(Honestly, I HAVE A PROBLEM! I keep starting stories, then wanting to do other ones and never continuing! So before doing my next one-shot, here's the next chapter for TNATT! Oh yea…I guess Alanna is fifteen now because she was fourteen at the end of A: TFA, so…she's fifteen and has already beaten Dain)
*That night*
Alanna perched on the edge of her bed. Indecision gripped her with an iron fist, making it impossible for her to think.
"I'm in a mess," she muttered. Finally she jumped up and walked to the door connecting her rooms to Jon's. The squire didn't bother knocking; Jon didn't mind. She walked in.
Before her, Jon, Gary, Raoul, and three of the court ladies known as Lilia, Delia, and Kathrine sat around the fire, sipping wine and talking. They looked up when Alanna walked in. She tried not to scowl at Lady Delia.
"My Lord," she bowed to Jon. After a moment's hesitation, she added: "My Ladies," and bowed to the women.
"Yes, Alan?" Jon said it curtly. She knew she wasn't the most welcome guest in the room at that moment. Alanna opened her mouth to speak.
"I…uh…it's nothing. I heard voices in here, that's all. I'll be out with my friends, if it's all right with you." She started backing towards her door.
"We are your friends, Alan!" Gary said loudly. "Come, come. Sit!"
Alanna smiled. "That's all right, Gary. You know me…And…I think I'll just go to bed instead." She walked stiffly into her rooms, trying to ignore Delia's throaty, light-hearted laugh.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Alanna woke well before dawn the next morning. She immediately dressed and ran down to the prison level. The Lord Provost was awake as well.
"Back again, Alan?" he inquired suspiciously. "What, have they changed the execution date to today now?" He barked a laugh.
"No, Sir. Actually I'd like to talk to you. You see, I've been thinking about this trial. Personally, I disagree with the decision made about this George Cooper. And…Well, how is it that a man can be hanged for just stealing things? Did he ever kill anyone?"
The provost fingered the tip of his nose. "Nooo…." he drew it out, thinking. "Not that we know of."
"So why does this man get a death sentence when other thieves just punishment labor?" She tried to keep the anxiety out of her voice, ready to waylay any of the old man's suspicions.
"Ye don't know this George Cooper fella, Alan. He's a right nuisance!" He attempted to express his annoyance at the King of Thieves by gesturing with his hands.
Alanna shrugged, a look of skepticism on her face. "Doesn't mean you have to kill him.
The provost looked at the red-headed squire fastidiously, heavy brows creased. "Are ye goin' t' be botherin' me about this?"
Alanna nodded. Her friend grunted.
"I'll talk t' th' King," he said slowly. "but I don't know what we'll do with Cooper otherwise."
"I'll think of something!" Alanna promised genuinely. "Really I will!"
"Don't know why you're sticking up for him like this," the man muttered as he walked away. "Seems a bit odd, t' me."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
(A/n: wow…short. More coming soon!)