A/N: So very, very sorry this took so long, I've been very busy with
school. The next chapter will be up a lot sooner, I promise. Thank you to
all my reviewers, and enjoy!
Alanna stayed away from Jonathan for a few days. Instead of spending time with her old friends, Alanna, Amalia and Clara spent more time together. Alanna was very grateful for their friendship. Gary, Alex and Jon had grown away from her; it wasn't the same as before with any of them. Gary treated her like a friend, but there were no more rides in the forest, or archery practices - he was too busy. Alex was quieter and more secretive than ever, but the love he had seemed to have for Amalia - and Amalia still had for him - was vanishing. Alanna seemed to be taking Amalia's place, yet he hardly ever spoke to her. Jonathan ignored Alanna, which hurt even though she knew she had hurt him. Also, all three of them were knights. They were often called away from the palace for days at a time.
You're the miserable one. Faithful remarked, It'll never be like it used to be, so stop sulking. Would you really want to go rambling in the woods or fight your off your enemies like you used to with them?
"I want it to be like last year - we went ice skating and rode through the forest, even thought they were knight and I was almost a lady. Now it's just a love mess." Alanna complained.
Only you can change it, Faithful replied, go ice skating again, or ridding. They're sure to follow. Moping in your room will achieve you nothing. Faithful yawned, too much work if you ask me.
Alanna smiled at her cat. Maybe Faithful was right. She was being silly over it all.
So the next day Alanna, Clara, and Amalia went ice-skating. Gary and Alex joined them and convinced Jon to come too. It was a rather miserable walk there. Clara and Gary walked up ahead, talking and flirting, Alex drifted around Alanna silently, and Amalia and Jon walked alone, the latter looking angry, the former looking sad.
Alex's silence annoyed Alanna, so she hurried to catch up with Jon and walked beside him. Alanna was beginning to wonder if he had even noticed her, when he said, without looking at her,
"We went skating last year, didn't we? Your first time I think."
"Second." Alanna replied, "But I bet I've forgotten how to again."
"Bet you twenty coppers you can't get around the pond without falling over or grabbing onto someone." Jon teased.
Alanna smiled. This was the Jonathan she knew
"Deal." She replied, knowing she'd probably loose, "Just don't laugh."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Jon replied, hiding a smile.
Alanna pulled on her skates quickly and stepped onto the ice, swaying a little. Jon caught her and gave her a push.
"Off you go." he chuckled as she moved awkwardly forward. Alanna set off slowly at first, but she gradually sped up. Her body remembered from last year, and she made it all the way around without stumbling. Jonathan grimaced and handed over the money.
"Come on then." She laughed, "Let's see how fast you can go."
So Jonathan raced Alex around the pond, nearly knocking other people down in his rush to be first.
"What's the prize?" he teased as he stopped beside Alanna again, "A kiss from the fairest?"
"I think not." Alanna retorted. Seeing Alex moving towards her again, she skated off with Jon.
"What's wrong?" Jon asked, "You're practically clinging to me."
"I'm avoiding Alex." Alanna replied truthfully, watching Alex skate towards Clara, Gary and Amalia slowly, "he's annoying me. Besides, he's hurt Amalia."
"You'll have to marry someday, even if you hate the idea of anyone loving you now." Jon pointed out.
"I'll marry someone I love if I marry at all." Alanna snapped.
"Like your mother?" Jon asked quietly.
"if I loved someone poor, then yes, I'd run away with them. I wouldn't run away with a noble - there'd be something wrong." Alanna turned away from Jonathan, "and I'm a nobody. No one would think that I'd make a good marriage."
"Legally, you're the Conte heir." Jon observed, "and everyone will know that someday, once we have enough proof to destroy Roger."
"If that ever happens. By the time I have enough proof, he'll probably be king." Alanna sighed, "let's stop talking about gloomy things. I'll race you over to the others!"
She sped off leaving Jon far behind. When he caught up they were both laughing. Alanna was thrilled that Jon was acting normal again. If only Amalia didn't look so miserable.
That evening it was the first feast of the Midwinter Festival. There were guests from Maren - The ambassador and his wife, Lord Rikard and Lady Zoë, and many young nobles, including Princess Iliria and her husband Prince Christian, the youngest son of the Copper Isles King. Alanna wondered why they were here. King Mikal hadn't been helping the Tusaines, and despite the suspicions of Iliria's involvement, the two kings were friends again. It was till not a normal visit, as King Mikal and Queen Norala weren't here. Alanna wondered if King Roald was insulted by though of the ambassadors traveling in their place.
The Marens were very friendly. The knights planned friendly jousts with the Tortallian knights, and Alanna and Amalia found themselves talking to Princess Iliria.
"Of course," she chattered, "I've met Prince Jonathan before. Two summers ago - he's very charming." Iliria turned to Alanna, "I understand that you are a special friend of Jonathan's, Lady Alanna."
"Oh yes." Alanna smiled politely, "we've been friends since we were children."
Iliria smiled. Her dark green dress accented her eyes, and her blond hair cascaded down her back, reaching past her waist. Both Alanna and Amalia couldn't help disliking the lovely princess.
"So it's just friendship? Oh, I though you and Jonathan were much closer." Iliria laughed, "Jonathan and I were very close once. Of course, it was two-week romance. And those horrible Tusaines used my letter to hurt poor Jonathan! Or tried to, at least. Some brave young knight saved him. I would love to meet that knight! I would be forever indebted to him. I am married, after all."
Alanna smiled at Iliria again,
"Actually, it was I who saved Jonathan."
Iliria overdid her gasp of surprise,
"Y-you? But.really? My how romantic! Really, what a pity you and Jonathan aren't closer! He must be so grateful to you, even if being rescued by a girl would be rather embarrassing to his pride." Iliria laughed lightly, "ooh, how daring of you!"
Jonathan walked over to where the three ladies sat.
"Good evening, Princess Iliria, Lady Alanna, Lady Amalia." He bowed politely, "I hope you are enjoying yourself."
Iliria placed a hand on Jonathan's arm.
"Oh, yes. Lady Alanna just told me that she is the one who saved my letters and your life! She's so brave."
Jonathan's smile was forced, as he replied,
"We're very grateful to her."
"and so Christian will never know! That would have been quite awful. Though I do like you better than Christian. He can be horribly boring sometimes. If you joust tomorrow, you may wear my handkerchief - as a matter of courtesy and respect only."
Jonathan smiled again, and Alanna had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
"Jonathan darling, do dance with me." Iliria whined, "Christian doesn't dance, and no one else has asked me yet."
This wasn't true. Iliria had been asked many times, and had declined every time. Jonathan forced another strained smile and led her away with a apologetic glance at Alanna. She smiled, letting him know she was fine on her own.
"She's such a chatterbox!" Amalia cried, "I pity Prince Christian."
Gary and Alex walked over to the tow girls and sat down. Alanna had begun to realize how much they had grown up and changed in the last year. Gary used to be a ladies-man, but now he was devoting all of his attention to Clara. Though he was still as full of fun and jokes as ever, and enjoyed teasing Alanna, he was more serious too, and took his duties as a knight sincerely.
Alex was an even better knight now, but he seemed to have grown even quieter and more into himself. Alanna remembered him when he was friendly and open. Now he was just his own friend. Alex had also showed no interest in ladies, unlike his friends, until this year. Like he did everything else, Alex had loved Amalia very strongly and wholeheartedly. Now he seemed to be transferring that attention to Alanna, and Alanna knew it wasn't easy to make Alex give up or change his mind. The difference between Gary and Alex was even more unbelievable now that in the past years.
Jonathan too had changed. Still as handsome, charming and friendly as ever, he was a good knight and a responsible heir, but Alanna sometimes felt that she didn't know him; when he was being romantic, or helping his father. He'd make a very good king someday, but Alanna wished they could solve their current problems.
"How are we?" Gary broke through Alanna's thoughts, "enjoying Iliria's company?"
"She talks too much." Amalia replied, "And besides, there's something about her I just don't like."
"Who does like her? Men - the ones she's bewitched. I personally think she's a snob." Gary continued solemnly, "But Jon's quite taken with her."
"Quite." Alanna smiled at her cousin, "he was just thrilled when she asked him to dance."
They laughed, and then Alex turned to Alanna, asking her to dance.
"No, not now, Alex." Alanna replied casually. Alex's face fell and he walked away quietly.
"What's wrong with him?" Gary asked.
"I've snubbed him again." Alanna replied glancing at Amalia who no longer looked happy. Gary noticed too and stood up,
"Come dance with me. I know I'm not a very good substitute for Alex, but we'll find Jon and then you can make Alex jealous."
Amalia laughed and followed Gary, the long train of her dress trailing behind her. After a few moments of sitting there alone, Alanna walked outside. She sat in the cool air for quite a while before Jonathan found her.
"Hello." He sat down beside her, "I had to dance with Iliria until I was ready to murder her, and then Gary made me dance with Amalia, though I don't think Alex noticed, and now I've found you and I'm too tired to dance."
"And I haven't danced at all." Alanna smiled, "what a miserable couple we make."
"Really?" Jon looked at the girl beside him. In the moonlight she looked especially beautiful.
"I could have." Alanna admitted, "half a dozen knights asked me and Sir Darin must have asked ay least ten times. Oh, and Alex."
"And you wouldn't dance? Whom would you dance with?" Jon asked.
"You." Alanna replied truthfully, "you're not boring like so many knights, or annoying like Sir Darin, or cruel to Amalia like Alex is being."
"I dare say I've been cruel to a fair amount of people." Jon chuckled.
"Not like Alex. Besides, you're fun to talk to and be with." Alanna continued, "Well, I'd dance with Gary too."
"So much for making me feel like the special one." Jon grumbled, "You just had to mention Gary."
"It's good for you to not get too full of yourself." Alanna laughed.
"Thank you so much." Jonathan smiled and then his face changed, "you know, Iliria talked about Roger as if she knew him. And when she was seated next to him earlier, they were very deep in conversation about something. How big of a part do you think she has in all of this?"
"I don't know, but that talkative innocence doesn't fool me. She could be a bad enemy." Alanna replied, "Amalia did tell you everything, didn't she?"
"I made her." Jon admitted, "From how she's his daughter to the chocolates. He's dangerous, Alanna. Please be careful."
"I will." Alanna smiled up at Jon, "but I can't let him kill you."
"Well, I don't plan to die yet." Jon replied. There's no way Roger can win this." Jon replied flatly. Alanna wished it were true. Roger was powerful. Too powerful.
A/N: Does anyone know how to do italics? They won't work for me.
Alanna stayed away from Jonathan for a few days. Instead of spending time with her old friends, Alanna, Amalia and Clara spent more time together. Alanna was very grateful for their friendship. Gary, Alex and Jon had grown away from her; it wasn't the same as before with any of them. Gary treated her like a friend, but there were no more rides in the forest, or archery practices - he was too busy. Alex was quieter and more secretive than ever, but the love he had seemed to have for Amalia - and Amalia still had for him - was vanishing. Alanna seemed to be taking Amalia's place, yet he hardly ever spoke to her. Jonathan ignored Alanna, which hurt even though she knew she had hurt him. Also, all three of them were knights. They were often called away from the palace for days at a time.
You're the miserable one. Faithful remarked, It'll never be like it used to be, so stop sulking. Would you really want to go rambling in the woods or fight your off your enemies like you used to with them?
"I want it to be like last year - we went ice skating and rode through the forest, even thought they were knight and I was almost a lady. Now it's just a love mess." Alanna complained.
Only you can change it, Faithful replied, go ice skating again, or ridding. They're sure to follow. Moping in your room will achieve you nothing. Faithful yawned, too much work if you ask me.
Alanna smiled at her cat. Maybe Faithful was right. She was being silly over it all.
So the next day Alanna, Clara, and Amalia went ice-skating. Gary and Alex joined them and convinced Jon to come too. It was a rather miserable walk there. Clara and Gary walked up ahead, talking and flirting, Alex drifted around Alanna silently, and Amalia and Jon walked alone, the latter looking angry, the former looking sad.
Alex's silence annoyed Alanna, so she hurried to catch up with Jon and walked beside him. Alanna was beginning to wonder if he had even noticed her, when he said, without looking at her,
"We went skating last year, didn't we? Your first time I think."
"Second." Alanna replied, "But I bet I've forgotten how to again."
"Bet you twenty coppers you can't get around the pond without falling over or grabbing onto someone." Jon teased.
Alanna smiled. This was the Jonathan she knew
"Deal." She replied, knowing she'd probably loose, "Just don't laugh."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Jon replied, hiding a smile.
Alanna pulled on her skates quickly and stepped onto the ice, swaying a little. Jon caught her and gave her a push.
"Off you go." he chuckled as she moved awkwardly forward. Alanna set off slowly at first, but she gradually sped up. Her body remembered from last year, and she made it all the way around without stumbling. Jonathan grimaced and handed over the money.
"Come on then." She laughed, "Let's see how fast you can go."
So Jonathan raced Alex around the pond, nearly knocking other people down in his rush to be first.
"What's the prize?" he teased as he stopped beside Alanna again, "A kiss from the fairest?"
"I think not." Alanna retorted. Seeing Alex moving towards her again, she skated off with Jon.
"What's wrong?" Jon asked, "You're practically clinging to me."
"I'm avoiding Alex." Alanna replied truthfully, watching Alex skate towards Clara, Gary and Amalia slowly, "he's annoying me. Besides, he's hurt Amalia."
"You'll have to marry someday, even if you hate the idea of anyone loving you now." Jon pointed out.
"I'll marry someone I love if I marry at all." Alanna snapped.
"Like your mother?" Jon asked quietly.
"if I loved someone poor, then yes, I'd run away with them. I wouldn't run away with a noble - there'd be something wrong." Alanna turned away from Jonathan, "and I'm a nobody. No one would think that I'd make a good marriage."
"Legally, you're the Conte heir." Jon observed, "and everyone will know that someday, once we have enough proof to destroy Roger."
"If that ever happens. By the time I have enough proof, he'll probably be king." Alanna sighed, "let's stop talking about gloomy things. I'll race you over to the others!"
She sped off leaving Jon far behind. When he caught up they were both laughing. Alanna was thrilled that Jon was acting normal again. If only Amalia didn't look so miserable.
That evening it was the first feast of the Midwinter Festival. There were guests from Maren - The ambassador and his wife, Lord Rikard and Lady Zoë, and many young nobles, including Princess Iliria and her husband Prince Christian, the youngest son of the Copper Isles King. Alanna wondered why they were here. King Mikal hadn't been helping the Tusaines, and despite the suspicions of Iliria's involvement, the two kings were friends again. It was till not a normal visit, as King Mikal and Queen Norala weren't here. Alanna wondered if King Roald was insulted by though of the ambassadors traveling in their place.
The Marens were very friendly. The knights planned friendly jousts with the Tortallian knights, and Alanna and Amalia found themselves talking to Princess Iliria.
"Of course," she chattered, "I've met Prince Jonathan before. Two summers ago - he's very charming." Iliria turned to Alanna, "I understand that you are a special friend of Jonathan's, Lady Alanna."
"Oh yes." Alanna smiled politely, "we've been friends since we were children."
Iliria smiled. Her dark green dress accented her eyes, and her blond hair cascaded down her back, reaching past her waist. Both Alanna and Amalia couldn't help disliking the lovely princess.
"So it's just friendship? Oh, I though you and Jonathan were much closer." Iliria laughed, "Jonathan and I were very close once. Of course, it was two-week romance. And those horrible Tusaines used my letter to hurt poor Jonathan! Or tried to, at least. Some brave young knight saved him. I would love to meet that knight! I would be forever indebted to him. I am married, after all."
Alanna smiled at Iliria again,
"Actually, it was I who saved Jonathan."
Iliria overdid her gasp of surprise,
"Y-you? But.really? My how romantic! Really, what a pity you and Jonathan aren't closer! He must be so grateful to you, even if being rescued by a girl would be rather embarrassing to his pride." Iliria laughed lightly, "ooh, how daring of you!"
Jonathan walked over to where the three ladies sat.
"Good evening, Princess Iliria, Lady Alanna, Lady Amalia." He bowed politely, "I hope you are enjoying yourself."
Iliria placed a hand on Jonathan's arm.
"Oh, yes. Lady Alanna just told me that she is the one who saved my letters and your life! She's so brave."
Jonathan's smile was forced, as he replied,
"We're very grateful to her."
"and so Christian will never know! That would have been quite awful. Though I do like you better than Christian. He can be horribly boring sometimes. If you joust tomorrow, you may wear my handkerchief - as a matter of courtesy and respect only."
Jonathan smiled again, and Alanna had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
"Jonathan darling, do dance with me." Iliria whined, "Christian doesn't dance, and no one else has asked me yet."
This wasn't true. Iliria had been asked many times, and had declined every time. Jonathan forced another strained smile and led her away with a apologetic glance at Alanna. She smiled, letting him know she was fine on her own.
"She's such a chatterbox!" Amalia cried, "I pity Prince Christian."
Gary and Alex walked over to the tow girls and sat down. Alanna had begun to realize how much they had grown up and changed in the last year. Gary used to be a ladies-man, but now he was devoting all of his attention to Clara. Though he was still as full of fun and jokes as ever, and enjoyed teasing Alanna, he was more serious too, and took his duties as a knight sincerely.
Alex was an even better knight now, but he seemed to have grown even quieter and more into himself. Alanna remembered him when he was friendly and open. Now he was just his own friend. Alex had also showed no interest in ladies, unlike his friends, until this year. Like he did everything else, Alex had loved Amalia very strongly and wholeheartedly. Now he seemed to be transferring that attention to Alanna, and Alanna knew it wasn't easy to make Alex give up or change his mind. The difference between Gary and Alex was even more unbelievable now that in the past years.
Jonathan too had changed. Still as handsome, charming and friendly as ever, he was a good knight and a responsible heir, but Alanna sometimes felt that she didn't know him; when he was being romantic, or helping his father. He'd make a very good king someday, but Alanna wished they could solve their current problems.
"How are we?" Gary broke through Alanna's thoughts, "enjoying Iliria's company?"
"She talks too much." Amalia replied, "And besides, there's something about her I just don't like."
"Who does like her? Men - the ones she's bewitched. I personally think she's a snob." Gary continued solemnly, "But Jon's quite taken with her."
"Quite." Alanna smiled at her cousin, "he was just thrilled when she asked him to dance."
They laughed, and then Alex turned to Alanna, asking her to dance.
"No, not now, Alex." Alanna replied casually. Alex's face fell and he walked away quietly.
"What's wrong with him?" Gary asked.
"I've snubbed him again." Alanna replied glancing at Amalia who no longer looked happy. Gary noticed too and stood up,
"Come dance with me. I know I'm not a very good substitute for Alex, but we'll find Jon and then you can make Alex jealous."
Amalia laughed and followed Gary, the long train of her dress trailing behind her. After a few moments of sitting there alone, Alanna walked outside. She sat in the cool air for quite a while before Jonathan found her.
"Hello." He sat down beside her, "I had to dance with Iliria until I was ready to murder her, and then Gary made me dance with Amalia, though I don't think Alex noticed, and now I've found you and I'm too tired to dance."
"And I haven't danced at all." Alanna smiled, "what a miserable couple we make."
"Really?" Jon looked at the girl beside him. In the moonlight she looked especially beautiful.
"I could have." Alanna admitted, "half a dozen knights asked me and Sir Darin must have asked ay least ten times. Oh, and Alex."
"And you wouldn't dance? Whom would you dance with?" Jon asked.
"You." Alanna replied truthfully, "you're not boring like so many knights, or annoying like Sir Darin, or cruel to Amalia like Alex is being."
"I dare say I've been cruel to a fair amount of people." Jon chuckled.
"Not like Alex. Besides, you're fun to talk to and be with." Alanna continued, "Well, I'd dance with Gary too."
"So much for making me feel like the special one." Jon grumbled, "You just had to mention Gary."
"It's good for you to not get too full of yourself." Alanna laughed.
"Thank you so much." Jonathan smiled and then his face changed, "you know, Iliria talked about Roger as if she knew him. And when she was seated next to him earlier, they were very deep in conversation about something. How big of a part do you think she has in all of this?"
"I don't know, but that talkative innocence doesn't fool me. She could be a bad enemy." Alanna replied, "Amalia did tell you everything, didn't she?"
"I made her." Jon admitted, "From how she's his daughter to the chocolates. He's dangerous, Alanna. Please be careful."
"I will." Alanna smiled up at Jon, "but I can't let him kill you."
"Well, I don't plan to die yet." Jon replied. There's no way Roger can win this." Jon replied flatly. Alanna wished it were true. Roger was powerful. Too powerful.
A/N: Does anyone know how to do italics? They won't work for me.