More Than I Could Give

By: Midnight Maiden

(Disclaimer: T.P. owns all characters)

Roald walked nervously to his parents' quarters. He knocked timidly on the giant doors and waited for some one to let him in. He had to be in trouble. He'd received a message only moments ago that he was to meet the king and queen immediately. Now, as he stood before the massive doors, he could not imagine what could be so important that it had to be settled this moment. A servant opened the door and he walked in.

"Hello, dear," his mother said, her voice slightly too sincere, indicating that she was upset about something. Great, that was just what he needed. "Take a seat."

They were seated at a table and he sat in the chair that she'd indicated he should. "What did you need?" He asked, trying to keep his own voice calm.

"Well, son, we know how much you love Keladry, but-" The king started, toying thoughtfully with his beard.

"But what?" Roald interrupted, rising from his seat. "What do you mean by that?" He demanded. Thoughts of his love ever being alone, out of his arms bombarded him, painted his eyes red.

"Roald, the country expects you to be betrothed. If anything happened to us it would be better for every one if you were married and could provide an heir." Thayet said, choosing her words carefully.

"I will be betrothed, just not now," Roald reminded them, not at all liking the direction this was going. He would not allow his happiness to be destroyed for a country which was perfectly stable.

"Roald, you have two weeks."

His face dropped. Kel would never be ready in two weeks. He could never force her to be ready. But he couldn't leave her either. Clenching his fists to contain the betrayal rising in him, he moved to the edge of the table. "Or else?" He asked defiantly, looking for any kind of hope.

"If you cannot find a suitable bride in two weeks we will call in the Yamani princess."

For several moments he stood, jaw tight. At last, locking eyes with his father, he slammed his fist into the hard wood before him and stormed out of the room. His anger led him to the only place that offered him comfort.
Kel sat in her room, just finishing her morning exercises. Jump was lying on the bed looking at her like she was waiting for her to feed him, even though she already had. "Jump, you already a very nice piece of meat this morning," she giggled, shooing him away. He seemed to shrug and got off the bed.

As if he was expecting it, some one knocked on the door, and Jump was waiting patiently for her to answer it. "Who is it?" She asked, looking curiously at her dog, who in addition to his many talents, seemed to have developed the Sight.

"Kel, open up it's me."

She opened the door to see a very distraught Roald waiting outside. She grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. "What's wrong Roald? What happened?"

"I can't tell you." He looked at her, true hurt in his eyes. She wanted to wipe it away, assure him it would be okay, but she didn't know what was wrong.

"Why not?" She tugged his sleeve and led him to the bed. He settled in next to her, laying his head in her lap. Running her fingers through his hair, she wondered what could have happened that would be so terrible.

Her prince looked at her sadly, forced a smile. "Because it would hurt you too much." He reached up to touch her face.

Kel's eyebrows rose suspiciously. "Roald, I can handle that. Tell me what it is." She closed her hand around his, pressing it close to her cheek.

"No." He shook his head and looked away from her.

She stood up, letting his head unceremoniously dump on the mattress and glared at him angrily. "I demand that you tell me now, Roald of Conte!" She poked him in the chest hard. "There oughtn't be any secrets between us."

"Ouch!" He looked into her eyes and sighed, giving way. "I have two weeks."

"Two weeks?" She asked, wondering what he was talking about.

Roald sighed sitting up, pulling her close in front of him, and burying his face in the folds of her tunic. "To have a bride chosen and a wedding date set."

"Two weeks." Kel's face fell, turning an odd shade of gray. She looked down at the prince in front of her, sitting on the bed, clutching her like a child. This was not a future king of the realm. This was a man who needed things to be taken out of his hands. "Two weeks," she repeated.

He looked up, still clutching her tightly. Then his diplomacy returned. "You don't have to, you know. You don't need this. You can walk away," he insisted, though she knew he could not mean it.

She sunk to her knees, now slightly lower than him, looking up into his piercing eyes. "No," she whispered. "I'm staying."

"I'm so sorry Kel." He stroked her hair thanking the gods for giving her to him. "I love you."

"I love you too." She smiled and closed her eyes. It would be okay. He would make it okay.