A/N: Disclaimer: I own Alanna, Jon and the other Tortallan characters… in my dreams. They're not really mine. I just have fun with them in my stories.

Alanna checked the cinch before swinging her leg over Moonlight's back and climbing aboard.

Jon rode up beside her on his stallion, Darkmoon. "So Sir Alanna," Jon said, in mock formality, "looking forward to a roof over your head and a real bed?" he asked, "A nice, warm bed?" His eyes shone as he spoke.

Alanna felt her face burning, and decided to take the comment literally. She did hate the cold. "Yes," she told him, trying to ignore the fluttering in her stomach, "winter is coming, and it's getting colder at night."

Alanna then made the mistake of looking up into Jon's face. Luckily, she heard the Duke of Naxen, Gary's father, telling everyone to move out.

The ride to Olau was uneventful, but Alanna enjoyed every moment of it. Olau was near her home fief, Trebond. Although they were close together, they were very different places. Olau was in a valley, a more peaceful setting, wile Trebond had to always be ready for an attack from Tortall's somewhat hostile neighbour to the north, Tusaine.

Sir Myles was not only the lord of Olau to Alanna; she was her adopted father. The old knight had always been more of a father to her than her real father had ever been. He had been far too busy with his books to even realize that Alanna and her twin brother, Thom, had switched places; Alanna had gone to the palace to become a knight, Thom to the City of the Gods to become a great sorcerer. Unfortunately, the magic had overcome him, and taken his life.

Alanna could hardly let a day go by without missing her twin. They had always been close, looking out for each other. He had made her her shield, with an image of a lioness rampant and had strengthened it with as many spells as her could find. It had never failed her yet.

"Hey," Jon said quietly as they rode along, "are you alright?" He could see that tears glistening in her eyes.

Alanna swallowed hard and tried to smile, "I'm fine," she told him, "really," she continued, "just tired, that's all."

"If you say so," Jon said, skeptically.

As they rode into Olau, Myles was waiting for them. "Thank you for welcoming us, Sir Myles," the King said as they passed into the courtyard of the Olau castle.

Myles dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand. "It's no trouble Majesty. Come, there is a meal waiting for you inside."

Stable hands came up to take horses from their masters. "I'll come and visit you later," Alanna promised Moonlight, as a young boy came and took her reins.

Alanna joined the procession that was heading into the castle, led by the King, Myles and Numair beside him.

As they entered the dining hall, Alanna saw that Olau's finest had been laid out for the dinner. Alanna took her place at the table, and waited for dinner to start.

The King sat at the head of the table, with Myles on one side, as the host, and Numair on the other side, so they could discuss what their next move would be. Alanna sighed. Roald was known as the Peacemaker, because he had gained peace between all the nations around Tortall. Roald took this very seriously. If they were to go fight someone, it would only be if the King Roald had exhausted every other option.

She sighed. Not rushing into something is fine, but they needed to act, it should be fast.

She was pulled from her thoughts when Raoul, Gary and Jon came and sat down around her. Raoul immediately reached for his glass and drank deeply. He sighed his satisfaction as he sank back into his red-cushioned chair. "Myles is always good for wine," he said, grinning.

Alanna smiled and drank from her own glass. Sir Myles was infamous at court for his love of drinking. Alanna could remember helping him back to his rooms many times as a page when he had had too much to drink.

As servants carried in the trays of food, Alanna suddenly realized how hungry she was. She quickly began loading her plate with the meat and vegetables that the cooks had prepared. Jon saw her and smiled. Even though she was far shorter than Gary and Raoul, she could keep up with them easily at dinner.

Once everyone was so full they could barely stand, they were shown to their rooms. Alanna was amused to find hers was right next to Jon's. She smiled, knowing Myles must have arranged it.

She found her things had been left on the bed that was against one wall. On the opposite wall was the door to the privy and a desk and chair. Alanna sank onto the bed, not missing the cold, hard ground at all.

A quiet knock on the door got her attention. She smiled and got up slowly, because she knew who was on the other side of the door. She twisted the doorknob, and was received by Jon's arms. "Finally," he breathed, "Away from that camp! No privacy at all, and nothing but canvas for walls."

Alanna smiled and kissed Jon, closing the door behind them.

The next morning, Alanna awoke to sun pouring in her window. She saw that Jon had left earlier, and let her sleep. She stretched and got up, putting on her normal clothes; leggings, shirt, tunic. After splashing water on her face, Alanna headed to the dining hall to get some breakfast.

When she entered the dining hall, she saw a man sitting at one of the long tables, eating a plate of eggs, bacon and toast. When he saw her, he smiled and waved her over.

Alanna was glad to see her adoptive father; they hadn't had a moment to talk the night before. "It's so good to see you Myles," she said and hugged him tight. They sat down and a kitchen maid came out with a tray for her, with the same on it as Myles'. "Why are you eating here, with us common folk?" she asked joking, "It must be the great service! How did they know I'd be down soon?"

Myles's eyes twinkled. "Jon was in here not long ago, as I was on my way in. He told me you'd be in soon." Alanna blushed, and tucked into her breakfast. "And the service here is definitely very good."

"So," Myles continued, "What has my favourite Lady Knight been up to?"

Alanna rolled her eyes and wiped her mouth on her napkin. "That mage is scaring everyone. He just pops up, and then leaves! No one knows what happens to him. And he must have amazing powers." Alanna told Myles about the soldier with blank eyes. His brow was furrowed by the time she finished her story. "I've never heard of such a thing, does Numair know about this?"

"Yes, he does, and I hope he can figure out what's going on, and fast, because we have no idea where he'll pop up next." Alanna replied. She sighed deeply and put her knife and fork down on the now empty plate.

"Speaking of Numair," Myles said, "I should go find him and see I he needs any help in the library."

"Okay, good idea," Alanna said, getting up, "I'll go and find Moonlight; I haven't gone to see her like I promised, and you know how smart the horses are getting with Daine around."

Myles smiled and told her "Leave those plates there; someone will come out to get mine anyway." She put down her plates and followed Myles out of the dining hall.

She followed her feet out of the castle and into the courtyard, blinking in the bright daylight. Moonlight nickered to her as she entered the barn isle. "Hey girl," Alanna said quietly and entered her stall. "How are you doing? I'm here like I promised I would be. I brought you something." She took a pair of sugar cubes out of her pocket and gave them to Moonlight.

"I bet you're glad to be in a real stall again." Alanna ran her hand over her mare's now smooth coat. "I'll have to thank the groom who brushed you. You look amazing, girl."

Suddenly, Alanna heard hurried hoof beats outside in the courtyard and then a big gelding that Alanna knew well walked by outside Moonlight's stall. "I'll be back in a bit girl," She told her mare.

She faced the door to latch it and then turned around. She was standing right in front of a tall man wearing weathered riding clothes. Her eyes followed his body up to his face and she looked into his hazel eyes. "Alanna," he said quietly, "I haven't seen you for a while." A smile played across his face and Alanna swallowed hard.

"George," Alanna whispered.

A/N: Sorry it's been so long! I got stuck, and then forgot about the story… but I'm back now! Enjoy this chapter, let me know what you think!

Alenor: Yeah, it's sad one gets left out of the love triangle, but don't worry, no one will be sad and alone in this one…

Theodora: (Everyone listen to her, it's going to be good, stick around.) Thanks for being so supportive!