Epilogue.
Lady Alanna's funeral procession wound its sombre way through the city.
Prince Jonathan, Raoul, Gary and her brother, Master Thom of Trebond, who she had newly been reunited with, acted as pallbearers. All were silent and pale with grief. Their faces were streaked with tears.
George followed the coffin of his foster daughter, accompanied by Alex, heads bowed in sorrow. A royal guard surrounded the coffin.
The sound of weeping filled the streets of the City and as the coffin passed, men bowed and women curtsied, both noble and commoner. She had managed to do something many others had tried to do and failed. She had brought both classes of the country together for at least that day. Born into the world of nobility then finding herself a commoner, she had a foot in both classes, and now, united in their grief for her, she had made Tortall whole again. Although the next day the nobles would scorn the lower classes and the commoners would mock those of higher birth, most put that aside for this moment.
The death toll was high, with many rebels dead, and along with them were some of the King's Own, the Palace guard, other knights and a few nobles. The Shang Dragon and Master Raquel of the Mithran Light had been buried yesterday. But Lady Alanna was the most mourned. She was to be buried in the catacombs under the palace. She would be the first woman to be entombed in the Chamber of Heroes.
However there was one figure watching the procession who was dry eyed. She turned to the south, her long hair flowing in a wind that no one else could feel, her dress ripped and torn. As she turned her hood up high to cover her face, she took one last look back at Corus.
"Farewell." She bade it and Lady Alanna goodbye, then turned back to her horse and mounted it easily.
She had never been one for long goodbyes, she preferred to slip away quietly, and as Lady Alanna's funeral was in progress, now seemed like a good time. No one would notice her leaving.
"Come on girl. Let's go."
Well, that's it everyone, at least for the moment...
It's been a long time since I started this and I've enjoyed doing this so much. I've loved almost every second of it, and as strange as it is to say, I'm going to miss 'Princess of the Rogue'. Don't kill me for the ending please! I know you hated it, but I wanted it to be unexpected.
I also meant for it to be sad, let me know if it came out that way. If you do hate me right about now I guess I've done something right. I didn't want this to fizzle out. I have plenty more stories in me to tell both in Alanna's world and in others, but I thought this would be a good point for me, and Alanna to go out with a bang.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed this from the beginning and others who began later, it really is great to post something and have such an enthusiastic response.
Remember,
"Be back before Dawn."
There is now a sequel to Princess of the Rogue. It's called Lady Storm and I hope you'll read and let me know what you think of that also!
HuntressDiana.