Distant Memories – Hilam's Back

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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Alanna sat on a couch in Duchess Gwyn's sitting room. Gwyn was teaching her how to accept flowers from a young Knight. Alanna didn't think she'd be getting flowers from anyone, but Gwyn had insisted on it.

"Remember, you must always be polite, that means no offensive comments," Gwyn told the girl. A shadow in the corner of the window distracted Alanna. When she looked closely she saw it was a sparrow, brown and speckled. It stood at the window still before it chirped and flew away.

Alanna wished she had the freedom of a bird, to come and go as she pleased. She certainly wouldn't be here if she could.

"Lady Lana? Pay attention!" Gwyn snapped. It wasn't the first time she said it and Alanna knew it wouldn't be the last. Gwyn had taught her so much that it went through one ear and out the other.

"Sorry!" Alanna could see a speck flying in the sky. She guessed it was the sparrow.

"Now, my child," Gwyn said, "I'll have to teach you how to start a conversation also. You were speechless when you met Jorge."

Alanna blushed. "He reminded me of people at home."

"What will you do when people from your home actually come? I know it's hard, but you can't freeze up every time someone reminds you of home" Gwyn said kindly.

Alanna nodded. The blush on her face grew to the copper colour of her hair. "I wont."

After a few moments Gwyn teaching Alanna to start conversations, there was a knock at the door. Jorge entered, he was holding a letter. "Our dear cousin wrote me a letter," Jorge said very bitterly.

Gwyn raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Don't ask," Jorge said. Alanna got the impression that Jorge and his cousin weren't on speaking terms. Or even friends for that matter.

"What did he say?' Gwyn seemed to be nervous. It made Alanna anxious seeing Gwyn, who was normally cool and collected, nervous.

"Father left for home a few days back," Jorge began to explain. "So he should be a day and a half's ride from here."

After Jorge had left, Gwyn took all of Alanna's gowns and dresses, promising to keep them safe; she locked them in a chest. She then put the chest in her own cupboard, and when the coast was clear, she ushered Alanna back to the small shoe box of a room she had. Alanna had enjoyed the time in Gwyn's quarters and was sad to leave, but knew she had to.

Alanna sat on her bed; she was tired but couldn't sleep so moved over to the window seal to see if there was anything of interest to look at. Alanna was in luck; in the distance she could see Jorge riding his horse princess. It entertained her for a while, but now they were no longer in view.

Alanna yawned; she was tired. She fell asleep only to be woken by a screaming voice. She had no idea how long she had been sleeping for.

There was a clanking of keys, as someone was trying to find the right one. Alanna thought it was Hilam. It turned out to be a servant bringing her water to bathe in. "His Grace wants t' see ye at dinner," the servant said and left.

Alanna nodded, she knew he would sometime or another, but she was hoping it would be later rather than sooner. She was hoping he wouldn't call for her until tomorrow, but she could only hope.

She began to wash; the water was icy and cold. She hadn't expected anything more. She put on her old tunic and breeches. Alanna ripped a section of her breeches and rubbed on the floor to make them look dirty, worn and torn. It had to look as if she worn it the whole time Hilam was gone.

The servant who had come before returned, this time to take her to the dining hall. Alanna watched the ground as she walked into the room and took her seat. She hadn't noticed how long the table was before. Or how it was designed for 15 people to sit comfortably, it seemed almost empty with only four there.

Four?

There was an extra person at dinner that night – Jorge. Alanna became nervous, he reminded her too much of home, or to be exact of Jon and George. She was glad no one was looking in her direction because a blush the copper colour of her hair crept across her face.

She took a drink of he water and hoped the colour had gone from her face.

Hilam was watching her now. "Miss me much?" he sneered.

"Terribly," Alanna sarcastically said. She put a hand to her heart. "My heart was about to break."

Jorge chuckled, he had found Alanna's witty comment funny and it only made Alanna more and more nervous.

"For lying, you will have to be punished." Hilam stood, walked over to Alanna and kicked her chair down. But Alanna was ready, she had expected it. As she came close to the ground she broke the fall, just as she had been taught to at the palace. She stood up, unharmed.

Hilam grunted, turned around and took a seat again. Gwyn and Jorge both knew better than to interfere, but tried their best to distract Hilam for the remainder of the dinner.

"So have you plans for the festival changed at all?" Gwyn asked.

"Not dramatically. King Roald has written to say the Tortallan's may be arriving a day early." Alanna's eyes widened, she would get to see her friends again! Maybe not talk to them, but at least she would see them. Hilam saw the look on her face, but misinterpreted it – he thought she was planning her escape. "Don't get any ideas. You'll be looked up with extra security."

Alanna looked towards Gwyn, she seemed pleased. This is what they had wanted. Hilam would put all his faith in the guards and wouldn't notice when she slipped away, or was replaced.

"So, when will my daughters be back from court?" Gwyn asked.

Hilam looked confused. "Didn't I tell you?"

"Tell me what?" She began to worry.

"They came back with me."

"Then where are they? And why, in the name of the goddess, haven't they come to see me yet?"

"They were tired, they went straight to their rooms," Hilam said.

"Why didn't you tell me they were back?" Gwyn demanded.

"I honestly thought I did."

Alanna hoped –more for their sake then hers- that the two girls didn't take after their father.

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Authors note: Well here's another chapter! In the next the Tortallan's arrive! So If you want to read that chapter your going to have to REVIEW and motivate me to type up another chapter!

Happy Reading

Madame-S-Butterfly

xoxo