Distant Memories – The Tortallans Arrive.

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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Being locked in her room was no fun, it never was. But now it seemed to be gloomier than ever before. Maybe it was because the Tortallan visitors were arriving the following day? Alanna was more anxious and excited then she had ever been before. The next few days would determine her future.

Alanna wanted to go home. Go home and get her shield, be the first warrior maiden in over a hundred years, but she had her doubts. What if something went wrong? What if someone recognizes me?

With every passing minute all Alanna could do was to sit and think. Think of the next few days, getting her shield, everything going wrong, everything going right. The more she thought about it, the more she hated feeling so helpless. For the first time in her life Alanna didn't know what she would be facing, and it terrified her.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Hilam - along with half a dozen guards – had entered the room, in a terribly bad mood. "You," Hilam snarled, "come with me." They seized her and chained her hands together. It seemed that Hilam was taking no chances.

Gwyn had told her that Hilam would be taking her to the dungeons. No foreign person would go down there, so they wouldn't be able to find her. Plus she had at least two guards around her. But the cell Alanna was put in wasn't an ordinary one. She was taken to a room, which connected to the dungeons. The doors were locked and Alanna was helpless once more.

Just before she had been locked away, she had passed a window. She had taken one quick glance out if it. What she saw terrified, yet excited her. People, many noble looking people, riding on horses. Riding down the mountains – and there were many of them – and into the fief.

But all of that was a blur to Alanna; she remembered one thing and one thing only. A royal blue flag, a crown in its centre and a sword going through it, the flag of Tortall. Her first glimpse of home.

Gwyn had promised Alanna that she would be out of the cell by dusk, but judging by the shadows, Alanna guessed dusk was still a few hours away. To pass the time, she sung, every song she knew, but she voice became hoarse, so she stopped, but continued to hum.

She judged the time by the shadows again, it was nearly dusk. Gwyn had paid good money for a small, short, red headed slave. She would swap Alanna for the boy. It would keep the guards and who ever looked into the cell fooled. By the time Hilam noticed, Alanna would hopefully be long gone.

Alanna felt sorry for the slave though, but as Gwyn had told her on many occasions, the slave would have a much better life pretending to be a noble prisoner than the miserable life he used to lead.

Outside of the cell, it was time for the guards to swap. "Swap over time always means that there is at least five to ten minutes when the cell is unguarded," Gwyn had told her. "That's when I'll come for you."

Alanna heard the stomping of feet as the guards walked out of the dungeons in a march. As quickly as she could, without being heard, she unlocked the doors. She had stolen the key from her husband and would have to get it back as soon as possible.

Just as he had been instructed too, the boy who was to cover for here entered the cell with a grin. For the first time in months he would sleep with a roof over his head and a meal to eat. The scraps Alanna was fed was like a feast to the boy.

As Alanna and Gwyn hurried to Gwyn's personal quarters, Alanna realized there were very little guards about. She thought the lack of guards was due to the Tortallans arrival, were they watching over them? But Alanna quickly forgot this when she reached Gwyn's quarters.

"My Child, your clothes are on your bed, I must go, but I'll be back later to help." Gwyn left the room in a rush and hurried back to the Tortallans. She was meant to be with them that very moment.

Alanna put on the dress; it was the most exquisite gown she had every laid eyes upon. It was a pale green, which complemented her red coppery curls. If ever she looked the part of a Lady, it was now.

Gwyn had already taught her how to fix her hair and apply cosmetics, so she made a start and did a pretty darn good job of it! When she looked into the mirror she was happy with what she saw. She definitely didn't look like a hag, quite the opposite actually. After leaving a note for Gwyn, she decided to leave for the ball early.

The Royal families of both countries would be presented that evening, so Alanna guessed that Gwyn may be near the ballroom. But it was a struggle to find anyone; the corridors were filled with nobles making their way to the ball.

As Alanna got closer to the ball room she noticed a few familiar faces, it was a comfort to her. Nothing had seemed familiar in weeks. She managed to walk past them as she had never seen them though. It was surprisingly easy, although it would a thousand times harder when she saw one of her friends.

After turning the corner, Alanna froze at the scene before her, surely her eyes were trying to fool her? She couldn't believe the sight she was seeing. She was Jon, but not just Jon, he wasn't alone. He was with Delia, Delia of Eldorne.

Holding her hand.

Smiling warmly at her.

Alanna detested the girl! She told herself it wasn't because she was with Jon; it was because she was just toying with him. I wouldn't mind if it was anyone else, she told herself stubbornly.

Wouldn't you? A nasty corner of her mind asked.

"No I would not," Alanna muttered to herself. But that was before she saw Jon put his arm around Delia's waste and kiss her. Alanna's eyes widened, she had a bad feeling in the bottom of her stomach.

She turned around and hurriedly left, unnoticed by most. This is silly, Alanna told herself. I have no reason to act like this. But her thoughts didn't make her slow down, in fact, it made her speed up.

Gwyn, who had seen Alanna running through the hallways, followed her. Alanna was going to learn that a Lady would never run through the corridors! Until she got to her quarters and saw Alanna, looking upset.

"What's the problem, my child?"

" I-I-I I," Alanna stuttered. "I'm not going to the ball. Seeing everyone was just too much of a shock." Alanna sat, then stood, than sat again, she was feeling restless.

Gwyn suspected this wasn't the entire truth, but didn't pursue the thought. "Lady Lana, you must go, or nothing will go to plan. You won't be recognized as Tortallan," she told the girl sternly.

"I can't," Alanna said stubbornly.

Gwyn wore a grin on her face. "I know someone else who thinks they're not going. Maybe you could go together?"

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evil laugh So what did you think of the Tortallans arrival? And Jon? And Delia? Poor Alanna. Mwuhahah. Gees, I'm evil.

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Madame-S-Butterfly

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