Finishing her supper, she took a knife, incase of any unpleasant surprises and a cloak

Finishing her supper, she took a knife, incase of any unpleasant surprises and a cloak. Then she went to surprise Thom. Instead though, she found a note:

Dearest Alanna,

By now, you've probably discovered that I'm not present at the moment. The reason is that tonight I have to serve at a banquet, one of the many duties a squire has to perform. Sir/ Lord Raoul couldn't think of an excuse to not come, so he had to come as well. If you've lost your mind (don't scowl) {Alanna was scowling} and decided that you might attend this banquet, you shall find Raoul and me in the Banquet Hall, which is near the page's/ squire's mess hall. If you get lost, then ask one of the palace servants instead of trying to find your way out. Remember last time when you tried that at home? You ended up in the stables!

Love, Thom

Still scowling a bit, she walked down the path, which led into the Royal Forest. Strolling slowly, she inhaled the beautiful scents of the trees and the flowers. Night animal calls and sounds filled the night and she was just simply content to sit on the bench and listen to them. The moonlight shone on her face and she closed her eyes.

"It's a beautiful night isn't it?" said a familiar voice nearby. Whirling around, she saw Jonathon emerge, his sapphire eyes shining in the darkness.

"Yes, it is" she agreed. She turned her back on him and faced the moonlight once again. She wasn't feeling very friendly towards him.

" What are you doing out here?" he asked as he sat down next to her on the bench. He brushed against her lightly, which spent shivers up her spine.

What is wrong with me? She thought. She didn't say anything, until she trusted her voice. "Nothing much. I decided to take a walk and relax, instead of going to the banquet. What about you?"

"I needed some fresh air. Do you know how hot it is to be inside a room with hundreds of people? Besides I saw you walking into the Royal Forest and I thought that I might join you. The idea of making some pointless small talk with someone I did not know, who was wearing rings on every finger, did not appeal to me."

"That's funny, I thought being the Prince, you would have gotten use to these kinds of things" she mused out aloud.

"Oh, I see you've found out about that," he said sheepishly. "I knew there was something I forgot to tell you."

"You guessed right. And if you shall excuse me, your royal Majesty I have to get going. Goodnight" she stood up stiffly and began to walk away.

"I'm sorry, did I miss something? He caught her arm "As I recall, we were having a wonderful time yesterday and now you act as if you can't bear to be around me!"

Alanna was silent, fuming. Jonathon pulled her down next to him.

"I'm sorry that I didn't mention the fact that I'm a prince, but you have to understand. All my life, I've been expected to act dignified, intelligent, composed, a mask I have to wear when the people of Tortall see me. I only get to show the real me, when I'm with Thom, Raoul or Gary, which isn't often. When I met you yesterday, I thought that you were a gift from the Gods. Finally, a woman who knew how to joke, how to use a bow, knew what a lance was, someone that made me feel comfortable. You treated me as a friend, not as a suitor or the Prince or a god. You didn't expect me to ask you to dance, or to impress you, or to flirt along with you. For once I could talk to a woman without her knowing who I was, before I knew them. " He turned his head away from her.

Alanna's anger disappeared. She was touched by his speech. She patted his shoulder and softly said, " I'm sorry. I had no idea it was this hard for you. I was just angry that you didn't tell me, that's all. I didn't know that you felt this kind of pressure being the Prince."

"That's not all. Because I'm the Prince, I won't be able to travel places that I've fantasied about going." He said bitterly.

They sat in silence.

"Where do you want to go?" she asked him after a moment's time.

"I want to go to the Roof of the World and bring back the Dominion Jewel, for the glory of Tortall. But I can't since I'm the heir to the throne." He replied sadly, looking at the moon.

"I know how you feel. It's quite the same as being a Lady." Jonathon glanced at her, surprised.

"Everybody expects ladies to be beautiful, defined, dignified, and lovely. They're suppose to marvel over knights, who have come home from defending the country, attract men by giggling, flirting or by using a handkerchief. They're suppose to know how to do embroidery, how low they should curtsy to a duke or a lord, how they're suppose to greet people, how to walk, how to dance. I wasn't interested in those kinds of things. I was more fascinated how to ride a horse than to do embroidery. The girls at the convent thought I was crazy. Why would anybody want to ride on a dirty animal simply for joy? They smirked at me, laughed at me and made fun of me. But I didn't let that stop me from achieving my dream."

"Do you have any ambitions?" he asked curiously

She watched the stars above in the sky. "I remembered when I was 10 years old or so, I wanted to become a warrior maiden. I had this plan arranged. I would swap places with Thom, so that I would come to the palace while he would go to the convent (A/N: forgotten what's it's called). But Thom backed out of the plan. Still though, I pursed it. Every morning there, the maids, who were my friends as well, would teach me combat they knew of or I would look in books and practice in my room. Sometimes I pretended to be sick so that they would have to send me into the city to see a healer. Sure, there were healers at the convent, but I often bribed them to make up an excuse not to see me. Once I was out, I changed clothes to a commoner and found people who were willing to teach me archery or swordplay. The Daughters at the convent were often suspicious about my illnesses, but if they came and looked at me, I would use my Gift, to make my face to look like I was sick. One time, one of the girls said that I was lying, so that I would not have to attend etiquette lessons. Luckily the Daughters didn't believe her. Still though, I was a bit angry with her, so that night, I put a frog in her bed. You could hear her screaming down the hallway!"

Jonathon laughed so hard that tears gathered in the corners of his eyes.

Once he regained self-control Alanna continued, this time her serious eyes on him "What I'm trying to say Jon, is whatever happens you can still achieve your dreams. If you strive to do it, then you will. People you love will always be there to help you no matter what. Anyway, I think we should return to the palace. We've been out here quite a long time and if we don't go, they might send a search party. Race you back to the palace!" she called over her shoulder as she picked up her skirts and ran down the path.

"Not fair!" he yelled but he caught up to her soon enough. When he did, he reached out and tickled her, which caused her to laugh, which caused her to stumble. She braced herself for the fall, but it never came. Instead a pair of strong arms caught her.

(A/N: okay I know that's a lame excuse to make her fall, but I had writer's block!)

"Are you alright?" Jonathon asked, his blue-sapphire eyes worried. The closeness of his handsome face had a devastating effect on Alanna's mind. She blinked twice before answering him. "Um, yeah I think I'm." Jonathon slowly released her, afraid that if he let her go immediately she would collapse. He bowed and nervously apologized.

"I'm extremely sorry my lady, I didn't mean to trip you or make you fall on purpose. I-" Alanna just laughed and clamped her hand over his mouth. "I'm all right silly, don't worry about it. What's this 'my lady' business? If you keep on apologizing like this, then I'll be forced to walk like this all the way to the palace. Understand? No more apologizing. Otherwise custom indicates that I have to curtsy and right now I really can't be bothered to. Remember, no more apologizing." She took her hand away. "Really Jon did you think I would detest you just because you made me stumble a bit? You're quick to judge!" she teased, her eyes kind. "What are you doing tomorrow?" she changed the subject, hoping that Jon wouldn't try to make some sort of apology again.

"Well, Mother says that I have to get my Grand Ball clothes fitted, but that's in the afternoon so before then I really have nothing to do. Clothes fittings, that's going to be jolly good fun" he said gloomily.

"You're not the only one to suffer. I have to go to the seamstress in 3 days to have my gown made. Sometimes I think that commoners are luckier than we are. They don't have fussy caretakers lecturing them every single day and they don't have to worry about their social rank. They can do whatever they like and people will still be their friends. Life as a noble isn't easy" she sighed. "Sometimes I wish I –"

"Jonathon! There you are!" exclaimed a voice. "I've been looking all over for you!"

"Somehow I find that hard to believe, Gary. You're usually inside courting all the women you meet."

"Exactly why I came out to tell you that…." Gary's voice faded away as he noticed Alanna's presence for the first time. "Pardon me, fair maiden--"

"Where? I don't see one," said Alanna, pretending to look around them. "If you're are suggesting that I am one, then you must be mistaken." Gary grinned.

"Alanna this is Gareth of Naxen, the Younger, who is also my cousin. Gary this is Alanna, formally known as Lady Alanna of Trebond."

"It was a pleasure meeting you Lady Alanna," Alanna rolled her eyes, "I'm sorry, but could I speak to Jon in private for a few minutes?"

"It's alright. I should be getting back to my chambers anyway. It's getting quite late.

Jonathon looked crestfallen. "I'm sure it won't—"

"No, it's alright. Besides I'm tired and I need my beauty sleep otherwise I'll look like a hag in the morning. And don't think you'll get rid of me that easily," both men laughed "I'll see you some other time. Goodnight Jon, Gary." With this, she smiled at them and retreated back into the palace.

"Well, Thom's right about one thing," said Gary, thoughtfully "She's so different from the other ladies. What a surprise!"

Jonathon watching Alanna disappear into the darkness of the night softly replied, " A wonderful surprise."

A/N: I'm thinking about leaving it here. If I get past 40 reviews, I'll post another chapter up soon. If not then, I'll leave it here. So R & R please!