A/N: I've got big news! 4-eyedDragon and I have struck an agreement. She will allow me to borrow some of her characters and plot ideas as long as I give her credit, which I will of course do. The story I am taking the information from is called The Lady of Trebond. It is truly great and I love it. I really recommend reading it so you can understand where I'm going with the story. I'll be using mostly the beginning. Read The Lady of Trebond and pretend her mother's story was part of Alanna: The First Adventure. Here's the background information on what crucial piece of 4-eyedDragon's story that I am omitting. Alanna's mother did not survive childbirth. All the rest of the story, consider the truth. Please read all of 4-eyedDragon's stories that interest you. She is an amazing writer! And no, I'm not just sucking up! Now read this new chapter and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Tamora Pierce's books or the characters Alianne, Jane of Trebond, or any future characters I use from 4-eyedDragon's story.
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Jon cleared his throat before he answered Alanna's question. "Well… um… no." Alanna raised her eyebrows. "Does he even know I'm here?" Jonathan shifted uncomfortably. "No, that's why I asked you not to leave my chambers. It wouldn't do for him to find out about our child before I've told him my decision to marry you and he gives us his blessing. Don't worry, love, he'll have no reason to deny me of you." Jon said, confidently. Alanna looked down. "I can think of a few." Jonathan pulled her face up and looked her in the eyes. "Name one." "I went behind everyone's backs and became a knight even though I'm a woman." "Yes, you did, but if you hadn't, Duke Roger would be king right now." Alanna winced. "He owes you his life, whether he wants to admit it or not. And if he denies me the right to marry you, I'll remind him of that." Jon brought her face up and kissed her. As they broke apart Alanna sighed and said, "I love you." Jon smiled and kissed the top of her head. "And I you. Now let's get into our finery, we're going to see the king." Alanna gulped.
King Roald was sitting in his study when Timon told him that Prince Jonathan requested an audience with him. Roald smiled at the thought of his son, finally coming out of recluse. Jonathan had been nothing but a hermit in his chambers. Jonathan was sure torn apart by his mother's death, Roald thought to himself. I hope it was a young lady who pulled him from his abyss. Little did the honorable king know that it was the woman who had put him in that abyss that pulled him out. But he would soon find out.
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Jon had positioned Alanna just outside the king's study so that the king wouldn't see her small bump until he had agreed Alanna and Jon could marry. Before he went inside he held Alanna close and whispered, "I love you", in her ear. Then he took a deep breath and walked into the lion's den. Roald was waiting to greet his son. "Jon, welcome back into the real world! You have been gone for far too long! I'm glad you have come to see me. We must start the courting process; I have had my council compile a list of suitable…" He trailed off when a wide grin spread across Jon's face because of the irony. "Enough talk of business, why have you come?" Roald settled into his chair and sipped a glass of wine. "I have come to ask your permission to marry Alanna of Trebond and Olau."
Roald spit out his wine. Jonathan jumped back to avoid being sprayed. "You… you… want to marry HER!?!" Roald sputtered. Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "Of course I do. I love her." He stated matter-of-factly. Roald eyed him as if Jon was standing in a stance to attack. "Royalty doesn't marry for love." Jonathan snorted. "You married mother for love." Jon pointed out. Roald began to turn red with rage. "That was different, she was an appropriate wife." Jonathan stood and glared at his father, his sapphire eyes icy. "Are you saying that Alanna of Trebond AND Olau, heir to Myles's fortune, and a full-fledged knight to boot, is not a good choice for queen? If you mean that I'll eat my boot!"
"That last reason is exactly why she is not a good choice for queen. She is too restless and quick to blame." Roald said, calming as he thought that he had won the battle. Jonathan snorted again to the king's surprise. "She's settled down quite nicely since you last saw her years ago." Jonathan immediately thought of the child in her womb. "Adjusting to royal life will not be difficult for her." Roald sighed then looked at his son. "Where is she, I know that she's here. This should be discussed with her." Jonathan hesitated and his father noticed. "Don't you agree? This is her fate as well as yours. Now call her in!" Jon turned slowly and said, "Alanna please join us", so softly she could barely hear him. Jonathan of Contè was scared stiff. He knew how his father felt about children out of wedlock and had hoped to secure his blessing before telling him about his child.
Alanna walked slowly into the room. She was just as frightened as Jon was. When she reached Jon's side he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side. King Roald looked her over, letting no emotions slip onto his face. "She's with child." He stated simply. Jonathan nodded. "It's not your child." The king turned to Alanna. "That bastard is not yours. It is just some commoners. She is tricking you Jonathan. She wants the power–" Alanna burst into sobs and fell to the floor crying, her worst fear coming true. She was being called a whore and a liar but she could sense she was losing Jonathan too. Jon knelt down next to her and whispered hushed words of comfort into her ear. She looked up at the king and was filled with anger. She swiftly stood up, Jon following suit.
"This child is Jon's. I know what it feels like to have Jonathan's magic working within me and I feel that magic in the unborn child. The charm I wore to ward off pregnancy fell off before I entered the palace without my knowing it. I love Jon and his child with all of my heart. I will not be sent away from him again." She looked up into Jon's face. "It hurts too much to try." Jon kissed her softly and they both turned their attention to King Roald. Roald was looking at her with a new kind of respect in his eyes. He was shocked by her passion for her child and his son. He turned to Jonathan. "You may marry after the child is born. She shall see healers until the baby is born so that we can be sure the child is healthy. I don't want the heir to Tortall to be weak or sick." He smiled at the couple. "Although with you two as the parents I don't that's possible." He chuckled to himself. "You are dismissed." Jon and Alanna bowed and left the room.
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As soon as they reached their quarters, Jonathan swept Alanna into his arms and began kissing her fiercely. She kissed him back just as fierce. As they moved towards the bedroom Alanna began to see something. It was a lady dressed in white. She had flaming red hair and eyes a dark shade of green. Alanna knew her from somewhere. The woman was Alianne and she was Alanna's mother.
