Mun just finished rewatching a bunch of things and takes a look at Apocrypha.

[avalonawaits]

Mundane, I must ask that you cease your fascination with the relationship between Mordred and I. I am well aware of my failings and of the misfortune my decisions inflicted upon those dear to me without your incessant prodding of the subject. I have already resolved to set things right through a method which cannot be used if I am kept here.

[A pause as she considers something.]

This place allows me to engage in a dialogue with any of my companions, including my past and present Masters as well as my knights, correct? There are many things which have gone unsaid, to Irisviel, Gawain, Lancelot... and many others. I will admit that I have often wondered what they would say to me confronted with all the knowledge they would be privy to due to the nature of this place.

[Another pause, followed by a somewhat melancholy smile.]

No, I suppose that it is highly unlikely that I shall be granted such an audience. However I expect that I should still thank you for this opportunity to express a few of my thoughts onto such a vast forum, Mundane.

Comments

[britishbornreturnee]

Ah, but even the slightest chance is still a chance for it to happen! And besides, even if not right away, surely one of those people will take that opportunity to speak with you!

[...That sure is engrish peppered into her otherwise normal speech. :|]

[avalonawaits]

I am not so certain they would. I suppose that I shall find out one way or another.

[A smile.]

I hope you don't mind my saying this but you have quite an energetic way of speaking.

[hiddeninfidelity]

Feeling nostalgic, are we Father?

oh snap

[avalonawaits]

...Mordred?

[Of course it would be Mordred. Surprised as Artoria is to see her, she manages to regain her composure.]

Perhaps I am.

Experiencing the world and conversing with those outside of one's own time causes you to reflect on the past.

[Don't mind your dad just staring curiously at you now, Mordred.]

Re: oh snap

[hiddeninfidelity]

Is there anyone else with whom you share a face with? Of course it is me, Father.

[For a moment, Mordred was quiet as well. It had been god knows how many years since she had seen her father, and even then it had been at the moment of their demise and a time completely unfit for polite conversation.]

Interesting, has your sojourn lent you any perspective on how things were back then?

[avalonawaits]

There is another, surely your mundane has informed you of her existence?

[That overly flamboyant woman in the red dress. No, that isn't important right now. Artoria shakes her head.]

Forgive me, I feel as though I have not looked at you--truly looked.

[Indeed Mordred truly resembled the king, but her eyes, behind the caged ferocity, conveyed a youthfulness which Artoria felt her own had lost a long time ago.

There's a flash of infinite despair in Artoria's expression as she considered the question. It only lasts a moment before the King of Knights turns her gaze elsewhere.]

Yes...

[Artoria is unsure of how to express her answer more eloquently so she poses her own question. She does her best to keep any malice from her tone so as not to provoke her daughter.]

Mordred answer me this, was the throne truly worth tearing the ideals of Camelot apart for?

[hiddeninfidelity]

That under dressed harlot? Yes, I know of her.

[Primarily because she had the audacity to steal Mordred's title. What a terrible person she is for that!]

If you truly think that a claim to the throne is the only reason I toppled you from that lofty perch of yours, you are sorely mistaken. Yes, you had fallen far from what an ideal king should be, and inflicted upon the people horrible blights by your own hand, but there is far more to it then that.

Indeed, you said so yourself that you've never truly looked upon me. While I sat in the shadows for all those years and worshiped you from afar, always happy to do everything I could to serve the noble purpose I thought you represented, you never once acknowledged me as your son. I could have lived without the claim to the throne, but if you could not so much as give me the right to call myself the son of the Pendragon family, then what good does it do me to have your blood flowing through my accursed veins!?

[Mordred took a deep breath, her eyes projecting a gaze filled more with longing and sadness then anger and rage.]

I cannot read your mind, Father. So I cannot truly say why you thought it right to reject me so. But even if you had truly good reasons for what you did, I will never forgive for that slight. Never.

writing this at 4AM, let me know if it doesn't make sense. XD

[avalonawaits]

You know as well as I that it was not possible to give you one without the other. If I had called you son, named you a Pendragon, I would not have been able to deny you the throne; a burden I did not believe you capable of bearing.

[Mordred you wound your father with your words. But Artoria can't deny them entirely.]

I will not say that my actions were right or that it was what I wanted, but I believed that I had to place the good of the realm before my own heart. You may not understand my reasons or forgive my actions but I speak honestly when I say that I have never acted against you out of hatred, Mordred. Though perhaps your own hatred is not misplaced.

[When she speaks again what she says is barely audible but obviously remorseful, out-of-character for the utterly stoic Artoria that Mordred would have known in life.]

Of one thing I am now certain, I was not a king deserving of your admiration, nor am I a father worthy of your devotion.