Crystal Mage: Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!
Geminia: I'm not technically sure who I'm going to pair Kel with quite yet. I have a couple of ideas that I haven't chosen between. I'll put Dom in soon, I promise. And things will be explained about Amalia and Trent throughout the story. Thanks for the good advice!
Fantasy Is My Life: Yeah, I haven't really put in the point yet. It might take me a couple more entries to get to it, lol, sorry.
Lapis Nebula: Thank you! You are awesome for you compliment me, lol.
Emerald Eyes: You are also awesome!
LisSakura: And you are awesome, too. Lol okay, so not so original.
Lara: I shall do my best to try to continue to entertain you.
Bleep: Thanks!
Ooh I'm really happy because I got many reviews. I didn't have a chance to check for a while because my computer was broken but now I shall write a little bit more. Keep up with the suggestions because they're really helpful!
_________
"Things aren't exactly formal here, are they?" Amalia commented to Trent, while in their chambers.
Trent guffawed. "Exactly? They're about as informal as you get!"
"I like it though," Amalia decided. "It's better than being cooped up in some musty room and never allowed to do anything you want to."
"It seems to suit you," Trent areed.
"Does that mean that something actually meets with your approval?" Amalia questioned, while faking shock.
Trent rolled his eyes. "I'm not that bad, you know."
"I just like giving you a hard time. Anyway, so what do you really think?"
"Well, the king he seems to be a well enough leader for Tortall, but I pity you if you have to come in contact with him."
Amalia burst out laughing. "Come one! He's not so horrible."
"Frankly, I'm surprised that he can fit his crown on his head."
(A/N: Don't so much like Jonathon, can ya tell?)
Amalia hit her somewhat pompous brother on his arm. "Like people think any better of you? You don't even talk around them!"
"Well, we cant all have your way with people," he joked, with a grin. "I just don't talk to everyone I meet, there's nothing wrong with that."
"Don't really end up with many friends, do you though?"
"What? You want me to become friends with all the people at this castle?"
"Well, it couldn't hurt to be friendly. Roald was very nice, as were his friends. You'd know that if you talked to them."
"I'll give you that Roald was a good host. His friends seemed to be slightly rough around the edges though. That girl, what was her name again?"
"Keladry?"
"Yes, sadly she seemed more like a knight in training then all the rest of those boys."
Amalia grinned. "I think we have a very different idea on how knights should act. Though, I agree, Keladry was very proper."
"Oh, and how do you suppose a knight should act if not proper?"
"Oh, I don't know. I like to meet people who are sincere. At least when people speak their mind you know that they are being honest."
"Well, I'm sure you'll get plenty of that here," Trent informed her. "Anyway, I should be getting to bed. I have to leave early tomorrow."
"I don't understand why you wont just stay here for a little while with me. Did it ever occur to anyone that while I was being shipped off to become a 'lady' that I would be homesick!?"
"Oh give it a rest," Trent told her. "I heard this all the way here and I'm not going to stay awake to hear it now. You know that all girls of your standing have to endure trials similar to yours and most don't have a caring, sympathetic, wonderful brother to listen to them."
"'Give it a rest?' That's what you call sympathetic?" Amalia inquired.
"Well, even the best of us have our limits. Anyway, I told you I would stay if I could but I have to return home to perform my duties, too. There's a ball in a couple weeks that I have to come down for, so I'll see you then, all right?"
"Yes," Amalia answered.
"Good then. Now get out so I can go to sleep!"
Amalia smiled and left, saying, "Goodnight."
_________
For the next couple days Amalia kept herself busy. She didn't have to do much work since the Queen was fairly independent and didn't need near as many Ladies in Waiting as she had. Whenever she wasn't working Amalia investigated the palace and met as many people as she could; it didn't matter if they were royalty or servants, she met them all and received them in the same manner.
Amalia kept her eye out for the pages that she met but it took her three days before she spotted them again. "My, they must keep pages busy during their third year," she thought to herself, while hurrying to catch up with them.
Meanwhile, Kelady and Neal walked down the hall toward the library, talking.
". . . and then she told me that. . ." Neal droned on about his latest encounter with a member of the opposite sex.
Kel looked less than enthusiastic about his story.
"Hey," Amalia greeted, finally reaching them.
Kel and Neal stopped to look at who was talking to them.
Kel nodded in way of a greeting. Neal made a flourishing bow before kissing her hand.
"Milady, it's a pleasure to see you again," he announced.
Amalia blinked in surprise. In the entire time she had spent at the castle no one had been so formal. She soon regained her countenance and sunk into a curtsey while attempting not to giggle.
"Milord," she answered with an incline of her head.
Kel observed the two while this was going on. Though no one could tell, due to her blank expression, she was fairly amused.
Amalia stood, staring at Neal wondering what he would do next.
Neal didn't seem to know what came next, because he stood staring somewhat awkwardly around.
Amalia finally couldn't take it anymore and began to laugh and Neal soon followed.
"I didn't expect you to act so..."
"Charming?" Neal prompted.
Amalia rose her eyebrows. "I suppose you could say that..."
"Don't, you'll increase his ego and it will begin to suffocate people when he walks in a room because its so large," Kel advised.
Neal began to pout. "What kind of thing is that to say to your best friend? I went out on a limb for you and took you under my wing and showed you around, making numerous enemies in doing so and what do you do to repay me?"
"I think that there should be a time limit on how long you can use that. Three yeas seems just long enough," Kel decided.
Neal frowned at his failed attempt. "Well, then, you know what I'm going to do?"
"What?" Kel asked.
Neal shrugged. "I don't know, but it will be good when I think of it."
Amalia giggled. "You guys are great together."
Just then Owen joined the group. "Them? They aren't 'together', they're just friends. No, no one would ever be 'together' with Kel because she's just one of the boys. Never treat her like she's not either, or you'll have to answer to her friends."
Amalia nodded gravely. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Kel seemed to lose her stone-like expression only for a split second to show disappointment. Amalia thought maybe she'd just imagined it but then Kel said:
"Look, guys, I better get going. I have some practice to do in my room."
"Allright, bye," Owen told her.
Neal was continuing to bestow a glare upon her.
Kel rolled her eyes at him and walked off without a goodbye.
"Hey, um...I'll see you guys later, too," Amalia decided, and started to follow Kel.
"What? But, I was going to give you a tour," Neal protested.
"I already had one," Amalia pointed out.
"Well, then, I could..." Neal began.
"Let me take a rain check, all right?" Amalia answered, walking off.
Neal looked disappointed while watching her leave.
Owen laughed at Neal. "Nice job, Romeo."
"What? You think that I was trying to get somewhere with her? I was only attempting to befriend the poor girl who is probably very lonely and far from home. I'm astounded that you could be so immature and heartless," Neal commented haughtily.
"Sure, that's it," Owen agreed, rolling his eyes and walking off.
"Alone again," Neal commented. "This happens a lot. Everyone walks off exasperated and I'm left to talk to myself... This can't be healthy," he decided, continuing his trip to the library to study for classes.
___________
"Hey, Keladry, wait up!" Amalia called after her.
Kel turned around, looking mildly surprised. "Yes?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something," Amalia informed her.
"What?"
"Well, you can tell me to mind my own business if you want because you'd be right since I've only known you for about three days and maybe talked to you for about an hour all together..."
"Okay."
"Well, um... I saw that you might have looked a little disappointed back there when Owen went into his random tirade about how you aren't a girl..."
"What's the point?"
"Well, see I was just thinking that maybe since you're around all these boys all that maybe the guys do kind of forget you're a girl and you wish that a certain boy would remember?"
"I don't know what you're talking about..."
"Well, see for most people I would think you were telling the truth except that usually you don't show any emotion in your face and so if you let some out then it probably bothers you a lot..."
Kel looked astounded that any girl would be as forward as to call her a liar when they'd barely met. She was even more astounded that Amalia could call her a liar while appearing to be completely caring.
"What is any of this to you?"
"Honest?"
"You have been so far..."
"Well, I was kind of hoping that if maybe I helped you be more of a lady then you would help me..."
"Help you what?"
"Be more like you...Well, not like you per say but just teach me a little fighting, maybe?"
"Why would you want to know that?" Kel inquired.
"Well, I just have always thought it was interesting. Ever since Trent became a knight last year he's come home with the most fantastic stories and they've all taught me that I should know how to defend myself. Back home, though, my parents never allowed me to and were fairly adamant about keeping me away from all weapons."
"If you really want to know, I can teach you some basic things about fighting," Kel agreed.
"Really? That'd be wonderful!"
"It's no problem really," Kel assured her quickly.
"Do you want my help to?" Amalia asked.
"I still don't know what you're talking about with that all," Kel answered.
Amalia looked her over for a moment. "Fine, I must have been mistaken," she said, though not sounding thoroughly convinced.
"Must have," Kel stated shortly. "Do you know where the pages wing is?"
Amalia nodded.
"Well, meet me there after dinner tonight and I'll start teaching you."
"I'll be there," Amalia promised.
Then both girls went their separate ways.
Geminia: I'm not technically sure who I'm going to pair Kel with quite yet. I have a couple of ideas that I haven't chosen between. I'll put Dom in soon, I promise. And things will be explained about Amalia and Trent throughout the story. Thanks for the good advice!
Fantasy Is My Life: Yeah, I haven't really put in the point yet. It might take me a couple more entries to get to it, lol, sorry.
Lapis Nebula: Thank you! You are awesome for you compliment me, lol.
Emerald Eyes: You are also awesome!
LisSakura: And you are awesome, too. Lol okay, so not so original.
Lara: I shall do my best to try to continue to entertain you.
Bleep: Thanks!
Ooh I'm really happy because I got many reviews. I didn't have a chance to check for a while because my computer was broken but now I shall write a little bit more. Keep up with the suggestions because they're really helpful!
_________
"Things aren't exactly formal here, are they?" Amalia commented to Trent, while in their chambers.
Trent guffawed. "Exactly? They're about as informal as you get!"
"I like it though," Amalia decided. "It's better than being cooped up in some musty room and never allowed to do anything you want to."
"It seems to suit you," Trent areed.
"Does that mean that something actually meets with your approval?" Amalia questioned, while faking shock.
Trent rolled his eyes. "I'm not that bad, you know."
"I just like giving you a hard time. Anyway, so what do you really think?"
"Well, the king he seems to be a well enough leader for Tortall, but I pity you if you have to come in contact with him."
Amalia burst out laughing. "Come one! He's not so horrible."
"Frankly, I'm surprised that he can fit his crown on his head."
(A/N: Don't so much like Jonathon, can ya tell?)
Amalia hit her somewhat pompous brother on his arm. "Like people think any better of you? You don't even talk around them!"
"Well, we cant all have your way with people," he joked, with a grin. "I just don't talk to everyone I meet, there's nothing wrong with that."
"Don't really end up with many friends, do you though?"
"What? You want me to become friends with all the people at this castle?"
"Well, it couldn't hurt to be friendly. Roald was very nice, as were his friends. You'd know that if you talked to them."
"I'll give you that Roald was a good host. His friends seemed to be slightly rough around the edges though. That girl, what was her name again?"
"Keladry?"
"Yes, sadly she seemed more like a knight in training then all the rest of those boys."
Amalia grinned. "I think we have a very different idea on how knights should act. Though, I agree, Keladry was very proper."
"Oh, and how do you suppose a knight should act if not proper?"
"Oh, I don't know. I like to meet people who are sincere. At least when people speak their mind you know that they are being honest."
"Well, I'm sure you'll get plenty of that here," Trent informed her. "Anyway, I should be getting to bed. I have to leave early tomorrow."
"I don't understand why you wont just stay here for a little while with me. Did it ever occur to anyone that while I was being shipped off to become a 'lady' that I would be homesick!?"
"Oh give it a rest," Trent told her. "I heard this all the way here and I'm not going to stay awake to hear it now. You know that all girls of your standing have to endure trials similar to yours and most don't have a caring, sympathetic, wonderful brother to listen to them."
"'Give it a rest?' That's what you call sympathetic?" Amalia inquired.
"Well, even the best of us have our limits. Anyway, I told you I would stay if I could but I have to return home to perform my duties, too. There's a ball in a couple weeks that I have to come down for, so I'll see you then, all right?"
"Yes," Amalia answered.
"Good then. Now get out so I can go to sleep!"
Amalia smiled and left, saying, "Goodnight."
_________
For the next couple days Amalia kept herself busy. She didn't have to do much work since the Queen was fairly independent and didn't need near as many Ladies in Waiting as she had. Whenever she wasn't working Amalia investigated the palace and met as many people as she could; it didn't matter if they were royalty or servants, she met them all and received them in the same manner.
Amalia kept her eye out for the pages that she met but it took her three days before she spotted them again. "My, they must keep pages busy during their third year," she thought to herself, while hurrying to catch up with them.
Meanwhile, Kelady and Neal walked down the hall toward the library, talking.
". . . and then she told me that. . ." Neal droned on about his latest encounter with a member of the opposite sex.
Kel looked less than enthusiastic about his story.
"Hey," Amalia greeted, finally reaching them.
Kel and Neal stopped to look at who was talking to them.
Kel nodded in way of a greeting. Neal made a flourishing bow before kissing her hand.
"Milady, it's a pleasure to see you again," he announced.
Amalia blinked in surprise. In the entire time she had spent at the castle no one had been so formal. She soon regained her countenance and sunk into a curtsey while attempting not to giggle.
"Milord," she answered with an incline of her head.
Kel observed the two while this was going on. Though no one could tell, due to her blank expression, she was fairly amused.
Amalia stood, staring at Neal wondering what he would do next.
Neal didn't seem to know what came next, because he stood staring somewhat awkwardly around.
Amalia finally couldn't take it anymore and began to laugh and Neal soon followed.
"I didn't expect you to act so..."
"Charming?" Neal prompted.
Amalia rose her eyebrows. "I suppose you could say that..."
"Don't, you'll increase his ego and it will begin to suffocate people when he walks in a room because its so large," Kel advised.
Neal began to pout. "What kind of thing is that to say to your best friend? I went out on a limb for you and took you under my wing and showed you around, making numerous enemies in doing so and what do you do to repay me?"
"I think that there should be a time limit on how long you can use that. Three yeas seems just long enough," Kel decided.
Neal frowned at his failed attempt. "Well, then, you know what I'm going to do?"
"What?" Kel asked.
Neal shrugged. "I don't know, but it will be good when I think of it."
Amalia giggled. "You guys are great together."
Just then Owen joined the group. "Them? They aren't 'together', they're just friends. No, no one would ever be 'together' with Kel because she's just one of the boys. Never treat her like she's not either, or you'll have to answer to her friends."
Amalia nodded gravely. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Kel seemed to lose her stone-like expression only for a split second to show disappointment. Amalia thought maybe she'd just imagined it but then Kel said:
"Look, guys, I better get going. I have some practice to do in my room."
"Allright, bye," Owen told her.
Neal was continuing to bestow a glare upon her.
Kel rolled her eyes at him and walked off without a goodbye.
"Hey, um...I'll see you guys later, too," Amalia decided, and started to follow Kel.
"What? But, I was going to give you a tour," Neal protested.
"I already had one," Amalia pointed out.
"Well, then, I could..." Neal began.
"Let me take a rain check, all right?" Amalia answered, walking off.
Neal looked disappointed while watching her leave.
Owen laughed at Neal. "Nice job, Romeo."
"What? You think that I was trying to get somewhere with her? I was only attempting to befriend the poor girl who is probably very lonely and far from home. I'm astounded that you could be so immature and heartless," Neal commented haughtily.
"Sure, that's it," Owen agreed, rolling his eyes and walking off.
"Alone again," Neal commented. "This happens a lot. Everyone walks off exasperated and I'm left to talk to myself... This can't be healthy," he decided, continuing his trip to the library to study for classes.
___________
"Hey, Keladry, wait up!" Amalia called after her.
Kel turned around, looking mildly surprised. "Yes?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something," Amalia informed her.
"What?"
"Well, you can tell me to mind my own business if you want because you'd be right since I've only known you for about three days and maybe talked to you for about an hour all together..."
"Okay."
"Well, um... I saw that you might have looked a little disappointed back there when Owen went into his random tirade about how you aren't a girl..."
"What's the point?"
"Well, see I was just thinking that maybe since you're around all these boys all that maybe the guys do kind of forget you're a girl and you wish that a certain boy would remember?"
"I don't know what you're talking about..."
"Well, see for most people I would think you were telling the truth except that usually you don't show any emotion in your face and so if you let some out then it probably bothers you a lot..."
Kel looked astounded that any girl would be as forward as to call her a liar when they'd barely met. She was even more astounded that Amalia could call her a liar while appearing to be completely caring.
"What is any of this to you?"
"Honest?"
"You have been so far..."
"Well, I was kind of hoping that if maybe I helped you be more of a lady then you would help me..."
"Help you what?"
"Be more like you...Well, not like you per say but just teach me a little fighting, maybe?"
"Why would you want to know that?" Kel inquired.
"Well, I just have always thought it was interesting. Ever since Trent became a knight last year he's come home with the most fantastic stories and they've all taught me that I should know how to defend myself. Back home, though, my parents never allowed me to and were fairly adamant about keeping me away from all weapons."
"If you really want to know, I can teach you some basic things about fighting," Kel agreed.
"Really? That'd be wonderful!"
"It's no problem really," Kel assured her quickly.
"Do you want my help to?" Amalia asked.
"I still don't know what you're talking about with that all," Kel answered.
Amalia looked her over for a moment. "Fine, I must have been mistaken," she said, though not sounding thoroughly convinced.
"Must have," Kel stated shortly. "Do you know where the pages wing is?"
Amalia nodded.
"Well, meet me there after dinner tonight and I'll start teaching you."
"I'll be there," Amalia promised.
Then both girls went their separate ways.
