A little fluff chapter, happiness for everyone!
The next few weeks at
Pirate's Swoop were busy for Alanna and George. Having her own home
had brought out the feminine side of the Lioness, which, to put it
simply, turned her into a kitten. Alanna had Moonlight shipped over
from Corus, because she thought that the fresh air would be good for
her. She spent her time with George, picking out fabrics and playing
in the sea. The break did good things for Alanna. The circles under
her eyes disappeared, and were replaced by smile lines. .
Alanna woke up one day with a start, realizing that George's birthday
was tomorrow. Trying to think of gift ideas, she reached a decision
and, smiling peacefully, tucked herself under George's arm and fell
asleep.
Later that day, the two lovebirds were
lounging on the beach. "Alanna, I think we're getting lazy,"
commented George, well, lazily.
"Well,
what do you suppose we do about that?" replied Alanna.
George just looked at her with that mischievous air that we all know
and love.
George jabbed in
with his knife, and Alanna stepped back, jumping and kicking him in
an un-sportsman-ly place.
"Foul!"
yelled George. You know, if you ever want children, you just made a
grave mistake."
Alanna stepped
forward to check that he was okay, and he jumped up, grabbed her
arms, and threw her over his hip.
"And
that wasn't a foul?" demanded Alanna, picking herself off the
floor.
George just grinned, doing his
best overconfident and obnoxious(to put it simply, like Jon), but he
failed. He just grabbed Alanna by the knees and shoulders and ran off
toward the palace.
"Now I know why
all the ladies want to marry," she joked, "It's like a free
carriage ride whenever you want it!"
The next day Alanna woke George. "Come on!" she yelled,
shaking him. He continued to snore. She ended up getting a tub of
cold water, dragging it to the edge of the bed. She rolled George
right off the end of the bed, into the coldness below. The villagers
complained of some kind of wild animal.
But George was finally up, and Alanna told him what her present to
him was to be: they were going to sail to an island that she had
found a while ago while exploring the grounds and stay there
overnight.
Alanna was dressed for the
occasion, in a sailor dress and hat, but poor George, having been
dragged straight out of bed, was wearing pyjamas and slippers.
Halfway through the sail there, at about noon, George asked about
lunch.
"Well, that's where you come
in, laddybuck," she replied with a sweet smile, throwing him a
pole. He groaned but began to fish.
Once on the island, they set up camp and started a campfire. The
roasting fish gave off a tantalizing aroma.
"I have to admit," said George, "I had my doubts about
this, but I actually enjoyed myself.
"Well, of course. You did have me to keep you company."
said Alanna with a fake overconfidence very similar to George's the
past day.
George laughed and took
Alanna's hand. "May I have this dance, Milady?"
"You may," replied Alanna, standing up.
They danced around their fire, helped by the firelight and the
moonlight. Their dance was a slow waltz. George, despite his commoner
background, had always had a good feel for rhythm, and Alanna was
definitely better at following than leading.
George leaned forward and kissed Alanna, slowly and sweetly. She
returned the kiss, deepening it by pulling his head closer. He picked
her up and carried her to the tent.
Alanna and George lay together in their bedroll. Alanna spoke.
"I forgot to give you the second part of your present!" she
remembered.
"The past hour wasn't enough?"
asked George jokingly.
Alanna punched his arm
playfully before searching through her pack and pulling out a wrapped
package.
"It feels like some kind of
chain... don't tell me you're making me wear another flower
necklace?"
Alanna no longer looked joking,
but completely serious. "Just open it."
George knew that it must be something big for Alanna to act like
this. He unwrapped the present, not tearing any of the wrapping, and
pulled out something. He looked at Alanna, disbelieving. "Are
you sure?" he whispered, praying that she would say yes.
"If you are."
He grinned and kissed
her passionately. Pulling away for a second, he told her, "I've
been ready for a lifetime, Sweet," before pulling her back into
bed with him.
On the ground, on top of a pile
of wrapping paper, was Alanna's pregnancy charm, gleaming in the
crack of moonlight that came into the tent from the minuscule opening
in the flaps.
