A/N- thanks for everyone who reviewed and I will do thanks at the bottom. Here's the next chapter then.

Chapter 4

Formal introduction

In the morning George left early for a council meeting with Jon, which, thankfully, Alanna did not have to attend. She woke early out of habit and whilst Celeste slept she practised her training.

Alanna first practised some shang kicks and punches which she had learnt so long ago. Then she drew her sword from its scabbard and slowly began her practise dances.

After an hour she was drawn from her practise by a high pitched giggling coming from Celeste's cot. Alanna walked over and gasped. A silver fire was flowing from Celeste's finger to her teddy- that was now floating above her head. When Celeste noticed Alanna she reached her arms up signalling she wanted to be held. The teddy dropped back into her cot.

Alanna gaped and picked up Celeste. "My, my! You are going to be interesting aren't you?"

Celeste giggled as Alanna tickled her. Then Alanna stopped. She sniffed the air. Then again, this time near Celeste's diaper. It smelt of urine.

"Well we best change that hadn't we?" asked Alanna.

~*~

When George got back from the meeting it was almost time for lunch. Alanna was starving, as whilst she had fed Celeste, she herself had not eaten. George, as if reading her mind asked, "Shall we 'ead down to the mess hall, love?"

Alanna looked up at him and smiled. "That would be wonderful! Thank you." She placed Celeste into her cot, kissed her forehead and turned to face George. "Let's go then!"

As they made their way through the winding corridors Alanna asked questions about the meeting to which some George answered, and some he did not. The whole meeting had just been about trivial things, George had said. Bandit raids, stormwings, the usual.

Jon had also told George that tonight there would be a ball at which Celeste could be formally announced to the court.

When she and George entered the mess hall they found it was already filled to the brim with visiting nobles. It was after all nearing midwinter. George told her he would collect both their trays and she should find a table. Alanna looked back and forth over the vast hall. She saw no familiar faces. Suddenly a huge hand waved up in the air. Alanna saw a mass of black hair that was Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak and, his wife, Buriram Tourakom. Alanna waltzed over and slipped in opposite Raoul.

Buri beamed at her. "Alanna it's been too long since I last saw you! What have you been up to?"

Alanna grinned. "More like what have you been up to? When did you get back?"

"Yesterday evening. I brought the little one too. He's four months old now. He's a real handful! Just like his father, eh?" Buri elbowed Raoul lightly.

Raoul made a mock shocked face. "I was a very well-behaved child thank you very much!" he stated.

Alanna nodded. "Sure you where."

George slipped in next to Alanna and fixed both their trays in place. He then looked at Raoul and Buri. "When did yeget back?"

~*~

In the calm pond in front of her was a picture of Celeste, sleeping serenely. The Goddess sighed. "I miss you so much my sweet. You will not have an easy life ahead of you. My poor little Celeste." She shook her head. She then waved her hand over the water and the picture vanished.

She remained seated and let her mind wander. She found herself thinking over Celeste, over Alanna and over her mortal love. It wasn't easy being a Goddess.

~*~

Alanna desperately tried to fit Celeste into a pink dress she had bought. Tonight she would be announced at court and Alanna wanted her child to look good. Anyone who had seen Celeste had commented on how beautiful she was and Alanna was proud!

She wanted everyone to see just how wonderful her daughter truly was. Celeste wouldn't stop wriggling as Alanna tried to do up the buttons at the back. "Stop it Celeste," asked Alanna. When Celeste didn't listen she became annoyed. "Stop it!" she snapped.

Celeste stopped giggling and wriggling (A/N- hehe… that rhymes!) and looked up at Alanna with those large emerald eyes. Alanna smiled. "I'm sorry for yelling."

She did up the buttons and slipped a pair of pale white slipper onto Celeste's feet. Alanna lifted her up of the desk and held her in her arms. "There we go! Now let's go down."

Alanna had been ready for a while now. Her copper hair was streaked with grey from more stress then age. It was tied in a knot at the back of her neck. She wore lip rouge and a white eye shadow. Her dress was cream coloured. The bodice was tight with a high square neckline. The skirts were full and fanned out. The sleeves were three-quarter length and tight.

George was waiting outside. When he saw Alanna he grinned. "Well Lioness who is this lovely lady?" he asked looking at Celeste. He tweaked her nose then looked up at Alanna. "Ye look wonderful too." He kissed her softly.

He then offered her his arm and they made their way to the ballroom antechamber. They had purposefully arrived after everyone had been announced to save the surprise. They made their way to the door. Awaiting them stood a herald and a messenger.

The messenger cleared his throat. "I shall take the message to His Highness that you have arrived and he shall give the herald the sign when to announce you." Alanna nodded her understanding and the messenger hurried away.

Alanna made sure the herald announced Celeste as, 'Lady Celeste of Pirate's Swoop.' George waited patiently whilst Alanna fidgeted. Finally the herald began, "Baron George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop, Sir Alanna of Pirate's Swoop, Barony Olau and Trebond, the King's Champion along with their newly born daughter Lady Celeste of Pirate's Swoop!"

Gasps came from the astounded people in the ballroom and silence fell. Soon though a clap began which soon surmounted to a roar of clapping and cheering. Alanna and George made their way to the thrones on which Jon and Thayet sat. Thayet was looking extremely lovely in a burgundy coloured gown whilst Jon looked handsome as ever in a black ensemble.

Alanna bowed like George and held out her arms with a wide-eyed Celeste.

The King took Celeste into his arms, and held her up high for all to see. People cheered again. Jon then gently withdrew his arms and gave Celeste back to Alanna.

Jon then stood and raised his arms. "Let it be known from this day forth by all that this is Lady Celeste of Pirate's Swoop!"

A/N- I hope you liked it and I will update again soon. I would have added more with the ball but that would have been boring so… that's it! Ok here are my thanks for the reviews I have received from chapter 3:

Forget-me-not: thank you! I am glad you liked it. I decided it was better to give it a new name to fit with the story. Glad you liked it!

StarFire: thanks for reviewing Stella. At least you understood it this time! Lol!

MIAKODA: Cecily still has the Krisna book! I need to ask her for it. Update your Buffy fics soon please! Glad you enjoyed my story too.

Darcel: I am glad you understand and I hope you still like the story. Also cool name.

Superalicea: Lol! It's a shame you don't like the name. Sorry about that. But I am glad you liked it and I have updated so… rejoice!