Author's notes: Here you have another chapter. I decided to update this story next because I'm on the throes of preparing for another project that will take a lot of my time and attention. So I thought it would be a good idea to work on this while I still had the time. It is a short chapter, but every little bit helps to keep moving the story forward. Plus shorter chapters can come out much quickly than a monthly long one.
Disclaimer: I own nothing; Fate/Stay Night belongs to Type-Moon/ Kinoko Nasu. Dragon Age belongs to Bioware and EA.
Chapter 3
Leaving the nest
"You can't be serious!?" Alistair complained in a loud voice, making his sister flinch a little due to the high volume blaring right next to her ear. Both siblings were currently standing inside Arl Eamon's study, listening to an important proclamation that the old Arl had decided to inform them about by calling them into his personal chambers, an occasion that they very rarely had the chance to experience.
"I am Alistair…" Eamon declares in a firm voice, completely unfazed by the boy's reaction. "I'm afraid you and your sister can no longer live here in Redcliffe. But if it is of some comfort, I've spoken with revered mother Hannah, and the Chantry has agreed to take custody of you two… Rest assured you will be well taken care off and receive the best education that the Chantry can provide."
"Why!? Why are you sending us away from the only home we have ever known…!? What did we do!?" Alistair demanded in desperation, the raw emotion almost threatening to drown his voice.
Eamon became silent for a few moments, thinking carefully about how he was going to formulate his response. "I'm afraid recent tensions arising in the castle have caused me to reconsider about your stay here in Redcliffe. You two know there have always been rumors flying about your parentage and how they have always been a matter of contention for my wife. However, I'm afraid that her recent pregnancy has made her even more sensitive to the hearsay of the peasantry, to the point that the current situation has become quite unbearable for her."
"So you're sending us away because Isolde's been bitching again about us being your bastards!" The young boy declared hotly, feeling personally insulted at what he believed was another petty attempt to hurt him from a person he and her sister detest.
"Alistair! You would do well to mind your tongue, boy! You're speaking about my wife, the Arlessa of this castle! The lawful spouse of the lord that rules these lands you live in! Remember your station!" Eamon admonished, becoming stiff and unbending in an instant.
Alistar glared, his hand clutching the medallion around his neck in a hard grip, knuckles turning white. He took a step forward, stalking with hostile intent but he was intercepted by his sister before he had a chance of saying or doing something he might regret later; Arturia boldly stepping in his way and grabbing him by the arm, locking eyes with him as he turned to glare at the interloper.
"Arty!" Alistair hissed, a brief feeling of betrayal flickering on his face for just an instant.
"It's alright Alistair…" Arturia simply said with a solemn expression.
"He's kicking us out!" The boy exclaimed.
"That does not matter Alistair…" The girl simply replied, as if such life-changing development was nothing more but a slight inconvenience, barely worth of any attention. "As long as you and I are together, any kind of tribulation we are forced to overcome will be of no consequence. To be honest, I never expected for us to remain forever here in Redcliffe…" She said in a soothing voice, trying to reassure her sibling.
"But…"
"It'll be alright Alistair… You should look at the bright side; if we are forced to leave Redcliffe, then that means we would never havto see Isolde again in our lives…"
A silent conversation took place between the siblings, the girl keeping an impassive expression despite the obvious anger in her brother's countenance, their eyes locked on each other during the entire exchange. After a few long moments, Alistair acqueisced, the corners of his mouth tilting upwards for a second as his temper finally simmered down.
"Well… I must say that actually is a pleasant thought to consider…" He said eventually as he took a step back and gave a nod to his sister.
Eamon just witnessed the interaction between the siblings in silence, his expression giving no hint about his inner thoughts. "You two really don't get along with my wife…" He finally decided to voice.
The two siblings simply gave him a flat look that clearly told 'No shit!' Eamon sighed.
"If the Chantry is going to take care of us from now on, where are we to be staying…?" Arturia inquired. A fair question Eamon supposed.
"You're going to be sent to the Monastery at Burnshire, three days from now on…" It was the Arl's simple reply.
Arturia nodded gracefully, offering a bow to the old Arl before turning around to depart, calling her brother along. "Come Alistair, we must make arrangements and have everything ready for our departure. We are going to visit monks."
Alistair groaned at that. "That sounds as exciting as watching the grass grow. Ugh! I bet they're all going to be old funny smelling coots who like to wear brightly colored skirts! The horror of just thinking about it!" He declared overdramatically in fake dread.
Arturia just shrugged. "We could always ask to join the templars if our new duties prove to be not of our liking, that way we could finish our training to become Knights." She suggested.
"Mmmph… Now there's a thought…." Alistair replied, seriously considering the idea, the dirty-blonde boy trailing after his sister, closing the door of the Arl's study behind him after they exited the room. Arl Eamon just shook his head sideways, nine years after taking the two children under his wing, and he was still unable to even have a glimpse of what kind of thoughts passed through both of their heads.
!
Five years soon went by after the children were handed off to the Chantry, during that time Arturia had more than ample opportunities to showcase her unfaltering iron discipline and impressive mastery of arms, becoming without a doubt the most promising recruit in all of Ferelden to be inducted into the Templars. Alistair however, did not show the same level of competence as her sister, even though he eventually managed to learn all of the skills and abilities that the Templars are capable of (Thanks to no small amount of cajoling and the occasional threat from his dear sister) He didn't posses what could be considered a proper disposition towards the traditions and values that a Templar was supposed to uphold, often coming at odds with those of higher standing when it came about the way he should fulfill his duties.
It galled at Alistair to know he wasn't truly suited for the Templar life, something that her sister could clearly see too despite her patience and encouragement, but to tell the truth Alistair wasn't too perturbed about that. He learned from a very early age how his sister was the superior one regarding the trade of Knighthood and the strength of arms, but he didn't berate her for that. He loved his sister, but deep inside he knew that the path she walked was not one he was going to be able to follow.
Alistair's thoughts snapped out from his reflections as he read the letter in his hands that had been addressed to him and his sister from Bann Teagan, all higher mental capacity coming to a sudden shocking halt by the contents of the piece of parchment in his grasp. The news it conveyed were of a dreadful nature, a tragedy beyond what anyone could have ever imagined; a terrible calamity that destroyed his spirits down in an instant and threatened to bring him to tears.
But Alistair soldiered on; remembering his sister's lessons and valiantly maintained his composure as he forcefully beat his sorrow away with great struggle. He needed to look for Arty and inform her of this, before anyone else could have the chance of breaking the news to her. It would not do to have such devastating catastrophe be delivered from the mouths of strangers.
With that thought, the young fourteen year old boy wiped the unshed tears from his eyes and went in search of his sibling. He found her, where else? But in the inner courtyard of the Monastery, training inside the sparring circle as she usually does.
"Arty…" Alistair called as he approached, pulling Arturia's attention away from her exercises.
"Alistair…? You're early for your noon sword practice. What's the occasion for such agency…?" The smaller girl asked, finding it strange that her brother would be early for his lessons, knowing the deep love-hate relationship he has over the subject but finding nothing to be particularly concerned about such oddity.
Even though years have passed since both siblings were sent to live here on the Monastery by Arl Eamon, and their subsequent induction into the Templar order, Arturia was still a rather petite lithe girl despite the few inches she has grown after all this time. However, one could tell she was bound for quite the growth spur, for her beauty started to stand out more and more with each passing year. As a child, she used to have a kind of regal fairness and elegance, like the ones possesed by high members of the nobility and royalty, something that both Eamon and Teagan were in agreement was product of her kingly blood. But as she approached the cusp of her womanhood, her factions were slowly starting to acquire a certain ethereal loveliness, as if she were some kind of out worldly spirit whose beauty was not meant to be gazed by human eyes, a goddess incarnated on mortal flesh.
The small teasing smile on Arturia's entrancing lips died abruptly as she took notice of the grim seriousness in her brother's expression, she knew immediately that something was wrong.
"Bann Teagan sent a letter…" It was all that Alistair said as he presented the piece of parchment for her sister to read.
Arturia took it with a dainty but firm strong hand and began to peruse its contents. Despite her beauty becoming more and more prominent with the passing of the seasons, the many years Arturia has spent training in the arts of arms have given her a well developed and defined musculature that, rather than detract from her loveliness, has only served to enhance her fair attributes further.
"King Maric's ship sank during a storm with him aboard and he has been declared lost at sea…" She read with clear shock on her features.
"According to Bann Teagan search crews were sent to comb the entire stretch of the Waking Sea between Amaranthine and the Free Marches but no one is expecting to find him alive…" Alistair relayed, his voice threatening to break at the end.
For a moment Arturia said nothing, too stupefied by the completely unexpected news to be able to properly offer a response. It is true that both she and Alistair did not have the closest of relationships with their father, but at the very least they were amicable to a certain extent, sharing a few letters from time to time over the years to at least inform him of their condition. Sometimes he even deing himself to answer and give a few words of encouragement. Plus
Arturia never had a score to settle with him, despite some decisions of his that she doesn't fully approves (mostly regarding Alistair's true parentage) she knew that despite all his failings, King Maric had been a good man who had tried to do right by the people of this country the best way he could, so she couldn't honestly say that she desired any ill to befall him. His loss is without a doubt a heavy blow for the sovereignty of Ferelden.
But such issues were none of her business, whatever political upheaval that the disappearance of the king would create will be a matter for their eldest brother Cailan and the Landsmeet to settle. Right now, the only thing she should be focusing on is the young boy in front of her.
"Oh Alistair… Come here." She declared leaning towards him with her arms wide open in an offer of reassurance.
The boy accepted the invitation without hesitation and held his sister on a tight embrace, the valiant front he had been projecting finally crumbling down. "He's dead, Arty! He's dead…! Our father is dead…" He sobbed, burying his face on Arturia's shoulder.
"… I know, Alistair. I know…" It was all she could say as she let her brother vent his sadness.
!
A couple of months pass, Ferelden is brought out of its turmoil at the loss of its King when Maric's eldest son, Cailan, is nominated by the Landsmeet as the new monarch and given the crown after Teyrn Cousland decides not to challenge his right for the throne.
But such developments are not of Arturia's interest, for today she finds herself dealing with a conundrum after her brother approached her with an unexpected suggestion.
"I think you should accept the offer to be transferred to the Chantry at Denerim, Arty…" Alistair said in the middle of his daily combat lessons with his sister, catching Arturia off-guard to the point of almost letting her sword slid from her fingers due to the surprise.
"What!?" She eloquently inquires; being the only words she's capable of speaking.
"You heard me sis'…" Alistair replied in an unusual serious mood. "We both know you're wasting your skills by staying in here when you could be out there serving the Chantry in a distinguished position while learning under the guidance of renowned and veteran Templars."
"That may be so Alistair, but all the praises and accolades in the world mean nothing if I have to leave my favorite baby brother behind…" Arturia replied, giving the boy (who was already showing signs of becoming a man) a kind smile as she pinched one of his cheeks good-naturedly. It did nothing to take the heavy frown from Alistair's features.
"I'm being serious sister… No matter how much you try to convince me otherwise, we both know I don't have much talent for being a Templar. Maker's breath, I'm barely even able to give lip service to the Chantry's sermons, let alone be capable of dedicating my life to uphold the edicts and laws of the faith…" He said with a little self-depreciation.
"Alistair…!" Arturia chided, her demeanor turning reproachful almost immediately.
"No, don't you Alistair me…!" The boy replied with a dismissive wave. "We both know it's the truth! There's no point in pretending otherwise. I'm just a burden that's dragging you down and keeping you from reaching your full potential…" He declared, glancing down in sadness.
"Alistair, you know that never for one moment have I ever considered you to be a burden!" Arturia replied firmly, not in the mood for such defeatist talk.
"I know, you've always cared about me when none other would ever being to give me a glance, and I've always loved you because of it…" He confessed, bringing a hand over to the old amulet around his neck and clutching it with the tips of his fingers. "And it's because of that love that I'm telling you now that you should not let our familial bond get in the way and keep you from spreading your wings."
Arturia could not understand from where all this talk was coming from, rarely does his brother show a level of determination like the one he's sporting right now, even though she knows him capable of such and thus her decision of constantly trying to coax it to the surface. Well it seems Alistair it's finally starting to become his own man by his own merit, though never would she have expected to have such resolve aimed against her.
She sighed. "Where is all this coming from anyway? Does this have something to do with the King's passing?" She inquired, making an educated guess as to why Alistair was acting in such uncharacteristic manner.
Alistair shook his head side to side without hesitation in a negative. "No sister, though it did served to finally make me decide to broach the subject with you. To tell the truth, I've always known you are better than me in the battle arts since we were little children. Hard not to realize it when you were always training and impressing the knights back in Arl Eamon's castle while I was nothing more but a dunderhead that could barely lift a training sword without smacking himself in the foot…"
Arturia frowned, not liking the direction in which the conversation was turning. "Alistar… It has never my intention to make you feel any lesser… If I have unknowingly given you a feeling of inferiority in any way during all these years, know that I…"
Alistair rolled his eyes, interrupting his sister before she could start in another long-winded apology. Though he appreciates the fact that her feelings on the matter were heartfelt, they were completely unnecessary in his opinion. "It's not that Arty! It never bothered me the fact you are a better warrior than me because you always made sure to share what you knew with me, your dumb-oaf of a brother… You always tried your best to make sure I learned the proper way to fight despite not showing the discipline for it. What I'm trying to say is, being a knight… A proper Templar that defends the people against injustice and rogue maleficars and demons roaming the land… That's your thing… But it's not mine… I have no interest in becoming a Templar to tell the truth…" He declared with a little rueful smile.
"Oh…" Arturia said with a stumped expression. She clearly had ever imagined that her own brother would say something like that. She required a few moments to digest such revelation before she was able to speak again.
"So… What are you going to do…? Are you going to leave the monastery?" The blonde girl inquired at length.
The resolve that Alistair was showing up to this moment suddenly vanished, like taking the air out of a balloon. "I don't know… I don't know. I haven't thought that far to tell the truth… I was thinking to remain here in the monastery until I finished mastering all of the Templars techniques they've been teaching us. Even if I have no real interest in becoming a good little mage killer for the Chantry, I can't deny they could prove pretty useful to know in the long run…" He confessed.
Saber nodded at that, knowing his brother was right; the abilities that the templars possess are really powerful against mystical and supernatural threats. Thanks to the years she has spent learning on the monastery, Arturia has added more powerful abilities to her arsenal, abilities that allow her a much easier time during her nightly excursions in the Fade, as the skills developed by the Templars are tailored to curtail the influence of the realm of dreams by reinforcing the dimensional boundaries of the reality around them. Such a thing is anathema for the spirits and demons of the Fade, who prove to be particularly vulnerable to the high level offensive techniques of the Templars.
Now Arturia posses the capacity of both increasing the Fade's influence on the world and using its energies to cloak or empower herself, or limit said influence and make her attacks become extremely harmful to any hostile denizen of the Fade. The only downside is that she cannot employ both the techniques of the Spirit Warrior and Templar at the same time since they stand at opposites ends of the same spectrum, and thus using one limits the applications of the other. Oh well, at least despite the shortcomings she was able to increase her versatility for any kind of unexpected situation.
That and she can now kill demons in the Fade without the need of actualizing her noble phantasms, always a good thing in her opinion. In any case, it is undoubtedly that most of the Templar's techniques she's learned are only known by the most experienced and veteran Templars, not something that is expected for the common rank and file (much less a lowly initiate) to master. But Arturia has always been a stubborn one and she had refused to progress with her tutelage until she fully mastered each technique shown to her in turn.
Add to the fact that she trains for many long hours every day with an almost religious zeal, something that the Templars themselves see nothing wrong with such behavior and in fact consider it as something worthy of praise, and it should not be surprising that the former king of Britain was able to use advanced techniques at the age of fifteen that only fully inducted Templars are capable of wielding, which obviously caught the interest of many important figures who wish to rush Arturia's formal induction and have her take her vows and make her drink her Lyrium as soon as possible. Something that the former monarch clearly disapproves since she has no interest for her will to be subservient to anyone, plus she was still a minor and tradition dictates that the Lyrium ceremony can only be undertaken by those who are already of age.
In any case, such musings are for another occasion since she should be focusing on replying to her brother's declaration. "You do know is not going to be that simple right? The Chantry would not tolerate for someone not under their control to walk freely after learning the secrets of their military arm." She stated seriously.
Alistair just gave an unconcerned. "I did say I haven't thought yet in a good plan, it's not as if the Chantry is pretty concerned of having me take my vows anytime soon. I believe it is you who should be concerned about that dear sister, not me…" He said, giving her a knowing look.
Arturia grimaced, bringing her mind back to the thoughts she was trying to dispell. "Touché…"
"At any rate, let me worry about that…" Alistair dismissed the issue with a wave. "As I was saying Arty, do not let our bond become a liability that keeps you from reaching your full potential. If you see an opportunity to improve your lot in life then you should take it, didn't you said to me once that you wanted to honor the memory of our mother by becoming the best you could be? How will you be able to do that if you keep rejecting offers of advancement because you are worried of what might happen to me if I am left alone?" He asked, becoming serious all over again.
At that, Arturia didn't know how to respond. She knew Alistair was right, she did indeed had swore she would become someone worthy of the sacrifice that her mother made for her when she fulfilled her wish and gave her birth into a life in which she is not forced to carry the weight of a crown, but… She cannot help but worry for her brother's sake…
"Alistair… I know that your words have merit but…" She hesitated, bringing a hand atop her heart. "You cannot simply expect me not to care for what might happen to my little brother in my absence…"
The corners of Alistair's mouth sheepishly perked up. "I'm not a baby you know… But I understand what you're trying to say… I assure you I will be fine, I like to think you did a good job raising me all these years. Besides… I think it is time I started acting my age and show some support for my little sister instead of being the other way around." He smiled, patting the smaller Arturia in the head and earning him a mock glare from the blonde.
But then Arturia gave a wicked smile of her own. "I don't know, I think you've already proven to be quite helpful a couple of years back when I began to have my first moon blood if my memory serves me right…"
Alistair paled at that, remembering such incident. When Arturia finally began to have her monthly bleeding, it caught her completely by surprise since she had never experienced such… Inconvenience, not even during her previous lifetime thanks to having Caliburn, and later, Excalibur stop the aging process of her body. So when it finally came time for her to go through the ordeal that every woman in the collective history of mankind has to go through, it made act of presence with such a vengeance that it seemed as if it was trying to make up for all the time it had been put on hold during both of her lifetimes. So it practically disabled her and crippled her capacity for action.
Thankfully Alistair had been there (Though in hindsight she would have preferred he didn't had witnessed her in such a vulnerable state) And when he saw her kneeling on the ground clutching her lower abdomen and with blood pooling between her feet, he literally lost his marbles and swept her off her feet in a single motion, carrying her between his arms as he ran through the hallways of the monastery like a madman possessed while screaming that someone had tried to murder her, practically waking the entire staff since the incident had occurred during their early sunrise sparring.
That was without a doubt the most embarrassing moment in her two lifetimes, it was a red-faced Arturia alongside an equally ashamed Alistair who had to listen to a three hour lecture from the revered mothers about the natural processes of a woman's body and what to do and expect during each monthly visit. His brother was, unsurprisingly, horrified at the information that the old priestess were telling them, wishing for the earth to open and swallow the entire monastery rather than to keep enduring this suffering.
However, that was not the only change that her first bleeding brought to Arturia. After the initial embarrassment, the former king spend the next several days trapped in a state of melancholy, a hazy stupor that left her in a rather lethargic mood, unwilling to even get out of her bed. She just simply spend her waking hours staring at nothing, trying to come to terms with the implications that such recent development meant for her life.
Academically speaking, she understood that she had been given a new life in a new world fundamentally different from her own. But the fact had never been hammered on so strongly and obviously as when she started having her first moon blood, for it meant she was now a real woman and that she was ready to bear children of her own.
It was that thought the cause for her mind to be in a fog. In her past life, she had forsaken her feminity for the good of her country, renouncing forever at the idea of becoming a mother and have children product of her own loins by stopping for all time the development of her own body and remaining always in a youthful condition. Such thoughts brought back to the fore the entire magical hijinx and shenanigans that she had to endure with the aid of her former tutor Merlin in order to produce a legitimate heir with Guinivere, requiring the need of an artificial phallus that could provide an imitation of the male seed needed for conception.
That was without a doubt one of the most bizarre events in her two lifetimes, and it was that same event that would end up bringing about the birth of Mordred, her controversial son/daughter/clone whom she had a complicated relationship. Even now, decades after their last encounter, she still felt awkward at the thought of her illegitimate child.
There was no denial that her last attempt at parenthood had ended in a complete disaster, and now she finds herself with the opportunity of doing it all over again, this time in the proper way with no political obtrusions in the road. Yet she couldn't help but feel hesitant at the mere thought. Could she even dare herself to try? Was she worthy of such blessing…? Where could she even start to try and find a suitable partner? Romance had never been something that she had dwelled deeply upon, her marriage with Guinivere had been mostly a political union necessary for the unification of her country, another duty she was expected to carry for the betterment of her people.
That doesn't mean she didn't cared about Guinivere, it's just that there was these unsurmountable distance between them. She was incapable of giving her the love she deserved, and thus she didn't begrudged her when she tried to find happiness in the arms of her best knight.
It had been during this spiral of tumultuous thoughts that Alistair had enough of her gloominess and decided to take the matter on his own hands and snap her out of it. His brother had certainly not been quiet about it, barging into her room with all the subtlety of a drunken dwarf and literally dragging her off from her bed, shoving her inside her training gear and into the sparring circle on the main yard where he proceeded to beat the moodiness out of her with a stick. In all their years she has sparred with Alistair that was the first time she can honestly said she had been utterly trounced by him.
After beating her black and blue, Alistair began to ask her about what was weighting heavily on her mind, and thus she had no option but to air all of her qualms to her brother. Alistair simply listened, showing the expected frightened demeanor at the most personal and womanly parts but becoming complete solemn once she began to reveal her missgivings about having children.
In the end he just smiled and told her that no matter what she do, he was certain she would be an excellent mother. And then he returned being the same Alistair as always by saying she shouldn't be consider having a baby anytime soon because he was too young to become an uncle.
The mere memory of the entire incident made her smile fondly, an expression that Alistair took notice and replied in kind, his own smile cracking on his face. But eventually he ended up becoming resolute once again all the same. "Go sister, as your brother, I'm telling you to go out and find your destiny. I will be alright on my own…"
Arturia suddenly became indecisive, a feeling of apprehension blooming inside of her. "Are you sure…?"
Alistair gave a firm nod, unwavering in his conviction. "I am sure Arty… We both have our own roads to walk, and we cannot expect others to walk them for us. Not even family… So go dear sister of mine and become what you were always meant to be. Do it for me, and if you ever begin to miss me…" He shrugged. "Well, you could always write and send a letter…"
Arturia deadpanned. "You were doing so well until that last part…"
"Well, not all of us were born with boundless eloquence and a facility for words, Arty." Alistrair replied self-conscious. He shook his head and got back to the matter at hand. "But I'm being serious… Take care out there, and don't forgive to write…" He said trapping Arturia in a hug that she reciprocated.
"I won't…" She replied as she made sure to burn this moment in her memory. "Though I admit I am surprised. I didn't expect for my brother to become so wise. When did that happen?" She teasingly asked as she broke the hug.
The taller boy shifted awkwardly on his spot. "Yeah well… It was bound to happen someday. I had an excellent instructor after all, though she was quite the slave-driver most of the time." He jested with a foolish grin. Arturia just raised an eyebrow at him. "Though don't expect for it to become a habit any time soon. I swear all this stuffiness is bad for my skin…"
"Yes and it would be such a calamity if you suddenly started sprouting zits all over your face…" Saber sarcastically quipped.
"May a cat eat your tongue sister! Now I'm going to be having nightmares! Why must you always be so cruel with your own brother!?" Alistair exclaimed in faux affront. Arturia just rolled her eyes in response.
And thus came to pass that the siblings, for the first time in their lives, parted ways. Alistair was to remain in the Monastery of Burnshire, taking his time to decide what to do with his life, while Arturia was bound for the Capital of the country, to be part of the forces under the personal employ of Grand Cleric Elemena and learn from the prestigious Templars therein.
And prestigious they were indeed, for she would end up meeting with someone she had practically not seen in a lifetime…
So here it was the next chapter, a little on the short side but as I said, something is better than nothing. I'm in the throes of starting another project so I might be able to release another update before diving fully into that. I don't know, but I foresee I very busy near future for myself.
In any case, as always, leave a review, tell me what you think of this chapter, recommend my story to your friends, visit my P-A-T-R-E-O-N and I'll read you all next time.