Post by lisabounce on Apr 5, 2011 11:46:03 GMT 10
Title: That Most Promising Squire (Part 2)
Rating: PG
Word Count: 436
Pairing: Roger/Alanna
Round/Fight: 1/G
Summary: Roger dogged her footsteps, those last months between her eighteenth birthday and her Ordeal.
Alanna served at the Palace functions, carrying trays filled with glass goblets of wine. Roger stopped her, hand on her shoulder and running one finger along her neck. She shivvered and started, only to have him steady her and the tray. “Easy lad. I just want to talk to you. I'll make your excuses to their majesties later,” he murmured, taking two goblets of a deep, blood-red wine. She blinked at him, made stupid from the dancing lights, swirls of bright colour in the ladies' dresses and men's tunics and hose and the heat of the room.
Roger gave a bark of laughter and gestured toward the doors opening onto the balconies. (The couples' trysting spots, in warmer weather, Alanna noted.)
She bowed slightly as he handed her one of the two goblets of wine, “Thank you, your Grace,” she replied, settling the tray to one side. It was a cold night, clear and bright and there would be heavy frost on the ground by morning. Out here, away from the press of heat and light, stiflingly hot court garb was nothing.
Roger simply smiled in return and Alanna shuffled her feat and tugged at the hem of her tunic as Roger stepped closer. “You're a handsome lad, Alan. Jon always did choose the best for himself.”
“I'm sorry, your Grace, but I-”
He smiled. “Alan, have you given any thought to your future? You're the heir apparent's squire but that alone does not a life make.”
Alanna blinked and gulped her wine, stuck for words, even as Roger settled his free hand on her shoulder. “I can be a good friend, Alan, and a better one than Jon, once you've passed your ordeal.”
Alanna simply blinked again. “With respect, your Grace, I serve my knight master and the realm. I should not be planning for a future beyond that before I undertake my Ordeal.”
Roger laughed, low and soft, the hand on her shoulder darting up to trace the line of her cheek. “You mistake me, Squire Alan. I've no interest in you before then. Squires, even those such as yourself, as so terribly ... unfinished.”
And what was she supposed to say? 'My plan is to ride off and do daring deeds, for you'll all hate me as a liar in three months?' She shrugged and finished the wine, feeling a light buzz. He was very handsome. “Thank you, you Grace.” And with that, Alanna picked up her tray again, to resume her neglected post.
“Think on it, Squire Alan. That's all I ask.”
QC by: greenie
Rating: PG
Word Count: 436
Pairing: Roger/Alanna
Round/Fight: 1/G
Summary: Roger dogged her footsteps, those last months between her eighteenth birthday and her Ordeal.
Alanna served at the Palace functions, carrying trays filled with glass goblets of wine. Roger stopped her, hand on her shoulder and running one finger along her neck. She shivvered and started, only to have him steady her and the tray. “Easy lad. I just want to talk to you. I'll make your excuses to their majesties later,” he murmured, taking two goblets of a deep, blood-red wine. She blinked at him, made stupid from the dancing lights, swirls of bright colour in the ladies' dresses and men's tunics and hose and the heat of the room.
Roger gave a bark of laughter and gestured toward the doors opening onto the balconies. (The couples' trysting spots, in warmer weather, Alanna noted.)
She bowed slightly as he handed her one of the two goblets of wine, “Thank you, your Grace,” she replied, settling the tray to one side. It was a cold night, clear and bright and there would be heavy frost on the ground by morning. Out here, away from the press of heat and light, stiflingly hot court garb was nothing.
Roger simply smiled in return and Alanna shuffled her feat and tugged at the hem of her tunic as Roger stepped closer. “You're a handsome lad, Alan. Jon always did choose the best for himself.”
“I'm sorry, your Grace, but I-”
He smiled. “Alan, have you given any thought to your future? You're the heir apparent's squire but that alone does not a life make.”
Alanna blinked and gulped her wine, stuck for words, even as Roger settled his free hand on her shoulder. “I can be a good friend, Alan, and a better one than Jon, once you've passed your ordeal.”
Alanna simply blinked again. “With respect, your Grace, I serve my knight master and the realm. I should not be planning for a future beyond that before I undertake my Ordeal.”
Roger laughed, low and soft, the hand on her shoulder darting up to trace the line of her cheek. “You mistake me, Squire Alan. I've no interest in you before then. Squires, even those such as yourself, as so terribly ... unfinished.”
And what was she supposed to say? 'My plan is to ride off and do daring deeds, for you'll all hate me as a liar in three months?' She shrugged and finished the wine, feeling a light buzz. He was very handsome. “Thank you, you Grace.” And with that, Alanna picked up her tray again, to resume her neglected post.
“Think on it, Squire Alan. That's all I ask.”
QC by: greenie