A/N

To AzureSky123: True, Avalon is the sheath of Excalibur in F/SN, however, it is also known as the island paradise to which King Arthur and other heroes were carried to at death, according to Celtic legend.

To Nexus master: Sorry for the short lengths, but I have been busily preparing for my upcoming examinations, so bear with me for the short chapters. It should be increasing words-wise as soon as I'm done with my examinations.

For now, I have not received any comments on my current style of writing, so I will keep it that way for the moment.

End A/N

Chapter 3

Saber, Avalon's Throne Room.

The wizened old man that stood before me has not changed at all. How long has it been since I last saw him? 7 years? A decade? Yet, time does not matter nor affect this man before me. His hands and face were still as wrinkled as before, torso still clothed in the same pure white robes; untainted, and as always, his hood is ever covering his top half of his face. Not once have I seen him raise that hood. Yes, the one that stood before me was my most trusted advisor when I was King, but he left without saying a word the night before that fateful battle…

"…Merlin!" I grasped. I stumbled backward, trying to get a good foothold. I was stunned by this turning of events. Merlin? Caretaker?

"It is good to know that you still remember my name, O'Arturia…" It has been too long since I last heard that name…Arturia…

I was snapped out of my thoughts by a sudden movement by Archer, who, facing Merlin, had knelt down on one knee, with a fist placed over his heart. A…salute? I hastened to follow his movements, dropping to one knee. However, before I can complete it, I was interrupted by Merlin.

"You bow to no one, King Arthur." Instead, he bowed before me. Archer had moved to one side of the room by now, observing the conversation before him with his trained eyes and ears.

It was as if the dam withholding all my thoughts and emotions on my previous life suddenly burst, and a flood of thoughts entered my mind. I leapt into his arms, sobbing…

"Merlin… I failed as King! I couldn't protect anyone… I couldn't even protect the ones I love…Caliburn didn't choose the right heir!" Merlin seemed unperturbed by my actions. Instead, he tried to comfort me…

"There there, it's alright. I couldn't be any more proud of you, my dear King Arthur. I don't think anyone could have done a better job than you. I feel that Caliburn made the right choice by selecting you, Arturia. And for that, I'm forever grateful."

"R-real…-ly?"

"Really. Now, cease your crying immediately, it's truly unbecoming of you, my dear child." I stopped crying almost immediately.

"Why am I here…?"

"Why are you here? Haha…" For the first time in my life, I saw Merlin laugh. His whole frail frame shook from his laughter. It almost seemed like he was amused by a child's question.

He calmed himself down, and stated it plaintively. "Have you forgotten what I said those many years ago, when you obtained Caliburn?"

"You are human no more…"

"No, I can remember… Back then, I didn't know what you meant by that sentence, Merlin."

"Well, now you will know what I mean." He gestured towards the throne with one hand. "That is your fate, King Arthur."

I looked at the throne. Now, I am more certain than ever, that the throne is an exact replica of my throne back in my own castle, Camelot…

"Will you accept this duty once more, King Arthur? Will you become, King of Avalon?" King… of the island paradise?

Shiro, Emiya Residence.

"Well, I will head for school now, Emiya-Senpai." Sakura cheerfully said.

"Okay. Look out for cars on your way to school!" I cautioned her.

"Yes, Senpai." Sakura turned to head towards the exit.

"Sakura-chan, wait up! I will come with you! You had better not be late, Shirou. You know I don't forgive latecomers." Fuji-nee warned me, before heading out the exit with Sakura in tow.

I continued to wash the dishes, determined to finish this before I head for school. I looked around, everything was spick and span, thanks to Sakura of course. Finishing my washing, I hung up my apron, and grabbed my school bag on the kitchen table. Slinging it over my shoulder, I started to head towards the exit. Just another normal day… a normal day without the Holy Grail War disrupting our lives…

I opened the door, and was shocked to see…

"…R-rin!" She was still the same old Tousaka Rin. Dressed in a red overcoat, with her hair done the same way. She looked quite pale though.

"Good morning, Emiya-kun. Do you mind if I walked to school with you? I have something to talk to you about…" Another pretence?

"Could I ever say no, Rin?"

"Damn right you couldn't." She winked at me while at the same time grabbing my arm and pulling me towards school.

"Come on, let's get going before we are late."

Yep, another normal day…

Saber, Avalon's Throne Room.

"King…of Avalon…?"

"Why so hesitant, King Arthur? Don't you wish to live in peace eternally?"

"I only wish…" "If you wish strongly for it, you can see the continuation to your dream…" I can be a little selfish just this once… right?

"Wish to be with Emiya Shiro, is that right?" Merlin completed my sentence for me. All my blood seemed to surge to my cheeks as I desperately tried to cover my embarrassment.

"Y-yes…" Not far off, I could hear Archer let out a chuckle. Why that little…

"That can be easily arranged." Merlin stated in an off-hand manner.

"Really!?" I could not help myself but blurt out.

"Really. However, a compromise must be made in regards to this matter…"

"A compromise…?"

"Yes…a compromise… on your powers if you decide to return to Emiya Shirou's timeline." My powers?

Shirou, Fuyuki City

"What was it you wanted to talk to me about, Rin?"

"Hmm…? Oh nothing in particular. It's just that…" She looked melancholy for a moment there.

"You…miss her don't you?" Her voice was barely audible.

"Yeah… I do… a lot." Hell of a lot for that matter. I loved her. For some strange reason, I lowered my voice to the same level as her. We remained quiet for a moment, and nothing could be heard except our soft footsteps on the gravel pathway. It was then I decided to change the subject.

"You miss Archer too, don't you?" I teased her, hoping to give her a chance to give a retort of some sort. That always cheered her up immensely, that being poking fun at others. Yet, to my surprise, she looked even more melancholy, as though the will to fight had long left her. I had to strain my ears to catch her next sentence…

"Yeah…I do…a lot. Seems like we are in the same boat…Shirou." And then, swift as lightning, her mood changed. "Hurry up Shirou, if not I will leave you behind!" She exclaimed jubilantly, at the same time quickening her pace.

Another false front, huh?

Saber, Avalon's Throne Room.

Heroes of every sort made their way into the Throne Room by now. The atmosphere had become tensed all of a sudden, and I could recognize a few familiar yet anxious faces. Are they all here to hear my decision?

"Yo, Saber!" I looked over my right shoulder, and saw Lancer. Beads of sweat trickled down my forehead, and I tensed myself for a fight; balling my fists. Our fights were always interrupted by some third party, and it seemed that he was here to settle the score. What am I doing? This is the Avalon, no fights are allowed here. I uncurled my fists, and allowed my hands to fall by my sides, composing myself.

I looked around closely, and could see that other heroic spirits I had engaged in combat with during my short time with Shirou were also present. Out of the crowd, the most prominent figure was Hercules. After all, who could ignore that 10 foot tall hero? There was also Rider, atop her pure white Unicorn, along with Caster and many others.

"What is your decision, King Arthur? Rule this paradise, or return to Emiya Shirou, at a price?" My powers…gone?

A/N

Well, looks like we are coming to an end to this part of the story. Hopefully, and I truly mean it, I can overcome my writer's block and write on Ilya next chapter.

As always, please R&R.

End A/N