AUTHOR'S NOTE: Ilove reviews I don't think i can say it enough. Oh well. This chapter will start out slow but I'm stilling setting up for certain events BUT... you'll all love the end (but hate me).
Oh and I'd like to mention Mrs. Dom Masbolle because she gave me the idea for this chapter title.
Thanks to all the loyal readers and reviewers!
Disclaimer: HMMM... I can't think of anything clever so we'll go with the general I am NOT Tomera Peirce.
That week Alan wouldn't leave Tory's side. He would arrive before breakfast and wouldn't leave unless she told him to or went to bed. He refused to let her take walks by herself and for a couple days made her hold his arm because her ankle was still weak.
They were in her sitting room playing chess when Tory finally asked the question that had been bothering her a while now, "Why are you here?" he was staring at the chess board intent on his next move when he took it he asked "What do you mean?"
She watched the board not his face when she answered, "Well most knights I've ever heard of do more than walk through gardens and play chess. Shouldn't you be patrolling or something? Oh and check"
He moved right after her this time baffled at her move, "Well, you see there's a tournament coming up soon."
"Do you plan on entering?"
"Yes, tilting"
"Hopefully you're a better titlter than chess player."
"Why is that?"
"Checkmate" she stated bluntly as his jaw dropped and he moved to sit next to her on the couch.
"Yes I'm a much better tilter I've had lessons from Sir Raoul the Giantkiller"
"You mean he was your knightmaster?"
"I forget you know more about me than I do you."
"yep" she gave him a smug look
"but I know something you don't"
"What's that"
"I don't know if I want to tell you yet." he smiled at her
She returned his smile but shoved him as well.
"fine lass. You'll have company here soon" but still asked.
"Your mother"
She couldn't contain herself she flung her arms around his neck,"Really Alan!"
"Really Tory"
"Thank you but- when?"
"Sometime after the tournament." he wrapped an arm around her, "You know I think I like giving you good news."
She shoved him away, "don't get used to it, or you'll know what it's like to be a dead knight."
He raised an eyebrow at her "You can't blame a guy for trying, can you?"
"Yes I can."
"Only you could, Now about the tournament could I persuade you to come for me?"
"No plain and simple."
He let out a fake hurt sob "You hurt me so lass, could you tend to my wounds in the gardens?"
Alan stood and offered her a hand,"you know Alan I can stand?" but she took it anyway.
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They spent the rest of the afternoon walking through the gardens, but as the sun sank lower they found themselves on a bench tucked between two evergreen bushes. "Are you sure I can't get you to come day after tomorrow."
"I'm pretty sure I'll be busy Alan"
He looked at Tory and his voice became serious,"What if I said I have to leave right after the tournament?"
Suddenly Tory felt a tightening in her throat and a sudden pain in her chest. She managed to struggle out of this choking grip, "Where?"
"Up north to Steadfast to collect reports with the 3rd company of the King's Own"
"When will you be back?"
"I'm not sure but before midwinter" he stood the playfulness returning to him. He offered Tory his hand,"I thought we established that I could stand on my own?"
"This is the last day that I have an excuse so humor please. and I also wanted to talk to you about something else." She was about to refuse but there was something in his look that made her take his hand.He looked into her eyes, "Tory.." he swallowed hard,"I-I-" he gave up on words. He pulled her next to him as he gently pressed his lips to her, as if he was afraid of her reaction. Tory forgot everything from where she was to who she was with, the only thing that went through her mind was the warmth flooding into her body. She placed a hand on his shoulder beginning to return his warmth when she was sucked back into reality. She pulled away slightly out of breath. What am I doing? I've been kissed before but--- not like that.
"Alan I--I--" she stopped and just turned to run away back to her rooms to hide from life, from Alan, from her emotions. he just watched her go he understood she needed time to be alone but part of him was itching to follow her.
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Tory was sitting on the edge of her bed with her head in her hands, "What will I do?" she asked herself and fell back onto her bed where she fell asleep.
She was laying there when she felt a hand cup her cheek, still in her half dazed state she brought her hand up to place it on the one on her cheek whispering "Alan?" but her hand passed through an ice cold presence to feel her own cheek. She jerked her eyes open immediately to be looking straight into the bluest eyes you could ever see. A young man with dark brown locks, a stubborn chin, charming smile, and a wink to her as he had his head propped up onto one hand, "Hello my sweet."
She stared back at him with wide eyes,
"W-W-WHAT J-J-JASON ?!?"
A/N: I told you and yes I know I'm evil sorry.
Please review ( I don't want to have to wait a week to post the next chapter)
