Chapter 8: Negotiations

The day for Lord Godwyn and Princess Elena's visit was fast approaching and Arthur still did not know the real intention behind the visit. He only thought it was a visit for the two old friends to become reacquainted after being apart for so long. Uther dreaded telling Arthur about the plans to unite the house of Pendragon with Lord Godwyn's but he knew that it was for the good of Camelot and it would secure an alliance with Godwyn.

Everyone was dressed their best. Uther stood in his regal outfit with his crown upon his head as he waited at one end of the throne room. Elaine arrived first. Uther noticed that his niece was quite pale and slightly thinner than usual but he said nothing to her as she curtseyed in front of him. "Are you well, my niece?" He asked as she stood next to him. "You look pale."

"I did not sleep well last night, sire." She gave him a small smile and ran her hands down her pale blue dress, her hands lingering on her stomach for a moment. "I was feeling a little unwell but it has passed." Keeping her small smile on her lips as her hands fell to her sides.

"Would you like Gaius to give you something?" His concern growing for her but his attention was diverted to the main doors where Arthur had arrived and was walking towards them.

"I am quite well, sire. I do not think I will need anything." She smiled gently towards him before turning her attention to her approaching cousin. Elaine curtseyed and turned her attention to the door while her uncle and cousin spoke.

"Arthur, it is an exciting day." Uther greeted his son with confidence but Arthur seemed to have noticed a slight nervousness in his father.

"The arrival of Lord Godwyn is a cause for celebration." Arthur spoke with slight boredom.

"And Princess Elena." Uther added as kept his gaze fixed upon the door.

"Yes." The prince said plainly.

"I hear she is something of a beauty."

"Really?"

"Oh yes, Beautiful, charming, witty... strategic."

"Strategic." Arthur seemed confused at calling a Princess 'strategic.'

"I've always thought so. We've always thought so... That is... Lord Godwyn and myself. That is he finds you strategic not Princess Elena."

"He finds me... strategic?"

"Oh yes."

"And beautiful?" Arthur asked curiously as Lord Godwyn, Princess Elena and Elena's maid entered the throne room. "Father, what are you trying to say?" Turning to his father.

"Godwyn is an ally. The strength of such a match cannot be underestimated."

"Please tell me, you mean a jousting match?" He hoped that it was a jousting match.

"I mean a love match." Uther said plainly.

"Love?" Arthur exclaimed quietly.

"Love? Love has nothing to do with it. The other bit." Uther stuttered slightly before continuing as the three visitors made their way towards Uther. "You know, a permanent union."

"Marriage?" Arthur said in shock as the realisation hit him. He now knew the true reason as to why Godwyn had arrived.

"I knew you'd understand." Uther misinterpreted Arthur's reaction as he made his way to Lord Godwyn. "Godwyn!" He exclaimed and the two men hugged with a laugh.

"Oh, it's been too long." Lord Godwyn chuckled as Arthur cautiously moved forward. Elaine moved forward also and stood on her uncle's left hand side.

"Princess Elena, you are most welcome." Uther greeted the young and untidy princess, who stepped forward to greet the King but tripped over her feet and falling to the floor, causing the entire room to gasp.

Lord Godwyn helped his daughter up, both of whom seemed a little embarrassed. "I am sorry sire. I am slightly clumsy." Looking down at her feet where the reason for her fall were on her feet.

"It is perfectly all right." Uther smiled slightly. "May I introduce my son, Prince Arthur?" Gesturing to Arthur, who stepped forward and gave them both a small bow and Lord Godwyn returned it with a bow and Princess Elena with a slightly awkward curtsey. "And may I also present my niece, Princess Elaine?"

Elaine stepped forward and gave a small and perfect curtsey to them both. "It is a pleasure to have you both visit Camelot."

Lord Godwyn stepped forward, took her hand in his and kissed the back of her hand. "I am sorry to hear about your father, my Lady. He was a great man and a great friend."

"Thank you, my Lord." Elaine gave a small smile. "With you and your daughter in Camelot, it is a joy in dark times." Still smile as she removed her hand from his and letting it fall to her side. "If you will excuse me for a moment, I shall see if your rooms are complete." Curtseying before them all and turning and leaving the hall.

His mind was torn. He loved one but he also loved another. His heart was torn between the sweet and innocent Princess and the kind and gentle maid. Lancelot loved two women and he had not admitted it to either of them. He had, in a way, admitted it to Elaine but he did not understand how and why he bedded her. He could not remember the night but he most certainly remembered the morning.

Every night he prayed that she was well and most certainly not with child. His mind and thoughts returned to the night where they lay in bed together. He remembered the softness of her skin pressed against his own. The way she seemed to fit against the side of his body as she slept. He chuckled softly from the comforts of his small dwelling in the small village of Haldor as he remembered the morning of their copulation and how he memorised every reaction she made as they made love. Elaine was so beautiful. Words could not describe her sometimes.

Then there was Gwen. Amazing, brilliant and beautiful Gwen. Now, she was indescribable. There was no words that could do Gwen any justice. Lancelot knew he would never be able to love her since he noticed the attraction between Gwen and Prince Arthur. She could do better than him. Prince Arthur was the best man for Gwen. Lancelot was a mere knight, a commoner. He didn't deserve to be with any woman.

He gave one heavy sigh as he returned his thoughts to the two women, who had caught his eye and mind. He knew that he would never find the love of the woman that he deserved. Being apart from both Elaine and Gwen was good for him but it was also not good for him as he yearning to see them again.

Elaine sat at her vanity table, just staring at her reflection. She was paler than usual and the sickness she had been feeling was causing her to look even more ill. She had been carefully hiding her sickness but she knew it would not be long until people, especially Gwen, who saw her everyday, begin to notice the changes she would be going through.

That evening there was to be a big banquet and Elaine was dreading the prospect. She just hoped and prayed that she would make it through the banquet without feeling the nausea. A soft knock on her door brought her out of her terrible thoughts. "Morgana." Elaine smiled as the beautiful woman entered her chambers. "What do I owe the pleasure?"

"I have a small present for you." She smiled and stood behind her with a small square box in her hands. "Close your eyes." Elaine raised an eyebrow for a moment before closing her eyes as she strained her hearing to try and guess what Morgana had for her. When she felt a cold metal touch her collarbone, she knew that it was a necklace. "You can open your eyes now."

Elaine slowly opened her eyes and her gaze was drawn to the silver chain which hung around her neck. "Oh Morgana!" She gasped as she raised her hand to the necklace with a jewelled flower hung. "It is beautiful. Thank you so much." She stood up and turned to face Morgana. "I shall treasure it always." Smiling broadly to the older woman.

"You are welcome." Morgana chuckled softly. Her features remained soft as she continued speaking. "If you need anything, I am here for you. Even if it is just to talk about anything which is bothering you."

"Even if it is the King?" Elaine chuckled softly and nervously.

Morgana laughed also. "Even if it is the King." She stood proud and tall with her hands clasped in front of her. "What is it Elaine? I know something is bothering you."

"How can you tell?"

"Woman's intuition." Morgana chuckled softly as Elaine walked passed her and sat on the edge of her bed. "What is it?" Morgana sat next to Elaine and waited for her to speak first.

Elaine sat silently for a moment. She was not going to tell the actual truth but she was going to speak about the only other thing on her mind. "Do you know the true reason as to why Lord Godwyn and Princess Elena are here?" Looking at Morgana, who was nodded slowly. "If Arthur and Elena decide not to marry, then Godwyn is going to ask for my hand in marriage." She sat trembling as she tried to stop herself from crying. "I do not want to marry him." The tears began to fall. "I cannot."

"Why ever not? You will have a husband who can provide for you and protect you. What more could you ask for?"

"Love." Elaine spoke softly. "I do not just want security from a husband. I want to have a husband who will kiss me and not care if people are around and watching. I want him to say he loves me everyday and mean it." She gave a heavy sigh as the last point came out. "I don't want to have a step-daughter who is the same age as I am."

Morgana lay her hand over Elaine's trembling ones. "Oh Elaine. I think you will not have to marry him but if he asks you, will you say yes?"

"I do not know." She spoke softly and the tears continue to fall down her pale cheeks. "I probably will. I feel like I have to." Chuckling nervously and lifted one of her hands to wipe away her tears. "I just... I don't know..." She stuttered and chuckled again. "I best finish getting dressed for the banquet." Moving to her vanity table, sitting on the stool and began pulling the hairbrush through her long blonde hair.

Morgana watched her for a moment before standing behind her and taking the brush from Elaine. "You are pulling your hair out doing that." She gently brushed Elaine's hair, who visibly relaxed. "There is something else bothering you. Don't keep it hidden inside you."

"It is nothing Morgana." Elaine gave a fake but genuine looking smile as she let Morgana continue to gently brush her hair. "I am just missing my father." Giving a small smile to her in the mirror.

"I miss mine also." Morgana smiled as she placed the brush on Elaine's vanity table. "Would you like me to style your hair or are you going to leave it down?"

"I think I will leave it loose." Elaine smiled. "I prefer it this way." Moving a few strands so they rested over her shoulders, falling down the front of her. "I believe I am ready." Smiling gently towards Morgana and stood up. The two women left Elaine's silent room together and walked to the Great Hall.

A/N: Sorry for the late update. Been busy. Hope you like this chapter. Next one shall be up very soon.