AN: Here's the next chapter!!

DISCALIMER: Everything belongs to TP. Well. almost everything. not the plot. or Yali!

~*~Chapter Five~*~

A few days later, Neal was out walking in the woods surrounding Queenscove. He had been thinking a lot in the past few days and he needed to clear his head. The situation with Yali had not gotten any better. He was worried. Usually she would kick up a big fuss and refuse to come out of her room (or something equally impractical) until she got what she wanted. But this time was different. Yali simply went back to her usual routine. She went back to sewing and embroidery and dancing and harp lessons. She went back to her Lady's routine without a word. It was as if she had given up. This worried Neal. It worried him because he could never remember her giving up on anything in her entire life.

She hadn't given up when she had fallen off every horse she had gotten on when she was learning to ride; she hadn't given up when she had continually pricked her fingers when she was learning to sew; she hadn't given up when she was helping the village children to dam the river and it kept overflowing. She had never given up at anything she had ever tried. Except for this.

Neal thought about this. She had never given up; she had been determined. Determination was one of the things most looked for in a Knight or young warrior. His thoughts kept wondering on the same track. When she had gotten back on the horse. that had shown bravery; another virtue needed to become a Knight. When he thought about it Yali had shown all the characteristics of a great Knight; she had shown courage, bravery, determination, honor, responsibility, flexibility of mind. She had even shown some of the physical signs. She was a great rider, she was also great at archery and glaive work. She could do the basics of hand to hand combat and she was alright with a sword.

As Neal thought he became more and more convinced. Finally, Neal was decided. Yali was going to become a Knight.

~*~

AN: I'll try to update soon but I may not be able to. I'm going away for five weeks and I may not be able to get to a computer. so I'll try. but it might be a while before I update again. sorry!! ( Love imogenhm