PussinBoots: Thank you very muchly for reviewing. This chapter is a lot longer, or at least I think it is. I hope you like it!

imogenhm: Thank you! Here's another chapter, longer than the other two! I hope you'll continue reading.

jollyrancher-j2k: Ahh, I'm totally with you on that one. I seemed to have missed that, or at least they didn't do it in my town. I don't think I could be silent for a whole day though, I can barely be quiet for five minutes. Congrats to you! And thank you for reviewing!

Waterfaerie15: Thank you. I thought that I would try my best to keep it the same as I could totally see him having that reaction. Gary is a lot of fun to write. I hope you'll keep reading!

AnnmarieAspasia: Thank you for the constructive feedback. I do tend to ramble on about some things sometimes, I'll try to keep from doing that too much. Hope you'll keep reading!

Guacamole13: Hah, sorry I couldn't get an update up the very next day, but I hope this longer chapter will make up for it. Thank you for reviewing!

queen-of-sapphires: Thank you!

Sand Panda: Wow, your review was great. I really loved all the advice. You're right, while in books it's handy to have refreshers people don't need them if they're reading fanfics. I'm going to try to be really careful with Gary and Alanna's relationship. She was a guy to him for many years so it's going to progress slowly. The reason that I made Gary nervous was because he knew that she had wanted Jon to ask her to be his squire, I guess I didn't really make that clear. I'll take note on all your hints to make this fanfic flow, I really appreciate it! Thank you so much, I hope you'll keep reading!

Speaky: SPEAKY! glomp Glad you liked it, Lovie.

Avchocaholic: Yeah, several people have said this. I'll try to figure that out, thank you for reviewing!

epobbp: Thanks! Here's the update below.

Devious Sorceress: Yeah, I always loved Gary, he's really very funny. I'm not sure if I'm going to have George like her, probably not, even though I adore George and would marry him myself in an instant, because the plot might get too wrapped up in the love triangle rather than action. Maybe though, we'll see! Thanks!

Skysong: Thank you! I'll fix the spacing. I hope you'll like this next chapter!

Disclaimer- I don't own it...Oh wait, I own the town of Kent, so far as I know, and Sir Vernon.


CHAPTER THREE

Alanna sat in her room, struggling through a sheet of mathmatics. She grimaced and rubbed at her head. She heard a knock on the door between her room and Gary's.

"PLEASE let this be the Goddess, coming to reward me for all the hard work I've done." She called by way of greeting. Gary laughed and siddled into her room. He sat down on the window sill.

I would offer to help, oh diligent squire," He said, "But alas, I am quite helpless at mathematics, as you well know." Alanna snorted and idlly drew a sword on the edge of her blotted paper.

"Mithros, I'm tired." She moaned. Then straightened and turned to face Gary, "Hey, I've been meaning to ask you. Are we going somewhere soon?" Gary cocked an eyebrow at the girl,

"Am I that bad with stealth?" He inquired with a grimace.

"Well," Alanna said with a rueful shrug, "I couldn't help but notice you had gotten out your bags and camping gear."

Gary laughed,
"There is a tournament coming up in Kent soon. I thought maybe I could try my luck there, I'm eager for a change of scenery, I must admit. And if you wanted to, you could always enter yourself, I'll wager that you could beat most in sword play." Alanna blushed at the compliment and said,

"Sounds like a fun challenge. I'm up for it. When is the tournament?" "It's a week from now. It's around a four day ride to Kent, with no unforeseen problems, so if you really do want to go we should probably leave within the next few days."

Alanna woke early the next morning. Alanna felt that spending the day curled by the fire with a book would have been preferable to a long ride, but she gritted her teeth and put on the warmest clothes she could wear whilst still be able to clutch her reins. She dressed quickly, groaning softly to herself over the cold moist weather. She heard a gentle knock on her door and opened it to find Gary, awake and dressed.

"Ready, youngling?" He teased. Alanna lifted her nose at him and said pertly,

"Ready when you are, my LORD." She was surprsied to see a slight blush stain her friends cheeks. Before she could comment he said quickly,

"All right then. Let's get some breakfast in the great hall before we leave. Goodness knows that we could use some warm food in our bellies on a day like today." When they reached the great hall Alanna saw Jon and Geoffrey of Meron sitting at one of the long tables drinking strong black coffee. After Gary and Alanna got their food they slid onto the bench next to them.

"Geoffrey has just agreed to be my squire." Jon announced proudly. Geoffrey grinned at them and confided in a soft whisper to Alanna,

"I was really surprised! I didn't expect this to happen, I can tell you that for certain." He smiled happily.
Alanna smiled, genuinely happy for the both of them, and took a big bite of her steaming oatmeal.

They set off soon after eating, and around noon the weather cleared to a brisk but dry day. Alanna felt almost giddy with excitement. She was off to her first tournament with a good friend, what more could she ask for?

"So, Alanna, tell me about your brother." Gary suggested after a quarter hour of riding, and Alanna launched into a description of her brother and her childhood in Trebond. Gary laughed partiulary hard at her stories of dunking Thom in the duck pond. Time passed quickly as they swapped stories and before long it was time to get a room at the nearest Inn and turn in for the night.

They found a respectable inn named the Glove and Cross. They were both extremely tired from an early start and a long day of riding, so they ate together in the room they had rented for the night. There was an awkward moment when it came time to change and go to bed, but Gary quickly left the room to give Alanna her privacy. She changed quickly and turned to the wall and fixed her eyes firmly on the wood while Gary changed. She sighed contently and snuggled down into the covers and promptly fell into a deep slumber.

Suddenly in the middle of the night she awoke to a shriek and the sound of Gary falling out of his bed. She jumped quickly out of her bed and conjuring some magic light to her palm called,

"Gary? Are you all right?"

"Yes." Gary croaked, he was panting as though he had been running for miles, not simply sleeping.

Alanna crept over to Gary's bed, trying to be quiet and not trip over anything in the dimly lit room. She kneeled on the floor next to him. Until she realized we wore only a loincloth and quickly jumped up, glad of the dark to hide the blush that burned on her cheeks.

Gary sat up and pulled on a pair of breeches. He gulped at the air and put his head in his large hands.

"What was it?" Alanna asked in a low voice. Gary swallowed and said simply,

"The Chamber." Alanna didn't ask anymore, knowing that Gary could not tell her his dream, for anything seen in the Chamber was not to be spoken of. Gary shivered slightly.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Alanna questioned, feeling helpless. Gary looked down at his hands and said softly,

"Could you...will you stay here for a while?" Alanna nodded and sat on the bed next to him.

"Is it really that awful?" She asked, even though she wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answer.
Gary nodded and gulped down some water from the pitcher next to his bed.

"The Chamber finds your weakest point. And it just... rips it out and shoves it in your face. It's like the most realistic nightmare you'll ever face." He shivered and instinctively Alanna wrapped her arms around him, and then pulled back quickly.
Gary watched her in the soft glow of her magic. His mouth twitched and he chuckled. Alanna looked at him quickly,

"Just what is so funny, might I ask?" Gary flushed and said,

"It's just that...it's really odd to see..." He touched his chest and Alanna felt her cheeks burn. "It's just different seeing as you've been a man up until a few days ago." Alanna smacked his arm lightly, just was glad that he was smiling again. "I may be a girl." She said, "but we'll see if you think it's so funny when I put something nice and slimy in your bed tomorrow night!" She said, striving for a light uncaring tone.

She was gratified to see Gary blush himself, but then he grinned and pushed her easily off the edge of the bed. Alanna stuck her tongue out at him and cuffed on the side of the head before making her way back toward her bed.

"Goodnight Gary. We'll make an early start in the morning?" She asked climbing back beneath her covers

"Yes. Bright and early. If we're lucky we may make it in time not to have to camp and be able to stay in an Inn somewhere." Alanna nodded and snuggled deeper into her blankets. She hoped that Gary would have no more dreams haunting him. She fell asleep instantly.

Gary on the other hand stayed up late into the night thinking about a certain red-hair friend of his.

The next morning Alanna woke before Gary did. She got up and dressed before the sun broke into the sky. She practiced in the court yard with her sword for an hour or so until the grumblings in her stomach protested another movement. She went back into the Inn dining area and ordered a hearty breakfast.

She was just getting her food when Gary came down. He sat down next to her and yawned.

"Tired, master Gary? Been up with the ladies all night?" Alanna teased, Gary moaned in reply and mumbled,

"It's too early for you to be up to your tricks, Alan-Alanna." He stumbled slightly over her name.

Alanna bit her lip, surprised to find tears welling in her eyes, unfortunately Gary noticed and handed her a tissue with worry in his eyes.

"What is it?" He asked in a kind low voice. Alanna wiped her eyes and smiled at him a bit sadly.

"It's just kind of odd for me too. I mean, it's all so different now." She said mournfully. Gary placed a hand on her shoulder and said,

"And some things are just the same. Alanna, you'll always be my friend no matter who you are."

They took their leave not long after that. Gary's horse, Strider (AN: If Gary's horse has a name I've forgotten it. Let me know if he does and I'll fix it.) and Moonlight, Alanna's mare, were freshly groomed and well rested. They made good pace until the afternoon when they decided to stop for their meal.

Alanna plopped down uncerimoniously on the grassy ground. She yawned widely, sudden tiredness washing over her. She glanced at Gary to see him yawn long and hard too. He sat on the ground next to her and fumbled with their pack, trying to find the food,

"My, I'm tired." He said mid-yawn. Alanna nodded and was about to agree and ask what food was for their noon meal, when Gary suddenly slumped over and fell into a deep slumber. Alanna jumped to her feet. She sneezed five times, she cursed as she eyes watered over.

"Greetings, my child." said a voice that was beautiful and horrible at the same time, it almost sounded like hounds braying. Alanna looked up to see the most beautiful woman. She gulped and said in a trembling voice,
"Great Mother..." She stared at the Goddess who smiled slightly,
"I know that it has not been long, child, but I have need to speak to you again. There are some difficult tasks ahead of you, things I would not have you face if it were up to me. But I'm afraid there is no choice." Alanna opened her mouth uncertainly, but the Goddess cut her off,
"I cannot tell you what they are, nor how you cannot defeat it, all I can do is to tell you that you are strong, my daughter. Do not forget this, faith in yourself will take you a long way." The Goddess leaned forward and kissed Alanna lightly on the head, who felt a jolt of electricity go through her. When she opened her eyes the Goddess was gone.
Alanna blinked and felt all the tiredness leave her. She looked down to see Gary opening his eyes in a dazed way.
"Wha-" He began then stopped, blinking dazedly. "I must of fallen asleep." He said, slowly, more to himself than Alanna.
Alanna looked into the trees, her violet eyes troubled. She said softly,
"You didn't sleep long."

They travled the rest of the day with no mishaps, and by evening they had arrived in the town of Kent. They searched and quickly found a respectable Inn to stay the night at. They went in and while Alanna stabled the horses Gary asked the man if they had a room with two beds.
"'Fraid not." The Inn keeper said with a grin, "We're mostly booked due to the tournament, it's doing wonders for business. We only have a one bed room left. But surely ye're squire could sleep on the floor?" The man suggested. Gary hesitated a moment then nodded,
"That'll work just fine." He said easily.

Alanna rapped on the door.
"Going to let your wet hungry squire in?" She called through. She heard Gary's footsteps approach and the door swung open. She stepped easily into the room. She let out a sigh of relief and flopped onto the bed.
"Nice place." She commented, "Cozy and..." She blinked. One bed? She pulled a gold Noble from the pouch on her waist.

"Flip you for the bed," she offered. "Knights shouldn't get all the profits." Gary snorted at this.

"I'm much too tired to argue." He considered the girl for a moment then shrugged, "Why don't we just share? I promise to take up only the smallest amount I can manage, and you're no bigger than a toddler, so it should work just fine." He ducked quickly to avoid getting hit by the shoe Alanna threw at him. He stood back up and tisked at the girl.

"Temper, Alanna. We'll need to work on that one." Alanna yawned widely, her jaw cracking. "Work can be saved for another day." She said simply.

"C'mon, Master Gary, you'll need a good nights rest if you're going to knock some foolish boys into oblivion." She then proceeded to lie down on one corner of the mattress and fell promptly into a deep sleep. Gary smiled and laid down with his back just brushing Alanna's.

"The next competitor will be Sir Gareth of Naxen against Sir Veron of Heather Gap." The announcer crowed to the eager crowd who roared with anticipation. Alanna handed Gary's sword up to him. She gave the knight a grin and said cheerily,

"Beat him to the ground, Gary!" Gary grinned, a bit nervously, and pulled his horse into position.

"I plan on it." He informed his friend. He heard the whistle blow and kicked his heels into his horses' flanks. Together they thundered down the field towards his competitor. The first run, Gary hit the side of Veron's shield and skidded off without any harm done. The other knight, Veron, managed to clip the edge of Gary's sheild but failed to make impact enough to unhorse Gary.

On the second run Veron hit Gary's shield straight on and his lance shattered into splinters of wood. Gary managed to stay horsed, though failed to hit Vernon. Alanna handed Gary a pitcher of water when he got back to his side, and he gulped it down while Alanna watched Veron laugh with his friends.

"He's slow." She murmured,
"Hmmm? What was that, Alanna?" Gary asked. Alanna blushed but shrugging she replied,

"He's slow. He doesn't add force until after he's hit the shield, you need to get him before he applies the force."

Gary looked at Alanna consideringly and then looked over at Veron who was getting back on his mount. He nodded, "Thanks, Alan."

He said absently, forgetting her true identity for a moment. Gary shifted into position for the final run and hoisted his shield up in front of him. He brought his lance to cross his mount's neck and waited.

The whistle blew.

Gary urged his mounted into a gallop and thundered down the lane bringing his lance up at the last moment and hitting Veron's shield head-on. His lance shattered due to the impact but Veron flew out of his saddle. He hit the ground with a loud thump and lay still for a moment before sitting up slowly. Suddenly the stadium exploded in cheers, they were as taken by surprise as Gary was at the results, and from the sounds of it just as pleased. Gary rode back over to Alanna who handed him the water with a grin plastered on her face.

Gary won five duels with the lance and won a prize of 200 gold nobles. Alanna watched him with pride as he accepted the trophy. She felt a surge of pride for her friend and yelled and whistled as loud as she could. After the tournament the two of them went back to their room at the Inn. When they got there Gary turned to Alanna and said seriously,

"Alanna. I have a favor to ask of you." Alanna looked curiously up at her friend, then told him that he had only to ask. Gary hesitated then blushing furiously he said in a rush,

"The thing is that there's a ball of sorts tonight, to celebrate the tournament and they want me to come but...pride won't let me go without a date." He said with a rueful smile, his cheeks still a bright red. "So...I was wondering if maybe you would come as my date...as a girl?"

Alanna gaped up at him. She sat down on the bed and gaped again. Gary sat down next to her, looking at her apprehensively.

"You don't have to-I don't have to go and I never really liked court events all that much anyway..." He trailed off. Alanna knew he was lying, she knew he wanted to go. She knew that he wanted to show off a bit. And why shouldn't he? He had won more duels than anyone else had that day. She looked back at Gary, who was looking as though he regretted saying anything at all, and shrugged.

"You'll have to buy me a dress then, Sir Gareth."


Authors Note: Okay, another chapter down. Sorry that this one took a bit longer to get up. I added some more things. As you can probably tell I'm not very good at writing the duels, action sequences are difficult for me. Also I just wanted to say that things are going to move sl-ooo-ooo-wly in this story, seeing as Alanna was a boy to Gary for quite a long time. That's not something he can just forget. But I promise, there will be fluff in the future. I mean, hey, they're already going to go on a date!

Cheers,
Hannah