The conversations over the ale they were each acquainted with were about the last few weeks and the goings on; this was mainly for Gwaine's sake as he hadn't been back there for long.
They were all, surprisingly, fitted on one table. Well fitted was difficult as they had attained a few extra chairs from the bar maids. Percival, was sitting on his own chair, they had discovered it was never good to put him on a bench with more than two other people; Leon was sitting on the bench next to him and with him were Elyan and two other knights; on the opposite bench were Lancelot, who was facing Leon, Gwaine and Merlin who had squashed Rachel in between themselves. It was an uncomfortable, yet comforting, squeeze.
Gwaine realised, slightly surprised, that Rachel seemed to fit in and listen to their conversation with interest and they didn't mind one bit. They seemed to talk about most things in front of her and she fit in as though she were one of the guys. Merlin and she seemed to get on better than the others did. Gwaine didn't know why he felt a little out of place when her eyes flickered to him over and over during the conversation. She lived with him and Gaius though so it was to be expected that she knew him better than she did any of the others.
They came to the mention of her rescue and Gwaine suddenly realised that her had never heard the full story.
"What exactly happened?" he asked intrigued by the new and so far evaded knowledge. At this he felt the girl shift beside him. Turning his head slightly he saw her seem a little uncomfortable.
"Well," said Leon, not seeing her squirm in her seat, "We were out on parole…" He elaborated further and Gwaine listened as he eyed her occasionally through the monologue, now and then someone added an anecdote to the story, and what had happened afterwards. She had been there for three weeks but they quickly changed subject after that. She relaxed a little later when she seemed to forget what they had been talking about.
The rest of the evening passed in an uneventful haze with the knights having a few more drinks, laughs, talks and the occasional mention of a lady, maiden or love interest that the others had. Throughout the evening thoughts were merry and smiles were broad and the all dispersed a few hours after they all walked their separate way at separate times. Before the end of the evening, well before everyone else had left, Merlin and Gwaine with Rachel strolled back to the physician's chambers within the castle. The two old best friends chatted cheerily as they stumbled slightly back; they'd gotten a little drunk, if truth be told. Merlin realised that he'd have to go to the Prince's chambers and get him ready for the evening. This also included other chores like laying out the clothes for him the next day.
The other two were left on their own. There was a pause that he couldn't abide for long and luckily he didn't supply the starter for the conversation.
"Shouldn't you be walking back to your own quarters?" she asked looking at him inquisitorially.
He smiled and jokingly replied, "I couldn't leave you alone- I'm a knight of Camelot who should defend women."
"From me falling up the stairs from tripping over my own feet? No offence but no one can stop the inevitable," she answered him in a mock serious tone with a little smirk forming into a smile and laughing a little within a few cannoned seconds.
"Were you uncomfortable for a reason when I asked about the rescue?" he lightly, he wondered why she would feel like that.
"Oh," she answered tensing a little. "Well, thing is I don't feel comfortable being the centre of attention sometimes. This was one of those times."
Without realising it they'd gotten to Gaius' rooms already and when he asked this question they were standing outside the door to the physician's room.
"Why this time?" he asked casually.
She looked a little hazed and then answered. "I don't know maybe I'll be able to answer that question later."
He made a metal note to ask her again when she found the answer. "Well until another time," he bowed a little and they went their separate ways for that night.