LadyKnightOfHollyrose: lol! Your review was so funny… I'm cold …brr! I had to take the Dog out for an hour and a half, I froze because I was planning on jogging so I would be warm, so I didn't take a coat, but the lazy dog walked sooo slowly … so I froze…
Shorti93 : thanks, I don't think it sounds corny, it was a really nice review :D
swordanddagger: I'll try and involve Neal, though there is plenty more, the trouble is I have loads of ideas for him, but they all come in the very last chapters…
Pink Squishy Llama: lol! I'm glad you're a happy llama!
king's-own-knight: Is that a good or bad thing? Confusedknight is officially …CONFUSED! Lol ! Don't worry I'm easy to confuse, I can even confuse myself sometimes.
imakeladrygirl: thanks! The trouble is it's such a great reunion I don't want to spoil it by writing badly… I hope this won't disappoint you…
nativewildmage: lol! Thanks, I love Aly too, sometimes you never hear anything about her, but she too will play a critical role in the shorts rebellion…
Twilight Shades: lol! Thanks!
balinnka: he he he! Thanks!
queenoftheostlers: lol! Thanks for the reviews! Only one week till our party! Talk to ya later!
For a moment, nobody moved, every Tortallan was shell-shocked, the Aly that stood before them was far different from the one they remembered. The new Aly looked far more mature, her skin was a deep brown from the sun of the Copper Isles, and did the Queen really say that it was Aly who had organized the rebellion by instruction of the Gods.
Alanna was the first to move, she got up, almost tripping in her haste and embraced her only daughter tears falling unchecked down her face. As they broke apart Aly looked around the room, almost at once everyone started talking, George also came over and hugged her. She was then greeted by every from the King, to her Uncle 'Nuumy' (childhood name) as Daine came to say hello, she whispered to Aly.
'Judging by the darking you have around your neck, I trust you found your gift useful?'
'Couldn't have done it without them.' Smiled Aly.
'Why don't you finish your council,' she suggested, 'We'll have plenty of time to catch up later.'
After Aly had left, the atmosphere in the council was a lot more friendly, after they had concluded their affairs, they retired to a room, with drinks and 'nibbles' and the Tortallan's and the Kyprins mingled together.
Aly joined them, child on her hip, behind her came Nawat also with a child on his hip.
'Mum, Dad, I'd like you to meet my husband, Nawat crow.'
Alanna stared, 'Did you say husband? And the … the…are they yours?'
When Aly nodded smiling, Alanna almost fainted, 'George, we're grandparents!' She whispered softly.
'Congratulations, Aly!'
Alanna promptly took the child from Aly, 'She's beautiful, what's her name?'
'Amber, and her twin is Aidan.' (-a/n- I know the names just have to begin with A ! lol! But amber means 'orange and the power to cure,' and Aidan means 'fiery one.')
'Wow!' breathed Alanna, 'Her eyes are extraordinary.' The two-year old, looked up at Alanna with large, orange eyes, which peered through her mop of black hair.
'She has a strong healing gift,' Alanna laughed, 'Her gift is Amber.'
'Why do you think I named her that?'
Meanwhile George was bouncing Aidan up and down, amidst gurgles of pleasure.
'We call him Dan, we think he has wild magic with birds, like me.' Said Nawat quietly.
If he did the green-eyed, brown haired infant, didn't care, at the moment, all he cared about was the man who was bouncing him so high on his shoulders.
Halfway through the 'party' a tall, brown haired boy with the famous Conte eyes appeared.
'There, you are Liam!' Exclaimed Thayet.
Prince Liam was a thin, tall, sixteen-year-old and his brown haired flopped uncontrollably over his face. Perhaps the least well known of the Royal family and definitely the shyest, he was dressed in a casual breeches and shirt, with nothing to distinguish himself from a commoner.
'Queen Dovesary.' Called Thayet.
'Please call me Dove.'
'In that case, please call me Thayet. My younger son here was meant to meet you…' Thayet shot nasty looks at Liam.
'I'm sorry, but one of the mare's was foaling and I had to…'
'Alright, now you're here I can introduce you. This is Queen Dovesary, Dove my son Prince Liam.'
And she walked away, leaving them to talk.
'Sorry,' mumbled Liam.
'Don't apologize, I know how it can be. Are you fond of horses?'
'Very, I would love to work with them full time…' he scowled. 'I mean its not as if they need me, Roald is the Crown Prince and a Knight. Kally is Empress of Carthak, my sister Lianne is studying at the University and my younger brother is in Page training. All I want to do is work with horses, but apparently its not acceptable.'
Dove snorted unladylike, 'Have you ever seen a Kuandrung?'
'One of the winged horses, apparently they're incredibly…' he trailed off, sorry I'm boring you.
'Not at all, I love horses to.'
'You ride?'
Dove nodded.
'Would you like to ride with me tomorrow?' He asked.
'It would be a pleasure,' replied Dove, who liked Liam's character, and whose frankness was so like her own.
Liam turned to look out into the night sky, as though wishing to be out there riding.
'Ride with me now.' She said quietly.
'Pardon,' he said, as though he surely must have misheard.
'I said, come ride with me now.'
'My mum will kill me personally.'
'Yes, I've heard she has good bow handling skills,' she smiled, 'Look, they're all talking to Aly, no one will notice us if we leave.'
So Liam and Dove hurried out of the room, and Liam lead Dove to the stables.
Looking at her dress he bit his lip, 'How are you going to ride in that?'
'Wait.' And she undid her dress, it fell to the floor, revealing shorts and a shirt.
'I would've put breeches on, but it was too hot…'
Removing her headscarf, she revealed the most beautiful face Liam had ever seen, her face matched her mysterious dark eyes. Using the scarf, she tied back her hair. Stepping out of her shoes she was ready.
'I'll just tack up.'
'Don't bother, it's a beautiful night, lets ride bareback.'
Impressed that the young Queen had even tried bareback riding, he asked, 'Are you sure?'
'I've ridden a Kuandrung bareback, and anyway this mare is a beauty, she won't carry me wrong.'
So the Prince and Queen galloped out into the starry night. Each genuinely pleased by the other's company. The night was still, together they rode, each elated by the brilliance of the night and the power of the horses surging beneath them.
When they got back, Dove quickly dressed, but left her scarf in her hair, fed up of its limiting factor. Now for the tricky part, getting back inside the castle unnoticed. Liam decided to take them past the rose gardens. It was darker, and would lead to a small door, that was unguarded.
They turned the corner and walked straight into someone.
'Who's there,' hissed Liam.
'Shh!'
And stepping back into the starlight, Liam saw it was Sir Nealan of Queenscove.
'Neal, its me Liam. Neal this is Queen Dovesary of the Copper Isles, Dove, Sir Nealan of Queenscove.'
'What are you…?' Both men asked at the same time.
'We have just been riding.' Neal smiled, everyone knew of Liam's love for horses.
'You?'
Neal looked guilty, 'Spying.'
'On who?'
In answer Neal pushed Dove and Liam forward, they peered into one of the courtyards. In the middle of the courtyard stood Dom and Kel, kissing deeply.
Withdrawing their heads, Liam said, 'Neal!'
Dove was confused, 'Who was that?'
'That is Lady Knight Keladry of Midelan, and a certain cousin of mine,' smirked Neal.
'You can't spy on them!' Hissed Liam.
'Yes I can,' pouted Neal, 'Besides they'll never know.'
And he returned to peering through the rose trellis at the two lovers.
Liam tried to pull Neal back, exasperated he let go. Neal who had not been expecting this sudden change in force, toppled forward into the trellis, and the whole thing came crashing down.
Horrified Liam and Dove ran for it, and they didn't stop running till they reached the safety of the castle.
'I can't believe you pushed him into the trellis.'
Liam looked affronted until he saw Dove was laughing. 'What will happen to him?'
'Who knows, I think that Kel will think up a suitable punishment.'
They reached a fork in the corridor.
'I know my way from here,' whispered Dove. 'Its been a wonderful night, far more interesting than in the Copper Isles, the best I can hope for there isa report onincreased trading!'
Smiling Liam bent down and kissed Dove on the lips, blushing furiously, he walked away leaving Dove confused. Brilliant Queen though she may be, she couldn't work out her feelings, could it be love?
Startled Kel and Dom broke apart and turned round to find Neal spread eagled on the destroyed Rose trellis. He sat up and paled visibly, 'It wasn't me, they…they…' But Liam and Dove were nowhere to be seen.
'Have you been spying on us?'
'Nope, I was merely walking by.'
Kel raised her eyebrow.
Wincing Neal stood up, he was covered in rosethorns, Kel and Dom doubled over with laughter, since Neal now resembled a large hedgehog.
'It's not funny, it hurts..ahh!' He said trying to pull out some of his many spikes.
Kel and Dom only laughed harder.
They grabbed his arms, 'You need to go to the infirmary, and you know who's on duty tonight?' Said Kel evilly.
Neal shook his head apprehensively.
'Alanna.'
'No, I can get them out myself…'
But it was too late, they were dragging their spike-covered friend to Alanna.
'Neal, what have you done?' Said Alanna, giving her ex-squire a funny look, while Dom and Kel cracked up.
'He was spying on us and fell into the Rose trellis,' laughed Kel.
Much to his embarrassment Alanna made Neal remove his shirt and breeches leaving him in his loincloth. She then got a large and nasty looking pair of tweezers and began to mercilessly pull out all his thorns.
Kel and Dom were leaning on each other for support as Alanna chased Neal all over the ward, eventually having to immobilize him with magic. Having removed all the thorns she then proceeded to coat him in a foul smelling liquid, to 'clean the cuts'. She then made him drink a potion to stop infection and only then was he allowed to go.
As quickly as he could, he stalked out the ward, Dom and Kel hung back, laughing harder. Neal had just turned the corner out of sight,when they bumped into Lord Wyldon.
'Have you seen Raoul? I have an urgent message for him.'
Kel of course had know idea where Raoul might be but she said, 'I saw him not long ago, he went that way,' pointing in the direction that Neal had just walked in.
Wyldon hurried away and Dom looked at Kel gleefully, 'Have I mentioned that I love you.' And together they walked away in fits of silent laughter, which multiplied when they heard Neal's strangled cry of realisation, that he was still only dressed in his loincloth, which had undoubtedly been pointed out by Lord Wyldon.
They hurried away, tears pouring down their cheeks, pleased that they had found a way of punishing Neal.
(-a/n- I had an inspiration! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I'm so sorry that it wasn't posted yesterday, but I got confused and then we had guests…This is my longest chapter! wow! And this is the promised Liam/Dove fluff! lol! Happy Advent!)
Confusedknight xx