"Alanna," Lucy called out as she knock on the door once more.

"Come on Alanna, I know that you are in there... Alanna," She tried for what appears to be the millionth time.

After a few passing moments, the door opened.

"Sorry Lucy, I just didn't know what had gotten into me."

Lucy moved pass the door and closed it gently.

"What's wrong Alanna?" She asked. "Are you still pondering over what happened at the Library? Weren't you happy you saw your brother though?"

She shook her head in confusion, and placed the back of her hand against her forehead.

"Oh, Alanna, you do know that you are suppose to see Thom now, right?"

"Oh!" Alanna jumped. "Thanks a lot Lucy!" She quickly went out the door.

It was only a few yards away before Alanna realized that she did not posess a clue as to where Thom's room would be located in the squire's wing. Not wanting to ask any of the present squires there, in case they were going to look upon her coldly, she stopped a kindly looking old man in his path.

"Excuse me sir," She gave a quick curtsy. "But would you be so kind as to tell me were Squire Thom of Trebond is?"

"Of course Lady. Just head straight down to the first right and turn there. It should be the third door on the left."

"Oh, thank you," She curtsied again and quickly left in the said direction. When she got to the door that was supposedly Thom's, she gave it two raps with her knuckles.

When the door did not open after a few moments, she raised her fist to knock again, but...

"Why, hello sister dear," Here Thom moved away from the door and said," Please come in."

And this Alanna did. She placed herself on the sofa, not trusting this situation to be a bit more informal. Without letters to keep them close, it was like meeting a long lost brother who possibly could have changed.

"Well, Alanna, erm...uh, you certainly grew," Thom observed, standing and looking at his seated sister.

Alanna cokced her head and frowned in confusion, not catching on.

Thom then awkwardly gestured to his sides and moved them outward. It was only a few seconds before Alanna looked down at herself and laughed, which surprised Thom. But what surprised Thom even more was when purple magic glowed around Alanna, a bit too bright for eyes, and what appeared was not the Alanna before.

"It was a spell to repell courtiers," Alanna explained slyly.

Here, Thom's face spread into a huge never-before-seen grin, and he replied," Seems just like you, and I must say, good craft work. Does this spell apply for your friend earlier?"

"Yes. I was wondering if you could help beautify us a little."

This statement brought back the memory of the fateful day where Alanna's little plan did not work, along with Thom's painful longing for knowledge of sorcery, and Alanna's longing for the passion of Knighthood.

"I did learn from the good ol' library books, and I will admit, I got pretty far. You surprised me with the big change then, Alanna. I could not believe that the convent would allow the ladies to appear so, obese."

"They don't."

"Put on the glamour again, would you?"

Alanna looked for the source of magic inside her, and willed it to work its magic.

"Shall I get you a mirror?" Thom said teasingly. Alanna got up and slapped him on his arm.

"I guess not. Seriously, 'Lanna, what do they give you to eat there?"

Alanna raised her arm threateningly.

"Okay, okay," He said, raising his hands surrendering.

So they worked on Alanna'sglamour that night, striving to keep it fool-proof, and if possible, more uattractive. They started on the process with what they have, deciding to get more info from the library the next day.

"Thom, why didn't you send any letters?"Alanna asked, just as they were about finishing. Thom's face settled on a grim expression on this question, and told Alanna that this story would be told another day.

Just before Alanna left the door, however, he said to her heartily," We can work on your staff sometime, if you like, and I would like you to meet a friend of mines too. Anyway, I suggest you get some sleep. Good night Sister."

"Good night Thom."

For those of you who don't know, Thom was not very warm at first because he was so surprised at Alanna's appearance, especially since she sort of looked nothing like she used to, except for the hair and eyes, of course. Alanna would be ugly for the most part right now.

As for the pairing, I do not know if there is one, for I have never wrote fluff or anything. But if there is, I do not think it would be A/J, so sorry for those who were counting on it. Please tell me if I should have a pairing, and if it should be a known tortallan character, or a made-up one.

Anyway, thanks for the reviews, I loved them.

For some reason, writing a long chap, seems kind of hard, so sorry if this is not long enough. I'll try for the next chap.