Exiled Lioness

Heh... o.o Second Chapter. Couldn't resist. I know I said it's not really A/J, or A/G, and that George -did- kiss Alanna, but think about it. He had those feelings in the book, can't change it, or anything, can I? So.. yes. On with the fic then...

The young woman stared at the parchment before her, sighing. Pen in hand, she stared at the first to words. The only two words.

Dear George.

Two words. Two words, one letter, five years. He was -not- going to be happy. A soft snuffling caught her attention. Moonlight was shifting uneasily. The mare was getting old now, and Alanna knew that she'd have to purchase a new mount soon.

Curious as to what was making her mare nervous, Alanna set the parchment, pen and meal down. Standing from her comfortable position under the shady tree, she moved softly to the mare.

As Moonlight calmed under the soft touch of her gentle mistress, Alanna looked around the camping grounds slowly, warily. Ever since the Roald and Leanne had both passed away, Jonathan had become the King. He hadn't married yet, for some reason.

For a moment she considered, thinking back. Was it possible Jonathan might actually still love her? Hah. As if. Alanna was wanted throughout Tortall for treason. As Roger was still in residence, the reigning King hadn't been able to withdraw the sentence and bounty. The Nobles and general commoners wouldn't allow it.

Rather ironic. She'd gone from being the most-liked Squire and Page in the Palace, to being one of the most despised Tortallans in the Empire's history.

Why? Why had she been stupid enough to have that dream in the first place? Now everything had been shattered. Broken into a thousand pieces.

The lands she roamed now were beyond the Shang lands, beyond Tusaine, Scanra, the Islands. Uncharted, they were inhabited by travellers and Caravans of Doi people. It had taken her longer than Alanna cared to recount, but she had gone beyond the Roof of the World.

Consequently, in these new, strange lands, the locals were strange. Well, strange to her. Just as she was strange to them. Too her surprise, and measure of delight, none had ever heard of 'Tortall', and found there to be no reason against a woman to have undergone such harsh training.

A prospering land with a well-balanced economy, it was like paradise to Alanna. The sanctity of a travel-worn, weary Knight with nowhere else to go and a desire to be far away from her homeland.

Brushing loose strands of fiery red away from her face, Alanna inspected her mare carefully. It wasn't like the calm Moonlight to act like that. Something was in the trees.

You are the most selfish human I have ever met. Alanna stared at the black cat as he slunk out of the forest not far away. "Faithful?!"

Ah. So you do remember me. Gave us quite a scare when you ran off like that.

"But- I-"

Stop stuttering. Do you know how long it took me to find you?

She grinned wryly. He'd never admit it, but it was obvious her old feline friend had been worried sick. "Same old Faithful."

Same old Lady Knight, he replied sarcastically, slinking towards Moonlight. Leaping deftly up onto the saddle, Faithful regarded Alanna in revered silence.

She shook her head, picking up various camp items. The letter she'd attempted to write, cooking items, the saddlebags she'd been sorting earlier. "I'm not a Knight, you know that."

Could've fooled me. You look, act, think like a Knight.

"But I'm not. Remember that decree? You were there. I directly lied to the Monarchy, without resolve for my actions."

You did the same training as every other page in the palace. You are Gods-gifted, Alanna.

"Stop it, Faithful. I'm not a Knight." Alanna pretended she didn't hear the second part.

You're giving up?

She stopped, saddlebags loose in her hands. The words replayed themselves in her mind. Giving up? Giving up? "No Faithful. I am not giving up," Alanna answered in a low tone, as she placed the travel-gear across Moonlight.

Then what are you doing? The Shang know what you look like. Passing through their country wouldn't be easy, the cat mused, as the woman shook her head.

"You know me too well. I have to go see Thom, and George."

Jonathan?

"What time would a King have to see me, the exiled Lady Knight?"

You'd be surprised.

Rolling her eyes at the cat, Alanna swung into the saddle, and nudged Moonlight into a steady trot.

Ambling along the dusty path, Alanna blinked. Why was she even returning to Tortall in the first place? Roger sure as Death was not with the Black God, Nobles and Commoners alike despised the Knight, and no doubt her friends felt betrayed.

So why?

Because it felt right.

~dies~ that's the worst chapter I have -ever- written.. keep a sharp eye out for a re-write, that's for sure. ~shudders~ Gah.. If it's confusing, basically Alanna went through the Chitran Pass and beyond the Roof of the World. Since what's over there has never been mentioned, I made it up, so to speak. Feh.. So, there's the next chapter, I promise the forthcoming installments will be alot better. e.e; I'm just typing this at seven in the morning - not a good hour for me. .o At all.