Disclaimer: Hmm...well nothing's mine 'cept the plot and a few characters. If it were...I'd actually have money in my pocket.
Title: Ghost of the Past
Author: Winky-wink
Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama
Rating: T (Just to be safe)
Pairing: I'll say A/J for now.
Musical Affection: 'Make her feel good' by Teairra Mari.
Author's Note: Padme Amidala2121: Thanks for reviewing and what do you mean 'how do you send' in your fanfic?
tortall princess: I don't know for sure but I think Trebond changed because she married to George who's the baron of Pirate's Swoop so her maiden name changed I guess. And Olau...I don't know. Maybe it's 'cause it isn't her real maiden name that it hasn't. Anywho, thanks for reviewing. It means a lot.
I'm very tired and luckily I'm not bored with my latest project. I hate it when that happens. But it's appealing to me pretty well now. Anyways, hope you enjoy.
'Sex and meals are awfully similar. Sometimes you joke about the dishes, sometimes you take the meal seriously'-Woody Allen
"Does she know how you feel about her?" Douglass asked, lifting his fork to his mouth.
Normally the three elder squires would've been chatting away with the rest of their friends about all sorts of foolhardly things but today was different. The three sat in a corner of the Mess Hall, far from everyone else. Douglass and Geoffery had only just found out that Alan of Trebond was in love, or so they thought. Alanna wasn't really in love. After all, how could she be in love with herself? 'I bet someone like Delia or Helena could could fall in love with themselves,' Alanna thought, snarkly. She smiled softly to herself and Douglass and Geoffery mistook it to mean something else.
"So she does know how you feel," Geoffery grinned, thumping her back and awakening her from her thoughts, "And I'm guessing she feels the same from that goofy look on your face."
Alanna frowned, "And what about the goofy look on your face, Sir Geoffery? Or is that permanent?"
Geoffery was about to retort but Douglas cut through with his calm voice, "Come now. Don't start again, you two. If your minds were as sharp as your tongues, you'd realize it's pointless."
The other two fell silent. They continued their lunch in silence for a minute or two before Geoffery raised conversation once again.
"Tell me, is this-Alanna as pretty as Delia?" he asked, looking at her curiously.
"Anybody's pretty compared to Delia," Alanna muttered, chewing on her steak.
Douglass and Geoffery shot each other looks of utter shock. That was another thing about Alan. He didn't fancy Delia! He was probably the only man in the palace that didn't find her unbelievably beautiful.
Geoffery rolled his eyes, "Just tell me. Has she got good-looks or not?"
Alanna shrugged, "She's tolerable I suppose."
She hated talking about being in love when she wasn't actually in love. How could one express the feelings if they'd never felt them? It was like acting angry when you'd never been angry ever before in your life. Near impossible. Douglass raised his eyebrows.
"You speak of her like you don't even care about her," Douglass commented with his usual adult voice.
"I just don't like discussing my love life, alright?" Alanna snapped, starting to seriously get annoyed.
What was this? The embroidery class at the convent where gossip was tossed around like a ball? She'd never thought that boys cared just as much about matters of the heart as girls. Douglass nodded, respecting her decision. Geoffery seemed extremely bothered and itched to know more about the woman that owned Alan's heart but didn't say anything either. Alanna was extremely glad for it and managed to enjoy the rest of her day fairly well because Alanna of Conte wasn't brought up, not once.
A half hour before dinner, however, the day took another turn for the worse. A servingman came to Alanna, his face flushed as if he'd run a long distance. He caught the squire's sleeve by the elbow to keep her waiting while he caught his breath. Alanna's stomach growled but she waited patiently. She noticed Geoffery tap his foot, restlessly.
"You two go on ahead," Alanna suggested, "I'll be down with Jon in a bit."
"Fine, see you then. Same table?" Douglass asked, rubbing his neck. He'd taken a bad fall on it after a quick duel with Alanna.
She nodded and waved to the two of them as they went. By now the servingman had regained breath and stood before Alanna with the best posture she'd seen on anybody.
"Lady Catherine of Galla wishes you to dine with her tonight in her chambers, sir," he said, repeating the words as if they had been drilled into his mind.
Alanna blinked at him once before replying, "Tell her I decline her request."
She turned to go but the servingman spoke again. This time more timidly. "The Lady says you are to have no choice in the manner. She tells me to tell you that she is otherwise swayed to delve some information out to the ear of His Grace, who will also be present at this dinner."
"Then tell her I'll be there in twenty minutes or so," Alanna sighed, knowing she was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
It upset her greatly to be so helpless. To have her destiny in the cruel hands of an old spinster who had probably killed her two previous husbands to gain their wealth. She headed upstairs to her rooms to change and inform Jonathan that she wouldn't be joining the rest of them at dinner tonight. However, he wasn't there. That was odd. It was unlike him to leave for the Mess Hall without her. For some reason that upset her more than having to dine with her Aunt. The squire brushed away her obvious displeasure and began to pull on a clean tunic and a pair of black breeches. Just as she'd strapped on her belt buckle, a knock came at her door. It was the servingman she'd just seen. His breath was heavy once again. Alanna wondered if he had some kind of illness that caused him to respire with such difficulty.
"I'm to escort you up to m'lady's chambers," he puffed, clutching his side.
Alanna looked at him in worry, "Are you alright? You really shouldn't be doing all this running."
"Fine. I'm fine," he breathed, "Had this little problem ever since I was a wee lad."
Alanna nodded but her heart had already melted for the servingman. He looked no older than fourteen. "What's your name?"
"Gommin, sir," he replied, now managing to walk comfortably, "Follow me, please."
He slipped into a crowded hallway and was soon a sliver of grey, making this way through all the other people, commoners and nobles alike. Alanna followed, though with less agility. He was smaller than her, surprisingly, and managed to get out of the human maze before her. The Lioness tried to remember what direction she was going in but Lady Catherine's rooms were far from her's, she realized after the first five turns. Soon, they came upon a large door in a hallway that looked more heavily decorated than the others. They'd entered the visiting noble's quarters of the palace. Unfamiliar faces streamed out of every door, all visiting from the various fiefs of Tortall and she even saw some foreigners. Gommin led Alanna to the seventh door on their right. He was fast, no wonder he lost his breath.
"Here we are, sir," he explained.He gave her a quick smile and darted away before Alanna could even thank him.
She stared after him and he was gone in about two seconds. She shook her head. It hurt to even watch him move. She turned to the great door before her and knocked on it lightly, three times. The chatter she'd heard as mumbles within died down and soon Alanna had the door opened for her by another servingman of Catherine's. She looked to him in thanks before turning to the scene before her. A table was set in Lady Catherine's first room. Another door led out of it, most likely to her bedroom. At the head of white marble table sat Catherine, herself, at the other end was Duke Gareth who had brought along Gary who had brought along Jonathan who sat next to Helena. Alanna's cousin looked extraordinarily pleased by the seating arrangement.
"Good evening Aunt Catherine. Thank you for inviting me," Alanna greeted, and nodded to the rest of them in hello.
"Oh, don't thank me. Thank His Highness. He said he wouldn't dine without his squire," Lady Catherine responded, an odd expression on her face as if she hadn't wanted Alanna to come to this private dinner of her's.
Alanna looked to Jonathan and he smiled to confirm what Lady Catherine had just said. Alanna suddenly felt her face grow hot and looked away from him at Duke Gareth. "Hello, Your Grace. It's good to see you."
He said the same and told Alanna to sit at the only seat remaining. Beside Gary, across from Helena and Jon. She sat down, nimbly, feeling very uncomfortable. Helena eyed her, sharply, watching the way she moved, the way she pulled her chair forward, the way she tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear. Was this the sort of behavior that appealed to the Prince?
"We were just talking about you, Alan," Duke Gareth spoke, looking at his aged face in his spoon, "I was just telling your Aunt of your many accomplishments here at the palace."
"And it's all very impressive, my dear nephew," Lady Catherine said in a tone that said she was surprised but not in a good way, "You'll make a good Knight, Alan. That is, if you make it to the Ordeal."
Alanna felt the threat under her words and paled. Jonathan must've sensed it too because she saw him clutch his napkin, tightly, till his knuckles went white.
"Of course he'll make it to the Ordeal," Gary said in a boisterous way, "He's the best fighter in Corus! Perhaps in all of Tortall!"
"Gary, please...," Alanna begged him to stop. She didn't need anybody getting jealous and leaking out secrets because of it.
"What? It's true," Gary smiled at her and swung a big arm her shoulder. Helena's eyes glinted when she noticed the Knight's hands on Alanna. But Alanna wasn't paying attention to her. More to Jonathan, to see his reaction. There was none. He only looked down at his bare plate.
The awful pre-dinner talk was once again interrupted by another knock on the door. Alanna pitched her head up, wondering who it could be.
"Oh, that must be our last guest!" Lady Catherine cried, her smile widening from eye to eye.
The servingman opened it and Alanna felt her stomach drop to the floor to see Roger of Conte step over the threshold. He looked as devilishly handsome as ever and Alanna knew Helena's heart was fluttering just at the sight of him. Alanna, personally, didn't care. To her, the most handsome man in the room was still Jonathan.
"Good evening, all of you. Sorry I'm late," he apologized, "I had an experiment to finish up."
Alanna was about to inquire as to what this experiment exactly was when Jonathan interrupted, "At least you're here now, Roger."
The two of them grinned at each other and Alanna felt a strange strangling feeling in her throat. Why couldn't Jonathan understand that Roger was no good? No good at all? However, this thought was cut over by another even more disturbing one as Roger looked to where he would sit. Alanna had only just noticed the empty chair beside her. The Conte Duke came over and settled in it, comfortably. The Lioness had never been more aware of his presence. Great, this was going to be an undeniably horrible dinner with enemies seated on all sides of her.
"Alan of Trebond," Roger greeted, coldly.
"Master Roger," Alanna said in response, not wanting to partake in silly chitchat with this demon of demons.
The maids and servingman came out with the first course and luckily the conversation was kept at a minimum. Alanna eyed Helena and Jonathan in jealously. They weren't blatantly obvious but it was clear they both found each other attractive. They were the beautiful people after all. Both had classic good looks that couldn't be denied. But did that mean they were meant to be together? Pretty and pretty made pretty, was that it?
"So, Alan," Gary whispered into her ear, while they were on the second course, so quietly that no one but her could hear, "Who's this Alanna of Conte?"
Alanna dropped her spoon with a loud clatter on her plate. Everyone looked to her in surprise. She blushed and apologized for being so clumsy. Once they were all looking away again she turned to Gary.
"I remember telling Geoffery and Douglass not to tell anyone!" she hissed, dabbing the spoonful of potatoes and peas close to her mouth but not really tasting it in fright. No one could overhear this conversation or else she was dead meat.
"I thought it was only Jon you didn't want to tell?" Gary mumbled, leaning in closer.
"Mithros! I was hoping it was rather obvious I wanted to keep this...love business under wraps!" she whispered, harshly.
"Don't worry. Not many of us know. They only told their Knightmasters," Gary spoke, looking at her in amusement.
"That's still four more people than the ones that knew yesterday!" Alanna grumbled, watching Roger carefully in case he was listening in. He gave no signs of it and continued talking to Duke Gareth and Helena.
"Oh? And how many knew this yesterday?" Gary asked, daring to become a bit louder, "One?"
"So what if it was one that knew?" Alanna muttered, setting down her spoon, apetite gone.
"Alright, I'll leave you alone for now. But this discussion isn't over," Gary said, sitting back and catching his father's eye, he winked.
Alanna kept her eyes on the back of Roger's head, in case he gave any inclination he'd overheard but he didn't. If he overheard he would know that there was no Alanna of Conte. Mithros, if he claimed that he had no sister or cousin by that name Alanna was in hot water. She tried to distract herself by listening and joining in on other conversations going around the table.
"Lady Catherine of Galla, is it?" Duke Gareth mumbled, "I was never aware that Trebond had some Gallan blood in them. I thought they were Tortallan through and through."
"Oh, but they are," Helena interrupted, "I'm as Tortallan as can be. My father was born and bred in Tortall. His entire line. Same with my mother's."
"Then why is it Galla?" Jon asked, politely, though Alanna could see his disinterest.
"After my first husband died, I married again," Catherine interjected, taking the smallest spoonfuls possible, "This time to Horenchio of Galla. He has long passed away but his name stays with us."
Her Aunt made it sound like she was a grieving widow of two men but Alanna knew better. There were rumors, many of them, claiming Catherine had had her previous husbands murdered so she and Helena could inherit their wealth.
When dinner was over, Alanna was the first person out the door. She wasn't even planning to stick around for Jonathan until he called out to her to wait up for him. She stopped and watched the others go. As the Duke of Conte passed her, he gave her another one of his smirks, signifying the relationship between them. Alanna was relieved when Jonathan came to her side, breaking the Duke's gaze.
The two of them walked to their chambers in a fair silence. They both seemed to be lost in thought about something or the other. Alanna about Lady Catherine and Helena and Duke Roger and what she was to do with all these enemies flocking among her. Jonathan about...well who know's what?
"Alanna," he said after a while, using her real name because the hallways were empty, "Does Gary know you're a-a girl?"
Her eyes bulged to about twice their size, "No! Do you think he knows?"
"No. No, I guess not. It's just that, you two seemed awfully comfortable around each other at dinner," Jonathan murmured.
Alanna looked at him in shock. Where was his head? "Gary and I are always comfortable around each other."
"Yes, but today it looked like you guys were flirting," he said, bitingly.
The Lioness blinked and gave a hollow laugh, "What? Me and Gary? More like you and Helena."
"Delusional," Jonathan muttered, "You're completely delusional."
"De-what?" Alanna cried, raising her voice, "I can't believe you're saying I'm seeing things that aren't there!"
They had reached their respective doors and each tried to get there first to slam it shut in the other person's face. Instead both doors banged shut stimutaneously, leaving both the people inside feeling angry and a bit sad. Alanna threw herself onto her bed and screamed silently into her pillow. Faithful climbed the bedpost and curled up next to his master.
'You handled that badly,' the cat said, giving her an unblinking stare.
"Me?" Alanna whispered, angrily, so that Jonathan wouldn't overhear them, "What about him?"
'He was jealous. He wasn't in his proper train of thought,' Faithful purred, licking his paw.
"Jealous?" Alanna quieted, "Of what?"
'The Prince thought you'd been intimate with his Naxen cousin,' Faithful replied, being his usual absurd self.
Alanna gave a hollow laugh, "Yeah, right. You make it seem like he fancies me or something."
The sleek black cat didn't answer and that left Alanna even more unsettled than she been before.
Libraries were possibly one of the Lioness' least favourite things in the whole world. You were sure to never find any action there. Just shelves and shelves of dusty books and scrolls. The palace library, though more interesting than most others, was still a library and Alanna went there with a scowl on her face. Upon entering she gave a small sneeze at the old age scent within. Thom would've loved it here. He would've wandered around, searching everthing for days if he could. Alanna, however, did not share her twin's love of all things magical and old and therefore she made a beeline for the librarian. Her motive was to quickly get in and quickly get out.
"Excuse me," Alanna said, softly, trying to catch the librarian's attention.
He was an old man with snow-white hair and beard that cascaded to his hips. He wore a shaggy robe and looked as if he really had spent his whole life cooped up in this library. He eyed her, through his wiry rimmed glasses, a stern look on his face.
"How can I help you, youngling?" he questioned, clasping his hands.
"Um, do you know where I could find books on the Scanran war in the time of King Derek?" Alanna answered a question with a question.
"Down that way, third aisle on the left," the librarian responded, going back to his precious books without another word.
Alanna gave him an odd, pitying look, wondering when he'd last felt the sunlight on his wrinkled skin. How could anyone spend all their days in here with all the dull quiet and no company? She kept pondering this as she set off to find the books she needed to finish an essay for Sir Myles. She scanned the shelf she was directed to until a big, green, book caught her eye. She slid it out and flipped it over to read the title. It was indeed on the Scanran war, she noted to her sheer delight. She would be out of here in a matter of minutes! Hurrying, she stood, and came out of the aisle she was in. Alanna was passing a table when she noticed her big Knight friend of Naxen was sitting at it.
"Afternoon, Gary," Alanna greeted, "What brings you to the library on this perfect day?"
She tilted her head to read the title of his book. Economy of Tortall. The Lioness scrunched up her face in disgust. What a boring topic!
"Oh, just reading," he hummed, caught up in his book.
"Sounds...boring," Alanna admitted, finally, shoving her book under her arm.
Gary only laughed, "Not for me. Tell me, why're you here? Surely not to sign out a book?"
"I am signing out a book, actually," Alanna replied, snootily.
"What a shock," Gary said, setting down his book, "Come. Sit."
Alanna hesitated. She really didn't want to be here in the hushed confines of the library. However, she really didn't have much else to do so she obeyed. Laying her book down the table, she looked up at Gary, expecting another one of his sharp comments.
"I'm glad I can finally talk to you alone," Gary smiled, straightening in his chair.
"Why's that?" Alanna asked, raising an eyebrow. Usually anything Gary had to say to her, he said in front of anybody.
"I wanted to ask about your Alanna of Conte," Gary explained, his smile only growing, "Tell me, how exactly is she related to Jon?"
Alanna gulped, "I'd really rather not talk about this, Gary."
Her big friend frowned, "I always tell you about the ladies I'm courting."
The Lioness sighed, feeling extremely guilty, "Alright. Ask away."
She'd just have to make up a few white lies, wouldn't she? As long as this got back to no one of the Conte line.
"Answer the first question. How's she related to Jon?" Gary implored, eyes focused just on her.
"Erm...well I'm not quite sure," Alanna replied, "You see she's the daughter of King Roald's...erm...brother?"
Gary made a face, "But I thought the King had no brothers. Just two sisters. Roger's mother and another that never comes to court."
"Yes, well I meant sister," Alanna stumbled over her own words, "You've just got me nervous is all. Yes, she's the daughter of King Roald's sister that never comes to court."
"Then she must live in Scanra, does she not?" Gary continued, aiding Alanna with her story in ways he didn't realize, "Because I distinctly remembering hearing that's why they never come to court. The King's sister's married to some high and mighty Lord there, is she not?"
"Yeah, yeah...," Alanna trailed off, hoping Gary would supply her with more words.
"What's her name, again?" Gary muttered more to himself than Alanna, "Your lady's mother's?"
"Uhhh...," Alanna was at a complete loss for words. 'Goddess help me!' she thought. "I think it's W-wh-"
'I'm an idiot,' she thought to herself. Out of all the letters she could've chosen, she chose W! What name did she know that began with W?
"Winfred! That's right," Gary exclaimed, "Lady Winfred of Conte or some such. Didn't change her name because she thought Conte sounded more noble than Rigton."
"Exactly," Alanna grinned with relief. The Great Mother had saved her once again. What would the young Trebond do without her?
"The strange thing is, if they've never come to court, how ever did you meet Alanna?" he demanded, making the smile fall off Alanna's face.
"Erm...we met when I visited Scanra when I was just a kit," Alanna fibbed, trying to keep her face calm, "And we've been in love since."
"You dog! In love at such a young age! Practically bethrothed since the first day you've been here and you don't tell any of us till now!" Gary cried, earning him an angry glare from the librarian, "Raoul's going to be itching to hear all this."
"Gary, hush, please!" Alanna pleaded, eyes searching the library for any eavesdroppers.
"Don't worry. You can count on me to keep your secret," he said, smugly, "Jon won't hear a word of this."
"Good," Alanna sighed, "This love thing is awfully difficult for me."
Gary shrugged, "Isn't it hard for everyone?"
"Oh yeah, like who?" Alanna inquired, rubbing her forehead. It was aching from thinking up all these complicated lies.
"Mm...how about the Crown Prince?" Gary suggested, "But don't tell him I mentioned anything to you."
"What problems has he got?" Alanna growled, "Every woman in Tortall would do anything just to catch a glimpse of him."
"Not every woman. He claims there's one that's oblivious to his love," Gary replied, fingers edging towards his book once again.
"Who?" Alanna was suddenly very interested.
Gary lifted his shoulders and shook his head, "The prig wouldn't say."
A another very tense month passed for Alanna with Lady Catherine and Helena spending all their days at court. It was very difficult to go about her usual carefree ways when she knew her family had keen eyes and ears that were always on her. And yet, by the end of November, she realizedthat the days till she became a Knight had slid away by one month. Only seventeen more months of this torture till she came across the Ordeal. She almost shook with fright and excitement at the thought. Once she'd gotten her shield, she was out of here and Corus for a long time. That is, if Catherine and Helena allowed her to make it to the Ordeal.
One gray morning, just as the first frost of the winter had began to creep over the stables and forest, Alanna sat with her usual group of friends, eating an equally gray porridge. Though, it's appearance was less than attractive, it filled her better than the toast or flat cakes the rest of her companions had.
"And then she said we ought to stop seeing each other because I wasn't treating her right!" Geoffery exclaimed, furiously cutting his flat cake which was drowning in honey, "Can you believe it? Says I go hot one second and cold the next!"
"Well she's right, isn't she?" Raoul laughed, "You're just like Jonathan."
"Jonathan? Jonathan? I'd like to think I'm far more controlled than him," Geoffery grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.
"You are but not by much," Alanna added, defending her Knightmaster even though, as of late, their relationship was on the rocks. Thank the argument between them after Lady Catherine's dinner, Alanna thought darkly then said, "Anyways, I don't think it's good to talk poorly about him while he's away at a Council meeting."
Gary nodded in agreement but Geoffery snapped, "You say it because he's your Knightmaster."
"And my friend," Alanna said, not as mad as usual because it was morning.
"You guys think Geoffery's bad, let me tell you what happened between Isabelle and me last night," Douglass spoke, dumbfounding all because he hardly ever mentioned his love affairs, "We went up to her chambers-"
"To do what, dear squire of mine?" Raoul inquired, pleased to put his younger friend on the spot.
Douglass, however, was not perturbed, "You know full well what. Well, as I was saying, we go to her chambers and...well...you know."
He was obviously feeling uncomfortable at this part and Alanna patted him on the arm in sympathy because she often felt the same way about such topics. He smiled at her and went on, "Well after we did the deed which you all know, I suppose she wanted to procceed to...other such matters and well...I...-he coughed."
"What was that?" Geoffery demanded, frowning, "I didn't hear you over the cough."
He, Gary, Raoul and Alanna leaned forward to hear him better, causing the dark-haired squire to blush, "I fell asleep."
The men at the table looked at him in horror. Even Alanna, who had not even experienced anything sexual in her life, gapped at him, knowing that was not a good thing to do whilst in a lady's bed.
"No!" Geoffery gasped, always one for dramatics.
"Yes," Douglass nodded, head hung, "It was horrible. I suppose she never wants to see me again."
"Don't say that," Raoul said, trying to seem optimistic but failing, "It's not so bad. At least you were wake through the actual thing, weren't you?"
Douglass went beet red to signify that he hadn't exactly told the story fact for fact. Alanna's eyes widened. It was worse than what he'd intially said?
"I sorta fell asleep half way through," he mumbled, quietly, but they all heard.
"Oh Douglass...," Raoul shook his head, sadly, "That is horrible"
"It was a late night!" he cried in his defence.
Alanna sighed, "It's alright, Doug. What's done is done, Coram would say."
The squire still shook his head, impossibly embarrassed. He looked to Gary and Geoffery who were bent double, choking on their breakfast, as they laughed like maniacs. Alanna frowned at them before slapping Gary upside of the head.
"Will you at least try to act sympathetic?" she flared.
The Knight stood attention but Alanna occasionally caught his lips twitch. Geoffery followed suit. Like Knightmaster like Squire spoke a popular saying in the training regimes of the Knights-to-be. The moment passed. Though, The Lioness sensed Douglass would brood over it for the rest of the meal.
"What about you, Alan?" Raoul asked after a while, "Tell us of the new developments with your Alanna."
Before she could answer, Geoffery said, "I only just realized how much alike Alanna and Alan sound. Strange coincidence, isn't it?"
Alanna cleared her throat, "Ehm. Yes. Amazing. Well, as to your question Raoul, we have had correspondance and she's fine."
"Coming to court anytime soon?" Gary implored, eager to meet Alan's lady.
"No," Alanna replied much to her friend's dismay, "Not for a long time."
Just then Jonathan entered the Mess Hall looking extremely harried and worried and upset. It caused Alanna to feel the identical way. Whatever bothered him would bother her as well, she had realized over the years. He noticed them and came over. It was hard not to with Geoffery standing up and waving his hands, hysterically. His sapphire eyes caught her's and she knew there was trouble a-brewing.
"Hello everyone," he tried to smile but failed. Anyone would've been blind not to notice his dismay.
"What's up?" Gary inquired with concern for his royal cousin, "You just look as if you'd seen a ghost."
He met Alanna's eyes again and she also gained enough emotion to comprehend that what he had to say was worse than seeing a ghost.
"I-," he cleared his throat and brightened his face as if faking good news, "While I was in the Council a messenger came to my father to proclaim that Aunt Winfred would be coming to visit while being escorted by a Carthaki ambassador and his entourage."
"Carthaks!" Geoffery huffed, indignantly, "They're nothing but trouble. No wonder you're so pale."
Jonathan nodded, numbly, mind lost in worry over the Carthakis. Alanna, however, was lost in worry over the visitor that came with the Carthaks. Lady Winfred! Mithros! What was she going to do now?
"Is...is your Aunt bringing any family with her?" Alanna questioned, fright making her voice weak.
Jonathan stared at her oddly, wondering why she wanted to know but responded, gradually, "I don't know. Aunt Winfred has a son, who's in his late twenties named Lincoln but I don't think he'll come with. She also has a daughter of your age. Perhaps a year or two older or younger give or take. Now, her, I'm sure is coming. She loves it, the Tortallan court. Her name's-"
"Oh we know her name," Raoul grinned, smugly, giving Alanna a sly look, "It's Alanna isn't it?"
The Prince's eyes bulged at the name he spoke and he looked to Alanna, herself, for explaination. She gave him a pleading look which she hoped translated to, 'Please go along with this. I'll explain later.' It seemed to work.
"Um...yes?" Jonathan answered, looking stupefied, "How ever did you know?"
He posed the question to them all but his eyes were still on his squire. She only shook her fiery head and looked down at her plate. It would be very, very humiliating to explain all this mess she'd created to Jonathan. Right now, she almost wished she'd been kicked out of the training legion instead of having to face Jon about Alanna of Conte.
"Well, it's no point hiding it now, is it Alan?" Geoffery looked to her and she only shrugged. There was no point hiding it. "He's in love with your cousin! Alanna of Conte!"
"He...is?" Jon looked more confused than ever. "Why wasn't I told about this?"
"He didn't want you to know because he was afraid of what you'd think, isn't that right, Alan?" Douglass asked, tenderly, but Alanna kept her face down, unable to meet her Knightmaster's eyes.
"Oh...well it's fine by me, Alan. Though you must clear up a few facts for me when we are in private," Jonathan said, eyebrows furrowed as if trying to work out all this new information.
Alanna only nodded, shame etched in every corner of her face. Once Lady Winfred and her daughter came to court, all her friends would realize that she was no more in love with Alanna than she was with her. And they'd also realize her name wasn't Alanna for one thing. She was going to be caught and soon. But she did have a right to know how soon, didn't she?
"When're they to arrive, Jon?" she asked, silently, as the bell rang for morning classes to begin for the squires and pages.
He waited till all their friends had hurried out of the room, not wanting to see a spat between Jon and Alan over the former's cousin. However, that wasn't the sort of spat that was really to take place if there was to be a spat at all. He watched Raoul slip out the door, before turning back to Alanna, who'd jumped up to leave too.
"You, stay. Sit," he ordered, gently, "We need to talk."
"But I have classes. And my masters do not forgive easily," she tried to make an excuse.
"I'll write a note for you if need be," he waved his hand, "Now sit."
She couldn't disobey so she sat down, her bag plomping at her side. She looked very forlorn and torn between what to do.
"Please, just tell me when they're coming...tell me how long I have," Alanna implored, on the verge of tears.
Jonathan, while awfully frustrated and a little hurt that Alanna hadn't told him about all this Alanna of Conte business, reached his hand under her chin and lifted it up so that she was forced to meet his eyes. All the friction they'd felt since Lady Catherine's dinner died away.
"They arrive a month before Midwinter Festival. That gives you a week," Jonathan answered, "Now, tell me, why should their coming limit your time in Corus?"
"It's a long story," Alanna's voice wavered, "And embarrassing."
The Prince smiled, "We have all day if you need it."
Author's Note: Done. Yay. I'm liking how complicated this story's getting. It makes for interesting plot as I try to get Alanna out of the messes she's been dumped in. Oh and did I mention I love Jonathan? Well if you didn't know, know now I love Jonathan. He can be my king anyday as far as I'm concerned. ((giggles like a girl at a Jesse McCartney concert))
winky-wink