A/N: so, here we are again. Well, I'd been planning on doing a different character, but then my dear muse, or to steal a phrase from one of my favorite authors here on Fanfiction, my plot bunnies now rule these one-shots. So…I must apologize to Ortholeine, because I promised to do your character suggestion, but unfortunately this character has been running around in my head, well, since before I started this brouhaha. Please forgive me!
Disclaimer: The bits of dialogue you recognize come from pages 130 -133 of Page, the second book in the Protector of the Small series, by Tamora Pierce. Whom I am not, if I were I probably would not be on .
Thanks to:
Guest: (Whom may or may not be animato22) Thank you for the review. I'm not sure I like that last chapter much, but if y'all do then that's what matters.
A: Thank you for the suggestion(s), I had planned to do all of them… you know, eventually. :/
Lady Sabine of Macayhill: I'm glad you liked it! And I know all three girls can't be Kel's squire at once, but they can each dream that they are without realizing that the others are dreaming the same… Does that make sense? Or am I over explaining this? I've been told I do that…
Jonathan of Conte, King of Tortall rubbed at his face. He'd never seen Alanna that mad – at him or anyone else. She should know better than anyone the type of sacrifices that he had to make – they'd been friends long enough. They needed Wyldon of Cavall needed to remain training master, and if Keladry of Mindelan wasn't on probation then he wouldn't. Jonathan knew that Keladry of Mindelan would become a great knight one day, which is part of the reason he'd allowed the probation. One of the first things he learned by being the Voice of the Tribe for the Bazhir is that certain things must happen. Keladry's probation was one of those things.
Jonathan looked up as Thayet swept into the room, one look at her face said that she wasn't happy.
"What have you done now," she demanded of her husband. "I've never seen Alanna that furious."
Jonathan sighed. "Do you remember the letter I mentioned to you? Keladry of Mindelan wish to be the next female page, Lord Wyldon threated to quit unless the girl was put on probation. I allowed it. Alanna is also forbidden to have any contact with her."
"What!"
"It is what must happen," Jonathan told his wife, a frown on his face as he stared out the window of his study. "Keladry of Mindelan will achieve many things in her life. She will change Lord Wyldon's opinion on female warriors, but she must pass the tests he chooses to lay before her."
A few weeks later…
Jonathan of Conte looked over the new pages, young Keladry stood out. She was the only girl, of course, but that wasn't why she stood out. Keladry of Mindelan stood out because she had a quietly powerful presence. Her face betrayed nothing of her thoughts, when the other boys chuckled at his jokes, she stared calmly ahead. Jonathan knew that there was a good chance she resented him as much as the Lioness now did, he also knew that Alanna would forgive him – one day – but there was a chance that any loyalty Keladry felt towards the crown would be due to duty, or friendship towards his son.
A few years later…
Jonathan stared out sightlessly from the platform of Balor's Needle. He'd been scrying, but now, he was only thinking. Hearing sounds behind him, Jonathan turned to find a page approaching. "Yes? What is it?" As the page straightened from the bow, Jonathan smiled. "It's Keladry of Mindelan, isn't it? I've been hearing things about you young lady." And he had, from Roald, Duke Baird, Raoul, Alanna – though that was mostly complaining about how unfairly she was being treated – and occasionally from Lord Wyldon.
"Your Majesty is kind to remember me." She said politely. A true diplomat's daughter, he thought wryly. Perfectly polite without giving away one's true thoughts.
"Is there a message? Though I see you're not in uniform yet."
"My lord Gareth of Naxen knew me for a page, sire." She held out the message.
Jonathan took it. Reading it he shook his head slightly. "This could have waited for the morning." He remarked aloud. "That's Gary though – never put off what can be done right now. This is for you," he handed her a coin. "For you courtesy," and with thank for not being painfully blunt, he added silently. "There is no return message." Keladry bowed and turned to go.
She has a bright future, Jonathan thought. Then he frowned. Keladry was standing frozen at the top of the stairs, staring at the gap between the wall and stair.
"Page Keladry, look at me now." Jonathan ordered, drawing the girl away from the edge. "It's the height, isn't it? Don't be ashamed my dear, it's perfectly natural." Even as he said that he could see the shame in her eyes. He refused to pity her though; everyone had a great fear. Mithros, Alanna was terrified of spiders, and Thayet wouldn't come up here for anything. With her consent he sent her down with magic, when she reached the bottom she called out thanks and bowed. Jonathan was left with more to think about.
He'd known from the beginning that it was wrong to allow Keladry to be put on probation, and he knew that one day Wyldon would realize that as well. Many would have taken the out he'd given when he offered to make her a pendent to help with her fear. Thayet had one, though she still avoided this place like the realms of Chaos.
Yes, Jonathan thought. Keladry would one day make the best example of what a Lady Knight should be.
A/N: So apparently the lengths of each 'chapter' will fluctuate; I can't really do anything about that. Hope you guys like it! Please Review!
