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Caitrin de Archer was sat by the fire in hers and Griff’s room. They’d been in Mercia for over a week now, but she still felt like she was a visitor here, rather than returning to her homeland. Mercia didn’t feel like home anymore, which was strange, because Camelot wasn’t really her home either. She was still seen as a Mercian in Camelot, but she seen as a visitor in Mercia. It didn’t make much sense to her, and it hadn’t helped her settle in at all. Caitrin pulled a blanket around her shoulders, Griff had stayed at the feast a while longer than she had, mainly because it was warmer in the hall than it was in their room. She began to fiddle with her engagement ring as she just looked on into the fire. I don’t belong here anymore The thought struck her completely out of the dark, and it felt like the spirits were speaking to her for a few moments. Her life wasn’t meant to be lived out in Mercia anymore. She would live in Camelot with Griff, and any children she bore him would be named Aubert, and aside from her, they wouldn’t have any connection with Mercia. That was an odd thought. In her childhood she just expected to live out her days in Mercia, but everything had changed now, but she didn’t mind. Caitrin couldn’t wait to leave now in a way, they would be leaving in a few days anyway so she didn’t need to worry.

Her line of view only perked up from the fire when she heard oncoming footsteps thundering down the corridor. She gave a small yawn and stretched out, hoping that this was Griff and that they could finally go to bed. The door swung open and Caitrin raised her head with a wide smile, “I was starting to think you’d stay in that hall all-“ Her eyes adjusted to the dark in the doorway and she saw who was standing there. She broke off straight away, and she just froze, like she was a rabbit that was being closed in by a fox. Caitrin stood up straight away, her blanket falling from her shoulders . Payton de Archer hadn’t changed a bit, and he smirked as he came into the light.

“Daughter, what a pleasant surprise this is.” Caitrin took a step back, and shook her head at him,

“What are you doing here?” She asked him, already feeling like she was the young girl who had left Mercia all those years ago. Payton put his head to the side and almost looked disappointed for a moment,

“I brought you up better than that.” His hand was starting to raise from his side, and Caitrin felt her heart thud in her chest. She inclined her head towards him quickly,

“Father.” Was all she could manage through gritted teeth. Payton smirked and nodded at her, stepping towards her again, though Caitrin still backed off him.

“Your Uncle wrote to tell me that you and your fiancée were visiting Mercia. It’s funny, I don’t remember you asking my permission to marry.” Caitrin stiffened up again, “Where is he?”

“I don’t need your permission, father. And my fiancée will be here presently.” Payton could tell an argument would be best had with the said man in the room, so he nodded and gestured towards the goblets in the corner of the room. Caitrin took the hint and slowly made her way into the corner of the room to pour out two goblets, half praying Griff just stayed in the hall, and didn’t come back tonight. She didn’t care what he did, anything was better than subjecting him to her father.

Caitrin grinned at Griff as he informed her that Arthur had been cheating at their staring contests. She couldn’t quite believe that Griff had seriously been trying to have a staring contest with their baby son, actually, she probably could. Caitrin just watched as Griff played with Arthur, and smiled at them both. This was all she cared about now, this little family was all that mattered to her at the end of the day. The bliss however was quickly ruined with the mention of Griff’s mother coming to visit. She jumped up with her husband, and smoothed down her dress self-consciously. She stood by the blanket which held her son and daughter, and cast them both a look before waiting for Griff’s mother to enter the room.

Straight away Caitrin was taken aback by the woman. Family or no family, she was already being incredibly rude. This was her home, and she at least expected the woman to address her before speaking so harshly. She disregarded Lucan for the moment, it was clear this wasn’t his fault, and he had often told Caitrin that he had no love for his step-mother. “He is here residing with his wife.” She spat back at Elaine, the tension was already rising in her voice as she tensed up defensively. Elaine was already starting to grate on her nerves. She dropped her view to her children again, Arthur looked quite nervous and Esmae was just staring at the new woman in the room with wide eyes.

Lucan was trying to calm the mood down somewhat but was failing quite miserably. Caitrin was already past calm, and everyone who knew her well knew there was no coming back from that really. Caitrin had already stepped up to Elaine, she wasn’t going to shy back from this woman, even if she was her husband’s mother. “Some what exactly?” she managed through gritted teeth, the first impulse had been to slap the woman, and a few years ago she wouldn’t have had to even think about it. However, she was older, and more mature now, but that wouldn’t stop her from speaking her mind in front of Elaine. She didn’t care who she was, no one came into her home unannounced and spoke to her and Griff like this.

However, Caitrin suddenly felt incredibly guilty, in her anger she hadn’t noticed Esmae heading for the door until Lucan had swept her up into his arms. Her attention was distracted for a few moments and she held out her arms so that Lucan could pass her daughter into her arms. She held her daughter close and kissed the top of her head, but her eyes never left Elaine as she returned to her husband’s side. She pressed her lips together, trying to keep herself calm. She looked across at Griff, she wanted him to say something; anything. She was sick of having her situation judged, she and Griff were married, and they had a family of their own. What was so wrong with that?

Somehow Caitrin already wasn’t looking forwards to meeting Griff’s mother. She would reserve judgement until she actually met the woman though, no matter what Lucan said. She was sure Elaine couldn’t be that bad, she couldn’t understand what her problem would be anyway. Griff was settled, and he was learning to be a Lord of the manor from her Uncle Rouland. “Well, I won’t take kindly if she tries to pass judgement on our situation.” It was none of the woman’s business what Griff got up to now, he had his own life. To Caitrin, her mother in law had forsaken her rights to judge when Griff had come to Camelot. After all, she’d never tried to get in touch before now. Why should she care so much now? Then again, Caitrin supposed the fact there were children involved made the whole thing more legitimate in a way.

Sir Arthur Aubert She looked down at the baby in her arms, it was hard to imagine him being anything but this small spec at the moment. She would love him to be a knight of course, but she just wanted him to be happy with whatever he did. “Well as soon he is able to hold a sword you will be the first to know.” Caitrin smiled back at Lucan who was cooing over Esmae. He looked completely smitten with her daughter, she wasn’t complaining in the slightest of course, everyone who came into contact with either of the twins seemed to take to them straight away. “Oh Lucan, don’t say that.” She protested, as he voiced his doubts at ever having children, “It took me long enough to get pregnant after all.” Though she and Griff had been married for quite some time now, they had known each other intimately for quite some time before that. “You’ll have children, you have to, our children will need cousins after all.” She winked at him, “I’m sure Camila will find it hard to compete.” She smirked, as Lucan did look completely taken with little Esmae.

She gave a quick groan as Arthur suckled at her, she could tell he was hungry, but that didn’t make it any more comfortable when he did eventually latch onto her. She smiled back at her brother in law, he spoke the truth after all, “Well I suppose the spirits had a hand in all our fates, we were all meant to come to Camelot for a reason.” It was reasonable to assume that, because they had all made a difference here in their own way. “Is she still behaving for you?” Caitrin asked casually, as she continued to just support Arthur, holding him tightly against her.

Caitrin Aubert had just finished changing her daughter, who was now trying to flip over onto her front, despite the fact her mother was still trying to dress her. Pulling the girls hose up quickly, Caitrin scooped Esmae up into her arms. The girl was smiling to herself, and aimlessly sucking on her fingers and began to look around the room. Caitrin kissed Esmae’s forehead before thinking to head back downstairs. She’d left Griff and Arthur in the solar. Arthur had been as wide awake as ever so she supposed Griff would be having fun with that. The twins were only a few months old, but they were slowing learning how to become parents. It still felt strange waking up every morning and knowing you had these two other lives to look after as well. She liked it though, and she couldn’t imagine life without either of the twins now, neither did she want to.

Esmae was grabbing onto the front of her mother’s dress, and had her fingers in her hair again. Caitrin winced, “Come on sweeting, let go of mummy’s hair.” Esmae seemed to think about it for a moment, but kept hold of Caitrin’s hair anyway. Eventually, Caitrin prised her daughters fingers from her, and gave her a little stuffed rabbit to play with instead. It had been one of the gifts that Arthur had given her when she had given birth to her children. Esmae’s fingers worked around the rabbit, and it distracted her long enough so Caitrin could leave the room, her daughter in her arms. She descended the stairs and headed straight for the solar, not hearing the approaching carriage as she was too wound up in her daughter.

Entering the solar, she grinned at her husband, and sat down by the fire with Esmae, pulling a folded blanket from one of the chairs and setting her daughter upon it so she could lie in comfort. Esmae never liked being held for too long, and Caitrin knew that much. Arthur was the complete opposite though, he loved being held and cuddled as much as possible. She would have thought that it would have been the other way around, but she didn’t really mind. “How’s he been?” Caitrin asked Griff with a gentle smile as she began to play with Esmae on the blanket, tickling the girl’s tummy.

The servant was the one to break their few moments of bliss, and Caitrin just stared at him for a few moments before the man thought to speak.

“Forgive me for interrupting, but Sir Lucan is here, as is my Lord Griff’s mother.” Caitrin went to laugh before she realised the man was deadly serious. She looked across at Griff with her mouth hanging slightly ajar,

“What on earth is your mother doing here?” She was already quite suspicious, mainly as an encounter with either hers or Griff’s parent never went well. “Show them in.” She said rather dismissively to the servant who went to fetch them. Caitrin looked across at Griff with a puzzled look on her face, “Did you invite her?” At least they had known when Corneous was going to visit them, but this was completely out of the blue.

Caitrin couldn’t really explain why she had just longed to train as a nurse. Her Uncle had told her that she should be aiming higher, but she couldn’t imagine doing anything else now. She could progress within the NHS, and hopefully even the private medical health services. That was her life at the moment and she loved it. She had spent quite a lot of time in hospital when she was younger, so maybe that was why she had been heavily influenced by nurses, and those around her. Her father hadn’t had the most tender of touches, so most of her childhood was full of hospital visits and knocks on the door from social workers. “Well I erm spent some time in hospital when I was younger, I just supposed I wanted to look after others in the way they used to look after me.” She smiled but she knew nothing would get rid of those memories of her father. But that was in her past, she wasn’t that little girl anymore, and she had healed.

She smiled at Lucan’s suggestion of staying a while longer. She wasn’t in any rush, she was off work tomorrow so she could catch up on her sleep then. Plus, it wasn’t like she was going home to anything but clearing up after her Uncle and her cousin. “Sure, I don’t have anything to get home for anyway.” She smiled at Lucan and sat back down on the sofa, she could imagine herself living here, it was just quite comfortable. “Oh I’d love another cup of tea, thank you.” She grinned at Lucan and handed him her cup.

Lucan’s family sounded just as interesting as her own was. She’d been keeping all her possessions out of show if this drunken brother turned up. He wouldn’t be breaking any of her things, or else he might not live to regret it. “Then warn me when your drunken brothers about to turn up.” She smirked, “I’m sure he’s not that bad.” If you wanted a model of how a family shouldn’t act then you didn’t need to look further than the de Archer family. “But as long as you’re the man to turn to with DIY, I can help heal human beings, but give me a plug socket to fix and I’d probably blow my own fingers off.” She laughed to herself, she wasn’t amazing with DIY, stereotypically she could decorate, but she couldn’t do anything technical. She took one of the biscuits Lucan was offering her with a quick word of thanks. She really couldn’t wait to move in.

In a way, Caitrin felt like they were both moving on in this conversation somewhat. She was glad, because it meant that Griff had accepted that part of her, something which had always worried her. Caitrin pulled a face at her husband at his words though, “What do you mean I can’t speak properly?” She frowned at him, but that was replaced by a small smile. She found Griff’s hand and squeezed it. “You don’t have anything to confess while we’re at it do you?” She only really meant it as a jest, because she supposed if Griff did have something like sorcery he would have already told her. Well, at least her sorcery was out in the open with her husband now, and she could practice it freely with him. That was something wasn’t it? Perhaps there would be a time where she wasn’t persecuted for her sorcery.

Caitrin found her smile increase a little as she looked on at her husband. He always had a habit of making her smile, no matter what the mood was. She often found she couldn’t stay irritated or annoyed by him for too long. It was almost like he wouldn’t let her. At his words, she gave a wide smirk and bit her lip slightly, “Somehow I didn’t think it would be.” That was the first time she had ever looked at Griff, and realised that she loved him. She wouldn’t have thought it possible before then, but after that day and night they had spent together, Caitrin had found herself completely smitten by Griff. A fact which had never changed, it had only grown.

She pulled a face at his Mercian comment. They always had a little banter where their kingdoms were concerned. “There is nothing wrong with being a Mercian.” She replied in the thickest accent that she could manage. Her Mercian accent was something she was somewhat proud of, she loved it. She wanted her children to speak with this accent as well. As Griff cupped her cheek, all other thoughts left her head. She just pulled another face as he called her annoying, but she squeezed his hand back all the same. Overall, Caitrin had had enough of arguing, and being annoyed with him. She wanted to return to some normality, he knew she had sorcery now, and that was that. Leaning forwards, Caitrin left a soft kiss upon her husband’s lips, “I love you too Griff. Always will.” She whispered against his lips and brushed her spare hand through his hair. She could just enjoy this moment with her husband until she was forced back into reality.

As Caitrin broke away from her husband, she looked around them. They were in this small little store cupboard, hiding away like lambs before the slaughter. Everything seemed to have calmed down somewhat, they weren’t being attacked and that was the main thing. “Griff, should we try and go back to the room?” She asked softly, if not then they would be sleeping in here tonight because there was nothing to say that these things wouldn’t come back. There were some old blankets in the corner, so at least they would be able to keep warm.

Caitrin couldn’t stop herself from grinning when Yassia agreed to have a dress made for the occasion. She would make sure she sent for the dressmaker in the morning. Caitrin wanted her friend to look good as much as she wanted to make the right impression on the night as well. “I shall send for the dressmaker first thing in the morning.” She informed her friend with a wide grin. Caitrin already knew what sort of gown she wanted, she wanted something blue in the fitted style. Though she wanted to wow the Mercian courts, there was only one man she really wanted to impress and enchant with what she was wearing, “What style would you want? Or what colour would you prefer?” She’d never really done this, because she’d never had the chance, but this was probably about as girlish as Caitrin got.

Now, she did agree with Yassia about keeping it a secret, then they could enchant all the men in the room in a few minutes. Now that was a thought. Caitrin grinned and nodded at her friend, “Then a secret it shall remain.” She wondered how Griff would react, well, she sort of knew, but she wanted to see the look on his face when she began to move in such a way. He wouldn’t be able to touch her until the dance was done, and that might just kill him. “I believe we’re having an open invitation, mainly because I haven’t been here for many years, and I wouldn’t know where to start with the invitations.” Plus you got to know more people with an open invite didn’t you?

When Caitrin released her friend, she almost felt like she was coming back to reality somewhat. She was going to be fine, her and Griff were going to have a family. They’d conceived one child before now, so she was sure a second wasn’t too far away in their thoughts. It wasn’t like they were apart much anymore. No, if anything they were more heated than ever, if that were even possible. She began to wipe her eyes on the dipped sleeve of her gown and laughed at herself. “Look at me, Jesu, I’m a mess.” A justifiable mess, but she still felt like she was a mess. For a woman who was always incredibly strong, and never let her emotions slip, this was quite something for Caitrin. She didn’t mind so much in front of Yassia though, mainly because she was such a good friend. She’d seen all the best parts of her, now she could see the worst parts as well. Perhaps that was good for them in a way. Caitrin did trust Yassia an incredible amount, and this was just further proof of that. “I don’t know how to thank you Yassia, this is a massive relief.” She inclined her head to the bedchamber where she had left Griff asleep, “For both of us.” A family was always something she and Griff had jested about, and toyed with, but they’d always wanted one. That was one of the few things they completely agreed on. She looked back to her friend and just smiled, showing she was truly fine, once her emotions settled she was sure she would be completely fine.

In all the upset and sudden uproar of emotion, Caitrin had almost forgotten Yassia had come to call on her at this late hour. She wondered if her friend had a purpose in such a call, and she would have brought this up earlier if she’d been in her right frame of mind. She almost felt flustered it had taken her this long to pick up on it actually. “Forgive me for not asking earlier, but was there anything you wanted? It’s just its late and I would have asked earlier, but, well, you know.” She broke off, a little sheepish and just managed a small smile at her friend as she found her original seat by the fire.

Again, Caitrin decided just to leave the topic of Elenora and Aidan alone. It wasn’t any of her business anyway, and though she was quite at ease with her love life, she supposed Nora was still finding her feet with her relationship, and it wasn’t for her to pry. If Nora wanted her to help her with her courting then she could come and ask for help. She doubted her friend would want to seek her out, because she didn’t feel like she had been much help. Plus, she had spent half her time worrying after her daughter. She did feel bad for neglecting her friend a little over her daughter, but it was the same with everyone. Her children would always come first now. Now she just smiled sweetly at her friend before she settled Esmae back down for her sleep.

She hoped that Esmae wasn’t going to sleep for long, because if she slept too long now then the hope of a good night’s sleep was just going to be a far off dream. Esmae was the only one who seemed to still wake during the night, Arthur slept through as long as his twin didn’t wake him up first which was incredibly likely. Caitrin did however have to admit that Esmae looked quite sweet while she slept, and she took the basket in her arms ready to go upstairs, it wasn’t that heavy as her daughter wasn’t that big yet. She was healthy and strong, and that was all that mattered.

She nodded at Nora’s suggestion, “Yes, if you take the brew I will follow you up with Esmae, and then we can make sure your father takes it.” She smiled again at Nora and waited for her friend to pick up the brew. Caitrin couldn’t help but feel slightly nervous about the whole thing, because she had come up with the brew, and she felt like this hung on her head. Even though she knew this wouldn’t save Nora’s father it would help some of his symptoms and that was it.

The chest idea had been her last resort, and though Griff was staring, he wasn’t doing anything, which made it utterly pointless. She was slightly annoyed, and disappointed, she almost felt like she was losing her touch. However, she didn’t voice this, and her chest stayed pressed out, because Griff was still staring, and it amused her somewhat. “Your loss.” She said simply and shifted so her chest was back to its usual height, and she inched herself away from Griff, and as she did she had a feeling she had lost the little competition. Fabulous.

Caitrin Aubert Gosh, it still felt strange against her tongue, and she whispered it to herself, trying to imagine herself being addressed as such. She had always been a de Archer, but now she was going to be leaving that behind, and she would only answer to Griff. That was a thought, when she was married her family’s involvement in her life, bar her Uncle Rouland, would end. Jesu, that was a liberating thought and just made the proposal all the sweeter. “I’m glad you agree.” She shot him a wide smile, because she couldn’t keep a smile from forming on her features. She was just so happy, she was sure this feeling would only be surpassed on their wedding day. Gosh that felt even stranger to think about.

Caitrin began to wonder if she would ever get used to telling Griff that she loved him. The concept was still so new to her, and it was something which she thought would never happen. She was never supposed to fall in love, she was supposed to just carry on in her own way, and not stop for any man. But then this wonderful man in front of her had come along and changed everything. He’d just changed everything, and she was glad he had, because she honestly couldn’t be happier than she was now. The hand at her neck caused her to shudder involuntary. She couldn’t understand how his touch fired up her sensations so much. She already loved being called his future wife, she would try so hard to make a good wife, just for him. “Future husband,” She breathed into his lips, just trying the word out on her lips. Jesu, it was all still very new and very exciting. Griff was going to be her husband. Her lips were quick to find Griff’s again, and she swiftly deepened the kiss, pressing herself against her fiancée until he naturally went with her. She didn’t stop until he was lying down on the grass, and she was leaning on top of him. This was hardly unusual for them, and they were in enough privacy here in the gardens to not worry too much about it. They were here on their own, and Caitrin had already excited herself a bit too much. Her lips found Griff’s again, her kiss deep and her hand running through his hair, the other supporting herself against the grass. She didn’t even care about their little competition anymore, she only had eyes for Griff. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” She breathed against his lips, because she just wanted him to know how much he meant to her, and that she would never have eyes for anyone but him.