AN: Thanks to all the reviewers… you guys sure do inflate my creative ego. Calvin's mine, but he's not a big character. I am, however, in deep negotiations trying to claim ownership over Joren. ^_-
Chapter Six: "Traveling"
"Are we there yet?" Joren asked teasingly.
Kel gave him a side-glance and laughed. "No, Joren. There's still about a day's worth of travel left." Kel wished the time were shorter. She hadn't seen her entire family in almost seven years, and she could just imagine how much had changed. She closed her eyes and thought of Mindelan the way she had last seen it. As she thought of seeing her family once again, she sighed contentedly.
Joren saw the look on her face. "Thinking of your family, are you?" He asked.
Kel opened her eyes. "Yes. Oh, I can't wait for you to meet them all, Joren." He stretched out a hand, and she took it in her own. "I'm glad you came with me."
Joren gave a small smile. "Do your parents know, Kel?"
Kel wrinkled her face. "About you and I? Yeah, they know. That was the whole reason mother asked you to come with me. She and father want to meet you. Especially father." She added to tease him.
"But, do they know about who I was to you in the past? That I used to… you know." Joren let go of Kel's hand, his head bowed to the dirt road.
Kel pulled slightly in front of Joren, and then turned Peachblossom to block Joren's horse. "Joren, you needn't worry about that. I never told them what was going on, I had no reason to worry them with my problems. What's in the past doesn't matter now, so leave it be."
"I just want them to think I'm good enough for you. That I'm worthy of such a woman." Joren said with all sincerity.
Kel moved out of Joren's way, and they continued their journey. "I think that's up to me."
"And…?"
"Don't even ask me that, Joren. You already know how I feel about you." Kel looked up at the sun, which was fairly low in the sky. It was almost sunset, and she and Joren had yet to find somewhere to stay for the night.
Joren spoke up. "I know a quaint little village just up this road. It's a merchant village, shops and such all around. There's a nice little inn there, and I'm sure we can stay there for the night."
Kel nodded. "I know of that village, as well. It's a good stopping point, and only about two miles or so from here."
"Okay, then. We'll stop there. I can't wait to get off this horse and into a comfortable bed."
"Well, it won't be too long." Kel said. "Come on, Joren. I'll race you the rest of the way!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As the sun began to set, Joren and Kel raced into the village. Immediately, Joren dismounted. "I can't ride anymore. Both my horse and I are sick of it."
Kel patted Peachblossom's head, and dismounted as well. "I'll never get sick of riding Peachblossom, but he needs a rest." Together, they walked the horses through the village. As they passed, merchants closing their shops called out to them, hoping for a last minute sale. Kel and Joren politely declined their offers and made their way toward the inn.
"Over there." Joren pointed out a two-story building. It had a wooden sign with the name, "Owl's nest", carved into it. " There are the stables. Want me to take the horses in for you?"
Kel shook her head. "I'll tend to them myself. Can you just go get a room?"
Joren nodded and strolled into the building. Kel watched him enter the inn, then turned in the direction of the stables. She groomed the horses with care and fed them both generously. She was brushing Peachblossom when Joren came back.
"Um… Kel. I got us a room, and dinner is almost ready." He smiled and motioned her to come with him. She brushed Peachblossom one last time, and then followed him into the inn. Inside it was a typical inn. This one, thankfully, was better than other inns Kel had stayed at before. It had actual rooms instead of floor space. The air was thick with aromas from the kitchen. It was then that Kel realized how hungry she was.
"Where are the bags? I'd like to wash up and change before dinner." Kel said to Joren.
"Oh, one of the maids took the bags up. Here's a key." He handed her a silver key. "Second floor, third room to the left."
"Okay, thanks." She kissed him lightly on the cheek, a bit unsure about showing affection in public. She went upstairs to find her room. She opened the door and, to her surprise, found only one large bed. She looked around for another one, but couldn't find one. Had they made a mistake? She decided to ask Joren later, and began to wash up for dinner. Kel pulled a simple green dress from her bag and changed into it.
Downstairs Joren was waiting for Kel to walk down. I wonder how she's going to react to the one bed we have to share. It wasn't his fault the innkeeper's wife wouldn't listen to him.
"No, she's not my wife. She's a friend of mine." Joren repeated for the second time. " Honestly woman, don't you understand me?"
" Aye, I understand ye lad." She said with a twinkle in her eyes that told Joren she didn't really understand him at all. " Newlyweds are you? Afraid to sleep together for the first time?" She smiled. "You're just in luck, there's still one room left. Oh don't give me that look laddy."
Joren sighed. "For the last time, she's not my wife!"
"Sure she's not. I saw the way you two looked at each other out there in the stables. Cute couple, the two of you." The innkeeper's wife threw him a key and turned her back on Joren. He stood there, dumbfounded. There would be no getting through to that woman.
Joren sighed and put his head down on the table in front of him. If she wants, I'll sleep on the floor. Joren decided to get his mind off his current situation by talking to some of the locals. He spoke to a jewelry shop owner who told him how famous this small village was for their beautiful jewelry.
"Saw that pretty lass you came here with, Sir Joren. Maybe she'd like a nice necklace or a ring?" The shop owner inquired.
Just then Kel walked down the stairs. Joren's eyes followed her as she came to sit next to him. She wasn't wearing her riding breeches and shirt, instead she wore a simple green dress. It brought out the color in her hazel eyes, and upon noticing that, Joren smiled. "Funny how so many girls use face paint and exotic hairstyles, beautiful silks and perfumes; all to make an attempt at the beauty you have just being yourself."
He had completely forgotten the shop owner, Calvin was his name, next to him, who was now smiling. "Well, I think I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. Sir Joren?" Joren looked away from Kel. "Remember what we talked about."
Kel watched the man exit the inn, then turned her attention toward Joren. "Remember what?"
"Oh," he began. "We were just talking about the village. Calvin's a local jewelry merchant. Claims to be the best in Northern Tortall." He looked in her eyes once again, this time losing himself in them. "I meant what I said earlier, about how beautiful you look."
Kel grinned. "Thank you, but I hope you're not just trying to avoid the current situation you've gotten us into with that room."
Joren faked a shot in the heart. "That hurt! Why would you think my complements have some sort of motive behind them?" She raised an eyebrow. "Well, it might help?"
Kel shook her head. "What happened? No more rooms? Or was it all a convenient occurrence?"
"You think much of me!" He said sarcastically. "Really, Kel. The innkeeper's wife must be deaf because she didn't listen to me when I told her we weren't married."
"Married?" Kel asked. Instead of inquiring further, she gave up. "I don't want to know. Don't tell me."
"You're not mad?" Joren asked.
Kel laughed. "Amused, really. I can just imagine you arguing with that woman."
"It wasn't an argument, just her assuming and me trying to speak." Joren said and shared her laughter. He felt his stomach growl and made a face. "I could use some food."
"Me, too." Kel said. "I think dinner's ready." She motioned over to a few people eating, and winked. She and Joren waited as a serving wench delivered their food; some soup with cooked meat in it, hot bread, and some warm ale to drink. Kel and Joren ate, gratefully. They watched couples dancing lively jigs to a piper's music. When they finished the innkeeper's wife came to take their plates.
"Well, hullo lad. This the misses?" She asked, smiling to Kel.
Joren gave her a cold look. Before he could say anything, Kel stood, extending her hand. "Please excuse my husband's rudeness, he's had a long day. Now if you'd please excuse us." The woman smiled and took the plates to the kitchens. Joren gave Kel a look, wanting an explanation. "She's wants us to be married, if you keep denying it, she'll keep bugging you."
Joren just smiled, unable to say anything. "You're right. I hate that." He wrapped an arm around Kel, not to show the wife anything, but because he wanted to. Together they sat and listened to the piper play. Many of the men in the inn flirted with the women and danced with them. After gathering up the courage, Joren asked Kel to dance.
"Um…" Kel looked down. "I'm not very good."
"Nonsense. You just need the right partner." Joren picked her up and they began to dance. They continued for a while, and Kel was having the most fun she'd had in a long time. She laughed as she spun in and out of Joren's arms. Finally, they decided to call it a night.
Walking up the stairs Joren held Kel's hand. They laughed the whole way to the room. Inside, they both crashed, both laying sprawled out across the bed.
"I'm going to take a bath." Kel said as she got up. " Don't wait for me to go to sleep yourself. We'll have a long day tomorrow."
Joren nodded and watched her leave for the washrooms. He pulled a pillow down on the floor and pulled a sheet down as well. It would be better for him to sleep on the floor. The temptation may have been to much for him after tonight. He changed out of his clothes and pulled on some comfortable pants to sleep in. Joren pulled the sheet over himself and closed his eyes.
Kel walked into the room about half an hour later and almost tripped over Joren sleeping on the floor. I didn't mean for you to sleep on the floor Joren she thought. She felt guilty, but didn't want to wake him up. With a sigh, Kel changed into a nightshirt and pants, climbed into bed, and fell asleep.
In the middle of the night Kel awoke to Joren thrashing about on the floor. At first she thought he was just uncomfortable, but then he began to speak. "No! Kel! Kel get away from him… Vinson. Someone help!" Joren sat straight up and opened his eyes. "Kel?"
She was next to him, her arms wrapped around him tightly. "I'm here, Joren. It's all right."
Joren caught his breath, but still let out a few gasps. "Oh, Kel. The Chamber… It was horrible, as if I was in there again, reliving it all over."
Kel could feel his trembling. "You're not sleeping on this hard floor. Come to bed, Joren. I'll take care of you." Joren protested, but she refused to listen. Eventually he conceded and crawled into bed with her. There he slept the rest of the night, nightmare free.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joren awoke early in the morning. He got out of bed quietly, as not to wake Kel up. Last night had made him realize something; he needed Kel. It was something he had known for a long time, but now it was a different kind of need. He wanted to be with her every moment of every day. He needed her to be by his side… forever.
Joren changed quietly into his riding clothes. He knew they'd leave once Kel awoke and they had eaten breakfast. But first, before she woke up, he needed to take care of something.
He walked out of the inn and down into the village. Joren passed houses and shops alike, little kids running through the streets, and women visiting with friends. Finally he came to his destination.
"Sir Joren? To what do I owe the pleasure?" Calvin said, surprised to see Joren in his shop.
"Well, Calvin, I have a favor to ask of you." Joren explained his situation to Calvin, who just smiled and nodded.
"Of course. I think I have just the thing for you." Calvin went into a drawer behind the counter, and pulled out a little black box. "It's not typical, but then this girl of your doesn't seem like a typical girl, am I right?" Joren nodded. Calvin opened the box to show Joren what was inside. "It's a moonstone. It's rare in Tortall, very rare indeed. Rare and beautiful."
Joren looked at the ring. "Rare and beautiful. Just like her."