Author's Note: A very special thanks to my beta, SOPROL. Thank you so much for editing this for me, and thank you so much for the support and prayers for me and my friend. I really appreciate it.

Chapter Thirty-Four: Duke Gareth's Plot

In March, Alanna came to talk to Aly.

"Mother, can you block the room? I need to talk to you privately."

Aly nodded, and threw up a shield, "What is it, Alanna?"

"Do you remember when I fell through the ice?"

"Yes," Aly said, "I was scared to death when Jonathan told me you had fallen through. What about it?"

"I think Duke Roger was behind it."

"Alanna-"

"Mother, before you shut down my idea, hear me out."

Aly nodded, "Continue then."

Alanna sighed, "Well, I have suspected Duke Roger ever since he came here. Remember the Sweating Sickness, how everyone thought it was sent by magic?"

"Alanna, King Roald brought Roger to find out who sent it."

"Isn't it strange that he never seemed to figure it out?"

"Whoever did it had a good reason to keep themselves hidden. They nearly killed the queen and heir. That's two accounts of high treason, and there would be no escaping Traitor's Hill if they were found."

"What better hiding place than in the palace, apparently searching for the person who did what you did?" Alanna asked, "And that's not all; I already told you Duke Gareth's horse had a bur fixed in his saddle blanket when it threw him...and who does King Roald pick to be his replacement?"

"King Roald and I talked while you were at war. He believed Duke Roger was the best man for the job after Duke Gareth's accident." Aly said. Alanna turned away, and Aly grabbed her hand. "He wouldn't risk putting a bad commander in charge of his troops, especially not with Jonathan out there."

"Why was Jonathan put out by the river while Roger was up at the fort?"

"Someone needed to command the men down by the river."

"Why not Roger be down by the river. Shouldn't the only heir to the throne be away from danger?"

"There is no way to be in a war and away from danger, Alanna."

"Why don't you believe me? Neither you or Sir Myles believe me, although he suspects Roger too."

"Do you have proof?" Aly asked.

"Duke Roger isn't careless." Alanna said.

"In other words, no," Aly said. "Alanna, just because you hate Duke Roger, that does not mean you can accuse him of treason, which is what you are talking about. If you do, he'll make you look like a fool, and you will probably end up dead. I will not allow that to happen."

"But mother-"

"Alanna, enough." Aly said. "I don't like Duke Roger any more than you do, but without proof, neither of us can do anything. Alright?"

Alanna nodded, "Mother, I had sent a verbal message to Thom with a messenger of George's. I had to tell him my suspicions."

Aly groaned, "Did you have to get your brother involved?"

"Don't worry, he never got the message. George found his messenger recently. He had five poison-tipped arrows in him."

"Someone really didn't want to let that messenger get to their destination," Aly commented.

"Exactly...which is why I am going in person." Alanna rushed out.

"No!" Aly shrieked. "No, no, no, and just so I know my point through that thick skull of yours, I will say it one more time...No! I am not going to allow it."

"I am not asking for your permission."

"I don't care." Aly said. "You are not going."

"Mother-"

"No." Aly said. "End of discussion."

Alanna squared her shoulders, "I am going, whether you like it or not. Not now, but when the mountain pass opens. I was letting you know in case you wanted to come with me to see Thom, but I am going."

Alanna turned to leave, but Aly grabbed her arm. "You are really determined to go through with this?"

"Yes." Alanna said.

Aly sighed, "Then you are not going alone. Let me know when you are about to leave."

"Really?" Alanna asked.

"Really," Aly said. "Besides, I worry about Thom, I would like to see him."

Alanna smiled, "I promise to let you know."

"Besides, it will be nice to be just the two of us on a ride." Aly said. "It would give us some girl time."

Alanna nodded, "Alright, I'll let you know when I get set to go."

A few days later, Jon and Alanna were in her rooms. Just as Jon leaned over to kiss her, they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

Alanna got up and answered it. Duke Gareth came in, with Gary in tow.

"I need to talk to the three of you." the duke said. "I need a favor."

"What can we do for you, uncle?" Jon asked.

"Well, I'll get to how you and Gareth can help in a minute, Jonathan. First of all, Alan, did your mother tell you we had been in a relationship before she married your father?"

"Yes, sir," Alanna asked, a little confused, "She talked a little about it at my father's funeral, and then the two of us talked about it a little after we returned to the palace."

"Did she ever mention an engagement ring I had given her? I gave it to her on her nineteenth birthday, but she was betrothed to Alan already. Then on the day she left, I told her to think about it as a promise ring?"

Alanna nodded, "Yes, I know what ring you are talking of. She talks about it all the time."

"Do you know if she still has it?"

Alanna looked at the duke with surprise, "I can find out, but...why sir?"

Gareth turned to Jon and Gary, "This is where it will take the three of you working together."

The following day, Alanna and Aly were sitting together in Aly's room.

"Mother, I was thinking."

"Oh no." Aly said, smiling.

Alanna stuck her tongue out, "You know that ring you keep talking about? The one Duke Gareth gave to you?"

"Yes."

"Do you still have it?"

Aly looked at Alanna in surprised, "Why the sudden interest?"

"I had been thinking about how you always talk about it, but I've never seen it, that's all. You make it sound like it's a beautiful ring."

"It is." Aly said, smiling.

"Can I see it?" Alanna asked.

"See it?" Aly asked.

Alanna nodded, "You were talking about how beautiful it is, I'd like to see it for myself."

Aly stood up, "Since when do you have an interest in jewelry?"

"Mistress Cooper says I need to get use to woman things," Alanna said. "She keeps reminding me I won't be disguised as a boy forever."

Aly regarded Alanna suspiciously for a moment, but then nodded. "Alright, hold on."

Aly walked into her room, and returned a minute later with a jewelry chest.

"This was a gift from Queen Lianne and King Roald." Aly said. "It is very valuable to me, and one of the things I love about it is the secret compartment."

"Secret compartment?" Alanna asked.

"Yes," Aly said. "You see, here on the lid there is a little latch that if you flip it-" Aly did so, and the bottom of the trunk popped out, "-the secret compartment opens." Aly dug around in the compartment for a minute before pulling out a small satin bag, and emptying its contents into her hand. It held only one thing-a beautiful ring.

Aly smiled at the ring. "This is it."

"Why don't you wear it anymore?" Alanna asked.

Aly shrugged, "It was a promise ring, and the promise has come true. I don't need to wear it as a reminder anymore." Aly looked. "Would you like to hold it? Since you are trying to get use to 'woman things' as you so eloquently phrased it?"

"No, that's alright. I just wanted to see it. Maybe some other time." Alanna said. "Well, you know, I better go make sure that Jon doesn't need me."

Aly looked at Alanna carefully, "What's the rush?"

Alanna shrugged, "The longer I am away from him, the more work he can think up for me."

Alanna ran all the way from her mother's room to Jon's, where he and Gary were waiting for her.

"Well?"

"She still has it. She showed it to me."

"Good job, Alan." Gary said. "So Jon, should we go ask her to join us on a ride tomorrow?"

Jon nodded, "We might be able to give you an hour, Alan. I'm not sure if we'll be able to stall much longer than that."

"An hour will be plenty of time." Alanna assured them. "Just make sure my mother goes with you."

Review Reply

Sarcastic Loner: Glad you liked it...and everyone loves George

SeekDreamsAndFindHope: Don't worry, there will be more of Aly and Mistress Cooper...and last I checked, as the author, I had the final say in who married who in my story! My reviewers can decree all they want, but they can't make me do anything, so there! (lol, I am just kidding, I really like getting opinions from my readers). Yes, I am planning on Aly finding out about Alanna and Jon.

Anjalit2624: I am gad you liked it.

Elfsquire90: I might be willing to include more embarrassing stories in the story...maybe some embarrassing prince Jon stories?

Mistyrious One: OK, ok, here...I wrote more

Soraya the All Speaker: Yes, it is a lot of fun to embarrass people. And happy late birthday.

Trisana Sarrasri: I am glad you like it, and it is a little scary that I made Aly and Jon have a relationship like you and your aunt...but just remember, Aly is ONLY Jon's godsmother...she is not his aunt. And OF COURSE no one could resist George's charm...who would want to? Thank you for the birthday wishes.

xXthenextbookwormXx: I am glad you liked the chapter, and please, don't apologize for the hilarious mental images...I had some pretty good ones myself when I wrote this.

LittleMissGiggles'94': Maybe Alanna should have ran to her mother, but you know, I was trying to keep as close to cannon as I could while still making it interesting. Maybe I should have made Aly upset though, you have a point there.

spazzysassyangel: I am glad you liked the chapter.

KateCayce: Thank you for the birthday wishes, and I am glad you liked the chapter.

Miakoda of Pirate's Swoop: I am glad you liked it, and I am sorry for the shortness of it.

Brandi Heir: Yes, Aly knew that Jon knew already. Alanna told her mom that she told Jon. I am glad you liked the chapter, and thank you for the bit about how I made the part of catching Alanna in a dress unclear for Aly. I need feedback like that so I can improve.

randomgirl243: More romance between Duke Gareth and Aly is on the way, I promise.

a happy camper: Thank you for the birthday wishes. I am glad you liked the chapter, and I am getting a lot of comments on the bit in the chapter with Alanna, Aly, Mistress Cooper, George and Jon. I should have worked a little more on that chapter.