Chapter 44: Family Matters

Warning: Birth scene

Once Elaine and Gwaine were fully recovered, they returned to Corbenic. The two did not announce Elaine's pregnancy, as they wished to wait for the right time. Galahad was glad to be going home but he was annoyed by the fact that he had to leave his father again. Once they arrived in Corbenic, they were greeted by her council, who insisted on a meeting. "The Queen needs to sleep. We have been travelling, and sleep is all we need." Gwaine insisted. He carried Galahad, who was asleep in his arms. Elaine said nothing as she and Gwaine walked into the heart of the castle. She was tired. She just wanted to lie down and sleep.

"Your majesty?" Liam, one of her councillors, looked to her for confirmation.

"Please, my Lord." She shook her head. "We've had a long journey. I need to rest." She leaned against Gwaine. "Quickly." She whispered. "I feel really ill."

"Come." He wrapped his arm around her and led her towards their chambers. He gave Galahad to Mary. "Just take him to his chambers, please."

"Yes, my Lord." Mary nodded, taking the sleepy Galahad from him. She went her own way, as Gwaine lifted Elaine into his arms.

"Come on. Let's get you to bed." He whispered in her ear. He nodded to a guard, who opened the door to the Queen's chambers. He gently lay Elaine on the bed, who was fast asleep. He took off his chain mail and jerkin, then climbed into bed with her, pulling the covers over them both. He held her close, his hand resting on her stomach. It was unbelievable that he was going to be a father. He was going to be the best. He lost his father at a young age, so young he didn't remember what he looked like. Gwaine was not going to do that to his son or daughter. He was going to be the best father.

Gwaine awoke early the next morning to find Elaine out of bed. He could hear her in the anti-chamber, throwing up. "Elaine?" He climbed out of bed and slowly approached the door. He knocked on the wood. "Darling?"

"Leave me alone," she croaked. "I won't be long."

He heard her retch again. "Please let me come in." He knocked again.

"No!" She shouted at him.

He could hear water splashing. "Elaine?" He opened the door, and walked into the anti-chamber. She was bent over the bowl of water and washing her face, and washing her mouth. "Are you all right?"

"I am." She stood up straight and dried her mouth and face. "We need to talk." She walked past him and into their bedchamber. She was still in her dress from the day before. She reached behind her and pulled at her ties. She pulled off her dress, throwing it over her dressing screen. She stood there in her slip.

"Not yet." He too undressed, dressing in cleaner clothing; brown trousers and a white shirt. He walked to a bowl of water, which sat below a window. "I don't want to." He washed his face and neck.

She shook her head. "No. I want to talk about it. We need to talk about it." She moved to her wardrobe, taking out a red day dress. "I have said it everyday since our release. I am so sorry." She spoke quietly, as she dressed into the long sleeved dress. She stood in front of the long mirror and tried to tie the back of her dress.

Gwaine stood behind her and helped her. "I just don't understand. How could you betray me like that?"

Tears were already rolling down her cheeks. "Please, Gwaine. I don't know." She turned to face him, putting her hands on his shoulders. "Please. Please." She begged him. "I never meant to. I didn't want to."

He pushed her hands off his shoulders. "But you did!" He spoke angrily. "You kissed my friend!"

"Please." She begged weakly. She was fighting a losing battle.

"I don't know who you are any more." He turned his back on her. "I will sleep in my own chambers from now on."

Elaine went to protest but her hand went to her mouth, and she rushed to the anti-chamber. Began retching into the bowl. "Gwaine?" She called out to him, but she was only greeted by him slamming the door. She washed her face and mouth, before she left her rooms.

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Months passed by and Gwaine and Elaine had not reconciled. Her stomach was expanding and she was experiencing things that she wanted him to experience with her. When she felt the baby move for the first time, she went to tell him but he ignored her. She understood to why he was angry with her. No matter how many times she apologised, he would not listen. Her councillors noticed the tension between them, but said nothing.

She was 5 months pregnant when they were finally reconciled.

Elaine had been in her study with Carter. The two were discussing Odin, who was being is usual self and becoming threatening. "Shall I just wait until he threatens the country?"

"I think so. He only seems to have a grudge against your cousin." He spoke gently as he read a document. She rubbed her head as she read another document. "Are you well, my Lady?"

"Overtired." She chuckled softly. "Looking too many letters and documents. I think, I need to have the rest of the day off."

Carter stood up. "Of course. We will continue this tomorrow." He bowed to her, and left the room.

Elaine stood up and walked to her window, she had a view of the knights' training area. She could see Gwaine sparring with one of her knights. She needed to talk to him. Galahad was old enough to have a tutor, so that was where he was at the moment. She looked down at the knights' training area again, to see Gwaine walking into the castle. "Guard!" She called out.

"My Lady?" A guard entered the room.

"Could you send for Sir Gwaine please?" She smiled slightly. He nodded and bowed as he left the room. She walked to her desk, rubbing her temple. The dizziness was returning. She leaned against the desk, still rubbing her head. She moved towards her chair but she didn't make it. She fainted there and then. Falling on her side.

The door opened. "I heard you wanted to see me." Gwaine spoke as he entered the room. "Elaine?" He called out, having not seen her. "Elaine!" He rushed to her side when he saw her on the floor. "Oh God!" He lifted her up and seated her on the sofa, which was under a window. "Wake up! Elaine." He stroked her face, and hair. "Wake up, my love." She was stirring and awakening. "Elaine?"

"Gwaine?" She whispered softly, and wrapped her arms around him. "I don't feel very well."

He held her closely, kissing her where he could. "Let's get you to bed, and summon Declan." He lifted her up into his arms. "Guard!" He called as he walked towards the door. The door swung open and Gwaine carried Elaine out of her study. "Please send for Declan."

"Yes, my Lord." He nodded and rushed away.

Gwaine only had to carry Elaine a short distance to their chambers. He lay her on their bed. "Here we go." He pulled off her boots, placing them on the floor, and then sat next to her, holding her hand. "What happened?"

"I just felt dizzy. That's all I remember." She sighed heavily.

Declan and Carter entered the room. "Your majesty!" Declan stepped forward and placed his hand on her forehead and then her stomach. "Any pains in your stomach?"

"None. Just fainted." She spoke softly.

They all waited as Declan made sure she was well. "Overtired and I'd say you need to eat more. You are eating for two now." He smiled at her as he stood up straight. "I'd urge you to stay in bed until tomorrow."

"Yes, Declan." She chuckled and sat up, leaning up against her many pillows. "I promise. Could you send for Mary, please?"

"Yes, your majesty." He nodded, both he and Carter left.

Gwaine moved away, walked around the bed and then sat on the bed next to her. "I'm sorry I've been an idiot." He reached over and held her hand. "I should have listened to you." He brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles.

"I'm sorry too. I was an idiot as well." She smiled at him. "Forgiven?"

"Forgiven." He leaned forward and kissed her lips softly.

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Her council were glad that the Queen and her husband had reconciled. She was happier and he did not fight with the knights too hard. When they weren't speaking, Gwaine trained with the knights hard, bringing them to the point of exhaustion and injury. Now, they were inseparable. As her time to have their first child approached, Arthur and Guinevere arrived with a small band of knights. Galahad was very excited as he got to be with his father again. A few days before Arthur was meant to arrive, Elaine was placed on bed rest as she was experiencing pains. This had become frustrating for her, and rather entertaining for Gwaine. She was not allowed to leave her bed, and she was not allowed to do any work. She had appointed Gwaine as her regent until she was well enough.

"Arthur arrives tomorrow." Gwaine said as he undressed. "Don't worry. Everything is organised." He changed into his sleeping trousers, then climbed into bed next to her. His hand rested on her large stomach. "How do you feel today?"

"Uncomfortable. Annoyed. Tired. Scared." She sighed heavily as she slowly shifted to move from her sitting position, to lying down on her back. She gave another sigh and bit her lower lip. "I just... I just want this baby to hurry up." She chuckled softly, and turned her head to face her husband, who was lying on his side and watching her. "How was today?"

"Busy. Just sorting out things for Arthur." He smiled at her, his fingers caressing her stomach. "What do you think we have in here?"

Elaine chuckled. "A baby, I hope." She laughed. "I don't know." She laughed softly. "Just as long as it is healthy, happy, and ours." She smiled as she placed her hand over his.

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It was midnight when Elaine awoke from a nightmare. She slowly sat up, groaning as she did. She rubbed her stomach slowly. "Thank goodness." She whispered to herself. Her dress was damp, her waters had broken. "Right. Let's change first." She spoke to herself as she stood up. Slowly, she walked towards her anti-chamber, where there was a spare nightgown for her. "Oh God!" She groaned, as a contraction built up. She held onto the bedpost as she waited for the pain to pass. Once it was over, she walked into the anti-chamber, and quickly changed into her clean nightgown. "OW!" She cried out and doubled over. She panted to get through the pain.

"Elaine!" Gwaine called from the other room. "Elaine?"

"In here." She called to him, as she knelt on the stone floor. Her legs couldn't hold her up any longer. She took slow breaths as he ran into the room. "It's time."

He held her hand, and helped her to her feet. "Let's get you back into the bedroom."

"It's wet. My waters broke in my sleep." She chuckled nervously, as they walked slowly. "Stop..." She gripped his hand. "Ow..."

He stood in front of her and held both of her hands. "Nearly done. Relax." He watched her as she took deep breaths. "How often are they?"

"They are coming quite quick." She took slow breaths as he led her to the bed. "Get the midwife." She said as she sat down on his side of the bed. He nodded silently, kissing the top of her head. "Gwaine?" She spoke his name as he walked away from her.

"Yes?" He turned to face her, as he put on a long dressing gown.

"We're having a baby soon." She looked over her shoulder at him with a large smile. He smiled in return, and left the bedchamber. She stayed still on the edge of the bed, gently rubbed the top of her stomach. They could be parents before dawn. "Not long, my daring."

Dawn had arrived and Elaine was still in labour. Gwaine had dressed as soon as he was sent out of the room. He wanted to be with her but he wasn't allowed. He waited until dawn, and went to wake Galahad. "Is Mama having the baby?"

"Yes, she is. So, we're going to have breakfast. Cousin Arthur will be arriving soon."

"Is Papa coming too?" The five year old asked his stepfather.

Gwaine laughed as the two of them walked down a corridor, hand-in-hand. "You know Papa is coming." He laughed again. "Come on. Let's get you some breakfast."

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Her cries filled the room. Elaine was exhausted. She just wanted her baby here. "Oh, I can't." She sobbed, gripping the hands of two maids.

"You need to push." The midwife urged her. "I can see the head." She placed her hand on Elaine's stomach. "Now, your Majesty."

"ARGH!" She groaned, and used her energy to push. She stopped when the contraction ended.

"Good." The midwife smiled up at her. "The head's out. Next contraction, I want you to push as hard as you can." Elaine groaned and shook her head. "You can do it. This is the last part and you will have your baby here."

"I can't." Elaine cried out, shaking her head. One of the maids dabbed her forehead with a damp, cool cloth. "No!" She cried out as the contraction built up, she automatically began to push. "ARGH!" She screamed again.

"Keep going. Keep going!" The midwife urged, as she guided the baby into the world. She quickly clamped the cord and cut it. The baby let out a loud cry. "You have a daughter, your Majesty." The midwife lifted the baby, as a nurse wrapped a blanket around the wailing child, and took her from the midwife.

"Your daughter, your Majesty." The nurse smiled and handed the baby to the new mother.

"Oh!" Elaine smiled down at the baby. "Shhhh... Sh..." She rocked the child. Once the afterbirth was delivered, she was helped to wash, change, and return to bed. "Has Sir Gwaine been sent for?"

"Yes, your Majesty." Mary smiled as she handed the baby girl to the Queen. "King Arthur has arrived. He arrived half an hour ago."

"Thank you, Mary." She smiled, but she did not look away from her newborn. A knock on the door came. "Could you see who it is, please? Only allow Sir Gwaine inside."

"Yes, ma'am." She curtsied and walked to the door. "Sir Gwaine." She curtsied to him, and opened the door wider.

He walked inside, and Mary left the room. "Elaine?"

"We have a daughter." She looked up at him and smiled broadly, as he walked towards her.

Gwaine carefully sat next to her and looked down at their daughter. "She's wonderful." He bent down and kissed the sleeping baby's forehead. "She's here."

"She is here." She smiled at him. He lifted his head up and kissed her softly. "Where's Galahad?"

"With Lancelot. I haven't told them yet." He smiled at her. "Well done, my love." He kissed her again.

A/N: There's a baby! :D