a/n: hello again, hoped you all liked the last chapter, I am not revealing the pairings just yet as I am not too sure myself! I appreciate all my reviews so thank you all very much there were no real questions so I will just thank my reliable reviewers: oceanspike, tpfan33, pinky, escawing, abused guard and crazy little kiwi fruit. I am sorry if I have forgotten anyone but I love you all! keep reviewing i like to know what you all think.

Summer/Joey wanabe, thank you very much, see you at school!'

Enjoy, love Alannawanabe -x-

Chapter six

Alanna sleepily raised her head, her eyes slowly adjusting to the light. Where was she? Why wasn't she in her own bed?

"Well, nice to see you've finally decided to get up, I was wondering how long you were going to milk that little cut on your shoulder" Alanna recognised Duke Baird's voice and realised she must be in the infirmary.

"How long?" she croaked, her voice dry.

"Three days, you drained your entire gift you silly child, don't you know when to stop? You could have poured your life force into it."

"Jonathon?" asked Alanna, fearing the worst,

"Our young prince was up and about yesterday; funny the first thing he asked about was you. Now are you going to get up or not?" Alanna leaped out of bed forgetting about her injury, she grimaced

"Oh yes, I forgot, you will have to rest that body of yours for a few days, no fighting, understand?" Alanna averted the healer's eyes,

"Understand, Alanna."

"Yes, I understand."

"Good now go and get yourself some lunch."

"Wait a second, you seriously expect me to believe that Lady Alanna took on a group of bandits and slaughtered their leader, single handily using a weapon that she had not trained with?" said Raoul in disbelief.

"Well, I got rid of one of them before a son–of-a-gun stabbed me, but yes she is an excellent fighter, with the right training she could be as good as any of us, maybe even better." Retorted Jon.

Gary snorted, "Well that's the strangest story I've ever heard. But if you say it's true it must be, weird though, women aren't supposed to be able to fight, I should give her a try one day, although from your story she would win hands down"

At this Raoul and Gary burst out laughing. Jon glared at them; before smiling

"Okay then Gary, when Lady Alanna's completely recovered, you and her have a friendly competition, see who will be laughing then" with this Jon got up and walked out the hall. Raoul and Gary looked at each other

"Our friend is well and truly smitten," remarked Raoul

"Yeah, too bad she's a sword wielding madwoman who's engaged to an arrogant piece of swine!" replied Gary as the two walked down to the stables.
"Come on guys, we don't want to keep his Majesty waiting' called Gary jogging down the corridor.

"It's just my father I am sure he won't mind if we are a little late; my leg is killing me..... Gary will you STOP SHOUTING AT ME! You try running with a half amputated leg!"

"Sorry Jon, I keep forgetting, you are usually the fastest and best runner out of us all, I'm just not used to it" Gary replied with a grin.

"Gary, in this court flattery will get you every where, keep it up"

Jonathon rapped smartly on the door to his father's office.

"Come in" bellowed a deep voice. The young knights entered and bowed before King Roald.

"You're late"

"Sorry father but I was held up by my squire, he really is incompetent"

"Don't worry, sit down. Now as I am sure you are all aware, we have been having some problems along the Scanran border recently. I need you two to go" Both Gary and Rauol jumped up,

"Finally some action to take me away from all the court ladies and their mothers!" said Raoul excitedly.

"Um... Father, what about me?" inquired Jon

"Well son you are in no fit state to fight so you shall remain at court, you're mother and I shall be away with the progress so we trust you to stay in court. You must not leave without a body guard, after last weeks events we are sure there is someone out to destroy our family. We cannot risk losing our only heir to the throne."

"YOU EXPECT ME TO STAY WITH A BABYSITTER WHILE ALL MY FRIENDS ARE OUT FIGHTING?" Jon exploded, "What am I, five?????" Gary and Raoul shifted uncomfortably, King Roald turned to them,

"Gentlemen, please excuse us, I need to talk with my son" Raoul needed no further prompting, Gary, however lingered slightly trying to catch any information he could.

"Now please Gareth." At the tone in Roald's voice Gary fled the room leaving a very angry Jonathon.

"Why are you acting like this Jon, you can't fight with an injured leg, you know that as well as I"

"I understand that, but why not send me as a healer? I have the gift I could be of use. And why do I have to have a guard, I am a fully trained knight. I can protect myself. You wouldn't send Gary or Raoul out with a guard so why me?"

"Yes but neither Gary nor Raoul are going to rule over Tortall when I'm gone. You are the only rightful heir. Therefore while there is a threat to your life you shall not leave this palace unless accompanied by at least one guard. That is my final word Jonathon. You are dismissed."

"I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF" shouted Jon as he stormed out the room

The day before the knights had to be sent off came quickly. Alanna was walking through the grounds with Thom when Gary appeared,

"Thom, would you mind if I had a quick word with lady Alanna here?" Thom laughed,

"I think that 'Lady Alanna', can speak for herself!"

"I am ever so sorry My Lady, will you accept my humblest of apologies for my rudeness and allow me a word" said Gary, sweeping to the ground in front of Alanna, and kissing her hand.

"Get up you great oaf!, what is it then?" Gary grinned,

"Well our dear friend Jonathon seems to think that you would best me in a fight and as I am a man of pride I have decided to prove him wrong. So I would be most honoured if you would join me for a friendly competition" Alanna smiled,

"okay we will have two competitions, one with your choice of weapon and one with mine."

"Super! See you after midday on the practise courts." Gary walked off cheerfully whistling to himself.

"You do realise that you are going to lose right?" stated Thom

"Well if he chooses swords then yes, but my weapon of choice is daggers, I doubt very much that My Lord Gareth has ever trained with the thieves of the city of the gods." Thom chuckled,

"trust you Alanna, trust you"

Midday came and went and sooner than expected Alanna found Jonathon and Thom at her door. Thom took her by the arm and led her down the corridor towards the practise courts. Although it was only a friendly challenge, Alanna couldn't help but feel that this was her chance, her chance to show all of the men at court just what a woman could do. Also, she wanted to stop those rumours that Jon had dreamt the incident with the bandits.

Sure enough when they arrived at the courts there was a big crowd.

"Gary just can't keep his mouth shut" muttered Thom,

"Don't worry Alanna will defiantly show him up" replied Jon cheerfully.

Gary smiled across at Alanna, just as she had guessed he had chosen swords as his weapon. Alanna was fixing the padding on top of her tunic and breeches. Thom came up behind her,

"Okay, I know that he is big and you haven't really trained with a sword before but don't panic. I mean he is about twice your size and could squash you like a fly, but seriously don't panic. There is absolutely no need for panic, it's only a practise." Rambled Thom, panic shown all over his face. Alanna laughed,

"Thom, you are the one panicking dear brother, I am totally calm. What you could do is offer me some practical advice; you have fought with him before you know what I am up against." Thom straightened,

"He is over confident about this fight; he thinks he will win it hands down. He will be careless. Use this to your advantage. Attack."

Gary called over that he was ready. Thom wished her good luck as she took her position opposite Gary. Alanna could see Jonathon standing at the side watching her. Raoul called for them to begin. Alanna lunged too far, her sword struck the air. Gary smiled cockily. Alanna recovered quickly, looking for any opportunity he was giving her. He had left his right side open. Alanna swung round, her body a blur as it twisted, sword struck the padding. Gary stepped back shocked. Recovering, he came at her with a series of attacks, one following the other. Alanna tried in vain to stop a body to body lock; he would have the advantage having both height and bulk to push against her. Gary succeeded, Alanna's legs buckled as he pressed the sword to her throat.

"Yield" Alanna dropped her sword; Gary laughed pulling her to her feet,

"Well fought Alanna, very well done indeed, you nearly had me there. You should be trained properly, give our friend Jon here something to do while us real men are off fighting" Jon swatted Gary with his hand, scowling.

"You still have Alanna's choice to go yet" remarked Thom placing two padded daggers out in front of the two.

Again Raoul gave the command. The dagger looked lost in Gary's great hand and it was obvious this wasn't what he was used to. In comparison Alanna looked completely at home, circling Gary, dagger raised. Gary was the first to attack, Alanna blocked him easily, in the same move she struck the padding on his shoulder. Gary hesitated, not sure of what to do next. Alanna used this halt, bringing her blade to meet with his stomach in a fast half crescent. The audience gasped at her speed. Alanna brought her blade up to his throat.

"Yield" Gary obeyed. He was sweating through and through. Alanna smiled up at him. Jonathon and Thom whooped in excitement. Raoul and the rest of the crowd shook their heads in disbelief.

"Jon, I think you had a point!" exclaimed Gary, "Well done Lady, well done" Gary walked off of the court to be greeted by a slap from Raoul.

"You were bested by a woman, Gary I think we need to practise a bit before we meet them Scanrans"

"Congratulations Alanna, I knew you could do it" said Thom sweeping his sister into a hug, "I'm sorry, I would stay, but I promised Sir Myles I would only be five minutes" with this Thom ran off towards the palace rooms.

"well done my Alanna, I'm proud of you"

"Since when did I become you're Alanna?"

"Since I became you're prince,"

"Jonathon, what are you talking about?"

"When you were trying to get that bandit to speak, you called me you're prince" Alanna blushed scarlet,

"well, well, I was a bit stressed." Jon grinned at her,

"Don't worry my Alanna, I would rather be you're prince than anyone else's" Alanna blushed again and playfully punched him on the arm.

"Come on Jonathon, I am dying of thirst."