Disclaimer: I do own these characters. I'm just borrowing them.

AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I can't believe people actually like my story. It's amazing.

Chapter 3

The Griffin

Alanna stared at them while Daine and Numair turned their attention to the floor. After several long minutes of distressed silence, Numair attempted to explain.

"Alanna-" he started but was cut off abruptly as Alanna exploded.

"Numair Salmalin! Of all the things for you to do! I know you enjoy the court ladies, but Daine is your student! You shouldn't be taking advantage of her like that!"

"Alanna-" Numair attempted again.

"I'm not finished! Daine, I thought that you would be smarter than this! Don't you know that as soon as we get back to Corus he'll forget about you and go after the next shapely blonde he sees?"

Seeing the hurt look on Numair's face, Daine decided that Alanna had ranted long enough. "Alanna, that's enough!" Daine said, her temper flaring. Alanna looked at her in surprise. "You have no idea what you're talking about! Now, if you can't talk normally, leave!"

Alanna paused for a moment, then turned and walked out the door.

Daine groaned. "What have I done?"

"Don't worry about it, Magelet. She'll come around."

"But what if she doesn't? What if all our friends react this way to us?" She laid down on the bed, hiding her face in the pillow.

He sighed, lying down next to her. "I don't know, Magelet. We'll just have to deal with this as we go."

"I guess," she said, snuggling against him. She loved the way his body felt against hers.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her still closer. "I love you," he said, kissing her gently on the neck.

She turned her head to face him, kissing him on the lips. "I love you, too," she said as she pulled away.

They laid there, content in each other's arms, quickly falling asleep.

-----

They were unaware of Alanna watching them.

She sighed. She hated making apologizes. But this time she needed to. She shouldn't have yelled at them like that. As she watched them, saw the look in both their eyes, she realized that they really did love each other. The look in their eyes was the same look she gave George, and received from him in return.

Walking away, she groaned. She hated making apologizes.

-----

Sunlight streaming across her face woke her the next morning. Opening her eyes, she froze when she felt someone next to her. She almost laughed when she realized it was Numair.

Turning to face him, she teasingly bit down on his long nose.

His eyes jerked open in surprise. "Daine, what are you doing here?" he asked her, his eyebrows knit together in confusion.

She smiled. "I think the question really is Master Salmalin, what are you doing here?"

He looked around the room, realization crossing his face. "D-d-d-daine," he stuttered. "I'm sorry. I should leave." He started to get up, but her hand on his arm stopped him.

"Don't go," she murmured, and Numair felt his resolve melting.

"But, Daine. What if somebody sees us like this?"

"Someone already has."

"Exactly! And we should view Alanna's reaction as a warning!"

"Numair, they have to find out about us sometime, you know. Unless you was planning on keeping us a secret?"

"Of course not! Magelet, I'm ready to tell them whenever you are. It's just that I think we should tell them in a different way, sort of ease into the subject."

"I'm ready to tell them."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

"It won't be easy, you know. When we get back to Corus, the gossips will be talking about us. They'll turn this into something its not. Even some of our friends might not approve."

"One probably already doesn't."

"That's my point!"

"But I don't care about any of that, Numair. The gossips have had me in bed with you anyway; they have ever since I first arrived. Our friends will come around eventually, once they see that what we feel for each other is real."

"But what if they don't?"

"Then they don't." Daine paused. "How about we just see how Alanna reacts? If she's ok with us, then we tell everyone. If not, we wait a while."

"But we already know how Alanna reacts!"

"She was shocked. She might feel differently once she thinks about it and we talk to her."

"I hope you're right," he said, pulling her tighter against his chest.

She smiled, kissing his neck, working her way slowly up to his lips.

Someone knocked on the door. "Daine, can we talk?" they heard Alanna ask. Numair sat up, lifting Daine with him, still holding her in his arms.

"Come in," Daine called.

Alanna entered, saying nothing when she saw them. She sat down on the end of the bed, saying nothing for a few minutes. Finally she began to talk.

"I just want to say I'm sorry. I judged your relationship before I understood it. I don't know why, since I seldom do that. I just want to say that I approve. I know it doesn't matter what I think, but I don't want to be the reason if something goes wrong. He's a good man, Daine. I can tell he loves you, and you him. I hope it works out." She got up and headed for the door.

"Alanna, stop," Daine called. Alanna turned to face them.

"Do you really approve?" Numair asked, his voice serious.

"Of course I do. I wouldn't say I did if I didn't."

"Ha! She's fine with us! Now we tell the others," Daine told Numair.

"What are you talking about?" Alanna asked, slightly agitated.

"Oh, well, you helped us make a decision," Daine explained. "If you were ok with us we agreed to tell everyone else, and if not we'd wait a while."

Alanna glared at them. Numair laughed at the look on her face. Soon Daine was laughing along with him. They both knew how much Alanna hated being in any sort of experiment.

A loud crash from the hallway sent them running out of the room.

In the hallway they found an enraged griffin.

What are you doing? Daine asked the griffin.

Good. I finally found you.

Why are you looking for me?

A bunch of mortals are attacking my nest. My mate is holding them off, but she can't hold them off forever. We need your help.

Why are they attacking you?

I don't know!

All right. I'll see what I can do. But how do I get there?

I'll take you.

Hold on.

Daine turned to Numair and Alanna. "The griffin needs my help. I'll be back soon."

"Daine, no! You are not going alone," Numair told her.

"But, Numair!"

Tell the mage he can come too.

Daine cried out in pain. Numair went to her side. "Daine, what is it?"

"The griffin's voice hurts my ears. It finally got to be too much."

"Hold on." Numair paused, lost in thought. Then he reached out, putting his hands on the sides of her head. She saw the black color of magic, sparkling with white, surround his hands. "There. The next time the griffin talks, his voice will be bearable."

Can we go now? The griffin asked.

Sure. She turned to Numair. "That worked. Let's go."

Climb up in front of my wings, the mage directly behind you.

After she told him what the griffin had said, he boosted her up, then climbed on behind her. The griffin started out of the castle. When they went out the doors, the griffin took off, leaving some very astonished people behind. The griffin turned, heading east.

What's your name? Daine asked the griffin.

You may call me Fallonor, Mortal.

I'd prefer Daine over Mortal.

Daine looked down, enjoying the scenery. The forest was spread to her right, the sea to her left. They were flying over the shoreline. Apparently the griffin's nest was on the cliffs they were quickly approaching.

She sighed, leaning against Numair. She wondered what the problem was.

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