A/N: sorry this took forever, I have midterms next week, and so I'm very
busy. Thanks again to my reviewers, and to everyone who has asked, yes,
this is going to be A/J. I started this story after I read the first
Alanna book, and my friend 'accidentally' told me, "Alanna's getting
married - but not to who your thinking." So I was angry and wrote my own
version where it was Alanna and Jon. Not that I gave her a huge selection
though.. anyway, enjoy!
April and May sped by with no more action from Duke Roger. Queen Lianne was still ill, though she seemed to be recovering slowly. Clara turned sixteen and so her father brought her to court. She often wrote about happy she was, without telling Alanna anything important. Gary wrote more often too, with hidden messages in his words from Jon.
Alanna sixteenth birthday passes, and presents came to the convent from Sir Myles, Their Majesties, and Duke Robert. Sir Darin sent a huge diamond necklace, which Alanna though was ugly, Gary and Alex sent bracelets, and from Jon came another present to cause an uproar in the convent - mother-of- peal earrings and necklace. These pearls were rare in Tortall, and very few people could afford such luxury. Alanna treasured all of her gifts, but Jon's was by far the most special.
You're in love, Faithful accused as Alanna opened her presents.
"I'm not!" Alanna snapped at her cat, "You'd like a pearl necklace too!"
Amalia turned her laugh into cough when Alanna glared at her, and handed her a package from Clara. When Alanna opened it, it contained silk handkerchiefs, embroidered with an A.
"She must be bored." Alanna exclaimed horrified, "hand stitching and embroidering six handkerchiefs!"
"Here's another box," Amalia announced, "Chocolates, from Duke Roger."
Both Amalia and Alanna stared at the box, afraid to touch it.
"Was there a note?" Alanna asked finally.
"Just a quick letter, asking you to come visit us this summer." Amalia replied, "Oh, Alanna, don't eat them! And don't come to Conte this summer, he's trying to kill you!"
Alanna ignored her friend's worries, and picked up one of the chocolates. No magic glowed from them.
"There's only one way to find out if they're poisoned." Alanna smiled grimly, "Would anyone like to be my taster?"
Amalia found on of Lady Charlotte's may cats that roamed the building, acting as if they owned the place. The cat didn't hesitate to take the chocolate. In only a few moments she began to choke and gasp, before collapsing on the ground, dead.
I should regret the unnecessary killing of a fellow cat, Faithful drawled, but that is one cat I won't cry over. She always took all my food.
Alanna stayed at the convent this summer, probably because her uncle didn't want her around. In early September, Amalia went to court. Alanna made her promise to write, and to be careful.
"Not only of Duke Roger." Alanna warned, "You're beautiful. Many men will take advantage of your innocence and youth. Many ladies will hate you for being more popular than they are, and will try to ruin your life." Alanna tried to look stern, while Amalia giggled and blushed, "Tell Jon everything we know. And don't forget about me while you're having fun partying and flirting and making new friends." Alanna hugged her friend and waved her off.
"Soon that will be you." Lady Charlotte inclined her head in the vanishing carriage's direction, "Thank the Goddess."
Alanna laughed, to Lady Charlotte's surprise. Alanna was dying to get back to the palace, yet something in her wanted to stay safe behind these walls forever. It wasn't that she liked the convent, but the palace offered no protection against Duke Roger.
The next two months sped by quickly for Alanna. Early December came without anymore 'accidents' or news from Duke Roger, though Amalia wrote that he was very busy. From Clara's frequent letters, Alanna discovered that Amalia had a number of admirers, mainly Jon and Alex. Later she heard a visitor at the convent telling Lady Charlotte that Amalia and the prince were sure to announce their engagement any day now.
"They're my two best friends. I should be happy for them; I am happy for them." Alanna said one evening, more to herself than Faithful, "So why do I feel annoyed?"
I wouldn't believe everything people say, Faithful replied knowingly, and when will you stop being stubborn and admit that you enjoyed the prince's change in feelings towards you? Alanna sighed and continued packing for the journey home. No one else referred to the palace as home, but other than the cabin in the woods, it was the only home Alanna knew. And now, faced with what should have been the happy prospect of returning to her home, Alanna had begun to dread it. Jon and Gary hadn't written for months, and they never said hello through Amalia and Clara's letters. Maybe she would be another lady friend, as Amalia and Clara were. They might even call her 'Lady Alanna' and be very polite, and expect her to be as formal to them. Or - horror of horrors - they might not want to have anything to do with her anymore. Alanna was almost scared to go back - she would rather live at the convent, thinking they were her friends, than live at the palace, knowing they weren't.
"I've never been so scared in my life." Alanna whispered to Faithful as they set off for the palace a few days later. Riding alone on the carriage, Alanna felt more like a lady and less like herself. She knew she looked older, and, maybe, just possibly, a little bit prettier too, but she was the same inside.
"I am." Alanna held Faithful tighter, "Really, I am."
Not totally, Faithful argued, you've grown up inside too. And surely fighting in the Tusaine war or arriving at the palace for the first time was worse? Or maybe the wild cat, or the wolves?
Alanna shook her head stubbornly. She knew it was silly to be so worried about such little and petty things, but she didn't want to go back to how her life had been before Jon, Gary and Alex had become her friends. And she would need friends to save her from Roger.
When they arrived, Alanna stepped out of the carriage nervously. A few people turned to look at her, and she heard someone standing nearby say,
"Well, yet another new lady, with the Duke of Naxen's carriage no less. I wonder who she could be?"
So no one recognized her either. Duke Gareth said nothing more then a quick 'hello' and sent her away to her new rooms. Both Clara and Amalia came by, bursting with hurried gossip, and rushed out again, to dress for dinner. Alanna felt very alone.
Wearing a new lilac dress, and Jon's pearl necklace, Alanna felt satisfied with her appearance. She couldn't do anything with her unruly auburn curls, so she let her hair down, before leaving for dinner. She found Gary waiting for her outside of the Grand Hall.
"Hello, Alanna," He smiled at his cousin, "I've been instructed to introduce to properly. I'll try to do a better job than last time." They both smiled at the memory of Alanna arrival at the palace, three years ago.
Gary led Alanna to Jon's end of the table, where the prince sat, with Alex, Amalia, Clara, and Lady Rosabel. A few other knights and ladies looked at Alanna with interest as Gary introduced her.
"How are you?" Alanna asked Jon quietly, taking her seat between Jon and Gary.
"Very happy to see you." Jon replied, making Alanna blush. Rosabel sniffed loudly.
"Hello, Lady Alanna. You've changed so much I barely recognized you. That's what convents do to one. I'm so glad His Grace finally came to his senses and sent you away. She smiled sweetly from across the table, "of course, it's one thing to look like a lady, but I do hope all of us here act like ladies."
Alanna felt her face turn red.
"I wouldn't know, lady Rosabel. I've been away, and I'm sure you changed a lot." Alanna smiled innocently as Rosabel. Clara and Amalia hid smiled behind their hands, and Jon bit his lip and looked away from Alanna. Gary snorted, and after a freezing glare from Rosabel, began to talk to Alex a little too loudly. Alex's expression didn't change.
"Oh?" Rosabel's voice would have cut ice, "For better or for worse?"
"Well, I would hope for better." Alanna paused, pretending to puzzle over a problem, "I really don't see how you could get much worse."
Rosabel stood up and swept away, leaving the five occupants of the table in fits of laughter. Only Alanna didn't say anything.
"And I thought the convent would improve you!" Gary cried, obviously highly amused.
"I'm sorry you're disappointed." Alanna replied. Jon grinned,
"It's much more fun this way." He said. Alanna met his gaze and smiled too. She was happy that Jon was acting normal to her. She also noticed that Amalia was seated near Alex instead of Jon, and they seemed to be very deep in conversation.
Soon enough, Gary and Clara moved towards the dance floor, and Alex and Amalia soon followed. A few knights Alanna didn't know moved towards her and began talking and flirting. It was a relief when Jonathan asked her to dance, even if Alanna was reluctant to after the previous time, but it was better than sitting around and listening to boring knights talk about boring things.
"If I remember correctly, you dance quite well." Jonathan broke her thoughts with a mischievous grin." Alanna flushed as Jonathan and her waltzed around, not daring to meet his eyes.
"You know," Jon continued, "you're very good at getting rid of the people I like the least - Ralon and Rosabel, for example."
Alanna smiled, unsure if he was being serious.
"Your Highness -." She whispered, but was cut off by Jonathan,
"Why are you calling me that? I'm Jon to you, I always have been." He asked.
"I don't know." Alanna replied truthfully, "people can change so much in a year."
"Have I changed a lot?" his voice was very quiet, as they stopped dancing and they walked around the outside of the dance floor.
"I - I don't think so." Alanna fidgeted nervously as Jon steered her outside, into the empty garden. "Maybe a little bit."
"You've changed a lot. You've grown up - into a real beauty." Jon murmured. Alanna tried to stay calm,
"There's been talk of you and Amalia marrying." She said.
"She likes Alex better. She's just a friend - and she's never been as good of friend a you are." Jonathan explained.
"Oh!" Alanna felt very uncomfortable.
"You're wearing my necklace." Jon touched the pearls.
"It's lovely, Jon. My favorite necklace." Alanna felt Jon's other arm go around her waist. She pulled away and looked at him. His face scared her so much; she had to look away again. "You've been celebrating too much." She whispered, "You've let all this nonsense about me being a beautiful lady get to you."
"Have I?" Jon pulled Alanna close again. "Alanna, I've loved you for a long time ."
"No!" Alanna pulled away again. "You - please don't Jon, I don't love you."
Jonathan let go of her reluctantly.
"I know." He whispered sadly, "and there doesn't seem to be a away to make you." Turning away, he walked back to the palace. Alanna felt awful, but she didn't love him, and never could. Sitting down, she felt tears stinging her eyes. She was going to loose her best friend whatever happened - but did she want to gain him as a lover instead?
A/N: As much as I love romance, that is living proof of why I write so little. I cannot make it sound good! Eeek, that was bad. Please boost my spirit and tell me you liked it!
April and May sped by with no more action from Duke Roger. Queen Lianne was still ill, though she seemed to be recovering slowly. Clara turned sixteen and so her father brought her to court. She often wrote about happy she was, without telling Alanna anything important. Gary wrote more often too, with hidden messages in his words from Jon.
Alanna sixteenth birthday passes, and presents came to the convent from Sir Myles, Their Majesties, and Duke Robert. Sir Darin sent a huge diamond necklace, which Alanna though was ugly, Gary and Alex sent bracelets, and from Jon came another present to cause an uproar in the convent - mother-of- peal earrings and necklace. These pearls were rare in Tortall, and very few people could afford such luxury. Alanna treasured all of her gifts, but Jon's was by far the most special.
You're in love, Faithful accused as Alanna opened her presents.
"I'm not!" Alanna snapped at her cat, "You'd like a pearl necklace too!"
Amalia turned her laugh into cough when Alanna glared at her, and handed her a package from Clara. When Alanna opened it, it contained silk handkerchiefs, embroidered with an A.
"She must be bored." Alanna exclaimed horrified, "hand stitching and embroidering six handkerchiefs!"
"Here's another box," Amalia announced, "Chocolates, from Duke Roger."
Both Amalia and Alanna stared at the box, afraid to touch it.
"Was there a note?" Alanna asked finally.
"Just a quick letter, asking you to come visit us this summer." Amalia replied, "Oh, Alanna, don't eat them! And don't come to Conte this summer, he's trying to kill you!"
Alanna ignored her friend's worries, and picked up one of the chocolates. No magic glowed from them.
"There's only one way to find out if they're poisoned." Alanna smiled grimly, "Would anyone like to be my taster?"
Amalia found on of Lady Charlotte's may cats that roamed the building, acting as if they owned the place. The cat didn't hesitate to take the chocolate. In only a few moments she began to choke and gasp, before collapsing on the ground, dead.
I should regret the unnecessary killing of a fellow cat, Faithful drawled, but that is one cat I won't cry over. She always took all my food.
Alanna stayed at the convent this summer, probably because her uncle didn't want her around. In early September, Amalia went to court. Alanna made her promise to write, and to be careful.
"Not only of Duke Roger." Alanna warned, "You're beautiful. Many men will take advantage of your innocence and youth. Many ladies will hate you for being more popular than they are, and will try to ruin your life." Alanna tried to look stern, while Amalia giggled and blushed, "Tell Jon everything we know. And don't forget about me while you're having fun partying and flirting and making new friends." Alanna hugged her friend and waved her off.
"Soon that will be you." Lady Charlotte inclined her head in the vanishing carriage's direction, "Thank the Goddess."
Alanna laughed, to Lady Charlotte's surprise. Alanna was dying to get back to the palace, yet something in her wanted to stay safe behind these walls forever. It wasn't that she liked the convent, but the palace offered no protection against Duke Roger.
The next two months sped by quickly for Alanna. Early December came without anymore 'accidents' or news from Duke Roger, though Amalia wrote that he was very busy. From Clara's frequent letters, Alanna discovered that Amalia had a number of admirers, mainly Jon and Alex. Later she heard a visitor at the convent telling Lady Charlotte that Amalia and the prince were sure to announce their engagement any day now.
"They're my two best friends. I should be happy for them; I am happy for them." Alanna said one evening, more to herself than Faithful, "So why do I feel annoyed?"
I wouldn't believe everything people say, Faithful replied knowingly, and when will you stop being stubborn and admit that you enjoyed the prince's change in feelings towards you? Alanna sighed and continued packing for the journey home. No one else referred to the palace as home, but other than the cabin in the woods, it was the only home Alanna knew. And now, faced with what should have been the happy prospect of returning to her home, Alanna had begun to dread it. Jon and Gary hadn't written for months, and they never said hello through Amalia and Clara's letters. Maybe she would be another lady friend, as Amalia and Clara were. They might even call her 'Lady Alanna' and be very polite, and expect her to be as formal to them. Or - horror of horrors - they might not want to have anything to do with her anymore. Alanna was almost scared to go back - she would rather live at the convent, thinking they were her friends, than live at the palace, knowing they weren't.
"I've never been so scared in my life." Alanna whispered to Faithful as they set off for the palace a few days later. Riding alone on the carriage, Alanna felt more like a lady and less like herself. She knew she looked older, and, maybe, just possibly, a little bit prettier too, but she was the same inside.
"I am." Alanna held Faithful tighter, "Really, I am."
Not totally, Faithful argued, you've grown up inside too. And surely fighting in the Tusaine war or arriving at the palace for the first time was worse? Or maybe the wild cat, or the wolves?
Alanna shook her head stubbornly. She knew it was silly to be so worried about such little and petty things, but she didn't want to go back to how her life had been before Jon, Gary and Alex had become her friends. And she would need friends to save her from Roger.
When they arrived, Alanna stepped out of the carriage nervously. A few people turned to look at her, and she heard someone standing nearby say,
"Well, yet another new lady, with the Duke of Naxen's carriage no less. I wonder who she could be?"
So no one recognized her either. Duke Gareth said nothing more then a quick 'hello' and sent her away to her new rooms. Both Clara and Amalia came by, bursting with hurried gossip, and rushed out again, to dress for dinner. Alanna felt very alone.
Wearing a new lilac dress, and Jon's pearl necklace, Alanna felt satisfied with her appearance. She couldn't do anything with her unruly auburn curls, so she let her hair down, before leaving for dinner. She found Gary waiting for her outside of the Grand Hall.
"Hello, Alanna," He smiled at his cousin, "I've been instructed to introduce to properly. I'll try to do a better job than last time." They both smiled at the memory of Alanna arrival at the palace, three years ago.
Gary led Alanna to Jon's end of the table, where the prince sat, with Alex, Amalia, Clara, and Lady Rosabel. A few other knights and ladies looked at Alanna with interest as Gary introduced her.
"How are you?" Alanna asked Jon quietly, taking her seat between Jon and Gary.
"Very happy to see you." Jon replied, making Alanna blush. Rosabel sniffed loudly.
"Hello, Lady Alanna. You've changed so much I barely recognized you. That's what convents do to one. I'm so glad His Grace finally came to his senses and sent you away. She smiled sweetly from across the table, "of course, it's one thing to look like a lady, but I do hope all of us here act like ladies."
Alanna felt her face turn red.
"I wouldn't know, lady Rosabel. I've been away, and I'm sure you changed a lot." Alanna smiled innocently as Rosabel. Clara and Amalia hid smiled behind their hands, and Jon bit his lip and looked away from Alanna. Gary snorted, and after a freezing glare from Rosabel, began to talk to Alex a little too loudly. Alex's expression didn't change.
"Oh?" Rosabel's voice would have cut ice, "For better or for worse?"
"Well, I would hope for better." Alanna paused, pretending to puzzle over a problem, "I really don't see how you could get much worse."
Rosabel stood up and swept away, leaving the five occupants of the table in fits of laughter. Only Alanna didn't say anything.
"And I thought the convent would improve you!" Gary cried, obviously highly amused.
"I'm sorry you're disappointed." Alanna replied. Jon grinned,
"It's much more fun this way." He said. Alanna met his gaze and smiled too. She was happy that Jon was acting normal to her. She also noticed that Amalia was seated near Alex instead of Jon, and they seemed to be very deep in conversation.
Soon enough, Gary and Clara moved towards the dance floor, and Alex and Amalia soon followed. A few knights Alanna didn't know moved towards her and began talking and flirting. It was a relief when Jonathan asked her to dance, even if Alanna was reluctant to after the previous time, but it was better than sitting around and listening to boring knights talk about boring things.
"If I remember correctly, you dance quite well." Jonathan broke her thoughts with a mischievous grin." Alanna flushed as Jonathan and her waltzed around, not daring to meet his eyes.
"You know," Jon continued, "you're very good at getting rid of the people I like the least - Ralon and Rosabel, for example."
Alanna smiled, unsure if he was being serious.
"Your Highness -." She whispered, but was cut off by Jonathan,
"Why are you calling me that? I'm Jon to you, I always have been." He asked.
"I don't know." Alanna replied truthfully, "people can change so much in a year."
"Have I changed a lot?" his voice was very quiet, as they stopped dancing and they walked around the outside of the dance floor.
"I - I don't think so." Alanna fidgeted nervously as Jon steered her outside, into the empty garden. "Maybe a little bit."
"You've changed a lot. You've grown up - into a real beauty." Jon murmured. Alanna tried to stay calm,
"There's been talk of you and Amalia marrying." She said.
"She likes Alex better. She's just a friend - and she's never been as good of friend a you are." Jonathan explained.
"Oh!" Alanna felt very uncomfortable.
"You're wearing my necklace." Jon touched the pearls.
"It's lovely, Jon. My favorite necklace." Alanna felt Jon's other arm go around her waist. She pulled away and looked at him. His face scared her so much; she had to look away again. "You've been celebrating too much." She whispered, "You've let all this nonsense about me being a beautiful lady get to you."
"Have I?" Jon pulled Alanna close again. "Alanna, I've loved you for a long time ."
"No!" Alanna pulled away again. "You - please don't Jon, I don't love you."
Jonathan let go of her reluctantly.
"I know." He whispered sadly, "and there doesn't seem to be a away to make you." Turning away, he walked back to the palace. Alanna felt awful, but she didn't love him, and never could. Sitting down, she felt tears stinging her eyes. She was going to loose her best friend whatever happened - but did she want to gain him as a lover instead?
A/N: As much as I love romance, that is living proof of why I write so little. I cannot make it sound good! Eeek, that was bad. Please boost my spirit and tell me you liked it!