Chapter 22: The Coronation of a Queen
A/N: A quick note. My story will not follow Series 4 of Merlin. BUT LOVED the first episode! Very dark! Also I've started my 3rd year of University and it is going to be a hard year, so updates will be slow. So I apologise in advanced.
Elaine stood at the top of the steps, which led into the citadel, with her advisers standing behind her. Nearby stood Gwaine and Percival, who were keeping to their orders and staying close to Elaine, as her protectors. She took slow breaths as the small procession of Camelot guards, knights and Arthur made their way into the courtyard. She wore a long sleeved, light blue dress, with her long hair hanging loosely down her back. Her heart seemed to stop when she saw that Lancelot was among the knights. But she kept her composure and walked down the steps to greet Arthur. She grinned as her cousin dismounted his horse and walked straight to her. "Arthur!" She chuckled as the two met in a hug.
"Cousin!" Arthur chuckled as he stepped back from her. "You are looking very well." Looking down at her figure and back to her smiling face.
"As are you." She stepped to his side and gestured for him to follow her inside. She linked her arm through his. "I am glad you are here first. I am so nervous." She laughed softly
"Well, I am here for you. Every step of the way. Like you were with me." The two of them walked up the stone steps and into the heart of the castle. "Stop worrying." He moved his arm from her own and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Are you enjoying being your own ruler?"
Elaine laughed as she led him into the Great Hall. "I am. It is a lot of hard work." She leant her head on his shoulder. "I am enjoying it. Though it is early days yet." Standing up straight. "Right, here you go." There were many tables were laid with food and drinks. "For you and everyone you have brought with you."
"Oh Elaine." He kissed her cheek. "You are too good." He stepped forward but Elaine placed her hand on his arm and stopped him.
"Not just yet." She laughed. "You need to wash and Lord Godwyn will be arriving soon." She pulled him out of the Great Hall. She gestured for a manservant forward. "Show King Arthur to his chambers please."
"Yes my Lady." The manservant bowed and waited for Arthur.
"Right." Arthur grinned mischievously. "You are cruel to me, cousin." Shaking his head and kissing her cheek softly, allowing the manservant to show the way to the guest chambers.
Elaine chuckled as she watched him walk away. She turned to return outside, when she saw Lancelot standing nearby, waiting patiently to speak with her. "Sir Lancelot." She said politely.
He bowed to her. "My Lady. I hope you are well." He slowly stepped towards her.
"I am thank you. I suspect you are tired." She gestured for a manservant to step forward. "Could you show Sir Lancelot to the Knights' quarters?"
"Of course, my Lady." He bowed and gestured with his hand for Lancelot to follow him.
Lancelot remained rooted on the spot. "How is Galahad?"
"He is well. He is sleeping at the moment. I will come and find you when he is awake." She smiled slightly, her heart hammering in her chest. "If you will excuse me, I have to greet Lord Godwyn and his daughter."
"Of course." Lancelot stepped to the side and bowed as Elaine walked passed him. He watched her, smiling a little as she glanced back over her shoulder at him. He couldn't help but chuckle. He turned, his cloak billowing behind him as he followed the manservant to where the Knights of Camelot were staying.
Elaine stood at the top of the stone steps as Lord Godwyn and Princess Elena approached with their small company of guards. But Elaine was thinking. Not about her coronation. Not about the threat of King Lot. She was thinking about Lancelot, and she was also thinking about Gwaine. She didn't need this now. She didn't want to face the confusion of choosing between the two of them. Before the arrival of Arthur; Elaine and Gwaine spent time together. They would lie in the gardens together and talk. She liked that. She enjoyed that very much. Then there was Lancelot. She loved him. He was her son's father. Their relationship was based on an enchantment potion and nothing more. "Lord Godwyn." Elaine spoke cheerfully as she walked down the steps to greet her father's oldest friend and his daughter.
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That evening at the banquet, Elaine purposely left the monarch's throne empty. To her, her father was still King and the throne would remain empty until her coronation day. She reached for her goblet and stood up, followed by Arthur and Lord Godwyn and soon the entire room was standing. "My Lords, Ladies, and honoured guests. I thank you for your presence here today. It means a great deal to me as you were all friends to, either, myself or to my father. So I raise my glass to you." She raised her goblet to them and taking a sip of her wine, before carrying on. "I shall use this evening to celebrate my father's reign. Tonight shall be a celebration in his honour. I ask you to raise your glasses to King Pelles."
"To King Pelles!" The entire room chorused.
"Now, enjoy the evening!" She smiled to them and sat back in her chair. Everyone sat down and the chattering began.
"A lovely speech, my Lady." Lord Godwyn spoke on her immediate right.
She turned to face him. "Thank you, my Lord." Giving him a big smile. "I meant every word. Especially to you, as you were one of my father's oldest friends." Elaine smiled still as Godwyn placed his hand over her own.
"He would be so proud of you right now." He squeezed her hand slightly. "As for admirers, keep them at arms length for now." He chuckled softly. "Just a suggestion."
"Thank you, my Lord." She smiled broadly. The feast continued with laughter and chattering. Once the eating was over, everyone stood up and walked around the room, talking filled the room. Elaine did the same, greeting other guests and making sure the evening was going smoothly by talking with the servants. As she talked with some guests, she felt a warm hand brush against her own. She took a chance and glanced behind her, she could see Gwaine standing there with his back to her and talking to some of her own knights. She turned her attention back to the two ladies, who were asking about her coronation dress. "It is a secret, I am afraid." She chuckled softly, as she brushed her fingers against Gwaine's hand. "What about your dresses? Or are they a secret too?"
"I am afraid so, my Lady." The elder woman chuckled softly, not noticing that Elaine and Gwaine's hands were touching secretly. "If you will excuse me, my Lady. I must retire. I am not as young as I used to be."
"Of course." Elaine smiled as the two women curtseyed and left the Hall. Elaine brushed her fingers against Gwaine's hand once more and left him alone. She walked out of the hall unnoticed by anyone except the man, whose hand she had been touching moments ago.
Gwaine grinned for a moment and he followed her out of the hall, his cloak flapping behind him as he walked. He walked slowly as he searched for her. "Elaine..." He whispered.
"This way." She called from above him. He looked up and saw her, smiling down at him. He glanced around and ran up the stairs, where she then ran away. He could hear her laughing softly, allowing him to follow the sound of her laughter. Her laughter stopped as he walked along the dark corridor. Gwaine listened carefully for any sounds from her. He moved a little slower and stopped when a hand wrapped around his left wrist. The person pulled him into an alcove and pressed her lips against his.
He felt her small hand run up the back of his neck and cup his cheek. He wrapped his strong arms around her small waist and pulled her against his body. The kiss turned passionate. One hand ran up her back and cupped the back of her head. His tongue ran along her bottom lip. Her arms wrapped tight around his neck, causing her to stand on her toes. Gwaine pulled away from her lips and looked down at her. They stayed close together. "Elaine..." He raised one hand and brushed his knuckles against her cheek. "You need to go back."
"I know, but I do have a son that I have to check on. So they will know, that is where I must be." She brushed her lips against his. "I should check on Galahad." She went to pull away but Gwaine held her closely. "Unless you have other..." He cut her off with his lips; pressing them tightly against her own. She smiled into their kiss and threw her arms around him. They finally pulled apart. "Return to the party." Elaine whispered, close to his lips. "I will check on Galahad and then return."
Gwaine reluctantly let go of her. "I will be waiting." He softly kissed her before turned and leaving her alone in the corridor.
Elaine watched him leave before turning and moving towards her own chambers. She quietly opened the door and peered inside. A gasp left her lips when she saw a figure in the room. "Who are you?" Thinking it was someone, who would harm her son.
The person turned, revealing it to be Lancelot, with Galahad in his arms. "I am sorry. I came to check on him and I heard him crying."
Elaine moved inside, closing the door behind her. "I thought Amy was with him."
"She was. I sent her to bed. I'll look after him." Lancelot gently rocked their son. "It's your banquet. Go back."
She sighed heavily and walked up to his side. "I can stay a little while. Besides, I have barely seen him today." She cupped her son's head and gently stroked the tuft of hair. "I am sorry for arguing with you when I left."
Lancelot watched her as she spoke; her entire attention was for their son. He smiled a little at that. "No need to apologise. I should have known that you had a lot to deal with at the time." He looked down at their son, who was fast asleep. "He has grown a lot."
Elaine smiled sweetly. "Yes. He has." Looking up at Lancelot. "Would you like to put him back in his cot?"
He shook his head. "I like holding him." They smiled at each other. "Go back to the banquet." He nodded towards the door.
She sighed heavily. "Fine." She chuckled softly. "If you need me, send a maid and I will come straight away." He nodded silently, as she stepped away from him. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." He smiled, watching her leave.
The morning of her coronation, Elaine stood in front of her long mirror. She wore a long ivory gown, which had complicated flower details sewn in. Her hair fell down her back and over her shoulders. She took slow deep breaths as a maid placed her long and red cloak over her shoulders. She continued to stare at her appearance. A knock brought out of her thoughts. "Come in."
Arthur moved inside. He was wearing his full regal outfit. "Elaine?"
"Oh, come in, Arthur." She slowly turned and faced him.
He smiled when he walked further in. "Oh, Elaine. You look beautiful." He walked up to her. "You're nervous." He held her hands in his own.
"How can you tell?"
"You're not smiling." He chuckled. She gave him a broad smile from the statement. "There. That's better." Arthur kissed her cheek. He let go of her hands and walked over to the side table, where her coronet lay on a red pillow. "Here." Elaine smiled at him nervously as he placed it on her head. "There. Finished."
Elaine let out a nervous breath. "Thank you. Oh, Arthur!" She gasped. "I am so nervous. I cannot do this." She turned back and looked at herself in the mirror.
Arthur stood next to her and looked at her reflection also. "You will be magnificent. I know you will." He held her hand. "We will go when you are ready. I am to escort you to the Hall and you are to walk to the front alone." He held her hand comfortingly.
"Thank you." She took slow deep breaths. "I am ready." Her hand gripping Arthur's.
"Lighter grip, Elaine." He raised their joined hands and kissed her hand. "Come on." They let go of their hands and Arthur held out his arm. "Ready?"
"With you there? Always." She smiled broadly towards him and slowly took his arm. Arthur led his cousin from her chambers and they walked the walk to the Great Hall. "This walk seems longer than ever before." She spoke softly as they walked down the main stairs. "Nor has it seemed so quick." Her hand gripped his chain mail. "I love you, cousin." She said when they stopped just outside the Great Hall.
"And I you." Arthur leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "You will be splendid." Kissing her opposite cheek, before leaving to go into the Great Hall, but not without one last look at her and giving her an encouraging smile. He disappeared into the Great Hall, the doors closing as he walked in.
Elaine waited for a moment, taking deep breaths and pacing as she tried to calm herself. She raised her hands and made sure her coronet was straight. Her heart was racing as the doors opened. She took a deep breath and began the long walk down to her lead adviser, who was in charge over the coronation. She could feel every set of eyes on her as she walked the long walk. Her advisers stood on the platform, on either side of the throne. She took the few steps up to the throne and slowly turned, pulling her dress and cloak with her. She sat down and looked to the back of the Great Hall, not focusing her gaze on anybody.
"Do you, Elaine, swear to govern the Kingdom and People of Corbenic?" Carter spoke with a clear voice, removing her coronet at the same time and handing it to Edward.
"I do." Elaine replied with a clear voice also.
"By the powers vested in me..." Carter held the crown high over her head. "I crown thee, Elaine Pendragon, Queen of Corbenic." He lowered the crown onto her head. Carter then stood back and bowed to her, as did every person in the Great Hall.
She let out a long breath as she stared ahead of her. She was now Queen.
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A/N: Well? That okay? Also did you like the opening for Series 4 of Merlin! ARGH! :D Like I said above, updates will be even slower than normal due to the fact life has begun again. So I apologise.
Responses from chapter 21:
Duchess of Lantern Waste: Ahhh! You'll have to keep reading to find out. :D
acklesaddict: YAY! :D Glad you liked that they kissed. Hee hee!
chescake: When Elaine finds a stark raving mad Lancelot in her garden, she shows him the Grail. He's not allowed to touch or something like that. I think Gwaine does not mind that Elaine has Galahad due to the fact he was the one who helped her give birth to him. :) Percival is there but being the strong, silent type. :) I will add more of him, I promise.
Larasmith: I think Elaine will be a brilliant ruler and will make the best decisions for her Kingdom and her people. Gwaine maybe a rogue but his heart is in the right place. I am probably going to stick to canon and allow the triangle to happen. Sorry. I know you don't like it but I have an ending for the story and it involves the triangle.
Lucy: They finally kissed! Hooray! The hilarity with Elaine's secret with Gwaine will happen in the next chapter. But I thought I'd put a few sneaky moments of the pair in this chapter. :D As for Lancelot, you'll have to see about his reaction. I promise there will be more of Percival in the next chapter, especially an interaction between him and Gwaine. :)
Kerry: I'm sorry for the late update. Life is getting in the way! Grrr! Damn life! :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think. :)