A/N: That took so long, but to tell the truth I've had the infamous
writer's block along with a bunch of exams, friends to take care of (24/7
since I'm attending boarding school), and some not-ff.n-work to attend to.
I'll try to get my-self together, and since this is the story you guys seem
to like best - I think I do too - I'll focus on it. Reviews along with
constructive criticism are as appreciated as always.
Disclaimer: This applies for all further chapters of this story. I do not own the Tortall universe or the persons in it. What you do not recognize - the plot included - belongs to Tamora Pierce and her publishers and probably a bunch of other people. I am not making any money from this, simply trying to become a better author and to entertain others and myself. (A/N: that sounded so adult. I surprise myself some times. LOL).
Enjoy your read.
Brother A month after the latest chapter. Thom was watching Roald struggle with his algebra, casually running his fingers through his straight black hair. The boy had a great mind, but he was easily distracted. "Thom," he said in a desperate voice. "Would you please explain this to me?" "Sure, Highness." "Please stop calling me that, Thom. I would like to call you my friend and if I had any friends I would've wanted them to call me Roald." "'K... Roald." The statement took Thom aback, but he knew it was true. Roald wasn't quite old enough to be a page meaning there were nobody his age in the castle and he was far more mature than his younger brothers who were turning out to be good-for-nothing, quite evil-minded small boys. Thom's brother certainly needed a real friend. And Thom wanted his brother.
6 months after. "Would you like to come downtown with me if I can get us time off. There is someone I want you to meet." There sure were. Thom and the boy he met down at Dancing Dove had become great friends. They were much alike and in a strange way Samuel (A/N: you have to read "Dreamer" - my other TP fic to know the details about Samuel, but basically he's a young thieve who works for George Cooper) reminded Thom of his mother. "I would love to. Do you want me to ask Uncle Gareth?" (A/N: these are the times before that annoying git, Wyldon or something, takes his place.) "Yes."
**
Thom went down the narrow roads of the capital city with the young crown prince, now clad in plain clothes with his black hair hanging down his green eyes. He was obviously nervous, but you had to know him well to see it. Finally they reached the Dancing Dove and went in. Samuel was sitting alone at a table, wearing a dreamy expression on his face, a glass of lemonade standing untouched in front of him. Samuel had always been a dreamer, but he was very sensitive, and Thom could almost feel how he ripped himself out of his thoughts after sensing the presence of his friend. "Hi Sammy!" Thom smiled cheerily at his friend. "Thom! Do you want me to find his Majesty?" "No that's all right. I'll talk to him later. This is my friend Ronny." Roald stuck out his hand, a bit shaky at being away from the protective walls of the castle. Thom put a hand on his shoulder and used his Gift to shelter his brother's in order to protect him from the search Sammy would always put strangers through. Samuel shook the hand of the younger boy and motioned for them to follow him to the table. After a while of drinking lemonade and talking a bit they were interrupted. "Thom! You're here?" Thom turned to face the hazel eyes of George Cooper. "Hi Rogue." "So you just come down here not even saying hi to you. You certainly inherited her manners." Thom didn't have to ask who "she" was. He didn't doubt her identity for a moment. "I was just catching up with Sammy," laughed Thom. "I see. Who have you brought?" "I'm Ronny," said Roald, now a bit surer of himself as these people seemed to accept him. "I'm the Rogue, but Thom's friends are my friends, so you can call me George or Cooper or Rogue or whatever you'd like." Roald appeared to be thinking for a while, then smiled. "I think I'll use Rogue like Thom does, thank you." "Great. Thom, could I have a word?" The Rogue looked at Thom with a tense look in his eyes. "Sure. Will you be okay Ronny?" Roald bit his lip, then nodded. He trusted Thom - actually he idolised Thom - so if he trusted these people, so would the young prince. Besides - he liked Samuel.
"So Thom... am I correct if I assume that boy is your little brother?" "Yes. Is that what you wanted to see me about?" Thom raised his brow as if daring the older man to come up with something better. "No. I'm afraid I've got some serious news I want you to bring to your father." "Yes?" "The Rogue of Carthak recently brought me the news that Carthak is attacking again. He will bring news when he gets to know more about their positions and all, but I want Jonathan to be prepared." "I'll tell him." "Thank you. Now get home before it gets dark and we have to escort you back to the castle." "Yes, Rogue."
The sun was setting behind the temple quarters, creating a beautiful dim glow in the horizon. Suddenly Thom tensed. He was feeling something strange, dangerous. "Roald, watch out!" yelled he, but was too late. A lot of men had surrounded them and one of them was holding Roald's small figure, preparing to get away with him...
Cliffie... sorry. I have just always wanted to make a cliffhanger. I'll post next chapter the weekend after I get 40 reviews - I promise. (Notice: hint). Danie:)
Disclaimer: This applies for all further chapters of this story. I do not own the Tortall universe or the persons in it. What you do not recognize - the plot included - belongs to Tamora Pierce and her publishers and probably a bunch of other people. I am not making any money from this, simply trying to become a better author and to entertain others and myself. (A/N: that sounded so adult. I surprise myself some times. LOL).
Enjoy your read.
Brother A month after the latest chapter. Thom was watching Roald struggle with his algebra, casually running his fingers through his straight black hair. The boy had a great mind, but he was easily distracted. "Thom," he said in a desperate voice. "Would you please explain this to me?" "Sure, Highness." "Please stop calling me that, Thom. I would like to call you my friend and if I had any friends I would've wanted them to call me Roald." "'K... Roald." The statement took Thom aback, but he knew it was true. Roald wasn't quite old enough to be a page meaning there were nobody his age in the castle and he was far more mature than his younger brothers who were turning out to be good-for-nothing, quite evil-minded small boys. Thom's brother certainly needed a real friend. And Thom wanted his brother.
6 months after. "Would you like to come downtown with me if I can get us time off. There is someone I want you to meet." There sure were. Thom and the boy he met down at Dancing Dove had become great friends. They were much alike and in a strange way Samuel (A/N: you have to read "Dreamer" - my other TP fic to know the details about Samuel, but basically he's a young thieve who works for George Cooper) reminded Thom of his mother. "I would love to. Do you want me to ask Uncle Gareth?" (A/N: these are the times before that annoying git, Wyldon or something, takes his place.) "Yes."
**
Thom went down the narrow roads of the capital city with the young crown prince, now clad in plain clothes with his black hair hanging down his green eyes. He was obviously nervous, but you had to know him well to see it. Finally they reached the Dancing Dove and went in. Samuel was sitting alone at a table, wearing a dreamy expression on his face, a glass of lemonade standing untouched in front of him. Samuel had always been a dreamer, but he was very sensitive, and Thom could almost feel how he ripped himself out of his thoughts after sensing the presence of his friend. "Hi Sammy!" Thom smiled cheerily at his friend. "Thom! Do you want me to find his Majesty?" "No that's all right. I'll talk to him later. This is my friend Ronny." Roald stuck out his hand, a bit shaky at being away from the protective walls of the castle. Thom put a hand on his shoulder and used his Gift to shelter his brother's in order to protect him from the search Sammy would always put strangers through. Samuel shook the hand of the younger boy and motioned for them to follow him to the table. After a while of drinking lemonade and talking a bit they were interrupted. "Thom! You're here?" Thom turned to face the hazel eyes of George Cooper. "Hi Rogue." "So you just come down here not even saying hi to you. You certainly inherited her manners." Thom didn't have to ask who "she" was. He didn't doubt her identity for a moment. "I was just catching up with Sammy," laughed Thom. "I see. Who have you brought?" "I'm Ronny," said Roald, now a bit surer of himself as these people seemed to accept him. "I'm the Rogue, but Thom's friends are my friends, so you can call me George or Cooper or Rogue or whatever you'd like." Roald appeared to be thinking for a while, then smiled. "I think I'll use Rogue like Thom does, thank you." "Great. Thom, could I have a word?" The Rogue looked at Thom with a tense look in his eyes. "Sure. Will you be okay Ronny?" Roald bit his lip, then nodded. He trusted Thom - actually he idolised Thom - so if he trusted these people, so would the young prince. Besides - he liked Samuel.
"So Thom... am I correct if I assume that boy is your little brother?" "Yes. Is that what you wanted to see me about?" Thom raised his brow as if daring the older man to come up with something better. "No. I'm afraid I've got some serious news I want you to bring to your father." "Yes?" "The Rogue of Carthak recently brought me the news that Carthak is attacking again. He will bring news when he gets to know more about their positions and all, but I want Jonathan to be prepared." "I'll tell him." "Thank you. Now get home before it gets dark and we have to escort you back to the castle." "Yes, Rogue."
The sun was setting behind the temple quarters, creating a beautiful dim glow in the horizon. Suddenly Thom tensed. He was feeling something strange, dangerous. "Roald, watch out!" yelled he, but was too late. A lot of men had surrounded them and one of them was holding Roald's small figure, preparing to get away with him...
Cliffie... sorry. I have just always wanted to make a cliffhanger. I'll post next chapter the weekend after I get 40 reviews - I promise. (Notice: hint). Danie:)