[...] [I'm going with the fact that Uther had at leas ONE portrait of his wife somewhere Arthene tugs slightly at her tunic. Regretting asking this place for a change of clothing]
[Face soften, as she swallows.] No, we haven't. This is my first time in this place. My name is Arthene. [Debates giving her surname. Because she knows that a boy had been expected. And then things had gone so horribly wrong. But she's a Pendragon and they always do stiff upper lip to the extreme] Arthene Pendragon.
[Blinks] Arthene Pendragon? [She steps forward quite a bit until she stands before her and smiles] So I see..[teaches out and touches a lock of blonde hair] I must say...you look like myself when I was a bit younger.
[There is no rejection. It wasn't that she outright expected it. In the fantasy she built up. It was pretty much like this one. However, she knew how her father wanted a boy. So she thought maybe her mother had wanted one just as much.]
Really? [Shaky smile. Do not cry. She was not going to cry] Can I -- [Her fingers twitch to reach up and take hold of Ygraine's hand. Can I touch you?]] Has anyone ... told you? Explained .. things? [Chances were they had. But she had to make sure. And chances were, she was one of the make Arthur's mother. But at the moment she didn't really care]
[Her eyes sadden a little bit] My son did warn me to not take up Nimueh and my lord's offer for a child. But...for such to exist...I must give my life. Are you...Arthene...you must be a daughter, then? They never mentioned I would live to give birth to a daughter.
[Oh. This is news to her. Her eyes widen, just slightly. Swallows.] You shouldn't take it! He's right. You ... don't take it, Mother. [Well. That's nice. To say it. Pauses.] This place brings together different worlds as well as different times. I is me and I am him. In my world, you give birth to a daughter. Not a son.
I see...[She knows how Arthur reacted to her appearing in the room and immediately draws Arthene into a tight hug] I am glad to see that I have the ability to give birth to a beautiful daughter, then.
[Her breath hitches, as she she returns the hug tightly but not too tightly, not wanting to hurt her. Yet tight enough to assure that she isn't a figment. Her repeated mental mantra leads to slight tears.] You aren't disappointed?
Why would I be disappointed in a healthy daughter? [pulls back to wipe the tears away] My lord may be...disappointed that the Pendragon dynasty wouldn't go on as he'd hope but...we'd find a way. I'm sure of it.
I thought maybe .. maybe you would have wanted a son just as much as he does. [Disappointed. She knows her father loves her, deep down she does. And she understand why things are difficult for him. However, she wonders if things would have been easier -- better -- if she were a boy.]
Of course we both wanted a son. But we would be happy with a daughter as well and simply...try again. Unless it is in your world as it will be in my world...? [plays with a lock of her hair] I've always wondered what it would be like to have a daughter.
[Nods mutely for a moment, before answering. Throat dry] It is. You died giving birth to a daughter. Father -- [Stops herself. And gives into the need to reach up and gently curl her fingers around Ygraine's hand] I don't know how much of a good daughter I would make. I'm far too interested in swordplay and hunting. But my embroidery is fantastic! [Perks up slightly] I've been trying harder recently to be better. To be a better daughter. A better person. In a way, I would hope that would make you proud.
Oh my darling daughter. [gives her another tight hug] As I have told Arthur, knowing that you are alive and healthy makes me more proud than anything you can ever do. Already, you seem as headstrong as your father.
[Smile widens before, she frowns slightly] If I was, I'd find it easier to stand up for what I believe in when it comes to him. I'm not ... very good at it. [It's good having a mother to admit these beliefs to]
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Really? [Shaky smile. Do not cry. She was not going to cry] Can I -- [Her fingers twitch to reach up and take hold of Ygraine's hand. Can I touch you?]] Has anyone ... told you? Explained .. things? [Chances were they had. But she had to make sure. And chances were, she was one of the make Arthur's mother. But at the moment she didn't really care]
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