Meet the Inlaws [Griff, Cait, Rouland]

[lucan]

Well this was all going to end in tears, Luc could so much as say that now he was here at the de Archer estate. His father had insisted that he would be well enough to make the journey to Camelot to sort out 'this monstrosity'. It was the first time that Lucan had actually heard back from his father since Griff had been possessed to marry Caitrin and make himself and Lord Rouland watch. Lucan and Rouland had already discussed with one another the welfare of both parties. It was very unlike Lucan to object to such a thing, but when it came to Griff? Well...he'd objected every single mad thought in his brother's head since the day he'd turned up in Camelot.

Luc dismounted from his horse and passed it to one of the stablehands. He wasn't going to get involved with this unless he really had to. It was his father who had requested this little family reunion, much to Lucan's dislike. The Duke was still clearly ill but being just as stubborn as his youngest son, he'd decided that he wanted to meet this Caitrin and right any wrongs if it was the last thing he did. Lucan was more worried about his father's welfare in all honesty - Elaine would not be joining them (and this made Lucan curious to know why). Lucan saw his brother appear at the entrance to the manor and gave him a wry look. There were far more better things he could be doing this evening, rather than sit and wait for the war between his father and brother to begin.
He was starting to wish that he hadn't written now; he didn't think that Corneous would take the measures that he was doing now, Lucan would've thought that his father would've written back with some bitter morals about being family and how he was disappointed even more so with Griflet's actions. Indeed he'd written just that, and then decided to slip in the news of a meeting at the last moment.

"I hope you've got a few stiff drinks lined up" he sighed as he came face to face with the new father to be. Lucan really wasn't thinking about the fact that he was going to be an uncle. He'd make the worst one ever, and he was going to state that to Griff -should he get any 'babysitting' ideas into his head. "I have a bad feeling about this whole thing."

Tagged: Griff Aubert, Caitrin de Archer, Rouland de Archer
Setting: The solar
Timeline: Just after S4,EP 9
Notes: Get ready for the most dysfunctional family reunion EVER. Daddy Aubert's first appearance too!!

[Griff Aubert]

It was safe to say that Griff Aubert was not looking forward to seeing his father. In fact, under the circumstances of the meeting he wasn't particularly looking forward to seeing his brother - no doubt Lucan would have something disapproving to say. But the fact that his father would be involved as well, well, it wasn't going to be fun was it? Griff hadn't spoken to his father since he'd left Glouchedon, and hadn't had any particular desire to either. The man had almost disinherited him, was there anything else to say? Nothing sprang to mind. In all honesty, Griff would much prefer not to see him at all, but then when Caitrin had found out he was planning on seeing them she had insisted - he was convinced that was only because she knew he didn't want to. And then Rouland had to become involved because it was his house and he wasn't going to pass on such an oppurtunity, now was he? So here they were. Griff was already feeling awkward.

"I hope you've got a few stiff drinks lined up."

Clearly Lucan was looking forward to this as much as he was. Well that was some consolation at least. "Don't even think about touching the wine." Griff muttered, inclining his head towards the inside of the building. Unsurprisingly, Rouland hadn't made the effort to come to the door to greet Lucan and Corneous. Alcohol seemed to be the only thing Rouland appeared to show any strong emotions towards, but then he had been living with Caitrin for a fair few years. He was probably an image of Griff's future, only with more articulation and cynicism.

"I have a bad feeling about this whole thing."

Now this was slightly surprising. Griff would have thought Lucan would love to watch. He'd probably been waiting for their father to visit for a while now, just so he could stand in the background and look disapproving. But then, he had to remind himself that Lucan had never had the greatest relationship with him either. It seemed they all had their issues, and obviously the best way to deal with them was to throw them all into the same room. What could possibly go wrong? Griff was already making a mental list.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin had been toying between what to do all morning. It wasn't the most important thing in the world, but she wasn't incredibly sure what was going to happen. she had settled on not staying in the solar, and joining Griff to greet his family, even if she was sure that she didn't particularly want to be there. After their experiences with her own father, Caitrin was sure this was going to go just as well. She had insisted to Griff that this meeting was going to happen because she wasn't about to let the disapproval of Griff's family hang over both their marriage and their children. She had let her father have a voice on her relationship with Griff, but now she had got rid of that irritant she wasn't about to let another one into her life.

She knew her Uncle wasn't that impressed with her relationship with Griff, but in the same breath she knew that he would eventually come around to the idea of having another person in the house. Well he really didn't have a choice in the matter anyway. Caitrin was dressed in one of her more fitted dresses today to emphasise her condition. She wasn't ashamed or worried about the fact she was pregnant, no in fact she was proud and excited, as she would soon become a mother.

Caitrin had heard the horses arrive and had gone straight to her husbands side, as he had been waiting for his family outside. Taking up her place next to him, Caitrin looked over his brother who had already approached. "How nice to see you again Lucan." She gave a soft grin and then ran her hand over her belly, "I assume you've heard the good news." He hadn't had the good graces to offer his congratulations to them previously so she was forcing his hand. She knew as well that it would strike a nerve with him, and though Caitrin had no desire to cause trouble for the sake of it, she wasn't going to let Griff's family walk all over her. "Feel free to come in."

[lucan]

Lucan really wasn't in the mood for all of this, let alone Caitrin's remarks about seeing him again. "I'm sure it's very nice" he retorted, "I know how much you love an argument, but that's not why i'm here so I wouldn't even bother trying to pick one with me." No - she would most likely do so with his father, who was yet to arrive.
Lucan looked back to Griff, ignoring Caitrin and her sardonic attitude. "Anyway in all honesty i've no idea why I have to be here to witness this meltdown."

The sound of horses hooves managed to interrupt the moment and Lucan looked over his shoulder to where a carriage was thumbling into the courtyard. Corneous Aubert had arrived. "Excuse me..." he nodded to his brother, gave Caitrin a glare of daggers and walked over where it had rumbled to a halt. Lucan opened the door, inside his father was sat there looking pale but ready to fight so it seemed. Oh dear, this wasn't good. "Father" he nodded. Corneous looked to Lucan and smiled; not having seen him for years.
"Hello my boy" he replied and took Lucan's hand that was now extended. Helping him from the carriage. "So...this is the beginning of the end?" he asked, looking over to his youngest son and daughter in law. If Griff had heard that he would've now gone mental.

Lucan shot a warning look at his father. "Don't provoke him - we all agreed to this." Yes. At some extent. Lucan had no choice in the matter where Corneous was concerned. His father now gave a small chuckle. "Don't worry Lucan, out of all the battles i've seen, this won't be the bloodiest."

"You sure about that?" Lucan asked uncertainly, "Because you've not met your daughter in law."

Corneous looked over to Caitrin and raised his brows. "Ah yes, the little red headed 'wonder', oh well you know what they say...'if looks could kill'." Lucan rolled his eyes; trust his father to start off something before he'd even said hello.
"Where's Elaine?" Lucan asked, "Didn't she want to see Griff?"

"I told her that she was better off doing what she does best; staying at home until this is all sorted. I cannot have her upset too. Anyway she sends her reguards." Corneous explained.

"Im sure she does..." Lucan trailed off as Corenous looked at him. It was a look that Lucan had never seen his father express before. "Father?"
This made Corneous shake himself from his thoughts. "Sorry...For a moment there...I was just taking in what I had...." Corneous told him, and on seeing the curious expression on his elder son's face, he clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Your mother would be proud."
Lucan smirked and shook his head. "We can talk about mother later, right now we've got bigger problems on our hands."

"Ah yes...the subject of my future grandchild...I cannot wait." Corenous replied a little distastefully. "It was kind of Lord Rouland to agree to this though."

"Oh I think that Roly's going to enjoy it just as much as you are father..." Lucan gave his father a knowing look and then walked beside him over to where Caitrin and Griff were standing waiting for them. "Caitrin, this is my father Corenous..." Lucan introduced them and looked to his father who said nothing, instead just looking his daughter in law up and down, "...who appears to have a throat infection" Lucan rolled his eyes at his father's coldness.

Yes...this was the beginning of the battle, and Corenous Aubert was already leading them in.

[Griff Aubert]

Well, at least this wasn't awkward... Lucan appeared to be in a bad mood, which was lovely, and Caitrin was probably going to be in fine form - as Rouland would of course be too - and as if that wasn't bad enough, his father was being just as foul tempered as Lucan, and quite a bit ruder. It was obvious that none of them particularly wanted to be in this situation, and Griff would be more than happy to tell his father where he could go, only he had to be polite and say how nice it was to see him, and hoped that his health wasn't too bad. Was there really any point in such formalities?

There was an awkward silence - something Griff was expect a lot of - after Lucan spoke. Well this was ridiculous. Was his father just going to stand there? He'd come all the way from Glouchedon just to stand there? Or did he disapprove of Caitrin so much already that he couldn't possibly speak to her? He had already been on the defensive, but now he was just getting angry. Why was his father even here? What business was it of his how Griff spent his life? Corneous had made it quite clear that he no longer cared when Griff had been thrown out. The man had absolutely no right to come here, after all this time, to judge and question not only Griff, but Caitrin as well. Still waiting for some sign of acknowledgement from his father, he raised his eyebrows and shot Lucan a look, one that made it perfectly clear exactly what he was thinking right now. In his opinion, this was all Lucan's fault. If he hadn't written to their father in the first place he wouldn't have felt the need to come here. They would have all just carried on and coped without having to speak to each other.

He obviously wasn't going to get an answer from his father, just as it was now equally obvious where Griff got his childishness from. A year or so ago, Griff would have been of the mind that if Corneous was going to be as difficult as he could, then he was going to be more so. But that wouldn't be fair on Caitrin, and even if he was still annoyed at Lucan, it wouldn't be fair on his brother either. Lucan may have written to Corneous in the first place, but he clearly didn't want him here any more than Griff did. "Well, isn't this fun?" He grinned an obviously fake grin, before clapping his hands together and then pointing with his thumbs to inside the house. "Shall we go in?" He looked directly at his father, "Or would you like to stand here in silence?" It was probably only because they hadn't spoken for so long that he was talking to him like this, no doubt within a few minutes he'd be that frustrated and angry teenager again, and his father would be just as impossible as always.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin always knew that she could gain a response from Lucan, whatever form it took. They had never really got on well, and now would be no time to start would it? Because that would mean one of them backing down, something Caitrin was quite convinced neither she or Lucan would ever do. She didn't reply to his words, and just shot him a rather satisfied grin. Caitrin wasn't about to let up her usual attitude because of the present company. If anything she was going to play it up just to make a point.

The silence which followed Lucan's introduction of her to her father in law could only be described as incredibly awkward. She just stayed there waiting for him to say something, and shot Lucan a rather unpressed look as he excused his father, saying he had a throat infection. Although Caitrin hadn't been looking forwards to this meeting at all, she hadn't expected Griff's father to be so bloody rude upon their first few words. She hadn't even spoken yet, and his silence was obviously down to his disapproval, or surprise. Either way Caitrin wasn't impressed. She was about to say something as she could feel herself becoming angrier and angrier but Griff got there first. She looked up at her husband and took a few moments to calm herself. There was no point in picking a fight just for the sake of it.

Caitrin nodded at Griff's suggestion, at least the solar would give them some privacy. She was sure it wouldn't take long for these formalities to waver into nothing so Caitrin's eyes only briefly flickered over her Lucan and her father in law before looking back to Griff, she was slightly annoyed that he hadn't said anything to his father about the rude way in which he had recieved his wife. Honestly, it felt like she was fighting against a brick wall. However, she would reprimand him for that later, right now her displeasure was best directed onto the ones who were really causing it. Caitrin linked her arm though her husbands and put on a rather dim smile at her extended family. "Yes, lets go inside; my Uncle is waiting to receive us all."

[lucan]

Well this was going to be a pleasant reunion - already their father was being un-cooperative and Griff trying to keep his temper. Lucan gave Corneous a nudge in order for him to say something to Caitrin.
The older man bowed his head to her, "Lady Caitrin, at last we meet, Lucan has told me all about you, your Uncle is most kind of having me come here to your home." At this, Corenous looked from Caitrin to Griff and nodded at his youngest. "Griflet, It's good to see you again. I suppose congratulations are in order" He held out his hand for his son to shake.

Lucan watched as his father decided to make 'progress', he only hoped that the meeting would go smoothly and that it would all be over soon enough. He looked to Caitrin and nodded as to make some peace with her. He didn't want to argue with a pregnant woman because he knew that when it came down to it, no one would win.
Griffs voice finally filled the air, suggesting that they go inside. Thank goodness for breaking an awkward moment. Both he and Griff were experts in that field, so at least they had something in common. "Good idea" he nodded and looked to Caitrin, "Will Lord Rouland be joining us?" Rouland wouldn't miss out on having his say about the whole thing.

"Ah yes, I would very much like to meet Lord Rouland" Corneous nodded in approval. Lucan had seen the look that Griff had given him earlier, obviously this was all Lucan's fault yet again, but it had to be done. His father and Elaine had to know - broken family or not.

"Yes, lets go inside; my Uncle is waiting to receive us all." at least Caitrin was agreeing. Corneous now clapped his hands together. "Excellent, I shall allow you two to lead the way then."

Lucan waited until his father had passed him, following Griff and Caitrin inside. He really didn't fancy following but knew he had to. Taking a deep breath, he finally followed everyone else inside.

[Griff Aubert]

For a moment or two the youngest Aubert just stared at his father’s hand. Was Corneous honestly expecting Griff to take it? At the moment, it was probably the thing he wanted least to do. He bit his lip, trying to suppress the urge to say anything. He had, after all, decided to try and be grown-up about this, which was weird in itself. Griff was never grown-up about anything, but then this was a rather exceptional circumstance. Begrudgingly, he took his father’s hand and shook it, although the action was finished a little prematurely and once it was over his arms were folded across his chest. There was no point in trying to pretend that he was happy about any of this.

“Thank you, father.” There was not a hint of gratitude in his tone, nor a hint of friendliness. He was just going through the motions, and wasn’t exactly being subtle about it. But then what did his father expect?

He felt Caitrin link her arm with his and although it was only a small gesture it did make him feel a lot better. He wasn’t going to have to face his father’s disapproval alone. Personally, he didn’t see why his father disapproved so much. Hadn’t he always been going on about how it wasn’t appropriate for Griff to behave the way he did, and wasn’t it about time he found a nice, sensible woman to settle down with? Or was it because Caitrin wasn’t exactly what Corneous had in mind? Well it didn’t matter what Corneous thought, and even if it did, it was too late now. They were married and not only that, they were expecting a child together.

Surprisingly, he didn’t feel any better now that they were inside. It meant Rouland was closer, and while he didn’t have any issues with the man himself, he was bound to make the situation worse. Rouland had a habit of...commenting. And with his father around, it could only end badly. Having said that, it might be entertaining to see the two men try and pick each other apart. That’s assuming they didn’t decide to join forces – which they probably would now, knowing Griff’s luck. Either way, this was only just the tip of the iceberg.

He led the group into the solar were Rouland was sat, as usual, and looking...welcoming, as usual. Unlinking his arm with Caitrin, he stepped to the side to allow Rouland to see Corneous properly. “Rouland, this is my father, Corneous Aubert.” He deliberately left out his title as it would probably annoy him. “Father, this is Caitrin’s uncle Lord Rouland de Archer.” Right...now the fun could begin.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Well at least Griff's father had had the common decency to finally address her by her formal title. It was certainly preferred to his silence at least. She hadn't really been expecting such a cold reception from Griff's father. She knew relations between them both were quite cold, but Griff was settled down now; with her. Surely that was a cause for celebration at least? Even if he was annoyed his son, Corneous could hardly fail to recognise that she was carrying his grandchild. However, unless he decided to treat her with a little more warmth, she would make it r personal business to make sure that he never had a say, or an opinion on any of her children. She bobbed her head to him though, because it was dutifully done. "It is a pleasure to meet you at last my Lord." Was all she could force out. She shot Lucan a look of daggers; yes she was sure that he had told his father everything. However she kept her lips pursed into a smile, because she wasn't going to be the one to bring down the mood of this occasion.

Caitrin was almost surprised that Griff shook his fathers hand. Then again, at least he had offered his congratulations, which was something Lucan was still yet to do. However, she supposed that Griff, like herself, was trying to take the moral high ground. Therefore she just looked on at her husband and continued to link his arm until they were in the solar. She knew that they were in this together, it almost felt like everyone was suddenly trying to pass judgement on both her marriage and her pregnancy. However, it was no one else's business, and it still irritated Caitrin that Griff's father was here. He hadn't shown one bit of interest before so why should he start now?

Now they were in thesolar, yet another problem was thrown into the mix. Though her Uncle did not often voice his opinions, she knew that he was displeased at the way everything had been done. However he had been the one to give Griff permission to marry her so she couldn't see why he had suddenly turned against the two of them. Then again, he was probably just worrying about the amount of noise a baby in the house would cause.

Rouland pushed himself out of his chair when the company arrived in the solar. He wasn't that impressed at being introduced by Griflet, but still, it could be worse. Rouland bowed to the men in question, "It is a pleasure to meet you." He said quite sharply and looked across to Caitrin as if this socialisation was her fault. She ignored her Uncle for the time being and stepped once again to Griff's side. "I am surprised we have not met earlier." He directed at Corneous and half gazed at Griff. In all truth, Rouland didn't care much about meeting Griff's family. However, it would be interesting to hear his reflections on this matter. "And to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" Rouland forced out, of course they all knew why they were there, but someone had to say it, and Rouland wasn't going to be the cause of all the mayhem.

[lucan]

Lucan knew that that moment his father met Rouland it would all kick off from there. "I am surprised we have not met earlier." great, don't say it...don't even say it.... "And to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand there it was! Welldone Rouland, a very smooth and awkward introduction. Lucan could've buried his head in his hands at that moment, but chose to remain in his corner that he'd taken up. Corneous, however was now answering Rouland's question. This could only go badly.

"Indeed, I unfortunatly could not make the wedding - i've been in ill health for sometime, however i've managed to muster some strength to come here today to meet my new daughter in law, and to congratulate my son on their news." Lucan would've said touche at that moment, but didn't. "I've heard all good things from Lucan about Caitrin and your family" the older gentleman smiled.

Lucan took this moment to shoot a glance at Griff and nod sincerly. He had never spoken out against Caitrin - no matter how much they did not get on. He just needed the family to build some bridges with one another rather than fight all the time. At least then there would be some unity and stability between both. If Camila was to marry into his family then he at least needed to prepare them.
Now that his brother was to be a father, he could at least try to rebuild the ever crumbling relationship they had and support him as any older brother should.

[Griff Aubert]

Well wasn’t this lovely? The simply answer was no. Griff didn’t want to be in the same room as his father and he certainly didn’t want to be in the same room as his father and Caitrin’s uncle, and yet he found himself here anyway. He wasn’t actually part of the conversation at the moment so maybe he could just sneak off without anyone noticing. Hmm. Caitrin would notice. And then he’d be in trouble for leaving her with his father and brother even though she was more than capable of holding her own.

With any luck, his father and Rouland would irritate each other so much they couldn’t possibly stand to be near each other and then Lucan would take him away and it would just be Griff, Caitrin and Rouland which although wasn’t a perfect situation was definitely the lesser of two evils.

Corneous was actually being civil which was surprising, not that it made much difference to his youngest son. He had to bite his tongue when he spoke of the wedding. Regardless of the man’s health he wasn’t at the wedding because he hadn’t been invited. Instead of saying anything he just rolled his eyes, managing to catch Lucan’s eye at the same time and noticing the look he gave him. The two Auberts may have managed to improve their relationship but it didn’t mean Griff wasn’t annoyed that Lucan had brought their father. Looks weren’t going to change that. What did Corneous even want anyway? He’d been more than happy to let Griff leave Glouchedon and then all of a sudden he was being the caring father? “As much as I...appreciate your presence here, Father, how long as you planning on staying?”

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was starting to get annoyed at this whole situation. No, she was past annoyed, she felt like everyone was either talking past her, or around her. It was like she wasn’t even in the room. Corneous said that his aim in coming here had been to meet her, but all he had done so far was express a few pleasantries, or perhaps that was all he wanted to know. Maybe he really didn’t want to know the whole picture. After all, he couldn’t undo what had been done here, she was Griff’s wife now, and they were expecting their first child together. She would have thought any father would be happy to see their son settled in such a way. If Corneous was happy, he wasn’t doing a very good job of showing it.

Rouland could see his niece was becoming irritated out of the corner of his eye, and as Corneous said he had not been able to attend their wedding because of ill health both Caitrin and Rouland chocked back a look of surprise. Not many had been invited to the wedding, it had been an intimate affair, and only those who they had really wanted there had been invited. Funnily enough, Corneous hadn’t been on the list. Rouland knew that as well, but he wasn’t going to say that obviously. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of Corneous just yet, surely the man should have taken more interest in Griff’s affairs before his wife was heavily pregnant? It didn’t make much sense to him, but he wasn’t going to point that out. No doubt his niece would beat him to it eventually. “Please everyone take a seat.” He finally said, as there were more than enough chairs for them all to be seated, and it would make the occasion feel a lot less formal, “I’ll call for some wine.” Caitrin rolled her eyes, “I’m sure that Lucan will have filled you in on most of the details.” He mused thoughtfully as he sent a servant out to get them all wine.

Caitrin looked across to Griff as he spoke, and took up her seat, once again feeling like she had been left out of the conversation somewhat. She knew that he didn’t want his father here, in the same way she didn’t want Payton to turn up on the doorstep. Jesu, that would be all she needed. She cleared her throat slightly and pursed her lips into a smile. This was her home, and she wasn’t about to be pushed aside seeing as Corneous was insistent that this meeting was to meet her, and congratulate her state. It was his grandchild after all. “Are you looking forwards to meeting your first grandchild my Lord?” She asked politely, though her eyes flickered to Lucan as she spoke, “After all, I suppose you have had a long wait.” Everyone knew that men of wealth wanted to secure their bloodline, so far Lucan had failed to do that, but Griff had stepped into his place with that one. Though this would not be the first grandchild on the de Archer side, it certainly would be on the Aubert side of things.