No Matter What

A/N: Response to Prompt 37: Who am I? on the Tammy Drabbles site.

At Pirates Swoop, the autumn leaves dancing on a cold, crisp wind and the trees were becoming bare. Outside, the sky was cloudless and gray, matching the Lioness' bored mood. She turned to her granddaughter who stared outside at the bright, dancing leaves, "Shut the window, Ochobai, it's freezing in here."

The girl pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "But it's so pretty, and if you're so cold, grandma dearest, you can leave."

Alanna couldn't help but laugh, "You get that attitude from your mother. Now close the window."

This time, Ocho obeyed. Alanna shivered and stood and bent down to poke at the fire, wincing as her bones protested the movement. "I'm getting old." She mumbled, running a hand through her coppery-gray hair. Ochobai turned to the door, "Uh oh, Ulasu and Junim are coming…" And surely, the two ran into the room, brandishing wooden swords and shields painted with the Tortallan flag. "Surrender, Lioness!" they cried in unison, their swords held in both hands.

Ochobai looked bored, "She'll beat you two combined, she's the Champion for Mithros sake!" Alanna shook her head, playing along. "Now how am I supposed to defend myself when I am unarmed?" "I suppose the only thing I can do is surrender."

Junim giggled and took a rope, binding Alanna's hands, "Come on, prisoner, and let's go."

Ocho rolled her eyes, "You can escape, you do realize that." She cocked an eyebrow and Alanna chuckled, "They're only playing, Ocho."

Ulasu rapped on George's study door. George answered, his hazel eyes twinkling, "Do you have any reports for me Ulasu?"

"Something better, we have a prisoner, grandda!" He stood a little straighter as he said this. George laughed and nodded, "Very good, very good," He tapped his chin, "But knights can't defend themselves when their shields aren't held properly."

Junim giggled again and Ulasu blushed. George helped both Junim and Ulasu adjust the wooden shields and took the rope that the boy held, ruffling Ulasu's hair. George glanced at his wife and led her back into the sitting room, untying the rope. "I'm going to take care of our prisoner, now you three…see if she'll talk, give us answers."

Ulasu and Junim nodded and ran off, Ocho shook her head and ran after them.

George laughed as he watched them, "Now you can talk, prisoner."

Alanna hit him playfully in the arm, "George stop it!"

"I'm only kidding you, lass." He put an arm around her shoulders, holding her close. Alanna rest her cheek against his shoulder, smiled and sighed, "You know what I'm noticing more often?"

"What's that?"

"That you're getting old." That got him to laugh. "So are you, still wielding a blade at almost fifty…"

Alanna sat up slightly and faced him, violet eyes unreadable. "Who am I going to be when I'm no longer able to, George?" "When I can't be a knight anymore?"

He stared down at her and kissed her lips, sweetly, softly. "You're always goin' to be my lass, no matter what."

The Lioness smiled, and kissed his cheek. "I know…it's just nice to hear it from you."

George chuckled.