Chapter 39: Elaine and Galahad Reunited

Elaine awoke the next morning to the feeling of soft kisses on her back. She smiled at the feel of his beard brushing her back also. She was laying on her front with her head turned away from Gwaine's side of the bed. She smiled as he pushed the covers off her body, causing her to curl into a ball in an attempt to shield herself from the cold. "Evil husband." She mumbled and turned her head to face him. Her eyes still tightly closed.

"I would go and open the curtains but one of your maids is alighting the fire. Do not want to give her a shock." He chuckled quietly and pulled the covers back over the two of them.

She rolled onto her side, held her arms out to him and welcomed his warmth. She expected his lips to press against her own but he pressed them against her forehead. She smiled when he moved his lips to her neck, placing open mouthed kisses along her collarbone. "Gwaine..." She whispered. "Not yet." Listening to the sounds of the maid lighting a fire in the grate. She pushed at his shoulders and laughed as he pouted when he rolled away from her.

"Sorry, your Majesty. But you are irresistible." He smiled broadly. "What is on your agenda today, my love?"

"Our agenda." She smiled and moved closer to him, her head on the pillow and her hand on his warm, muscular chest. Her fingers gently stroking the skin. "I wish to visit an old friend. Probably have council meetings about you. Again."

"About my position?" His hand covering her smaller, paler hand. Elaine gently nodded and moved closer, placing her head against his shoulder. "I hope they understand."

Elaine waited a moment, listening to the maid, who was now leaving the room. Gwaine raised his hand and parted the curtain, in time to see the maid leave the room. Elaine began to speak again. "They will probably prefer your decision than for you to be King."

He laughed. "Because I am a lowly knight."

She tapped his chest and raised an eyebrow at him. "You are no lowly knight. You are a knight of Camelot. That is a highly regarded position. Higher than most of my Lords on my council."

Gwaine gently kissed her forehead and stroked her hand with his fingers. "Now, enough politics. Where were we?" He pulled her close and rolled them over. He smiled as her laugh filled the room. It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.

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The two of them took the time to enjoy their honeymoon but Elaine received a letter a few days before they were to return to Camelot. Now the whole castle was in a flurry. Elaine was returning early because she feared for her son's safety. "How could Lancelot let him out of his sight for just a few moments?" She spoke angrily as she packed her dresses into her trunk.

"It was innocent. He thought Galahad was safe." Gwaine tried to reason with her as he too packed for the return journey to Camelot. "You didn't know that he was going to be threatened to a place so close to home."

"Lancelot should have stayed with him!" Elaine exclaimed in anger. How could Lancelot put their son in danger? How could he leave Galahad alone when he knew that their son was in danger? "He is not caring for Galahad alone again." She said angrily as she slammed her trunk shut.

"Don't say that. It was one thing, Elaine." Gwaine placed his hands on her shoulders. "Relax. Galahad is safe and always will be." He moved his hands and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace. "He has you to protect him. He had his father. He has Arthur. He has me. He has a lot of people who will protect him without even batting an eyelid." He kissed her cheek softly. "He will never be taken from you."

"I cannot lose him." Her voice breaking in fear.

"I know. You won't." Gwaine spoke gently in her ear and held her tightly. "You will be with him soon." Kissing her cheek. "Are you nearly ready?"

"Yes." She whispered. "You have been amazing. The perfect husband." Chuckling softly as he kissed her below her ear.

"It is my job." He chuckled softly. "Let us leave now. The sooner we leave, the sooner you can see Galahad."

"Yes." She sighed softly. They stood together for a few moments and they soon left to travel across the sea and the long horse journey to Camelot.

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As they approached Camelot, Elaine became more and more anxious about seeing her son. "Relax." Gwaine reassured her, reaching over to her and holding her hand as they rode along the road with a small company of Joyous Guard guards. "We are nearly there."

"I know." She chuckled nervously and gripped his hand for a second until he pulled his hand away. "I'm just dying to see him." She couldn't wait a second longer. She kicked the flanks of her horse and the horse bolted into a gallop. Gwaine and two guards did the same, following the impatient queen.

Arthur, Gwen, Lancelot and Galahad were waiting for Elaine's party on the bottom of the steps, which led into the heart of the castle. The young Galahad stood between his father and his cousin, holding his father's hand tightly. It was obvious the young prince was desperate to be reunited with his mother. He kept his eyes focused on the way his mother would arrive.

Lancelot looked down at his son and smiled. For the past two days, the young boy had not stopped talking about his mother and Sir Gwaine. He, too, was anticipating Elaine's arrival. He now wished that he stood up for himself and did the right thing. The right thing had been to stay by Elaine's side. If he was in Gwaine's position, they would be returning to Corbenic with their son. He expressed his love for her too late. Gwaine was now the man to protect and love her. And Elaine loved him back. All the women he loved left him. Elaine loved Gwaine. Gwen loved Arthur. He was alone. He did have his son but he wished he had a wife to love and come home to.

"Mama!" Galahad shouted with glee when Elaine cantered into the courtyard, followed by Gwaine and two guards.

Elaine pulled her horse to a stop and quickly dismounted. She lifted her skirts to her ankles and ran up the steps, scooping her son into her arms. "I've missed you, my darling."

"I've missed you too, Mama." He held onto Elaine tightly. His arms and legs tight around her with his face buried against her neck.

She could feel his wet tears soaking her neck. "Oh darling. You knew I would be coming back."

"But I've missed you so much, Mama." He raised his head. His dark eyes stared at her.

"I missed you too." She kissed the tip of his nose. "We're going to stay here for a few days and then we're going to go home."

"Yes Mama." He held onto Elaine tighter.

"Hello cousin." Elaine greeted Arthur. "Hello Gwen. Shall we go inside? We need to talk." She looked in Lancelot's direction. She was still angry with him about leaving Galahad alone.

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Galahad was being looked after by Gwaine while Elaine spoke with Lancelot. Well, she was shouting at him. "How could you leave him alone? How could you let him out of your sight?"

"I am sorry, Elaine." He spoke timidly as the two of them stood in Arthur's study. It was only the two of them. "I did not think anything bad would have happened."

"You know that he is in danger! Especially with Morgana!" She continued shouting at him.

"I thought he was safe! He was nearby!" His own voice rising.

"You should not have let him out of your sight! Not at all!" Elaine glared angrily at him. "You remember what it was like when he was taken from us!"

"You don't think I remember that? I remember every second of it! I remember the pain in my heart of the thought of not having him back. It broke my heart when I saw the pain on your face." He grabbed her upper arms. "It hurt me to not be able to comfort you. Not be able to properly wrap my arms around you to hug you and to kiss you. It hurts me that I can never be a husband for you and a proper father with our son."

"Stop it." She whispered and tried to pull away from him.

"I can't! It hurts that I cannot be with you!" He held her against him. "I need you Elaine." He kissed her. She was frozen in his arms. "Please Elaine. Let me love you." He pleaded with her when he pulled away from her.

"I can't." She whispered and shook her head. "I can never love you again." Finally pulling away from him. Tears were running down her cheeks. "I loved you. I loved you even before I was pregnant with Galahad. I was scared afterwards. I wanted us to be a family but you pushed me away. You didn't bother. That broke my heart."

"Your heart isn't broken!" He reached out and went to grab her hands but she stepped backwards. "You have Gwaine!"

"Yes! Yes I do! I need him! I love him and he loves me." She argued with him. "Something you should have done a long time ago but did not have the guts to." Stepping away from him and turning her back on him. "Next time you are looking after Galahad, you are to keep him in the castle." She turned back to face him, she was still angry. "Do you understand?"

"Yes. Fine." He nodded. "I will leave you, your Majesty." He bowed to her and left the room.

Once the door was tightly shut, Elaine knelt to the floor and sobbed. Why did he have to do that? Why was he continuously chasing after her? She was happy with Gwaine. They were going to start a family one day. Now, Lancelot was making her feel what she did not want to feel. She was finding those old feelings again. She brought her fingers to her lips. She could still feel the presence of his lips against her own.

Gwaine had noticed that Elaine was quieter after her talk with Lancelot. He didn't want to ask her about it but she was clearly hurting and he wanted to wrap his arms around her and tell her that everything will be all right. They had decided to stay in Camelot for the Feast of Beltane, which was taking place in a few weeks. Elaine didn't want to stay but Arthur and Gwaine had persuaded her.

It was now the day before the Feast of Beltane and Elaine sat at her vanity table staring at her reflection. She looked tired, there were dark circles under her eyes. She was hardly sleeping and not in the good way. She had not told Gwaine about Lancelot kissing her and that guilt was eating away at her.

"Elaine?" Gwaine entered their chambers. "Are you well?"

"Yes." Elaine put on her fake mask, hiding her emotions and picked up her hairbrush. "Long day." She pulled the brush through her hair. She watched Gwaine through the reflection of the mirror.

He smiled as he approached her, resting his hands on her shoulders. "Are you sure you are well?"

"I'm tired, Gwaine." She placed her brush on her table and rested her hands on top of his. "All this organising has worn me out."

He bent down and kissed the top of her head. "Come on. Let's get you to bed." Giving her shoulders a small squeeze. He moved to her side and lifted her into his arms.

"Gwaine!" She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck. She allowed him to lay her down on their bed and place the covers over her. "Are you joining me?"

"In a moment." He smiled at her. "Let me change first." Walking away from the bed. "Elaine, what's wrong? Ever since we returned from our honeymoon, you've been very quiet."

"Nothing, love." Elaine smiled. She watched him as he undressed out of his Camelot uniform. "I just feel tired all the time."

Gwaine had changed into his sleeping shirt and sleeping trousers and was now approaching the bed. "Why don't you go and see Gaius tomorrow?"

"I don't want to bother him. I'm just tired." She smiled as he climbed into bed with her. "I'm going to sleep in tomorrow morning. Could you look after Galahad?"

"I'd be happy to." He kissed her softly. "Now, sleep my love."

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Elaine awoke the next morning feeling slightly more refreshed. She turned to find Gwaine's half of the bed empty except for a note laying on his pillow. She smiled as she reached for the note. She opened it and smiled as she read its contents.

'My Darling Elaine. It was hard to tear myself away from you this morning but you needed your rest. I shall take care of Galahad for the whole day. You stay in bed and relax. I don't want you getting ill. All my love, your husband.'

"Oh Gwaine." Elaine chuckled as she kissed the note. She did feel better but she was still slightly tired. She had summoned a maid, asking for food. She was going to follow her husband's orders and remain in bed. She sat in bed with papers around her. She may be in bed but she was still dealing with business. It was strange not having to deal with advisers and very strange to not be looking after Galahad. Life was good.

A/N: Slowly but surely getting there with this story. I don't actually know how many chapters I will write but I know what happens in the end.

Responses from chapter 38:

ForeverTeamEdward13: I will try and add a chapter like that. I will try and update more often.