A/N : Here's the final part of this story. This chapter covers the battle between William and Adhemar, and ends with Will and Kate being together, like they should be. (Thanx to Ditey and TrueFan for the reviews on chapter 2)

(Disclaimer : see chapter 1)

Chapter 3

William was, at last, back where he belonged, out on the battle ground and now under his own name, his own title. He must face Count Adhemar and it was a fight that would not be easy, not at all, but he had already won a greater battle. He had won the right to be who he truly deserved to be - Sir William Thatcher. He had also won my heart, though at that moment I thought he knew nothing of it. I saw him glance up into the stands and next to the Prince and his wife there was an empty space. Jocelyn was not there and I felt wretched just knowing that he cared, but I was wrong. I think he saw the disappointment on my face when I thought he still loved her.

"She's not here" he said to know one in particular, "and how I do not care"

I could hardly believe what I had heard, but I did not get a chance to query it. It was time for the William to fight, to fight Adhemar no less.

Watt handed the lance to our knight and we ran behind the horse as the flag went down. The crowd made an almighty noise as the two men rode toward each other. With a sickening crack of splintering wood on steel, Adhemar's lance broke against William's chest. The side of the crowd that loved the black knight cheered as we ran to the side of our leaders horse. The end of his rivals lance was stuck in his shoulder still and he commanded Roland to remove it. I felt his pain as the point was removed and was more shocked than perhaps I should have been to find that Adhemar had cheated.

Still there was a fight to be won and William was determined to be the one to do it. We prepared him for the second charge as best we could, and even when he said he was ready I knew the pain he must be suffering was of immense proportion. He would not give in, not Sir William, he would never forfeit.

We ran again as the horse charged for the second time and the crowd erupted for its second time. Halfway between his starting point and the centre of the ground where he would meet his enemy, the lance slipped from William's grasp. I almost couldn't watch as he took a second hit, but I was relieved to see that he did stay on his horse.

He started to ride back round with Roland, and Watt helping to lead the horse. It was then that Geoff noticed movement in the crowd. He pointed and yelled to William;

"She's here William, and so is your father"

I saw a light in his eyes as he looked up at them and I knew it didn't matter what I did or what I said or even what he said, his heart did indeed belong to Jocelyn.

"God bless my father" he sighed, "but I do not need her here"

I wondered, could he possibly mean what he said. He turned his horse beside me and asked me to loosen his armour, for breathing was becoming difficult. As I moved to take the plate from his shoulder, his hand caught hold of mine.

"I do not need her here Kate, because I only wish to be the knight of one heart, and that is yours"

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and smiled.

"You have my heart William" I told him, "You have always had my heart and my love"

"And it is all I need" he smiled despite the pain I knew he must still be feeling. I removed the rest of his armour and for a moment I was an amourer and not a woman anymore.

"You need more padding" I told him, but he shook his head.

"No leave it off, I cannot breathe with it on"

I looked upon him with desperate eyes. I needed him to live through this. If he won I would be the proudest woman alive, but I would rather have him lose and live than win and die.

"Kate, I promise, I will come back to you" he said sincerely before turning to Watt and demanding his lance. It was no good. As he tried to take it from his friend the weight was too much.

"Lash it to my arm" he told the man who simply shook his head as if he didn't understand.

"Watt, lash it to my arm" he repeated and this time his order was carried out. I feared it would be too late for the flag was about to drop, but as usual Geoff saved the day. He ran up onto the balcony and stood before the Prince to catch the crowds attention.

"Forgive me, ladies and gentlemen, but I missed my introduction..." he began and continued to make a speech as glorious as always. Half way through he beckoned to me and I shook my head. I could not face a crowd like that. William looked down from his horse as Watt completed his task of attaching the lance to his arm.

"Go on Kate, I want the world to know I have you on my side"

I smiled and ran toward the place where Geoff stood. He pulled me up onto the balcony and continued to shout to the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, with out further gilding the lily and without any more ado, I give you the son of your very own John Thatcher and the man who, thank the lord, has finally realised his love for this good woman..." he said, taking hold of my hand and raising it in the air, "...the one, the only..." he nodded to me and I knew what to say. Together we shouted, "Sir William Thatcher!"

As we leapt down from the balcony, the flag dropped and the horses began to gallop. I looked back once to see Jocelyn and her maid disappear into the crowd. My gaze switched back to my love as he rode with a fire in his eyes and victory on his mind.

"William!" he screamed as his lance made contact with Adhemar's body and sent him flying from his horse.

The cheers erupted from the crowd and no-one shouted as loud as me. As William dismounted from his horse, I was beyond joy to know that it was me he was running to. He scooped me up in his arms and I hugged him tightly.

"You won" I said, pointlessly, "I knew you would"

"You always believed in me" he said, puling away a little.

"And Jocelyn?" I had to ask. He only smiled.

"She has been weighed, she has been measured, and she has been found wanting" he grinned.

I laughed with joy, relief and sheer delight.

"I love you" he said and I revelled in the sound of those words.

"And I love you" I told him.

As we kissed, the sound of the crowd faded away and it was just us, me and William, standing there together. Us against the world, that was how it would always be. I knew, no matter what we came up against, we would be victorious, as love would always conquer all.

A/N : I hope anyone who read this story enjoyed it and please remember that all feedback is greatly appreciated.