Chapter Five: "Ordeal"
Joren stood completely still inside the dark chamber. He couldn't see an inch in front of himself, it was that dark. Then, suddenly, an image began to form all around him. Joren stood in a familiar part of the palace gardens; this area was well hidden, which was exactly why it was Kel and his secret meeting place. Joren adjusted his eyes and saw a figure leaning against the tree.
He smiled. It was Kel. She was waiting for something, or someone, to show up. She paced back and forth, wringing her hands as she did so. There was a rustling of leaves, and Kel turned. "Joren?" she asked.
There was a faint chuckle. Out of the bushes came a smirking Vinson. "Hello, Kel."
"What do you want, Vinson?" Kel spat in anger.
"I regret to inform you that Joren won't be joining you today." Vinson said calmly. "Fortunately he's… come to his senses."
Joren's face wrinkled. What does he mean? He watched as Vinson began to explain everything to a confused, and angry, Kel. According to Vinson, Joren had received the letter from his father, and not wanting to be thrown out of the family, he went to reconcile himself back home. "So you see, Kel, he hasn't changed. His family reputation is still more important than you." Vinson said. "You may have been deceived into thinking he loved you, girls are like that, but when it came to choosing between you and his reputation as an heir to Stone Mountain... well, we all saw how that turned out."
No! Joren's mind screamed out. Don't believe him, Kel! Joren wanted so badly to scream out, to tell Kel Vinson was lying. Instead he could only stand there and watch as Kel's faced changed, her Yamani training unable to hide her feeling of betrayal.
Vinson began walking toward Kel. "Now, I think it's time you learned your lesson, don't you? Bitches like you need to learn their place." Before Kel could defend herself, Vinson had a tight grip on her arm. She struggled, but Kel was no match for Vinson's strength and fury. "Too bad Joren's not here to stand up for you now." He struck her down to the ground and kicked her straight in the stomach, and smiled while doing so.
Joren ran to the image of Vinson and slammed his fists against it. His hands became bloody from hitting the stone walls, but Joren kept on going. Finally he gave up, realizing he could do no more than watch. He was powerless..
The beating went on, and Joren felt as if his heart was ripped from his body. Kel had eventually passed out, and Vinson left her lying there on the ground. Time passed, and Joren was forced to look Kel's ravaged body. His eyes were filled with tears, but he dared not make a sound. Then, a cry was heard. That cry became a name, "Kel!" From the right came Neal, running toward Kel's body. He sobbed by her, then realized she was still breathing. Carefully, Neal lifted her body and walked back the way he came.
The scene blacked out. Now Joren was in an infirmary. Kel was laying on a mattress with Neal by her side, stroking her hair. "I should have never believed him, Neal. Someone like that just can't change, no matter how one hopes. I did this to myself." Kel's voice was rasping, and barely a whisper.
"No, Kel. This was his fault, not yours." Neal said. "Joren did this to you. He was never good enough for you. I'll kill him for this, for making you suffer so." Neal stood with great determination.
Kel took his hand. "No, Neal. I have a feeling he'll get what he deserves." She looked into his green eyes. "Stay with me, Neal. Please. I need you."
Joren watched as Neal stayed by Kel's side, caring for her. He kept reminding himself that it wasn't real, it was just the Chamber trying to break him down. As this scene blacked, another formed. Now he stood in the Chapel of the Ordeal. The doors were open, and Kel and Neal were in front, staring at what was inside. Joren tried to see for himself, but there were people blocking the way. Slowly, people began to walk away, each saying something to the effect of, "What a shame." And, "He was so young." Joren moved toward the front and stared inside the chamber doors. There, lying still and pale, was his body. He had died in the Chamber.
"He got what he deserved." Kel said. She seemed to be better, now. Neal had an arm around her shoulders. "The Chamber couldn't allow Joren to be a knight." Neal nodded slightly.
The words were too much for Joren to take in. He crouched down on the cold chamber floor, hands over his head. The scene blacked out one last time, and Joren found himself in the palace gardens again. But this time the atmosphere was a glad one. People were smiling and laughing. There were flowers everywhere. Joren looked ahead and saw an alter. Standing in front of the alter were Kel and Neal; it was their wedding day. The ceremony lasted for the rest of Joren's ordeal. He watched as they pledged their undying love for one another, and he saw their first kiss as husband and wife. He saw the look of happiness on Kel's face, and knew that someone else, not he, had caused that happiness.
The scene went black, and remained that way until a bright light shined on Joren. He cupped his hand over his eyes as they adjusted to the light.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Keladry!" Lalassa shook the sleeping girl fiercely, trying to wake her up. The morning rays were shinning in the room. "Kel, wake up! It's after dawn, and Joren's ordeal should be over by now!"
Kel moaned and turned in the armchair she had slept in all night. "Lalassa? What time is it?"
"That's what I've been trying to tell you, Kel. It's well after dawn."
Kel sat up immediately. "What? Oh no. Joren!" She threw off her blanket and ran for the washtub.
Portia awoke with the commotion Kel was causing. "Kel? What's wrong?"
"Portia, I'm late! I hope Joren hasn't come out yet." She washed her face quickly and ran fingers through her hair. Luckily she hadn't changed out her clothes the night before, so she didn't need to spend time dressing. Kel ran out the door and down to the Chapel as fast as she could.
"Better hurry up, then." Portia mumbled as she went back to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Chamber doors opened, and Joren stumbled out. He ignored the concerned words from Paxen of Nond as his eyes searched the room for Kel. After scanning the room twice, three times, Joren sighed. "Where is she?" He asked himself quietly.
"Where is who?" Paxen asked. Joren didn't reply. He took a few, slow steps into the crowd of people. Many had come to the Chapel, curious to see if the events preceding the last Ordeal would repeat themselves.
Joren sighed in defeat. She hadn't come, he thought. Then, he heard a familiar voice calling his name. "Joren? Oh, Joren!" He looked up and saw Kel running through the doorway of the Chapel. Joren, although completely exhausted, found the strength to run toward her. People moved out of the way as he passed, but Joren didn't seem to notice. All he focused on was the girl standing in the doorway. When he finally reached her, he collapsed to his knees. Kel kneeled down and wrapped her arms around him.
"I'll always be there for you, Kel. I'll always protect you. You will never be alone, not while I'm alive." Joren paused, and then added, "I promise." He closed his eyes and held onto Kel with all his might, obviously afraid to lose her. There was a large crowd in the Chapel that morning, and each of them heard Joren's words. For once, Joren didn't think about them, only of himself and the precious woman in his arms.
"Don't worry, Joren. You'll never lose me. I love you." Kel whispered in his ear. "Now, lets get you some food and rest. You have a busy night tonight."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That evening Joren was knighted. Kel was absolutely beaming with pride as he received his shield. There was a celebration in Paxen's rooms later that night, and Kel looked her best for it.
"Ah, Kel." Joren said as they left the party, finally alone. "You look so beautiful tonight." He took her arm and spun her into his embrace.
"Joren!" Kel gasped as he caught her in his arms. Joren kissed her, sending every ounce of love and affection he held.
"I keep my promises, Kel. I'm your knight, and I give you my heart and soul." Again he kissed her and held her close.
"Joren?"
"Mmm?"
"You treat me as if you're going to lose me forever. Was it that horrible?" Kel asked. Joren let her out of his embrace and began to walk again.
"You have no idea, Kel. Back there, I realized that life without you wouldn't be a life worth living. You're the only reason I survived that Ordeal. Without you, I know I'd be dead." Joren took her hand and squeezed it tight. They continued walking until they reached Kel's bedroom door.
"Joren, can I ask you something?" Kel said.
"Of course."
Kel smiled up at him. His eyes were so different nowadays. They were so full of warmth and life, and no longer cold. " My parents wrote last week. They want me to visit Mindelan for a few days."
Joren kissed her cheek. "I'll miss you."
"Well, that's the thing I wanted to ask you." Kel started. "They've extended the invitation to you as well. I'd love it if you came."
Shocked, Joren asked, "Me? They want me to come with you?"
Kel laughed, "Don't be so shocked. I've written mother about you, and she'd like to meet you. Say yes, Joren. Please?"
Joren shook his head. "I can't say no to you, now can I?" He smiled. "Okay, I'll go with you."
Kel smiled, too. "Good. I knew you'd say yes." She hugged him tightly, and then added, "We leave in two days!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AN: Finally! Thank you to everyone who tried to help me with this chapter. I realize it may be a bit short, but I like it the way it is. Thankfully with this out of the way I have been able to plan out the rest of the story. Yay! Okay, special thanks to:
TKDragon Can I thank you enough? I am forever grateful for that e-mail you sent me. It inspired me the moment I read it. I would have never finished this chapter as fast as I did if not for your help.
IceWindWild Mage
Blue Eyes
Dark Lady Adrienne
Silver
Reana
Your ideas, each and every one, helped me a lot. Thanks again, and keep a lookout for future chapters.
Mandi