Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns all of Tortall. I just like to play around in her world.

A/N: I haven't attempted to write haiku or psuedo-haiku for a very long time, but this popped into my head from out of the blue while I was considering some prompts over at the Goldenlake site, so I wrote it down. I originally posted this drabble-in-haiku-form over on the Goldenlake site, where the excellent staff has not screwed up the categories of the stories and they've even created a new archive site for stories called, The King's Own. Hopefully, this poem won't be too sappy or corny for you! :D


Counting on Him

We were friends at first
I always counted on him
He was there for me

One set of strong arms
Holding me close to his chest
Our hearts beat as one

Two gold promise rings
We could not marry at first
Old rules had to change

Three-year betrothal
The jokes began to grow old
No sharing a bed

Four weeks of Congress
The king pushed to have his way
Our wait was over

Five-minute warning
Our friends became witnesses
Very short wedding

Six years of hoping
Empty cradle felt so sad
His strong love heals me

Seven days of puke
Morning sickness tells the tale
Baby on the way

Eight hours of labor
Difficult delivery
Pushing all night long

Nine months of guessing
Sapphire blue or hazel green?
We each hope to win

Ten perfect fingers
And ten perfect little toes
Dark hair, hazel eyes

This is my life now
I love him and he loves me
Blast! He won the bet!


A/N: Okay, now you see why I don't write Kel/Dom stories. This is what happens when I try to do so. ;P Anyway, I'm glad I got it out of my system and I hope you liked the format. Haiku homework was always the best (because they're so short), but the results weren't always so great. My skills are rusty. Please review my work and let me know what you really think, but I'd consider it a kindness if you wouldn't flame me too harshly. Thanks! :D