Five Years Later

Disclaimer: I don't own Tamora Pierce's stuff. Tortall, Alanna, etc. I think you all know that, but I keep forgetting to stick these in.
And now for the final chapter! Sorry it took so long. Thanks to ultimatemizzim, Me, Mistyrious One, and Laisai for the latest reviews, and for reassuring me that they were still reading this. Happy reading!

*

Serena grabbed hold of the railing even harder and started praying again as the boat went over yet another wave. She hadn't actually been sick for half an hour, but she was still convinced that she would die. Why did I ever agree? Her companion laughed softly at the look on her face, but she couldn't hit him because she would have to let go of the rail and then she would die. Or get sick again.
"Ye kin see th' port if ye open yer eyes," Joseph commented. Serena shook her head vehemently. "An' ye kin breathe th' lovely fresh air if ye open yer mouth." She shook her head harder, her lips pressed tightly closed, and he laughed again. The only reason she didn't kill him was that he was still there, and he hadn't left even during the worst moments of the trip from the Yamani Islands.
After two years, Serena had tired of traveling the same route to the same places to do the same things, so she had left Janine, the horse trader, and taken a job as a stable hand to a lady and lord going to the Yamani Islands as diplomats. It was there she first heard the news of how the Tortallan court had discovered Alanna and how her sister had dueled with and killed Duke Roger Conté, and she almost returned. Almost. A year later, Joseph had come to the Islands as another diplomat's tailor and had found Serena there. He was the first person she told her story to, apart from Faithful. They had decided, after a long courtship whose details will not be revealed here, to get married, but Joseph wanted to do so in Corus, with his sister present, so Serena had agreed to return. They had also decided to track down Alanna.
Questioning the Tortallans on the Yamani Islands had revealed that Alanna had married and now lived in a place called Pirate's Swoop. As soon as she heard this, Serena knew she had to go back, if only to see if this husband was suitable for her younger sister. And that was how they ended up here, on a boat. The boat swayed and Serena clung even more tightly to the rail.
"Ye kin see th' people on th' shore if ye look. We're that close."
"No." She could almost hear him shrug.
"Suit yerself then." For a moment, Serena thought he was going to go away, but he moved closer instead.
The ship bumped gently as the sailors tied it to the dock, and Serena was one of the first off, quickly followed by Joseph. They had chosen to stay for a night in Port Caynn before riding down to Pirate's Swoop, to make sure they wouldn't show up with Serena still sick and incapable of explaining a thing. Probably not the best first impression. Joseph collected their trunks and they left the docks as quickly as possible, lest the swaying of the ships make Serena sick again.

*

In the village of Pirate's Swoop, they didn't have to pay much for a decent room. The innkeeper did a double-take when she saw Serena, but she didn't comment. Wonder if she's met Alanna. Before they went upstairs to refresh themselves, Serena asked if the lord and lady were in.
"Yes, milady. See, if th' lioness banner's up, the Lady Alanna is there, an' if th' key is up, th' Lord George is. Th' lady just got back from a campaign near Scanra two nights past," she added, obviously proud.
"I see. Can anyone go up to the castle?"
"Yes, th' lord and lady're very open t' visitors. If ye don't mind me askin', d'ye know th' lady?"
"Yes, but I haven't seen her in many years."
"Ah, I see. Will ye be goin' up t'day?"
"I think so."
"Well, ye'd better go on then. Water's bin sent up."
"Thank you."
In their room, Joseph flopped onto the bed to change his shirt. "I think she might know yer Alanna's sister." Serena shrugged.
"I do look like her. I used to, anyway. She'll know soon, and that's the important part." She knelt next to her trunk and started going through the dresses. She still wasn't used to them, but for her little sister, sacrifices had to be made.
"I s'pose. How long d'ye reckon we'll be here?" She shrugged again.
"As long as it takes." Joseph sighed. "Don't worry, Rhiamon's not going anywhere." She made her selection and went into their little bathing room to prepare herself. Joseph rolled his eyes and finished changing. When Serena got all stubborn like this, he knew he couldn't do a thing.

*

Alanna was taking a break from her paperwork and talking to Maude when a servant came to the door.
"Lady Alanna, there's a woman here who wants to speak to you. She had a man with her, but Lord George is speaking with him." Alanna sighed and sat up straight again. Probably wants something from me.
"Bring her in." The man bowed and left.
"She probably won't want anything big," Maude said quietly.
"Who do you think she is?" Maude was saved from having to answer by the man's return.
"Lady Serena of Trebond here to see you, my lady." Alanna heard Maude gasp as the woman entered. She herself had to blink a few times. She looks like me. Who is she? Her mind raced through the possibilities, but nothing came up.
"Serena?" The woman's eyes fell on Maude and lit up.
"Maude!" She flew into Maude's arms, leaving Alanna gaping. What is going on?
"Serena, we thought you were dead! Oh, Goddess, thank you, thank you. I missed you so much!" Alanna coughed and both women turned to look at her.
"Oh, I am sorry. I'm Serena of Trebond. Your sister." Alanna heard a faint ringing in her ears as she collapsed back into her chair.
"My what?"
"Your sister. May I sit? It's a very long story." Alanna gestured weakly.
"G-go ahead." Serena took a seat awkwardly, not quite used to skirts yet, and started to explain.

*

At the end of Serena's story, Alanna sat back in her chair. "Oh, Goddess."
"I feel the same way."
"So you were there? The whole time?"
"Yes. Congratulations on your knighthood. I'm sorry I wasn't there for that."
"Um, thank you." She turned to Maude. "Why didn't you ever tell me she existed? You never even hinted." Maude blew her nose before replying.
"We thought she was dead. Lord Alan never liked hearing her name, and he forbade anyone to talk about her. You know how he was about your mother. Why didn't you come back when you got away from the bandits?" she asked Serena. "Or when you were here for the funeral?" Serena blushed.
"I knew you would make me stay. I did miss you all, but I knew if I came back you would send me to the convent, and I didn't want to go." Alanna grinned.
"I understand, even if Maude doesn't." Maude sniffed disapprovingly, but without any enthusiasm. "Will you be staying for long?" Serena shook her head.
"Joseph wants to get to Corus as quickly as possible so we can get married." Alanna nodded.
"Um, do you think, if it's no trouble, ah...could I come?" Serena stared at her.
"What, to the wedding? Of course! I can't introduce myself to my sister and then not let her come see me get married! What do you think I am? Speaking of marriage, where is this husband of yours? I need to see if he's...suitable." Alanna laughed.
"That, I think, will depend on your definition of suitable. I'll call a servant to go get him." She stood. "I hope he hasn't eaten your Joseph alive."
"If he eats my Joseph, I'll eat him," Serena retorted, "my brother or not."
"He is, isn't he? You know, I kind of wished I had a sister," Alanna mused. "Come and visit won't you?"
"Of course.

*

"Serena and Joseph got married in Corus a couple weeks after that, and-"
"Daddy?" Aly interrupted.
"Yes?"
"Why haven't I met them? I really want to. Can I?"
"Well, they went off explorin', and we're not really sure where they are now. Last we heard, they were in Galla, but they could've moved on by now. Neither of them are good about writin' letters, and the last one came a year ago."
"Oh." She paused a moment to think. "Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Why didn't you talk about the Yamani Islands? You said they went to the Yamani Islands, and there was a 'courtship', but you never talked about what actually happened there." George laughed.
"That, lass, is a story for when you're a bit older. Not tonight."
"Oh. One more question?"
"Just one."
"Can I meet them if they come? Please?"
"'Course you can, but they're not here now, so you'd best be gettin' to bed."
"Nighty-night, Daddy. Thanks for the story."
"G'night, sweetie." George tucked his daughter in, blew out the lamp, and gently closed the door behind him.

*

THE END!!! Finally. I'm sorry about how ridiculously long it took me to get this all up. Thank you very much to anyone who stuck with me this whole time, and you have my most heartfelt apologies for how long it took me to get this all up. I might edit some of the earlier chapters at some point, but for now, it's ALL FINISHED!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas and have a happy new year!

-Sir Kel