Chapter 62: The End Of An Era
"Girls," Elaine rasped as she woke up. "Get your father. Please." She stroked their hands as she spoke. "And your brother."
"Yes, Mama." Anne spoke softly and kissed her cheek. She and Maria silently left their mother, not really wanting to go.
Elaine lay in silence, taking slow breaths. "Papa." She smiled at the familiar sight of her father. He stood at the end of her bed. "I'm coming, Papa." She lifted her hand towards him but brought it back down when he walked away. "I'm coming, Papa." Her breathing was coming out quicker. She knew she did not have long. Especially if she was seeing her father again.
"Is mother going to die today?" Maria asked as she trotted next to her sister.
Anne was older and walked a lot quicker than her younger sister. Plus, she did it on purpose as she thought it made her look older if she walked taller and quicker. "I don't know, Maria. We just have to find Papa."
"I don't want her to die." The younger sister stopped walking and watched her sister, who strode on ahead.
"Come on, Maria." Anne talked over her shoulder, not caring if her sister was following.
Maria didn't follow. She stayed where she was and watched her sister disappear around the corner. Her lower lip trembled as she thought about her mother. She didn't want her to go. It was not fair. Her mother was supposed to live for a long time. Why did she have die? She moved to the high window. Lifting her purple dress a little and stood on the wooden bench to be able to see outside. She could see her cousin's army assembling below. For all of her ten years, she had never seen war or seen anyone leave for war. She stepped down and sat on the bench. She buried her face in her hands and wept. She was scared.
"Maria?" The voice of her elder brother spoke from her right.
She looked up, her lower lip trembling and tears running down her cheeks. "She's dying."
He sat next to her and pulled her into his arms. "I know, darling. But if Mother dies, it means she won't be in pain any more."
"I know but I don't want her to go." She welcomed his comfort, resting her head on his chest and wrapping her arm around him.
"Nor I." He kissed the top of her hair. "Why are you here? I thought you were with Mother."
"She sent us to fetch you and Papa." She gave a loud sob. "I think she's going to die today."
Galahad felt hot tears build up in his eyes. "Come on. Let's go back to her." He kissed the top of her hair again.
"Elaine?" A soft voice spoke next to her. "Little Princess?"
"Mama." She smiled as she turned to see her mother sitting next to her. "I'm coming, Mama."
"Shhhh." The former Queen of Corbenic smiled down at her daughter and stroked her cheek. "You take your time."
She smiled weakly and nodded. "I just need to see the children first." Her speech coming out of pants, barely able to speak. She was too tired to even speak. "And Gwaine."
"I know, my darling." She bent down and kissed her on the head.
Anne pushed her way into the King's audience chambers. "Let me though!" She pushed a large man, who grabbed her by the wrist. "Take your hands off me!" Pulling her hand from his grip.
"You cannot see the King." He grabbed her wrist again.
"Get off me!" She was extremely stubborn for a young girl. "I need to see the King. He will see me." Pulling her hand from him. "Don't you dare touch me again!"
"Princess Anne!" Percival had seen the altercation and stood next to her. "My Lord, I would ask you to step away. Next time you place a finger on a member of the royal family, I shall personally cut off your hands." He waited for the Lord to leave them before looking down at his friend's daughter. "Anne, you shouldn't be here."
She shook her head. "I need Papa and the King. Mama has gotten worse. They need to come quick. Where's Galahad?"
"He just left. I think he's gone to see your mother." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and guided her through the crowds. "Sire," he bowed to Arthur, who did not look up from the maps. "Gwaine."
"Papa." Anne sobbed his name. "She needs you." Both Arthur and Gwaine abandoned what they were looking at and looked up at Anne. The 14 year old girl had tears falling down her cheeks and she would not wipe them away. "Please Papa." Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Gwaine and Arthur rushed around the table. Gwaine wrapped his arm around Anne and led her out of the room.
When Gwaine, Anne and Arthur arrived in the bed chambers, they found Galahad and Maria sitting with Elaine, and Merlin standing nearby. Elaine was asleep. Gwaine thought she looked so small. He sat next to her and gently held her hand. She shifted in her sleep and woke. "Gwaine," whispered Elaine, barely able to say his name any louder.
"Shhhh..." He murmured, placing a cool cloth on her forehead. "Just rest."
She gave him a small smile and nodded. "Thirsty."
"Give this." Merlin stepped forward. He dipped a clean cloth in a jug of water. "Suck the cloth, my Lady. Don't drink too much." He gave the cloth to Gwaine, who held it close to Elaine's lips. He placed a hand under her head and helped her to have some water from the damp cloth.
She took a small drink and shook her head a little. "All done." Gwaine smiled down at her as he handed the cloth to Merlin, and gently placed her head back on the pillow. "Better?"
"Much better." She croaked and took slow breaths. "My mother is here. And my father." She looked at the foot of the bed, where no one stood. "And my little boy. Owain." She gave a small smile as she stared at the empty space. "I'm coming," she murmured.
Those around her watched her as she let out her last breath. "Elaine?" Gwaine spoke softly, looking down at her. "Elaine?" He shook his head in denial. "No! No!" He lifted her up into his arms and sobbed against her shoulder. "NO!" He screamed in despair.
Anne sobbed in her cousin's arms and Maria was being comforted by Galahad. Merlin stood back and watched the scene in front of him. It was heartbreaking to see them all mourning the loss of Elaine. She was so young. It was too soon for her to go. He stepped away and left the room, where Arthur's men were waiting for the King. "I suggest you go." Merlin spoke softly to the nearest Lord, who happened to be the one Anne met with earlier.
"We need to see the King." He demanded, his loud voice booming.
"You cannot." Merlin stood in front of the door. "Guards, do not let any one inside."
"And why not?" The rude Lord stood up to Merlin.
"Queen Elaine has died." Merlin announced to those closest to him. "So, I would ask you to give the family some space and some respect." His eyes fell on the Lord in front of him, who was shifting on his feet uneasily. "So, leave." Every person walked away from the door. Merlin turned back and walked back into the room. It was a different scene. Gwaine had placed Elaine back on the bed and was kneeling on the floor next to the bed. His hands clasped around Elaine's. Galahad was kneeling on the other side of his mother. The girls were being comforted by Arthur. He stepped forward and officially declared Elaine's death.
"Long live the King." Arthur spoke softly, looking in Galahad's direction.
Galahad looked up from his mother and looked over at Gwaine, who gave him a nod. "Take the ring. It's your birthright now." Gwaine spoke softly, his hands still gripping Elaine's pale hand.
Galahad pulled the ring from his mother's finger and held it in his hand. "I can't do it. I'm scared." Looking down at the ring. It was the lightest thing in his hand but the responsibility of wearing it made it seem heavier.
"You can do it." Gwaine spoke quietly. "Your mother believed in you. I believe in you."
"You can do it, Galahad." Maria spoke up. She pulled herself away from Arthur and moved next to her brother. "I know you can." She wrapped her arms around him, comforting him.
Galahad stood next to his stepfather and youngest sister as their mother was buried. He had broken tradition and held his sister's hand. He was meant to show leadership and stand alone with his mother's knights, his knights. But when he saw the tears running down Maria's face, he moved straight to her side and held her hand. They stood in silence as the funeral continued on. Elaine had only died a few days before but Gwaine insisted that she be buried soon. Arthur received another threat from Mordred. Gwaine wanted Elaine's body to be safe if they attacked Camelot. She was buried next to her father, which was explained in her will.
Galahad led both of his sisters inside and to the bedchambers. "Right, you are to stay here. Sir Pellinore will stay with you. I have to go with the King."
"No," protested Maria. "I want you to stay here."
Galahad looked over at Anne, who gave him a small nod from the dressing table. "You know I cannot. I have to meet the Corbenic knights and soldiers. Then I have to help cousin Arthur to defeat Mordred." He knelt in front of his sister. "I will come back, I promise." He pulled his sovereign ring from his finger and placed it in her hand. "This is my promise. I will come back for you girls and mother's ring."
"Yes." Maria wrapped her fingers around the ring and flung herself at her brother, hugging him tightly. "Come home to us."
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. "I will. I promise." He pulled away from Maria and kissed her cheek. "Now, be good for your sister and for Sir Pellinore."
"I will." She stepped away from him and let him hug her older sister. The girls stood together as he left the room. Giving them a quick smile and nod before he closed the door, leaving them alone. They both stared at the door, thinking they would never see their brother ever again.
A/N: Well... Elaine has died. I was going to have her die in Corbenic originally and then come to Camelot on a death boat. To merge her with two legendary Elaines but I liked the idea of her dying with her family there. The idea of her death came from watching The White Queen. I sort of copied Anne Neville's death scene, where she thought her family were with her, even though they were dead.
I will say two more chapters and that is it. :)
Response from chapter 61:
Moon Fox: Well, Elaine is gone. :( Hope you liked the chapter. :)