We Are Only Getting Better (Elyan)

[Caitrin de Archer]

The last few days had been a blur to Caitrin. She was half in a daze, and everything seemed to have happened quite quickly, when really very little time had passed at all. Caitrin was a mother, and it was the most alien, yet natural sensation she had ever felt. Right now she felt completely content, and she couldn’t have been happier than she was. Caitrin was finally recovering from the birth, and she felt a little stronger, though she still hadn’t really let the room yet for longer than she needed to. Griff was out at the moment, directing their lunch for them, and Caitrin was certainly glad of it, though she wasn’t that hungry, she knew she would be soon. He had only just left, and Caitrin was therefore left to look over both her children on her own. She had the youngest, Arthur, in her arms. He was so small, and Caitrin still couldn’t get over that fact. He was strong, and healthy, but he was still so tiny and fragile. Caitrin stroked his hand slowly with her thumb, smiling as the babe made a soft cry; shifting in his blankets as he continued to stare up at his mother. Caitrin couldn’t ever imagine not having her children now, even though she had not been a mother for long. Her children were quickly becoming her world, and she loved them both utterly and completely.

Esmae was in her crib, and Caitrin could see her from where she was sat on the bed. The baby was slipping in-between a gentle slumber and just the odd cry to let her mother know she was still there. Both of the twins were being unnaturally quiet that morning, perhaps because they had tired themselves out with their crying in the night. It had certainly tired out their parents anyway. Sighing softly, Caitrin held Arthur tightly against her chest, and smiled to herself. She really was so lucky. They had only be expecting one baby, but they had been blessed with twins. All that time there had been another little Aubert hiding away, waiting to make an appearance. Arthur yawned gently and snuggled into his blankets. Almost instantly, Caitrin had forgotten the pain of the birth, and had just felt pure euphoria when they had placed Arthur in her arms. Though he had been the second born, he had been the first to be placed in her arms, and she had felt that bond with him straight away.

Caitrin heard a soft knock on the door, and she smiled straight away. Quite a few people had come to see the twins, and to congratulate the parents on the happy news. Caitrin loved introducing her children to the new faces, as most of the people in Camelot would see these children grow up at court. “Come in, the doors open.” She called out with a soft smile, as she ran a finger across the soft red hair on Arthur’s head, waiting for their guest to reveal themselves.

Tagged: Elyan
Timeline: A few day after ‘A Restless Night’
Time of Day: Midday
Location: Griff and Caitrin’s guest chambers[/color][/size]

[cherryblossom131]

Elyan had been extremely anxious for Caitrin in the state he'd left her in a few days previously. She had actually been in labour it seemed, and although he'd left her in the safe hands of her husband he'd still been left worried for her and her baby. But news had travelled fast of the Lady Caitrin's birth and he'd felt relieved and ecstatic when he'd heard that Caitrin and her babies, two apparently, had been healthy after the birth. He'd been surprised when he'd heard she'd given birth to twins, but it sort of made sense. Although he didn't exactly know the sizes of pregnant women, she had seemed excessively huge. But he hadn't expected twins at all before, just a rather large baby. It was nothing short of a miracle and he was sure Caitrin probably felt the same. If their places were reversed though he didn't think he'd be able to really cope with twice the crying and wailing of babies. He cringed when imagining the sound non-stop in his ears.

He hadn't visited Caitrin right away. Elyan may have been ignorant of many things concerning pregnancy, but he wasn't oblivious to the exhaustion it caused. She'd probably need a rest and he didn't want to intrude on that. It seemed others hadn't had quite the same train of thought as him as he noticed many people going to the new mother and father to congratulate them. He decided to wait a few days for the huddle of well-wishers to die down before going to her to give his own congratulations. He also wanted to go to see for himself that she was truly alright. He'd hated the image of her in pain and wanted to replace it with a much better image of her healthy. He liked to consider them as friends, and hoped she thought the same despite the fact that she'd gone into painful labour while he'd been there. He didn't think she was the type to be resentful but he still felt unreasonably guilty.

He made his way to the familiar path of the castle to her door; the path he'd practically jogged through a few days ago. He stopped outside and paused. What if she wasn't there? He knew she wouldn't exactly go walking about or out for a ride in her condition but she could be with the physician. He decided to knock anyway, since there was a bigger chance that she would be in the room with her children, than away from them. She was newly a mother after all. He heard her call from the other side of the door. “Come in, the doors open.” He sighed, all previous fears of her absence gone. Gently creaking open the door, he poked his head through. "Caitrin?" He didn't see her immediately but then spotted her with a small baby cradled in her arms. His eyes widened slightly with awe and wonder at the sight of mother with baby. "I'm sorry if you were resting, I can come another time if you want." He smiled at her, only one foot in the room in case she turned him away.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin knew she should probably be more tired than she was. She hadn’t been sleeping as much since the twins had been born. Before then she had been sleeping most of the day away as carrying her bump around had been an exhausting task, especially by the end of her pregnancy. She had felt quite lazy, as most of the time she had just been asleep, or lying down. It had been to exhausting to do anything else, and uncomfortable. The only time she’d been up and about had been when she had met Elyan outside her room. Little had Caitrin known then she had actually been in labour. It had been the earliest stages of the labour, and her waters hadn’t broken for a few hours after that, but still, it had been uncomfortable, and she had probably worried Elyan half to death. Caitrin would have to make a point of apologising at some point. The last few days had confirmed that her life would be very different from now on. She had always been quite a wilful and carefree woman, and usually did what she wanted. Now however everything was different. She wasn’t the main focus of her own life anymore, her children were. Now she had to care about these two little lives as well, and she would keep them safe, and make sure they knew they were loved.

Arthur squealed a little in her arms, and began to stretch out his arms. His small mouth formed into a yawn as he opened his eyes wide to look up at his mother. Caitrin smiled softly at him, and kissed the top of his head, wondering if he knew just how loved he was by both parents. Caitrin had dressed him in a little tunic today, but it was much too big for him, but it didn’t really matter that much as he was wrapped in a blanket as well to keep him warm. The knock on the door forced her eyes upwards, and she grinned as Elyan popped his head around the door. She had hoped that he was going to visit soon. She shook her head at his words, she wasn’t resting as such, she had just been enjoying a few moments with her children. “Elyan, it’s nice to see you again.” She finally thought to say, and adjusted Arthur in her arms, who had clearly sensed that his mothers attentions were distracted.

“Come in, I have two little ones who would very much like to meet you.” Without Elyan of course Caitrin could have been anywhere in the castle, incapable of moving for the pain she was in. He had taken her straight back to her room, and there she had woke her husband up again and they’d got the ladies to attend the birth, and everything had gone smoothly. Caitrin stood up to greet Elyan, smiling softly, Arthur was still in her arms, “That is, if you still want to meet them?”

[cherryblossom131]

“Elyan, it’s nice to see you again.” He felt almost relieved when she said that. He'd been afraid that she'd maybe turn him away. His attention however was distracted by a tiny wriggling form in Caitrin's arms. He stepped into the room after she beckoned him in, closing the door behind him. He couldn't help but grin at her words as he stepped closer to her and the squirming child in her arms. "Of course I'd love to meet them," he said with a genuine smile on his face. He didn't have a lot of experience with new born infants, but that did not make him exempt from feeling awed and strangely happy at the prospect of a new life in the world. Or rather two new lives in this case. He'd only ever cared for his sister, but he knew nothing of what it was like to care for a son or a daughter. He would just have to wait and see until it was his time to feel that overwhelming sense of love and protectiveness.

He walked closer to her until he could see the child in her arms. The child's eyes were wide open and ridiculously out of proportion, only making the baby more adorable. "Your baby is precious," he thought aloud. "I see you actually have two, a miracle in itself," he chuckled. He looked back at Caitrin before asking abashedly, "So what's his or her name?" He wasn't sure if it was just him but it was nearly impossible for him to outright tell if a new born was a boy or a girl. He felt slightly embarrassed and hoped he hadn't caused offence. "I feel I have to apologise though," he started. Now was a good a time as any, "about before, it wasn't exactly the best of first meetings." He smiled weakly. He felt extremely guilty for leading her so far away from her room and for taking so long to return her. "I'm just glad you're alright," he said sincerely. He'd been incredibly worried before, and some of that worry was still evident on his face despite the proof that Caitrin was fine.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin grinned across at Elyan, she was so glad that he had come to visit her and the babies, as their last meeting had been a little unconventional to say the least. She was glad to see at least she hadn’t traumatised him, or at least she hoped she had not. Perhaps he might now even be more prepared when his own sister, the Queen, had her own children, though obviously he would have more of a personal investment in that. When he confirmed that he did want to still meet her children she gestured him over, as she was stood by the crib which held her sleeping daughter in it at the moment. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to them.” She said softly, Arthur was just looking up with her, almost realising that his mothers attentions had been distracted from him. He began to shift in his blankets, and wrestled one of his arms free of his blankets so he could flex his small fist.

She nodded at Elyan’s words, news of a twin birth had spread quickly through the castle, and everyone who visited commented on how lucky they were, and how blessed they were to receive such a gift. Caitrin could only agree, after all she had the daughter she had craved, and Griff had a strong son to follow in his footsteps. “This little one is called Arthur, and in the crib is Esmae, she was our first born.” Caitrin explained lightly, but her pride shone through. The fact that Elyan was apologising, though he had been rather worried the other night when she had slipped into her labour. “There is no reason to apologise Elyan, it wasn’t your fault that these two decided to make an appearance in the middle of the night.” She gave a soft smile, “I’m glad you were there, it scared me, thinking I could have wandered to the gardens myself, and been unable to get back in time.” She had been in an incredible amount of pain when Elyan had brought her back to her room. However she’d tried to hide it, and pretend everything was fine but it was obvious it hadn’t been. “We weren’t expecting twins, I was half way through my labour before the women helping in the birthing room realised there were two babies to be delivered.” She gave a soft grin, given how stressed she had already been, she had taken the news rather well. A part of her hadn’t believed it until she had both babies placed in her arm. Straight away she had felt a bond with both her children, one which would never be broken.

[cherryblossom131]

He couldn't help the smile that stretched across his face when she told him the baby in her arms was called Arthur. He remembered her suggesting the name on the night they'd met. He looked over to the crib where Esmae was resting. "So your husband did like the name Arthur after all." He looked back at Caitrin and smiled warmly at her. "They are beautiful names fit for beautiful babies." He smiled gratefully when she said there was no need for him to apologise. He saw the logic of her words and was glad that she saw it that way. He still felt slightly responsible somehow for the pain that she felt that night, but after her reassurances Elyan felt sure that would fade. "I guess we should be grateful then." It would be better than feeling guilty that was for sure.

He grinned back at her when she said she hadn't been expecting twins. "I imagine it must have been quite the surprise." He walked over to the crib where the baby girl was resting. He could hardly imagine handling one baby let alone two. Judging by the look of pride and adoration in Caitrin's eyes whenever she glanced at either of her children, he guessed she must be a wonderful mother. "But a pleasant one, of course." Esmae. It was a wonderful name and one he'd never heard before. He remembered her saying she wasn't sure what she would have called her baby if she had a girl. "She looks so peaceful," he mused aloud. He had to admire the innocence of the little one; she had so much ahead of her. "What made you decide to call her Esmae?" He asked still looking at the baby in the crib. Maybe it had been her husband's choice. It made sense that maybe she would name one child and he would name the other.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin nodded at Elyan with a wide grin. He had been one of the only people who she had confided what name she wanted to name her son. Caitrin had loved the name Arthur, and her son wore it already so naturally and he already made his parents so proud. She loved both her children already, and she couldn’t imagine life without any of her family without her. “He did; Griff didn’t need as much persuasion as I thought he might.” Caitrin had been convinced that Griff would want to name the child after himself no matter what. However, he’d been quite alright with the fact that she wanted to call the child after the king. “Thank you.” She flushed slightly as Elyan deemed both the children as beautiful. She had hoped that they would be loved by others, not just their parents. After all, they would probably be spending a lot of their life at court, and the people around them now would probably see them through their childhood. Caitrin inclined her head towards Elyan as he spoke, she didn’t want him to feel guilty about that night. He had been there for her, and she had been grateful for it. “The pain was worth it, look at my reward.” She gestured to Esmae who was sleeping in the crib, as she already had Arthur in her arms. No matter what pain she had felt during childbirth, it had almost vanished when Brynn had passed her the babies to hold.

The fact she had been expecting twins, yet had not been aware of it had been one of the most terrifying surprises that Caitrin had ever been faced with. At the time she had panicked, but the women had kept her calm. She had only been expecting one Aubert, but two had been such a blessing from the spirits, and whatever God’s her husband kept. “It was a terrifying surprise, but yes, a pleasant one.” She grinned and watched Elyan as he approached the crib, and stood opposite the man. “My husband chose the name.” Caitrin had not heard the name before either, but she had liked it all the same. “He’s Glouchedonian, so I suppose the name must be from there. I had never heard it before, but I love it all the same.” She said with a wide smile, before turning her attentions back to Elyan, “Would you like to hold one of them?”

[cherryblossom131]

Sorry for the late reply!

Arthur was a very strong name and one he admired greatly. It wasn't a huge surprise to him that her husband didn't need a lot of convincing. He was sure the baby in Caitrin's arms would do the name justice as he got older. Who knew maybe Elyan would see him in court and watch him grow and maybe even teach him a few things? He smiled at the thought. It had been a very strange night when he'd met Caitrin but definitely not one he'd ever regret. He'd never before caused or been part of the cause for someone to go into labour, and he hoped he wouldn't be again. But that was life and Elyan had accepted long ago that strange things happen sometimes and at least nothing bad happened. Quite on the contrary really, two children had been born. "The pain was worth it, look at my reward.” He looked at the baby girl, Esmae and grinned. She looked impossibly small and beautiful. "You must be very proud." He looked back up at Caitrin. "Are they this peaceful all the time?" He asked jokingly. He knew babies to be screaming nightmares, but Arthur and Esmae didn't seem to be making a big fuss.

He was glad she saw it as a pleasant surprise, but two infants must be a handful. He'd seen mothers hardly coping with one let alone two. Although he'd only recently met Caitrin, she looked strong, so he was certain she'd be fine. His assumption was true then, her husband had chosen the name. "He's Glouchedonian; interesting." Elyan didn't think he'd met a Glouchedonian before, but he wanted to. "I'll have to meet this husband of yours sometime," he smiled at Caitrin and looked back down at the baby in the crib. “Would you like to hold one of them?” His eyes shot back up to her in surprise. She trusted him to hold one of her children? He knew practically all the people who had already come to see Caitrin and her children probably held them, but he still felt touched all the same. "Umm okay," he laughed nervously. "Which one would you like me to hold?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin Aubert looked down at her son, and hoped that one day he would be able to pull off such a big name, well, it was big in Camelot at least. She was sure that he would be able to, the children here today with Camelotian by birth, but they had both Mercian and Glouchedonian blood running through their veins. They were a combination of three kingdoms, which was quite something to think on, so she was sure her children would do whatever they were capable of. She would of course love it if Arthur one day did become a knight, but she would not force him to do anything, in the same way that Esmae would never be forced to marry. Both parents were in agreement about those sorts of matters. Arthur opened his mouth, as if he were about to speak, but instead let out a short yawn; her heart fluttered a little as he did, she still could not really get over the fact this was her son, and she had children. Caitrin had thought that being pregnant, and the birth itself, would help her come to terms with the fact, but every morning she still awoke half dazed by the situation, but it didn’t take away from how much she loved the twins. Caitrin knew they would both make her, and her husband proud. “I am.” She beamed at Elyan and let out a short chuckle and shook her head at his comment, “Jesu no, this is them on their best behaviour.” She began to rock Arthur a little, “They kept me up most of last night, so I suppose they’ve tired themselves out in the process.” Looking into the crib, she could see Esmae was still asleep. No doubt she would make herself heard if she wanted something.

The circumstances on which hers and Elyan’s friendship had been born out of were strange to say the least. She hadn’t wanted him to feel bad about being part of the reason her labour began, really he had just been trying to help. She was sure that her children would have entered the world that night regardless; there had to be a reason why she had been unable to sleep, perhaps it was that. “Have you ever been to Glouchedon?” She asked him curiously, “It’s further south than this.” She said needlessly, and gave a small shrug. Caitrin had only been to Glouchedon once, but she still preferred her native Mercia, well, after Camelot of course as this was her home now and it probably would be for the rest of her days. It wasn’t like there was anything in Mercia for her anymore anyway.

Caitrin was glad to see he did not decline her offer of him holding one of the twins. A lot of their guests over the past few days had their turns at holding one of the babies, or both if they were feeling brave. The children had certainly attracted a lot of attention, perhaps because it was a twin birth, and something of a spectacle. She hoped the people would still be around when her children were growing up, to offer them guidance and friendship through the courts, and help them when they needed it. Of course it was a girlish wish, and she was sure her children would be fine regardless of what paths they took, and who helped them along the way. “You could hold Arthur if you want? He’s falling asleep anyway so he’s less likely to fuss.” She grinned up at Elyan, “Sit on the bed, and put your arms in the position mine are in now, then I can pass him to you.”

[cherryblossom131]

I think saying sorry for the long wait doesn't quite cover it, but still, sorry for the extreeeemely long wait

He'd wanted to visit Glouchedon on his travels but never had the chance. "No, I haven't actually. But I've always wanted to." Maybe he'd have the chance some time in the future, when the threat of Morgana's return was no longer at the forefront of everyone's mind. Until Morgana was defeated once and for all, he couldn't go off exploring a new land. He had a duty to the kingdom. He smiled slightly to himself; how he had changed from being that naïve boy who ran away from home all those years ago to a knight with responsibilities. If he survived the inevitable battle to defeat Morgana, there where many places he wanted to go. Who knows, maybe he'd finally settle down and have a family. Elyan didn't usually look too far ahead into the future, but sitting here now with Caitrin and her beautiful children made him dare to think if a life after Morgana is gone. A smile even spread across his face.

Elyan didn't have a lot of experience in holding babies; in fact he had next to none. He'd never really had cause to, except for that one time in Escetia when a heavily pregnant woman strolled into his forge and fell into labour right there and then. That had been one heck if a day. It's not every day a stranger decides to name her child after you. It was actually quite similar in some ways to the day he met Caitrin. He did as Caitrin asked and sat a little awkwardly on the bed, trying to figure out the right position for holding a baby. He held out his arms as Caitrin carefully placed the small tired child in his arms. Elyan made sure to support his head; he knew at least that much. The baby boy fidgeted a little and then settled. "He's so small," he said quietly with a small disbelieving laugh. Arthur looked up at Elyan as his eyes began to droop. If it was possible for Elyan to feel even more awed, he did. "Am I doing this right?" He didn't want the child feeling uncomfortable.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin had only ever been to Glouchedon once, and so could not call Elyan out for never having been there. She had not liked it as much as her native Mercia, though she had only been there while they had sought refuge when Morgana had taken over Camelot, and so her view of the place was probably a little tainted by that. Caitrin had not got on well with Griff's father, though that was always a given, Elaine had been just as unpleasant as well. Though Caitrin had often felt bad because Griff had been left in the middle of everything, she couldn't help the fact that his family hadn't been that welcoming to her, even though she was carrying their first two grandchildren, who, if Lucan and Camila had no children, would inherit the estate in time. She sighed and looked down at Arthur; she didn't want that level of responsibility for him. She wanted him to be comfortable, yes, but she wanted him to be happy and carefree as well; if he was a Duke, he would have none of that. "You should visit when you have the chance. It is quite different to Camelot." Caitrin had been to quite a few kingdoms in her time, though she was always bias to her homeland, though she knew that she could never return there, or at least not while her father was still alive.

Caitrin watched as Elyan positioned himself so that he could be handed Arthur. The young boy had been passed around so much since his birth, because he was the first born son and the namesake of the king, and so he had a certain prestige about him. None of that kind of politics really mattered to Caitrin of course, she just loved her son and that was the long and short of it. She wanted him to be happy, and wanted to keep him safe, so that he would know that he was always wanted, and that he was always loved; Esmae as well. As she handed Elyan Arthur, and watched him hold the baby, she couldn't help but grin. The image of such a strong, and tough solider of Camelot cooing over a young baby was an image she would not forget in a hurry. "You're fine, he's just a little sleepy." Caitrin commented, and pulled Arthur's blankets up a little before moving to check on Esmae; her daughter was still sleeping soundly. "You're a natural my Lord." She said softly, as her son looked practically content in her friends arms.