A/N: I decided to do a sort of rewrite of the series, incorporating elements from both the Japanese and American version of the series. I am however starting a bit before the series, filling in what I think COULD be how the main characters met and such. Let me know what you think.

I do not own Saber Rider or Seijushi Bismarck, don't sue me.

Chapter 1: Highland Beginnings

"Welcome home, Lord and Lady Rider," a middle-aged gentleman says with a Scottish lilt. "I trust your trip was successful?"

"Aye, Thomas, it was indeed. We are now a part of the Cavalry Command branch of the inter-galactic alliance. I have been chosen to represent the English Federation Colonies," Edward Rider replies proudly.

"I am glad that you were chosen, sir. I know that you will put your duties to the people before your own personal gains," Thomas replies as he leads them into a large sitting room.

"Father! Mother!" a young blonde boy about the age of nine says, as he comes running into the room from the kitchen. "You've returned!" He stops suddenly, realizing his outburst was not proper and stands at attention waiting to be scolded. "I apologize, sir. My outburst was inexcusable," he states quietly.

"Richard, we do need to talk. But first I wish to know how you are doing with your lessons," his father says, trying to sound as if he were struggling not to become angry, but his eyes betray him and he is unable to hide a small smile.

"His marks are exemplary, sir," A middle-aged woman says as she comes from the direction of the kitchen. "His teachers have added on double homework, just to keep him out of trouble. He is also advancing in his fencing lessons, much more so than his friend Sean."

"Ah, you've finally surpassed, McCully?" Edward Rider says, a hint of pride in his voice.

"Aye, sir," the boy replies, grinning widely. "I've been practicing the forms you taught me."

"Well, done. Perhaps I should call you Saber now, as you seem to have taken so well to the blade." Edward says and the boy grins in reply. Edward laughs and pats him on the shoulder. "If you've beat McCully, I can only imagine how his father is taking this news."

"He is not pleased," Thomas says, with a hint of amusement.

"I heard the poor boy is now training with a private fencing master, in addition to the boy's regular fencing master," Elaine adds matter-of-factly.

"Ah, well, it is up to the McCully's to raise him as they see fit, just as we need to discuss some things with you," Edward says looking down at his son.

Saber nods and goes and sits in a nearby chair, waiting attentively.

"Richard, as you know, you are of Noble blood," his mother, Mary begins. He nods, a bit unsure of where the conversation is heading, but listens attentively. "As has been custom for centuries, to keep our bloodlines pure, we establish betrothals between families that are of noble blood."

Saber gulps and visibly tenses at her words, nervous of their implications.

"Do you remember Sincia March from your time in school?" Mary asks him, watching him closely.

"Aye, I do, mother," he replies quietly.

"And what do you think of her?" she prods.

Saber shifts uneasily in his chair, resisting the urge to outright panic, trying to watch his parent's for some sort of hint that they are playing a game with him and finding none. "Um, well...she is quiet and she is a girl," he stammers. "She's a little younger than I am. Nor does she like swords, guns, or any weapon, for that matter, like a lot of other girls."

"Well, tomorrow, she will be coming here to visit with her family. I expect you to show her around and do things she likes," Mary says firmly.

Saber blinks, while processing the information. "That's all I have to do? Keep her entertained?" he asks hesitantly.

"Aye. That is it."

Saber allows a small sigh of relief.

"We shall be working out the betrothal agreement with her parents, so I expect you to treat her with respect," Edward says.

"Betrothal?" Saber repeats hoping that he's misheard.

Edward nods. "Aye, Saber."

"It means we are preparing you to eventually marry Sincia and take her as your wife," Mary says as if it is the most perfectly obvious idea for a nearly ten year old boy. "We will pass a betrothal ring, so that when you both are of age, we shall have you formally propose to her and set a wedding date."

Saber looks between his parents in disbelief. "I am only nine years old, and she's barely six. Why would you do something like that?" he asks, trying to force the panic from his voice.

Edward comes over and sits beside him, placing a hand firmly on his shoulder, "It is how we have kept our royal lineage pure since long before we left Earth, Saber. You will be polite to her and try your best to get along with her. I think as you grow older, you'll get used to the idea, as will she."

"So she is doing this because of her parents too?" Saber dares to ask.

"Aye. It saves both families the trouble of not allowing you to marry some commoner that you meet as you get older. Since you will already be engaged, you are not available for such frivolities."

Saber takes a breath and looks away, towards the door leading to the back of the estate and it's vast grounds. "It doesn't seem fair to me or to her. I don't think you would like it either if you were my age," he mutters.

"Your mother and I were betrothed at your age. I am quite happy that I never had to worry about who I married, and as a descendant of the royal lines of Sir Lancelot, it is your duty to abide by our decision," Edward states in a tone that firmly ends the conversation. "They will arrive at eight tomorrow, and I expect you to be in our clan's attire and ready to show your future wife around the grounds with a smile on your face, do you understand?"

Saber nods stiffly. "Perfectly, sir," he says curtly.

"Good, then go and busy yourself for the afternoon, but I don't want you bothering Thomas and Elaine, they will be preparing for the March's arrival. We shall see you in time for tea later."

"Aye, sir," he replies and then stands up and heads to his room to change before rushing out the back door to the stables.

Mary sighs. "Perhaps it would have been better to not tell him," she says as she watches her son rush out the door.

Edward comes over and takes her hand. "He is just in shock, Love. He actually took it better than I thought he would," he says with a hint of amusement. "It might have been better to not tell him just yet, but he is more mature than most boys his age, and I've heard him asking Elaine all types of questions about differences between boys and girls because of McCully's son. So I think it's better for him to know now, that he is promised to someone, before he winds up in a situation that could lead him to getting hurt or making him hurt someone."

"I suppose you have a point, Edward," Mary replies with a chuckle. "I didn't know that we were betrothed until I was thirteen. By then I fully understood the ramifications and understood that fighting it would tarnish my family. So I didn't get as upset about it." She shakes her head and sighs. "I knew by then that we were to be completely obedient to my father, or he would cast us aside," she adds quietly. Edward casts her a wary glance. "I have no regrets, Edward, you know that. I am totally loyal to you and the family."

Edward nods. "Aye, I know, Love," he replies quietly. "I just sometimes forget that he is as young a boy as he is and that his grasp on the ways of life are not as...developedas I think they should be."

Mary smiles, "It is because he acts so much older. He is observant, which is good in most cases, but he still is not as emotionally developed as his intelligence indicates he should be. It is easy to forget that he is still a boy."

"Lady Mary, how many rooms should I prepare for the morrow?" Elaine asks as she comes back from the kitchen.

Mary looks up in thought, "Well, Lord and Lady March, their daughter Sincia should have her own room adjacent to theirs. I believe they will be bringing a few assistants with them. Three may four rooms perhaps," she replies.

Elaine nods. "I'll see if I can reach their governess for confirmation, Milady. But the rooms will be ready just after supper tonight. I'll see that we have an afternoon dinner for tomorrow as well."

"Wonderful, Elaine. Thank you," Mary replies with a smile before Elaine heads off to her duties.

Saber arrives to a small building and dismounts from his horse. Removing his bag from the saddle, he ties the horse up and gives him some hay and an apple before going into the building and plopping down in what used to be a barn, landing in a soft batch of hay and grass. Stretching out, he takes out a small computer and an apple and starts going over his work. Unable to concentrate he flops down on his back and sighs. "What are Mum and Dad thinking?" he says to himself. "I'm not even ten yet, and they are telling me that I'm going to marry some girl," he mutters the last word with obvious displeasure. "I wonder what Sean would say to that," he thinks idly. He gets up, unable to concentrate and takes his practice sword and begins practicing his sword movements against a large beam in the center of the structure.

"I figured you were out here," A young voice says from the doorway.

Not bothering to stop he replies a bit short of breath, "I thought you'd be with your tutors."

"Nah. They think I'm in my room studying," the boy chuckles as he comes closer. "You hit that beam like you're mad. What's got you so uptight, Richard?"

He stops, dripping with sweat and goes and sits down on the ground beside his pack, his practice sword beside him. "Do you know what a betrothal is, Sean?" he asks watching his friend carefully for his reaction.

Sean laughs. "Aye, it something grown-ups do to torment their kids. It's so old fashioned. Something from the old days on Earth. Why would you ask me such a question?" he asks, obviously amused.

"Well, obviously not everyone feels that way," Saber replies sullenly.

Sean studies his friend's face for a moment before bursting out laughing. "You?!" Saber nods slightly, not looking too pleased at the reaction he's getting. "Who?" Sean finally manages to ask.

"Sincia March," Saber replies quietly.

Sean stops laughing and looks at Saber. "You're not joking, are you?" he asks.

Saber shakes his head, the frustration on his face perfectly clear. "I'm quite serious, Sean. Mum and Dad told me this afternoon that they will be here tomorrow to make it official."

Sean lets out a whistle. "That's bloody wrong."

Saber looks a bit taken aback at his friend's choice of words, but nods in agreement. "Aye, I feel the same way. I don't even want to think about being married. I'll be old long before I want to think about such things."

Sean laughs. "Having girls around can be fun, you know. Especially when they have to do what you tell them," he says with a hint of mischief. "Especially the teenage ones."

Saber rolls his eyes. "You're what, three years older than me?" he asks with a hint of annoyance.

"Almost four," Sean replies with an air of superiority.

"Still, because you spend more time with the girls around your place, you are not much further ahead than I am in school," Saber states.

"Hey! That's an unfair attack. You're ahead of the game. I'm just at task," Sean states defensively.

"But imagine how far you'd be if you actually applied yourself," Saber retorts.

"Aye. I'd be the one betrothed to some girl whose family wants to secure a good name for themselves," Sean says agitated. "Instead, I get to learn about girls and women with anyone I choose. You however, will be stuck never knowing anyone but the one," he says in a mocking tone. "Well, that is until she gives you an heir, then you can have a mistress or two."

Saber shakes his head, looking repulsed. "Father has never done that! He says it's not proper," he replies defiantly.

"That's because he thinks he's better than us. He's pushing you to grow up too fast, or have you not noticed?"

"My parents would accept me either way. Even if I didn't excel in my studies," Saber says firmly, hoping to convince himself as much as Sean. "I can't help it if I'm bored in my classes."

"Hey, maybe I could get my parents to offer Kelly as your betrothed, she's at least the same age as you. Then we could be brothers," Sean states half serious.

Saber looks over at him, "I doubt that, Sean. Your family has a distinct dislike for mine."

"They like you well enough, maybe that would win them over to the idea. Besides, I think Kelly likes you," he adds in a teasing tone.

Saber looks away, a slight blush on his cheeks. "Kelly is polite to everyone, you know that. Besides, I rarely see her, since I spend so much time doing school work from home."

"Again, because you are an overachiever," Sean retorts. "Although I think she is starting to push herself to get ahead, like you are. She hasn't enjoyed going to school as much since you've gone to studying at home and by vid-com."

"I think you're just trying to tease me about this whole thing," Saber says exasperated.

"Saber?!" Edward calls from the distance.

Saber sighs and quickly gathers his things. "Well, I suppose I'll be in for a scolding now. It must be later than I thought if father has come out looking for me."

"Saber?" Sean asks trying not to laugh.

"Oh shut it, McCully. Father has taken to calling me that since I've done so well with my fencing lessons," he replies as he starts for the door. "I suggest you head out the back route, or father might call and let on you've been here." Sean nods and heads for the rear door. "See you in a few days for lessons," Saber says as he leaves the building and tosses his bag on his horse, just as his father spots him. "I'm sorry, sir. I lost track of time," he states to the unasked question and he mounts his horse, turning to face his father. "I came out here to clear my head and study. Fewer distractions."

Edward studies his son for a moment, then nods satisfied with his explanation. "Your mother was worried that you had left the grounds when you hadn't returned by tea time," he states as they slowly trot back towards the house.

"So I missed tea?" Saber asks hesitantly. His father nods and Saber looks down. "I apologize. I really did just lose track of time," he mutters.

Edward chuckles and moves so he is beside his son and pats his shoulder. "I know you aren't sure about everything, but I promise you, things will work out eventually. You will understand when you are older. It's not like we are sending you off to marry the girl tomorrow. It will probably be more like ten years from now, if this goes as our betrothal did."

Saber starts several times to ask any one of the number of questions going through his mind, but something holds him back and they ride the rest of the way in silence. After taking the horses to the stable, he grabs his bag and heads towards the house, his father behind him. "I'll take my bag up to my room and wash up for supper, sir," he says, getting a nod in reply.

"Come straight down," Edwards calls up after him. "Elaine was waiting for our return to bring out dinner."

"Aye, sir," Saber replies and heads upstairs to his room quickly, returning a short time later, cleaned up and presentable. He takes his seat and waits for everyone else to start before beginning his meal.

"So, your father tells me you were studying in the old barn?" Mary asks, watching her son for a reaction.

Saber nods and finishes his bite before answering, "Aye, mother. I find there are fewer distractions than if I work here. I've been going out there for sometime now. I just didn't realize how late it had gotten. I apologize for missing tea."

Mary smiles at him," It's fine. I was just worried, as you seemed a bit upset earlier."

"I know it is my duty to do as told. I won't disappoint you and father," Saber replies quietly.

They finish dinner, having casual conversation and discussing the remaining preparations for the next few days. Saber is told what is expected of him and then is excused to his room for the evening.

The next morning arrives and he is presented his guest for the weekend, Sincia, who eyes him as warily as he does her. They are told to go off and play, so he leads her out to the back patio.

"So what are we supposed to do?" Sincia asks hesitantly looking around the huge estate grounds.

Saber shrugs. "I dunno. I was just told to talk to you and keep you company while our parents have their discussions," he replies, emphasizing the last word with obvious distaste.

"What do you do for fun?" she asks after a long silence.

"I usually practice my fencing, if I'm not doing school work," Saber replies matter-of-factly.

Sincia makes a face of displeasure, "Why do boys only want to fight?"

"Fencing is not fighting. It's an art form," he retorts without thinking. "It's kinda like dancing I've heard Elaine say," he adds as an afterthought.

"I don't see how. It just teaches you to kill people, and that is wrong," Sincia states with a tone of superiority.

Saber sighs. "Thisisgoingtobealongweekend," he thinks to himself.

"How about we play house?" Sincia offers.

"House?" Saber asks, a feeling of dread building in his stomach.

"Aye. House. I can be the wife and you can be my husband," Sincia replies cheerfully.

Saber sighs. "Fine. I was told to make you happy, so if that what it takes," he says trying not to sound too mad.

Sincia's face lights up and she grins widely. "Now we need a place to be our house," she says looking around. "Know of any places we can play?"

Saber thinks for a minute. "We have an old barn a bit of a way out in the back," he replies with a nod in the direction of his place of solace. "Maybe we can get Elaine to fix us a basket and go out there?" he suggests hesitantly.

Sincia squeals in delight. "Yes! Let's go and find her straightaway!" she grabs his hand and is dragging him back into the house in search of Elaine before he can reply.