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Gwaine had no idea why Griff was asking him anything about children. He wasn’t that fond of children if he was being honest. He taught swordplay to Brynn’s younger brother and his friends, but that was about it. Even that was only children in small doses, and Gyrth was a boy, not a baby so Gwaine had no experience to offer his friend. How hard could it be to look after a baby? Gwaine couldn’t understand why Griff was so nervous, babies didn’t do much, so surely they wouldn’t require that much attention. Gwaine shrugged at Griff’s words and ran both hands through his hair. In fairness he knew he wasn’t being incredibly helpful, but that didn’t change his feelings about the matter. He was going to be stuck outside a room with a screaming woman who was giving birth with a man who looked like he was going to be sick with worry. Gwaine decided he didn’t want children, not if it did this to a perfectly reasonable man. “Well what else would you have me say?” Gwaine asked him with a raised eye brow, “I’ll give you better advice when your son can wield a sword and shoot a bow, you do want a son right?” He asked quickly, as he didn’t want to offend his friend if he did want a daughter rather than a son, but he couldn’t imagine why he would to be honest.

He just looked on at Griff as the man sat down, smacking his head in the process. Gwaine winced slightly as he watched the man and he pressed his lips together, not sure what to say to his friend. However unready Griff felt about being a father he was going to have to learn incredibly quickly. The woman, (Caitrin was it?) was already screaming, or groaning or whatever, and it was incredibly off-putting. Gwaine bit his lip nervously and looked across at Griff, “Well it’s not like you have to do it on your own.” He reasoned, it wasn’t like Griff would have to do everything for his child was it? Surely the mother would have to do most of the work, she’d have to feed them. Gwaine scrunched up his face, he didn’t really want to think of women’s things right now. “Have you told your wife any of this?” Meaning his worries about becoming a parent, because it would make sense to talk to the mother of course. Maybe she felt the same?

Well it seemed at least Gwaine had managed to say one useful thing. He chuckled at his friends words, wondering what a mini Griff would be like. That would be something to behold of course, and he just nodded enthusiastically at his friend. “Would you call him Griff?” Gwaine asked curiously, he knew some fathers did name sons after themselves, but he wondered if Griff had even thought of names and suchlike yet. After all, he was probably too busy panicking about everything else which could go wrong wasn’t he? “I don’t know why you’re worrying, you’ll make a better parent than I ever would.” He smirked in jest and chuckled, he needed an ale. Hmm. He always needed an ale, but he couldn’t leave which was incredibly irritating, something told Gwaine this was going to be an incredibly long and sober night. “So you should be excited, about you, your wife and mini Griff.”

Gwaine was rather looking forwards to these five things that Robyn had to offer him. After all it would be cruel of her to deny him this information after she had suggested such things. She couldn’t leave him hanging, well she could, but he was interested now, and that was possibly quite dangerous. After all, he was now just more interested in hearing what she had to say, because he could build on whatever she could come up with. Taking a sip of his ale, Gwaine looked over Robyn, it would be quite disappointing if she was leading him a merry dance, mainly because he had hope for this woman. Many women could talk, oh God they could talk, but not many had the talent of turning those words into much. “There is no one more handsome, of that I am sure.” Gwaine’s arrogance was only matched by his ego, and he smirked at Robyn. Gwaine was incredibly confident, and that wasn’t a bad thing, well most of the time. Alone in a room? Well well, he certainly hadn’t thought Robyn the innocent and he certainly didn’t now. She didn’t have to spell it out for him, though he rather wanted it to. Hearing words of seduction from women had a certain charm about it. “I’m sure I can think of something.” He was probably more experienced than Robyn in such matters anyway, perhaps Robyn thought she had one up on him with being so blunt, but her bluntness did not fluster him or even have much of an effect bar interest. She could be as blunt as she wanted, it didn’t mean she was actually prepared to do anything, that still remained to be seen.

Hmm. Her tags for him were quite romantic and girlish words. A bad boy waiting to be reformed? Gwaine had never thought of himself as either, he never showed himself as much because he never let himself get that attached to anyone. He wasn’t sure what he was anymore to be honest. He was just Gwaine, and that wasn’t incredibly helpful to describe himself. He looked on at Robyn and smirked somewhat, “What do you think I am?” He asked, resting his head on one of his hands with a soft grin. It was easier to shift the question on rather than answer her directly, after all he wasn’t sure what he was, but maybe Robyn could come to some conclusion for him.

She had a point, irritably, but it had provoked a reaction and that was the point really wasn’t it? Gwaine noticed she hadn’t shifted her hand just yet, and he looked down at the hand before looking back at Robyn’s face, that was what he was supposed to be focussing on after all. “Well I took my hand from your chin, your hand remains firmly on mine.” It was a good point, it proved which one of them was more hooked than the other. He rested his cheek in his other palm, “Is there something about my hand which you find desirable?” He winked at her, pressing his lips into a simple grin.

Well it could be incredibly fun for Gwaine, but not for Elyan if the man started going up and charming random women, of course he wouldn’t have a chance at being as good as Gwaine. Anyway, he wouldn’t have any luck with women as long as Gwaine was in the room, of that he was sure. No offence to his friend, but women knew what they wanted and if he was in the room then who was he to stop them getting what they wanted? Gwaine sighed softly and looked over his friend, there was possibly no helping him really. “You’re going to be the most eligible bachelor in Camelot, you have to start somewhere.” He pointed out reasonably with a look on his face which almost pitied Elyan. He chuckled and clapped his friend on the back, stepping towards the heat of the tavern.

He wouldn’t need luck to beat Elyan in tavern games, of that Gwaine was sure. He grinned at his friend, it was pitiful that Elyan thought that he had a chance in beating him in anything. Perhaps they were better off at sparring in the training field, but this was just one more way in which Gwaine could prove his readiness and diligence. He was sure Elyan would soon be eating his words, Gwaine had his ways and he would certainly be proving a point before the night was out. “Well I’m sure we could settle any disputes we have tomorrow on the field that aren’t sorted tonight.” He winked at his fellow brother, his words full of jest. Elyan and he were matched on the field, and well he knew it.

Betting without money was like dinking without ale to Gwaine. It made no sense utterly to him to bet without any money. That was a pastime for boys, not men, and Gwaine just let out a small ‘heh’ sound, “You are joking right?” He asked Elyan and let out a wide smile, “What’s the point in betting when there’s nothing to bet with?” He was probably getting a little too much into this but he didn’t care. He’d never betted without having a just cause too, plus he wasn’t planning on robbing Elyan blind so that didn’t matter. He pulled Elyan towards a table where men were already playing at cards; his ale in his hands, “Deal out two more hands my man.” He said rather confidently, clapping the man on the back. “Ready to put your money where your mouth is?”

Gwaine couldn’t really see the problem in Elyan humiliating himself for his friend’s amusement. Elyan probably wouldn’t agree, but seeing him trying to charm women in the tavern would probably be the best source of amusement, for Gwaine at least. Gwaine chuckled to himself, sure his friend completely disagreed with him, he had no reason to find amusement in his own downfalls after all. Gwaine had the pleasure of being an incredibly charming man, and women appreciated that completely. Elyan had so much to learn, Gwaine probably wouldn’t even know where to start really. He chuckled as Elyan voiced concern over his friends scheming, “Me, scheming? Never.” He winked at his friend, his tone was of a mock hurt and annoyance. Elyan had ever reason to be worried about his friend’s exploits and Gwaine knew that. “Anyway, it could be fun. You’ll never know until you’ve tried.” He pointed out rather reasonably.

Of course Gwaine was going to rise to the challenge, he was incredibly competitive with most aspects of life, if not all oft hem. So of course Gwaine would be taking Elyan up on this little wager of his. Gambling wasn’t something which he was proud of taking part in all the time, but it was fun, and if it passed the time in a tavern then what was the harm in it? “I daresay I cannot refuse you, Sir Elyan.” He winked, enjoying the jest between him and his friend for a few moments. This could be quite interesting, perhaps if Elyan had a good time gambling then he would eventually be persuaded to charm some women on the side. They had the whole night ahead of them, anything could happen.

Gwaine was quite taken aback by Elyan’s tone about the women. Taking a swig of his ale, giving himself a few moments to enjoy the sweet nectar before continuing, “Well, I could always arrange something if you’re that disappointed.” He pointed out with a wink. He wasn’t quite sure what he could muster yet, but he could defiantly think of something if he had to. Gambling, right, they would need to find someone who had cards then, “Are you up for a game of cards then Elyan? Unless you would prefer to charm women instead.”

Gwaine was rather confident in his abilities to turn Elyan into the smoothest person in the tavern. Well, he would always be less smooth and wise with the women than Gwaine was, but he was only human after all so it was to be expected. “Why are you worried?” He asked, rather amused at his friend’s response. Women weren’t something to be feared, they were supposed to be held, loved and charmed of course. They were certainly more than a temptation, but they weren’t something to worry that much over. Gwaine couldn’t ever remember getting worried or that bothered about a woman. If they didn’t want him then he just moved onto the next offer. It was the way he worked, however crude it sounded. If Arthur did marry Gwen then Elyan would have to get used to the female attention, but of course if he didn’t want it then Gwaine would be there to console the women, like a good friend should. Well, that didn’t exactly work in Elyan’s favour, but still. It sort of worked. Gwaine had lost his train of thought somewhat, thinking about all the eligible young noblewomen at court that would be in need of a comforting arm.

Well at least Elyan was more enthusiastic about gambling. They could have a fun night in the tavern without lurching after every woman that took their fancy. Well, Gwaine would be doing that, he wasn’t sure about Elyan. Anyway where were they? Oh right yes, gambling, “That sounds to me like a challenge…” He mused with an amused grin and looked over his friend, wondering if he was right in wondering about Elyan’s proposal. It would be quite fun to engage in tavern games with his friend, as he was pretty sure that Elyan wouldn’t beat him up if things didn’t go his way.

The tavern was as warm and welcoming as it always was. Gwaine breathed in slightly, taking in the atmosphere, this certainly was better than sitting alone in his room wondering which pretty maid would come and try to clean his room next. Sometimes time in the castle bored him stiffless, he wasn’t used to being so familiar with one place, he was still getting used to the feeling really. As Elyan went to find somewhere to sit, Gwaine grinned at the barmaid who was a pretty young blonde thing, but unfortunately she knew his tricks too well and demanded coin for the two drinks he was buying. “Hardly playing fair are we?” He asked her but she just rolled her eyes at him and gave him the drinks once she had her money. Gwaine made his way back over to Elyan and handed him his ale, “I think we’re better off gambling, I think I’ve already annoyed too many of the women in here anyway.”

It brought a smug little grin to Gwaine’s lips to see that he’d managed to confuse Robyn a little with his words. He was well used to twisting a woman around his finger through his words. However, Robyn was so far proving to be quite different. It had taken a long time to even get her a little speechless. It was irritating in a way, but it made the conquest all the more interesting overall. Women who bent too easily to his words were incredibly boring. After all, why would he want someone who just said yes to him all the time, and didn’t provide him with any sort of challenge? He could find that with any woman in any kingdom. It was a fine thing to find indeed when a woman did bite back a little, and especially if the woman in question was obliging. He certainly hoped that this wasn’t just a short burst from Robyn and that she continued to be as intriguing as she was being now. He pressed his lips together and rested his head in his hands and looked on at her and cocked a grin, “You are playing against me, are you sure you will win?” He asked rather smugly and winked at her, he was only jesting of course, but he didn’t like to lose. In his own way Gwaine was incredibly competitive, and Robyn would quickly learn this. Now, she was being anything but subtle and it was a change of tact from her. Gwaine was usually the one to be quite blunt in situations like this but he was finding it quite easy to be subtle and almost poetic around her. Perhaps this was a sign that she was finally breaking underneath him, he certainly hoped so as it had taken him long enough to get to this point hadn’t it? “And what would these five suggestions be?” He smirked and took another swig of his ale, “I’m all ears.”

He wondered if he’d managed to catch her in his web of words yet. It was sometimes hard to figure it out with women. They were irritating creatures sometimes. You could tell if a man was smitten with a woman, because there were physical signs as well as the dribble which was usually hanging from the man’s mouth. Women however were different to figure out. They were incredibly good, in Gwaine’s experience, at hiding their emotions until they hit breaking point. Then all their emotions ran out at once. Of course that didn’t apply to all women, but Gwaine figured Robyn was one such woman, she was certainly proving herself to be such. “I never said I was nice.” He chuckled and took a swig of his ale, letting her know he was but jesting with her.

As her fingers played with his on the table he tried to repress grinning at her. Perhaps he had caught her after all. Gwaine was glad in a way, he had been sure he was losing his touch, and that simply wouldn’t do at all. It was a distressing situation at best to think that Gwaine might have lost his charm. “You forget Robyn, your hand is on mine, not the other way around.” He challenged, he wasn’t the one who was succumbing quickly to his emotions, but she was showing that she was.

Gwaine never usually had this problem with women. Either this woman was impossibly stubborn, and blind, or he was losing his touch. It certainly wasn’t the latter, he could have any woman at this market eating out of the palm of his hands within moments. When he had wanted a challenge, he wanted one which would at least have some sort of achievement by the end of it. He didn’t want to waste his time and efforts with a woman who wouldn’t even smile at him. What would be the point in that? This was the problems with trying to charm noblewomen, they just confirmed his own opinions about nobility on the whole. This woman had probably never known hardship, no, he could see it in her eyes. So she didn’t like being called delicate, that was fine, she was clearly the independent sort, and Gwaine should have realised that from the off really. “Would you prefer it if I called you beautiful then? Or charming? Or how about elegant?” He winked at her, compliments came as easy to him as leaves grew on trees. It was a fact of nature, sort of. She probably thought she was important, even unique. She wasn’t really, or more he wasn’t from what Gwaine could see.

Gosh, she was impatient as well. She clearly appreciated the finer things in life, which befitted her status, but it wasn’t very... fun. If he had offered a jewel to another woman, just any woman, their eyes would have lit up, and he would have got a buzz from just knowing he had caused that reaction. Even if he had the jewel he probably wouldn’t waste it on this woman. “Are you this impatient all the time?” He asked quizzically, with a grin. Isabel, what a pretty little name. He cocked a grin at her, even though he had got a name that was only half the bother really. There was no point in getting a name and simply leaving it at that was there? He continued to grin, and leant on the stall in front of him, “I would be happier if you smiled at me, my Lady. A frown doesn’t suit you.” It would probably irritate her more if she grew to like him, and Gwaine’s pride wouldn’t just let him walk away.

Well, Gwaine was more of an expert in charming women than most men in Camelot, at least he liked to think he was. He was always fashioning himself as the rugged night of Camelot, and took great pride in taking care of that reputation. He flashed a grin at Elyan, “Are you sure? I could teach you a thing or two about how to make women practically fall at your feet.” It was true, and it probably wouldn’t take that long, after all Elyan wasn’t bad looking, he wasn’t as good looking as Gwaine, but still he couldn’t see why women wouldn’t be attracted to him. Well, they would be attracted to Elyan as long as Gwaine wasn’t in the picture.

Gwaine was disappointed in a sense that Elyan wasn’t up for a round of charm. When he had taken Percival to the tavern a couple of months ago, their charming had hilarious consequences. The man had ended up losing his shirt to a pretty young barmaid in an odd set of circumstances. Gwaine hadn’t been able to look at the lady in question in the same way again, though he kept tight hold of his shirt whenever she was around. There were some things he sacrificed to women, and other things he didn’t. His warmth was one of the things he didn’t. He had no problems with a woman removing his shirt behind closed doors, but that was altogether another matter. “We can just gamble the night away if you prefer? I always have the winning hand anyway.” He tapped the side of his nose and grinned. He had a knack for this type of thing and he could usually do it perfectly and take home the gold.

As they had reached the tavern, Gwaine opened the door like a gentleman and flashed a grin to Elyan. This night certainly would be eventful one way or the other, especially because he was involved. Really, Elyan didn’t know what he was letting himself in for. He wouldn’t forget this night for a long time, well, if he wasn’t drunk enough to forget it that was. “After you handsome.” He winked jokingly, and gestured for Elyan to enter the tavern before him, as Gwaine was holding the door wide open. He could already feel the heat from the tavern escaping into the cold night air, and the murmer of people within told Gwaine this would be a lively night at the Rising Sun.

Gwaine knew that Brynn would never see him as anything but a friend but it was still good to tease and jest with her. After all, where would Gwaine be without his charm? It was how he had got to where he was so far, and Gwaine wasn’t about to change who he was for anyone. It was still fun to jest and flirt with women around Camelot who would just sigh at him, and do nothing but ignore him. Gwaine had built up a reputation for himself across Camelot, and Albion, and he couldn’t exactly break his own conventions now could he? Gwaine wasn’t sure he would ever settle, and just live out a normal life. After all, where would be the fun in just going after one woman? She would certainly have to be something to behold to even tempt him. “Come on Brynn.” He cocked a grin at her, and continued to lead her down the lower town, “I know you’re just playing hard to get.” He finished it off with a wink, which was almost like his trademark in a sense. He was probably going to get a slap off her eventually. Hmm. That probably wouldn’t end well. Gwaine hadn’t been slapped in a while.

Gwaine knew how much Gyrth would appreciate some time with the knight. That wasn’t him inflating his own ego, ok maybe it was, but he knew that young lads loved a bit of time with their role models. He had idolised his father in much the same way. While Gwaine didn’t want to replace whatever affection Gyrth had for his father, as he was sure he idolised him too, he did just want to do what he could for the lad. He was rather fond of him, so commiting a few hours to teach him some fancy tricks with a sword that he could show off to his friends was no problem at all. Perhaps when he was older Brynn would trust him to teach her brother how to fight with a sword as well. Gwaine didn’t know anything about the other methods of fighting, such as with a staff or with archery, but if the boy had interest in those he was sure he could sort something out with his fellow knights. They were always willing to help after all. “Just as long as he has fun.” Gwaine said rather softly, and shrugged it off, like it was nothing. It was the least he could do for his friend after all.

Hmm, ok she had a point there. It depended on your definition of bad to describe how much of a threat Gwaine was to the unmarried women of Camelot. He knew many mothers had probably already prohibited their daughters from looking at him, but he wasn’t sure why. After all, he was a knight now, and that just made him more amiable. “Heh, the mothers are always the hardest to get round, mark my words Brynn.”