A/N: thanks to all who reviewed Lanni, lady Knight, brokefang05, Lady Shannon of RosePeak, elfesquire90, Saphron, Kathryne of Tirragen and Dom's Angel. sorry that i didnt update sooner, but i have a samll case of Writters block. Here is chapter 6

Chapter 6: Roger

When Jon and Alanna arrived at the great entrance hall, they found a huge pile of bags being taken away by a small army. In the middle stood a tall man. He looked just like Jon, with the exception, he was taller, his hair was browner to Jon's coal black, and his eyes were a darker shade. He is very handsome. Alanna thought. But there is something sus about him. Alanna held Jon's hand tighter. He looked at her quizzically. She gave him a small smile. Roger spotted them.

"Jon!" he cried out. Walking over and giving his cousin a hug.

"Roger! You're finally back. You said that you were going away for six weeks. You've been gone six months!" Jon exclaimed. "Roger, I would like you to meet my friend. Lady Alanna of Trebond." Alanna shyly seeped forward. Roger stared at her. She looked exactly like that brat Thom of Trebond. Thankfully, for him, Thom was out of the way. He forced out a smile and bowed.

"Lady Alanna. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," He said. She curtsied. "But will you please excuse me as I have only just got back and I am rather tired." And with out waiting for an answer he headed off to his rooms, deep in thought. Jon took Alanna's hand again. She smiled at him, and he smiled back. He gently pulled her towards the gardens. She followed. They reached a small bench that was out of the way, in the huge garden. They sat down.

"So do you like Roger?" Jon asked her. Alanna sat in thought for a minute.

"He seems nice enough." She replied carefully. She didn't wan to say that she wasn't sure about Roger. There was something about him that she didn't like. Jon brushed a stray hair out of her face. She looked in to his eyes and felt herself getting lost in them once again. He kissed her, and she kissed back. They broke apart when they heard voices coming towards them. It was Jessiker and Kieran playing some sort of imaginary game. They look so cute. Alanna thought to herself. When Kieran saw them, he ran over.

"Do you want to play with me? He asked. "I want to play chase, but its no fun with only one other person." Alanna looked at the small boy. He looked up at her with big pleading eyes. Alanna couldn't refuse.

"Sure I'll play with you, so will Jon." She told the small boy. His face split into a huge grin. Jon looked at her.

"Since when did you make choices for me?" he asked.

"Since now." She yelled and ran off. Jon laughed and ran after her. They had been playing with the two children for about an hour when Lady Julia turned up. She looked relived to see them all together.

"Oh I was so worried. I have been looking for them all over the place. They were supposed to say where I could see them. I hope they didn't trouble you too much." She told Alanna and Jon.

"Oh they weren't any trouble at all. It was fun playing with them." Alanna said. Julia smiled. And called her two children over.

"Come on you need to go and bath before dinner. Say good bye to Lady Alanna and Prince Jonathan." She told them.

"Please, call us Alanna and Jon. Most people do." Jon said.

"Goodbye Jon and Alanna." the children chorused. Julia took each of them by the hand and led them back up to the palace.

"You know we should be getting back. It's almost dinner." Jon said thoughtfully. Alanna nodded and took his hand. The whole way she was thinking that if she ever had children she would want them to be just like Kieran and Jessiker.

Meanwhile Duke Roger paced his study. He had expected to come back, with the Brat Thom dead. What he hadn't expected that he had a sister. How could I have been so stupid? He thought. Well it's just a minor glitch, I just have to get rid of the girl and I can continue with my master plan. To gain the crown of Tortall. There was a knock on his door.

"Enter." He called. Gary opened the door and stood in front of his desk.

"Um I was wondering if I could ask you something," He said. Roger nodded. "It's about Thom's death. I think that someone had a grudge against him, but I don't know who. Thom was a powerful sorcerer. Do you know of any mages that would want him dead?" roger sat and thought for a minute. He would have to be careful with his answer. The Naxen boy was smart, and he didn't want to give him the impression that he had been behind the death of Thom.

"There are many powerful sorcerers out there Gary. Many of them would have wanted him dead. They would have been scared that he would have become more powerful than him. Anyone of them could have wanted him taken out. Why so curios?" Roger told him.

"It's just that his death seemed a bit suspicious, that's all. After all Thom didn't have any known enemies." Gary replied slowly. Except for Roger. Gary thought to himself. Thom had always thought that Roger had some plan to take over the thrown. Now Gary was sure that Thom was right.

"Is that all you wanted?" Roger asked. Gary nodded, bowed and left deep in thought.

Jon and Alanna arrived at Alanna's door. Jon kissed her before heading towards his own room. When Alanna got inside, she sank down on her bed, a dreamy look on her face. She soon became so lost in a daydream that she didn't hear the door open.

"Hello earth to Alanna? You there?" Cythera asked. Alanna snapped back to reality.

"Huh? When did you arrive?" Alanna asked.

"About two minutes ago." She replied. "What were you thinking about anyway? You had some dreamy look on your face, when I walked in."

"Oh just about Jon and how he is such a good kisser." She said, her face going all dreamy again.

"OH MY GOODNESS YOU KISSED PRINCE!" Cythera shouted. Alanna nodded. Cythera sat down on the bed. Alanna stood up and when over to her cupboard and picked out her favourite simple dress. It was a pale creamy white. Alanna walked in to her washroom, calling out as she went.

"I'm going to get ready for dinner."

"okay." Cythera called back. She sat on Alanna's bed, deep in thought. True she had thought that both Alanna and the prince were close friends, she just didn't think they would get involved so fast. She sighed. So Alanna now had someone. She was happy for her friend, especially as she wasn't sure about her own love life. Whilst Alanna had been locked up in her room, Cythera has spent a lot of time with Gary of Naxen. Whilst she truly liked the big knight, she wasn't sure where she stood with him. Cythera snapped out of her thoughts when Alanna said something to her.

"What did you same?" Cythera asked. Alanna sighed.

"I said, are you ready to go?" Alanna said with a hint of annoyance in her voice. Cythera nodded.

They were halfway down the corridor when Gary showed up. Cythera excused herself after Gary asked to talk to her alone. Alanna headed off to the noble mess hall alone. She was almost there when she ran into Jon. He kissed her cheek and took her hand. Together they entered the mess hall. All heads and eyes turned to face them. Whispers broke out for the second time that day, only this time what they were saying was true. Sort of.

"Goddess she is with the prince. She is so lucky." One of the ladies whispered to her neighbour.

"That should be me." another whispered. Alanna ignored them, took a seat in between Raoul and Jon and stared to eat.

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