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The conversation about the roles of women was becoming intense. She’d hit a nerve with Rouland. “I would have women choose to do as they wish” she told him, “travel where they wish, learn the art of defence should they wish to – when you are of nobility then of course you are asking to be robbed if out alone”. Yes. That would shake him up. “We ladies are our own ‘lords of the manor’ as you so graciously put it earlier. We deal with household management; we are the ones who decide of the furnishings and whatnot. It would be nice if we were recognised for that once in a while”

Romily – 1 , Rouland – 0

Romily sat and listened intently as Rouland spoke of his son. They obviously were not like two peas in a pod then. She wondered whether Thomas and her father would have been alike, had her brother-survived birth. Then again Romily wondered if she herself would’ve been a different person. For a start she would have been married off by now.
Rouland seemed to have high hopes that her father was going to marry her off soon enough anyway.

“He wants to marry me off and yet he will not let a man near me” she admitted, “it is most peculiar, and there is only so many evenings of embroidery that I can handle my lord” she smirked, “I am fed up with doing the same things whenever my father has to attend court or dine here with visiting nobles”.

“I myself am on the hunt for a suitor for my niece’s hand, all women of standing must marry at some stage Lady Romily.”

Romily wondered whether Rouland’s niece actually knew about this. If he was anything like her father then perhaps not. “If your niece is as headstrong as you make her out to be, then how do you expect to marry her off my lord?” she mused, “because surely you shall never hear the end of it”. She took a small sip of wine, before handing Rouland his. “One thing you will learn about me Lady Romily, I never say no to a goblet of wine.”

“Good” Romily smiled, “Because in times like this…neither do I” she gave him a look over the rim of her goblet and took another sip. Placing the goblet on the table next to her, she put her hands in her lap and looked across at Rouland who seemed quite at home. “Your wife did not wish to accompany you?” she asked. It wouldn’t surprise her if Rouland’s wife hadn’t wanted to come anyway.

Well, that was incredibly awkward, especially when the Armorican family started to talk of the Princess’ boldness. Romily bit her lip and gazed mainly at the floor, but was nudged subtly in the back by her father and immediately raised her head again. Ah well, at least she was pleased when she finally agreed to stay and talk – even though conversation would be scarce.

Romily felt like the intruder of the whole large group that was seated. She could feel the eyes of everyone on her, and it seemed as though Luciana had captured their gazes before. Romily couldn’t help but feel so very plain in between the beautiful princess and her equally good looking brother. Even the way Luciana lowered herself to be seated had everyone’s attention! She saw her father give her a warning look, so as to signal for her not to mess this whole thing up for him. “I cannot thank you enough for joining us, Lady Romily. I must confess I found myself quite outnumbered amongst so many gentlemen.”

Romily, only just hearing this turned to the princess and nodded, with a small smile. “My father much prefers the company of males – after all, there is no need for female presence in this house most of the time,” she said this almost sadly. She had little acquaintances with any noblewomen and the only people who she had met were lords of places she’d never even heard of.

Of course Prince Tristan and his sister were now having some kind of banter over hunting tales, and she listened intently to a hunting story gone wrong on his half. Luciana was finding it hilarious, whereas Tristan didn’t seem impressed at this at all. After Luciana had finished humiliating her brother Romily smiled. “And I suppose you’ve never let him hear the end of it”. The siblings seemed to like taking a swipe at one another when needed. “Lady Romily, you must have some good stories about Camelide that don’t evolve sports and dull affairs of state.”

“I apologise my Lady, but there are no stories whatsoever. Carmelide is just as dull as any affairs of state – and even if there were any – I very much doubt they’d be of interest.”

Durwin was now giving her a look of daggers and stood up, making his excuses to King Alaric and moving behind his daughter’s chair. Romily could feel his hands on her shoulders. “Are you feeling well my dear?” he asked. Ok this was obviously a hint to get her to leave. Romily had hoped that she hadn’t offended Luciana or Tristan, but it was the truth. Why should they be interested in Carmelide and her dull life anyway. There was always the story of the time she fell out of the tree when she was little.

Romily could feel a lump forming in her throat. She hated large gatherings and now really felt light headed. “No father, I do not think I am”, she quickly pushed back her chair and stood up, exiting the room as quickly as she could.

Durwin turned back to the royal family. “I apologise for my daughter’s behaviour. As I said before, she is in ill health and can grow tiresome rather quickly. Im sure that all the excitement of sitting in between the Prince and his charming sister have brought this on”. He explained and seated himself next to King Alaric again. “She has still yet to learn how to address royalty in a suitable way”.

"What sort of demons?" There were a million and one things that she could go into when explaining this term. Gwaine being the main one of them.
Romily smiled weakly. “Really, they are nothing too troubling” she told him, “and im pretty sure that you wouldn’t want to hear me drone on about a man for hours on end – so I’ll spare you the details and say that im perfectly fine” she grinned.

She remembered how both she and Arthur had opened up to one another about quite personal things, upon their first meeting. Subjects such as love, mothers, fathers and weight issues (on Arthur’s account anyway) were not things that two strangers would usually discuss – but with the oair of them spending quite some time together, they’d found that conversation deepened within these areas – even if they’d both felt awkward at first.
Now it seemed at those conversation came with ease. As though the bond they’d made the first time had never been broken nor forgotten about. In Romily’s eyes it was more of something that siblings would share – but she couldn’t yet call Arthur that as she hardly knew him that well enough to deem him a brother – as much as she would have liked to.

"I'm not sure if I should feel offended that this friend clearly was not me,"

She gave him a pitiful look, knowing that he was only joking. “Im sorry – I would’ve visited sooner if it had meant us keeping in contact, but my landlord had me scrubbing floors and cooking for the last couple of years, so I suppose that stood in my way”. She had Yassia here and now Arthur and of course there was Gwen, so her list of friends was growing. “Im staying at The Rising Sun” she told him.

"Hang on a moment, I thought you had said you didn't know anyone here?"

“There was a girl – Yassia, she stayed at my inn one evening and we just kind of started talking. She’s become quite a good friend to me – I write to her often and it’s only just recently that I have found time to get away and come and see her. She has family here” Romily explained, “So ive made another friend since we last spoke” she laughed. Well…2 friends as Gwen was included.

On her mention of deciding to leave, Arthur’s expression turned to one of concern. “Of course not” she replied, “As I mentioned earlier, it’s all over a man and feelings” she laughed.
“I remember you told me that love tends to come when you least expect it – and I thought that it did…but it seems that I was mistaken” she admitted. Gwaine. Gwaine who she thought she’d be spending the rest of her life with. Gwaine who had declared his love for her and had treated her so well. Sir Gwaine – the one who had broken her heart when he’d failed to mention his true identity. And then there was her conscience – the conscience that had failed to mention to him that she too was a lady of nobility. “So it’s nothing personal against Camelot” Romily finally finished off.

At least Arthur was happy. “Still got that muscle then” she playfully slapped his chest, “more so than ever now I expect” her brows raised as she looked him up and down at his current attire. "While you too look well, it is clear that something burdens you. And if you would permit me to, I would much like to help you carry this burden, or at least lift it from you."
Romily could only shrug this off. “Demons” she replied again. “As much as I’d love you for that – this is a wound that you shall not be able to fix for me this time.”

Romily raised her chin slightly at Roulands reply. “My home is out of the way as well Lady Romily, However, even with two women one finds that a headache is never more than a stones throw away.” How dare he!

“I suppose that you prefer the lack of conversation then?” she answered, hearing her father growl slightly behind her. “Romily”. She ignored this. “I can certainly provide you with just that as my father stated my lord”.

Durwin of course, stepped in at that very moment. “See what I mean my friend – you must forgive my daughter of her outspoken views” he told her and then said to Rouland quietly, “between you and me this will never get her a husband”. A small sigh escaped him.

“You should not apologise for it. For the lack of society has probably turned you into a more dutiful daughter than my Lord Durwin could ever have hoped for. At least I assume this is the case?”
Romily narrowed her eyes at this comment. “Dutiful or not, I have my opinions my lord and make them known when I feel it is necessary. I wouldn’t take it personally – besides, I have not been in society enough to know whether ‘this is the case’ that you speak of”

“Romily” her father said with a warning in his voice and grabbed hold of her wrist tightly. “Do not listen to the girl my friend – it is an unfortunate trait that she had inherited from my late wife.” He explained and nudged Romily again. “Go”.

She led him to the solar and walked in behind him. He was taking in the décor with approval. “Well this is cosy isn’t it?” What exactly was he implying?

“I apologise if you are used to something grander my lord. I did instruct the servants to make it as welcoming as possible”

“Could you instruct your servants to send forth some wine?”

“They are bringing it as we speak my lord” Romily replied, “our servants know when to comply to the needs of visitors” she told him as a servant carried in a tray and set it down on the table. “Please do be seated” she gestured to one of the chairs, “I very much doubt that my father will be long, he likes to make sure that everything is running smoothly”.

How was she going to survive a whole evening with a man such as this. “You mentioned you had a niece and a son?” time to start some conversation even if he wasn’t in the mood, “it’s times when I wish that my brother Thomas had survived childbirth – perhaps this would’ve raised my fathers spirits when my mother died” she admitted.
Had Thomas had survived then she wouldn’t be sitting here now – she’d be leaving her younger brother to make conversation and be the apple of her father’s eye.

She hadn’t heard anyone approaching but almost jumped as she heard her name. "Romily?!"

Romily looked up and over in the direction of where she’d heard the voice.

Oh… My… God…

It was him! Arnold? Archie? Arthur! That was it! The man that she’d stripped in a cave with and had on top of her for all the wrong reasons! Oh my goodness! What was he doing…wait! He told her he was from Camelot! She remembered! Ok so it had been a good couple of years or so, but she knew his face.
He had changed slightly. Facial wise anyway. Not only did he look older but he also looked as though there was some kind of weight on his shoulders.

Romily studied him a little more. He was a knight? He’d told her that he was a servant when they’d last met. Clearly she’d had enough of knights so obviously someone upstairs wasn’t going to leave the subject be for sometime. That would mean he would know Gwaine…great.

She got to her feet quickly; still in disbelief that Arthur was actually here. She almost half laughed. “We clearly need to stop meeting like this!” she referred to the forest, knowing full well that they’d met in one last time. Thankfully she hadn’t seen any caves around.

She was surprised that he actually remembered her name. Making her way over to where he was she smiled. “What are you doing here?!” she asked and smiled warmly.
“It’s good to see you again – I see that you’ve gone from servant to Knight, a very big achievement”. With a knowing look she leant back against the tree trunk behind her. “Although I must admit that you are the last person that I expected to see!”

“It is a welcomed change to my own home Lady Romily. “The peace for one is most pleasing.”

Romily smiled. Perhaps Lord Rouland had some very wayward children who drove him mad. Either way he seemed genuinely pleased for the company. “Well then you shall have lots of that around here – given where the house is that is my lord” she replied.

Trust her father to excuse her. She wasn’t ill at all. Lord Rouland seemed to want her company too as he was now expressing how he’d like to see how she acted when there was company. Apparently his niece was ‘unruly’ in his words. That explained why he’d said it was peaceful.

She looked from Rouland and to her father who sighed. “Very well – im sure Romily would be delighted.” Durwin gave in, “However I must admit that conversation with my daughter will be a little dull – she is not as well conversed as other ladies of her rank should be, given the fact that most of the time she is unable to attend gatherings due to her poor health.”

Romily felt her father nudge her discreetly and nodded. “Yes…” she had to agree with him and looked at the floor. “I apologise in advance my lord”. This was well rehearsed so it seemed, and she could tell that Rouland was no fool.

As for the question about her looking like her mother, Romily gave a small laugh. “Come now father – I expect Lord Rouland cannot even remember her.”
Her father leant into her ear. “Don’t be so disobedient girl, otherwise I’ll have you locked in that room of yours for a week – now act as a young lady should and escort lord Rouland into the solar”.

Romily nodded and Durwin turned to his friend. “My daughter shall escort you to the solar. I just need to check with my servant that everything is in order and then we shall let our evening commence.”

With that he pushed Romily forward towards Rouland. She looked from the floor to him awkwardly. “If you would like to follow me my lord” she told him quietly, and led the way to the solar.

Romily had decided that what she needed was a good walk. Away from the stifling energies of the Camelot marketplace and just a peaceful day on her own.
She’d made her way along the pathways through the forest. Always wary of travelling in them now – given the Forest of Balor experience, she’d never really thought of forests the same way now. She could hear water running, as though there was a stream or river nearby. At least she’d have water to drink, should she ever run out.

The day itself was warm and sunny – but it had stayed that way since her arrival into the city. Back where the Rams Head was situated, Romily couldn’t count the number of days that it had rained.
She didn’t miss the Inn or serving anyone in the slightest. The break away was doing her good. She had more colour in her cheeks than before and found that she spent her days enjoying doing whatever she chose to – with No Eldon or Agnes to order her around. No chores. Nothing.

Romily thought that she’d like to stay in Camelot forever, but knew that this was out of the question. For a start Gwaine was there and since their heated conversation, they’d not seen one another. However Romily had befriended a young woman called Gwen, who seemed to know a great deal more of love and it’s consequences and subsequently, the relationship between Romily and Gwaine.

She found a quiet clearing by the river and settled herself down in the shade. Time to collect herself and her thoughts

Her father? Not a day older? Well clearly Lord Rouland needed to spend a year at Wolfhall in order to see just how ‘well’ her father aged. Romily couldn’t help but smile when he asked what his secret was. How very polite. Rouland looked younger than her father in all honesty.

“And who is this Lord Durwin?" At that moment she looked up from where she’d been staring at her feet for the last few moments. Lord Rouland was looking at her. "Your daughter I assume?"

Romily gave a curtsey to Rouland before her father allowed her to take his arm, walking her over to Rouland. “May I introduce my daughter – the Lady Romily” he beamed at his friend.
Romily wondered if Rouland truly knew the extent of her father’s character and how this was technically all for show.

Romily looked to Lord Rouland and smiled, before curtseying again. “My lord” she began, “Welcome to Wolfhall, I trust that everything will to your liking?” if it wasn’t then he’d just have to live with it.

“My daughter will not be joining us this evening” Durwin interrupted, “she hasn’t been in the best of health for a few days”. A lie. One that was always used when Romily wasn’t meant to be present at the formal functions. Truth was she was in the best of health. She’d been out riding just that morning.
She said nothing and instead smiled weakly at the floor. At least she’d be spared of any awkward conversation that evening so that was one thing.

“Does she not look like Jayne? My friend” Durwin now smiled.

They were expecting an important guest that evening – so her father had informed her that morning. Romily had been sitting in the solar working on some embroidery when Durwin had burst in and demanded that she made herself scarce that evening. “He’s an old friend of mine, so I will not have you making a fool of yourself in front of him” he’d told her sternly.

“Yes father” she replied, “Am I to be introduced to this friend of yours?”

Durwin looked at her as though she’d just said something completely stupid. “Of course!” he glared, “then you shall keep to your rooms for the rest of the evening unless Lord Rouland demands that you do not – heaven knows why he should think to do that” Durwin muttered, “but I expect he shan’t take any notice of you – now, go and make yourself look pretty my dear”.

Her father could certainly change characteristics when he felt like it. One moment he would treat her like a treasured possession, and others? Like she wasn’t of any value to him.
Now she was sat up in her room, making herself ‘look pretty’ for when his lordship arrived.

“I’ve never seen him before” her maid, Bonnie, replied when Romily questioned her of Lord Rouland, “Just know that Lord Durwin speaks of him from time to time”

“Ive never heard him do so”

“All in the eyes and ears of being a servant my lady – don’t you worry yourself over small talk, just be your gracious self and then make your excuses to leave when you wish”

Romily frowned at Bonnie in the mirror, “and what if Lord Rouland asks me to stay with him and my father?”. That would just be a nightmare. Conversation would consist of very little to say the least

“Then do what you feel my lady, it’s not my place to tell you have to live your life” Bonnie told her, and carried on lacing her into her dress that was suitable enough to be introduced to Lord Rouland in.

“It’s strange” she started, “about how my father has barely breathed Lord Rouland’s name to me, and yet here he is coming to dine with us.”

“Stranger things have happened my lady” Bonnie justified her statement to which Romily agreed.

“Yes…yes they have”.




Tagged: Rouland de Archer
Timeline: Beginning of S1
Setting: Wolfhall Manor, Carmelide