Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original characters from Tamora Pierce's books. Any other characters, however, are mine.
Emiline of Queenscove stood in front of her father, Sir Nealan of Queenscove, holding the letter addressed to her from the royal training master Lord haMinch. Lady Keladry of Mindelan stood behind her, arms planted firmly on her hips. Lady Yukimi, Emiline's mother, stood next to her husband's chair running her fingers through his tousled hair.
"Papa, you have to let me go!" Emiline cried out again, twisting the letter in her hands worriedly. "I don't want to be a lady! I want to be a knight!" she stomped her foot for emphasis, bowing her head at the reproachful look her mother gave her.
Neal stared at her, his eyes critical. "You aren't built for a knight training Emi. You're too delicate and pretty to be tumbling around and scarring yourself." He replied looking to Yuki for support. "Being a lady is not a bad thing."
"Neal! How dare you!" Kel burst out, putting a reassuring hand on Emi's shoulder. "I'm your best friend and I am a lady knight! Just because she is a pretty girl doesn't mean she can't be a knight as well. No boy would dare touch her!" Kel challenged him her eyes burning.
"Papa…" Emi whispered, her voice pleading. She let her tumbling black waves of hair fall into her face, her emerald green eyes piercing Neal with guilt. Yuki nudged Neal in the ribs, smacking her shukusen lightly on his head.
"Let her go Neal." She said, her musical voice choked with sadness. She knew a knights' life was hard but would not deny her daughter her one wish. "She is strong, just as you were."
"Fine, you may go. You may always change your mind though…" Neal was cut off as Emi ran into her mother's arms, hugging her tightly. She then pecked her father on the cheek before sprinting out of the room towards her room to pack.
Kel watched her leave, a smile playing on her lips. Remembering her purpose she turned sharply back to Neal. "Why did you do that to her Neal?" she demanded, disapproval coloring her tone. "She wants to be a knight, Yuki is right about this, Emi is strong!" her dreamy hazel eyes snapped with pent up emotion. "She will be a great page, she has the determination." Kel continued in a softer tone. "Don't be afraid that she won't make it. She has the determination. Not to mention, all three of us are in and out of the castle. She will come to us if she needs to." With that she smiled at Yuki and nodded towards Neal before leaving.
"What will I do with her?" Neal muttered into Yuki's hair as he enveloped her in an embrace. "Maybe Jace, Roald's son will look after her. They were good friends when she was younger." He looked up into Yuki's eyes and saw a guarded expression on her face. "What?" Neal asked.
"If she and Jace become friends, it will be because she wanted that to be so." Yuki answered placing her hand on Neal's cheek. "Not because you told her to. Let her live her own life." Neal sighed, agony plain on his features.
"I just don't want to see my first-born hurt beyond repair," he cried out his eyes brimming with tears. Yuki turned Neal's head towards her, green eyes meeting deep brown.
"You think of the worst darling," Yuki said, leaning in to kiss him. "Have faith, she will be fine." Kissing him softly, she stood back up before moving towards the door. "Get yourself packed; you two should leave for the palace tomorrow. I'll help Emi with her bags." With a flash of black hair and silk, Yuki was gone.
"Let's just hope her Gift as well as determination will get her through all of this," Neal said to himself, running his hand through his hair once again.