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Nora sighed too as she took another sip of her tea. Glad of the warm, soothing sensation of the tea and of the company -- of having a peaceful moment before returning to the realities of her life.

“I enjoy it, more than I thought I ever would.” Caitrin admitted softly before she looked across at her daughter and continued, “It’s hard though, I’m always tired, and so is my husband." Nora watched the thoughtful yet contented look upon Caitrin's face as she spoke of motherhood. It made her wish that she too could experience it as well, but it was not possible for her yet. She had so much going on with her father and their estate that she did not have time to meet new people or find a suitor for herself. Someone that would love her for who she was and vica versa. For she had always wanted to marry for love and not money or status. Though, she did not want to be destitute either.

Nora smiled back at Caitrin, "Then you are extremely lucky to be blessed with two incredible children and a supportive husband."

Caitrin returned Nora's warm smile with her own, “I don’t have any regrets though, I came from a big family and I always wanted a big family as well.” Nora watched as Caitrin's eyes twinkled, no doubt she was thinking of her and her husband's future child which made Nora laugh, "I'm sure you and Griff will be blessed with another child soon."

Nora's face began to blush when Caitrin asked if she had anyone in mind to be her husband. She started to stumble out a muttered, very nervous response, "Ummm... well not at the moment seeing as my father has been ill for quite a while since my sister's death which affected us all so much... But there was someone I thought might be interested in me and..." She stopped as she thought of Aidan, who she knew was Caitrin was well acquainted with, but unsure if she should mention him. For she was embarrassed by the whole 'neither-here-or-there' situation with Aidan. Now she was afraid that her face was blushing red even more -- if that was even possible -- and if Caitrin noticed. Worse, she was scared of Caitrin teasing her about it. Although, a part of her thought that maybe Caitrin could be of some help when it came to Aidan. Well, not just Aidan but the whole courting business. Because if Nora was honest she was never rather good at it. Hence why she wasn't married though she was 26 years old. That and looking after her father after her sister's death put a damper on it.

Caitrin smiled back at Nora gently and agreed with taking it to her father later, after the brew had cooled down enough to be administered. Caitrin then set the cup down for it to cool a little.

Nora returned Caitrin's smile when she agreed at her suggestion of having some tea together. She was glad that Caitrin returned her affection and efforts in wanting to become friends. “That sounds wonderful, thank you.” Nora watched with a small smile on her face as Caitrin went back over to little Esame to check on her. “Do you want to sit in here to have tea, or should we sit in the solar?” Caitrin asked Nora with a smile. Then she pulled the blankets up on her daughter, making Nora wonder if she would ever have the opportunity to become a mother herself. She hoped so, one day. If she ever found the right person to marry. For she loved children dearly and would love to have some of her own. Her own family!

"Well, I think it would be easiest to have tea here. Do not you agree? That way we can check on the brew and we do not have to disturb Esame's sleep." Nora replied a little cheerfully. She found it easy to feel cheerful with Caitrin and Esame around. Even though she felt guilty for feeling such a way at the moment with her father being ill and on the verge of dying. She could not prevent expressing a little joy in making a new friend.

Nora then made her way back to the stove and placed some tea leaves into the tea pot before filling it with some of the boiling water left over from before. She then gave it a good stirring with a spoon, before going over to the cup-board to get two cups. Once that was finished, she placed both tea cups and the pot onto the table and signaled for Caitrin to sit down, which she did.

"How do you like your tea?" Nora asked gently, then hearing Caitrin's response, filled her cup with some of the tea and then she spooned some sugar into it before giving it a stir. After she handed it over to Caitrin, she poured her own tea and placed two teaspoons of sugar into her own -- for she needed the energy and hopefulness to get through the day. Though she knew that Caitrin would not be able to save her father, she just wanted to see him more comfortable and not in any pain or suffering anymore. For death is bad enough, but dying in pain and suffering is something all together worse and she didn't want her father's last moments on this earth to be in pain. Rather she wanted to sit by his bedside, hold his hand and spend the last moments with her father telling him how much she loved him before he passed away.

Sitting down gently on the chair, Nora took a sip of her tea. Staring down at her tea, Nora was at a lost for what to say next for she did not want to talk about depressing matters for a moment. For a moment she wanted to pretend that everything was fine and happy. Nora looked up at Caitrin and smiled, "So how is mother-hood going?" She asked her gently with a little curiosity for being a mother is hard enough -- not in a bad way of course. Just tiring! -- but being a mother to twins must have it's moments of madness.

Nora was extremely happy when she saw Caitrin's reaction to her arraignments for Esame -- especially after the way things had turned in their previous conversation. She was glad that Caitrin appreciated it, for she really wanted Caitrin and Esame to feel at home here.

“I’ll settle her before I get down to working, she’s sleepy anyway.” Nora was just glad that the kitchen was quiet. "Great. Is there anything you need?" Nora asked wanting to be of some use.

Caitrin did not respond straight away for she was distracted with her baby who was beginning to fall asleep with her mother's rocking and humming. Caitrin then placed her gently into the basket, laid the blankets over her and watched her daughter for a few seconds to make sure she was settled. Eventually Esame's fell asleep and Caitrin lifted her head and looked at Nora and asked her if she would give her back her basket and boil her some water.

"Sure, I'll just get the basket for you," Nora told her as she handed the basket over to her. "And I'll boil some water for you." Nora turned and walked towards the stove where there was already a empty cauldron, which she filled up with water before putting it over the lit stove to heat up.

"This shouldn't take very long. I asked Anna (the cook) to turn the stove on before we arrived for I had a feeling that you may need it. For it can take a while to heat up." Nora informed her evenly.

Five minutes later the water was boiled, "Caitrin, the water is ready. What did you want to do next?" For some reason Nora wanted to stay in the kitchen and help Caitrin make the concoction for her father. Not because she didn't trust Caitrin, but rather she was interested in how medicines and concoctions were made. She just hoped that Caitrin wouldn't mind her assistance. Though she would not be offended if Caitrin did not want her help, for she would understand that it may be a distraction having to explain to her how to do things.

“Not all magic is evil,” Caitrin snapped at Nora with a mixture of fear and a little anger registered on her face. Nora quickly muttered out nervously, "Oh no that is what I meant, Caitrin. I fear you misunderstood my meaning. I only meant that I'm not sure whether everyone who practices magic is evil. For I find it hard to believe that everyone who is born with it is so. Though I've not encountered anyone with magic." There, Nora thought. Hopefully that has made her meaning more clear. I hope....

Nora watched closely as Caitrin breathed out slowly and touched her head -- maybe it was the tiredness after tending to her father that made her snappish, Nora thought. Or perhaps something else -- then she apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

"That's quite alright," Nora responded with a gentle voice hoping that it would help settle Caitrin's temper down a little. For she felt increasingly bad for what she had said or the misunderstanding of the words she had used. Nora grew up in Camelot being told that magic was evil, whereas Caitrin she knew had grown up in Mercia where the rules were different. That was until she moved to Camelot to become her uncle's ward.

“What do you think your cousin did exactly?” Cait asked curiously, though it was somewhat laced with her trying to change the topic.

"I'm not sure, exactly. All I know is that my father was well before my cousins's visit." Nora responded with a level of certainty.

Caitrin coughed nervously, but then Nora felt delighted as her face lilt up at her agreeing for Caitrin to take her daughter with her. She was glad of it as their conversation had been on the verge of hitting an ice-berg and Nora did not want Caitrin to think ill of her for she truly wanted to Caitrin to become her friend. She just hoped that Caitrin felt the same.

“Lead on, oh, I’ll need my herbs.” Nora watched as Caitrin stepped back to grab her basket then struggled with carrying both the basket and her daughter. "Here why don't I take the basket for you," Nora offered kindly, waiting for Caitrin to give her response, before grabbing the basket gently from her as to not disturb the baby.

“Thank you for looking after her, she can be a little feisty sometimes, but I’m glad she was well behaved.” Caitrin thanked Nora gratefully. "She was no problem at all. Not much anyway. And to be honest her lively personality brighten the house up." Nora smiled at them both.

Nora was glad that Caitrin was willing to make her father a brew and smiled gratefully back at Caitrin for she had a feeling that Caitrin was feeling useless. But for some reason, Nora felt that she could rely on Caitrin to do her best to help her, whether it was to make her father feel less pain or to be someone she could be honest and open with. For she didn't have many close friends or many family anymore as looking after her father and the estate commandeered a lot of her time. Causing Nora to lose quite a few acquaintances.

Nora was eternally grateful that Caitrin let her speak out out the theory that had been plaguing her mind for a few months. Especially since magic was banned in the kingdom and whenever anyone heard the words "magic" or "sorcery" they would became afraid and gasp out in fear. Caitrin did neither. She just asked her in a calm, thoughtful, reasonable voice, “It could perhaps be sorcery, but I’m not the person to judge that.” At this point Nora got a feeling that it had still touched a sore spot with her, “But who would have reason to poison your father?”

Finally, Nora thought, for not many people had asked her this question. They just assumed it was her father's grief and mental condition that was killing him.

Nora nodded her head solemnly, then taking a deep breath she began to explain her theory."Firstly before I tell you my theory, I would ask that you do not divulge any of what I tell you to anyone. I know that I can trust you. It's just.." Nora paused for a little before she continued speaking, "...I'm afraid of speaking it out loud in fear that in doing so you might think I'm acting irrationally, even delusional. But since you asked and I feel that I can trust you I will tell you. Not many people know this, for my father kept it a secret, but the estate is in danger.

Many years ago before my father married my mother, my grandfather put a condition on the estate and title where it will only be inherited by male heirs. The reason my father told me of this was because my mother wasn't a noblewoman and compared with my fathers wealth, she was not considered worthy. However, my father threatened to leave and throw away his inheritance if his father did not accept his chosen bride into the family. So instead my grandfather put in place this condition where in the event that my mother could not conceive a male heir, the estate and title would go to the next male relative. After giving birth to myself and my sister and suffering many still-births, my parents finally gave up hope of having a male to inherit the estate and look after both myself and my sister." Nora paused as she got to the most difficult part of her story.

"Thus, it was then my father decided to try and get to know his cousin, twice removed, who would succeed him. For while I would still inherit a small amount of money to live upon his death, but I guess my father hoped that maybe his cousin and I would form an attachment. However, it was not to be so for as soon as I meet Edward I disliked him straight away. I can not explain it, but I could not trust this man for all he cared about was money, drinking and gambling." Nora started having flashbacks to the first time she meet him, then she shook her head to get rid of it -- for it always made her extremely angry -- she continued, "Though he was very good at manipulating the people around him, including my father, I saw through it. Anyway, after a while my father began suspecting Edward was not the man he proclaimed to be. One day they got into a fight as Edward found out that my father was seeking legal advice on the matter of the inheritance..." Elenora remembered the look of anger on Edward's face when he left the house after their fight, which still to this day made her whole body shiver.

"Then one day when my father was feeling better, Edward came to the estate seeking absolution and to extend an olive branch of friendship towards us. No doubt because he had heard about my father's mental condition. My father, though he was feeling better, did not have the energy to refuse him and allowed him to stay for the whole day. No less than 24 hours later my father collapsed and his condition worsened." Tears begun to fill Nora's eyes as she finally finished telling her story.

Nora spend the next quarter of an hour dancing with Sir Richard and various other gentlemen. And while she had a rather good time, it wasn't enough of a distraction as she kept feeling like Aidan was looking at her. Though every-time she would look to see if if was indeed doing so, he would turn away. At one point Sir Richard even noticed what she was doing -- which made her blush -- and he explained to her that the gentleman next to Aidan was his older brother, Struan. What didn't help was the fact that Aidan's older brother was teasing him, which annoyed her for she didn't want to like this man. But she couldn't help but feel sympathy for him because she knew that having a sibling that was more out-going and confident was hard, for you would always be compared to them. Yes, Elenora knew that well.

Eventually they finished dancing and Elenora dropped a curtsy to both Sir Richard and Sir Fredrick before she decided she needed another drink for dancing was very tiring indeed and made one thirsty. She began walking towards the table spread when someone stepped on her foot-- hard, very hard causing her to yelp a little in pain! She looked to see who had walked into her, only to discover that it was Sir Aidan! "Oh God! I'm so sorry..." Nora began apologizing profusely.