Chapter 6.

"Huff… Huff… Huff…"

These were the exhausted pants of both Archer and Arturia, who were equally matched throughout the duel. For 45 minutes, they kept swinging their swords at each other. Each trying to break the guard of the other, but to no avail.

Arturia was surprised at her opponent's fighting prowess. This was the first time she was having troubles defeating someone in a duel. And it wasn't because she was rusty, that's for sure. She was just not expecting Archer's suicidal battle style.

You see, when the fight began, Archer charged straight towards the King of Knights in an attempt to catch her off guard. Only to be greeted by her sidestepping his swing and taking the openness of the redhead as a sign to counterattack. But it was blocked at the last second. This continued throughout the beginning of the duel. With Archer planting false openings to lure Arturia in and Arturia trying to keep Archer on the defensive. The fighting was so intense that their spectators had to move 10 feet away from the circle so that they won't get hurt.

It was in the middle of the fight when things got interesting. Arturia was on the defensive now; she realized that this was an endurance fight where whoever gets tired first loses. And she was having a hard time putting up her guard against Archer's unorthodox movements. His move-set consists of targeting everywhere and jabbing at the right moment. Sounds weird without context so let me fill you in.

When he went on the offensive, Archer targets weird areas like the thighs, the forearms, and oddly enough the wrists and knees. Non-fatal areas that most duelists don't target. But the purpose eluded Arturia since she busy was tiring herself out in defending these body parts. And once Archer realizes that she's too focused on his swings, he does a surprise jab towards the King's torso. And with that, her guard dropped just enough for Archer to land a blow on the King of Knights. She was surprised, sure. But she managed to return the favor by hitting Archer's arms 4 times after that.

And now we are at the near end. With both contestants tired and worn out, only their wills kept them in the duel. They've separated from each other to take a few minutes rest before going in and continuing. It was at this lull in their duel that Arturia sparked a conversation with the redhead.

"Huff… huff… you are not bad Sir Archer," said a breathless Arturia. "Only a few men can keep up with my strength… huff…huff… And for that, I salute you."

"It appears … huff…huff… we are at a standstill," Replied a tired Archer. "I cannot strike a winning blow with my blade…huff…huff… and you cannot defeat my fighting style. It's become obvious that there is one clear winner in this bout. I suggest that you admit defeat before you cause self-harm upon yourself."

Archer knew he was bullshitting. He has little to no strength to even keep his usual battle pose. But if the taunt worked, he could have the advantage. Plus, as fate would have it, his taunt worked but not in his favor.

'To think that he still has enough strength to goad me into committing to careless attacks.' Thought Arturia. 'Either he's bluffing, or he still has a trick up his sleeve. Alright then, I'll finish this fight once and for all!' As she straightens herself to a battle pose that consists of her sword pointing to her right side, she began formulating her final move.

Her plan of attack is a simple charge that will accomplish two things: 1.) It will get Archer off his balance, and 2.) It will disarm Archer. It's a simple plan that has a 100% chance of success. The reason for that is she knew Archer was on his last legs. Any more action and he will drop. Absolutely nothing can stop this attack now. Nothing!

The King of Knights with all the speed she can muster, charged forward towards her foe. Said foe barely put up a defense when she struck. But Archer managed to block her blow, at the cost of his footing. He was so caught off guard with the attack that he stumbled upon himself began falling onto the ground. The redhead knew he lost at this point. So, he simply decided to drag his opponent with him. As he descended, he grabbed Arturia's arm, and it was there that his vision became black.

A second passed and as his eyes were still closed, he felt something metallic on his throat. As he opened his eyes, he was greeted to a very beautiful scene. It was Arturia straddling him. Her body was covered in sweat and as the redhead inhaled, he couldn't help but feel intoxicated by the woman's scent. And the fact that the sun illuminating her face made her look ethereal doesn't help him feel calm and collected in this situation. In fact, he felt aroused.

But alas, reality set in when the redhead heard the blonde tiredly say,

"Yield."

As he realized that there is no escape, he raised his hands in defeat. Even though he lost the fight, he won something much more valuable; the memory of a beautiful, bountiful woman that was etched into his soul. So, with a smirk he replied,

"I yield, King Arthur. But at least I've kept my promise." He said with a knowing look.

"Eh?" The King of Knights was confused. What did he mean by promise? What did he- Oh.

As realization dawned upon her, she realized the position they were in. A blush was now creeping up to her face. Remember the promise the redhead made before the duel began? Well…

She was now on her knees…

"Ahhhhh!"

…Screaming

And then everything went black.

3 hours later…

Mordred was having a splendid day!

After the duel of the King and the redhead, she became rich from her bets in the fight. Overall, she has enough money to hypothetically buy 3 months' worth of beer. Not that she would be dumb enough to buy that much beer, but you'll never know. The Red Knight decided to just keep her earnings in her house before heading back to the castle.

She needed to go back because Archer was there. Lying unconscious in the infirmary. No one had a close look at what happened at the end of the duel since everyone was afar. All she saw was that the King dropped Archer to the ground and after a few minutes started carrying him. As the King walked towards the South End of the training grounds, he handed the redhead to the Red Knight. Giving her explicit orders to take him to the infirmary. When Mordred asked what happened to him, the King froze. Or at least, it looks like he did in Mordred's point of view. Looking back at it, it also looked like his cheeks were a bit pink. Were they? Nah! No way. Must've been the light.

As the Red Knight walked towards the door to the infirmary, with a basket of food for the redhead in hand, she noticed that the door was open. Strange… she remembered closing that before heading home… Slowly and quietly, she looked through the gap of the open door and was greeted by an…interesting sight.

It was the King himself. Sitting on a chair. Now Mordred knows that it was not out of place for the King to sit anywhere she pleases. What's weird is the serene look she has as she gazes upon the unconscious redhead lying on a bed beside a wall. What's even weirder is the gentle smile on her face. The Red Knight was used to her King's emotionless look after serving her for 3 years. Sure, she saw some of her King's angry moments, sad moments, and happy moments. But they were fleeting. One blink and you see it, blink again it's gone. Mordred knew something was off with the King today, but she couldn't tell what. From her point of view, it looked like the King had a 180* personality change. Maybe it's-

"It is not good to stare, Sir Mordred."

'Fuck!' thought Mordred. 'I thought I wasn't noticed.' After being found out, she went into the room. The infirmary was bathed in the afternoon glow at this time. Giving it a warm, calming, and homey feel. So as the Red Knight went in, she could feel the tension leave her body replaced with a feeling of relaxation. And the same can be said for the King of Knights too.

Gone was the rigid, stiff, and stoic aura. What was there was a gentle one. Arturia Pendragon sitting on a chair with the afternoon sun behind her back made her look like an ethereal angel. Like a beautiful statue untouched by the filth of the world. Wearing a look that would smite women and men alike. Sir Mordred agrees with that. If it was not for her helmet, her King would've been seeing a gaping fish. That's how flabbergasted the Red Knight is right now seeing her King looking so... amazing!

"I take it that you've listened to my request and have secured a place for Sir Archer over here." Continued the King while looking at the sleeping redhead.

"And for that, I thank you, Sir Mordred. Well done." She then turned to the Red Knight as she finished.

"I-it's uhm. I- uhm, honored Your Highness!" Said Mordred sheepishly. Of all the things the Red Knight expected when she saw the King, being complimented was not one of them.

"I just did my job, that's all." Mordred continued.

"Indeed." As she said her piece, Arturia stood up from her chair.

"Well then, I must head off. I'll leave you to take care of him while the healer is away."

And with that, she walked towards the door. Only to be stopped as she grabbed the doorknob when she heard Archer's groan.

"Ugh…" said an awakening Archer. As he managed to get himself fully awake. He sat up and looked at his surroundings with his gaze stopping at the two people in the room. He then asked,

"Where am I?"

"In the infirmary." Replied the King as she walked to her former chair. "After our duel, Sir Mordred brought you here to heal your body. You became unconscious, after all. So, it was needed of you to be here." She then sat down.

As she said that, she had to carefully leave out that she was the reason why he became unconscious. Because if she did, she would remember their… position at the end of the battle, which never ceases to make her flustered no matter what she does.

"I see…" said Archer. "I lost… so what happens to me now? I didn't win."

A reasonable question, that was. Now that Archer lost, where will he stay? The condition was that he could have a place to stay if he won. But he didn't so what happens now?

"Well… you'll still get your room." Came the reply. "You've proven your worth to me more than you could ever imagine. Camelot needs fine warriors such as yourself."

That was not a wrong reason. Arturia needs fine men like Archer to protect her Kingdom. Drecken is still on the loose after all. And only Archer knows how to defeat him. And yes, this was the only reason why Arturia decided that Archer should stay. It is definitely not because she felt a pang of loneliness at the thought of his absence.

"Wait! So, he's not leaving?!" half-shouted Mordred. "I uh mean. Your Highness." She finished with embarrassment laced in her voice

"Of course not, Sir Mordred." Came the reply. "I wouldn't be a good King if I allowed a man of his talents to leave. Although… like everything there's a catch."

"… You want me to work here as payment for staying…" Archer got the message the King was trying to say. It's obvious, really. Nothing is free, after all.

"Precisely." Said the King. "Whenever you are not investigating Drecken's whereabouts and are not part of a mission, I desire for you a station where your skills are utilized to its fullest. So, Sir Archer - other than combat- what can you do to serve Camelot?"

This is an easy question. Because Archer already knows what he wants to do. And that is-

"I can cook, Your Majesty." Said Archer. "I can prepare food for you and your Court. That is, if you would allow it."

"Hmm…" Arturia was weighing her options. This can either be the greatest or worst decision she'll ever make. On one hand, she would be treated to meals that are infinitely better than Gawain's cooking. On the other hand, she would be handing her kitchens to a stranger. She knew that he's trustworthy enough for the job. But she also knew that she just met the man. So…

"What say you, Sir Mordred?"

"Huh?! Why me?" Came the reply that is filled with surprise.

"You've spent a whole day travelling with Sir Archer." The King calmly replied. "Surely the two of you took a break and ate at least once. I just want to know your opinion on Sir Archer's cooking."

Before the Red Knight said her thoughts, a grumble interrupted her. As it turns out, her stomach has a more vocal opinion than she could ever have thought of at the moment. To say that she's currently as red as an apple is an understatement. Thank goodness she has her helmet on.

The room was filled with laughter from Archer and Arturia; a few minutes later Mordred joined in, although in a lower tone. After the laughter died down, the King was ready with her verdict.

"Well then, I guess Sir Mordred's stomach is our prime witness to your skills, Sir Archer." Said Arturia with a lace of…cheekiness(?) in her voice. She then walked to the door before stopping,

"The formal assigning of your task will commence tomorrow. So, until then, rest your body Sir Archer. You have a long day ahead of you, after all." And with that, the King of Knights left. Leaving Mordred and Archer to their devices.

Mordred took this chance to approach the redhead, with the forgotten basket in hand. She sat at the chair her King sat in. Giving the basket to Archer, she said,

"For you." As she said that, Archer took it. It was filled with bread, some apples and grapes, and ale. The redhead gave her a smile as thanks. And as he was about to eat, he wondered,

"What about you? You should eat this with me, you know. I can't finish all of this myself."

"No thanks." She quickly replied. "I'll eat when I get home."

The Red Knight couldn't risk showing her face to Archer since she was afraid of what he might think. Would he hate her? Would he tell everyone that she is a girl? Would he end their friendship once he finds out? That was why when they ate in the forest on the way home, she hid herself away from Archer. Because these were thoughts that made her fear for her friendship with the redhead. But her surprise, Archer said,

"If this is about your true gender, you don't have to worry." As he finished, he waited for her attention before continuing

"I saw your face when we met yesterday at the village. I also saw it again when we ate separately in the forest. In truth, I decided to keep your secret until you decided to trust me. And since we're friends now, I thought it would be the right time to tell you."

Silence reigned in after Archer finished. Mordred was way beyond shocked at this point. Her mind is racing to choose whether to trust him or not. And somewhere around this point, she just thought 'Fuck it, he's never given me a reason not to trust him.'. And after that conclusion, her helmet dropped – becoming one with her armor. Revealing a blonde with green eyes. With her unruly hair tied haphazardly into a ponytail.

"Bah! Fuck it. You're my friend already, so I'm gonna give you a pass. Say anything about my face and you're dead though." As she said that, she grabbed some bread and the bottle of ale and went ham on it.

Archer just smiled at her. Knowing that he's gained her trust, he can now start reforming her into Arturia's ally rather than demise. He didn't have the time to ponder it earlier, but now that he did. He realized how much impact he could have on Arturia's timeline. Should he be doing this – changing time? Should he do what he wants and royally screw up the timeline? Inevitably affecting the world centuries after his stay in Camelot. Archer doesn't know the answer yet. So instead, he just shoved these thoughts to the back of his mind and ate the food in the basket together with Mordred. Looking at the now night sky while eating some grapes.

Somewhere…

"Where is it! Where is the weapon?"

"Ah! Please have merc- AHHHHHHHHHHH "

Those were the cries of the men living in a monastery in Glouchedon- A country northwest of Camelot. For a stranger with a black spear attacked them at dusk. Leaving none alive save for the few in front of the spearman. Right now, he's gathering information for the whereabouts of a weapon; a bow that is magically enhanced to not miss its targets matched with a quiver that does not run out of arrows. And out all the villages he razed, only one gave him directions to two locations. One was the village where the pesky knight and redheaded Scot fought him off from his prize – the Sword of Aslan. The other is here, in this monastery.

Right now, he has 5 people all huddled together in the elder's meeting room. All 5 being the elders of the monastery. If anyone would know about the weapon he seeks, it's probably them. So bearing a murderous grin, he said.

"Now, anyone who tells me what I want to hear will live." He grabbed one of them.

"Do you know where the weapon is?" he asked the elder.

"P-p-please!" pleaded the man. "I don't know anything. So please let me g- ahhhhh"

A stab was heard. For the stranger impaled the elder with his spear. Clearly dissatisfied with the answer he got. He went to the second one, same ending. He went on to the third, this time he slashed the elder's head off his body. But before he went onto the fourth, the fifth elder stepped in.

"I-I-I have what you want!" Said the old man. The poor elder was crying hysterically at this point but continued.

"It's over their! Behind the wall. It will take you to where you want." As he finished, he went on all fours and begged the stranger to spare him. Which was then reciprocated by a stab to the nape by said stranger. Leaving the fourth elder on her own. The only survivor of the only family she ever knew. The stranger looked at her, while point the spear-tip to her neck, he said,

"That blabbering fool wasted his life trying to save yours." He then continued. "Live your life in misery and despair." He then scraped her neck, causing multiple wounds to bleed out. "And never forget that I, Drecken, destroyed everything that you help so dear. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

As Drecken left the elder alone, he walked towards where the elder showed him. It was a painting of a waterfall with a pool at its base. Picking it up, something dropped from behind the frame. Picking it up, he discovered that it was a map to a town in Celidoine – a country east of Glouchedon. Smiling at the fact that he found a lead. He went on to burn the monastery to rid of the evidence of his being there; the elder that he spared was nowhere to be seen.

After turning the monastery into ruins, he headed off to his next destination.

Authors note: I swear that this is not a crossover. I'm only doing this for the weapons. Nothing more. Nothing less.