Wedding Crashers (Griff)

[Caitrin de Archer]

Well the wedding was hardly what one could call conventional. After all, usually when there was a wedding, there was usually a bride and groom at the end of the service to congradulate. However, as usual Arthur had taken everyone by surprise at the service, and both he and Elena walked away from the service unmarried. Caitrin was quite surprised that Uther hadn't arranged something sooner for Arthur in terms of marriage, but perhaps he had just been waiting for the right alliance to come to fruition. Caitrin wasn't sure, she didn't have that much experience with marriages anyway, save the marriage she had almost been caught up in when she had lived in Mercia.

Caitrin had spent the service by Griff’s side, they’d just been stood at the back as they’d been late. She couldn’t exactly tell everyone why they had been late, so they’d slipped out casually with the rest of the wedding party after the service had been broken off. It was better if they weren’t quizzed on what had kept them so long this morning as that was between her, Griff and their bed sheets. At the moment they were just walking back towards the court yard. It was a beautiful day and it would be a shame to waste it now there was no wedding to celebrate. She linked her arm through his and grinned up at him, though they were not promised to one another, she had no problem with signs of affection like that. As they walked, they found themselves in the courtyard and she looked around at their surroundings. Camelot was just as busy as it usually was, and it wasn’t particularly scenic.

Looking back up at Griff, she felt her stomach tighten slightly, she loved the effect he had by just smiling at her. He probably knew the effect he had on her, and that was probably why he did it so much. She wasn’t complaining of course. “Well, at least no one noticed we were late.” No, everyone had been preoccupied with the fact that Arthur publically refused to marry the woman he was betrothed to. “I think Arthur gave us a perfect distraction.” She winked up at Griff as they descended the steps together. She didn’t want to go back home to her Uncle just yet, he wasn’t attending the wedding of course, and he had just entrusted her to Griff this morning as he supposed she should have some sort of chaperone. “Unless you want us to go and sit back under my Uncle’s watch all day, perhaps we could think of something to occupy the morning?” Griff had been unusually quiet that morning, and though she was often told she spoke too much anyway it still struck her as odd, “Are you alright?”

Tags: Griff Aubert
Timeline: During The Changeling
Time of Day: Mid- Morning

[Griff Aubert]

Well, that had been a surprising turn of events. It was probably safe to say that no one had been expecting Arthur to decide he'd rather not be married to Elena, and they certainly hadn't expected for both the King Uther and Lord Godwyn to be quite so accepting. It would have been a good match, after all, but obviously not meant to be. Griff was slightly annoyed though, as he could have spent the time in bed, rather than watching two people not marry each other. But he was awake now and walking through Camelot's gardens with Caitrin. She was looking particularly beautiful today - not that she didn't look particularly beautiful everyday, but there was something about her. He couldn't put his finger on it so instead he just smiled at her and thought, not for the first time, just how lucky he was to be with her.

Griff just laughed at her words. That was definitely a good thing, then again, as Caitrin had pointed out, everyone was far too preoccupied to worry about two random nobles not arriving on time. "Why, are you embarrassed?" He teased, he was quite sure that Caitrin was never embarrassed about anything. She just went around doing what she wanted and seemingly not caring about what anyone thought. It was one of the things he admired about her. He went around doing what he wanted to, but he definitely cared about what people thought about him, and usually regretted what he'd done soon afterwards. Of course Caitrin was the exception. He never regretted anything with her because she managed to make life just that little bit more appealing.

Thoughts like these had been occupying his mind rather a lot lately. He kept catching himself thinking about what he wanted from life and what he wanted in the near future. The obvious was Caitrin. He wanted to wake up every morning and see her face, he wanted to make her laugh and beat her at horse racing and be able to enjoy a dance without wanting to punch any arrogant nobleman in the face. That had been an eventful night, and possibly even more eventful if her uncle hadn't interrupted them...

"Are you alright?"

"Hmm?" He hadn't actually realised Caitrin had been speaking but was going to pretend that he'd been hanging on her every word. Even though he hadn't been listening to her because he'd been thinking about her, he still didn't think she'd be too pleased. "Yes, yes. Why, do I not look alright?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

The gardens were quite a scenic place to be continuing their walk that morning. Caitrin loved the gardens during this time of year, when everything was in bloom. She just felt quite happy this morning, and she couldn’t explain why. Well no, that was a complete lie. She knew why she was so happy, and it was all down to the man who was walking beside her, and smiling down at her. Griff just had a habit of making her feel happy and complete, no matter what the occasion. He was quickly turning into the one she wanted to see first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Though she heavily suspected he was that to her already.

Embarrassed? She pulled a face at Griff, not at all. Caitrin wouldn’t ever be embarrassed by anything like that, she hadn’t before she had met Griff, so she wouldn’t while she was with him. She was more annoyed than anything that their little intimacies had been cut short that morning more than anything. Though at least she was still in his company, so it wasn’t all bad. They could, and she was sure they would, make up for lost time later. “Not embarrassed no, perhaps I wouldn’t have minded being a little later.” She winked at him, and squeezed the arm that was linked with hers with her spare hand as they just continued to walk in each other’s company. There was no one else in sight in the gardens, and Caitrin could only see that as a good thing. After all, she just wanted some time alone with Griff. Even when they were at her estate she could almost feel her Uncle breathing down their necks.

Shaking her head softly, she just smiled up at Griff, “No, you were just a little quiet, that’s all.” Perhaps she was just seeing too much into it, but if there was something bothering him, no matter what it was, she would rather he told her rather than keeping it bottled up. She ran the fingers of her spare hand down his arm and gave him a warm smile. He really was handsome, and charming, and he just had a way about him which made it impossible for her not to smile in his company. She was glad now that he had pursued her, and that he hadn’t turned out like all her other courtiers had. It was strange, but not only could she not imagine like without him, she didn’t want to imagine life without him. She didn’t want a life where she didn’t have him by her side. It was a new sensation for Caitrin, and one she didn’t want to let go of.

Looking round once more, to check they were alone, she noticed a small patch of grass just off the path and steered him towards it and set herself down. It was a nice enough day, so the grass was warm and dry beneath her. She beamed up at Griff, and threw her hair back so it came to lie messily around her shoulders, “There’s room enough for two?” She offered, patting the ground beside her with a grin.

[Griff Aubert]

Griff rolled his eyes at Caitrin's comment, but there was a smile forcing its way onto his lips when he was trying to act seriously. He ended up looking like he was smirking and ruining the whole effect, not that he was actually disapproving of Caitrin's words anyway. He too would have much preferred to have stayed where they were rather than hurrying to turn up late to witness Arthur and Elena not get married. No matter though, he was rather enjoying himself at the moment so it mattered not. "Well we could always hurry back..." he replied with a more than suggestive tone. He was rather enjoying just walking and enjoying the sunshine with her, but he wouldn't say no if she wanted to go back, regardless of whether her uncle was there or not. He could probably cope with Rouland's presence in the house under those circumstances.

"Did I?" He hadn't realised he was being quiet - he was...contemplative. He wasn't going to tell her that he had been being quiet because he was thinking about her, that would fuel her ego far too much. Instead he just shrugged and tried to look nonchalant. In actual fact he wasn't nonchalant at all and it was all her fault. Recently he found himself thinking about her a lot - thinking about her laugh and her smile and the way she managed to make everything brighter, and then he'd be reminded how annoying she was, and how she really needed to get over this whole Mercian thing because it was obvious to anyone with a brain that Glouchedon was far better, but all of that just seemed to make her better.

With a grin he joined her on the grass, but instead of sitting down he lay down, stretching his arms and then eventually resting his head on top of them. He turned slightly so he could see her. She really was the most beautiful person he'd ever met. It occurred to him, lying on the grass and just looking up at her, that this would be quite a fine way to spend the rest of his life. Right now he was just happy. Maybe there was something in the air, something that was telling him that everything he wanted from life, everything, was to be found with Caitrin. It was a rather strange feeling, but a welcomed one. He really could spend the rest of his life with this woman, and quite happily too.

He sat up suddenly and shuffled closer to Caitrin. The more he thought about it the more he became convinced that she was, without a doubt, the one for him. He couldn't help but smile as he looked at her and ran a hand through her hair. "I do love you Cait, more than anything. You are...everything." He pressed his lips together in a small, awkward smile, he wasn't used to be quite so open with his feelings, especially not feelings such as this. And then Caitrin, beautiful, fantastic Caitrin had come along and changed everything, changed him, and made the world such a better place.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin’s eyes brushed up to meet Griff’s as he spoke, and she mimicked his rather smug smirk, as she knew exactly what was lying under his words. The thought of rushing back and finishing what they had meant to do this morning was incredibly tempting. Perhaps though the anticipation of what was to come would fire up their bed even more than it already was. Beating off the feelings for a few hours would only cause them to grow, and then they could reap the rewards later. “Shall we see how long we last?” She began to muse, one of her hands drawing circles on the shirt on his back, “Or who breaks first?” It was a challenge, and it was a very ‘them’ challenge. Because the things it would lead to should only happen between man and wife, and as such they were not even betrothed. Caitrin did sometimes wonder if Griff ever meant to make a wife of her, or whether she was just by his side for the time being. She didn’t want him to leave, she never wanted him to leave. The fingers that had been trailing along his back found the flesh beneath the hem of his shirt, and they lingered there for a few moments as she winked at him, this could be quite interesting.

She nodded up at him as he questioned the fact he had been quite quiet. In truth Caitrin hadn’t thought that much of it, and she still didn’t. She had been speaking enough to make up for them anyway, perhaps he was just tired. They hadn’t got much sleep last night, there had been other distractions to keep them awake. The more she thought about it, the more she didn’t want to wake up without Griff by her side. She loved the sight of him in the morning, she loved running her hands through his hair as he woke, and feeling him move against her; his warmth engulfing her. She loved the way it only took him once glance, or a grin to set her heart alight in her chest, Jesu, what was he doing to her? This simply perfect, irritating and amazing man who hadn’t run like the others, no he was still here; still by her side.

It didn’t surprise her that he lay down, and she had half a mind to join him, but for now she just wanted to bask in the sunlight and enjoy the beautiful Camelotian weather. The wind tugged her hair slightly, and she smiled down at Griff, a genuine smile, one she didn’t wear for anyone else. She was just content, and happy whenever Griff was around. He made her feel special, like she was the only woman alive capable of making him feel the things he did. He was handsome as well, Jesu, everything about him just made her think she wanted him, and no one else. Why would she want anything other than what she had now?

She sighed out softly at the gentle touch of his fingers through her hair. She loved him toying with her hair. His words warmed her cheeks uncharacteristically, but she couldn’t help but smile back at him. She didn’t care she never blushed, she didn’t care she was blushing now, because every other emotion was taking hold of her instead. She wasn’t blushing because she was embarrassed, she was blushing because she was just happy, and she believed Griff’s words with every ounce of her being. “I love you too Griff, I always will.” Her eyes were locked with his, and she nudged her head forward slightly, drawing a kiss from his lips gently as the sun warmed them both. Right here and now, with Griff was just perfect, he was perfect, “And nothing will ever change that.” She whispered against his lips before drawing back slightly, pressing her lips into a small smile. She’d never told anyone she loved them before apart from Griff, and she was still getting used to it.

[Griff Aubert]

It was rather unfair of Caitrin to suggest such a thing while her hands were all over him, well, not all, unfortunately. This was probably part of her plan to see him crack first. Well, he was having none of it. They were both as stubborn as each other, so this could last days. Then again, they were both as...easily excited as the other, so it might only be mere minutes. Either way, Griff was going to last longer. That was just a fact. "I think we both know you'll be the one breaking first." He replied with a tone of authority, because obviously if he used such a tone that would make it more likely to happen, despite what her hands were doing. Something he wasn't actually paying attention to. Obviously.

Even though he'd heard her say the words before, it still made him grin like an idiot to hear her say them again. They were words well known to him, by several women, but no one had ever said them quite like Caitrin. No one had ever known him like her so they couldn't say it truthfully. But she, she knew the best and worst of him (not that there really was a worst) and so when she said that she loved him, he knew she meant it, just like when he said he loved her, she knew there was no one who would ever love her like he did, not even close. "Well I had a feeling..." he replied with a grin before kissing her.

He didn't know how she'd done it, and he wasn't sure he'd understand it even if he did know, but somehow or other Caitrin had managed to become the most important thing in the world, the one thing that was absolutely crucial to his chance at happiness. It was ridiculous but it was true. He knew, with perfect clarity, that no one could ever make him this happy and no one would get the chance either. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, like this, in the sun.

For a moment or two he just watched her, amazed at how she could be quite so...lovely, he supposed, fantastic, beautiful, everything. And he bit his lip, and he scratched his neck, and he looked at the ground, with lip still in between his teeth and thought he was mad but that didn't matter because he looked back up at Caitrin and realised she made everything make sense, so there was only really one thing to do. "I want to marry you."

[Caitrin de Archer]

The fact he accepted her challenge was as unsurprising as he assumed himself the winner before they had even begun. She just grinned up at him; sure he would break before she did. She would like to hope, and dream, that she did have some more self-control than Griff, if she didn’t then God help them both. Neither of them had ever offered any resistance before to each other’s advances so this would be quite interesting. Pausing for a moment, Caitrin brushed her fingers across his cheek, down from his ear, and carefully traced her middle finger across his bottom lip. “Are you quite sure that I will be the first one to break?” She asked him confidently, pulling her hand back and trying to ignore the tingling sensations at the top of them. “If you’re so confident then perhaps you should prove it.” Her head was cocked to the side slightly, her hair pouring to one side and her words were said with as much suggestion as was the norm between them. Caitrin de Archer knew how to play this game; she just needed to make sure she could play it better than Griff could.

The words were still fresh in Caitrin’s mouth, and for a reason she almost felt vulnerable while they hung in the air. She’d taken many men between the sheets, and though they might mumble their affection, she’d never returned the favour; Griff was the first man she’d ever said she had loved. All of her vulnerabilities melted away as Griff grinned back at her, and the soft touch of his lips against hers just confirmed the fact in her mind. She did love him, Jesu there would never be anyone she loved as much as him. Somehow Griff had this way of just making her life seem more alive, and worth living, as long as she was by his side. “Really? I thought I was being subtle.” She teased, unable to resist the pull of his lips as she leant in for another small embrace.

“I want to marry you.” Caitrin just stared at Griff for a moment, not really believing what he’d just said. This was Griff Aubert, telling her he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, that he wanted her to become Caitrin Aubert. He wanted her to be by his side, and there wasn’t any part of that plan which didn’t appeal to her. Caitrin already knew her answer, and it would be almost impossible for Griff to not know her answer either. However, it was hardly the most romantic of words, and though Caitrin knew Griff wasn’t a romantic person, which was one of the reasons she did love him as much as she did, this was important. “Well, ‘I want’ doesn’t get.” She tried to look serious but everything about her features was giving her away entirely and pressing her lips together into a wide smile was all she could do to stop laughter bursting from them. This moment was just…perfect, “Ask me properly, and then I’ll give you an answer.”

[Griff Aubert]

Griff was fairly certain that as long as Caitrin didn't go around biting her lip he wouldn't break. He'd never been an advocat for self-restraint, especially when Caitrin was involved but this was quickly going to turn into a matter of pride. Caitrin could look as confident as she wanted, Griff had decided he was going to win this and that was that...no matter how hard she was making it for him...damn her. Of course this would all be much easier if she kept her hands to herself. He shifted slightly, trying not to think about the way her hair fell when she moved her head, or the suggestion in her tone. He liked to think he had more self-restraint than this, but so far he wasn't doing all that good a job at proving it. "You can flick you hair all you want, you're not going to break me." He said firmly and cross his arms in front of his chest, looking at her with an expression of determination. Anything she had planned wasn't going to work.

He knew full well that Caitrin was joking, but even so, it was a rather bad choice of words. Caitrin was many things, but subtle was definitely not one of them. He raised a disbelieving eyebrow but was unable to remove his smile, ruining the affect somewhat. "This is you being subtle? Well I'd love to see you being obvious."

Griff had been expecting a rather different reaction, which, in hindsight was stupid of him because this was Caitrin. When did she ever do what he expected? And while she hadn't said the word "yes" she was smiling and not making some comment or other in that tone of hers - the one she used when he'd said something particularly stupid, so that was a good sign, yes? In fairness, he hadn't been planning on asking her, it had just sort of happened so he could be forgiven for it not being quite up to her standards. He just rolled his eyes at her - feeling rather confident that she was just being annoying for the sake of it, and when he did ask her "properly" he'd hear the answer he wanted. "Well stand up then. If I've got to do this properly then so have you."

[Caitrin de Archer]

The fact Griff was folding his arms only made Caitrin want to continue, rather than disheartening her. She knew Griff was putting on a front, and he wouldn’t be able to last much longer. In truth she was near enough amazed he hadn’t jumped on her already. Hmm. Perhaps he did have a little more self-restraint than she had previously credited him with. She hadn’t even intentionally flicked her hair, well ok maybe she had. Her head was still to the side, and her fingers wove themselves through his hair, finding the nape of his neck and just lingering there for a few moments as she bit her bottom lip slowly and tentatively. “How much longer do you think you can last?” She drew out her words rather slowly, her suggestion still seeping through them. The fact Griff had got to this point without her pinned to the grass was impressive, but irritating in the same sense. This was a challenge, but one she was supposed to win.

In hindsight Caitrin’s words were probably ill chosen, she knew she wasn’t a subtle person at the best of times, which was why in the past suitors had never been an issue for her. She preferred a hands on approach, and didn’t have time to play hard to get most of the time. Where was the fun in that? Playing silly games like that only wasted time that could be better spent in an embrace, or between the sheets. She snorted at Griff’s words and grinned up at him, “Well, when I’m being obvious, you’ll be the first to know.” Her fingers trailed up the front of his shirt as she spoke, and she gave him a quick wink, the challenge was still on was it not?

The fact Griff was going along with what she said about the proposal just made everything seem clear in her mind. He was being serious, he really did want to spend the rest of his life with her. She started to get excited, even though she hadn’t confirmed her answer just yet. She knew she could have any man in the court, but she didn’t want any of them, she just wanted this wonderful man sat in front of her. Nothing else mattered; only him. As she stood up, which she did as gracefully as she could manage, her excitement only grew. Jesu, she would be Lady Caitrin Aubert before long, and she would be spending the rest of her life with Griff. She didn’t say anything because she was stood up, so she waited for him to speak the words so she could give him the answer he wanted to hear.

[Griff Aubert]

And now she was biting her lip. If she continued he definitely wouldn't be able to last for much longer. What's worse, he knew she was well aware of this and so would probably be biting her lip for quite a while, or, a few more seconds, as that's probably all it would take. He was debating whether or not he should sit on his hands - it was probably a very necessary precuation, but Caitrin would just laugh at him. Besides, that wouldn't really prove his point. "I can last," he cleared his throat, once again forced to ignore her hands - maybe she should be the one sitting on them...or he could tie them tog-no. He wasn't even going there. Trying to force that particular thought out of his head, he remembered he'd only been mid-sentence. "I can last as long as I want. And far longer than you expect. Stop biting your lip." He was quite sure that he could endure anything she threw at him, as long as she wasn't biting her lip.

So this was Caitrin trying to be subtle? She probably couldn't be more obvious if she tried - especially now her hands were on his chest, sending a small shiver down his spine. Well, she was going to have to try harder than that to tempt him. She hadn't managed to break him yet and as such he was filled with more confidence in his abilities. "Cait...you're always obvious." This was proven by Caitrin's hand on his shirt and her wink, and just her general being, really. She'd always been an assertive woman, not that he was complaining, at all. Who wanted some shy, timid woman when he could have Caitrin?

If he had been surprised by her reaction to his proposal, he was even more surprised when she actually complied and stood up. He'd been expecting her to say something, or at least roll her eyes. But no, she'd just stood up, smiling the mad idiot she was (because, honestly, who else but a mad idiot would ever be in her position?). Griff just looked up at her for a moment, matching her smile before shuffling over, a tad awkwardly as he was trying to get himself on one knee in the process. He cleared his throat and took one of her hands in both of his. "Lady Caitrin de Archer, would you do me the honour of being my wife?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin almost chewed on her bottom lip for a few moments before licking the soft skin there with the tip of her tongue, and settled with a soft grin at Griff. “Why? Does it bother you?” Well, she knew it bothered him which was why she was doing it in the first place. She was trying for a reaction from him, but so far he wasn’t budging, and though it was admirable in a way it was incredibly irritating. At this rate she would be trying so hard to get a reaction out of him that she’d end up jumping on him herself, which wasn’t exactly the point in the challenge. She was supposed to be showing more self control. Hmm. Griff was always desirable in her eyes, and it never took more than a few words of suggestion to have them tumbling between the sheets. This was probably the longest either of them had ever lasted, which was really saying something. Caitrin inched her head towards his, and just blew a little onto his lips, then proceeding to look at him as her teeth once again toyed with her bottom lip. She wasn’t quite sure why it had such an effect on him, but she didn’t care, it was fun to watch his reaction. “It would be so much easier to give in you know.” She whispered to him, lips hovering over his. It took all her strength as well not to make up the extra few inches towards him, but she resisted just for the time being.

She was quite insulted in a way. She had thought she was doing quite a good job of being subtle, but then when she sat back and actually thought about it she frowned slightly. She hadn’t been subtle in any sense so far. She could pretend to be bothered, but this was just her, and Griff clearly appreciated it because he was still here. “Are you complaining?” She asked, both her hands now smoothing over the front of his shirt, making their way to his back as her fingers drew little circles on the fabric of his shirt. He knew they both wanted this, he could just give in and let them both have their pleasures, then again so could she, and that wasn’t about to happen.

Caitrin de Archer almost felt nervous as Griff took her hand in both of his, though she would never admit that. She felt her stomach flutter at his touch, and she just smiled down at him, at this fantastic man. It felt like hours had passed before he spoke again, and when he did, he certainly didn’t disappoint. "Lady Caitrin de Archer, would you do me the honour of being my wife?" Even though he had technically asked her to marry him already, this time it was more traditional, it was how she’d always imagined this moment to be. A warm sensation pulsed through her, she was loved, and wanted, and Griff wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. “Yes.” Was all she could manage at first, but a million things were rushing through her head, and she was just grinning madly down at him. Her hand still in his she half fell to her knees, and threw her arms around him, pulling him into her embrace, “Yes, Griff Aubert, I will be your wife.”

[Griff Aubert]

Griff narrowed his eyes at her. She really wasn't helping, which he supposed was the point, but even so. He was still going to glare. She knew full well that it bothered him - why else would she be doing it? She was an evil woman, albeit a very attractive one. He just had to continue ignoring her as he was doing and eventually she'd get bored. Caitrin really wasn't one for hanging around, if he just stayed as he was she'd soon find something else to amuse herself with, and then he would have proven that he could last as long as he wanted. All would be well with the world. And then he'd jump on her. His point would already have been proven, after all.

"It doesn't bother me at all." He lied quite blatantly. They both knew her actions were bothering him rather a lot, but he wasn't about to go around admitting that. Rather annoyingly, he couldn't help but close his eyes, savouring the sensation of her lips so close to his, becoming increasingly frustrated when she didn't close the gap between them completely and not allowing himself to do the same thing. He wasn't going to break now. "When do I go for the easy option?"

Of cours he wasn't complaining, well, only in so much as she was very good at tempting him and equally good at making him even more stubborn and determined not to give in to such temptation. She was enjoying this far more than she should be, and definitely far more than he was. But he'd quite made him his mind to pay her back for that. "When do I ever complain about what you do?" Quite often actually, but that wasn't the point. He didn't complain when she was doing these sorts of things.

Griff hadn't had time to fully register her answer before she'd thrown her arms around him and he was taken rather off balance. His own arms automatically found her waist, holding her as close to him as possible. “Yes, Griff Aubert, I will be your wife.” He pulled back slightly, just enough so he could see her properly. She really was the most beautiful person in the world and she was going to be his wife...that was a rather strange thought. He had to repeat it a few times in his head. Caitrin was going to be his wife. "Well, Caitrin de Archer - soon to be Caitrin Aubert - you may have just made me the happiest man alive."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Though Caitrin de Archer would never admit it to anyone, least of all herself, she did have quite a short attention span, especially when she wasn’t getting the reaction she wanted. In enacting this little game, she was starting to think she had got herself more heated and excited than she had got Griff. This in itself was incredibly annoying because now she wanted him on her with more urgency, before her self-control really did slip. Why couldn’t Griff just give in? They both knew he wanted to, this was just him being stubborn for the sake of it. She narrowed her eyes at Griff as he spoke, he was doing a good job at lying, which again was just annoying.

When she did pull back her lips, she pulled back her whole body as well from Griff, because she was getting irritated that none of her ideas were working. She leant back slightly, her chest pressed out a slight bit to see if she could entice him to come closer, “Well if you’re going to be stubborn about it…” She said in a mock irritated tone, she knew Griff had got himself to the point where it would take Caitrin physically jumping on him to get a reaction, and then that would ruin the point of this little game wouldn’t it? She had a feeling she wasn’t going to win this, and that really did annoy her, she wasn’t a good loser, even with little games like this, but she had got herself so excited trying to lure Griff into a reaction that now she was almost willing to concede to just let him do what he wished. She smirked at his latter words, “Then you wouldn’t complain about any of the things I just did?” She asked him with a raised eye brow, not incredibly convinced.

Jesu, Caitrin almost felt like she was shaking because she was that happy. She couldn’t help herself, she was just grinning madly at this man in front of her, the man who would soon be her husband. Husband. Once the word would have meant nothing but misery for Caitrin, but now she couldn’t be happier. She felt quite flustered as Griff called her Caitrin Aubert and she tucked a small piece of hair behind her ear. Her hands found Griff’s cheeks and she pulled his lips to hers, merging them gently, caressing the soft skin with her own lips. “And you have made me the happiest woman alive Griff.” She breathed against his lips, drawing back so she could look on at him, “Caitrin Aubert, it has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?” Her mad grin was still plastered on her lips, but she didn’t care, it wasn’t every day you were proposed to was it? “I love you Griff.” She found herself saying, the words still felt new on her tongue, but they felt right at the same time as she pressed her lips back down to his. She loved Griff, and she was going to spend the rest of her life with him, and they would have their own family together.

[Griff Aubert]

He was going to be stubborn about it. He was Griff Aubert, stubborn was one of his many talents. The problem lay with Caitrin's own stubborn nature, as well as her flirtatious one. Well, he wasn't going to give in and she was just going to have to accept that. She could stick her chest out all she wanted, and yes, Griff was going to look but still, it wouldn't make a difference. Even in situations like this Griff still had some self-restraint, albeit not much. This would be one of the only times he'd be ignoring Caitrin's advances so he was going to make the most of it.

"I'm not complaining," he said after a moment's pause because she was still sticking her chest out and it was rather difficult to stare and remember he was in the middle of a conversation. Eventually he tore his eyes away, because really it was very distracting, but he supposed that was what Caitrin was trying for. "I'm not complaining at all..." He was looking again. He mentally hit himself, he really was a shallow creature. It wouldn't matter so much if Caitrn wasn't playing this to her full advantage. Damn her.

Griff was going to say something about how it was quite obvious that he'd made her the happiest woman alive but that would probably have ruined the moment somewhat. Besides, he was too busy just being happy to be narcissistic. But his knees were beginning to ache so he released Caitrin and settled himself in a more comfortable position on the grass. He sat there, still looking at her, still grinning like an idiot, legs stretched out in front of him and leaning his weight on his arms to he could lean back slightly. He had only just asked her to marry him, but it was all still slightly surreal. Caitrin was going to be his wife. Out of everyone in the world she had said yes to him. He couldn't quite believe it. "Caitrin Aubert has a very nice ring to it." he replied, tilting his head to the side, still unable to take his eyes away from her.

Even though he head her say it before, his grin automatically widened when she told him she loved him. Various women had said to him before, but none of them had meant it like Caitrin did, and anyway, he didn't care if various women really did love him. He only cared about the woman in front of him. He pushed himself forward until his lips found hers again and his hand started caressing the skin on her neck. He was still grinning when he pulled away. He was too happy to do anything but grin at her. "I love you too, future wife."

[Caitrin de Archer]

The chest idea had been her last resort, and though Griff was staring, he wasn’t doing anything, which made it utterly pointless. She was slightly annoyed, and disappointed, she almost felt like she was losing her touch. However, she didn’t voice this, and her chest stayed pressed out, because Griff was still staring, and it amused her somewhat. “Your loss.” She said simply and shifted so her chest was back to its usual height, and she inched herself away from Griff, and as she did she had a feeling she had lost the little competition. Fabulous.

Caitrin Aubert Gosh, it still felt strange against her tongue, and she whispered it to herself, trying to imagine herself being addressed as such. She had always been a de Archer, but now she was going to be leaving that behind, and she would only answer to Griff. That was a thought, when she was married her family’s involvement in her life, bar her Uncle Rouland, would end. Jesu, that was a liberating thought and just made the proposal all the sweeter. “I’m glad you agree.” She shot him a wide smile, because she couldn’t keep a smile from forming on her features. She was just so happy, she was sure this feeling would only be surpassed on their wedding day. Gosh that felt even stranger to think about.

Caitrin began to wonder if she would ever get used to telling Griff that she loved him. The concept was still so new to her, and it was something which she thought would never happen. She was never supposed to fall in love, she was supposed to just carry on in her own way, and not stop for any man. But then this wonderful man in front of her had come along and changed everything. He’d just changed everything, and she was glad he had, because she honestly couldn’t be happier than she was now. The hand at her neck caused her to shudder involuntary. She couldn’t understand how his touch fired up her sensations so much. She already loved being called his future wife, she would try so hard to make a good wife, just for him. “Future husband,” She breathed into his lips, just trying the word out on her lips. Jesu, it was all still very new and very exciting. Griff was going to be her husband. Her lips were quick to find Griff’s again, and she swiftly deepened the kiss, pressing herself against her fiancée until he naturally went with her. She didn’t stop until he was lying down on the grass, and she was leaning on top of him. This was hardly unusual for them, and they were in enough privacy here in the gardens to not worry too much about it. They were here on their own, and Caitrin had already excited herself a bit too much. Her lips found Griff’s again, her kiss deep and her hand running through his hair, the other supporting herself against the grass. She didn’t even care about their little competition anymore, she only had eyes for Griff. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” She breathed against his lips, because she just wanted him to know how much he meant to her, and that she would never have eyes for anyone but him.

[Griff Aubert]

Griff was feeling rather proud of himself, which was strange, because he was feeling this way because he'd managed to resist Caitrin. This was definitely a circumstance that wouldn't be happening again very often, if it all. Still, this was a win, and therefore Caitrin having to admit defeat, so it was all the sweeter. He was determined to enjoy the victory, but not too much, because now it meant he didn't have to be stubborn anymore. "I think you'll find," he said, leaning forward slightly, a small smile across his lips, "that's your loss." Perhaps she'd still argue against his victory, but they both knew he had won this time. Go team, Team Griff that was.

It was ridiculous that one question and one answer could make him this happy, but it wasn't just an answer, it was a promise. It was Caitrin telling him that she wanted to spend her life with him, above everyone else she had chosen him. It was the best feeling in the world - knowing the woman he loved felt the same way, knowing they were going to be happy together, they were going to have a future together. Griff was by no means romantic, but even he had to admit that was quite a nice feeling.

If Griff Aubert had been romantic, he would have been able to reply to her words with something impressive, something to make Caitrin smile and to remove any doubts - and this was a fairly huge if - that she could have about choosing him. He could make her understand his feelings towards her, all of them, even the ones he didn't understand himself. She would feel loved like no other person in the world. Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, this was not the case, and, when in doubt, Griff did as he always did and fell back on his put upon narcissism. "Well naturally. I've spent nineteen years of my life with me. It's been pretty fantastic." He kissed her quickly, before she could say anything in protest.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin de Archer, in truth, had never felt so happy before. A part of her almost didn’t want to trust this feeling; she’d loved before and she’d been hurt so many times. But this was different, and she had to keep telling herself that. Griff wasn’t like every other man she’d welcomed into her bed. He understood her, and this was him telling her that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Caitrin just couldn’t keep a smile from her face. She just looked down at Griff, and entwined her fingers through his hair. She could get used to this, just knowing that there was something stable in her life. She didn’t have to spend her life alone, Griff was here, and he wasn’t going to leave her. She was sure of it. It had taken Caitrin long enough to trust Griff with her heart, and to admit that she did love him. Caitrin had never allowed herself to love anyone in the way she loved Griff before, but she didn’t regret it; not for a moment.

It was a strange feeling; that she was now tied to Griff, or at least she would be. There wouldn’t be any other men in her life, and they would be so happy, and eventually they’d have a family. They would be a family. It was all incredibly daunting for Caitrin, but in a good way. She leant down and kissed Griff softly on the lips before he spoke. His words didn’t surprise her, and she drew back from his kiss and poked him as hard as she could in the side. She rolled her eyes at him, “Well I’ll be the judge of that.” She said playfully, before drawing another kiss from his lips. She had no doubt though that they would be happy together, no matter what. It was one of Caitrin’s more romantic thoughts, and she wasn’t an incredibly romantic person. Griff had a habit though of bringing out that side of her personality.

Kissing Griff again on the lips, she rolled off him and just lay beside him; a large grin on her lips. Who would have thought it? Caitrin de Archer, an engaged woman. Sitting up slightly, she put her weight on her arms and looked across at her soon to be husband. As perfect as this moment was, there was just one small detail missing. “Don’t you have something to give me?” She asked him, cocking her head and grinning at him. In Mercia when a man proposed to a woman he gave her a ring, as a token of affection and to show that their heart belonged to one man alone. Caitrin rolled onto her front; holding her head up with one arm and just grinned up at Griff, waiting for her answer.

[Griff Aubert]

Griff didn't particularly appreciate Caitrin's comments. If she was going to be his wife then she should probably get used to just blindly agree to whatever he said - not that he was going to vocalise this opinion, nor did he actually believe it. If he wanted a meek, obedient wife - which he certainly didn't - then he wouldn't be marrying Caitrin. But the point still stood. He happened to be an expert on all things Griff Aubert, so she shouldn't need to be a judge of anything. There was nothing for her to judge. Life with him being fantastic was just a fact. He'd been too busy justifying such thoughts to himself that he hadn't noticed her hand move, and was taken quite off guard by her poking. "Ow." Of course it hadn't hurt that much, but he was never one to make light of anything, especially when he good get some sympathy out of it...actually, seeing as this was Caitrin there would be no sympathy at all. "I speak the truth." He argued, but was quickly distracted by her kissing him again.

He was rather put out when she moved away from him. That had been a rather enjoyable position to be in. He shuffled closer, putting an arm around her waist rather loosely. He wasn't quite ready to severe all contact just yet. It seemed such contact would not last, however, as Caitrin half-sat up, resting on her arms, and so Griff's own arm was returned to his side, and he was, once again, rather put out. He narrowed his eyes slightly at her question. He had something to give her? His brain was only giving him inappropriate answers. Somehow he didn't think Caitrin meant that. Oh...wait...did she mean because of the engagement? He knew it was tradition in other kingdoms for a man to offer a woman a ring at such a time, but it wasn't a popular one in Glouchedon, and even if it was, his proposal had surprised even himself, and so he wouldn't have had one anyway.

He scratched his neck. He couldn't not give her anything. For once he found himself rather irritated that he didn't make it a habit of wearing a ring himself. Obviously that would have been to easy an answer. Coming to what he thought would be an appreciated solution he sat up and started fumbling with a chain around his neck. It was something he always wore - never took it off, and so more often that not completely forgot he was wearing it. Hopefully it would suffice. "Well there's this," he said, now that he was holding the small pendant and chain he was less convinced of its suitability. It was only a simple thing, but it was the only thing he had. "It's was my mother's, so I suppose it's not strictly speaking Aubert but..." he trailed off. She either wanted it or she didn't, and his babbling wouldn't help. But if she didn't want it then he was a tad stuck.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Surely Griff knew her well enough to know he would receive no sympathy from her? Well she had been the one to poke him after all, why would she therefore feel sorry for something she had meant to do? For good measure, Caitrin poked Griff again and smirked at him. She didn’t feel like she had to say anything; her point had been proven, well in respect to the poking of course. Caitrin just shrugged, she had no idea what their lives would be like from now on. Once they were married, their futures would become entwined and they would spend every day of their lives together; side by side, through whatever life could throw at them. “As I said, we’ll see.” She winked at him, but then entwined her fingers within his and couldn’t help but just smile at him. Her Griff, and soon he would be all hers, “But I can’t wait to find out.”

As she rolled onto her side, she watched Griff curiously, almost feeling bad for landing him in it somewhat. Perhaps she shouldn’t have said anything, it had put him on the spot and she hadn’t meant to ruin the moment. Caitrin just kept her eyes on her soon to be husband, and bit her lip softly. She couldn’t say how Glouchedonian’s celebrated an engagement, because she had never thought to ask. It had never really come up in conversation before, and it was a little too late to ask now. Mercian’s took an engagement incredibly seriously, and it meant a couple was as good as married, which was why they sealed the agreement with a ring. Caitrin was almost sorry that they had not spoke about this before, but they had always been a little preoccupied, and it had taken them long enough to admit they loved each other, let alone speak of the future.

Caitrin sat up with Griff and tilted her head slightly as he began to fumble with a chain that hung around his neck. She had seen the pendant many a time, but had never really thought to ask about it. It had almost become part of Griff’s skin in a way, so much so it was usually hardly noticed. As he extended his hand to her, she realised what he meant to do. A part of her was slightly disappointed it wasn’t a ring; it was a Mercian tradition after all. She was however, she supposed, marrying a Glouchedonian, and not a Mercian, so the rules were slightly different. There was plenty of time anyway to ensure Griff was familiar with this tradition before their actual wedding day so she would at least have a wedding ring. Smiling, she shuffled over to Griff, and kissed him softly, “It’s perfect; thank you.” She reassured him, but before she turned around so that he could place it around her neck she paused. He had said it belonged to his mother, so maybe it meant more to him than he was giving it credit for. “Are you completely sure you want to give it to me?” She asked him quite seriously, “If it means a lot to you, I don't want you to feel like you have to give it to me."

[Griff Aubert]

Bit meh, excuse is my damn cold.

Griff wouldn’t have offered it to her if he wasn’t sure she should have it – he wasn’t that much of an idiot. Besides, to him it was only a reminder of his home, his parents and why he had absolutely no intention of going back there. Hopefully for Caitrin it would have a more positive meaning. It was a nice enough thing; it deserved to have someone care about it, rather than someone wearing it out of a sense of duty. His mother had given it to him before he left. It was supposed to remind him that no matter where he went his home was always in Glouchedon, and no matter what he did he was first and foremost an Aubert. Strangely enough, that had never appealed. The whole point had been to prove himself as Griff – not an Aubert, not a Glouchedonian, just himself. It seemed rather fitting then that it should be passed onto Caitrin. He’d found himself after finding her.

“Of course I am,” he replied with a nod before struggling with the clasp for a few moments. The chain was long enough to go over her head, but that didn’t really have the same effect as him putting it around her neck, which he managed to do with much less trouble than undoing the damn clasp. His fingers lingered against her skin for a moment or two before being reluctantly taken away. “It’s a family heirloom and you’re going to be family. You’re going to be my family.”

Ah yes, family...he’d have to tell Lucan of course. He’d heard about what happened when his brother and now fiancé had first met. In truth, he hadn’t really been surprised that they hadn’t got along. Lucan was far too uptight to approve of anything he did, so he was bound to disapprove of Caitrin’s behaviour as well. Regardless though, his brother was going to have to accept that Caitrin was going to be related to him. And Griff was going to be related to Rouland...he hadn’t thought this through...and it just occurred to him that technically he was supposed to have asked his permission before asking Caitrin. He cringed slightly. He didn’t particularly enjoy talking to Rouland at the best of times, but this was unavoidable. How wonderful. “Of course there is one downside to all of this. I’m going have to talk to your uncle.”