Lady Keladry...
A/N **IMPORTENT** This story is about what would happen if Keladry went to the convent (or however it's spelt) instead of going to the palace. It is, of course, a Joren/Kel (I like that pair, cause Joren's cool!). Ok, now that you've read my babbling, just after my lovely little disclaimer (why must we put that on every chapter??) you can read the story!!
**DISCLAIMER** Here it is.... you all know the drill... *monotone voice* All charecters belong to Tammy P. unless I make one up (you'll know i made one up because he or she won't be familer, I'm probually gonna make ones up about the convent pplz), so don't sue me cause I don't have any money except for a penny. Why do we have to put these disclaimers, it's not like anyone actually reads them....
Ok, now I'm done babbling, read the story now!
(Story!) Lady Keladry of Mindelan
~~
Baron Piers and Lady Ilane of Mindelan watched Keladry read the reply from the training master. Kel struggled to reread the letter, afraid to say a word. If she did, her shaking voice would give her away. Instead she waited as she tried to control the anger and betrayal that filled her.
"It is not the reply we expected," Baron Piers said at last. When Kel did not reply he continued, "His declaration of ten years ago was that girls could become pages. Nothing was said of probation then."
~~
~~
"It's not right," she muttered to herself, undoing the laces that held the leather around her ankle. "You're a page for four years. That's how it's been done for centuries. Now they're going to change it?" When she up-ened the shoe and shook it, nothing fell out. She stuffed a hand inside, feeling around for the stone.
"And just because I'm a girl? They ought to treat me the same. All I want is the same chance as the boys. No more, no less. That's right, isn't it?" She winced as a sharp edge nipped one of her fingers. Working more carefully, she wiggled the bit of rock out of a fold in the leather. "Probation is not fair, and knighthood training has to be fair."
The stone was out; her mind was made up. If they couldn't treat her the same as they would the boys, then she wasn't going to settle for a half portion. She would have to become a warrior some other way. She would go to the convent.
~~ (A/Nthat was just a little flashback.)
~~
6 years later...
Keladry of Mindelan slipped out of the convent, her dark hood pulled up over her long wavy brown hair and face. The worn breeches and shirt she wore had been secretly washed over the years. Muffling her horse's hooves, she mounted and rode quietly out. She soon reached the clearing in the forest where she was training with the Shang Unicorn. (A/N. I forget her name, so she's gonna be called either 'the Shang' or 'The Unicorn' or 'The Shang Unicorn'.)
She was waiting there, leaning against a tree. The Shang flashed a smile at Kel.
"Looks like your still coming out, eh?"
She nodded slowly. "They're planning to send me to court soon."
They both fell into the warrior's crouch that was the first thing Kel learned, and circled. The Unicorn made the first move. She lunged, and Kel skipped back, bringing her foot up around to nearly hit the Shang. She dodged it with a quick snap of the neck to the left, then ducked the punch thrown at her. Kel grabbed her arm and using a move learned in the Yamani Islands, threw her over her hip, turning around quickly in the ready position once again.
From her place on the ground, the Shang Unicorn laughed.
"There isn't much more I can teach you Kel. Your ready. Get back to the convent with you or you'll be found out."
Kel bowed Yamani style, hands on thieghs, and remounted her horse, making it back to the convent when the clock began sounding 12:00. She finished brushing her horse, hiding the breeches and shirt, pulling on her nightgown, and falling into bed all before the clock finished sounding the time.
Early the next morning, she was brought before the First Daughter of the Goddess. Kel curtsied, then looked at the First Daughter through her eyelashes.
"Keladry of Mindelan, it is time you went to the court. You are 16, and have learned all you need to know to be a lady. Your transportation will be here this afternoon."
She bowed her head and curtsied again. The First Daughter smiled. Although she wouldn't admit it to the other Daughters, she liked Keladry, her spirit, her dreams of being a warrior maiden.
Keladry left to go say goodbye to her friends, one of whom was Ariyae, a girl one year younger. They sat on her bed for a little while before Ariyae hugged Kel and began to cry.
"Aw, c'mon Ariyae, you'll be at the court next year, I'll probually see you then. Don't cry..."
She grinned though her tears. "You, still be at court? you'll probually find a husband as soon as you arrive!!"
Kel blushed. "Will not."
"Will too."
"Will not."
"Will too."
"Will not."
"Will too."
"Will not."
"Will not."
"Will too."
"Ha! I got you to say you will too!!!" Ariyae giggled as Kel thought about this. She grinned.
"I guess I did..."
Later that afternoon, Kel entered the carrige that was to take her to the court. Ariyae was there, waving her hankerchief (A/N. I'll just tell you now, I'm a terrible speller incase you havn't noticed yet. Maybe I can find a spell check...) as goodbye.
~~
~~
Joren of Stone Mountain walked around the halls of the palace (A/N... erm.... I think he is now.... *thinks hard* oh yeah, he's now a squire!) halls, blonde hair cut. Neal came running around the courner, bumping into Joren.
"Watch where your going Queenscove!"
"Oh, sorry Joren, didn't see you there. I heard theres a lady arriving from the convent today. I was going to go watch for her."
Joren snorted. "We all know that you love your love-life Queenscove. Personally, looks arn't everything."
Neal stared at him for a minute before running off again to the gates. With a sigh, Joren went to the walls to watch from there.
~~
~~
Kel sat nervously in the carrige, remembering everything she learned and going over it all. Her gown, a light hazel, matched her eyes. Her long brown hair was in the newest style, a half ponytail. She watched the palace loom bigger and bigger in her view as the carrage drew nearer and nearer to it...
~~
~~
Neal was joined by other pages and squires, watching the carrage. Joren stayed where he was on the walls, eyes focused on the carrage. The footman jumped down off the back and opened the door, offering a hand to the lady inside. A slender hand took his, and a lady in a light hazel gown with long brown hair and hazel eyes stepped out, eyes flickering over all the pages and squires, including Joren. She smiled winningly at the ones down at the gates, and took Neal's presented arm to be escourted into the palace.
~~
~~
Kel's nevousness and thoughts were hidden behind her Yamani face, only allowing what she wanted seen out, like the smile. The boy who's arm she took turned red when she touched him, but lead her inside anyway, where she was presented to the training master, Lord Wyldon. She curtsied properly, looking at him through long lashes. The scars... the serious face... he looked tough.
Lord Wyldon looked her over, then smiled. "Welcome to the palace Lady..."
"Keladry of Mindelan, my lord."
"Was it not your parents who made the treaty with the Yamani's?"
"That was them m'lord. I was young at the time, so I was with them then."
"Hmmm... Maybe you will join me for dinner tonight and we can discuss the Yamanis."
"I would be honored."
"Very well. I will asign one of the squires to take you to your rooms and to the dining hall when it is time."
"Thank you m'lord."
Lord Wyldon looked around over the collection of squires. His eyes rested on Joren. "Joren of Stone Mountain. .You will assist Lady Keladry to her rooms and to the mess hall. Understood?"
"Yes m'lord."
"Then take her to it. The rest of you..." He made a shooing motion with his hands, and they scattered.
~~
~~
Joren looked at the new lady, who met his gaze calmly. Her hazel eyes seemed to be searching his, no emotion showing on her face. He found he couldn't look away until she smiled.
"Let's be going then, shall we?"
He starts. "Uh, sure."
Offering his arm, which she takes, he leads her to the room that was set up for her. Reaching it, she lets go of his arm, curtsies, and disappears into the room. He stands there for a little longer, then shakes himself and leaves the hall for the practice courts.
~~
~~
Kel waits for him to leave, then quickly changes into the breeches and shirts, drawing her sword out of her trunk and putting it in the sheath on her sword belt. Undoing her hair, she ties it up out of her way as she had done with her lessons with the Shang Unicorn. Then, looking around in the halls, she slipped out and slowly found her way to the palace courts.
The pages and squires continued practicing, not noticing her, as she leaned on the fence, watching. She stood like that until Nealan of Queenscove saw her and was rewarded with a smart smack on the head with a sword blade by Faloren of (Kings Reach or whatever, I don't remember.). He yelped, and Faloren gaped at him.
"Why didn't you block it Neal?"
He pointed wordlessly at Kel, who met Faloren's gaping look calmly, face as blank as any true Yamani's. Slowly the other boys saw her and turned to watch her. One of them, Owen of Jesslaw, broke the silence.
"Jolly! What are you doing here?" (A/N *rolls on floor laughing* I just had to say that!!!)
"What does it look like I'm doing?? I'm watching."
This time the remark came from Neal. "But... but your a girl!"
"True. Any more amazing views?"
Joren muttered to the boy next to him, Merric of (again, i forgot). "Huh, bet she doesn't know how to fight."
Her eyes flash at Joren, having learned to hear whispers and voices others miss because the Daughters had soft voices and could barely be heard otherwise. She straightens from her leaning position, the sword the swung at her waist seen then.
"Very well Joren of Stone Mountain, if I don't know how to fight, then I will fight you. How would you like? Sword, staff, fist, arrows, which would you prefer?"
The other boys gaped at her, but Joren also stood. "We'll to it fist."
She unbuckled the sword belt, placing it against the fence. Joren also disreguarded his weapons.
He sneered at her. "I hope your ready for a face change."
She stayed silent, believing the trading of insults was a waste of time and breath.
The other boys moved so that they wouldn't be in their way, forming a circle around the two. She fell into the warrior's crouch, Joren following quickly. They circled, Kel waiting for him to make the first move. He did. Lunging at her, she skipped to the side and brought her joined fists around, crashing them into his arm. Pivioting on her left foot, she pulled her right one in and snapped it out, catching him in the stomach.
He threw a punch her way and she ducked, feinted to the left, went right, grabbed his outstreached arm, and tossed him over her hip in the same move that had caught the Shang Unicorn. She then moved to his head and placed her foot on his neck.
"Do you give?"
He gasped out his answer. "I give."
Taking her foot off of him, she turned, begining to walk away. He scowled, and aimed a kick at her. With his foot in midair, she turned, catching it, and pulled on it, throwing him off balence. He fell to the ground again, and she picked up her sword, and left, heading back to her rooms. Once there, she changed back into her dress.
~~
~~
Joren watched her go with plain suprise on her face--no one had ever beaten him in a fist fight before, much less a girl. The boys crowded around him, asking questions, but he threw them all off.
"Get away from me."
A/N Well? What do you think so far? Tell me in reviews. I hope to make them all this long or longer!! Pwease tell me, I want to know if u think I'm going around it the right way. Thx, I'll let u get to reviewing now. (*hint hint*)
`~`FantasyLover
A/N **IMPORTENT** This story is about what would happen if Keladry went to the convent (or however it's spelt) instead of going to the palace. It is, of course, a Joren/Kel (I like that pair, cause Joren's cool!). Ok, now that you've read my babbling, just after my lovely little disclaimer (why must we put that on every chapter??) you can read the story!!
**DISCLAIMER** Here it is.... you all know the drill... *monotone voice* All charecters belong to Tammy P. unless I make one up (you'll know i made one up because he or she won't be familer, I'm probually gonna make ones up about the convent pplz), so don't sue me cause I don't have any money except for a penny. Why do we have to put these disclaimers, it's not like anyone actually reads them....
Ok, now I'm done babbling, read the story now!
(Story!) Lady Keladry of Mindelan
~~
Baron Piers and Lady Ilane of Mindelan watched Keladry read the reply from the training master. Kel struggled to reread the letter, afraid to say a word. If she did, her shaking voice would give her away. Instead she waited as she tried to control the anger and betrayal that filled her.
"It is not the reply we expected," Baron Piers said at last. When Kel did not reply he continued, "His declaration of ten years ago was that girls could become pages. Nothing was said of probation then."
~~
~~
"It's not right," she muttered to herself, undoing the laces that held the leather around her ankle. "You're a page for four years. That's how it's been done for centuries. Now they're going to change it?" When she up-ened the shoe and shook it, nothing fell out. She stuffed a hand inside, feeling around for the stone.
"And just because I'm a girl? They ought to treat me the same. All I want is the same chance as the boys. No more, no less. That's right, isn't it?" She winced as a sharp edge nipped one of her fingers. Working more carefully, she wiggled the bit of rock out of a fold in the leather. "Probation is not fair, and knighthood training has to be fair."
The stone was out; her mind was made up. If they couldn't treat her the same as they would the boys, then she wasn't going to settle for a half portion. She would have to become a warrior some other way. She would go to the convent.
~~ (A/Nthat was just a little flashback.)
~~
6 years later...
Keladry of Mindelan slipped out of the convent, her dark hood pulled up over her long wavy brown hair and face. The worn breeches and shirt she wore had been secretly washed over the years. Muffling her horse's hooves, she mounted and rode quietly out. She soon reached the clearing in the forest where she was training with the Shang Unicorn. (A/N. I forget her name, so she's gonna be called either 'the Shang' or 'The Unicorn' or 'The Shang Unicorn'.)
She was waiting there, leaning against a tree. The Shang flashed a smile at Kel.
"Looks like your still coming out, eh?"
She nodded slowly. "They're planning to send me to court soon."
They both fell into the warrior's crouch that was the first thing Kel learned, and circled. The Unicorn made the first move. She lunged, and Kel skipped back, bringing her foot up around to nearly hit the Shang. She dodged it with a quick snap of the neck to the left, then ducked the punch thrown at her. Kel grabbed her arm and using a move learned in the Yamani Islands, threw her over her hip, turning around quickly in the ready position once again.
From her place on the ground, the Shang Unicorn laughed.
"There isn't much more I can teach you Kel. Your ready. Get back to the convent with you or you'll be found out."
Kel bowed Yamani style, hands on thieghs, and remounted her horse, making it back to the convent when the clock began sounding 12:00. She finished brushing her horse, hiding the breeches and shirt, pulling on her nightgown, and falling into bed all before the clock finished sounding the time.
Early the next morning, she was brought before the First Daughter of the Goddess. Kel curtsied, then looked at the First Daughter through her eyelashes.
"Keladry of Mindelan, it is time you went to the court. You are 16, and have learned all you need to know to be a lady. Your transportation will be here this afternoon."
She bowed her head and curtsied again. The First Daughter smiled. Although she wouldn't admit it to the other Daughters, she liked Keladry, her spirit, her dreams of being a warrior maiden.
Keladry left to go say goodbye to her friends, one of whom was Ariyae, a girl one year younger. They sat on her bed for a little while before Ariyae hugged Kel and began to cry.
"Aw, c'mon Ariyae, you'll be at the court next year, I'll probually see you then. Don't cry..."
She grinned though her tears. "You, still be at court? you'll probually find a husband as soon as you arrive!!"
Kel blushed. "Will not."
"Will too."
"Will not."
"Will too."
"Will not."
"Will too."
"Will not."
"Will not."
"Will too."
"Ha! I got you to say you will too!!!" Ariyae giggled as Kel thought about this. She grinned.
"I guess I did..."
Later that afternoon, Kel entered the carrige that was to take her to the court. Ariyae was there, waving her hankerchief (A/N. I'll just tell you now, I'm a terrible speller incase you havn't noticed yet. Maybe I can find a spell check...) as goodbye.
~~
~~
Joren of Stone Mountain walked around the halls of the palace (A/N... erm.... I think he is now.... *thinks hard* oh yeah, he's now a squire!) halls, blonde hair cut. Neal came running around the courner, bumping into Joren.
"Watch where your going Queenscove!"
"Oh, sorry Joren, didn't see you there. I heard theres a lady arriving from the convent today. I was going to go watch for her."
Joren snorted. "We all know that you love your love-life Queenscove. Personally, looks arn't everything."
Neal stared at him for a minute before running off again to the gates. With a sigh, Joren went to the walls to watch from there.
~~
~~
Kel sat nervously in the carrige, remembering everything she learned and going over it all. Her gown, a light hazel, matched her eyes. Her long brown hair was in the newest style, a half ponytail. She watched the palace loom bigger and bigger in her view as the carrage drew nearer and nearer to it...
~~
~~
Neal was joined by other pages and squires, watching the carrage. Joren stayed where he was on the walls, eyes focused on the carrage. The footman jumped down off the back and opened the door, offering a hand to the lady inside. A slender hand took his, and a lady in a light hazel gown with long brown hair and hazel eyes stepped out, eyes flickering over all the pages and squires, including Joren. She smiled winningly at the ones down at the gates, and took Neal's presented arm to be escourted into the palace.
~~
~~
Kel's nevousness and thoughts were hidden behind her Yamani face, only allowing what she wanted seen out, like the smile. The boy who's arm she took turned red when she touched him, but lead her inside anyway, where she was presented to the training master, Lord Wyldon. She curtsied properly, looking at him through long lashes. The scars... the serious face... he looked tough.
Lord Wyldon looked her over, then smiled. "Welcome to the palace Lady..."
"Keladry of Mindelan, my lord."
"Was it not your parents who made the treaty with the Yamani's?"
"That was them m'lord. I was young at the time, so I was with them then."
"Hmmm... Maybe you will join me for dinner tonight and we can discuss the Yamanis."
"I would be honored."
"Very well. I will asign one of the squires to take you to your rooms and to the dining hall when it is time."
"Thank you m'lord."
Lord Wyldon looked around over the collection of squires. His eyes rested on Joren. "Joren of Stone Mountain. .You will assist Lady Keladry to her rooms and to the mess hall. Understood?"
"Yes m'lord."
"Then take her to it. The rest of you..." He made a shooing motion with his hands, and they scattered.
~~
~~
Joren looked at the new lady, who met his gaze calmly. Her hazel eyes seemed to be searching his, no emotion showing on her face. He found he couldn't look away until she smiled.
"Let's be going then, shall we?"
He starts. "Uh, sure."
Offering his arm, which she takes, he leads her to the room that was set up for her. Reaching it, she lets go of his arm, curtsies, and disappears into the room. He stands there for a little longer, then shakes himself and leaves the hall for the practice courts.
~~
~~
Kel waits for him to leave, then quickly changes into the breeches and shirts, drawing her sword out of her trunk and putting it in the sheath on her sword belt. Undoing her hair, she ties it up out of her way as she had done with her lessons with the Shang Unicorn. Then, looking around in the halls, she slipped out and slowly found her way to the palace courts.
The pages and squires continued practicing, not noticing her, as she leaned on the fence, watching. She stood like that until Nealan of Queenscove saw her and was rewarded with a smart smack on the head with a sword blade by Faloren of (Kings Reach or whatever, I don't remember.). He yelped, and Faloren gaped at him.
"Why didn't you block it Neal?"
He pointed wordlessly at Kel, who met Faloren's gaping look calmly, face as blank as any true Yamani's. Slowly the other boys saw her and turned to watch her. One of them, Owen of Jesslaw, broke the silence.
"Jolly! What are you doing here?" (A/N *rolls on floor laughing* I just had to say that!!!)
"What does it look like I'm doing?? I'm watching."
This time the remark came from Neal. "But... but your a girl!"
"True. Any more amazing views?"
Joren muttered to the boy next to him, Merric of (again, i forgot). "Huh, bet she doesn't know how to fight."
Her eyes flash at Joren, having learned to hear whispers and voices others miss because the Daughters had soft voices and could barely be heard otherwise. She straightens from her leaning position, the sword the swung at her waist seen then.
"Very well Joren of Stone Mountain, if I don't know how to fight, then I will fight you. How would you like? Sword, staff, fist, arrows, which would you prefer?"
The other boys gaped at her, but Joren also stood. "We'll to it fist."
She unbuckled the sword belt, placing it against the fence. Joren also disreguarded his weapons.
He sneered at her. "I hope your ready for a face change."
She stayed silent, believing the trading of insults was a waste of time and breath.
The other boys moved so that they wouldn't be in their way, forming a circle around the two. She fell into the warrior's crouch, Joren following quickly. They circled, Kel waiting for him to make the first move. He did. Lunging at her, she skipped to the side and brought her joined fists around, crashing them into his arm. Pivioting on her left foot, she pulled her right one in and snapped it out, catching him in the stomach.
He threw a punch her way and she ducked, feinted to the left, went right, grabbed his outstreached arm, and tossed him over her hip in the same move that had caught the Shang Unicorn. She then moved to his head and placed her foot on his neck.
"Do you give?"
He gasped out his answer. "I give."
Taking her foot off of him, she turned, begining to walk away. He scowled, and aimed a kick at her. With his foot in midair, she turned, catching it, and pulled on it, throwing him off balence. He fell to the ground again, and she picked up her sword, and left, heading back to her rooms. Once there, she changed back into her dress.
~~
~~
Joren watched her go with plain suprise on her face--no one had ever beaten him in a fist fight before, much less a girl. The boys crowded around him, asking questions, but he threw them all off.
"Get away from me."
A/N Well? What do you think so far? Tell me in reviews. I hope to make them all this long or longer!! Pwease tell me, I want to know if u think I'm going around it the right way. Thx, I'll let u get to reviewing now. (*hint hint*)
`~`FantasyLover