She sat there, half shrouded in darkness, for days on end. When she reached the palace, Thom was there to see her. She had wept away all her tears now; she allowed him to pull her into a tight hug and wept inside. They walked to a private library and Alanna relayed her father's news to her brother.

MEANWHILE:

"I can't believe that my mother did that!"

"Well, it is custom."

"Damn custom! I don't want to marry. Anyway, I want to fill the vacancy for commander of the Own. I can't do that with a wife."

"Well, -"

"And I bet she'll be another brainless lady with nothing to do but fan herself, stand around and look pretty."

"Raoul, calm down. They can't force you to marry."

"Yes they bloody well can. I've seen it before."

"Maybe you should meet her. It can't hurt."

"Jon, you don't understand. I can't meet her."

"Well, you'll have to. I've arranged a meeting for you two."

"Oh, Jon. Why do you have to meddle? I had better meet her, it's the chivalrous thing to do."

Prince Jonathon smiled a secret smile. He knew he would get Raoul to agree in the end.



LATER:

Alanna sat on a gilded chair, her hair piled onto her head fashionably and her face artfully made up. It did nothing to her appearance. She looked miserable. It was clear to everyone who saw her. A young man walked over to her. She stood and curtseyed gracefully, her hands shaking. Raoul saw this. Why is she shaking? He wondered. Is she scared of me? Alanna's face was modestly turned to the floor. Roaul lifted her chin with a cool finger and looked at her face. He promptly burst out laughing.

"I cannot see what is funny sir." Alanna demurred.

"But it is, oh so funny!"

"Please then, let me in on your joke."

"Why it's simple my dear. You are in exactly the same predicament as me. You do not wish to marry me!" Alanna drew back in shock.

"How do you know?"

"One look at your face is enough, oh so fair lady. It's like rolling thunder and puppy eyes all rolled into one!" This made Alanna laugh. She began to talk to Raoul and to her horror she heard herself spilling all her grievances and woes to this unknown nobleman. When she finished Raoul said:

"Well, I'll fix it, don't worry. We won't marry. Although," He stopped. Alanna looked up at him.

"What?"

"Well, I would like to be friends, lady Alanna of Trebond."

"Friends, lord Raoul. Yes, I would like that too."



Happy my oh-so-devoted readers??? Now for messages

Lillie: Good! I'm glad my fake cliff-hanger scared you! I was to get at all the people who use cliff-hangers. To them, it might be funny, I mean I was sorely tempted to leave it there, but to the reader it's agony. I promise more soon.

Karina: She will, in her own time. I'm sorry but I have to build up the plot first.

I'll post more up soon! Dyana & Muse