Length:
290 words.
Rating: K.
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blinded by the sun
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ii. shackles
The wintry days warmed by their early love remain the happiest in his memory. Jon dreams of the pitter-patter of small feet and purple-eyed children with black hair, brimming with lavender magic. Alanna accepts his proposal despite her initial reservations because he's Jon and he loves her and she loves him.
Then his mother dies, and his father, and his dreams.
Suddenly there is a crown on his head and nowhere to turn without being jabbed at by nobles and councillors and advisors. His opinion on this, his views on that, what should be done about the crops, this mass murderer's escape, the fragile relations with that neighbouring kingdom . . .
During the day she upholds the law as his Lady Knight, champion of justice. At night, she holds him as his lover, his closest companion. There's worry in the amethysts of her eyes and fear, and it is this close proximity that allows him to see also the immense freeness of her spirit. It comes to him in a nightmare, the realisation of how close he has lured her to the danger of losing it. How close he's come to sinning thus.
She leaves the Palace and returns with the Jewel and the lovely Thayet, whom Jonathan admires at sight for her beauty and fierce strength, but does not love. However he's wise enough to know it's not about love—Mithros, if it was, Tortall would have a Lioness for its Queen—and Thayet will be a far better monarch than Alanna.
He was born into this trap, a prisoner to the crown from birth, but he'll be damned if he condemns her too.
You can't cage a lioness.
And because he loves her, he lets her go.