Once again, my usual message is at the bottom (I'm sooo nice! {j/k})…now on with the story!

The crowd became silent as the arrow soared through the air. Here was the moment where Thom of Trebond would make a fool out of himself! For a moment it seemed that time had stopped, with the exception of the twisting arrow. Many pairs of eyes followed the arrow as it made it's way to the target, expecting it to dive into the ground. But that never happened. Instead it dug firmly into the center of the target. Mouths hung open; eyes bulged, people not believing what they saw. The redhead boy had hit the target! Thom of Trebond, who couldn't even get close to the target in the practice, who couldn't stay in the saddle for more than a few minutes, had hit the target! This was unbelievable! Eyes stared at the young youth that was responsible for this – this miracle! For a long time no body made a sound. The herald was astounded. He had heard of this boy's reputation as the Worst Squire. And now in front of him, the boy had hit the target! Shaking his head, he cleared his throat. Whatever the case, the competition had to proceed.

"Congratulations Thom of Trebond. Now would you mind stepping to the side please? I do believe it is the next group's turn " the herald said quietly.

"What? Oh yes! Sorry about that!" Alanna walked away, herself a bit stunned. She hid a smile as she noticed Jeris's shocked expression. Now that the worst is over she thought as she sat down I might be able to have some fun!

Thom had to bite his lip from yelling out "I knew you could do it Sis!" when the arrow hit the target. The happiness and relief bubbled inside him threatening to explode from him. "Did you see that Raoul?" he asked excitedly. "Did you see that! She hit the target in the middle! She can go into the next group! She's in! She's going to beat Jeris!"

Raoul had to laugh at his squire's reaction. "Yes, I saw it. I'm not a blind man. She certainly gave everybody a surprise! I thought she wasn't going to compete at all when she froze! But " his tone now serious "we don't know if she can beat Jeris. I admit your sister is good, but Jeris has had several years of training and practice here at the palace. I don't wish to admit this, but I think that – "

Thom clamped his hand over Raoul's mouth. "Don't. Say. It. Raoul. Don't even think it. I won't have you discourage me or jinx Alanna. Alanna's going to win." He gazed down at his twin sister. "I just know it."

"I admire your faith in your sister, but could you remove your hand please? No offense, but it smells like the stables! And it's not exactly pleasant!"

Lady Delia examined a scarlet nail as the competition continued. She couldn't believe how boring the archery competition was. Still though, it was worth sitting next to Prince Jonathon of Tortall, who would someday become King Jonathon of Tortall. And the King needs a Queen she thought so who would make a better queen than me? No one at all!

The first time she had laid her eyes on the Prince, Delia had only one goal in mind: to become the next Queen of Tortall. Since then she had gained a reputation as the meanest (although Jonathon was unaware of this) and the prettiest woman at court. Numerous marriage proposals had been offered to her but she had rejected them all, still waiting for one in particular. She glanced over at the Prince. Goddess, he was so handsome! Finally he notices me! She thought ruefully He sure took his time! I could've been married by now! But then of course her chance of being the next Queen would have been taken away and she couldn't have that, could she? Smoothing the creases in her dress, she recalled how many ladies had been a threat to her goal. There were too many to count, but none of them were serious. Except one. Princess Josiane of the Copper Isles. Her emerald green eyes narrowed at the thought of that blonde-haired beauty. The snobby princess had made it clear on the first day that she intended to become the Queen, thus destroying Delia's plan. It didn't help Delia that Josiane and Jonathon's mothers were friends. Not at all. Every time she saw Jonathon, Josiane was always with him. They both seemed so close. It was like as if she was stuck to his side permanently. Delia had to get rid of her, when she overhead Princess Josiane and the Queen making plans for the royal marriage of her and Jonathon. So Delia started a rumor that Josiane was going to become a lunatic in the future. It was common knowledge that every once in a while, someone in the royal Copper Isles bloodline became a killing maniac. Eventually, the news reached the Prince's ears and Jonathon dumped Josiane, as Delia had hoped, graciously. The Princess didn't take the news too well. She remembered the day when Josiane sobbed her way to the carriage. What a beautiful day that was. Sneaking a peek at the Prince, she smiled secretly. Her goal would be achieved soon.

After he had recovered from his shock, Jeris had just sneered at Thom (a/n: jeris's pov this time), saying that it was just a lucky shot. But as the competition went on, it was becoming clear that his theory wasn't true. Thom was hitting the target every time. It seemed that he was at ease and that he actually enjoyed it! Somehow, someway he had turned into a decent archer, almost as good as – No! That's not possible! No one can ever be as good as me! Jeris thought fiercely I am the best! Jeris of Nylord is the best! Thom won't beat me! He won't beat me! Still though, he wasn't very reassured by these thoughts as Thom continued to excel.

Alanna wiped her sweaty palms on her tunic as she walked towards the benches. She had just completed another round. So far she hadn't been eliminated and she still continued to amaze the audience, some of them wondering if they had made the right choice on the bet. Settling herself down she scanned the crowds again, trying to find her brother and his knight-master. Yet again no luck. Her eyes traveled over to the podium. The Queen's side was occupied by Jonathon … who was talking to a woman next to him. Alanna sat up. She wasn't there before! Squinting her eyes, she tried to get a better view. The woman seemed vaguely familiar. She had chestnut hair, green eyes…Alanna widened her eyes in recognition. Delia of Eldorne! She couldn't believe what she saw. Delia's here? She thought Great Gods!

Delia of Eldorne had made a lasting impression at the convent. She had always gotten what she wanted, no matter what. Although Alanna had known her, she had never talked to her. The reason was that she couldn't defend herself. Sure, she could defend herself in combat, but Delia had a sharp mind and a mouth that could shock even the sternest Daughters. Delia could make your life hell.

Alanna couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy as she watched the couple, Delia inching closer by the second. Control yourself her stern side ordered Jon's a friend. Nothing more, nothing less. Why should you be jealous? You've never liked anyone in the past! Focus on the competition! That's the most important thing, focus, focus! Alanna drew a deep breath and cleared out her mind, with only one thing remaining. The competition.

With each round, the groups were getting smaller and smaller. And with each round Alanna grew more confidant while Jeris on the other hand was getting nervous, though it didn't show in his performance. More people started to wonder if they had indeed made the wrong choice in the bet. Round went after round until it was just down to Jeris, Geoffrey of Longhurst and Alanna.

The herald blew his horn and announced the last group. "Since this is our last group and there are only 3 contestants left, the competition rules have been altered." The crowd murmured in curiousity. This had never happened before. "There shall be one target present only, stood back at one hundred and fifty paces." Alanna silently gasped. The farthest the targets had been were eighty paces! "Each contestant shall receive three turns each, one at a time. Any of the contestants who do not hit the target shall be dismissed immediately. A winner shall be determined by whoever's arrow is closest to the center of the target. As this is a very exciting competition, we have 2 judges to overcome any judging difficulties: Duke Gareth of Naxen and Sir Myles of Olau. The final contenders are: Jeris of Nylord, Geoffrey of Longhurst and … Thom of Trebond."

The three stepped out, with the audience eager to see who would win. Alanna ignored the their stares at her back, as she fitted her arrow to her bow with shaking hands. She could feel the excitement rising inside her but she refused to let it get a hold on her. Patiently, she waited.

The herald repeated the instructions he had given to the audience then told them in which order they would go in. Jeris would go first, Geoffrey second and Alanna last. He gave the signal and Jeris fired his arrow, where it landed halfway between the center and the edge of the target. Geoffrey's arrow landed a few inches away from Jeris's, while Alanna's nearly missed the target, landing just on the edge. She cursed herself. Stupid! What was that?! I almost didn't make it! Okay, I've still got two more goes. Just stay calm and focus. Focus focus! Breathing in deeply, she loaded her bow.

The assistants quickly removed the arrows from the target and scattered, not wanting to receive an unpleasant surprise from the archers. The herald gave the signal once again. Jeris fired, this time, his arrow landing closer to the center. Geoffrey's arrow missed the target completely, causing him to break his bow across his knee and a yell of anguish. Alanna's effort wasn't much better than the last one. Her arrow landed a few inches from where her previous arrow had been. The betters in the audience sighed with relief. It looked like they were going to win the bet, the way Alanna was going.

The assistants repeated their actions and the herald gave the signal again. This was it. The decider. Who would get their money and whose reputation would be changed. Confidently, Jeris fitted his arrow and carefully aimed it, taking more time than usual. Letting the arrow fly, it landed in the center. Or so it seemed to him. The judges announced that although it was very close to the center, he hadn't made it. Apparently the arrow had just missed the center's circle. Alanna nearly fell down with relief. She still had a chance! Jeris, on the other hand, was fit to be tied. He was about to complain to the judges, when he thought why should he be so angry. He was competing against Thom of Trebond, the loser. Thom wasn't that good. Not as good as Jeris anyway, so why should he care? Thom wasn't going to win. Jeris had already won anyway. Satisfied with this thought, he remained where he was.

Alanna's palms were suddenly sweaty, as she fitted her arrow. Her heat began to thump heavily and the audience's rudeness. She gritted her teeth grimly. No she would not let it get to her. She glanced up at the crowd and surprisingly found Thom in the midst of them all. Although he was wearing a cloak, his expression was clear on his face. His violet eyes were calm and full of trust, his mouth set in a grin. He had faith in her. Thom believed she could do it. Just staring at his face helped her to steady herself physically and mentally. Slowly she pulled the arrow back to her ear, ignoring Jeris's taunts, which could only be heard by her, the crowd's teasing and the herald's urges to hurry up again. Her determination rushing back to her, she let loose the arrow. It glided through the air, carrying Alanna's confidence.

Everybody gasped as it struck the dead center of the target. There was not a sound to be heard. Someone slowly clapped, almost hesitantly. Then it was joined by another person and followed by another one. Soon enough, the whole crowd was clapping, including Their Majesties. The result was thunderous applause. Alanna glanced at Jeris.

Jeris was staring with disbelief at Thom. This is not happening. Thom of Trebond, the worst archer in all of Tortall, did not win the competition. He didn't win the bet of 30 gold nobles. He couldn't have – Jeris's eyes rolled back and he fell down, landing on the grass in a pile.

Alanna grinned as officials rushed to help the fallen squire. She knew it was rude, but she still did it anyway. The expression on his face – Alanna had to control herself from laughing out loud. She turned away from them and faced the crowd. Thom was staring straight at her, with an expression all too clear to Alanna. I knew you could do it. Thank you sister dear, I won't ever forget this. I love you. Blushing, she made her way to the stand where she would be rewarded with her prize of 100 gold nobles. But the greatest prize of all, was the gratitude on Thom's face. She would treasure that forever.

A/N: As always I'd like to say a BIG thank you to all those people who reviewed the last chapter…you know who you are….your reviews were cool. Sorry about the cliffhanger in the last chapter…hehehe…the majority of you didn't like that! I'll try to keep that in mind in the future…some of you said that you didn't think alanna would freeze like that…true…but then again if I didn't make her freeze, then there'd be no cliffhanger to keep you interested! Can't remember who…but somebody wanted me to make Delia more evil…she evil enough for you in this chapter? Hahaha …anyways, no this ain't gonna be an alanna/raoul fanfic! It's an alanna/jon fanfic! Sorry to all those people I left hanging on the cliffhanger (which is like nearly 100% of you!), I'll try to upload sooner…the holidays are near…woohoo! If you wanna know my name or anything just e-mail me at asianlioness@hotmail.com… and yes, I'll try not to say thank you so many times as it gets "tedious"…but you gotta understand I was so bloody (excuse my language) happy…anyways enough with this…go review!! Oh crap (excuse my language again)..forgot to say something very important…MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU AND I WISH Y'ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Remember to review!