An Unexpected Meeting

[mordred]

Set: Daytime, around mid afternoon

Location, weather: The gardens of Camelot. It is sunny, with a cool wind.

The day had started off plesently enough. A quick jaunt on a horse around Camelot; part of the Knight's general work, apparently, to make sure things were going smoothly, and that the people were happy, and then Mordred had decided to go and find Arthur. The King was quickly becoming - not quite a father, they were far too close in age for that, but almost somewhere between an uncle and a brother. And being here, in Camelot, felt... normal. Nice, even. The burdens of Mordred's past hadn't been swept away, but he at least felt as though he somewhat belonged here. The men had all been so kind to him, all apart from Merlin, of course, who seemed to... dislike Mordred... to quite some extreme.

Mordred frowned, upon thinking of the young warlock. He could not deny there was respect there that he held for the boy - for Merlin to be able to work under Arthur and yet keep his secret so well... he had to have intelligence. Mordred half wondered whether the King already knew about his friends powers, but simply had not said anything. After all, he had yet to mention anything of Mordred's past, and the druid was fairly certain that Arthur was aware he was a magic user.

So wrapped up in his thoughts was Mordred, that he barely noticed the small family playing in the gardens until he almost bumped right into the redheaded lady. Quickly stepping back, and making sure he was not abotu to bump into anyone else, the Knight swallowed, suddenly unsure. "My deepest apologies, my Lady!"

[Caitrin de Archer]

The day was looking bright, and Caitrin was glad she had thought to bring the children into Camelot today. It had been a week since the latest knighting ceremony, and Camelot had returned to an air of normality after the usual festivities. No doubt Arthur had some joust or tournament up his sleeve in the near future. Caitrin had made up her mind to take her eldest two, Esmae and Arthur, to the next tournament. Arthur already had a fascination with the knights, and if she took her son then her daughter would want to tag along as well even if she didn’t enjoy it. Alfie was too young to see such things yet though, Caitrin felt. As she was of Mercian descent she felt like she had a different take on how to raise children, and what they should be exposed to. She took a personal approach, and believed that a relative small amount of life should be sugar coated for children. Caitrin was the youngest daughter of a Mercian warlord, so she had been used to soldiers and bloodshed from a very young age. It hadn’t done her any harm, and her children would receive a similar upbringing, though she wouldn’t be following her father’s example in many ways. She still bore the scars of her childhood.

Today though was about her children. Alfie was sat down by the basket she had brought with them and was playing thoughtfully with his stuffed toy. Esmae and Arthur were much more active, and Caitrin was playing a game of tag with them. They had taken a while to grasp the concept of what to do, but now they had they seemed to be enjoying themselves. At the moment Esmae was the one who was supposed to be chasing them, but she had targeted her brother instead of her mother, which seemed to just result in shrieking from both of the twins as they charged round the gardens. Esmae had to hold up the bottom of her little dress to stop herself from tripping on it; Caitrin had to stop herself laughing at the sight, as she reminded her so much of what she had been like as a child.

Esmae, realising she couldn’t catch Arthur, then turned to her mother and charged towards her. Caitrin jumped back, but as Esmae’s hand came to rest on her leg, she realised that they weren’t alone. The man had nearly walked into her, and Caitrin spun around to face him; Esmae was already clutching onto her skirts in her usual manner. She was a confident child, but she preferred it when her mother spoke to a new person before introducing herself. “Oh, it’s fine, I wasn’t looking where I was going.” She looked at the knight, and then smiled knowingly, “It’s Sir Mordred isn’t it? I was at your knighting ceremony last week.” She explained, mainly so she didn’t look like some sort of strange stalker, “We weren’t disturbing your walk were we? My little rabble can be quite loud.” She laughed and mussed up Esmae’s hair, the girl gave a toothy grin, but still stayed behind her mothers skirts; weary of this new man.

[mordred]

The Knight smiled as the woman seemed to know who he was; still getting used to the Sir in front of his name, but forced to admit that he rather... liked it? That he liked the acknowledgement of it. "It is indeed, my Lady. But please feel free to call me just Mordred," He bowed his head in respect toward her. Whoever allowed their children to play here, surely must know Arthur. But then, the King was unpredictable. Perhaps it was just a random townswoman - but no! She said she had been at his Knighting Ceremony, and that meant that she knew the King, most likely.

He smiled as she asked whether she had disturbed him, and shook his head. "Not at all, my Lady. Indeed, I should have been looking more where I was going, then I would not have bumped into you. And how could they not be loud, on such a beautiful day like this, one would be right to share happiness with nature." Mordred gave a small chuckle, pausing for a second. "I am afraid I do not know your name, my Lady. May I be so bold as to ask for it?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin wasn’t that surprised that Mordred just wanted to be called without the formalities. A lot of the knights chose to be like that; her own brother in law included. She knew quite a few of the knights quite well. She was good friends with Arthur, and so she had spent a lot of time in the castle. Caitrin had never been a shy being, so she had introduced herself to most of the knights in the castle throughout her years here. “As you wish, Mordred.” She gave a short curtsey, sure that he wouldn’t require one, but she felt like she wanted to all the same as a mark of respect. Caitrin didn’t know much of what had led Arthur to knight Mordred, but she was sure that he must have set a lot of pride in t man for it all to go through so quickly. She brushed down the front of her bottle green dress, and looked round at Esmae who was looking at her mother expectantly, as if waiting for further instruction. The girl was holding onto her skirts, and had now shifted her gaze to Mordred; Arthur on the other hand had gone to sit with Alfie back with the basket. Caitrin let her eyes gaze over her sons before letting her attentions return to Mordred.

She was sure they were going to have to agree to disagree, so she politely just smiled and nodded, “Some probably wouldn’t share that view, my Lord.” Children screaming and shouting wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea and Caitrin respected that. The older generation often just rushed past them in the gardens, muttering and shaking their heads. “My name is Lady Caitrin Aubert.” She inclined her head a little to Mordred, giving her married name rather than her maiden name. She wondered if Mordred knew either the de Archers or the Aubert’s. They weren’t that well known in Camelot. “How are you finding knighthood my Lord?”

[mordred]

The Knight raised an eyebrow as Caitrin curtseyed, and hesitated. "Please, my lady, please do not ... that is to say, I have done nothing to earn respect enough for you to curtsey to me." He gave her a slight smile. "Please do nto feel you have to." Oh, what a bumbling fool he made. Arthur would de-knight him if he ever figured out just how stupid Mordred truly was. The druid was good for nothing except magic, and now he had been made a Knight, and was forced to abide by court law; laws he hated.

He smiled at her words, and nodded. "I fear you are right, my Lady, but we are all entitled to opinon, are we not?" He bowed a little a she gave her name, having never heard it before, but asssuming it must be a great one if Arthur had allowed her in the Castle, at a Knighting ceremony. "It is a great pleasure to meet you, Lady Caitrin."

How are you finding Knighthood, my Lord?

Blast, had he really been read so easily? "I am rather afraid I am still getting used to it," he confessed wtih a smile. "I am used to a far simpler life, my Lady. Though I do not mean to say that I am ungrateful to the King for his kindness in Knighting me." He paused. "May I ask what brings you to Camelot, my Lady?"

[/color]

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin had curtsied more out of habit than for any other reason. However, Arthur must have seen something within Mordred to knight him so quickly, and Caitrin trusted his judgement. Therefore, though Mordred would protest that he did not deserve her curtsy, she believed he did. "You're a knight, you deserve all the respect that you get." Caitrin said quite forcefully. The knights of Camelot had protected her, and saved her life more times than she could recall. Though of course that could not have been down to Mordred, he was part of that institution now, and she knew that he would have to protect Camelot himself in time. "My brother in law used to be a knight of Camelot, so I know a little more about the duties you all face." She informed him brightly; Lucan had been an exceptional knight; how he had stood up to Morgana when she had taken over Camelot, Caitrin would never understand. She had never been that strong.

Normally Caitrin would be inclined to agree with Mordred, but she found herself constantly irritated by those within Camelot who turned their noses up at the sight and sound of children at play. Caitrin wasn't sure how the Camelotian nobles raised their children, but his was her way of doing it, and so she had the right to be respected in turn. "Indeed, my Lord." She replied courteously, rather than launching into a rant that the young knight really didn't deserve. Esmae had ventured to her mothers side now, though one hand was still on Caitrin's skirts. Caitrin placed a hand on her daughters head, and ruffled her hair lovingly, "She isn't usually this shy." Caitrin said with a fond smile. Esmae had a bit of colour rushing to her cheeks, but she was still smiling, so Caitrin didn't worry too much about her.

As of late, Caitrin had been watching out for signs of magic that might come from her daughter, or her son. She wasn't sure what signaled a sorceress or sorcerer to others of her kind, but she felt like she needed to know whether she had passed her gifts onto her children or not. Perhaps it did not work like that, but she felt like she had to know as then she would be able to keep them safe. Caitrin had been suppressing her magic since arriving in Camelot, she hadn't wanted to, but now her once reasonably strong powers dwindled as if she had hardly had anything in the first place.

Turning her attentions back to Mordred, she listened intently to what he was relaying to her. "I'm sure you'll get used to life here, my Lord." She said with a knowing look about her features, "Camelot is a different place now to what it used to be." When Caitrin had arrived here the kingdom had been overrun with Uther's obsessive hunt against those with magic. Of course life had gone on around that, but for her it had been one of her main concerns when she had arrived in Camelot at the age of fourteen. She shrugged a little at his question, "I often bring the children to the castle gardens, Arthur doesn't mind them playing here, and I don't like them being cooped up at the estate all day." She ran a hand through her hair as Esmae decided to return to her brothers on the mat which lay not too far away from where Caitrin was conversing. "And I meet more people in passing here than I would do back home." It was more social, and Caitrin enjoyed that aspect of it, "And what about you my Lord, what brings you out here today?"

[mordred]

"I am newly Knighted, my Lady," Said Mordred, with an apologetic smile for his arguing with her. "Please forgive me, but I have not yet earned the respect that my fellow Knights so deserve." He wasn't about to argue this wtih her all day though, it seemed somewhat... ridiculous, to say the least. He smiled a little at the mention of the Lady's child, who hid behind her mother's skirts, and bowed his head to her in respect. "You need not fear me, little one," he said, making his voice softer. "I mean you no harm."

At the mention of Camelot, the Knight nodded, glancing around. "It is a magnificent place, made all the more so by he who rules it," He smiled at her a little. "I can well understand your want to bring them out into the open. To be cooped up anywhere is a horrible thing." Mordred smiled at the redhead. "Fresh air," Admitted he, to her question. "I confess I sometimes miss the openness of living outside, as I did before coming to Camelot. Though Camelot is a great City, with a great King, that longing to be in the open never quite fades."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin could not believe quite how modest Modred was, and she shook her head at him. She usually didn’t disagree with those around her, but this time she felt like she had a purpose in disagreeing. Couldn’t Mordred see how worthy he was just for being knighted by Arthur? “Arthur must have seen something special in you to knight you so quickly, my Lord.” She was quite friendly with the King, so she knew he did not knight on a whim, so she was sure that Mordred must have shown something which did make him worthy of her respect. That was just Caitrin’s opinion though and she wouldn’t force her respect on Mordred; that would be a strange situation to say the least. If Arthur trusted and respected Mordred enough to bestow the honour of a knighthood upon him, then Caitrin trusted that judgement.

She smiled as Mordred addressed Esmae personally. The girl blushed but came out from behind her mother’s skirts and gave a little curtsey; almost tripping in the process. The girl recovered though, and smiled up at Mordred, “Hello.” Esmae wasn’t really used to greeting new members of the court, and she stayed staring up at Mordred until her mother suggested she should probably sit by her brother for the time being. Her daughter skipped off to join her brothers, and began to play with her baby brother. “You’re quite the natural with children.” She observed with a soft smile at her lips.

Caitrin nodded, her estate was quite spacious, but still she enjoyed the room that the gardens allowed them. It meant that it gave the children new places to explore as well, and they always seemed to enjoy it which was why she liked bringing them here so often. It kept them from getting under everyone’s feet as well. “We have quite a lot of room at the estate, but I think it’s better to get them out now and again.” Caitrin listened to Mordred’s story of what lifestyle he had taken before coming to Camelot, “Were you a nomad then?” She asked curiously, as she knew about the lifestyle from her conversations with Gwaine, “Do you want to join us my Lord? I could use some adult company if truth be told.”

[mordred]

At the mention of their King, the Knight gave a soft smile. "He has done me a great honour and privalage by Knighting me, my Lady." he said softly. "Though I can assure you that there is nothing special about me, as you put it," Mordred gave a smile, his gaze flittering down to Esmae. "Hello, there," he said to her, gently, not wanting to frighten her away, smiling as she skipped away, before turning his gaze back to her mother. "Children are a blessing upon the earth," he stated simply. "They are often, from my knowledge of them, more observant than those around them would give them credit." He chuckled softly. "I try only to talk to them as I would they to I."

The Knight nodded, listening quietly to the lady's words, curiously. He had yet to meet many beyond the boundries of Arthur's kingdom - even at his ceremony there had only been a few of the Lords and Ladys who had actually deigned to speak to him personally. Which Mordred, if he was utterly honest, was perfectly fine with. At Caitrin's question, he hesitated, nodding slowly. "Of a sort," he admitted softly. "I travelled alone for a long time..." he trailed off, not wanting really to elabourate too much.

At the lady's question, Mordred smiled. "I would be honoured to, my Lady," he stated softly. "As long as I am not deterring you or keeping you from anything. And please, call me Mordred."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin decided that it was no use in arguing with the young knight, as he had clearly decided that he needed to prove himself before accepting such compliments. She could relate to that in a way, as her brother in law had been quite similar in his attitude to the knighthood. Some only took up the vocation on the account of show-boating, or so that they were automatically seen as a respectable member of society. The fact Mordred was so modest made Caitrin quite glad that he was one of the people who would be protecting the kingdom. “I’m sure you will have a chance to prove yourself.” She said with a soft smile as she ruffled her daughter’s hair fondly. Caitrin was quite a young mother, or so she felt, but still, she wouldn’t be able to live without her children now. They were her world. His view on children was quite refreshing, as most just saw them as an irritant. Caitrin was quite open about her parenting, and was not afraid of bringing them into the hub of society. She had spent her life cooped up at home, so there was no chance her children were going to go through the same thing. “I hadn’t really thought of it in that way, but it’s true, they certainly se, and remember, quite a lot.” She chuckled, as she was incredibly glad that the children hadn’t ever walked in on their parent’s bedroom in the later hours of the evening. The door was always locked, as they would never hear the end of it if it wasn’t.

The nomadic lifestyle suited some, though it would never have suited Caitrin. She was a social being, and so she craved company. From his expression, Caitrin got the feeling he did not want to elaborate on his previous life, and so did not pursue the topic. Perhaps that was one of the reasons that Caitrin had kept her gifts a complete secret, because if she was ever discovered she would have to go on the run. That would mostly entail a nomadic lifestyle. There was no way she was going to allow herself to be caught now, not while she had a family to look after. Her husband was the only one who knew she was a sorceress, and she knew he would rather die than give her away.

“Sorry, Mordred.” She corrected herself with a slight chuckle, “Then you may call me Caitrin, if we are being completely informal.” She didn’t mind, sometimes the titles were just a hindrance to a good conversation. As Caitrin settled herself, all three of her children got up and moved away from the mat. Caitrin looked confused, and was about to ask what they were doing, but Esmae got there first, “We playing tag.” She explained, with all the grace a three year old could manage. Caitrin nodded, as she knew they would not stray too far, and so she invited Mordred to sit with her, as she was now gladder of his company if the children were going to be off running about. “Arthur, my eldest son, was named after the King.” Caitrin pointed out to Mordred with a soft smile, “He’s a close friend, and made my arrival here a lot more comfortable than other’s at court did.”

[mordred]

"I hope the time will come," Said the Knight in return, giving her a quick smile back. He glanced down at her daughter with a smile to the girl, before raising his eyes back up to her mother. "Sometimes I think children are more observant than us adults," he admitted, a smile coming to her lips at the lady's chuckle.

"Caitrin it is," The Knight took her hand, kissing it gently before letting it go. "It is indeed an honour." He glanced down at the small child as she spoke of the game they were playing, and smiled, taking a seat next to Caitrin, happily, his eyes turning to the woman as he listened to her. "I have found the King to be highly gifted in the art of making people feel at home," he said softly. "I am most debted to him... he has made Camelot feel like my home. I can well see that he would treat you the same," he said with a quick smile.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin couldn’t help but agree with Mordred, sometimes she thought that her children saw so much more of the world than she did. Perhaps that was because she was discovering it for the first time, whereas she was always going over old ground. “I agree, though I don’t think they can tell me all that they want to just yet.” Their vocabularies were getting better, but in reality, they knew very little as they were but three years old. Soon she would teach them how to write; for a noblewoman she was incredibly hands on with her children. It was how she liked it. It meant that she had more time to bond with her children, and that was more important to her than anything.

She grinned as Mordred kissed her hand; it was a gesture not many men in Camelot stooped to now that she was married, but she appreciated the sentiment. She was a married woman, but she was still a young woman. She bowed her head a little as he told her it was an honour, “I’m glad you think so. Most would call this babysitting by default.” She laughed and pulled a bit of a face and shrugged, it wasn’t babysitting, it was just a conversation, with children involved. Arthur certainly had a way of making people feel welcome in Camelot even when they did not feel like they belonged in the kingdom. Coming from Mercia, Caitrin had arrived at a time when there had been political strife between the two kingdoms, and she had been the focal point of some of that, despite not having anything to do with it. “He did, I was a young teenage girl when I became my Uncle’s ward, and Arthur was determined to make me feel welcome. He even threw a welcome party, in my honour.” She had enjoyed that night so much; she had lived her whole life in Mercia and never been honoured in such a way. However, all of that hadn’t compared with the fact her magic had been all but forgotten in her life. She still practised it, but it was not worth the risk to her family for her to be caught. It was Camelot’s way, and she was settled her now, even if she would have to hide that side of her life together.

“Would you like something to eat? I think my maids thought I was feeding the whole city with the amount they packed for me this morning.” She was of course referring to the basket of food that was behind where they were sitting. It had mostly snack type food, and some drink, “Or something to drink perhaps?”

[mordred]

The knight smiled, nodding. "They will in time," he assured her quietly. "Sometimes, the greatest treasures in life take time to blossum." Now, where had that proverb come from? The brunette forced back a roll of his eyes, curising himself for suddenly remembering the favourite words of his old tutor. Those times were gone, and he did best not to remember. At her comment regarding babysitting, Mordred laughed softly. "For it to be such you would have to be gone also. For from what I know from such a thing, it is only such a thing if the mother is absent," he smiled at her, to let her know he was teasing with her.

"The King is gracious to all," he agreed softly. "He is not like other royals I have heard of. In Arthur I think we will see a new Kingdom being born, if it has not begun already," Mordred blinked, realising he had spoken his thoughts outloud, and smiled a little at Caitrin. "Forgive me, for I speak my thoughts too loudly. All I meant to say is that it is no surprise to me that Arthur did as he did; he is far different from those who have ruled before him," The knight paused, and winced. "I mean no disrespect to the late King, of course."

"A drink would be much appreciated, my lady," Mordred said with a grateful smile, and a nod. "If it is of no inconvenience to you or your children, that is."

[Caitrin de Archer]

That was a little poetic for a knight wasn’t it? Caitrin mentally scolded herself, not all knights were strong, exercised obsessed men of course. She knew that, she just needed to remind herself of the fact sometimes. In fact, most of the knights she had come across had the most gentle hearts that one could expect to find in another person. As she had given birth to the twins in the castle, she had encountered a lot of the knights in the earliest days of motherhood, and they had always been there to help her with her laundry, and with the children when Griff had been attending to other matters. Caitrin smiled, and nodded at Mordred, “I suppose I’m a little impatient at times, but I want them to grow, and to learn, but to stay this size forever.” She couldn’t explain it, but it was part of the reason she knew that she would have more children. Caitrin loved raising her children, and as long as they were happy, she was happy.

She laughed as Mordred rose to her teasing. “True, and I have no intention of leaving anytime soon.” She grinned and her eyes danced towards her children again. They always looked so happy when they were playing together, though she sometimes worried that as Alfie was the youngest he would be left out, especially as the older two were twins. “He is that, and more.” Caitrin agreed as the conversation turned back to Arthur. She owed him so much really when she thought about it, “I grew up in Mercia, and I was never made to feel more welcome than I do here.” Caitrin knew that did not stretch to everyone in Camelot, but it applied to most. Some had viewed her with suspicion as she had been a young noblewoman from a different Kingdom, and one with which tensions were high. Caitrin waved away Mordred’s concern, “You may say what you like here, I will not judge your opinions.” Caitrin was quite open minded about some things, and this was one of them. She had no love for the late king, his Purge had ruined her people, and she would never forgive that.

Caitrin reached for two goblets and got out some rose water, as it was too early in the day for wine. “They won’t notice, they probably won’t stop for breath for at least another hour.” Children were incredibly energetic, though when they stopped, they tended to take a nap as well, so when that happened she would just bundle them back into the carriage. “I hope this is alright.” She held up her goblet to him, more teasingly than anything else; nevertheless, it amused her.

OOC: Do you still want to bring him sensing Cait’s magic into this? I keep forgetting about it haha.

[mordred]

The druid nodded, with a smile. "Chidhood is a gift we should all treasure; and yet none of us seem to until it is over. I can well understand your feelings," He tried to assure. With a grin, Mordred acknowledged the truth in her words. "I am glad; I think your children might not thank you to leave you with me, I fear I am not quite the best at handling youngsters."

He paused as she spoke of Arthur, his gaze curious and his mind wondering. How much information could he press her for? He still knew so little of the King; so much was myth, and more than that, secrecy.... yet Mordred longed for nothing more than to get to know the man who had honoured him so by first saving his life all those years ago, and then Knighting him. At her comment about Mordred's opionion, however, the smile faltered a little. "I hold prejudice against no man," he said honestly. "If that man or woman or child is honourable and kind to friend and stranger alike, then what should give me, a mere nobody, the right to judge them? My Lady, I feel that we are, all of us, judged by our actions, not our homelands."

"My Lady, I think you are teasing me," Mordred stated, but there was laughter in his words, and he smiled a little, to let her know that he was not serious, that she had not offended him somehow. "But yes, it is more than alright, I thank you." HE paused. "Would you mind if I asked you how long you have known the King?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

As Caitrin watched her children, she couldn’t help but smile. They were already so happy, and so loved, probably more so than she was in her entire childhood. Neither she, nor Griff, had ideal backgrounds, nor parents who could be classed as reasonably normal. She hadn’t seen, or heard from her father in some time, not since he had tried to take her son from her, insisting the child was brought up in Mercia. Of course he had not prevailed, but she had always kept a close watch on the children from that point onwards. Where they had once been allowed to go off and explore on their own, she would only allow them to do so now if she was with them. “I have no doubt you would rise to the challenge, surely a knight sees more danger than looking after three young children?” She teased softly, grinning at the young knight.

Though Caitrin wished she could agree with Mordred, everyone knew that often opinions were formed certain features, rather than the persons personality. For example, if she was known to be a sorceress, then she would be burned without a seconds thought, regardless of her personality. She gave a small, sad smile, “I believe that there are people in this world that tarnish particular groups with the same prejudices, which makes it hard to progress.” She prayed for the ban on magic to be lifted, so that if her children had the gift, they would not have to hide it. It did distress her to think that she would have to tell her children to ignore such a special part of their personality if it did lie within them. “But our actions do define us in some ways.” She had proven the courts wrong when she had come here, they had expected her to be a spy, or some vessel of diplomacy. She had been neither.

Caitrin laughed a little as Mordred rose to her teasing, “Perhaps...” She winked a little at him, of course it was just friendly banter, and nothing more. She enjoyed the company of those within Camelot; it was always so varied. Her thoughts had wandered once more to the hope, and desire for the ban on magic to be lifted so she wouldn’t have to hide herself any longer. Her magic was like an itch that needed to be scratched. She had been slightly lost in thought before Mordred spoke again, Caitrin snapped her head round to his question, and pressed her lips together. “I’ve known him for just under eight years now.” She had come to the Camelotian courts when she had been fifteen, and she was now twenty three years of age, with three children to prove it. “Which sounds so much longer when I say it aloud.” She gave an amused smile, “How long have you known Arthur?”

[mordred]

The young Knight laughed softly, smiling a little at the Lady's words, a shrug on his shoulders. "To an inexperienced knight such as I, perhaps being left with children is the greatest challange, my Lady," he said with a smile in her direction. "I fear, alas, that you are more couragous than I in such endevours."

Swallowing a sudden lump in his throat which had appeared at her words, Mordred nodded quickly, his eyes darkening a little. "Yes. I cannot disagree that there are those who have been... belittled; wrongly so; by people who cannot accept them. But similiarly I cannot agree that I am among them, my lady." The Knight swallowed again, looking out to the skies. "I pray that the King brings about a more just land than those that have passed; for the sakes of all."

With a shrug of his shoulders, the druid gave a small, regretful smile. "Alas, not nearly as long as you, my Lady. Iv'e known him all but a few weeks, I'm afraid. Well, technically speaking, at least."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin laughed a little at the knights comments. He would never know how scary it was at first for the midwife to just hand you a baby, and to know that was your baby, and that you would have to care for him, or her, for the rest of their lives. It was both daunting, and yet exciting. It had been the strangest feeling in the world; she had cried when they had laid her twins in her arms, and then again when she had given birth to Alfie. “You’d be surprised how inexperienced I was when the midwife handed me the twins.” She smiled a little; well, they hadn’t even been midwives. Brynn and her mother Meghan had stepped in during her hour of need, despite not being medically trained. However, they had done a perfect job, and the children were safe and healthy.

To a degree she understood what the knight was saying; some in Camelot did agree that those with magic were wrongly persecuted, but they were few and far between. Who would listen to the minority anyway? She smiled, a little sadly at Mordred, as she knew her kind would never be welcome in Camelot. Until then, she would have to hide her gifts, and if her children showed themselves to have magic then she would deal with it accordingly. “Arthur will do what is right, I am sure.” He was a great king, and Caitrin knew that as long as he was here, there would be peace in Camelot. She felt safe here under his rule. It wasn’t surprising that Mordred hadn’t known Arthur all that long, “Well, you will see he is a wonderful man.” She had been through much with him, in more ways than most of her noble circles could boast. He was a close friend, close enough that she had named her eldest son in his honour. “There has been more peace in Camelot these past few years than there ever was in Mercia, when I lived there.”