Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. They belong to Tamora Pierce.

Yay! I'm so happy that I actually got reviews for this story! It's surprising for me really. I didn't think I would get any.

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Round One

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            Thom drank the rest of his wine and sighed with contentment. "Okay, now back to the game …" he said, proud of himself.

            The men there were shuffling nervously, wondering who was going to be introduced next. Thom winked at his sister, who was pale with fury.

            Your going to get it Thom, I'm going to make you regret that you've done this to me once it's over … Alanna thought evilly.

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"Now that you have met 5 of our Bachelor guests, let me introduce to you our remaining 5 Bachelors!" Thom announced.

"Here we have bachelor number #6, please welcome one of the best fencers at court, Alexander of Tirragen! Former friend of Alanna, but it seems he's a little attracted to her at the moment…"

Alex turned red and glared at Thom. Alex then looked around the men he was competing with. He seemed to have spotted one in particular.

"Why your grace! How nice it is to see you again!" Alex called, waving at the Duke of Conte.

"Quiet!" Thom roared glaring daggers. Alex cringed and moved back a it.

"Now we have Bachelor #7. Another one of Alanna's close friends. He's big … he's tough … he's Raoul of Goldenlake!"

Raoul gave a merry grin and waved at everyone.

Jon frowned a little at this a look of jealousy hinted in his features, "Raoul? Don't tell me your attracted to Alanna too!?"

Raoul made a face, "I only signed up since Gary did, I didn't even know what it was." He protested.

"No comments please. I'm the one doing all that!" Thom scowled at the prince. Jon bit his lip from saying another word.

"Moving on to our 8th Bachelor… He's a year mate of Alanna and he knows her quite well. Sacharell of Wellam, please step up to the stage!"

Sacharell was next to Alanna's chair grinning at her and saying flirty words in her ear, making Alanna blush and look away in embarrassment. Alanna was about to say something close to a threat, but remembered that she couldn't make any remarks.

"HEY! Your not supposed to flirt with her yet, it's unfair for the other bachelor's since your already trying to win her over!" Thom called out.

There were echoes of "Boo!" and "That's not fair!" from the boys that had already been introduced.

Sacharell sighed, "Alright, Alright, Hold your horses!" and got up on the 'stage'.

"Here we have another one of Alanna's year mates and a good friend of her's too. Please put your hand together for Bachelor #9, Douglas of Veldine!"

Douglas strode forward proudly and bowed. Liam snorted in amusement. Douglas shot him an annoyed glance. "What are you laughin-" he started angrily before a furious Thom interrupted him.

"I said quiet!" Thom roared.

Thom took a couple of deep breaths to calm him. He wasn't usually like this. "And last but not least, we have the young and proud knight, the same age as Alanna. Everyone I introduce to you Bachelor #10, Geoffrey of Meron!"

Geoffrey waved his arms around and started blowing kisses at everyone.

"Ewww …" Gary made a face. "I only take things like that from Ladies."

Everyone on stage started snorting with laughter.

Thom cleared his throat, successfully getting everyone's attention. "Now that we have met our Bachelor's it's time for Round One!"

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Alanna groaned wondering what her brother would do next. She looked up at the bright blue sky and silently prayed to the gods, hoping that she would live through this day.

Thom walked to the front of the gentlemen. "For this round you will have to answer the question, 'If you were to do something romantic for Alanna, what would you do?' You have 5 minutes to think about this question."

~*~5 minutes later~*~

"Prince Jonathan, what would you do for Alanna?" Thom asked the confident Prince.

Jon smiled a little smugly and looked in Alanna's direction. "I would give her anything that she desires and let her command as many of my armies as she wishes. Oh, and I'd make a day where all the people in Tortall buys a gift for her to show how loyal they are to her." He said proudly raising him nose in the air.

Alanna sniggered, Who ever said I wanted to command armies? But hey, getting anything that I desire would be good.

"Very convincing, Jon. George, what would you do?" Thom asked, turning to the thief.

George smiled warmly, "I would try to always be there for her when she needs me and go out of my way to keep her happy." He said sweetly.

Alanna beamed and sighed, Aww, how sweet!

Thom grinned, "A wonderful answer, George!"

Jon snorted, "Hey, I'd do that too." He quickly said, "And I wo-" Jon stopped his bragging shortly seeing Thom's face, which clearly stated, 'Be Quiet!'

"Now Liam, what would you do?" Thom asked the Dragon, who was waiting patiently.

"I would teach her how to fight the Shang way and make sure she gets her share of adventure." Liam said with a smile.

"Oh, you definitely know Alanna's type!" Thom said in a slight surprise.

Alanna perked up at the sound of 'Fight Shang Way' and 'Adventure', Ohhh… that sounds like a great offer! She thought, day dreaming about more adventures.

Thom noticed his sister's mind was slowly drifting off somewhere, "You should be listening to this 'Lanna!" he called to her, making her snap out of her fantasy world.

"What about you Gary?" Thom turned to Gary, who had a nervous look on his face.

"I would take her for a lovely dinner, and a walk through a romantic garden filled with blooming roses under a moonlit night full of stars." Gary stated simply.

Alanna grinned, He does that to every single lady as far as I know. But then again, I wouldn't mind that. It sounds nice.

Thom grinned at Gary's answer, "Very well said, Gary!"

Thom turned to the next bachelor, a small scowl appearing on his face, "Roger, what would you do?"

Roger was inspecting his nails. "I would give her more power, brainwash her, order her to kill Jon, marry her then let her rule Tortall alongside of me." He said in a bored tone, and then looked up to flash an evil grin.

Thom shuddered, "I don't really like the sound of that." He said bluntly.

Gary hit Roger over the head, "Were talking 'romance' here, Oh-so-great-one!"

"I said no comments!" Thom said for the 4th? 5th? time of the day.

Alanna was quivering, Brainwash me, Kill Jon and  Marry Me!!??Mithros no, that's horrible!!

"Alex? What would you do?"

Alex thought for a moment, "I won't let Roger kill her and make sure that she trains in the courts everyday."

Thom raised his eyebrow at the pathetic answer. "Uh … yeah … okay…"

Alanna sniggered again and shook her head, I already train in the courts everyday.

"Now Raoul, you say you know Alanna a lot, let's see if you have the right answer …"

Raoul shrugged, "The most romantic thing … hmm … I'm not really that romantic, but I'll give it a shot. I would try and learn how to play an instrument, then I'll write a song for her and play it for her. Oh, and I'll let her skip the balls that Jon always holds for welcoming guests."

Thom snickered a little, "That's quite an interesting answer." He complimented Raoul.

Raoul grinned, "I always like to please Alanna." He commented with a cheeky wink in Alanna's direction.

Alanna nodded, Not a too bad answer at all, I like the sound of skipping Jon's formal balls.

"Sacherell of Wellam, what would you do?" Thom questioned the boy who was idling about.

"I would treat her to the finest food, let her go where she wishes and have a day of the week where we go out and explore places." Sacherell said, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

Thom smiled, "That sound really sweet."

Alanna nodded in contentment, Exploring sound really good too. I never knew that some of these people know what I like best!

"Explore places?" asked Liam, "Heh, Adventure's better for our feisty young Lioness."

Thom growled, in annoyance at the interruption. "Honestly, you people can't keep your comments to yourself!"

"Douglas?" Thom turned his full attention the young knight.

"I would make sure that I'm always there for her and give her the time she needs to do whatever she wishes."

"That sounds real interesting!" Thom nodded, "What do you think Alanna?" he asked a warm smile plastered on his face, as he looked at his twin.

Alanna shrugged, Not too bad I guess … she thought.

"Hey! You stole my line!" cried George, pointing an accusing finger at Douglas, who had a blank look on his face. "I was the first one to say, 'I will always be there for her' and you stole my line!"

Thom sighed, "Anyone can take that line, George, it's not copyrighted!" he argued back.

"But he's trying to steal my Alanna from me!" protested George, disappointment crossing his face.

"Stop this nonsense, I'm the ones making the rules here! And I'm the only one who can speak, you can't speak unless I invite you to!" Thom scolded the men crossly. A few soft mutters can be heard as the men shifted uneasily under Thom's unnerving purple gaze.

"Now, to our last Bachelor, we hope you have a good answer… So Geoffrey, what romantic thing would you do for Alanna?" asked Thom, after calming down a bit.

"I pamper her with many things that she wishes and buy her what she wants, such as swords, armoury, things like that. I will also take her on a week long trip to places that she has never been visited out of Tortall." He said in a very convincing tone.

Alanna tilted her head sideways slightly, thinking, Hm … this'll be hard. I really like their romantic thoughts though.

Thom was beaming at everyone. "This is great, there's quite a competition here. Though unfortunately, the audience will vote out a person in each round. So you better make sure that you win Alanna and the audience over!"

Alanna was waving her hands, trying to get Thom's attention. "Yes, Alanna, you can say something now." Thom said with a small sigh. With a wave of his hand, Alanna was able to speak again.

"Thom, your really going to pay for this!" Alanna said angrily.

Thom nervously laughed, "Well, what do you have to say to the bachelors?" he asked her.

Alanna thought for a moment or two. Then she smiled, "The offers were pretty good I guess…" she replied.

Her twin nodded, "Good, that's all I needed to know." And with another wave of his hand, Alanna couldn't speak again.

Thom smiled, "Okay, everyone, let's take another break, and I'll come back with Round Two!"

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Please review, I want to know what you think of this weird story, I know it seems a bit sad sometimes and that the people are a little OOC, but please don't send me flames, I'm only writing this fic because I've got a writers block and I can't think of anything else to do.

** THIS IS A POLL, BUT THIS TIME, IT'S AN **ELIMINATION** ROUND! VOTE FOR THE PERSON THAT YOU WANT **OUT** OF THIS GAME (in your review) May the best Bachelor win!

Jon

George

Liam

Gary

Roger

Alex

Raoul

Sacherell

Douglas

Geoffrey

Luv ya all!

~*~Angel~*~