Well I hate disclaimers (I mean this is fan fiction so it is accepted that I will be using characters and places that have already been written by someone else, and that I'm not making any money on it) but here is one anyway. None of the characters you know are mine, I am not making any money (it just boosts my ego) so it is perfectly legal.
A/N I'm so happy that so many people read and liked it. I will thank you each individually at the bottom of the page.
Chapter II: Morning Judgements
George woke up suddenly. Early morning light was slanting through the shutters. He shook his head, and sighed. He wished his dream world was true, it was a world of noise and bustle, while this was a world of fear and silence.
"Alanna," he whispered. "Do you exist? Is it possible to love a dream." The dreams had started when he was seventeen, in them he had first glimpsed the young boy who would turn out to be a girl. A girl so amazing that he love her, even if she wasn't substantial. Since then he had always wondered which life was real, and since then there had been no woman in his life, his only love was in a dream. He stretched, there were muted noises coming from the commons of the tavern. George dressed quickly and headed down the stairs. Ela was already down there seriously discussing something with one of his thieves. George grinned.
"Hello my lovely little lass," he said swinging her up in his hands and kissing her softly on her forehead. She giggled, and kissed the tip of George's nose. He laughed and put her down. The thieves around them shook their heads, you would never believe that this man has a collection of ears, was their thought. George looked at the gathering, noted some peculiar faces. He put his hand on Ela's hair; she looked up at him.
"Go help Solom," he said encouragingly. She smiled and skipped off to behind the bar where Old Solom leaned down and offered a sweet. She often helped Solom pour drinks for the customers, and in return Solom was like a grandfather to her. He loved the pretty little girl, everyone did.
George turned towards the men he had noted earlier. There were three of them. "What do you wish of me, gentlemen?" he asked them warily. The leader, a tall giant of a man was the one who replied.
"We wish to meet with you alone." George gestured towards a back room.
"You don't mind if I choose to bring one of my men," George said sizing them up. He smiled easily arms open. "As a matter of trust." The leader laughed.
"Yes, if you feel it necessary," he said. George beckoned Merek to follow and the five of them disappeared into the room.
*~*~*
Esanta looked down at the handsome man sleeping beside her. His black hair fell across his forehead. She softly brushed it aside, looking down into the peaceful face. It was so quiet and gentle in sleep. It wasn't always like that, but for a moment one might almost mistake him for the dead crown prince Jonathan. She hadn't known Prince Jonathan. He had died before she had come to the court, before even Roger had come. He had been out of the country, beyond suspicion. But she had seen a portrait of the Prince and was struck by the resemblance. Now looking down at her king she wondered what her life would have been like if the prince hadn't died.
She stood and slipped on a silk robe. A gentle breeze blew the curtains apart, she walked out onto the balcony, her blonde hair was tousled and messy, she stood there looking out at Corus. She had stood there for many hours in the few months she had been with the King, it was the only place she felt at peace. She cooed softly, and one of the pigeons in the garden flew up to her hand. She stroked it softly, then carefully slid a scrap of paper out of her pocket and quickly scrawled a few words with a grease pencil.
R. will sent. all that speak against him. Presses included. Proc. in 2 days.
She gently wrapped the paper around the pigeon's leg, and let it go. It flew high up into the morning sky. She sighed, and leaned on the balustrade. She heard movement inside and turned towards her lover.
"Roger? Are you awake?" she called softly. "Come watch the sunrise." The tall dark haired form of the king appeared at the doorway. She smiled, and beckoned to him. He approached her and embraced her in his strong arms.
"You know what I dreamed last night," he said breathing in the light scent of her hair. "I dreamt that you had a son, and that he was as tall and powerful as his father, and as beautiful as his mother." Esanta looked up at him.
"He was as tall as you when he was born?" she asked with a giggle. Roger shook his head.
"No my silly love, he grew as tall as me."
"Well," she said, "that would be a fine thing. Did he grow into a great ruler like you?"
"Of course, and all of the countries in the world bowed down to him." Esanta looked up at him.
"Now, you are imagining things." A knock came at the door. Roger growled and let go of Esanta, striding over to the door. A breathless messenger stood there warily.
"What is it," Roger said impatiently.
"You are needed in the courts right away," the messenger replied. Roger cursed loudly and the messenger fled, running as fast as he could. Esanta walked over to Roger and folded him in her arms.
"Don't worry, I'll go too," she whispered.
*~*~*
The courts were silent and empty except for some of Roger's most trusted bureaucrats. Up in front of the judge's seat stood a short boy of about fifteen. There was nothing particularly remarkable about him excepting his flaming red hair. He turned toward Esanta defiantly and she started, he had violet eyes. Since Roger had come into power he was the judge, and the executioner. None was to question his decision and none but the highest officials were allowed to watch. Esanta was an exception, whatever she asked for was granted, so when she asked to go to the courts she went.
"State your name for the record," Roger said imperiously to the boy.
"What record?" the boy replied sharply. Roger's orange gift lashed out burning a scar on the boy's neck.
"Don't talk to your king like that, I repeat one last time what is your name," Roger was shouting. Esanta looked at the boy thoughtfully.
"Thom of Trebond," the boy said.
"Thom of Trebond, you are brought before me with the charge of containing an unregistered Gift. That do you plead to this charge?"
"Not guilty, your majesty," he spat out. "Test me yourself, I do not have the gift."
"Don't be insolent, you know I could kill you now if I wished," Roger roared. "I hold your fate in my hands. I am your King." Thom looked at Roger, his violet eye snapped with anger.
"I realize that, your majesty," he said. Roger cut him off.
"I find you guilty, either you register your gift, and allow me to conduct some tests and experiments on it, or you can choose to die here and now. It is your choice, but an unregistered gift is a danger to everyone."
"I doubt yours registered," Thom said under his breath.
"What was that?" Roger said, with a charming smile. Thom met his eyes.
"I said, I don't have the gift."
Author's Thanks:
Googlepuss: I completely agree with you. In the other Alanna goes to the convent stories Thom basically takes Alanna's place in the palace and is Jon's squire, that would never happen. My Thom has no friends, and doesn't even have a knight master. He doesn't care either; he likes being alone. The title was a spur of the moment thing, my roommate was philosophizing about how Magpies are the bird of thieves, and so I was like I need a title I need a title and it sounded good.
Lady Hawk: There are some good Alanna goes to the convent stories but with most of them, you read one you've read them all. (Quick note to all Fanfic writers if you have the word "another" in your summery think up a new plot). The kiss was in George's dream. His dreams are what might have been.
Temptress, Aranel & ME: Thanks for the reviews.
Jilla kala: It is sad that things are so bad without Alanna, but things will get better. I have faith (where there is George there is always hope(hehe)).
The Pen Mage: I love George too, and ya I did meant to put in the it, sorry. Thanks for the review.
Kel4ever: Thanks for the review, yes George dreamed the bit about Alanna.
Devilkitti, Gemma & Nightshine: Thanks for the reviews.
Glaive Girl: George is my favorite character (I love him), things will get better though. I always believe things will get better.
Tallulah (My first reviewer): Of course George rocks! Thanks for the review.
