Arturia walked through the hallways of the dungeon. The battle had been over a week ago and she was instituted as Prince Royale until the mourning period was over and she would be crowned. The castle was going under repairs and the Mass for the people lost from both parties had just been celebrated. In fact, it had been celebrated an hour prior but the Knights of the round had held a meeting to discuss what was to happen to Guinevere.

It was hard to calm her people down after the battle, but many bowed before her upon seeing the golden sword in her hands. Merlin ha announced her before the people, and many others agreed with her rule. After all, whoever held the sword was the heir of Uther and the one to bring Camelot to its glory days. There were some that questioned a woman's rule, but they were silent about it, probably hoping to find the right time to go against her.

She held a torch in her right hand as her left lifted the dress from the dusty floor. She finally reached the dungeon she had been looking for and then she looked inside, seeing Guinevere in her very own black dress. She was sitting by a corner of the cell with her arms over her chest and a frown on her lips.

"Arturia… what are you doing here?" Guinevere lifted her head upon seeing the new shadows cast by the torch.

Arturia's face was still bruised and she landed her eyes on the woman on the other side of the bars, "Guinevere… I come to bring you news about your sentence."

The brunette glared at her and shrugged, "The people demand bloodshed, I am well aware of that."

Arturia frowned, "And I promised I would not go back on my word. I will have you exiled and under house arrest in a villa well away from Camelot, I will set the arrangements as soon as possible."

Guinevere shook her head, "I, however, do not need your pity. I have nothing else to live for, Arturia, I must show my face to the people one last time, and never will I drop my head and leave with my tail between my legs. I will die one day, and I might as well die in Camelot where my son passed. Where my life began and where it shall end."

Arturia was silent as she looked at her, "If that is what you wish, so be it." She wasn't going to lie, she did not want Guinevere to go under even more pain. It was hard losing a child, and now she was losing her life as well.

"When will the execution will be held?" Guinevere was still glaring at the female in front of her, there was still belief that it was all Arturia's fault even though she fully knew that this would not have occurred if she had not tried to murder the blonde female.

"In a week's time." Arturia held a mono tone and tried to seem indifferent.

"So it shall be. Now go and pay tribute to those fallen knights, let their king see them off to heaven. Wouldn't you rather do that than talk to me?"

Arturia found herself standing at the balcony after leaving her friend in the dungeon, silently watching as the center of the castle courtyard was filled with people and a stand was in the midst of it all. She wore a black dress and a black veil over her face. She blinked a couple of times as a hand landed on her black-lace-covered one and she looked over to see Diarmuid also dressed in black. He squeezed her hand as they both looked back down at the pile of logs and a few cloaks but most importantly—golden armour.

A knight with a torch in hands slowly approached the stand, but she raised her hand before the man could lay it down by the branches.

"Let us not continue to build our kingdom on bloodshed. Let us remember all those who can no longer see their loved ones; for those brave men, sons, brothers and friends. May they go in peace." She announced, her voice cracking a bit when she thought of Gilgamesh.

She lowered her hand and the torch started the fire. She heard the cries of her people as they mourned their loved ones and she kept her eyes on the shiny armour of Gilgamesh. She had had a stone coffin made for him and he was already resting beside her father and amongst all the other royals of Camelot.

Her green eyes remained on the armour as the flames engulfed it and she watched in silence, squeezing Diarmuid's hand in return as the flames rose higher into the sky. They stood still, barely moving and then she hesitantly retracted her hand when the flames had died out, silently retreating to her chambers.

Diarmuid did not insist though, he knew she wanted to be alone at the moment.

Cú Chulainn lay sleeping as Jeanne knelt near the bed, mumbling Ave Maria's and feeling the wooden beads under her thumb. The man next to her had been sleeping for a few hours now since he had had too much blood loss and was still recovering. He woke up every now and again but would soon fall asleep.

The Frenchwoman had helped with treating his wound and she was still keeping watch of him, making sure that he would be fine and he would soon awaken and for a longer time.

It was a grunt that had caught her attention and she lifted her gaze from the rosary in her hands to the man before her, "Cú Chulainn?" She furrowed her brows.

He turned his head towards her with a groan and then managed a smiled, "Hello little lass." He smirked, "Don't tell me you were hoping for me to die."

Jeanne's pale lips stretched into a smile, "I would never." She quickly stood and took a goblet of water from the nightstand next to the man, "How are you feeling?"

Cú Chulainn chuckled but quickly regretted that decision when he felt a sharp pain on his shoulder blade, "I feel like shit."

The blonde female giggled and shook her head, "No swearing, mister, but I will get something for your pain." She handed him the water and turned on her heel.

"Thank you, Jeanne," Cú Chulainn called and watched as the female turned to look at him, a smile on her lips.

She took a deep breath and nodded, "I should be the one thanking you," the smile stretched on her lips a little more, "I will be right back."

Cú Chulainn was left to himself as he took a deep breath and tried to avoid the pain that emitted from his arm, it was a miracle that he could still move it or even feel it because if he was not wearing the shoulder plate, he would have most likely lost his arm. He sat up slowly and watched the door, hoping that Jeanne would soon return.

Upon the arrival of the smiling Jeanne, he felt calmer and a smile snaked onto his lips, "Well, I brought you some food and medicine that Merlin prepared for you. Hopefully most of the pain will go away."

"Why can he not simply heal me as he did with Arturia? It's much simpler and I do not have to be in bed forever until it naturally heals."

Jeanne frowned and then shrugged, "I feel that no magic is the best option for your arm. I do not exactly approve of magic, and so it is best to keep you away from that."

The Hound of Ulster eyed her as she set the food on the nightstand and paid attention to her words. He blinked and nodded, "Why so?"

Jeanne bit her cheek and smiled, "I simply do not trust magic."

He slowly sat up and did not let his gaze slip from hers for even a sliver of a second, "Why do you not?"

The female took a deep breath and then turned back to the table and fixed the things on top of it; I do not like to speak of it. I am sure that there are things that you do not like to speak of your past and I respect that, I would be grateful if you respect mine."

Cú Chulainn was silent and finally let his gaze drift away from the female. He understood what she meant, but he caught her uneasiness and freight. He wanted her to tell him, but he would respect her decision nonetheless.

He hesitantly slipped out of the bed and walked towards her. Jeanne had not been paying attention to the male until an arm was wrapped around her waist. He held her close and mumbled, "I'm glad that you are fine." He then let go of her and slowly made his way back to the bed.

Jeanne had not moved an inch, her cheeks were dusted with a blush and she just stood still trying to somehow think about what had occurred, processing if his actions had meant anything.

It took Cú Chulainn a few days to finally make the decision that they were to return to Hibernia and he thought it best to mention it during dinner. He looked over at his brother and gave a smile before lifting some food to his mouth, "Brother," he spoke.

"Yes?" Diarmuid turned his head towards the blue haired male and returned the smile.

Cú's smile dropped solemnly and he took a deep breath before proceeding to speak, "I think it best we return. We must bring back news of Gilgamesh..."

Diarmuid's smile faded and he shook his head, "They will kill me, Gilgamesh has died in my hands—I have ruined Connacht." He felt remorseful and quiet afraid of what was to come. He should have locked Gilgamesh in a safe place like Cú had done with Jeanne.

"It was Gilgamesh's choice, Diarmuid." A voice interrupted them and they shot their heads towards the voice. Merlin stood by the door and lifted a letter in his hands. They could see a certain seal on it, Gilgamesh' crest stamped on it.

"What is that?" Diarmuid sat straight and pushed the platter of food away from himself. If there was a possibility that Gilgamesh left something behind, Diarmuid would make sure to personally deliver it to wherever it needed to be sent—even if it meant travelling all the way to Uruk.

Merlin lifted the paper to show the seal clearly and shrugged, "Gilgamesh knew what was going to happen to him. I warned him very well of the dangers he would face and he accepted everything."

"You are telling me that if I go, I will die?" Gilgamesh crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back on the chair, "Is this a threat of some sort, frankly I do not remember asking for you to humor me."

"There is no need for me to be threatening you as we are on the same side. Someone will die during the battle, if you go it will be you to die by a sword. If you stay, it will be Diarmuid." Merlin stood still in front of the male.

Gilgamesh seemed to bite his lower lip and gulped, "How will I die if I do not attend the battle?"

The wizard closed his eyes for a while and began to speak, "I do not know how you will perish, but I see your people mourning and burying you in the river bed of Euphrates."

"And what of my father?" The golden haired prince was quick to ask.

"He has been long gone." The blue eyes of the young man were still closed as he tried to get an insight of the future.

"My brother?"

Another cold response came, "Died years earlier."

Gilgamesh frowned and opened his mouth to speak again, "Do I have an heir?"

"Yes, you will also build walls to protect your people… You will be a great king."

Gilgamesh stayed silent and then spoke again, "How will Uruk be if I die? How will my little brother's rule be? Will he too be a great king and protect our people?"

Merlin opened his eyes and looked at him, "I will not know unless you die. Will you take the risk of letting your little brother rule?"

Gilgamesh stood from the chair and walked to a desk, he picked up a quill and began to write down something, "I must honour my Kingdom even abroad. If I perish, Uruk will be held with high regards here in Camelot and all of Logres, Alba, and Hibernia. My people will thank me and mourn. I will not be known as a petty and snobby prince, but as a battle hero if need be."

Merlin took a deep breath and nodded, "Are you willing to lay down your life for Diarmuid?"

Gilgamesh kept silent for a while and then turned his head towards the wizard and away from his paper, "We will have to see if that mongrel deserves it." He smirked and drifted his attention back to what it is that he was writing.

"A letter to your kingdom?" Gilgamesh heard the voice of Merlin as he continued to write, he gave a short nod and then turned back to the young wizard.

He lifted his head and sealed it with the stamp of his seal then passed it to Merlin, "If I do fall in battle, I wish for Diarmuid to deliver this letter to my father."

Diarmuid stood with the letter in his hands, he took a deep breath and looked back upon the castle gardens that had been a little destroyed due to the battle. Birds were still chirping and the sky was bright blue for the spring afternoon. The dark-haired man slowly stepped down the stairs as he witnessed the female in black walking about the gardens.

He gulped as he felt his heart clench in his chest and shook off the odd feeling before continuing his way towards her, "Milady," he set a smile on his lips as he called to her.

The blonde turned towards the noise and watched as Diarmuid walked towards her. She gave an unintentional smile as she slowly slid off her black lace gloves, "Diarmuid."

The man stopped in front of her and made sure to pay attention to her features. It was hard to see her face clearly through the veil that clung in front of her, but he paid attention to her nonetheless. Her green eyes were a little lifeless and disappointed; their corners red and glossed over as if she had been crying.

Diarmuid hesitantly lifted his hand and reached for her veil, "May I?" His voice was soft as it was taken away by the warm spring breeze. He lifted the veil after she gave a nod of approval and then let his eyes settle on hers.

She looked up at him in silence and all that made noise was the breeze and the birds. He was close to her and it made her heart skip a beat and her cheeks burn.

"I wanted to speak with you about urgent news," the male did not let his eyes linger on her pale lips too much as he was becoming drawn to them and he would probably end up leaning closer and landing a kiss upon them.

Arturia's eyes grew a small fraction and she opened her mouth, "Urgent news?"

Diarmuid smiled sorrowfully and rubbed the back of his neck, "I must leave."

He watched as her brows knitted together and her lips pursed into a frown, "What do… you mean by that?"

"I would have liked to see your coronation, but alas, I must travel to Uruk and bring news of… Gilgamesh."

Arturia dropped her face and nodded, "I-I see, I will want to write a personal letter to Uruk myself." She was silent for a while afterwards, "Uruk is quite far, no?"

Diarmuid gave a nod, "Past Byzantine."

"When will you be departing?" Her head lifted to meet his gaze, somehow wishing he would not leave for a while.

He ran a hand through his hair, "This evening."

She nodded again and walked past him, "Very well, I wish you all the best and I will have the letter delivered for you later in the day when I have finished it."

Diarmuid felt uncomfortable and frowned at the cold behaviour that Arturia had demonstrated. He turned around to watch her as she left the gardens and sought refuge back in the castle. He let out a loud breath that he had forgotten he was holding and kicked the grass below him. It seemed that she did not fancy him after all.

A page had come and gone long ago to hand him the letter that Arturia had written for Uruk. He prepared the essentials and chatted with his brother as he did so. Cú Chulainn had offered to see him off along with Jeanne but Diarmuid told them that it was quite alright and that his older brother did not need to stress himself out just to say goodbye for a few weeks.

The Irishman swung the satchel over his shoulders and readied his lances before exiting the room that had been given to him for his stay. He made his way through the silent hallways of the castle and slowly headed for the stables after exiting the palace.

He looked back at the castle and smiled, "Goodbye."

He was being led to where his horse was currently kept by a stable boy and it was a gentle voice that stopped both of them. Diarmuid turned back to see Arturia jogging up to them, "I was afraid you had probably left already without bidding a farewell."

Diarmuid felt his chest swell and he laughed nervously, "Milady, you caught me."

Arturia gave him a disappointed frown and turned to the stable boy, "You are excused. I will take this man to where he needs to go."

The young boy gave a quick nod and a deep bow before excusing himself formally and leaving.

"Diarmuid…" Her tone of voice was serious as her head tilted up to look at the sky whilst they walked towards the stables, "We must speak before you leave." She stopped in her tracks in front of the stable and he stopped soon after.

"Milady?" Diarmuid furrowed his brows and blinked down upon her.

"I suggest we clear things up before you leave," her heart was thumping loudly in her chest and she feared he would be able to hear it. Her cheeks dusted pink and she bit her lower lip, her eyelids fluttered to a close and she opened her mouth to speak again, "I have thought about it, although there has not been much time. I have cleared my mind and…and…" She felt her heart in her throat and ears, her cheeks were burning and she was thankful that the sun had set early and it was dark. Her throat was dry and her hands clinging to her black dress tightly.

"I fear that I do not yet understand, milady." He knew what she wanted to speak about but he was afraid that she would say something that would make his heart twist in pain.

"Diarmuid, my mind is telling me that it is time and my heart seems to have no rationality." She managed to speak, "It is true, I love Lancelot."

"Agh," Diarmuid scratched the back of his head and already felt his heart drop, "I-um, I guess that I understand."

Arturia shook her head as her hands trembled and she held the dress much tighter, "You do not. I-I love Lancelot, yes, but as a dear friend who taught me so much. I will respect him so, but I have realized that my heart wants to love again and my mind agrees for once. Although I am scared, I think that I can t-trust you… with, um…uh, with my h-heart."

Diarmuid could now see the red on Arturia's cheeks and nose. A smile grew on his lips and he tilted his head, "You do realize what you are saying, milady, yes?"

She nodded, "Yes, I am saying that I think I've come to have feelings for you. Whether it is love or not, I want to be able to be with you to understand my feelings fully." Her eyes had fallen from his and she was looking somewhere else as to not embarrass herself.

Diarmuid took a step closer to her and lifted her head with his hand. He gently directed her gaze back to him and smiled, "I will return to you, milady, I promise to keep true to only you." He slipped his hand into hers and brought it to his lips. He landed a tender kiss on the back of her hand and smiled at her.

She gulped trying to gulp down her heart for it had somehow traveled up to her throat. Arturia slowly nodded and noticed that Diarmuid too was blushing, "I do very much hope so. I heard that the women there were beautiful, I do hope that you won't glance at them when they flirt with you because of that beauty mark."

Diarmuid let out a chuckle and nodded, "And Gilgamesh had said that you were far more gorgeous than any of them. If there is one thing that Gilgamesh ever had right was his eye for treasures."

She solemnly smiled, "Send me news as soon as you arrive and tell me about Uruk and Gilgamesh's family when you return."

"I promise to write to you every day, whether eventful or not." He smiled.

Arturia lifted her arms and pulled the blue ribbon that held her hair in place. Her golden hair fell from the bun and a lock of it remained as a braid. She took Diarmuid's hand and wrapped the ribbon around it, "Take it with you and think of me. Those are my colours and it means that you must return in one piece and be victorious."

Diarmuid nodded and lifted his hand and landed it on her cheek. He lifted her face and landed a kiss on her forehead, "Until we meet again, milady."

She landed her own hand on his and leaned into his touch, "Until then, my knight."

His hand slid from her grip and he turned around and walked into the stable. She watched him silently and smiled. She did not know when he would return, but she hoped to see him soon. She watched him mount his mare and wink down at her.

Arturia lifted her hand and waved at him as she watched him leave. Her heart was pounding but hurting too. She smiled nonetheless and continued to wave.

:~~~~~A few days later~~~~~~:

Guinevere wore a black dress, she was able to dress herself nicely with the help of Arturia. Guards ushered her to the courtyard and they shoved her up to an elevated platform. She held her head held high and glanced up Arturia, who stood at the balcony, dressed in black again—black was not a good colour for the young lady, Guinevere thought to herself.

The executioner set her on top of a log and walked around her in order to tie her hands together. The crowd was throwing harsh words at the woman on the log but she was not hearing them, as her eyes were trained on the future king of Camelot. Silence fell into the crowd as the noose was placed around her neck.

Guinevere smiled gently up at Arturia and mouthed some words that Arturia was not able to read and then a white fabric bag was placed over her head, covering her view of the bright sunny sky and the last day she was able to see.

Arturia turned her head as the executioner began to get ready to push the log from the woman's feet. Then the horrid sound filled the crowd before they all cheered. Arturia turned away disgusted, she entered her chambers and slowly walked to the bed, where she sat down silently.

"It was meant to be," Morgana sighed, she stood by her window as she watched Guinevere's body go limp, holding the baby close to herself, "Your mommy is gone, and I could not have her holding onto something. I promise to keep you safe, though." The child was weeping and Morgana tried to cradle it.

Morgana closed the white curtain and walked back to her bed with little Arthur in her arms. The baby in the room a week ago was an illusion she was able to make and the real baby was safe, "Mordred must be your new name." She hushed the little child and held it close to her bosom so that his cries would be replaced with steady breaths.

She sat on her bed and cradled the baby in her arms slowly, so that he would soon calm down, "You shall be great, Mordred, just like your mother had wanted."

~The End~

~Author's Note~

Hello everyone! This is the end of the story! Congrats! You've just read 106,000 words :) I cannot believe that this is actually the end of my FanFiction. Thank you all for the amazing support that you guys gave me! This has been a tough, tough story to write and I've had to go through tough times throughout it, but I am so very glad that I have made it this far. Thank you all so much for everything! The reviews, the favourites, the follows. I am so very happy that you all like this fic and have read it up to this point. Thank you so much! I would like to thank you all! All my reviewers and silent readers, you all made my day when you reviewed or favourited/followed.

This story was such a pleasure to write (most of the time haha) and I honestly think that this story sucks sometimes but you all prove me wrong with all the love that you give me and my story. Thank you everyone! Maybe you'd like a epilogue? Or a short story? Like 2-3 chapter of the after life thing haha.

It really means a lot to me that you guys reviewed and read this story! I love you all so much! It's been a crazy time and yay! Thank you so much! I'm so glad that a lot of people were happy and even read it!

Sincerely with love, for the last time on Fate/Stained Knight,

~Ms. AtomicBomb~