Hmm... It's better received than I expected. I guess I'm quite glad for that. Anyway, here's the second chapter of Dragon Kings and Vanadis.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Fate series and Madan no Ou to Vanadis.


Chapter 2: The Two Pendragons

-Road to Dinant-

Arthur Pendragon, clad in cloak and armor of a more mundane knight, rode on a horse as he traversed the country of Brune. It has been four hundred years since Cammlann and his reign has long since ended… and so does Mordred's. Arthur can't help but smile as he remembers his decision back then. Mordred did not immediately pull out the sword there and then, no. In response to the chance Arthur gave, she admits her shortcomings and wishes to spend time with him to learn how to be a good King. As it turns out, Mordred just wants his acknowledgement and if she receives it without pulling the sword, the kingship doesn't matter as much to her.

Arthur realized how bad of a family man he was. And he's forever thankful for that last insight he received in Cammlann. Everything somehow turns out well even if it is not the best. He rode to battle with Rhongomyniad with Mordred by his side. For one year he trains Mordred to become a King. Along that time, Mordred confessed the machinations of Morgan Le Fay after Merlin was found and the spells binding Mordred to her mother was broken. In one swift move, Arthur's last act as a King was to take down his treacherous sister. After that, Mordred pulled out Excalibur from the stone.

Arthur was proud of her. Unlike him, Mordred understands human heart. With both his guidance and her understanding, the rule of Mordred Pendragon leads Camelot to a golden age. Another good news was that with her inheriting Excalibur, she also inherited its scabbard. With Excalibur's scabbard, Mordred who was part Homunculus lived past her supposed age as youthful as her father did. Ten years after the succession, Arthur decided that all is well and left Camelot to travel after Merlin revealed that he will not age.

"Father, where shall we go next?"

Riding beside Arthur is a girl who also had not changed since he first saw her face that day in Cammlann though much more cheerful and feminine than she used too. Clad in a simpler armor like her father is a grinning Mordred. Like Arthur, she had also become semi-immortal. If Arthur received it from Caliburn, Mordred received it from Excalibur and its scabbard that had now become one with her. The Sword of Promised Victory had truly become Mordred's.

It was sixty years after Arthur left that Mordred along with Merlin came to him. Mordred who refused to be wed appointed one of Arthur's great-grandson from Guinevere as her successor. By then, Britain had entered an age of peace and no more invaders came to attack thanks to Mordred and the remaining Knights' hard work. Diplomatic relation had been forged with neighbouring kingdoms and Camelot stayed strong with a new generation of Round Table Knights protecting it. With the danger to Britain gone, Excalibur can finally rest and Clarent that was meant to be a sword of peace finally became the sword of the King.

By then only Mordred, Merlin, and himself are left of the first generation. So after her reign ended, Mordred decided to travel with her father and he welcomes the company although Merlin decided to stay in Camelot as the King's advisor. He might go on a journey of his own one day but it won't be anytime soon.

Two years ago, he and Mordred decided to cross the sea to see the new land. The two of them went back to Camelot and ask Merlin for help since they can't cross the sea by themselves. Being the great archmagus he is, Merlin teleported them to the faraway land and now here they are.

"Brune will be caught in a middle of a civil war soon so we'll be moving to Zchted. It's a great timing. I've always wanted to visit Zchted and maybe cross sword with the rumored Vanadis."

Arthur spoke in a jovial tone. He had changed a lot since his days as King and had come to enjoy the simple things in life and so does Mordred.

"A civil war. Father, what do you think about Brune's condition?"

"I suspect foul play. I can smell treachery behind this."

Mordred visibly flinch. She'd almost gone down in history as a treacherous knight who caused King Arthur's downfall if it weren't for Arthur calling a ceasefire. Hearing the word 'treachery' still made her uncomfortable with how close she was to be branded as one instead of the successor of King Arthur and the Fiery Queen of Camelot. Arthur noticed this and went to his daughter's side and ruffles her hair.

"Don't feel guilty. In the end, you're not a knight who commit treachery against an inhuman King but the Queen who finished her father's work and continue to lead Camelot to an era of peace and prosperity."

Mordred calmed down and smile. That's right. She's not a treacherous knight. She's the daughter and successor of the greatest King known to mankind. She's different from the treacherous court of Brune.

"It's an assassination, a slow one, most likely done through poison."

Arthur continued.

"The King was healthy and fine but he suddenly fall ill. And with how the two Dukes are moving, it's like they're ready to succeed him once the King is dead."

Mordred also put in her opinion, remembering that something similar had happened a few times in the court of Camelot under her rule.

"But the King has a son. So the only way for them to take the throne is if they kill him. But ho…"

"Wait, father, don't tell me you didn't notice."

Mordred suddenly cut in, making Arthur blink in confusion. What didn't he notice?

"The King has no son."

Arthur once again looked confused. He had been in the capital three times and seen Prince Regnas twice so how can Mordred say the King has no son? Unless of course she somehow found out that Regnas is actually not the King's son and was adopted or something similar.

"The Prince… is actually a princess."

"…what?"

Arthur dumbly said, not believing what he had just heard. Mordred sighed.

"The King has no son. The Prince is actually a girl, a Princess."

"…how can you tell?"

"Father, remember that I once hid my gender and posed as a man."

Now Arthur understands. Mordred noticed since she herself had once hidden her gender… and not just during her time as knight but also as Queen when she wanted to go out and have fun as an ordinary person. Being a well-known Queen, she instead disguised herself as a man so she can freely walk outside the castle wall without being noticed and scolded by her own Knights.

"She has the same face as I did, the same kind of nervousness when I disguised myself as a man, afraid that I will be found out. Her face is too effeminate to be a boy although she could be a girly boy but what I noticed the most is the hard breathing like she's constricted by something so she must've wrapped up her chest and had it pressed so she could pose as a man. The way she walks is also different from a man though only someone who had experienced the same could tell that it's rehearsed."

Mordred elaborate.

"I see."

Arthur and Mordred rode until it's finally nightfall. When they finally set up camp, they're already close to Dinant. Another day riding would lead them to the land of Zchted and away from the political minefield that is Brune. Arthur and Mordred felt a little bad but this is not their country and therefore they have no obligation to help Brune. Plus they've already had enough of their fair share of court life.

The father and daughter pair sat across each other with the campfire between them. Their dinner consists of a rabbit stew seasoned with wild herbs with the addition of wild mushrooms and vegetables. Gathering food in the wild has become second nature to them after being a traveler so long. Of course, there are times that they lived in a village or town for years but half of their lifetime was spent on the road.

"…I miss Sir Dagonet."

Arthur suddenly spoke.

"That's rather sudden. Why?"

"Two weeks on the road with nothing happening will make even me bored, Mordred. If Dagonet is here, he would have a story or two to tell. Or just make a fool out of himself."

Mordred chuckled, remembering the jolly old knight. Sir Dagonet is something like a court jester and some even said that his knighting was done as a joke since the King was amused at the thought of a jester knight. Well that's a reason but Dagonet was a great knight worthy to become one of the Rounds. Mordred admits that he also misses the jester if only because she's as bored as her father.

"How about I sing you a song? There's this one I heard three years ago when we travelled to different towns. I came to this nice little land called The Shire. The folks there are always merry and I had an enjoyable stay."

"I haven't heard of that one. You never told me."

"You never asked."

Mordred grinned.

"Well then, sing us this song."

"Very well. I learn it from this nice fellow named Peregrin. He's a warrior who protects The Shire. Quick on his feet and rather witty. Come, play me a tune and I shall sing."

"Then let's start."

Arthur took out a lute from… somewhere. Mordred doesn't bother asking where Arthur gets some of the random objects he could pull out. It's probably something Merlin taught him for travelling convenience. As Arthur play a tune with his lute, Mordred began singing.

"The leaves were long, the grass was green

The hemlock-umbels tall and fair

And in the glade a light was seen

Of stars in shadow shimmering

Tinuviel was dancing there

To music of a pipe unseen

And light of stars was in her hair

And in her raiment glimmering

There Beren came from mountains cold

And lost he wandered under leaves

And where the Elven-river rolled

He walked alone and sorrowing

He peered between the hemlock-leaves

And saw in wonder flowers of gold

Upon her mantle and her sleeves

And her hair like shadow following.

Enchantment healed his weary feet

That over hills were doomed to roam

And forth he hastened strong and fleet

And grasped at moonbeams glistering

Through woven woods in Elvenhome

She lightly fled on dancing feet

And let him lonely still to roam

In the silent forest listening."

Mordred finished singing in a solemn note while Arthur gave her an applause. The song tells a story, one that Arthur had never heard before and he's sure that there is more than just that but Mordred decided to stop there. It is a beautiful song that tells of a meeting. It is possibly a prelude to a love story and a fine one if the song was anything to go by.

"It's a wonderful song and I feel that there's a story behind it."

"Yes. Sadly, I can't remember the rest of the hymn. It tells a tale about a mortal man who fell in love with an elven maiden. Their tale is one of love and tragedy. It's a long and very old story from a continent across the sea to the East."

"I see. I really would love to hear this tale of Beren and Luthien was it?"

"I shall take you to that land once we got back. There are lots of songs and tales that I didn't get to hear when I was there."

"That sounds like a nice idea."

The father and daughter duo continue their dinner in relative silence with Arthur trying to tell a joke a few times. Mordred would chuckle if it's a good one but would give him a deadpan if it's a bad one. This is their usual night together in the wilderness. Sometimes it could get lonely with just the two of them though.

When they have finished their dinner, they were getting ready to sleep when Arthur and Mordred heard something familiar not very far from where they're camping. It is the sound of a blowing horn, a warhorn to be precise. A battle is happening not far and judging from the sound that reached them it is around 2 kilometers.

"A battle?!"

"It appears so."

The two knights nodded to each other and leap onto their respective horse. They will not participate in the battle but it is happening right on the road they're planning to use to go to Zchted. As the two knight rides, they also prepare to draw their weapon should it be necessary. Excalibur is in a new sheath on Mordred's hip ready to be drawn while Arthur wields an ordinary longsword. Rhongomyniad was left in Camelot as the weapon is too important for him to take everywhere as Excalibur's replacement.

When they finally got to a position that can overlook the whole battlefield, Arthur saw the flags. There is the Brune flag known as the Bayard and the Black Dragon flag known as Zirnitra that represents Zchted and...

"That flag with the Zchted forces…"

"A Vanadis."

Arthur observed the battlefield and saw that it is chaotic in the Brune side. From the looks of it, the Vanadis' army attacked when the Brune forces aren't ready. A night raid. And it was so sudden that the Brune army didn't have time to respond. Morale fell and with the enemy general being a Vanadis rumored to be as strong as a dragon, Arthur can see why Brune is losing. Most likely the Brune commanders have either been killed or fled from the battlefield and the chain of command has been broken.

There are not many capable commanders in Brune as far as Arthur knew. The famed Black Knight was not present or else this battle wouldn't be so chaotic. Duke Thernadier, despite everything, is a capable commander along with Duke Ganelon so again, Arthur knew the Brune army won't be so lost if either of those two are present. But only those commanders could lead an army like this unless…

"To muster a large enough army which this one is requires a general of high rank and so far I can only imagine the two Dukes and the famed Black Knight. But…"

"It's the Prince, probably."

Mordred guessed to which Arthur agrees. He can see it from how the Brune men is in complete disarray. Even if a high rank can gather troops, only a real commander can truly command them effectively and the three he imagined could certainly do so and if the King himself didn't mobilize that means it is the Prince.

"Hmm… Ahh, I see now."

"Father?"

"If this is an important fight, the Black Knight would've been mobilized or the two Dukes themselves would lead but this… is a setup."

"A setup? Ahh, I see."

Backstabing in the court indeed. Mordred had lived as a monarch long enough to know how things works and although the court of Camelot is not as treacherous with the Rounds keeping peace, there are still court drama happening around her enough to make her trust only her handmade food and drink that are on her plate. This kind of trick happens often in Camelot back during war where Rounds were assassinated on the battlefield over the ages.

"If the Prince died in battle then there will be no questions asked."

Arthur nodded. The former King scoured the battlefield with his eyes. He then saw a flash of silver and his eyes immediately followed it. There he saw her. A young woman wearing clothing not fit for a battlefield with no armor at all wielding an interesting silver sword with wing-like design on its hilt. She has long silver hair and the wind blew around her in a peculiar way.

That is a Vanadis, Arthur noted. A warrior maiden who leads the charge of the Zchted army in the front cleaving through Brune soldiers easily with impressive skill that could compare to his Round Table Knights.

"There's the Vanadis…"

Mordred pointed at the Vanadis.

"Impressive. I would like to fight her one of these days. Maybe once we arrive in Zchted."

Mordred is curious if these so-called viralt of the Vanadis could match her Excalibur. The Vanadis herself is very skilled, Mordred could see it from how she fights. It gets Mordred's competitive blood boiling. But Arthur had turn his eyes away from the Vanadis and is now looking for something, or rather, someone else.

Then he saw it, a pair of riders being chased by at least seven more riders. One of the riders being chased has a familiar shade of blonde and wearing a different armor than the standard one. The last time he saw that blonde hair was back when they visited Nice. Arthur smirked as he turn his direction towards the riders.

"Father?"

"We won't participate in the battle… but I can't let something like a dirty assassination happens."

Knowing what her father meant, Mordred also turn to the same direction Arthur is facing and the two of them rides forth. Although Mordred won't get a good fight by stopping assassination, she herself doesn't want to let it happen too. She'd had enough of those from her reign and if she can help it, she'll help her fellow crossdresing prince get out of her own assassination.


Prince Regnas is a horrible swordsman.

No, it is better to say that Princess Regin is terrible at fighting. She can swing a sword but the kind of sword Brune like to use is just too heavy for her and she could barely swing it more than three times. She also has no combat sense.

It was at times like these that Regin really wish she were a boy and good at fighting. It would be a useful skill to have when you're being chased by assassins. But sadly, all she can do now is too ride as far as she can and to the best of her ability. The wound on her side doesn't help with any of it though.

As Regin tries to bear with the pain, the assassins are gaining on them. She and her maid, Jeanne, managed to run while her guards gave their life to protect her but the assassins are good. They killed all of the guards and although some of them are also killed they still broke through and gave chase.

Regin laments her powerlessness. Not only is their army falling apart from Zchted's attack but now she and her maid will die, killed by assassins that are not even sent by Zchted but by her own family.

The assassins finally caught up to them. Both the one behind her and the one behind Jeanne had raised their sword. All it takes is one swing and both of them will be finished.

"Your Highness!"

She could hear Jeanne' calling her with a panicked tone but Regin had resigned herself and accept that this is where she dies. She closed her eyes and wait for the assassins to take her life… but the feeling of cold steel cutting through her flesh never came. She dared to open her eyes and saw it.

A beautifully made golden dagger is embedded on the head of her would-be killer. She also heard the sound of a horse falling and saw that the assassin who was about to kill Jeanne throw off his horse by a kick. A kick from a blonde girl who looks no older than her wearing armor over a red tunic and wielding what is perhaps the most beautiful sword she had ever laid her eyes upon. Behind the girl is a man who rode pass the female knight and jumped off his horse. He landed in front of her and stood between her and the remaining assassins.

"I'm sorry but I will not allow you to kill the Princess."

Regin's eyes widened. He knew that she's a girl.

The male and female knight dashed forward. The male knight had retrieved the dagger that killed her assassin and is now wielding it together with an ordinary sword. It makes for an oddly disconcerting scene with the difference in weapon quality.

Both knights are fast and they are skillful. The assassins tried to use their mounted advantage against them but any charge or kick from their mount are evaded and returned with a single slash. In a blink of an eye, the assassins all lost their mount and had to fight the knights on foot.

"Five left. Three and two?"

"Let's just get whoever dared face us."

The male knight shrugs a the female's reply and sheathe his dagger in a sheath on his back. He block an upward slash and respon with a single quick jab to the heart. Another assassin came from behind but the knight ducked and the assassin's sword missed him. The assassin was then killed with a single stab. Another one attack him from behind again but the knight turn with the assassin still impaled in his sword and with a swing he throws the assassin's body to his comrade, knocking the third assassin that attempted to kill him down. with a coup de grace, the assassin was finished off.

The female knight took care of her enemies even faster. She simply dodged a lunge and then replied with one of her own to the assassin's heart and shifted her body so that the other assassin who took the opportunity missed. She grab the second assassin on the face and slam him to the ground before delivering the finishing blow.

The assassins are all taken care off without either of them even trying. Regin could only stare at their prowess in awe, especially the girl who seem to be more brutal with how she looks as she fights.

"Are you two okay?"

The male knight asked.

"Y-yes. Thank you for saving us Sir Knight. May I know who my savior is?"

The male knight chuckled and put one hand on his chest. He executed a perfect court bow to her.

"My name is… Arthur Pendragon, your Highness."


-Legnica-

In just the span of two days, Siegfried reached the town of Legnica. He used his wings to travel when he's sure that nobody saw him. Thanks to his wings, Siegfreid managed to reach Legnica faster than even horses. But unfortunately, it costs him energy and he is currently very hungry.

But he's finally here, in Legnica, the place that the Vanadis, Alexandra Alshavin, governed. Even from the front gate he could feel it, the presence of a dragon. It is not a full dragon but it has the presence of a dragon. As part dragon with sharp senses, Siegfried could feel its presence and it is currently judging if he is dangerous or not. Dragons are naturally territorial creatures. Even if it is not a real dragon, it has the essence of one and it is judging him.

Siegfried smiled. He get the feeling that coming here is the right course of action. He entered the gate of Legnica with a feeling of anticipation.

Meanwhile in Legnica's palace, specifically in the room of the Vanadis, Alexandra Alshavin, also known as Sasha, look out from her window wondering what was that feeling that she got from her viralt. Bargren is both excited and wary. Someone, no, something had just entered Legnica and it is something powerful.

Sasha want to meet this something and so does Bargren. Forcing herself to stand up from her bed, Sasha, for the first time in months, comes out from her room.


And here it is. Just some background story of Arthur and Mordred. I don't know if it's a good enough reason for what I'm doing. So Mordred became Queen and is gifted with Excalibur after pulling it from the stone and Morgan's plans was thwarted due to the divergence from normal history. Mordred is less of a brat now since her father accepted her and she had been Queen for even longer than Arthur so she's not going to throw some tantrums for every little things... though now Arthur is worried that she won't find herself any good man. Arthur and Mordred arrived much earlier than Siegfried so they've gotten used to the new land and know things.

Now, here's where cannon will diverge entirely. Regin will be paired with Arthur while Mordred will be paired with Tigre... along with Elen. Yup, it's a shuraba! Ehm, okay, I just woke up today and thought a little about this story. An inexperienced Princess who inherits a kingdom and the legendary King of Knights. Who wouldn't want that? Well, maybe a few but it fits the theme I'm aiming here, something like the classical fantasy. It was my start after all. Yeah, I began writing before I cam to fanfiction and it all started because I admired Tolkien's Middle-Earth from Lord of the Rings to The Hobbit and to The Silmarillion. So I want to try some real deal fantasy again with this story. I mean with magic, dragons, and demons along with heroes and their maidens and some awesome fantasy plot, not just some harem magic stuff. I guess this story is me getting back to my roots. I even put a reference there. The song Mordred sung was the song of Beren and Luthien. It's from Tolkien's Middle-Earth. I'm advertising it. Read the story of Beren and Luthien in The Silmarillion. It's one of the greatest romance since Shakespeare's Romeo and Julliet.

So the fixed pairing are Arthur x Regin and Siegfried x Sasha. Don't ask for harem for Siegfried okay. He's traumatized. He did something akin to two-timing once so he definitely won't try the harem route no matter what. And Arthur too. Multiple romantic partner almost destroyed his Kingdom after all. So the only one viable for harem is Tigre... damn lucky bastard. Mordred is already fixed for Tigre. The rest of the Vanadis... Actually, I'll deal with the rest later although Roland x Sophie is a thought.

Now for the revs.

Izayoi Vortigern Albion: Sorry but the Valentina idea is scrapped. Arthur will be with Regin.

00Altair: I might have a few tricks that could deal with the power level. Plus they haven't become legends so some boost through their legends are absent. Good reminder though.

Ohh and one more thing. Should I add more Fate characters? Timeline needs to be considered along with how plausible their existence in that era is. Shirou Emiya, Zelretch, Rin, EMIYA, or anyone else from the modern era is rejected. The most plausible Heroes are those who are from the first millennium or before. Just one or two ideas and I'll consider it if it could fit. If it couldn't, well, I still appreciate the opinion. Shidou out.