Changing Stone

by: luxxi

Disclaimer: Kel, Joren, and all the other characters belong to Tamora Pierce sadly…

Summary: Kel and Joren have always hated each other with a passion. So what happens when Kel is warned that if she does not change Joren for the better, he will die? KJ

Chapter One: Warning

She was walking back from her morning exercises to her room when she passed the Chamber of Ordeal. There was a crowd waiting outside, but she didn't know who was inside. If it were any of her friends, she would have known about it beforehand. Just out of curiosity, she approached the crowd and asked one of the bystanders who was in the dreaded room.

"Joren of Stone Mountain and he's been in there for quite a while. People are starting to say he won't make it out," came the answer.

She gasped with shock. Even though she hated the young man, she never wished death on him. But before she could reply, the Chamber door opened. She couldn't see anything because she was squashed in the crowd, but she could feel the hush of melancholy pity that swept over it. Fighting through the bodies to the front, her jaw dropped at the sight.

Joren lay on the ground, white as snow, and eyes wide with fright. He was dead.

She froze in her tracks and just stared down at him uncomprehendingly. Around her, the people had started stirring, some going back to their rooms, others running to bring a healer.

Her eyes focused on an older blond woman, obviously his mother, who was kneeling beside Joren. The mother was silent, but tears were streaming down her face incessantly. Slowly, she reached out a hand and closed her son's open eyes.

She could only close her eyes in horror. Suddenly all action froze completely. A soft melodious voice pierced the air. "This is what will happen if both you and Joren do not follow your hearts. This is the future that you are to change. If you can get him to change, then this fate will not be his. If you cannot prevent him from dying, Tortall's future is not safe. You are his and Tortall's only hope. Help him…"

In the realm of King Jonathan and Queen Thayet of Tortall, Squire Keladry of Mindelan bolted up in bed, sweat and tears mingled, streaming down her face. Her breathing was heavy and she strode to her window and dragged it open. She leaned her head out the window, taking a few deep breaths and calming her heavy breathing. "That felt way too real," she thought to herself. "Should I believe what the dream was trying to tell me? Do I really have to convince Joren to change?" She sighed, "How much does he have to change anyway? Does that mean he has to become nicer? Why, that's near impossible!"

She pulled on a loose tunic and leggings, draping a navy cloak around her shoulders. Grabbing her glaive, she yanked open her door and headed down to the training courts. She needed to clear her mind before she could do any more thinking.

She flew into her usual routine, her brown hair whipping around her and hazel eyes determined. Her body knew what do to so her mind was free to wander now that she had some relief, "And what was that about following our hearts? I can't let him die, though, even if he's been so mean. I can't stand anyone I know dying. I'm going to have to try…but how?" Kel sighed, thinking of this hard task set before her.

Her peaceful tranquility was interrupted by a familiarly smooth voice echoing through the courts, "Training so early, Lump? Finally realize that you aren't good enough?"

Kel halted immediately, images from her dreams flashing before her eyes. She stumbled back a few paces, but quickly regained her footing. She whirled around to face her worst enemy, Joren of Stone Mountain.

He was looking as perfect as usual, pale blond hair brushed back with a few strands falling in front of his face. His startlingly icy blue eyes were gleaming as he sent an arrogant smirk in her direction. A light sheen of sweat covered his toned body, showing that he had been working out as well. He was leaned against the doorway, a striking form against the first rays of the sun.

She opened her mouth to retort, but remembered her dream. Closing her jaw, she turned away again without saying a word.

"I never thought I'd see the day Lump would be speechless because of me," he continued on, knowing that he was provoking her.

Kel clenched her fists in spite of herself. Gritting her teeth, she ground, "What do you want, Stone Mountain?"

He laughed, sneering derisiviely, "What do I ever want? To see you leave, of course."

"You know that will never happen."

"Didn't your mother teach you never to say never?" his voice was soft, dangerous. "Or was she too stupid?"

Kel whirled around, preparing to march up and give him a piece of her mind, but was hurled backward as she slammed into something hard.

Fighting to keep her balance, she glared at Joren, who had snuck up behind her while she had her back turned.

"Shut up! You know nothing!" she bit out, "More probably you're describing your own mother."

Joren stiffened immediately. "Be careful there, Lump."

"Oh, have a hit a soft spot, your mommy?"

Joren glowered at her furiously, "You think you're so good, always so upright, so much higher than the rest of us. But one day, you'll fall and it will be hard." He spun around and began to stalk away.

Without thinking, Kel reached out and grabbed Joren by the wrist. Horrified, she yanked her hand back, dismayed with her own actions. Then she asked softly, "Do you hate me that much, Joren?"

Not waiting for an answer, she turned and walked away, leaving a stunned Joren behind.

"I can't believe I did that," thought Kel to herself. "What is happening to me? I just suddenly remembered the dream. Uhhhhh…"

She was walking languidly back to her rooms when a energetic voice called out, "Kel!" Turning to see Lalasa rushing at her, she grinned despite herself. "Hello, Lalasa."

"Hi Kel! I've been looking everywhere for you! Where the Goddess did you run off to?" she sputtered out, breathing heavily.

Kel raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "What is it that you wanted me for?"

Her friend's face split into a wide grin, "There's a ball tonight and all the squires are attending!"

"I know that, I'm going to be serving."

Lalasa was still grinning mischievously, "Oh no, the King gave all squires tonight off. They are required to attend as guests."

Kel nearly fell backward, "What?!"

"Come with me. We need to find you a suitable dress to blow everyone away tonight."

"No, no, no, that's really okay, Lalasa. I'll manage…"

But her former servant was as adamant about dragging her to find a dress as she was about not going. However, to avoid causing more of a scene than she already had, she sullenly submitted to her fate and let Lalasa drag her off.

A/N: This is my first story on so I don't really know if it's good or not. Well, thanks for reading! And of course…REVIEW!!!