(A/N: So these are some flash backs extra long because I don't update, Ballet's hectic cause' we're taking company classes.)

trciksterslioness/Shireen rosales

The "small" gathering- or that was at least the basic concept- was the exact opposite. It was
Merric who had said "I could die in a stampede on my way to get a drink!" they all chuckeled
except for Kel who giggled, ladies -or females rarther giggle and men chuckle. It was held in the great hall. Naturally Neal's family was there,their friends were there, Cleon was his friends form the University were there, The stump was there, Alanna, her family, Raoul, Jonathan and the rest of the monarchs were there, Buri, Yuki, Haname, Numair and Daine, Duke Gareth, their year mates were all there, it was like a ball! Only many of the guests were young knights and squires.Pages served and some squires did too. All guests were grouped in different places in the room. Alanna was at the table closest to the grand staircase- sadly it was also the table in which Jonathan also sat. The Lady knight groaned then smiled. Flash Back:

"Alanna"

"Sire, I APOLOGIZE but I have much more important errands than yelling my damned lungs out!" Jon and Raoul just watched Alanna, who at the time looked like she was about to explode.

"Alanna, this isn't about you nor is it about me"

"It's about Kel and Neal."Raoul said calmly.

"What about them"

"Recently-"Jon started but Alanna looked away. "Alanna are you even paying attention?" Jon said annoyed.

"Kel has some financial problems and Duke Baird plans to help her." Raoul said.

"He betrothed her didn't he? I thought he was better than that"

"Alanna if you just saw how they looked like when they had to go separate ways"

"Neal was glum while we were on our way to the Swoop"

"Do you agree that this is for the best?" Jon asked.

"I cannot believe you actually thought for a momment that I didn't. You two must think I'm an idiot or something. I may not be around much but I know what happens around here.I've had an ongoing bet with George on when they'd marry"

"So do you agree to stay with Third company?"Raoul asked.feeling miserable and glad at the same time.

Alanna examined her choices.

Yes? No? I very much want to meet Keladry but I can't come crawling back to Jon. i'll have to bait him.

"Well..."Alanna started looking thoughtful.

"Alanna, Please! D'you want me to get down on my hands and knees and beg?" Jon cried.

"I wasn't expecting this but... Sure why not." Alanna beamed. "Hands and knees Jon, hands and knees." Raoul said.

Jon did what was expected of him.

"Wait who said here? To the practice courts!" Alanna said brightly.

"I should arrest you for treason."Jon mumbled to Raoul who was beside him."Other Kings actually have power over their subjects"

"What was that Jon?" Alanna asked much like Wyldon to his pages.

"Nothing ma'am."Jon replied.

Soon they were at the practice courts Alanna leading and skipping merrrily followed by another very happy knight who was also skipping. The whole scene looked odd because Raoul a whopping 6 feet 5 inches was skippping higher than the lady knight who was only a mere 5 feet and 5 inches.All in all it looked like one of those chases between the fox and the bunny.(hahahahahahahahaha)

Sorry

Anyway Jon was sure he was close to certain death when suddely Third Company's Sergeant called Raoul who just frowned and walked backto his rooms.

Finally as Alanna lead Jon to the middle court she unsheated her sword and looked expectantly at the cheif monarch of the realm. Alanna was grinning like a bear gone wild.

"Alanna I don't think public humiliation is the cure to your anger." Jon tried to procrastinate.

"But my king, you were a knight far longer than I have been. You were my knight master and I believe you have many talents other than-"

"Alright." he surrendered unsheathing his sword.

Alanna fought only using half her skill. Since she knew he hadn't lifted his sword except to knight knights(i know redundant but that's that)

"Now may we get this over with?"

"But I havn't even read your poetry yet..."Alanna taunted waving a thick bunch of papers. "Or posted your drawings on the responsiblity boards yet." she pouted.

"But, fine. Down on hands and knees AND public apology in three... two... one"

"Alanna I apolo-"

"Wait read this and here." She said handing him a note and pointing a glowing purple finger to his throat.

"Burning Brightly One, Woman Who rides Like a Man, Sir Alanna, Lioness, King's Champion, Goddessse's chosen one who is a mage, the first lady knight, saved my life from the Sweating sickness, from the massive attack on my coronation, form the nameless ones, one who is a powerful healer, the source of my power, bringer of the Dominion Jewel, and epitome of the words female leader, I beg your forgiveness for not allowing you ,who I owe my life to, the right to meet the fist lady page Keladry of Mindelan"

"I accept your apology and I hope you do not make the mistake again"

"Mistake my ass." Jon grumbled to himself.

"What is that Jon? Did I hear you mention your first skirmish"

"What Alanna? Oh what beautiful ear bobs you are wearing!I wonder when you had your ears pierced I never noticed. And wait a skirmish that sounds familiar, oh yes your skirmish! The one at the river drell!"

Alanna waved the wad of papers in his face and started the first poem she heard written by Jonathan to Cythera now Gary's wife.

"Thera! Oh there you are! Prime Minister Garreth I see you are enjoying this as much as our dear friend Raoul would. Unfortunately, he has been called away to deal with his squire." she reached for the wad of papers and scanned to look for a poem.

"Alright Thera, this is to you I think when I was still a page and Jon-"

The king covered her moth but she just kept on laughing.

Alanna reminised that day ah what a beautiful day that was.

Suddenly the Thayet called attention.

A trumpet sounded and a herald walked out from behind the door with a long scroll in hand.
I wonder how Duke Baird can afford all this? Alanna thought.

"Sir Nealan of QueensCove and Lady Squire Keladry of Mindelan"
All rose to cheer and applauded.
Whoops of joy-form their year-mates- aroused smiles from the couple.
The couple descended the grand stair case.
Neal wore new stockings and tunic in close shades of green.
Kel wore a beautiful gown that had a beautiful cut "Showed too much" as Kel stated.
It went down her back and had a low neckline of a lighter shade of green than her whole gown.The neckline was way too low for comfort.Her neck was wrapped in Neal's gift and so was her wrist. Her ring shone brightly on her left hand.Often she would misplace the ring because of training, but Neal would find it lying in her rooms one way or the other.

They sat down near the King and the rest of the monarchs for a while.
"Excuse me my king-"Neal satrted formally.

"Neal, you know as well as i that i want you to call me cousin, you are in line for crown prince after Liam .I am your cousinn and I'd wish that you call me so"

"Alright, Cousin Jonathan-"

"Jon"he corrected.

"Cousin Jon, Kel and I would like and talk amongst our friends"

"Of course.You haven't seen them since your Ordeal.You need not to ask our permission; it is your night come and go as you please but please do not leave the ball room." Jon smiled.

"In that case,"Alanna said slowly edging away from the table "I'll be talking to Numair"

"Who is behind you" Jon stated.

"Did I say Numair? I'd like to talk to Raoul about how much we loathe these 'balls" "Alanna go ahead just don't leave the room, I have guards outside"

"Guards?"Alanna coughed.

"Yes. George sent them from Port Caynn"

"Drat"

"Go on. Don't wander off for long your favorite meal is to be served as promised." Jon said miserably.

(Kel and Neal)
"Neal! Over here you two!" Owen called.
Kel and Neal went to their friends who were half way across the room.
"Neal!" greeted a beautiful green-eyed girl about Neal's age.

"Vangeline!You came!"Neal exclaimed hugging her too tightly for Kel's comfort.And "Vangeline" snaked her arms around Neal's neck seductively.Neal was of course oblivious to the fact that this girl wanted her to be in his bed that night. Kel felt herself shrivel on the inside but she kept her face pleasant. "Hello. I apologize but my BETROTHED has no manners at all. I am Keladry of Mindelan- soon to be of QueensCove." Kel's voiced dripped with venomous honey- sweet but deadly.

Neal composed himself and wrapped an arm around Kel's waist.

"Pleased to be your acquaintance. I am Evangeline of JewelRiver. Nealan and I have been through a lot together."she eyed Neal seductivley; Neal tightened his hold on Kel's waist.
"Kel, this is Evangeline, one of my classmates at the university. We were raised together and she is practically family but after her family needed financial help she went to the Convent soon after I went here."Neal smiled lovingly at Kel. "And met you became your sponsor bestfriend and betrothed"

Kel slung her arms around so that they were wrapped in an odd hug.

"I am sorry Lady Evangeline but our friends are yelling their lungs off calling us we must go." Kel dismissed the girl.

Neal lead them to their group of friends but Vangeline simply didn't know a diismissal even if she were yelled at to leave.

"Kel!Neal!"Merric greeted.

"Kel, you look nice."Cleon commented blankly.

"Thank you Cleon. why the long face"

"Nothing." he sighed glancing at Kel's ring. "Nice ring.Who's it from"

"Haven't you been to court?" she asked.

"No. I was at border patrol.Oh what glory awaits you in border patrol. Grum for food and mud and grime and soot always on you no matter what you do. Oh the joys of border patrol." he said sarcastically.

"It's from Neal" Kel replied hotly.

Cleon took this in. He glanced at Neal then to Kel and back and fourth.

"Didn't we swear on the gods on the first day that-"Cleon started.

"Cleon, you were first to break that." Roald commented.(he left before Kel and Neal as in the table)

"What?" Kel asked confused.

"It's time that she knows."Seaver said.

"Know what?"she asked.

"Maybe if we all went outside for awhile"

"As long as she promises not to push any of us off the edge once she finds out."Owen said seriously.

Kel's face went blank. It wasn't that she ws masking any emotion; it was just very obvious that this would take a while before they actually told her; this would be boring.

"I swear not to decapitate any of you or harm you in anyway."She replied.

Cleon lead them to the terrace over viewing the Queen's Garden. They settled them selves on different places.

Neal and Kel still wrapped in a cuddly embrace were leaning on the wall.

Merric, Seaver, Owen and Prosper were seated on chairs.

Roald walked around enjoying the night calmly.

Cleon settled himself on the edge of(as in i's not railing but a wide rock like surface...) the terrace.

"So what is it we need to talk about?"Kel asked pulling pins from her bun that was falling apart.(yes she has shoulder length hair)

"You see Kel, on your first day, we all sort of swore that you were "off-bounderies"."Roald said walking toward the small table between the four chairs.

"Sweet. But you all knew I never planned on having friends." Kel said matter-of-factly as she re-tied her her in a tight horsetail.

"We just thought that if one of us got too close it would ruin our friendship not just toward you but with each other." Seaver reasoned.

The others except Neal nodded. Neal eyed Kel ; his eyes were dancing mischevously.

"Well that seems reasonable but is there anything you left out"

(from here I'm going to write in script form)

Neal:watches Kel finish up her bun and pulls her into a hug; her back is on his stomach Well the other half of the oath was that if one broke the rule we would't speak of it until you get married or are betrothed.kisses her hair and played with it.

Owen:And if any of us went against the oath that would be alright as long as it would be permanent.

Prosper:If you are left heart broken, we would gang up on the man that caused you pain- this applies to any of your relationships.

Kel:You put a lot of thought into this...her face slowly went blank

Neal:Anything to make you happy and not depressed.smiles at kel

Kel: notices how high up they were gasps almost silently, just enough for Neal to hear
I'm happy but I want to go and rest first...shuts eyes tightly

No! Conal, please don't! I don't want to fall! Please Conal!
Conal punched his four year old siter again and held her further from the terrace.
"You told them. Wimp. You should learn your lesson the hard way." he slapped her.
"Conal! I didn't I swear! On the Goddess, Conal. I swear"
"Then why did they not let me out to go riding"
"It must have been Hilda. Please Conal, I don't want to die"
He punched her again.
Anders and Iness arrived after hearing her cries of pain.
"Kel!" they both cried. Her face was a mess of fresh and dry blood her skin was covered in new and old bruises.
Iness reached for the screaming Kel.
Anders picked up Conal with one hand and threw him to the floor.
"Kel, it's alright. I won't hurt you. Come on Kel"
she just tried to screeched but her throart was raw and she kicked Iness nearly droped her.
He brings her far from the end and tries to wake her up.
She was in shock.
Iness wrapped her in his tunic and brought her to the infirmary.
Anders had a "Talk" with their borther. Who was later sent to the palace

Kel's mind cleared and her face paled.A tear ran down her face; only Neal saw.

Neal: took the clue You look pale, I'll bring you to your room.

They went back to the main monarch table and excused themselves.

Walking back to Kel's room silently, a conservative from Marren walked up to her and said:
"You do not have any right to be here other than well... he looked her over waving his lazy hand up and down trying to gesture her body That.
And that. he pionted to her chest All knigths started to reach for sword hilts. (oh yeah It's a marrenite cause' they're having a peace delegation thing or war thing something like that... you know like in Ithotg)

Neal: I ought to-

Kel:I don't need you to fight for my honor, I can handle this myself. If I may challenge Lord Harim to a duel of honor my king?

Jon: smiled On personal grounds lady squire?

Kel: On my honor, sire.I swear on it that it is only to show exactly what women of Tortall can do. I'll have to tell you that Lord Harim will have to swear on something else"

Alanna: smiles If I may, sire I'd also like to go a round of fencing with My lord of marren.

Jon: Of course.

Thayet: My dear if i could simply have archery practice with Harim.

Jon:grins broadly Milady of course you may.

Roald: opens his mouth to say something but Shinko stands up and goes to yuki

Yuki: walks to jon whispers and sits on her seat.

Jon: Princess Shinkokami, yamani ladies Lady Yukimi and Lady Haname, our current training hand Eda Bell, Lady squire Keladry, my wife, my champion Alanna the Lioness and the queens riders commander Burriram Turakom wish to have glaive training with you.

Lord Harim:King Jonathan, I would like to accept all their challenges and the ones to come.

Raoul:Then you are in for some jousting with me.

Wyldon: and w/ me.

Daine:Archery w/ me! J

on: My queen and I have been considering this for months now and we would like to declare that every (june? was that when Alanna was born? or was she born closer to mid-winter?Let's pretend it is) June we will have tournaments all round Tortall. It will be Lady Warriors day. Contests in jousting, fencing, archery, magic, tactical planning, tracking, hunting,riding, and we have a new addtion to our traditional tournaments, we will have spying which will include putting everything touched back in order, disguise, planning attacks, and understanding and translating sign messages.

Thayet: You may wonder why this month? Well as few of you know it was at this month that our first lady knight was born.This is our way of honoring the woman who opened the way to new possibilities for all. Our very own Lioness.

All applauded and Alanna simply smiled and rolled her eyes. Kel and Neal slipped out as offers of sure pain -toward harim- were being called.

"Kel, are you alright"

"No. Not really"

"Tell me why you're afraid of heights. Talking about it will make you feel better"

"No. I can't. He'll come back. He'll make sure I'll fall this time.Neal, don't let him near me"

"Kel." he hugged her. "You are stronger now"

"But"

"Hush. Let's go to my room we can talk there"

They wandered through the halls, their feet following the usual route to his room. When they arrived Neal shut the door tightly behind him and let green gift envelope the wall.
"Tea won't make you feel better but it'll make you calmer"

"Thank you"

"I thought we already passed that point of our relationship where we actually apologized or thanked each other."

"Well I guess we're back to square 1." Kel beamed.

"That means I have to deal with bullies again.Don't make me go through that again." he joked.

"I wouldn't dream of hurting my dear healer..." he hugged her tight."Who would drag me to see healers?"

"Kel. Tell me."

"..."

"Kel, it will make you feel better if you tell me."

"He'll be back."

"I don't know what to say because I don't know who you're refferring to."

"Conal." he hissed. "And you went to his funeral?"

"What?"

"He used to beat me. One time he held me out so I couldn't reach. He thought I told mama and papa." she sobbed into his shirt.

"And you went to his funeral?"

"He's family Neal."

"And now I'm yours." he smiled at her.

He looked at him and examined his features.

"You've always been my family Neal." she rubbed her eyes with the back of her fists."The mere fact that you letting me wet your shirt is proof of that." she smiled wryly.

"Come here." he said pulling her into a hug and leading her onto his bed. (don't worry they're engaged!Kel's much more innocent than Alanna!)

She sighed. Stillness. Silence. Happiness in the midst of fear and sadness.This was true love. She cried out of happiness.She laughed as tears ran down her cheeks.

"You know what, you were right when you said that the whole palace was insane, son." Duke Baird joked. Kel laughed harder it was on rare occasions that her father-in-law would joke.

"And it seems that the third generation cause has gotten severe symptoms." Neal observed.

Kel kept on laughing and rolling on Neal's bed. She wiped tear after tear and tried-but didn't succeed to- smother laugh after laugh.

"Lady Squire, I am not sure if you recall but you have a duel waiting for you at the practice courts." Baird said smiling at his soon-to-be duaghter-in-law.

Kel's face immediately went blank but she grinned and shrugged.

"I'll get my sword. Duke Baird-"

"Father." he corrected.

"Father, I shall meet you there. I hope you won't be needing to see me with the exception of social or confidential meetings and such."

"Don't worry Neal would be fussing over you so much that I wouldn't be able to get through. And the fact that you are not going to get yourself hurt-"

"But-" she argued.

"I know that you don't think of yourself highly and I admire that but we all know that you are by far the best."

"Believe what you will father, but i have to stretch as not to get hurt and all yamanis need a glaive partner daily: don't press me to make you mine." she warned faking an angry yamani as she pulled out fresh breeches, a shirt, and boots.Her blank face broke and she couldn't contain her bubbling laughter. Kel burst out laughing.

"Father, you should have seen your face! You were as pale as a sheet!" Neal exclaimed laughing very hard.

A rosy tint rose to the duke's cheeks. He left blushing and embarrassed, leaving the two to themselves.

(A/N: Well there's an ending... I woner what they'll do comment so i can see if Kel really is mot that innocent haha LOL sugar low... i have been doing odd things lately... well i have been doing that for a long time any way R&R gimme ideas to motivate me!!!!)

Lovingly yours(haha)
tricksterslioness!