Merry Christmas everybody! Here's your Christmas present!

AGAGAGAGAG

I closed the doors to Gaius' chambers before leaning on the wooden frame in surprise. I was going to be a mother. I was going to be a parent. I smiled and walked down the steps from Gaius' chambers. I was going to have a baby, and he was going to look just like his daddy. Have his hair and his eyes. But not be as arrogant. I placed my hand to my stomach, trying to get to meet my baby, something that belonged to both me and Arthur.

A little person. A baby. I beamed. Arthur was going to come home to his wife and baby. He was going to. I had to have faith in him, like I always have and always will. The baby was going to be a boy, I could feel it. A little boy. Not that it mattered to me; as long as he was healthy I couldn't care less if it was a boy or girl. But I know Arthur would want a boy. I sighed as I entered the courtyard; I was met by a throng of Knights and Leah.

"My Lady? Are you quite alright?" she ran up to me, I hugged her tightly, still smiling.

"Yes Leah, everything is fine. Everything is perfect, wonderful and beautiful." I looked at her. Leon and Gawain looked at each other, obviously thinking I was mad. "I need to gather the nobility and the knights. Meet me in the Throne room in 30 minutes," I instructed Leon.

"My Lady," he bowed then ran off with Gawain. I looked at Leah who was confused. I smiled at her warmly. "Come on Leah, I must tell you something," I pulled her tightly by the hand towards the castle.

We ran up the stairs and turned into the nearest room. This was the broom cupboard. It was dark in here and I could only just make out Leah's face.

"My Lady what is wrong?" she asked suspicious.

"Nothing is wrong. I had to tell you first!" I burst out.

"What is it My Lady?" she asked.

"I am with child!" I whispered excited.

"What? I cannot believe it. Oh, I am so happy for you!" we hugged, swaying on the spot. "Wait until the King finds out, he shall be so happy!"

"Well, let's not count our hens before they have hatched..." I looked at her. I patted her cheek lightly.

"We shall have to get you some new dresses; your old ones will be much too small." She laughed.

"Come now child, we must go."

"Is that why you called the meeting? How far along are you?" she beamed.

"Gaius thinks I am three months. I have been getting the symptoms for a few months and my stomach is not that swollen. He expects it to become a bit more noticeable in the next few weeks." I patted my stomach affectionately.

"I am so proud of you!" she smiled.

"Let's go," I laughed. "I cannot be late for my own meeting," we linked arms and walked out of the cupboard.

It was an unusual sight to some of the older members of court, seeing the queen and he servant on such close terms. Being more of a friend than a servant. Like history repeating itself, some said. It had only been a few hours and I already missed Arthur. But now I had to be strong now, for my child and for Camelot. I took a deep breath and entered the throne room. I looked at Arthur's empty throne, which made me gasp. I sighed; it was the first time that he wasn't going to occupy it. I moved silently towards the Throne on its left. Trying not to look at it.

I stared out in a daze as the various courtiers and knights entered the empty room. Leah stood at the side, smiling knowingly at me. There was Lady Pellinore and Lady Owain. As well as some of the nobility that I had not yet acquainted with. There was silence in the room. Only broken as Sir Galahad closed the doors. I nodded at him. He stood at the front with the rest of the Knights who had stayed behind to protect the Queen and the Country. I sighed. I stood up slowly. Greeted by a chorus of;

"My Lady," I acknowledged them with a wave of my hand. There was silence again.

"Ladies and Gentleman of court. I have called you all here to express my excitement and concern." There was still silence. This was the first time I had addressed them without Arthur by my side. I tapped my fingers together impatiently.

"I have to tell you, that as of this Morning. I am with Child," There were titters then a rapturous round of applause. I smiled, crossing my arms across my chest.

"Whilst this is indeed joyous news, and indeed mention for celebration; I must express my choice that the King must not find out about this," There were titters yet again.

"My Lady, if I may." Galahad asked. I nodded at him. "Why is it that the King must not find out? Will this not strengthen his chance of success in the battlefield? The fact that he has now got an heir to come home too as well as a wife?" There were mutters in agreement.

"You make a valid point Galahad. But on the flipside of that, it may weaken his mind. The fact that both of our mothers died in child birth do not help in these matters. It is said to run in families, and as it comes from both sides in our case he would be worried about losing his heir as well as me. Not to sound self centred you understand." I smiled. He nodded, "Also there is the fact that whilst he is making plans to invade or attack, he may not be able to focus on it. I feel that these are valid points for him not to know," I smiled.

"Yes my Lady," he bowed.

"I trust each and everyone in this room. I believe that you are both Loyal to Camelot and to the King and Queen. But where as I would normally ask on occasions such as this. I am going to insist on ordering this."I sighed, "Anybody who tells the King of our unborn child, and that I am carrying it. Anybody who tells him that I am with Child, or pregnant. Will be charged with Treason against the crown. Punishment to be decided at a later date," I commanded.

"Yes My Lady," they said yet again.

"But hear this. I can sense some doubt in this room already. Some already doubted my ability to rule because of my low birth. Some doubted my ability to rule because I am a woman. Whereas other's doubted me because I have merely been a pretty thing on the King's arm these past two years. Now some of you doubt me because not only am I of low birth, a woman or a trophy wife. I am now with child. This automatically makes me a higher protection priority. You know who you are in this room, and let me tell you, so do I. So believe me when I say this. I will not let having this Child affect my ability to be your Queen. I will fight until my dying day to ensure that Camelot is safe from the men who try to steal it from us."I paused to look around the room, all in awe of what I have said. "I am a Pendragon." Gaius smiled at me, I smiled back. "Meeting dismissed,"

I walked out of the throne room as men and women bowed or curtseyed as I passed.

AGAGAGAGAG

It was later now. It had been a busy afternoon. I had had a dress fitting with the royal dress maker, to prepare for my ballooning stomach. A very interesting meeting with the Knights; revealing that Arthur had devised a defence plan, should I ever fall pregnant.

Code Lavender it was called.

Arthur wanted 8 men around me round the clock to ensure the baby and I's protection. But seen as he was away and we had fewer knights it was put down to three Knights. Leon, Galahad and Gawain. What Arthur did not know would not hurt him. And I could defend myself.

I also had to endure the feast that was thrown in the honour of my fertility, and Camelot finally having another heir on the way. I had gone off wine recently so I had just drunk water. Before finally retiring to my chambers.

So here I am, standing outside my chambers, twiddling my thumbs, delaying returning to the cold empty chambers that was just for me alone now. Arthur was gone, and yet as I realised...I was not alone. The baby would not leave me. He was going to be my little soldier. I took a deep breath then opened the door. There was a bright fire burning to keep me warm. It seemed so big now that Arthur was not here to bustle around the room. I sighed, closing the door behind me.

"Hello My Lady," Leah appeared. I gasped again. "Sorry Milady. I apologize,"

"It is fine dear. Are you okay?"

"I am fine and Dandy Gwen. Just fine and dandy," she burst into laughter.

"Are you drunk Leah?" I asked, smiling.

"No, No!" she smiled again. She was drunk, bless her.

"Maybe you should go back home hun," I helped her stand up.

"Can I just say Gwen? I really admire what you're doing," she said in a serious tone.

"Which is?"

"You are going to raise your child. Keep it and raise it even though you may never see your Husband again. I wish I was courageous as you. Knowing that your one constant is gone. And pregnancy isn't easy. I should know, I have been through it. The swollen ankles, the back pain, the waking up in the middle of the night. Just joyous. I am so proud of you. Not many women could do that on her own," Leah laughed. I suddenly felt sad. Nothing I wasn't expecting but as I watched Leah stumble out of my chambers. I suddenly felt like nobody cared about me.

I changed into my nightgown all the while thinking about how I was alone. Gaius was my friend but how was he supposed to help me in this time? Arthur and Merlin were off fighting a war. My mother died when I was born, so I could not get help from her. Igraine was dead, how was I supposed to get help. Even Morgana, I missed her terribly. She had not got children but she would have been a comfort to me. I sighed. I was going to have to do this all on my own. I don't know if I can do that...

AGAGAGAGAG

Meanwhile, faraway...

She awoke sitting bolt upright, panting. Something she had not done in many years. This was not a good sign for the young witch and she knew it. The strange visions she had of a heavily pregnant woman fighting off a group of men, despite being the size of a house, she was wielding two swords at the same time. But she was cornered. Worse was, the pregnant woman was somebody the young witch had known long ago. And still missed to this day. Having not being able to say goodbye to her best friend.

"Morgana? Morgana what is wrong?" The young druid boy entered, though he was now a young man, and not the small boy that she had met.

"Nothing is wrong Mordred. Go and check that Morgause is ok will you?" she asked. He obeyed, and bowed lowly. She lay back on her pillows, not sleeping but thinking. The bracelet that Morgause had given to her all those years ago had kept the dreams away. This only meant one thing. Closing her eyes, the witch thought of the lie she had told the young druid. She knew that one day soon she would return to Camelot...