Note: Thanks for the reviews! Isn't Alex an "evil little man"? (wink wink Queen Alanna of conte) Sorry if there are any dumb spelling mistakes, my 5 kittens chose today to jump all over the keyboard.

Chapter 14

The Next Chapter

Two years later…

Alanna sat on her chair, watching her children playing. She still couldn't believe she was the queen of Tortall. Roald and Lianne had died less than a year ago. Even though she had been shocked when she first heard, the sadness turned to panic as she realised that she would soon be the queen. She hated the idea of being the queen. Unlike her brother, Thom, she had never wanted power. Besides, she was a useless ruler and everyone knew it. Jon would be fine; he was born into the royal family from the start. And he was a born leader. Unlike her. Sure, she had helped Coram to look after Trebond while she was away, but that was only a small fief. This was the whole of Tortall! She was scared, in truth. Very scared.

Alanna turned pale. This couldn't be happening.

"You'll be fine. I'll only be gone for a week," Jon said, smiling. She however wasn't.

"Jon. You know I can't even look after it for one day, let alone a week!" Alanna said worriedly, her voice getting higher as she got more and more panicked.

"You'll be fine," he said again, more forcefully. He kissed Alanna's cheek and got on his horse, riding off with Raoul and Gary, among others. Alanna sighed. She couldn't believe she was left in charge of the whole of Tortall. This just wasn't her day.

Alanna sat chewing her thumb. She really hated ruling. All these boring meetings were starting to get to her. And she missed Jon. Worst of all though, the people had started rioting. She had made a small change in the law. It was only small; it was just that girls could now become knights as well. She couldn't understand why the people were so upset…

Jon walked quickly to Alanna's study. He knocked on the door, and was let in by a relieved looking Alanna.

"You're back!" she said, smiling.

"Alanna, what in the Mother's name happened while I was away?" he asked, ignoring her sudden frown.

"I just made a few small changes, that's all…"

"Alanna, they're nearly at civil war out there!" he said, trying to keep calm and failing.

"Sorry," she mumbled. Jon sighed.

"Well I guess you did warn me. What exactly did you change?"

"Um, well, I only said that girls could be knights…" she said, gulping.

"You did what?" He gasped. Alanna held her breath. What would he do to her now?

"Oh well, I guess it's done now. And in some strange way, I think you're right." He said. It was Alanna's turn to gasp now.

"What are you going to do about them though?" Alanna asked worriedly.

"Ah, they'll come round I guess." Jon said. Alanna looked at him open mouthed and he began to laugh, she looked quite funny like that. Alanna whacked him on the shoulder, and walked off smiling to herself.

The people did come round to the idea, and Alanna felt blessed that she got out of that one. At first, parents were reluctant to let their "delicate little girls" to train as knights, but eventually they gave in. Alanna was overjoyed. At last other girls could have the freedom she didn't have during her masquerade as a boy during her training. The one condition was that they met the expectations of their teachers- or they were sent packing immediately. Alanna had to agree with Jon on this, or he wouldn't let them even consider female knights. She knew it was to make it easier for people to agree with, otherwise she might have said something else.

Sorry this is a bit short too, but it's my longest so far! Yay! Anyway, I'll definitely have chapter 16 up by tomorrow, probs by today but dunno. Anyway, review and enjoy!