Latest update: December 21, 2023
Summary:Mordred meets a certain redhead that saved her from a tyrant trying to burn Camelot. OR, what happens when "Shirou Emiya" gets dropped in 6th century Britannia. Shirou x Mordred Omake update.
Link:https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13965103/1/Fate-of-Camelot
Word count:149k
Chapters:32
Chapter 1
Mordred was having a 'splendid' day.
First of all, she failed in bringing down the tyrant - Drecken - that tried to burn a village southwest of Camelot. Leaving not only 500 people homeless, but the tyrant on the loose. She'll have to spend her journey back trying to explain her failure to the King. The shame of defeat only amplified the anger in her chest because she knows that Sir Kay won't hesitate to embarrass her about it.
Second of all, she broke her great sword in the battle against Drecken. Although the loss of such a fine weapon could be excused for it was a tough battle. She got thrown around by him at first. With the worst of the onslaught being struck down by black spear Drecken was using. Causing the Red Knight to get blasted towards some of the houses of the village.
Landing on the mayor's house and almost getting impaled was not how she wanted to die. So, she shook off the dust from the impact and ferociously charged towards her enemy. Her counter attack had allowed Mordred to bring the fight towards an open area - perfect for her fighting skills.
Everything went well. That is until she used her sword to protect herself from a surprise jab from Drecken. Causing it to break on the spear tip's impact. And got kicked in the head. The Red Knight for the second time got thrown by the kick and into another building. This time, she didn't recover.
"Um, Sir Knight? Are you alright over there?"
'Great. Another pain in the ass to think about.' Mordred thought as she stared annoyedly towards the person in front of her.
In front of Mordred is her 3rd annoyance of the day. A redhead that doesn't know when to shut up. She met him after waking up in his tent. Once she caught sight of him, the only logical response was to beat him into submission due to suspicions of being in league with that tyrant, Drecken. She only spared him after he told her who he was and why she was in his tent.
Turns out after Mordred went unconscious, he stepped in and somehow fought off the bastard Drecken to retreat. It's been 3 hours since then and right now she's trying to leave the redhead's camp to get back to Camelot. However, her new acquaintance had something else in mind.
"Um- Sir Knight-?" the redhead meekly spoke before Mordred interrupted him.
"What!?" She spat as she glared at him from behind her helmet. .
"All that I am trying to say is that you aren't fully recovered yet!" Said the redhead. "The wounds on your arm are open to infection because they have not been cleaned yet, you have to rest and patch your injuries up before you go."
"And when did this concern you! This is none of your business so don't stop me." Mordred yelled. If looks could kill, the redhead would've returned to Heaven by now. But somehow, he was unfazed. Probably because he couldn't see the red Knights expression. Or he had seen worse things than a measly glare.
"I agree." the redhead determinedly continued, "But let me look at your wounds. It could get infected if you leave it like that."
As he approached Mordred, the Knight grabbed his right arm and pinned him to the grass ground below her.
"Don't you ever think of trying that again! I won't warn you the second time." Mordred growled as she let go of the poor redhead.
She was distrustful towards her saviour from the last battle in part because of her pride. She couldn't accept for the living life of her that someone not only defeated someone she couldn't, but also saved her in the process of doing so. It was damning her status as one of the stronger Knights of the Round Table. The second reason for the distrust was that she's distrustful towards men in general - thank the Knights of the Round for that. So of course, she's defensive against him...him...
Mordred suddenly realised that she spent time with this man without even knowing his name.
"The hell's your name again?" Mordred asked bluntly. Courtesy be damned, once she needs answers, she gets it the way she wants.
"My name? It's… Archer. My name is Archer." Archer said with a hint of hesitation. But for what? Is he just nervous? Or is he hiding something…"
"Archer eh? Not much of a name to be honest with you." Mordred callously said. The redhead could only blanch at the Knight's rudeness as he heard the response.
"Well, I'm sorry for having this name. My father gave it to me." Archer bit back. He was supposed to be as docile as possible so that the Red Knight wouldn't think of him as a threat. But, he couldn't help it! Mordred was being a little bit of a prick.
"What was that?" Mordred asked threateningly as she clenched her fists in anger.
"N-nothing!" Archer said shakily as he ran towards his tent. He thought of a form of peace offering to calm Mordred so that the Knight wouldn't attack him. The sword he fished from his tent seemed to work for his needs.
Mordred looked on curiously. Her eyes drawn towards the beautiful object in Archer's hands. It was a normal looking longsword. But there were these weird looking runes etched onto the side that she couldn't read -not that she could read runes to begin with.
The pommel of the sword was a lion head made of gold. The edges were sharp and unchipped. And in further inspection, she found that the sword overall is an amazing one. Durable for the hard swings she used to do in her fights. And sharp enough to cut down anything in its path. And it is here that Mordred spoke.
"Where did you get this?" Said Mordred.
"I found it in the temple you fell in when I saved you from that spearman. " Archer said. "I presumed it belonged to you, so I brought it with me after my duel. "
Suddenly irritated at the mention of her loss as she took the sword from Archer's hands, she began to walk out of the camp only to be stopped again by this redhead.
"Hold on." He spoke. "It's clear you don't want to be here any longer. But at least allow me to accompany you on your journey. Even though you have that sword with you it is clearly obvious your wounds will hinder you from fighting. At least-"
"So, you're calling me weak now. Is that what you're saying!" Mordred had enough of this asshole. If he stops her one more time, she's cutting him down where he stands. Saviour or not.
"What- uh, no!" Archer countered. "I just think that we can help each other that's all. If I accompany you in your travels, not only can you get healed up to full strength, but you also get meals too. Free of charge! And once we get to the end of the journey- to a city I presume- I can set up shop there and start a business. It's a beneficial offer for the both of us."
Mordred pondered this for a minute. He did have a point. She knew her wounds weren't deep. But they were enough to draw blood. And having a lot of them won't help her in the long run. She had fast healing compared to the Knights of the Round. But for some reason it isn't working as it should have. They were still there 3 hours after having them. So, she's considered that part of Archer's offer.
The food somewhat bought Mordred in. Sure, she can cook. But for the love of all things holy she knew she wasn't a good one. Much less great, all things considered. The only other worst cook she knew was Gawain - who only knew how to make mashed potatoes. And when you have a choice to pick between the two cooks and their food. The Red Knight will be chosen as the least bad. Which shows how 'skilled' she is at cooking.
But when she thought of that last part of Archer's deal...Bah! She knew it wasn't harmless. It was just a man trying make a living for himself. So, she was magnanimous enough to accept it as that. Although there is an issue with the redhead's wishes.
"Deal. I accept your offer. But know this, I can only give my opinion of you to my King of your wish to set up shop when you've proven your worth. So don't be stupid enough to piss me off. Otherwise, you'll be living outside the walls once we get there."
Mordred had to threaten Archer to make sure he wasn't a threat. Once he decides to attack her, she could just kill him with the sword he gave to her. But if not. Then he could live...for now.
Archer paused for a moment. He was contemplating what the Red Knight had told him. He knew what Mordred said was to test him if he was a bad guy or not. He wasn't, of course. He did not willingly give that Sword to Mordred for nothing. But he understood where his acquaintance was coming from anyway. Speaking of coming from ...
"I understand your skepticisms good knight. But you need not fear. I am only a blacksmith that can fend off foes with my works. I am just a simple man who wishes for a living. And I simply believe that you will help me in my desire as I had in your duel with that spearman from before. Although... There is something that worries me. Who is your King? I have never heard of a king that denies a man his desire to work. Not in my lifetime at least."
He had to ask this. Before he realises that he was dealing with a tyrant ruler before he arrives to wherever his acquaintance might send him off to. With how these things go, Archer might as well encounter an alternate version of the King he once knew.
And loved.
"If you're thinking that King Arthur is a tyrant then you are damn wrong. Sir Archer." Mordred said seethingly. She spat his name out with contempt because why wouldn't she. This redhead in front of her assumed the worst of her King. Granted, he obviously didn't know who Mordred was (why the hell would he call her 'Sir Knight' and not by name?) so it was obvious he didn't assume that Mordred was in league with Arthur. But that was beside the point.
"Oh! You're a knight of King Arthur. Now I understand. But I've never heard of a knight like yourself who travels on his own. Are you on a mission ordered by your King? One can tell you are one of the King's closest knights. It's obvious. What with your very expensive armour and all. Pray tell, who might you be? "
"Ok, first. Stop talking like that! You talk like those stick up their ass nobles for God's sake. And. It's Mordred. I am Mordred, Knight of the Round Table."
She didn't sound as confident as she was hoping. Rather annoyed. She needs to finish this as fast as possible to get back to Camelot. And with the idiot joining her she knew her speed would drop. So, the earlier they leave the better. And so, she left. This time, Archer did not stop her.
"If you're still interested in the idea of having a life you better catch up. I'm leaving now and I'm not waiting for you to pack your stuff. So, take what you need and follow me."
Mordred shouted to him from afar. She wasn't fast per say. But her speed walking surprised Archer as she's already 300 feet from the camp as he finished taking what he needed. He only took one bag and left the rest. He didn't even bring his tent. Because of the feeling he has that he won't have time to use it in the journey
Link:https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13965103/2/Fate-of-Camelot