A/n: I've had this idea about Alanna when she's old so this is Alanna and the events leading up to her final duel.
Alanna's Final Duel
Alanna wobbled down the palace hallway thinking about her youth and her late quests. She knew she was getting to old to hold the title of 'Kings Champion' for much longer ever since her 55th birthday when she duelled Marek the Tormentor and narrowly escaped alive.
Alanna had only kept the title because she was so stubborn to insist she could keep up with the younger knights that included Kel and Dom's son: Dom junior that was constantly saying that he was the best knight alive.
Vaguely Alanna knew that he was right: she was too old to do much anymore.
As she walked past the Hall of Kings she began to weep: too many bad memories than she could take of Liam Ironarm, of Faithful of her stepfather's recent death, Alanna couldn't help it, she just stood in the entrance of the Hall of Kings and cried and cried till she was no longer standing but on her knees wanting to just cease to exist, to make the pain of time's passing go away.
She felt a hand on her shoulder looking up she saw it was her husband George looking at her in a sympathetic way, slowly Alanna rose to her feet and cried into George's shirt feeling his arm's encircle her body protectively.
"Time is cruel." Remarked George.
Alanna couldn't and wouldn't answer him; she let all her tears out feeling older than was possible.
"I'm sorry George, it's just that everywhere I go I seem to remember past events, I think this is the third time this week." Alanna's weak attempt at humour made George smile slightly.
"Come, let us go, King Roald doesn't forgive tardiness." As George took her away Alanna wondered if there was a place in the world where she would never cry over past event and memories.
The hall was packed with just about (at least) one of every class.
Alanna recognized a few faces but now more that ever did she fell isolated and alone.
As she took a seat and looked at King Roald saying the evening prayer about life and it's worth, beside him sat the late King Jonathan with serval healers surrounding him and helping him with the most mundane tasks such as chewing and breathing; Jonathan had been involved in a serious battle and took a blow to the head consequently he had slight brain damage but it was enough to give Jon alzheimers and weaken his immune system.
Feeling tears in her eyes as she watched one of the healers re-teach Jonathan to breathe again, Alanna looked away and found her son staring blankly at her and waved, Thom appeared to be in a trance because as soon as she waved he waved back.
As the meal was served Alanna found that she ate very little, the meal ended and Alanna rose as customary with the king and found a servant at her elbow and had a flash back.
The maid gave her a glass of wine, "He sent it t'you." The maid gestured at a lean man who was toasting her, his nose looked like it had met serval hard objects.
"He said to tell you that us red-heads should sit together when this glass is done, if you don't mind me saying so I like him even if you don't.
The flashback ended and Alanna found tears in her eyes at the memory of Liam Ironarm, Alanna looked at the servant the memory of a man with arrows in his body on the space the alter should be faded, "The King wants to see you miss." She said politely, "Thank you." Alanna replied and went in search of the King, she had a feeling it was about her age and her ability to keep up with the younger knights and always the question of 'is she able to fit the requirements of champion anymore'?
A/n: Sorry it was short but this is just the introduction, the next chapter will be longer. Please Review!!!