Everything seemed quieter as Raieya lay alone for the first time since she met Gwaine. Even though the night's events left her exhausted she was having trouble falling asleep, much to her dismay. Or perhaps it was simply the knowledge that she must leave the tavern early in the morning. Or maybe, much as she hated to admit it and as irritated as she still was with him, she was worried about Gwaine.

They had arrived at The Two Tankards a day ago. As usual, Gwaine had secured them a room, pretending Raieya was his newly wed wife. Raieya hated the guise but people seemed to love a new couple.

Their stay had begun as it typically did. Raieya and Gwaine spent then first night relaxing, drinking and getting a feel for the tavern.

Earlier that morning they had visited the nearby market to replenish some of their supplies before getting ready for the evening. Gwaine would spend his time gambling and playing games for money, while Raieya performed.

It was during her performance that the trouble started.

Raieya had been watching the crowd, as she always did, monitoring the mood while she played. The crowd had seemed lively so she'd kept her music light and upbeat. She was halfway through her set when she noticed Gwaine suddenly rise, angrily knocking over his chair. Raieya kept playing, trying to ignore what she was seeing, yet unable to look away. She heard Gwaine and the man across from him shout at each other. The next thing she knew Gwaine's fist slammed into the mans face, knocking him back. Instantly a friend of the man was on Gwaine and a huge fight broke out.

Raieya set aside her lute, yelling for Gwaine as the barkeep came out shouting for everyone to break it up.

Eventually the bar keep, who was a big man, along with a couple other men managed to pull the two sides apart.

Gwaine was bruised and a little bloody, though otherwise appeared to be unhurt. However the man he had attacked seemed to have a broken nose.

"What is going on?!" the barkeep demanded.

"He insulted my wife!" said Gwaine angrily.

Raieya nearly tore through the crowd and throttled Gwaine herself. She couldn't believe he'd just caused all this trouble over her. Over a lie!

"I want you out!"

She heard the bar keep shouting at both Gwaine and the other man.

"My wife-!" Gwaine protested.

"Can sleep here tonight and the two of you can leave first thing in the morning."

Two of the barkeeps men ushered Gwaine out, though he stubbornly fought them, trying to get to Raieya.

Angrily, Raieya grabbed her lute and put it away. She knew she wouldn't make any more money now. Besides she would have to find Gwaine.

Would he leave? Or was he waiting for her outside?

Raieya quickly returned her lute to their room before slipping out a back door to avoid the commotion in the common room.

She didn't immediately see anyone once she was outside so she decided to check for Gwaine's horse in the stable.

Rounding the corner toward the barn she found Gwaine leaning up against the door.

"Raieya!" he said, sounding relieved.

"Gwaine!" she shouted. "What was that all about?!"

"That man was insulting you," he replied, calmly. "I can't let anyone insult my wife."

"Have you forgotten something?" Raieya demanded.

"No," said Gwaine. "We have to play the part though. Be convincing."

"But I am not your wife!" hissed Raieya. "I told you I didn't like this. Now look what you've done! You can't even go back in to the tavern and I have to leave in the morning! How much money do you think you just lost for us?!"

"I still have plenty-"

"That's not entirely the point!" Raieya interrupted. "You've taken this 'marriage' too far! It doesn't matter what someone else says about me! Are you going to pummel any man that tries to offend me? Do you think you're 'protecting my honor?' If I feel the need to get physical with someone for insulting me I can damn well do it myself!"

"No," said Gwaine. "But wife or not I don't appreciate my partner being attacked."

"I wasn't attacked," Raieya pointed out. "It was words, nothing more."

"I still think it would be odd for a husband not to defend his wife," argued Gwaine. "What do you want me to do? Agree with them? 'Oh yes, my wife is a whore.'"

"That's it!" said Raieya. "That's enough of this. I am not your wife. Not any more. Not for pretend and certainly not for real. Never for real."

"You wouldn't marry me?" asked Gwaine, pretending to be offended.

"I wouldn't marry you or anyone," she replied, her voice firm. "Will you agree with me on this? No more married couple. From now on we are partners and nothing more."

"If that's what you wish," Gwaine relented.

"It is," nodded Raieya. "Now, you seem to be fine so I am going back inside."

She turned and started to walk briskly away from him when she heard him call, "Goodnight then, love! I'll see you first thing in the morning!"

Angrily she turned around, giving him a very rude gesture, before stalking back to the tavern.

And so that had been her time at The Two Tankards. She wondered if she would find Gwaine in the morning and resolved not to care if she didn't. What did it matter anyway? She didn't need him. Sighing, Raieya stretched out a little more in the empty bed and tried to get some sleep.

The next morning Raieya quickly gathered all of their belongings and headed out to the stables. She found Gwaine waiting just outside their horses' stalls. Without a word she handed him his bag and turned her attention to Sterling, her horse.

"Good morning to you too," said Gwaine. "I suppose you're still mad."

"Gwaine," she replied after she finished preparing Sterling. "Just shut up and let's go."

"Ah," smirked Gwaine. "Where are we going?"

"Laught," she answered, swinging up into the saddle.

"Not far," he nodded.

Gwaine mounted as well, following Raieya outside.

Raieya was quiet at first but Gwaine's constant chatter began to wear her down eventually. By the time they were close to Laught they had returned to their normal banter.