A/N: I'm going to be honest - I've got no idea where this story is heading, and I'm not sure if its got much of a future. This takes place sometime after Lady Knight. It is most likely going to be A/J unless I get enough reviews asking me for something else. Ideas are welcome R/R!!!
King Jonathon of Tortall sat at his large wooden desk, a glass of wine within his left hand, which his wife had given him to help him relax. Taking a sip of the fine liquid, he looked at the papers piled upon the various surfaces in his office and sighed heavily.
'Even with Gary and about a dozen others working on paperwork, I always end up with so much that by the time I've finished, It's time to do another set.'
Deciding to take a short break from the work, he stood and walked into the palace gardens. The foliage was lush and the leaves carried beautiful hues of green, which were balanced so perfectly with the reds, pinks, violets of the flowers that it resembled something sung of in a ballad.
He walked to a bench which brought back many memories for him and stared at it long and hard, thinking about how much had changed since that night years ago.
It had been Alanna's 17th birthday, she had not been the most famous knight in the realm back then, and he had been the prince, not the King of Tortall. Before that night he hadn't acted seriously upon his feelings for her, he hadn't ruined their relationship by acting like an egotistical jerk. His parents had been alive, her brother had lived then as well.
Now, things had changed so much, Tortall had the Dominion Jewel, brought by the Lioness to aid her land in a time of need. George had claimed what he, Jonathon, had once called his. Alanna and George were now married and happy, though Jonathon still wondered what might have happened if he hadn't pushed Alanna to marriage, causing her to rebel and fall into the waiting arms of George Cooper.
He, of course, had Thayet, who was amazing in so many ways - yet she couldn't make him laugh like Alanna could. She also couldn't make him feel the way he felt around the Lady Knight. His skin tingled, his heart began to beat faster, and he would memorize her expressions, each and everyone of them - though he would never let it show.
He loved Alanna, there was no doubt - but it could never work. They both knew the realm came first - perhaps in another life they would be together, as it was meant to be.
"Reminiscing? tsk Shouldn't you be somewhere else? I walked through your study and saw all the piles of paperwork, and I must say I was rather astonished to see you weren't hidden behind one of them."
A voice that he recognized pulled him out of his reminiscent stupor, and he looked at her violet eyes that danced with badly hidden mirth.
"Ha ha, very funny Alanna. I was taking a short break, if you must know, and after a walk in the gardens I figured this bench would be rather comfortable. Although, it does bring back a lot of memories."
"Have you been sneaking out and doing funny things to the benches again Jon?" She asked him with a raised eyebrow.
"No I haven't, dearest, but you please inform me what funny things you are implying?" He said, silently daring her to say what he knew she was thinking.
"I'm not implying anything. So, what were you thinking of before I came? Spending time in the gardens with a lady whose name you can't even remember?" Her voice was light and teasing - she knew exactly what he had been thinking of.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that I don't remember her name, we were actually fairly good friends." His eyes were shining with suppressed laughter. "Really? I can't recall you having any 'lady friends.'" "You knew her as well, but if you can't guess I won't tell you. I will say that she was beautiful, especially when she was angry - which was fairly often. Though I knew we could never end up together because she was horrid in be-"
He was cut off by the punch thrown at him by his champion. "Oh shut it Jon." She glared at him.
"Why don't you mak-"
"I suggest you take her advice before you end up in the hospital wing." Queen Thayet walked towards them from a path that led straight to a stone garden that was a new addition.
"I was showing George the new addition to the gardens." Thayet explained, seeing Alanna's curious glance at the path which she had never seen before.
"C'mon lass, it's beautiful." George led Alanna away after a few moments of conversation with Jon and Thayet. Neither Alanna nor Thayet noticed the repulsed and untrusting glance Jon threw at George.
The stone garden contained everything from a waterfall to a short wall made of small stones of different colours which changed continually.
A long look at the gravel on the ground revealed many tiny clear stones which sparkled in the light. It was as beautiful as George had promised, if not more so.
"How are the children doing?" Alanna asked George with a hint of regret in her voice. She was not at home as often as she would have liked.
"They're fine, but they miss you Alanna. Imiss you. You're never at home anymore, yet there's no current wars raging. I understand you needing to be there for your country, but we need you at home too."
"I know George, but it's hard." She was fighting to swallow a lump in her throat, and her mouth felt dry.
"You always say that, but then I see you and Jon sitting around joking with each other. I know you tell me how hard it is, and I see how tired you are, and then I wonder 'what exactly are you doing here that's so hard?'. Don't say anything, please, I've wanted to get this off my chest for a while."
Alanna had opened her mouth to say something, but closed it fast at his request.
"I want to ask you something, and I'm very serious about this Alanna. Please answer me truthfully, I won't hold it against you."
She nodded.
"Alanna, are you still in love with Jon?" His voice was strained as he asked her this, and he wore a pained expression on his face.
Alanna started to laugh, but stopped upon seeing his expression. With a sigh she began to explain, "George, I'm not in love with Jon anymore. Yes, I love him dearly - but only as a friend. I love you, and you alone George. I know that I haven't been home for a while, and you've got every right to yell and be mad at me, but please try to understand.
"Having me here helps with everything - paperwork, I help train the pages. I'm here to give my friends the strength they need. Especially Jon - and not because I'm in love with him."
She gave him a look that quite clearly said 'It's not true, so get over it' because he had a look on his face that said quite clearly 'I knew it'.
"You've known him for years, so I'm sure you noticed that he looked pretty bad in there. It's getting to him, the stress of being King. Everything that we put on hold due to the war is catching up with him, and everyone's frantic to finish this before next season's work gets here."
She held his hand, and tickled his palm softly while staring deep into his hazel eyes, pleading with them to understand her.
"I need to be here for a little while longer, but I'll be home soon."
He sighed, and pulled her in for a hug. Kissing the top of her head he leant down and whispered in her ear "I'll be leaving in the morning, so let's have dinner now and then..." He laughed slyly, and he grabbed her hand and led her away.
3 weeks later
Alanna inhaled deeply, the scent of the sea filling her lungs. She was near home, she could see Pirate's Swoop ahead.
She grinned, imagining the look on George's face when he saw her. She hadn't sent any message that she was coming home, she wanted it to be a surprise for everyone.
The gates opened for her as she neared them, and she told the messenger that was about to go inform "The Baron" of her arrival that she would inform him herself.
After washing up a little in a spare room, she walked up towards the room she shared with George. She made no sound with the aid of her magic, and she was certain that George had not heard her coming. She cloaked herself in enough of her magic so that his Sight wouldn't inform him she was there.
She threw open the doors to their bedchambers and saw a sight that she had not been prepared for. Her husband had not been alone in the bed, and neither he nor the woman he was with were wearing any clothing.
She left the room quietly, but had dropped her magical shield long enough for George to notice she was there. He ran out after her but she ran soundlessly to a spare room, and waited for George to give up his search. When she was sure he was gone, she went to see all of her children, and told them she was sorry she couldn't stay longer, but something important had come up in Corus, and they needed her as soon as possible. She then asked someone to have a bag packed and sent to Corus for her.
Mounting her horse, she galloped off into the distance, not able to get what she had seen out of her mind 'Why?' she thought.
She didn't allow herself to break down for days, not until she arrived in Corus and knocked on the door of the King's study and collapsed into Jon's arms, crying, pale, and whispering the word 'why?' over and over again until she fell into a magic induced sleep.
AN: so.. good? bad? Review and let me know if you think I should update. Any advice is appreciated. I hate doing that to George, even though I'm an A/J shipper. :( ----REVIEW =)