I don't own Protector of the Small. I have always hated Cleon so here is something I think the red head deserves. Sorry to all of you who liked him but i just never did.

Cleon entered the palace gates. He was glad to escape his wife. She was beautiful but he didn't love he, he loved Lady Knight Keladry, his old lover and hoped with all his heart that Kel was in the capital for he longed to see her hazel dreamer eyes and brown hair.

He knew that it would be impossible for anything to happen between them as he had a pregnant wife. She had always said she loved him but it never seemed like she fully meant it. He hoped she had not fallen in love with someone.

He wouldn't have come at all but Neal had invited him for his daughter's first birthday months ago and Cleon couldn't turn down the offer. He hadn't been to the palace since Neal's wedding and at that he had only seen Kel for a second because she had to leave early with the third company.

Neal met him at the stables with his squire Alan of Pirates Swoop. Cleon smiled at his old friend and greeted him.

"I hope you had a good trip, come and meet Becca."

Cleon came around the corner of the stables two days before he was to leave to see Neal arguing with a black haired man in a blue tunic.

"I though you wouldn't be here for your wedding, she was so worried. I think you are going to get a flying lesson when you see her."

"Don't worry meathead, I already talked to her and am not injured in any way."

"Lucky," Cleon heard Neal whine.

"I got flying lessons last week."

"Poor you," said the man and Cleon recognized him as Neal's cousin Domitan of Mastoblle the new commander of the Kings Own since Lord Raoul retired.

He had been the castle flirt when Cleon was a squire and he was surprised that he was getting married.

"Relax, I wasn't going to be late, I don't really want to get killed by my blushing bride."

"My friend, your bride is anything but blushing, she might be deadly but not blushing."

Dom laughed and walked away.

Cleon almost forgot about the wedding for Dom that Neal had told him to come to so he slipped in through a side door at the last minute. In fact he was so late that the commander of the Kings Own had just finished his vows.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Cleon watched as the blond leaned down and pressed his lips to the lady's who stood next to was tall and he could see that she was strong. Her wedding dress made her glow. She returned the kiss with so much love that Cleon almost cried, that was how he though Kel and him should have been.

Thinking of his Yamian blossom he slipped out the door he had entered day he was to leave he approached Neal.

"Do you know if Kel is in the capital? I want to see her before I leave."

Neal who had been blind to his friend's short affair laughed.

"You didn't recognize her yesterday. That shows how much our Lady Knight has changed."

Neal walked off still laughing leaving Cleon in a state of confusion. Who was he talking about the only people he had seen were Neal, Yuki, Dom, and the lady who was so in love with Dom...Kel, Kel was the one who married Dom yesterday. The one who was so totally in love with the Yamian blossom was his no longer, Kel was now Lady Knight Keladry of Mastoblle.

My favorite quote from the books was said by Kel's knight master. He is talking to her about one of he talents. Anyone have a guess about what it is?

In your face Cleon! That was the only thing I didn't like in the books, their relationship. I hated them together Kel and Dom are so much better. Forgive me if I spelled any of the names wrong I don't have the book with me.