Just Can't Win
Summary: A typical knight-master-and-squire moment between Alanna and Jon, set in the beginning of First Test but with flashbacks. Sometimes, we discover that with some people, you just can't win.
One-shot
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She walked out without a backwards glance. Stormed out, slamming the door in her wake. The vibrations carried through the whole corridor, echoing her rage completely. She stalked out of the corridor, out of the palace, and mounted her horse. Her mind was a furious blur as she rode just that fast out of palace grounds.
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Jonathan saw them and smiled, beckoning them forward. "Gary, you found him. Alan, come here."
A royal command was a royal command. Alanna moved up to stand beside the Prince, but she wasn't happy about it.
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He stared at the door with slightly raised eyebrows. He should be offended that she yelled at him. He wasn't. It happens too often for him to hold it against her every time. But she was really angry this time. Really angry. Fury radiated off her as easily as light from the sun. And her voice...it was so cold.
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"That is an order, Lady Knight. If you cannot accept that, say as much now, and I will find you work elsewhere."
She stared at him for a long moment, lips tight. At last she got to her feet. "Don't tax yourself. I'll find knight's work myself," she told him. "As far from Corus as possible."
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Copper waves fluttered behind her as she rode, and fumed some more. He was her king. He was her friend. For all her life, she'd learnt again and again to forgive his mistakes in judgment, and to accept his command.
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"Think before you annoy me further, Alanna of Trebond." ...
"I refuse to marry you!"
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He tapped a pencil on his desk. Ran a hand through his hair. Thought of all the times she hadn't cared for orders, hadn't cared for proper etiquette, and how glad he was of them.
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"You should be nicer to your king, my champion."
"No I shouldn't. Duke Gareth said I should always be honest, even when others lack the courage."
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He was still her king. She still owed him her duty, and her fealty. Nothing changed that. But nothing would change her, either. Nothing would tame a Lioness. He could royal order her, and she would obey, but she would never give in completely. He'd never win.
She was still his Champion. His vassal, as she'd once told him. That would never change. But he also had his pride, his stubbornness. He was used to his orders being followed. And though he knew she would never give in, she should know him well enough to know that neither would he. She won't lose, but she'd never win.
When two stubborn people clash, they'll both refuse to give in. After a while, they may cool down, but they won't back down. Neither will lose, but neither will win.
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