Fate/Lost Horizon [ Dogs of War]. Volume 1

Chapter Seventy Five [ Short Stories 3 ]

Dogs of War [ Chapter 75 ]: Arc Four.

Title: [ Short Stories 3. ]

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"In just a couple more months she'll be here, are you excited, Merlin?" She had known this woman for almost all her life, she had even been both a mother and teacher to her, but today she was just a friend if not family, and within that bond, they shared love for both each other and for the man they adored, wives wed to the same heart. "I believe he requested Sir Mordred to stay behind and look after you, correct? Haha, she's a bit of a rougher and younger version of him from what I've seen."

Looking ahead at the crystal clear blue lake, her gentle pink eyes admired the sparkling water, the cool air gently brushing against her white hair as the bright sun made Artoria's glow gold. A serene smile fell upon her face as the blue sky stood ever still. "I don't think excited is the right word, dear. Fufu, it's a jumble of feelings and I worry I'll break the poor boy's hand much like you did, when the day inevitably arrives, fufu," Free with her words, the woman to her right knew all too well of what spoke up as Artoria laughed herself.

"Y-yes, I think I remember it quite well... But I'm sure you will be fine," She assured, gently bobbing her head from side to side as the sunshine from above brought down a gentle bright light that reflected into the lake and made even the water shine. Staring into her reflection, emerald eyes met emerald eyes as Artoria smiled. "He was born in December and so will she, I'm sure that just makes things more fun for him...," Artoria noted, running her feet through the water as she raised her dress a little.

"Of course, that man will only see it as another excuse to bake and give the poor kitchen staff nightmares from his words," Merlin replied with clear amusement at the thought as she looked over at Artoria, hearing the birds chirp as the clouds drifted above them. "...Though I think we'll truly be the ones suffering, dear. He's leaving for Rome today, correct?"

"Indeed," Sighing as she said those words, Artoria never lost her smile, kicking up a little water that splashed on her blue dress.

"Fufu, and are you sure you can miss being away from your dear dog for a couple of months, my dear student?" Merlin teased, poking the blond on the shoulder and making Artoria actually giggle at her actions as she brushed Merlin's hand away.

Taking in the fresh air as she breathed in, Artoria leaned up and stretched her arms out before breathing out, letting her hands fall back onto the soft grass as she looked up to the sky and the sun at that. In a golden sea that was surrounded by a field full of flowers which encircled them.

"I'm not a little girl, I know he will come back, haha," The clouds drifted past her eyes, and yet the sky remained forever a light shade of blue as the assurance in her voice was as clear as the day. "...I know he would never leave my side, he promised even til death he would stay by me, his king."

Nodding her head at her king's words, Merlin had no desire to disagree, only glancing down at her stomach as she rubbed it, smiling to herself or rather the girl that would soon arrive in their world. "Of course, and even if that fool were to go... We both have something of him to raise, right dear?" Smiling and showing off her pearly whites, Merlin looked delighted as Artoria only shook her head.

"I don't believe I have anything in my belly, Merlin?" Artoria said with a curious voice as the woman only laughed at her.

"Never say never, dear. ...You already share little Baobhan Sith with me, and I think we've both done a fine job raising her, so if you're ever ready," Shrugging her shoulders, Merlin turned back to stare into the lake, her reflection sweeter than any sugar as she continued. "...I think you've become a wonderful mother, and maybe one day, you two children can try again...," She finished.

Her emerald eyes fell upon Merlin, a worry and wonder filling them as they drifted down at the woman's stomach. Unsure, she wondered, she remembered and thought of how it had been raising that redheaded princess. Letting the weight fall from her shoulders her smile fell down into a frown. Running her feet through the cool water, Artoria did wonder if...

"...I love that little girl more than anything, she's filled in a void in my life and, but...," Breathing out, Artoria stared into her own reflection once again. "...If I am ever to have a child again, I think...I have to tell him the truth," Her heart twisted at the thought, worried over the result as her eyes threatened to scrunch up, yet she closed them. Her mind drifted to a familiar place and moment, but not one she visited off. A memory someone would rather pretend never existed.

"No one will replace that child, dear. ...It was a tragedy, but we, you, can only confront it once you find the strength to tell him of your mistakes as well...," Hearing Merlin's words, Artoria opened her eyes and looked at her, finding the eyes of her teacher staring back at her, but in Artoria's there was only shame and regret, maybe even fear, but also a need for his warmth and forgiveness.

"...I don't know why Guinevere didn't tell him, she could have...she could have done it to hurt me for having a life that she couldn't, but," Regret was one of the only things she could feel in the memory of her friend. "I believe I can only thank her for being my friend till the end... You and Sif both have kept your words, but I believe I must stop hiding it as well...," What could shake the mighty king, the wonderful woman, and the hopeful mother? A simple secret, a mere mistake, and an incident she wished to forget.

"I'm just afraid to say I've shared his plagues..."

Merlin moved closer and placed her right hand on the side of Artoria's face, making the woman look at her, making the girl she taught meet her assuring yet strong eyes. "We're tired of hiding things as well, so please tell him... Maybe after he returns from Rome, maybe a little after that, but he needs to know...He cares too much for you to be driven mad by such a truth," Merlin told her friend who looked away from her. "...He'll be upset, but I don't believe he wouldn't understand who you were then... You two children have been through enough, it's only foolish to make a problem between yourselves when even fate would want you at each other's necks," Merlin warned her as Artoria moved her hand away from her face, only staring into the lake.

The words reached her heart, but it was only partly why she stopped looking so defeated as she also realized something about herself as well.

"She said he was made to kill me and become my greatest adversary, Merlin," Artoria still remembered those words as Merlin recalled the information. "...I wanted to deny it at first, but I eventually accepted it, Y/n would be my greatest enemy, but..."

"...Yes, but have you ever let that come between you two?" Merlin asked as she moved to sit closer next to her former student.

"Yes," Artoria admitted, surprising the woman as she went to speak, yet Artoria stopped her with the next set of words. "If I am King Arthur, then for a long time I have lived defeated by him as the more I fell in love with him, the more my Kingdom and people felt second fiddle to what we shared...," If her words were as honest as her smile, then she was certainly telling the truth as Artoria looked at Merlin, smiling with defeated, yet her eyes stayed sweet despite the worry that filled her heart as it continued to beat.

"I have to tell him when he returns, I know... But for a long time, if I am, to be honest, Merlin," Artoria said, committing her heart to what she must do as she prepared to spill a different secret to her friend. Smiling with defeat in her eyes and yet also a peace filling them as she said:

"...I sometimes wish I could have run away from this place with him."

"...I don't regret my choice to become king, but it's terrible to know I could have something so much better for myself... But, as much as I would like to run and abandon my responsibility, I can find comfort in knowing he promised to be here till the very end..."

"He is the first and only knight, I, King Arthur chose to love no matter how foolish it felt to my heart, I took his hand that day because I felt something greater than my fear. ...And even, I, Artoria, would wait for him after death."

"...Whether it is heaven or hell, no matter where I go, no grave can hold me down as I'll simply crawl onto him. So, when my time comes, lay me gently down with him so that we may never part. ...I love that man, we both do, but, my life won't be the same without him, no matter what treasures he could leave me with, it will never make for a moment without him."

"I love him too, my King. ...But I think you're more drunk off it than me, fufu."