Author's Note-Thanks so much for all the reviews! You're not getting a big long chapter fic, but I will give you an epilogue to let you know how it all turned out.
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April of 433, Right before the Black City
"Alan," Alanna heard the familiar voice call. She smiled. Things had been going great with Raoul. Their relationship had been off-and-on, but still standing strong. None of their friends had a clue. There had been some close encounters, like that one time when Gary caught them just as they were parting with goofy grins on their faces. He had been mighty confused and pestered them for days about it, but they didn't say a word.
Alanna raced to meet Raoul. There were no words, he just led her into his room. They shared one very brief kiss and Raoul set her down on his bed.
"Alanna…you know I'm to be a knight soon," he paused while Alanna nodded slowly. "Well, were not going to see as much of each other. Also, people would start to wonder why I never danced or flirted with any of the other not-quite-as-lovely-as-you ladies at the court. What I'm trying to say is…is…I think it'd better if we took a break. At least until you become a knight," Raoul stopped here, looking at her with sadness in his eyes. Alanna just shook her head.
"Raoul, I don't care. Flirt with them anyways. I'm not the jealous type," Alanna said, looking at the floor. Raoul looked pained. Alanna looked up at his desperate eyes and realized he wanted this to work. He was trying to tell her gently, make it easy on her. It wasn't working. Alanna felt tears coming, but she refused to look up at him, even when he said her name in that amazingly deep voice of his.
Then he hugged her. That one simple little hug made her think. She was being a selfish pig. The least she could do was try it--they may get back together soon. She slowly looked up at him and nodded. I always knew there was insanity in my family she thought grimly. Raoul looked relieved as he swept her up and gave her a gentle kiss. A kiss between friends. A good-bye kiss. Alanna smiled at him and left the room. She couldn't seem to find words.
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Four years later
Jon was suggesting Gary as her second person to instruct her in knighthood. Her mind immediately jumped to Raoul. But she didn't want Jon to know of their past relationship--she knew how jealous he could get. And Raoul wasn't that great of an actor--he'd have a hard time pretending he didn't already know. Therefore, Alanna agreed that Gary would be a good choice.
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Alanna and Raoul remained friends, though not quite as close as before. Raoul attended George and Alanna's wedding and cheered just as loud as everyone else--and Alanna attended Raoul and Buri's wedding with good spirits.
And they both lived happily ever after.