AN: I wrote this for no reason (besides im obsessed with the books) and um.. dunno whats going on… R/R plzz oh and I don't own any of the chars and such… (except maybe Neal.. I really would like to own him… kekeke) ha.. well whatever… ^_~

Musing and a Midnight surprise

Kel wandered down the river's edge. How long had it been since she'd stood here and watched that spidren reach into the burlap bag and pull out a kitten? A long time, the blood of various immortals and enemies alike spilled by her hand. Now it was nice to be home and to sit on the old long by the river. She was the first Lady Knight to be watched by the entire realm. War was expected soon and Kel knew that the crown would call on her to fight. She would be ready to do her duty and hoped that she might be able to work along side some of her friends or maybe her old knight-master.

It had already been late afternoon when Anders had helped her escape from her once shy nephews and nieces. Now the bugs were starting to come out along with the night chill. So the she got up and headed inside. Kel had spent the time since she was knighted at Mindelan. She had kept up with her training, enough so she was fit and prepared for the much-dreaded war brewing between Scanra and Tortall. But mostly it had been time to herself to think and relax. Smiling to herself she thought of how peachblossom had been growing fat at pasture. She would have to take him out for more riding later.

Jump came over to her as she entered her room. The house was quiet now, most of the keep was asleep. She hovered beside the bed for a moment before deciding not to go to sleep. She would write to Cleon perhaps. She hadn't seen him since before her turn at the chamber of Ordeals. She had laid out her parchment and dipped her quill in ink before she realized she had nothing to say to him. Yes, she missed him. Yes, she wanted to see him. But nothing came to mind that didn't sound stupid. With a sigh she admitted that maybe she was still a little hurt that he hadn't been at her ordeal.

That's stupid, she thought. Of course he couldn't be there, he was in service of the crown, already a full knight. I was there when he was knighted… and that's just the point, some dark park of her muttered, he wasn't there when you became lady knight. This really shouldn't bother her and the fact that it did worried her. Kel looked at herself in the mirror, her mousy brown hair was longer now, shoulder length. Her hazel-green eyes framed by long lashes. She wondered if maybe she was pretty, but the body on the rest of her was too manly. When she had returned home she'd over heard her sisters-in-law talking about how much she looked like a man and that maybe she had a love of other women, for no decent man would love that body.

I'm stupid to take such things to heart. Cleon loves me, he wants to marry me… she shivered. She hadn't seen him in a long time and she was still unsure about the marriage to come. And what if she wanted to join the king's own? She couldn't have a husband to be part of that could she? Maybe Cleon likes to kiss me, and maybe he thinks I'd make a good wife… but how could he love this muscled body? She frowned and her eyes misted thinking about his various negative reactions.

Kel walked over to the chest at the end of her bed. Lalasa had made her a dress as a present for her knighthood. It was made to fit perfectly, as Lalasa's things did, and it flattered her oddly strong body. She put it on and turned into the mirror and looked at the girl she might have become. It was cream coloured dress with a dark green sleaveless over coat that fell just about as long as the dress. Light green leaf prints made their way up the front and along the bottom. The sleaves to the dress were pale green and long, widening at the ends. It was pretty and therefore made Kel pretty. Or at least that's what she said.

"Ouch! Damn horse! I know you don't like me but for crying out loud you didn't have to bite me!" the voice came from outside in the courtyards. Kel hurried over there was a figure leading Peachblossom towards the gates. Kel had no time to change, she took her glaive and ran quietly downstairs and outside. There she came up behind the intruder pressing the blade into the back of his neck.

"Let go of my horse now." She said, her voice calm but forceful.

"Oh dear…" the voice wasn't alarmed only politely disappointed.

"How did you get in here?"

"The guards let me in… look-"

"They what?!" Kel was confused, why would they do such a thing?

"Keladry…" she drew back the glaive and stepped away.

"Turn around." He did and to her surprise she saw Neal.

"What in all the gods are you doing here?" she said both confused and delighted.

"I uh… huzzah Kel… you're wearing a dress…" he stared now too. So obviously that she felt a bush rising and was suddenly glad for the darkness.

Hahhaha!! Am I not evil? Leaving u like this? Ah… sorry… actuall I'd hate myself if I was reading this… sorry.. ran out of ideas.. need to think up somemore… Review!! Give me some idea's and such… I'm not really sure what's going to happen….