A/N- thanks for the reviews! Ok the title will make more sense later and also it is set just after Lady Knight, as you will see. I am glad you enjoyed it so here is chapter 2 with no further delay.
Chapter 2Questions
Alanna looked down at the child she now held. "Well Celeste you certainly are beautiful aren't you?" The child gurgled and laughed. Alanna smiled. She missed having tiny children to look after! All of her own were grown up now.
Alanna gazed down affectionately at the child till a knock at the door brought her back to her senses. "Who's there?" she called warily.
"Have a guess," drawled a familiar voice.
"I'll be right there Neal!" What am I going to do? Thought Alanna to herself. How would she explain where this child came from? She couldn't! I'll make something up…
She headed to the door and suddenly felt a tingle run down her spine. She shivered. Then a voice in her head spoke. I'll explain to our dear Nealan. Alanna pulled open the door and smiled at her ex-squire. "Neal! What do I owe this pleasure to?" asked Alanna sarcastically.
Neal smirked. "I understand my company is most enjoyable so I will forgive you being overcome with emotion. Thank you for the kind welcoming but-" Neal started at the sight of Celeste. "Where did that baby come from?"
"I would of thought you would understand where babies came from by now!" sighed Alanna.
Neal glared at her. "You know what I mean! You weren't pregnant. I don't understand how you got it! And great Mithros look at its forehead!" Exclaimed Neal. He had caught sight of the sapphire and was gazing intently.
Alanna shuffled her feet. "First of all her name is Celeste. Secondly I adopted her and finally the stone on her forehead is magical and I remind you dear Nealan that it is rude to stare!"
Neal reverted his eyes back to Alanna. "Well that explains most of it but… does George know? I mean when did you adopt her?"
"I adopted her today. George doesn't know. He is down at Pirate's Swoop whilst I am stuck at the Palace." Alanna sighed again. "I hope to go home soon…"
Neal laughed. "There's nothing wrong with court. Lots of lovely ladies!"
Alanna glared. "You have a wife! Now be gone! I'll see you later."
"Bye Alanna." Neal walked off.
Alanna looked down into the eyes of a just awoken Celeste. Her eyes were a deep emerald much like the Goddess'. "Well Celeste at least I know how to tell everyone about you! Adopted indeed…"
~*~
Alanna decided to head to the city that afternoon. She would need some supplies for the baby. There were bottles, milk, toys, clothes, a crib and most likely diapers. (A/N- not like diapers we have today. Just a piece of cloth wrapped round the baby's bottom.) Alanna had found though that Celeste had a godlike way of doing something's. To start off with she hadn't gone to the loo until Alanna had put her in a bath. Of course this wasn't the exact way to do it but at least she didn't wet herself!
Alanna looked about the market place whilst continuing walking. She soon noticed a shop sign that read: Everything for a mother. Alanna headed in and was met with a strange smell. A mix of a very clean yet very dirty room. She headed to the counter at the front. At it stood a middle-aged brunette with kind brown eyes. She was bouncing a baby on her hip as she smiled at Alanna.
"I see ye have a new baby 'ere," said the woman. "My name's Leila. This here's me seventh child." She winked. "Me and me 'usband have been right busy!"
Alanna chuckled. "I wouldn't mind a bit more of that." Alanna then turned her attention back to Celeste. "She's my fourth child. Born two or so days ago. I'll be needing all the basic baby things: milk, toys, diapers, a crib and a bottle."
"Right let me jus' sort that out for ye," said Leila. With that she bustled around under the counter picking out various objects. Alanna stood waiting patiently whilst Celeste's wide eyes flickered around the room.
Leila then appeared from beneath the counter. "Should be everythin' ye need 'ere." Leila smiled at Alanna then turned her eyes to Celeste. She started tickling her under the chin. "Aren't ye a sweet youngling…" Leila's voice trailed off. "'Er-'er head- she can't be human!" Leila made the sign against evil whilst Alanna pulled her child protectively close.
"Of course she is a human!" snapped Alanna. How dare this woman be so rude! "Now how much does my bill come to?" she asked.
Leila flicked scared eyes back to Alanna. "Uh… a gold noble from ye please." Alanna handed over the money and placed the items in her basket before storming from the shop. I guess I'll have to get used to people reacting like that, she thought sadly.
Please, please review! I won't update without at least 5 more reviews. Thanks to everyone who reviewed:
Forget-me-not: this takes place just after Lady Knight. I thought it was good idea too. Thanks!
Phoenix Angel: um… the title just sounded good but it doesn't have a real meaning. Basically later on it will make more sense. You see at the moment she has one life on earth but later on she will travel to the Realm of The Gods for another beginning to another life… Weird I know.
Wild Mage of Tortall: ok I checked the title and it is wrong it should be lives and thank you for pointing that out. J
Sin: thank you. I will keep writing and I am glad you enjoyed.
Rose: thank you! I think Celeste is totally cute and I want a baby like her! Glad you enjoyed…
Reviewer: ok… I am going to read that other story and see what it is like. Sorry if I did steal anyone's ideas without realising. Thanks.
MIAKODA: yey! You reviewed Tat! I am going to go review your story right now. Glad you liked it!
Cecily: I know I made you read it but you enjoyed it so… it was worth it!