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rubysunnday · 13 days

Text

dead and gone and buried

a/n: i'm deep in my gwaine brain rot right now so have a cute/angsty lil fic summary: Y/N looses someone she loves and leans on Gwaine in the darkest hours.

The early spring mornings were one of the highlights of Y/N’s day. As she meandered through the corridors of the castle, she caught glimpses of the morning sun slowly rising, bathing the white stone walls in orange.

Each sunrise brought with it a new day and a fresh start.

It also brought along one knight and a large plate of breakfast.

"What is it today, Sir Gwaine?" Y/N asked, walking down the corridor and toward Gwaine.

Gwaine was half dressed, cloak draped and folded over one shoulder, chain mail roughly tucked into his belt. He held a large plate in one hand, gloves in the other.

"I believe it is pork with leftovers from last night," he replied, coming to a stop beside Y/N. "There's some apple, some... I think potatoes?"

Y/N peered at the plate. She nodded. "Potatoes."

She reached out and snatched one off the plate, dodging Gwaine's pitiful attempt at slapping her hand with his gloves.

"Have you not got things to be doing?" He asked, shielding his plate from her.

"Oh, I have a lengthy list," she replied, "but I would much rather be taunting you than helping people get dressed."

Gwaine chuckled. He tossed his head back, letting his hair fall out of his face. "I should probably go and get ready."

Y/N nodded, gently sweeping her foot across the floor. "Do you need a hand?" She asked, looking up at him.

"Uh..." Gwaine looked at himself, taking in his mismatched state of dress. "Please," he replied, his smile growing.

Gwaine leant across Y/N and placed his plate of breakfast down on the window sill. She pulled his cloak from his shoulder and took his gloves.

Y/N held Gwaine's clothes as he untangled his chain mail from his belt and awkwardly dragged it down over his head. She watched, angling her eyes down when Gwaine looked up, flicking his hair out from under the shirt.

He reached out and took his cape from her, his fingers brushing against the back of her hand. In one, rather dramatic, swoop, he put the cape around his shoulders and pulled the buckle tight, letting the cape settle around his shoulders.

With a smile, Y/N slapped the gloves into Gwaine's hands. "Good morrow, Sir Knight."

Gwaine bowed to her, sweeping his cloak out behind him. "Good morrow, Lady Y/N."

Y/N giggled. "You better get going unless you want our wonderful king to yell at you."

"He yells at me all the time," Gwaine replied, pulling his gloves on. "It'll be nothing new."

He leant across and pressed a kiss to Y/N's cheek. Gwaine stepped back and nodded at her, turning on his heel and walking down the corridor.

Y/N shook her head, a fond smile on her face, and began walking the opposite direction.

"Gwaine, if you spent more time watching your opponent, you'd spend less time on the floor." Arthur yelled, stabbing his sword into the grass.

Y/N laughed softly as she walked past. Gwaine was, indeed, lying sprawled on the grass, his sword flung miles away. He rolled over onto his stomach, his eyes catching on Y/N as she passed. She waved to him and he awkwardly waved back to her.

When she got a chance, Y/N always went for a walk down past the training ground. Partly so she could watch Gwaine try and partly because she could breathe in the fresh air and stroll amongst the upper town.

There was only so much pretentious behaviour Y/N could take from those in the castle before she lost her mind.

"Lady Y/N?"

Y/N turned her head, coming face to face with a flush-faced, out-of-breath messenger.

She nodded. Y/N patiently waited as the messenger fiddled with this bag, struggling to find the piece of parchment he was meant to give her.

Eventually he found it, whipping it out the bag with a flourish. He handed it to Y/N and, before she could even unfolded it, ran off back into the upper town, dodging through the crowds.

The wax seal popped off easily. Y/N unfolded the letter, all ready knowing what it would say.

She'd been waiting for this letter for months. Ever since her father had retired from his role as secretary of state because of his declining health, she'd been waiting for the letter that summoned her home to be at his death bed.

'It's time to come home.'

There it was, written in black ink and folded into a square.

"You alright?"

Y/N jumped, dropping the letter and stumbling back over a tiny pebble on the ground. Gwaine, who'd made her jump in the first place, caught her by the waist and stabled her, setting her back on her own two feet.

"Sorry," he said, wincing. "I thought you'd heard me."

"No, I hadn't," Y/N breathed, still recovering. "I was -"

"Reading?" Gwaine held out her letter to her. "Is it your father?" He asked as she took it, clutching the letter to her chest.

Y/N had confided in Gwaine about her father's health long ago. He'd been the one to watch out for him during council meetings, escorting him back to his chambers when he'd been to unwell to stay any longer.

Gwaine had been a silent supporter for Y/N as she tried to cope with her father and her job in the castle. When her father had retired and returned back to their home village, Gwaine had held her hand as she watched him disappear through the gates.

So it was with no surprise that Y/N turned to her best friend and said "yes... he most likely won't survive the week."

Gwaine took a step closer, reaching down and gently grabbing Y/N's hand, cradling it in his.

"When are you going?" He asked, lowering his voice as a group of knights passed by, laughing loudly.

Y/N shrugged. The wind picked up, blowing her hair in front of her eyes and she brushed it back, ignoring the headdress she'd pinned to her hair.

Gwaine reached up with his other hand and caught her hand. He brushed her hair back, untangling it from the headdress. His hand lowered, brushing against her cheek before returning to his side.

"It's an hour or two away," Y/N said softly, "so either before nightfall or first thing tomorrow morning."

"I'll come with you."

"No, Gwaine, I can't ask you to do that -"

Gwaine cut her off, putting a hand to her cheek. "I offered. I don't want you to be alone, that's all."

Y/N nodded, swallowing back the tears building in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.

Atheyers was quiet as they rode into the town. The townsfolk had begun lighting lanterns and shutting windows, settling down for the night.

Gwaine helped Y/N down from her horse and, hand in hand, they walked up to the big, wooden timbered house, that was Y/N's family home.

Inside the atmosphere was sombre and almost stifling with grief. For a moment, Y/N thought she was too late. But then she saw her brother rush down the stairs and her panic eased slightly.

"You're just in time," Isaac whispered, embracing his sister tightly. "Come on." He turned, looking at Gwaine. "You too, Sir Gwaine."

The room was quiet, lit candles providing warmth and a calming light.

Y/N walked in, hiding behind her brother for a second. She peered round and saw her father lying in bed, looking pale and fragile.

"Y/N's here, father," her brother whispered.

Y/N glanced behind, searching for Gwaine's reassuring gaze. He stood in the shadows, quietly watching. When he caught her gaze, he nodded and gave her a reassuring smile.

She stepped forward and crouched down beside the bed. "I'm here, father," she said softly, taking his hand in hers. "You can rest now."

Bird song greeted Gwaine the next morning. He'd fallen asleep in a chair that sat outside the bedroom, against the wall of the corridor. He stretched as he stood up, rubbing his face.

The door creaked slightly as he pushed it open, peering inside. Y/N was asleep beside her father, still curled on the floor, her head resting on the mattress, arm folded under her head.

Gwaine knew that her father had passed. There was a new, peaceful silence in the room broken only by the birds tweeting outside.

He approached Y/N and knelt down beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Y/N," he whispered, shaking her gently. "Hey..."

Y/N lifted her head, looking up at Gwaine. "He's gone."

"I know. I'm sorry," he whispered, stroking her hair.

Y/N sat back, leaning against Gwaine's chest. He shifted, kneeling behind her, pulling her into his lap.

They sat there for a moment. Y/N held Gwaine's hand tightly and closed her eyes.

They gathered on the shore of Lake Riveia, watching the boat containing the body of Y/N's father burn.

Y/N stood at the edge of the shore, her brother next to her. Dressed in black, she looked like a shadow in the afternoon sunlight.

Gwaine stood with the other knights, capes blowing in the breeze, heads bowed. Arthur stood along side them - not as a king but as a knight himself.

After a while, those gathered began to walk back to the castle, until Y/N and Gwaine were all who remained.

"How are you?" Gwaine asked, coming to stand by Y/N's sad, his shoulder brushing against her.

"Coping," she whispered, her eyes still fixed on the burning boat in the distance. After a moments pause, she turned to face Gwaine. "Thank you for being here."

Gwaine raised his eyebrows, slightly surprised. "Of course," he replied. "I wouldn't be anywhere else."

"I know but... I'm grateful for the fact you even stayed to check on me," Y/N replied, chuckling sadly. "Not many do."

"Not many love you like I do."

Y/N smiled, looking down at the ground. Gwaine reached over and placed his finger under her chin, gently guiding her head up until she was looking at him.

"I love you, Y/N," he said softly, tucking her hair behind her ear. He rested his hand against her cheek and Y/N leant into it. "I love you with so much of my heart, none is left to protest."

"That's good," Y/N said, giggling quietly. "I don't think I could cope with you denying your feelings." She paused, pressing her lips together. "I think I do enough for both of us."

Gwaine gently turned Y/N by her shoulders until she faced him. She looked up, staring into his eyes, suddenly remembering just how beautiful his brown eyes were.

Slowly, Y/N leant forward, her eyes closing. Gwaine pressed his lips to hers, his hands resting on her hips. Y/N raised her arms, threading her fingers through his hair, untangling the curls.

They pulled apart, resting their foreheads together.

"I finally have my own knight," Y/N whispered, shoulders shaking as she giggled.

"And I my lady," Gwaine replied, pressing another kiss to her lips. "Forever and always."

Y/N stepped closer and kissed Gwaine again, holding him as tightly as she could.