A/N: Hello, my little lovelies...... how are we all? Enjoying the story? I do hope so. Well here it the penultimate chapter!! Are we all excited? I am!! Lol! Sorry, I have been so long in updating, but I had what could only be described as a brain block, considering im not a proper writer it cannot be called writers block, you see the logic? Anyway, im back and enthusiastic so this should all go swimmingly. On with the show.

Enjoy:

Love AlannaWanabe

Jon stalked down the corridor, Gary remarked as he walked past, that Jon looked like a tiger stalking it's pray; Gary was close to the truth. Jonathon had had enough, there was no way he could let Alanna marry someone else, even after she rejected his offer. Jon's pride had been hurt but he was not defeated and he certainly was prepared to try everything he could to get her. Jonathon stopped at a heavy wooden door and rapped hard against it. The door slowly creaked open; Jonathon stepped in, a grim look of determination set on his face.

"Hello Jonathon. I wasn't expecting to see you, I must admit I thought the jealously would be killing you."

"That's Your Highness, to you."

"Oh come on now Jon, would you be so formal with an old friend?"

"I think the optimum word there would be 'old', in case you haven't noticed Alex, we are no longer friends. I did not come to exchange pointless words."

"I never suspected that, although I do admit I like to see you wound up, it comes so easily doesn't it?"

"Actually Alex I think you'll find I do not get wound up by insignificant beings like yourself" Alex looked flustered for an instant,

"Oh, come on then, say what you came to say. I do have other things I could be doing, seeing wedding planners and such like." Jon looked as if to make a rash reply, but quickly calmed himself and replied coolly,

"I want a duel Alex, to decide who gets to marry Alanna" Alex scoffed,

"But why would I want to do that?"

"Because I requested it and if you had any true noble teaching then you would be aware of the consequences of this request."

"Ah yes, a challenge is it? If I remember correctly these challenges are fights to the death?"

"You remember correctly Alex" replied Jon, not flinching for an instant.

"And you love this, this girl enough to lose your life over."

"If that is the consequence, then yes. I am not prepared to sit by and watch you marry her without trying everything in my power to stop it. And if that means I die for the cause, then at least I would have tried" Alex reclined in his chair and looked at Jon as if weighing him up, Jonathon was prepared for this he hunched forward giving the impression of weakness and hopelessness. Apparently seeing something he wanted, Alex stood up.

"You have yourself a deal Your Highness, a fight to the death it is." Alex extended his hand and without hesitating an instant, Jonathon shook it.

"You've just shook your life away Jonathon and all over some tart that im going to marry. Shame really you would have made a great king." Alex laughed, "You really think you can beat Tortall's best knight? You are a fool."

"I'm not beaten yet Alex and if I have my way, you'll be in the ground and me and Alanna will be happily married by the end of this year."

"And are you sure you wont desert her like you did my dear cousin?"

"I did not desert anyone, as well you know. I will see you this afternoon the hour before dusk"

Jonathon swept out of the room in a blur, leaving a very happy Alex.

George's face fell as one of his spies reported the arrangements for the duel. His Alanna was going to be heart broken. Personally, the nobles could kill each other as much as they wanted, but he did not want Alanna's heart broken if prince charming got himself killed. George wrote a rushed note to Alanna telling her to go to the dancing dove urgently. George sent the note back with his friend hoping that she would go to him in time.

Alanna was brushing her hair in preparation for a ball that evening; the Queen was celebrating her 45th year. Alanna, for once, was excited. It meant that she got to spend another evening in Jon's arms. A knock on her door brought her attention back,

"Come in" she called. A slim woman bustled through the door, a long dress draped over her arm, a bag in the other hand, her hair flowing down her back. Without saying a word the woman walked over to Alanna's bed and shoved her things on it. Turning to face Alanna, Alanna could see that the woman had very sharp eyes and she got a shiver down her back.

"Im staying here for the ball" stated the woman,

"Are you? Were there no spare rooms? Oh and Im Alanna by the way, you didn't introduce yourself!" At the mention of Alanna's name, the woman snapped her head around. She moved her eyes slowly up Alanna's body taking in every detail; her eyes came to rest on a stubborn pair of eyes. The woman laughed.

"So you're Alanna." Sneered the woman.

"As I said. Still you have not given me your name. And how have you heard of mine?"

"Oh how silly of me," said the woman in a patronising tone", I'm Delia, Alex's cousin, I do believe you are betrothed to him." Alanna started open mouthed at this woman, this Delia Jon's ex flame. Alanna noticed Delia's curvaceous figure, soft full lips and sighed enviously. They had put her in a room with Delia of Tirragon! Alanna was outraged! She was not sure whether to laugh or cry. Delia looked very happy, of course, she had heard about the relationship between Jonathon and Alanna and she was happy that this Alanna was no match for her in the looks department. That was the reason that she had come back to the palace, in order to get the Prince back.

"So, tell me everything about court life, do you love it? What do you think of Alex dear? How do you find the prince?" Alanna was so flustered that she did not notice the note that was slipped under her door.

As Jonathon pulled his mail shirt over his head he sighed. Alex did have a point he was the better swordsman. Jon just had to trust to his love for Alanna, his hatred for Alex and the fact that Alex was over confident. Nonetheless Jon knew he most certainly had a fight to death on his hands. Unfortunately Jonathon neither wished to become a killer or to be killed himself. Jonathon picked up his sword and stepped outside into the long corridor. The door slammed shut behind him.

George paced round his back room, why hadn't she come? She had to be warned of what was happening. George punched the wall; something must have delayed her. If there wasn't a death warrant resting on his head George would have gone and found her, but he couldn't risk coming face to face with the Lord Provist. After ten more minutes of deliberating he decided that he had to go. If prince charming could risk his life to save Alanna's happiness, then so could he. George pulled on a cloak and stepped out onto the street.

'Well, well, well. I didn't think you'd actually turn up."

"Unlike some, I'm no coward." Came the cool reply, Jonathon stepped forward onto the court.

"Lets get this over with, I'd like to have you dead by dinner time"

"Witty Alex, see how much you'll be laughing after this"

Alex stood in position: Jon drew his sword.

"Begin"

George ran up the many steps that led to the rooms.

"Excuse me, can you tell me the way to Lady Alanna's room?" George ran off in the direction the man pointed. Knocking three times on the door, a tall attractive woman answered.

"Lady Alanna please!" Gushed George.

"Oh Alanna, a gentleman's here to see you" cooed Delia, batting her eyelids at George. George laughed,

"Got something in your eye lass?"

"I am a lady do not refer to me as lass you insolent man" said Delia indignantly.

"George, what are you doing here?" demanded Alanna, "You know what the price would be if they caught you!"

"Alanna, lass. Prince charming had organized a fight between himself and Alex, for who gets to marry you. A fight to the death."

"When?"

"An hour before dusk"

"Its already dusk!"

"I know, didn't you get my note?"

"I've got to stop it!" Alanna rushed out down the hallway. Turning she said,

"Thanks for coming George I know what this could cost you. We will talk when I get back. Thank you"

"Are you giving up Jon, or just getting tired?" Jonathon circled around Alex in a vain attempt to get his breath back, Alex was clearly winning, but he was arrogant, Jon could use it to his advantage.

"Alex, maybe if you spent less time doing your hair in the morning more women would want to marry you. Or is the men your more interested in?"

Alex lunged forward; Jon sidestepped to the left, raised his sword above his shoulder, swung it round and brought it hard against Alex's ribs. Alex fell to the ground. Jonathon quickly knelt down on him, disarmed him and kissed his sword to Alex's neck.

"Are you ready to die?" growled Jonathon.

"I accept my fate" squeaked Alex. Jon made as if to increase the pressure at Alex's neck so that it would cut his throat and then stopped short.

"If I let you go, will you promise to release Alanna from the betrothal and take full responsibility?"

"I promise"

"Then I let you go, but not without a warning, if you come any where near Alanna I will kill you. And that is my promise"

Jonathon stood up and pulled Alex to his feet; bruised Alex stumbled forward and began to walk off the court.

Alanna ran down the slope towards Jon, she had arrived to see the conclusion of the fight.

As he was nearly off the court, Alex turned,

"I didn't want the bitch anyway," he snarled.

Alanna carried on running, running straight on to the court. All she could see was Jon standing there, her Jon. Her fiancé. Alanna's copper hair streamed behind her as she ran towards her love. Jon's temper got the better of him; in a flash of light, he leapt forward and struck. Metal pierced through unprotected flesh, Alex looked stunned.

Alanna fell forward onto the ground, a river of blood pouring from a gaping wound at her stomach. Jon stared at his blade; now streaked with blood. Jon howled and bent down over her, pouring all the gift he could muster into her. He pulled her head onto his lap.

"Its no use........ Im going Jon"

"No Alanna, I wont let you" cried Jonathon, sobbing. Jonathon could see the violet of her eyes fading; feel the gift leaving her body. Even he knew it was the end.

"I love you Jonathon" choked Alanna, her face pale; for the first time in her life, Alanna did not fight back.

"I love you too, goodbye my little lioness," whispered Jon as her eyes fluttered closed for the last time.

Jonathon sat for a long time rocking her slowly. Tears streaming down his face.

Out of the corner of his eye, Alex saw a small black cat with violet eyes look mournfully upon the scene, turn and walk away into the distance.

Tail held high.