Chapter 8

"Every word I say I mean it/Every single day I feel it/But sometimes when you talk/It's obvious you want to show it/So don't blow it." –The Real Thing, Bo Bice

"Alanna?" Jonathan asked softly later that night.

After they had kissed for the fifth time, Jonathan and Alanna had migrated back to Alanna's rooms. They knew that, as Alanna was now a known woman, she would have more privacy than Jonathan would. When they had reached her rooms, there had been a mad rush to get into the bed. Alanna had felt safe and secure in Jon's arms. Jon knew that she belonged there.

"Mm?" she asked groggily.

"I love you," Jon replied. Alanna rolled over to look at him. She smiled.

"I love you too," she said.

"Marry me, Alanna. I love you, and want nothing more than for you to stay in my arms forever," Jon whispered. Alanna froze. Not long ago, they had made up. Now he was proposing again?

"Jon… please. Not now," Alanna pleaded. "Not now."

"Alanna…" Jon said, stroking her hair. "I don't want a reply now. I can wait, I promise. This time, I'll wait. I just want you to know that I still care. That I still want you to be my wife." Alanna smiled and kissed him gently.

"I love you, Jonathan. I really do. I just… I don't know if I'm willing to give up what you're asking me to," she admitted.

"You won't have to give up anything," Jon promised. "You can be a knight as long as you want." Alanna smiled.

"You'd need an heir. I couldn't be a knight with a child to care for," she reminded him.

"I don't need an heir right away. Father isn't dead yet. You'd have a few years yet," Jon told her. "I wouldn't ask you to give it up, Alanna." You wouldn't ask, but the Court would. Alanna thought. She smiled at him. "Just promise me you'll think about it."

"I promise, Jonathan. I'll think about it. I really will."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

The next morning, Alanna knew she had to tell George that she and Jon were friends again. Jon could tell Raoul and Gary, but she had to be the one to tell George. She slipped out of bed and put on breeches and a plain white shirt. She scribbled a quick note to Jon and left it where he would be sure to see it. Before slipping out, Alanna kissed Jon on the lips and whispered, "I love you."

She had received word that George was back at the Dove, which made her job easier. Stephan saddled Moonlight for her and Alanna thanked him. She mounted up and galloped to the Dancing Dove.

"Alanna!" George greeted heartily. He hugged her in a way that, to anyone looking, was a friendly hug, but still showed Alanna that his feelings for her were still very much alive. "It's good t' see ye lass!" Alanna smiled and waved to some of her other friends at the Dove.

"Can we talk in private?" Alanna asked the King of Thieves. George nodded.

"Of course, lass. Follow me," he replied and led her to his chambers, the most private place he knew. To be extra safe, Alanna spelled the room. George raised his eyebrows. "Spellin' th' room, eh? Must be important." He sat down in a chair and leaned back. Alanna sat on his bed. "What is it?"

"Jon and I are friends again," Alanna told him. George peered at her and Alanna blushed.

"Ye still love him," George assumed. Alanna nodded sheepishly.

"George, I do. I really do. He's one of my best friends and I really do love him," she told him. "I love you, George. Just… not in the same way."

"I know, lass. I've always known. He'll always come first. I'm jealous, sure, but there's nothin' I can d' about it," he said. George smiled at her. "I like hearin' ye talk well about love. Ye thinkin' of marriage now?" Alanna thought back to Jonathan's proposal the night before.

"I don't know. I want to be a knight, but a family to look forward to coming home to is nice too," she mused.

George nodded. "A family will always love ye. And comin' home from yer adventures to someone who loves ye will always bring ye back." George took her hands. "And even if ye marry Jonathan, I'll always have a place in my heart for ye, lass." Alanna yanked away and leapt to the other side of the bed.

"No, George," she told him, staring out his window. "No. George, Jonathan proposed to me… again."

"Are ye thinkin' of sayin' yes?" the thief asked after a long pause.

"I think… I think I may," she replied. George was silent and she turned to him. She saw there were tears in his hazel eyes. "George, I-"

"Don't. Just… go. Go, Alanna. Please." Alanna kissed his cheek and left the room, leaving her spell on there.

If George was going to cry over her, let him do it in peace and quiet.

Author's Note- prepares to run from angry George-lovers I KNOW, I KNOW! I like George, I really do, but he needs to be upset over the fact that Alanna is choosing Jon over him. He may UNDERSTAND, but he doesn't have to like it!

On another note, I want to give a big shout-out to my friend iloveyourface. She probably won't read this, cause she's not a TP fan, but I'm giving her a shout-out anyway.

Now, don't forget to REVIEW. Even if you hate me for what I'm doing to George, PLEASE don't flame!