A/N: This story was suggested by mearcats on AO3. It is set in the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce. Feel free to continue sending book suggestions in if there's a world you want to see Ruby and Belle go to! I will keep updating this story as I finish the books.
"So this is Tortall," Ruby said as she looked around the land she and Belle had just landed in.
Belle nodded, grinning as she looked around the kingdom herself. "It is."
Ruby started walking towards the castle that loomed over the village. Belle saw where she was going and pulled her back. "We can't go there."
"Why not?" She asked, her face falling. "Isn't that where Alanna and the action is?"
Belle replied, "Yes. But we can't just go into the castle. We can't risk blowing her cover."
Ruby frowned, but nodded in understanding. "So we're going to wait for her to visit George then?"
"Exactly," Belle said, beaming widely. They walked around the village for a bit before making their way to George Cooper's hideout. Using her knowledge of the book, Belle was able to find it easily. Making their way inside, they were greeted by the King of Thieves and his trusted followers.
George frowned at them, brandishing a knife at them. "Who the hell are you? How the hell did you get in here?"
Belle spoke up. "I'm Belle and this is my…Ruby." She stopped herself from saying 'my wife,' not quite knowing how their marriage would be viewed in Tortall. "We were told that we would be to find Alan of Trebond here. We have some valuable information about the Duke Roger of Conte."
He raised an eyebrow at them, but lowered his weapon. "He's due to arrive any moment. Where are you ladies from?"
Ruby hesitated as she looked to Belle for her wisdom. "We're from the Eastern lands," Belle said quickly, hoping that she would be able to keep up the lie.
Any further questioning from George was interrupted by the arrival of Alanna and her friends Gary, Raoul, and Prince Jonathan. Also walking in was Alanna's beloved black cat Faithful, who fixed a curious expression as he looked at Ruby and Belle. George's eyes lit up at the sight of the female squire disguised as a man. "Welcome." The barkeep provided drinks for everyone and they drank together.
"Thank you George," Alanna said, disguising her voice and surveying the room. "Who are your new friends?" She asked, pointing to Ruby and Belle.
George smiled. "They're here to see you, Alan. They claim to have information on your favorite Duke."
The Prince frowned. "What about my cousin?"
Ruby and Belle looked at each other, knowing that the Prince did not share Alanna's suspicions of the Duke. "We'd prefer to speak to your squire in private, your highness."
Both Jonathan and Alanna looked suspicious at the request. Alanna stood up, her fingers brushing over the hilt of her sword, which Ruby and Belle knew had been dubbed as 'Lightning.' She looked over at Faithful, who seemed to be communicating with her. She nodded at the cat and then beckoned to Ruby and Belle. They walked out of the room and into the fresh air.
"Alanna," Belle began. Her eyes widened as she realized that she had addressed her by her real name. "I mean Alan," she said eyeing the sword hilt that Alanna had clasped her hand around.
Her eyes narrowed at them. "How do you…?"
Thinking quickly, Ruby said, "My wife has the Gift and is able to see through disguises. Even one as carefully crafted as yours. Trust me, your secret's safe with us, young squire."
Belle grinned at her. However, Alanna looked strangely at them. "You're married?"
Ruby nodded, taking Belle's hand in her. "We are. Is that a problem?"
Alanna quickly said, "No, I'm just surprised."
"Have you thought of marriage?" Belle asked, even though she already knew the answer to her question.
Just as she predicted, Alanna looked horrified by the suggestion. "What? No!" She composed herself and explained, "I want to be a knight and go off on adventures. I have no intention of marrying."
Belle smiled. "I love going on adventures too." Ruby's heart skipped a beat as Belle looked back at her. "And I fell in love with someone who loved that part of me." Ruby wished that they were alone so that she could kiss Belle, but didn't feel that it was appropriate at the present moment. "You can have both," Belle encouraged.
Alanna quickly shook her head. "That's not possible." Ruby and Belle looked at each other, both of them sharing a smile at knowing Alanna's true destiny. "What did you want to tell me about the Duke?" Alanna said, clearly trying to change the subject.
Remembering what they came to do, Belle said, "We believe that the Duke is plotting to kill the royal family and take the throne for himself."
Alanna's eyes quickly lit up. "I knew it! I've been saying it for years, but Jonathan won't believe me." Her face fell and she said, "I still have no way to prove it."
Belle grinned. "We have a hunch that he's using a special kind of spell that involves dolls that look like the person he's attempting to harm. Find a way into his room and see if you can find the evidence you need."
"I can't just sneak into the Duke's room," Alanna said indignantly. "It's against the code of a knight."
Ruby said, "You have to try. You can't let the Duke get the throne."
Alanna considered the prospect as she looked between Ruby and Belle. After a few moments she said, "Fine, I'll find a way to investigate."
"Good to hear," Belle said, "Now we have one last request before we go back in." Alanna looked expectantly at them. "It would be an honor to learn some sword fighting from Tortall's most gifted squire."
Alanna grinned and pulled out Lightning. She handed the sword to Belle and she took it. Looking over the sword as turned it in her hands, Belle could sense the sword's power.
Ruby watched as Alanna taught Belle some basic moves. She was entranced by the look of joy on Belle's face, and she knew that her wife was enjoying this adventure. After Belle had gotten more comfortable with the sword, Ruby allowed Alanna to teach her a couple of moves. Though she had only held Charming's sword once in the Enchanted Forest, she enjoyed the feel of the sword in her hands.
Not long after, Alanna determined that they were done and they went back into the house. George and all of the other guests were waiting for them. "What took you so long?" George said looking between the three of them.
Alanna shrugged and took a seat next to Jonathan. "They wanted a quick sword lesson." She took the drink offered to her by Gary and downed it.
George beckoned Ruby and Belle over and they sat in two empty seats near the edge of the table. George handed them some drinks and they sat with the company as they observed. They were asked a couple of questions from the rest of the table, but they tried to keep their answers as vague as possible.
Soon, night fell on Tortall and Alanna returned to the castle with the prince and the others from the castle. Belle and Ruby thanked her for the sword lesson as they said goodbye to her. After they were gone, they said goodbye to George and walked back into the village. Once the coast was clear, they jumped out of the book and landed on the floor of their apartment.
As they stood up, Belle shut the book. Ruby pulled her into a searing kiss. Belle eagerly kissed her back. When they finally pulled away, Ruby said, "I love going on adventures with you."
Belle grinned. "Me too." She leaned in to kiss her again and Ruby pulled her in closer, feeling content in her arms.
