Chapter 17: Progress For All
The whole kingdom was in mourning after Arthur had announced that the King had died. Arthur and Elaine were thrust into immediate preparation for the King's funeral and also preparations for Arthur's coronation as King. Due to all these duties, Elaine spent very little time with Lancelot and very little time with Galahad, which killed her on the inside. She hated being away from her baby and the man she loved. Galahad was now a few weeks old and was growing considerably. He was a very happy baby and loved by all those who meet him.
When Elaine was in meetings with Arthur, she left Galahad with either Gwen or Lancelot. Gwen cared for him the majority of the time and loved the bonny little baby. She would mainly care for him in Elaine's chambers but on a rare occasion she would take him for stroll through the castle. The days she cared for Galahad Gwen's friendship with Elaine grew. The two became closer and Elaine had the confidence to tell her about her own relationship with Lancelot. Gwen was genuinely happy for Elaine. "My Lady, that is wonderful news. Do you think Arthur will consent to it?"
"I hope so." Elaine smiled and blushed lightly as she stroked Galahad's cheek with her finger. "What of you and Arthur?"
It was Gwen's turn to blush. "We're waiting until after his coronation. He has so much on his mind at the moment." She avoided Elaine's curious gaze as her blush grew. "We weren't allowed to court when the late King was alive. God rest his soul. I think it would be best to wait until Arthur has settled into being King." Gwen continued to blush. "Only time will tell."
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The Knights of Camelot carried the coffin of the King to his burial place; next to his wife. Arthur and Elaine stood together. The entire hill was covered with the people of Camelot, along with high ranking friends of Uther. Among them included Lord Godwyn with his daughter, Princess Elena, King Lot from the south and King Vortigern from the north.
After the funeral, there was a feast held in his honour. Arthur sat in his usual seat and the King's throne was left empty. Arthur wasn't King yet but they left the throne empty in memory and honour of Uther. Arthur stood with a goblet in his hand. "Today." He began. "We say farewell to our beloved King. My father taught us all valuable lessons. On this day, I salute him as a person, father and King." He raised his goblet. Elaine stood up first to raise her glass and everyone else mirrored her. "To the King!"
"To the King!" Everyone chorused and drained their goblets. Everyone sat down as did Arthur. "Arthur?" Elaine leant towards him. "Are you well?"
"I'm well, Elaine." He rubbed his forehead. "Just tired." He raised his head and turned and faced her. "Are you well?"
Elaine nodded and sipped her drink. "Yes. Tired also." The banquet did not last long and Elaine was one of the first to leave.
As she was leaving the hall, Gwaine approached her. "May I escort you back to your chambers?"
Elaine was about to object, thinking Lancelot would escort her, but he was busying talking with Percival. "I'd like that." He held out his arm to her and she looped her own in his. "Are you enjoying being a Knight of Camelot?" She asked as they walked slowly along the corridors.
"Yes, my Lady. I do." He laughed softly. "I am sorry for the loss of your uncle." He held her arm slightly tighter.
"Thank you. Also, I did not thank you for helping me at the birth." Elaine smiled gently and blushed a little. "Felt like I was dying." She chuckled nervously.
"It is what any decent human would have done." He smiled as they walked up the stairs together. "How is your son?"
"Growing." She smiled. "Growing bigger by the day. Would you like to see him?" As they approached her chambers. "He might be asleep."
"I would love to." He smiled gently down at her as was slightly taller than her. "He is reaching 4 weeks now. If I remember rightly."
"Yes he is." Elaine smiled as they reached her door. She was about to step forward but Gwaine moved forward first.
"A lady must never open the door herself." He chuckled and opened the door, pushing it open without going inside. "My Lady." He bowed as she walked into her chambers chuckling.
As she entered, she spotted Amy with Galahad in her arms sitting in front of the fire. "Did he need a feed?"
"Yes, my Lady. I gave him some of the goat's milk you left for him." She smiled and stood up. She carefully transferred Galahad into Elaine's arms. "Is there anything else you require, my Lady?"
"No thank you Amy. You may go to bed." Elaine smiled as her maid curtseyed and left Elaine alone with Galahad and Gwaine. "Hello my darling." She spoke softly to her slumbering son. Kissing his forehead as she walked towards his crib.
Gwaine remained by her side and smiled at the sleeping babe. "He has grown." Smiling slightly as Elaine placed Galahad in his crib. "How are you enjoying motherhood?"
She gave a timid chuckle. "Hard but enjoyable all at the same time." She reached down and gently placed Galahad's blanket up to his stomach. "It is hard to believe that he is here." She stroked his cheek with her finger. "He may not have been planned but he is certainly wanted. I cannot think of being without him now." She straightened up and turned to face Gwaine.
He was smiling down at the baby and straightened up when she did. "I shall leave you to rest, my Lady." He took her hand in his and kissed it. "Good night, my Lady." Letting go of her hand.
"Call me Elaine." She smiled at him. "We may not have known each other for very long but we certainly know each other well."
"Thank you." He smiled before adding. "Elaine." He bowed and left her alone, closing the door silently behind him.
Elaine let out an exhale of relief. "Oh." She spoke quietly and placed her hand on her cheek. It felt warm from a blush. He most certainly was charming, handsome and rugged. Everything Lancelot was but Gwaine was more of a rogue and that enchanted Elaine. She went to bed that night and dreamt she was chasing a man through a brightly lit forest but he would not turn around as she ran after him. No matter how fast she ran or how loud she shouted, the man would not turn around.
The preparations for Arthur's coronation began the day after Uther's funeral and the coronation was to take place in two days. Elaine was also helping Arthur with preparing for his coronation, where she was constantly speaking with Geoffrey of Monmouth. With these constant preparations, she was thinking about her own kingdom. She knew that her knights were now in charge of watching over the kingdom but she missed it dearly. There was also the subject of her mother's kingdom of Joyous Guard, that her father took care of until Elaine was of the right age and she would be capable of being Queen to both Kingdoms.
She spoke with her cousin and they both agreed that after Arthur's coronation, they would visit Joyous Guard and Corbenic to see the state of affairs there. "It seems a long time ago since I was last home." Elaine sighed heavily as she and Arthur sat in his chambers.
Arthur chuckled. "Nearly a year. Seems long ago though." They both chuckled. He watched Elaine as she rocked a very awake Galahad. "So, any progress with yourself and Lancelot?" He asked with a grin.
"Slight progress." She blushed. "He is going to speak to you about courting me." She continued to blush and avoided Arthur's gaze.
"Really?" Arthur said but with no emotion. "When is he going to ask me?"
"I am not sure. He told me after Uncle had died. I am guessing that he will probably wait. We are still in mourning so it is against tradition to even be courting." She sighed heavily. "If and when he does ask you, what will you say?"
"I will agree as you two deserve each other." Arthur chuckled. "Were you nervous that I would say no?"
"Of course I was!" She exclaimed with a laugh. "I thought you would say no because he was a knight and not some Lord." Laughing again.
"Yes." Arthur said nervously. "You've already had some interest."
"Oh no. Who?" Elaine bit her lower lip as she looked up at her cousin.
"King Vortigern and King Lot."
"Oh no." She shook her head. "I don't think I'd except but you are now my guardian and you decide."
"It is not my decision. It is up to you Elaine. Just consider your options." Arthur reached across to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I just want you happy."
Elaine gave him a timid smile and a nod. "Thank you Arthur. I shall wait until we are out of mourning before I make any decisions." Shifting Galahad in her arms to place him against her shoulder and she gently rubbed his back. "Right at this moment, I want to enjoy being a mother to Galahad and concentrate on making his future secure." Arthur smiled and remained silent as he watched mother and son. For the rest of the evening they spoke of the future.
King Lot rode hard to his next destination. He had left Camelot for a moment as he wanted to return home before returning to Camelot for Arthur's coronation. But his destination was not heading for his own castle, he was heading for a completely different castle. A castle which seemed to be deserted but it was filled with conspirators against Arthur. It was Cenred's former residence but it was not the home to the two sisters; Morgana and Morgause. He was greeted by his lover; Morgause. "Good day, my love." He kissed her fully on the lips.
"What news, my love?" She smiled and led him inside to the throne room. "When does Arthur's coronation take place?"
"In 4 days time. His advisers told him to have it soon." Lot smirked as he sat at a table, which had a small meal laid out. "I, of course, have been invited." Picking up a chuck of meat and eating it.
"And of your other intention?" Morgause grinned. "One I am not happy with but it would be beneficial."
"I expressed an interest with Lady Elaine to Arthur but he only said he would speak with her." He laughed lightly as he took a deep gulp of his wine. "I was not the only one. Vortigern has also expressed an interest. But our spy has also said that another person has spoken about courting the Lady Elaine."
Morgause tilted her head and watched him with her large eyes. "Who, my love?"
"The lowly knight. Sir Lancelot. The father of her bastard." Lot laughed loudly. "He does not have a chance with Vortigern and I expressing our interest. Arthur will only wish for his cousin to marry a man with means to provide for her."
"Yes but she has her own Kingdom to inherit. So she shall not have to worry if she marries Lancelot." Morgause sat back in her chair and stared at the table in front of her. "If this were Uther, he would not let Lancelot court Elaine. He would chose either you or Vortigern. But Arthur is now King and he would prefer his cousin to be in a happy marriage rather than a marriage of convenience." Morgause gave another heavy sigh. "We have to be patient. It may take some time for Morgana to be on the throne. We just have to have the patience."
Lot nodded as he ate the last of his meal. "I agree. Your sister will make a better ruler than that boy. Arthur is not ready to be King." He stood up and moved to her chair. "When will you let me be your King?" He held out his hand to her, which she took and stood up. "You rule my heart, when will you rule by my side?"
Morgause smiled slightly. "In time my love." She kissed him passionately. "We will have the problem of Elaine if you have to marry her."
"Well we know she is fertile. Once she gives me a son, I shall be rid of her. Marry you and live peacefully." He smirked at her and led her slowly out of the throne room. "For now, we can enjoy each other's comfort in the comfort of your bed."
Responses from chapter 16:
ForeverTeamEdward13: Thank you! :D :D
larasmith: Yep! Uther is gone! :D No trouble from him any more! :D I was aiming for Arthur and Elaine to have the sibling bond as they've only had each other growing up with no brothers or sisters. As for Lancelot, I can't really say anything as I've now decided what will happen between him and Elaine. :D There will be more ARWEN scenes, will hopefully have a whole chapter of ARWEN soon. Lancelot and Gwen are a complicated couple to write for but I know that I will be closing that arc soon. Morgana and Morgause are going to be trouble, as always. If I'm going to make Lancelot jealous, it will be with Gawain. I love Percival loads but I don't think he will be suited for Elaine. As you've seen in this chapter; Vortigern and Lot have turned up in cameos but they will have bigger roles soon. Lot will be turning up again soon.