Conscience
A/N: I'll grovel at the end. I've managed to sort the format problem..
Kel wiped her eyes, furious that her Yamani training had crumbled. She rested her head against the wall, willing her face to become calm. Gradually the tears stopped trickling and she could go downstairs without looking like a mess.
When she reached the common room the landlady smiled and hurried over. "Isabelle!" She called. Kel smiled back, forcing herself not to wince when she heard the name. Raoul had insisted on it. Joren wasn't well known round here but Keladry of Mindelan was the famous lady squire.
Smiling, Kel greeted the buxom blonde. Ellen, the landlady, drew her over to the bar. "Now, what can I be getting you to eat?" Kel bit her lip in thought. She was tempted to skip breakfast because her appetite had disappeared. But the image of her fainting in front of Joren in a crucial part of the mission stopped her.
"Something simple, I don't want any hassle. Some fruit juice would be welcomed." Ellen bustled off towards the kitchen leaving Kel alone. It was still early and none of the other guests had woken yet. Sighing, Kel rubbed her temples. She could feel a dull headache beginning. It all come down to one thing, her life. It sucked. 'Let's count what's wrong. I'm sleeping with an arrogant egotistical jerk who is painfully attractive, moves with a fluid catlike grace and is incredibly well toned and these thoughts need to stop NOW. On top of that minor problem I'm posing as Isabelle of Springdale who is being courted by Joren of Stone Mountain just so we can find out about some poxy band of beggars who are robbing the town blind.'
Groaning, the young squire allowed her head to thud gently against the bar top. She slowed her breathing and closed her eyes. For once she felt peaceful and would have remained in tranquillity if it weren't for the feeling of long cool fingers pulling her head up. Kel allowed her head to be gently turned so she was staring directly into her lover's beautiful ice blue eyes which currently danced with a mocking gleam. Joren asked, in a voice dripping with concern, "Princess, are you alright?" Kel shot him a look that could kill and answered in a voice which contradicted the look so violently he almost laughed.
"Oh, just fine, dearest. I'm just hungry."
"Well, I can fix that," Ellen announced as she walked in, carrying a plate of very appetising food. It appeared to have two rolls, butter and porridge laden with honey and fruit. Smiling, Kel thanked Ellen before starting her breakfast. The landlady turned to Joren and flashed him a dazzling smile. She leaned suggestively towards him, lowering her voice so it became husky. "What can I get you?" The blond man mentally held himself on a leash. 'Can't flirt, can't flirt. On mission, mustn't fail, supposedly desperately in love with The Lump next to me.' Due to his mental battle his voice sounded strained.
"Copper Isle Red Griffin tea and some plain porridge, please." Ellen nodded briskly and left for the kitchen again.
The two companions sat in silence, occasionally shooting glares in each other's direction. Before the tension could build further Ellen returned with Joren's food. The squire waved her away and began to eat his food ravenously. Kel squinted at the red substance in his mug. "Copper Isle Red Griffin tea, a very distinct taste," a soft voice murmured in her ear. The mug disappeared from view as Joren brought it to his lips. His eyes flickered wickedly. "Would you like to try some?" His face was angelic as he passed the tea to Kel.
Kel narrowed her eyes suspiciously. There was no logical reason not to accept the tea, he would hardly poison it. But she was incredibly wary of his intentions. Just when she was going to politely decline , she saw movement at the corner of her eye. It was Ellen watching the young couple from the kitchen door. Plastering a look of adoration on her face, Kel gripped her partner's fingers and kissed each one.
"Dearheart, nothing would give me more pleasure than sampling something that has touched your lips." The girl took the mug and brought it to her lips. As she did so she could feel Joren had planted his gaze firmly on her face. It was seconds later that the liquid trickled down her throat. Kel's eyes widened and she spat the rest out. Spluttering, she clutched her throat. "Argh! That was foul," she exclaimed.
She chanced a look at the elder squire. He was desperately trying not to laugh. It startled her to see that Joren's eyes were dancing with laughter. Gasping softly, Kel reached forward, completely on impulse, and gently ran a hand down his face. Joren reached his hand up and caught hers. Gently he pressed his lips to it, "I apologise for the terrible occurrence you have just experienced. Please forgive me. I am your humble servant." Kel eyed her 'humble servant,' as far as she could see he was as conceited and supercilious as always.
"Oh, Joren! Never could you do wrong in my eyes. An error of judgement is all you have committed and what mortal can claim never to have made one?" Smiling, Joren tugged her off her seat and onto his lap. Cupping her face with his hands he kissed and tenderly.
To their surprise there was loud applause from the hallway door where a large number of the guest who were also staying at the inn had gathered. They had obviously just watched the exchange and had enjoyed the outcome. Breaking the kiss, Joren leaned towards Kel's ear and murmured softly, "We've won the crowd."
Joren was right, the word soon spread about the happy, young couple staying at the inn. The town accepted them and they were free to wander round without anybody being suspicious.
"It's perfect," concluded Joren as he pushed himself from the wall he had been leaning against. Raoul rubbed his chin absently as he mulled over what Joren and Kel had reported. It appeared that everything was going wonderfully. The two teenagers were certainly playing their parts beautifully. When he saw the first encounter he almost believed that they loved each other. It was very strange, he knew they hated each other, he had definitely not expected them to be so convincing. As he thought about them his eyes drifted over to each one in turn. The knight bit back a laugh when he saw that they were at opposite sides of the room, glaring daggers at each other.
Paxton cleared his throat to bring attention to himself. "You two have done a magnificent job these last two weeks and I congratulate you. But we have to ask you to add one more detail to your little charade…"
It was a full two hours before Raoul and Paxton had calmed the raving teenagers down. It was only at this point that they could limp back to an inn outside town to recuperate.
Joren paced backwards and forwards angrily. Kel watched him, biting her nail. "Quit it," she finally snapped. He did, long enough to raise his eyebrows, sniff disdainfully and smirk. He then carried on.
Kel sighed in exasperation. "Look, the sooner we do this the sooner we can go home. We can't change their minds, so deal with it." The severely pissed off man narrowed his eyes and growled. Unfortunately he knew she was right and, defeated, he slumped into an obliging chair.
Kel stood after a couple of minutes silence and walked over to the door. "Come down when you're ready," she said softly. Joren placed his head in his hands and listened as the door clicked shut. Thoughts shot around his head, every train of thought lead to the same answer, get it over with.
Groaning the squire stood, yawned and stalked out of the room. Once downstairs he looked for Kel and found her sitting over by the fire. Steeling himself he strode over. The brunette raised her head and saw him. She rose and held out her hand. Joren brushed her fingertips with his lips. Gesturing to a chair next to her she sat. Soon a polite conversation was started, mainly about weather and the political situation in Tortall. Suddenly there was a gap in the conversation. To Kel's immense surprise Joren leapt to his feet only to fall on one knee in front of her.
"I can bear it no longer, I must ask now before I am torn apart from within. Please listen to my proposition. You fill my nights and days with unending pleasure, every waking minute I think only of you. You are my paradise and my only happiness. I want to spend my life with you and only you. I beg of you, my sweet angel, do not keep me in suspense. Will you do me the honour of being my wife?"
A/N: *Shuffles on with big shield* I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I am so cruel! I don't update for three months and when I do I leave you with a horrible cliff-hanger like that? I am EVIL. But thank you all so much, you are the most amazing, wonderful, fantastic people in the entire world. Please keep reviewing, with 6 chapters and 200 reviews I can't wait to see how many I will have by the end. I adore you all, thank you, thank you, thank you. Also, I would like to know if anybody has put me on their favourite author list. Because I love them! I want to put them on my Favourite People list. Please contact me somehow, so I can shower you with thanks. I must admit I could barely keep from bursting into archaic English. It was a lot of fun to write!.
Favourite People of the Chapter
opal-dragon- For being my beta, I really appreciate it.
Stunt cat and Angel Yuy- My two other betas, (what? I like to make sure the chapter is perfect!) I'm sorry I didn't wait for your comments but it was taking such a long time, naturally, it is summer after all. Hopefully you can help in the next chapter.
Mandi-girl- You. Are. Wonderful. There was a fic about the clichés of Tamora Pierce, I happened to read the reviews and you DEFENDED me! Therefore you are the most wonderful person. Thank you!
Until next time! (Hopefully soon)
Adrienne
