AN: I enjoyed writing my original version of Parent Trap. It was fun. However, I just lost interest in it. For those of you that enjoyed it, I apologize. I lost track of the plot I wanted to carry out and my characters were getting on my nerves, so I just stopped. This new version is entirely different, complete with a different tone, a different and more elaborate storyline and even different names and characters for some of the people. I hope you all aren't too disappointed by my decision to discontinue the original PT, but I really hope this new story is interesting enough to be a pleasing, if not more desirable, replacement.
And now for the story. Finally. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: The setting, history, and many of the characters belong to Tamora Pierce, but the plotline and most of the characters are mine. And some of the setting in the later story as well. This disclaimer will have to do for the rest of the story.
Prologue: Divide and Conquer
This is my escape.
My escape.
This is the cheater's way out, and you know it. You need to just live up to your mistakes and carry them like a man. You've done that your whole life. Why can't you do that now?
Because this is different.
This isn't any different.
This is a woman's mistake that could tear the Kingdom apart.
And so was attempting to become a Lady Knight in the first place. That worked out.
That was honorable.
Not in the eyes of some.
But at least in mine, and that makes all the difference in the world.
KKKKKKK
Half-delirious from the pain of her long labor and the strange herbal draught that Kourrem had brought for her, the new mother of twins fell back into the scratchy pillows of her make-shift bed, pale and rasping. She looked almost as dead as she felt: emotionless, and without sensation. She did not feel like the proud mother of two newborns, but wretched, as though she had taken the life of an innocent, rather than given it.
"Do you still wish to leave them here?" came a voice from the entryway to her tent. She forced herself to open her eyes—she wanted to at least appear that she still had some dignity left to show. She even made the effort to pull herself up in her seated position, an act which was quickly but gently interrupted by her guest's strong hand on her shoulder, pushing her back down into her pillows.
So wounded, both physically and emotionally, the woman looked down at the dark skinned hand and teared at the idea that someone could still care for her, even through the shame of what she had allowed herself to experience. Knowing her guest would understand, she gave herself a moment before answering.
"The boy stays here. The girl I'm planning to take to Trebond."
"Divide and conquer, then," the man said, the light behind his dark eyes wise.
"For their protection. I can't have them discovered. As it is, I almost considered leaving the girl here instead. With the Voice communing here every so often, I worried that he might recognize the boy, but…Coram and Rispah really wanted the girl."
"I suppose it is fortunate, then, that they did not inherit your unique eye-color. Or their father's for that matter."
The woman chuckled wetly, allowing a few tears to drip through her closed eyelids before brushing them off. "Fortunate indeed, for then they would have been subjected to a life of real solitude."
"As it is, are you sure that this is what is best for them."
The woman was silent. Looking with shame at the dull purple glow encasing her hands like a glove as they shook, she replied quietly, "It's what's best for the Kingdom."
"You mean, it is what is best for your home life and new marriage."
All sign of shame gone, the red-headed woman fiercely swept her sweaty hair aside and retorted hotly, "I am doing what I believe is right so that maybe this kingdom won't be torn apart again by another one of my scandals!" After glaring at her long-time friend for a few moments longer, she seemed to remember herself and looked down again. She added softly, "My husband might be able to get over it in time—he has forgiven me for many things before—but something like this would ruin the delicate balance Tortall has managed to find within this last year. I am sworn to protect it at all costs, not tear it apart."
"Even if that means abandoning your children?"
"…Yes."
Silence reigned heavily like a living entity between the two friends.
"Well. You have made up your mind. It is now my duty to respect the wishes of the savior of my people and, most importantly, a friend. I will raise him as best as I can and I'm sure Kara and Kourrem will be delighted to help. He will be loved with us, just as the other boy has been."
"Other boy?"
"Oh yes. There was another boy who was born here last year. His mother died dreadfully during the birth. As orphans, I predict that they will be great friends." And with that, he turned and left the woman alone to consider the gravity of what she had decided for her children.
"Orphans…"
You will be dead to those who you gave life. Can you live with that?
What choice have I?
Abandonment is shameful and weak. Where would you have been if you had abandoned your dream at the slightest challenge?
That's still different.
Not by much.
I'm not ready to be a mother. Not even to honest children.
And whose weakness is that?
…
One day, you will regret this decision, because one day, they will be old enough to discover the truth.
KKKKKKK
