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Caitrin could sense the young woman in front of her was distressed, well, she would have had to be emotionally crippled not to see it in her eyes and actions. It was unnerving the baby a little as well, and he made soft moans of protest as his mother walked further towards the woman in question. Caitrin kissed Arthur’s head, and hushed him before stepping any closer to the woman. She didn’t want to make any rash movements and scare her any more than she already was, so Caitrin stayed a safe distance, keeping her son tightly in her embrace, “It’s alright, I won’t hurt you.” Jesu this woman could be anyone. Having lived in Camelot for so long, Caitrin had been used to these kind of things happening in Uther’s reign, but now things were a little calmer and these sights were rarer, not that that was a bad thing in the slightest. No, Caitrin believed it was a good thing that there was now more peace in Camelot.

As the woman spoke she shook her head reassuringly at her, “You didn’t scare me.” She assured her, it took a lot more than a woman in the forest to spook Caitrin. Jesu, some of the scrapes and scenarios she had been in over the years made this look like an ideal situation, though it was far from it on the woman’s side, “You’re in Camelot, near my home, the de Archer estate.” Would the name mean anything to the woman? Probably not, “My name is Lady Caitrin Aubert, and this is my son Arthur.” She introduced them both, Arthur made a soft squeal of excitement and flung his arms up in the air towards his mother who couldn’t help but smile down at the babe. Looking back up to the woman, she just smiled, “What is your name?”

There was just a dull ache now where all her bruises and cuts lay, and Caitrin had to occasionally bite her lip for fear of groaning or moaning out in pain. She didn’t mind so much showing her anguish in front of Griff, because he had seen the best and the worst of her, and he had been there during her father’s little episode, so he understood. Others probably wouldn’t and she wouldn’t appear weak, not in front of anyone. It wasn’t in her nature, from childhood she had always appeared stronger than she actually was. She had never thought it a bad thing until recently really, but she found that she actually had a lot more pride than she had ever thought. Caitrin bit her lip slightly as her arm brushed across her side. That shouldn’t have hurt as much as it did. She knew it was little more than bruising, but it didn’t make it any easier to bear, knowing where it had come from. Caitrin was worried as well that after seeing her appearance, servants and other nobles might start to talk, and she didn’t want that either, because the blame might find itself lying with Griff, even though he too was harmed. She wouldn’t be able to stand that, but if it did come to that then she would stand up for him, and she would stand by him. She loved Griff more than anyone else in the whole of Albion and the seven kingdoms. He had put himself in harm’s way so that she had only had the edge of her father’s temper.

It seemed like an age until her friend opened the door, and Caitrin tried to smile for her, and pretend that everything was fine, but she could tell from the expression on Yassia’s face that she could tell something was wrong. Well, you couldn’t exactly hide a gash on the cheek could you? That alone was a tell tale sign that something had happened she supposed. “I’m fine.” Caitrin was quick to say, and looked up and down the corridor. She just bit her lip and stepped into the room, closing the door behind her, allowing them some privacy, and she ran a hand through her hair shakily. The whole event was somewhat of a blur in her mind, for most of it she had been curled up on the floor, just a piece being thrown about between her father and her fiancée. “It wasn’t Griff.” She half blurted out, but she felt like she needed to say it, in case her friend was thinking it. She knew Yassia wasn’t that close to Griff, but surely she knew him well enough to know he would never raise his hand to her? Perhaps Caitrin was doing her friend a massive disservice, but still, it needed to be said.

But the question still needed to be answered, that much Caitrin was aware of and she looked down at the floor and then back to Yassia. “You know I told you, while we were riding, that I didn’t want to see my father during our stay in Mercia?” She took a deep breath and bit her lip slightly, and ran her hands along the fabrics of her dress, “He-he paid me a visit last night. He lost his temper and- oh – you would not gasp at me if you saw what he has done to Griff.” Her love, Jesu, she had put him in harms way. Griff’s face was so bruised and battered that she now panicked every time she placed a kiss upon his skin. “But he’s-he’s fine, we’re both fine, but that wasn’t what I came to tell you.” She bit her lip, this wasn’t going to sit well with her or Yassia, but it was going to have to come out sooner or later. Caitrin could afford to spend some time here with her friend for a time before she went back to Griff; that much friendship she could extend at the moment. She felt terrible, Yassia had been through so much, and yet Caitrin was running away from her at the drop of a hat, but Yassia had Oliver now, and Caitrin hoped that would be enough.

The longer she stayed here, the more she felt ill. She wanted to be back at home, even needlework would be a welcomed solace from this. She always thought that sorceresses were much like herself, with the odd exception. If this woman thought she spoke out for most of the sorceresses, then she was completely mistaken. Surely there were more like Caitrin? She couldn’t be the only one wanting to lie low and just get on with her life? Nimueh had to be the exception and not the rule, she just had to be. Caitrin didn’t want to think that this woman, with her temperament and threats really did represent sorcery. How could any good come out of women like this? Caitrin wanted to think that there were more like herself, that lived quite peaceful lives, and did not use magic to define them, but she was quickly realising that she was likely to be the exception. Perhaps she shouldn’t have been blessed with these talents after all. Was she any better than Uther? Oh, she didn’t know anymore, she didn’t want Nimueh dead, she just didn’t want her to harm anyone, or anything within Camelot and the seven kingdoms. Was that too much to ask?

A cold bead of sweat ran down Caitrin’s face as Nimueh began to spin her words. Oh God, her breathing began to quicken, and she almost felt her life flash before her eyes. If Nimueh breathed a word of this to anyone she would have to run away, back to Mercia or to wherever she could manage. She shook her head, unable to speak for a few minutes. She couldn’t tell Uther, she just couldn’t! It wasn’t the most mature response Caitrin had ever thought of, but it was the one she was clinging onto. There was genuine fear in her eyes now, “I’m no threat to you, why can’t you leave me be?” She asked quietly and pulled her cloak around her shoulders, feeling a chill in the forest air. She knew her heart was still racing, she really couldn’t handle this tension. “We both know I’m not powerful enough to harm anyone.” She wasn’t that powerful, she might as well not have sorcery for all the use it brought her.

She hadn’t expected it to be that easy, and she jumped back as Nimueh flicked the flames towards her. Caitrin quickly regained her stance and held up her hands and shouted to mould the flames away from her, back to their original place. When she had done, she found she was panting. She’d never used sorcery with such might and strength before, and it was both physically and emotionally draining, “I don’t know what you see, but I’m nothing, let me be.”

Caitrin was glad that Nora was at least comfortable with her administering the medicine to her father. Some families felt uncomfortable, or insisted to leave or just told Caitrin to do her work later. It was always nice to come across families who were quite content, despite what was happening around them. Then again, everyone dealt with grief in different ways, and Caitrin had quickly learned that on the job. You never knew how to comfort people in this situation, you had to let them help you along the way, and show you how much they were comfortable with. She smiled at the woman in question and began to get on with her work. This was a new set of medication, and it would hopefully make him a little more responsive. At the moment they were just clutching at straws in relation to Nora’s father, but they had to have a break through soon, Caitrin really wanted something to go right here. She knew he would never recover, but that didn’t mean he had to suffer until the end.

The question took Caitrin a little off guard, but she smiled all the same and placed a hand over her belly fondly. Though quite a lot of people were asking about her condition, more so now it was actually visible, Caitrin knew she would never get sick of it. “I’m twenty weeks pregnant, give or take.” The doctor’s hadn’t been that sure, “Though I am a little larger, because I’m expecting twins.” Now that had been a shock, she hadn’t asked for the sex of the babies, as long as they were healthy she didn’t really want to know. She wanted to keep it a surprise, because then her and her husband would be kept guessing until the last minute. “I’m still getting used to it.” Gosh, she had been going on probably a little too much already, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to ramble on.” She excused herself with a soft smile, there was no reaction from Nora’s father yet, but she was going to carry on anyway, “Are you at university?” She asked kindly, she recognised Nora’s face from somewhere, but she was still trying to place it.

Really Caitrin just wanted to shake off this entire charade, and act as she usually did around men. Surely Iwan would find her irresistible anyway, so she would get what she wanted. She’d never been rejected by a man, well as long as they weren’t including Richard, but that had been strange circumstances, so she often thought it best that he wasn’t included in her little tally of men she had had in her time. He was an anomaly and not the norm. Iwan would be the norm though, she was practically sure of it, how could he resist her charms? No one else could. He was probably just trying to appear noble, and respectful, which was admirable but Caitrin wasn’t interested in that in the slightest. “It does, after all, the woods boasts some spectacular scenery.” Well the woods were always better to walk or take a slow ride in, so perhaps the suggestion of a race wasn’t the best way to go after all. Hmm, she would have time to decide anyway.

Caitrin of course continued to just smile at Iwan, and pressed her chest out ever so slightly as she drew her horse alongside his. She cocked her head towards him, she knew that he would take up her offer of a race, but in hindsight it had been a rather silly thing to propose. They could hardly get to know each other if the wind was ripping through them, and they were just focussed on the task at hand. Perhaps Iwan wanted that so he didn’t have to speak to her. She wasn’t stupid enough as to realise he was a bit uncomfortable with the situation at hand, but still she could help him to enjoy himself.

“Actually, forgive me my Lord, but I think we should leave our competition until later in the day. After all, we hardly know anything about each other. It would hardly be fitting for us to be racing after each other when only pleasantries had been passed, don’t you think?” She smiled sweetly at him, and he was smiling back at her earlier suggestion, but she thought this little change of plan was probably for the best. After all, she wanted to get to know Iwan, genuinely, because she wouldn’t be able to charm him and convince him she could show him how to enjoy himself if she knew nothing of him. She could always play on his pleasantries and his gentlemanly manner, with that she was sure he wouldn’t deny her much, because he needed to play the part as much as she did. Caitrin de Archer had the upper hand, and she was going to take full advantage of this situation. “Perhaps we could ride in the fields instead, it will give us a larger range of land, and the countryside is beautiful this time of year.” She was still smiling at him, nudging her horse alongside his. She couldn’t understand how he wasn’t falling for her yet, her ego was large at the best of times, but still, it was justifiable.

Caitrin was starting to enjoy the direction that this evening was turning in. Aidan, she hoped, had at least realised what her intentions were, and that she was no blushing maid. No, she wasn’t that in the slightest, and the quicker he realised that then the quicker they could actually enjoy their evening together and get to know each other a little better. Caitrin didn’t know that much about Aidan, but she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not yet, so far he just seemed quite reserved, which was sweet in a way, but it wasn’t for her. It didn’t mean she couldn’t have a bit of fun in the meantime though, and who knows, he might even enjoy himself along the way. Caitrin was sure, unless Aidan lived in a hole, that her reputation probably proceeded her in this case. There weren’t many in the court that didn’t know of her antics, well, they all thought it was rumour, and that was the way she liked to keep it. That way she kept away unwanted attention.

Of course Caitrin couldn’t act as smug as she was feeling. She was sure that she was having the desired effect on Aidan, and that he eventually would come around to her way of thinking. Caitrin pressed her chest out slightly as Aidan spoke, and let her lips slip into a gentle grin. If he was being serious with her, and his words were in the same tone that her own were meant in then this was going to be an incredibly enjoyable evening all round. Perhaps Aidan would even be a little less awkward as soon as he loosened up a little. “Well, I’m sure I can indulge you in some of my talents.” She let her eyes wander over him, her voice dropping to a low whisper, “If you want me to show you.” She bit her lip slightly as she drew back, leaving the temptation there. It wasn’t subtle, but it wasn’t meant to be. She was trying to tempt Aidan to her way of thinking. It wasn’t a trap though, she wanted this, because it really had been far too long.

Well, at least he was going to go on the little tour of the estate with her. It allowed them an informality which sitting in the solar couldn’t offer and it would make the evening much more enjoyable than just trying to make polite conversation. Polishing off her wine, Caitrin grinned and stood up, and extended her arm to Aidan, “If you would like to follow me my Lord.” She winked at him but the arm was still there for him to take, “Now, we can explore the rooms here, upstairs or we could go out into the gardens, which would you prefer?”

It would have been foolish of Caitrin to pretend that she wasn’t scared, or intimidated by this situation in the slightest. After all, she didn’t really want to be in this situation at all, and Nimueh was a lot more powerful than she was, so who knows what she was capable of. She should have just run off when she had the chance, but instead she’d been stubborn, and had felt like she’d had to stay here to prove a point. Well, the point had been semi proven, and now he wished that she hadn’t tried to prove it at all. Everything about this situation unnerved Caitrin, and she didn’t feel in control anymore. She had felt pity for Nimueh, seeing as she lived out here in exile, clinging onto the hope that sorcery would one day be restored to Camelot. Caitrin had dreamed of that time before now, when she’d first come to live in Camelot it had been the only thing that had kept her going. She knew now that it would never happen, she had seen too many burned, and too many executed for their sorcery to still cling onto her childish hope that magic would return. Nimueh could preach prophecies at her but it would do no good. Why would magic be restored to Camelot? If anything the example they had set would spread to other kingdoms in Albion, and her kind would not be welcomed anywhere. Caitrin pressed her lips together and shook her head at Nimueh, and stepped back from the woman.

Caitrin was still clinging to the belief that Arthur wouldn’t have her harmed if she told him the truth. Perhaps if they had grown up together things would be different, and perhaps he would already know, but they had only met a few years ago, and though they were close she’d never dared to speak a word about sorcery to him. It was more than her life was worth, and she just wanted to lie low, and adapt to the Camelotian ways. She wanted this to work, there was no way she was fleeing back to Mercia. She couldn’t go back to her father and family in Camelot, she just couldn’t. The memories of her childhood still haunted her dreams, and even the temptation of being able to practise sorcery freely wasn’t enough to make he want to go back home. “I know so.” She retorted quickly and pressed her lips together.

She barely had time to be smug about the fact she had finally gotten the fire to whirl at her opponent before Nimueh had flung it back at her. Caitrin spun quickly and raised her hands, screaming her words into the flames. She faltered, just for a moment before the flames moved from her, back towards Nimueh before dispersing completely, leaving the air open between them. She was just shocked for a few moments, and she breathed in and out pressed her lips together. Her chest was rising rapidly, and she took a few moments to look at Nimueh before finding her courage again as she rose the flames once more in front of them both, they weren’t high, but high enough to cause a barrier between them. She could still see over the flames, and she looked Nimueh straight in the eye, “Let me leave this place, please.”

The longer her mother in law remained in her eye line, the quicker Caitrin could feel herself becoming agitated and angry. She was doing quite well, she felt, to keep her temper. Had this been a few years ago her younger self would not have hesitated with telling Elaine where she could take her ideas. No, Caitrin had done a lot of growing up since then, or at least she hoped so. It took all Caitrin’s tongue to bite back her temper as Elaine spoke again. She could feel her chest rising and falling rapidly as her temper was reigned in, but she wasn’t about to let that one go. Stopping her temper just meant she wasn’t going to smack to woman, though she deserved it. Plus, it wasn’t practical seeing as Esmae was still flailing around in her arms. “When in my home you will address me as my formal title, my Lady. I will not have you speaking to me as if I were one of your housemaids.” There was a raw anger behind her words, but she wasn’t shouting, her words were chillingly calm, and cool, but she meant every word. “Please, indulge us with what displeases you so, as all I can see is my husband, and our children. Nothing displeases me about this scene in the slightest.” If Elaine raised a word to insult Griff, Esmae or Arthur then she would seriously regret it. Caitrin could deal with insults against her own person, but she was fiercely protective over her little family, and she wouldn’t let anyone spoil what they had.

Elaine had already said too much, and Caitrin took a step towards the woman with nothing but hate in her eyes. “How dare you speak about my husband like that. You may not care for what he has here, but I do. I love him, and if you believe that to be a shambles then you have no place in this house, or in our lives.” She looked back to her husband, wondering if she had been too bold, he might still want his mother in his life after all, but Caitrin certainly didn’t. Elaine probably thought that she was intimidating, but she would only have to meet Payton de Archer to realise what intimidating was. Caitrin would never fear this woman in the same way she feared her father, and yet, they had faced him, and she and Griff would get through this little family affair together as well.

Esmae had started shifting in her mother’s arms again, and Caitrin could see she was starting to get upset, so she took a step back and began to rock the baby gently in her arms, trying to stop her from crying. That was all she needed right now, for one of the twins to start with their own issues. In truth Caitrin had seen and heard enough from Elaine to last her a lifetime. If she didn’t want to be part of their family then fine, but Caitrin didn’t want her here for any longer than was necessary. She didn’t want her near their children. But this wasn’t just her decision was it, it was Griff’s as well. Caitrin stepped to her husband’s side and nudged him slightly, “Griff, I will stand by what you want, but I don’t want her near the children.” If Griff wanted his mother to have some interaction with the twins she would grudgingly accept, but she would be there to make sure Elaine did not mistreat either of them. She kept having to remind herself that this was more Griff’s decision than hers.

At least the shouting had stopped, the pain was still there but it wasn’t being made worse and she couldn’t hear anything. To Caitrin that was the most important thing right now. She breathed in slowly and tried to draw herself up. It was a lot easier than she had originally thought. Sitting up, she kept her head down, and put her hand to her cheek, pulling it away she blinked at the smudges of blood now lying there. Her cheek was split open, but the cut didn’t feel deep enough to need anything other than cleaning out. It was easier to think about anything other than what had happened, she ran a hand through her hair shakily and probably smudged blood everywhere but she was past caring. She finally looked around the room, and saw her father had left. The relief swam over her, but she couldn’t find it within her to smile, not just yet anyway.

The fact Griff’s arm was around her made her feel comforted somewhat, but her own arms were just hugging her middle softly. She was bruised, and her face was still bleeding but apart from that the damage was psychological, not physical. She didn’t want to be here anymore, she didn’t want to stay in Mercia; she didn’t want this to happen again. She knew her father, and she knew that he would not settle until his pride was restored. Eventually she thought to pull back from Griff, and just sat opposite him. “I can’t stay here.” Caitrin managed to whisper, and then finally raised her eyes to Griff. Her eyes widened, and she suddenly had the urge to retch again. In those moments she realised just how much she hated her father, he couldn’t let her have this one thing, it had never been any different. He had seen fit to come in here and try to ruin everything for her, there was no gain in this for her father, except with knowing what he had done. How could Griff possibly want to marry her after this? She couldn’t look away from him, but she was just staring instead, not sure of what to say; sure that nothing would make this seem any better.

“Are you- oh Jesu- Griff I-“ She couldn’t form the words, nothing was coming to her. She didn’t want to blame herself, but looking at the man she was supposed to care for and love in this state made it harder to deny. “I’ll-I’ll get some water, to-to help clean you up, it’ll be fine, I know what to do.” She was still stammering, but she was still shaking as well. There was a water bowl and cloth in the corner which was for her personal use in the morning, but this was a greater cause. “Where are you hurt?” She asked, a little more confidently as bloody fingers tucked her hair behind her ears. There was just blood everywhere, and she couldn’t just sit here doing nothing. “Go-go and sit on the bed, can you make it that far?” She was already half scrambling to her feet, and made it there shakily. When Griff had sat himself on the side of the bed, Caitrin made her way over to him and placed the water on the bedside table and rung the cloth out. Her hands were still shaking, and she swore under her breath at herself. Jesu, she needed to do something right this evening. Sitting down next to Griff, she raised the cloth and looked up at him, guilt running through her, “This might sting.” Well, she had warned him, knowing Griff he would still complain, but she proceeded anyway and began to wipe the cloth against his cheek, wiping the blood off slowly and tenderly.