A/N: So Gary came up to me today and said "You've heard about this fic that you can't find, so write the damn thing yourself."
So here it is.
Coming Out
Diclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Alanna, Gary or the rest of Tortall.
I'd like to call myself a charming and gallant gentleman who just happens to have his shield and rather well toned muscles.
Oh and a father who is the Prime Minster.
Not that it helps me too much.
So, anyways, Alan, Prince Jonathan's squire, has asked me to go riding with him. I have a feeling this is the day that he's going to tell me something… well, not to the countries liking.
I have a feeling that Alan's been sleeping with Jon.
Now, this would be okay if Jon weren't the Prince of Tortall and in need of heirs so that the country doesn't fall into disarray and civil war when he dies. It doesn't help the country if he's into men, not women.
So I'm going riding with Alan to see what he says.
We've been riding for an hour now. He still hasn't said anything. He hasn't said a single word since we left the palace.
"Whatever's on your mind, you may as well say it now and get it over with," I say finally.
He's going to come out and tell me he's into men, not women. I can see it in Alan, he's never liked girls. But Jon… I think he's in love with Jon.
The problem would be if Jon's in love with him.
Why am I getting worked up over this?
"It must be pretty important." I find myself saying. He wipes his upper lip, seeming to contemplate his next words.
"It is," he says. "Gary, has it—has it ever occurred to you that I might not be the person I seem to be?"
Shit, here it comes. He's going to tell me he's into men and I'm going to have to comfort him and tell him it's all right to be in love with Jon— "I know you've had a big secret ever since I met you," it's true I have. Alan's so secretive. "I always figured you'd tell me what it was, eventually.
Alan opens his mouth and I savor the last moments of not knowing for sure.
"I'm a girl."
WHAT?
"My-my real name is Alanna. I come from Trebond, and Lord Thom really is my twin brother."
I pull up my horse and stare at Alan. He's gone insane. "That's not funny." He's into men; he's trying to tell me that way.
He can't be a girl, he's got no breasts!
"Of course it's not funny; it's the truth!"
"But where are your breasts?"
There goes the gentleman in me.
"I bind them flat with a special corset."
Shit. Of course. "But when you bathe—" I whistle. "None of us have ever seen you bathe. Or swim for that matter!" It's all falling into place.
Of course Alan likes men. He's a she.
"That's right."
"Who else knows?" I tug at my mustache, following each line of thought through to the end. That would explain it. That would explain everything.
"Jonathan. George and Mistress Cooper. Coram, my brother Thom. The healing woman at Trebond. Faithful." Alan stokes the cat.
Alanna strokes the cat.
Gods that will take a while to get used to.
We ride on while I follow all my questions through to the end.
It would explain why he's—she's so grumpy once a month. It would explain why he—she doesn't bathe with us, she doesn't go after girls, the way she looks at Jon.
What will Father say? What will—I burst into a grin. "Oh, I can't wait to see their faces!"
"Anyone in particular?" Alan—Alanna asks.
"Everyone! Just Everyone!"
A/N: Yes, it's weird ending. I know they ride on and stuff, but it ends there really, because Gary said "WFT."
So, enjoy it?
REVIEW.