AN: Okay so originally when I was thinking about this story I was going to have Gwen, Gaius and the people of Camelot travel together looking for a place to start over but then I started to write and things just took shape on their own though I'm happy with it I feel like now my summary of the story doesn't quite fit but I'll let you guys be the judge of that.

Also incase you were wondering why I use lyrics from Florence and The Machine- I was listening to her when I first started this story then I thought every song has something that can contribute to my writing, set a mood for what I was thinking of when I wrote the chapter. As always enjoy and leave me reviews! If anyone is interested in doing some beta work for me, please send me a PM, as I'm sure a lot of you cringe at my spelling, but more at my grammar.

"I swallow the sound and it swallows me whole
Till there's nothing left inside my soul
As empty as that beating drum
But the sound has just begun"

-Drumming by Florence +The Machine

Chapter 7

She was exhausted but she refused to stop. Her life as a servant had equipped her with more strength than the average princess of Albion who fainted with a little heat and exhaustion. She was not brought up in such luxuries as they. Everything she's had she sweat for, bleed for. Her love for Arthur was no small feat to over come, but she had faced every challenge thus far with stride. Even when she was banished with nothing but shame, she survived. Her father was a hard working man and had taught her to be hard working, if there was ever a flaw with her father, it was that he loved her too much. If it were not for his love and desire to give her more than he had he'd still be alive. What an ironic twist of fate it was, for now she was a queen.

Gwaine watched her carefully, he could see her shoulders slump lower and lower, her face which usually glowed with mirth and confidence was now pale. "We should stop for a bit." He pretended to look up at the sky to tell time, to come up with an excuse for her to agree.

She knew exactly what he was doing, but she also knew that her fatigue wasn't only on the travel but from her child bearing. She sighed and nodded, she needed to rest even if for a moment, she had promised Gaius, and she promised in the name of Arthur that she wouldn't let anything happen to their child. All she had left in this world was this life growing inside of her, the testament to the love she and Arthur shared. She felt Gwaine's hands on her waist helping her down from the horse, she didn't protest for once her feet touched the ground her world spun. If it were not for Gwaine's arms on her shoulders she would've surely fallen. "Thank you." She offered as he walked her to a fallen tree.

"A queen should always have a lady in waiting, since you lack that now, I shall be your man in waiting." He said with a smile trying to lighten her mood, though he himself was exhausted from all that had transpired in the past two days. He wanted to support her and if it were not for the child she carried he would've thought her idea was a good one. It was much faster to ride without a horde of bodies trailing you. But that all changed the moment Gaius had disclosed her condition. He didn't think her fragile, far from it, she was a strong woman but even strong women were vulnerable in this state. He didn't want to question her motives.

Guinevere looked at him and actually smiled, Gwaine was the perfect person for gloomy days his constant rambling eventually did make you smile. "I'm quite capable of taking care of myself, I wasn't always a queen remember?"

"No then you were a stubborn princess, refusing to let me carry your washings!" he exclaimed.

"My washings which you probably had a mind to rifle through," she teased.

"My lady you shame me, for I am a knight and I live by a code of honor!" He smiled.

"I'm sure that line works well at the taverns."

"No I save these special ones for only you." he says, for a moment feeling like they were back to normal for a spilt second, they it was he who broke it. "Gwen, I don't know if this journey is a good idea for you."

She had been looking to the ground smiling when he broke those words to her, her head snapped to look at him, "and why is that?"

Gwaine sighed before saying, "I know."

Of course Gaius would tell him for her safety, yet she was still cross. "Then you must know that I don't intend to bring a child into a world where Morgana is breathing."

"You're fueled with anger, and if there is one thing I know is how you are feeling this moment. If things were different I would not voice concern because I do think you are more than capable of anything you set your mind too, but surely you know just how dangerous this will be for you and the child which grows within you." He said taking a seat next to her once the horses were secured.

"There is no other way..." she said softly. "There was a time when I didn't think I needed to fight too hard because somehow Arthur was always there, but now it seems I'm facing the greatest test not just as a person but as a queen. How can I forget the oath that I took when that crown was place upon my head?" she asked looking at him. "How can I run away and abandon the people Arthur fell for?"

"He would've made sure you were safe first, if he'd known about the child which grows within you, he would've sacrificed everything." Said Gwaine. Though his words were partially true, be also knew that once Arthur had secured Guinevere he'd go back for his people. Gwaine found himself even more in admiration of the woman if front of him, her true loyalty and dedication to the crown.

Guinevere smiled at her friend, "he would've sacrificed anything for anyone he cared for, be it you or me, that was what made him different from his father."

"He also had you to love, his compassion grew because he had someone to love." Said Gwaine saying very un-Gwaine like thing. She looked at him them, her mouth opening to speak except nothing came out, she then gave him a smile, while it didn't spread across her face as he's seen it before, it reached her eyes and for the first time he thought he saw the woman he met all those years ago in there. He was very aware of what politics and royal responsibilities did to women, he watched his own mother wither under the pressures, and of course he didn't help her condition by just leaving to wonder around aimlessly. He would think himself a bit of a hypocrite since he wanted to escape the label on his head but enjoyed the wealth he had to his name to wonder and be careless with his life. It wasn't until he met Merlin and Arthur that fateful day at that tavern did he realize how empty his quest has become.

"We should get moving, we can make a bit more time and reach the other skirts of the next town before dark. I want to get to Lot as quickly as I can." She said breaking through his thoughts which most often he shut out with food, drink and women.

"Are you sure you don't want to rest more?" he asked, he was never one for being husbandly but he care for Guinevere and he sore an oath to protect her to two others besides himself so by definition he had to care.

She stood though her world did take a spin she was steady on her feet, she nodded to him as she made her way to the horses. "I'm fine, we can't stay in these woods, Morgana's men will be looking for me. Im sure she wants nothing but my head on a platter."

"Dark," said Gwaine as he mounted his own horse, but keeping a close eye on her.

They travelled for most of the late afternoon and it was twilight when they came up on Inn, Gwaine has insisted that they spend the night there and out of the woods. She knew he was doing it for her, but his reasoning that they would be able to cover more ground with a proper meal and sleep convinced her. Once again Gwaine was at her side helping her down, and without words took the reigns from her hand and walked the horses to the stable, where a young boy came out to greet him.

Gwen learned many things as having accompanied Morgana on journeys and later taking some of her own that a cloak made from fine fabric was not ideal for travel, one that was made from something sturdy, warm, but breathed well, a cloak that would not only keep you dry, warm, but also obscure to your rank and title for the most part. After becoming queen she was given many lovely gowns and capes, and cloaks but none was better than the black one she had made specifically for travel, though the royal seamstress, Ingrid did protest to her making her own cloak-this was one of the pieces she was most proud of. No one would think her more than a black smiths or a framers daughter in her attire, she knew how to be invisible, she'd done it all her life.

Even Gwaine had taken of the Pendragon cape and wore his wonderer attire. But she knew that Camelot was on their minds, and for her the sigil of the Pendragon house was sewn into her cloak so expertly she doubt it will be found unless it's torn to shreds. It sadden her that they had to hide but it was a necessary caution. She was never one to envy the noble, while they lived lavished lives and had more than they needed they also had their fair share of trouble to deal with. The only time she ever wished her circumstances where different was when Arthur took a place in her heart and refused to leave. The idea of him marrying someone else, loving that woman, building a life with that woman were what her night terrors were about-but now she was that woman, and while she adored being able to call the man she loved husband it came with such grave dowry to fate.

They entered the inn, she kept her hood up until they reached the bar, the barmaid turn to them and gave them a once over before she smiled, "What can I get ya?"

"We require room and board." Gwaine simply said his charming smile plastered on his face, Guinevere was somewhat amused when the barmaid blushed.

"Well I've got two rooms or is it one that you require?" she asked looking over to Guinevere who finally pulled the hood back from her head. She was fairly certain no one knew the look of her yet, and she wasn't dressed like a queen, rather she looked like a traveling woman. For all they knew the queen of Camelot burned with the city.

Gwaine didn't even bother looking at her for approval, "We'll take one room but I require an extra cot if the room you have does not have two beds." With that he simply passed a few gold coins towards her, one more than needed for the room and their evening meal. "We'll also take two suppers, give us a tankard of mead and milk for the lady."

The barmaid pocketed the extra coin and nodded understanding how things were done. She was already calling out orders to the cook and a young boy who they assumed helped run the place, to prepare the room.

Guinevere raised an eyebrow at Gwaine who put a hand on the small of her back and led her to a dark empty corner of the dining area. To anyone there they were a couple out on a journey. "Milk?"

He smiled, "well my mother used to tell me that milk helps you grow big and strong since that is what calves ate to grow into big cows and bulls."

She couldn't help but smile, "so you think I need milk to grow into a big and strong cow?"

His eyes twinkled like old times, these few seconds of raillery made them forget about what they had witnessed and what more they would in the coming days ahead, but the feeling of guilt lingered for being able to smile though they've both lost someone. "Well I hear you're about to take a journey that will require you to be twice as strong as you usually are, so yes. While I am no physician, I have travelled enough to know a little of how I am to look after you."

She was reminded of her child again, not that he ever left her mind, but the very effortless way Gwaine had taken charge of her made her heartache for Arthur. He would've known nothing of cows or milk, but he would've give her the world if she requested it so. "Thank you my friend, you've been nothing but kind to me." She finally said looking down at the table the candle there casting a glow around them that both comforted and scared her.

"You were once kind to me, and have been countless times after, it's time to repay the debt that is friendship I'm afraid." He said with a smile. "I will be strong for you Gwen, even when you feel you can't be."

She said nothing because she didn't want to voice false valor or fortitude, when in truth she had little left. Arthur was her rock and she on longer had anything grounding her, but Gwaine's words and the thought of her and Arthur's child gave her something to tie her to this world. They said no more, when their dinner came to ate in silence and after went to their room. Some how they needed no words and it wasn't wise to talk about things such as who they were or where they came from as Morgana probably thought spread her men. It wasn't awkward to be sleeping in a room with another man that was not her husband, no because like her husband she trusted the man now snoring away. Gwaine apparently was a fast sleeper and to his credit he had only a few hours of sleep since they escaped. She offered to take first watch because she knew he was more worn out than her and also because though she was tired her mind wouldn't let her rest.

She laid their in the dimly light room and thought about her father, and wonder if now there would be another star next to the northern star for Arthur. She sighed pushing back the tears that she kept promising herself she wouldn't shed but couldn't keep from doing so. Her hands went to her stomach and she rubbed absently. 'I will protect you little one, I will make sure nothing happens to you. That Morgana can't ever look upon you with her hateful eyes.' she realized the extent of her hatred, she was aware already but now the way it run through so easily it both scared her and exhilarated her, for the first time she knew the power of vengeance and her once soft heart sang a different lore.

She pulled at the ring once again around her neck, and kissed it, "Arthur." His name a chant, a payer perhaps to guide her. She closed her eyes, the tears streaming down the side of her face and into her ear and hair, the dampness going unnoticed. Her mind wondering to the perfect first proposal of marriage, and the second forgiving and attest of his love for her. With those thoughts in her mind she drifted to sleep.

When she woke again, she saw that Gwaine was already up sitting on his cot, head against the wall, one knee on the cot the other ground to the floor. "Good morning princess." She sat up and nodded.

"I'm sorry I must've fallen asleep." She said.

"You were exhausted, I'm happy that you rested." He simply said. "I've gone down to get us breakfast, Beatrice says she'll bring it up for us."

"Beatrice huh?" she asked as she went to the wash basin and freshened up. "How long have I been sleeping for you to get to know the barmaid so well?"

Gwaine smiled, "I'm a charming fellow, most woman willing give me their name, only one woman gave me a hard time." He said pointedly with a grin on his lips.

She smiled and shook her head, pulling her hair and braiding it again for the journey ahead. "How far are we from King Lot's castle?"

His eyes sadden but he answered seriously, "not far, we should be there by late afternoon. Gwen, I don't know what kind of reception we'll get."

"I don't plan on getting a grand reception. We're going to sneak in, we have no idea if he's in with Morgana and I don't plan to find out by giving you and myself to her with a bow tied around her wrists." She said sitting down on the bed.

Gwaine smiled, "well what you know the princess knows a thing or two about strategy."

She smiled just as there was a knock at the door, Gwaine stood and pulled the door open smiling brightly at their barmaid. "Good morning!"

"Good morning, thank you from bringing us breakfast." said Guinevere with a small smile.

Beatrice smiled, "well of course, you're paying for it aren't ya?" she placed the tray or bread, cheese, and some fruit on the spare chair, "Now there is tea and milk for the lady." She said standing straight and handing towards the door, she looked at Gwaine and batted her lashes, "You mentioned you liked apples," as she fished out the fruit from within her bosoms.

Gwaine smiled and took the apple, while Guinevere wondered how she even managed to place that there with the corset she wore, but she supposed barmaids had their trade tricks as well, she heard Gwaine say his thanks and Beatrice giggle before the door closed. "Charming..."

"You know that I am!" He exclaimed taking a bite from the fruit, as she shook her head.

Once they were done with breakfast they paid for some extra bread and cheese, bid Beatrice good-bye and were on the trail towards Lot's castle.

They had been riding for a few hours when they saw the smoke, and in the distance red. They rode up to where there was once a fire burning, Gwaine looked around, "the fire went out an hour maybe a little more, I thought I saw red capes, but maybe I was wrong."

"You weren't wrong." She said pointing up towards the tree, he followed her eyes and his hands fell limp to his sides.

She felt her stomach turn at the smell and sight of what they saw. Bodies of men wearing the red cape of Pendragon, of Camelot hanging lifelessly on the tree branches like dark rotting fruit. She put her hand to cover her mouth and nose, to breathe, to not spill her breakfast. Her eyes stung with tears from the combination of the scene before her and her body attacking itself with sickness.

"Well now we know what happened to the men," Gwaine said softly his own eyes flashing with anger at the men that he once fought side by side with.

Guinevere turned and spewed. Coughing as pieces stuck to her throat and some travel into her nose. She held her stomach tightly as the other went to hold back her braid. She spit and looked up at Gwaine with red watery eyes, "sorry."

He said nothing and just handed her the water skin, his eyes still on the bodies hanging, his jaw clenched. She took the water from him and cleaned her mouth, before drinking some, taking a swig from the vile that Gaius gave her she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" They turned and found themselves surrounded by what looked like bandits. Going back to back they faced the ruthless looking men wondering if they were responsible for the bodies that now hung over their heads.

TBC

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