A Visit Of Jolliness
Four years later…
Alanna sat on a chair (A/N: I'm sorry!) in front of the mirror, brushing her copper hair. It was down past her shoulders now, hanging to the middle of her back. It was warm outside, it was about midday and the sun was high in the bright blue sky. Alanna sighed and put the brush down on her dresser. She loved July, mostly because it was warm. She hated the cold so much! Alanna stood up and made her way over to the cupboard for her earrings, humming as she walked. She felt happy today. It was her daughter's eighth birthday last week, and Alanna couldn't help thinking how beautiful she was getting as she got older. She was developing her skills using her Gift, which was her father's bright blue. Jon was seven now, he would be eight next year. He was also growing up quickly, and he looked exactly like his father. He had his blue eyes and black hair, whilst Aurora had her mother's copper hair and amethyst eyes. Aurora was thinking of becoming a page when she was older; this obviously delighted her mother.
Alanna blinked, suddenly realising that she had just been sitting on the bed thinking for the past half hour. This had started happening to her quite a lot recently; Alanna wasn't used to it. She stood up as the door opened, smoothing out her skirts. Jon walked in and kissed her cheek, brushing a strand of loose hair away from her face. Alanna hugged him, and smiled up at him. He had always been taller than her, and to be honest she didn't really mind much anymore. It was slightly comforting… nicer, even.
"Ready for breakfast?" Jon asked her. Alanna nodded.
"I'm starving!" she replied.
Alanna sat talking to Kel under a willow tree. She and the female squire had become good friends since Kel had arrived, Alanna sharing battle tips with her and practising with her, much to Jon's displeasure. He seemed, to Alanna, to think that she was only helping Kel because she was a girl. He had agreed when he saw the look on his wife's face. Since then, Alanna had taken Kel on as her squire and had taught her everything she knew. Alanna and her squire spent most of their time together discussing and debating which type of weapon was better, and which style of attack was more effective. On this particular day, they were talking about the most skilled squires, when another happy looking squire approached them. Kel groaned.
"What?" asked Alanna quietly as he drew closer.
"It's Owen." She replied. At Alanna's questioning look, Kel mouthed back, "You'll see!"
Owen sat down next to Kel, smiling to himself.
"Hello Kel!" he said, his voice as happy sounding as he looked. "It's a jolly day today, isn't it!"
Alanna put a hand over her mouth, trying to stop herself from laughing. Her cheeks turned red and her mouth ached from the effort. Finally, she couldn't hold it in any longer and rolled over onto the grass, laughing like a mad woman. Owen eyed her suspiciously, and looked at Kel who shrugged. It was times like these that she was thankful for her Yamani training. She glanced down at Alanna, who was still rolling around in fits of laughter. Her laughing gradually got quieter. Trying to make some conversation, Owen said, " You did jolly well in class today, Kel!"
Alanna, who had sat up after recovering from her giggling fit, fell backwards holding her sides. Kel covered her ears. After ten minutes of shrieking laughter, Alanna sat up again, gasping for breath. Owen excused himself and walked quickly off after bowing to Alanna.
"See what I mean?" Kel said, allowing herself a giggle once Owen was out of earshot. Alanna nodded, tears streaming down her face. Suddenly she collapsed again into peals of laughter, and Kel took her chance to get far away from the demented queen. She hurried off to tell the king to come and get Alanna, and to try and calm her down.
Alanna lay on her bed, giggling helplessly. Jon lay by her side, amused by his wife's uncontrollable laughter. He had been told to go and get her by Kel, and Alanna had been laughing for the past hour. Alanna wiped her eyes on her sleeve and took a deep breath. She sighed and sunk back into the pillows, a smile still spread across her face.
"Oh Alanna, Kel seems jolly nice," Jon teased, sending Alanna into fits of laughter again. He tickled her and she screamed.
"No Jon, stop it!" she screeched, gasping and holding her painful sides. Jon smiled evilly and tickled her more. Alanna whacked him and smiled triumphantly as he let go of her and rubbed his arm. He hugged Alanna and squashed her, and began tickling her again. Alanna screeched with laughter again. Kel walked past their door, shaking her head.
Yay! See, I did manage to get in a chapter with Kel in it, and a few jolly sentences from Owen that I truly love. Oh, and before I forget, thanks to: Queen Alanna of conte, Saphron, Seirien, coolkatcool, sarra24, impossible-dreams, Charlie and lola and Anjaka for all your reviews! You all make me smile!
PS: Please review this chapter! Alanna sure is crazy.