"This one love in a lifetime/Our two hearts of a kind/These three reasons you'll be mine/For there's five or six ways through/Seven days without you/Seven days without you." –Seven Days Without You, Teddy Geiger, UNDERAGE THINKING
"Just where d'you think you're going?" a voice asked as Alanna tried to slip out. She sighed and turned. Rose was walking toward her, all bundled up.
"No, Rose. This time, I have to do this alone," Alanna replied. "George would never forgive me if anything happened to you."
"George, Jonathan, Coram, Raoul, Gary, Thom, Thayet, and countless others would never forgive me if I let you go off to get the Jewel without someone with you. No way are you going alone, Alanna. This is one adversary you can't face alone," Rose disputed. "Besides, who better to help you than your best friend?"
"Rose…" Alanna sighed. "Be reasonable."
"You be reasonable. I mean it, Alanna. If you die, I will have the heir after me," Rose said. Alanna smiled.
"Fine. But find your own way to keep warm," Alanna told her.
"Excuse me, but are you leaving without me?" someone asked from a doorway. Alanna shook her head.
"Uh-uh. No, no, no. Thayet, I can't let you come," Alanna replied. "You're a princess. This will be-"
"Don't you dare say that this will be more than I can handle. I believe I know what I can and can't handle better than you do, Sir Alanna," Thayet remarked. She was dressed very warmly, in layer upon layer of fur. Alanna smiled. If Jonathan and I weren't betrothed, she would make a wonderful queen.
"Now, shall we go?" Rose asked.
"If we're going, let's go now," Thayet replied.
"Fine. But you had best keep up, I don't want to leave either of you on the mountain!" Alanna called as she walked down the hall.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
"Alanna! We have to turn back!" Thayet shouted into the wind.
They were on the mountain, and there was a blizzard. The wind was howling and there was snow in their faces. Even under their layers, Thayet and Rose were cold. Alanna's Gift was fading fast from keeping herself warm, so there was no extra heat to lend. Alanna turned back and waited, the wind pressing her. Rose and Thayet caught up with her.
"We can't go back!" Rose shouted back. "We have to do this!" Alanna pressed forward.
"For Tortall!" she yelled, walking deeper and deeper.
"You're mad, Alanna! We'll die out here!" Thayet called.
"Then I'll die for the good of Tortall!" Alanna shouted, walking farther and farther ahead.
"You said you wanted to come." Rose shrugged. "Let's go make sure she doesn't kill herself. Alanna! Stop using your Gift! You'll kill yourself!"
"I have to stay warm!" was the harsh reply. "I'll freeze!"
"You'll freeze otherwise," Thayet muttered.
"Hurry up! I think I see a cave ahead!" Alanna shouted back to them, the wind carrying her voice. Thayet and Rose did their best to run after Alanna. She was waiting for them at the mouth of a dark cave.
"I hope you have your sword," Rose remarked. "Because I don't want to think about what we might face in that cave!" The three women joined hands and entered the cave.
Alanna tapped the final remains of her Gift, and a brilliant violet light filled the cavern. Rose shook her head.
"You'll kill yourself," Rose told her. "We'll find a stick."
"Great Merciful Mother!" Thayet breathed. Alanna put her hand to Lightning's hilt and drew the sword. She shoved her Gift into the blade, making it easier to light the cave. She and Rose swore.
In front of them was a huge monster of an ape. He did not look friendly in the slightest.
"Do something, Alanna!" Rose screeched.
I am Chitral, a voice echoed in the cavern. Rose and Thayet backed away. I know why you are here. You have braved my storm, small one.
"And, if you make me, I'll fight you!" Alanna bellowed. "All I want is the Dominion Jewel. Tortall deserves the honor it will bring."
You mean you deserve the honor. The voice replied.
"It will be my country to rule alongside my husband," Alanna retorted. "So the honor will also be mine."
You seem undeserving, small one. Chitral replied. Convince me that you deserve the item you seek.
"Look at what she's done!" Rose cried. "She braved the storm. She became a lady knight. She defeated the Ysandir. She saves lives. She's a hero. Tortall could be a great power with her as queen and the Jewel in the hands of Jonathan!"
I did not ask you to speak, rosy one. Chitral's voice was as cold as the air.
"Great Chitral, she does have a point. Why doesn't Alanna deserve to possess the Dominion Jewel? She is a great lady, and she will do greater things if you allow her to have the Jewel," Thayet put in.
Can the small one not speak for herself? Chitral wanted to know.
"Please, Rose, Thayet. Let me speak," Alanna said. "Lord Chitral, you have no use for the Jewel. My country, Tortall, can use it. We would use to as needed. Jonathan is a great man, a powerful man, but he knows the extent to which he can use his power. He commands one of the greatest armies in the Eastern Lands, but sheer force fails sometimes. With the Jewel under his command, we could easily face adversaries coming by land, or trying to attack from the forest. I do not deserve the Jewel, Tortall deserves the Jewel." Goddess, was that just me talking? Alanna wondered. My teachers would be proud.
The ape seemed to be thinking this over. Finally, he spoke: You are right, small one. I have no use for the Jewel, thought it is quite lovely to look at. You gave reason, and I see in your mind that you speak the truth. If you are all you think you are, and if you country is all you believe it to be, the Jewel will be in excellent hands. He handed her a many-faceted purple gem about the size of her fist. Alanna smiled and bowed.
"Thank you, Lord Chitral," she said. "This means a lot to me and my country."
"You are a truly kind… creature," Rose added. "You are reasonable."
"The people are right to respect you," Thayet remarked. The women all bowed, for they were in pants. The ape seemed to smile.
Go, great ladies. Go and become the heroines they will speak of in the future. Use the Jewel well, small one. Do not fail me.
Alanna smiled and silently thanked the Goddess for allowing her to hold this glorious gem… and for allowing her to bring it home for the glory of Tortall.
Author's Note- argh. That was probably terrible with Chitral and all, and I apologize. New song next chappie. REVIEW, please.