Ok, I'm back! I'm thinking that the only fics for me are Alanna fics, so
that's what I'm writing! I don't like my sequel. it's not working for me,
but I'll TRY to write at least five chapters, if you guys want them. I'm
also working on this other story but it doesn't look like it'll be posted
very soon. I'm going to get my other stories under wraps first!
Ok, I'm not sure yet what kind of fic this'll be, but I think it will be an
Alanna/Jonathan one, but I'm going to leave you guessing! (And don't blame
me if I think up another character for Alanna, ok. you read this story you
run that risk!)
DISCLAIMER: Don't own any characters so far. they all belong to Tamora Pierce, you know the drill. I do own the story, so don't nick it *winks* oh but I own Lady Daniella and Turtle Lake, and Lady Jacqueline and Dove's Peak;)
~ Chapter One ~
Husbands and Ball Gowns
"This is completely ridiculous!" Alanna cried tiredly. "Why do you even bother?"
"I was just about to ask myself the same thing!" cried the Priestess, red in the face.
Alanna scowled at the old Priestess. Priestess Usulia was her least favourite Priestess in the whole of the Convent, and there were a lot of Priestesses here.
"Alanna, HOLD STILL!" Usulia cried.
"NO!" yelled Alanna impatiently. "You will not fit me with that gown!"
The dress was a beautiful purple that went well with Alanna's hair and eyes. It was strapless dress with a lilac shawl that was decorated with beads.
Usulia grabbed Alanna's wrist. "Alanna, I am fitting you for this dress whether you like it or not. You are going to the palace in one month and you need to be prepared! You are to find a husband, get married, and then we Priestesses will finally be rid of you and your terrible behaviour!" Priestess Usulia cried out.
Alanna wrenched her wrist from Usulia's hand. "The only reason I'm going is to get away from you and all of the other corrupt girls here! You're all pathetic!"
"Alanna!"
Alanna and Usulia spun around. The Head Priestess, Priestess Lalia, was walking towards the both of them. She looked thin in the white dress she wore, and her shoes tapped on the ground. She stopped in front of Alanna and Usulia. Alanna was pulling away from Usulia, and Usulia had scissors in her hand and needles in her mouth, obviously trying to fit Alanna's dress.
"Lady Alanna you will come with me," Lalia said, her quiet voice icy. "Priestess Usulia, you will work on Lady Paisley's dress."
"Yes, Mother," Usulia said, and hurried off. Lalia turned and walked to her office, Alanna followed hurriedly.
When they reached the Priestess's rooms, Lalia opened the door and entered, and shut the door hard after Alanna.
"Please sit, Alanna," Lalia said, her voice a little warmer. Alanna took a seat cautiously. She was always nervous about the Head Priestess.
"Alanna. Alanna, Alanna, Alanna."
"Yes Priestess?" Alanna asked sweetly.
Lalia looked at her sternly. "Alanna, you need to get your act together."
Uh oh! Alanna thought, She's taking her "I know I'm right and I know you're wrong" tone!
"My act, Priestess?" asked Alanna innocently.
The Priestess sighed. "Alanna, you are not a baby anymore. You need to grow up - fast. I know you are no child, you will not be fooled. So I am proposing a deal - straight out, no strings attached. You will go to the Palace in one month. You will stay there for two and a half months. In that time you will attend balls, wander the palace, and make friends. If you find a husband in that time, you will marry and then live with him. No, Alanna, don't pull a face. If you do not find a husband, you will return here, and I will make you a teacher, in an effort to try and make you grow up."
"What will I teach?" asked Alanna cautiously.
"Priestess Jessica is leaving in four months. You will take her place, and teach writing." Alanna thought this over carefully. She had no intentions of marrying, that was for sure! But teaching writing, that wouldn't be so bad. she would have learnt that at the Palace anyway. and it didn't have anything to do with learning to be like a lady! And two and a half months away from the Convent would be a well-earned break.
"Alright," Alanna said. "We've got ourselves a deal, Priestess Lalia."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
One month later, Alanna packed her bags onto her horse, Saddle-worthy, or as Alanna nicknamed her, Swift. The Priestesses insisted that she rode side- saddle, which Alanna loathed. She mounted up with difficulty (it was much easier the normal way) and slung her final pack around the back of the saddle.
"What's in this?" she asked the Priestess who handed it up.
"Ball gear," she replied.
Alanna rolled her eyes and was muttering to herself about Priestess folly when one of Alanna's older and more sensible friends, Daniella rode up on her mount, Crystal.
"Good news, Alanna!" Daniella cried ecstatically. "I'm coming to the palace with you! I think the Priestess wants someone to keep an eye on you. Lucky it's me and not Delia!"
"Yeah," Alanna agreed. Delia was the Convent's snobby cow.
"So let's go, then," Daniella said.
"Ok," Alanna said miserably.
Daniella looked at her. "You're not actually sad at leaving the Convent are you?" she asked, amazed. Everyone knew that Alanna hated the Convent.
"No," Alanna sighed. "It's just that I'm not exactly looking forward to the Palace anyway. And the sooner we leave, the sooner I have to come back."
Daniella laughed. "Oh, look at the bright side of things Alanna. At least it's a change or scene."
Alanna screwed up her face. "Well couldn't it have been a fun change of scene? Couldn't I have gone to, say, the Roof of the World?"
Daniella looked at Alanna sternly. "The Roof of the World? Is this that knight maiden dream talking? When will it go away?"
"That "dream" will never go," Alanna told her determinedly. "Even if it is only destined to be a dream."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Your Highness!" Gareth of Naxen, the Younger, called.
"What is it Gary?" Jonathan of Conte turned, showing his beautiful sapphire eyes framed by long lashes, one of the physical features that ran in the Conte line.
"Four ladies have arrived, fresh from the Convent of the Mother Water (A/N - just made that up:P) and are needing some escorts," Gary said, a sly grin on his face.
"Four? And why do I have to escort them?" Jon asked whiningly.
"Well, one is Master Thom's sister, and they're all quite attractive."
"Thom? Thom's twin? What's her name.? Alanna?" Jon asked, suddenly showing interest.
"Yes, that's her name," Thom's said, his head poking round the corner. "Well? Are you coming or not?"
Gary, Jon, Thom and Alex (who had appeared with Thom) hurried to greet the girls.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I don't believe you!" Alanna yelled at a young, dainty chestnut-haired woman. "What are you doing here?"
"Doing exactly what you were sent here to do, my dear," Delia of Eldorne said, her musical voice nasty. "Get a husband."
"Alanna, don't raise your voice," whispered Daniella to her. "You never know who may be around the corner."
"Listen to your bodyguard, Mistress Alanna," Delia snapped. "You need guidance, after all."
"She's not my bodyguard," Alanna retorted. "She's my friend."
"Oh please," Delia sniffed. "You don't have any friends. Who wants to be friends with the tomboy?"
Alanna rolled her eyes and turned away from Delia. There was a time and a place to pick fights, and Alanna wanted to wait to kick this nasty girl's butt big time.
"Alanna!"
Thom came running to Alanna at a great speed and hugged his sister tightly. "It's so good to see you!"
"You too Thom!" Alanna cried. "I haven't seen you for such a long time."
Daniella cleared her throat.
"Oh!" Alanna cried. "Thom, this is Daniella of Turtle Lake. Daniella, this is my brother Thom."
Daniella smiled. "Nice to meet you Squire Thom," she greeted politely.
"I am Lady Delia of Eldorne," Delia butted in, pushing Daniella slightly. "It's my pleasure to meet you."
Alanna shoved Delia. "She's such a cow," she whispered to Thom.
"Excuse me," a timid voice said.
Everyone turned around. Alanna went red. She'd forgotten about the fourth lady that had arrived at the same time.
"Thom, this is Lady Jacqueline of Dove's Peak."
Thom gasped. "The Lady Jacqueline of Dove's Peak? I marvel your powers, Lady Jacqueline! You are a very talented sorceress!"
Jacqueline smiled. "Thankyou Master Thom. Alanna has told me you wished to become a sorcerer yourself."
Thom nodded eagerly. "Perhaps we could discuss." Thom was nudged in the back by one of his tall friends. "Oh! Terribly sorry! This is Gary, Alex, and Jon. This is my sister, Lady Alanna, her friend, Lady Daniella, Lady Delia and Lady Jacqueline of Dove's Peak. You remember, the sorceress I told you guys about?"
The men nodded. "How could we forget?" Alex joked.
"Come now, I'm sure everyone doesn't want to stay outside all day!" Alanna said in her most ladylike voice. She was getting bored, and wanted to see the palace. Obviously the only way to get through to these men was to either talk of sorcery, in her brother's case, or to be a lady! Since she knew nothing of sorcery, and was afraid of her Gift, a lady was her only choice, she admitted wistfully to herself.
Thom looked at her wondrously. Since when was Alanna a lady? Maybe those years at the Convent had finally gotten to her. Thom sighed. He knew she'd reach insanity eventually at that place.
"Yes."
A tall young man stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Alanna. Alanna looked into those eyes. They were a brilliant sapphire that twinkled mysteriously. As he stepped forward Alanna saw Delia shoot out a poisonous glare at Alanna of obvious jealousy.
"The sun is quite hot today, is it not, my fine lady?" he asked, taking her hand and kissing it.
Alanna fought the instinct to vomit and instead force-smiled, her lips tight. "'Tis, isn't it?" she replied, her voice as calm as she could make it.
Thom grinned; he knew now that his sister was just faking being a lady. He knew she's never gone insane. (Hehehe ya right Thom nice try but WE know the truth!)
"Prince Jonathan of Conte," the man introduced.
Alanna smiled disbelievingly in shock and took a breath. She raised her eyebrows (A/N - I hope you are all picturing this as much as I am, sorry if you aren't but I see this reaction very clearly). "Prince?" she asked, disbelievingly, in a small, weak voice.
Thom hid his grin behind his hand, as did his other companions. Jonathan smiled slightly as well.
"Yes, I am the Prince," he replied, a mischievous smile upon his face. Alanna quickly recovered from her shock and smiled, looking at Delia. Jon offered his arm, and Alanna took it, smiling devilishly at Delia the whole time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Soooooooooo??????????? What do you think? It may be pretty crap but still it feels good to be writing Alanna fics again. I think I'm going to put "Alanna's daughter" on hold, but if I finish that one, I'll be free to concentrate on this one! I will post another chapter of Tortallan Big Brother as everyone keeps on insisting that I am actually funny, so I'll just go along with them. Ciao! ~*~kaz~*~
DISCLAIMER: Don't own any characters so far. they all belong to Tamora Pierce, you know the drill. I do own the story, so don't nick it *winks* oh but I own Lady Daniella and Turtle Lake, and Lady Jacqueline and Dove's Peak;)
~ Chapter One ~
Husbands and Ball Gowns
"This is completely ridiculous!" Alanna cried tiredly. "Why do you even bother?"
"I was just about to ask myself the same thing!" cried the Priestess, red in the face.
Alanna scowled at the old Priestess. Priestess Usulia was her least favourite Priestess in the whole of the Convent, and there were a lot of Priestesses here.
"Alanna, HOLD STILL!" Usulia cried.
"NO!" yelled Alanna impatiently. "You will not fit me with that gown!"
The dress was a beautiful purple that went well with Alanna's hair and eyes. It was strapless dress with a lilac shawl that was decorated with beads.
Usulia grabbed Alanna's wrist. "Alanna, I am fitting you for this dress whether you like it or not. You are going to the palace in one month and you need to be prepared! You are to find a husband, get married, and then we Priestesses will finally be rid of you and your terrible behaviour!" Priestess Usulia cried out.
Alanna wrenched her wrist from Usulia's hand. "The only reason I'm going is to get away from you and all of the other corrupt girls here! You're all pathetic!"
"Alanna!"
Alanna and Usulia spun around. The Head Priestess, Priestess Lalia, was walking towards the both of them. She looked thin in the white dress she wore, and her shoes tapped on the ground. She stopped in front of Alanna and Usulia. Alanna was pulling away from Usulia, and Usulia had scissors in her hand and needles in her mouth, obviously trying to fit Alanna's dress.
"Lady Alanna you will come with me," Lalia said, her quiet voice icy. "Priestess Usulia, you will work on Lady Paisley's dress."
"Yes, Mother," Usulia said, and hurried off. Lalia turned and walked to her office, Alanna followed hurriedly.
When they reached the Priestess's rooms, Lalia opened the door and entered, and shut the door hard after Alanna.
"Please sit, Alanna," Lalia said, her voice a little warmer. Alanna took a seat cautiously. She was always nervous about the Head Priestess.
"Alanna. Alanna, Alanna, Alanna."
"Yes Priestess?" Alanna asked sweetly.
Lalia looked at her sternly. "Alanna, you need to get your act together."
Uh oh! Alanna thought, She's taking her "I know I'm right and I know you're wrong" tone!
"My act, Priestess?" asked Alanna innocently.
The Priestess sighed. "Alanna, you are not a baby anymore. You need to grow up - fast. I know you are no child, you will not be fooled. So I am proposing a deal - straight out, no strings attached. You will go to the Palace in one month. You will stay there for two and a half months. In that time you will attend balls, wander the palace, and make friends. If you find a husband in that time, you will marry and then live with him. No, Alanna, don't pull a face. If you do not find a husband, you will return here, and I will make you a teacher, in an effort to try and make you grow up."
"What will I teach?" asked Alanna cautiously.
"Priestess Jessica is leaving in four months. You will take her place, and teach writing." Alanna thought this over carefully. She had no intentions of marrying, that was for sure! But teaching writing, that wouldn't be so bad. she would have learnt that at the Palace anyway. and it didn't have anything to do with learning to be like a lady! And two and a half months away from the Convent would be a well-earned break.
"Alright," Alanna said. "We've got ourselves a deal, Priestess Lalia."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
One month later, Alanna packed her bags onto her horse, Saddle-worthy, or as Alanna nicknamed her, Swift. The Priestesses insisted that she rode side- saddle, which Alanna loathed. She mounted up with difficulty (it was much easier the normal way) and slung her final pack around the back of the saddle.
"What's in this?" she asked the Priestess who handed it up.
"Ball gear," she replied.
Alanna rolled her eyes and was muttering to herself about Priestess folly when one of Alanna's older and more sensible friends, Daniella rode up on her mount, Crystal.
"Good news, Alanna!" Daniella cried ecstatically. "I'm coming to the palace with you! I think the Priestess wants someone to keep an eye on you. Lucky it's me and not Delia!"
"Yeah," Alanna agreed. Delia was the Convent's snobby cow.
"So let's go, then," Daniella said.
"Ok," Alanna said miserably.
Daniella looked at her. "You're not actually sad at leaving the Convent are you?" she asked, amazed. Everyone knew that Alanna hated the Convent.
"No," Alanna sighed. "It's just that I'm not exactly looking forward to the Palace anyway. And the sooner we leave, the sooner I have to come back."
Daniella laughed. "Oh, look at the bright side of things Alanna. At least it's a change or scene."
Alanna screwed up her face. "Well couldn't it have been a fun change of scene? Couldn't I have gone to, say, the Roof of the World?"
Daniella looked at Alanna sternly. "The Roof of the World? Is this that knight maiden dream talking? When will it go away?"
"That "dream" will never go," Alanna told her determinedly. "Even if it is only destined to be a dream."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Your Highness!" Gareth of Naxen, the Younger, called.
"What is it Gary?" Jonathan of Conte turned, showing his beautiful sapphire eyes framed by long lashes, one of the physical features that ran in the Conte line.
"Four ladies have arrived, fresh from the Convent of the Mother Water (A/N - just made that up:P) and are needing some escorts," Gary said, a sly grin on his face.
"Four? And why do I have to escort them?" Jon asked whiningly.
"Well, one is Master Thom's sister, and they're all quite attractive."
"Thom? Thom's twin? What's her name.? Alanna?" Jon asked, suddenly showing interest.
"Yes, that's her name," Thom's said, his head poking round the corner. "Well? Are you coming or not?"
Gary, Jon, Thom and Alex (who had appeared with Thom) hurried to greet the girls.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I don't believe you!" Alanna yelled at a young, dainty chestnut-haired woman. "What are you doing here?"
"Doing exactly what you were sent here to do, my dear," Delia of Eldorne said, her musical voice nasty. "Get a husband."
"Alanna, don't raise your voice," whispered Daniella to her. "You never know who may be around the corner."
"Listen to your bodyguard, Mistress Alanna," Delia snapped. "You need guidance, after all."
"She's not my bodyguard," Alanna retorted. "She's my friend."
"Oh please," Delia sniffed. "You don't have any friends. Who wants to be friends with the tomboy?"
Alanna rolled her eyes and turned away from Delia. There was a time and a place to pick fights, and Alanna wanted to wait to kick this nasty girl's butt big time.
"Alanna!"
Thom came running to Alanna at a great speed and hugged his sister tightly. "It's so good to see you!"
"You too Thom!" Alanna cried. "I haven't seen you for such a long time."
Daniella cleared her throat.
"Oh!" Alanna cried. "Thom, this is Daniella of Turtle Lake. Daniella, this is my brother Thom."
Daniella smiled. "Nice to meet you Squire Thom," she greeted politely.
"I am Lady Delia of Eldorne," Delia butted in, pushing Daniella slightly. "It's my pleasure to meet you."
Alanna shoved Delia. "She's such a cow," she whispered to Thom.
"Excuse me," a timid voice said.
Everyone turned around. Alanna went red. She'd forgotten about the fourth lady that had arrived at the same time.
"Thom, this is Lady Jacqueline of Dove's Peak."
Thom gasped. "The Lady Jacqueline of Dove's Peak? I marvel your powers, Lady Jacqueline! You are a very talented sorceress!"
Jacqueline smiled. "Thankyou Master Thom. Alanna has told me you wished to become a sorcerer yourself."
Thom nodded eagerly. "Perhaps we could discuss." Thom was nudged in the back by one of his tall friends. "Oh! Terribly sorry! This is Gary, Alex, and Jon. This is my sister, Lady Alanna, her friend, Lady Daniella, Lady Delia and Lady Jacqueline of Dove's Peak. You remember, the sorceress I told you guys about?"
The men nodded. "How could we forget?" Alex joked.
"Come now, I'm sure everyone doesn't want to stay outside all day!" Alanna said in her most ladylike voice. She was getting bored, and wanted to see the palace. Obviously the only way to get through to these men was to either talk of sorcery, in her brother's case, or to be a lady! Since she knew nothing of sorcery, and was afraid of her Gift, a lady was her only choice, she admitted wistfully to herself.
Thom looked at her wondrously. Since when was Alanna a lady? Maybe those years at the Convent had finally gotten to her. Thom sighed. He knew she'd reach insanity eventually at that place.
"Yes."
A tall young man stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Alanna. Alanna looked into those eyes. They were a brilliant sapphire that twinkled mysteriously. As he stepped forward Alanna saw Delia shoot out a poisonous glare at Alanna of obvious jealousy.
"The sun is quite hot today, is it not, my fine lady?" he asked, taking her hand and kissing it.
Alanna fought the instinct to vomit and instead force-smiled, her lips tight. "'Tis, isn't it?" she replied, her voice as calm as she could make it.
Thom grinned; he knew now that his sister was just faking being a lady. He knew she's never gone insane. (Hehehe ya right Thom nice try but WE know the truth!)
"Prince Jonathan of Conte," the man introduced.
Alanna smiled disbelievingly in shock and took a breath. She raised her eyebrows (A/N - I hope you are all picturing this as much as I am, sorry if you aren't but I see this reaction very clearly). "Prince?" she asked, disbelievingly, in a small, weak voice.
Thom hid his grin behind his hand, as did his other companions. Jonathan smiled slightly as well.
"Yes, I am the Prince," he replied, a mischievous smile upon his face. Alanna quickly recovered from her shock and smiled, looking at Delia. Jon offered his arm, and Alanna took it, smiling devilishly at Delia the whole time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Soooooooooo??????????? What do you think? It may be pretty crap but still it feels good to be writing Alanna fics again. I think I'm going to put "Alanna's daughter" on hold, but if I finish that one, I'll be free to concentrate on this one! I will post another chapter of Tortallan Big Brother as everyone keeps on insisting that I am actually funny, so I'll just go along with them. Ciao! ~*~kaz~*~