Chapter 3

A/N - This was originally for Wyldon Winter at fiefgoldenlake dot proboards dot com. Mostly this is just being posted here for the sake of completeness, updates for this will be posted more frequently/quickly on either Goldenlake or thekingsown dot org Tamora Pierce fanfiction archive site. Also, apologies to those with alerts, it took a few tries to get this to load properly. :)

Kel wore a soft smile as she headed home from the palace. It had been a good day, starting with practice bouts with Lady Alanna and Faleron, followed by a small picnic with her friends in the Royal Forest. She knew that they were trying to distract her from her glooms, and she was glad to forget her worries for a while as they reminisced and joked in the sunshine. Owen had insisted on some jousting practice after, much to Neal's horror, and while Owen had become a rather skilled jouster under Lord Wyldon's tutelage, she still sent him flying more often than not. Finally, she had paid Yuki a visit before leaving the palace. Her Yamani friend was about to give birth to a child, and she had asked Kel to stay close to her during the late stages of her pregnancy.

The house was quiet, the worries of the family having rid the home of the usual laughter, chatter and squealing that usually filled it. Kel immediately felt guilty. She shouldn't have been off having fun while her family and people suffered.

A voice called out to her. "Kel, is that you?" Conal's head poked out behind a door. "You're home. Mama said you were to see Papa in his study. They have something to discuss with you." He gave her a weak smile.

Kel nodded. "I'll go now." Conal's head disappeared, probably going back to finish organizing supplies to be taken back to Mindelan with him when he left later in the week.

Both her parents were waiting in the study for her. Worry had settled on their faces, and each time she saw them, they looked a little more deflated, knowing there was lesser chances of them finding aid. Ilane looked up at her. "Kel," she said warmly, "you're home."

She smiled. "Conal said you wished to speak with me," she explained, sitting on a chair opposite their desk.

"We have something to discuss." Piers replied.

"About the trip to Mindelan?" she asked, worried that she might not be able to return home as soon as she had hoped to.

"No. We received a…proposal...for aid." Her mother didn't look any happier, even though it was what they had been hoping for the last few weeks. "Would you like some cider?" Kel nodded, and Ilane poured out a glass, her hands trembling as she gripped the pitcher.

"Mama, what's wrong?" Kel was alarmed by the sight.

"I'm just tired," her mother lied weakly, handing Kel a glass. Kel sipped her cider, still worried as she watched her mother.

"Lord Wyldon came to see us today," her father said, his voice distracting her. "He has offered a considerable, if not generous, amount of money in aid."

She looked at him in surprise. "Lord Wyldon?" Kel couldn't think why he would help them.

"Yes, enough to pay for repairs and buy food for our people." Kel was gobsmacked. That was a lot to offer, and yet, her parents were not less worried than they were this morning. Something was wrong. Before she could speak however, Piers continued. "His offer is contingent on your hand in marriage."

"Marriage?" Kel's gaze darted between her parents' faces, wondering if she had heard right.

Her mother looked even more worried, if it were possible. "Yes, marriage. He is looking for a wife, and has decided you would be a suitable match." Ilane paused, considering her words. "I know you have decided against a noble marriage, and we wouldn't ask if the situation weren't so dire…but please, consider the match." Her tone bordered on pleading. "We won't force you to accept, and will respect your decision should you refuse, just think..."

"Mama, no!" Kel cried out. If she could do this for her family and people, she would. "I accept." Her mind whirled, doubt and uncertainty taking hold even as she said the words.

Piers sighed. "Think about it, Keladry. We had our own reservations about this, and had Lord Wyldon not been as honourable a man as he is, we may have questioned his motives further. As it is, the gossipmongers would put your name through the mud, for wedding your former training master. He has daughters older than you, who may be unhappy with the match. And while he has indicated he has no desire to have sons, there will probably still be pressure from others for you to bear him an heir."

A traitorous voice whispered in her mind that maybe she should heed her parents' words, that she was making light of an important matter. She ignored the voice, not wanting it to interfere with her decision. Whatever the consequences may be, she had a duty to her people and she would do it.

Piers's hand reached out to cover Kel's. "Consider the possibilities of each decision, and do as you feel you should. In the meantime, we will search for other options."

Kel knew there would be little hope of finding aid from another source, but let it slide. Her parents were worried for her, even given their woes. It would have been all too easy for them to try to pressure her to accept, but they had done everything but that. Pushing her feelings aside, Kel tried her best to smile brightly. "I will consider the proposal," she stated, knowing that the only answer she could give them was an acceptance. She couldn't let her people suffer through the winter, not when it could be so easily remedied. Shifting her hand away, Kel stood. "If you will excuse me?" They nodded, and she left, trying to sort through the myriad of emotions starting to take hold in heart.