A/N: I can't believe just how many reviews I got – and I had only put this up for a few days! Thank you! And krizsta, Chopstix* and Lady Taigan of Conte I believe you are right. Thank you for reminding me that writing is not for others but for yourself. It's just sometimes it's hard to remember that. I'll keep that in mind. Now to the thank you's:
krista: thank you for reminding me that writing is not just about pleasing others. I am a person that is constantly worrying about what people think of me… and I know it's stupid. I'll remember that I should write for myself and not for others. Thank you for reviewing.
Princess Amara of Conte: but what about poor George? He's been good for Alanna and he treats her as a lover as well as a friend and that's so important. He'd never change her… now it's sounding like I'm gonna turn this into an A/G fic doesn't it? Actually truth be told, I don't mind A/G pairings. I just also like A/J as well. I agree totally with your reasons. When I read the book I thought it was the same as with Delia – coz he found her pretty. With Alanna it's always been different. *sigh* I still cannot make up my mind whether or not to turn this into an A/J or an A/G fic. I can't decide!! I wouldn't mind Thayet dying… but not George… wait – I did not say that!! Lol…
Lady Lucy A/J 4ever: I can't tell you for the life of me if this will be A/J or A/G. I'm just really wondering where those A/G fans have disappeared to! If you can convince me I might turn this into A/J… and that's an if.
Lady Taigan of Conte: I'll write for myself now… it's just reviews motivate me :) sometimes can't help it! I don't know if this will be A/J… convince me. :P
Starfire: well it's obvious what you want this to be! Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Cinderellen: thank you!
Chopstix*: you're right, where have all those A/G fans gone?? Lol… I'll have to meet Queen of Fluff to see if she really does nine pages of A/J… Glad you like it so far. I promise I won't go thinking silly thoughts again and will write for myself! :) thanks
Anonymous: are you blackmailing me? Lol… keep reading and you'll see but then I haven't really fully decided yet so try convincing me – but I don't take well to blackmail so use another persuasive technique – such as continue to review!! :)
Amelia: thank you and you're wonderful for reading and reviewing! This chapter will show Alanna's reluctance soon… just read on and you'll see!
Wow, thank you's take a lot of space. I should probably get writing before you all decide to throw stuff at me for procrastinating right? Here we go… don't forget to review please and tell me what you think!
Disclaimer: blah, blah, blah… don't own characters or anything that you know… only the plot is mine… if I owned them I would be so happy!
Chapter 2: Doubts
Jonathon didn't say anything to Thayet as he led her to their seats at the long table in front of the thrones but he had noticed Alanna leave the ballroom with George. Still, after all this time it was painful to see her with George. As always he had brushed it aside as protectiveness for Alanna but also because of the friendly rivalry he'd always had with the ex-thief. Instead he turned back to his new wife and still her pale hand in his he kissed it gently. Surprised she looked up into his sapphire eyes and blushed. She was so innocent and he wondered if she had ever even kissed a man besides those kisses he had given her when she had been deciding her answer to his proposal. It had turned out to be a useful persuasive tool though he didn't see that when she just left to the desert and him wondering if it was a repeat of what had happened with Alanna. But Thayet had returned with a timid agreement to his proposal and he had been happy beyond words and had kissed her again and again.
He remembered vividly that first meeting. He, George and Alanna had been sitting together catching up and she had arrived in the library in her nightgown and a dressing gown clutched to her neck. Her beautiful hazel eyes and jet-black hair and he had fallen for her then. He kept a tight clutch to her hand unwilling to let go of her unreasonably afraid that the men that looked her would steal her away from him. At that thought he drew himself up. He was a King and no one would dare steal this beauty away from him but he could not dampen the feeling of jealousy and possessiveness when he looked about the room to see practically every man in the ballroom gazing at her.
~°*°~
Alanna groaned as a sliver of sunlight shone on her face. She flung out her hand to ward off the harsh light.
"What up, Lioness."
She sat bolt up in her bed, clutching the now seemingly flimsy blanket close to her naked body. She looked at her King as he drew the heavy curtains from the windows open. "Jon… what… what are you doing here?" she stammered. Scowling at her nervousness (what reason was there?) she said in a calmer voice, "Where's George?"
"Come now, Alanna," Jonathon said as he sat on the bed by her side. He took her hand in his and he unconsciously stroked it. But she noticed and she was horrified by what he was doing but also at the increased beating her heart. "There's no need for uneasiness. I am your King but more importantly I am your friend. It isn't necessary to be embarrassed." He grinned almost evilly as he said, "I've seen everything."
If he could speak so bluntly she decided to play the game with him and she moved over to the other side of the bed and got off the big bed without bothering to cover herself. She pulled on some breeches and a violet shirt and set to cleaning her face and teeth. When she was done she turned to the dressing table and began to brush her still slightly curled hair.
"So what is it that, His Majesty would come and wake his champion up so early?" she asked, looking at him through the mirror.
He moved over seeming to want to brush her locks for her but before he reached her she had stood to face him after placing the brush back down. She squinted up at him. "What is it, Jon?"
He chuckled and glanced out the window. She followed his gaze. "It is not so early, my lovely Lioness. I came to ask if you would go riding with me, it's been a while since we've been alone long enough to talk."
Alanna raised a slim brow questioningly. "And what of your wife, sire?"
He replied slyly, "I believe she is still abed as she is very fatigued from last night."
"When did you become so crude, Jon?" she said, shaking her head almost most disapprovingly. "But I have much to do today and am unable to."
"Please?" he pleaded. "I cannot bear to just sit here and do nothing. I feel I need air."
She gave him a weird look but he ignored it and instead grabbed her hand and led her to the stables. Seeing Darkness and Moonlight already and saddled she accused, "So you had this all planned out? You were going to get me to go riding with you no matter what I had planned?"
He didn't speak but instead waited. She looked back at him. "What?"
"I was going to help you mount Moonlight."
Alanna broke into laughter that brought tears into her eyes while the King stood there staring at her almost indignant. Finally she stopped and had to wipe her eyes and said, "I'm sorry, for a moment there I thought you said you were going to help me mount Moonlight like a lady." Looking at his face her smile evaporated. "You're serious?"
But Jonathon quickly turned away to mount Darkness himself but she had caught that red upon his cheeks and she grinned but made no comment. Instead she swung up on Moonlight's saddle and nudged her out of the stables.
~°*°~
They picked a well used trail in the Royal Forest and for several moments as they rode they were silent and merely admired the peacefulness and the greenery that surrounded them.
"It seems just looking around as though none of what happened before happened at all," Alanna said softly. She was thinking of Liam and the pulling at her heart almost brought tears to her eyes. She didn't realise that their horses had stopped until Jonathon lifted her chin to make her watery amethyst eyes meet his concerned sapphire ones.
"He died not in vain, Alanna," he told her.
"I… I know but I can't help but miss him…" Unwillingly tears fell from her eyes and she gave a cry in frustration. Jonathon crushed her to his broad chest in a tight hug and stroked her fiery locks as she cried. She quietened after moments and he made him look into his face as he held her face in his large hands. Gently he used his thumbs to wipe the tears away from her cheeks. Her eyes closed as she gave a short sob and his heart wrenched to see her in so much pain. Before he could stop himself or she realised what he was doing he brought his face closer to hers and pressed his lips to hers.
A/N: how will Alanna react to this?? Sorry this is so short but yeah… review please and tell me what you thought!!
«~*ºJõ§sïêº*~»