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Post by shonz on Feb 26, 2011 0:06:32 GMT -5
“I’m here, Millie,” Gwaine said as he appeared through the door, a look of worry and concern all over his face. He had changed into dry clothes himself, though his hair was still wet from the rain. In his hand was a small bag that contained vials of colored liquid. “How are you feeling?” he asked her as he grabbed a chair and pulled it beside Romily’s bed, and placed a hand on her forehead, wondering if she had caught a fever or something. Then he turned to look at Eldon’s daughter who was peering at the bag in this hand, totally curious, and absolutely out of place. “You can leave us now,” he told her gently before turning his attention back to Romily.
With a sigh, he smiled at her before going through the vials in the bag Gaius had given him. He took one bottle after another out, looking at the labels, trying to find what he was looking for. Then he pulled out one that had “nausea” written across it. He unstoppered the lid, and gave the vial to Romily. “Drink all of it. It’s supposed to help out with the sickness. And don’t worry a healer gave me that for my trip,” he told her with a semblance of authority, one that he had not showed before. He was still feeling rather tensed and awfully worried about her, that he didn’t realized he sounded gravely serious, a no-nonsense look on his face.
“You really should get yourself some rest. Why don’t you take a vacation or something, visit the nearby village and stay there for a week or two. You can barely hold yourself out there. I shudder to think what could have happened to you had I not been there,” he told her. If he were to have it his way, he’d take her away right now, but he wasn’t sure how that would sound like to her. She’d practically think him crazy and might even be afraid of getting such an offer from someone she barely knew. “And I’m so sorry for even going out in the rain that you had to come get me. It was my fault.”
All this time, the rain outside had started to die down and the sun was already trying to shine its way through the clouds. That meant Gwaine had to leave soon. He didn’t want to. Not yet, at least. But he knew he had needed to get back to Camelot soon as he was expected to return last night. It would be irresponsible of him, a knight, to let Arthur, his master, worry about his whereabouts now.
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May 31, 2012 7:08:21 GMT -5
Tag me @romily
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Post by Romily de Braose on Feb 27, 2011 9:34:23 GMT -5
She breathed a sigh of relief as she heard Gwaine’s voice “I’m here, Millie,” he appeared in the room. She didn’t care whether Eldon’s daughter was here to witness this or not and beckoned him to come over to her side. His hair was still wet from the rain, dear lord they’d both been soaked to the bone! Had he undressed her and put on her nightgown too? After last night it wouldn’t have surprised her if he’d taken advantage of that. “Thank goodness” she smiled at him.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“My head hurts a little” she told him, “How long was I asleep for?” she asked
He placed a hand on her forehead. She suddenly felt a little warm but didn’t move it away from its resting place. “I feel a little hot” she didn’t look at him and felt slightly uncomfortable – unsure as to what was causing it. She knew though, and she was pretty sure that he did too.
Eldon’s daughter was watching them both by now but pretending not to. Romily leant into Gwaine “I don’t want anyone else in here – please, tell her to go” she pleaded in a small whisper.
“You can leave us now,”
“Oh? Yes, yes of course – well…im here if you need anything” Eldon’s daughter replied hurriedly. Romily could sense that she was flirting with Gwaine as he winked at him when she walked out of the room.
Romily huffed, “I think that she means that in general – not just on my account”. She then spied the vial that Gwaine had in his hands and frowned. “What’s that?”
“Drink all of it. It’s supposed to help out with the sickness. And don’t worry a healer gave me that for my trip,” She took the vial from him and pulled the lid off.
“Are you sure?” she asked. Gwaine’s expression didn’t change so she downed the whole of it in one, making a face as she swallowed the last bit. “Not a very pleasant taste – or after taste for that matter” she laughed.
She laughed even more at Gwaine’s suggestion of a vacation. “A vacation? What’s a vacation?” she asked now turning serious. Perhaps it stood for something where Gwaine was from, “and im perfectly capable of looking after myself Gwaine” her hand slid onto the top of his, “I’ve been on my own for so long now – if I were at home then I wouldn’t even know half of the skills that I have now”. She caressed her thumb over his; “I know you’re concerned for me but really, im fine”
“And I’m so sorry for even going out in the rain that you had to come get me. It was my fault” Gwaine apologised. Why was he apologising? Besides, it had been her choice to go after him. She shook her head, “No it wasn’t, i did it because i wanted to– besides, I had fun despite passing out on you” she smirked.
She saw Gwaine looking out of the window – the rain had now turned to little drops every so often, and the sun was beginning to make it appearance. Romily wondered whether it stood for how she was feeling at that moment, despite a little groggy – bright and coming out on top form? Especially with Gwaine there. Even if they’d only met the night before, something inside her had changed – she knew this because she suddenly felt like the Romily she used to be. It was then she saw Gwaine’s expression and instantly knew what was on his mind.
“You have to leave don’t you” she didn’t state this as a question but more of fact. She also felt herself not hiding her disappointment very well. People had always come and gone from her life, but Romily was starting to think that she didnt want Gwaine to be one of them.
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Post by shonz on Feb 27, 2011 11:39:18 GMT -5
Gwaine felt something inside him flutter at the smile and the look of relief on Romily’s face when she saw him. It felt like she was really glad and happy to see him. The way her face lit up made Gwaine all kinds of queasy that he couldn’t quite understand. Still, it was a good feeling, and he wanted to bask in it. “You’ve been out of it for half an hour I think,” he replied to her question. “And before you think about me being any less of a gentleman, Eldon’s daughter helped you out of your clothes while I was out changing out of mine as well.” Gwaine really couldn’t imagine what kind of an impression he had given her from his behavior last night. He hoped he hadn’t ruined her image of him. She still seemed to trust him though, so that was a good thing.
When Romily told him about Eldon’s daughter offering anything in general, Gwaine managed a small laugh. “I get that from women a lot. I’m used to it. What I’m not used to is being ignored…the way you ignored me and my charms last night. Maybe that was why I got so drunk,” he told her with a grin. Maybe perhaps that was what made Gwaine attracted to Romily. She wasn’t like all those other barmaids who fawn over him and practically throw themselves all over him so easily. Romily was presenting him a challenge, and Gwaine was always up for one. It seems to be paying off now, after all that had happened and after all the stories that they had exchanged, that Romily seem to start considering him not just as a customer, but more like a friend.
“I know you’re capable of taking care of yourself. I can see that you’re strong and stubborn, but you should let others take care of you once in a while,” Gwaine told her, squeezing her hand when she rested it on top of his own. He laughed when she told him she had fun out in the rain. Gwaine had fun, too, until that lightning struck and interrupted what could have been their first kiss. Still, it wasn’t exactly an opportunity lost. He had held her close by carrying her in his arms when she had fainted. And even though it worried him to no end, he was glad that she was awake now. Hopefully, Gaius’s medicine would work its wonders and put her back on her toes soon enough.
“You have to leave don’t you”
Gwaine forced a small smile on his face when she spoke. He brought her hand to his lips and gave it a long and lingering kiss. He didn’t want to leave, but what kind of a man he'd be if he turn away from his responsibilities back home now. Somehow, it mattered to him. And even though Romily didn’t know anything about who he really was, he wanted to show her that he was a responsible and honorable man. “I'm sorry but I do. I have responsibilities I need to take care of. A bandit has to earn his keep, you know,” he told her, grinning, remembering his tale of him being a bandit last night. He still hadn’t let go of her hand when he continued to speak though. “If you don’t mind, can I come visit you? A week from today perhaps?” he was asking her a bit shyly, which was uncharacteristic of Gwaine. Never before had he asked permission from a woman for a visit. He just comes and goes.
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May 31, 2012 7:08:21 GMT -5
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Post by Romily de Braose on Feb 27, 2011 12:31:18 GMT -5
She chuckled as she was told that it was, infact, Eldon’s daughter who had helped her out of her clothes. “Well then, I must say that is really gentleman-like of you, most men would have seized the opportunity to take advantage” she smirked
More of a gentleman than last night, which Gwaine was now kicking himself for. “I usually have men trying to sweet talk me – I thought you were just the same which is why I ignored you, I’ve been hurt by men before and it’s made me realise that perhaps im better off on my own…” she paused, “but…never mind – anyway im sure that once you leave you’ll find another woman to occupy your thoughts with”.
She sounded genuine at this. Why would Gwaine want to remember her anyway? She wasn’t exactly anything special. Just plain old Millie. Frederick had used his charms to get her where she was now – that hadn’t helped her exactly and when Gwaine had started complimenting her last night; warning bells had begun to ring in her head.
Romily squeezed his hand back, “I’ve grown up independent – I’ll always stay that way no matter what people may think” she shrugged, “I guess it’s also me telling myself that I can survive out here on my own”.
She felt her heart leap up into her throat as he nodded and kissed her hand. He had to leave, and very soon judging by his expression. “I'm sorry but I do. I have responsibilities I need to take care of. A bandit has to earn his keep, you know,” She laughed at this.
“I know you’re no bandit, but I also know that I can’t keep you here against your own will” she looked down and smiled sadly, his hand was still clutching hers. She gently put his to her lips and kissed it. “When do you have to go?” she asked
It was then she saw him become a little shyer. “If you don’t mind, can I come visit you? A week from today perhaps?” He wanted to come back and see her? Why? What was so special about her anyway that he had to come back? No, he probably just wanted to pop in for a drink and to see how she was. Even so she wanted this week to go as quickly as possible.
She blushed a little and smiled, looking away from him and nodding.
“Yes.” She paused, “I’d like that very much”.
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Post by shonz on Feb 28, 2011 10:11:39 GMT -5
“Believe it or not, I am actually a gentleman whatever your first impressions of me may be. But as to what happened last night…I always forget myself whenever I am in the presence of beauty such as yours.” Gwaine was downright flirting with her now. Well, he had been since last night. Flirting and playing with her, hoping to keep her smiling despite her condition. He just didn’t know how Romily would take this flirting now when he’s all sober compared to last night.
“anyway i'm sure that once you leave you’ll find another woman to occupy your thoughts with”
“I highly doubt that,” Gwaine muttered, the words coming out quite inaudible. Whatever made Gwaine say the words, he didn’t know. It just came out of nowhere. Somehow, he doubted he’d be able to keep Romily out of his mind and find some other barmaid to fill it. Something about her was calling to him, something that he couldn’t quite put a finger on. “Those men you’ve met must be really crazy to even think about hurting such a sweet and beautiful woman like you. They must have been blind or are real fools.”
Gwaine looked at their still joined hands when she squeezed them back, and looked at her with both a questioning and worried look in his eyes. “Does that mean that you will not ever let a man take care of you? Ever? You don't want to be a old maid, do you?” There goes the fishing question again. He had already known that Romily had no particular man in her life right now, but he somehow wanted to know if she was open to the possibility of having one someday. He didn’t know why. It wasn’t like he wanted to be that man, now would he?
“I know you’re no bandit, but I also know that I can’t keep you here against your own will.”
How Gwaine wanted her to ask him to stay. He probably would. Or would not. He didn’t know. All he knew was that he had to see her again. He wanted to.
“When do you have to go?”
The kiss she had planted on his hand was so unexpected that Gwaine didn’t know how to react. It made him feel all kinds of amazingly good things inside, but he wasn’t sure exactly what that had meant. It took him a while to settle his thoughts and emotions down to reply to her question. “I was expected last night actually, but I hadn’t anticipated the long and hard journey home. I knew I was too tired and too drunk to leave last night so I will have to get going as soon as I can now. Will you be all right? I hate to leave, and let Eldon boss you around even before you’re well enough to stand.”
When she told him he could come back and visit, he felt something inside his chest flutter at the thought of seeing her again and to know that he would be welcome. For a while there, he had thought Romily had categorized him as one of those “foolish” men in her life who only hurt her. No, Gwaine knew he wouldn’t do that to her or to any woman. “Then I will be counting the days until I see you again, Millie. Expect me seven days from today.” He would come sooner if he could, but he had duties and responsibilities in Camelot, and he couldn't just as easily abandon them.
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Post by Romily de Braose on Feb 28, 2011 16:41:14 GMT -5
Romily could now tell that Gwaine was back and turning on the charm again. Whether this was genuine or just to keep her happy were two different questions she neither wanted to ask or answer. It still wouldn’t stop them from revolving around in her mind though.
“Believe it or not, I am actually a gentleman whatever your first impressions of me may be. But as to what happened last night…I always forget myself whenever I am in the presence of beauty such as yours.”
She looked down at the sheet, “You flatter me too much Gwaine, im nothing special”. She didn’t say this because she wanted a reaction, but because she believed it to be true. Compliments were scarce when she’d lived back at Wolfhall, with only Bonnie, her father and Fira for company – even then no one bothered to tell her how nice she looked. That was what had drawn her to Frederick. He’d told her pretty much the same as Gwaine had said…and then had taken advantage.
“Those men you’ve met must be really crazy to even think about hurting such a sweet and beautiful woman like you. They must have been blind or are real fools.” She looked at him uncomfortably and then turned over on her side, her back facing him. “Really – it’s done me no harm” she brushed it off, but at the same time felt her voice cracking. Romily swallowed hard to eradicate the feeling in her throat as well as the ever-growing lump
“Does that mean that you will not ever let a man take care of you? Ever? You don't want to be a old maid, do you?” he carried on. She still didn’t turn back to look at him. “Perhaps I do” She replied bluntly, “I’ve spent my whole life by myself – why should I stop now?” She felt angry at her father, angry at Frederick, even angry at Bonnie for not coming with her. “I once told a friend of mine that I would be happy to grow an old maid”. She had no idea why she was telling him this, most likely because she feared more rejection. For all she knew Gwaine might not even keep his promise of coming back to her – he could be caught up doing ‘bandit things’, and she didn’t even want to know what they were. “I still think that” she replied so quiet that her voice could hardly be heard anymore.
Gwaine was now answering her earlier question of when he was leaving. “I was expected last night actually, but I hadn’t anticipated the long and hard journey home. I knew I was too tired and too drunk to leave last night so I will have to get going as soon as I can now. Will you be all right? I hate to leave, and let Eldon boss you around even before you’re well enough to stand.”
She didn’t reply. Gwaine still seemed adamant enough to come back and see her though. “Then I will be counting the days until I see you again, Millie. Expect me seven days from today.”
Romily felt one of her hands clutch at the sheet tightly. “Do you promise?” she heard herself asking. She still hadn’t turned back to look at him yet and wondered what he was thinking. She didn’t let him finish though. It was now time to make a rule for herself, and for him. She did wonder why – she knew she liked him and he’d made it clear that he liked her too, but she didn’t want to be hurt again, and by taking control she now knew that this wouldn’t be possible again. Not for any man, or anyone.
“7 days Gwaine, if you return even a day later than you’ve said then that’s it…I’ll close myself off to you forever.”
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Post by shonz on Mar 5, 2011 7:56:09 GMT -5
Romily was anything but ordinary or common. She may deny that she’s nothing special, but for Gwaine, there was something about her that made her stand out for him. Sure, she’s beautiful with her golden hair and sparkling eyes, but there was more to it than that. He couldn’t quite put a finger to it, but he knew it was there. Never had any woman taken him quite so strongly before than Romily did now. He could very well say he was attracted to her, that was obvious, but there is something else.
Gwaine frowned when she turned away from him, feeling that bit rejected and ignored. She continued to answer his queries though, and he listened as attentively as he could. He knew he must have struck a nerve there somewhere to elicit this kind of reaction from her. It was something that she didn’t seem to want to share with him, and no matter how Gwaine wanted to know what it was, he respected her privacy, and decided not to pry.
“I’ve spent my whole life by myself – why should I stop now? I once told a friend of mine that I would be happy to grow an old maid. I still think that,”
“You can’t say that. We all need someone no matter how we try to deny it. I’ve spent years wandering all by myself, and while I thought it had been fun, it was very lonely, too,” he spoke slowly. His thoughts turned on his earlier years as a vagabond, aimlessly wandering with no goal or objective in mind. He didn’t realize what he had been missing until he met Merlin and Arthur. Since then, he knew he had to have some semblance of purpose in his life. Now, as a knight of Camelot, things were looking up for him. He wished he could offer that same hope to Romily.
When she spoke again and asked him to promise, Gwaine looked at her back which was still turned to him. He heaved a sigh. He knew he could not tell the future or if something was going to prevent him from returning, but he knew that he would do anything to see her again. No matter what it takes. Thinking about those seven days spent away from her already felt like torture.
He moved to sit on the edge of the bed beside her, and then reached over to take her hand. He willed her to turn and face him, and then brought her hand to his lips before pressing them against his chest as he looked at her. “I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about you that’s calling to me. I like you, and I want to know more about you. I promise to return, Millie, and if circumstances prevent me from doing so, I will do my best to send word.” How he wanted to tell her about who he really was and where home was for him, but he didn’t want to, not yet. Somehow, he wanted Romily to like him back this way, some simple, mysterious man who just came out of nowhere.
He gave her hand one more sweet peck before letting go and standing up. “I will see you soon,” he told her as he dropped a bag of gold coins on the chair. “Payment for my board and lodging. Now, make sure you give that to Eldon or I might no longer be welcome the next time around,” he teased, giving her a wink and an impish little smirk. “Get well soon, Millie. I’ll be thinking about you.” With that, Gwaine turned and walked out of her room.
END.
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