Chapter 3-Wars and Jonathan
OK, I know you guys all hate me for killing off George and making it Gary instead of Jon. I really appreciate anyone's ideas, I am starting to run short of them for this story. But what the hell, I have lots of time. Things are getting even more skewed, though I am going to keep names the way they are for now, 'cause it would cause a lot of confusion if I changed 'em. I really don't know what to do about Duke Roger.... Disclaimer, I didn't create any of the characters yada yada yada. On with the show. PS, things might get weird 'cause I'm listening to lame music.
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Alanna and Gary seemed perfect for each other, though Alanna still felt guilt about George. But they were getting careless. Someone suspected...
One day (lame phrase) Alanna was practicing her fencing with Coram's big old sword in front of her mirror when she heard a knock on the door. She put down her sword, sweating.
"Come in!" she called. Jonathan came in, looking serious.
Somehow Alanna didn't notice his look. "Hi Jon. I was just practicing my fencing."
Jon forced her to look at him. "You're in love with Gary, aren't you?" he asked softly. "And me a blind fool not to have seen it before."
Alanna shook him off. "I don't know what love is," she said uncomfortably. "At least, not the kind you're talking about- the forever kind." (Deja-vu...)
"Alanna, tell me. I'm your best friend. I've seen the way you look at each other. Tell me the truth."
Alanna could tell that he was hurt. Who wouldn't be? "Well, what was I supposed to say? Hey Jon, me'n Gary are having an affair?"
Jonathan smiled weakly and ran his fingers through his hair. "You're my friend, Alanna. I just want you to tell me these things." and without a word, he left and went back to his room. Alanna had half a mind to go back and apologize, but decided against it. What would she apologize for?
I'd better start being more careful. Damn it! Why is Jon so protective sometimes?
She sighed and went back to her practicing.***
Flash-forward to the Tusaine war, sorry if I got timelines messed up....
Alanna readied for her first real fight, pulling on quilt-lined breeches and the loose clothing most foot soldiers wore. She triple-checked Moonlight and Darkness' saddles, and cinched the girths tight. Now all she had to do was wait. It was easy. She hated it. Finally the call to muster was sound, and she mounted Moonlight. With a pang she remembered George, though it didn't hurt as much as it once did. She fingered her ring, a Midwinter present from Gary. Should she really feel so guilty? That thought was quickly pushed out of her mind as the flood of soldiers marched to attack.
"Tortall for Trebond!" she yelled, wading into the thick of the battle. She fought, cut, and slashed automatically. Blocking the mace of an enemy knight, she felt a line of fire across her chest and stomach. Some bastard had hit her when she was fighting someone else. Figures, she thought, and cursed. Wasn't paying attention. She was making her way over to protect Jonathan and the circle of knights around him when Raoul saw her.
His eyes widened, simultaneously blocking and talking. "Mithros, Alan, we need to get a healer!"
Alanna didn't hear his last words. She was already unconscious, fallen off her horse.
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I know that was kinda short, but I can't resist a cliffhanger. Will Alanna live, or will she get trampled by enemy soldiers?!? Tune in next time to find out! PS, for all you smartos who recognized the deja vu, it was in The Hand of the Goddess, pg. 151 & 152. Alanna was talking to George about Jon, not to Jon about Gary. I need reviews, I live on 'em, so please R/R or you'll never know what happens! *laughs wickedly*.