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.

{A/N I made two mistake in the last chapter.

1. I called the inn the Three Broomsticks. It was supposed to be part of a joke but I changed my mind and I forgot to change it back.

2. The part of Chapter 10 where Thayet explains her past was largely paraphrased from the third book in the Alanna series. I completely forgot to cite that at the end of the chapter. It was unintentional and I did not mean to pass it of as my own work at all.

I also forgot the number of chapters I'd written. There are thirteen not twelve like I've been saying. I completely forgot about it until I looked at the folder my story is saved in. Further proof that I am clueless as well as plotless.

vera: it was horrid? What was horrid? Is scared

Kore Yan: thanks, of course I'll continue

maria: You're right, Tristan is very stony and prim and proper and Alanna is completely opposite as she will prove in this chapter. Maybe he'll be appalled by her behavior…maybe opposites attract! Wait and see.

aznchicki: Alanna's not necessarily going to end up with Tristan.

reader: yeah, I don't like the first chapter much either, I'm glad you think I improved. Lady Leah of Chaos: Boy, you're really good at picking up errors. Thanks for pointing them out.

Blue-forget-me-not: In the original story Thayet, Buri and some random kids leave her country and meet up with Alanna and Liam by accident who then decide to help them. In my fic Calan is the one who meets up with Thayet, takes pity on her and tries to keep her safe

AJ 4EVA: thank you!

Alannawannabee: I'm keeping quiet about the pairing, only three chapters till you find out.

PhyscoLioness13: thanks for the compliment

Tenshichild: I know the George of the Jungle joke was bad. So was the Thom, Dick and Harry one. I can't seem to help myself.

imogenhm: Thanks for the correction!

Chapter Eleven

Alanna jerked awake when she heard her room door slam open. She looked around her suspiciously. Sunlight streamed through the curtain over her window. Calan, looking like the cat that caught the rat, stood in the doorway.

"How can you be sleeping, it's the middle of the afternoon?" he asked cheerfully. 

Alanna moaned and tried to bury herself deeper under the blankets. They were, unfairly, ripped of the bed by Calan. She curled up into a tiny ball and tried to go back to sleep but something hit her in the face.

She sat up glaring, "Ok, ok. I'm up. We can train," Alanna said grumpily.

She swung her legs of the bed and sat up. She stared briefly at the material that had hit her in the face. A dress.

"Put that on," Calan said pointing to the dress.

"Ah…what sort of training are we doing?" Alanna raised her eyebrows but the affect was ruined when she yawned.

"Special training," Calan said grinning.

"Special training?" Alanna squeaked. The only thing that made Calan this happy was torturing her.

"Yes," he grew serious suddenly. "I have a feeling there's going to be an attack at the ball tonight. Thayet's welcoming ball."

"Thayet's father?" Alanna asked.

Calan nodded, "The palace defences are going to be down because of the ball tonight."

"Wouldn't attacking the palace of Tortall be an act of war?"

"I'm betting that the Warlord will have hired mercenaries who cannot be traced back to him. And if they are he will say that he has the right to retrieve a daughter from people who allowed her to stay with them when he had expressly forbidden it.  He'll probably tell the King and Queen that they're lucky he doesn't treat her presence here as an act of war against Scanra. I need your help tonight."

"I'll be ready," Alanna said grimly.

Calan nodded again, turned and left. Alanna sighed. It was going to be an interesting night.

Alanna appraised the hall. Calan beside her was deep in conversation with Thom but she could see his eyes flicking around the room. Calisto on her other side was laughing about something with Thayet but Alanna could feel her gift simmering just below her skin. Raoul, Gary and Jonathan were across from her and from the way Jonathan kept blushing and his eyes kept wandering over to Thayet the trio were talking about her. Alanna turned her gaze back to the hall. They were standing off to the side of the thrones, on which the King and Queen sat, and from their vantage point Alanna could see almost every corner of the room. Across the room was the staircase you descended to enter. On either the sides of the room were two other, longer staircases that led to a balcony that ran right around the room from which you could look down on the dancers below. Windows were set high on the walls above the balcony. The hall was vast and decorated in gold and blue, the royal colours. She sighed when she noticed that the guards positioned around the room were more interested in flirting with the Ladies. Although Alanna knew that the guards would defend the King to the end she wasn't sure if they could prevent people entering the palace. George had taught her to think like a thief and any thief could easily see the many ways to break into the hall.                 

"You okay?" Calan whispered in her ear so the others didn't hear.

"Fine," Alanna tried to smile encouragingly but she had a feeling it came out more as a grimace because Calan frowned at her before he turned back to the rest of the group. The truth was that she was really nervous. If they were going to be attacked like Calan said, she'd have to reveal her fighting skills to everyone present in this hall. She wasn't sure she was ready to have her brother know, let alone the whole court. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of glass shattering followed by arrows raining down on the dance floor. The enemy had used the windows above the balcony to break into the great hall. Alanna sighed, banishing her ball gown, so that she was only wearing the britches and shirt she'd put on underneath. She didn't need to worry about shoes or weapons. Her gown had been long enough to hide her boots and she had carefully strapped her weapons to herself under the gown before leaving, their weight was comforting. She closed her eyes knowing she was finally showing people who she really was.

"Calisto take Thayet and Jonathan and go," Calan barked. "Raoul, Gary, Thom get the Ladies out of here. Alanna you've got the archers on the balcony." It seemed that the others were too caught up in the heat of the moment to ask why Alanna was armed and how she was going to take care of the archers. Jonathan in particular was too busy arguing with Calan.

"I'm staying to fight," Jonathan said stubbornly.

"Fine, you can come with me. Calisto, the King and Queen. Go!" Calan screamed and ran off Jonathan right behind him.

Alanna sprinted across the room, to the stairs leading up to the balcony, dodging frantic Ladies and stray arrows on the way. She bounded up the stairs taking them two at a time. She turned at the top to quickly survey the scene before her. Besides the archers there were also men descending to the dance floor on ropes attached to the balcony's rail. Thom, Raoul and Gary were holding up against them and some of the other Lords had jumped into the fray. Calisto, who had got Thayet to the King and Queen in time, had set up a shield around the area of the throne warding of the still oncoming flow of arrows. Alanna wondered how long she would hold up even with Jonathan and Calan defending the shield against an on foot attack. She'd better help her out, Alanna thought turning and grinning maliciously at the nearest archer. Maybe this was going to be fun. She started towards the unsuspecting archer. The balcony was high up and shadowed so there wasn't any chance that people would see her. Was that the reason she'd been chosen her for this mission? If she was lucky she could leave the hall the same way as the enemy entered and none of the court would have even noticed her in the fray.

Alanna stood above the kneeling form the nearest archer who looked up puzzled when she blocked his light.

"What are you doing up here?" the archer asked furiously.

"Looking for the bathroom. Do you know where it is?" Alanna asked innocently, loving the look of bewilderment on his face. "I'm new here."

"I…" the man trailed of, staring.

"It isn't polite to stare at a Lady," she said frowning. "And should you be shooting at people? It's very rude."

She reached down, took hold of the bow and arrow and wrenched them out of the archers grip, "There. Much better!" she said brightly.

The man's face twisted in anger and he launched himself at Alanna. She expertly dodged his flailing arms and spun kicking up and around. The man landed heavily on the floor and she kicked at his head as hard as she could. She smiled to herself; he wouldn't be up for a while. By then the other archers, ten of them in total, had noticed her and were advancing. Their bows and arrows lay discarded on the floor. They didn't look too pleased.

"I'm guessing you don't like me," Alanna said as if the thought pained her. "I was just trying to teach him good manners."

The biggest of the lot growled and ran at her. Alanna sidestepped and waited for his next move. The others didn't attack. They seemed to think the big hairy one fighting her now needed no help. She reached behind her back and surreptitiously removed the dagger from the belt around her waist. She held it behind her back where the archer who now faced her wouldn't see it. He charged and she again sidestepped stabbing him in the back in the same movement. The man crumpled to the floor. The rest of the archers seemed to finally realise that they shouldn't underestimate her for they all attacked at once. She bent, pulled her knives from her boots and straightened up just in time to step back from an attack while simultaneously throwing one of the knives at the man behind her immediate attacker. He fell heavily knife embedded in his throat. At this point the man at the head of the attack deemed it time to get out weapons. He removed a sword and the men behind him followed. Alanna smiled nastily and eyed the blades with unconcerned interest. She saw the men hesitate and struck. She kicked the sword from the hand of the man closest to her and caught it in her free hand. The archer behind the man closest to her stepped forward and kicked out. Surprised, Alanna didn't step back in time and the blow caught her on her side. She stumbled, quickly regained her balance and thrust the sword into the man's abdomen. Never underestimate your opponent; you're living proof of that, she berated herself. The men circled her. She turned her head slightly and memorised the positions of every man. There were two men on either side of her. She jumped kicking out on both sides, spun while still airborne and threw the knife still in her hand as she landed. Three of the seven remaining men fell. Before the men still standing could react she flipped backwards onto the banister.  The tallest man charged and she stepped to the side and helped him over the banister with a kick. He landed on the floor below with a splat.

Alanna swept her eyes quickly over the hall. Calisto was holding on. Calan and Jonathan were still defending her shield and Raoul, Gary, and Thom had managed to clear the hall of all Ladies. She smiled. They were winning. She turned back to fight the Three remaining archers. They had their bows in hand again.

"Aim for the witch. She's got a shield around the royals!" Someone below shouted.

Alanna spun around head swivelling in the direction the shout had come just in time to see the dagger leave the man's hand. She followed its path across the hall her heart filling with dread. She didn't even notice the arrows that flew past her but landed short of the shield. No, not Calisto…please not Calisto her mind screamed frantically. Her eyes left the dagger and met those of her friend. She knew even though Calisto could protect herself with magic she would keep the shield up to the end.

"No!" she heard a familiar voice scream but couldn't turn her eyes from Calisto.

Calisto had been her only salvation at the convent. Calisto had kept her sane, with her own special brand of insanity. She could feel tears trailing down her cheeks. The dagger was inches from Calisto and was about to hit her when Thom jumped in the way. The dagger imbedded itself in his shoulder. Alanna stared. Relief that Calisto hadn't been hurt flooded through her. Followed by a paralysing dread. Thom. No. It couldn't be. She jumped down from the banister, ignoring the jarring pain as she hit the floor. She made her way blindly over to Thom. He was held on Calisto's lap. She stared at the blood unseeingly. It couldn't be blood. It was…something else.

Thom's eyes met hers, "Sorry…I know you said you wanted to die first," his eyes shut. His breathing became shallower.

Alanna turned. A rage like nothing she had ever felt before was sweeping over her. Her eyes locked onto the triumphant smirk of the man who had thrown the dagger. It registered in her mind that since he ordered the attack on Calisto he must be the leader and that meant everything that had happened was his fault. She felt a restraining hand on her shoulder but she heated her skin with her gift the hand quickly pulled away. She grabbed a sword from the belt of the nearest Lord. She walked slowly towards the man. Her brother's killer. The Lords around her moved aside and if they didn't she pushed them out of the way. She watched in satisfaction as the triumphant smirk vanished from the man's face. He was a simple killer. He didn't deserve to live. He caused pain. He had to die. How dare he come here and attack her friends, her family? Her mind briefly remembered one of the lesson's Calan had taught her. Never let your emotions cloud your judgement. She pushed the thought away. She was standing in front of the man now. He looked to the men at his sides but they backed away. He glared and drew his sword. Alanna stood waiting. He lunged, bringing the sword down in a sweeping arc. Alanna raised her sword and effortlessly countered his attack. The man raised his sword again. Alanna pushed it aside and stepped forward. The man retreated and she continued her onslaught. Alanna paused for a second to catch her breath and he brought his sword up and around. She raised her sword to deflect his attack but the tip still caught her shoulder, tearing the material of her shirt and biting into her flesh.  She winced as blood began to spill from the wound. She was filled with a pure, heartless rage and continued her assault. Her moves flowed into each other. The man retreated further, looking panicked. He had cut her. How dare he? He was the wrong doer here but he had the audacity to draw her blood. She let out a feral scream and leaped forward driving the sword into the man's stomach.

"Never…" Alanna growled and pushed the sword in further. "Never touch my friends."

She let go of the hilt. The man stumbled back, eyes wide and fell. There was a clatter as his sword hit the floor after him.

She looked up. The rest of the archers and fighters had shimmied up their ropes and disappeared. The hall was in complete disarray and everyone was standing in shocked silence. The Ladies had re-entered the hall and they were staring at her with apparent disgust and hostility and the Lords just looked stunned that a Lady could do what they could do. Jonathan, Gary and Raoul looked surprised, Thayet seemed pleased and Calan was looking at her with apparent satisfaction. Calisto didn't seem to know what was going on as she was still bent over Thom.  Alanna spun around and came face to face with Tristan. She stared at his shocked face for a split second before turning on her heel and exiting the room, head held high.

Calisto sat on a chair in Thom's room, waiting. Raoul and Gary had carried Thom here, on her order, after they'd finished gawking at Alanna. Calan had stayed behind to clear the hall and get the King and Queen back to their rooms. Jonathan had taken Thayet back to her room. Calisto had managed to stop Thom losing too much blood before she fully healed his wound. Now all she could do was wait for him to regain consciousness. Calisto stood up and began to pace. She hated waiting.

She saw a movement out of the corner of her eye and turned. Thom stirred and opened his eyes. Calisto rushed to his bed.

"What? Where am I?" Thom looked up at her confused.

"You're in your room. Raoul and Gary carried you here after you were hit," Calisto smiled, relieved that Thom was awake. "How are you feeling?"

Thom groaned and Calisto helped him into a sitting position before sitting down on the bed facing him.

"Terrible," Thom said, wincing.

"That's understandable," she grinned.

"Nice to know you delight in my pain," Thom said examining his bandage critically.

"Do you want to take the bandage of and see if the stitches are done perfectly too?" Calisto asked rolling her eyes.

Thom blushed, "Sorry. Habit."

"Um…Thom, there's something I want to know." Calisto looked down at the floor nervously.

They sat next to one another in silence for a while before Thom prompted her, "Yes?"

"Uh…I was wondering…"

"Yes?"

"Never mind, its silly, I should let you rest." Calisto moved as if to get of the bed.

"Wait!" Thom grabbed Calisto's hand to stop her from leaving, "Its obviously important if it's got you this nervous."

"Why did you jump in front of me, Thom?" Calisto asked looking into Thom's eyes steadily although her voice wavered a little.

"Uh…well," Thom cleared his throat. "Maybe because I realised I was wrong about something."

Calisto frowned and nodded for him to continue.

Thom met Calisto's gaze, "You know when I said you were like a sister to me. I've been thinking that maybe I was mistaken."

"What do you mean?" Calisto narrowed her eyes.

"Don't get me wrong, I do care about you…but you're not like a sister to me," Thom blushed a deep red.

"What am I then?" Calisto asked grinning.

"You're making this difficult on purpose," Thom groaned and flopped back onto the bed.

"Maybe," Calisto's grin widened.

Thom opened his eyes slightly, grabbed Calisto around the waist and pulled her down until their faces were inches apart. "You're nothing like a sister to me because wanting to do this to my sister would be sick," he whispered and pulled her closer so that their lips met.

Once the ballroom was far behind Alanna she broke into a run. She ran blindly. Vaguely aware of corridors then the open air on her face and stars up above. She ran for a long time before she stopped outside a door. She opened the door and entered a room. She looked around. Light and noise hurt her senses. People stared but not the person she wanted. She walked through the room. Another door. She went through. This room was darker. He stood in the centre facing away from her.

"I heard you stomping around from a mile away. Haven't I thought you how to tread softly and silently. Like a thief," he said. She heard the smile in his voice. "What can I…?" he turned and trailed of.

"Alanna?" he asked stepping forward. She knew he'd be here. He always knew what to do. He always knew how to help. Tears slipped noiselessly from her eyes and trailed freely down her cheeks. He stepped forward again, closing the distance between them and wrapping his arms around her.

{A/N My sister did the fighting scene. She does Karate, so she knows what she's talking about more than I would. Was that scene well-written? Could you picture in your minds what was described or did it not make sense? We'd both like to hear what you think.

And I'm sorry but I'm not good at the romantic scenes. I tried but all my descriptions of the kiss between Calisto and Thom came out badly, so you'll have to use your imaginations :P}