your father will not have to be subjected to him again for some time.” It was odd to think that when she spoke of him, she was speaking of her father in law. Even though she had been married for a while now, it all still felt quite new and exciting.

Shifting her weight onto Lucan, so that she didn’t lose balance as he moved her out of the way of the cart, Caitrin kept her basket close to her side so the contents didn’t spill out again. Jesu, could they not see them? Well, that didn’t really matter now did it? Lucan’s words caught her off guard and she narrowed her eyes at him, “Wrong?” She repeated, “Why, what on earth was he expecting?” She had obviously lived up to their father’s standards, but what had he been expecting her to be like in the first place? Then again, it wasn’t everyday you came across a stubborn, Mercian noblewoman in the heart of Camelot.

Lucan was right in essence, they had both just been trying to protect Griff in their own little ways. Caitrin had just been wanting to prove that what she felt for Griff was genuine, and that she did love him. Whereas she was sure Lucan had just been looking out for his younger brother. But here they were a year or so later, and together they all made quite the unique family unit. She was rather proud Lucan felt like she could hold her own in a fight. She had always seen herself to be a little too defensive, but she was never one to back down from a fight, and she was glad Lucan already recognised that. “Well then, what a pair we make.” She laughed softly, as they had both misjudged each other, and they were both now forced to admit their differences, and perhaps now they could use this to step onto a new relationship with each other. She knew it would mean a lot to Griff as well if she and Lucan got on well.

She rolled her eyes as Lucan rolled out babysitting as an option straight away. As to the name of Uncle, well Caitrin was sure that he would get used to it eventually. “Well I have to get used to being called a mother, so I’m sure you can manage being called Uncle.” She pointed out with a soft laugh. And of course Griff would have to get used to being called a father. Caitrin already knew he was panicking about the whole thing, but she just wanted him to believe that he could be a fantastic father. “I’m sure you’ll be fine with the baby, and I’m sure Griff will as well, but he of course doesn’t think so either.” She looked away from Lucan for a moment and pressed her lips together. She just wanted Griff to believe he could do this. Coughing slightly awkwardly she looked back to Lucan, “So, when will I have the pleasure of being called an Aunt?”