Chapter 45: A Princess of Corbenic
"With Lancelot. I haven't told them yet." He smiled at her. "Well done, my love." He kissed her again.
"I'm so tired." She laughed softly. "Do you want to hold her?"
"I'd love to." He grinned widely as he carefully received his daughter from Elaine. "Oh wow! She's so small."
Elaine shifted closer to him. She started stroking her daughter's head. "We need to name her." Resting her head on Gwaine's shoulder.
"What was your mother's name? We could name her after your mother." He spoke softly.
"Anne. Her name was Anne." Elaine smiled gently, still stroking her daughter's head. "I think we could call her Anne. Is that all right?"
"It's perfect." He turned to look at her, kissing her softly. "You did brilliantly."
Elaine shifted back onto the bed, and lay down. "I'm exhausted." She closed her eyes, and drifted off into sleep.
Gwaine watched her. "Well, you're both tired." He chuckled as he looked down at his daughter, who was fast asleep also. He carefully climbed off the bed, walked towards the crib, which was at the end of their bed. "Here you go." He whispered as he gently placed her in the crib, placing the blanket over her, up to her stomach. "Sleep, my darling girl." He watched her for a moment before leaving the bed chambers.
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Gwaine made his way straight to the Great Hall. It hadn't been announced officially that Elaine had given birth to a new Princess of Corbenic. He had asked the maids, midwife, and nurses to not tell anybody. He had a spring in his step. His life had gone from a traveller, to a husband, and to a father. He was greeted by Arthur, with a hand shake and hug. "You can see her in a moment. She's sleeping." Gwaine could not stop smiling as he walked to the platform, where Elaine's throne stood. "My Lords and Ladies, I am happy to announce that the Queen gave birth to a healthy daughter early this morning."
"Congratulations." Many members called to him as they all applauded.
Gwaine walked to Arthur and Guinevere. "She's called Anne." He told them. "After Elaine's mother."
"Congratulations." Gwen smiled and hugged him. There was a hurt in her eyes but she never told people that she was hurting inside.
"Thank you." He grinned. He could not stop smiling. He had a family. "Come on. Elaine might not be awake, but you can meet my daughter." The three left the hall as servants brought goblets of wine for people, to celebrate the arrival of a Princess.
"You are ecstatic." Gwen noted as she and Arthur followed him, walking with their hands joined together.
"I am." He laughed. "I never thought my life would be perfect. Married with my first child." He stopped outside of his and Elaine's bed chambers. "I can't stop smiling. I'll just see if Elaine is awake." He opened the door and quietly entered the bed chambers. "Hello." he smiled when he saw her awake, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I'm just breastfeeding her." Elaine smiled as Gwaine sat next to her. "Have you announced the news?"
"Yes. Everyone sends their congratulations. Arthur and Gwen are outside the room." He spoke softly, stroking his daughter's head as she suckled on her mother's breast.
"Well, she is nearly done." She smiled down at her child. "Are you done?" She asked gently and lifted her onto her shoulder. She gently rubbed her daughter's back. Gwaine was fascinated. He watched her. She had a cloth on her shoulder, just in case her daughter brought her food back up. Once finished, Elaine handed Anne to Gwaine, in order to cover herself up and climb back into bed. "Give her to me." She smiled broadly. "Then you can bring in Arthur and Gwen."
He laughed as he carefully handed her their daughter. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." She laughed softly, rocking her daughter slowly. "Wait, where's Galahad?"
"With Lancelot." He spoke slowly. She could tell he was angry with his friend. "I can go and find them later." He smiled a little as he walked to the door. He watched her before he opened the door, allowing Arthur and Gwen into the room.
The couple approached the bed cautiously. "Come on. Come and meet your new cousin." Elaine speaks softly from the bed.
Arthur and Gwen smile as they walk to the edge of the bed. Arthur remains at the foot and Gwen stands next to Elaine. "Congratulations, cousin." Arthur grinned. "She is beautiful."
"Thank you." Elaine smiled as she gently rocked the sleeping babe.
"How do you feel?" Gwen asked as she sat next to Elaine.
She chuckled. "Exhausted." She chuckled again and rocked Anne. "Gwaine and I were wondering, if you and Arthur would be her Godparents."
"Again? I'm already Galahad's Godfather, I don't want to be another one." Arthur grumbled but laughed. "Sorry. I couldn't lie any longer." He stepped forward, putting his hand on Gwen's shoulder. "I would love to."
"As would I." Gwen smiled broadly as she looked down at the newborn baby. "May I hold her?"
"Of course." Elaine sat up straight and carefully transferred her sleeping daughter into Gwen's arms. She sat back and watched the Queen of Camelot gently rock Anne. "Gwaine, could you find Galahad? I think he would like to meet his sister."
He nodded and kissed her cheek. "I won't be long."
"I'll come with you." Arthur said, just before Gwaine reached the door. "I know where they are." The two left together, leaving the two women alone.
"You're a natural, Gwen." Elaine smiled at the young woman, who was looking down at the sleeping babe.
Gwen chuckled softly. "I had training with Galahad." She looked up at Elaine. "I have something to tell you. Arthur knows half of it before you say anything. Two months ago, I suffered a severe miscarriage. That part Arthur knows. The second part is that I am unlikely to have any children."
"Oh Gwen." She reached over and placed her hand on Gwen's shoulder. "I am sorry. I should not have pushed her on you."
"It's all right." She smiled slightly. "It's good to hold a child. It is unlikely for me to have children but there is a very small chance."
Elaine smiled, trying to give her some comfort. "You never know. Within a year, you could be the one in bed with a newborn child."
Gwen smiled at Elaine. "Probably." She looked down at Anne, who was stirring in her sleep, and soon opened her mouth letting out fresh cries.
"Here." Elaine smiled when Gwen froze at the loud sounds. "Let me take her." Receiving her daughter from Gwen. "What's the matter?" She spoke softly to the crying baby. "You've just been fed. You cannot be hungry." She laughed softly as she rocked the baby, who slowly fell back asleep. "Absolutely nothing. Just like her brother."
The door quietly opened. "Mama?" Galahad's quiet voice came from behind the door.
"You can come in, darling. Just be very quiet." She spoke softly.
Galahad came into view and slowly walked into the room, followed by Gwaine and Arthur. "Mama?"
"Come up here. Boots off first." Elaine smiled at her son, who quickly took off his boots, and rushed to the space next to Elaine, climbing onto the bed. "Say hello to your baby sister, Anne."
"Hello Anne." Galahad smiled down at the sleeping baby, before bending down and kissing the baby's forehead gently. Arthur and Gwen left the room, to allow the small family to bond properly.
After two days recovering in bed, Elaine was finally strong enough to walk around. Despite having nurses in her employment, she was barely seen without her daughter. She was barely seen without either of her children. It was the day before Arthur and his court were to leave Corbenic, when the confrontation between Gwaine and Lancelot happened.
Lancelot had not been spending enough time with Galahad, and Gwaine had noticed that. He loved the boy as if he were his own, and he did not like seeing Galahad upset. "Galahad," Gwaine knelt down in front of his stepson. "I will speak to your Papa. You have to do a big job and look after your Mama and Anne. It's a very big job and I think you can do it better than any of Mama's knights."
"Even better than you?" He gave a small grin.
Gwaine scoffed. "One day." He laughed softly. "One day I will be better than you."
"Liar!" The young boy laughed and hugged him.
"Now, stay here and look after your Mama." He looked over at Elaine, who was asleep on the bed, with Anne, who was also fast asleep.
"Yes Gwaine." Galahad smiled and went to sit on the floor with his toy soldiers. He started talking to himself as he played. "Did you hear that? I have to protect Mama and Anne. That's a big job."
Gwaine smiled as he stood up. Watching the young boy for a moment before looking at his wife, who was content and comfortable on the bed. He left the bed chambers quietly. "Mary," He gestured for his wife's maid to him. "Keep an ear open. Prince Galahad is in charge." He chuckled softly. "But just in case."
"Yes, my Lord." She curtseyed and sat on a chair outside the bed chambers, with her sewing.
He left the maid and went to search for Lancelot. He was not happy that he had barely been to see Galahad. It didn't upset him, it angered him. Elaine tried her best to allow Lancelot time with Galahad but Lancelot seemed to less interested. "Lancelot!" He spotted him in the courtyard with Elyan and Percival. His anger overpowered his thoughts and he punched Lancelot hard.
"HEY!" Elyan and Percival called as they grabbed Gwaine and restrained him.
"Get off me!" He growled angrily at the two knights.
Lancelot rubbed his chin, from where Gwaine had hit him. "What was that for?"
"Many things!" Gwaine shouted angrily at the man.
"Let's talk about this somewhere more private." Elyan stood in front of Gwaine, as Percival held him back.
"NO!" Gwaine roared in anger. "He nearly ruined my marriage! He is breaking his son's heart! He needs to answer for his actions!" He continued to struggle against Percival's grip.
"How am I breaking Galahad's heart?" Lancelot felt his own anger grow. Gwaine had no right to question his skills as a father.
"He wanted to spend all day with you but you said no! He wants to be with you because you are leaving tomorrow and he has no idea when he will see you again!" He had stopped struggling against Percival. "He's your son, Lancelot. Be with him. It maybe your last with him."
"Why do you say that?" He asked. Unsure of where Gwaine was leading with this.
"I don't remember any time I ever spent with my father. He died when I was very young. Do you want that for your own son?" Gwaine felt his anger boiling up in him again. "I don't want to be the one to tell him that his Papa isn't coming home."
"Gwaine, I'm sorry." Lancelot tried to apologise, while rubbing his cheek.
"Do not bother." Gwaine glared at him still. Not caring that other knights, Gwen and servants were watching them all. "One moment, what are you sorry for? Not bothering with your son or you kissing my wife?"
"She told you?"
"Of course she did. She's my wife! She tells me everything." He was finally free of Percival's hold but he did not approach Lancelot. "Come near her again, in such a way, and I will kill you! You lost her a long time ago, don't try and get her back now. You will lose." He spun around and stormed back into the citadel.
Every person moved out of his way, and were soon looking towards Lancelot to watch for his reaction. He said nothing. All he did was mount his horse and raced out of the courtyard. "Leave him." Gwen said as Percival and Elyan were about to mount their own horses. "He needs time alone."
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Elaine had heard about Gwaine's act towards Lancelot not too long after it had happened. She actually laughed in shock at it. "Thank the Lord, that I have you to bring more gossip to my name." She spoke to him that evening as they were dressing for the farewell feast for Arthur.
"You told me that gossip was good for the servants. Keeps them busy." He said as he dressed his Camelot regalia.
She laughed again. "I know you were trying to protect Galahad and myself. But what you did was cause gossip of the truth. I prefer gossip from rumours. Rumours are more likely to be untrue." She put on a necklace and stood up to face him. "So, stop being so chivalrous. Well, once in a while." She chuckled and walked up to him, straightening his cloak.
"I will." He gave her a small smile before kissing her hard on the lips. "Where is our beautiful daughter?"
"In Galahad's chambers with Henrietta." She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "Nothing can happen tonight." She chuckled, and kissed his cheek.
"I know." He pouted. "So, can I drink?"
She laughed again, a little louder than moments ago. "Of course." She kissed him again. "Come. Everyone is waiting." She raised an eyebrow when he dramatically opened the door and bowed low. She laughed as she left their bedchamber, with him following soon after. They walked arm-in-arm to the Great Hall.
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At the feast, Elaine was able to see Gwaine's handiwork on Lancelot's face much better. She chuckled at his red cheek, which would turn to a bruise. "How hard did you punch him?" Elaine whispered to her husband.
"Quite hard." He chuckled, but stopped when she looked at him sternly. "I was really angry."
She rolled her eyes and returned to eating her food. She wasn't happy with Gwaine's actions but she understood why he did it. "Just don't do it again. I will confront next time."
"Yes, my love." He smiled and kissed her cheek. "Anything for you."
"Behave." She tapped his knee. "Or you shall be sleeping in the stables." She turned to her cousin and began a serious talk with him about King Vortigern. "He just seems to be untrustworthy. His patrols are on my borders constantly. My villagers are scared to leave their homes."
"What have you done?" He asked her.
"I have sent a patrol there to man the borders. But they are getting attacked a lot." She sighed heavily. "I'm worried something bad is going to happen."
He tapped her hand in comfort. "I am here for you. Just send a message straight away. I don't care how little it is. I am here for you."
Elaine smiled broadly at him, she lifted his hand and kissed the back of it. "I will. Thank you, cousin."
Vortigern knew he was getting to the Queen of Corbenic. She had doubled her patrol numbers on her borders. He was going to get the lands, which should be his. Elaine's grandfather had won the lands through a war between Vortigern's father and him. Vortigern wanted them back, and he was going to get them by any means necessary.
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A/N: Well, there we go. It's getting there. I shall announce this now. There will be, not one but, two sequels to this story. :D
Response from chapter 44:
ForeverTeamEdward13: Well, all your questions were answered in this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it! :D