Alanna woke up along with the sun, and lay in bed for a few minutes, thinking over her night. "It wasn't bad for a second seventeenth birthday," she thought to herself.
"Damn right, it wasn't."
"Oh shut up," Alanna murmured to herself, rolling over onto Faithful.
Faithful yowled. "Watch where you're going, will you?" he cried, and started washing himself.
"I'm sorry, I'm not used to sharing a bed with you. I usually share it with Ge-." she stopped in the middle of the sentence. "Oh no, George. How can I even think about Gary when I'm still married to George," she asked aloud, still preening.
"You're not married to George," Faithful replied. "I believe you are currently a newly turned seventeen-year-old, and a very stubborn one at that."
Alanna threw her pillow at Faithful. "I forgot how 'honest' you were."
"I try. My only service is to keep you humble." Faithful retorted. "Now if I remember correctly, you should be doing your sword exercises right about now."
"You're right." Alanna pulled herself out of her bed with a groan. She walked to her chest and pulled out her sword. As she started doing exercises, she found how easy it was to get back into her old routine. "I'm not that old, I guess."
"I keep telling you, you're seventeen," replied Faithful, jumping onto the windowsill. Soon Alanna was done, and she went into her bathroom to wash up.
There was a quick, sharp, rap on the door. "Squire, are you decent?" a low voice asked.
"That's Jonathan, and that question means we've got company," Faithful said to Alanna.
"Yes," Alanna answered.
Jonathan opened the door and stepped in. "Hello Alan, sleep well?" he asked, his eyes trying to ask her something.
"He's probably wondering why I didn't change my mind and go to him last night after all," Alanna thought to herself. Out loud, she answered, "Yes, my prince." Looking up, she saw Gary and Raoul standing next to Jon. Her heart skipped a beat, when her eyes locked with Gary.
"Alan, you missed a great party last night," Gary told Alanna. "I can't believe it was your birthday, and you didn't come! There were some really breathtaking girls."
"Don't blush," Alanna told herself. "You know I don't like parties," she answered.
"Gary says he met a stunning woman last night. Oh, and she had purple eyes, just like you," Raoul informed everyone. "Isn't that strange? Before you showed up, Alan, I didn't even know people could have purple eyes, and now they're everywhere." He reached down to pet Faithful.
Faithful purred contentedly. "I hope Gary likes cats," he told Alanna.
"Oh, be quiet," Alanna retorted. Realizing her friends were staring at her, she hastily tried to change the subject.
"Well, Raoul, did you meet a nice girl?" she asked.
"I thought you were trying to change the subject," Faithful asked. "This is not going to help at all."
As if on cue, Raoul answered, "Not one as beautiful as Gary's. From what Gary says, she was really beautiful. But we do know how Gary tends to exaggerate."
"I'm not exaggerating!" Gary cried. "She had raven locks that were beautiful as the night. Her purple eyes were more lovely than any I have ever seen; no offense Faithful," he added, looking down at the black cat.
Before Alanna could blush any further, or Gary could continue, Alanna asked, "Well, shall we go get some breakfast? I'm starving."
"You know that you're going to end up with him. Why bother resisting?" the irritating voice asked.
"You never go away, do you?" Alanna asked out loud.
"Talking to yourself again, Alan?" someone asked, plopping down next to her. Looking up, she saw it was Gary and promptly choked on her bread. She started coughing and hacking, and struggled to stand up.
"Alan, are you all right?" Raoul asked, thumping her on her back hard. Though the thump sent her flying, it worked, and she swallowed.
"Raoul, you don't know your own strength." She grinned weakly.
"It's not him, it's just that you're so light," Gary replied, squeezing her arm.
"Oh, Great Mother Goddess, tell me he did not just touch my arm!" she thought to herself, stomach churning.
"Well, of course he did. Yes, he touched you, and admit it, you want him to do it again."
"Alanna, you're blushing," Faithful chimed in. Just then, Alanna was saved by Jon.
"Alan, Duke Gareth wants to see you."
Alanna stood up, glad for an excuse to leave. "I'll be back soon," she told everyone. She started walking down the hall to Duke Gareth's chambers. She stopped in front of his door and knocked.
"Open it, and come in," a baritone voice called out. Alanna opened the door and steped in.
"Good afternoon, Alan," the duke said.
"Good afternoon, your lordship," Alanna replied, bowing.
"Well, you've been good for a whole month now. You know what that means, don't you?"
Alanna's heart lifted. "I can go to the city!" It would be good to see George, even though, surprisingly, she realized she did not want to see him for romantic reasons.
"That's right. Now, let's see, Gary has the day off as well tomorrow. Would you like to go with him?"
"YES!" Alanna answered so vehemently, she surprised herself.
"Very well, Alan. You may leave now. Have fun in the city." He looked a litttle taken aback by the assertiveness of Alanna's response.
"Thank you, milord." Alanna walked out of his chambers, thinking to herself. "A day with Gary. This should be most interesting."
"You look like the cat who caught the mouse, if you'll pardon the expression," Fatithful said, walking at Alanna's heels.
Alanna ignored him, and so did the other side of her brain.
"Ooo, I'm so excited! This is going to be fun!"
Well, there ya go. I'm sorry about the delay, I've been swamped with homework. To make it up to you, I'll get the next 2-3 chapters out this weekend!
Tata,
Su