Stuck In The Middle With You (Brynn)

[thegwaine]

The evening was drawing on, and as usual Gwaine only had one thought on his mind. Alright, perhaps this was an unusual evening, as for once that one though was not ale, but food. They had dined as usual as the knights did, but tonight the food Gwaine had been given really didn’t feel like enough. He was still hungry, and of course being quite a proactive person he was quickly devising a plan to rectify this fact. He wasn’t on duty tonight, he wasn’t even on duty tomorrow, the only thing he had to concern himself tomorrow was training. It would have been the perfect evening to go drinking, and instead all Gwaine could think about was sneaking down to the kitchens to steal some food. He had previously had some bad experiences with the kitchen staff whilst trying to steal food. In retrospect perhaps trying to steal a whole chicken had been a bit ambitious at first. Right now Gwaine was pretty certain he would have even just settled for some bread and odd scraps of meat, he was just starving and that was the end of it.

Although one of the cooks, Meghan Reade was the mother to one of his best friends, it unfortunately didn’t mean he had the right to go into the kitchen and steal food whenever he wanted to. He knew Meghan was a lovely woman, he just wished she would let him away with stealing food, or perhaps even turn a blind eye. Maybe she wouldn’t even be in the kitchens, after all, evening was drawing on so perhaps Gwaine would get lucky and he would be able to grab a loaf of bread without being spotted. As he reached the kitchens, he began to walk lighter than he was used to, and listened out carefully to check if there were any voices coming from the general direction of the kitchens. He couldn’t see anything so he proceeded with caution.

To his sheer delight, there was no one in the kitchens when he entered them and he let out a small sigh of relief as his beady eyes scanned the kitchens. He wasn’t sure how much time he had, so he just wanted to get food and leave. Gwaine’s stomach let out a loud groan and he rubbed it, and headed straight for a freshly baked loaf of bread. He sniffed the bread first, and savoured that smell for a few moments. Gwaine appreciated good food of course, and there were no finer cooks than those in the castle. He broke off some of the bread and decided to savour some down here in the kitchens, as he was sure his appetite would not last until he got the bread back to his chambers.

Tags: Brynn Reade/Meghan Reade (And Idris later on too!)
Timeline: A few months after the series 4 finale, the evening after Counting Down the Days
Time of Day: Evening
Music: Murder in Urbino- The Tudors OST

[Brynn Reade]

Meghan Reade was not easily surprised, generally, but when her daughter just said she needed to ask her something, in a very earnest tone, she quickly wondered what could have come to pass. Brynn was a grown up woman now, and usually she didn’t much ask for advice these days, as she was known for thinking things through herself and come to the best solution in the respective circumstances. Was something wrong? Her mother instinct was alert right away. Maybe there was something going on with Alex? She hardly had seen the boy around the last few weeks, he seemed very busy with some family issues, and as talkative as he usually was, he didn’t let anything slip about it. Any problems however, had to be discussed in the kitchens, as Meghan had to look after a broth she had been making. No one else really would be in the kitchen at this hour, so it was not like she would force Brynn to speak in public about any problems she might have.

”Now what is it?” she asked, trying to keep an overly concerned tone out of her voice. She knew very well, Brynn was too old to still appreciate being put under the wings of a mother hen, and even though everything in Meghan yearned to shield her girl against everything going on in the bad world outside, she had seen with her own eyes how Brynn had mastered these evils single-handed or with the help of friends. She was no longer a child. And maybe what she was asking about, wouldn’t even concern her. It was enough to make the kitchen maid rather curious.

Brynn tried her best to stop worrying and get it over and done with. It was not even a delicate question to ask Meghan, and all she could really say was ‘no’. Still, somehow Brynn would hate to be the cause of more worrying for Lady Caitrin, and worry she would if the midwife did not make it in time and there was no one else. No stress was any good for a woman in her state! Every little bad thing could be tipping the balance and then the baby would come too soon – and entirely without any professional help! Maybe she was worrying too much already, and it shouldn’t be her concern really, but in offering her mother’s help, Brynn had practically MADE it her concern. And that was what her mother probably would accuse her of: getting entangled into things that should not be for her to worry about. The high stayed the high, and the low stayed the low. Period.

”Well…”, she started hesitantly, wondering how best to put it. “When I jumped in for Idris’ work this morning, I encountered a woman… she’s highly advanced in pregnancy, and the baby could come any day…but the midwife is ill.” Yes, that might be the right way, pulling her mother’s heartstrings before even mentioning said woman was of noble birth.
But then, her mother was not easily fooled. “Oh, really? I don’t even recall one of the maids—“ she stopped in mid sentence, and as Brynn followed her gaze she understood at once what had made Meghan pause. None other than Gwaine was in the kitchen, just about to take a bite from a crispy loaf of bread he had apparently snatched. The two women, though seeing the same thing, reacted quite differently. Brynn merely rolled her eyes and shook her head, wondering what it was with Gwaine sometimes, and if Percival had given him a hint, whilst Meghan Reade actually put her hands on her hips and loudly cleared her throat.

”Sir Gwaine! How nice of you to drop by in the kitchens!”

[thegwaine]

So far so good. Gwaine had got what he had come for, the bread in Camelot was after all always to the highest quality. That was one of the benefits of being a knight of course. Gwaine also found it easier to get women to swoon at his feet because of his status. He had thought that his life of food, ale and women would end when he became a knight, if anything, all three had got worse. Well, the food one only got worse when he could catch the kitchen off guard. Of course if any of the kitchen staff were down here then he probably would have already been run out of the room with a wooden spoon. Gwaine winced slightly at the memory as he bit into his bread. He hadn’t expected that bloody spoon to hurt so much. If he hadn’t been so embarrassed by the incident he would have suggested adding them to the knights arsenal. They were after all a formidable weapon.

He continued to eat, the thought to leave had all but left his head. After all, why should he leave, there was no one here, and there was nothing cooking or anything so he couldn’t see anyone returning to the kitchens anytime soon. Plus, if he got back to his chambers and found that he was still hungry, well where would that leave him? In heinsight, he probably should have brought one of his brothers with him to help steal the loaf of bread, and maybe a little more food; it would have been more fun that way. However, the fact he had not meant that there was more food for him didn’t it? And Gwaine certainly was not complaining about that fact.

Gwaine was in fact so caught up in his meal that he didn’t hear the voices or footsteps coming in his direction, instead he continued to devour the loaf that he had selected for his snack. He had torn off a particularly large piece when two women entered the kitchens. Mid bite, Gwaine froze almost instantly. In his head he swore, but in reality he just stayed quite still. Maybe if he just stayed here, still, they wouldn’t notice him. It was a slight hope, but it was still some sort of hope. However, within a matter of moments Meghan had noticed him, still with the bread half in and out of his mouth, confirming his guilt. Of course it would be Meghan and Brynn, at least there wouldn’t be any threat of a wooden spoon beating from either of them; that was something at least.

He bit off the bit of bread he was eating, and swallowed it at breakneck speed before Meghan could greet him. Giving a quick wink to Brynn, an action he would probably regret in front of her mother, he did what he did best and fell back onto his confidence. He confidently pushed himself off the side, and cocked a grin at Meghan, this was probably going to end badly but he could only try. “Please Meghan, to beautiful women such as yourselves, it is merely Gwaine.” He bowed to them both, now surely she couldn’t still be angry? Maybe he’d even get to keep the bread. Hmm, perhaps a quick topic change was best, “Anyway, Brynn, don’t let me interrupt the conversation.” He was urging her to go on, maybe he could get back to the loaf if the women continued talking about their own matters.

[Brynn Reade]

Clearly, Gwaine couldn’t have chosen a worse moment to drop by and steal some food in Brynn’s eyes, or she and her mother couldn’t have chosen a worse place to be in now than the kitchens. She needed to get this point across to her mother, and as soon as possible, without any distractions. But then, she had to take things as they came, and maybe these circumstances held some benefit after all.She just would have to find it first. Well, one benefit surely was the pleasure of seeing Gwaine caught red-handed… or rather BREAD-handed. The expression on his face, before he could master his usual confidence again, reminded her so much of a rabbit facing a snake that she had to stiffle a laugh, looking to the side so he would not see the dear amusement on her face. And of course he would now try to charm them both. Brynn looked back just in time to see the wink directed towards her, and nearly flinched. What was Gwaine thinking?! Didn’t he know that such a wink was certainly the equivalent of code red to every mother’s overprotective eye? Meghan Reade was no exception of that.

Then again, Gwaine gave her the opportunity she had waited for, and so she quickly chimed in, trying to get her mother back on the topic, while at the same time hoping Gwaine’s presence would distract her so much she might overlook the details.
”That’s true mother, no servant is pregnant. Her name is Caitrin Aubert, you know, and she would really, really need your help!” Brynn had adopted a tone half way between coaxing and pleading, the usual tone probably every child in the world took on when it wanted its parents do something, trying to put it in the best light possible. The best light possible in these circumstances was Meghan’s mother instinct for Brynn. She usually never held back when she felt someone was in need of assistance. Why would it be different, just because the woman in question was of noble birth? Well… to be honest, the answer was simple: because.

But Meghan was not so easily fooled. Not by her daughter and certainly not by Gwaine, who had in her eyes taken the leadership on Camelot’s charm department from a smitten and tamed Alex. And her daughter was involved with both men. How come, she often wondered, that her quiet and reasonable daughter attracted and associated with such a kind of men? Even though she knew Brynn was nothing but friends with the charming, handsome and mischievous knight, she always felt like she had to keep an eye on this constantly. Gwaine’s history with women was legendary after all, and she did not want Brynn to get in trouble she couldn’t disentangle herself from. She only wanted her daughter to be happy, and that happiness was certainly not found in the arms of an insatiable womanizer.

Registering the wink Gwaine smuggled in Brynn’s general direction with a warningly raised eyebrow, Meghan took a few resolute steps towards the knight and held out her hand expectantly.
”You do realize that it won’t make any difference to me whether I demand this bread or a suitable repayment for it with or without a title, young man? If not, you know it now. What do you have to say for your defense? With due respect, you don’t look like a man dropping on the spot to me.”
Of course she was not truly angry, she just needed to make an example here. All in all, the young knights were good people, but just like any rascal of their age, they needed to learn their boundaries. No one had to starve in Camelot, and therefore stealing food was simply unnecessary. But then, her daughter’s words really got through to her, and she wasn’t distracted enough to overlook one particular detail.

”Aubert?! You mean LADY Caitrin Aubert?!” she exclaimed, her head darting around to her daughter in disblief. “You want me to play midwife to a noblewoman? Are you out of your mind, Goosey?”

[thegwaine]

Gwaine had just wanted to eat his bread. Clearly that was just too much to ask really wasn’t it? Really, he needed to marry a cook, or a woman who could cook splendid meals would do. He couldn’t be doing with half the prim and proper noblewomen at court. They weren’t really to his taste after all, perhaps once upon a time Gwaine would have found them attractive, if things had been different. But they hadn’t, and this was the man he was now. It would take a special woman indeed to convince him to settle down. That he was sure of. At the sound of this noblewoman’s name, Gwaine got an odd sensation he should know the woman. Pressing his lips together he had a quick think. Jesu, he hadn’t got her pregnant had he? No, Gwaine was sure he would remember that, or at least he would hope he would. Right, he knew the name Aubert, he knew he did. Oh wait! He knew how he knew the Lady, she was Griff’s wife. He had teased the man enough when he found out he was going to be a father, though he had never had the privilege of meeting the young woman in question. He hadn’t known she was this far along, but he hadn’t seen Griff in a while, he supposed he had been busy. “Caitrin Aubert? Griff’s wife right? He knew of course Lucan was in Camelot too with his wife, but he was sure she was called Camila, or was he getting confused?

Meghan had a point, even if it was an irritating point. Gwaine nodded, and downcast his eyes, he was always good at looking sorry for himself. After all, it worked wonders with the ladies. Though he wasn’t after anything from Meghan (apart from maybe his loaf of bread), he just wanted her not to hate him as well. In a rather dramatic gesture, he went to his knees, and held his arms out and bowed his head, “My deepest apologies my Lady.” If it was any other woman in this situation he would have probably kissed her hand, or done something equally inappropriate. However, Gwaine had two reasons for being civil at the moment. The first was that Brynn was standing there, and whatever she was trying to ask her mother was important to her so he didn’t want to wreck the mood. The second reason was that if he upset Meghan properly he wouldn’t have any chance of stealing food again, and that really wasn’t on. Gwaine was always hungry, so he always needed food. “I throw myself on your mercy. The smell of your food was so desirable I was drawn in.” He felt like he was giving a heartfelt confession and he just gave her a soft grin, as if he was looking for forgiveness.

Luckily however, the topic quickly shifted back to the pregnant woman. Somehow Gwaine assumed this just wasn’t going to go well altogether and he frowned slightly. Why was Brynn getting herself wound up in noble affairs? Then again, it seemed just like his friend to come to the aid of this woman, even if she was a noble. Thinking about it, Gwaine had seen a pregnant woman wandering about the castle with red hair. He’d been thinking of trying his luck until she’d turned around; everyone had their limits after all. While Meghan was speaking with her daughter, Gwaine snuck back to his bread, and broke off another bit of the loaf. It would be a shame to waste it after all. He chuckled at Meghan’s reaction, “Have you seen her? She’s out to here.” Gwaine gestured some way in front of his belly. It was times like this he was glad he wasn’t a woman, carrying children just looked like effort, plus, it ended messily as well.

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn wasn’t at all pleased with Gwaine piping up into the conversation, but then again she could not very well tell him to go, now could she? That was too rude, and not only because he was a knight of Camelot, it was because he was her friend as well. He might be totally misplaced in the kitchens at that very moment and stealing food at that, but then… maybe he could help her after all, she just would have to find out how. He seemed to know the lady in question – hopefully not in THAT kind of way, oh no Brynn rather didn’t take this thought any further – so he might be of some assistance still. He just would have to be willing to help her… maybe she could bribe him… with a little food or something. Or he might not even notice she would be using him for her own personal campaign. That of course would be the ideal outcome.
”I don’t know her husband, she spoke of him but never mentioned a name”, Brynn explained to them both, trying to gather her thoughts. “But I doubt there are many Lady Aubert’s around here, anyway. She’s very nice, isn’t she Gwaine? She surely isn’t arrogant or despotic!”

While Brynn was trying her best to appease her mother and lure her into taking up the place of the lady’s midwife, Meghan felt her attention serioulsy torn between her coaxing daughter and a not any less coaxing Gwaine, and she knew this was working not towards her own advantage in the slightest. One of them – or heaven prevent, both! – would get through with whatever they were trying to do, as long as she was so distracted by two completely different problems. One matter was as serious as the other. There was the issue of stealing food, which could not be allowed by anyone, not even the king himself, but then there was the pressing matter of the birth. Bein a midwife always came with a risk, as births themselves were a tricky business. So many things could go wrong, and often enough the midwife was chosen as a convenient scapegoat, for any mishap, serious or silly. Meghan had heard stories of midwives being flogged and sent away in disgrace just because the desired heir had turned out to be a daughter. She didn’t aspire to share such a fate, thank you very much!

But like it was only natural, Gwaine won out in the battle for her attention for the moment, simply because he was bringing on the greater show in comparison to Brynn. It was truly hard to miss his completely ridiculous prostration. “My Lady, eh?” she asked, raising an eyebrow in that certain way only a mother could pull off. It held surprise, mild amusement and a certain air of ‘been-there-done-that’ at the same time. No, Meghan Reade would not be fooled, not even by a charmer such as Gwaine. “Why is it you men are the most courteous when you want something? You already took your fair share of that bread, Sir Gwaine, so I don’t think I can grant you more.” A smile crossed her face, not benignant, but a little less strict in any way. “You could, however, vindicate yourself, if you convince my daughter that she is being ridiculous. How about that?”

”Mother!!!” Brynn’s indignation was heartfelt. “How dare you playing Gwaine off against me! And Gwaine, get your mind out of the gutter, if you please! Lady Caitrin’s condition is nothing to joke about. Women can DIE if there’s no one to help them out in their hour of need! But you men are content with just GETTING women pregnant and then leave them to worry about the rest, right?”
It was long since Brynn last had had such an outburst, and it was completely unusual for her. She could feel her mother’s inquisitive eyes on her, and probably Gwaine’s as well, so she turned her head aside to hide her burning cheeks. She didn’t even know herself why this upset her so much. It was well-nigh frightening!

[thegwaine]

Gwaine was quickly becoming to feel very awkward in the situation he had been thrown into. After all, this was clearly a conversation that Brynn wanted to have in private with her mother, rather than having her friend here. Gwaine was hardly useful in these situations, he didn’t know, and didn’t want to know, anything about women’s business. Child bearing, and everything that went on with it was for women to talk and worry about. Gwaine was only interested in the start of the childbearing process, just like every other normal man in Albion. Gwaine had never met the Lady in question, or not at least formally. He had seen her, and heard of her, but never personally exchanged words with her. After all, what interest would he have in her? She was one of his best friends wives, which meant she was completely off limits. “I’ve never met her.” Gwaine shrugged slightly, and put a hand through his hair, “But she can’t be arrogant, and she has a very big heart. She forgave Griff after some massive argument they both had.” Gwaine had been the one to convince Griff to try and move on from Caitrin after that little incident. Of course Griff, thankfully, hadn’t completely listened to him and he had gone back to his little fiancée eventually. Whatever had happened between them both, Gwaine knew Caitrin had completely forgiven Griff, so she must be nice in some sense. This was coming from Gwaine of course who, before meeting Arthur, would have never considered standing up for a nobleman, or a noblewoman.

Gwaine didn’t like the fact Meghan was trying to make him make Brynn see sense. Really, none of this was any of his business, he had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time eating the wrong bread. He still had some of it in his hand, but for now he just pushed it into his pocket and pressed his lips together. “I’m not telling Brynn anything.” He said firmly. Gwaine knew Brynn well enough anyway to know she had her own mind. Better that she should just make her own decisions anyway. He pressed his lips together into a frown, suddenly feeling very guilty at his friends words. “Brynn I’m sorry.” He wasn’t exactly sure what he was apologising for, but he needed her to calm down. Getting herself into a state like this wasn’t going to help anyone. Griff was a good friend to Gwaine, so perhaps he could intervene in this matter on his behalf. Jesu knows they had been through enough together. “Meghan, if you don’t want to help maybe I could go and find someone who can? I’m sure there are midwives knocking around?” He had no idea, but anything to get him out of this kitchen was a preferable option right now, “This girl obviously needs some help.” He cast a sidewards glance to Meghan, wondering if she would be in such a frame of mind if it was Brynn, and not this Caitrin, who was about to have a baby.

[Brynn Reade]

Gwaine might not even know it, but he was actually helping Brynn now in her quest. With speaking well of Lady Caitrin, he paved the way into Meghan’s heart, Brynn knew her mother enough to realize that. Once she was convinced the lady had a good heart and was not one to be overly high-and-mighty about her status, there was not much Meghan could say against helping her. She would probably try to worm out with the comment that she was by no means suitable for a midwife, and Brynn was prepared for that. For now, she just confirmed what Meghan probably had already started to think.”See? She’s a good soul, mother, and she’s afraid. She didn’t want to show it of course, but just think about it: That will be her first birth, and without someone to watch over it, she would be all alone and helpless!”

Brynn did know her mother better than she even dared to believe. Exactly the same train of thoughts had just been running through the woman’s mind and Meghan slowly felt tugged towards helping the lady, even though the thought was still not very pleasant in her mind. Births were a tricky thing at best, and who would be held responsible if something went wrong?! Of course the midwife that was none, that had ruined it all with her incompetence. No, the risk was too great, wasn’t it?
”I wouldn’t even know what to do, Brynn. I am a mother, but that doesn’t make me equal to a midwife. What if there are complications? I wouldn’t know what to do!”
”Your own births had enough complications, mom”, Brynn contradicted her quietly, for a split second avoiding her gaze. “I think you know exactly what would have to be done.”

Her daughter might have momentarily forgotten Gwaine’s presence, but Meghan surely had not. She listened to his proposal and moved her head indecisively. It would be a good feeling to have the responsibility shifted on someone else, but could she really trust Gwaine in finding a midwife that knew what she was doing? There were some shifty women in town for sure, and if anything was worse than no midwife, it was a bad midwife. Could she really bear this on her conscience?
Sighing, Meghan finally brought herself to a decision. “No offence, Gwaine, but do you really think you could find the best midwife in town? You probably would judge her by her pretty face or something like that. No… what is the saying?” she sighed again and adjusted her white cap. “If you want to see a task done properly, do it yourself.”

Brynn’s eyes started to gleam at these words and she couldn’t help but prompt: “So, you will do it? Oh that is just wonderful!” The good news made her quite benevolent and she gave Gwaine a reassuring smile. “It’s fine Gwaine, you just redeemed yourself in my eyes. That was very sweet of you to offer – and the right thing to do to change Mom’s mind.” Meghan sighed again and protested: “I didn’t SAY I would do it, Goosey… I’m contemplating it.” Brynn just shrugged. Something told her she had won, and she flashed Gwaine a conspiratorial smile.

[thegwaine]

Gwaine hadn’t really ever told anyone he’d seen Griff in another kingdom all those years ago. He’d always just glossed over the details of how they’d met, seeing as he wasn’t sure how much Griff wanted to be common knowledge. He hadn’t been in a good way when he’d met the man the first time, and now they were in this situation he felt slightly awkward he’d once told Griff to just forget about Caitrin and move on with his life. Everything had worked out for the best though, and look where they were now. Gwaine was glad Brynn and Meghan didn’t press him for details about his friendship with Griff, he probably would have lied about it anyway so it didn’t really matter that much. As Brynn went on about Caitrin, Gwaine shrugged rather unhelpfully with a smile. He honestly didn’t know the woman, he just knew what Griff had told him and that was it. Griff had always had good things to say about his wife though, well, after he’d finished drowning his sorrows.

Again, Gwaine didn’t really feel like he could input much into the conversation. After all, he didn’t know about midwives, or really anything to do with women’s business. Why on earth would he ever have needed to think about such things before now? Then again, he didn’t want to be thinking about them at all, and he pulled a face slightly. He figured he would eventually find a wife, but listening to conversations like this didn’t persuade him towards the prospect of a family. Gwaine felt even more uncomfortable as Brynn’s tone of voice changed, and he felt a slight shudder. He’d heard of horror stories about how pregnancies, and labour could go wrong and result in the death of the child or the mother, or both. Gwaine hoped Griff’s wife would get through the last stage with success, after seeing how the man had been after thinking she didn’t love him anymore he didn’t want to go through similar grief with him again.

Though Meghan probably wasn’t trying to insult him, he did feel slightly insulted that she didn’t trust his judgement in trying to find a midwife. He would go off more than good looks...maybe. He might even ask intelligent questions, but then again he wouldn’t know whether the woman in question was telling the truth or not. She could tell him the baby was born the colour green and in a couple of minutes and Gwaine would probably believe her. He ran his hand through his hair and chuckled, “My judgement has never been wrong Meghan. For example, this bread is the finest in Camelot.” He gestured to the meal he had liberated from the kitchens.

Well at least Brynn had forgiven him, the awkwardness had gone somewhat from the conversation. He felt quite bad that Brynn had such an outlook on men, or perhaps it had just been in the heat of the moment. It was quite sweet watching Brynn and Meghan together. He couldn’t remember being that close to his family, but he’d like to imagine that he was. “And while you’re helping this Lady Caitrin, I’ll hold down the fort here.”

[Brynn Reade]

Meghan didn’t like this. She knew she was being heavily pushed in one direction she initially never had wanted to go, and there was no good reason why she should not accept this request. She had not as much experience as a midwife, but she had delivered three healthy children successfully and could at least be a calming, reassuring presence in a woman’s hour of need. Should it really be of such a difference, whether this woman was of noble blood or no? She had asked for Meghan’s help, could she even dare to refuse? All her life, Meghan had believed in a firm line between those who gave orders and those who served and obeyed. She had been growing up like that, working in the kitchen of Camelot castle as long as she could possibly remember. But now the world was changing so incredibly fast, and yet some things always stayed the same: the high ones asked, the low ones served.

Yes, she would work past her unease with the simple assumption that she was following an order. She could live with that better than with having to agree to a favor. Lady Caitrin had asked for her, that was unusual, but it was still some sort of order, and Meghan would follow, like she always followed orders. And like always, she would fulfill this task to her best ability. It was a great responsibility that they had loaded on her shoulders with that task, she would have to watch over two lives after all, but at least the testimony of Sir Gwaine and her daughter showed this lady to be forgiving and friendly. Maybe this would work out after all.

“And I bet you would say this to every baker you pilfered bread from in the lower town”, Meghan assumed with a sigh and a shaking of her head. “Who are you trying to fool here, Gwaine? I did have an elder brother that could hold a candle to you any day.”
Brynn raised an eyebrow and looked between her mother and Gwaine. Was she talking about Cynewulf? She must be, as Brynn didn’t know of any other uncle she might have, though she didn’t remember this man as quite so mischievous as Meghan made him. Then again, that would explain her ease in handling her friend.

Sure of her victory, Brynn found it save to press the matter a little bit. She needed a firm yes or no, or else she would not be able to tell Lady Caitrin the news in the following morning.
“So… will you do it, mum?” she asked, crossing her fingers behind her back.
Meghan sighed once again, looking between Brynn and Gwaine, as if looking for a way out, but then she nodded slowly. “…Yes. It is only a maybe anyway, right? Tell her I would step in, should her midwife still be ill when the baby comes.” Then she turned to Gwaine and shook her head firmly. “That would please you, wouldn’t it? Gwaine as king of the kitchens. No, my dear, I would ask you to do something entirely different, if you want to be of use.”

[thegwaine]

Gwaine was just sat back as mother and daughter continued to talk about this matter of Lady Caitrin’s labour. He couldn’t help but feel some concern. Though he was still quite weary about trusting the nobility because of his own personal reasons, but he was more willing now to give them a chance than he ever had been. He didn’t have a reason to hate his friend’s wife, no, he had more reason to secure her comfort and suchlike more than anything else. He owed it to Griff s his friend. He’d met Griff when he’d been at the bottom of his game, and when he’d hit rock bottom completely. However, the nobility aspect had only come in afterwards, which was slightly irritating as that was what had happened with him and Arthur. Perhaps Gwaine should be looking to change his opinions. Well, some nobility still lived up to his expectations, but Griff wasn’t one of those nobles so that was all that mattered at the moment.

Gwaine raised his eye brows at Meghan’s comment, and put a hand on his chest, stepping backwards as if her words had actually wounded him. He looked visibly shocked and half gasped. “I assure you Meghan, your bread is the only bread for me.” He winked at her, of course it wouldn’t work, because Meghan just seemed immune to his charm. Well, it was her loss at the end of the day, but there was no reason why Meghan shouldn’t at least appreciate him being around. He was a knight after all, and though he would never impose respect on people because of his status, he hadn’t done anything for her to hate him.

Once again, Gwaine just felt like he was in the background of this conversation, though he did feel a little relief that Meghan was basically saying that she would aid this woman in her labour. He was relieved of course, because it was his friends wife, and he didn’t want any harm to come to her naturally. He hadn’t ribbed Griff enough about the prospect of fatherhood, and being tied down. He would have to do that. Gwaine wondered how someone like Griff could just want to settle down all of a sudden, he and the man seemed to be in the same frame of mind about so many things. However, Griff had something Gwaine didn’t, and that was a wife, and it would soon be children as well. Gwaine on the other hand was still incredibly free, and he had no intention of settling down anytime soon. “I’m sure Griff will appreciate the help as well.” Gwaine put in softly and bit into his bread again, “You know, her husband.”