Chapter 25: These Are Dangerous Times

Elaine stood on her battlements and watched her cousin and his large party of knights, guards and a few women ride away. She watched with a sadness in her heart. She knew it was going to be a while before she would see him again. At least she had Galahad with her. She could hear footsteps along with a cane approaching her. She knew it was Carter. "So, here I begin my reign."

"Yes, your Majesty." Carter spoke gently when he stood next to her, watching King Arthur riding away. "We all have absolute faith in you. We do." Both his hands rested on his cane. "Your cousin thinks so." Chuckling softly. "Your Majesty, you have a strong head on your shoulders and I know that you will make the right decision." The pair of them watched until Arthur disappeared behind a hill. "It is time for the council meeting, your Majesty." He raised his hand and placed it on her shoulder.

"Of course, Carter. I shall be there in a moment." She kept her gaze fixed on the horizon, where Arthur's party had disappeared moments ago. She now felt so alone but life would have to go on. A lonely tear fell down her cheek, which she quickly wiped it away before returning inside and beginning the meetings.

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The first few months of Elaine's reign went without a hitch. She displayed great qualities of a Queen. She was firm but loving when she gave decisions or helped those who needed it. She sat in her study one evening with her slumbering son against her left shoulder and a quill in her right hand. "Well, my little boy. You are getting too big for Mama to hold you and write her speeches." She put her quill down and stood up. "Let's get you to bed." Leaving her study and walking to her chambers.

"Your Majesty." Amy was walking towards her. She curtseyed before she spoke again. "Would you like me to take Galahad from you?"

"No thank you, Amy." Elaine smiled as she stepped past Amy. "I would like for him to be completely settled." Giving her maid a small smile. "You can continue with your chores." Amy watched Elaine leave and then returned to her chores. Elaine was well aware of her maid, who secretly slipped into Elaine's study. "Well, my darling." Elaine gently spoke to her son, as she laid him in his crib. "It seems we have a little trouble." She placed the blanket over Galahad, reaching his stomach. "Sleep, my darling." She stepped back and silently left her son to sleep. As she slowly left her chambers, she heard quick footsteps running down the servants' staircase. She approached a guard. "Who just went down there?" Pointing to the door, where the staircase hid behind.

"A messenger, your Majesty. Sent by Amy, the maid." The guard spoke. "Would you like me to stop the messenger?"

"Yes please. But do not tell Amy." She gave him a small smile. "Bring him to my study."

"Yes, your Majesty." He bowed and quickly went in search of the messenger.

Elaine turned and returned to her study. She had her suspicions about Amy for some time. Reading this letter would confirm it. She wanted to know how Lot knew about her and Gwaine and why Amy had turned against her. She sat at her desk and gave a small sigh. She hoped this would not cause any trouble. A knock on the door came into her thoughts. She immediately sat up straight. "Come in." The door opened and the person entered; it was Gwaine. "Gwaine." She smiled broadly and stood up. "I'm glad you are here. I need your support soon."

Gwaine slowly closed the door behind him. "How is that?"

She moved from behind her desk and leant on the edge of it. "You will see soon enough."

He smiled and stood in front of her. "Are you okay?"

Elaine chuckled. "I think so. I am coping." She stood up straight and rested her hands on his chest. "Are you coping?"

"With what?" His hands resting on her waist.

"With Lancelot being so close by." She smiled a little and ran her hands up his chest and resting on his shoulders. "I know you are friends but I meant about his and my history."

"Oh right. I never thought about it like that." He chuckled. "But I do not mind it. It is the hiding of our relationship is the hardest." He sighed softly.

"Oh Gwaine. Why didn't you say?" She cupped his cheek. "After I have dealt with this problem, I think we should talk." She smiled gently and stood on her toes slightly, kissing him on the lips. "I promise." Gwaine smiled and was about to talk when a knock tapped on her door. "I promise we will talk. But you need to promise, to not get angry."

Gwaine reluctantly nodded. "Of course."

The two of them stepped apart and Elaine returned to her desk. "Come in." She spoke loudly.

The door opened and the guard, who Elaine had sent on an errand entered the room. "I have the messenger, your Majesty."

"Send him in." She sat up straight. The messenger was brought in and he was obviously afraid. The guard brought him to stand in front of her desk. "Do you know why you are here?"

"Yes, your Majesty." He avoided her stern gaze and looked at the wood of her desk.

Elaine held out her hand. "May I have the letter?" She held her hand out still, her gaze focused on the messenger. "Give me the letter."

"I cannot. I was told not to let it out of my possession." He spoke nervously.

She thought for a moment. "I shall pay you a good sum of money and you shall not be in trouble for with holding information which could threaten the safety of the Kingdom." The messenger thought for a moment but he did not move. Elaine sighed heavily and opened her top desk drawer, taking out a medium sized bag of coins. "I shall pay you to hand over the letter."

The messenger stared at the bag of coins and nodded, giving her the letter. "I was only doing what I was told."

Elaine nodded silently and opened the letter. "Do not worry. I shall not shoot the messenger." She chuckled as she read the letter. The colour in her face drained away as she read the contents. "Oh no."

"Your Majesty?" Gwaine stepped closer to her.

She looked up at the guard and the messenger. "Would you mind stepping out for a moment? I wish to speak with Sir Gwaine. Also could you send someone to bring my advisers here."

"Yes, your Majesty." The guard bowed.

"Keep the messenger out of sight. I do not wish him to be found out." She spoke sternly as the guard nodded and left with the messenger. She waited until the door was closed. "I think war might be approaching." She handed him the letter. "Amy has been Lot's lover for over a year. She has been telling him everything about me." She stood up and began to pace her study. "I thought I could trust her."

Gwaine stopped her from pacing by grabbing her hand. "Stop it." Holding her hand gently. "You need to calm down for a moment."

"I cannot!" The tears were forming and falling. She was afraid. "I feel so stupid. I should have seen this coming. Lot would do anything to get to me!"

Gwaine placed the letter on her desk and pulled her into a tight hug. "Shhhh..." He comforted her. "You will get through this. I know you have the power and capability to defeat Lot. You just need to stop and think." He kissed the top of her golden head and rubbed her back with one hand, holding her close with the other hand. "You need to talk to your advisers about the situation. You cannot do anything rash."

Elaine took slow and deep breaths. "Thank you." A knock came to the door and she pulled away from him. She returned to sit at her desk, picking up the letter. "Come in." Gwaine moved to stand beside her. "I will talk, I promise." She spoke gently as the door opened, revealing her 5 main advisers. "Sir Gwaine, could you send for the guard and the messenger?"

"Yes, your Majesty." He bowed to her and left the Queen's study.

The Queen turned to her advisers and gave them a small smile. "I have grave news. We have a spy working in the castle. She has been giving private information about myself to King Lot."

They all listened to her intently. Carter stepped forward. "What do you plan to do, your Majesty?"

"I don't know." She sighed heavily. "I just cannot seem to think clearly." She rubbed her temple. "What do you think would be best?"

The advisers stood in silence until Michael, the youngest of the advisers, stepped forward. "I think you should let King Lot know that you have caught his spy. But do not let the spy know." He stood straight and tall. "Re-seal the envelope with your own seal and have the messenger send it to King Lot."

"I think that is a good idea." Carter spoke, his hands resting on top of his cane. "But I also advise that you should prepare your knights and guards, in case of an attack."

Elaine nodded slowly as they spoke. "Sounds like a very good idea to me." She reached for her melted wax, closed the envelope and sealed it shut with the wax, stamping it shut with her royal seal. The messenger returned with Gwaine. "I want you to take this to wherever you are meant to. Do not open it and do not let anyone take it from your possession. You will be paid on your return."

"Yes, your Majesty." He bowed nervously and allowed Gwaine to lead him from the room.

Her advisers also left the room, leaving the Queen alone with her thoughts. It was going to get harder, especially if Lot decides to declare war upon her country. She didn't know if she could lead her people properly. She never expected the first year of her reign to end with war. Another knock tapped on her door. She gave a frustrated sigh, "Come in."

Gwaine entered the room. He quickly looked around to see if there was anybody in the room. "Elaine." He spoke quietly when he saw that she was alone. "Are you well?"

Elaine stood up and shook her head. "No." She rushed straight over to him and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him. "I am so scared. What if it goes wrong?"

"It won't." He tenderly stroked her back with one hand and his other hand gently stroked the back of her head. "It will be all right." He kissed the top of her head as he continued to comfort her. "Our talk can wait until everything has settled." She nodded against his chest, crying silently. He held her tightly, giving her the comfort that she needed.

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Lot grinned as he saw the messenger from Corbenic walk the length of his hall. He bowed and handed Lot the message, leaving quickly. He read the front of the letter, recognising the writing but when he turned it over, his anger rose in him. There on the letter was the Queen's own personal seal. He had been caught out, so had his spy. He growled in anger as he opened the letter. He read the contents quickly before throwing the letter to the floor in a temper. "This is war!" He growled and stormed out of the hall. "Get a message to Morgause and Morgana! I need them here!" He shouted at one of his guards.

The preparations began to invade Corbenic. Lot was going to get the kingdom, whether he married Elaine or not.

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A/N: Well?

Responses from Chapter 24:

Chescake: Lancelot will find out but at the most unexpected time. :P

Lucy: Well, the spy has been revealed but not directly. :) I love writing Arthur and Elaine scenes as they have that brother and sister relationship and it shows that Arthur would do anything for his cousin. There will be more Gwaine/Elaine scenes soon and I think you will love them! :D The strain of being a mother and Queen will show with Elaine, especially since she has no husband to help her.

Kerry: It will be hard for Gwaine/Elaine/Lancelot, especially with Gwaine and Lancelot's friendship and Gwaine and Elaine's relationship. It wouldn't be a story if there were no conspiracies against the main character. Hehehehehehe.