Mistakes Of The Past [Arthur]

[Catalina Regalis]

They had returned to the forests of Camelot. How long had it been since Catalina had been there? Being a nomadic druid was interesting at times, traveling all over Albion and meeting different kinds of people but there was a disadvantage as well. Nowhere ever seemed like ‘home’ to the girl. She was never settled, had nowhere that she could consider home and that did distress her at times. She saw others that had roots, saw other druids that remained where they were but not her people, they chose to wander throughout Albion because of what had happened to Cat’s mother and father. It wasn’t safe to remain in one place, especially when traveling through Camelot. Aldriv chose to keep his people moving to keep them safe. The feeling of ‘home’ was sacrificed for protection. Catalina could understand why they did it but that didn’t mean she liked it.

Out of all the places she had gone, she had to say that she loved Camelot the most. The forests were familiar and welcoming to the druidess and the city of Camelot itself was absolutely breath-taking. Her uncle warned her about allowing herself to become attached to one place but she ignored his warnings. How could she keep her heart from choosing a place to settle despite her feet not being allowed to? She couldn’t and shouldn’t have to either. Leave it to Catalina to fall in love with the most dangerous place to druids and other magic-users. She really was a glutton for punishment. Speaking of a glutton for punishment, Cat had to wonder how Arthur Pendragon was doing. The last time she had seen him, she had ‘accidentally’ turned his hair pink and it hadn’t been the best sort of way to meet someone, especially after he had saved her life but they had soothed things over when she led him back to Camelot and they had left on friendly terms. There had been a great deal of worry for their people after Arthur left, worry that Uther would find out where they were and they would have to suffer a raid. So not too long after the incident had occurred, the nomads packed their belongings and they moved elsewhere.

It had been Catalina’s fault and she knew it hence why she didn’t argue when they left.

But they were back now, who knew for how long. Like Catalina always did, regardless of the trouble she got into or caused, she wandered off on her own. Her sister was busy with her son and husband and Aldriv was busy doing something as well so there was really no one to tell her not to go. Not that she would have listened had either of them been around to say anything anyway, she was her own person and she could do as she wished. All she wanted to do was re-familiarize herself with the forest, wanted to get a feel for what was the closest thing she may ever have to a home.

Leaving her horse back in camp since she didn’t wish to ride, the blonde haired druidess took off with a smile on her face. It was lonely being on her own so much, no one her own age to speak with but she had long since realized that that would be how things were. The druids didn’t like to dwell near towns and such and when they did it wasn’t for very long. So making friends was definitely not an easy task for her. Pulling her hood up over her hair, Catalina walked through the forests without fear. She wouldn’t go around fearing that she would be attacked, she had her magic to protect her and hopefully there was nothing in the forests to worry about anyway.

As per usual the girl didn’t pay too much attention to where she was heading but this time it was simply because she was just following her feet, letting them take her where they wished. Taking in a deep breath of air, Cat couldn’t help but grin happily. The forest seemed to be welcoming her home and it felt good to say the least.

Something caught her eyes, a flicker of something white caused her to stop and look over, her eyebrow raised. Was something else there? Despite a nagging voice in the back of her head that sounded suspiciously like her Uncle, Catalina decided to see just what it was. Lifting her dress up slightly so that she could walk without tripping, she made her way over. She got an eerie sort of feeling the closer she got and yet she kept going, curious to see what she had stumbled across.

A shrine… The sun shone brightly overhead yet it felt so cold. Catalina’s eyes widened as she looked around at the place she had found. Restless spirits dwelt here, she could feel it. Something terrible had occurred in this place, the sadness almost made Catalina cry. What had gone on here? Rather than leaving, she knelt down and prayed for the spirits there, her head bowed and eyes closed.

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Tags; Arthur
Word Count; 851
Lyrics; "We Are” Ana Johnnson
Time-frame; Afternoon -- During "Love in the Time of Dragons"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was not sure how he felt about his latest mission to find Alice. Yes, it was true that she had tried to kill his father . . . yet there was something about her, something in her that made him want to believe her words. That a magic creature of sorts possessed her. Of course, admitting such a thing would only make him sound naive, and he knew his father would call him a fool and tell him not to be so gullible. But still. Arthur could not deny that it was possible. Never the less, he was out searching for the fugitive. After the warning bells had gone off, everyone prepared to do a thorough search of the kingdom. After all, how far could an elder woman go? So long as she was out of Camelot, he was content. Besides, he would much rather spend his time with his father as he recovered, rather than be on the search for the woman who would never return to the castle. For she would be instantly recognized. Thinking of how close he had come to losing his father, sent a chill down his spine. It had not been the first time he'd almost lost him . . . not even the first within the past few months. Yet every time he was on the brink of death, Arthur felt afraid. Terrified, for he was not yet ready to become king.

He still needed his father's guidance and strength, and knew he still had a lot to learn before he was put in the position of King of Camelot. Thankfully, Uther had survived so this thought -- or fear rather -- could be pushed to the back of his mind. Until his next assassination attempt. For it never seemed to end. He had been so distracted in his thoughts, that he hadn't even realized where he was nearing toward. Not until the land came to look familiar -- more familiar than he would have liked. He'd dismounted a few miles back as the area had gotten more heavily wooded. So he was on foot. And for some reason, he was walking toward the area that he had always meant to neglect. For the memories it carried were haunting. Ones that gave him nightmares, and caused sleep to evade him on some nights. He regretted that day. He wished he had done more to at least spare the women and children. While he'd given the order to, there was just so much chaos. So much . . . . . . . . no. There was no justification for his actions. He still felt the all consuming guilt over them and nothing would appease that. He had made a grave mistake. A mistake that was so severe, it had cost the lives of innocents. He did not believe the druid to be violent nor dangerous people, despite what his father said.

He had even defied his father, broken the law! Helped Morgana smuggle Mordred out of Camelot so that he could be spared. It in no way made amends for these actions, but was a sign that Arthur would do whatever he could to ensure it didn't happen again. The most recent raid on the druid camp had not been without purpose. For they had kidnapped Morgana. Even then, it was over two years ago. Arthur never wanted to lead a raid like the one he had many years ago. It was what caused him to feel that familiar ache and regret in his heart, and chills running up and down his spine. When he stood in front of it, the eeriness in the air was overwhelming. He would have instantly walked away, he had not noticed someone else standing there that caused him to pause. Even from the behind, he recognized the person. Could it be? He'd not seen her in nearly a year but . . . . . . was it really her? "Catalina?" He questioned, knowing that if it wasn't, he would have just horribly embarrassed himself. He however trusted his instincts enough to follow his gut. So he stood there, waiting to see if she turned to either prove him right or wrong.

[Catalina Regalis]

It was overwhelming in a way, the tragedy that had taken place in this spot yet Catalina couldn’t be entirely sure what had happened. All she knew was it was cursed and it would be best for her not to dwell long in this place. Her Uncle Aldriv had told her of places like this, a shrine built to try and help lost and angry spirits find rest as well as protect the living from those spirits. The shrine was meant to be a reminder of the past and a warning to those that encountered it. Cat didn’t dare touch anything, not wishing a spirit to attach itself to her, instead she simply knelt and prayed. When she finished, she got to her feet and dusted her knees off. A wind blew through the bands of cloth that had been hung, whipping at her blonde hair as though to thank her for her prayers or at least that was how she took it. Sighing softly, the druidess’ eyes wandered along the ground, seeking clues as to what might have gone on here. An ancient battle perhaps? No, more like a massacre considering the sadness that still bit the air even now.

Perhaps she would bring her Uncle there, surely he would be able to discern just what had gone on there, he was a powerful druid after all and knew powerful magic to see into the past and future. Not that he used such magic frivolously, if anything he would simply tell Catalina to leave the past where it belonged and to never come here again. He was quite protective of her which was all well and good but Catalina had to wonder when he would stop treating her like a child. Catalina was the spitting image of her mother so perhaps her Uncle saw his sister when he saw Catalina in a way and wished to keep her mother’s fate from becoming her own. Not that Cat could speak to him about such matters since it pained him to think about.

Catalina was getting worse about not hearing others approaching when she was deep in thought and one day it would bring her more trouble than she could handle, she was sure of it. Had it been a bandit or perhaps a Camelotion soldier then what? She would not disturb the shrine even more by leading others to it and certainly not fighting there. The druidess stiffened slightly when she finally did realize someone else was there, her heart beating quicker. Who was it? Her Uncle would have let her know it was him rather than choosing to scare her. It wasn’t a spirit because spirits didn’t have footsteps, this was human and from the sound of the heavier footsteps it was a man as well. What options did she have? Run? Use a spell and then run? Might work, she had defensive spells that she could use to keep herself safe or at least safe enough. Afraid to turn around, she remained still. What spell, what sp--

Her thoughts were interrupted when the intruder spoke her name. Wait, she knew that voice didn’t she? It was plausible considering that he knew her name as well. Turning around at this point, she recognized Prince Pinky standing there. It had been nearly a year since she had seen him last and to be honest, she wasn’t sure what his presence here meant now. Did he have soldiers with him? A Crown Prince really shouldn’t travel on their own, especially when their father was so hated by so many. Catalina didn’t hear anyone else, no knights or guards but that didn’t mean there weren’t others around. Was Arthur’s presence something that should bring her relief or fear? How many times could Arthur look the other way when it came to the druids?

Smiling softly, she pulled down the hood of her red cloak. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you Prince Arthur.” She stopped herself from calling him Prince Pinky since she didn’t know what he was doing there and she didn’t wish to antagonize him in any sort of way. They had parted on friendly terms the last time they had spoken so she wasn’t too worried but as she knew, time could change people and Arthur was exposed to the hatred of magic every day, could that have affected how he saw her and the other druids? Still, what a depressing place to see him again. She just had to hope it wasn’t a bad omen that she met up with Arthur again in a place of tragedy. “Don’t touch anything.” She said softly, not wishing to sound bossy but she didn’t wish anything to happen to him. “This place is a shrine for restless spirits.” She was a druidess and he knew it so she could say such things without fearing a bad reaction. Plus hopefully he would just trust her. “Something terrible happened here…” She had no idea that Arthur knew exactly what had happened there. “What are you doing here anyway?”

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Tags; Arthur
Word Count; 850
Lyrics; "We Are” Ana Johnnson
Time-frame; Afternoon -- During "Love in the Time of Dragons"