If she had been Quicker

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except the ones I made up, the other ones belong to Tamora Pierce so don't sue me! A/N This story switches from Alanna's point of view to Gary's or Jon's so it might be a little confusing

Alanna's POV

Ooh I hate that Delia. What a twit! Goddess you should see how she treats the other court ladies! She'll do anything to get the prince and I mean anything! Mithros! Its my seventeenth birthday! I can't believe I forgot! Urgh, I can be such a dolt sometimes!

Alanna laughed at herself and walked to the chest where she kept her dresses and other women's garments. Thinking of Delia had made her think of dresses and she had a sudden urge to put one on. It's so beautiful outside tonight, she thought. Maybe I can go for a bit of a stroll through the rose gardens. After all, most of the nobles will be busy seeing as it's Midwinter.

She took out a dress and put it on. She also took out her black wig and sat it on top of her head, moving various pieces of hair and adjusting them with hair pins. There weren't many violet-eyed redheads around these days, so it felt it would be best to disguise her hair color. She looked at herself in the mirror.

I suppose I look presentable. Not as good as Delia of course, she thought with a sniff, but I'm close enough to it for my liking!

Alanna put her cloak on and walked outside. It was such a beautiful night. A night for lovers. She shuddered. Alanna never wanted that kind of relationship. Maybe someday, but not now. Now she wanted adventures, not a man. She put her cloak on a bench and walked around admiring the flowers. I wonder if they have the mages spell these so they will grow to be this color of red, Alanna mused. Then she saw the man on the balcony.

Jon's POV

Jon was standing on the balcony relieved to be away from Delia. That girl never ceased to annoy him. He tilted his head back to look at the moon when something caught his attention down in the rose gardens. A woman was walking around fingering the roses.

What is a noble lady doing out there? Every one was in the ballroom. Ha! Oh Goddess! It's Alanna!

Jon smiled to himself and descended down the tall staircase and walked through the door that led outside. He had better go out there to make sure she didn't get herself in any trouble.

Gary's POV

Gary had been walking around flirting with the ladies when he saw Jon leave the hall and go outside. Gary thought that he had better follow Jon to make sure that he didn't get in any trouble. Besides, there might be some ladies out there.

Alanna's POV

Alanna saw the man on the balcony staring at her. Suddenly all her confidence and bravery left her. She didn't want one of her friends to come out and start flirting with her! Alanna ran over to the bench and grabbed her cloak. She saw the man walking toward the bench and fled. While running blindly, she smacked into someone. Only then did she realize that her wig had been left behind.

Jon's POV

As soon as Jon began walking towards the bench, he saw Alanna turn around and run. Jon wondered why she had run from him. Was she angry at him? Did she think it was someone else? He would have to ask her later. In the meantime, he figured that he had better get back to the palace before some of the Nobles began to worry. The last thing he needed was a few worried Nobles sending out a search party to look for him.

Gary's POV

As soon as Gary took a few steps into the rose garden, he was hit by a large fire ball or something resembling one. No, not a large fireball, a small redhead. Alan! " Alan?" The redhead answered him. " um.. noo. Er, I'm not Alan. Oh why me!?!?" Gary was puzzled. This person looked like Alan, but slightly more feminine, and in a dress! " Who are you ?" Gary demanded. The redhead opened its mouth to answer.

OOH! A cliffy! Hehe! I am evil. So how did you like that one? Tell me please! Oh, and if you liked this story, go and read my other fic Tales of Tortallans. It's quite interesting. Please review! Please, Please, Please! I will be forever grateful if you do! As for those of you who don't. I just bought a sword! MWAHAHAHA *cough * hairball * cough * ah, well, READ AND REVIEW PPLS!!!!!