Chapter 24: Growing

With the celebrations having ended, many of the guests left Corbenic the next day. King Lot took Gwaine's advice and left Corbenic in the early morning, but not without reason. He did not leave just because Gwaine told him so. When he left, he sent his guards back to his Kingdom and rode to Cenred's former Kingdom. The castle was still in ruin, only occupying Morgause and Morgana. It showed no signs of rebuilding.

His heels clicked on the stone floor as he walked the long corridor, which brought him to the Great Hall. He found only Morgana there. "My lady." He bowed to her.

"Ahh. King Lot. What news do you bring from Corbenic?" Morgana asked softly. A door behind her opened, revealing Morgause. "Sister, you should be resting." She moved to her sister's side and helped her to her seat.

"I am well." She sighed as Morgana stood next to her. "Well? What news, Lot?"

"Elaine is obviously crowned but now she is stubborn and will not even consider my offer." He had an evil grin on his face.

"You have encountered the reason." Morgause chuckled. "Why is she refusing you?"

"A knight." Lot smirked. "One of Arthur's knights."

"Yes, we know. Lancelot." Morgana rolled her eyes in impatience. Lot shook his head. "Who then?"

"Sir Gwaine. Our spy saw them kissing in her chambers." Lot laughed. "Afterwards, he even warned me to be careful." Scoffing at the memory of Gwaine threatening him. "Fool."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Morgause spoke softly, watching Lot. "Don't be rash with your decisions. Elaine is a very powerful woman now." Laughing a little. "She is ruler of two Kingdoms and is heir to Arthur's throne, until he has his own heir." She slowly stood up. "Just wait. Be patient, my Lord." Walking away from her seat, followed by Morgana. "You will know when to pursue Queen Elaine."

Lot stood there watching the two sisters leaving. He was playing a dangerous game with the two women. They had magic but he had an army. The only problem was; that they could destroy his army in a blink of an eye.

Arthur and Elaine were spending time together by going horse riding. They were followed by some of Arthur's knights and a few of Elaine's knights. Gwen had offered to take care of Galahad and allow the cousins to spend time together, but Lancelot insisted that he be allowed to spend time with his son. "You're worried, cousin." They trotted through the forest. "My guess is Galahad and Lancelot?"

Elaine laughed. "Obviously. I want him to be a great father for Galahad but with me here and Lancelot in Camelot, it is going to be harder for us all." She chuckled softly.

Arthur thought for a moment. "I have an idea. I think Lancelot should stay here instead of either Percival or Gwaine. You'll have the protection but also Galahad will have his father with him."

She nodded slowly. "That sounds good to me. I think Percival would like to return to Camelot. I think Gwaine is talking his ear off." The two of them laughed. "Plus, I do enjoy his company and he is good with Galahad." She kicked her horse's flanks again to pick up the trot.

"I see." Arthur nodded slowly as he kept his horse's pace with Elaine's. "So, I will have Percival return with me and Lancelot to stay here."

"Thank you." She smiled at her cousin. They continued their ride for the rest of the afternoon, returning for the small feast, in honour of Arthur and the knights. At the feast, Elaine stood up and held her cup in her hands. "I would like to propose a toast. To my cousin. Arthur, you have been a great friend and a treasure these past few years." She looked down at her cousin, who was sitting on her right hand side. "So, Arthur. Thank you. And may our friendship continue, even if we have the occasional feud. But that is what families are for." Majority of the room laughed. "I would ask you all to raise your drinks. To King Arthur."

The room stood and raised their glasses towards Arthur, chorusing, "To King Arthur." The feast returned to its usual chatter when Elaine sat down, followed by the rest of the room.

"Lovely speech." Arthur grinned at her.

"Well, I have to keep you in my good books." She smiled broadly. "Don't want you invading my country."

"Damn! You have found out my plan." He laughed. "You do know, that if you have any problems with certain monarchs, I will be there for you."

Elaine pondered for a moment. This would be the right moment to tell him about King Lot but she decided against it. It was safer for him. "The same here." She smiled broadly. "Now, King Arthur. Would you delight your mere cousin in a dance?"

"Oh..." He sipped his wine, placing the cup down, and stood up. "Would you care for a dance, your Majesty?" Holding out his hand to her.

"I'd love to, your Majesty." Taking his hand and standing up. "I hope you dance better than you used to."

Arthur laughed joyfully as he led her into the middle of the floor. "Probably not as good as you." Other couples joined them on the floor. When the music began, the couples bowed and curtseyed to their respective partners. The dance was a lively one. Elaine and Arthur laughed as they danced together.

When the dance finished, Elaine stepped forward and whispered in Arthur's ear. "Ask Gwen to dance." She tapped his shoulder gently and walked away. When she sat in her throne, she watched Arthur nervously approach Gwen and ask her to dance. She smiled slightly as she reached forward for her cup, watching as the next dance began. Her heart swelled when she noticed that Arthur did not take his eyes off Gwen and Gwen did not take her eyes off Arthur.

"Your Majesty." A small voice spoke beside her. Elaine turned to see one of the maids. "Amy is having trouble with your Majesty's son."

"Yes, of course." Elaine stood up and the young maid curtseyed. "Thank you, Mary." She quickly walked from the Great Hall and to her own chambers. Mary returned to her duties, with a small smile. She was proud that the Queen had remembered her name. Elaine was walking quickly up the stairs to her chambers, unaware that Gwaine was following her. As she approached her chambers, she could hear Galahad screaming. She sighed and chuckled as she put her hand on the door handle. "You should stop following me. People will be suspicious." She said softly, not looking at him as she opened the door and stepped inside.

Gwaine chuckled as he waited outside her door. "Stubborn." He chuckled.

Elaine moved inside, leaving the door open. "Oh dear." she chuckled and took a wailing Galahad from Amy. "Amy, you have been amazing. You can go home now."

"Thank you, your Majesty." She smiled and curtseyed, quickly leaving Elaine's chambers. She rushed past Gwaine, who chuckled as he went inside Elaine's chambers. But Amy had looked back to see the knight of Camelot quietly enter Elaine's private rooms.

"What's wrong with him?" He watched Elaine curiously as she tried to comfort Galahad, who was still crying loudly.

"I don't know. I'll try everything." She sighed heavily, rocking Galahad, who was still crying relentlessly.

"Wait a moment." Gwaine stepped forward and stood behind Elaine. He took off his gloves. "I have a feeling." He lifted Galahad's top lip. "Yes. He's teething." He smiled and placed his small finger in Galahad's mouth, allowing the baby to relieve his aching gums on Gwaine's finger. "He's nine months now?"

"Yes he is." She watched Gwaine allow Galahad to chew on his finger. "Is there anything to help him with the pain?"

Gwaine thought for a moment. "I don't know. Usually something to chew on but nothing that he could swallow." He smiled as he watched Elaine rubbed Galahad's back. "He seems to have cried himself to sleep." Reaching up and gently stroking Galahad's head.

Elaine reluctantly walked to Galahad's crib and lowered him in cautiously. She froze when he moved but sighed softly, when her son remained asleep. "Thank goodness." She slowly stepped back, her eyes remaining on Galahad. A warm body stopped her from moving any further. She smiled softly as the body wrapped his arms around her. "Gwaine." she sighed softly when his lips brushed against her neck.

"You look beautiful." Kissing her neck.

Elaine rested her hands over his own. "Thank you." She chuckled softly. "Can I do this? Be Queen?" Her eyes staring at her son. "I am no man. I have no idea how to run a country."

Gwaine chuckled in her ear. "Oh Elaine. I have every faith in you." He held her tightly.

She gave a small sigh and a small nod. "Thank you." Turning in his arms. "What did I do to deserve you?"

He smiled down at her. "No. It's the other way around. What did I do to deserve you?"

Elaine laughed lightly and stood on her toes slightly, to be able to press her lips against his own. Her hands ran up his arms and rested on his shoulders. He held her tightly as they kissed with all the passion they could muster. "We have to go back." She whispered when they pulled away.

"What about Galahad?" Gwaine asked, brushing a lock of her blonde hair and pushing it behind her ear.

"I will check on him often." Smiling up at him, a small blush coloured her cheeks. "Gwaine, we have to go back." They heard footsteps. "Stand back a little." Gwaine slowly stepped away from her, as Elaine turned her back on him and returned to Galahad's cot. She didn't see the slight hurt on his face. They were keeping their relationship a secret but it hurt to hide it.

The door opened. "Ah! I thought you would be in here." Arthur spoke softly. "Hello Gwaine. Doing your job?" Tapping his knight's shoulder.

"Of course." Gwaine chuckled. "Young Galahad is teething."

"Ahh! I see." Arthur chuckled as he moved forward and stood next to his cousin. "You're missed at your own feast."

"I am sorry." Elaine sighed softly. "He was screaming in pain. I feel like I cannot leave him." She reached down and gently ran her finger down Galahad's cheek. Once she stood up straight, she looked at Arthur. "Let us leave."

Arthur nodded and walked away from his sleeping second cousin. "Of course."

Elaine moved away from Galahad and brushed past Gwaine, holding his hand for a moment, letting go once she had to. "Thank you, Sir Gwaine." She whispered softly, quickly following after Arthur.

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A/N: :D Hope this was okay. A small snippet of Arthur/Gwen. :D Plus Lancelot will be around more often, how will that effect Gwaine and Elaine?

Responses from chapter 24:

chescake: Ahhhh! But it wasn't Lot who caught Elaine and Gwaine. ;) The spy will be revealed very soon. Lancelot asked Elaine to marry him to protect her and their son. I doubt he fully loves her but he does feel something for her.

Acklesaddict: Can't beat a bit of Merlin and Gwaine love. :D

Lucy: I'm glad you like the small scene between the knights and Merlin. :D Needed some slight comedy. They're all good friends, so of course they're going to notice and Gwaine being the one with the gift of the gab. You will have to wait and see if they will all be happy for him. I wanted Gwaine to be caring for Galahad as he has basically been there for the baby from the time his mother was in labour with him. Hahahaa. If I were in Elaine's shoes, I'd probably pick Lancelot for the benefit of my son but this is fiction, it can go anywhere! :D I have partly written the scene where both Gwaine and Elaine have expressed their feelings for the other. It won't be for a few chapters but it has been written. Ahh! But it was not King Lot who caught them, the spy will be caught in a few chapters. The fact that Gwaine used to hate royalty will be brought up. You gave me the idea. :D I hope this chapter had enough Gwaine and Elaine goodness with a sprinkling of Arthur and Gwen.

Kerry: Thank you! A Gwaine/Lancelot confrontation will be happening relatively soon. I hope I haven't updated too late. University work is piling up. :(