Disclaimer: I do not own anything except what I own, which isn't what TP owns.
Kennan brimmed with business and prosperity that autumn. Under the watchful eyes of Lord Cleon, the fief was growing more and more everyday. Not only was Kennan doing brilliantly, but his family prospered as well.
Sitting at his desk, Cleon looked back when he heard a rap on his door. Looking up, he smiled at the sight of his wife, Ermelian. Her dark brown locks cascaded down her back and her golden eyes held a certain spark that still made his heart leap.
Crossing the floor quickly, he enveloped her in his arms. "Has the little devil gone to sleep yet?" He asked her, planting a kiss on her forehead.
"No, she is awaiting her father to tuck her in" She pulled out of his embrace with obvious reluctance and looked at him.
"Okay, okay. Tell her I'll be there in a minute. Just need to finish a couple of reports for King Jonathan on the progress if Kennan, then I should be done." Ermelian nodded and left, closing the door behind her, leaving Cleon to his work.
"Papa!" Upon entering the small bedroom his daughter slept in, the Lord of Kennan was pounced upon by his child. She was quite tall for her ten years of age, a quality she got from him not doubt. Her dark brown hair was nearly as wild as his own was, and her eyes were grey as storm clouds.
"Lynn, my roaring waterfall filled with rushing mystery and youth. Shouldn't you be asleep at this late hour?"
" No Papa, I wanted to ask you something. I need you to be absolutely serious, okay?" Cleon masked a grin and nodded solemnly, laying Lynn on the bed and sitting down beside her.
"Okay, I know I'm a year older than most and you might say 'no,' but please think about it." Lynn took a deep breath, then requested quickly, "May I go to the palace and train to become a knight?" The words were out before Cleon could completely register them. For a second, he seemed to have lost all coherent thought. Slowly, however, he pieced it together.
The lord frowned at this. He would love his daughter to train as he had, he had no doubt she could do it. However, Kennan was still one of the poorest fiefs in Tortall and most prone to being invaded should something go sour. He hated to even consider the idea, but it had become apparent that unless a miracle arose, she would be forced to follow in the path of most noble women and be forced to marry someone he chose, someone with money and a good name that could help fortify Kennan. It would be an arranged marriage, as he had gone through. A pang of guilt swept through Cleon as he leaned back, falling onto the bed.
"Lynn, we have been over the subject of marriage before, right?" She nodded uncertainly. "You know you'll have to marry someone you may of may not love, right? Some young lad with money and a strong family name." Once again, she nodded. "Well, it might be harder for you to marry someone like that if you were to become a knight."
"But, seeing as you want this so badly, I'll allow you to try this, on two conditions. One, your mother has to approve." Lynn nodded vigorously. "And two: If I find you a suitable husband when the time comes, you must come home, without argument." She hesitated, but nodded once more. Cleon kissed her on the cheek and tucked her safely into her bed.
"Good night, my wild waterfall."
Ain't this sweet? I just love how this is going! Not to shabby for my first POTS fic. Please review!
Note: Just so there's no misunderstanding, Cleon refers to Lynn as a waterfall because that is the meaning of her name. It's not a huge thing, just a little nickname he has for his only daughter.