Cathal is fifteen in this chapter and is behaving much like I could imagine fifteen year old Halt behaving. Another little peek into Cathal's past.
Disclaimer: Only Ash, Cathal, and Monica belong to me all other characters came from the great mind of John Flanagan
Ash's Return
Fifteen year old Cathal snuck silently out his room towards the castle yard. He had almost made it when he heard a slightly annoyed voice call his name. "Cathal Halt O'Carrick!" the female voice shouted. Cathal groaned then turned.
"Hey mother," he said.
"Don't you hey mother me," the woman said waving her cane at Cathal. The woman wasn't technically Cathal's mother. It was Monica, the woman who had raised Cathal ever since his mother left roughly ten years ago.
"I was just saying hey," Cathal said.
"Why are you sneaking out of the castle again?" Monica asked sternly.
"To see Merida," Cathal said truthfully.
"Can't you see this girl during daylight hours?" Monica asked. Cathal pursed his lips.
"I could but Ferris is always watching me during daylight hours so I sneak out at night so we will not get into trouble," Cathal said.
"Well correct me if I am wrong but you are already in trouble mister," Monica said. Cathal opened his mouth to argue then closed it realizing she was right. How did she always outsmart him?
"Well if I would have to get caught by anyone I would rather it you," Cathal tried still trying to get out of trouble.
"You know sneaking out of the castle late at night was exactly how your father used to get into trouble back in the day Cathal," Monica said. It took a second for Cathal to realize she meant his biological father Halt and not his adoptive father Ferris.
"What can I say great minds think alike," Cathal said flashing a dashing smile. Cathal could be very charming when he wanted to be. This was a loss on Monica however.
"Cathal," Monica said sternly. Cathal pouted a little.
"Ok I will go to bed now," Cathal said and headed towards his room. He still couldn't figure out how Monica had caught him sneaking out to see Merida.
The next morning Cathal was working in the stables. He liked working with horses and was a good worker. So he was put to work in the stables. It was interesting for a prince to be doing such work but Cathal wasn't raised as a prince. In fact now at fifteen and without a mother most people assumed he was an orphan adopted by Monica. Ferris was such a weak king he had been told to not acknowledge Cathal as a son so there would be less talk.
Cathal was in the process of grooming his horse when he could hear the sound of hooves clopping on the stable floor. Puzzled Cathal looked up and turned towards the noise. A woman with long red hair and blue eyes was leading a bay stallion into the stables. Anger and pain surged through him when Cathal saw his mother. It had been ten years but Cathal recognized the woman who had hurt him so bad.
The woman put her horse up in another stall then headed for the castle. Cathal finished tending to his horse then followed his mother at a safe distance. Ash found Monica tending to some sort of duty for the king. She was hobbling around totally focused on her chores.
"Monica where is he?" Ashling asked.
"Where is who?" Monica asked looking directly at Ash.
"Monica you know who I am talking about where is my son?" Ashling said impatiently.
"You don't have a son Ash," Caitlyn said when she joined Monica.
"I am his mother," Ashling hissed. "I couldn't find Halt so he is all I have of my first love," Ashling said angrily.
"You aren't my mother," Cathal growled, making himself known.
"Of course I am your mother Cathal what are you talking about," Ashling said turning around.
"You left me ten years ago and broke my heart. Monica has been more of a mother to me then you ever will be. I don't want you in my life," Cathal snarled.
"Please Cathal understand. I was hurting and I only wanted to find your father please understand," Ashling begged.
"I don't have to understand. You told me I was a mistake you abandoned me when I was small. That isn't what mothers do so just leave me alone," Cathal snapped. His eyes watered with tears.
"Cathal I was angry that's all. I love you Cathal," Ashling said once more. The fifteen year old started shaking violently.
"I think you better go Ashling," Caitlyn said coldly.
"You can't tell me what to do Caitlyn," Ashling said angrily.
"Yes I can. Cathal has been through enough. He was raised for ten years basically without a mother and a father. Monica did what she could but I think she fits more in the grandmother category then mother category. I don't know where my brother is but you can't just show up here out of the blue like this and expect a warm welcome," Caitlyn said. Cathal moved closer to Caitlyn seeking some form of comfort.
"You missy have no right to exclude me from Cathal's life. I loved your brother dearly. When he left it broke my heart," Ashling said icily.
"You think I was any different. If you really loved him you would have raised his son instead of walking out on the poor kid. I thought you were better than that," Caitlyn threw back at her. Ashling was about to reply when Monica found her way into the fight.
"I think the only one who should really decide is Cathal. It is his life and he should have a say in what he wants," Monica said, speaking with wisdom that only came from age.
"What do you want dear?" Ashling asked. Cathal was quiet for a long moment not replying and trying to gather his thoughts.
"I don't know what I want anymore. Why can't I have a normal life?" Cathal asked.
"I am back now Cathal you can have as normal life as anyone," Ashling said. Cathal felt conflicted. On the one hand he wanted his mother back dearly. It was the one thing young naive Cathal wanted more than anything. Older now, Cathal wasn't so sure he wanted his mother back in his life. Would his mother love him for who he was or was she only interested in having Halt back. He wasn't his father and wasn't interested in changing for his mother's sake. Cathal wanted to be himself that was all.
"Well Ash I heard you were back in town," Ferris said as he walked in. Ashling glared at him.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"Well we are married now are we not? I say we try for a legitimate heir to the throne. Cathal wasn't raised as a prince and people are asking around," Ferris said.
"No," Ashling said through gritted teeth. Cathal felt sick.
"I am just going to leave now," Cathal said.
"You are not leaving Cathal this is a 'family' discussion," Ferris said. Cathal almost snarled at him.
"Since when have you ever acknowledged I am family father," Cathal snapped back.
"Cathal don't be rude to your father," Cathal's grandmother said sternly as she joined the discussion. Ferris's mother might have been beautiful in her day but Cathal found her distasteful. She wasn't very loving and ever since her husband died she spent all her time alone. Cathal supposed if she was morning that was one thing but she wasn't. She was indifferent about her husband's death and spent very little time in Cathal's life. In fact she actively compared him to Halt in almost distasteful way and as far as was concerned Ferris could do no wrong. It was annoying. Cahtal could look at some one wrong and he would get a royal chewing out but Ferris no one cared.
"Now that is settled," Ferris said looking happy to be the center of attention.
"Mother I have lessons and meetings to tend to may Cathal join me?" Cat asked trying to help her nephew get away from Ferris. Cathal sent her a grateful look.
"Oh alright," Ferris said dismissively. Cathal was willing to bet he only really wanted to talk to Ash.
"Thanks Aunt Cat I don't know what I did to deserve this family but I am truly sorry for it," Cathal said once they were out of earshot.
"Cathal cheer up. You love me and you love Sean," Caitlyn said giving him a squeeze.
"Yes Aunt Cat I do love you and cousin Sean," Cathal said. Cat smiled at him.
"It will get better…one day," Cat told him. Cathal looked into her eyes and only saw love and encouragement.
"Thank you Aunt Cat you always make me feel better," Cathal said. Cat smiled at him.
"Halt used to say the same thing," she said.
"If Halt loved you so much why did he leave you here with Ferris?" Cathal asked. Cat smiled at him gently.
"If you ever find him you will have to ask him yourself. I do know he never meant to leave me to the wolves. He probably would have taken me with him if he could. I love Halt dearly and I hope he finds the happiness he deserves…just like I hope you find it," Cat said.
Cathal could hear arguing down the hall. He sighed. He really wish he could just run away like Halt had.
I don't have a hard time imagining Cathal having a rough childhood. Ash is back in his life and I wanted to explore Cat a little. We don't know much about her but I could see her being a caring figure in Cathal's life. Thinking about doing a one shot surrounding her death and Cathal's reaction. Please review.