Chapter 5: The King, Her Subject, England's Glory; The Passing of Hope

A/N: Well... it is no matter if you do not know the composer... but his music is beautiful... do try to look out for them. Title in the chapter bar is slightly changed...

Sadly, this is the last chapter of the fic. So enjoy...

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It was her all right. The same expression, the same pale skin, the same emerald eyes, the same stance, the same... person.

"I am glad to see you, Saber," he said.

She just replied with a smile. "Come on in, someone special is waiting for you."

He entered the castle and instead of going up the stairs, he arrived immediately at the last floor, where the same yellow column faced him.

"Welcome back, Emiya Shiro."

"Heck, I can't say thanks to you only, Holy Grail, I owe you too much."

"Well, this is Avalon. However, you will have to follow a certain set of rules. No going across the hills, but you can communicate to the people at the other side. Also, no violence is allowed and since you cannot give birth of life here, I do not expect you people to... well... Anyway, let us carry on... You will remain in Avalon only for a period of time, about 1000 years before you go to the other side again. Lastly, the prosecuted and the condemned souls are in the prison hell. You can visit them and jeer at them, but let me remind you, no violence..."

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Shiro had visited the three traitors in the prison hell. They were complaining on getting out but he knew that they would only go out after another 1000 years. 1000 years of hell is something nobody wants. And then, he ate food everyday, entertained her and was entertained by the palace maids, whose numbers increased gradually, due to the new King down there was a vicious ruler. And he spent time with her, and this occasion is no different.

They were in the gardens of the castle grounds, and by this time, her loyal guard had come too.

The King was in a different mood altogether, as she had no need to worry about her kingdom anymore. Everybody was free and the ones in the palace worked on their own will. Her smile was one of the things different from normal.

"Bedivere, shall we play a game?" she suggested.

"Yes, of course, I need some exercise ever since I arrived here, you know, Arturia," she replied.

"How about tag?"

"Sure, I remember that one."

And two near adult girls were playing in the garden.

Before long, another voice was heard.

"Hey, Arturia and Bedivere! What are you two playing? Tag? How can you not include me in?"

And now, three people were playing in the garden, under the beautiful sunset. Loud chuckles and dares were heard.

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They did not have only fun there, Arturia knew that she had to bless England against the invasions of other countries. Many more Kings had arrived here, but she was still the most powerful in rule, so she was still King.

At one time, she was slightly disturbed when the French that some King who had come earlier had invaded were counterattacking the English at their own game. Led by a girl of her age, and probably everyone knows by now she is Joan of Arc.

She had to lay a trap for the girl, even though she was reluctant to do so, and soon, she arrived at this side as well. Arturia was bombarded by calls from the French hill afterwards by the girl.

So there was a weakness with the communications line... no one could reject calls.

And Shiro did his part too. It was around 800 years after their arrival at Avalon, and England was at its golden age. The industrial revolution was at hand. So he traced a few weaving machines, steam engines and stuff like that and dropped it into the universe below. And so the British became advanced.

During World War II, British was invaded by the Germans in the 1940s. Bedivere casted a charm on the world, and made the British there fight with extra valour, and as a result, the Germans could not invade further in England.

Actually, they did much more for their country, and wanted to do much more, but time was running out.

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It was near their 1000th year. They had spent 1000 years of fun and enjoyment on this paradise world.

Shiro Emiya was lying on the grass down the hill; Bedivere and Arturia were busy biding farewells to the people in the castle. The wind was stirring the blades of grass occasionally.

"I wonder how long would it be before Arturia and I meet again?" He pondered.

By now, Arturia joined him on the grass.

"Hello, Shiro."

"Ohayou," he replied.

"I was wondering what you were thinking, Shiro," she asked.

"Fate... I wonder whether fate will bring us together," he questioned.

"Then hope for it... Everyone in the castle said so... in fact, they lit many oil lamps and passed the lights around the castle. It was spectacular. Too bad you missed it."

"By the way, it might be 1000 years too late, but I wanted to give you something."

"What is it?"

He traced the plush lion from his hands and passed it to her.

"Here it is. Do you like it?"

"Thank you," she said while smiling at the lion, "Did you get it for me on that day?"

"Yeah... too bad I couldn't give you on that day itself... that was the stupidest fight we had..."

She was silent. They started to watch the moon rising up to the sky.

"The hour is arriving shortly, Shiro."

"Yeah... I cannot believe that I had spent 1000 years with you, and yet I am reluctant to part."

"Shiro... before we part our own ways, can I say something to you?"

He sensed what she meant, and nodded.

"Shiro... I... love you..."

"Me to... Saber..."

They kissed under the bright moonlight for as long as they could. Every second passed felt like an hour.

However, they parted when they saw the shooting star. In fact, the sky was full of them.

"Wow, I cannot believe it... Shooting Stars in Avalon?" Arturia said in awe.

"They said it comes every 1000 years, so everyone can see it. Hurry and make a wish," he rushed.

She closed her eyes and prayed, and before long, she said, "Can I tell you the wish, Shiro?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Well, isn't it obvious? I want to be with you again..."

He was touched by her innocence and honesty. "I... I... have to thank you for that wish..."

The rain of shooting starts vanished. Thus, they were saddened.

Especially Arturia. "But you have not made your wish, Shiro."

"Do not worry, I do not need to make a wish, since you have made mine for me..."

"Oh Shiro..."

They knew the hour was arriving soon. But they just wanted to do that again, for the last time (hopefully not).

Their lips sealed together and they kissed until Bedivere arrived.

"You two lovebirds, you have to get to the Holy Grail now. He is waiting."

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They finally reached the floor where the Holy Grail was.

"I see you two have arrived. Well, I shall make a couple of others get across first, and I shall get to you two later."

They could see Thesus and Medea together, Joan of Arc alone, Lancer alone, the three traitors, the ninja... there were too many of them.

But finally, it was their turn.

"Are you ready, Emiya Shiro and Arturia Pendragon?"

"Yes, of course." They replied unison, facing each other.

"Well, this means goodbye, Saber."

"Not for long though, Shiro."

And a ray of blinding light shone, and the two of them got into their new lives.

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She was born a homonculus, he was born an ordinary young man. She was in Germany, he was in Japan. However, once again, fate brought them together. The Einzberns employed him as their representative of the Holy Grail War.

The two of them met again. "Emiya Kiritsugu, pleased to meet you. I am Irisviel von Einzbern."

"Thank you," he said as he shook her hand. She had a baby in her other hand.

"And this is Ilya, my daughter, say hello to her."

Fate can be cruel at times, but with hope, life will be a blossom of sakuras, as sweet as cherries, and ultimately, a bed of roses. A couple was reunited by the interwining of fate.

And of the Holy Grail itself.

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A/N: Oh... so that was the end. What happened to Bedivere though? Well... fate will tell...

Thank you for all your support, and this story has officially come to a close. Special thanks to Cisqua for the inspiration! And even more thanks to my reviewers for their valuable support.

Oh well... might as well update Change of Worlds. I know you guys are waiting to death for the next chapter... so you will hear from me at around this weekend or so (my exams have ended hooray!).

Commercialising: Read Fate/Zero to find out about the characters Emiya Kiritsugu and Irisviel von Einzbern. Those two are a happy couple, and even more joy with Ilyasviel.

Once again, thank you all, and I am happy to say that I can safely end off the story.

Tribunal

P.S. Although this is the last chapter, please send in your reviews as well... Cheerios.