Disclaimer: All the characters, settings, everything belong to Tamora Pierce.

Chapter Eight

Alanna fought to keep the suspicion from showing on her face. Could it be a coincidence that Alex might turn up just as the Duke left?

She forced a smile to her lips. 'Sir Alexander! Please, come in.'

Alex ran a hand nervously through his hair, slowly making his way into the room.

'What can I do for you?' She tried not to seem pressing.

Alex sat casually on the couch Roger had been moments before. 'Oh, I just came for a chat.' He patted the space next to him. 'Why don't you join me?'

Alanna frowned. She really didn't like this. Slowly she sat herself as far away as she could.

Alex sat up straighter, fidgeting with a loose thread on his tunic. Discreetly, or so it would appear to anyone watching, he moved closer to Lily.

'What is it I can do for you, Sir Alex?' She asked again, smiling weakly.

Alex lazily took her hand in his, turning it palm up. Gently he traced the creases, pressing hard on her lifeline. Alanna jerked her hand away.

'Sir Alexander?'

Alex smiled. 'I'm sorry, what did you say?' He reached his hand behind his back, unfastening a knife.

'Why are you here?' Alanna raised her eyebrows in impatience. She should have left by now!

He looked away, fastening his gaze onto the dead fireplace. Every time he did it, Alex felt less human, like he was burying a large dark cloud deep inside his himself, aching to explode. He was dirty, but couldn't get clean. He was trapped, yet he couldn't escape.

It was this moment of hesitation that would cost him dearly.

'Hello, Lily?' Alex watched as a wave of relief visible showed on Lily's face, he turned taking in the state of Sir Myles of Olau. However rumoured to be the court drunk, the man had remarkably timing. Alex quickly stood, smiling to the older knight.

Myles nodded in reply. 'Lily,' he grinned comfortingly. 'I just heard you were leaving us?'

'Yes, I'm afraid so.' Alanna hadn't told a bigger lie in her life. 'Can I get you something Sir Myles? Alex? Tea perhaps?'

'That would be lovely, thankyou. I can fix it now.' Myles walked over to a side cabinet, checking the water content in the tea pot. He turned briefly to Alex, 'Would you like something, Alex?'

'No, thankyou.' Alex shrunk back into his chair, unsure of what to do with this interruption. He couldn't let Roger down, not again and so soon at that! But surely the Duke, as insane as he was, wouldn't want Alex to kill Sir Myles as well? That would arouse far too much suspicion among the court. One death he can handle, especially with a fiancee easily framed. On this thought Alex quickly pushed his hand under the cushion behind him, leaving Raoul's riding glove he had stolen the day before.

'Your up early this morning, aren't you Alex?' Myles busied himself by the rounded oak tea table.

'Just as early as you are,' was the curt reply.

Myles presented a delicate porcelain mug to Alex, whom was looking exceedingly annoyed.

'I said I didn't want anything,' Alex crossed his arms in front of his chest.

'Oh, did you?' Myles grinned innocently. 'Well, seeing as I made it.' He forced the cup into the younger mans grasp.

They sat stiffly in silence for a moment, no-one knowing what to say. At last Alex took a sip from his cup, instantly falling from the couch into a heap on the floor.

Alanna gasped. 'What did you do?'

'He'll be alright.' Myles bent down beside Alex. 'Go now, before anything else happens.'

She gave her old friend a brief hug before fleeing. 'I'll be back soon, I promise.'

…pppqqq…

Alanna looked out at the ocean, waves crashing violently onto the rocks. The image was quite contrary to the feelings of relief herself, George, Jonathan and Raoul shared, quartered in a tiny room at Port Caynn.

'Well, you made it then.' Jon came to stand behind her, resting a hand on her shoulder.

Alanna sighed heavily into her mug of warm cider. 'Thank the Gods.'

Raoul leaned back into his chair by the fire, lifting his feet to rest on the small table. Faithful purred happily on his lap. 'It'll be strange seeing Squire Alan again. I'm not sure I remember what he looks like.'

Jon laughed. 'He bears a small resemblance to Lily, so I believe.'

Alanna snorted. 'How could that be?'

'You couldn't fool me.' Raoul drowned the rest of his mug.

George expertly kicked the door open with his foot, balancing another round of drinks in his arms. He placed the tray on the table next to Raoul's feet, helping himself to a drink before settling down in an armchair.

'I suppose this is almost "goodbye" then?' Alanna smiled half-heartedly.

'No lass, not goodbye,' George gave her a wink. 'A fresh start. It wont be long before you get your shield now anyway.'

…pppqqq…

It was strange being back at the palace. Alanna was sure she'd be recognised as being her sister, but the days turned to weeks and weeks to months. It wasn't till the leaves turned crisp and began to fall that the discussion of Alanna's lovely 'sister' was brought up amongst her friends.

Gary tossed his book down on the table in the deserted lesser library. 'Pray, tell us Alan- what's Lily up to these days?'

Her friends; Gary, Raoul, Jonathan and Alex were all gathered at a small table with their squires, escaping the bitter winds outside.

Alanna cleared her throat, glancing sideways at Raoul. 'She's fine.'

Gary snorted. 'Care to elaborate?'

The stubborn squire raised an eyebrow. 'Not particularly.'

Douglass laughed. 'We all liked her, you know. Pity you were away when she was here.'

'Hmm…' Alanna turned her attention back to her scroll.

Gary seemed determined to squeeze more information out of his friend. 'Yes, Raoul liked her too. Interesting, that.'

Jonathan glared at his cousin, sending him a silent warning.

Gary pouted back. 'Raoul, have you heard from Lily?'

All eyes turned to the Raoul, who couldn't help a blush rising on his cheeks. 'No.'

'Oh,' Gary picked his book back up. 'Another pity.'

'You know what else is a pity?' Sacherall nodded to Jonathan. 'I do believe Delia looked quite fat at last nights party. Don't you agree?'

…pppqqq…

…Midwinter Festival, six months later…

She didn't want one of her gallant friends coming out here to romance her; life was complicated enough!

He was waiting for her beside the bench where she had left her cloak.

'Hullo,' he said casually, holding the garment up. 'I think this is yours.'

…pppqqq…

A/N: Basically, I'm going to let you make up your own mind who you want her to be with on her birthday. If you want to know who I had in mind, email me. I'm so sad this is over -yes, this is the last chapter! And it's not even a long story either. Thankyou all so much for reading and reviewing (hint) for the last few months. You all rock.

Thanks -)