An Extended Welcome (Yassia)

[Aoife de Archer]

It was quite a cold morning in the north, but it wasn’t anything that Aoife wasn’t used to. Her father had gone to the centre of Mercia for the time being, and had left her in charge until he returned later that evening. She was already relishing in the challenge somewhat, and she was enjoying it no end. Her mother had gone with her father, so it was like she was the Lady of the house, despite her age. Though she liked it for the moment, she wasn’t sure she would be able to do this all the time. She quite liked it on the temporary basis though. She was skipping through the manor at the moment, trying to ignore her two younger siblings, they were annoying and childish anyway.

Aoife looked quite pleased with herself that morning. She was wearing a dress which she had stitched herself, with a pretty little design, and she was taking great care to make sure practically everyone in the manor knew that. Well, it was important they all knew that she was learning quickly, and that she did have something more about her than pretty looks. In a few years time who knew, she could be commanding her own household, she’d love that. Not for a few years though, for the meantime she just wanted to be left alone with her needlework and her books.

She decided to take a stroll outside, mainly because that sounded like an incredibly mature thing to say really. Then when her parents got home she could sound like she had actually done something with her morning rather than just saying she’d gone around bragging about her needlework. It wasn’t exactly very ladylike was it? So she went out into the gardens of her father’s manor. They were beautiful, despite the cold, and she realised she could be very happy in a place like this when she was married and older. She walked round the gardens and eventually ended up near the stables. Her horse was being groomed so she nodded to the stable-hand who was performing the task, and leant up against the wall of the stable. She might feel like she was being mature, but she just felt bored at the moment. She just wanted something, anything to happen.

Tags: Yassia
Timeline: Series 3-4 gap
Time of Day: Morning
Location: Bryce de Archer's estate in Northern Mercia

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia was giving herself fully to the soothing rhythm of the horsehooves on the ground and the gentle movements of the mount beneath her, inhaling the fresh, crisp morning air. So much had been happening the last few days, with the day before yesterday forming the clear and shocking climax. Edmund had asked for her hand in marriage, and she had nearly fled the kingdom in a futile attempt to escape what had been the rock bottom of her life to hit. She had felt so betrayed, so helpless… and just at her lowest point, everything had turned out better than she ever would have imagined it to be. How could she have been so blind, so proud not to see what had always been in front of her very eyes? But no, everything was good now, she needn’t worry anymore. Maybe that was the scary thing, the one thing that had made her want to ride out in the early morning, even though she should have liked to stay in bed for a little while longer. Worry had been such a big part of her life, having it gone all of a sudden, with all problems solved to perfection… it was the most peculiar feeling. Like she was only dreaming and could wake up any second.

Had Oliver really told her he loved her? Had the council really agreed to consider sending Mercian men with her to Ailantha? Had Oliver and her really – she smiled and ducked deeper over the horse’s neck, urging it into a gallop. Suddenly, she was so overcome with happiness and glee she couldn’t go slower than that or she would burst. Oh how she wished she could fly! Or scream her happiness out into the world so everyone would hear it, even her people in Ailantha. I’m coming home! She would cry. And I’m bringing my love with me! Everything will be alright! YOU will be alright! You don’t have to suffer under Guifré any longer!
But of course, she was still a princess, soon to be queen, and she couldn’t let go of her countenance like that, no matter how happy she was. The gallop would have to do.

She was drawn from her thoughts when suddenly the sure steps of her mount seemed to falter. Pulling on the reins, Yassia slowed down the speed considerably, but the faltering did not cease, it even turned into a slight limping. Making a sound half way between a snort and a chuckle, Yassia dismounted. Nothing could stay perfect for long it seemed, at least not in her life. Examining her horse hooves, she realized it had lost a shoe. That would not have been so bad, if it didn’t have any shoes at all, but now there was a difference in height for the legs, small as it was, and in the long run it would damage the sinews, if she carried on riding it. Sighing, Yassia craned her neck to see if there was any village nearby. Wasn’t there smoke visible through the trees up ahead. She took the reins and guided the mare on the path, following it until she reached what looked like a little manor. If she was lucky, they might have a smithy on their grounds, which was able to fix the horseshoe.

Walking into the courtyard, she spotted some people near a building that could well be the stables, and directed her steps towards them. “Excuse me?” she called out. “Can I ask for your help? My horse lost a shoe.”

[Aoife de Archer]

This day wasn’t really getting any more interesting for Aoife. Why was being a grown up so boring anyway? Well, it wasn’t being a grown up, it was being in-between a child and a grown up which was so hard. As a child she’d just been left to her own devices, but she hadn’t been expected to be mature then, so no one had cared what she got up to. Now she was a teenager though, she was expected to be mature, but everyone still treated her like a child. She knew girls younger than her who were married, yet Aoife was still stuck here in the middle of Mercia with absolutely nothing to do. Life wasn’t fair, and that much, Aoife knew was true.

She sighed again, hoping if she sighed loud enough then one of the stable hands would stop and ask her what was wrong. Maybe it would even start off a conversation, for now though everyone seemed intently focussed on their tasks which was annoying. Her father had told them all he wanted all their jobs doing before he got back, and her father could sometimes be quite terrifying. Of course he never scared Aoife, but he’d heard some of the servants say that they wouldn’t cross him, so she supposed he must be scary in some respects. Aoife liked that, her father said that the servants worked more because they respected him, but was being scared of you and respect the same thing? Her grandfather thought so, but Aoife wasn’t sure. Then again, no one was scared of her, but no one paid her any attention either so maybe her father was right. It was hard for men to be scared of girls though, and she was probably fighting a losing battle even just thinking about it.

Sighing again, Aoife pushed herself off the wall she had been leaning against and walked over to her mare. Her father had said she couldn’t ride out today, which was another reason she was bored out of her mind. He liked to take her himself, or have one of his guards ride out with her. He’d taken the guards with him, so there was no one to take her. If he was going to stop her from riding he could have at least left her something interesting to do. Maybe he’d bring her back some fabrics or ribbons for a new dress or something like that. Aoife often got presents from her parents, they bought her things when they went to the City of Mercia, so perhaps this time would be no exception.

Hearing the gentle patter of hooves against the ground, Aoife walked out of the stables, her parents weren’t expected back until this evening, but she wasn’t complaining if they’d decided to come back earlier. After all, this was an incredibly boring day overall. As she reached the source of the sound, she saw it wasn’t her parents, but a tall, dark haired woman. Aoife blinked a few times but listened to the woman nonetheless. She wasn’t sure what to do, were they supposed to offer such custom to those they didn’t know. The woman didn’t even sound like she was from around here. One of the older servants had stepped up to Aoife and whispered in her ear, “We should invite the Lady in, My Lady, your father would expect such custom.” The man himself had a suspicion this was the Lady that everyone had been talking about, the one from across the seas. Aoife nodded,

“Yes, yes, I was going to anyway.” She brushed the man and stepped up to the woman, “My father’s men will take your horse within, and make sure that it is fit for you to ride.” Erm, now what? Did she invite the Lady in? “Would you like to wait with me while my servants do their work?”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

When she was approaching the two figures, Yassia didn’t quite know what to expect, and that made her slightly nervous. It wasn’t like she had come to know the Mercian people as unfriendly or anything, on the contrary even, but still, it was one thing to be greeted at a formal reception and something completely else to burst in somehwere and ask for help. It reminded Yassia somehow of those embarassing times, when she had been at her lowest and forced to beg for a crumb of bread or anything else that could fill her starved belly. But no, this was different of course, she needn’t worry so much. Now there was no mistaking her wealth, visible in her horse, her clothes and the way she was able to hold herself, no one would ever suspect her for begging and chase her away like a dog.The closer she got, the better could she make out details from the two figures she had been addressing, The older, a man, clearly seemed to be some stable lad or head groom, as he was caring for one of the horses and some other servants who were around seemed to follow his command. Then there was that young girl. At first, Yassia had taken her for another servant, maybe helping out her father with the horses, but the first thing Yassia noticed was that she wasn’t actually doing anything, she just leaned against the wall and watched, or now pushed away from it to approach her. That was not the usual demeanor of servants, and also her clothes did suggest that she was anything but a serving girl. A younger daughter of the house then? Her ginger hair made Yassia wonder if she was dealing with one of the wider branches of the de Archer family, but maybe that would be too much of a coincidence?

In any way, she needed to take initiative now, or at least wait how her request was being taken. What she had registered subconsciously was the lack of guards on the whole grounds, and when the girl approached her, Yassia began to think that she was the only one of her family greeting her. Suppressing a smile, she watched as the little lady was being aided by the servant in her representative duties. Yassia rememebered all too well how she had felt at that girl’s age, having to play the host for guests. It had gotten worse after her mother had died, but then at leasr Yassia had been fifteen and a little more versed in the complications of court life. The most important thing, she decided, was giving this little lady the impression that she was being taken at face value. So, in response, Yassia bowed her head and smiled at the girl.

”If that could be arranged for, I would be most grateful. And if I am not being a disturbance to you, I would gladly accept your company meanwhile.” After a short moment of consideration she added. “And you must forgive me my thoughtlessness for not introducing myself right away. I am the Princess Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha. Who do I have the pleasure of meeting?” Of course the young girl had been at least as thoughtless in not providing her with the name of the manor and its owner, but it was always better to take the blame for yourself and therefore give a subtle hint, instead of correcting someone openly on their manners, especially one so young.

[Aoife de Archer]

Aoife couldn’t remember if she’d received guests before on her own. She was sure she would have remembered such an important occasion but alas, she doubted that she had. Her mother and father had always been here to do it for her, and she had just had to say her words in the right place, look pretty and curtsey. She didn’t mind of course, but it might have been nice if they had prepared her for such a moment. It was incredibly irritating that she felt so unprepared, and it was all her parents fault of course. The woman looked like she was of high birth, so she knew it was right that she had decided to invite her in. She couldn’t just let a lady of high birth go around with a lame horse. It struck Aoife as odd that the woman didn’t have an escort with her. Didn’t she know how dangerous the Mercian roads were? Aoife was never allowed out without her fathers men there to protect her, and it had always been that way. Why would she want to put her neck on the line by running off unattended anyway? It was just silly, everyone had heard of misfortune befalling those on the roads, but it didn’t scare Aoife because she knew she was always safe. It was an arrogant thought, but Aoife was an arrogant person in many ways.

She didn’t flush, but she wanted to half smack the woman in the face, not because she hated her, but because she had pointed out where Aoife had gone wrong with her introductions. It could have been the woman asking a simple and innocent question, but to Aoife it just showed her where she had gone wrong. She pressed her lips together, keeping her temper in check. How had she forgotten to introduce herself and the manor? Of all the things to forget! She had been pleasant, and kind, but still she had got it wrong in some sense. She had to get over this though, however, it was childish to hold grudges and to remain angry, and Aoife wasn’t a child. No, she was on the verge of womanhood, and everyone had to know that. “My name is Lady Aoife de Archer, it is a pleasure to meet you princess.” She had never heard of Ailantha, and it sounded just weird. She couldn’t voice that of course because it would show she was uneducated in that sense. Perhaps she should have paid more attention to her tutor. Then again, she had only ever been taught about Mercia, and a little about the other kingdoms. Why would she have to learn about them, it wasn’t as if she was ever going to have to leave Mercia was it? “This is my father, Lord Bryce de Archer’s manor.” She explained as she began to lead the woman inside. A servant had already stepped up to take the woman’s horse inside so he could be re-shoed.

Now, what did noblewomen like to talk about? When Aoife was at court with her friends she liked to talk about all the young knights, and how gallant they looked in their armour. They also just spoke about needlework, and who had the best dresses, and who was the most talented embroider. She doubted this woman would find any of that interesting though, so she was a loss of what to do. Eventually she led Yassia to the solar, because she had no idea where else to sit. It was nice enough in there anyway. “My servants will return when your horse is seen to.” She said rather quickly, “Would you like a drink while you wait?” Would she want wine? Aoife didn’t know where they kept the wine, “Forgive me, but I have never heard of, erm, Ailantha?”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

A de Archer, as sure as the morning followed the night! Yassia couldn’t help the bright smile that blossomed on her face when the young girl, Aoife apparently, confirmed her previous suspicion that she was indeed a relative of Caitrin’s, though by which degree, she could not make out for the life of her. She hadn’t exactly asked Caitrin for a detailed family tree whenever they had actually talked about her relatives. Maybe this Lord Bryce was one of Caitrin’s older siblings? Or he might just be a cousin, in the end it didn’t really matter. Yassia just felt elated at the thought of meeting yet another member of the de Archer family, just because her bond of friendship with Caitrin was so strong. And well, maybe it was also her current situation that made her easily excited about virtually everything. Even if Aoife had not been a little de Archer lady, Yassia would have probably felt happy to meet her. What a blessing it turned out to be, not a curse that her horse had lost its shoe! Like this, she would meet a few more of Oliver’s people before they had to leave, and in considerably casual surroundings as well, not so formal, like it would be on the wedding. The wedding… sweet stars, how her heart started to flutter at the mere thought. Before they left for Ailantha, there would be a first official wedding for them in Mercia, after their traditions, since Lady Adelaide was not willing to let them leave without their bond being firmly secured first. Well, Yassia could not blame her, really, every mother wanted to be present at her child’s wedding!

Too late she realized she had been spacing out yet again, and Yassia hoped not too much time had passed since the Lady Aoife’s words and her reaction. She honestly could not tell. Letting the smile linger on her face, she said: “I’m delighted to meet another member of the de Archer family. Do you know the Lady Caitrin de Archer? I’m not sure what your relation to her would be, but she’s been the best friend to me I could have ever wish for. I owe her a great deal.” Maybe this was not the time or the place to take up the cudgels for Caitrin with her estranged family, but Yassia merely didn’t care. She meant every word like she said it, and Caitrin deserved to be praised, even in her absence. “Are your parents away?” she inquired curiously, as still no one had been forthcoming to take the responsibility of hostess from the girl. “I am sorry to intrude at such a time, but I know myself in good hands with you!”

She was led into a rather tasteful solar and situated herself on one of the cushioned chairs. Smiling, she waved her hand dismissively as the young hostess offered her refreshments. “No no, I am fine. Please don’t work yourself in circumstances because of me, I had a drink shortly before I ventured on my ride.” Then she leant back a little, making herself at home, and bit her lip to not chuckle about Aoife’s casually curious question. She had expected something like that sooner or later, no doubt of it, and she didn’t mind the girl asking. She knew she would have done the same thing, had she been in Aoife’s shoes. Getting visitors was always exciting, and even more so when it were such… alien visitors. Yassia didn’t know what news had spread or how far, so she had no idea if anyone outside the castle knew more about her than that she was apparently a guest.
”Don’t worry, it is so far away from here that it is no shame never having heard of it”, she reassured Aoife, then continued to explain: “It is a small kingdom between huge mountains, far away south on the continent. It took me about two months to get to Albion, but then I also lost my way quite often.”

[Aoife de Archer]

Aoife felt a little strange as the woman started smiling at her. Not that she wasn’t allowed to smile or anything, but it was a curious sort of smile, like she knew something Aoife didn’t. She really hoped that this woman hadn’t been sent as a test from her father or something like that. Why would she be being tested anyway? Aoife knew her hosting skills were getting better, practically everyone told her that anyway. One day she would have a fantastically lively household with children and a loving, noble husband. Aoife was quite content with thinking that was going to be the rest of her life, because it was her life and no one else’s so she didn’t care about what others thought of it really. The woman still made Aoife curious though, she didn’t know much about the lands beyond Albion, she’d never really paid much attention in her lessons, well, she’d learnt all the impressive things like cultures and needlework, but in terms of geography, well, she just about knew the borders of Mercia and even that was at a push.

Well, it didn’t take long for Yassia to indulge Aoife with exactly why she looked and was acting so sure of herself. She almost resisted the urge to groan, it seemed that most people seemed to know her Auntie Caitrin. It was strange, as Aoife had never met the woman, and yet she had heard so much about her that she felt al that she was missing was a face to put to all this information. It was well known the de Archer family weren’t a close knit family, and the woman in question was in Camelot at the moment wasn’t she? That was what Richard had told her all that time ago. “She’s my auntie.” Aoife said with a smile and brushed some hair behind her ear, “But I have never met her.” Aoife wasn’t sure whether she wanted to meet her or not, she had heard many different things about her Aunt, some were completely shocking, others less so. Her father didn’t like his youngest sister very much, and he never had a kind word to say about her, “What is she like?” It was a broad question, but hopefully one which would be answered better than it had in the past.

Aoife nodded and shifted in her seat, “My parents have gone to the Mercian markets.” She had no idea what business they had there, but her parents liked time on their own sometimes, and Aoife was always told that she should respect that privacy and just accept it. Aoife felt like they still treated her like a child all of the time. She was practically a woman and yet no one would treat her like it. Was she supposed to be offended that Yassia had declined the drink? She wasn’t quite sure what to do, “Oh, are you sure? It is no trouble.” That was polite enough wasn’t it? She wished her parents let her do this more often, that way she would be able to do everything with much more confidence.

The fact that Yassia had come so far by herself was positively shocking to Aoife, who couldn’t imagine going further than the family estate without an escourt. She blinked a few times, wondering if Yassia was jesting with her. When she saw she was not, she just sat back in her seat and nodded, “It must have been hard to find your way.” She had no idea how you would navigate yourself, “So, did you come straight to Mercia?”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

How curious life could work out sometimes, Yassia wondered mildly as she was letting her gaze wander across the room. If her horse hadn’t lost a shoe, she would have never stopped at this manor, and so she would have never met this already impressing young lady who held herself with so much childlike sincerity and the beginning of ladylike poise already at the same time. And a de Archer no less! It might be a long shot and only wishful thinking, but now Yassia knew what family that girl belonged to, she thought she might detect a few more special ‘de Archer’ signs about her. Of course, she had only Caitrin as a comparison, and Caitrin was unique in so many ways, but then apart from the red hair, there was also this air of confidence about her, this ability to adapt to the most unusual situation with maybe not ease, but at least enough poise to make it seem like she could handle it all. If that was a de Archer trait, then this family was certainly blessed, for Yassia often feared she was lacking this especially important skills always when it mattered most.

It made sense that Aoife had never met Caitrin, after all she had been gone for a few years from Mercia, and her bond with her family had never been that particularly strong, at least those were the vibes Yassia had been getting on numerous occasions when they HAD actually been talking about her family. They weren’t mentioned often, and Caitrin was as much an independent person as she was now firmly connected to Griff. As far as Yassia could tell, apart from her brother Jeremy she had avoided contact with her family even though she was coming to Mercia for a visit after quite some time. But then, these were Caitrin’s affairs and while Yassia was her friend, she knew when she was not allowed to meddle.
The question she answered gladly though, and the warm and fond smile never left her lips when she explained: “Caitrin has a heart of gold, but she can be headstrong as well. She is very independent, and will almost always speak her mind. The Camelotian society loves her though, and she deals with being a center of attention like it was nothing. I deeply admire her for her confidence. She’s the best friend you could wish for, and I’m sure if you two ever meet, you will have great fun with each other.”

Yassia nodded with a smile at the mentioning of the Mercian markets. That was one place she still liked to visit before she left. Markets had always worked some kind of spell on her, even if the mass of vendors and vendees, the noise and the different smells could also be very intimidating. She liked a taster of it, but she could never stay in such a crowded place for too long, that just wasn’t her. “I’ll have to go there myself before I leave. I’ve heard much about those markets. And really, it’s fine. Thank you for the offer, I’ll tell you right away if thirst gets the better of me, I promise.”

It was the first time her story had elicited such a stark reaction from anyone, but then, she had also never told this to someone who was closer to be a child still than an adult. Adults just had a more… confined way to deal with things, they were less excitable. “It was, but on every ill-meaning person came five nice ones that helped me out. I have been very lucky indeed and in the end I made it to my destination unscathed.” Then she shook her head, realizing she had not been making herself clear enough. “Oh no, I went to Camelot first. I have an uncle there, my mother’s brother”, another smile worked herself over her lips, looking at it in hidnsight, her story really sounded like a fairytale. “It is a long story, but my mother was a Camelotian lady who got abducted and ended up where I grew up. So I still had family in Camelot, and I stayed there for a year, waiting to be helped out. Well and then… the invitation to Mercia came.”

[Aoife de Archer]

Aoife wished so much now that she had known more of noblemen and women by herself, without her parents looking over her shoulder all the time. Of course there had been Richard, but that had only been the once, and it was only because she had been trying to annoy him. This was completely different. Aoife was trying to impress this princess, and make it seem like she was the perfect little noblewoman. It was all Aoife ever wanted, to appear like she was simply the image of perfection. She really did want to just make her family proud. She had seen what happened to those who displeased her family, after all, her father had once told her that her Aunt Caitrin had displeased their father, which was why she had been sent to Camelot. Aoife couldn’t imagine living somewhere else other than Mercia. This was all she knew. She wondered if her Aunt wanted to come back to Mercia. She couldn’t see how she could not want to, after all, Mercia was the home of the de Archers. It was where their ancestors were laid to rest, and where their children should be born. Anyone with in the family knew that.

Aoife had heard different things about Camelot, some said that a tyrant held the throne, others boasted of its thriving economy and courts. She wasn’t quite sure what to believe. Perhaps if she were more adventurous or daring she would have declared to visit the kingdom someday, but she was quite content to just stay here in Mercia, as it was all she knew and it was all she wanted to know. Perhaps her Aunt did like it there though, if she was the centre of the courts, or so to speak. Aoife felt a pang of jealousy, she would have loved to be at the centre of the Mercian courts, with everyone’s eyes upon her. Her aunt seemed quite different to how her father had painted her. But she did remember something her father had heard, “But she is betrothed, isn’t she?” Aoife asked almost cautiously. She hardly ever heard things about her extended family. Her interests hardly ever ran past this house. “I have heard she is quite headstrong and stubborn.” Of course she wasn’t going to name her father in that accusation, even Aoife was smarter than that, “but it is good to know she is a good friend.” Aoife wondered if, because Yassia was foreign, traits like being stubborn were seen as a good thing, rather than something to be squashed out of a young woman.

The markets were something Aoife could enthuse about for most of the day. She really did love them, but that was probably the reason her parents left her at home when they journeyed to them, to stop her spending all their coin. The fabrics, and silks and ribbons that were showcased at the markets were just divine, and Aoife wanted all of them. She did love stitching, and making her dresses. It made her feel accomplished somewhat. “You should visit them, they are some of the best in Albion.” She declared proudly, and settled to nod as the woman told her that she would let her know if she was thirsty. Short of forcing the drink down the woman’s throat there wasn’t much more she could do.

It sounded like quite a long and complicated story, but Aoife nodded and got the gist of what Yassia was saying. She couldn’t imagine travelling so far away on ones own, it was simply scandalous, and Aoife did well to hide her surprise at the woman’s words. She thought that Yassia must be very brave or very stupid to come such a long way on her own. Perhaps a bit of both. “It must have been terrifying to come such a long way on your own.” Aoife would have been scared, that much was true, “How are you liking Mercia though, my Lady?”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia wondered what exactly this young lady would know about Caitrin, and what her Mercian family thought about her. It might be interesting to compare the view Yassia herself had on her friend with the one her family might had. None of this, though, she would tell to Caitrin of course, as she one: would not betray Aoife’s confidence and two: would not want to intrude into family affairs. Caitrin didn’t seem on best terms with her family anyway, and so it wouldn’t do to widen the gap even more. But then, who knew? Maybe the view they had on Caitrin was better than expected? Time would have to tell, but Yassia would also not press the issue, if Aoife proved to be diplomatic about it. But then, she was a child still, and children were often far more honest about things they had heard, without seeing all too much need for discretion. How much of a lady would Aoife yet be?
“Yes indeed, she is betrothed”, Yassia agreed with a fond smile, being so glad about her friend’s luck in finding what could only be described as her other half. “To a man named Griff Aubert, he’s from the south of Albion, and he’s just the man for her.”


She couldn’t help but give a short laugh at Aoife’s so innocent-cautiously put but very apt description of Caitrin de Archer. Headstrong and stubborn, oh yes, that was Caitrin, even though Yassia might not have put it that harshly. She might have used more diplomatic words, like ‘decisive’ and ‘wilful’, as she certainly knew what she wanted and usually also knew the ways how to get it. Yassia often admired her friend for that sureness, even though she had seen her in a very vulnerable moment recently. “Oh, well, she might be a bit different from other ladies I know, and she knows what she wants to be in life and which way she does not want to go, and can be very persistent about that”, Yassia said and winked at the young lady. “If that is another definition of headstrong, I might agree with you there. But it is not the worst thing to have a plan for your life that might seem a little off the beaten track. I am sure a few people in MY homeland might also call me headstrong and stubborn, and me being here could be seen as the perfect proof of that fact.” Fondly, she remembered a certain conversation between Caitrin and herself, when they had made the slightly silly vow to rather die before they would resort to topics such as needlework and embroidery as a talking subject.

Tips from locals often were worth gold, Yassia had learned that on her travels quite a lot, even though she had not been exactly out for doing sightseeing along the track she had to take, but tips were also important for dangers you might run into – even though she had often not listened to them. One of these moments of not listening had brought her together with Oliver… and once again he had sneaked his way into her thoughts in the most peculiar moment, and brought a fey smile to her face. She would definitely visit the markets of Mercia, but she would not do it alone. She wouldn’t have to do anything alone anymore, if she didn’t want it.
“If you say they are great, then I shall definitely have to check them out”, she remarked. “Thank you very much, Lady Aoife. Maybe there I can also get what I need for my journey back, it shall be a bit… more complex than my journey here, with also a few more people to consider.” She didn’t want to elaborate too much on that topic, since she didn’t know how far the news of her betrothal to Oliver and all that it would entail had spread yet.

Nodding thoughtfully, Yassia thought back on a few events on her journey when she really had been scared for her life. On the boat during the crossing of the channel… in Vortigern’s claws… during her forcedly prolonged stay in Escetia… on two of these occasions she had been on her own, and the other she had come out of alone. “Sometimes it was… but sometimes you encounter miracles when you are on your own, miracles you would never see if you were not alone. So in hindsight I really can’t complain. And Mercia…” Yassia took a moment to give this question her full attention and not answer with a simple courtly pleasantry. “It is very different from the countries I have seen so far, but then I’ve never been so far north. But there is a slight melancholy about it that I find completely charming. I will certainly keep it in good memory. And the people are for sure very welcoming.”

[Aoife de Archer]

Aoife was not quite sure how she felt about this meeting yet. Was it even going that well? She hoped so, and perhaps if her parents saw how grown up she was, and how she could handle herself perfectly well on her own then they would allow her a little more freedom, and they wouldn’t think she had to stay at home all the time, and that she could go to court on her own. She was so much more grown up than anyone thought, and she wished they could all see it. Instead she was just left at home with her brother and sister, who were too old to be cute, and too young to speak to and play with. If Aoife was a more bothered by all of this she might even go as far to describe herself as lonely, but no, she was fine. She was fine. It was easier to focus on the princesses words, so she just nodded along. So her aunt was betrothed, she wasn’t quite sure why it interested her this much, but perhaps it was just because her Aunt Caitrin was very rarely spoken off in the de Archer household. It felt a little like she was learning some great big secret which she would now carry round with her. She was surprised though that her Aunt hadn’t picked someone from Mercia, after all, the Mercian men were unequalled by those in the rest of Albion, or at least her parents had told her such. “They sound like a happy match.” Aoife commented airily, not really sure what she wanted to know about them, “Though I doubt my family will be attending the wedding.” Even if her Aunt did invite them, she could only imagine what her father would do to the invite.

So Yassia wasn’t denying that her Aunt was headstrong and stubborn then? Aoife wasn’t sure how to take that. She spoke of situations when such qualities would be advisable to have, but Aoife couldn’t really think of any. After all, she always had someone to protect her, and it would always be that way. Real ladies didn’t have to concern themselves with combat and having to be headstrong enough to make decisions for themselves. “Well, has there been a time when she has found a use for such traits?” Aoife asked curiously, as perhaps that was what the princess had been hinting at. If Yassia had come a long way by herself then that was, Aoife supposed, an ok excuse for having to be a little headstrong, but her Aunt couldn’t have had any experiences close to that?

A small spark of pride found root in Aoife’s thoughts as Yassia addressed her as ‘Lady’ as not many people did that. Many still insisted on using silly childhood nicknames or other such things for her, but she loved being addressed properly because it made her feel more grown up and in control. See, she could do this, and she hadn’t been lying, the markets really were a wonder, they had heard that some men crossed the borders to come to their markets as well, so more must have shared her opinions. “Will you travel with more people this time, Princess?” Aoife asked, almost worried that she might set off on her own again. She hoped she at least intended to take some guards with her, as she had heard some roads could be dangerous and were full of outlaws.

Mercia was truly a different kingdom from the others in Albion, and Aoife guessed even beyond that. Her father had often bragged to her that the strength of the Mercian army was so great that other kingdoms feared it. She was quite proud to be a part of that, and maybe one day she would marry a great knight and have sons to follow in his footsteps. It was a fond little dream, and one Aoife wanted so badly. “There isn’t much north of here.” Aoife commented, as there wasn’t really, “Just a few tribes, but nothing as civilised as in Albion.” Her tutor had told her as much, and Aoife hadn’t seen fit to argue with him as she had nothing to dispute.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia had to suppress a very inappropriate chuckle at the little lady’s words.Oh yes, she had very high doubts that the other members of the de Archer family would attend this wedding. If some had the guts to show up, Caitrin might even be so bold and send them back on their ways. Well, probably not really, but the picture was still highly amusing. Aoife probably didn’t even know much about how bad things seemed to stand between Caitrin and the rest of her family, so she had a very innocent look on the subject. Yassia wouldn’t dare to spoil that view though, she was still a neutral part in all of this and didn’t plan to let go of this position anytime soon. In any open conflict, her loyalties would always be with Caitrin of course, but that thankfully hadn’t happened so far, and it might be better to keep the family in the state it was now: apart. Caitrin seemed happy in Camelot, with Griff and her uncle, so there was no need to change that, right? “I can assure you they are happy indeed, which is a very fortunate incident”, she commented, having to smile at her own words, because she felt the absence of a special afterthought almost physically. Usually, when the subject of love matches came up, Yassia had always been faced with a rather gloomy perspective: Having escaped one horrid match and not seeing any progress on the horizon one way or another. Now she had her love match, which was also the most suitable match she could think of. The stars had favoured her indeed! “And concerning the wedding, I thnk it will take place in Camelot anyway, so your family would have to consider making quite a journey, if they really planned on it.”

Now the Lady Aoife was asking tricky questions indeed, and Yassia had to take a moment to think. Regardless of what she knew about Caitrin to answer these questions, could she really reveal details to someone Caitrin might not approve of? Wasn’t that betraying her confidence in some way? Maybe it was better to stay vague on most things, or claim ignorance? She didn’t know THAT much after all, she only knew that Caitrin had so far pushed through everything that had been thrown her way with remarkable strength.
“There has been a dark time in Camelot recently, where the kingdom was threatened by an evil woman”, Yassia began to explain, suddenly thinking to have found the perfect example. “But because many people, including your aunt Caitrin, who wasn’t even obliged to, stayed true to Arthur Pendragon and refused to yield to the witch Morgana’s evil power, Camelot could be saved. When Arthur returned to fight for his kingdom, he found it not beaten, but practically waiting for him and supporting him.So you see, being headstrong for a good cause, and refusing to yield to what you think is wrong CAN be suitable for a lady. It is even honorable.”

Oh, that was so sweet in its innocence! Would Yassia be travelling with more people this time?! Oh my, yes she would! And she would take someone very special with her… the one and only person that really mattered. What did she want for soldiers and armies… with Oliver alone she felt like being able to conquer the world. Her eyes had taken on a slightly faraway look for a second, as Yassia was forgetting herself and the situation she was in, but then she was thankfully reminded of the little lady’s presence and questions that still needed answering.
“Oh yes, I will have much more company on my journey back, don’t worry”, she smiled. “I would be mad to go back on my own, since that would mean I hadn’t achieved what I came here for.” For a moment, Yassia was truly at odds with herself. Could she really tell Aoife what the whole of Mercia that lived outside the castle walls didn’t know yet? But then… what was the harm? And she felt like bursting with it any second anyway!
Giving herself a slightly conspiratorial air, Yassia leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Can you keep a secret, Mylady? There is someone very special coming with me… to live with me. No one outside the castle knows it yet… but you might know him, if only by name.”

[Aoife de Archer]

Well, Aoife was glad that her Aunt sounded happy. After all, she didn’t wish harm or unhappiness on anyone, unless they deserved it of course. She had no reason to dislike her aunt, so all she could do was smile and nod at the woman’s words. “I am glad that she is happy.” Aoife replied because that sounded like a suitably grown up thing to say. She did want to keep up this image that she was a mature individual as that was what she was. If Aoife could prove it today then maybe more people would start taking her seriously and would treat her like a little lady, rather than a child as they treated her younger siblings. Aoife was confused, yet she shouldn’t have been. It made sense the wedding would be in Camelot, and not Mercia, as her aunt now live in Camelot. She wondered if she still considered herself Mercian or now thought of herself as... what were you called if you were from Camelot? She puzzled herself, and decided to just push that thought aside. She was sure her aunt would think of herself as Mercian; why would she not? “I am not sure any of our family will be going; it has not been announced.” She answered curiously, wondering whether her father had received an invite and just hidden it, or whether they were not welcome at all.

Aoife had never thought before that being stubborn or headstrong could ever be a good thing. She had heard little tales about the witch Morgana taking over Camelot, though no one ever told her much, so all she heard was rumour and little at that. They didn’t have many sorcerers in Mercia,, there were a few apparently, but her father had once told her that most were killed by Uther many years ago as magic was believed to be evil. From one of her aunts, Aoife had heard that magic ran in the family somewhere down the line, yet none of her Mercian family had magic, and she certainly didn’t so she was sure her aunt had just been lying. It sounded like her aunt was either brave or foolish, perhaps her father would say foolish, but Aoife thought it was brave. Especially if Morgana had magic, after all, magic was a strong force and not one to be taken lightly. “I heard about the witch, my aunt sounds very brave for standing against her.” She bit her lip, not sure what else to say, “Another of my aunts once believed that witchcraft ran in our blood, though I think that was more a hope than anything.” She shrugged a little, sorcery was not disapproved of in Mercia as it was in Camelot, yet still few of them remained, “I trust everything is now settled within Camelot my Lady?” As Aoife had realised she had not yet enquired after the state of Camelot.

Aoife was glad at least that the Princess would be travelling with more people back to her homeland. It was unseemly for a woman of any background to be travelling on their own over such a distance, and Aoife was still shocked that she had done it on the way here. “I am glad to hear that, my Lady.” Aoife commented with a warm smile, and wondered how many Yassia would be travelling with. It would be bad manners to ask of course, so Aoife just kept quiet on that topic for the moment, and instead felt herself drawn in by what Yassia was now saying to her. She wondered who it was that Yassia was speaking of, and hoped very much so that she knew who Yassia was talking about, “Who are you speaking of, my Lady?” She asked brightly and with slightly wider eyes; almost on the edge of her seat. No one entrusted her with secrets, so this was incredibly exciting.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

It was thoroughly sweet to see Aoife acting all the grown up lady, even though she would still need a few years until she was seen as that. Yassia couldn’t remember many young ladies her age when back in Ailantha, but recently she had found her memories growing a little dim on the details, after having been away only for two years. That notion scared her not just a little, and sometimes she tried to close her eyes and envision details of some people’s faces, faces she had been surrounded with all her life, even though they hadn’t been that close. Of course Suzanna’s face was there in full detail, and sadly so was her uncle’s and cousin’s face, but all those lords and ladies she had been surrounded with became more and more shady in her memory. On the other hand, Yassia was quite sure she would never ever forget quite a few faces she had met here, and she wondered why she first had to go abroad to find lasting friendships and people that would forever have a place in her heart. Even though she had only met Aoife for a few minutes now, she was all but sure, this little lady would also claim a place there. “That’s too bad, but also understandable”, Yassia nodded with a warm smile. “Camelot is far after all. I’m sure Caitrin will understand.” Or more like: be secretly glad they wouldn’t come, even though Yassia was sure if Caitrin knew of her little niece, she’d reconsider.

Caitrin really had be honorably brave, even though Yassia still didn’t know all the details. She knew a little more now, after Caitrin had told her she had lost a child while in Morgana’s custody, and as a healer Yassia knew it took a lot for a healthy and strong woman such as Caitrin to lose a child, the circumstances must have been dire. She remembered seeing Caitrin all beaten and done, kneeling before Morgana, but before that she had really shown the evil witch not everyone in Camelot would bow to her. And in Yassia’s eyes her friend had gotten almost no thanks and no honors for her brave deeds. Everyone had just talked about Arthur and his knights recapturing the castle in a brave fight, but what had been going on inSIDE the castle… everyone had only mentioning the captioned knights as well, defying the false queen in the courtyard. But that was the way of things, Yassia guessed, the deeds of women were too often overlooked. For a while, before Morgana had shown her ugly face to the princess, Yassia had even sympathized with her… just because she knew how it felt to fight for a throne as a woman. Biting her lips in sudden amusement, she listened to the young lady’s innocent remark about magic running in the family. Oh, if she only knew…

“If that was the case, Lady Aoife, I’m sure it would be a well-kept family secret concerning the circumstances.” But at least she could dispel her worries about the current situation in Camelot. When Yassia had left, things had seemed very much under control, even though King Uther did hardly show himself in public anymore after he had been freed from the dungeons. But every word about that would be speculation and Yassia didn’t want to talk too ill about the Camelotian ruler. “Everything seems very well in Camelot now, as far as I can tell”, she agreed. “For the time being, the young Prince Arthur is keeping everything under control, and he does a good job. He will be a fine king one day, and I’m sure the alliance with Mercia will be stronger than ever.” That was enough about political niceties though, now Yassia practically yearned to reveal the secret of her happy engagement. It wasn’t often she would get such an enthusiastic listener after all, since Caitrin had already guessed it far sooner than Yassia herself had.

Leaning forward as well, a sparkle of utmost glee and slight longing in her eyes, the princess said: “It’s your second born prince, Oliver of Mercia. Our story could be one the bards one day tell, as it is so twisted and complicated, but in the end we finally found each other. And, the stars willing, he will one day become King of Ailantha at my side.”

[Aoife de Archer]

Even though Aoife didn’t know her aunt at all really, it would have been nice to go to the wedding. It would have looked a little strange of course, as the family barely spoke, but Aoife loved weddings. She had only ever been to one, and that had been years ago. They were such fun events; everyone was happy, and everyone sung and danced and laughed the night away. It made her even more excited for when it would be her turn to get married and have her own wedding. She would make sure everything was done right, and she would look amazing; she would make sure of that. “Will you be going to the wedding?” Aoife then asked, as it sounded as if the princess and her aunt were quite close. While it was not that strange for Aoife to not be going to the wedding, she would count it stranger if this woman was not going either. Aoife looked on at her, wondering just how well she and her aunt knew each other. She would have loved to have a friend like that, but as it were Aoife spent so much time indoors she hadn’t really made friends with the other ladies of the court. Her father told her she would when she was a little older, but Aoife wanted them now. She had never been the most patient of people, it had to be said.

After having said it, Aoife felt stupid about making the remark about magic. After all, none of her family had any magic in them, and the story was probably made up anyway. Her Aunt was probably just giving light to some fairy tale or fable, and she felt ridiculous for having said it now. When she was younger, she had wondered what it would be like to be a sorceress, but now she felt like it was a good thing she wasn’t. Magic wasn’t very well liked in many kingdoms now; Mercia tolerated it, but didn’t encourage it. She wondered if they would one day go the same way as Camelot, and ban magic altogether. Aoife wasn’t sure how she felt about that, she had been told that sorcerers were evil in some respects, but she was pretty sure you could be just as evil without magic. After all, hadn’t Uther butchered all those people many years ago? No matter what the reason, Aoife couldn’t imagine justifying such an act. “It is probably just a fairy story, and nothing more. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have recounted such a childish tale to you, my lady.” Aoife excused herself quickly and flushed a little whilst doing so.

Aoife was glad to hear that the prince had taken matters into his own hands. She had heard about Prince Arthur; many women at court said he was the most fine prince there was. Aoife wondered how they could say such things with Edmund and Oliver sitting below Bayard. It puzzled her. She had always had a soft spot for the princes, but most especially Oliver; he had a way of smiling which just caused her to smile as well. Of course she had never told anyone; they would probably think she was being silly. “I hope so.” Aoife commented, as she didn’t want to be in the middle of a war with anyone n truth.

She leant forwards a little as the princess prepared to tell of her news. Aoife was quite excited that she was being confided in so early in the conversation. She was now extremely glad that her parents had gone out, and left her to deal with all this on her own. She could handle herself with guests. The news was a little difficult to stomach for a variety of reasons, one was that this meant the prince wouldn’t be at court anymore, and instead he would be off marrying this woman in some far off kingdom. Aoife strained a smile, “Congratulations.” Though she had known nothing would ever come of her affection for the Prince, the little flame of hope had always been there, “When will you wed?”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Now the young lady was laying her finger in the figurative wound of Yassia’s, getting straight to the sad an annoying fact about this wedding. Sometimes, in a few short moments, Yassia actually wished she didn’t have a whole kingdom at stake, that she would have to return home with every day she stayed away longer nagging at her conscience and making her feel torn between her sense of duty and her homesickness on one side, and the desire to spend as much time with her best friend as she could. But no, the decision had already been made, and they both knew it and had agreed on it: Yassia would not be present at Caitrin’s wedding, but would return home as soon as possible with the help she had been promised. Things like that needed a little time of course, but not enough to still be in Albion when the wedding was scheduled.
”I’m afraid I won’t be, as much as it saddens me”, she explained to Aoife with a wistful smile. “Now that things have worked out for me finally, I can’t waste another day, and the actual wedding is still a few months off. That is why we’ve been having a pre-wedding feast a few days ago, where we celebrated in advance. It was Prince Oliver’s idea actually.” And to think that she wouldn’t have even been in Mercia hadn’t Edmund invited her! Oliver, in that state and mood he had been in Camelot, would surely have rather bit his tongue than thinking on such a thing. And yet, it had been that ‘forced’ staying together that had made them get over their differences.
Edmund, while his intentions had been entirely different, had been their matchmaker there.

It was touching to see how badly the Lady Aoife tried to appear adult and reasonable, which was probably why she backpedalled now on her words about magic and especially pointed out that she thought it ‘childish’. The sweet innocence, really! Yassia felt a familiar itch to just tell the girl that it was by no means a fairytale she was referring to, but that her very aunt Caitrin could use magic just fine, but then of course she would never betray her friend’s trust in such a dangerous way. No one knew however who would carry that ‘confidentiality’ onwards and what ears it might reach. There seemed to be quite a few people wanting Caitrin ill because she just was too different and independent, and that would be the perfect leverage to have against her. Caitrin of course was smart enough to keep her powers secret, Yassia herself had only come to know due to sheer coincidence.
Nevertheless she pointed out: “It is my no means a childish notion, Lady Aoife. Before it was outlawed, magic was very much a part of your world here. It is not outlawed or prosecuted in Ailantha, but then it is also very rare there. I think I’ve only met one sorceror in all my life, and he was a very kind and gentle man.”

There was something, an undertone, a flicker of facial expression that made Yassia stop and wonder when she just had announced who would be her husband. She didn’t know what exactly she had been expecting, but certainly not such a strained smile and lifeless, polite comment, not after the spirit Lady Aoife had shown before. But what could be the reason? She had feared this kind of outcome, even though she had mostly buried it inside her. That Mercia would hate her for taking away their beloved and dashing prince. She had even steeled herself for neatly and secretly placed insults and evil glances from some court ladies, those who had wished to be the lucky woman to get a hold on the rebel prince – but this was a young girl!
“Thank you”, she replied with a smile, unsure if she should call the girl out on her hesitance. “Somewhen within this month I think, we have yet to set a date.” But then, she just couldn’t help it, she didn’t want to lose the gentle bond that had just been forming between them to an unknown cause. “You sound a little… reserved, Mylady”, she hazarded, still smiling but giving her voice a concerned tinge. “If there is anything upsetting you, you can tell me. I won’t blame or judge you for it.”

[Aoife de Archer]

Aoife was quite surprised when Yassia said that she wasn’t going to be attending Auntie Caitrin’s wedding after she had just spoken so much about she valued their friendship. If Aoife had such a friend then she would want to be with them on their wedding day no matter what. She wasn’t really that close to any o the girls at court, as she had never really been allowed to go to court that much, so she had never really met anyone until recently. There were a few girls that she was friendly with but she didn’t have a best friend of course. She hoped to get one though, it would be nice to have someone to talk to about her problems, and about the boys at court, and oh they could have secrets and it would be so much fun. Aoife just nodded as Yassia explained herself. Aoife picked up on one detail, a pre wedding feast? She had remembered her parents mentioning something about it, she had been sure that they had attended it, but not for long, and they hadn’t taken her, insisting it was no one of interest. “I think my parents attended the feast.” She said and frowned a little, “They never said it was my aunt who was getting married though.” Aoife gave a small smile, but now she felt bitterly disappointed, she would have liked to meet her auntie, and get to know her a little. She sounded quite different, and Aoife wanted to form an opinion on her, no matter what that opinion was. Aoife really did feel quite let down that she had only just learned about this, “But a pre-wedding feast sounds quite fun.” She had never really heard of a pre-wedding feast before, only a wedding feast, “How was the feast? Did my Aunt enjoy it?” Her parents had told her nothing of the details, so she wanted to hear everything.

Aoife wondered if there was any truth in what her relatives had told her, and if her family really did hold any magic in their veins. It was something that was quite fun to think on, but Aoife wasn’t sure whether she would actually want that responsibility or not. Magic was never seen as a good thing, or more, not anymore it wasn’t. Apparently there had been a time where sorcerers had been as common as bread, and they had roamed the kingdoms in relative peace, but then Uther Pendragon had killed so many of them, and now most were in hiding. Aoife wondered if any of her relatives had died all those years ago. It made her feel quite uncomfortable to think about. “I don’t think any of my relatives have magic anymore.” She gave a soft smile, “It makes me sad to think that some might have been hunted in the days gone by.” She knew that Yassia might understand that feeling, if her own kingdom did indeed think that sorcery was a good thing.

There was nothing that Aoife wanted less than for Yassia to think there was something wrong, so she perked up almost immediately and smiled at her, shaking her head. “Nothing is wrong my lady.” She lied quickly, a trait she had been told before that she was good at, “I was just thinking, that is all, and wondering what would have come if you had married the elder brother instead.” That was quite a good lie, and one that Aoife was proud of. As far as she was aware, you could not be in charge of more than one kingdom at a time, so if Edmund had married Yassia then they would have had to choose a kingdom to rule wouldn’t they?