Ladies Who Lunch (Elenora)

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was making quite a regular journey today to see her friend the Lady Elenora. They had been good friends for years now, even after everything that had happened with her father. Caitrin had been surprised that Nora had ever wanted to see her again after that. Since then Caitrin had practised more with her herblore, despite having three children to tend for now. She had been intending to only take Arthur and Esmae with her to visit Nora, as she thought that Alfie would have been too tired to join in with his brother and sister, but he had already had a nap that morning and was relatively refreshed, so she had said that he could come with them. She hoped that they weren’t going to be too loud for Nora, or too irritating. She was fully aware of how much of a handful her own children were from others perspectives.

They had taken the carriage to get to Nora’s estate; Esmae was leant up against her on the seat; Arthur was opposite her and Alfie was on her lap. Arthur was talking away to Alfie, despite getting little answer back; Esmae on the other hand kept straightening her dress down and looking out the window to see how close they were. They did eventually pull up outside Nora’s estate and Esmae jumped up excitedly. All of Caitrin’s children had known Nora since they had been babes in arms, so they always loved to see her. Caitrin opened the door, and Esmae jumped out, followed quickly by Arthur. Caitrin carried Alfie out of the carriage, though he began squirming when they were out of it, and wanted to walk rather than to be carried. Caitrin rolled her eyes and set him down; he was getting more and more like her. He was certainly stubborn enough.

He let her take his hand at least, and Caitrin led her children indoors, hoping that they weren’t too early. She’d allowed for the usual bother that getting three children ready to go out took on her time management, but today they had all just got ready straight away and hadn’t put up a fuss. She wasn’t complaining in the slightest, but it wasn’t something she would be relying on during every journey. “Can you inform Lady Elenora that the Lady Caitrin is here,” Caitrin looked round at her children, “As are the little rabble.” She grinned; the servants knew her well enough here to know she was joking.

Tagged: Lady Elenora
Timeline: After Arthur's Bane
Location: The Young Estate[/size]

[Lady Elenora]

The sun was out, the birds were singing and Nora was happy. Her friend, Caitrin was visiting, making the day even more perfect. Though the day had yet to begin. She hoped that Caitrin would bring her children too, especially the newest addition, Alfie. She adored babies and unlike many others, did find their company joyous.

Her maid came in announcing that her friend and her children, Nora muttered, "Thanks, Isabel. Send them in." Before she stood up to greet them. She had organized for them to all have tea outside, like a picnic so that the children could run around and play. For Alfie, she hoped that he would enjoy the wooden toys that she had picked out for him to play with. As well as a basket in case he was sleepy and needed a nap as all children that age needed it.

Finally Isabel showed Caitrin and the children into her parlor, Nora curtsied low before smiling at them, "Hello Caitrin and little ones," She stepped closer to them, "It's lovely to see you all again." She spoke warmly before gesturing for them all to sit down.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin regarded Nora as one of her closest friends here in Camelot, and she was so good with her children that it just made their friendship stronger. There had been times when Caitrin had regretted not getting to know Nora sooner, but she knew her now, and that was all that mattered. She held Alfie’s hand as they all waited to be announced; Esmae and Arthur were so used to being here now that it was almost like a second home to them so she didn’t need to tell them how to act. The servant came back to them with a usual efficiency, and they were led into the parlour. Caitrin let Esmae and Arthur walk along in front of her and Alfie. She smiled as they all approached Nora.

Releasing Alfie’s hand for a short moment, Caitrin swept into a low curtsey as well, showing the respect for her friend. Esmae gave a clumsy sort of curtsey as well, and Arthur attempted a bow, though he almost fell over in the process, but regained his balance at the last second. Alfie was the only one who did not make some sort of greeting; instead he just stared at Nora. “It’s nice to see you again too Nora.” Caitrin took up the seat, and lifted Alfie onto her knee; Esmae and Arthur sat down as well. “Thank you for having us all round.” Caitrin couldn’t understand how Nora had the patience for all three of her children on such a regular basis. She did appreciate it though.

Alfie sat quite comfortably on her knee, and Caitrin brushed her hand through his dark, thick hair. She put her arms around him and looked across at Nora with a smile, “How have you been since I last saw you?” She asked brightly. Esmae and Arthur were sitting quite quietly for children of their age, though Caitrin could see Esmae was fiddling with her dress out of boredom. Her children could barely sit still for more than a few minutes at a time.

[Lady Elenora]

Nora watched as they all greeted her, with Esmae giving a little clumsy curtsy which Nora found adorable. Arthur too tried his best to do a elegant bow like gentlemen do. Aflie, on the other hand, just started at her with curiosity and Nora just smiled at him. Caitrin expressed her happiness in seeing her again and Nora returned the sentiments. "I'm very happy to see you all here again after some time." Nora laughed when she said thank you, "It's no problem at all." As Nora assumed Caitrin was talking about the three children. Most people found children's company tiresome, but Nora really enjoyed it.

Caitrin then asked her kindly how she was going, Nora nodded, "I am well, dear Caitrin. I had a little cold but I'm feeling much better now I had some rest. How are you my dear friend?" She asked her friend warmly, before looking at each of the children and addressing them, "And how are you dear children?" Nora could not help but marvel at how much they all had grown since she last saw them.

"I had a thought that we might have a little picnic together outside since the weather is very fine and agreeable today. What do you think?" Nora asked them, knowing the answer anyway but wanting to allow them the choice.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin enjoyed taking her children to see Nora, as she knew that they enjoyed her company as much as she enjoyed theirs. The children loved visiting her as well, so it was always a welcomed scenario. She hated the thought of herself and the children being cooped up at the estate all day, and so breaks from their usual routine, like this, were needed. It gave the children new places to discover, and new people to meet. Caitrin’s childhood had been incredibly controlled and had been based at her family home. She had hated the claustrophobic feeling of growing up in an environment like that, and so she provided her family with the complete opposite. She smiled as they got past their usual formalities, and nodded. Caitrin was never quite sure how time slipped in-between these sorts of meetings, but when you had three very young children, the weeks all merged into one.

She was a little concerned to hear that Nora had been feeling unwell. If she had known then she would have made her friend a potion, or some sort of remedy to help her feel a little better. However, after the events of two or so years ago, she could understand if she was the last person that Nora wanted to go to for a medical opinion. She was probably better off with a real physician anyway. “It wasn’t too serious, I hope?” Caitrin asked slowly, as she knew that Nora would downplay her illness even if she had been bedbound for a week. Her perception of what a small cold was, and what Caitrin’s was were probably two very different matters. “I’m very well actually. Alfie has finally started sleeping fully through the night, so I’ve been getting a full night’s sleep for the first time in a very, very long time.” She smiled and shrugged, the children sometimes found it hard to settle, or woke in the night, and it was always Caitrin that ran to their sides as Griff had things to tend to with the estate and so forth. Alfie had always been a difficult sleeper, though Caitrin could never understand why.

She didn’t answer for her children, though they looked at her before thinking to give Nora an answer. Esmae smiled at Nora and nodded with an enthusiastic, “I am good!” Arthur said the same, and Alfie just shyly blushed and turned into his mother to avoid having to look at anyone else for much longer. Alfie was too young to speak yet, and so Caitrin ran her hand through his hair and smiled at Nora, “He hasn’t found his voice yet, but I think when he does he’ll be more talkative than both of these two.” Alfie was shy at first, but only until he was completely familiar with a person. All the children looked completely thrilled at the prospect of a picnic, and Caitrin was as well. She nodded enthusiastically, “That sounds perfect, Nora.” It meant the children could run around, and she and Nora could have the catch up they were both craving, “Do you want to go out there now? It seems a shame to waste the good weather.”

[Lady Elenora]

When Nora heard the strong hint of concern in her friends voice when she said that she hoped it was not serious, she knew what her friend might have been thinking. After everything that happened the past two years or so, Caitrin was probably thinking she didn't trust her medical expertise. So Nora quickly reassured her that it was not the case, "No it was not serious. If it was I would have sent a message to you." Because Nora trusted Caitrin more than most people.

“I’m very well actually. Alfie has finally started sleeping fully through the night, so I’ve been getting a full night’s sleep for the first time in a very, very long time.” Her friend told her and Nora was glad that her friend was getting more sleep now. "Well that is good Caitrin. I'm sure you missed getting a full night's sleep." Nora then smiled at little Alfie, his eyes so very adorable that Nora could not help herself looking into his eyes.

Nora then noticed the children all look at their mother before answering her question. Esmae smiled at her, which Nora returned and told her very enthusiastically that she was good, which her twin did the same. Meanwhile, little Alfie blushed shyly before looking up at his mother. And this didn't surprise Nora as she knew that Alfie was still not talking yet being a little too young. “He hasn’t found his voice yet, but I think when he does he’ll be more talkative than both of these two.” Caitrin explained and Nora grinned, "I'm sure he will. My young sister was like that..." Nora started to say before trailing off. Though, it had been three years since her sister's death it was still hard for Nora to talk about her. But Nora didn't have time to dwell on it for the children and Caitrin were so excited at the prospect of going on a picnic.

“Do you want to go out there now? It seems a shame to waste the good weather.” Her friend asked her eagerly and Nora nodded, "Yes, we shall go out now." Nora then rang her bell and Isabel came rushing into the parlor where she then asked her maid whether the preparations for the picnic were ready. Her maid informed her that it was and so they all made they way out to the garden.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin knew that she had just been being silly to think Nora would not trust her to help nurse her. Of course they both knew that no physician could have saved her father, the poison was too far in his system for anything to help him. That didn’t make the fact any easier to swallow of course, but there would always be a part of Caitrin that assumed Nora blamed her a little for what had happened during that series of events. “Well, do not hesitate to do so in the future.” She smiled, and rested the top of her head against Alfie’s mop of brown hair, “I can always leave my little rabble under the watchful eye of their father if you ever need any help.” Griff would have no choice in the matter of course.

She nodded, of course she had missed her full night’s sleep, but now she was getting them back she was realising how much she had missed them. Having three young children did nothing for her sleeping pattern, and entertaining them all often used up most of her energy. Most nights she crawled into bed completely exhausted. “No doubt the nights will be interrupted again in time.” She grinned, she and Griff weren’t expecting another child at the moment, but she did want more children. Caitrin had grown up in a large family, and so she felt like that was normal. Alfie was sat quite quietly on her knee, which surprised her. Usually he began to mess, and annoy her. However, he seemed quite settled today.

The sadness in Nora’s voice when she mentioned her sister wasn’t missed by the young noblewoman, so she offered a little reassuring smile. Caitrin vaguely remembered Nora’s sister from the Camelotian courts, but in truth she could barely remember her face. Of course she would never tell Nora that, but still, it made her a little sad that she had just allowed her memories to fade. “I hope so, he’ll have to speak loudly to get a word in edgeways with these two.” Both Esmae and Arthur looked up at her; Esmae grinned knowingly while Arthur just blushed again. Alfie leant back against his mother, who slipped her arms round his middle, squeezing him jokingly.

Both the twins jumped up at the mention of going outside, Caitrin just rolled her eyes at them before setting Alfie down so he could walk the short way to the gardens. She didn’t take his hand, as he had already caught up with Esmae and Arthur. Caitrin hugged her middle, but smiled, she liked the fact that all three of her children appeared to get on extremely well. “Thank you for all this effort Nora, you really don’t have to just for us.” She smiled at her friend as they began to walk into the gardens. The preparations really were beautiful, and Caitrin sat down, smiling at Nora as she did the same, “We picked the right day for it, wouldn’t you say?”

[Lady Elenora]

“Well, do not hesitate to do so in the future.” Her dear friend told her sincerely, before she rested the top of her head against her adorable son's brown hair, “I can always leave my little rabble under the watchful eye of their father if you ever need any help.” Nora laughed at that, "I promise you, if I need any assistance I will contact you." And indeed she would, however at the same time she did not want to cause any disturbance if it was not serious. "Though, I feel a little sorry for Griff to be left in charge of of your brood." And it was true and one of the main reasons she was considerate when it came to contacting her.

Caitrin then told her with wide grin adoring her lovely face that her nights will be interrupted again in time "Does this mean you are hoping to expand your family?" Nora asked happily for she knew what a good mother Caitrin was and how hands-on and dedicated she was to their care and happiness. she only hoped if she ever became a wife and mother that she would be a great mother like her friend.

Nora felt Caitrin's reassuring smile when she mentioned her dear, beloved sister. She had a feeling that Caitrin did not remember much of her seeing as her sister ventured out in society not that much before her unexpected death.

“I hope so, he’ll have to speak loudly to get a word in edge-ways with these two.” Caitrin answered and little Esmae and Arthur looked up at her; Esmae gave a knowing grin while little Arthur just blushed again. Alfie, in the meanwhile looked like he enjoyed being in his mother's arms. Nora giggled, "No doubt he will find a way to make himself heard."

Nora smiled widely as both the twins jumped up at the prospect of going outside, their mother just rolled her eyes at them before she set tiny Alfie down so he could walk the short journey to the gardens. Caitrin did not hold his hand as he already was with his brother and sister. Leaving nothing for Nora to do but to walk with their mother. “Thank you for all this effort Nora, you really don’t have to just for us.” Caitrin complimented her, before she smiled at her.

"It's my pleasure," Nora returned her friend's smile with one of her own. She just hoped that Caitrin and her children liked the preparations she had made. She had her maids and servants set up a little tent with a nice cotton blanket and many wooden toys set up inside for the children to play in, as well as a blanket outside set with food and drinks. She also made sure that their stable hand prepared some foals for the children in case they wanted to go for a ride.

“We picked the right day for it, wouldn’t you say?”

"Indeed we did," Nora smiled broadly, before asking, "I hope it is alirght that I asked our stable hand to bring out the foals? I thought the children might enjoy a little ride."