A/N: Hello again, you can put away your tissues becasue i'm back! Also sorry I haven't updated in a while things have been pretty hectic and i have been on my holidays. But never fear cos chapter 10 is here!

Without further delay. Chapter 10.

Enjoy: love AlannaWanabe

Alanna's eyes fluttered open. She had won. A girl had beaten a fully grown knight. Jumping out of bed she was pounced on by three people; Thom, Duke Baird and Jon. Alanna smiled, she should have guessed that they would be waiting when she as much as moved a muscle.

"Sit back down young Lady" was the stern command of Duke Baird. "You're not going anywhere until you have eaten some food"

Alanna groaned, food was the last thing on her mind, she wanted to run and scream and tell the whole of Corus what she had done. Nevertheless, she sat and forced down some foul tasting porridge, without any honey.

"Can I be released now please?" asked Alanna, with just a hint of sarcasm

"Okay then, if you're sure you wouldn't rather stay in bed for a few days." Replied Duke Baird, equally sarcastic.

Alanna bounded out the room, Thom and Jonathon trailing behind.

The day went quickly, Alanna was busy either being congratulated or abused for her performance. At first she had had a go back at those abusing her, but by the end of the day she had learned to shrug it off.

That evening some of the knights returned from the boarder, to Alanna's immense relief, Alex was not one of them, but it was a sharp kick in the gut when she heard that some had returned. Alanna had been pushing the thought of her future marriage to the back of her mind for some time, throwing herself into making new friends and practising her fighting.

For the first time in over a week Jonathon walked Alanna back to her room. As they walked along conversation flowed and they were both surprised when they reached Alanna's room.

"Well, here I am, night Jonathon, see you tomorrow"

"Um... well there was something I did want to talk to you about, if you don't mind of course." Stammered Jon.

"Of course you can silly, its only me. Go ahead."

"Well, I think that, well what I'm trying to say is, I think that I , umm. Well the thing is that.. um."

"Jonathon, are you okay? You look kind of flustered. Do you need a drink or something?"

"No, it's just difficult to say. Things are obviously going to be different when Alex returns, well, i was just wondering what is going to happen to us?"

Jon's question hit Alanna hard. She knew that they would have to have this conversation one day soon. But today was too soon. After a brief pause in which Jonathon held his breath Alanna replied.

"Jonathon, we both knew that we could never be more than friends right?" Alanna swallowed, "and well, we're not are we? So nothing will change at all."

Jon felt his courage dropping, the words came to him in a rush and he had to say them before he lost his nerve altogether. "Alanna, I think I am in love with you. No, thats not right. I know that i am in love with you."

Alanna's heart soared. Did she love him back? The answer was simple.

"I love you to Jon." Stunned, Jonathon swept her up in a kiss, placed her back on the ground before picking her up again. Alanna laughed,

"What did I do to deserve two kisses?"

"One for saying you loved me and one for calling me Jon!"

Alanna laughed again, she had finally admitted it, both to herself and to Jonathon. It was a great weight off of her mind. She loved Jon. Before she had time to think anything else Jon's lips had found hers again and she was turning the door handle. They bundled into Alanna's room; Jon's hands went instinctively to her shirt. Alanna threw her arms around the back of his neck and allowed him to remove it. They fell onto the bed kissing each other passionately.

Suddenly Jon stopped. "I can't Alanna. Im, im so sorry" with tears in his eyes Jon stood up and ran out the room, leaving the door open behind him.

Alanna sat down on the bed and cried deep passionate tears. She knew why Jon wouldn't. He had too much honour to bed another man's betrothed, which was exactly the problem, she didn't want to be another mans betrothed, she wanted to be his. Alanna wept for what seemed like eternity before falling into a restless sleep.

The next day Alanna woke early and rode Brego out of Corus for what seemed like miles. She had packed some lunch and stopped to rest both herself and Brego. While the horse grazed Alanna picked at her food. She was not too sure what had happened last night. Had Jonathon really said he loved her? Did she really say it back? Alanna knew in her heart that she really did love the prince, as much as he loved her. The only fly in the ointment was the small fact that she had been arranged for some other man. This fact ate its way at Alanna's heart until she could bear it no more. She mounted Brego and rode for Corus, to the dancing dove where she knew she could escape for a few hours.

George was sitting in his usual chair when Alanna walked in.

"Hello lass, haven't seen you in a while, well done about beating that knight though. And I take it you and Prince Charming are friends again now?" Alanna couldn't help but smile, George had spies all over the palace, who apparently took a keen interest in her life.

"George Cooper. I hope you have not been spying on me; I take that as a very serious insult! I am sure my Lord Provest would love to know you have been spying on a noble lady!"

"Now, now lass. It's my duty to look after you. Now take a seat and you can tell me all about it."

"You already know! And anyway I want to think about something else for a change. Tell me what's been happening in the amazing world of the King."

"All right then, but it's kind of boring. I'll get us a couple of drinks first."

Alanna leant back in her chair and smiled happily. George was one person Alanna could be completely comfatable around.