A/N This goes with the previous chapter, but it was really long if I kept them together. I seem to have lost the art of brevity.
Anyway, picking up from the part of the last chapter where Alanna leaves the room after defeating Roger...
Myles paused to give a servant orders as he, Thom, Coram, and a still heavily-cloaked George escorted Alanna back to her room.
Thom and George beamed the whole way while Myles' expression remained thoughtful and Coram appeared completely overwhelmed.
The servant followed shortly with wine for them all and hot water and bandages for Alanna. George and Coram both went for the bandages, but at Coram's sharp look, George left Alanna's care to the older man.
"You've been a knight for all of five hours, and you've already managed to upend the court," Coram said as he worked. "I'm proud of ye, I'm so proud of ye, but I don't think I'll ever be used to this level of excitement."
Alanna smiled up at her oldest companion. "If it's any consolation, neither will I."
When he was done, he excused himself, clearly off to find something stronger than wine.
Myles took the seat next to her and smiled, "He's right, Sir Alanna, you don't waste time. Our lady knight and our hero."
"Myles, how did you guess? I think you're the only one that figured it out on your own." Alanna wanted to know.
"When Jonathan had the sweating sickness, and you started to get into the serious magic and called him back from death, you both spoke with voices not your own. You sounded older, like you were using the voices of the people you would become as adults. Yours was distinctly feminine.
That was when I formed my guess, but I must admit to taking it a step further. I had a man I trust poke around to learn about Lord Alan of Trebond's children. I was told he had twins, a reserved son named Thom who was thought to be at the palace and a feisty daughter named Alanna who was supposed to be at the convent."
"And you never said anything?"
"I had just witnessed you invoke the gods to save Jonathan's life. I wasn't about to interfere. I resolved to watch you closely instead. And you charmed me every step of the way.
Watching you grow up has been one of the delights of my life. And now you've done what I thought was impossible. I think the shock may take a long time to wear off, but gods I'm proud of you! Don't forget your old teacher as you go off adventuring and doing more impossible deeds!"
"How could I, Myles? How could I?" was all Alanna could respond.
They embraced, and Myles quickly excused himself before his or Alanna's glassy eyes could spill over.
With the older men gone, Thom and George exchanged looks before jumping to their feet.
"That's my girl!" George shouted.
"That was glorious, just glorious." Thom practically sang.
Alanna barely had time to catch up with this sudden change in tone when George was picking her up and twirling her around, and her brother was creating small purple fireworks with his gift.
"That fight was incredible," Thom gushed. "When he tried that illusion spell and couldn't figure out how you could see right through it - Mithros, that was, well, it was terrifying at first, but then so satisfying!"
"And then at the end, when he was clearly tryin' some kind of magic, you slashed right through it to end his miserable, traitorous life. You are poetry in motion, Lass."
"And, Thom, excellent speech!" George continued. "Had you been practicin' that?"
"Maybe a little," Thom said smugly. "I thought any defense I gave would have to be stately and boring, but that was the speech I wanted to give." He turned to start pounding Alanna (gently) on the back, "and my amazing, master sword-mistress twin gave me just the opportunity."
There were many more loud and colorful descriptions of Alanna's heroics before the two men noticed the bemused look on Alanna's face.
Thom pulled out a chair for himself and George sat beside Alanna on the cushioned bench.
"Look, "Thom began, "I know to everyone else, Duke Roger was generally liked and seemed untouchable because of his magic and his place in the royal family, but to the two of us, he's the villain that's taunted us for years."
George began rubbing her shoulders. "I know he was Jon's beloved cousin, and that's makin' you feel uneasy, but he's been tryin' hard to kill the both of you. Tonight, you gave him the takedown he so dearly had coming. Let everyone else be shocked and overwhelmed. We are going to celebrate with no holdin' back."
"Not to mention that your secret is finally out! I feel like I've been holding my breath on that one for the last 8 years." Thom refilled all of their wine glasses and raised his. "To the first female knight in over 100 years, the slayer of demons, and the scourge of enemies both foreign and domestic. Long may she be loved and feared!"
"Hear, hear!" shouted George, using one hand to lift his glass while the other continued to massage Alanna's back.
Alanna just smiled, shook her head, and drained her own wine glass.
That's how Jonathan found them when entered the room.
His eyes went immediately to Alanna. "Mithros, I'm glad you're alright."
She ran to him, and he held her tightly.
Not letting go, he looked at the other two men over her head. "You both had some knowledge of my cousin's treachery?"
Thom nodded. "We've been suspicious for years. We'll tell you everything, of course, but do you want to get into it all tonight?"
"I'd like to learn everything now so that I can put this behind me."
He released Alanna from the tight embrace, but kept an arm firmly around her. George gave up his seat to the prince and went to lean against the wall.
The three explained their mounting suspicions to Jonathan, complete with tales of slain messengers, Thom's observers, and traces of orange fire present after too many of Alanna's near-death experiences.
Finally, George concluded by saying, "we are sorry to have to share all of this about your cousin, but there's not a doubt in my mind that he was tryin' to take your throne, and he didn't care who he had to kill to get it."
Jonathan shook his head slowly, "Nor in mine. It's hard to imagine I've been so blind. I wish I could say I would have believed you if you had told me before, but gods curse him, he knew exactly how to play me for a fool."
Their discussion done, George got up to leave and Thom offered to escort him out.
As soon as they were gone, Jonathan wrapped both arms tightly around Alanna as she leaned back against him.
"What did your father say?" she asked.
"That you've picked up my terribly annoying habit of pairing your brazen disobedience with an impressive act of heroism."
"He's obviously not happy," Jonathan continued, "and he doesn't want to believe that Roger could be so treacherous, but he's a reasonable man. He won't try to revoke your knighthood or shame you in any way."
"That's a relief." She put a hand over his. "Are you okay? With Roger and your father - I never wanted to make you lie for me."
Jonathan was silent for a moment. "I didn't enjoy lying to my parents, but I have no regrets. You're worth it a thousand times over."
"Roger...hurts," he continued. "It's hard not to second guess every relationship now. Maybe that's a wake-up call that I need to be less trusting, but I hate to live that way.
The hard truth is that nearly everyone wants something from me - position or favors or some change to the laws. I thought he was one of the few people who didn't want something from me." Jonathan nuzzled Alanna's hair. "At least I can be confident about you."
Alanna turned to look at him. "But I do want something from you, I want all of those things."
Jonathan just raised his eyebrows quizzically.
"I want to be the one by your side whenever you walk into danger. I want you to keep defending my right to be a knight. I want you to change the laws to let other women be knights!
And that's just the start. I want your friendship and your approval, and despite my years of protests to the contrary, I want your love. He just wanted you out of the way. I'm much more demanding."
Jonathan smiled and held her closer. "Fine, you want things from me, but only the things I'm most willing to give."
She smiled and then failed to stifle a yawn.
"You must be exhausted. I should let you sleep," Jonathan said.
He kissed her thoroughly and then stood up. "All of those things are yours, as much as they are in my power to give: my love, my favor, my protection. And I want you by my side when I walk into danger... although I think anyone else would have said they wanted me to just not walk into any danger."
"I know you far too well for that," she said pertly.
Jonathan just laughed. "Sleep well, Sir Alanna. You've earned it."