Chapter 3
"I'm not gonna change who I am/But I am gonna give up the fights/I don't care who's wrong or right/When it's all said and done/And you tell me you've had enough/You're thinking of giving up on love/I'm still willing to try." –Willing to Try, Bo Bice
"Alanna, may I present Lady Jane of Goldenlake, and her daughter, Lady Elizabeth?" Raoul introduced. "Aunt Jane, Lizzie, this is Sir Alanna of Olau, Tortall's Lioness." Alanna blushed at the use of her war name and bowed.
Lady Jane was a tall, regal woman. Her walnut tresses had streaks of gray. Her eyes were like onyx, black and beautiful. Lady Elizabeth, Raoul's cousin, looked much like Raoul. Her almost-black hair was curly- but less tight and more ringlets. She shared her mother's onyx eyes. Elizabeth's eyes twinkled, unlike her mother's.
"I've heard so much about you," Elizabeth said.
"I like everyone has," Raoul remarked. Alanna slapped him.
"Raoul, don't be rude," Jane scolded.
"Sorry, Aunt Jane," Raoul apologized. Jane spotted a friend across the room and left with an "excuse me" or "goodbye." Raoul smiled at his friend and cousin. "Lizzie, can you be yourself now?" Elizabeth stuck out her tongue.
"I'm always myself, dolt!" she said. Alanna smiled.
"Alanna, you're smiling! Great Mithros, this is big!" Raoul exclaimed. Both women slapped him.
"Watch your tongue, Goldenlake," Alanna warned.
"Alanna the Lioness, telling me to watch my tongue! How precious!" Raoul crowed.
"I'm liable to cut it out," Alanna said calmly, placing her hand on Lightning's hilt.
"I thought you gave up drinking, cousin," Elizabeth remarked. "You seem awful drunk." Elizabeth and Alanna laughed as Raoul walked away in a huff.
"Sister dear, you have been here hours and have failed to see me once," a voice said. Alanna turned and smiled at her twin, Thom.
"I have been… otherwise occupied," Alanna replied, recalling how she had spent her afternoon at the Dancing Dove. Thom smirked.
"With your prince, sister mine?" he asked. Alanna visibly tensed. "Oh, I've struck a nerve."
"You must be Master Thom of Trebond," Elizabeth cut in smoothly. "I have heard much about you." She offered Thom her hand, and he kissed it.
"Lady Elizabeth of Goldenlake, an honor," he said.
"You know her name?" Alanna asked.
"But of course! She was infamous at the Convent for her support of lady knights!" Thom winked at Alanna. Elizabeth laughed.
"Infamous, Master Thom?" she asked. "I hardly think so!"
"The priests were scandalized, my lady," Thom replied.
"They need a good scandal. Lightens the air," Alanna remarked. The three laughed and Thom turned to Elizabeth.
"Lady Elizabeth, might I be honored with this dance?" Thom bowed. Elizabeth dipped a curtsy.
"Only if you call me Elizabeth, Master Thom."
"Then I am Thom to you, Elizabeth."
Alanna watched in awe as her brother confidently led the lovely woman onto the dance floor. When had be become so confident with women? Alanna looked around the ballroom, wishing she hadn't chosen her nicest breeches, tunic, and shirt to wear. The men don't want to dance with the Lioness, she thought. Her violet eyes drifted to Jonathan. He was dancing with Princess Josiane of the Copper Isles and looked to be enjoying himself. Alanna sighed. Even if I put on a dress, I could never be as beautiful as Princess Josiane.
Author's Note- I am VERY excited about the next chapter. I may finish out this story as the song "Willing to Try" finishes, and then write a sequel. Hm…