Naturally, being that it was the first day of Midwinter, there was a ball that night. Music and decorations adorned the Banquet Hall. Meanwhile, Alanna, who was sitting in Jon's study, was torn between her feelings and her reputation. If she went to the Ball with Jon, then the Court Nobles would look down on them for abandoning their spouses. If she went with George, she would be unhappy.

"Jon!" she called. He walked in and saw the distraught expression on her face.

"Come with me," he said quietly, answering her unasked question. She smiled, relieved, but worried nonetheless.

She dressed in a clinging periwinkle gown with a delicate silver shift. While Jon changed behind her, she admired herself in the full-length mirror.

"You look gorgeous," the King assured her.

She giggled. "I bet you like me better when it's off!"

He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her front. "We can test that after the ball, huh?"

She turned and swiftly kissed his cheek. His lips strained towards her, but she backed up. Bitterly, Jon gathered up the papers that Gary needed that night.

"You're mean," he muttered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alanna and Jon waited at the large doors. The herald opened both of them to announce the arrival of the King. The couple heard the room quiet. Jon Flashed Alanna an encouraging smile. Alanna daintily placed her hand on his offered arm. They entered the Banquet hall to a smatter of polite applause. Once they took their seats at the head of the Council table, a Waltz was immediately struck up. A few couples took advantage of the empty dance floor. Alanna was stung to see that one of those couples was George and Escera.

Jon, on the other hand, had made it his goal to nettle George as much as he could that night. Whenever the Baron of Pirate's Swoop was looking over, he would wrap his arm around Alanna and draw her close. He noticed with smug satisfaction that George was scowling.

"Oh Jon! Don't tease him so!" Alanna reprimanded after the fourth occurrence of this incident. Jon rolled his eyes and tried to kiss her. With a laugh she pulled out of his reach. "You don't want all of these nobles getting the wrong idea, do you?"

Jon just sighed wistfully and turned to talk to Gary.

Later on that night, Alanna had the urge to talk to Raoul.

"I'm going to find Raoul," she informed Jon.

"If he didn't come…" the King growled. Alanna was already walking away.

She wound around tables and couples dancing until she came to the hearth, where she thought she would find her big friend. No luck there, she made her way to the balcony. There, she saw him standing in the corner, leaning on the rail. She silently assumed the position next to him. For a while they sat in companionable silence, enjoying the cool night breeze.

Raoul looked over at her, a small smile on his lips.

"What?" she demanded, punching his shoulder lightly.

Raoul covered the smile with his large hand, then glanced back to the party. When he looked back to Alanna, his eyes were filled with warmth. He slowly shook his head and gazed at the stars, finally bringing his attention back to the lady knight beside him. Alanna was growing all the more annoyed.

"Raoul, spit it out!"

"You don't get it, so you?!" He laughed. She eyed him with annoyance. He drew a breath. "George…is playing a game. To make you jealous, can you tell?"

"Nonsense," Alanna muttered.

Raoul patted her shoulder. "Just an observation," he said into her ear, and strode off. When Alanna turned to see him walk back into the Hall, she saw Jon walking towards her. He assumed Raoul's position next to her, and stealthily snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her close. She looked at him until he met her eyes. They both leaned in and closed their eyes, promising for a good kiss, when someone politely coughed behind them. Startled and annoyed, they sprang apart.

"George," Jon said shortly, pursing his lips. Alanna looked at their feet.

"I was wonderin' if I could borrow Alanna for a while, Jon," George said hesitantly. They both looked to the woman in question.

"Lass…" Geoge whispered, tentatively lifting her chin. His hazel eyes were soft and kind when she met his gaze.

Quickly, Jon reached out and gripped George's arm, holding him back. Alanna shook her head in silent understanding, and allowed George to pull her away.

(a/n: I cont stop writing! Just so ya knows, the end of the story is near! I don't know whether I should be happy or sad!)