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Caitrin wisely decided to leave the topic of Nora’s mother there, because she suspected that it was quite a raw topic, given that her father was dying as well. Caitrin knew she would never have the same empathy and emotion if her father had died, yes, she had cried when her mother had passed away, but she had only been twelve, and it was more because her mother had always been there, but she didn’t really feel any emotion about it now. Truthfully, if her father did pass on, Caitrin would probably be relieved rather than upset. Her father had brought her nothing but misery since birth.

Though Caitrin did want to help, she wasn’t sure how she would be able to lift or move Matthew anywhere. Arthur was stirring in her arms, and starting to fuss. The baby was just tired, and Caitrin hadn’t really been expecting to stay this long with Nora. Caitrin began to bob her son up and down to try and calm him a little but he was starting to get upset, and though he was usually such a quiet baby he did have his moments. She just looked on helplessly at Nora, not wanting to point out the obvious, that she couldn’t move Matthew because of her son, but perhaps she had already realised that.

She felt a little put out that Nora was suggesting for Caitrin to take Matthew, rather than herself. It struck her as a little odd but she shook her head, “I’ll take Arthur, and help get the bed ready for Matthew.” If Caitrin could help Matthew then of course she would. She bobbed Arthur up and down who gave a little protesting cry at his mother as they began to move out of the room.

To have a sword, even if it was a wooden one, still was impressive to Caitrin. She’d never even dreamt of owning a sword, because it would never happen. Girls weren’t given swords to play with, they were given a needle and thread and told to be glad of it. “Will you ever get a real one?” Caitrin asked, still in awe that Isolde had a sword at all. If she had a wooden one perhaps her parents would even be as bold to let her have a real one. Caitrin could scarcely imagine it. It would be sensational if Isolde did have a sword when she was older, Caitrin would have to watch out for her as she supposed that she would cause quite the stir. What if she was a better swordsmen than some men? Caitrin almost made herself giggle, she doubted any knight in the kings army had ever been beaten by a girl.

Caitrin obliged Isolde and followed her into the house, hoping that her parents wouldn’t mind her being in their home without them inviting her in. However, she doubted Isolde would be inviting her inside if she knew they were going to get in trouble so she continued to follow her. Caitrin kept expecting to be let into a room, but instead she was just shown behind a screen. Caitrin looked around it, and it was hard to keep a look of surprise from her face because this room was so small. Her own bedroom was quite large, as the manor she lived in was large as well. Hers was the smallest bedroom though, but looking at this, she was starting to care less and less about that fact. She was too polite to say anything about the size of the room, so she focussed on the sword instead. Her little face lit up, “It’s amazing!” She squeaked, “I can’t believe it’s really yours.”

Really Caitrin couldn’t have been in a worse mood. She had mostly forgotten why she had run away in the first place, and whatever the reason it probably wasn’t worth the amount she had put up with over the past few days, especially with Richard. Why the man couldn’t have just left her alone was beyond her. She had been perfectly fine, and she would have found her way home eventually by herself, and with a distinct lack of kidnapping and a greater comfort. She wrapped her arms around her body and just looked grumpily over at Richard, she didn’t care anymore about the fact she was acting like a spoilt noblewoman. She had never been like this before, and though now wasn’t a great time to start she didn’t feel incredibly guilty about it. Really, Richard should be bloody grateful, if it weren’t for her his wounds could have got infected or anything. She had tended to him even though he had been the one to get them in that situation in the first place. A little gratitude wouldn’t kill him.

She hadn’t been expecting a promising answer from him, so she just made a face at him. Of all the men her Uncle could have sent after her it had to be this one. He was just completely useless, he wouldn’t even answer her in a half decent manner. “It could have been worse you know.” Caitrin huffed a little. She knew Richard wouldn’t get an infection or a fever now unless he tampered with the wound. She was a good healer, even if she only used her talents every now and again. Looking through the trees, annoyingly she could see Richard was right. She had no idea where to go from here, and she was slightly worried the bandits were still out there. She had no intention of running into them again, she had already been drugged twice since meeting Richard, she had no intention of making a third occasion. “I’d find it eventually.” She replied stubbornly, because she would. Taking Richard with her would hardly keep the bandits or any other trouble away from her would it? He had already shown he couldn’t really protect her. “I doubt you know where we are either.” She sniffed back and got to her feet a little shakily. His shirt wasn’t really giving her that much warmth, and it was quite a warm morning, though she had no intention of giving him his shirt back yet, not until he started being a little nicer to her. “I was being serious, I want to go home.”

Somehow Caitrin had expected to be a little more, well, scared and completely unsure of what she was doing. For now at least she felt quite at ease, and quite content with Arthur in her arms. Maybe it was just because she was quite tired, or maybe because the enormity of this hadn’t settled in just yet, well, whatever it was Caitrin Aubert decided to enjoy this moment with her family. Both Arthur and Esmae were going to be so, so loved. Caitrin was certain of that fact. She just found herself staring at Arthur, as he snuggled into his blankets. It felt so strange to think she had pictured this moment so many times over the last few months, yet she had never expected for both her and Griff to be holding a baby. They had only been expecting one baby, yet here they were, with their little miracles. It was still quite surreal that she wasn’t pregnant anymore, and that this was the result of nine months of pain and lack of comfort. It was all worth it, just for this moment, and the fact that both babies were healthy and comfortable. She cuddled Arthur against her chest, and as she looked up she saw Griff was staring at her. Her warm smile stayed on her lips, though she flushed a little unnaturally, “What?” She asked curiously, wondering why he was staring at her, because it was her, and not their son.

Caitrin had no doubt that Esmae would be a demanding child in some ways, that was if she took after her mother. Caitrin had been quite impressed that Esmae had inherited her red hair, and time would tell if she had inherited her looks as well. Jesu, it would like having a miniature version of herself. Only Esmae would be so much better than her, she wouldn’t grow up with all her insecurities, and her naivety and issues. No, Esmae would be loved, as would Arthur, and she was so sure they would make them so proud. She wanted to give her children everything, and make sure they had such a wonderful childhood. Caitrin just smiled at her husband, as he tried to figure out just what their daughter wanted. Even though Griff might not think it, he did look quite natural with their daughter in his arms, she couldn’t help but just smile at him. This wonderful man, her husband, without whom she wouldn’t have had their children, or this perfect moment. She really did love Griff, she always had, even if it had taken her a while to admit it to herself.

Looking back at Griff as he spoke, she just felt pride at his words. No, no other children who had been born could ever be as impressive as their children. There was nothing in the world which could make her think differently. She doubted even a Royal birth could be as impressive in her opinion as her own children, she could be as proud as she wanted, because they were hers and Griff’s children, so her ego was justified in this respect. “I doubt even a Royal birth could outshine them.” She said, pride outlining her words and she looked back at Arthur as he settled into his crib. She had been expecting him to protest at the change of scenery, but he settled into his first sleep rather well. The birth had apparently tired him out as much as it had tired his mother out.

As Caitrin shuffled back into the bed, she pulled a shawl around her shoulders and rejoined her husbands side. She wasn’t quite sure on how to answer him, because she didn’t know how to tell whether the children needed anything. They hadn’t needed anything yet, but she hoped at least she would know if they would want feeding or changing, “Well, she isn’t crying, so I think she’s ok.” Caitrin reasoned out, and brushed a finger over Esmae’s cheek. The baby shifted in her blankets, and stared up at her parents as Caitrin looked over Griff’s shoulder at their daughter. She was just so beautiful, “And you know what?” She turned to Griff now, and brushed two fingers over his cheek slowly, “You haven’t dropped her yet.” Her lips caressed into a grin, as dropping the children had been one of her husbands main fears over the past few months. Caitrin used her fingers to shift Griff’s chin, so she could kiss his lips slowly, and tenderly, before returning her attentions back to her daughter, who was slowly yawning, and curling up in her blankets.

Caitrin had been out for most of the afternoon visiting friends. Well, when Griff had told her he was spending his time with his friend, she couldn’t see why she should miss out on some of the fun. Plus, she hadn’t wanted to be inside with her Uncle all afternoon anyway. It was late on in the evening now, but Caitrin hadn’t yet thought to return home. She fancied a drink before she returned back to the estate; she doubted that Griff would come home tonight. They weren’t married yet, but he practically lived at the estate already. Not that she minded of course, they were soon to be married, so it was good to know they could live under the same roof and not want to kill each other. Caitrin pushed the door open to the tavern, but didn’t really look around. She doubted anyone she knew was in here anyway, and all she wanted was one drink and then to return home to the estate. Her Uncle was probably wondering where she was anyway, and she had had a long day.

Setting herself down in the corner, trying not to attract that much attention to herself, she asked the barmaid who was passing her by to get her a wine. She doubted it would be anything a good as her Uncle’s wine, but anything was better than ale. She really couldn’t stomach the stuff, and often wondered how Griff could drink it. Though she wasn’t allowed to complain too much, her Uncle always preferred it if Griff drunk the ale, because it meant that he wasn’t drinking his wine. Caitrin was always the one to steal the wine so it didn’t make that much difference anyway. She had inherited a taste for the finer things in life from her Uncle. However, right now she just wanted a quiet drink to herself.

The woman brought her back her drink, and as predicted the wine was bitterer than Caitrin was used to, but he was quite tired so it went down quite easily. Taking a couple of sips, she finally looked around the tavern. Not so long ago she would have been looking for a man to try her charms on, but not now, she was a happily engaged woman. There was no harm in a little flirtation, but she no longer expected or wanted anything from it. She had Griff, and it was all she wanted and needed. There was a man at the bar grinning at her, she flashed him a quick smile before returning to her drink.

For someone who was currently five months pregnant, and sleeping on a forest floor in the middle of nowhere, Caitrin Aubert felt surprisingly warm. Her husbands cloak was still wrapped around her, she hadn’t had the energy to protest or argue with him last night when he’d given it up for her. She’d wanted him to be warm as well, but she knew her husband, and if he’d been selfless enough to give up his own warmth for her then she was better off accepting it. Plus, she had to keep the baby warm as well, so she supposed it made sense. Caitrin stretched out a little, her whole body just ached; the forest floor was the least comfortable place to sleep whilst pregnant. She had thought it was bad last time, but this was so much worse. Then again, she didn’t have a certain someone moaning at her, and she hadn’t been kidnapped yet so she supposed this experience was winning somehow. She sat up, keeping Griff’s cloak around her as the morning dew was still upon them, and it was quite a chilly morning.

Griff was still sleeping soundly by her side, and she hadn’t woke him up, and she had no intention of doing so just yet. She stretched out her legs, and ran both hands over her belly. The babe within her stirred, as if too was bidding her good morning. It was quite a nice moment, until the memories of last night came back to her. She could still hear the screams ringing in her ears, and the smell of smoke still ran through her senses. It still didn’t feel real, it still felt like they could go home, even though she knew they couldn’t, not while that witch sat on the throne. Breathing out slowly, Caitrin looked around her, wondering how far they had come last night. It was all a daze from when she had let Griff lead her out of the house and into the forest. Looking back on it, she couldn’t believe she had been so stupid as to have tried to stay, Griff had been right to persist, and to take her away. She might not like it, but it was what they had to do to survive. The most important thing to Caitrin was her family, and she had nearly ruined everything.

Caitrin wondered how far it was to Glouchedon, and just how they would get there. They could walk, but in her condition it would take them forever, but between them they had little coin, and there would be many fleeing from Camelot, seeking safe passage elsewhere. There was a soft crack of a branch through the trees, and Caitrin swore she could hear someone coming their way. She could feel her chest tighten, and her heart began to thud. After her last experience in the woods she wasn’t fond of people she didn’t know sneaking up on them. Shaking Griff’s side, now sure someone was coming that way, she began to panic, “Griff, Griff wake up, someone’s coming.”

One of the more amusing parts of the prospect of her labour was wondering what Griff’s reaction would be. He would probably be panicking just as much as her, and he would want to be as far away from the delivery room as possible. She grinned to herself, she wanted him to be there, mainly as a way to see what he had caused, and what she was going to go through. She wanted a natural birth of course as well, and she would only let them give her the drugs she really needed. “In truth, he’ll probably panic more than me.”She stifled a chuckle, as she didn’t want to appear disrespectful in such a situation, so instead she settled with a small smile at Nora. She had to agree with the woman as well, as Caitrin did love the idea of waiting to see what you were having, rather than ruin the surprise. She had the scans to check that the babies were healthy and nothing more, she wanted to get to know her children when they were in her arms. Until then she just did what she could to protect them.

Caitrin was glad that her words hadn’t been too cliché, as they had really had the potential to be, even though every syllable of them were true. Ever since she had been a little girl, it had been the only career which had made sense to her, throughout school that ambition had never changed, even after she had been sent to live with her Uncle. He was a little apprehensive of her choice at first, but he had eventually warmed to the idea, and had supported her throughout University. “Thank you.” She said softly, as she couldn’t think of much else to say. She didn’t want anyone else to suffer as she had, and she wanted to help those unfortunates who did. One day she hoped to work in a children’s hospital one day, but that was another dream for another day.

It sounded like a fantastic career path, for what Caitrin had already seen of Nora she was a gentle person, and would work well with that age group. “That sounds like a wonderful job.” For those who were well able to cope with young children a career in that area was always well suited. Caitrin then thought that she should check on Nora’s father, so she took up her clipboard and took his blood pressure, and some other readings that she would submit the results to her superiors later. “If you want to ask me anything, or just see me for anything then I’ll be out by reception.” She explained, and took her leave, as she did not want to overstay her welcome, “It was nice to meet you Nora.”

There was something about Philip which Caitrin found almost irresistible to pursue further. He wasn’t giving into her straight away, and somehow that was more appealing than him bending to exactly what they both wanted straight away. She was hanging on his every word, and action, and it was not something that Caitrin was familiar with. The sensation hadn’t really registered with her yet, she was just becoming increasingly aware of the fact that she actually wanted Philip to stay a while longer, and for them to continue this bout of flirtation and innuendos. Caitrin hoped that her Uncle did stay away as promised, as she didn’t want to be disturbed at the moment, the bar had been set, and Caitrin was determined to rise to Philip’s standard.

Caitrin was of course sure that Philip was enjoying this as much as she was, after all he was not giving her cause to think otherwise. She was slowly working her advances on him, though patience was by no means Caitrin de Archer’s finest quality, so she could only hope that Philip was not going to keep her waiting much longer. Her attention could be just as quickly lost as it had been gained. Philip would be right if he thought he was different, because no man had ever treated her like this before, most would have already had her gown unlaced, but Philip was just settling for words, and teases. She was completely in control of this, she knew exactly what she was doing, and how to bring Philip round to her way of thinking, though she suspected he was already most of the way there.

Caitrin had never really put off her advances because of an unconventional setting; it just made it more exciting and a little bit daring. She was still wearing a smug grin, because she was enjoying herself, but she was so sure that Philip was just playing into her hands. Perhaps he thought he was being a little respectful or admirable for showing some restraint. Caitrin had no interest in restraint, if she did then she would be acting a little less bold than she currently was. “Outside, or inside, does it really matter that much?” She asked with a little smug grin, they were in complete privacy here, “Unless my Lord prefers the comfort of a feather bed?” Her words, though said with complete seriousness, also had a hint of a jest to them. She did wonder if Philip would be bold enough to try something here, or whether he was really quite shy behind a mirage of words, and preferred such things to happen behind closed doors. There, all her cards were on the table now, and there was no denying exactly what she had in mind. Philip wouldn’t be able to ignore that sort of an advance, so Caitrin felt like she was forcing him to play his hand one way or the other.

Caitrin de Archer was lay in bed, wide awake, with just her thoughts keeping her occupied. It was hard to think of what was going to happen, and for her not to smile. She had been looking forwards to this day for weeks, months, ever since Griff had asked her to marry him. She ran both hands over her face and smiled to herself; she had been awake since dawn, just lay here, thinking. This was one of the few mornings that she had woken up without Griff by her side, but she could hardly feel sad about that fact, after today they would be spending their whole lives together, so one night hardly mattered. Anyway, it was bad luck for the bride and groom to be together before the ceremony took place, so it had all worked out. Wrapping a shawl around her shoulders she finally got out of bed and walked over to her closet.

Opening it up, she pulled out her dress, the dress she’d been keeping secret from Griff since they had started giving the wedding proper thought. Grinning, she laid it out on her bed, and just looked over it for a few moments. She was sure that Griff would like it. It was a long, while dress which held tight around her upper body and cut low around her chest. It had dipped sleeves and a long skirt which would trail along behind her when worn. She ran her fingers along the fabrics. It still felt strange that the day was finally upon her, her wedding day. She had never thought to marry, or even wanted to, but then Griff had come along and had changed everything, and now she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.

Of course she wasn’t ready just yet. She set about sorting her jewellery and her hair, and left it so it was spilling around her shoulders. It wasn’t the most technical or challenging hairstyles she had ever fashioned, but it was more natural, and she knew Griff would like it as well that way. Slipping on her dress, she took every care not to dirty it, or pull at the threading. When it was finally on, the whole thing finally felt real. She was really getting married, and this was her choice; not her fathers, not her Uncle’s, but hers. Caitrin found herself just staring at herself in the mirror, in a few hours she wouldn’t be Caitrin de Archer anymore, she would be Caitrin Aubert; a married woman. She couldn’t wait, and yet she had never been so nervous in her entire life. Her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest it was beating that wildly. Everything was running through her head. What if he didn’t turn up? What if he didn’t want to marry her after all? What if something went wrong, or he realised he’d made a mistake? She knew where the fears were coming from of course, but she knew they were unjustified. She knew Griff loved her, and that he wanted to marry her.

“How are you?” Caitrin whipped her head round, she hadn’t noticed her Uncle had come into the room.

“Fine.” She said, a little quietly, Rouland just gave his niece a look, “Nervous.” She conceded and sat down on the bed. Rouland looked down at Caitrin and gave a soft grin,

“Everyone’s waiting for you outside,” Rouland commented, and walked across the room to where Caitrin’s circlet, with a veil attached, was laid out on her dresser. “Griff, Allard and Lucan have just arrived, Gwaine and Celyn have been waiting as well.” Caitrin had no idea why Gwaine had come straight to the house, but he was Griff’s friend, so she just nodded. She was glad that Celyn was here though, he was one of her closest friends, so she wanted him to witness this moment in her life. Rouland held out a hand to Caitrin, which she took gently and stood up in front of him. He then placed the circlet on her head, though he didn’t pull the veil down just yet. Caitrin still looked a little nervous to Rouland, which was completely natural of course. “You’re ready for this.” He told her, firmly but with a gentle tone as well. Or at least as gentle as Rouland could manage. Rouland pulled down Caitrin’s veil and gave her a wide smile as he offered her his arm, “Lady Archer.” Inclining her head towards him, Caitrin took his arm, and let him lead her to the little ensemble outside. Caitrin felt a little sick with the nerves, but they seemed to vanish when she finally saw Griff standing there, waiting for her. Rouland walked his niece up the little make shift aisle, and she cast a sideward’s smile at Celyn before reaching Griff. Rouland finally release Caitrin’s hand, and let her step up to her fiancée’s side. Through her veil, Caitrin beamed up at Griff, because she would soon be his wife, and for now everything was just perfect.