the_lioness | (no subject)

Thayet, Queen of Tortall, is less than pleased to be standing in this unremarkable hallway, watching her husband rap on Alanna's door. It's not that she doesn't understand the urgency of the matter -- well, she understands the urgency Jon feels, at any rate. He is waiting to share the news with both of them -- but simply that she has been trying to gain a moment alone with her husband for two days now.

"Jon, we really must speak."

"Not now. I have to find Alanna."

"Has something happened?"

"I'll tell you together," he had said. Frowning, Thayet had gathered her cloak and followed closely at his heels.

"Then I'm coming with you, and if you find a moment to spare for my news, do let me know!"

Growing increasingly agitated by the moment, the queen sighs. She can't tell him here, and truly the look on his face is very worrisome. At the sound of Alanna's voice, faint but clear, she opens the door.

Jonathan isn't stupid, isn't unaware of Thayet's irritation. It's just that he is worried, deeply worried. Portents, omens - he is too aware of the magical nature of the universe to ignore them.

As Thayet opens the door, he brushes past her to cross quickly to Alanna's bed. Without preface, he says, "You have to come back to Tortall with me. Now."

Stunned into uncharacteristic silence, Alanna stares at her king and queen with her mouth hanging open. The mug of tea in her hand comes dangerously close to spilling.

She blinks.

"I'll need my cloak," she tells them, very matter-of-fact. With a firm nod, she throws the covers back, sets the tea down and struggles to stand.

Standing beside Jon, Thayet goes a bit green.

"Jonathan, she's huge!" she protests, even as she steps forward to help Alanna. "Is there no way we can discuss this here?"

His mouth set into a grim line, Jon shakes his head as he grabs the cloak and drapes it around Alanna's shoulders. He takes Alanna's other arm and guides her towards the door.

"There's something you both need to see. And it's only visible in Tortall."

He does look apologetic as they have to go sideways through the door to accomodate all of them and Alanna's stomach.

"If this is some sort of joke, I'm going to get myself a squire just to put frogs in your bed for the length of his or her training."

The her is very deliberate, and Alanna gives Jon a sidelong look, then jerks her arm free.

"I have to leave a note. And if these babies decide to put in an appearance while we are gone, YOU get to deal with him."

Alanna waddles away to take care of the matter. She grumbles, but it's really just for show; something is wrong, and she's worried.

Thayet watches her go with an extremely odd look on her face. She stands straight and tall, hoping Jon won't notice her shifting on her feet.

"I know you wouldn't do this unless it were very important," she says under her breath. "But I'm not sure she should be moved."

As Alanna finishes her note, the Queen looks as if she's going to say something else and then changes her mind, shaking her head swiftly.

Jon twitches slightly under Alanna's gaze, thinking that that would be a great battle for another day.

He manages to not tap his feet as she writes the note. He takes Thayet's hand and squeezes it, looking at her seriously, worry lines visible around his mouth. "I know, but I promise you, this is extremely important."

He sighs in relief when Alanna reappear and takes her arm again. "Trust me, this is worth the trouble. And I do take full responsibility for whatever happens while we are gone."

If Jon is willing to risk Adam's wrath, it must be serious.

Indeed, and that's just what Alanna is thinking as they exit the staff quarters. What could have brought both the king and queen to her doorstep in order to fetch her home? Whatever the answer, Alanna is certain she won't like it.

She leans heavily on Jon, partly in punishment and partly to get a better look at his face.

"Does this have anything to do with Roger?" the question is firm and serious, the look in Alanna's eyes deadly.

Before Alanna returned to them, Thayet had kissed the back of Jon's hand.

She's glad of it now.

Worried, she helps steer them out the door and looks to Jon for his answer. The voices and unnatural lights fade behind them.

"I'm not sure," he answers quietly. "I hope not - I don't mean to be cryptic, I just can't tell you more til you see it."

His voice hesitates as they step out into the palace in the royal suite. He guides them out onto the balcony - the cold night air snaps, bringing color to their cheeks. Jon helps Alanna lean onto the railing and points upwards.

A huge red star pulses low in the night sky, the cold, clear air bringing it into sharp focus. "What do you make of that?"

Alanna is too busy running homesick eyes over the palace walls and various items in the suite to notice the star of her own accord. When Jon asks his question, her head snaps up and her eyes widen. For a moment, she forgets to breathe.

It's beautiful, in a way. Beautiful in the manner of a deadly storm brewing at sea. Larger than a star should be, it lights the night sky almost as well as the moon itself.

Unconsciously, Alanna grips her emberstone. It sparkles through her fingers with a glow not unlike that of the star.

"It's not orange," she says mildly. "I don't know what it means, but at least it's not orange. Come, we will have a better view on the wall."

Like a horse with the bit between its teeth, she shrugs off their arms and hurries inside.

"Horse Lords," is Thayet's only and slightly shaky response.

Reaching down, she finds Jon's hand with both of hers.

"When did it appear? I stood here just last evening and saw nothing of the sort."

Jon squeezes Thayet's hands tightly, taking comfort in their warmth, as he follows Alanna out of the room and towards the battlements.

"It appeared at dusk this evening. I was out in the garden after dinner and it...well, it just blazed out."

His face is white in the glow of the star as they emerge back into the freezing night.

Alanna is already there, apparently having found a hidden reserve of strength and determination. Brow furrowed, she glares at the star as if silently commanding it to give up its secrets.

"It's an omen, to be sure. But of what?" Turning, she studies Jon, a faraway look in her eye. "I don't think the gods are angry with us again, necessarily. Our efforts to fight famine have been too successful. What do the Bazhir say?"

They aren't alone on the wall. Astronomers, mages and members of the King's Own dot the ramparts, staring dumbfounded at the sky. Thayet follows suit, thinking out loud.

"I think it's in the southern sky," she notes. "For all it seems to be right above us."

"No one seems to know, or at least, want to say in case they get it wrong," Jon smiles grimly.

He turns his head to look at Thayet, then turns to study the sky again. "I think you are right, my dear. And in that direction lies..."

About to wander off to have a word with one of the royal mages, Alanna goes still.

It would be nice, she thinks, if he meant something innocuous like the great Southern Desert. She turns to face Jon, worry etched on her face.

"Carthak," she finishes, voice raspy. "But why now? Tensions haven't escalated. They have diplomats here. Gary would've told me if I'd caused some sort of international incident the last time I was home."

In a soft swirl of silk, Thayet moves into Alanna's line of sight and smiles wryly.

"There is one benefit to court gossip you always seem to overlook, Lioness."

She pauses, fixing the star with a thoughtful look.

"Information."

Jon shakes his head, his smile echoing Thayet's. "You haven't done anything wrong. Recently."

He moves his attention back to the star. "No," he says slowly, "it isn't to do with us, I think. Why do I feel like something important was supposed to be happening about now? Something we were told about."

"How should I know? You've kept me busy with your maps so I'll stay in bed. No one tells the pregnant knight anything."

Annoyed, Alanna makes a face at her queen and friend for her comment and goes to fetch a mage. The fact that none of them have approached Jonathan since his appearance on the wall is a sign of their own confusion.

She nearly plows into the big Knight Commander of the King's Own. Steadying her, Raoul has a quick word with the Lioness and continues on to speak with his king and queen.

"Your majesties." He bows. "Were it any other time, I would feel compelled to make a comment about her girth."

Face grim, he runs a hand through his short, curly black hair.

"We are already gathering reports of unrest. Portents of this nature tend to make people uneasy. We need to tell them something, and soon. I'm just not sure explaining that the Carthakis have crowned themselves a new emperor will do the trick."

"As I was saying," Thayet cuts in with a smile for Raoul, "information. The coronation was today."

Jonathan slams his hand down on the stone in front of him.

"Black god, I knew there was something. Ozorne. The Emperor Mage." His mouth twists with distaste. "If the reports of his arrogance are true, I can only imagine what trouble he will cause the country."

He looks at Raoul and sighs. "You're right. And I have no idea what we should say. I'm not sure anything will really satisfy people anyway."

"Third Company rides out tonight to look for trouble," Raoul informs them. "We'll do what we can. I don't foresee riots, just a lot of whispering. Problem is, over time, that whispering can be just as damaging to a sovereign as riots. I'll report back in the morning."

He bows again, black eyes fierce in his broad face.

"And get the Lioness back in bed before she does something stupid, like try to ride out with us."

There's a hint of a smile, then he's gone.

"Thank you, Raoul," Thayet says.

The glow of ceremonial fires in the Temple District captures her attention.

"We'll need the Daughters of the Goddess and the Mithrans to proclaim it an omen, but a cautionary one. As long as it isn't imminently ominous, your people will trust you, Jonathan."

She squeezes his hand.

Jon smiles and leans over to kiss her gently. "I knew you would come up with a solution, my brilliant wife."

He looks over and sees Alanna berating a mage, who was cowering back slightly against the stone wall. Bemusedly, he calls out to her.

"Sir Alanna, kindly leave that gentleman and come over here."

Alanna returns, one hand on her stomach and the other pulling the mage behind her. One out of two isn't bad?

"Tell him," she demands.

The mage gives Sir Alanna a reproachful look, then bows, desperately trying to hide his shaking hands. This is his first run-in with the Lady Knight's temper.

"Your Majesties, please forgive us for not contacting you before now. We are studying the omen and will continue to do so."

He chances a look at Alanna and takes a step back at the look in her eyes.

"The color concerns me. Red typically means war or fire, Mithros protect us."

Jon steps forward, taking Alanna by the elbow in a show of supporting her. He murmurs in her ear, "Down, girl," giving her one of his special Looks.

He turns back to the mage, nodding. "I share your concern. Please keep your attention sharp and notify me the moment you discover anything more about this."

He dismisses the man with a small smile, and releases Alanna as the man scurries away, a look of relief on his face.

"They should have noticed it and made a report well before you did," Alanna mutters. "There's no excuse."

Abruptly, the fight goes out of her. She sags against the wall, staring at the star with eyes that suddenly look far too old and experienced.

"War or fire. Great Mother, what will the gods throw at us next? And here I am, too fat to hold a sword and utterly unable to help."

Swaying slightly in the crisp winter breeze, Thayet gracefully lifts her head and shakes it as if she can't believe what she's hearing.

"Don't be ridiculous," she admonishes gently. "For all we know, the gods are doing us a favor. You don't have to fight to help, and besides, it's not as if you have many more months."

She takes a deep breath, but it doesn't do much to stay the frustration. Normally, the queen is known for her discretion and diplomacy. Today, it seems, is different. After two days of holding her news inside, she feels the words creeping up her throat.

"It's not as if you're the only pregnant woman around here, and I have much farther to go than you do!"

Stunned, she gasps and regards Jonathan warily.

Jon stands stock still, mouth dropped open gaping like a fish. He stares at Thayet dumbfounded.

After what feels like hours, he finally manages to gasp out, "You..you are.."

Alanna recovers from the surprise quickly. Eyes wide, she stares at Thayet, grins, then quirks an eyebrow at her best friend.

She hasn't seen him this at a loss in more years than she can count. It's one of those moments she knows she will treasure forever and bring up at social gatherings as often as possible.

"At least," she manages as the laughter begins to build, "he didn't fall off the wall like he fell off the couch when I told him."

Within seconds, she surrenders to great peals of laughter, wiping at the tears of mirth streaming down her cheeks.

Ignoring Alanna, Thayet approaches Jon with a worried look and gently kisses him.

"I did wish to tell you in a more gracious manner, but we haven't had a moment alone in days." She smiles slowly, amused, and kisses his forehead next. "Your advisers can stop hassling you for an heir. We are going to have a child, my lord."

"Just one, I'm hoping. To start," she adds with a wry glance at the still laughing Alanna. "Some people are just over eager."

Alanna's laughter sounds like it's coming from miles away. All that Jon can do is focus on Thayet, her words entering his brain sluggishly.

He closes his eyes when she kisses him, not moving until she kisses him the second time. He opens his eyes as she looks over at Alanna and his arms raise to encircle her waist, almost of their own accord.

"I'm going to be a father?" he whispers hoarsely. A smile begins to grow on his face until he is grinning like a madman. "I'm going to be a father!"

He picks up Thayet and swings her in a circle, laughing.

The laughter fades, and any tears still making her eyes overbright are no longer from mirth. Leaning against the wall, Alanna simply smiles at them, silently thanking the Goddess that she could be here.

If I do nothing else, she thinks, at least I did this.

Well.

Jon and Thayet did this. I just helped make it possible.

"There," she says softly, still more for her own benefit than theirs. "The prospect of an heir will help settle any unrest. The gods know what they're doing. Most of the time."

"You are," Thayet whispers to her husband in return. Laughing brightly as he spins her, she says, "We are going to be parents."

Gradually, she notices that the others on the wall are starting to drift their way, wondering why the king and queen are behaving so oddly in the face of such concern. She smiles, unable to hold it back, and kisses Jon again before their public masks slip back into place.

on has eyes for nothing but his wife. His beautiful, incredible wife. Tears glitter in his eyes as he returns her kiss, leaning his forehead to hers for a moment before raising his head to grin at Alanna.

He quickly wipes his eyes as the courtiers and various other palace people surround them, while keeping a courteous distance of course.

He releases Thayet, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly.

"While we are in a state of uncertainty over this portent, I have a piece of news that should give our land something to rejoice. We are going to have an heir!"

Jon isn't quite able to keep the excitement out of his voice, or the grin off his face as a cheer goes up through the crowd.

Much to Alanna's annoyance, she soon finds herself cut off from the happy couple. Well-wishers bow to their king and queen out of respect and cheer for pure gladness. That's all well and good, Alanna thinks, but the circle soon shuts her out, and she hasn't had a chance to offer her own congratulations yet.

After a few fruitless attempts to worm her considerable bulk through the crowd, she stomps her foot, glares up at the backs of heads and bellows, "MOVE ASIDE!"

It works remarkably well. A path clears leading right to Jon and Thayet. Slowly and carefully, Alanna moves forward until she is directly before them.

"Congratulations," she rasps. "May the Goddess bless you both. Now bend down so I can hug you properly."

Thayet doesn't comply immediately, knowing the barked order is more for Jon than herself, but she does squeeze Alanna's hand.

"Thank you, Lioness. I'm going to have a great deal to learn from you soon, I suspect."

Jon rolls his eyes at her bellow, hiding a smile as Alanna lumbers through the chastened crowd. He obliges more than willingly, leaning down and wrapping his arms as best as he can around as much of her as he can.

"If it wouldn't be completely undignified and strain my back horribly I would pick you up and spin you around too," he says happily to her. He kisses her cheek, beaming at her, his eyes starting to glisten suspiciously again.

He clasps her and Thayet's hands, his expression more serious. "Now...I think I know how my father felt." He looks at them, seeing the understanding in Alanna's eyes.

Alanna decides that continuing to look weepy-eyed in public is far more undignified than straining the royal back, but she keeps it to herself rather than arouse his ire. It's not as if she isn't feeling particularly sentimental herself.

And hungry.

"Your parents would both be proud, Jon," she tells him, her smile the sort she reserves for very few people. "You're a good king, and you'll be a good father. You do them credit."

Expression thoughtful, she looks at Thayet. "And your mother would be proud of the queen you have become. I have no doubt that my children will occasionally wish they had you as a mother."

The last is said with a grin.

"If we are done here, I suggest we return to the royal suite. I'm hungry. After we have eaten and celebrated a bit, I'd like to go back. I have my own husband to kiss, and I find that I quite miss him at the moment."

As happy as she is to be here, she's tired and nervous, and it's starting to show.

Kalasin's daughter closes her eyes at Alanna's words and smiles softly to herself. The knight hadn't mentioned Thayet's father for a reason, and although it still stings, the queen is uncharitably satisfied at that.

"Of course we'll take you back," she states, hazel green eyes finding Jonathan's. There's a world of love and promise in them. Tonight, they will find time to be together. "Here, take my arm. I'm feeling a little bit faint."

It's a lie and they both know it, but a noble's pride is a tricky thing. She smiles and turns toward the palace as Alanna loops her arm through hers.

Jon decides that Alanna doesn't need his help. He selfishly doesn't want to let go of Thayet's hand. He smiles and waves to the assembled people as they walk back inside towards the royal suite.

Feeling boyishly cheerful, he can't help grinning evil at Alanna around Thayet. "Alanna, I'm not sure we have enough food in the palace to satisfy you."

He ducks back behind Thayet, squeezing her hand as he walks with his two favorite people in the world.

Concentrating on both Thayet and the placement of feet she can no longer see, Alanna ignores the evil grin.

For the most part.

"I'll survive. After all, I wouldn't want to eat all the food you will undoubtedly be fetching and carrying for your dear pregnant wife over the next seven or eight months," she says sweetly.

"Now," she tells Thayet, "the most important thing to remember is that you can be as cantankerous as you like, and people are more apt to forgive you for it. It's fantastic. I'll send word to George's mother to fix you some of those herb packets. They really do help with any sickness or sleeping problems..."

Alanna's lecture on How to Survive Pregnancy Without Killing Someone lasts all the way back to the royal suite, her voice echoing through empty hallways, tempered by Jon's occasional snort and giddy laugh.

High in the night sky, the red star blazes.