Disclaimer: TP owns everything except the plot Julianna and her beloved!

Thanks to my reviewers Sorceress ShadowRain bubblegumgirl and Elfsquire90.

Also sorry about the miss spelt Tortall in the first chapter I didn't have a beta then but I do now! And she's fabulous, thanks Ally!

Chapter 2

Upon entering the Inn Julianna removed her dark travelling cloak, revealing a woollen forest green dress which had been kilted up to reveal fawn breaches. She wore sturdy brown leather boots and a girdle that looked like two vines entwined. She then walked over to the bar very much aware of the eyes following her.

"Excuse me, Sir…" a short plump man turned to face her, his shirt sleeves were rolled up to reveal hands that had seen their fair share of work, which he then wiped on his leather apron.

"How can I help you miss?" he asked, brown eyes kind.

"I was wondering how far it was to the Palace? It's awfully cold outside; I need shelter until it passes you see." She looked at him through her lashes, green eyes twinkling.

"Oh aye missy, don't you worry, you'll no doubt find the company of those in the Dove warming. The palace is but a stones throw away from here, if you like I'll find you a nice young man to escort you there."

"Why thank you kind sir, I shall be glad of the company." She ran a hand over her dead straight strawberry-blond hair.

"Now miss, you get that down ye." He handed her a tankard of warm mead, Julianna accepted gratefully and passed him a silver coin then moved away to sit at a secluded table in the corner of the inn.

"'Er missy, why not come sit with us, and rest ye' by this 'er warm fire?" the speaker was a portly, balding man, "You can sit on ye' ol' Da's knee!" he slapped both his hands down on his lap.

"I'm afraid I shall have to decline, my father is at home eager of my return, he is in good health and I am in of no need of a surrogate one!" she smiled sweetly at him and turned back to her table and the tankered of warming mead, but as she turned to settle down she was met with a pair of mischievous hazel eyes.

"Lass, I will be escorting you to yon' palace." He held out a hand, "The names George Cooper and yours would be?"

"Julianna" she replied simply.

"Is there a last name that goes with the Julianna part?"

"No."

"I understand, some people like to keep themselves to themselves and I ain't standing in the way of it."

She gave him a small smile and drained her tankered, "The weather seems to be clearing."

"I get the message; shall we be goin' then missy?"

"Yes, I wish to arrive there soon." She rose tying her cloak at her neck, George led her from the inn, and as soon as a cold blast of air engulfed her she wrapped the cloak tightly around herself, taking comfort from the warmth it provided her.

"This way missy, keep up, you'll not want to get lost round 'ere" he offered her his hand, she gratefully took it. She wasn't scared but after the attack erasing the life of her only love, she had become more wary, and aware of her surroundings.

Julianna stood outside the Palace, now she was at the Palace she had no idea how to get inside to speak to the Prince. She didn't even know the Prince's name!

"Lass are you alright?" George was stood a few feet away from her.

"Yes, umm, yes I'm fine, I just, oh never mind." She looked round at him "I'm fine from now on. Thank you." She reached into her belt purse and pulled out two silver coins, "Thank you, I'm sorry I don't have anything else I can give you."

"Oh, I don't want any payment; just spending time with you was payment enough for me!" He smiled at her sweetly; little did Julianna know he had picked up a far wage on his journey to the palace.

"Oh ok, uh thanks…" she turned back to the palace, rubbing her hands together against the cold. She looked across the mote up at the stone walls that faced her. Although to some the tall walls could seem ominous to her it was a great load off her mind to see the Palace. Its towers had brightly coloured flags flying from them, which whipped this way and that by the harsh winds. Julianna walked slowly across the bridge over the mote, and entered a small village through a wooden gate, the village supported the palace and all who resided in it.

Where do I go? She thought, walking over to a young girl, "Excuse me, how do I get an audience with the Prince?" the girl looked up at her through muddy eyes, her straw coloured hair was in two plates framing her face.

"How should I know, Mama." She called and was soon joined by a woman that looked the same as the girl but only in her twenties.

"Sorry but I need to talk to the Prince." Julianna looked at the woman intently.

"All those important enough to talk to the Prince, don't have to ask!" she laughed, "What business do you have here?"

"I can not say, but it of the utmost importance that I see him!" Julianna had come so far to tell the Prince about her lover's last wish, she was determined not to fall at the last hurdle. She suddenly felt the presence of somebody behind her; she turned from the laughing woman to be faced with an orange robed monk.

"Miss I couldn't help but overhear your problem, I wish to be of service to you, I know somebody close to the Prince who could arrange a meeting with him." Julianna couldn't see his face because it was obscured by his hood.

"Why would a man who keeps his identity secret want to help me?" By this time the woman had had enough and after giving Julianna a disgusted look had ushered her child back into their small house.

"Because we have met before." He pulled his hood back slightly and she caught a glimpse of his hazel eyes.

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