II
Gwaine and Edwin were heading to Dacia.
It was a place he was certain he'd never see again. After leaving the tavern, the two headed to Gwaine's small home in the lower town. Once inside, Edwin explained everything.
His brother, Gariens, took Valcolor back from his uncle. The old king of Dacia died, and their new king was not out for selfish gain. The son of the king, Taran, who had a reputation for being just and fair, was enthusiastic to restore Dacia to its former glory. Valcolor had fallen to ruin under his uncle's lordship. Gariens worked extremely hard to set things right. He had married, but his wife died of a sickness, and his brother never remarried.
Gwaine was surprised to hear that a hunting accident killed his brother. Gariens was hiding in a bush and was mistaken for game. With no apparent heir in sight, Valcolor was up for grabs by the neighboring keeps who wished to expand their wealth. Edwin somehow was granted a brief audience with King Taran and he had pleaded with the monarch to find the second son. The king agreed and said he had one year to find Gwaine. If he was not found, Valcolor would be split between the two neighboring keeps.
There was a part of Gwaine that didn't want to return, but he thought of his father. Lanval worked to make Valcolor one of the finest keeps in Dacia. He loved his father fiercely, and the desire to please him though he was long from this world welled within the knight.
So the day after Arthur's wedding, he asked to speak with the king. It was almost comical to watch the King's large eyes bulge with shock at discovering Gwaine's true noble heritage. Dacia, like Camelot was a large kingdom well known for its prosperity. He was released honorably from service and the knight packed his few belongings and headed for home.
The ride with Edwin was quiet. Gwaine wanted to ask the man about his father, but every time he tried to speak, the words wouldn't come. His father was a great man whom he loved and greatly respected. His uncle was jealous of the life he had and wanted it for himself. It was the motivation he had for killing him.
Other questions plagued the young man's mind.
How was he going to run a keep? He knew nothing about that stuff.
What if he failed?
Gwaine was at a loss and the unseen burden of responsibility fell on him heavily. He needed help.
A bright bolt of blue on the trail pulled the knight from his thoughts. His brow raised in curiosity at the sight. As they came closer, he realized it was someone huddled against the tree. He was about to pass them when he noticed small brown curls moving around the hood of the cape from the gentle breeze in the air. Abruptly he stopped, dismounted his horse and strode over to the small figure. His hands gently pushed the hood away from the owner's face, revealing the owner. It was as he suspected.
"Gwen," he whispered.
She stirred but didn't wake. Gently he nudged her in hopes that would awaken her, but there was no response. He then examined her face, noting the hollows beneath her eyes and the slightly sharper cheekbones. She looked exhausted and hungry to his eyes, and Gwaine couldn't help the anger that welled up within him.
He could have at least had the decency to make sure she was somewhere safe! Anything could happen to her on these roads!
He pursed his lips, thinking of how his mother had been cast out, with no one to help her. He'd been a mere child then, and couldn't do much of anything. Looking at her, he realized that he could help.
He looked over to Edwin, who was quietly observing his actions. His eyes were quite compassionate as he looked at the woman.
"I could use your help a moment, Edwin," Gwaine said as he gently picked Gwen up in his arms. Edwin dismounted, and taking note of the small bag with the woman, he picked it up and tied it to the packhorse. He looked to Gwaine then.
"She'll be riding with me, Edwin. Hold the horse steady so I can get us on." Gwaine carrying Gwen mounted, and he carefully arranged her in front of him, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder while she slept. The two men then continued riding. After a moment of silence, the valet looked at Gwaine.
"Is she coming with us?"
"If she chooses to, she can."
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She was moving. The gentle rocking she now felt beneath her she recognized as a horse.
How in the world did she end upon one? She struggled to open her eyes and failed. It was a task that was too difficult for her to perform in her weakened state.
Gwen tried again to move, but she felt as if her limbs were lead. None of her limbs would cooperate with her mind.
"Get some rest," the low voice urged. The words were soothing and quieted her fears. Feeling her body give in to the gentle command of those whispered words, she fell asleep once more.
The next time she awoke, she was able to open her eyes this time. Her vision was blurred, and she blinked several times to focus. With clearer vision, she saw that an arm partially blocked her vision of the trees alongside the road.
Again she recognized being upon a horse. But who was she with?
It was alarming to her that she felt no fear, in spite of not knowing where she was or whose horse she was on. Slowly flexing her fingers, she felt them brush against warm skin.
"Ah, awake at last. You've been out of it for the past few days, Gwen."
The use of her name caused the young woman to jerk upright. Her head hit something quite hard.
"Ouch," she said, rubbing her head. The action caused her to sway slightly, causing the other person to stop the horse and grab her middle. Setting her upright, he removed his hands as she turned to look at who she was with. She was astonished to see him.
"Gwaine," her voice rusty from its lack of use, "What are you doing?"
"I believe we were riding until you banged your head against my chin and nearly unseated yourself from my fine steed."
The laugh that escaped her was hollow, devoid of the sweetness he was used to hearing from her. He looked down at her. She was awake, but still appeared exhausted. He couldn't imagine what she'd endured.
"I am heading to Dacia. This," He gestured with an incline of his head," is Edwin." She looked at the man with unseeing, grief-filled eyes as she nodded.
"We will be stopping for the night soon. You need to get a bit of food in you, Gwen. When did you last eat?"
Gwen shrugged. She ate a little before her failed return. Her stomach cramped, and her arms moved to cradle it protectively. Gwaine nodded to Edwin, and the two began walking their horses. She tipped her head back to meet his eyes.
"How long was I asleep?"
"Four days." Her eyes went wide at his words.
"Clearly you needed the rest. You still look tired," Gwaine said.
"It's been five days since I have eaten then," Gwen whispered, but her friend heard her.
Gwaine frowned at this, but there was nothing he could do. His arms assessed that her frame while small, was far lighter than he was used to seeing. It made the small bump of her lower abdomen that much more noticeable while she'd been asleep against him for the past few days. He suspected it, but her gentle arms protectively cradling her middle proved his speculation.
Gwen was pregnant.
Anger flashed quick and hot at Arthur. He'd taken her to his bed and still banished her? What was he thinking? His hands gripped the reins tightly as he felt himself wanting to throttle one stupid Arthur Pendragon.
Anger rose in him again, this time directed at himself.
He, like everyone else, said nothing. He didn't air his disagreement about the issue. He stood by and did nothing while she packed her belongings and left Camelot. Looking down at her, asleep again, he felt shame wash over him.
While he knew he couldn't change what happened in Camelot, he would do everything he could to make sure he did right by her. He nodded to himself. He would ensure she stayed safe in this new life of hers.
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When she awoke this time, she was lying on the ground. Slowly she rose to a sitting position, fighting against the dizziness and nausea that swirled around her. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, and opened them again. She felt a bit steadier now. Looking down, she saw a bowl of broth. Slowly she reached for it, but a hand gently held her arm, stopping her movements.
"Here, Gwen, I'll help you." Gwaine picked up the bowl and a spoon. Filling his spoon, he lifted it towards her lips.
Obediently she opened her mouth, as she inwardly sighed with relief at his help. She was hungry, but didn't know if she had the strength to feed herself just then. The warm broth filled her and caused her stomach to settle. He fed her several more spoonfuls until her eyes became heavy again. Sleepily she yawned. He dropped the spoon in the bowl and observed her. Her eyes were sad and she just looked so defeated.
"I'm tired," she said simply. She lay down and closed her eyes, falling asleep quickly.
He looked at her, glad she had finally eaten a little. He fed her because he knew she was too weak to do anything right now. She could feed herself once she had gained some strength back.
Looking at Edwin, he had been waiting for the older man to ask about her. At the fire, the valet finally asked, "Who is this woman Gwaine?" There was only curiosity in the man's voice.
"That Edwin was supposed to be the Queen of Camelot. I don't believe the things said about her, but she was banished by the king for adultery on the eve of their wedding. I did nothing to help her before she left, and I will always be sorry for that."
"My lord, you are doing a lot for her now, are you not? You are doing more that what I have seen ever done for a person that has been banished by a king. You could have left her where you saw her by that tree, you know."
"This reminds me too much of what happened with mother. I couldn't help her, but I can help Gwen."
Edwin nodded, and the two men sat quietly in front of the small fire, both wanting to give the small woman the rest she needed.
His lips were warm and soft against her neck as her hands skimmed over his skin.
"I love you," he whispered. Her hands moved over his chest, followed by her lips. She was amazed at his gentleness towards her. Passionately he kissed her and drew her closer to him. She sighed contentedly, her heart full of love for him.
"I love you so," she murmured against his ear. Her lips moved up his jaw, and she placed her hands on his face to look deeply into the eyes of the man she loved. Before she could meet his eyes, everything changed and she was suddenly standing at the foot of the bed in the royal chambers and watching as Arthur began to passionately embrace the new queen Mithian. Her eyes widened with horror as she began to yell, her voice breaking as she sobbed.
"NO! ARTHUR IT WAS MORGANA! SHE TRICKED US!"
The two continued as if they didn't hear her and Gwen couldn't stop weeping.
"I love you…Arthur please…"She sobbed brokenly as she watched them move together, his face holding an expression of fulfillment she thought would only be for the two of them. Again she tried to reach him, but guards appeared and held her back. They began to drag her away as she continued to call his name, her cries unheard and unheeded.
She awoke with a start, his name a whisper on her lips.
Again she felt her eyes well with tears. It seemed as if all she did was cry, but the sorrows of her heart were too great to hold in. Crying released some of the pain that ate within her soul. Sitting up, she rested her head against her knees. She didn't want to wake the men, so she muffled her sobs, her body shaking with the effort to remain quiet. She took several deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself. Her body quieted and she lay back down and closed her eyes.
The sharp pain in her lower abdomen caused her eyes to pop open. Her hands moved to touch her stomach.
"It's alright little one," she said softly. The pain subsided, and she sighed in relief.
Suddenly without warning, the cramps began again, one after another, the pain so intense she couldn't help but to cry out. Moaning, she clutched her middle.
Gwaine awoke at the sound of her moans. He rose and crouched next to his friend, her body curled into a ball on the hard ground, his hands gently touching her shoulders.
"What's wrong, Gwen?" he whispered.
"It hurts," she whispered. Feeling the warm sticky liquid flow down her legs, she began to weep once more.
"No... No…no… Oh no please…please don't leave…don't leave me…I love you little one…." Gwaine heard her broken whispers as they graduated into heartbreaking sobs. Knowing what happened, but unsure of what to do, he held her to him, uncaring about the wetness that now covered his lap. Her small body shook violently with grief, and her anguished sobs filled the night.