A/N: Eh, decided to add another chapter. I had to stay home from school today because I was sick...X.x

Sparrow

A fanfiction by Ruff Collie

Chapter Seven-Crown

"Ah, there you are Kel!" Raoul grinned as he saw his squire walking down the hall. He stopped her. She looked up, a question showing in her hazel eyes. She bowed to the Knight Commander of the King's Own.

"Hello, my lord," she said in greeting after straightening.

Raoul smiled, and handed her a small piece of parchment.

"Could you deliver this to Duke Gareth the Younger, Kel?" he asked, hoping she would be able to.

Kel nodded, and took the bit of parchment from her knight master. She was about to continue, but Raoul's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Oh, and then please meet me in the practice fields. Jousting practice." Raoul chuckled at this. Kel was a great jouster, but even the best must practice.

"Yes, my lord," said Kel politely. As soon as she heard Raoul's retreating footsteps, she sighed, and started to walk towards Duke Gareth's office. Just as she was about to knock on the door, a bright glitter caught her eyes. Interested, she looked down and saw a golden ring, with many intricate patterns engraved on it. They looked like the imprints that a sparrow's feet would make in newly fallen snow. There were also engravings shaped like feathers on it. Kel pocketed it, deciding to look at it later.

~~

"Kel! Over here!"

Raoul waved the lady squire over once she entered the the practice fields with Peachblossom. He mounted his large gelding, brandishing a well-polished lance. Kel mounted her own horse, who pawed at the earth anxiously and snorted. She picked up her lance, and put it into position. Kel whispered something into Peachblossem's ear, and the gelding started to move. Opposite to them, Raoul and Squeak(his horse) started to move also.

Peachblossom's hooves hit the ground in a rhythmic pace, and Kel lowered her lance, aiming for the center of Raoul's shield. She hit; it was perfect, although the large man only hit to the back of the tiliting saddle. Her lance shattered, and her arm went numb. Raoul grinned, and clapped Keladry on the back with a large hand. Kel picked up a new lance, and they continued.

~~

After two hours of exhausting practice, Kel staggered back to her rooms. It was nearly lunch time. The squire's mind wandered to Midwinter, which was only a few months away.

"I'll need presents..." she thought suddenly without any reason.

And that was what brought her to think about the ring. She opened the door to her rooms, and walked in. Sitting on the bed, Kel took out the small golden piece and started to examine it.

She hadn't noticed it before, but the tiny sparrow feet imprints held tiny emeralds. They sparkled mischievously in the rays of sunlight streaming through the window. Kel stared at them, mesmorized by the power they held over her. Slowly, she ran a scarred finger over the ring.

Suddenly, a bright flash filled the room. Keladry yelped and covered her eyes with an arm. Slowly, the flash faded. But not all was gone.

A hand was placed lightly on Kel's shoulder. The squire slowly removed her arm from her eyes, and blinked. Looking to the one who had touched her, she nearly screamed.

It was the most beautiful woman Kel had ever seen in her life. Although old, the person in front of her still held unimaginable beauty which could take one's breath away.

Soft, silky hair the color of snow fell to a thin waist, weaving through beautiful feathered wings, some in braids. A thin circlet made of a fresh cherry branch(everything still attached) grasped the forehead tightly. Smiling golden eyes looked at Kel kindly, regarding her as though she was a fond friend. Full red lips were held in a slight grin, which was clearly jovial. It scrunched up the woman's slightly wrinkled face, giving her the look of jollity. Petite hands covered in many rings held a circlet much like the lady's own, but instead of a cherry branch, it was made out of a branch of white birch. The woman was wearing a crimson gown made out of silk, many white swirls stitched from the hem to the neckline. Kel was positive she knew her, but she just didn't know from where. The lady's grin grew broader, and suddenly she spoke in a deep voice.

"Good day, Keladry. Why don't you give your mother a hug?"

Suddenly Kel knew exactly who it was. Ilane of Mindelan, her own mother. It was strange to see her with golden eyes and light brown wings. She rushed up, and embraced her mother.

"Mamma..." the squire exclaimed, pulling away. She tilted her head, gaze confused. "Why do you look like the Sparrow People?"

Ilane chuckled, putting an arm around her daughter's shoulders.

"It's a long story. You may want to get Faler-"

Suddenly, Faleron burst in the door, not seeing Ilane.

"Hello, love!" he exclaimed. All of a sudden, he saw the figure, and his eyes widened. His cheeks reddened ever so slightly in embarresment. He looked to the floor, suddenly interested in the wood.

Ilane only laughed at this, and she strode over to the squire. Faleron looked up at her, and suddenly grasped her hand. He brushed his lips against the surface of her smooth skin.

"A pleasure to meet you, milady."

Ilane smiled pleasantly at Faleron.

"It's Ilane of Mindelan, Faleron. A pleasure to meet you too."

Suddenly laughter was heard, and they both turned to see a laughing Kel clutching her stomach. Slowly, she quieted, though a few giggles could still be heard.

"S-Sorry..." she gasped, wiping a tear of mirth from her eye. "It was just so...so...funny!"

She giggled again, and Faleron rolled his eyes. Ilane chuckled, and clapped Kel on the shoulder.

"Calm down there, Keladry!" She exclaimed. Her gaze redirected itself to Faleron. "Now if you would be so polite as to sit Faleron, I can begin my story."

Faleron, a bit puzzled, sat next to Kel on the bed, and stared up into Ilane's enticing golden eyes. The Baroness cleared her throat, and began.

"Keladry, I am many different people to you. I am Crown, the leader of your sparrow flock, I am Baroness of Mindelan, and I am also Queen of the Court of Sparrows." Noticing the astonished look on Kel's face, Ilane grinned slightly and continued. "Baron Piers, Keladry, is not really your father. He is merely there to be a father figure to you while you are visiting Mindelan. Your real father, King Sclon, is far to busy too take care of you. He has kept watch over you, as have I, in the form of Freckle the sparrow. I watched you as Crown. And you, Keladry of the Sparrows, are crown princess to our realm."

~~

A/N: MAJOR plot twist here ;) R/R!