Chapter Fifteen: Alanna's Fight

About a week after her arrival, Aly was sitting in the King and Queen's private chambers. They had invited her and Jonathan to have lunch with them so the two could meet.

The door behind her opened, "Prince Jonathan, your Majesties."

Roald nodded to the guard, and Aly stood up, turning around to watch the heir enter the room. He stopped for a moment when he saw Aly, but then walked over to his parents, and bowed to them.

"Good afternoon, mother and father."

"Good afternoon, Jonathan." Roald said.

"Jonathan, do you remember how I talked about your godsmother? How she and I were best friends at the convent?"

Jonathan nodded, and Lianne smiled. "Jonathan of Conté, may I introduce you to Lady Alianne of Trebond, your godsmother. Aly, this is my son and Roald's heir, Prince Jonathan, your godsson."

Aly curtsied, "It's a pleasure to meet you, your Highness."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Alianne." Jon said with a bow. "Did my mother say you were from Trebond?"

"Yes, she did." Aly said.

"Are you related to Alan?"

"I'm his mother." Aly said.

"Well, come on, you two." Lianne said, "Sit down and let's eat."

Later that day, Aly heard someone knocking on her door. She walked over and answered it. Duke Gareth stood there.

"Gareth," Aly said, smiling, "Come in."

"Gareth? Not your Grace?"

Aly smiled, "Friends call each other by the first name, do the not? Aren't we still friends?"

"You used to call me Gary."

"That was when we were alone. I never even called you that in front of Lianne and Roald."

"We are alone, Aly."

"I...I don't know. I haven't seen you in thirteen years, and I just didn't know if it was still proper to call you Gary, or maybe it would be better to go back to your Grace, or-"

"Aly." Gareth interrupted.

"Yes?"

"You're rambling."

'Yes, I am."

"I seem to remember that is something you did when you were nervous."

Aly cleared her throat and looked at the floor.

"I missed you so much over the years, Aly."

"I missed you too." Aly said, looking up.

"Then why did you never write or visit?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I never knew what to write." Gareth said, "And I just don't like Alan...your husband, not your son. I wouldn't be able to stand staying in the same place as him. You could have done much better than him."

"So I'm not the only one who feels that way." Aly said.

"I was going to be the leader of the mob that killed Alan, before stupid sense kicked in."

"What sense?"

"The sense that killing Alan wouldn't bring you closer to me." Gary said, "I'd be in the dungeons for committing murder."

"King Roald would have pardoned you." Aly said. "You are his best friend."

Gary smiled, "Roald wasn't king yet."

"So you would have spent a few years in jail. Roald would have pardoned you about half a second after his coronation, and had any record of your time in jail destroyed. Well, I am sure you came by for a reason other than to tell me there were many who thought I could do better than Alan. What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you would you do me the honor of dinning with me at supper tonight? As a pair of old friends?"

"I won't dine with you as an old friend, because I am not old. However, I'd love to join you as a friend."

"Good. I'll pick you up a few minutes before the Page's supper bell rings."

"I'll be ready." Aly said.

Gareth nodded, then bowed, and left.

Aly put on her best gown for supper that evening. When they reached the page's hall, all the pages were standing, waiting patiently for the training master. He motioned for them to sit and eat once he reached the dais, helped Aly into her seat, and then sat down himself. He was surprised when Jonathan came over to him, and bowed. When he straitened up, he smiled and nodded at Alianne. She smiled and bowed her head in his direction.

"Alan was feeling ill, so he is not here for supper, uncle." Jonathan said.

Gareth looked over where Jon and his friends sat, and noticed that Alan was missing.

"Alan is sick?" Gareth asked.

"Yes, sir." Jon said. "I promised to tell you for him."

Gareth nodded, "Very well, your Highness. You may return to your seat."

Jon bowed, then returned to his friends, where they talked, and quickly finished eating before leaving the hall.

After supper, Aly said good night to Gareth right outside the page's dining hall. She arrived at Alanna's room just as Prince Jonathan was leaving. She curtsied, "Your Highness."

He bowed. "Good evening, Lady Alianne."

"Your Highness, I thought I told you to call me Alianne, since you are my godsson."

"I seem to remember saying to call me Jonathan, since you are my godsmother."

Aly smiled, "I suppose we both have something to work on, hmm?"

Jonathan smiled and nodded.

"Is Alan feeling better?" Aly asked.

"Oh...um...not really. I think he needs some time alone." Jon said, glancing at the door he had just left.

"I think I'll check on him anyway. I won't sleep unless I see for myself how bad off he is."

Jon hesitated for a minute, then nodded. Aly walked over and knocked sharply on the door.

Coram answered, "Lady Alianne...Alan isn't feeling well, yer ladyship."

"I know, Prince Jonathan told Duke Gareth, and I was dining with him this evening."

Coram gave Aly a suspicious look.

"Don't give me that look, Coram. The duke and I are friends, that is all. Now, let me in."

"Alan is asleep, my lady."

Aly raised her eyebrows "Prince Jonathan just left. He can't be too soundly asleep. Now stand aside, Coram."

A command was a command, and Coram nodded, then held open the door. Aly slipped in, and Coram shut and bolted the door. Aly gasped when she saw the black eye Alanna had. Immediately, she sent up a wall of purple fire that kept anyone outside of the room from hearing her.

"Alanna! What happened!" Aly said, falling to her knees by her daughter, and examining her eye.

"Nothing, mother. I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me, Alanna. Who did this to you? Was it that Ralon boy?"

"Don't worry about me."

"I do worry about you, Alanna." Aly said. "Now, what happened?"

"I fell." Alanna said.

"Alanna, I was not born at night, and especially not last night. How stupid to you think I am? You did not fall. A better story would be you were kicked by your pony."

"That's what I said, Lady Aly." Coram said.

"Or, you could tell the truth, and tell me Ralon beat you up."

Alanna glared at Coram, "When the others were fussing over me, you told them it was nothing to worry about. But my mother walks in, and you just stand by and let her mother me to death."

"Yer mother pays my salary. She can do whatever she wants."

Aly gave Alanna a triumphant smirk, which quickly turned to a worried frown. "I really wish you would just let me talk to this Ralon's mother."

"No." Alanna said, sounding horrified at the very thought. "You can't."

Aly sighed. "I know. It'll make you look bad." She got up off the ground. "Well, Alanna. If you are going to insist on dealing with this by yourself, then I have nothing more to say to you other than be careful." And with that, Aly lifted the spell, and walked out.

Aly couldn't stop thinking about Alanna as she was getting ready to go to sleep that night. Alanna had always wanted to do things herself, even when she was a little girl.

[FLASHBACK]

"Happy Birthday, mama!" the 6-year old twins Alanna and Thom said, after supper on the night of Aly's birthday.

"Happy Birthday, Alianne." Alan said, smiling a little at Aly.

"Thank you, all of you." Aly said, and started to stand up.

"Hold on, mama, we have a surprise for you." Thom said.

"Another surprise? You already gave me my presents this morning, Thom."

"This is an after-dinner surprise." Alanna said, "Now, sit right there and stay put!"

Aly laughed, but sat back down as Alanna and Thom ran into the kitchen. Thom came out a minute later. "Alanna! Let me help!"

"No! I got it!" Alanna snapped as she walked out with a huge bowl of pudding. "Out of my way Thom."

"Lass, let me carry that, when you a little bigger you can take it." Coram said, coming over.

"No!" Alanna said. "I am giving the pudding to mama."

"Here, Alanna, I'll come to you, and you can give it to me." Aly said.

"No! Sit!" Alanna said as Aly slowly got out of her seat.

Alanna was almost to her mom when she started to get a little off balance. Aly jumped from her seat, and a few servants raced forward, but no one reached Alanna before she fell backwards with the pudding. The pudding covered Alanna's face. Aly reached Alanna first, and helped Alanna up. The pudding was all over her face, in her hair, and on her dress. The bowl, or what was left of it was shattered all around Alanna, but luckily it looked as if Alanna hadn't been cut.

Aly bit back a fit of laughter as she used a finger to wipe some of the pudding off Alanna's face, and tasted it. "Yum, you had Cook make my favorite."

"I'm sorry, mama." Alanna said. "I ruined the present."

"It's ok, Alanna. You didn't ruin it. You were trying to do something nice for me." Aly hugged her, getting some pudding on her dress. She beckoned a servant forward, who carefully avoided the glass.

"See that Alanna is cleaned up, and her dress is washed."

The servant curtsied, and led Alanna off to get cleaned up. Aly looked at two other servants. "Can I trust this mess will be cleaned up? Or shall I do it myself?

Two servants raced forward, and rushed into the kitchen for water, rags, and a broom for the pieces of the bowl.

[END FLASHBACK]

I will not get involved. At least not the way I said I want to. Aly told herself sternly. Alanna will not thank me if I get involved.

Review Reply

dares to dream: Yep...The dangerous duo. I am gla dto know I could bring some enjoyment to your finals week, I suffered from them too.

Merkaba7734: Thanks! Glad you liked it!

.14karatgold: You're welcome, and I am glad you liked the chapter!

Kate of Carlay: Thanks!

Lady Leopard: I am glad you liked the last chapter. As to your idea about Jane, you will find out next chapter!

bobalabashabalabadingdong: Thanks!

The Shang Kudarung: I am glad you liked the chapter! And thank you for pointing out the urgent need to fix the last chapter. I posted the un-bettaed document by mistake.

brezzybrez: I am glad you are so eager to get updates!

Akari-chan: Yeah. I know that in the book Alanna never told anyone, but everyone who knew Alanna, knew what happened.

LittleMissGiggles'94': Glad you enjoyed it!

zropin: Yeah, the Dangerous Duo are at the palace. I am still trying to figure out how to portray Roald and Lianne as rulers, so hopefully I can do it justice to the books.

Eliane-Herd: George comes into the story later, I promise. I am too big of a George fan to leave him out. And as to her secret, I am going to try to keep that just like the books.

this magic moment: I am a big Alanna/George fan, so I couldn't possible break them up! No need to worry there! You want more of the old gang? You got it. So do you mean things like you want Flashbacks? Tell me what you want, and I will try to do it. My Plan for Alanna's monthlies, however, will not be revealed until I release it.

a happy camper: Yes, I have a plan. I am glad you like the story so much! It is a lot of fun to write. And I am going to try and make it as un-weird between Jon and Alanna as possible, but I can not promise no weirdness.