Author: Raven Shadowrose
Title: Fated Propehecy
Rating: Mature
Pairing: ?/?
Disclaimer: I do not know or own any of the characters from Legend Of The Seeker, any original characters and the story are my property.
A/N: This story is the sequel to the one shots I have been writing; Tides of Time, Somewhere, When You're Alone and I Know Where You Sleep. I would help you to read those first, so you can understand what has happened before this story.
A/N: Thank you to anyone who has left a comment or subscribed to this story :)
Chapter Nine... Alienne Quenell.
The ball was coming ever closer and I was due a dancing lesson today, I had been taught the steps with Lady Gloriana's brother, Gervase, but it had been decided that by Gloriana that I should have a run through with Rahl. I saw her point as Gervase and Rahl were different in height and build. I think that I would much prefer to dance with Gervase, he had been very courteous to me and respectful, I wasn't sure that Rahl would be the same. Gloriana never tired of telling me that Rahl was an expert dancer, sometimes I wish she would dance with him instead.
I had been told by a servant not long ago that Rahl was delayed, there had been some trouble, more of the palace staff had been attacked and so I was left to my own devices until he got here. Gloriana had gone off for a walk in the gardens, I chose to stay here for a while, the silence in library always soothed me and I needed it now more than ever. I closed my eyes and breathed in the comforting scent of centuries old books, they were real and tangible in a world that sometimes could be very strange indeed.
I slowly opened my eyes when I heard footsteps behind me. 'So this is the new arrival.' I turned to see a Mord'Sith stood in the doorway. 'My sisters and I are very curious about you.'
'Are you?' I lifted my chin, I would not be intimidated by this woman.
'Very, it's not often that a woman who isn't a Mord'Sith catches the eye of Lord Rahl.'
'I am just here to sing, that is all, nothing more.'
'Really? Naïve, innocent, Lord Rahl likes those ones best.' I chose not to answer her and held my breath as she walked around me.
I looked the Mord'Sith in the eye when she stood in front of me. 'You have courage, I like that. You would make a good Mord'Sith, I could be your mistress.'
'I don't think so.'
'Are you certain, there is much I could teach you and give to you.' I knew what she was talking about as she looked me up and down. 'You have quite a lovely figure, one I would enjoy.'
'I'm not into women.'
'That's what they all say, at first. There is much pleasure to be had when it is a woman touching you, after all, who would know how to pleasure a woman better than another woman.'
'Perhaps, but I would rather not know.'
'Really? I could show you, how long would you resist me?' I moved away from the Mord'Sith and went to stand on the other side of the table. 'Come now, why are you moving away?'
'I am not interested.'
'Pity, maybe I can convince you.' The Mord'Sith moved towards me and I was about to move away again when I heard a voice from behind her. 'Mistress Natalia.'
'Lord Rahl.' Natalia inclined her head towards Rahl, I wondered what he would do now.
'What did I tell you and your sisters?'
'That Lady Alienne is not to be touched.'
'Yet, you are here and disobeying my commands.' Rahl's voice was full of ice.
'We were merely curious, it is not often we see women from the outside world.'
'Very well, I trust you have sated your curiosity.'
'Indeed I have, Lord Rahl.'
'Lady Alienne, was Mistress Natalia here bothering you?' I sensed that my answer would determine this woman's fate, as much as she had riled me I didn't want her to end up punished for mere curiosity. 'Not at all, I was just waiting for my lesson to start. If Mistress Natalia has more questions then she can ask me them when I am not occupied.'
'Very well, Mistress Natalia return to your sisters.'
'Yes, Lord Rahl.' Rahl turned to me and Natalia walked out the door, she gave a little wink at me as she turned away. I couldn't help but smile, maybe I had judged the Mord'Sith a bit too harshly, perhaps some of them weren't all that bad.
I turned my attention back to Rahl when I realised that he was speaking. 'Mistress Natalia is one of the newer recruits to the ranks of the Mord'Sith, she has recently become Mistress.'
'I see, she really wasn't bothering me.'
'You seem eager to convince me that she was not bothering you.'
'I would not wish her punished.'
'Very well, I assure you that Natalia will not be punished.' I nodded and hoped that Rahl would keep to his word and not change it when I wasn't here.
I was about to say something else when Lady Gloriana appeared in the doorway. 'Lord Rahl, you're here, then we can begin.'
'Always businesslike aren't we, Lady Gloriana?'
'Would you rather I waited, is there something else that you need to attend to first?'
'No, do continue.' Rahl had a smile on his face, I wonder what had made him so happy.
'Come, Lady Alienne, do you remember what my brother and I taught you?'
'Yes, I remember.'
'Then show me.' Gloriana had showed me her quite considerable talents, she could play the piano too as well as dance and sing, she was considered quite the accomplished lady. I had wondered why Rahl had picked her for the job of teaching me, I was beginning to understand why as she revealed more of what she could do.
Gloriana took her place at the piano, she wouldn't be playing at the ball, she was required elsewhere by her father, but she had the piece that would consist of the main dance at the ball. It was this piece that I was going to have to dance to with Rahl. I was glad that it was only one, hopefully I would be able to retire to my chambers afterwards and then go home. I didn't want to be shown off like some kind of pet, perhaps I could just do my job and then sneak off quickly. I was aware that some of this might be wishful thinking and I would probably have to stay for a while.
Gloriana settled her hands on the keys. 'I'm ready, once I start that will be your cue to get into position.' I nodded at Gloriana and she started to play, the familiar sounds of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, Movement One filled the room and Rahl held his left hand out to me. Gloriana would be mad if I didn't respond, I put my right hand in the one that Rahl held out and closed my fingers over the top of his hand as I had been shown. I allowed myself to pulled into the proper hold and let Rahl lead the dance.
This piece of music has always been a favourite of mine, there was so much emotion and effort put into it. I concentrated on my steps, following was not something that came easy to me and yet for some reason this piece of music allowed me to relax and follow that bit easier. I was grateful that it seemed to be going well. I remembered to keep my head in the proper position, it wouldn't do to move as it would spoil the line of posture. Part of me wanted to do well, to prove Rahl wrong, I suspected that he wanted me to get distracted by the fact that we were so close together. I wouldn't be distracted, I would make it through this dance.
I snapped back into the present when I heard the last part of the music fade out, Rahl bowed and I curtseyed. 'Very good, Lady Gloriana you have done well. See to it that Lady Alienne is ready for the ball, I expect perfection in her manner and speech, is that clear?'
'Of course, Lord Rahl.' Rahl nodded and he walked out of the door, Gloriana waited until he was out of earshot and spoke again. 'I wonder what has got into him.'
'Perhaps he is just busy.'
'I'm sure that's what it is. Come, we must pick out what you will wear for the ball.' I nodded and followed Gloriana to the room that had been prepared for me.
I half listened to Gloriana as she looked through the new dresses that had been prepared for me. I couldn't believe that Rahl had just walked out without a word to me, all the hard work that I had put in and he didn't even have the decency to say thank you. I was curious as to why he had left so abruptly, I didn't believe for one minute that he was busy, there was something else going on here.
Gloriana eventually decided on red for the ball; no surprise there, Rahl would want to send a clear message to the people there. He would want them to understand that I was his and putting me in the red of D'Hara would make them understand exactly to who I belonged. She was laying jewellery and gloves out on the side for the maid that would help dress me. Having someone dress me was going to be very different, I wasn't used to being dressed and pampered. I reminded myself one more time that I was doing this for Eva, as hard as it was I had to keep going.
Once Gloriana had finished laying out the clothes that I would wear she turned around. 'I have taught you everything that you need to know for this ball. Just remember to smile and act like a lady and you will do just fine.'
'I wish I felt the same way, I do not feel ready.'
'You are ready, your determination will see you through. You may not have been born with the blood of a lady but you have certainly got the heart of one.'
'Thank you.'
'You're welcome, Lady Alienne.' Gloriana left the room, I hoped that she was right, getting through this ball would mean that Eva's lessons would continue and she would have a better future.
I went and stood by the large windows, many people were moving about below. I wondered just how many servants and staff worked here, as much as I disliked Rahl for his actions I couldn't deny that he provided a job and money for many people. Were they happy here? Did they work here for fear that their families would be harmed of they refused, there must be a reason that they stayed here. I vowed to try and find out what that reason is.
I made my way to the main courtyard of the palace, I was met by General Egremont. 'Lady Alienne. Lord Rahl regrets that he has been delayed with some business. He has asked me to personally see to your guard for the journey home this evening.'
'General Egremont, I thank you for your help. If you could tell Lord Rahl that I wish him a good evening and I will see him tomorrow.'
'Of course, I would be pleased to, Lady Alienne.' I picked up Eva in my arms and followed the guard out of the palace, I felt Egremont staring at me until we were out of sight. There is something not right about that man, I feel the lies that are underneath his words. I cannot say anything to Rahl as he seems to trust his General completely. Perhaps I am just seeing things that aren't there, even so, I will be keeping an eye on Egremont just to make sure that he isn't a threat to myself or Eva.
