A/N: I know, I know. It has been a while but all my test have officially finished! I found out that in my English I received an A* after writing about fandoms and fangirling. ;)
Anyways, thank you so much for your reviews and those who have clicked on the follow/favourite buttons! :)
Enjoy this chapter!
Arwen4eva xxx
Two weeks after his accident, Arthur is still unable to train so spends all his spare time with his son.
"Go back to sleep Guinevere." Arthur says sitting at the table with Llacheu on his chest watching Gwen begin to slowly slump in her chair and fall asleep - again - as they eat their lunch.
"I cant' Arthur. Llacheu will want his feed soon enough, at least I hope he will, I have to look over the final plans for the renovation of the well in the lower town and as our son is teething he is either sleeping or screaming!" Gwen says almost shouting at the end out of annoyance.
"I know that Guinevere," Arthur says calmly not wanting to wake Llacheu. "we were both up with him last night trying to calm him. Gaius says he is working on an ointment for him so we just have to wait."
"Well how long do we have to wait?!" Gwen shouts out causing Llacheu to wake and begin crying. The Queen immediately stands and walks away ffrom the table towards the bed leaving Arthur to try and calm Llacheu down.
"Come on piglet, shh shh." Arthur coos. "Mama is just a bit agitated. You keep us up most of the night meaning we are both very tired and she just isn't taking it well."
Arthur looks up from his son to see Gwen pacing back and forth. He then looks down at Llacheu again and continues to calm him down.
Once Llacheu finally calms and returns to sleep, Arthur stands and places him in his cradle.
He then walks over to Gwen where she is on her knees on the cold floor, clasping her head in her hands.
"Guinevere?" Arthur whispers, gently placing his hand on Gwen's shoulder causing her to flinch. "Sorry." he says removing his hand, not wanting her to be uncomfortable.
"I can't take it anymore." Gwen mumbles, her hands still on her head. "This is too much. I can't see my baby in pain and hear him screaming constantly."
Arthur scoops Gwen into his arms, resting her head on his un-injured shoulder. Her shoulders shake as sobs rack her body making Arthur cling to her tighter.
"I know it is hard sweetheart but we cope. Llacheu needs us at the moment and we are going to have to endure his screams for a little while. Just wait until Gaius has made that ointment and piglet will be much more comfortable."
Arthur continues to hold Gwen until the sobs cease. He feels her grow still and looks at her. He smiles to see her fast asleep.
Slowly and ignoring the biting pain in his shoulder, Arthur picks Gwen up and places her down on the bed.
'At least she can be at peace for a while.' Arthur thinks as he removes Gwen's shoes and tucks the covers over her body.
"Sleep well Guinevere." he says kissing Gwen's forehead.
He walks over to the cradle and picks up the sleeping Llacheu and wraps him in his blanket/
"Let's go see if Gaius and Uncle Merlin have that special ointment for your gums. Mama won't be so stressed out then piglet."
Arthur walks down the corridors slowly with his son in his arms.
"Sire?" Arthur turns to see Leon standing behind him.
"Leon, how may I help you?"
"Nothing actually. I was just wondering how you have been. I was patrolling last night and noticed how Llacheu was crying for quite some time and you do look extremely tired."
Arthur sighs. "I am tired as is Guinevere but she is taking it quite bad. Llacheu has begun teething and she can't stand him being in pain. I eventually managed to get her to sleep and piglet and I are on our way to Gaius to see if he has made an ointment for his gums."
Arthur looks over to his shoulder where Llacheu yawns then settles again, finding comfort on the soft-ish tissue.
Leon nods understanding. "I will leave you to it then. Can't have the little Prince not letting you and Gwen get no sleep because of him."
"He doesn't care, he sleeps whenever he wants to." Arthur says, light humor in his voice.
"That is true Arthur. Babies will do as they wish. Well, I shall leave you two to get on with your business, I have training to oversee." Leon bows deeply then moves on.
Arthur rubs Llacheu's blanket covered back and continues on his way.
"Hello my lord."
"Hello Gaius. Piglet and I came to inquire whether you have finished the ointment for his gums."
"Yes it is complete now. Gwen had said she would collect it herself later."
"Yeah, she is currently sleeping. She has been so tired recently and she was up basically all night last night making sure he was okay. She had a bit of a breakdown earlier though, said she couldn't take his pained screams anymore."
Gaius nods understanding Gwen's problem.
"That sort of behaviour is natural in some mothers Arthur. There is a deep bond between Gwen and Llacheu and she just cannot handle it at the moment due to lack of sleep. She will be fine don't worry."
Arthur nods and smiles as Merlin walks up to him with Lizzie beside him.
'Did they just come out of Merlin's bedroom.Eww...'
"Uncle Merlin's turn!" Merlin announces and takes Llacheu from Arthur's shoulder.
"Careful Merlin. He is in pain when awake and was awake most of the night so I am trying to let him sleep."
Merlin nods and walks over to the bench, cradling Llacheu in his arms.
"Is Gwen okay or does she need me to check on her?" Lizzie asks.
"She is sleeping at the moment thank you Lizzie." Lizzie smiles then sits next to Merlin, gazing down at the little Prince.
"Now, that ointment." Gaius says turning to his desk, picking up one of the bottles and handing it to Arthur.
"Thank you Gaius."
"No problem Arthur, you can come back for the rest later. The ointment will numb his gums so he may act strange but that is because of the funny sensation in his mouth. Tip the bottle with your finger on the open lid then apply to his gums with your fingertip. In a few days he will have his first tooth."
"Understood. At least he will be comfortable and feed again."
"Has he not been feeding?" Gaius asks, slightly concerned.
"Not since yesterday. Guinevere tried last night but he wouldn't latch on - in too much pain probably."
"Well once the ointment is on, he will be fine."
A cry then sounds. Arthur goes over and picks Llacheu up.
"Come on piglet, shh shh." Arthur says bouncing him slightly but then stopping and picking up the bottle. "Can you take him for a moment please Gaius."
Gaius takes the little Prince into his arms as Arthur opens the bottle and puts some ointment on his finger. He takes Llacheu back and takes advantage of his open mouth, runs his finger over his gums. Within moments, the cries cease.
"Thank goodness for that hey piglet?" Arthur says placing Llacheu's head back on his shoulder.
"As long as you keep applying that every so often, Llacheu should feel no more pain," Gaius says.
"Thank you Gaius. I had better go and see if Guinevere is okay. Merlin..." Arthur stops talking seeing how engrossed he and Lizzie are with each other, foreheads touching and small mumbles coming from them.
"Tell him to come up to work when he is finished down here and to bring the vials of ointment." Arthur says to Gaius, then leaves.
Llacheu gurgles happily as he and Arthur enter the royal chambers causing Gwen to stir.
"Arthur?" Gwen asks rubbing her eyes.
"Yes and one happy little piglet." he says bouncing Llacheu slightly in his arms releasing more happy gurgles.
"How did that happen then?" she asks climbing out of bed and placing a thick shawl around her shoulders.
"Gaius' magical ointment. His gums have been numbed so he won't feel any more pain. Merlin, once he has finished with Lizzie, will bring up the bottles of ointment and actually do some work today.
Gwen laughs slightly and takes Llacheu into her arms, kissing the top of his head as he snuggles into her.
"I'm sorry for waking you up earlier piglet." she whispers. "We know you love to get your sleep but mama and dada like it too you know."
Llacheu just wiggles around a little bit. Gwen looks over to her husband.
"I'm sorry Arthur. I should have been a lot stronger and not have...been like that."
"Not at all Guinevere. Everyone has the right to release their emotions every once in a while. Besides, Gaius said it is normal amongst new mothers, not wanting to see their child in pain, trust me I don't like it either.
Arthur steps forward and places a kiss on Gwen's forehead.
"We will remain strong together, you, me and piglet." Gwen laughs slightly then stops as Llacheu wiggles around.
"Can you grab a cloth please Arthur?" Gwen asks as she goes to sit over in her rocking chair.
"Of course." Arthur says going to grab a cloth.
Once Gwen is comfortable in the chair, she removes her shawl then unties the front of her gown and places Llacheu on her breast.
Arthur walks over with the cloth but places it over his shoulder.
"At least he is feeding." he comments.
"Yes, but he will be feeding for a while now as he hasn't since yesterday evening." Gwen says, resting her head against the pillow fixed to the wood.
"Are you okay?" Arthur asks. Just as Gwen is about to reply, a knock sounds at the door.
Arthur grabs Gwen's shawl and places it over her shoulder so it covers both Llacheu's head and bare chest.
"Enter." Arthur says and the door opens to reveal Lizzie and Merlin, both smiling.
"Hello you two." Merlin says then places 5 vials down onto the table. "Special delivery for one Llacheu Pendragon."
"Thank you Merlin." Gwen says.
"No problem Gwen. How are you?"
"Better now I have had some sleep and that Llacheu isn't screaming anymore."
"It is understandable Gwen." Lizzie says.
Gwen nods.
"Is there anything you need us to do?" Merlin asks.
"Have a look around, I'm not really sure on what needs doing."
Lizzie nods and pulls Merlin along. Arthur kneels beside Gwen.
"I swear he is going to ask us about proposing to Lizzie soon." he whispers into her ear.
"I think you're right."
"We are going to do some laundry." Merlin announces as he and Lizzie walk back to the door, each with a basket full of clothes in their hands.
"Ok. Why are you so cheery today Merlin?" Arthur asks suspicious about Merlin and Lizzie's behaviour.
"No reason. Just a ray of sunshine has shone through today."
And with that, Merlin and Lizzie leave.
Arthur removes the shawl which causes Llacheu to detach and whimper slightly. Gwen gently turns him and he latches onto her other breast.
"There we go piglet." Gwen says as she covers up the other side of her chest where Llacheu had just been.
"Do you think that Merlin will propose to Lizzie?" Arthur asks.
"Did you see them just then? Reminds me of how we used to be at times when we were courting." Gwen says with a smile.
"Yeah, I suppose. I just can't seem to think of Merlin being married." Arthur says, squinting his eyes trying to think.
'Nope. Nothing.' he thinks.
Llacheu begins to wiggle around and finishes feeding so Arthur takes him and begins to burp him.
"I think they make a great couple." Gwen comments as she fastens her gown. "It would be good for Llacheu don't you think? He will have someone to play with, a cousin of sorts when they have children."
"That is true. Merlin and Lizzie are basically piglet's aunt and uncle and that is as close to a cousin he will get."
Gwen nods in agreement and kisses Arthur's forehead.
"Is he done yet?" she asks.
"I don't know. He fed for a long time." Arthur says still rubbing Llacheu's back. After a minute or two, Llacheu begins to squirm. Arthur removes him from his shoulder, wipes around his mouth and chin and hands him to Gwen.
"Hello piglet." she coos and Llacheu stick his thumb in his mouth as his eyes droop. Gwen kisses his soft forehead and gently rocks in her chair to aid him to fall asleep.
"Do you think we should talk to Merlin?" Arthur asks quietly.
"To see if he wants to?"
Arthur nods. "He isn't always the best with words is he."
Gwen laughs quietly and takes one of Llacheu's hands that then clasp her finger lightly.
"No, not when he is nervous. We should ask to speak to him later then we can help him if he wants to propose." Gwen says with a smile as she gazes down at her son.
"Agreed."
End note: Please review! :)