AN: Sorry for the delay, I've been busy with university work and going on work placement in a local nursery so I haven't been able to update as much.
Morgana paced and plotted and planned. She needed to find some way of killing Gwen before the child was born. The child was just another barrier between Morgana and what was rightfully hers. Morgana may have the gift of long sight but she could never have foreseen that. There had to be a way to kill her but it had to be carefully thought out. Obviously given her condition, those idiotic knights would hardly dare to leave her side now so she wouldn't be able to draw her out of the kingdom and knowing how much of a sentimental fool Gwen was, she would dare do anything that would risk her precious brat. How like her brother to have some way to attempt to foil her plans even in death. Well, Arthur's little brat would never get to see the kingdom that its foolish mother believed it would rule. Morgana was certain of that. Arthur's bastard would never see the light of day.
Just as Morgana reached that thought, a dangerous one came to mind. As much as she loathed it, Arthur was her half-brother. That meant that through blood, the bastard was technically her nephew or niece. Morgana froze at that thought. Her nephew or niece. In another lifetime, the news would have excited her. She would have grabbed Gwen's hands and jumped out and down with glee at the thought of her best friend having a child. Now however a cold ruthlessness rushed through her veins. It wasn't a child. It was a reminder. It was another barrier between her and her throne. It was a threat that had to be dealt with. Arthur may have been the bastard's father but he was dead and couldn't protect the child. As for Gwen, Morgana knew she would be no threat; she was in over her head, stressed and pregnant. An easier target could not be found.
Morgana began to plan. Before she could sort out details, she needed a time to strike. New Year's Eve had just passed and Morgana cursed the fact she hadn't known sooner. Had she known by the Yuletide, she would have made her plans for the New Year, it would have been poignant. A new year, a new queen and a new beginning for Camelot. Yet it seemed Camelot would be having that soon enough judging on Agravaine's reports about her father's declining health. At least that was one barrier soon to be out of the way. Morgana's new targets were Gwen and her brat bastard. Once they were gone, Camelot would be hers.
"Gwen, can I come in?"
Gwen turned to the doorway and nodded at Lancelot who walked into the room. She had fallen into the habit of sitting on the window ledge in the evenings. Something about the night sky had always been a source of comfort to her. Most people feared the darkness of night yet to her, the quietness and peace was a source of comfort. It also allowed her the chance to imagine that Arthur was up there somewhere, looking down on her and their child, smiling at what their love had created.
Lancelot walked into the room and stood beside Gwen. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," Gwen shrugged.
"Honestly." Lancelot stated. It wasn't a question; they both knew she was trying to act nonchalant.
"Honestly I am absolutely terrified. Remember what was said about the possibility of a traitor in our midst, I'm worried about letting this news become public. Obviously the traitor will inform Morgana and I dread to think what she will do. There's also the reaction of the council, the townspeople, the other kingdoms who are all barely tolerating me as it is and what happens when the time comes? What if I don't survive it? What happens to the child? King or Queen from the day they're born. What sort of life will they have? Honestly I just want all this to go away." Gwen confessed. Once she had revealed something, all the bottled up fears and worries she had flooded out of her.
"Firstly, I can understand why you're scared and to be honest, I think we all are. None of us expected this to happen but it has and we can deal with it. There's no denying Morgana will be a threat but we've beaten her before and we can do it again and you shouldn't worry about the council and townspeople's reactions; if any of them have a problem, that's their fault." Lancelot reassured. He and the knights had discussed the situation amongst themselves and all of them were agreed that if anyone had a problem with the pregnancy or Morgana reared her head; they would deal with it one way or the other. Gwen was their sister and they were standing by their sister in her time of need and until the end.
"And what if I don't it? Women die giving birth. What happens then? Who rules the kingdom while the baby's trying to chew their own feet or learning to talk?" Gwen retorted, she didn't mean to snap but she felt so scared and frustrated that she needed a target for her anger and Lancelot was the only one there.
"You won't die. You're the strongest person I know." Lancelot claimed. "You and Merlin are very similar. You're stronger and braver than you think but neither of you realise it. You've been strong so far, you just have to keep doing so." Lancelot explained.
"What if I can't find the strength?" Gwen asked. It was all fine and good thinking she could do this, but when push came to shove and the temptation to just run away and never come back is there? What would stop her?
"You will." Lancelot replied. "Anyway I should be going. Gwaine's talking about all of us going to the tavern to wet the baby's head."
"What? Firstly that happens when the baby is born and secondly if any of you say anything about this to anyone then I swear you'll regret it!" Gwen exclaimed crossly and to her shock, Lancelot was smiling at her.
"See, you do have the strength. I'll see you later." Lancelot said and he headed towards the door.
"Lancelot," Gwen said and Lancelot turned to look at her. "Thanks."
"Anytime." Lancelot replied and he left the room.
Gwen watched them go and felt a sense of reassurance from what Lancelot had said to her. Lancelot was right, as long as she had the support of Merlin, Gaius and the knights, then she would be alright. She would be able to make it through whatever the next seven months and indeed the years after the child's birth flung at her. Gwen smiled and placed a hand over her abdomen, rubbing the area slowly.
"You might not have a father little one, but I can imagine your uncles will treat you like the prince or princess you are. They already love you so much and so do I." Gwen whispered. It felt strange yet also right to speak to her stomach. Even though Gwen was certain the baby couldn't hear her, she liked to consider the possibility that he or she was curled up inside her, listening and knowing that she was their mother. Despite the circumstances, the threats she would face and her fears about herself, her child and their futures; Gwen knew one thing was absolutely certain.
"I love you. I will always love you and I swear that no matter what, nothing bad will ever happen to you. I'll die before I let anything happen to you." Gwen confessed and as she said those words, she knew she meant it. That must be what a parent's love is like for their child. A love so strong that they would kill or be killed in order to keep their child safe. Morgana may be a threat but Gwen knew that no matter what happened, she would do whatever it took to ensure her baby was safe from their aunt's evil.
Gwen turned and looked out at the night sky once more. "I miss you Arthur."
It was a few days after Gwen had informed the knights and Agravaine about her pregnancy before she let the announcement officially be made. Even though it had only been four days, it had been getting harder to hide her pregnancy now that it had been confirmed. In the mornings, Gwen could only stomach a bit of bread, even the smell of anything else was enough to make her retch. Her dresses, though beautiful and usually so comfortable were beginning to ache around her chest. Her emotions and attention span came and went; one minute she would be fine, the next she'd be crying over nothing or ready to knock somebody out. Gwen had also decided to pointedly ignore Rowan's comment about her bed sheets not needing changed as she prepared herself for the council meeting wherein she would inform the council and let the word be known that the heir to the throne was herself carrying a future heir to the throne.
Two hours later the meeting was just coming to an end when Gwen called for the men's attentions. Pointedly ignoring the look Agravaine sent her and instead taking courage and support from Leon and Elyan who were standing by the door, Gwen stood up to ensure the court was fully focused on her.
"There is one final matter which I wish to discuss with you all. You may have noticed recently that I have been distracted during our meetings. This is because I have had a lot to think about over the past week because I have learnt something that affects all of us, not just us in this room but Camelot as a whole." Gwen explained and the room was so quiet that a pin could have been heard dropping.
"What is it my lady?" Geoffrey of Monmouth asked and Gwen took a deep breath, it was the moment of truth.
"I am pregnant. The baby shall be due at the end of July, just under seven months' time. I would like to have the people informed of this development as well as the other kingdoms." Gwen announced and there was immediate uproar. After a few minutes of the men roaring over one another, it was Agravaine who surprised them by slamming his fist onto the table and restoring silence.
"That is enough. This situation is unprecedented and obviously not one which is ideal given its circumstances. The fact remains, Lady Guinevere is with child, Arthur's child and it is our duty to support her in this important time." Agravaine stated smoothly and Gwen glanced at Leon and Elyan before back at Agravaine. Well someone had fairly changed his tune. Gwen nodded at Agravaine; she supposed that the child would be his great-nephew or niece when they were born.
"Thank you Agravaine, I know this situation is not ideal but I trust you all to understand that this is not something negative. It is a way for the Pendragon name to continue, though I myself may not be a Pendragon, my child is and need I remind you that my child shall be your king or queen someday. If you have any problems that do not relate to the child's parentage yet is still relevant then I ask you to speak now." Gwen stated, she knew the council would not be jumping in excitement at the news but she would not tolerate anyone saying anything disrespectful about her or her child.
There was another moment of silence and Gwen nodded her head. "Then you may leave. Meeting adjourned."
Gwen watched the men rise to leave; none of the other council members paid her any heed aside from bidding her a good day and leaving the room. As the door shut behind the councilmen, Gwen looked at Elyan and Leon who offered her reassuring smiles.
"I think they took that quite well." Leon offered to break the tension and Gwen smiled slightly before she rubbed her forehead. "Are you all right?"
"Just a headache from their shouting, I suspected that would happen." Gwen replied as she got to her feet and the floor swayed beneath her. In an instant Leon and Elyan both had one of her arms over their shoulders and one of their arms around her waist, keeping her upright.
"We should take you to Gaius." Elyan said.
"I'm fine, just a bit dizzy. Gaius said that would happen sometimes." Gwen replied as the light-headedness feeing passed and the floor became steadier under her feet once more.
"Come on, we'll take you back to your chambers. You should get some rest at least." Elyan offered, knowing too well that Gwen would be too stubborn to see Gaius, baby or no baby.
"I'm fine Elyan," Gwen insisted and Elyan cast his eyes at Leon who nodded and moved forwards as Elyan supported Gwen out of the room and back to her private quarters before helping her onto her bed.
"I'm not a child Elyan," Gwen said and Elyan smiled.
"No but they are," Elyan replied gesturing to her stomach as a thought occurred to him. "Gwen, have you told Uther?"
Gwen sat up and looked at Elyan. She had to admit, the concept of telling Uther had completely slipped her mind. Had the king not been ill, Gwen probably would have tried to go the whole pregnancy without telling him. Now however with Uther incapacitated and lost in his isolation from the world, if Gwen was honest, informing him he was to be a grandfather had not been high on her list of priorities.
"Would it even make a difference?" Gwen asked and Elyan shrugged.
"I don't know, I'm not a physician. I just thought that since he reacted to the news beforehand, maybe he would be able to understand that." Elyan offered and Gwen nodded, recalling how Uther had cried when she had told him that Arthur had sacrificed himself to the Veil and how he had referred to her as 'My Lady' when she informed him that Arthur had made her heir apparent.
"Maybe," Gwen nodded as the door opened and Rowan, her maid entered with a tray full of food. Gwen got off the bed as Rowan set down the tray and regarded what was on the plate. Campon meat along with vegetables, the smell wasn't off-putting or making her nauseous and as Gwen stabbed at the meat with a fork, Rowan smiled at her.
"If you require more food my lady, simply ask. The cook has informed me to tell you that it would be no problem to her whatsoever, just as long as you are both content." Rowan explained with a knowing look. Gwen smiled at the maid, not even bothering to ask how she found out. There was a phrase that all servants lived by. A servant might not say anything but they can hear everything. Basically, if you wanted a secret in Camelot to be kept, don't say anything when a servant is in earshot.
"Thank you Rowan and please tell Agnes not to worry too much. I'm sure I will be all right." Gwen reassured and Rowan politely left the room.
"So I guess everyone knows now." Elyan stated, having observed the interactions between her sister and her maid.
"I guess so, except for Uther and the other royals." Gwen stated as she slowly chewed on the meat and offered some to Elyan who declined.
"You have to tell them soon I suppose. It's next week the royal family of Nemeth are coming isn't it?" Elyan asked and Gwen nodded.
"That's why I would prefer to tell them beforehand, it's another reason to use peace rather than war for these lands." Gwen reasoned as the bell tolled in the distance and Elyan rose to his feet.
"I have to go, I'm supposed to be patrolling the castle with Gwaine now. I'll see you later." Elyan said as he hugged Gwen and left the room. Gwen ate as much as she could and when she had finished began absent-mindedly playing with the quill resting on her table as she wondered how to tell the end Gwen knew there was only one way she could tell him, the way she told everyone so far. By being direct and honest, given Uther's condition he most likely wouldn't acknowledge it but after all, Gwen was carrying his grandchild.
With that thought in mind, Gwen got up and walked out of the room.