A/N: Hey guys! My apologises for the delay. I lost half of this chapter and had to re-write. :( But here we are, chapter 14.
Enjoy the chapter.
Arwen4eva xxx
Just as the sun is setting, Arthur returns back to the castle after a very fruitful hunt along with Leon, Gwaine and Percival.
He enters the courtyard seeing Merlin sitting on the steps.
He stands to help Arthur dismount his horse.
"Good hunt?" he asks once Arthur's feet are on the ground.
"Very. Caught a lot today. What about you and Guinevere?"
"Well, it has been a quiet day for us. We were going to go for a walk earlier but she fell asleep and I didn't want to wake her."
Arthur smiles.
"Where is she now?"
"Last time I looked, which was about an hour ago, she was still asleep in the nursery."
"Okay. Here you go Merlin." he says handing him his satchel.
"Have you actually put anything in this Arthur?" Merlin says feeling the next to nothing weight of the satchel.
"I don't know if they will be any help but I filled it with different herbs you may be able to use in both healing and your magic."
They both begin to walk towards the nursery.
"That was thoughtful of you Arthur. Thanks."
"Well, whilst we were letting the horses rest, the herbs were around us so I though why not. You can give some to Gaius as well."
"Yeah. Thanks again Arthur."
They arrive at the nursery.
"I will see you later Arthur."
"Thanks for keeping an eye on her for me today Merlin." Arthur says patting his shoulder.
"Well, what are friends for."
Arthur smiles at Merlin again before walking into the nursery.
Gwen is just coming out from behind the screen in her nightgown and new dressing gown when she sees Arthur closing the door.
A smile graces her face and she runs into his arms.
"Hello to you too." Arthur says planting a kiss into her hair.
"Sorry." Gwen says removing her hold on her husband. "Hello."
Arthur quickly pecks her lips.
"How are you?" he asks stroking her cheek.
Gwen batters his hand away.
"Hungry."
Arthur laughs as Gwen walks to the food on the table.
She picks up the tray and places it on her little table beside her chair.
She sits down and begins to munch on the still warm honey and bread.
'Merlin must have kept it warm for me or delivered it recently.'
Arthur removes his cloak and chain mail - placing them in the wardrobe.
He walks back and sits between Gwen's legs.
As he stares into the fire, Gwen fiddles with his hair.
"How was the hunt Arthur?" Gwen asks.
"Very fruitful. I shot 2 deer, I think it was about 6 rabbits, a few pigeons and a squirrel."
"That is impressive."
Arthur takes hold of one of Gwen's feet and begins to rub.
"Mmm. That feels nice, thank you."
Arthur finishes on the first foot and moves to the second.
Gwen munches on an apple.
Once Arthur has finished rubbing her feet, she settles further into Gwen's lap, his thumb idly stroking her ankle.
"Arthur?"
"Mm?" Arthur looks up at Gwen.
"Open." Curiously, Arthur tilts back his head in Gwen's lap and parts his lips.
She reaches over and places some bread and honey into his waiting mouth.
"Thank you." he says once he swallows.
"No problem."
Gwen continues to stroke his hair and he kisses the inside of her knee.
"Your hair needs a cut Arthur."
Arthur laughs.
"Does it now?" he asks.
"Yes. It will be too long otherwise."
"Well, you can sort it out in a few days."
"Okay."
There is silence for a few minutes before Gwen stills her actions and speaks up.
"Arthur?"
"What's wrong?" he asks sitting up now.
"Nothing, I just had a thought." Gwen doesn't look at Arthur but at her stomach.
"What is it?" he asks grasping her hands in his.
"When our baby is born, usually nurses look after him or her and the mother doesn't breastfeed them or looks after them as a mother should because they are Queen and are expected to have lots of children. But I want to be the one to look after our baby.
"I want to be the one who feeds our baby. I want to be the one who holds them when they cry. I want to be the one who helps send them off to sleep each day. We can have a nurse and wet nurse for if - and when - we need them."
Arthur just looks blankly at her. Gwen sighs.
"You probably think I'm mad but I don't care. It is our baby. Our baby. Not anyone else's. You will probably think about tradition."
"Guinevere." Arthur tries to stop her but she continues.
"But when have we given tradition a second glance. I mean, you married a serving girl for heavens sake!"
"Guinevere!"
Gwen finally shuts up.
"I don't think you are mad and you are right about the tradition thing. I don't care if you want to be the one to look after and breastfeed our baby or get the nurses to do it. I believe the decision should be yours.
"You have the god-damn right as the mother, as to whether or not you will be the one to nurse them and how much time you will spend with the baby. Our baby."
Gwen smiles at Arthur.
"I'm glad you agree."
Arthur stands and holds out his hand.
Gwen takes it and Arthur pulls her up.
Before she is fully aware of what is going on, Arthur spins her so he can sit in the chair and as he does, he pulls her with him.
"Arthur!" she exclaims swatting his shoulder playfully.
"Sorry. But I believe this is a better position. I can cuddle you now." He says, squeezing her closer to him.
Gwen rests her head on his shoulder as he strokes her bump.
"I told Merlin about him being the godfather today." Gwen says quietly.
"What did he say?" Arthur asks.
"He said that it would be an honour and that he loved the idea. Baby loved it too."
Arthur kisses Gwen's temple.
"Merlin also said that he could feel that the baby was happy. He said it was his magic that he could sense the baby's emotions.
"So, he could tell whether we are having a boy or a girl, if he tried that is."
Arthur's thumb stills on her stomach.
"Do you want to know?" Arthur asks.
Gwen lifts her head and looks at him.
"Why? Do you?"
"It is like I keep saying to everyone. I don't care if we have a handsome little boy or a beautiful little girl. It will be our child, so I could wish for nothing more."
Gwen rests her head back on his shoulder.
"I still think it may be a boy. You eat a lot."
"Maybe you're right. You may have your heir soon."
"I don't care if I have my heir now or in a few years. I will be around for years to come Guinevere. My life is great and having this baby, will make it perfect."
End note: Please review! :) xx