Reyna Gwynbleidd

I will take what is mine through fire and blood

[mademoisellelapiquante]

Jennie Jacques as Judith in Vikings

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

bediverethemarshall:

The knight found peace in silence. As the air became cold and the winds began to kick up people sought solace in the confines of the castle walls. Duty kept him indoors for some time, as it was more important to him that no new faces were among those who had retreated into the belly of the castle walls than it was to settle his own thoughts, but he eventually was able to make his way outdoors. Bedivere’s plan had been the same that it always was when he searched for quiet outside of the castle - he would go to the stables. His feet seemed to have a different idea though as they instead headed towards the gardens. 

Bedivere didn’t mind the change in plans, in fact they were rather welcome. As much time as he could spare was spent in the stables and as such it had been some time since he had simply admired the greenery. A sound penetrated his solace, and at first he thought it a ghost or some other such thing until he rounded a corner and found a maiden sobbing on one of the benches. He was not a heartless man and he couldn’t find it in himself to just ignore her and be on his way. Gently, he placed a hand on the maid’s shoulder and offered a soft, “Miss?”

She hadn’t heard him approaching, wrapped up as she was in her own troubles. She didn’t react when she felt his hand on her shoulder, but she couldn’t ignore the kind concerns of the man. There was nothing for it. She would have to look the man in the eye and she didn’t want to be crying when she did. She sniffled and took her handkerchief from her sleeve, wiping her eyes and nose carefully before she raised her head to him.

How would she explain why she was crying? True, most of the court knew of her and could probably guess but that her frustration was due to her aunt but she didn’t know if she was in a secure enough position to raise a fuss. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed her aunt more than the Baroness needed her. 

She took a couple of deep shaky breaths before looking up into the eyes of man next to her. She recognised him, of that she was sure. Her mind was brought to that day some time ago where they had met in the stables. “Sir Bedivere...” She cleared her throat but couldn’t dispel the quiver in her voice. “Please forgive my state. I’ve had a troubled morning.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

morfyddferchurien:

Morfydd shook her head and laughed once more before finally asking, “Were you headed anywhere in particular?”. She had had no particular destination in mind herself. 

Reyna shrugged. “Not really. I like just walking and seeing where my feet take me. It’s more of an adventure then.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

vigilantosanne:

“For someone who clearly hasn’t always had it easy, you have a wonderful outlook on the world,” Osanne smiled appreciatively. “Perhaps one day you will find them and be able to thank them, I bet they would be rather surprised by that,” she chuckled.

She nodded thoughtfully. “I find it’s best to stay as positive has possible. Else the world would soon wear you down. It’s not always easy but if you can keep smiling, you should. There’s already too much hardship in the world.” She chuckled at Osannes comment. “Well I do love surprising people. I love seeing their reactions.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

Dignity | Open

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dindranechwaer:

“I don’t know,” Dindrane admitted, mouth twisting slightly. “Sometimes I think she’ll be happy, sometimes I worry it might be strange for her …” It was one thing for Hazel to like her tutor, but as someone her father was interested in? Perhaps it would be fine - Dindrane certainly hoped it would be - but relationships were complicated, and Hazel was still very young. “I’m probably overthinking it. I hope she’ll be happy.”

Reyna smiled sympathetically. Children could be unpredictable quite a lot of the time and she understood Dindranes uncertainty. “There’s only one way to find out if she’d be alright with it and that’s to be honest. Children appreciate honesty. And I do think she’d be delighted at the news. She adores you.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

tristanthecornishharper:

“And I accept your one apology most graciously, Countess Reyna,” Tristan said, bowing in return. “I am Sir Tristan, Knight of the Round Table and nephew to Mark, King of Cornwall. Should you ever need anything, I am at your service. I hope you are finding Camelot to your liking thus far?”

She smiled at him. “A pleasure and honour, good sir, if you’ll accept both.” She nodded her head and glanced around her. “Besides poor relations with my aunt, everything has been lovely.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

bediverethemarshall:

He listened to the maiden quietly, giving her a kind smile as she ended her explanation, “I believe you, but I do ask that you allow me to accompany you. I am just fine on the trails by myself, but Elysande” he said, gesturing back towards the roan mare, “favors company”

She looked at him curiously for a moment before she smiled and nodded. “As you wish. I’m not adverse to company as considerate as yourself. And I would not wish to deprive Elysande.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

morfyddferchurien:

“That must have been some punch!” Morfydd exclaimed, “Though I can certainly see how one might find that amusing. As for us I just think we are lucky that our skirts aren’t more voluminous! Have you ever had to help a maiden up from the ground?”

“Lucky indeed. I can’t say I’ve ever had to but I can imagine how difficult it would be. Gods know that our dresses can often be heavy. But that certainly sounds like a story.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

vigilantosanne:

Osanne couldn’t help but to chuckle. “I find the term rather endearing,” she pointed out with a smile. “I take it you are a countess by right but also a lady-in-waiting for your aunt, then?” She could put two and two together. “Then, technically, you are sort of waiting to be the countess you rightfully are, so you truly are the countess in waiting. See, it’s actually clever.” Though she was right this wasn’t what they meant, Osanne found the word play amusing and hoped Reyna wouldn’t feel offended by her description.

“You take it correctly. That is precisely the situation I find myself in.” Reyna felt her smile widening as the woman spoke and couldn’t help the giggle she gave. “That’s exactly how I interpreted it as well. When I pointed that out to my aunt, she had a face like thunder. It was all horribly amusing. I’d love to meet the person who coined it and thank them.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

Dignity | Open

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dindranechwaer:

“I appreciate that, really,” Dindrane said, smiling widely. This wasn’t exactly an area she was familiar with, or really knew how to talk about - especially since the person she would probably normally have gone to was, well, Lucan. It was comforting to know that Reyna was there and willing to lend an ear. “Well, what are friends for, after all?” she said in response to the comment on her own kindess. She hadn’t had many people she was close to growing up, so busy with her books and scrolls. Now she had real friends, she was determined not to take them for granted.

“What for, indeed, if not for supporting each other.” Reyna couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a true friend. Perhaps it had been back home but everyone she knew from there was either killed or took part in the killing, both of which hurt too much to think about. Since she came to Camelot, she’d been very much under her aunts thumb. She shook her head gently, casting away those thoughts and smiled at Dindrane. “How do you think Hazel will feel about it? I think she’d be very happy.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

morfyddferchurien:

The brunette laughed and shook her head, “You’ve got my curiosity piqued now! How exactly does someone accidentally push someone from their horse?”

Reyna laughed. “I don’t know the exact details of it. From what I gather, the one who fell had said something amusing and, as boys insist, the other gave him a friendly punch in the shoulder in appreciation of the joke. Except the punch was a little too strong and off he went. After the initial shock they both found it terribly amusing and they were best friends from then on.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

Dignity | Open

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dindranechwaer:

“Yes, that’s exactly it,” Dindrane said, nodding, relieved and excited to hear her own thoughts echoed in Reyna’s words. It was precisely what she had come to realise that evening with Lucan; that he was the person she turned to more than anyone, who was always there and never failed to make her smile. It seemed amazing that she had taken so long to understand it. “Thank you. It is good to talk about it with someone.”

“Well, you know you can always talk to me about it. Sometimes something so wonderful happens that we can’t hold it in and we just need to talk. And I always have an open ear for you. After the kindnesses that you have shown to me, it’s the very least I can do.” She spoke with sincerity, endlessly grateful for the way her friend had rescued her from her humiliation.  After the events of that morning, Reyna wasn’t sure if anything would cheer her up. But she felt quite rejuvenated by Dindrane’s news. Nothing made her happier than her friends happiness.

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

Dignity | Open

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

dindranechwaer:

Dindrane was immensely relieved that Reyna didn’t disapprove - did, in fact, seem quite thrilled by the news. Her shoulders fell and she gripped Reyna’s hands tightly, feeling like her face might crack open from smiling so much now she could be completely open about it. “He is kind, and gentle and just … wonderful, and I think - I think I’ve felt like this for a long time, but I didn’t know it until the other day.” It all came rushing out of her like a dam had broken. She shook her head to clear it. “Do you think that’s possible?”

She smiled sweetly. “Of course. It’s the little things that we don’t recognise as feelings until something happens. Things like having a good day made better by his presence, or maybe he’s the person you trust most in Camelot but you didn’t realise it. Even things like being able to talk to him freely or having more things to talk about with him than others. All of those things are feelings that we don’t recognise as such. And then something wonderful happens and we realise that we’ve known it all along. So yes, its entirely possible and I wish you every happiness in the world.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

vigilantosanne:

“Well, if you ever need to hide from her again, you should seek me out and I’ll help you hide,” Osanne offered. “So what did she say today that amused you though she meant to insult you?” she asked curiously.

“Thank you. It’s always nice to know I have friends here.” She tucked a lose strand of hair behind her ear. “Apparently, one or two people have been referring to me as ‘the countess in waiting.’ She told me that quite gleefully thinking it would upset me but, as I say, it simply amused me.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

vigilantosanne:

“So I take it you and your aunt don’t get along too well?” Osanne guessed, giving the girl a compassionate smile. “Do I know her? Is she too hard on you?” She lowered her voice. “Are you hiding from her right now?”

Reyna shrugged. “It depends.Sometimes she can be nice but, more often than not, she seems to forget she’s my aunt. She’s....I think she’s jealous of me and that influences her actions.” She sighed but then smiled. “I do hide from her sometimes but today I’m not. I’ve just come from her. She actually amused me though she had intended to insult me. I guess it backfired.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

Dignity | Open

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

dindranechwaer:

“It seems so silly. I’ve never blushed so much as I have the last few days,” Dindrane said, shaking her head and smiling. Glancing down slightly, she bit her bottom lip and chewed on it for a moment before looking back up at Reyna. She didn’t know if the other woman would approve or think it terribly inappropriate, but she didn’t know who else she might talk to about it, and it was bursting to come out of her. “He … we were together the other day and … he kissed me.”

Reyna’s mouth fell open in shock before a wide mouthed grin took it’s place. She giggled and took Dindrane’s hands. “That’s amazing. Oh my dear, I am so delighted for you. Words cannot express my happiness.” Her voice was giddy with excitement. “That has certainly brightened my day considerably.” She cleared her throat and smiled at her sincerely. “He’s a very kind man, a perfect match for such a kind woman as yourself.”

[thecountessinwaiting-blog]

vigilantosanne:

Osanne gave the other woman a sad smile. “Believe it or not, there are many who have come here for the same reasons. Camelot seems like a safe haven in the world that’s not the kindest.” She bit her lip, looking down on her hands. “So no, and I appreciate your honesty, Lady Reyna,” she smiled.

Any apprehension she may have had about Osanne’s reaction was alleviated but her words and she nodded in appreciation to the other woman. “And thank you, Lady Osanne, for you understanding. Staying with my aunt is a...challenging...form of sanctuary but a sanctuary nevertheless.” She smiled at her kindly.