DisclaimerI do not own anything, everything belongs to Sherwood Smith. Blah blah blah.

The bells of were tolling the change to first white as I stepped into the Castle of Tlanth. This would be my last night in this land, because tomorrow I would be returning to Renalna-City to see my mother and father - King Vindanic and Queen Meliara. I love Remalna-City, but I also love it here too; I love to mountains, and the most of all the Hill Folk. Earlier this evening I ran barefoot - like my mother - through the mountains to dance one last time with them. I danced until my feet bleed, I danced until I cried, I danced until all I knew was the sound of the drum.

As I wondered the cold corridors of the castle to my rooms, my thoughts kept going to when I fist danced with the Hill Folk. The joy that filled my heart rose with every beet of the drum or the notes reed pipes. Its something I have never felt anywhere else in my life. I brushed the thoughts away as I lifted the tapestry to my rooms, overlooking the mountains.

Sitting on my bed were two figures in deep conversation, my twin brother Ranic and my cousin Amara. As soon as Amara saw me standing in front of the doorway, she jumped up and yelled, "Life Ranisia! Where have you been? Your a mess," pointing at my mud spattered gown and the rat nest I called my hair. "I wanted to spend the evening with you but you disappeared," she said angrily. "But I guess we can spend the rest of the night together." Amara is 17, one year older then me. She looks much like her mother Nee, light brown hair and light brown eyes. She was a beautiful and full of spirit.

"Yeah Ranisia," my brother Ranic added quickly, "Where did you run off to? Aunt Nee was having a fit when finally Uncle Bran calmed her down, saying how mum did this all the time. I guess." Even though Ranic and I were twins we looked little alike. We had the same facial structure, but that was all. He had shoulder length golden hair and haunting deep brown eyes that sometimes looked black when he was angry. He was built much like our father, while I had the short frame of our mother.

" Oh, sorry. I went to go see the Hill Folk one last time for the summer," I said, trying not notice the hint of jealousy in Amara's eyes. She has always has been a little jealous of me being able to dance with the Hill Folk, but she never held the grudge.

"Will you be staying with us also, Ranic?" Amara asked.

" I must say that I will be unable to stay with you this night, my dear ladies. I'm off to bed - it's going to be a long day tomorrow," Ranic said rising from his chair bidding us both good night.

As soon as Ranic left the room Amara picked up the brush on my bedside stand and started brushing my long raven black hair out of its tangled braid. She has always liked to do my hair up, and I have never minded. She did this while I sat in front of the looking glass with my reflection staring back at me. I was built much like my mother - only a little taller - my emerald green eyes didn't look lively tonight, but tired and worn. I finally noticed how bad I looked at the moment: my dress that was clean a few hours ago was now horribly mud spattered and torn; even with much cleaning and repair it would never look the same. There was dirt smeared on my nose and under my eyes, and there were twigs and leaves in my hair that Amara started picking out, while she talked about what she couldn't wait to do at the Palace. "I love going to the balls and parties. They are so much fun. You are so lucky to live there most of the year. I was lucky even to convince my parents if I could go for a month," she kept rambling on, not that I listened to half of what she said until she yelled in my ear, "Ranisia! Are you listening to me or not?" she asked with an angry look. I noticed that she was done with my hair, which fell perfectly down my back.

"Oh, yes Amara I was listening. I can't wait until we get to the Palace either," I said.

"I just asked you if you had a flirt back home," she asked. I hated it when she asked because she already knew the answer was a yes. She seemed to ask every day, but I answered anyway.

"You know I have a flirt or two at the Palace," I said, running my hand over my now silky black hair. "I think you might be getting a flirt also; last time you visited I noticed a few young lords admiring you," I said with a sly smile.

"You really think so?" she said, barely witholding her own excitement. "Of course you would know, you seem to be able to find out anything. You find out all these things I never would have guessed about some people."

"What? Are you calling me a gossip?" I said laughing.

"No, but you always know everything of everybody," she said. "Come on, what's your secret?" she asked with a pleading voice. "You find out things even before Lily does. Now I think she is a gossip, because she thinks she knows everything," she said in a low whisper. Lily is Tamara and Russav's daughter; she was the same age as me and Ranic. Amara and Lily have never gotten along - they would even fight over a rock if you gave them a chance.

"I'll never reveal my secret," I said with a sly smile crossing my face. Oneday she will figure it out, but it was fun leading her on. I actually got all my information from the servants, of which I am friends with many, they find out more than most people think.

"That's what you always say, but one day you will tell me." As she said this, she yawned widely, which made me also yawn and notice how tired I was. "Well I guess we better get off to bed," she said as the bells were tolling second white change. I gave a silently nod, for I was exhausted. She stood and bid me a good night. Before she could leave the room, I was fast asleep with drums sounding throughout my dreams.