Gwaine and Lancelot had just sat down with their drinks when Gwaine noticed the musician in the corner. Abruptly he sat down his mug and looked again. Was it really Raieya? She glanced his direction then and their eyes met, recognition flashing across both their faces. Lancelot noticed Gwaine staring and followed his gaze.

"Do you know that woman?" he asked. "The musician?"

"I do," Gwaine answered. "I know her very well."

"It seems you know an endless amount women," Lancelot observed.

Gwaine laughed. "I can't help that women find me so desirable. Who am I to deny a lady's attentions?"

"No you certainly wouldn't deny them," chuckled Lancelot. "So who is this musician that you know so well?"

"Her name is Raieya," Gwaine answered. "We travelled together for a time."

"Really?" said Lancelot, intrigued. "How did you meet her?"

"We met on the south road," said Gwaine. "Ran into a spot of trouble with some bandits, she helped me out. She was the mysterious woman in the trees with a bow. I was intrigued and convinced her that we should travel together till we reached Southwell tavern. We got on so well there that we decided to become partners."

"You actually courted her?" asked Lancelot, with a smile.

Gwaine laughed. "No, no. She didn't want that. We were equal partners. Damn good partners at that."

"Why did you separate?"

"It was not our choice," answered Gwaine. "You know the story of the slave trader from Merlin I'm sure. It was when my drink was drugged that we were forced apart. I thought after that I would not see her again."

"Yet fate has brought you together once more it seems," said Lancelot, with a smile. "Your tale is surprisingly romantic, Gwaine, for one who says you weren't courting."

"Well, don't read too much into it," advised Gwaine. "Raieya's not the romantic type. We just enjoyed one another's company, nothing more."

"Yet you stayed with her until you were forced apart," pointed out Lancelot.

"Why not stay with her? We got on well and our partnership also it helped us both out with costs."

"You've been watching her since we arrived," pressed Lancelot. "Your face lit up when you saw her and you hadn't even had any ale yet."

"Would you not be pleased to see an old friend?" argued Gwaine.

"I would," agreed Lancelot. "You looked more than pleased."

Gwaine shrugged. "Well I certainly wouldn't mind spending some of my nights with her again."

"I think there is something more," said Lancelot giving Gwaine an exasperated look.

"You would see 'something more' in anyone, my friend," Gwaine replied with a laugh.

"One day you may take my assessments seriously," said Lancelot shaking his head.

"Seriously?" repeated Gwaine. "Surely you know me well enough to know there are few things I take seriously."

"If you could not be serious you would not have been made a knight of Camelot."

"That's different," said Gwaine dismissively. Then he laughed. "Raieya will be in for a shock when she finds that out."

"Will she not be pleased?"

"You don't know Raieya," answered Gwaine. "She doesn't care for nobility."

"You are not noble," said Lancelot. "Not by blood anyway. Why should it matter you have become a knight? That did not change who you are."

"Mhm," agreed Gwaine. "But I didn't care for nobles either and Raieya knows that. Still don't care for most of 'em. She may not understand or care about why I choose to help Arthur."

"If you explain it to her, I dont see why she wouldn't at least accept it." Lancelot replied.

Gwaine shrugged. "I intend to find out. She'll probably be so overcome with finding me she won't dwell on it anyway."

Lancelot laughed. "You sound pretty confident in that. Are you sure that's how she'll feel?"

"Absolutely," smirked Gwaine, finishing his drink. "I'll go talk to her as soon as she's done. I'll introduce you."

"Good," said Lancelot. "I'm curious to meet her."

"I'm going to leave out that we're knights for now," warned Gwaine. "Let me handle that with her later."

"If you think that's best," agreed Lancelot. "Though, I still don't see why its a problem."

"Just trust me," said Gwaine.

Raieya struggled to remain focused and get through her set once she noticed Gwaine sitting at a table close to the bar. She could hardly believe it was him. Looking him over she noticed he was wearing a fine deep red linen shirt, nice breeches, and a new pair of boots. He looked good for someone who had been captured by a slave trader. How had he escaped? She had so many questions, so many things to tell him. But above all she wanted to be in bed with him again. She missed and craved his touch. No one could satisfy her like Gwaine.

Briefly she wondered who the man sitting with him was. He had dark hair, seemed around Gwaine's height. Raieya noticed he didn't drink as much as Gwaine, though Gwaine seemed to drink less than he usually did. They seemed to be having a relaxed conversation. He must be a friend of Gwaine's.

At last, Raieya finished her set. She hurried over to her case, quickly putting her lute away, for once not worried a bit about the money she made. As she closed the latches and stood she noticed Gwaine and the other man approaching.

"Raieyana," said Gwaine, drawing her name out.

"Gwaine!" Raieya exclaimed, smiling broadly.

They closed the distance between them, meeting in an embrace. Raieya hugged him tightly before pulling back a bit and meeting his eyes.

"I thought I'd never see you again!" she said. "What-"

Gwaine shook his head slightly before his lips met hers, cutting her off. Immediately Raieya responded, allowing him to deepen the kiss. Then she noticed the man, standing awkwardly just behind Gwaine averting his eyes and reluctantly stepped back.

"Gwaine," she scolded. "You have not introduced me to your friend."

He looked confused for a moment, then motioned for the man to come closer.

"Raieya, this is my friend, Lancelot," said Gwaine. "Lancelot, Raieya."

"Nice to meet you," Raieya said to Lancelot, extending her hand for him to shake.

"The pleasure is mine, my lady," he replied, taking her hand and kissing the top of it. "You're a fine musician."

"Thank you," she replied, choosing to ignore the 'my lady' for the moment.

"Many years of practice and lots of time on the road."

Gwaine slid his arm around her waist as she spoke, drawing her close to him. She wrapped her arm around him also, placing her other hand on his chest and meeting his eyes with a smile.

"Gwaine tells me that's not the only talent you have," said Lancelot.

"Oh?" said Raieya, raising her eyes.

"You can fight as well as any man," added Gwaine. "I was telling Lancelot how we used to travel together on the road."

"Again, lots of practice and a desire to survive," shrugged Raieya, moving her hand to caress Gwaine's cheek. "I suppose having a somewhat decent partner helped as well," she added.

"The best partner," Gwaine corrected, dropping a quick kiss on her lips. "You were lucky to have me."

"You've got that backwards," Raieya replied, smiling wickedly. "Who had to constantly get you out of trouble?"

"Gwaine, trouble?" laughed Lancelot. "Can't imagine that."

"Very funny," said Gwaine, pretending to be offended.

"So, how did the two of you meet?" Raieya asked, changing the subject.

Lancelot and Gwaine exchanged a look before Gwaine answered.

"On the road," he shrugged. "Lancelot's a skilled fighter as well."

"We've helped each other out," said Lancelot.

"What exactly happened to you, Gwaine?" she asked.

"Long story," Gwaine answered.

"I'd like to hear it," prodded Raieya.

"You will," he assured her.

"I'll leave you to catch up," said Lancelot, exchanging another look with Gwaine.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, my lady," he added.

"Please, just Raieya," she replied. "And you as well."

"I'll see you in the morning, Gwaine," Lancelot said pointedly.

"Mhm," Gwaine replied. "Good night, Lancelot."

Lancelot wished them both a good night in return and left.

"Where are you staying?" asked Gwaine, turning his attention back to Raieya.

"Here," she replied. "You?"

"That's not important," said Gwaine, dismissively.

He pulled her into a passionate kiss, tangling his hand in her hair.

"Your room is closer," he said with a wicked grin.

"What makes you think I'm going to invite you to stay?" teased Raieya, placing her hand back on his chest, as if she might push him away.

Gwaine grinned, roughly meeting her lips once more.

"This," he answered. "You can't resist me."

"Hmm," Raieya replied, pretending to have to consider the idea.

She tangled her hands in his hair, pulling him in to another kiss.

"I suppose I might have missed your touch," she said, her lips still inches from his. "And," she added, with a wicked grin, feeling his hardness pressed against her. "If I don't agree, it feels like you'll be left with a slight problem."

"A big problem," said Gwaine. "Take care of it."

"I could," said Raieya thoughtfully, sliding a hand between them to fondle him.

"Rai," he gasped. "Now."

"So demanding," she chided him, giving him a good squeeze.

Gwaine groaned, meeting her lips in a rough kiss.

"Your room," he demanded, when they broke apart.

"I need my lute," said Raieya, stepping away from him to get it.

She grabbed it off the nearby chair before Gwaine pulled her into his arms once more.

"Let's go," he said.

Arms around each other, Raieya led him down the hall to her room. She quickly pulled the key from her pocket and unlocked the door. They hurried inside, Raieya dropping her lute by the door as Gwaine began to kiss her.

Raieya eagerly responded, her hands moving to unbuckle his belt and sword, letting them fall to the floor.

Gwaine yanked her dress and shift off her shoulders, pushing them to the floor. He continued to kiss her, grabbing her breasts with his hand, and shoving her toward the bed. Raieya moaned, tugging his pants down to reveal his erection. He pushed her down onto the bed, quickly entering her.

"Gwaine!" Raieya cried, pulling him back down to her lips.

Gwaine began to move as they kissed, his stroke hard and fast.

Raieya moaned, yanking his shirt over his head as she moved in time with him. Her fingernails raked across his back, urging him on. His lips met hers in a rough kiss as he increased his speed.

"Oh, Gwaine!" Raieya cried, her head falling back against the pillows.

She slid a hand between them, rubbing her clit. She came a moment later, moaning his name. Gwaine thrust harder into her a couple times before he came with a loud groan. After a moment he pulled out, collapsing on the bed beside her. Raieya curled up in his arms, almost not quite believing she was really with him.

They were silent for a bit, simply holding each other.

"I'll give you one thing," said Raieya after awhile. "There's no one who can satisfy me like you."

"Mm," agreed Gwaine. "What'd I always tell you? You were always disappointed with anyone else you had when we were on the road."

"As were you," said Raieya, with a smirk, lightly rubbing his chest.

"Yes," agreed Gwaine. "You know how to please me."

"So," began Raieya. "Are you going to tell me what happened now?"

"I have a better idea," said Gwaine, leaning over and meeting her lips in a long, passionate kiss.

Raieya moaned, her hand traveling down to grab his manhood. He groaned, pushing her back down onto the bed. She pulled him with her, crying out with delight when he was inside her once more.

Their lovemaking lasted longer the second time. Once their desire was sated they collapsed in each other's arms, quickly drifting off to sleep.