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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 20, 2011 19:15:32 GMT -5
 Caitrin rocked on her heels and just simply beamed at her cousins words. She loved being told she was different because that meant people didn’t think she was the same as her sisters. Caitrin had always tried to not be like them, because they just acted silly and girly all the time. They always wanted new dresses, and ribbons to look nice when all Caitrin ever wanted was her bow, a book or to practice her magic with Helgund; how could her sisters not find any of that interesting? It was beyond the small girls comprehension so she often just ignored her siblings. “I like being different.” She said confidently, brushing back some hair off her shoulders, realising that was just one more way in which she was different to her siblings; she was the only one with red hair.
She was overjoyed that her cousin agreed to a game. Perhaps this wedding business was going to be ok; after all her cousin would be at the wedding. That meant that they could sit together, or play together during the party which followed. All these ideas were whirling around in Caitrin’s head and she decided that this was the most excited she had been in a long while as she followed Dristan into the corridor. He didn’t even protest as she dragged him outside; it was more fun out there anyway because the adults didn’t go out of the back very often. Her mother always complained it was too cold outside for her, but Caitrin was always warm and could never understand why her mother never wanted to come outside and play with her. Caitrin hoped that she never grew into a boring adult who just sat around talking all day, the thought of it made her just want to never grow up and stay like this forever. She knew that one day she would have to grow up, but she liked the idea of that in a way because it meant she would not be living with her family anymore, and she could have her own grand house; she would like that very much.
Caitrin looked to where Dristan was pointing and nodded brightly, “That’s my bow, so yes we can use it. Just promise not to break it.” She held a small finger up at him warningly, she never let her siblings touch any of her things, but that was because they just broke them because they could. She hoped her cousin would be nicer to her, and not ruin her things. She half bounced over to her bow and picked it up, along with a few arrows which she carried with a slight amount of difficulty back to her cousin. She dropped the arrows at his feet and put the bow over her shoulder for a moment.
She liked the sound of a competition, already she was proving to be an incredibly competitive child. She never liked to lose, and always tried her hardest to win at most things because she just couldn’t stand facing the winning sibling. “As long as you don’t mind being beaten by a girl.” She teased and gave a wide grin. She then pointed at a small make shift target. It was just a small, used, target which had been attached to a large bale of hay. “Me and my nursemaid made that, is it ok?” She declared proudly, and then continued, taking the bow off her shoulder, “Do you want to go first?”
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 20, 2011 18:50:29 GMT -5
 Caitrin found herself slightly nervous at the prospect of being back in Camelot. She knew there was nothing to fear because Arthur had come back, which she knew he would, and Camelot was once again restored to the Pendragon dynasty. She had been invited to attend a small dinner and Caitrin hadn’t been sure whether to take up the invitation but her Uncle had insisted upon her attendance as it would take her mind off what had passed. So she was here now, donned in a scarlet dress and her hair was pulled back so that half of it was braided at the back of her head; the rest lay messily on her shoulders.
She was here alone tonight, she probably could have persuaded, or even just asked, her Uncle or even Griflet to attend the meal with her but she hadn’t wanted anyone here. She felt like her first time back in Camelot was something she had to do by herself. She pressed a hand to her belly, feeling a bit sick as she even thought about the amount of pain Morgana had caused everybody. What had possessed her to turn so violently on the people on Camelot? Caitrin wasn’t even particularly sure she wanted to know. Her reign had been nothing but trouble for Caitrin, as her loyalties had remained with Arthur. However, that was all over now, Griflet was back and they were rebuilding; she knew it would be a long road but she was sure everything would return to normal soon enough.
Caitrin didn’t even look round as she heard someone sit down beside her; she was too wrapped up her own thoughts. It would probably just be another knight anyway. Camelot felt like a very different place to be residing in, and it had only been a week since Morgana had fallen. Even just looking around the table Camelot felt much changed, she had heard stories of these men, that they were not of noble birth and Lancelot, who she had once treated, was there as well. She gave him a small smile of acknowledgement but so far she had avoided speaking to anyone. She wasn’t feeling particularly social but she knew she had to get back into the swing of things, it would do no good to be moping around her Uncle’s estate forever.
“Hullo.” Caitrin blinked and looked round at the woman sitting to her left. They were around the same height so she caught her eye line straight away. The woman certainly had a natural beauty about her, which shone through, but her words were not said with confidence and for a moment Caitrin faltered. She knew exactly who she was, she had seen her about court enough to know this was Morgana’s old servant. She had heard the rumours that Arthur and she were involved; Caitrin hadn’t believed it at first but she supposed the woman’s merely being here proved the rumour true straight out. Why else would a servant be sat waiting to be served? She caught her thoughts and smiled politely back at the woman, feeling slightly bad she did not know her name. She had seen her around court enough but had never enquired her name, then again she had never had reason to. She bobbed her head to the woman, who she assumed must be a Lady now to be eating with other’s of noble birth; it was all rather odd to Caitrin, but something she was prepared to approach with an open mind, she owed that much to Arthur anyway.
“Good evening my Lady.” She continued her smile, wondering if she should be so formal if the woman was not used to it; then again if the rumours were true and Arthur was intending to take her as his Queen then she would have to get used to it. Harsh but true. “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Lady Caitrin de Archer.” She stopped herself there, hoping that her new acquaintance didn’t think her too pretentious and finished it with another soft smile, waiting for the woman to return the favour and to introduce herself.
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 20, 2011 18:09:18 GMT -5
 At least Caitrin’s dress was starting to dry, she still felt soaked but she knew that was just because her skin was still damp. She was sure sitting here a while longer would warm her up to avoid getting a chill; even if she did fall ill she had plenty of remedies at home which would fend off serious cold. You didn’t die of a chill anyway, and she shoved the thoughts from her mind and just focussed on the fire for a moment, blocking out everyone else. She had had a hell of a day, and this was her reward, some stale bread and an evening in someone’s company who had tried to give her off to bandits to save his own skin; wonderful. She wasn’t really listening as he was wittering away in her ear, she probably wouldn’t like what he was saying anyway. Instead she opted for the easy option, which was another swig of wine which went straight to her head.
She sat back in her seat, then leant forwards as he answered her question. She raised her eye brows and even managed a small laugh she realised she honestly didn’t care what he thought of her looks. He was good looking, there was no denying it, but she was never going to reveal that fact to him so it didn’t matter what she thought either. She leant forwards as he did and kept close eye contact with him when he spoke. Was he flirting with her? She gave a grin, now she was getting somewhere. The fact they had now leant both forwards had led to their faces now being only inches apart, “I might.” Was all she said at first, not moving her face but raised her eye brows slowly at him, “But as I have smiled at you, surely it would be rude not to return the favour.” She finished with giving a small grin, just to reiterate the point and just kept leaning forwards. The alcohol was certainly taking an effect as her head was starting to feel a bit lighter, but that wasn’t important right now, he had finally spoken to her without causing an argument, and that was interesting.
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 20, 2011 10:21:24 GMT -5
Caitrin already knew that her actions were incredibly hypocritical because she had been moaning about sharing the room, and now she wasn’t even going up there. She didn’t care she was being hypocritical, she wasn’t down here because she particularly wanted his company, but the fire was here and it would keep her warm. After all, she had the key so it didn’t matter that they were both down here now anyway; she had the upper hand. “I’m cold and I’m still wet, so I’ll sit down here and take full advantage of the fire for as long as I could.” On cue she shivered, just for the effect. She rolled the sleeves of her dress back slightly to let some of the warmth onto the flesh on her arms and rubbed her arms, trying to generate some heat at least. “I have the key anyway.”
The bread was not so bad, but she made the decision to stay as far away from the cheese as she could. She raised her eye brows at the Prince’s reaction to her words; for god’s sake, she had only offered him a bit of her meal. “A simply no would have done.” She snapped back and took another bite of her bread, “More for me.” Was all she finished with, as if he could actually irritate her more than he was already doing.
Her next goblet of wine arrived and she took it gratefully and began to drink it rather faster than she probably should be doing. She didn’t care anymore, she was in the middle of nowhere with the most arrogant man in the world and if the wine was going to numb the evening then it was the only thing for it really. She looked up at Vortigern who she suspected was feeling the effects of his ale and gave a half laugh, resting her hand on her cheek, “Do you ever smile?” She asked him seriously, taking another swig of wine and watching his reaction, no doubt it would be humorous and give her some amusement at least.
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 19, 2011 15:22:36 GMT -5
Caitrin had to sit down next to Vortigern because it was the only seat; she was arms reach away but that was close enough for her; it always would be. She sipped her drink carefully, not looking at him for a few moments because he was irritating her that much. Would it honestly kill him to give a smile? He hadn’t changed from his scowl since she had encountered him in the road, though she supposed he had little to be happy about. Caitrin looked about the room, that guy was still there, and she noticed he was still watching her. She was slightly disgusted, how had a dagger in the gut not put him off?
She blinked back into reality as a large jug of ale was placed beside her in front of Vortigern. Caitrin had never had a thirst for ale, she preferred wine which was a trait she got from her Uncle. The wine was bitter but she hoped, that in the right quantity, it would lull her into some sort of sleep. Her eyes rose to the fire that Vortigern had sat himself by, even though he was in-between her and the warmth she could still feel it. Her hair was all but dry, but her dress was still drenched. She gave a short shiver, it was all very well for him, he could dry his leather vest, but she was only wearing her dress and undergarments, and she wasn’t removing them anytime soon, especially not if she was sharing a room with him. She would take the cold her actions would surely bring her, it would be less irritating. “I’ll eat my food wherever I want; it’s warmer down here anyway.” She muttered at him and rubbed her hands on the sleeve of her dress, trying to warm up the skin beneath. He was staring at her, well it was more like glaring and she decided to glare back, mainly to make the point that she was staying put. She wasn’t going to be sent to her room like some dutiful little woman. Had he not learnt that by now?
Caitrin watched as he gulped back the ale, musing that she might be spending the night in the bed after all if he drunk himself under the table. The bar maid was back and set some bread and cheese in front of Caitrin, her heart sunk a bit, she had been expecting warm food at least.
“Cook’s gone to bed.” Was all the inn keepers wife said to her before scurrying off again. Caitrin hadn’t paid that much for the food anyway, and she was really too hungry to care. She began to tuck into her food, half wolfing it down, and then washing it down with the wine. As a bar maid came past she requested another wine, it had hardly been a large goblet anyway, and the more she drank the nicer it was starting to taste, “Do you want any?” She asked Vortigern, knowing his answer already, but she was going to offer at least.
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 19, 2011 2:26:45 GMT -5
Caitrin pulled a face at him as he told her it was not her room. She was about to protest but stopped herself, it was clear he wasn’t going to give in verbally, but the fact she was let into the room physically showed that he had given in a tiny bit, and that was all she needed to gain access to the room really wasn’t it? She raised her eye brows as he told her she could convince him of nothing, and scoffed slightly, “I’m sure I can.” She said confidently and her lips curled into a smile, she knew how to get to men, that was one of the many graces she had been brought up with. “Had the sword cracked my head you would still be stumbling about lost in the forest!” She reminded him hotly and stormed past him into the room.
Of course he didn’t like the room, Caitrin wondered if that was because she had already expressed she found it cosy, or it was his snobbish behaviour revealing itself to her once more. She gave another small shudder but then took off the cloak she was wearing and threw it over the back of another chair. She wished that she had another dress to change into but no, she had to stay in this wet garment all night didn’t she? And he was angry again, for gods sake, did he do anything but complain? Caitrin pressed a hand to her forehead as he stormed out of the room to god knows where. She had half a mind not to follow him, after all she now had the room key, and that was what she had wanted all along wasn’t it? However, the rumbling in her stomach told her she was going to have to get something to eat or else she would faint. She rose and opened the door, taking the key from the lock and decided to try her luck at getting some food downstairs.
Once she was actually downstairs she spied Vortigern sitting alone at the table; the only empty table in the room. She groaned, what had she done that was so wrong that had led to her constant misfortune today? She inquired with the inn keepers wife about food, who said that she would bring Caitrin something in a moment, in the meantime Caitrin took a goblet of wine; maybe a state of tipsiness might even improve her mood. She sat down at Vortigern’s table, “Before you complain all the other table’s are full,” Caitrin didn’t care she was snapping first, and she took a swig of her wine, finally feeling slightly relaxed.
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 18, 2011 19:34:42 GMT -5
He threw away her flirtations, but that didn’t really put her off one bit. It had been an attempt to lighten the mood which clearly hadn’t worked. She could always try again later when the man’s mood was in a better place. Caitrin ran a hand through her wet hair again which was now starting to slightly dry at the ends. She hoped she would be able to get this dress dry here, but with her sharing a room with Vortigern, which she would be doing, how was she supposed to get it dry at all? If she had a room by herself it wouldn’t have mattered, but there was no way she was revealing any part of herself to this man.
The man who had been leering at her seemed slightly confused as Vortigern told them all that she was not her fiancé. Great, now more of the men in the room were looking at her. Her dagger was still poking at the man in front of her and he looked up at where Vortigern had just disappeared with a confused look on his face, “Arranged marriage.” She replied hotly and the man just raised his eye brows and nodded as she tore past him to find Vortigern upstairs.
Caitrin didn’t go anywhere when he told her to leave him alone, she didn’t even move for a few moments and she folded her arms to show her obvious defiance towards him. She shook her head, but he had already pushed past her; where was he going now. Caitrin then realised by a happy mistake, that she was standing right outside the door of their room.
“I’m not attached to you; you just happen to have the key to my room.” She bluntly pointed out, gesturing to the key in the door. Yes, it was her room as well and no matter how hard he wanted to shove her into someone elses room she was certain she would be sleeping here tonight. She had already paid for half the room, and she was going to get full use of it. She pulled a face at him as he told her that she would be sleeping on the floor or in someone else’s bed, “Perhaps I can persuade you otherwise,” She suggested softly, winking at him again, but in a more serious matter she was not sleeping on the floor; she had not paid half the room fee to sleep on the floor. She pressed her hand to her head slightly dramatically and looked over at him, “Speak for yourself, your constant arguing has given me even more of a headache than the sword which knocked me out.” She wasn’t sure how much of that was true but he had given her a headache, he had only stopped arguing back once they had got into a tavern, and it had been quite a long walk.
She too needed rest, she had been up since quite early as she had wanted to make the most of the day. Well, she could hardly call the day uneventful now could she? All in all she had been active for most of the day without rest, and after her disorientation it was really starting to take its toll. She followed Vortigern into the room and found a chair to sit down on, she didn’t want to go to the bed straight away because she didn’t want to have that argument right now. She would be sleeping comfortably tonight, she was sure of that. The room wasn’t that small, it was a decent size for the two of them with a double bed in the centre of the side wall; lovely. “Well isn’t this cosy.” She put in, raising her eyes to him quickly. She only then realised how hungry she was and pressed a hand to her stomach, wondering if they did food in this place.
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 18, 2011 18:39:52 GMT -5
Caitrin’s mood wasn’t being helped by his remark and she huffed angrily, “There are no other rooms, or are you deaf as well as rude?” Her blunt reply would probably just annoy him, oh well, perhaps that was what she wanted to do because he was certainly annoying her. She wished she had just grabbed the key now and run up to the room and left him sitting in the bar by himself, then he would be the one having to seek other accommodation. However, Caitrin had no intention of seeking another room to share, because she had now paid half of the room and she was bloody well going to sleep in it.
His reaction to her words was almost laughable. Someone on her social level? She forgot men only slept with women who were of the same status as themselves; oh wait... She doubted that Vortigern would pass up the opportunity, not necessarily with her but with some other woman if he had the chance; he was only a man after all. “You’ll never know what you’ve missed.” She said softly with a small wink and then looked back to Vortigern who wasn’t looking at her, but was looking around the room. Caitrin followed his gaze to a man who was staring at her intently. She looked down at her soaked dress which was doing little good at hiding anything really and then looked back to the man who was looking at her in a lustful sort of way. She shuddered, he reminded her of the man who had her pinned against the tree earlier in the day, and that was hardly a situation she wanted to return to.
Wait! He couldn’t just leave her there in the middle of the inn without the room key! Caitrin didn’t have time to protest before he had already strolled confidently in the direction of their room. She followed him, naturally but stopped as he spoke to the man; she didn’t want to go anywhere near him. However, she heard everything Vortigern said to him and before she could follow him up the stairs the man had blocked her path,
“Can I get you a drink?” He asked, leering down at her chest which was now heaving up and down; she had already been in this situation once and didn’t fancy doing it again. She shook her head,
“No, I was just going after my fiancé.” She explained and tried to move past him but of course it wasn’t going to be that easy. He raised a hand, much like the man in the forest had, and ran it along her cheek and Caitrin trembled for a moment before remembering herself. She quickly drew her dagger from her belt and poked it into the mans stomach; she wasn’t stabbing him, she was just making him aware of the weapon, “Perhaps you didn’t hear me. Me and my fiancé were just on our way to our room.” She smiled sweetly and the man put his hands up and let her past and she replaced the dagger at her belt. She hitched up her skirts and ran up the stairs as quickly as she could, then following Vortigern up the stairs; she caught up with him in relative ease. “The room which you are going to is mine as well.” She pointed out, her heart was still racing from the encounter with the man, and her head had started throbbing again, “I will find no other place to sleep tonight, if you don’t like it then you can sleep in his room.” She gestured down the stairs to where she assumed the man who had been eyeing her up was stood. Then she just stood opposite Vortigern, with her hands on her hips, waiting for whatever he was going to do next. |
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 18, 2011 17:49:56 GMT -5
Caitrin was becoming bored at Vortigan’s lack of speech. She would even go so far as to say that she had preferred it when they were arguing to the state they were in now. He didn’t return her comment about asking nicely, perhaps he had learned it was better to not argue with her; now if he had learned that in the first place then they would not be in this predicament. Her heart thudded for a moment as she quickly wondered what on earth her Uncle would be thinking right now, she often returned late from her rides but she was never absent until morning. Then again he knew she was not stupid, so he would not send out a search party for her; it was too costly anyway.
Caitrin let out another short laugh and had to stifle it with her hand. Her hands were still moist from the rain but it served its purpose as her laughter was muffled. How on earth could this woman ever think she would commit herself to a man such as this one? Then again, she hadn’t just spent what felt like forever walking down the road with him. The fact Vortigern remained silent just made the situation funnier, was he not saying anything because he was in that much shock? Or perhaps it had saved him the embarrassment of explaining why he was at an inn with a random woman. She didn’t even bother lurching for the key because she knew that even if she grabbed it he would have it off her soon enough. Instead she became preoccupied with her state of dress; she felt disgusting. Her silk dress was soaked right through and she swore you could see her skin underneath it in places; fabulous.
The inn keepers wife obviously didn’t know what to make of the couple. Caitrin’s face had turned horrendously red, half out of embarrassment he had implied such a thing, and the other half was just pure anger. Caitrin couldn’t speak for a moment she was that angry, she stepped up to Vortigern and with her eyes still on him her hands went to a small slit in the back of her skirt and she produced a small coin purse. Ah, now he hadn’t thought of that had he? She was perfectly capable of paying her own way. The purse was quite full and she took out a few coins and half slammed them down on the counter, “I can pay for my own room thank you very much.” She half snarled at him and the inn keeper’s wife remained very still for a moment, “I shall be sleeping in the room whether you like it or not.” Her head had started hurting again, she wasn’t going to forsake her bed for some stuck up Prince anyway. She drew up to him now, her voice so angry all she managed was a whisper, “I assume you won’t be needing any of my ‘services’ tonight before we sleep?” The innkeepers wife was still watching the pair, and for Caitrin that made it even worse,
“I have my own women who do that,” She mused, “Keep your fiancée to yourself.” Laughing she took the coins and left the bar to god knows where. Caitrin watched her go and then turned back to Vortigern who annoyingly had possession of the key. It was still quite early in the evening and Caitrin didn’t feel much like sleeping yet, but she decided to wait to see what Vortigern was going to do because she wasn’t going to get left down here and locked out of her own room, especially now seeing as she had paid half towards it. |
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 18, 2011 16:43:44 GMT -5
Caitrin had had enough of this whole situation. It was obvious they were never going to reach any sort of compromise anytime soon, they had managed to disagree on every topic the other had thrown into the conversation. No, this wasn’t a conversation, it was a series of disagreements from which neither of them had come out particularly well from, she felt like they were right back where they had started. Neither of them had gained much from the conversation, a few facts about each other and a lot of rage but little else. She tucked some of her freshly soaked hair behind her ear and looked up briefly at the dark rain clouds which had covered them; giving the illusion of the night. She didn’t answer his comment about her not knowing what is proper because they would disagree on it, and it was pointless arguing when she knew they would reach no compromise.
His silence on the topic of her beauty did not go unnoticed and she looked at him almost expectantly, expecting him to make some comment but nothing came from his lips. She was almost disappointed but she let it slide, they had the whole evening for her to tease and flirt with him. She scoffed as he told her to try and speak of nothing and she shook her head, “That’d just be boring.” Caitrin pointed out, no way was she letting him off hat easily. Caitrin was unconvinced that the Prince would have found his way back to Camelot on his own. After all, he had waited for her on the road and if he had really known his way back then he would have just gone. She doubted that he had waited because he cared about her, no she was sure he had just wanted her directions. “Why was it then that you waited for me on the road? If you knew you could find your way back?”
Her words were of little consequence she supposed, because she had directed the pair of them to this inn at least. It was cosy to put it nicely, she had certainly stayed in worse. The last time she had stayed in an inn she had been travelling from Mercia to Camelot and she had just stayed in the inn room all evening while her father’s men had got drunk in the tavern which her room had been above. She hadn’t got much sleep then, and she supposed she would not get much sleep here either if Vortigern had anything to do with it. She noticed that this inn too had a small tavern, perhaps a drink would help her get off to a good nights sleep; she would need all the help she got.
Caitrin looked up at Vortigern as he turned his head to her and whispered harshly at him, telling her to be quiet. Although she did actually comply and fell silent for a few moments she wanted to laugh, it felt like he had been waiting to say that for quite a while; probably since they met actually. “If you ask nicely I might comply.” She said quietly and noticed as he opened a few buttons on his shirt. She watched him, looking up at him finally, she wouldn’t deny he was a good looking man, though of course she was never going to tell him that, her ego was probably large enough already.
She watched as he conversed with the inn keepers wife, or at least she assumed she was and gave a small huff of impatience as he asked for a room. The woman looked at Caitrin and then back at Vortigern and smiled,
“You are in luck, we only have one room left, so you can take that for you and your,” She was speaking to Vortigern but was looking at Caitrin and the woman obviously had no idea how to describe the young woman, “Fiancée to rest for the night.” The woman looked pleased and busied herself looking for the key. Caitrin let out a small laugh but didn’t say anything because Vortigern’s retort would probably be more amusing than hers. In the short term she was simply horrified at the prospect of spending the night in a room with Vortigern and she wouldn’t if she had anything to do with it,
“Are there no other rooms?” Caitrin cut in and the woman shook her head and held up the key in-between Vortigern and Caitrin,
“No, there is one room left; take it or leave it.” |
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 18, 2011 15:20:55 GMT -5
“My loyalty is not fickle, I give my loyalty to the sovereign of the kingdom I reside in, as is proper!” Caitrin wanted to laugh as he described her in all the negative ways he could muster in such a short space of time. She did fall silent as he told her not to return the favour, the words she had to describe him were neither ladylike or to be heard within civilised conversation, if this conversation could be called that. “You missed out beautiful, but I’ll forgive you for that one.”
The more she spoke to him the more her anger rose, had she been this angry before? She doubted it, after all no one had ever challenged her this much. Her father had used to just shout at her and then disappear into his study and leave her to shout at the door, which she had grown tired of. “According to you everything is beyond my mental capacity, what would you have me speak of? Presumably nothing.” She said quickly and then felt a chill run down her spine as he spoke of her not knowing him as she wondered what exactly he was capable of. “I’m not sure I want to get to know you.” She said bluntly.
A small, knowing smile found her lips and she gave a shrug up at Vortigern at his words, “Suit yourself.” She pressed her lips together and gave another shiver and looked up ahead as the village was coming into full focus. Well that was something at least, her head was still throbbing and although she had rid herself of her disorientation her head still hurt. She wondered if Vortigern’s head was still hurting him, even if it was he wasn’t showing it. “I didn’t have to show you the way, I could have just gone and left you.” She said quickly, even though she knew he would have probably just followed her or got directions from someone else.
Thank god they had finally reached the inn. Then again it wouldn’t have mattered if they had stayed out in the rain any longer as she was already soaked to the bone. Her dress was clinging onto her slender frame and she had to pull up the shoulder of her dress as it slipped with the constant rain. She was still holding herself, her hair messily strewn about her shoulders; that too was completely drenched. At least they were at the inn now, perhaps the warmth would mean she would evade catching a cold. She listened to him and was starting to get annoyed, why was he stood out here in the rain arguing with her when they could be inside getting warm? “I don’t need your permission to be in your company.” She said bluntly as in a way she was enjoying their arguing, and plus she could not seek shelter anywhere else so it was obvious they were going to have to share each others company for a while longer. He opened the door to the inn, and despite his words she followed quickly behind him and shut the door behind her, “I wasn’t staying out in the rain a second longer; not for anyone.” She excused herself and was relieved to find that the inn was indeed quite warm. Night was only about to fall so the inn was still quite lively. Heads turned as the soaked pair entered and Caitrin went straight to the bar to see if there were any rooms available. There was no one at the bar so she called out behind it, “Anyone there?”
“Be with you in a tick!” Came the reply and Caitrin was satisfied with that and she hugged her soaked dress again and looked back to Vortigern, shivering slightly, she noticed he was about as soaked as she was and gave a small smile which was given on the verge of laughter,
“It seems we are to share each other’s company for a while longer.” |
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 18, 2011 14:12:52 GMT -5
Caitrin was certain she had not argued with anyone this much before, and with such ferocity. Then again she had never been forced to walk through a forest with a stranger before. There were many firsts to be had apparently today. “Well I believe myself to be a woman of the court of Camelot, seeing as my loyalties are to the Pendragons and not to King Baynard.” She said bluntly, she had no loyalties to Mercia, not even her family demanded any loyalty from her; not anymore. Caitrin raised her eye brows, “Why? What else would you describe me as?”
She was sick of this conversation, and sick of him and his constant arguing; it would drive her insane if he was going to be like this all the way back to Camelot. “And you should not expect respect without giving any cause to receive it. Is this how you truly treat your subjects back in Sorelia? It is a wonder there is anyone still residing there!” Her anger burned though her and she was almost shaking as he spoke about visiting her family, “It will take me just as long to recover being in the presence of one so arrogant and rude.” She pressed a hand to her forehead, she didn’t care how disrespectful she was being to him, he was just making her headache worse.
Caitrin raised an eye brow as he said he would have had her run through, “Surely that is a slightly overdramatic reaction to a woman merely defying you?” In her eyes it was, if a woman spoke out of place she was killed? She wanted to laugh but didn’t, if that had been the philosophy in Mercia she would have been killed years ago, probably about the time she started to talk. She shrugged at his latter comment, she knew what she was capable of, maybe if he was lucky he would find out. “Well that is for me to know and for you to find out.” She pressed her lips together and looked quickly back to him, “Well, that’s if you are lucky enough.”
She hadn’t expected such an abrupt reaction from him as she had pointed out he would be lost without her. It was a perfectly justifiable point as he had said she had a familiarity with the land which implied that he didn’t. Caitrin physically flinched this time as he shouted at her as his words were harsh and cruel without there being any reason to be. She stood strongly up against him as he stared angrily at her, “Well perhaps we both have much to be thankful for in each other.” She did know he had saved her life, but she was helping him get back to Camelot and she deserved some sort of recognition. With that comment, she admitted she was thankful for his actions, no matter what the motivation behind them was.
The rain was starting to get heavier and was soaking her dress and hair. Her arms were still constricted around her though how much warmth she was actually gaining from it was another matter. As her dress began to absorb the rain the dress started to cling to her skin, it was after all only one of her silk dresses. The only consolation was that the village was not too far up ahead, she would probably be soaked by then but at least she could get into the warmth. “There is only one inn in the village,” She snapped back, “If you don’t like the arrangement then you don’t have to stay.” Was all she bluntly replied to him, she wasn’t knocking on everyones door seeing who had a spare room because he was too stubborn to even be in the same building as her. That wasn’t an option anyway, she was sure the inn would have some rooms free, and perhaps she could even get her dress dry during the night. Thoughts of the warmth the inn would bring spurred her on as she walked blindly through the rain towards an increasing flickering light. They couldn’t already be at the village could they? She looked across to Vortigern and pointed towards the large building, “There’s the inn, I’m sure they will give us both accommodation for the evening.” [/color] |
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 18, 2011 12:52:48 GMT -5
Caitrin didn’t believe she was a liar. How was it lying to say that her home was now in Camelot, as it was where she resided. “Are you trying to say I can never call Camelot my home, merely because of the blood I hold?” She scoffed, just because she was from Mercia didn’t mean that she could never be considered a noblewoman of Camelot. “This is my home, and I intend to stay here. I was a Merican noblewoman, but now I am a noblewoman at the court of Camelot.” She didn’t believe it was convenience, even if she had to return to Mercia she would consider herself a Camelotian noblewoman, even though the relations between the two nations was still uncertain. “I am not a liar.” She finished off, throwing her eyes away from him and looking at the path ahead. Did he have to question absolutely everything she said?
Caitrin was always welcome at the court of Camelot, and it was something she prided herself upon. She remembered she had been presented, and even dined, with the King in her first few weeks of residence in Camelot. She was of course entirely loyal to the Pendragons, and Arthur was a close friend of hers. She didn’t flinch as he shouted that she thought herself more important than she actually was. Did he know how large her dowry was? How much she was set to inherit? She knew she was a cut above the average noblewoman, and if he couldn’t see that then that was his problem. “I show respect to those who deserve it, so far you have given me no cause to show you an ounce of respect.” She half spat back at him; she had given Arthur respect from the first moment she had met him because he had earned that respect, this man had been nothing but rude and she didn’t appreciate it.
Caitrin had to stop herself laughing as he spoke in such a negative way about her Uncle. Honestly he would not last two moments in Rouland’s company if he was as rude as he was to him as he was being to her. Then again she guessed that Vortigern was perhaps more happy in male company than female company, for conversing anyway. “Then we shall both look forwards to your company.” She accompanied her words with a short smirk because she knew that he would probably never even think about her, or her family, when they got back to Camelot so it was an empty threat. He probably had more important things to do than chase up her Uncle and explain his niece’s behaviour.
She didn’t flinch as he snapped at her, why on earth would she? She was quite enjoying winding him up because she knew which words to use to get him hot under the collar and so far it was working. “What are you capable of?” She asked him and watched him carefully, her hand twitching in case he was going to suddenly pounce at her. No, she was sure he could control his anger more than that. However she managed a faint smile, “Perhaps you will learn what I am capable of as well.” Her tease was soft, and showed that her more flirtatious side was still there; she knew it wouldn’t lighten the mood but at least she could try.
Caitrin shrugged, a familiarity with the land also meant that she knew the land well, which meant she was intelligent as she remembered the layout of the land. She shrugged, “You would probably be lost if it were not for me, and you could do well to remember it.” Caitrin didn’t grin up at him, but the smug way she carried herself told him exactly how smug she actually was.
He was snapping at her again, honestly she was only trying to help. She wrapped her arms about her as a chill had descended through the forest and she gave a small shiver. The night was gaining on them, it had been a valid point so she didn’t reply to him because that would only fuel his anger. She looked up quickly as she heard a ripple of thunder and her eyes widened. Rain? Oh great! She was stuck in the middle of nowhere with the most arrogant Prince in the region and now it was going to rain. A dark raincloud had emerged and she could see it through the trees in the forest and she felt the first drop on her nose and wrinkled it slightly. Well so much for getting out of the rain. She began to walk a bit quicker, her arms still wrapped around her waist, “There is a village up ahead, we can shelter there from the rain.” She pointed out as another drop of rain was felt against her hair; this was really the last thing she needed.
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 18, 2011 10:36:22 GMT -5
 Caitirn didn’t appreciate his scoff at her words, she knew she had rights to some respect at least. In Mercia her family was well respected, here her Uncle was on good terms with the King, so surely that brought with it a degree of respect? She supposed that she had not shown him any respect so perhaps he was merely returning the favour to her. “This is my home now, I’ve lived in Camelot for years.” This man knew little about her apart from the bare facts, he did not know how hard it had been being sent from one Kingdom to another to live with relatives she had only met once; then again he probably didn’t care either. “It is not a foreign land! I live here; would you have given me any respect had we have met in Mercia?” She could feel his temper rising but she really didn’t care, “I have every right to demand respect, I receive respect by the Royal’s in Camelot, yet you have shown me none from the first word you spoke to me.”
Caitrin would like to see this man try a battle of wits with her Uncle, Lord Rouland. Rouland wasn’t a fighter, but his intellect and wit far made up for what he lacked in physical strength. She would actually pay to see this arrogant Prince try to better her Uncle with words, because he would fail miserably. “Be my guest, I’m sure my Uncle would be most interested by your views.” A hint of sarcasm found its way out of her words but her Uncle was always encouraging her to not bend to the will of others and to have a backbone; like a real de Archer.
He was right, irritatingly, and after the days events Caitrin would certainly be taking her Uncle’s guards with her whenever she chose to ride out. At least she could trust them, and they would probably be more use in a fight than this fool had been. “I expect I will have to become pregnant one day, though I will ensure it is not at the hand of some idiot bandit.” And with that she fell silent for a few moments, trying to brush the memories of that man’s hand upon her skin. It had scared her in a way to see how much her size had disabled her in the fight, as she could have come off a lot worse than having a throbbing head and a cut at her throat.
Caitrin was surprised he did not jump up with his words to agree with her that the sooner they got to Camelot the better. As they walked along the road Caitrin was starting to get more and more concerned that night was gaining upon them; she didn’t care much for slumming it out in the middle of the forest in the dark. “Are you saying then that my virtue means nothing?” She challenged but she supposed she already knew the answer to it, and rather regretted wasting the breath answering the question. As he spoke of how she would not dare to visit his homeland she gave a shrug, she wasn’t going to take back any of the insults and remarks she had made at him because she was sure she would never visit there. Therefore there would be no reason for her to take back anything would there? “You are mistaken, I will regret nothing as I am sure I will never visit Sorelia.”
Caitrin’s walking was starting to steady, though the pain in the side of her head was still ailing her. She felt woozy and just wanted to stop walking, but she didn’t want to say that to Vortigern because that would just be another thing to shove in her face wouldn’t it? She slightly quickened the pace of her walk as they approached the fork in the road, and grinned up at him as he did indeed turn right. She had of course been expecting him to make things difficult and to turn left. The right turning was a bit more of a forest path, but it was quicker than turning left so it would have to do. “It seems my intellect might be advantageous to you, this is the quickest route back to Camelot.” She declared confidently. Caitrin was still hanging back behind Vortigern because he was going too quickly for her; she knew her way back anyway so it was of little consequence. She remained quiet for part of the walk, trying to keep herself steadied until she finally thought to pipe up, “Night will soon be upon us.” She pointed out, they were probably around an hour or two away from being engulfed in total darkness, but the walk to Camelot would take a lot longer than that.
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 18, 2011 5:54:54 GMT -5
 Caitrin’s little jests about the fever were not met well and she flinched at his words. Did he not know she was not being serious? She didn’t reply to his comments about the fever, because she believed that she had hit a nerve so she wanted to stay well back from that. She therefore just continued her work, occasionally looking up at Lancelot through the candlelight.
In her whole life Caitrin had not treated as many men as she perhaps would have liked to. She had helped to treat the occasional case at home, but that had only ever been a minor cases and she had usually only been caring for them until a physician could be found. In Camelot however she had often treated minor cases in her village. “I have treated many cases in my time, though I cannot honestly say how many were magical.”
Caitrin knew her Uncle would probably question her about Lancelot over breakfast, but as long as Lancelot did not become an inconvenience to her Uncle then he would not care how long the man stayed. Her Uncle had a very set routine, and as long as that was left undisturbed he would not be bothered. “He may ask me about you over meal times, but he will not barge in here and question you himself personally.” Was her short reply and she gave him a satisfied sort of smile. “He will not mind what is going on as long as we stay out of his way.” Was her honest and truthful reply.
How would she use her womanly ways? Well that was a question and a half wasn’t it. She was already quite close to Lancelot so she inched her head closer to his, her hand finding the exposed skin on his shoulder once more and she smiled up at him. “Well if I told you it would ruin the surprise wouldn’t it?” She ran her fingers down the exposed skin of his arm, watching it and then casting her eyes back up to him; she knew how to play a man, sometimes they were too easy.
Lancelot finally lay back on the bed, and Caitrin watched him for a few moments as she was glad he wasn’t about to just get up and rush out on her. She had finished wrapping his shoulder anyway so she set the rest of the bandages on the floor and turned back to her guest. He was lying down as he spoke, so she shuffled and lay down on her front, parallel to him and rested her head in her hands as he asked about her family. Now that was a story and a half to tell, “My family have never lived here; I came from Mercia. I am the ward of my Uncle.” She shrugged and turned over onto her back, she didn’t mind sharing this with Lancelot, he seemed like he would understand in a way, “My mother died five years ago, my father tried to rush me into marriage, and when that didn’t work he sent me here.” She sat up and gestured all around her. She remembered how angry she had been at the thought of being packed off to Camelot, but in truth she was happier here than she ever had been in Merica.
Caitrin was now starting to understand why Lancelot was in such a hurry to leave her company. It wasn’t so much as an insult to her, but he had obviously been taking care of himself for so long it felt rather alien to have someone command him about and tend to him. She would however, look after him for as long as was needed and make sure he was well tended before he set out again. She wanted to ask him more about his life, but she supposed that would be rude, and she might even upset him so she gave him a sad sort of smile and listened to his next words carefully.
She gave a wide smile as he began to redeem himself, telling her that she was indeed a pretty nurse. She hadn’t heard that before, she had heard she was pretty, and beautiful, but never had she been called a pretty nurse. Caitrin rather enjoyed the tag line he had given her. She knew already that he would want to be out and about again, doing whatever it was that knights did, but she just didn’t want him to injure himself even more. “How can I have something better to do than tend a patient who is so complimentary.” Her eyes raised to linger on his skin for a moment before raising them to his eyes, “I promise I will do everything I can to get you up and about as quickly as possible.” And she meant it, if being up quickly was what he wanted then of course she would accommodate him. As he thanked her for her gesture, of placing the hand on his shoulder, she ran her thumb gently against the warmth of his skin. She just wanted to be of some comfort at least to Lancelot before he rushed off again. She raised one eye brow at his words but smiled anyway, “It is true I get lonely here, but should your fever not increase I expect you to stay no longer than two nights.” Now that was the honest truth. The next day would be spent trying to regain his strength by possibly resting, and the day after that he would most likely be up and about and restless; after all he did not have a serious fever.
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 17, 2011 20:22:33 GMT -5
Caitrin couldn't believe he was being so stubborn. She had never met a nobleman like him, she was used to being the more stubborn and strong willed in a conversation but this Prince really was something else. Did he expect her to be bothered he was a Prince? She was only attacking him with words, though he had deserved some form of physical attack after he had tried to buy his way from the bandits by offering her up. If he couldn't handle her jests then what sort of a man was he? "This is my home, and you will respect my rights as a noblewoman of Camelot." She said bluntly and confidently, she might be a Prince but he had no business in speaking to her like she was one of his servants.
Lose her head? She raised an eye brow, where on earth was this man from where he thought that you could sever a womans head from her body because of her defiance. Caitrin didn't plan to be too overly stubborn with whatever husband she chose to take to her bed. If she cared for them, and they respected her, she would be more compliant of their will; she would never marry anyone like the man in front of her. "I don't know where your from, but I do not expect to be sent to the block whilst in Camelot for challenging my family with my wit; they encourage it." Her Uncle was incredibly respectful of her wit, and though he tired of it sometimes, he often told her that he would prefer her to have wit than to be like every other noblewoman in court; quiet, boring and obedient.
She was satisfied his answer was mumbled because that meant that she had stopped him retorting angrily at her. She wore a small, smug little grin because she felt some sort of acomplishment with making him produce a response which wasn't meant to provoke her. However, as he mentioned that she could have got herself with a bastard child she pressed her eyes together and gave a small shudder. She couldn't imagine herself being pregnant, obviously one day she would probably get herself with child, but she couldn't see herself being a mother. It was an odd state of mind, but for the moment she just couldn't see it. "I could have," She agreed mildly, "But I did not, so no harm has been done." She pressed her hands together and grinned up at him.
Caitrin couldn't help but laugh as the man said he found her company unbearable. She had a string of suitors back at court who tried to catch her eye just to spend a short time in this company. She didn't care much though, "Don't worry, the feeling is mutual." She informed him irritably, "The sooner we get back to Camelot the better."
Caitrin didn't feel her virtue was a worthless thing. She didn't particulary value it as much as she supposed a lot of women at court did, but when it had been that badly threatened she thought it was slightly important. "I don't believe my virtue is, as you put it, a 'worthless thing'" And that was all she could think to say to him because that was all that needed saying on that topic really.
Of course he wasn't going to give her his name, that would have been too easy wouldn't it? She was still walking quite slowly behind him, irritated that this in a way showed him in control of the group. She was still trying to focus on just keeping her balance and stumbled again and stopped as her head started throbbing again. If he was trying to be smart and prove a point by going so fast it was certainly working! Caitrin didn't want to ask him to slow down again because she had too much pride to do that. Instead she just stubbornly followed him along the road, aware that the sun was gaining on them, and that soon it would be evening. He finally volunteered his name and Caitrin bowed her head more out of instinct than anything. So he was from Sorelia? She made a mental note to never visit anywhere near there. Caitrin had never actually been there and now certainly never would, especially if this man was going to be King. "I can't say I've ever had the pleasure of visiting, or indeed ever will." She said confidently, folding her arms across her body and pressing her lips together. She recognised this place, "If we turn right at the next fork in the road it leads us down a quicker route to Camelot." She said very matter-of-factly. There was also a small village on the way, which would probably be useful if the night did catch up on them on their walk. |
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 17, 2011 19:15:52 GMT -5
Caitrin didn't even flinch as he snapped at her. Did he think he was the first to speak to her in such a way? Unfortunatly her temprament meant that she was more than used to being snapped at like that; her father had used that tone with her from a very young age. She kept her eyes on him and shrugged softly, she beleived she was in the right, she had been right to correct his manners. Even a Prince should respect nobles with some manners, "Well you were being rude!" She protested angrily. She noticed he was once again mentioning she was beneath him; she knew she was a rather obscure noblewoman but that just made her more determined to stand her ground.
She should do as she was commanded? Had this man learned nothing about her in their conversation? She shook her head and her lips curled into a small sort of smile, "I will not do as I am commanded by any man, I will do as I will." She was being deadly serious, she hadn't got this far in her life by aimlessly obeying every man which came into her life. "Well if you are as intellegent as you make out then surely you should not have allowed yourself to become distracted in the heat of battle?" She challenged, as she was sure she was not far from shaking with anger; being called stupid was not something she appreciated. Caitrin prided herself on her intellegence, perhaps her judgement with this situation had been a bit out, but she had learned sorcery so that meant that she had a degree of intellegence. This man was ignorant of that though.
Caitrin couldn't help shuddering at his words, because they were entwined with the memories of that mans hands upon her skin. She wasn't unused to male attention, but she was unsued to it being so foreward. There was the risk that the man could have had her virtue there and then; the Prince certainly wouldn't have helped her would he? "Who knows what losing my virtue would do." She replied quietly, but also added a small hint of flirtation because she had to joke about the situation because the thought of being taken by force was a horrible concept she didn't really want to even consider.
She gave a soft laugh as he spoke about Mercia, and how they must be glad to be rid of her. He wasn't aware how truthful his words are and she nodded softly, "Well my family certainly were, but I was glad to see the back of them." She had certainly been glad to leave the care of her father, the man had never held any love for her and she had therefore never had any love to offer him.
Caitrin expected him to just carry on walking and just leave her on the road. Maybe she could just rest here for a while and continue in the morning; she honestly couldn't care less at the moment. She closed her eyes for a moment, willing strength to come back to her legs and she looked up at the Prince and furrowed her brows; why hadn't he left yet? She listened to him and groaned because she knew he was right. Pure stubborness, and her determination, caused her to push herself from the tree and she walked over to him, slightly wobbling but managed to find a pace which worked for her. She looked up at the Prince who was waiting for her, "I don't think my virtue's been discussed this much within a conversation before." She said softly and managed a small smile in reference to his comment about more bandits wanting more than her necklace. She began to walk slowly alongside the Prince and looked up at him, "Will you perhaps finally tell me your name?" She asked him, bored of refering to him in her head as 'the Prince'. |
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 17, 2011 17:42:07 GMT -5
Caitrin was a lot of things, she admitted in a way that she was weakened by the fact she was so small, and so ill practised with anything but a bow and her petty little dagger. However, she resented the fact he was calling her weak and frail. She scoffed at him and threw her head to the side angrily, “If you had not been so stubborn and asked my name politely on the road we could have both parted before the bandits were even upon us. We both could still have our possessions if you hadn’t been so stubborn.” Her words were hot and full of anger but she had been mulling it over and she was sure that had been the main problem; she would have been long gone if he hadn’t stopped her on the road, and she would still have her horse.
She was sick of him trying to place the blame on her. If he had just let her past on the road then none of this would have happened. But of course his pride had caused him to enquire her name, she would have questioned his motives at first, but as they got further into the conversation she began to realise he had stopped her merely because he could. “This is not my fault, your words were as irritating to me as mine were to you.” She pointed out, her voice quietening with her anger as she struggled to control it. She was tired of him bouncing all the blame back on her, it was not all her fault and he had to take some of the blame at least.
Caitrin knew she shouldn’t let his words bother her, but she knew that his words rung true. If the danger of the bandits leaving with nothing had been such a threat she was sure the man who had her up against the tree would have pressed his interests further. He had had his large, clumsy hands all over her skin, and it had disgusted her. “Well he did not take it.” She protested. She doubted she was in any danger with this Prince, in terms of her virtue.
A small sense of satisfaction was felt as the Prince fell silent for a few moments after her flirtatious comment. At court many men were at the mercy of her flirts, though she never let it past that; most men were put off by her teasing anyway. She raised her eyes at his comment and shrugged softly, watching him and then casting her eyes from him as she replied, “If you say so.”
“Mercia.” She said quickly, almost blurting it out and then recollected herself, “The Kingdom I was sent from was Mercia.” She didn’t care much what he knew about her because it didn’t matter how much he knew about her, she was sure she would learn enough about him to make up for it on the long walk. Lord she wasn’t looking forwards to the walk. As she began to step forwards she stumbled and only just managed to steady herself; she felt ill and her head was killing her. Annoyingly, she noticed he quickened his pace and she tried to walk a bit quicker but stumbled again and only kept herself upright by holding onto a tree. Surely his head was still ailing him as well? How could he walk so quickly. “Fine, I know my way back anyway.” It was worrying her how late in the afternoon it was, she knew a shortcut to the city but even that would take them hours and she was sure it couldn’t be managed before nightfall. |
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 17, 2011 16:22:33 GMT -5
Though the man spoke with such confidence which would suggest that he could obviously protect himself successfully in battle, Caitrin supposed otherwise. He spoke of her being all talk, but it seemed apart from two dead bodies, the Prince was all talk as well; he had not done his job of protecting himself as he had been knocked out. She knew that she had been frightened when the bandits had first attacked, but she had never been put in that position before, and neither did she ever want to ever again. She had been lucky she supposed, she had escaped the ordeal with a cut to her neck and a throbbing head; oh and an arrogant Prince. “It might surprise you, but I am not often put in such a position, forgive me if I panicked.” She obviously didn’t want his forgiveness, it was just something to say to fill the gap; is words were meant to be cruel and she supposed that was the only function of them. “You should have been able to defend yourself better than I could, you had a sword, all I had was this.” She gestured to the small dagger at her belt and her words were almost bitter. She of course had her sorcery, but this man couldn’t know that; no one ever could. Caitrin’s confidence came from the fact she always had that to fall back upon should she needed it, but that was a small comfort as she knew that in Camelot she could never use her magic.
His words rung some sort of truth and that distressed her in some way. She was putting herself at some risk here, she knew that. Her virtue was obviously something she had been taught to protect; at court most thought her flirts led to more but they never did and that was that. “I can protect my virtue just fine on my own.” Came her rather blunt reply. How was it her fault she had not noticed the man behind him? The Prince was quite a lot taller than she was hadn’t been able to see the man at his shoulder until it was much too late, “It’s not my fault you let yourself become distracted by a woman.” That was quite a fun reply on her part, and slightly flirty, could he handle that? She looked at him carefully, he was a proud man so he was probably used to female attention of some sort, and of course he was used to getting his own way.
Her head was still throbbing from the blow but as she opened her eyes again the world swam into a beautiful single focus and she breathed out gently in relief. At least everything had stopped spinning. When she looked back up to the Prince he was finally just in focus and she even managed a small, weak smile, which faded as he insulted her. She rolled her eyes, this man knew nothing of her and her lips curled into a small smile, “They wanted peace so much they sent me to another Kingdom.” She said bitterly, refusing to look at him and instead looking at the path ahead of them.
Her head was still lolling about on her shoulders and she hated the feeling of not being in control of her own movements. She saw the Prince watching her, she knew he wasn’t watching her out of pity or concern so why was he looking at her. Then he turned on his heels and began to walk away from her. Her eyes widened and she shot up to her feet, the blood rushing to her head and she stumbled a little bit, putting a hand to her forehead; trying to steady herself. “If you’re going to be so impatient at leaving could you at least slow down?” She requested, stumbling slightly as she concentrated at just putting one foot in front of the other. At least the world wasn’t swimming anymore, that was one consolation at least. [/color] |
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Jul 31, 2013 11:44:21 GMT -5
Tag me @caitrin
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Post by Caitrin de Archer on Aug 17, 2011 14:52:57 GMT -5
She raised her eyes to him, realising as he spoke he had four eyes, but that wasn’t a problem, a moment ago it had been six so this was a mild and agreeable change. She steadied herself whilst sitting down, focussing on his words, “I would like to see you raise a weapon with your arms pinned by your side.” She hissed mildly and closed her eyes, not particularly wanting to look at the Prince anymore, and needing to just not focus on anything for a few moments. How on earth was he standing up? Maybe she had received a larger blow than he had. She wasn’t sure and she certainly didn’t care, she was going to sit here as long as it took for her head to stop spinning. She knew the ache in her head would not stop anytime soon.
Cowering? She hadn’t been cowering, the man had shoved her there, how the hell had he arrived at the conclusion that meant ‘cowering’. “I wasn’t cowering anywhere!” She was scowling now at him, she didn’t appreciate being called a coward as she’d been pulled off her horse and practically abused by the bandit who had her pinned by the tree, “In case you hadn’t noticed there was a large brutish sort of man pinning me to it!” Caitrin ran a hand over her face again and through her hair which was somewhat more scraggly than before the ordeal had begun. “I assume you were spared the same treatment, I shouldn’t be too insulted they didn’t want to get their hands all over you if I were you.” She gave a small sort of shudder, she’d heard tales of men praying on young women who went out on solitary rides and that sort of thing did frighten her. Although she didn’t like to admit it, she was rather petite and therefore weak in strength, though she would never say she was weak in mind.
“If you had not insulted me I would have not replied to you, anyway you spoke to me first.” She was quick to point out, no way was the blame for this being laid on her. The fact he had allowed himself to become distracted was hardly her fault, as she had pointed out, he had spoken to her first, and told her she was no good at anything other than bearing children.
Now she was being accused of laziness, this man really thought the worst of her in every aspect he could conjure didn’t he? Her head was still throbbing but she opened her eyes, and looked up at him, her head slightly lolled about but she managed to steady it eventually, “I’ll remember to not be so sloth-like next time I’m knocked out by the end of a sword.” She felt her head again where the throbbing was coming from and felt the large bump which had formed; it was hardly attractive was it?
Wait, what? Forced to share the same path? That meant that he was heading back to Camelot as well didn’t it? She wasn’t looking at him, she had her eyes closed again and was just listening silently, concentrating on his words rather than her head; she just wanted the pain to subside as quickly as possible. That was hardly going to happen if she was forced to walk alongside him for hours on their way back to Camelot was it? She was sure her headache was partly down to him anyway. “I will remain as quiet as you are polite.” She smirked to herself, still keeping her posture steady, “Not at all. If I wish to speak I will speak, but I suppose you already knew that.” [/blockquote] |
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