Disclaimer- (that said something in a series of invisible dots and dashes…surely you understood!)

-MK

"I must be the most idiotic man in the world!" Raoul was nervous, jittery.

"Raoul, you would be surprised." Alanna sighed, "I have met more idiotic men than you."

"Is that supposed to be comfort, it isn't working." Raoul sighed.

"You're scared, aren't you? Think of it this way, we get to the ball, you find another pretty skirt and leave me alone in the corner."

"Fine, but you owe me."

She patted his cheek, "Don't make me start about what you owe me."

"Are you ready for this?" She asked quietly.

He gulped, but nodded slowly.

"Announcing Sir Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak and Lady Knight Alanna of Trebond." The herald called out to the throng of people.

Alanna tried to walk as gracefully as she could with her feet aching.

She sought out certain people in the crowd, Lianne beamed like a proud mother, Gary smiled and nudged Lady Cythera, who gave a polite wave. She spotted Jon, who looked startled that she was on Raoul's arm. She merely smiled prettily and continued on her walk.

"This is going to a long night isn't it." Raoul sighed.

"It is." She smiled at him.

Jon nearly spit out his drink when he saw Alanna.

It was first the surprise of seeing her, he had not known she was coming and for that his cousin had get his ear yelled off later. Second, she wore a dress, a silk dress that looked indigo almost, hints of blue and purple swirled into the cloth. Her hair was pulled up and two tendrils of copper framed her face. She had even worn the slightest amount of makeup. If that was not enough, he noticed who was on her arm…or whose arm she was on.

"Gary…is that?" He asked his cousin who was at his right.

"Raoul or Alanna?"

"So that is Raoul taking Alanna down the stairs." Jon sighed, feeling a headache coming on.

Jealousy tinted his thoughts as he looked at Alanna glide down the stairs.

"Where'd she learn to walk like that?"

"Your mother I believe…" Gary smiled.

Jon raised his eyebrows and shot a look at his mother, who merely smiled back.

It was going to be a long night.

Alanna smiled as she saw Raoul being chatted up be a young thing, probably recently released into court. Gary and Cythera were quite comfortable. She watched the swirls of dancing couples and sighed enviously. She then noticed Myles coming towards her, and decisively he sat beside her.

"Reverting back to wall flower?"

"I am not! I'm merely separating myself from the crowd."

He laughed, "Alanna, you could be the belle of the ball. Live while you're still young."

"You happen to have a fiancé and you're telling me to live life?" Myles smiled slightly at the mention of Eleni.

"Yes, my fiancé happens to be very busy."

"With what?"

"I don't know, we didn't talk in detail."

Alanna sighed, "Things are different now aren't they?"

"My dear, we are all getting older. You've matured from Alan the young squire, to a beautiful Alanna who is now missing out on her moment. Go have fun dear."

Alanna smiled at her father and kissed him on the cheek.

"May I interrupt?"

Alanna looked up to see a familiar face.

"I wanted to get a dance in before you were too busy."

She sent a look back at Myles and said, "I'm not busy right now."

"Well, may I have this dance?"

Myles nudged her and she said, "Yes, of course."

The man exchanged a look with Myles who smiled, "Good to see you Sir Myles."

"Remember what I said Alanna." With that Myles disappeared.

The music changed to a slower song.

"So, Alanna, how are you doing….?"

"Fine Jon."

"I just wanted to you know…" Jon's eyes were completely blank and held no emotion.

She raised an eyebrow but kept silent.

"Well, I wanted to know where we are right now."

"I don't know, where do you want to be?"

"Alanna, please don't be difficult about this."

"Jon, this is a very private matter, maybe we could talk about this later."

"Of course."

There was an awkward silence between them.

Gary and Cythera passed them, "What are you two, nuns and priests, Jon put your hands lower!" Gary whispered.

"Alanna step closer…" Cythera added, before they glided off.

Jon awkwardly let his hand slip lower, and Alanna stepped closer until she was close enough to…kiss him.

She blushed, and Jon smiled at her.

"What?" she almost snapped, turning, her face turning bright red.

"The Lioness who had fought in I don't know how many battles, is blushing when she has to dance?"

"Thank you Jon, that makes me feel better."

"You're a little rigid, relax, lean on me a little." Alanna nodded, staring at the wall.

"Thanks" she muttered.

"You're welcome." Jon smiled, resting his chin on her head.

Silence.

"So, how are you doing?"

"Well, Father is starting to find wives for me." Jon said wryly.

"So I've heard, are any of them pretty?"

"They pale in comparison to another girl I know."

Alanna blushed again. Jonathan's eyes held mirth as he teased her.

"You're as bad as Raoul and Gary." She muttered.

Silence.

"So how is George doing?" Jon's voice was funny.

"I haven't seen him since I came in town. You'd know better than I did."

Jon nodded silently, "He hasn't told you anything?"

"Should he have told me something?"

"George was planning to…" There was something in his eyes. She couldn't tell what it was.

"Ask for my hand, I know, George teases about these things."

"I thought it was getting serious." Jonathan's face showed relief.

Alanna smiled, "Why are you jealous?"

Jonathan said nothing, but as the song ended, he took her hand and brushed his lips over it. Alanna felt shivers run down her spine as she smiled and curtsied at the prince. He didn't seem to notice his effect on her. He seemed vacant still.

"I will talk to you later," he murmured and then disappeared, leaving Alanna alone in the middle of the dance floor.

Cythera smiled at Alanna. Cythera had always been nice, a little dizzy at times and definitely very girly but always nice.

"You and the prince looked awfully cozy." She smirked, teasing her.

"If I tell you anything, you have to promise not to tell anyone else." Alanna needed a confidante right now.

Cythera made the sign of the Goddess, "Of course I won't breathe a word."

"Not even to Gary." She cleared the fact.

Indecision flitted over Cythera's face, but she nodded.

"I still have feelings for him."

"Jon!" Cythera immediately lowered her voice, "Are you sure?"

"I think so." Alanna couldn't hold Cythera's stare.

"Don't be ashamed Alanna. For your sake, I wish you hadn't chosen the MOST eligible bachelor, but you do enjoy a challenge, don't you?" Cythera looked torn, "However, I can't say that I didn't see it coming."

"What?"

"I mean, he always had feelings for you. Some thought you were like siblings, others thought he was simply…well that he liked other men. I'm happy that it's neither of them."

"Jon just likes me as a friend."

"I know, he hasn't made a move on you…yet." Cythera's smile was bright and her eyes brighter.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite pupil…Alanna, Hello Lady Cythera. Alanna, why the long face?" The queen glided into a nearby chair.

"Alanna is having…boy troubles." Cythera said decidedly.

"The best kind of troubles…" Lianne smiled, "Tell me dear, who?"

Cythera gave the queen a look.

"Ahh, my son is a fine specimen of boy."

"He doesn't like me that way."

"How do you mean?"

"The entire time we danced...there wasn't a single spark."

"Alanna…" Lianne gathered Alanna into a hug.

"Boys are like that., plus most of it is what you perceive."

"I liked it better when I was a boy." She sighed.

"Alanna, the night is young, go out and enjoy yourself."

A young man approached, who Cythera recognized as Sir Arthur of Queenscove.

"Excuse me ladies, but may I steal Lady Alanna for a dance?" Arthur held out his hand.

Lianne smiled and nudged Alanna up, "She would love to."

Arthur took her hand, and practically pulled her onto the dance floor. From over her shoulder, she sent a deadly look to the queen and Lady Cythera, who were to busy in mindless chatter to notice.

"Jon, get out there and dance." Raoul came over to his sulking friend

"It's all right," He merely shrugged.

"What's wrong?" Raoul felt the shift in Jon's voice.

"Nothing…"

"Hello my wonderful friends…what's wrong cousin?" Gary reverted from being lovesick to being concerned.

"Nothing…just…"

"Alanna?"

"Yes!" Jon was exasperated.

"Well, what happened?"

"She's uncomfortable around me. I tried to make her relaz, but she was tenser than…something tense! She started to get …uncomfortable, so I just let her have space."

"Are you sure she was uncomfortable?"

"I think she was, I mean she never looked in my eyes, and she stood far away from me as we danced.

"Jon, she wasn't uncomfortable, it's in your head." Raoul sighed, sending a look to Gary.

"Look how she's dancing with Arthur over there."

"Little Arty? My, he's grown!"

"Thanks for reminding me." Jon sighed.

"Well Jon, I have a very anxiously waiting fiancé waiting for me, I'm sure you'll think of something!" Gary called over his shoulder.

"I liked Gary better when he was pining over her." Jon decided.

Raoul chuckled and patted his friend on the back, "Don't sulk highness, it doesn't become you."

In return John made a rude gesture, causing Raoul to laugh harder.

"I changed my mind, I liked you both better when you were pining over girls." Jon sighed, leaving Raoul laughing quietly to himself.

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-MK