Writer's Note:

What if Thayet had refused to marry Jonathon, due to the fact that she really didn't want such a political life and she didn't really love him? I decided to explore these possibilities and came up with The Third Woman. Of course after Thayet's refusal all of Corus would be gossiping that there was some curse on Jonathon so that he would never produce an heir... bla bla bla. This is where Alethia comes in.

Prologue:

She could hardly remember how she got there, but somehow there she was in Corus. Staring up at the palace, she shivered in her thin gown and shawl, not really made for the chilly night air. The footman closed the carriage door behind her and bowed. She nodded to him and he hopped on the back and the carriage drove off to await her need of it. She turned back to the palace and took one step towards it. She stepped back then stepped forward again. Something was urging her to enter. She did so, tugging nervously at the lobe of her right ear.

The guards bowed to her as she entered the ball room. She was late so there was no herald at the top of the stairs. Good, she thought. She did not want to be known to the world tonight. She didn't even really know what she was doing here. The ball room floor was crowded with nobles. On the dais at the back stood one large chair- the throne. It was empty. The king-to-be was out among his guests. She rested a hand on the gold railing and glided down the steps, not wanting to pause for effect.

Someone saw her hurry down the stairs, despite her efforts. Awestruck, he stood there, just watching her. She was beautiful. She had curly hair which was, for the most part, pinned up with several brown curls left to tumble down her neck. She was wearing a green silk gown which brought out the green in her eyes, and the simple, silver chain around her throat added to her picture of delicacy and decorum. Gary sighed. It wasn't every day that he saw a vision of beauty like that. Oddly enough, no one else was staring at her like she was an alien from another planet. In fact, he seemed to be the only one who had noticed her at all. She was standing alone by the outer edge of the dance floor, just standing there, her eyes roaming around the couples. Gary was about to go ask her to dance when he bumped into Raoul. His big friend put a hand on his shoulder and laughed. "Gareth, my dear friend. You should watch where you're stepping."

Gary laughed too. "Raoul, I do believe you've had to much to drink."

"Nonsense," was the reply. "I feel as alert as Jon is at this moment."

At this, they both turned and watched their friend who was sitting and talking with his prospective bride, Thayet. She was also a beauty. Her raven hair, dark eyes, and crimson gown with gold trim all made her something for men to dream about.

"Poor Jon," Gary shook his head, sadly. "I smell a refusal coming his way. Thayet told him she didn't want to be a queen. But he'll try anyway."

"He'd be fool not to!" Raoul boomed. Gary silenced him then turned his friend and pointed the new girl out. Raoul frowned. "I don't see anything really very special about her. Oh!" for the lady had just smiled and laughed at a joke one of the squires had told her. Now Gary realized what had made her catch his eye. It was her smile. That acted like a switch which activated all her other astounding features. "Wow," Raoul breathed.

"Wow," Gary agreed. "Well, my friend, I'm going to introduce myself to her. Would you like to come along?"

"No thanks," was the glum reply. "I have to go stand with Jonathon when the ambassador comes to speak to him."

Gary grinned wickedly. Raoul of Goldenlake hated social events. Shrugging his shoulders he walked over to where she was standing, alone again. She had her back to him. "Looking for someone, my lady?" he asked casually. She jumped and dropped her shawl. She bent down to grab it but he got there first and lifted it up. He held it out to her and smiled encouragingly. "My Lady," he bowed. "I am Gareth the younger of Naxen."

Her eyes looked uncertain and she looked nervous. However, she smiled and curtsied. "I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance. I am...," she paused then continued. "Alethia of Silvermoon Mountains."

He frowned. He had never heard of such a place. "Is that in Tortall, my lady?"

She hesitated then shook her head. "It's in Carthak."

He nodded. He'd never been to Carthak so it would make sense that he didn't recognize the names of places there. After all, Emperor Ozorne wasn't exactly friendly with Tortall. Shaking off his never ending thoughts of politics he turned back to the beautiful woman.

"Do you know anyone here?" she shook her head. "Well then, I take it upon myself to be your personal sponsor."

She protested. "I don't even know you! You don't even know me!"

He smiled at her. "I know. But I'd like to change that. Would you care to dance?"

She smiled back and his cheeks grew hot. "I'd like that very much. Thank you, Duke Gareth."

He scoffed. "That's my father's title. I'm just Gary."

Her eyebrows wrinkled slightly but she smiled again. "Gary then."

He spent the rest of the night with Alethia, introducing her to Miles, Buri, Raoul, and several other people. She took everything in and was cordial to everyone. She brightened at Miles' friendliness and they jumped into a conversation almost immediately. Gary laughed and sat down to listen. The rest of the night he enjoyed immensely and Lady Alethia even allowed him to show her to her temporary rooms in the Guest Wing.

"Thank you, Gary. You've been so kind to me. What can I do to repay you?" she asked, smiling as he kissed her hand.

"You can allow me to take you riding tomorrow. There are some places I'd love to show you." He expected her to say no, but was surprised when she nodded. "Alright. I'll be ready about sevenish?"

His heart rate picked up slightly. "Seven it is."

She shut the door with one last smile and Gary couldn't help but feel elated enough to say "Yes!" after he had left the guest quarters.

Chapter One:

Jonathon stood on the balcony, staring out at the city. He heard steps behind him and turned to see Gary walking towards him, looking very happy. "Jon! You will not believe what happened last night... oh!" he had forgotten what Jon had done. Hesitantly he asked, "How did your night fare?"

Jonathon turned slowly, his eyes tired. "She refused, Gary." He rubbed his face. Gary said nothing. He couldn't really think of anything to say. He knew it had been coming. Thayet hadn't really warmed to Jonathon's attempts at courting her, even after Alanna had told them she was marrying George. Since losing her own throne and coming to Tortall with Alanna, Thayet had reminded them all that she did not want a political and popular life in the slightest. She wanted to settle down quietly and build a school for the poor. Both Alanna and Jonathon had hoped she would change her mind, but it seemed to be made up on the subject. "I still promised her lands up north by Trebond," Jonathon murmured.

"Jon..." Gary began hesitantly. "How are you feeling about all this?"

"The strange thing is that I'm not sad or disappointed. I almost feel relieved. I only regret that now the people will have more reason to talk. And talk they will. They'll say my reign is cursed and that I'm not supposed to have an heir." He sighed.

Gary grabbed his shoulders, shaking him slightly. "Let them talk!" he scoffed. When Jon still didn't smile Gary tried, "Hey, third time lucky, right?"

That brought a laugh to Jon's throat and a sparkle to his deep blue eyes. "Right," he chuckled. Then, coming to himself, he asked, "So how was your night? Raoul says you've found yourself a prize."

"A prize, indeed. Oh Jon, she's a beauty. Even more beautiful than that Delia of Eldorne." Jonathon frowned at the name. Delia was a beautiful lady who had been trying to get her claws into Jonathon for a while. When they'd found out she'd been working with Roger to destroy the kingdom, she'd been stripped of her title and banished after Roger had been killed by Alanna for the second time. The coronation ceremony had been postponed until the Hall of Kings could be put back together. (For story purposes this is a little bit different... sorry.)

Jon said, "You'll have to show her to me at the ball tonight. Thayet's not coming. She and Buri left about an hour ago." He looked out at the horizon. The sun was just starting to come up.

"In the meantime," Gary grabbed Jon's arm and hoisted the prince around back into the castle, "I suggest you get some sleep or you will be dead on your feet tonight and I'll have to greet all the boring dignitaries."

"You know it's necessary," Jon retorted, but went to bed without complaint and Gary went to fetch Lady Alethia. It was time for their morning ride.

Brilliant in a silver train tonight, Alethia stood alone, sipping a glass of punch. Gary had ben so kind to her, asking her what she needed, waiting on her hand and foot, introducing her to everyone, but she didn't feel like that was the reason she'd come. On their ride through Corus, they'd heard the people talking about the prince. Apparently, he'd proposed to someone and she'd refused. "'S bad luck if you ask me," one of the bar men had whispered to his friend. Gary had tightened his hands on his reigns but kept a straight face and ignored the two men. The rest of the trip had been pleasant. They had stopped at an inn called The Dancing Dove to ask about a man named George, and been told that he wasn't back from "that cursed desert" yet.

After that they had picnicked under a large tree and Gary had told her about Alanna the Lioness. She still smiled at the thought of a girl posing as a boy for all that time.

Gary had left her for a moment to go talk to some ambassador, leaving Alethia to her own devices. Why was she here? How did she get here? She frowned. These were not pleasant thoughts.

On the other side of the ballroom Gary was leading Jonathon to a spot where they could watch Lady Alethia from a distance. She stood in the same spot where he'd left her. Gary pointed. "There," he stated triumphantly. "By the food table. Is she not amazing?"

Jonathon squinted his eyes and tilted his head. "She's no..." but he stopped for Miles had just come up to her and she smiled. Jonathon's eyes widened. "She's astounding!" he breathed. "Gary? Where did you find her?"

Gary chuckled. "At the foot of the stairs last night. You were too busy with..." he changed his mind. "...other things. She's wonderful. So polite and diverting... do you want to meet her?"

"Do you mind?" Jonathon asked. In truth he doubted it. Gary wasn't possessive when it came to women.

"Nah. Come on!" and he led Jonathon over to where Alethia and Miles were just finishing their conversation on the war with Tusaine a few years ago. "Miles! Do you mind if we steal Lady Alethia's attention for a moment or two?" Gary asked.

"Not at all," Miles smiled dryly. "Enjoy the rest of your evening, my dear," and he slipped back into the crowd.

Lady Alethia turned her attention back to Gary and saw the man standing with him. Suddenly she had butterflies in her stomach and her heart was racing and she felt satisfied like this was the reason she had come to Corus. But why? she questioned herself. I don't even know this man.

"My lady," Gary bowed over her hand. "May I present you to Prince Jonathon of Conté? Jonathon, this is Lady Alethia of Silvermoon Mountains, in Carthak." To Gary's surprise Jonathon nodded.

"Ah yes, I've heard of Silvermoon Mountains. It's supposed to be beautiful country up there," he smiled at her encouragingly.

She smiled back and both Jon's and Gary's hearts did flips. "It is, Your Highness."

"Please, call me Jon!"

"Jon, Your Highness? I couldn't."

"Please, Lady Alethia, I insist."

"Very well, then. You must call me Allie."

Gary observed the conversation between the two of them and felt he had just made a match to save Tortall from never-ending gossip. He grinned in spite of himself and hoped they wouldn't notice if he slipped away. They didn't. He clapped his hands together triumphantly and started a conversation with an ambassador from Galla about the cost of raising and transporting sheep.

Chapter 3:

That night Allie had a dream. She dreamed she was lying in bed when a man opened it. He had flaming red hair and beard, and violet eyes. He wore mages' robes and motioned for her to be quiet and follow him. Oddly enough, she did. He led her through several darkened passages, the only light was the color of blood that was coming from him. Finally they were going down staircase after staircase. Allie wanted to ask how much further but he silenced her. At last they were on level ground again, standing before a stone door.

She couldn't hold it in any longer. "Where are we? What is this place?" she asked.

He replied, "The tombs." Then he raised his arms and that same blood color shot from him in the form of magic. The door slowly began to open. When it had opened all the way the mage led her inside. He stood back and she gasped. A stone table stood in the middle of the room. On it was a handsome man, perfectly preserved. His eyes shot open and he sat up. He then turned to her and smiled. The smile unnerved and scared her. "It's about time," he whispered. "Come to me. I have much for you to do." He opened his arms and the mage pushed her into them. She screamed.

Sitting up in bed she looked out her window. It was a little past dawn. Her mouth formed one word. "Roger." She remembered.

Jonathon sat back in his chair, relieved that tonight was the last ball and all the dignitaries would be returning to their prospective countries very soon. His mind turned to Thayet. He shook his head. It was a pity, but also a relief for him. He knew he didn't love her which was what had eased the blow of her refusing him. But she would have made a good queen. But that was over and there was no looking back. Slowly, his thoughts drifted to the lady Alethia.