milliways_bar | (no subject)

He casts Alanna a rather amused glance, quickly, before stepping away from the horse just slightly and bowing most politely, as one king to another.

"Edmund Pevensie, King of Narnia, Duke of Lantern Waste, and Count of the Western March, and Knight of the Noble Order of the Table, as it happens."

*Grits his teeth harder* Alanna. You play innocent quite badly, you know. And I learned that look from when you used it every day when we were pages.

*He starts and his eyebrow goes up at the litany of titles. Remembering his place, he bows the same in return.* Jonathan of Conte, simply King of Tortall, I'm afraid. Oh, and the Voice of the Tribes of the Bahzir. But that is enough - especially since I can't stop my own Champion from stealing my horses.

*And he returns to glowering at Alanna*

*Alanna is honestly baffled as to why Jon is so miffed. She glances sideways at Mithros. Stefan would have told her if anything serious would come of his owner... misplacing him.

Wouldn't he?

She swallows, watching the two kings display their feathers, as it were. Jon's last statement, however, causes her to pale.*

Your horses? Ghost belongs to Alex! *She sticks her chin out.* You can't take him back, it would break Alex's heart. I'll pay for him just as I paid for the other.

Edmund...

... looks highly amused, actually, as he pulls out his brushes and keeps himself busy giving Rachât a rather more thorough going-over.

Further introductions with Jonathan will continue later, no doubt.

*Jon's face is slowly turning a dangerous shade of red. He struggles to keep his voice under control.*

Alanna. I could care less about Ghost. I want to know what you did with Mithros.

Use the brain the Goddess granted you, Jon.

*She makes an annoyed gesture and takes another bite of her apple.

And pales, choking slightly.*

"In the interests of preventing apoplexy, as I'm not sure where my sister is with her cordial should anything happen to either of you, I feel obliged to point out that the horse in question - and he's quite lovely, by the way - is over there, across the hall, two down from Ghost."

Edmund does not look up from Rachât's coat.

*Jon stomps down to Mithros' stall and relaxes slightly when he sees that he is fine. He turns back towards Alanna and growls*

Care to explain this, Lioness?

*Alanna hurriedly tosses her apple in a nearby feed bucket and races forward, her face still devoid of color. She maneuvers herself between Jon and Mithros, ducking into his stall. Leaning into the large gelding, Alanna takes a deep breath and faces her King.*

Mithros... Stefan... implied that it wouldn't be too much of a bother if I took him. He said I'd like him as we were both stubborn as mules. *Mithros affectionately butts her with his head and she smiles at him.* He's wonderful. I left plenty of coin, Jon. Truly, I did.

*She bites her lip.* Who is the owner? *Screwing up her face, she turns her head, almost certain that she will hate the answer.*

Edmund continues to brush Rachât, because he has the feeling that if he says anything he will laugh, and it won't be terribly helpful to the situation.

*His face turns an even deeper red*
*in a low growl* I am going to kill him, I swear I will.

*He turns slowly to Alanna.* I. Am. The owner.

*He puts his hand on Mithros' bridle*

*Alanna stares at him with very wide eyes indeed. Chin wobbling ever so slightly, she lifts her head and glares at him indignantly.*

You? You saddled him with the name Mithros? *She covers Mithros' ears with some difficulty. He's very tall.* Don't you think that was a touch presumptuous? How's a body to curse properly?

*Breathing heavily now, she falls back on her heels and tries to makes sense of the situation.*

Stefan... Goddess, he's probably laughing hysterically at me right now. *Her face falls.* I'm sorry, Jon. I did not know you had a new mount. Is Darkness ill? You know I would never take your horse on purpose.

*Alanna chews on her thumb, praying to the Goddess that Jon NEVER finds out she has been running her mouth about Mithros' owner's obvious inferiority complex and need to compensate for something.*

Edmund speaks up, absently~~, from the peanut gallery~~.

"She does have a point, you know. If Mithros is one of your gods, as I'll assume, it does seem a bit much to name a horse after him. I'd hardly try to name a horse Aslan. No better a horse than a donkey, to try to use that name."

*He gapes at Alanna* You have the gall to say I have bad taste in names? Might i mention Faithful? Moonlight? Lightning?

*He almost chokes getting all the names out, but slows himself and makes himself take a deep breath.*

Darkness is fine, I just wanted an extra mount. And this beauty seemed perfect. *He blushes a bit* He seemed so large and strong I thought Mithros would be a fitting name.

*at Edmund's words, he stiffens* Sir Edmund, I apologize if this seems rude, but this doesn't really concern you.

Those are perfectly lovely names. *She says this loftily, her eyes narrowed.* As is Darkness.

*Taking a deep breath, she turns to Mithros and runs her hand along his neck, talking softly. He wickers and turns to look at her.*

I'm sorry, Mithros. I know you could be happy here, and Goddess knows I would love you, but you belong to my King. I've no choice in the matter.

*Refusing to look at him, she hands the lead to Jon and swipes furiously at her eyes.* He's yours. Good luck getting him up the stairs at the Dove.

Edmund smiles, calmly enough.

"You're right, of course. It's not my concern, no. It's rather the horse's. Why don't you ask him what he'd like?"

*Jon turns back to Alanna, rolling his eyes. He sees Alanna's tears and sighs deeply. He knows a battle lost when he sees one.*

You win this time, Lioness. *He hands the lead back.* Mithros take those tears of yours. *At the word, Mithros raises his head and whickers at Jon. He groans.* And you were right about that. *He pinches the bridge of his nose*

*Mutters*It was Thayet's idea, you know.

*Alanna wastes no time launching herself at him and grinning at Edmund over Jon's shoulder.*

Tears? What tears? I don't cry. I can't believe you would even suggest that I might. *She laughs.* I should have known you wouldn't do that. It's alright. I'll pardon the Princess as she is not a native of Tortall.

Faith thinks we should name him Bob.

*She sighs and backs up.* Thank you, Jon. You have no idea how much this means to me. *a grimace* I'll sit in on Council meetings for a week if it will soften the blow any.

Edmund chuckles quietly, glancing again at Alanna, and turns back to Rachât again.

He'd be more than happy to speak with Jonathan further, but perhaps barging in now would be less than wise.

*Jon hugs her back* You're welcome, Lioness. It's the least I can do, anyway. I don't think I'll ever be able to fully repay you for saving my kingdom AND my life. I guess a horse will have to do.

*He grins* What would you do if I took you up on that Council offer? No, it's fine. Just take good care of him and let me ride him once and a while. Now, I need to get back. Stephan and I need to have a little chat. *He turns to the horse and gives him a final pat.* Goodbye, Mithros. Don't let them rename you "Bob" - what kind of a strange name is that?

*He goes back out into the main area and peers back at Edmund. He bows to him* I'm sorry if I was short-tempered earlier, Sir Edmund. Perhaps I can remake your acquaintance some other time.

*He turns back and gives Alanna one last smile as she clings to Mithros' lead rein* Good day, Lioness. I'll see you soon.

*Alanna watches him go with a fond smile. Now that her heart has stopped racing, she remembers that she adores him and would do anything for him.

She wraps her arms around Mithros and rubs her cheek against his soft neck.

Well, almost anything.

Turning back to Edmund, she smiles sheepishly.*

Right. That was Jon. He's not normally so... upset with me.

"I'm sure that normally he's not tracking you down to accuse you of stealing his horse, either," he says calmly, and amusedly.

Not usually, no. *Patting Mithros one last time, she walks back toward Edmund.* I really had no idea it was his horse.

If I had, I never would have said his owner had an inferiority complex.

Edmund laughs.

Quite a bit, actually, to the point where he's leaning against Rachât's shoulder to keep his balance.

*For all that she's blushing, her lips twitch.*

...Or that he was trying to compensate for... something.

*The blush intensifies, and she snickers.*