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The next day, Alanna received a letter from her one friend at the convent, Simone. She read the letter intently:
Dearest Alanna, I hope you are fairing well at court, my friend. Have you found an eligible knight yet? Don't worry, I 'm only joking. It's so boring without you and lessons seem to go on and on forever! I'm going to Court to visit you (and protect you from the evil ways of Delia and her cronies). I think the priestesses expect me to choose a husband while I'm there, but you and I are too much alike. I don't expect to find anyone that will live up to my standards. Have you made any new friends yet? Wait-knowing you, I'd say you've only befriended the knights close to Thom. You probably haven't met any of the girls yet, have you? I thought not. Oh I want to meet the prince so badly; the girls say that he's to die for! Have you seen him yet? Maybe you can introduce us? Oh dear, what am I saying? I don't want to think about that. Yuck. The priestesses want me to tell you that we are to find husbands while at court, or they'll see us back at the convent after midsummer. It's not fair! Why couldn't we be boys?!? Oh well, I'm excited anyways! I miss you so much; it will be so much fun. I can't wait until I get to the palace. I'll see you soon, I promise! Love your best friend, Simone
Alanna smiled, suddenly in an even better mood than before. Not only was she practicing her fencing with Jonathan daily, but he'd also introduced her to one of his friends in the city who could teach her hand fighting, taught her a few new tricks with a sword, and he'd given her access to the entire palace library! She was now in a complete daze and inhaling books as fast as she found them. And now, on top of that, her best friend was coming to Court! It almost made her forget the evil looks she'd received from Delia and her cronies at breakfast that morning. Oh well, she thought happily, I'd better get ready for sword practice! She quickly changed and tied back her hair. Taking a look down the hall to make sure no one saw her, she snuck into the fencing gallery and shut the door behind her. She was early-Jonathan hadn't arrived yet. It might be that he was held up, she thought. She took the opportunity to stretch thoroughly. By the time Jon slipped in the door, she was almost done warming up. He settled down to stretch and apologized, "Sorry I'm late-Delia trouble. She's actually convinced herself that I'm in love with her just because I dance with her out of good manners! Then she goes on about how I'm flirting with you to make her jealous. Of all the-!" "You and me?" She broke out laughing, "she has to be out of her mind! That's the funniest thing I've ever heard!" Jon chuckled. "Isn't it funny how her little mind works? But I haven't gotten to the best part yet. Since she was so convinced that we were actually together, I said we were through!" "Ooh, I bet she was mad!" "She was! Oh I'll never forget the look on her face-pure shock! As if she really had a chance at all! Then her face got all red and she stomped all the way down the hall. It was great. I seriously doubt that she'll bother me anymore, but I'd better tell Cousin Gary and the others to beware. I have a feeling she'll try to get back at us for that little stunt at the party, and I think that they're the next on her list." They had a great time while they practiced, and Alanna told him about Simone's arrival. He said that he'd prepare a room for her adjoining Alanna's suite. She was practically bouncing up and down with happiness. "Oh, Jon I'm having the best time ever! I wish I could stay longer, but you know I'm only here until midsummer. I have to go back to that stupid convent eventually." Jon shrugged, "Why think about that now? Enjoy yourself. You deserve the break from that place." She smiled, and lunged in, taking him by surprise yet again. His sword flew and she presented the tip of her practice sword at the tip of his nose, "Thanks, I will." She put her sword away and grinned, "You really ought to work on that Prince. You need to pay more attention when you fight."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Ok, this was short, too. A lot of my chapters are short. Sorry. I apologize for that. Alanna's only friend from the convent (I don't know what the name is) is coming to court. Alanna is happier than ever! That makes me happy! *Sorry, I'm kind of on a sugar high! Hee hee! You ever realize that Alanna always wins swordfights with Jon? Do you think there's a reason for that? Is it possible that he's holding back?* am I apologizing too much? I'm sorry if I am. *hey, there I go again! Make me stop!* ~Linz~
The next day, Alanna received a letter from her one friend at the convent, Simone. She read the letter intently:
Dearest Alanna, I hope you are fairing well at court, my friend. Have you found an eligible knight yet? Don't worry, I 'm only joking. It's so boring without you and lessons seem to go on and on forever! I'm going to Court to visit you (and protect you from the evil ways of Delia and her cronies). I think the priestesses expect me to choose a husband while I'm there, but you and I are too much alike. I don't expect to find anyone that will live up to my standards. Have you made any new friends yet? Wait-knowing you, I'd say you've only befriended the knights close to Thom. You probably haven't met any of the girls yet, have you? I thought not. Oh I want to meet the prince so badly; the girls say that he's to die for! Have you seen him yet? Maybe you can introduce us? Oh dear, what am I saying? I don't want to think about that. Yuck. The priestesses want me to tell you that we are to find husbands while at court, or they'll see us back at the convent after midsummer. It's not fair! Why couldn't we be boys?!? Oh well, I'm excited anyways! I miss you so much; it will be so much fun. I can't wait until I get to the palace. I'll see you soon, I promise! Love your best friend, Simone
Alanna smiled, suddenly in an even better mood than before. Not only was she practicing her fencing with Jonathan daily, but he'd also introduced her to one of his friends in the city who could teach her hand fighting, taught her a few new tricks with a sword, and he'd given her access to the entire palace library! She was now in a complete daze and inhaling books as fast as she found them. And now, on top of that, her best friend was coming to Court! It almost made her forget the evil looks she'd received from Delia and her cronies at breakfast that morning. Oh well, she thought happily, I'd better get ready for sword practice! She quickly changed and tied back her hair. Taking a look down the hall to make sure no one saw her, she snuck into the fencing gallery and shut the door behind her. She was early-Jonathan hadn't arrived yet. It might be that he was held up, she thought. She took the opportunity to stretch thoroughly. By the time Jon slipped in the door, she was almost done warming up. He settled down to stretch and apologized, "Sorry I'm late-Delia trouble. She's actually convinced herself that I'm in love with her just because I dance with her out of good manners! Then she goes on about how I'm flirting with you to make her jealous. Of all the-!" "You and me?" She broke out laughing, "she has to be out of her mind! That's the funniest thing I've ever heard!" Jon chuckled. "Isn't it funny how her little mind works? But I haven't gotten to the best part yet. Since she was so convinced that we were actually together, I said we were through!" "Ooh, I bet she was mad!" "She was! Oh I'll never forget the look on her face-pure shock! As if she really had a chance at all! Then her face got all red and she stomped all the way down the hall. It was great. I seriously doubt that she'll bother me anymore, but I'd better tell Cousin Gary and the others to beware. I have a feeling she'll try to get back at us for that little stunt at the party, and I think that they're the next on her list." They had a great time while they practiced, and Alanna told him about Simone's arrival. He said that he'd prepare a room for her adjoining Alanna's suite. She was practically bouncing up and down with happiness. "Oh, Jon I'm having the best time ever! I wish I could stay longer, but you know I'm only here until midsummer. I have to go back to that stupid convent eventually." Jon shrugged, "Why think about that now? Enjoy yourself. You deserve the break from that place." She smiled, and lunged in, taking him by surprise yet again. His sword flew and she presented the tip of her practice sword at the tip of his nose, "Thanks, I will." She put her sword away and grinned, "You really ought to work on that Prince. You need to pay more attention when you fight."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Ok, this was short, too. A lot of my chapters are short. Sorry. I apologize for that. Alanna's only friend from the convent (I don't know what the name is) is coming to court. Alanna is happier than ever! That makes me happy! *Sorry, I'm kind of on a sugar high! Hee hee! You ever realize that Alanna always wins swordfights with Jon? Do you think there's a reason for that? Is it possible that he's holding back?* am I apologizing too much? I'm sorry if I am. *hey, there I go again! Make me stop!* ~Linz~