A few days after Alanna's duel, she traveled to Conte. All of Roger's
personal belongings - books, papers, and magical devices - had vanished,
along with many of his trusted servants. Alanna burned the rest of his
things, and set about turning the fief into a place worth living in, with
no similarities to the house it had been under Roger.
Alanna had barely spoken to anyone after Roger's death, and had left as quickly as possible. Now, weeks later, she dreaded going back and finding out what everyone really though of her. Alex had been sentenced to death for treason; Amalia was dead, and Sir Darin was vanished; of Iliria and her attendants of their way to Tortall, no sign was found. There were still other people, though, that had liked the Duke and may have thought his death by a young girl unfair. Alanna tried not to think about those people. She tried not to think about any of it, but even weeks after the event, it all refused to go away.
Gary, Clara, and Jon awaited her carriage. It was one week away from Clara and Gary's wedding, and Clara chattered on about wedding plans and court gossip, casting worried glances at Alanna. After awhile Gary took her away, promising to come visit his cousin later.
Which left Alanna alone with Jonathan.
"I haven't had a real chance to talk to you." Jon said abruptly, "You were surrounded by so many people, and obviously so.upset, I didn't get to thank you."
Alanna smiled, kicking a pebble as they walked and looking away. Jon took her hand and squeezed it comfortingly.
"There was a week long celebration to honor my marriage." Jon tried again, "Father wanted to have the party in your honor anyway, but I said I didn't think you'd like that."
"Thank you." Alanna replied, forcing herself to talk normally, "I suppose he'll have to find you another royal bride now."
"Not necessarily." Jon stopped walking, "A duchess would be just a good a bride."
Alanna stopped at and stared back at him, willing him to say the words she wanted to hear, and dreading to hear them at the same time.
"That is, "Jon misunderstood her stunned look, "if you want to marry me."
There was no answer needed. Jon saw it in her eyes as he pulled Alanna close, kissing his future wife.
~*~*~*~*~*~
On the second day of the Midwinter Festival, Prince Jonathan, heir to the throne, was married to Duchess Alanna of Conte, and Sir Gareth of Naxen, heir to the Duke of Naxen, was married to Lady Clara of Hunsly, amidst many cheers. There was a celebration in their honor that lasted many days afterwards.
Alanna knew she had conquered her fears at last. Roger was dead, she had learned to love Jon, and she knew that he place in life was as Queen of Tortall.
~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Well, that's it. It's over. It feels to wonderful to be finished. I hope you liked it. I've had thoughts about a short ficlet - only 5 chapters or so - with Alanna and Liam, but that may not happen until this summer. Anyway, thank you to everyone who reviewed. Bye!
Alanna had barely spoken to anyone after Roger's death, and had left as quickly as possible. Now, weeks later, she dreaded going back and finding out what everyone really though of her. Alex had been sentenced to death for treason; Amalia was dead, and Sir Darin was vanished; of Iliria and her attendants of their way to Tortall, no sign was found. There were still other people, though, that had liked the Duke and may have thought his death by a young girl unfair. Alanna tried not to think about those people. She tried not to think about any of it, but even weeks after the event, it all refused to go away.
Gary, Clara, and Jon awaited her carriage. It was one week away from Clara and Gary's wedding, and Clara chattered on about wedding plans and court gossip, casting worried glances at Alanna. After awhile Gary took her away, promising to come visit his cousin later.
Which left Alanna alone with Jonathan.
"I haven't had a real chance to talk to you." Jon said abruptly, "You were surrounded by so many people, and obviously so.upset, I didn't get to thank you."
Alanna smiled, kicking a pebble as they walked and looking away. Jon took her hand and squeezed it comfortingly.
"There was a week long celebration to honor my marriage." Jon tried again, "Father wanted to have the party in your honor anyway, but I said I didn't think you'd like that."
"Thank you." Alanna replied, forcing herself to talk normally, "I suppose he'll have to find you another royal bride now."
"Not necessarily." Jon stopped walking, "A duchess would be just a good a bride."
Alanna stopped at and stared back at him, willing him to say the words she wanted to hear, and dreading to hear them at the same time.
"That is, "Jon misunderstood her stunned look, "if you want to marry me."
There was no answer needed. Jon saw it in her eyes as he pulled Alanna close, kissing his future wife.
~*~*~*~*~*~
On the second day of the Midwinter Festival, Prince Jonathan, heir to the throne, was married to Duchess Alanna of Conte, and Sir Gareth of Naxen, heir to the Duke of Naxen, was married to Lady Clara of Hunsly, amidst many cheers. There was a celebration in their honor that lasted many days afterwards.
Alanna knew she had conquered her fears at last. Roger was dead, she had learned to love Jon, and she knew that he place in life was as Queen of Tortall.
~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Well, that's it. It's over. It feels to wonderful to be finished. I hope you liked it. I've had thoughts about a short ficlet - only 5 chapters or so - with Alanna and Liam, but that may not happen until this summer. Anyway, thank you to everyone who reviewed. Bye!