"I'm always willing to push you forward, the question is, are you willing to do the same?" - Ark Pendragon

Ark yawned as he rolled out of bed. He looked around the room, but didn't see Mordred in bed.

"Must be training again..." Ark said before looking down at himself and grimaced before letting out a sigh. "I miss my shower." The boy mumbled before waking into another room which didn't have anything except a large bucket filled with water and what looks to be a rag and a sponge which was provided by Merlin.

Ark reached for the sponge and dumped it in the water which was freezing cold. The boy grunts In annoyance just silently wishing the water was warm.

Quickly stripping off his dirty clothes Ark was quick to start cleaning himself shivering as the cold water touched his body which did help in waking him up slightly. It took a couple of minutes to scrub away all the grime from his body before he reached over and unconsciously reached for some shampoo, but he paused realizing he didn't have any.

With a sigh he washed his hair and grabbed a white towel which felt extremely soft and dried himself up. After that he got dressed into some clothes which was a simple white wool shirt and brown cotton pants. Ark slipped on his shoes and left the room.

Ark paused when he entered the next room cause not only did he see Merlin, the King was there too. (Still In their armor) There was a very long pause as the trio looked at each other for a couple of seconds.

Merlin suddenly smiled and waved at Ark who didn't react to it. He only walked towards the kitchen area and opened a cabinet which held a lot of preserved cooked meat. He grabbed enough for four people and walked over to where to usual cooked the food.

"Merlin, I'm going to ask this once and only one time, what the FUCK are you and the... King doing here." Merlin only smirked while the King shifted slightly in the wooden seat.

"Ah well you see Ark, King Arthur has grown interested in you a few days ago." Ark bit his tongue trying to stop himself from saying something inappropriate. He lit the large fire which lit up the room
and pulled out a large metal pan which he poured some butter on it.

Setting the pan down on the fire he turned towards the duo and crossed his arms with a questioning gaze.

"Really, then why did you bring her here instead of bringing me to her?" Ark asked as he got a few other things not noticing the way 'Arthur' froze while Merlin simply chuckled which annoyed Ark cause he knew the dick wizard was dragging on this conversation.

"Well the King didn't wished to be bothered and her knights wouldn't leave her alone so I teleported us here in secret." Ark tossed the meat on the pan and started tossing it around with a wooden spoon. While it was warming up the meat the blond boy adding a bit of seasoning along with some water. "And it seems you know something you shouldn't.

"Ok, Arthur is actually a girl what's so shocking about it?" Ark said mixing the seasoning and meat together. Merlin hummed and shrugged. Ark rolled his eyes and can feel his annoyance growing.

"I'm not sure myself, but the big question is, how do you know?" Merlin ducked as the wooden spoon flew by his head.

"Wouldn't you like too know, how about sticking that nose into someone else's business." Ark grumbled as he grabbed another spoon and two plates that were off to the side.

"Hhhmm, it seems I overestimated you, since you still act like a child even though you act very mature sometimes." Merlin mumbled as the smell of food entered his nose making both the Wizard and King's stomach growl.

Ark paused and looked at them.

"I'll pay you back the meat we use, we were kind of in a rush trying to escape her Knights." Merlin said seeing the look in Ark's eyes.

"Upfront." Ark said simply putting most of the meat on one plate while putting the rest on the other one. Merlin grumbled and reached into his coat, but paused when he didn't feel his coin pouch. "Thank you for your donation, this money will be put to great use." Ark said with a smirk a he bounced a large coin pouch in his hand.

Merlin looked at the young boy and glared while Ark shrugged and put the pouch on the counter which he was definitely going to use later.

'Arthur' was amused by this and had to hold back a chuckle as Merlin's face dropped into sadness. He looked at his king who shook her head.

"Don't ask for any money, cause you won't get any." Merlin threw his arms at Ark who started cooking some more meat.

"B-but he stole my money." The King shrugged still greatly amused by this. "I was going to use it for later..." Merlin groaned and facepalmed while Ark fought back his smirk, but failed greatly.

After cooking some more meat along grabbing a few wooden cups filled with water he set everything on the table slapping the King's hand from taking any of the plates. The blond haired boy pushed a plate towards Merlin who took a large whiff of the food and licked his lips.

Ark slid the next plate which had a much larger portion of meat towards the King. He watched as the King reached out towards the fork, but paused when... oh for fuck sake, SHE saw the way Ark was looking at her.

"Are you perhaps going to take off your helmet, it's rude if you don't..." Artoria hesitated before finally reaching up and grabbing the helmet. And as slowly as she could took it off.

The boy admired what he was seeing. Her face was exactly like in the show which was no surprise since Merlin and Mordred (Who appeared Younger) looked the same as well. Artoria set her helmet on the table and waited for a response.

"Huh, you much more prettier then I expected." Merlin chocked on his delicious food while Artoria tilts her head at him, trying her damn hardest to stop a blush from spreading across her face. "Anyways, you know my name, but I don't know your real name." Ark said before holding his right hand out. "My name is Ark, nice to meet you miss..." Ark waited. He already knew her name, but nobody needed to know that.

"Artoria... Artoria Pendragon." She reached out and carefully shook the boy's hand. Ark smiled and nodded refrain himself from hugging her, but stopped him... he need to keep this somewhat of an act going, she doesn't need to know that I'm her son... not yet anyways.

"Cool... uh enjoy the food." Ark said walking over to his seat and sitting down while Artoria looked down at her food which smelled heavenly. It somewhat smelled better then food at the castle.

She looked around noticing how Merlin ate his food with a tiny smile on his face while Ark took a bite and made a face before he started mumbling something about adding more seasoning or butter.

The warm atmosphere and the homey feel this house provided for some reason allowed the King to relaxes. She grabbed the fork and grabbed a piece of meat which was still juicy and hot. She brought it close and took a bite.

Different flavors assaulted her taste buds which made her hold back on making a sounds. She glanced at Merlin and saw him smirking at her while Ark was still taking notes about his food. Artoria looked away from the wizard and went back to slowly eating.

The King noticed how her plate had a lot more food along with another plate that nobody was eating... was someone else supposed to be here?

"Excuse me Ark, who is that plate for." The boy looked at Artoria then at the plate she was pointing at.

"That is for Mordred... he... should be here right about-" The front door was kicked open and a familiar blond haired girl walked in.

"Ark did you make me some food!"

"Now." Ark turned towards the door. "Ya it's on the table, we also have Guest so be polite!" The boy yelled while the girl did a small fist pump at the thought of eating some of her brother's food... wait... GUEST!

"Who's here!" Mordred yelled a little worried as she placed her now dull metal sword against the wall. She walked into the kitchen and froze when she stopped two people along with Ark.

There was Merlin and none other then the King. She froze and just stood there staring off into space. Ark's eye twitched as the other two could only watch.

"Mordred I swear if you don't snap out of it I'll eat your damn food myself." Ark's words stuck Mordred as she went wide eyed and lunged towards the empty seat at the table.

"NO! This is MY food!" Mordred completely forgot who was in front of her and focused only on Ark's food. She took a big whiff and paused. "Steak sutated with butter and-" She took another deep breath. "Uuhh... black pepper... Oregano-"

"Dried Oregano." Ark added making Mordred glare at him.

"What's the difference!" Mordred growled before taking another whiff. "I smell a bit of lemon... and that's it."

"Hhhmm 6/10 there was some other things in there, but I'll let it slide, you're still new to this." Ark mumbled as Mordred ignored him and started eating the steak with no display of class or manners.

Merlin watched with amusement as Artoria watched with interest as the other blond ate food with such sloppiness, but didn't once make a huge mess.

Artoria shook her head and continued eating. Seeing as how the newly arrived blond stopped paying attention she decided to deduct what she was feeling. The warm feeling in her stomach as she enjoyed the food and the feeling of calmness washed over her, the duty of being King was pushed to the back of her head as she looked around the house.

She saw many things that made this place feel like home unlike the castle which didn't feel like home or help her relaxe... here it was so easy to relaxes.

The smell of food, the warm atmosphere, the sound of Ark and Merlin talking and the sound of her fellow blond eating Artoria couldn't describe this feeling, but she wished that it didn't got away... and for some reason it really helped her relaxe especially when those two children were here she just couldn't describe it... Merlin didn't count. Unknow to all except for Merlin a lone tear slid down her cheek and onto her floor.

The Wizard smiled slightly when he saw this in the corner of his eye and went back to talking with Ark who was trying to convince him on teaching him some magic.

God help us all if this tricky and sly Pendragon learn magic. Merlin couldn't help but shiver at the thought... actually... that wasn't a bad idea, Merlin has been wanting a apprentice for a while.

LineBreakLineBreakLineBreak

The group of four sat in the Livingroom. Mordred sat In a large chair while Ark sat on the arm rest of it. Merlin and Artoria sat on the couch staring at the children.

Mordred was shifting uncomfortably cause why wouldn't she, the King was right in front of her. Inside her home nonetheless. How the hell was she supposed to react?

"So..." Ark said nudging Mordred with his elbow hating how tense the atmosphere was at them moment. "You wanted to meet us..." Artoria nodded while Mordred jumped not expecting the King wanting to meet her of all the people..

"That's not creepy at all." Ark mumbled. "I mean you only saw us a few days ago and you're suddenly interested in us." Merlin smirked at what the boy said while Mordred frowned and punched the boy's shoulder making him wince slightly.

"What could have possibly intrigued you about us." Mordred added a bit curiously. Artoria opened her mouth to speak, but Ark was way ahead of her.

"It was obviously the blond hair, we blonds have to stick together." Ark brushed his short blond hair as his green eyes were filled with mischief. "No, it was possibly our cuteness, I mean who can resist that face." The boy pointed at Mordred who growled when he said that. "Aw look she's growling, is that- ack!" Ark couldn't finish when suddenly Mordred lunged forward and started strangling him.

The boy was trying to laugh, but failing since he was still being strangled by his sister who was telling him to shut up.

The adults could only watch this interaction with two different emotions.

One was of curiosity, the other was amusement... take your time on who had what emotion, you'll figure it out. Anyways Merlin coughed into his fist making the siblings stop and look at him.

"Can we please explain why we are here?" Ark opened his mouth, but was silenced by Mordred who slapped her hand over his mouth, but after a few seconds her face turned sour as she looked at her brother.

She slowly lowered her hand and rubbed his on his shirt. Ark simply grinned and looked at the wizard and King.

"Like I said before we came here to meet you two, but the King also wishes to meet you two and get to know you." Ark shot a questioning gaze at Artoria then at Merlin. He glanced at Mordred and saw that her eyes are filled will excitement.

"Really?" Ark said a bit skeptical about this whole thing. This was odd, Artoria never interacted or talked with Mordred when she was younger... what the fuck changed!

Was it him? It had too be, there is no other explanation, but what made him so special... well besides looking like Proto-Saber... did Merlin say something? Ark looked at the Wizard who was staring at him, the boy did not like the way Merlin stared at him and quickly looked away.

"Uuhh Mordred I need to speak with you..." I grabbed my sister by the hand and dragged her away despite her protest. My sister knocked aside my hand and glared at me.

"Ark what is the matter, the King is asking us if he can know more about us." Mordred whispered understanding that this was between them and the adults didn't need to know.

"I get that, but I'm not sure about this... listen, Mordred." Ark said seriously. "I understand that you would kill to spend time with the King... but I won't be joining you..." Mordred froze as she stared at the boy in front of her. "You can have your time with the King... I just..." Ark glanced at Artoria and saw the blank look in her eyes, not a single ounce of emotions were shown. "Don't trust any of this. " Ark set a hand down on the girl's shoulder and gave her a soft smile. "But I won't stop you, so go ahead and enjoy yourself."

And with that Ark walked passed her and didn't say a word to Artoria or Merlin as he left the house.

The Blond haired boy sighed as he walked away from the house. Ark didn't know where he was going he just needed to get away from her for a bit. And that's what he did, he walked through a forest admiring the scenery and enjoying the sounds of nature.

This reminds him of his old life, he always enjoyed taking walks through the forest because it's a nice change from the usual town life he had. No sounds of car engines In the distance or the of construction.

Just the wind brushing by ruffling the leaves and branches. The smell of wet grass entered his nose making Ark smile as he stopped moving and slowly pushed himself against a tree.

*Flashback Start*

The memory of his past self before he died played through his head. He was walking through the forest, but he wasn't alone. Ark's little sister skipped around looking around with awe as she ran around looking at very she could. Beside Ark was his younger brother who had his arms crossed with a annoyed look on his face.

"Can't believe you dragged me along." Ark's brother grumbled making the older sibling chuckle as he put an arm over his shoulder, but was shoved aside. "Don't touch me..." Ark raised his arms In surrender.

"You do the same thing." Ark said simply before they heard laughing making them both turn to see their little sister dancing with some butterflies making the brothers smile. "Besides, we need to go out from time to time, especially for you fatty." The older siblings explained poking his brothers stomach which bulged slightly from his shirt that he wore.

The middle child smirked and laughed as he stared ahead watching his little sister enjoy the outdoors.

"Eh, I guess..." Ark nudged him slightly which he always did to cheer up his brother.

"Cheer up bro, we'll be back home before you know it and you'll be back on the computers playing with your friends again." Ark brother nodded his head before picking up his pace. "But for now, just enjoy the outdoors, trust me I prefer being inside, but it's nice to be outside once and a while."

*Flashback over*

Ark sighed as he opened his eyes, but frowned when he saw someone in front of him.

"What do you want Merlin?" Ark said with Boredom making the Wizard smirk which already gave away that he had a idea.

"So I learned that your 'brother' was training to be one of Artoria's Knights?" Merlin did some air quotes at the word brother making Ark roll his eyes which was something that he did a lot now.

"Ya, so what?" Merlin grinned which worried the boy greatly cause when the Dick wizard has a idea it's never something good. "Ok, spill it."

"Remember when you asked me about teaching you magic?" Ark perked up and got off the tree he was leaning against. "Well I decided that I could teach you..."

"You're next word is "if" isn't it." Ark deadpanned.

"If." Merlin froze and looked at the boy who continued to stare at him with a deadpan look. "...IF, you constantly cook for me and the King." There was large pause as Merlin's words were final processes.

"The fuck?" Merlin bonked him on the head making Ark groan as he rubbed the spot he was hit. "Ok, that's sounds like a one side deal. I get to learn magic and you get to eat my cooking... what's the catch..."

"Would you believe me if I said Artoria and I really enjoy your cooking which tastes better then the food that the chiefs in the castle give us."

"Yes." Ark didn't hesitate to answer making Merlin sweat drop at how confident the boy sounded. "I knew because Artoria tried really hard to not make a sound thinking I wasn't listening."

"So is that a yes?"

"HELL YA!" There was silence. "Wait... did you leave Mordred with the King inside the house which I recently stocked up with food?" Merlin stood still for a second before both males took off towards the house.

"By the way you can either bring something for me to cook or bring money so I can replace the food you and Artoria eat." Merlin groaned making Ark laugh like a mad man as they ran towards the house.

Inside Ark head he was thinking about the possibilities when Merlin starts teaching him Magic, the boy couldn't help but get excited about it.

"Wait... won't that mean that I'll be able to turn into a caster if I become a servant?" Ark mumbled to himself. "I really should learn how to use a sword and start training with it, cause I sure as hell don't want to be turned into a shitty caster." Ark said darkly.