Problematic Days

Disclaimer: I own most of the characters with the exception of Kel, Dom, and any other mildly used character that can be located in the Protector of the Small Quartet. I also own the plot - although T.P. owns the setting.

Authors Note: I won't have a response to ALL of my reviews because obviously I don't have many because of the fact I am writing this two days after my first update. Note I am going to try to make my chapters a little longer, this one for sure, so expect at least 2000 words - maybe more. I want alot to happen, so READ and REVIEW!

To My Reviewers:

kaededainecalwyn: Well, I am updating! I won't make the chapter tooooo long, just about 2000 words so that I can fit more in! Nothing too pointless.

nicolerenea: OK that's good - this chapter is inbetween, I suppose.

klutzyspaz: YEAH! POINTS! lol hope this update is fast enough.

Thanks to any other reviews that come before I update this!

Note: Italics is what has already taken place OR what is being thought.

Fire of the Elements

She really should tell him.

Maybe.

But he had a right to know. She could not force him into this lie...right?

Right.

Wrong.

Kel allowed herself to fall to the cream coloured sofa, her mind and thoughts overwhelming her. The restitution of Sierra was heartwelming, gracious, and ... arduous. Already Kel had been forced to cover up the restitution of Sierra with "not availables", "can't talk right now" and excuses. Sooner or later, Kel would have to open up to the Court about Sierra, how she came, and all the other whos, whats, whens, wheres, and whys.Of course, those who have always hated her would scorn, but what could possibly be done?

Along with the court problems, it was the family problems that were most occuring on Kel's mind. Sierra herself was a quiet and apprehensive girl who obviously enoughwas unsure of what to be happening. Of course, there was nothing particulary strange about this reaccurance, finding out that you are a noble and a Mindelan living in a different family with different beliefs, daily activities, and almost a whole different world was not something that many sixteen-year-olds overcame every day - especially when they have a history of bashfullness in their past.

How was she doing it?

And what was Dom going to say when he returned from the Borders and found that his wife had a sixteen-year-old child ... that was not even his own! Of course, there was a large chance that he would be open and content with the change, but Kel was not too sure that he was going to take the news with enthusiasm. And even if he did, he would want to know who the father is.

And that was going to be irratating enough.

"I am so sorry Lady Keladry. I realize that this was not supposed to happen."

"Supposed to happen? Of course it was not supposed to happen! I am only twenty, and I am a KNIGHT! The Protector of the Small to some people! I cannot be pregnant...the Court already has many pet names for me...the nicest being bitch!" The young lady with light brown hair burst into tears.

Calmly the healer, a middle-aged woman by the name of Coraline, sat on a bench by the girl, allowing the tears to stream down her face. Often-a time young women took their pregrancy in despair, but it was precise that for this young woman, bearing child was not as near of a blessing now as it should have been.

After a few moments, Kel sniffed and asked, "Is there any way to rid of it?"

"There is abortion, but it is a painful excercise and you will be felicitious if you could find a healer to perform the surgery. A miscarriage would also kill the baby inside of you, but you also may be caught in the kill. Truth be, the easiest way to go is to bear the child."

"But I cannot bear a child! I need to fight! And what would Dom know if..." Kel droned off, wondering what her lover and soon to be fiancé would say if he found out she bore a child.

"Lady, all I can do is give you a charm to hide the pregrancy so that none but a healer may see what you truly carry. But I advise you, take eight months break of knighthood. I may bribe somebody to convince that you are needed home, which is where you should go."

Kel accepted the charm gracefully and hung it around her neck, where her useless anti-pregrancy charm still hung. In fury, Kel ripped the useless charm from its chain and flung it across the healers' room. In anger, she then stood up to leave, thanked the healer Coraline, and fled from the room in terror.

About one month later, Kel sat on a mounted horse, two guards and a Sergeant, although not Dom (he was too busy to accompany her home) readied to depart from Corus to Mindelan. The excuse had been made - with the gracious help of Coraline. Coraline had said to Raoul that Kel had an illness... what of which Kel could not remember, only remembering that it was a rare illness that may last a few months. Raoul had litterally forced Kel to leave Corus for Mindelan, and had even supplied her with two men-at-arms to accompany her. Dom had been sorrowful, but he willingly let her go and promised to visit as soon as they pushed the border south-east.

So it was with distress and hope that Kel rode to her home, Mindelan, two months with child. As she entered the gates of Mindelan, the men-at-arms left her, leaving her alone to bring the news to her mother.

It was only an hour later that Kel sat alongside of her mother in the parlor, drinking a specialitary tea. Kel took a deep breath and sighed, realizing that she was going to have to tell her mother about her...illness. After a pause in conversation concerning life at the Palace, Kel put her hands together and frightenly whispered,

"Ma...I'm pregnant."

Kel shook away the memory, feeling the tears immerging into her eyes. Of course, the memory ended contently, except with the knowledge that Kel would not tell her own mother who the father was.

That's another thing I should do along with reacquainting with Sierra, making her friends, explaining to the Court, telling the father, telling Dom. I should tell my mother! Thought Kel worridly, returning to the papers that had been earlier placed on her desk by Tobe, who had long ago insisted on becoming a palace servant, and now a low noble.

Sierra sat herself on the plush noble-sized bed and contented herself that she had finally completed her unpacking, wrote to Sarrah and Leon, and had time to read the book she had found on the shelf in her bedroom. Now, according to the sun, if Sierra was correct, Aelia and Kevin should be arriving any minute to show her around campus.

Sierra had earlier dressed in a simple black gown, for she had realized that among fellow nobles, ladies did not wear breeches nor mens' tunics. Just gowns. Her hair still curled, Sierra had earlier decided to keep it hanging behind her back, instead of the comfortable peasant way of holding hair in a small string low at the back of her head.

If only ma and... Sarrah and Leon were here. Thought Sierra as she pulled from a mirror to nervously twidling her thumbs. Almost immediately, a sharp knock came at the door.

As Sierra opened the door, Aelia's sharp features and black dress seemed to cover Kevin from site. From behind her, Kevin could be heard mumbling nonsence.

"Hello Sierra. Ummm...don't mind Kevin, he's well...I'll tell you later. Are you ready?"

Sierra nodded, which received a surprised expression from Aelia which soon disappeared as Aelia pulled Sierra into the corridor and once again lead Sierra down countless passages, although she did point out rooms like the library, a few parlors, sitting areas, Sir Myles' room, other young nobles' rooms, and their last stop, the courtyard.

The courtyard was a beautiful place, swept by trees, bush, wood benches, and hideaways that all fit into the large perimeter. Many young people, all seeming to be nobles by their dressing scattered themself across the area. Aelia immediately whispered in Sierra's ear, "This is the courtyard, well at least the "Middle One". The smallest is what the pages and squires use, the larges is for adult nobles, and this area is for young nobles our age. The servants never come here, except abotu once a week when they clean up this place, which is always a relief -thier habits are quite irratating. At the moment, none of my companions are here...it is quite early, so we may stay or I can continue the rounds."

Sierra drew in all the information that Aelia had given her and immediately felt a lurch in her stomach...this girl had just insulted her adopted-family and Sam...although why that bothered her she was not sure of. Deciding that she did not want to stay in such an area at the moment, Sierra leaned towards the idea of continuing the tour through the palace.

It was when they reached the dining area of the pages and squires that Sierra caught sight of Sam. Cheerful as ever, he seem to be talking to a young, maybe ten or eleven, year old servant boy who himself was washing the dishes from lunch.

Unnerved, whether by the sight of Sam or the prospect of not being alone with Aelia, Sierra shouted, although not to loud, Sam's name, ignoring the glare that Aelia shot her way. In less then a moment Sam was by their side, sandy hair is nice as ever.

"Hello M'ladies. Is there anything I may receive for you? Food...or water?" Added Sam as a second thought after looking Aelia over.

"No thank-you, please leave now servant." Scrowled Aelia as she began to pull Sierra away. It was to Sierra's iternal luck that a group of girls rounded into the hall, forcing Aelia to loosen her grasp on Sierra and smooth her gown. It took no more then a wink for Sierra to sneak backwards to Sam, who had just turned to head back to the kitchens.

"Hey...Sam!" Came Sierra's voice, forcing Sam to turn, his lips still upturned, although a hint of anger rose in jos eyes.

"Lady Sierra."

"Look Sam, I am really sorry about her, I didn't know she was...look you can't think I am like her...I lived in Wilmné for the gods sake, and I pratically am a peasant!" Sierra's voice was desperate, she realized that Sam was probably the only friend she was going to have in a long time."

Sam smiled again and respomnded, "I know Lady."

"Sierra!"

"Sorry..Sierra. Are you sure?" Asked Sam pleasantly.

"Yes. I'm not a Lady...well, I am but you know..." Muttered Sierra as she realized what she had just said.

Sam chuckled and then said, "I know what you mean La... Sierra. Now, I really wish I coudl stay, but well..." Sam reddened and pointed towards the kitchen doors.

"Oh yes...sorry. Ummm well if you would like to come over some time..." Sierra trailed off and smiled shyly.

"I'll be there! And I'll bring food...you eat food, right?"

Sierra laughed as Sam turned to the kitchen, and realized that she had found a true friend.

Authors Note: So...how did you like it? Excellent/great/good/OK/bad/terrible...please review and I hope it was one of the first three. Review on anything you would like! Although I would like to know your favourite character so far! And I finally included some more abotu Kel.

R&R

Fire of the Elements