Disclaimer: I don't own (or claim to own) Tamora Pierce's work
Wow, it's been forever since my last update. I'm really sorry. I haven't actually finished this chapter yet…so here's part 1. Part One out of three, actually. I feel terrible…I actually just noticed that this fic has more then 2 reviews, and I'd kind of forgotten about it since no one seemed to like it much.
(By the way, I said I had chapter 7 completed. Well, I do, but in writing, not typed…stupid me)
Oh, and in case you're confused, this chapter has nothing to do with Alice in Wonderland, I just like that title.
~Chapter 6~ Through the Looking Glass (Part 1)
Lenora blinked once and then again. He father reacted much faster, moving closer to Lenora and wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"Are you insane? She's only 14," Holdden growled. Only, Lenora thought, unduly outraged.
"I'm only 17," Rags answered twice as fierce. "Lenora's smart—she looks 16 anyway, damn you! Probably looks older than I do if she was dressed up like some noble." The girl in question looked up quickly.
"I didn't know you knew your age," she whispered. The other girl smiled a little. None of the others know when they were born, and Rags has never mentioned a birthday. And to think, they all made such a big deal about mine last year, they actually paid for presents.
"You would comment on that, wouldn't you?" Rags shook her head. "I was raised like you, if it means anything. You didn't notice that the rest of the crew chatted away like they'd never properly learned common?" Lenora shrugged, about to ask why Rags lived the way she did if she didn't have too, but her father cut her off.
"We don't have time for this. Look," he started pleadingly. "Even supposing I did agree with your idea, what would I tell Margery?"
"That you'd sent me to aunt's…to keep me away from, uh, Rag's and them. Obviously," Lenora put in, feeling better. Holdden glared at her.
"Whose side are you on," he hissed angrily. He was worried and Lenora was touched, but all the same…it irked her that he thought she couldn't do it. But Rags looked happy.
"That would work! It sounds ridiculous, but she hates my kind enough that she'd probably love the idea and convince herself it was true. And she's always wanted to send you off to your aunt's." Lenora shrugged. She hadn't wanted to be reminded of that, of how her mother had begged Holdden to send his oldest daughter away. Holdden nodded.
"So you both want to do it? I thought you said I'm a traitor." He looked at Lenora questioningly.
"I'm not sure if I want to really," Lenora admitted. "But, well, I don't think you're a traitor. Not really. Could you tell me what happened? Completely? I find it hard to believe that you'd kill someone simply because…well, because some man told you they were plotting against the king." She glanced at Rags. "You don't even like the nobles."
"You're right," Rags admitted. "Only Holdden ever met him. Your da just to told us some garbled thing 'bout a squire." She gazed accusingly at Holdden, who shrugged.
"Yes," he agreed. "But he didn't tell me much more, mind you. He told me where we'd find the squire. Didn't warn me that the door was cursed, but that's a noble for you. And He said that the squire was plotting with immortals and such, they want to take over Tortall. He said that the squire was told he'd not be hurt if he helped them. Of course the squire accepted, being one who hated the king anyway. The man didn't say why this squire hated His Majesty." Holdden sighed. "That's all he told me. It sounded true enough, and there have been hundreds of immortals fighting against the King." Lenora nodded.
"You realize that he told you to blackmail and steal from nobles, and now suddenly he wants to save the king?" she asked. There had to be more to the story than just that. Holdden nodded.
"He said that those nobles were all in the plot together. And, they are the nobles who grumbled about the changes King Jonathan has made." It works, really it does. So, if it's true…then I ought to help.
"All right then. I believe you. If you believe it?" Holdden nodded and Rags shrugged.
"I believe it all right," she said, answering their questioning looks. "But I don't care overmuch. They kill your king, and I'm still hunted by My Lord Provost. Nothing changes for me. I just want to get everyone else out."
"We will," Holdden assured her. "He will, as long as we kill that squire. I'm not sure I want my daughter to kill someone." It was his last worry.
"I killed someone when I was 12. She'll manage," Rags said, waving aside that problem as if it was nothing. Lenora swallowed. Twelve? Poor Rags, I'm sure I can do it if she can.
"All right," Holdden said doubtfully. He hugged Lenora closer to him, and removed his arm awkwardly. "Better tell you about that door…"
The Prancing Pony
"Are you sure it's safe to come back here?" Holdden asked for the third time, carefully hiding any emotions he might have had about sending his daughter into danger.
"Yes, I am," Rags muttered impatiently. "Just don't talk about it. We have to get some stuff for her, right? Besides, those nobles didna wait around after taking everyone. They're not that stupid, they know someone would have killed them."
Lenora ignored them and peered around at the room. For the first time she felt uncomfortable in the tavern. It wasn't just because her father was there, though that was part of it. The main problem, she thought, is that no one I know is here. I've never noticed all the drunkards quite as much. Not when my friends were here to protect me. But now that Riyan and Snatch and Edge were gone (they'd been the most protective of her) is seemed…dangerous. I'm a fool. It's been dangerous here all along and I never noticed, she berated herself. She moved herself to be slightly closer to her father. Rags had skipped off to find someone, and Holdden tapped one foot impatiently on the wooden ground. The bartender bobbed up in front of them, grinning broadly.
"What would ya like?" he asked enthusiastically waving towards the bar. The look Holdden shot at him caused him to wilt slightly.
"Nothing, I beg you," the man said rudely. "The smell of the stuff you call beer is practically killing me anyway. I don't need to drink it." The young man frowned.
"What are you doing here then? It's a tavern."
"Also an inn," Lenora muttered.
"All right, then. Who are you doing?" he said with a high-pitched giggle. Holdden growled slightly.
"Now, now. No bar fights, please," Rags said mockingly, stepping up beside the younger man.
"Are we done here?"
"Yes." Rags turned and lead them to the door where an elderly man waited. "I asked Edge's uncle to get Lenora up to the palace. Stefan. You've met him before, Lenora." Stefan smiled at them worriedly.
"She has to be a noble lady?" the old man asked.
"Yes. You've got a cousin who works at Fief Malven, haven't you."
"Yes," Stefan said, eyes narrowing shrewdly.
Haha, I'm stopping halfway through a conversation. That's terrible, I hate it when people do that. I'll type fast, promise.
Shards of EvenSong- I updated the wonderful story! Btw, does that mean you don't like Lenora? I did think that line sounded cheesy, but I hate writing lines like that. *sigh*
Clarissa- It's confusing? Sorry…glad you like it though.
Monkey- I'm glad you like my story!
Moonlight- Er…no pity please! Pity is bad, unless people give you money cause they feel bad for you. Then is good. $$ Um, And Kel's sort of important…oh, never mind…(spoiler)
funky doodle-I am writing! On paper! So it's slow, cause I have to type everything up! I hate copying things! Argh!!!
kerplunker – Howdy! Thanks!