Chapter 55: We Will Still Have Time
The family had returned to Corbenic and Elaine was shocked to find a message from King Vortigern, who was wishing to visit. "He is probably coming to see if I am still honouring our agreement." She handed the letter to Gwaine, who read the letter. "I am glad that we still have 13 years with our daughter."
Gwaine chuckled and kissed her on the top of her head. "It's nice that everything is at peace."
She laughed softly and stood up. She was wearing a pale pink dress with short sleeves. He liked it when she had her arms free. He loved running his hands up and down them, feeling her soft skin. He was doing this right now. "He is a good man though. He is bringing his son with him. It will be good for Anne and Vortigern's son to become acquainted."
"What is his son's name?" Gwaine asked.
"Ummm... Robert, I think." Elaine laughed as she placed her hand over Gwaine's, which was gently rubbing her arm. "Robert and Anne. Lord and Lady." She chuckled softly. "I am going to dread the day when I have to tell Anne that she has to marry who I tell her to."
He chuckled and kissed the top of her golden head. "I will be away that day." He pulled away from her and walked to the window.
"Thank you(!)" she said sarcastically. She stood up and joined him, wrapping her arm behind him. "Vortigern will be here in two days. Not enough time to organise anything."
"Feasts? A couple of tournaments?" He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "A few drunken nights." He kissed her cheek and held her closer.
"I can't promise a tournament but I can promise a few drunken nights." Laughing softly. She laughed louder when he lifted her up and spun her around. "Gwaine! Put me down." She laughed as he carried her to her desk, placing her down on the desk.
"Gwaine, it's the middle of the day." She laughed as he stepped forward and cupped her cheek. "Gwaine." She grumbled as he kissed her on the lips, his fingers threading into her long hair. A knock came on the door. "Gwaine." Elaine giggled when she was finally free from his kisses. "Let me down."
"Yes, my lady." He kissed her and helped her off the desk.
"Come in." Elaine smiled as she quickly brushed her skirts down. "Sir Pellinore." Elaine smiled as her knight entered her study. "What is it?" Her smile fell at the sight of his stern face. "Pellinore?"
"It's young Galahad. He's fallen ill." He told them both.
Elaine sat on the edge of the desk and gasped in shock. Not knowing what to do now. "When? How?"
"He was training with us and just collapsed." He explained. "He had a fever and was shaking. He's in his chambers now."
Elaine was on her feet and running out of her study, not stopping until she was outside her son's chambers. "My son?"
"You can't go inside, my lady." Matilda, one of the children's maids, curtseyed and stopped her from going into the room. "Declan is with him now and ordered that no one enter until he has finished. That includes you, my lady."
"No! I need to be with him! Please!" She begged the maid but she was a stout woman and was stronger than Elaine and able to hold her back as she tried to push past the maid. "Please, Matilda. I need to be with him."
"Elaine." Gwaine held her back. "Declan is with him. You need to give him space. He'll get Galahad better soon."
Elaine went to his arms and buried her face against his chest, her fingers gripping his tunic. "I can't lose him."
Her husband gently rubbed her back, trying his best to comfort her. "He has the best care in the entire kingdom."
"I know. But he's my little boy." She whispered softly. She was crying against his chest, her tears staining his red tunic. "Pellinore. Can you check on Anne and Owain?" Raising her head to speak to the knight.
"Yes, my lady." He bowed and left them alone.
The couple stood outside the door, waiting. There was no news for over half an hour. It put Elaine on edge. Gwaine kept repeating that no news was good news. But in this case, no news was bad news. She had sent a message that the children must stay where they were and not to come anywhere near Galahad's chambers. After forty-five minutes, Elaine began pacing outside the room. "How much longer?" She whined and ran her fingers through her hair. Her hands were shaking as she clasped them in front of her.
"Elaine, please, sit down." He pointed to the only chair in the hallway. "Pacing won't help."
"It is helping me," she snapped at him. She brought her hand to her hair and ran her fingers through her long locks. The door opened, her hand fell to her side and she spun around to face the person exiting the room. "Declan? Is he well?"
"He is sleeping for the moment." Declan spoke softly, closing the door. "He has influenza. It will be a long time before he has fully recovered. I suggest that you keep the children away, especially Prince Owain."
"Can I see Galahad?" She pleaded with him. "Please."
"You may." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'd prepare for any change. It could go either way."
Elaine gasped and nodded. "Thank you, Declan." She moved into Galahad's chambers, not seeing a maid run up to Declan and whisper in his ear. The two of them rushed away, the queen not seeing them. "Oh my darling!" Elaine exclaimed as she rushed to her eldest son's bedside and placed her hand on his forehead. He was shaking in his sleep and mumbling. "He looks so helpless."
Gwaine stood behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder. Elaine's children were her life and it hurt her to see them hurt or ill. To see her hurt, hurt him. "He'll be fine. He's strong like his Mama and his father."
She nodded slowly as she reached for a damp cloth and placed it upon Galahad's forehead. "I'm not leaving his side until his fever is broken." She did not look away from her son's face as she tried to cool him down. Tears fell down her cheeks as she watched him sleep. "He looks so vulnerable." He left the cool cloth on his forehead and held his hand. "Can you send a message to Lancelot? He needs to be here. Just in case."
He bent down and kissed her on the top of her head. Once he straightened up he answered, "I will. I will go and see Anne and Owain also."
Elaine nodded in response, still not looking away from her sick son. Gwaine left her alone. "Come on, my little darling." She spoke gently to Galahad, who was mumbling something in his sleep. "Fight it. Please."
A/N: Sorry for the late update. Been crazy busy. What did you think? Do you want a proper Gwaine/Elaine/Lancelot triangle where she sort of has an affair with Lancelot? :/
Response from chapter 54:
libertyrunmom: I'm not too sure about a love interest for Lancelot. It's on the cards but not too sure. Lol. I want to stray from the legend but not too far. I am sticking to most of it. Like (spoiler) Galahad finding the Holy Grail.