Chapter 13

Dedication: this chapter is dedicated to Elfsquire90, who predicted Roger's return.

Disclaimer: I do not own Tortall or any of its familiar inhabitants. I do, however, own the plot of this story, Leo, Eliena, and anything you don't recognize from the glorious books written by the Great Tamora Pierce.

"Eliena, what are you doing?" Leo asked, rubbing his eyes and sitting up in the bed he and Eliena shared. The midnight hour had just been called, and Eliena was pacing in front of the bed.

"Pacing," she replied.

"I can see that," Leo told her. "But why?"

"Why do you think?" Eliena demanded.

Leo groaned. "If I hear the name 'Roger' one more time…" Eliena walked over and clamped her hand over his mouth.

"Fine. I'll shut up," she said and sat beside him. "Happy?"

"No," he replied flatly. Eliena sighed, rolling her eyes. She kissed him, and Leo pulled her down beside him. "But I'm getting closer."

"Stop," she told him and sat up again. Leo groaned and sat beside her. He had the feeling it was going to be a long night.

"Get back under the covers," he instructed. Eliena did so, and rested her head on Leo's strong shoulder. "Now, tell me what's wrong."

"I'm scared," Eliena confessed. "I'm terrified that Roger is going to do something to hurt us. If he did it once, he can do it again. The problem is, I can't kill him. He hasn't done anything worthy of that, and it's killing me!"

"Your parents wouldn't get mad if you killed him," Leo reminded her, stroking his lover's sleep-mussed black hair. "They both hate him, as much as your father hides it. Your mother is a little more…open about her hatred." Eliena smiled.

"Yes, but she can get away with it," she remarked. "She killed him already."

"And a man once dead should stay that way," Leo confirmed. Eliena nodded. "But there's something else under that pretty skin of yours. Is it Neal?"

"No!" Eliena replied. "Roger's all that's bothering me."

"You sure?" Leo asked, sounding suspicious.

"Would I lie to you?" She smiled at him.

"Yes," Leo replied. Eliena frowned. "OK, maybe."

"Am I lying when I tell you I love you?" she wanted to know. Leo kissed her.

"I hope not," he replied. Eliena wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, bending him back onto his pillow. She pulled back and beamed down at her best friend. "Goddess, Eli. You know how crazy that drives me." Eliena flicked black hair out of her face.

"That was the point," she told him wickedly.

"Well, in that case…" Eliena squeaked as Leo rolled her over and kissed her deeply, blasting her brains straight out of her head.

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Eliena awoke to light kisses on her lips. She opened her eyes and grinned at Leo. "Good morning."

"Morning, Eli. Did you sleep well?" Leo asked.

"I always do," she replied. "There was a certain warm mass that made it quite comfortably, thank you."

"Be glad we're alone," Leo said. "That's inappropriate talk."

"Like you care," Eliena retorted. "You're used to me."

"Well, yes," Leo conceded. "But others aren't."

"I'd never say it in public," she assured him. "That could have… interesting reactions." She grinned. "Maybe I should say it then…"

"Don't even think about it," said Leo. "You know how inappropriate it is to take lovers!"

"Oh, poo them," Eliena dismissed. "You're courting me, aren't you?"

"Eli. If it got around that we were lovers and I was courting you, what would be the rumors about you and Neal?" Eliena thought it over, and shuddered.

"Good point." She threw back the covers and stretched. Leo wrapped her dressing robe around her. She grinned and kissed him. "Thanks." He nodded and handed her breeches, a breast band, a loincloth, and a shirt. "Again, thanks." He nodded again. She put on her clothes and Leo put on her tall black boots for her. "Mithros, do I have to say it again?"

"No," Leo told her, giving her a kiss. "You didn't even need to say it once."

"Aw." Eliena wrapped her arms around his neck. "You're too sweet."

"Come on." He stood and offered her a hand. "Lets go eat."

"Good. I'm starved."

"Nice to meet you, Starved. I'm Leo. Might you tell me where my Eliena's gone to?"

"Oh, you!" Eliena slapped his arm.

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"Great Mother Goddess, Neal, who taught you to ride?" Eliena demanded, riding up alongside her one-time friend, who had just gotten unhorsed by the quintain—again.

"I believe you did, your highness," he replied with a bow. Eliena detected the mocking tone in his voice.

"There is no way I taught you to ride," she informed him. "You never would've stayed on with that seat! Goddess, do I need glue or something?" She rode away, muttering. Neal swung himself into his saddle.

"Eliena just completely ripped apart your riding skills," Merric remarked coolly. "Aren't you going to say anything?" Neal glared at him.

"She's the princess, Merric, what d'you want me to do?" Neal asked, secretly ticked that Eliena had given his friends permission to use "shortened forms of her name" but not him. "I can't tell her off or she'll get mean."

"That's never stopped you before," Merric replied.

"Merric of Hollyrose!" Eliena called. Merric's attention turned to the lovely princess seated atop her new warhorse—a gift from her parents for Midwinter—a big, barrel-bellied bay who she had affectionately named Chubby, partially because of his appearance, and also because her mother's first pony had been named the same thing.

"Yes, your highness?" Merric replied with a gulp.

"I suggest you stop talking with Nealan of Queenscove and prove to me that you know how to keep your butt in a saddle!" Eliena said. Merric nodded and charged the quintain. He wobbled, but stayed in his saddle. "Very good. Queenscove, take notes."

"Queenscove, take notes," Neal mocked under his breath. "Give me a break."

"What was that?" Eliena asked, riding over to him. Her violet eyes were unreadable.

"Nothing, your highness," Neal replied, bowing. She caught his tone.

"Neal, I know you were mocking me!" she hissed. "I know you too well for that! Button your flapping lips and show me that you know how to ride!"

"Yes, your highness." Neal bowed again. As she rode away, the wind carried Neal's voice: "Button your flapping lips and show me that you know how to ride." She wheeled Chubby around and bore down on him.

"Something tells me that you don't want to tilt against me in front of all your friends," she remarked, voice like ice. "Because I'd have you on the ground before you could say, 'Eliena.' And you know it." Neal gulped. "That's what I thought." She lowered her voice. "I am not going to let our little argument get in the way of what I'm doing here. Lord Wyldon trusted me to help you tilt, and I fully intend on doing so. Whether it means dragging Raoul out here to knock some sense into you or not, you will behave appropriately. If not, I suggest you start asking the gods for mercy now, because you father certainly won't give you any when you're kicked out of page training." She rode away, and Neal stared after her, speechless.

Author's Note- so… ah… that was… fun. I love Eliena. Oh. I leave THIS SATURDAY for Vermont, where I WILL NOT HAVE computer access, just to give you a heads-up. I'll be back around Monday, though. REVIEW.