A pair of azure and amber eyes stared at Saber intently. So intently, that not even a huge fire could break their concentration.

What were they listening to that got their focus so baited exactly?

It was Saber's retelling of the fourth grail war.

Barely escaping by the skin of their teeth in the last engagement against the fearsome King of Heroes; Rin decided they must know what transpired
in the fourth war, down to the last most intricate detail. It was what was
necessary in order to cook up a plan to defeat the King of Heroes Gilgamesh.

Goldie disposed of Heracles so easily, that not even the prideful Saber can claim that she has a fighting chance.

Taking a deep sigh. The beautiful blonde girl-knight finished her summation of the event.

Shirou slumped down to the floor.

"My father… the fire…they were related?"

The fiery imagery once again consumed his mind. Rubbing his temples he tried his best to push the memories away, and more importantly the blame on Kiritsugu.

Rin tapped her slim finger against her chin repeatedly. Slowly taking in all the new information.

"I see…"

Bolting up Rin started pacing around for a good minute before abruptly stomping her feet.

"I've figured out the best way to beat goldie."

Her exuberant voice dragged Shirou right back to reality. Within seconds, both him and Saber found themselves staring at the raven haired mage with child-like eyes
"Really how!?" they asked in unison.

"You agree to marry Goldie, and then you convince him to stop!"

"Wh-What!? That's preposterous Rin!" Saber stammered.

"T-To suggest that I the King of knights throw away all self-respect for…"

Her eyes were desperate like that of a child.

Rin sighed, as a mage she can sympathize with Saber on the respect
and honor issue. Better die trying then give up one's own body. But when in
talks about the entire world being at stake, it is sounder to give up one's dignity for the greater good.

"Saber, we don't really have a choice, we can risk fighting and most likely die. Or… well you know…"

Rin playfully smiled. Saber was unsure if Rin was actually serious about the situation or just making light of the conversation to help them feel better. Either way she did not like it one bit.

Crossing her arms she closed her eyes and turned away. "There is no world in which I would even consider what you suggested as an option, Rin."

Shirou rubbed his head casually, trying to ease the tension.
"She's right, Rin. You can't honestly ask someone to do that!"

"Hey, hey, Mr. Champion of Justice. You are so readily throwing your own life away for another person, but you are complaining about arranged marriage to save the world?"

Shirou shrunk back instinctively. While that was sound logic, and if he was
placed in that position he would do it in a heartbeat, Shirou would never agree
with forcing his heroic ideology on another person.

Saber closed her eyes as if in a deep meditation. Her ability to stay still and at peace still amazed Shirou to this day.

"Are you saying it's our only way…?" Saber meekly replied her
emerald eyes looked weak and pitiful, almost prompting Shirou to hug and comfort her.

Rin sighed. "I mean… we can put all our fruits in the Shirou
basket and hope whatever ability he has can beat Goldie… or you fight Goldie…
but the story you told us ten years ago…"

"...I see."

A valid conclusion. Saber cannot voice her dissent no matter how badly she wanted to.

At this point, the safest bet was Rin's plan. Or they could pray that Shirou manages to pull a lucky win. But reality speaks for itself.

"Suppose I do, do it, how would it work…? I don't have any experience in love…"

Rin clapped her hands excitedly.

"That's okay! Goldie is practically thirsting for you; there isn't much you need to do! I mean I can always give you advice too!"

Shirou looked at Rin quizzically. "Really Tohsaka? You have experience in the love department?"

Eyebrows twitching from annoyance she almost slammed Shirou against a wall.

"I'll have you know Emiya I'm fairly popular."

She forced a smile, a scary one at that.

Scratching the side of his face, Shirou replied, "I guess, but if you never dated, how would you be experienced?"

Forcing another smiled. Rin answered in a surprisingly pleasant voice.

"I read for my fair share of romance novels." ending her sentence with a light laugh.

"Wow I never expected Tohsaka Rin to be into that kind of stuff." The red haired magus replied in his patented naive voice.

Brows furrowed and twitching, Rin had to summon all her will to not kick his head off.

Clearing her throat she turned back to face Saber. Looking at the blonde foreigner king with eyes of sympathy, she knelt down to face her more directly.

"I don't want to force you or anything but that was what my plan was."

Saber's eyes darted to the side, her lips slightly trembled at the prospect of breaking down her pride and offering herself to the King of Heroes.

"He does not seem interested in me any longer…"

Rin tapped a finger on her chin once more. "Hrmm…"

"Your lives are worth less than soot to me."

His chill inducing voice was still fresh in her mind. To think the stuck-up goldie said it with Saber present as well! It really did contradict what went on during the fourth grail war.

Ten years was a long time. People change during those years. There is a huge possibility that Gilgamesh lost all interest in Saber.

"We'll have a plan B!" Rin smiled brightly tapping on the blonde girl's shoulders enthusiastically.

"P-Plan B?" both Saber and Shirou found themselves staring at Rin expectantly.

Stock red, Rin cleared her throat. "Y-Yes…um plan B…"

Facing the other away. She began to explain her disposition quietly. "I will mana transfer with Emiya, so he will have a fighting chance if it comes to it…"

Forcing a shudder her voice raised several octaves higher.

"Iya! See you're not the only one forced to do disgusting things!" the beat red girl pointed an accusing finger at Saber.

Blinking with big doe eyes the blonde girl-knight pointed at herself in a confused daze, before she finally came to understand what Rin suggested.
"Oh…"

"Geez don't make me spell it out…" Turning back once more, Rin crossed her arms, hiding her embarrassment.

"Tohsaka what do you mean? Fill me in!" Shirou insisted, but he retracted his voice when he found the raven haired girl was about to go past her boiling point.

She was visibly smoking.

But quickly like the calm before a storm she changed to a bright chill inducing smile.

"It's nothing Emiya, but we better get started before the big confrontation!"

She exclaimed in an exuberant voice, before pulling Shirou to her room.