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Caitrin was glad in a way that she and Richard had reached some sort of understanding. Even she could not keep up a constant strain of anger for a few days, and neither did she particularly want to. He was taking her back, and although she didn’t like that fact, it was what was happening and she had to accept it. She could just imagine her Uncle’s smug face when she finally did return, well, at least he may drop the idea of a suitor pretty sharply.

It was hard to comprehend why anyone would want to be on their own really. Although Caitrin had spent the last few days on her own, that side of it hadn’t been particularly enjoyable. She was far too sociable to enjoy being in her own company for long periods of time, that was why she went to Camelot so much. Having grown up in such a big family Caitrin had never really had the luxury of wondering what it would be like to be on her own until her teenage years, when her father had left her alone to ride out for war as she was the only unmarried child. That hadn’t worked out, so she had been sent to Camelot instead. She furrowed her brow at Richard and raised her eyes to him. “But don’t you have anyone? Not even friends?” She wasn’t talking about sweethearts, or even family, but everyone had to have friends of some sort. How else would you get by in this life? Then again, she supposed Richard’s line of work seemed a little bit dodgy at best, who on earth had heard of making a living from kidnapping noblewomen?

Caitrin gave out a small laugh as Richard told her he defiantly did not want to practise on her. She hadn’t expected anything else, and was now completely convinced his little act this morning had been nothing more than business, well to him anyway. She was still annoyed she had been sucked into it, but that was always her weakness she supposed, she never really knew when to stop. She knew that she should probably work on improving that at some point, after all she didn’t want to make a name for herself did she? Caitrin was still however sticking to her first opinion that Richard had only been alright because in her experience, that was all he had been.

Caitrin was still on the look out for a tavern, almost desperate to find one. But then Richard spoke, and it confirmed the worst scenario to be honest. Wait, did that mean that they would have to sleep outside? She had only slept outside once before, and that had been on her journey to Camelot. Although the prospect of a bed was so much better, she was a noblewoman after all, there was no point in kicking up a fuss. It wasn’t as if Richard had gone past a tavern on purpose. Caitrin shook her head softly, “No, its fine.” Was her short reply, and she hoped that Richard had some sort of back-up plan, or else neither of them would be eating until tomorrow at the earliest. “But how will this work?” She asked, raising an eye brow and then raised the hand with the small silver chain attached to it. Unless he had quickly forgotten, they were still tied to each other so how on earth would making some sort of make shift camp work?

Oliver certainly played the part of a charmer rather well, he certainly rivalled her brother in that respect. This was one of the first times she had been in direct receipt of his flirts, and she was enjoying every moment of it. Her nurse had often told her when she was growing up that many men would try to charm her, or pull her one way or another. Clearly Oliver was no exception to the rule, but she didn’t really want him to be. As he replied to her, his face almost lit up slightly which just accentuated his features, and made him seem more handsome than she had ever thought him to be. “Well as I cannot join you on your hunt, I shall make the time before that more enjoyable.” She declared boldly and grinned at him for a few moments. She would be true to her word, and see to it that Oliver enjoyed his time with her, she really wanted him to just see her as the young woman she was becoming and not the little girl she had once been.

Caitrin was now enjoying this morning more than she could have ever thought possible. She could not possibly think of a better way to spend it than in Oliver’s company, as this was the first time they had been alone, and she didn’t have to worry about conventions as much, or worry about what her father might say. She could relax a bit and be at ease, and on top of all this she could just be herself. Oliver already seemed to appreciate that side of her, so she was not going to stop now.

Chuckling at his words, she put on a playful sort of smile, raising her eyes to meet his. “So much so my father says that the man who eventually takes me hand will have nerves of steel.” In truth what her father had said was a lot cruder than that, but Caitrin was a Lady and would not repeat such language, especially not to Oliver. “But perhaps you will find out how much of a handful I can be.” She said with flirtatious tones ringing through her words. She did not mean of course a handful in her stubborn nature, rather in the flirtatious aspects of her personality, and of course her rather playful nature. Some found it hard to deal with, perhaps Oliver would not be like this, perhaps he would change the trend and actually rise to some of her teases.

She laughed at his answer and nodded her head. That was true, she had known that Oliver would of course choose archery; he was almost famed for his love of the bow. Smiling softly, she began to lead him in the direction of the targets and bows; they were unused for the most part as only she and Jeffrey tended to use them. “Archery it is then.” She declared softly as the plot to the back of the house, which was set on greenery, became visible. On it was one standard sized target, and beside the side of the house there was a sort of stand where the bows were placed when they were not being used. Caitrin took her own bow and left Oliver to choose his own; only he would know what he felt comfortable with after all. “Do you often practice archery with noblewomen?” She asked out of genuine curiosity before fetching two quivers; handing one to Oliver gently. “Or will I have to set the standard?” This time she winked cheekily back at him. After getting the first reaction out of him she felt slightly empowered, and would not stop her advances now for anything.

Caitrin of course knew Oliver too well to take him seriously when he was mocking anger. He had tried similar tricks like that before, and she was no more fooled by them now than she had been in the first place. Oliver had been much like another older brother to her, (as if she needed anymore of them) but he was different because they didn’t live together, therefore as a child she had been quite in awe of him in some respects. As she was now a young woman of course their relationship would differ somewhat, but she just didn’t want that change to be for the worse. It was certainly true that his looks only seemed to get better and more refined in her eyes. He had certainly grown into a handsome Prince to rival his brother, and the other high ranking nobles of the lands.

Caitrin also knew better than to fall for Oliver’s charms like a giggly young girl. She had seen enough of her older brother’s charms to the noblewomen of Mercia to know when you could take men seriously and not. That however didn’t mean that she couldn’t appreciate the fact that he had said it, as Caitrin always took great care in her appearance. She smiled back at him in appreciation and felt quite proud for a moment before turning back to jest towards Oliver. “What, a more lovely sight than my dear brother?” She asked him jokingly. She wondered if she was truly a pleasurable alternative to her brother, but she couldn’t just come out and ask such things could she?

Of course Caitrin had no issues whatsoever with looking after the Prince for a few hours. She had no idea when her brother would be back, but given the warm reception Oliver had given her, she hoped his business would delay him somewhat as she was quite enjoying herself already. Chuckling at his words she raised her eye brows, “Not as much as a handful as I am, I am quite sure of that.” She answered mischievously. Everyone knew she had a reputation for being headstrong for a woman, her father had hoped she would grow out of it. Instead of growing out of it, she appeared to have only grown into a stronger sense of defiance and stubbornness.

She watched as he stroked his stallion, quite in awe in a way, Caitrin would have loved to have her own horse. The only mare she could ever take out was used by her sisters and sometimes even her brothers, so the opportunities to ride out were few and far between. His sudden outburst tore her from her thoughts and she could not hide an amused smile as he blushed and turned away from her. Although she felt slightly bad for causing such an uncomfortable reaction, she was quite proud her flirt was so well received with him and it had clearly had some sort of positive effect if he had blushed so quickly. His words were only encouraging and she just smiled softly at him. “No, no it is fine, I didn’t know I had already done such a good job of distracting you.” Her words were still playful with the undertone of flirtation still there. Well, she was hardly going to abandon it now was she? As he told her she could distract him all she wanted her smile could only increase. “I intend to my Lord.” She replied, her flirtations more overt in that last sentence.

Taking Oliver’s arm with a wide smile on her face she began to walk with him, now considering what she could actually do with him to keep him occupied, and in her company, until her brother got back. “Would you like to walk around our gardens?” She asked brightly, “Or you could join me in some archery practice, it is a nice enough day for either.”

Caitrin was glad that it was turning out to be quite a warm day, as her dress wouldn’t have been suited to weather which was anything but warm. Indeed it clung to her slender figure quite nicely. Her father had given her the silk to make the dress, and she had hoped that it would mean she would be spending more time at court. However she still seemed to spend most of her time at the estate, wondering where her next amusement would come from. As he bowed and looked back towards her she noted that his looks had not changed at all. She had not seen him for a while for one reason or another, and his looks had if anything become much more enjoyable in her eyes.

The way Oliver used one of her nicknames with such ease just kept the gentle smile on her face. Jeffrey usually called her Cat, so she supposed he had got it from him. That was of course just one of her nicknames, Cait was her other favoured nickname, though she didn’t mind which one was used. “I trust I find you well this morning?” She then asked cheerfully. She was now surprised at how at ease she felt with being on her own for the first time with Oliver, and hopefully she would continue to feel this ease.

Caitrin could not take his words seriously, everything about him said that he was joking and she suppressed a giggle. She could however not hide her grin and she raised her eyes mockingly at him.”I think you know as well as I do that he will give as good as he is given if I tell him such a thing.” She grinned once more, Jeffrey defiantly had the de Archer streak, and was uncommonly stubborn, just like the rest of them. He was sure that even Oliver had not been spared his temper at some point or another. “But he did ask me to make sure you weren’t so bored that you went off without him.” There, she had declared what purpose she would be serving this morning to him, and if he allowed her to serve the purpose then she would fulfil it well. Or at least she hoped that she would!

“Do you have any particular things you wish to distract your attentions with?” She asked him softly, with a hint of flirtation underlying her words. It wasn’t often she got to try a flirt or two, her father was often breathing too close down her neck for her to even think about flirting with men so frivolously. She hoped Oliver did not still see her as the small girl who had first met him all those years ago, she was growing into a woman now, indeed she could have really already been married. Although she was only fourteen she felt quite mature for her age, and she was sure she could use this to her advantage in many ways; this meeting could be one of those occasions.

As Yassia spoke, saying that she too had a little favour to ask, Caitrin could not help but be intrigued. She felt quite proud that Yassia would trust her judgement in showing her all the best bits of Camelot, and perhaps even Mercia. Mercia was not a place Caitrin had revisited since leaving, but then again she had never really had any reason to. There was nothing really there for her now. Her father was always at this battle and that battle, and the only interest in her seemed to be in finding her a suitable husband as soon as possible, because then she would cease to be his responsibility for good. In truth it was not even his place to find her a husband anymore, it was her Uncle’s, and they both knew who would eventually ask for Caitrin’s hand anyway. “I would be honoured.” She said softly and took a sip of her wine, “Mercia is not too far from here, if we set out early enough we could make it an extended day trip?” She suggested softly. Well, if she was asking Yassia to show her her homeland, she could only return the favour. Of course they would take a guard with them, the Mercian roads were even more formidable than those in Camelot.

Iron nerves probably described exactly what Griff had to develop in order to keep up with Caitrin’s stubborn nature. She never really gave him an easy time, but he easily matched her in irritation. They both had their faults, and they showed themselves far too often, but at the end of the day they were both happy. She flushed slightly as Yassia deemed Griff a lion tamer, it was a rather different comparison to make, but one that Caitrin welcomed. “Then I shall see to it that you meet him sooner rather than later.” She grinned softly, “This is possibly one of the few days we have not dined together actually.” In truth Caitrin had told him she was expecting company, and he had probably found something to amuse himself with anyway.

Yassia’s words rung true to Caitrin, and she was sure that as long as she kept Helgund in living memory then she would never truly leave her. She had loved her like a mother, and the loss had been immense, but she did keep going every day and never really let thoughts of missing her get her down. It would do no good to spend her entire life mourning, but she could still remember Helgund and the time they had spent together. “I don’t think the memory of her will ever leave me.” She said in a quiet sort of way, “Or at least I hope not.”

This new topic of conversation was one which was making Caitrin feel more and more uncomfortable by the second. She did not want to think of this man, or the hurt he had caused Yassia as well. She shuddered slightly as she began to speak of her experience with him. She couldn’t imagine that fear, of being just taken at his mercy. Of course it was on his turf as well. Caitrin had the happy advantage of meeting him on Camelotian soil where he had little influence, though that had not stopped his advances.

“He had you on your own too?” She asked softly, but it was also in an understanding way. Vorgiern had had Caitrin in the same situation; alone and vulnerable. She had been totally on her own, and the fact that she could not remember Vortigern hurting her in such an intimate way just made it more unbearable. His actions on the road back to Camelot were however quite vivid in her memories and the awful things he had called her still rung in her ears. It didn’t haunt or scare her, it just made her loath him. She would never give him the satisfaction of being scared of him because that was what he wanted wasn’t it? It had been what he had wanted on the road back to Camelot, and she had not given him the pleasure of her fear.

Caitrin just wanted to get home, and out of this man’s company as soon as she could. She was sure he had taken advantage of her, though of course he would never admit it. He had made it perfectly clear that he didn’t lie with women below his social status. Well, last night was the exception, and she had been vulnerable enough to be his target. He did not reply to her, which Caitrin saw as a positive, perhaps he was even admitting his guilt through his silence, as it was his guilt to bear and not hers. She therefore did not raise the topic again straight away, as for the moment she could not be bothered arguing with them. They matched each other in stubbornness, which unfortunately meant that they often went round in circles with these sorts of arguments.

She still stood defiantly opposite him, and kept her strength. He did not scare her, and neither would she let him in the future. She held her breath as he spoke, and hardly had time to react as he grabbed her arm and twisted it around her back. The pain ripped through her until tears were biting in her eyes. However she didn’t beg, why would she give him the satisfaction now? “I am not afraid of you.” She repeated again, but this time her words were strained and gritted. The only thing she could focus on was the searing pain in her arm which was increasing by the second. She was finding it increasingly hard to bite back her tears, which were born out of pain and nothing else. “Let go of my arm.” She demanded of him, again her words were said with whatever strength she could muster, and she hoped her defiant tone still rung through.

No, even as the grip on her arm increased she was sure she would not break. Inside her head was screaming at her to stop this, to see sense and just beg of him to stop. But unfortunately her stubbornness was not about to let up that easily, and especially not to Vortigern. “It is not foolish to speak the truth.” She half groaned at him breathlessly. Her arm was really starting to hurt now, but no, she would not break. But neither did she repeat her earlier words, instead she used her spare hand to try and break the grip on her other arm. She had to do something, she would do anything but beg to him.

Of course Caitrin had felt, to an extent, that she had been inviting herself to Yassia’s homeland. Though it turned out her suggestion was better received than she could have ever hoped it to be. She just smiled at her friend, her mind already confirming that yes, this journey must one day take place. Perhaps by then Caitrin might even be happily resided in marriage, and perhaps even with child, though that was probably a long way off in Caitrin’s life. Or at least she hoped so, she wasn’t sure she was ready to be a mother quite yet. Smiling at Yassia once more she nodded, “It would make our parting a happier experience.” Knowing that you would one day see that person again always made the parting easier. “And it would be lovely to see Ailantha for myself, from the way you speak of it, it sounds rather enchanting.”

Caitrin was sure that Yassia would not be as forward to press Griff into such matters as proposing to her friend. However, you could never be sure with some people. She did however just giggle at the image, she was sure Griff would get around to it eventually, or at least she hoped so. Therefore she did not express her worries, but merely kept up the jest. “Oh I am sure Griff can handle anything you have to say to him.” Her lips pressed into a grin, “For he has put up with me for over a year now.” How he had done that was still a wonder to her Uncle, who had long resided himself to the fact there was no man who would be able to cope with, or to tame, his niece’s stubbornness and headstrong nature. He had of course then been wrong.

Of all the people she had lost over the years, Caitrin still felt the bitter loss of her nurse. Helgund had always been so kind from her, and of course she had given her the gift of sorcery. The latter probably had not been a wise move given Caitrin’s current circumstances. Caitrin looked back to Yassia and nodded as she spoke, “She passed away when I was thirteen, but the time we spent together was special, and I’ll never forget her.” That was how you dealt with loss sometimes, you kept that person close in your thoughts at all time, so that they had never really left your side. That was how Caitrin dealt with it anyway.

Yassia’s shock at Caitrin’s revelation did not go unnoticed, in fact it was rather expected. She knew the man had a fearsome reputation in these parts for all the wrong reasons. Those who crossed him usually did not come off well. She wondered what he had done to Yassia to make her this concerned that he had close contact with someone she now knew as a friend. The thought just sickened her, she could handle damage to herself, just about, but knowing he had harmed others as well just made her feel ill.

“Unfortunately, yes I know him.” God how she wished she could have just not met him on that road, if she had ridden out an hour later they could have missed each other and she would not have to carry the memories of their time together. She had never met a man who was just so disrespectful to others, he had called her everything, and had hurt her in the most intimate of ways. As Yassia asked what he had done to her she just felt the emotions of the whole event coming back to her and for a moment she fell silent, which for Caitrin was not a good thing. She nervously fiddled with the cuff of her dress and forced her eyes back up to her friend, “That is not important.” She said rather quickly, “Your experience is more important than mine.” Or at least she assumed it was, “What did he do?”

Caitrin was quite still for a few moments. She was half waiting for guards, or something similar, to step out of the trees and arrest her. She held her breath, waiting for the rustling of leaves which would confirm another persons presence in the areas but there was just nothing... Was this woman truly on her own? That of course did not make her any less dangerous if she knew that Caitrin was a sorceress; anyone who knew that information was incredibly dangerous. She could feel her heart thudding in her chest, and she didn’t move for a few moments, in truth that she didn’t know what to do. She had never really been in this position since coming to Camelot.

The prospect of returning home sooner rather than later was defiantly an appealing one. The less this woman knew of her, and the less she saw, the better. Lily was not tied up too far away and she quickly stepped towards the horse, only faltering when the woman spoke again, compelling her to stay. There was almost kindness in her voice, and it made Caitrin just stop for a moment. No resident in Camelot would speak with such a tone after witnessing magic. Most would be struck with fear, or anger or a sense of control, but certainly not kindness. She stopped her advances towards Lily and just looked over the woman in front of her.

The women’s next words stunned her a bit, she would not be condemning her? She faltered again and wasn’t sure what to do. Of course this did not make her trust the woman in front of her any more, she still had her guard up and she would not let it down anytime soon, no matter how kind this woman was towards her. A few years of living in Camelot had taught Caitrin that you could trust no one with your most intimate secrets as it always came back to haunt you in the end. She did not speak to the woman straight away but she nodded all the same and stepped back towards the woman. She was weary yes, but Caitrin was not afraid, and Lily was still not too far away if she did need to grab her and flee.

“If you wish.” Caitrin finally thought to say, and walked back over to her fire and set herself down beside it. Another thing ticked in her mind, she had not heard anyone call her sorcery a gift since her coming to Camelot. Here, sorcery was merely seen as an impediment, and something to be persecuted and got rid of. She looked up at the woman again and pressed her lips together gently, “Although I will not press upon your company for too long, I should be returning home.” There, the certainly that she was going home sooner rather than later was still in the forefront of her mind, and nothing this woman could say would change that.

Caitrin, as Vortigern took a step away from her, merely stepped closer towards him again. She was not letting him away with acting all high and mighty around her, she did not have to respect his status as he had not earned her respect, and they were not in Sorelia. Well, that was how she saw it anyway. She was quite shocked as he stopped and began to tower over her. Of course she didn't flinch straight away, and she stared back at him defiantly.

As he spoke however, she did physically flinch. How dare he use such crude language to describe her! She had not been aware of her actions, therefore she could not be held to account for them, this was his fault, and he was not going to shift the blame onto her. She couldn't even repeat his words, no, she would not lower herself to his crude level. "I did not make myself anything!" She protested hotly and just glared up at him, "You took advantage of me, so the fault is yours to bear. Do not try to shift your own greedy actions to me!" Caitrin had been called many things in her time, some even unsavoury things, but none had ever been so crude or just vile. Then again, she already knew how vile Vortigern was, it was not surprising he should have such thoughts.

Then of course he took it one step further, and Caitrin was just speechless for a moment. He turned away from her and began to walk back in the direction of Camelot, but Caitin did not continue walking just yet, she was still in shock. She then, her head kicking into gear, half ran forwards, her cheeks flaring up with anger. "And the lowest of men would have more of my respect than you do, and would probably be better suited to the role of Prince." There, she had insulted his heritage, if there was one thing he had shown himself as proud of, it was the fact that he was a Prince, and would one day be King. She had no issue in insulting his competence in this role, on the contrary she would rather enjoy it.