If you're reading this, it means you've read the first chapter! (Duh!) I may be new to fanfiction, but I love to write, it is my passion. I'll take care to make this story as exciting as I can! I wasn't too happy with the prologue, it was a little too rushed, but my chapters will get better. Thanks for giving this story attention! It really encourages me to update (and to actually not give up when I get frustrated)
I'd really like to thank xxTunstall Chickxx, who was my first reviewer! Thanks!
R&R!!!
Chapter 2: Dreams Are Made
Evelyn flushed red when nobody responded. I knew it; 'girls can't be knights' they'll say to me. They're probably wondering why their daughter couldn't be a normal girl . . . I should have expected it. Instead, I wasted my hopes on something that just isn't going to happen. She sighed internally, cursing herself for voicing her dreams.
While Evelyn was arguing with herself, Sir Merric of Hollyrose stared at his only daughter. She wanted to be a knight. He felt as if he was about to burst with pride. It had been her own decision, and a courageous one at that, but he knew she could do it. She might have her downs here or there, but she always picked herself back up again, as if she had never fallen down in the first place.
He realized he had been frozen and cleared his throat. Everyone turned their gazes on him. Merric asked her the same question his father asked him, "Are you sure?" He searched Evelyn's eyes, "Training as a knight is hard work; it won't be easy. If someone said it was easy, Mithros, they'd be nuts! Not that anyone has ever said it was easy, mind."
Evelyn was shocked. Her father was letting her choose? She opened her mouth to talk before her mother interrupted. "What? You're just going to let her be trampled by other lads? " She screamed at her father. Lady Marian of Hollyrose stared at Sir Merric, who just nodded. A look of horror passed over her face. She turned to Evelyn, "Sweetie, you're tiny, how can you possibly want a life among all those boys?" She cringed. Then Evelyn saw it, her mother new she could take it; she was just worried about the lads! Evelyn started to laugh. "Ma, I can handle boys fine! And I promise I won't get interested in them in that way!" she reassured her, shaking her head. She turned to her father, "So I can go to the palace?" There was a sparkle of hope in her warm golden eyes.
"I think she should defiantly go. She'll show those arrogant lads not to mess with the ladies of the realm!" Evelyn smiled wickedly at Sir Knight Cleon of Kennan. He was one of her father's dearest friends during their page years, and still is. When her family had visited Kennan, they would welcome her right into their family. She remembered the times his three sons and her would get into loads of trouble with the servants, throwing flour bombs around the kitchen and other good fun.
"Alright, it's settled. We'll need to get you a good, solid horse-oof!" Before he could finish his sentence, Evelyn had jumped up to give her father a hug. Merric hugged her hard back.
Lady Marian sighed, knowing she was going to get nowhere if she protested, "We're going to have a serious talk you and I, young lady," She told her daughter firmly. She was worried for her daughter amongst all those lads. She gave Evelyn a quick hug before her daughter ran up the stairs.
Evelyn slammed open the door to her room, startling Buttons from his sleep and almost causing him to fall off the bed. "Guess what, guess what!?" She yelled at her little friend, "We're going to Corus!"
o-o-o
Lord Padraig haMinch reread the letter he held before him; it seems that Sir Merric of Hollyrose's daughter wants to try for knighthood. Well, this will be interesting, he thought. He sighed, now he was going to have to make a set of rules if there are going to be more girls training for knighthood. Might as well start now, he mused.
List
When a lady is present in any room with a gentleman, the door must always remain open. (He had taken that one from the former training master with a certain Keladry of Mendelan when she was at the palace)
No flirtations or relationships between knights in training
. . .
As the current training master pondered over the new set of rules, Roald of Conte came to visit him in his office. Lord Padraig startled when the king sat in the chair across from him. "Your Majesty," he greeted Roald, "What brings you to these chambers?" Surely the king wasn't here for idle prattle, his days are too busy for that.
King Roald smiled at the training master. "I hear we have a female amongst our pages this year."
"Yes, your friend's daughter has decided she would like to win her shield," he replied. Lord Padraig wasn't one to judge, but he couldn't help wondering if this girl was mental or not. It has been known that the lads will take this as an insult, as they did with Lady Knight Keladry when she was here, and people still don't respect Lady Alana, who has proved she is better than most knights countless of times. She must know that they will play tricks on her, try to get her to leave.
The king interrupted his thoughts, "Which of my friends had so dearly delighted me?" he teased the training master. It has been almost twelve years since he last female page walked the halls of his palace. Now there will be more trouble between the squires and pages, I hope she can handle it, he prayed.
Lord Padraig grinned at His Majesty and answered, "A certain Sir Merric of Hollyrose. I believe both Your Majesty and him where pages together. His ten year-old daughter is coming this week to start her training."
The king smiled when he heard the name of his childhood friend. Well, well, he thought, He just loves to make my life interesting, doesn't he. The king sighed. "We're going to need a set of rules dealing with girls training here. I'm guessing Merric's daughter won't be the last girl coming to the palace."
"I've already started, Your Majesty," The training master held up the already started list.
"Very good. Send it to me when you are finished, I'd like to take a look at it." And with that he got up to leave. This will be a whole new set of trouble, the king thought as he strolled through the halls, And I owe it all to Merric, he thought, shaking his head.
