Chapter 30: A Promising Future

Elaine smiled as she listened to her son playing on the floor with her maid. Today she had so much to do and she did not have enough time to be with her son. It saddened her when she could not personally entertain her son. She had been planning a small family gathering for Galahad's birthday party. She had also been writing up plans for her future and Galahad's future. She loved writing in her study, especially with Galahad nearby. It reminded her of how she had grown up. When her father had business to attend to and he wanted to spend time with Elaine, he would bring her into his study and let her play nearby. Usually his plans to deal with business never happened as he would usually end up playing with Elaine.

Elaine had not discussed her future plans with anybody. Not even Gwaine. She was writing her will. It seemed like a stupid thing to do but after what had happened with Morgause and Morgana, Elaine did not want to take any chances.

"I, Elaine, Queen of Corbenic, hereby write my last will and testament. In the event of my death, I require my first born son, Galahad, to inherit my lands and titles. If he happens not to be in his majority, I pass on the regency to King Arthur of Camelot." Elaine stopped writing and looked over at her son. She smiled as he giggled when Mary tickled him. She dipped her quill in the ink pot and returned to writing on the parchment. "I wish for King Arthur to rule and govern the lands of Corbenic and Joyous Guard until Galahad reaches his majority." Again, she stopped writing and looked towards her son. She would hate to leave him. He was so young.

"Your majesty." Mary's voice entered her thoughts.

"Yes, Mary?" Elaine looked at her maid, who had stood up from her spot. Galahad continued playing at her feet.

"Is there anything else you require? I have a few more jobs to do before the end of the day."

"Yes, of course. Attend to your duties." She smiled to Mary, who curtseyed deeply and left the room. Elaine looked over at her son, who was still playing. She smiled as he talked to himself as he played with his toy soldiers. She stood up and slowly walked over to him. He had his back to her, so she was able to surprise him. "Got you." She laughed softly and lifted her son into her arms and spun him around.

"Mama!" He squealed with laughter. Hugging her tightly. "Play soldiers, Mama."

"Of course, darling." She kissed his cheek and walked back to his toys. "You being a good boy?"

"Yes, Mama." He handed her a wooden knight. They played together quietly until a knock on her study door disturbed them.

Elaine stood up, leaving Galahad to continue playing. "Come in."

Carter hobbled into her study. "Your Majesty." He bowed to her. "King Arthur will be arriving shortly."

"Oh yes." She smiled broadly. She turned to Galahad. "Galahad. Come on. Arthur is coming. We can play soldiers after we have greeted him."

"Yes Mama." He stood up and held up his hand towards her. Elaine held her son's hand and led him out of her study to greet her cousin. Her will lay forgotten on her desk. The young family walked slowly to the main entrance to wait at the top of the stone steps for Arthur and his party. As Arthur rode into Corbenic, Elaine lifted Galahad into her arms and walked down the stone steps to greet the King of Camelot. She placed him back on his feet once they reached the bottom of the stairs. "Papa!" He shouted when he saw Lancelot. He tried to pull his hand out of his mother's but she held his hand tighter.

"Not yet. Wait for him to get off his horse." She spoke gently to her son but he was still pulling at her hand. "Galahad!" She scolded him and he stopped pulling at her hand.

"Papa!" Galahad shouted in glee as Lancelot dismounted his horse. He jumped up and down as Lancelot walked towards them. Elaine could not hold her son's hand any longer and once Galahad was free from his mother's grasp, he ran straight to his father.

Elaine greeted Arthur formally, with a curtsey, and informally, with a tight hug. "Hello cousin." Kissing his cheek. "Good journey?"

"It was good." He chuckled. "I see my nephew is more concerned with seeing his father than seeing me."

"But your cousin wanted to see you more." Elaine laughed as she hugged Arthur again. "I am to hear some good news?" Raising her eyebrow slightly as Gwen approached them.

"Your majesty." Gwen curtseyed deeply.

Elaine nodded that Gwen was wearing richer clothes and no longer in a maid's dress. "Gwen." Elaine smiled and greeted her former maid. "You are looking well." Smiling as her eyes made a quick dart to Gwen's hands. Her smile broadening as she noticed Arthur's ring on her finger. "Arthur! You could not write to me and tell me!" Facing her cousin.

"Let us speak inside, cousin." He held his arm out to Elaine, who took it. The two walked up the stone steps, followed by Gwen. Lancelot was still entertaining his son in the courtyard. The young boy was intent on keeping his father's attention, just in case his father had to leave soon. Elaine, Arthur and Gwen retreated to Elaine's study, before they were to return to the Great Hall for a feast. "I think we best inform you."

Elaine stepped away from Arthur, to allow Gwen to hook her hand into the crook of Arthur's arm. "I guessed as much." She grinned widely.

"Yes." Arthur nodded. "Gwen and I are to be married." He looked at his future Queen with a broad smile. "It is one of the reasons that I have come here. To invite you and Galahad to the wedding."

Her smile seemed to grow as she stepped towards the happy couple. "I'd be happy to." She stepped forward. Arthur let go of Gwen, to allow the two women to hug. "Congratulations." She hugged Gwen tightly. She stepped back. "Gwen, could you excuse us for a moment?"

"Of course." Gwen smiled and curtseyed to Elaine. She turned and left the two of them alone in Elaine's study.

"What have you done?" Arthur raised an eyebrow at his cousin.

"I have done nothing. Yet." She chuckled and moved to her desk. She picked up her will. "Well, there is something I have written that I wish for you to read and possibly agree to it."

Arthur took the sheet of parchment from her and quickly read it. "Oh Elaine!" He sighed heavily. "I cannot agree to it."

"Why not?" She sat behind her desk, watching Arthur as he sat opposite her. "Arthur, it is just a precaution." She bit her lower lip. "I just want my son to be safe."

"But writing it now?"

"Yes." Elaine nodded. "I'm not saying I'll be killed tomorrow. I am thinking about the possibility that I just die from an illness or something of the sort." She chuckled nervously. "I want him to be well looked after."

Arthur gave a heavy sigh and nodded. "Fine. I agree." Handing her back her will. "Now, can we eat?"

She laughed and stood up. "Yes." The two of them left arm in arm.

– - - - - - - – - - - - - - - - -

"Are you happy, Elaine?" Lancelot asked her, as the two of them walked in her gardens, a few days after Arthur's arrival. Galahad was running ahead of them.

Elaine thought for a moment. "Yes. I am very happy." Her eyes following her energetic son. "Why do you ask? Are you happy?"

He thought for a moment. He truly wasn't happy. He wasn't with her and their son all the time. Gwaine was. Jealousy rose within him. He wanted to be the man at Elaine's side. "Sort of." He was telling the truth but he was also slightly lying. "I envy Gwaine." Here came the truth.

"Gwaine?" Elaine chuckled. "Why? You're not as talkative as he is?" She laughed softly.

"He's with you." Lancelot said plainly. His heart was breaking as he spoke that small sentence.

"Oh Lancelot." She sighed softly and stopped walking. "We argue so much. We would kill each other if we ever started courting." She reached out and held his hand gently. "I love you. I love you because we had something special for a short amount of time. In that time we were given a wonderful thing. Our son." Looking away from Lancelot and towards their son, who was running back towards them. Elaine knelt on the grass and caught their son, as he ran into her arms. "Are you having fun?"

"Yes, Mama." He giggled loudly and ran off again.

Elaine stood up straight, turning to face Lancelot. "Don't ruin this for me, Lancelot. I love Gwaine with all my heart." She could feel the tears building up in her eyes but she stopped them from falling. "Please. Don't make me choose." She walked away from him, once her back was to him, the tears fell. Her heart was being forced into two places. Her love for Lancelot, the father of her child, and her love for Gwaine, the knight who is always there for her.

"Mama." Galahad pulled on her dark blue skirts. Elaine knelt on the grass. Galahad stretched his hand up to her and wiped her tears away. "All gone."

"Thank you, darling." She smiled at him. "You always make Mama feel better." She kissed Galahad's forehead. "Come on. Nearly time for your party." She stood up and looked back over her shoulder, Lancelot was still standing there and he was watching them both. "Why don't you go and cheer Papa up?"

"Yes." Galahad grinned and ran towards Lancelot. Elaine stayed where she was as she watched Lancelot kneel onto the ground and catch their son in a tight hug. As Lancelot hugged Galahad, his eyes were fixed on Elaine. Their dark eyes remained focused on each other until Elaine had the strength to look away. She continued walking through the gardens. Her mind was running too quickly. There was too much on her plate. She had a Kingdom to take care of, a son to raise and to take care of herself. It was too much. Now the added confusion of Lancelot, it was making it worse. She brought her hand to her forehead and pressed her fingertips against it.

Lancelot watched Elaine as he carried their son. From behind, she looked exhausted. Her shoulders were slumped and she seemed to be rubbing her forehead. Lancelot slowly put his son on the ground and watched Elaine. Something was not right.

Elaine's headache seem to grow as she thought more and more about the problem with Lancelot. She sighed heavily as she slowly started to walk again. She closed her eyes for a moment but when she opened them, she felt severely dizzy. She heard her name being called as she felt the blackness take over her.

He had seen her about to fall. He let go of Galahad's hand and ran straight to Elaine, who was now lying unconscious on the grass. "Elaine!" He shouted as he reached her side. He lifted her into his lap. "Come on! Elaine!" He looked around to Galahad, who was staring in fright. "Guard!" Shouting to one nearby. The young man rushed over. "Take the Queen to her chambers!"

"Yes sir." He nodded and lifted Elaine into his arms. He quickly moved back into the castle.

Lancelot did not waste another second and ran to his son. "Galahad. Are you all right?" He knelt down and pulled him into his arms.

"Is Mama sick?" He held tightly onto his father.

"I don't know, son." Kissing his son's dark curls. "Let us go and find out." He lifted his son up as he stood up and carried him into the castle.

The guard had carried Elaine all the way to her chambers. By the time he had placed the Queen onto her large bed, the physician had arrived and began examining the Queen. He reached into his medicine bag and pulled out his smelling salts. He hovered them under her nose and she bolted awake. "Your majesty."

"What happened?" She asked in a panic. "How did I get here?" Trying to sit up but her physician, Declan, made her lie down.

"You need to rest, your majesty." He pressed his hand on her forehead. "There seems to be nothing physically wrong with you. Is there anything different?"

"I just feel tired and recently having bad headaches." She sighed heavily. "I do not know." Sighing more heavily.

"I see." He nodded, placing his fingers on her wrist. "I suggest, you rest for the remainder of the day and all of tomorrow morning."

"But I have so much to do."

"Which is why you need to rest. Your Kingdom, your people and your son would rather you well rested to take care of them rather than work with half your strength." He spoke gently. "I insist."

Elaine nodded and lay into her pillows. He was right. The door slowly opened, revealing no one. "Arthur?"

"Mama!" A small voice piped up and the sound of small boots running across her floor. She chuckled when he reached the foot of her bed and tried to climb up. "Help, Mama."

"Let me, your Highness." Declan chuckled and helped the young boy onto the bed. "Now, you have to be gentle with your Mama, as she is feeling a little poorly."

"Yes, sir." Galahad gave the physician a toothy smile before slowly crawling up the bed to lie next to his mother. "Mama not well?"

"Yes darling. Mama has been working too hard." Her mind drifted to the large amount of paperwork which lay on her desk. "She just needs a little rest."

Elaine smiled at her son, who was still looking up at her with worry on his face. "Darling, it will be fine. Mama needs to worry less and have more fun." She pulled her young son into her side. "Where's your Papa?"

"I'm here." He walked into the room. "How are you?"

"Tired." She slowly sat up, pulling Galahad into her side more. "I just need a lot of rest." She looked to Declan, who nodded. "Thank you, Declan. I will be fine now. I promise not to move from this bed too much."

"Only to dress, your Majesty. I suggest that you send for your maid and for you to change into your nightgown. It will be a lot more comfortable for you." Declan smiled and bowed to her. "If you feel any bit ill, send for me straight away."

"Yes sir." She joked with her lowered voice, causing her son to laugh. Declan bowed and left the room. "Did you find Mama's voice funny?"

"Yes Mama." He giggled.

Elaine looked up at Lancelot. "Thank you." He nodded silently and let her continue. "Could you find King Arthur please and Sir Gwaine?"

Lancelot nodded. "Yes, your majesty." He bowed uncertainly and walked out of the room.

She watched him leave with a heavy heart and troubled mind but all that was washed away when she felt a small hand cover her own. "Right, my darling. I think we should have a small picnic in Mama's room for your birthday."

"Yes, please." He smiled broadly at her.

"Who would you like to come to your small party?"

"Papa, Gwaine, Arthur, Gwen and Mary." He grinned widely.

Elaine gave a fake sad face. "What about Mama? Am I coming to your party?"

"Of course, Mama!" He cried in shock. How could he forget to ask his Mama to his party? Galahad stood up on the bed and gave Elaine a large kiss on her cheek.

"Awww! Thank you, darling." She smiled widely. "Ah! Boots!"

Galahad immediately sat down. "Sorry Mama."

"Let's get them off." She smiled softly as she helped her son pull off his small boots. The two of them threw them on the floor, not caring where they land. "Come here." She held out her arms to Galahad. "Give your Mama a hug." Galahad crawled up to her side and hugged her. "Ah! There we go! Mama feels much better after a hug from her little boy."

"I'm not little!" He complained.

"Of course not." She chuckled and kissed the top of his dark curls, which he inherited from his father. "You grow bigger everyday."

"Elaine!" A panicked Arthur burst into her room. "Are you all right? What happened?" Sat on the edge of her bed, grasping her hand.

Elaine chuckled. "I'm fine, Arthur. I am working myself too much. Declan says I need to stay on bed rest until tomorrow afternoon." She smiled and gripped his hand gently. "Stop worrying. I am fine." She chuckled softly.

"Arthur!" Galahad sat up and looked at his cousin. "Party in here." He smiled widely at the King.

Arthur looked at Elaine and frowned for a moment. The realisation dawned on him. "Oh yes! Your party." Nodding quickly. "I think a party in your Mama's chambers is a good idea." He chuckled softly. "Merlin can get everything ready in time."

Elaine chuckled. "As always. The poor man."

The door burst open and Gwaine rushed into her chambers. "What happened? I was only just told." Looking frantically between Elaine and Arthur. "What the hell happened?"

"Gwaine!" Elaine shouted at him. "Do not curse!" She glared at him. "I am fine." She continued to glare at him. "My physician said it was from too much stress."

Gwaine nodded slowly. "I am glad you are all right." He stayed back from the bed but his body was itching to move forward and hold her. He knew she had been a little stressed but not to the extent of fainting. "Do you need anything?"

"No thank you." She smiled slightly. "Galahad has decided to have his birthday party in here."

"Mama ill." Galahad curled into his mother's side. He held her hand tightly.

Elaine's heart warmed at the protection her son had for her. "Yes darling." Smiling down at him. "Now, we best begin to prepare for your birthday celebrations."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - – - - - -

Galahad's birthday celebration was small. Elaine remained in bed as she watched him open his presents. She had given him a rocking horse. Arthur had given him more toy soldiers but they were painted in the Camelot uniform. Lancelot had given him a wooden sword and a toy shield with the Camelot coat of arms. Gwaine had given Galahad the same but the shield had the Corbenic coat of arms.

Galahad smiled and laughed widely as his family played with him. "Look Mama!" Holding up his Corbenic sword and Camelot shield.

"I can see." She smiled widely towards him. He was play fighting with Arthur, who was pretending to lose. Gwaine was standing next to her bed. "Gwaine." He looked down at her. She tapped the space on her right. "Come and talk."

Once he sat next to her he apologised. "I'm sorry. I really am. I didn't think. I was just so worried about you."

Elaine smiled a little. "I know but you have to think before you speak. At Galahad's age, he is listening to everything and repeating everything we say."

"I am sorry." He held her hand, raising her hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles. "Forgive me."

She smiled softly. "I always do." Squeezing his hand gently. "Just be careful with what you say around Galahad." They smiled at each other before returning the attention to the play fighting.

Elaine had written up a new and official will with Arthur and Carter overseeing it. It was now official that Arthur would become Prince Regent upon Elaine's death, if Galahad was still in his minority. "Done." She placed her quill on her desk and looked down at the will. "Thank you, Arthur."

"You are such a worry." He chuckled as he signed the parchment as did Carter. "But if it settles your mind, then I am happy with it." He kissed the top of her golden head. "You take care. Gwaine is under strict orders to make sure that you are resting a lot."

Elaine smiled widely. "We'll be travelling to Camelot in a week for your wedding." Elaine stood up from her desk. "I promise to relax more and not work too hard."

"Good." He hugged his cousin tightly. "Be careful."

She nodded slowly and kissed Arthur's cheek. "I will. You too." The two of them walked out of her study, with Carter following behind them. "Send a message when you wish for us to come to Camelot."

"I will." He nodded as the left the castle, walking down the stone steps. He reached his horse and Elaine stepped away from him. "Now, go and enjoy your time with your son. He looks sad to see his Papa leaving."

Elaine looked back at her son, who was standing with Gwaine. "I know. I can't help it."

"I know." He placed his hand on Elaine's shoulder. "You will work it out somehow." He kissed her cheek before he moved to his horse and mounted it. "Take care, your Majesty." Bowing his head to her.

She rolled her eyes as she curtseyed. "You too, your Majesty." They chuckled as the large party left the courtyard. Lancelot was one of the last to leave. He waved to Galahad, who sadly waved back. Elaine took a deep breath as she looked eyes with Lancelot. He bowed his head towards her before turning and leaving. Riding away from them.

"Mama!" Galahad's small voice called to her. She turned to face her son and saw the frightened face of her son.

"Oh darling." She lifted her shirts a little, rushed up the stone steps and swept him into her arms. "We will see them soon." She held him tightly. Her heart broke as she felt his hot tears drop onto her bare shoulder. "I promise." She held him tightly and picked him up. "Let's go inside." Carrying him into the castle.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - –

For a few days, Galahad was still upset over his father leaving. Elaine and Gwaine tried to cheer the 3 year old boy up but it wasn't working. Elaine sighed heavily one night after she and Gwaine put Galahad to bed. "What do I do?" Closing the door quietly as she left the boy's chambers. "HE adores his father but I can't be with Lancelot. I want my son to be happy."

Gwaine pulled her into his arms. "When you return to Camelot, I suggest that you speak to Lancelot and try and come to an agreement." He kissed the side of her head. "Come on. You need to relax, love." He steered her away from the door. "You need to eat. You need to sleep."

"Damn, I hate you." She laughed softly. "Let's go. I am hungry."

He chuckled in her ear. "I have a surprise for you." He pulled out a strip of material from his pocket. "May I, your Majesty?" Holding it up in front of her.

Elaine chuckled. "I'm not sure whether or not I should be saying yes. But I will. You may." She laughed as he placed the blindfold over her eyes.

Once it was tied behind her head, he held her hand. "You ready?"

"No." She laughed as they slowly began walking up the corridor. "Gwaine? Where are we going?"

"You'll see in a moment." He chuckled as he continued to lead her down the corridor. "We're here." He stopped walking and placed Elaine in front of the door. Gwaine reached forward and opened the door. He pushed it wide open before he led Elaine into the room. He led her into the room and closed the door quickly. "Nearly ready." He whispered in her ear as he began to undo the blindfold. "Here is your surprise." Taking the blindfold away.

"Wow!" Elaine gasped as she saw her chambers were covered with candles and in the middle of the room was her table with two tall candles and two meals. "Oh Gwaine! This is lovely." She turned to face him. "When did you do this?"

"When you were in council." He chuckled. "I had a little help from a pair of little hands." He chuckled again as he held out his arm. "Would you care to join me for dinner, your Majesty?"

"Why, Sir knight, I shall have to accept that generous offer." She hooked her arm through his and allowed him to lead her to a chair. "Thank you." She smiled up at him as she sat down and he pushed the chair slightly.

"Would your Majesty care for a drink of wine?" He held up a jug of wine to her.

"Yes please." She smiled broadly, trying her best not to laugh. He poured wine into her goblet and then into his own. "What's this for?" She giggled slightly as he sat down. "Have you done something wrong?" Raising an eyebrow as she watched for a reaction.

"I haven't done anything wrong." He chuckled softly. "Eat up. You need to eat and once we have finished eating, I will tell you what this is all for."

They ate and talked quietly but Elaine was dying to know what the evening was for. She had finished her lovely meal and sat silently as she waited for Gwaine to finish his own. Once he had finished, she immediately asked, "What is this for?"

Gwaine stood up and smiled at her. "Be patient." He stood next to her and held out his hand. "Come." Without protest, she took his hand and stood up from the chair. He led her to one of her comfy chairs by her fire. "Please sit." She did as she was told. Gwaine took a slow and deep breath before kneeling on one knee in front of her. "Before you say anything, let me get my speech out." He spoke quickly, his eyes focused on her. Elaine was staring at her in shock. "Elaine, from the moment I met you, I thought you were the most beautiful human being I had ever met. Even though you were heavily pregnant." They both chuckled but he chuckled nervously. He reached out and took her left hand in his. "From that moment on, I slowly fell in love with you." With his other hand, he reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a ring. "Elaine, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

Elaine gasped in shock as every word that fell from his lips sunk in. It took her a moment to be able to speak herself. "Yes. Yes!" She cried with joy. He slid the ring onto her finger and knelt up to capture her lips with his own. "I love you." She mumbled against his lips.

He pulled away and smiled at her. "I love you too." Kissing her again.

A/N: Not one engagement! But two! Did you like the proposal? Who's wedding to you want first? Arthur's or Elaine's?

Responses from Chapter 29:

Chescake: Ahhh! Lancelot has to make it more and more complicated.

La-Lucy: Vortigern will arrive in about 3 chapters ish. Not sure yet. But it will be soon. I haven't forgotten about Lancelot, he's going to be very important.

Kerry: Two weddings? Hmmmm... You'll have to wait and see. ;)