Alrighty then first let me tell you that I am totally discusted over 50 hits and only one review! Now I'm sorry if you tried to review and you were blocked because of the annonomous review blocker but it has been removed.
Now we would like to dedicate this chapter to our first reviewer and one of the Susan's friends Gaby! By the way someone besides Gaby has to review to unlock chapter three or Gaby would have to drive me crazy so please review.
Chapter 2
Just out side Corus
"Why must we ride in carriages? It's much more fun to ride…especially if we are riding stride"
"WOMEN RIDE SIDE-SADDLE ALANNA!" All the ladies in the carriage snapped
"Plus, it is pouring out there, it's either ride out there and possibly turn off your betrothed, or stay in the carriage like a proper lady" Jennaya said. When Alanna opened her mouth to answer, Jennaya interrupted "No. Forget I gave you that option"
"But I'm not a proper lady" Alanna said
"Alanna!" Jennaya snapped "If you take one step out of this carriage before you're suppose to, I'm telling your father about how you really conduct yourself in the convent"
"What is that suppose to mean?"
"You know what she means" Elspeth said "Sleeping in classes, taking midnight "strolls" to the stable for a midnight ride…"
"…ditching anger management…."
"…making hand puppets when the sisters are talking to you…" Delia said
"What!" Jennaya and Elspeth snapped
"Ok, ok, I get it" Alanna said "But my father isn't going to be there, he never comes to court"
"Didn't you get the post script on that letter he gave you?" Jen said "My father and uncle were able to convince him to come and see you because you are meeting your betrothed"
"Great more bad news."
"Why do you hate your family Alanna?"
"THEY WANT TO MARRY ME OFF WITHOUT MY AGREEMENT!"
"Did she ever go to anger management? Or any class for that matter?" Delia asked
"Yes, but she day dreamed or slept through most, if not all of them"
"You mean she never gave up that stupid dream of hers?" Delia asked
"Does everybody know about that!" Alanna snapped
"Yes" Delia and Elspeth said
"Not everyone" Jennaya said
When the three other girls gave her a very confused look, she continued
"Her father doesn't know, the men at court don't know…and they won't find out, will they Alanna"
"Why was that directed at me?" Alanna said "And Thom knows about my dreams…which ARE NOT STUPID!"
"Well that's ok and I know you, you would say something just to ruin your wedding."
"Would I do that?" Alanna asked innocently
"Yes!" Jennaya and Elspeth said
"No" Delia said
"Delia why are you even here when you hate us?"
"I don't hate you and I wanted to make Alanna's life miserable while I still could." Delia said fanning herself delicately
"But you don't hate us?"
"It is most unladylike to hate someone" Delia said simply
"Is that the only reason why you don't hate us?" Alanna said
"It is most unladylike to hate someone" Delia said simply again
"Are you a robot or something?"
"It is most un-oh forget it!" Delia snapped slamming her fan shut "Yes, I do hate you! Ok? Are you happy now? Will you leave me be?"
Alanna smile "Maybe"
Delia let out a deep sigh
Jen looked out the window and saw the Palace Gates not to far away.
"Ok we're almost there. Alanna behave no talking about wanting to be a knight and at least pretend to be happy he's not a bad guy you might like him. Delia don't do anything to embarrass Alanna, and Elspeth keep your blabber mouth shut around my father, brother, and other male relatives."
"Does that include the king"
"KEEP YOUR BLABBER MOUTH SHUT!" Jennaya said "Especially around the king"
"Look who's taking charge" Alanna said "Need I remind you that it's your fault the pillow fight even happened?"
"Look until the wedding I out rank you and I don't want to get into trouble with my father or Uncle so you have to help."
"Should we help her?" Alanna said to Elspeth
"Hmmm…it would be funny to see the look on her face if we cause ultimate mischief"
"Alanna! Elspeth! Your fathers will be there too you know!"
"Stop arguing we're here."
As soon as Jennaya got out of the carriage, she straitened her dress, and checked her hair in her mirror. Alanna raised her eyebrows at her friend
"What? I don't want to look like a disgrace when my father sees me"
"Speaking of the duke" Alanna said pointing
Once the duke arrived, the three friends dropped into curtsies
"Daddy!" Jennaya said as she rose from her curtsy and hugged her father
"How very lady-like" Alanna said mockingly
"Why Garry I do believe your sister is ignoring us" A young man about twenty years old with black hair and gorgeous blue eyes said to his cousin.
"I do believe you're right Jon."
"Hi Jon, hi GarGar."
Garry turned bright red. The duke and prince started laughing, and the girls covered there mouths. If you listened closely, you could almost hear Alanna mumbling "Don't laugh, don't laugh, don't laugh"
"I told you not in public!" Garry snapped
"Yes Jen you just embarrassed poor Gareth here in front of two beautiful young ladies whom neither of us have met."
"Oh Jon, Gary this is Lady Alanna of Trebond and Lady Elspeth of Leagan, Lanna, Els this is my brother Sir Gareth the Younger and my cousin Price Jonathan of Conte."
"It's an honor your highness, Sir Garreth" the two girls chorused as they curtsied
Jennaya was shocked to see that Alanna was being so…ladylike
"Please, it's Jon and Garry" the two boys chorused
"Plus, we'll be family soon" Jon said, turning to his cousin, he changed the subject, "So, Jenny, have you been behaving yourself?" Jon asked
"Have you been behaving yourself Jonny?" Jen demanded
"I'm the crown prince" Jon said in a dignified tone
"That doesn't answer my question"
"You haven't answered mine" Jon pointed out
"Well, you see. Right before we left, Jen and Lanna got-"Elspeth began
Alanna and Jennaya glared at their friend
"Never mind" Elspeth said
"Tell us later when Jenny isn't around" Jon said
"Ok…"
"Jonny! Answer the cursed question!"
"Jennaya Katherine! What did you just say!"
"Nothing father"
"Trust us Uncle Garreth, she's said much worse when you weren't around" Jon said
"Jennaya, I want a word with you later"
"Yes sir" Jennaya said
"As to answer your question, Jon is crown prince, he doesn't have to behave"
"Who came up with that twisted logic?" Jen asked
"I did" Jon said
"Fine, following your logic, I am the crown prince's favorite cousin, I don't have to behave"
"Oh yes you do!" Jon, Garry, and the duke said at the same time
"Especially with boys" Garry said
"And when did I say you were my favorite cousin?" Jon asked
"Oh great," Garry said, "Here comes Trebond."
"Gareth." The duke said in a warning tone.
"Sorry Lady Alanna."
"No actually those are my sentiments exactly."
"You and you're brother not getting along?"
"You could say that."
"Hi Alanna"
"Thom good to see you." she said civilly while her eyes showed her anger
Thom swallowed hard.
"Father says he'll see you at dinner, he's a bit busy at the moment" Thom said "Duke Roger has asked I see you to his rooms"
Alanna stopped herself before saying "Do I have to see him?" instead she said "Very well, lead on. I'll see you two later. Jon, Garry, I hope to see you two later. Same with you Your Grace"
With a final curtsy, Alanna followed Thom up to the castle.
"So the only reason you haven't killed me yet is…"
"To messy and way too many witnesses."
"I figured it was something like that"
"So, do you hate me for some reason?"
Thom looked startled "Of course not, why would you say something like that?"
"I don't know you knew I never wanted any of this and you go and help dad find some one for me to marry. Why would I ever think you hated me?"
"You're still holding that over me?"
"Of Course" Alanna said "You haven't done anything else to me have you?"
Silence fell between the twins.
"Thomas what did you do?"
"Nothing that is of your concern" Thom said
"I'm making it my concern" Alanna said
"You see, it is that attitude that will get you in trouble" Thom said
"Thomas Alan what are you hiding?"
"Nothing" Thom said "Like I said, it isn't your concern"
"It'll become father's concern very quickly"
"Father doesn't care what we do…as long as we don't disrupt his work"
"No apparently he cares what I do."
"What do you mean?" Thom asked
"He apparently cares who I marry" Alanna said
"Every father cares who their daughters marry" Thom said
"Jennaya and Elspeth haven't dealt with engagements yet"
Roger's point of view
What is taking that squire of mine so long? All he needed to do is find his sister for me. I mean honestly if what I've heard is true all he would have to do is look in a mirror and add breasts, longer hair, and a dress. I don't know why I deal with him.
Finally, there was a knock on the door
"Come in" I said
My squire and a girl who I guessed was his twin came in
"Lady Alanna, I presume?" I asked
"Sir, this is my sister, Lady Alanna of Trebond. Alanna, may I present my knight master, Duke Roger of Contè, Prince Jonathon's cousin
The girl curtsied "It is an honor to meet you, your grace"
"Squire Thom, give me a moment alone with my fiancé"
"Yes sir" Thom said with a bow and left
"Lady Alanna it's such a pleasure to meet you. You look beautiful."
"Thank you your grace."
"Alanna we're betrothed please call me Roger."
Alanna nodded.
"Did you enjoy the ride to the capital?"
"Yes," Alanna said only half lying.
"Good, are you happy to see your twin after six years?"
"What sister wouldn't want to see her brother?" Alanna asked "I am very grateful that he has thought of me enough to find such a…a fine man to have me be betrothed to"
That should keep Jen off my back for a while
"You are too kind" I said "But you didn't really answer my question. Are you glad to see your brother?"
No I think he's a total jerk at the moment "Of course I am we used to be inseparable it was weird not to have him around the first year or two."
"He talked about you all the time" Roger said "I must say, after meeting you; I can see why he missed you"
"He talked about me? What sort of stories did he tell you about me? I must warn you I've changed since I was little."
"He told me that you dreamed about being a knight…has that much of you changed?"
"Why?"
"Curiosity" I replied
Come on Alanna, the sisters have been training you for this for years! Just lie! You can do it
"I had forgotten that dream" Alanna said through gritted teeth "The sisters of the convent continually told me ladies don't become knights"
"I thought it might just be a childish dream. You're brother told me you both had strong gifts I know his is … well a rival to mine" oh right that why I deal with him, "is yours anything like his."
"I don't know your… Roger I've only ever used it for healing."
"What do you and your friends do for fun? I seem to remember that you are friends with Garreth's younger sister?"
"Yes, Jen and I are very good friends" Alanna said "We usually just stay indoors and study for our classes"
"Oh," in the distance the hour was called, it was three in the afternoon, "would you look at the time. Please allow me the honor of escorting you to your rooms so you can get ready for dinner."
"Thank you." Alanna said
The couple walked out the door
"Squire Thom" I said
"Sir?"
"Wait for me in there, I'd like a word"
"Yes sir"
They walked to Alanna's rooms and Roger left saying that he would return later to escort her to dinner.
Thom's POV
When Duke Roger returned, he had an evil glint in his eyes
"Squire Thom, why did you put me through that?"
"What do you mean sir?"
"Why didn't you tell me your sister was so proper?"
"She isn't"
Roger raised an eyebrow to me
"Usually, she is the most improper lady you could ever meet. Sir, she was ready to kill me for setting her up before and she was lying if she said she no longer wanted to be a knight."
"You were listening weren't you?"
"Would I…. Yes, yes I was."
"That was a private discussion Squire Thom"
"My apologies sir"
"Now you were saying your sister doesn't want to marry me."
"Or any one else sir she hates the whole noble lady thing."
"So you're saying that if I say convinced your father and my Uncle to move up the date it would make her miserable."
"More than likely yes."
"Good I think I can convince them too move the wedding up I know your father hates it here and my uncle wants more than two people in the line of succession. Do you think you're sister will revert to her normal behavior soon?"
"Yes sir I'm surprised she's kept the charade up this long."
"Great" Roger said
In Alanna's room, Alanna's POV
I am going to kill Thom…and my father. I don't think Roger likes Thom that much, so he won't mind.
"Hello Lady Alanna"
I spun around, Jon was standing in the doorway. I dropped into a low curtsy
"Good afternoon your…Jon"
"Please get up…and don't ever curtsy again"
Thank you goddess!
"Can I help you Jon?"
"I was just curious of what you made of my cousin" Jon said
"Jennaya? She causes more trouble than me"
"I don't doubt it" Jon said "Actually, I was talking about Roger"
"Oh" I said "He's…"
Choose your words carefully Alanna
"…he's not what I was expecting"
Oh…nice one Alanna. You've gotten better at tact
"Yes, well from what Thom had told us about you, we pictured some one a little more wild"
"I usually am wild" Alanna said "I am just afraid to sit through one of Jen's lectures…then one of fathers"
Jon laughed "I don't know your father very well, but you're right, Jenny could make her father go insane"
"You know, Jen doesn't like being called Jenny"
Jon's eyes glittered "I am perfectly aware of it"
"You are cruel…I could learn a lot from you"
Jon nodded
Just then, Jennaya and Elspeth came in
"Jon, out"
"Wonderful way to greet your cousin" Jon said
"Sorry. Hello Jon, now scram"
"I can just feel the love between us" Jon said sarcastically
"Out. Now!"
"I'm your prince! You will treat me with respect!" Jon yelled
"OUT!" Jennaya said shoving her cousin towards the door
"Uncle will hear about this" Jon said, turned on his heel and left. Jen stuck her tongue out at him
"I saw that!"
"Good!" Jen snapped slamming the door
"Now who needs anger management?" Alanna teased
"Shut it" Jen said "Stupid cousins!"
"That's it Jenny break 'Lanna's record" Elspeth said
Jen took a deep breath let it out slowly."
"So What was the duke like?"
"Your father? Wonderful man…"
"No idiot your fiancé."
"Oh him I guess he's fine."
"What did you do?" Jen accused
"I was a perfect lady. You can ask Thom, I'm sure he was listening at the door"
"Fine I will."
"Jen, come on we have to get ready for dinner and we both know 'lanna wants to look her best for her family."
Mental note to self…KILL ELSPETH
"And I should make sure I look my best…uncle will be there"
The girls left Alanna to get ready and immediately servants cornered the poor red head and got her ready for dinner.