Date: November 27, 2002 (1 Aine, 1006 NE)
Logger: Gabriel
Location: Gwen's Room: Silverlake, Tar Valon
Players: Gabriel and Gweneth
Summary: Gabriel makes an offer Gweneth can't refuse...

Gwen's Room: Silverlake, Tar Valon

Contents:

Gweneth

Opening his eyes, Gabriel turns towards the beautiful woman lying beside him. The festival has come and gone and the violet-eyed guardsman has, with Gweneth's help, gotten over his feelings of impropriety after taking advantage of the drunken Lady. He never knew that lovemaking was so wonderful. He had heard that it was, but he was certain then that his guardsmen were merely teasing him for his virtue. He lays there, gazing at her dozing form, discretely covered by the blankets of the bed.

She looks so peaceful in slumber, curled up on her side with her red-gold tresses spilled across the pillow. Toussled crisp linens seem harsh in comparison to the softness of her skin.. the memory of her touch still fresh despite a restful slumber by her side. While he watches, she stirs... not quite waking, but snuggling closer to him in her sleep.

Gabriel smiles as he slips an arm over her bare skin underneath the covers and slides closer to her as well. He makes no noise so as to not startle her awake. His violet gaze continues to watch her in her sleep, moving from her red-gold hair down to where her skin disappears beneath the blankets and along her covered form. Even the memory of what those blankets cover is enough to stir feelings in him he didn't know he had until a few nights ago.

A few minutes pass thusly, she slumbering and he lost in thought before at last her eyelids flutter open to blink sleepily at him a few times. A somewhat uncertain smile forms on her lips, one hand slipping up from beneath the covers to touch fingertips to his cheek. When it sinks in that he doesn't seem to look particularly horrified over what has happened, she snuggles a little closer and lifts her head to brush her lips across his. "Is it morning yet?" she murmurs, softly.

Gabriel smiles and nods, "More or less. It looks like the sun is barely over the horizon. I guess my guardsman training has me waking so early." The hand draped across her side moves up to grasp the hand that brushed his cheek, squeezing it gently before bringing it to his lips. "You're welcome to go back to sleep if you want," he offers.

"Mmm... perhaps after you go." she replies, her hand slipping free of his to stroke along his side and over his hip as she nuzzles his lips with hers once more. "How long do we have?" she murmurs, lips kissing a lazy path across his cheek and then along his jaw.. questing for the sensitive skin of his neck. At least the headache from the wine doesn't throb -too- much.

Gabriel gives a sharp intake of breath at the feel of her lips against his neck, "We have a few hours yet before the guard change shifts." His hand slips under the covers again to mimick her stroking on her side and hips. His thumb brushes lightly against the underside of one of her breasts at the top of each stroke, seemingly by accident.

Softly, and with reverence, her lips trail a path of kisses down to his collarbone before branching out over the curve of his muscular shoulder. Hey, all that sword practice is good for something at least. "A few hours, hmm? Do you think you can endure my company for that long?" she teases, arching her back to press closer to him. Without shame, even. T'would seem that the Lady has no regrets. Then again, the day is young.

Gabriel mmmms softly, "I think I can manage, my Lady." As she arches her back, he leans down to kiss her shoulder at first, then moving down her collarbone towards her breastbone and her cleavage. His hand slips down to grasp her rear and pull her even closer, making it quite hard to conceal his growing arousal.

Well, at least he hasn't run screaming yet.. and he seems perhaps even sober. Encouraged, she slips her hand up to tangle her fingers in his dark hair while his head dips lower to lavish her soft skin with the warmth of his lips. One leg shifts along his, lifting to curl loosely about his hips as she smiles into the dimness of the room and lets her eyes slide closed. It's so nice when a plan comes together.

Sober perhaps, but he did just wake up. Of course, waking up next to a woman like Gweneth is almost as intoxicating as all the wine he had. He shifts a little, causing his manhood to press against her sweet sex. His lips move across the soft skin of her breasts, soon coming to one of her nipples. He kisses it softly before taking it into his mouth and suckling gently.

Intoxicating is one word for it. Of course, he's not so bad himself.. exciting in spite of--or perhaps because of--his inexperience. Granted, she is an enthusiastic teacher.. and he an apt pupil. As evidenced by the soft gasp emitted as he draws that sensitive nub of flesh between his lips, not to mention the tightening of her leg around his waist as her free hand slips between them to curl gentle fingers about his stiffening member. Yes, there can be little doubt that what time they have before duty calls him from her arms will be put to good use.. though it is unlikely that either of them will manage to sneak in any breakfast.

The day passes relatively uneventfully. In the wake of the festival there are a good number of people nursing headaches by warm fires... and Gabriel's duties have kept him relatively busy--yet not busy enough to keep his mind from wandering semi-frequently to the night before. Not to mention the morning. By this time, the Light only knows what is going through his head as he knocks upon Gweneth's door. What awaits on the other side? Well, he is about to find out. Gweneth's maid opens the door, offering to take the gentleman's cloak and get him something to drink before discreetly withdrawing from the chamber.. no doubt by some prearranged instruction. Gweneth herself sits (fully clothed, for the record) in a chair by the fire, a blanket across her lap and a book in her hands. She smiles as Gabriel enters, glancing up to regard him from her position across the way. "Good evening, my lord." Odd, she doesn't look any.. different. One would think she looked different. But it is just Gweneth, after all.

Gabriel passes off his cloak to the maid and steps further into the room. He's still wearing his duty uniform. He offers Gweneth a little half-bow, "Good evening, my lady. I trust your day went well?" His violet gaze wanders across her form, his expression curious, yet thoughtful. Did last night truly happen or was it just a dream? A dream that lasted until this very morning. If it were not a dream, the wine is his excuse for last night, but...this morning he was quite sober. This morning he was...not himself, perhaps?

Setting her book aside and rising with grace from her seat, Gweneth leaves the blanket behind on the chair in favor of moving toward him. "Relatively boring, but well." she confesses, with a smile. "I wasn't expecting you until closer to supper time... I hope everything is alright?" Catching his hand in hers, she leads him over closer to the hearth where it's warmer.

Gabriel graciously accepts her hand and follows her towards the hearth. Waiting for her to sit first, he then takes the other chair. He smiles, "Everything is quite alright. I just didn't think I could wait until suppertime to see you..." His voice trails off.

Upon reaching the hearth, she gives his hand a little squeeze before seating herself and settling the blanket across her lap again. His words spark a tilting of her head as she regards him with a thoughtful smile. "Well, I'm glad that you came by early. I've been thinking about you." she tells him after a moment.

Gabriel's eyebrows lift and his violet eyes widen somewhat in surprise, "You...you have?" Well, of course she has. He took advantage of her last night. What else is she supposed to think of? Her embroidery? He blinks a moment to clear the surprise from his features and starts to speak but doesn't quite finish his sentence, "About last night..."

Gweneth's blue eyes twinkle in the firelight as she offers a small nod. "Yes, I have." she confirms, lips curved in a warm smile. As he brings up the previous night, she quirks a brow and regards him somewhat curiously. "Oh?" she replies, as he trails off, clearly prompting him to continue...

Gabriel takes a deep breath and starts over, taking her left hand in both of his, "Last night...and this morning...," a satisfied smile flickers across his lips. Sex isn't just for making babies anymore, is it? "...was wonderful, Gweneth." Wow, he used her first name outside of the heat of passion. "But I fear I took advantage of your drunken state and I must apologize for that and attempt to make ammends..."

Her smile warms a bit over his initial words, she nodding once more. "Yes, it was." she says, by way of agreement.. but remains otherwise silent to give him a chance to speak. The next words spark a bit of surprise, pale brows arching delicately as she tilts her head slightly to one side. "Ammends?" she says, with a soft chuckle, "I think that the 'taking advantage' bit was somewhat mutual." Her right hand moves to rest lightly atop his as they enfold her left. "I don't see that there are any ammends that need making..."

Gabriel looks a bit surprised by her words as well. Apparently he thought she was going to have her father after him as soon as they returned to Caemlyn. Maybe even before. "Nevertheless, there is something I feel I have to do..." One of his hands slips out of the embrace and reaches inside one of the pockets of his breeches. "I found a silversmith in the village. He, of course, didn't have time to make anything special, but he had this one that I thought was perfect for you." His hand emerges from the pocket and between his thumb and forefinger is a silver ring, sized for a woman's finger. He moves to slip it onto the ring finger of her left hand as he speaks, "Gweneth Thaeweth, please allow me to take your hand in marriage..."

Ring(#2942C)
A silver ring sized for a woman's finger. Intricate etchings of vines and leaves along the outer surface are the only decoration. Simple, yet elegant.

And this is certainly not the 'ammends' she had expected. Which isn't to say that she really expected anything in particular. Her brow furrows faintly at the mention of the silversmith, blue eyes moving to the ring that glints in the firelight as he brings it out. Her eyes widen, flicking to his face just in time for his proposal. Stunned, she just kind of sits there for a moment.. gaping rather openly before seeming to remember to close her mouth. In silence does she blink once or twice before offering, "I... but... why?" Well, why should be obvious. But she asks nonetheless.

Gabriel gazes into her eyes, his violet meeting her blue with an intensity that she hasn't seen since...well, his passionate gazes last night. "What we did last night and this morning," He seems rather proud of that one. Odd that. "is for a husband and wife in the sanctity of marriage..." His voice trails off. Still rather naive despite the eye-opening experience of last night. And this morning.

Gradually, the look of surprise fades from her lovely features, leaving behind it confusion followed by a look of understanding as he reveals his motivations. "Gabriel... what happened between us was a wonderful thing. Truly. But a night of passion.. is that really the foundation for a lasting marriage?" she asks, her pale brow furrowed faintly as she regards him rather intently.(re)

Gabriel starts to open his mouth to say something but closes it, his expression appearing thoughtful for a few moments. Finally he speaks, his voice passionate, "Perhaps not, but I do know you are beautiful and intelligent. And you have awakened things in me that I did not know were there. I could not ask for more in a wife and I do not think I will ever find another woman that has all these qualities as you do."

A faint blush colors her cheeks over his passionate flattery, but she breathes a soft sigh nonetheless. The smile she offers is a knowing one, as she extracts one of his hands from hers and lifts to press a soft lingering kiss to his palm. Her breath tickles his skin softly as her lips brush it, her lips hovering over it as she lifts her gaze to regard him once more, saying quietly, "If it is desire that you speak of... I'm sure that I am not the only woman who could have awakened it, given the opportunity." Drawing his hand higher up, she turns her head and nestles her smooth cheek against his palm.

Gabriel shakes his head a little, though he does cup his hand to better carress your cheek, "It is more than just the desire, Gweneth. It's everything about you. I know I've only known you a short time and I'm sure there are things I still do not know about you, but...I find you absolutely wonderful. I've spent a good amount of my free time thinking of you since that night in the gardens..."

She seems to give his words some consideration, fingertips stroking the back of his hand as it cups her cheek. "I've been thinking about you a lot too, Gabriel. Even before last night. But still.. marriage? It is a big step, for such a short acquaintence.." Although, it's not like they wouldn't have the traditional year and a day to get to know one another better. At least, as far as he knows. Unless he has something else in mind, due to their indiscretion?

Gabriel would never think of breaking tradition. He smiles and leans forward to touch his lips to hers briefly, "It is a big step, but we will have the year and a day to get to know each other better." Hopefully she won't mind more of last night and this morning during that year and a day. He's not sure he could go quite *that* long now that he knows what he would be missing.

Gweneth closes her eyes as she receives the kiss, her free hand lifting to touch his cheek. "A year and a day..." she replies, quietly, "What, then is a few more weeks? Let us spend the rest of this trip getting better acquainted... and if when we return to Caemlyn you still wish my hand, you can approach my father. I cannot think why he would refuse." She gazes into his eyes for a moment before pressing her lips to his once more for a lingering kiss.

Gabriel mmmms softly into the kiss and slips his arms around her, pulling her into his lap. Not straddling, of course, but something similar to how they were sitting on the bench in the gardens. His lips part and his tongue touches her lower lip experimentally.

...and into his lap she goes, her arms slipping about his neck as she settles crosswise across his legs with a whisper of her silk skirts. The touch of his tongue parts her lips, a subtle invitation as her lips caress his. Her breath is warm against his cheek as she melts into his arms a bit, as though it is where she belongs rather than seated in a chair of her own. Yup, it's going to be alooong year and a day if she starts denying him what they indulged in the night (and morning) before.

But why would she deny him? She wouldn't want to see him beg would she? At her invitation, his tongue moves past her lips, entwining her tongue sensuously.

It is a languid and unhurried kiss... after all, it's just been established that they have all the time in the world... right? When at last she draws away, it is to smile to him. "You are a remarkable man, Gabriel. I look forward to getting to know you better." Her fingers stroke his hair lightly as she gazes into his eyes.

Gabriel grins an almost goofy smile, returning the gaze, "I look forward to it as well."