DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything by Tamora Pierce.
So, I have officially been put into slavery. Sorry I haven't updated recently, I just got a job and they have me working soooooo many days!!!! Ahh! But never fear, this is the next chapter!
Okay, so this story has been deemed Keal. Kel/Neal. I hope you all enjoy! Don't worry, Dom meets someone else, and so does Cleon, wait, he is already betrothed, so we don't have to worry!!
Okay, here is the chapter. Don't kill me!
Roald sat in his room thinking about a certain page. Luke seemed familiar for some reason, and he didn't know why. He had never met the boy before, and yet seemed all too familiar. His jokes with Neal and his banter reminded him of someone he had cared for as a friend, but he couldn't quite pinpoint it.
Sighing, he saved the information for another day and went to sleep.
Kel's first day of classes was the same as the year before. But when it came to learn hand-to-hand combat with the Shang, she let herself be thrown instead of react. It was when they came to staff fighting that she saw Joren again.
"Hello Joren!" She called. He turned and smiled at her. She went over to him and could see her friends in the corner of her eye. They were surprised at their new pal.
"Hello Luke. How is your day going?" Kel grimaced and Joren laughed. The day was completely boring since she had already done these things the year before.
"Joren." They turned to see Vinson and Garvey standing there. Kel expected Joren to stay friends with them for a while longer since he grew up with Vinson. She was entirely wrong.
"What do you want?" Joren asked his friends. Kel just looked from him to his friends trying to decide what was going to happen.
"What are you talking to him for? Nothing but a progressive family with him." Vinson sneered. Kel did all she could to keep any anger from her face and instead tried to look confused. She was vaguely aware of everyone on the practice field staring at them. The teachers hadn't arrived yet.
"Because he's my new friend. Now, leave us alone." Joren turned his back on his former friends and Kel looked shocked. He had actually kept his promise and she knew that he had indeed changed. Before she knew it Vinson attacked Joren.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Ever since the Lump got kicked out you turned into some, some, some progressive!" He screamed as he knocked Joren over and began to punch his beautiful face. Garvey quickly joined in by kicking him in the gut. It only took Kel a second to register and threw herself into the fight. She pulled Garvey away and hit him in the nose with the base of her palm. A whole summer with the Lioness she learned new tricks.
As Garvey collapsed clutching at his broken and bloody nose Kel turned back to Vinson. She kicked him in the side of his head with her left foot, causing him to hit the container of staves. He was momentarily stunned and Kel ran to Joren.
"Are you alright?" Kel helped him to sit up. He had a broken nose, and split lip and eyebrow. Helping him to stand she glanced over at Neal. He was surprised by the events and looked questioningly at Kel.
"Neal!" She called as someone else yelled, "What is going on here?" Kel winced as Lord Wyldon approached them. She quickly sobered.
"My Lord Wyldon, they accidentally fell down. I had stopped to fix my boot and they tripped on me." Kel blushed and looked down. "My uncle always said I was a klutz." She held her breath hoping he bought her story. He looked suspiciously at her but shook his head.
"One bell on Sunday cleaning armory for such un-knightly behavior." Kel nodded and looked at Joren. Lord Wyldon nodded and said, "Take him to Duke Baird and try not to be late to your afternoon classes. You two are excused from midday meal." Straining under Joren's weight, Kel helped him back to the palace. As they were leaving the practice yards Neal stopped them both.
"Luke, what's going on?" Merric and her other friends had also come up to them. Roald looked strangely at her again and she almost sighed.
"Nothing. Joren and I were talking and then those two attacked him for no reason." Kel said looking at Vinson and Garvey. Garvey wasn't given permission to heal his nose so Vinson was trying to stop it from bleeding.
"Yeah right, and I am the King of Carthak." Neal drawled looking skeptic. Kel did sigh and looked at all of her friends. Looking the hardest at Neal until her wavered under her glance.
"New developments boys. I hope there is enough room for one more at meals." Their faces turned dark but Kel dragged the almost fainting Joren away from the dangerous boys.
"I guess you are right. I did screw up badly." Joren said through swollen lips. Kel shook her head and remembered how much hell Joren had put her through. She remembered how every time she was beaten, that she imagined Joren to be in the exact state he was in now.
"Yeah, but it's never too late for second chances." Kel said brightly. (A/N: No pun intended.)
Duke Baird clucked his tongue at Joren's injuries. Along with the broken nose, split lip and eyebrow, he had a black eye, cracked jaw and two broken ribs. Kel winced as she heard the diagnosis.
But Joren winced as Duke Baird healed his ribs. When the healing was done he looked at Kel. "Now Luke, make sure he gets some food when he wakes up. Alright?" Kel nodded and walked with Joren back to his rooms. When they arrived she sent his manservant to get some fresh water and to send for the herbs and bruise balm in her room. She knew that Duke Baird had healed only the nose and ribs. The fact that Joren was who he was didn't help him in feeling sorry for the boy.
"So, that was a jolly fight." Kel said with false cheer. She steered Joren to his bed and pulled his blankets around him. He looked drowsily at her.
"Yeah, right." He began to fall asleep and said one last thing.
"Thanks." Kel smiled as he fell asleep. It was going to be strange dealing with the new Joren. She sat by his bed until his manservant returned. After collecting the materials she shooed him out of the room and told him to return before evening meal.
Kel was drowsing in her chair when the midday bell rang. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Joren was still asleep, but she knew that he needed to be woken up. When he did, he groaned and clutched his right eye. It had grown a purplish blue color.
"Here." Kel rubbed some of her bruise balm on his eye and he blinked. The pain was receding. She went to the fire and poured some tea into a cup and gave it to him to drink.
"Disgusting!" Joren said as he finished it. He glared at Kel, as if it was her fault.
"Uh unh. Not my fault. My mother used to give it to me after I got healings. It is supposed to give you some strength." Kel said indignantly. Joren looked sheepish as he handed back the cup.
"Sorry. Old habits die hard." Kel raised her eyebrow and he shook his head. He jumped out of his bed and went to the door. "I am hungry. Let's go."
When they arrived at the hall, everyone else was just arriving. They steered clear of Vinson and Garvey who where trying to catch up to them. Instead, they got their food and Kel led Joren to her table of friends. When they arrived only Merric and Faleron were there.
"Hello everyone." Kel said as she sat down across from the two. Joren slid in next to her. Faleron looked shocked as Merric looked like he was going to hit something, or for that matter, someone. This is going to be interesting. Kel thought, amused.
"But have you seen her-"Someone walked up behind them and Kel saw Neal stop in mid-sentence talking to Seaver. She almost laughed when she saw their faces. Neal looked at her incredulously. Shaking her head he sat down next to Kel and Seaver next to Faleron. Before anyone had a chance to say anything Lord Wyldon entered the room.
"Praise be to Mithros, and the Mother Goddess." He looked around and everyone answered "So mote it be." Kel was confused. He still used the Mother Goddess in his prayers, even though she was gone.
"Alright, what is going on?" Neal whispered into her ear. She looked around the group and everyone was talking to each other, purposefully ignoring Joren. Sighing, Kel answered him as quietly as she could.
"Joren found out." Neal turned pale. "Don't worry. He has changed. He has agreed to become our friend. His father led him to believe women were weak, and yet when he found out why I was kicked out. Well, Joren discovered the truth and he told me." Neal looked skeptically at her but he stopped his retort.
"So Joren how was your summer?" Neal asked as if they had been friends for years. She could have kissed him at the moment. Well, almost. Joren looked surprised.
"Oh, well. It was quite boring actually. My father was home." He said icily and Neal looked surprised. Everyone looked at Joren as he picked at his food.
"It's not your fault he is a bastard." Kel said quietly as he nodded. Neal was completely thrown for a loop. Here she was, comforting her former enemy.
"I know, but he did get y-"Kel kicked him under the table. He looked panicked but he recovered quickly. "He got Kel thrown out." And everyone at the table looked like murder. Kel looked for someone to help her calm her friends as she spotted Cleon at the table next to them.
"Cleon." She called as he looked up. Cleon rose and walked over to the table, faltering when he noticed Joren. He turned red and Kel mentally kicked herself.
"Yes?" Kel realized he didn't recognize her and looked at Neal. He took the hint and introduced her.
"Cleon, this is Luke of Olau. I told him about you earlier and he was eager to meet you." Kel turned her head and glared at Neal, making sure Cleon couldn't see her. Then she turned back and extended her hand. When he took it, his face froze.
Oh damn. I am not going to be able to keep my secret for long. I swear everyone recognizes me. Kel thought as she drew her hand away from Cleon. She turned and made conversation with Joren, trying to keep the focus off of her. They were talking about their summers when Neal tapped her shoulder. She looked up and he motioned for her to follow him from the room. Kel excused herself from Joren and rose to follow Neal out of the dinning hall. When they reached Neal's rooms he closed the door behind them.
"What is going on?" Neal asked exasperated. Kel almost laughed when he flung himself into his chair. Kel began pacing as she told him what had happened the night before with Joren. When she finished, Neal whistled.
"And that's how it ended up as it did today. But I can't believe what his father did!" Kel yelled indignantly. Neal looked at her surprised; this was an entirely different Kel.
"Kel, you really should think about it later. We are going to be late to class." Neal said as he stood up. He opened the door for them and locked the door behind them. They were talking in low voices when they arrived in her uncle's class.
"Hello Luke." He said, eyes twinkling. She smiled and gave him a hug. There were only her friends that had already arrived. The other pages were still making their way to class.
The weeks went by. It went as the year before, but without the bullying of Joren. Owen was made part of their group when they found out what Vinson was doing to him. And so now the 'jolly' fights still went on. It was the beginning of the midwinter festivities when the full impact of Joren's decision became real.
"So, Joren, is your father coming?" Kel asked apprehensively. She knew that they had not been writing each other. He nodded and remained quiet. Merric was sitting next to her. They were in the library finishing up some etiquette homework.
"Sorry old chap. Just know that we are here for you." Merric reclined in his chair, causing it to tip and he fell backwards out of his chair. The entire room exploded in laughter. It grew when Merric pulled out one of Kel's chair legs and she too rolled from her chair. They were still chuckling when the servants kicked them out for the night.
"Are you going to be alright?" Kel asked as they had arrived at Joren's door. The rest of the group had already disappeared into their rooms, leaving the hallway clear. He opened the door and turned to her.
"Yeah, I think so. Just get Neal ready in case he gets a little too upset." Joren said quietly and disappeared into his room as well. Kel sighed and trudged back to her room. They were going to have to be there for Joren when the time comes.
The next morning was clear and crisp as it froze Kel's breath. She had been given the morning off to go to the market. Since they there really hadn't been any fighting, Kel had had a lot of free time. She was walking down the busy streets when one store caught her eye. There was a beautiful emerald green dress hanging in the window.
Steeling herself she looked at her reflection. It showed a twelve year old with shoulder length black hair. I will never be able to be pretty. Kel moved to leave when she noticed someone's gaze on her. She turned to see the shopkeeper.
"You be a girl then?" She asked Kel. Kel looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to the conversation, when she noticed no one, she nodded. The shopkeeper nodded and ushered Kel into the store. She quickly took down the gown and held up to Kel's body. She nodded and went to her desk.
"Just needs to be taken in on the waist, and let out in the chest. I take it that you are one of those female fighters, a rider?" Kel looked at her and nodded. She hated to lie, but she wanted the dress more than anything.
"I can take it in myself. How much will it cost?" Kel paid out the fee the shopkeeper named and took the bag that it had been placed in. The shopkeeper told her to come back after the midwinter festivities and she would be able to make her a couple more. Kel nodded and left. She quickly finished her shopping and returned to the palace.
"Who's the dress for?" Kel whirled around and faced the prince.
"Oh, I was buying it for my cousin, the Lioness." Kel said quickly. She knew that she would have to be making a lot of apologies before her years at the palace are over. Roald slowly nodded and walked with her to her room.
"I think the Lioness would love it. I also heard that she is bringing a guest with her to the midwinter ball this year." Kel looked at Roald as he kept his eyes forward and continued, "My father says she is bringing Lady Keladry." It took everything for Kel not to gape and faint. The Lioness was going to be in trouble, big trouble.
"Well, at least I will get to meet this 'Kel' everyone has been talking about." Kel said dryly. She was going to have some interesting talks with a certain redhead.
"Luke!" Kel turned to see Neal running to her his face white. He stopped in front of them, panting.
"What is it Neal?" Kel asked warily. Neal just shook his head and looked at Roald. The prince took the cue.
"I will talk to you both later." Kel nodded, the prince had already forbidden her to bow to him. When he left, Kel turned on her best friend.
"What is it?" Neal took her by the arm and dragged her down the hall. Kel kept up with him and nearly missed the door when Neal dragged her into a room. Kel was panting and was about to curse Neal when she saw where she was.
"Kel?" Asked a quiet voice. Joren had been curled up in a corner in his room. His face was black and blue, his nose and lips were bleeding. She ran to him and saw that his arm was also broken.
"Oh Gods, what happened?" Kel knelt next to him as Neal did as well. He began to heal their new friend, who was now starting to glow green.
"My father-he found out that I no longer talked with my friends. And that I was hanging out with a new set of friends." Joren winced as Neal began to heal his broken arm. "He said that progressives were the wrong sort of people."
"Joren, I am sorry." Kel began, but was interrupted.
"Don't be. It's my family." Joren said icily then relaxed. "Sorry." He apologized and drifted off to sleep. Kel looked at Neal as he wearily looked back at her. Without a second thought she picked up Joren and put him into his bed. She was surprised by how strong she had become. She was now only four inches shorter than Neal was and he was sixteen.
"Come on Queenscove." Kel said and guided him out of the room. They were at Neal's door when he turned to look at her.
"So, when did I become 'Queenscove'?" He asked as he led them both into his room. Kel sat in his chair as he sat wearily on the edge of his bed. She studied her friend as he rubbed his face with his hands.
"Since you healed Joren." Neal looked at her and Kel subdued a fluttering that started in her stomach. (Sorry, had to start her feelings early! Only way to get the plot working...muahahaha!)
"Still didn't answer my question." Kel thought for a long while on her answer. She had to carefully choose her words.
"Well, I mean, you weren't 'Neal' today, you were a 'Queenscove'. All of the biases of the past was gone and just the renowned healers that comes from your family was present." Kel said. Neal looked at her with big eyes. It was the biggest compliment that could ever be given. He didn't know what to say to her.
"Oh." He said blushing. Kel smiled and looked out his window and jumped up. It had begun snowing. The weather had been off and hadn't snowed yet.
"Neal, look, its snowing!" She exclaimed and threw open his shutters and throwing her hands out trying to catch the little flakes. Neal looked at his friend surprised by her girlyness.
"Kel, you are going to catch cold." He said and pulled her back into the room and closing the shutters in one flowing motion. When Kel looked up she noticed that she was still in Neal's arms.
Neal, noticing this, blushed and hurriedly let her go. She just raised her eyebrow and tried to calm her racing heart. Her best friend was thinking about how much of a girl she really was. Looking at her gifts in her hands she made her way to the door.
"I have to get going and wrap up these gifts. I will see you later when we have to serve." Kel left the room quickly and ran to her room. After locking her door she noticed that Lalasa was sitting in the window mending some of her things.
"Hello milady." Lalasa nodded at her. After a few heartfelt conversations and assistance from Neal, the former cowering maid was sure and confident in herself. Especially since she knew how to defend herself, much to the evidence of Kel's teachings.
"Hello Lalasa. I thought that you might want to see what I bought for the ball that the Lioness is taking me to." Kel said grudgingly. Lalasa quickly took the dress from her and shook her head.
"Milady, this looks like a burlap sack!" Lalasa quickly took out her pins and made Kel try on the gown. When it was on, Kel had to admit, it definitely didn't fit well. After making pins and squirming page later, the dress was ready to be sewn anew.
"I will have it done by the ball." Lalasa said as Kel quickly took of the dress, trying not to poke herself anymore than she had been.
"Thank you Lalasa. Oh, I have to change!" Kel noticed the sun's placement and that she had to change for serving that night. The ball would be the next day and she hoped that she would be able to wring a certain person's neck before then.
Okay, there's the next chapter! Enjoy! And please review!!!!!
The ORIGINAL Meathead: Don't worry!
soccerchick-08: Well, why would the boys really look at another boy closely? Joren noticed because they ran into each other and the lighting was just right for him to notice.
The Midnight Line: As you wish!
alianne of conte: :)
nessa: Thank you!
Ali-Dreamer: Don't worry, it isn't!
Watch for the next installment. If you keep berating me with reviews, it will be up sooner!
Macko