-a/n- I dedicate this story to my friend Citrus Fruit, my fellow book worm, Computer Guru and Hyper Buddy! (she asked me to write something for her while I was on holiday.. so here it is!

King Jonathon's court sat around a huge table discussing the trade and suchlike when a man stepped into the room, power radiating from him, the men shrank back.

'Who enters my court?' asked Jon in his regal voice.

'Gainel, the Dream King.' Answered the stranger.

Jon was taken aback. Before they could question his presence Gainel said, in his mystical voice, 'I am here to reward a loyal follower, for seven years he prayed to me every night without fail. For this, I the Dream king, will grant him is one dream, his one wish, to see his grandchildren. He will return to the realm of the living for one week in order to do this. I ask you to look after him in the palace for exactly one week, after that I shall escort him back to the Realms of the Dead.' And with that, he was gone, leaving an old man behind.

'Great Gods above,' whispered Duke Gareth the Elder, 'Its Alan of Trebond.' Everyone was silent, as though they didn't quite believe what had just happened. Jon was the first to recover, 'Sir Alan of Trebond, would you like a seat?' At these words there was uproar, his courtiers and advisors suddenly all talking at once.

'Silence!' shouted Jon. He turned to Alan of Trebond. 'Is it true? You have come to see your grandchildren?' Sir Alan suddenly seemed to awake,

'Yes, to see my grandchildren,' he said hungrily. 'How many are there? How are my own children, Alanna and Thom? Tell me everthing that's happened since I died?'

The reality struck Jon like a thunderbolt, Great Mithros, he doesn't know. He won't know anything about Alanna and how she became a knight, he doesn't even know that Thom died, thought Jon.

'Well' prompted Sir Alan, to the now silent court, who, like Jon, had realised that his premature death, meant he knew nothing of his daughter's pursuits.

For once Jon was lost for words. 'Many things in this country have changed since your death, Sir Alan.' Ventured Jon.

'Lord Alan' corrected Sir Alan.

'Well actually, when you died your title was passed on,' said Duke Gareth, who was plainly looking forward to Jon's explanations.

'To Thom I suppose … where is Thom? Is he at court? When can I see my family?' He asked eagerly.

'Before you go anywhere, there are some things you should know.' Said Jon carefully. 'Lets start from the beginning, firstly Thom did not enter page training, instead he went to the City of the God's and became the youngest mage to ever become a master.'

'But that's impossible' interrupted Sir Alan. 'I had letters …' then another thought struck him. 'How dare he disobey me! Wait till I see him, a mage indeed, when I forbid him to use his gift.'

'Anyway continued Jon. 'When you died Thom inherited your title. He then came to court. Alanna on the other hand ..' But before he could finish a familiar voice shouted

'Jon, Jonathon. I'm back, but if I ever meet another Gods cursed conservative who insults me, I swear I'm going to teach them few lessons on the practise courts. Jon, where are you?'

'I think the Lady Knight, wishes to see you, your majesty,' said Duke Gareth slyly.

'A Lady Knight, but that's…. that's wrong.' He finished lamely, 'What whore rides with men and fights alongside them?'

At this Jon's court cracked up. But Jon however remained serious, 'When you insult female warriors you insult many people, Sir Alan, including me. As I said before things have changed and you would do best to remember that.'

Sir Alan opened his mouth to argue, thought better of it, and closed it again.

Jon continued 'So, as I was saying Thom became a mage and Alanna your daughter…'

But he was interrupted yet again by the Herald, who announced, 'Majesty, your champion.' Jon groaned, he'd forgotten that Alanna, as his champion, could interrupt court. Alanna ran into the room and hugged him, 'Jon' she said excitedly, 'we've thought of names, oh, I haven't seen you for ages, Raoul!' she exclaimed and hugged her other friend.

Sir Alan watched in outrage as this Lady, who dressed like a man in shirt and breeches, interrupted the court, and the worst part was, no one minded they were all congratulating her.

'Alanna' whispered Jon urgently, 'I don't think this is the best time..' but it was too late, she spotted her father.

'No.. no, this can't be happening' she said and sank to the floor as her knees gave way in shock.

'No.. Alanna, no, this isn't right, you're a Lady, no Alanna, no.' Gabbled her father.

Jon decided it was time to take control of the situation. 'Silence.' He commanded. 'Raoul, get a chair for Alanna.' To Sir Alan he said, 'There is a lot of explaining to do, and I don't want you interrupting, understood?' Sir Alan nodded dumbly, still staring at his pale-faced daughter.

'Alanna, your father has been granted one week in which to see his grandchildren, by the Dream King, after that he will return to the Realms of the Dead. Well, Sir Alan, I suppose it all started when Alanna and Thom swapped places. Thom went to study magic as I've already explained. Alanna disguised herself as "Alan" and entered page training.'

The rest of Jon's court were all listening to how the young King would explain Alanna's unusual career. Some of his court had, at first been against the idea of female warriors, but when they got to know Alanna, she her work or saw her fight, they changed their minds. Any who couldn't work alongside the Champion were taken off the council. She had, as George put it "made 'em dance to her tune."

'As a page, Alanna trained hard, harder than the others, she overcame any weaknesses and excelled in fencing.' Said Duke Gareth.

Raoul, Gary and Jon nodded in agreement. Then Jon took over, 'During the sweating sickness that hit Corus, Alanna saved my life, but that wasn't to be the only time. When we went to Persopolis, I ventured to the Black City and Alanna came with me. Together we battled with the Ysandir demons and defeated them. It was during this fight I discovered that Alanna or Alan as we knew her, was actually a girl, but that changed nothing. To the Bazhir we were the burning-brightly one and the night-one; Bazhir legends. I asked her to be my squire, the Prince's squire, and you know what, no one doubted that she was the best person for the job, she was as good as, no better than, any boy. During the Tusaine War Alanna saved countless men, including me and helped to bring about the Drell river valley peace treaty. Alanna was also one of the Goddess' chosen ones; she came to Alanna in person, to her tokens of favour, one of which still hangs around her neck.

And so at eighteen years of age, she passed her ordeal of knighthood, making her the first Lady Knight in over two hundred years. That very night, she unearthed a treasonous plot by Duke Roger against me and my parents- thus saving my life again. Then she killed Duke Roger – the most powerful sorcerer in the Eastern lands, in a trial by combat. During this fight it was revealed that Alanna was in fact a girl and their late majesties, let her keep her well deserved shield.

Then she rode off to the Southern Desert and became the "Woman who rides like a man" to the Bazhir, joined the Bloody Hawk tribe and became a woman Shaman. Not content with that she then set up a Bazhir school of magic. It was her links with the Bazhir that enabled me to become the voice of the tribes and unite the Bazhir with the northerners.

Alanna was adopted by Sir Myles of Olau, who had been a good friend to her. Alanna then went on a quest for the legendary Dominion jewel. She travelled with the late Shang Dragon and Coram- who is now Lord of Trebond. On her way she met my Queen, Princess Thayet jian Wilima, and Buriram Tourakom. To find the Jewel Alanna had to brave blizzards and on top of a mountain, she fought with Chitral for the Dominion Jewel.

She returned triumphant with Princess Thayet who would later become my beloved Queen. However while she was off adventuring, you son Thom was provoked into raising the dead, he was very powerful and managed it, but it corrupted his gift. My mother died, and my father, who had loved her very much died shortly after. On my coronation day, Duke Roger – who Thom had brought back to life and his supporters attacked the Chapel of Crowns. Duke Roger tried to part the Earth, Alanna lent me her gift, I combined her gift with mine, and the Dominion Jewels and I was just able to hold the land together. Alanna single-handedly killed the Duke a second time and the Duke's supporters were subdued. But not without loss, I'm afraid you son Thom was killed by the Duke along with Master Si-Cham and Liam Ironarm, the Shang Dragon.

I appointed Alanna as my champion and she married George Cooper, Baron of Pirate's swoop.'

Sir Alan looked stunned, his face was a mixture of horror and confusion.

'Alan, your daughter is the best swordsman in the realm, you should be proud.' Said Duke Gareth gently.

'She is also the greatest female mage alive, and a gifted healer.' Added Duke Baird.

'She found a nameless one's sword in a vault only she could open,' said Myles quietly.

'To the Bazhir, she is Legend, she is respected and liked throughout the Desert and any father, real or adopted, should be proud of her.' A tall, skinny Bazhir said.

'Alanna has achieved great things in her lifetime, and of that you should be proud, even if it wasn't what you wanted her to do.' He raised his half drunk goblet of wine, 'To the Lady Knight, Sir Alanna of Pirates swoop, Trebond and Olau, the Burning-Brightly one, the Woman who rides like a man, King's Champion and above all the Lioness!'