A/N: well, I think I may be getting better at this. That or my little rest did me more good then I thought. This one (chappie) just flowed to me. Hope you like it…

Disclaimer: why do I bother? I own the characters in this story. Right now thought they're striking. They said they don't get paid enough to work as often as I need them. *Sigh* what's an author to do??? :)

SS: The Page Years – Swords and Armor.

Siren sat up. Another morning of falling from horses and getting hit repeatedly with a stick by Tayo.

As much as she loved the tall elf boy, she didn't love his capability with staffs.

It had been two weeks since she had begun her training. Two weeks since peace. Two weeks since she had no bruises. Two weeks since simple thoughts and two weeks since freedom. She groaned as she rolled out of bed. In a few moments the bell to wake the poor pages would sound. Waking the young ones for breakfast.

She stumbled over to the wash basin, and scrubbed her face with the lukewarm water. Ugh. To. Early…get hit with stick…pain…help… she was contemplating killing her tall elf friend in his sleep when there came a knock at her door. Great. Like life couldn't get worse. To be watched 24/7, no that's right he only watches me during my time out doors and near weapons. Maybe I could slip and impale him with the end of my staff.

She yelled to the door, "hang on, be there in a moment." With speed she changed and jogged to the door. Opening it to reveal her guard.

Cori stood leaning against the wall. His well built arms crossed across his muscular chest. Siren sighed and slumped her shoulders. "Morning Courtland." As much as she disliked being called Princess he disliked being called Courtland. He grinned, "Morning Princess. Didn't wake you I hope?" he faked concern. She growled and he laughed.

"Bite me Courtland." She turned and walked back into her room to get her bag, filled with discipline assignments and 'homework'. He followed. "One of these days I just might, princess" he laughed at her bite me glare. She had been saying that a lot lately. Curse you Steele.

With a continued glare she walked out the door. Leaving him standing there silently laughing.

***

"For a Princess you curse to much." Cori was still trying to annoy Siren as they walked. She scowled and continued to walk. "You don't curse enough for a knight. Courtland. Maybe I could teach you a few?" this time he scowled.

She smiled devilishly and turned into the Mess hall. Here they parted ways. She went to sit with Sebastian and Tayo; he went to sit with Master Hammond.

The pages and squires called him master not only because he hated it but because he worked them like slaves.

Or so they thought…

***

Sebastian Cordell and Tayo Nailo had been sitting discussing the latest Lady of the court when Siren walked over in the bug-me-die type of mood.

She sat down, and Sebastian was the first to comment on her wonderful mood, "well aren't you just joyous this morning?" He smiled impishly. She looked at him, "yes, don't I just make you want to dance and sing?" she rolled her eyes and laughed.

Tayo looked at Sebastian worriedly and said, "don't temp Tain, he might just do it." To her he asked, "ready for more practice?" She corrected him, "don't you mean ready for more torture?" she looked at Sebastian who smiled and added, "it's only torture if you forget that we do it voluntarily." She sighed. "And to think I wanted to be a knight." Siren smiled and then the bell rang ending breakfast and starting practice.

***

Tayo had a harder time beating the red headed princess this time. "I see you've been practicing Princess." However, he did beat her.

Master Hammond walked out into the center of the training yard. "Alright kiddies. Today you get to learn to make your swords, because before ya use it, ya must make it. Now Tyler here will be teaching you how to make your swords, so be careful and listen." He waited for the gruff man to nod.

Tyler was a big man, broad shouldered and barrel chested. His fire-red hair formed a crown on his balding head and a thick beard on his face. It was obvious he had been outside a lot because his skin was close to the same color as his hair. When he spoke he sounded like mountains would sound. Deep but clear. " Well, the lot of you are to learn how to make your swords this morning. But it will take you longer then that to make the thing." Every one groaned and then began to fallow the big man as he led them to the weapon smith's shop.

There they would learn to make their swords.

After hours of sweat and work they were all ready to turn in their half-made swords for food. Tayo smiled as they headed back towards the castle, sweat from the heat and the work showing through his plain gray shirt. Beads of sweat slowly made their way down his high for head, he wiped at it with his long sleeve of his shirt.

Cori had been siting near the door. 'Watching' the princess, now he joined her and her tall elf friend. "Well don't you kids just look wonderful" he smiled evilly and watched as the princess prepared her retort, "well not all of us have such an easy job, who are you to mock us? Didn't you have to do this once too?" she looked up at him, she had to. He was way too tall. He only gave her small smile and slight laugh. Patting her on the head like a child he said, "yes I did, but I doubt very much that I would call watching you easy, Princess. And you may wish to change before you eat." He had been looking at her sweat soaked forehead and hair. She looked down; her white shirt was soaked clear through. Glad I wore an under shirt she thought.

When they got back to the castle she left Tayo to Sebastian, and Cori disappeared on his own. As she made her way to her room to have a nice warm bath as she went she ran into the one person that she liked least in this world, yet alone this castle.

Adrian Ryder.

He was a second year page and disliked all the female knights along with anyone trying to become one. To Siren it seemed he had a rather cold heart. He had yet to do anything to horrible to her, she always had Cori around. That's one reason for the personal guard, but even he wasn't there 24/7 so Siren had been on the butt end of his staff a few times. But nothing was ever so bad that she couldn't walk.

She had seen some of the work he did on other girls. Those girls were the ones who couldn't walk, who had broken bones and limbs, As well as other casualties.

All the pages, mostly girls, but some were the smaller boys, refused to say that anything happened, they all stuck to the universal story, 'I fell down'.

Even Siren had said it at least once so far, do to the black eye and a big cut on her arm. For all this she new she hated Adrian.

"Don't have your guard with you, Princess?" His icy voice was cold and filled with hidden humor. "Get out of my way Adrian." Siren was already tired and cranky, she didn't need this jerk messing with her today. "Aww, am I angering the little Princess? I have time for a duel if you think you could handle me Princess. Although I'd rather handle you other ways." He smiled an eerie smile and waited for her response.

She sneered, and had already moved into the fighting position. Siren didn't really feel like she could win a fight, not right now when she was already tired, but she would fight if she had to.

He took a step closer to her, she was smaller then him. Her head came up to his eyes. Thanks to years spent getting in to fights with taller, bigger, boys, she knew her chances of beating him when she was tired, sweaty and hot.

They weren't good.

For every thought that crossed her mind, the older boy took a small step forward until finally he was looming over her.

Her eyes had turned an orange-red; Siren would not back down. Even if it meant her death. Death or pride. Death or humiliation. Death or dealing with the look of pity on my friends faces. I'll take death. She was about ready to pounce when she felt a hand clap down on her shoulder and heard an all too familiar voice. "Well now Princess, although friendly chatter is a good thing, I personally don't want to spend all of eternity waiting for you to get to your room."

Cori raised an eyebrow as he looked down at her. She let out the breath she hadn't known she had been holding and stood up straight. She nodded to him and said, "Good day Adrian." She didn't hesitate to move towards her room and quick. Cori close behind.

"Can I even leave you alone for a minute?" he gave a little chuckle and despite the fact she wanted to badly hit him she to laughed, then replied, "hey, this time he started it. I just wanted to go have a nice long bath." By then they had reached her door and she slumped against it.

He looked at her, she could have sworn she saw something like worry in his eyes. I'm either dreaming or nuts… Both. " You ok Princess?" he looked at her a half smile on his face.

How does he always manage to make me feel like I'm a fragile Princess, damn him. She sighed at his question and in a mock lady manner said, "oh, no…I don't think I can walk…you'll have to carry me into my room. Whatever am I going to do?" she went so far as to put the back of her hand to her forehead and fake a faint.

He laughed and actually moved to pick her up. She couldn't move fast enough. Damn that tiredness. He already had her in his arms when she jabbed him in the chest with her elbow; she didn't have the energy to do much more.

"Come now Princess, is that any way to treat you knight in shining armor?" he gave her a huge grin and she snorted. "Knight in shinny armor? First of all I thought I was suppose actually like my knight in shinny armor. Second of all, you don't exactly have on armor." She attempted to look down at his clothing, she was failing. It was really awkward being held in his arms. He looked at her, waiting for her to go on. When she still hadn't said anything he asked, "and third?" she smiled, "and third, who said I need a knight? I'm gonna be one some day." She grinned and he, still smiling, shook his head, making his lose brown hair fall perfectly by his face. "You may say that now Princess, but one day. One day you may need a knight. Gods, who knows? You may need me!" that was said with mock humor.

But deep down she knew it to be true. One day she may just need her knight guard…

He carried her into her room and set her down on the bed. She smiled and thanked him, then commented "Never do that again." And laughed as he headed out the door, stopping only to grab the handle turn and say, "as you wish, Princess." and she chucked her small pillow at him, hitting the closing door, not him.

She sighed as she slowly and with much effort got off the bed and to the washroom, where a bathtub had been filled with hot water. Well I was the one who wanted to be a knight! With much pain she began to undress…

***

The rest of the day flew by. In history Professor Nailo taught them all about the neighboring countries and in Reading & Writing they got another boring poem to work on by some guy Siren had never heard of before.

And for every class she went to she had 'homework' and make up work for all the homework she hadn't finished.

Every time she got new work she told her self she could handle it…but that was before Math.

Siren hated, no, despised Math. And it didn't like her much either.

For help with Math she went to Tayo and for help on Reading & Writing she would be often found at a table with Sebastian, or Tain as Tayo had affectionately renamed him.

When the sun had finally set behind the last hill, she dragged her sore, tired, body and mind to her rooms.

Ready for bed.

But it was long from coming.

A maid waited in her room for her. "Princess, your parents sent me to ensure you dress properly for the ball tonight." She had bowed and now straightened. Julie had been Sirens maid for as long as she could remembered and now Siren let out a exasperated, "Gods, no. And to think I was almost free. So close and yet so far from blissful relaxation." In her head she thought, how did I manage to forget the ball tonight…oh that's right I haven't had time to breath yet alone think. Argh. Tiredly she sighed and allowed Julie to help her get her breaches and shirt off.

Slipping in to the ball gown, she thought I'll go but as soon as I can…I'm gone.

Her weariness must have damaged her thinking because she had forgotten all about her knight protector. It was one of his many duties to keep her from running off during 'important' crown affairs, balls included…

A/N: well thanx for reading please review.

That Girl: it's all right that your review wasn't long…I'm just happy you reviewed. :) thanx muchly for the review –Siren

Faithful: I'm glad you are inspired. I wish I were more like siren…well kinda. Siren and Cori are an odd…couple for lack of a better word. But they work. *Sighs* Cori :) anyway thanx for the review. –Siren

Jynessea5: I do hope it does get better. Keep on reading, it just might :) (I'll try anyway) thanx for the review –Siren

Larzdinn: (Edi) for starters I took your advice and am now well rested. :) YAY. You're still my longest reviewer. Another Yay. And you were the second to review for ch 2. Triple yay. As to the King, Queen, practice yard thing. They (king and queen) were suppose to be in the privet dinning hall and then Cori and Siren leave to go to the practice yard. Maybe I made that unclear. Oh well. Hope you understand now:) I live to please my fans:) well till later then. And thanx for another lovely review – Siren

The dark Lady Adrienne: thanx for the review. I love elves to, probably why they end up in every thing I write. They just kinda pop in, even in stories that have nothing to do with elves. I can't help it. They're so cute :) well till next time then and more elves –Siren

A/N: well sorry this wasn't done a lot sooner, but I was out all day yesterday and never even got a chance to write. But I finally finished and so here it is. Hope you enjoy. Much happiness -Siren