The Druid Queen || Morgana Pendragon

Gwaine

The bustling market square was alive with chatter, the scent of fresh bread and flowers in the air. Coventina walked along the path, her basket full of washing, a quiet smile on her face as she passed the stalls. Suddenly, a hand shot out and snatched a flower from a passing girl's basket. Coventina looked up to find Gwaine grinning, his eyes twinkling with mischief. She had not never seen him in Camelot before.

"I believe this belongs to you," Gwaine said, holding the flower out to her.

Coventina raised an eyebrow, taking in the bright white bloom. "I don't think so. It's not my colour."

Gwaine shrugged with a playful smile. "Ah, well... let us see." Without waiting for a response, he tucked the flower into Coventina's hair, his fingers brushing the strands softly.

Coventina scoffed, shaking her head. "I bet you've got a whole bunch of those to hand out."

Gwaine raised his empty hands in surrender. "No. Yours is the only one."

"Uh-huh," Gwen replied, unimpressed, and tried to walk past him.

Gwaine, however, stepped into her path, holding out a hand with a confident grin. "I'm Gwaine."

 Coventina hesitated for a moment before taking his hand, shaking it briefly, and continuing to move past him. But Gwaine didn't let go, pulling her back lightly.

"You haven't told me your name," he said, his voice playful. "You look like a princess to me. So it's probably something like Sophia or... or Esmeralda. That's it. Princess Esmeralda."

Gwaine bowed dramatically, one hand sweeping out in a flourish. Coventina rolled her eyes, at his flirty efforts to win her over.

"Stop it. People are staring," she muttered, trying to step away again.

Gwaine gave her a mischievous smile. "Not until you tell me your name."

Gwen sighed and shook her head, unable to resist the grin tugging at her lips. "It's Crystal"

Gwaine straightened, his expression triumphant. "There. That wasn't so hard now, was it?"

Coventina made a move to continue on her way, but Gwaine stepped in front of her again.

"Let me carry that," he said, motioning to her basket. "A princess shouldn't have to lump her washing around."

Coventina chuckled lightly. "Unfortunately, I'm not a princess. I am a mere serving girl to the king's ward Morgana"

Gwaine winked, his grin widening. "Ah, but you see... you are to me."

Coventina laughed softly, shaking her head as she tried to walk past again.

"This isn't working, is it?" Gwaine asked, sounding almost disappointed but still amused.

"No, not really," Coventina admitted, her tone light. "But I like that you tried, and that you know when to give up. I am not interested" She plucked the flower from her hair, handing it back to him with a smile. "You'd better have this, in case someone else takes your fancy."

Gwaine's expression softened as he accepted the flower, his voice low and sincere. "I've only eyes for you."

Coventina raised an eyebrow but didn't stop walking. "I'm sure."

Gwaine chuckled as he watched her walk away, his heart a little lighter as he turned back up the street, the flower clutched in his hand right toward Gwen.

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After washing Morgana's clothing, she returned to her chambers Morgana paced back and forth  Her mind raced. She couldn't get the image of Coventina and Gwaine out of her head. The way they had stood together so effortlessly, so easily at ease with one another.