Wound Up In The Past (Yassia)

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was staring into the mirror for what felt like the fifth time just that afternoon. She picked up her circlet from the dresser in front of her and placed it carefully in her hair and pressed her lips together, observing the result. She took it off and replaced it with one of her plainer circlets and nodded to herself in the mirror and let herself just smile for a moment. Her appearance was always important to Caitrin, she knew she was not out to attract suitors today, well she didn’t do that anymore anyway, but she always just felt better when she felt she looked good.

She’d donned her favourite red silk dress which clung to her skin, showing her slender figure. She adjusted her dipped sleeves and ran a hand through the red strands of her hair and breathed out slowly. She had been quite looking forwards to this dinner since she had sent out the invite. Caitrin had only met Yassia once, at a feast about a week ago, but after the few words they managed to speak to each other Caitrin had invited her to dine with her, so that they could learn more about each other in a quieter environment.

Caitrin had few true friends at court, and perhaps this was the time to start changing all of that. She had had a horrible few months when she had been wrapped up in her own grief and self pity, but that had changed now. She beamed again just as she thought of him, but that wasn’t something to be thought of now, she needed to focus on the task at hand and get herself ready to receive her guest.

This was one of the seldom times Caitrin ever had guests round to the house. It wasn’t that she was unsociable, but there was just no one Caitrin ever felt particularly inclined to invite round. She was close to few people at court, such as Prince Arthur, but she could hardly just invite him to dine could she? He was much too busy. Plus, Caitrin had been rather absent from court the past few months but now was the time to get herself back into the swing of things with Camelot life.

Caitrin slipped on a necklace which was small and silver, it was one her Uncle had given to her on her eighteenth birthday. As much as she kicked and screamed to the world that he cared little for her, she knew it was not true. He had only once tried to suggest a suitor for her hand in almost four years and he had been supportive the last few months, he’d even encouraged Griflet on occasion so she knew he did care.

She took one last look at her appearance and then headed downstairs, jumping the last three stairs and landed perfectly. She could look like a lady, that didn’t mean she had to act like one all the time did it. She caught one of the servants rolling an eye at her but she ignored them and walked outside, waiting to greet her guest as she entered the de Archer household.

Timeline: Shortly after series 3 starts
Time of Day: Afternoon
Tags: Yassia
Music: Dancing in the Rain- The Tudors OST
Notes: I thought the thread title was appropriate for the later stuff i.e. Vortigern etc

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

It felt odd to be on horseback again after just a few weeks of settling down in Camelot. Good in a way, but it also brought back memories Yassia would have rather pushed aside. Even though it was only a short trip from her uncle’s estate to that of Caitrin de Archer who had so generously and friendly invited her over to dinner, it felt like being back on the road. It was not the same horse, as she had lost the one given to her by Vortigern’s father on her crossing the channel, and it was by no means her OWN horse that had been killed by Vortigern to prevent her from fleeing. However it was a good enough mount, given to her by her generous and kind uncle, but previous experience had taught her not to get too attached to it. It didn’t even have a name yet.

The directions she had been given were very clear and so Yassia doubted she would get lost – which she had gotten a LOT during her long travels. It was a lovely day and after the initial unease had died down, the princess actually enjoyed being out in the open. Having heard at least a bit of what had happened to her during her travels – for his and her own sake Yassia had been very vague about details – her uncle had insisted of sending a guard with her, a very calm and quiet middle aged warrior who her uncle trusted to not make any fuss in protecting her, while at the same time being past the age of giving her odd glances. Yassia didn’t mind his company, but also felt not encouraged to speak, rather sent her thoughts flying ahead to the meeting with Lady Caitrin.

Even from the few words they had exchanged, Yassia had realized she would probably get on well with the young woman, and it would be nice to have something at least close to a friend for the time she was here. Always having been social, the princess didn’t like the thought of sitting at her uncle’s manor all day, fiddling her thumbs while waiting for King Uther to bestow her with the help for Ailantha she needed.
As she was sitting side-saddle as was proper for a lady, the tempo of their journey was more sluggish than Yassia would have liked, but she took the opportunity to admire the landscape, while one hand was resting on her dark green riding dress. It was a new gown and she was very proud of it and grateful to her uncle’s generosity. She didn’t wear much jewelry as would have been befitting to a woman of her status, but then she had posed as a commoner for almost half a year and had gotten used to this kind of plain appearance.
Only a silver pendant with a green stone adorned her slender neck, a keepsake her uncle had taken with him from her mother before he had joined the training to become a knight of Camelot all those many years back.

Finally the de Archer estate came into view, and Yassia saw Lady Caitrin already standing in the courtyard, ready to greet her, which caused a smile to appear on the princess’ face. To keep up manners she waited until her guard had dismounted to give her a hand, although she could have easily hopped off the horse by herself.
Then she walked towards Caitrin and extended both hands in the traditional international greeting gesture that once had bore the meaning of: See I am unarmed and wish you only well.
“Lady Caitrin! I thank you so much again for inviting me! This place is enchanting I have to say!”

[Caitrin de Archer]

The wait was somewhat boring and Caitrin leant up against the wall of her Uncle’s manor, fiddling with the end strands of her hair. One of Caitrin’s faults was that she was a woman who lived for the moment, not to mention she was incredibly impulsive. However, these were hardly traits of a lady and she had learned patience through her time in Camelot. She had learnt many things through her few years in Camelot which she would have remained ignorant of in Mercia; her Uncle had been one of the best tutors she could have hoped for.

For example, he had taught her how to use her wit as a substitute for trying to shout and scream at the world all the time, and it was now something she frequently put into practice to chase off potential suitors; or at least she had. When she thought of herself in her first two years of Camelot she almost cringed, she had been near out of control, and she wondered why her Uncle had put up with her. She supposed the amount her Uncle had been given for her dowry might have persuaded him to keep her on, but they were now quite fond of each other and she would not have her life any other way.

She looked up as she heard horses approaching the manor, even though she knew it would be Yassia approaching her eyes still darted up in a quick panic. Unfortunately it was a habit she had picked up as a child, as her father had often had persons from his army visiting the house she had always been weary of approaching horses. As she suspected, her fears were not to be honoured, and it was indeed her guest on her approach.

Caitrin noted that Yassia was adopting the proper riding pose for a Lady; Caitrin never really adopted sitting on the side of the beast when she rode. Uncharacteristically for a Lady, Caitrin preferred to sit astride the horse, like a man would. For this reason, the skirts on her riding gowns were usually quite wide fitted and although her hose did show from time to time she preferred solitary riding so it was never an issue. She stepped forwards from the wall as Yassia approached with her guard; she didn’t want to appear as though she was slacking and merely standing up against the wall in front of her young guest.

She waited patiently as Yassia dismounted, and took the young woman’s hands in her own as she extended them to her and smiled at her. “Princess Yassia, it is wonderful to see you again.” Caitrin smiled once more as it was completely the truth, sometimes she could get rather lonely in her Uncle’s manor as she was the only young resident there but guests always made up for this fact. As Yassia mentioned the house Caitrin turned around, as if to take a second look at her Uncle’s manor, “Thank you, and we have such a wonderful view of the forests, I cannot now imagine living anywhere else.” Caitrin extended her arm as she spoke, gesturing to the woods and the forest roads that lay not far away. That of course was the road to Mercia, as her Uncle’s house lay to the North of Camelot castle in the direction of Mercia.

“Would you like to follow me inside my Lady?” Caitrin asked politely, and walked just inside of her Uncle’s manor. The servants were bustling about, making preparations for dinner and the odd one stopped to bob their head to one of the mistresses of the house; Caitrin gave them a smile in return. “I regret to say my Uncle, the Lord Rouland, will not be joining us for dinner tonight as he is dining with another noble family.” She said, now turning back to Yassia, “He sends his apologies.”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Something in the way she had caught Caitrin leaning against the wall for just a moment, made Yassia feel very sympathetic towards the young lady. She had realized after the first few words they had spoken that Caitrin was refreshingly different from many noblewomen Yassia knew back in Ailantha and in Camelot alike. It had sparked up the odd wish inside the Princess’ heart that she might have had someone like her to grow up with. Maybe then she would be a little more sure of herself in some aspects, wouldn’t bend so quickly when she was being threatened – although she had shown to be quite stubborn in the face of danger, it all had evaporated quickly once they had found her weak spot – or would simply look at the world with less naïve eyes. She didn’t even know if all she put into Caitrin there was true, but that was one reason for coming here today after all: to find out more about her, and if there really could be some friendship blossoming out of this mere acquaintance so far. Yassia found herself wishing for it, but she knew she shouldn’t get her hopes up too high.

She returned the smile honestly, gripping the warm and dry hands of Lady Caitrin quickly before releasing them again. Yassia had not lied about liking the estate, this was more than just courtesy speaking. Maybe a little less forest would do, as Yassia now was a bit eerie about them and also wasn’t used to living close to it as Ailantha was rather dominated by high plateaus with more grass than trees. But ever since she felt safe again she had come to realize the quiet beauty of a forest, especially after rain.
“It’s different from what I am used to at home”, she voiced her thoughts with a little shrug and smile, “but that doesn’t mean I can’t see the beauty of it. Though I now certainly know why there are so many trees in Albion – it just rains so much”, she joked, referring to that also being different where she came from. “But I guess if you grow up to it you get immune.” She would like to see some of the Albion people living in a hot Ailanthan summer. Yassia remembered all too well how her mother had suffered even after years spent in this country.

Caitrin was calling her Lady Yassia which was not entirely proper, but even though it made her flinch inside out of habit (the Ailanthan court had been very strict on manners), she would rather die than point it out. In fact, she would like to be on first name basis with Caitrin, and she knew that as the woman of higher rank she would have to be the one to offer it. But such things were better not done as an aside, she should probably wait until they were inside and seated for dinner.
”Of course, let’s get inside”, she agreed and followed Caitrin’s lead. Yassia was not all that devastated to hear Caitrin’s uncle would not be present, as she still had difficulties socializing with so many new people at once, but courtesy called for a proper reply. “I am sorry to hear that. Send him my regards. But maybe a ‘girl’s night’ does have its merits as well?”
One reason why Yassia was still so formal was probably because she felt safe in that corslet. Manners were tools to use in such situations and they never failed you if you felt uncomfortable in what to do, because there was a proper reaction to anything. She hoped though that during the evening she could loosen up a little, for Caitrin’s sake and also for her own.

“How have you been ever since we parted?” she asked, not only to be polite but truly interested. Was the life of an Albion noble lady different from that of an Ailanthan. She hadn’t had that many chances to compare yet. “Anything exciting or just the usual trot?”

[Caitrin de Archer]

This situation was rather new for Caitrin. She could not confess to having many guests round at the house from her own choosing. Of course Griflet came round to visit her quite frequently, but that was hardly formal company was it? When he did come round it was usually uninvited but Caitrin never minded that, she loved his spontaneity, it was just one aspect which made him stand out from the crowd to her. She had to stop herself smiling at her own thoughts at him, god she had never meant to become anything near this. She was Caitrin de Archer, she didn’t fall in love, this wasn’t her. And yet it was, and she had no problem with it in the slightest.

Turning her attention back to Yassia she was glad that she took her gesture and she squeezed her hands fondly, giving her a friendly smile before releasing her hands. As she had lived in her Uncle’s manor for so long she had rather taken the beauty of the lands for granted. Now that she thought about it the land was very scenic. She enjoyed the woodlands, she always felt at peace there when she was riding. It was also her solace when she wanted to practice magic; under the cover of darkness. She turned back to Yassia as she spoke. “Where are you originally from?” She asked softly with an air of curiosity. She found herself laughing at Yassia’s jest about the weather. It was true that in the Kingdom of Albion it was true that they certainly had their fair share of bad weather. “It is true, the weather is as bad here as it was in Mercia.” She nodded slightly, the weather had not really ever got Caitrin down too much in the past. She was used to the rain but when she could not venture out of the house for long periods of time it did sometimes grate on her. “The weather does not usually bother me, apart from when it prevents me riding out for long periods of time.” Came her truthful answer as she made her way into the house, “At least the rain seems to have kept away for today.”

As Yassia agreed to her offer of stepping inside she was glad. Although the weather was dry, there was a certain winter chill about the air which made the comfort of a fire in the room all the more desirable. She shut the door after Yassia, normally she would have waited for a servant to complete the task, but she was more than capable of doing it herself really. She smiled at Yassia’s courtesy to her Uncle’s lack of attendance. It was perhaps a good thing the man was not here as, if Yassia allowed it too, they could enjoy a more informal atmosphere and perhaps get to know each other without the conventions which court demanded. “I agree.” She said enthusiastically, “In fact a girls night in sounds like the perfect way to enjoy our evening.” Caitrin was becoming rather excited at the prospect. She was never normally in female company, and perhaps she would enjoy it more than she supposed she originally would.

At Yassia’s question Caitrin but shook her head. Since their quick meeting Caitrin had seemed to be doing little but enjoying her own pleasures whatever form that may take. Grifet had been calling round more than often, and she had been riding out as much as she pleased. “I’m afraid I have been doing very little, but I have enjoyed the break.” She had after all had a hectic year, between one thing and another, she was glad of a return to normality. “And have you been busy?” She replied brightly and politely.

Dinner would be served shortly, but it would not do to just stand around in the corridor waiting for a servant to announce that dinner had been served. Instead an idea crossed Caitrin’s mind, “Perhaps we should retire to the solar, before dinner is announced that is.” It would allow them some time to get past the formalities before dinner was served, as well as allowing them to both be seated whilst conversing. She gestured towards the solar which was only at the end of the corridor, and was next to the dining hall anyway.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Even though it still hurt sometimes, Yassia was more than ready to tell a bit about Ailantha. After all, it was HER country, the country she wished to rule one day, and if she couldn’t relate to it and love it, seeing its beauty and valueing it, she would be a very bad choice for queen indeed. No, Ailantha and its people was dear to her heart and that’s why she strived to return as soon as possible, because every day under her uncle Guifré’s rule might be a nightmare for them. For all she knew he might have started some bloody war already, best with Vortigern who was as eager to get into bloodshed and misery. Vortigern… no, she couldn’t think of him right now, it cast too dark a shadow over this day!
“Oh, I come from Ailantha, a country far far away from here”, she started her usual speech, but decided to modify it a bit for Caitrin’s and her own sake. “Have you ever been on the continent? It’s far down south on there, it took me a couple of months to travel and it was not always nice…” again she was steering towards this dangerous direction! Stop it already, Yassia! “It’s a very tiny kingdom, more consisting of high planes than forests and hills like here. In summer it is parchingly hot and in winter the strong winds blow down from the mountains and make it difficult to be outside. But it never really gets cold.”

A slight gleaming had lit up her eyes during her describing speech, giving away just how much she loved talking about this subject. Poor Caitrin might be in for a long ramble indeed, and suddenly Yassia realized that, and wrapped it up with a sheepish smile: “In any way, I’m only partly Ailanthan, my mother’s from Camelot apparently and I came here to find the only relative of that side I have left: Her brother Kaye.”
Yassia didn’t know if Caitrin knew that Kaye was a knight of Camelot, but she didn’t want to point it out in fear of sounding too boasting.
Instead, she nodded to the young ladies’ claim. “I must admit I love riding myself and my uncle was so gracious to provide me with a new mount as I came here on foot. Though I didn’t find much time to get acquainted with the mount yet.”[/7ccd7cGreen]“Poor thing doesn’t even have a name yet.”

Yassia began to enjoy herself more and more around Caitrin. She was just so refreshingly… natural, yes, that might be the word. The princess had not quite yet met someone who was a lady but seemed to possess nigh to no airs. Yet there was nothing ‘common’ about Caitrin either, it was a true mystery, but one Yassia felt encouraged to find out.
“Anything particular you have in mind for our ‘girl’s night’?” she asked with a smile that even bordered on a grin now. She was definitely loosening up in Caitrin’s company.
When she followe her inside, Yassia’s eyes darted back and forth in a feeble attempt to take everything in at once. She loved the different way manors and castles were furnished and decortated here in Albion. Everything was a little darker and with stronger walls, perhaps because of the climate, but every house she had seen so far, somehow managed to not make it look gloomy.

“I really like this place”, she commented and her tone of voice made clear she was not just being polite. “It really looks like a home and I bet you have many fond memories of every corner here.” That was a quirk Yassia had noticed a while ago. When you entered a house for the first time, it was like a blank sheet of parchement, not filled with anything you could relate to. But the more time you spent in it the more personal value it took for you. There was the corner you stood with him or her talking, there was the stair you once tripped over and so on. And still you could see this first, fresh and detached look on a thing hiding beneath it, shimmering through it like skin through silk.
But then Yassia quickly returned to the present and gave an acknowledging nod to Caitrin’s suggestion. “Oh indeed, why not!” and she followed the young lady into the nicely decorated solar and sat down, rearranging her skirts out of habit.

”To answer your previous question: At the moment I am in some sort of pending state. I presented my case to King Uther and now all I can do is wait for him to allow help being sent to Ailantha with me. And so invitations like yours are very welcome to be spotlights in this waiting period.”

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin had heard about Ailantha in nothing more than passing before now. She had always been very interested in geography as a young child, after all she enjoyed learning probably a lot more than was expected of the conventional noblewoman. The Kingdom was to the south, that was all she knew and as Mercia was in the North East of Albion, she had never had any reason to travel so far to visit. “I have heard of it in passing, but I have never visited.” Caitrin said rather plainly, she was interested in the land Yassia had come from though; it was always fascinating to hear of other places and their traditions. “Mercia is in the north, so I am not well travelled at all as I had little reason to leave home until I was sent to Camelot.” Caitrin had not been important enough to be taken on social visits with her father; her eldest sister and brothers had been left to those tasks. Her father could not stand her company in the house, so why would he have taken her anywhere else?

The place Yassia described seemed fascinating in Caitrin’s eyes. They had mountains and such in Mercia, and sometimes thinking about that scenery made her feel slight longing for that view once more. However, she was sure she would never return to the life she had once had in Mercia, she enjoyed her life in Camelot too much to even contemplate it. “It sounds wonderful.” Caitrin boldly declared, “It would be nice to have some warm weather once in a while, but as you said, I am used to it as I have lived here for so long now.” What Caitrin wouldn’t give for a warm summer, that would be a novelty. The summer’s were sometimes warm but their effect was always dampened by the impending cold weather.

Ah, so that was the reason Yassia was in Camelot. It always made sense to reside somewhere you had kin, rather than trying to make your own way in the world. Caitrin knew too well just how cruel the world could be; enough men in her life had taught her that. She could not recall the name Kaye, but she could have seen him at court. “Is he often at court? I must apologise, I cannot recall being acquainted with him.” Although Caitrin was often at court, she usually moved round the same social circles, which was advantageous in a way as she got to know quite a few people, but it also meant she was ignorant to some of the families who resided in Camelot.

They already had something in common, although Yassia did not realise it yet. “My Uncle too gifted me a horse when I first arrived in Camelot.” Caitrin declared proudly. She loved her mare Lily and would not give her up for anything. “Horses should always be given a name, as they all have their own personality.” She grinned slightly, “I named my mare Lily, as it is quite a beautiful name I think.” Caitrin did not want to sound too pretentious, and through her rambling she had quite got caught up in her own thoughts and ignored part of Yassia’s speech, “You came on foot?” She replied, slightly shocked, “Surely you did not walk from Ailantha to Camelot?” If she had then she was certainly a strong woman, perhaps one of the strongest Caitrin had ever had the pleasure of being acquainted with.

Caitrin’s skills at hosting would surely be tested tonight, and she mulled over her thoughts as Yassia asked her if she had any plans for their girls night in. She pressed her lips together and gave the matter serious thought for a moment. She’d instructed the meal but further than that she had not given it much thought. “Perhaps we could decide on an activity to indulge ourselves with over dinner?” She asked brightly, Caitrin was sure between them they could think of something.

Caitrin was pleased that Yassia loved the house as much as Caitrin did. She considered her question carefully and nodded. She had many memories of the place, some good and some bad. The more recent ones all related to Griflet. “I do, though not as many as I would have liked.” She said with a sense of longing, “I wish I could have discovered the place sooner in truth.” Caitrin’s only regret was that she had not been sent to live with her Uncle sooner. She was sure her teenage years would have been a lot happier under this roof than they had been under her father’s close watch.

As Yassia accepted her invitation to the solar Caitrin led the way to the room. It was one of the more grand rooms in the house, and housed her Uncle’s books, and his stash of wine. She sat down opposite Yassia gracefully and smiled at the young woman. She wanted her to feel at ease in her company and in her Uncle’s home, she didn’t want their meeting to be particularly awkward; not that it had been so far.

She listened carefully as Yassia outlined her situation to Caitrin and she felt shocked somewhat. She hoped that Uther would help her, after all, the young woman was clearly a gentle and wise woman, “Then I hope tonight will prove a happy distraction for you.” Caitrin then got up, she knew her Uncle kept his wine in here, and with a spare goblet or two just for safe keeping, “Would you like a drink, I’m afraid it is nothing too special, but it is wine nonetheless.” Caitrin could not see the point in calling a servant from the other room to draw them wine when she could offer Yassia a drink quite well herself.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

In truth, Yassia hadn’t even expected Caitrin to have heard of it, and it came as a very pleasant surpise. Of course travellors usually didn’t go so far as to even cross the channel and then journey so far southeast you almost reached the endless sea, Yassia knew from experience how trying it was to journey more than just a few weeks. Hadn’t a twist of fate made her mother leave Albion behind, she had been kidnapped and was to be sold on a slave market, she never would have come near Ailantha, had not even dreamt of going there some day. And just like that it was also with Yassia. Hadn’t her father died so untimely, or had Ramon survived that mercenary attack, the princess herself probably would have seen no reason to ever leave Ailantha behind. But fate had decided to throw too many things at her, and it had turned her into an almost homeless wanderer. She could only hope to return soon with the help she needed.
“I am even surprised you heard of it”, Yassia confessed with a little smile. “It’s so far away. When my mother used to tell me of Albion it always sounded like a fairy island to me. So… unreal.”

A slight smile crossed the princess’ face when the subject turned to her uncle. Oh, now she probably couldn’t circumvent it after all. Kaye might be a bit of a loner, and he had a sharp tongue and overall grumpy personality that probably didn’t give him many friends. But beneath that rough shell was a heart of gold, and Yassia had overheard two other knights saying the other day that even if her coming here was quite odd, it could serve to turn Kaye into a more amiable man. She would like that, as her uncle had shown nothing but kindness to her so far and she would actually hate to leave him behind when she went back.
“He’s a knight of Camelot”, she explained. “In his mid to end fourties I would say. I don’t know if you ever saw him, but look out for a particularly grim face and a beard that’s speckled with grey. But don’t worry, he’s not half as sour as he looks. I really got to like him actually. He’s… he’s just been through a lot I guess, that hardened his heart.”
First he had lost his sister when only a young man, just having left for Camelot to become a knight, and then also his parents in a raid a few years later. Yassia had often wondered why her mother never had sent a sign of life towards Camelot. All those years Kaye must have felt so alone.

The subject turned to horses, and Yassia was quite pleased to find, she apparently could talk with Caitrin about almost anything. It felt good to just tell such stories, passing the time with random and yet deep conversation.
She gave a little sigh again. “Lily is truly a beautiful name. Maybe you could help me find a name for my mount? I’m clearly at a loss here. My old mount was called ‘Tempesta’, because she was as volatile and swift like a thunderstorm. But she… was the victim of an … accident on my way.” Again Vortigern’s smirking face appeared before her inner eye, making her shudder briefly, before she could chase that thought away. “And, oh, not the entire way of course!” she quickly corrected her words. “But ever since I crossed the channel… we came into a violent storm that made the boat capsize; it drowned everything, the horses, all of my values and… I also lost my stepbrother who had accompanied me all the way.” Yassia blinked a few times, even after all those weeks, she still couldn’t quite get over the shock. “So… ever since being washed ashore, I travelled on foot, yes.”

The decision to think of plans to spend the evening over dinner found nothing but Yassia’s approval, and so she nodded with a smile. She didn’t waste much more thoughts on the fact, but something else grabbed her interest. Something in the way Caitrin had spoken about memories made Yassia’s ears perk up. Was that longing she detected in the girl’s voice? And could she dare to ask just yet? In the end, she decided to keep it vague, not openly calling her out on it, but rather opening a door Caitrin could pass through if she wanted or not.
“That sounds like happy memories indeed. I think it’s truly the people that first fill a place with life and make it special.” There. Now she could comment on it or leave it. As much as Yassia would like to know more, she knew it was not her place to pry.

Yassia was not just a little surprised when Caitrin rose to serve her herself. It was just something the princess wasn’t used to, but then again, she had helped herself in all those months posing as a commoner, where she could not expect special treatment. She guessed such an experience could change your view of the world quite a lot.
“Wine is totally fine, my dear thank you!” she hastened to assure her. “And I’m sure to enjoy this evening very much. I already… feel very welcome here, if I may say so, and that means a great deal for me. I will drink to a peaceful evening and a good time!”

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was not fazed by Yassia’s surprise at her having heard of Ailantha. Not many noblewomen were as educated as she was, and it was something she took pride in. From a young age she had often felt the urge to pursue her interests, and to learn about the world around her. Helgund had been her biggest help in this respect, not only had she taught her magic, she’d taught her of geography, history and even literature; though the latter was socially acceptable for ladies of standing to learn to an extent. Her sisters had been typical noblewomen, and had prided themselves on nothing more than a new dress and the perfect hair to match it. Caitrin had never quite understood their philosophy, and how they could be so uninterested in the world around them. “I was taught a little about geography, although I imagined all the places were made up when I was a child because they seemed so far away.” She gave a small smile, and found Yassia to be in a similar mindset. “Albion is a beautiful place to reside, though I suppose I have nothing to compare it with.” She then said, in reply to Yassia’s comments about Albion being similar to a fairy tale to her.

Ah, a knight of Camelot. Perhaps that was why Caitrin had not heard of him, apart from Arthur she did not mix with many of the knights. She had nothing against them, she just didn’t move in that social circle at court. There was nothing wrong with that though she supposed, and perhaps now she would make the effort to become acquainted with Yassia’s Uncle at court. “I shall look out for him when I am next at court.” Which in truth would not be that long, as Caitrin was never far away from court if she could help it. Court life was one which she could now not imagine living without, it felt empowering to be at the hub of society mixing with other noble families all the time. “I shall have to aquaint you with my Uncle, Lord Rouland, as well at some point. He was not at the feast I met you at, he is in fact very rarely at court.” Her Uncle hated court life, there were no two ways about it. He much preferred being left alone in his estates, and he could not see why he should change his ways now.

As Yassia complimented Lily’s name Caitrin beamed with a sense of pride. She had picked out the name quite carefully when she had first been given the mare. Her Uncle could not see the point in naming horses, but Caitrin could. They all had their individual personalities, and therefore they should all have their well chosen names. Lily had gained her name because she had quite a delicate nature, however, she could ride hard through the valleys and she never failed Caitrin for a ride out in the forests. “Thank you, and yes of course I will help you choose a name for your mount, tell me something of its temperament and then perhaps I can help you.” There was something in the way that Yassia said her mount had been lost in an accident that made Caitrin slightly suspicious. She knew she probably shouldn’t ask, but she found herself quite curious, “What happened?” Perhaps that could be a story saved for dinner, well, if it was even worth telling. Caitrin had lost two mounts in her time, one had been taken by bandits when that idiot man had stopped her on the roads. She blinked, no, she wasn’t going to let thoughts of him ruin her evening with Yassia. The second horse had been lost after it had thrown her off its back, though Caitrin was glad as that particular mount had never had a particularly good temperament.

Caitrin bit her lip slightly awkwardly, she was supposed to be making Yassia feel better, but instead she seemed to just be making things worse. She shuffled slightly as Yassia mentioned losing her stepbrother and felt truly sorry for her loss. Caitrin had never been in the position of losing a sibling, but as her family was not close she was unsure of the effect it would have. “I’m sorry.” She offered rather weakly, and took it upon herself to not inquire into Yassia’s journey anymore. Well, for the time being at least.

As Yassia spoke, Caitrin found herself nodding in agreement. After all, all that she said was true. The reason she had so few happy memories of her time in Mercia had not been because she lived in a horrible place, but it was because her family had been so irritating and they had never understood her, and what she was truly capable of. But here, in her Uncle’s home, she could go from room to room and remember jests she had made with her Uncle, guests she had invited round and of course the odd night spent with Griflet with them just watching the hours melt away with each other. “It’s true, and there are a lot more people who make this house special than in my last home.” It was a fairly vague comment, but it was not intended as such. Caitrin would certainly not be offended if Yassia asked her more, but again, perhaps this was something for over dinner.

Caitrin returned to her guest with a goblet full of wine, and set herself down again in the chair closest to Yassia. She hoped dinner would not be too long off as she was already quite hungry. However, the present company was doing a good job at keeping her mind off her rumbling stomach. “I am glad you feel welcome here, as that was my intention.” She smiled and raised her goblet slightly at Yassia’s latter words and took a small swig from it; only then hoping her Uncle would not miss the wine they were drinking. “And a good time we shall have.” Caitrin was sure they would both enjoy themselves, why wouldn’t they?

The wine hit the back of her throat with a small bitter prickle and she breathed out slowly, now truly feeling relaxed. If Yassia felt welcomed already then Caitrin’s skills as a hostess could not be all bad. That gave her some encouragement at least. “I do not think it will be too long until dinner is served, or at least I hope not anyway.”

Notes: I apologise these posts keep getting longer and longer xD

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Caitrin had been taught geography?! Now that was something Yassia found highly intriguing. She herself had always loved to stare at the huge map of the known world in the council room and imagine the foreign places there had to be just outside Ailantha’s borders, but then it had always been more of a game and she never would have thought more knowledge about the world would have served her better on her troublesome journey. She had lost count along the way of the many times she had gotten lost, sometimes only vaguely, sometimes profoundly. It had prolonged the journey considerably, of course, and it had led to a few uncomfortable scenes. But you never knew what life held in store for you, and Ailantha had never cared much about the outside world – unless it was forced to.
“Well, I for myself found to have a lot to compare and I still have to say Albion ranks high amongst all those places I’ve seen. But then, the true beauty of a place seldom shows to a passing stranger.”

The prospect of being introduced to yet another noble could have fairly been something to NOT look forward to the young princess, as she just had gone through so many times of first introductions to ‘very important people’, but this was actually something Yassia found she looked forward to. After all, this would be Caitrin’s uncle, and as much as she talked about him already, they must be really close.
“Oh, well, I would love to meet him, truly”, Yassia assured with an honest smile. “What a pity he wasn’t there when we first met. But I guess there will be time enough to catch up.” Because in all honesty, Yassia feared help wouldn’t be coming in a little while. Everyone seemed so occupied with their own problems, any you couldn’t very well say the perils Camelot had been in were petty. Kaye had told her a bit about the last horrible events what with Lady Morgana vanishing for more than a year and then also the Great Dragon being freed from his vault under the castle, wreaking havoc over the town.

“Well… sadly I don’t know her well enough to tell you much about her personality yet”, she confessed with a sheepish smile, concerning the question of her mount. “I noticed she can be a little stubborn from time to time, but overall she seems very amiable, not too volatile or anything.” Yassia gave a little laugh. “And I guess I’m so not helping, yes? I could call her ‘Desconegut’… that means ‘unknown’ in my language.”
Caitrin’s question was asked in concern of course, but it still sent a stabbing pain inside Yassia’s guts and she averted her eyes for a split second, trying to regain her composure. “It’s a long story, truly… maybe I’ll tell you later.” Without a few certain details of course that were shameful and forever to be enclosed inside Yassia’s heart. No one could ever know, and she hadn’t found a person yet she trusted enough to tell this part. Not even Mircea had known, but then he probably had guessed a few things.

It was a good thing Caitrin had provided her with a few interesting things to think on while in the parlour, it got Yassia’s own mind of a few rather unpleasant memories. Was she talking about people in general or was there someone special to her heart? The slight fire that had lit up her eyes during speaking almost suggested the latter, but then Yassia wasn’t very experienced in that field, never having truly been in love or anything. The sad fact remained that she probably would have to think of marriage soon, as there might not be changing her country’s laws concerning the fact of royal succession. If a queen wanted to rule, she needed a husband by her side.
”Anyone in… particular on your mind there?” she teased, giving Caitrin a quick wink, but added then: “Of course, if you’d rather keep it to yourself, I wouldn’t mind.” Then again… it would be nice to talk about such things with a female friend… even though from her side there was nothing to talk about.

Raising the goblet as well, Yassia took a little trying sip and let the wine swirl around in her mouth. It was a good wine, no doubt of that! Different of course from that they had in Ailantha, but by no means sour, like some she had come to taste on her journey – when she still could afford wine that was.
“Some good wine you have here indeed”, she lauded Caitrin and raised the goblet again as if in greeting. “And… to be honest, dinner soon sounds very good indeed, I’m sure my stomach will start rumbling so very unladylike any second. But then… we’re between us with no manners witch to watch over us, yes? Do you have those here in Camelot? Those old ladies putting manners above everything? Oh I could tell you stories…” she trailed off with a chuckle, taking another sip.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was glad, and slightly proud, that Yassia ranked Albion as one of the most beautiful places she had visited so far in her travels. She wondered what other lands Yassia had seen, she would know where some of them were but some might even be new to her. She however restrained herself for the moment, she supposed that dinner would bring out a range of topics that would enable both women to get to know each other better. Caitrin was already feeling quite comfortable with Yassia, and enjoyed the woman’s company so far, and the prospect of spending the evening together could only be a good thing. “It seems that you have experienced the true beauty of Albion?” She asked curiously, “What do you enjoy most about the scenery?” It was always interesting to see what people enjoyed most about the landscape, after all as Caitrin saw the Camelot landscape day by day the effect was slightly lost on her. It sometimes took someone new to make you really take another look at the beauty that surrounded you, and make you appreciate it once more.

Now Caitrin could only hope that her Uncle was as enthusiastic to meet Yassia as she was to meet him. She was sure he would not mind meeting the Princess, he would have met her tonight if it had not been for a previous engagement. Her Uncle Rouland was very rarely at court as he preferred a more solitary life, but he did always take the time out for those who he thought truly deserved his attentions, and Caitrin was sure that Yassia truly deserved his time. She politely smiled at Yassia in some sort of reply, as she did not merely want to repeat herself.

Caitrin pressed her lips together thoughtfully, trying to rack her head for names. Stubbornness was defiantly enough to think on for a name, it was a strong trait after all. She smiled at Yassia’s own thoughts for a name, it was an unusual name which Caitrin had not heard of before but it sounded nice all the same. “I like it.” She said softly and pressed her lips together, “You could always call her Terrell, that means stubborn.” She recalled one of the young noblewomen who had been called by such a name in Mercia and she had truly lived up to the label.

She could have been wrong, but as Yassia went to speak to her she was sure she caught her almost averting her eyes. Good lord, what had happened to her? She looked slightly concerned for a few moments, which was slightly difficult in a way as she was not exactly sure what she was feeling sorry for. She did not press Yassia for details immediately though, as she had already dismissed the topic to be spoken off at a later time. Plus, she did not want to make her guest unhappy by recalling things so early in the night. Sometimes however it was good to share things, it helped you to cope with the reality of a situation. That of course would be something to pursue, or not, later.

Caitrin was now quite lost in her own memories of her Uncle’s home. She could still remember how she felt when she had crossed the threshold into the home at the tender age of fifteen. At the time, she had thought she would be living in hell in Camelot as she was forced to hide her gifts on pain of death. However, her Uncle’s home had brought happier memories with it since, and Yassia’s question directed her to some of these very memories. She didn’t blush but she did find a smile escaping onto her lips. She nodded softly and ran a hand through her hair, she could never find the words to describe Griflet, he was funny, charming, but he had the biggest ego this side of Albion and he was the most terrible flirt but he was hers and that was all that mattered. “His name is Griflet Aubert, I’m not sure if you would have come across him at court?” Now she had opened up that topic, of course she would not be offended if Yassia wanted to pursue any queries about Griflet.

Caitrin defiantly shared in Yassia’s delight at the fact they had no one looking over them to check their manners. That was the only problem with court life, it was all incredibly formal, but you could not beat little gatherings like this as informal settings were so much better sometimes. Caitrin nodded at Yassia’s question, “Luckily none reside in this house, but I have come across some in court.” Caitrin was slightly uncomfortable as Yassia used the term ‘witch’ but she did not pull her up for it. She was amongst friends here and it wasn’t as if she was suggesting sorcery or anything like that was it?

At that point, Caitrin could feel her stomach was on the verge on rumbling. She had not eaten a proper meal since she had broken fast this morning, as she had been too excited and tied up with getting ready to even contemplate lunch. She was slightly regretting that decision now, but dinner would hopefully be served soon so that would satisfy her stomach at least. At that moment, a servant from the other room bustled in with a wide smile,

“Dinner is nearly ready Lady Caitrin, if you wish me to show you and your guest through to the dining room?” Caitrin stood up and gestured for Yassia to do the same as she nodded to the servant and let them lead herself and Yassia through to the dining room. It had been laid out accordingly of course, and as Caitrin was the host she was seated at the head of the table, with Yassia occupying the seat to her right. Caitrin hoped now that the first course would not be too long. “I don’t know about you, but I am incredibly hungry.”

Notes: Slight god mod! I can edit if you don’t like!
Music: Iris- Goo goo dolls

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Oh now that was a tough question indeed! What did she find most beautiful about Albion’s scenery? Hmm… now that needed a little thinking time, or did it?
“First of all, I think I like the rich colors here”, she started, cocking her head a little to the side. “In Ailantha the dominant colors are yellow, beige and brownish, and even the sky is more white than rich blue. I guess that all comes with it being more plain-like and dry. And then…these soft hills that hide what is behind the next ten miles. It’s always a little of a mystery”, she finished with a laugh. “Because in Ailantha you can see for miles what’s to come, which can make you feel a little forelorn at times.”
Sadly though, this ‘mysteriousness’ of Albion had often resulted in Yassia getting lost. Many people, especially peasants didn’t even care to know what was behind the next hill and even if they had heard of Camelot, they had only a vague idea of where to find it. Yassia had walked in circles more often than not.

They were still on the subject of finding a good name for her horse, and Yassia had to admit she liked the sound of Terrell very much. “Terrell…” she mused, trying out the sound of it on her lips, her accent with the rolling ‘r’ and a slight different emphasize on the syllables breaking out fully through it. “I like that! She’s definitely stubborn enough to not reveal her personality to me until now.” Yassia grinned. “And why not give her an Albion name? She’s a gift from my Albion family after all, and the name has been provided by and Albion friend. Yes, yes, I think it’s decided!”
She would later introduce the mare to her new name and see if she liked it. Well, that sounded a little weird even in her head, but in Ailantha people believed that horses in fact had their very own personality and often chose their masters instead of being chosen as a mount. If a horse didn’t like you, you realized it pretty fast and there was nothing you could do about it.

Ah, and she had been right about someone special being on Caitrin’s mind. It made a smug smile appear on Yassia’s face and she leaned back, a mischievous gleaming in her eyes. “Bé, bé…” she mused, lapsing into her native tongue. “Griflet Aubert? Can’t say that I met him before sadly, but I will surely keep my eyes and ears open!” Now it must be one hell of a man to get a woman like Caitrin, who she had found out to be quite independent and different from all the ‘typical’ court ladies, smiling and acting like that. Yassia might not be a pro on such things, but she knew the signs to tell when someone was in love. “You don’t have to tell me anything private of course”, she assured again, “but do you think this is serious? Like… does your uncle know about it already?”

Only a few short moments later, Yassia realized her slip of the tongue and she paled slightly. How stupid of her! She had simply translated a term of her native language into that of Albion and had all but forgotten how sensitive the people here were to the terms of ‘witch’ and ‘magic’. In Ailantha that only referred to a woman so obsessed with manners she turned quite fierce about it which turned her into a nagging shew, critizing anything. There was of course no magic involved in any way. “Oh, I didn’t mean ‘witch’ in the literal way of course”, she hastened to explain. “I’m sorry, sometimes I still forget how wary you all are here about magic. Not that you think me someone like that, yes? In Ailantha people with magical blood are very uncommon, but they never do any harm as far as I remember.”
Sweet stars, she hoped this fault would not ruin the pleasant evening! How could she have been so stupid, really! In different company, this might have cost her her head already!

Therefore Yassia was very glad for the interruption of the servant and she rose along with Caitrin to go over to the dining room and seated herself at the girl’s right. Striving to make her forget their previous conversation about magic, she gave a little chuckle and rubbed her stomach. “Oh believe me, I am too! May I ask what’s for dinner or is to be a surprise? I like surprises, though, especially in a culinary way. Isn’t it funny how you can tell a different culture especially by its food?”

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin looked over at the landscape which Yassia was describing and found an almost new interest in her surroundings forming. She knew she took the view from her Uncle’s house for granted, but until now it had not occurred to her just how much she had taken it for granted. Camelot’s scenery was quite different to that which she had been used to in Mercia. There the landscape was much rockier, whereas in Camelot the hills were green rather than grey. “I think I prefer the landscape here to Mercia.” Caitrin mused softly and gave a quick smile; she did not miss Mercia one jot, and this was one of the reasons why she did not.

Terrell was indeed quite a fitting name for a horse with a stubborn temperament, it was quite unique as well as it could be a unisex name. Of course the name it derived from was Tyrrel, which was a masculine name. Caitrin was quite proud as Yassia declared that she liked the name enough to introduce it to the mare. She also beamed at the fact Yassia called her a friend, it was quite a big thing to Caitrin as she was not particularly close to many women courtiers. She could not hide her pride at having helped Yassia find a name for her horse. It was quite refreshing to find someone who shared her views that horses did indeed have their unique personality, and should therefore have a name to match it. “Then whenever you take Terrell out for a ride you shall think of our friendship.” Caitrin declared rather boldly and hoped that Yassia would indeed look upon this evening with fondness.

As Yassia took up what could only be described as quite a smug stance, Caitrin grinned back at her, copying her action in leaning back slightly. It had not been a straightforward courting for her or Griff, but they were both so unlike the common courtier then of course they had done things a little unconventionally. She was not surprised Yassia had not heard of him, she and Griflet were rarely seen at court individually any more so as Yassia had already met her the other night, it was unlikely she would have already met Griff. “Well then I shall add him to the list of those I must introduce you to.” Of course Griflet would be a breath of fresh air for her friend if she had just met Caitrin’s Uncle Rouland as he was quite cynical, and Griff was the complete opposite of him.

Caitrin nodded rather proudly at the fact her Uncle knew about her and Griflet, and that it was indeed a serious relationship. Of course her Uncle Rouland had managed to discover them catching a few moments in each others company in the gardens in Camelot and had never let her forget it since. That all seemed like such a long time ago. Griflet was round most of the time, and Rouland had near enough resided himself that he would be around for a lot longer so had learnt to put up with him. “My Uncle knows; yes. I’ve known Griff for oh, nearly a year now so I believe it is rather serious.” She had met him not long after she had recovered from the dragon attack and he had been by her side for most of the time since. She hadn’t ever meant it to get this serious, but they had just clicked, and that was the end of that.

She waved away Yassia’s apology, as it really was not needed. Caitrin knew she should not be so sensitive to even hearing anything to do with magic, but as she was so much in society she was rather paranoid about sorcery. Of course most of that was to do with the fact that Caitrin herself possessed sorcery, and she knew the penalty if she were ever caught so she was always on her toes, trying to cover her traces lest she become associated with sorcery. “I don’t no,” Caitrin smiled at her guest and felt rather embarrassed, “I am sorry about my reaction, sorcery is very rarely seen in a good way in Camelot.” Of course Caitrin could only feel anger that this was the case. She had the gift of sorcery and was forced to hide it because of the paranoid King. Her kind was persecuted mercilessly, and yet everyone in Camelot seemed to think it was normal practice. However, Caitrin did not voice any of this, she rather liked her head attached to her shoulders too much to suggest Uther was wrong in his views.

Now that Yassia mentioned it, Caitrin realised she had no idea what they were being served for dinner. She sometimes did ask the cook her Uncle kept to prepare certain meals, but tonight she had just asked for his fine taste to dictate the menu. She shrugged softly but let a small laugh escape her lips, she felt a bit daft playing host to a menu she had no idea about. “I suppose it shall be a surprise for both of us.” Two servants, as if on cue, bustled in holding two bowls, setting one down in front of Yassia before setting one down in front of Caitrin. The smell of the soup which both women had been given was sensational! Of course it was only a starter, and Caitrin recognised that it was a herb soup; one of her favourites! She only hoped that Yassia shared her love for it. Picking up her spoon to tuck into her food she urged Yassia to do the same, “I hope you enjoy it, for it is one of my favourite dishes.”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia couldn’t recall if she had passed through Mercia or not on her way here, but her instincts placed it more in the north from Camelot and however much she had gotten lost sometimes, she was sure not having strayed off her pathway THAT far! So she actually had no idea how Mercia would look like.Probably rougher, if it was in the north, but then you could never be so sure. Albion was still more or less a riddle closed up in an enigma to the young princess. And a part of her even hoped she wouldn’t stay long enough to know it by heart. This was just a necessary step after all, she had no intention of staying here for the rest of her life.
”What’s different in Mercia?” she asked curiously. “I’ve never been farther north than Camelot, so I couldn’t tell. Is it not as …” she fished in her mind for the right word, but as it escaped her for the moment she settled on: “…pretty?” hoping Caitrin would get what she meant.

”Oh, I definitely shall think of you now whenever I’m riding Terrell!” Yassia agreed enthusiastically and smiled widely. She couldn’t recall instantly hitting it off with anyone quite so good in all her life, maybe Romily put aside, but that was a different story. When meeting Romily, they had all but been in the same situation, without knowing it, both hiding their identities from the world. But maybe Yassia and Caitrin weren’t so different than she first had thought? Yassia had admired the spirit in the young lady, but now she saw that there was much more to her than that: a kind heart and an overall wonderful personality. Maybe some people Yassia knew back from her days in Ailantha would not approve of her outspoken manner, but the princess found it rather refreshing. “So when I take her back with me I’ll always have something to remind me of our time together.” Speaking of depature when she had all but arrived in Camelot might seem odd, but as much as Yassia enjoyed her stay, she was itching to leave.

The prospect of being introduced to the man Caitrin held in such high regards filled her with even more anticipation than meeting Rouland. After all, what girl doesn’t like to meet a friend’s sweetheart to see and judge if she could see what was as special about him? Yassia had seen many betrothals and marriages in her years at the Ailanthan court, and sometimes she hadn’t been able to detect what some girls found so special about their intended. In Yassia’s eyes they often enough had been pompuous idiots or wet blankets. Mind you, she had even detected some of her ladies-in-waiting swooning over her horrible cousin Stéphane!
”Well then I really must meet him!”, she affirmed with another slightly cheeky smile. “If you and him are acquainted for so long and even your uncle knows… why hasn’t he asked you already? Is he such a coward? I could hardly think you falling in love with a coward.” Then again… what did she know? She could hardly make assumptions to a relationship she had only just heard of!

Yassia was more than ready to discard the topic of sorcery as quickly as possible. She always felt like walking a tight rope when this came up. Not being born to a country’s point of views could land you in serious trouble, so to avoid that you better circumnavigated the topic altogether.
”So I have heard”, she commented only, striving to keep any judging tone out of her voice. There were just too many sides in this matter, and you never quite could tell which of those your counterpart was on. As a foreigner, you best didn’t get entangled at all.

The first dish was served and Yassia chuckled at Caitrin’s remark of having no idea at all what would be for dinner. Well, she liked surprises, and she had found the food in Albion to be very to her liking. That might be due to the fact of having Albion blood running through her veins by a half, or maybe she just was not very picky concerning food. She might once have been, but travelling without more than a few pennies for months had taught her otherwise. Hunger truly was the best relish.
”Your favourite dish? Well then I am sure it will be delightful!” Dipping her own spoon into the soup, Yassia took a little trying sip, and her eyes lit up. “That’s a herb soup! My mother used to tell me about those, she loved it when she was a girl. Wait a minute I can taste…” she took another spoonful, “Nutmeg… coriander… and there’s also Parsley, yes? I know a bit about herbs you know. Mostly the healing ones but they often can be used for both.”

[Caitrin de Archer]

Although as a child Caitrin, in her ignorance, supposed Mercia to boast some spectacular scenery, it really did pale in comparison to the array of colours and forests which Camelot boasted. Mercia altogether was quite rocky and mountainous; it was in the north after all. Her father had told her that the mountains protected them from those who were further north than them raising armies against them. However, they always seemed to be under attack from someone so Caitrin supposed that the mountains really did serve no purpose other than to be quite scenic. “Mercia is quite mountainous, whereas Camelot is quite flat in comparison, but it is prettier than Mercia.” She agreed softly with Yassia’s words. “We have forests as well, but they are a lot darker than the ones here.” The forests in Mercia were overgrown with mighty oaks which blocked natural light from most of the forest routes and altogether made journeying through them quite a nerving experience.

Caitrin beamed as Yassia confirmed that she would think of her friend whilst on ride’s out with Terrell. She was already enjoying Yassia’s company more than she thought she ever would. Caitrin never usually found it so easy to converse with other members of the court, quite characteristically she preferred male company, as they were sometimes friendlier than the women courtiers. For example, Arthur was one of her closest friends, and she enjoyed having quite deep conversations with him at times. Caitrin proved, in a way, that you didn’t have to just speak to members of the same sex without it being inappropriate. “Hopefully you will have many happy memories to take back with you.” Caitrin smiled broadly back at Yassia, she was already hoping that their paths would cross again after tonight.

Caitrin now considered what Yassia would think of Griflet, he was quite unlike many of the traditional courtiers, then again neither of them were what you could call traditional. It had been a rather mixed up courting at best. He had been quite persistent in his advances and she had found herself falling for them slowly but surely. She laughed as Yassia called him a coward, oh if he could hear that he would probably make it his business to set her straight. In truth Caitrin did not know why he had not asked her yet, but it didn’t bother her too much. The topic of marriage always set heavy in Caitrin’s mind, and at present they just seemed to be enjoying each other’s company and seeing where it led them. “I think he is just waiting until we are both ready.” Caitrin pointed out but she kept a smile on her face nonetheless. As Yassia spoke of Caitrin falling in love with Griff Caitrin’s cheeks twinged a slight pink and she went to speak but didn’t. No one had ever really brought love into hers and Griff’s courtship before, they had just been seen to be some sort of fling that was spiralling into something more. “Well I am still falling in love, I have not fallen completely quite yet.” That was her stubbornness of course, the fact she did not want to admit she had fallen in love quite so quickly as she had often resounded to never fall for any man. She just couldn’t help herself with Griff though, it was the way he smiled at her, and the way he could always surprise her that just made her melt every time they were together.

As Yassia confirmed she did know of Camelot’s attitudes towards magic Caitrin decided to leave the topic there. It was a dangerous topic to even consider, especially seeing as Caitrin herself did possess magic, and her temper on the subject had more than once threatened to give her position away. Caitrin therefore instead focussed on the soup in front of her and just took a moment to take in the different smells and sighed softly, herbs were often undervalued in foods stuff but Caitrin valued them completely. She nodded eagerly as Yassia rhymed off which herbs had been used in the soup, and was rather excited when she said she knew something of herbology. “I know quite a bit about herbs myself, but I know mostly which would be good for healing.” That had been one of the things her nurse Helgund had taught her as she had grown up in Mercia. Caitrin was sure elements of magic were used in some of the remedies, so she did not often use them as often as she should. She knew the basics like how to cure a headache, stem bleeding or induce sleep. She also knew of ones which could aid love charms, or produce good fortune, those she stayed well away from at times as they certainly probably used some element of sorcery.

As Caitrin finally began to take in her soup she looked across at her guest. The similarities between them both were quite striking in some ways. For example they were both women of standing who were in a foreign kingdom, and they both had a knowledge of herbs and horses. Caitrin wondered if they had much else in common as these similarities were already quite exciting to Caitrin. However they would probably make themselves known throughout the course of the conversation. As the host Caitrin took it upon herself to spur on a new angle of conversation. “You must have seen many kingdoms during your journey here.” She began, with a slight twinkle in her eyes. Despite the reasons for her friends coming to Camelot, seeing all the different Kingdoms must have been an exciting situation to be in, or at least Caitrin assumed so, “What was it like to see them all? I suppose some must have been more interesting than others?”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Happy memories to take back with her? Well,at least her time in Camelot got her happier memories than some parts of her journey. So far she had gotten anything she desired, a chance to speak with King Uther and ask him for help that would hopefully be granted soon, and a very pleasant reunion with the uncle she had never known. Yassia knew that even if she should go back tomorrow, she would definitely miss Camelot. She would miss Arthur, and Merlin as well even though after the episode with the arrow they hadn?t got to talk much again, but she always saw him running about. And now of course she would miss Caitrin as well. Who would have thought that they would really get along so well? Yassia hadn?t had many true friends in her life, but she already could feel she and Caitrin were swiftly moving towards these terms.
?Of course I will. I am sure I will miss Camelot and its people, why if I hadn?t a home and duty elsewhere I could even consider staying. After all, this is my mother?s home and she always spoke fondly of Camelot. Now I begin to see why.? She smiled. ?You know as a child, you are always so proud of your own country that nothing can surpass it in beauty, excellence and anything. But I begin to see why she loved Camelot.?

Yassia didn?t know much about love and being together with someone, so in everything she said she was only assuming. Waiting until both were ready was of course reasonable, though Yassia, in her na?ve mind couldn?t quite make out what they would have to get ready for if both of them were in love. Not that love had much to do with it usually when matches between nobles were made. Yassia had seen many an arranged marriage being made and was highly sure that was to be her own fate. She would have to think in matters of state, finding someone she could trust to rule the kingdom at her side without OVERruling her. That was a hard enough trait to find in a man, and to expect love sprouting of it to boot was idle dreaming. Acceptance and mutual respect would have to do.
?Well I wish you both well, dear!? Yassia assured with a smile. ?Marrying for love is a wonderful thing. And oh?? she cocked her head and raised her brows at Caitrin?s comment of just falling in love. ?I?d say you?re on a good way, but never fall so far you hit the ground?, she joked lightly. ?No man in the world is worth losing yourself over.?
Again bold words with not much experience behind it.

Her eyes grew wide when Caitrin revealed yet another similarity between the two women and the spoonful of soup came to rest right between the plate and her mouth, hovering in midair, totally forgotten.
?You are having me on, right?! You know about healing?!? A wide grin spread over Yassia?s face. ?Who taught you? With me it was my mother, she brought her knowledge from Camelot with her and mixed it with what the Ailanthan people knew of healing. I?ve been trained by her for years, but more to keep me entertained I guess.? That was a little modest lie. Yassia knew very well that she possessed skills that could equal many a professional healer. She had once saved Merlin?s life by relieving his shoulder from a dangerous crossbow bolt, and she wanted nothing more than to once have a detailed discussion with Gaius, the court physician. She had to find out if he might have even known her mother as a little girl, before she had gotten abducted.
?But maybe we should leave the healing discussion for after dinner?? she suggsted with a little wink. ?I think we both know that some aspects of healing can interfere with appetite quite a bit.?

Instead Yassia now focused on Caitrin?s next question. It of course brought her back to those wandering times, only recently have come to an end, and however much she tried to blend out the negative experiences, they of course had a way to sneak past her carefully set up barrier.
?Indeed I did see many of them. You wouldn?t believe how many kings and queens even the continent has! And most of them I just passed through, disguised as a common travelor because I feared my uncle would sent men after me to drag me back, so I had to cover my tracks.? Her face clouded for a split second. ?But sometimes all my disguise didn?t help me in the slightest, because I was running into people who knew me for what I was. After two days I already feared my flight to be over, because when crossing the border to an adjoining kingdom, I fell into the hands of a ruthless prince who hated me for personal and for state reasons.?

She broke off and tried a weary smile. ?I?m sorry, now I sound just like one of those weird storytelling travellers.?

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was already sure she would miss Yassia dearly when the time came for her friend to leave Camelot. “I will miss you when you return home.” Caitrin said rather sweetly, “I can not ever imagine leaving Camelot now I have lived here for a few years. I certainly do not want to return to Mercia.” It wasn’t so much that she hated her home land so much, she just hated the family which resided there. She got on with her Uncle and cousin a lot more than she ever had done with her immediate family in the whole of her life.

Caitrin, in the back of her mind, knew that she was already quite far in her courtship with Griff. He just made her happy, and she was sure she made him happy in return so they were just going along with it and seeing where they ended up. In her more romantic moments, she hoped that Griff would ask her for her hand someday soon. “I am sure it will not be too long until I am going by another name.” She grinned softly, she had once imagined signing her name as Caitrin Aubert, and it just made her excited in a way. Caitrin flushed slightly as Yassia said that she believed Caitrin was well on her way to being completely in love, she hadn’t thought her feelings for him were that overt but clearly she was not as good at masking her emotions as she thought she was. “I think I am too far gone to stop myself falling completely one day.” She mused softly, and let out a wide smile and ran a hand through her hair. Griff was certainly deserving of her affections, she just loved being with him, and she never wanted that time to end.

The shock which Yassia showed as Caitrin announced that she too was well practised in herblore made her laugh somewhat. It was not exactly conventional for a woman of standing to know about herbs and how to heal others, but then again neither was it normal for that same woman to be a sorceress. Caitrin wished she did not have to hide her gifts, but she had gone so long now without using her magic in public that she was almost used to the restrictions in a way. “My nurse in Mercia taught me herb lore, as well as many other things.” She smiled softly, Helgund had been an incredibly learned woman; she had been the one who had brought Caitrin up to become a sorceress. Sometimes Caitrin wondered what her life would be like if Helgund had lived longer than she had done, perhaps her magic would have become stronger, perhaps she would still be in Mercia. Who knew? Caitrin laughed at Yassia’s later words but nodded all the same, “Yes, that would probably be wise.” Some healing methods of course were quite gruesome in their deliverance and certainly were not to be discussed over a meal.

Caitrin felt nothing but sympathy for Yassia straight away as she told her that she had run into some trouble with a neighbouring kingdom. She could not imagine anyone meeting Yassia and wanting to cause her harm, but Caitrin knew there were those in the world who cared for nothing but themselves. She’d met enough people like that to know the world was indeed quite a dark place because of a few people tainting it. One man crossed to mind, but she wouldn’t bring up her own self pity now, after all, what comfort would that bring to her friend? She shifted herself so that she was leaning a bit closer to Yassia, she had noticed the young woman’s voice drop slightly as she had spoken of that Prince.

Caitrin shook her head at Yassia’s comment and smiled softly at her friend and felt slightly awkward for a moment. She knew this must be distressing for Yassia, but she felt something niggling in the back of her head as she had spoken about a ruthless Prince. Of course Caitrin had only ever come across one Prince who truly was the most ruthless and uncaring man to ever make her acquaintance. This couldn’t be the same man however could it? No, now that would be too much of a coincidence wouldn’t it? “I take it this Prince was not Arthur.” She joked lightly and winked at her friend to show that she was indeed joking. It also opened up the conversation so that Yassia could tell her who the Prince was, or not. Though she did hope she revealed his name as Caitrin was incredibly curious.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Caitrin’s words seemed to simply warm Yassia’s heart. It felt wonderful to be accepted somewhere even though it was not where you belonged. Even though they had only truly got to know each other now, Yassia already found herself wishing she could take someone like Caitrin back with her. In comparison to her, all the ladies she had grown up with seemed bleak and shallow. You could prattle on with them about inanities, but could you truly, in all honesty call them her friends? The answer was simple: no. How peculiar that you should have to travel so far to find out the things that were missing in your life. But that, her old nursemaid once had said, was the purpose of travelling after all: the learn new things, maybe not even only about the world, but also about yourself.
”You are truly blessed to be able to stay in a wonderful place such as Camelot”, she assured Caitrin, returning the sweet smile. “And I’ll be sure to miss you the most! I really wish Ailantha wasn’t so far away.”

Yassia found Caitrin’s excitement rather sweet and contagious. That was also something she hadn’t done much, giggling about someone’s love interest, imagining the other to be married or even making plans for such a time. It was, to put it in a nutshell, the simple ways of a female friendship she was now experiencing in its most beautiful colors, and Yassia thought she could consider herself blessed indeed to having had hit it off with Caitrin quite so well from the start. Who would have knowns, truly, that they would be so similar after all?
”I don’t even know what to wish for now”, she confessed with a little weary smile, “that I will still be here to witness your grand day or not, because I would love to be there on that special day of yours, but that would also mean my plea had not been granted for a while.” Then a mischievous grin spread over her face and she chased away all dark thoughts from her mind. “There is one simple solution though: Tell Griflet to hurry the hell up so your friend from faraway lands can witness your wedding!”

A fond smile played around Yassia’s lips as she listened to Caitrin’s story. “Ah, our nurses”, she said with a little sigh, leaning back a little after she had devoured the last drops of the delicious herb soup. “Mine has taught me so much I only begin to realize now. She is such a strong woman, yet kind and considerate. She was almost a little like an elder sister to my mother when she came first to Ailantha as a frightened teenage girl. And I am sure Susanna will still hold down the fort for me while I am away to seek help here. I would trust her with my life and more.”
Something however, maybe the way Caitrin talked about her own nursemaid, made Yassia think she might not be alive anymore, and that thought made her sad. Your nurse could sometimes be more of a mother than your real mother, and when she was gone, an important part of you died as well.

The pictures were more vivid in Yassia’s mind now, even though she tried her hardest to force them back, and they sent a chilling spell over the wonderful evening. Vortigern’s sneering face was the first to appear, illuminated by flickering torch light. She almost felt transferred back into that time, those horrifying days and nights in the dark, where she had felt torn in an inextricable dilemma: Hoping that he would come back and not leave her to rot and die… and at the same time hoping he would not come… and make her existance a living hell.
Yassia swallowed sharply and forced her mind on the present again, just in time to witness Caitrin’s joke about Arthur. It actually made her draw up one corner of her mouth in a half-smile, before she answered.
”Oh no, bless Arthur, of course it was not him! I could think of no prince in the world that could be further away from this gruesome mind than Arthur. This all happened in a country called Sorelia. And the man’s name was…” again she had to shudder involuntarily, too many horrible things were now forever linked with his name: “…Vortigern.”

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin, having been to only two kingdoms in all her days, found a smile pressing on her lips. She certainly wanted to see her friend once she returned to her home lands, and she was sure that she would one way or another. “I shall have to come and make the journey to Ailantha one day, after listening to you speak of it I must confess I am itching to see it.” She knew that it would be a long journey to visit her friend in her homeland, but Yassia already struck her as the kind of person who would be worth making such a journey. She could always persuade Griff to accompany her on the journey anyway, that would certainly be interesting.

A rather girlish and amused smile pursed Caitrin’s lips as Yassia spoke of witnessing her wedding. “He hasn’t even proposed yet.” She giggled, she really did hope that he did ask her soon. She wanted that commitment to each other to just be there, to settle her mind. She knew that he wouldn’t leave her, but she just wanted to be completely sure. Caitrin imagined telling Griff to hurry up because Yassia had said to, he would certainly be incredibly confused to say the least. She giggled again, she usually wasn’t like this, but she was rarely in intimate female company so she was allowed to let her hair down for the time being. “I am sure he will ask me soon, and if not, you have my permission to poke him about the subject yourself.” Now that would be an interesting conversation.

It seemed as if Yassia’s nurse had played quite a similar role to Helgund had played to Caitrin. Helgund had been basically like a mother to her, she had taught her how to control her temper, her sorcery and herblore, and had even tutored her in the ways of courting and the ways of the court. All these things had helped her enormously when she had moved to Camelot, yet her nurse would never know just how much she helped the little girl she had been employed to work with. Although Caitrin had never admitted it to her family, she had cried more when Helgund had died than when her own mother had, as they were in quick succession of each other. “Helgund, my nurse, was like a mother to me. She was an incredibly brave woman, and I cared a lot about her.”

As Yassia revealed the name of the Prince Caitrin’s eyes just widened and she fixed them on Yassia for a moment. She could not be serious? Surely? The mere mention of the mans name sent shivers up her spine, he was certainly one of the most vile people she had ever had the misfortune of coming across in her entire life. That man had caused her so much grief, and had scarred her in unimaginable ways. She cleared her throat softly, “That man is vile.” She confirmed to her friend. If she never saw Vortigern again it would be too soon. To think she could have been carrying his child just made her feel ill. “He should not be entrusted to be Prince of anything.” She felt sick as everything that man had done to her came flooding back into the forefront of her mind. Caitrin had tried to repress the memories, almost pretend like it hadn’t happened because surely no one would understand what she had gone through during their time together. No, she had never entrusted anyone with that information, not even Griff.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

The idea of Caitrin coming to Ailantha one day was truly a wonderful one, and Yassia’ mind exploded with possible scenarios and plans. She knew of course that the journey would be long, but with better directions than she had had and also faster means of travel, Caitrin could make the trip far better and safer than Yassia. It was maybe a little out of the ordinary, but it was not unthinkable! It would need some serious planning and Caitrin also had to be well-guarded as many roads were anything but safe, but it could be done!
”Oh, Caitrin, how wonderful would that be!” Yassua exclaimed, her eyes gleaming. “I could show you where I grew up, the palace, the plains, everything! It’s not much to look at, but even having you there would make things so much better! It would ease my heart to know that our departure would not be a ‘goodbye’ but a ‘see you soon’!”

As Caitrin suggested Yassia should interfere and tell Griff to hurry up, Yassia couldn’t quite surpress a giggle herself. How funny that would be indeed! Just imagining his face – as far as she could imagine it without having seen him yet – made a wide grin appear on her face. “You shouldn’t give me permission to such things, Caitrin”, she teased with a quick wink, “because I am known to exploit them to my utmost advantage. Poor Griff might soon think me his personal poltergeist, popping up behind him randomly to shout ‘Propose to Caitrin already!!!’, not minding his company or the state he is in.” Of course it was all in joke, Yassia cared far too much for social conventions to ever considering doing such a ridiculous thing. That didn’t mean though she couldn’t joke about it or at least envision it in her mind for the sheer fun of it all. Poor Griff indeed. Being pestered by one woman might be bad enough, but by two? And someone totally unrelated to the subject in question to boot?

From Caitrin’s choice of words, Yassia now really gathered that her nurse must be dead. How sad, indeed! Well, for all Yassia knew Susannah could be gone from the living as well, in the time she had been away, it was a few months after all, and she was old. But no, she would not think of any more deaths of loved ones now, the subject was clearly too depressing!
”I am sorry, dear. So she is no longer with us? What a horrible loss indeed! And don’t we all just realize later what we have had in the ones we lose? Sometimes even too late…” Oh yes, Yassia knew what she was talking about. Half of her life she had taken her stepbrother Mircea for granted, as he had always been there for her. Now it was her fault he was assumedly and almost certainly dead. And she missed him so dearly, his advice, his gruff caring… simply everything about him.

As she had forced herself to speak about Vortigern, Yassia’s fingers had toyed with her spoon, simply to keep her hands occupied and hide how much they were actually shaking. Now she heard Caitrin’s words, her hands suddenly got limp with shock and the spoon clattered noisily back into the plate.
”You… what?!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide, and half rising up from her seat. “Did you… did you just indicate you know Vortigern? How…? When…?”
It seemed too much to wrap your head around for the moment, but Yassia tried to process it with all her mind. First came panic. If Caitrin had met Vortigern, did that mean he was closer than she had thought he would be? Had he followed her maybe? Trying to disobey his father again, bringing her back to… to do whatever…? Was he maybe even HERE in Camelot?
But slowly her mind also registered the consequences of what Caitrin had said. Horrible consequences, not for her but for her friend. And with that came anger, simmering anger. The thought of what brutal and total moralless Vortigern could have done to sweet Caitrin made her sick with ire and revulsion.

”What did he do to you…?” she asked, her voice no more than a hiss, both that and the hands she now openly clenched on the tabletop giving away her rage.