Once Again I would like to thank my superhero and awsome beta, SOPROL
Disclaimer: Just because I haven't done one in the story for a while...I do not own anything from Tamora Pierce's world. I am simply borrowing and playing with them, but when I am done, I will return them in the perfect condition I borrowed them from.
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Match-making
(Aly's POV)
For the next few days after my conversation with Alanna, I caught her and her friends whispering all over the palace. The conversation would drop as soon as I got into ear-shot, and the group would act as if they had no idea what I was talking of when I asked what the big secret was. Then they would all smile at me and watch me until I was out of sight.
About two weeks after that, Alanna came to me. "Mother? Can we go for a ride later? I...need to speak with you…in private...away from the palace."
"What is it, Alan?" I asked, seeing as the door was closed, but there was no sound barrier up and no way of knowing who was in the halls.
"Not here, meet me in the stables tomorrow at say...around midday?"
"Alan, I can make sure no one hears us here." I subtly suggested.
Alanna shook her head, "No, mother. I want to talk about this away from the palace. Besides, you are the one who keeps insisting we need to spend more quality time with each other. I can have the cooks pack up a picnic, and we can talk out in the Royal Forest."
I smiled. My daughter was up to something. "Alright, Alan, if it means so much to you, we can have a picnic tomorrow."
"Good." Alanna said, "Meet me in the stables."
"Why not I just come to your-"
"No!" Alanna said quickly. I raised my eyebrows at Alanna. "I...I mean, no, mother. Just meet me at the stables. A boy doesn't go for picnics with his mother," she said. "If the others knew about this, they would never let me hear the end of it."
I rolled my eyes, "Sometimes you are too careful with your secret, Alan." I said. "Nonetheless, I concede. I will meet you in the stables at midday, tomorrow."
Alanna grinned and then ran out of the room. I shook my head. That girl is definitely up to something...now the only question is what is she up to?
(In Gareth's office-Gareth's POV)
I was sitting in my office when I heard whispers outside my door.
"Why do I have to do it?" that was Alan's voice.
"Because I am your overlord and the next king of Tortall, and I said so." that was clearly Jonathan.
"Plus, you already did it with your mother." that was Gary.
"That was my mother, Gary! This is your father, you do it!"
"No way, what excuse do I have?"
"Make something up!"
"You go," Gary said. "You are a squire, we are knights. Now do it."
"What excuse do I have?" Alan shot back quietly.
"Tell him you need help with your wrestling." That was Raoul's voice.
"Why doesn't Jon do it?" Alan said.
"I got my parents involved." Jon responded.
"You act like that was difficult. You said they agreed before you even finished explaining."
"So? I've done my share of the work."
"Fine, then Raoul or Gary should do it...you got your parents involved, I got my mother involved...it's their turn."
I quietly got up and walked over to the door and slowly opened it. "You know, these halls echo and these walls don't block out everything."
The four boys jumped.
"Hello, Uncle." Jon said, trying to sound casual.
"Why don't you all come in, and you can continue your debate on who will be telling me whatever it is you want to tell me in here?"
I watched with great amusement as the boys silently ordered each other to talk by gently nudging each other. I noticed Alan got nudged more than the others. Finally, Jon motioned with his head in my direction to Alan. Alan shook his head. Jon nodded. Alan shook his head again, a little harder. This went back and forth between them for quite some time.
"Alan, tell him." Jon finally said. There was no mistaking the formality of Jon's voice...he had just issued a royal order.
Alan glared at Jon and then at Gareth and Raoul, who were grinning at the fact Alan had no way out.
Alan sighed and stepped forward. "Um...your grace..."
"Yes, Alan?" I asked mildly.
"We...that is, I..." Alan cleared his throat, "I was wondering, your grace, if you might...um...work with me on my...swordsmanship."
It was clear that this was a lie. However, I played along. "Your swordsmanship, Alan? Why? You're doing perfectly fine on your own."
"Yes, I know I am doing well... um...but that's on foot...you see, Jonathan was trying to improve my swordsmanship while on horseback, but it isn't working well...we are such close friends that....um...we soon start playing around, rather than being serious...and since you are the best there is with a sword...I was thinking maybe midday tomorrow we could meet in the stables, saddle our mounts and then go out to the practice courts."
I thought this over. It was clear Alan was lying, and I considered my options. I could refuse Alan's request, or I could accept it. I also could demand he tell me the truth, and if he continued to lie, I could get Aly in here...he doesn't seem to be able to lie to her very easily...
"If you want to work on your swordsmanship so badly, why did Jonathan, Gareth, and Raoul need to be here? And why were you trying to get one of them to tell me?"
"Um...because..." Alan began.
"He was embarrassed, your grace." Raoul said. "You see, Alan takes pride in the fact that he was doing well on foot with a sword...he didn't want to admit he wasn't able to do as well when he is mounted."
"Is that true, Alan?"
Alan glared at Raoul, but then turned and nodded. "Y-yes, your grace."
"Well, first of all Alan, you have good reason to be proud of your skill with your sword. Secondly, you should never be embarrassed to ask for help."
"Yes, your grace." Alan said with a bow.
"Before I give you my answer to your request, would you mind telling me why you want to work tomorrow, not today?"
"Um..." Alan looked at Jonathan for help.
"You see..." Jon said. He looked at Raoul.
"Alan is...that is he has to..." Raoul nudged Gareth.
"He..." Gareth began, "He has been spending so much time working on his swordsmanship that he has neglected his bookwork."
Raoul and Alan nodded.
"Right," Jonathan said. "So I am making him spend today catching up on it."
It was still perfectly clear they were all lying, but I nodded. "Alright, Alan, I will meet you in the stables at midday. Do not be late."
Alan bowed, "Yes, your grace...thank you."
I nodded, "Now, go get started on the work Jonathan has for you."
"Yes, your grace." Alan said with another bow. The four boys quickly left.
(No POV)
At noon the next day, Aly turned when she heard the sounds of footsteps entering the stable.
"There you are Al-Gary?" Aly asked.
"Aly?" Gareth came to a dead stop.
"What are you doing here?" they asked together.
"I'm meeting Alan." they replied together.
"Wait, your meeting Alan?" Aly asked, "For what?"
"He asked for a private lesson with his sword. What about you?"
Aly held up a basket she was holding. "He wanted to talk to me about something private, and so we were going to go on a picnic."
"Now?"
"Yes, now," Aly said, uncovering the basket. "Alan had the kitchen staff prepare all of our favorite foods...hold on..."
"What is it?" Gareth asked.
"This can't be right," Aly said. "The kitchen staff packed all of my favorites, but instead of what Alan likes, they have-"
"My favorites." Gareth said, peering into the basket.
"And it looks," Gareth said, looking in the horse stalls. "that someone saddled our horses for us, but Alan's horse isn't saddled."
Aly glanced over at the stalls that held her horse and Gareth's horse, he was right, they were saddled. A quick glance at Alanna's horse showed her that her horse wasn't saddled, but rather munching quite happily on some oats.
"So, our favorite foods were packed..." Aly said.
"...Our horses were saddled..." Gareth continued.
"...and Alan got us to be here at about the same time." Aly continued. "While he is no where to be seen."
Just then, Aly and Gareth heard feet shuffling outside the door.
"Shh! They'll hear us!" that was Alanna.
"Look who thinks they get to make orders around here." that was the prince, joking with his squire. "Might I remind you you're the youngest?"
"So, who will peak in?" that was Gareth.
Aly motioned for Gareth to keep talking to her, while she quietly walked to the door.
"So Aly, I was thinking." Gareth said. "Alan is doing very well, and he is still trying to be better. I am thinking of making him have the title of a second year squire."
"Really?" Aly asked, creeping over to the door. "He'd like that."
"Do you think he can be ready for the Ordeal with only three years as a squire?"
"I don't know," Aly said as she reached the door. "I wouldn't mind a few extra years with him...maybe you should make him go back to years as a page...he is small enough."
"What!" Alanna said loudly...more like squawked.
Aly stuck her head around the corner. "Caught you," she said. "Why don't you boys step in here for a minute?"
"Nice work, Alan." Jon said, hitting Alan in the back of the head.
"No hitting, Jonathan." Aly said, as she hit Jon in the back of the head. "I shouldn't have to tell a 17 year old that...and don't say I can't hit you, I am your godsmother."
Jonathan rolled his eyes.
Aly looked at who was in the stable. Alanna, Gareth, and Jonathan she had expected, since she had heard them talking. Raoul was with them. The three boys and Alanna were all looking anywhere, but at Aly or Gareth.
"What are you four doing sneaking around here?" Gareth asked. No one said anything.
"I think they were trying to set us up, Gareth." Aly said.
"Well someone had to do something!" Alanna blurted out, "Mother, you told me you still loved Duke Gareth, and that father had given you his blessing as he was dying, but you wouldn't act on it."
"Alan!" Aly said, turning red, "That information was not yours to share!"
"And father, don't tell me you don't want to court Lady Alianne. You were planning to ask her to court you for weeks before you actually got the courage to do it. Then, when she turned you down, you privately moped for days."
"Gareth!" the now very red duke scolded. His facial features softened when he saw Aly. "Did you really tell Alan all that?"
"Depends," Aly said. "Is Gary telling the truth?"
"I'll tell you if you tell me." Gareth said.
"You tell me first."
"I'm sorry, I thought we were the younger generation here," Gary said. Jon, Raoul, and Alanna laughed.
"On the count of three, we'll answer each other one's question. Deal?" Aly asked.
"Deal," Gareth said. "One-"
"Two-" Aly said.
"Three!" Jon, Raoul, Gary, and Alanna said.
"Yes." Gareth and Aly said at the same time, then they smiled.
"You mean it's true?" Gareth asked.
"Yes," Aly said smiling. "And what Gary said was..."
"Yes," Gareth said smiling back at Aly.
"So, you two don't want all that food to go to waste, do you? I suggest you get going." Alanna said.
"Before we go," Aly said, "Tell us who exactly was behind this?"
"Well, the king and queen ordered the food for the picnic, I requested that your horses be saddled, and Jon, Gary, and Raoul forced me to lure both of you here." Alanna said.
"Now go on." Gary said shooing Aly and Gareth towards their mounts. "We did all this work, so go off and enjoy it." he said.
Duke Gareth laughed. "Come on Aly. Alan is right; we don't want to waste all this food."
Aly walked over to her horse, and Raoul helped her mount up then led the horse out to where Gareth was mounted and waiting, before handing the reins to Aly.
"Thank you, Sir Raoul." Aly said.
Gareth and Aly rode out of the stable together.
"Such a cute couple." Gareth said. "Well, I am off to get some paperwork done."
"Yeah, I'll go work on my wrestling some." Raoul said.
"I think I'll go tell my parents about how things worked out. Alan, since you got out of sword practice, go with Raoul and work on your wrestling."
Alanna gave Jon a look that clearly said 'no'.
"No arguments, squire." Jon said, grinning wickedly. "You need to improve and practicing is the only way that will happen."
"Come on, Alan." Raoul said, grabbing Alanna's arm and leading her out of the stable "Don't worry Jon, I'll return your squire to you in one piece!"
"You better!" Jon called.
Review Reply
waking dawn: I am glad you liked it, and yeah, the last chapter was short because I cut it off early by mistkae. You see, I write it my story up on my own bedrrom computer, but it doesn't have any internet, so I have to copy each capter onto a document on my flashdrive, and I didn't copy the entire chapter. The begining of this chapter was originally the end of the last chapter, if that makes any sense. This chapter was suppose to start from where it is in Duke Gareth's POV.
Dom Luver: I am glad you liked it so much!
Sazerac : I hate homeowrk overload. Well, I hope you like this chapter.
Anjalit2624: lol...I liked your review. Yes Alanna became a girl (although, technically, she always was one)
brezzybrez: Well seeing as this whole chapter was about getting Aly and Gareth together, I bet you loved it, since you wanted more Aly/Gareth.
dares to dream: I am glad you liked it.
Trisana Sarrasri: I hope this chapter doesn't find you on your death bed because of the wait. It was a lot of things, but mostly because I kept forgetting to upload the document and send it to my beta, then once I did, she had a storm that knocked out her internet for a few days, so she couldn't edit it and send it back to me.
Litara: I am glad you like it, although you still have a bit of a wait until Gareth finds out that Alan is Alanna.
Lady Leopard: I am glad you like it so far, and yeah, Gary will be mad when he finds outl but I think he'll have every right to be mad by the time he finds out.
Elfsquire90: Yes, Sue, I know both this chapter and the chapter before it took a while to post. But you are living in the same house with me, so if you had said 'Sarah, when is the next chapter' I might have posted earlier, beause I wouldn't have forgotten to send this to my beta.
Soraya th All Speaker: I am glad you like it
LittleMIssGiggles'94': Well, I still have a ways to go on this, since it's still early-Hands of the Goddess and I am going to the end of Lioness Rampant. So I'm not even halfway through this yet, I don't think, although there won't be much from Woman Who Rides Like A Man, since Alanna is away from the palace for most of it (I will have a bit from it, though). But don't worry, I am not winding this up yet.
a happy camper: I suppose I did go a little OOC with Alanna in the last chapter. And yes your little addition about the whole telling Gareth thing made perfect sense, but I already have a plan for that, don't worry. I was asking myself the same thing before I started writing this story.
Lady Arianne of Ambers Valley: I am glad you like it.
spazzysassyangel: Thanks!
Tishica: I'll keep that in mind...I already have a slight converstion about George between Alanna and Aly in the works.
Dom-Loves-Kel: Well, the last chapter was a little bit of a mess-up on my part. You see, I write my story up on my own bedrrom computer, but it doesn't have any internet, so I have to copy each capter onto a document on my flashdrive, and I didn't copy the entire chapter. The begining of this chapter was originally the end of the last chapter, if that makes any sense. This chapter was suppose to start from where it is in Duke Gareth's POV. And both this chapter and the chapter before it were sort of partial fillers. They were filler chapters, but at the same time a part of the plot, so they weren't fillers at the same time...does all of this make sense?
Susie q.: I am glad you like it so much! And you didn't need to apologize for not reveiwing earlier, it is a real honor to hear that you didn't want to stop reading just so you could reveiw.
PokemonKnight: I am glad you like it.
Lady Zarobiti: Thank you
Miakoda of Pirates Swoop: Thanks!