Distant Memories – The Foundation

Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I don't own these characters, countries or anything. I just added in a few extra character's to make things exciting.

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A woman entered a prisoner's chambers. "Put this on, my child," the Lady instructed and handed the captive a cloak. "Make sure it conceals your face." The Lady took the prisoners hand and led her to the Lady's personal quarters.

Lady Gwyn's personal quarters were large and luxurious. It was made up of a sitting room, courtyard, dinning room and a guest room. "This," Gywn lead Alanna to the guest room, "will be your bedroom. My personal quarters will be your home for the next month and a fortnight."

A speechless Alanna stood and gaped. "Are you sure?"

Gwyn nodded. "I couldn't possibly sneak you to and from your room everyday to teach you to act as a woman should. The servants would become suspicious."

"Won't they be suspicious when they never see me?" Alanna asked.

Some may, but most won't, The Duchess said. "Those who won't will just believe Hilam has done something to you." She didn't add that servants who angered His Grace were never to be seen again.

"And those who do?"

Gwyn sighed. "Those who do don't dare say anything. Hilam can have quiet the temper and the servants know this only too well."

Alanna took some time to digest all this information until she noticed a glitch in the plan. "What if a servant walks in, what do I tell them?"

Gwyn smiled, she had been brainstorming idea's all of last night night. "It's very rare that a servant enters my personal chambers. It must be quite urgent. If they do, you tell them that they are in the presence of Lady Lana of Port Legann."

Alanna blushed at being addressed as a Lady; she thought it was a title she would never use. "Oh," was all Alana could manage to say. "If you don't mind me asking, what is that plan behind this all?"

"Did I not tell you my child?"

Alanna shook her head. "No you haven't."

Gwyn wasted no time in explaining. "Through out the two days many festivities and social gatherings will be held; picnics, balls, and such. Hilam will be to busy to notice what you are up to, won't he?"

Alanna nodded. "Yes…"

"So I'm hoping that if I can teach you to dress like a Lady, then sneak you out, right under his nose, you may be able to pass as a-"

"Young Tortallan Lady," Alanna finished. "Without Hilam suspecting you."

"Exactly," Gwyn nodded. "Then you could leave with them on their way back to Tortall the next day."

"Then?" Alanna asked.

"My dear child, the rest is up to you," Gwyn told her.

Alanna couldn't believe that Gwyn, who had been a perfect stranger, just a few weeks ago, was helping her with all this. Alanna was very thankful. "You Grace?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you," Alanna said, "for everything."

"Don't worry about it," Gwyn said kindly. She let out a friendly laugh and said, "How many people can say they've helped someone who will be a legend in a few short years?" Duchess Gwyn asked. "Not many."

Alanna felt a tear run down her cheek.

"My dear child," Gwyn said when she saw the tear. Gwyn gave Alanna a comforting hug. "You miss them don't you?" Though she had no clue who they were.

Alanna nodded, she was too sad to talk. It had almost been a month since she had been captured. It would be another month or so before she would be able to even see her friends again. Not talk, but see and it would be under the identity of Lady Lana.

Would you like me to take your measurements then?" Gwyn asked. Alanna could only nod.

As she walked over to get the measuring tape, she said, "Everything will be fine, you just wait and see."

Surprisingly that comforted Alanna. The whole time her measurements were being taken, she thought of home. About the prince, the King of Thieves, Myles, Eleni, Thom, Gary, Raoul, Faithful, the list was endless.

"Finished," Gwyn announced.

Alanna sighed. "I'm going to be a girl disguised as a boy, disguised as a girl." Life sure was complicated.

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I love that last line!

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Happy Reading

Madame-S-Butterfly

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