A week later Alanna awoke in the middle of the night, a cry of alarm tearing from her throat. Gasping for breath as she wiped nervous sweat from her forehead, the young knight jumped out of her bedroll and furiously began to throw saddlebags onto Moonlight's waiting back. The mare whinnied nervously, but seemed to calm when Faithful jumped into his cup and placed a comforting paw on Moonlight's neck.
Alanna had no time to wonder at this curiosity, too busy rolling up her bedroll and lashing it to the saddle.
What's all this fuss about? Faithful asked in a bored tone, turning to fix her with his violet gaze.
Alanna shook her head. "We have to go, now! I dreamed of Roger… I knew he was up to no good, Faithful! He still wants the crown of Tortall placed on his own head… and I've got to stop him!"
Alanna could recall only too clearly the cruel smile on Roger's face as he murdered Jonathan and placed the king's crown on his black head.
But I thought you hated Jonathan. Faithful queried innocently. Alanna paused a moment, turning to face her cat.
"I may be angry with Jonathan, but I don't want him to die!" she exclaimed. Faithful shrugged and twitched his tail, but said nothing more as Alanna finished tying up her bags and mounted. Glaring at Faithful for thinking she could want Jon to die, Alanna spurred Moonlight on and they galloped off across the desert.
As they rode, Alanna touched Lightning's hilt for comfort. Unexpectedly she felt a weird jolt of cold force its way out of the sword and into her, snaking through her fingers and up her arm until it was suddenly present throughout her entire body. Alanna tried to pull her hand away but she couldn't; an alarmingly strong force of magic held it there. Unbidden, thoughts began to steal into her mind.
Or do I want Jonathan to die? Then I would be free to go off with George… and then Jon wouldn't be there to remind me of my guilt at sleeping with George! These thoughts poured into her head, slowly pushing back the part of herself that fought against them and burying it beneath an icy wall of orange fire.
Faithful, agitated, yowled in protest as Alanna's eyes took on a glazed look and the hand clasping Lightning's hilt clenched around it in an iron grip. His remonstrations had no effect on his mistress, though. Alanna was lost in a dark world of evil thoughts. Abruptly a sharp stinging sensation on her arm jolted her, for a moment, out of the web of magic. Although brief, the moment of pain resulting from Faithful's sharp teeth piercing her skin was enough for her to regain control of herself and wrench her hand away from Lightning. Immediately the coldness left her body, as if it had never been, leaving Alanna gasping for breath and shuddering at the memory of the awful icy fire coursing through her.
"Evil," Alanna croaked, grabbing Faithful in a fierce hug of thanks. The cat squirmed out of her arms and jumped to her shoulder, admonishing, Where would you be without me? Dead. Now stop choking me!
Alanna tried to laugh, but the sound stuck in her throat. "Evil," she repeated, closing her eyes. "It was evil. Half of Lightning is that other sword, the one we found in the desert that I used to put Lightning back together." Her eyes flew open as a revelation hit her. "It was Roger! I could feel his magic inside of me… his Gift must have been in that sword!" Alanna began shaking as she realized that Roger's evil Gift had been filling every inch of her body only moments earlier. "It was trying to take me over… it was trying to make me believe I wanted Jonathan to…" Alanna stopped, unable to finish the sentence out loud.
Why are you afraid of him? Faithful asked reasonably. You're the one who killed him, after all, and not the other way around!
"Yes, but once dead should be always dead," Alanna whispered. Faithful had no reply to that, because of course it was true. Two deaths for one man was unnatural and frightening, especially if the man who lived past death was wholly and completely evil.
***
Once back in Corus, Alanna couldn't help but go to see George before returning to the palace. After all, what could an hour or so matter? Roger wouldn't strike today. Preoccupied with convincing herself of this, Alanna failed to notice three men dressed in dark clothing following her, slipping in and out of the shadows created by the sunset. Faithful, eyes glued in a dainty white female cat, purred his approval at her but also failed to notice the men and warn his mistress.
Alanna found George in the common room of the Dancing Dove, idly flipping a knife around with a practiced hand. When Alanna entered he sprang to his feet, rushing over to envelop her in a tight embrace.
"Alanna! I've been so worried about you…thank Mithros you're back safe!"
Alanna gently pushed George off of her. "You know I can take care of myself!" she snapped, but she wasn't truly angry with the thief and didn't protest as he leaned down to kiss her warmly. Alanna felt giddy as she kissed him back—too giddy. Suddenly the room spun crazily and she felt herself slipping into blackness.
The next thing the young queen knew, she was lying on a soft bed, a familiar face slowly coming into focus. Alanna tried to sit up, but Mistress Cooper gently but firmly pushed her down again, saying soothingly,
"Lie still, now. You just fainted, is all, and you'll be all right in a moment. I'll get you some tea."
Alanna did as she was told. "But why did I faint?" The kind healer said nothing, but Alanna thought a smile was tugging at the older woman's mouth. Annoyed, she sat up again. "Mistress Cooper, what's going on?" As George's mother returned to her side, Alanna lowered her head back to the pillow beneath it, feeling small and confused.
Smiling benevolently, the woman said, "Tell me Alanna, you truly don't know already?"
"No, I don't! Tell me!" Alanna snapped, fear sharpening her temper. What was going on?
To Alanna's annoyance, Eleni Cooper chuckled. "Don't worry, child, it's nothing terrible. But I suppose I must be the bringer of good news… right now you're carrying a little prince or princess inside of you!"
For a moment Alanna didn't understand, but then realization hit her and she sat bolt upright, stunned.
"You… you mean I'm pregnant?" she whispered. Mistress Cooper nodded, a huge smile on her face. "Just to think that I was the one to announce to the Queen of Tortall the good news of her first child!" the woman beamed.
Unable to accept that what Mistress Cooper said was true, Alanna probed inside herself with her own magic, and sure enough, she felt the fire of her Gift glide over a tiny life deep inside of her. Frightened, the young woman pulled away at the feel of a still forming child touching her magic, but she was unable to help herself from probing again, curious—for something just didn't feel right about the child inside of her.
And then Alanna understood. Frozen with shock and horror, Alanna's eyes flew to Mistress Cooper. Mistaking the lady knight's distress for fear of the pregnancy and childbirth, the woman gave Alanna a hug and said comfortingly,
"Don't worry. For someone as strong and stubborn as you, no harm will come during your pregnancy and childbirth. Come now, how about that tea?"
But Alanna shook her head. Much as she would have welcomed a soothing cup of tea, other things must be first taken care of.
"No, I'm sorry, but I must get back to the palace."
Mistress Cooper winked knowingly. "Of course, you must be eager to go let the father know." She patted Alanna's stomach.
Alanna nodded, not knowing what else to do. "Where… where's George?"
Grinning wickedly, Mistress Cooper walked to the door and yanked it open, sending George tumbling to the floor.
"What a familiar scene. I've told you to stop listening at keyholes, son!" Mistress Cooper reprimanded.
Red-faced, George picked himself up and started to give Alanna a hug, then noticed the watchful eyes of his mother and changed the hug to a pat on the shoulder.
"So you're… well, congratulations," George said, but Alanna could tell his heart was not behind the words he spoke.
"Thank you," Alanna said stiffly. "I must be going now. George, you want to walk me back to Moonlight? I left her at the Dancing Dove."
George nodded. "All right. Goodbye, Mother."
Mistress Cooper gave Alanna a last hug and then shooed the two out the door, shaking her head as they went. As the door closed behind them she said aloud, "George, George… you must see that it's a lost cause. Still, if only she could see how much it hurts you that she married Jonathan, and not you. But of course, how could a King of Thieves stand a chance against a King of Tortall?"
Upon reaching the Dancing Dove, George started for the stables and was startled when Alanna pulled him back into a dark alley.
"What's going on?" George asked. Seeing that Alanna was trembling, George wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Here, let's go inside… you must be cold and tired."
"No." The forcefulness in Alanna's voice surprised George, and he turned back to look at her carefully.
"Alanna, tell me what's the matter, and tell me why we can't discuss it inside."
Alanna was silent for a moment, and George saw with alarm that she was fighting tears.
"Alanna." The lady knight, who had been staring at the ground, tilted her face to meet his gaze. Still holding her, George kissed her gently, and her trembling grew worse.
"Wait, stop," Alanna said, reluctantly pushing George away. The thief pulled back. Taking a deep breath, Alanna whispered, "George, I have to tell you something…" she paused again.
"Alanna, what is it?" George prompted.
Flatly, Alanna spoke the words she couldn't believe were true, spitting them out quickly before she could lose her nerve. "I felt with my magic, and the child inside of me isn't Jonathan's, it's yours."
A/N: okay, okay… so everyone knew what was gonna happen. ;) still, couldn't help myself! Ummmmm…. Oh, right, sorry if I messed up the thing about the sword… I don't have my books w/ me and I couldn't remember if alanna found out that roger made the sword in the third or fourth book.
Liviania: thanks for reading so faithfully and reviewing all the time. :) and yeah, the third book was the one that made me dislike jon…. He was just so stuck up and annoying! Oh well, I guess resentments die hard…. Hehe. So im making him kinda like that in this one, so I wont feel so bad about alanna sleeping w/ george. *grin*
Kolinshar Jackie-chan Benito: actually I was considering sending alanna back to trebond, but then this sort of worked out. Thanx for the review!!
AsaHekA aka Slone: yup, right on… the GG never did say which guy to let go of! :)
Kementari: I know, a/j just does NOT work! And yes, I wish they had divorce back then… it would make things SO much easier for me…. Hehe, I know, im lazy. :) ill think of something, though… but I agree that Alanna couldn't handle being sole ruler of tortall, that's why I haven't killed jon yet. Hehe.
AmayaNightRain11: yeah, ive been toying w/ yur idea… not sure yet, tho. Hehe, I don't want jon to be happy is all… *grins wickedly*
So anyway, everyone, THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS!!! I luv reviews, they make me want to write more… so thanx!!!!!!!!!
