A/N: i would just like to thank all my lovely reveiwers. and big thanks to Lady Knight for being the first to reveiw. Anyways this is my fav chapter so far.

Chapter 2: The Grand Ball

Alanna stepped out and felt the whole court watching her. She held her head up high and slowly walked down the grand staircase.

Thom was watching his sister walk down the grand staircase and was shocked. She looked nothing like the girl he had grown up with. For one thing, she was wearing a bright red dress with gold trimming and a low-neck line. Second, she was looked like all the other court ladies did when the walked down the grand staircase: proud. Proud to be a lady of the court. Alanna had always hated the idea of being a noble court lady.

Alanna reached the bottom of the staircase and thanked the great mother goddess that she hadn't tripped over or fallen down the stairs. She slowly walked to the platform where the king, queen and the prince were seated. Once she reached them, she curtsied low and stood up. The king nodded to her and with that music struck up and everywhere Alanna, looked people had started to dance. A man stepped forward. He was only just taller than she was with bright coppery hair and purple eyes just like her very own. She stared at him.

"Thom?" she asked him. He nodded. "you look so different."

"As do you." He said. She laughed. "would you dance with me Alanna?" she laughed and accepted. As the danced, they talked about things that had happened since they had last seen each other.

Once the song finished Thom, lead her over to a group of men standing in a corner.

"Hey guys." Thom said. "May I introduce my sister? This is Alanna of Trebond. Alanna this is Gareth or Gary of Naxen as he like to be called, Roald of Goldenlake, Alex of Trrigan and his highness prince Jonathan of Contè." When Thom said their name, they bowed to her and she curtsied to them, but with the prince, she curtsied lower than was required.

"So lady Alanna." Gary said when she straightened up again. "Thom says you're skilled in archery and horse riding. Is this true or is Thom making it all up." While he spoke with all seriousness, his eyes were full of laughter.

"Why sir Garath while I find these things easier to do than sewing or tapestry I do not believe my self to be as good as Thom makes me out to be." She smiled. "But seriously," She said all joking put aside. "Whilst I excelled in both riding and archery I failed dismally for years in almost everything else." The others laughed. Alanna felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to find a man standing there. He had blonde hair with freckles and grey eyes.

"My lady." He said. "My name is sir Rolff of Ludica. Do you dance?" he held out his hand to her but before she could take it, Prince Jonathan stepped in.

"Actually Rolff she was about to dance with me weren't you lady Alanna?"

"Er well. yes! Of corse." He held out his hand and she took it. The prince took her away from the others.

"Sorry about that," He said. "But you wouldn't wont to dance with him. Once he dances with a lady he become kind of obsessed with them and follows them around every where some of them have restraining order carried out against him."

"Thank you for informing me your highness."

"It's not a problem." The song finished and the prince picked up her hand and kissed it lightly. Alanna blushed ever so slightly. Luckily, for her no one had noticed. The prince lead her back to the rest of the group.

"Have fun sister dearest?" Thom asked her, smiling.

"Yes I did thank you very much." Alanna replied with all seriousness. Thom looked at her strangely before turning his attention back to the group. Alanna? Enjoying dancing? She really has grown up. Thom though to himself. He snapped out of his thoughts just in time to hear Alanna say;

"Could you excuse me for awhile as I have just seen a friend of mine." And with that, she walked off, disappearing into the crowed.

"What do you think of her?" Thom asked his friends.

"She is really nice," Gary commented. "She is different to what I thought she would be like though." Raoul and Alex nodded their heads in agreement. Jonathan how ever was staring at Alanna as she laughed at something a blonde girl had said.

"Jon?" Raoul asked. "Did you hear anything we just said?" Jon looked startled. He turned to look at Raoul.

"What did you just say?" he asked

"Never mind." Raoul muttered and walked off. Jon turned his attention to Thom.

"Your sister is quiet entertaining," Jon told Thom grinning. "She told me wonderful stories about you and a duck pond. Something about if she didn't get her way she would throw you in or something." Thom blushed.

"That was a long time ago. So what do you think of my sister?" he asked changing the subject.

"She's great. I can't wait to get to know her better." Thom smiled and excused himself. Jon sat in a near by chair thinking. She really is different to all the other girls I have ever meet. There is something special about her.

Alanna found Jonathan some time later. He was sitting in a chair by himself. Alanna smiled and walked over. She sat down next to him.

"You look lonely" Alanna told him. He looked up at her and smiled.

"No im just thinking." He replied

"About?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to come riding with me and Thom tomorrow." He asked. Her face split in to a smile.

"Sure I would love to! Would you be kind enough to escort me back to my chambers your highness. As I am not quiet sure of the way." Jonathan stood up.

A/N ok its a bit longer. So did you like it?

"Please call me Jon. all my friends do."

"And am I your friend highness?" she asked timidly

"I would like you to be." He held out his hand and she took. Together they left the ball.

A/N or its a bit longer. Did you like it? Please reveiw!