Fic: Gwaine the Observant
I thought she only smiled at Arthur like that, Gwaine thought as he watched them.
Gwen looked up and saw Lancelot staring down at her from the top of the trench. Her heart did double beats and her eyes filled with such warmth as she spoke his name, and he looked at her with such joy as though he’d just discovered salvation itself. It was subtle, but Gwaine caught it.
Gwaine spent a lot of time reading people’s faces, gauging their emotions. You didn’t win many games of chance or survive many tavern brawls without that skill. And now he noticed the cautious glances between Lancelot and Gwen. That’s strange, Gwaine surmised. Something’s going on here.
As the group made camp inside the abandoned castle, Gwaine noted the dynamics of the group. Percival, Elyan and Leon stayed together. Lancelot and Merlin were usually in conversation with Gaius. Gwen and Arthur were never far from each other. Gwaine observed that Lancelot couldn’t keep his eyes off Gwen. Occasionally, when she thought no one saw, Gwen would turn her head to the side slightly and try to catch a glimpse of Lancelot. Arthur’s posture was a little tense as he tried not to look at Gwen to see if she was looking at Lancelot.
I wonder how this triangle will play itself out, Gwaine mused.
At a round table discovered in the ruined main hall, they pledged themselves to Arthur’s mission to save Camelot. For this the prince knighted peasants Elyan, Percival, and Lancelot. Arthur also knighted Gwaine who had avoided his noble birthright for so long.
Before they left to rescue Camelot, Gwaine observed again. Gwen and Arthur were off to one side talking. Leon and Merlin made a point not to go near them and kept Elyan and Percival occupied. Lancelot kept his distance, but not his gaze. It was one of longing and acceptance. Gwen had evidently made a choice and it wasn’t him. Then Gwen and Arthur kissed, and Lance’s face became a tragedy as he looked away.
Gwaine dearly wanted to run to the couple and get them to stop. Can’t you see you’re killing this man? In the short time he’d met Lancelot, Gwaine liked the man and felt for him.
The evil Morgana and Morgause, and their immortal army were defeated and Camelot was saved. In their new garb as knights, they rode into the citadel’s courtyard. Arthur helped Gwen down from her horse and kissed her again. This time Lancelot’s face was sad, but there was something more that Gwaine couldn’t quite put his finger on, and it gave him a shiver.
I will keep my eye on him, Gwaine thought. This may not end well.