A/N; I would just like to thank my reviewers once again. It is nice to know that I am writing for other people rather than just on my little lonesome! About the introduction of Thayet and George. Personally I don't really like Thayet as Jon blatantly would always love Alanna more than anyone else. But I can't ignore the fact that she exists, however, this does not mean I wont be playing about with her character to suit the needs of my story. George, well I love George about as much as I love Jon so he needed to be in the story. And no I am not going to reveal who gets with who. Wait and see!!! Keep reviewing.
Enjoy, love AlannaWanabe;
Alanna woke up the next morning feeling contented, if a little drowsy from last nights drinking. George had proved to be more than helpful; promising to send out two of his men to do some research into who had ordered the attack on Jon. George had also come up with an interesting theory that it was probably someone close to the throne who wanted rid of Jon to gain more power for themselves. It made sense. Since then Alanna had been racking her brains to think of who was next in line for the throne. So far she had only come up with one person, a cousin of Jon's;
Duke Rodger of Conte.
On her way down to the practise courts Alanna ran into Jonathon.
"Morning Alanna, where did you get off to last night I couldn't find you anywhere." Alanna's blood began to boil, how dare he, he was the one swaning off talking to that princess, 'calm Alanna' she told herself, 'be calm'. Despite her best intentions her reply came as this,
"oh and how exactly did you expect to find me inside Princess Thayet's dress?" Jonathon was visibly shocked,
"Alanna, is something wrong?"
"Of course there is something wrong" stammered Alanna, "you were meant to be my date and there you were busily drowning yourself in the eyes of princess Thayet!" Jon threw his head back and laughed a deep hearty laugh that only served to infuriate Alanna further.
"Alanna, when you are the prince of Tortall you have to be polite and greet visitors, what did you expect me not to talk to Thayet?"
"So you are on first name terms with her are you? Well I must say Jonathon you move pretty fast. Now if you don't mind I have places to be."
"Oh sorry to hold you up, I forgot how busy the life of a noble lady is. I mean being the prince my life is so easy. I don't see why you're jealous, it's not like we are ever going to be an item." With this Jonathon walked off, head held high.
"If you don't get off that high horse soon Jonathon, someone's going to push you off!" shouted Alanna after him. To herself she added, "And I hope that person is me."
By dinner time Alanna was even more annoyed with Jon, he hadn't even been to apologise for being nasty to her, let alone for leaving her last night. During her bath Alanna decided that she would go down to the city after dinner and meet with George, she could do with a laugh. Instead of sitting where she usually sat with Jon, Alanna chose a table on the other side of the room with some other nobles. Alanna knew that she was being petty, but she wanted Jonathon to make the first move to them making up and was sure that this was the incentive he needed, who else would he sit with?
Alanna realised she had made a mistake when Jonathon descended the great stairs with Princess Thayet on his arm. He brushed right past Alanna's table without so much as a glance in her direction. Alanna felt her heart contract violently. He didn't care. He was lording it about with that Princess looking like he didn't have a care in the world. The jealousy crept up on her, consuming her. Seeping through her every pore, travelling deep inside to her bones. Her stomach was permanently contracted and her heart pounded wildly. Despite her best intentions a small frown rested on her face. It couldn't be. The way he looked at her, ignored every one else but her. Miss perfect. Thayet. Alanna felt sick as he leaned in towards Thayet, transfixed by her every word. She tried to look away, but found she couldn't.
Well two could play at that game. Alanna started flirting like made with the squire that was serving her, tossing her hair and giggling foolishly at every thing he said.
At Jon's table he was going insane. Princess Thayet was not who he wanted to be with, but that girl on the other table needed to be shown that he could have anyone he wanted, without her consent. Jon chanced a glance in Alanna's direction expecting her to be subdued; he was shocked to see her flirting with that squire. To be honest, it felt like he had just been kicked in the gut. Jon looked at Thayet, she was leaning in talking like mad about something or other; not that he cared. Yes, he had to admit, she was beautiful and charming, but she lacked that certain something to gain his interest. Her eyes didn't light up when she talked about something she loved, her cheeks didn't colour when they touched hands, her laugh was dry, shallow, not from the heart, she didn't say what she thought, only what she thought he wanted to hear.
She wasn't Alanna.
Alanna changed quickly trying to ignore the tears that now streamed down her face. She had just seen Jonathon and Thayet walk off together in the direction of his room. She could guess what was going to happen next. Alanna saddled Brego; she wanted to get there quickly. When she arrived the stable boy took him off of her and she went inside.
There was George playing cards with the man she recognised as lightfingers and a few other men.
"Lass, what brings you back so soon? Couldn't keep away huh?" Despite herself Alanna broke into a huge grin,
"I need a break from that palace life, it drives me crazy!" replied Alanna pulling a chair up to the table. After a few games of cards Alanna brought up the subject of Jon's attackers.
"Come round the back and we will discuss it" This statement brought whistles from the men at the table.
"Majesty, you could have asked a while ago, we wouldn't have minded!"
"How did you manage one so pretty, majesty?"
"Oh shut up you lot, your so crude, can't you see your embarrassing my lady friend? What goes on in my bedroom is our business understand?" replied George with a grin.
"George" exclaimed Alanna, cheeks burning.
"Come on lass, I'm just playing." George led Alanna round to the back room.
"Now, I've had my boys on it and it turns out the order was placed from the north quite near Scanra. Now I know that it weren't no local lads that carried it out. I have tabs on 'em all. It must have been outsiders, now how they managed to get past my boys I don't know. But I will be having words with them that are meant to guard my city." Alanna leant forward hanging on every word, maybe it was Scanrans trying to break through to the royals this way.
"I will continue to search until I get the person behind it though don't worry, perhaps next time you come I will have some solid evidence for you."
"Thanks George, it means so much. Um.... Would it be possible to ask you another favour?"
"Fire away."
"Could I come and get some lessons in street fighting from you? I learnt a lot from the thieves I used to know, but I haven't tried against anyone with any training in a long while and I am afraid I will forget." George started to laugh,
"The more I talk to you lass, the more you surprise me! Of course you can, whenever you want to have a go just pop down, if I am not here one of the boys will know where to find me."
"Thank you." To Alanna's horror she began to cry. George was stunned. He got up and gave her a hug.
"What's wrong lass?"
"Everything, I'm sorry George, its just you're so kind and then everything at the palace is going wrong and I am so confused!"
"Hush, it will be alright you'll see."
"I know I'm sorry I best be getting back." Alanna straightened herself up.
"If you ever want to talk I'm always here, you know that right?"
"Thanks George, I appreciate that"
Jon walked back to his rooms looking like a condemned prisoner walking up the scaffolding. He had walked Thayet back to her room and then gone looking for Alanna. It had only been a day but he missed talking to her, she cheered him up no matter what. He had found her room empty.
'Probably gone off with that squire' Jon thought to himself as he got changed and slipped into bed.