An important note at the bottom

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.

And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined."

When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes." Mathew 7:24-27

Chapter 12: Built Upon A Lie

Artoria scouted ahead of the convoy, galloping at full pace. Hoping to see the reports for herself. Ducking her head from tree branches racing towards her, eager to see it with her own eyes. The city Viroconium. In the hinterlands of the Britians who lived in the mountains, with lush valleys by defensible rivers. It wasn't too close to the sea to be raided, with plenty of resources and some infrastructure already built. This region would serve as the heart of her people. A place where they could recover and gain some respite from the elements and the invaders.

Compared to the grueling ten-day march of evacuating ten thousand citizens. She had grand plans for this small, unassuming tiny outpost. Let the Saxons take Londinium; it will take them ages to rebuild the city while she gathered her strength.

She saw her friend, Sir Lucan, sitting on his horse, clad in his scale coat of armor, draped with the many furs of his hunts. Despite being the personal butler and advisor to Artoria, he still managed to find the time to hunt while excelling at his royal duties. She started to slow her horse down

"Lucan. How does the city look?" She asked as she trotted towards him.

The man shook his head as Artoria could see why he was disappointed. It wasn't the bustling city she had imagined. The fortifications were lacking a great deal. A run-down stone wall, poorly maintained, a crumbling fort, a small village to be sure, but not enough to support the influx of refugees it was about to see. But she could see several camps and several defensive lines being dug.

"It's a start, and we can work with it." She said with a smile as she galloped towards the city, followed behind by one of her closest friends. Galloping past Legionnaires who snapped at attention at their new king. She could see that the civilians were flocking to the city. The soldiers were busy plotting out different settlement camps, gathering resources, and working the fields.

Galloping towards the box of a Roman fort, the gates opened, and she swiftly dismounted. Wasting no time, she climbed the brick staircase and stormed into the officer's meeting hall. "Map." She called forward.

Lucan followed behind, unclasping his helmet. Now his Irish ancestry could be seen in full view of his hazel eyes and freckles. Average height, but well built, he looked like a grizzly bear and sounded like one, but behind his gruff voice was a cunning mind for organization and building.

"We have ten thousand eight hundred forty-two citizens coming with us," Artoria said as she looked over the map.

"And an influx from the country, not to mention countless Britons joining the cause."

Artoria hummed as she scanned the map. "We need room to expand our city, but we need to plan this out carefully. I want our city to be impenetrable. We will defend the eastern marshes and the Northern hills; I want a series of outposts and forts built along the area."

"We can do that immediately," Lucan advised.

"Great. As for settlement. I want the refugees to be placed in fortified camps around the city. A mile apart from each one. That way, each settlement can relieve one another until we can expand and incorporate the settlements. That being said, I want the city walls' expansion to be the top priority."

"I can put together a census for building material and workforces immediately."

Artoria smiled as she looked at the map; this was all extremely doable. She just needed to be cautious. "One more thing…"

"Yes, my Lord?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I'm renaming the city. I want it to inspire the Roman and Britain. I want it to mean something. I want it to outshine the Saxon invaders."

"Ohhh?" Lucan stroked his beard in wonder.

"Camelot. The city will be called Camelot."

"An excellent name, sire." With that, Artoria unclasped her cloak and placed it on a chair. Walking out of the meeting hall, she stood out on the ramparts of the fort. Looking out at the luscious fields and farms. This could be the start of the most glorious kingdom the world had ever known.

This was doable.

Days had passed, long hard days of meetings, planning, and working. They had made significant progress with setting up the fortified line and walled towns for the people. Roman ingenuity and efficiency combined with Briton strength and hardiness was a lethal combo.

Well, Romans can work just as hard. Or…. at the very least, ex-Romans.

Chunk….

Were they even Romans anymore?

Chunk….

No….

Chunk….

They were better.

Chunk….

Artoria swung the ax down one last time and pushed the trunk. The groaning of the tree filled the air as it fell, shaking the earth. Most kings and generals would look down at her. But working with one's hands earns the respect of citizens and soldiers alike.

Besides, she liked it. It got her outside in nature, away from stuffy meetings. Moving up, put down her ax, and pulled out a smaller one. With an expert eye, the remaining branches were removed.

She preferred forestry. Wood could be grown back. It could take decades, but it will come back. Working with stone… that was not her forte. One slight tap can ruin the whole brick. Thankfully though, Camelot was surrounded by mountains of the West. They had plenty of resources to replace the many stones that Artoria had ruined.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, she watched as soldiers and citizens alike were falling, stripping, and shipping logs to their prospective build sites.

"Hey…"

She was pulled out of her thoughts as she felt a tug on her trouser. Looking down, she saw a child looking up to her, offering a water sack.

"Oh, hello there, little one" Artoria knelt down with a small smile, "What are you doing today?"

"Giving everyone drinks!" The little girl smiled with a cheeky grin.

"Is that so?" Artoria asked, "That's an essential job, you know. What's your name?"

"Ellia." The girl said with a giggle.

"Well, Ellia, I'm glad you're helping us." Now to mention it, she was a bit parched. "May I have some?"

The girl nodded, offering the sack.

Artoria took it with a smile and sipped some of the spring water. It was cool and crisp, perfect for the hard labor they were on. They needed to build these settlements before winter. They could work on the wall at any time. She stood up, wiping the sweat from her brow, feeling her bones crack and pop; she took another large gulp.

There was something about cold water and hard work, she thought as she wiped her mouth.

She handed the sack back to Ellia with a smile, "Thank you, Ellia."

The girl nodded as she skipped to the next worker. Whether she knew it or not, she just gave the king a drink of water. Roman nobility would have crucified a peasant child. Instead, though, Artoria chuckled to herself at the child's innocence. Such a rare thing these days.

Well back to work. She wanted to get this log finished before the council meeting at sunset. Looking up in the sky, she could see the sun starting to change the sky. Its blueness began to mix with orangeness. She lamented at the fact she had "business" of running a kingdom to attend to.

In her quarters, back at the barracks, Artoria splashed some water over her face. She didn't pay the councilors any mind as they filed in.

Captain Lancelot, her chief militarist.

Merlin, the court physician, teacher, and also Artoria's warden since childhood.

Captain Bedivore, the chief Marshal and leader of her personal legion.

Seneschal Kay.

And there is Lucan, advisor, and servant to the King.

"I see our king was busy out in the fields again," Lancelot murmured with a snicker. He tossed his well-kept locks of hair behind his handsome face.

"Careful now, you are addressing our king" Seneschal Kay stepped in; Kay was always a stickler for formality and rituals. That why he was appointed head of laws.

"You two bicker like children. Please save it for a tavern brawl." Merlin, an older man, said from his hooded cowl.

"I think a fight between the two would destroy our new city." Bedivore, brother to Lucan, laughed.

"And undo all of our work? I'd rather not." Artoria turned and wiped her face with a towel

"Lancelot does have a point, though." Lucan said, "All it takes is one lucky arrow."

Artoria frowned, "I will do my part in building this kingdom. It is only just and right that everyone does their part, " She said as she walked around the table, hands clasped behind her back.

"You are doing your part by leading," Merlin advised.

"And I can do more," Artoria said as she sat at the table. "Trees need to be cut, ditches dug, farm tilled, stones placed."

"An excellent point," Merlin said as he sat beside the king. "We could learn something from example."

"Right, well, shall we get started?" Artoria spoke up as she scanned a piece of parchment. Reading each article, blinking away the exhaustion from hard labor.

"The Saxons are still in Londinium, no movements yet. Not even scouting parties." Lancelot reported as he pointed to a map on the table.

"Good, I still want daily updates on their positions. It's best to not be caught unawares." Artoria added

"Resources are coming in at a stable rate. We should finish the last of the fortified boroughs by next week. Camelot's base stone wall has reached the first borough," Lucan announced

"Very good. See that the workers get a raise in wages and rations and a half-day of work tomorrow. We need to keep morale up. Can our reserves handle that?"

Lucan nodded, "Indeed, we should be able."

"Crime is at an all-time low, even with the Britons, it seems instituting the night watch was an excellent idea," the Seneschal reported.

"Good, let's incorporate some of the Britians into the night watch. I want both people to be seen as equals."

"Now then… the morale of the troops is somewhat low." Captain Bedivore spoke up with a frown. "They are soldiers first, not workers, and they haven't seen any battles…"

"And we are nowhere ready for battle," Artoria concluded.

"Indeed."

"Let's put their skills to better use. I want my Legion to oversee the training and arming of the militia. We can use that force from town watch into brand new legions."

Bedivore rubbed his chin in thought, "I think that would be a better use of their skills."

Artoria nodded as her gaze fell upon Merlin. "High Queen Guinevere is said to be riding to the capital so we can begin negotiations. They should be here in a fortnight."

Artoria nodded, "We need to make a good impression. An alliance between our two people is essential to pushing the Saxons out. We will hold a feast." She stood up from the table, "Thank you, everyone, for your dedication and service to me. Together, we shall make Camelot a city that will rival Rome."

With that, everyone was dismissed for the night as except for Merlin. Able to let her guard down somewhat, she started to remove her iron cuirass. "Merlin? Did you wish to discuss something?"

The sage druid nodded, "The alliance between you and the Britons can only be concluded with a marriage."

Artoria froze. "M-m-marriage?" She turned. She felt like a deer caught in the hunt.

Merlin nodded, "Yes, marriage. And it must be with her. She rules over all of the Britians in the western mountains."

"Merlin… I'm a…"

"Female. I know. This is why you must convince her. We need to establish your house and the first step is with a marriage alliance."

Artoria stood there, unable to face the man, her mind filling with every scenario and counter scenarios.

"Thank you, Merlin."

"We all knew this would happen…"

"Thank you, Merlin." Artoria second again in a very calm yet dismissing tone.

With that, the druid left her room and closed the door behind her. Undoing her armor slowly, realizing that she was indeed a woman, she cursed herself. She would have to lie to her people, but more so, her God. What she was doing was grievously offensive to God; however, what she was about to do blasphemed God and Heaven to no end. All for her people, she reasoned—all for her people, she lived this lie.

Once her armor was removed, she slumped in a chair, looking over herself. What if she couldn't secure the alliance because she was a female.

It stuck in her mind like a weed. Could she rule this kingdom? Did she have this right to rule based on lies? Based on secrecy?

Artoria shook her head, recalling what her father said to her when she was younger. "You will need to sacrifice everything for your people, even your humanity."

The truest of words rights now.

She sat up and prepared herself for the evening, best to not dwell on these things.

Another hard day out in the fields. This time though, young the king was working extra hard bringing in the crops for the season. With a relatively large scythe, she cut a swaff of destruction that was never before seen on a farm.

With the wheat cut, she went about collecting and bundling the crop. Off in the distance, she could hear several horses galloping her way. Not paying any mind to them, she knelt down, continuing to tie a rather large bundle of hay.

"You there." A gentle yet commanding voice called out.

Artoria put down her bundle and looked up to see a woman clad in chainmail armor, free following autumn brown hair that ran down her back. She was the epitome of a particular wild, bestial beauty compared to the Roman orderly refinement. Following her were four rather large bearded warriors clad in beast furs and chainmail armor, with large strange druid symbols painted on their fantastical colored shields.

"Yes, Mi'lady?" Artoria bowed before nobility.

"This is the direction to Vironocium, no?" She asked, studying Artoria carefully.

Artoria pointed down the road, "Just keep following the path, and you will reach the city."

The woman stayed silent as Artoria felt the heavy gaze of this wild leader. "Thank you." She said abruptly before galloping off towards the city.

Not minding any of it, Artoria went back to the field bundling wheat and hay for the winter harvest.

"Tch!"

Artoria looked down to see she was bleeding. Looking down, there was a sharp stone underneath the bundle. Taking by her other hand, placed it under the stone wall to make sure no one else got cut with it.

Thankfully it wasn't a deep cut or anything of the sort.

Finishing up the last bundle, Artoria picked up her last bundle and placed it on the wagon, waving to the local villagers. Walking down the city and towards the fort, the soldiers saluted her, which she returned in kind.

She could also see in the corner of her eyes, them smiling… in almost admiration.

"THERE YOU ARE!" Lucan exclaimed as he ran down the stairs. "My Lord, I know it's your prerogative to work out in the fields, but did you forget the ambassador today?"

Artoria shook her head as she walked through the fort. "I did not, but work is more important."

"This is work, my Lord."

"Indeed it is." Artoria laughed to the frustration of her butler, "Here I am to complete the task."

Artoria climbed the stairs, ignoring Lucan's admonishing and annoyed ramblings. Walking into the officers' quarters, she was met with the very same wild beauty that caught her attention earlier.

"You're King Artoria?" She asked with a hint of surprise.

Artoria nodded as she moved to pour herself and her guest a chalice of water. "Indeed, I am. You must be High Queen Guinevere."

"I am," She nodded, still a little confused as Artoria bowed before her.

"Well then.. the pleasure is all mine."

"You were working out in the fields." The Briton pointed out with suspicious tint in her eyes and crossed arms.

"Yes, I was. I apologize for my disheveled appearance." Artoria frowned as she dusted herself off in front of the queen. She went to the washbasin and ran her hands through it.

"Why?"

"A king should not appear so filthy…" Artoria asked, a bit caught off by the question. "I wish I had more time to prepare."

"No… why were you working. I thought Romans were lazy, let alone their leaders."

A common sentiment the Britons had for her people. "Well, we are fighting for our survival; who else but I should work the fields to know my land."

The woman seemed to be taken aback by the comment.

"Would you like to take a walk with me?"

The two left the commanderies and walked along the walls. "You need my people." The Briton queen announces they strolled along the border. The sun started to go down, filling the sky with stunning yellows, oranges, and golds.

Artoria said nothing instead of waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

"You managed to build a lot since the first month of kingship, especially here, but we know the Saxons will come. And when they do, what's to stop me from invading?"

Both excellent points as Artoria turned to face the field she was working in.

"This… this land is your ancestors, no?"

Guinevere nodded slowly as she looked out, "Yes, they were until the Romans came." The hostility in her voice is ever-present.

"And we took advantage of it," Artoria added sorrowfully.

"You aren't helping yourself."

Artoria paused memories of seeing the valley burned by the Saxon invaders. "You've seen what the Saxons can do. You've seen what they are. And if my people were gone." She turned to face the Queen, "Do you honestly think you can reclaim your land without us when you couldn't even beat us."

"Well…"

"Sure, you can hide in your mountains while the Saxons solidify their control. But they will come for you. You might be able to last a decade, but you don't have the technical skills that we have to wage war."

"And you don't have the manpower to do so." Guinevere countered

Artoria nodded with a smile, "individually, we are weak, united we are strong. We can reclaim your land."

"Romans and Britons have always been mortal enemies. They will never accept this."

Here it is.

"Unless we were to marry."

The Queen stood there stunned, her chalice dropping to the ground, shattering. "Marriage…"

"I want the blood feud between our two people to end. Imagine Roman and Briton getting along, thriving together. We have the chance to build something new here. We have a chance to save our peoples, but this will never happen unless the leaders are wedded."

"But…"

"You will continue to govern your people as I will govern my own until our two peoples start to mix; they will follow their Queen and King."

She studied Artoria looking her up and down. Either studying her prey or judging her worth.

"I don't see how this marriage could work. Considering how you are a woman."

Artoria's heart skipped a beat, "To be honest, I thought you were just a feminine man, but Merlin revealed the truth. It is sad how you can't rule as you are."

Artoria nodded with a stoic face, "I rule for my people, and if that means hiding my sex, so be it."

"The issue of an heir."

Artoria nodded again, "I haven't gotten that far, but yes, that will be an issue."

The two stood out along the walls, admiring the sunset as it dipped down the emerald fields. The sparkle of stars slowly replacing them.

'I think I just failed,' Artoria lamented in her heart. In a way, she was thankful, yet her people were doomed.

"I'll do it."

There's no way.

Wait what?

Artoria turned to face the young woman. "I admire a leader who works alongside his people. This is for my people," Guinevere offered her hand.

Artoria studied it a moment. She was being sincere and was filled with determination. Artoria took the hand with a nod to a prosperous future for our people."

She had hopefully saved her people at the cost of herself.

There was a sharp stinging sensation in the back of her neck, as well as a massive headache. It felt someone dropped a load of bricks.

With a groan, she opened her eyes.

"What happened?"

You were dysynching bad. You pushed yourself way too hard. Ava's voice was gentle, reassuring Artoria that everything was alright… or maybe Ava had a headache as well. She couldn't guess. But how… why did she desync?

From what though?

Oh…

The fight with her daughter. 'I'm sorry Ava… it must have not been pleasant.'

That anger…. Artoria… I don't want to see that.

Deep pains of regret filled her heart. She couldn't understand why she hated her daughter so fiercely when she was uncaring when she was alive.

"I'll.. I'll do my best."

With that, she saw the room she was in was a complete mess

"Did I do this..?"

Pans and tables were tossed to the ground, shelving units ripped out, glass everywhere. She didn't need an answer; she knew in her heart. Guilt weighed heavily on her heart at the violence committed to this room.

She could picture Merlin lecturing her, "every single action has a reaction, and reaction, another reaction. That's why you should think about what you are going to do."

Looking around the room, she noticed she couldn't move her neck.

She heard shuffling behind her. Looking down, she could see tufts of green hair. As the woman slept. She was out like a rock.

"Can I recover from this?" Artoria asked

"Yes, you will'' looking up, she saw Dr. Anders peeling away bloody gloves and throwing them into a trash receptacle, "How are you feeling?" He asked in a quiet tone lest he stir the other sleeping guest.

"I'm feeling well enough."

A surge of anger stirred under her Artoria. He's a doctor. Do not play tough with him.

But

Do. Not.

With a reluctance, she sighed. "I have… a bit of headache."

Artoria…..

"That's rather painful."

Anders moved to wash his hands and dry them off. Taking a look at her, he shined a bright light orb in her eyes for some unknown reason.

"I see…. Well, I won't sugarcoat it, but that headache is a good thing. It's your neurons connecting with Ava's"

"Erm… pardon me?"

I swear this man forgets who he's dealing with… Ava sighed

"Umm… your mind is reconnecting with Ava's. That's what is keeping you alive. I can give you something to help with the pain."

"That would be appreciated."

The doctor nodded as he fetched a see-through bag with a clear liquid. After rolling up her sleeve, he inserted a needle into her arm and taped it in place while hanging up the bag. It took several minutes, but Artoria closed her eyes as the pain started to ebb away, and she drifted off to sleep.

The doctor stood up, inspecting the room, but decided he didn't have time to clean this up. Proud of himself for stabilizing two patients, he walked out, patting himself on the shoulder. He took out his tablet and monitored the digital world.

The French knights had routed the English army once Mordred retreated. So Mordred was rallying the English. But where would they be heading too?

There were rumors that the Duke of Bedford would lead the English, definitely ahistorical to personally lead the English. So this reacts to what one does within it. That's interesting. The Duke is most likely planning on meeting his Burgundian counterpart.

An alarm clock wrong on his wrist. Looking down, it was a reminder to check on Jeanne. She was stabilized. Thankfully, the electroshock therapy helped stabilize her. Exploratory surgery revealed a few burst blood vessels that were easy to repair. The damage must have been somewhat light… or Jeanne was a heck of a trooper and managed to partially heal herself by her own willpower.

Looking out, she saw the state of her army. Ramshackle and demoralized, beyond belief. Mordred winced at seeing her army like this. They were so close to snatching victory from the French and establishing England, her homeland, as the dominant power it deserved to be.

If it wasn't for father. She gritted her teeth. I will end her. That is my vow.

Three men approached her on horseback clack in heavy armor like her own—contingents of her own personal knights. "The French are still harassing our rear lines. At this rate, we might not even have an army." One reported.

She pointed at the lead, "You. Make sure the army arrives in Paris."

"Sir…? What do you plan on doing…?" He asked as he watched his commander rear her horse.

"I'm going to let off some steam." She said with a smirk underneath her helmet. She unsheathed her blade and galloped for the rear lines.

Those poor French saps will never know what hit them.

Sauron serious talk now: Okay so I wanted to address something that I was kind of dreading when I knew I was going to write this. Fate Lore, Medieval Belief/Faith, and my personal religion.

So I want to stick to canon as much as possible as well as history…. Which we will run into some "minor" conflict with Christianity. Catholic teaching (The church during Artoria time 400 AD, look at the Apostolic succession line and church teaching, they barely change) defines marriage as a sacrament between Man, Woman, and God for the purposes of creation and giving full love. By church teaching, you must have both, or it not considered a valid marriage.

Point 1: Now I want to address something else. By definition, the Church has always taught that having feelings for a particular gender is NOT a sin, UNLESS one willfully indulges in sinful thoughts and/or action, doesn't matter the orientation.

Point 2: It is not a sin to have an attraction for the same sex. HOWEVER, the church has always taught that it is a sin if those attractions (straight or same-sex) are played out in a more physical manner outside of Marriage OR in marriage without the purpose of creating new life. OR without the sentiment of love. Like I said you need love with the purpose of creating new life within a marriage.

Point 3: The Sacrament of Marriage is reserved between man and woman (again for the purpose of procreating and fulfilling in God's command to go forth and multiply, as well as sharing in the unitive power love). Thus there is no such thing as a sacramental marriage between same-sex couples, it just isn't a thing for the Catholic Church for 2,000 thousand years, and that won't change. It does not mean we hate same-sex couples or anything of the sort. It just means that we have different lifestyles and beliefs.

Okay theological stuff out of the way (this my own limited, watered-down explanation, I don't profess I am master of Catholic Theology.) I wanted to address this, because this will play a factor. I'm a devout Catholic, but I don't want to come across as a homophobe or anything of the sort. These were Church teachings at the time. And to some it might seem closed-minded or homophobic by today's standards if one doesn't take the time to actually understand why we take our position on certain issues.

I want to do justice to the beliefs and attitudes at the time, while staying true to my own faith, while staying true to Fate lore, while not being too biased with my own beliefs, Trust me I know all about Merlin's role in Mordred's conception. It's a real tough balancing act at times that really does stress me out while writing at times. I respect all peoples of different faiths, cultures, religions, and we all have opportunities to learn from one another. We don't have to agree, but we can respect each other at the very least.

Again why am I making a big deal out of this? Well, this will have huge ramifications down the road for Artoria, and I wanted to address any concerns now before poo hits the fan.

Okay…

Also Happy Good Friday. I just finished a book on Saint Jeanne's trial, and the next chapter…. Oh man…. I'm going to have a historical RANT on how the bad the English messed up. Cause they did…. And Jeanne, well… let's just say, she was a real, and I mean a REAL trooper. I couldn't help but laugh as she ran circles around all these lawyers and judges who wanted to put her to death. So if you're interested in that, look forward to the next chapter.