Here's the next chapter. Not much to say but "Enjoy!"

Day 1: Of the New King

"Tell me…" a voice called out in the darkness. "Do you honestly believe that you would make a good king?" I spun around. Darkness greeted me. Left. Right. Up. Down. Everywhere, there was only darkness. "Tell me…" the voice called out again.

It was a clear voice. Like that of a bell, but filled with remorse and regret. Imposing such a question to me, I couldn't quite find my voice to answer it. Surely, I loved my country, perhaps more than anything. If I could die for my country, I would gladly do so. That had been my dream: to be a knight and serve my country well. Even if it was only a dream, a none too realistic dream, I wished hard everyday.

No. In these dark times, as a certain mage called it the "Dark Ages," what was needed was not a knight. The country needed a king; strong ruler who will unite the fragmented nation ravaged by civil war. This very fact was what called together the lords from across the land. Here, in London, England, a great competition is hosted to find a worthy king for a throne.

I myself am a squire to my brother Sir Kay. He is not my blood brother, as I am adopted. I can never be a knight as he is, though how I envy him. Nevertheless, I am his squire and will help in anyway I can. If my help can help him and indirectly help my country, then I will gladly do so.

However, this dream calls to me. "Do not forget the sword…" it whispers. I don't understand. Of swords and kings, neither applies to me. I am not a knight or a king. The only time I would hold a sword would be to present it to my brother. "Do not forget…" the voice whispers again as it fades out.

From this dream, I awoke suddenly in cold sweat. Outside, the sun is just rising, the rays peaking over the distant. Snow was still covering the ledges and roofs of houses. In all, it is a very peaceful scene that underlies the chaos that is ruining the country.

That dream though… I can't shake my feelings. I know the voice. I don't remember who it was, but I know that voice. And for that reason, the words struck me deeper. It said that I would not be a good king. I am not even a king.

Even so… isn't it true? Even if I want to do the best for my country, the greatest place to do so would be kingship, I cannot. I know nothing of ruling a country. I know nothing of how to make my country better. All I have are dreams and aspirations. Nothing that would help my country as to how I want to.

Nothing could be done now though. In the early morning, I am probably the first one up. Even the maids and servants are probably not up yet. They like to sleep in as much as they can, and I can't blame them. They do so much for everyone else, me included, and they get so little in return. I have to make sure that I keep as silent as possible as to not wake them.

In the early morning though, I can hardly keep my teeth from chattering in the chilled air. The inn that we are staying in is small, with an upper floor for the bedrooms and a lobby downstairs. I rush downstairs, past the lobby, and into the kitchen as quickly and as quietly as I can. Even if the dream was disturbing, nothing could pull me away from my excitement today.

Several hours after I had started a fire and a kettle, I heard the rustling of people coming downstairs. Of them were also my brother and father. My brother is Kay, I mean Sir Kay now, as I've already mentioned. My father is Sir Ector. He took me in when I was little. I love him as a father and I've heard of how great he was as a knight in the past. After they had sat down at a table and began talking, I quickly took their food that I prepared to them.

"Working hard so early in the morning, eh?" Sir Ector asked with a smirk.

"We can all see how excited you are," Sir Kay told me with a grin. "You'd think that you were participating in the tournament instead of me."

I couldn't help but beam at them. Out of everyone there, I'm sure that I was the most enthusiastic about the tournament. Twelve years has passed since the king had died. King Pendragon had been a strong king, but no matter how strong a king is, death haunts him. That's why a king's tapestry has a sword pointing downwards. It represents that death is always right above him. When King Pendragon had died, he had left no known sires, so the throne remained empty.

Today is the day that a new king will be chosen. All of the greatest knights have shown up to participate. Though Sir Ector said that he wanted nothing more than to enter, his age simply wouldn't permit him, so he has left it up to Sir Kay. I'm lucky that I get to be here and I'm practically bouncing off of the walls running back and forth to get Sir Kay more food.

"You can't fight on an empty stomach," I remind him as I placed another bowl of porridge on the table.

"Yes, but anymore and I won't be able to move, let alone get on my horse," he replied as he pushed the bowl away.

"I've seen you eat way more than this back home," I stated as I pushed the bowl back.

"That's when I knew that I wasn't going to be moving around." He pushed the bowl away.

"So that's why you're always missing your evening lessons!" Sir Ector exclaimed.

"No, he just doesn't like mathematics," I clarified. Well, I don't either so I'm not one to talk, as Sir Kay pointed out. The rest of the morning passed by as we talked about what was going to happen in the tournament. Talking would actually be better because most of the time was passed by Sir Kay boasting how he was going to take the tournament by storm.

By the time it was for the tournament to start, I was whipped up in almost a frenzy. Running from the inn to the stable to ready everything, I left out the most important item. The one item that was needed for a knight. The item that was told not to be forgotten. Sir Kay's sword.

It was at the tournament that we remembered. Sir Kay was getting ready for the match and when he asked for his sword, I couldn't present it. After chiding me… well more like scolding me, I hurried back to the inn to find the sword.

Wouldn't you know it, the inn was locked. It's not as if I could have broken in even if I wanted to. Everyone has gone to the tournament so no one would see me doing wanton destruction of a doorway, never mind the fact that my small stature could never have even buckle the door.

Almost giving into my despair, I saw something in my peripheral vision. A slight stirring of a cloak perhaps, despite that there was no one there, but it led me to a church's courtyard. There, impaled in an anvil was a sword. I don't know what it was about the sword, but it captivated me. I suddenly shook my head. It was beautiful for sure, but I can't let it distract me. I'm not sure how this sword will measure up with Sir Kay's, but it was better than nothing.

As I approached the sword, everything stilled around me. The birds stopped their chirping, no movement was made, even the snow beneath my shoes didn't crunch. The whole yard became a sacred place.

"Don't touch that sword," a voice called out. It was old and rough. I knew who it was at once.

"Merlin!" I exclaimed. Merlin the Magician, my friend and counselor. Much of what I knew came from him. He taught me in many fields, science, language, mathematics, philosophy, and much more. His lessons are usually practical, utilizing some of his great powers to make the impossible possible. I might even dare say that he is the greatest mage alive.

"If you touch that sword, then you'll have to abandon yourself," he said solemnly.

His words brought back my dream. I knew what he was referring to. Even I can sense the fate of who holds this sword. I feared it. I hated it. If I may serve my country better, I kept telling myself, I would pull this sword. My dream swam around inside my head. No. I would never be able to rule my country well. It is better off for one of the knights to win the title and seize the crown.

"I… can't," I whispered as I collapsed down at the base of the anvil.

Merlin, I didn't see his face from my position, but I had a feeling that he was disappointed. He must have walked away, but I didn't hear any movement, too absorbed in my own world.

I don't know how long time had passed. Ten minutes might as well have been an hour. I knew that Sir Kay was disappointed and probably very angry at me. And yet here I am still, despondent in front of an anvil.

"Do you really think that?" a voice called out. It wasn't a voice inside my head, but a clear and strong voice calling from behind me.

Leaning up against a tree was the most peculiar person I have ever seen. His attire denotes a knightly stature, the dark armor of a seemingly different composition than what can be found now tells of countless battles, while the red cloth that covers him invites a sense of serenity in the spirit. All this while, he has a teasing smirk as he looks at me.

"You want to make this country better right?" he asks with a confident smile as he nears me.

"Y-yes," I breathe out. I, being only twelve and short for my age, had to crane my neck to look up at him. His skin was moderately tanned, giving him a, dare I say it, rugged look.

"Then isn't it enough? That feeling of wanting to help others, if you want to help them, then by all means do what you can and want," he concluded simply, nodding his head with his eyes closed as if reaffirming his own self.

This person, who I still don't know, instilled within me a deep and passionate feeling. I don't know what it is, but it is powerful. He makes we want to become a strong leader for the people of Britain. No, maybe not for them, but more for myself.

"How can I?" I ask. "I know nothing of ruling. I will only bring despair and ruin to my people if I become king."

"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions," he states solemnly as if agreeing with me. His frown in that one moment of seriousness quickly disappears. "But Hell isn't all that bad."

I simply don't get him. What is he talking about? Before I can ask him though, he continues.

"What does your heart tell you to do?" he asks simply.

"I…" I thought hard. What did my heart want to do? To help my people for sure, but was that all? "I want to help my people," I told him.

"Heh," he snorted. "Help them, or help yourself?"

"I want to help them," I said angrily. I am not that selfish to put myself before my dear country.

"Then I don't see a problem. You want to help them, and if you do so earnestly as you're demonstrating then do you believe that you would fail? You can only do your best."

I was at a loss for words. Here was some stranger who saw into my deepest core. To know what I truly wanted. From him came a confidence that overflowed and threatened to consume me. From his confidence, I wanted to draw the sword.

"Of course you could be lying and actually want the sword for your own personal benefit," he said cynically.

"I don't!" I shouted.

"Prove me wrong then," he proclaimed. "Draw the sword and show me that you are actually stating what you truly desire!"

His words snapped a chord in me. My hands flew to the gilded hilt and the sword drew easily from the anvil.

Using all that force unbalanced me and I fell backwards and landed on my rear rather painfully. When I've realized it, I'm holding the sword in my hands. It is a beautiful blade. Few could or would ever match it I am sure. And it is now in my possession.

Clapping was heard behind me. The stranger was clapping and grinning. "Mission accomplished," he muttered as he neared me. He extended his hand and drew me up in a respectable fashion. It was not like how Sir Kay pulls me up when we spar, which was rough and rude, but this stranger pulls me up gently, as if he knew who I was and held me in high regards.

"My King," he states seriously as he kneels in front of me on one knee with his right hand over his left shoulder. "Please swear me into your service so that I may help you. Please knight me as one of your own."

"I do not even know who you are yet," I said, "But I feel that I can trust you. I don't know why, but I feel as if you are a very old friend who can be trusted completely."

"I am honored you feel that way, my King," he says as if he was really happy for the compliment. "Please allow me to show you that I will not betray your trust."

"Very well. I knight you under my service. Serve no one and answer to no one but me," I stated as I tapped the blade on each of his shoulders. "Rise Sir…"

"Archer," he answered. "If you can, please drop the 'Sir', it makes me feel old."

"Archer?" I ask very dubiously. "I don't think that's your name. Care to tell me your real name?"

"Not really. Archer is the name that I go by now. Calling me anything else won't really attract my attention," he says as he stands up. He looks over in the distant hills and his eyes narrow. "My King, I am very sorry, but pressing business calls to me. I must see to it at once. I can trust that you'll be able to handle what is to come yes?"

His words shook me, because it seems that I shall have to deal with this myself. I had hoped that he would accompany me to tell the others about what had transpired here. Now I realize that I must stand for myself. Perhaps he wanted me to do so. Perhaps this was another test of his to see if I can really rule my people in the days yet to come.

"I shall handle this," I said seriously.

He simply nodded and smiled as he jumped on top of a roof. A normally inhuman feat, but he just grinned, said, "I'll leave it to you then," and continued to bound from rooftop to rooftop until he disappeared in the distance.

I myself snapped out of my stupor and hurried back to the tournament. I arrived just in time to see Sir Kay worry over whether or not he'll have a sword. He noticed me coming quickly and asks for his sword.

Being the only sword I had, my panic of his state left me forgotten of the identity of the sword, I handed it to him.

"Thanks, hey! This isn't my sword!" he exclaimed.

"What's wrong boy?!" Sir Ector shouted as he hurried over.

"This is… the One Sword!"

"Kay! Are you telling me you drew the sword from the anvil?! That means that you are the rightful king!" Sir Ector shouted happily.

A passing knight heard this and shouted to the others. Soon, before Sir Kay could even get a word out, they were lifting him on their shoulders and taking him to the churchyard. I was shocked by the turn of events but I hurried after them.

"Did you truly draw the sword, son?" a knight asked when they got there.

Sir Kay looked at the sword longingly for a moment before shaking his head quickly. "I did not. Arty found the sword."

I suddenly found a sense of despair. It wasn't about the fact that I drew the sword so much more as what he just called me. Arty is the term that my brother and father used affectionately to call me. They reprimand me like there's no tomorrow each day, but they love me dearly. So they came up with that nickname. Needless to say, I despise it beyond comprehension.

The throng of knights that had gathered began to speak amongst themselves as I felt someone push me forward. I couldn't see who, but the hands pushed me to the front where Sir Kay handed the sword back to me.

Everyone's eyes were on me as I held the sword. "Hold it now!" a voice called out. "Are you all suggesting that some whelp pulled the scared sword from this anvil?! That this child is to be our new king?!" Shouts of affirmation called out agreeing with the sentiment.

"But I did draw it!" I shouted back. Suddenly, someone took the sword from me.

"Pull it back out then!" they shouted.

Feeling like there was no way out, I neared the anvil. Someone grabbed the back collar of my shirt and pulled me back. "Hold it!" someone shouted. "Anyone can pull out a sword once it's been pulled," a knight said as he stepped up. He tried to pull the sword out, but it didn't even budge in the slightest.

Several other knights clamored up as well to try and pull the sword, all of them at once.

"Now, now! This doesn't seem very fair," an old voice called out. It had belonged to an old knight who probably wasn't here for the tournament but rather for possibly his son.

"Let err… Arty was it? Try to pull the sword out," another voice spoke.

The other knights backed off, but they glared harshly at me. I stepped up to the anvil, and like before, the sword slid out easily.

"I don't believe it," a voice from the crowd said in awe.

"This child is to be the new king of England!"

"Hail King Arthur!"

"Long live the King!"

"Hail King Arthur!"

"Long live the King!"

The crowd started chanting as they took me to the old castle. And there, I began my new life as King Arthur.

Caren's Corner

Caren: "Welcome to Caren's Corner. We're here to overview what has happened in the current chapter. Cameos will be abound."

Caren: "As you can no doubt tell, this story will focus more on Saber's life so servants and others from the fifth war will most likely not show up. But of course, that is really boring, so there exists Caren's Corner. Here, we will invite spirits and others to hear their input. If you would like to see someone here and hear what they have to say, simply give the word."

Caren: "As for the current chapter, Saber is now king... there really isn't much else to say. Just note that there never was a Sir Archer recorded in the annals of King Arthur's knights, nor was there ever one in King Arturia's own."

...

Caren: "If you do not get the joke, then please look it up. I pray to God that you will be successful in your endeavors for a humor."

Caren: "That's all there is this time. See you next chapter, hopefully."

...

A very sick joke Caren...

So that's the second chapter. Hope you're enjoying little Arty's quirks. Caren has already spoken the purpose of Caren's Corner, so yeah. Makes my job a little easier. Write about questions, grammer, anything. See you next chapter.