Bbllgirl4ever- hope life gets better! And I've decided that there will be a plot. Eventually. When I decide what it is.
Arcadia- Thank You!
Lady-of-tormentdeath- thanks. And if I ever get enough energy I'll redo that.
FanFictionFantom- Glad you like KN, I do too!
Scottish Wish- Me too! This kinda has some fluffy moments but there will be some to come.
Jturtle- You read my mind!
Lady Knight 1512- I have nothing to say except that I love you for your faithful, helpful, and complimentary reviewing! Kisses!
DarkMoon- I'm sorry, but this will be KN, but I'm thinking that I might do a variation later with another pairing. I'm sorry!
Soccerchick-08 – wow that was a great review thanks! You have a ton of great advice that I will make sure to follow. I hope that I live up to your expectations! I'd appreciate any more advice!
Pussin Boots- blushes and here's you're longer chappie
Flower Kid- ….I think that's a compliment…
Disclaimer: Duh.
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Kel walked into the stables of Pirate's Swoop, holding the reins to Peachblossom and Darkmoon. She was planning on grooming and feeding both horses, but the stable boy accosted her as soon as she entered the door.
"I'll take those, milady." The boy bowed and had the reins out of her hands in a second. About to protest, Kel thought better of it. A chance to relax would be nice. And I have to look nice tonight. Alanna is insisting that I give a good impression to her new squire and his father. Kel decided that this boy was a blessing. Instead of wearing the afternoon away with mud and horses, she could start on her workout, and have time to get thoroughly clean before dinner.
That being decided, Kel strolled out to the practice fields in the Swoop's courtyard. She expected them to be deserted, as none of Alanna's children were home and the baron had Alanna firmly locked into his room. So Kel was mildly surprised to find a young man in the center of a practice court, swinging a sword. Kel pursed her lips as she examined his style. He was loose, and his blade was less controlled than either Kel or Alanna. However, she could tell that he was strong; the power in each stroke was evident even from this distance.
She crouched in the court adjacent to his, stretching while she watched him. Even with his looseness, she was forced to conclude that he possessed a fair amount of skill. After completing a particularly difficult pattern, he noticed her gaze and have her a quick grin. She was startled to see that his eyes were a brilliant green. She felt her breath catch as she gave him a small smile in return, and then turned back to her exercises.
Kel kicked and punched the air repeatedly, feeling the stress drown out of her. Despite her outside appearance, she was very nervous about meeting this Nealan of Queenscove. She knew that it was irrational to feel like she was being replaced, but she felt that way nonetheless. Well, Alanna knows him, she tried to reassure herself. And Alanna wouldn't pick anyone who was mean or worthless as a squire. Kel knew that the lady knight had a bit of a temper. Kel finally relaxed with the physical activity, and her mind entered a peaceful place.
Because of this total peacefulness, Kel was scared out of her mind when a whistle came from behind her. She jumped about a mile high, and spun quickly to face the person behind her. Unconsciously her hands clenched into fists.
"Whoa, calm down." The green-eyed youth held his palms out, proving his good intentions. "I promise I won't bite." He smiled charmingly at her. She simply eyed him calmly. His smile lengthened as he laughed. "That was quite a jump I have to say. Were you planning on sprouting wings and feathers and flying away with the birdies?"
Kel just looked at him. "Did you want something?"
"Oh, yes. Well, not really. I mean, I wanted to congratulate you. Those were some pretty sophisticated moves you were doing. Are you a student in shang?"
"No. But my teacher learned from a shang master so I've learned some of it." Kel answered his question, but initiated no other topics, hoping that he would leave and let her finish her exercises. He seemed decent, but she didn't trust men since her dismissal as a page, and she wasn't about to start with this one.
The man didn't seem to get the hint. "Oh. So your teacher is making you do these practice?"
"No, I'm doing this on my own accord." Kel was starting to get impatient and covered her expression with her Yamani face.
She was startled when the young man's mouth dropped open at this simple statement. Did I say something unusual? He looks…stunned. The emerald eyes were now looked a bit shocked.
"You mean- you WANT to do that work? You're CHOOSING to acquire those bruises?"
Kel looked at him for a second, perplexed, then answered, "… yeah."
He stared at her for another second and then asked hesitantly, "are you sure that you're not insane?" She leveled a glance at him. "Well, no I guess not. But why would you do that? Wouldn't you rather be reading a nice book?"
Kel thought that this boy had it all mixed up; he was the crazy one, not her. A book? She looked at him incredulously. "Why would I want to read a book?"
"Why? That's like asking why the sun shines." He threw a hand dramatically over his heart. "Books are the nature of our being, the explanations of our lives. We can understand the future through understanding the past, and analyze human behavior emotions, and-"
Mercifully he was cut off by a man at the edge of the yard calling to him. Otherwise his future would have probably included a bloody nose from Kel's fist. All that blather about books and history. Kel didn't understand it. As a male, he could fight, and no one would call him a slut just trying to get laid. She was only a standard bearer, but the conservatives trying to find her ulterior reasons had already berated her constantly. Maybe they consider the reason of trying to prove the sexist people like themselves wrong. But this boy could fight, without hearing all of that. And he chose to sit in his room and read. Kel shook her head at the folly. As she put her weapons away she decided that men in general-with the exception of the baron, Alan, Thom, and Hakuin-were all just stupid.
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Kel looked at Alanna, shaking her head vehemently.
"There is no way that I will ever wear that." She emphasized 'that,' stabbing her finger into the green fabric of the dress lying on her bed.
Alanna grinned evilly back at her. "Oh yes you will dear Keladry. We couldn't have you looking shabby while meeting the Duke."
"Of course not," Kel agreed with her. "Therefore, I will wear a beautifully crisp and clean silk tunic over an equally immaculate shirt and breeches."
"No you will not." Alanna was laughing as she said this. Laughing at ME, thought Kel. This is just cruel. Alanna continued, "you will not be ashamed to show that Duke that you are female. You will be proud of it."
Kel wanted to scream in protest. That was not what this was about. She wasn't ashamed, she just wanted to be comfortable and not appear to be one of those Court dolls. But Alanna wasn't done yet, and Kel watched warily as the knight planted her hands on her hips.
"Look Kel. I know what you're saying. But I want you to look good for this, and will except no excuse. I have high standards. So you will appear at the dinner wearing that. Besides," she smiled, "it looks good on you. Show off that skin before it becomes wrinkled and scarred like mine."
Kel scowled as Alanna flounced out of the room. She knew that Alanna hadn't been able to dress pretty during her youth because she had been trying to appear to be a boy. Kel also wished that Alanna wouldn't take it out on Kel. However, Kel knew that Alanna would never change her mind. Once the king's champion got an idea into her head, it was impossible to dislodge. So Kel sighed as she walked over to her bed and picked up the gown.
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At first glance, Keladry of Mindelan appeared rather comical. Her dress was beautiful and stylish and flattered her figure. It was obvious however that 'beautiful' and 'stylish' were not adjectives that the girl cared for. She had taken pains to make those characteristics end at her dress. She hadn't wanted to upset Alanna, so she was clean, but her hair was loose and flowed down past her shoulders. The rest of her was unadorned with jewels, and her stance suggested that any compliment would be shoved back down the throat of the charmer.
The baron almost laughed when he saw her striding down the hallway. He had always liked feisty girls, and at this particular second, Keladry reminded him strongly of his own wife Alanna.
"Keladry," George bowed and held out his arm.
Kel, after grimacing at the formal gesture set her hand on his arm. She asked him "Shouldn't you be entertaining your guests instead of escorting me?"
He grinned mildly back. "Alanna was afraid that you might, ah, miss the dining hall on your way to dinner."
Kel laughed. "She didn't trust me to come. Figures. I wouldn't trust myself either. Although I would have come up with a better excuse."
She and George proceeded to the dining hall, while Kel tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach. I can't believe that I'm this nervous!
A servant pushed open the doors, and Kel, accompanied by George, strolled in. Kel's eyes nervously sought out the new squire. Mentally she checked off Alanna, who was glaring at her, and then the man with gray hair sitting across from her. That left the head of brown hair whose back was turned.
The graying man-Kel assumed that he was the Duke-noticed their entrance and greeted them. "George! And Keladry of Mindelan, I believe."
Kel smiled anxiously. "Yes." She curtsied. "And you must be the Duke of Queenscove."
He nodded his ascent. "Indeed. And may I present my son Neal?"
At this comment Brown Hair rose and bowed, finally facing Kel. The first thing she noticed were his bright green eyes.
"You!"
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A/N: Well, I had a long enough note above, but again, I want to thank you all for reading and reviewing. My life has become incredibly stressful, and your wonderful reviews keep me going. Oh wow I'm getting emotional. But really from the bottom of my heart.
ThanksLove always and forever, PrincessPeach