A/N: Hello! Sorry for the delayed update, I had a bit of writers block :( THANK YOU for all your amazing reviews. I don't want to sound pushy but please, if you have the time, drop in a review even if it is only "Good.". All reviews mean a lot to me. Also, a big THANK YOU to those who have favourited/followed 'What If?' and myself as an author. :)
Anyway, enjoy this chapter! :)
Arwen4eva xxx
2 weeks later.
"I have the water and basin for you Gwen." Lizzie says placing the basin on the table.
"Thank you Lizzie." Gwen says as she stands from the desk, away from the business concerning the kingdom.
'It isn't too important right now.' Gwen muses.
The Queen walks over to the currently sleeping Llacheu. "Come on piglet." As Gwen picks him up, Llacheu opens his eyes causing her to smile.
Gwen walks over to the table and gently places Llacheu down. She undoes his tiny clothing and nappy, then rolls up her sleeves. To be comfortable, Gwen has dressed in one of her old dresses from when she was a maid - without the corset, she finds it surprisingly fits well. Cradling her baby in one arm, Gwen lowers him into the warm water. Using her hand, she scoops the water over Llacheu's body.
"My godson is so adorable." Lizzie says striking Llacheu's soft hair.
"Yes he is." Gwen says. She cups some water in her palm and pours it over Llacheu's head, careful not to get any near his eyes. "Can you fetch me the soft towel and a fresh cloth for him please Lizzie."
"Sure." Lizzie walks over to the wardrobe and pulls out the required items. As she arrives back at the table, Gwen pulls Llacheu out of the basin.
"Here we go baby." Gwen coos as Lizzie wraps the towel around her godson. Once fully wrapped, Gwen cradles him against her chest.
At that moment, Arthur walks in.
'Perfect time to see if I can spend some time with Merlin.' Lizzie thinks.
"Do you want me to get rid of the water for you Gwen?" she asks.
"If you don't mind Lizzie, thank you." Lizzie takes the basin, smiles then leaves.
"You should get ready Guinevere. The feast is in an hour." Arthur says kissing his wife's temple.
"I know but I wanted to bathe Llacheu before we went."
"Give him to me. I will gladly sort him out whilst you change." Arthur says holding out his arms. Gwen places Llacheu in them and goes to change.
"Are you sure that you're okay with this?" Gwen asks for the hundredth time as she fastens up her gown. "I don't have to go to the feast."
"Yes you do." Lizzie says burping Llacheu. "You and Arthur deserve a break. Ever since Llacheu was born 2 weeks ago, you and that husband of yours have not stopped. Take these next few hours to enjoy yourself."
Gwen nods and walks over to the mirror to check her appearance. Once she seems herself appropriate, Gwen walks back to her son and best friend who has just finished burping the baby prince.
"I will be back in a few hours. Send for me immediately if something happens to him and I will run straight here."
Lizzie laughs slightly. "Nothing will happen Gwen, but yes, if anything does happen I will send for you."
"Thank you Lizzie." Gwen says and kisses Llacheu's forehead. "Be good piglet."
The feast is in full swing. Tables have been moved to accommodate room for dancing. The King and Queen slowly move together in the middle of the group.
Gwen rests her chin on Arthur's shoulder - very comfy without chain mail - with her arms around his torso and Arthur's arms encase his wife's thinner waist as they sway. He kisses Gwen's temple and rests his cheek there.
Then for the tenth time within the past hour, Gwen yawns.
"Are you okay Guinevere?" Arthur asks feeling Gwen yawn against his shoulder.
"Yes, just a bit tired that's all." she says not budging her head causing Arthur to smile. Suddenly a loud clapping is heard and all heads turn to see Merlin, Leon, Gwaine and Percival, each with a large tankard of ale in their hands. Gwen's head remains on Arthur's shoulder as they turn to face their friends.
"Oh no." Arthur mumbles causing Gwen to laugh softly.
"We'll keep this short. The knights and I just wanted to say a huge congratulations to you both Arthur and Gwen on the birth of your beautiful son." Merlin says.
"We all look forward to the days to come as we watch the Prince grow and continue with the legacy you began." Leon says.
"And we also look forward to the arrival of many more Pendragon children." Gwaine adds cheekily causing laughter to bubble in the hall.
"To the King, Queen and Prince Llacheu." Percival announces raising his tankard.
"To the King, Queen and Prince Llacheu." the nobles repeat happily.
The music resumes and the couples start dancing again.
"I won't have much longer until Llacheu is demanding for his feed." Gwen mumbles to Arthur.
"Well enjoy the time you have left then my love." Arthur says then kisses Gwen lightly.
At that seeming perfect moment, one of Gwen's friends Lady Beatrice walks up quickly to the royal couple.
"My apologises for intruding you majesties but Gwen, Lizzie says that a few minutes ago Llacheu started crying and hasn't stopped since." Without waiting for anything else to be said, Gwen removes herself from Arthur's embrace, gathers her skirts and runs as fast as her tired body will allow.
In the corridors leading to her chambers, Gwen can hear her baby's cries and fear wrenches in her stomach.
'Please let nothing bad have happened to him.' Gwen silently prays.
As soon as she runs in, Gwen scoops Llacheu up in her arms.
"Shh shh sweetheart, mama's here. Shh shh shh." Gwen coos.
Llacheu's cries subside slightly but do not relent. "What happened?" Gwen asks Lizzie over her baby's cries.
"I don't know. I managed to get him to sleep and as I was tucking him in he began to cry and hasn't stopped since." Lizzie says.
'Maybe he is hungry.' Gwen thinks.
"Take him." Gwen says and Lizzie grasps the crying prince. Gwen hastily undoes the front of her dress then takes back Llacheu and places him on her breast. Immediately the cries cease.
"Wow. That is one impatient baby." Lizzie remarks. Gwen slowly walks over to the rocking chair that has been put beside the fireplace and carefully sits in it. Lizzie places a cloth over Gwen's shoulder.
Arthur then runs in.
"What's wrong with him?" Arthur asks worried and slightly out of breath.
"Judging by the way he is now quiet, I would say he was desperate for his feed." Lizzie says. Arthur walks over and kneels beside Gwen and his nursing son.
"Are you okay Guinevere? You looked extremely scared back then."
"Something could have happened to him Arthur." Gwen says keeping her eyes on her son, blinking more to prevent tears.
"Do you really think that Lizzie would allow something bad to happen to our son?" Arthur asks softly.
"No." Gwen says, her voice barely above a whisper.
"No. Nothing will happen to him. I know you are worried about him every moment, I am too. He is 2 weeks old and cannot do a thing for himself. But he is always around those who love him and those we trust. He will be fine." Gwen nods and takes Llacheu's tiny hand between her thumb and index finger.
"Gwen is it okay for me to go to the rest of the feast. Merlin shouldn't be left alone with the knights - especially Gwaine."
"Of course. Thank you for your help this evening Lizzie." Gwen says, eyes still on her son.
"It was my pleasure Gwen. Good night."
"Good night Lizzie." Gwen says as Lizzie walks out of the door.
"Is he finished?" Arthur asks. A small gurgling is heard and Llacheu pulls away.
"Yes, he is now." Arthur takes the cloth from Gwen's shoulder and places it on his own. He takes his son and starts burping him.
"Go and get changed Guinevere. You look exhausted." Gwen just nods and goes over to the changing screen.
As her dress falls to the floor Gwen stares at her less prominent stomach.
'Looks like I am going to be fat for the next few months.' Gwen thinks sadly. 'But I coped with getting fatter for 9 months, I can cope with getting thinner.'
Quickly, Gwen covers her body with her cool nightgown and walks over to Llacheu's cradle where Arthur is tucking the blanket around his baby boy's shoulders. Gwen leans down and kisses his forehead.
"Good night piglet." she whispers as Arthur leans down and also kisses Llacheu's forehead.
"Sleep well buddy." Both parents stand together and watch their baby sleep peacefully.
'So cute. I can imagine him as a very handsome man when he is older. All the girls chasing him - not just because he is a Prince hopefully.' Gwen thinks with a smile. Arthur wraps his arms around Gwen's waist.
"Come on Love, let's go to sleep."
End note: Please review! :)