A/N: SORRY!!! I kno I took 4 EVER to update, but....i blame school!!! school
should die!!
Disclaimer: just outta curiosity, why do we need to do these? More impotantly, where does it say we need to do these? I never read about it in the rules, and fanfiction kinda implies that it's not original...........coughownnothingcough there I said it.
The two sword pieces were pulsating as well. As he watched, the two pieces bounced toward each other. When they were about a foot apart, they rose shakily into the air. A bluish, translucent bond could be seen forming. When they were at the height of where George was holding the scabbard, they snapped together and flashed into the sheath.
"So it truly is a magic blade," he said in wonder.
"What are you still doin' with that sword?" asked Tavia in annoyance as she came out of the house a moment later and saw him kneeling on the ground with it. He was staring at it with a funny expression in his eyes.
"Whatcha doin'?" she asked, going up to him.
"What?" he asked, seeming startled. "Oh. I'm just wonderin' where they stashed the real sword." He lied quickly.
"Well, what do you need that one for? I'm goin' to throw it out," she said as she grabbed the sword.
"No, you can't," said George, not releasing it.
"Why not?"
"I promised to return it."
"What are you goin' to return a useless sword for? Let me have it. I'm goin' to throw it out."
"No! You can't!"
"Yes, I can! Just give it to me."
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"N—" George was interrupted mid-sentence by a figure running up to them.
Gareth of Naxen was bent double, hands on his knees, chest heaving. When he finally looked up, his face was a mask of surprise.
"Tavia!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here? And who's this?"
"Oh, Master Gary! What are you doin' here? This is my, um. . . my brother!" she said, a bit flustered and surprised by his appearance. Gary then noticed the handkerchief in her hand and his face acquired the elegant shade of a ripe tomato.
"I uh, meant to give that back to you, but, uh, when I tried to call you, you were gone, and I didn't know where you lived."
"Aw, come on, lad! You were sleepin' with it in your hands. Go on and just tell her you l—" he broke off laughing and coughing as Tavia drove her elbow into his gut.
"Master Gareth looks tired, why don't you go get him some tea, George?" she suggested in a dangerously too-sweet voice, giving George a meaningful look. George was about to protest but she had already turned back to Gary saying, "Why don't you and I go for a walk in the woods?"
"Uh. . .alright. And please, it's just Gary."
"Of course," Tavia said flirtatiously as she gave him her hand and led him away at a quick trot.
George made a face at her retreating back and proceeded into the house to make tea, grumbling something about tyrants.
Tavia and Gary had not walked far before Tavia pretended to faint, turning so she fell against his chest as he tried to catch her.
"What's wrong?" he asked urgently.
"It's nothing," she said, quickly getting up and turning away, flawlessly playing the part of the helpless maiden. "This sword is a bit heavy, is all." George had dropped the Storm Bringer in his surprise and Tavia had taken it with her. This could make quite a profit, she thought, looking at Gary.
"Of course," he said. "Please allow me to help with that."
"No," she pulled away from him. It wouldn't do to have him discover that it was a broken sword. She urged a tear into her eye. "You see, this was my father's. It's all he left us, and now I have to sell it, lest my brother and I starve."
"Your brother. . .Oh! You mean that young man back there?"
"Yes, I know he seems a bit strange, but the truth is, he has a slight mental problem. That money that you gave me before, it was used to pay for Healers for him. We've been everywhere, but nothing seems to help." At this point, she let the tear fall and Gary gasped.
"That's terrible!" he exclaimed, compassion thick in his voice. I've got him eating out of the palm of my hand, thought Tavia with a satisfied inward smile. Now if only he...She gave herself a mental shake. Where did that thought come from? She pushed the question out of her mind and returned to the task at hand.
"How did you manage all these years?" Gary was saying.
"Well, it's been hard," said Tavia, picking it up smoothly so that Gary didn't notice a thing. "Often, we've had to skip meals. Sometimes, if we were lucky, we could sell a bit of somethin' to get enough for food. But lately, food has gotten more and more scarce. That's why we have to sell this sword." She sniffed.
"How much are you selling it for?" he asked.
"I don't know yet," she said, "I was hoping for maybe...100 gold nobles..."
"Master Gareth," drawled George as he walked out of the kitchen holding a steaming cup on a saucer, "your tea is—" He stopped short as his sharp eyes quickly noticed that both Tavia and Storm Bringer were gone.
George swore.
It wasn't that he didn't trust her. He trusted Tavia with his life, but he also knew her very well. She could and would make money out of anything. He left the cup on the table and hurried after them.
Where he had been very reluctant before, Tavia had gotten him so strung up in the lie that Gary only hesitated for a moment before he reached inside his belt-pouch for the money.
"Here," he said, counting the coin into her hand.
"Thank you so much," said Tavia, her voice grateful. "But when we've used this up, I don't know how we're going to find more..."
"If you ever need more, just come to Naxen and find me," he said.
At that remark, she turned away. "No," she said, "even though we're poor, my father always taught me to respect myself. I will not go beggin' for money."
"Of course," amended Gary hurriedly, afraid he'd offended her. He looked at his purse for a second and then handed the entire thing over to her. "This is all I have on me at the moment," he said, "take it."
Tavia willed herself not to snatch up the entire thing and greedily count its contents. Instead, she handed him the sword and took the purse hesitantly and clutched it to her chest, saying, "Thank you so much, Gary! How could we ever repay you?"
"Tavia!"
The two looked up in and found, to their dismay, that George was running toward them. Of course, each had a different reason for their dismay. Tavia, knowing George as well as he knew her, knew that he would try something to mess everything up. Gary just did not wish to be interrupted during what he felt was a private moment with the woman that he was attracted to.
"The sword—Did you? —What?" he stopped, calming himself down so that he could form a clear question.
"Gary has taken a likin' to the sword and bought it from us," Tavia told him quickly, hoping he wouldn't say something to give them away.
"You sold it? You can't sell that sword!" exclaimed George.
"It's alright," interrupted Gary before Tavia could reply, "I have no intention of keeping your family heirloom, especially one so valuable as this. Here," he handed it to George, "You are lucky to have such a good sister."
"Sister?" he said, confused. Then he looked at Tavia suspiciously. She gave him an innocent look in return that urged him to play along.
"Well," said Gary, "I must get going, my father must be worried sick about me. May I call on you later, Lady Tavia?"
"Of course," responded Tavia coquettishly, "You are welcome at our door any day. And please, it's just Tavia."
George arrived back at his house to find a piece of red veil hanging on the window. He looked at it a bit sadly, taking it as a sign that Alanna had left.
However, he was about to go into the house when he heard bell-like laughter from the side. Looking over to the bridge he had built above the river, he found her standing on it, leaning out to the waterfall. She giggled and recoiled when a large spurt of water came out. She reached out her hands again and tried to catch the droplets.
George stared for a moment, wondering at the amazing picture she made, water falling all around, causing rainbows to flash into view before quickly disappearing until the next spray. Her hair was loose and flowing in the wind. Birds chirped about her and her laughter filled the air with music.
Stop starin'! he scolded himself after realizing that he had been gawping like a fish. She's taken already and you do not need the Prince's wrath on your head. Go back to your life and let her go before you get yourself in far more trouble than you need.
George sighed and walked up to her, putting on a smile as he did.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from water?" he said in joking reprimand as he approached.
She spun, startled. He had to grab her hand to keep her from tumbling over the edge of the bridge. He led her off the bridge and out of range of the falling water. "Wow," she said, looking back wistfully at the bridge, "Thank you. I didn't hear you come up."
George grinned and said, "Funny how many people tell me that."
"You're so lucky," she said, turning back to the amazing view of the valley. "To live in such a place. It must be heavenly."
George shrugged and said nothing.
They shared a moment of contented silence, Alanna staring at the valley, trying to memorize every detail, knowing that she would probably never get to see it again. Ironically, George was doing the same, but instead of looking over the valley, he was staring at her face.
George reluctantly broke the silence, seeing that the sun was going down. He cleared his throat and said, "You'd best be getting back now, milady."
Alanna looked at the sun as well and gasped, uttering curses as she did, some of which made even George blush. When she realized what she did, she gasped again, her hand flying to her mouth. "I'm sorry about that," she said quickly, blushing. Something's gotten into me today, she thought. I never curse when people are around. "It seems there's something about this place that just seems to make me feel relaxed," she said to George, smiling.
George returned the smile. "No need to apologize, milady, but if I may, where did you pick up such...language?"
Alanna smiled, her eyes twinkling mischievously and said, "My secret."
George laughed and led her to the cave from which they had emerged earlier. They spent the entire walk back trading jokes and talking like old friends.
They arrived back at the fief just as the sun sunk below the horizon. Alanna led them to the back door so that they would not attract too much attention. In the dim twilight hours there was just enough light for them to see their way although she swore that George had the ability to see in the dark. More than once, he steered her out of the way of a ditch or small bump that could have resulted in a painful fall or a twisted ankle.
At the door, they stopped. Alanna stepped up to the doorstep, unlocking and opening the door before turning around. Neither said a word, not really wanting to say good-bye.
"Well," said George after a while, "I'd best be headin' off. Here's your sword," he said, producing the sword he'd been carrying. She took it, looking small and awkward with it. However, even with the large clumsy object, she still maintained her grace, smiling at him appreciatively.
George waved and turned to go, but she suddenly called out, "Wait!"
"What is it?" asked George, turning back.
"You never told me your name."
"Do you really want to know?" he asked. Amusement was in his eyes and as always, they were guarded, seeming to hide many secrets in their hazel depths.
"I must know the name of my rescuer," she replied.
George's replied was interrupted when suddenly, two old men jumped out of nowhere onto the small trail behind George, followed by a squad of guards.
"Ah ha!" exclaimed Wil excitedly. "We caught you! So it WAS you who stole the Storm Bringer and kidnapped Lady Alanna!"
"Your crimes will not go unpunished!" declared Lar, trying to take on a commanding tone and failing miserably.
"Let's see how you get away this time," said Wil, suddenly reaching into one of his many pouches. With a swift movement, he sprayed a powder at George, forgetting, in his excitement, about Alanna.
George saw and felt the danger coming. With his almost supernatural speed, he grabbed Alanna, picking her up bridal style and took off, running deeper into Trebond lands since the other way was blocked. They finally made their way to a garden and hid behind some tall bushes. George put Alanna down, signally for her to be quiet.
A few moments later, they heard shouts and the clanking of many swords. They ran by and headed deeper into the garden. Alanna fought to smother giggles.
"Wow," she said, "they're really stupid."
George grinned, eyes laughing. She, a noble lady, appreciated the hilarity of stupid soldiers. Now THAT was rare.
"I suppose I have to thank you, kind sir," she said formally.
"What for?" asked George, "Savin' your life, or returnin' your sword?"
Alanna shook her head. "Neither," she said, smiling.
"Oh?" George's tone was now amused. "What else have I done that is worth your thanks?"
"I want to thank you because I haven't had this much fun in a very long time."
George gave a surprised laugh at this. "Well then, my lady, we will have to do this again some time. Perhaps next time, we will meet of our own accord instead of me having to rescue you off the horse of a crazy child," he said smiling. "Not," he added, "that I minded, of course."
Alanna laughed. "Yes, we must."
George wanted to kick himself for saying it. There was no way they could meet again after this night. It would not be safe, or wise for that matter. She was to get married to the Prince, the Crown Prince of Tortall, heir to the Tortallan thrown. She could not get mixed up with some riff raff like him. Nonetheless, he still felt an insuppressible sense of elation. A more reckless side of his said, Who cares? He wanted to see her again, and for now, that was all that mattered.
"Give me your hand," he said, remembering something.
"Why?" she asked, even as she stretched out her arm towards him.
He looked at it and grinned saying, "Not that one!"
"Oh," was all she said as she switched hands.
He prodded the cut gently, seeing that it'd swelled a bit, the skin around it slightly pink. He heard her suck in breath sharply as he did so. "Hurts, doesn't it?" he asked.
She nodded slightly, biting her lip. He reached into his belt pouch and took out his medicine again, gently sprinkling a bit onto the cut and blowing it off. He replaced the medicine bottle and pulled out the square of red gauze that she'd left on his window. He ripped it in half and tied one piece around her hand, knotting it securely in place.
"And I'll save the other half for myself," he said, falsely innocent. He really wanted to keep it as a memento of her. He'd said that they should meet again, but the possibility of that was quite slim.
Alanna had not quite caught onto his tone and said only, "Good idea. You get one and I get one." She giggled like a little girl with a secret and George smiled as well. After a moment, he said, "I think they're gone. I believe I should go." He looked around one last time, gave her his trademark, crooked half-grin and left, leaving nothing behind to tell of his passage save for a girl and her dreams.
Later that night, Alanna, Lady Heranna, Wil, and Lar were in Heranna's private study.
"He didn't tell you his name?" Alanna's grandmother asked.
"No," answered Alanna, shaking her head. Then, she remembered something. "Shouldn't we call off the guards?" she asked. "We've already gotten the sword back."
"No," said Heranna sharply. "Tell them to keep searching. In fact, no one is to tell that we've gotten the sword back."
"Of course!" said Lar, understanding. "If they keep searching, no one will believe that we have the sword."
"So no one will come looking for it!" exclaimed Wil, getting it as well.
"But—"
"Alanna," said Heranna, in a half scolding, half condescending tone. "Do you want the Storm Bringer, the sword that our family has fought for generations to protect, the sword that your parents and your brother died for, to be lost because of us?"
Alanna's face turned blank at the mention of her family. All expression was washed off and all she said was, "Fine, I won't say anything."
Heranna nodded, content.
"We ought to blame it on somebody," said Lar, speaking up.
"Ooh, good idea!" said Wil.
"Yes," agreed Heranna.
"And somebody who's not on the right side of the law so that even if he is caught, it would be doing society a favor anyway," said Lar.
"It seems like you have somebody in mind already," said Wil.
"Do you?" asked Lady Heranna, raising an eyebrow.
"The Rogue," said Lar, grinning broadly, "George Cooper."
Alanna watched the entire exchange, not really liking the idea, but believing that her grandmother knew best. She always did. However, she couldn't help but feel sorry for that George Cooper fellow, whoever he was. ((teehee. Anyone catch the irony on that?? I do Mr. Morrison proud! =D))
At the same time that night, Tavia and George sat on a bench under the window of her house, talking and joking as they often did.
"I still can't believe you got that young noble to pay all that for the sword and not even take it!" said George.
"Can't you see?" asked Tavia, "He's enamored with me."
"You?" asked George, laughing.
Tavia stuck out her tongue at him and said, "There isn't a single man out there, except for you," she poked him on the forehead to emphasize her point, "Who could resist my charms."
"That," retorted George, "is because there isn't a single man out there, except for me, that isn't blind!"
"Why you little...I'm gonna get you for that!" she said, poking and tickling him, grinning mischievously.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" said George between laughs as he tried to defend himself against her attack.
There was a knock at the door and both turned to look.
"Tavia," came a familiar voice, "It's Gary. Are you still awake?"
Both stifled their laughs and called a silent truce.
"What's he doin' here?" whispered Tavia.
"Who knows?" answered George, "Maybe he suddenly got his head outta those clouds and came to get his money back."
"Shut up!" she said, smacking him as he stifled more laughter.
"Tavia?" said Gary, "Is everything alright?"
"Uh...yeah. Everything's fine," she called to him, "I-I'm going to sleep now."
"Oh," said Gary, "I'm sorry to disturb you so late, but I was wondering if you'd like to come to the horserace with me tomorrow. A-and your brother can come too, of course." He added the last part on a bit reluctantly.
George and Tavia looked at each other in surprise. Neither had expected that.
"Hm," whispered Tavia to George, "should I go?"
"I don't know. It's up to you, but I'll tell you, that Blizzard is a wild one. I bet even you couldn't handle him." Both knew that, right before the race, Blizzard was going to be put in a ring for people to try and ride him. It was like a miniature rodeo for the people's amusement as all the guests arrived.
Tavia sniffed indignantly. "Well let me tell you, sir, that aside from you, there is no beast that I cannot tame."
"Oh my! I can't be a beast, if I were a beast, I'd bring disgrace upon the family! I suppose I'll have to eat you now."
"How does that work?"
"Well, if I eat you, you won't be alive to feel the shame that I will bring upon you, dear sister," he said, mentioning her earlier lie to the young duke.
She huffed indignantly and began poking him.
Outside, Gary heard muffled giggles and cries of outrage and pain. "Excuse me, my lady, should I come back tomorrow?"
"No, no. That's alright, Master Gareth," she said, pausing her attack to answer. She tried desperately to keep the laughter out of her voice as George tried to tickle her. She smacked him on the head and continued, "I accept your invitation. I would be honored to go. And might I be so bold as to request the young master's service as an escort?"
"Of course!" exclaimed Gary, excitement coursing through his voice. "And the honor is all mine. I will see you tomorrow morning, then. I regret that I cannot come and pick you up myself, but my father requires me to stay and help out with the last minute preparations."
"I understand," she said, forcing some regret into her own voice, "I'll see you there."
"Good night, then," he said.
"Good night."
A/N: okay! I admit, I'm a horrid person. I didn't update in forever and come back with a short chapter (well, short for my standards) but I couldn't not post any longer. Besides, Vera and Peachy were about to skin my alive (well, Peachy would do it for real while Vera would egg her on). In any case, I DO have a bit of the next chapter done! dodges flying objects --; well, enjoy, and, even though I'm a terrible writer and don't update, PLEASE REVIEW!!!
Special thanks to Peachy for forcing me to finally get this done and beta- ing my story!
Verasilyn: hey! I do believe that you didn't review. EVIL!!!
Peachy: well, happy now? I finally updated!! YAY!!!! Confetti drops randomly and people pop out of the walls with the annoying blowing things Now it's your turn. Update convent fic!! And Green Wings!! And post your other one!!
Balloonfuzz: lol. Hope your questions were answered in this chappie. Btw, just as a random fact, did you know that your penname has a lot of double letters? Lol.
Kore Yan: heh. Like the enthusiasm. Lol. Thank you.
FaithfuLightning: thanks for the review! Glad you liked the story. I'm hoping to start updating more often, especially with summer coming up, but unfortunately, teachers tend to like giving out harder work towards the end of the year......
Aurora's Light: thanx!
Youdontneedtoknow: good ole Peachy. Thanks for reading. Hope it doesn't bore you too much.
Tpfreak: Thank you! glad you liked it. I'm hoping to start updating sooner. I blame it all on school. ff.net should ban school!
Blueathame: thanks so much! A/G 4ever!!
Chibi noin: thank you! :-D
SoccerrSweet: er....sry bout the long wait (and I think I took like 5 times longer than a month) but I've updated! And I'll try REALLY hard not to wait so long next time :-D(innocent smile
Weasel Teasel: haha!!!
Disclaimer: just outta curiosity, why do we need to do these? More impotantly, where does it say we need to do these? I never read about it in the rules, and fanfiction kinda implies that it's not original...........coughownnothingcough there I said it.
The two sword pieces were pulsating as well. As he watched, the two pieces bounced toward each other. When they were about a foot apart, they rose shakily into the air. A bluish, translucent bond could be seen forming. When they were at the height of where George was holding the scabbard, they snapped together and flashed into the sheath.
"So it truly is a magic blade," he said in wonder.
"What are you still doin' with that sword?" asked Tavia in annoyance as she came out of the house a moment later and saw him kneeling on the ground with it. He was staring at it with a funny expression in his eyes.
"Whatcha doin'?" she asked, going up to him.
"What?" he asked, seeming startled. "Oh. I'm just wonderin' where they stashed the real sword." He lied quickly.
"Well, what do you need that one for? I'm goin' to throw it out," she said as she grabbed the sword.
"No, you can't," said George, not releasing it.
"Why not?"
"I promised to return it."
"What are you goin' to return a useless sword for? Let me have it. I'm goin' to throw it out."
"No! You can't!"
"Yes, I can! Just give it to me."
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"N—" George was interrupted mid-sentence by a figure running up to them.
Gareth of Naxen was bent double, hands on his knees, chest heaving. When he finally looked up, his face was a mask of surprise.
"Tavia!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here? And who's this?"
"Oh, Master Gary! What are you doin' here? This is my, um. . . my brother!" she said, a bit flustered and surprised by his appearance. Gary then noticed the handkerchief in her hand and his face acquired the elegant shade of a ripe tomato.
"I uh, meant to give that back to you, but, uh, when I tried to call you, you were gone, and I didn't know where you lived."
"Aw, come on, lad! You were sleepin' with it in your hands. Go on and just tell her you l—" he broke off laughing and coughing as Tavia drove her elbow into his gut.
"Master Gareth looks tired, why don't you go get him some tea, George?" she suggested in a dangerously too-sweet voice, giving George a meaningful look. George was about to protest but she had already turned back to Gary saying, "Why don't you and I go for a walk in the woods?"
"Uh. . .alright. And please, it's just Gary."
"Of course," Tavia said flirtatiously as she gave him her hand and led him away at a quick trot.
George made a face at her retreating back and proceeded into the house to make tea, grumbling something about tyrants.
Tavia and Gary had not walked far before Tavia pretended to faint, turning so she fell against his chest as he tried to catch her.
"What's wrong?" he asked urgently.
"It's nothing," she said, quickly getting up and turning away, flawlessly playing the part of the helpless maiden. "This sword is a bit heavy, is all." George had dropped the Storm Bringer in his surprise and Tavia had taken it with her. This could make quite a profit, she thought, looking at Gary.
"Of course," he said. "Please allow me to help with that."
"No," she pulled away from him. It wouldn't do to have him discover that it was a broken sword. She urged a tear into her eye. "You see, this was my father's. It's all he left us, and now I have to sell it, lest my brother and I starve."
"Your brother. . .Oh! You mean that young man back there?"
"Yes, I know he seems a bit strange, but the truth is, he has a slight mental problem. That money that you gave me before, it was used to pay for Healers for him. We've been everywhere, but nothing seems to help." At this point, she let the tear fall and Gary gasped.
"That's terrible!" he exclaimed, compassion thick in his voice. I've got him eating out of the palm of my hand, thought Tavia with a satisfied inward smile. Now if only he...She gave herself a mental shake. Where did that thought come from? She pushed the question out of her mind and returned to the task at hand.
"How did you manage all these years?" Gary was saying.
"Well, it's been hard," said Tavia, picking it up smoothly so that Gary didn't notice a thing. "Often, we've had to skip meals. Sometimes, if we were lucky, we could sell a bit of somethin' to get enough for food. But lately, food has gotten more and more scarce. That's why we have to sell this sword." She sniffed.
"How much are you selling it for?" he asked.
"I don't know yet," she said, "I was hoping for maybe...100 gold nobles..."
"Master Gareth," drawled George as he walked out of the kitchen holding a steaming cup on a saucer, "your tea is—" He stopped short as his sharp eyes quickly noticed that both Tavia and Storm Bringer were gone.
George swore.
It wasn't that he didn't trust her. He trusted Tavia with his life, but he also knew her very well. She could and would make money out of anything. He left the cup on the table and hurried after them.
Where he had been very reluctant before, Tavia had gotten him so strung up in the lie that Gary only hesitated for a moment before he reached inside his belt-pouch for the money.
"Here," he said, counting the coin into her hand.
"Thank you so much," said Tavia, her voice grateful. "But when we've used this up, I don't know how we're going to find more..."
"If you ever need more, just come to Naxen and find me," he said.
At that remark, she turned away. "No," she said, "even though we're poor, my father always taught me to respect myself. I will not go beggin' for money."
"Of course," amended Gary hurriedly, afraid he'd offended her. He looked at his purse for a second and then handed the entire thing over to her. "This is all I have on me at the moment," he said, "take it."
Tavia willed herself not to snatch up the entire thing and greedily count its contents. Instead, she handed him the sword and took the purse hesitantly and clutched it to her chest, saying, "Thank you so much, Gary! How could we ever repay you?"
"Tavia!"
The two looked up in and found, to their dismay, that George was running toward them. Of course, each had a different reason for their dismay. Tavia, knowing George as well as he knew her, knew that he would try something to mess everything up. Gary just did not wish to be interrupted during what he felt was a private moment with the woman that he was attracted to.
"The sword—Did you? —What?" he stopped, calming himself down so that he could form a clear question.
"Gary has taken a likin' to the sword and bought it from us," Tavia told him quickly, hoping he wouldn't say something to give them away.
"You sold it? You can't sell that sword!" exclaimed George.
"It's alright," interrupted Gary before Tavia could reply, "I have no intention of keeping your family heirloom, especially one so valuable as this. Here," he handed it to George, "You are lucky to have such a good sister."
"Sister?" he said, confused. Then he looked at Tavia suspiciously. She gave him an innocent look in return that urged him to play along.
"Well," said Gary, "I must get going, my father must be worried sick about me. May I call on you later, Lady Tavia?"
"Of course," responded Tavia coquettishly, "You are welcome at our door any day. And please, it's just Tavia."
George arrived back at his house to find a piece of red veil hanging on the window. He looked at it a bit sadly, taking it as a sign that Alanna had left.
However, he was about to go into the house when he heard bell-like laughter from the side. Looking over to the bridge he had built above the river, he found her standing on it, leaning out to the waterfall. She giggled and recoiled when a large spurt of water came out. She reached out her hands again and tried to catch the droplets.
George stared for a moment, wondering at the amazing picture she made, water falling all around, causing rainbows to flash into view before quickly disappearing until the next spray. Her hair was loose and flowing in the wind. Birds chirped about her and her laughter filled the air with music.
Stop starin'! he scolded himself after realizing that he had been gawping like a fish. She's taken already and you do not need the Prince's wrath on your head. Go back to your life and let her go before you get yourself in far more trouble than you need.
George sighed and walked up to her, putting on a smile as he did.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from water?" he said in joking reprimand as he approached.
She spun, startled. He had to grab her hand to keep her from tumbling over the edge of the bridge. He led her off the bridge and out of range of the falling water. "Wow," she said, looking back wistfully at the bridge, "Thank you. I didn't hear you come up."
George grinned and said, "Funny how many people tell me that."
"You're so lucky," she said, turning back to the amazing view of the valley. "To live in such a place. It must be heavenly."
George shrugged and said nothing.
They shared a moment of contented silence, Alanna staring at the valley, trying to memorize every detail, knowing that she would probably never get to see it again. Ironically, George was doing the same, but instead of looking over the valley, he was staring at her face.
George reluctantly broke the silence, seeing that the sun was going down. He cleared his throat and said, "You'd best be getting back now, milady."
Alanna looked at the sun as well and gasped, uttering curses as she did, some of which made even George blush. When she realized what she did, she gasped again, her hand flying to her mouth. "I'm sorry about that," she said quickly, blushing. Something's gotten into me today, she thought. I never curse when people are around. "It seems there's something about this place that just seems to make me feel relaxed," she said to George, smiling.
George returned the smile. "No need to apologize, milady, but if I may, where did you pick up such...language?"
Alanna smiled, her eyes twinkling mischievously and said, "My secret."
George laughed and led her to the cave from which they had emerged earlier. They spent the entire walk back trading jokes and talking like old friends.
They arrived back at the fief just as the sun sunk below the horizon. Alanna led them to the back door so that they would not attract too much attention. In the dim twilight hours there was just enough light for them to see their way although she swore that George had the ability to see in the dark. More than once, he steered her out of the way of a ditch or small bump that could have resulted in a painful fall or a twisted ankle.
At the door, they stopped. Alanna stepped up to the doorstep, unlocking and opening the door before turning around. Neither said a word, not really wanting to say good-bye.
"Well," said George after a while, "I'd best be headin' off. Here's your sword," he said, producing the sword he'd been carrying. She took it, looking small and awkward with it. However, even with the large clumsy object, she still maintained her grace, smiling at him appreciatively.
George waved and turned to go, but she suddenly called out, "Wait!"
"What is it?" asked George, turning back.
"You never told me your name."
"Do you really want to know?" he asked. Amusement was in his eyes and as always, they were guarded, seeming to hide many secrets in their hazel depths.
"I must know the name of my rescuer," she replied.
George's replied was interrupted when suddenly, two old men jumped out of nowhere onto the small trail behind George, followed by a squad of guards.
"Ah ha!" exclaimed Wil excitedly. "We caught you! So it WAS you who stole the Storm Bringer and kidnapped Lady Alanna!"
"Your crimes will not go unpunished!" declared Lar, trying to take on a commanding tone and failing miserably.
"Let's see how you get away this time," said Wil, suddenly reaching into one of his many pouches. With a swift movement, he sprayed a powder at George, forgetting, in his excitement, about Alanna.
George saw and felt the danger coming. With his almost supernatural speed, he grabbed Alanna, picking her up bridal style and took off, running deeper into Trebond lands since the other way was blocked. They finally made their way to a garden and hid behind some tall bushes. George put Alanna down, signally for her to be quiet.
A few moments later, they heard shouts and the clanking of many swords. They ran by and headed deeper into the garden. Alanna fought to smother giggles.
"Wow," she said, "they're really stupid."
George grinned, eyes laughing. She, a noble lady, appreciated the hilarity of stupid soldiers. Now THAT was rare.
"I suppose I have to thank you, kind sir," she said formally.
"What for?" asked George, "Savin' your life, or returnin' your sword?"
Alanna shook her head. "Neither," she said, smiling.
"Oh?" George's tone was now amused. "What else have I done that is worth your thanks?"
"I want to thank you because I haven't had this much fun in a very long time."
George gave a surprised laugh at this. "Well then, my lady, we will have to do this again some time. Perhaps next time, we will meet of our own accord instead of me having to rescue you off the horse of a crazy child," he said smiling. "Not," he added, "that I minded, of course."
Alanna laughed. "Yes, we must."
George wanted to kick himself for saying it. There was no way they could meet again after this night. It would not be safe, or wise for that matter. She was to get married to the Prince, the Crown Prince of Tortall, heir to the Tortallan thrown. She could not get mixed up with some riff raff like him. Nonetheless, he still felt an insuppressible sense of elation. A more reckless side of his said, Who cares? He wanted to see her again, and for now, that was all that mattered.
"Give me your hand," he said, remembering something.
"Why?" she asked, even as she stretched out her arm towards him.
He looked at it and grinned saying, "Not that one!"
"Oh," was all she said as she switched hands.
He prodded the cut gently, seeing that it'd swelled a bit, the skin around it slightly pink. He heard her suck in breath sharply as he did so. "Hurts, doesn't it?" he asked.
She nodded slightly, biting her lip. He reached into his belt pouch and took out his medicine again, gently sprinkling a bit onto the cut and blowing it off. He replaced the medicine bottle and pulled out the square of red gauze that she'd left on his window. He ripped it in half and tied one piece around her hand, knotting it securely in place.
"And I'll save the other half for myself," he said, falsely innocent. He really wanted to keep it as a memento of her. He'd said that they should meet again, but the possibility of that was quite slim.
Alanna had not quite caught onto his tone and said only, "Good idea. You get one and I get one." She giggled like a little girl with a secret and George smiled as well. After a moment, he said, "I think they're gone. I believe I should go." He looked around one last time, gave her his trademark, crooked half-grin and left, leaving nothing behind to tell of his passage save for a girl and her dreams.
Later that night, Alanna, Lady Heranna, Wil, and Lar were in Heranna's private study.
"He didn't tell you his name?" Alanna's grandmother asked.
"No," answered Alanna, shaking her head. Then, she remembered something. "Shouldn't we call off the guards?" she asked. "We've already gotten the sword back."
"No," said Heranna sharply. "Tell them to keep searching. In fact, no one is to tell that we've gotten the sword back."
"Of course!" said Lar, understanding. "If they keep searching, no one will believe that we have the sword."
"So no one will come looking for it!" exclaimed Wil, getting it as well.
"But—"
"Alanna," said Heranna, in a half scolding, half condescending tone. "Do you want the Storm Bringer, the sword that our family has fought for generations to protect, the sword that your parents and your brother died for, to be lost because of us?"
Alanna's face turned blank at the mention of her family. All expression was washed off and all she said was, "Fine, I won't say anything."
Heranna nodded, content.
"We ought to blame it on somebody," said Lar, speaking up.
"Ooh, good idea!" said Wil.
"Yes," agreed Heranna.
"And somebody who's not on the right side of the law so that even if he is caught, it would be doing society a favor anyway," said Lar.
"It seems like you have somebody in mind already," said Wil.
"Do you?" asked Lady Heranna, raising an eyebrow.
"The Rogue," said Lar, grinning broadly, "George Cooper."
Alanna watched the entire exchange, not really liking the idea, but believing that her grandmother knew best. She always did. However, she couldn't help but feel sorry for that George Cooper fellow, whoever he was. ((teehee. Anyone catch the irony on that?? I do Mr. Morrison proud! =D))
At the same time that night, Tavia and George sat on a bench under the window of her house, talking and joking as they often did.
"I still can't believe you got that young noble to pay all that for the sword and not even take it!" said George.
"Can't you see?" asked Tavia, "He's enamored with me."
"You?" asked George, laughing.
Tavia stuck out her tongue at him and said, "There isn't a single man out there, except for you," she poked him on the forehead to emphasize her point, "Who could resist my charms."
"That," retorted George, "is because there isn't a single man out there, except for me, that isn't blind!"
"Why you little...I'm gonna get you for that!" she said, poking and tickling him, grinning mischievously.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" said George between laughs as he tried to defend himself against her attack.
There was a knock at the door and both turned to look.
"Tavia," came a familiar voice, "It's Gary. Are you still awake?"
Both stifled their laughs and called a silent truce.
"What's he doin' here?" whispered Tavia.
"Who knows?" answered George, "Maybe he suddenly got his head outta those clouds and came to get his money back."
"Shut up!" she said, smacking him as he stifled more laughter.
"Tavia?" said Gary, "Is everything alright?"
"Uh...yeah. Everything's fine," she called to him, "I-I'm going to sleep now."
"Oh," said Gary, "I'm sorry to disturb you so late, but I was wondering if you'd like to come to the horserace with me tomorrow. A-and your brother can come too, of course." He added the last part on a bit reluctantly.
George and Tavia looked at each other in surprise. Neither had expected that.
"Hm," whispered Tavia to George, "should I go?"
"I don't know. It's up to you, but I'll tell you, that Blizzard is a wild one. I bet even you couldn't handle him." Both knew that, right before the race, Blizzard was going to be put in a ring for people to try and ride him. It was like a miniature rodeo for the people's amusement as all the guests arrived.
Tavia sniffed indignantly. "Well let me tell you, sir, that aside from you, there is no beast that I cannot tame."
"Oh my! I can't be a beast, if I were a beast, I'd bring disgrace upon the family! I suppose I'll have to eat you now."
"How does that work?"
"Well, if I eat you, you won't be alive to feel the shame that I will bring upon you, dear sister," he said, mentioning her earlier lie to the young duke.
She huffed indignantly and began poking him.
Outside, Gary heard muffled giggles and cries of outrage and pain. "Excuse me, my lady, should I come back tomorrow?"
"No, no. That's alright, Master Gareth," she said, pausing her attack to answer. She tried desperately to keep the laughter out of her voice as George tried to tickle her. She smacked him on the head and continued, "I accept your invitation. I would be honored to go. And might I be so bold as to request the young master's service as an escort?"
"Of course!" exclaimed Gary, excitement coursing through his voice. "And the honor is all mine. I will see you tomorrow morning, then. I regret that I cannot come and pick you up myself, but my father requires me to stay and help out with the last minute preparations."
"I understand," she said, forcing some regret into her own voice, "I'll see you there."
"Good night, then," he said.
"Good night."
A/N: okay! I admit, I'm a horrid person. I didn't update in forever and come back with a short chapter (well, short for my standards) but I couldn't not post any longer. Besides, Vera and Peachy were about to skin my alive (well, Peachy would do it for real while Vera would egg her on). In any case, I DO have a bit of the next chapter done! dodges flying objects --; well, enjoy, and, even though I'm a terrible writer and don't update, PLEASE REVIEW!!!
Special thanks to Peachy for forcing me to finally get this done and beta- ing my story!
Verasilyn: hey! I do believe that you didn't review. EVIL!!!
Peachy: well, happy now? I finally updated!! YAY!!!! Confetti drops randomly and people pop out of the walls with the annoying blowing things Now it's your turn. Update convent fic!! And Green Wings!! And post your other one!!
Balloonfuzz: lol. Hope your questions were answered in this chappie. Btw, just as a random fact, did you know that your penname has a lot of double letters? Lol.
Kore Yan: heh. Like the enthusiasm. Lol. Thank you.
FaithfuLightning: thanks for the review! Glad you liked the story. I'm hoping to start updating more often, especially with summer coming up, but unfortunately, teachers tend to like giving out harder work towards the end of the year......
Aurora's Light: thanx!
Youdontneedtoknow: good ole Peachy. Thanks for reading. Hope it doesn't bore you too much.
Tpfreak: Thank you! glad you liked it. I'm hoping to start updating sooner. I blame it all on school. ff.net should ban school!
Blueathame: thanks so much! A/G 4ever!!
Chibi noin: thank you! :-D
SoccerrSweet: er....sry bout the long wait (and I think I took like 5 times longer than a month) but I've updated! And I'll try REALLY hard not to wait so long next time :-D(innocent smile
Weasel Teasel: haha!!!