Betray and Betrayed
Chapter Five-Competitions and Friendships
Alanna met Gary and Raoul before the jousting competition of the day. Both were accompanied by Jonathan, causing Alanna to be slightly stiff around them.
She had forgiven both Gary and Raoul from years ago. Partly was the reason that both had no idea that she was really a girl. Therefore it was easy to forgive them since both, in a way, owed the other.
Jon, on the other hand, was harder to forgive since he both knew of her situation and he was her lover. Though he had told her many times that he loved her, he did nothing as she was banished. That more than anything else, had stung and stuck to her memory even now.
After wishing Gary and Raoul for the jousting competition of the day, Alanna started to walk away. Jonathan suddenly grabbed her elbow slightly. She looked into his sad and pleading blue eyes.
"Alanna please," he started, "I'm sorry for what I did. Please forgive me!" He begged.
"Jon-" started Alanna before Jonathan cut her off...
"Please, I'll even win this the jousting contest in your name! Anything! Just give me the chance!" he begged to her with a sad look in his eyes. Suddenly a thought popped up in Alanna's head.
"Fine, I will forgive you but…"she trailed off.
A look of hope sprung forth from his eyes, "Anything! Win the jousting contest in your name right?"
"Not exactly," said Alanna with a mischievous look on her face and a smile tugging on her lips.
"What then?" asked Jon, puzzled.
"You can be forgiven if you lose every match today. But before the other lance comes, drop your lance to the ground," she said. Though it didn't sound like much, what Alanna was asking was very difficult for a knight of his position. What Alanna was asking demanded that Jon give up his pride and be defeated at every round. Furthermore, he was going to loose even more face by dropping his lance, showing his supposed that he doesn't posses enough strength to hold a lance.
"Wha-! I'm not going to do that!" exclaimed Jon loudly, his face getting red with anger.
"It is either going to be that or none at all, your Highness. Good day then." Alanna bowed formally to him and when off to wish Char good luck before he was lost in the crowds. Jousting was his element, and not Alanna's. All that she signed up for was fencing, and even then, Char had to basically force her to. Since she was one of the head leaders, it was her responsibility to give an example of Tusaine's best.
I wonder if Jon will swallow his pride and actually do it, thought Alanna. She didn't have long to ponder on that thought. After wishing Char good luck, she sought out a seat close to the action, surprised that a seat was already reserved for her in the honorary seat of visiting countries.
Then the thought hit her that Char was in the fields so of course that meant she would get the seat. The first match was just about to start. In it was Jon, since it was customary for the Crown Prince to go first, and Gary, who was his opponent.
The flag dropped at the halfway point as both men's horses charged down the path, lances out and ready for the other. Then just as they were about to make contact, Jon let go of his weapon, just as Alanna had told him. Everyone was surprised at what he did, even Alanna. Gary charged at him and once his lance connected with Jon, Jon flew out of his saddle and onto the ground.
The crowd just gasped and a sudden silence sprang up, before polite applause rang upon the crowds. Alanna smiled that Jon had been willing to do that, just so they were on friendlier terms. He really has changed all of these years.
Unfortunately, that was not going to be the only match for Jon. It was common courtesy to have a joust with a person of the other country, and as luck would have it, the person was Charles.
The same thing happened as the last match, but this time, Jon went flying even farther than with Gary. That was partially due to the fact that Char didn't like Jon since he was a threat to his and Alanna's relationship, though she didn't know that.
The winner of the joust was Raoul, so the first part of the competition went to Tortall. Char had given his best efforts yet Raoul's bigger size had given him an overwhelming advantage.
Alanna gave Jon a warm and sympathetic smile before he was tackled by his friends. After she congratulated Char, Alanna went to change into her fresh tunic and breeches for the next event-fencing.
Grabbing Lightning, the sword that she had gotten years ago at a ruin in Olau, she made her way to the practice fields. That would be where next contest would take place. The crowd was already starting to get seats. Most of the knights from Tusaine had chosen to not compete in this contest since they knew that to compete would mean giving up their pride since they all knew that the "Lioness" would beat each and every one of them.
Alanna stood next to Char, since he was the only other Tusainian knight competing. Though he was as willing to compete as his men, it was his duty to fight in this round. Alanna scanned the field, looking at the competition.
Surprisingly, Alex of Tirragen was not here since he was on border duty. In her page and squire years, he and Alanna were rivals, so if he was not here then it would easier to win. So who is their next champion I wonder? Alanna pondered on that when the contest started to begin.
There were about eight other knights from Tortall, including all of her friends. Alanna grinned; I wonder how much they improved.
Her first bout was with Raoul, in which she quickly disarmed him, much to the surprise of the Tortallians, and the amusement of the Tusainians. Char also won his match with a blond knight that Alanna didn't know.
Soon the fight came down to four people, and they were Alanna, Char, Jon, and Gary. They paired off so Alanna went against her friend, Gary.
Grinning she got into "guard" position. Gary started the bout by swinging swiftly at her. Alanna smirked that at least he wasn't going easy on her. Apparently he still remembered their fights when she was a squire. Alanna quickly disarmed him and got him to yield, much to his amazement.
"Still a killer at the sword eh Alan?" he asked cheekily.
"You know it Gary, though I would expect you to improve slightly over the years," she retorted amiably. The pair just grinned at the other and turned their attention to the rigorous match between Char and Jonathan.
Both of the men fighting seemed to be having a mental battle with the physical one. Char and Jon were fighting so hard that sweat started to rain down their faces, and their breathing became ragged.
No one knew it but both were trying to prove a point. Char was trying to show Alanna that he could best the prince. Jon was trying to show the same thing and to prove himself after the dismal jousting contest.
In the end, Char faltered, allowing the Prince to sneak a strike around his guard and disarmed him.
The crowd exploded in cheers at the hard fought match. Alanna gave a cup of water to both as they came to the sidelines. Congratualating Jon on the victory and Char on a good effort Alanna started her stretches for her bout against Jon.
"Don't think I'm gonna go easy on you Jon," she said with a smirk.
"Nor do I expect you to," he replied.
After he was somewhat rested, the pair made their way to the field. Both bowed to the other and got into their defense positions. Neither moved as the crowd too was quiet. Both were accessing the other's skills.
Jon was getting butterflies in his stomach at looking at the determined Alanna. It had been years since he found with her and Jon wondered just how much better she had gotten.
His question was soon answered as Alanna struck as fast as lightning. His blade barely moved up in time to block the attack. Before he could register the hit, Alanna struck him again and again until the pair was engaged in a ferocious dance.
Finally, as Jon tired out, Alanna snuck her blade around his and the tip of her sword kissed his neck.
"I yield," said Jon. The crowds screamed in applause from the great show of sportsmanship. The ambassadors from Tusaine were looking especially smug at her victory but Alanna didn't care. All reached to congradulate her and finally the King announced a feast to honor the winners of the contest.
Since it was a win apiece, both were still tied. Alanna just groaned at the prospect of yet another ball to go to.
She made her way to her room to clean up since the sun was starting to set in the sky. Jon accompanied her since Char had gone his rooms and was seeing to the men, to make sure that they don't party too much from the victory.
"So, Alanna, I'm glad that we're on friendlier terms now," he said with a warm smile.
"Me too Jon, me too," she replied.
"So what have you been doing these past years in Tusaine?" he asked curiously.
Alanna just flew into a description of what her life had been like these past years. She described to him about how she got her shield and basically everything that happened.
What Alanna missed was the dark look Jon wore whenever she spoke highly of the men around her, especially Charles.
When they reached Alanna's rooms Jon bade her farewell and went off towards his own rooms, whistling and replaying their duel, noticing now how flawless her moves were. Then a thought struck him…she was fighting with her right arm. It was well known among her friends that her left was her strongest sword arm.
So Alanna had either gotten better on her right arm, or she was going easy on him. Jon just shook his head in amusement, same old Alanna, same old temper and still a killer with sword and tongue.
King Roald sat at his desk with his arms in his hands thinking of the things that had happened that day. I made a wrong choice in choosing to side with the conservatives that day. The lady Alanna has now become one of he best knights of the realm and ours stupid pride had just costed us a fine knight.
Author's Notes-Thanks to all of those that reviewed! IMPORTANT! This story is no longer JUST A/J! I've decided to have alternate endings with different pairings so that is the note on this story! Also I just wanted to say thank you to all of those that contributed to the reviews since it is now officially over the "50" mark!
Tiaspy, NealsChick, epobbp, kiki, Gillian, enchantednight84, Contorce, and blakmagevamp-Thanks for the review! And I hope that you enjoy this fighting update! I heart you my faithful reviewers!
Random Penguin-Happy that there's gonna be an A/G ending as one of the alternate endings?
Moi-LOL! You'll just have to read to see how it turns out…though they won't end up together (anyone actually) until the end or the last chapter.
Charlie and lola-It's not just going to be A/J now…hope that's OK!
Grace brings Hope-Thanks for the awesome compliments! Hope you like this chapter!
Disclaimer-Pierce owns all!
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