AN: This is just a short chapter about Ilane. It's probably not at all what happened, and a little morbid, but I like it. As always, reader input is much appreciated. (That's just a fancy-schmancy way of saying 'Please Review!') ;)

Review Returns:

Sarramaks: thanks! NazgulGirl: Poor kids. Thanks for the review! Pink Squishy Llama: Why would you tell your physics teacher that? I guess I fail to see the humor because I was home-schooled for high school, but then again, I've told my mom tons of crazy things. Oh by the way: Numy is a great word of the week :D! Thanks for the review! JaDe-ViPeR08- I just made a list of all the female characters I wanted to write about, shredded it into strips, and put it in a tupperware. (I don't have any hats…) Then I picked one out at a time. For the first few, I just had ideas flying (funny that I want to redo a couple of those, huh?) but now it's getting a little harder. Then I stew on the chosen character until a story kinda forms in my head. (There's a lot going on up there. Sometimes I have to use my butterfly net to filter out the Fanfiction from all the other junk.) ANYWAYS, that's pretty much it. Some are inspired by books and movies, but mainly it's just what I can scoop up with that net. Thanks for reading! AnimalWriter1: I had a feeling you'd like it. Thanks for the review! Beatrix B.: I know. I did that on purpose. Alex Rose: Thanks! I hope to have the new chapter up soon. Avchocaholic: Thanks for the review! Me and a half: Thanks for reading! I'm glad you liked it. Nativewildmage: Thanks! LandUnderWave: I own a copy of both of the Trickster books, but at the moment I've put them down because I've bought 'Young Warriors.' Tammy's story in there about the Shang Unicorn is wonderful! Thanks for R and R ing. pinky: I was concerned about the fluff level. Thanks for reading! red rose of love: It's alright. Thanks for reading. That story for the C2 was great! Gatermage: Thanks! Katria: I hope to work on them soon. Thanks for the review! Catri Howlman-Carthaki Spy: Dancing is fun! Thanks for reading! Sweetlilbirdy: I started writing my Aly/Nawat chapter! Yay! I don't know when it will be finished though. :( Thanks for reviewing. Drop Your Oboe: If I were you, I'd probably just say, 'Fine, he's a crow. Be quiet.' and let my friend think they were right. Dom's Girl: Kel's parents! Brilliant! I hope you like it. Thanks for reading! Squeakingtwig63: I'm glad you enjoyed reading! Thanks for the review.

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Tell Him
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Chapter Fourteen: Baroness Ilane of Mindelan
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Ilane watched glumly out the window as her children played in the courtyard below. Nine-year-old Conal had caught a bullfrog and was chasing his little sisters around with it. He only wanted to know if it would turn into a prince when kissed.

Adalia, 7, and Oranie, 6, screamed in terror as the long-legged boy gained on them. Just as Ilane was about to push the window open and yell down to them, a nursemaid rushed over and stopped the children.

Conal's frog was released into a bush, sending the boy back to his riding lessons, and the girls resumed their quiet game of making daisy crowns and necklaces.

Commotion quieted, Ilane thought of her two oldest, Anders, who was the sixteen-year-old squire of a knight called Sir Ulrid of Jassi, and Inness, who was a second-year page.

Her five young ones kept Ilane busy. After Oranie was born she had told her husband that if he wanted another, he would have to have it.

And now, she felt it once more, that familiar nauseous feeling that she got just before weeks of morning sickness began. On a small table beside her, a mug sat. The steaming liquid within was a potion brewed by an herbal healer that lived in Mindelan. If Ilane consumed it, it would cause a miscarriage. Apparently many unmarried young ladies sought the draught, especially after Midwinter and Beltane.

But the Baroness couldn't decide whether or not to drink it. On one hand, Ilane didn't feel right ending the life of an innocent child. On the other hand, she wasn't prepared to birth and care for another baby. Ilane put her head down in her hands, frustrated.

"But Mama," the little girl said emphatically. "I don't believe what Tiliane said. Not for a minute. I could find a husband if I wanted. That's not why I want to be a page. If I can help people, people who are picked on because they're inferior, then why not do all I can?"

Ilane studied her young daughter. Her mouse-brown hair was cropped short, level with her jaw. Her face belonged to her father, especially her dreamy hazel eyes.

Piers patted Ilane's arm.

"She'll be fine," he said quietly.

"I can do this," the girl said. "I want to be a knight."

Ilane remained thoughtful for several minutes before she at last spoke.

"Alright. Tortall's second lady-knight will be of Mindelan blood."

Ilane awoke with a start. Her eyes caught the mug that grew cold. She picked it up and threw it. The pretty glass shattered as it caught the edge of the fireplace. Ilane sunk to the floor beside her chair. Tears racked her body and she had to struggle for breath. At last she calmed enough to think. Her hands wandered down past her navel, to the place where her child grew.

"I'm so sorry," Ilane whispered to the baby. "I'm so sorry, my Keladry." Ilane stopped short, realizing that she had just named her baby, a future hero.

Her husband, Piers, entered the room. Seeing his wife's disoriented state, Piers went to her side, worry etched across his face.

"Are you alright, my dear?" Ilane didn't answer aloud, only nodded.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm pregnant," Ilane whispered.

"Oh," Piers said quietly, rubbing her back. He knew how his wife had felt about another child. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Ilane said quietly. "This one is special. She's a miracle."

Piers and Ilane had a thorough talk about their future. Then they went to the courtyard and spent the rest of the afternoon playing hide-and-seek with Conal, Adalia, and Oranie. At the end of the day, Ilane didn't regret a single beat of any of her children's hearts.

And she knew, beyond doubt, that she never would.