Caught!
Chapter Two: Accusations
Disclaimer: yatta yatta yattta!! You all know that none of these ppl belong to me! If I owned them, would I be writing fanfiction?! I don't think so!! I would be working on Lady Knight!!!!! R&R plz!!
Oo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo
"As you all know, the Code of Chivalry is unforgiving to all nobles, knights especially. It is too hard on you young people to believe that you must always protect honor above everything else!"
"But Sir Myles," protested Prince Jonathan, "the Code was designed for nobles to protect something that they did treasure above everything else, their Honor. It's the most important thing in our lives"
Alanna had been listening to this same discussion for four months, but she never tired of this class. Myles of Olau was the best teacher she knew. It seemed to her, even if she did disagree with him about the Code, he knew everything about adults, and was happy to explain it to her when she asked. He was her favorite teacher, and would do anything to show it to him. She always wanted to make him proud, and she feared what him, and all of her friends, would do if they ever found out about her disguise. Her mind was suddenly called back to class when Jonathan and Myles began debating the different views on a nobles honor. She smiled and shook her head, then got back to paying attention as Myles finished the debate, and began to write on the bored about one particular battle a few hundred years ago. This class was never boring.
Just as the bell for the history with Myles was about to ring, Timon, Duke Gareth's personal manservant came into the room in a flury. He walked quickly up to Myles without excusing himself and whispered ferverantly into the knight's ear. Myles frowned slightly, but nodded when Timon was finished. As Timon was leaving, he turned back to the class.
"Alan of Trebond?" he called and Alanna looked up at him. He looked strange; confused, but distressed. "will you please go and see the Duke now? Timon tells me it is of the utmost importance." Myles didn't smile at her as he usually did when they talked, but continued to keep that strange look on his face. Alanna nodded, and collected her bag. She walked to the door, where Timon was waiting. He looked scared, and would not meet Alanna's eyes as she walked out of the classroom.
"Timon?" she asked gently, after walking a short way with no one talking. He flinched, but said nothing. "Timon, have you any idea why the Duke wants to see me during a class?" Timon didn't answer, but looked at her for a moment sadly, as if it would be the last time he saw her, and then looked away, leading her to the door at the end of a hall. It was a door Alanna knew well. The pages trainer, Duke Gareth of Naxon. Alanna shivered involuntarily, but had no idea why. Timon opened the door and shooed her in, but Alanna noted that he did not follow her into the room. As the door closed behind her, she looked around the office. The Dike was sitting in his chair behind his desk, and he looked angry. To her surprise, Coram sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk, looking miserable. Alanna was confused, but worried. What was going on? Had someone figured out her secret?!
"Y- Your Grace, you wanted to see me?" she stuttered. He didn't answer directly, but stood up, with a piece of parchment in his large hand. Alanna looked at Coram for an answer, but he was slouching the chair looked dejected. He wouldn't meet her eyes, and that worried Alanna more than anything.
"Sit down Alan." The Duke said icily. Alanna sat in the chair gingerly. What was going on? She wondered wildly. "I received a very interesting letter today. A letter from the Head Priestess in the City of the Gods." He paused to look Alanna over, and she met his eyes with terror. What had Thom done to attract attention!? "This letter held some very interesting news. News about your brother, and you." He walked around the desk to stand in front of Alanna, and she backed into the chair as far as it would go. She didn't like where this was going. "I believe that your brother has been masquerading as someone that he is not, and so have you, Alanna!" he was livid now, his face getting very red and blotchy. He said nothing after that, but he didn't have to. Alanna felt his eyes on her, and looking down helped none. She gave a small squeak.
"I-" she started explaining, but a knock on the door interrupted her.
"Enter." The duke said quietly.
She looked behind her, as the door opened and gasped. Her brother, looking miserable and humiliated walked in, an old woman behind him, wearing the same expression as the Duke. Alanna met her brother's eyes, and knew before he even spoke that things were going to get ugly, and fast. Thom sat in a chair next to Alanna and kept hi head down. The Duke looked at both of them for a while, and then began to speak.
"In all of my years as a master of pages, and as a nobleman, I have never heard of such a atrocity! A girl, pretending to be a male to become a page, then a knight in the palace of Tortall. It is unheard of, and I am ashamed to have not seen it earlier. A female has her place in life, and should be taught that place even as a child. That this sort of thing happened means that you were raised by barbarians who would trade their own honor to humor a girl-child with ludicrous dreams." He spoke with short, clipped words, but they all heard every word in the silent room. Coram shifted uncomfortably at the last comment. Alanna knew that that had hurt him, and she died inside for causing everyone here so much pain. She knew it was all her fault, and sank lower and lower as the Duke went on. "I will personally se to it that the two of you will be sent home, where your father will be informed of you actions, and he will take the proper punishment courses needed. I myself would not be surprised if you were both disowned." He said disgustedly, turning to sit back at his desk. Alanna wailed inside. She knew that all of this was her fault, and wanted to make it right.
"Your Grace," she started quietly. The pages trainer stiffened, and turned to glare at her.
"Yes, girl?" he said, slamming as much scorn into 'girl' as was humanly possible. She cringed, and then continued.
"Please sir, it- it wasn't Thom's fault. He never wanted to do it. It was my idea." She stuttered, trying to get it out. The duke looked at the two of them with distaste.
"It does not matter who came up with such a ridiculous idea. What matters is you both went through with it, and disgraced yourselves as nobles." He turned again, and sat at his desk looking at the two children sit in those uncomfortable chairs, miserable and frightened. He wished that it hadn't been Alan. Alan was the most promising page among the lot, the Duke knew. Now, however, things were different. He was a she, and females could not fight for the crown. It was unheard of, and shameful to the empire. He inwardly sighed though. He wished it had been anyone but Alan. He looked back at the twins, who looked exactly the same at the moment. They had their heads down, ashamed it seemed. Good, thought the Duke furiously. The girl should be ashamed to show her face. To think, a female being a knight. It was absurd.
"you may both leave. I want you to spend tonight in Alan- Alanna's room tonight, and you will leave at first light tomorrow morning." He told them sternly, and watched as the girl and boy bowed without meeting his eyes and left the room. Coram got up to follow, but the Duke called him back.
"Yessir, Your Grace?" he stammered, looking at the floor, wringing his hands in front of him.
"Coram Smithyson, I declare you unfit for guard duty at any post in this country, and advise you to learn some honor before doing anything else. What you were thinking teaching a girl our fighting arts is unknown to me, but I will see to it that your carelessness does not infect any more of my king's soldiers. Go now, to Alan's room, and you will travel with them to Trebond." He turned his back on the man, who bowed clumsily and left the office. The Duke of Naxen looked out his office window, thinking of the atrocity that had just been uncovered, and wondering how the king and the girl's father would react to the news. He returned to his desk then to continue work on a letter to Lord Alan of Trebond, his thoughts about these twins swirling through his mind.
Oo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo
When Alanna and Thom reached her rooms they went in, followed shortly by Coram and then bolted the door in case any of her friends chose to investigate why she had been called out of class.
Alanna immediately went to her bed and sat down, tears already welling in her eyes. The disgrace, the horrible looks from the Duke, everything just then was too much, and she had no idea how worse it would get. Thom sat next to her and put an arm around her shoulders. Coram stayed in his own room, giving the twins time to talk.
Alanna finally managed to croak out, "What happened Thom?" Thom shook his head before answering.
"Father wrote the head priestess a letter," he told her, his own voice cracked and beyond sobbing. "He asked how 'Alanna' was doing in her studies." He shook his head. "Ironic to think that the only time our father noticed us, was when we had been counting on him not." He said dryly, and Alanna nodded mutely.
"So the head mother brought you all the way here?" she mused allowed. Thom nodded.
"It was a fun trip too," he stated sarcastically. "Prepare for an even better one tomorrow. The head priestess is traveling back with us to get back to the City of the Gods. She is horrible." Thom lay back on the bed, sighing loudly. "We're in trouble Alanna." He told her.
Alanna started at the sound of her name. It had been so long since someone had actually called her Alanna. Coram never called her by her name, under her own orders. She had felt it too risky. Little did it help, she told herself now. Banging on the door brought her back to her senses.
"Alan?" someone, it sounded like Gary, called. Alanna shrank back from the door, ashamed to confront anyone.
More hands started to pound on the door, calling for Alan to come out at once.
"NO!" Alanna called back from across the room. "Go away!"
"Alan, let me in now," the Prince said from the other side of the door.
Alanna looked at Thom. He was staring at her wide eyed, shaking his head forcefully. His message was clear. No one should come in now.
"Go away Highness," Alanna called back. There was a sharp intake of breaths form the other side, and then the prince spoke again.
"Alan, I am commanding you. Let me in at once." Jon sounded worried, and hurt at her refusal, but Alanna couldn't let them see her. Coram came out of his room then, looking at the door, then down to Alanna sitting on the floor facing it.
"You'll have to face them sometime youngling," he told her softly, and Alanna saw that he had red, swollen eyes.
Alanna shook her head. "I can't". She told him despairingly.
"They'll have wanted to hear it from you missus," he added, before going back to his own room.
The banging on the door continued, as did the shouting for her to come out. She looked at Thom and slowly got up from the carpet and headed just as slowly towards the door. She reached it, and unlatched the bolt slowly, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. She opened the large oak door inch by inch, and faced her only friends in the world.
Oo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo
A/N: heeeeey everybody!! How u all been doin!!?!? I hope that you liked this chapter!! I was thinking that I need a few reviews to continue tho!! I need to know what you all think should happen next!!!!! So, pleeeaaase review this story!! Tell me what you honestly think!! I would even not mind come constructive critisim!! It all helps ppl!! So jus please review if you want the story to continue!!
I would also like to thank my muse for this chapter, who all of a sudden pounced on me and gave me all of my ideas!! TY!! Annnndd….
To Jilla Kala, Dreoilin, Danny, Eri, and Magix Pawn, thank you sooooo much for your revewis and I hope that you all (everyone reading this!!) like this story/chapter!!!! Now REVIEW!!!
Chapter Two: Accusations
Disclaimer: yatta yatta yattta!! You all know that none of these ppl belong to me! If I owned them, would I be writing fanfiction?! I don't think so!! I would be working on Lady Knight!!!!! R&R plz!!
Oo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo
"As you all know, the Code of Chivalry is unforgiving to all nobles, knights especially. It is too hard on you young people to believe that you must always protect honor above everything else!"
"But Sir Myles," protested Prince Jonathan, "the Code was designed for nobles to protect something that they did treasure above everything else, their Honor. It's the most important thing in our lives"
Alanna had been listening to this same discussion for four months, but she never tired of this class. Myles of Olau was the best teacher she knew. It seemed to her, even if she did disagree with him about the Code, he knew everything about adults, and was happy to explain it to her when she asked. He was her favorite teacher, and would do anything to show it to him. She always wanted to make him proud, and she feared what him, and all of her friends, would do if they ever found out about her disguise. Her mind was suddenly called back to class when Jonathan and Myles began debating the different views on a nobles honor. She smiled and shook her head, then got back to paying attention as Myles finished the debate, and began to write on the bored about one particular battle a few hundred years ago. This class was never boring.
Just as the bell for the history with Myles was about to ring, Timon, Duke Gareth's personal manservant came into the room in a flury. He walked quickly up to Myles without excusing himself and whispered ferverantly into the knight's ear. Myles frowned slightly, but nodded when Timon was finished. As Timon was leaving, he turned back to the class.
"Alan of Trebond?" he called and Alanna looked up at him. He looked strange; confused, but distressed. "will you please go and see the Duke now? Timon tells me it is of the utmost importance." Myles didn't smile at her as he usually did when they talked, but continued to keep that strange look on his face. Alanna nodded, and collected her bag. She walked to the door, where Timon was waiting. He looked scared, and would not meet Alanna's eyes as she walked out of the classroom.
"Timon?" she asked gently, after walking a short way with no one talking. He flinched, but said nothing. "Timon, have you any idea why the Duke wants to see me during a class?" Timon didn't answer, but looked at her for a moment sadly, as if it would be the last time he saw her, and then looked away, leading her to the door at the end of a hall. It was a door Alanna knew well. The pages trainer, Duke Gareth of Naxon. Alanna shivered involuntarily, but had no idea why. Timon opened the door and shooed her in, but Alanna noted that he did not follow her into the room. As the door closed behind her, she looked around the office. The Dike was sitting in his chair behind his desk, and he looked angry. To her surprise, Coram sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk, looking miserable. Alanna was confused, but worried. What was going on? Had someone figured out her secret?!
"Y- Your Grace, you wanted to see me?" she stuttered. He didn't answer directly, but stood up, with a piece of parchment in his large hand. Alanna looked at Coram for an answer, but he was slouching the chair looked dejected. He wouldn't meet her eyes, and that worried Alanna more than anything.
"Sit down Alan." The Duke said icily. Alanna sat in the chair gingerly. What was going on? She wondered wildly. "I received a very interesting letter today. A letter from the Head Priestess in the City of the Gods." He paused to look Alanna over, and she met his eyes with terror. What had Thom done to attract attention!? "This letter held some very interesting news. News about your brother, and you." He walked around the desk to stand in front of Alanna, and she backed into the chair as far as it would go. She didn't like where this was going. "I believe that your brother has been masquerading as someone that he is not, and so have you, Alanna!" he was livid now, his face getting very red and blotchy. He said nothing after that, but he didn't have to. Alanna felt his eyes on her, and looking down helped none. She gave a small squeak.
"I-" she started explaining, but a knock on the door interrupted her.
"Enter." The duke said quietly.
She looked behind her, as the door opened and gasped. Her brother, looking miserable and humiliated walked in, an old woman behind him, wearing the same expression as the Duke. Alanna met her brother's eyes, and knew before he even spoke that things were going to get ugly, and fast. Thom sat in a chair next to Alanna and kept hi head down. The Duke looked at both of them for a while, and then began to speak.
"In all of my years as a master of pages, and as a nobleman, I have never heard of such a atrocity! A girl, pretending to be a male to become a page, then a knight in the palace of Tortall. It is unheard of, and I am ashamed to have not seen it earlier. A female has her place in life, and should be taught that place even as a child. That this sort of thing happened means that you were raised by barbarians who would trade their own honor to humor a girl-child with ludicrous dreams." He spoke with short, clipped words, but they all heard every word in the silent room. Coram shifted uncomfortably at the last comment. Alanna knew that that had hurt him, and she died inside for causing everyone here so much pain. She knew it was all her fault, and sank lower and lower as the Duke went on. "I will personally se to it that the two of you will be sent home, where your father will be informed of you actions, and he will take the proper punishment courses needed. I myself would not be surprised if you were both disowned." He said disgustedly, turning to sit back at his desk. Alanna wailed inside. She knew that all of this was her fault, and wanted to make it right.
"Your Grace," she started quietly. The pages trainer stiffened, and turned to glare at her.
"Yes, girl?" he said, slamming as much scorn into 'girl' as was humanly possible. She cringed, and then continued.
"Please sir, it- it wasn't Thom's fault. He never wanted to do it. It was my idea." She stuttered, trying to get it out. The duke looked at the two of them with distaste.
"It does not matter who came up with such a ridiculous idea. What matters is you both went through with it, and disgraced yourselves as nobles." He turned again, and sat at his desk looking at the two children sit in those uncomfortable chairs, miserable and frightened. He wished that it hadn't been Alan. Alan was the most promising page among the lot, the Duke knew. Now, however, things were different. He was a she, and females could not fight for the crown. It was unheard of, and shameful to the empire. He inwardly sighed though. He wished it had been anyone but Alan. He looked back at the twins, who looked exactly the same at the moment. They had their heads down, ashamed it seemed. Good, thought the Duke furiously. The girl should be ashamed to show her face. To think, a female being a knight. It was absurd.
"you may both leave. I want you to spend tonight in Alan- Alanna's room tonight, and you will leave at first light tomorrow morning." He told them sternly, and watched as the girl and boy bowed without meeting his eyes and left the room. Coram got up to follow, but the Duke called him back.
"Yessir, Your Grace?" he stammered, looking at the floor, wringing his hands in front of him.
"Coram Smithyson, I declare you unfit for guard duty at any post in this country, and advise you to learn some honor before doing anything else. What you were thinking teaching a girl our fighting arts is unknown to me, but I will see to it that your carelessness does not infect any more of my king's soldiers. Go now, to Alan's room, and you will travel with them to Trebond." He turned his back on the man, who bowed clumsily and left the office. The Duke of Naxen looked out his office window, thinking of the atrocity that had just been uncovered, and wondering how the king and the girl's father would react to the news. He returned to his desk then to continue work on a letter to Lord Alan of Trebond, his thoughts about these twins swirling through his mind.
Oo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo
When Alanna and Thom reached her rooms they went in, followed shortly by Coram and then bolted the door in case any of her friends chose to investigate why she had been called out of class.
Alanna immediately went to her bed and sat down, tears already welling in her eyes. The disgrace, the horrible looks from the Duke, everything just then was too much, and she had no idea how worse it would get. Thom sat next to her and put an arm around her shoulders. Coram stayed in his own room, giving the twins time to talk.
Alanna finally managed to croak out, "What happened Thom?" Thom shook his head before answering.
"Father wrote the head priestess a letter," he told her, his own voice cracked and beyond sobbing. "He asked how 'Alanna' was doing in her studies." He shook his head. "Ironic to think that the only time our father noticed us, was when we had been counting on him not." He said dryly, and Alanna nodded mutely.
"So the head mother brought you all the way here?" she mused allowed. Thom nodded.
"It was a fun trip too," he stated sarcastically. "Prepare for an even better one tomorrow. The head priestess is traveling back with us to get back to the City of the Gods. She is horrible." Thom lay back on the bed, sighing loudly. "We're in trouble Alanna." He told her.
Alanna started at the sound of her name. It had been so long since someone had actually called her Alanna. Coram never called her by her name, under her own orders. She had felt it too risky. Little did it help, she told herself now. Banging on the door brought her back to her senses.
"Alan?" someone, it sounded like Gary, called. Alanna shrank back from the door, ashamed to confront anyone.
More hands started to pound on the door, calling for Alan to come out at once.
"NO!" Alanna called back from across the room. "Go away!"
"Alan, let me in now," the Prince said from the other side of the door.
Alanna looked at Thom. He was staring at her wide eyed, shaking his head forcefully. His message was clear. No one should come in now.
"Go away Highness," Alanna called back. There was a sharp intake of breaths form the other side, and then the prince spoke again.
"Alan, I am commanding you. Let me in at once." Jon sounded worried, and hurt at her refusal, but Alanna couldn't let them see her. Coram came out of his room then, looking at the door, then down to Alanna sitting on the floor facing it.
"You'll have to face them sometime youngling," he told her softly, and Alanna saw that he had red, swollen eyes.
Alanna shook her head. "I can't". She told him despairingly.
"They'll have wanted to hear it from you missus," he added, before going back to his own room.
The banging on the door continued, as did the shouting for her to come out. She looked at Thom and slowly got up from the carpet and headed just as slowly towards the door. She reached it, and unlatched the bolt slowly, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. She opened the large oak door inch by inch, and faced her only friends in the world.
Oo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo00ooOOoo
A/N: heeeeey everybody!! How u all been doin!!?!? I hope that you liked this chapter!! I was thinking that I need a few reviews to continue tho!! I need to know what you all think should happen next!!!!! So, pleeeaaase review this story!! Tell me what you honestly think!! I would even not mind come constructive critisim!! It all helps ppl!! So jus please review if you want the story to continue!!
I would also like to thank my muse for this chapter, who all of a sudden pounced on me and gave me all of my ideas!! TY!! Annnndd….
To Jilla Kala, Dreoilin, Danny, Eri, and Magix Pawn, thank you sooooo much for your revewis and I hope that you all (everyone reading this!!) like this story/chapter!!!! Now REVIEW!!!