A/n: thanks to all my reviwers:Jules, Confusedknight, Lady Knight, Lanni, Dom's Angel, Saphron, Elfsquire90 and epobbp. Ok just so you know this isnt the end of the story.

Chapter 7: Truths and Celebrations

A few months pasted quickly. Alanna spent most of her time with Jon, Cythera, Gary and Thom's thief friend George. Around winter, Alanna didn't see Jon so much, as his mother had fallen ill once again. She had never fully recovered from the sweating sickness years ago. With Jon spending a lot of time with his mother, Alanna spent her time with Gary and Cythera. It had been one rather cold day when Gary had told her of his and Thom's suspicions about the Duke of Contè. Gary had been quiet surprised when Alanna had told him that she believed him and was more surprised when she had told him that she would help find the evidence with him.

"Why are you so surprised?" Alanna asked. "I had a bad feeling about him when I first met him and it has just gotten worse. The only thing I don't understand id why would he want the crown? And why kill Thom?"

"He wants power, and to rule the kingdom. As to why kill Thom? Well Thom would have become a more powerful sorcerer then Roger given time. Roger wants to be the most powerful person in the land that's why" Gary told her. Alanna nodded it kind of made sense. It would probably make a lot more sense if I were an evil twisted person, bent on getting as mush power as possible. She thought to herself.

It was soon Midwinter and the squires were taking the ordeal of Knighthood. Alanna couldn't help but to think that if Thom was alive he would be a knight now. Alanna was sitting at the banquet table, talking to Jon, Raoul and Cythera, when Gary excused himself saying he would be back in a minute. Jon looked puzzled.

"I wonder what he's up to." Jon commented to Alanna. Alanna sighed. Knowing very well what he was up to.

"I think I know what he's up to, but I can't be sure." She told him. Jon smiled at her and took her hand, something he didn't do often in public view.

"After dinner tonight, come for a walk with me in the gardens. I need to talk to you about something." He whispered in her ear. Alanna looked at him puzzled.

"Sure. Is it bad news?" she asked. Jon laughed softly.

"No it's quiet the opposite." He replied and before Alanna could ask any more questions, he started to talk to Raoul about the last fencing match they had. Alanna shrugged and continued to eat her pudding. Gary came back some half an hour later. He quickly walked over to Alanna and Jon, holding something behind his back.

"Lady Alanna, Jon could you come with me for a second? There is something I must do." He said. Alanna and Jon got up looking at each other puzzled. They were both thinking the same thing. What was behind Gary's back? They followed him up to the main table where their majesties sat. Gary cleared his throat. The room went deathly silent, with all eyes on Gary.

"You're highness, I have done a dishonourable thing tonight.I broke into a man's rooms,but what I expected to find, and what I did find was much worse." Gary said quiet clearly. Put a wrapped up cloth and a letter on the table. Alanna looked up and saw Roger pale rather noticeably. He's done it. Alanna thought happily to herself. He has found the evidence against Roger! The King unwrapped the cloth. Inside were exact replicas of the King, Queen, Duke Garath, Jon, the Lord Provost and even one of Alanna. Gary stared into Rogers eyes.

"Should I tell them you're Grace? Should I tell them about your privet workroom, where I found the images. the one of the Queen under a run water making the really Queen fade away slowly. Should I tell them about the letter I found telling you that the hit man you had hired to kill Thom had done his job but had been killed. Should I-"

"Liar," the Duke snapped. "Its all lies. I tell you. I would never want to harm the King or his family. I am apart of their family. It would be tragic if something happened to them, especially Jonathan." Duke Garath stood up.

"You know if something did happen to Jonathan, you Roger would be next in line for the Crown. I can see were Gary is coming from." He told Roger.

"I swear by the gods that this is all lies. I demand a duel to the death. The winner shall will by the will of the gods. But I know that I shall win because I am innocent," Gary shrugged in agreement.

"As the accused I say we do it now." Roger continued. The King looked at the image of himself again and nodded.

"In one hour," he declared. "We meet in the finest fencing room." He stood up and left with The Queen on his arm. All of a sudden, there was a great noise of scrapings of chairs against the floor and the excited chatter. Jon looked at Gary.

"Is it true? You're not just making this up are you?" he asked. Gary looked at Jon then gave him the letter.

"Read it if you don't believe me. Go on. " Gary said. Jon quickly scanned the letter. His face paled.

"I believe you." He told Gary. Gary smiled weakly.

"if you excuse me I must get going I have to prepare." He told Alanna and Jon. They nodded, and Gary left. Alanna looked at Jon and smiled sadly.

"I guess we won't get to go on that walk you wanted to go on," She told him. "I feel so sorry for you. One of your cousins is going to die." She gave him a huge, whilst he held onto her for support.

"I hope Gary wins, I really do. We can go on that walk later if you like." He told her. She nodded, took his hand and they went off to the finest fencing room.

When Alanna and Jon entered, most of the nobles were already there. Jon led Alanna up the stairs and took a seat behind his parents, Alanna sitting next to him. The room was rather quiet, expect for the whispering and the rustling of gowns. Gary entered with his father and Cythera. She looked like she had been crying. Duke Garath said something to his son and then joined their majesties. Gary smiled at Cythera and whispered something into her ear. She gave him a weak smile and a kiss on the lips, before heading up to join Alanna and Jon. She sat down next to Alanna, who leanded overand hugged her friend.

"Oh Alanna I don't want him to die." She whispered to her.

"Don't worry, he wont just you see." Alanna told her. Just then, Duke Roger entered,looking rather confident. Both Roger and Gary started stretching, and warming up. The King stood up. They assumed the 'guard position'

"Begin." Roald said. Alanna watched in amazement and awe at how fast they were. She sighed wistfully. She had always wanted to be a knight. To bad, her father had found out about her plans and sent her to the convent. Alanna winced as Roger's sword nicked Gary's left arm. From where Alanna was sitting, it looked as though Gary was going to lose. It was then by some brilliant stroke of luck, that Roger stumbled and fell. Gary kicked his sword out of his hand and plunged his sword into the Duke's heart. The room was silent. Everyone looked at Gary in shock as though he was a monster. He had just killed the King's nephew.

An hour later Jon and Alanna were walking through the gardens. Cythera was inside with her hero Gary celebrating his victory. Outside the moon was out casting a soft glow and the snow lay perfectly untouched. They had been walking for almost ten minutes in complete silence when Jon asked quietly

"Do you love me Alanna?" Alanna looked him in the eye already knowing the answer.

"Yes. Why?" she asked. He shifted uncomfortably, as if he was trying to make his mind up about something.

"Well I was going to save this for the ball next week, but after the events of today I realised that life is to short to wait." He said

"Spit it out Jon," She said. "I hate it when you just go on and don't actually answer my question." Jon pulled a small box out of his pocket. He bent down onto one knee.

"Alanna my love. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife and Queen?" he asked. She stared at him, in complete shock.

"Jon…I…I…don't know what to say…I guess so. Yes. Yes I will marry you." she stammered. He smiled and put the ring on her finger. It was a diamond on a gold band with sapphires on either side. He stood up, and kissed her. Then picked her up and twirled her around.

"Shouldn't we tell your parents?" she asked when he put her on the ground.

"We can tell them tomorrow." He replied. Alanna nodded.

"Let's go in. its cold out here." She commented. He took her hand and they went inside and up to her rooms.

A/n please tell me what you think and THIS ISNT THE END OF THE STORY! i might do a sequel if enough people want one.Please review!