So….chapter 5. Six months after the King summoned Alanna back to the palace, George shows up and it's decision making time for Alanna…
'When We Dance,' by Sting, everything else to Tamara Pierce.
NOTE: I am not a computer guru. I don't know why I can't figure out this .txt, .html stuff. (It drives me CRAZY when I lose all my formatting!) So:
"Text" = speech
*Text* = Spoken lyrics. You'll get the idea….
Yes, yes, I know there are no angels in Tortall, but I didn't think changing 'angles' to 'immortals' would work. Just use your imagination….
From her corner, Alanna watched the courtiers whirl around the great ballroom in time with the minstrels lively tune. This ball, unlike the previous four she'd been forced to attend in the last week, was lively and rather ironic. The room was jammed packed with people, servants, food and drink. People were being turned away at the doors and already, Jon's party was being hailed as the best of the Season. Alanna wasn't surprised, no one had thought to throw a masked ball in years.
Alanna felt good tonight. Masked and disguised as she was, no one had recognized Alanna and she had been left in blessed peace most of the night. Again, Alanna wasn't surprised. After years of masquerading as a boy, Alanna was skilled at hiding what she was when she wanted to. A smile lit her eyes. Jon and Gary had both sworn they would recognize her instantly. Alanna had danced with both of them and each had failed to recognized her. It had been an effort not to laugh as she danced with them. While they were polite to her and thanked her when their dance ended, it was clear that both of the men were looking for Alanna. She hadn't even bothered to magic eyes or hair: the room was filled with red haired, purple eyed women, some of them in armor.
Tapping her feet in time with the music, Alanna relishedthe feeling of her magnificent satin gown. Of course no one recognized her. None of them would dream that Alanna would willing put such a wonderfully expensive and beautiful dress or choose to masquerade as a fairy princess. Alanna laughed out loud. The irony of this night was just to much for her. While the ball freed her of the chains that bound her to the palace, it brought home the question that she had been struggling with for the last two years.
"Who am I?" She asked out loud. No one replied, of course. No one was even watching her. There was no Goddess to give her direction, no Coram to guide her on her way, no Faithful to give her advise. It was up to her to answer that question.
Lost so deeply in her thoughts, Alanna didn't even see the masked man until her was right in front of her, hand touching her elbow. Snapping out of her reverie, Alanna jerked back, eyes flashing.
There was no question as to who the man, masked as a hawk, was. His laughing eyes and devastating smile gave George away before he said a word. "What a silly question." he said huskily, "You're Alanna."
She smiled in spite of herself. Laughter bubbled out again, rich and full, causing several people to look there way. She didn't know why he was here, just glad that he was. "George-"
He covered her mouth with one of his large hands. "Hush now." George said, bowing to her. "I've come to ask for a dance. My I have the pleasure, my lady?"
Alanna sank into a courtesy. "With pleaser, my lord."
Hand in hand, they made their way to the floor. The mistrals had started a soft tune, slower but just as moving. George held her closer than was considered proper, but Alanna let him, sure that her disguise would keep her safe for the time. Closing her eyes, Alanna felt the music, letting it fill her as they whirled around the floor. George dipped his head to whisper in her ear.
*If he loved you
Like I love you
I would walk away in shame
I'd move town
I'd change my name*
Alanna's eyes swung to meet his, hers confused, his sadly serious. George pulled her closer to him.
*When he watches you
When he counts to buy your soul
On your hand his golden rings
Like he owns a bird that sings*
Alanna's eyes moved to find Jon. He was surrounded by courtiers, speaking into the ear of the newest lady at court, Thayet. Something dangerously close to jealousy hummed though Alanna, but she ignored it, straining to hear what George was whispering to her.
*When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings*
She smiled, heart warming. Was this what it meant to be romanced? Courted? No wonder all the court ladies went on about it. It sure had a way of making a girl feel appreciated.
*The priest has said my soul's salvation
Is in the balance of the angels
And underneath the wheels of passion
I keep the faith in my fashion
When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings*
He brought her face up so that there eyes would meet. He smiled brilliantly at her, but his eyes remained untouched.
*I'm still in love with you*
They moved effortlessly together, making the dance look easy, drawing admiring glances from the other couples on the floor.
*When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings*
"George-"
"Wait." he whispered. "Just wait. I've come with things to tell you, and I mean to say them now."
Staring at him, Alanna choose not to reply.
He sighed, closing his eyes briefly.
*If I could break down these walls
And shout my name at heaven's gate
I'd take these hands
And I'd destroy the dark machineries of fate
Cathedrals are broken
Heaven's no longer above
And hellfire's a promise away
I'd still be saying
I'm still in love*
His hazel eyes met hers with a truth deep enough to make Alanna shiver in the warm room.
*He won't love you
Like I love you
He won't care for you this way
He'll mistreat you if you stay*
He knows, Alanna realized. It hadn't taken Jon long to fall back into his old habits of ignoring her and taking her for granted. It had been worse since Thayet's arrive. Jon only sought Alanna's company when he had a problem.
Alanna felt George's body tense, and looked up at him. She was shocked at what she saw in there. Fear. George was afraid. Of her. Alanna could see it in his eyes. She had watched him take on four to one odds, smiling the all the while. Her smiling thief had always been so confident and sure of himself. Alanna wasn't sure if she should be relieved or appalled at this show of emotion.
"Alanna," George's voice was haggard. "All this time, I've willing given everything to you. I've held nothing from you and never asked for anything in return. I love you. I always have, and know that I always will, but I can't live this way. I thought I could, but I can't, so I'm asking something of you now:"
*Come and live with me
We'll have children of our own
I would love you more than life
If you'll come and be my wife*
Alanna stumbled, but George didn't miss a beat, picking her up with strong arms as if she weighed nothing. She heard him whispereing again.
*When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings*
Alanna had to swallow several times. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest, making her feel light headed. George held her tightly, making sure she didn't fall.
*When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings*
Her throat hurt. Alanna felt tears brim. "I'm married." He smiled, but his eyes were hard
"You know the law, Alanna. An heir is essential. Any royal marriage without and heir after five years can be dissolved. Five years. Tomorrow. Tonight is your last useless evening, Alanna. If you want it."
*I'm gonna love you more than life
If you will only be my wife
I'm gonna love you night and day
I'm gonna try in every way*
Suddenly, Alanna realized that they had stopped. The song was over. The dance was over. Again, the irony of the night struck Alanna.
"Alanna!"
Alanna's head jerked towards the sound of her name. Jon was making his way towards her, a smile of triumph on his lips. "Alanna!"
George moved out of Alanna's arms. Her gaze swung back to him, pulse still jumping. Taking one of her small hands in his, he raised it to his lips.
*I had a dream last night
I dreamt you were by my side
Walking with me darlin'
My heart was filled with pride
I had a dream last night*
Before Alanna could reply, Jon was with her and George has slipped away, moving easily through the thick crowd.
"I knew I would recognize you." Jon said. "I'd know you anywhere."
Alanna watched George slip out of the room, feeling the shackles of royalty slamming down hard as the court surrounded her. "Well," she said, voice harsh with emotion. "That makes one of us."
"His Highness had a little help." Gary stated, eyeing his cousin angrily.
"Really, Gary." Alanna replied, eyes on the the door George had left through. "How is that?"
"Theyet…assisted him."
Shaken out of her thoughts, Alanna looked to see the small Thayet standing close behind Jon. Too close. Ah, Alanna thought That is the way of it, then.
"I see." Alanna sighed, suddenly feeling much to tired to continue. "Now that the charade is over," she said to Jon, who did not meet her gaze. "I feel I must retire. I have much to do tomorrow."
"I will walk you out." Jon replied politely.
"Nay, Sir." Alanna replied, pasting on her 'Queen Smile'. "Please stay and attend to your guests. Good evening."
Alanna forced herself not to run. A knight does not run, she told herself strictly. Knights do not run from anything. Ever.
But they can dance.