Authors Note: Well, here I am again, and here's the new chapter, reviews always welcomed, and appreciated. Off I go...

Disclaimer: I own nothing, don't rub it in.

Summary: Alanna gets found out as a girl at the palace, and does just as she said she would, she disappears.

On with the show

-()-

That night, Alanna tossed and turned, being haunted by her past.

"Jon I-"Alanna started, but was instantly cut off.

"No Al-Al-I don't even know your name!" Jon snarled, glaring daggers at the back of her head.

"It's 'Alanna' highness, and I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, I just wanted to earn my shield, that's all!" close to tears, Alanna whipped her head around, just to see Jon look away.

Bitterly, Jon spoke again; "fine Alanna, when were you planning on telling us, your friends about you little secret?" He scowled, pushing away that little part of him that felt like trying to reason with her, reason had no part in this conversation.

"I-I just don't know, I wasn't planning on getting so tied up in things, with so many friends, I wanted to be a legend, I kind of didn't think about the people I would meet along the way." Slowly, she raised a hand to rest it on Jon's shoulder, in a silent plea for him to look at her. "But I'm very happy I met you, all of you, life would have been unbearable if I hadn't met you."

Jon sighed, not having the strength to snap at her now, instead murmured, "We should find shelter, with water, I'm thirsty."

Alanna nodded, knowing that their little conversation was finished for the time being.

Alanna shot up in her bed, dabbing at her sweat covered face with her bed spread. Thinking back to her dream, she placed her head in her palms, sobbing softly.

-()-

The Goddess looked down at her chosen, sighing softly as she looked away. "I cannot always watch her, you," she looked down at the black cat curling it's way around her feet "must go to her, she needs more than Rodger for companionship, we shall pay her a visit..." she Goddess smiled, finally happy for the first time in over a month.

-()-

Alanna slowly tossed the sheets to the foot of her bed, and stood. Pulling on her black cloak, she walked out into the corridor, desperate for a breath of fresh air.

Walking slowly through the lush gardens of the University, she closed her eyes, content for the moment.

"I'm glad you're happy," murmured a voice behind Alanna's relaxed form.

Jumping around instantly at the sound of another, Alanna settled into a fighting stance, her page habits dieing hard. Cocking her head as she caught sight of another cloaked figure, much taller than her, Alanna asked softly "who are you?"

The person still shrouded in shadow laughed softly, and Alanna had to resist the urge to covering her ears from the sound. "Do not be afraid, My Daughter."

Alanna's eyes widened in realization as she swiftly dipped into the lowest curtsey she could muster, without falling over, "Please forgive me, My Mother, I did not realize-"

"Nonsense, child, you did not know, and there is nothing to forgive, I wish to give you something."

Confused by the Great Goddess' words, Alanna chose to say silent, and wait for what was to happen next. Bending down, the Goddess picked up a small, furry, black ball, and offered it to Alanna. Without hesitation, Alanna reached out, and grasped to black mass, quickly realizing what it was: a cat.

Looking into the cats eyes, she gasped, blinked, and looked again, and true enough, there it was, a cat with purple eyes, as purple as her own, if not, more vibrant.

Still consumed by the cat's eyes, Alanna murmured softly "th-thank you..." she looked up slowly, to thank the Goddess again, but she was gone.

-()-

Still holding the cat, Alanna entered her rooms, and shut the door softly behind her.

"Well," Alanna sighed, looking down at her new charge "I assume you don't have a name...but, first comes first," reaching down, Alanna picked up the cat, and flipped it onto it's stomach, looking to find it's gender. Yowling at the exposure of himself, the cat started to squirm, and make use of it's claws on Alanna's forearm.

Yelping in surprise at being clawed, Alanna dropped the cat on her bed, and tended to her injury. Pleased with himself, the cat curled into a ball, and too a well needed nap.

Glaring at the little terror, Alanna seated herself in a squishy armchair, and went to sleep; now dreaming of things to come.

-()-

Far over the Emerald Sea, in the land of Tortall, a young prince, and a red haired mage fought a strange disease.

Authors Note: I know, I know lame ending, but I was rushed, and thought it would suffice. Anyhow, hope you like the new installment, and I look forward to your thoughts on the matter.

XxInsanityxX