Immortal: I have returned at long last! Trust me, I have been excited to post this for several reasons, but I will leave the last one for a surprise.

Gudako: Well moving homes does do a number on the bank, not to mention the fact that you've been so cheap lately. But you better roll for Van Gogh in the upcoming Imaginary Scramble event!

Immortal: Now, now, I'm saving! I've been on a diet of instant noodles and tap water, so cut me some slack you little gremlin! But another wonderful thing occurred!

LEGACY OF THE SABER KING HAS ITS OWN TROPES PAGE!

So believe you me when I say that I will be updating that page to reflect on the updates of the story here.

Gudako: Here's the other surprise! Gareth makes her debut! And then there's-

Immortal: Hold it! Let's save the surprise for the end here. But firstly, I once again extend thanks to Avenger013 for their help in their beta-review of this story. So another surprise is that I shall be extending this story to Archive of Our Own in the near future as another means to display this story.

Disclaimer: This story is fan-based writing. All characters and locations are owned by their respective copyright holders for the Nasuverse as well as Arthurian mythology. I do not own them in any way, shape, form, or concept to include Reality Marbles, Singularities, or Lostbelts. Please support the official release, but don't go too crazy spending your money on the Fate/Grand Order gacha!


Sir Mordred and the Orkney Clan

447 Anno Domini

Mordred

The morning air was cool and crisp as Mordred awoke, but outside the conjured cottage there was mist and a dampness in the air from the rain of the previous night. She yawned and sat up, bedsheets falling from her lithe frame. She didn't even have so much as a bruise thanks to Mother healing her, but as she recalled the events from last night, she became lost in thought, trying to make sense of it all.

Who was the person that had claimed they were there to assassinate Mother?

Was the assassin truly sent by King Arthur?

How did they know where to find them to begin with?

These and many more questions rolled in her head before Mother's voice cut through her and bade her to get ready quicker. Mordred hastily tied her hair into a low ponytail as she went to search for her boots.

/-/

Morgan

As she watched her get changed, Morgan could tell that the events of last night had rattled her child. Mordred had her belief in King Arthur well and truly shaken.

Morgan wasn't blind nor stupid when it came to her child. Even as she drilled it into her head that Arthur was an enemy to be feared and hated, a tyrant to be overthrown and a murderer of children, the witch could tell that Mordred's heart had never fully accepted this.

There was always a small tell that gave it away; agreement that was half-hearted, avoiding her gaze directly when they spoke, and remaining as non-committal as possible unless ordered to directly speak about her thoughts.

Last night's assassination attempt had been a stroke of luck. Guinevere's attempt to make amends between King Arthur and Morgan to try and mend old wounds was so hilarious that Morgan had laughed mirthlessly when she read the letter.

In the privacy of her own room of course.

The foolish woman had practically guaranteed a way for her to insert Mordred into King Arthur's court, yet when she read who was to be her "honor guard", Morgan Le Fay had lost all trace of humor in her face.

The Orkney siblings, Gawain, Agravain, and Gaheris would be part of the escort as well.

Gareth would still be at home with King Lot and his wife, her "sister", Morgause, or as she called her, "Morganna", but the other three would be accompany her and Mordred.

Perhaps Guinevere wasn't as naïve as she thought? By sending all three Orkney siblings, including two who despised her, they were undoubtedly there to act at the first sign of trouble from her. No... Perhaps King Arthur had given this particular command? Either way, Morgan le Fay knew she would have to be careful here and resist the urge to rile the three.

Gawain would not strike her down unless she gave him cause to do so due to his precious honor as a Round Table Knight. Gaheris fortunately did not know her all that well aside from what his siblings told him about her, but Morgan had few doubts that he would follow his brother Gawain if it came to blows. From what she knew about him through Agravain, Gaheris idolized his brother Gawain and tried to emulate him as much as he could, but he did not have the blessings or prowess of his brother, despite being much stronger than many normal knights.

And then there was Agravain…

That one needs the most careful watching.

Though she was certain she could kill all three if she had to, a fight would ruin everything she had suffered and sacrificed so much for. Mordred would defend her to the death, but she would not be able to stand against all the Orkney brothers at once. Gawain and Agravain would be too much for her and who knows how well Gaheris could fight.

Her pawn would be dead, her position of safety sacrificed, she would be forced back into the shadows to avoid the rest of the Round Table's wrath, and she would have to completely start over again Yes, better to avoid a fight.

Though Mordred was adequate as far as being a knight went, it was really her genetic lineage from Artoria that granted her the prodigious skill and inhuman strength, strength that would continue to grow if she survived long enough.

But of all her children, Agravain had always been the hardest to read, even for her.

He readily obeyed her in infiltrating Camelot to assassinate King Arthur, he participated in deceiving his king for Morgan to steal Artoria's seed, but he would never directly or indirectly act against King Arthur since. He seemed to have his own personal agenda that she was unable to figure out just yet, but as long as he didn't interfere with her plans and designs then his own schemes were of little interest to her.

"I'm ready."

Mordred's voice interrupted Morgan's thoughts as she turned to look back at her.

Mordred was wearing dark red breeches in place of the white that had been dirtied from the night before. Her boots were dry now, but still somewhat caked with mud, and her mailed shirt along with her tabard would be kept in the saddlebags due to the damage they sustained. So in place she was wearing a simple cotton tunic and the only indication of her knighthood were a pair of silver spurs. Her hood was down to display Mordred had tied hair had been tied in a low-hanging ponytail.

Morgan once again was reminded of Artoria in her youth, but she typically had worn a simple white tunic with dark blue pants and black boots with her hair tied in a low-hanging ponytail. Then a new thought came to mind. When she was younger and in training, hadn't Morgan visited her on occasion to see her progress? She looked almost exactly like Mordred did now, except for that absurd strand of hair that refused to stay down and the fact that the shade was slightly lighter with a straighter cut to it.

Her "son" at a glance now was practically impossible to identify as a woman, but right now she looked too much like Artoria and that began to irk her.

"Come here."

Morgan brought a chair over and ordered her to sit. But the way the knight tensed up, it was clear that she remembered clearly the time she had cast a spell on her that saw her head shorn of her once lengthy hair and near drowning in her bathtub.

It was ridiculous for Mordred to remember such trifles!

Had she not understood that it was for her own good that she cut her hair? The near-drowning was an irrelevant detail as her disobedience had to be stamped out, and she had saved her anyway, so why the ingratitude? Morgan le Fay was a busy woman who was juggling multiple tasks at once, so she could hardly be blamed for temporarily getting distracted by something like that.

But Mordred's hand twitched as if she meant to draw her sword and her eyes hardened slightly before she said, "I will not have my hair forcibly cut again. You owe me a debt for saving your life, so there's no way that you will cut my hair again!"

The tattoos flashed on Morgan's chest at this defiance, but Mordred had no trace of fear show on her face. Just a narrowing of her eyes, a change in tone, or even the glow of her tattoos had been enough to cow her child in the past, but now the knight had courage thanks to training and facing down danger. Morgan calmed herself quickly and reminded herself that Mordred was not a child to simply be cowed anymore by angry looks.

Nor could she use force just now.

This would only cause more resentment and defiance, so as much as she hated being contradicted or fought against, Morgan replied with a cool expression,

"I am not going to cut your hair. You are a knight and so I merely wished to help make you more presentable. You will be meeting your new brothers and it would not be fitting for you to meet them in that manner."

Mordred's eyes lost their hardened look and after a moment of awkward silence, she mumbled an apology in a sullen tone. But from the darting look between her mother and the chair there was still some suspicion that Mordred held of some kind of trick. But after a moment of pause that cause her mother to give a warning smile, Mordred quietly obeyed and sat down on the chair. Morgan undid the string holding her hair in its low ponytail before she ran her fingers through the knight's blonde tresses. Morgan's own self-care mostly involved magic, but there was a certain satisfaction in caring for herself manually. When she was a child, Mordred had once asked if she would be able to grow long and beautiful hair like her mother.

Morgan sometimes thought back to the days when Mordred was little at unbidden times and reflected momentarily on the small girl who suckled at her breast.

So small and innocent.

So naïve and trusting.

"If you reach the age for it.", was the answer she gave.

It was not a lie.

/~/

Mordred looked herself in the small hand mirror that her mother produced when she finished and saw that her hair was now tied in a high ponytail with twin braids pulled above her ears that collected the extra lengths and were held firmly into place with a red ribbon. With the braids tied up with her ponytail, it looked as she had a crown of her own. Her bangs were parted at the middle and framed around her face with the longer tresses extending past her chin. Mother explained to her that once she obtained her armor, it would be important to wear her hair this way if she wanted to keep the length she desired.

But before Mordred could comment on her new appearance, the reflection in the mirror became slightly distorted. It strained her eyes and without thinking she directed her eyes away from her face as Mother withdrew the mirror and wiped the reflective surface with her hand. Mordred thought she caught the faintest whisperings, but when she wanted to know what just happened, Mother told her that it was time for them to go.

The sun was about to rise and they had a schedule to keep to.

They were to meet Sir Gawain and the other Orkney siblings. But Mordred pondered just what it was that caused her to look away from the mirror. Perhaps Mother was doing some magic of sorts as a means to get back at her for the defiance. Irritation filled the knight and she growled a little herself as she left the cottage so that Mother could use her magic to put away the items she brought with them.

After exiting, she retrieved their horses and placed the items she didn't need in the bags before breathing a sigh of relief at seeing the embroidery that Queen Iseult gave her still there. The young knight led them off before fitting them with their bits and adjusting their reins. She gave a pat and spoke softly to her horse before she put her foot in the stirrup and easily mounted it. Riding and helping to care for a horse like Melsh Dick had helped her grow accustomed to horses in addition to that natural inclination that she had when it came to them.

Mother had finished her business and she too mounted her horse, releasing her magic to return to the land what she had coaxed from it, leaving a flower in the middle of the freshly churned earth. Mother had always seemed to have a tender consideration for the land regardless of where they were, but Mordred suddenly felt a little sullen. Mother didn't seem to notice, instead leading the way on to Stonehenge.

The left the forest glade and Mordred kept her sword loose in its sheath just in case as she passed by the spot where the assassin had attacked them the previous night before. Though the sun's light was peaking up, it had not yet fully rising and the sky was an orange-red color that painted the sky in a mix of purple and orange. Stonehenge was soon within sight and as the pair rode at a relaxed pace, Mordred reflected on the stories of Sir Gawain and Sir Agravain, both of whom were Round Table Knights and her new half-brothers.

She had read that Sir Gawain was reputed as the greatest among King Arthur's knights alongside Sir Lancelot, Sir Tristan, and Sir Percival. Though Sir Lancelot was thought to be his closest friend and confidant, Mother had told her that Sir Gawain was considered King Arthur's right-hand man in affairs of the country. However, Mordred never forgot about the Green Knight's warning of how Sir Gawain had a temper that sometimes blinded him. Perhaps she would test him in a spar to see just how much of it was true.

When it came to Sir Agravain, Mother had told her that he was the King's Secretary and was the one who usually handled the administrative side of King Arthur's affairs. Most of it went over her head, but from what little there was known about him the Knight of Iron was not well-loved among the people nor the other Round Table Knights. From what she remembered of him, he had made her think of an eagle with his hard face and piercing gaze. But surely there had to be something good in him that King Arthur saw in order for him to not only be welcomed among the inner circle, but to be his personal secretary as well!

Mordred and her Mother were almost at Stonehenge when they saw a figure riding toward them. Then sun rose over the horizon to bathe them all in its warming glow. Mordred had to shield her eyes for a moment against the brightness while Mother looked ahead with no trouble at all. But then the figure approached closer and the rising sun revealed that they were greeted by none other than the Knight of the Sun himself.

Mordred felt a child all over again inside as her heart skipped a beat to see Sir Gawain himself astride a magnificent brown stallion, dressed exactly how she remembered him from the first time she gazed upon him. Even seated he was a head taller than Mother and her. While he wasn't the giant that the Green Knight was, Sir Gawain cut a powerful and muscular figure made only more imposing by the large pelt that encircled his broad shoulders from the cape he wore.

"Good morning to you, Morgan le Fay.", said Gawain with a perfectly courteous voice, "And to you, Sir Mordred. I am pleased to finally meet you."

Mordred was flooded with warmth at Sir Gawain speaking to her. One of King Arthur's knights was speaking directly to her! Unlike Sir Kay who had been a jackass to her and Sir Tristan who was inscrutable, Sir Gawain was speaking to her as a proper and professional knight ought to. But before she could speak a greeting in return, Gawain turned his attention away and looked over his shoulder to shout a name.

"Gaheris!"

Riding after him came a younger man who looked barely older than Mordred. He wore a brown tunic with golden lining, dark-green breeches, iron greaves and sabatons as well as iron gauntlets. He looked like Sir Gawain in physical appearance, albeit smaller in size and stature, but still taller than Mordred by a couple of inches. His hair was the color of hay and trimmed short except for a long black strand at the front that almost completely covered the right side of his face. If Sir Gawain had a polite, if neutral expression, this newcomer had a bored and slightly sullen look on his face. He looked at Mordred for maybe a few moments before looking pointedly away and instead regarding his brother.

Mordred felt an instant dislike for him and knew that they wouldn't get along. It was like a cat meeting and a dog. The way he looked just sent a flash of irritation through her as if this was all beneath him and that he wanted to be anywhere else but here or that he was too important to be here. So she too looked away before noticing that Gaheris was carrying the banner of King Arthur; a Red Dragon passant on a green and white field.

Though King Arthur was associated with the nobility of lions, the name Pendragon also linked him with the mightiest of the mythical beasts.

"Sir Gawain of Orkney," began Mother, "Squire Gaheris, I thank you both for seeing to the safety of myself and my son, your half-brother. Already Sir Mordred has been acquitting himself well, even thwarting an assassination attempt on our lives in the dead of the previous night."

Sir Gawain furrowed his brow slightly before he inquired about the situation. So it fell to Mordred to explain what had happened. The Knight of the Sun listened attentively while Gaheris looked bored and looked around Stonehenge. Sir Gawain asked Mordred if she could get a description of the attacker, if he had any kind of heraldry, coat of arms, or something else distinguishable.

"No. It was dark and raining. His armor was all black like pitch and he wore a great helm so I couldn't see his face."

"Did he have any kind of weapon?"

"Yes, he had a halberd and-"

"Brother.", interrupted Gaheris suddenly, "Agravain is coming. I think that means the camp is ready to move on."

"Sir Agravain, Gaheris.", replied Sir Gawain and Gaheris dutifully corrected himself before the third Orkney sibling arrived on the outskirts of Stonehenge.

The Knight of Iron's face was grim, humorless, and hard as Mordred took in his appearance. Sir Agravain was as tall as his elder brother, but not quite as broad nor as muscular as the Knight of the Sun. Unlike the dishwater blonde and straw-colored hair of his brothers, Sir Agravain was as black as his armor and his horse. But he also wore that same fur-rimmed blue cloak that covered his left side. That and the white fur that lined around his throat in a collar served as the only decoration he deemed acceptable. But he did not approach inside Stonehenge at all and instead stared silently at the four in its center while staying mounted. Unlike the brightly shining Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain seemed to absorb all light that came upon him, and his eagle-like gaze seemed to pierce through them all with perfect, merciless clarity.

Then as if on silent command, his horse began to encircle Stonehenge and he did not break his gaze even once despite his elder brother asking him to join them, to stop being rude, and whether or not he really was well enough to ride.

Mother meanwhile barely spared a glance at Agravain and seemed more amused than anything else until the Knight of Iron turned his horse away from Stonehenge.

"What was that about?", asked Mordred as Sir Agravain continued on, "Why didn't he say anything?"

"Agravain's a hard and mean bastard.", replied Gaheris blithely as he watched on, "Perhaps he doesn't like your face Sir Mordred."

But before Mordred could reply with her own words, Sir Gawain turned and sharply said, "Gaheris! You will cease this rudeness at once and apologize to our brother. You are a squire only and not yet worthy of knighthood if you continue to behave in such a manner.

He turned to Mordred as Gaheris had the good grace to at least look a little chastised.

"Sir Mordred, I apologize for such rudeness on behalf of my squire. He normally isn't so… derisive in manner. Rest assured, you may have satisfaction from him if you so wish."

Mordred's dislike of Gaheris grew even more and yet the calm and soothing words of Sir Gawain were like a balm. Just listening to him speak in a manner so calm, so reasonable that it was easy to disbelieve the story that Sir Bertilak told her of his first quest.

"Gaheris's words were disgraceful, ", said Mordred attempting to emulate Sir Gawain's dignified way of speaking, "But I shall kindly forgive-"

"KKHHRNNRK!"

Mordred's words were cut off as Gaheris made a sound that was like a snort, a cough, and a laugh combined into one that he tried to hide. She heard Mother sigh under her breath and Gawain once more looked sharply at his younger brother. It was clear that her first attempt to speak politely and in a dignified manner came out as awkward and stiff.

"You wanna fight? We can do this right here!"

"It was merely a cough, Sir Mordred. No harm was intended.", replied Gaheris, yet there was an amusement there suddenly there in his face as if he had figured out Mordred's weakness and knew how to exploit it now.

Mordred's hand twitched as if she wanted to pull her sword out, but Gawain once more looked angrily at Gaheris and told his brother that if Sir Mordred wished to duel him to satisfaction, then he would not intervene on his behalf. Gaheris look a little startled and his face became hard as if Gawain had made an unreasonable declaration.

Mother's voice intervened however and she told Mordred as well as the others that they had a long way to go and Agravain was leading the way, so they had best hurry up and follow him. Gawain only nodded and said that Agravain would lead the way, continuing to remain courteous even as the look in his eyes showed irritation. Garheris followed his older sibling without even looking once at Mordred, which only further aggravated the knight.

"Save your wrath for later Mordred.", said Mother once the others were out of earshot, "When the time comes, you will make Gaheris pay. In truth… I've held no love for the boy either. He thinks himself as a younger copy of Gawain, but he lacks the talent to match his temperament. I've little doubt that you will make him pay for the insult, but make him pay you must."

Mordred felt her anger cool slightly as she recalled that the Green Knight told her to master her temper or else she could be easily goaded into a needless fight. But then Mother looked directly at Mordred and emphasized that as a knight, she must NEVER let any slight go unpunished regardless of how great or small. Otherwise nobody would take her seriously and she would never be able to take her place in the Round Table to fulfill her destiny.

The thought of not being taken seriously brought back her Master's final words to her, emphasizing her female form and the thought of calming herself was squashed instantly.

Despite hearing Gawain scolding his brother loudly enough for them to hear, Mordred was certain she would make the squire pay. It didn't matter that he was bigger and broader than her. She had trained with Sir Bertilak de Hautdesert, the Green Knight himself! If she could fight him, then an arrogant blowhard like Gaheris would be nothing to her. With the promise of retribution in mind, Mordred rode beside her Mother after Sir Gawain and Gaheris

/~/

They did not see Sir Agravain the rest of the day and it was only when a scout on horseback came to them that they received word that Sir Agravain had found them a suitable place with which to make camp. Additionally, a carriage would be provided for them so that Morgan le Fay would be able to ride in safety and secrecy.

Mother was an experienced rider and had no trouble with her mount, but Mordred agreed that it best for her to ride in a carriage. Sir Gawain had Gaheris bring the news to Mordred along with his apologies for the disrespect his squire had given Sir Mordred. The younger knight sent Gaheris back to Gawain with a smirk that she would duel Gaheris in a "friendly training match", which had been Mother's suggestion.

Honor would be satisfied, but this would allow Mordred to hit Gaheris harder under the guise of training and practicing arms. Sir Gawain had accepted this and he himself would oversee the training. Gaheris thankfully kept silent as they rode through the land. The baggage train had left and would soon catch up to them, which would leave Mordred time to duel with her "brother".

Mordred gazed at the back of Sir Gawain for a while, wanting to approach him to ask all the questions she could think of, but nothing came to her of just how to approach him. What was it that was causing her to hesitate?

"Speak with him. Your brother."

Mother's voice spoke and the young knight looked over at her in sudden surprise at the command. Stiffening her resolve to not make a fool of herself, Mordred tapped her spurs into her mount and rode forward.

Sir Gawain was keeping his gaze straight ahead while his younger brother rode beside him. The eldest Orkney sibling heard her approach and turned his head when she rode beside him. His horse continued on with a brief snort as the Knight of the Sun briefly glanced at her before turning away with the slightest grimace.

"Do you need something Sir Mordred?"

Sir Gawain spoke with a hint of tension to his voice, but otherwise it was spoken with perfect courtesy. Mordred felt slightly taken aback at the curt tone, but she pressed on.

"It's always been a dream of mine to meet you and the other Knights of the Round Table. So to find out that I'm related to you in a way is practically breathtaking."

Gaheris thankfully kept his comment to himself, but Mordred could feel his mockery as if it were a stench, but she was making damned sure to speak politely even if it felt awkward for her. Gawain said nothing and instead listened patiently.

"Now that I've finally met you Sir Gawain I have to say you're every bit as amazing in person as the stories say."

"You are very kind to say so Sir Mordred.", replied Gawain without breaking his gaze, "The other Round Table Knights and I have heard of your feat as well. To have quested on your own as young as you are into an enemy fort against the Brown Knight was a remarkable deed. Even the King was pleased to know that a man like Sir Breuse would no longer trouble the realm and the people."

"The… The King said that?"

"Indeed."

Despite the curt reply, Mordred felt as if she could float like a leaf on the wind at the word of Sir Gawain. The King of Knights himself knew her deeds and he knew her name. The Round Table didn't consider her some nobody!

Mother was wrong!

"Ahahaha!"

Mordred instantly felt defensive as she heard laughter. It was not mocking or derisive, but it was the genuinely amused laughter from Sir Gawain!

He had glanced at Mordred again, this time with a genuine if brief smile as he too recalled his own happiness when King Arthur praised him.

"I can see such a thing brings you happiness. I understand you Sir Mordred, for when the King praises my deeds and the deeds of the Round Table, nothing else can compare!"

/~/

Gawain

Then the two began to talk as they rode on and Gawain understood quickly that his half-brother was quite eager to know all there was about King Arthur. Gawain patiently indulged the younger knight's curiosity with only the occasional derisive remark from Gaheris. Morgan le Fay on the other kept silent, which was something Gawain was thankful for.

There was no love lost between Gawain and Morgan le Fay, but he couldn't fathom just what madness possessed his king to allow the queen to extend this olive branch. He knew Morgan le Fay as somebody treacherous, proud, lecherous, and cruel. He had his own encounters with her in the past and knowing that she was his aunt by his mother Morgause only made her actions come across as all the worse.

He had failed to properly greet an unknown maid, who cursed him into transforming into a dwarf only for him to eventually get his true form back. The woman who had done this to him HAD to have been Morgan le Fay since she was even then known for punishing failed chivalry. She had murdered Urien of Rheged, stolen Caliburn, tricked a knight whom she gave Avalon to into battling King Arthur to the death, sent him a rich cloak that burned the unfortunate maid who put it on to death, and would frequently cause mischief for no reason other than to make life difficult.

Poor Sir Bors… he would never trust a rabbit ever again after that incident and Merlin had been too busy laughing before he finally made the Vorpal Rabbit vanish with a puff of flowers and a squeaking sound.

But King Arthur had made his ruling and it would be carried out whatever his reservations on the matter. Sir Gawain however had requested that only trusted men would provide escort for Morgan le Fay hand-picked by himself. There were those who would take King Arthur's protection of his sister as placing himself and his blood above the law over others. He did not doubt that the other common guards would talk and word might spread eventually, but thankfully he and his brothers would take the burden of being directly in her presence. With Sir Mordred there as well, they wouldn't have to interact with Morgan le Fay any more than strictly necessary.

But then he broke out of his thoughts when they finally arrived at the campsite location and he saw that a carriage had already been provided by Sir Agravain according to the scout that reported to him as soon as they came within sight.

They still had time before the rest of the train caught up to them, so it would allow the party to rest for a bit. It was placed near a river so they would have the ability to have their clothes washed and the ability to gather water for cooking that night. But it seemed that Sir Mordred was already eager to start his fight with Gaheris and told the squire to get off his horse and prepare for their bout. Morgan le Fay had still remained silent with her face shaded behind her hooded cloak, but now there was a hint of a mocking smile.

"Oh very well…", said Gaheris airily, "If I must, Sir Mordred."

What was with Gaheris today, Gawain wondered. Why was he being so unusually abrasive and confrontational? Was it because of Morgan le Fay? Or perhaps was it because he simply disliked his new half-brother? Gaheris had always tried to emulate him and his ways, even the bad habits he had sometimes. His temper and his mouth could at times get the better of him when they got up, but Gaheris took that as strength and fearlessness it seemed.

But Sir Gawain would not have them fight with true steel and instead told them both to wait for the baggage train to arrive with their supplies so they could have blunted weapons.

/~/

Mordred

The sun was nearly down by the time the baggage train arrived and soon the footmen were setting things up. Gawain and some of his men had gone to the river to fish or to gone with Gaheris to hunt for game that night to supplement the cooks provided. Morgan le Fay had retired into her carriage and remained there out of sight once the first chance came.

Mordred meanwhile had spent her time practicing with her sword in a small glade out of sight of the others. At Castle Tintagel she had trained rarely against others aside from Sir Bertilak. Others were too afraid of her, refused to lower themselves to battle a mere squire, or were too weak for her to fight and get anything useful out of. The scouts and other men-at-arms had seemed wary of her, which Mordred was accustomed to and so she ignored them.

Even fighting against actual grown men who were common bandits or robber knights didn't yield much for her. They were only human after all and Mordred was… 'a homunculus'. But if there was any knowledge out there, then only her mother knew for certain. Sir Bertilak refused to tell her what it was exactly, only echoing her mother's terms that she was merely, "different" from other humans.

But if she were to become a knight of the round table… perhaps King Arthur's court wizard could tell her. With the vast knowledge he had accumulated, the wise wizard Merlin would certainly be able to know of all people just what she was. Maybe then it wouldn't be so hard to have to pretend to be somebody she wasn't if she knew for sure just who and what she was.

'Mordred.'

She jolted at the sudden voice of Mother and turned with her sword in hand before she saw her standing at the edge of the glade. She wiped the sweat from her brow before she regarded her mother.

"What is it Mother?"

"The baggage train had arrived some time ago, while you were out here practicing. Come, your brothers await you."

Mordred's body felt that rush of excitement and she knew that it would be time to fight soon. Gaheris would be getting his due and so she started back to the others, but Mother grabbed her bicep before she could pass her. Mordred tightened her hand on the sword handle at the suddenness of the grab along with a rush of anxiety. It had been so long since she had felt her mother's hand strike her, but there was still that instinct to brace herself.

"Mordred. Remember that you are a knight, you are stronger than Gaheris, but under no circumstance are you to kill him. I do not care how angry he makes you. Use your head wisely and you will avenge your insult."

'She still thinks of me as a child, even after I saved her life twice. Even after all I have done and accomplished, she STILL thinks of me as a child.',

Mordred did not voice her thoughts aloud, but her displeasure was clear across her face as she replied with a sullen voice, "As you wish, Mother."

She pulled her arm out of her grasp and moved with more haste to be armored and meet Gaheris beside the river where they would duel.

A training duel was all it would be!

She wasn't going to kill Gaheris unless he tried to kill her or Mother, but the thought she would do something so vile caused her face to turn into furious scowl. By the time she reached the baggage train, the three folks attending there were paralyzed with a primal fear as she approached them.

"I'm going to beat the hell out of Gaheris.", she told them, "Get me armored up."

They obeyed instantly and began to dig through the cart to find the arms for this young knight whose anger they couldn't fathom.

/~/

Gaheris was already outfitted with dull gray plate armor, a round steel half helm with a nose guard, a mail coif, and padded underclothing that was used for training.

Mordred herself was still wearing her mailed armor over her own padded clothing, which she concealed with her tabard. She also wore thick gloves with metal disks as well as greaves and sabatons. To complete her ensemble, she wore a padded cap as well as a half-helm that protected the upper half of her face with eye slits.

Standing next to Gaheris, she looked practically unarmored, but this suited the younger knight just fine. Gaheris was bigger and better armored, but Sir Bertilak had taught her well in fighting armored enemies, using her size and speed to outmaneuver them.

Mordred went to the weapons rack that had been placed out and saw the different ones available to her. A greatsword, a two-handed longsword, a bearded axe, short swords, and a mace.

Gaheris looked at her and she met his gaze before reaching out and picking up the longsword with one hand. It was heavier than the one she was given, but Mordred felt that one should always choose a longsword. Of all weapons she had ever practiced or trained with, the longsword was the only one that just…felt right to hold.

Gaheris's weapon of choice was a blunted short sword, paired with a wooden round shield that Gawain helped him fit. He was doing some testing slashes, but when Mordred approached he frowned and said, "Sir Mordred, where is your shield?"

"Don't need one. This will suffice."

Mordred tapped her shoulder with her blade and Sir Gawain furrowed his brows a bit before he asked, "Are you certain Sir Mordred? You might have longer reach than Gaheris, but wouldn't having a shield be more sensible?"

"I'm used to having a two-handed weapon over a single-handed one.", answered Mordred, "So I'll be fine."

"Sir Mordred, I don't think this would be a very good idea.", Sir Gawain persisted.

Mordred felt a flash of irritation at his tone. He was trying to be helpful, but Mordred was instantly reminded of the way Mother had spoken to her in ordering her to not kill Gaheris. She knew well enough that this was training and she wouldn't kill her half-brother. The very thought that she would do something like that had just rankled her more. Sir Bertilak had drilled it into her that wanton cruelty was not a behavior that she could indulge in, especially not outright murder.

Perhaps she ought to show deference to Sir Gawain.

Mordred thought for a moment and was about to respect his wishes when Gaheris spoke up.

"Brother, please let Sir Mordred fight me like that. He doesn't have a shield, but then again you don't use one either."

Sir Gawain was caught flat-footed and, after a few seconds of embarrassed silence, he finally acquiesced and said, "You are correct Gaheris. Sir Mordred, please excuse me. I didn't mean to belittle or downplay your prowess. If that is what you are comfortable with, then exercise your skill as best you know how."

Mordred nodded in appreciation, slipping into a ready stance while Gaheris held his wooden shield up, his sword held at a low-ready guard.

Gawain had taught him well from the way he was guarding himself, Mordred noted. The shield was held up enough to cover his torso while the sword protected his unguarded side, his feet were steady with his right leg bearing more of his weight and his other foot was pointed towards her. She also took note that Gaheris's wooden shield was ringed and studded with iron.

In reply, Mordred got into a high-guard stance, her sword resting on her left arm and pointed towards Gaheris. Her reach with the longsword was greater than his reach with the short sword by nearly half a hand, which would mean he would be at a disadvantage even with the shield.

But Gaheris seemed perplexed by her stance and his grip wavered slightly as Sir Gawain explained, "This will be to first wound. Get ready…. BEGIN-"

"No, no, no!"

Gaheris suddenly spoke as Mordred took a step forward and caught herself before she stumbled at the squire's sudden complaint.

"You're holding your blade all wrong!", said Gaheris in annoyance, "What kind of stance is that? A high-guard? Do you think your longsword is a thrusting weapon? It's not going to be as effective if you hold it like that! Your stance is poor as well as your grip on your weapon.

Mordred was at a temporary loss. They were about to engage in a duel and he was trying to lecture her?

As the younger knight prattled on about her poor choice of guard, the improper way she was holding a longsword, Mordred's jaw tightened, her veins beginning to stand out like iron chords in her neck, blood pulsing across her forehead as her irritation began to mount.

'Oh to hell with it!'

Mordred didn't bother to wait and let Gaheris finish lecturing her, letting out a loud shout and raising her sword over her head as she charged at him. It would be his own fault for not getting his head in the fight! She would even show him that she was his better by using only 'proper' fighting.

"WATCH OUT!", shouted Sir Gawain to his brother, snapping his squire out of his lecture.

Mordred's blade came down like a thunderbolt and Gaheris barely raised his shield in time to stop the blow that would've struck him down in an instant. Mordred had to give the bigger squire credit for those good reflexes if nothing else. But Mordred went after him, hacking and slashing, allowing the longer reach of the blade to press her attack.

Gaheris was clearly surprised by his half-brother's strength and for a moment it seemed it was all he was able to do was use his shield to weather the blows as splinters flew from his shield. But each strike from Mordred jarred him and any attack that he had was knocked aside or Mordred danced backwards, slid sideways, and kept Gaheris back with the length of her longsword.

As Mordred's blade drew back for another slash, Gaheris bull rushed her with his shield and pushed her back, taking advantage of his sheer size to overwhelm her. His strength wasn't as monstrous as the Green Knight's, but he was still a well-built man. Even Mordred digging her feet into the ground didn't stop him pushing her back several feet before she was able to regain her footing.

Her longsword was stuck between herself and Gaheris's shield, with her using one hand on the blade and the other on the handle to push back against him. Gaheris brought his short sword up in a stabbing motion, intent on driving the point of his blade into her armpit.

Mordred gave a hard shove and twisted around, spinning as if she were dancing with the bigger squire until she was back-to-back with Gaheris.

Wasting no time, she grabbed the longsword by the blade and swung it like a mace at Gaheris's unprotected side. The bigger squire held up his armored forearm, having no time to bring his sword up to parry her strike.

The clang of metal on metal indicated to Mordred that he'd managed to protect himself, but the sheer force of the blow knocked Gaheris back. He nearly tumbled over before managing to right himself, getting back into a guard stance before Mordred could capitalize on the opening she'd created.

"Is this the best you can do, brother?", spat Gaheris as Mordred's next blow dented his shield, "You're wasting your energy and strength, swinging that sword like a butcher's cleaver."

Red lightning crackled around Mordred's hands as she felt her anger spike at the taunt.

She KNEW he was trying to rile her up, like the Green Knight had done before. But unlike her former Master, this was somebody who she could hit, who she could beat without a shred of guilt.

"My worst is still better than your best could ever be, brother.", Mordred snapped back, spitting out the address as if it were a foul curse, "So far I've been kicking your ass. Maybe I should dress you up as a maiden if the best you can do is talk trash."

"Ooh such a display of wit. Then why are you unable to beat me, Sir Mordred?"

"I'm going easy on you. But if you want me to get a little more serious, then don't blame me when you get hurt."

Mordred charged and leapt at Gaheris, swinging her longsword with both hands, nearly splitting the shield in two from the force of the strike. Though it was tempting to use all her strength, Mordred made sure she was holding herself back. Still, it was enough. Gaheris grunted loudly as the force from her strike wracked his shield arm, sinking to one knee and groaning. Mordred grinned and shuffled a step closer, triumphant…until he met her gaze and smirked, hefting his own blade. She realized too late that her sword was stuck in his shield. Worse, he was now within arm's reach of her, with no way for her to retrieve her weapon faster than he could strike.

Gaheris brought up his weapon again, aiming it in a downward stabbing motion and sending it plunging towards Mordred's unguarded neck. Heart racing and blood pumping hot, Mordred tore her left hand from her longsword and grabbed the blade itself. The blade was mere inches from her neck before her grip tightened enough to stop it, her gloves protecting her hands from any serious injury. Even a dull blade was capable of going through skin with enough force, but Mordred's grip was enough to halt the blade completely from finishing it descent.

Gaheris's eyes widened in surprise at his half-brother's strength, his mind blanking at his fellow knight's display. Gawain had taught him well in the combat techniques of Orkney's knights, but Sir Mordred fought like no knight he'd ever met before! How was he supposed to know what to do against him? None of his lessons had prepared him for-

Taking full advantage of his hesitation, she wrenched Gaheris' weapon and arm aside with savage strength, stepping in the gap between Gaheris' shield and his weapon until they were nearly nose to nose.

Adrenaline surging at the anticipation, Mordred brought her head back and slammed her forehead right into Gaheris's nose guard almost as hard as she could.

"HRAAH…! UNNNGH!"

"AAARGH!"

She barely felt the blow thanks to the cap and half-helm, but Gaheris was not so fortunate, a sickening crunch signaling his nose caving in against Mordred's headbutt.

Crying out in pain and panicking, he lost his footing completely, falling to the ground with Mordred atop him.

Gaheris's grip had loosened enough for her to wrench his shortsword from his grip. Keeping a tight hold on it, she deftly flipped the weapon in her hand and brought it to rest at Gaheris' throat before he could even register what was happening.

"Enough!", commanded Sir Gawain and he strode over to see to Gaheris's nose.

The squire was groaning as Mordred stepped off him and gave way to Gawain to see to him. Gawain took off his brother's helmet and saw the nose had been so caved in that he could hardly breath from it. He gave grimace at the blood oozing from Gaheris' nostril as he took off his brother's ruined shield with the longsword still stuck inside it. His brother would likely be disfigured from the broken nose and while he brought a healer along in his retinue, his brother's damage was quite bad.

"Stand aside Sir Gawain."

Mordred saw Mother had suddenly appeared and all three turned their attention to her. Sir Gawain's eyes narrowed as moved himself fully in between his brother and her like a shield. His right hand twitched as if he missed grasping his own sword, but he was certainly powerful enough use his bare hands to kill. Just one of his hands would be enough to squeeze the slender throat of her Mother and strangle her to death if he had to.

But before she could move or say anything, a sly smile appeared on Mother's lips before she said, "I have magic that can heal Gaheris much more efficiently and quickly than any paltry healing arts from anybody here. Of course, if you mistrust me that much, I shan't object and will stand aside."

Gawain continued to glare at her, but Mordred stepped in and said, "Sir Gawain, let my mother do her work. I've gotten hurt badly before, just last night I had been wounded and she healed me almost instantly."

There was a tenseness in the air and for a moment it seemed as if Sir Gawain would refuse. But he looked back at his brother and Gaheris looked back at him before he gave the slightest of nods.

So the Knight of the Sun stepped aside and Mordred watched as Mother got closer to Gaheris and knelt down until she was eye level with him. Both brothers were looking at her warily and Mother's eyes shone as she reached out and suddenly grasped the broken nose of Gaheris. He yelled out in pain and green light shone from Mother's hand as the broken nose was fixed via magic.

Sir Gawain reached out to grasp her, but quick as a snake she moved back out of his reach.

"There. All better."

Gaheris' nose was indeed fixed and save for some blood on his mouth from the former broken nose, there was no evidence that he had ever had an injury to begin with. The pain had even ebbed away with surprising quickness until it was completely gone.

Mordred frowned slightly in bafflement at why Mother grabbed the squire's nose to heal it. She had never had to physically touch somebody to heal them, but she had deliberately grabbed his nose before healing him. But she thought about how Gaheris had acted and all sympathy was set aside.

Gaheris had gotten simply gotten what was coming to him and lost their match.

"That was ill-done, Sir Mordred.", said Sir Gawain with a frown of disapproval.

Mordred felt as if she had been slapped in the face from the shock of Sir Gawain saying that. How was that bad?! Gaheris had picked a fight with her and she beaten him in a fair match!

"You were supposed to train to satisfy the insult against you, but you instead used force to deliver greater harm to Gaheris knowing full well that he is weaker than you. That is not training. Had you dueled against me, you would feel even worse than Gaheris is now."

"Brother-"

"Be quiet Gaheris."

The Knight of the Sun spoke calmly, but there was a sudden intensity in his voice and an almost invisible pressure in the air that felt like a weight on Mordred's shoulders. Gawain seemed to stand even taller and more imposing than before as he looked down on Mordred with his handsome face looking at her in displeasure.

But then the pressure went away as Gawain took a breath and calmed down before changing his tone in a softer voice like a teacher wanting to explain and teach rather than criticize and blame.

"Sir Mordred, perhaps you have not met many true knights and I understand that you know of King Arthur and the Round Table Knights only by stories. We are held to a higher standard than our fellow men."

His expression softened as well and he almost looked pleadingly at her, "So please learn restraint. You wouldn't like it if somebody stronger than you beat you like that?

"But that's how I've been trained!", protested the younger knight, "My Master was the strongest I've known and it's not my fault that Gaheris picked a fight he couldn't win!"

"Aye, Gaheris thought he could defeat you, but you knew better and needlessly hurt him.", countered Gawain.

"So!?"

Mordred was getting frustrated and couldn't help but raise her voice. Why was Sir Gawain acting like this? Shouldn't he know better than that? All the enemies he's fought, all the campaign's and quests… surely he would know!

"If this were a real duel against an actual foe, Gaheris would've been cut down since he wants to lecture and talk so much!"

"But if you treat everything like an enemy that you must go face with full force, then you will MAKE everything your enemy!"

Once more, the pressure returned as did the look of displeasure on Sir Gawain's face. This time it was more intense than before and Mordred tried to match his look, but Gawain's frown slowly turned to a glare and the cool air started to get hot as on a summer day that caused sweat to form on Mordred's face.

"BROTHER!"

Gaheris's voice broke through and both pressure and heat vanished as quick as the cracking of a whip.

He stepped around Sir Gawain and said after looking between him and his half-brother, "Sir Mordred was right. Please don't be angry."

Now this was a surprise that Mordred hadn't expected. She expected Gaheris to sulk, to sneer as he cowered behind his brother, or continue to use stinging insults. But the squire was actually trying to calm his brother and even go so far as to admit Mordred was right?! He had to have been playing some kind of trick, but Mordred watched to see what would happen.

"I… have behaved in a manner unbecoming of a knight, but more importantly I have not welcomed our brother as I ought to have.", said Gaheris in a conciliatory voice.

He turned to Mordred and lowered his head, "I apologize to you Sir Mordred for my words and deeds. I beg your forgiveness, so that no ill will stand between us."

'What… IS this?!'

Gaheris was speaking formally and politely, almost sounding like his brother Gawain as he spoke with perfect courtesy that would have charmed any lady at King Mark's court. It seemed so unnatural for him to speak this way, but Sir Gawain's expectant look had limited her options. Again he was looking at her like a teacher at odds with a troubled, yet promising pupil.

Finally, she said in words of equal formality that she forgave Gaheris and wanted no more conflict between them.

"Hurrah!"

Suddenly she felt all air being cut out from her as Gawain caught her and Gaheris in an embrace that could have strangled a bear.

"Gaheris and Sir Mordred! I am proud of you both!", said the Knight of the Sun joyfully, "Your big brother is thrilled to see reconciliation after this sorry affair. This calls for a special feast that I myself shall serve you!"

Mordred tried to flail away and even kicked at Gawain to no avail as she felt herself moments away from fainting. Gaheris meanwhile suddenly screamed that he would rather starve and though he pushed at his brother's face, Gaheris had no more luck than his half-brother did at pushing the big lummox off him. It wasn't until he roared that he was killing them that the happy Sir Gawain finally let go of both him and their half-brother.

Poor Sir Mordred had fainted from nearly being crushed to death by the embrace and only the fog that came from his unconscious mouth indicated that he yet lived. But knowing what was coming that evening, Gaheris envied Sir Mordred's insensible state.

/~/

After that day, the escort made better time in their travels to Orkney with no further trouble from outside sources. During their travels, the peasantry they saw were always excited to see King Arthur's banner and to greet the famed Knight of the Sun. Many a fair maid would beg Sir Gawain to take a flower or some other small trinket, which he accepted with perfect grace and courtesy as befitting one of the Round Table Knights.

Once in a great while even Gaheris would receive such tokens and favors. But in Mordred's case the maids would be unable to meet her gaze and would sometimes even withdraw their favor in what looked like fright.

Young boys would bounce in excitement at seeing their retinue and even older men would smile proudly at them. Mordred would hear the peasants tell their children that they were the protectors of the realm, they were true knights who would keep them all safe, and it was all thanks to King Arthur.

A sense of pride filled her heart and Mordred would sit straight and tall in her saddle, imagining herself already a Round Table Knight like her brother Gawain.

But happy moments weren't always what they saw as they rode north through Britain and were further inland, two days away from King Lot's lands. They would normally pass on such places that were unpleasant to look at, but on the last day before they would reach Orkney territory they stopped at Gawain's insistence to see to a minor lord's lands that had been attacked by foreign invaders.

The serf's faces were dull and resentful, barely raising their heads as they tended the fields of their lord when they arrived. The lands had been sacked by a warband of Saxons and there were fewer peasants to tend the fields and livestock, or so an old crone had told Sir Gawain when he asked what happened. Gaheris privately explained to Mordred that the Saxons were raiders not native to Britain and had been more belligerent of late if they dared to come so far in-land.

The lord of the small keep had kept his guard around him and his family, but had refused to let his serfs in and they had been made to bear the brunt of the attack. The Saxons could not breach the gates nor storm the walls, so they simply went after those weaker than themselves. Food and livestock were stolen if not slaughtered outright, homes were destroyed and burnt to the ground. Many men were killed, and nearly a third women and children were raped or stolen by the time a Black Knight had appeared and driven the raiders off.

"Black Knight?"

"A Black Knight is a knight who completely darkens his armor so that nobody can identify him. Many robber knights do that or those who don't want to be identified and perform deeds in secret. I once heard that one Black Knight was King Pellinore."

Gaheris loved to explain and answer questions, taking a pride in intellect much to Mordred annoyance.

Sir Gawain promised the people that they would receive justice for their hurts at the first opportunity to do so. By that point a crowd nearly the size of the honor guard had gathered to see and hear what was going on. But there were no cheers and instead resentful grumbling with one angry and very drunk man yelling that neither King Arthur nor his knights were there when they actually needed.

"Wat good are ye bastards if ye don't even act when it counts?!", he yelled hoarsely. Others tried to quiet him, but he shoved them away and from the streaks in his face where dirt had been, it was clear that he had been sobbing uncontrollably, "The Saxons…! The fuckin' bastards…! They took me wife and me little girl! They…. took 'em..!"

"Good sir,", began Gawain gently, "my heart aches for your hurts and I promise-"

"GOD DAMN YOU AND YOUR BLEEDIN' 'EART!", he snarled and a fresh wave of tears flowed down his face as he reached down to pick up a stone and flung it with all his strength at Gawain. Despite his drunken state, the man's accuracy was lucky enough to actually hit Gawain's shoulder and instantly the other peasants backed away as if fearing what was to come.

"TREASON!", yelled one of the honor guard as he brandished his spear and drove the butt of it into the man's stomach so hard that he gagged and vomited.

"An attack on one of King Arthur's Round Table is an attack on the king himself!", said the man, but Gawain's voice sharply ordered him to back off and he dismounted his horse. Gaheris quickly followed suit as did Mordred until all three were standing before the sobbing and gagging man. None of them said a word, but there was a definite tension in the air as everybody waited to see what would happen.

'He is so filthy and pathetic.', Mordred thought as she gazed down on him in the dirt. These kind of people were the ones King Arthur was fighting for? If he loved his wife and children so much, why couldn't he have fought for them? Was he a coward who hid or gave away his family to save himself? But the pain he felt physically and emotionally were indeed very real and as Mordred looked down on him, she did begin to feel pity.

'Don't.'

Mother's voice came to her from inside the carriage.

'These people are not deserving of your sympathy. They are only meant to be ruled, for without a strong guidance they are like animals.'

But then Gawain reached down and gently lifted the man to his feet before he walked him over to a wooden bench as easily as if he were a child. The man continued crying as Gawain spoke in a very kind voice to him that while he could not promise the man that he would find his wife and daughter, he would personally bring the attention of this to Lot and King Arthur so that justice would be granted.

But the looks of the people were doubtful and this angered Mordred, causing her to raise her voice.

"We cannot be everywhere at once! If you want somebody to be angry at, rage at the Saxons who took your livelihood, ravaged your lands, stole your loved ones!", she said forcefully at the dull peasants, "King Arthur's heart aches when he learns that his people have been hurt! Yes, you are far away from Camelot, but you are STILL his subjects and he DOES care for you all!"

She looked around at all of them, her fists clenched as she continued, "But because we cannot be everywhere at once, then look to protect yourselves too! If the Saxons see you as meek as animals, then like animals they will treat you!"

A low growl of assent began to be passed between the peasants as Mordred spoke and she took deliberate and slow steps to look at the people who could not meet her gaze.

"The King CARES for you, so BE people worthy of that care! The Saxons treat you like prey to be slaughtered and ravaged at will but you are King Arthur's subjects are you not!?"

The low growling turned into angry muttering and one of the few remaining women yelled that they weren't fighters and that if they fought back they would be killed.

"Then BECOME fighters!", Gaheris spoke up, "Even wolves fear to fight rams and bulls who fight back! If your lord won't fight for you, then you must fight for yourselves! You are King Arthur's people and you will not meekly cower any longer! Fight for your lives! Fight for your homes! Fight for the king who cares!"

The response that came from the throats of the people was almost a wave as fists were thrust in the air and some were even yelling that they go after the Saxons right that instant. But Sir Gawain raised his hands and yelled for calm. But it was almost a full two minutes before the crowd calmed.

"My brothers are right in one matter.", he said, "You must look to protect yourselves as best you can, but that does not mean you will be abandoned. King Arthur's justice will come if I alone must be the one to carry it out. The Knight of the Sun pledges his word on this, so help me God."

The tension in the air calmed and soon the crowd dispersed.

Gawain once more expressed pride in his brothers, but the two quickly backed away before he could embrace the two to death again. Gawain was a little disappointed and as he went back to his horse, he wondered aloud just how far Agravain must be.

Mordred mounted her horse, feeling a chill as she looked at the carriage that housed her mother. Though wood and iron barred the way, she could feel Mother's disapproving glare, her pale-green eyes shining in the dark.

The retinue moved on and as they left the lands, Mordred saw one thin and filthy peasant man in worn clothing was milking a cow that barely gave any milk as they passed by. He had apparently sat there the entire time and ignored everything that was happening, but as Mordred almost passed him by he looked up and turned to meet her gaze. He couldn't have been an old man, but work and a hard life gave him the appearance of a man who looked decades older with a pox-scarred face and wrinkled skin as tough as boiled leather. He glared at her resentfully with eyes as dull as the thin cow he milked before turning his attention back to his near-dead animal.

Disgust replaced the pity in Mordred and she looked away.

People like that didn't deserve King Arthur's compassion, she thought as they rode on.

/~/

It was nearly a full seven days ride from Stonehenge to King Lot's territory, but in the distance on a small mountain was the fortress of Din Eidyn. Though no castle compared to the majesty of Camelot, even from a distance Mordred could see it was a large and powerful structure. It sat on a steep hill with a castle down built into the hill itself with large homes built of the same stone as the mountain. It was as if the land itself was giving its very bones to protect the people who dwelt upon it. The sun shone on the castle and the lands surrounding it in spots of light.

The Orkney lands were riddled with rolling hills, green pastures for livestock, and rivers that fed into the sea. Some were small enough to easily leap over while others had stone bridges big enough for the retinue to cross over.

It was on this day that Agravain had finally shown himself to the retinue. He rode on a large black stallion that matched his pitch-black armor. Unlike the destrier he had ridden, this was a fresh courser for swifter travel. Sir Agravain announced to them that their father, King Lot, was expecting them and preparing a banquet feast.

Gawain told his brother that he could have waited for them and rested. He had scouted for them to ensure their safety for the duration of the trip and must surely be exhausted from all his work. More importantly, being home would mean their youngest sibling would've surely been delighted to see him.

"Gareth loves you Agravain and would be delighted to make you smile again."

The Black Iron Knight replied with cool courtesy, "Then that would mean denying our dearest Gareth the pleasure of meeting Sir Mordred. Our…"

He let the word hang as he turned his gaze and looked at Mordred full in the face. His iron-hard expression had not changed since she last saw him days ago. The sharp, raptor-like gaze seemed to stare into her and Mordred felt as if she were naked beneath that gaze. But it also occurred to her that he was the first and only one who looked at her directly without grimacing as if in pain or indirectly looking at her.

"Brother?", Gaheris finished for him.

"Yes Gaheris. Our… brother."

Agravain finally looked away from Mordred and then went back to ignoring her as if she were nonexistent. His attention was focused on Gawain, but Mordred saw some white amidst his otherwise black armor and it drew her gaze while the two elder Orkney brothers talked. His blue cape had shifted when his horse paced in place and Mordred saw that Agravain was wearing linen binding behind his right knee. When had he gotten hurt? But the cape shifted back over his knee and hid it from her gaze. It happened so fast that Mordred wasn't sure that she had actually seen that.

"Will you not stay then?", Gawain was asking, "Please brother, just rest for one day."

"The King does not rest and so I shan't either.", said Agravain sharply, cutting off his elder brother's plea. The Knight of the Sun frowned and sighed, knowing Agravain well enough that once he set his mind on something, nothing would make him change it. Arguing was wearisome and he may as well be talking to a slab of pig iron for all the good it would do.

"Then I shall see you at Camelot, Sir Agravain.", said Sir Gawain with a nod.

Agravain jabbed his spurs into his mount and rode off without another word and was soon riding out of earshot.

So with a sigh and a rueful smile, Sir Gawain signaled for them to continue on.

/~/

They were passing through the lands and as they made their way to a large stone bridge, they saw a solitary figure standing like a sentry in the middle of the bridge.

It was a man dressed all in black.

He wore black leggings, black boots, a long-sleeved black shirt with and a black dress tunic. In his matching black gloves, he was holding a greatsword vertically with the point embedded in the ground. He was as tall as Gawain was with a full-concealing flat-topped face helm with a narrow-slit for eyes and holes to allow him to breath underneath the helmet.

But the coat of arms he wore looked like… either a boar or a wolf, as if he couldn't make up his mind.

Gawain called for the retinue to halt and he turned his attention to the black knight with a look of bemusement was on his face. Gaheris shook his head and sighed, but Mordred was only confused and irritated. She had her cloak on and her hood was up due to the rain from the previous evening. Her clothes were all wet and she had not dared to undress herself to change into dry clothing for fear of being discovered.

So she yelled at the man to get out of the way.

"NONE SHALL PASS!"

The Black Knight declared in voice that seemed strained to sound deeper than it really was. Perhaps he was a simpleton who was only pretending to be a knight, but Gawain and Gaheris said nothing.

"What-"

"NONE SHALL PASS!"

The Black Knight repeated the words in ringing tones, but this caused only snickers to be heard. Mordred's cheeks flushed as Gawain looked away and Gaheris held his hand up to block his face.

"Uh, Sir Mordred?", Gawain said a bit too quickly, "I think you should tell him to get out of the way as we are in a hurry."

Now a little more incensed, Mordred once more ordered the Black Knight to move out of the way in a more forceful tone, adding with thin patience that they had no quarrel with him and that it would be in his best interest to stand aside.

"THEN YOU SHALL DIE!"

Gawain and Gaheris both hid their laughter in snorts at this, which only made Mordred feel as if they were mocking her directly.

"Last chance! If you don't move I'm cut you limb from limb!"

"I MOVE… FOR NO MAN!"

A vein throbbed in Mordred's head and both Gawain and Gaheris were trying their damndest to not laugh. A few of the honor guard actually were laughing, which only enraged Mordred more and she got off her horse before she strode over to meet the man with longsword in hand.

"Be careful Sir Mordred!", called Gawain, "The Black Knight always triumphs! You should go for the head!"

"Draw your sword!", said Mordred as she drew her own longsword and stood ready for battle. But the Black Knight remained motionless as if made out of stone. The laughter grew in intensity and Gaheris was now openly laughing while Gawain restrained himself. The sting of the mockery was becoming more than Mordred could bear and with one swing she beheaded the Black Knight and sent his head tumbling with red gore leaking from his helm.

What should have felt like victory was soured as Gawain now was laughing as well, but then the Black Knight's voice rang out from the empty hole where his head had once been.

"'TIS BUT A SCRATCH! I'M INVINCIBLE!"

"What in the hell!?"

Mordred stepped backwards in astonishment of the way her foe still stood tall and boasted of invulnerability, holding her blade out in defense.

But then the knight's headless torso began to shake and soon was pushed off his lower back to reveal a small person had been hiding in the armor.

"Surprise!"

A cheer rose up from the honor guard as Gareth, the youngest Orkney sibling hopped out of the armor and wiped the drippings of a red melon out of their hair.

The youngest Orkney sibling was smaller than Mordred was by almost three inches with blonde hair like her siblings, except hers was a honey-blonde with two long strands of black that resembled the ears of a puppy. He also wore a white hose under rich green shorts with a matching top with green puffed sleeves near the shoulders and long black sleeves. Over that he wore a tan and cream-colored blouse.

Why was he wearing such mismatching clothes suited for both male and female?

Mordred was more annoyed than amused by this prank as Gareth rushed past her to greet Gawain, but the youngest Orkney was too excited to see his siblings to pay any attention to her.

The Knight of the Sun dismounted his horse and laughed as Gareth practically flew into his embrace and excitedly greeted the eldest Orkney, even going so far as to give him a kiss on the head.

Gaheris pat Gareth on the head and even the members of the honor guard seemed to know Gareth as they congratulated him on the surprise being such a success. More confused and angry than before, Mordred yelled loudly.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!"

All eyes were on Mordred and after a moment, Gareth asked, "Big Brother, is that… him?"

Gareth stared at her in wide-eyed wonder as Gaheris informed him, "Yes, that is your newest sibling, Sir Mordred. Your… little brother."

A smirk came across Gaheris' face as Mordred could only stare with naked shock at being referred to in that manner. She wasn't sure whether to laugh with the crowd, cry in shame and embarrassment, or kill all witnesses when Gareth's excited voice rang out.

"YAY! I HAVE A NEW BROTHER!"

If Gawain was the power of the sun's intensity, Gareth was the brightness of the sun and all the joy and splendor it brought. Mordred suddenly felt shocked and at a loss at what was going on. Gareth was honestly happy to see her and suddenly started sprinting towards her with full speed.

At a loss even worse than before at this display of happiness towards her- no for her, Mordred took a shaky step back and held up her hand as if to protect herself from the smallest Orkney sibling.

She couldn't use her sword obviously, but what the heck was she supposed to do!?

Nobody had ever greeted her with such happiness and open delight!

[Image: imgur /a/Y8mfXV2]

Her voice couldn't even come out as Gareth's happiness shone off him like the sun, his arms stretched out and open before he leapt into a hug that bowled both Mordred and him into the armor of the fake Black Knight and they tumbled a few good feet with Gareth laughing excitedly.

By the time they stopped, Mordred realized her sword had been knocked from her grasp and Gareth was hugging her tightly. If Gareth had a tail, Mordred thought in a daze, it would surely be wagging back and forth from joy.

Despite feeling very embarrassed and unsure of what to do or say, Mordred sat herself up on her hands with Gareth still embracing her. Mordred tried to push Gareth off, but the smaller Orkney sibling wouldn't let go and instead looked up to meet her eyes.

Mordred's face was even redder than before as she saw that in Gareth's eyes as green as the summer grass there was nothing but genuine and honest love for her. There was not a trace of guile, insincerity, or deceit in the gaze as Mordred looked at him.

He had soft feminine features, two pink blushes marked his face that only enhanced his natural youthfulness, and when he spoke his voice was just as feminine now that he spoke naturally.

"Nice to meet you Sir Mordred! I'm your Big Sister, Gareth!"

Then he- SHE leaned up and gave Mordred a loving kiss on the cheek as was her custom for her brothers, which she happily and innocently delivered unto Mordred.

"Big… Sister…?", choked out Mordred as a storm of emotions she had no idea to handle thundered through her.

"Yep! I'm your Big Sister! Oh, but don't tell anybody okay?", Gareth answered before leaning in to whisper conspiratorially, "It's a secret!"

"..."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"Wat."


Immortal: YES! I have officially partnered up with a wonderful artist known as Clipped104 to make fanart like a light novel for the chapters! That was the main reason why I took so long in getting this chapter, as I wanted to find the right one for this. So the reason why it is written like that is to get around the issues with the chapter images issues.

So in order to view it, copy and turn it into imgurdotcom URL and it will take you to the respective image.

But a huge shout-out and thanks to all who have favorited, liked, and followed this story as well as the reviewer Starhammer. I knew I had to work extra hard to make Gareth's appearance a good one!