Chapter 6. Surprise

Even though the trip was considered short, Gwen felt relaxed enough to return home. After lunch was when they began to pack up their camp. With the horses loaded, Arthur held Gwen's horse so she could mount. Swinging her leg over the saddle gracefully, she suddenly felt lightheaded and off balance. Placing her hands on the base of the horse's neck, she leaned forward slightly. Arthur stared at her, slightly concerned. "Are you alright Gwen?"

Gwen waited a moment before answering. "Yes Arthur, sorry, just felt a little dizzy for a second."

Arthur raised his eyebrow up slightly. Gwen never got dizzy from mounting. She had excellent horse riding skills. Arthur couldn't help the feeling of something more than just a dizzy spell. Keeping his thoughts to himself, he promised to keep a close eye on her. Lifting Merlin up, Gwen placed him in front. Wrapping her arms around him to keep him from falling off, she waited for the rest to mount.

Once they were comfortably in their saddles, Arthur took the lead. Gwen let her horse follow Arthur in second. She couldn't help but feel sad leaving the lake. It had been peaceful being there, now she had to return back to Camelot and her duties as Queen. As Arthur to his kingly duties. She briefly wished they didn't have to be royal. That they could live quietly somewhere undisturbed. She smiled at the memory of Arthur saying he'd be a farmer if he wasn't a prince. Then she remembered at how wonderful Arthur was at being king. Even if he didn't always see it. How much better Camelot has been under his rule after Uther. The people love and trust him, instead of living in fear as they had during Uther's reign. No, she couldn't be selfish to wish for a different life. Instead, she could focus on making a good one now.

She knew kings and queens lived throughout history. Gwen wondered if her and Arthur would be remembered.

The ride back to Camelot had been uneventful. Mostly Gwaine talked about his tavern stories; ones that everyone have heard for at least a thousand times. Only Merlin liked his uncle's stories. Of course he didn't know what a tavern was exactly. But it sounded like an exciting place to him.

Camelot's towers came into view shortly after noon changed to evening. A good feeling of home washed over them all.

After a good warm meal. Gwen carried a sleeping Merlin to his room. Even she felt tired after the trip. Arthur opened the door for her as she had her hands full. Smiling at him as she went past. Lying Merlin down gently on the bed, Gwen brought the covers over his small frame. Arthur put his arm around Gwen's shoulders when she straightened. She leaned into him, trying to contain a yawn.

Arthur looked down at the bed. Watching Merlin sleep peacefully.

"Do you think he'll remember?" He suddenly blurted out.

Gwen reeled her head back in surprise. She studied his face. She could see the pain of loss in his eyes. "I don't know Arthur." Gwen said gently. "I don't know what will happen."

"What do we do if he does remember?"

Gwen cupped his face with her hand. He looked at her, leaning into the warm touch. "Then we'll walk that bridge if and when we come to it. Take each day as it is Arthur. Savor the moments we have now; Instead of worrying of what may or may not come." She said wisely.

Arthur smiled at her. Thinking of another reason why he's glad he married her. "Alright. We'll take one day at a time."

Gwen woke the next morning feeling sick. Her stomach felt bubbly and bloated. Rolling onto her side, Gwen hoped it would ease off. After a few minutes, it only got worse. Gwen groaned.

"Gwen?" Arthur asked concerned. She didn't respond. "Gwen what's wrong?"

"I don't feel good Arthur."

Arthur immediately flipped over the covers and quickly went over to kneel next to Gwen, who was still on her side. Arthur brought his hand up to feel her forehead. "You don't have a fever, at least that's good."

"I feel like I'm going to be sick" she warned him.

Arthur quickly jumped out of the way as Gwen leaned over the bed, spilling contents from her stomach onto the floor. "I'm sending for Gaius." Arthur said; expecting for her to make an argument, saying she was fine when she clearly was not. Gwen only laid back into her pillow. Making no comment. Then he started to get worried. Rushing towards the doors. Arthur told one of the guards standing on the other side to find Gaius. The other, he told to fetch a maid to clean up the sick. Once they received their orders, Arthur turned back to Gwen.

The maid arrived first. She was young, perhaps in her twelfth or thirteenth year. Getting her rag, she started to remove the substance from the floor. "Sorry about this," Gwen apologized. The girl looked up at the queen smiling. "It's not a problem your majesty. I have a baby sister at home, so I deal with this almost daily." Gwen smiled at her. She smiled back before concentrating on her task. Gaius came just as the young maid was leaving. Finishing her chore. "I came as soon as I heard." Gaius said a little out of breath. Stairs were not kind to old age. "What is the matter?"

"I just suddenly felt nauseated this morning. And I threw up on the floor."

Gaius already began his assessment while she was talking. "Have you felt like this before?"

Gwen shook her head, "No."

After a few minutes. Gaius finished. "I cannot seem to find anything physically wrong with you Gwen. There is only one thing I can think of." "What's that?" Both Arthur and Gwen said at the same time.

Gaius smiled. "You're pregnant Gwen."