A Brighter Path (Eleanor)

[Caitrin de Archer]

It felt like so long ago that Camelot had once again been under Morgana’s control. The weather today was certainly optimistic, and Caitrin couldn’t keep a smile off her face. She had so much to be happy about at the moment after all. She was taking full advantage of the good weather with her children, and had brought them to the gardens in Camelot. She knew they were safe here, and it was such a nice day that it shouldn’t be wasted indoors. It hadn’t been a long commute, and neither of the twins seemed to object to spending an hour or so in the sun. She’d brought a blanket for them both to lie on, and at the moment Caitrin was lay on her front, craning her neck over her children. They were under the shade of a tree of course, Caitrin was sensible enough to not let her children just lie in the sun, completely exposed.

Now the twins were a few months old, they were becoming more responsive to the world around them. At the moment, Esmae was rolling around, trying to chew her hand in the process whilst making small noises to herself. Arthur on the other hand had hold of one of his stuffed toys and was waving it about in delight. Caitrin just watched them both in wonder, needless to say she was still in awe at both her children, and she loved them with all her heart. Her husband, who she loved with equal emotion, wasn’t with them, he had business to attend to at the estate. Her Uncle Rouland had decided he had to earn his keep somehow.

Caitrin sat up, so that she could shift into the sun; the twins still remained on their blanket in the shade of course. Esmae was now looking at her twin with wonder, and began to wave her arms about whilst making squealing noises. Arthur just stared at her, before going back to waving his toy around. Caitrin laughed at the pair. To say she hadn’t been expecting twins, she couldn’t imagine life now without the pair of them.

Tags: Lady Eleanor Brooke
Timeline: Series 4-5 gap
Time of Day: Mid-Morning[/color]

[Eleanor Brooke]

A quick word with a maid plumping the pillows of the Auberts' chambers alerted her as to where Lady Caitrin was. Eleanor nodded once in thanks, shuffling the folded note into her other hand as she exited the chamber. The note, with the queen's seal in wax, was held tightly in her slender hands. Even such a casual missive as this was to be highly guarded. Why, what if someone got a hold of the queen's insignia? All because Ella, her own lady-in-waiting, had dropped the letter? It would be shameful and embarrassing.

Tucking the folded note into her long, bell sleeves she exited the castle. She blinked a few times to allow her eyes to adjust to the dazzling sun, as she had been indoors for the duration of the day. Glad to finally feel its rays upon her face, she set off on her errand with a smile. It took her little time to find the lady in question, watching her twins. Instantly Ella's smile widened at the sight of the two babes. As the youngest in her family she had not had the pleasure of having a baby in her family to watch grow. Neither of her brothers had yet to have children, either. Children were marvelous creatures; to be treasured.

As she neared Caitrin she dipped her head in greeting, and slight deference to the married woman.

"Her Majesty wishes for you to have this," she said, retrieving the letter from her sleeve. A simple note, asking for her to visit with the babes later that day. Her attention soon was overtaken by the two wiggling children upon the blanket.

She grinned. "They are beautiful."

With: Caitrin
Wearing: This

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was far too engrossed in her children to notice the woman as she approached. Esmae was wriggling about so much on the blanket her mother had laid her upon that Caitrin was sure she would be on the grass before long. Arthur’s arms had appeared to tire already so he was now just staring at his little toy rather thoughtfully, and began to gurgle to himself. Caitrin smiled at them both, and ran a finger across Esmae’s tummy, the little baby squirmed, and let out a sharp squeal. She was already quite ticklish, but she always had a smile for her mother when she tickled her, so it was an incentive of sorts. She then shifted, so she placed a finger into her daughters open palm. Esmae’s much smaller fingers closed around her mothers, and she began to move the finger around thoughtfully. Caitrin let her hand go limp, so her daughter had free reign of her limb for the time being.

It was only when Esmae looked to the side of her, and fixed her gaze in the distance, that Caitrin thought to look up. She was quite surprised to see a Lady approaching them, and it was them who seemed to be her target. Caitrin didn’t get up, but she inclined her head towards the young woman as she curtseyed. She didn’t know the Lady by name, she had seen her around the castle though quite a few times on her travels. Of course Caitrin came and went to the castle every now and again. Though she resided more in her Uncle’s home more than the castle with the twins now, it was still useful to have her guest chambers there if she needed them. For if either of the twins had a problem or issue while they were in Camelot, Caitrin always knew her guest chambers would be made up. That was one of the advantages of being so close to the King though she supposed. She didn’t suppose too much on their friendship of course, and she would never use it to pull in favours, but still.

Pulling her finger from her daughters grasp, Caitrin stood up to receive the letter from the Lady. She was quite surprised to hear it was from the Queen. Caitrin wasn’t that close to the woman, not because she wouldn’t like to be, but she just hadn’t found the time to get to know her past formalities quite yet. It felt like everything had happened so quickly in Camelot, Caitrin was still finding her feet with many of the changes. Caitrin quickly opened it, and read over it in haste and curiosity. It was only a small note, asking her to visit this afternoon, “Is the Queen quite sure she wants to be in the presence of these two rascals for more than two minutes?” Caitrin asked with a grin, as she folded the letter and put it inside a pocket at her dress, “They can be quite a handful.” She was of course just jesting. She was extremely honoured to receive such attention from the Queen. She wondered who this lady was though, “Forgive my ignorance, but I don’t think I have seen you at court?” She asked gently, Caitrin hadn’t really seen anyone since the birth of her children. She smiled at the compliment she paid though, “Thank you.” She replied genuinely with a warm smile on her face, “They certainly attract enough attention.”

[Eleanor Brooke]

Eleanor was unable to not look at the twins. They were far too adorable for their own good. Perhaps children were the one thing she was looking forward to in her future marriage. Whether a boy or a girl, she would love that child unconditionally. Who couldn't, when the child was a part of you? But there was a downside, of course. For children needed to be...made. And birthed. Both could prove to be painful.

She looked up, realizing that she the woman had asked of her name. She smiled gently. "My name is Eleanor, of House Brooke. I am Her Majesty's lady-in-waiting." She laughed lightly as Caitrin spoke of the twins causing a ruckus in front of the queen. "I think she will be pleased to see them, regardless," she said, knowing that their spirit was part of the reason that children appealed to her so. They were so free, so full of life. It was refreshing to see such people after the stiffness of the other nobles.

Eleanor tried to call on what the queen had told her about this noblemwoman. "You are of Mercian decent, correct?" she asked, hoping that she had remebered right. "My mother's sister married into a family there."

"May I?" she asked, wishing to sit down beside them. The queen wouldn't expect her back just yet. And who could deny those two resting on the blanket?

[Caitrin de Archer]

The twins attention was now fully diverted by the new arrival. They were used to varying company, it seemed most people in the castle were now acquainted with the pair of them. Everyone had been so kind to her and Griff during their stay in the castle, and even when they had moved back home still they had attracted enough attention. Caitrin couldn’t say why, but she still enjoyed the attention her children got nonetheless. After all, she loved both of them dearly, and so did her husband. If everyone else enjoyed their company as well then what else could she hope for? Arthur, at the moment, was grabbing onto his feet rather excitedly, like he’d just realised he could do it. He began to wave his arms around, and nearly hit Esmae in the face in his excitement. Caitrin scooped her son up off the blanket and into her arms. He was still swinging his arms about in a burst of energy, but at least now he was not in danger of hitting his sister.

Caitrin felt slightly strange she hadn’t introduced herself yet. Clearly Eleanor knew who she was, but still, the formalities had to be observed. “It is a pleasure to meet you.” She inclined her head to the other woman, “My name is Lady Caitrin Aubert, and this is Esmae and Arthur Aubert.” Esmae looked round at her mother at the familiar sound, and clapped her hands together, squealing as she did. She wasn’t sure what was wrong with her children this morning, perhaps it was the warm weather, but they were both extremely active. “I shall make sure to call upon the Queen in that case.” Caitrin said warmly, she wouldn’t refuse an audience with the new Queen after all. If she wanted to see her children then that was fair enough, and she was already looking forwards to introducing the twins to her.

It was quite a random fact to bring up, but Caitrin nodded all the same, “Yes, my maiden name is de Archer, we are quite a big family in Mercia. Though not as well known in Camelot.” In Mercia, all her brothers and sisters were all over the place, so everyone knew at least one de Archer. In Camelot, only those who knew her before her marriage to Griff knew her former name, and the status it befitted her. She didn’t mind being called an Aubert now though, she was proud to carry the family name. “Have you always lived in Camelot?” Caitrin asked brightly, wondering if this woman too was from a different Kingdom. “Which family did your Aunt marry into?”

She smiled at Eleanor’s request, “Not at all, you are welcome to stay for as long as you want.” Caitrin replied warmly, she would enjoy a bit of company anyway while she was out here with the twins. She began to tickle Arthur’s tiny belly, and the child squirmed in her arms, squealing out with joy at his mother’s advances. Eventually she just settled to embrace him in her arms, he wasn’t that big a baby after all, so it was still quite comfortable for her, “Would you like to hold him?” She asked the woman, who just seemed transfixed on both her children. She trusted the woman enough not to drop the twins or anything like that, plus they were sat down, so it was safe enough.