DRIVING THE LONG, LONG ROAD TO YOU, NO IT AIN'T EASY, THE WHEELS ARE TURNING ROUND AND ROUND, BUT I'M AT THE BEGINNING.

Jonathan of Conté sat astride his big black horse as the ship carrying his former squire entered the harbor at Port Caynn. He saw her red hair and smiled, shifting in his saddle. He could spot her from a mile out. A large figure came up beside her. Raoul. Of all the knights to meet her, Raoul may have been the best choice. He was the largest knight, and an old friend of Alanna's. Jonathan knew he would take good care of her.

The party moved toward him after disembarking. Bows and curtsies rippled through the group. "Your Highness," Raoul said. He looked up at his friend with glittering black eyes. "Or is it 'your majesty' now?"

"Forgotten your etiquette lessons already, Raoul?" Jonathan asked dryly. "Perhaps we should make you a page again." The knights shivered, remembering the hard work they endured to earn their shields. "It's still highness, but majesty would not be entirely inappropriate."

"Thank you for the refresher," Raoul played along.

"He's forgotten his manners again," Alanna said, elbowing him lightly in the ribs. "Jonathan, I'd like to introduce you to Thayet jian Wilima, Buriram Tourakom, and Liam Ironarm, our companions. This is Prince Jonathan of Conté – soon to be King Jonathan." Jonathan moved his gentle blue gaze to the beautiful woman – Thayet. She really was stunning, and had a strong, defiant twinkle in her eye. He suspected she was more formidable than she looked. The shorter, darker woman must have been Buriram. She had a fierce look about her as well, and Jonathan knew Liam was a Shang Dragon, a nearly impossible station to reach. He could not imagine better companions for her on her dangerous journey.

Alanna looked quickly between Thayet and Jonathan, searching for any sign of a spark. She didn't see anything, but she was still very queasy from the boat trip here. "Can we get underway?" she asked. "I would like to get away from the sea as quickly as possible."

"I think that would be a good idea," Thayet agreed with a nod. "Can you ride?"

Alanna gave her a surprised look. "How else am I going to get back to Corus?"

Jonathan and Alanna talked companionably on the journey back, often including Raoul and Thayet, sometimes Buri and Liam. They kept the conversation light and friendly rather than dealing with the obvious issue between them: her answer to his marriage proposal.

As they rode into the City, she whispered, "Might I peel off and pay a visit to George?"

Hurt filled his blue eyes. He had wanted an answer. "If you'd like," he told her. "I'd rather you come back and visit him another day, but I'm not about to keep you from seeing him." Jonathan knew that she'd go even if he asked her not to. She seemed to have selective hearing at times.

She nodded. "All right. I'll be back before long." At the proper place, she moved away from the group and rode toward the Dancing Dove.

Several hours later, a knock came at Jonathan's door. He sat, reading over a report from one of the border fiefs. He had a feeling that, after the coronation, he would spend a lot of time reading such reports. "Who is it?" he called.

"Alanna," came the reply. A tense silence filled the space between his desk and the door.

"Come in." The door opened and closed before he looked up. There she stood, in the same breeches and blue shirt she'd arrived in. "Have a nice trip to the Dove?"

"Yes," she answered simply. "They all miss 'Johnny.' I think they've decided future king Jonathan just happens to bear a striking resemblance to you."

"That or they're took drunk to care."

"That too." They laughed. "It was nice to see George. I'd missed him."

"Didn't you write letters?"

She shrugged. "Some. But letters and face-to-face communication are very different." Her words sat between them for a moment.

"I missed you," he said finally.

"I missed you too," she answered, almost automatically. Before he could say anything else, she sighed. "I suppose I owe you an answer."

He nodded. "You do."

Alanna tucked her copper hair behind her ear, avoiding his gaze. He rose, having a feeling he knew what was coming. And he wasn't sure he was going to like it. He felt his heart rate increase ever so slightly. "Jonathan-"

"Wait." He pushed himself out of his chair and crossed the room, grabbing her by the shoulders and pressing his mouth to hers. She resisted for only a moment before losing herself in the familiar feeling of his lips and his body pressed against hers. They moved in perfect synchronization. She had missed this. Alanna melted ever so slightly… just before Jonathan pulled back. "Now," he said, a wicked smile playing on his mouth. "What was it you wanted to say?"

"Mithros, I hate you," she muttered. Jonathan laughed. "I can barely think straight."

"Do you want to come back another time, then?" he asked. "I can wait…" he really couldn't, but there was no need for her to know that.

"No," she said firmly. "I have to tell you now." Before I lose my nerve.

"All right." Jonathan sat down again, holding her gaze steady. "I'm ready."

"Jonathan, I love you. I'm sure I will always love you. But…" she paused and took a deep breath. "I can't be queen. You and I both know I would make a miserable queen. You don't want me to run the country. I can't do you any good in gowns, stuck here all the time. I could do so much more out and about, using my shield for something. I didn't spend eight years as a boy just to sit around in a dress!" She stopped, and Jonathan just nodded. "So… I can't marry you." He nodded again, looking just beyond her, not directly at her. "So… I'm saying no." He just kept nodding. "Jon? Jonathan?" She peered at him, concerned. "Are you all right?"

He looked into her eyes, fire burning in his otherwise calm face. "I'm fine," he told her in a tense voice. "Perfectly fine."

"Jonathan, I-"

"Just go," he told her, turning away. "Just… leave."

"Okay." She left as quietly as possible, knowing this wasn't the time to fight with him. Once she was gone, Jonathan called on his Gift to ward his room from curious ears. Satisfied that the spell was complete, he allowed the tears to roll down his cheeks.

At least some of you must have been expecting that. I'm a big fan of twists and turns, as you should know. My old stories are full of them! But this isn't the end. The new song, for now, is "Mirror, Mirror" by Diane Birch. She's fantastic, look her up. I'll need a new one before too long, I bet. Just my luck, picking songs with relatively few lyrics. Anyway. Drop a review. I could use a pick me up.