Alanna and Ania stood nervously outside of the Royal Rooms. They were both wearing their best dresses, which had been specially made for the occasion. Ania's dress was a light green, having a v-neck that swooped, what looked to Alanna, too low for comfort. Her dress wonderfully accented her hazel eyes and waist length brown hair, and in Alanna's opinion, she was truly beautiful.

Alanna's dress was a light blue that shone violet in the light, causing her purple eyes to pop out even more than usual. The neck of her dress was square, and had small designs around it, which complimented it beautifully. Her sleeves were off the shoulder, and had a small slit in them to keep them out of any food she was likely to eat. She was also beautiful, and the on the way over the two of them had received many winks from men, and the occasional cat call.

Alanna reached up to fool with her hair, only to have Ania slap her hand away scornfully.

"I hate up-dos," Alanna mumbled, "in fact; I'd even go so far to say that I despise them with a passion." Ania chuckled at her friend's words, finding them rather amusing.

"Just let it be, Alanna," Ania replied, "You'll have to get used to it sometime, and as the First Daughter said-" Alanna growled.

"Since when have you started quoting grumpy old ladies who happen to have something against me in particular?" Ania laughed at the look on her friend's face, and turned back around as the door was opened to admit them into the room. Stepping inside, Alanna at once felt a sense of homeliness, and was put into an awe at how pleasant the room was. It had a sheepskin rug on the floor, which provided much comfort compared to the normal flagstone. It also had many portraits adorning the walls, most of which portrayed peaceful scenes, not the usual solemn man or woman staring stonily out. In the middle of the room sat a rather large wooden table with intricate designs carved over it.

Seated at the table were King Roald, Queen Lianne, Jon, as well as Gary and his parents. After paying their respects to their rulers, Alanna and Ania were seated at the table with them, and Alanna was soon engaged in a discussion of war strategies and polotics with the king, Gareth the Older, and Jonathon. Ania, on the other hand was talking to Lianne, Gary's mother, and Gary about her childhood stories.

In the middle of the meal, unnoticed by the rest of the table, Lianne turned to Roald and whispered softly, "It seems Lady Alanna would make a good queen," and gesturing to Jon who was playfully flirting with her added, "and it seems he is quite taken with her, and she the same to him." Roald smiled and nodded. "Yes, indeed, you are right, it does seem that way. Perhaps we should mention it to him in hopes that he will at least court her." His wife agreed, then turned back to her previous discussion, joining in again unnoticed.

Alanna sat at breakfast with her new made friends when Thom walked past, glaring at her. She fell silent, and watched as he took a seat alone at a table, and began to slowly eat. Jonathon, following her gaze to Thom, felt his heart go out to her. He had seen her in the hall, trying to apologize to her brother, and he had seen the look on her face when she had been rejected. It was a look full of pain and sorrow, and a look that he hoped he would never see on her again. Reaching out and patting her arm, he met her eyes, noticing just how beautiful they were.

"Don't worry about Thom, he'll come around," Jon said, trying to comfort her. Alanna shook her head.

"What do you know? You aren't even his friend! How can you say that if the only time you've ever talked to him was to insult him?" Alanna's temper flared. Jonathon sighed.

"Look, Alanna, I was his friend, in fact one of his best friends. I knew him better than I had ever known anyone, besides perhaps Gary or Raoul. I had even thought of choosing him as my squire, but that was when it was revealed to me by my cousin Roger, that he had tried to kill me. Knowing that, I knew that I could no longer be his friend, I mean, what type of friend tries to kill you? Besides, it was treason on the throne-" at that point Jonathon was interrupted by an angry Alanna.

"How dare you accuse my family of treason! You have no proof!" Alanna hissed, eyes narrowing. "I think it's best we head our seperate ways now, your majesty."

Jonathon stared out after Alanna, who had stomped off, never looking back. It was evident in the ice in her voice that he wouldn't be soon forgiven, if ever forgiven at all.