GETTING UNHITCHED

I'd like to state for the record that I do not own a copy of the books. As such there are bound to be plenty of canonical errors (as well as all the other regular kind). Feel free to correct, shout or laugh at me. This is pure fluff, except when its not. Roger doesn't exist in this story.
Hope you enjoy - plotless.
Disclaimer : I do not own any of Tamora Piece's characters or settings. I just like to sneak into her toybox and play with them once in a while.

Keladry of Queenscove: short or long, the review's appreciated.

SilverKnight7: Thank you

Tenshichild: You're reading this for the 2nd time? If you want I can e-mail you the last chapter.  Just review and tell me if you want me to, this goes for everyone else whose just hanging around waiting for the last chapter.

maria: thanks

someone. sorta: the pairing is a secret, you'll have to wait and see

PhyscoLioness13: I'm glad you like it

Mango Sam: I'm glad you agree about the pranks. Was Caitlyn happy that she guessed right?

LuthienRhiannonCat5: thanks for another nice review.

This chapter is kinda short. But it's different. Not one single prank! Tell me what you think.

Chapter 9

"You're getting married!"

This comment seemed to finally snap Alanna out of her daydream. She looked at George who had the letter in his hand and a shocked expression on his face, then at the people from his court who had heard and had equally shocked expressions. They had all gotten to know her and knew how she felt about marriage.

"Yes," she said through gritted teeth.

"You okay?" George asked uncertainly.

"No, I never wanted to get married," she sighed.

"What are you going to do about it?" George asked, looking uncomfortable and obviously unsure of how to react.

"There's nothing I can do," she sniffed sadly.

"Do you want to go train?" George offered helpfully. "It will take your mind of everything."   

"What's the point," she sighed again then smiled. "Sorry, I'm being all depressed. I'll just go. I should get ready for his arrival anyway."

George looked like he was going to stop her but restrained himself, "Fine, I'll see you later."

"Hopefully I'll still be unmarried," she smiled weakly and walked away slowly.

Alanna walked into her room and immediately spotted the note lying on her bed. She considered not opening but it might be important. It was from Thom.

Dear Alanna

I got a letter from father explaining the situation. Lord Tristan's arrived and he wishes to meet you in the rose garden at noon. Cheer up. I'm sure everything's going to be all right.

Love your brother

Thom

She shouldn't have opened it. She sighed, she seemed to be doing that a lot lately, and walked to her cupboard to get ready. She threw on a green dress and tied her hair back not bothering with makeup or jewellery. She wasn't going all out with her appearance. There was still some time before she had to meet Tristan. Alanna flopped down on the bed careless of the wrinkles that it would create on her gown. For a second she wished that she had stayed at the Inn to practice with George. It would at least have taken her mind of her current predicament for a short time.  But that would have been pointless. All her years of hard work and struggle learning how to fight had been for nothing. She might as well face the fact that she was never going to be a warrior, never going to have the wild adventures she has dreamed of as a child. Instead of living her dreams, she would be living out her nightmares. She was going to be married at sixteen to a man who would probably never allow her to do the things that made her happy. She considered simply running away but instantly rejected the idea, knowing that it would cowardly and that she could never live without seeing her brother and her friends. A part of her had always believed that she would a find some sort of way to get out of this situation, although she had never had a clear idea how, divine intervention perhaps?

Alanna snorted with laughter. What was wrong with her? She hadn't felt this miserable since she had first been sent to the convent.  Feeling like this was not a part of her character and she remembered the promise she had made to herself when she was younger, to always try to do what made her happy. She couldn't openly disobey her father but there must be some way to convince Lord Tristan that he did not want to marry her. She had already wasted the entire morning cursing her fate, now she had to stop moping around and make a plan.  And when you need to make a plan, you need Calisto. A smile crossed her face as she searched her room for a small mirror. Saying the proper incantation she looked into the mirror whose surface was changing to show an image of a girl walking down a corridor. Alanna was in luck and her smile became even wider as she realised Calisto was walking down the corridor towards her room. 

While she waited for her friend to arrive Alanna thought back on her childhood. Tristan used to visit Alanna's home whenever their fathers met to discuss new laws and treaties. He was a few years older then Thom and Alanna and had always been a very polite and reserved boy. His father had instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility for his people and that he should always be seen as a proper young lord. She remembered how fed up she used to get with him whenever he refused to do anything that would get them into the slightest bit of trouble. He would still be training to be knight right now if it wasn't for his father's death. Tristan had had to assume the responsibilities of a Lord at a very early age. Alanna guessed he was still as stiff and proper as ever.

Alanna's thoughts were interrupted when Calisto burst into the room.

"Where have you been? I've been looking for you all morning." Calisto exclaimed.

"You've been looking for me? I've been looking for you!! Anyway that doesn't matter. I have a huge problem and I need your help…" just as Alanna started to explain the situation the place bell tolled twelve times.  She was going to be late. Grabbing Calisto's arm Alanna pulled her into the corridor and began running in the direction of the gardens.

"What's going on? Where are we going?" Calisto panted, "Could we maybe slow down, I'm losing feeling in my feet?"

"We are going to meet my fiancé."

"What? Are you joking? This isn't funny," Calisto gasped.

"I'm not joking, and I can prove it." Alanna said and began walking faster.

They turned a corridor and Alanna pushed open the door that led to the palace gardens. Standing with his back to them gazing into a fountain was Tristan. This was the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with, Alanna thought.

Seeming to sense their presence Tristan turned around. He looked different. His light blonde hair had not darkened since childhood but whereas previously they had been the same height he now towered over her and was lightly muscled.

Stepping forward Alanna said, "Lord Tristan, it's nice to meet you again," turning to her friend she said, "Calisto, this is Lord Tristan of Helmsbury, my fiancé."

"A chaperone, Alanna? Do you really think that's necessary? After all, we're old friends," Tristan drawled.

"Oh but Tristan, I remember so well how you like things to be done in a manner that is proper and socially acceptable. The way you asked my father for my hand in marriage BEFORE EVEN ASKING ME just proves it." Alanna answered sharply.

Silence descended on the group. Tristan did not appear surprised at Alanna's hostility but did not seem to know how to continue. Calisto was just confused and Alanna glared angrily at the ground as if silently ordering it to open up and swallow her.

Unable to stand the silence any long Calisto said, "So, has anyone heard the joke about the Mage, the Warlord and the Priestess?"

"No," Tristan said bluntly.

"Oh well," Calisto sighed, "neither did I."

"Calisto, I'm going to be frank. I need to speak with Alanna privately. Since you're her best friend you'll probably hear all about it later."

"I'm not leaving her alone with you," Calisto said.

"I promise, nothing will happen to her," Tristan said smoothly, "besides we both know that Alanna can defend herself perfectly well."

"What? How do you know I can fight? Not even Thom knows that," Alanna demanded.

"I'll tell you once she leaves," he replied, nodding towards Calisto.

"I already said I wasn't going to leave. I may not know exactly what's going but I do realize that Alanna needs me and I'm going to be here for her."

"The way you've been there for the last few weeks? Been a little distracted by a certain red-headed boy, haven't you?" Tristan mocked.

"I ought to-,"Calisto threatened.

"Going to do one of your little tricks on me?" he scoffed.

"Tricks!" Calisto exclaimed, "I'll show you a trick!"

Before she could do anything drastic Alanna interrupted her, "Calisto, leave!"

"But- ,"

"I'll be fine. Just go."

Calisto looked like she was about to protest but seeing the determined look on Alanna's face she turned to leave.

"And don't even think about eavesdropping. Trust me, I'll know." Tristan called after her.

Alanna looked directly into Tristan's grey-green eyes and said severely, "Explain."

"Why don't we sit down?" Tristan pointed to a bench that stood under the shade of an oak tree.

Alanna shook her head stubbornly and continued, "How do you know all those things about us. My fighting, Calisto's magic, you even seem to know that Calisto and I haven't been as close lately. I don't even think that she's realised that."

"I'm not the only one with spies at the palace."

"Now you know about George too?" she asked incredulously.

"The King of Thieves? Yes, I know about him. Not exactly a fit companion for a Lady, is he?" Tristan asked.

"Jealous?"

"I'd only be jealous if I actually loved you."

"Then why do you want to marry me?" Alanna almost shouted.

"Please, lets sit down. This may take a while." Tristan moved towards the bench.

Reluctantly Alanna followed him. Once they were seated Tristan stared at the ground, his hair falling into his eyes. He seemed to be gathering his thoughts. Eventually he began to speak, "Like I said before, we are old friends and I'm sure you know exactly what type of person I am. You probably wouldn't believe me for a second if I told you that I've had a crush on you since we were children and that it has bloomed into undying love now that I've seen you again. So I will just give you my reasons for wanting a wife, and why I chose you in particular."

He looked sideways at Alanna, as if waiting for a reaction but she just stared blankly into the distance.

Sighing, he continued, "I'm going to turn twenty-one this year and I have to choose a bride soon. My responsibility is to my people and they need a Lady. But I'm sure you're met the Ladies at court. I don't particularly need or even want a wife who can only organise parties and who will waste the money that should be used to help my subjects on frivolous things like dresses. I need a wife who is intelligent and who will care for my people as much as I do. We both know that the Scanran's are trying to increase their borders and I expect that I will be called to battle often, I need someone smart enough to govern my people in my place. Alanna, I think that you're that woman."

Tristan stopped, he seemed to waiting for Alanna to say something.

"You still haven't explained how you knew all that stuff about me," she said softly.

"A few months ago I asked a friend to-… how do I say this? I asked him to keep an eye open for me. He mentioned you in a letter, something about talking dummies. I don't think he meant you as an actual option, but it made me remember the time we spent together as children. I had one of the servants follow you around," Tristan had the grace to blush for doing something so childish but quickly added, "We were friends back then, weren't we? We can be friends again, even more, we can be equal partners, can't we?"

"Do I even have a choice?" Alanna asked bitterly.

"Of course you do. If you don't want to marry me I'll tell your father that I've changed my mind. I'll make sure he doesn't blame you."

Though she tried, Alanna could not hide the smile that crept across her face as she saw a way out of the whole mess.

Noticing it, Tristan frowned, "Seriously Alanna. I want you to actually think about my offer. I don't want a wife you can dance and sew and sing," he exclaimed, "I want someone who will work beside me, fight beside me."

"Fight?" Alanna couldn't help asking.

"Yes, I said fight," Tristan said, "I know that you're very talented and if you can protect my people you can spend the whole day bruising your skin by training. Besides, under all that bulky armour no one will even realise that you're a women. I want you to really think about this. Take as much time as you need."

Standing suddenly he added softly, "I know that I'm not offering you love. But is that what you really want?" With that he turned and walked in the direction of the palace, leaving Alanna staring thoughtfully after him.

NEXT chapter: New characters arrive. One that you know, one that you don't.

Alanna thinks about Tristan's offer.

One tiny prank, since everyone seems to like them.