a/n: Hello again, sorry it took me so long to update stupid chemistry exam grr! okay i would like to thank all of my reviewers and i would just like to say that in this story alex is not the same character as he is in the book. also jon is a knight in this story, as he is a year older than Alex. i know that in the books Alex was friends with all alanna's lot but if u remember she never trusted him enough to introduce him to George. I am just trying to explore the side of Alex which i thought was always present but only brought to light when he was made Rodgers squire!! Sorry: had to get that off my chest!!!

Enjoy;

Chapter four: Men!

Alanna was thinking. She lay in the bath, bubbles covering her and the soft scent of lavender penetrating through the room. Jon had stopped by a while ago and offered to escort her to dinner. Alanna had agreed, obviously, but she had quite made up her mind to suppress any romantic feelings towards him, it wasn't right she was betrothed to Alex.

Alex was another thing that Alanna was confused about. Thom had written her so many letters about the spiteful and petty nature of Alex but all day he had been very gentlemanly and genuinely amusing to be with, he was no Jonathon but she had to make do, she supposed that Jon would never even return her feelings, were she to have them, as he is the Prince.

A sharp knock on the door brought Alanna back to the present. It was nearly dinnertime and she was still in the bath. Out she jumped nearly knocking over the maid standing by the bath, holding her towel.

"Sorry" mumbled Alanna before discarding the towel and slipping on a cream colour dress. Alanna had just finished pinning her hair up when there was a timid knock on the door.

"Come in!" yelled Alanna. The door opened and was allowed to close.

"Wow" breathed a male voice. Alanna spun round a slight flush in her cheeks.

"Good evening my prince" said Alanna curtsying low. Jon cupped Alanna chin in his hand and whispered

"I thought I told you to call me Jon". Alanna giggled, Goddess why did she have to sound like such and idiot when he was around. Damn these romantic feelings, why weren't they being suppressed? Alanna took his offered arm. As they swept into the great hall Alanna felt completly happy.
After dinner the band struck up a slow tune. Jon offered his hand to Alanna, but as she stood to accept Alex appeared,

"Alanna, may I have a word please?"

"We were just about to dance," protested Jon standing between Alanna and Alex.

"She is my fiancé Jon I have the right"

"You have no rights over Alanna" growled Jon. Alanna pulled a face she did not want men getting into disputes over her, although Jon did have a point, Alex did not own her. Nevertheless she replied

"Jon, I'll dance with you later" turning to Alex she said,

"Where would you like to go? The balcony?"

"Yes please Alanna." Alex replied with a smirk towards Jonathon. Jon shook his head and sat back down as Alex ushered Alanna from the room.

"There's something I need to tell you, its not going to be easy so I think its best you sit down." Alanna sat, concern etched all over her pretty face.

"Okay, I had a meeting with King Roald today, it appears our friends in Scanra are sending frequent raiding parties along the villages near the northern coast." Alanna nodded, not quite sure of how this concerned her, she was never going to be allowed to fight.

"Roald has asked me to go."

"Oh" replied Alanna, was this it? In a state of bewilderment she added,

"And what did you say?" Alex looked shocked when he answered,

"I said yes of course, he is the king and I am his best knight, but obviously this means that I won't be around for a while"

"How long is a while?"

"Only for about four to five months, I shall think of you all the while." Alanna almost laughed, she'd only known him two days it wasn't as if they were in love. Instead she tried her best to look upset.

"As this is my last night before I leave, I thought well, I request you come to my bed" Alex quickly moved forward and scooped Alanna into a kiss. Alanna's hands struck out at his stomach. Her face filled with disgust she said

"I've only known you a few days, do you think me a wench?" Alex's pride and stomach hurt he snapped

"You are my betrothed, you shall do as I command" he stepped forward again, Alanna's foot struck this time, gorging flesh from his calf. Alex howled out in pain as Alanna calmly said

"Alanna of Trebond is under no-ones command" before walking back into the dinning room.

There was a small knock on Alanna's door, followed by a muffled "come in". Jon obeyed, as he walked in he gasped. There was Alanna puffy eyed, curled up in a ball on her bed looking like a scolded cat. Alanna smiled weakly at him before burring her head in her hands. In a bound Jon was across the room. He sat on the bed and drew Alanna up in his arms softly hushing her sobbing.

After a few moments had passed, Alanna stopped crying and lifted her head. Jon smiled down at her and brushed a piece of hair from her eyes.

"Sorry Jon"

"What are you sorry about?"

"Crying all over your shirt" Jon laughed

"my shirt can be dried, I was more worried about you, when I saw you storm out the hall" Alanna took a deep breath,

"Alex tried to make me do something I didn't want to, Jon he tried to make me..." Jon guessed the rest; he pulled Alanna closer and stroked her hair softly.

"Jon, I'm marrying a monster" Alanna started to cry softly again. Sensing that nothing he could say would make her feel better, Jon just held her close feeling helpless.

Once Jonathon felt that Alanna had suitably calmed down he eased himself away and made for the door, he had just turned the handle when a small voice came from the bed,

"Jon"

"Yes?" "Could you stay just for tonight; I don't want to be alone" Jon smiled and went over to the bed,

"Of course" Jon lay down next to Alanna and she curled up to him. Just like a cat thought Jon then,remembering the blood coming from Alex's leg when he returned inside, Jon smiled and kissed her forehead gently.

"Goodnight Lioness"