A/N: Don't be put off by the beginning, it's kind of strange. I'm not a fan of A/J, but since this is during ITHOTG, that's what it is. And YES! I finally got Word!

Disclaimer: Why would I write fanfiction about my own characters? For what seems like the millionth time, NO I don't own them!

Let Them Laugh

"Come on, Alan! Join the race!" Jon pleaded. "It's not as fun with you just sitting there sulking. The water won't kill you!"

Alanna crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly feeling very self-conscious, and shook her head defiantly. "I hate swimming! It's horrible, so stop bothering me!"

"Oh, just give up on old fire-hair. He's a spoil sport." Raoul interjected.

Alanna scowled fiercely at the group and returned to studying the clouds. She was so preoccupied that she failed to see the evil grin cross Gary's face as he turned to whisper something in Jon's ear. She also missed Jon signaling the other swimmers over to him.

All she knew was that out of the blue, Alex's face came up, blocking her view of the sky as a hand reached up and grabbed the front of her shirt, attempting to pull her to her feet. Before she knew what happened, she heard the noise of ripping fabric as the front of her shirt gave way, along with the bandaging she had used to bind her chest flat.

She gasped in shock as all of the boys stared at her exposed chest. She blushed madly and tried to cover herself with the remains of her shirt. Alex was looking at his hand as if it was burned. Gary and Jon looked hurt; Raoul was brewing with anger. The rest of the pages' faces held nothing but shock. Then Geoffrey snickered.

"Alan's a girl!" he said in a sing-song way.

"Couldn't even put on her clothes right." Douglass added. "They fell off!"

"No wonder she was so weak!"

"I can't believe she thought she could be a knight"

Their laughter echoed in her ears…

… Suddenly, she woke up, sweat and tears pouring down her face. She turned over and buried her head in her pillow, sobbing her heart out.

I can't tell anyone! They'll hate me. Or worse.

She didn't know how long she stayed in that position before someone placed a hand on her shoulder. It was Jon. She gasped and sat up, unsuccessfully trying to wipe away her tears. Jon grabbed one of her wrists to stop the motion, drying her face himself.

When she could do more than just bawl, she asked, "Did I wake you?"

He smiled. "No, Faithful did." Alanna looked around for the cat; he rubbed his head against her leg in a soothing manner.

Jon stroked her hair for a few moments in silence as she leaned up against him. Alanna took a few more ragged breaths.

"Why are you crying?" he finally asked.

Her eyes welled up again. "A dream… my shirt… you all hated me… and laughed…"

Somehow, Jon knew what she was trying to say. "Who hated you?"

"Y-you… and Gary, and Raoul. And Alex, Sacherell, Douglas, Geoffrey, and…"

He interrupted her. "I know who you are. I don't hate you. Why would they?"

"They did…" she sputtered. "And you… laughed. All of you."

"Am I laughing?"

"No…" she said with a yawn, her eyelids starting to flutter. "But they did…"

"Then let them laugh." He announced.

When she didn't answer, he looked at her face, she was asleep. He laid her back down and pulled the blankets over her.

"Sleep well, Alanna." Jon whispered, kissing her forehead. "I believe in you."

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