Written by AsianLioness
" Alanna! Put your thumb out of your mouth! You shall never do that in front of your suitors, you understand? Never!" scolded Maude, her caretaker, pushing Alanna's thumb away from her mouth.
"Alright, alright, no need to get mad. But Maude, I simply do not see the point of this! Why do I need to learn sewing? It certainly won't help me when I'm in battles, fighting. I mean, I can't exactly kill people with a thread and needle can I?" complained Alanna.
"Alanna, how many times have I--"
Suddenly a Daughter of the Goddess, knocked on the door. " Pardon me, Lady Alanna but the Head Daughter of She Who Rules Us All wishes to see you. If you shall come with me", she gestured towards the door. Alanna followed the Daughter of the Goddess, healing her thumb with her Gift. Why did the Head Daughter of the Goddess wish to see her? Had she done something wrong?
Deeply involved in her thoughts, she didn't know that they had arrived in the Head Daughter rooms until she heard the Head Daughter's voice. "Sit down, Alanna." She obeyed. "Alanna", sighed the Head Daughter," The Grand Ball is being held at the palace in Corus. It is time for you to meet suitors who shall marry you." Alanna snapped out of her thoughts immediately. "But, Head Daughter, I am too young", she protested putting on a sad face.
But the Head Daughter was not easily tricked "No, Alanna those tricks will not work on me. You are a young woman now. It is time, Alanna dear child. Your future awaits you." Although, the Head Daughter did not tell her this, she had always been fond of this redheaded girl with her violet eyes. She had bought her laughter over the past 6 years at the convent.
"But Head Daughter," pleaded Alanna, " I-I- haven't acquired the skills that a lady---" The Head Daughter interrupted her. "No, I cannot let you stay any longer. I am sorry child, but your time has come. I have already sent horses to take you and Maude to Corus. The Grand Ball shall be held in a week's time. Please Alanna, you shall never achieve your dreams as a warrior maiden if you remain here. Now go." The Head daughter dismissed her with a wave of her hand.
Alanna trudged back to her rooms. Maude had packed their bags, while Alanna had been gone.
"Now, Alanna look on the bright side of things. At least you will get to see your brother Thom! And then you can ask him about weapons and archery and all those other fighting things you are so interested in. Which you will not demonstrate at the Grand Ball", added Maude sternly.
" Alright, alright. I guess it will be wonderful to see Thom again." Alanna suddenly grinned, her violet eyes dancing wickedly " And I can tease him when I ducked his head in the fish pond when we were little! You know what, Maude? This isn't looking so bad after all!"
Squire Thom of Trebond was lying on his bed, reading a book when his friends came by his room. "Hey Thom, do you want to go to the Dancing Dove with us?" asked the man with curly black hair and dark eyes. "No thanks Raoul, I want to finish this book, before I have to go and serve at the Grand Ball" replied Thom. "The Grand Ball," Raoul of Golden Lake and Malorie's Peak groaned. "Mithros, somebody tell me why we have these? I'd rather be in Scanran than go to the Grand Ball!"
Gareth of Naxen, the Younger, answered him. " So we can go and see if there are any young beautiful maidens to court. I want to actually speak to one of them before all of them notice Jon and flock to him like geese. That's one of the disadvantages of having a Prince as your cousin. They notice him, instead of you."
Jonathon of Conté protested " It's not my fault that they all come to me. You should thank me, Gary." "Thank you!?" Gary said in disbelief.
"Yes" replied his cousin. " Sure some of them are beautiful, but sometimes they talk about the most boring things in the world. They flirt with you and when you say something, they giggle annoyingly. And that's not the worst part of all. It's when you have to dance with them."
"But think of all those beautiful, vulnerable women surrounding you!" exclaimed Gary "Shouldn't you be use to it, Jon?" asked Thom curiously.
" Yeah he's got a point," agreed Raoul " After all you are Prince Jonathon of Conté, the MOST handsomest man at the Tortallan Court."
"Arggh, don't remind me" said the prince in disgust. " I want a break from all of this. For once I would like to meet a Lady who is interested in weapons and wars, instead of one talking about poems, marveling at me because I'm the Prince. I guess there will never be such a lady", he sighed.
"Don't worry, Jon. Surely you can find a lady that will ---" Thom stopped in mid-sentence.
"What's wrong?" asked a concerned Raoul.
"I just remembered, my sister's the same age as me."
"So what? You're both 16. Wow." said Gary bitterly.
"You don't understand," whispered Thom " my sister's 16. It means that it's time for her to come to the court. She'll probably be arriving here in a few days' time. I'll be able to see her!" he said excitedly. "My sister's coming! I'll be able to see her! After 6 years!" Gary, Jonathon and Raoul exchanged glances. They had never seen Thom this excited about anything, except for sorcery lessons.
Thom wasn't taking notice. He told them, "Wait till you meet her. I guarantee that you'll be surprised. Just you wait!"
A few days later after travelling in and out of towns, Alanna and Maude arrived at the palace in the capital of Tortall. They were escorted to their rooms and then left alone. "Maude, I'm going to have a look around is that alright? Maude?" Alanna turned to face her, only to discover that she was already snoring gently. Smiling Alanna left her caretaker in her room and closed the door quietly behind her. She decided to wander around the palace, to see if she could have a reunion with her twin brother Thom. As she let her feet carry her around; her head was filled with questions. Would Thom be the Thom she knew from her child hood days from Trebond? Would he be more arrogant? Would he be awkward to talk to? She was so busy thinking, that she did not realised she had bumped into someone, until she felt herself being steadied.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me, I did not mean to." She pulled away and curtsied, with her face down as she had been taught at the convent, while her face was blushing furiously. A deep voice answered her.
" It's alright. Don't worry about it." Alanna turned to face her speaker. He was half a head taller than she was, with black coal hair and brilliant blue sapphire eyes. His nose was straight and proud and laughter was in his eyes.
He's very handsome, thought Alanna. I wonder who this young man is.
"I haven't seen you before. Where might you be from?" he asked.
"Trebond, sir. My caretaker and I just arrived today." She replied, looking anywhere but him. Not even a full day in Corus and she had already embarrassed herself!
"Lady…?" She supplied her name. " Lady Alanna, sir". Then feeling a bit more comfortable she asked, "May I be so bold to ask your name sir?" Her speaker, it seemed was a bit amused by her question and he seemed to know something that she didn't, but she didn't care. " It's Jonathon." She frowned. It sounded familiar. Very familiar. Where had she heard it?
Noticing that he was staring at her intently, she decided that it was time to make her escape. " I thank you for your kind manner sir and I am sorry about the accident." She curtsied and then walked quickly past him.
"Wait" he called out" do you know your way around here?" She didn't, but she wasn't so sure if she should trust this kind stranger. Come on, said her daring self, how often do you get to spend the day with a glorious guy, hmm? You could ask him about Thom. He might know him.
"Well, no sir" she replied slowly. Jonathon seemed pleased by her answer and offered to show her around the palace, lending his arm. He showed her stables, the Royal Menagerie, the Royal Forest and the practice courts.
Throughout the day, she told him about herself, about her family, why she was here and stories at the convent, some of them making him laugh hysterically. She discovered however, that Jonathon did not reveal much about himself. Except that he had the Gift and he was a knight at the palace, something that she was VERY interested in, he remained quiet. The embarrassment had disappeared and she was comfortable enough to made jokes, some at which he found amusing. He asked her opinion on things and she spoke her mind out about them, something that he liked about her, it seemed. He was fascinated about her knowledge about weapons and they had long discussions about wars and battles in the past. As the hours went by, she forgot all her lessons to court young men and instead enjoyed just having a friend.
Finally the sunset began to show and Alanna knew it was time to go back to her rooms. "Well, I guess I better go back otherwise Maude will have a fit" she said reluctantly.
"Oh, do you have to go? We were having such a wonderful time." He glanced at her and sighed " yeah, I suppose you better. I wouldn't want you getting into trouble. Will I see you again?" he asked.
"Unfortunately you will", she said with a grin, when he laughed " I'll be scouting around tomorrow trying to find Thom and seeing if I can spot anybody practicing in the practice courts. Also I'll be at the Grand Ball" she groaned. " Goddess, help me. Will you be there?" she asked him, hopefully.
"Yes I will be. If you see me, please come and talk to me. Otherwise if you don't, then I shall be most displeased. Well goodnight Lady Alanna", he said with a smile, a smile that melted her heart. "It has been a pleasure talking to you and I hope to see you soon" With this, he took her hand and kissed it gently, then walked away.
Wow, I never had a more wonderful time, she thought while watching him walk away, I certainly hope to see HIM soon.
***************
The next day, Alanna went wandering around the palace dressed in breeches and a shirt, her shoulder-length hair tied back into a ponytail. Although no body had seen her wear this outfit at the convent, she always wore it while practicing combat and swordplay, which was taught to her by a few of her friends in the convent.
She walked into the practice courts, speculating all the action that was going on. A few pages were out and all of them stared in shock, at the petite figure with violet eyes, dressed in practice clothes.
One of them came over, a boy with sandy blond hair and cold gray eyes. He took a look at her and sneered, “ Are you trying to pass as one of us? Is this a joke? Girls can’t fight at all! Go back to where you came from!”
Alanna looked at him calmly, although her heart was beating nervously, and said “ Is this how you treat a lady?”
He sneered once more and replied “ You ain’t a Lady! You look more like a pig!” and laughed.
Alanna was trying to get her temper under control but couldn’t resist making a remark. “Well, you aren’t much different yourself. You look more like a cow than a page with those legs and your big head.”
The boy yelled out angrily and made a grab for her hair, but Alanna had been expecting this. Quickly, she bent his arm and twisted it around his back, while she kicked his knees, causing him to fall to the ground. The boy struggled, trying to get back up but Alanna put her whole weight on his body.
“Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. If you’re sorry, nod your head. If you’re not then nobody will recognise you by the time I’m finished with you. Okay? Which will you choose?” The boy nodded furiously, and she let him go. She backed away from him and noticed that she had a crowd of pages and squires, staring at her in amazement.
“ Where did you learn to fight like that?” asked a boy, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.
“ That’s for me to know and you to find out” she said mysteriously and strolled away. When she was half way to her rooms, she heard someone drawl “ Well, Alanna dear sister, I can see you haven’t lost your fighting edge.”
Whirling around she came face to face with her brother who had the same coppery hair and violet eyes as her. “Thom!” she shrieked and embraced him. He returned the hug and then held her at an arm’s length, admiring her.
“ Hmm, I thought they taught ladies at convents how to attract young men, not fight with them” Alanna made a face and released her brother, who was laughing.
“ I can’t believe that you fought Ralon of Malven,” he said as they began walking down the path leading into the Royal Forest.
“ Well, “ she said, mock indignant “ he wasn’t treating me like a Lady. And besides I needed to see if I could defend myself.”
“Ah, I see. So tell me about your life at the convent” She told him all the experiences she had had, how she had made many enemies and a few friends, funny stories, Maude and how she was achieving her dream by practicing swordplay and doing combat work. When she ran out of things to tell him, she asked him about his life at the palace, and asked endless questions about his training. He told him about the friends he made at the palace and about the sorcery lessons he was having. He was in the middle of telling her about the Tusaine Battle by the River Drell when he was greeted by one of friends.
“Hey, is it just me or am I seeing double Thom?” said Thom’s friend, while Alanna giggled.
“Raoul, this is my sister Alanna I told you about yesterday. Alanna this is one of my best friends: Raoul of Golden Lake and Malorie’s Peak. He’s also my knight-master” He gestured to the powerfully built man, who had black curly hair and dark eyes.
She started to curtsy to him and then remembered she wasn’t wearing a dress, so she just smiled and nodded.
“Well, I finally get to meet the famous Lady Alanna of Trebond,” said Raoul “ Thom’s been very excited about you coming here.”
“So am I” replied Alanna wickedly “ I haven’t seen Thom since that time I ducked his head in the fish pond.”
Raoul laughed heartily.
“ Umm…yeah….well anyway, where’s Jon and Gary, Raoul?” Thom wanted to avoid Alanna from telling any more embarrassing child hood memories.
“ Well Gary went out the door as soon as he heard that some new noblewomen had arrived at court and Jon’s there as well cause his mother ordered him to be. His mother said that it was good for Jon to meet new people” grumbled Raoul. “Every body’s interested in the Grand Ball. Since I’m a knight, I have to attend as well. It didn’t say that when you became a knight, you had to go to these kind of things!”
“Social events aren’t exactly Raoul’s kind of thing” explained Thom to Alanna. “ He’s more of a fighting-in-battles-and-wars kind of guy.”
“ Really? We already have something in common in then. Social events aren’t exactly my kind of things. I would prefer to do some combat work than dance ” said Alanna
“ What? Are you joking?” Raoul was instantly shocked.
“Nope, she’s not joking. She’s dead serious” confirmed Thom.
“ But I thought most ladies would be interested in choosing dresses and doing their hair and flirting and— “
“Well, ‘I’m not most ladies’” interrupted Alanna. Did all people think that noblewomen were interested in those kinds of things? she pondered. “ I was wondering could you teach me any techniques on how to improve at archery?”
******************
An hour later, after finally convincing Raoul that Alanna was serious about weapon training, they were in the outdoors practice courts facing a target.
“ I’m not sure. Are you sure you can lift that bow up? I mean I’ve never seen –“ Alanna fitted the arrow onto the bow with ease, lifted it, pulled the string back to her ear and let the arrow flow straight into the bull’s eye.
Raoul stared at her flabbergasted while Thom looked at him smugly.
“Now do you believe her?” asked Thom
“Um---“ hesitated Raoul. Still don’t believe me hmm? Fine then, I’ll prove it to you again thought Alanna. Before anybody could say a word, she reloaded her bow 3 times, each arrow striking dead center in the bull’s eye.
She turned to face Raoul. To her surprise, his flabbergasted expression was now replaced by one of respect. They stared at each other until Thom broke the silence.
“People, as much as I would like to stay here and stare all day until the cows come home,” he said dryly “ I think it’s time we headed back towards our rooms. I don’t think that Maude would be pleased you’ve been out all day Alanna, and Raoul I think we better head back as well. ”
“So now that you’ve seen what I can do, perhaps you can give me lessons?” asked Alanna. “ I promise that I won’t giggle at you or expect you to recite poems to me. Deal?” Grinning, she held out her hand.
“Deal!” Raoul shook her hand enthusiastically, grinning in return. “ So when shall we start?”
Along the way back to the palace, the trio came up with a suitable time for Alanna to undergo training in one of the less-used practice courts. Finished discussing that, they talked. By the time they arrived at the palace, Alanna felt that she had known Raoul as long as she had known Thom.
“Well I guess this is where we say goodbye. I’ll see you two tonight. If I don’t find either of you in your rooms, you’ll regret that you knew me at all!” Laughing, both men assured her that they would be and the three of them parted.
She entered her room quietly, praying that her fussy caretaker wasn’t there, but luck didn’t seem to be on her side. “Alanna!” scolded Maude “ Where have you been? Why didn’t you tell me? Why are you wearing those clothes? Explain!” Alanna sighed wearily, as she began to change into one of her dresses. It was going to take a long time for Maude to calm down.
********************************
Just when Maude finished giving her lecture on how noblewomen should act and was about to start a new one, Raoul came by her door. Maude abruptly stopped talking. Raoul who was feeling a bit uneasy by Maude’s reaction hesitated what he was going to say. Alanna hastily made introductions and then steered Raoul out of her room, saying over shoulder “ I’ll be back in a little while, Maude.” She shut the door behind her and then turned to Raoul. “ Thank Goddess, you came by!” she exclaimed, “You’re my hero! I thought I’d never be able to get away from Maude’s speeches!” Raoul now comfortable laughed.
“ Well, Thom said what Maude was like, so I thought I better rescue you. That’s one of the reasons why I came by.”
“Oh, what’s the other one then?” asked Alanna.
“Well, I was wondering if you could help me with a problem” he hesitated before going on, “ As you might know already, the Grand Ball is tomorrow night.” Alanna rolled her eyes “ and I am hopeless at making small talk with other people. So could you be my companion? Wait, what I meant was, could you just accompany me? Make sure I don’t turn into a block of wood or embarrass myself? Please? I’d rather be outside doing archery, but the prince has ordered me to go and I can’t refuse, so could you?” he added, pleading filled his dark eyes.
Alanna thought it over. Well I guess it would be mean of me to NOT help him. Besides, he is one of Thom’s best friends and I have to go as well, so it might as well be someone that I know. Also, I doubt that Jonathon would remember me at all. He’s probably got million of beautiful women swarming around him. He probably forgot me already. “ Sure, why not? I need someone to go with, since I have to be there as well.” She said cheerfully, although she was a bit sadden that by her thoughts.
“Really? You will be? Thank you!” said Raoul, relieved. “ I thought I might have to lie to Jon and say that I was sick, but that wouldn’t be such a great plan, because he probably would send a healer to me and then when the healer would find nothing wrong with me, I might have to explain my reasons. He wouldn’t be pleased.”
“Hmm, your friend Jon seems to have a lot of power over you” remarked Alanna. “Well, he is the Prince. Jon is Prince Jonathon of the Tortall Kingdom.” Raoul told her. Suddenly it was hard for Alanna to breathe. “ Would Prince Jonathon have black hair and blue eyes?” she asked urgently.
“Why, yes ” said Raoul, surprised. “How did you know? Wait, that was a stupid question. All women know what Jon looks like. I mean, they say he’s the most handsomest man at court, plus he is a knight and the prince which makes all us other knights look shameful” he joked. “Alanna, what’s the matter?” he asked, noticing her pink face.
“Nothing, nothing at all.” She assured him. “So tell me how being a knight is.” As Raoul proceeded to do so, Alanna thought No wonder he was so mysterious yesterday! He’s the Prince! Oh well, I hope that I don’t bump into him again! He probably thought I was a dolt! Shaking her head, she returned to listening to Raoul. They talked until it was sunset and parted, Alanna reminding him that she would be in his chamber to start her training. She stepped inside her room, expecting Maude to fire questions at her, but instead Maude was watching her.
“Maude are you feeling alright?” she inquired worriedly. “Do you need to see a healer?” “No, no. I was just thinking about something, that’s all ” said Maude and then said, “Where are you going tonight?”
Alanna began to strip off her dress and then slipped into the bathtub. “ Nowhere really” she answered as she began cleaning herself.
“Ah, I see then. Well, after you’ve finished your supper then you can do whatever you please.” Alanna stopped cleaning herself and just stared at Maude, her mouth in a perfect ‘o’. Maude had never let her do whatever she pleased! She had to beg Maude for 3 weeks before she let her train with the maids at the convent! She thought about protesting, then immediately stopped herself. She might not have another chance! And she did want some time alone without having to care that Maude would give her the guilt trip! Sighing contently, she rinsed herself and then began to dress. Maude had disappeared while Alanna finished bathing, so Alanna could do whatever she wanted. After supper, she would visit Thom and then take a walk into the Royal Forest by herself. She decided to gather her hair in half a ponytail and to add a few touches of make-up to surprise Thom. I really have changed she thought there was time when I absolutely refused to put face-paint on!
*******************
Finishing her supper, she took a knife, incase of any unpleasant surprises and a cloak. Then she went to surprise Thom. Instead though, she found a note:
Dearest Alanna,
By now, you’ve probably discovered that I’m not present at the moment. The reason is that tonight I have to serve at a banquet, one of the many duties a squire has to perform. Sir/ Lord Raoul couldn’t think of an excuse to not come, so he had to come as well. If you’ve lost your mind (don’t scowl) {Alanna was scowling} and decided that you might attend this banquet, you shall find Raoul and me in the Banquet Hall, which is near the page’s/ squire’s mess hall. If you get lost, then ask one of the palace servants instead of trying to find your way out. Remember last time when you tried that at home? You ended up in the stables!
Love, Thom
Still scowling a bit, she walked down the path, which led into the Royal Forest. Strolling slowly, she inhaled the beautiful scents of the trees and the flowers. Night animal calls and sounds filled the night and she was just simply content to sit on the bench and listen to them. The moonlight shone on her face and she closed her eyes.
"It’s a beautiful night isn’t it?" said a familiar voice nearby. Whirling around, she saw Jonathon emerge, his sapphire eyes shining in the darkness.
"Yes, it is" she agreed. She turned her back on him and faced the moonlight once again. She wasn’t feeling very friendly towards him.
" What are you doing out here?" he asked as he sat down next to her on the bench. He brushed against her lightly, which spent shivers up her spine.
What is wrong with me? She thought. She didn’t say anything, until she trusted her voice. "Nothing much. I decided to take a walk and relax, instead of going to the banquet. What about you?"
"I needed some fresh air. Do you know how hot it is to be inside a room with hundreds of people? Besides I saw you walking into the Royal Forest and I thought that I might join you. The idea of making some pointless small talk with someone I did not know, who was wearing rings on every finger, did not appeal to me."
"That’s funny, I thought being the Prince, you would have gotten use to these kinds of things" she mused out aloud.
"Oh, I see you’ve found out about that," he said sheepishly. "I knew there was something I forgot to tell you."
"You guessed right. And if you shall excuse me, your royal Majesty I have to get going. Goodnight" she stood up stiffly and began to walk away.
"I’m sorry, did I miss something? He caught her arm "As I recall, we were having a wonderful time yesterday and now you act as if you can’t bear to be around me!"
Alanna was silent, fuming. Jonathon pulled her down next to him.
"I’m sorry that I didn’t mention the fact that I’m a prince, but you have to understand. All my life, I’ve been expected to act dignified, intelligent, composed, a mask I have to wear when the people of Tortall see me. I only get to show the real me, when I’m with Thom, Raoul or Gary, which isn’t often. When I met you yesterday, I thought that you were a gift from the Gods. Finally, a woman who knew how to joke, how to use a bow, knew what a lance was, someone that made me feel comfortable. You treated me as a friend, not as a suitor or the Prince or a god. You didn’t expect me to ask you to dance, or to impress you, or to flirt along with you. For once I could talk to a woman without her knowing who I was, before I knew them. " He turned his head away from her.
Alanna’s anger disappeared. She was touched by his speech. She patted his shoulder and softly said, " I’m sorry. I had no idea it was this hard for you. I was just angry that you didn’t tell me, that’s all. I didn’t know that you felt this kind of pressure being the Prince."
"That’s not all. Because I’m the Prince, I won’t be able to travel places that I’ve fantasied about going." He said bitterly.
They sat in silence.
"Where do you want to go?" she asked him after a moment’s time.
"I want to go to the Roof of the World and bring back the Dominion Jewel, for the glory of Tortall. But I can’t since I’m the heir to the throne." He replied sadly, looking at the moon.
"I know how you feel. It’s quite the same as being a Lady." Jonathon glanced at her, surprised.
"Everybody expects ladies to be beautiful, defined, dignified, and lovely. They’re suppose to marvel over knights, who have come home from defending the country, attract men by giggling, flirting or by using a handkerchief. They’re suppose to know how to do embroidery, how low they should curtsy to a duke or a lord, how they’re suppose to greet people, how to walk, how to dance. I wasn’t interested in those kinds of things. I was more fascinated how to ride a horse than to do embroidery. The girls at the convent thought I was crazy. Why would anybody want to ride on a dirty animal simply for joy? They smirked at me, laughed at me and made fun of me. But I didn’t let that stop me from achieving my dream."
"Do you have any ambitions?" he asked curiously
She watched the stars above in the sky. "I remembered when I was 10 years old or so, I wanted to become a warrior maiden. I had this plan arranged. I would swap places with Thom, so that I would come to the palace while he would go to the convent (A/N: forgotten what’s it’s called). But Thom backed out of the plan. Still though, I pursed it. Every morning there, the maids, who were my friends as well, would teach me combat they knew of or I would look in books and practice in my room. Sometimes I pretended to be sick so that they would have to send me into the city to see a healer. Sure, there were healers at the convent, but I often bribed them to make up an excuse not to see me. Once I was out, I changed clothes to a commoner and found people who were willing to teach me archery or swordplay. The Daughters at the convent were often suspicious about my illnesses, but if they came and looked at me, I would use my Gift, to make my face to look like I was sick. One time, one of the girls said that I was lying, so that I would not have to attend etiquette lessons. Luckily the Daughters didn’t believe her. Still though, I was a bit angry with her, so that night, I put a frog in her bed. You could hear her screaming down the hallway!"
Jonathon laughed so hard that tears gathered in the corners of his eyes.
Once he regained self-control Alanna continued, this time her serious eyes on him "What I’m trying to say Jon, is whatever happens you can still achieve your dreams. If you strive to do it, then you will. People you love will always be there to help you no matter what. Anyway, I think we should return to the palace. We’ve been out here quite a long time and if we don’t go, they might send a search party. Race you back to the palace!" she called over her shoulder as she picked up her skirts and ran down the path.
"Not fair!" he yelled but he caught up to her soon enough. When he did, he reached out and tickled her, which caused her to laugh, which caused her to stumble. She braced herself for the fall, but it never came. Instead a pair of strong arms caught her.
(A/N: okay I know that’s a lame excuse to make her fall, but I had writer’s block!)
"Are you alright?" Jonathon asked, his blue-sapphire eyes worried. The closeness of his handsome face had a devastating effect on Alanna’s mind. She blinked twice before answering him. "Um, yeah I think I’m." Jonathon slowly released her, afraid that if he let her go immediately she would collapse. He bowed and nervously apologized.
"I’m extremely sorry my lady, I didn’t mean to trip you or make you fall on purpose. I-" Alanna just laughed and clamped her hand over his mouth. "I’m all right silly, don’t worry about it. What’s this ‘my lady’ business? If you keep on apologizing like this, then I’ll be forced to walk like this all the way to the palace. Understand? No more apologizing. Otherwise custom indicates that I have to curtsy and right now I really can’t be bothered to. Remember, no more apologizing." She took her hand away. "Really Jon did you think I would detest you just because you made me stumble a bit? You’re quick to judge!" she teased, her eyes kind. "What are you doing tomorrow?" she changed the subject, hoping that Jon wouldn’t try to make some sort of apology again.
"Well, Mother says that I have to get my Grand Ball clothes fitted, but that’s in the afternoon so before then I really have nothing to do. Clothes fittings, that’s going to be jolly good fun" he said gloomily.
"You’re not the only one to suffer. I have to go to the seamstress in 3 days to have my gown made. Sometimes I think that commoners are luckier than we are. They don’t have fussy caretakers lecturing them every single day and they don’t have to worry about their social rank. They can do whatever they like and people will still be their friends. Life as a noble isn’t easy" she sighed. "Sometimes I wish I –"
"Jonathon! There you are!" exclaimed a voice. "I’ve been looking all over for you!"
"Somehow I find that hard to believe, Gary. You’re usually inside courting all the women you meet."
"Exactly why I came out to tell you that…." Gary’s voice faded away as he noticed Alanna’s presence for the first time. "Pardon me, fair maiden--"
"Where? I don’t see one," said Alanna, pretending to look around them. "If you’re are suggesting that I am one, then you must be mistaken." Gary grinned.
"Alanna this is Gareth of Naxen, the Younger, who is also my cousin. Gary this is Alanna, formally known as Lady Alanna of Trebond."
"It was a pleasure meeting you Lady Alanna," Alanna rolled her eyes, "I’m sorry, but could I speak to Jon in private for a few minutes?"
"It’s alright. I should be getting back to my chambers anyway. It’s getting quite late.
Jonathon looked crestfallen. "I’m sure it won’t—"
"No, it’s alright. Besides I’m tired and I need my beauty sleep otherwise I’ll look like a hag in the morning. And don’t think you’ll get rid of me that easily," both men laughed "I’ll see you some other time. Goodnight Jon, Gary." With this, she smiled at them and retreated back into the palace.
"Well, Thom’s right about one thing," said Gary, thoughtfully "She’s so different from the other ladies. What a surprise!"
Jonathon watching Alanna disappear into the darkness of the night softly replied, " A wonderful surprise."
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Alanna’s training started the very next day. Thom had left as soon as she arrived, the reason being "I don’t want to mess your fun." She demonstrated in front of Raoul, so that he could see what were her weaknesses and strengths and what she knew. She thought that she was quite well prepared, until Raoul threw her over his hip and she landed on her back.
"Alanna, are you all right? Maybe this wasn’t such --"
"I’m fine, Raoul. I’m just a bit… stunned, that’s all" panted Alanna.
Raoul told her, "We’ll end the session. You’ve done well today. If you hadn’t gone to the convent, you could’ve been a lady knight Do you need help getting back to your room?"
"I’ll manage. So same time tomorrow?" asked Alanna, still a bit breathless.
"Yes, though I think you might’ve lost your mind when you decided to train with me." He held open his door.
She laughed as she walked down the hallway. "Maybe you’re right, Raoul."
Returning to her rooms after having breakfast she overheard a conversation between two palace servants. "—hear today? The Prince didn’t go to his rooms last night! He went into the Royal Forest instead!"
"Do you know why?" the second palace servant asked eagerly.
"Nope, no body knows for sure but you should’ve seen Lady Delia, when he said he wasn’t feeling too feel. Her face was as sour as a lemon!" The first servant that spoke, laughed.
"You should’ve seen all the other ladies! You could see on their faces that they wanted to spend the rest of the night with him! But for some reason they didn’t" pondered out loud the second servant.
"Well, I don’t think that they would have a chance with the Prince," remarked the first servant, "Not with Lady Delia here anyway. She still is the prettiest woman at court!"
"And also the meanest," added the second servant "Remember last year when she "accidentally" tripped Lady Charity of Tirragen? Poor woman, she ended up having a sprained ankle!"
Alanna entered her room, having heard more than she wanted to. So Jonathon had pretended to be sick. But why? Why did he come into the forest and talk with her? Was it because he felt comfortable around her? Did he like her as a friend? Or something more? Or did he pretend to be sick because he saw her walking into the Royal Forest alone? Did he do it because he felt sorry for her? Frustrated, she pushed her thoughts aside and decided to take another stroll around the Royal Palace. She was just about to go out of her rooms when Maude suddenly appeared in the doorway. One look at her face was all Alanna needed to retreat back into the room.
"Alanna ", asked Maude sweetly, her tone dangerous, "Where were you this morning?" "Oh –I-I-I went to the er-er-er….I went to breakfast!" said Alanna triumphantly.
" What I meant was BEFORE breakfast, where were you?"
"Oh, before breakfast." She gave a nervous laugh. "I was um-um…." Suddenly Raoul appeared at the door, flustered. "Alanna, come quick!"
"What? Why?" asked Alanna, worried.
"I’m not too sure myself. But Thom told me to come get you!"
"Alanna –" began Maude
"Not now Maude, you heard Raoul! I’ll be back later!" and with that Alanna and Raoul were gone from the room.
"Hmph, every time I try to lecture her, that Raoul keeps appearing. Why does--" a smile slowly appeared on Maude’s face. "Ah, I see why. Alanna’s all grown up now. Lady Alanna of GoldenLake and Malorie’s Peak. I like the sound of that."
Alanna followed Raoul into Thom’s room, where Thom was muttering to himself. He stopped when he saw his twin. "Alanna I need your help desperately!"
"You know I’ll always help you. What’s the big emergency, Thom?"
"Today there’s a big archery competition and everybody’s going to be there!"
"So?" she said puzzled.
"You know how I am at these kind of things!"
"But surely you’ve better now? All that physical training you’ve been doing, you must have improved! "
"Well yes, I have improved, but not much. In swordplay, I can barely defend myself, in combat I always break at least one bone, my horse doesn’t like me –"
"Alright, I understand. But I don’t see how I can help you in this archery competition. What is the big deal about it? By the sound of it, no body will expect you to do well."
"But the thing is, I need to, no, must do well today!" he said with frustration.
"Why?"
"I made a bet with Jeris that I could best him at archery…" his voice trailed off.
"How much?" demanded Raoul.
"30 gold nobles…" was the small reply.
"30 GOLD NOBLES?" echoed Alanna. "You don’t have that kind of money!"
(A/N: Okay maybe that’s not a lot…maybe I should’ve said 100 gold nobles…I’m wasn’t sure about economics in those days, alright? Just think of 30 gold nobles as a lotta money)
"Jeris? JERIS OF NYLORD? Mithros Thom, what were you thinking?" Raoul exploded. "He is the best archer amongst you squires! Why in the world would you make a bet with him!" The last part came out as a statement.
"He wasn’t being chivalrous?" he said weakly.
Raoul opened his mouth to fire back at Thom, but Alanna beat him. "Look, explain later Thom and then Raoul you can say whatever you want to him! You said I could help Thom. But how? I don’t have that kind of money myself! Tell me, how can I help?"
He looked at her gratefully, even though she was angry. "You can take my place."
"What?" said Raoul, unbelievingly. "This is no time for a jest, Thom. She’s female!"
"So? She can shoot as well as a male squire! You saw the other day!" Thom retorted. "She might be better than Jeris!"
"Hmm, you might have a point there." Raoul said, somewhat reluctant. "She does shoot well and she could be Jeris’s match. But how can she pass as you Thom?"
"I can disguise her!"
"How?" chorused Alanna and Raoul in unison.
"Alanna, you can wear my clothes since we’re the nearly the same height, I can cast a shrinking spell on your hair and you don’t have to worry about your pierced ears, because the hair will cover them. You can lower your voice a tone or two to sound like me."
"Um, you forgot one other detail."
"What? I’ve covered everything!"
"Raoul, could you excuse us for a moment?" she asked.
He went into his room, closing the door between him.
"Thom, what about my chest!" she whispered fiercely.
His face turned a nice shade of scarlet red. "Oh… well, you – you can bind them flat!"
"With what?"
"I don’t know! Um…how about some of that bandage material? Please help me, Alanna!"
She considered being in the competition. She really didn’t mind taking Thom’s place; in fact she was excited! But what if someone found out? Then she would be a disgrace to her home. But not if I won the competition! She thought. Wouldn’t that be something, a girl winning an archery competition! But if people did know about this scheme then Thom’s reputation would be destroyed. They would look down on him. She couldn’t let that happen. No, she thought firmly I can’t tell people that I was the one in the competition, not Thom, no matter what.
Sighing, she faced Thom. "Alright I’ll do it."
Thom’s smile was as bright as the sun. "Okay then. While you change into these clothes," he pointed to a white linen shirt, a pair of breeches on his bed and a pair of boots "I’ll tell Raoul what’s happened and I’ll fetch the bandage material as well."
Alanna was about to pick up the clothes when Thom caught her arm. "Thank you, Alanna for doing this. You are truly a wonderful person." He said sincerely, his violet eyes warm. Suddenly the mood changed and Thom walked to Raoul’s room briskly.
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