Greetings fellow readers! How are you doing? Did you have any fun today? Did you see a moose? Have you ever met a moose? Is there any duct tape in your house? Could I borrow your duct tape?

Chapter Nine: Afraid of the Beautiful

Black lashes fluttered open. She was in a tent lying on her bedroll. What happened? When she tried to sit up, she bit back a scream in pain. Her chest was heavily bandaged along with her right arm. She was as stiff as a board.

Romeli groaned as the incident crept back into her memory. Why in the world did I do that? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"Romeli?" Numair popped his head inside of the tent. He rushed inside and went to the side of her bedroll. "Romeli you little idiot." He leaned over and hugged her tight. Romeli winced in pain from the impact on her wounds.

Alanna and Daine rushed in moments after. They smiled at her and sat by Numair, who scooted away a couple feet so she could breathe. Alanna was holding a steaming cup of tea.

"Drink this," she ordered kindly. Romeli took the cup with her good hand while Numair held her up. Romeli sniffed the substance and shuddered.

"I just woke up and here I am forced to drink cactus-reed tea. What are you trying to do to me, Alanna, kill me?" That brought laughs from the once slightly worried faces around her.

With a forceful look from Alanna, she sighed and drained the cup, nearly gagging it back up in the process. It was all for a good cause however, for her muscles began to loosen and the headache-deserving pain faded to only a slight throb.

"What happened to you?" Daine asked. When I found you, you were close to death from your loss of blood and had arrows sprouting from you. I'm actually surprised you lived. One of the arrows was extremely close to your heart.

Romeli, who was still being supported up by her father, began to tell her story. Well, she bent a few things. "I was bathing, when I heard a voice. He sounded like a bandit trying to steal our things, so I transformed into a wolf to teach him a nice painful lesson. Unfortunately, he got me first. Just when I was about to give up, I pounced on him and killed him. Then I passed out. I thought I died." When she looked up she was disgusted to find worried and grateful faces on all of them.

Okay this is crazy; I got to get rid of this blasted pain. She searched inside herself for her Gift and started to heal the horrifying wounds around her body. They were already healed well by Alanna, but she added a couple painkillers and burned off a small infection that was starting in the cut on her hand. When she was finished, she felt slightly better and could move a little but more. She had raw scars on her chest, right shoulder, and left hand.

"Can I have something to eat?" she asked them when her stomach began to growl.

OOO

They stayed at the same area for a few more days so that Romeli would be comfortable on the road. She kept telling them that she was fine and ready to move, but they just gave her a stern look as an answer. She was bored silly by the first day and was nearly going crazy with the need to do something, even though Sharpfang and Shadowdancer were both there to keep her company.

When they finally set out again, Romeli sighed with relief. The fear of acceptance once she got to the palace tugged at her like a child wanting attention. Though attention was the last thing she wanted.

The rest of the way was enjoyable as Romeli got back to her normal routine. Every morning she would sit down and practice her plant magic while ridding the virus from the sick plants. Even though the virus was chewing on her body, she soon started to grow immune to it, showing the infection assertiveness. After she was finished with that, she would practice her combat.

At that moment, she was doing so with the Lioness. They were almost to the capital, only a half days ride until they would be there.

"Do you want to duel?" Alanna asked putting down a heavy broadsword to wipe sweat off her forehead.

"With weapons?" asked Romeli hopefully. To duel the Lioness would be amazing. Alanna nodded as an answer.

"Sure," Romeli picked up her favorite weapon and stood in the ready position. Alanna did the same with her sword. Daine and Numair, who overheard, rushed over to watch.

Alanna struck first with brow raising speed. Unfortunately, it wasn't as fast as a cobra strike. Romeli blocked her side and spun her blade a couple times quickly before blocking another attack. This time it was Alanna's turn to go to the defense as Romeli dipped and attacked twice, waiting for an opening. When Alanna brought down her sword to collide with her head, Romeli's staff wasn't in the right position to block, so she quickly dropped down to the ground into a crouch with one leg extended out. She held her staff parallel to the ground.

When Alanna was going to chop down, Romeli quickly brought her blade up to meet it. Eventually Romeli pushed Alanna's sword out of the way using one of her many tricks and jumped up.

It went on for a while, with neither of them gaining an advantage. Eventually their blades met and locked. Romeli smiled, she knew exactly what to do. She pushed her blade down like she was going to spin until Alanna's blade slipped up and held against the other side of her staff. The impact of the new blade made Alanna loose grip. Her sword spun out of her hand and landed at Daine and Numair's feet.

Romeli beat Alanna the Lioness and King's Champion.

She put down her weapon heavily. Her body was numb in shock. No one has beaten the Lioness at swords since she was a squire. So why now?

Alanna too, was in shock for a moment, but it soon turned into happiness for Romeli. The smiling Lioness went over and slapped the antlered on the back in congratulations.

"That should make Tortall history. I haven't been beaten in God's knows when!"

Romeli shrugged. "Well it's because I used my staff. Swords are much harder to wield. If it had been a true sword duel...," she couldn't event finish the sentence. It would be a disaster. Romeli barely knew how to hold a sword.

"We better go, I want to get to the palace soon so that we have time to prepare for the ball," Numair pointed out. The intelligent horses, which were already set to go, trotted over to them.

"I bet that if we have a day extra at the palace, you still wouldn't have enough time to prepare, Numair," Daine retorted. It was slightly true. Everyone mounted on their horses.

"Just because I'm a man, doesn't mean I can't pamper myself," Numair stated as they headed down the road.

"Yes it does," Alanna said quietly. Daine laughed. Numair looked behind him and glared at the Lioness. Sniffing, he turned his back to her and rose his nose high in the air.

Romeli however, didn't hear the conversation as she thought about her arrival at the new place. She would rather go anywhere but the palace. The king would eventually find out about her powers and it would be a disaster. She set her chin determined and headed towards the place that she dreaded.

OOO

"Look Romeli, Corus,' Numair said pointing to the tall city.

All fears were forgotten as she gasped in amazement. It was about a half-mile away, down a shallow slope. They were very lucky to arrive just a day before the ball. It gave them enough time to unpack their things and settle in. The ball itself would be tomorrow night in one of the Queen's many ballrooms.

The capital was huge. At the bottom was the lower city full of commoners, thieves, inns, and many shops and markets. Then inside the castle walls were many larger houses where nobles and richer commoners resided. There were markets and temples. On top of the hill was a marvelous palace bigger than any that she could imagine. It was all guarded by the City Gate, and the many soldiers posted there.

The horses quickly walked towards the amazing city. Shadowdancer was amazed that buildings could be so big.

Yes, and I heard that the stables are large and hold many friendly horses, Romeli said when Shadowdancer pointed it out.

This seems to be a nice place. Any cobras around? Sharpfang asked. His tongue slipped in and out to taste the atmosphere.

I'm not sure, Sharpfang. Since you know, normal cobras eat other cobras, I don't think it would be a good idea. Sharpfang hissed with a laugh. Romeli looked at him oddly, admiring the way the cobra carried his unique outlook on life. She found herself motivated to hold strong and confident like her snake.

About five minutes later, they made it into the city. Romeli's fears began to seep back as she saw the many commoners stare and whisper to neighbors. She uneasily rode Shadowdancer in between Daine and Numair.

"It's okay Romeli, they'll get used to you. And I'm sure you'll get used to them," Numair said. He stroked one of her cheeks.

"Sure," Romeli retorted as she itched one of her callused hands. Numair shook his head in misunderstanding.

Never before had Romeli seen so many people at once. Word spread around the city like a sickness and many people came out of their houses to see the green haired girl. She heard one of the staring people say something about her being Weiryn's daughter. She shook her head. You have the wrong person, she thought. That would be my ma.

Soon enough crowds were coming to see the party. Not just because Romeli was there, but because many of them wanted to welcome the Lioness, the Wild Mage, and the black robed mage back home.

She heard many people start to sing the Lioness songs of her past journeys. She saw Alanna turn red in embarrassment, shaking her head.

Oh Lioness so fair and strong!

Tough as a man,

But looks good in a thong!

Alanna's eyes widened. "No, not that one!" she blurted, throwing her hands up in the air, flustered.

Romeli looked on with a small laugh. I'm never going to as famous as she is, Romeli thought to herself. It's not that I want to be famous, but it would be kind of cool. Romeli shook her head not believing what she just thought.

Fifteen minutes later, the four of them were standing in front of the large city gates. The two guards, who admitted people in, raised their brows in surprise. Romeli knew they were staring at her, but tried not to look up so that they would see her eyes. That was the last thing she needed.

Numair, Alanna, and Daine noticed the guards' stares. They could read their faces well and they were clearly thinking about Romeli's good looks.

The guard on the left was the first one to get out of the trance. The other guard however, was trying to get a sight of the rest of Romeli's face besides her brows and long lashes.

"Name and purpose?" The guard asked mostly to Romeli.

"Numair Salmalin, Veralidaine Sarrasri, Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau, and Romeli Salmalin. We are here to see the King who summoned us a month ago," Numair introduced. He gave a warning look at the other guard who was staring at Romeli's chest.

The guard nodded and opened the gates for them to enter. The horses stepped boldly inside the palace walls and up a small slope.

Romeli looked up. It was marvelous. The plants, even though most were slightly wilting from the virus, were captivating in style and size. There were many people out on the grounds, but she wasn't as worried now. She couldn't be scared if she was going to live in such a beautiful place.

For the few who did smile at her, she smiled back kindly like her normal self. It wasn't like her to be held down by such nonsense.

The inside of the palace was just as good, if not better, than the outside. Decorative tapestries hung on the wall, and story-telling rugs were placed on the stone floor. The horses, who were now in their new stables, munched on hay. Servants took the packs that they carried to their rooms. Sharpfang was wrapped around Romeli's wrist.

Alanna said goodbye to her friends and split off to see her friends and check up on things in her own suite.

Numair and Daine led Romeli to their own rooms in the teacher's wing. Numair used to teach those who were Gifted knights how to use their powers. Daine's palace duty was to check on the palace animals.

Daine unlocked the door that had a template saying her parent's long names.

Romeli summoned her strong Gift and wrote Romeli under Daine's name. It glistened in the emerald of her gift. She smiled at her parents as they all entered the rooms. The main room was made as a nice study and lounge. There were many bookshelves that consisted of spell books and ones about animals. It was welcoming and clean. There were two doors that branched off of this room. Daine's and Numair's bedroom, and Romeli guessed, another bedroom.

When Daine led her inside her room she smiled in happiness. There was a medium sized bed that left plenty of room for practicing combat or other various activities. The room also had a bookcase, a desk with a chair, and a window showing most of the courtyard. There was also two other doors; one that led to a dressing room and privy, and the other to her own private exit without bothering to go through the living room. Lying by the bed were her packs full of clothes and valuables.

Sharpfang stuck out his tongue to test the room. He hummed in content with the new place to stay.

She spent the rest of the day unpacking her things. Her clothes went inside closet; the few books that she owned were set in the bookcase. Sharpfang's home went on the ground next to the bookshelf, and her two double-bladed staffs, countless daggers, and a long bow went on a weapon's rack that she constructed with her Gift.

When she was finished, Sharpfang was fast asleep, and it was dark out. She changed into a nightshirt and light cotton breeches and went to bed.

OOO

When she awoke the sun was up and shining through the curtains that was in front of the window. Sharpfang was still sleeping from his long hunt just two days ago. So much excitement had made him exhausted.

She quickly got dressed in a green, short dress that went to her mid thigh and black breeches underneath it.

When she opened her door to the sitting room, she saw her parent's talking casually on the sofa. Both of them had a glass of wine in their hand. They looked up when they heard the creak of a door opening.

"Hello Romeli. We saved breakfast for you," Numair said pointing to a plate with sweet rolls, eggs, and a small bowl of porridge.

Romeli muttered her thanks and dug into the food while she sat on one of the many chairs. "I was wondering if I could do some plant magic around the palace. The plants don't look too good, and the virus is so strong here that it is kind of affecting me as well."

"I don't see why it would be a problem. I'm sure the king would be very pleased," Numair said in approval. "Just make sure you get back a few bells before the ball so that we will look presentable."

"You're going to need more then a few bells, Da," Romeli retorted with a laugh. Numair glared.

"Would you guys just drop it?" He said flustered.

"No," Daine and Romeli both said before laughing some more.

Romeli said goodbye and headed out the door to find the outside. It would be much easier with the fresh air, and she could even bring Shadowdancer along.

Many people met Romeli's eyes, but she just smiled at them innocently. Many of them stopped in their tracks and stared. Romeli thought it rude, but she knew they couldn't help it. Some of the men stopped and tried to flirt with her. Though Romeli did not know their tricks just yet, she was smarter than to fall for them. A couple people drew the sign against evil on their chest.

Fortunately, one of the people she passed was Alanna. Romeli asked if she wanted to go outside with her and accompany her to the stables. Alanna couldn't refuse to her niece. Nor would she want to.

Once they fetched Shadowdancer, they headed towards a peaceful spot by a wilting tree. Romeli, making sure she was sitting comfortably, began to fall into her plant magic.

She felt tugs from the dying and already dead plants. They painfully reached for her ability to heal them. Romeli nearly cried when she saw how sick and helpless the organisms were. She grabbed fist-fulls of her magic, converting it into the formula needed to cure the virus. While she healed, the menacing sickness ate away at her skin. She felt scars reopen and new cuts make berth.

A comforting violet magic eased the pain and made her keep her concentration. The virus here was much worse, but she had to show it who had the authority. She worked on the crops the most, knowing that food was the most important thing right now. She had finished the carrots, lettuce, strawberries, and other assortments of fruits and veggies, when a new harder tug made her attention turn to a gigantic oak. It was captivating, ancient, but dying. The virus had taken its toll on the Great Oak, and its life was seeping into the ground. Romeli thought she could do nothing for it, but knew that it would go to the goddess and become one with the soil.

It had taken a very long time and a lot of energy, but she finished with still a few hours until the ball. Alanna, who had visited her every hour or so, shoved food into her mouth once she had opened her eyes. Shadowdancer was pleased to find nice green grass to graze instead of the dry patches that spread around during the sickness. Everything seemed much more green and peaceful than when she first arrived.

When she had her share of food, she put Shadowdancer back in the stables and went to her room to prepare.

GREEN. This story is so green. Romeli's green, the trees are green, now Corus is green...and thriving. I'm turning green...

replies:

Catgirl80: Yea well thank you and stuff. And as you can see I have updated. Faleron is so hot. Even though I don't know what he looks like, he's hot. No need to be sorry! You're only human after all! Or are you… : P

Wild-wizard-women: That's okay! I myself know that if the main character isn't a Tamora original character, you kinda loose interest in the story. Thank you for the constructive criticism! --huggs—I love it when people try and correct me. "there's always room for improvement."—moose.

Bekaelty: Hihi! Yes your right. Actually she already has died…no wait pretend you didn't read that! You are so funny you caribou. OMG I saw this caribou, and it was really sexy! Not as sexy as this one moose at the zoo tho…

Nothing else worked: yes that was quite evil wasn't it. I apologize. At least this one isn't as evil huh? Next chappie has a cliffie tho!

ephona: That review was quite confusing…lol! " "I was uncool before uncool was cool."-moose.