he King and the Orange Farmer

Summary: Jeremiah Gottwald was dishonorably discharged from the Britannian military and forced to work on an orange farm in the distant city of Fuyuki. In despair at the prospect of being unable to carry out his loyalty, he slips into depression. In his darkest hour, his salvation comes from an unexpected source.

Jeremiah Gottwald sighed in despair and misery. Here was his new home, the city of Fuyuki. He'd been ordered there by his former superiors for failing to stop Zero from releasing Suzaku Kururugi. He'd been punished for his failure by being forced to cultivate oranges on a farm owned by a married couple, Japanese citizens, now Honorary Britannians, Shirou and Rin Emiya. It couldn't be any more humiliating than to be forced to work under people who would never move up in the world, just like he would never be able to rejoin the Britannian military ever again.

He began his first day of work, toiling hard under the hot sun and humidity. Jeremiah wiped the sweat from his brow. He glanced over and not too far away was a young woman haymaking using a rake. She seemed very physically fit and was working with ease.

He kept harvesting oranges and putting them in boxes. He loaded them onto a nearby cart and sat down.

He was reaching his breaking point. He shouldn't be here, he should be fulfilling his duty as a Margrave, searching for Lady Marianne's assassins, he should be fulfilling his loyalty to Britannia, and now he was nothing and no one. This was the price for his failure to protect Lady Marianne and capture Zero.

Jeremiah Gottwald sobbed in agony as he thought of his Lady, the late Marianne Vi Britannia and of his greatest failure. He'd never be able to redeem himself now; he would never be able to serve the royal family again.

The tears dripped down his cheeks, landing on the ground.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, he expected to be spun around and yelled at, lectured about how he should be working instead of crying.

He looked up and saw the loveliest vision he'd ever seen in his life. A beautiful young woman with long blonde hair braided and tied with a simple blue bow. She wore a simple white shirt and trousers. Yet for the simplicity of her clothing, she had the air of dignity that he recognized as someone of nobility. But what would a Britannian be doing out here, working in an Eleven's orange farm?

She held in her hand a rake for hay-making and set it down.

She came over to him, offering him bottled water, he drank it, calming down, eager to quench his thirst. He wiped his eyes and stared at her.

"What troubles you, my friend? Why are you weeping?" she asked, her voice was rich and beautiful, deep and solemn.

She pulled him to his feet, "Tell me your troubles, perhaps I can help you."

"I…I will never be able to follow the path of chivalry now," he sighed, laughing. "I don't suppose someone like you would know what that is."

She smiled, "Chivalry, ah, the noble path that knights follow, the most famous code of chivalry was laid down by the King of Knights, King Arthur."

"I'm surprised you know about it, it doesn't seem like something a woman would study," Jeremiah admitted.

"I know the tales of King Arthur as well as I know myself," Saber smiled quietly.

"What's your name?" Jeremiah asked.

"Elise Watoson, it's an alias, but you will learn my true name in time. I do not know if I can trust you."

"I am or was Lord Jeremiah Gottwald, I'm just Jeremiah for now."

"So Jeremiah, would you mind giving me a hand with this?" Elise Watoson gestured to the hay.

They began haymaking together.

"I am impressed you would even say you are loyal to a country that has thrown you out like unwanted refuse, humiliating you and sending you away to serve their conquered subjects as little more than hired help."

"But without Britannia, I have nothing! I am nothing!" Jeremiah insisted.

"You are a man who has lost everything because this country was disloyal to you, I saw the broadcast and you seemed quite intent to fulfill your duty and then you suddenly changed your mind."

"I could never change my mind about releasing a murder suspect, but I can't remember what happened."

"That's interesting. You are a man loyal to the very end, Britannia could use men like you."

"That's easy enough to say," Jeremiah sighed. He looked at her.

"What should I, Jeremiah Gottwald do?" Jeremiah Gottwald asked.

"You should follow me inside this house; I will tell you what you should do."

"I'm afraid I think I'll stay out here for a little while, I need to be alone to think."

"I shall leave you to your thoughts," Arturia Pendragon smiled at him. She entered the house.

Shirou Emiya, greeted her smiling. He held out Avalon to her.

Shirou Emiya smiled broadly as he entered the room, "I finally found it, now you can make yourself known to the entire world."

"Is that a wise choice, my friend? There are many on both sides, the Japanese and Britannians who would use my return for their own benefit," Arturia told him.

She glanced at him, "And what of the Republic of Britain? Isn't my homeland occupied by the French since Napoleon made it a democracy, at least that's what you've told me? Like they would suspend their freedoms so I could lead them."

"The state of the Republic of Britain is not as strong as they would appear, they're always afraid Britannia will attack them on the European front. They keep hiding behind the Republic of Europia, hoping they'll be their shield. At this rate, they would restore the monarchy the moment you return. There are still many Britons there, the only thing that truly left the country was the monarchy."

"People are fed up with tepid politicians who are blindly ignoring the danger of Britannia. They would see you as a strong leader who could protect them," Shirou told her. "But that all depends on what you want to do."

"What about Orange?" Rin Emiya asked. "You seem to like him."

"He seeks to follow the path of chivalry, should I despise him for that?" Arturia asked her friend.

"He's a pathetic racist who dreams of glory and gain and his own prestige!" Rin scowled. "He was so high and mighty on live TV when he confronted Zero. Then he turns around and suddenly releases Suzaku Kururugi! He's a weak-minded moron!"

"He is misguided, but his desire to follow the path of chivalry is genuine," Arturia Pendragon smiled.

"He's a loyal dog to the Emperor, he won't change, Britannians never change."

"Then what am I?"

"You are a Briton, you are different from them," Shirou reminded her.

"I want you to see where his loyalty lies before you bring him into any of our plans," Rin told her.

"I understand. I'll be going out," Arturia smiled. She left the room.

"Would you care to accompany me for a drink?" she asked.

Jeremiah eagerly accepted, he found himself at ease in her company.

They went to the bar the Copenhagen and she brought him some excellent drinks. After a few drinks, Elise Watoson got up and sang a song that surprised the guests.

God save King Pendragon,
May his reign long drag on,
God save the King.
Send him most gorious,
Great and uproarious,
Horrible and Hoarious,
God save our King.

Jeremiah Gottwald as surprised to hear the song, he'd thought she'd sing "All Hail Britannia", the current national anthem, but then again, Elise Watoson had been drinking.

"Ah, Lord Jeremiah, join me, I shall buy you a magnificent drink," she gestured for him to sit by her.

She bought him a bottle of wine and they began to drink.

"Lady Marianne Vi Britannia, formerly Marianne Lamperouge, was the Lady I was assigned to protect, but I failed and she was slain by assassins," Jeremiah buried his face in his hands.

"Lamperouge…so Loholt did well in life, did he?" Arturia Pendragon murmured under her breath.

Loholt was her greatest secret. According to legend, Arthur Pendragon had no heirs, but that was a lie, the truth was complicated.

Arturia Pendragon and Aldwin Vi Britannia had been in love since childhood, but due to her duties as King, she could not be a person for him, but the love they had never faded.

It was a time of war and as the chosen King, Arturia Pendragon gave up her personal desires for the sake of the country, or at least that is what others saw.

She had convinced herself of that, but she had one weakness, her childhood friend and secret lover, Aldwin Vi Britannia.

Loholt Pendragon, her illegitimate son by Aldwin Vi Britannia had been given into the care of Merlin after she like her father had asked for one night with the object of their desire. She had asked for one night with Aldwin Vi Britannia, and not hiding under the guise of his wife.

His wife had been gone to visit her family, she had shown up unannounced. Aldwin Vi Britannia had been pleased to entertain her, and utterly delighted to make love to her.

It was a night that was like a dream, a lovely dream that had only happened twice.

Arturia Pendragon remembered the scent of his hair, the warmth of Aldwin's breath, the feel of his touch. She remembered the passion they'd shared that night and she cherished it in her heart.

She explained that their child should be hidden among his many dalliances, all the better that if he were asked about the child that he could say that his mother was just a lesser noble.

"Although I cannot resist the love of a beautiful woman. Arturia, please know I love you most and best. I only wish we could be together without secrets or lies. You are my adorable King of Knights, and I will always love you."

Loholt was her greatest secret, she had learned from her friends that Loholt had become a powerful warrior after her death, pledging his loyalty to House Britannia as they took the reins of power. Throughout the ages, House Britannia had both good and bad kings, but once they had become a mighty empire did the rot and corruption set in.

Now things were worse. Her son's family had lost their noble title centuries ago, becoming a "common" family. She had been troubled when she had learned that her descendant Marianne Lamperouge had married Charles Zi Britannia, and was later assassinated.

Arturia wondered if someone had learned the secret of the Lamperouge family, and that anyone of that bloodline had a claim to the throne of Britannia and Britain.

"That's a pretty ring," Jeremiah Gottwald smiled.

"I gave one half to the man I love, he died a long time ago. I assume it has passed on to my son and any descendants he might have."

"Is that why you came to this country? To look for your family?" the disgraced noble asked.

"Yes, but I have come here for another purpose and that is to right a great wrong that will not be easily rectified," Arturia smiled at him.

"Well, I hope that you find the family you're looking for," Jeremiah smiled.

"What became of Lady Marianne's children?" Arturia asked him.

"Elise…they…they were killed here, during the invasion of Area 11," Jeremiah replied. "It's a reason I hate the Elevens so much. They stole my last chance to prove my loyalty!"

"Your racism has blinded you; it is unbecoming of a man who claims to follow the path of chivalry. You must defend the weak, no matter what their race. I think everyone should ignore their race and treat each other as equals. We are all equal in the sight of God."

"You say such radical things, Elise, but have you ever lost someone you loved as I have?"

"Yes, he died in my arms and I could do nothing to save him."

"So you do understand my torment," Jeremiah sighed.

"Yes, my friend, I certainly do," Arturia Pendragon, "Elise Watoson" drank a toast to the ones they loved and lost. She glanced at the ring on her finger, hoping against hope that her bloodline had survived, as impossible as it seemed.

"Lelouch, that's a pretty ring," Shirley Finnette told him, gazing at the Student Council Vice President as he held a ring in his hand that was made of gold. It had half of a lion engraved on it. "Why's the other half of the picture missing?"

"It's a family legend that Loholt Lamperouge was the son of two nobles that loved each other but couldn't be together. It's said that his mother designed the ring so that when you put the two halves together, they would form the symbol of a lion."

"That looks like the lion on the Britannian flag, doesn't it?" Rivalz observed.

"Yes, it does. But it's purely coincidence," Lelouch laughed.

"What about the ancestry assignment, have you figured out what you're going to do, Lulu?" Shirley asked.

"I don't really want to talk about my father, but my late mother might turn up something interesting," he smiled.

Either way, my identity will be exposed by a stupid school assignment. It's too coincidental and if I make up something, it might be possible for someone might start digging, but my mother's past is ambiguous enough that the other students might find it coincidental. Still, from what my mother said, our family does have an interesting background.

Loholt Lamperouge was a great knight that had served the Kings of Britannia; the Lamperouge family had been nobility for a time but had lost their land and tiles. They had become scholars and mercenaries, soldiers and adventurers, and eventually, his mother had become a Knight of Honor, catching his father's eye.

"I think it'll be interesting to see where we all come from," Milly Ashford smiled.

"Knowing Nina, she probably comes from a family of scientists," Rivalz smiled. "After all, didn't her grandfather work with Milly's grandfather?"

"Yes, it's going to be interesting, I hope," Nina smiled.

If anything came out of this assignment maybe he'd be able to solve the mystery of who Loholt's mother was, it never came up in either family tradition or official records.

How was he going to keep his identity a secret? He dreaded being found out. It would lead to people trying to win his favor for his nonexistent Imperial influence.

I guess we'll have to figure out what to do if anything happens. I must be prepared for everyone to abandon us. I will do my best to take care of Nunnally.

He decided he would finish this assignment as soon as possible. And hope he could keep his secret intact.

Lelouch glanced down at the ring and wondered what it's significance it might hold.