For spazzysassyangel, xDarklightx, and HPLUVR71495. Thanks for the reviews!

It would have been an understatement to stay that the pages in the room belonging to Myles of Pirate's Swoop were stunned. The fearsome Alanna the Lioness had them cornered. Eleni's guardian, Lokejo, was unconscious on the bed. Alexander of Tirragen was bent over the man, trying to undo the spell cast on him. Warren and Varrick took one look at the fuming Lioness, and they knew they were going to get caught in the crossfire of an inter-generational war.

It was fairly common knowledge that on the coronation day of Jonathan IV, his cousin Duke Roger had staged a coup d'etat. Equally well known were those who aided him in the attempt: Sir Alexander of Tirragen, Lady Delia of Eldorne, and Princess Josiane Rittevon. While the Copper Isles had disowned the dead princess and claimed diplomatic immunity on the matter, the Tortallan lord and lady's home fiefs suffered for the crimes. Lady Delia was sentenced to a life of imprisonment.

The Lioness had been the one to administer justice to the late Sir Alexander. Some said that it was a merited death, that it would have been his punishment anyway for his crimes. With the traitorous knight dead, his family felt the brunt of the hate.

And here was his grandson, the boy who had sought to avenge his rage on Myles of Pirate's Swoop. Alex was at the mercy of the Lioness, alone and defenseless, with his only exit blocked.

"I asked a question," the Lioness growled. She had to admit, if only to herself, that seeing this ghost from her past shook her up. Being in the same room as the boy was giving her chills, but the boy was in her grandson's room. That was not acceptable for her. "I suggest one of you answer me." At the pages' total silence, she reiterated, "Now!"

"Milady," Alanna had not expected her ghost to be the one to answer her. The boy had yet to turn, and was still working his gift on Lokejo, but he knew who it was that had rendered the others speechless. "I ask that you lower your voice." Before Alanna could call him out for his insolence, he had continued to speak. "I am trying to undo a most difficult spell, here. Your yelling is not helping."

Smooth yet laconic, the same as his grandfather. The similarities were unnerving the time-tested knight, but she still had her old courage. Stepping up to the bed, bypassing her quiet grandchild without a glance, she got a good look at the unconscious man. It appeared to Alanna that Alex's best efforts were proving futile.

"Move." A single word was all it took to convince Alex. Though she kept her eyes on Lokejo, she knew the boy hadn't left the room.

The pages watched in astonished wonder as Alanna easily lifted the spell on the colossal man. Tales of the Lioness hadn't exaggerated her virtue, she had earned her tales. Lokejo rose from the bed like a man rising from the grave. Eleni did not let him sit up completely before she had lunged at her old friend.

Ignoring decorum and her intimidating grandmother, Eleni was at bliss. Her immediate troubles were gone, and that was all that mattered to her. Her arms were locked around the man, and she was sobbing. Eleni Crow did not care if her true gender was discovered, if her grandmother disowned her for lying, if she never earned back her friends. She was only too happy to have Lokejo back and safe.

"Thank you, ma'am." For a man who had received three different healings in the last hour, he was acutely aware of the situation at hand. Gentling moving Eleni off of himself, Lokejo stood and bowed to the Lioness, if a little stiffly. "I thank you, for your help. The little chick would have been lost without me."

Once again, Warren and Varick were reduced to background scenery, mute witnesses to the startling occasion. Alex was the only page not dazzled by the legend.

"If my services are no longer required, I'll be on my way then."

Though the Lioness was itching to stop the boy and detain him for an intense round of questioning, there would be too many questions asked of her later if she did. It didn't matter anyway, Alex had walked out of the room. He had never really asked for Alanna's permission to leave.

Addressing the two pages who had remained silent throughout the whole scene, she said, "You can go. I'm sure you have other duties to attend to today." Varick didn't need to be told twice. The Lioness scared him witless, and he pulled Warren along. Though Warren hesitated at the door, he too left, sure that Myles was in good hands.

When Alanna, Eleni, and Lokejo were the only ones left in the room, the silence made Eleni realize the dire solemnity of her circumstances. The night before, Lokejo had warned her that her grandmother had insisted on speaking with her. She had been luck that Lokejo had been able to dissuade the mighty Lioness. Now, she was trapped in her own room, Lokejo too weak to defend her.

Rising from her bed, Eleni tried her best to regain some of her lost dignity. "Grandmother," it was the first time she had addressed Alanna since she had appeared at her door. "Thank you for helping Lokejo." Simple words. She wasn't sure she could be anymore articulate at the moment.

Once again the Lioness had to acknowledge how much Myles reminded her of her brother. And her estranged daughter. With his red hair and amethyst eyes, he looked so much like Thom, but the steel in her eyes belonged to Alianne. Alanna knew that George and Jon were right, that she had to tread carefully with Myles. She just could lose another member of her family. Nothing would take this little boy away from her. Myles had his bodyguard, and the man was competent. If he was in danger, the Lioness could at least know that she had a buffer protecting the boy. The best she could do now was to err on the side of caution.

Alanna knelt before her dear grandchild, never noticing in her adoration of the child, that the violet eyes were wide with fear. Tenderly, she gave Eleni an embrace that could only come from a loving grandmother. Eleni stayed stunned and couldn't find it in herself to say anything.

Without breaking the hug, Alanna offered the only words she could. "Can you promise me something, Myles?" Eleni could only nod and hoped it was enough of an indicator. "Promise me that you'll be careful." George had already told her that. "Please, please, be careful while here. I can guarantee that you will meet wonderful life-long friends, but there are dangers that we can't protect you from. Just promise that you'll keep your eyes open."

Alanna refused to let go until Myles agreed. She wouldn't force her protection on the boy, wouldn't burden him with her phantoms. Goddess help her, she wanted to keep this little boy safe for all eternity, but he had chosen to earn a shield. There would come a day when she couldn't follow Myles' every move. Today was the day she began to let go. Alanna had to learn to trust her grandson, and hope that he was wise enough with time.

"I promise." Eleni didn't know if it was Alanna's tone or the way her voice was almost breaking, but she could tell that it meant the world to her grandmother that she agree. She finally returned the hug.

Maybe, just maybe, she could get away with her plan to go through training as a male. Maybe her grandmother would still love her after everything was admitted. Alanna was a good woman, an amazing knight, and an even better grandmother. She would understand.

Hope this chappie contained enough to satiate you guys for a bit.

I have the next 3-5 chapters outlined already. Most of the story, really, but I have chapters to go.

HELP! I'm having a bout of indecision on the matter of Eleni's knight master. I can't say if the knight knows that he's taking on a girl or boy, but the knight has to have the patience of a saint and the Trickster's sense of humor. If anyone wants to suggest an established character or one of their own imaginings, I will gladly consider them all!