Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, they have been created by Tamora Pierce. But I do own the plot, it was all my idea and if you don't like it too bad!


Author's Note: Okay I know what you're all thinking not another Alanna/convent story. But hey I promise you that this one is different, I want to try my hand at Alanna. I've only done Kel stuff so bare with me please.


Compromise Isn't an Easy Thing

Chapter One – I Refuse

"I'm not going! You can't make me go!" Alanna shrieked as the guards tried to lift her into the carriage.

Alanna tried to strategically find a tender spot on the arms where she could dig her nails into, but was at a loss. They'd known she wouldn't take too kindly to being forced into going to court. All of the guards were wearing wrist-guards, arm-guards and even greaves, for they all knew of the Lady Trebond's temper.

"Alanna stop fussing, they're going to make you get carriage anyways so just make it easy," Cythera of Elden tried to reason with her friend.

"I won't go, not without I fight I won't!"

"'Lanna just get in the carriage already, I'm going too we'll be able to suffer together," Elexa of Needle Cliff.

"Lex that is hardly the way to look at this, it's an adventure!" Cythera said disapprovingly.

"Whether it's an adventure or torture, I AM NOT GOING!" Alanna screeched, the guards winced as their eardrums just about popped.

Alanna started screaming a stream of profanities that would make even the dirtiest sailor cringe. Elexa grinned and Cythera looked most displeased, while the Daughters were sighing and glad to be rid of the girl for good. Hopefully she wouldn't be sent back. Finally the guards got the shrieking girl into the carriage and slammed the door shut.


Alanna sat in the corner of the carriage gazing out the window at the country side. It was growing dark and she wasn't looking forward to the night. It meant that she was that much closer to meeting her doom. Only one thing could possibly brighten her mood and that was getting to see her twin. She hadn't seen Thom in almost six years, of course they'd exchanged letters but it was if the closer to knighthood he got the less he wrote to her.

"'Lanna what are you thinking about?" Cythera asked from across her.

"Thom," Alanna sighed gloomily.

"Hey cheer up, we're lucky we get a chance at the crown prince," the girl tried to cheer her friend up but a got a glassy stare in reply, "Alanna."

Alanna held her hand up and turned her gaze back to the countryside. She didn't understand why the girls from the convent swooned over Prince Jonathon, none of them had even met him. It was ridiculous how they all wanted him to pick them, to make them the Queen of Tortall.


Days passed and Alanna never really knew where they were, or how long they'd been traveling. Elexa and Cythera tried very hard to cheer her and make her see the bright side, their efforts were pointless. Alanna was a shell of the prankster that had lived joyfully at the convent. She'd always had a trick up her sleeve, or a prank to be pulled. Of course only she and Elexa had ever pulled them, Cythera had always been the voice of reason.

The carriage stopped in front of an inn, The Jugged Hare. The door creaked open and the three women were escorted into the building. They were to clean up, bathe, put on fresh gowns and then make their way to the Palace.

"Alanna what gown are you going to wear?" Cythera asked as she brushed out her golden hair.

Alanna sighed, she'd planned on being gone before they'd gotten to Corus but apparently the Daughters had thought about this. They knew Alanna would make an attempt to escape, she wouldn't have a chance. By the time she made it out of the district the guards would be looking for her, she would have to be on the move at all times and she only had no weapon to help her survive.

"The amethyst one," she murmured as she made her way to the dressing room to bathe, a single tear streamed down her face.

Elexa walked by her, trying not see the sadness in her eyes. She had never seen Alanna so sad, not since she had first entered the convent. She ran her fingers through her chestnut hair, and looked at the emerald dress that was laid out for her. She had never known another way, not until she'd met Alanna. She'd hadn't wanted to be a court lady, but she hadn't known of a way out. Alanna had brought joy to their lessons and years of boredom at the convent.

"We need to help her Cythera, if we don't she might do something drastic."

Cythera nodded and looked at the dressing room door. She glided over with such elegance to the door, and slowly opened it. Alanna was soaking in a tub of warm, soapy water a cloth over her eyes.

Alanna was letting her worries slip away, letting her mind become peaceful. She had to make a decision and it was a life changing one. She could let herself fall victim to the life at court or she could make a run for it.

"Alanna we want to help," Cythera murmured softly from the door.

"Cythera, if I go to the Palace will you and Elexa stay with me. Will the two of you help me find a way to fit in?"

"You know we would do anything for you 'Lanna." Elexa laughed from behind Cythera.

"Okay I'll do it, but you have to let me have a little bit of fun with it." Alanna pulled the cloth of her eyes, where a familiar glimmer of mischief grew.

Cythera and Elexa closed the door and Alanna climbed out of the tub, wrapping a large white towel around her body to keep the heat in. She wrapped a smaller one around her long copper hair, drying it. She opened the door a glimmer of hope was shining for her, soon she would see what kind of monster her brother had turned into.

Cythera was doing Elexa's hair, and they were both in their gowns already. Cythera was in a beautiful pale blue gown with a deep v-neck cut that accented her curves perfectly. Elexa's was an emerald that flowed around her like water. Cythera was pinning her ringlet hair up in the popular fashion. Alanna slipped into her amethyst gown. It hung on her body perfectly, of course all the Daughters hated this one because of the way it hung off her shoulders. The sleeves were flowing with slits in them that allowed it give her free access to arm movement, and it left her shoulders bare.

"'Lanna how do you want your hair done?" Cythera asked smiling as she saw the Alanna she'd none when they were but mere girls.

"I know," Elexa grinned and beckoned for Alanna to take her seat.

Elexa pulled out the hot curlers from the fire and wrapped them around the coppery hair. Cythera pulled out a box that contained face paint and sat in front of Alanna. The two women worked on Alanna, she was beautiful but it was like pulling teeth to get her to admit it. Time passed and they finally finished. Cythera motioned for Alanna to look at herself in the mirror. Elexa pulled a necklace out of a box and walked over, placing it around the woman's neck and closing the clasp.

Alanna was at a loss for words, for the first time in her life she actually thought she looked beautiful. She looked at her friends, who were both astoundingly beautiful and let the mischief in her eyes overcome her mind. It was time to bring terror to the Tortallan Court.


Author's Note: Okay I don't know what to think of this, I need you guys to review and tell me if it's any good and if you want another chapter. I think Alanna was a bit out of character but hey I've never really written Alanna fanfic. So review and give me your thoughts.

I was wondering who I sure pair her up with, Jon, Gary or Raoul. Sorry to all those George fans but he unfortunately will not be one of her suitors.