A/N

To Ttestagr: Is the "Throne Of Heroes" a place found only in F/SN? I cannot seem to get information on it. However, I read off a site stating that Avalon is a legendary place, the ever distant utopia, where King Arthur and other heroes are laid to rest after their death. It is a Celtic/Arthurian legend; I believe you can find information on it at Wikipedia.

To The Ecchi Sessha: Thanks for the pointing out of mistakes. Embarrassingly, it seems that I have misspelled a few words here and there (even in the summary!). I will keep an eye out for such mistakes.

On with the story then! Enjoy.

End A/N

Author's Disclaimer: I do not own Fate/Stay Night. In other words, I do not own the original intellectual property.

Chapter 4

Saber, Avalon's Throne Room.

"What say you, King Arthur?" Merlin's voice seemed to echo throughout the room. Despite the hundreds of heroes gathered here, it was as quiet as a grave now, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

"I…" Of course I want to have a second chance in life! However, without my powers… I will only be a burden to Shirou… Won't I?

"Tcch… just agree and get going already! You are boring us all." I spun around and glared at Archer… Can't he be a bit less emotionless? I bit my bottom lips… thinking hard. Be with the man I love and a burden at the same time… or ruling this island? I took a deep breathe, and posed my question. A question that had been bugging me since the conditions were stated.

"Wait… Merlin, before I decide… I have a question for you…"

"Hmmm?"

"Why must my powers be removed?" Why can't I protect Shirou anymore?

"Because it is the only way, dear child."

"The…only way?"

"Yes. The relationship you want to pursue can only be found through balance, just like Yin and Yang, Good and Evil. Such a relationship cannot exist with such an imbalance between you and Emiya Shirou."

"Merlin's right. I sincerely doubt my past self would like to see a girl in the driver seat, with him trailing behind." Archer quipped in.

"Wha-…What do you mean by that? Driver seat?" It seems like Archer is picking a fight… I will give him one. Sword or no sword, I will thrash him!

"Hmm… never mind. I will let Shirou explain it to you in due course. I doubt you will understand even if I attempted to explain it." With that, he started to walk out of the room.

"Archer… wait! I want you to make yourself clear! What do you mean by that!?" I attempted to run after him, but was restrained by Merlin. I turned around to give him the nastiest glare I could ever give. To his credit, he did not even flinch. I turned back to look for Archer once more, but it was too late.

He was gone.

Ilya, Fujimura Residence.

"What do you mean you won't let me go out!? I insist that you let go of me at once, onee-san!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

"You should be getting prepared for school! Have you forgotten? I registered you at the same school as Shirou!" Onee-san, as usual, was in top form this morning. She had me in a fierce head-lock, and was proceeding to my room to dress me up in an appropriate school uniform.

"Owww… stop strangling me, onee-san!" I tried to worm my way out of it.

"I will stop it as soon as you promise me to go change… immediately." The final word was said with such finality and tone that it brooked no arguments.

"I will…if you allow me to stay over at onee-chan's place during the holidays! I want to sleep with onee-chan again!" Well, I might as well get some benefits out of this…Going to that ridiculous school and all.

"SLEEP WITH SHIROU?!" It was a wonder I have not gone deaf with Taiga around. I covered my ears, at the same time composing myself, trying to come up with the most logical reasoning…

"…That's what people do at sleepovers right? Sleep!" I retorted. Seemed like a good enough argument to me.

"Yes, sleep OVER. NOT sleep WITH." Yep, I definitely raised her blood pressure by a few levels. Almost there.

"What's the difference?" I shrugged.

It did the trick.

Onee-san fell face first onto the floor. Her face very red with all the blood rushing to it. It seems like she fainted again. I grinned as I dashed into my room, pulled the school uniform over me, and ran out of the house; not forgetting my school bag of course.

Maybe I can catch up with onee-chan on the way to school.

Saber, Avalon's Throne Room.

It's okay to be selfish once in a while… isn't it?

"Yes, dear child. It's quite okay." Merlin answered my unspoken thought.

"…Very well then Merlin. I accept the conditions." I can't believe I said that!

"I knew you had it in you, King Arthur. Very well…" With a wave of his hand, I felt drained, tired. I struggled to hold my head up. So…This is how it feels without my powers…

"Your exhaustion is only temporary, King Arthur. Plenty of rest should fix it. Now then…" Merlin made a few gestures with his hands. A portal opened. I looked around me. Some looked crestfallen, others depressed. It seems that even heroes have their ups and downs.

"Give my regards to Ilya…will you?" I turned around, my gaze settling on Hercules.

"Sure…Hercules." It's difficult to believe that I killed him only days before…

"Say hello to Shirou for me, Saber!" Lancer snickered.

"Can you send my love to… Souichirou-sama…?" Caster requested. My throat constricted…it seems she still does not know what has befallen her lover…

"S-sure… M-Medea…" Even knights can tell white lies once in a while… I understand her pain at being seperated… I can't imagine a place without Shirou in it…

"Done with the pretty goodbyes and demanding requests yet?" Merlin asked.

"Yes…"

"Very well then. Please proceed into the portal, if you will." I took my first step towards the portal, before a thought struck me like a whirlwind.

"Wait Merlin…one last request if you will permit it…"

"Hmm…?"

A/N

That's all for today. I'm beat. Will probably update tomorrow again. As always, please R&R. On another hand, I have thought of a one shot fic for Saber x Shirou, Archer x Rin. Maybe I will put it down to writing after my examinations. Till then, this will be my primary focus.

Oh yes, Gilgamesh comes in later, like, way later. Bear with me till then.

End A/N