PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL 5

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. None. Nil. They're all from the protector of the small series from tamora pierce.

A/N: This fanfic is after the fourth book. I have to admit, I hated Kel not ending up with anyone, I mean, I was pretty sure she'll be with Cleon. Grrr.. Well, now we'll see what happens..

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ CHAPTER ONE~ THE MARRIAGE

"Neal! Kel! You're back!" A Yamani lady with long silky black hair raced to their horses as they were within metres of entering Steadfast.

Neal smiled, got off his horse and swept Yukimi into a hug. "Did you miss me?" He asked.

Yukimi frowned. "No, I didn't. But I thought about you every single night and day."

Neal and Kel laughed. Kel got off her horse and hugged her long-time friend. "I better go and unsaddle my horse, right Tobe?"

Tobe grinned, knowing she was only intending to leave the two lovers alone. "Yes milady" He replied.

Before they'd walked only five metres into Steadfast with their horses Lord Raoul's familiar face came into view with Commander Buri. "Hello Kel, I'd never thought that you'd leave your people just to see my marriage!" He laughed

Kel smiled. "Don't count on it. What if I decided to run away tomorrow, before your wedding to make sure my people were alright?"

Buri and Raoul grinned. "That sounds like you," Buri said.

Tobe and Kel laughed and started over to the stables.

"Milady, you shouldn't have to unsaddle the horses or unpack your things. That's my job." Tobe said abruptly when they entered the stables.

"Tobe," She gave him a penetrating stare but knew it was no point. He grabbed the horses and her things and began to work. She shrugged and smiled at the same time and went outside.

"Kel!" A familiar voice sounded behind her. She turned around and found herself facing Sergeant Domitan. He grinned down at her, "Really, I thought you would never come and leave your people behind like that!"

She groaned in spite of herself. "Is this how people judge me now?" She retorted.

"No, only me Lady Knight." He flashed his handsome set of teeth again. "Oh, and I have a message from Cleon of Kennan. He would like you to attend his wedding next month. But he says he'll understand if you don't come."

She smiled at him. "Ofcourse I'll come, and now would you excuse me I would like to go to my room."

He bowed "Ofcourse. Commander."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Next Morning:

Kel woke up from a sleepless night. She had dreamt about Blayce again, except now there were no killing devices. She shook the dream away. Maybe, she thought, it must be the after affects of what happened.

She changed into a comfortable tunic and shorts and started her glaive exercises again. Just because it was a wedding day, it doesn't mean that I can slack off, she thought. She had nearly finished when a knock came on her door. Tobe opened it up and found Neal's cheerful face.

"I'm coming in to make sure our," he grinned, "protector of the small is ready for the wedding."

Kel stomped to the door, "Yes, she is ready, now go away."

Neal stared at her, "But you're not even dressed properly! It's starting in a hour so you better hurry up, they want the people lined up to see the newlyweds in ten minutes!'

She sighed, "Alright," then grinned, "Sir Meathead."

"Kel, if my cousin is influencing you to" She shut the door before he could speak.

"Tobe could you check my clothes to see if there's a green tunic with golden leaf prints and a matching pair of brown trousers?"

Tobe looked at Kel with interest, "Wouldn't milady like to wear a dress for once? It's a wedding, even I know you're meant to be very formal. I've never seen you wear one before."

Kel looked at him, exasperated, "Alright, grab the dress Lalasa made - I mean the green dress and the brown pair of boots."

He smiled at her then took out her dress. "This one?"

She nodded. It'd been a while since she's worn a dress. The last time she did was with Cleon when she was still a squire. She pushed Cleon to the back of her mind. Thinking of him made her feel shallow and empty-hearted.

She took a warm bath and put on the dress. When she walked out she was surprised to find Tobe wearing a very handsome set of clothing.

"Where did you get that from?" She asked curiously.

"Sir Neal helped pay for it. It was really meant for his wedding so I wouldn't end up looking like a helpless brat. But I decided I'd wear it to Lord Raoul of Goldenlake's wedding too." He looked proud of himself.

Kel had to bite her lips to hold down her laughter. "Alright son, ready to go?"

He nodded nervously and they went down the hallway.

The first people Kel met were friends from the King's own. They all grinned and greeted at the same time. She blushed at first but she soon got used to it.

Neal and Yuki met her at the end of the building. "I had to make sure you wouldn't-" He looked at her carefully. "Mithros bless you! You're wearing a dress!"

Yuki smiled at her but Neal's reaction was quite different. He shook his head in disbelief and walked to take the wedding seats.

The chapel was had rows and rows of seats. The family and relations of the bride would sit on the left and the family and the relations of the groom sat on the right. Then it was the close friends and colleges etc.

She sat on the fourth row, next to Dom and other soldiers in the Own.

Dom leaned over and whispered in her ear, "You're going to surprise my lord so much that he'd be running out of the chapel!"

Kel blushed but didn't say anything. It seemed forever, but the wedding did start.

When both Lord Raoul and Commander Buri were in front of the priest they started saying their oaths. She smiled at them. They both deserved each other and she felt proud of them

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Ok, I dunno who to put kel with so dats ur decisions! Plz r+r n tell me wat u think n who u want kel to b with! Thnx for reading! ^_^