Chapter 6- Moving Forward

A rat scuttled through the dark alley. Night had come and the only sound was the noise coming from the hidden pub. A figure clothed in the garb of the palace servants ran nervously down the street, searching for something.

"You're late" a voice cut through the stillness.

"Sorry," the servant stuttered " It's not easy to get out of the palace undetected. Besides, there were…."

" I don't need your excuses. I need your information." The hard glint of steel shone through the darkness

" Yes, of course sir. Right away. The rouge is very jealous of Jonathon. He could be a very good scrape goat. The fights between the monarchs are few in between. It is for the baby's sake. The baby has cemented their love. No more doubts on the Queen's side. Although the death of her brother and her adoptive father have hit her hard. Another death of someone close to her will leave her emotionally vulnerable, ready to cling to anyone. That is all I have."

" Good. Payment will make it's way to you." The servant left in the same rush as he had came before the man with the sword changed his mind.

" It's almost time my dear Queen and future wife." Cold laughter fill the silent night.

9 Months Later

" How is she Jon?" Thayet asked concern heavy in her voice.

" Well, when I asked her if she wanted help this morning, her reply was, 'Jonathon, I have carried this baby in my stomach for 9 months while still carrying out my royal duties. I can do this by myself' So, yes, she is fine." Jonathon rubbed his temples, trying to get rid of the coming headache. Jonathon slid to the floor his head in his hands. Thayet looked at her friend. The worry was plain on her face.

" Are you alright, Jon ?"

" Thayet, you know the royal duties as well as I do." Jonathon sighed as if he was unsure of how to go on. " Monarchs aren't allowed to show any signs of weakness. I am scared for Alanna, gods, curse it. Our marriage had been rocky but I have always loved her." Jonathon looked about ready to sob. " I tried to be there when her brother and Sir Myles died. Instead she went to the gods cursed rouge and cried on his shoulder. I am her husband, not him. What does he have that I don't!?" Silence followed Jon's outburst of temper. Thayet had no idea on how to answer him. Even before Thayet could have said anything Duke Baird's messenger came running up the hall.

" Her majesty requests quite firmly that Lady Thayet be in her presence now. Sire your presence is also demanded." The messenger looked like he had seen something that no other human being should see in their life time. Jonathon stood up with a bolt.

" Is Alanna alright? Is everything fine? Tell me this instant."

" Jonathon stop scaring the boy. Tell Her Majesty we will be there with all haste." Thayet gave the boy a copper before he scurried off. Thayet looked at Jonathon.

"You will have to calm down before you see her. You can't cause more stress on an already stressful day." With that Thayet walked down the hall to the infirmary.

" Push, Alanna push. Come on you can do it. The baby is almost here."

" What do you think that I have been doing, baking a cake?!" Alanna screamed at Duke Baird. " I can't do this, I can't do this. Thayet please make it stop. You're a woman, you understand." Alanna sobbed protesting the pain until she bit Duke Baird's head off for telling her to push harder.

" Alanna I know you are in pain but the baby is crowning and with one more push the pain will be over with. Please co-operate. That's ,it big push." Screams filled the room until the only sounds left was Alanna's heavy breathing and the cries of a new born child. "Congratulations your Majesty. You have a new baby girl. Who are the baby's sponsor's?" The Lord Magistrate's cold voice cut through the stillness. Alanna looked around the room at the people who came to watch the birth.

"The baby's sponsor's are Princess Thayet of Jin Wilma , Commander Buriram of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak, Sir Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak the knight commander of the King's Own and Sir Gareth the younger." The Lord Magistrate walked over to Alanna with a quill and a piece of parchment.

" Please sign this your Majesty."

" How dare you get my wife to sign anything when she just had a baby. Are you such a…" Gary covered Jonathon's mouth with his hand and Raoul grabbed him before Jon did anything he would regret. The Lord Magistrate looked at Jonathon, his cold eyes staring. Some people said later that something foreign came through the cold barriers, (empathy).

" Sire, Her Majesty came to me and asked for this he self. As a true servant of the Crown I never question an order from the Queen or the King." Jonathon stood quiet for a few minutes thinking. Alanna's sharp coughing woke him up from his day dream.

" Everybody out." Jonathon said quietly but loud enough for everyone in the room to look out him " I SAID EVERYBODY OUT!" The entire room exploded in noise with people arguing with Jon. The baby scared from the sudden noise began to cry loudly. The noise from the arguer's and the baby was so loud that only Thayet heard Alanna calling for Jon. Thayet took a deep breath knowing what she had to do.

"LISTEN, Jon is your King, why are you all standing here questioning him? Please leave them two alone." Everyone so shocked by Thayet's uncharacteristic loud voice left the room. Jon rushed over to Alanna side when he heard her wheezing.

"Alanna"

"Jo---n p-lea---se."

" Shhh. For once in your life please just listen. I love and have always loved you. Nothing will change this. Just, Alanna, please, please don't die on me."

Alanna mustered all of her strength so she could stay awake for the naming of her child

" Jonathon, please. My mother died before she knew my name. I----I want---t t—o know the name of my child in case I die. J—o—n please." Alanna was over come by a coughing fit.

" Alright Alanna. Just please don't die." Jonathon stared down at the all to familiar green eyes. So familiar but he couldn't quite place where he had seen them before." We shall call her Alianne of Conte" Upon hearing the child's name Alanna fell into a deep sleep. As Jon walked to the door he said " Yes, your name is Alianne named for the grandmother you and your mother will never know." Jonathon opened the door to show the kingdom Tortall's new heir.