In the Great Hall, the royals stood on their dais.  Thom knelt before them.  The King knighted the young man and proclaimed this to the crowd who cheered fro their friend.  After Thom rose, the King turned to the crowd.

"Who among you will speak for the new knight?"  It was a custom for a knight's family or friends to step forward and welcome them into the world as a knight and as part of the family. (I know, maybe not one in the book, but I like the idea.)

Just as the prince Jonathan, Thom's friend and old knight master was about to step forward, a powerful but beautiful voice rang out, stopping the prince.

"I will."  The crowd turned to the back of the hall and moved aside as a violet silk covered figure swept into the hall.  The royals looked to one another, then to Thom, but he was just smiling at the new person.  Myles was also smiling from his position on the side.

The stranger walked forward with the hood of the cloak covering her face.  When she stood just a few feet from Thom and the royals, she stopped.  The stranger pulled back her hood and the court gasped.

A female version of Thom bent low and bowed the royals.  Her long copper hair had been rolled and pinned into a small bun at the base of her neck.  Her purple eyes glowed and sparkled.  When the King nodded the young woman rose.  A servant came and took her cloak, revealing a light violet dress that hugged her in all the right places.

"Majesties."  She inclined her head.  "My name is Lady Alanna of Trebond and Olau."  The court once more was moved.  She was related to both Thom and Myles.  The two in question frowned at their young relative.  She had left out her Shang position and the name of her Bahzir tribe.  "I speak for my twin brother Thom."  She turned to her brother.  "I welcome you to the world as a knight and of lord of Trebond.  Lord Thom, sir knight and lord of Trebond."  The crowd cheered once more, but they were still in question of the new lady.

"Thank you my sister and Lady."  Thom smiled warmly and hugged his sister.  She then kissed each of his cheeks, as was the custom.  The two turned back to the royals, standing side by side.  Thom now spoke.

"Majesties.  As introduced before, I present my twin sister Lady Alanna."  Alanna once more bowed to the King, Queen and Prince.  The King looked to his wife before turning back to face the twins.

"Alanna, let me the first to say it is an honor to have your hear at our court.  I hope you will stay…" He tried his luck.  "Before returning to your duties at Trebond."

"Thank you for your warm welcome."  Alanna bowed, as all should in that position.  "I accept your offer of hospitality.  Though I didn't not reside at Trebond before I arrived.  I was away studying."

"When your father, rest his soul."  The King sent a silent prayer to the twin's father who had recently passed.  "Forgot to tell the court of your brother's birth, he seems to have forgotten you as well."  The King turned a sharp but friendly eye to Thom.  "Even Sir Thom had forgotten."

"Forgive me, your highness."  Thom bowed deeply.  "Alanna left Trebond at the same time I did.  She was on her way to study and it did not occur to me to mention my sister, as her time would be occupied for many years."

The King thought for a moment before he smiled.  "As I said before.  IT is an honor to house both of you and my family hopes you shall enjoy your stay, Lady Alanna."  The ceremony of Thom's knighthood had ended and the court hurried to the dinner and ball that awaited them.  Still wondering about the new arrival.

*****

Prince Jonathan sat on his Father's left at the great table that had been set up for the court's dinner.  Across from his sat Thom.  Beside him sat the intriguing Lady Alanna.

Jon was captivated by the sister he never knew Thom had.  There was something about her.  As if there was a big secret behind her laughing face.  Over his years as friend and knight master to Thom, Jon had learned that not everything were as it seemed.

At the moment, Lady Alanna was listening to her brother tell her about a recent attack in Corus.  Jon watched as she kept her eyes trained on her brother.  Alanna seemed to be absorbing every detail, as if to store it away for later thought.

"We are under attack.  Run!"  Jon jumped as his cousin and fellow knight, Gareth of Naxen the younger or Gary, whispered in his ear.

"What?"  He turned to stare wide-eyed at Gary who only laughed.

"Just teasing cousin.  You know if keep staring at the lady like that, the King will be expecting you to ask her to marry you."  He grinned at his cousin.

"I'm wasn't staring at Lady Alanna."  Huffed the very obvious prince.

"I never mentioned it was her I meant."  Gary looked diplomatically at his cousin then grinned.  "So, you too are wondering about the mysterious twin."

"I still wonder, why, after all these years of friendship, Thom never mention her."  The men got up as the king and Queen did, to head into the large hall set for the ball.  Both Myles and Thom surrounded Lady Alanna.

"I can answer that."  Once more Gary grinned and pointed to the large group of young knights and noble men who kept their gaze on Alanna.  "Anyone who ends up her will be blessed."

"Right."  Jon didn't look at his cousin, but kept his firm gaze on Alanna.

TBC

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