Thanks for all of the reviews!! It's kind of a depressing number, but hopefully this story will catch on....maybe....I hope....please let it..... (am I pathetic enough yet? can you review now?) I noticed last chapter seemed, well, a little philosophical kinda - well for me at least. Aly will probably do loads of reflecting. Whether or not it's a reflection on my life is yet to be determined (by you, not me. I'll know the answers when I read it). Yes, I do plan on having Aly meet all and/or most of Kel's friends. So right not, it's the same as in LK. Everyone is alone except for Neal and Yuki (because Cleon doesn't count because he sucks). And yes, she will not meet Nawat, because even though he's good to her, he's a crazy crow!! A crow!! How can one love a crow?!?! ANSWER ME THAT! (aaand this is the longest author's note in the history of mankind. hooray.)
On with the story!!!
DISCLAIMER: (Do I really need this?) I'm not Tamora, therefore I don't own the characters. Yay.
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Aly swung her leg over her mare, Azure, and met her father and a few of her father's at the gate of the town. George looked at the sky. It's a little past dawn.
She looked at him haughtily, It's not my fault no one woke me up in time. I needed ample time to put on my breeches, tunic and extra layers.Extra layers?Why, my father! Have you not noticed the changing leaves? Tis autumn! She kept her face stern, but George saw the twinkle in her eye.
You little.... one of the men said, we best be off. George nodded, but gave Aly one last look.
The party rode out onto the street. George had brought 3 men along with them, in case any random villagers or bandits started any funny business. Usually, the rode to Corus was pretty clean, but when you were the second-in-command of the realm's royal spies, and your wife was the King's Champion, you travel prepared. Aly had two small daggers in her breeches, and 5 in her saddlebags. Like her father, she was an excellent dagger-master. (A/N: that's a word - as of...now!)
George noticed the silence, and only thinking that his daughter was tired, he started to whistle some old tavern song he used to hear in the Dancing Dove.
Aly's mind wandered...What if she were in the Rogue like her Dad had been? She had only found out about her father's past 4 years ago when she was visiting her uncles and aunts at the palace, and one of them had let it slip. She had been amazed, bewildered, and, well proud. Her father had been the King of the Rogue. What if she were to become the Queen?
She could do it. She was sly and persuasive enough. She knew how to deal with people, and enemies - although she had never really dealt with any for real. But she knew she could. She could fight extremely well. She ousted her mother in dagger matches easily, and could almost beat her brother, Alan, at wrestling. Her Aunt Daine had started to teach her bows and arrows, and her mother tried frequently to teach her the sword. But she was best at daggers. She'd beaten her Dad once, and that was only because he had been stressed out from his work, and tired from lack of sleep. But he told her that she was probably the second-best daggers-master in the realm. And she well believed it.
But her parents would never let her be in the Rogue. She shook her head and absent-mindedly petted Azure's mane. But she could visit the Rogue while in Corus...Yes, one day, she would sneak out with Alan, and they would visit the Dancing Dove together!
She smiled to herself, and began again to listen to her Dad's whistling. Hey, Dad, what song is that?...
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The group had made good riding time, and had arrived in the outskirts of Corus just as night fell. The three men left Aly and George at the Palace Gates. So long, Baron.
George nodded, and the two walked through the gates. Two servant boys took their horses and brought them to the Royal Stables. I suppose we should go make ourselves known to Jon and Thayet, then?I suppose. She yawned. It would be good to see her godparents again. On her last trip she only got to see them once as they were busy with the war and their daughter's pregnancy.
George led Aly up the main stairs to the palace, and a guard opened the door. Jonathan, Thayet and Alanna were all inside waiting for them. When Alanna saw them, she half-ran, half-limped over to George, who threw down his bags, and picked her up. Aly looked away, wanting to give her parents a few moments privacy. She knew how much they had missed each other.
Thayet saw her uncomfort, and beckoned Aly over. Aly curtsied, Hello, Your Majesties.
Jonathan scowled, but saw the twinkle in Aly's eye and could help but smile. He picked her up in a bear hug and said, Did your parents ever tell you, you'd make a wonderful Player?Many a-time. She laughed, and kissed her Godfather's cheek. It's good to see you again, Uncle Jon.
He laughed, his sapphire eyes dancing. As it's always a pleasure to see you again, Aly.
He let her go, and Aly gave Thayet a delicate (and yet fierce) hug. Aunt Thayet!Aly, it's wonderful to see you again! Thayet pulled back from the hug and held her goddaughter's shoulders. You look more like your, well, I guess your father everyday...
Jon leaned over his wife's arm. No, she definitely does not have her father's nose. He added more quietly, Thank Mithros for that.
Thayet scowled but couldn't help but laugh. Aly smiled, slightly annoyed that she even had to look so much like her parents already....
Thayet smiled warmly, her rouge lips parting slightly to show her white teeth. Come, I'll show you your room. Don't worry, it's not right next to your parents...that might be, well, um... she trailed off.
Aly nodded, completely understanding what Thayet was trying to say. Let's just say, they missed each other.
Thayet nodded, relieved. Yes, exactly.
The two arrived at a door in a hall that was unfamiliar to Aly. This might seem far away from everything, but we have so many nobles and their servants here now, or coming for the Midwinter celebrations. I hope you don't mind. She looked at her goddaughter, obviously upset that she had to be in a random hallway in the palace. But it's really not that far...
Aly smiled and hugged her again. It's ok, really! As long as I get a room! She chuckled, and Thayet left her, very relieved.
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Aly walked down to the small banquet hall where the monarchs usually ate, in her everyday skirt and shirt. The skirt was a darker copper than her copper-blond hair, and the shirt was a shade lighter than that. They were the finest quality of cotton and wool, made by her grandmother's good friend, and her distant aunt, Rispah (A/N: who is now a renown seamsistress). Aly sat down inbetween her father and Princess Shinko, her new friend from her last visit.
King Jonathan stood up and said a toast, To Alanna, the Kingdom's Champion, for returning today, and for the other's who shall return within the next week.
He sat down and George asked, Can we really afford to let more people leave the war? Last I heard, the fighting was still heavy.
Jon took a swig of wine and said, Yes, George, it's still very much a war. However, the roads will be blocked during the winter, and thanks to Kel, the killing machines has slowed the Scanrans down, if only slightly. But since we won't be able to fight in the winter, we'll be able to bring home most of the knights, and a few squads of the Own.
George nodded. The adults continued to talk about the war, but Aly's mind wandered. She ate her salad and soup quietly, since Shinko was listening about the war, quietly awaiting the arrival of her betrothed, and waited for her main course.
She always loved eating in the palace; especially the banquet halls. She was always completely full afterwards. She loved it.
Aly noticed that Princess Lianne and her younger brothers were all missing. Aly excused herself to the Yamani Princess and asked her, Where is the rest of the royal family?Oh! Well, Lianne went to visit Kalasin and her new baby for Midwinter, and the boys are pages. Aly nodded. Shink's eyes sparkled. Aly! I forgot to tell you! When Roald comes back, you'll get to meet all of his knight-friends!
Aly smiled, slightly confused. That's nice...
She playfully pushed the girls arm. Knights, Aly, all whom are only a few years older than you.... She still didn't get the hint. There will be balls.... No response. Aly! Maybe you'll find one that you like! And maybe you can keep one this time!
Aly's face quickly fell, but before Shinko could notice, she smiled slyily. No one can keep Aly Cooper for too long....
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A/N: Not so long, I know. I try!! but I'll update sooner if you REVIEW!!!!!!!!!! I know, her name isn't Cooper, but I wanted to use it. So too bad.