Title: Court Games
Author: Ayla Pascal
Summary: When Roger turns back time and reveals Alanna to be a girl, she gets sent to the convent. Five years later, Alanna goes to court to search for a husband. AU. Alanna-Roger.
Rating: R
Pairing: Alanna/Roger
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Chapter 2: To Court
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As Alanna sat in the carriage, she couldn't help but wish that the rules against ladies riding weren't so strict. What she wouldn't give to be outside in the fresh air, on a horse, like when she was young at Trebond. Instead, she was in this stuffy carriage that rattled every single time it went over a pothole in the road.
Looking down at her hands, Alanna wondered what her life would have been like if Roger of Conte hadn't managed to foil her and Thom's plans to swap places five years back. She scowled at the memory. Doubtless both our lives would have been happier. In her last letter from Thom at the palace, her twin had sounded completely miserable. The previous year, Thom as a newly made squire had failed to be assigned to any knight. Instead, as he had told her in his furious letters, he had to run errands for the Court Drunk, Sir Myles of Olau.
Alanna sighed. She didn't exactly have it easy herself the past five years at the convent either. "Sit still, Alanna," she muttered to herself, primly. "Stand straight, Alanna. Don't walk like a boy, Alanna. Sweep your skirts out, Alanna. Curtesy correctly, Alanna." It had been five whole years of nothing but that.
Even though she sympathised with her brother, Alanna couldn't help but wish that they had managed to swap places. She knew that she would have managed to deal with the harsh life of being a page far better than Thom.
But it was futile thinking that now.
At least I'm finally going to Court. Alanna sighed. Not as a page though, but rather, I'm looking for a husband.
She had heard from the gossip of the other girls at the convent that Prince Jonathan was of age and looking for a bride. They all wanted to be the future queen of Tortall. When Alanna had first heard of this, she simply shrugged. It didn't seem all that wonderful to be a queen to her. In fact, it sounded an awful like hard work.
But now, Alanna couldn't help idly wondering whether Jonathan would think her pretty or would he simply think that she was too short with strange coloured eyes. Stop that silliness, she ordered herself sternly.
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A few days later, Alanna's carriage drew into Corus. With wide eyes, Alanna couldn't help but stare around at the multitude of different people who lined the streets leading up to Palace Way. There were even Bazhir with their burnooses standing in stalls lining the street selling their wares.
"Be careful, milady," the maid who was with her cautioned. "There are some here who would steal their mother's teeth." The comment seemed to be directed at a tall man who was lounging at a street corner. The man flashed Alanna a bright smile as her carriage rolled past.
"Who was that?" Alanna asked.
The maid looked nervous. "Milady, isn't my place to say, but," she lowered her voice, "among us servants, there are rumours that he is the King of Thieves."
Alanna raised an eyebrow. The man sure didn't look like the King of Thieves.
Her carriage stopped in front of the palace and a footman opened the door for her. With a brief nod, Alanna stepped out of the carriage and smoothed out her skirts before looking up at the castle.
"Lady Alanna of Trebond."
Alanna turned and saw a tall, almost bear-like man striding towards her. She held out her hand and he kissed it. "Raoul of Goldenlake at your service," he said as he took her arm and led her into the castle. "I am here to show you around the castle and grounds."
She gave him a smile. "Could you, perhaps, first show me to my rooms so I can freshen up."
He gave her a gallant smile. "That I can do."
Alanna let herself be led away with Raoul chatting away by her side. When there was a lull in the conversation, she asked, "Do you know my brother, Lord Thom of Trebond?"
Raoul paused. "I do know him," he finally said. "Unfortunately, I cannot say that we are friends."
Alanna didn't know what to say to that, so she didn't answer.
Raoul stopped before a set of doors. "I will see you at dinner." He released her arm and bowed, then left.
She opened the door and let herself into the set of chambers. It was far nicer than anything she had at the convent. The chambers were decorated in dark crimson and edged in gold. With a sigh, Alanna sat down on the bed. So, this was Court.
A sharp knock on the door interrupted her musings. Getting up, Alanna walked over and opened the door. Her eyes widened. "Thom?"
Her brother, dressed in a generic squire's uniform, gave her a slightly twisted smile. "You're here," he said.
Alanna gave him a hug. "I've missed you." He was stiff in her arms. When she finally let him go, Alanna fished out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I've really missed you, Thom."
"I've missed you too," he said finally.
"How are things with you?" she asked, to break the awkward pause.
"Horrible as usual," Thom said frankly. "Although the past summer, Duke Roger has sort of begun to mentor me along with his squire Alex. He says that I have a lot of potential in the Gift."
Alanna frowned. "Duke Roger of Conte?"
"You're not still holding that grudge, are you?" Thom sighed when she nodded. "You don't know how hard being a page was those first few weeks. Alanna, you wouldn't have survived. Women are simply not meant to be knights."
She pursed her lips. "There have been female knights."
"That was two hundred years ago," Thom said patiently. "Things are different now."
"If you say so." Alanna didn't pursue the subject. "When is dinner?"
"In a few minutes. Where is Goldenlake anyway? I thought he was supposed to escort you to dinner."
"I told him I needed to freshen up."
Thom sighed. "I suppose I'll escort you then." He held out his arm and Alanna took it. They walked together down to dinner, two violet-eyed redheads. Alanna was amused to note that they were still exactly the same height. "We will be sitting with Duke Roger." He led her towards a table next to the King's table.
"Squire Thom," a tall handsome black-haired man greeted Thom. "And who might this lady be?"
Thom gave a brief smile. "Duke Roger of Conte, this is my sister Alanna of Trebond. She has just arrived at court."
Roger gave Alanna an appraising look and to her embarrassment, she blushed. I didn't remember him being this handsome, she thought faintly. "I believe we have met before," she said tartly.
"Indeed we have," Roger said smoothly. "You were the young lady who wanted to be a knight." He laughed kindly. "No doubt those notions have long gone."
Alanna didn't reply but allowed herself to be guided by Roger into the spare seat next to him. His hand lingered just a second too long over hers. "Thank you, your Grace," she said as she sat down.
"No," he said softly. "Thank you, Lady Alanna for coming to Court."
She couldn't help but shiver at the sudden heat in his gaze.
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Definitely the right decision, Roger thought with an amused look as he saw Alanna blushing.