Off Guard
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming! I also realized that I had 'Anonymous Reviews' disabled so I have enabled it... sorry for any inconveniance. I also realize that I haven't been giving George his accent, so I will try to fit it in.
Also, I am starting a new story, called Living Between the Lines. It is basically about a girl named Sierra, who finds out that she has been adopted, and her mother is...read it to find out! Don't worry, I will not stop writing Carried by the Rogue because I love this story. Please R&R - every time I get another review I start updating.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Tamora Pierce does. Now allow me to run away and cry that I didn't invent such great characters.
Fire of the Elements
The news spread rapidly through Corus, the marketplace, and more sepcifically the Rogue. Tears, shock, and a few undercover smirks were hidden under serious faces. It was news that had not been expected for years, if ever at all. Local people wondered what would be done by the Rogue, the nobles wondered how they would accomplish their task, and the Rogue for pondering what actions to take.
It was happening. The noble's of Corus were officially going to attempt to "wipe the Rogue from Corus."
Of course, the King and his men had absoltely no idea how to get past the Rogue. It was known to all how excellent their fighting abilities were. Truth be told, the King had not even wished to overthrow the Rogue until Lord Provost argued, bringing in angr people and petitions. So the King had been forced into allowing his peaceful trade to fall to the ground heavily, leaving marks in many hearts.
George himself was stressed, not because he was surprised - although he was in a large shock - but because he was unsure that he had enough men to overthrow the King's Own. After almost a week of thought, he realized that the only action that he could prevail would be to keep the Rogue inside the Dancing Dove and other protective areas, preparing them to fight if a whole arm of the Own came wandering in for battle. Day by day, George, Alare - the most accomplished fighter of the Rogue - and Alanna, with her old palace experience, taught the older, middle aged, and even children to use weapons as self-defence.
It was obvious that Lord Provost found out what the Rogue had accomplished, for it was heard that he had called a halt to the attack to train more. So by day Lord Provost would train the King's Own, and by day and night George would train the Rogue.
It was on one such day when George and Alanna were teaching a few twelve year olds to use a light sword that a war hollar erupted from outside the Dancing Dove. Preparing for the worst, Alanna and George secured the daggers lined around their clothing and hurried to where the protests were.
Men and women rogue alike were circled around what seemed like two noble men in the back alley. Instantly realizing who the two nobles were, George pushed threw the crowd of angry and frightened Rogue, Alanna following dutifully behind George, wishing she was not in such a position.As they reached the center of the circle, Gary and Jon stood, seeming strange without their horses, obviously seeking George throughout the crowd. When they caught his sight, they waved helplessly. Sighing regretfully, George headed towards the two nobles.
"What are ya doin' here, Johnny an' Gary?" Questioned George, pulling an angry Rogue from the young men.
"We came to visit. It has been diffucult lately." Answered Jon as Gary brushed dirt off his tattered clothes.
George shook his head, questioning their stupidity. "Are ya insane? Their is war going abou'! 'Til things are cleared out, you are going to have to be stayin' away from here. Me Rogue here ain't going to give up a fight, and wha' would your Lord Provost do if you was caught?"
Gary and Jon looked at each other, faces burning as they realized their stupidity. "Sorry George. Didn't realize it was to be so bad for you.?"
"Well, it is not too bad, but keepin' yourself away would help." Quietly, George then whispered, "An' besides, people here are frighten'd. I do no' wish them worry and such."
Gary and Jon smiled and nodded in Alanna's direction. George then ordered the circle of devoted Rogue to allow Jon and Gary out. As they left, Alanna felt a strange stiffening in her chest. Why did she feel so strange?
"They're plain stupid, I tell ya!" Exclaimed George, pulling Alanna back into the interior of the Dancing Dove. She smiled, allowing a small laugh to escape her from her lips.
"What's wrong Alanna?" Questioned George, seeing Alanna's inpossiable straight face.
"Nothing...it's just..."
"You miss the court, don't ya." George's voice was soft, sneeking the truth out of Alanna.
"Maybe I do..." Alanna could not believe she was admitting this to anybody.
"Com'n Alanna, ya can talk to me, can't ya?"
Alanna sighed, realizing how much she needed to get everything out of her system. "It's just that... well, I miss Trebond, however much I hated it there, and Thom - I really miss him and he has not even attempted to find me through his Gift, and I'm not strong enough to find him through his Gift. And then I wonder what could have happened if I had become a Knight - although I love it here and I love you and everybody else but... I sometimes wonder..."
"If you made the right choice?" Answered George, finishing Alanna's blurted sentence.
Alanna nodded softly. "Yes. And I really miss the fun we used to have - Gary, Jon, Raoul, Alex, and I. I just wonder how things would have turned out...what events would have changed, and such."
Alanna looked up into George's eyes, which were gazing intently into her own. And suddenly, almost two quick to noticed, he kissed her softly.
"You made the right decision, Alanna."
A/N: Yes, I know it is short, but the next chapter should come soon. I know this is going to be an A/G fic but I was thinking I should have a small romance with another character, you know, just some fluff. OK, I am thinking either A/Gary (I know, strange), A/OC, or either nobody at all. Please review and give me your decision... A/J will only be possible is it is the only pair voted for.
Fire of the Elements