Sorry, sorry, SORRY for taking so long!!

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BACswimma, Aly-Of-Tortall 13, Kiley 1 09, Lady Knight Jocelyn, LadyKnightOpal, Rogue-Storm-Rampant, Shang Leopard, bloodsucker13, destinystar105, half-demon priestess, henrychick, addicted2TPierce, LadyReaderofBooks, kittylitious, Dragonfly257, Lilly Romanov, Jezebel Montgomery, Lady Leopard, Faia Sakura, LadyPirate13, gaya2081, Tamora Pierce Junior, Lady Kale, Kate of Carlay, fox-siren, PeytonPaigePatriciaHalliwell, Mickeygee, Ally-Marty, ILoveCockatiels, qtktkat, stxs, KlutzyQT, BeckyScarlett, Head-in-the-Clouds, Moon-Goddessxx,-LadyLuckxo, Disenchanted Words, Elavie, EternalFlame105, Lady Adeline of Masbolle, Negative 1, Witton, tuxie13, silverkat87 and inktounge58
For the Story alert

And again to: bloodsucker13, LadyKnightOpal, Gallan Princess, dares to dream, Lady Knight Jocelyn, destinystar105, Dragonfly257, Lady Leopard, ILoveCockatiels, Litara, Tamora Pierce Junior, Lilly Romanov, LadyPirate13, PeytonPaigePatriciaHalliwell, fox-siren, kittylitious, Aly-Of-Tortall, qtktkat, KlutzyQT, fakebrit, cyneris, Shinku Ryuu and to Kiley 1 09
For the favorite story!

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I smiled wryly. That had to be Thom. On the brink of war, of eminent danger, only my brother could get laid.

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Two weeks passed quickly, the king's council debated over what was to happen. No decisions were yet made as no solution was accepted by more than half.

William and I were invited to the council meetings where we put our words in often but all this sitting around, turning our thumbs was making me jumpy.

As a Maren knight I traveled often, never staying in one place too long and I knew I would be driven mad if I stayed here any longer. I needed to fight, chop up some bandits, do anything! I knew William was suffering as well but he hid it better and now he watched me as I paced back and forth in his room.

He sighed whilst watching me; "want to duel?"

The question caught me off guard but nevertheless it made me very happy, we hadn't had time to duel since our voyage to Corus.

We went outside and started to stretch, I unsheathed my sword and started to warm myself up with it. I had missed its feel in my palms, we had hardly had time to think, let alone practice.

We started some easy passes and slowly started to speed up and I felt liberated, definitely happy.

Still gradually speeding up, our passes became more complex, our swords clashed repeatedly at a speed which was very dangerous. Confident in our abilities we sped up once more, I could now barely see his face, I didn't need to though, I had seen him practicing countless times before, face hard, lips pursed to the utmost concentration.

Feigning right I twirled and tried to catch him on his left side, he had anticipated my actions and had turned to defend his left. We had left the practice moves and were now in free combat, like an actual duel.

He sent me a series of chopping blows which I parried easily, like usual he tried to use his superior height and weight against me, I gritted my teeth and shoved him away from me, resettling my position just in time for him to start clobbering in again. Tired of being on the defensive I went for his legs and then tried to cut for his torso, he parried both.

This lightening fast duel had been going on for a time and we were both getting tired, wanting to end this I decided to attack in earnest. He could barely keep up to speed with my sword.

William and I were pretty evenly matched but whereas he was bigger and stronger I was faster and more agile. And slightly better with a sword.

He parried and blocked at the best of his ability, his blocks so strong my arms jarred upon impact, and I was the one attacking. I pretended to fake, so I went for his right and stopped then continued for his right, something he hadn't anticipated, he hastily wet to block, seeing his mistake.

I easily hooked my sword under his and swung towards me, his sword went flying and clattered some steps behind me.

Panting, I placed my sword tip to his unprotected neck. He panted as well but his face broke into a sweaty smile;

"I yield." I dropped my sword and turned to give him his. Applause and cheers broke out from around us, taking note of my surroundings once again I noticed there were a great deal many spectators.

"Alanna, that was great!" Alex came over and planted a kiss on my lips, it wasn't a long kiss but one that did energize me a bit. I had enjoyed the training to become a Maren knight and I had nothing to regret but I will admit to having dreamt Alex's face for many a night.

"I knew you would beat him!" Lilia supplied, she shot a hasty glance at William; "no offense."

He grinned cheerfully again; "none taken. I knew she would beat me too."

"Well, well, Thom's sister has officially surpassed him in... everything."

"Oh shut up Gary. Very well done sister dear."

I raised an eyebrow at him and then decided to let it go, I was happy and I had let my anger out somewhat with this mock-duel.

"We bring good news Alanna."

"Such as?" I turned my inquisitive gaze upon the speaker, Raoul.

"We're riding out tomorrow."

"Wh-what?"

"We're riding out." he too now smiled.

I couldn't help but punch the air in happiness, yes!

"Looking forward to it?" Lilia asked.

"Are you kidding? I've been looking forwards to it for a long time now."

"Lucky you, I'm stuck here."

"Oh Lilia, I'm sorry." I said sincerely, Lilia had changed, anyone could tell. My childhood best friend had grown into a beautiful lady, strong and stunning. She was now bound to her duties whilst the Lilia I had known would've jumped at the chance to ride out. I knew somewhere deep down Lilia wanted to leave with us, but she had responsibilities now, she had things she had to do, keeping her appearance was everything.

She had fallen in love, it happens to the best of us, except the love she had fallen into had strings, many, many strings attached.

She had bound herself to a life as a queen, as someone who was meant to be seen and not heard, something OI knew she would try very hard to change.

A life of balls and fancy gowns, a life she had never wanted yet she had chosen willingly.

Thus the power of love.

I had pursued my dreams, chosen the path I had to follow, but now, if I had a choice on whether to leave again, I wouldn't go without Alex.

I'll admit it in full, I absolutely, completely and utterly love Alexandr of Tirragen, and there is nothing I, or anybody else can do about it.

Yes me, Alanna of Trebond, the girl who had vowed never to go anywhere near boys, the girl who wanted her shield and nothing else, the girl who had spent ten years in a foreign country to become a knight, now longed for one thing: one man's love.

Thus the power of love.

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I know, I know. I haven't updated in ages and now that I have, it's very short, but believe me, I promised never to abandon my stories and I will keep that promise but I keep getting new ideas for stories and not getting any for my older ones. So, here, I managed to finally get something up.

I'm starting as a freshman soon in high school and am slightly scared about it, so my updates might not be very frequent for the first 2 weeks of school as I get settled in, then, it'll all be back to normal.

I'm 14 soon!! (Now don't most of you feel old? Hehe)

Hope you like it!

Review!

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xxTunstall Chickxx

24/08/08