Author's Note: Okay then, I've finally summoned up the courage to write and post a fanfic. I know it isn't extremely long yet, but the next chapter's coming up soon.
Disclaimer: If I were really Tamora Pierce, why would I be writing random fanfics?
Kel and Neal cantered through the forest on their way to Fort Steadfast for the wedding. Neal had been waiting for months to visit his betrothed, Yuki, and as they neared Steadfast's sturdy gates, he urged his gelding, Thunder, into a gallop, and shouted back at Kel, "See you after lunch! I'm off to find my Yamani blossom"
Kel chuckled to herself at Neal's drama and crossed the bridge into Steadfast. She dismounted in the near the gate and looked around for somewhere to stable Hoshi. Kel led her towards some hitching posts and tied her bridle to one. I wonder where Sir Raoul is, she thought. She made her way to a building that looked like a mess hall, while looking around for Raoul or someone she knew.
She walked further into the fort, and saw that preparations for Raoul and Buri's and Neal and Yuki's double wedding had already started. There was a combined wedding altar for Mithros and the Great Mother Goddess set up, and long rows of benches separated by a long red carpet.
"Lady Kel," someone called, as Kel walked into the mess hall. Kel looked towards the direction of the voice, and saw Dom sitting at a table with Raoul, Buri, Alanna, Daine, Numair, various members of the King's Own, and two Riders. The table was already crowded, and everyone was attempting to make room for Kel to sit and eat.
"Kel," said Raoul, "glad to see you made it here on time. Where's Neal?"
"Most likely with his lady love, milord," answered Dom, smiling at Kel.
His smile still makes my heart flip, thought Kel, smiling back at him.
"Come, sit down." said Buri, "By the way, after lunch all the ladies, so to speak, will be going to a dress fitting. Yuki, Alanna, Daine and I already have our gowns, and we'll just be adding finishing touches, but don't worry, your dress is finished, just not fitted."
"When did I agree to wear a gown?" asked Kel, somewhat bewildered.
"You didn't," said Buri, "But to quote Yuki, 'No bridesmaid of mine will be wearing breeches.' And since we are getting married together, I doubt you'll have time to change."
"Bridesmaid!" Kel exclaimed.
"Don't worry," said Alanna, "All of our dresses have split underskirts, after all, we are on the Scanran border."
After finishing up her lunch, Kel was steered towards a small room full of fabric in the infirmary. Kel saw movement from behind a curtain, and out stepped Lalasa, holding a dress.
"Lalasa!" said Kel, "When did you get here?"
"I reached a few days ago, milady Kel. Milady Buri asked me to come and make the clothing for her wedding. Everyone's clothing is made, but I have to fit your dress." Lalasa showed her the dress that she had been holding earlier. "Try this on, please."
Kel stepped behind the curtain and pulled on the dress, almost certain that she would look ridiculous. When she stepped out, everyone's jaw dropped.
"How do I look?" asked Kel, nervously.
"See for yourself, my lady, there's a mirror right there." Lalasa pointed towards the door, and Kel turned, hoping she looked all right. What she saw astonished her. The silk dress fit perfectly, it was tighter around the waist, giving her curves, and flared out to show the light green underskirt, split like Alanna had said, but still beautiful. It wasn't too low cut, which Kel appreciated, and the sleeves opened at the elbows to allow better movement. The forest green of the dress brought out the green in Kel's eyes, and made them sparkle.
Mithros, Kel thought, How long has it been since I've worn a dress?"
"Looks like you won't need to adjust it," said Buri, "that dress fits like a glove."
Lalasa tied the sash behind Kel, and Yuki brought out a long rectangular box. Inside was a light green silk shukusen with gold and emerald green leaves on it.
"The shukusen serves a double purpose," Yuki explained, "As a weapon, and the gift from me to my maid of honor."
"Thank you so much, Yuki," Kel said, tucking the shukusen into her sash. Alanna brought out a medium-sized jewelry box that contained a pendant in the shape of two leaves on a gold chain and a pair of eardrops. The pendant was peridot and emerald, and the eardrops were peridot.
"Wow," said Kel, "these are beautiful, but how am I supposed to wear the eardrops?"
"We'll have to pierce your ears," said Alanna, chuckling, "but thank the Goddess, I can numb them. I wish someone had told me that before I pierced mine."
"That's right," said Buri, laughing as well, "You fainted after we did the second ear."
Kel changed back into breeches and her shirt while Yuki heated the needle, and when she came out, Alanna quickly numbed her ears and Yuki pierced them. After Alanna healed the small holes, Kel put in small gold studs that she would wear regularly.
The wedding wasn't till the next night, so Kel spent the time dueling Alanna and practicing glaives with Yuki. Kel hadn't forgotten her promise to Alanna about teaching her to use the glaive, so at least two hours were devoted to teaching Alanna a pattern dance, and by the time dinner rolled around, Kel was very tired.