Laudine Ffynnon

Yvain smiled. “That sounds nice.” Although the memories of his time in Broceliande were clouded by the shadow of the early events - he was responsible for the death of her husband in a way, after all - everything seemed brighter and better when she was part of it. “We can go tomorrow if the weather allows - if you’d like?” he offered.

“I’d like that,” Laudine nodded. She felt a little scared, if she were honest, like she was taking a step out and didn’t know if or how far she might fall or whether there was any solid ground beneath her - but she also knew she had let fear and pride rule her for too longer, and that if there was a chance she could make things work with her husband then it was a chance she had to take. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Yvain smiled, happy she didn’t disregard his suggestion. “I’m sure he’ll give us the permission, it’s not like there’s a battle lurking behind a corner or anything. And we can do whatever you would like, just say the word and I’ll make it happen,” he said eagerly.

“Hmmm, maybe we could go for a ride, just the two of us, like we used to do in Broceliande?” Laudine suggested after a moment’s thought. It had been on those sorts of days, when it was only them alone in the world, that she had first fallen in love with him, despite the disapproval of her court and the knowledge that their relationship would be difficult. Perhaps bringing back the memories of those times would also help bridge the gap between them a little more.

“I’m afraid you are stuck with me,“ he corrected her with a loving smile. “For me it’s the best thing I could ask for.“ He took her hand and kissed her knuckles gently. “I can ask the king for a few days off so we can spend some time together, if you’d like?“ he suggested with hope in his voice.

Originally posted by princess-meras

“I’d like that,” Laudine nodded, smiling softly. Now that some of her anger had faded, all she wanted was to spend time with him - to get to know him again and try to find out if they really could make their marriage work this time. It meant more that she knew how to say that he would make the effort to do that.

Yvain sighed. “I’m sorry. I keep promising you to be better and then I go and do something even more stupid. I’m sorry.” He moved a little in his seat to adjust the bandages on his body. “I can’t believe you didn’t give up on me yet. I can only promise I’ll try harder.” Though he was fairly sure he’d mess up again, soon enough.

“Well, apparently it’s not that easy to fall out of love,” Laudine said, watching him with a soft expression. The gods knew, she had done her utmost to stop loving him when he had been gone, but it had proved impossible to cut him out of her heart. Loving him was just something she did, the same way she breathed. She didn’t know how to stop. “So I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

“Is this warning that we should soon be expecting another in the stables then?” Morfydd teased, before turning ever so slightly more serious, “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t wish to, but I feel that I know so little of you asides from how deeply Yvain cares for you and I can’t help but be curious - do you ever regret anything? Or maybe wish it was different? Simpler. I know that loving a knight is not easy and i’d imagine it far more so for those who bring home lions.”

“Not that sort of risk!” Laudine laughed just imagining the reaction if she were to bring another lion to Camelot’s stables. Likely she would be turned out on her ear, regardless of her position.

She fell quiet at Morfydd’s question, chewing on her lip as she considered her answer. It struck at her heart, at the thorny tangle she was still doing her best to unravel. “.... yes, at times. I’ve wished that we were different people and had met differently, that I did not have to fear his leaving. If I am honest, I would gladly have him bring home an entire pride of lions if it meant I could leave behind my fear that he might never come back.”

Adam grunted a bit at the way the bandages tightened around his torso. “Regrettably, it is a work place hazard.” He sighed. If he’d been paying attention, he would have seen the sword was hanging to far off the table before it decided to swipe into him.

Originally posted by charliehunnnamm

“Ah, yes, I suppose it would be. That is unfortunate,” Laudine nodded, grimacing a little in sympathy and trying to make the bandages sit more comfortably for them. At least it was only a shallow cut, albeit long, so hopefully it would heal quickly and without too much trouble. “Does it happen often?” 

“I’m sure it wouldn’t get that far,” he laughed nervously. “And I’m sure the horse didn’t mean it.” Yvain had a feeling that this wasn’t exactly what she’d like to hear. “I’ll be more careful, I promise,” he added quickly.

“Well, no, I don’t suppose it did,” Laudine said, a mix of amusement and exasperation in her tone. “But still doesn’t mean it can’t do a lot of harm.” She started folding up the leftover bandages, but looked up, slightly mollified, at his promise. “That’s all I ask.”

Morfydd nodded along with her sister-in-law’s words of wisdom. This boldness she had learned was still so new to her - blossoming when Yvain left her to begin his career in the knighthood but not quite taking root until she was released into the care of Gorre - and she was still learning where her limits lie. Good at climbing or not rooftops were clearly not a risk she should be taking. “Risks were always so much more Yvain’s thing than they were mine. I don’t think he even realizes he’s taking them. He is the only man I know that could befriend a lion”

“That is certainly true,” Laudine said with a quiet laugh, shaking her head. She still couldn’t quite believe the he had a lion as ... companion, she supposed, since the word pet hardly seemed suitable for a wild animal. “He’s made me more of a risk taker, I think,” she added, thoughtfully. Yvain was the biggest risk she had taken in her life; before him she had always done her duty and followed the rules she had been raised with. But twice now, she had staked her heart on him. She hoped this time it would prove worth the risk.

“I got stamped on by a horse, maybe?” he started slowly, already hearing how stupid it sounded. “It wasn’t even my horse and I wasn’t even riding it. It just… happened.” Could the horse get scared by the lion he was walking through the woods with? Possibly. Would he admit that? Never.

“Stamped on by a horse?” Laudine repeated, eyes wide with alarm. Having Yvain in front of her, whole and alive, did not lessen the immediate jolt of fear that ran down her spine. He was lucky to have come away with only a few bruises. “How does that just happen? Yvain, you could have been killed!”

“Inspire …?” Laudine murmured aloud, looking with surprise at the note. After so long doubting herself and feeling torn up at all the ways she had failed, to reach such a thing touched her in a way she wouldn’t have expected, and she felt emotion rise up in her throat. Thank you.

“Perhaps” Morfydd conceded, “but I think that between guards and all of the guest to the castle that it would allow a lot of opportunity for interruption which is incredibly unfortunate when one is seeking peace. Besides, a small amount of risk is kind of exciting”

“Yes, I suppose that’s true,” Laudine said with a quiet chuckle. She had learned the hard way of the pain and suffering that came of taking a risk and losing, but she was beginning to realise of late that perhaps in response she had become too cautious and rigid in response. “So long as you are careful in the risks you choose.”

“You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Yvain chuckled, hissing with pain as he did. “That was not a good idea. I’m fine, I’m fine,” he assured her quickly.

“Try me,” Laudine suggested, one eyebrow quirking upwards. Given that a few months ago she would never have believed they could be sat like this, close and joking, she was not so willing to dismiss things without question. “Careful,” she admonished gently. “You don’t have to pretend with me, you know.”

“Do you promise not to laugh?” Morfydd questioned, “There’s a bit of ivy on one of the abandoned homes in the village. My cloak caught on the edge of the roof as I was climbing down. The starlight is so beautiful when there are no buildings obstructing your view….”

“Why would I laugh?” Laudine said, smiling. She had always enjoyed stargazing herself; she used to look up at the skies in Broceliande and wonder if Yvain was sleeping under the same stars or if he saw something entirely different. “Why not just go up one of the towers in the castle? Would that not be safer?”

The smile on her face was a reassurance and Yvain promised himself he’d always remember this moment. The lion yawned lazily and the knight turned his head to his companion with a chuckle. “I think we’re bothering him with talking,” he pointed out. “Would you like to go get something to eat?” Yvain stood up and offered his hand for her to take. This was a good start.

Glancing over at the lion, Laudine laughed. “My apologies, sir.”

Turning back to Yvain, she nodded and smile, reaching out to take his hand. “Yes, that sounds lovely.”

Yvain smiled happily. “Thank you. I will listen to your every wish and I promise we will make this work.” He turned his head to place a kiss in her hand before taking it in his. “Whatever it takes to make you happy,” he smiled.

Laudine nodded, lips curling into a small smile. Despite everything, she still loved him with all her heart, and when he looked at her so earnestly it was enough to make every objection she might have fly away. They would both try, and this time they would get it right, she told herself. They had to.

Though the hillside provided solitude it would be ridiculous for Cadeyrn to believe that it would constantly remain so, and as such he wasn’t upset or even surprised by this strangers approach. “I suspect you have disturbed me just as much as I have you” he replied, his eyes drifting past the woman and to the skyline beyond them before turning back and looking at her, “Did you venture this far to seek quiet?”

“Yes ... I suppose you could say that,” Laudine said, venturing a little closer since he seemed inclined to converse rather than just wanting her to move on. She kept a little space between them though, aware that talking to a stranger in the middle of the forest might not be wisest of ideas. “I needed to think, and I find coming out here helps clear my mind.”