DISCLAIMER: As much as I wish I did, I don't own any of these characters or places. Sob.

Rating: T to be safe.

Chapter 2

I'm Sorry

A messenger in Tortallan colours walked briskly into prince Jonathan's study. Jon was knee deep in documents and letters he had been up most of the night replying to. The messenger cleared his throat and Jon looked up. "There's a message for you, your Highness. It's from lady Alanna."

" Tell her I'm busy." Jon replied, looking back down at a form due for the next day.

"But your Highness, sir, she says it's important." The messenger said carefully, fearing to anger the prince. Jon sighed.

"Tell her I'll see her in a minute in the library."

" As you wish, your Highness." The messenger stammered, scuttling out of the room.

Alanna sat nervously wringing her hands in a quiet corner of the library. She couldn't believe what she was about to do. She was a lady knight; she didn't want people to think she was weak! Alanna was about to get up and leave unnoticed when Jon walked through the door. Uh oh, there's no escaping now, she thought. He saw her get up and rushed over to her, grabbing her by the shoulders.

"Not so fast, Lioness," he growled. "Now, what did you want?"

Alanna took a deep breath. " Jon, you know what happened in the desert, while we were with the Bazhir…" she began. Jon looked away and nodded. "Did you really mean what you said?"

" I…No, not really," he said awkwardly.

Alanna tried to hold back a smile. " Nor did I," she whispered. " I said it on the spur of the moment. Jon, you know what I'm like."

Jon turned to face her and grinned. " Yes, I do know!"

" Well anyway, what I mean to say is…" Alanna struggled with herself. " I'm, well, sorry."

Jon looked shocked. Alanna the Lioness, the proudest woman in the whole of Tortall, was apologizing? Jon grabbed her in a tight hug.

"I missed you, my Lioness."

"As I missed my prince."