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Would Gwaine have declined Brynn if she had been uglier? Well in his younger days he definatly would, he probably wouldn’t have looked twice at her if she were slightly uglier than her quite pretty face. However, in his more experienced days he found that all women had some beauty, it just took a while to uncover it. That was a bit romantic for him though, and he didn’t want Brynn to think he was soft; god no, he’d kill himself if that happened. “Looks make no difference to me.” He said in a very matter of fact way and brushed the claim aside with his hand. True her looks had drawn him to her in the first place, but now he just felt like he was helping out a friend. Wasn’t that what being a knight was all about anyway? Helping others? “Name the date and I’ll come round and show your brother a few tricks to impress his friends with.” That was all kids wanted to do really wasn’t it? Just show off to their friends.

Gwaine was quite surprised at Brynn’s rather bold opinions about Knights no longer just relying on their titles to make them good knights. Gwaine had never really bothered himself with thoughts of this before he had actually been made a Knight. After all he was not from Camelot, so why should it have ever bothered him in the past? There were some in Camelot who were uneasy at men who were so below them in rank being made Knights as well. Gwaine didn’t let it bother him, he was a Knight and the only person he had to worry about impressing was Arthur. He was the only noble he was out to impress anyway. “Titles mean nothing really,” Gwaine replied, matching her boldness and shrugged slightly. He might be serving under Arthur now, but his old views on nobility were still engrained in his mind and probably wouldn’t be shifted anytime soon. “You should earn the respect of your peers, not just be handed it on a plate.” Gwaine had earned the right to serve as a Knight of Camelot, and he knew the other Knights had earned that right too. However there were members of the court who Gwaine really had little respect for; they just looked out for their own interests.

Gwaine had certainly touched a nerve with Brynn and he decided to keep his joking nature on show. He wasn’t going to kill one of her geese, he knew that but he could have some fun winding her up for a bit before revealing his true motives. “The number of nights I am rumoured to have pales into obscurity when I think about how many nights I have actually spent in a tavern.” Gwaine had spent most of his adult life up until this point in a tavern, and it hadn’t bothered him one bit. It had helped shape the man he was today. He was slightly impressed his reputation proceeded him. “Fine fine, but if they attack me I will defend myself.” He pointed out seriously. He wasn’t going to stand there getting pecked to death by Brynn’s geese and literally do nothing about it; he wasn’t stupid.

The gander was hissing, were they suppose to hiss? Gwaine wasn’t an expert but that really didn’t look like a fantastic situation to throw himself into. He coughed slightly and looked to Brynn, why was she letting them out if he was hissing?! He took her advice silently and walked slowly to her side, keeping an eye on the gander and made a gesture to him, as if to say ‘I’m watching you’. “Why is he so moody today?”

Gwaine didn’t particularly want to feel sorry for Griff now he knew of his noble status, but the man was making it incredibly hard to see the situation that objectively. He listened to him quietly, and just considered what he had to say. A nobleman who wasn’t interested in money? Well, Gwaine came across many firsts when he was on the road, but a nobleman who wanted a woman for herself, and not her money? That was becoming a rarity nowadays. Back in his homeland, Gwaine had seen many men and women married off in loveless marriages for their families advancements. This seemed like something different. “She might not hate you?” He suggested, shrugging. Women always said one thing when they meant another, every the fool in the foregate knew that. “Have you tried to go back?” That was of course the next important question, if the man had not even tried then he deserved little sympathy. You never got anywhere in this life without trying, and relationships were just one example of this. “Why not go back to Glouchedon [Jesu that was a mouthful to say after an ale] and tell her how you feel. If she won’t listen then, well.” He shrugged again and trailed off. He wasn’t going to be the one to directly say that if this woman didn’t listen to how genuine his feelings appeared to be then she really wasn’t worth it. Griff could figure that out himself.

If anything Griff really needed to see this woman, or get over her because the alternative wasn’t doing him any favours. He wouldn’t last another two months out here in the state he was currently in; had he ever heard of a bath thinking about it?! Even Gwaine kept himself prim and proper whilst out on the road.

He laughed as Griff explained why Gwaine’s worries were misplaced. That was true, a slaver would probably look at him and cut his losses. He shrugged and took another swig of his ale, “You never know, you could be worth a bit once you’ve sobered up.” He chuckled again, taking yet another drink. Well this evening was turning out to be better than he’d hoped, and he hadn’t got into a brawl yet; this was certainly promising.

At Griff’s question he just smiled for a moment, well it was only fair to grace him with an answer; Griff had told him enough about himself after all. Who was Gwaine to deny Griff tales of his nomadic lifestyle? “I’m just passing through.” He explained, “I’ve not been round this way in a while, I’ve been spending most of my time in Albion.” Well that overall had been an adventure and a half, his time in Camelot defiantly still brought about a smile to his face, “I’ve been to oh, Mercia, the Northern Lands, Gawant and Camelot.” He felt like he was bragging now, but he’d probably been further in a few weeks than Griff would ever hope to. “I usually just sample the local night life.” He grinned and gestured to his ale, which was always his motivation and kept him going on the road. Well that, and the promise of a tavern meal.

The last thing that aiding Brynn’s brother would be to him would be a burden. In fact it would probably give him something to occupy himself with. He knew there were some within Camelot who did not approve of Arthur’s decision to appoint commoners to the Knighthood, and although Gwaine could correct them and point out he had come from a noble house, he was still put into this band. Therefore anything he could do to prove to the community that he was able to protect them, and help them was a bonus. Gwaine wasn’t bothered in the slightest in proving himself to the nobility, no they could stare down their noses at him all they liked. But the opinions of ordinary people like Brynn really mattered to him. It had been with them in mind he had taken up his sword and joined Arthur in his mission to liberate Camelot from the witch. “Honestly it’s no trouble, I have no bother with helping pretty young ladies out with their troubles.” He shot her another wink because he knew that she would take it in jest. That was what he liked about Brynn, she had a sense of humour with his charms.

As Brynn complimented his fighting he chuckled slightly and put a hand through his hair. Was she just being polite or did she really mean her words? Oh, it didn’t matter really, Gwaine could still appreciate the thought she had put into them. “You have to hold your own with those lot.” He grinned again, he was close with so many of the Knights, but they took every pleasure in trying to beat him in the odd swordfight. To her latter words he just smiled, “I’d like to think so.”

Her silence as he spoke once more of Morgana’s reign did not go unnoticed. But he decided not to press the topic, it was after all still fresh in everyone’s minds. Therefore it was quite a tender topic to even discuss. Gwaine had no idea what Camelot had been like before Morgana’s rule, well he had a slight idea but it had certainly been nothing like the fear and terror which had been reported to them after they had liberated the Kingdom. He hoped that Morgana never bothered them again, but he knew as well that this was probably one hope too far. He was in little doubt that Morgana would try once more for the throne, or at least to attempt to bring Camelot to its knees. It was this with in mind that the Knight’s continued their training, and they kept watching and waiting; vigilant as ever.

Gwaine wasn’t sure if he was more scared of the prospect of being attacked by a territorial gander, or suffering Brynn’s wrath for raising a sword to one of her geese. In the long term the latter was probably scarier. He doubted that she would actually attack him, or would she. Hmm, perhaps she was secretly quite an accomplished swordswoman, or she could probably just make him feel incredibly unbearably guilty. Women were particularly well practised in the latter of those skills. “What about attacking without a sword then? Did I mention I’m trained in hand to hand combat as well.” He winked cheekily at her once more and pulled a face at her. He probably deserved a slap for that one.

As they reached the enclosure Gwaine just watched as Brynn greeted her geese and smiled with slight amusement. He was now just on his guard waiting for this so called psychotic gander to come and attack him. Hang on, why was she opening the gate? If this gander was going to attack him surely the last thing to do would be to open the gate?! “If I’m on my best behaviour then they’d best be as well.” He said quickly to Brynn with a smile at his lips. He joined her side, trying to figure out which of these so called innocent beasts would be soon trying to attack him.

A noble who hated other nobility; how interesting. Well, it wasn’t a completely foreign concept to Gwaine, he himself was born into a noble household, but hated the thought of nobility. They were all the same really, they all just looked after their own interests and cared little for others. They had arrogance and pride instilled in them from birth, and it only got worse as they grew older. Gwaine was glad he had left that life behind him. Ordinary folk were a lot more refreshing, and more interesting to speak to. There were no conventions with conversing with men down at the local tavern, you could just be yourself and not worry so much about being judged. Yes, Gwaine certainly enjoyed his life now, and would not change it for anything. He coughed slightly and raised an eye brow at her, “I take it you do not voice such things in court.” He asked her sharply, “But nobility are all the same, they all look after their own interests.” His tone was bitter, but no he would not think of his father now. That was after all a long time ago, and he was a different person because of that now.

Her next words were just as unusual as the first. Jesu, she really did despise nobility didn’t she? Or at least that was what her words led him to believe. Of course any noble could despise of their titles from time to time, they sometimes even saw their title as a burden. They however would still sleep in feather beds, have fancy clothing and have servants to dress them. He wondered if this woman was one of these types. That would reveal itself in time. “You are quite an unusual noblewoman, if you don't mind me saying."

He shook his head at her words, “I have only been once before, quite a while back now.” He scrunched his face up slightly and looked around the tavern, “The company is just as cheery then as it is now.” There was no changing the Mercian’s really was there. “What about you? Do you visit here often?”

Well Gwaine hadn't been punched in the face so far, this was probably gearing up to be one of his more sucessful tavern conversations at best. At worst, the man hardly looked able to throw a punch, or even get off the chair, so Gwaine was quite certain he would suffer no harm from him. Or at least that was the plan. He raised an eye brow at the man as he confirmed that it wasn't happening. Well well, a tavern drunk with a story to tell. Well, they all had stories to tell didn't they? But some were more interesting than others.

Noticing that the man didn't have a drink, which was a crime if he was trying for some sort of resident drunk, Gwaine shouted over to the barman to bring him another ale. Feeding this mans apparent alcoholism probably wasn't wise in the long term, but Gwaine felt a bit rude drinking by himself, it made him look like some sort of drunkard. "What isn't?" He asked rather bluntly, but there was no point in beating around the bush really, and whatever it was had clearly caused some of this. Or perhaps the man was just a drunk and Gwaine was wasting his time, and his ale money, oh well, at least he would be sure of company for an hour or so this afternoon.

Well at least the man knew he looked bloody awful. Gwaine let out a small chuckle and nodded at the man, pointing to him with his ale. "What you need my friend is one of these fancy bathhouses, they would set you right." Of course everyone knew about these bath houses, and why men only visited them, and usually it was young men who went to them to taste the variety they could find there. Gwaine had only visited one once, when he was a lot younger and more naive, but no, he preferred his women to be charmed rather than already falling at his feet.

The bar man finally set the second ale down on the table, and Gwaine pushed it towards the man, who had just introduced himself. "First ones on the house." He grinned and took a swig of his own ale before extending his hand, so he wasn't a noble, or at least he hadn't introduced himself as such, that was always a good thing in Gwaine's books. "The names Gwaine." He looked back at Griff and wondered again if this man had anything interesting about him, it would certainly pass the time if he did. "Are you from around here?"

Well of course now Gwaine would make it his mission to teach the boy a few tricks with a little toy sword. Perhaps that would constitute as part of his knightly duties, perhaps the others would even be impressed he was integrating into the community. Gwaine could usually strike up a conversation with anyone, and come out better for it, so if Brynn’s parents did have an issue with him teaching their son a bit of sword play he was sure he could talk them around it. A life time of being utterly charming and having to think on your feet did give you certain advantages in life. “You will be indebted to no one.” He pointed out in a mock serious tone, though he was serious, he was doing this as a favour to a friend; he wanted nothing in return for it. Doing that would hardly be knightly would it? “I am merely helping a friend in her quest to make her siblings childhood a rather good one.” He shrugged softly, running a hand through his already ruffled hair.

“Well as long as he can look after you, and himself, thats the important thing I suppose.” Gwaine never had time for romance. He teased and flirted with women yes, but he had never really thought of matters of the heart. It wasn’t his style really. No, getting the other knights to charge after him would not be a good idea! It would be anything but! “They do enough of that without your encouragement!” Gwaine chuckled softly, of course none of them ever did it maliciously. Some of the older knights had made it their duty to size him up as his knighting had been rather spur of the moment, and he had no idea, but some of them possibly resented it. However, he took it all in good fun, and he gave as much as he got so they were always on equal footing.

Gwaine realised, from the twinge in Brynn’s voice, that he should probably stop talking about how nice her geese tasted, no matter how much it was true, and just focus on them while they were alive in front of her. That sounded like the most sensible thing to do anyway. He coughed slightly and ran a hand through his hair, something he usually did in situations where he felt nervous or slightly awkward. He now hoped that geese was not on the menu tonight in the castle, he honestly was not sure he could stomach it now. Great. That was one thing Gwaine didn’t love, the idea of not being able to eat food; dammit!

Nodding solemnly at Brynn’s words he looked off rather absent minded in the distance. Some of the other knights had suggested that Morgana would be back one day, and would probably try for the throne this time. He hoped for Camelot’s sake that they were wrong. One dose of that witch was enough, they didn’t need a second go. “Well lets hope if she does try again it will be a long way off in the distance.”

The gander had chased Merlin across the meadow? Oh he would have to tease Merlin relentlessly over that one. He laughed heartily, his friend never got a break really did he? As if he didn’t have enough to deal with, what with Arthur and Gauis nipping at his heels all the time, apparently even the geese liked to have a go at him from time to time. “I would have paid to see that.” He admitted, “But I pride myself on assuming that I am better fighter than Merlin is.” Merlin was a close friend to him, but the lad could not fight like a knight, and he doubted he would ever be able to.

Gwaine's feet were killing him, well, that was the trouble of a wandering lifestyle, your feet always hurt at the end of the day. He'd had slave traders on his trail for the past few days so he'd been covering as much distance as he could. Of course he could probably take the idiots who thought he would be worth a bit on the slave market, but in truth he'd rather not take his chances with that theory.

Now however he had found a tavern, which was a rather characteristic move on his part. Well, everyone had to stop for ale he supposed. He could always continue later when he had ale and food in his belly; they wouldn't be expecting him to travel by night anyway. He hadn't had the pleasure of going into this particular tavern before, and he had certainly sampled from quite a few in the area. At least he knew there wasn't anyone in here that he owed a debt to, or who wanted to beat seven bells out of him. Both of those things would defiantly ruin his day.

Opening the door to the tavern, Gwaine was quite disappointed to see that it wasn't incredibly crowded. Well this wasn't exactly a party atmosphere was it? Pressing his lips together he wondered whether he should just go onto the next tavern. Gwaine always preferred a more lively atmosphere, it was always easier to slip into obscurity in a loud and noisy tavern. However, the temptation of a cold ale at the back of his throat, and the prospect of setting his feet down for an hour or two really swung him in favour of staying just where he was, for at least one ale anyway.

Approaching the bar, he was faced with a large brutish sort of man who asked what he wanted. What else would Gwaine want but an ale of course? He enlightened the man and handed over a few coins and was handed a tankard of ale. He grinned and took a swig quickly, only then realising just how thirsty he was. He had been a bit too busy to stop for lunch, but he would get something here probably. He looked around him, great, there weren't even any pretty women in this tavern. Why was he here again? He took his ale and set himself down on the nearest table, which at present only had one occupant; a rather sorry looking man if he was putting it nicely. Gwaine, in his usual over confident way, clapped the man on the back and grinned, "Cheer up, it might never happen."

Gwaine didn’t really have much experience with children, but he didn’t have a lot of experience in many things which knighthood had thrust upon him. However, he had learnt to adapt, and he would adapt in this situation as well. He raised an eye brow at her as she said her mother would agree he was a bad influence. Ok he was bad, but he wasn’t that bad. “I’m not that bad, I’m sure I could teach your brother a thing or two about knightly duties.” He knew of course the things which would occupy a young boys thoughts the most; obviously sword fighting, the glory, and in some cases the women which came with the first two. Although perhaps Brynn’s brother was a bit too young to be considering women just yet. There was time yet to teach the young lad. There were of course the other duties which came with being a knight, being loyal, dutiful, respectful, diligent, but young boys would not want to hear of such things, and Gwaine at times had to be scolded by his fellow knights for his lack of diligence and the fact he was distracted easily. So perhaps he was not the one to be teaching Brynn’s brother about the ways of being a knight, but he was sure he could teach him a few sword fighting tricks to impress his friends with. That, or he would just attack more of his sister’s geese. “In fact, I would be honoured to teach him a thing or two.” He was quite enjoying Brynn’s company, and was sure that she was as comfortable in his company as he was in hers. Perhaps they could come out of this as passing friends, in which case teaching her brother a few tricks with a wooden sword would constitute as doing a friend a favour, which he would be more than happy to do.

Why did Gwaine have a habit of trying to charm women who were already taken? It was starting to grate on him how annoying it was. He went to the trouble of spinning his words, only to find another had got there before him. He wasn’t losing his touch was he? No, that was impossible. He of course would not press Brynn further with his compliments, and he would respect the fact that she had already set her heart and mind on another, but that did not mean he had to let up teasing her. She had already shown that she had shown that she had a sense of humour anyway. “It’s not one of those lot is it?” He gestured over his shoulder to where the other knights were still engaging in their morning practice, “Because I’d rather not give them another reason to knock seven bells out of me in training.” That was all he needed, to be chatting up one of the knight’s sweetheart.

Gwaine could see the logic in becoming attatched to animals which you saw every day, and he supposed that rearing geese took a great deal of care. In truth he had no idea as he had no experience in the field personally. He was sure now if he were ever offered geese then he would take it with a hint of remorse after hearing of Brynn’s annoyance at the cooks of Camelot. Still, food was food, and if there was one thing Gwaine loved (apart from women) it was food. “I’m sure the meal is always well received, well, it would be defiantly if I were savouring it.” Was that the right thing to say? Probably not but he had already spoken.

Of course she had still been in Camelot, he had been stupid to ask really. What he was not expecting however was her little story about being shot at by Morgana’s men. His eyes opened in horror and the regret which he had felt, about their liberation of Camelot taking so long, returned. If they had got there just even a few days earlier this could have been prevented perhaps, so much devastation could have been prevented. “I’m sorry you had to suffer that.” He said slightly awkwardly but then all he felt was anger, Morgana had no real reason to suddenly turn on her people; what on earth had caused her to betray her kingdom so readily. “I but wish we could have got to Camelot sooner. But I suppose it is already passed.” He shrugged, they could reminisce about what could or could not have been until nightfall, but it would not benefit either of them. “So come, I am dying to see the gander which you think could be my nemesis.”

Gwaine noticed how Brynn just became a lot more animated, and a lot more at ease with herself as she spoke of her younger brother. He loved the idea of being so close to your family, Gwaine had been close to his family when he was younger, but that was in the past now. He had been on his own for so long now that he had forgotten what such close family ties felt like. “Ah, well when he is not banned from using his makeshift weapon, I would be glad to teach him the knightly ways.” He let his best grin purse his lips and chuckled, “Though perhaps I am not the best role model for a young boy.” That was true, Gwaine’s life had hardly been perfect, most of it in the last few years had been him stumbling in and out of different taverns.

He chuckled as she reprimanded him, at least she knew that he was joking, it was quite refreshing to meet a servant with a sense of humour. “You do not give yourself enough credit.” He pointed out, “I can see many a man running after you.” There was nothing wrong with paying women compliments, and they usually enjoyed them so where was the harm in it? Plus, Gwaine prided himself on making quite delicate compliments to women, and they were usually well received so it was all good.

Gwaine imagined Morgana’s face if he ever had the chance to suggest that she might indeed have better luck at attacking Camelot if she, instead of an immortal army, employed gander’s instead. That would be possibly the most terrifyingly amusing attack which Camelot would ever suffer, he was sure of it. He began to imagine the shock of his fellow knights, reduced to trying to fight against a group of angry ganders. Funnily enough, they hadn’t yet covered that one in training; he would have to speak to Arthur about that one... Well, if that ever occurred, at least they could have geese for dinner, did you even eat geese? He wouldn’t put it past the kitchens of Camelot to try and serve them the ganders they had just slain. “Well, if Morgana decides to employ ganders in her next army, I shall advise everyone to run to the hills.”

Amazed he had managed to create an entire scenario in his head within a matter of minutes, he turned his attentions back to Brynn. He really was too easily distracted. Noticing the drop in Brynn’s voice he pressed his lips together in a concerned way. He knew that they had really not got to Camelot soon enough for some people. Morgana had ruined so many lives in such a short space of time, and his only regret about the event was that they had not got to Camelot sooner. But at least Morgana was gone now, to god knows where, but she wasn’t here and that was the important thing. “Were you in Camelot when she took the throne?” He asked softly, “If you don’t want to talk about it-“ He raised his hands in innocence, if it was too distressing he would not press her for details; it wasn’t in his nature to upset women, well, unless they were complete psychopaths who took the throne of Camelot for themselves. In those circumstances it was perfectly fine to upset the woman in question.