Beautiful People--Sir Caerleon

(You can read my Beautiful People entry for August here.)

Well, I enjoyed last month's questions so much, I'm back for more! So here we are, late September...time for another round of Beautiful People.

With great flourish (if only because he would hate it...) I introduce to you, my mother's favorite of my characters, Sir Caerleon the Steadfast.

Caerleon is a secondary character in Valiant Journeys. He is Damian's closest friend and mentor. At 40 years of age, Caerleon is quiet, thoughtful, trusting (sometimes to a fault,) humble, and beyond awkward when it comes to expressing his deepest opinions and feelings. He is affable and kind-hearted, and knows when to pull Damian in or bawl him out.

1. Does he have any habits, annoying or otherwise?

Caerleon is perceptive—to a certain degree—and has learned Damian’s cues. He knows when his friend is upset or frustrated, and often tries to force Damian into talking through it…something Damian does not appreciate. While not precisely a habit, Caerleon’s ability to almost read Damian’s mind does tend to grate on the younger man’s nerves from time to time.

In addition, Caerleon is a very organized and ritualistic person. Cliché though it sounds, he wants everything to be in its place—a trait he taught Damian. When he is nervous or anxious, he tends to show this trait by pulling away from others and retreating into his predictable ways. He is steady and levelheaded.

2. What is his back-story and how does it affect him now?

Caerleon was born a peasant, but due to his family’s loyal service and his father’s quick-thinking and courageous loyalty during a time of rebellion, he was allowed to train as a knight. As time progressed, Caerleon was badly mocked and teased by the other pages for his common birth. Never one to fight back (and rather naïve), Caerleon endured the cruelty silently, swearing to himself that he would one day prove to them that he was noble, even if not by heritage.

He became a knight, and shortly after, Jonas became king and asked the younger man to become one of his close advisors. Caerleon accepted the king’s offer. In the meantime, however, he was growing lonely and rather depressed. When the plague occurred a few years later, and Damian came to Aginshire, Caerleon recognized in the grief-stricken young boy some of the same things he had fought—including confused anger. He took Damian and treated him as a son.

When he was nearly thirty years of age, he met and married his wife, Gaynor, who is nine years his junior…but that’s another story.

This back-story affects him in several ways—the foremost being his sensitivity to any jabs at his lineage. Sharp comments made on that subject wound him deeply. He is fiercely loyal to King Jonas, and no one dares question the king’s judgment in his hearing—something that can be both good and bad.

3. How does he show love? 

Caerleon’s love language would be acts of service. He has a true servant’s heart and places the needs and wants of others above his own on a daily basis. That is how he finds fulfillment—by helping and caring for others. From fighting a battle for his king to visiting the wounded men after the battle is over, to retrieving a dropped book, paper, or tool, Caerleon is not above any service.

4. How competitive is he?

Not terribly. Yes, he wants to win, but Caerleon would never put winning above all other goals. He is confused at times by Damian’s desperate need to be the best. To Caerleon, if you have done your best, what else could possibly matter?

5. What does he think about when nothing else is going on? 

Something deep, I’m sure. Likely about some complex moral issue, interspersed with sweet thoughts on how beautiful Gaynor looks in that shade of green (he is absolutely smitten with his wife…it’s adorable.)

6. Does he have an accent? 

He hasn’t said.

7. What is his station in life? 

He is a knight, and one of King Jonas’ advisors. He is married, but as of yet, childless. (Though both he and Gaynor would love to have children!)

8. What do others expect from him? 

King Jonas expects wise advice and opinions. Damian expects Caerleon to be an anchor for him, someone to listen and sympathize. Gaynor expects him to love and lead her.

9. Where was he born, and when? 

He was born in his family’s home in late autumn.

10. How does he feel about people in general?

Caerleon is one of those who tries to see the good in all people. He is not deluded; he does not think that man is sinless or “good,” but he does try to withhold judgment until he is as certain as he can be of their motives. In general, Caerleon is a people person. He loves to listen to others, he loves to help others.

I am still amazed by how much I learn about my characters through answering these questions...Thanks for reading!