Chapter Twenty Nine; Belonging.

Alanna tended to her mare, even though her news was urgent. Moonlight would be carrying her far in the next few days, so she deserved a good rub down while there was time for it.

After caring for her horse, Alanna hurried up the hill to the palace then ran up the stairs, praying that the knights would be in their rooms. She searched Jonathon's with no success, and eventually found the others' rooms as well, with the same result. Muttering to herself in annoyance she went back to her own room; they were probably in the mess hall eating.

When they returned, they found her sitting on her bed, walls of protection up around the room. She was scanning Roger's books for anything that they had missed that might help them, and tending to her weapons. Her sword lay, unsheathed, beside her on the blanket. It was a beautiful weapon, the blade shining a clear silver, the hilt was plated gold, inlaid with silver wire for a grip. The pommel held an amethyst, as did the cross guard. Some of her daggers bore the same design, without the gems and in more common metals, while others were less ornate. She laid the last knife, now razor sharp down on her pillow next to its fellows and turned the page before tending to her crossbow, oiling the string and checking the groove. The protective walls flickered and died.

"There are an extra hundred and forty men, near a I can make it, camping in the Royal Forest. They wear Eldorne colours."

The men started, Alanna had given no sign that she even knew that they were there.

"Eldorne?" Raoul asked. She nodded in reply, "That'll explain why Delia was after you so much then Jon."

"Delia? She's in league with Roger?" Jon said, incredulously,

Alanna nodded once more and explained what she had seen last night at the feast between the Duke and Delia. Alex's mouth tightened.

"Is there no one in the palace we can trust?"

"Stephan Groomsman, one of the ostlers. He's a Rogue and faithful. You could always trust their Majesties and Duke Gareth, I somehow doubt they would be in on Roger's plans to kill them."

"Myles." Gary added. "He was one of the dolls as well."

"And is looking after your fief too." Jonathon looked pointedly at Alanna.

"Gods bless it!" She exploded. "Will you all please stop telling me how I really am a noble and belong here at court."

"But you do." Jon was perfectly calm to her blazing rage.

"No, I don't! I don't belong anywhere as a noble or a lady. I haven't for a long time now. Four years Jon. Four years!"

Raoul whispered in Alex's ear, careful not to interrupt the argument,

"Do you know what they are talking about?"

Alex shook his head,

"Not a clue." He relayed the question the Gary who just shrugged.

"You've belonged here even after that Alanna; for three years, as my healer."

"I don't belong at that palace Jonathon, and that's that."

"You do Alanna. You were born to it, like me, Like Gary, Like Alex, like Raoul."

"What if I don't want to be?" She sat on the bed, the anger leaving her eyes, although pain came swiftly to replace it. Jon came to sit beside her on the bed, carefully avoiding the blades, as his friends took the hint and left quietly.

"But you were. Nothing can change that." He took one of her hands and held it in his larger one. "What would you rather do then?"

"Than be a noble lady?" she laughed bitterly, "To study Shang. Or to be a noble boy so I could train as a knight. Or that I could just be Alanna, Princess of the Rogue than be Alanna, previously of Trebond, now possibly of Silvereves."

"Well I for one am glad that you're a noble. Otherwise I would have never met you. If it wasn't for you, we would all be dead by tomorrow night." He made her look at him. "Thank you Alanna."

"We still could all be dead by tomorrow night." she warned.

"But at least we will have a fighting chance now." He said

Jon stood, pulling her up with him, then bent slightly and kissed her on the cheek.

"Sweet dreams my Lady." his half grin would remain in her mind for a long time.

"'Night Jon." She smiled as he shut their connecting door.

She moved all the weapons into her trunk and locked it, collapsing on her bed. Thanks to the Prince she now had a lot more to think about that night than just the upcoming battle.

*Ducks weapons thrown at her by angry A/G fans* don't hurt me!! Remember how it happened in the books- A/J then A/L then A/G.

*Now ducks missiles from previously happy A/J fans* not that I'm saying it's going to happen that way of course…

OK, throwing the shovel away now. Remember my promise, that if it is at all possible, I will write and A/J and an A/G ending to keep all of you happy. You people are never satisfied are you??