Rating: pg
Characters/Pairings: Arthur/ Gwen. Merlin, Gaius, Leon, Morgana
Summary: Gwen tends to Arthur's wound during the first battle after marriage.

BLOOD AND TEARS

"Hold still. Really Arthur, if you are man enough to get a sword injury you should be man enough to sit still while it's tended. You're acting like Amhar." Gwen was annoyed that he was fidgeting while she was trying to clean a wound on his side.

"Why are you still here? You should have gone with the other women and children into the woods." He was not really surprised to see her.

"If I did that then Morgana would come after them and kill them all. No it's safer for me to be here." She kept her head down so he couldn't see the anger in her eyes.

"Where is the baby?" Arthur felt a wave of panic.

"He's over there by Gaius." She indicated with her nod the basket by Gaius' table of supplies.

"He shouldn't be here in the middle of this." Arthur was afraid for both of them. With Morgana's magic, Gwen was right they were not safe anywhere.

"Arthur, none of us should." Gwen stopped what she was doing and gave him an angry look then continued to clean the wound. "I wish your sister would see sense and give up this fight. She is hurting the kingdom she claimed she loves."

"She just wants revenge. She was wronged by our father and she just wants someone to pay, unfortunately that's us." Arthur grimaced as she prodded with her fingers deeper in the wound. "Guinevere, please."

"It needs stitches I'll be right back." Gwen placed a temporary bandage over the wound and walked over to the table with the supplies to gather what she needed. She looked over at Amhar and tucked his blanket back in. he was sleeping peaceful despite the chaos around him. She selected what she needed and returned to her husband.

Arthur sighed for a moments reprieve from her prodding fingers. He watched her and frowned. He heard a noise by the door and looked up. His hand went to his sword on instinct.

"Arthur, the west gate is holding but we need to send more Knights to the South Gate." Sir Leon called from the door. Arthur nodded in response. Sir Leon was out the door in a flash of chainmail. The news was good. He put his sword back on the table.

Gwen came back with a needle and silk thread and bandages. She put them down and moved the temporary bandage to start to stitch him up.

"Wait, why are you doing that? Gaius can …" Arthur looked at her. She gave him a tilt of her head that silenced any further objections. He knew not to even try to argue when she looked like that.

"Gaius is tending Sir Kay. It's a fatal wound. He will not last much longer." Gwen's look softened to sadness. "His wife just found out they are expecting a child."

"Gods," Arthur swore. He got up off the table and went to the Knight's side. He put his hand on the Knight's shoulder reassuringly. Sir Kay gave him a weak smile. Gaius looked up from the dressing he was changing and shook his head solemnly.

"Arthur, you're still bleeding come here and let me fix it." Gwen took him by the arm and tugged him back to the table.

Arthur did as Gwen asked. He sat back down on the table with a grunt. "Hurry, I need to get back out there."

"Yes, I'll hurry so you can try to make me a widow again." Gwen kept her head down so he wouldn't see the tears starting in her eyes.

"Guinevere, I am the King. It is my duty to protect the Kingdom." Arthur brushed back a curl from her shoulder trying to comfort her. "Ah that hurts," he hissed.

"Good," Gwen gave him a glare to silence him. She quickly finished her task and tightly bandaged it. "There I'm done."

Arthur gave Gwen a quick kiss and got down. He went to Amhar and took a minute to look at him, then left quickly.

Gwen sat down on the bench next to Amhar and started to sob. Gaius looked up and came over and handed her a clean cloth.

"Gwen, he is the best warrior in the Kingdom and Merlin is there with him. Here dry your eyes and see to your baby. He is awake and looking at you." He patted her shoulder and returned to tending the wounded.

Gwen dried her eyes and smiled at Amhar. "Come here my darling, your Daddy will keep us safe." She picked up the now awake baby and cuddled him. She turned to Gaius and looked at him and frowned. She mouthed the words, 'I hope'

Gaius nodded. He looked at the door and sighed. He was just as worried as Gwen. This time seemed bloodier and bolder. He turned to check Sir Kay, sighed and pulled a sheet over the lifeless Knight.

Gwen bit her lip and prayed with their child in her arms. There was an outcry from outside in the battle. She sat and rocked him in her arms and waited.

Gwen didn't have to wait very long before the door opened and Arthur and Merlin came through with smiles on their faces.

"We have beaten them back and they are running. We shall have them all by sunrise." Arthur went to put his arms around Gwen but stopped when he saw who was standing in the corner. Gwen turned to look where he was staring and gasped.

"You may have won this time but I will keep trying. This Kingdom is mine by right." Morgana sneered at them. "I will be its Queen someday and you will be dead." With that she disappeared in a swirl of wind and smoke.

Merlin looked at Gaius and frowned. He went to Arthur's side and shared a look with him. Arthur held Gwen and Amhar tightly as he looked over her shoulder at Merlin. Only they understood how close they all had really come to death this time. They would never admit it to anyone.