WARNING- strong AJ content to follow. Proceed with caution, AG fans.

Chapter 7

"When you're all alone/Feeling so far from home/Just hold on/Cause I'm willing to try/When you're crying deep inside/Hold on to your pride/Just hold on/Cause I'm willing to try/If you believe in love/Believe in us/Gotta find the faith/To never give up/I'm not gonna change who I am/But I am gonna give up the fight/I don't care who's wrong or right/Baby when it's all said and done/And you tell me you've had enough/You're thinking of giving up on love/I'm still willing to try." –Willing to Try, Bo Bice

Jonathan or Prince Jonathan? The words echoed in Jon's mind the remainder of the day. When was she talking about? Jonathan and Prince Jonathan were the same person!

"Jonathan, are you all right?" Queen Lianne asked. Jon looked at his mother. She was pale- too pale. He gripped her hand.

"I'm fine, mother," he replied, putting a reassuring tone in his voice to comfort her. "Don't worry about me."

Even Josiane sensed something was wrong. When the willowy blonde princess snuck into Jon's rooms that night, hoping to be drawn into his bed like so many nights since he had returned, she found him sitting on his window seat, deep in thought. Josiane walked over to him and started kissing his neck. Jon pushed her away, telling her to leave. Josiane walked away in a huff, pouting.

Alanna was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She didn't know why she was staring at the ceiling, but she figured it had something to do with looking for answers. Why had she told Jon she was having second thoughts? Was she? Why hadn't she forgiven him? Was he thinking the same thing as her? Could she ever change her answer?

Something Myles had told her reentered her thoughts. No can always be changed to yea, but it's very hard to change a yes to a no. Was it true? Was there still a chance she could marry Jonathan?

Did she want to?

There was only one way to find out.

Both Alanna and Jonathan had the same thought at the same moment. They both ran from their rooms, taking a shortcut through the courtyard. They bumped into each other, right under the moon, as luck would have it.

"Alanna!"

"Jonathan!"

"I was just coming to find you!" they exclaimed together.

"Do you want to sit?" Jonathan acknowledged a secluded spot not far from where they were standing. This spot was also illuminated by the full moon. In the clear night, Alanna and Jonathan could see each other almost too clearly.

They sat in silence for a while, neither knowing what they should say. Finally, Alanna spoke.

"I forgive you Jonathan. For everything. And I'm sorry for calling you spoiled," she blurted out. Jonathan slowly turned to her and fixed his bright sapphire eyes on her.

"I've been thinking about what you said," he admitted. Alanna faced him, matching his blue gaze with a purple one of her own.

"What?" she asked. "I've said a lot in these past weeks."

"About whether I want to be Jonathan or Prince Jonathan," Jon replied. "What did you mean?" Alanna looked away, blushing.

"I meant that," she paused to take a deep breath, "Prince Jonathan is the one I fought with in the desert. He's proud to a fault and royal through and through. Jonathan is the one I'm friends with. The one I- the one I love. The fun, daring, stubborn, strong man that I saw in the Black City. And the one I saved from the Sweating Sickness. Jonathan is the Voice of the Tribes. Prince Jonathan is the future king."

"Alanna," Jonathan whispered. "Look at me." Alanna turned to face him once again. His eyes were soft and caring, filled with so much love that it frightened her somewhat. But it also filled her heart. Jon put gentle fingers under her chin and lifted her face so she looked directly into his face.

"And I am in love with Alanna the Lioness. A proud, strong, beautiful, stubborn, temperamental woman who shared her secret with me. The woman who saved my life more than once. Sir Alanna of Olau is her other self. She is a fierce warrior who doesn't want love or marriage," Jon whispered.

"I don't want love. I don't want marriage," Alanna whispered hoarsely. Her voice was thick with emotion.

"You're a liar," Jon said. "And a terrible one at that." He held her eyes with his own. The intensity of his blue gaze was strong. Alanna felt herself weaken.

"Kiss me," she told him.

Jon drew her into his arms. "Gladly," he whispered. He pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her deeply, while pulling her against him. Alanna returned his kiss with one of her own, matching the intensity. Moonlight spilled over their shoulders making the moment seem magical. They pulled apart for a moment, staying only a breath apart.

"I love you," Jonathan murmured.

"I love you, too," Alanna whispered.

Before anyone could say anything more, Jon kissed her again, warmly and tenderly, making Alanna feel faint. His words echoed in her head. I love you, I love you, I love you… And, for once, Alanna didn't mind being loved.

Author's Note- am I the only one who is breathless? Are any of my fellow King Jonathan Swooners about to faint? Starting next chapter, the song will be "The Real Thing", also by Bo Bice. Now the TRUE AJ-ness is going to start, so prepare yourselves. Don't forget to review!