It's a Nice Day for a White Wedding [Caitrin]

[Griff Aubert]

When Griff Aubert awoke it was still a normal day. The sun was still shining as it usually did, the birds were still making that annoying chirping sound, and he was fairly certain Allard would be downstairs, already well underway with whatever it was he did all day because he had the ability to be alive before midday. This feeling of normality lasted approximately three seconds. He awoke unlike he usually did, by being shaken slightly. Griff did not take kindly to being woken up. He tried to get rid of whoever it was that was disturbing his sleep, but they were not going to be so easily beaten. ”Griff, wake up.”

Why was Allard waking him? He opened his eyes, only half awake, but certainly confused. “What are you doing?”

“I’m waking you up.” Allard replied simply, he’d thought his actions were obvious. “I doubt Lady Caitrin would approve of you sleeping in.”

The young man rubbed a hand over his face, brushing the sleep away from his eyes. He couldn’t brush away the confusion as easily though. “What?”

“Well if you want to sleep in until midday on your wedding day, although I’d hazard a guess that it would be more likely to be your funeral.” He stepped to give Griff room to get out of the bed.

“Wha-” Oh. Right. Realisation dawned. And for a wonderful second that was all he felt – realisation, relief at the loss of confusion. And then the situation sunk in. He was getting married. He was getting married. Today. To Caitrin. In a few hours he would be a married man. Oh Jesu. Allard must have seen the boy’s panic because he put a hand on his shoulder and said something that was probably supposed to be comforting but Griff wasn’t really listening. He was too busy forgetting that breathing was good, and not having a heart attack was probably even better.

This was ridiculous. He wanted to get married, he’d asked Caitrin because, well he’d asked because she’d made him do it properly, but he’d said he wanted to marry her because it was true. But now it was today and suddenly everything felt so real and grown up and he really, really didn’t. He felt nine again, trying to run away from Thomas so he didn’t have to attend his lessons. Only now he was nineteen and he was trying to run away from Allard so he didn’t have to get married. He loved Caitrin, this wasn’t in question, he loved her more than anything and the prospect of spending the rest of his life with her was a happy one it was just...marriage. He wasn’t prepared for this. He’d assumed he would be by the time it actually came to it, but he’d been horrifically wrong.

He was pulled out of his panic attack, and out of bed, by Allard, almost managing to collide with the floor in the process. Already the day was going so well. Oh this was going to be a disaster. He could just feel it. Griff was awful at functioning on the most simple of days, which meant he’d be horrendous today.

“Are you planning on dressing today?” Allard was leaning against Griff’s cupboard, eyebrows raised. “Or are you going like that...?”

Griff looked down – he was only wearing the tunic he slept in. How attractive. With a rather embarrassed look he joined Allard at the cupboard and started looking for something to wear. He pulled out some trousers and threw them rather carelessly on the bed.

“Are you going to wear those?” After receiving a rather annoyed look Allard put his hands up defensively, “I just thought you might want to make an effort.”

“I am making an effort.” Griff sounded more like a sulky child than a groom, but at least the panic seemed to be easing off for a bit.

Allard just pressed his lips together, a pitying look across his features, “Are you though? It’s a good thing you have me.”

*

It was a good thing Allard had woken up Griff with plenty of time to spare, because he took two hours to dress the man. In some respects, it had been a good plan though. With each wardrobe change, Griff had just become more and more annoyed, and such feeling was managing to replace the panic and fear. It was to be a short lived calm, as soon as they stepped out of the door Griff was not coping again. Allard had just rolled his eyes and pushed him into the carriage.

As it was only a small affair, it had been decided that the actual ceremony would be held on the de Archer estate, or rather Caitrin had informed Griff and he’d just nodded and pretended he’d had some sort of input. And now he was stood there, waiting for Caitrin, trying to ignore the “reassuring” looks Allard and Lucan were giving him. His legs felt as if they were about to give way any second, and he was certain his heart was pounding so much it would just end up jumping out of his chest. This was it. This was actually happening. He was getting married.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin de Archer was lay in bed, wide awake, with just her thoughts keeping her occupied. It was hard to think of what was going to happen, and for her not to smile. She had been looking forwards to this day for weeks, months, ever since Griff had asked her to marry him. She ran both hands over her face and smiled to herself; she had been awake since dawn, just lay here, thinking. This was one of the few mornings that she had woken up without Griff by her side, but she could hardly feel sad about that fact, after today they would be spending their whole lives together, so one night hardly mattered. Anyway, it was bad luck for the bride and groom to be together before the ceremony took place, so it had all worked out. Wrapping a shawl around her shoulders she finally got out of bed and walked over to her closet.

Opening it up, she pulled out her dress, the dress she’d been keeping secret from Griff since they had started giving the wedding proper thought. Grinning, she laid it out on her bed, and just looked over it for a few moments. She was sure that Griff would like it. It was a long, while dress which held tight around her upper body and cut low around her chest. It had dipped sleeves and a long skirt which would trail along behind her when worn. She ran her fingers along the fabrics. It still felt strange that the day was finally upon her, her wedding day. She had never thought to marry, or even wanted to, but then Griff had come along and had changed everything, and now she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.

Of course she wasn’t ready just yet. She set about sorting her jewellery and her hair, and left it so it was spilling around her shoulders. It wasn’t the most technical or challenging hairstyles she had ever fashioned, but it was more natural, and she knew Griff would like it as well that way. Slipping on her dress, she took every care not to dirty it, or pull at the threading. When it was finally on, the whole thing finally felt real. She was really getting married, and this was her choice; not her fathers, not her Uncle’s, but hers. Caitrin found herself just staring at herself in the mirror, in a few hours she wouldn’t be Caitrin de Archer anymore, she would be Caitrin Aubert; a married woman. She couldn’t wait, and yet she had never been so nervous in her entire life. Her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest it was beating that wildly. Everything was running through her head. What if he didn’t turn up? What if he didn’t want to marry her after all? What if something went wrong, or he realised he’d made a mistake? She knew where the fears were coming from of course, but she knew they were unjustified. She knew Griff loved her, and that he wanted to marry her.

“How are you?” Caitrin whipped her head round, she hadn’t noticed her Uncle had come into the room.

“Fine.” She said, a little quietly, Rouland just gave his niece a look, “Nervous.” She conceded and sat down on the bed. Rouland looked down at Caitrin and gave a soft grin,

“Everyone’s waiting for you outside,” Rouland commented, and walked across the room to where Caitrin’s circlet, with a veil attached, was laid out on her dresser. “Griff, Allard and Lucan have just arrived, Gwaine and Celyn have been waiting as well.” Caitrin had no idea why Gwaine had come straight to the house, but he was Griff’s friend, so she just nodded. She was glad that Celyn was here though, he was one of her closest friends, so she wanted him to witness this moment in her life. Rouland held out a hand to Caitrin, which she took gently and stood up in front of him. He then placed the circlet on her head, though he didn’t pull the veil down just yet. Caitrin still looked a little nervous to Rouland, which was completely natural of course. “You’re ready for this.” He told her, firmly but with a gentle tone as well. Or at least as gentle as Rouland could manage. Rouland pulled down Caitrin’s veil and gave her a wide smile as he offered her his arm, “Lady Archer.” Inclining her head towards him, Caitrin took his arm, and let him lead her to the little ensemble outside. Caitrin felt a little sick with the nerves, but they seemed to vanish when she finally saw Griff standing there, waiting for her. Rouland walked his niece up the little make shift aisle, and she cast a sideward’s smile at Celyn before reaching Griff. Rouland finally release Caitrin’s hand, and let her step up to her fiancée’s side. Through her veil, Caitrin beamed up at Griff, because she would soon be his wife, and for now everything was just perfect.

[Griff Aubert]

So...he was a married man. He had a wife. Jesu that felt weird. He, Griff Aubert, self professed ladies man had a wife. He wasn't engaged any more, it wasn't just something that was eventually going to happen, it was something that had happened, something he'd survived, and actually quite enjoyed once he'd remembered to breathe again - with a little reminder from Allard. But the fact remained that he was now a married man. The smile hadn't left his lips. He looked over at Caitrin who was sat next to him talking to her uncle. His mind wandered back to that moment, when he'd first seen her that day. He'd been so nervous, so unsure of himself, so convinced he was going to make a fool out of himself and everything was going to go horribly wrong. He hadn't been ready, he hadn't been prepared, he'd just been a bag of nerves and high blood pressure and then he'd turned around and she'd been there and all the nerves just disappeared. He was ready.

He took a sip of his wine - Rouland had, rather surprisingly, allowed some of his more finer wines to be drank today. There weren't many guests as they had both wanted a more private affair so there was only one table, set up outside and waiting for the food to be brought out to them.

"I'm proud of you." Griff turned around to see Allard, a smile on his face. "She will make you a good wife and I suspect you will make a...well, you'll make a husband."

Normally, Griff would have been slightly annoyed at the small blow to his ego, but he was far too happy at the moment to care about Allard's teasing. And anyway, he was good at everything, so why wouldn't he be a good husband? He didn't know what he'd been worrying about. He just rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Caitrin who had finished talking to Rouland for the moment. His hand soon found hers, "Well, Lady Aubert, is married life everything you thought it would be?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

Lady Aubert. The name felt so fresh, and new on her tongue, even though she had been testing it out for weeks, looking back at herself in the mirror and trying to prepare herself for this moment. Nothing however could have prepared her for the surge of happiness that was just running through her. She was a married woman; she had a husband, the very thing she had vowed never to take. But here she was, sat next to her husband, the man she loved more than anything else in the entire five kingdoms and beyond. She had meant every word of her vows; she would always love Griff, and she would make him a good wife. Of that, Caitrin was certain. Somehow she felt different, and she was different in one very significant respect, but somehow she felt more content, and at ease with herself. Griff knew the best and worst of her, he’d seen her at her highest and her lowest, and he knew her inside out, and vice versa. Yet he was still here, and he’d wanted to marry her. The thought still overwhelmed her somewhat, but after everything they had gone through they were still here, and stronger than ever. She woke up as Lady Archer this morning, yet she would be sleeping next to her husband tonight, as Lady Aubert.

“How are you feeling?” Her Uncle asked her, before giving her a small grin, Caitrin returned his smile and nodded, replying that she was fine as he filled up her goblet. Rouland had, for once, let his supplies out of his stash for once, but he had to admit he wasn’t as comfortable with it being drunk in the quantities that it was, as he thought he would. Well, this was a special occasion so he could let it slide this once. Caitrin took a sip of her wine, and looked around them slowly, there weren’t many people here, but it felt more special because of that fact. It was an intimate occasion, and after everything they had been through it was just what they needed.

Caitrin squeezed Griff’s hand as it found hers, and she just found herself smiling up at him. She didn’t think it was possible to love him anymore than she already did, but right now she felt like she was falling for him all over again. “I love the way you say that.” She said, grinning as she did, she loved her new title, especially the way that Griff said it. “It’s living up to expectations so far,” Caitrin squeezed Griff’s hand again softly, and smiled gently at him, “And how are you finding married life so far, husband?” The word felt so strange on her tongue, but so right at the same time. Griff Aubert was finally her husband, and Caitrin couldn’t recall ever feeling this happy before.

[Griff Aubert]

Had Caitrin always looked quite so beautiful? He couldn't be sure. Maybe she had and he just hadn't noticed, or maybe the fact that she was now officially all his made her so. The reason didn't matter though, all that did matter was that she was his wife, and he her husband. Everything they had been through - or rather, everything he'd put them through - was finished with. As cliché as it sounded, this was a new beginning for them. He would do everything a loving husband should do - he'd make her happy, he was sure of it, hopefully as much as she would make him happy. "Well then I shall say it more often," he grinned before kissing her, breaking away just enough to say, "Lady Aubert." before kissing her again.

Of course the contact was only causing his mind to wander, which, now that they were married were, for once, entirely appropriate...only not in public. And so, it was rather reluctantly, he broke away entirely. At present, the only consolation for not being able to kiss her quite like he wanted to, was that he was able to watch her - and now that they were married, that didn't sound quite so much like he was a stalker. She had the most beautiful smile, and the most ginger of hair, and the most perfect way of saying "husband".

He caught himself mid-thought. Griff Aubert, the Griff Aubert who had almost been disinherited by his father for being too much of a rake - which, at sixteen he'd taken as quite the acheievment, especially seeing as he'd only started being a rake that year - was sat here, completely absorbed by Caitrin de Archer of all women. The woman who not only matched him in ego, stubborn nature, and the aforementioned rakish behaviour. She was perfect. And completely mad for agreeing to marry him, but he wasn't complaining, quite the opposite. But, Griff being Griff he wasn't about to just admit this. Where would the fun be in that? Besides, he was sure Caitrin would do the same. "Married life is...tolerable, I suppose." He replied, impressing himself by managing to keep a straight face.

[Caitrin de Archer]

There was no where that Caitrin would rather be than with Griff, and this was how she wanted to spend the rest of her life. They had both been through so much, and now they could just be happy, but most importantly, they were going to be happy together. Caitrin was determined to make Griff a good wife; it was something she had never aspired to, really until he had proposed to her. But she was determined to get this right. There was so much in her life she wasn’t proud of, but now there was just her and Griff, and the promise of a family that they wanted to build. Griff had the most perfect way of saying her new title, and she felt proud to wear it. It was symbolic as well, as by ridding herself of her maiden name, she had also freed herself from her father’s influence. Once the marriage was consummated even he could not undo it. She met her husband’s embrace with all the eagerness that she could feel from him as well. Closing her eyes, she wished that they were somewhere more private, rather than in everyone’s view. As he broke away, she couldn’t help feel a little disappointment at the fact he had pulled back. She knew why of course, but the need was still there to kiss him again, “I hope that you will, Lord Aubert.” She had never really called Griff by his formal title, but this was probably as formal as they were ever going to get.

Caitrin noticed, as she took a sip of her wine, that Griff was just watching her. A bit of colour rose to her cheeks. She could handle it when he was jesting with her, or giving her things to respond to, but no he was just looking at her. Caitrin didn’t feel threatened, just a little breathless. “What are you looking at?” She asked, a little amused grin on her face, hoping he now wasn’t going to reply that she had something in her hair, or on her face. It would somewhat ruin the mood.

As he was just watching her, she took his hand in her own as she set her wine down, and squeezed it softly. Caitrin wasn’t quite sure how he made her so happy, but he did, and she loved him all the more for it. From this day forth they would share everything, their ups and downs, their home, and children eventually, if they were blessed with more. She blinked, catching her thoughts wandering in an unwanted direction. She was not going to think about that time right now, this day was supposed to be happy and full of promise for the future; Caitrin was not going to drag it down. His answer didn’t surprise her, and she rolled her tongue in her mouth, wondering how to answer him. This was one of the many reasons why she loved him; he never made things easy for her. He made her think, and in turn made her feel witty, and loved, “That is because the best is yet to come, husband.” She winked at him, knowing she was terribly unsubtle at the best of times, but she was not lying. The best of the day would be enjoyed by the newly joined couple at the end of the night to complete a perfect day.