Chapter Ten-Beginnings.
The Chapel of Mithros was fuller than she had expected, Kel thought as she peered through the curtain. Her stomach churned at the thought of all those people looking at her. She could cope with an audience at a fight; after all, she didn't have to say anything then. The worst that could really happen was a lot of bleeding, possibly disembowelment; and that she could handle. Who invited them all? she fretted.
Lalasa fussed around her, tugging at the dress she wore.
She looked beyond the curtain again. The overall feel of the chapel was one of carnival. Wildflowers reigned abundant, trailing over the pews and the priest's lectern, where he stood trying to look dignified. Tiny flower girls, Neal's nieces, raced around, chirping like sparrows. On the front pew she could make out Piers and Ilane of Mindelan in conversation with Neal's father. Raoul sat grinning next to Buri. Various relatives looked on; Kel's year mates took up a whole pew to themselves, all looking ridiculously jolly. She turned to the mirror and anxiously screwed up her face.
"Oh Gods Lalasa, I look like a cow."
She had announced the occasion to the older woman on the day Neal had proposed, hoping she would be able to adjust one of her old gowns. Lalasa had gone into paroxysms of joy and had insisted upon stitching an entire new gown for Kel, promising to keep it simple. Kel had to admit, the gown was beautiful. It was certainly fit for Queen Thayet, that was for certain.
"Keladry!"
Lalasa tapped her smartly. Kel jumped to hear the woman use her proper name.
"You look like the most elegant, gorgeous and splendid creature in Corus, and if half the lads in that room weren't already secretly in love with you before, then they soon will be." Her eyes swept Kel appraisingly. "Sir Nealan is a very fortunate man."
Kel hugged the girl gratefully and took the proffered bouquet of lily-of-the-valley.
"Thankyou Lalasa. I needed that."
Lalasa smiled.
"I meant every single word. I have never felt so proud of you, or indeed, my own dress-making skills." She winked at Kel
"Now go on."
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An audible gasp filled the chapel as she entered. The walk to the altar was not a long one, but it felt like a mile, and she thanked Mithros for her Yamani-smooth expression. She felt her friends and relatives watching her delightedly; and felt a little internal pride as Domitan of Masbolle goggled at her. Cleon watched silently in the back pew as she walked towards Neal. The golden-cream dress she wore was low at the neck and slender-sleeved, a simple golden belt hung low on her hips. The soft skirt fell in liquid folds to the floor, and she wore a gossamer golden veil over her face, as was the tradition.
I would have got married in breeches if they'd've let me she thought and giggled privately at the idea. What must I look like?
The look Neal gave her answered the question for her.
She felt giddy as they stepped through the marriage rites. At the end of the Handfasting Neal lifted the veil and looked at her wonderingly before pressing his smiling mouth on to hers to the sound of applause.
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There was no time for family celebrations, but everybody made their congratulations known. The Lioness, Raoul and Buri hugged Kel warmly, Buri commenting "I wouldn't've put you down for all this fuss Kel!"
Kel shrugged and laughed.
"I'm not sure who to blame for all this yet," she gestured around her, "but I suppose a lady must do her duty, eh?"
"Quite right." the Lioness cackled, a fellow soldier in the battle against 'lady-like' behaviour. Ilane of Mindelan put her arms around Kel and kissed her, shortly followed by Piers.
"I think you're father's relieved it's Nealan," she said melodiously, "He was dreading you bringing home some pompous knight home for Midwinter."
"I was indeed."
"And everybody's said there is no better man."
Kel looked over at Neal, unbearably handsome in dark green garb. He looked up to see her watching, and grinned a wonky, lop-sided grin, love in every inch of his expression.
"You tell him that Mama, but don't blame me if he gets big-headed. He has promised no poetry though."
"Ah, small blessings…" her father chortled.
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Later they went to her chambers, where Owen had organised a gathering, closing off the top corridor of their apartments. He had got together a fiddler's band who played lively music as the drink flowed and the floor filled with friends, Riders and Knights of the Own.
Kel and Neal disappeared into the corridor for a dance, alone. She felt like the girl she could've been for not the first time in her life.
"I hope you don't expect that this dancing thing will become a regular occurrence?" she said jokingly as he spun her slowly, and pulled her close to him.
"Of course not," he soothed her. "A Knight needs her toes, and I seem to be exceptionally good at treading on yours." He stroked her face.
"I had noticed.
"Ahem."
Kel wheeled to see Lord Wyldon and Jump behind her. She smiled self-consciously.
"Hello, sir."
Wyldon gave a low whistle at her appearance, and a rare smile as Kel crouched to pet Jump.
"I'm sorry to both of you that I missed the Handfasting…"
Kel doubted if this was entirely true. She gave a little grin as she thought of Wyldon attending anything so happy, especially the marriage of two of his former students. He'd probably see it as a massive failure on his part, she thought, amused.
"…I thought I'd find you young people carousing up here, and I thought I would deliver my wedding present."
What on earth?
He handed to Neal two thick sheaves of expensive-looking parchment. Neal stared at them as if Lord Wyldon had just passed him a pair of kippers.
"Maps of the coast, Mindelan, not traditional I know, but fully up to date. More useful for your next quest than any lace bedspread, I daresay."
Kel nodded fervently. Neal was still stunned.
"Most definitely…Would you like a drink?..."
"No, no…I must get back, however…" he picked up Kel's hand, raised it to his mouth and kissed it. Kel felt a blush rising.
"I wish you both the happiest of lives together. Goddess knows, you're made for each other…"
He released her hand and paced away from them in the direction he came, Jump trailing after him…
"My Gods…" Neal began slowly, "did he…? Was that…?"
"I know. Who'd've thought it, eh?" Kel remembered the distinctly un-knight-like feeling she had experienced as Wyldon had kissed her hand…
"'Wyldon of Cavall; the consummate charmer'. He actually treated me like a real-live woman. Should I go after him, do you think?" she giggled wickedly.
"Can't." Neal pressed her against his chest. "I'm not letting you go ever."
She hugged him back.
"Sounds good to me."
They rejoined the party, which continued until the early hours. Kel won an arm wrestle with an insistent Owen (Fluke! Fluke!) and another after it. She got rather more tipsy than she had anticipated, but didn't, for that moment, care.
What gave her hope was the sight of Neal embracing Cleon tightly, and speaking a few quiet words to him before he fled the room.
After everyone had left, and they sat alone amongst the aftermath of the party, Kel asked Neal what they had talked about.
"Ah, the obvious…" Neal looked thoughtful. "If he ever tries it on with you in future, you must tell me so I can try and break him arm…"
"Try?"
"I fear I'd be pounded into the dust by then. 'Man's a giant."
They both laughed.
"Don't worry, if he ever tried it on, I would do it my self…" She told him about the last time she and the redhead had spoken.
"I think we've left a very unhappy man."
"He'll find another obsession." Kel tried to sound confident.
"Funnily enough, I don't think he will…I know what that feels like, knowing that no-one he will ever meet will be like you, will measure up… You are incredibly…special."
Kel kissed him firmly as she pulled of his tunic.
"Prove it to me then."
Neal began to un-lace her bodice, feeling for the warm flesh underneath then pulled her towards him elatedly.
"I think I might just do that."
Epilogue
Peachblossom shifted in the balmy afternoon, scoring the ground with his hoof and skittering impatiently as the riders around him saddled their
mounts. The Own's courtyard was packed with men and equipment. Kel sighed contentedly; back with the gelding and back in breeches she felt at home again. A couple of Crown's descendents cheeped at her from Peachblossom's rump.
"Along for the ride are we? It's pirates this time, you know." A knot of excitement bubbled up inside her.
"Talking to the air again Kel?" a throaty voice drawled in her ear, drawing a shiver from her. Neal looked around furtively at the lazy mounts resting in the sunlight, and dragged her behind Peachblossom to kiss her. The gelding snorted.
"Luckily for you, you'll have a healer with you this time."
"And you won't let me forget it, I'll wager."
"Gods no. As I say, I like to feel useful."
He stroked her eyebrow with a long finger, suddenly pensive.
"I love you, you know Kel… It's just nice to be able to show it."
Kel kissed him.
"I love you. Just don't get too adoring or there'll be a mutiny."
Neal shoved her disgustedly. "Hah bloody hah."
Lord Raoul's horn sounded across the yard. They mounted up with a fond glance at each other. Kel felt breathless with anticipation. She was here, in the sun, in the breeze with her best friend, and she was about to set out to somewhere she'd never been before…
"Life's good isn't it?" she commented.
Neal smirked good-humouredly.
"Tell me that after a week riding that brute."
For once, Peachblossom didn't aim a nip as he started to trot behind the glittering procession out of Corus.
With the wind in her hair she urged him on.
"Come on Peachblossom, let's go."
The End.