Chapter 16

"To everything you're certain of/All the love that's right in front of you/Trouble always has a door/That you can break through." –Hold On to Me, Bo Bice

"Save me," Alanna said, flopping onto George's bed in the Dancing Dove. Rose and George sat on either side of her.

"From what?" Rose asked.

"My wedding," Alanna replied.

"Your weddin'?" George squeaked.

"Yes, my wedding," Alanna replied. "I can't take it anymore! The dresses, the food, the music, the… argh!"

"Oh, Alanna," Rose tsk-ed. "You brought this upon yourself, you know." Alanna sat up.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"You agreed to marry the heir, Alanna. You knew this would happen," Rose replied. Alanna groaned.

"But I didn't think it would be this much work!" she cried, flopping down once again.

"Is this th' same Alanna that earned her shield by masqueradin' as a boy for 8 years?" George asked.

"Don't start with that, George," Alanna pleaded. "I'm not in the mood."

"Ye need t' get out," George told her. "Ye need to leave th' weddin' t' yer mother, th' queen, and Jonathan and get out of Tortall."

"You think I don't know that? I asked Jon a week ago if I could go on an adventure out of Tortall before the wedding. He left the room and I haven't heard anything since!" Alanna exclaimed. "And now I feel like the roles are reversed. Its me that's waiting for his answer, wanting to pressure him, not him pressuring me." George was silent. Alanna had never fully disclosed what had happened between her and Jonathan in the desert.

"What do you mean?" Rose asked.

"When I was in the desert, Jonathan asked me to marry him. I told him I needed time. He kept pressuring me. He took my answer for granted! And I told him I would never marry him. And he left. And now look at me! Betrothed to Jonathan and wanting to leave the realm!" Alanna replied.

"I can't blame ye, lass," George told her. "Bein' engaged t' th' heir must be hard. Ye'll have t' give up bein' a knight for him."

"Don't remind me," Alanna grumbled. "I dread the day I become pregnant. That's the day I lose my freedom."

"Maybe ye should think about goin' t' that tournament in Maren," George suggested. "Bring Raoul or Gary, they'd love t' go with ye. Or even Rose. And ye know Coram would love t'. Go t' that and be a knight." A slow smile spread across Alanna's face and she sat up with a start. She pecked George's cheek and hugged him tightly, shocking the poor Rogue.

"George, you're wonderful!" Alanna cried. "Wonderful! I love you!" George cleared his throat, not knowing exactly what to say to that. She ran to the door. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! Rose, I may be back to talk to you." She ran from the room, leaving two of her oldest friends staring in shock after her.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Alanna went back to her rooms and scribbled quick notes.

Coram- I need to get away from Corus and Tortall. George told me about a tournament in Maren. What do you say? Want to join me? I'm asking Raoul, Gary, and Rose if they want to join us. Send word back as soon as you can. –Alanna

Gary- want to get out of Tortall with me and Coram? I'm going to a tournament in Maren. Can you come? Come see me if you can. AND DON'T TELL JON! –Alanna

Raoul- there's a tournament in Maren I want to go to. I've asked Gary and Coram to come. What do you say? We'll win for sure if you're there. Please? Come see me if you can come. DON'T TELL JON! This is a secret. And I KNOW you love those. –Alanna

She sealed the letters tightly and ran Gary's to his rooms. She left it on his desk because he was with his father. She pressed Coram's into Stefan's hand, telling him to get it to Trebond as quick as possible, and to tell George that it was about getting out. She went to track down Raoul. He was with Jon in the practice courts and Alanna didn't want to be seen by her betrothed. She put the letter on Raoul's desk and went back to her rooms, bursting with excitement. She would ask Rose after she had word from Gary, Coram, and Raoul.

All she had to do was wait. But Alanna had never been known for her patience.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Raoul knocked on Alanna's door later.

"Raoul!" Alanna exclaimed. "Hurry!" Raoul handed her a note from Gary.

Alanna- I can't come, and I regret it. You, Coram, and Raoul enjoy yourselves. Let me know how it goes. –Gary

"I want to come. I don't want to be here for Beltane," Raoul told Alanna. "And I mean that."

Alanna laughed. "I know you do. I can't really plan anything until I get word from Coram, though. So, I'll let you know. And, remember, we can't tell Jon. I don't think he wants me going anywhere before the wedding, but I need to get out."

Alanna and Raoul made a quick plan and he left.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Dear Alanna,

I don't know how your mother would react to hearing that you need to get out of Tortall before your wedding. And I don't think Jonathan, their majesties, or your father (Black God bless his soul) would approve either. But, it's your choice, and I know better than to stop you. I'll be on my way to Corus by the time you get this letter. I'll see you then.

Coram

Alanna was a bundle of nerves. She was about to tell Jonathan that, the morning after next, she, Raoul, Rose, and Coram would be on their way to the tournament in Maren. She paced the hall outside his rooms, trying to gather her nerves to go in.

But she couldn't make herself go in. She was terrified of what Jonathan would say. Would he be mad? Supportive? Would he want to come? Or would he stop her? Or, Goddess forbid it, want to call off the wedding? Alanna couldn't bear to think about it.

"Alanna? Do you need something?" Jonathan stood in the doorway. Alanna gulped.

"We need to talk."

Author's Note- MUA HA HA. Cliffhanger! I know you all LOATHE those. Molly, this is for you. ;-) So, review and I'll update.