AN: Hi all. I just wanted to say thank you for all the reviews so far! They are all so encouraging and really motivate me to write more, so keep them coming :)
Chapter 3: I Say a Little Prayer for You
"I would like to become a knight, Your Majesty"
Rachel felt like swooning for the second time in that hour. Quinn had been nothing but swoon-worthy since the moment she rescued Rachel from the kidnapper. When Quinn had stepped in front of her and told her to run while she confronted the guard with merely a wooden stick, Rachel did not respond and couldn't move because she was just overwhelmed with adoration for the blonde girl who had just became her friend that day and was already ready to risk her life for Rachel.
Rachel looked on as King LeRoy smiled with interest at Quinn's answer. Once again he beckoned Sue or Lady Sue Sylvester, Commander of the Royal Guard, Knight of the King, to come over. When she did, she came to a stop next to Quinn and Rachel did not miss the gleam of admiration in Quinn's eyes as they took in Sue's impressive armor and sword. Sue on the other hand, did not spare Quinn a glance but stood at attention, waiting for the King's orders.
"Lady Sue," said the King. "This young lady here has voiced her intention of becoming a knight. I would like your opinion as she has already proven to me her courage from facing down the kidnapper and also by holding her ground with just a stick when facing one of your guards."
Sue and Quinn turned to face each other and looked at each other appraisingly. Rachel looked on nervously at the two blondes and clutched at Kurt's hand tightly when he came to stand beside her.
"Name and age?" barked Sue.
"Quinn, ten years old," replied Quinn maintaining eye contact with Sue despite her stern looking face.
"Pah, only a child. I've seen bigger dogs than you. And you dare believe that you can handle one of these?" sneered Sue, patting her broadsword.
Quinn was silent for a moment and then replied with a grin.
"Yes. A good friend of mine once told me, I'm still just 10 years old after all. I am still growing," she said, glancing at Rachel, giving her a wink.
Rachel grinned back unsure whether to be excited over the fact that Quinn had actually paid attention to her rambles and quoted her, or the fact that Quinn called her a good friend. Kurt looked back and forth between the two girls with a look of suspicion on his face.
Sue nodded begrudgingly acknowledging the guts that Quinn had to answer back while stronger men would've just shivered in their shoes.
"Can you read or write?" continued Sue, beginning to pace back and forth, not expecting a useful answer from this street urchin.
"Yes," came the reply.
Sue paused mid - stride and turned on her heel and stalked back to Quinn.
"Repeat your answer"
"Yes I can read and write my lady."
"That's Commander to you kid. Only the King calls me Lady. The last person who called me Lady was made to run laps backwards until he collapsed and was woken up to start his laps all over again."
Quinn blinked at that statement and looked towards Rachel for validation and saw her and Kurt and even the King nodding sagely at the commander's declaration.
"Yes Commander," Quinn replied quickly.
"Good. Now tell me kid, when did you learn how to read and write in this part of town? Do not lie to me. I can spot a lie a mile away" asked Sue suspiciously.
"I don't remember," said Quinn truthfully.
"You don't remember? Could you perhaps be a runaway from a noble's house? What is your family name?"
"I don't know Commander. When Santana found me at this fountain 3 years ago I had already lost all of my memories by then. I only remembered my name and found out that I could read and write when I tried," said Quinn unflinchingly.
Rachel gasped. Poor Quinn! It must be awful to not know anything about your own past or even remember your own family.
Sue took some time to observe Quinn to see if she was lying but seeing no sign of falsehood, Sue nodded in acceptance.
"I'm going to be honest with you kid. The road to becoming a knight is a hard one; even harder with me as your commander and you being a female. Becoming a knight would mean that you have forsaken the gentle life of a lady. There is no special treatment based on gender in my camp. In fact, you will be scorned by most men that you train with. You will be waking up early for drills and exercises that would have you vomiting from fatigue every day. At night you will be receiving lessons as I require all my knights to have at least a basic education. My word is law, my punishments are harsh and my expectations are unachievable by all except a few. Do you think you can handle this?" asked Sue seriously, crouching down to look at Quinn eye to eye.
"Yes," said Quinn.
"You are sure?"
Quinn looked on steadily.
"Santana once told me once that only the strong will survive and the weak shall die. I know that that is true and I see that happening every day. I hope to change that. The strong will survive but they will protect the weak. If I become a knight, I will be strong to protect those in need."
Sue smirked.
"Ahh a champion for the helpless eh? That is very noble of you to think like that. We shall see if you still hold true to your ideal after I'm done with you," she said and stood up from her crouch. She nodded towards the King.
"Your Majesty, I accept this child as one of my charges"
King Leroy tilted his head in acknowledgement and Sue turned back to Quinn.
"I will meet you at the castle gates tomorrow in the morning. Speak to the guards and tell them that you are under my charge. Pack lightly as food, clothes and accommodation will be provided."
"Yes Commander," said Quinn.
Sue turned and headed back to her horse. When she passed the man that had drawn his sword at Quinn, she began to bark orders at him.
"Tanaka, take your men and assist the others in searching for the kidnapper."
"Right away Commander," said Tanaka saluting Sue and he led his men away from the fountain.
While the rest were watching them leave, Rachel left Kurt's side and sidled over to Quinn.
"Hi," She said smiling at Quinn who was looking a little dazed.
"Did that really just happen?" asked Quinn.
"Yup! You're going to become a knight now Quinn. You'll be living on the castle grounds and we will be able to see each other all the time now! I will introduce you to everyone and you can teach me that really neat trick to climb up a wall and you can show me everything you've learned from Commander Sue and.. and… a knight Quinn! You're gonna be a knight!" squealed Rachel clasping Quinn's hand and Quinn got caught up with the enthusiastic energy of the brunette and both of them began squealing and jumping up and down.
King LeRoy looked at the pair fondly and started to head back to his horse.
"Rachel, Kurt, it's time to go," he said.
Kurt followed behind him while Rachel was still clasping Quinn's hand in her own, reluctant to go. Quinn nudged her.
"So, should I call you Princess Rachel now?"
Rachel turned to look at Quinn, aghast that the blonde would suggest such a thing. Suddenly, the title 'Princess' Rachel sounded so stuffy to her.
"Heavens, no. No 'princess' please."
Quinn chuckled and then shivered. The sun had begun to set and the air was getting chilly and her wet clothes weren't helping at all.
"Oh here," said Rachel shrugging of the vest and handing it back to Quinn. Quinn took it back and put it on while Rachel reached to take off her hat as well.
"It's alright, you can keep the hat," said Quinn.
Rachel smiled with delight. A souvenir to remember today! The day she met Quinn. She put the hat back on and instinctively pushed it back up before it fell over her face again.
"Rachel," called the King in a no-nonsense tone.
Rachel was already missing Quinn and she hasn't even left her yet. She threw her arms around Quinn and gave her a big hug.
"Thank you for saving me today Quinn. I don't care what other people say, I already think of you as a knight. My knight."
Quinn smiled proudly at that statement and hugged Rachel back.
"And you're my tiny princess," said Quinn.
Rachel laughed, not even offended anymore by that term and let go of Quinn.
"Goodbye Quinn. I'll see you soon"
She knew better than to test her daddy's patience, especially when they were in public. He is the King after all. She walked over to the waiting entourage, pausing every other step to wave goodbye. When she was sitting on her horse again, and the entourage began to leave, she spared another look behind her, at Quinn. She saw Quinn standing on top of the fountain's edge waving back at her.
"I'll see you soon Tiny!" Quinn shouted, loud enough for Rachel to hear her. Rachel laughed and gave a final wave as Quinn grew smaller and smaller until she was out of sight.
Quinn hopped down from the fountain's edge and began to head back to her and Santana's hideout. Quinn rubbed her arms to counter the cold breeze. Explaining today's events and consequences to Santana was going to be interesting.
Oxoxoxoxoxoxox
"So let me get this straight," said the fiery Latina, propping her elbows on the table to look closer at Quinn who was leaning back. The candle light between them flickered between them casting shadows over their face and yet illuminating their features, displaying the physical contrast between the two girls. While Quinn was fair, Santana was tan. Quinn's shaggy blonde hair fell above her shoulders while Santana's jet-black hair fell pass her shoulders. Quinn's hazel eyes met the Latina's dark ones that were currently filled with reproach.
"After we split up, you ended up rescuing a girl who turned out to be the princess of this kingdom from getting kidnapped by almost killing a man with a brick and you brought her to the fountain where the royal guards found her and there was a confrontation and the King was somehow involved and like a genie decided to grant you your heart's greatest desire, twice."
Quinn nodded warily, suspecting where this conversation was going.
"And you did not ask for gold, jewels, money, or land?"
Quinn nodded again bracing herself for the outburst.
"Mierde! What the hell Q?!" yelled Santana, slamming her palm onto the table. "We could've been living like royalty. Gorging on delicious food. Draping ourselves with diamonds and rubies! Ughhhhh!" groaned Santana with frustration, burying her face into her forearms on the table.
Quinn only kept quiet, staring at the flickering candle, waiting for Santana to calm down.
Eventually Santana sighed and looked up at Quinn, propping her chin on her forearm.
"We could be off the streets for good, living the life of luxury Q."
"You know me San. I couldn't just let this be just about us. Everyone will be better off now when that shelter is built," said Quinn quietly.
Santana let out a huff of resignation.
"I know Lucy Q. You did the right thing. But you can't always be looking out for other people. Who's gonna lookout after you when I'm not there? And now you're going off to be a knight just because you met some girl that you barely knew…"
"It's not because of Rachel, San,"
"Yeah, yeah," said Santana disbelievingly waving her hand at Quinn.
"You gave her your favorite hat, Q. You fought a boy twice your size when he stole it."
Quinn laughed, reminiscing the time she came back bloody, battered and bruised but holding her hat triumphantly. She had to stop Santana from running out to beat up the boy again. Needless to say, no kid who didn't know Quinn knew better than to touch her hat.
"She's pretty fun San. I think we're gonna be really good friends"
Santana snorted. Friends. Right. She may be 10 years old but she wasn't stupid. Quinn had always been the naive one amongst the both of them. For all the fairytale books that Quinn had been reading by 'borrowing' them from the bookshop around the corner, one would've thought that the blonde girl could sense the seeds of a potential crush being planted in her heart. It was terribly cliché really. Quinn meets a girl, saves said girl and it turns out that the girl was actually a princess and Quinn takes on the noble profession of becoming a knight. If only Quinn was a boy, then boy Quinn would probably end up marrying the princess and they would live happily ever after. The current issue now is that Santana could foresee a difficult road ahead for Quinn if she does fall for the princess.
Quinn mistook Santana's snort as a form of agreement and stood up to stretch.
"I think I'm going to try and catch some sleep San. Don't want to be late and make a bad first impression."
Santana got up as well and moved the candle aside before she and Quinn worked on pushing the table up against the wall. She grabbed an old blanket to cover the table and another one as Quinn clambered onto the table. She blew out the candle as she settled herself next to Quinn and covered the both of them with the second blanket. They had started to avoid sleeping on the floor because it got too cold at night. The table was becoming a tight squeeze since the both of them were growing but the bod warmth was worth it. Quinn was already curled on her side facing the wall while Santana faced the opposite side.
With their backs touching, each could feel the other breathing. There was some small movement on Quinn's side and Santana knew, without looking, that Quinn was fiddling with her cross necklace. It was the only valuable thing she had that was already on her when Santana had found her at the fountain.
"Hey San?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry that I'll be leaving you on your own."
Santana opened her eyes and stared into the darkness. She hated being alone. Santana's mother wherever she may be once told her that love can overcomes all obstacles. Well clearly it wasn't enough to make her stay back after she was ensured that Santana could survive without her at the age of 5, leaving her in the care of one of her friends who disappeared with the money that Santana's mother had left behind to cover the cost of Santana's upbringing. Before she found Quinn at the age of 7, fending for herself on the streets had made her streetwise and suspicious of everyone. Once she had found Quinn or more like noticed Quinn when she tripped over Quinn's semi-conscious state slumped against the edge of the fountain, for some reason she found it in her to help the blonde girl and nurse her back to health. Since then, the two of them were inseparable no matter how many fights they got into with each other. As much as Santana wanted Quinn to stay, she knew better than to hold Quinn back from a better life.
"You were always meant for better things Lucy Q. A life in the streets never suited you," said Santana softly. And then, she tried to lighten the mood.
"I mean, you barely managed to escape the baker today. What self-respecting street rat takes off with only a roll of bread and a hunk of cheese?"
Quinn gasped in protest.
"I was busy distracting him! Remember the last time you said that you could do a better job? We ended up…"
"Hey!" interrupted Santana, "How would I know that his sneaky assistant was hovering behind the counter out of sight?"
"Because you were too busy ogling at the gold necklace!" shot back Quinn.
"Pfft if you are gonna bring up ogling don't forget that one time at the butcher's shop when you almost got your fingers chopped off when you reached for the…"
"BACON!" cried the two girls out loud in unison and they both burst into giggles.
Santana smiled, happy that the heavy atmosphere was gone. Soon the two girl were recalling out loud all the mishaps and trouble that they got into together well into the night until they finally dozed off to sleep.
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
(The Next Day)
Quinn and Santana walked side by side in silence in the direction of the castle. It was early in the morning and the sun had barely begun to rise. Santana could tell that Quinn was nervous from the way she couldn't stop fiddling with her necklace. Trying to lighten the mood, Santana began to hum a tune. Quinn quirked an eyebrow when she recognized the tune of the song that they both fell in love with when they overheard it being sung in a little pub one night. They could never fully grasp the meaning behind the lyrics of the songs sung in that particular pub called the New Directions but the songs that the little band performed were always catchy and a lot of fun to sing along to. Santana grinned at her and began to sing.
"The moment I wake up"
Quinn smiled and sang the second line.
"Before I put on my makeup"
"I say a little prayer for you," they both crooned together, both with big smiles on their faces.
"While combing my hair now," sang Santana flipping her hair behind one shoulder.
"And wondering what dress to wear now," continued Quinn, twirling around in an imaginary dress.
"I say a little prayer for you," they sang together, linking arms for the chorus.
"Forever, and ever, you'll stay in my heart and I will love you" sang Santana flung her free hand up to the sky.
"Forever, and ever, we never will part. Oh, how I love you" sang Quinn pointing at Santana.
"Together, forever, that's how it must be, to live without you, would only mean heartbreak for me," they finished together, grinning at each other.
"This is where we part Quinn," said Santana nodding in the direction of the castle gates that were already in sight.
Quinn turned to look at the castle, her new home and she pulled Santana into an embrace.
"Thank you San. For everything. For saving me all those years ago," said Quinn, her voice cracking as she felt tears welled up in her eyes.
"Oy, don't act like this is the last time we would be seeing each other. Being a knight-in-training does not make you a prisoner in the castle. Come visit me on your days off," said Santana hugging Quinn back just as tightly.
"Oh you know I will San! I'll miss you"
Santana gave Quinn one last squeeze before stepping back.
"I'll miss you too Lucy Q. You better go now. You don't want to be late on your first day," she said slowly backing away from Quinn.
Quinn nodded, knowing deep down inside that Santana was giving her all not to shed a single tear.
"Bye San," she said and turned away and slowly made her way up to the castle gates.
"Go and kick some ass Q!" yelled Santana, stopping Quinn in her tracks as Quinn turned around with an amused and yet scandalized expression on her face because of Santana's word choice. She waved at Santana who waved back before turning around and headed back down the street, not once looking back.
Quinn gritted her teeth and squared her shoulders as she marched purposefully towards the guards guarding the gates. When asked to state her purpose, she stood tall and said with a steady voice:
"My name is Quinn and I am one of the Commander's new charges to become a knight-in-training."
oxoxoxoxoxoxo
Meanwhile, a subdued Latina was walking down the streets with her hands in her pockets. She sniffed and wiped away her tears with her hand as she turned a corner and headed back to her hideout.
End of Chapter 3
AN: Please let me know what you think of this chapter! Quinn's past will be explored further so have no fear.