Chapter 13: Escaping and Planning
It had been a week since Morgana had usurped the throne from Uther. Everyone was living in fear. On a daily basis, Gwen visited and cared for Elaine. This was a tactic of Morgana's. She wanted Elaine to be on her side. If Elaine showed she was supporting Morgana by giving her custody of her son to Morgana because she trusted her but Elaine was being stubborn. She would never defy her uncle and cousin. Nor would she give up her son. Her true reason for living. Gwen tried to make Elaine see reason for her health and the health of her unborn child. "Please, my Lady. It is not healthy for you. You cannot give birth in this prison. It will kill you and your child."
Elaine stared up at the high gap of her prison, the sun streamed through the bars. "I wish to be outside again but only when Uther is on the throne." Turning her head to face Gwen. "I will not give birth here. I know it in my heart." Her hand rested on the high point of her stomach. She had given up tying her dress properly so her heavy stomach was showing to all. "My son will be born in a free kingdom under a true King." Turning her dull gaze back to the sun. "Help me Gwen. Please." Again, she turned to face her. "Please. You are Camelot's only hope. My only hope. My son's only hope."
Gwen remained silent for a moment. "I will..." But she was cut off by a guard opening the iron gates. "I will bring your food and clothes tomorrow." She gave Elaine a silent nod, causing the prisoner to smile slightly. Gwen left without another word or glance.
Elaine laughed lightly as her child moved slightly within her. "I know, my son. Soon. I promise." Her fingers dancing across her stomach. The movements of her child had become less and less. It frightened her. Gaius was missing and was not able to examine her and she refused to let any physicians or midwives that had been sent to her, to examine her as she did not trust them.
Sir Leon was in the prison cell next to her and when it was safe to talk, they would try and plan a way to escape but they were constantly disturbed by passing guards. She had heard the screams from the courtyard, she was not able to see what was happening. She knew it was the people of Camelot. Once Leon returned, Elaine made it possible to talk to him by sitting on the floor by the bars, as close as she could to Leon's cell that her chains would allow her.. "My Lady, are you well?"
"Tired." Elaine sighed heavily and rubbed her stomach. "I need to leave soon."
"Yes, my Lady. Soon. I hope." Leon sighed heavily.
"What happened in the courtyard?" She asked as her fingers pulled at the threads of her tattered dress sleeve. "Were many hurt?"
Leon sighed heavily. "Yes. A lot killed too, my Lady."
Elaine gave a gasp. "Oh no. Those poor people." Tears fell down her cheeks.
"Try to sleep, my Lady. You need to get some sleep." Leon pleaded with her. "Save your strength. If you have to give birth here, you need to save your strength."
"I can't sleep. My mind is working too fast. We need to get to Arthur. He is Camelot's only hope." Elaine heaved herself to stand up and moved to the back of her cell. "I will try to sleep. Just to dream of a better life." Sighing heavily as she lay back on the floor, pulling the thin blanket around her. "Thank you, Sir Leon. You are keeping me sane here." Chuckling nervously, trying to make herself comfortable but due to her size and the lack of comfort in the cell, she was unable to. "I hope to see you in the morning." She chuckled lightly but the chuckle faltered. "Good night, Sir Leon."
"Good night, my Lady." Leon's soft and caring voice came to her ears. "Sleep as best as you can."
Elaine woke up the next morning to the sound of her door opening and Gwen walked in with clothes and food. "Good morning, Gwen." She tried to smile but she was too tired to even move. "Thank you." As Gwen placed the clothes and food in front of her.
Gwen placed the plate of the food in front of her. "I am going to help you escape." Her voice low and quiet. "You and Sir Leon. Two nights away. Are you ready to?"
"Yes." Elaine gasped in shock and a smile spread across her face. "I will be ready." Slowly sitting up with help from Gwen. "But they will notice we are gone and we have escaped."
"I know." Gwen smiled gently. "I know how to get Leon to escape but you will be slightly different. Amy will be coming to serve you dinner in two nights. If you can, bind and gag her and hide her under your blankets. Make it as if it is you, who is asleep." Elaine nodded silently and remained silent when the guard opened the door. "Be ready soon. It might happen sooner." Gwen whispered and stood up and left.
Elaine gave a small laugh as she leant back against the wall, reaching for the plate, which consisted of grapes and bread. Thankfully the bread wasn't mouldy, unlike the previous times. She ate her fill and it caused her son to settle in her womb. "It will not be long, my little darling." Rubbing her stomach as she gnawed at the bread.
Gwen had passed Elaine's cell the next day and gave a nod. Tonight was the night to escape. She waited for Amy to come to her cell. Morgana had allowed Amy to attend to Elaine on a daily basis and she would tell Morgana if Elaine showed any signs of labour. Elaine stood in the middle of her cell with her hands in the lower part of her back as she stretched the small ache in her back. Thankfully, she had been allowed to have her chains taking off her wrists on Morgause and Morgana's orders, due to the fact she could go into labour at any point.
Amy arrived at her cell with Elaine's food. "Good evening, my Lady. The Queen sends you this plateful of food." Holding out the large plate of grapes, meat and bread. "How are you feeling today, my Lady?" Amy asked as Elaine took the plate from her. "Any pains?"
"No, Amy. Even if I was experiencing pains, I would not tell you." She held the plate in her hands. Once she heard the clanging of a door and the sight of Sir Leon at her own door, she stepped forward and gasped, leaning forward slightly. Her hand fell to her stomach.
"My Lady!" Amy gasped and rushed to hold Elaine's arm. "Is it time?"
"No." Elaine chuckled and struck Amy with her plate, letting the bottom of the plate hit Amy's head, not caring that the food fell.
Leon unlocked the door and rushed to help Elaine place Amy on the floor and cover up the maid. They wrapped the food in Amy's shawl. "We have to hurry. Gwen is waiting for us." He held out his hand and Elaine took his hand. Once outside of the cell, Leon locked the door and the two quickly rushed out of the castle and straight to Gwen's home. "Did you truly have pains?" Leon whispered as they rushed through the dark streets.
"No." Elaine whispered. "I lied to cause Amy's defences to come down and be able to knock her out." Smiling in the dark as the pair of them rushed into Gwen's house and Gwen was already ready and waiting for them.
"We haven't got time to waste." She said as she handed Sir Leon a dress and Elaine a cloak as well as closing the door. Gwen kept watch of the outside, in case any guards came near to the cottage.
Leon unfolded the dress and held it in front of him. "You...You can't be serious." Elaine stiffled a laugh as she put the cloak on, raising the hood.
"Just hurry! Every guard in Camelot will be looking for you. They won't be looking for three women courtiers." Gwen scolded him and Leon proceeded to dress in the dress. Once all three of them were ready, they set off for the forest, outside the castle. By the time they were a safe distance from the castle it was morning. All three of them changed. Gwen and Elaine changed into comfortable trousers and tunics but it was Leon who was having problems. "What's taking you so long?" Gwen called to him as she and Elaine stood away to allow Leon to change in privacy.
"I'm a woman." He stepped out from behind a tree and he was obviously struggling to undress himself.
"Here, let me help you." Gwen stepped forward and untied the dress for him.
"Do you know where to go next?" Elaine asked as she leant against the tree, her hand rubbing her stomach. She tried to get rid of the feeling inside her. A small ache in her side was growing more and more painful but she did not let Leon or Gwen notice.
"From here, we need to take the path heading north. There's a cave in the Darkling Woods, five minutes due east of the fallen oak. It has a concealed entrance and fresh water. My guess is that's where Arthur's hiding out." Leon spoke as he dressed. Soon the three of them were on their way but slowly.
They were slowly reaching their destination and Sir Leon was being cautious and had his sword drawn in case of an attack. He gave a call as he approached the caves, where he believed that Arthur was hiding in. The three of them slowly approached the entrance of the caves when Arthur suddenly jumped out and was ready to attack. "Guinevere!" He exclaimed and hugged her tightly. Gwen stepped away from him as Arthur reached his hand forward to Sir Leon. "Sir Leon." Gwen greeted the others as did Leon to allow Arthur and Elaine to be reunited. "Hello cousin."
Elaine stood still. "I'm sorry. I am so sorry." The two met in a brief hug until they were interrupted by Elyan.
"We've been found! They're almost upon us!" He rushed towards them and each person looked to Arthur for instructions.
The next few moments seemed like a blur. "Get Gaius." Arthur ordered Merlin before turning to the others. "We need to get out of here. Run!" Everyone began moving and running in the safest direction. Sir Leon helped Elaine as she could not run as fast as the others.
They had reached a place where there were tall rocks forming a valley but in front of them were a few of the soldiers but there was a shout from above them. "Look out!" The rocks began to fall and their path to the soldiers was becoming blocked.
"Who's that?" Arthur asked as they watched the rocks tumble.
"Don't know, but I'm liking him already." Gwaine said as they looked around for the source of the rock fall.
From above them, two men appeared. Gwen gasped, "Lancelot!"
"We need to hurry." Lancelot spoke and every person moved in the same direction and a safe distance away from the enemy. They had made it a safe distance away and stopped to get their bearings and to meet with Lancelot and his companion.
Elaine leant against the nearest tree and gave a hidden wince. She avoided looking towards Lancelot when he arrived. They were a short distance apart from each other and it was obvious that he could see her large stomach.
"I take it that rock fall wasn't an accident." Arthur grinned as he walked towards Lancelot and Lancelot's companion.
"This is Percival. It was his strength that brought them down." Lancelot hit Percival's shoulder.
"Your Highness." Percival bowed.
"Arthur." Arthur introduced himself and held out his hand to the giant man.
"Arthur it is." Percival took his hand and shook it.
"What were you doing here?" Arthur asked them both as he and Percival let go of hands.
Merlin had helped Gaius to sit on the ground and he rushed over to the 3 men. "Er... It was me. I sent for him."
"Well, we owe you our lives. Thank you." Arthur gave them both a grateful smile. He moved towards the others, not noticing the looks between Gwen and Lancelot.
Elaine picked up the courage to raise her eyes and turned to look in the direction of Lancelot. Her heart swelled with joy as his eyes fixed upon her. She gave him a small smile and turned away from him. She felt her stomach give a twinge of pain and she rubbed it gently to try and get rid of it.
"Are you well, my Lady?" A voice brought her out of her thoughts. She looked up at one of Arthur's companions. "My Lady?" He asked again.
"Oh yes." She smiled gently. "I do not know your name."
"Gwaine, my Lady. We are leaving." Holding his hand out towards Elaine, who took it nervously and allowed him to lead her back to the group. He dropped her hand once they reached Arthur's side. "So where next?"
"I know a place. Follow me." Arthur grinned lightly and walked north. The group of 7 people followed their Prince. They had travelled for an hour and soon a desolate castle came into view. "We'll stay here for tonight." Walking inside the castle.
"Are you sure we'll be safe in here?" Gaius asked as the group moved inside the crumbling castle.
"This castle belonged to the ancient kings. It'll do for a while." Arthur said as he looked around the hall, where they were standing in.
"Can't be worse than that cave." Elyan stated, looking up at the ceiling, which was covered in spider webs.
"Search the place, see what you can find." Arthur said. The party split away and began searching for weapons and firewood. Elaine helped Gwen to light the many candles that they could find. She stopped lighting candles at one point as she felt a stronger pain in her stomach. She bit her lip as the pain grew suddenly and died away. She lit the rest of the candles and made her way over to the chairs and tables, where Gaius was already sitting and Arthur was pulling a dusty, white sheet off the table.
Gwaine had found a lot of weapons and had brought them to the room, placing them on the table with a 'clang'. "Must have been left by bandits."
"Wow." Elaine gasped as the round table was revealed to them. She sat in the chair next to Gaius, her hand rested on her stomach as the next pain came. She had been about to say that she was experiencing pains when Arthur spoke.
"Here! Come and join me." Everyone approached the table. All the men sat first and Arthur led Gwen to her seat between him and Elaine. Arthur remained standing. "This table belonged to the ancient kings of Camelot. A round table afforded no one man more importance than any other. They believed in equality in all things. So, it seems fitting that we revive this tradition now. Without each of you, we would not be here. My father has languished in prison for too long. Tomorrow, I make my bid to rescue him. Are there any around this table who will join me?"
Everyone remained silent for a moment before Lancelot stood up. "You taught me the values of being a knight, the code by which a man should live his life. To fight with honour for justice, freedom, and all that's good. I believe in the world that you will build."
Elyan was the next to speak and stand in Arthur's honour. "Even though I was a commoner, a nobody, you were willing to lay down your life for me, Arthur. It is now my turn to repay you."
"I have fought alongside you many times. There is no one that I would rather die for." Sir Leon stood and spoke to Arthur.
"I think we've no chance." Everyone looked at Gwaine with shock but he stood up and continued speaking. "But I wouldn't miss it for the world." He grinned towards Arthur.
"Your enemies are my enemies." Percival stood and spoke in his deep baritone voice.
Gaius was next to stand up. "If you need an old man."
Gwen stood next and her eyes rested on Arthur. "You know the answer."
Elaine was the next to stand. Everyone watched her. "You can choose your friends but not your family. Unfortunately for you, you are stuck with me." She and Arthur chuckled softly.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked without looking at his manservant.
Merlin shook his head and stared ahead of him. "No, don't really fancy it."
Arthur cut him off. "You don't really have a choice, Merlin."
Merlin stood up. "Ok." He turned to look at Arthur and gave him a confident nod.
"I want to thank you all for staying loyal to me in Camelot's hour of need. I'll do something that my father won't approve of." Arthur spoke. From here, he asked Lancelot, Gwaine, Percival and Elyan to stand in a line and then kneel in front of him. "Arise, Sir Lancelot, Knight of Camelot." He tapped his sword on both of Lancelot's shoulders and Lancelot stood. Arthur next moved onto Gwaine. "Arise, Sir Gwaine, Knight of Camelot." Gwaine stood once Arthur was finished. "Arise, Sir Percival, Knight of Camelot." Percival stood up to his full height. "Arise, Sir Elyan, Knight of Camelot." Everyone of them was now standing, looking proud as Arthur continued. "Tomorrow, when you fight, you can stand proud knowing you are members of the most noble army the world has ever known." Arthur stood back and gave his newly appointed Knights a grin but his grin was wiped from his face when he heard a loud cry.
"Ohhh God!" Elaine cried out and nearly fell to her knees but Gwen helped her up to stay standing. "Oh it hurts!" Her arm wrapped around her stomach. No one moved as they looked at her in shock.
A/N: Cliffhanger! Sorry!
Responses from Chapter 12:
Lara Smith: Don't worry. It is not all gloom and doom for Elaine. I'm still not sure about the love triangles and which ones to do. I have a feeling it will turn into a complicated love shape thingy. I had forgotten all about Vortigern so thanks to you, he will turn up at some point. Just remind me to add him! Thanks for reviewing again! :D
strawberry shortcake: Well so far a lot of people would like Lancelot and Elaine to get together. I will give it time first and see how the plot spans out. I have a general idea of who Elaine will end up with but of course it will be complicated.
A/N2: So you've read this far? Review would be nice to let me know what is your opinion.