A/N hey guys, this is my first Tamora Pierce fic, I hope it's ok. Be nice!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the character (maybe some later). Just the story.
"Alanna. It's a pretty name," he said thoughtfully. "Thom. Maude. Coram. Who else knows?"
"George, and his mother."
"You trusted George?"
"He can be trusted!" she said hotly. "Besides – I needed help once, and I knew he'd never give me away. He's my friend, Jon."
"You called me 'Jon'."
"You saved my life, back there."
"You saved mine. We wouldn't have made it without each other. I knew I was right to take you."
She lay silent for a while, listening to the sounds in the night. At last she gathered her courage.
"What are you going to do about me?" Alanna questioned. Jon looked at her sharply. When he saw she wasn't going to attack him he relaxed.
"I don't know," he replied, rubbing his nose thoughtfully. "As the Prince it's my duty to tell someone."
Alanna nodded silently. If she felt upset she didn't show it. "I suppose we'll have to tell Duke Gareth," she suggested. Jon nodded.
"I won't tell him until we get back to the palace," Jon decided. "It would only make the trip home more – uncomfortable." Alanna could do nothing but accept this small kindness.
"Thank you, Highness," she murmured. Jon looked at her and gripped her arm warmly.
"I'm sorry Alan – Alanna. If it weren't that I'm the Prince, you know I'd never dream of turning you in."
Alanna blinked back tears as she looked at her friend and prince.
"I know," she whispered. "I understand, Highness."
"Come on." Jon rose and stretched. "It's a fair hike back to Persopolis and I'd rather get it over with."
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Jon avoided Alanna for the rest of the trip. Alanna knew why: for one thing Jon didn't know how to treat her when they were around all the others. For another, Alanna knew he felt guilty about having to give her away. Alanna understood why he had to do this, but it didn't stop her from feeling bitter. All her hard work had come to nothing and all because her prince was too noble to let it pass.
When the others questioned her about Jon's odd behaviour Alanna only shrugged.
"Are you two fighting about the Black City?" Raoul wanted to know. "Because you know we all agree it did you a favour. People will think twice about the small, skinny page that can defeat demons."
"It's not that," Alanna protested. She shrugged again. "Maybe he thinks insanity is catching," she joked. Her big friends laughed and left the subject alone, for which Alanna was grateful. They would find out the truth soon enough and Alanna wanted to keep their trust and respect for a little while longer.
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When they returned to the palace Alanna went straight to her rooms, finally able to cry. She sobbed out all her anger and frustration until she couldn't cry anymore.
"Here now, what's this?" asked a kindly voice. Alanna sat up to find Coram peering at her worriedly. "It's over Coram," Alanna whispered. "We're done."
"What d'ye mean?" Coram asked. Alanna told him the whole story. Coram listened, an odd expression on his face. "I see," he said. "When are ye plannin' to tell His Grace?"
"Tonight," Alanna answered tiredly. Coram nodded.
"Where are we goin' t'go then?" he asked her.
"We?" Alanna looked startled. "You don't mean they'll throw you out as well as me? But that's not fair. You didn't do anything wrong!"
"I knew about ye," Coram answered quietly. "And I didn't inform His Grace. That's what I did wrong."
"I'm sorry," Alanna said, looking down at her hands. "I never meant this to happen." A kind hand patted her on the shoulder.
"I know, lass," Coram said. Alanna looked up. His eyes were kind. "Ye were only doin' what ye thought t'was right." He rose. "I'd best be packin' our things."
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Alanna skipped dinner. She couldn't face her friends for the last time, knowing they would hate her when the truth was revealed in a short while. She wasn't hungry anyway; she couldn't have eaten even if she'd wanted to. Shortly after the eighth hour was called a knock sounded on her door. Jonathon stood there.
"Are you ready?" he asked. Alanna took a last look around her room and at Coram before nodding. Together, they went to meet the Duke.
A/N So guys, I need to know what you think. Is this worth continuing or not? Please review, cos I need to know!
