Disclaimer: Not mine. Just for fun.

Summary: George is kidnapped by Delia of Eldorne.

A/N: My muse for this story kind of ran far far away, but I will continue to update randomly. The majority of my time and energy is going to George Cooper Beginnings.

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"Ahhhh." George couldn't help but let a low moan escape him as he slowly regained consciousness. The back of his head was throbbing, a little souvenir from the fight. As he tried to move his hands to see how bad the damage was, he was dismayed to find out he couldn't. Both hands were securely connected to the wall, clasped in thick iron chains.

Opening a bleary eye, George scanned his surroundings as his mind struggled to wake. The room was dark; the few torches attached to the walls cast little light. Damp flagstones pressed into his back and the smell of mildew assaulted his nose. Probably a dungeon, his mind quickly assessed. Delia must have thrown him down here when he was knocked unconscious.

Delia. That was a disturbing thought. What was Delia of Eldorne doing out of prison? Convicted of plotting against King Jonathan, Delia was the only ringleader left from the bloody fight on the day of Jon's coronation. She was supposed to be serving out a life sentence in prison. Surely, no one had her pardoned, George thought. She must have broken out. The thought was not a comforting one.

George moved his hands again, testing the chains. The heavy links clanked loudly as they met. He cursed silently; the metal was strong and solid. Unfortunately, it looked like Delia had learned a few tricks in prison. Rope bindings he easily could have escaped. The iron chains were not impossible, but they would take more thinking and effort to free himself.

George stopped moving as he heard the soft sound of approaching footsteps. Leaning back against the wall, taking care not to hit the bruise on his head, he closed his eyes and feigned unconsciousness.

"Open your eyes. You're not fooling me." George kept his eyes tightly shut as Delia's breathy voice echoed through the dungeon. He heard her let out a tiny sigh, and sensed her foot moving. Before her pointed heel could reach his body, George's arm snapped out, grabbing her foot and twisting.

Instead of anger, Delia laughed and slipped out of her shoe. "I knew you weren't still unconscious. My brutes are strong, but they don't hit that hard."

George dropped the shoe, but kept it close. Even a thing as simple as a hard and pointed slipper could serve as a weapon. "How?" he asked simply.

"What, no hugs? No welcomes?" she pouted. George narrowed his hazel eyes in a fierce glare. "Fine." She tossed her brown waves over a shoulder contemptuously. "I'm not sure if you knew, but I was known as quite the flirt back in Corus."

"I've heard," George responded dryly.

Delia smoothed her gown in a gesture of mock embarrassment. She raised her gaze back to George's. "In prison, I never changed. I played my hand right, talking to the right men, winking at whoever had the most power. Soon, a few of my admirers were released-"

"Released or broke out?" Normally George wouldn't interrupt someone during a confession- they may realize what they're doing and clam up. Delia, however, seemed like she wouldn't stop talking even if the dungeon ceiling threatened to cave in on their heads. He felt no reservation about interrupting her.

Delia fluttered her lashes. "Some released, some broke out." Her eyes narrowed. "I wouldn't appreciate a second interruption. Keep that in mind." Within a moment, the spasm of anger passed and the charming court lady was back. "Once they were out, they were determined to break me out. I rewarded them well of course. Now that I had my freedom, what was I to do? There was one person I was always thinking about during my jailing. The one person responsible for my imprisonment, the one person responsible for the failing of my plan. Responsible for the death of Roger."

"Alanna." It wasn't a question, George knew he was right.

A sick smile flashed across Delia's beautiful features. "How smart you are. Last time I saw you, you were nothing but a thief. I suppose alot changes in ten years, hm?"

"You could never harm Alanna- she'd kill you."

The woman nodded. "I've heard all about the adventures of the Lioness. Any man who goes up against her dies at the hand of her sword. But I'm not going up against her, I'm bringing about her demise in a different way. You. George of Pirate's Swoop, wife of Alanna of Pirate's Swoop. With your death, Alanna will be destroyed emotionally, and my boys can easily kill her."

George's stomach twisted. "Are you going to kill me then? You might want to get on with it."

"I'm not going to kill you straight away. With Alanna's gift, she'll be able to sense you. Sense that you're in trouble, but she won't be able to do anything about it." She rubbed her emerald silk clad arms. "I'm getting a chill, dungeons are such dreadful places. I'm sure I'll be seeing you later George." She fluttered her pale fingers towards George before disappearing into the shadows.

George watched her go, before he shook his head. He didn't plan to be around for any more visits. Bending his legs up, he twisted his back until he could reach into his boots. He also kept a set of lock picks tucked into the leather, just for the unpredictable. Instead of pulling out the metal picks, George pulled out a creamy piece of parchment. Written in elegant lettering, was the message

"George-

I meant what I said- you can't leave me that easily. I have some fun games planned for us.

Lovingly yours,

Delia"

George crumpled the paper into a ball and stuffed it back into his boot. It would take more to escape this situation than he had first thought.

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A/N: Meh. Review and such. Like I said, this story isn't my top priority anymore, and it's not very good. But I hope some of you are enjoying it.