An Unwanted Reunion (Vortigern)

[Caitrin de Archer]

It was safe to say that of all the places in Albion and beyond, Caitrin de Archer would have given anything to be as far away from where she currently headed in a heartbeat. She couldn’t even look at her Uncle who was sat opposite her in the carriage which was heading down the road at an annoyingly fast pace. He had a book to occupy himself but his eyes would occasionally glance over the text at his niece and wonder at her silence. He wasn’t complaining, but she had never been this quiet before. Even when she had been angry at Griflet, and lord knows that had been a drawn out affair, she had never been quiet, she had always been just angry. On this journey however she had been reduced to only speaking once spoken to and in a way it was slightly irritating.

Caitrin rested her elbow on the side of the carriage and rested her head in her hand. She felt sick, she just wanted to be back in Camelot, she knew she was safe there. As soon as her Uncle had mentioned her accompanying him to visit his old friend King Gildas she had recognised the name. She knew the political geography of Albion quite well, and she knew which kingdom Gildas exerted power over, and she knew who his son was.

She had not seen Vortigern since they had parted in Camelot over a year ago. Then she had been glad to see the back of him, and had certainly wanted to put the whole matter to the back of her head and never speak of it again. Her Uncle had scolded her for losing the horse, but upon seeing her condition he had thought better of punishing her further. Caitrin had shut herself off from the world for a few days, it hadn’t been like her at all. Now she was faced with the prospect of seeing Vortigern once more, it felt like all of those feelings were coming back to the surface once more. The only solace she could gain from her whole encounter with Vortigern was that she had not been carrying his bastard child after all.

Her Uncle looked up over his book at her again and frowned slightly. Caitrin had fought against him taking her from the moment he had even mentioned Gildas and Sorelia. She hadn’t told him why she didn’t want to go, and he found it rather uncharacteristic. The only reason he could presume for her stubbornness was that she did not want to be apart from Griflet now they had sorted their troubles. That, to Rouland, wasn’t a good enough reason so as the one in charge of her wardship he had commanded her to join him. In his eyes, having a pretty woman on his arm often sweetened the conversation, and Caitrin always played the part so well.

The carriage finally stopped and Caitrin waited until the coach driver opened the door and extended a hand to aid her getting out of the carriage. She didn’t take the hand, and half jumped out of the carriage. Her Uncle just tutted behind her and then took her arm as they were guided into the castle. She looked up around the castle, it was certainly grand enough and it chilled her to the bone to know that such a man would have command of all of this land one day. They were led down the corridors through the castle, and Caitrin did not know if it was the prospect of meeting Vortigern again, or the lack of heat in the castle which made her give a small shudder. It was not that she was scared of Vortigern, no, she would never be scared of such a man; she loathed him yes, but she would never be scared of him.

They were taken up to the Great Hall and the set up was rather like it was in Camelot, as she and her Uncle waited outside the door to be announced to the King, and his son. Caitrin broke with her Uncle’s arm for a moment as she straightened out the front of her gown nervously. She was wearing a blue silk dress which showed off her figure quite nicely, and in retrospect was probably the wrong thing to be wearing in front of him. Her Uncle Rouland just watched her as she then moved to straighten her circlet and then linked her arm once more. He nodded to the steward who opened the doors to the Great Hall,

“My Lord King: Lord Rouland de Archer and his niece, the Lady Caitrin de Archer.”

Tags: Vortigern
Timeline: Just after 'The Tear's of Uther Pendragon'
Setting: Sorelia

[Vortigern]

-------Vortigern had just returned to the castle after an early morning filled with... implementing the laws in his own creative ways. Yes. That was how he would phrase it. It involved a few limbs, a few screams, and a couple of heads but he felt he got the word across. A full days work in fact. For it had been days since he'd made an appearance on that side of the kingdom. Entering the castle, he was told to that his father required his presence. Vortigern went to his chambers first, needing to change out of his armor. With the help of his servants, he undressed from his armor and clad himself in his extravagant attire. Not that any of his clothing was less than expensive and held the appearance of anything less than a prince. Vortigern had his vanity after all. Once he was dressed, he made his way to his father's chambers, not having realized that were to expect company. Not until he walked into his father's room. A flicker of curiosity crossed Vortigern's eyes as he saw his father standing, and dressed in his royal attire.

-------Well this was certainly interesting. His crown was even sitting on the side, to be placed on his head. Upon seeing Vortigern, Gildas dismissed all but one of the servants and the prince waited until the doors were shut behind him before inquiring about this uncommon sight. His father however spoke first. "We are expecting company shortly my son." Vortigern had this talk with his father enough times to know where it was going. Really. The man's desperation to have a daughter in law was just getting tiresome. That would be the death of him. Not his illness, but rather, this obsessive fixation on finding Vortigern a wife. "Father... " But as always, Gildas cut him off when his son held that tone. "It is a good friend of mine. Lord Rouland." Rouland. Why did that name sound familiar to Vortigern? He felt as if he had heard it before, but could not quite place it.

-------His thoughts were distracted by his father's next words. "And his niece accompanies him." Ah-ha! There it was! No wonder his father had not told him about this sooner. For if he had, then Vortigern would not have returned to the castle for days. "What of this Rouland and his niece?" Vortigern asked. It was not even his daughter, but his niece? That did not sound promising at all. "There is no time to explain. They will be arriving any moment now." Gildas motioned for the one servant left to aid him with his crown. "He is a good friend of mine Vortigern. I expect you to greet them respectfully and graciously." Vortigern braced himself. Waited for it... and waited... and... "And I expect you to strongly consider this proposal." And there it was again. King Gildas and Prince Vortigern stood in the grand hall. Word had reached them that the carriage had arrived and now they were just waiting for the visitors to come.

-------Vortigern was not looking forward to this. He never did when his father tried to play matchmaker, and failed every single time. But Vortigern hid all signs of displeasure. It was different when his father sent him somewhere with a proposal or when he was forced to greet the visitors upon arrival. This time, Gildas was with him. Watching him. And this limited Vortigern a great deal. Only making him look forward to this even less. Finally, the doors opened and Vortigern raised his head a bit. He was not eager to find out who this woman was. He doubted she was even a royal for if she had been, surely his father would have used such a fact to entice Vortigern into considering this proposal. He knew Gildas well enough to know that he had left it out on purpose; because she was probably no higher than a noble. Vortigern could make all of these assumptions, but nothing prepared him for the name that was called and the person he saw.

-------Lady Caitrin de Archer. He remembered that name, and remembered her face. Damn all that was holy in this world! He just looked at her, the shock so strong on the inside, but only a semblance of it revealed itself in the way his eye brows lowered in slight confusion. Confusion, and so much more displeasure than before. What was she doing her? Surely she... oh dear god. No. Bloody hell! Damn her! This was all her doing again! Vortigern felt the anger surge through him, for last they had parted ways, he never expected to see her again. And if it was at all possible, he loathed her this time more than before. "Ah, Lord Rouland!" His father's voice broke him out of this angered trance as the king took a few steps to embrace his friend. While Vortigern remained in position. Suppressing a glare at her. But the question of what the hell are you doing here screaming in his mind.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Even as the throne room doors were opened, Caitrin wished so much that she had not joined her Uncle on this journey. Then again, she had little say in the matter. She was his ward, and at the moment she wanted to be on his good side, after all, she knew it would be him who gave her permission to marry, and of course she had that one man in mind already. Her Uncle of course held that above her slightly, and she could only be glad that he had not tried to force her hand into marriage sooner than she wanted. Now she was sure she would marry Griff, or at least she hoped to. In a way she wished he could have accompanied her on this trip, but of course it would have been improper as they were not yet engaged. It made it look better as well if her Uncle had an unmarried woman to show off at the courts, Caitrin knew that and she always played the part rather well.

Although she had known that Vortigern was Prince here, nothing could have prepared her for the moment when she actually set eyes on him once more. A shiver ran up her spine, and she tore her eyes away from him, not wanting her gaze to linger with his for longer than it needed to be. The last time they had parted, under the circumstances, she had been sure she would make it her business to never see him again. Of course she took comfort in the fact that she had not been carrying his child, and perhaps he knew that fact now too. She just kept her eyes ahead of her for the moment, and tried not to glare at him. Their separation had not changed her opinion of him, no rather it had hardened it towards him.

His father greeted her Uncle in a way that quite shocked Caitrin. She blinked slightly, she had been expecting Gildas to be much like his son, and just as vile. No he almost seemed quite friendly towards her Uncle, and even that was surprising. “My Lord King.” Rouland replied, embracing his old friend, “It has been far too long.” Caitrin did not know how long her Uncle had known King Gildas for, but that hardly mattered did it?

Rouland stepped out of his friends embrace and took a step back towards his niece and gestured towards her, “May I present to you my niece, the Lady Caitrin.” Caitrin swept into a low curtsy,

“My Lord King.” She said softly, waiting a few moments, as was proper, to raise her eyes back to the King in front of her. She wondered if it would amuse Vortigern that she had to act in such a respectful manner, but her Uncle was beside her so things were different now. It was certainly a more formal, and observed meeting than their first had been. And then she waited, for the inevitable really, which would mean Gildas in return presenting his son. Well wasn’t this going to be fun?

[Vortigern]

-------All thoughts of amusement had forgone Vortigern's mind. He could not believe this. The witch had some how made herself come here. To what? Tell him that she had been with child from him? He did not see a babe in her arms, so he took that as a good sign. Unless she was more crafty than he initially thought. She had after all drugged him to seduce him to bed. He was not quick to forget that. His father and her uncle embraced and Vortigern tried not to let the bitterness of this reunion show. It did not help matters though, that his father had told him to consider this proposal. Hell would freeze over before Vortigern ever considered a woman such as this Caitrin creature. On the surface she appeared to be an innocent little thing. But on the inside, he knew far better. His father however did not. So when she was introduced to him, King Gildas went to her and took her hand, kissing the top of it.

-------Damn this whole situation. "Lady Caitrin. What a true image of beauty." Vortigern felt nauseous. "You grace us with your presence here." And now he felt like he had just thrown up a little in his mouth. "May I present my son, Prince Vortigern." Damn. That was his cue. Vortigern took a step forward to stand by his father's side. Friend or no friend of the Royal family of Sorelia, he was not going to bow down to two people who were beneath his station. So he only gave a short nod. At least appearing someone respectful. Though stern. He was not exactly the warm and open kind of person. "Lord Rouland." He let his eyes remain on the elder man before they slowly trailed over to his niece. "Lady Caitrin." It surprised him that he did not speak through clenched teeth. His words came out rather fluently. Even though his mind was filled with only hateful thoughts of her. The only reason he was not lashing out quite yet was because of the fact that he was in the presence of his father.

-------He may not agree with the old man's policies, and overly welcoming nature to menial and trivial families. But he was his father. His king. And he respected him. To avoid any sort of tense silence, Gildas spoke once again. "You both must be famished from your travels. Come. Join me in my study Rouland and we shall talk over drink while food is prepared." Vortigern knew what was coming. His father was already trying to play matchmaker and they had only 'met' for a few moments. "Vortigern, why not take Lady Caitrin to her guest chambers." There was nothing that Vortigern wanted less. Did Rouland know of this arrangement? If he did, Vortigern would not be surprised if he did not object to it. For what man would not want their niece to wed a prince? The De Archer family were the only ones who would benefit from this. And the Royal family of Sorelia would suffer. Why could his father not see that?!

[Caitrin de Archer]

The last time Caitrin had been faced with this man, she had been petrified that she would be with child; his child. It was an ungodly thought and Caitrin had been spared that fate, in a way it had felt like she had been given her life back. Since then she had only focused her attentions on one man, and that man was still in Camelot and Caitrin hoped she would be returning to him soon. She didn't really like being apart from him that much, and the fact she had been away from Camelot for quite a while already while travelling here, it just confirmed that she couldn't be parted from Griff for too long. However, she wouldn't expect the disgusting excuse for a man who was standing in front of her to understand such an attachment. Last time they had been together he had put her through mental and physical torture. It hadn't broken Caitrin, and everything he had done had only made her stronger.

She blinked out of her daydream as the King addressed her and kissed her hand. She raised herself with the King's grace and curtseyed once more, though every fibre of her being wanted to stop her actions and do little more than spit in the Prince's face. He deserved nothing more after all. "My Lord Prince." She greeted in the proper manner. Of course the King and her Uncle Rouland were completely ignorant of what had come to pass between herself and Vortigern all that time ago. She couldn't give it all away too quickly could she?

Caitrin felt panic rip through her as the King suggested a private audience with Rouland. She remained silent, hoping her Uncle would decline the offer, but if she had hoped that he would, she had been gravely mistaken. "I would be happy to join you in your study sire." Rouland smiled and then looked down to his young niece and then to Vortigern. "I shall entrust you to convey my niece to her chambers my Lord Prince." His permission given, of course now it would seem proper for the Prince to take Caitrin to her chambers. Her heart actually sunk but she kept her head held high, she would not show fear in such company. What good would it do it her after all?

Her Uncle stepped away from her and went towards the King who looked to be ready for leaving to the study. Caitrin shouldn't have expected anything else really, no, she had come just to be a pretty piece on her Uncle's arm and to play the part she usually played so well. However, it didn't mean that Caitrin accepted her fate with any good graces. After the last meeting with Vortigern, she hadn't ever wanted to see him again, and now he was going to take her to her chambers? Given his track record she would not fare well out of this, but she would give as much as she was given. So she just stood there and waited to Vortigern to step forwards and take up his position, and to walk her to her chambers.

[Vortigern]

-------Entrust him to convey his niece to her chambers. Vortigern was tempted to lead down the stairs and throw her in the dungeons instead. To teach her a lesson that was long overdue. But he 'politely' gave a single drawn out nod of his head, complying with his father's request. And Lord Rouland's confirmation. What did his father see in this man that was so beneath royalty? He supposed that during the duration of their stay here, he would find out. Though even if the man had justifiable qualities, Caitrin certainly did not. And that was who's company he was cursed with now. He watched the men leave, his father looking a bit too eager to 'catch up with his old friend' as he said. But really, he knew it was his futile attempt to arrange a wedding between him and Caitrin. Never. Ever!

When the elder men left the room, Vortigern did not even look at Caitrin as he turned to walk through the doors, expecting her to follow him. He did however have to wait at the door for her to join him, before they began to walk down the hall. Unfortunately, side by side. Damn it. The woman was here only for a few moments and he was already sick of being forced to treat her as an... equal. He wanted to gag at the mere implication. With the halls empty for the moment and no servants around them, he decided to ask a question that he had been a bit curious about. "Did you give birth to a bastard?" The question was harshly blunt and direct. Purposely leaving out any emphasis on his ties to that child. He desperately hoped she had not. His blood was too precious to run in a child who's blood was mixed with Caitrin's. But asking it now was the only way to find out. For he made no plans to visit her in Camelot.

(I slightly god modded Caitrin! Do let me know if you would like me to edit!)

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin watched her Uncle leave the room, willing him to stay, but of course he didn’t. Well wasn’t this perfect? She had declared last time she and Vortigern had been together that she would never again be alone with him; she didn’t trust him for a start. Then he was going to walk her to her chambers, how did she know that their last meeting had not wet his appetite, and that he would try the same tricks on her again? She was still adamant the whole thing had been his fault. He was bitter, twisted and manipulative, and Caitrin wanted nothing more to do with him. Or at least she hadn’t wanted anything to do with him. This meeting however had forced them back together, for the moment at least. She rolled her eyes at him as he just walked through the doors. As there was no reason for her to stay in the hall, she followed him, mainly as the quicker she got to her chambers, the quicker she could get away from him.

She hadn’t expected his question, and her eyes widened in shock a little bit. Of course she hadn’t given birth to his bastard, and it was the one thing she could pull out of their little incident. Fortunately, a child of her body had not been tainted with his blood, and instead she had bled that month. No fruit had come of his reckless desires. “Why? Do you care?” She asked him, just as bluntly back. He had made it quite clear in their last meeting that if she did bear a child then he wanted nothing to do with them, so why was he now asking after her condition? Caitrin didn’t mistake his question for concern for a moment, he was probably just covering his tracks. “But no, you did not curse a child from me with your blood.” It was just as harsh, and blunt as his words, but she didn’t care. Instead she looked up and down the hall, “Now, will you show me to my rooms, my Lord.”

Notes: No worries, the god mod was fine. Also this was Cait's 666th post, shouldn't amuse me as much as it does