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The fact that she was a sorceress shouldn’t have still left Caitrin feeling so nervous and worked up. She knew that. She’d been living this lie for years, the only person in Camelot who knew she was a sorceress was her husband, and that was because she had saved both their lives through her sorcery. He’d still accepted her for who she was, but he wasn’t from Camelot, so she couldn’t expect the same reception everywhere and she knew that. She managed a small smile at Elyan and tucked some hair behind her ear. If he noticed how worked up she was then she would probably have to make up something, no one could ever know the truth, not unless by some miracle magic was one day returned to the kingdom. She remembered Nimueh had once told her that sorcery would one day return to Camelot, she hadn’t believed her, and she was gone now anyway. She was sure it would never happen anyway, and her children would be raised in a kingdom where magic was seen as evil. That thought alone near killed her inside. Elyan’s words were true, and Caitrin shrugged slightly, “I wouldn’t blame those with sorcery for wanting to hide, or leave the kingdom.” She couldn’t say that they should leave the kingdom because that would make her a hypocrite, but her words were true. She would hope that her kind would try and preserve themselves, she knew they were still around her, though she didn’t know exactly who they were.

The water had helped somewhat but her belly was still pulsing in pain, her child was beating her black and blue from the inside and she groaned out. The child had never been this active, but their mother had never been so panicked so quickly. Caitrin ran her hands over her belly and closed her eyes, willing the child to settle. It was almost working until Elyan mentioned going seeing Gaius. Her eyes sharply found his again, and her heart thudded in her ears, “Why, is something wrong?” She was half panicked, but she had no experience of this. She’d never even seen a pregnant woman go into labour before, she didn’t know what to expect. Elyan’s words really weren’t helping. She wasn’t in labour was she? Breathing out slowly she tried to calm herself again, but it really wasn’t working, “I-I don’t think I’m in labour, it doesn’t feel like I am.” There was a dull uncomfortable pain there, but she just assumed it was her child shifting round in the womb, it was nothing she hadn’t had before. Her waters hadn’t broken anyway so she was sure she was fine. “Should we really go to see Gaius?” She was still incredibly nervous, what if she was in labour, gosh, this was all new and exciting and most of all it was completely terrifying.

Caitrin felt like she was making this more awkward rather than easier. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She said rather quickly, shifting her feet. She hadn’t been sure how formal Romily was, but it was obvious that they agreed on this, “You can call me Caitrin as well if it pleases you, or Cait, most people call me Cait.” Well, she had lots of nicknames, some which shouldn’t be repeated in decent company but she loved them all the same. She breathed out slowly, thinking that at least this possibly couldn’t get any more awkward, Caitrin felt like she kept putting her foot in it every few moments and it was starting to grate at her. She wasn’t used to shy nobles at all.

The dress certainly was beautiful, as was the Lady. Caitrin couldn’t understand why she wasn’t more confident or enthusiastic. She was better looking than half the women at court, but she was half as confident as them. “It’s not a bad thing to be weary of other, I am probably too forwards.” It was true, she often acted without thinking, and one day it would probably get her into trouble. It hadn’t so far though, and she clung onto that fact. “But surely your father will like the dress? It is hard to imagine how he possible couldn’t.”

Caitrin shrugged, she did get tired of her Uncle trying to matchmake for her, but it wasn’t anything she wasn’t used to. He wasn’t as forceful as her father, and he made that quite clear on a regular basis. He wanted to be seen as the opposite to her father, so he often just let her do as she willed. Caitrin had her fair share of men anyway, but she doubted that was a conversation to be having with Romily, after all she seemed quite shy anyway, she didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. “I enjoy the change of scenery, though I would prefer to be back in court.” She realised what she had said a few moments too late, “That is not to say I am not enjoying myself here, but I am rather fond of the Camelotian courts.” Smooth. She frowned a little as Romily said she didn’t have that many friends, Caitrin had quite a few friends, but not many she often confided in, “Good friends are hard to come by.” She replied thoughtfully. It had been hard for her to make friends initially as relations between Mercia and Camelot were still shaky. “Why does he keep you away from events? You should just go anyway.” Caitrin remarked rather suddenly, that would be what she would do. She often snuck away from the home to go to visit on friends and such in Mercia, though her father had made sure she paid the price everytime she was caught.

Caitrin was sure that she was setting the mood for the evening perfectly. In truth, though she was quite confident in her ways, she had only got past a fumbled embrace with a few men. This was still relatively new territory for her, though she had learned the rules of this game incredibly well. She was learning how to please men, and how to let them please her in return. It was all a big game for her sometimes, and she should probably have been taking her time at court more seriously, and using it to find a husband. However, none of the men excited her enough for her to imagine marrying them and having to spend the rest of her life with them. The prospect didn’t really appeal to Caitrin at all, she couldn’t ever imagine letting a man capture her heart. Why would she want to? No one had ever truly loved her, even her parents had never shown her any affection. These were thoughts for another night though, for now she had to focus on Torrin, mainly as she could already feel her excitement stirring within her.

She matched Torrin’s wide grin, and took a sip of her wine. It calmed her a little, she couldn’t deny she was a little nervous, but the drink would soon rid her of that she was sure. She was confident in her abilities, but she supposed she still had quite a lot to learn and she wasn’t sure how experienced Torrin was as well. Some men liked to act confident, when in fact there was no grounds for them to be such. “I’m glad.” Was all she could think to say, as she polished off her goblet of wine, setting it down on the nearest surface. She took a few steps forwards until she could feel his breath upon her skin. He felt warm, and inviting, and Caitrin found herself just grinning up at him.

From the look he was giving her, Caitrin was sure she had surprised him. She quite liked that sensation. She licked her top lip slowly, just taking him in. She intended to enjoy herself tonight, and if he wanted more, then she was of course happy to oblige him. “As you wish.” She whispered against his lips, though she denied him the kiss, instead she began a trail from the side of his mouth, down his cheek and she eventually reached his neck. It was only then she drew back, and raised one of her hands so she could trail a finger from his neck down his body, stopping just before she reached his waist, “Now what will I get if I continue?” She asked him, drawing out every syllable as her hand found her side again, waiting for his answer.

*squees* Awh this put a big smile on my face this morning, third most popular couple! This is incredibly exciting, seeing as we have all the other epic couples in that list ^_^ Congratulations to everyone!! Heh I absolutely love the fact there are two sets of Aubert couplings in this list Hehe

Yes, Caitiff does count as a plot We're so cool sometimes

Caitrin de Archer was still stood firmly behind Griff, trying to stop herself from shaking. She felt the same as she had during most of her childhood, never really able to do anything, and just taking whatever her father had to throw at her because it was easier that way. No one apart from Helgund had ever jumped to help her, and the only thing she had done was to help to mop up afterwards. Helgund hadn’t stood up to her father because she hadn’t wanted to lose her position in the household. Everyone else had just always stood by, and let it happen. No one had cared. Griff was the first person she had ever seen standing up to her father on her behalf.

She couldn’t raise her eyes to look at her father, the only thing she was bothered about now was the fact that Griff was squeezing her hand back, and she didn’t feel so alone. Her father was right, she knew he was, she’d never strike him. She’d only ever raised her hand to him once, when she was eight, and she wasn’t going back to that. Caitrin shifted uncomfortably, but Payton was enjoying the reaction he was getting from his youngest daughter. He’d forgotten just how much fun this was. He didn’t see his children much anymore, and this was the first time he’d seen Caitrin in six years. She was still the same frail girl he’d sent away, only now she’d found herself this rather unimpressive man, who thought that a few words in the right direction would make him leave. He knew nothing.

Caitrin finally raised her eyes, but not to Payton, to Griff as he spoke about respect. She just admired him in those moments, she was just so proud of him for speaking up for her. It was strange, no one had ever done so before, and she squeezed his hand, a small smile forming on her lips. Payton looked equally unimpressed with Caitrin’s reaction as he did with Griff’s words, “She should be afraid of me.” Payton said in a matter of fact tone, “What would you know of respect? You’re little more than a boy, do you think your words make you sound more adult? More mature? Are you trying to seem like the big man in front of her?” Payton wasn’t going to stand there and be insulted, and he could give as good as he was given. Griff might think he sounded impressive, but to Payton the man would never be anything other than worthless.

The fact Griff was declining the money wasn’t a shock, in fact Payton had been hoping for a reaction like that. He shrugged at Griff, it made no difference to Payton if he wanted the money or not. He would never see a penny of it. However, he wanted to drive that fact to the core of Griff’s mind, marrying Caitrin would mean he would be in poverty. What self respecting man would want that? As Caitrin had slipped her hand out of Griff’s momentarily, with one swift movement Payton lunged forwards and grabbed the hair at the top of Caitrin’s head and dragged her a few feet away from where Griff was standing. The girl cried out, but it just made Payton smirk, she would probably help him get the reaction he wanted. He still had hold of Caitrin’s hair, and he whipped her round so she was facing Griff; he tugged the hair down so her head was forcibly raised. “Do you really think that this is worth living in poverty for?” He pulled at Caitrin’s hair a little more, so the girl would whimper. He saw her hands go to pull his away, but they quickly found their place back at her side. “You could have any woman, why settle for this penniless, vile, little harlot?” He was pulling at Caitrin’s hair with an alarming force, and one of his hands was like a vice around her wrist,

“Griff.” She half whimpered before Payton threw her to the side, knocking her off balance so she fell straight to her knees. Payton just shook his head at her, she was nothing at the end of the day and he turned his attentions back to Griff. His reactions were much more fun to toy with after all, and Payton was quite smug in the opinion he wouldn’t be struck again, he hadn’t so far after all. He smirked at the man’s words, who was he, Griff was a little nobody and that was all he would ever be. For all Payton cared, Griff could marry Caitrin and they would never have to cross paths again; ever again. He looked Griff up and down, and his arms went back to his side, he was a Mercian nobleman, and he deserved more respect than this, especially from a Southerner,

“Make me.”

Caitrin was already half panicked, she was a new mother and she hadn’t expect any of this to be easy, but she had hoped it would be easier than this. Arthur still wouldn’t settle, and she could only guess that he was afraid, or scared or whatever. Ignoring the man for the time being, Caitrin rocked the baby against her, and pressed her son up against her chest, so his small head came to rest on her shoulder. “Shh, there there Arthur.” She began to coo the little baby, whose cries did start to settle somewhat, though they were still there. Percival was offering to take her basket for her, and Caitrin probably couldn’t express how grateful she was for the gesture. “Thank you, my chambers aren’t far from here.” She explained but didn’t move just yet, she wanted to get Arthur comfortable first. The baby was starting to calm down, and Caitrin held a breath as he stopped crying. She shifted so she could cradle him and just smiled down at her son, “See, all that fuss for nothing.” She whispered down at him, leaving a small kiss on his forehead.

She was slightly put out by the fact Percival thought she shouldn’t be out on her own. She could handle things by herself, she had got this far hadn’t she? “I think if I had stayed cooped up in that room any longer I would have gone mad.” Caitrin chuckled, she wasn’t going to protest now, because in a sense Percival was right. She should have dragged her husband out with her, or asked a servant to help her carry her things. She wasn’t yet used to the amount of limitations her children were putting on her freedom. Of course she didn’t mind, her children would always come first, but these were early days and she was still getting used to everything. At his instruction, and because Arthur had now settled, Caitrin began to lead the way to her chambers.

It was true to an extent that Arthur was named after the King of Camelot. Caitrin did like the name as well, but it was mostly because of her friend. “They haven’t been introduced yet.” Caitrin said with a soft smile. She knew Arthur was quite busy now, what with him being King, so she hardly expected him to drop everything to come and see her, though she did expect him either today and tomorrow, “Though I am sure that will be rectified soon enough, I hope he will be ecstatic.” She beamed up at Percival and then back to the baby in her arms. His Uncle had already started calling him ‘Sir Arthur’ so perhaps the child would follow in the footsteps of his namesake. “You can judge how enchanting she is when we get to my chambers.” Caitrin said with a smile, as Percival was carrying her basket it would be rude not to introduce him to the eldest Aubert, “She is quite different to her brother though.”

Oh, Caitrin hadn’t even considered that Percival would know Lucan. Then again it made sense, they were both knights at the end of the day weren’t they? She supposed they much train together and such, “I am, he’s my brother in law.” She explained. Though she and Lucan had not got off to the best starts, they were now incredibly close in some respects, “I’m married to his younger brother, Griff Aubert.” She shifted Arthur in his blankets before continuing, “Do you know Lucan well?”

Caitrin cocked her head to the side slightly, trying to imagine Yassia in a beautiful green dress for her pre-wedding feast. It wasn’t hard to imagine of course, because it seemed like it was her natural colour; it did suit her so well after all. Caitrin was just usually in blue or purple, and those were her main colours, though she did have a rainbow of gowns at home. Griff often made a comment about that fact, but she didn’t care, she needed them. It took a lot of effort to look as good as she did all the time. “Green will be fine, it will suit you perfectly, as well as show off your kingdom.” Caitrin pointed out reasonably. Well, style wise, that was another matter, “Dresses are supposed to be quite fitted in Mercia, like a lot of my gowns are at the moment, with a square cut neck.” Caitrin drew against her chest how low the dress would cut, and winked at Yassia, “I have always thought that men control the fashion world, as they benefit from the view.” Men always got their fair share of views of the ladies of court because of their dresses, and though Caitrin knew this, she didn’t really mind. She used it to her advantage most of the time, though she knew Yassia was more reserved than she was, so she might have been put off by such fashions.

An open invitation certainly was the way to go, mainly because Caitrin wanted it to be an incredibly loud and social event. She didn’t want a small little intimate dinner, no, she wanted everyone to be merry on hers and Griff’s behalf. She wanted to dance the night away and fill herself with wine and the finest foods in Mercia. It would certainly be a night to remember. She didn’t have to worry about the amount of people turning up either, if she asked Oliver, he might send the invites on her behalf, and no one would insult a Prince of Mercia by refusing his invite. “It will certainly be a lively evening, and yes I agree, the dance should wait until the end of the evening.” Then there would be less time between Griff seeing it and being able to act; it worked for everyone really. She smiled to herself, her friend was probably thinking in completely different terms to her, but Caitrin had always had a free and liberal outlook on that side of life, and nothing would change that. She only had eyes for Griff though in that respect, and that would never change.

The worries were starting to lessen in Caitrin’s mind, and she was starting to settle. The darkness, and her fears were starting to leave her, and now she could just concentrate on the family she and Griff were going to have, rather than the one they had lost. Though she would never completely move on from what had happened, this could be the start of a new chapter in her life. She wiped the last tears from her eyes, and found she was just grinning at her friend. “I shall thank everything, mark my words.” She jested with a soft chuckle; she would certainly be praying to the spirits before bed at any rate.

It was quite sweet that Yassia had just come to seek out her company. Caitrin smiled at her friend and took her hand, squeezing it softly, “I’m sorry I haven’t made more time for you since we arrived. I’ve been busy with Griff.” Now she said it, it sounded harsh and she pressed her lips together. She had been showing Griff Mercia in all it’s finery, seeing as she didn’t intend to come back after this little visit.

Caitrin smiled on at the young woman. She seemed quite netvous, but that was completely natural for those visiting relatives in the hospice. Caitrin knew she was blessed to not have to worry about any of her family being in this position, for now at least they were all fit and healthy. She smiled at the young woman, “It’s nice to meet you Nora.” Caitrin inclined her head towards her, it was an old fashioned sort of greeting but she didn’t care, it felt nice and natural for her. They weren’t too far away from where her father was being housed anyway. Caitrin felt a little sad on the behalf of the young woman, though she was not going to offer her pity just yet. Some people didn’t like being pitied after all.

The next question was expected, but it didn’t mean that Caitrin wanted to answer it. She couldn’t lie to Nora of course, neither did she want to. False hope was the worst thing that they could give in this job, “I will not lie to you, his condition has been deteriorating.” Caitrin explained softly as they neared the room where her father was in his bed. He had quickly slipped into a coma, and they could not bring him out of it. Parts of his body were starting to give up, and though they had known the cancer was terminal, they had been doing all they could to prolong his life.

As they reached the room, Caitrin opened the door and gestured for Nora to enter in it before her. Her father was just laid out on the bed underneath the sheets to keep him warm. Caitrin would have to do her usual checks on him before she could leave Nora in total peace. After all, it was her job to monitor her father for now, “I will do my checks and then be on my way so you can have some privacy.” Caitrin promised hastily and began to look over the notes at the end of his bed, “If there is anything you need, water or something to eat just let me know.”