This one is just for HPLUVR71495 and R0ki, who went out of their way to read the last chapter. Dedicated fans make it all worthwhile.
And of course, many, many, many thanks to those who reviewed and added this story!
Eleni sat on her bed, her foot soundly fractured. Tormented groans left her small mouth which was temporarily fixed as a scowl. She'd done it to herself, and had no one else to blame. Kicking the solid stone wall of the palace had been the most absurd thing she had done in the last two days. Her poor foot had suffered for her imbecilic gesture.
"This has got to be the dumbest thing I've ever done." Wincing in pain, she wondered when she had acquired the habit of speaking to herself. "Just another change brought on by this place," she reasoned. Violet light encompassed her hands, soothing the self-inflicted injury.
Eleni figured that after the night's and this morning's events, her grandfather would skin her alive if she did anything stupid. One did not simply limp to an audience with the king, and George had insisted that she would meet with them after the noon bell. Part of her was tempted to fly far far away, but she quickly silenced the brewing rebellion.
There would be countless people hunting her down, if she tried to escape. Lokejo would probably kill her if she disappeared for a second time. He had been most unhappy with her, and promptly left her alone.
Her return to her room that morning had been less than joyous, and while Eleni was glad to be free of her grandfather, there was a greater challenge to face: Lokejo. He had not yelled, had not said a word. She knew that just below the surface of his cool facade he was seething, but he would never show it. He never did.
Long ago, Eleni had learned that when Lokejo was disappointed in her, he refused her his company. While she denied that it mattered much to her, it broke her heart. He was her dearest friend, and she needed him before facing the king.
They'll most likely tell me to leave, she thought dejectedly. I'm too much trouble for them.
The palace bells sounded the hour of her appointment, and Eleni could not delay the inevitable for a minute longer. Tortall's King and its Spymaster awaited. She had been instructed to go to George's study, because it was the only place that would guarantee privacy. Eleni was just glad that the Lioness had not returned to Corus just yet.
A very thick door was the only thing separating Eleni from a second long lecture. The color was rich and it was probably thick enough to block out noises. It was a very pretty door. After a few moments, Eleni admitted that she stalling. As she raised a fist to knock, it opened. No chance for escape now.
Leaning against the doorway, George observed his granddaughter. "Relax, lass." The mention of gender made her brows shoot up. "The king's already waiting. He just wants to see that your transformation." George had to push her in.
Eleni wouldn't have been able to relax if she had been spelled to. The king knew and George had ratted her out. Another of her mother's saying came to mind, Rats never change. Her grandfather had once been the King of Rats, so it only made sense that he would retain his old ways. More than one curse crossed her mind.
King Jonathan IV of Conté, sovereign king of Tortall was a very striking man. The splendid attire and silver coronet upon his head gave him away. With his ebony black hair, which was only slightly peppered with grey, and his sapphire blue eyes, it was easy to tell that the king had once been a very handsome man.
Handsome enough to court Grandmother. The thought made Eleni turn crimson. This was her king! Her king that she had been indirectly lying to. She couldn't see how she would escape from this one. Perhaps, I was better off being a pet.
As if reading her thoughts, George gave her a firm nudge. "I said to relax, lass." He certainly did, making straight for couch in the office. The king had already taken the chair behind George's desk. That left Eleni standing all alone in the middle of the room. That did not ease her discomfort.
"Do I want to know why?" The king's words startled Eleni out of her dazed stupor. "Well?" He was waiting for an answer, but there was none to give. At least, there wasn't an intelligent answer to give.
George came to her rescue. "Alanna's legend got the best of her. I suppose Aly and I are to blame, Jon. We put the stories in the children's heads." Jonathan's countenance clearly said that he didn't believe George was to blame. "All right, then." He turned to Eleni, "I tried, lass, but this one's as stubborn as your grandma."
If George's words were meant to be comforting, he had failed once more. One simply did not lie to the king, but she had been caught doing just that. Gods, help her. Jonathan fixed his gaze on her and studied her, watching indecision and fear flit across her features. She was almost trembling.
"You know," his words startled her yet again. He chuckled, but it only unnerved her more. "Alanna was not afraid when she was found out. She didn't plan her exposure, either."
It was true, all of it. The Lioness had been found out by accident, but had stood her ground after the revelation. The thought of her grandmother helped strengthen her resolve. It might have been sooner than Eleni had planned, but if the Lioness had done it, so would she. Alanna had lied to a king as well, and she kept her shield. Maybe, Jonathan of Conte would prove himself a sympathetic ruler and not send her home.
The change of heart didn't go unnoticed. George silently applaud the girl, and Jon respected her just a little bit more for her valor.
"Ready to tell me the truth?" He would give her a chance, judge her and her words. Eleni could be as great as his Lioness one day, but she had to demonstrate her worth first. "Last chance, Eleni." Her name said aloud was the encouragement needed.
"Grandfather's words were partially true. I wanted to follows Grandmother's path, every last piece of it. My ma's told me tales of the mighty Lioness, of her deeds. All of them amazing! I needed to by like her. Disguising myself would show that I could do everything that she had done, that I was just as capable as her. I just wanted to be like her, your Majesty."
Eleni hung her head, realizing how childish her motives were. Not exactly heroic, but it was the truth. If nothing else, Eleni could attest to having been honest at the very end.
Jonathan finally smiled at the girl. She might not have been aware of it, but he all he could see at the moment was a young Alan. Memories flooded his mind, times long gone and well spent. The danger hadn't been in hiding, those years had been good to them all. The danger lay in the years after being exposed, and Jonathan wasn't sure if Eleni knew that, if she understood the gravity of it.
"Before I make my decision," he spoke slowly, making sure there were no misunderstandings. "I need to make sure that you understand a few things." Eleni did not speak, she was too busy hanging on his every word. "You will have a base and cheap reputation. Should you ever seek marriage, there may be few who would take you. Many will say that you cannot be trusted, that you hid for a reason. Rumors will run like wildfire. There will never be an escape from those who would have you sent back."
His words stung, but they were nothing compared to what the future would hold.
George had been silent long enough, he knew the sting Jonathan's words carried. His little lass could take so much, but there was no reason to shame and frighten her at this age. "Jon, don't you thin-"
"Yes, you Majesty." Eleni's words had cut over George's. Her violet eyes held the same determination that Alanna's had so often shown. "So long as I can prove that I am worthy of being Grandmother's follower, I don't care what anyone says. I want to serve you." No uncertainty, no sign of hesitating.
Eleni had made up her mind. And so had Jonathan.
"Return to your room," he said. Eleni's shoulders dropped in defeat and she vaguely wondered how much time she would be given to pack. "Myles of Pirate's Swoop, I expect to see you excel."
Amethyst met sapphire, and a visible calm washed over the room. Slowly, a smile blossomed on Eleni's face, and she knew that she had gained an ally.
Exposed! Le Gasp?
Sorry for cutting it off here, but it felt more dramatic this way. Forgive me? Anyway, I have a question. Can anyone tell yet why this is called "Second Chances" ? There have been a few signs as to why. Interesting in hearing from you guys!