Note: Sorry the update took so long! It took a while for me to put the ideas together for this chapter. Thanks for all the reviews, I really appreciate them! Can people let me know what they think about the rating, should it be K+ or keep it as T? Thanks!

Chapter 17

Attempt of Murder

Alanna was eating breakfast in the mess hall. It was a warm morning, and people seemed to be in good moods. She too was happy, and was smiling quite a lot today. She finished her breakfast, kissed Jon's cheek and went to the stables. She mounted Moonlight after grooming her and set out towards the forest. The birds were chirping in the trees, and the leaves on the trees rustled in the gentle breeze. Alanna talked softly to Moonlight, enjoying the sun's warm glow. She reached a stream, and tethered Moonlight to a tree. She sat by the stream, cooling her feet in the cool swirling water and took a refreshing drink. After a while, she got up and untied Moonlight. Mounting her horse, she sighed happily and rode back to the palace.

Alanna climbed the stairs and went back into her room. She opened the window; it was fairly hot in there. She lay back on the bed with a sigh; she had been very busy all day. The sun was setting, casting a red-orange glow over the palace.

"Alanna?" a voice shouted quietly, sounding scared and worried. A voice that sounded like Jon! The shout was followed by a sharp crack and a cry of pain. Alanna sat bolt upright, that shout had come from Jon's study! She jumped up and, grabbing Lightning, rushed across the hall and barged her way through the door. Alanna gasped at the sight that met her horrified eyes. A man wearing black clothing was holding a sharp looking dagger to Jon's throat. Jon sat looking terrified at his desk, rubbing his cheek, which had a red mark like a handprint across it. Now Alanna knew what it was that had made that sound earlier; the man had slapped Jon. Alanna's cheeks flushed with colour, how dare he do this to Jon!

"Let him go," she said, her voice wavering with anger. The man just grinned and shook his head. Alanna was furious. She lunged at the man with Lightning, who was now looking terrified. He drew his sword just in time to meet hers and swung viciously at her. Alanna gritted her teeth and glanced quickly over at Jon, who nodded at her and started untying the rope that bound him up. Alanna backed him up against a wall and shoved Lightning through his chest. The man spluttered and gurgled, and finally lay still, his chalk white complexion contrasting the bright red pool of blood surrounding him. Alanna had been so furious and upset that he had tried to hurt Jon that she hadn't noticed a long cut down her leg. She looked at Jon, who smiled back at her, and fainted.

Alanna rubbed her bleary eyes. When she opened them again, she was staring up into Jon's worried face. She smiled and gripped his hand tightly.

"Worried?" she asked, a teasing note in her voice.

"About you, Lioness?" he asked her playfully. "Never."

Life in the palace was back to normal, apart from the guards from the King's Own that were stationed near Jon at all times. At first they followed Alanna too, but stopped after numerous protests from the queen. It was surprisingly quiet and peaceful, and Alanna enjoyed it. A few months had passed since the king's attempted murder, but no one had forgotten it, and Alanna doubted they would for a very long time. Especially Jon. The other day he had asked Alanna how he could ever even begin to repay her for the countless times she had saved him. Alanna had simply shushed him and replied that he didn't need to repay her and that she was just doing her duty as a knight and his wife. He had only smiled and hugged her, telling her that he would always love her…

Alanna shook her head. She was daydreaming again. She was changing, and she knew it. She was a lot more emotional and she laughed a lot more, her temper had lessened slightly but at least had remained otherwise intact. She sighed and blew out the candle next to her bed. Alanna shivered and hugged herself to Jon, drawing the covers up around her. It was nearly Midwinter again and it was freezing. Oh, she really hated the cold! She rested her head on his chest, and fell asleep, his warm arm around her.

It was Midwinter and the ball was in full swing. Alanna would be glad when this was over; she hated balls and parties. She was wearing a dark blue gown that shimmered in the light, and had a small jewelled tiara in her copper hair. She had been dancing with Jon all evening and was getting increasingly tired. Alanna stopped dancing and went to sit down. She let out a sigh of relief as she made contact with the soft, cushioned chair. When she had recovered, she and Jon made their way up to a balcony overlooking the gardens. Alanna sighed and leaned against Jon's arm. Suddenly she giggled and, in answer to Jon's questioning looks, pointed amidst the roses. Kel and Dom were in the direction she pointed in, slow dancing together and looking very happy. Jon smiled with Alanna.

"May I have this dance, my queen?" he asked sweetly.

"Of course," replied Alanna, as Jon took her hand.

Yay! Chapter 17 at last! Hope you like it.