Chapter 53: A Prince Of Corbenic
Elaine had been washed and changed into a cleaner nightgown. She was propped up against many pillows. She wasn't sitting up straight as Gaius did not want her to rip her stitches. She was banned from doing heavy lifting, like lifting the children from the floor. "Any more rules?" She asked Gaius with a chuckle.
"Just rest, my lady. Don't exhaust yourself." He smiled as he packed his bag.
"Was anyone else hurt?" She asked curiously.
"Just you and the guards. They survived but barely." Gaius smiled as he stood up straight. "Rest. Sir Gwaine is bathing your children and the wet-nurse is with your son."
"When can I see him?" She asked with excitement.
He gave her a small smile. "I'll go and give the message." He smiled still. "I will warm you. He is very small and will need lots of attention and care."
Elaine nodded slowly. "Of course."
"I would like you and the baby to stay in Camelot for some time. Until you are both strong enough to travel the long distance." He spoke softly.
"Yes. Thank you, Gaius." She smiled a little. Her smile broadened as the door to the antechamber opened. Gaius quietly left the room.
"Mama!" Two small voices shouted and rushed into the room. Galahad and Anne went to climb onto the bed.
"Stop!" Gwaine said forcefully. "Wait." He raised his eyebrow at the children, who stood at the foot of the bed. "Mama is poorly. You have to be careful for some time."
"Yes Gwaine." Galahad said sheepishly.
"Yes Papa." Anne said with a small smile and shifted closer to her mother. She was desperate to climb onto the bed.
"Come on up." Elaine smiled. "Carefully." She smiled as her two children climbed onto the bed. "Sit next to me." Tapping both sides of her. Galahad moved to her right side and Anne sat on Elaine's left hand side. "Now, are you both well?" Holding them close and kissing the tops of their heads.
Anne shifted so she was lying against her mother's side. "I was scared, Mama."
"I know. I'm sorry, my loves." She smiled down at Galahad. "We're safe now." She ran her hand over Galahad's curls. "I will never let anything happen to you again."
"Where's the baby, mother?" Galahad asked, noticing her slightly smaller stomach.
Elaine gave him another smile and was about to speak when the door opened. "You are about to meet the baby." Smiling wider as the wet-nurse entered the room with a small bundle in her arms. Once the nurse was at Elaine's side, she carefully handed the baby to its mother. "Galahad, Anne. Meet your baby brother."
"Why is he so small?" Galahad asked, looking down at the sleeping baby.
"He came too soon." Elaine gave a small smile and looked up at Gwaine, who was watching them with a smile. "But, he will get stronger. Which is why we have to stay here for some time. Until your brother and I get better."
Galahad smiled widely. "Can I train with the knights of Camelot, Mama? Please?"
She nodded. "I don't see why not. You have to work hard and not be silly."
"Yes, Mama. Thank you." He smiled widely. "What are you calling the baby?"
"Gwaine and I have not chosen a name yet." She smiled up at her husband, who moved to sit on the edge of the bed, next to Anne, who was drifting off to sleep. Elaine chuckled as Anne fell asleep with her thumb in her mouth. "What was your father's name, Gwaine? We could name our son after him."
"Owain." Gwaine smiled. "Yes. He looks like a Owain. What do you think Galahad? Shall we call your brother Owain?" Looking over at his stepson with a smile.
Galahad nodded. "I like it. Hello Owain." He bent down and kissed his brother's head. "Are you better, Mama?"
"A little, my love." She smiled at her son. "We're staying in Camelot for a little while. So, you get to stay with your Papa a lot longer."
He smiled broadly. "Thank you, Mama."
"Knock knock?" Arthur's voice spoke softly and he entered the room slowly. "Gaius, ordered me to stay away for some time."
Elaine chuckled and smiled. "Come in." Arthur stepped further into the room. He was in his armour and was dirty. "You could have washed before coming to visit."
He rolled his eyes. "Well, I have been busy." He approached the bed and smiled down at the newborn. "Are you well?"
"Yes. Yes, I am. Thank you." She smiled.
"Lot's body has been taken care of." Arthur smiled as he ruffled Galahad's hair. "So, does he have a name?"
"His name is Owain." Gwaine spoke with pride. His eyes had not left his son for more than a second. He knew it was a miracle that his wife and son had survived their ordeal. "After my father."
"A noble name." He smiled widely. "Congratulations." Ruffling Galahad's hair again. The boy knocked Arthur's hand away. "I will leave you all alone." He smiled a little and quickly left the room. He stuck his head around the door. "Does Prince Galahad want to come with me and boss my knights around?"
"Please mother!" Galahad looked at Elaine with glee written across his features. "I won't leave cousin Arthur's side ever. I promise, mother."
Elaine sighed a little and nodded. "Fine. Boots on first." She smiled. "And a kiss for Mama first." Laughing as he carefully leaned forward and kissed her. "Go. Behave or no training for 10 days."
"Yes, Mama." Kissing her again as he climbed off the bed and rushed out of the bed chambers, his feet tapping on the hardwood flooring as he ran.
Gwaine chuckled as he moved and took Galahad's place at Elaine's side. "Is Anne asleep?"
"Yes." Elaine looked down at her daughter, who was fast asleep with her thumb in her mouth. "She's exhausted."
"Sucking her thumb?" He asked with a chuckle.
"Yes." She smiled, still looking down her daughter. Whenever Anne was exhausted she would suck her thumb before she fell asleep and stayed like that until she woke up. Elaine looked up at her husband and smiled. "Would you like to hold your son?"
He smiled and moved to be able to take the sleeping boy from his wife. "More than anything." He cautiously took Owain from Elaine. "He's tiny."
Elaine laughed and stroked Anne's back. "He will be for a long time. Gaius says he will be quite ill. A lot."
"I don't care. He's safe. You're safe. We all are." He looked up from his son and smiled at his wife. "You're exhausted. Take your daughter's lead and get some sleep." She shook her head in protest. "Elaine, go to sleep." He chuckled as she did drift off to sleep. "Told you." He chuckled and carefully stood up. He walked to the window and looked out. "Well, my son. Welcome to Camelot." He bent down and kissed his son's forehead.
"Gwaine?" Someone spoke from the doorway. The new father turned to see Merlin standing in the doorway nervously. "Could I speak to you?"
Gwaine nodded. "Come in. The queen is asleep."
Merlin smiled. He was still nervous as he walked past Elaine's bed and towards Gwaine. "I think we need to talk about what happened."
"We do."
The young warlock stood next to Gwaine and looked down at the boy. "Congratulations."
"Thank you. He's called Owain. After my father." He smiled down at the baby. "Merlin, I will keep your secret. But you do realise Arthur will have to know one day."
Merlin sighed heavily. "I think that will never happen. Arthur is against magic. Just because of what has happened with Morgana and his mother. He won't accept me for who I really am."
"I see." Gwaine nodded as he rocked his son, who was becoming fussy. "Give him time. You never know. He may accept magic in Camelot one day." He continued rocking his son, who was becoming increasingly fussy and was soon crying.
"My lord. He needs to be fed." The wet-nurse stepped into the room and curtseyed. She walked up to the two men, took the crying baby from Gwaine and left the room before she could disturb Elaine and Anne from their sleep.
Gwaine and Merlin waited for the woman to leave. "Merlin," he paused before continuing, "I will never reveal your secret. Nor will Elaine. Just be careful around Arthur. Especially if you are not going to tell him."
Merlin nodded slowly. "Yes. I try to be." He chuckles. "I best go." He gave a weak smile to Gwaine, who tapped him on the shoulder.
"Thank you, Merlin." He nodded and smiled at him before letting the King's manservant leave the room. Gwaine turned to look at his wife, who was still fast asleep. He crossed the room and quietly left the room, closing the room silently. Not wanting to disturb the two women in his life.
A/N: As much as I hate to say this but this story is slowly reaching the end. There will be a huge time jump soon, don't worry I will warn you beforehand!
Response from chapter 52:
Moon Fox: I hope you liked the mini Gwaine and Merlin scene. Written especially for you. :)
Response from chapter 21:
Spyro Flavord Skittles: I have seen King Arthur. I never saw that comparison until you pointed it out. I don't see BBC Gwaine and Lancelot being like that. LOL
