Hey All! Sorry about the wait for this chapter. I had my beta read this before she went on vacation, and I planned to post it before I went on vacation, but I forgot to, and I had no internet connection during vacation (well I did...but it was dial up, and I didn't want to fight with a dial-up connection)

Chapter Forty-Seven: Alanna Returns

Aly had woken up the next morning with a note waiting for her on the table by her bed.

Duchess Alianne-
Alanna has returned from her adventures and is at least spending a few days with me at the House of Olau. We both know she'd love to see her mother and half-sister. Come by at anytime.
-Sir Myles

Aly jumped to her feet in excitement and rushed to get dressed. She even called for a servant to help her because the second pair of hands could get Kahlan ready, and she would be with Alanna that much sooner.

Aly was on her way to the stables when she spotted Roger high up on one of the palace walls. She shuddered and held Kahlan closer to her. The once-dead duke had wanted to kill too many people she was close to that it became instinct to hold people she cared about close when he was around.
Shaking off the last of her nerves, Aly headed towards the stables. On her way there, she passed some young squires rushing off towards the practice courts. She heard part of the conversation.
"And you're sure it's the Lioness?"
"Positive," the second squire said, "I saw her myself, in the practice yard, duelling some other knights."
Aly headed off to the practice courts in time to see Alanna leaving with Gary. She raced over.
"Alanna!" she called, her eyes bright.
Alanna and Gary stopped and turned to see her. Alanna ran the few steps between her and her mother, and the two women hugged each other.
"It's so good to have you back!" Aly said, holding Alanna close. After a minute, she pulled away and hit her on the arm.
"What was that for?" Alanna asked as she rubbed her arm.
"What's this I hear from Eleni who heard from George that you were in Port Caynn back in October?" Aly said, trying to sound cross and failing, "Half a day's travel, and you can't bother yourself enough to visit your old mother? The same mother who labored for hours to give birth to you and your brother? The same mother who-"
"I'm sorry," Alanna said, cutting Aly off "I was doing other things."
Kahlan, who had grown tired of being ignored, fussed and began whimpering in Aly's arms. Gary and Aly smiled at her.
"Yes, alright, Kahlan, I'll introduce you." Aly said, "Alanna, meet your half-sister, Kahlan of Naxen."
"Eleni was right, she's beautiful." Alanna said.
"Do you want to learn how to hold her?"
"Oh, well, I sort of learned a little about babies while traveling."
Aly looked at her daughter in surprise. "You did?"
Alanna nodded. "I learned how to change a diaper, hold and feed a baby."
"Then would you like to hold Kahlan?" Aly asked, "She is your sister."
"Just because I learned doesn't mean I'm good at holding babies."
"Come on, I'll help you." Aly said, "She's eight months old, too, which makes things easier. She can hold herself up on her own."
Alanna tried to protest, but Aly and Gary both helped her get Kahlan settled in her arms. Kahlan looked at Gary and Aly, looking confused for a minute, and then turned back to Alanna.
"Kahlan, this is your sister." Aly said. "Say hello."
Kahlan looked up at Alanna for a minute, and gave a small smile. Alanna smiled back. "Hello to you too, Kahlan."
"Come on, let's walk and talk." Aly said.
Aly, Gary, and Alanna headed towards the stables, and Alanna started talking. "I saw Roger."
Aly frowned. "It's hard not to see him." she said, "He's in public view most of the time, so everyone sees him as a harmless man."
"You still think he's dangerous too?"
"Of course," Aly said, "He doesn't have his Gift anymore, but he still had his ambitions. Those are what made him dangerous."
"He says he doesn't want the throne anymore." Alanna said. Aly snorted.
"You don't think he's really planning on taking the throne, do you?" Gary asked, "Wouldn't Thom have told us?"
"If he knows," Aly said, "But Roger is a very good actor."
"I also heard about Queen Lianne and King Roald," Alanna said, "I'm sorry, mother. I know you and the queen were close."
"It wasn't exactly a surprise." Aly said, blinking away tears. "At least I got to say goodbye"

Aly stayed with Alanna the whole day, including when she returned to House Olau, where Alanna introduced her to Princess Thayet jian Wilima and her guard, Buriram Tourakom, as well as Liam Ironarm, the Shang Dragon. Thayet immediately fell in love with Kahlan and began cooing over her. It was there that Alanna found out Jonathan wanted to formally introduce her and Thayet to the court that night. So, fittings for Alanna, Thayet, Buri, Eleni, and herself began. It did not take long, however, before a problem arose.
"I won't wear a gown, not tonight." Alanna said firmly, "They'll think I'm crawling back with my tail between my legs."
"Ye can't show your legs to the whole court and his Majesty that's to be." the seamstress replied. "It's indecent and disrespectful, and the nobles will talk about ye."
"They do that already." Alanna retorted.
"She's right," Aly said, "They do talk about her already. They will always talk about her whether she wears a gown, breeches, or a sheet pinned together."
"Or a sheet without any pins." Rispah added.
Aly smiled. "That will lead to some talk I'd rather avoid when it concerns my eldest daughter. However, what some consider 'indecent' isn't always true. I lost count of how many times I was considered indecent and look at me now. I am a Duchess and the aunt and godsmother to the king-to-be."
The woman shook her head. "That's all fine for ye, yer Grace, but the only ladies as wears hose are them that's not better than they ought to be."
"I'm not a lady-I'm a knight," Alanna growled. "And I'm making my bow to court as one. Dresses are fine sometimes, but not tonight."
"Sir Alanna is right, and your right." Thayet said diplomatically. She held up a sketch she had been working on. "Is this a suitable compromise?"
"With a bit of gold or silver stripe along the seam?" Eleni suggested gently as the seamstress frowned.

The issue was resolved fairly quickly with everyone happy. Aly was happiest that an argument hadn't ensued. She was the only person here who could have calmed Alanna down, but it was never fun dealing with her when she was mad. It was after this thought that Aly noticed Eleni looking at Alanna carefully.
"What is it, Eleni?" Aly asked as Alanna dressed, looking as if she was rushing to do so.
"Earrings!" Eleni exclaimed.
Alanna looked at Eleni. "Could I?"
Aly smiled as Eleni and Thayet put Alanna in a chair and Rispah heated a needle "Why couldn't you?" she asked. "Most women wear earrings."
"This shouldn't be any trouble at all," Rispah grinned, "bein's how you're a bloodied knight. Hold still!"
Aly had her own memories of getting her ears pierced as she watched Alanna have hers done. Her ears hurt just thinking about it, and she gently rubbed her ears. She, like the rest of the women, couldn't keep back the giggles as Alanna came back around after fainting.

Aly stood between Thom and Gareth in the ballroom. Kahlan was currently in the Royal Nursery. That evening saw Aly dressed in a pale lavender dress with black silk along the seam. Gareth was dressed in a dark gray tunic and breeches with a pale gray shirt. Thom was dressed much the same way as Gareth, only he wore black and dark blue.
"Her most Royal Highness, Princess Thayet jian Wilima of Sarain, Duchess of Camau and Thanhyien." Aly beamed with pride as Princess Thayet came forward on Alanna's arm. "Sir Alanna of Trebond, Naxen, and Olau, Knight of the Realm of Tortall. Buriram Tourakom of the K'miri Hau Ma."
Aly watched out of the corner of her eye as Jonathan rose, watching Alanna and her company with a look of awe on his face.
"I think His Majesty-to-be is impressed by his royal cousin." Aly whispered in Gareth's ear.
Thayet walked the last few steps to Jonathan alone, where he gently embraced her and kissed both her cheeks. "Cousin, welcome," he said, "We regret the sad event that drove you from your home."
"Thank you, your Majesty." Thayet said.
"Until such a time as peace returns to Sarain, know that Tortall is your home." Jonathan offered Thayet his arm and led her to the chair placed for her just below his own. Buri took her place at Thayet's side, and a small round of applause soon turned into a roar of enthusiasm.
Aly turned her attention back to Alanna, who was dressed in dark gray and black, with her sword belted at her waist. Beneath one arm she carried a box not much bigger than her fist.
The noise slowly began to die, and Jonathan nodded. "Sir Alanna, come forward."
Aly watched as Alanna continued down the runner with her hand on Lightning's hilt to kneel before Jonathan. She drew her sword and placed it on the step at his feet, in token of her allegiance.
"Your Majesty," she said, "This I swear: to serve you and your heirs with all I possess, in the Mother's name." Taking the box in both hands, she flipped it open. "I bring you the fruit of my traveling, Majesty-the Dominion Jewel."
Jonathan reached for the Jewel and held it in the air. One by one, with Gareth and Aly being two of the first to do so, all of the courtiers kneeled.
"We thank you, Sir Alanna," Jonathan's voice was audible in every corner of the room. "And we praise the gods for sending us this Jewel-and out Lioness-in this time of need."
Especially for sending us our Lioness, Aly thought. She had her head bowed, so no one could see it, but she was beaming like the proud mother she was. Her daughter had achieved her dreams over a year ago and now had brought forth a legendary Jewel that was said to guarantee a successful rule for Jonathan.

Review Replies

Trisana Sarrasri: I am glad you liked the last chapter. I am glad Thom and Aly made up too.

PrincessofTwilight2010: Thank you for your support.

Soraya the All Speaker: Fine...you can strangle him a little...but he has to be in working order.

StarVamp: I didn't think Thom knew he was carrying Roger's Gift. He knew that his tainted gift was tied to Roger, but I am not sure if that is the same thing or not.

SeekDreamsAndFindHope: Thank you for your support. No need to be worried when you make me laugh with a review, even if you don't remember what you said.

Mistyrious One: Glad it is approved :) Yes, Kahlan is cute, isn't she? College was good.

Aria756: I am glad you liked it, despite being short.

spazzysassyangel: Thanks!

Cry of the Wolf Child: I am glad you liked it, and I hadn't noticed that the last chapter had more dialogue than earlier chapters...oh well, you said it wasn't bad, so that's good!

LittleMissGiggles'94': I will try to update sooner...I meant to update this sooner.

AnjaliT2624: I agree we needed a peaceful chapter after the drama...this chapter was pretty peaceful too.

xXthenextbookwormXx: Yes, adorable puppy ears will win you points...oh, but Aly came to be and said she and Gareth are looking for a baby-sitter for Kahlan, and they wanted suggestions...you wouldn't know of anyone who would be interested, would you? ;)

Tishica: I agree, Kahlan is cute...you have to wait to see if Thom lives or dies.

25kait25: Glad you love it so much!

iloveredshoes: haha...glad it wasn't so confusing for you.