Chapter 59: Ten Years Later

The royal family of Corbenic rode towards the Kingdom of Camelot. They were arriving for Galahad's induction into the Knights of Camelot. Since he was 13, he had been training with his cousin's knights and now he was becoming one. Arthur insisted that Galahad become a knight before he turned 19. Elaine and Gwaine rode at the head of the column with their daughters riding behind them. Anne was 14 and Maria had recently turned 10. For ten years, both of Elaine's kingdoms had been at peace. Which was a relief for the Queen.

"Are you well, love?" Gwaine asked her as he rode close next to her.

She turned her head and nodded. "Yes, thank you. Just shocked that Galahad is growing up. Eighteen years ago he was just a baby."

Gwaine laughed loudly. "I won't forget that day."

"Why is that, Papa?" Maria asked innocently from behind them.

He turned in his saddle and smiled at his youngest. "It was the day I met your mother." He turned back around and looked forward, where Camelot stood in the distance. "Well, it shall be 19 years ago on your brother's birthday."

"Ah right!" She said with interest. "Will we see Cousin Arthur when we get to Camelot?"

"Yes, we will." Elaine chuckled softly. "He will greet us when we get there." She kicked Eirwen's flanks and moved into a trot. "We best move a little quicker. It looks as if it will rain." She looked to the sky, where black clouds were forming above them. The family were arriving into Camelot when the rain fell heavily onto them. They all rushed inside the warmth to greet the King and Queen. Elaine led her family towards the throne room, pulling her cloak and gloves as she walked. She was extremely excited to see her son again. For the past 5 years, she had barely seen him. In the five years, they had been apart, she had seen him three times. Each time he grew different and he seemed distant to her.

The large double doors opened for them. "Ah! Cousin!" Arthur smiled when Elaine entered the room and walked the long walk towards her cousin. They met in a tight hug. "You look tired."

"You try raising two girls and Gwaine." She chuckled weakly and kissed his cheek. "Your cousins are dying to see you. And I am dying to see my son." She gave a small smile as she looked around the room. "Where is he?"

"He is out training with Percival." He gave a small smile.

"Oh. I see." She said sadly. Last time she saw Galahad was a year ago and he did not want to spend time with her then. Which really upset Elaine. She put on a brave face for those around her but those closest to her knew that she had been upset by her only son. "I shall see him later." She smiled broadly at Arthur. "I think we shall all go and dress into dry clothing." She kissed Arthur's cheek again.

"Of course, cousin. Your rooms are ready for you." He gestured for her to walk with him. "Are you well? You look thin." He held his arm out to her.

She laughed softly. "Shut up. I am fine. It's been a long journey. I had hoped to see my son but he is too busy for little me." Giving a small smile as they walked up the stairs. Her family not too far behind.

"I will speak with him. I told him to be here when you arrived." Arthur spoke angrily. He was annoyed with Galahad for slighting his mother. It had only been recently that the young man had become distant with others and emerged himself in studies and training. Especially in the last year. "I shall speak to him. You are his mother and his Queen. He has no right to ignore you in such a way."

She shook her head. "Don't worry about it, Arthur. I don't mind it. He's a busy boy. Sorry, not a boy. He's a man now. He doesn't need his mother worrying about him." They reached the door to her guest chamber. "Now, let me change and I shall see you at dinner." She kissed his cheek and entered her chambers.

Arthur remained outside with Gwaine. "How is she really?"

"Not sleeping. Barely eating. Ever since Carter died, she's become a shell. Not wanting to do anything with the girls unless they ask. She has become obsessed with work and readying things for Galahad's return." Gwaine sighed heavily. "Where is the bloody boy?"

"Training." Arthur said shortly. "He's been moody lately. Constantly studying and training with the knights."

"What of his relationship with Lancelot?"

"Distant. Very distant. They don't even speak." The two walked away from Elaine's chambers. "They had a fight last year, when you were last here. They have not spoken since." Arthur explained to him as they walked down the stairs. As they reached halfway, Galahad had walked into the castle. Gwaine was about to storm down to him but Arthur stopped him. "Don't be hard on him. Something is troubling him and I do not know what it is."

Gwaine shook off Arthur's arm. "Boy!" He walked down the stairs quickly and grabbed Galahad's arm, pulling him up the stairs. "You go to your mother and apologise. You have hurt her by not being here to greet her."

"Get off me, Gwaine!" Galahad pulled his arm out of his stepfather's grip. "I'll do as I please." He glared at Gwaine but Gwaine could see a fear in the young man's eyes. "So, leave me alone."

"Galahad? What's wrong?" Gwaine lowered his voice. "Tell me."

"I cannot." Galahad shook his head, his eyes flickering to look at Arthur for a moment. "I'll go to mother and make my apologises." He walked away from Gwaine, his red cloak billowing behind him. He walked the many steps to his mother's rooms and paused outside her door. How could he face her? How could he keep the secret from her any longer? He raised his fist and knocked on the door twice.

"Come in." Her soft voice came from inside. He opened the door and walked inside. He saw her standing in the middle of the room, wearing a dark blue dress and her long hair hanging loose. "Galahad." She said sternly.

He knew he was in trouble. He cast his eyes to the floor and knelt in front of her. "I am sorry, my Lady Mother. I beg your forgiveness," he paused, "and your council."

She held her hand out to him. "Up."

Galahad took her hand and kissed it before rising to his feet. "Mother." He wrapped his arms around her and she responded the same.

"My boy." She held him tightly. "Guard!" She pulled away from her son as a guard entered her room. "Close my door and let no one inside. Not even Sir Gwaine. Not even the King."

"Yes, my Lady." He bowed and closed the door as he left.

"Now," she led Galahad to the chairs by the fire, "what is troubling you?" They sat opposite you. "What is it, darling?"

He took a deep breath and pulled his chair closer to his mother. "I saw something. Something I wish I had not seen but sworn not to repeat to another living soul." He reached for her hand and held it tight in his own. "Mother, I cannot keep the secret any longer."

"What is it?" Elaine was severely afraid of what her son would say to her.

"I saw the Queen leaving Sir Lancelot's chambers one night. I saw them kiss. I confronted him but he denied it happened. I called him a liar and I have not spoken to him ever since." He looked up at her face and saw a great difference from the year before. She was much thinner and looked tired. "What do I do, mother?"

She thought for a moment before she spoke to him, "Do you know if they are still continuing their affair?"

"Yes, they are. I have not seen them together but I can tell. She watches him an awful lot. Sometimes, she does it without realising that people can see what she is doing." He pulled his hand from his mother's hand and stood up. He leant against the fireplace, looking down at the flames. "I know he is my father but what he is doing is treason." Galahad turned to face his mother once more, who was silently watching him. "Help me, mother." He knelt in front of her and rested his forehead against her knees. "I don't know what to do."

Elaine ran her fingers through his hair. "I think you do know what to do."

He nodded slowly and looked up at her. "I have to tell Arthur."

"You do." She nodded and ran her fingers through his hair. "Wait until your knighting and then tell him. I will talk to Lancelot and see what he says."

"No. Mother, don't. Let them continue thinking that I am the only person who knows." He held her hand in both his and kissed it. "I've missed you, mother."

"I have missed you too. Now, go and see your sisters." She brought his hands to her lips and kissed his fingers. "They've missed you."

He gave a small smile. "Yes, mother." He stood up and helped her to her feet. "You look tired. Get some sleep before dinner." He kissed her cheek and stepped away from her. He bowed to her and left her alone.

Elaine sighed heavily and sat down on the chair. She was tired. She had been tired for a very long time. Only she and Declan knew what was wrong. She was going to watch Galahad's knighting and then she was going to return home. She was going to leave without the children and Gwaine. She wanted to be alone. It wasn't right but it was what she wanted.

Elaine smiled broadly as she watched her son kneel before Arthur. She felt a surge of pride for him. There was one thing she could not help. She kept looking at Guinevere. She noticed that Gwen was not happy and that her eyes were watching Lancelot too often. Arthur's loud voice brought her from her thoughts, "I give you the Knights of Camelot."

Elaine smiled as her son bowed to the King. He was ready to be King. She held her head high as she felt the usual pain in her heart. She took slow breaths as she followed Arthur and Gwen from the council room and into the Great Hall. "I'm going to go and lie down," whispering to Gwaine.

"What's the matter, love?" He held her arm and led her away from the stream of people.

"I'm a little unwell." She leant her head against his shoulder. "I may return to Corbenic a little earlier. You and the girls can stay a little longer. They need this break."

"If you wish to." He kissed the top of her head. "Come on. I'll take you to bed."

"I'll take her, Gwaine." Galahad stepped forward. "I wish to speak to mother anyway." He held his arm out to Elaine, who took it. "I'll look after her. I'm officially a knight of Camelot." He smiled at his stepfather, who nodded and grinned back. The two waited for the party to leave. "Come mother."

"Carry me." She whispered weakly. "I can barely walk." Her hand gripped his arm tightly, leaning all her weight on him.

He wrapped his arm around her and lifted her into his arms. "Oh mother." He carried her up the stairs. Once in her room, he lay her on her bed. "Mother, what is wrong? Please tell me." He sat next to her and looked down at her.

"I'm dying. I have been for a long time. Declan says I have a disease in my heart." She reached up and pushed his hair away from his eyes. "I have little than a year left."

"No." Galahad shook his head. "I'll fetch Merlin. He'll know what to do."

Elaine shook her head. "There is nothing anyone can do. What do you mean Merlin?"

"I know what he is, mother." He smiled down at her. "He told me that he used magic to save you when you gave birth to Owain. I won't tell Arthur. I promised him that I would keep his secret." He reached down and pressed his hand on her forehead. "You are not warm."

"I'm just tired, Galahad." She gave him a weak smile. "Now, you have something very important to do. You have to tell Arthur about Gwen and your father."

He nodded. "But mother, he has so much on his mind. Morgana is raising an army with Mordred. They mean to kill Arthur and take Camelot. But I do not want to leave you."

"Now, my son. You have a very important role now. You are to be at your cousin's side and support him through everything. He needs you more than I need you." She rested her hand over his. "Now, go to your cousin and tell him the truth. He deserves to know."

Galahad nodded. "I know. You get some rest. I'll watch the girls." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "I'll have food sent up to you." He stood up and left her alone. It broke his heart to see her like that. Especially since he acted so badly to her for the past year. He loved his mother with all his heart and now she was dying. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know how to be King. In his heart, he didn't want to be King. He walked towards the Great Hall, nearly walking into Merlin. "Oh Merlin."

"Sir Galahad." Merlin bowed and smiled. But the smile fell when he saw Galahad's grave face. "What is it?"

"It's my mother. She's very ill." He allowed Merlin to pull him aside. "She won't accept any help. I can't be King. Merlin, I cannot do it." Tears fell down his cheeks. It was all too much for him. "And then, there is my father."

Merlin nodded. "Galahad, I know about him and Gwen. I have not said anything as I don't want to hurt Arthur."

"I'll tell him. They cannot do this to him. My cousin deserves to know that truth." Galahad nodded as he wiped away his tears quickly. "Could you take food to my mother? I will speak with Arthur." The two men parted ways.

A/N: This is coming to an end I'm afraid. BUT there will be two short sequels.

Response from chapter 58:

Moon Fox: :) Thank you for noticing that. I went back and changed it. I think I had been watching The White Queen when I wrote chapter 58 and just put in Richard. :)