Chapter 2; what tolls after the bells for a wedding?

"Alanna! Alanna, wait there! We've got some news!" Obediently the King's Champion waited for the two, smiling slightly at their childish eagerness.

"Alanna, we're getting married!" Daine frowned; the breathless way their words had come out was probably not comprehensible. "Alanna, we're getting married." A little more rushed than her preference, but it would have to do.

The lady knight smiled warmly, her reaction pleasing the other two. "That's brilliant. I'm so happy-" A frown crossed over the smile. It was a moment before she spoke again. "For you," she finished lamely. Luckily for her, or so it appeared, the couple were so alight in happiness they didn't notice. "I...er, I have to go." She motioned down the empty corridor, which led to Jon's chambers.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you." The last three letters got lost somewhere in Daine's throat as she gulped down a sob. The red-haired lady didn't appear to notice. She certainly didn't stop walking. Numair turned a shaking Daine to face him.

"What's wrong?"

She felt guilty for destroying their bliss, but Alanna's expression had hurt her. "She didn't like it. She doesn't want us to get married."

The mage pulled her into a hug. "She doesn't matter," he said soothingly. "We can do this without her." Daine smiled, and kissed his cheek.

"Love you," she whispered. His reply was instant, and took away some of the hurt Alanna had placed.

--

The oblivious Lioness stood at that moment in Jon's study.

"They've decided to get married," she reported. "What shall we do?"