By Atlantis Forester
Disclaimer: You know what belongs to Tamora Pierce-she lives in the vicinity of my school!
Summary: "He blows hot, then cold. […] He says I mustn't lead the ladies on, and he accuses me of flirting with Gary and Raoul in the same breath!" Alanna, squire to Prince Jonathan and friend to George, the King of Thieves, finds herself in many romantic dilemmas-dilemmas she never asked for. These are parts that Tamora Pierce hints to in In the Hand of the Goddess about her first heroine's more intimate love life in much finer detail. "I don't want to fall in love. I just want to be a warrior maiden."
Chapter 1: Jealousy
Alanna had been dragged once again to a social event. By now, the amethyst-eyed girl was having serious qualms of having become squire to the prince of the realm. Trying desperately to avoid laughing, flirting and sticky Delia of Eldorne in such parties started to become a regular ritual in Alanna's everyday life.
Alanna was starting to think longingly of the bawdy, comfortable atmosphere of the Dancing Dove when a large someone bumped into her in her refuge behind a concealing curtain.
"Ouch! Oh, I'm sorry... Alan? What are you doing here?" The inquiry was voiced in a hushed whisper.
A little dazed, Alanna stared up at the towering Raoul. "Raoul? I should be asking the same of you..."
"Shh!" Raoul covered her mouth with one of his hands while glancing out anxiously from behind the velvet hangings. "Don't speak so loudly! People will hear you!"
"Mmph!" Alanna pushed Raoul's hand aside. "Who are you hiding from?"
Raoul's face was melancholy. "Alan, you are so lucky to be a squire, still."
Alanna rolled her eyes. "For your information," she said tartly, "I happen to be Jonathan's squire. You seem to have forgotten that that requires me to be far more social than you."
Raoul clucked. "Yes, but I'm a knight and single, so mothers are starting to hound me. I also have to compliment people I don't like. You're far luckier."
Alanna punched him gently on the arm. "Keep saying that to yourself. I might just believe you. But, Raoul, I think that anyone could notice an enormous lump like you sticking out from behind the curtains."
"Ah, to be small. Another fortune to be considered."
Alanna laughed. "Look," she proposed, "I've got an idea. Why don't you pretend to be a bit drunk--drunk enough, that is, to need to be accompanied back to your rooms. What do you say?"
Raoul looked horrified. "Ruin my public image?" he demanded.
"It's a way out of these parties, Raoul," Alanna wheedled him. "Besides, since when do you care about your public image?"
"Oh, all right," Raoul relented. "How's this?" He took on a drunken swagger.
"Not very like you," criticized Alanna. "Try to make it more natural."
"Like this?"
"It should do. Shall we go?"
Raoul nodded solemnly. "Let's. If I have to stay here any longer, I think I'm going to suffocate."
Alanna glanced out from behind the curtain. "All right. Ready? Try not to burst into laughter, Raoul."
"I'm trying my best! Remember, I'm saving you, too, here."
"Fine. Let's go. Lean on me for support."
"Like this?" Raoul leaned experimentally on Alanna.
"Augh!" Alanna nearly collapsed under the weight. "You're too heavy! A little less 'leaning', please!"
"Oh, sorry. All set?"
"Yes. Here we go."
Alanna and Raoul made their way across the crowds towards Jonathan, Raoul pretending to be 'bladdered'. Once the duo reached the broad-shouldered and almost painfully handsome young man, their disguise was very convincing. With her free hand, Alanna tapped Jonathan's shoulder, startled eyes of curious spectators following them.
Surprised, Jonathan glanced at Alanna. "Alan? Wha--Raoul? Raoul, are you drunk?"
Raoul grinned dumbly and gave a little belch for effect. The mothers that were 'hounding' Raoul before with their daughters following like shadows opened wide eyes. Jonathan coughed. "I suppose he is," said the Prince delicately.
Alanna couldn't help but notice with a frown the odd expression on her knight master's face as he discreetly eyed the arm Raoul had slung carelessly around her shoulders to support himself, and the way Alanna used her own right arm to brace Raoul. Dismissing it with unconcern, Alanna spoke up. "Jonathan," she said softly, "I'm going to accompany Raoul to his rooms, all right? He's completely gone under the drinks he had."
Jonathan did not answer right away. He seemed to be having an inner conflict. "I'll come with you," he said. "After all, you'll need some help hauling Raoul's bulk on his bed."
Alanna cursed inwardly and glared at Jonathan. The latter smiled back in a semblance of affability. Why is he doing this? she thought furiously. He knows what I'm trying to do, and is trying to stop me! I'm going to have a word with him as soon as we drop Raoul off. In a last attempt, Alanna said, "But, Jonathan, you're one of the hosts! You shouldn't leave the guests to themselves."
Jonathan smiled at his female entourage. "I'm sure you don't mind, do you, ladies?" he said brightly. There was a soft collective sigh, but everyone simply smiled back.
~
Once they dropped a drunk--well, not really--Raoul in his suite, Alanna grabbed Jonathan's hand and dragged the far taller young man to their own set of adjoining rooms. Shutting the door behind her, the redhead glared fiercely at the Prince, hands akimbo, as if daring him to try to make her move. "I'm not going back," she informed him tartly.
Jonathan did not answer her. It suddenly struck Alanna how dark the expression on Jonathan's face was before he turned around, his back to her. A little concerned, she softened. Putting a gentle hand on his shoulder, Alanna tried to peer into his eyes. "Jonathan?" she asked. "What's wrong?"
Jonathan suddenly swiveled to face her, pushing her hand away, his sapphire eyes flashing with sparking anger. "What do you think you're doing?" he exploded.
Taken aback, Alanna stared at him. "W-what?"
Jonathan pointed his finger menacingly at her. "Don't think I can't see it," he thundered. "The way you act... it's disgusting!"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Don't put on that innocent act!" he snarled. "I saw everything! It's just wrong! You shouldn't lead the ladies on like that!"
"Lead the ladies on?" Alanna was stunned.
"I understand that you don't want any breaks in the surface of your disguise, but that's no reason to carry it on the way you do!"
"What are you talking about?"
"I saw you talking to Lady Cythera earlier!"
Alanna eyed him, incredulity lining her every feature. What's wrong with him? "What? Lady Cythera? I talked to her for two minutes! By the gods, we were discussing the weather!"
"Don't lie to me!"
"I'm telling the truth!" Alanna yelled back. "Besides, of what concern is it to you?"
"It's not only that!" Jonathan spat out poisonously. "I saw you flirting with Gary and Raoul!"
Alanna clenched her hands into fists. This was enough! "Jonathan, stop it! I don't want to hear this!"
"Don't think that I can't notice how you were encouraging Raoul to roam his hands all over you!" Jonathan's nose was now nearly touching hers--as they had been talking, they had been getting closer. "Your own hands were already all over him!"
"ALL OVER ME?" Alanna shrieked. "ALL OVER HIM? How dare you? I was supporting his weight!"
"LIAR!"
Alanna's mouth was so tightly drawn that it seemed to be white. Violet eyes burned with indignant rage. "That's it," she said, dangerously soft. "I'm not going to stay to listen to this ridiculous tirade of yours." She strode over to her trunks and took out her cloak. "I'm going out. Now, leave. I need to change." Her tone was snapping with anger.
Jonathan shot out a strong hand and caught her right wrist. "No," he whispered heatedly. "You are not going out."
Alanna sneered elegantly at him. "Right. Who says?"
"Your knight master, and, more importantly, your prince."
Alanna yanked her hand away from his. "How dare you impose your rank on me?" she hissed, hot tears running down her cheeks. She pushed him away. "Get out. I don't want to see your face."
Jonathan swallowed, repentant. "Alanna, I--"
"Go."
"Please, Alanna, listen to--"
"GET OUT."
"Alanna! Just--"
"If you won't go out, then I'll leave."
"Will you--"
"I'm leaving." Alanna seized her cloak and turned to the door.
Before she could reach the door, Jonathan abruptly seized Alanna by the waist and held her tightly to his chest. He pressed his mouth against hers, hard.
A.N. And that's the first chapter! Or is it more like a prologue? Review, please! There will be more chapters (this one was terribly short, though)!
