A Fresh Start (Lucan)

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin wasn’t sure what time it was, but judging by the light poking through the windows it was about midday. She was still recovering from the birth, her insides just ached, but everytime she saw her children the pain almost went away in a sense. She hadn’t had much sleep during the night, the twins had been born in the middle of the night of course, so she had been up trying to settle them, and only now had she been afforded a few moments of peace and quiet to herself. She had asked Griff to see if they could have their lunch in their rooms, as they usually just went down to the hall to dine. However, she just wanted to eat and get some rest right now. He’d only just left, so it was the first time she had been left alone with their children.

She still couldn’t believe she was a mother, and yet here she was, the proud mother of twins. She stepped across to their crib and smoothed her finger across her son, Arthur’s cheek. He shifted in his sleep and started making soft noises, just telling her that he was there, and that he was safe. Messengers had been dispatched that morning to tell their family that Caitrin had been safely delivered. Even one letter had been sent to Mercia to Payton de Archer. That was more to spite him than anything. Caitrin was expecting her Uncle later that afternoon, as they had business to attend as well as family pleasantries.

She gave a short yawn, and rearranged her dress. Caitrin was still getting used to being quite a petite size again. Of course it would take time to lose her belly, but she was no longer carrying round her children, and her back was grateful of it. She had barely sat down on the bed before a sharp cry came from the crib. Caitrin jumped up from her seat and craned her neck over her children. Esmae was red faced, and was waving angry little fists around. Sighing, Caitrin scooped her up out of the crib and held her so Esmae’s face was resting against her shoulder. She began to rock her, because apparently that was supposed to help calm them. Esmae was a little calmer just for being in her mother’s arms. After a few moments, Esmae began to settle again, and luckily she hadn’t woken up Arthur. Sighing, Caitrin picked up one of the blankets from her bedside table, and wrapped Esmae in it. Already she was showing herself to be a lot louder, and feistier than her younger brother. She began to make little pouting noises and was shifting around in her blankets already. Caitrin scooped her up again, and just held her there, trying to get comfortable. Her daughters eyes were slightly open, and Caitrin just smiled down at her, “Hello.” Was all she could think to say, and Esmae continued to shift around. Caitrin just let her, after all she would just wear herself out eventually. A knock on the door tore Caitrin from her thoughts and she looked up at the door, “It’s not locked, come in.” She couldn’t answer the door really with Esmae in her arms, so she just waited rather awkwardly for the person to come inside.

Tags: Sir Lucan Aubert
Timeline: The Afternoon after Caitrin gives birth
Location: Caitrin and Griff’s guest chambers in the Castle
Music: The King and Queen- The Three Musketeers[/color]

[lucan]

Lucan had been out on patrol tat morning, when he heard that Caitrin had given birth to not one, but two babies. Twins! He was an uncle to twins? Only Griff could pull a stunt like that off. Did they even know that there were two? If not then both his brother and Cait had done well in keeping it a secret from everyone. He couldn'y help but smirk at the image of Rouland's face when he heard. Lucan would have loved to have been there to witness it.

He had decided to go and visit his sister in law and brother that afternoon. He knew that they were in the guest chambers, so it was nice for him to actually be near. No doubt Rouland would be halfway through his 7th jug of wine right now - the last Lucan had seen of him he hadn't exactly seemed happy about the little family reunion. No one had, but you have to keep your enemies closer than friends at the end of the day.

Once Lucan had returned to the castle and dismounted his horse, he chose this moment to go and see his new niece and nephew. Knowing him, he'd most likely drop them than hold them. Lucan had never held a baby in his life and just the thought of it made him shudder slightly. If the children hated him as much as Cait first had when they had first met, then they were sure to scream without him so much as entering the room.

His cape flapped around him, his armour and chainmail feeling so much heavier than usual - finally coming to a stop at the door he wanted and giving a small knock. Caitrin's voice spurred him to opened the door gently and poked his head around. "Room for one more?" he smirked, knowing that she and his brother would have their hands full now. "I thought I'd come and see how you all are..." he said walking in and closing the door quietly. "Congratulations" he smiled at her.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was glad she had got Esmae to settle. She was still getting used to being a mother; it was just all so new to her. She was catching herself just staring at her children, and not really believing that they were really hers. She loved them of course, and she knew she always would, but right now it was still so hard to believe that she had these two new lives which she had to take care of. They were completely dependent on her and Griff, and they were going to have to rise to that challenge. She kissed Esmae’s forehead, and just kept her lips there against her daughter’s skin for a few moments. She was a completely new life, and had carried both her and Arthur for months, and now here they were. She and Griff finally had their little family.

Both children were quite small, but they were strong and that was the important thing. The midwife had said they might be a little small at first, after all, they had had to put up with sharing her womb with each other after all. Arthur was the smallest, but he was the youngest as well, it was strange how that had worked out. She looked back to Arthur before the door opened, and as it did her eyes darted up to Lucan, and her features softened into a smile. Lucan was still clad in his knights uniform, he must have come straight here from patrol. She hadn’t known when he would be visiting, but he was a knight so she never liked to assume anything with him. “There’s always room for another Aubert.” She grinned and gestured with her head for him to come into the room. She didn’t even have to tell him to shut the door quietly, and she shot him a wide grin as he congratulated her, “Thank you, I think I’m still getting over the shock.” The shock of course was that she had been bearing twins, and not just the one child she was expecting.

Esmae began to shift again in her blankets, as if she knew her mother’s attentions had been diverted. She ran a finger along her cheek and smiled at her. Looking back to Lucan she gave him a soft smile. They had certainly had their differences in the past, and until quite recently. However, they’d both been in the wrong, and it had taken just a split second for them to realise how proud and stubborn they had been about the other. That was all in the past now, and everything was different, “Would you like me to introduce you to the newest Aubert’s?” She asked him, gesturing to her arms and to the crib.

[lucan]

Cait looked considerably well despite the fact that she'd just had two babies. Lucan was pleased to see that they were all well - where Griff was, was beyond him. He gave a small snort as Cait said that there was always room for one more. "With the ever growing brood, you won't be able to run from us soon" he smirked. "You and I both" he agreed when she said that she was still in shock, "Although I would have loved to have seen your Uncle's face at the news." Now Rouland's example of shock was a hilarious picture. "I trust that he has already heard?"

“Would you like me to introduce you to the newest Aubert’s?”

Lucan smiled and walked a little more into the room. "I would like that very much". He took a few steps towards Cait and the crib and peered in at the first baby. Both children seemed to have inherited the trademark de Archer red hair. Of course he could see both Cait and his brother in them. They were both settled and appeared not to have a care in the world. Lucan smiled at the child in the crib, then at the one in Cait's arms, before smirking at Caitrin finally. "I bet you're thankful they haven't got the Aubert look". He wouldn't wish that on anyone.

"They're just...well...amazing Cait - really, they are"

Oh yes, he adored the new additions already. He suddenly looked around. "Where is Griff anyway? Not gone to the tavern I hope!"

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin probably should have felt a lot more tired than she actually did, but she supposed her tiredness hadn't set in just yet. Maybe she would grab a nap later on in the day, after all, the twins wouldn't have a settled sleeping pattern yet, so no doubt she would be up half the night as well with them. Eventually she would find time to put her head down for a few moments, perhaps she would be able to convince Griff to take a shift and stay up with the twins for a while. Fat chance of that happening really, neither of them would be getting much sleep she supposed. "I don't think I'd be running away, not any more anyway." There had been a time of course she would have leapt at the idea of not having to know Lucan any more, but not now.

Caitrin smiled at Lucan as he expressed his shock as well. "We didn't know we were having twins." She said, looking down at Arthur once more with a wide smile on her face, "It was a complete surprise, but a nice surprise." To know she was having a boy and a girl just meant the world to her right now. They already had a growing family. She had her family with Griff already, and she already loved their little family group. "I sent word to my Uncle, he's coming later, but he wasn't that pleased at the thought of one pair of little feet in the house, Jesu knows how he'll be with two." She winked at Lucan with a wide smile, she didn't care what her Uncle thought, he would drink himself into oblivion while she sat by with her family.

As Lucan accepted her invitation for introductions, she stepped beside him as he looked into the crib, "This is Esmae, she was the first born." She explained, looking on at her daughter who was still sound asleep. She was making small noises in her sleep, and occasionally shifted around in her blankets. Caitrin tucked her in, and looked back to Lucan, "And this is Arthur, the youngest." She pulled a face at Lucan as he mentioned the Aubert look, "They have the de Archer hair, but I think they look more like Aubert's." Arthur certainly didn't look like her, Esmae did to an extent, but apart from the ginger hair Arthur was the spit of his father. She was almost flustered when Lucan said that her children were just amazing. "A proud Uncle then, are you?" She grinned softly, she knew Lucan had reservations about being called an Uncle, but these children were of his blood of course.

"Griff's gone to get us some lunch, we usually dine in the Great Hall you see." Lucan could probably guess why she would prefer to dine in here today of course. "He'll probably go to the tavern at some point to celebrate." She mused, almost amused and gave a short chuckle. She didn't mind Griff going to the tavern when he wanted to, but perhaps for now she needed him by her side. "Would you like to hold one of them?" She asked Lucan brightly.

[lucan]

"I sent word to my Uncle, he's coming later, but he wasn't that pleased at the thought of one pair of little feet in the house, Jesu knows how he'll be with two."
"I'd better hide his wine then" Lucan smirked, knowing full well that Rouland would have a nervous breakdown when he saw the pair. Luc was sure that Griff would be able to take to fatherhood easily - after all, marrying Cait seemed to have been the only decent decision he'd made his entire life. At least he was settled, which their father had seen and had accepted.

Esmae and Arthur. Fitting names that suited both children perfectly. "My father would love them" he said, looking to Cait, "I know the pair of you didn't exactly get along, but when it comes down to his grandchildren - I know that he would love them both. You already know I do" he grinned. "Hopefully he will be well enough to see them soon."
On Cait's comment of being a proud uncle, he laughed lightly. "Why wouldn't I be? They are my neice and nephew after all." Lucan knew that Camila would adore them as though they were her own.

Ah, so his brother wasn't in the tavern. That was a good thing. Hopefully Lucan would see him before he had to go off and get ready for training that afternoon. Wait...had Cait just asked if he wanted to hold one of the babies? Was she mad? "If you want them dropped on the floor then go ahead" he shuffled uncomfortably - no doubt that he would indeed drop one or at least make them cry. "I bet you any money that they cry when they see me" he gave his sister in law a small wink.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin let out a hearty laugh at the thought of Lucan trying to hide Rouland's wine, "I've tried, trust me." She had no idea where his multiple wine stores were, but Rouland always found a way of getting wine no matter how much Caitrin had tried to hide it over the years.

The topic of her father in law made Caitrin press her lips together to prevent comments from coming out of them. Needless to say, she wasn't particularly fond of the man, but she put up with him for Griff's and Lucan's sake. He wasn't as bad as her father anyway (Then again that would be hard) so that was something. At least Griff was on talking terms with his father now. These were her father in laws first grandchildren after all, "Will he come and see them then?" She asked politely, "Or do you think we should visit him?" She didn't want to cause any tension in-between the family, if there were to be any arguments they wouldn't be coming from her and Caitrin was certain of that. If Corneous wanted to see his grandchildren then she would oblige him for Griff's sake. "Will Camila call on us soon?" She asked curiously, she got on incredibly well with the woman, and hoped she would come by sometime.

Caitrin smiled at Lucan and it was a genuine smile, "And my children will always be proud to call you their Uncle, more so than any of my family anyway." She shrugged slightly, most of her family hadn't spoken to her since her move. The only exceptions were Bryce, Jeffrey and her father, and Bryce had only spoken to her because he needed a favour from her.

Frowning at Lucan, Caitrin couldn't supress a laugh at her brother in law. She trusted him not to drop her children, after all, he and Camila would one day have children, God willing, so he needed to get used to it. "You'll be fine." She assured him, "Griff was the same." He had been just as apprehensive about holding either of the twins, and they were his children! She smirked at Lucan's words, "I'm sure they'll love you more than I did at first." She said rather smugly but grinned. "Sit on the bed, it'll be easier for you to hold them."

[lucan]

Luc saw Cait's expression change when he mentioned his father. Yes the pair hadn't exactly hit it off - but things had changed, and he was sure that Corneous would make an effort if there were children involved. "I doubt that - he's in ill health at the moment, hence why my Uncle is in Glouchedon handling everything as I cannot..." he explained, "However should he become fit enough to travel again then I dare say that he will visit" he smiled. "I know you two didn't exactly get off to a great start, but he is a decent sort once you get to know him better." He shifted, "However Elaine sends her congratulations."

"Will Camila call on us soon?"

Lucan smiled, "Of course she will - and no doubt I won't hear the end of it" he gave a small chuckle, "Im sure that as soon as she sees these two she's going to be begging me for some of our own". He knew Cam wanted children - he did too, but he was sure that he'd end up being the worst possible father imaginable, despite all the protests. It would be nice though, and hopefully it would happen soon.

He smiled as she spoke about the children being proud to call him 'uncle', smirking at her next words. "And there was me thinking that you loved me secretly rather than Griff".
He did as she asked - sitting down on the bed and taking Esmae from where Caitrin was now passing her to him. She was light and sleepy - soon snuggling down into his arms and letting out a small yawn. Ok, she was incrediably cute! He laughed lightly, "Seems she settled down for the rest of the day" his free hand cupping her head and gently stroking the thin whisps of red hair that she had. "There is no way that Camila will want to put them down when she sees them."

[Caitrin de Archer]

In a way, Caitrin was glad to hear that Corneous wouldn't be coming to visit them at the estate anytime soon. She'd rather deal with him after the shock of bearing twins had worn down. Caitrin looked down at Arthur before looking back to Lucan. "Will Elaine come and see us anytime soon, do you think?" She asked, almost uninterested. "I haven't met her yet after all." Caitrin just shrugged. She wasn't going to make an effort if Griff's family wasn't going to make a similar effort.

Caitrin pulled a face at Lucan. She loved him as a brother-in-law and that was it. Well, she was friendlier towards him now than she ever had been before. She smirked at him, "Well, now the secret's out..." She jested with a wink. She had flirted with Lucan once before, and it really hadn't gone well. However, this was them years later, and plenty had changed between the pair. She knew Lucan wouldn't take her flirts seriously anyway, he would just brush them away. Caitrin was happily married to Griff, and she could just hoped things would stay that way.

As Lucan sat down on the bed, Caitrin placed Arthur in the crib beside his sister. He was still unsettled so it wouldn't be fair to hand him to Lucan. Instead, she picked up Esmae out of the crib. The child, who had been dozing in and out of sleep, began to yawn in her mothers arms and nuzzled against her blankets. She smiled down at her daughter, and almost didn't want to give her to Lucan for a moment. Not because she didn't want him to hold Esmae, but because she didn't want to let him go. As she lowered hers and Griff's daughter into Lucan's arms, she was struck at how naturally he seemed to take to the new task in hand. "I'm impressed." She said softly and took Arthur once again in her arms. She sat next to Lucan as she looked across at her daughter in his arms. "I think she'll be settled until I want to get some sleep." Caitrin said, with a hint of irony pulling at her words. Yes, her daughter would probably be settled until Caitrin wanted to put her head down for a few hours.

"Camila can hold them as much as she wants." Caitrin said with a wide smile. Caitrin quite enjoyed her sister-in-laws company after all, and she knew that because she and Lucan were closer now that they would all be a lot closer together. "Well, I'm sure she'll want to until she has her own children to hold?" She said with an air of suggestion, surely they were trying for their own children? Well, no one could try quite as hard as she and Griff did, but still, they could come close.

[lucan]

Lucan shrugged at her suggestion about Elaine. "I have a strange feeling that she might, on behalf of my father. After all, Griff is her son" he admitted. "If she does though, Im not expecting a warm welcome." he grinned, knowing how much Elaine detested him.

He made a mocked face of shock when she said the secret was out. "Well if all else fails then we can run away together" he smirked at her, knowing full well that they would just kill each other - friends or not, "but no offence - my love for you can only go as far as calling you my sister in law - and there is also the fact that Im in love with another women" Luc pouted slightly, "but at least we know it was fun while it lasted." At least they could actually laugh about something now - and the fact that she'd flirted with him when they had first met now seemed even more hilarious. He was never going to tell Cam about that!

"Well, I'm sure she'll want to until she has her own children to hold?"

Lucan looked up from where he had been looking down at Esmae and now to Caitrin. "I know what you're hinting at". Trust Cait to try and prise some information from him. Esmae seemed quite annoyed that her uncle had shifted and now made a small noise of protest, "Yes, yes I know...im sorry for actually moving" he laughed and shifted Esmae back into her comfortable position. Now happier, the baby closed her eyes one more. She would most certainly have her own way, just like her mother. "The subject has come up in conversation a couple of times..." he carried on, "It's just a case of waiting now."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin could tell the change of tone in Lucan's voice as Elaine was brought into conversation. She had never really asked about her before now, and it seemed odd to do it during such an occasion but this was as good a time as any. "Do you and Elaine get on?"She asked very bluntly, "I'm not quite sure what she'll make of me." Caitrin didn't seek approval from any of Griff's family, but she would rather get along than not. "But, none of my family get on with one another, so I'm quite used to bickering relatives." She gave a soft smile, her family in Mercia were of little consequence now, she had her family in Camelot now to fret over.

Caitrin mockly pouted at Lucan as he said he would only call her his sister-in-law. However, she didn't mind in the slightest. They were both happily married in their own little way. It struck her how different hers and Griffs, and Lucan and Camila's relationships were. They were all Aubert's, but very different Aubert's. Caitrin shrugged at her brother in law, "I'm very happily married, so don't worry." She grinned at Lucan. He supposed he would be glad in some sense to hear his brother was in a happy marriage. Lucan had told her once that he thought that marrying Caitrin had settled Griff down. It had settled Caitrin down as well because she had been slightly wild in ways before she had met Griff. They had both helped to calm each other down.

Though Caitrin was intent on hearing whether or not Camila and Lucan had a child on the mind, she was just as amused to see that her daughter was already putting her Uncle in his place. "She already has you wrapped around her little finger I see." Caitrin smirked at Lucan and gave a short laugh. "Leave your Uncle alone Esmae." She smoothed a finger over her daughters head, before returning her attentions to her son. "Well I hope you have good news soon, and of course we must be the first to know." She insisted with sparkling eyes.

[lucan]

"Do you and Elaine get on?"

"Nope" he immediatly put in, "She's always resented me in some way - I was only four when my mother died and she married my father a year later, so she acted like a mother to me - or at least tried to, and then when Griff came along she didn't bother anymore. Im greatful for that" he laughed. "Anyway she resented me even more when I chose Knighthood over marriage. I suppose she was only looking out for my father and his point of view, but we both know I made the right choice."

"I'm not quite sure what she'll make of me."

"Im sure she'll like you - after all, she only cares now that Griff is married and settled. She's wanted that all along." Elaine had made it no secret that she was disappointed of her sons wayward ways - back when he'd taken advantage of his rank and such. She'd also made it clear that she did not agree with Lucan running off to Camelot to become a Knight - then again that wasn't her decision to make neither argue. Either way Lucan wouldn't have stayed.

His smile broadened when she announced that she was happily married. Lucan felt more at ease now that Griff had taken some responsibility, and now even more so with two children, and all before Lucan himself. "Im glad to hear it" he said, "I worried for him so much when he first came here, about what he'd do, whether he'd cause more mayhem or even get himself killed, but im just so relieved that I finally don't have to keep a close eye on him. Don't get me wrong, i'll always be here looking out for him, but now he's settled I can back off a little now."

He wrinkled his nose slightly at Esmae, "Im sure she will be able to use it to her advantage one day. I may not be able to be broken when it comes to alligiances, but with Esmae? I suppose I can make an exception now and again...or all the time..." he shrugged and grinned down at the little girl who was snuggling more into the warmth of his cloak.

"Well I hope you have good news soon, and of course we must be the first to know."

He returned the statement with a weak yet thoughtful smile as well as a "hmmm". He already had his father on his case about heirs - then again nothing had changed since he was old enough to understand his responsibilities of it all. Should the worst happen reguarding an heir then Lucan had already made some provision of what would happen when it came down to inheriting the estate should he die. At least it was all now done and finalised.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin had never heard Lucan be quite so dismissive of anyone before, and she was quite shocked by it for a few moments. She knew that Griff didn’t get on with his family, but because Lucan was the heir she almost expected that he would get on better with his father and step-mother. However, families could never just be that easy could they? “Well, if she doesn’t like me either then we will have something in common at last.” She jested with him as she looked back down to her son who was making small noises of protest. She already knew the look Arthur was giving her. Esmae preferred to make her point by crying, Arthur just had to look at his mother and she knew what was wrong, or at least she was learning to spot what was wrong.

The fact Griff’s mother had just wanted to see him settled didn’t fill her with confidence. “Yes, but my father wanted to see me married and settled too.” She pointed out with raised eye brows as she stood up with Arthur, and started to rock him so his small face was pressed up against her shoulder. “This wasn’t exactly what he had in mind.” No, if Payton had his way, she would have been married off at thirteen to some Mercian lord and she would have had a child every year. Instead she was living out her own life in Camelot, against the advances and wishes of her family, “Elaine may not like this life for Griff.” Caitrin pointed out wisely, after all, they were not going to inherit much. Her Uncle’s estate was not very large, but it would see them through. Caitrin couldn’t remember if she had ever spoken to Lucan about her father before, usually she was quite quiet about that side of her family.

Caitrin couldn’t have imagined what it must have been like for Lucan, to have the responsibility of his brother flung upon him. However, it hadn’t taken Caitrin and Griff long to find each other, and their courting had been a very early affair. “Well, it didn’t take him long to find me in Camelot did it? Griff has always been a survivor.” She observed gently, still rocking her son. She knew he was hungry, but she didn’t really want to feed him in front of Lucan, or finish their conversation prematurely.

Esmae certainly had taken to her Uncle incredibly well, and Caitrin just watched the pair with a wide smile on her face. She hoped he and Camila would soon know the joy that was felt when you held your own child. “She seems comfortable.” Caitrin said softly to Lucan with a nod of approval, “You will spoil her rotten, and her brother.” She predicted with a wink; Caitrin could see Lucan was already smitten with the young Aubert.

Caitrin quickly decided not to press Lucan about him and the possibility of children. After all, the Aubert line, for the time being, rested with her son Arthur. If Lucan died without issue then he would inherit everything. It was a grim way of looking at it, but it was the law. Caitrin did want Lucan to have children of course, she wasn’t that ambitious, but it was an amusing thought. Arthur was starting to make little grunting noises and Caitrin bit her lip as she looked at her brother in law, “Would you mind if I feed him? You do not have to go, I will cover him with a blanket so you won’t see anything, it’s just he’s hungry.”

[lucan]

"Oh I'm sure we'll have that in common. Elaine is VERY hard person to take to." Lucan rolled his eyes. Yes, heads would certainly roll when the time came for Elaine to meet her new grandchildren, and Lucan could see that happening very soon. He looked down at Esmae all snug and stroked her nose lightly with his finger. It was times like this that he wished his mother was alive - she would have been good at giving him advice when it came down to marriage and children. But he would now have to stand alone on that matter and learn for himself. He had already accepted that he would never have a mother figure in his life again.

"Whether she may like it or not, she's got to accept it - but believe me it will be no big loss of she chooses to cut ties - but I doubt that would happen. If she says anything to you and Griff that is unfair, then i'll be having words. After all, should my father die then it is up to me about what her future holds." As much as it was satifying about sending Elaine away from the estate with some money - Lucan was not like that. Never the less it was amusing.

Lucan looked to Cait at the mention of spoiling Esmae and Arthur and gave a mocking look of shock. "Me? Spoil them? Never!" he smirked, "although I suppose I can teach them a few trick with sharp and pointy things." Lucan stood up, shifting Esmae onto his shoulder - her protesting before settling her head on his shoulder. "Alright don't kill me!" he told her softly, "How about we go and look out of the window while your mother feeds your brother?" Giving a small wink at Cait, he took Esame over to the window and sat there with her to give Caitrin some privacy.

"My mother was so set against me having this life." He told Caitrin, "She would have much preferred me to have thrown myself into lessons with my tutor instead of hacking away at a tree with a wooden sword. Seems like that's the only time that my father's influence was far greater than hers." he chuckled, "Although his opinion changed when he decided that a betrothal was a far better option."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin Aubert wasn’t quite sure what to make of her mother in law. Griff didn’t talk about his family very much, but Caitrin never asked him to. She never spoke about her family either, so it was a fair enough really. Neither of them had very good relationships with their extended family, the only family which mattered to them was their immediate family. “What’s she like?” Caitrin found herself asking, she never really asked Griff because he didn’t like talking about his family at all, “Griff doesn’t really say a lot about her.” It had struck Caitrin as odd that the woman hadn’t even come to meet her after she knew her son was married and going to be a father. What kind of mother wasn’t curious to meet their daughter in law?

Caitrin pressed her lips together softly and nodded at Lucan’s words. She still wasn’t sure what to make of Elaine, after all, what would she have to say to her? Caitrin had married her only son, without her consent she supposed, but it wasn’t as if Elaine could come here and drag Griff back home could she? He had a wife and children now, he wasn’t a boy anymore and she was going to have to accept that. “Thanks.” Caitrin said to Lucan as he mentioned having words with Elaine if she did say anything out of order. “There isn’t much she can do now though is there?” She pointed out and looked over her son with a soft smile, “Griff belongs here with me, and our children now.” Arthur shifted in his blankets and gurgled softly up at his mother, as if to confirm the fact that he was there.

In a way Caitrin could already imagine Lucan teaching her children how to fight. Maybe not Esmae as much as Arthur, but she wanted Arthur to know how to fight and defend himself of course. “Perhaps Arthur will take after your example as a knight.” Caitrin said thoughtfully, it was strange to think that this little boy in her arms would one day be as tall as his father. He was so new, and fragile, and it was all incredibly overwhelming. She smiled as Esmae protested at her Uncle shifted her in his arms. Caitrin could see she already loved her Uncle, and though she was only a few hours old she already had him wrapped around her little finger.

As Lucan moved across the room with Esmae in his arms, Caitrin shifted her dress down so that she could feed him with ease. It was all still very new to her but Arthur latched onto her quick enough. She pulled the blanket over her son so that she was covered up at least in front of her brother in law. Arthur certainly was hungry, he felt strong against her though, he certainly had an appetite. “He’s hungry.” Caitrin confirmed to Lucan with a soft laugh, but then listened to him intently as he spoke about his mother. Caitrin shifted so she could look at him, though she was still covering herself up of course. She’d never heard Lucan speak about his mother before, or at least not like this. She furrowed her brows at Lucan’s latter comment though, “A betrothal?” She repeated softly, “What do you mean?”

[lucan]

There were many words to sum Elaine Aubert up, but most of them were certainly not to be said out loud. "There are children present so I can't repeat some of the words to describe what she is like" he smirked knowingly, "but in a nutshell, she's the wicked stepmother." Yup - that summed Elaine up just fine. "The feelings were share between us are mutual." So Griff didn't say a lot about her either - Luc wasn't surprised. "Griff isn't exactly close to her" he stated, "and no, she can't control your lives anyway" he agreed when Cait said that Elaine couldn't do anything. Elaine would never have control over him and Griff, no matter how much she wanted it and tried.

“Perhaps Arthur will take after your example as a knight.”Lucan smiled warmly at this, "Sir Arthur Aubert - I quite like that." he nodded in approval, "and I would be more than glad to help him succeed, should he ever want to take that path." Should Lucan ever have a son himself, that would certainly be something he would be teaching him.

Now Cait was asking about his 'betrothal' that thankfully hadn't been. "Before I came here, I was to be betrothed to a girl called Maria Howard, thankfully I managed to escape from that before anything else could proceed further - needless to say, my father wasn't too happy about it." he explained. He and Griff always joked about that disaterous betrothal - probably because she was not exactly the best choice of wife that Corenous could have chosen for him - even Griff had agreed on that.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin snorted at Lucan’s reply. If Elaine was as bad as Caitrin’s father, Payton, she could certainly imagine what choice words would be being used. Hmm, meeting her mother in law would probably be an experience and a half. Griff had only met her father once, a long time ago now, and if this meeting went as well as that then their children would never know any of their grandparents. “Well then meeting her shall be an experience I’m sure.” She gave a wicked sort of grin to Lucan, “She will know what she’s letting herself in for won’t she?” She would hate for Elaine to think that her daughter in law was some little woman who was going to be nice, polite and dignified in front of the woman. If Caitrin suspected Elaine was trying to get one up on her then she would be horribly mistaken.

Sir Arthur Aubert. Jesu, her son was only a few hours old, still fresh in his mothers arms, and yet still the name and title suited him. She would love for her son to make a name for himself, he had Mercian blood running though him, so he would hopefully have fighting in his natural instincts. It was the Mercian way after all. Arthur was just looking up at her, pressing his lips together and making little noises, trying out his new lungs. “Sir Arthur Aubert, I know he’ll make us proud, both of them will.” She confirmed with a wide smile. “But I would like him taught in sword craft when he’s old enough of course, my knowledge only stretches as far as archery, and Griff...” Well, he couldn’t use a sword amazingly well, and she ended up protecting them most of the time. Caitrin knew sorcery as well of course, but her brother in law could never know that. She knew she shouldn’t be planning her son’s life out right now, but it was useful to have a knight in the family in such matters. Caitrin kissed Arthur’s head softly, “Is she alright?” Caitrin asked, shifting her head to look at Lucan while Arthur continued to feed.

A previous betrothal was something she and Lucan both had in common, though he didn’t know that right now. She’d never heard this Maria mentioned before, and Caitrin wasn’t sure what to make of it. She cupped her sons head in one of her hands and thought about Lucan’s words quietly, “Well, at least you were released from the betrothal.” She pointed out reasonably then gave a soft grin, “I was engaged as well, back in Mercia, but the man died before I ever met him which is kind of how I ended up here.” That had been the making of her really, but Lucan hadn’t really seen that side of ehr before.

[lucan]

Lucan mirrored her sly smirk. "Oh I am sure that she won't even measure up to you when it comes to insults." he told her, "and like me, you will probably come to hate her within the first few moments of meeting her." Elaine wouldn't even have to say anything to know that Cait would not take to kindly to her.

Sir Arthur Aubert. Lucan knew that would stick with him for the rest of his days. "I'd be more than happy to teach him anything that he wants." he told her, "besides, by the way things are at the moment, it doesn't seem likely that im going to get to show them to my own children." No children had shown themselves yet and who knew what the future had in store for him and Camila. He looked over and smiled when Cait asked about Esmae, "You're quite happy there aren't you Ezzy." he looked down to her and kissed her head. Already she was turning into his fast favourite. He knew he shouldn't but it was a bit hard not to just fall in love with her. "I may have to tell Cam that she has some competition."

She had been engaged too? Well that was something they had in common. "More like I escaped" he chuckled, "I suppose that was a kind of blessing in disguise." he told her, "after all, you wouldn't have met Griff and brought Ezzy and Arthur into our lives." Ok he was so taken with Esmae that it made him all the more eager to have a child of his own.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Somehow Caitrin already wasn’t looking forwards to meeting Griff’s mother. She would reserve judgement until she actually met the woman though, no matter what Lucan said. She was sure Elaine couldn’t be that bad, she couldn’t understand what her problem would be anyway. Griff was settled, and he was learning to be a Lord of the manor from her Uncle Rouland. “Well, I won’t take kindly if she tries to pass judgement on our situation.” It was none of the woman’s business what Griff got up to now, he had his own life. To Caitrin, her mother in law had forsaken her rights to judge when Griff had come to Camelot. After all, she’d never tried to get in touch before now. Why should she care so much now? Then again, Caitrin supposed the fact there were children involved made the whole thing more legitimate in a way.

Sir Arthur Aubert She looked down at the baby in her arms, it was hard to imagine him being anything but this small spec at the moment. She would love him to be a knight of course, but she just wanted him to be happy with whatever he did. “Well as soon he is able to hold a sword you will be the first to know.” Caitrin smiled back at Lucan who was cooing over Esmae. He looked completely smitten with her daughter, she wasn’t complaining in the slightest of course, everyone who came into contact with either of the twins seemed to take to them straight away. “Oh Lucan, don’t say that.” She protested, as he voiced his doubts at ever having children, “It took me long enough to get pregnant after all.” Though she and Griff had been married for quite some time now, they had known each other intimately for quite some time before that. “You’ll have children, you have to, our children will need cousins after all.” She winked at him, “I’m sure Camila will find it hard to compete.” She smirked, as Lucan did look completely taken with little Esmae.

She gave a quick groan as Arthur suckled at her, she could tell he was hungry, but that didn’t make it any more comfortable when he did eventually latch onto her. She smiled back at her brother in law, he spoke the truth after all, “Well I suppose the spirits had a hand in all our fates, we were all meant to come to Camelot for a reason.” It was reasonable to assume that, because they had all made a difference here in their own way. “Is she still behaving for you?” Caitrin asked casually, as she continued to just support Arthur, holding him tightly against her.