"Alanna!" a familiar voice exclaimed. Alanna spun and her eyes widened.
"Delia?" she asked. The lovely woman walked toward her, arms outstretched.
"Alanna! I thought it was you!" Delia embraced Alanna.
At the convent, Delia had been two years Alanna's senior. She had been one of the most beautiful women in the convent, and had even been one of Alanna's friends. She was never as close as Cythera or Fiona, but Delia had shown Alanna how to make the best of the body she had been given. (Or blessed with, as Delia claimed. "I would do anything to have your curves!" she had often exclaimed.)
Alanna held Delia at arm's length. "It's so good to see you again, Delia. How have you been?"
"Oh, fine, thank you. What about you? When's your presentation?" Delia wanted to know.
"Three days, I believe. But I wouldn't count on it. You know my memory!" The two girls laughed.
"All too well, Lanna. All to well," Delia replied. "Have you seen your brother?"
"Yes. I just met his knight-master and friends," Alanna said.
Delia smiled. "The Prince is quite handsome, isn't he?" She winked. Alanna smiled.
"He is at that," she replied. "But I don't know if he's quite my type. Sirs Raoul and Gary were rather handsome."
"Wait until you meet his Grace the Duke of Conté! Then you'll really be amazed!" Delia exclaimed. "But, I'm sure you have somewhere to be."
"Oh, no, actually. I was just going to change. My brother was going to show me the use of a sword-"
Delia's hand flew to her red mouth. "Oh, Alanna! No, you can't do that! Do you want any suitors? Come, we'll get you into something more appropriate and I'll take you to meet some other people. Or we can just talk with your brother and his friends." Alanna nodded. "Where are you rooms?"
"I'm actually not sure…" her voice drifted off as she searched for a servant to ask. One was walking down the hall. "Excuse me?" The servant bowed and looked at her inquisitively. "I am Lady Alanna of Trebond. Can you possibly direct me to my rooms?" The servant nodded.
"Yes, milady," he replied. "If you will follow me, please." Delia and Alanna followed close behind as the servant expertly led them through the corridors of the palace. When they reached Alanna's rooms, she thanked the servant and went in.
She smiled. Thom must have arranged her rooms. She had a lovely view of the courtyard, with all its plants and animals. Her bed was beside the window, which Alanna had always loved. There was a desk, with papers on it. A chair sat on the other side of the window. Alanna's things were put away in her dressing room, and the privy was sparkling clean. Delia immediately went to Alanna's dressing room and fingered each dress.
"This one," she decided, pulling out Alanna's favorite dress, which Delia happened to have given her before she left.
The dress was Alanna's favorite color- violet. It was silk, with a straight and simple skirt. There were two, wide, thick straps with a square neckline that dipped just low enough, and would not be too inappropriate. It was fitted through the top, sliding gracefully over Alanna's waist. The skirt pulled away at the hips, becoming a loose, flowing material that allowed movement and made her legs look beautiful. It was paired with violet silk heels that made Alanna three inches taller. And Delia completed the look with a violet ribbon tied as a headband.
"Beautiful," she commented. Alanna smiled.
"You really think so?" Alanna asked. "I mean, I'm not half as beautiful as you are, Delia."
"You are, just in a different way," Delia replied. Alanna hugged her friend.
"I'm so glad you're here. I wouldn't have done this without you," Alanna said. Delia smiled.
"You have to let me choose your dress for your coronation. I have a gown I think would look fantastic on you." Alanna nodded.
"I would want no one else dressing me," she told her friend.
"Good. Now let's go find those men."
Author's Note- I know, very OOC. But, I always make Delia bad. I want to show a nicer side of her, because I'm pretty sure there is one. And we'll see about Roger. So its clear, this is an AJ story, but I MIGHT throw in some AG here and there. REVIEW, please.