~*~*~*~ The Pride of the Convent ~*~*~*~
Chapter Eleven: Curiosity, The Cat and The Catastrophe
Genre: General/Action/Romance
Rating: PG-13.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, but I honestly believe that they are starting to cooperate! Yay! Well, Tammy P. created them, the wonder that she is! New characters and the plot are mine!
Author's Note: Jon wasn't supposed to be all sweet and touchy last chapter. I honestly don't know what happened. That's just sort of what happened. Oh well. Jon had to be brought back in somehow. I know you will all want to kill me, but there will be Alanna/Jon fluff in upcoming chapters. Sorry to all those who hate it! A/J fans, I think you might like it…. **runs off and cries**
~~~
Alanna smiled nervously as she walked down the tall staircase, at Raoul's arm once again. She was clad in her shimmering red dress, and could tell that all eyes were on her. Many people were a bit skeptical of her manners and grace after the public argument she had had with Jon.
I don't care what they think anyway! Alanna thought, as she curtsied to Raoul who quickly left Alanna with the other young ladies. Delia had come in with Gary, and as far as Alanna had been able to tell, Gary hadn't enjoyed it. Alanna turned her attention to the stairs as Trycia came down with Thom, both of them smiling like lovesick teenagers. Please, don't trip…Alanna thought, grimacing as Trycia's heel slid on the carpet. Luckily, she didn't fall and made it safely to the ground. Alanna thanked the Goddess.
"So, Alanna," Delia drawled. "I see you've come with Raoul! How touching!"
Alanna gave Delia an open look. "We only came together because he didn't have anyone to walk down with, poor thing."
"I assume you didn't either? Eh Alanna?" Delia asked, obviously elated.
"That's right, Delia," Alanna said boredly. "I'm just here to break a few hearts."
Delia laughed. "Who's? The Daughter's? I'm sure they are absolutely broken over the fact that you'll never find a husband!" Delia laughed again, and went off to terrorize Jon. Alanna would have saved him, but Roger came up to her, and asked her to dance.
Alanna quickly accepted, vowing to not make eye contact, and to avoid looking at that sapphire pendant he wore.
"Beautiful, and graceful! Lady, you will surely make a lord very happy one day," the duke remarked in his smooth voice.
"I would only hope as much!" Alanna said, smiling, while focusing on a spot over one of his shoulders.
"And whom do you fancy Lady, for I'm sure many of them fancy you?"
"Oh, well, Sir Raoul is certainly quite charming!" She gave him a dazzling smile. Just let him believe that you're a simple lady. Don't hint at anything…she warned herself.
"He most certainly is. And what about my wonderful cousin, Prince Jonathan?" he asked.
"He's wonderful, your Grace! But, a lady like myself would never have such a chance!"
Roger gave her a charming smile. "What makes you say that, Lady Alanna?"
"Oh, Delia is far prettier then I!" she lied, feigning innocence.
He shook his head, then handed him off to Jon, and took Delia onto the dance floor.
"Your cousin is a very curious man!" Alanna hissed.
Jon shrugged. "I've told him about you."
Alanna opened her eyes wide. "Then I've just lied to him!"
Jon laughed softly. "What happened?"
She quickly explained, and then added. "I thought it would be shirty to say that I fancied the Prince."
Jon grinned. "For once, being polite?"
She gave him a shade of a dark look. "What kind of questions are those to ask a lady anyway?"
"Oh, I don't know, but don't worry your pretty little head about it. Roger's just a very interested person."
Alanna sighed. "You're right. I just worry sometimes."
Jon gave her a small smile and kissed her gently on the cheek.
Alanna gave him a look of pure shock. "In front of the whole court?" she whispered, frantically. A few handfuls of people had noticed, including Roger, the queen and the king.
He only smiled.
~
"I hate her!" Delia said, darkly when she found Roger the next day.
"I know, pet, but don't worry yourself about her. She's nothing. The Prince will tire of her eventually."
"I don't see how he could fall for her in the first place! Why, she's no more then a boy in girl's clothing!" Delia spat, her face contorted in rage.
The duke chuckled and gave Delia a sly grin. "Or a girl in boy's clothing, perhaps?"
"You've gotten spy reports back," Delia purred, looking cynically delighted.
"I have," he agreed, sharing a secret grin with her.
~
Thom slid into the city unnoticed and picked his way to the Dancing Dove, one hand on his purse.
"Ah! It's Master Thom!" Solom said, from behind the bar.
"A pleasure seeing you again, Solom!" Thom said, kindly.
"Looking for his Majesty?"
"Yes. Is he in?"
"No. He said he'd be visiting his mother. You could try to find him there."
Thom nodded. "Thanks Solom!" He left the Dancing Dove and followed a few alleys until he found Mistress Cooper's home. He knocked at the kitchen door, and it was quickly answered by Mistress Cooper.
"Thom! I thought you'd never come and visit! Well, come in! George and I were just sitting down to tea!" She showed him in. George gave him a smile and nod of recognition.
"It's been a while," the Rogue commented, as Thom sat.
"Too long. Jon's got me doing all sorts of squire work. What a bother!"
George laughed. "You never were much of a fighter."
Thom gave him an exasperated look.
"What brings you around?" Mistress Cooper asked, setting a cup of tea before him.
He thanked her and said, "I need a favor, George."
George nodded.
"Watch out for my sister," Thom said, worry in his voice.
George laughed. "I don't think she needs anyone watching out for her!"
"George, please. Don't let her go and get herself killed!"
"Thom, think about who we're talking about," George said dryly.
Thom glared at him.
"Alright! I'll keep an eye out on her! Don't worry about her! She's in good hands."
Thom smiled, relieved. "Thanks George."
George laughed, and told him to make sure she go and commit social suicide up at court. Thom quickly agreed, and spent the rest of his free afternoon, laughing and catching up with the Rogue.
When he left, George slumped down in a chair, head in hands.
"What's troubling you?" his mother asked.
"I've fallen in love with her."
~
Trycia wandered out into the gardens, and finally found Alanna. She was alone, thankfully.
"Alanna!" she said, excitedly as she sat down next to her.
Alanna looked up from her book. "Trycia! What brings you down here?"
"I was looking for you!" Trycia laughed.
"For me? Is Daughter Alice terribly mad at me?" Alanna asked, looking frantically for the daughter.
Trycia gave her a confused look. "No! I came to you, because…because…I need some advice."
Alanna set her book down. "With what?"
"Boys!"
"You've come to the wrong person then!" Alanna assured quickly.
"It's about your brother!" Trycia protested. "I'm in love with him!"
Alanna looked at the girl. "And?"
"I don't know! How do I tell if he likes me back?"
Alanna shot Trycia a quizzical look. "Does he babble sometimes when he's with you, like he's confused?"
Trycia nodded.
"Do you sometimes find him staring at you?"
Trycia nodded again.
"Have you kissed yet?"
Trycia shook her head, and bit her lip.
"Well, he likes you. He's just…Thom. He's a bit shy. Give him time. He'll show you how he feels."
"You really think so?"
"He's my brother, Trycia. No one knows him better then I do!"
Trycia smiled broadly and giggled. "Would it be wrong to invite him for a walk in the garden tonight?"
"Of course not."
Trycia hugged Alanna very tightly, catching her off guard and thanked her many times, while half skipping off to go find Thom.
Alanna just shook her head.
~
Alanna slid into the Dove and was quickly greeted by George, who showed her to their normal seats.
"We've got work ahead of us. Armed?"
"Am I ever not?" Alanna said, with an imploring look on her face.
"Always armed with that mouth of yours, at least."
She gave him a sour look and he grinned.
"C'mon. There was a riot today, and we have to put it to rest."
"What kind of riot?"
"A couple of the lads tried to ambush me and Marek when we went pick pocketing today."
Alanna's expression turned from interest to concern. "Are either of you hurt?"
George shook his head. "Marek and I had to run off anyway. A few of my Lord Provost's men were patrolling."
Alanna nodded, understandingly. "Well, might as well get it over with then, eh?"
George nodded grimly and they strode from the inn and down the dark Corus streets. George led her to a shady building at the end of a winding alley and they went in.
There were five men, slouched around a table drinking. When they heard the door slam open, they looked up and immediately fear flooded their features.
"Majesty…" one of them, presumably the leader said cautiously.
George gave them a hard glare.
"Uh…well, to what do I owe this pleasure, Majesty?" he asked.
"Perhaps to the same pleasure I owed to you when you jumped me this afternoon," George said dryly.
"Majesty, I can explain…" the man began.
"Good, because if you don't, you might find yourself with one ear less." George fingered his dagger that hung at his belt, and Alanna stood at the door, ready to fight.
"Majesty, maybe in privacy?"
George cursed to himself. He knew what the man was going to say, and quickly agreed.
Alanna gave him a questioning look, but he shook his head. He had to talk to this man alone.
The man led George up a flight of stairs and Alanna heard a door close. She slunk outside, to the delight of the other men, and stood up on a few crates and bent as far under the window as she could.
"…that woman, Majesty!"
"That woman can fight better then almost any of my men, and she understands how the Rogue needs to be run!"
"But, Majesty. It's not just what I think! A lot of the lads don't like a woman runnin' things! Women are soft and proper, and that is everything the Rogue shouldn't be! I beg pardon Majesty, but think what could happen to the Rogue with her runnin' things."
"Listen to me," George commanded, harshly. "She isn't runnin' the Rogue, but she is my second-in-command, and for good reason. She's not soft, and she's not proper. She joined the Rogue for those very reasons and she's an extra set of hands, and ears."
The man said nothing, and then Alanna heard the door open. She stumbled down from the crate, which fell and broke on the cobblestones and dashed down the alley.
George tossed the door open just to see Alanna's retreating form. He cursed. Of all the ways for her to find out! He cursed, wondering when he'd see her next. If ever.
~~~
Author's Note: Shorter then usual, but I got what I wanted done, I suppose. Anyway. I hope you like it! I'm working to build up Roger's plans against the Crown and Alanna, and I have a bit of a plot for how Alanna will become more and more of a problem to him. Oh, just titled the chapter. Such an odd title. I don't know where it came from! Oh well! It works! Oh, before you ask, Delia's "the cat," because Roger calls her 'my pet' and she 'purred' a response. So there. Okay. Well, that chapter sort of bothered me, but I don't know how I'd write filler that didn't involve A/J fluff and wasn't boring, so I'm cutting to the chase. So, Eleven's finished! Hope you liked it! Thanks to my reviewers! You guys are great!!!!!!!!
To:
White-wolf: Thanks for reading! You're a great reader and a very nice reviewer!!! Please keep reading!
Lady Lucy A/J 4ever: A/J fluff in the next few chapters. In my personal opinion, Alanna and Jon do not belong together. They both have way too much pride to ever back down from an argument. That and Alanna can't stand being a real lady, and think how'd she'd handle being Queen. She'd die! That's just what I think though. Please don't let the fact that this will end up A/G keep you from reading!
Silenttina: I'll see what I can do! Thanks for giving up on A/R. It really wouldn't have worked out. Roger will die. I just don't know how far into my fic it will happen. Are you obsessed with beheadings? It certainly seems so. Lol. That's ok though! Well, more Thom of course. Alanna will need her healing Gift soon! Haha! It's ok that you can't spell. I have typing difficulties. Thank the Goddess for spell check! Yay! Highly devoted!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!
Krazy Kitty: You are very missed!! Hope you're having a nice summer! Cousins are a pain. Specialy mine. Almost twelve years old! She was staying at my house one night, and wouldn't stop crying! Honestly, all night long when I was trying to write the last chapter! What other one is the best? I want to read it! I'm looking for good fics! I'm very very glad you like it! Don't worry about reviewing! But please keep reading if you can! Faithful! That's so nice sounding!!! Thanks!!! You're great!
Keziah: Trycia, she's around. I suppose! A/G fluff will be coming, but it's not quite the right time yet! I'll try though! Lol! Thanks for reading!
Dragon Queen: There is definitely not enough out there about the Court of the Rogue! You're so right! The "rogue" character is always my favorite in any book! Anyhoo, I'm glad you like it! I personally love to write it!
M'cha Araem: I'd love to be Tammy too, but man, life sure didn't work out that way! Don't be jealous and don't doubt yourself! Ooh! You have a Tammy fic! Yay! But, okay, back to the selfdoubt. DON'T! Okay? If you doubt yourself, others will too! (But not me.) Well, thanks much much much for reading! I'm really glad you like it!!!
SkeAnjel6: Thanks for the review by e-mail! I love getting those! I'm glad you like it!!
Sadrine Black: Yay! You like it! Joy! Fabbity-fab-fab! Lol. I don't know. Small lapse of Jon-niceness. Had to get him back in the fic! Yay! Lol. Thanks for reading and thanks for the very nice review!
A Pleasant Reader: Yay! I made a faves list!!!!! Joy! Woohoo! And Marvyness! Alanna, George and Thom are the main characters, and mainly the only ones that got indepth in the book. I'm sure that Gary and Raoul are a bit off, but, well, it's fan fiction. My interpretation. Sorry Trycia annoys you. I happen to like her. She bothers Alanna, and distracts Thom, therefore making her very important! Sorry you don't like parts! I'm glad you like it! You review was very puzzling!
Stich: Nice to have you back! Oh! Praise! **blushes** Love it! Joy!! I'm glad you like the mix of things! I'm trying to make it entertaining! George is the best!! Lol. And poor Alanna, getting dizzy! I'll read/review your stories soon! Promise! Let's see, Jon falling for Delia. Yes, that could happen! We'll see. That will only add to my nice evil plan! Thanks! Don't worry. You can threaten. Lot's of people do! Thanks for calling me talented!!!! **blushes and giggles** Next chapter, I'll try to put in a section with George's P.O.V! Glad you like what I've done with it! You're a wonderful reader/reviewer!!!!!
Lady Kel of Queenscove: I love your pen name! **blushes** I'm very happy you like it! Only A/J fluff! It will end up A/G cuz that's how it's meant to be! And besides, there's too much A/J out there anyway! Thanks much for reading and reviewing! You're great!
EireVerde: Glad you like! The interaction? Well, yay! It's building up to an eventual romance. Eventual. How on Earth? Oh, it will take some work. Trust me! Jon had to be sweet for a bit, so he could get back into her life! No A/R! Promise! You think I'm making him creepy? Yay and more marvyness! He's supposed to end up creepy! Glad you like it!!!!!!!!! Thanks for being a great reader and reviewer!!!
CrystalRose: I'm glad you liked the fight! I'm not that great at writing them, but I tried ultra hard with this one! I like the Delia/Roger scenes but they are hard to write! But I still love 'em! Not only is she fun to hate, she's easy to hate! Thanks!!!!! You're such a great reader!!!! Please don't stop reading!!! I love getting your reviews!
Xelena: Good! Don't stop reading because of the A/J fluff and I won't stop writing because of it! Fab! I love that word!!!! Lol!
FireBird: Glad you like it!!! Don't worry! I'm too wrapped up in it to stop writing!
Lulu: And I still love your reviews! Thanks!!!
Painter Chic: You like mine and you've read all of them? Wow and fabbity-fabness!!! Yay! By the way, love your penname!
Dragon Fire: A/J fluff and nothing more! Squish??? I'll see what I can do! (You're scaring me too! **wink**) Glad you like it!!
Rya: You're back! Joy and wonderfulness! Ooh! A LOTR! Very very cool! I'd write one, but I'm rather afraid to. It would end up a mess! Well if you do, I'll be sure to read!!! I think you should post the original too! I'd love to read it!! Fluff only! I promise! Thanks for reading/reviewing and recommending!!!
Raie: Thanks!!!!! And man, you reviewed minutes before I post….wow! Thanks thanks thanks much!
Author's Note: I rewrote the entire last half of the chapter and I'm much happier with it! Thanks you guys! You're wonderful!!!!!! As always, please keep reading and recommending!! Oh, and didn't get the A/G idea in that I planned, but that would be rushing things! This way will be better! I hope! Well, I'm off to post! Thanks and you're great!
Cheers!