A/N: Well, here's the second chapter. This story is so much fun to write! I've got an idea that I'd love to develop. And I'm writing this without getting any reviews, mainly because I felt the first chapter was much too short. So here's the second one, where some of the good stuff starts! Enjoy!





The feeling of rushing backwards through time was one Alanna had never experienced before in all her years. The air around her moved so fast, she was temporarily blinded. However, the feeling was pleasant, and Alanna let the sensation of flying settle over her. Then, as suddenly as it began, it stopped. Alanna slowly opened her eyes. Immediately rushing back to her were memories of this room, and she realized she was in her old room, where she used to sleep as a squire. She looked down at herself. She was dressed in a long, flowing gown, something Miss Cooper had made for her.

"...your seventeenth birthday," the Goddess had told her. Alanna looked at her bed. Staring back into her own eyes were another violet pair.

"Faithful!" she cried, holding out her arms. The cat wasted no time, and jumped into her arms. "I'm so happy to see you again."

"Of course,' the cat replied serenely, cuddling up to Alanna. "But let's catch up another time, shall we? If I remember correctly, you're due for your walk outside in the gardens."

"Of course."

"Don't forget to resist your prince this time, otherwise there'll have been no point to this experiment," Faithful commanded, licking his paws.

"Well, time to go," Alanna replied, standing up, which caused Faithful to fall off her lap. As Faithful glared at her, she heard herself giggle, something she hadn't done for a long time. Alanna walked down the stairs she remembered so well, and out into the palace gardens, laying her cloak down on a bench. As she walked around the garden, she enjoyed the feeling of the night breeze on her face. She looked up. She could make out a silhouette standing on a balcony. She noticed how it suddenly walked away. Remembering only too well the consequences of going back to where she had put her cloak, she decided to carry on with her walk.

Something, though, was pulling her back. "It's almost as if you want to go back and canoodle with Jon," Alanna thought to herself. You're a grown woman, and married to George."

"No, you're a seventeen-year-old girl walking alone on the palace grounds, desperate for love, remember?"a voice in the back of her head interjected. Alanna shook her head free of these thoughts, and started to walk faster.

"Ooof!" a voice murmured. Alanna looked up. She had been walking so fast, and looking at the ground, she hadn't realized where she was going. She looked at the face of the person she bumped into.

"Gary?" she asked, incredulously.

"Beautiful lady, how do you know my name?" Gary asked flirtatiously, bowing deeply.

Alanna was rendered speechless for awhile. What sort of excuse could she come up with? "Your exploits have spread far and wide, young sir," she answered, looking to see if her response was accepted.

"Very well." Alanna breathed again. "Would you like to go with a walk around the gardens with me then, fair lady?"

"That's what I was doing," scowled Alanna.

"Go on, it couldn't hurt, could it?" the voice asked, back again.

"Well, if you want to carry on by yourself, then," Gary answered, slightly hurt.

"Oh no, no, I shall walk with you," Alanna quickly responded.

"Well, let's go, then," Gary replied, a grin on his face as he offered his arm to Alanna. As they walked around the grounds, Gary inquired, "Well, fair maiden, you never told me your name."

"It's A-A-Aria," Alanna stammered. "Aria?," she thought to herself, amazed. "I hate that name!"

"Aria, a lovely name for a lovely lady," Gary answered. Alanna could feel the heat rising to her cheeks.

"Don't be silly," she scolded herself. "There's no way you can be attracted to Gary!"

"Ah, look, here's a bench. Shall we sit?" Gary asked, interrupting Alanna's thoughts.

"Er...sure."

"Wonderful," Gary answered as she sat down. At this moment, the cloud that was blocking the moon moved on. Alanna could hear an audible gasp coming from him.

"What is it, Gareth?" she asked, feeling she should be a bit more formal, as Gary had no clue as to who she was yet.

"The color of your eyes...they're purple. I'm seeing way too many purple eyes lately."

"What do you mean?" Alanna inquired worriedly.

"Well, a squire, Alan, has violet eyes, as do his pet, Faithful."

"Really, how interesting," Alanna choked out. There was a rustling in the bushes, and Gary turned quickly to see what it was. As he did so, the moonlight caught his face. Alanna drew in a sharp breath as she saws his strong features, his beautiful eyes...

"Now really, stop that!" she scolded herself.

"Why? There's nothing wrong with taking a look, is there?"

"Oh wonderful," Alanna groaned. "I'm arguing with myself...and losing."

At this moment, the bushes rustled some more. Gary stood up, and as he was doing so, someone stepped out from behind the bushes.

"Oh no," Alanna moaned. "It's Jon!"



I'm sorry to leave you like this, but my mother's calling, and I need to go finish some homework! So tata, and please e-mail me at the address below, and let me know what you think! Thanks for reading! Oh, and if I get oh, 5-7 reviews, I'll continue.