Hello my lovely readers~! As a 'head-up' in plan, I am making a bonus chapter in Gilgamesh/Archer's POV which depicts the empty slots of chapter 3 and 4 where he is talking with the secondary characters, Diarmuid and Enkidu. I might include the POV of Enkidu with it since I want to show his character better in depth.

Without further adieu, CHAPTER 4!

Last edited: May 12. 2015

Last edited: Nov 11, 2016

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Fate series


Chapter 4: Stormy Weather

Days have passed since I talked with Enkidu. I awoke this morning, eating breakfast in my chambers out on the stone patio, watching the birds fly freely. Every morning, the only company I had was Diarmuid. He stands at the side, staring at my back while I munch on a grape. It was a peaceful morning, until there was a knock on the door.

"Sir Diarmuid, His Majesty requests for the woman to his royal chambers," I heard the messenger say to Diarmuid once he opened the door.

I didn't bother to look back at the mention of 'woman'. I was nervous at the thought of going into the King's chambers. Days passed since the day I was brought here, but ever since the banquet, I wasn't called for. Now that he has requested me to his chambers, plans for my escape filtered through my mind. The best ways to strike a man would be at his throat or his groin. I've also hit a man just below the ribs, the trick was to hit upwards. Air would just fly out of his lungs.

"Arthuria," Diarmuid beckoned me to stand. "The King has little patience."

I continued to think as I walked down to the King's chambers with Diarmuid and the servant. We passed by the stone walls and the outside corridor where walls were replaced with columns, and the garden was in full view. As far as I knew, the garden was an illusion of being outside of the palace. If I had rope and some rations I could manage. Soldiers marched in orderly fashion through the garden and passed us. Or not.

After the day Enkidu warned me, I felt the need of becoming aware of my surroundings, which is why I was memorizing the routes of the palace by walking around all day. With the amount of patrol, even if I did learn the patterns, stealth wasn't my greatest skill. The King never asked for my company for days, so I was allowed freedom in the palace, only with Diarmuid as my guide/guard. Although, I gradually became accustom to Diarmuid and the quiet company during the tours.

On the first day of touring around, I had asked Diarmuid that morning if I was allowed to walk in the palace.

"I'll ask the King, but no promises," Diarmuid had replied before leaving the room. He came back, looking defeated, saying that Gilgamesh allowed it. Diarmuid and I was leaving for the door, but had stopped and leaned close to my ear.

"I shall trust that you will not attempt to escape, although, if you lose my trust, you will lose your life."

The servant knocked on the door. "Your Highness? They are here."

"Enter."

Diarmuid and I were ushered inside by the servant who left immediately after doing so. The inside was full of hanging silk of vibrant colours, more than the ones in the banquet hall, and definitely more expensive. Enkidu passed by me, giving me a tense smile.

"Sit," Gilgamesh pointed at the cushion at his side. "Diarmuid, you stand at the door."

I sat on the orange cushion and waited for an order. He gave a long and hard stare, as if taking in a painting on a wall. Gilgamesh grabbed an empty cup from his side and passed it to me.

"Give me more wine."

I grabbed the pitcher on the low table next to me and poured more inside. I handed him the cup, waiting for him to take it, but instead, he took my hand and had me help him drink. From the corners of his eyes, Gilgamesh was watching my reaction as I struggled to hold down my embarrassment.

He let go to wipe off the stream of red wine that escaped while he was drinking, his eyes never leaving me. I set the cup down, trying to calm my nerves.

"Come closer."

I felt challenged from those words. If I declined the offer, he would still approach me, so I slid closer, leaving an inch between us. He grabbed my waist and pulled me close to his face. For a moment of silence, Gilgamesh was staring at my eyes, then at my lips.

"Why do you reject me?" He asked.

"Sir, am I not following your orders properly?" I responded, hiding the bitterness.

"Have you? I said to give me more wine, you simply handed it to me. I said to come closer, you weren't in my lap. No concubine has ever asked so."

"Concubine?" I said, suppressed anger rising. "I never said I was a concubine."

He narrowed his eyes. "Then, who are you?"

I shut my eyes as memories of my past were seeping through.

"Look at me when I am speaking!" Gilgamesh said through clenched teeth. I opened them to glare at him. He growled and pushed me down. In an instant I was held against the floor, the King hovered above me.

"Don't look at me like that with those eyes of yours."

He grasped my chin and kissed me roughly. I tried to push against his chest, but he had the upper hand. Gilgamesh finally released my lips, allowing me to breath, only to take my lips once again. I gasped as he slipped his tongue inside my mouth. It drew the line. I fought against his body and finally sat up, wiping my mouth.

"How dare you reject me?! What do you want from me? I gave you freedom in my palace, food for you to eat, clothes on your skin and a place to sleep, but you still won't accept me?!" Gilgamesh roared. I didn't look away this time and saw the slip of loneliness in his scarlet eyes.

He saw that I noticed him wavering, which angered him. Gilgamesh whipped to the door.

"Diarmuid! Come here this instant!"

Diarmuid ran into the chamber, seeing the mess of silk and cushions that lead a trail to where we stood. His face was void of any feelings, a perfect mask of stone.

"Yes, your highness?"

Gilgamesh's eyes held mine. His eyes shone bright with fury. "Take this woman to the nearest slave village!" Gilgamesh commanded, pointed at me. I stared wide eyed at the king's finger, wishing I could slice it off.

"But…"

"I don't want to hear it! Just do it!" Gilgamesh said furiously, turning away. "Leave NOW!" His fists curled tightly.

Diarmuid tugged on my right arm and lead me out of the room roughly. I managed to pull my arm out and turned back to the back of Gilgamesh.

"For a King to act as he wills is no more than a spoiled child!" I exclaimed.

Gilgamesh strode to me, I took a step back, ready to kick and punch. He was in my face in an instant.

"Everyone here has a role to play. Happy or not, our destinies were given to use the day we are born. I was chosen as the King, and as King I told my council not to behead you. 'An ignorant foreigner' I had said to defend you –," frustration laced in the word, "– Your role in this world has been given to you on a golden platter, one many would die for instead of dying on the streets. Maybe if the village doesn't fit you, then the streets would."

Gilgamesh pushed me into Diarmuid's arms. "I have no use of you now. Go. Before I make it happen."

Diarmuid pulled me along out of the King's wing. I didn't know what to feel. I hadn't realised we were outside until I was lifted off the ground and put on a horse. Diarmuid threw himself on the horse and began to ride with me at the back.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"To a slave village."

He had started with a trot, but it turned into a gallop, stopping the conversation. I clung onto his back, trying not to fall off, until we halted.

"Here we are, Babylonia's slave camp."

I let go of his warm back and observed the area. There were large stone house that were long scattered but left a clear path as the road. As we approached, people with dirty clothes came out and started to gather.

"This is where you'll be staying from now on," Diarmuid said in a clipped tone. "Unless you want to say something to the King to change his mind?"

My cheeks flamed at the thought of losing what's left of my pride. I jumped off and turned back to glare at him. "No, it's quite alright."

"Hmm," He said a tiny bit amused, but the harsh coldness was still there. It was obvious that he did not approve of my disobedience. If only I cared. I hardened my glare instead.

"Great Diarmuid," an elderly woman stepped out of the forming crowd bowed before Diarmuid. "What is the matter?"

"See to this woman and make sure she is assigned to work among your people at the sites. The King wants her to … learn new things."

"Yes, sir. I'll arrange for it, is that all?" the elderly woman asked in a monotone voice.

"Yes," Diarmuid said before leaning down to my face. "Try to stay out of trouble."

I tightened my fists and smile. "Yes…sir." My voice strained to sound pleasant.

He left waving carefree without looking back at me or my charge.

I stood in front of the elder woman. This woman was the person chosen to tell Diarmuid everything about me and my usefulness. To be chosen meant they were to be trusted. They must be loyal to the crown. She was shorter than I, which I had never thought possible. Browning clothes draped her wiry body and the top of her grey hair, but her eyes were a soft brown, full of wisdom and…hope.

"Welcome, child. Follow me to your new room," she said without hesitation or any unwillingness. I watched as the crowd dispersed from a single wave of the elder. Just from that, I knew that the people respected the woman greatly.

"My name is Helen. I have been working here since I was a young mother of three children, so I know this place better than many," she explained, walking into a house made of a straw roof and solid stone. "You are to live with me and my family."

Inside was plain but livable. There were worn out rags and carpets on the floor with a wooden table set at the side, close to the square holes for windows. At the opposite wall from the windows were rolls of carpets and jars of all sizes. In the middle of it all was a pit, darkened from the black ashes and leftover wood. The straw ceiling had a hole that, I guessed, would let the smoke out. I walked further into the space, awed at the surroundings and the arising memories of my childhood before being crowned King.

"We are a family of six now, but we can fit you in."

"Six?" I said in wonder.

"Yes, twins from my eldest daughter, a son from my eldest son, and my youngest son and his wife are expecting a child soon."

My throat felt still felt raw from holding my anger I had to clear my throat beforehand. After Gilgamesh and Diarmuid, I was finally coming down from being furious. I managed a small smile. "Congratulations." My voice croaked. Ugh.

She took this time to scan me up and down, a frown upon her face. Helen grabbed my hand and patted it. "Let's get you something else to wear. We don't want to ruin your lovely dress."

Helen went to a chest at the side and dug out a long dress. When I had it on, the fabric was softer than I expected, though the whiteness was browning. Helen sighed and tugged at the loose fabric at my waist. It doesn't quite fit. Whoever previously owned it was wider and taller that I was.

"Well, you sure are skinny," She muttered. Helen grabbed a rope from the chest and tightened the loose area. "There. Sorry, it's a bit big, but it's the only one that I have."

I shook my head. "No worries."

The sleeves were cut to the shoulders and the neck line was v-shaped but rested below the collar bone. The skirt fell to the floor, covering my feet and pooled only a smidge. It had a flowing feel, not like the silk dress I had worn, but I wasn't missing it.

I picked up the palace dress that was on the ground and hesitated to throw it in disgust. The thought of the King made me confused and angry. Destiny? I thought back to England and how I was chosen as King by Excalibur. It burned me to say it, but Gilgamesh did have a point.

A hand appeared on the silk, taking my mind out of my thoughts. "If you'd like, I can keep this for you." Her eyes bore pity. It hit me then. She thought I was a concubine of high status being punished unreasonably.

"No, thank you," I said, passing the dress to her. "You can throw it away or you can do as you like with it." Helen raised a perplexed eyebrow but nodded and took the silk dress with gentle, weathered hands. She placed it in the chest and closed the lid.

"GRANDMA!" A young voice shrilled, followed by footsteps. I turned to the entrance and saw two identical children, both holding hands. One was a girl with hair flowing down to the middle of her small back and the other a boy with a mess of hair. They stared back at me, curiosity made them forget what they came in for. From their identical features, they were twins.

"Yes, what is it?" Helen asked tiredly.

"Uh," the twins said blankly, eyes still on me.

Helen put her fists on her hips and looked at the girl. "Shana," she turned to the boy, "Sami, don't stare at her like that. It's rude!" Their eyes widened and immediately looked to the floor.

"Sorry," they both apologized in sync, raised their head slowly in sync and smiled at me in sync. Whoa.

"Now," Helen sighed. "Is there something wrong?"

"WesawJaredgetintoanotherfightand, and," the girl, Shana said super fast. Her eyes looked as if they were going to pop out.

"Hold on," Helen grabbed Shana's shoulders. "Breathe and slow down. What did Jared do?"

"Argh," Sami exhaled in frustration. "Jared is fighting with the other boys from the other village, again!"

Helen's face hardened. "That idiot. Take me to there." The children looked back at me, but Helen snapped at them. "Hurry!"

I hesitated to follow, it wasn't my place, but the look on Helen's face worried me. I stood still on my feet, until Sami's head popped out from the entrance.

"Aren't you coming?"

"Huh?" The boy looked no older than ten years old, yet he rolled his eyes at me as if I was the young one.

"Come on! Whenever Helen gets into the fights, it gets more interesting," Sami grabbed my wrist. "Let's go."

I arched an eyebrow. What an absurd reason but I let the little boy lead the way.

For the third time of the day, I was being dragged to another destination. Although, coming between two men in an argument leading into a fight was asking for a death wish. Especially if they were highly trained knights. I would know. I imagined Helen crumpled on the ground from a flying fist. My pace quickened.

We passed other stone houses and arrived at an area where a small amount of palm trees stood. Beyond it was another group of houses, obviously separated by the large gap in between. Below one of the trees, there was a gathering group of people surrounding the heated atmosphere inside the circle.

"Get out of here, traitors! This is our territory!" I heard as we moved closer to the heated argument.

We got to the front and saw the two groups of young men standing on opposite sides as if there was an invisible line dividing them. Helen was in the middle and, judging from her crossed arms and firm mouth, she was going nowhere. At her side, Shana was cowering behind her grandmother, a pale look on her face. She lit up when she saw the two of us approaching. A young boy, possibly in his twentieth year, was glaring at another boy around the same age with a messy hair identical to Sami's. Jared. His opponent was larger. From his neck, shoulders and arms, they screamed that he carried heavy objects for a living.

"Break it up, we don't want to fight over something as simple as a shade under a tree," Helen said, her tone strong and wise. "I suggest we all go back to our jobs before anyone gets hurt."

"The only ones getting hurt are you guys, so move it, old lady!" One of the men shouted within the crowd.

"Hey! Don't talk to my grandmother like that!" Sami's brother, Jared stepped even closer. Helen pushed him back a step, but his gaze didn't falter.

"Oh yeah, and what are you going to do about it?" Muscle guy taunted.

Jared tried to close the distance, until Helen grabbed his arm. "No, Jared. Don't do it."

He paused and looked at his grandmother's face. Her pleading eyes made him relax and turn away from the fight. I breathed a relieved sigh, but Muscles was already reeling back with a wooden stick in his hands. In a flash, I stepped in and stopped the stick with my right hand. I glared at the man and gripped the wood tighter.

"What kind of man attacks another while he is unprepared, let alone over something as simple as a problem over a tree's shade?!" I looked at the opposite group behind me from the corners of my eyes. "If you men have enough time to argue over something like this, then I hope you will have enough time to complete your jobs before the King finds out you are slacking off."

A man walked into the middle and stood in front of me. He had a growing beard and messy hair, but his clothes expensive-looking. "Alright, break's over. You heard the threat from the lady. Move along!"

I narrowed my eyes at the man in front of me. He winked at me as he walked with the others, leaving some behind. The offender sneered at me and tried to pull the stick back, but failed. I pulled the wood to the side with a force that made the male stumble backwards. He scrambled up and spat on the ground before me.

"One of these days, I'll show you!" He growled before stomping off with his men in tow, all throwing mixed expressions of leers and glowers my way.

Silence followed, and then the people behind me began to cheer. I jumped at the abrupt sound.

"Way to show'em, girlie!" Helen cackled, slapping a hand on her knee and wiping a tear away.

I blinked at the sudden change of atmosphere. Sami and Shana were looking up at me with sparkling eyes. "You were so epic!" I couldn't help but smile at the comment.

"Hey grandma," the one from the stand-off said, his arms crossed. "Who's she?"

"Oh, I didn't get your name!" She realised. I stepped back and bowed to my waist respectfully. It was the least I could do.

"My name isArthuria," I raised my head, "Arthuria Pendragon."


OvO I did it! HOOPLA!

I made this one longer, because it's a sort of becoming for Saber, so I hope it didn't bother readers :L

As promised, I'm going to answer questions and respond to comments… sooo,

Greetings to Yuricano1304 who asks (?): You do realise that Enkidu is a half male, half female, right?

Yes, my source tells me that Enkidu's gender is better known as 'unknown' so I just wanted to make it a female, unless you want to me say that Enkidu as a 'D' then I can (sort of) make it happen.

Ciao to Aclyon who says: Eh... you finally updated. You can't start imagining how happy I am!
I like where the story seems to be going, with Enkidu here and all. I hope she'll manage to get along with Arturia, and that you don't make her a total bitch. I'm a bit conflicted about who Arturia will fall in love in; I love Lancer/Saber, but I also like Saber/Gilgamesh.
It's cool you stuck to one POV. It's less confusing. It'd be nice to have longer chapters, though. You end them in a conclusive manner, but could we have more content?
Thank you for chapter 3, update soon!

:D Awwww, I'm glad you're happy! ^^; yeah, Enkidu's character is actually fun to animate through words… I don't know why :P . About your confliction, that's what I believe makes love so complicated, you don't know who you are going to love.

I'll try to make them longer ;)

CCSPHTRC wants to know: Will Saber will be able to summon or get Excalibur again?

:) well , of course, my precious! She still is the King of Knights, except in another world :L

Darklight itches to know: When does the next chapter come out ?

Here it is :D

Catxangel said: So glad to see an update! Yes saber please them see who you truly are! An equal!

IKR?!

XxShyxX comments: I hope you update soon

I'll try and write faster . I have so many new stories, but so little time~!

If there is any questions, I'll be happy to reply to them (I promise I don't bite!)

Merry Christmas! :DDDD