Changing Stone
by: luxxi
Disclaimer: Kel, Joren, and all the other characters belong to Tamora Pierce sadly…
Summary: Kel and Joren have always hated each other with a passion. So what happens when Kel is warned that if she does not change Joren for the better, he will die? KJ
Chapter 3: King's Own
Running down the garden walks, Kel sobbed with hate, grief, and exasperation. Soon though, she collapsed with exhaustion on a bench. She had also run out of tears. Her dress was a total mess and so was her hair. She could hardly go back to the ball. She was passing through the courtyard when a voice spoke behind her.
"Running from male admirers?" A huge shadow strode up behind her.
Kel stiffened, turning slightly to see who it was. "Not really. Hello, Lord Raoul," she smiled weakly, smoothing down her hair and dress self-consciously.
He looked concerned, "What happened to you? Are you okay?"
Kel blushed lightly and waved it off, "Um…I just…"
Raoul stopped her, "You don't have to explain yourself to me. That's not why I'm here."
"Why then?" she asked curiously.
"I'd like to ask you if you wish to be my squire."
Kel's jaw dropped open and her eyes opened wide in surprise. "Y-your squire, sir?"
Raoul shrugged, "I'd understand if you didn't want…"
"I'd love to!" Kel burst in, "Thank you so much, my lord!"
Raoul grinned, "I assure you, you won't regret this decision. You'll be traveling with me and the rest of the Own."
She bowed, "When do I start?"
The large knight smiled softly at her, "We leave in two days. You'll have those days off to pack and say goodbye. We'll be traveling for a few months without returning, at the least."
"Neal!" She pounded her best friend's door. "Nealan of Queenscove, open the door this instant! I have something to tell you."
She waited impatiently as Neal opened door, looking rumpled and disgruntled. "God Kel, it's three in the morning! How can you be up already?"
"I would have told you yesterday, but I thought I would let you get some sleep after the ball. I couldn't wait any longer!" She told him excitedly, pushing her way into the messy room.
"What's so urgent?" Neal groaned as he plopped back onto his comfy bed, wanting to go back to bed.
"I have a knight-master!"
"What!" Neal's head snapped up from where it had drooped. "That's great, Kel! Even though you woke me up before dawn, I'm still happy for you! Who is he?"
"Raoul of Goldenlake."
"That means that you'll be working with the Own?"
"Yes, we're leaving tomorrow. I'm going to be busy today packing so I wanted to tell while I still had time."
Neal patted her on the back, "I'll tell everyone else if you don't have a chance, don't worry. You'll do fine, Kel. At least, you don't have the Lady Knight as a knight-master," he added grumpily.
Soon Kel was riding, traveling, and fighting with the King's Own. She was happy, but the satisfaction was not there. The guilt of not doing anything to prevent Joren's death was gnawing on her. She had to do something!
As if the gods sensed her own guilt, Kel turned one morning while she was tending to Hoshi and saw Joren and his knight-master, Sir Paxton of Nond, riding up the road.
Raoul ran up and greeted Paxton with a huge slap on the back, "Paxton, it's great to see you. How long are you going to be here?"
Paxton didn't talk as loudly as her knight-master did –actually she doubted anyone could roar as loudly as he did– so she could only make out a few words. "…see you too… king… help…Joren…learn… be here… one month."
She sighed and prepared herself for one long month to come.
Joren saw her watching them and sneered at her.
Kel started to send a glare his way, but she caught herself. If I'm going to try and save him, even though he's an arrogant ass, I'm going to have to start acting more mature. If I respond to his insults, it'll only make matters worse.
Suddenly, she had a quick idea. Smirking inwardly, she simply smiled sweetly in response at Joren, who almost fell off his horse in shock.
"Joren, are you okay?" Paxton asked, seeing his usually adept squire nearly topple out of the saddle.
"Yes, I'm fine," he snapped, two pink blotches starting to form on his cheeks.
"Come on then, you two, I'll show you to some extra tents."
She kept her laughter in until she reached her own tent. She made a note to tell Neal and the others the story one day.
Kel managed to avoid both the newcomers until dinner. Resigned, she knew she would have to face him because everyone ate dinner in the main tent.
"Evening Kel," Raoul said, smiling.
"Raoul," she nodded, "Lord Paxton." She nearly jumped out of her skin as someone spoke behind her.
"Lord Raoul, Paxton." Joren said smoothly.
"Ah good, you're both here. Dinner can proceed then. Why don't you take those two seats over there?" Paxton told them.
Kel realized with a growing horror that those two seats that he had pointed out were next to each other. She opened her mouth to speak, but he beat her to it. "Are you crazy, Paxton? You know how I feel about her!"
Raoul growled, "That's precisely why we are seating you this way. Paxton and I agree that one of the lessons of being a knight is being courteous even to your enemy."
Kel didn't even bother arguing because she knew that when Raoul made up his mind, it was made.
She sat down and started eating silently. Joren had stayed longer to whine to Paxton, but a few minutes later he plopped down beside her, as far away as the seat would allow, and started to eat too.
They kept eating in silence until Joren said, "So why'd you run out crying at the ball?"
Kel gaped, "You remember that?"
Joren snorted, "Of course I do, it's not everyday you lose to me in an argument."
"I did not lose, I just…" Kel trailed off, now totally embarrassed.
"See, you did lose, admit it."
"All right, I admit it. Can we stop arguing?" Kel rose, brushing dust from her breeches. She left without giving Joren a chance to answer.
"Wow, the Lump has changed. But for good or for bad, I don't know."
A/N: sorry…I've been really busy and my family went on vacation. Forgive me:) at least I got another chapter out as a new year's present.