Down the Other Path

Chapter Three

Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me except Isabel.

            All too soon, it was time to get ready for the ball. I'd rather be dunked in mud than go to this stupid thing. Well at least I'm not grounded anymore. With a sigh, she put on her dress, a creamy ivory confection with an off-the-shoulder neckline. Thank the gods that the neckline isn't too low. I don't want to look like those other sluts. It had long, flowing sleeves and was not too tight. Then her hair. I don't really know what to do with it. It's too red. Not really knowing what to do with her hair, she called her maid Isabel to help her.

            Twenty minutes later, it was up in an elegant braided crown.

            "You look fabulous milady," said Isabel. "Now all you need is a little face paint."

            "No. I will not wear any of that stuff," Alanna said defensively.

            "But you must milady. It would accent your eyes and lips and all of the other ladies shall be wearing face paint too."

            "Fine," agreed Alanna. "But only a little."

            When it was finished, Alanna looked at herself in the mirror. The light touch of shimmery eye paint did bring out the color in her eyes. The lip paint had enhanced her rose-colored lips and her cheeks had a natural blush.

            "Thanks," she said to Isabel.

            "It was nothing milady," Isabel replied.

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            Alanna gulped, nervously waiting for the herald to announce her name. I'll probably trip and fall down-

            "Lady Alanna of Trebond," announced the herald.

            Her train of thought was broken by the herald's announcement of her name.

            Alanna floated smoothly down the stairs, arriving in front of the King and Queen.

            "Your Majesties," she said, curtsying gracefully.

            Thom watched as Alanna gracefully walked down the stairs and curtsied to Their Majesties. She sure has changed a lot. "Is that your sister?" asked Gary

            "Yes," replied Thom.

            "She's gorgeous," said Gary dreamily.

            Thom groaned. One of my friends falling for my sister?

            Alanna looked around, bored. She noticed a young knight with black hair heading towards her. Oh no. Not him.

            "Lady Alanna, may I have this dance?" asked Prince Jonathon.

            "No, you may not," she answered.

            That ought to show him that I'm not some simpering courtier hanging on to his every word.

            Prince Jonathon walked away rather dejectedly. No lady had ever refused him. Well I'll have her sooner or later. I am the handsomest man in Corus and not to mention the Prince.

            Gary sighed dreamily, looking at Alanna. She was absolutely divine. He was about to go over and ask her for a dance until he noticed his cousin walking in her direction. Damn. Why does Jon always get whichever lady he wants? Just because he's the prince. He breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Jonathon walk away. He got up and walked towards Alanna.

            "Lady Alanna, may I have this dance?"

            Alanna looked up into the brown eyes of Sir Gareth.

            "It would be a pleasure, Sir Gareth," Alanna replied.

            "It's Gary," said Sir Gareth.

            They floated gracefully on the dance floor, in complete bliss. Needless to say, they spent the rest of the night in each others' arms.

            Prince Jonathon resentfully watched his cousin and Alanna dance dreamily, staring into each others' eyes. His "conquest" was not going the right way. I'm supposed to have her. I'll have to talk to Gary about her later.

            Thom sighed rather worriedly as he watched his friend and his sister dancing. He was afraid that Gary would end up breaking her heart, or that Jon and Gary would get into a big fight over her. Jon and Gary should have better sense over stuff like that. When did this stuff start happening anyway? Since they were both knighted. He sighed depressingly.

            Alanna opened the door to her room.

            "Wait," said Gary.

            Alanna turned around as Gary came forward and kissed her. Alanna surprisingly found herself kissing back. They broke apart after a few minutes.

            "Goodnight," said Gary huskily.

            "Goodnight," replied Alanna.

            Alanna entered her room in complete bliss. The ball had been simply indescribable.

            "How did it go milady?" asked Isabel.

            "It was wonderful," replied Alanna dreamily.

            "I'm glad it was," said Isabel.