A Little Immaturity (Arthur)

[Caitrin de Archer]

It was a peaceful sort of day in the gardens of Camelot, or more, it would have been if Caitrin hadn’t chosen it as her destination that morning. The sun was shining in the sky, and she was determined not to waste the good weather. She had three children to think about as well of course, and she didn’t want them cooped up at the estate all day, surrounded by the same backdrop. She could have just let them play by the back of the estate, but she liked them to have different places to explore, and enjoy. Griff was managing the estate, or at least attempting to, so she had just left him to it, and one of her guards had helped her to bring the children to Camelot, though he had stayed with the horses. So it was just her, the twins Esmae and Arthur, who were nearing their third birthday, and Alfie who was just over a year and a half old, who were in the gardens that morning. The twins took after her, most notably for their red hair, while Alfie had darker features, and had dark brown hair and so stuck out like a sore thumb when put together with his elder siblings.

The gardens were quite empty, and aside from the odd noble passing by they were in complete privacy. Caitrin had settled herself on the grass, while the children played their own version of tag. Well, most of it seemed to be Esmae just chasing Arthur because she could; Alfie just bounded after them with little grace, his small legs working hard to get near to his older brother and sister. Caitrin grinned as she watched them all, occasionally Esmae would catch her emerald green dress on a hedge, or rose bush, which slowed her down enough to give Arthur a fighting chance most of the time. Esmae still appeared to be winning whatever game they were all playing. Watching them, Caitrin couldn’t quite believe how lucky she was, or where the time had gone. A few years ago when she had been under lock and key at Morgana’s command, she couldn’t have ever imagined this scene. The children all looked happy, and that was all she wanted. She and Griff were trying so hard to just create a loving home for their children to be raised in. Caitrin didn’t want her children to have anything that resembled her own childhood back in Mercia. There was little she looked back upon fondly.

Alfie was now quite behind his siblings, and sat down, though Caitrin could sense he was getting upset. The twins were almost double his age, and though a year and a half wouldn’t matter when they were a bit older, it made all the difference now. Rising from where she had been sitting, Caitrin scooped Alfie up in her arms, “Shall we get Esmae and Arthur?” She asked him, and Alfie gave a cheeky smile up at her. Esmae hitched up her skirts and ran as her mother, Alfie still in her arms, chased after her. The little girl squealed with laughter, but ran as quickly as her little legs would allow her. Arthur had a similar thought, but he ran in the opposite direction, and wasn’t looking where he was going as he ran straight into the King of Camelot.

Tagged:King Arthur Pendragon
Time of Day: Morning
Location: The castle gardens
Timeline: After Arthurs Bane.[/size]

[Arthur Pendragon]

The knighting ceremony was over, yet Arthur's mind was still consumed with recent events. From what Merlin had told him, to seeing Morgana once again to -- the most shocking of all events -- which was the reunion with Mordred. And not only that, but he had saved his life. He had betrayed a woman that Arthur had thought Mordred was close to. Yet it only showed that even though closest to Morgana, could not justify his actions. A part of him still wanted her to see all that she was doing . . . to realize that he was not trying to be her enemy. Yet she was so far gone that that hope was slipping further and further away from him. One thing was for sure, he was happy to be home. His injuries were healing, as he was well enough to have knighted Mordred. But most importantly, he was with Guinevère once more.

He would always feel guilty for the pressures and burdens now upon her as queen, yet would never regret marrying her or apologize for it. Apart from his love for her, she was also a strong queen, and had strengthened Camelot in ways that no other queen would have been capable of.Right now, he was out for a walk, just trying to clear his mind and exercise his wounded leg. It caused no limp in his step, but he still did not wish to rest too much for it would only stiffen. He was making his way to the gardens -- a place that he had a greater appreciation for since being with Guinevère, for she had a love for flowers. It would have been more enjoyable for her to be present with him, but if he recalled correctly, she was with Rosa, tending to a few things.

His mind was so wrapped up in his own thoughts, that he was completely oblivious to the small footsteps racing toward him . . . until it collided into Arthur's leg. The king immediately snapped out of his thoughts and looked down to see Caitrin's son, Arthur. He was unmistakably hers, and it caused a small smile to form on Arthur's lips. He crouched down so that he was at least closer to being on the same eye level as the young child. "Are you alright?" He asked softly, gently putting a hand on his small shoulder. He looked over the boy to make sure he hadn't hit Arthur too hard. "Where's your mother?" He continued to ask, his eyes searching around to try and determine if Caitrin was near by or if her son had strayed too far from her side. "Come, lets go find her," he said, rising to his feet and extending his hand to her son, wondering if little Arthur felt comfortable enough to take it.

[Caitrin de Archer]

It was days like this that Caitrin truly enjoyed being a mother. It wasn’t that Caitrin didn’t always enjoy motherhood, but there were times when it was hard, and it had driven her to the point of exhaustion when the children had been very young. Tending to three small children had been more work than she could have possibly ever imagined. One would wake as the others fell asleep, and there had been some nights when she had not gotten any sleep whilst looking after them all. Now they were all a little older it had gotten easier, and she was a lot more rested which meant she had more patience and energy to spend on days like this. She wouldn’t give this up for the world, she loved being a mother, and she loved all her children with every inch of her being. The children, and Griff of course, were her world. They were the first ones she thought about when she woke, and the last that were on her mind before she went to sleep.

Alfie was still in her arms as they chased after Esmae, who had tried hiding behind a nearby bush. Caitrin had spotted her, but Alfie hadn’t yet, “Where is she Alfie?” Caitrin asked her son, who looked bewildered, and squirmed in his mother’s arms, and so she put him down so he could find Esmae himself. Alfie, though half the age of his siblings, seemed determined to keep up with them both, and he was doted on by the twins; especially Esmae. The girl giggled from her hiding place, which caught Alfie’s attention. Caitrin frowned as Esmae ran out of her hiding place; she had been expecting Arthur to be hiding with his sister. “Esmae, where is Arthur?” Esmae spun around on her heels, and pulled a face when her twin didn’t appear. Caitrin’s blood ran cold, and her heart froze in her chest for those few moments. “Arthur?” She called out, then repeated it with a larger sense of urgency. Of course a rational mind would have just assumed Arthur had strayed too far out of sight, and that he was fine, but Caitrin was anything but rational with this sort of situation. Esmae had taken Alfie’s hand, and was mostly pulling him along as Caitrin began to search the bushes, still calling out for Arthur.

Arthur Aubert, in the meantime, was staring at the man he had collided into, and went a dark shade of red, not because he was upset, but because he was shy. He knew this was the King, because he had been told so, and he nodded at his question as he wasn’t hurt. Arthur, however, couldn’t remember where he had left his mummy, he turned his head around but she wasn’t there. His brother and sister weren’t there either. Where had they all gone? The man was speaking again, so Arthur turned round to look at him. He stared at the Kings hand for a few moments before taking it, and gave a toothy smile, realising then that the King was actually really tall. He was taller than his daddy, which meant he was very tall. His mummy still wasn’t there, and he was realising quickly that he felt quite worried at the fact she wasn’t here. He looked up at the King, as he was so tall, he could probably see Arthur’s mummy. The little boy very much hoped so and so waited for him to move.