Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing. okay?
Alanna took a long drink from her steaming mug, trying
to warm her toes. She stomped her feet on the floor, her toes jiggling
in her brown boots, but still her toes were numb. "How many times have
I said that I hate winter?" She asked Coram before taking another
drink.
"Many, lady." Coram replied. "Ye best be off, afore
you change your mind about seeing the Prince."
"I won't change my mind." Alanna stood up, grabbed
her thick cloak off the back of the chair and walked out into the streets,
buttoning up the few buttons she had recently had sewn on.
She trudged up the winding path to the castle. "How
could I forget Moonlight? I'm too distracted. I can't worry. He'll listen."
Will he? You don't seem too sure, Faithful
mewed, running up to her. Do you really think you could go anywhere
without me?
Alanna laughed. Of course her loyal cat would
follow her for moral support! "No I didn't."
After what seemed like five lifetimes, they reached
the gates to the palace. The guard there blinked at Alanna, and smiled.
"So, it's Alanna of Trebond? The lioness? You may enter."
"Thank you." The small knight panted, clutching
a stitch in her side. "I hate hills," She told Faithful. "Especially icy
ones."
"Alanna!" A deep voice shouted down the hall, and
she was spun around my strong arms.
"Raoul. It's wonderful to see you." She hugged him
tightly. "How have you been?"
"Fine. I doubt you or our Prince have been though."
He added the last part in a low voice.
"I am fine. I suppose he told you that we fought?"
Raoul nodded. "I never even knew you two were lovers."
"Well, we were," She snapped. "Where is Jonathan?"
"In his room. I must be off. Jon said when he becomes
King he'll make me Knight Commander of the King's Own!" He grinned widely
and strode off down the hall.
He's still nice as ever. Faithful put his
black paws on Alanna's thigh, and she lifted him onto her shoulders. Perfect.
Alanna pulled her hood of her head and unbuttoned
her cloak so it hung loosely around her. She walked in long strides down
the hall and was surprised that she could get to Jon's room so easily.
She lifted up her hand and knocked loudly on his door.
"I'm busy!" The Prince yelled back, his strong voice
muffled by the door.
"It's important, Highness." Alanna shouted back,
and knocked again.
Suddenly, the door opened, and she dropped her hand
quickly. Jonathan stood in the doorway, his bright eyes filled with a confused
look, draped in a silver and blue robe with simple blue breeches, silver
tunic, and white shirt underneath. He ran his fingers quickly through his
black hair, not saying anything, but looking into her violet eyes.
"I need to talk." Alanna said. "Are you going to
let me in?"
"Are you here to apologize?" Jon asked. Alanna opened
her mouth to say that she shouldn't have to, but before she could, he continued.
"You don't need to. I was wrong. I had no right to do what I did. But...I
don't want to lose someone I love-loved. And I definitely don't want to
lose my best friend."
Alanna sighed. How had he known that is what she
had wanted to hear? She looked down, not meeting his eyes.
Is that enough? He's seems sincere. Faithful
jumped off her shoulder, and climbed into Jon's lap.
"Faithful here says I was an idiot. I agree."
Alanna laughed. "I believe you were. But I was too.
I overreacted. I want to stay friends." As she said this, a treacherous
thought whizzed through her mind: Do I want more than that? Do I want
to be more than a friend to Jon again? She shook her head angrily.
"Alanna?" Jon asked. "Are you okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"You had a horrified look on your face, and then
you shook your head furiously."
"I...I..."
Jon laughed, stroking Faithful. "So, we're friends?"
He lifted the cat off his lap and stood up.
Alanna stood up, and they hugged, a little awkwardly
at first, but then tightly, like they never wanted to let go.
Quickly they dropped their arms, stepping back and
sitting down. Alanna turned as redder than her hair, and put her face in
her hands until it returned to it's normal color. "That's not the only
reason I'm here."
"It's not?" Strangely, he looked almost crestfallen.
"I had a...a vision. A dream. You were killed by
a strange man. I think he had the Gift, but you couldn't stop him. He took
your crown. I think it will come true. I knew I had to come back here and
save you. George said you didn't need-"
"George? You're sleeping with George?" Jon said
slowly.
"No more than you're sleeping with Josaine!"
"I found out two days ago that there was someone
else. A commoner. A strange man with a pointy nose."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
She paused, looking around the room. "I came here
to help you."
"Thank you. Is that all?"
"I believe so."
"You are free to come here as you please." He took
her hand, lifting her gently to her feet.
Alanna smiled up at him, and realized that their
noses were almost touching. "Jon?" She whispered, breathing heavily.
"Alanna." Jon whispered back, his voice breaking
as he sad the simple word.
"We can't. George. Faithful's watching." She wanted
to tear her eyes away, but she couldn't. She felt like she was fighting
the Gods.
"He's a cat." Jon swallowed.
"I know, but he can talk. People can understand."
Jon put his finger to her mouth. "Don't ruin the
moment."
He brought his lips down to gently touch her's,
and Alanna felt a rush of happiness and excitement flow through her veins.
She never wanted that "moment" to end. Her heart raced, and she could feel
Jonathan's doing almost the same.
Sadly, they pulled apart. Jon frowned, looking at
Alanna's frightened face. "Alanna?"
"That can never happen again! No one can know. I
love George now!"
"I know that's not what you felt."
"I felt nothing! You are insane, Prince Jonathan
of Conte`!"
"I still love you." He said those words so softly,
Alanna barely heard. She felt hot tears spring to her violet eyes, and
she ran out of his room, down the hall, or the door, and back down into
the city.
z
Alanna walked past the Dancing Dove, thinking hard.
She had felt something when Jonathan kissed her. Something wonderful
and new. It didn't seem like what she had felt with George earlier that
day. It was...better? Or just brighter, more exciting, and strange?
She shivered while she fingered an arrow. She didn't
have bow with her, but hunting with one was always strange and new and
got her mind off everything.
"Ah, Alanna." George Cooper said. "How did your
meetin' with the prince go."
She bit her bottom lip. "Fine."
George smiled, and kissed her. All Alanna felt was
a strange, dull, empty feeling in her heart. It felt like she had been
kissed by a perfect stranger. She stiffened, and George let her go.
"Lass? Are you all right?"
"Maybe we should go up to our rooms." She whispered.
"No. Tell me now, please Alanna. Do you have my
answer?"
Alanna nodded, and George's eyes brightened. "I
do have your answer."
"Give it to me, Alanna. I knew you'd say yes, but
it needs to actually be said."
"My answer, George, is no."
George froze. "What?"
"No. I will not. I can not. I don't want to marry
you. I actually would like my own room at the Dancing Dove."
"Jonathan." George said grimly.
"Yes. Jonathan. I think I love him. Still."
George nodded. "As you wish."
Alanna followed him back inside, a tear falling
down her cheek. She had just said no to her dearest friend. True, she couldn't
marry someone she didn't love, but she was puzzled. How did a love so strong
evaporate? Did Jon mean so much to her that she would give up anything
for him? Why hadn't she realized that earlier? And did she really love
Jon with all of her heart and soul?
All she knew, was that the last question was a yes.