Chapter 15: Forgiveness
Arthur showed Elaine to her previous room. She had taken Galahad from the sling as they entered the room. It was slightly untidy but there were things over the place. "It had been ransacked but we tried to tidy it as much as we could. To make it decent for you and Galahad." Smiling as he opened the windows. "It is home."
"It is home." Elaine chuckled as she placed Galahad on her bed and took off the baby sling. "How is uncle?"
Arthur shook his head. "I don't know. Not good." He carefully sat on the bed next to his newborn cousin. "Why did you hide your pregnancy?" His finger stroked Galahad's cheek.
"I was scared. Terrified that you would all hate me." Elaine started to tidy away abandoned possessions. Many of her possessions were broken but a lot of her clothes were still hanging in her wardrobe. "I felt ashamed. I fell in love with Lancelot but the night we conceived Galahad, it was forced. Morgana drugged us and it caused us to... you know." She blushed brightly. "I am sorry, Arthur."
"I forgive you." Arthur grinned at his cousin. "I always forgive you." The pair of them laughed. "He has been asking for you."
Elaine stopped with her clearing away and looked at her cousin in shock. "Truthfully?" She sat in the nearest chair and stared at Arthur. "I thought he would not want to see me after knowing the truth." Her gaze shifting to her sleeping son, who was stirring in his sleep. "I know he hates me." Standing up and walking over to the bed as Galahad began to cry. "Oh my darling son." Bending down and lifting him into her arms. "Let me get Galahad and myself settled and I shall go and see him."
"Of course, cousin." Arthur smiled up at her. The two spent time together while Elaine cared for Galahad and tidied her room. They spoke about the past and the future. They hoped for a future of peace.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - – - –
Lancelot had agreed to take care of Galahad while Elaine visited Uther. He did not stay in Elaine's chambers with his son. Everyone in Camelot was slowly rebuilding their lives but they were enjoying it. Lives were changing. His own life had drastically changed and he was holding the reason in his arms. He grinned slightly as he sat on the steps that led into the castle and his son squirmed slightly at being jostled but soon settled. "Hello my son." He spoke quietly. "I cannot believe you exist. I wish your mother could have told me and I would have been here in a heartbeat to protect her and to protect you."
From the opposite end of the courtyard, Gwen watched Lancelot. Jealously slowly rose in her but she couldn't understand why. She loved Arthur, not Lancelot and here she was confused as to how she was feeling. Slowly she approached him and smiled as he quietly talk to the baby in his arms. "Hello Lancelot." She said as he looked up when she approached. "And hello Galahad." Smiling down at the baby, who was sleeping contently in his father's arms. "Do you need anything?" She asked.
"No thank you." Lancelot smiled slightly up at her and then returned his attention to his stirring son. "I best go. He's waking up and probably needs a feed." Galahad began to grizzle and squirm in his blanket. "I'm not used to this." Lancelot chuckled nervously as he stood up and moved inside with Gwen following. "How is the King?"
"I am not allowed to say." Gwen spoke quietly. "It will take some time." Walking beside Lancelot as he walked in the direction of Elaine's chambers. "I will leave you two alone." Turning away and leaving before Lancelot could react. He watched her retreating down the stairs and away from him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - – - - - - -
Elaine had left Galahad with Lancelot and Arthur escorted Elaine to the King's chambers. She wore her favourite dress and as she walked down the hallway, her dress dragged along the floor. Her breathing was steady as she walked but when the pair reached the King's chambers, her breathing changed to sharp inhaling. "I cannot do it. I am scared." She whispered in fear.
Arthur reached out and held her hand. "You will be fine. I will not leave you at all." Giving her hand a quick squeeze but Elaine did not move. "Elaine! The longer you leave it, the longer you have to leave Galahad. Let us go in and see him. You need to do this." Elaine nodded silently and allowed Arthur to lead her in.
She took a slow breath as she moved further into the room. She was shocked at the sight of the King. He looked pale, ragged and worn out. He was lying against many pillows on his large bed. Elaine gave a quick curtsey and stood at the foot of the bed. Uther was asleep but even in his sleep he still looked afraid. She slowly walked to the left side of his bed and sat on the chair. Elaine took slow, deep breaths to keep herself calm and she silently prayed that he would not wake and she would not have to speak to him.
Uther stirred in his sleep and woke. "Arthur!" He called out as he sat up quickly.
Arthur stood up and helped Uther to lie back. "I'm here father. So is Elaine." Nodding in Elaine's direction.
Elaine took a deep breath as Uther turned to look at her. "Hello Uncle."
"Elaine! You're safe." Uther grinned widely and held his hand out towards her. Elaine stood up and sat on the bed close to him and took his hand in her own. "Did they treat you well?"
"Not particularly badly but I was fed and kept warm." She spoke timidly and held his hand gently. For a moment, the two of them did not speak but it was Elaine who spoke. "I am sorry Sire." Elaine bowed her head slightly and closed her eyes, willing herself not to cry. "I am sorry for the shame I have brought upon our family." The tears fell. "I ask for your forgiveness."
Uther pulled his hand away from Elaine's, causing the young woman to look up at him. "I will not forgive you for what you have done. You had a child out of wedlock! I would have expected it from the peasants but not from a member of my own family." He glared at her. "You are a stupid girl and your father would be ashamed of you right now." He grabbed her hand tightly causing her to cry out. "You and your bastard will never be welcome in my presence. You are to leave Camelot and never to return."
Elaine forced her hand out of his grip and stood up. "You are not my guardian and I do not have to listen to you." She spat back. "My son and I will remain in Camelot for as long as I choose."
At the word 'son', Uther stared at her in shock. He did not know that Elaine had given birth to a son. "You have a son."
"Yes. I have named him Galahad. And he will be the true heir to my father's kingdom." Elaine stepped away from Uther.
"Let me see him. Let me see the boy." Uther pleaded with her.
"On one condition." Elaine spoke sternly and with confidence. "That I have your forgiveness for the birth of my son."
"Never." Uther glared at her and soon turned her head away. "I will never forgive you."
"Then you shall never see my son. I shall hide him away from your hatred and evil." Elaine turned on her heel and left Uther and Arthur alone. She did not stop walking until she was inside her chambers with the door locked. Not noticing that Lancelot was laying on her bed with their son beside him. Once the door was shut and locked, Elaine rested her back against it and let out a sob, soon followed by more sobs. As she cried, she slid to the floor where a pair of strong arms wrapped around her. "He will never forgive me."
"You do not need his forgiveness. The King is being cruel by not forgiving you. You are his family." Lancelot spoke gently in her ear as he pulled her into his lap and held her tightly to him, comforting her as she cried in shame.
"He wished to see Galahad but I refused because he would not forgive. That is all I ask. I wish to have a clear conscience. I feel like it is my fault that I did not tell my Uncle about my pregnancy." She gripped his tunic in her hand tightly as she cried. A small, sharp cry came from the bed. "Oh! He needs a feed." She untangled herself from Lancelot's embrace and the pair of them stood up. "Did you enjoy your time with him?" Elaine asked as they walked towards the bed.
Galahad was wrapped tightly in a blanket. He cried loudly, even when Elaine lifted him into her arms. "I did." Lancelot answered and sat on the edge of the bed, as Elaine sat with her back to him and undid her dress to be able to breastfeed her son. "I was wondering if you would like to spend the day with me. Both of you." He watched her back and listened to the sound of Galahad having his fill.
Elaine glanced over her shoulder slightly and smiled. "I would like that very much." Turning back to her son. For the rest of the day and evening, the young family spent their time together. Lancelot and Elaine did not speak of the future, they barely spoke to each other. They lay on the bed and spoke softly to their son, who seemed oblivious to what they were saying. His baby blue eyes stared up at his parents. "I think he will have dark eyes. The two of us have dark eyes." This was the first time Elaine spoke to Lancelot, since her outburst.
"Yes. I think so too." Lancelot laughed softly as he placed his hand on the warm stomach of his son.
- – - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - –
After Gwen had left Lancelot, she returned to the King's chambers. Arthur had appointed her to be the King's primary care giver. As she approached the King's chambers, she heard raised voices between Uther and Arthur. They were arguing about Elaine remaining in Camelot. "I will not throw my cousin into the wilderness with a newborn babe. I will not allow it father!" Arthur argued.
"You will not disobey me!" Uther shouted at his son.
"I will and I shall. Elaine is our family. Galahad is our family. I shall never abandon them for as long as I shall live." Arthur shouted back. Gwen could hear his footsteps moving across the floor and towards the door. "We shall speak of this once you are recovered."
Gwen stepped away from the door and waited for Arthur to emerge from the door. "Arthur." she spoke quietly as the Prince closed the door. "Are you all right?" She asked in concern once she saw Arthur's hurt expression.
"I will never let him talk about Elaine like that." Arthur stepped away from the door and closer to Gwen. "What do I do, Gwen? My father's judgement is shrouded by betrayal. Betrayal from Morgana and betrayal from Elaine."
"I know you will do what is right." Gwen cupped his cheek and gave him a smile. "It will be hard to realise that you are in command for now but I know you will make the right decisions and you will help your father to recover."
Arthur gave a small but lop-sided smile before putting his hand on her waist and pulling her close. His lips descended on hers, pressing his against hers. They wrapped their arms around each other and enjoyed this sweet moment together. "I do hope my father recovers." Arthur whispered once he pulled away from her lips. "But these moments will become less when he is fully recovered. He would never allow it."
"I know." Gwen spoke softly. "Let us enjoy these moments while we can." Smiling gently and they kissed once again.
- - - - - - - - - - – - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A/N: Reached this far? What you think?
Responses from Chapter 14:
ForeverTeamEdward13: Awwww Thank you. Hope you enjoy this chapter too.
Lara Smith: I absolutely love reading your reviews as they give me so many ideas for future chapters. I hope you liked the ARWEN scene, I added in especially for you. :D I'm still trying to decide on Elaine's fate/ man. :D I have a small idea of how the story will play out. Keep your ideas and questions coming as they are a big help for me.
Strawberry shortcake: I wanted to add the Gwaine and Elaine scenes as they are going to have a strong bond. I will add more ARWEN scenes, I promise.