A/N: And so at last I draw to a close this little story thing. I would like to thank ALL of my reviewers, every single little one of you, because if I hadn't had got any reviews I would not have continued. All of you who didn't review, you can thank those that did!! Just joking, thank you all for taking the time to read this. Im actually quite sad to finish it... also sorry that I killed Alanna off, did I do it okay though? Not to sure how I coped with the death scene. Have altered death scene recently, so you may want to check back on that one! As usual, comments welcomed with open arms! As a very wise person pointed out, Jon's feelings may be described in the song I'll be missing you' by R-Kelly.

Once again thank you so much

For the last time.

Enjoy:

Love AlannaWanabe

Jonathon walked slowly behind the coffin as it was led up to the great hall. His face showed no emotion, but it was a different face than the one that looked down at Alanna. His cheeks were hollow; his eyes sunken and great black circles surrounded them, results of not eating and barely sleeping in the days that followed Alanna's death. The hardest thing for Jon was having to tell Thom that it was he, Thom's friend and Alanna's lover that had murdered her. Thom had merely turned and walked away, they had not spoken since.

The coffin was placed gently down before the altar. Jonathon took a stand near the back of the chapel. Alex was standing at the front wearing a face as blank as Jon's own, everyone knew that he blamed himself almost as much as everyone blamed Jon. Surprisingly, Alex had stood up for Jonathon against the court and was able to save Jon's freedom.

Thom, unable to remain standing, sat directly in front of the coffin, bitter tears streaming down his face at the loss of his twin. For Thom it was as if one-half of him had been savagely ripped away and could never be returned, he felt that he should have been able to protect her, he was meant to.

The service started, as Duke Baird spoke first of the feisty nature of Alanna that kept him busy many a time, no one noticed the dark figure that crept in to the back of the chapel, head down. Gary and Raoul both said something about Alanna, but they found that neither of them could finish a sentence without their voice breaking.

Jon walked to the front, taking a stand in front of all the guests, he said.

"I cannot even begin to say what my thoughts are at this moment, guilt, sorrow.... The list goes on. However, I do know one thing, Alanna died happy; she died knowing that she was loved and that she had loved." Jon's voice broke as he continued. "Everyone in this room will remember Alanna for different things, her fighting, her sense of humour, her stubbornness, her smile. What we need to do is never forget these things and hope that, hope that she never forgets us." Turning towards the coffin Jonathon said,

"I'm so sorry Alanna, please forgive me. I love you and will never forget you, ever".

Jonathon walked over and placed a kiss on the coffin. He turned and walked back to his place.

As the coffin was lowered into the ground, many people found that they could not watch.

As Jonathon walked back to the palace, a man stepped out from around a corner.

"Jonathon" said the man. Not even realising that this strange man did not address him formally, Jonathon said wearily.

"How can I help?"

"I am, was, a friend of Alanna's. I was more wondering if there's anything you wanted me to do, you see it was, it was really my fault" Jon span round and faced the man.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

"George Cooper"

"How, Mr. Cooper was it you're fault?"

"You see I told her about your duel, I knew my lass wouldn't want you killing anyone over her, and she certainly wouldn't have wanted you dead. So she came to stop it once I told her"

"You're lass?" inquired Jon, his voice rising dangerously.

"Now, now, there weren't nothing going on between us. Alanna loved you so much, surely you know that?"

"I'm sorry, George, it's just hard." Jonathon looked at George again. "The George cooper, as in the King of Thieves?" George nodded, "Well you must have loved her very much to risk being caught by my uncle". George smiled wryly,

"I just though I would come and say sorry to both her and you"

"You needn't apologise to me, I best go, but is there a place that we can meet again? I would love to know more about Alanna's reason to ride into the city nearly every day!"

"Well, there is this place called 'the dancing dove' but im not sure it's exactly suitable for a prince!"

"Ill see you there Your Majesty." Said Jonathon with the first smile he had made in over a week.

5-Years later

Thom had never been able to forgive Jonathon, so as soon as he was made a knight, he took up arms and left Corus. He embarked on many adventures, but would never accept any gold from the crown for it. The knowledge that his sister would have been proud was payment enough. Therefore, it was that he found himself in the Bazier desert, living with the bloody hawk tribe. Thom had married a native woman and she was with their second child. The first child they had named Alanna, she had the same stunning violet eyes that her aunt had, and much the same stubbornness! Thom knew that he would never feel complete again and had grown used to the hole that he felt; it kept him always close to the memory of his sister.

"Your Majesty!" came a clear voice from down the corridor. King Jonathon turned around. Over the years, his face had grown more defined, his eyes shone and he had a permanent expression of grim determination.

"George!" exclaimed Jon. "And how is my favourite spy master?"

"Jonathon, we both know im your only spy master!"

"And where would I be without you eh?" George laughed. During the first few months after Alanna's death, he and Jon had clung on to each other. Talking only of Alanna, sharing every detail of their memories with her. Nevertheless, gradually they began talking of other things, until Alanna would rarely come into the conversation. It was then that they felt the wound beginning to heal; she no longer took up all of their dreams, or all of their waking thoughts. Neither of them had, or ever would forget her, but they both knew she would have wanted them both to be friends. Jonathon had made George his spymaster as soon as he became king.

"Now Jonathon I have been hearing some strange information about you. It is said that you were dancing with the Lady Thayet at last week's ball?" Jon blushed,

"I really like her George, but do you think, well you know, do you think that Alanna would mind? I will always love Alanna above everyone else, but.... I think I am in love with Thayet. Is that wrong George?"

"Alanna would understand, Tortall needs an heir. Alanna would not expect you to remain alone for the rest of your life. I don't think you're wrong Jonathon"

"Are you sure? George I don't want her to hate me."

"Jon, we both know that Alanna would never hate you."

"Okay, ill see you later, there's some things I need to do"

George watched him walk down the corridor, for George he knew that he would never be able to love another woman. He would just have to wait until he saw Alanna in the realms of the dead, until then, he had to contend with just the memory of her.

Jonathon picked up the picture of Alanna that he kept by his bedside. He had drawn it in the early hours of the morning while she slept next to him, it was his favourite. He liked to think of her that way now, sleeping contently, always by his side. Always his little lioness. Tucking the picture into his shirt, he walked towards the chapel. Jonathon tenderly kissed the picture and placed it gently onto the same alter where her coffin had lain all those years ago.

Jon knelt silently for a while, then he stood and leaving the picture where it was he stepped back.

"Goodbye lioness" he whispered, and turned and walked out the chapel without looking back. As he left the chapel, he saw Thayet walking in the distance.

"Thayet!" he called running up to her.

"Yes, my King?" she replied sweetly. Jonathon smiled,

"I need to ask you something"

A/N: please review, thank you so much, I am so sad to finish this story... but there we go life goes on. Love you All

AlannaWanabe

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