Four months later, Arthur woke up slowly. He wasn't sure what had awoken him. The light was only barely rising in the sky, but what he quickly noticed was that Gwen was not by his side. "Gwen?" He sat up, rubbing his eyes. Almost a full year, they'd been married now, and he hadn't woken up without her by his side. "Guinevere?"
Guinevere hadn't slept at all that night, tossing and turning uncomfortably. There had been a strange sensation in her stomach in early dawn. In had erupted suddenly sending her bolting from the bed into the bathroom, throwing up - for two solid hours. Hearing his tender voice, she groaned, pale and sweaty.
He stood, and opening the door, wiped some of the sweat from her brow, kneeling down beside her. "Gwen, Gwen. It's alright. Are you...sick?" Confusion knit his eyebrows. "Let's...get you back to bed, and you can lie down and...rest."
"I don't know...but, Arthur, it's been happening every morning." She weakly looked up, clutching her stomach in another moan, as her husband knelt beside her."Oh...I can't move. Please..." Gwen reached up and latched her arms around his neck.
Arthur picked her up, and gently carried her back, placing her on the pillows. "There. Just...you've got...you'll be better. I promise. Just a little sick." He was worried, and couldn't deny that.
Guinevere grumbled sleepily in his arms, curling into a ball when she was placed on the pillows. "This..doesn't feel like any fever." She looked up at him, the room spinning.
"It's alright. Get some sleep." Arthur sweetly smoothed her curls from her forehead, and pulled a blanket up to her chest. He would've called Merlin to help with his armour, but it was obvious that poor Gwen needed a little peace. The king tossed his wife a faint smile, before opening the door. "I'll have Merlin at your beck and call." He didn't know if that would be any help.
"I will try, love." She still smiled faintly up at him, snuggling under the covers. Gwen felt awful, and a yawn escaped her tired body. "I'm sure he'll try to help." She suppressed a small giggle, her gaze towards Arthur filled with love.
He raised an eyebrow, snickering a bit. "Well, he...does...try. Would you rather see Gaius?"
Smiling, she shook her head."I know he does. He's a good man, Arthur." Her eyes slowly began to drift close. But when he mentioned the physician they opened again. "And, I think I'd rather sleep…"
"Well, then. Sweet dreams, my sleeping beauty." Arthur came and kissed her forehead, before heading down to his counsel meeting. Yes, he had a mind to send Gaius up to her anyway. It would, in the very least, put his nerves to rest.
"I love you, my king. Guinevere sank into the pillows, and in and welcomed the sleep. She wanted more than anything to prepare a day together with her husband, but her health, came first.
Gaius did come, as to Arthur's bidding, to find Guinevere sleeping. She looked so pale, and worn, resting on the pillows, hair askew. "Gwen. My lady. I find that if is now four in the afternoon. Perhaps you should like something to eat?" The physician questioned quietly, taking a place on the edge of the bed, after opening the curtains.
Guinevere had been sleeping light, frowning and shielding her eyes from light as Gaius emerged. "Four o'clock! What?" She mumbled, looking at Gaius, and denying his offer of food.
"You obviously need the rest." He nodded. "But some nourishment should certainly play helpful. You'll be back on your feet in a few days." Obviously, there was something he knew that he wasn't saying.
"I feel like taking a hot bath…" She nodded, instantly regretting it as the room began to spin again. "Perhaps..if I must eat, I'll have something afterwards."
Gaius smiled, and patted her hand kindly. "Take good care of yourself. That's the best way to be taking care of all of you."
She smiled at her old friend. "Thank you, Gaius." Guinevere looked down for a moment, examining the pattern on the bedcover. "It bothers me when he looks so worried."
The physician chuckled a bit. "Arthur will understand in time. As will you, my lady."
"Yes…." Her smile towards him was warm, but still shaky as she tried to sit up. "Now, can I please have my bath?"
"Of course. I shall leave you." The old man began to depart, but stopped at the door. "Come to me for anything, my lady."
Then he left, only as Arthur nearly came in the door. His eyes lit up to see her sitting up. "Feeling...any better?"
Guinevere sank back into the pillows, resting her back as she nodded, and watched Arthur's expression soften towards her as she smiled adoringly at him. "You always make me feel better."
The young man came close, and wrapped his arms around her. "I've been so worried about you." Arthur buried his nose in her soft curls, seeking comfort. "Everyone is." He paused for a moment. "Especially your brother. But Gaius said no visitors for a few days."
Guinevere sank into her husband's arms, rubbing them. "I know, love. Everything will be fine." She smiled softly, nodding, but looked up at him. "Surely, I can see Eliyan?"
Arthur nodded, and reluctantly let go as she stood to prepare for her bath. "I'll be...where I always am." He bit his lip. "Gauis...said to stay in bed for a few days. Wouldn't tell me why. But I have no doubts your brother is an exception...to the rule."
She frowned, looking at him. "My love, you don't have to leave this room, if you don't wish too." Guinevere said softly, stroking his cheek.
"The knights are waiting for me." His smile was slight, but his movements slow, as though he was completely enamored by her. "I should go. I'll come back in a bit."
"Oh.." Her curls bounced as she stood on tip-toe to kiss his forehead. "Take care, my husband."
"Promise me a cuddle, later?" Arthur chuckled, a mischievous glint in his blue eyes. "Promise?"
"I promise!" She replied, a laugh bubbling from her lungs. "Now, go! Before I throw a pillow at you." Gwen knew how he hated that she always swamped him in their late-night pillow fights.
"Good." His expression was a mix between a playful smirk and a sweet grin as he ducked out the door.
It was a few weeks later when Guinevere bustled to the throne room, quite flushed. It had been quite an ordeal getting her dressed that morning. None of the laces on her dress would tie, and it made her want to burn with embarrassment. Finally, the ties had been loosened, and the dress had slid over her torso. Her once flat stomach had rounded, and her waistline had thickened. She'd frowned at her reflection for well over a half hour before going down to court. It was confusion that reigned her emotions that day. Still, somehow, she felt remarkably pretty.
"Guinevere!" Arthur ceased the meeting for a moment, and took both her hands in his own. "Good morning, my love." His blue eyes lit up. "You look beautiful." She really had never looked more lovely to him, that he could possibly remember.
"Good morning, Arthur!" Guinevere squeezed his hands, wearing a face splitting grin, before looking down at the ground in a blush. The truth was that she simply felt amazing.
In front of all the royals, Arthur warmly kissed her, and then pulling her close to his chest swung her in a circle. Her shriek made him laugh, and he gently set her down.
Her face was now flushed with scarlet blushing and it took a moment to regain her composure as she looked at him. "Oh!" Suddenly, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him, tightly. It was as if there was no one else in the room.
Arthur bent down, about to lock his lips into hers again, when Leon politely cleared his throat. "My lord?"
"Hm?" Arthur looked up. "Ah. Sorry." His smile was self-conscious as he lead Gwen to the throne.
She leant up, leaning towards his mouth, then chuckled hearing Leon. He was right. It was the wrong place, and the wrong time for such a fervent display of emotion. What had come over them? She bit her lip, and leaned on his shoulder as he led her forwards.
Arthur shook his head as she took a seat in her own throne, and casually lifted her onto his lap, and placed her arm around his neck. "Much better. You may continue, Sir Leon." The knights looked at one another in bafflement, but slowly brought their problems before the king.
Gwen pouted at Arthur, playing with his hair for a moment, then curled comfortably into him. Gaius quietly interrupted them, motioning for her to come to him. She frowned, but stood, curtseying to the knights, and left.
Arthur looked at bit annoyed at the interruption, but had no choice as to continue court. The Physician studied the Queen, up and down. Bright smile, to dainty shoes. "I am glad to see you are in such bright spirits, this morning, my lady."
May I help you?" She said quietly, matching his whispered tones, and hurrying towards Gaius. It took her a moment to process his question. "Well, I…feel…lovely this morning." It was complicated to bottle so many emotions in one word.
"Glad to hear it." His perpetual eyebrow raise went just a hair farther. "Still feeling sick in the mornings, I presume?"
"Unfortunately…" She bit her lip, not making eye contact. Automatically her hand slid down to her waistline, which she was so utterly confused by of late.
"Gwen, have you considered all the possibilities?" Gaius said quietly, escorting her from the throne room, and into a quiet corridor.
Gwen peeked back at Arthur for a moment, then leant back on a wall once they were alone. "Wh—what?" Her face paled, swallowing hard.
"Yes." The Physician took her hand, pressed it against her stomach again. "You are carrying the King's child, Guinevere."
Guinevere fell silent, gazing down at her hand. Could it really be true? This was Gaius, of course it was! "Oh.. Oh..why didn't you say something before?" Tears pricked her eyes as she placed both hands on her stomach in a protective position. A baby. Her baby. Their baby.
Gaius sighed. "I did not feel the timing was appropriate." Then he nodded. "They say a man never thinks his wife is more beautiful, then when she is expecting."
Her deep breaths seemed hard to come by. "Does Arthur know?" Guinevere sniffled, in pure shock.
"I wouldn't say so. But, I shall leave you to yourself." The old man said slowly. "But Gwen, don't keep it from him. Let Arthur share as much of this with you as possible. Children are a miracle from the beginning, something both parents should behold."
"Thank you—" Her voice broke, but a smile burst through as well, as she imagined what his face would be like when she'd tell him. Arthur. A father. He'd be so happy. "I do plan to tell him, right away."
It was late that night that Arthur finally saw his wife again, as she hadn't reappeared in court. He was tired beyond belief, after a long training session with the knights and only wanted to sleep. Gwen appeared to be curled up in bed, but her quiet, "Arthur." Stopped him at the door.
Guinevere had restlessly been working throughout the day, on the new gardens that Camelot were growing. All throughout the day, she'd found her hand slowly slipping down to her waist and the small bulge she felt there. The small miracle. She finally sank into the covers when it grew dark, and waited for Arthur. He looked so tired, so sweet. "Come here, love."
Arthur sat on the edge of the bed, and once again pulled her close onto his chest. There was nothing better than her arms at the end of a long day. "Are you feeling alright?" The talk with Gaius, earlier, had worried him a bit, though he'd tried to put it out of his mind.
Guinevere snuggled into his arms, feeling a little edgy from their talk earlier. Just tell him. He needs to know. He deserves to know. "Arthur. I..need to..talk to you." Her voice was shaky with nerves, looking up at him. This is his child.
Now he was worried. "Guinevere. Whatever you need to say. You can feel perfectly free...to say it. I am your husband. I love you more than anything." His deep blue eyes stared into hers with concern, as he took her shoulders with his strong, albeit gentle hands. "Please."
Oh, god. She had worried him. Gwen closed her eyes, lifting his hand up and kissing his knuckles, she placed it on her stomach as she stood before him. Silence reigned the room.
Arthur ran his fingers gently over her waistline. Soft confusion was mixed with what could of been sheer excitement. "Gwen? Is there something you need to tell me?"
Tears pricked at her eyes again, gathering herself, she spoke. "Arthur. Our family, the one we dreamed of, finally has it's delightful addition." Her gaze quickly travelled over him, feeling giddy with excitement, but pained with nerves.
He didn't say a word, but pressed the palm of his hand against her rounded abdomen. A smile. It was slow, but slowly spread across his face, and into his blue eyes, making them shine brightly. Finally, Arthur wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close and pulled her close, a single tear falling on the bronze, bare shoulder that her nightgown had slipped to reveal.
Her giddiness subsided, watching her husband's transformation like a hawk. She broke into a tearful bright, radiant smile that made her heart jump ten feet. Wrapping her arms around him lovingly, a tear was felt on her shoulder and Guinevere glanced up.
Arthur pulled her up into his arms, half-laughing and half-crying. "I love you. I love you so much." It had been only hours since he'd said it, but it seemed to matter more this time.
"Oh Arthur!" She was now crying with sheer joy, wiping his tears and laughing. "And I love you, I love you, so so much." The words wrapped around her heart and tugged at it, filling in with love and excitement.
He never wanted to let the moment go, and spun her around in a circle. With no one to see, there was no one to tell him to stop!
Her laugh pealed out like bells, before she squealed for him to stop as the dizziness set in. "Arthur, Arthur, stop."
Arthur bent down, and pressed his lips into hers, full force. This was everything he'd ever wanted. "How much longer?" He stopped kissing her for a breathe of air.
She grinned against his kiss, returning it with equal passion. This was the moment they'd dreamed of, and talked of for years - before they'd even married."Not much longer.."
"You look so beautiful." Arthur murmured, running his fingers through her curls.
"I feel beautiful." Guinevere whispered, pressing her head against his chest. Mm. He smelled good.
Arthur cradled her in his arms, then once again placed his hand on her small baby bump. "Soon. So soon." Only he didn't know how hard it would be to wait.