Big and Little [Caitrin]

[shonz]

There was something about the atmosphere around Camelot these past few days that makes things feel rather light and jovial. The people themselves are smiling and greeting everyone as they go about their daily business in the castle. Perhaps, Perhaps, it was because they are finally free from another of Morgana’s ruthless attempt to take over the kingdom. Or perhaps it had something to do with Camelot finally getting themselves a new Queen after all these years. Perhaps, it could be both. Percival smiled at the thought as he made his way down the corridors of the great castle. He greeted a couple of servants and acknowledged a fellow knight as he passed by them in the hallways.

Percival had just came from his own quarters washing up after another grueling training that Arthur had put them up to. You’d think that after they’d taken Camelot back from Morgana again, Arthur would ease up. No, the King’s a hardworking man, loyal and devoted to the kingdom and his people. Percival knew Arthur would do anything and everything he can to keep Camelot safe again. It was no easy job, Percival could see. With all the threats coming from all directions, both magical and otherwise, Arthur has his work cut out for him. But the King is not alone. Percival was only one of the many who would put their lives on the line for Arthur and for the people of Camelot. Arthur kept hope alive for each and everyone of them.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin Aubert was a woman still getting used to having these little life’s to look after. It was now the first thing she thought about when she went to sleep, and the first thing she thought of when she got up in the morning. Having twins was certainly wearing her down, but she couldn’t complain that much, she loved both her children. This morning she’d left her husband to tend for their eldest child, Esmae, in their rooms while Caitrin took Arthur for a walk. She had to pick up fresh blankets anyway and some new fabrics to stitch clothes for both her children, so she was killing two birds with one stone. Arthur seemed happy enough at being out of the small room for the time being anyway. He was the quieter baby of the two, but he seemed a lot more responsive to the world around him than his sister was. Caitrin had a large basket which had all her blankets and fabrics in it, in which she laid her son so he was comfortable as she walked.

Arthur began to throw small little fists around, and Caitrin knew her son well enough to know when he was about to start crying. She wasn’t close enough to the room to be able to just deal with him there, so she began to hurry, trying to get as close to the room as she could. She was half running, so she didn’t notice that there was someone up ahead of her and she ran straight into the man who was now just staring back at her. Caitrin looked down at her basket straight away and saw Arthur was staring to cry. “I’m sorry- I.” Arthur was crying and Caitrin half panicked, she wasn’t quite used to being a mother yet, so when her children cried she still felt herself get slightly panicked. Setting the basket down, she set the blanket down and scooped out her son gently. She now gave the man her full attention and pressed her lips together, he was obviously a knight of Camelot, but she couldn’t put a name to his face, she’d seen him before but never to speak to.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going.” Arthur was only crying softly in her arms, and she began to rock him up and down, shushing him softly and cupped his head with one of her hands. The more she looked at the man, the more taken by him she was. He was incredibly tall and she just looked on at him, “I didn’t hurt you did I?” She jested softly, it didn’t look like anything could hurt this man, and that thought alone amused her for the time being.

[shonz]

Percival was obviously lost in his own thoughts or that he had been distracted by a handmaiden who just gave him the sweetest smile today. Either way, he was not looking at where he was going when he suddenly felt something...or someone stumble into him quite literally. Which was rare because people usually see him even from afar with his height and built, and would always look up whenever he passes by. When he looked down to see who it was, his eyes caught a startling amount of red hair, a basket full of blankets and fabrics in her arms...and a baby.

A baby?

What was a baby doing in the castle? Arthur and Guinevère didn't have that much time yet together to start a family, right? "My apologies, my lady," he spoke his apologies just as the redheaded lady did, his face looking all somber and sorry for clearly being an inconvenience to her. He reached a hand out as she bent to set her basket down, and then stared, rather amazed, when she scooped up the little crying bundle into her arms. He could see from her face that she was near panicky, and Percival didn't want to add to her trouble. While he didn't have a baby of his own just yet, he knew how much attention a crying one needed after tending to his little brother and sister growing up.

"Oh no no no..." he brushed off the lady's second apology. "It's my fault, mam. I wasn't looking where I was going." The baby in her arms was now starting to mellow down, and Percival couldn't help but lean a bit in to take a look at its face. He couldn't tell if it was a he or she. He chuckled when she joked about her hurting him. "Far from it. I'm afraid I might have scared your adorable little bundle. I'm so sorry." He chanced a glance at the baby in her arms again, and then gave her a smile. Speaking of hope, babies are the perfect symbols of hope indeed. No news was far better and uplifting than a child born healthy and well after all the war and chaos that they had all gone through. "I am Percival, by the way. You have a beautiful baby, mam. Is it a boy or a girl?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

Though the man was apologising she wasn’t listening to him for the moment. She was more focussed on the crying bundle in her blankets. Her son had a small garment on which was like a one piece, and covered his entire body, but she now wrapped him up in one of the blankets in the basket she had been carrying him in to keep him warm. Arthur was throwing small fists around and his cries echoed around the corridor and made her wince. She was rocking him up and down, and praying that would work, she didn’t want to feel like she was already cracking under pressure, she had only been a mother for a few days. She was incredibly tired though, having twins was like constantly having a juggling act on your hands. “It’s fine, it’s my fault, I was looking down at this little one, and not where I was going.” She gave a soft smile, her son was incredibly distracting and she knew that, “So I am the one who is sorry sir.”

Caitrin supposed, as she began to rock her baby son, that the collision with Percival probably scared the young child. After all, he had been peacefully just watching his mother, and the world go by before then. His face was red, and screwed up. He was only a few days old and everything about him was still so new to Caitrin. She nodded as the man confirmed her suspicions and she even managed a small smile at him. Arthur was calming in her embrace, and his small body felt warm against her arms. She kissed the boy’s head, breathing in his warm aroma as she did. She loved her son already, he felt strong against her and that just filled her with hope. He was scared and frail now, but he would grow into a strong man, she was sure of it. “Please don’t blame yourself, I think he frightens easily.” She smiled at the man and looked down at her son, though he was crying now he was always the more timid between him and his sister. Where she would bawl and cry, he would just look up at his parents with nothing more than the odd grunt here and there.

Percival, from his attire she could tell he was a knight, and Caitrin smiled at him and inclined her head towards him. Though she was not of Camelotian descent, she had so much to owe to the knights. They kept them all safe on a regular basis. Seeing how much trouble Camelot fell into at the moment, it would be unthinkable to live here without the knights. “Nice to meet you Percival, my name is Lady Caitrin Aubert, but everyone just calls me Caitrin or Cait.” Formalities weren’t really needed, not with a knight of the realm. She looked up at Percival and grinned, “He’s a boy, his name is Arthur Aubert.” She held one of her son’s hands inbetween her finger and thumb. “Though he has an older twin sister, her name is Esmae.” She was glad in a way that she had had twins, because no matter what they would have each other, and that she was sure of.

[shonz]

It had been a while since the halls of Camelot were graced by the enchanting presence of a baby. Whether it was a crying or laughing baby, it matters not. Babies were always signs of good things to come, good omens so to speak. To see a newborn baby after a time of stife and pain was more encouraging and inspiring than anything. Of course, despite the baby's incessant crying and his mother's constant fussing were not exactly comforting, Percival was determined to do all he can to help. He didn't have much experience with babies, so he knew he couldn't possibly be of any help calming the little angel down. He knew, however, he could help the mother, seeing as she had quite a lot on her hands at the moment.

"Please allow me to help you with your things, my lady. You shouldn't have been out and about on your own with your baby and all these blankets," Percival offered as he went ahead and easily lifted the bundle of blankets off the floor where the Lady Caitrin had put them. "Just lead the way, and I'll accompany you to wherever you are going." He didn't have anywhere to hurry to anyway, and even if he did, Percival would have still stopped to help the lady and her baby who right now really needed a hand to help her about.

"Arthur! What a beautiful name. I bet His Highness was ecstatic to know such a beautiful baby has been named after him," Percival exclaimed when the Lady Caitrin told him the child's name. There was no denying that the child was name after the king, right? And to know that he had a twin, now that was something. If newborn babies were signs of good times, how much more for twins. Percival would like to believe that after all that Camelot had been through, things might be looking up for all of them from here on out. "I bet little Esmae is just as enchanting as her twin brother," he added.

Then he registered the family name. Aubert, and Percival immediately thought of his fellow knight and good friend Sir Lucan. His brows creased into confusion. Sir Lucan didn't have a child, and he distinctly remembered him telling Percival that the love of his life was the Lady Camila. "Are you in any way related to Sir Lucan?" he couldn't resist asking, trying not to suggest anything with the tone of his voice. He was merely being curious. Sir Lucan couldn't possibly have fathered a child with this lady while professing his undying love to another one, could he?

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was already half panicked, she was a new mother and she hadn’t expect any of this to be easy, but she had hoped it would be easier than this. Arthur still wouldn’t settle, and she could only guess that he was afraid, or scared or whatever. Ignoring the man for the time being, Caitrin rocked the baby against her, and pressed her son up against her chest, so his small head came to rest on her shoulder. “Shh, there there Arthur.” She began to coo the little baby, whose cries did start to settle somewhat, though they were still there. Percival was offering to take her basket for her, and Caitrin probably couldn’t express how grateful she was for the gesture. “Thank you, my chambers aren’t far from here.” She explained but didn’t move just yet, she wanted to get Arthur comfortable first. The baby was starting to calm down, and Caitrin held a breath as he stopped crying. She shifted so she could cradle him and just smiled down at her son, “See, all that fuss for nothing.” She whispered down at him, leaving a small kiss on his forehead.

She was slightly put out by the fact Percival thought she shouldn’t be out on her own. She could handle things by herself, she had got this far hadn’t she? “I think if I had stayed cooped up in that room any longer I would have gone mad.” Caitrin chuckled, she wasn’t going to protest now, because in a sense Percival was right. She should have dragged her husband out with her, or asked a servant to help her carry her things. She wasn’t yet used to the amount of limitations her children were putting on her freedom. Of course she didn’t mind, her children would always come first, but these were early days and she was still getting used to everything. At his instruction, and because Arthur had now settled, Caitrin began to lead the way to her chambers.

It was true to an extent that Arthur was named after the King of Camelot. Caitrin did like the name as well, but it was mostly because of her friend. “They haven’t been introduced yet.” Caitrin said with a soft smile. She knew Arthur was quite busy now, what with him being King, so she hardly expected him to drop everything to come and see her, though she did expect him either today and tomorrow, “Though I am sure that will be rectified soon enough, I hope he will be ecstatic.” She beamed up at Percival and then back to the baby in her arms. His Uncle had already started calling him ‘Sir Arthur’ so perhaps the child would follow in the footsteps of his namesake. “You can judge how enchanting she is when we get to my chambers.” Caitrin said with a smile, as Percival was carrying her basket it would be rude not to introduce him to the eldest Aubert, “She is quite different to her brother though.”

Oh, Caitrin hadn’t even considered that Percival would know Lucan. Then again it made sense, they were both knights at the end of the day weren’t they? She supposed they much train together and such, “I am, he’s my brother in law.” She explained. Though she and Lucan had not got off to the best starts, they were now incredibly close in some respects, “I’m married to his younger brother, Griff Aubert.” She shifted Arthur in his blankets before continuing, “Do you know Lucan well?”

[shonz]

A smile tugged at the corner of Percival's lips when he saw that little Arthur was finally starting to calm down. He had thought the baby might hungry that was why he was protesting to much. But now that he had quieted down, Percival thought he probably was just uncomfortable. Now that he was all cozily cradled in his mother's arms, he seemed to have found his little corner of peace. The sight of Lady Caitrin planting a soft kiss on her son's forehead somehow made Percival feel the warm fuzzies, and couldn't help but wonder if and when he'd have children to call his own. Of course, he had to find that woman first, that woman who would want to spend the rest of eternity with him.

He nodded when Caitrin lightly protested about having to stay too long in her chambers. He knew exactly how that feels. While there are times that Percival would prefer the quiet and solace of his own room, too much quiet could indeed drive one mad. "I know how that feels, and I'm sure your babies would love to go out and get some fresh air as well," he remarked as he followed her lead, walking towards their chambers. Percival had very high regard for mothers. He knew just how much his own mother, bless her departed soul, had sacrificed a lot to take care of him and his two younger siblings. Motherhood is no easy profession.

"I'm sure the King would be more than glad. He'll probably want some tips or something seeing as he's on his way to creating a family of his own," he replied with his usual modest smile. Good man that he was, Arthur was always easily pleased. Sure, he had gone through the worst of times in the past year, losing his father, but he had also gained something in return, Gwen. There is only so much for him to be happy about. And this child named after him is one of them. Percival had to admit that he was rather excited to see little Esmae. He had seen but a few twins in his lifetime. And after always spending his time with his loud and crazy but dedicated brother knights, he just felt like it was always nice and heartwarming to be around babies for a change. "I'm sure she's as beautiful as her mother," he remarked casually, realizing rather belatedly that he might have been a little too forward with his compliment. "I mean...I'm sorry...I don't mean to...well, it is true. All mothers are beautiful." Percival kicked himself in the head. Just when things are going so well in their conversation, he had to make an awkward fumble.

When she told him she was married to Sir Lucan's brother, Percival chuckled. Of course, that made sense. Lady Caitrin couldn't possibly be Lucan's other lady love, and Percival vaguely remembered their conversation once about Lucan's brother, Griff. "A bit, yes. I know for one about his fondness towards a certain noble lady. I completely forgot Sir Lucan had a brother. I thought you and Sir Lucan were..." Percival explained feeling a tad bit embarrassed at having thought that way.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin only had eyes for the little baby in her arms. She felt more protective over him than his sister in ways, not that she loved ether more than the other. But Arthur was smaller than his sister, not by much but she could see it and so could Griff. After they had been born, she had handed Esmae to her father, mainly because she was his first born as much as hers, and it was important. However, she had kept Arthur close to her, and had just kept him in her arms for as long as she could before she had succumbed to sleep. Ever since she had laid eyes on him, she had loved him unconditionally. She was sure he would grow to be strong, and tall, just like his father. Arthur was now just silently looking up at her, in his own little way, as if wondering where this mad woman had taken him to now. He made a squealing sort of noise, just letting her know he was there, not because he was getting upset again.

Nodding in agreement, Caitrin smiled up at Percival. She certainly had needed some fresh air. She’d been in the same room for too long now. It wouldn’t be long now until they could all go back to her Uncle’s estate. She wasn’t sure how impressed Griff would be at the prospect, after all he didn’t get on that way with her Uncle, but they were going to inherit the estate, so they both had to put up with each other. “They do.” She agreed, “Though I wish I had more arms so I could take both of them with me at once.” She didn’t like using a maid, and her husband often just wanted to rest so if he wanted to stay in the room then one of the children would stay with him.

Caitrin hoped that Arthur would be glad to have a child named after him, and hopefully it wouldn’t be too confusing at court. Especially seeing as Lucan had already deemed the baby as ‘Sir Arthur Aubert’. “I hope his grace is pleased.” Was all she could think to say, before Percival began to fumble around his words. Caitrin hadn’t been called beautiful by anyone but her husband in quite a long time, though she didn’t see anything into it. “Don’t apologise, my daughter is incredibly beautiful, though I would think that. And, well, she has to get her looks from somewhere.” She winked at the knight, showing she was just jesting with him.

She didn’t take the fact that Percival had forgotten Lucan had a brother as an insult, mainly because Griff had only been in Camelot for a few years, and he had spent most of that with her. He was almost like an extension of her sometimes. Though she did laugh at his latter comment, “Oh God no,” She laughed a little more, before thinking that she had probably come across in completely the wrong way, “Wait, that sounded horrible, sorry, it is just I and Lucan could not be less like each other if we try.” She shifted Arthur in her arms so she could cradle him more comfortably as she walked, “Lucan does have a fondness for a certain woman, Camila of Faintree is his wife.” She quite liked the woman, though she hadn’t seen much of her extended family since going into the latter months of her pregnancy, “Griff is always somewhat, forgotten, in the shadow of his brother.” In a way she had said it to excuse the fact Percival had forgotten about him, and partly because it was true. She knew her husband always felt a little in Lucan’s shadow, and she could see that in him.