i know, iam sorry i keep on changing the summary, but as you know- like all writers, at certain points i feel like what i may have set you all up for, just isn't a good enough explantion...
Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me, they belong to Tamora Pierce (except for Garrett & Kathyrn... you'll know who they are later)... oh yah... and the plot belongs to me!
Note: Yes, this story takes place after the end of the Lioness Rampant, which im sure you know, &
most importantly, Alanna and George are engaged along with Jon and Thayet, but neither couples ae married yet.
Oh and Faithful, Thom, Roger and Liam ARE STILL DEAD (sadly for Faithful, Thom, and Liam though...)
Further: I am writing this story for myself b/c there were somethings that i was disappointed w/ in the last book that i wish i could change-althoughi won't tellyou what yet- sou willjust have to read for yourself!. But PLEASZZZZ R&R so that u can tell me how im doing & it will keep it interesting for me to c what u guys think!
Thankx!
This is my first story on fanfic, so be nice! jk whatever...
...A Battle for the Kingdom and for Life...
The moment she entered through the door, she could feel his eyes on her. She always could, for she knew that he, George, had never been happier- happier to finally be with her.
"Com' here my lioness" George said with a grin on his face.
"Don't think just because I come, makes me obedient," Alanna whispered into George's ear. "For that will never be true..."
George smiled, and quickly adverted his eyes after realizing that the two of them had a small audience consisting of his cousin Rispah and a few of her ladies.
In an interested voice Rispah asked what the two of them were going to do for the day.
"I believe Mr. Cooper asked for a duel yesterday, hence we will give him one today," Alanna said in a teasing tone.
"Perhaps that is because the beautiful red-head cannot keep her temper, and cheated!"
Alanna, about to remind George that he pulled a few tricks himself, was silenced when Rispah gave out a hardy laugh and clapped George on his shoulders, "Alanna don't become too fustrated with George- he just doesn't like loosing too much to one person... especially to his own wife, eh… sorry… one of his best friends."
Alanna whose face went a little red, didn't look at George when she said, "Fine then, we shall re-duel." And this time be prepared, Mr. Cooper, my love…no, Alanna thought, frustrated with Rispah's words.
Alanna was walking towards the door when one of the messangers from the Palace entered the large dining room, over looking the sea. Handing her the scroll he kept neatly inside of his coat pocket, Alanna heard him mumble something… maybe she heard him say milady, but she wasn't sure. All she could think about when seeing the Tortallan Crown embroidered on the front of the messanger's coat was Jon.
George, guessing what the silence in the room was due to, got up out of the chair and came to stand behind Alanna. Putting his hand on her shoulder, George steered Alanna out of the dining room, out onto one of the many balconies, overlooking the sea- somewhere private.
Standing across from her, George waited until Alanna was done reading the letter. "Let me guess," George said in a miserable voice, "You have to go."
"Yes, Jonathan needs me." Hearing that upset George… for it was like he always felt inferior to Jon- except now, when he and Alanna were happily enjoying time together, and once again Prince Jonathan had to spoil it.
"George…" Alanna asked, noticing that he wasn't listening. "George I have no choice whether I want to go or not. Jon needs me, and don't forget- I am the King's Champion after all."
"Where are you going?" George asked.
"To Tusaine" Alanna replied. "It seems the rogues, no offense George, are causing trouble once again, and the King of Tusaine has asked Jon to help. The Problem is…"
"Yes I know… the problem is what'll happen if Tusaine falls to the rogues- which might not be so bad after all- jus' teasing" George added after the scornful stare Alanna gave George.
In a stressed voice George added, "I don't want you to go. Don't you think it is a little curious that the King of Tusaine is asking Jon to help him? I mean, how often does that happen? The rogues get out of line all the time, so clearly there is there is another reason why Jon is going."
"George, please just let me go."
After thinking about it for minute, "… ok. But how about I will meet up with you in a couple of days, and in the meantime I will see what I can find out at the Dancing Dove."
"Thanks George" and with that Alanna leaned up, kissed George on the cheek and then spun out of the room to go pack, not giving him time for any response.
I wonder what I just said 'ok' to, thought George…
Sitting a top a hillside, excitement came over Alanna of Trebond and Olau as a swift breeze, reminding of her home- free of the sea breeze-ruffled her hair in
the late afternoon wind. Alanna was excited, not so much because she stood overlooking the city of Corus- the Temple of the Goddess, a sign of the
goddess that she admired so much and had gone to when faced with troubled times. Nor did she feel exited when gazing upon the market where she had
first met George…breath. She was excited deep down because she knew that just beyond the Palace Gates lay Jonathan- a man who she had and would
always love: a man who was engaged to a beautiful princess, something she had set up herself. Do I regret what I've done? wondered Alanna, who was
interrupted by the fall of heavy raindrops, sending her in full gallop towards the Palace…
