Distant Memories – Marriage?

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 ran.

Once back at the ball, she took a seat and remained perfectly still. This was what came of wearing a dress! Men got ideas when a person wore skirts!

Alanna wanted to leave, go back to Gwyns' quarters. She didn't want to be here when Jon returned. She stood to leave, but her knees weakened and she sat back down.

He'd go to Delia now, he didn't want Alanna; he wanted a girl to have fun with. So Alanna was surprised when he came back and didn't go to Delia. He went to his seat looking pale. After a few moments he said a few words to their Majesties. They nodded and he proceeded over to King Ain and Duke Hilam.

Afterwards Alanna remembered how bright and blue his eyes were when he glanced at her as he walked past.

Jon spoke with Hilam and King Ain for a minute, bowed and then left the room. Alanna had a feeling that he wouldn't be coming back to the ball.

Alanna watched Delia, who was once again the centre of attention. Many young Knights, even squires, were crowded around her, Gary and Raoul among them. Even those from Tusaine! Alanna didn't know how this girl could turn up to any event, in any country and still be the centre of attention.

It saddened Alanna to see her friends like this, flocking around someone who wouldn't give them the time of day. And Delia loved the attention; though she did seemed a bit irritable. Maybe it was because Jon wasn't right by her side. Though after a while she didn't seem to care anymore, with double the amount of men in the room it meant double the fun.

Alanna couldn't bear to watch any longer, but couldn't take her eyes away from the large crowd in the middle of the room. IF Alanna learnt anything that night it was that she detested the girl even more than she thought possible. For many more reasons that one.

A voice from behind Alanna made her look away. "Pardon?"

Duke Hilam stood before her. "May I sit?" He indicated Jorges' empty chair next to her. Alanna knew he didn't recognize her just yet or he wouldn't have been so polite.

"Of course, Your Grace." Alanna felt ridiculous telling Hilam to sit. She was uncertain of what he would do or say.

After a few moments of silence, Hilam spoke. "You seem to be familiar, where from?"

Alanna tried to remain calm even though her heart felt like it was beating at a hundred miles per hour. She tried to play the role of the shy maiden. "I'm simply a noblewoman from Tortall, Your Grace."

"Your name?"

"Lady Lana."

"Of?"

"Port Legann."

"And do you have a wealthy family, Lady Lana?" This was not idle conversation.

"My family does well," Alanna nodded. She had no idea where Hilam was going with this but she didn't like it. Wealthy families had more power at court, where was this leading to?

Once again there was a silence, and once again Hilam broke it. "As part of the peace treaty I'm to arrange a marriage between one of Tusaine's young Knights and one of Tortall's young Ladies."

Alanna had no idea why she was being told this. She certainly had no plans to marry. She would become a warrior maiden, with no one to bring her down. Not after or before she got her shield. "As part of the peace treaty?" Alanna asked pretending to be confused by this information.

"Why, you are a smart lass," Hilam told her. He forced a laugh. Alanna just smiled politely, unsure of what to do. "Do you know who the young Knight of Tusaine will be?"

"No, Your Grace," Alanna said. Was she supposed to know? Was this a trick question? Alanna was still unsure of where the conversation was headed, but all the talk of marriage was beginning to frighten her.

"Of course you do," the Duke insisted. "You came here with him." A wide grin spread across Hilam's face as he left the seemingly confused girl to put together the pieces of the puzzle.

It was strange to Alanna to see the Duke being so polite, but she now knew it was only because he had wanted to seal the peace treaty. "J-Jorge?" The girl asked.

"Yes, Jorge. I've been watching a few of the young Tortallan ladies tonight, you included." Alanna had a bad feeling about this. "You've sat here like a proper young lady." A very bad feeling. "Not once did you join the flock of people in the centre of the room." Delia's group, of course she wouldn't go there!

Hilam pointed to Delia, not only men but also women had joined the group wanting to look as if they were well-liked. It was true Alanna had sat still on her seat all night and used polite manners. It made her look like a Noble Lady, but it was hard and frightening and more importantly, not the reason she hadn't moved from her seat since she returned from her walk. She was frightened by all Jon had said to her and frightened by this conversation.

After Alanna didn't comment, Hilam continued, "I have picked a few young women in the room whom I believe suitable and ones that Jorge may like. I'm certain your parents would agree to it."

This would be true; for anyone other than Alanna. It was a known fact that King Ain was weak and his brothers ruled his lands for him. Jorge would have a tremendous amount of power at court when he was older, which would also give his wife a high status also and most likely all the luxuries money could buy.

"Your Grace, you're considering me for a marriage with your son to seal the peace treaty?" Alanna asked making sure she had everything right.

"Yes, I am considering you for a marriage with my son … to seal the peace treaty." Alanna didn't notice the slight pause before he said: to seal the peace treaty and she hadn't noticed how he had crossed his fingers either.

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Later that night, Alanna recited the whole conversation to Gwyn. Alanna was a wreck, she was worrying herself with thoughts of, No I can't be married; I want my shield! It would ruin everything and the scandal would come out.

"My child, there is a very simple solution," Gwyn told her calmly.

"Simple?" Alanna repeated in disbelief.

"Yes, my child, simple. Take a morning ride with Jorge tomorrow, tell him your problems. He won't tell a soul and will be more than willing to help.

Alanna looked doubtful.

"You can trust him, Lady Lana."

"I'll think about it," Alanna said. She wasn't too sure about revealing her secret to yet another person. Besides, she barely knew Jorge, but then again she had barely known Gwyn when she had told Gwyn her secret. Now she thought of Gwyn as the mother she never had.

Instead of giving herself a headache she decided to get some sleep and worry about it in the morning.

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Authors note: Thank you to everyone who's reviewed! But now it's come to the time where you must do it again!

Now tell me, what did you think of the second part of the Ball?

Happy Reading

Madame-S-Butterfly

xoxo