(quick little one-shot. A conversation between Alanna and Faithful at the end of LR after she returns to Corus. Based on the song in Disney's Hercules "I Won't Say I'm In Love".)
Alanna paced her chambers, one hand clutching the ember stone at her throat. In the distance, the first bell of the night tolled as the sun sank below the tree line of the darkening Royal Forest.
Faithful perched atop her armoire, watching his mistress through clear amethyst eyes. His tail swung steadily, indicating the cat's growing amusement.
A sudden call in the streets caused Alanna to rush to her window and look out, only to be disappointed by a guard patrolling the streets. She sighed and looked her companion.
"If there's a prize for rotten judgment, I guess I've already won that. No man is worth the aggravation…that's ancient history--been there, done that!"
Faithful closed his eyes, laughing to himself over Alanna's ignorance. "Who do you think you're kidding?" He scoffed. "He's the earth and heaven to you. Go, try to keep it hidden." Alanna's eyes narrowed dangerously, and Faithful stood and stretched in mirth. "Honey, I can see right through you. You can't conceal it….I know how you feel and who you're thinking of."
Alanna's jaw dropped in contempt and she threw her hands up, fully exasperated. "No. Not a chance, no way. Not again….I won't say I'm in love."
Her cat daintily jumped onto the bed and weaved around her ankles mockingly. "You swoon, you sigh, don't deny it!"
The lady knight pushed him away half-heartedly and returned to the window, gazing out in confusion. "It's too cliché, I won't say I'm in love. I thought I learned that lesson already, why would I put myself through it again?"
Her cat fixed her with a riveting stare. "Why are we going through this again? First you say you want to be a warrior-maiden, then you tell me you want to find someone. Now this? You keep denying who you are and how you're feeling. Face it like a grown-up, when are you going to own up that you have it bad?"
Alanna rubbed her temples in frustration. "NO, I won't say it."
Faithful gave a small hiss. "Give in, we both know you're in love."
Her voice starting to rise in anger and despair, the girl threw a chair cushion at her cat. He dodged it nimbly. Alanna turned away from him. "Get off my case, I won't say I'm in love."
Faithful flicked his tail at her and looked back. "Girl, don't be proud
It's ok, you're in love." With that, he slunk out of the room.
Alanna moved slowly onto her balcony and sank to the ground, clutching her knees to her chest. The full moon was visible over the glimmering waters of the Olorun, which danced and wove through the city. Her eyes followed it to Lower Corus and settled on the location of the Dancing Dove, where she knew a certain someone was presiding over his court of rogues.
"At least out loud, I won't say I'm in love…"
(EW! EW! A/G! EEWWW!!! I can't believe I wrote that. Well, review please….)