A/N: Character death

Arthur opened the door to his chamber softly. Gwen and Flora usually took a late morning nap. His lips curled into a smile. Flora woke Gwen up every morning as the sun bathed a dark sky into orange and red skies. Over the last few weeks, Flora had grown self-aware. She wanted Gwen in the morning, not Arthur. Her little face twisted with sorrow until Gwen cradled her in her safe arms. He pretended that he slept as her soft coos crept into his ears. Gwen chatted with their daughter as Flora waved her arms.

Arthur tiptoed past his bed. Pausing, Arthur's eyes lingered over Gwen as she slept. Her dark eyelashes fanned her cheeks. Her tiny hands curled near her dark head. His eyes twinkled when he realized that Gwen and Flora slept in the same manner; with their hands resting next to their heads. Impulsively, he brushed his lips over Gwen's sleeping face. He pulled a blanket over her relaxed body. Goodness, I love you so deeply. My life is good with you.

A soft coo drew his attention to Flora's cradle. Walking over to her cradle, his heart thumped; he loved Flora so desperately as he loved Guinevere in such a forever way. It was so intense. Yet, it was very different than his love for Guinevere. My older children… I supposed that they are my children. They were quite helpful with Flora. They only annoyed cook. Guinevere forces Galahad into a bath after a week. She scrubbed him clean. They only had two Nurses quit over the last three months. He was surprised that he grew to love Agnes, Bors, and Galahad so quickly. He thought it would take time to bond with them. They were loud and naughty except Bors. They just wriggled their way into his heart. He called Agnes" Blaze" because she had red hair, and she was fast, always into things. Her eyes blazed fire. Her hair whipped around like a dragon's breath. Bors and Galahad were fine future knights. Bors were safe and steady. Galahad was a risk taker. They attempted to fish…attempted. He had a family… a real family.

Arthur stared into Flora's lacey white cradle. Her reddish born hair had grown into her eyes. Tenderly, Arthur brushed Flora's hair out of her eyes. A soft laugh reward Arthur's gentleness. Her eyes were so like Gwen's. Flora looked at Arthur questioning as she waited for her father to life her from cradle. Arthur gazed at his baby for a sweet moment. He noticed her movements weren't as jerky. Her little fist moved around in circles. She smiled and laughed at everyone that held her or walked past her.

"Hello, my princess."

Flora grinned at her father. Pushing her head into her soft pillows, she kicked her feet in greeting. Arthur laughed when she raised her feet. Briefly, she forgot Arthur stood before her. Flora stared at her feet in amazement.

"Darling, those are your feet. You saw them yesterday."

Arthur wanted to leave Flora in her cradle. Truly, he wanted to follow Gwen's rules regarding Flora. He was King of Camelot. He didn't have to follow Gwen's rules. He was King… she was queen by marriage.

Arthur lifted Flora into his arms.

"I'll bring you back before she wakes."

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Arthur's arms cradled Flora as he walked around the lower town. He couldn't believe that Flora didn't want to cuddle anymore. She used to spend weeks resting on his chest. Now, her little head stared at everything, especially his older children.

His people, not subjects, smiled and touched Flora's little hand as they rushed past him.

Brushing his lips over Flora's brow, Arthur smiled into Flora's smiling brown eyes.

"Let's go see Mother's old home.

Arthur trudged around the city. He noticed smoke rising from Gwen's old home. His lips twisted as he spotted multiple footprints left around the steps leading to Gwen's home. His warrior eyes scanned the perimeter. His shrewd eyes noticed mud by a back window. Someone tossed water from Gwen's house. He counted numerous boot marks. Someone actually left a rotting apple near her front door.

What is going on here? People have met here. I can't go in with Flora; it might be dangerous.

"Some lied to us, Poppet. Something secret is going gone. We need to return to the castle."

Flora yawned; before she rested her head on Arthur's shoulder.

"Tired?'

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Gwen blinked as she struggled to focus her eyes. Her ears strained to hear Flora's cooing. Her fingers grabbed her sheets as she waited endlessly to hear her baby's chatter.

One of them stole my baby again. Gwen winced; her breasts were full of milk. Flora would demand her meal in a few moments. Sitting up, Gwen stuck her feet into her slippers. Brushing away stray locks, Gwen set off to find her baby.

People around the castle learned to ignore Gwen when she walked around with the "Where is my baby look on her face?" Gwen stomped to the council room. The nobles and knight took one look at Gwen's face, and began rising from their chairs. Gwaine hadn't learned to step out of the way.

"Hello, Esmeralda."

Arthur's nostrils flared. He hated when Gwaine called Gwen by a pet name. It was a joke that he didn't understand. It annoyed him. Flora wriggled on his chest lifting her head to see the commotion. Weeks ago, she was content to snuggle on my chest. That really bothers me… my baby is growing up. Now, she wanted to watch everything. Usually, she loved watching her siblings slip by. Nurse spent house turning Blaze into a lady, and Blaze fought it every day. Nurse adored Bors and Flora, they didn't talk back. I need make Galahad and Agnes Knights of Sassy mouths.

"Guinevere, she's wriggling. I don't believe Flora's belly is empty."

Gwen's dark eyes flashed at Arthur.

"People are staring, Darling."

Gwen placed her hands on her hips. Arthur smiled gently. "Out," he ordered loudly.

Elyan stepped over to hug his sister. He looked into her eyes, and backed away slowly. Gwen flounced around; she waited patiently for Arthur to assist her. He long fingers deftly loosen her gown. Gwen walked over to her comfy chair in the Council room. Arthur rocked a Flora; she just began to fret over her late meal. Gwen drew her gown from her shoulders. Her arms reaching for her daughter. Tenderly, Arthur released his daughter into Gwen's embrace.

Hungry, Flora latched onto her mother's nipple. Arthur chuckled.

"She has my appetite.

"And your lack of patience."

Arthur pouted. "I'm patient."

"Like a bumble bee."

Flora sucking dominate the room. Gwen knew something was wrong with Arthur. He usually sat next to them, idly brushing hair from Flora's eyes. Gwen believed it annoyed the baby, but she was too busy eating.

"What troubles you?'

Arthur hated anything messing with his family time. He didn't want to worry Gwen. Life was so good with their children. Yet, didn't want anything to ruin it.

"They meet at your house to draft their battle plan. They left us out."

Gwen smiled at her husband. "You mean … they left you out. Trust in Merlin."

"I know. I miss the boys."

"You have a job within this castle. You can't always roam, my love."

Gwen shifted Flora to her other breast. Flora yawned loudly. Happily, she latched on to her mother's other breast.

"I want to be home with our children and you. I don't want anything to spend out of my control."

"Arthur."

Arthur closed his eyes. "Not my affair. Let Merlin, and the boys deal with everything. I'm going to sit this one out, and enjoy a few days of peace."

Arthur didn't know what changed his mind. Maybe, he was finally happy. He had Guinevere and their children. Merlin was with him.

Flora detached from Gwen's chest. Arthur scooped her into his waiting arms. Gwen moved to his throne as Gwen fixed her clothing. Arthur placed Flora on his lap. His large hand firmly patted her back until she released a loud burp. Flora's eyes wondered in shock. She gazed at Arthur question why he made such a loud noise.

"That was all you, Poppet. Flora smiled at her father. Arthur recognized her sleepy look.

It was a plan to feed Flora. Gwen held the baby as Arthur untied her laces. Gwen fed her Cherub. Arthur watched, and chatted about his day. Arthur burped Flora, and gave her back to Gwen. He fastened Gwen's dress back into place. It took them awhile to figure it out.

Flora yawned again. "She's tired."

"Time for her afternoon nap."

Arthur tucked his drowsy daughter in his arm, and offered Gwen a hand.

"Do you know the location of the rest of our brood?'

Gwen's brows knitted together. "Tutoring."

Arthur grinned. "Why don't we take nap?"

"You don't want to sleep."

"Yes, I do afterwards."

"Someone might hear."

"Don't make any noise."

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Gwen worried about Tristan. He hadn't left his chamber for dinner. He didn't arrive to stare at Flora. Or traced her little features in her sleep. Gwen's feet carried her to his chamber. Softly, she knocked on the door.

"Tristan."

Worry gnawed on her soul. Gwen opened his chamber door. "Tristan?"

Gwen spotted him lying on his bed. She rushed over to touch his face to see if he was warm.

A quivering hand rose to halt her progress. 'Don't touch me. Make sure that they wear gloves to remove me.

A dark despair filled Gwen's heart as his words formed in her mind. Gwen's heart stopped. "Oh, Tristan, why?"

Tears poured from his eyes. "I am lost without her. The sun is gone. It's better this way. Let your babe and the children live for us."

Gwen shook grief entered her mind. "What should I do?

"Sit with me."

Gwen sank into a chair away from his bed. She spoke of the children as she waited or Tristan's life to slip away. Gwen talked until she had nothing to say. Quietly, she sat as his life slipped away.

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Arthur's pulse raced as he order guards and knights to locate his wife. Gwen couldn't be found. How the hell did Morgana sneak into his citadel again?

"Damn her."

Tristan was an expert tracker. He could find Gwen in the woods. Arthur raced to his chamber. Breathless, Arthur's hand tentatively knocked on the door.

"Tristan," he called.

"Come in, Arthur."

Arthur was surprised to her Guinevere's voice filled with sadness.

Opening the door, he found her sitting in a chair crying.

"He couldn't live without her."

Wordlessly, Arthur lifted Gwen from her chair. His lips brushed her damp brow as he carried back to their chamber.

Arthur didn't have the words to fix this.

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Arthur held a torch; is jaw set in a grim line as he tossed it unto Tristan's funeral pyre. His blue eyes met Merlin's.

"Whatever is your plan… be successful. "

Merlin's eyes roamed over a distress Gwen. She only ate so she could feed Flora. She spent hours crying with the children. Flora was fussy over the sadness in her home. Agnes slept with Arthur and Gwen over the last few days. The boys made makeshift beds in their parents' chamber. They wanted to be close to Gwen and Arthur.

"She can't take much more, Arthur."

"I know she didn't expect so much change in her life. She had… has a deep connection with Tristan, Bedivere, and Isolde. Morgana stole another joy from Guinevere."

"I won't fail you."

"Be swift and deadly," Arthur cautioned.

"I am your faithful, humble servant, Arthur."

Arthur's lips set in a tight line. He lowered his eyes when he felt someone tugging on his tunic's sleeve. His heart shattered into a thousand pieces. Agnes's eyes were hollow as she looked at Arthur. It was like someone poured a pitcher of cold water on her little head.

"You aren't leaving," she whispered. She slipper her cold hand into Arthur's.

Arthur picked up his daughter. He kissed her forehead. "No, Blaze, I'm staying here with my family. I'm here to protect you." Arthur turned until he faced Merlin. His large hand stroked Agnes' hair as she cried into his shoulder.

"You do this… or I will, Merlin. Nothing will stop me until they are gone."

"This is our family, Arthur. Camelot is our home. Nothing will ever take Camelot from us again. Nothing will ever harm our family again."

Merlin's harsh words soothed Arthur's weary soul. "Thank you for everything.

Merlin nodded in agreement. "Go to our family.

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Merlin stared into his comrades 'faces as they sat round Gwen's old table.

"Lot arrives in two mornings. Arthur will make small talk. Gwen will offer tea and cakes. Lot will have to gush over Flora. The next day, Arthur and Lot will hunt; make sure they are seen to everyone in Camelot."

Gwaine's lips twisted in concern. "What else?"

"I returned to Melwas' kingdom for one last visit. Morgana becomes an outlaw."