Adventures in the Palace

Legal: See previous chapter

The Glove

            The page Alanna was leisurely walking across the courtyard toward the wing of the palace where the pages quarters were held.  Happily knowing that she had already finished her math assignment, with Alex's help in exchange for stable duty, she had about one bell's worth of free time.  'Ah, free time' she thought to herself, 'I haven't had this for quite awhile'.   Trying to think how to spend her time, either practicing another round or lounging in the library with a book, she suddenly notice a white object on the ground a little ways in front of her.  Reaching it and bending down to pick it up she realized it was a small white glove, currently in fashion with the young ladies of the court.  Turning it over in her hands, she looked around to see if its owner was anywhere about.   Hearing a babble of voices from the other side of the courtyard, Alanna turned around and headed to the gardens, where the voices were coming from.  Rounding the corner, she saw a circle of court beauties sitting around gossiping with one another.  Sighing, for she knew what proper protocol demanded of her now, she warily approached the circle of girls and cleared her throat.

            "My Ladies", she said bowing, once she had gotten their attention, "Have any of you happened to misplace this small white glove I just found in the adjacent courtyard?" She asked, dreading one of the girl's replies.

            "Oh, my, I think that's my glove" one of the beauties spoke up.

            Turning toward the speaker, Alanna was dismayed to see the one who had spoken up was none other then Lady Meridean, the daughter of the Duke of Wolfs Hallow.  Lady Meridean's father was rich, very rich.  Meridean was pretty, not as pretty as some, but noticeable at that.  With long thick curly locks of honey colored hair and a smooth sun-kissed complexion, she was one of the girls Alanna's friends drooled over.  In fact, just the other day, Jon and Gary and had gotten in a snit over who got to dance with her first at the upcoming ball. Granted, both pages would dance with more beautiful women first, but still, it was a status conflict.  Lady Meridean had not yet 'claimed' one of the young noble lords to be a conquest and Alanna hoped with all her might that it would not be herself.

            "Thank you so much, page Alan" the lady slyly said, starting to flutter her eyelashes as she stood gracefully and walked over to Alanna.

            "It was nothing my Lady, nothing it all" Alanna stated, handing the glove to its owner.

            "Oh, I'm sure, Alan. It was so nice of you to go out of your way and 'hunt' me down to return it" she said, "I'm not sure what I would of done at tomorrows ball if I didn't have my glove to wear". Smiling, she reached down and gracefully took the glove out of Alanna's hand and just happened to let her fingers linger on Alanna's outstretched hand.

            Gulping, Alanna quickly withdrew her hand and offered an obligatory smile to the lady "As I said my Lady, it was really nothing at all. Now, I don't want to keep you ladies from your afternoon, so I bid you all a good day."  Alanna said, backing up and hoping to make a run for it.

            "Page Alan?" she heard a sweet voice ask from behind her.

            Turning, Alanna saw Lady Meridean walking towards her.  'Uh oh' Alanna thought, 'here comes trouble'.

            "I would like to reward you for finding my glove today; it was just so kind of you to do so!"  Meridean giggled, "I have decided to allow you to accompany me to the ball tomorrow, when you're not doing your serving duties that is. In fact, I will speak to the queen and I'm sure she can see that you are excused for most of the evening!" the lady stated happily, as if she were doing page 'Alan' a great favor indeed.

            Knowing she could not refuse, Alanna did what she was forced to: "You are too kind my lady, and if you insist, I will of course accompany you to the dance on marrows eve."

            "I just cannot wait Alan, oh I can't!" Eyes sparkling, knowing she was making a 'conquest' Lady Meridean turned back to her friends, who had watched the entire exchange, winked and smiled slyly at them.  "Oh, one more thing page Alan" She stated, turning, "I'm wearing red, so dress accordingly." With that, she and the rest of the ladies retired indoors to discuss the upcoming ball.

            'What have I gotten myself in to??' Alanna thought miserably, 'A ball, a lady, wearing red, I can't wear red!! What am I to do? How can I pull this one off?" She asked herself.  'Me a girl, courting a girl? This is a disaster' she moaned. Dreading telling her fellow friends that the infamous social shy Alan was escorting a Lady to the ball, Alanna trudged up to Jon's rooms, all thoughts of free time vanished from her mind as she tried to come up with some way of getting rid of her unwanted situation…

Authors notes:

            I'm glad that you all are enjoying it so far, I only hope you continue to do so!  Now, would you like the next 'adventure' to be about the ball or something else???!!!

            Thanks to all who reviewed!