DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything by TP!

Kel led Peachblossom out of the stables where everyone was waiting for her. She looked at her riding companions. Neal, Myles, and Duke Baird were already mounted and waiting with Alanna and George.

"Luke, don't cause too much trouble cousin." Alanna said pulling Kel into a tight hug and whispered, "I am proud of you." When Kel leaned back she could see tears in Alanna's eyes. Blinking rapidly, Kel nodded and grinned at George while he gave her a wink.

"Alanna, I promise to write often." The redhead nodded and wiped at her eyes. Swiftly mounting Peachblossom she looked at Duke Baird that looked inquiringly at the horse. The stories of the injuries from the horse given to Kel had traveled fast.

"Lady Keladry couldn't afford the horse and so cousin George did. The Lady insisted that he still be used, so they gave him to me as a gift." Kel said hoping that he would buy the lie. She had never been good at it, and George had grown frustrated when they trained, not being able to get it out of her.

"Well, you seem tall enough for him." Was all he said and Kel grimaced behind his back. She had grown quite a bit during the summer. She could hear George's snigger as they left the keep. She had been going on and on about her growth when she had found out. It was just dawn as they left and Kel kept her eyes down, pretending not to like the morning. Having been friends with Neal the entire year, she had seen what to act like and it came easily to her.

They stopped only once to eat a quick midday meal and were then again on the road. It was an uneventful day and they stopped for the night. It would take them a few days to reach the capitol and they set up duties. Kel had readily volunteered to cook; she had been in the kitchens often at Pirate's Swoop after hearing about the stories of the Lioness' cooking. She wanted to learn as much as she could so that her fellow travelers would be able to eat something good once in a while.

When Neal left to find firewood, Duke Baird started setting up the tents with his Gift. It left Myles sitting and waiting for the dinner to be cooked. When Kel had set out the materials she would need to cook, she collected her bow and went hunting for some fresh meat. When she returned she had four hares in her hand. Neal greeted her with enthusiasm when she presented her prizes.

"You're a good shot Luke." Myles said as he took out his belt knife and grabbed for the hares. While he skinned them Kel brought out the stick she had found and held it out to Duke Baird for him to sanitize it for her.

After the meal Duke Baird and his son retreated to the big tent set up. Kel headed for the small tent she had been given when Myles stopped her. With a quiet order she followed him away from the tent and into the forest. They hadn't gone far when Myles stopped.

"Kel, I thought it time we had a chance to talk." Kel nodded and sat on a log while Myles started to pace in front of her. "Things are going to be hard hiding who you are. Things will soon be happening and you might not be able to handle all by yourself. Alanna said that you would have someone to help you and that one of your friends already knows, but you still need to prepare yourself."

"I know Sir Myles. Neal already knows. George told him, and I am glad that I at least wouldn't have to lie to my best friend. I just hope that my other friends don't hate me when they find out I have been lying to them." Kel said miserably.

"Alanna said the same thing when she was masquerading. She had Jon to confide in and I learned only later in the years about her problems she had." Myles chuckled. "And, hey, what's this? Sir Myles? I am your uncle, and that's just 'Myles' to you, or uncle if you wish." Kel grinned and nodded. "Now, off to bed. We have an early morning."

Lord Wyldon looked at the man in front of him, wanting to throttle him. It took all his training not to do so. He had been hoodwinked by him and started to feel very guilty about his decision earlier that summer.

"Lord Wyldon, you have done everyone a favor. Thank you." Lord Burchard of Stone Mountain rose and smirked at the man in front of him. He had been an easy man to dupe and he was glad of it. No woman should ever be able to become a Knight. Their duty was to their husband, not sword fighting. He sauntered out of the room without another word.

When he arrived at his son's door he knocked once and entered. His son was at his desk writing a letter to his sister at the convent. "So, that Girl is gone. Now you will be able to do your homework and not be distracted again." He snapped at his son.

"Father, I wasn't distracted! You shouldn't have done that." Joren said as he stood up from his chair. Lord Burchard was quick and Joren went sprawling on the floor, clutching at his face.

"It is final. Now, I am leaving."

Joren watched as his father left with hate. He used to love him, but no longer. After he found out about what he did to get Kel sent home he was furious. Though he had picked fights with her the year before, he had soon been impressed with her ability and began to have second thoughts about what his father had told him about women.

You used to think the same way, said part of his mind. He shook his head and stood up. He had no idea why he had said that to his father. Surely women didn't belong in fighting, right? If they were so weak as his father had claimed, why were the Lioness and the Queen still alive? They have fought many times and lived through it.

I blew it. I should have been her friend. Instead I behaved like my father. Joren sat down again, guilty about his thoughts and confused at what his ideas were.

Kel followed Salma towards her rooms. She had been explaining the duties she would have as being a page, and what the servants did for her. When they reached her door, Kel could almost laugh. It was the exact same room she had had last year. Smiling Kel looked at Salma and her smile faltered. The woman was looking gloomy and her eyes cloudy.

"Salma, are you alright?" Salma rubbed her nose and looked at her.

"Sorry, milord. I was just thinking about the last person who had stayed in this room." When Kel raised an eyebrow she elaborated. "The Lady Keladry had stayed in this very room the last year. We all miss her. She should have been allowed to stay, though for some unseen reason, the training master didn't let her stay." She passed Kel her key and turned to leave.

"I am sorry." Kel said softly as Salma turned back around.

"Your servant, Gower, will be here after the evening meal." She then continued down the hall leaving Kel looking confused at her back. She hadn't known Salma cared so much. Sighing, she opened her door to her room and sad on the bed, thinking about her meeting with Lord Wyldon. She had been able to keep her anger hidden, when she had left confused at his demeanor. He seemed distant, maybe even sad. Neal's 'Stump' nickname no longer fit.

"Get a hold of yourself Kel." Looking around her room she remembered last years events. When her eyes paused upon the shutters she ran to them hoping beyond hope that the sparrows were still there. Kel opened the shutters and stuck her head out. She looked at the many sparrows sitting in the branches and smile.

"Crown!" She called and the sparrows took flight. One came down to her and perched on the window ledge. It cocked its head and looked at her. "It's me, Kel." She said softly. The bird continued to look at her and Kel grew desperate. She really had missed her friends. With an idea she ran from her room to Neal's and banged on the door. He answered and looked at her.

"What do you need, Luke?" He asked.

"Could I borrow some water for a second?" Kel asked, as she stood straight. Neal left and returned with a pitcher of water. When he handed it to her she yelled a thanks over her shoulder, running back to her room. Closing the door and locking it, Kel took the pitcher over to her desk and splashed some into her eyes. It was strange to do so, but when she finished, she looked into her mirror. Her eyes were their usual hazel. She looked back at the window and Crown was still perched there.

"See? It's me. I just died my hair and eyes." When she let Crown get a closer look and the bird chirped and flew around her room, shrilling loud. Then the whole room was full of sparrows. Kel laughed and Crown landed on her shoulder rubbing her face on Kel's ear. "I missed you too."

Kel heard the boys in the hall, knowing it was time to chose knew sponsors. Grimacing, Kel quickly changed into her page's uniform. Just as she was about to open the door, she remembered to use the eye potion.

She stood in front of her door and waited. The boy at the door next to her was pale and looked to be sweating.

"Owen of Jesslaw." Lord Wyldon had come down the hall with a handful of older boys. Kel recognized every single one of them but feigned fear as other first years were. The pale boy bowed and stood up looking around the hall at the older boys. "Who wishes to be his sponsor?" None of the boys raised their hands. Kel felt sad for the boy, but soon one boy raised their hand. Kel looked straight at Vinson of Genlith, one of Joren's cronies the year before.

"Vinson, very well." Lord Wyldon said dismissively. Then he looked at Kel and she fought hard to keep her anger out of her face once again. Instead she gritted her teeth and unconsciously put on her Yamani mask.

"Lucas of Olau." She bowed and could hear whispers throughout the crowd. No one had known that Sir Myles had a cousin. "Who would like to be his sponsor?" A few hands rose, and Kel knew it was because people liked her uncle.

"Joren, why would you like to be his sponsor?" Kel stiffened as she looked into very bright blue eyes. He was wearing a genuine smile, and she was surprised.

"Why not sir?" Joren asked innocently. Kel eyed him.

"I think you should keep your mind on your studies." He said as someone chuckled. It was the same response as the year before. She expected Joren to get angry; when she saw a rueful expression on his face she was curious.

"Sir, I would like to be Lucas' sponsor." A boy said. She turned to the speaker and saw a redhead trying to make his way to the front. Merric smiled at her as she looked at the crowd. She saw Neal had raised his hand and almost grew frantic when Lord Wyldon hadn't called on him.

"Fine, Merric, Lucas is in your care." Everyone else had chosen whom they would sponsor and they were dismissed to the evening meal. When Merric came to greet her Neal had got there ahead of time.

"Well, Luke, I tried." Neal said and grinned. They both knew Lord Wyldon had purposely ignored Neal. Kel snorted as Merric arrived and looked at them both. Neal answered the question on his face.

"Luke and I rode here together with his uncle and my father." Merric nodded understanding and the dawning of Myles being her uncle. All three of them made their way down to the dinning hall they were to eat at.

"So, Luke, do you like your room?" Neal asked with a glint in his eye. Kel could have hit him up side the head, and Neal could tell her feelings when he smiled.

"It is quite wonderful actually. One of the servants told me that Lady Keladry stayed there last year." Kel said quietly looking at Merric. He nodded his head, and Kel thought he looked sad.

"She was the best page we had. Though no one knows why the Stump had sent her home." Merric said quietly.

"Stump?" Kel asked looking at Merric confused. Neal grinned and turned his head, hiding it from Merric. She would have to talk to Neal later. He was going to give away her secret the first day!

"Yes, we named Lord Wyldon that last year. Well, Neal did and his friends followed suit." Merric amended as they entered the dinning hall with the rest of the pages. When they had gathered their food they went to a table full of other pages. Kel recognized all her friends, even prince Roald was with them.

"Hello everyone, this is Luke." Merric introduced all of her friends. Lord Wyldon entered and said the prayer. After everyone responded, "So mote it be," they all sat and dug into their meal. Kel finished early and looked at Neal's plate. He pushed his vegetables to one side and ate his meal. She caught his eye and he almost choked on his food while he laughed. When everyone looked up to see the reason, Kel looked away trying not to be connected. When Neal could finally breath, he grudgingly started to eat his vegetables. Everyone at the table grew silent as they watched Neal.

"Neal, did you hit your head this morning?" Faleron asked and Neal looked at everyone and laughed at their expressions.

"No, why?" Neal looked at Kel quickly and then back at his vegetables. "Oh, this? I was on the road with Luke and we didn't have any vegetables to eat, so I am making up for it." They looked confused. Kel spoke up.

"I told him that if he didn't eat his vegetables, he would never grow a beard and people would think him a very ugly woman." Everyone looked shocked and then laughed at her comment. Neal shot her an angry look and she laughed. "Sorry Neal, I had to get a stab in. I have spent the entire week with you complaining every morning, I just made up for it." She ducked as Neal threw a roll at her. Only one person in the group wasn't laughing, she looked up to see the prince looking strangely at her. She quickly stood and returned her food to the servants and went back to Merric.

"I am going back to my room. I will meet up with you tomorrow morning, say before breakfast?" Merric nodded and she left the dinning hall. As she reached the door, so had Joren. She looked at him and he looked strangely at her. The look he gave was curious and for a second she thought he identified who she was.

"Hello, I am sorry that Lord Wyldon didn't choose me to be your sponsor." Joren held out his hand and Kel took it, hiding her suspicion.

"Joren, right?" He nodded and she nodded. "I am sorry as well." She nodded and left the hall hoping to get away from him, but she wasn't so lucky.

"Do you know who was staying in your room last year?" He asked quietly. Kel looked at him in the dim hallway.

"Yes."

"She was a very good page. I wish I had been nicer to her." He said as they stopped at her room. She was about to open her door and when he leaned in and whispered into her ear. "Kel, good luck."

Kel looked dumbstruck as he leaned back. He smiled. Kel opened her door and pulled him into her room. Lighting her candles she planted herself in front of Joren. "What makes you think I am this 'Kel' that you think I am?"

"Looks like you didn't get your eyes changed all the way." Kel ran to her mirror and grimaced. Only part of her right eye was blue, the rest was a light hazel. She swore in Yamani.

"Darn. What's with the change of heart Joren? Or are you waiting to expose me later." Kel snapped then regained her control.

"I figured out why Lord Wyldon kicked you out." He replied icily. He had forgotten how she angered him easily. Kel stiffened and Joren explained. He sat down in her chair dejectedly. "I found out that my father was coercing Lord Wyldon to kick you out. Though we all know you earned your right to stay here. I thought about the way I treated you last year. My father had filled my head full of ideas about how women can't fight and how weak they were. And then I thought of the Queen and the Lioness, if they were weak how come they were still alive after fighting for so many years?" Joren paused and sighed. Kel looked at her old enemy anew.

"Your father did this?" Kel asked as she sat on the edge of her bed. She couldn't believe that Lord Wyldon let himself be talked into kicking her out, and then realized he never wanted her to be here anyway.

"I thought that if I could have treated you differently last year we could have been friends. I thought I had lost that chance." Joren rubbed his forehead, "I had to admit that you were better than any other page and that you worked harder than anyone to be so. I admired you." Kel looked at Joren and he blushed.

"Are you going to tell Lord Wyldon?" Kel asked quietly out of confusion. Joren had spilled his guts out to her, and she was completely shocked.

"No, as long as we can be friends." Joren said. Kel looked at him thinking. And then made up her mind.

"You can't if you stay friends with Vinson, Garvey and Zahir." She stated. He looked at her and nodded.

"You are right, they still think women should be in skirts. It will be hard not to talk to Vinson anymore, we have been friends since kids, but his family is still conservative and have been listening to my father." Joren spoke vehemently at he end and Kel raised her eyebrows. "I don't like him anymore. He his a bad man."

"Alright. Tomorrow morning you can eat breakfast with us. I think some of our friends are going to have trouble accepting you, but they will." Joren nodded as they both rose and went to the door. Kel stopped Joren as he was about to leave the room.

"Thank you." He nodded and left. Kel shut the door behind him and leaned against it. Her thoughts were giving her a headache. Someone knocked at her door and she jumped she opened it and saw Gower. She smiled and opened her door wider, with him was a girl. She wondered at her and closed the door.

"My name is Gower, and this is Lalasa, my niece." Kel nodded to the skittish girl. "Baron George sent word ahead to me Kel." She didn't think she could have been shocked so many times this year, but when dealing with the Lioness and George, she was going to have to get used to it. She kept a mental note to send a berating note to George about not giving her away.

"Nice to see you again Gower. Hello Lalasa." The girl looked at her uncle confused.

"She is a girl in disguise." Gower stated as Lalasa looked at her with big eyes. The stories of the Lioness doing so years before everyone knew, but no one had ever really tried it.

"Milady." She curtsied to her. Kel shook her head and sat on the bed. A pair of small hands took off her right boot. She looked up at Lalasa.

"Kel, would you hire her on? She is from the country and is quite shy of people." Kel rubbed the back of her neck and looked at Lalasa as she took off her other boot.

"I don't know. Maybe, but wouldn't it look sort of strange for me to be having a girl as a servant?" Kel asked.

"Not really. George sent over a thought of covering for that. She is a cousin and a younger sister. She would be coming from a poor family and thus can't go to the convent or be presented at court. You are doing her a favor as hiring her as your servant." Gower said as he handed over a piece of parchment. It was the letter from George. She read it thought about the story.

"I guess it will work." She was suddenly thankful for the allowance that Myles had given her. He truly treated her as if she were related to him and that she was thankful.

"Thank you." He said and Lalasa looked at her uncle, there was a large bruise on her neck and Kel was angry.

"How did that happen?" She asked Lalasa. She squeaked and lowered her head. Gower cleared his throat.

"Well, some men think they can use women. But as your servant people might think differently since you are related to Sir Myles." Kel nodded and looked at Gower again, he understood her look. "You can't report them. Some of them are nobles much higher than us and it would just make things worse."

"Fine, but if it happens again, I am going to report it." She said and stood up.

I hope you all liked it!!! Please read and review. I had to change Joren. It's, I just felt bad for him. I thought maybe if he learned he had been wrong, that he could be friendly!?!

soccerchick-08: Thankz!!!!!!

The ORIGINAL Meathead: Thankz, and I totally agree.

The Midnight Line: I will try.

Destiny Hunter: Thankz!!!!!!!!!

Aly Spy: Okay. LOL.

alianne of conte: Wow, lots of questions!!! weeeeee!

I have decided who Kel will be with, though I hope people keep reading on.

Thankz for the reviews!!!!

Macko