A few weeks later, after Alanna had settled into the castle, in chambers beside her brothers, She found herself in one of the small libraries.

Alanna sat among the dusty tombes, reading one of them.

"You never posed me as a reader." Alanna whipped around to find Jonathan standing in the doorway.

"Jon, you startled me." Alanna smiled at her new friend as she stood up and put the book down.

"The legends of Old?" Asked Jon, reading the book's title.

"It has legends about women warriors."

"Of course."

"So what are you doing in here?" Alanna smiled. "Surely the prince of Tortall has some duties to perform.

"He does. But he snuck out and has opted to join his friends in a trip to the lower city." Jon grinned. "Perhaps the lady Alanna would like to join them?"

"Perhaps." The two smiled at each other.

"I miss being no one." Sighed Alanna as she and the knights walked through the lower city. She had opted for a man's shirt and breeches with her brown cloak over her hair. Her fiery red hair had been twisted and tucked back along her head into a fold at the base of her head.

"You were no one before?" Asked a shocked Raoul. "Shang is a pretty notable job."

"She means she misses the quiet of not having to be a lady." Thom grinned at his sister.

"Here we are." Gary held open a wooden for the group and Alanna gasped as they entered.

The room was plenty filled with men and a few ladies, as if on break from their days work. They were laughing and shouting, drinking rum and ale, all enjoying each other's company, as if they knew everyone.

"Welcome to the Dancing Dove." The group turned to see an old man step before them.

"Solom you old fool." Jon clapped the man on the shoulder. "We've come to see George."

"He be by the fire." The man smiled then left the five to their way. Thom led the group over to he fire and Alanna stifled another gasp as she saw the man who sat by the fire in a throne like chair.

He had brown hair was cut short, but still hung. His nose seemed almost too big to be handsome, but when he smiled it seemed to work. His hazel eyes held an awareness and knowledge that surprised Alanna, but they still shone with a jokester's heart.

Alanna's hood was far enough down that he couldn't see her face, but the man still watched her.

"Aye lads, good t'see you." The man grinned. "But what's this? Bringing me more of your friends are ye? This one's smaller then Thom." The group around him laughed, as did the knights. But they weren't knights here they were merchants sons who the man at the head of the room had taken a liking to.

"Perhaps that is a conversation best left for certain people's ears." Gary replied. At once the man's face changed and he rose. He herded the group up a set of stairs and told his followers they were not to be disturbed. He led them into what was his chambers and sat down at a table, as did the rest. His eyes never left Alanna.

"Now lads, what of this?"

Thom turned to Alanna. "This is George Cooper. His is King of the Thieves and the Rouge. Also a good friend of ours."

"Hey now Thom." George looked indignity. "When I said you could tell who thought was appropriate, I meant they had my approval, or at least I knew who they were."

Thom grinned. "George. I'd like you to meet my twin sister Alanna. Lady of Trebond and Olau. Shang Lioness." Alanna lowered her hood and grinned at the Thief.

"Good to see you again George."

"As it is you, Alanna." He grinned and shared a look with Alanna. "It's been a long time."

"It has." Alanna's eyes had turned a soft purple.

"You two know each other?" Thom looked as shocked as the others.

"George saved my life once." Alanna said while keeping her gaze on George. "I had been captured by Scanran pirates when I was 12. George got me out and saved my life. Brought me back to my teacher."

"It was nothing. Just in the right place at the right time." George grinned.

"You have more twists than a maze." Laughed Gary.

"Perhaps lads." George was still looking at Alanna as he spoke. "The lass and I could have a private word?"

Thom, catching, but disliking George's drift, sighed. He ushered the other boys out, then turned back to George. "I've only just got her back George, don't take her away." He turned and left.

As soon as the door shut George stood and Alanna rushed over to him. He enveloped the small woman in his arms and she rested her head on his chest.

"It's been too long George."

"Far too long. Now step out and let me have a look at ya." Alanna dutifully stepped away and twirled for George. Her grin never left her face.

"What do you think?" As she saw him smiled she sat down on his lap and grinned at him.

"What I think is that the fiery girl I saved from the pirates six years ago has turned into a beautiful young woman whose got more spirit then ever."

"Stop George, you're making me blush."

"I was always good at that." George grinned. "Now tell me, what have you been up to, it must be two years since I last saw you."

"I've been in the desert with the Bahzir. They understand about quiet, simplicity."

"Is that what you are now?" George looked thoughtfully at Alanna. "Simple?"

"I've never been simple George." Alanna tried to look down, but George made her look up at him. "I just want to have a normal life."

"Is there any room in that normal life for a good-hearted thief?"

Alanna grinned at George. "Always." The two kissed deeply and grinned at one another.