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

Chapter 3

Alanna of Trebond sat in her room cleaning her sword, Lighting. Alanna was the Prince's squire, and was known in the palace as Alan because women were forbidden to become knights. Alanna's heart burned so much with the desire to become a knight she had concealed her true sex, now at the age of 17 she awaited the day when she would pass her ordeal and tell the whole world of her scandalous lie. She held up Lighting and examined it through amethyst eyes. She smiled at her reflection, red hair standing out against the grey sky. As she replaced the sword into its scabbard there was a knock at the door.

"Yes!" she grumbled, and sat waiting for the disturber to enter, the knock can again, she leapt up and pulled on the door shouting, "I said yes! Oh it's locked" Once unlocked she pulled it open "What."

"Ah, Squire Alan I fear we have caught ye at a bad time." George said sarcastically.

"Do come in." she mocking bowed them into the room. "What do you want George, why have you brought a girl to see me?"

"Well actually no' to see you." He squirmed under the stocky woman's stare. "The lass here wanted to speak with Prince Jonathan actually."

"George what business do you have bringing people who desire to speak with Jonathan into my room?"

"If it's such a problem I shall leave" Julianna put in, she had been following the exchanged between Alanna and George.

"Nonsense you're here now anyway." George smiled cheekily at Alanna, "It's not proper for the lass to go straight to Jonathan's room. Anyway I thought you would have enjoyed me company!" he winked "What harm would it do now?"

"Fine, you could at least introduce me to her." Alanna was evidently not happy but had been won over by George's charm.

"Julianna, Alan of Trebond. Alan, Julianna." Alanna smiled, her secret was still safe.

"Right, well George I am sorry but his Highness is not currently in his room. But if I could take a message?" Alanna looked at Julianna.

"No, it must be only the Prince who learns of what I must say."

"Well then I'm afraid he will not learn of it today. Return tomorrow."

"But it mustn't wait another minute. I have travelled so far to see him I do not have enough money to spend one more night in the city. It must be today that he learns the truth."

"What could be so important that his trusted Squire could not be informed of the situation?"

"Please you do not understand. If I do not speak with the Prince I will have failed to fulfil the dieing wish of the only man I have ever loved!"

Alanna stared at her blankly, "I had no idea you felt so strongly about it, but the Prince is not here and there is nothing I can do. I'm sure George could put you up for the night."

Julianna looked at Gorge, "You have already done so much for me I can not ask any more of you."

"But it would be rude of ye not accept my offer."

"Why are you being so kind?"

"A lass who openly walks around wearing breaches, even if they are hidden a little is far from home in a society like this.You are different to those from here and because of that you will find your stay here hard without help. I only wish to assist you; I happen to know of somebody who wished to fight for her country so concealed her sex to obtain it."

"What a mighty woman to do such a thing for something she believed in. That is why I must speak with the Prince to fulfil what I believe in."

"George, you have let your thoughts draw far to close to subjects that we do not speak about." Alanna snapped, "Now leave, and return tomorrow."

"Alan are you sure the Prince will not be back anytime soon?"

"No he will not…"

"What will I not be doing?" A commanding voice came from the door.

"Jon!" Alanna said shocked.

"Yes, am I correct in thinking that I am the subject of this conversation?"

Julianna stared blankly at the Prince, his coal black hair in contrasted with his sapphire blue eyes, which created a stunning effect which would have left any girl speechless.

"Yes, you would be. George has brought a young woman who wishes to speak with you in private, we are none the wiser of what she wishes to tell you."

"Alan wasn't expecting you back so soon, were you Alan." George gave Alanna an appraising look, he knew there was something going on between Alanna and Jon, and no matter how he hated it he had to stand on the sidelines and watch their relationship blossom in secret, with only the pangs of his heart keeping him company.

"Was he now?" Jon gave Alanna a sideways smile that only she could see, "Well I fear he must have gotten the wrong information about my whereabouts and the time of which I was to return."

"Well Jon, seeing as the lass is here and all, may she speak with you."

"Yes, yes do come on through," he beckoned her through the door which joined Alanna's and Jon's room, "Might I know the name of such a Lady who has journeyed to speak with me from afar."

"I'm Julianna but I am no Lady."

"Ah, I see," He shut the door and sat at his desk beckoning for Julianna to sit on the seat opposite him, he raised his hand and blue fire flew to the corners of the room making it sound proof. "Is there a last name to accompany your first?"

"No." she gave him the same short reply. "How do you know that I have travelled so far?" she asked him before he could comment.

"You openly wear breeches; women would never dare to here, except perhaps one."

"George said something like that."

"He is wise although he does not always show it. You will do good to listen to him." He smiled then added, "Why do you not have a last name?"

"I do not know. I never knew my parents; I do not have any memories of my childhood. The farthest back I can remember was when I was 12 and I was just wandering around the forest. I man named Ayden found me and called me Julianna, because it means soft. I used to love the feel of the soft moss that grew in the woods so he got the idea from that. He brought me up as his daughter teaching me how to survive in the woods. He was a great man and when he died it was as if the whole forest mourned for him. I could no longer stay where there was no longer happiness. I went to the city of Canndlekeep and that was where I met him. The person who made me feel love again after the death of Ayden, we were very close. When he decided to leave on business here in Corus he asked me to accompany him.' Even though the Prince had not prompted her to explain to him why she was here to talk with him, she felt that she could not stop once she had started, she needed to tell the Prince of the great injustice that had been served to her lover. "But on our journey we were ambushed, and he did not survive." The memory of his death was still raw in her mind and her heart had not yet healed from the great wound that had been created. She wiped her eyes and continued with the story, "His last wish was that I came to tell you his name, the reasoning I am in the dark about, but I am sure you will be able to assist me in bringing some light to it."

"What was his name?" Jon asked handing her a handkerchief, he had not guessed that she would be telling him of such a situation, but now he had heard her story he wanted to help her discover what it was her lover had meant. He also was eager to know what possible connection the man may have had with him.

"Lensar, you majesty Lensar, meaning your mother and father are watching over you."

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love Goriz