The First Tasks

Author's Note:

I never set out to be Gabriel Blessing, yes I know that author is popular and I never expected this story to be much of anything, so I'm very grateful that this hit 304 favorites and 389 follows! I didn't expect my most popular fanfic to be my most controversial one either.

I find it funny I got compared to Gabriel Blessing, mainly because I don't set out to write like them at all.

I went and watched Galaxy Vol. 2, the only thing I didn't like was the gratuitous swearing, it was really jarring compared to the first movie where they didn't do it as much, but the movie itself was hysterical and I laughed so hard.

All I can say is, "It's beautiful, and so are you. On the inside." LOL!

Now onto review responses!

Mo Eazy: I know the dialogue slog is really, really boring, but there are things in this quest that are going to happen that all this dialogue has to be here, and yeah , know this part isn't fun, but like I said, plot points are important! I know the style change is jarring, but I'm working with what I have here. Ironically, what I've done is info dumping and Nasu and Gen Urobuchi get away with it while I get criticized for it.

Leonardo Castro: You probably won't see this because you've stopped reading, but I appreciate that you're not just mindlessly yelling at me about this story, and no, I'm not Gabriel Blessing, and you might not like my version of Shirou, but I appreciate that you are being reasonable about this. Then again, Gabriel Blessing gets a lot of flak for their stories too.

Stratos263: Good luck Shirou indeed.

Sugassheeep: Thank you for enjoying my fanfic. I really appreciate that because it means a lot to me because I get so much criticism for this fanfic.

Teh Bleach Bottle: I'm so happy you understand why I'm using Arthurian lore. And yeah, it's hard for me to ignore all the criticisms mainly because it's been a big burst of m recent reviews on this story!

The giant and the prince continued their verbal sparring.

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. Throughout the world there is not a leash that can hold him, except the leash of Cwrs Cant Ewin."

The prince did not waver.

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

The giant continued, sneering at the nobleman.

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. Throughout the world there is no collar that will hold the leash except the collar of Canhastyr Canllaw."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. The chain of Kilydd Canhastyr to fasten the collar to the leash."

The poor scribe was diligently writing down everything, in excruciating detail, but all this was necessary. For if they forgot a single item, the quest would fail.

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

The giant pondered for a moment.

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. Throughout the world there is not a huntsman who can hunt with this dog, except Mabon the son of Modron. He was taken from his mother when he hree nights old, and it is not known where he now is, nor whether he is living or dead."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy." The prince's words were the same, and he wouldn't back down, anyone else would have given up just listening to all the giant's demands.

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. Gwynn Mygdwn, the horse of Gweddw, that is as swift as the wave, to carry Mabon the son of Modron to hunt the boar Trwyth. He will not give him of his own free will, and you will not be able to compel him."

Surely the Prince would give up.

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

This was a battle of wits, a long-winded battle of wits, and the verbal sparring continued.

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. You will not get Mabon, for it is not known where he is, unless you find Eidoel, his kinsman in blood, the son of Aer. For it would be useless to seek for him. He is his cousin."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. Garselit the Gwyddelian is the chief huntsman of Ireland; the Twrch Trwyth can never be hunted without him."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. A leash made from the beard of Dissull Varvawc, for that is the only one that can hold those two cubs. And the leash will be of no avail unless it be plucked from his beard while he is alive, and twitched out with wooden tweezers. While he lives he will not suffer this to be done to him, and the leash will be of no use should he be dead, because it will be brittle."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

Neither would back down, so the giant upped the ante.

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. Throughout the world there is no huntsman that can hold those two whelps except Kynedyr Wyllt, the son of Hettwn Glafyrawc; he is nine times more wild than the wildest beast upon the mountains. Him wilt thou never get, neither wilt thou ever get my daughter."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. It is not possible to hunt the boar Trwyth without Gwynn the son of Nudd, whom God has placed over the brood of devils in Annwn, lest they should destroy the present race. He will never be spared thence."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. There is not a horse in the world that can carry Gwynn to hunt the Twrch Trwyth, except Du, the horse of Mor of Oerveddawg."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. Until Gilennhin the king of France shall come, the Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted. It will be unseemly for him to leave his kingdom for thy sake, and he will never come hither."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. The Twrch Trwyth can never be hunted without the son of Alun Dyved; he is well skilled in letting loose the dogs."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

Shirou knew that everything would be accomplished, or the story wouldn't have been written down for him to read in the future. Still, he remembered this was the long, boring section.

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. The Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted unless thou get Aned and Aethlem. They are as swift as the gale of wind, and they were never let loose upon a beast that they did not kill him."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get; Arthur and his companions to hunt the Twrch Trwyth. He is a mighty man, and he will not come for thee, neither wilt thou be able to compel him."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

"Though you get this there is yet that which you will not get. The Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted unless you get Bwlch, and Kyfwlch [and Sefwlch], the grandsons of Cleddyf Difwlch. Their three shields are three gleaming glitterers Their three spears are three pointed piercers. Their three swords are three griding gashers, Glas, Glessic, and Clersag. Their three dogs, Call, Cuall, and Cavall. Their three horses, Hwyrdydwg, and Drwgdydwg, and Llwyrdydwg. Their three wives, Och, and Garam, and Diaspad. Their three grandchildren, Lluched, and Vyned, and Eissiwed. Their three daughters, Drwg, and Gwaeth, and Gwaethav Oll. Their three handmaids [Eheubryd, the daughter of Kyfwlch; Gorasgwrn, the daughter of Nerth; and Gwaedan, the daughter of Kynvelyn]. These three men shall sound the horn, and all the others shall shout, so that all will think that the sky is falling to the earth."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

Their verbal duel was about to end, and he could finally leave this place!

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. The sword of Gwrnach the Giant; he will never be slain except therewith. Of his own free will he will not give it, either for a price or as a gift, and you will never be able to compel him."

"It will be easy for me to accomplish this, although you may think that it will not be easy."

"Though you get this, there is yet that which you will not get. Difficulties shall you meet with, and nights without sleep, in seeking this, and if you obtain it not, neither shall you obtain my daughter."

"Horses shall I have, and chivalry; and my lord and kinsman Arthur will obtain for me all these things. And I shall gain your daughter, and you shall lose your life." good

"Go forward. And you shall not be chargeable for food or raiment for my daughter while you are seeking these things; and when you have accomplished all these marvels, you shall have my daughter for your wife."

The scribe passed out from exhaustion as Shirou managed to catch him.

"Wake him so we can go to meat! I am starving!" Arthur called to them.

They left the next day, Arthur departed, heading back to Camelot.

"I should go back with you," Shirou told her.

"No, there are too many rumors going on about you, if you are away on an adventure, the suspicions about you will lessen. I look forward to hearing of your adventures Shirou."

They began travelling until they reached the largest castle Shirou had ever seen.

It was also guarded by a very tall black man.

"Where do you come from, oh man?" Kay asked.

"From the castle which you see yonder," the man replied.

"Whose castle is that?" Kay queried.

"Stupid are ye truly, Oh men. There is no one in the world that does not know to whom this castle belongs. It is the castle of Gwrnach the Giant."

"What treatment is there for guests and strangers that alight in that castle?" "Oh! Prince, Heaven protect you. No guest ever returned thence alive, and no one may enter therein unless he brings with him his craft."

"Oh! Prince, Heaven protect you. No guest ever returned thence alive, and no one may enter therein unless he brings with him his craft."

They made their way towards the gate.

Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd called to them, "Is there a porter?"

"There is. And you, if your tongue be not mute in your head, where do you call?"

"Open the gate." Kay demanded.

"I will not open it," the porter replied.

"Why will you not?"

"The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is revelry in the hall of Gwrnach the Giant, and except for a craftsman who brings his craft, the gate will not be opened tonight."

"Certainly, porter," Shirou called to him, "I bring my craft with me."

"What is your craft?"

"I am the best burnisher of swords in the world."

"I will go and tell this to Gwrnach the Giant, and I will bring you an answer." So the porter went in, and Gwrnach said to him, "Have you any news from the gate?"

"I have. There is a party at the door of the gate who desire to come in."

"Did you inquire of them if they possessed any art?"

"I did inquire," the porter said, "and one told me that he was well skilled in the burnishing of swords."

"We have need of him then. For some time have I sought for someone to polish my sword, and could find no one. Let this man enter, since he brings with him his craft."

The porter then returned and opened the gate.

Shirou went alone and saluted the giant and the servants placed a chair before him so that he could sit opposite to Gwrnach.

Gwrnach said to him, "Oh man! is it true that is reported of thee that you know how to burnish swords?"

"I know how to do so," Shirou answered.

The servants brought Gwrnach's sword to him. And Shirou took a blue whetstone from under his arm.

"Do you want it burnished white or blue?" Shirou asked.

"Do with it as it seems good to you, and as though would if it were your own," the giant told him.

Shirou polished the sword. "Will this please you?"

"I would rather than all that is in my dominions that the whole of it were like to this. It is a marvel to me that such a man as thou should be without a companion."

"Have the porter go and I will tell him that he will know him. The head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the wind, and descend upon its shaft again," Shirou explained.

Shirou called for Kay and Bedivere to the castle with him.

"Bedivere is very skilled, although he doesn't know this art," Kay said.

The men outside began to worry for Sir Bedivere, Sir Kay and even the Archer of Red.

Then the son of Custennin snuck inside the castle with his companions and they passed the three wards.

"You have done this! You are the best of all men."

They called him Goreu and were happy he was with them. They made their lodging inside the castle but killed everyone inside and the giant was unaware of it.

Shirou finished polishing the sword and handed it to Gwrnach the Giant to see if he was pleased with it.

"The work is good, I am content with it," Gwrnach replied.

"It's your scabbard that has rusted your sword, give it to me that I may take out the wooden sides of it and put in new ones," Shirou told him.

Shirou took the sword in one hand and the scabbard in the other. He came and stood over the giant and made it look like he was going to put the sword into the scabbard.

Before the giant could react, Shirou took the sword and decapitated the giant, cutting his head off with one strike.

"Everything in this castle belongs to us now!" Kay told them.

The men found a vast treasure room that was so bright Shirou blinked a bit.

He filled up a small bag of gold and jewels. He wasn't sure what he was going o do with all this money, and he wasn't a particularly greedy person.

Shirou's eye fell on a particularly pretty jewel and gasped. It was the same jewel that Rin Tohsaka had used to save his life in the Fifth Holy Grail War. It was ironic that it was a jewel from a story about King Arthur, rather than something that actually belonged to her.

Shirou wondered for a moment if he should give the jewel to Saber or if he should keep it for himself.

"You were very clever you know, tricking that giant into giving you his sword," Gwydre told Shirou.

"It was nothing, no big deal really," Shirou told him.

"I wish I was that clever, but you've always been the smart one haven't you. Only you or Sir Kay could have done that."

"Not really, I was rather average in school," Shirou told him.

"I highly doubt that, but still, if I am to be a good king, I should be clever, like you."

"Just stay close to me, you'll be fine," Shirou told him. His words had a double meaning, but he didn't want to Prince to know that.

The knights took all the spoils from the castle and headed back to Camelot.

Shirou walked into the throne room, staring at the King of Knights in all her splendor and bowed before her. He presented to her the sword of Gwrnach the Giant.

Sir Kay told her of Shirou's deeds and after the tale was finished, she was thoughtful.

"Which of these marvels will it be best for us to seek first?"

"It will be best," Bedivere said, "to seek Mabon the son of Modron; and he will not be found unless we first find Eidoel, the son of Aer, his kinsman."

Arthur gathered up the men of Britain and they travelled to the Castle of Glivi, looking for Eidoel.

Glivi stood on the summit of his castle, "Arthur, what do you require of me, since nothing remains to me in this fortress, and I have neither joy nor pleasure in it; neither wheat nor oats? Please do not do me harm."

"I will give you my prisoner, though I had not thought to give him up to anyone and here you have my support and my aid."

His followers said to Arthur, "Lord, you go home, you cannot proceed with your host in quest of such small adventures as these."

Arthur said, "It's well for you, Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, to go on this quest, for you know all languages, and art familiar with those of the birds and the beasts. Thou, Eidoel, ought to go with my men in search of your cousin. And as for you, Kay Bedivere, and Shirou, I have hope of whatever adventure you are in quest of, that you will achieve it. Achieve you this adventure for me."

"Your Highness, I must speak to you in private tonight, before you leave for Camel. It is very important, a private matter.

He whispered in her ear to meet him in the kitchen at midnight.

Arthur arrived and Shirou put a bounded field around the doors so no one could hear their conversation from the outside.

"Arturia, do you remember when you told me that you had a bad feeling about this quest?"

"Yes, I remember, what about it?"

"You aren't wrong, and as I have told you, I come from the future, and the story does end well for Cullwch, your cousin."

"But my premonition is not wrong," Arthur told him.

"This quest will take the life of your son, Gwydre," Shirou said to her.

Arthur looked as if he had stabbed her through the heart with a dagger.

"What?" she asked in disbelief, as if he'd uttered gibberish to her.

"The details are never very clear, except that the boar Twrch Trwyth will kill your son."

Arthur was reeling from this revelation. She felt like she drank too much wine.

She staggered back and Shirou caught her.

"Please don't worry, I will save your son," Shirou reassured her.

"Even a mage as powerful as you cannot change fate," Arthur told him.

"It's funny hearing you say that, you're the one who wanted to change fate, it was way you answered my summons in the future."

"I have no desire to change the outcome Merlin has told me of, I will end my reign satisfied with my work."

"I will change your son's fate. I can, because I have something that belongs to you, I have had it for a very long time and because I was summoned to this era, I was able to trace it again."

"Trace on," Shirou uttered.

Avalon, Excalibur's scabbard appeared. Arthur took it and gazed at it.

"You have had this with you, and yet you do not ask for a reward."

"I don't need a reward, it was yours to begin with," Shirou gazed at her.

"Why would you do this? You treat my scabbard as if it is just something to give back to me, as if it were so simple. What do you want Shirou Emiya, if not a reward?"

"I want you to be happier than anyone else," Shirou replied to her.

"Why would you want that?" she asked.

"Because I love you, Arturia Pendragon. I love you more than anything and that is the only honest answer I can give you."

She stared at him; her mind was reeling even more than before.

"I know that I was your Servant in that distant future. But that does not mean I'm willing to give my heart over to you as well," Arturia told him.

Shirou suddenly laughed, "You said that to me when we had an again, but you're insisting that fate can't be changed!"

"Place the scabbard inside Gwydre's body and stay with him, and he will survive the quest."

"How do you know this will work?" Arturia asked him.

"Because it was how I survived that war with you. You tried to save many lives, but mine was the only one you could save. That is why you loved me, and it made you very happy."

Shirou sighed. "I suppose I've said too much already. Please don't tell anyone, if they find out how I have your scabbard, it may lead to them learning about your gender, and that would only cause problems."

Shirou turned away to leave the room. "About these dreams, you haven't seen anything…intimate have you?"

"What? What do you mean?" Arturia asked.

"Nothing, never mind," Shirou said hastily. He turned away from her.

"I have said all I need to say, I'll be leaving with Kay and Bedivere in the morning. He began to walk away from her.

He wasn't lying to her. But how was that possible? He did not give her longing looks or sigh over her, and it had nothing with the characteristics of courtly love, turning pale, the jealousy, the suspicion, he was never apprehensive about her.

The love he had for her was completely different from anything she knew or understood.

He loved her more than anything, and had not said a word, even when she had ordered for him to be flogged. He had endured it all, and he had never stopped looking at her during the ordeal, because he loved her, and she'd given him strength to endure torture pain at her hands, because she was the one he loved, so he could endure her wrath.

He had endured suffering because of Le Fay, and now she realized she was little better than her sister. And yet he still loved her more than anything.

The King of Knights burst into tears.

Shirou Emiya was a flawed man, walking the path of a broken mage, trying desperately to reach his ideal. She was blind and crippled by her ideals, and everyone believed she could not understand others, that she was a demon, despite the image she wanted the people to see, she was hardly the good, upright, righteous knight and king.

Arturia buried her face in her hands to stifle her sobs, guilt washed over her in waves. She thought of how she treated him, wished he were dead and how she'd wanted to mete out cruel punishments to him for things he could not control, and yet he said that he loved her more than anything.

And yet he was flawed, he'd sought out fleeting pleasure to ease his pain. If she had been kinder to him, if she had been more understanding, he would have not sinned against his love for her.

And yet, he sought to redeem himself, to prove to her that he loved her more than anything.

She heard footsteps as he moved to embrace her.

"Now leave your grieving and mourning, gentle knight, for it is of no avail," he whispered, holding her in his arms.

"Shirou, I beg your forgiveness—" Arturia began to apologize.

"Don't cry, Arturia, there's nothing to forgive," he whispered, soothing her with his touch, stroking her hair. "I am the one, who will beg your forgiveness, for as long as I live, forever if necessary."

Arturia looked at him, "But I forgave you. Will you not forgive yourself?"

He ran his fingers through her hair. "I have, but sometimes I still feel guilty."

And Arturia felt as if everything that gave her life meaning could be found in Shirou Emiya's arms.

"You are the only person I've ever truly been close to," Arturia gently stroked his face.

"What do you mean?" Shirou asked, curious.

"I did not give you the position in this house of Groom of the Stool so that a mage could be in the most desired position here. I put you there, because you didn't care about my private secrets, and that you were willing to take care of me without any thought of reward. Many powerful men want access to me through that position, and I've never trusted anyone with such physical intimacy, because they would use my gender against me."

"I don't care about any of that, I care about you," Shirou whispered, stroking her hair.

"People don't want me to be a person, they want me to be an it," Arturia whispered.

"What?"

"The crown, they want me to be a distant admirable symbol, that is all, and I can live with that," she told him softly.

"That is not how a person should live," Shirou whispered. He leaned close and kissed her again.

"Shirou," Arturia whispered. "What do you want from me?"

"I only want to give you a parting gift before I go," Shirou murmured.

He began undoing the buttons on her shirt.

"Let me kiss your breasts," he murmured.

"You would be so indecent?"

"I don't care."

"I give you permission," she told him nervously.

He parted it so he could see her breasts as he planted kisses down her neck and trailed them to her breast. He began sucking gently as she began gasping.

Shirou slipped his finger between her legs.

"Shirou, you cannot do this!" she ran her fingers through his hair but did not push him away.

"You want me to or you would stop me," he stopped to say as he curled his fingers, searching for her g-spot.

"Oh Shirou!" she moaned.

"Does that please you, Arturia?" Shirou asked.

"Yes, more! Please, more!"

"Your command is my pleasure always," he murmured. He moved her over to the table and told her to hold on.

He knelt before her and spread her legs; he moved between them and began to slip s tongue in and out, adding his fingers to stimulate her.

"You shouldn't your mouth between my legs!"

He moved his tongue faster, speeding up his rhythm.

"By my faith, you're going to drive me mad!" Arturia began to rock her hips.

"Saber…mmm…you taste so good!" Shirou growled.

Shirou sighed, he was content, he was stroking her with his fingers and tongue.

He had craved this for so long, he was going to make it last.

Arturia was lost in pleasure; she couldn't stop the loud noises from escaping her throat. She was grateful that Shirou had set up the Bounded Field so that she would not be heard.

Arturia felt her body clench around him and she cried out, "Shirou!"

Warm fluid covered his fingers. He pressed his mouth against hers.

His tongue dueled hers and she lay trembling in his arms.

"I did not know that pleasure could be so wonderful!"

"You've made love before, and that was merely foreplay," Shirou glanced at her.

"I have made love, but never as a woman," Arturia told him. "I'm about to collapse!"

He eased her down into his arms on the floor, "I've got you Arturia, I've got you!"

They lay in each other's arms.

Arturia blushed when she saw the mage lick his fingers and look satisfied.

"You are not supposed to enjoy it," she sighed.

"Only God and you know I do!" he laughed.

"What about you?" Arturia asked. "Your soldier's standing up."

"You don't need to worry about that, people will worry if they realize you've been awake so long."

"Are you alright?" Arturia asked him.

"You people believe it's bad to waste a man's seed, that's how you people think right?'

"Yes. But it has always been the man's needs that are important in these matters."

"I'll be fine, you just go, and I'll clean up the mess."

"Good night, Arturia," he smiled, cleaning her hand and kissing it.

"Good night, Shirou," she whispered.

Shirou walked back to bed. Laying down, he smiled a little. Saber had accepted him and perhaps she could save Gwydre with her scabbard.

He wondered if he could truly change her fate in this era, but it seemed that his fortunes were finally turning. But still, he would have to do his best to keep Gwydre alive, but for now, he would be content.

Arturia Pendragon's mind was spinning. Everything was a blur, and yet, she had felt such sweet pleasure with Shirou that she feared it could tear her apart. There wasn't any way they could be together in public, and if they were caught it could destroy them, if not the entire kingdom.

Still, she did not regret letting him be intimate with her, and she knew that like Guinevere, she craved happiness and she was foolishly letting herself indulge in it.

But what of Gwydre, and her other sons, if they discovered Shirou, Amhar was likely to lead a rebellion, still, she would not let anyone discover them, sand she would save her son, thanks to Shirou.

Shirou was not the Archer of Red, he as Shirou Emiya. The man who loved her.

She let her eyes close as she drifted off to sleep, she didn't dream of anything tonight maybe that was a good omen that the quest would be successful after all.