Two ladies sat together at the palace. They were both handsome women, and come for their first season in Corus. Being noble women they were new from the convent, little more then girls, yet mature for their years. Being best friends though, and of a singular mind, they were discussing their future. They knew that however close they were now, it would sum up to little more then nothing in the end. One destined to marry her cousin, Lord of Stone Mountain. While the other, had no set future, except in marriage.

Their current topic for the future was running along the lines of children and marriage. Not their own marriages, but that of their childrens'.

"Now as we both know, Ilane, I, as well as yourself, will be expected to bare sons. But we both know that my family isn't at all that fertile and I will be pressured much more then you."

"Yes, we do know this, you barren lady of Stone Mountain." Both girls giggled at the snide jest. Knowing perfectly well it was close to the truth.

"Well, I, the 'Lady of Stone Mountain', have come up with the perfect design to fix this defect of my family. At least start to fix it. And it has to do with you and yours."

They gave each other meaningful looks, already having discussed this same topic many times before.

"You have? Pray tell me what I and mine shall do in service to yours, dear lady?"

"As you know perfectly well, your family does not share in mine's 'defect'. Your family is a very fertile one. And I will promise you, that I will have my first son marry a daughter of yours."

Ilane gasped at her friend's statement, sarcastically.

"You know perfectly well I am completely willing to agree to this. But how ever will you do it? We, all of us, know how very proud your 'husband' is and how your family only marries cousins, and my family is very little known. Though that too could be the exact thing that will make this work. Not my families youth, but your's marrying cousins, because as we know, the cousins of Stone Mountain are soon to be extinct."

"That, my dear, is exactly what I was referring to."

And so it was soon agreed upon (for the hundredth time), that when the Stone Mountain heir and the daughter born to Ilane after the boy, were old enough, their mothers would be in contact again and they would be married.

Later, that very same year, both girls were married themselves. The one, fulfilling her destiny to become Lady of Stone Mountain, while the other married to Baron Piers of Mindelan.

And, year after year, Ilane gave birth to sons and daughters while her friend was deceived into thinking of having children only to give birth to unfortunate babies never to see the light of day. Up until one day that changed and a beautiful baby boy was given life from her womb. And two years later Ilane had a baby girl.

"Joren."

"Keladry."

So, yeah.
This was my first attempt at a Tamora Pierce FanFic.
Tell me what you think.
Should I continue it like I planned? Or should I stop?

-Lizz