Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, Tamora Pierce does. This is my interpretation of them, and my story. Please don't use them without my permission.
Author's Note: This is my brief take on Alanna's mother. This story was originally posted at the Dancing Dove. I'm giving it a PG-13 because of the death, so it is actually a very soft PG-13.
Out of the TowerShe had been charmed from the moment she had first seen him. He had been so studious, so serious. He believed in things that a person could see or touch, or explain. He had scoffed at the Gift, ignoring it even if it showed up in his scholarly studies. She thought him simply adorable, as she told her friends, huddled over dusty old tomes in the library, or writing papers, his fingers smeared with ink. Many thought that it was the fact that he was inclined to ignore her that drew her to him, though she would tell people that it was his obvious dedication to what he loved.
No one had expected her to catch his eye. No one had expected him to propose to her a mere six months after meeting her. No one had expected her to accept.
They were married for two years, and a beautiful two years it was. Those who knew him said that they had never seen Alan like this before, smiling and happy, with his vibrant, Gifted wife at his side.
She was a tiny woman, but made her presence known. She was not afraid of voicing her opinion or of using the little bit of magic that she had. She argued cheerfully with Alan, coaxed him out of his sulking corners to dance at the birthing celebration of the crown prince, and oversaw Trebond with a lady's ease. Though she was not especially attractive, it was her spirit that made her lovely, her quick grin and the voice that could get shrill when she was excited.
When she took with child, their friends celebrated. As time drew on, though, people could see that she was not doing well. Her belly heavy with the child--children, as Maude informed her—she had to rest often. Alan lingered constantly by her side, and the care of Trebond was quietly given to his steward.
When the time came, they did all that they could. Maude, a skilled midwife and semi-skilled Healer, tried her best, but Lady Trebond simply did not have enough strength. The lady herself even tried to use her Gift on herself. A few said that, in the end, that was what tired her.
She gave birth to a healthy pair of red-haired twins, and they were called Thom and Alanna. She loved her children greatly; that much was clear. But it was an effort for her to even lift her hand to stroke little Thom's hair, or kiss Alanna's forehead. Alan saw the children and stated them fine heirs, but his attention was on his wife.
Where once she was so full of life, now she was weak and almost empty.
They buried her within the week.
Alan looked dead and lost without her, all through the funeral and the following days. When, at last, Maude approached him with his children, something in him changed.
He looked down at the twins, bewildered. Alanna was making small noises, and Thom was sucking on his fist. When Alan looked back at Maude, she could see that some part of him had died and had been buried along with his wife.
"No more," was all he said as he handed the twins back to Maude and went up to his study.
He never let anyone coax him out of there again.