Chapter 2

Arthur was ready to go at first light. Gwen came to the front gate to say goodbye and make sure they had everything that they would need. Arthur was going to head out with Gwaine, Leon, Percival and Merlin. Elyan was there with his horse loaded up, ready to join them.

"Elyan, I want you to stay behind with Gwen." Arthur told him, having him come over to the two of them.

"But Sire, I think I could be of more use with you." Elyan knew Gwen would be devastated if anything happened to Arthur and he wanted to be there to personally see to his safety.

"I want you to watch over my wife." He was using his King voice that left no room for argument. "This is the first time I shall be gone for a long period of time. Gwen is in charge while I am gone. I want her safe. Make sure I have a wife to return to."

Elyan could see the worry in the king's eyes. As much as Gwen didn't want Arthur to leave, it was clear Arthur was just as worried about her safety. "I will protect her with my life." He swore.

"I know you will." Arthur smiled at him and clapped him on the shoulder. He gave Gwen a light kiss before he mounted his horse along with his men.

"Please return to me." Gwen said to Arthur and then looked at the other four men "All of you return safely." Gwen knew the danger her husband and friends were going into. She would forever be grateful to Arthur for letting Elyan stay behind with her. She didn't know if she would have been able to handle it if she was to lose her brother and her husband. She mentally shook her head. She would not lose Arthur, he would return in a few short weeks and life would return to normal. That's what she had to keep telling herself anyways.

She leaned into her brother now for support as she watched the small group ride down the main street and out of the city. She didn't know if she was ready to be in charge, but she wouldn't let anyone know her secret fears. She was the queen of Camelot. She had to put on a strong face until Arthur returned. That was easier said than done though.

-0-

Arthur and his group made fast time across the kingdom. They were ever watchful for bandits but knew the areas that they frequented and avoided them as much as they possibly could while staying on the fastest path to the west. Arthur had been up most of the night to figure out the best route for them to the Forest of the Nagas. He figured that it would take about four days to reach the boarder, after that it would be an additional five to reach the forest undetected. It was a hard trail to trek and they would have to leave the horses behind, reducing what they would be able to take with them. Once they crossed the border Arthur planned to follow a mountain ridge through some caves to avoid detection from Sarrum's forces. It was not the most direct route, or the fastest, but it was the safest. While Arthur wanted to get home quickly, he also wanted to do so with all his men at his back.

When they made camp their first night they quickly figured out a few things. The ground was colder than they were used to but a layer of leaves under their blankets made everything much more comfortable. They were lucky that the changing weather left plenty of wood laying round for a warm fire. Each and every one of them, except Merlin, had thought the queen was over reacting when insisted on them packing extra blankets to cover with but as they tried to sleep the first night they were thankful for the queen's forethought.

It took them almost a full day longer then Arthur had thought it would for them to reach the boarder. They had unfortunately run into an overflowing river. The current had been too strong for the horses to pass and they had been forced to double back and look for another crossing. They lost over half a day from that and Arthur truly hoped that he wouldn't run into any more issues. When they did reach a small village near the border they found a family able to take their horses in for the two weeks they were going to be gone. Arthur made sure they had everything they would need for the horses and more to help the family with the upcoming winter. They took what supply's they each could easily carry, all the men found a way to bring the blankets that Gwen had insisted on, and got ready to set out in the morning.

-0-

Gwen was having a harder time handling Arthur being away then she thought she would. She had never comprehended just how much work it took to rule a kingdom. With winter approaching there was increasing requests for help to prepare for the coming weather. Gwen was unsure if she was doing the right thing but she couldn't turn away anyone in need. She remembered what it was like trying to get through the winter storms in her drafty little home in the lower city. She may not have to worry about that now but the rest of Camelot was not as lucky as she was.

The poor were not Gwen's only issues with ruling the kingdom, she didn't have the attention span for it. She remember how she use to tease Arthur for his lack of interest in the day to day events of the kingdom. Gwen now had a new appreciation. She had never had issues when she would sit in with Arthur before this but for some reason, as of late, she could scarcely keep her eyes open. She had been called out on this more than once in the past five days and each time was as humiliating as the time before.

It wasn't unit the fifth night when she was eating her diner that Gwen even believed there may be anything wrong with her. She was eating dinner with her brother. They had been discussing where Arthur might be on his journey. If he was on schedule then he would be to Amata by now and that had Gwen worried. She was about half way into her meal when her stomach tied its self into knots. She barely made it to a bin before she was losing her meal. Elyan was right at her side.

"Elyan, would you have the guard fetch Gaius for me?" Gwen sat on the ground and rested her head on the nearby wall, the cold stone feeling good.

Elyan didn't have to be told twice, he could tell his sister was unwell. He feared the stress of running the kingdom and her beloved being so far away was effecting her. Gaius arrived at the queens chambers quickly with his bag in hand. He had Elyan moved Gwen to the bed, checking her over.

"What seems to be the matter, my lady?" He asked her while doing his assessment.

"My stomach is all in knots" She explained it him "It was very sudden and painful."

"Do you think your food may have been poisoned?" Gaius seemed worried that any harm would come to her.

"I do not think so. We both ate and drank the same thing, I got the food myself." Elyan informed the physician. "She has been under a lot of stress lately. She can hardly stay awake most day, her emotions are running high since Arthur left."

Gaius frowned slightly then got a thoughtful look on his face. "My lady, if I may ask, when was your last monthly?"

Gwen turned red at the question, "Last month of course" She sounded insulted for a moment until she gasped lightly "Wait, no, it's been longer than that." She tried to think of when it was but she had been so busy since the wedding to Arthur and becoming Queen, the search for Morgana, all the meeting with other kings and queens. "I don't remember." She told him honestly.

He smiled at her "I believe you may be with child, I can give you something that may help with some of the symptoms." He squeezed her hand "Congratulations your highness."

Gwen was is total shock for a full minute and then she felt tears prick at her eyes. Elyan pulled her into his arms. "He will make it back Gwen, he has to now." He tried to calm her fears.

"Arthur, please be safe, please return to us." She whispered and let herself cry into her brother's shoulder. Her Arthur was off in the territory of the most brutal person on the planet and she had no way to tell him he would be a father. Could anything more happen to them?

A/N I'm planing for this to be a long story so please let me know what you think or what you might want to happen. I have an idea where this is going to go but I love others opinions.