Title: Every Heart

Author: aisery

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except for the few OC's present.

Summary: A mysterious lady has arrived at court. No one seems to know her except the royal family… not even George. Who is she?

Author's notes: This fic is borne out of my frustrations upon Alanna and Jon's break up in book three. This is made upon the assumption that book four does not exist as I have yet to read it. I hope you like it… ^_^


Prologue

            A tall, dark-haired woman stood in front of the King and Queen in the throne room. They were smiling warmly at her as was Duke Gareth of Naxon who as standing beside the King. Only the Prince Jonathan showed a trace of suspicion in his eyes as he smiled hesitantly at the lady standing before them.

            The lady strangely reminded her of the Prince's cousin, Duke Roger of Conte whom she had killed in a duel a little more than a year ago, though there was none of those ill feelings she felt for the late duke. But what was even more peculiar was she could not see the lady's face at all, as if a great shadow was clouding her vision and yet there was none at the same time for the woman was very luminescent. For the lady to remind her of Duke Roger was most odd indeed when she could not eve see what the woman looked like, specially since she seemed to be standing directly across from the lady herself.

"It is time to come home, Alanna of Trebond and Olau," a mysterious voice said, which she strongly suspected to be that of the woman's.

            She woke with a start, feeling a bit anxious but curious as to who the lady in her dream was. She was pondering about this when she realized she was not at all afraid or alarmed or even trembling and drenched in sweat, as she usually was when she had a dream. She frowned thoughtfully as Faithful leapt into her lap and absently petted her loyal cat while she pondered the matter with more thought than she had at first. She was so deep in thought, she didn't even hear Coram knock and enter her room when he received no response of any sort from his knight-mistress.

'Now just what is wrong with this lass now?' he thought quite puzzled and decided to voice out his concern, "What is on your mind now, lass? Or--"

            Alanna looked up startled and abruptly said, "It is nothing, Coram. Don't worry." She smiled as if to reassure him but it was clear in her eyes that she was still bothered by whatever it was that perturbed her. He wanted to ask more but her countenance suggested that he better not dare and he didn't.

            This went on for another three days with each time Alanna looking more and more agitated and anxious. She knew there was nothing to worry about though she doesn't know how she can be certain of this but she simply knew. So on the fourth day she finally said to Coram, "Pack our bags, Coram. We're going back to Tortall."