~*~*~*~ The Pride of the Convent ~*~*~*~
Chapter Four: The Dancing Eyes of The Dancing Dove Genre: General/Action/Romance Rating: PG-13Disclaimer: I've got a box of ears, now, since my insolent characters decided to pick my pockets. That'll teach them to steal the purse of the puppeteer. :o) **wink** Well, all characters that you know are Tamora Pierce's. The new ones are mine. All places that you know are Tamora's as well. Got it? Good!
Author's Note: In Chapter Three, when Jon is talking to Alanna, he says, "You seem like a proper lady the more and more I get to know you, Lady Alanna." It's supposed to be "less like," and I tried to fix that on FFN, but I don't think it worked. I'll answer reviews at the end of the chapter. K mates?
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Alanna, clad in boy's clothes, peered out her door. All the girls around had gone off to giggle over the Prince in Delia's room. Alanna had politely declined, commenting that she was very tired and wanted to bathe, and then sleep. Finding no one around, she slid from her room, and took all the back ways of the castle until she finally found herself out in the city.
Few honest people were out this late, some coming home from work a bit late, some coming home from visiting friends, and some out enjoying the summer night. But most people out at this time were thieves, spies and bar goers. Not exactly a respectable lot, but Alanna didn't care what people thought about the brown haired, indigo-eyed Lanna, and that was her guise for the evening.
She thought about the task ahead of her. Finding the Dancing Dove. She thought for a minute, and then set off down the dark street. After a few minutes wandering, she found the small inn and pushed the door open, never pausing in her stride. The door opened to a typical bar scene. Thieves, their ladies, a handful of young barmaids, a few drunken townsmen, a nice dose of shady characters. It was typical, and it was beautiful. Alanna looked around the room, and found exactly whom she was looking for, sitting at the head of the table in front of the fire, talking to a spy. He looked up when he heard the door thud shut. Something connected between them when his dancing hazel eyes met her vibrant indigo ones. She gave him a smooth grin, and bowed low. He crossed the room in a few long strides and stood before her.
"Majesty," she commented, nonchalantly, half of a grin tugging at her mouth.
"Lanna," he replied coolly.
"Didn't think I'd come so soon, did you Majesty?"
"Truthfully? I didn't think you'd come at all." He looked her in the eye levelly.
She kept his eye contact. "Doubt me, Majesty?"
"Being pert, Lanna?" he asked, smoothly.
She said nothing. She hadn't expected the meeting to go like this. In fact, she hadn't known what to expect, but this was never one of the possibilities. What was she supposed to say to him?
Finally, she muttered, looking away, "Sorry Majesty."
He laughed, a full rich laugh and she looked at him. He grinned at her, eyes twinkling. "Come, have a drink with me."
She gave him a slightly confused look and followed him. He sat in his usual seat, and kicked the spy from the seat next to him and told her to sit. She did.
"Solom!" he called. The owner of the inn looked up, and George turned to Alanna. "To drink?"
"Ale."
"Two mugs, Solom!" George told the man, who poured them each a mug and set them down at the table. Alanna gave him a nod of thanks and took a sip of the ale.
George was staring at her, and she knew it, with out having to look up from her ale. When she did look up, he appeared to be thinking something over in his mind. She sent him a questioning look.
"You've changed, since you came in. You walked in like you wouldn't take anything, from anyone. But, suddenly, that's changed," he commented.
"I was being pert…like you said…"
His forehead knit in disbelief. "Go on…"
"I guess I was trying to impress you…" Alanna had to find a way to dig herself out. When she went back to Treven, all she'd have to keep her sane was her guise as Lanna, and if she lost it, she wasn't sure what she'd do.
George laughed, and shook his head. "Lass, how about we start again, and for Mithros sake, just act natural."
She smiled uneasily, and nodded.
He offered a hand. "George Cooper."
She shook it, with half a smile, "Lanna Crell, Majesty."
"George," he insisted.
"Majesty George! Well there's no ring to that!" She gave him a crooked smile.
He laughed. "Forget the majesty!"
"If you insist!" she said, with a small laugh.
"You've really been doing a good job up in Treven," he commented, taking a swig of his ale.
"Not too hard to take care of." She grinned.
"I hear you've fought off three people trying to take it," he gazed at her evenly.
"They made the mistake of thinking that I was weak because I was a woman," she said wryly.
"And these men are mine?"
She nodded.
"Mithros save us all! Well, what did you do to them?" he asked, a grin forming.
"Scared the Chaos out of them! First, one was trying to kill me when I was reading a note from you, and I had him at dagger point before he could breathe. Then I told him that, if he ever dared attack me again, I'd take both of his ears off, and send them to you. That didn't seem to frighten him, so I told him I'd send you the rest of him."
He looked at her, with curiosity.
She grinned. "In pieces."
He laughed. "And the other two?"
"First attempted to poison me. I switched our glasses, but dropped some poison of my own in his." She laughed, remembering. "It was a bit stronger then the fatal one he'd tried on me. Mine left him sick for weeks. And then, there was the street fight incident. Left a man with a few flesh wounds, told him if he ever dared touch me again, I'd kill him."
"And after all this, what happened to you?" he asked, leaning forward.
She showed him a small scar on the back of her hand. "The last one kicked me in the shin and I lost my grip on my dagger."
"But none of them ever touched you?"
She shook her head.
"Great Mother Goddess. What are you, the wind?"
Alanna laughed. "I'm quick on my feet."
"Good to know!"
"I'm not going to try for your position! Trust me!" she assured.
"You wouldn't get it," he said, with a grin.
"You never know."
"Darlin', if you even thought to try a stunt like that, I'd know almost faster then you knew yourself."
She grinned and shrugged.
"Gods, I'd hate to have to kill you, though." He laughed.
"Let's hope it never comes down to that."
"I have a feeling it won't. I like you Lanna. You're bold, and loyal."
She grinned. "I like you, George. I can't quite figure out why."
"Me either!"
They both laughed, and toasted their new friendship. Alanna sighed, happily. She could live like this. She could live like this for a long time.
Alanna slunk back into the palace sometime around two, after spending most of the night talking to George, and meeting his men. She liked the Rogue, and was looking forward to summer nights at the Dancing Dove. She'd just sneak out after dinner, and down to the Dove, and back under the cover of night. She made her way back to her room, undressed and fell asleep almost immediately.
She woke up a bit later then usual, around seven, and practiced with her daggers for a few minutes. She missed her sword…
With a sigh of disgust, she readied herself for the day, packing her boy's things away, and putting on feminine clothing. She silently wondered what she'd do today. Thom still had classes, and she had no desire to socialize with the other maidens, that was for sure. With a sigh, she grabbed her book and went to the gardens. If anything, she could simply enjoy the day.
She didn't meet anyone she knew in the halls. She guessed correctly that the other ladies were still asleep, and that the pages and squires had breakfasted and were now in classes. She strolled around the gardens, and finally found a new secluded tree to read under. She slid her shoes off and leaned against the trunk, gazing from her book to the gardens.
It wasn't long before someone found her though, Jon.
"Alanna!" he called out, bounding over to her.
"Jon!"
He sat down next to her and kissed her gently on the check. "Good morning."
"Good morning to you too," she said, with a smile as she put the book down.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, obviously concerned.
"Oh, yes. Fine, thanks."
"Good! And do you like Corus, and the palace?"
"Corus is wonderful," she assured, "and the palace is beautiful." She smiled, looking up through the leaves of the tree she was sitting under.
"You're beautiful," Jon said softly.
Alanna smiled. She wasn't used to being called beautiful, but decided that she didn't mind too sorely.
He took her chin in his soft hand and kissed her.
She laughed, giddily, and he kissed her again. Again, he gave her the sheepish grin, as if asking her if she minded. She laughed and tweaked him on the nose. He smiled at her, and kissed her again. Alanna thanked the Goddess that the tree was in a secluded corner in the garden and that not too many people were in the garden right now. Surely, this was not appropriate behavior for a lady, or her new suitor, the Prince of Tortall himself.
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A/N: Hmm….so many different opinions….ok, here's what I have to say to you guys, my wonderful reviewers!
Alannah_15: Thanks! I'm glad you like it!
The Dark Lady: Gracias!
Call Me Sane: Goes beyond? Yikes, I just wrote it!
The Dark Lady Adrienne: **bows** Thanks! Glad you find it interesting! I'm trying my hardest!
Jip: My first chapter was befuddling? Cool! More on evil Roger/Eldorne broad to come. I agree completely with what you said about George! Completely!
Silenttina: I'll post as soon as possible!
Violeteyes: I can't promise it will be A/J. Sorry. :o(
Goddess of Whatever: I've got it planned to the end…and I don't know if an A/J will work in too well….
Vanessa: Glad you like it! Well, maybe it will be Alanna/Jon (to pass time in the day, and for fluff), but it will still ALWAYS be Lanna/George.
Anna: Bad things will happen to the Eldorne chick. Trust me…mwahaha! And, yes, Alanna is the coolest!
Amy: Thanks! I'll keep writing if you keep reading!
White-wolf: Yay! You really like it! I'm going to keep it up, but don't expect anything from the ending….you might be in for a bitter surprise.
Saphire Eyes: Yes Master! Actually, I can't promise an Alanna/Jon fic. I just can't. See also my response to Vanessa's review. I'm not usually a A/J shipper….sorry!
Michelle: Thank you! You've given me the highest compliment ever! I'm going for an Alanna/George, but I'll tell you what I've told everyone else. It may be an Alanna/Jon, but it IS a Lanna/George. Get what I'm saying? It will come down to an identity crisis. Is she the noble lady, or is she a rogue? As Lanna, she's George's, but as Alanna, she's Jon's (this is where there is fluff!). Just keep reading….it'll make sense eventually….I hope!
Fanny Queen: Marcia, Marcia, Marcia! Lol, sorry couldn't resist. Posted. Please read!
Angel of the Storms: Glad you like it! I really like your Alanna goes to convent story! Have you posted yet??
A reader: I'm glad you like my style! I know it's not original…but it's my first Alanna fic, so why not go by something tried and true to test the waters?
Devilkitti8: Updated!
Ti-Ti: I'm trying for a bit of originality? I'm doing okay?
The Lady Rogue: **bows** Glad you like the twist! I thought…hmm…has to be connected to George somehow. I love your lovely little compliments! Best do my best not to have it full out A/J, then eh? He's only good for fluff and….haha…my evil plan! You'll see!
Ok. Well, I know lots of you want A/J. I'm sorry, Jon is only the fluff in this! For Alanna the lady, Jon is fine, but she was never content with being a lady, now was she? She needs someone who can understand her sense of daring, and adventure. Also, keep in mind, he hasn't known her too long. If he found out she wanted to be a knight, well, he wouldn't get it! He hasn't seen her go through all the training like he did in the books, so it would be harder for him to accept the fact that she wants to be a hero. Alanna needs someone who can understand her… Remember that!
You guys are great!!!! Thanks! Cheers!