A/N: Its been a long time hasn't it? I hope you can remember what the fic
is about! But because of the unfair wait I have put you all through, both
of the final chapters are updated. So, please, read on to the end!
Aria walked to the main courtyard. The 'list' was more of a register of those men who were still alive in the village, and therefore expected to fight no matter what stages of recovery they were in if they had come from the last attack. She reached the wall on which it was posted and, as she predicted there was a group of men too dense to push through. So she hung back and waited. And waited. Aria wasn't used to being patient about anything, so she counted to five then marched into the centre of the crowd, elbows jabbing here and there when necessary. James' name was on the list, as well as her father's. The list went on for many parchment pages, in very small writing. But as many times as she checked the numerous pages, she knew that her name wasn't on it. Aria hadn't expected it to have been – a woman fighting? The idea itself would not have crossed the mind of anyone. Well, maybe her father would have thought of it, but he would refuse to let her. She swore softly. A man next to her turned, then let a small smile slip over his features.
"Loved one fighting, miss?"
It was a comment innocent enough, and well meant. But unbidden tears sprang to her eyes, blinding her as she forced her way from the gathering. She made her way back to Anna and James, stopping on the way to compose herself. She had not even tried to confront her grief, let alone accept it, so in a way it surprised her that she should cry so.
"Aria?" James was there, looking at her with a knowing countenance.
"They want you to fight."
Anna tutted loudly. "Honestly. They want all the healers to provide the best care and fastest healing power, when on the day of the battle we all know that we will see dying faces in our tents that just days before we kept life inside. Its horrible..its..."
"War?"
Anna nodded as Aria embraced her.
"Anna...I need to fight. I can't heal, you know that. And I have to do something. You understand, don't you?"
There was a long pause full of thought and struggling emotions. Two pairs of blue eyes held each other, both knowing what would have to be said.
"I wish you wouldn't, but yes, I know that there is nothing that I can say that will change your mind, and have you sent to your children. But think of them, Aria. Imagine how they would feel if neither their father nor mother came back to them. Think about how that would affect them before you go any further."
"Its for them that I have to do this."
"I know." Anna whispered, sadness and bitter regret colouring her voice.
"Your name isn't on the list is it?" James looked serious.
"No. But it must be."
"I would have us draw swords together Aria, if that be possible."
She smiled strongly, aware of how he had just accepted her as an equal even though she was a woman, and therefore born with no rights. "I would like that James."
"Then you must go to father for his permission, and to the leader of this province." Anna looked suddenly serious. "He will not like it Aria, especially as you warned him of this attack and didn't believe you. You must not anger him."
"I really don't think that it's possible not to anger him."
"Come then, I will lend you a dress and send a messenger to both of the men who will be responsible for your fate."
"I will fight whether they let me or not. I decide my destiny, not them."
"Inside."
A short time later Aria was bedecked in one of Anna's less formal dresses. It was plain white and full length, reaching the ground and dragging along it slightly as Anna was taller than her sister by an inch. There was a Celtic design around the sleeves, v-shaped neckline and the base of the dress. The young boy that Anna had sent to ask for an audience with the two men of highest status in the camp had returned a few minutes ago, telling them both that Aria could have a short time with them as soon as the sun was low in the sky.
"Why don't you wear clothes like that more often Aria? I'm sure Tom would like it." James clapped a hand over his mouth. "Oh God, I'm so sorry, I didn't think..."
Anna's fiercely protective glare stopped his ramblings before they had a chance to start.
"Go on Aria. You don't want to be late."
"I feel lost without my weapons I must admit."
"You won't need them. And don't think I didn't notice that you still have some daggers on your person."
Aria walked away. She actually had no idea where to find her father, although it seemed that he had taken up council with the already existing leader, probably trying to secure an area of the province for himself if things went well. That would be like him, always trying to make the maximum profits for himself no matter how many people were hurt along the way. It was just a shame that nobody else could see him like he really was – the people he ruled were blinkered by their respect for him.
She spotted a rather portly man a little younger than her father standing on the battlements looking down at the gathering armies below, surrounded by constantly bowing men-in-waiting. She started on the route to reach him – after all, this must be the man she needed to talk to. Coming into his sight, she straightened her posture, and made her steps less masculine yet more confident. She bowed low when she reached him, all too aware of what the cut of the dress might be exposing.
"Rise."
She stood, letting him take in her frame, mentally making a judgement about her.
"You are the daughter of the king of the fallen village?"
"I am."
"How would I be able to help you then?" His voice was kind, sympathetic and very patronising. But it was a start.
She was about to reply when a voice from behind her cut her next words off.
"My daughter always had ideas above her station. Do not let her idle questions bother you."
Rage bubbled up inside her at the inflection of his words. She turned, forcing a smile on her face and pushing her anger down and curtseying once again.
"Come now Aria. What is it you want?"
For you to stop treating me like a child, maybe?
"I wish to uphold my family's honour and represent them with my father in this upcoming battle."
Her father looked disapproving, the King simply stunned.
"You have always wanted to be a man when you simply have not been born into the right body for it. You can be no use to the army, only a hindrance."
"I respect that, my liege, but it has been my only wish since I heard of fighting – we must all fight for our freedom, must we not?"
"Princess Aria, you are a woman. And because of this, you will have no skills to help us in our future. You belong in the healing tents or not on the battle fields at all."
"Prove it." Sharply.
"Such impertinence! I demand you apologise at once! Your superiors are always right. Men are always right." Aria just glared at her father.
"How would you want me to prove it, Princess? I can hardly expect you to fight one of my men – you would get grievously injured."
"Let her try. Then maybe she will get these ridiculous notions from her head."
"And if I succeed? If I win?" She knew she was taking a huge gamble, but it was the only one which could show her for what she was, win or lose: a fighter.
"Then it will still be up to your father as the head of your family to decide. After all, if it is representation in this battle that you want, then you already have it."
Her father grinned smugly at her and she knew that however well she fought, he would still deny her access to the field. But if she did defeat one of the King's men, then maybe his influence would put pressure on her father, especially as he wanted favours from him. She just didn't know.
The larger man clicked his fingers and at this signal a man walked smartly over and bowed.
"This is my man David. He will fight you till the draw of blood, no further."
She glanced at him, then was forced to crane her neck to be able to look him in the eye. He was at least six feet tall, maybe six and a half. But the elves were all about that height, and he was just one overly tall man.
"Come. You cannot prove a point up on these battlements."
He led her down to an area in the courtyard that was free from grass. It was a sandy piste of about fourteen metres square. David went immediately to the other side of the arena and faced Aria. She entered hesitantly, then a horrible thought struck her.
"I can't do this."
"See my dear? You are a woman, and that is enough of a disadvantage."
"I would agree that I am at a disadvantage, but not because of my sex." She held out her hand imperiously. "I need a sword." Aria demanded.
By now a crowd had begun to gather, wondering at what could be happening. One of the men standing near pulled his own from its sheath.
"M'lady?"
"Thank you." She gauged its balance. "This is a good sword."
"You will have a hard enough time fighting in that dress, to be sure, even with a sword such as that."
"That is true." So in one fluid movement, she pulled the dress off, standing in her rightful place on the piste. The crowd gasped. She still had on her under clothes consisting of half length soft kid breeches and a well fitting sleeveless top, but for a Princess to behave in this manner? Simply scandalous! Nobody would show there underclothes in public unless they were doing penance for a crime in the form of public humiliation, or if they were touting for business down some seedy alley.
"When you're ready? Begin!"
David waited no time to launch a fierce attack, obviously already impatient with the fight. She parried expertly, however he then took the block in a seeding parry so that it was Aria who was now caught up in his blade. He stepped close, but she shied away, letting her footwork distance her from any oncoming blow. Lightning fast she disengaged her blade, and they were both left to circle one another. She feinted to his left side with a low attack in the carte quarter that he responded to with a very powerful block that left her whole hand vibrating. She pulled back again, storing the knowledge of his reaction in her head to use in conjunction with another blow.
It seemed that he was tired of the fight. He came running at her, blade in a typical charging position, both hands drawn back. She side stepped him, whilst dislodging his feet by placing one of hers in front of his own. He stumbled. By now a dust cloud was building up, making it very hard to see where either person was. He began another attack, to which Aria replied to with a fast duck and her blade pointing upwards, covering her head but still in an offensive stance. Not expecting this and in no position to stop moving and change direction, the blade cut into his clothes and scratched along his skin, making a small opening in his lower stomach. Anger suffused his face with colour. Aria stopped fighting and laid down her sword, just as he knocked her to the ground and placed a sword at her throat, his free hand pushing her body firmly to the sandy floor.
"It would seem that my point be proved, young Princess."
His blood was seeping onto her white shirt. Why did they choose not to notice it? So she chose not to notice them. Bucking her hips she clasped her hand around his sword and with a yell reversed their positions scattering his weapon whilst her free hand reached inside the waistband of her breeches and pulled out a small yet lethal throwing knife. He tried to dislodge her, but a well placed knee and a firm grip on his wrists soon had him in a position of checkmate.
Lifting he head she called to the astonished people, but mostly to the King, "it would seem that a point has indeed been proven, my liege. I assume that I can fight?" Her father, unwillingly, nodded. "Good." She released the stunned guard who had stopped bleeding by now and spat at his feet.
"Cheat." She murmured murderously, before gathering her dress and storming back to Anna to tell her the news.
A/N: This is one of the last times I am going to ask you all to do this for me...so please, please review! I know every fic that you read probably has a similar plea, but I would really like to know your opinions as this is the penultimate chapter, and I don't want to put any interjections on the last. So, for the final time in the history of this fic...PLEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEE review!
Aria walked to the main courtyard. The 'list' was more of a register of those men who were still alive in the village, and therefore expected to fight no matter what stages of recovery they were in if they had come from the last attack. She reached the wall on which it was posted and, as she predicted there was a group of men too dense to push through. So she hung back and waited. And waited. Aria wasn't used to being patient about anything, so she counted to five then marched into the centre of the crowd, elbows jabbing here and there when necessary. James' name was on the list, as well as her father's. The list went on for many parchment pages, in very small writing. But as many times as she checked the numerous pages, she knew that her name wasn't on it. Aria hadn't expected it to have been – a woman fighting? The idea itself would not have crossed the mind of anyone. Well, maybe her father would have thought of it, but he would refuse to let her. She swore softly. A man next to her turned, then let a small smile slip over his features.
"Loved one fighting, miss?"
It was a comment innocent enough, and well meant. But unbidden tears sprang to her eyes, blinding her as she forced her way from the gathering. She made her way back to Anna and James, stopping on the way to compose herself. She had not even tried to confront her grief, let alone accept it, so in a way it surprised her that she should cry so.
"Aria?" James was there, looking at her with a knowing countenance.
"They want you to fight."
Anna tutted loudly. "Honestly. They want all the healers to provide the best care and fastest healing power, when on the day of the battle we all know that we will see dying faces in our tents that just days before we kept life inside. Its horrible..its..."
"War?"
Anna nodded as Aria embraced her.
"Anna...I need to fight. I can't heal, you know that. And I have to do something. You understand, don't you?"
There was a long pause full of thought and struggling emotions. Two pairs of blue eyes held each other, both knowing what would have to be said.
"I wish you wouldn't, but yes, I know that there is nothing that I can say that will change your mind, and have you sent to your children. But think of them, Aria. Imagine how they would feel if neither their father nor mother came back to them. Think about how that would affect them before you go any further."
"Its for them that I have to do this."
"I know." Anna whispered, sadness and bitter regret colouring her voice.
"Your name isn't on the list is it?" James looked serious.
"No. But it must be."
"I would have us draw swords together Aria, if that be possible."
She smiled strongly, aware of how he had just accepted her as an equal even though she was a woman, and therefore born with no rights. "I would like that James."
"Then you must go to father for his permission, and to the leader of this province." Anna looked suddenly serious. "He will not like it Aria, especially as you warned him of this attack and didn't believe you. You must not anger him."
"I really don't think that it's possible not to anger him."
"Come then, I will lend you a dress and send a messenger to both of the men who will be responsible for your fate."
"I will fight whether they let me or not. I decide my destiny, not them."
"Inside."
A short time later Aria was bedecked in one of Anna's less formal dresses. It was plain white and full length, reaching the ground and dragging along it slightly as Anna was taller than her sister by an inch. There was a Celtic design around the sleeves, v-shaped neckline and the base of the dress. The young boy that Anna had sent to ask for an audience with the two men of highest status in the camp had returned a few minutes ago, telling them both that Aria could have a short time with them as soon as the sun was low in the sky.
"Why don't you wear clothes like that more often Aria? I'm sure Tom would like it." James clapped a hand over his mouth. "Oh God, I'm so sorry, I didn't think..."
Anna's fiercely protective glare stopped his ramblings before they had a chance to start.
"Go on Aria. You don't want to be late."
"I feel lost without my weapons I must admit."
"You won't need them. And don't think I didn't notice that you still have some daggers on your person."
Aria walked away. She actually had no idea where to find her father, although it seemed that he had taken up council with the already existing leader, probably trying to secure an area of the province for himself if things went well. That would be like him, always trying to make the maximum profits for himself no matter how many people were hurt along the way. It was just a shame that nobody else could see him like he really was – the people he ruled were blinkered by their respect for him.
She spotted a rather portly man a little younger than her father standing on the battlements looking down at the gathering armies below, surrounded by constantly bowing men-in-waiting. She started on the route to reach him – after all, this must be the man she needed to talk to. Coming into his sight, she straightened her posture, and made her steps less masculine yet more confident. She bowed low when she reached him, all too aware of what the cut of the dress might be exposing.
"Rise."
She stood, letting him take in her frame, mentally making a judgement about her.
"You are the daughter of the king of the fallen village?"
"I am."
"How would I be able to help you then?" His voice was kind, sympathetic and very patronising. But it was a start.
She was about to reply when a voice from behind her cut her next words off.
"My daughter always had ideas above her station. Do not let her idle questions bother you."
Rage bubbled up inside her at the inflection of his words. She turned, forcing a smile on her face and pushing her anger down and curtseying once again.
"Come now Aria. What is it you want?"
For you to stop treating me like a child, maybe?
"I wish to uphold my family's honour and represent them with my father in this upcoming battle."
Her father looked disapproving, the King simply stunned.
"You have always wanted to be a man when you simply have not been born into the right body for it. You can be no use to the army, only a hindrance."
"I respect that, my liege, but it has been my only wish since I heard of fighting – we must all fight for our freedom, must we not?"
"Princess Aria, you are a woman. And because of this, you will have no skills to help us in our future. You belong in the healing tents or not on the battle fields at all."
"Prove it." Sharply.
"Such impertinence! I demand you apologise at once! Your superiors are always right. Men are always right." Aria just glared at her father.
"How would you want me to prove it, Princess? I can hardly expect you to fight one of my men – you would get grievously injured."
"Let her try. Then maybe she will get these ridiculous notions from her head."
"And if I succeed? If I win?" She knew she was taking a huge gamble, but it was the only one which could show her for what she was, win or lose: a fighter.
"Then it will still be up to your father as the head of your family to decide. After all, if it is representation in this battle that you want, then you already have it."
Her father grinned smugly at her and she knew that however well she fought, he would still deny her access to the field. But if she did defeat one of the King's men, then maybe his influence would put pressure on her father, especially as he wanted favours from him. She just didn't know.
The larger man clicked his fingers and at this signal a man walked smartly over and bowed.
"This is my man David. He will fight you till the draw of blood, no further."
She glanced at him, then was forced to crane her neck to be able to look him in the eye. He was at least six feet tall, maybe six and a half. But the elves were all about that height, and he was just one overly tall man.
"Come. You cannot prove a point up on these battlements."
He led her down to an area in the courtyard that was free from grass. It was a sandy piste of about fourteen metres square. David went immediately to the other side of the arena and faced Aria. She entered hesitantly, then a horrible thought struck her.
"I can't do this."
"See my dear? You are a woman, and that is enough of a disadvantage."
"I would agree that I am at a disadvantage, but not because of my sex." She held out her hand imperiously. "I need a sword." Aria demanded.
By now a crowd had begun to gather, wondering at what could be happening. One of the men standing near pulled his own from its sheath.
"M'lady?"
"Thank you." She gauged its balance. "This is a good sword."
"You will have a hard enough time fighting in that dress, to be sure, even with a sword such as that."
"That is true." So in one fluid movement, she pulled the dress off, standing in her rightful place on the piste. The crowd gasped. She still had on her under clothes consisting of half length soft kid breeches and a well fitting sleeveless top, but for a Princess to behave in this manner? Simply scandalous! Nobody would show there underclothes in public unless they were doing penance for a crime in the form of public humiliation, or if they were touting for business down some seedy alley.
"When you're ready? Begin!"
David waited no time to launch a fierce attack, obviously already impatient with the fight. She parried expertly, however he then took the block in a seeding parry so that it was Aria who was now caught up in his blade. He stepped close, but she shied away, letting her footwork distance her from any oncoming blow. Lightning fast she disengaged her blade, and they were both left to circle one another. She feinted to his left side with a low attack in the carte quarter that he responded to with a very powerful block that left her whole hand vibrating. She pulled back again, storing the knowledge of his reaction in her head to use in conjunction with another blow.
It seemed that he was tired of the fight. He came running at her, blade in a typical charging position, both hands drawn back. She side stepped him, whilst dislodging his feet by placing one of hers in front of his own. He stumbled. By now a dust cloud was building up, making it very hard to see where either person was. He began another attack, to which Aria replied to with a fast duck and her blade pointing upwards, covering her head but still in an offensive stance. Not expecting this and in no position to stop moving and change direction, the blade cut into his clothes and scratched along his skin, making a small opening in his lower stomach. Anger suffused his face with colour. Aria stopped fighting and laid down her sword, just as he knocked her to the ground and placed a sword at her throat, his free hand pushing her body firmly to the sandy floor.
"It would seem that my point be proved, young Princess."
His blood was seeping onto her white shirt. Why did they choose not to notice it? So she chose not to notice them. Bucking her hips she clasped her hand around his sword and with a yell reversed their positions scattering his weapon whilst her free hand reached inside the waistband of her breeches and pulled out a small yet lethal throwing knife. He tried to dislodge her, but a well placed knee and a firm grip on his wrists soon had him in a position of checkmate.
Lifting he head she called to the astonished people, but mostly to the King, "it would seem that a point has indeed been proven, my liege. I assume that I can fight?" Her father, unwillingly, nodded. "Good." She released the stunned guard who had stopped bleeding by now and spat at his feet.
"Cheat." She murmured murderously, before gathering her dress and storming back to Anna to tell her the news.
A/N: This is one of the last times I am going to ask you all to do this for me...so please, please review! I know every fic that you read probably has a similar plea, but I would really like to know your opinions as this is the penultimate chapter, and I don't want to put any interjections on the last. So, for the final time in the history of this fic...PLEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEE review!
