Kel sat alone in her room, her own room. Now she was a Knight, but where would she go from here? Soon the King would assign her to a position, but, what until then? No Cleon to cuddle. How she missed him. All of her other friends had places to be, and they were in them. Why didn't she?

Keladry of Mindelan sat down to think about her Ordeal. She had a task. To defeat those, iron giants. Those monsters. But who made them? And in the name of Mithros WHY? To destroy Tortall? That seemed a likely solution.

But why her? What could she do about it? She wished passionately that Cleon was here. He would soothe her and erase these horrible thoughts from her mind. Then again, his mother wanted him to marry some posh noble laby called Adele this summer. She was dreading it. She hoped Cleon would tell of their love, and be free to marry her, well, see her at least. Marraige was too bigger step.

Or was it.

.:Knock Knock:.

"Hello?" a voice outside queried.

Neal was back.

Kel jumped up and flung her door open, wrapping her arms around Neal.

"I missed you so much and-"

At the sight of the look on Neal slightly red face she fell silent. Something was wrong.

"Kel, I dont want to have to tell you this but," Neal started, voice shaking. When he paused, seemingly lost for words, she prompted, "Neal?"

"Yeah. Sorry. Its Cleon-"

"What? This must be some kind of sick joke, it must-"

"Sssssh Kel. He's alive. Barely. The healers are seeing to him. Some Scanran tried to run him through and failed. He has the best healers in the realm looking after him."

Kel sat, tears rolling down her face, unable to move letalone talk.

"Kel. I know this is hard-"

"You have no idea!!" Kel burst out.

"I'll leave you alone, Kel, let the news sink in. I'm sorry."

"No, I am Neal, its just, I think, we said we wouldn't say this but-"

"But?"

"I think I love Cleon, Neal. If he," Kel took a deep breath, "If he dies then."

"Then what?"

"I dont know. I just love him so much Neal!"

Neal walked over to Kel and hugged her, "He's a fighter. I'm sure he'll be okay. One other thing though. Inners said if anything happened to Cleon, then theres a box in Mindelan for you. From Cleon. But you can only open it if he, you know. Hopefully there'll be no need to," Neal replied hesitantly.

"I hope he's OK," Kel said lamely.

"Me too Kel, me too," Neal replied, holding her close, her tears soaking his shirt.

A/N : I had no inspiration but Ii figured I might as well try. Tell me what you think and REVIEW!!!