It was a tranquil sort of calm; where the thumping of his footsteps atop the grass, and the steadiness of Arturia's breath on the back of his neck made to take his mind off of the current circumstance. Strands of her long hair that were no longer tied up into a bun after the previous activities fell down to hang steadily just over his face. His left eye twitched as a few strands assailed it, but he disregarded them in favour of readjusting his grip on her as she lost herself more and more to the sweet embrace of sleep. She inadvertently let out a small jumble of garbled words of displeasure from the movement, yet he knew they were only because of her exhausted state. Her head soon found purchase lulling atop his shoulder as she once again began to let out soft breaths. He felt the way her arms subconsciously tightened around him, seeking heat from the cold night breeze.
He couldn't fault her though as it was just nearing the end of Summer at around late September; the days warm, but the evenings still chilling in the flat terrain surrounding Roan.
She wasn't wearing the armour he was used to seeing on Saber, and instead, she was wearing the green tunic and brown trousers that Merlin had gifted to her for use. They were embroidered, long lines of arching golden patterns and designs that spoke of the nobility of the era evident to see. Just from the feel of them alone on his back, he could tell that their material was not made of rough linen or wool. Rather, it felt more like silk, the kind where one could derive pleasure from running a hand down its surface. In any case, it was thin.
He didn't mind her actions though, even when her face soon burrowed itself at the nape of his neck. At that moment, he quickened his breathing and held his muscles taught to increase blood flow, letting his body emit more heat in exchange for a light sheen of sweat.
It was in this state, that he continued walking.
The magi he had faced before who had been after their own interests didn't dare approach carelessly.
If Efret still surveying from the sky wasn't enough, then the swords floating around him at a distance of ten meters surely would. They weren't Noble Phantasms, but they were Mystic Codes never before seen in Arturia's timeline. Each of them emitted a mystery that caused one's mind to momentarily blank. Such was the case when he had stumbled upon a Magi hidden within the foliage away from Efret's view. Clearly this Magi had been waiting for him as a Mystic Code of the Magi's own was present in a hand.
Yet clearly, the Magi didn't understand who he was dealing with.
A sharp glint appeared in Shirou's eyes, and the swords around him surrounded the Magi before the Magic could even release himself from his stupor.
He showed no mercy; even the regret that bubbled up from within his heart was snuffed out from the reminder of the girl he shouldered on his back. She shouldn't have been so exhausted or come so close to a life worse than death for the sake of another's greed. If she hadn't been able to utilize her Magic Core then…
He didn't want to think about it, and immediately, a sword descended.
Blood mixed into the dirt, showering the grass and the tall reeds with a heavy tint of crimson. The pungent smell of iron wafted into the air, smoking bits of flesh eroding away and becoming ash by a quiet flame.
"Y-You," the magi rasped, stumbling back from the hole that suddenly appeared on his chest. "W-Who are you?"
Though dying, the Magi didn't plead for mercy. It was below most magi anyway as to be a Magus is to walk with death.
He didn't answer.
As far as he was concerned, there may be other Magi nearby and away from Efret's sight who could listen to him with a type of magecraft.
What he had done and shown tonight had made the Magi question themselves. Should they risk going against him? After all, just relying on the fact that he had utilized a Noble Phantasm was enough to put him on the same level as the reclusive Fraga Family of the Moonlit World and that was because they too possessed a Noble Phantasm. Even in the future, the Fraga Family was well respected. In any case, his current appearance was young, and the fact that he carried a Noble Phantasm would mean one of two things to the other Magi. One he had been abandoned and left to his own, and two, he was highly valued to whatever family of Magi he belonged to.
Furthermore, there was Efret.
The Phantasmal Beast of the Ashton Family.
It was probably the first in history that a Phantasmal Beast would act as a familiar. Not only would attacking him mean that a Magi may have to face a supposed backing of another line of Magi, but Efret would have to be taken into account as well.
Speaking of which, the Ashton Magic Crest began to cease its supply of magical energy as Efret descended down to perch on a tree branch, its size diminishing to normal. It's eyes though were blood shot as it glared at the little lion that had moved from Arturia's head to rest on top of his own.
"Lord, I kill weasel?"
For some reason, when he heard Efret speak in his mind, he could tell that all he would need to do to get Efret to take action was a single careless affirmation.
He quickly turned down Efret's insistent ramblings as he could recall that the little lion cub was quite fond of Arturia. That, and the lion cub itself whimpered under Efret's glower. He quickly instructed for Efret to ease off its oppressive aura.
Noticing this, the lion cub seemed to believe that it itself had fended off Efret's ire; it glaring back at Efret goadingly, the young never fearing the unknown. Immediately, Efret began seething, yet it concealed its discontent as it recalled it being reprimanded.
He didn't notice this interaction though, as the lion cub was atop his head.
He resumed his walk back to his lodgings at Roan, Efret flying down to walk by his side.
The Ashtons and the mystery that surrounded that family. It was something that he knew he was going to have to deal with in the future. And everything started with that diary he had picked up. As soon as all the pressing events were over, he resolved himself to discover the mystery hidden within the 'Ashton Assassination.'
Ignorance was bliss, but sometimes not knowing doesn't mean you weren't involved.
When Merlin called to meet with him the next day, he didn't put much thought into it before the man asked him his opinion about the Magi's gathering.
More particularly, his thoughts about what a Mage's Association should function as and the authority it would have across the land.
Merlin had not given him such an opportunity before, so it was clear that Merlin had seen something about him that altered initial opinions. No longer was he just a young magus, but now he was a fully-fledged one, and that distinction was the difference between night and day.
The weather was a tad sweltering, the sun overhead pouring directly into the new meeting location of the Magi's gathering. This was where Merlin had brought him after their discussion in the morning. As Arturia was still exhausted from the previous night, she hadn't come, still asleep on her bed.
It was a secluded location this time held together in the forest by Merlin who had constructed a small room with magic to house the gathering. In which case, of the dozens of Magi that had shown up before, less than half appeared now. After all, the majority were either killed, or chose not to come after realizing who was now hosting the event.
Forty or so odd people were seated at this gathering, some of which he could recall were there from the previous night. Lord Archibald for example and Lusanna were present. Both of the families they represented after all were of importance in the Mage's Association of the future.
An association whose sole purpose was to control, conceal, and develop Magecraft after foreseeing the decline of Magecraft. Yet they had went about it in the wrong way.
There were many such practices in the future that he himself could hardly agree with. Of course, one of the biggest being the separation of thaumaturgy from society and its policies to keep the masses ignorant. In some cases, doing so had helped to preserve magic, but even in the future, magic was declining due to old traditions. Even the oldest of Magi didn't understand how to use a telephone.
In which case, he knew how the power of thaumaturgy decreased based on how many people could replicate the art. This was evident in the decrease of power of elemental based thaumaturgy as man learned to harness the power of the elements in the future. Still, that just meant that the magus should focus on a thaumaturgy that has never before been seen instead of clinging to an art already established. That in itself is the continuation of the pursuit of research until a wall is reached, and magic is found. But the thing was, no Magus was ever willing to give up their craft and pursue another. Part of the reason the Mage's Association was created in the first place was to consolidate the existing power of the Magi in the era. A selfish reason, but more than understandable.
He hoped that he could prevent this complete split from society and a few other things.
The meeting began with Merlin giving a small greeting to those that came, pausing slightly as Merlin greeted the Madam from the Vernier family before moving on.
"We'll now begin this meeting," Merlin spoke casually before taking a seat.
It would appear as if Merlin would sit most of this out as this matter was truly for the magi of the era.
Lord Archibald stepped forward to speak, but before he could talk, another woman stepped forward.
"My name Alizine Barthomeloi, of the Barthomeloi family of magi," the woman introduced. She was wearing a backless satin dress that stretched all the way down to her feet, and her hair was tied up into a neat bun. Her expression just screamed imperious, like she looked down upon the others. "I believe we are all here today to speak of an important matter. And that matter is the preservation of the power of our thaumaturgy and the pursuit of research. Agreed?"
A chorus of acknowledgment resounded throughout.
"Then do you have any propositions?" Lord Archibald asked calmly. He had been interrupted from speaking by Alizine, but he didn't appear too troubled by it.
Alizine frowned before gently raising a thumb to her lip. "We can create an association to aid in the sole advancement of research, with several branches, preferably no more than three main ones to help oversee the work. Resources can be pooled, and we as magi can research as we like," she proposed.
This system was exactly as Shirou remembered it. The three branches that made up the Mage's Association, the Clock Tower, Atlas Academy, and the Wandering Sea. Aside from that, the gathering of resources was the same.
Lord Archibald gave a nod of acknowledgment to Alizine Barthomoloi. What she proposed was agreeable to all magi present.
Yet not all. Some fidgeted nervously as a more pressing topic came from those already feeling the effects of their thaumaturgy weakening. Prevalently, those who dealt with fire, an element long since harnessed by man.
"W-What are we to do about the weakening of our thaumaturgy?"
A voice asked.
For the longest time, no one answered. And that was because the most common method of preservation till the present date of the gathering of magi, was silencing through killing. Even still, they couldn't possibly kill everyone who knew of magecraft in the current era. It would be a genocide.
"We simply separate thaumaturgy from society itself," a soft voice proposed. "Thereby limiting the weakening of our craft while increasing our strength through our research."
Shirou's ears perked up. This one sentence had been what he had been waiting for. This method had already tried and failed in the future. In fact, magecraft may very well decline completely if magecraft followed the same timeline as he had seen in the future.
"I object to that," he rebuked under the disapproving glares from the crowd.
Merlin looked up at Shirou, but didn't say anything. It was the Madam out of everyone else who appeared interested in what Shirou was going to say.
"If we do as is proposed and separate ourselves completely from society, then what will we do when society gets so far ahead of us that our magecraft could no longer be considered as extraordinary?" He said. He had used the word 'when' because he had already seen it happen. There weren't many mysteries able to match the shear destruction of a nuclear bomb.
"Preposterous!"
Shirou was immediately reproached, but he already expected that it wouldn't be so easy. It was just that in wake of the previous night, no one dared to actually attack him for his words. Instead, it was just a chorus of criticism.
He put up with it, and waited for it to die down.
"My proposition, is to not entirely separate from society, but to stick close to them while still limiting the number of individuals with knowledge to magecraft," Shirou said.
It was quiet again as the magi contemplated. That was when the madam spoke.
"For the time being, I second such a thing," the Madam said. "Thinking about it clearly, it's impossible for every magus to just disappear away from the common populace. Separating ourselves will take time and a lot of effort whereas not separating with them would allow us to continue what we are doing now and even learn from what is created. I'm sure that everyone can see this?"
A few of the magi in the meeting reluctantly nodded, but the majority kept silent.
The Madam continued.
"Good. What we should discuss on this matter, is just our interference in Society."
Shirou's eyes narrowed as he heard what the Madam just said, a suspicion growing inside him.
The Madam placed her hands on her lap and spoke out clearly. "As Magi, we should not interfere in the business of mortals, but we should be allowed to act in the case of interest."
Shirou's eyes widened. This woman, she really was doing what he thought. In the current era, the only known users of magic were Merlin the Wizard, and the Witch Morgan. If what the Madam had just proposed were to be taken at face value, then she was suggesting that it wouldn't be a problem for other magi to interfere on the world stage.
As was already known, most magi in the era tended to scorn interacting with the common populace and instead devoted most of their time to their craft, but what if there was a gain to interfering? Perhaps a reward to entice them into action?
This was too dubious for him to allow to pass. Immediately he raised an objection, earning a scathing gaze pointed in his direction.
He didn't care, and throughout the entirety of the meeting, he continued to oppose her despite the various topics that passed. Eventually she fell silent, irritation clear in the aura she exuded.
In the end, the Madam didn't get what she wanted when Merlin interfered in Shirou's favour. Of the magi present, most didn't care about what the Madam had proposed and had just nodded their head when Merlin stepped in to quickly end the meeting. This wouldn't have been the case though if this proposition were proposed on the previous day before a majority of the magi present were either killed or fled. Not all magi were traditionalists who preferred a constant life of research. Some may very well have had joined the Madam if given enough of an incentive.
"I will remember this," the Madam transmitted to Shirou through telepathy as she left.
Shirou paid it no mind.
As the gathering ended, another meeting was proposed in the coming years to finalize what had been discussed. Thus, was how the first meeting of the Mage's Association concluded.
Several days had passed since the gathering of Magi had concluded for the time being, and even the local Harvest Festival had gone by.
The results of gathering of Maig weren't exactly what he had hoped for, but they were at least more beneficial towards the future. The only concern was anything he could have missed from the Madam's propositions, yet he wasn't clear on such obscure matters.
He feared he may only be able to understand by the time it was too late, and that was unacceptable.
Still, he couldn't do anything about it at the moment and instead focused his attention on Arturia and Emily who were currently in front of him. The both of them had insisted he accompany them to run a few errands, and Emily because she seemed to have something she wanted to talk to him about.
Therefore, here he was walking down the town square of Roan.
Merlin had left sometime in the morning to deal with certain matters that he had informed Arturia of, but not him. Yet, from the excited expression on Arturia's face and the glee in her steps, what Merlin had set out to do in the morning probably had something to do with Arturia.
It was only when he asked her did he find out that Merlin was crafting her a set of magic armour after her involvement with magecraft during the Magi's gathering. Thinking about it, he realized that it was probably the armour he had gotten accustomed to seeing on Saber.
A nostalgia soon overtook him and he found himself staring transfixed at Arturia.
"Is it that entertaining to stare at Arthur?" Emily asked perplexed, but nonetheless a tad reserved. She was normally outgoing and had grown confident in her articulation, but whenever she talked to him, she would revert into a demure state.
Having been caught by surprise, Shirou didn't know what to say in response to Emily's question; especially when he realized that Arturia had heard what Emily had asked and had gradually slowed down her pace to be within hearing distance, her ears tinged with a slight red.
"T-That, that is, uhm," he scrambled for the correct words to say, yet instead, he detected something else at that moment, a frown soon forming over his face.
"Something wrong?" Emily asked, noticing his shift in expression.
He didn't answer her right away, but when he did, he spoke curtly. "I'm going to have to apologize in leaving you both here. Something urgent came up," he said.
This response caused both Emily and Arturia to pause in their steps, Arturia even turning around to face him.
"Then we'll just come with you," Arturia spoke, crossing her arms.
Emily nodded her head on the side to show her agreement.
Yet, he didn't budge a single bit on the matter. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Besides, weren't you excited about Merlin giving you magical armour? You know Merlin's personality better than I; you shouldn't keep a guy like that waiting," he said first to Arturia before turning to Emily and giving her a nod.
Emily had something she wanted to discuss with him today, but this wasn't the time. Emily understood what he was trying to say and respectfully adhered to his wishes.
"Then we'll be going," Emily said softly as she nudged Arturia to urge her onward.
Arturia grimaced, her brows furrowing, but eventually she left with Emily. "You better catch up soon then!" she called from the distance.
"Yeah, definitely…" he trailed off as his head glanced sideward at the approaching woman.
Efret, who was perched on his shoulder was also staring at the woman.
As she walked, it didn't even appear as if anyone else could see nor hear her. She was like a phantom, a ghost.
"And what is it that you want?" He spoke coldly.
"My my, I don't recall making such a bad impression on you," the Madam from the Vernier family spoke slowly. "In fact, this is probably our first time talking outside of matters regarding the Mage's Association."
The madam stopped just in front of him, her arms crossed beneath her chest, and a hand propped up to rest on her chin as she regarded him coolly. "I came to invite you over to the Vernier estate to deal with certain matters."
He raised his brow. This was obviously a trap. Although he could consider himself impulsive, he didn't think that he was stupid. If the Madam was who he thought she was, then she would be dangerous to deal with even for someone like himself.
"I refuse," he immediately answered. Efret on his shoulder began to release a scathing heat in preparation for battle, but was forced to tone it down when it realized that there were villagers nearby.
"As expected," the Madam laughed, sweet and soft; it was the sound of tinkling bells. "Well then, I suppose you leave me no choice." She pointed a hand in the direction where Arturia and Emily had walked off to. From where the madam was standing, she could still discern their positions. "You have two choices: One, come with me, or two, I attack them and take my leave."
His expression sunk hearing the Madam's words.
"As I'm sure you know, that wretched future king would probably survive such an attack due to the blood of dragons, but what about the other girl? But then again, as soon as I attack Merlin will probably arrive immediately as it's impossible for him not have placed a protective magic, yet by then I'll be gone and the damage done," the Madam continued.
He considered what the Madam said, and realized there was a flaw in all this.
"Then what if I stopped you now?" He spoke.
His question actually left the Madam momentarily stunned. Still, the Madam humored him.
"Did you think I'd underestimate someone in possession of a Noble Phantasm? Perhaps you may be able to stop me, and at best I would just retreat, but what about the others staying at that small inn? You don't think I wouldn't monitor the target before contact, would you? Only a fool wouldn't do so, and I have spent plenty of time to get a grasp on someone with your kind of personality. Trust me when I say I know far more than what you can believe."
The madam uncrossed her arms, her expression beneath her hood, gloating. "Now will you follow, or not?" She asked.
Shirou was left at a tough position. He definitely had confidence that he could intercept the Madam from attacking Arturia and Emily, but he couldn't say the same for whatever magic the Madam had aimed at the inn the others were staying at. If Merlin was currently at the inn, then he wouldn't have to worry, but he knew that Merlin had left to create Arturia's armour.
Efret, squawked in warning towards the Madam to not try anything as Shirou reluctantly followed behind.
Eventually, the Madam led him and Efret back towards the Vernier Estate where she escorted them to an inner chamber located beneath the ground of the Madam's lodging.
The room was small, square, and covered in nothing but strange markings that smelled of gooseberries and pine. A magic seal of some sort.
"Now then, I believe introductions are in order," the Madam spoke as she sat at the only table in the room, prompting Shirou to sit across from her. She then raised a hand to her hood and gradually pulled it down, revealing a face that was cold, alluring, and calculative.
"My name is Morgan Le Fay," she introduced. "And I would like to know what it would take to get you to abandon that foolish sister of mine."
A day passed, a night spent in restlessness that effected some more than others.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Besides, weren't you excited about Merlin giving you magical armour? You know Merlin's personality better than I; you shouldn't keep a guy like that waiting."
Arturia pursed her lips, feeling regret for the first time in her life. So, what if she obtained magical armour from Merlin? The regality of it, the blues, the yellows, and the polished silver, it all meant nothing to her at the moment.
She had wanted to show it off to him first. In fact, dare she say, she looked 'pretty' in it.
And now, she would like nothing more than to discard the armour in exchange to return to that time before she parted with him.
A hand came to rest on her shoulder. It was Sir Ector.
At times like these, it was always Sir Ector who seemed to come to ease her mind, yet she knew that this time Sir Ector would be doomed to fail.
By the time the evening fell upon the second day, she had returned back to the lodgings, exhausted much like the others who scoured the entirety of Roan. Dirt covered her clothes, but that was because she had taken the extra effort to search the surrounding woodlands and plains around Roan. Emily was the only one similar to her, dirt covered and full of grass stains. Still, he wasn't there.
He just wasn't anywhere to be found.
When the third day came, Merlin had a sour expression on his face, the blaming eyes Arturia had been giving him, piercing in the destitution they contained within. If Merlin had come to them instead with the armour, wouldn't the situation never have had happened in the first place?
By the fourth day, Merlin had joined the rest and was actively searching. Out of everyone, only Merlin appeared to have an inkling of suspicion. And that suspicion led him to stand before the Vernier family's gates, Arturia and everyone else following beside him.
Arturia was feeling a sense of desperation at this point. At the end of the third day, she had even considered that Shirou was taken away by some monster; a goblin sort of thing that had used to haunt her nightmares as a young child, but she quickly dismissed the thought.
Standing in front of the Vernier family's gates, and being denied entry, for once in her life, rage and desperation were beginning to cloud her judgment.
After all,
Shirou had already been missing for four days.
Short Story
A Wizard, A King, and a Harvest Festival.
E
ver since seeing the events of that night of the first day of the Magi's gathering, Merlin had been constantly pondering to himself about matters regarding Arturia.
She was to become the saviour of the land; the future King that would lead Britain against the invading forces of the Saxon and the Jutes, and even the other nomadic tribes. Yet, all he had been able to see that night were the actions of an enamored young girl too ignorant to understand what it was she was actually feeling.
Taking a seat on a table provided by the inn, Merlin took a moment to eye the breakfast before him. He had gotten up early today before the others, but it would seem that Shirou had been up even earlier to prepare food. A habit perhaps? But nonetheless, he would partake of it as the teacher in their relationship despite not having taught Shirou anything yet.
While making himself comfortable, he pondered silently to himself about what he should do.
Arturia might have had already unknowingly fallen in love. A concept that she would probably not understand having been sheltered and raised as a Knight in a household of just men. Even then, she would have had minimal contact with anyone as her identity as a child of Uther was undercover.
Sighing, Merlin considered the possibilities from another perspective.
Shirou's to be exact.
Basing on what he had seen of Shirou's actions, the boy might have also developed feeling towards the opposite party. Yet unlike Arturia, Shirou would probably have a grasp on what he was feeling and may act upon it as any hot-blooded youth would. Uncharacteristically though, Shirou displayed a tenderness to Arturia not found in brazen adolescent men.
It would be quite charming and admirable really, if he didn't feel so threatened by it.
In any case, perhaps he would just have to dissuade Shirou from pursuing.
The future would be too cruel on Arturia's heart otherwise. Love, or a life of solitude. Sitting on a throne that oversaw the workings of the entire matter of Britain, she would always have that simple 'what if,' in her heart, piercing it like a thorn. Similarly, he knew that if Shirou acted now before Arturia even drew forth the Sword, Fate itself may change; the persuasive power of love unmatched throughout any era, making empires fall and rise like the fall of Troy.
It wasn't that he was opposed to it, as he would not condemn someone to a life of a lonely Kingship, but he believed that Arturia was still too young to see the bigger picture. Knowing her convictions, and the future he had foreseen, it was still best at least to attempt to dissuade Shirou.
Otherwise, as person like himself, he would just watch how events unfold, witnessing a future and a time that he had never before perceived.
The only question now, was how?
Or perhaps he wouldn't have to dissuade Shirou at all; it takes two to love.
Absently, he picked up a fork and knife, and cut away a small piece of the 'spiced' chicken meat Shirou had prepared for the morning. Shirou had used something called herbs to flavour the meat if he could recall correctly. But, nonetheless, it would be the first time he would have the opportunity to have one of Shirou's cooked meals since he had begun Arturia's training. After all, for some bizarre reason, none would ever be left for him by the moment he sat upon the breakfast table.
As the food entered his mouth, and the expression on his face shifted from a dull pondering to an enamored astonishment, he quickly shoveled the rest down. He didn't care about the devastated expression on Sir Ector, Kay, and everyone else's faces as they quickly walked in late. Instead, he scowled at them.
By god, those savages.
Still, as his eyes turned to the last piece of food left untouched on the table, 'French Toast' as Shirou called it, an idea soon flickered into his mind even as he released a wave of magic to fend off the competition.
"I-I can't believe I respected you!" Kay stuttered through gnashed teeth. "You monster!"
He shrugged his shoulders, as if he would care about the respect of a man.
Now then.
With class, the French Toast ended up on his plate, and the sound of him chewing echoed across the room along with the cussing of the others.
Music to his ears.
The Harvest Festival. A celebration held by the Town's people to celebrate and give thanks for the plentiful crops and food yielded.
A similar event was also held in Bristol but celebrated at a different time of the year due to the differences in crops, terrain, and commodities. Yet Bristol was somewhat small when compared to Roan.
He watched as Arturia's eyes brightened looking outside at the festive fervor filling the roads. It would be the first time that he knew that she would partake in a Harvest Festival. In the time he had spent with her in Bristol, she had chosen to remain undercover by obligation, and had not participated in such events aside from watching. Here in Roan though, no one knew her as the son of Sir Ector, and would hardly pay attention to her.
In this case, even Sir Ector gave his consent knowing just how much Arturia had had to put up with in her childhood days. To this regard, Sir Ector had pulled him aside to express thanks long ago.
He had responded back candidly, admitting that he would rather spend his time with a friend than in a town where he barely knew anyone at the time.
Regardless, in the Harvest Festivals in Bristol, it had always been him to come knocking on her door; bringing with him the various items he would need to create their own little Harvest Festival in that modest house of three.
This time, he resolved himself to show her a good time at an actual Harvest Festival.
Getting dressed and then making sure that the lion cub was in still sleeping in the inn, he took Arturia's hand in his and pulled her outside into the bustling streets under the exasperated gazes of Sir Ector and Kay. Oddly, Merlin had the same expression on his face.
Emily was nowhere to be found as of late, as she seemed to have found a relative of sorts that she would visit from time to time to discuss some matters.
Palamid and the Son of Wolfred were also out enjoying the Festival already. How could they not when the Son of Wolfred who had been pampered for most of his childhood got lost in nostalgia, dragging Palamid along.
He was different from the Son of Wolfred though. He did not pull Arturia along to satisfy his own sense of nostalgia, but to allow her to experience what it was like to be normal.
Not a King.
Not a Knight.
But a young adolescent of her age.
Stalls were set up alongside the streets of the town. So, cramped together were they that not even a carriage or a horse could fit their way through.
It was all so new in Arturia's eyes, and for a moment she just stood there, taking it all in as if she couldn't be part of such a thing.
Yet he was the variable who pulled her along; showing her that even though she may become a King in the future, there were some things that must be experienced by oneself. Only then will one understand what it was that they are protecting.
For him, it was just seeing the joy flashing across her eyes, like a child that had just arrived at an amusement park. To her, it was the experience in and out of itself.
The grip he had on her hand felt warm as they moved on from stand to stand. Everything Arturia had seen was new, drawing a light in her eyes he had only ever seen once in Sabers: when he had asked her out for a date.
He hoped to make sure she could experience such feelings time and time again.
An open field had been prepared in preparation for the Harvest Festival. In it, people were dancing, shouting, and laughing as they set ablaze a bonfire under the setting sun.
Arturia was transfixed, her mouth frozen in an o-shape as she stared.
"C'mon," he said, pulling her along to an area just out of sight, but near enough to still hear the sounds of music and chatter.
He smiled at her as she looked at him questioningly.
"Place your hand here," he said, guiding her. "And I'll place mine here."
The expression on Arturia's face soon grew flustered as she realized just how close he was to her.
His hands were placed just atop her waist, and hers were on his shoulders.
"Care for a dance?" He asked. He had noticed the way she had looked enviously at the others enjoying themselves but she had every right to do the same. He was only helping her.
Arturia slowly nodded her head, a dizziness taking over her as a palpable feeling of elation took root from within her. To be honest, she had never participated in such activities common in a festival. Her movements were dull, slow, and unattractive to look at, yet Shirou didn't mind. Always with that reassuring expression on his face.
At this moment, she didn't feel all the responsibilities that weighed down on her shoulders.
Just, just the feeling of the moment.
A youth she didn't think she would ever have.
Nothing seemed to matter.
This was exactly what Merlin had been apprehensive of. She didn't know it at the moment, but if Shirou were to ask her to leave with him, she wouldn't know what she would do. Things had already developed to that point.
The beat of the music traveling from the bonfire echoed out through the air, the clumsy and carefree dancing of two young adolescents undisturbed in the warmth of the moment.
By the time she grew hungry, and the excitement had somewhat worn off, it was then that Shirou found himself staring at a food stand with her.
She looked down at the coins she had on hand, and realized that she had already spent most of what Sir Ector had given her.
Shirou couldn't help her either as he himself had already given his portion of coins to allow her the freedom to do what she wanted during the Harvest Festival.
When her stomach growled again, and she refused to acknowledge it, it was then that Shirou decided to act.
Walking up to the food stand under Arturia's curious gaze, Shirou called out to the vendor. "Would you be interested in a deal?" He asked.
The food vendor was intrigued. Having noticed the clothes Arturia and Shirou wore, the vendor had been quick to assume that they were of Noble Birth.
"Aye?" The food vendor spoke, scratching a spot at the back of his head.
Arturia approached just as Shirou was pointing out at the supplies the food vendor was making bread from.
They were flour, butter, and eggs. Strawberries and blueberries were also out in display in large bowls.
"If you let me use your ingredients, I'll show you how to make something never before seen?" Shirou bartered.
It was just unexpected though that the food vendor would so easily give way. Unbeknownst to Shirou, it was because of the status a Noble represented. The vendor didn't even have the right to say no, yet neither he or Arturia had considered such a thing.
Giving his thanks to the vendor, Shirou took over the simple small fire the vendor was tending to.
The types of ingredients he had to work with were small, but it was expected with how far back in time he was. Therefore, he would just have to make something simple, and quick to avoid troubling the food vendor any further.
He settled on a crepe. It was fairly simple to make, and he had the ingredients necessary.
The flour.
The butter and the eggs.
Some salt he had obtained from Bristol.
And a few other things he had on hand.
First, he crushed the blueberries and strawberries into a jam like consistency that was smooth if a but rough due to the presence of seeds. In any case, he then placed the jam to the side and began work on the actual crepe, a variant of the pancake created as a mistake in the future by a boy named Henri.
Under his experienced hands
The first crepe in history was born and stuffed with blueberry filling. One he gave to the vendor, and the other to Arturia.
She had never seen anything like it before. She had eaten pancakes, but this was different. As she took her first bite, the taste of blueberries and sweetness entering her mouth, she didn't know what to think. Only that one wasn't nearly enough.
The vendor out of everyone present was the most stupefied. Having never before tasted Shirou's cooking, and only then realizing that Shirou had shown him how to make it, he was filled with a sense of gratitude.
As Shirou made a few more crepes and then left the stand, the vendor waved fervently at his exit.
Meanwhile, Arturia was so absorbed in eating that she didn't realize that crepes were far messier to eat than just regular pancakes if one wasn't careful. Soon, blueberry stains were present on her cheeks and her finger tips, and seeing this, Shirou wiped them off.
Arturia's body grew rigid, a red hue forming on her face as she blushed. Such a scene of Shirou cleaning up after her had only ever happened when she was a child as she would often make a mess of herself while eating. Now that she was older, the fact she had done so again in front of Shirou was mortifying.
Yet just like in their childhood, Shirou was always accepting of her. It was to the point where she believed that even if she strayed from the proper path, Shirou would still follow her.
This assurance, this understanding, this ever-present feeling, was it called love?
Arturia suddenly swallowed. She didn't know what love was, so how could it possibly be? It must have been something else. Feeling born from shared memories.
Something she would always hold dear.
Her gaze became tranquil, enjoying the moment.
A Harvest Festival. It was her first, and a memory she would remember for an eternity.
At that moment, a white cloaked man appeared.
Merlin?
"A pleasant surprise to see you two here," Merlin spoke off handedly, casually taking a seat across from them who sat atop the grass.
It was then that Merlin's eyes trailed to the crepes Arturia was still eating from a small plate. Merlin then realized just who had made them.
Shirou stared at Merlin oddly as the man eyed him bringing out the rest of the crepes to eat, yet Merlin composed himself moments later after snatching them. What occurred next was completely unexpected to Merlin as the plate of crepes was then snatched from out of his hands.
Merlin's brow twitched as he realized just whohad snatched the food from his hands.
Arturia stared back at Merlin with a calm gaze, a small splotch of blueberry evident on her cheek as she had quickly taken a massive bite out of the fresh crepes.
Merlin cleared his throat irritably before taking out some refreshments and placing a cup down on the table.
Shirou stared at the cup as it just appeared to hold water. He was grateful then when Merlin slide it for him to drink from. Having worked over a fire, he had developed a sheen of sweat and had grown thirsty. Drinking from it, he didn't notice the flash that travelled across Merlin's eyes. What he did notice though was the ghastly expression that soon befell Merlin's face when Arturia took the cup and downed the rest of the contents after finishing the last bite of her crepe.
"Y-You," Merlin didn't even finish speaking before taking Arturia by the hand and leading her away.
Shirou who was left behind stared bewildered, not understanding what exactly had happened to incite Merlin to such action. However, it was only ten minutes later that he began to notice something was off.
Generally, when he was walking down the road, he was used to garnering attention from the townsfolk as the clothes he wore distinguished him as a Noble. Most of these gazes were from women and ambitious individuals however. Yet this time, there was something wrong with all the men.
When before the men had stared at him, it was always in challenge, a way to prove their masculinity through a duel of sorts. Now, now it was beginning to unnerve him.
His long and lush red hair waved in the wind, releasing a fragrance similar to a hearth's fire. His complexion was fair in the glowing dimness of the setting sun, his eyes, like amber jewels, demanding attention.
It was up to this point, that he froze. He didn't remember having long hair, nor did he recall his hands being so soft and small, the calluses gained from continues practice, gone.
A sinking feeling began to take root in his stomach, and immediately he made way towards the nearest source of water to see his reflection. What stared back at him was a beauty straight from a fairy tale.
He was wearing the leathers he had been wearing before, giving him an exotic sort of look. A woman dressed in the hunting garbs of a man.
"My fair lady, it was chance that guided us together at this moment,"
A voice echoed just behind his ears, his back stiffening as he recognized that voice.
Oh god.
He slowly turned around.
The Son of Wolfred was staring at him with widened eyes along with Palamid who was not too far off.
"H-Hello," he spoke with a grimace, immediately turning to move away.
"Wait a moment," the Son of Wolfred called in a heated voice before quieting down as the target of his gaze fell upon Palamid. Realizing that he was being a bit too eager in front of Palamid, the Son of Wolfred composed himself. "At least tell us your name," he asked.
Shirou's mouth twitched, and he immediately began moving away faster.
It was only when he heard a thumping sound that he paused and turned around to stare at Palamid.
Palamid had knocked out the Son of Wolfred, before staring hard at him.
"You're the same, aren't you?" Palamid probed, having an inkling of an idea after staring hard at Shirou's features. The red hair was too much of a reminder for someone as observant as Palamid.
Shirou didn't understand what it was that Palamid meant, but Palamid still seemed to come up to some conclusion.
"It was that deplorable Wizard," Palamid hissed, clenching his fists. "E-Even now I-I, god dammnit! We have to find him! If he used it on you then he must have the cure on him!
With that said, Palamid rushed off into the crowded stands of the Harvest Festival, Shirou following not too far behind.
The attention Shirou inadvertently garnered with his tempting appearance nearly made him want to trace out a sword and begin hacking away at all the Noblemen who came to block his path with their continued advances. Eventually, the rumour of the Beautiful 'Lady in Leathers,' would spread throughout Roan. A woman with a fiery temper as red as her hair and a gaze that spoke of violence towards any suitor, yet still pursued nonetheless.
Moving along, Shirou was soon separated from Palamid as the most unexpected of situations occurred. He had stumbled across Kay, drinking a beer along with Gerrard, and Bors while Sir Ector was shaking his head from the side.
His appearance caused Gerrard to drop the beer in his hands.
A lady who didn't appear so sheltered and fragile. It was the first Kay, Gerrard, and Sir Ector had ever seen one. It was only Bor's and too an extent, Kay and Sir Ector that were able to get over it quite quickly. Bors because of Palamid, and Sir Ector and Kay because of Arturia.
Shirou's appearance now, was that of a woman in her twenties due to his height. When he suddenly became a girl, only his physical attributes changed, not his stature. This made him appear quite a lot older for his age.
By this point, Shirou knew the look that flashed across the faces of Gerrard, Kay, and Bors. Gerrard had already somehow made his way to wrap an arm around Shirou's waist.
Gerrard was close enough that even the smell of his breath prickled Shirou's nose.
Disgusting.
"Fuck off!" He screamed in panic, revulsed. He had faced a number of things in his life, but never something like this.
Pushing Gerrard away, the anger in Shirou's face only continued to grow as he sought out that dead beat of a Wizard.
It wasn't supposed to be this way.
Merlin let out a depressed sigh. He had only planned to show Arturia how feminine Shirou was to dissuade her from pursuing such a man, yet it had all gone wrong in a single moment.
Arturia had taken a drink from the same potion he had gotten Shirou to drink, and now, this was where the problems began. Originally, he had intended to have Arturia turned off from Shirou as he had become a woman, but now, she herself had become a man.
And o boy was it pissing him off.
"Would you care for a drink my lady," Merlin spoke, holding a young woman's hand.
The woman blushed, before slowly nodding her head. It was then that she soon asked the question that nearly caused Merlin to explode in frustration. "W-Will it be with the young Nobleman beside you?"
Merlin's expression froze, as he leveled a glare on 'Arthur.'
This was precisely what had been frustrating him all day. At first he had taken Arturia away for two reasons: To prevent Shirou from seeing would befall him, and to decide what to do with Arturia, and at this point, he knew exactly what he was going to do.
Arturia was acting as if nothing had happened. Then again, she was already raised to act like a boy, so there was basically no difference in behaviour. All that changed with the consumption of the potion was a sharp increase in male features.
Arturia appeared like a young prince charming to any lady who laid eyes on the spectacle.
With a strained smile, Merlin then declined the young lady from a drink, and smoothly pulled Arturia away.
Before, he had deliberated just having Arturia remain as a male, eliminating future problems, but now, now he could hardly care less.
He pulled out a small vile of liquid from his white cloak, presenting it before Arturia.
"Drink this," he said. "It's for your own good."
Arturia looked at the vile Merlin had placed into her hands before taking a small sip under Merlin's insistent prompting. It was only after verifying that Arturia had taken a sip that Merlin gave a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, the vile in Arturia's hands was snatched away by a beauty wearing leathers. For a moment, Merlin had lost himself staring before he swallowed, unable to recognize the woman for who she was.
"My dear, would you care to give that back to me? Afterwards, if you would allow me to treat you to some food or a drink, it would be my honour," Merlin finished with a huskiness in his voice and a flourish of his hands, a red rose appearing. "A tribute to your vibrant red hair."
"Enough," Arturia glowered, getting an odd protective feeling towards the woman. Something about Merlin flirting with her just ticked Artura off to a whole other level.
Merlin raised a brow, but what would a child know about the art of adults?
Merlin pushed Arturia to the side, drawing an angered grunt from Arturia who immediately began pushing back.
It was only when Merlin used his magic that Arturia had no choice but to watch, restrained by an invisibly force.
Merlin cleared his throat. "Now, where was I?" Merlin muttered, turning around towards the woman in leathers.
The woman in leathers was glaring at him, a bloodlust rising in her eyes, that Merlin had only seen once when he had pushed a woman too far, but her next actions puzzled Merlin. The woman had stomped off with the vile in hand.
Moments later, Shirou appeared in the distance with sword drawn.
It was then that Merlin realized as Shirou approached just who that woman in leathers was.
Awkwardly, he made an excuse to Arturia and quickly left, not caring that Shirou still had possession of the vile. He knew Shirou's capabilities to create a Noble Phantasm, and he didn't want to risk confronting such a thing. Some of the strongest Noble Phantasms could be quite vague until released after all.
Merlin quickly disappeared under Shirou's gaze.
As Shirou vowed vengeance in his heart, he couldn't help but ponder about what had set off Palamid earlier? Well, he didn't really think much about it after Arturia began to pull him along back in the direction of the festivities; she then asking about if he had seen a 'pretty' woman in the direction he had appeared from. Shirou's expression grew somber before be immediately changed the subject.
Elsewhere, the Madam didn't know what to think after what she had just seen today. Initially, it was all part of her plan to monitor the movements of her enemies down to the slightest detail, but little did she expect for Merlin to do such a thing. What a fool, but perhaps she could use this knowledge of events as a means for something? Yet she could already see the futility of it.
Her mouth twitched. Another day wasted.
Not too far from the Madam was Merlin who sighed in the distance as he turned around to observe the scene. It would seem that his interference proved unfruitful. Perhaps only time will tell whether this change in Fate was beneficial or not.
He lost a potion in his righteous endeavor, but he supposed that no one but himself would have a use for that thing anyway, and besides, he had learned a deep lesson today.
Flowers bloom across the land.
And the birds and the bees flock.
Competition is good.
But winning is better.