Chapter 61: The End Is Near

Lancelot stood before the King and all of the knights of Camelot. It was his trial. He dreaded facing all of his former friends. He stood looking at his feet. His hands were still in shackles. He felt like he was on trial for murder. "Sir Lancelot, you have been brought before the round table for treason. How do you plead? Guilty or not guilty?"

He hung his head in shame. "Guilty." There was no point in fighting for his innocence, there was too much evidence against him. "Guilty for loving a woman. A woman I loved for a very long time and did nothing."

"You had an affair with a married woman. The queen!" Sir Kay shouted at Lancelot, the knight sitting next to Kay, flinched slightly when Kay raised his voice.

Gwaine watched Lancelot. He could see that Lancelot was being genuine. Every word spoken by Lancelot was heartfelt. Not many of the knights were sympathetic towards the man. Gwaine could not believe that he was feeling sorry for Lancelot. For years, Lancelot pursued Elaine and gave up when it became obvious that she did not want him. He knew that Lancelot had loved Gwen before he even met Elaine. "Lancelot has a right to speak." The knights had been arguing amongst themselves and once Gwaine spoke, they fell silent. Arthur was sitting still and say nothing. This was too hard for him. "Let him be heard."

Arthur gave him a nod. He was grateful for Gwaine's voice in these arguments. "Let the accused speak. He maybe a traitor to the crown. But he was a knight of the round table. He has every right to make a plea for his life."

Lancelot raised his head and looked up at Arthur for the first time since his arrest. "Thank you, my Lord." He stood up tall, trying to find his confidence. "I did not pursue the affair with the intent of damaging the Kingdom of Camelot. I love Guinevere." The men, except Arthur and Gwaine, hissed at the mention of the former Queen. "I denied it for so long. But I couldn't. I am truly sorry for my actions. I take full responsibility. I will take the full punishment." He dipped his head. "Please, do not punish the Queen. I will take the blame."

"It is for the King to decide," spoke Pellinore softly. None of Lancelot's former friends, those who were closest to him, dared to speak up. They still loved Lancelot but they did not want to speak up for Lancelot.

Arthur stood up slowly. "Lancelot. You have committed treason. The punishment is death. You will be executed tomorrow at noon."

"What about Gwen?" Lancelot spoke up.

Arthur finally laid his eyes on Lancelot. "She will be executed with you. She has also committed treason." He nodded to the guards. "Take him to the dungeons." The guards pulled Lancelot from the room, the doors slamming behind them. "My knights. We have more pressing matters. Mordred and Morgana have received more men for their cause. We have to act now." For hours, they argued and agreed on plans.

No one knew how it happened but Lancelot and Gwen escaped in the night. Arthur did not have the time nor the energy to find them. He was much more focused on protecting his Kingdom and the people. He would never find out that it was Merlin, who had helped Lancelot and Gwen to escape. He did not want to see his friends killed for doing something so stupid. Merlin did not want to see them die. He made them promise that they would never return to society and come nowhere near Camelot. They did and they left quickly, not looking back.

"Sir Gwaine!" Mary rushed up to the knight as fast as she could run in her condition towards the knight, he had just left the great hall, where they were discussing whether to go after Lancelot and Gwen. "It's the Queen. I went to see her and see if she needed anything, I found her unconscious on the floor."

"No!" Gwaine gasped and moved around Mary, running through the castle. He pushed people out of his way, not caring about their protests. He needed to get to his wife. "Elaine!" He cried when he entered her chambers. They had been in Camelot for a week and her health had deteriorated rapidly. She was not alone. Their daughters were sitting with her. He was at his wife's side in seconds. "Elaine?" He took her hand in his. She was laying against many pillows. The windows were closed and tapestries covered the windows, hiding the sun. A fire was burning in the fireplace, causing the room to be stuffy and too hot to be in.

She fluttered her eyes open and focused on him. "Gwaine," her voice barely a whisper. She looked extremely pale. Her hair had been let down and was flowing down over her shoulders. "I'm sorry. I should have sent for you sooner." Her breathing coming out in pants. "What's going on with Lancelot and Gwen?"

"They've escaped together. But Arthur has too much to deal with. He will not be going after them. He is going to war against Morgana and Mordred. He wants me to go too. I won't. I'll stay with you and the girls. You need me." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

"No," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "Arthur needs you." Her hand gripped his as much as she could.

He shook his head. "No. I'm not going anywhere until you are better." He shifted closer to her.

"Oh my love." She shook her head. "I'm not going to get better. You know that." She lifted his hand and kissed his knuckles. "Go with Arthur. He needs every man."

"No." He continued to disagree with her. "I cannot. I don't want to leave your side." He pulled his hand from hers and stroked her cheek delicately. She was warm. Too warm. "I'll get Merlin. He'll make you better."

Elaine grabbed his hand and shook her head. "No, my love. It is time."

He shook his head. "No. No." Tears fell down his cheeks slowly. "I need you." He gave a small sob. "Elaine, please."

She laughed weakly. "I know. I know. I need you too. But it's too late." She turned her attention to her two girls. "Go get your brother." She smiled at them both. "Please." They nodded and climbed off the bed. They bobbed into a curtsey and left their mother and father alone.

"I can't do it." Gwaine whispered and brought her hand to his lips. "Please. Maria is only 10. You can't leave her. What about Anne? She has to marry in four years time. She'll want her mother there."

Elaine laughed softly. "I wish I could be here. I won't be." She gave him a small smile. "I don't want to go but I do. It's my time, Gwaine. I've done what I have needed in this world. My kingdoms are at peace. My son is of age and can rule without a regent." She gave Gwaine a large smile, as much as she could. "You will be there for him. So will Arthur. Promise me. Please promise me."

He nodded slowly. "Yes. I promise you." Kissing her hand once more. They spoke quietly together until Galahad and the girls returned.

Arthur also entered the room. "Elaine? Why didn't you say?" He stood behind Anne, who was sitting next to Galahad.

"Mother." Galahad sighed. He was holding his mother's hand and Gwaine was sitting on the opposite side with Maria. "Don't go."

"I have to. My time is up." She breathed heavily, trying to grip Galahad's hand for comfort. But she had very little energy in her. "I know you are only 18. But you will make an incredible King."

"No, mother." He shook his head and brought her hand to his lips, brushing his lips against her knuckles.

Elaine laughed quietly "Yes. You will have your cousin to help you. If he does not, I will come back and personally haunt him until he does." People in the room chuckled quietly. "I know you will do amazing things. Look after your sisters but mostly, look after Gwaine."

"Elaine," sighed Gwaine.

"Now, I've left a new will with my councillors." She spoke softly. "I wrote it last year. When I was last ill." A year earlier, Elaine had fallen severely ill with influenza. Declan believed that the illness had weakened her heart. "Don't argue with me." She gave her son a look, since he was about to argue with her. "You have no choice but to agree with me. I'm your mother."

Galahad gave a laugh and shook his head. "Don't make me laugh. I don't want to laugh."

Elaine laughed also. "You're allowed to laugh." She found a little strength and squeezed his hand a little. "Now, I'm not going yet. Arthur, you have things to do. Take my husband and son away to distract them."

Galahad reluctantly stood up when Arthur placed his hands on his shoulders and urged him to stand up. "I will be back later." He leant down and kissed her on the forehead. "I love you."

She gave him a smile. "I love you too."

He stepped away and Arthur sat next to Elaine. "Oh cousin. Always hiding your secrets." He brought her knuckles to his lips and kissed them. "I will come back with Galahad after." He bent over and kissed her on the forehead. She felt warm to his touch. A little two warm. He gave her a small smile before he and Galahad left.

"Gwaine, go." Elaine urged her husband. "The girls can stay with me."

"Yes." He nodded and kissed her softly before he reluctantly left her with their daughters. Once the three were alone, Anne and Maria kicked off their shoes and climbed onto the bed with their mother. They lay either side of her, their heads close to her shoulders.

"Now, my girls. I wish I could stay and see you become accomplished women. I know you will be." Smiling at the both as they held her hand tightly.

"Don't go, mother." Anne spoke softly, tears streamed down her cheeks. "I don't want to be without you." Grasping her hand tighter. "Please mama."

Elaine laughed and shook her head. "I cannot, my darlings. It is my time to go. But I know your Papa will be with you for a very long time."

Maria sniffed and buried her head in Elaine's shoulder. "Mama. I'm scared. I don't want to be without you."

"I know, my love." Her breathing was coming out quicker and in pants. "I need some sleep. Stay with me, my girls." Whispering as she fell asleep. Neither girls fell asleep. They stayed awake. Not wanting to fall asleep.

A/N: I am so so so so sorry for the late update. I have been so busy with work and my other fics. Hope this chapter is all right. The story is very close to ending. :(

Response from chapter 60:

Moon Fox: So sorry for the late update. As for Gaius, I see him as a former sorcerer and from the Series finale, we see Merlin still around in the modern day, so I think Gaius will live to an extremely old age.