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.

There was a pretty mixed response to Tristan. Some of you liked him, some of you didn't.

Just a quick note. DO NOT GO TO MY WEBPAGE. It doesn't work properly and I've stopped putting fics there.

maria: Thank you. Do you not like Tristan because Alanna is almost being forced to marry him or because you don't like his personality?

vera: I personally don't like him that much either.

Lady Leah of Chaos: short and sweet msg. Thank you.

emikae: I've stopped putting it up on the webpage. I'll be posting one chapter a week on fanfiction.net . Only three more to go.

Anonymous miss: I'm glad you think its great.

Tenshichild: Thanks for your two really, really nice reviews. There are some changes in this chapter to last time.

AJ 4EVA: thank you. I'm glad you think it's amazing, I will keep it up.

LadybugJess: Sorry, you'll find out more about Calisto and Thom in the next chapter.

MangoSam: I think maybe you'll be able to rule out one of the possible parings at the end of this chapter. But I'm not revealing the real pairing until the end.

Imogenhm: I'm happy you agree with me about the pranks.

Chapter 10

Alanna woke when Calisto slammed open the door joining their rooms the next morning. She sat up and stared at her friend, startled. Calisto was pacing up and down in front of her bed. Alanna stayed silent. She knew better than to interrupt Calisto when something was bothering her and something was definitely bothering her friend. Calisto stopped pacing and whirled around to face Alanna suddenly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to," Calisto said earnestly.

Alanna frowned, what was she going on about know?

"When Tristan asked me to leave yesterday…I didn't. I stayed and I eavesdropped. He didn't seem to notice like he said he would. But that's not the point. The point is…I heard you say that we were…we weren't close anymore," Calisto rung her hands nervously, "What did you mean? Have I done something?"

"I…" Alanna trailed of.

"Yes?" Calisto's eyes widened. "I won't be mad, honest."

"I miss my friend, is all," Alanna looked up into Calisto's eyes for the first time. They showed hurt and confusion. "You haven't really been around lately have you?"

"I…I guess not," Calisto said uncertainly.

"I just got jealous of you spending all your time with Thom. I know I shouldn't be jealous because you're still there for me…most of the time," Alanna sighed. This was awkward, in all the time they had been friends Calisto and her hadn't really had a serious heart to heart.

"Oh…I didn't think you cared that much. I mean you were always going to see George and I thought you liked spending time away from me," Calisto grinned. "I know I can be real hard to live with."

"You're telling me," Alanna grinned and ducked as Calisto grabbed a pillow that had somehow found it's way over to the end of the bed and hurled it at her head.

"So are we friends again? I pwomise I won't ever abandon you again," Calisto said babyishly but Alanna saw the nervousness in her face.

Alanna smiled, "I pwomise too."

"Do you want to go to the inn to celebrate," Calisto grinned. "Annoying George always makes life happier.

Alanna agreed, jumping hurriedly out of bed.

Thom had caught Alanna and Calisto sneaking out to meet George and had insisted on coming along. Raoul, Gary and Jonathan had decided to tag along, in disguise, and now they all sat around a table at the Three Broomsticks with George. Calisto and Alanna were whispering quietly snickering at intervals and looking at the boys who sat glaring at George. Alanna got up and began to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Thom called after her not looking up.

"To get the food," Alanna answered.

The boys, too caught up in their glaring match, didn't notice the fleeting grin she shared with Calisto. She returned a few seconds later carrying the seven plates which where precariously balanced on a tray.

"Eat up," she said cheerfully placing the trays before the boys. "It's the best in the house."

She sat down and began to eat enthusiastically. The boys stared in disgust at their bowls containing what looked like pigs brains. What they didn't know was that it was really stew on which Alanna had placed a glamour. They gazed in bewilderment at George, Calisto and Alanna who were attacking their meal with vigour.

George looked up at them puzzled, "Don't you like it? What? Not impeccable enough for your taste?"

Jonathan who as a prince often had to try strange food when visiting other countries smiled diplomatically, "Not at all," he said, ate a huge spoonful and frowned. He looked up at Alanna and raised an eyebrow questioningly. She grinned and winked. He grinned back and began eating just as vigorously as Alanna, Calisto and George.

"You should try this it's great," he said encouragingly.

Alanna's grin widened, as she was sure Raoul looked a little greener than usual and surely Thom wasn't that pale. It was Gary who finally spoke up.

"Um…isn't this a bit exotic for an inn?" he asked.

George gave him a funny look, "What? Stew? I know it might not be what you're used to at the palace. But exotic?"

A look of realisation dawned on Thom's face. "Stew?" Thom said dangerously. "Alanna, Calisto! Another prank? I thought you'd be more grown up."

"When are we ever grown up?" Alanna rolled her eyes.

"Anyway we're not at the palace. You can't take everything away from us," Calisto whined.

Thom sighed and they went back to their meal in silence. Once they were finished Raoul let out a great sigh of contentment, "That was great, George"

George and the boys had obviously decided that they liked each other after all and soon the conversation turned to horses. Alanna let the conversation pass over her as she sat playing with her food, deep in thought. Noticing her sombre mood Gary tried to draw her out by asking,  "So what was Tristan like?" he asked.

"Who cares what he's like? It's not like she's going to marry him anyway," Calisto said haughtily.

She was still upset about the way he'd talked about her Gift, which was something very precious to her.

"Well, actually…" Alanna started.

"You aren't seriously considering marriage are you?" Calisto asked astonished.

"I am considering it," Alanna responded. "What's the point? I'm going to have to get married someday."

"But…" Calisto trailed off.

"He knows about everything and he doesn't seem to mind so why should I?"

"Knows about everything?" Thom looked puzzled.

"Alanna turns into a monster every month," George said matter of factly. "But then again, she's acts like a monster practically all the time."  Alanna punched George on the shoulder playfully.

Standing up suddenly Alanna began to walk out the room. Just as she reached the door she called over her shoulder, " Besides we'd make beautiful babies together. His blonde hair and my violet eyes…" 

George chocked on his ale and Thom spluttered. Grinning widely Alanna disappeared through the back door.

Deciding not to head straight for the palace Alanna headed towards the forest. She felt the need to walk in order to clear her head and think about things. She had only been partially joking when she'd told Calisto she was marrying Lord Tristan. He had posed a great offer, an offer that she'd probably never get again. How many Lords didn't mind if their wives were fighters? How many Lords wanted their wives to fight along side them and manage the house not just look pretty? The fact of the matter was she couldn't decide whether to marry him or not. But the proposal was looking more inviting by the minute. She couldn't stay at the palace forever and Thom would never let her leave unless she was married. She had the skill to slip away in the night but she'd never be able to come back and Calisto would certainly not forgive her for leaving her behind. Basically she was divided, a part of her rationalised that it was a good idea to marry Tristan, he'd sounded nice enough, and another part wanted to tell him no, Lady Alanna of Helmsbury didn't sound right somehow, and yet another part longed to just leave everything and run free. She sighed and sat down on a rock, the thoughts whirling around in her head were giving her a headache.

A few minutes later George walked into the clearing.

"What are you doing here?" he asked Alanna.

"Thinking," she muttered and turned away from him hoping he would take the hint and leave her alone.

A few minutes passed before Alanna realised he wasn't going to leave and said moodily, "I guess we could train."

 As she stood George said conversationally, "You know, if I had known you would break your pact with Calisto this easily, I would have proposed to you ages ago," a little smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Alanna frowned, "How can you joke around at a time like this?"

"Anyway, what are we doing today?" she asked grumpily.

"I dunno. I thought we'd test your skills though they're probably pathetic," George answered.

"You think you can beat me, do you?" Alanna scoffed.

"Blindfolded," George said simply.

"I think I'll take you up on that," Alanna said, conjuring a piece of cloth.

She waited while George tied it around his head muttering something about his big mouth. Alanna looked at him thought fully.

"George?" she asked head tilted slightly.

"Mmmhmm…" George asked turning around to face the tree next to him.

"Um…George turn a bit more," Alanna suppressed a giggle.

She rolled her eyes when he turned and faced another tree. "Yes?" he asked it.

"How are you supposed to fight me when you can't even follow my voice," Alanna walked over to George and turned him so he was facing her.

"I can fight you just fine wait and see," he said matter of factly.

He let his blindfold drop and got into fighting stance. Alanna grinned this was going to be like taking candy from a baby, she thought stepping forward to punch. George surprisingly enough manage to block it.

"First time lucky," Alanna scrunched up her nose in disgust.

"We'll see," George grinned.

Alanna waited a while and than kicked. The kick missed George because he had turned around and stepped forward punching the air. He straightened up looking confused and punched the air in front of him again. Alanna bent double, holding her knees and laughing silently. Her eyes were closed so she didn't see George turn around still looking puzzled and kick out. The kick landed on her shoulder and she fell back letting out a scream of surprise. George immediately threw back his blindfold and knelt by her side, concerned.

"Sorry. Are you ok? Didn't see you," he grinned "Obviously."

Alanna glared and stuck her tongue out at him.

George looked offended, "I said sorry," he said sniffing.

"Fine," Alanna glared. "Let's just get on with it."

She got to her feet rubbing her shoulder and waited while George put his blindfold back on. They both got in position.  She could see from his stance and the way his shoulders were tensed that all his concentration was focused on her. Which along with his lack of sight was probably why he didn't sense the cloaked figure that emerged from a behind a nearby bush. Almost faster then Alanna could see the stranger drew out a dagger and flung it at George before turning and running deeper into the forest.

For a moment Alanna stood frozen, taking in the situation with disbelief.

A thousand spells rushed through her mind, but which one? Her breath was coming fast and in her panic she couldn't decide. She felt her legs begin to move into a run without conscious decision and suddenly she was tackling George.

"That was unexpected," George said in her ear then in an annoyed voice, "I didn't know we wrestling."

"Somebody just tried to kill you!" Alanna said.

"I think you're going to have to bulk up a bit if you want to kill me by sitting on me, lass,"

"Not me! There was a person in the clearing and they just threw a dagger at you."

"What?" George pulled of his blindfold, abruptly pushed Alanna off him and stood up.

Noticing the dagger that had embedded itself in the tree behind him George walked over, leaving Alanna sitting in the dirt.

"Who's trying to kill you?" Alanna demanded, a little annoyed at being mishandled by George.

George who had been examining the dagger let out a relieved sigh.

"Nothing to worry about, lass. It was just Cole trying to kill me again…must be Tuesday."

"What? You know this person?"

"Yes, he's one of my thieves. One of my best, actually."

"But…but…he tried to kill you," Alanna spluttered.

"I know. He's not very good though. The silly bugger used one the dagger I gave him. He should have known I would recognise it. " George said.

"But…but…Why don't you have his ears removed or something?"

George clearly realised that Alanna would continue questioning him until he explained properly.

"In order to become the King of Thieves you have to assassinate the previous King. Most of my subjects are happy under my rule. Luckily for me the only one ambitious enough to try and get rid of me is Cole. So I doubt I'll be retiring anytime soon, he hasn't succeeded yet."

"He almost succeeded today!" Alanna said.

"I was blindfolded," George said a trifle defensively.

"You let your guard down."

"I knew you were here to protect me," George said in a breathy feminine voice and fluttered his eyelashes at her.

Glaring Alanna got back into a fighting stance, "Lets try again, shall we? Maybe you need this training more than me."

George snorted derisively and put the blindfold on before they faced each other. Alanna was about to punch George when Calisto arrived. She stood by a tree beckoning to Alanna. Alanna forgetting about George walked curiously over to her friend.

"What are you doing here?" Alanna asked frowning.

"I've got the most wonderful news," Calisto said bouncing up and down. "What?" Alanna looked at her intrigued.

"Guess who just arrived at the palace," Calisto could barely contain her excitement.

"Who?" Alanna asked inquisitively.

"Calan!" Calisto cried.

"What?" Alanna screeched surprised, she hadn't expected that.

"Come on," Calisto tugged at her sleeve.

"Hold on," Alanna said. "Let me tell George I'm going."

She turned around, "George?" she called but he didn't seem to hear her.

He must have tied his blindfold over his ears. She started walking towards him when she noticed he was heading straight for a tree.

"George, George watch out for that tree!"  (A/N George, George, George of the Jungle, Strong as he can be…) she shouted but it was too late.

George fell to the ground, blood spurting from his nose. She ran and knelt down next to him. She pulled his blindfold of and he opened his eyes slightly.

"I know I kicked you before but is that any reason to hit me so hard?" he asked pouting. Blood streamed from his nose but he didn't seem to notice, he must have hit his head hard. Alanna pulled a handkerchief for his pocket and held it to his nose. "I'm sorry," she said softly.

"I's ok," his voice muffled by the cloth.

"Alanna! We need to go hurry," Calisto said urgently over her shoulder. "Hello George," she added.

George waved slightly. "Go on. I'll be fine," he said sitting up.

"You sure?" Alanna asked concernedly.

George wiped his nose with the corner of the handkerchief and said softly, "Yeah."

He looked up and frowned when he noticed she was already gone.

Alanna walked through the palace gate Calisto bobbing along beside her. She spotted him immediately. He was standing under a tree and talking to the boys and another Lady.

"Calan," she shrieked running towards the Stallion.

He turned just as she flung her arms around him, stumbled slightly than returned her embrace fiercely, laughing slightly. She let go and grinned up at him.

"Missed you," she said.

"Please. You are such a liar," Calisto had arrived. "You haven't missed him at all. You've even found a trainer to replace him."

"You have," Calan looked offended.

"I haven't," Alanna said earnestly.

Calan turned and made a face at Calisto. Calisto wrinkled her nose and stuck her tongue back out at him. Then they both grinned and hugged.

"I've missed you, I haven't had anyone to insult," Calisto said pretending to wipe away tears.

Calan clutched his heart, "And I haven't had anyone to insult me."

"The love," Alanna mock sighed.

Thom cleared his throat, "Would you care to explain how you know this man?"

"Um…I'd rather not," Alanna smiled and turned away from her brother quickly.

"Allow me." Calan said graciously, "I am Calan DiNir, Shang Warrior. Alanna and I met when she got into a spot of trouble in the city outside the convent once. I often have business at the convent and over the years we have gotten to know each other. I've helped her to learn archery, a very Lady like pastime that can also come in handy, don't you agree?"

"Yes, I am the image of lady like behaviour" Alanna sighed.

Calan smiled then frowned, "Is it me or have you got shorter?"

Alanna glowered and said something a sailor would have blushed at. Thom, Raoul, Jonathan and Gary gasped but the other Lady laughed. Alanna looked at them sheepishly.

"Sorry," she whispered.

The words just seemed to come naturally when she was with Calan. She looked curiously at the Lady who hadn't gasped. She seemed all right. Any other lady of the court would have fainted. She had long dark hair and a tan. She definitely wasn't from the palace or even Tortall. Calan caught her gaze and smiled.

"This is Princess Thayet," he introduced her. "Thayet this is Alanna and Calisto, the banes of all society."

Princess Thayet smiled at them shyly.

Alanna and Calisto bowed, grinning. "In the name of all that is unholy we greet you."

"Alanna could I have a word with you?" Calan asked.

"Okay," Alanna said slowly and followed him out of earshot of the others.

"Alanna I need you to do me a favour,"

"Ugh," Alanna groaned.

"I'm going to see the King for a bit and while I'm with him I need you to take care of Thayet," Calan said.

"Why?" Alanna asked.

"If she wants to she'll tell you herself," Calan said and walked away. Waving to Calisto as he passed her.

Alanna rejoined the boys, Calisto and Thayet. Thom was deep in conversation with Thayet; Calisto was staring at them weirdly and Raoul and Gary were snickering at Jonathan who was staring at Thayet with a strange expression in his eyes and his mouth wide open. Alanna walked over to Calisto, nudged her and pointed to Jonathan. They both grinned and Calisto conjured a fly. It buzzed loudly and flew straight into Jonathan's mouth. He made a chocking sound and all attention turned to him.

"Jonathan are you okay you look a bit…green," Alanna asked feigning concern.

Jonathan's face turned from green to red in an instant and he turned and hurriedly walked away. Thom glared at them.

"That was horrid," he scolded.

"It's not our fault," Alanna whined.

"He always leaves himself open to torture," Calisto whimpered.

"You understand our predicament?" Alanna asked, turning to Thayet.

"Sort of," Thayet smiled uncertainly. She had a peculiar accent.

Thom sighed muttered something about women and walked away in the direction Jonathan had gone. Raoul and Gary gave them apologetic looks and followed. Silence descended over the three of them.

"We were thinking of going riding. Do you want to come?" Alanna said trying to break the silence.

"But…" Alanna placed her hand over Calisto's mouth before she could continue.

"You don't have to take me along if you don't want to, I'll be fine," Thayet said but she looked at the huge palace entrance with fear in her eyes.

Alanna frowned wasn't Thayet a princess? Shouldn't she be used to big, imposing palaces. She shrugged off the thought and smiled. Calan had a reason for asking her to take care of this girl.

"We don't mind at all," she smiled. "Come with us, you can pick a horse from the stables."

They walked in silence to the stables. Thayet sighed as she entered the stables and stared at the hoses in silent awe.

"I love horses," she whispered as if trying not to ruin the moment.    

They walked in. Alanna chose a strong black mare, Calisto a chestnut mare with a burgundy mane and Thayet a white stallion. The saddled their horses and walked them to the forest once they were out of eyeshot of the palace they stopped.

"Do you mind if I don't ride side saddle?" Alanna and Thayet asked at the same time and laughed.

The all remounted and guided their horses at a trot through the trees. Thayet stared at her surroundings curiously.

"I didn't think it was custom here for Ladies to ride normally," she said.

"It isn't," Alanna grinned.

"The queen would faint if she saw us," Calisto added mischievously.

"So why do you?" Thayet asked then added. "Ride normally I mean."

"It's uncomfortable riding side saddle," Alanna grimaced.

"You don't know how many bruises I've got from trying. The priestesses gave up on us after a while," Calisto sighed.

"Plus we don't do anything normally," Alanna added.

"I can tell," Thayet laughed.

Alanna and Calisto joined her. When they were finished Alanna spoke.

"Excuse me for asking but when did you start riding?" Alanna asked. "You're very good," she said appreciatively.

"I've been riding since I was a child," Thayet answered.

"And you don't have to answer this next question if you don't want to but why do you need protecting?" Alanna didn't look at Thayet in case she had offended her.

Thayet was silent for a while then she finally spoke, softly as if what she said pained her.

"You have realised by now that I'm not from Tortall. In my country there was no peace for my people. Kalasin, my mother, was the most beautiful woman in the world she was…amazing," Thayet eyes brimmed with tears but she quickly brushed them away. "My mother asked the Jin Wilima, my father, to deal fairly with the K'mir, they are my people and were hers. Lowlanders steal, take us as slaves and steal our horses," Thayet continued fiercely. "Jin Wilima hates us- he's a lowlander completely. He tried to dictate us by signing laws forbidding us to meet in groups of more than five people at a time. There are more than thirty people in the Hau MA clan, and they are our smallest! How could we honour the dead or a marriage or a birth if the clan is forbidden to meet?" Thayet stopped.

"Go on," Alanna urged, transfixed by her powerful words.

But when Thayet began again her voice was not that of a fierce princess fighting for her people but a haunted lost child.

"What my mother did was a great thing…but it hurts to remember. My mother and I tried to make the Warlord stop. We even pleaded- a K'mir never begs! But he still signed the law." Thayet sighed. "My mother knew what she had to do. She sent me far away. Two of the people who served my mother kept the guards from breaking into my mothers tower room. She stood at her window and sang her death chant, about Jin Wilima's laws. A crowd was there to witness: nobles, commonborn and slaves. The two loyal servants who held the door were killed, but they held the door until it was too late for the Warlord's men to stop her from jumping. The servants are buried at my mothers right and left hands. When the Warlord dies he will lie in his tomb alone," she ended with that promise and was silent.

Alanna and Calisto stayed silent. They did not wish to disturb the peace that descended upon them at the end of Thayet's speech.

"I'm sorry if I put you to any difficulty by needing your protection but I still wish to be your friend," Thayet finally spoke.

Alanna and Calisto looked at each other silently agreeing.

"And we would be honoured to be yours," Alanna said humbled by Thayet's story which held such feeling.

They rode on in companionable silence.

{A/N Jin Wilima mean's Warlord so when Thayet talks about the Jin Wilima or the Warlord she is referring to her father. I think that Thayet is too upset with him to call him Dad or my father or something so she calls him by his title.

I really hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please R/R and tell me what you think.