Disclaimer: Let's try a simple exercise.  Look at the name of the website.  Yep, you got it… fanfiction.net.  Can you guess what that means?  Fiction, written by fans!  Let's go one step further… would Tamora Pierce be writing alternate story endings of ff.net?  Probability of that is about 0.1%… she could be making money otherwise.  So we'll go with the other option… I'm a fan, writing fiction about TP's books.  Made up… there wouldn't be any point in typing out the book now, would there?  Oh, and as to similarities between Squire and this fic… well, no offence, but use your brain! If this is a Kel fic, there ought to be similarities.  Besides which, the characters ought to be in character, which means they will be doing the same kind of things.  Got that?  I didn't mean to fuss, but… yeah.

A/N  This chapter should be long.  Well, longer than my last one.  It took me a while to update because I've been on holiday, and I've been working on my L/J fic, Worthy Adversaries.  I know, I should be working on Fairy Tale with a Twist and Worthy Friends… but I like WA better!  Anyway, now that's out of the system, thank you to everyone who has reviewed this fic.  I personally like it better than Journeys and Horses… but nobody else seems to.  Just for a bit of spoiler, in this chapter there will be more on Joren (in character, don't worry!  There's no way Kel's going to fall for him and ruin all my plans!), there's a lot of detail on the unicorn fight, and maybe even some fluff, in no particular order.  Let's see how far I get.  Here's the deal:  R/R/R!!! 

She didn't know what to do.  Now that she had seen these beautiful creatures, all thoughts of possibly killing them were thrown out of her mind.  They were beautiful.  Whether it was there magic or her own true feeling, but she couldn't kill beings so pure, so beautiful as these.  It was an honour to see them.  But Kel, ever realistic, could not let herself get lost in the moment.  It was that, perhaps, that saved her life.  For now.  If she didn't do something, these unicorns would be slaughtered.

"Stop, please!" she cried, but bringing up her glaive ready to fend off an attack.  She wouldn't use it to hurt them, merely to defend herself.  They continued to charge at her, and Kel continued to talk.  She didn't know what she was saying, it just came out.  "Please, please don't kill me!  If you do, then you will die too!  You can't!  Please!  You're so beautiful, so pure… don't let one measly human spoil your lives!  Listen to me!  I don't want you to get hurt…"  Somehow, her desperate pleading had reached the unicorns through their mad rage.  They slowed, and continued on towards her in a walk.  Their horns were held pointed at her, a deadly weapon, but they weren't anymore charging.  They were giving her a chance to explain why they shouldn't kill her. 

"I'm sorry about your foal… there are bad humans amongst us, I know!  But I've tried to stop it, rescue small helpless animals in my past.  You're not helpless!  Please, listen to me, think!  There's an ambush… I was sent to talk you into reason," suddenly, it all seemed absurd.  Talk these around?  They probably had more intelligence than the Own put together.  When they weren't angry. In this state of mind…

"I know it's stupid, I know you won't listen to me, but I had to try!  They will kill you, after you kill me.  Just listen, oh please, listen!  Everyone has a reason to live, whether it's selfish or not.  I have hopes and dreams, and you must.  Revenge, I know, but… isn't it just… oh, I don't know!  Playing into his hands, almost, sinking to his level… Oh, of course you won't understand, humans are the most confusing creatures I know.  But, just listen." 

Her words were flustered, rushed, but their honesty seemed to be getting through to the unicorns.  They were barely four feet away from her, but had stopped.  Their horns were pointed at her, and from this vantage, she could see they were fatally sharp.  Her glaive wouldn't have a chance.  It would be severed.  Kel laid it aside.  If she was to die, she couldn't hurt these creatures, these beautiful creatures. 

"I don't want you to die.  And you will, if I do.  I'm putting my glaive down, there's no point.  I will die, but if I try to defend myself, you'll just get hurt.  Everyone has a reason for everything; if you want my death, there must be a reason," Kel believed it with heart and soul.  She continued, bitterly, "It's only humans that kill for pleasure." 

She realised that tears were streaming down her face.  It wasn't fair!  They wouldn't listen to her, who would?  Who would listen to a girl, one not even a proper squire.  She had been put on probation!  She got by on the skin of her teeth, and unicorns were too noble.  Way too noble for the likes of her. 

"Please," she said one last time.  "You'll die."  Her voice was a whisper, her tears flowing.  Why did she care?  Because these creatures let off an aura, one that let her know, with certainty, that they were honest, pure, true, and noble.  They were immortals in the truest sense, they deserved to be immortals.  They shouldn't die. 

Kel stood there, glaive on the ground, waiting for the pain to come.  The spear, telling her that she would die.  To be pierced with that horn, to be touched by such an animal… no, an immortal… would be an honour.  Kel stood waiting, head bowed, hands by her sides, eyes closed.  It would not be a bad way to die. 

She felt warmth against her breast and immediately opened her eyes.  There was white, and when she took in the whole picture, she was astounded.  One of the unicorns had backed off.  His, and Kel just somehow knew that it was a he, eyes were calm and steady. 

The other unicorn was pressing her head against Kel.  The warmth was more reassuring than anything else, and she knew that somehow, unintentionally, she had been successful.  And then, reinforcing that, came:

You are honest.  So new for the humans we have met… you don't want harm to befall any creature.  We won't kill you, that would be a greater wrong than what befell our own.  No, not with the prophecy, never you.

Kel would have been shocked, but the unicorn's presence somehow prevented it.  "What prophecy?" Kel could only ask. 

It is a prophecy you will learn of in time.  Make the most of your young life… so many of you have to grow up too fast.  Follow your heart, and you will not be guided wrongly.  

"But you, what will you do?" Kel asked. 

We will be fine, child.  Worry not, nothing can harm us when we feel peaceful.  It is only when anger and desire for revenge strikes us that we become vulnerable.  I thank you, for your help. 

"I didn't do anything!" Kel protested.  "I just told you what I thought."

Exactly, came a new voice, one that Kel knew had to be the male's, your thoughts did what our own could not.  Your sincerity touched our reasoning.  Your knight-master is an intelligent man, child, you will do well to learn from him.

"I… thank you." Kel said, this time in the direction of the male.

We both thank you.  But we need to go.  Your knight-master will be getting worried.  Keep only this in mind… use both your heart and your head to judge wisely.  We will meet again.

With that, the unicorn removed her head from Kel.  She began at a walk, and then picked up speed.  All too soon, the two unicorns had merged with the trees.  Leaving Kel to wonder what had happened.  She turned and began to walk back to rejoin the men.  She certainly had a lot to think about. 

Cleon, the minute he saw her emerge from the trees unharmed, came forward and swept her up in a hug.  Then he retreated, remembering the men of the Own around him.  Roald came forward, and hugged her too.  It was probably partly to cover for Cleon, but he had sincerity in his voice when he whispered in her ear, "I'm glad you made it back." 

Kel grinned at both of them, and then glanced at Joren.  He was standing next to his knight-master, and looking stony.  Kel would bet her squireship that he had been hoping the unicorns would finish her off.

Raoul came forward once her two friends had finished hugging her. 

"You're not hurt?" he asked, worriedly. 

"No, I'm fine.  I succeeded."  Kel grinned broadly once more.  She had succeeded!

"Good job, Kel.  Very well done.  Maybe we should find somewhere to sit, and you can tell us about it?"

"Yes, sir." 

"How about over here?"  Raoul led the way, and soon most of the Own was sitting on the ground, looking expectantly at Kel. 

She gulped, and began her narrative.  Despite her capabilities in mathematics and in most of the physical aspects of learning to be a knight, narration and story-telling weren't her strong points.  Still, she told her story as concisely as possible, and then there were the questions.  After, straws were picked for tents for that night, and Kel came up with Cleon again.  The Own ate lunch, and then took a short break.  Kel, Cleon, and Roald broke off from the men and walked a short distance away, to talk. 

"Thank the Goddess you're alright!" Cleon said fervently. 

"You've already congratulated me," Kel reminded him, but she grinned nonetheless. 

"And we'll do so again.  You deserve recognition and admiration." Roald told her. 

"Anyone could have done it, really," Kel protested.  Fighting was all very well, and recognition was a part of that, but all this praise was annoying.  Not that she wasn't happy that her friends were grateful to see her alive. 

"No they couldn't!" Cleon said emphatically.  "You're the only one with the guts to defy the world and become a girl squire openly!"

Kel decided to tell them of her emotions… the part that she had left out when telling the group.  No doubt the men would have laughed, but she owed the experience to her friends.  And to Raoul… she would have to talk to him later.

"Being able to defend myself made no difference whatsoever.  You really had to see these… they were purity.  They were a white with no dirt stains or anything, and their manes were untangled.  I told you about their physical appearance before.  But their eyes… they wanted to kill me.  Their grief brought them beyond rage, it was an almost… almost tangible fury.  I couldn't have fought them though, I understood.  Besides, they were just so… I know, I've said pure before.  It was like they couldn't do wrong, and I'd be in the wrong if I killed them.  And if I hurt them at all… I couldn't forgive myself.  I know it's hard to explain, and I probably sound just like a sappy girl, but… you would understand if you were there." 

Kel looked up, wondering what their reactions would be.  But before she could do more than raise her head, a sneering voice came out of the forest. 

"If this got through to my lord Wyldon, he'd have a heart attack!  Why he let you through in the first place is beyond me, but when you're such a sappy girl?  Who would have the Lump capable of human emotion?  You felt sorry for the unicorns?  How touching… I'm sure you'd do well in battle, feeling sorry for the enemy.  You're a waste of space… a big waste of space!" 

Kel and Cleon were both about to respond angrily, but before they could even open their mouths, Roald was snapping at Joren.  His eyes were cold with fury, and he radiated such a regal air that Kel saw at once his heritage.  He was born to rule. 

"Joren!  Have you learned nothing in the five years that Kel has been in the palace?  She can take care of herself much better than you can.  Staff, sword, wrestling… she's mastered all of the weapons, plus an extra one.  If you don't remember her first day of staff work? An inexperienced girl beat a third-year page on her first day.  I am getting tired of this constant jibing and bickering.  I give you one choice.  You will apologise to Kel at once or I will give her royal permission to set aside her restraint and prove to you, once and for all, that she not only deserves to be a squire, but that she deserves it much more than you do."

Joren appeared very shaken.  Roald was radiating fury.  It was, Kel suspected, an anger that he had suppressed for a long time, that was finally coming to surface.  Joren gathered himself together, and replied softly, "I make an apology to you, your highness, for a scene that you didn't have to hear,"  Was there a slight sneer in his voice?  "but I will not apologise to her.  She has overstepped the boundaries of a woman's place, and is even now proving her unfitness to become a knight.  The Chamber of the Ordeal will surely…" Joren stopped abruptly as Roald's glare took full affect. 

"My father passed the law that women be allowed to train as men do.  Keladry was given probation at Lord Wyldon's request.  The training master acknowledged Kel's ability the day he allowed her to pass into her second year as a page, and if you believe you know 'a woman's place' better than the ruler and my Lord Wyldon, then you are deceiving yourself greatly."  Her turned to Kel, and she could see his mouth was set grimly.  His eyes were a steely blue, full of determination and anger.  "I will intercede on your behalf with your knight-master  if he does not approve of your settling this dispute with weaponry." He told her.  Kel, recovering from her surprise at Roald's new attitude, nodded her head.  She ignored Joren, and spoke instead to the crown prince. 

"I won't give him the honour of challenging him, your highness." She hadn't called him that for a while, but it seemed to fit the conversation.  Roald didn't even blink at the address.  "I know I'm in the right, and beating him in a weapon of his choice will demonstrate that, true.  Hard feelings are already between us, it's better to leave the injuries until we get back to the palace." Kel said softly. She did want to challenge Joren, but she knew that Raoul wouldn't be pleased.  Especially if she let Roald intercede on her behalf.  No, she would fight her own battles.  Roald nodded his head, and turned back to Joren. 

"You are dismissed.  Never talk to Kel again in a tone with any semblance to that one, or you will regret it.  At Kel's hands, I have no doubt." 

"She couldn't…"

"Go," Roald ordered.  Joren went. 

Roald turned once more back to Cleon and Kel.  He smiled, his regal air dissipating.  "He had that coming to him.  It was about time."  Roald made no apology for his reaction.  It seemed that when he did what he felt was right, he accepted the responsibility and did it anyway. 

"Um… thank you." Kel said.  "I…"

"Let's forget about it," Roald said.  "I think you're right, anyway, and I'd probably feel the same.  Whether I'd have the courage to admit it, though…" Roald smiled again, more warmly this time, and Kel did too. 

"Me too," Cleon chipped in.  He still seemed in awe of Roald. 

"I guess I should really talk to Raoul about it, though, before we leave."

The other two nodded, and Kel set off. 

Her talk with Raoul went well.  She told him of her feelings with the unicorns.  When she had finished, he just sat for a moment, smoothing his chin.  At last, he said,

"That information will prove useful to the king.  If you are able to defend yourself but choose not to… yes, it's interesting.  I'll certainly tell their highnesses… if you don't mind?"

Kel didn't have a choice, but it she wouldn't have objected anyway.  "Not at all, sir," she told him. 

"Good." 

They chatted for a while, Kel fully relaxing since her experience with the unicorns.  Kel told Raoul of Roald's sudden outburst at Joren, and Raoul looked both thoughtful and angry at the same time.  They were emotions that Kel hadn't thought possible for someone to feel simultaneously.  When she was angry, the last thing she felt like doing was thinking the problem through, although she forced herself to seem calm!

"Roald will make a good king one day.  He is so like his father… yet different.  But Joren; is there a problem there?"

Kel's face took on its Yamani expression.  "There is a problem, sir, but one that I have been handling myself.  I would like to resolve it myself, if you have no objections." 

"Yes," Raoul said.  "That may  be the best way… but look out for him, Kel.  He isn't stupid, and he will plot revenge." The two sat there in silence a while, contemplating the problem.  Then Raoul shook his head, and brought himself back to earth. 

"Yes, there's a problem. Meanwhile, you could do me an errand."

"Of course, sir." 

Raoul smiled, and continued, "Everybody could do with a rest from this travelling.  As the unicorn problem took less time than anticipated, we can afford to take a break for the remainder of today.  If you could take the message that we will be leaving an hour after dawn to Lord Imrah, he will convey it to the men." 

"Yes, sir."

"I don't have much need for you at the moment, then, so I guess you can have the afternoon off, with your friends.  I need to speak to Paxton."

Kel suddenly felt a qualm.  She hesitated a question, "Not about Joren?"

"Not if you don't want it," Raoul told her. 

"No, please," Kel said gratefully.

"Very well," Raoul seemed reluctant, but he had been a squire once.  Kel needed to settle her own affairs, even if it was only for self-satisfaction.  "I don have other matters to talk to him about.  Have a good afternoon, Kel."

She was dismissed, and hurried to tell Imrah of Raoul's message.  Then she decided to pay a visit to her brother.  She hadn't talked to Inness for a while. 

A/N  No fluff this time.  But I wrote a lot… maybe there will be fluff in the next chapter.  Tell me in a review if you want any!  This won't be long, because I'm tired. Please review, tell me what you think!