A/N: SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY!!!!! I know I
haven't updated in AGES *dies of shame* but I've been writing more than one
chapter so I can update more often for all you lovely readers. If anyone
actually cares that is. If you do PLEASE R+R!!!!!!
Disclaimer: Tammy owns it all blah blah blah.
^italics^ thoughts
Over the next two days Alanna gathered the supplies she would need for the six day journey to Port Legann. She had decided that the Coastal Way, though not the safest option, was the quickest, also allowing her a brief stop at Pirates Swoop to rest Moonlight before continuing. She had trouble deciding how to get away at first, but soon decided the best way to do it. Alanna had given Stefan two letters to give to George. One was to be given to him the evening she left, the other the evening after. This would give her time to get away. Knowing Jon, as she did, she knew he would want to send the Own after her. They would receive the final note the night before the Own were due to leave. Raoul would give the men the night off. Jon would be unable to send anyone after her, until the next morning. By that time she would have just left Pirate's Swoop.Everything was in place. Alanna would leave before dawn the next day.
Alanna woke later than she had planned. She had only an hour before dawn to put her plan into action and get away from Corus. Alanna dressed silently and placed the note she had written the night before, telling George she would be spending the day in Corus and wouldn't be returning until late, on the pillow beside him. Picking up her saddlebags, Alanna walked quickly to the stables, where Stefan was waiting with a saddled Moonlight. Alanna smiled gratefully at Stefan as she attached the saddlebags and mounted Moonlight. Using her gift, Alanna muffeled the noise of Moonlight's hooves as she galloped into the early morning sun.
George woke not long after Alanna had left, to find a note beside him instead of his wife. Reading the note George sighed. It was probably a good thing Alanna had gone to Corus for the day. He had to go to yet another council meeting about the raiders. Sighing again George rose from the bed and dressed simply in dark brown breeches, a pale yellow cotton shirt and a lighter brown tunic.
Making his way to the council chambers, George wondered what would happen if Alanna found out about he raiders. Shuddering at the mere thought of it, George entered the chambers and setteled himself in the nearest chair. Looking around at the few other weary looking people at the table, George planted a sheaf of papers in front of himself, on the table and resigned himself to another long day of discussions, debates and arguments.
Alanna sighed gratefully as she slid off Moonlight's back. It had long since turned dark, and this was her first break all day. She stroked Moonlight's muzzle, then went to rummage in her saddlebags. Pulling out a water flask, a loaf of bread, and a lump of cheese, Alanna grinned. She was starved. She hadn't even had breakfast, let alone lunch. She needed to be as far away from Corus as possible by the time George got her third note.
Breaking off half the bread, Alanna fed it to Moonlight. She removed her saddle, harness and reins, brushed her down and put a blanket over her mare before eating her own megre rations. The animals always came first, especially after they worked as hard as Moonlight had that day.
Setting up camp, in a very small clearing in the woods, Alanna decided she would hunt for her breakfast, to save supplies. She knew she would stock up on supplies at the Swoop, but she didn't want to burden Moonlight with any more weight than she had to. The ride would be hard enough on the horse, without carrying unneaded things.
Alanna set the magical guards tightly round the clearing. She couldn't afford for even the tiniest delay or mishap. She wriggled into her bedroll, next to Moonlight. If all went well, she would be at Pirate's Swoop by dinner time the next day. Letting her thoughts roam, they returned to the thing that had been plaguing her mind the entire day. George. With a twinge of guilt, Alanna imagined Georges face as he read her final note. She shrugged it off with the thought of all those peoples lives being ruined by raiders. Closing her eyes, Alanna fell into tormented slumber.
George rubbed his eyes wearily, as he walked down the many halls to the chambers he shared with Alanna. When he arrived at the door, he found Stefan waiting for him, a piece of rolled up parchment in his hands. "M'lady sent this for you" he said hurriedly, pressing the rolled up parchment into Georges hands, before he walked quickly away. George shook his head. Stefan still disliked being in the palace, even after all these years. He entered his rooms.
Closing the door, George sat down on the nearest chair to him and untied the ribbon that kept the parchment rolled up. Looking down, George smiled at the sight of his wifes untidy scrawl, and read the note:
George, I've decides to spend the night in Corus at a nice inn. I'll be staying here until late tomorrow evening. Miss you. All my love, Alanna
George sighed, his eyes filled with longing and a hint of worry. Even if it was a "nice" inn, Alanna was pregnant, and, as much as she hated it, was not in top condition. The corners of Georges mouth quirked. Alanna would be fine. Standing slowly, George stretched before walking into the bedroom.
Disclaimer: Tammy owns it all blah blah blah.
^italics^ thoughts
Over the next two days Alanna gathered the supplies she would need for the six day journey to Port Legann. She had decided that the Coastal Way, though not the safest option, was the quickest, also allowing her a brief stop at Pirates Swoop to rest Moonlight before continuing. She had trouble deciding how to get away at first, but soon decided the best way to do it. Alanna had given Stefan two letters to give to George. One was to be given to him the evening she left, the other the evening after. This would give her time to get away. Knowing Jon, as she did, she knew he would want to send the Own after her. They would receive the final note the night before the Own were due to leave. Raoul would give the men the night off. Jon would be unable to send anyone after her, until the next morning. By that time she would have just left Pirate's Swoop.Everything was in place. Alanna would leave before dawn the next day.
Alanna woke later than she had planned. She had only an hour before dawn to put her plan into action and get away from Corus. Alanna dressed silently and placed the note she had written the night before, telling George she would be spending the day in Corus and wouldn't be returning until late, on the pillow beside him. Picking up her saddlebags, Alanna walked quickly to the stables, where Stefan was waiting with a saddled Moonlight. Alanna smiled gratefully at Stefan as she attached the saddlebags and mounted Moonlight. Using her gift, Alanna muffeled the noise of Moonlight's hooves as she galloped into the early morning sun.
George woke not long after Alanna had left, to find a note beside him instead of his wife. Reading the note George sighed. It was probably a good thing Alanna had gone to Corus for the day. He had to go to yet another council meeting about the raiders. Sighing again George rose from the bed and dressed simply in dark brown breeches, a pale yellow cotton shirt and a lighter brown tunic.
Making his way to the council chambers, George wondered what would happen if Alanna found out about he raiders. Shuddering at the mere thought of it, George entered the chambers and setteled himself in the nearest chair. Looking around at the few other weary looking people at the table, George planted a sheaf of papers in front of himself, on the table and resigned himself to another long day of discussions, debates and arguments.
Alanna sighed gratefully as she slid off Moonlight's back. It had long since turned dark, and this was her first break all day. She stroked Moonlight's muzzle, then went to rummage in her saddlebags. Pulling out a water flask, a loaf of bread, and a lump of cheese, Alanna grinned. She was starved. She hadn't even had breakfast, let alone lunch. She needed to be as far away from Corus as possible by the time George got her third note.
Breaking off half the bread, Alanna fed it to Moonlight. She removed her saddle, harness and reins, brushed her down and put a blanket over her mare before eating her own megre rations. The animals always came first, especially after they worked as hard as Moonlight had that day.
Setting up camp, in a very small clearing in the woods, Alanna decided she would hunt for her breakfast, to save supplies. She knew she would stock up on supplies at the Swoop, but she didn't want to burden Moonlight with any more weight than she had to. The ride would be hard enough on the horse, without carrying unneaded things.
Alanna set the magical guards tightly round the clearing. She couldn't afford for even the tiniest delay or mishap. She wriggled into her bedroll, next to Moonlight. If all went well, she would be at Pirate's Swoop by dinner time the next day. Letting her thoughts roam, they returned to the thing that had been plaguing her mind the entire day. George. With a twinge of guilt, Alanna imagined Georges face as he read her final note. She shrugged it off with the thought of all those peoples lives being ruined by raiders. Closing her eyes, Alanna fell into tormented slumber.
George rubbed his eyes wearily, as he walked down the many halls to the chambers he shared with Alanna. When he arrived at the door, he found Stefan waiting for him, a piece of rolled up parchment in his hands. "M'lady sent this for you" he said hurriedly, pressing the rolled up parchment into Georges hands, before he walked quickly away. George shook his head. Stefan still disliked being in the palace, even after all these years. He entered his rooms.
Closing the door, George sat down on the nearest chair to him and untied the ribbon that kept the parchment rolled up. Looking down, George smiled at the sight of his wifes untidy scrawl, and read the note:
George, I've decides to spend the night in Corus at a nice inn. I'll be staying here until late tomorrow evening. Miss you. All my love, Alanna
George sighed, his eyes filled with longing and a hint of worry. Even if it was a "nice" inn, Alanna was pregnant, and, as much as she hated it, was not in top condition. The corners of Georges mouth quirked. Alanna would be fine. Standing slowly, George stretched before walking into the bedroom.