Okay I know that I said this was suppose to be a love story and the previous chapters have been kinda action/adventure sort of, and you're all probably wondering when is the romance gonna come in. I can tell you that it's gonna be soon…I just have to finish this archery competition scene and then there will be some romance! I promise! So sorry to all the people who've been waiting for this chapter…but I'm back now! Hope you enjoy and please review…! Pretty please with sugar on top?

While Thom went to fetch the bandage material, Alanna tried to keep herself cool, calm and collected but couldn't help feeling excited and a bit nervous. From what she had heard, this Jeris of Nylord was an excellent archer and probably a better one than her.

A knock on the door told her that Thom had come back. He gave her the material wordlessly, though his eyes were still warm and closed the door behind him. Alanna resumed her thoughts while she changed.

If she did not beat Jeris of Nylord, then how was Thom ever going to pay the money? Borrow the money from Jonathon? Thom's pride would probably be hurt if she asked Jon for the money. She couldn't believe that Thom had made a bet with someone involving physical activity, knowing that he couldn't even do better than her!

She gave herself a check over in the mirror, nodded with satisfaction and opened the connecting door. Thom was muttering to himself, holding a book while Raoul was no where to be seen. For some reason, Thom was looking nervous.

"Where's Raoul?" she questioned.

"Oh, he's um-he's gone to check out what the competition is like. Okay," he closed the book with a thud, "I've memorized the shrinking spell, but the effect is going to wear off around 3 - 4 hours. As soon as you've done, rush back here and I'll undo the spell."

"Alright then. Make sure that the door is locked after I've left. If somebody knocks the door, don't answer it. "

"I'm coming with you to the archery competition."

"What?" she turned to face him. "You can't be serious Thom! If you came as well, then the plan –"

"I'm not stupid Alanna."

"Could have fooled me" she muttered under her breath, but Thom didn't hear.

"I'll be going to the competition as you, I've got everything sorted out."

"No Thom! No way are you going to the competition as me! If you intend to do that, then I absolutely refuse to take your spot!"

"But how am I – "

"That's your problem, not mine. I'm sorry if I'm being harsh, but you can definitely not go to the comp dressed as me! Look Thom there are other ways to go to the competition. You could cast an invisibility spell over you or be disguised as a commoner."

"Oh I suppose so. Anyway we better hurry, there isn't much time left. Sit down, close your eyes I'll cast the spell. Don't worry if you feel that your scalp is shrinking, that's to be expected."

She did as she was told and felt Thom place his hands on her hair as he began murmuring the spell. To say the whole experience was nothing would have been a lie. Alanna felt as something inside her head was pulling the hair back into the roots, winding all the hair back, like a kite. She didn't know how long the whole process took but when she heard Thom's voice she realized that she had been tense the whole time. Slowly, she opened her eyes and touched her hair.

"Alanna how old are you?" he asked urgently.

"Same age as you. 16 years old." She heard Thom sigh with relief.

"Why did you—"

At that moment, Raoul burst the room.

"You guys better hurry, the whole place is getting filled up with people and Jeris is being his usual self, cocky and –" he stopped speaking abruptly, when he noticed that there were now two Thoms in the room. "Mithros… who's who?"

Alanna practiced being Thom. "Have a guess, it really is quite simple."

But by the way he kept looking back and forth between them it wasn't to him.

"I –I give up," he finally stuttered, "who's who?" The only answer that came were the Trebond's knowing smiles. "Oh well, one of you will reveal yourselves eventually. But as I was saying before Alanna you better hurry up. The crowd's getting larger by the minute and Jeris is telling everybody about the bet. Also I brought a disguise," he held up some garments, "for you to wear Thom."

"In that case, let's go then." Alanna started towards the door then smacked her forward. "Silly me, I forgot to ask. Thom where's your bow and quiver?" He handed them to her as they walked towards the door.

"You needn't to worry about the condition. I hardly use them at all, so you should be fine."

Alanna was about to leave, when Thom grasped her arm. "Good luck, Alanna. Show them what the Trebonds can do" he whispered, the warmth coming back into his eyes this time accompanied with hope.

"I'll do my best." She embraced him tightly then left with more determination than ever to beat Jeris of Nylord.

"How are you faring Lady Delia?"

"I am quite well. Thank you Your Majesty. How about you, Your Majesty?"

"Quite well. Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Today is such a nice day isn't it?"

"Ah yes, quite a perfect day for the competition, wouldn't you agree?"

"I couldn't say it better myself, Your Majesty."

Again, they elapsed into silence, watching the noisy activity in front of them.

Jonathon sighed quietly. Was he doomed to make small talk for the rest of his life? Sure, Lady Delia was graceful, beautiful, polite and desirable but he wished that she'd be more interesting, more talkative, more fun. He wished that she'd be more - just then a flash of copper hair caught his eye.

Alanna weaved through the crowd and made her way to the table where she had to mark her name off. An old fat man was the only one there, with a doughy face that wasn't quite too pleasant to look at

"Name?" grunted the fat man.

"Ala – Thom. Thom of Trebond."

The man peered at her and his whole face changed. "Thom? You - You're the fool that made the bet with Jeris! Do you know lad, that the odds of you beating Jeris are 1 –100? But don't worry, you're going to do just fine!" the fat man roared with laughter.

Alanna quickly walked away from him, trying to fight the urge to slap the man. She sat down on a nearby bench and took deep breaths. So focused was she on her breathing, she didn't notice that someone had eased themselves next to her.

"Thom, me lad. I've been your friend, for lotsa years now and I know tat' you're a bright un, but tis is just folly. How can ya ever beat Jeris? Even Mithros can't help ya!" whispered the cloaked man next to her.

"I'd prefer if you didn't talk to me at the moment sir."

"Sir?" the stranger chuckled softly. "Lad, don't yer know who I am? It's yer friend, George! From the Dancing Dove!"

"George?"

"Aye lad. I s'ppose yer too nervous to re'mber."

The horn sounded. It was time for the competition to begin.

Alanna stood up. "Goodbye, I have to get going now."

"Good luck lad. Yer going to need it. Lots of it." He called after her

"Thom does, but I don't " she whispered to herself. "We'll just have to wait and see."

Please review…?? PUH-LEASE??? *gets down on hands and knees * I BEG YOUUU!! PLEASE REVIEW MY STORYY!! IT WILL BE GRATEFULLY APPRECIATED!! ALL REVIEWS ARE WELCOME…(you can see how desperate I am for reviews when I mention the word all which = flames included!)