Si j'etais reine: Part One

Si j'etais reine: Part One

Disclaimer: Jonathan, Thayet, Roald, Kalasin, Jasson, Liam, Lianne, Alanna, Kel, Neal, George and anyone else mentioned in one of Tamora Pierce's books belong to Tamora Pierce (duh.) The few people who aren't mentioned in her books probably belong to me.

A/N; O.K, I decided to take a break from my other fanfic and write this one. You have hopefully already worked out that it's about Jon's youngest daughter, Lianne. (One more thing, si j'etais reine means if I were queen in French.) Oh, and by the way PPPLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEE review.

I stared into my wardrobe. I had only just had lunch and already I was being

dragged up here to get ready for the ball tonight. Goddess, how long am I

supposed to take to dress? No way was I going to be stuck in my room for

half the day. I pulled a pair of breeches and a blouse out from the top shelf

and dragged them on. I was going riding. Not properly, like a lady should,

but like a man. Much more comfortable. I pulled some boots on. The horse I

always ride is called Dark Silver. She used to belong to the lioness, but she

wasn't suited to knight's work. Silver and I have a bond, despite the fact I

don't have wild magic, or in fact, any magic at all. Half the time I can almost

understand what she's saying. I opened my bedroom door and crept out.

Down the corridor, into a secret passage built for the servants use, and out

through the kitchen door. From there I sprinted to the stable, earning a few

odd looks from the 4 or 5 squires in the practice yard. ' hi girl,' I whispered to

silver. I grabbed a saddle and bridle, quickly buckled them, and led Silver

outside. In the six months since I'd gotten back from the convent I'd gone

ridding in the royal forest almost every day. Sometimes my best friend,

Katlyn of Pirates Swoop came with me, but she spends most of her time at

pirates swoop. My other best friend is Patricia Salamin. She's currently

training to be a Shang. Her parents were rather disappointed when she first

started training, because they wanted her to be a mage. But they don't mind

anymore. The point is, She's never around either.

* * *

I'd been riding for a while when I found a small, grassy clearing. I climbed of

Silver and flopped down on the grass. I think I fell asleep then, but I was

suddenly jerked awake by the sound of hoof-beats. At the same time silver

nudged me to make sure I was awake. A tall horse ridden by a squire came

into the clearing. I jumped up instantly. Had he been sent to look for me?

Before I could say anything I saw a flash of gray out of the corner of my eye.

My head snapped around instantly and for a second I saw it clearly; a

spidren. When I'm riding I never carry any weapons, or a horn. I'd seen

spidrens a few times, and kind of enjoy outrunning them. But I usually have

more of a head start. I vaulted onto Silver's back, to the surprise of the

Squire. I glanced around. Spidrens are usually in-groups. " When I say so,

turn your horse and gallop. We're surrounded by spidrens," I hissed. " Do

you have a horn?' " No." I replied. " GO!" I galloped Silver off into the trees.

This wasn't good. I barely had a head start at all. I could feel Silver drawing

away. She's a fantastic runner. " we can stop now. I think we lost them." I

shook my head. " No. They could just be waiting for us to sop. Keep going."

He didn't say anything. Soon after though he called over, " I have to go.

There's a ball at the palace tonight and I'll be late." He turned his horse and

left me there. I swore softly. The sun was beginning to set. Mother was

going to kill me. Of course, that was if Father didn't get to me first.

* * *

I jumped off Silver while she was still moving and grabbed the reins.

"Stefan!" He appeared out of the stable. " Can you look after Silver? I

would, but I'm kind of in a hurry." He took the reins and grinned. " I advise

you to run." I gave silver a quick pat, then sprinted up to the palace. 'I'm

dead' I thought to myself. I'd been late to these things before, but not as late

as I was going to be now. Halfway up the stairs I hit someone head on. My

cousin, Gareth the third of Naxen, on his way to the ballroom. "Lianne? What on earth are you doing?"

" Sorry, talk to you later." " Your parents are going to kill you!" he called after

me. Outside my door I found my parents. " Lianne! I'll get an explanation for this later. Go in, get ready as quickly as possible. We're going down to the ballroom."

I flung open the door, then slammed it shut behind me. A tub of water and

two anxious looking maids were waiting for me. I pulled my riding clothes off

and scrubbed myself quickly, while one of the maids washed my hair. Then I

dried myself and pulled on my corset, breastband, underwear and petticoats,

while the second maid, Lucinda, dried my hair using her Gift. Then a dress

was pulled on over my head, make-up was applied, my hair was brushed, and

the tiny silver circlet that was my crown, was placed gently on top of my head.

Lucinda and Charlotte stepped back and I went over too the mirror. ' Not

bad," I thought. My wavy black hair rested on my shoulders, completely dry.

I looked as if I had spent hours getting ready. I smiled. " Thank you. The

two of you deserve a pay rise. I'm sorry I came in so late, I lost track of time.

Have I got everything?' I started for the door. Charlotte stopped me. "

Shoes, gloves, fan , jewelry. ' Oh, right." I put on some pearl earbobs and

a matching pearl necklace, yanked some shoes on and picked up my fan. "

Now am I ready?' " gloves." I sighed and put them on. ' that's all.' " good."

I looked I the mirror one last time before walking down to the ballroom.

* * *

Usually when I arrive late, the musicians are playing, most people are

dancing, and my parents are either dancing or watching. This time was

different. When I swept into the ballroom nothing was happening. The

guests and Squires were all whispering anxiously. The musicians were

holding there instruments, and whispering as well. My parents were not

there. Heads turned as I entered, and a babble of talk broke out. I held my

hand up for silence. " What is going on?" I directed this at a knight standing

in front of me. " Your Highness, the King and Queen have not arrived."

Fear swept through my body but I forced it away. " is there anything else?" "

No, Highness." I took a few deep breaths and counted to ten. When I spoke, my voice was clear and calm.

" I am sure it is nothing. My parents will have simply been delayed. Most likely something came up which had to be attended to immediately. I suggest we continue on as if nothing as happened.

I glanced pointedly at Gary. He didn't get it. I raised one eyebrow partially,

a talent which took me months to learn. I raised the eyebrow completely. He

could tell I wanted something, but not what it was. I raised both eyebrows,

and glanced at the musicians. This time he got it. He held out his hand and I

nodded to the musicians. They started playing and people began to follow

my lead. As we danced I glared at my cousin. " Mithros, Gary. You take

long enough to get the point." " How was I supposed to know what you

meant?' " Roald would have. So would've Jasson and Liam." " I'm not

royalty, and therefore I have not studied what different signals with your

eyebrow mean.' I resisted whacking him with my fan. We finished dancing in

silence, then I went and sat down, while Gary went and stood with the other

Squires. A typical ball. But where were my parents?

* * *

I was dancing with a friend of Gary's when the doors suddenly flew open. My

mother stumbled in. She had a knife in her chest. A number of ladies

screamed and fainted. My partner put his arms out in case I fainted as well. I

intended to do nothing of the sort. I shoved forward and knelt down beside

Mother. " Is anyone here a healer?" Only Sir Neal moved forward. " I can

stop the pain, but I can't heal her." " where's Duke Baird?" I demanded. " in

the infirmary." " You!" I pointed to a nearby night. " Run and get Duke Baird.

NOW!" I snapped. He left at a run. Strange that no-one minded taking

orders from a fifteen-year-old girl. I knelt down beside Neal and mother. "

Mother? What happened?" her voice was low but everyone heard the reply.

" attacked...they kidnapped Jon, Roald, Liam and Jasson....I escaped.... your

in charge" her head dropped back and I looked at Neal in alarm. " She's

okay. She only fainted." Duke Baird and another man came in at a run,

carrying a stretcher. Neal and the other man got mother onto it, and Duke

Baird began working on her as they left. I started to follow but Neal stopped

me. " Stay. You need to calm them down." They left. The court was in

uproar. I climbed partway up the staircase then turned around and help up

my hand for silence. They ignored it. " I f I cold have your attention.."

nothing. " if you would please be quiet" A few people heard, but not many. "

BE QUIET!" I yelled as loud as I could. Everyone turned to face me, rather

shocked. Noblewomen, especially Princesses aren't supposed to yell. "

Now, I know that this is rather surprising, but we need to take action.

Obviously, as mother said, I will have to be in charge. The Queen is badly

injured, the King, Crown Prince Roald, prince Jasson, and Prince Liam

missing, and my sister, princess Kalasin is in Galla. Therefore, I am in charge

until we find them." Kally had been married to the Gallan crown Prince.

There were a few whispered mutterings of ' Only 15' and " a girl" " Excuse

me?" I asked, moving down a few steps. " Did I hear you say I am unable to

do anything because I'm a 15 year old girl?" I surprised how deadly y voice

sounded. ' Because if I heard correctly..." At that moment the doors opened

again. " Your Highness, there's a message for you. I was told it was urgent."

He handed me a scroll, seemingly un-surprised by the lack of music or

dancing, the fact my parents weren't there and the bloodstains on the floor. "

thank you." I unrolled the scroll and read aloud:

"'To Her Royal Highness Princess Lianne;

You may have heard some news from your mother. Let me update you. We have in our control: your father, King Jonathan; your brother, Crown Prince Roald; your other two brothers, prince Jasson and Prince Liam; the King's Champion, Sir Alanna of Pirate's swoop and Olau; the Lioness's husband; Baron George of Pirate's Swoop; and your best friend, the youngest daughter of the lioness, Lady Katlyn of Pirates swoop. All of them are currently unconscious, weaponless, chained, and those of them that are gifted are unable to use there gifts. We will contact you again later with ransom demands.'"

I looked up. " It is unsigned." Once again panic broke out. I held up my

hand, and this time they fell silent. " I can assure you that we will

immediately try to find them. This is not about my relations, this is about our

King. They will not be allowed to get away with this. Once we find them we

will most likely have to fight their captors. I believe, contrary to popular

belief, that we can win a battle without the lioness. Now, I would like all

members of my fathers council to assemble in the normal place. I will be

there shortly." They filed out. " Now, if the rest of you will please proceed to

wherever you planned to stay tonight. I have a meeting to attend." I swept

out through the crowded doorway. I wanted to crawl into bed and stay there.

Instead, I went to the meeting room, and sat there quietly while everyone filed

in and the Mages put guards on the room. " I understand you may be tired

and wont keep you long. I want to see you again straight after dinner

tomorrow." I passed the note to Numair. "I want you to have this scanned to

see if you can find who wrote it. Obviously the Mages will be scrying for the

King. Numair, I trust you to see to that.." I paused, trying to gather my

thoughts. " Now, we will need to organize Search methods. Numair is

organizing magical methods. Daine, will you ask your animals friends to help

us?" " Of course," she replied instantly. " As for physical searching, I will

need numbers before we can organize that. Lord Wyldon, I want a piece of

parchment stating how many knights we have, and the minimum number that

we would need to leave here fore defense. It should be in my hand at

breakfast tomorrow. " he looked shocked, but I didn't give him time to protest.

" you may all go. I will come and see a few you in your chambers, but if you

wish to sleep I will not disturb you." No one moved. " I said, you may go.'

Reluctantly they left. Obviously, they had wanted to talk about the matter

behind my back. By leaving last, and saying I would see them I their

chambers I had prevented that. When they had all left, I went straight to my

room. There, in the privacy of my bed, it was safe to be scared, and cry.