A/N: watsup party people, thank you all for your wonderful reviews, as I may have mentioned I really do appreciate them all. I have recently finished Harper Lee's 'to kill a mockingbird' and I would just like to quote a line for all the people like me who are constantly reading. 'I never loved to read, one does not love to breath'. Thought that that was a suitable quote!! Anywayz, this chapter is different from the others namely because its setting things up for the last two chapters, yes people, I only think I have two more chapters to come, so get your reviews in quickly!

Enjoy;

AlannaWanabe

Thayet cornered Alanna as she walked off from the practise courts.

"Lady Alanna!" Alanna really was not in the mood to be disturbed; she had been practising for over two hours and had drawn in quite a crowd, which quite frankly Alanna thought she could do without.

"What is it?" demanded Alanna abruptly.

"I just thought we could have a little talk, there are a few things I think we need to sort out"

"Your Highness, please excuse me, I did not realise who was calling for me. I would be most obliged" Alanna tried to keep any sarcasm out of her voice, but was finding it a bit of a challenge.

"I don't want to steal him off of you, you know" slightly taken aback by this random statement, Alanna replied,

"Who?" Thayet laughed,

"Prince Jonathon? Remember him?"

"What would make you think that I have any romantic notions about Jon? We are friends and friends only" Alanna trailed off remorsefully.

"Alanna, I think the whole court has realised, including your fiancé." At the mention of Alex Alanna visibly flinched, Thayet ignored this and continued, "You and Jonathon are in love with each other, I would never intentionally come between you, although I do think you might have a problem with Sir Alex, he is trying to convince the king to have you both married by next month. I was sent here by my mother and father in order to secure a marriage, they did not specify who with. Alanna I want to be your friend not your rival. Do you think we could manage that?"

Alanna was in a state of shock, she had not realised that everybody at court had guessed hers and Jonathon's true feelings for each other. Panic rose up in her chest, next month, Thayet had said, she was to be married before the end of the month.

"Yes, I think we could." Croaked Alanna, "I need a friend at the moment"

As the two women walked round the gardens Alanna looked around her, it was the beginning of spring; the midday air was crisp and light, the mixed smell of dew and pollen filled the air. Looking around at the flowers, just starting to bloom, Alanna couldn't help but think that this would be the last spring she would ever have free. The buds on the plants seemed to mock Alanna, they would be free to for many more years to come.

Alanna was in the stables cleaning and mending tack when Stefan dropped down with a message for her. The message simply read 'I've got him, dancing dove tonight'

Alanna shivered with anticipation, she had not forgotten about Jonathon's attackers and apparently neither had George.

As soon as Alanna could get away from the clutches of Tortall's finest wedding planners, Alanna saddled Brego and rode out of the palace gates. Alanna used the long route into Corus; Brego hadn't been ridden in a few days so Alanna knew that the short ride would not be enough for him. The ride also helped to get Alanna's head straight about what she was going to say to Jonathon's attackers, so far she had got as far as reporting them to the Lord Provest. The only problem was that the attacker would in turn lead the authorities to George.

As she entered a great cheer erupted from George's table. Alanna grinned; this was going to be fun.

"Evening George, I hear you have a present for me?"

"Dear lady, must you be so hasty? At least have a drink before you start asking for things"

"I want to get this over with; I have waited quite a while." George winked at the men on his table,

"See boys what did I tell you? Our little Alanna here has finally come around to my ol'charm" Alanna punched him playfully on the shoulder,

"Please George"

"Alright, alright, im just playing, he's round the back"

George and Alanna made their way round to the back entrance, Alanna clutched George's hand as he opened the door to his private rooms; much to her despair she was a little nervous. Her nervousness was swept aside as George lit a candle. A man was strapped to a chair, blindfolded and wearing only his loincloth. Alanna giggled,

"Thought he was better than me, I think I humbled him a bit." Said George with a smile.

"He should count himself lucky he's still got both ears!" At this the man in the chair shivered. "Right then lass, get down to the point, I think our friend here is getting chilly with that door open"

Alanna straightened herself up,

"Before I begin, he doesn't know who you are does he?"

"Not got a clue, darlin', my men are good"

"Right, good. Now as for you," said Alanna rounding on the man in the chair, "Duke Rodger of Conte I believe." Rodger nodded his head, "What do you think I should do you to?"

"I don't even know what my crimes supposedly are. So how am I meant to tell you how to punish me?" spat Rodger.

"Careful mate, be polite, you are talking to a lady" George warned pressing a dagger to the Dukes ear.

"Let me refresh your memory, you sent men to kill myself and Prince Jonathon. In case this had also slipped your memory that is an act of a traitor."

"Prove it."

"George?.." invited Alanna.

"I had my men follow you; I found some very interesting information. Such as payment slips to the men who attacked the Prince and some very interesting spells on the King and Queen"

"What, what are you going to do with me?" Alanna smiled grimly.

People were howling with Laughter as they stopped what they were doing and pointed to the strange figure walking down the road in his loincloth. Together Alanna and George had led the duke out of the dancing dove, blindfold still in tact, and led him down the road. When they were sure that he couldn't work out where he had come from they had taken off the blindfold and with the help of George's dagger, they had guided him through the streets of Corus holding a sign saying 'Duke Rodger of Conte, humbled traitor'. With him was a letter admitting to the planning of Jon's murder, forced out of him by Lightfingers and the rest of George's followers. At the palace gates the guards took the Duke off of Alanna and George and Alanna walked back to the inn to have a drink and celebrate with the rest of the inn.

Alanna felt like a weight had been lifted off of her chest, with a lot of help from George she had managed to find her princes attacker.

"Thanks George, for everything"

"It was my pleasure; things are a bit dull around here at the moment. Here what's wrong lass?" To George's horror, Alanna had started to cry again.

"I was just thinking that when im, married. I won't be able to come and see you any more"

"So it's defiantly going ahead then?"

"Yes, next month at the latest"

"What does Prince charming think of this?"

"We don't really speak of it, but I know he is upset, we both are."

"As am I lass, as am I"

"Its going to be so, so boring without you George" Said Alanna breaking into tears again.

"It'll be alright, you wait. We'll still be able to see each other, I'll think of a way. Have I ever let you down before?" George grinned at her, but Alanna could see the pain in his eyes.

George escorted Alanna back to the palace for the first time, Alanna moaned the whole way, but judging by the number of times she stumbled George had correctly guessed that she had had a few too many drinks to walk straight, let alone fight off any attackers. As they got to the palace gates, George turned Alanna round to face him.

"I'm going to do something now, that I hope wont tar our friendship for the future, but I think you should know how I feel, even if it don't make no difference" George bent down and kissed Alanna softly. Alanna, wide eyed, took a while to work out what was happening and by the time she did George had pulled away. Alanna smiled a confused smile; George laughed and touched the bottom of her chin.

"Night lass"

The next morning Alanna woke with a sore and incredibly confused head. She vaguely remembered George kissing her, but she wasn't sure why. One thing she did know was that she loved George as a friend and Jonathon as a lover. Alanna's body refused to move and go to practise and just after she had drifted off to sleep a loud knock on the door startled her.

"Come in!" she shouted, with no regard to who it was and how she was dressed.

Jonathon walked determinedly in, stopped, regarded Alanna's nightdress loosely covering her, decided that he had seen her in worst states and sat down on the bed.

"Alanna, I have come to ask you something very important. It may require you to think about it for a bit but im sure that you will come to the right decision for you"

"Okay Jon, but can I ask you to speak a little softer, my head is quite sensitive this morning" Jonathon regarded her with some distain, but nonetheless continued in a quieter voice.

"I spoke to my father yesterday evening and he is refusing to call off your marriage to Alex. Now I have a plan, I think that we should run off together, to Carthak or somewhere out of Tortall."

"Jon. Are you mad? For you that's treason, you have sworn your life to serve the king, and what about your people; you are the heir to the throne, you can't leave them"

"I did consider these things Alanna, but I would rather sacrifice my kingdom, than have you married to some arrogant, foul mouthedâ€. Anyway. And with regard to my father" Jon almost spat the word. Evidently they had not left it on good terms, "I doubt even he would have the audacity to behead his own son or even put me in jail. Alanna I have thought about this, I love you too much to lose you."

Alanna sat back, he had given her a lot to think about.

"Jon, I need to think about this. Its hard for me if I come with you I disappoint my father and shame my family name. I also would never see Thom again, he's my twin. I love him."

"Alanna†think about what you're saying"

'I can't Jon; you wouldn't understand you never have to do what other people expect you to' Jonathon stood up and paced the length of the room.

"Alanna I am the prince of Tortall!! I have spent my whole life doing what people expect me to; I have to dance with every visiting princess, duchess, whoever, just in case I fall in love with them. When the only person I love is sitting in front of me and I can't have her."

Jonathon stole once last glance at Alanna and walked out the room.

A/N:, Rodger probably wouldn't have gone away so easily, but he was annoying me. So he had to go. Thanks people. Please review.