Disclaimer: I own nothing, everything here belongs to Tamora Pierce, yadee yada.

A/N: This is really my first attempt at a KD fic, besides my short one-shot: That Came Out All Wrong. I've got a pretty good idea where I want to go with this, though. Please R&R!

Chapter One

Keladry of Mindelan was restless. Compared to sneaking off to rescue 500 of her people and to kill the Nothing Man, standing around at Steadfast waiting for the coming wedding between Neal and Yuki was very boring. Right now she was riding Peachblossom in no particular direction; she just wanted to get out and do something.

Half an hour later she came to a small lake she hadn't know was there. She dismounted and gave Peachblossom a drink. She looked out over the smooth surface. How long had it been since she'd gone swimming? It was rather hot out; a swim sounded nice.

The ground was soft and damp, but to her left was a rocky slope that would do. Tethering Peachblossom to a nearby tree, she leaned against a larger rock and took off her boots. Stripping down to her underclothes, she dove in.

A small yelp escaped her. The water was chilly, but not overwhelmingly so. Taking a deep breath, she submerged and swam the length of the lake and back, trying to warm up her quickly stiffening muscles. She surfaced again.

"Having fun?" a familiar voice asked. Kel spun around, relaxing when she saw who it was: Domitian of Masbolle, and past him his own horse was grazing. Then she stiffened again. She glanced down. To her immense relief, the water was too dark to see anything past the surface, hiding her indecency.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, treading water.

"Hiding," he replied, sitting down on a rock. "Neal is obsessing. Again." Kel laughed; Yuki was just as anxious, though she hid it far better than Neal.

"Well, at least you don't have to sit through fittings."

"Tell you what: you listen to Neal rant, and I'll go to the dress fittings." He grinned, his blue eyes twinkling. Kel's stomach did a flip-flop, even as her face remained firmly tucked under her Yamani mask.

"I might just take you up on that."

"Speaking of which, Yuki was looking for you again. She said the dress is ready for the final touches." Kel groaned. How did she get roped into this? She was to be Yuki's maid of honor. Though she couldn't deny the fact that she was quite pleased. Being the maid of honor required much interacting with the best man, who just so happened to be a certain blue-eyed sergeant.

"I guess I should probably go find her…"

He sighed. "I suppose I should make sure Neal hasn't passed out somewhere." He didn't look at all happy at the thought. Never the less he stood up. When she didn't get out he asked, "You coming?"

Kel blushed ever so slightly. "I can't."

"What? Why?" It wasn't until then that he spotted her clothes lying on the rocks. He turned a deep red and spun around, turning his back to her. "Mithros, Kel! I'm sorry! I didn't—I mean—I just—I didn't realize—" With each word he turned steadily redder.

Kel forced back a laugh. Dom was obviously far more embarrassed than she was. "Just—go behind those trees and don't come out until I say so." He obeyed. Kel stepped out of the water and struggled into her clothes, they liked to stick to her wet skin.

"Ok, I'm decent," she called.

"Are you sure? Because I could—I should—just…go…" he stammered. Kel rolled her eyes and rounded the trees to find him instead.

"Honestly Dom, would I say I was decent if I wasn't?" His face, still red, grew a tinge of purple. "Relax, no harm done. Now are we heading back or not?" Without a word he gathered the reins to his horse and mounted up. Kel untied Peachblossom and did the same.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere! Where have you been?" Neal demanded. Dom's blush, having receded on the return trip, returned faintly and he looked at the ground. Neal didn't miss it, and glanced between him and Kel. "What's going on?" he asked suspiciously.

Kel grinned wickedly. "Well I was taking a swim when Dom here decided to come chat. He didn't seem to realize that a person can't swim in their clothes." Neal stared at his cousin, then burst out laughing. Dom's blush deepened.

When Neal could breathe again he told them what they already knew: Yuki was looking for Kel for another fitting. She left them and went begrudgingly to the fitting rooms.

"Kel there you are! I've been looking everywhere for you! Where have you been?" Was it just Kel, or were Neal and Yuki perfect for each other?

"I was taking a swim," she replied casually.

Lalasa moved to strip off Kel's tunic, but Kel brushed her off and undressed on her own. Lalasa tugged the gown over her head. "We just want to make sure there aren't any last minute adjustments we need to make," she told her. A few pins were put in place here and there, but for the most part it fit perfectly. The gown was midnight blue and silk, with silver embroidery at its neck. It was simple and elegant, flaring out at her hips. All in all, the dress was very beautiful. She was beautiful, Kel realized when she glanced in the mirror. Although it was a little lower cut than she would have liked. The back was open, straps crisscrossing over the distance.

"Oh you look lovely, Kel!" Yuki exclaimed with pride, as if she personally was responsible for this and not Lalasa.

Kel rolled her eyes. "I still don't see why I can't go in breeches." But secretly she liked the dress. She loved the feel of the silk as it swished around her legs. But Kel was well known for hating gowns, and she didn't feel like correcting people now for fear of endless teasing.

"No bridesmaid of mine is going in breeches." Yuki insisted. "I want everything to be perfect."

"Perfect. Interesting choice of words."

Lalasa pulled the gown over her head, taking care of the pins. "This should be done by tonight." She disappeared into the next room. Kel looked at Yuki, who was obviously nervous, and hugged the girl.

"Relax Yuki, he loves you. Nothing's going to change that."

"I know," she smiled. "I just can't believe it's actually happening."

"Believe it. It is."