AN- This is my first story, and it will not be long, five chapters at most. It is the story of Alanna's childhood in Trebond, ending at the time Alanna, the First Adventure begins.
Chapter Notes: The first chapter is a short prologue from the point of view of Alanna's father. I seem to remember mention of this in the book, but I can't find it now, so if I've made any mistakes, please let me know. I would also like to know the name of Alanna's mother, if anyone knows it. Please review and tell me if it should be continued.
Disclaimer: This is the one and only disclaimer I will write. I do not own any of Tamora Pierce's characters, places, or ideas.
Before the Storm:
Prologue: Birth and Death
"Sir Alan," the servant said, alerting the man who sat buried in his book outside the door.
He was nervous, as he waited, and was trying not to be, trying to forget what was going on around him.
"What is it?" he asked the servant, rising to his feet and pacing nervously across the hall.
"Your wife has given birth, Sir. Twins. But- she is very weak. She is calling for you. Maude says she is close to death." Maude. She was the village healing woman, and she was overseeing his wife's birth only because she herself had asked it. He did not trust her Gift- it was not nearly as strong as that of the well-trained healer of the palace, or his own for that matter, but he did trust his wife's judgement, and had let the woman stay. He walked into the room where his wife had just given birth. He knew, before he had even entered, that it was too late. Sorrow hung heavy in the room, like a thick blanket. He saw tears falling on the faces of all present, but he could not cry- not yet. Maude came forward.
"She is dead, Sir Alan. But- the children are fine- healthy, a boy and a girl. Will you name then now?"
A boy and a girl. He remembered his wife's wish that if there was a boy, he be named after a long dead and well-remembered cousin of hers, Thom. "All right, then," he said, turning to Maude, afraid that tears and sadness would choke up his voice- but they did not. "They boy's name is Thom. And the girl's-" He stopped himself. He had been about to hear his wife's name come from his lips. But if he used her name, every time he looked at his daughter, he would not be seeing her, but his wife. His life would be a memory, not reality. He could not bring himself do it, for the girl's sake and his own. "The girl's name is- Alanna."
"Very well." Maude nodded and left the room, the others behind him, leaving the Lord of Trebond to face his grief alone.