A/n: Thanks for the reviews guys! Keep 'em coming! By the way, everyone in the entire world should go see Fahrenheit 9/11, because Michael Moore is a genius and George W. Bush is a moron, who couldn't run a Wal-Mart, let alone our county.
Chapter Two
I sat on my bed, fully dressed, in the middle of the morning. All around me, Ganphian was bustling. I was waiting, impatiently at that. I've never been much of a waiter. I was supposed to be picked up by Tristan and escorted to their manor. However, time was creeping by slowly and I couldn't bear it any longer. Was he late?
Colleen suddenly tore through the door. "Fiona!" she said breathlessly. "Tristan is here! And he's… he's… he's gorgeous!"
I laughed. "Colleen! You're only ten," I replied.
She sighed and left the room. I followed her, trying to contain my excitement. As I entered the sitting room, I saw Moira, awkwardly standing with Tristan and Mickey, who were eyeing each other. Tristan was a favorite of King Cadogan, a candidate for knighthood, which made Mickey angry, of course. Boys.
Tristan looked me up and down when I entered the room. "It's nice to see you again," I said, curtsying, unsure as to what to call him.
He ignored me, and looked at Moira. "It was a pleasure meeting you," he said, bowing and sweeping out the door.
I gave Mickey and Moira strange looks, and followed him out the door. We walked in uncomfortable silence for awhile. I glanced at him every few minutes, taking in his appearance and stature. He was tall and muscular, much like Mickey, but his hair was blond and neat, and he had a long, angular face and deep blue eyes. He stood very straight, as if someone was holding him up.
"How old are you, Tristan?" I asked, trying to make conversation.
"I'm eighteen," he said.
"Oh," I replied. "I'm seventeen."
He hadn't asked, but I was trying to make the best of an awkward situation. We continued walking until we reached a path leading into a forest. Inside it was damp and cool, the trees forming a canopy over our heads. Small patches of light flowed down from holes in the branches, illuminating greens and browns. We left the forest almost as quickly as we came in, and began walking up a large hill. Pretty soon, the manor came into view. It was enormous, made of brown wood and a gray slate roof. It was surrounded by arable green land.
"Wow," I said.
Tristan sighed. "I know," he replied, unimpressed.
He led me to the house and through the large, red front doors. Inside it was furnished with elaborate knick-knacks and fancy furniture. There seemed to be hundreds of servants, all cleaning and waiting on him.
"Crom, tell Mother and Father that we've arrived and will be in the library if needed," said Tristan.
Crom nodded. "Yes, milord," he replied, walking away.
Tristan began walking up a large set of stairs. I followed him, looking in awe at the lavish decorations and ornaments. After walking through a number of winding corridors, we came upon a set of double doors. He threw them open. I stepped into the room and felt my jaw drop.
The room was surrounded in floor to ceiling shelves, all full of books. In the center of the room was a circular table where Carys and Enid sat with Tristan. I flew to the nearest wall, standing next to the shelves. I ran my fingers over the book's embossed leather spine.
"Are all of these yours?" I asked.
"Yes," replied Enid in a timid voice.
I closed my eyes. "Good Tiarna," I whispered. All of these books belonging to one family!
"Are you going to teach us?" blurted out Carys.
"Let's hope not," grumbled Tristan quietly.
I spun around to face them, choosing to ignore Tristan's comment. "Yes, of course!" I exclaimed. "What shall we start with? History? Philosophy? Geography?"
"Philosophy!" cried Carys.
I pulled out some parchment. "Okay," I said.
We began reading about the great philosopher Saechian. Each took turns reading aloud, as I mentally assessed them. All of them had pretty good reading skills, although Tristan did read rather unenthusiastically.
After philosophy, we did history, and then took a break for lunch. "What were your other tutors like?" I asked them while we were eating.
"Old," said Carys. "You're the youngest we've ever had. And they were boring."
"You're not boring," said Enid shyly.
"They let us do what we wanted," said Tristan loudly. "They were afraid that we'd tell our father if we didn't."
"I'm not afraid of that," I replied.
Tristan snorted. "I doubt that," he spat.
"Tristan, your father is an educated man, isn't he?" I asked, not waiting for his reply. "Then he obviously knows that part of education is doing things you don't like. I'd assume your past tutors never thought of this."
"He could make your life here hell," Tristan growled. "He could have you run out of Ceannaire."
"I don't doubt it," I replied. "But for now, let's settle on learning Siogan, the fairy language."
My days went like this. I was escorted to the manor, tutored the bashful Enid, eager Carys, and reluctant Tristan. Then I was escorted home. I grew used to the pattern. Daily routines were comforting to me, even though I wasn't a structured person. Plus, I really enjoyed tutoring.
However, there was one aspect of it that I loathed. Tristan. He was rude, forward, and snobby towards me. I truly felt as though I'd never done anything to make him want to treat me so poorly. Finally, I couldn't stand his abuse anymore.
One night, as he was escorting me home, I asked him, "Have I done something to offend you?"
He stopped walking and stared at me. "No," he said. "Why?"
"Because you've been really rude to me," I replied.
"I have not!" he cried.
I nodded. "Yes you have," I said. "Why?"
"Because…" he said. "Because I resent you."
"Me?" I cried. "Why?"
"You're just another one of my parent's decrees to me," he said, frustrated. "Betrothal, lordship, tutoring…"
That is ridiculous. What a spoiled boy! I laughed out loud. I couldn't help it.
"You mock me?" he asked, somewhat angry.
I shrugged. "Well, yes," I said. "You make it sound so terrible."
"Make what sound so terrible?" he replied.
"Your life. Your privilege," I said.
He sighed. "It is," he said.
I stared at him, somewhat confused. "You're kidding, right?" I asked. "There are boys who would kill for your opportunities."
He snorted. "I suspect that's untrue," he replied.
"I think it is," I retorted, my face flushed.
"No, it's not!" Tristan cried, suddenly angry. "What in the name of Tiarna do you know about me anyway? Nothing. So why don't you go irritate someone else, because I don't want to hear you preach."
I started growing angry. "You should just accept it," I yelled. "Use it to your advantage. Maybe then you'll stop being a selfish brat and actually learn something about who you are."
His eyes grew wide in rage. "Name one place in all of human kind that would yearn for a life like mine!" he shouted, ignoring my point.
I thought for a moment. "Have you not heard of the horrors in Effluanbn?" I asked. "Young boys, brainwashed and made into violent riders by the Deileoirans? Girls being kidnapped and forced into marriage? Families torn apart, crops ruined, businesses destroyed? You don't think those people want to be rich, intelligent, and fortunate?"
He laughed coldly. "You speak of Effluanbn as if you know it!" he cried. "You tell me to 'learn who I am!' But what about you? What do you know about yourself, Fiona?"
"I know enough," I replied, touchy on the subject of my parent's death.
"I'm sure, you hypocrite!" he cried. "All of mankind knows who and what you are, and yet you remain in the dark! Is that really 'knowing yourself'?"
"I'm not hypocrite! And why would all of humanity know who I am?" I screamed.
He suddenly scowled and folded his arms. "No reason," he said, starting to walk downhill again.
"Why, Tristan?" I shouted, standing still. "What do you mean?"
He said nothing, just continued to walk. I was furious. My legs running faster than I ever thought they could, I tackled him and we rolled down the grassy hill awkwardly and painfully. When we reached the bottom, I sat up, bewildered. Tristan was moving to sit up as well. I pounced on him, sitting on his chest and holding down his shoulders.
"Tell me why the whole kingdom would know of me," I snarled, putting my face close to his. "I know you're hiding something."
He pushed me off him and rolled over, pinning me to the ground. "No," he said. "Why don't you ask your precious king, Fiona? Or dear Uther and Moira?"
I struggled. "Get off of me, you maggot," I ordered. "I'm a lady."
He rolled off me. "Of course you are," he said sarcastically.
He didn't bother escorting me home. I wouldn't blame him. When I stood up, I squared my shoulders and walked towards him. Looking him straight in the eye, I slapped him across the face.
"Pig," I said. "You'll regret this."
"Is that a threat?" he asked, his eyes fiery.
"No," I replied. "It's a guarantee."
I slammed the door when I came home. I stomped into the kitchen, where I saw Moira and Uther looking at me peculiarly.
"We need to talk," I said angrily.
Uther glanced at Moira. "About what?" he asked.
"I think you know what," I replied.
Moira sighed anxiously. "Your parents?" she suggested.
"Sort of," I retorted. "Let's talk about the reason the whole of mankind knows my name."
Uther looked at me, discontented. "Why would the whole of mankind know your name?" he asked.
"That's what I'd like to know," I repeated.
"Where'd you come up with such an idea?" he asked.
I explained my fight with Tristan, how I'd urged him to learn something about himself and stop being such a pessimist. Then I told them of how he'd said that I was a hypocrite, saying everyone knew who and what I was.
"So who am I?" I asked angrily. "What am I? I'd like to know!"
"Fiona-" said Moira.
"No, you can tell me!" I screamed, getting louder. "Does everyone know me because my mother was some evil witch? Am I some bastard child? What is it? Why have you kept it from me? Do you think I'm some simpleton? I would have found out eventually!"
"Stop!" Moira cried, her eyes shining with tears.
I slammed my hands on the table. "Why?" I screamed. "Why should I?"
Uther ran at me and grabbed my wrists. "Listen to me, Fiona," he said. "This is not a matter for Moira and I to explain to you. Others need to clarify this situation."
A/n: Oh, cliffhanger! Yes! I love those! Please review!