Chapter 37: Beginnings Of A Marriage

Gwaine took in the area as the two of them galloped east. The majority of the area was green fields and scattered trees. "Are you sure this is an island? It seems to vast." He called to Elaine over the rush of the wind as they rode.

"Yes." She laughed and slowed Eirwen to a trot.

Gwaine also pulled Sealgair into a trot alongside her. "How far have we got to ride?"

"Not too far." She smiled and pointed ahead of them. "This is the first farm." Approaching the farm, which was busy with farmhands working. Elaine pulled her horse to a stop and dismounted. "The horses can stay here. They won't wander off." She said when Gwaine went to tie Sealgair to a fence.

"Oh right." He smiled and held his arm out to her. She took it and smiled as he led her towards the farm. "They're shocked to see you." He whispered in her ear as the farm workers rushed around.

"I did send word ahead." She sighed heavily. "Oh well." Holding her head up and they walked towards the farmyard.

"Your majesty." They all bowed and curtseyed to her.

She smiled to them all. "Hello. I have been told about your enquiry. May I ask who is the owner of the farm?"

A plump woman, with a young boy on her hip, stepped forward. "I am, your majesty."

Elaine gestured to her to walk with her. "Walk with me." The woman handed her child to a teenage girl. "Now, tell me what your problem is."

"The weather has been terrible and our crops have not grown as much as they usually do." She spoke softly. "The weather has been too warm with not enough rain."

"I see." The young Queen nodded. "Not enough crops have grown to provide for you and to sell."

"Yes, your majesty." She nodded.

"What percentage do you keep for your farm?"

"15%."

Elaine nodded as she thought about an answer. "Would you be able to live on 15% of your current harvest?"

"Yes, your majesty. Though we would not make enough money from selling the other 85%." She spoke sadly.

"Right." Elaine nodded slowly and stopped walking. "What about keeping a lower percentage of your crops and selling a higher amount of crops?"

The woman thought for a moment. "Yes. It is possible but the food would be low."

"I see." Elaine nodded slowly. "Could you keep the 15% and raise your prices slightly?"

"Yes. I think that might be the best solution. Not raise the prices too much." She nodded slowly.

"Of course." She smiled to the woman. "Sorry, I didn't ask. What is your name?"

"Madeline, your Majesty." Bobbing her head slightly. "I will raise my prices slightly."

"Yes." Elaine placed her hand on Madeline's shoulder. "Reassure your customers that you will be lowering the prices next harvest."

"Yes, your Majesty." She curtseyed to Elaine and the two women walked back to the heart of the farmyard.

"If you find yourself struggling, do not hesitate to send for help." Elaine smiled to the woman and held out her hand.

Madeline nervously took her Queen's hand and shook it, whilst curtseying. "Thank you." Letting go of Elaine's hand and gesturing for her daughter to approach them. Her daughter had a basket in her arms. "My daughter, Marie, has put together a small picnic for your Majesty and Sir Gwaine."

"Thank you." Elaine smiled and took the basket from her. "Do you recommend a good place to picnic?"

"Yes." Marie nodded. "Ride north-east for half an hour and you will reach a meadow, which overlooks the sea." Her mother looked at her teenage daughter with a raised eyebrow but remained silent.

Elaine nodded and smiled at the young girl. "Thank you." Moving towards Gwaine. "Do not hesitate to ask for help if you need to." They all bowed and curtseyed to Elaine as she and Gwaine walked away. "One farm sorted."

"You seemed to handle it so professionally." He kissed her cheek. "So? A picnic?" The two mounted their horses and rode north-east.

"Oh it is beautiful!" Elaine exclaimed as they reached the meadow.

"Have you ever been in this part of the island?" Gwaine asked as they dismounted.

"I don't think so." Elaine smiled, shifting the basket on her arm. They let their horses roam in the meadow and the two of them sat in the long grass, overlooking the sea. "This is truly beautiful." Staring at the sea, which was glistening in the sun. She opened the basket. "Bread, fruit, biscuits and wine."

Gwaine reached for the bottle. "I'll take that. You still cannot handle your alcohol."

She rolled her eyes. "I blame you and your friends." Laughing as she bit into a strawberry.

"You could have said no." Uncorking the wine bottle.

"And miss out on the fun?" Taking the opened bottle from him and taking a big swig. "Besides, what picnic would it be without wine?" Holding the bottle to him.

"Very true." He smiled and took it from her. The two sat in the field with their picnic and watching the sea. They moved to lie down with Elaine's head resting on Gwaine's chest. "Are you comfortable?"

"Yes. Very comfortable." She smiled, closing her eyes. "We should go. We have to visit two more farms."

"But it is too beautiful here." His lips brushed the top of her head.

"Gwaine?"

"Hmmmm." He ran his hand over her hand, which lay on his chest.

"I know there will be one meeting, where this subject will arise." She spoke softly. "Do you want to be King? It is because you are married to a Queen." Chuckling nervously.

"Right." He sighed softly.

Elaine sat up and looked down at him. "It is your choice. You don't have to be if you don't wish to be."

Gwaine sat up and stared out at the sea. He wished he was in Camelot right this moment. He didn't want to answer her question. "Elaine." He sighed, keeping his gaze ahead of him. "If you asked me this question 5 years ago, I would have laughed at the statement."

"I know. But," She moved closer to him. "5 years ago, we didn't know each other. We're married now. The subject was bound to arise." Placing her hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to be."

He turned to face her. "I don't want to be King." He shook his head. "It's not who I am. I'm just a lowly knight, who happened to fall in love with a beautiful, powerful Queen." She smiled softly as he shifted closer to her. "I will be by your side as your rule, but I do not want to have the responsibility of running a country. I am not that kind of man." He raised his hand and cupped her cheek. "I will be your husband and help you with decisions but I will not tell you what to do."

Elaine smiled softly and nodded. "If you wish to." She leant forward and softly kissed his lips. "Come. We need to move. I have two more farms to speak to." Gwaine packed the remainder of the picnic into the basket. "The Kingdom has never had trouble with shortages of food."

Gwaine stood up and held his hands down to her. She took them and he helped her to her feet. "Well, you can sort it out." Kissing her briefly before moving towards the horses.

Elaine whistled. "They'll run if you approach them." She laughed as Gwaine watched as both horses trotted towards them.

"You are a rare one." He helped her to mount her horse, handing her the basket. "You're a Queen, who can whistle, drink but badly." He laughed as he mounted his own horse.

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

It took most of the day for the farm problems to be resolved and for them to return to the castle. Gwaine smiled slightly. He had watched his wife as she gave kind orders to her subjects. He didn't want to do that. He couldn't do that. He helped her from her horse, where she thanked him with a kiss. He led her inside, not taking his eyes off her for very long. They ate their dinner alone in her chambers. There was one thing he noticed about her; she was constantly looking towards her door. He guessed it. He knew the reason. Usually a small person would come bounding through the door and demanding her attention. "You're missing Galahad."

She laughed nervously, looking down at her empty plate nervously. "It is that obvious?"

"A little." Standing up and collecting the plates, placing them on a side table. "We can return earlier if you want to."

Elaine poured them both another drink each. "No. This is our honeymoon." She smiled and held out his drink to him. "Besides, it will be nice for Lancelot and Galahad to bond. They barely spend time together."

He took the drink from her and sat in his seat. "I see." He nodded a nd took a sip of his wine. He could see that she was itching to ask him something else but was too nervous. "What is it, Elaine?"

"What about you?" She said quickly, staring at her glass. "Do you... Do you want children?"

Gwaine chuckled softly and placed his half full cup on the table. "Truthfully?" She looked up at him and nodded silently. "Yes." He answered. "I want to be a proper father and force myself to stay alive to see my children grow older."

Elaine stood from her seat and knelt next to him. "You will. I will do everything in my power to not allow you to be hurt, let alone killed." Her hands rested on his knees and she smiled up at him. "I promise."

Gwaine rested his hands over her own and smiled widely. "I know but don't make promises you cannot keep. There is no way you can protect me from death."

"I can try." Elaine laughed softly and stood up, sitting in his lap. "I am very powerful." She pushed a strand of his hair behind his ear. "Plus, I forbid it.." She kissed him softly.

"Fine." He laughed softly. "I forbid it also. You are not allowed to die." Pressing a kiss against her neck. "I suggest a pact. We grow old together and die in our bed together of old age."

"I agree." She smiled gently and wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing her body against his. Gwaine said nothing. He only kissed her passionately, stood up with her in his arms and carried her to their bed.

A/N: A little sneak peak thing for next chapter. A complete chapter filled with only Lancelot and Galahad. (And a few things.)

Responses from chapter 36:

ForeverTeamEdward13: Welcome back! I think I would be on chapter 40 odd if I was not so busy with University but now I HAVE FINISHED! As for Lancelot, I cannot say. It might be good but it might not be. ;P Got two chapter on the go at the moment and they might be finished by Monday ish.

La-Lucy: Thank you. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.