this is my first fanfic, i hope it´s not too bad
thanks to my beta reader abyssgirl, she corrects my mistakes, because english is a foreign language to me
if you like the story, please review (i like getting reviews), then there will be new chapters
disclaimer: everything belongs to the great tamora pierce
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Alan, squire of the prince
Chapter 1: Thoughts
Alanna stroked Faithful as she looked out of the window onto the royal forest which opened outside the palace.
So much had happened the last years and still nobody had discovered her secret, not even George or Jon. It had been bare in the Black City, but she had killed the Ysandir, Ylanda, before she could give Alanna away to Jon.
Now Alanna was sixteen and she could be proud. She was one of the best Tortallan fencers, in the Black City she had saved the life of her prince and therefore had become his squire, and all without anybody knowing her secret. Yes, she could truly be proud on herself.
Of course, she still had to endure the mockery of the other boys, as she didn't care about girls at all and avoid parties and such things, but on the whole her life was as she had imagined it.
"What would they say, if they knew that I'm a girl? They probably would hate me and Jon wouldn't want me as his squire anymore!"
Faithful turned up his nose. "That´s the biggest nonsense I've ever heard. How would you know that, if you…" A sound in the adjoining room startled Alanna. Jon was back from the court session.
"Alan, are you there?"
"Yes, Jon. Come in, the door is open." Jon entered the room.
"You've to get ready, the ball starts in half an hour. Lady Delia will be there and I want you to look smart and be obliging. Understand?" With this he disappeared in order to get ready himself.
Damn it! The celebration ball in honour of Jon's birthday, how could I have forgotten that? No, not really forgotten, but suppressed. She didn't feel like letting Jon again command her around all the evening. Now that she thought about it, it came to her mind what she just didn't like about her life: Jon!
It had began just a few weeks ago. Since the fight with the Tusaine knight, Jon sometimes looked at her strangely and he gave her a hard time. She could do nothing right and it was long since he last went to the Dancing Dove with her and the others to visit George. She already had thought that he'd found out about her secret, but then he would have taken her to task, wouldn't he?
Besides, there were also days at which everything seemed to be alright. They had fun together while fighting against each other on the training grounds, or in the evening when they were sitting in his room and talking until late in the night.
Today was definitely not such a day. Unwillingly she got ready for the evening.
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In his room, Jon was sitting on his bed and rested his face in his hands. What's wrong with me? Alan didn't do anything to me, after all! Then, were does this rage come from?
Alan's voice pierced through the door. "Jon, are you ready? Hurry up or we'll be late to your own party!"
"I still need some time! Go on without me, I'll follow soon." A minute later, he heard Alan leaving his room.
I don't understand myself anymore. After all, Alan is one of my best friends, no...he is my best friend! Without him, life wouldn't make sense anymore. When Alan had fought the Tusaine, I had feared for him. How could I have done such a stupidity and suggest him for the fight? I know, he's one of the best fencers in Tortall, but he is my friend as well! I almost died of fear for him. Oh, Jon, you are such a flannel! Alan can probably better take care of himself than you, after all he saved your life in the Black City. So, why do you think about him all the time?