A/N: As per usual, I greet you all with apologies for such delays. University life is hectic, as is the workload. And monotone lecturers make it all the more exciting. My updates will be inconsistent as my only opportunity to write will be during the mid-year break. But I shall try.

Thanks to x-LinaNumairsri-x for pointing out my errors. I shall edit the previous chapter when I can. As for the pairing in this story, I my self am not sure. It could be kelxDom, KelxLerant, or just Kel. My chapters and individual events are random and I prefer to leave it open so I am not confined to using a certain character with Kel all the time. But dare I admit I do prefer Lerant these days (=

Misunderstandings

When Kel had finally opened her eyes, the blurry and slightly fuzzy image of a blob of dark brown with specks of green sharpened to be Neal in the process of changing her bandages.

"Good-morning" greeted Neal brightly. Kel noted his open relieved expression at her conscious state.

"Water" she croaked.

Kel struggled to sit up as her whole body still ached. After moisturising the insides of her mouth and throat, she began to examine her body. It seemed as if half her body was bandaged. She noted that the top of her body was bare, due to the fact that her stomach and waist were bandaged and all she was equipped with was a new breastband and a new set of scars.

"How are you feeling?" asked Neal.

"Just a little sore. How long have I been asleep for?"

"Just a day. You gave us a bit of a scare. You were as pale as parchment and as bare as your horses hide" he reported with a forced cheeky smile, attempting to mask his worry.

"How is Lerant?" asked Kel, purposely ignoring his last comment.

"He is in better shape than you. I was able to mend him fully since he had no broken bones, just fractures. He was up and at it the next morning. He has stopped by your tent twice, actually…He seemed worried."

Kel nodded slowly as she took her time twisting around so she was sitting upright and her legs were hanging off the side of the bed. She was glad someone had put her in a new pair of breeches.

"I'll be back to check up on you." He said as he took the tray with dirty bandages away.

Kel stared at the ground feeling light headed and hungry as her stomach growled for sustenance. At the sound of a cough, she looked up. The first thing she noticed was the tray of food and then that it was Lerant holding it.

"I was passing by when Queenscove said to give you this." He said stiffly as he thrust the food into her hands.

"Thank you."

An awkward silence hung in the air as neither knew what to say. It seemed that both were at a loss as to how they should treat each other. Well, Lerant more so than Kel.

"So…how is your arm wound?" asked Kel finally.

"Fine. Nothing serious."

"That's good."

"You should eat," commented Lerant. Kel nodded, grateful to have something to do.

"Was anyone else wounded?" she inquired.

"No. It seems we were the only unfortunate ones."

"Lerant, could you sit down, it's hard looking up." Kel said, patting a spot beside her, since she was in her tent and there were no stools or other objects to sit on.

"Actually, I was just heading ou-"

"Sit. I have something to say" She ordered.

Lerant scowled as he reluctantly sat beside her. Kel offered him a bread roll, to which he snatched, not thanking her for being courteous.

"I wanted to thank you for -"

"Stop!" he barked, jumping up, facing her. Kel was shocked and at a loss for his reaction.

"What is wrong with you?" she demanded with sudden irritation.

"What is wrong with me? What you are about to do is what is wrong with me!"

"What are you talking about? Your sudden outburst is doing my head no good. Out with it!"

"Why would you do that? Why would you thank me as if what I did was unexpected. It was my duty, and you offend me by thanking me. When we are out there, we are comrades, fighting under the same banner and we help one another. So don't thank me as if I'm a treacherous Eldorne who surprisingly showed some honour," he growled.

"You fool!" exclaimed Kel, her Yamani training evading her. She was tired physically and mentally. "I was thanking you for saving my life, showing you how grateful I was that you were with me, not implying that you are a man with fickle honour! I wanted to thank you for tending to my wounds with more care than you did yours, not for staying by my side because I know you have more honour than needing to be thanked for that!"

Kel went to stand up, out of frustration, forgetting she had a leg wound. Unfortunately, her other leg was also numb and she crumpled onto the floor.

"YOU are the fool!" was his immediate reaction to her downfall.

After a moment's hesitation, he crouched down to help her.

"I can do it myself" replied Kel, coolly. Once again, she was in an unfortunate situation as her arms limp and too sore to handle the weight of lifting her body off the ground.

"If you want to make amends with me, stop looking so pitiful and let me help you."

Kel nodded, though her facial expression was blank, was still fuming at his accusation.

Lerant put an arm under her legs and another around her shoulders, hoisting her up. As he was about to place her on the bed, he heard a cough. Lerant turned around to the entrance of Kel's tent to find Quasim, Dom, Neal and his Lord Raoul staring wide eyed and baffled at the scene before them.

There stood Lerant holding a half naked Kel in his arms with this morning's breakfast scattered on the floor with an annoyed look that could be misunderstood for being disturbed.

"As you were" commented Raoul, taking a step back and ushering the gaping men out of the tent.

"Wait!" shouted Lerant, dropping Kel as if she were the plague onto the bed.

"Ouch! Why did you do that for? Have you forgotten that I am wounded?"

"This is your entire fault, Mindelan!" snarled Lerant.

"Of course," replied Kel straight faced. "It always is, Eldorne."

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e/n: I am hoping that this was not cheesy or clichéd. I think I may have made Kel not as stoic as she would be and Lerant more responsive. But hopefully it didn't ruin the nature of each character.

Just a quick question: Since I wont be able to update often with long chapters, perhaps you would like mini chapters/short excerpts of minor events or conversations taking place. And if so, what topics would you like the characters to discuss?