A Surprise Meeting [Gwaine | Isolde]

[ladyisolde1]

After a very stressful day selling goods from their stall in the village, Isolde and her fiancee, Tristan decided to spend the evening in their local tavern for a good, hearty meal and a few drinks.

Though they moved here not that long ago, it was beginning to feel like home. After the events that happened with her father and mother, Isolde wanted a new start. There were still times, though when something would happen and it would remind her of her parents and Isolde would become overwhelmed with a huge wave of grief. But that was understandable for Isolde was very close to her parents.

They had just finished their lovely meal of roast chicken stew when Isolde asked her fiancee if he would get her another drink for she was feeling very thirsty having finished her drink earlier. He smiled at her, before kissing her cheek and going to the bar man. It was at this moment that a young man who was sitting across from them, began looking towards Isolde with flirtatious smile spread across his face. Isolde ignored it, used to the attentions she often received from the opposite sex and knew that most men got the hint that she was not interested.

However, it appeared that this young man did not get the hint, for she looked in the corner of her eye only to see that he was approaching her.

Tag: Gwaine
Time line: Between Series 2 & 3.
Time of day/Setting: Night time. Local Tavern in one of the villages in Cenred's Kingdom. Though, it may move around .

[thegwaine]

Gwaine had, through some utter miracle, ended up in Cenred’s kingdom. He knew he wouldn’t be spending much time here. Though he had spent a lot of time on the road already, he knew that strangers weren’t that welcome in this kingdom, but what was life without the risks? Plus, he hadn’t sampled the taverns around here in quite some time, and he really did want to see if the ale flowed any better here than in some of the other kingdoms. He would have to make a point of visiting Camelot at some point as well. Though he’d heard things about Uther which made his skin crawl. Gwaine had known many kings, and many different styles of kingship, but few had enacted something as terrible and disgusting as the Great Purge. Gwaine had not been brought up to hate magic, he wasn’t that fond of it, but he didn’t hate it either.

Taking a sip of his ale, he looked around, trying to find some woman to occupy his thoughts, or a card game to join. There wasn’t much variation that one could have in a tavern, but Gwaine could try to entertain himself in whatever way he could. After all, he’d been doing this for years. Tavern’s were all he knew, well, aside from sword fighting. Gwaine had had to learn how to defend himself over the years, a man on his own travelling through the kingdoms was more vulnerable than most, so he was always prepared.

It was then that Gwaine spotted a pretty little blonde sitting on her own. Well, Gwaine hadn’t had a blonde in some time. Most women this far north were dark of hair, whether it be brown, black or red hair. Blondes were few and far between, and he was ashamed he hadn’t spotted this little beauty earlier. A woman like her shouldn’t be sitting by herself. How could no other man have already snatched her up? Well, their loss could be his gain. He began to grin at her as she looked at him. Of course she looked away at first, women never liked to make it easy for him. Perhaps they thought it was alluring, well, they were right in some sense. Pushing himself up, Gwaine picked up his tankard and walked over to the woman, sporting his usual grin, “Is this seat taken? A woman as beautiful as you should not be sat alone.”

[ladyisolde1]

The man eventually made his way towards her, sporting a very flirtatious grin, before he asked her, “Is this seat taken? A woman as beautiful as you should not be sat alone.”

Isolde giggled a little at the line he used, for she had heard that one before. She grinned back towards him -- not in a flirtatious way, but rather one that said that she was amused, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, good Sir, but my fiancee will be returning shortly back to his seat." She made sure to emphasize the word 'fiancee' so that he got the message that she was not interested. Though, that being said, Isolde could not deny that he was certainly handsome and good-looking. But too bad for him, she was already taken.

While she waited for his response, Isolde wonder where he was from for he did not look like he was from around these neck of the woods. Her curiosity to find out about more about this stranger overtook her and she asked him politely, "I've never seen you around here. Are you new here or just passing through?" She had a feeling that it was the latter, rather than the former. She knew a wandering soul when she saw one for her fiancee was the same. Had the same look in his eyes that spoke of adventures and never being in one place for too long.

[thegwaine]

Gwaine had his best grin on and everything, so he was a little put out that the woman then informed him that her fiancée would soon be returning to her side. He frowned a little, women had used lines like that with him before, or sometimes it was their father returning or something equally as irritating. Gwaine wasn’t sure if the woman was serious or not yet, because some women used lines like that to just get rid of him. Gwaine was well used to their words and tricks, however, sometimes they were being truthful. “Now, you aren’t just saying that to get rid of me now are you?” He asked with a wide smile, and took up a seat anyway. It wasn’t the one that she had been gesturing too, so if there was a fiancée then he hopefully wouldn’t be too annoyed.

it wasn’t surprising that the woman hadn’t seen him before, mainly because he hadn’t been in this kingdom for very long. After all, he generally didn’t stay in one place for very long. He didn’t intend to stay in Cenred’s kingdom for much longer, as the place was hostile, and the ale was tasteless. Perhaps he’d head south again, there was wine and ale down there that was fruity to the taste, and the women were usually a lot more liberal as well. Yes, that was where he would head next. “Both, I’m both new to here and passing through.” He informed her with a smile, “What do they call you? Something beautiful, I’m sure.” As it was scandalous that they hadn’t already been introduced.

[ladyisolde1]

“Now, you aren’t just saying that to get rid of me now are you?” He asked her with a wide smile, and sat down on the chair anyway. Isolde laughed before pointing towards Tristan who was at the bar, "I assure you I'm not making it up. There he is now, getting me another tankard of ale." She told him, smiling a little, then she continued, "And I must warn you, he can be very jealous when it comes to other gentlemen." She teased him a little, though all of what she had said was true. Tristan definitely did not like it when other men gave her the slightest attention, not to say that he was controlling. He just became very jealous when other men gave her attention and would send them on their way.

“Both, I’m both new to here and passing through.” He told her with a smile on his face and Isolde laughed at the vagueness of his response. "Right," Isolde commented before he asked her what her name was and gave her another compliment. Man, this guy sure knew how to compliment a woman.

"They call me Isolde," Isolde replied with a small smile forming on her lips. Though, she was not flirting with the man, she could not help but smile at him. He had a sense of humor about him that just made her laugh and smile. "And pray, what do they call you, sir?" She asked him lightly.

[thegwaine]

Gwaine kept his grin on his face, even if he knew he had no chance with this woman now, or at least not in the way in which he wanted to. If she had been bold enough to point out a man to be her husband then he supposed she was telling the truth. How disappointing. He hadn’t had a blonde in quite some time, there were too many brunettes and red haired women this far north; blondes were a rare gem. Apparently this gem was destined not to be his though, and he would rather consign his losses, though he had no intention of relaxing his flirts anytime soon. Gwaine smirked at her words, “Well, is he as jealous of nomads?” He asked, with a raised eye brow. He wasn’t afraid of her husband in the slightest.

It surprised Gwaine that the woman didn’t inquire after him any further than her original question. Usually women were all too keen to ask him about his travels, and then he would fill their heads with pretty little stories about the south, and the seven kingdoms, though he had not visited them all yet. However, he wasn’t going to indulge the woman in stories she hadn’t asked for. He was rather proud of his travels and was ever so slightly insulted that she hadn’t asked him about it further.

He hadn’t introduced himself yet, how rude of him! He did however smirk at her question though, he could ring off every name women from here to Gawant and beyond had called him, but he doubted that she would appreciate that in the slightest. It was a true, if not disappointing fact. “My name’s Gwaine.” He took a sip of his ale, “And what about your husband? Does he have as bold, or as dashing a name as mine?”

[ladyisolde1]

Isolde could not help laugh really loudly when he asked her if her fiancee is as jealous of nomads. "Indeed, the opposite in fact, sir. My fiancee is nomad himself." She told him lightly and waited to see his response.

The man smirked and grinned at her question, before he introduce himself, "My name is Gwaine." Isolde held out her hand and shook his hand before saying, "I'm glad to meet you, Gwaine." Isolde then giggled when he asked her what her fiancee's name was and if it was as bold and dashing as his own name. Wow, this man certainly thinks well of himself and it does not surprise her that his charm would work on the gentler sex.

Isolde nodded her head, "Indeed I would not like to be too boastful, but his name is very dashing. His name is Tristan." She smiled back at him, before curiosity overtook her again and she asked him, "So what brings you here, Gwaine?"

[thegwaine]

Oh, well Gwaine hadn’t really been expecting that. Her husband was a nomad as well? Hmm, that was usually one of Gwaine’s most interesting facts about himself, so he was a little put out that she had taken that away from him. He could hardly brag about his origins and suchlike, well, he still had his tales, and that was something. “Would that make you a nomad as well?” He asked curiously, it was perfectly plausible that he could have left his nomad life behind on account of his young bride. Gwaine couldn’t imagine giving up this life for anyone, not even a woman, but perhaps that was because he hadn’t been in love. No doubt that would be the counter argument.

Introductions felt so formal in a less than formal environment, but the woman was still talking to him so it was all fine. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too.” Gwaine replied with his trademark grin. Well, she was take, happily as well it would seem, so he had to respect that. It didn’t mean he still couldn’t have some fun with her. A little flirtation never hurt anyone. “I’m just passing through, thought I’d see how the ale compared to the south. But I have to say, the company exceeds that which I have had in months.” Yes, he was still going for his flirtation, but Isolde didn’t seem to have a problem with that, or at least she hadn’t so far. “And what about you? Do you live nearby?”

[ladyisolde1]

Isolde could tell that Gwaine was a little surprised to hear that her future husband was a nomad like himself. She supposed that was one of the charms he used to attract women and now she had in some way ruined that topic for him. “Would that make you a nomad as well?” He asked her curiously and Isolde nodded her head, "Indeed I am. A little. I lived in a village in Merica where I met my future husband. Then my parents..."Isolde paused a little as she tried to compose herself, seeing as the gentleman probably did not need to hear her sad tale. "died and my fiancee and I decided to move on and travel." She ended on a happier note, for as long as she had Tristan she was happy!

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too.” Gwaine replied with a grin on his handsome face. And Isolde agreed, "Same here." It was true, it was good indeed to meet new people and forget about the difficulties of one's life.

Isolde listened as he explained that he was just passing through and thought he might try the ale. Then he gave her another compliment. "Surely, you don't mean me, Sir." She teased him, "For I am practically a married woman." It surprised her that he did not find any of the other women in the tavern attractive and instead focused his flirting on her. Which she decided to tell him, "And there are plenty of attractive women in here who would surely love the attention."

But Isolde stopped her teasing when he asked her, “And what about you? Do you live nearby?”

"Well, Tristan and I own a stall just in the market and have a house nearby. It's a lovely village and the people here are very warm and friendly." She told him, starting to sound rather animated for she loved having a stall and selling goods. Though, that being said her secret desire was to have her own forge like her father. But she was a woman and women did not own forges. Not only that but losing her father had been hard on her so much so that she could not enter any forge for that was where her father was killed.

"And what about you Gwaine? How do you make money so you can buy your ale?" Isolde asked him eagerly.

[thegwaine]

Gwaine was surprised to hear that Isolde was a nomad as well. Female nomads weren’t something you often came across; male ones were much more frequent. Then again, she was travelling with her betrothed so he supposed that it was also quite reasonable at the same time. If she had told him that she was travelling alone then he would have been torn between being concerned and impressed. “I’m sorry to hear that.” He commented lightly, not really wanting to dwell on the issues of parents for very often. Gwaine hardly let his thoughts return to Caerleon, because he didn’t want to look back. He’d made his choice, and he was living his life how it had been meant to be lived. “At least you have someone to share your travels with. You’d need that travelling about Mercia.” The Mercians were blessed with uncommon tempers and a strong army, which never worked well together.

Heh, she had a bit of a bite to her, and Gwaine quite like that. Of course he now wasn’t going to go any further than gentle flirtations, but he shrugged all the same. “Betrothed is not married.” It was a fact, not an opinion. She was right, there were many women in the room, but they were mostly the same, and Gwaine was tired of flirting with girls who were mere reflections of the one he had been flirting with the night previous, “I have a soft spot for blondes.” He teased with a grin, “And you are quite unique in that, in this tavern at least.” Gesturing around, the rest of the girls were either black, brown or red of hair; a fact Gwaine had took particular note of.

If they had a home then how could they be nomads? Gwaine could point that out, but he supposed they might move on quite a lot, which would no doubt be her defence, “What do you sell?” He asked curiously, if it was anything beyond arms and wine he suspected they would have little trade from him. Not that he had much money anyway. “I don’t pay as such, you’d be surprised how many barmaids like to give out free samples.”

[ladyisolde1]

She could tell that he was surprised that she was a nomad herself and smiled to herself at having surprised the man. “I’m sorry to hear that.” He commented lightly, not saying anything more and Isolde was glad for she still had trouble talking about it. Instead, she focused on the here and now and her future with Tristan. She nodded softly, "Thanks," before she heard him speak again.

"Yes, indeed," Isolde agreed, it made life easier having someone to travel with. Not because he kept her safe -- he did of course -- but rather because she had someone who loved her and who she loved back. "I don't know what I would do without him." Isolde said softly, before looking up and seeing her Tristan talking animatedly with the tavern owner, making her smile.

She had to laugh at him when he told her that betrothed was not married. "True, although you would not like my betrothed to hear that." She giggled lightly, before she heard him say, “I have a soft spot for blondes.” Gwaine teased her with a grin, before he gestured around the tavern, “And you are quite unique in that, in this tavern at least.” Isolde nodded her head, agreeing. A lot of the girls in here either had brown, black or red hair, except for her. No wonder she stood out. "Well I can not exactly blame you for I also have a soft spot for blondes," She told him in a teasing tone as she gestured to her fiancee, who at this stage looked up and gave her a loving look, before he noticed the man sitting in his seat.

“What do you sell?” He asked her curiously and Isolde responded eagerly, "We sell all sorts of things really. Swords, shields, spices and herbs, cloth and jewelry." They decided that they wanted to appeal to all types of people when they opened their stall. And it seemed to be working as they were making a decent profit, well enough to live upon anyway. “I don’t pay as such, you’d be surprised how many barmaids like to give out free samples.” And with that Isolde laughed heartily, "I'm not at all surprised." She commented before she saw her beloved returning to their table.

She looked up at him as he approached and said, "My dear, I was just talking with this young man. His name is Gwaine and he is nomad, like you dear." She explained to Tristan softly, to prevent any jealously rising in him. For there was nothing for him to be jealous of. "Gwaine, this Tristan," She gestured towards him, "And Gwaine, this is Tristan." Tristan stared at Gwaine for a couple of seconds, before Isolde kneed him and he stuck out his hand for Gwaine to shake.

"Greetings, Gwaine." He said half-heartily, before he could not stop himself and said to him, "It seems like you have stolen my seat, Sir," causing yet another kneeing from his future wife.

[thegwaine]

Gwaine, it would appear, had been completely barking up the wrong tree when he had decided to try and woo this woman. When she began to speak of her fiancée, he could see that spark in her eyes. Gwaine had visited many places and he had met many people along the way, and so he recognised when someone was truly in love, or in lust as some put it. Gwaine supposed it was sweet in some ways, but he was glad to have not been afflicted with this particular ailment. He was content to continue as he always had done; with a woman on each arm and each carrying ales a-plenty between them. It was how he liked his life, and he was still young. There was time enough to fall in love, and give up his womanising ways. For the present though, Gwaine was happy with his life as it was. “I can see that my Lady.” He commented lightly, as only a fool would miss that she was completely smitten with her man.

He was quite taken aback that Isolde was as bold as she was, and yet settled down. It was not something you often came across in women who were engaged. Usually woman with as sharp a tongue as his were unmarried, tavern wenches, “A shame my Lady, but how can you know which you prefer until you have tried a sample of each?” He challenged her, it was not so much trying to flirt with her now to get a specific result, but instead he wanted to test her wit.

Gwaine was equally impressed with the amount of wares that she and her fiancée sold. Perhaps he would have to take a while out of his day to visit said stall. Gwaine would eventually have to pay for a new cloak, so if they had some cloth he could haggle for then he would gladly do business with them. “I shall visit your wares some time.” Gwaine said as he took in another swig of ale. He shrugged at her lack of surprise at how he got his ales. Gwaine wouldn’t remember the last time he had paid for a round, and he earned most of his money through gambling anyway.

The fiancée was now coming their way. Gwaine had mostly bad experiences with the husbands or lovers of women he had been trying to charm. They never liked him that much, and he couldn’t say he blamed them either. Gwaine held his hand out for this Tristan to shake, “It’s good to meet you Tristan, may I say, you have robbed Albion of a beautiful young woman.” He grinned, hoping the jest was not going to result in a punch. That had been known to happen. “There is a chair right next to your fiancée, would you not prefer to sit there?”