Thx soo muchBlackRobedMagelet and buttons7 for reviewing! it was kind of sad how happy i was to get reviews, since this is the first thing that i have written, but its awesome! so thankx and let me no what you think of this!

Greetings...

Ugh, I hate the wet! Alanna thought, as she dropped the saddle on a nearby rail creating a heavy clunk. It had been a beautiful ride from Port Canyon to Corus until it had started raining. The gods must hate me… or at least someone else here at court, Alanna thought, remembering some of the faces at court that she absolutely dreaded- Delia of Eldorne's face being the first to show up. Remembering Delia disgusted Alanna. I wonder what happened to her? Alanna wondered, since her and her followers, or rather Roger's followers lost the revolt. I know she was banished from court, and her home was and still is forced to pay money to the crown… but it's a shame she didn't die, Alanna thought amusing herself.

Alanna was forced out of her thoughts when she heard someone coming. I hope it's none of my friends yet, Alanna thought, wanting to sneak into the Palace, bathe, and then find Jon to see what was troubling him, before visiting her big friends that she had been missing so much. Knowing her friends though, she could guess that at this time in the evening while it was raining, her friends would more likely be warm and cozy sitting inside of the Palace before the large fireplace- Gary and Raoul fighting over some bet or girl, and Jon watching amused, saying that they were both wrong and then sometimes taking the arm of the girl and walking off, making both Gary and Raoul even more upset.

Looking for a brush to groom Moonlight, but upset she couldn't find one, Alanna turned around thinking on second thought that Stefan might be coming. Stefan! her mind screamed, but instead she turned around to see the most beautiful, clear sapphire eyes, with the light of the torch along the wall shining out through them.

Jon who had thought he was seeing things at first, was glad when he found that Alanna was not just another vision he had imagined, since of late he could not keep from thinking of her. "Need this?" Jon asked in a weak, yet excited voice, holding the brush in his hand, the light in his eyes dancing.

"Jon!" Alanna yelled, as Jon set aside the brush, and scooped Alanna into the tightest hug. Then lifting her up off her feet, he swung her around, and then kissed her on her neck before setting her down.

Alanna, looking up at Jon, and wanting to taste his lips so bad, asked, "You're not married yet, right?"

"No," Jon said, his face twisting into a small smile, and guessing what she meant, he leaned in and kissed her passionately.

Is this why he wanted to see me right away? Alanna thought, pleased, but yet ashamed of herself.

When Jon started to pull back, Alanna decided it was her turn to spice things up, and put her hand along the side of his face, pulling him in even closer.

When the two separated, breathless, Alanna considered how remarkable it was, that along the entire ride to Corus she had come up with so many things that she needed to talk to Jon about, but now everything seemed unimportant- or just uninteresting at them moment. wink

"So…" Jon finally said, "Shall we go and get you a hot bath." Tousling her hair, he said, "Knowing you, it would be best to get you taken care of before attending all of the other boring stuff." Jon put the emphasis on boring stuff, knowing Alanna's history of disliking royal affairs- royal affairs being the main reason that kept them apart.

"Or my King, are you insisting that I need a bath?" Alanna asked, teasing Jon. "Because if so, you shall find your nose at the end of my sword."

Jon laughed, knowing that she was right, that he could never beat her at fencing, but wanted to tease her about the time she had spent away from him- all the while driving me mad with missing her- Jon thought, but did not say. "Lady Alanna, is this true still, or have you been enjoying your vacation long enough that I might change your mind?"

In a sweet voice Alanna replied, "My King, what makes you think I would let my guard down for anybody, least of all you!"

"That I know Lady Alanna" Jon said, his face inching closer and closer to her face. Then he kissed her firmly, but quickly, and said, "My Lady, once you're done bathing, meet me in the Library, for I am not the only one who has been missing you. Although" he added, a smile on his face, "I've been missing you the most." And with that Jon turned around, and just as if he was still her knight master he ran off towards the Palace, attempting to wave good-bye.

Alanna, shaking her head, was appalled at the way she had let Jon kiss her, sweeping her off her feet just like when she was younger, when instead, she had actually intended to… shake hands with him or something, her mind added, although doubtfully.

Picking up the brush Jon had left on the edge of the rail Alanna finished grooming Moonlight, and then headed off towards the Palace to bathe. Stopping to admire and pet Darkness, Jon's horse, reminded her of where she had first realized she loved Jon- while riding with him during the war at the Drell River, once again forced in issuesregarding Tusiane. I wonder what they' re up to this time?

Oh and almost forgot the disclaimer, but didn't

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me, they belong to Tamora Pierce (except for Garrett & Kathyrn... you'll know who they are later)... oh yah... and the plot belongs to me!