Chapter 23: So It Begins...
Elaine found herself stood in front of her mirror. She had just been crowned Queen and her maids were helping her change into a more comfortable dress. She was now wearing a royal blue dress with white trimmings and was no longer wearing her crown. A small gurgle, followed by a babble, brought her out of her thoughts. She turned around to find Arthur standing behind her, holding Galahad. "Hello, my little darling."
Arthur moved towards her and handed her Galahad. "He has been as good as gold. He has enjoyed being with Gwen." Once Galahad was comfortable in Elaine's arms, Arthur stepped forward and kissed her cheek. "Well done." He rubbed her arm gently. "Are you ready for the next part?"
"No." She laughed lightly. "But I will have to make do." She looked at her son, who was now old enough to be carried on her hip. "Are you ready?" Smiling at her son, who just watched her silently for a moment before letting out a loud giggle. "I shall take that as a 'yes'." She chuckled as she and Arthur walked out of her chambers. As they walked the corridor together, Elaine turned to face Arthur. "Arthur, can I do this? I mean, run a country?"
Arthur stopped, making Elaine stop too, and he stepped in front of her. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "To tell you the truth, I think you will do a better job than me." He laughed loudly. "But, I will say this now. I will be there for as long as you want me to." Arthur kissed her cheek and then kissed the top of Galahad's head. "Come. There is a very large banquet in your honour." She looped her arm in his and the two of them walked to the Great Hall.
She took slow breaths as they reached the doors. She shifted Galahad slightly, so they were both comfortable. Her hand gripped Arthur's arm slightly. "Ready." She nodded to the guards on the door, who pushed them open. Applause reached their ears as they walked through the Great Hall and back to Elaine's throne. She smiled and bowed her head as they walked. Arthur left her at the bottom of the steps and she ascended to her throne. Everyone was still clapping as she turned to face them. She raised her free hand and gestured for them to stop. "Thank you very much." She smiled broadly. "I thank you for being here. Please, enjoy yourselves." The chatting resumed and Elaine moved into the crowds, with a babbling Galahad in her arms.
Gwaine watched her nearby as he sat with the knights of Camelot. He was quiet and Percival noticed, but he hadn't noticed that Gwaine was constantly watching Elaine. His eyes flickering over to King Lot, who was also watching Elaine. Gwaine chuckled to himself when he caught Elaine looking over at him.
"What's that smile for?" Percival pointed out.
Gwaine looked at Elaine's other protector, who was sipping from his cup of wine. "Nothing. Just happy. Is it wrong for a man to be happy?" He leaned back on his chair and watched Percival. Though his eyes constantly flickered over to Elaine, who was still talking to important people.
"No. When we arrived here, you were so boring and morbid. But recently, you've been a lot happier." Percival chuckled, downing the last of his wine.
Merlin stepped forward and poured him another. "My guess is, that he has met a woman." He grinned widely as he poured wine into Gwaine's cup.
Gwaine laughed. "I meet women everyday, Merlin. I work closely with the Queen, so I am most likely to meet her."
Percival laughed. "You've got a lover."
He shook his head. "Wrong again, my friend." Hitting Percival's shoulder and standing up. "If you'll excuse me, gents." He downed his wine. "I have a job to do." Putting his cup down and walking to Elaine, who had gestured for him to approach. "Everything all right?"
Elaine nodded. "A little." She glanced to her left, where Lot was slowly approaching her. "I have to put Galahad to bed." She rubbed her sleeping son's back. "How can he sleep with all this noise?" She laughed, continuing to rub his back. "Will you escort me?"
"Of course, your Majesty." He bowed slightly and the two of them slowly left the Great Hall. Once they were out of earshot, Gwaine bent down slightly, so his mouth was level with her ear. "You look absolutely breathtaking."
Elaine blushed brightly. "Thank you." She smiled as they walked up the wooden stairs. "I will say, that you do look handsome."
"Thank you." He grinned as he opened the door to her chambers and bowed. "Your Majesty."
Elaine laughed as she walked past him and into her chambers. "Don't be cheeky." Walking to Galahad's crib, which used to be her own when she was a baby. She gently lay her son down and placed the blanket up to his stomach. Her fingers brushed against his hair, which was beginning to curl. She could hear Gwaine slowly walking up behind her. "He will be one year old before I know it."
Gwaine chuckled, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Not long." He watched her as she brushed her fingers against Galahad's cheek. "Who is to look after him?"
"I will come and check on him every half an hour." She stood up straight and also wrapped her arm around Gwaine's back. "I hate having to leave him but I have to." Sighing heavily as she rested her head against his shoulder.
Gwaine pulled her closer to him, wrapping both arms around her. He kissed the top of her head. "He will be fine. If you would like, I can check on him also."
She raised her head up and shook her head. "No. Truth be told, I would like you to be nearby. In case of King Lot."
He chuckled. "I'm sure you can look after yourself but I will not let you out of my sight." They turned in synch to face each other. Her hands rested on his chest and his arms wrapped around her, pressing her small figure against his own. She tilted her head up to look at him. They said nothing. He bent his head down and gently kissed her. Elaine sighed into his kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding them together.
They were both so wrapped up in each other that they didn't hear the door open, a person nearly walk in and the door closing again. "We should go back." She whispered, when they pulled away from the other.
"Yes." He nodded. Elaine began to pull away but Gwaine pulled her back to him. "But not just yet." He cupped the back of her head and kissed her passionately. She chuckled into the kiss but stopped once she became distracted by the movement of their lips.
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It took the secret couple at least five minutes to leave her chambers and return to the celebrations. They walked side-by-side for most of the return walk but as they walked back into the Great Hall, Gwaine walked behind her, being her protector. As soon as she walked into the Great Hall, she was apprehended by King Lot. "My Lord." She gave him a small smile and a curtsey. "Thank you for coming."
"I was not sure if I would be invited." Lowering his voice as he spoke to her. "I hope you have thought about my invitation."
"I would ask you to not make a scene in my own castle and not with so many of my supporters nearby." She growled angrily at him.
He gripped her forearm tightly. "I would rethink your answer, your Majesty." He sneered her title.
Gwaine immediately stepped forward. "I'd advise you to let go of the Queen, my Lord." He spoke dangerously, his eyes never leaving Lot's eyes. No one was allowed any weapon in the Great Hall but Gwaine would use his fists to hurt this man.
"Who are you to give me orders?" King Lot glared at Gwaine, his hand still wrapped around Elaine's forearm.
"People are watching, my Lord." Elaine pulled her arm out of his grip. "Watch your step." She stepped close to him. "I have more allies than you can believe." She walked away and towards her cousin.
Gwaine stayed where he is, watching her walking away. "I would listen to her, my Lord." He started to walk away but King Lot grabbed Gwaine's arm. "Let go, my Lord."
"I know the secret." He watched Gwaine and then looked towards Elaine. He scoffed. "That will not last long. She likes her lower man." Letting go of Gwaine's arm. "She will be told to marry someone with an actual title. Not someone, who was given one to him."
Gwaine scoffed. "We shall see. I suggest that you leave tomorrow." Bowing respectively, just for show, and walked away. He sat back with the knights, who were watching him with raised eyebrows. "Watch him."
"Who?" Elyan asked. "King Lot?" Sipping his wine.
"Yes. He is dangerous." Gwaine growled angrily. "You cannot tell Arthur. He is trying to threaten the Queen to make her marry him."
"But she is being stubborn and saying 'no'." Elyan chuckled, looking at Gwaine, who chuckled with him. "Well, I promise." The other knights agreed but it was Lancelot, who stood up. "Lancelot?"
"I will be back." He walked in the direction of Elaine. Gwaine was about to stand and follow him, but he didn't want to show the knights, especially Lancelot, about how much he cared for Elaine. Lancelot walked tall as he approached Elaine. "Your Majesty." He bowed to her. "May I have a word in private?"
Elaine turned to Arthur. "I won't be long." She smiled to her cousin and led Lancelot out of the Great Hall. She led him into her study. "What is it?"
He closed the door behind him and watched her for a moment. "Why is King Lot threatening you? Most of all; why haven't you told Arthur?"
She stared him in disbelief. "Gwaine told you?"
"He told the knights to protect you from King Lot but didn't give us the great details." Lancelot moved towards her, his cloak moving slightly. "Marry me. I'll protect you from Lot."
Elaine gave him a smile and stepped up to him, cupping his cheek. "Oh Lancelot. I wish I could but it is not what my heart wants. I can deal with Lot. Please, just do not tell Arthur."
Lancelot gave a small sigh and followed it with a nod. He placed his hand over her own, which was still on his cheek. "I promise." The two parted and returned to the celebrations, returning to their previous places. Lancelot with the knights and Elaine with her cousin. Gwaine watched them both carefully. Jealousy arose in his chest. Lancelot was the father to Galahad, of course he was allowed to speak with Elaine alone. He had no reason to be jealous.
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A/N: Thought I'd be nice and give you all a chapter earlier than expected, rather than actually doing any of my University work. :D I'm nice like that. :D
Responses from chapter 22:
chescake: I'm glad you like the Gwaine and Elaine pairing. I love writing them. :D Lancelot will find out soon enough but not just yet.
Duchess of Lantern Waste: I loved the opening to Season 4! :D It was amazing! Can't wait for episode 2! You'll find out one day who she ends up with. :D
acklesaddict: I can't believe at how far I've actually come with this story! :D Seems like yesterday I started it! :D I will give you a slight spoiler. When Lancelot finds out there will be a confrontation between him and Gwaine. :P that's all I can say.
Lucy: I wanted to show the fact that Gwaine understands Elaine, even though she is royalty and he is not. :D I loved the character of Lord Godwyn in the show, so I wanted to show a small scene between him and Elaine. I wanted to show that she sees him as a father figure, more of a friend. I'm glad you liked the hand brushing scene. Sort of borrowed it from the film, 'Becoming Jane.' hee hee.
Lucy: (again! :P) I shall be stealing that and giving you the credit for that line. :P
Lara Smith: I want to put across that Elaine and Gwaine's relationship is more than just lovers but as people, who could actually be together, even with them being opposites. All your questions will be answered in time. That I can guarantee. Merlin is there. He is about. :D