DISCLAIMER: We own nothing but the plot. Everything else is by Tamora
Pierce. However some characters you may not recognise because we created
them (eg. Georgina).
~*Chapter one*~
"That's my decision, and it's final! I will hear no more on the matter. Now go and pack your bags, you leave early tomorrow morning."
Knowing that neither she (Georgina), Alanna nor Thom could do anything else to convince their father otherwise, the three children left the room silently.
"I don't see what you two are making such a fuss about. We're finally going to leave this God forsaken place, and you're complaining! Now if you don't mind, I'm going off to pack my bags because unlike you two, I don't want to be late," she stated firmly as she stormed off down the corridor. Just as she was about to reach for the doorknob she spun around.
"Oh and Alanna, make sure you pack at least one dress. I don't want you to embarrass us both on our first day at the convent!" And with that she was gone.
Knowing that Alanna would crack a huge tantrum now though, she decided to hide behind the door and listen through the keyhole. She knew her brother and sister better then anyone else in the world and unless she was mistaken, they were planning something totally outrageous to avoid the inevitable. Thom was going to be sent to the Palace and train to become a Knight while Alanna and herself were to be sent to the Convent and learn the proper ways of being a Lady. She knew both were upset at this idea as Alanna had always wanted to be a Knight and Thom wished of being a great Sorcerer. She seemed to be the only one who was happy with things the way they were. At least by spying on them she could find out what their scheme was and put an end to it before it was too late.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I can't believe Georgina's actually looking forward to going to the convent. I'd do anything to get out of it Thom."
"You think you have a problem. I'm being forced to go to the castle and become a knight. At least you're physically able Alanna! I can hardly lift a sword, let alone swing it, and you've seen how pathetic I am at archery."
Thom frowned as he remembered when he had tried to string his first bow. The arrow had somehow been shot backwards, only just skimming over the top of Georgina's head. She had been furious at him for weeks after the incident! When their father found out he had sentenced Thom to a month of mucking out the stables.
"There has got to be another way Alanna"
"You think I'm not desperately trying to think of something?"
"This is bad enough but having to leave you two as well, I just don't think I can do it".
The triplets had always been inseparable! They had nobody else. Their mother died giving birth to them and their father hardly realised they existed. They would never do anything without the other two, even if they did have their differences. Thom was always very cautious; he never had the nerve to go through with any of Georgina and Alanna's pranks.
One time their father had held a grand feast with the lords of some of the surrounding lands. The two girls had been scheming ways to spoil the party. They had decided to bewitch the stuffed turkey so that every time one of the Lords tried to take a bite of it, the turkey would bite them back. Alanna and Georgina had thought the plan was brilliant, He hadn't been too sure though. Just as the magic turkey was about to be taken into the Dining Room, he had used his gift and quickly made it vanish into thin air. He had thought that this would prevent any problems (and keep his sisters out of trouble) but he actually had made the situation a whole lot worse. There had been no main course at the Feast and the Lords had left with many complaints. Their father was so furious that he had yelled himself hoarse!
Even Alanna and Georgina had their differences though. Georgina could be a bit stuck up and snobby at times, especially at social events. She loved to dress in her finest clothes and lather herself in make up. She had always dreamed of going to the convent to meet other girls and become a noble lady.
Alanna was a completely different story. She had never wanted to be a lady and she absolutely loathed dresses and make up. She had always been jealous of her brother; everything she had ever wanted seemed to go to him but not her...
"Oh Thom, why couldn't I have been the boy? Then I could've become the Knight. Oh my gosh!" Alanna exclaimed. Thom could see the look of pure delight on her face and realised that this would be one of her bizarre ideas! Before he could protest to whatever she had in mind, she butted in again, "Thom that's the answer! I can't believe I didn't see it sooner, it's sooo obvious. We'll switch places!"
"What?" He replied, completely surprised.
"Think about it Thom, it makes total sense! I'll pose as you and go to the Palace and.."
"And I'll pose as you, a GIRL, and go to the convent? You can't be serious!" p "No Thom, you didn't let me finish. You can go to the convent and become a Sorcerer! That's what you want isn't it?"
"Yeah but what you're saying is preposterous! Girls can't be knights!" He started to yell, but she had already dashed out the back door and up to her room to start packing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thom knew Alanna's ideas could sometimes be a bit far fetched but this was just ridiculous! He had always desperately wanted to learn sorcery though and this might be his only chance. But what would Georgina say? Oh if he only knew what to do! Deciding it would be best to get another opinion, he forced his tired body to the village to seek advice from their friend Maude.
Maude and Coram were the only two people Thom could trust (apart from his sisters). They had brought the triplets up when their mother died and had been there with them through everything. Maude was the village healer and she had trained the children with their gifts. Alanna had always been a bit cautious with her gift but Georgina and Thom were extremely eager to learn all the magic they could. Coram was a retired knight and he had taught them all to fence and how to use a bow and arrow. Thom had never really liked it though and neither had Georgina. Alanna on the other hand was a natural. She had loved fencing especially. She had always been Coram's favourite.
Thom suddenly snapped out of his daydreams, just as he approached Maude's house. He noticed Coram and a man he did not recognise sitting on Maude's doorstep. Walking up to them, he asked, "Where's Maude?"
"She's inside, assisting young Nicholas' wife." Coram answered, motioning to the man next to him. "She's in the middle of a difficult childbirth, but I'm sure it'll be fine. Nicholas will soon have a fine bouncing baby boy. or girl.." He said as he gave an encouraging pat on the back to Nicholas, who gave him a rather worried but proud smile back. "So what did you want her for Thom?"
"Oh don't worry, it was nothing important. I can speak to her later. I hope all goes well Nicholas. Good Luck."
Knowing that Maude had her hands tied up at the moment, he quickly hurried off home. What Thom needed to talk about actually was urgent, and as he couldn't speak to Coram or Maude he decided to turn to the only other person he knew would understand. Georgina.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Georgina was in her chambers, braiding her hair when she heard Thom yelling outside her door.
"Georgina, open up! I really need to speak to you. COME ON!"
"Alright, alright, I'm coming. Geez."
Just as she opened the door, Thom came rampaging in, cursing at the top of his lungs
"Thom calm down already," she said in her attempts to get him to relax a little. "I also know you're here to tell me that you and Alanna are going to switch places"
"What! How did you know?"
"Oh come on Thom, you know I couldn't resist listening in! But honestly, you can't do this to me! I won't go to the convent without Alanna"
"So you think I should go to the Palace."
"Yes, of course! Do you know how much trouble you two would be in if you were caught? Father would disown you both for sure! What will you do then? Live in the streets and become nothing but a petty thief? Is that what you want???"
"Of course it isn't. Alanna just has this idea in her head."
"Then we'll have to set her straight, won't we?"
Georgina shuddered at the thought of telling Alanna this. There was no way she'd take this well. She could tell by the frown plastered on Thom's face that he was dreading it too.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(The next morning)
Alanna was picking out her favourite breeches when there was a knock on the door. Wondering who would be bothering her at this time of morning, she opened the door.
"Thom, I was just picking out my breeches. Do you have a spare shirt?" She could tell by his face that he wasn't pleased though.
"Alanna, what do you think you're doing?"
"We're going to switch places Thom, I told you last night"
"I can't let you do that Alanna, you and I both know it would never work"
"He's right Alanna," said a voice at the open door. She turned around to see her sister leaning in the frame. "You could never pull it off"
"This has nothing to do with you Georgina, it's between Thom and me!"
"Alanna! You're not listening to us. You know you can't do this; we both have to go to the convent. If you don't agree to come with me we'll just have to tell Father."
Alanna couldn't believe it. Her sister and brother had both turned on her. This was her chance to do what she wanted and they had to take it all away. She couldn't stand being in that room with them any longer. She rushed past her sister, roughly knocking her to the ground, and ran into the bathroom. She couldn't bear it any longer so she burst into tears. How come nobody understood her? She knew most girls didn't have dreams of becoming knights, but did that mean she couldn't follow hers? After a few minutes of wallowing in self-pity, she finally found the courage to look herself in the mirror. Her eyes were sore and red and her hair was falling everywhere. Was this what she had been reduced to? A miserable little girl who couldn't stand up for herself? She couldn't give up her life because of one stupid incident! She had courage, so whatever they did to her at the convent she should be able to cope with. As long as she didn't loose her mind, she'd be out of there in a few years and finally have her freedom. Anyway, her sister needed her. So deciding that this was the practical thing to do, she pulled herself back together and prepared for the torture she would soon have to endure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three hours later, the horses were saddled, the bags were packed and Coram and Maude were there waiting for them. Although it was unbearable for Alanna, she put on a brave face and went to farewell Thom.
"Thom, I'm going to miss you terribly," Alanna exclaimed as she hugged her brother tight.
"Don't worry, We'll keep in touch, but I must admit I will miss that cheeky tongue of yours"
Alanna watched sadly as he said goodbye to Maude and Georgina and mounted his horse.
"C'mon boy, that's enough," said Coram, as he urged Thom to hurry up.
"OK, I'm coming," replied Thom "Till we see each other again."
With that, Coram and Thom rode off into the hills until they were finally out of sight.
As Alanna got up on her own horse she had one last glance at Trebond. For all she knew, she might never be back here again. Everything was happening so fast and she felt like she would never catch up with it. Eventually, she forced herself to look down the road that would take her to her doom. Why couldn't things have been different she thought. The inseparable threesome was now reduced to just two. At least she wouldn't be going through it alone though.
"Well Georgina, Look's like it's just you and me now," she sighed.
"Yes, just you and me"
Author's Note:
This is our (Nicole and Shells) first story, and we're doing it together. We'd love reviews (lots of them) and especially constructive criticism. The next chapter will be up soon, and we hope you enjoyed this one. Be ready for some twists.
~*Chapter one*~
"That's my decision, and it's final! I will hear no more on the matter. Now go and pack your bags, you leave early tomorrow morning."
Knowing that neither she (Georgina), Alanna nor Thom could do anything else to convince their father otherwise, the three children left the room silently.
"I don't see what you two are making such a fuss about. We're finally going to leave this God forsaken place, and you're complaining! Now if you don't mind, I'm going off to pack my bags because unlike you two, I don't want to be late," she stated firmly as she stormed off down the corridor. Just as she was about to reach for the doorknob she spun around.
"Oh and Alanna, make sure you pack at least one dress. I don't want you to embarrass us both on our first day at the convent!" And with that she was gone.
Knowing that Alanna would crack a huge tantrum now though, she decided to hide behind the door and listen through the keyhole. She knew her brother and sister better then anyone else in the world and unless she was mistaken, they were planning something totally outrageous to avoid the inevitable. Thom was going to be sent to the Palace and train to become a Knight while Alanna and herself were to be sent to the Convent and learn the proper ways of being a Lady. She knew both were upset at this idea as Alanna had always wanted to be a Knight and Thom wished of being a great Sorcerer. She seemed to be the only one who was happy with things the way they were. At least by spying on them she could find out what their scheme was and put an end to it before it was too late.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I can't believe Georgina's actually looking forward to going to the convent. I'd do anything to get out of it Thom."
"You think you have a problem. I'm being forced to go to the castle and become a knight. At least you're physically able Alanna! I can hardly lift a sword, let alone swing it, and you've seen how pathetic I am at archery."
Thom frowned as he remembered when he had tried to string his first bow. The arrow had somehow been shot backwards, only just skimming over the top of Georgina's head. She had been furious at him for weeks after the incident! When their father found out he had sentenced Thom to a month of mucking out the stables.
"There has got to be another way Alanna"
"You think I'm not desperately trying to think of something?"
"This is bad enough but having to leave you two as well, I just don't think I can do it".
The triplets had always been inseparable! They had nobody else. Their mother died giving birth to them and their father hardly realised they existed. They would never do anything without the other two, even if they did have their differences. Thom was always very cautious; he never had the nerve to go through with any of Georgina and Alanna's pranks.
One time their father had held a grand feast with the lords of some of the surrounding lands. The two girls had been scheming ways to spoil the party. They had decided to bewitch the stuffed turkey so that every time one of the Lords tried to take a bite of it, the turkey would bite them back. Alanna and Georgina had thought the plan was brilliant, He hadn't been too sure though. Just as the magic turkey was about to be taken into the Dining Room, he had used his gift and quickly made it vanish into thin air. He had thought that this would prevent any problems (and keep his sisters out of trouble) but he actually had made the situation a whole lot worse. There had been no main course at the Feast and the Lords had left with many complaints. Their father was so furious that he had yelled himself hoarse!
Even Alanna and Georgina had their differences though. Georgina could be a bit stuck up and snobby at times, especially at social events. She loved to dress in her finest clothes and lather herself in make up. She had always dreamed of going to the convent to meet other girls and become a noble lady.
Alanna was a completely different story. She had never wanted to be a lady and she absolutely loathed dresses and make up. She had always been jealous of her brother; everything she had ever wanted seemed to go to him but not her...
"Oh Thom, why couldn't I have been the boy? Then I could've become the Knight. Oh my gosh!" Alanna exclaimed. Thom could see the look of pure delight on her face and realised that this would be one of her bizarre ideas! Before he could protest to whatever she had in mind, she butted in again, "Thom that's the answer! I can't believe I didn't see it sooner, it's sooo obvious. We'll switch places!"
"What?" He replied, completely surprised.
"Think about it Thom, it makes total sense! I'll pose as you and go to the Palace and.."
"And I'll pose as you, a GIRL, and go to the convent? You can't be serious!" p "No Thom, you didn't let me finish. You can go to the convent and become a Sorcerer! That's what you want isn't it?"
"Yeah but what you're saying is preposterous! Girls can't be knights!" He started to yell, but she had already dashed out the back door and up to her room to start packing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thom knew Alanna's ideas could sometimes be a bit far fetched but this was just ridiculous! He had always desperately wanted to learn sorcery though and this might be his only chance. But what would Georgina say? Oh if he only knew what to do! Deciding it would be best to get another opinion, he forced his tired body to the village to seek advice from their friend Maude.
Maude and Coram were the only two people Thom could trust (apart from his sisters). They had brought the triplets up when their mother died and had been there with them through everything. Maude was the village healer and she had trained the children with their gifts. Alanna had always been a bit cautious with her gift but Georgina and Thom were extremely eager to learn all the magic they could. Coram was a retired knight and he had taught them all to fence and how to use a bow and arrow. Thom had never really liked it though and neither had Georgina. Alanna on the other hand was a natural. She had loved fencing especially. She had always been Coram's favourite.
Thom suddenly snapped out of his daydreams, just as he approached Maude's house. He noticed Coram and a man he did not recognise sitting on Maude's doorstep. Walking up to them, he asked, "Where's Maude?"
"She's inside, assisting young Nicholas' wife." Coram answered, motioning to the man next to him. "She's in the middle of a difficult childbirth, but I'm sure it'll be fine. Nicholas will soon have a fine bouncing baby boy. or girl.." He said as he gave an encouraging pat on the back to Nicholas, who gave him a rather worried but proud smile back. "So what did you want her for Thom?"
"Oh don't worry, it was nothing important. I can speak to her later. I hope all goes well Nicholas. Good Luck."
Knowing that Maude had her hands tied up at the moment, he quickly hurried off home. What Thom needed to talk about actually was urgent, and as he couldn't speak to Coram or Maude he decided to turn to the only other person he knew would understand. Georgina.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Georgina was in her chambers, braiding her hair when she heard Thom yelling outside her door.
"Georgina, open up! I really need to speak to you. COME ON!"
"Alright, alright, I'm coming. Geez."
Just as she opened the door, Thom came rampaging in, cursing at the top of his lungs
"Thom calm down already," she said in her attempts to get him to relax a little. "I also know you're here to tell me that you and Alanna are going to switch places"
"What! How did you know?"
"Oh come on Thom, you know I couldn't resist listening in! But honestly, you can't do this to me! I won't go to the convent without Alanna"
"So you think I should go to the Palace."
"Yes, of course! Do you know how much trouble you two would be in if you were caught? Father would disown you both for sure! What will you do then? Live in the streets and become nothing but a petty thief? Is that what you want???"
"Of course it isn't. Alanna just has this idea in her head."
"Then we'll have to set her straight, won't we?"
Georgina shuddered at the thought of telling Alanna this. There was no way she'd take this well. She could tell by the frown plastered on Thom's face that he was dreading it too.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(The next morning)
Alanna was picking out her favourite breeches when there was a knock on the door. Wondering who would be bothering her at this time of morning, she opened the door.
"Thom, I was just picking out my breeches. Do you have a spare shirt?" She could tell by his face that he wasn't pleased though.
"Alanna, what do you think you're doing?"
"We're going to switch places Thom, I told you last night"
"I can't let you do that Alanna, you and I both know it would never work"
"He's right Alanna," said a voice at the open door. She turned around to see her sister leaning in the frame. "You could never pull it off"
"This has nothing to do with you Georgina, it's between Thom and me!"
"Alanna! You're not listening to us. You know you can't do this; we both have to go to the convent. If you don't agree to come with me we'll just have to tell Father."
Alanna couldn't believe it. Her sister and brother had both turned on her. This was her chance to do what she wanted and they had to take it all away. She couldn't stand being in that room with them any longer. She rushed past her sister, roughly knocking her to the ground, and ran into the bathroom. She couldn't bear it any longer so she burst into tears. How come nobody understood her? She knew most girls didn't have dreams of becoming knights, but did that mean she couldn't follow hers? After a few minutes of wallowing in self-pity, she finally found the courage to look herself in the mirror. Her eyes were sore and red and her hair was falling everywhere. Was this what she had been reduced to? A miserable little girl who couldn't stand up for herself? She couldn't give up her life because of one stupid incident! She had courage, so whatever they did to her at the convent she should be able to cope with. As long as she didn't loose her mind, she'd be out of there in a few years and finally have her freedom. Anyway, her sister needed her. So deciding that this was the practical thing to do, she pulled herself back together and prepared for the torture she would soon have to endure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three hours later, the horses were saddled, the bags were packed and Coram and Maude were there waiting for them. Although it was unbearable for Alanna, she put on a brave face and went to farewell Thom.
"Thom, I'm going to miss you terribly," Alanna exclaimed as she hugged her brother tight.
"Don't worry, We'll keep in touch, but I must admit I will miss that cheeky tongue of yours"
Alanna watched sadly as he said goodbye to Maude and Georgina and mounted his horse.
"C'mon boy, that's enough," said Coram, as he urged Thom to hurry up.
"OK, I'm coming," replied Thom "Till we see each other again."
With that, Coram and Thom rode off into the hills until they were finally out of sight.
As Alanna got up on her own horse she had one last glance at Trebond. For all she knew, she might never be back here again. Everything was happening so fast and she felt like she would never catch up with it. Eventually, she forced herself to look down the road that would take her to her doom. Why couldn't things have been different she thought. The inseparable threesome was now reduced to just two. At least she wouldn't be going through it alone though.
"Well Georgina, Look's like it's just you and me now," she sighed.
"Yes, just you and me"
Author's Note:
This is our (Nicole and Shells) first story, and we're doing it together. We'd love reviews (lots of them) and especially constructive criticism. The next chapter will be up soon, and we hope you enjoyed this one. Be ready for some twists.