A/N: Hey all! Well after 5 years of working on this story it's finally finished. I know, I can't believe it took me that long to finish this, but life happens. Anyways, thanks to all of you who have read this story over the years! Let me know what you think of this ending.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Tamora Pierce.

Epilogue:

Alanna was dreading this. As she walked down the hallway to her King's study she felt every second of the walk. She never thought she'd dread seeing her best friend, but she did.

It had been a month since she had made her decision. When she'd met up with George and her family she had suggested they just turn back and go home. And that's where they'd been the past month. Just spending time together and reacquainting herself with the people she loved. Life lately had been good, simple, but good. And she realized that in her personal life she liked simple, even though she liked challenges in everything else.

The month of family time was devoid of Jonathan. Strangely, he had let her be. She had fully expected a demand for an explanation but nothing came. Not a single letter or word asking why she had chosen George over him. She wondered, briefly, how long he would leave her alone. She realized that she didn't want to find out.

Besides, duty called. As far as she knew, she was still the King's Champion. And she still had a job to do. And that was why she was knocking on her King's closed door. That and she was curious to see how life had gone for him.

"Come in," she heard Jonathan call.

She took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

"Oh," Jonathan gasped out. "It's you, Alanna."

She smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, it's me."

He stared at her in wonder for a minute before coming to his senses. "Well, come in, come in and sit down."

She did just that never taking her eyes off of him, taking the seat across from him. She didn't say a word though, suddenly unsure of even what to say.

"I didn't even know you were coming," he murmured.

"It was a last minute decision," she informed him.

"Oh, I see," he answered, nodding absently.

There was a palpable silence then, one that each desperately wanted to penetrate. They both spoke at the same time in their rush to cut through the silence.

"Jonathan—"

"Alanna—"

They both stopped talking and shared a laugh.

"You go first," Jonathan said kindly.

She let out a sigh. "I… I wanted to say I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "No, Alanna, you don't owe me an apology. You did what was right for you and your family. I understand."

"Maybe," she said unsurely. "But the way I did it. Just running off without a word to you. That wasn't right."

He didn't say anything to that.

"That's… that's what I'm sorry for. And for hurting you of course," she said awkwardly.

"I'm ok," he assured.

She stared at him, with him watching her. For once she could not read his deep blue eyes.

"Well…" she said trailing off. She stood up to go, turning her back on him.

"Why did you decide on George?" she heard him ask.

Alanna turned around to see hurt in those same blue eyes.

"Because… it was the only decision I could make. Because it was the right one. We had or chance Jonathan… and we blew it. I will always love you, but there are others to consider, not just us."

He nodded in understanding.

"You and Thayet?" she asked.

"Better, we're getting back there," he assured.

She nodded, happy to know that he wasn't miserable. "Good, good."

She turned to leave, but not before hearing Jonathan's last few words.

"I will always love you too."

Well that's it. I hope you've all enjoyed this story. I have, despite my bouts of writer's block, really liked writing it as well.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed: SOPROL; Dreammergurl2007 (that's a nice way to look at flamers, thanks!); Gnomie022 (yeah I thought the exact same about the couples); brezzybrez; and jayley.

And thanks to anyone who has read this story and given it a chance.

I'll probably be back with another story in the Tortal universe sometime in the near future, but I'm thinking more in the Protector of the Small series. So look for that in the future.

See ya all!