Disclaimer: I own Portia and Alton, the rest of them ain't mine.
Truth be told - Part three
4 days later
Kel sat on a stone bench in the palace garden. She had just finished cleaning out the stables, her punishment for being late to class the other day. Every minute of her punishment made her think of Joren. To make matters worse, she found those thoughts to be completely opposite of those she had had just a few days ago. Her thoughts had been once of hatred, now...she really didn't know what her thoughts meant. She had a problem, and there was only one person she could turn to.
"Kel! Oh, Kel it's so good to see you!" Kel stood and hugged her friend Portia tightly. Portia was shorter than Kel by inches, but she was older by almost three years. Her straight black hair was pinned up in a small bun.
"It's been a while." Kel hadn't seen Portia in about two months. Portia had fled her home years ago because of disagreements with her family. She went back for the first time two months ago.
The two girls talked a bit, then silence came over them for a while.
"Kel, what's wrong?" Portia said suddenly.
Kel's eyes grew wide, "What makes you think something's wrong?"
"Keladry, I can tell when something's on your mind. That little mask of yours doesn't fool Portia of Greenridge." Kel sighed. Portia was the only one to have noticed her feelings for Neal; she should've known her mask would not have worked.
"It's really complicated."
"I have the time, Kel." Portia grinned brightly at her friend.
Kel breathed in deeply. "Alright. Where do I start?" Kel thought a bit, then introduced her problem with the event that occurred that morning. She had gone to breakfast, as usual. Everyone was quiet, which wasn't unusual either. No one had asked her why she was late to class, and Kel was relived that she didn't have to lie anymore then she already had. Before classes began, Kel walked outside to get some fresh air, and to be alone. She wasn't alone, however, for long. Not long after she got out, she heard footsteps behind her. A hand on her shoulder spun her around, and before she could speak, someone was kissing her. Expecting to see Joren, she opened her eyes. Instead her eyes met with a pair of emerald green ones.
Portia clapped her hands together, "Neal?! That's great! What did he say after?"
"Nothing! He just said 'Come on, you don't want to be late again.' That's it."
Portia's smile faded as she raised an eyebrow. "Kel? This is exactly what you wanted. What could be wrong?"
Kel sighed, and looked at her friend. "How did you...I mean, how did you know Alton was the one? Alton was Porita's lover. They were practically betrothed. "Can you just...feel it?"
"Mithros, what a question! Um...sure I guess. I did have a feeling about Alton." She smiled. "It's hard to explain really, you'll just know when it happens."
"Oh. Portia, what's this feeling like?" Kel thought about the nature of her questions; they were all girl troubles. Five years ago she would have laughed at the thought of having these questions asked.
"I can't say, Kel. You'll just know." Portia raised her eyebrow once more, "Why?"
"When Neal kissed me...I guess I expected to feel what you're talking about. But I didn't. Not like..." She stopped.
"Wait. Not like what? Keladry of Mindelan what are you not telling me? No offence, but you don't have anything to compare his kiss to...do you?"
"Here's my problem, Portia…"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Portia was silent the whole time Kel spoke. She listened a Kel told her everything that had happened with Joren of Stone Mountain.
"So, that's it. That's what I'm faced with." Kel looked at Portia, "Now what?"
"What if this is another joke, Kel."
"I thought about that. He sounded serious, Portia. I really think he meant it."
"Okay, so what's the problem?" Portia was growing impatient.
"You said I'd just know right?" Portia nodded. "Well, when Joren kissed me...I don't know...there was just something there that wasn't there when Neal did it. Like you said, I just knew there was something there."
"Do you love him? That's your problem isn't it? You have this guy who you hated, or you thought you hated. And then you have this other guy who you love, or you think you love, if that's the case. They both kiss you and the feeling that you expected to have came not from the one you love, but the one you think you hate, right?" Portia breathed in.
"Yes." Kel replied.
"Now, some questions are arising about Joren. Some questions you're afraid to know the true answer to."
Kel rubbed her forehead. "Exactly. Portia, you know me too well."
Portia put an arm around her friend. "I think you know the answer to your problem." Kel smiled. "Just follow your heart," she added sarcastically.
"Very inspiring words my love." Portia and Kel turned to face a tall young man, about Neal's age. He had jet-black hair that was tied back in a short ponytail. Portia stood and kissed him.
"I have to go, Kel. Sorry I couldn't be much help."
"You were, Portia. Thank you." Kel waved at the two. "Good-bye." She watched Portia walk away until she was out of sight. Then she turned and walked back the squire's wing. She had to face her study group now, and that meant facing Neal.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kel turned the key to her bedroom door. The door creaked as she shut it. Kel made her way to her trunk, and opened it to pull out a dress made of gold fabric. She pulled off her tunic and pants, and began to pull the dress over her head.
"Something's come for you." Lalassa turned to look at Kel's work desk, as did Kel. There on the desk was a small bouquet of flowers. Kel walked over to the desk and picked the flowers up.
"I've never gotten flowers before." She said, smelling them.
Lalassa smiled. "Seems you've made yet another conquest, Keladry."
"Any idea who they're from?" Kel really didn't have to ask. This wasn't something Neal would have done.
" I think you know." Lalassa opened the door, "Now go, your friends will worry if you're late."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kel sat next to Neal and Roald in the lesser library. Her pencil moved about on Neal's paper as she explained the math problem. Joren was not to be seen, and Neal had yet to say anything to her.
"Kel," Neal took her hand, stopping the explanation, "About this morning...I'm sorry."
Kel looked up. "Why?"
"I don't know what came over me. This won't change anything, right?" he added in panic. "I mean...I..."
"Don't worry yourself!" Kel said grinning.
"It's okay. Nothing's changed. I know you didn't mean anything by it."
"You do?"
"Yes. I saw Portia today." Kel changed the subject.
Neal scoffed, "Is she still with that Alton fellow? He's no good."
Kel laughed, seeing Neal was back to his old self. "Now, let's get back to work."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joren sat his desk, thinking. Why did I think flowers would help any? He couldn't go to the library that night; it was too hard to see Kel. He was going to class that morning when something out the window caught his eye. What he saw nearly broke his heart. There was Kel, standing there in the garden, kissing Neal. It was already too late, she was gone, out of his reach. The flowers were a nice try, but that's all they were, a try.
Joren got up and changed for bed. It was still far too early to sleep, but Joren figured it would help clear his mind of a certain female squire. He laid back and pulled the linen sheets over his body. He leaned over and blew out the candle by the bed.
He couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned for over two hours. He just had too much on his mind to rest. Joren sat up and sighed heavily. He wasn't going to get any sleep.
After about another half and hour, Joren grew tired. He yawned and laid back in bed. As his eyes closed there was a knock on the door.
"Now what?" he grumbled as he made his way to the door. When he opened it his eyes widened, seeing something very unexpected.
"Thanks for the flowers." Kel stood in his doorway, a light brown coat covering her nightdress. In her hand was the small bouquet of flowers Joren had picked her.
"Kel!" Joren pulled her into his room and closed the door. To his surprise, she didn't protest. "What are you doing here?"
Kel looked down. "I...I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about what you said to me."
Joren rubbed his eyes hard. "You didn't come all this way to slap me, did you?"
Kel laughed quietly then touched Joren's cheek. "No, and I'm sorry I ever did." Joren looked at her. "You were right."
"About what?"
"I did have feeling for you…I do have feelings for you. I just didn't want to admit it. Maybe I was embarrassed."
"Joren smiled and took her hand. "I know exactly what you mean." He took the flowers out of Kel's and placed them on his desk. He looked into her hazel eyes. "I love you."
Kel smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I know that. I just didn't know that I loved you, until now." She smiled and kissed him softly.
Joren yawned as he made his way to his bed. He sat, back against the headboard and legs spread out. Kel walked to him and kissed his forehead.
"I'd better go. It's late."
"Yes it is. That's why you should stay here."
Kel hesitated. "I…uh…maybe I should…"
Joren smiled. "Don't worry." He motioned Kel over, and she sat beside him. Kel laid her head on his chest. "Get some rest." He advised. Joren kissed her hair, her cheek, and her nose; which made her giggle. "Shh…" He sighed and ran his hand through her hair.
"Joren?" Kel looked up to look into his eyes as they opened, "What are we going to do tomorrow? When everyone wakes up?"
"We'll worry about that tomorrow. Right now," Joren rubbed Kel's cold arms, "I'm worried about keeping you warm." He smiled at Kel, who grinned and closed her eyes. Joren yawned one last time, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hey, I need some help! Who do you want to find out first? I have two people so far, but you're NOT limited to choosing only one of them. 1) Neal or 2) Owen
Thanks!