A/n thanks to all who reviewed Kathryne of Jesslaw, epobby, WhitchyMage, Saphorn Lady Shannon of Rose Peak and lady Knight i love you all. ok this is my logest chapter so far...now the big question is: Is Thom dead hehe well read on and find out!

Chapter 4: Is this the beginning or the end?

After hearing, Thom cry out in pain Alanna jumped to her feet. She began to pace the room. Jonathan only looked at her, Not saying anything. Both were wondering the same thing. Was Thom dead? The door suddenly opened and Jon jumped to his feet as Duke Baird walked out.

"Well?" Alanna demanded. Duke Barid looked at her.

"He is a sleep at the moment. But he still isn't out of the danger zone yet. We won't really know if his condition will improve for a few days yet. I suggest you go and sleep, you both look like you need it. The tenth hour is about to strike." He bowed and then went back in closing the door behind him. Jon looked at Alanna. There were tears in her eyes. She looked so lost. Jon walked over and hugged her.

"We should go to bed. There is nothing that we can do." Jon told her softly, as Alanna buried her head in his shoulder. Alanna looked at the door and nodded. Jon led her back up to her rooms. Once at her door he turned and smiled weakly at her.

"Goodnight Alanna." He turned to leave but she stopped him.

"Jonathan. Could you stay with me tonight? I could sleep on the floor or in the other room, or something, but I just don't want to be alone at them moment."

He looked at her. She looked so scared and upset that he couldn't say no.

Jon woke the next morning on the floor. He blinked as the sunlight poured in from the window. He looked at Alanna, who was still asleep on the bed. He didn't dare to wake her. Neither of them had slept well the night before. He got up and folded up the blankets he was using. He looked over at Alanna again. She stirred and opened her eyes.

"Jonathan?" she murmured. Still half-asleep.

"Im here. Is there anything you want?" he asked. Alanna sat up.

"I want to see Thom." She told him.

"After breakfast." He replied. When she opened her mouth to argue he cut her off. "Thom will probably still be asleep, besides he needs his rest. Its best we eat first then go see him. We can stay there for as long as you want." Alanna sighed. It was the logical thing to do.

Alanna and Jon met Gary and Raoul down in the mess hall. Both were upset that their friend had been hurt.

"Duke Garath just told us the news." Gary said as he sat down opposite Alanna and Jon. Alanna didn't say anything. Cythera came over and sat down next to Alanna. When she asked, what was wrong Alanna told her. Cythera looked shocked and tried to comfort Alanna. But Alanna just stared at her toast as if she wasn't really seeing it, not really listening to what anyone was saying. After breakfast Alanna and Jon when down to see Thom. Alanna sat next to his bed and took his hand. Thom looked terrible. His skin was a greyish colour his hair and eyes were dull and life less. His lips were dry, cracked and bleeding. Both of them spent the day there. Jon only left when summoned to council duty. Thom slept most of the day, but Alanna never left his side. Both Gary and Raoul came to see how he was along with a hooded man. He told Alanna that his name was George cooper of the lower city, a thief and one of Thom's good friends.

Alanna was sitting alone, when Thom opened his eyes.

"Alanna?" he asked.

"im here." She told him taking his hand.

"I love you." He told her. She started to cry.

"oh Thom I love you too." It wasn't long after when Duke Baird came in for his hourly cheek ups. He had told Alanna earlier that her brother's condition wasn't really improving. As he was examining Thom, his face drained of all colour. Alanna began to worry. It wasn't a good sign.

"Carla come quickly.' He yelled. Alanna stepped forward.

"What wrong?" she asked. The Duke looked at her.

"Carla can you escort lady Alanna out." He asked. As Carla dragged her out of the room, Alanna screamed out.

"Whats wrong with my brother? Tell me!" the door slammed in her face. Alanna when over to one of the chairs, sat down and cried, something she hated doing.

She hadn't been sitting there long when Jon appeared. When he saw her sitting alone in the chair with her head in her hands, he knew something was wrong. He put an arm around her. She looked up at him. Her face was tear stained. She looked scared.

"Oh Jon. Something is wrong, but they won't tell me. They won't let me see him. Im so scared. What if we lose him?" her voice quivered as she spoke.

"We won't lose him Alanna. He is strong, he'll pull through this." Jon told her. She rested her head against his shoulder.

Neither of them were sure how long they had been sitting there, but neither of the cared. It was well past dinner, when Duke Baird came out to talk to them. As some as Alanna heard the door open she jumped up and ran to the Duke. He looked tired and worn out.

"How is he?" Alanna asked softly dreading what the Duke was going to say. "Please tell me he is going to be ok."

"Im sorry lady Alanna, your highness, but there wasn't much hope for him." The Duke said rather quietly. Alanna's pulse quickened. No. she thought. He cant be…

"Im sorry to tell you that your brother has fallen into the hands of the dark god. There was nothing we could do.He was a good man. Im so sorry." Alanna looked at him for a few moments then burst out crying. Jon walked over to her and hugged her. The Duke left quietly.

"It's not fair." Alanna told Jon between the sobs.

"I know its not." He told her, silent tears running down his face. "Come on. You should go to bed. You will feel a little better in the morning."

Gary and Raoul sat in Jon's rooms talking about the new lady that, to them had captured the Prince's heart. Lady Alanna of Trebond. Neither Gary nor Raoul had seen the prince the past few days as he was off with Alanna. They were both happy that the prince had found someone special. The only problem was that Jon wouldn't admit to anyone, not even himself that he liked the girl. So now, they were discussing ideas on how to make the prince spill the beans on his feelings for Alanna.

"We could always just ask him if he likes her." Raoul suggested.

"No it wont work he will just deny it. I say we drop hints, you know-" he was cut off from the door opening. Jon walked in looking pale and rather shaken. Both Gary and Raoul jumped to their feet.

"Jon!" Raoul exclaimed. "We were just talking about you and we were wondering if you so happened-" he was cut of by the look Gary gave him. If looks could kill, Raoul would have been dead. Jon slumped down on his bed and buried his head into his hands. Gary sat down next to him.

"Whats wrong Jon?" Gary asked. Jon looked up. His face was now stained with tears.

"He's gone…" Jon choked.

"Who's gone?" Gary asked puzled.

"Thom…he's…he's…dead." Both Gary and Raoul looked shocked. No one spoke. Raoul sat down in the chair near Jon's bed. Neither Gary nor Raoul knew what to say. They had just lost a good friend. Gary was the first to break the silence.

"Does lady Alanna know?" he asked timidly. Jon nodded.

"I can't even begin to know what it must be like for her," Raoul said quietly. "Wasn't he the only living family she had left?" Again, the Prince only nodded not looking at them but rather at the floor.

"Poor girl." Gary said quietly. Jonathan suddenly stood up looking angry.

"Why? Why would someone want to hurt him?" he shouted at no one in particular. He kicked over a chair that was near the bed. It broke into three different pieces. Jon did not care.

"This is my entire fault. I should have seen this coming. If I hadn't suggested that we go riding then none of this would have happened." He suddenly sat down no longer looking angry, but rather sad and upset.

"Don't say that Jon," Gary said calmly. "Your not to blame. You couldn't have know that it was going to have happened, and even if you did what could you have done?"

"I wouldn't have gone riding." He told Gary angrily.

"I think what Gary means is that what is done id done. You cant change that Jon," Raoul said. "besides is this how Thom would have wanted you to act? No! he would have wanted you to go on living your life." Jon looked at Raoul.

"I guess your right," He said slowly. "Its just not fair."

"Nothing in life is fair Jon. I thought you of all people would have known that." Gary said. Jon sighed. Maybe they are right. I shouldn't blame myself for what has happened. But it still doesn't make me feel any better. Jon stood up.

"If you two don't mind, I would like to get some sleep. Its been a long, tiring day. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast." Jon told them. Gary and Raoul looked at each other, nodded and left.

A/n ok so i killed him (duckspeople throw things) but it had to happen. anyways. please rewiew i love to hear what you think :)