Disclaimer: Ok, I don't own any of the characters except for Maddie, her family, and Gary's parents. The rest all belong to Tamora Pierce. (oh, and I own the plot line too. Almost forgot that)
Summery: ok this is part 2/?. In this chapter Maddie, Gary, and their families eat dinner together and Duke Halifax and Duke Rona try to "iron out the kinks" in the wedding arrangement, Halifax the Younger (Maddie's brother) tries to help Gary and Maddie by telling them what to do that other one likes, and Gary and Maddie have a talk after dinner. (*people cheer in the crowd* an actual summery this time! Yea!)
Chapter Two
Of Dinner and Discussions
Dressing for dinner had always been a chore for Gary. He didn't have very good taste himself and he could never decide on what to wear.
He cocked his head to the side and studied the two jackets in front of him. "Blue or green?" he asked no one in particular.
"Oh, I would go with the green, Gary." Startled, Gary turned around to see Sir Halifax the Younger leaning in his doorway, already dressed.
Frowning, Gary studied the jackets again, "Why?" he asked.
"It's Maddie's favorite color."
Gary made a face. "And why should I care what you're sister's favorite color is?"
"I know full well why you're here, Gary. And I know that you don't want it to happen."
Gary crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Halifax. "I told you when I got my shield. I'm not going to marry. Not even your sister."
"Unless of course," Halifax said walking into the room, "You truly loved her and she, you."
Gary blushed, "Well . . ."
"Look, Gary, true love is a thing of fairy tales. It can't exist happily in the mortal realm. You might as well accept this and marry Maddie."
"You have no imagination, Halifax."
Halifax shrugged. "Still, I'd wear the green." He said, and left.
Gary huffed as he pulled on the green jacket. "A thing of fairy tales. Ha! Halifax has no imagination."
* * *
Maddie stood in front of the mirror and made a face at her appearance. Her mother had woven a green ribbon through her braid and pinned it on top of her head in a crown. The pins pulled on her scalp and her corset was pulled too tight.
"Men like small waists," her mother had said. "Stop complaining."
Well, Maddie would complain as long as she so desired. No one could breathe with this thing pulled so tight! She would have to go down soon so she wouldn't be late to dine with their "guests". Frankly Maddie really could care less what Sir Gareth thought or wore or whatever. She wasn't going to marry him and she was going to convince her father before the week was through. There was a knock on her door and she heard her brother call, "Are you decent, Maddie?"
"Depends what you call decent." She retorted.
"Ah," Halifax entered her room and shut the door behind him, "You're wearing a dress, sister. What a pleasant surprise."
"Shut up," Maddie said and tried to bend over and touch her toes. The corset wouldn't let her.
"I have something for you," Halifax told her and held out a bottle of perfume.
Maddie raised an eyebrow at it and coughed to cover her laugh. "That's for me?"
Halifax nodded.
"Why?"
"Gary likes this one," he told her.
Maddie looked disgusted. "I could care less what *Gary* likes. Keep the perfume for someone who's going to use it. I'm going to dinner." And with that, she swept past him and out the door.
* * *
Gary had to admit that Fife Kyrii wasn't all that bad. There were friendly servants, comfortable living quarters, and a wonderful cook. No to mention a beautiful landscape.
The soft clink of dishes and silverware was the only sound in the room. No one was talking and everyone was paying a little too much attention to his or her food.
Finally, Duke Halifax, figuring he should say something to break the silence, cleared his throat. "So, Sir Gareth. I've heard that you've been with the army since you got your shield."
Gary nodded, "Yes, Your Grace."
Lady Miriana added, "The King has promoted him to a strategist for the North Front."
"Really?" Asked a surprised voice, "So are you planning the series of attacks and the columns and the moves?"
"Madeline, don't talk out of turn," Lady Jona hissed to Maddie.
Gary looked up in surprise. If anything he didn't expect Lady Madeline to be interested in or excited about military strategy. Even though her mother had quieted her she still looked at him in wonderment and curiosity. Perhaps she wasn't as stupid as he thought.
"It's perfectly all right, Lady Jona. I don't mind." Gary gave Maddie a small smile. "I'm not actually all that high up in the ranks to make strategies for North Front, but I do plan the practice exercises."
"Really? How interesting."
* * *
Perhaps he wasn't so bad after all, Maddie thought. He seemed surprised I asked about his job but he did seem a little pleased that I was interested. But though he might be a nice person, I will not marry him. Nor anyone else for that matter.
* * *
After that brief interlude, dinner was a quiet affair and fairly quickly, it seemed to Gary, his father and Duke Halifax were retiring to the study for "after dinner drinks and some discussion".
His mother and the Lady Jona went off to look at some tapestries and he watched as Maddie left through the open doors along the wall to the garden below.
"Why don't you follow her?" Halifax asked from behind him. "You could tell her more about your job with the North Front."
Gary shook his head, "No, I think I'm going to back to my rooms and go to sleep. I've been riding all day."
"Well," Halifax said, "I sure hope you don't get this tired when you're going to battle."
Gary turned around to face his friend, "I don't. It's just that today was rather stressful on me and I'm tired."
"Yeah, sure. Uh huh. Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Gary. Sweet dreams." Halifax turned on his heel quickly to hide his smile and strode out of the room.
Gary huffed, "I can't let him think that I've gone soft!" he stared out the door Maddie had left through and sighed, "I suppose I'll just have to swallow my pride and follow her." And with that he strode through the doors and out into the garden.
* * *
The relentless crashing of the waves on the cliff was soothing to Maddie and she leaned on the garden wall. The night sky was clear with a half-moon and a hand full of stars. It was perfectly enchanting except that Maddie couldn't stop thinking about her pending marriage. After their short dinner conversation, Sir Gareth didn't seem all that bad and she supposed he wasn't as she thought he was. Still, he probably had some great fault just waiting to pop up and show her that this knight was not one she should marry. She puzzled over this some more as the faint sound of crunching gravel grew louder and then stopped as who ever it was leaned on the wall next to her.
"I hope you don't mind if I join you. It was too nice of an evening to stay inside," Gary stared off into the ocean as he spoke. Maddie turned to look at him.
"No, not really."
There was silence for a few minutes as they stared into the ocean.
"Do all girls your age have an interest in military strategy?" Gary asked, suddenly.
Maddie chuckled, "No, I'm what they call an extraneous solution."
"A what?" Gary asked, confused.
"You know, in math." Maddie said. Gary still looked confused, "An extraneous solution is when you think that you've found the answer but when you check it, it doesn't work."
"All right. Then how are you an extraneous solution?"
"You would think I'm the answer to the equation but when you check I don't fit."
"I still don't follow exactly. Are you saying that you don't fit in this world? That you belong somewhere else?"
Maddie sighed and smiled, "Yes, exactly."
"That's . . . interesting." Gary smiled in spite of himself. Not only was she interested in military strategy but she was smart too.
They went back to watching the ocean.
Gary noticed after a few minutes that Maddie was fidgeting and tapping her fingers on the wall.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Please, don't take this personally or anything, but I don't want to marry you."
There were a few more moments of silence.
"Really?" Gary asked.
"I'm really sorry. I'm sure you were . . . uh . . . looking forward to it but I really don't want to get married. I'd rather go somewhere and be by myself."
"I wasn't looking forward to it at all. I don't want to marry you either!" he paused for a second, "I'm sorry, that sounded really rude and mean."
"No," Maddie sounded really excited, "not at all, but since we both don't want to get married we can stop it!"
He gave her a skeptical look, "What?" he asked.
"We can stop the marriage. We just both explain to our fathers and they'll stop planning."
"Some how, I doubt your plan."
"Look, just because I'm a in skirt doesn't mean I'm stupid. If we both don't want it then they'll have to call it off."
"Yeah, ok. Whatever." Gary turned to leave.
"Listen, Knight," Maddie grabbed his arm. Gary cried out as her grip tightened. "I know what I'm talking about. If you really don't want to get married all you have to do is talk to your father tomorrow afternoon so when my father meets with him to continue the discussion tomorrow night they'll both say we don't want the wedding and they'll call it off."
Partially because of the pain she inflicted on him and partially because he saw reason to her plan he gave in. "All right. But when are you talking to your father?"
"Tonight." She said and let go of his arm. "Now, goodnight, Sir Gareth, I shall see you at breakfast."
And with a swish of her skirts she strode down the path, back to the house, leaving Gary behind and in shock.
"Well, she's certainly something." He muttered.
* * *
Duke Halifax found his old friend very easy to win over with his offer. Duke Rona's son would have complete control over Kyrii's navy after the marriage, Rona's family would get gifts of gold and money, and Duke Halifax and Lady Jona would provide for Sir Gareth and Madeline until he died and Halifax the Younger would take over the fife. After about twenty minutes of discussion the two men shook on the deal, signed the forms, finished their drinks, and Duke Rona went off to bed with a smile.
Now, Duke Halifax relaxed in a leather chair while the marriage agreement papers sat on the table in front of him. He was just starting to doze off when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," he said, rubbing his eyes and setting his drink down.
"Father?" Maddie came in wearing her pajamas and her dressing robe.
"Yes, Maddie?"
"About the wedding plans . . ."
"Oh, yes," the duke smiled, "don't worry everything is taken care of. Duke Rona and I signed the papers just a little while ago."
A horrified look crossed Maddie's face, "You mean we have to get married?"
"Of course, pumpkin. In three weeks."
"But Father, neither of us want to get married."
"No, that's not true. Your mother and I want you to get married and so do Duke Rona and the Lady Miriana."
"But Sir Gareth and I don't."
"Oh, I'm sorry hunny, but it doesn't work that way. You will be married in three weeks at Fife Naxen."
Maddie gave her father and angry look and opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. Finally she huffed and stormed out of the room. She was trapped now.
**
Yeah, I know it happened kind of fast but if you didn't notice Duke Halifax wants to get rid of his daughter. Next chapter yelling will ensue. Gary gets mad and Maddie slaps somebody. The three from Naxen leave and other stuff will happen too. And now that you've read this too you can review. Its easy, just click the button at the bottom of the window type in what you thought and send it!
Summery: ok this is part 2/?. In this chapter Maddie, Gary, and their families eat dinner together and Duke Halifax and Duke Rona try to "iron out the kinks" in the wedding arrangement, Halifax the Younger (Maddie's brother) tries to help Gary and Maddie by telling them what to do that other one likes, and Gary and Maddie have a talk after dinner. (*people cheer in the crowd* an actual summery this time! Yea!)
Chapter Two
Of Dinner and Discussions
Dressing for dinner had always been a chore for Gary. He didn't have very good taste himself and he could never decide on what to wear.
He cocked his head to the side and studied the two jackets in front of him. "Blue or green?" he asked no one in particular.
"Oh, I would go with the green, Gary." Startled, Gary turned around to see Sir Halifax the Younger leaning in his doorway, already dressed.
Frowning, Gary studied the jackets again, "Why?" he asked.
"It's Maddie's favorite color."
Gary made a face. "And why should I care what you're sister's favorite color is?"
"I know full well why you're here, Gary. And I know that you don't want it to happen."
Gary crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Halifax. "I told you when I got my shield. I'm not going to marry. Not even your sister."
"Unless of course," Halifax said walking into the room, "You truly loved her and she, you."
Gary blushed, "Well . . ."
"Look, Gary, true love is a thing of fairy tales. It can't exist happily in the mortal realm. You might as well accept this and marry Maddie."
"You have no imagination, Halifax."
Halifax shrugged. "Still, I'd wear the green." He said, and left.
Gary huffed as he pulled on the green jacket. "A thing of fairy tales. Ha! Halifax has no imagination."
* * *
Maddie stood in front of the mirror and made a face at her appearance. Her mother had woven a green ribbon through her braid and pinned it on top of her head in a crown. The pins pulled on her scalp and her corset was pulled too tight.
"Men like small waists," her mother had said. "Stop complaining."
Well, Maddie would complain as long as she so desired. No one could breathe with this thing pulled so tight! She would have to go down soon so she wouldn't be late to dine with their "guests". Frankly Maddie really could care less what Sir Gareth thought or wore or whatever. She wasn't going to marry him and she was going to convince her father before the week was through. There was a knock on her door and she heard her brother call, "Are you decent, Maddie?"
"Depends what you call decent." She retorted.
"Ah," Halifax entered her room and shut the door behind him, "You're wearing a dress, sister. What a pleasant surprise."
"Shut up," Maddie said and tried to bend over and touch her toes. The corset wouldn't let her.
"I have something for you," Halifax told her and held out a bottle of perfume.
Maddie raised an eyebrow at it and coughed to cover her laugh. "That's for me?"
Halifax nodded.
"Why?"
"Gary likes this one," he told her.
Maddie looked disgusted. "I could care less what *Gary* likes. Keep the perfume for someone who's going to use it. I'm going to dinner." And with that, she swept past him and out the door.
* * *
Gary had to admit that Fife Kyrii wasn't all that bad. There were friendly servants, comfortable living quarters, and a wonderful cook. No to mention a beautiful landscape.
The soft clink of dishes and silverware was the only sound in the room. No one was talking and everyone was paying a little too much attention to his or her food.
Finally, Duke Halifax, figuring he should say something to break the silence, cleared his throat. "So, Sir Gareth. I've heard that you've been with the army since you got your shield."
Gary nodded, "Yes, Your Grace."
Lady Miriana added, "The King has promoted him to a strategist for the North Front."
"Really?" Asked a surprised voice, "So are you planning the series of attacks and the columns and the moves?"
"Madeline, don't talk out of turn," Lady Jona hissed to Maddie.
Gary looked up in surprise. If anything he didn't expect Lady Madeline to be interested in or excited about military strategy. Even though her mother had quieted her she still looked at him in wonderment and curiosity. Perhaps she wasn't as stupid as he thought.
"It's perfectly all right, Lady Jona. I don't mind." Gary gave Maddie a small smile. "I'm not actually all that high up in the ranks to make strategies for North Front, but I do plan the practice exercises."
"Really? How interesting."
* * *
Perhaps he wasn't so bad after all, Maddie thought. He seemed surprised I asked about his job but he did seem a little pleased that I was interested. But though he might be a nice person, I will not marry him. Nor anyone else for that matter.
* * *
After that brief interlude, dinner was a quiet affair and fairly quickly, it seemed to Gary, his father and Duke Halifax were retiring to the study for "after dinner drinks and some discussion".
His mother and the Lady Jona went off to look at some tapestries and he watched as Maddie left through the open doors along the wall to the garden below.
"Why don't you follow her?" Halifax asked from behind him. "You could tell her more about your job with the North Front."
Gary shook his head, "No, I think I'm going to back to my rooms and go to sleep. I've been riding all day."
"Well," Halifax said, "I sure hope you don't get this tired when you're going to battle."
Gary turned around to face his friend, "I don't. It's just that today was rather stressful on me and I'm tired."
"Yeah, sure. Uh huh. Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Gary. Sweet dreams." Halifax turned on his heel quickly to hide his smile and strode out of the room.
Gary huffed, "I can't let him think that I've gone soft!" he stared out the door Maddie had left through and sighed, "I suppose I'll just have to swallow my pride and follow her." And with that he strode through the doors and out into the garden.
* * *
The relentless crashing of the waves on the cliff was soothing to Maddie and she leaned on the garden wall. The night sky was clear with a half-moon and a hand full of stars. It was perfectly enchanting except that Maddie couldn't stop thinking about her pending marriage. After their short dinner conversation, Sir Gareth didn't seem all that bad and she supposed he wasn't as she thought he was. Still, he probably had some great fault just waiting to pop up and show her that this knight was not one she should marry. She puzzled over this some more as the faint sound of crunching gravel grew louder and then stopped as who ever it was leaned on the wall next to her.
"I hope you don't mind if I join you. It was too nice of an evening to stay inside," Gary stared off into the ocean as he spoke. Maddie turned to look at him.
"No, not really."
There was silence for a few minutes as they stared into the ocean.
"Do all girls your age have an interest in military strategy?" Gary asked, suddenly.
Maddie chuckled, "No, I'm what they call an extraneous solution."
"A what?" Gary asked, confused.
"You know, in math." Maddie said. Gary still looked confused, "An extraneous solution is when you think that you've found the answer but when you check it, it doesn't work."
"All right. Then how are you an extraneous solution?"
"You would think I'm the answer to the equation but when you check I don't fit."
"I still don't follow exactly. Are you saying that you don't fit in this world? That you belong somewhere else?"
Maddie sighed and smiled, "Yes, exactly."
"That's . . . interesting." Gary smiled in spite of himself. Not only was she interested in military strategy but she was smart too.
They went back to watching the ocean.
Gary noticed after a few minutes that Maddie was fidgeting and tapping her fingers on the wall.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Please, don't take this personally or anything, but I don't want to marry you."
There were a few more moments of silence.
"Really?" Gary asked.
"I'm really sorry. I'm sure you were . . . uh . . . looking forward to it but I really don't want to get married. I'd rather go somewhere and be by myself."
"I wasn't looking forward to it at all. I don't want to marry you either!" he paused for a second, "I'm sorry, that sounded really rude and mean."
"No," Maddie sounded really excited, "not at all, but since we both don't want to get married we can stop it!"
He gave her a skeptical look, "What?" he asked.
"We can stop the marriage. We just both explain to our fathers and they'll stop planning."
"Some how, I doubt your plan."
"Look, just because I'm a in skirt doesn't mean I'm stupid. If we both don't want it then they'll have to call it off."
"Yeah, ok. Whatever." Gary turned to leave.
"Listen, Knight," Maddie grabbed his arm. Gary cried out as her grip tightened. "I know what I'm talking about. If you really don't want to get married all you have to do is talk to your father tomorrow afternoon so when my father meets with him to continue the discussion tomorrow night they'll both say we don't want the wedding and they'll call it off."
Partially because of the pain she inflicted on him and partially because he saw reason to her plan he gave in. "All right. But when are you talking to your father?"
"Tonight." She said and let go of his arm. "Now, goodnight, Sir Gareth, I shall see you at breakfast."
And with a swish of her skirts she strode down the path, back to the house, leaving Gary behind and in shock.
"Well, she's certainly something." He muttered.
* * *
Duke Halifax found his old friend very easy to win over with his offer. Duke Rona's son would have complete control over Kyrii's navy after the marriage, Rona's family would get gifts of gold and money, and Duke Halifax and Lady Jona would provide for Sir Gareth and Madeline until he died and Halifax the Younger would take over the fife. After about twenty minutes of discussion the two men shook on the deal, signed the forms, finished their drinks, and Duke Rona went off to bed with a smile.
Now, Duke Halifax relaxed in a leather chair while the marriage agreement papers sat on the table in front of him. He was just starting to doze off when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," he said, rubbing his eyes and setting his drink down.
"Father?" Maddie came in wearing her pajamas and her dressing robe.
"Yes, Maddie?"
"About the wedding plans . . ."
"Oh, yes," the duke smiled, "don't worry everything is taken care of. Duke Rona and I signed the papers just a little while ago."
A horrified look crossed Maddie's face, "You mean we have to get married?"
"Of course, pumpkin. In three weeks."
"But Father, neither of us want to get married."
"No, that's not true. Your mother and I want you to get married and so do Duke Rona and the Lady Miriana."
"But Sir Gareth and I don't."
"Oh, I'm sorry hunny, but it doesn't work that way. You will be married in three weeks at Fife Naxen."
Maddie gave her father and angry look and opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. Finally she huffed and stormed out of the room. She was trapped now.
**
Yeah, I know it happened kind of fast but if you didn't notice Duke Halifax wants to get rid of his daughter. Next chapter yelling will ensue. Gary gets mad and Maddie slaps somebody. The three from Naxen leave and other stuff will happen too. And now that you've read this too you can review. Its easy, just click the button at the bottom of the window type in what you thought and send it!
