Forge a New Path

Morfydd ferch Urien, daughter to Urien Rheged and twin sister to Yvain. Lady-in-waiting.

[morfyddferchurien]

bohemianaiden‌:

Aiden bowed. “It’s was my pleasure, lady Morfydd,” he assured her. “I will count the minutes until the moment you come looking for me. They will be the longest moments of my life.” His playful grin was meant to hide the fact that he didn’t quite want to let her go but she was surely tired after all the travelling and he knew better than to force his presence onto a lady. “Thank you for letting me escort you.”

Were it not for the length of her journey making her weary she would have found reason to stay and talk with him longer but as things were mention of departure from one another had made her realize how truly tired she felt. Their acquaintance was still so new and perhaps that was what made her wish most to get to know him even better. Perhaps too, and she was far more reluctant to admit this one even to herself, it had far too much to do with the ease of their banter or the way his grin set her pulse racing. She’d thought it already but she reaffirmed to herself that the time between their departure and next meeting would have to be sought out as quickly as she could possibly make the time. “Just as surely as they will be the longest moments of mine” she replied, attempting to mimic the playfulness of his smile as she made to take her leave of him. 

[morfyddferchurien]

ladyofthefountain‌:

“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.

“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.”

[morfyddferchurien]

bohemianaiden‌:

“Quite often,” Aiden laughed. He and his retinue were the guests of the King’s, who offered them shelter when Hamtun was attacked. But as the guest wing of the castle was reserved for the most important guests of the crown, Aiden was given a part of the Citadel that was made for the rest of nobility. He was invited to the castle as often as he pleased, though. “You could say I’m a frequent visitor. You needn’t call that loudly,” he promised with a smirk.

“I will find you then” Morfydd replied, glad at least that she would not have to go in search of him. This new life would be a far more busy one and with each step she had taken towards the castle it had all become more and more real to her. She’d made it, she was accomplished. Now she could settle into a routine and adjust to her new line of work and then focus on achieving her final goal - happiness. “Thank you for your escort”

[morfyddferchurien]

bohemianaiden‌:

Aiden’s smile spread across his face. “What a daring comparison,” he laughed, nodding. “Very well then, I shall teach you the secrets of leaving the boring aspects of life behind whenever our busy schedules allow it.” Mostly her schedule, he thought to himself, as he did not have much on his agenda lately. He made sure to present himself as incredibly busy and necessary, though, as much as he could. “Just call my name and I’ll come running.”

Color flooded her cheeks as she realized the way that her words were likely interpreted, “I merely meant that if someone so important has time than there’s no reason why I shouldn’t as well” she defended lightly, averting her gaze so that he might not notice her embarrassment, “Do you come by the castle often?” she wondered aloud, thinking it was perhaps a silly question. Based on the limited amount she knew of his situation he was likely a guest as well but he just as easily could have lived somewhere else within the kingdom. They has only spoken twice now but she already prized his company despite knowing so little about him. Their destination was near though and she knew that meant their conversation was sure to end soon so she asked mainly so that she could make some guesses at how difficult it might be to see him again. “You know, so I’ll know how loudly i’ll need to call” she added jokingly.

[morfyddferchurien]

ladyofthefountain‌:

“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.”

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”

[morfyddferchurien]

bohemianaiden‌:

“I’d be honoured,” he nodded as they walked. He felt a strange kind of joy when he walked beside her, knowing she wasn’t going anywhere any time soon. He liked to surround himself with pleasant things and she certainly was pleasant to be around. “But maybe your busy schedule will stand in the way?” he suggested.

Before Queen Elaine had left Camelot she had told Morfydd of the new role that she would be given. She had told her that she wanted to continue to nurture her into the smart and beautiful woman that she had been becoming before her departure. Hopefully that would mean that Morfydd would have time to develop relationships both personal and professional. To be safe she would definitely mention it in her next letter. As she thought her brow furrowed sightly before she finally nodded, “The King of Camelot has sisters and a wife that I am sure he makes time for. If he has time to be otherwise engaged than I should as well.”

[morfyddferchurien]

bohemianaiden‌:

“You see, that is not as easy,” Aiden smiled. “That’s a lecture that cannot be taught just like that in the middle of the street. But I would be happy to take some time from my incredibly busy schedule and teach you, my lady.”

“A kind offer. I do believe I would benefit from the tutelage whenever you may find time enough in your schedule to allow it” Morfydd replied. Though their walk through town had been rather leisurely she could see the castle clearly now. The wind still buffeted her and she more than likely appeared an utter mess but who didn’t after as long a ride in a carriage? She was just absolutely thrilled to be back and get her life started. 

[morfyddferchurien]

ladyofthefountain‌:

“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?”

“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”

[morfyddferchurien]

bohemianaiden‌:

“Ah,” Aiden gasped and chuckled. “But how could I ever frown in such a lovely company? To imagine my grimace could sadden you - I would have to force myself on a blade for such a crime!” He laughed and shook his head. “In all honesty, I too find it easier to deal with life when looking out for the best of it. If something doesn’t make me happy, I simply leave it behind,” he explained.

“A rightful punishment for a crime so heinous!” Morfydd joked, sobering a little as he spoke, “I believe I’ll have to learn from you. How does one rid their lives completely of the things that make them unhappy?”

[morfyddferchurien]

ladyofthefountain‌:

“There, that should help until you can see the physician, at least,” Laudine said as she tied off the bandages. “How on earth did that happen, anyway?”

“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....”

[morfyddferchurien]

bohemianaiden‌:

Aiden chuckled. “I was told to be especially skilled with words by many a teacher in my childhood. I’m glad to hear none compare to me.” He half-bowed to accept the compliment. 

He offered his arm for her to take so they could start walking towards the courtyard. “I admire you greatly, Lady Morfydd, for being able to withstand such task. Stuffy politicians are my least favourite kind of people and stacks of scrolls put me to sleep. And yet you manage to talk about them with a smile on your face, no dread or plea for me to ease your misery. You’re a warrior, my lady.”

“I do so love to laugh and smile” Morfydd replied, tilting her head upwards ever so slightly as they were met by a gust of wind. The maid smiled as her hair whippoorwilled behind her, “I spent much of my life a tad downcast and I’m learning that it’s simply not for me. I do believe that it is only a matter of time before I request your saving though, glad though I am for my work. We’ve only met but twice now, but I don’t believe I have once seen you frown. To be so joyful - you’re the warrior, my lord”

[morfyddferchurien]

bohemianaiden‌:

Aiden looked around as if he was looking for any sign of branches in the middle of the city. “Too bad, I’m simply going to have to find other dangers to protect you from.” He grinned widely, offering his arm for her to take. “Ah, but Lady Morfydd, without you the city is as grey as the skies in the winter. No entertainment is fruitful enough, no meal tastes satisfactory.” He was exaggerating, of course, but the fact was he did think back to that evening in the forest more often than he’d like to admit. “Was your trip successful, my lady?”

“You’re quite the poet” Morfydd noted as she accepted the arm that he offered to her and fell into step besides him, “I’ve met none that meet your measure of flattery and still manage to make it seem so charming”. Of course she knew that his words were an exaggeration for it made no sense that a city such as this one would become duller by the temporary absence of one woman, but no one had ever spoken to her in such a way. Even Cynon hadn’t tried to banter with her. She found it refreshing, even if it did make her cheeks ache with the amount she found herself smiling while in Aiden’s presence. “My trip was indeed a success. I come back to you prepared to engage stuffy politicians and a rather formidable stack of scrolls” she said partially in jest. She was grateful for the work and the trust bestowed upon her but was hyper aware that it all sounded rather boring. 

[morfyddferchurien]

bohemianaiden‌:

Aiden and his retinue were just returning from a fayre in the city when he spotted a carriage heading towards the castle and a familiar person marching in front of it. “Gentlemen,” he mumbled, patting one of his friends on the shoulder. “If you excuse me, I have some matters to attend to. I’m afraid you will have to continue in festivities without me.” With loud protest and laughter from his peers, he headed towards the woman.

“Ah, but of course, an important person such as yourself couldn’t be introduced back to the city without a proper welcome,” he grinned widely at her as he bowed.

“Oh, but of course” she joked, purposely dropping into a clumsy curtsy as a continuation of her little joke about how truly important she found herself to be, “I should have suspected that my own personal guard might be sent to do so. There’s no errant branches to save me from this time, I’m afraid. Merely the restlessness of my legs and an excitement to return to my new home. Have you had much excitement in my absence?”. It was a tad funny to her that both times they had run into one another she had been doing something that would be deemed by society to be an act of impropriety, but it also meant that he had witnessed her true character.  

[morfyddferchurien]

The first glance of Camelot on the horizon brought with it gentle breezes and a bright smile. She had known from how much she had missed it that this place truly was home now and not just because it was the playground for where all of her new adventures would begin, but because she had truly come to love the dynamic of the place. Camelot was always buzzing with something new and exciting and as the new emissary to Gorre she had the possibility of being right at the epicenter of it all. 

As the carriage drew nearer to the castle Morfydd could no longer hold her excitement and decided to step out and stretch her legs. Surely, she wouldn’t be the first to do so and so the impropriety of arriving to the castle on foot wouldn’t be so great. A breeze that had felt gentle from within the carriage hit her as she surveyed her surroundings, eyes locking on a familiar face that happened to be traversing the main road through Camelot. “I wasn’t told to expect a welcome party” she teased. 

[morfyddferchurien]

bohemianaiden‌:

“But then I would be awfully normal and, therefore, boring,” Aiden gasped. “No, no, I would much prefer learning a skill that would allow me to protect you just as well on my own as an army would.” He ran his fingers through her hair absent-mindedly as he followed her gaze with his. “We wouldn’t want to limit your tree climbing.”

“How absolutely right you are” Morfydd marveled, feeling her face heating as he brushed his fingers through her hair. Around them night had began to fall, the last sunlight disappearing. She became more and glad that they had chosen to stay overnight as she came to enjoy Aiden’s company more and more. “What would one normally do to thank an army?” she asked curiously. 

[morfyddferchurien]

brangaine-gwas‌:

That was a fair answer; Brangaine couldn’t deny that what she wanted had changed. Once she would have said she wanted love and children, now she would settle for a life that wasn’t mired in deceit. Morfydd’s last remark made her pause, and she tilted her head curiously. “Why wouldn’t they be?”

The answer was both incredibly simple and rather difficult to explain. Once, Morfydd had been a rather timid girl. Her nose had been stuck in books and she was incredibly obedient. Her brother spoke up for her when she wouldn’t defend herself. Things changed when he went on his first mission and she had to learn to stand up for herself. More and more she had done the opposite of what was expected of her. In response she waved to the tree that the girl had saved her from tumbling out of, “I am far from what they expected me to be. I’m happier that way, but my father is difficult to please”

[morfyddferchurien]

bohemianaiden‌:

He laughed while shaking his head. “Only this particular one. I wouldn’t want you to go on thinking everyone is like me. I would dare to say there is nobody else out there, for the world could not take two of me,” he grinned widely. “And although this personal guard is solely self-trained, it is quite possible the Hamtun upbringing did leave some mark on him.”

“A pity!” Morfydd joked, “Were there an army of you I could fall from as many trees as I pleased”. Her eyes drifted back to the branches above them and then back towards his face, laughing lightly as she imagined the potential hilarity of such a situation.