Disclaimer: You understand what's up, I own nothing but the changes in the story, so yeah…

Hey people, I'm going away to Queensland for a week or so, so I probably can't update too soon but I'll try. And I might so happen to update quicker if I had some persuasion, such as a review perhaps…

Chapter 4: Days of ordeal

Squire Alan sat nervously inside Duke Gareth the elder's office. The squire fidgeted in his seat, unsure of why he was there. The Duke surveyed the small form and cleared his throat to gain Alan's attention.

He stared at the small boy and wondered how such a small thing could become one of his best students before he continued: "Alan, as you know. Your years as a squire are coming to an end, and therefore it is time for you to take your ordeal this midwinter. I wish you all the luck, and I trust you have already chosen two knights to read you the code."

Alan took in this comment slowly and realised that the only two she could ask were Gary and Jonathan, and she was thoroughly not looking forward to the situation it would cause.

The Duke continued to speak, assuming that Alan's silence was simply due to the nerves of the ordeal. "Before I dismiss you, I would like you to pass on a message for me to your sister."

Alan stared blankly at the Duke, mind working furiously; panic half swallowed her common sense before she reminded herself that it was only a message, nothing too bad.

The duke handed the squire a thin sealed envelope, and gestured to dismiss him.

Alanna walked down the corridor, thoughts running through her mind. She was concerned, about Jon and about Gary.

When she finally reached her rooms, she sat down and sliced open the letter the duke had given her to pass on to her 'sister'. Inside lay a thin piece of parchment with a few sentences written in perfect flourishes:

Dear Lady Alanna of Trebond,

I trust that your brother Alan has passed this onto you, I hope it finds you well.

We look forward to your arrival, and I'm sure my son Gareth is as anxious as me to meet you.

I am writing mainly to inquire if you would be coming for your brothers midwinter ordeal, I'm afraid it might be a subject that your brother has neglected to inform you of as the preparation and the lead up can be quite hazardous towards the mind.

Looking forward to meeting my future daughter-in-law. Welcome to the Naxen family.

Duke Gareth of Naxen

Alanna stared at the paper and banged her head against her new desk, she groaned silently and prayed that the Great mother would lead her out of this mess.

How was she suppose to work this out? Once she told everyone who she truly was, she would disgrace Gary and her betrothal would certainly be broken off. But was that what she wanted, was it? Well she didn't have another choice, unless…

Jonathan's door swung open with a creak and footsteps approached Alanna's door. The girl stared at the door as it slowly swung open, revealing the shadow of Jonathan standing in the doorway.

She looked at him coldly, wishing he would just disappear, leave her to her own thoughts and make her life simpler than it was at that time.

Jon returned her look stare for stare, unflinchingly as Alanna's eyes started to blaze with annoyance and anger. Alanna dropped her gaze as she lifted herself from her seat and headed straight towards the door.

The prince grabbed Alanna by her waist and lifted her easily despite her struggles and language. He propped her simply on his bed and knelt down in front of her struggling form, he stared up into her eyes.

The small girl tried to avoid his gaze, but his powerful sapphire eyes drew her in until she no longer felt angry.

Jon watched her eyes lose their intensity, he quietly said: "Alanna, I'm sorry I said those things I said yesterday, I didn't mean it in that way. I want you to know that…"

Alanna interrupted him mid-sentence, knowing all too well what came next: "Jon, my ordeal is coming up this midwinter, and I need two knights to instruct me on the code and since you know about…umm…me, then…umm…could you…"

Jon sighed inwardly, he ran a hand through his raven black hair, managing to make it stand up and look handsomely messy: " He grinned at her: "Of course, you are my squire after all, I could instruct you on the code after you bathe. Who's the other…?"

He stopped halfway through the sentence at his realisation: "No, you can't…No…"

Alanna looked away from his intense stare: "Who else do you suggest Jon?" She directed her gaze back to his face and quirked her eyebrow at him: "Why, are you, the prince, jealous? You just don't want him to see me naked."

"No, you're right, I don't. Why, do you? Do you?"

Alanna simply laughed at him and backed up onto Jon's bed: "Seriously Jon, you can't deny it, no matter what you say, I'm still betrothed to him, besides, he's a friend and I trust him."

Jon sighed and climbed next to Alanna, his long arm circling her waist. She smiled to herself and looped her arm around his neck, breathing in his scent. Slowly, she pried away his arm and jumped off his bed: "I'm going to find Gary, I'll see you for lunch."

Jon stared after her, his face blank. He was fiercely jealous, though he would never admit it, he was. Alanna had hit the spot dead on and she knew it. She knew how to manipulate him sometimes, and sometimes she knew him all too well, but after all, that's what he loved about her.

He didn't know how to share the girl he loved most with his best friend, it definitely was time he and Gary had a talk because he simply refused to share Alanna, betrothed or not.

Right, that's it for this chapter, my mind is already writing the next chapter so maybe you won't have to wait too long…Ok, tell me what you think, R&R pleaz.

Luv C.

One more very important thing, thank you to my reviewers, luv ya!!