Summary: Alanna went to the convent. She can't miraculously fight. She isn't suddenly beautiful, or the realms all-powerful mage. Corus definitely isn't peachy. And Roger?

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the one and only Tamora Pierce. Hail.

More than Ornaments

Chapter Two: Long Awaited Reunions

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'Thankyou.'

'No problem,' they came to a stop at last, facing a large oak door. 'Thom's a friend of mine.'

Alanna brought her hands to her hair, searching for any runaway strands. 'I'm glad of it.'

Gary reached deep into his breeches pocket, looking for his key. In times before Gary hadn't even bothered to lock his doors. But times had changed, and now he did.

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Thom had felt his sister's presence drawing nearer for the past two days. A wave of excitement he was seldom accustomed to washed over him and Thom stood back, admiring his handiwork.

It was well known across their small group of friends that Gary and Thom's shared suite was continuously in a state of chaos and mess. It was the last option to gather in after a night out, and the young men seldom visited their two friends in the rooms.

But Thom had spent all morning cleaning the main lounge, and so long as his sister didn't venture to any other parts, she should find the room lovely.

At last happy with his efforts, Thom collapsed onto the couch.

The sound of voices outside the door, seconds later, had Thom jumping up once again. He bound his way onward, distantly making out Gary's cursing. Had Gary lost his keys again? Thom moaned at the thought of purchasing more from the old locksmith, the man already thought the pair completely inept.

Clasping his hand firmly on the knob, Thom swung the door open.

Gary moved aside scowling, still rummaging through his pockets.

They stared at each other a moment, counting the differences since they had last been together, at their fathers funeral two years before.

Thom was taller, more toned and his hair was longer. His amethyst eyes blazed at her with badly contained glee.

He grinned.

She grinned back.

…pppqqq…

Gary left far to early to go to the welcoming ball room yet, but he couldn't stand to be in the same room as his insufferable, gloating, far-too-ecstatic squire. Alanna had left some hour ago, and Thom had become completely transformed since.

That's what you get for taking a friend on as Squire. Thom never listened to what he said. Thinking of friends, as Gary wondered aimlessly around the castle, brought him to the royal suite and Jonathan's door.

The prince saw the moaning slouch of his cousins shoulders, and considered for a moment refusing to let him in. But that thought was abandoned as Gary pushed past him without a glance, slumping his way to his usual spot in the armchair by the fire.

'What's up?' Jonathan was never one to draw something out, as Gary loved to. Jon strode back to his desk where he had been sitting, trying to bring his concentration back to the stack of tax-reports. But with Gary's gossiping presence, that now seemed quite unlikely.

'Why couldn't I have got a sister?' Gary whined, pouring himself a glass of whisky.

Jonathan rolled his eyes. 'Not jealous, are we?'

Gary snorted. 'You haven't seen her.'

Jon smiled, feeling for a moment like his old self. 'What does she look like?'

'Oh,' Gary smiled, brightening at the thought. 'She's amazing. I've never met anyone like her. She actually looks a lot like Thom, but in a completely feminine way. You'd really like her.'

'She looks like Thom? I'm in love already.'

Gary doubled over in laughter. 'And Thom would just luurve that! I don't think he'll let any male within a ten metre radius of his precious sister.'

'Slightly over-protective?'

'Slightly insane.'

'That sounds slightly like Thom.'

…pppqqq…

Alanna arrived at the ballroom with Francesca, and was quickly introduced to her friends brother Francis. The Nonds' chattered endlessly and Alanna soon found herself looking for Thom.

She jumped when Gary pulled her arm from behind, dragging her out onto a side balcony. He laughed as she stumbled on her high shoes. 'I'd like to introduce you to someone.'

'Who?'

'It's a surprise.'

Alanna was surprised to see such a handsome man sitting alone. He turned to look at her, his coal-black hair dancing in the breeze. At last the rain had stopped.

Gary beamed. 'Jon, this is Lady Alanna. Alanna, Prince Jonathan.'

Alanna curtsied. 'Your majesty.'

He smiled slowly, showing her perfect white teeth. 'It's a pleasure to meet you, my Lady.'

She looked through the french doors for Thom to come to her rescue, but he was busy serving drinks as the squires were supposed to. Alanna's eyes widened as she saw just who her brother was 'chatting' to.

Jonathan turned, following her gaze. 'You know Delia of Eldorne?'

Alanna bit her lip, fighting to keep her anger under control. 'Yes, I do.'

The prince laughed. 'And you don't like her?'

'No, I don't.'

He raised his wine glass in a toast. 'I could drink to that.'

Gary placed another glass in her hand. Alanna grinned. 'I could drink to anything tonight.'

…pppqqq…

Sacherall and Douglass stopped in the doorway with their empty jugs, examining the latest arrivals.

Douglass fluttered his lashes. 'I'm completely in love with Lady Cythera.'

Sacherall sighed in agreement. 'Have you seen the redhead Gary was clinging to?'

'Oh yes, she looks quite interesting. Hmm?'

Thom stopped, glaring at his friends. They continued their observations unaware, till Thom interrupted. 'What was that?'

Douglass laughed, still oblivious. 'The redhead! Do you think Gary will introduce me?'

Thom shuddered at the thought. 'No.'

Sacherall frowned, turning from one twin to the next. 'Are you related to her?'

Thom raised an eyebrow.

Douglass hadn't quite caught on. 'Will you introduce me then?'

He shuddered a second time. 'Definitely not.'

…pppqqq…

Alanna eyed the bench in annoyance, the raindrops shining in the moonlight. She dare not sit down on it.

'Are you tired?' Jonathan stopped, letting go of her arm.

'No,' Alanna looked up at the stars, not wanting to meet his frightening sapphire eyes. What was frightening about them? Alanna shivered. 'Would you mind if I took my shoes off? My feet are killing me.'

He laughed. 'Sure.' Jonathan shook his jacket off his shoulders, slinging it over her back.

'Thanks.' She smiled, kicking off the offending shoes. Her feet touched the wet grass, soaking her stockings. 'It's beautiful here.'

She looked back up at the ballroom from the garden where they stood, having descended from the balcony.

'Yes,' Jonathan sighed, taking her arm in his again. 'It is.'

Their eyes met. In the distance a loud bell sounded. All noise from the party stopped. 'What was that?' Alanna turned away from him, back to the palace.

Jonathan groaned softly. 'Oh no.'

'What is it?' Her stomach dropped.

He swallowed, closing his eyes tight. 'Roger's back.'

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A/N: Hi :-) Thanks for reading! I'd just like to explain a few things before I let you review cough (hint, hint)…

Firstly, with the whole sweating sickness thing:

Lets just say Roger did some brainstorming, hauling out the butchers paper and texta's. Instead of ending Jon with the fever, he decided to kill off the Queen first. The King followed, not being able to live without his wife and Jon is now the only one remaining. Roger's attempts at finally getting rid of Jon is basically the structure for this story.

Secondly with the whole Thom-is-not-the-arrogant-prick-he's-supposed-to-be thing:

I really did consider making him awful. Honestly, I did. But I like happy stories and I didn't want him to make Alanna's life at the palace an embarrassment, furthermore causing her misery. I liked the idea of writing Gary as his knight master because I think they have lots in common, for example they're both sarcastic and sardonic, but lovable all the same. Whether or not this would make them clash and hate each other, I'm not sure. I really do hope that if Thom had of gone to the palace, he might have turned into a nicer person. What more can I say? He sucks me right in.

Third, and lastly, the whole 'pairing' thing:

Yes, this is a romance. I adore romances. Therefore, obviously it will have a pairing. Does this chapter give you some ideas? I love the J/A's, but only G/A's can live on in the end. Unusual pairings can be lots of fun too. That said, you'll just have to wait and see, but please do tell me who you'd like.

x0x0x0x

Razz.