Okay, peoples, I'm back, after spending a couple months playing with my birthday and Christmas gifts. And getting homework done. So I got bored in class today, and wrote you a new chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Must we go through this every time? I've already told you, nothing except the plot belongs to me, but to the great and wonderful Tamora Pierce.
Chapter 22
Considering that Jonathan had been ruling Tortall since his mother's death, there was little transition to speak of after the coronation. However, the Conservatives became increasingly furious that Jonathan staunchly supported his fiancée as a Knight and, in two month's time, the Queen.
Matters came to a head one day (a month before the wedding) when the Conservatives in the Council tried to push through a mandate that Alanna either give up her shield and become a "proper young damsel of the Court," or break her betrothal to the King. Unfortunately for Alanna, most of the Council members were Conservatives, so the motion passed.
Chaos broke out – mostly righteous anger from Alanna's friends. Jonathan nodded to the Lord Magistrate, Duke Turomot of Wellam, who was trying to bring the Council back to order. Duke Turomot called a page, and asked him to bring Lady Knight Alanna the Lioness of Trebond and Olau to the Council chambers.
Five minutes later, a very confused looking Alanna entered the room, following the page to the center, before the King and Lord Magistrate. She met Jonathan's eyes, silently asking, "What's going on?" Jonathan nodded towards Lord Wyldon of Cavall, who had stood up from one of the side benches to speak for the Conservatives.
"Lady Alanna, you have been called here to make a decision. Today the Council –"
"The Conservatives, you mean," growled Raoul.
"The majority of this council voted in favor of this motion, Goldenlake, so yes, the Council asks that Lady Alanna make a choice between her knighthood or her love for the King. Lady Alanna, which do you choose?"
Alanna looked at Jonathan, fear evident in her face. Jonathan guessed that she was scared of making the wrong choice. Jonathan felt his heart break at the thought of losing Alanna. He tried to tell her that he hadn't wanted this, and would never ask for such a thing. Alanna looked at him a second longer, then turned to address Lord Wyldon.
"May I have more time to think about this, my lord? I fear that I am not able to make such a choice as this instantly."
"The Council needs your answer today, Alanna. You must make your decision – quickly. We have other, more important, matters to discuss today."
Jonathan was trying so hard not to scowl that his head started throbbing. He was furious. Hadn't Alanna taken enough from these men over the past year in the way of insults? Hadn't she proved that her skill was her own, not magical trickery? How dare these impudent men try and force Alanna to make a rash choice that they knew she would later regret? Could they not see the mature woman Alanna was, rather than the lovesick girl they hoped and wanted to see? I hope they at least give Alanna a few minutes of thought to herself, if only so I could tell her how much I love her.
Lord Wyldon began his response to Alanna: "I do not think that –"
Duke Turomot cut him off. "That request seems reasonable. I call a fifteen minute recess."
After a murmured, "Thank you, Your Grace," Alanna left the room, presumably to find some peace. Jonathan trailed after her. Since the Rose Garden was beginning to bloom in the crisp spring temperatures, Jon strolled outside, enjoying the playful breeze.
He found Alanna, with Faithful on her lap, sitting on what the couple now referred to as "Our Bench." Apparently, Alanna was asking advice from Faithful, for as he approached, she said quietly, "I'm not sure that will work, Faithful. I suppose I can try it, though."
"Try what, love?"
"Nothing, just a bit of advice Faithful gave me." She leaned back in his embrace, smiling softly.
"Are you all right?"
"For now, I guess. I'm just not sure that I know how to handle this. I've worked so hard and long for my shield, but I love you too much to condemn us both to misery for the rest of our lives," she mused.
So, take my advice, and make a compromise with them, silly mortal. Exchange your willing obedience to this stupid command, if they do something for you that they normally wouldn't consider doing. You can scratch the other ear now.
Alanna lovingly obliged, while Jonathan said, "He does have a point."
Of course I do. I'm the cat. We always have the wisest solutions.
"If you say so," Alanna muttered.
Fine, then. Don't take my advice. It won't affect me one way or the other. With that, the cat stalked away.
For a while, Jonathan and Alanna sat in comfortable silence. Alanna broke it by saying, "So what do you think I should do?" She turned in Jonathan's embrace, and tucked her head under his chin.
"I think Faithful has sound advice, but that you should do what seems right to you. If that means that we break off the engagement, so be it." His voice cracked as he spoke about breaking up.
"Even if it came to that, I would ask if there were some way we could secretly be married, or something."
"Good idea, but it wouldn't work." Jon smirked. "Somehow, I get the feeling that you would hate me for being married to you, but appearing to have children by another woman."
"You're right, as usual. It was an idea, though."
"Besides, I want everyone to know that you're taken."
"Mm…. I think they know that already."
"Just don't ask me to write any sonnets for you. The last time I tried that, it backfired on me."
Alanna groaned. "Did you have to remind me of that? I didn't particularly want to remember."
"Are you suggesting that I'm a bad poet?"
"Well, firstly, you did, and secondly, if I remember correctly, the Mithrans did too."
"Touché."
"You're the one that asked. I was just telling you the truth."
He kissed the top of her head. "I know. I love you."
"Why, because I'm the only woman at Court who will tell you what I think?"
"Add a couple other things, such as humor and beauty" (Alanna scoffed) "and you've got it about right." A bell rang in the distance. "Come on, rest time's over."
"Aw, Daddy, do I have to?"
"Yes, Alanna. Come on."
He heard her whisper something behind him. "What was that?"
"I'm scared." Her playful mask was gone, leaving behind a woman that Jonathan was not entirely sure he knew.
"What of?"
"The fact that no matter what I say, I can't control the outcome of this."
"Hey, it's going to be fine. You'll see. But we need to run before we're late."
Once back in the Council chambers, Alanna started shifting nervously. All of her friends, including Dukes Baird of Queenscove and Gareth of Naxen, smiled at her and clapped her on the back.
Finally, Duke Turomot called the Council to order, though the command was unnecessary. He looked at Alanna, as if measuring her. "Have you made your choice, Alanna of Trebond and Olau?"
"In a way, Your Grace." Jonathan looked at Alanna in surprise. What is she playing at? This isn't the time to make fun of the Conservatives, Alanna!
Alanna gave the Lord Magistrate stare for stare as she said slowly and clearly, "I propose a compromise. I will give up my shield, if, and only if, girls are allowed the right to train for knighthood."
Well, played, love! Jon thought, holding back laughter. He looked around the room. Raoul was coughing conspicuously; Geoffrey had silent tears of laughter coursing down his face; Gary was trying, but failing, to hide a grin behind his large hand; and Myles, Duke Gareth, and Duke Baird all wore courteously amused expressions.
The Conservatives were reacting to Alanna's politely expressed impertinence very differently. Many were stand, gesticulating wildly, and throwing curses and insults at Alanna. Others simply looked like cod out of water, as they gaped at the Lady Knight. Lord Wyldon glared at Alanna as if she had just killed his firstborn son.
As for Alanna, she stood, still watching Duke Turomot and Jonathan. Duke Turomot looked back at Alanna as if she were some new phenomenon he had never experienced. Jonathan smiled quietly, eyes sparkling with a glimmer of mischief and fun.
After a few minutes, the Conservative babble died out. Duke Turomot turned to Jonathan. "What is your opinion on this matter, Your Majesty?"
Jonathan looked at his beloved for a minute before speaking. "We believe that Lady Knight Alanna is too strong and too good a knight and swordsman for us to lose her services completely. We agree with her choice to give up her shield in this decision, but only until the next great conflict."
Jon watched as Alanna's eyes lit up in joy when she realized what he was doing. He continued, "As for allowing girls the right to train for knighthood, we can see no reason to disallow that chance – but not until the nation calms down after the myriad of changes taking place. Are these terms agreeable to you, Lady?"
"I understand and accept, Your Majesty."
Some days I really wish that I didn't have to always dance around what I truly mean to say. At least Alanna understood completely, even if no one else did.
After Jonathan's speech, the Magistrate continued to ask the opinions of the most highly regarded members of the Council. As they all agreed to the compromise with the King's corrections, a small smile began to grow on Alanna's face. She had won the fight.
Finally, Duke Turomot announced, "Most seem in favor of this compromise. Motion passed. All are dismissed until tomorrow." Everyone rushed to the door, except Alanna's friends.
"Just think – you were just the new backcountry boy when we met," Gary remarked.
"Thanks, Gary. It's nice to know that you remember me so well."
"Well spoken, child," intoned Duke Gareth. "I am impressed. As Gary said, or almost said as the case may be, you have come a long way."
"Thank you, sir."
"And you tell us that you aren't a great diplomat, Alanna. I don't know where you've been all these years to arrive at the conclusion, but today should prove, even to you, that you will be a fine ruler."
"Thanks, Myles. No speeches necessary, though."
Raoul picked Alanna up and crushed her in a bear hug. "A-and…I kind of … need to breathe, Raoul." Everyone laughed, as Raoul gently placed Alanna back on the floor.
Jonathan's sentiments were silent, but clear. He picked her up, spinning her and kissing her soundly. After a few minutes, he finally said, "I am never letting you go – even in the afterlife. You're stuck with me, Alanna, for good or for better."
"Gods all help me."
"I always knew there was a reason I like you, Alanna," Geoffrey quipped. "You keep everyone's heads small enough to fit through the door." A loud chorus of laughter answered.
"But what about the very rare times that I need to be shot down?"
"That's what Gary's for."
At that moment, a hoarse, enraged cry rang from the doorway, "Traitor! You've ruined Tortall!"
A/N: Nice little cliffie there, wouldn't you agree? Review, please. We may not live by bread alone, but fanfiction authors certainly live on reviews!