Original Archive of Our Own Posting Date: September 18, 2020
"We need to talk."
For a minute or two, neither of us spoke, only looking at one another. Mordred's expression became guarded, though I could detect no hints of hostility, at least, not yet. Wonder how long that would last. Finally, Mordred was the first one to break the silence.
"I'm fine." I wanted to scoff at the blatant lie. Instead, I crossed my arms across my chest, staring back into her eyes. I wasn't going to back down. Servant or not, friend or not, I needed Mordred to have her head in the game, unwilling to see another comrade dying. Never get the easy jobs, it seems.
"Gareth and Gaheris were your half-siblings, correct?" I said instead, figuring that might be a good way to start. At the time, the two names she shouted during her duel with Lancelot hadn't registered with me. When we were making our way over to the abandoned fort, however, I recalled one of the various legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Of Gawain, his younger brothers Gareth and Gaheris, his older brother Agravain. The children of King Lot of Lothian, and Morgan le Fay.
Mordred hesitated for a few minutes, her resolve flickering for a moment before hardening once again. "Yeah, so?" She said a bit testily. I refused to display the flinch I felt inside. While I knew deep down that the Knight of Rebellion wouldn't harm me, it was still a most unpleasant feeling
"Did you ever interact with them?" I asked, throwing Mordred off-guard. She grunted and looked towards the sun, frowning before she finally spoke again.
"…not too much. I didn't find out about them being my half-siblings until later, after I had entered service with King Arthur," she finally admitted. "But still…they were family…" she said a bit awkwardly. I nodded in response and in understanding, before speaking up once again.
"And so it still hurt to see them killed by Lancelot," I tentatively summarized, getting a nod from the blonde knight even as she continued to look away from me. "There's more to your anger at him beyond just that though, isn't there?" Mordred stiffened at that, but thankfully didn't lash out at me.
"You had to be there to truly understand," Mordred said softly. "The king was perfect. Tristan thought that he didn't understand human emotion, but in my eyes, the king was perfect. To betray the king was unforgivable. The fact that his closest and most trusted of knights did such an act to him went beyond treason." There it was again. The mixture of admiration and hatred for her father.
The contradiction bothered me greatly, and I was itching to ask her why. For someone who had tried to seize Arthur's thrown, she rarely talked about how she would be king if she could make a wish with the Holy Grail if one ever fell into her hands. Perhaps her last summoning had been a cause, but she had said she would tell me about this Greater Holy Grail War when we returned to Chaldea, and so I would have to wait.
"I won't ask you about your relationship with your father. That is something that only you should decide when and if you want to discuss it," I said, receiving a relieved nod. I noted the various emotions that ran across her face at the mention of Arthur, further confirming my suspicions that she didn't have only hatred for the king, or at least, not anymore.
"But you have seen something, haven't you? My last Master saw something, but he never brought it up. It bothered him, though, just like I've seen it bothering you. What was it?" She asked gruffly, still gazing at the evening sky. I took a deep breath before finally delving into the matter of those accursed dreams that have been plaguing my sleep the past few nights.
"I've seen what your…mother…did to you." Those words caused Mordred's hackles to rise as she released her breath in a hiss. Unlike when it came to her father, there was no mistaking the loathing she felt for Morgan le Fay. A sensation I completely shared despite having never met her in person. I continue speaking. "I saw how she left you in the cold, and had you fight hordes of skeletons until you were battered and beaten into unconsciousness." Mordred snorted in anger, though thankfully none of it was aimed at me.
"Yeah, real 'mother of the year' award stuff there, let me tell you," she said bitterly. I could see that she was clenching her fists tightly, her knuckles turning white from the action. "Always going on about her stupid plans. Couldn't believe it when I finally left," she grumbled, before saying something else that I was unable to hear.
I felt the urge to give her a friendly hug, but I don't act on it. At least for now, Mordred doesn't strike me as a person that would appreciate that level on contact. Handshakes, fist bumps, resting a hand on a shoulder….those kinds of things seemed to be what she was most comfortable with. Would that change as we continued our mission? I don't know, but that doesn't matter right now.
"It wasn't fair, and I am sorry you had to go through that. You probably grew up feeling that you were alone, and to trust no one," I said, looking at the setting sun before us as I sensed Mordred tensing up next to me. I paused for a few seconds, finalizing the phrasing for my next sentence.
"I just want to let you know that that no longer has to be the case, unless you wish for that to remain unchanged. That I hope you can rely on me just as I rely on both you and your strength. Okay?" I asked. The Knight of Rebellion remained silent once more, still frowning slightly. Finally, she gazed at me with a questioning glare.
"Why?" I sighed softly, resisting the urge to shake my head at Mordred's question.
"I told you this before, Mordred. We're a team. Partners. Partners look out for one another," I said, smiling earnestly at her, my hand still resting on her bare shoulder. "I've said, and hopefully shown, that I trust you. Now, I ask this of you: do you trust me?" For the next minute, Mordred merely stared into my eyes, her face expressionless. In the back of my mind, I felt a sense of panic. Did I push too hard too soon?
Shaking her head slightly with her eyes closed, Mordred lets out a soft chuckle of amusement before looking at me with her vibrant emerald eyes. "I think I do, Master. Thanks…for everything," she added. I nodded at her simple words, a pleased smile on my face as I stood up, offering the knight a hand.
Mordred shrugged at the gesture and firmly gripped mine with her own, and I helped her to her feet. "Well, know that we've taken care of that, let's go find out what the others have come up with."
"Heh, you left Ritsuka and Shieldy down there all alone?" Mordred teased, and I raised an eyebrow at her. "Eh, I'm sure it'll be fine," she said before I could inquire as to what the hell that was supposed to mean.
"Hopefully, Siegfried has been healed. Don't know about you, but I'm starting to think it would be nice to finally be able to go onto the offensive once more," I replied. Mordred laughed and slapped my back heartily in approval, the sound echoing as we descended into the fort together.
It didn't take long to realize that any hopes of going onto the offensive come morning were in vain. I grimaced slightly at seeing Siegfried's wound still present at his side. I was also met with solemn expressions from the others before they began to fill me in on what I had missed while talking upstairs with Mordred. Along with a plan that was not exactly to my liking, truth be told.
"So, let me get this straight," I said slowly. "Siegfried's wounds need to be healed by a Servant who was a saint, I get that. But you want to split up the group?" I asked, looking at Marie, Mash, Jeanne, and Ritsuka in the eyes firmly.
"Want to? No," Jeanne said softly. "Need to, though? Quite possibly."
"Staying together as a group is safer, but unless we remove the curse on Siegfried, can't defeat Fafnir. Splitting up would be a bit risky," Marie admitted, not flinching from my gaze. "However, it would allow for more ground to be covered, and improve the chances of finding a saint."
"This Jeanne Alter has summoned Fafnir. What if she summons more of the numerous infamous dragons of lore? We're running low on time. We need to find someone who can heal Siegfried ASAP," Chulainn chimed in, leaning against the shaft of his crimson spear. The other Servants nodded in agreement, even Mordred. I restrained myself from acting on the urge of hissing softly, instead chewing on the inside of my cheek softly for a minute or two before finally speaking once more.
"How many groups and how are we deciding who goes with which?" I asked resignedly. As much as I dislike the feeling this plan was giving me, it was a logical one. Ritsuka step forward a bit, and I looked at him as he answered my question.
"We're splitting into two groups. Jeanne and Marie are going as a small search party, while the rest of us protect Siegfried and move to the next major settlement nearby, Thiers." I grunted in acknowledgement. I looked at the map Ritsuka and the others had pulled up.
"That makes sense," I admitted in an even tone. I felt proud at seeing Ritsuka coming up with a plan without needing my input. Again, as much as I disliked it on a personal basis, it was a good plan. "I assume we will be splitting up come morning?"
Ritsuka nodded with a sad expression, showing that he was as uncomfortable about this as I was. We both knew though that to save humanity, we would have to put aside our personal desires at times for the greater good.
"Very well then. Let's see what was left behind and if there are any blankets or food that is edible before we set up camp."
I woke up early, rubbing my forehead slightly. Once again, I had one of those damn dreams, but this time, it felt less cohesive. Less of a single moment but a collage of scenes. Mordred's helmet and armor, becoming a Knight of the Round Table. Feelings of pride, awe, release…
I shake my head, looking around. It looked like Sasaki was on guard duty again, as he was the only Servant out of sight. He was probably guarding the front gate, something that Medea had mockingly suggested the Assassin should do when we had discussed who was going to take which watch for the night, and that Chulainn had grunted in amusement to the disapproval of my second Servant.
I looked at Mordred, seeing that she had fallen asleep sitting down with her back resting against the wall nearest Ritsuka and I. She still hadn't re-summoned her armor, though the cool air inside the stone building wasn't all the cold to have bothered the Servant. She had a peaceful expression on her face. Good, it looks like my words last night had worked hopefully.
I walked quietly up the stairwell leading to the battlements, my sword in one hand and a discarded whetstone that I had found last night in the other. It was early morning, the sky colored a gentle pink as the sun began its daily ascent once more. I took a few minutes to enjoy the sight, before I walked over to the same spot I had found Mordred when we first arrived here, sitting down between two merlons, my feet dangling against the front of the wall as I unsheathed the sword.
I began to examine the blade, taking note of the various notches that were testament to the past few days of fighting, along with a few segments that looked to have started becoming dull. Placing the empty sheath to the side, I adjusted my grip on the whetstone as I began to work on the sword blade.
After a few minutes of silence that were only broken by the sound of stone against metal, I began humming. The tune was an old lullaby from my childhood, one I remembered my mother would use whenever I was frightened by an overhead thunderstorm.
Some people said that I had acquire my mother's voice when it came to singing, making the few occasions that I sung aloud stunning. Of course, I wasn't sure if that was true, and regardless of that fact, the occasions that I found myself in where I would want to sing had been virtually non-existent. I would, of course, hum, however.
A good thing too, as the lullaby I was humming was one where I had forgotten the exact words for. It was a song about a weary traveler finally finding his way home. The important part was that it was uplifting and calming at once, and I soon found myself lost in the action of sharpening my sword. The sound of footsteps behind me almost caused me to drop the sword, though I relaxed rather quickly when I heard a feminine voice calling my name softly.
"Jacob?" I briefly paused my humming, looking over my shoulder to see Jeanne staring at me with a curious expression. I nodded my head in greeting at her.
"Ah, good morning Jeanne," I said before turning my head to look back at the blade, humming once more. I heard the Ruler walk closer, but she didn't say anything, listening to my tune for a few minutes. I don't say anything either, as I finish up taking care of my blade before I stop humming, gaining Jeanne's attention.
"There's more to your reason to not greet stay and talk with Gilles yesterday, wasn't there?" I finally asked, putting my sword back into its sheath and placing it against the side once more.
"…Yes," Jeanne admitted hesitantly. Someone please save me from blonde girls that have trouble admitting what's bothering them in some form or another. At least this time I shouldn't have to worry about having one's ire directed at me like Mordred had done initially.
"You know what he became after your death," I said, rather than asked. Her summoning might have been tainted, nor could she remember previous summonings, but so far, she hadn't given any indication of the knowledge the fates of other Heroic Spirits. Again, Jeanne nodded.
"It mustn't be easy, knowing that a man you respected went off the deep end over your death.
"If Gilles is ever summoned at Chaldea, think of it as God giving him a chance to redeem himself," I offered. I wasn't a religious man, but for Jeanne, it formed a huge part of who she was. A soft smile came to her lips as she nodded slowly, getting the idea I was trying to suggest. "You won't be able to change what his fate will be once the timeline is fixed, but isn't it better to have a chance to tell him that he shouldn't blame himself for your death?" Jeanne didn't answer the question, and silence reigned once more between us as I gazed at the blonde Ruler.
"Perhaps you are right," she finally said hesitantly. That I might also be wrong wasn't said but implied, but I took no offense, looking over at the horizon. Even from here, the faint traces of smoke indicated the burnt remains of Lyon. How many other settlements will our two parties come across before we assault Orléans, I find myself wondering.
"Promise me something," I finally said, tightly gripping my weapon to the point my knuckles were white.
"Yes, Jacob?" She asked with a hint of confusion. I turned around slightly, staring into her eyes firmly.
"Promise me you and Marie will come back to us," I simply said. "At the very least, that you will do all that you can to do so," I added, trying to not sound demanding to someone who wasn't truly my Servant. Jeanne's cheeks pinked slightly as her eyes widened. Before she could get the wrong idea, or Marie somehow getting the idea to play matchmaker, I pushed on. "I've already seen enough death here. I wish to not have those that I know to join them."
Jeanne nodded at those words, understanding now why I was asking for such a promise. "With God as my witness," she said in a solemn voice, "I will do all that I can to ensure that Marie and I will rejoin you as soon as we can." I nodded, knowing that she would be true to her word. Her religion was a key part of who she was, who she is. "I think I can hear the others starting to get up," Jeanne said in a softer tone. I grunted as I stood back up.
"Then I guess it is time to start saying our goodbyes to one another, then, huh?" I said with a half-hearted smile, an expression the Maid of Orléans shared with me as we began to descend down the stairwell.
Breakfast was a quiet and somber affair. We hadn't found any edible food, so we ate another bland, if healthy, breakfast. Before we knew it, it was almost time to spilt up and go in different directions. Trudging back outside, Marie closed her eyes before summoning her magnificent glass horse, which she mounted with breathtaking grace, a sweet smile on her lips as she looked at us. Her gaze focused on Amadeus, who was either unable or unwilling to look his friend in the eyes before she left.
"Amadeus," Marie said gently, and the Caster looked up at her. "Please look after Ritsuka and the others." Her friend nodded solemnly.
"To be honest, I'm nervous about leaving your side," he said quietly. The Caster released a soft bark of humorless laughter before continuing. "Not that there's a time when I'm not nervous about you. But you can use your Noble Phantasm to escape, and Jeanne is a defense specialist. I'll just have to hope for the best. Just be safe," he asked, his words eerily like the ones I had spoken to Jeanne. Marie smiled with her typical cheer and energy.
"Oh! My heart beats thinking that you might propose to me again!" She teased playfully, causing her friend to blink before staring at her in confusion.
"Wait. Why would you bring that up now?" Why indeed? Mash gave out a startled gasp at the Rider's words.
"Propose? What?" Roman, having listened in, quickly came to her rescue as he explained to her how the composer at the young age of six had proposed to Marie Antoinette, who was only one year older than him. I tuned out the conversation as Marie recounted the story to Mash, Ritsuka, and Jeanne, while I turned to Mordred.
"Well, at least this isn't a depressing departure," I commented softly, shrugging for added affect that caused the Knight of Rebellion to snicker in amusement.
"See you, Amadeus! I'm leaving now! When I come back, let me listen to your piano again!" Marie said excitedly, bouncing up and down slightly atop her mount. Mash turned to Jeanne, handing the Ruler her commlink.
"Let's keep in contact with each other at regular intervals," she suggested as Jeanne examined the wrist-borne device. "It's a Chaldean communication device that allows for us to keep in touch via magical energy," the Demi-Servant explained as she helped the Maid of Orléans strapping said device and giving a quick lesson on the basics for using it. Once she finished, Jeanne nodded in approval.
"Very well. I'll hold on to it, then."
"Take care," Ritsuka said with a smile.
"Be careful," I cautioned at the same time.
"Yes, thank you. Jacob, Ritsuka, everyone, please take care as well," she said with a smile before climbing onto Marie's mount, wrapping her arms around the smaller Servant's waist to hold on. Despite her words yesterday about the glass horse being a one-seater only, Marie had meant it in the sense of being able to ride comfortably for a human or even a Demi-Servant. For a Servant, especially one like Jeanne who had borne her fair share of trials and tribulations, this wasn't all that bad for the Ruler.
The two Servants gave a final wave of goodbye before Marie urged her horse forward, and the mount began to gallop off.
"Don't worry, Master," Mordred said, speaking loud enough that only I could hear her words. "Ruler is a tough girl. It'll take more than a few Servants to bring her down." I grunted in response before turning to Ritsuka.
"Let's get going. Next stop, the town of Thiers."
Original A/N:So, what did you guys think of the Mordred and Jacob bonding section? Did I push it too hard, went too weak...? Or did I do a good job? As I said, this is the first time I wrote a fluff scene that I was fully invested in making, so curious to see how it turned out. Hmmm...looks like Jacob is having some trauma from poor Olga Marie Animusphere's death, huh? As for the part with Jacob discussing Gilles with Jeanne, it is something that I came up with, because I felt that there was more to that when she hesistated both when Marie told the Ruler that he was in charge of the remains of the French army, and also when he tried to catch up to here last chapter. The whole 'it might endanger his position' aspect, while valid, felt a bit weak to me, but hey, that's my opinion. Now, for the question(s) of the day: Seeing that I finally managed to complete the Final Singularity and was hit by the feels hardcore despite knowing roughly what was going to happen, today's Fate-related question is this: What was the most emotional moment for you in the Fate/Grand Order story? Second question: What is the most ridiculous non-abridged anime you have ever watched? As always, I hope you enjoyed another chapter, and thanks for reading! Looking forward to y'alls feedback and answers, and see you next time! Stay safe and healthy!