AN: I apologize for the lack of posting. My creative juices have been drained by finals lately. Thank you to all those who patiently waited for this story, I hope this extra long chapter doesn't disappoint. Chapter eight should be up in a matter of days. As usual, reviews are greatly appreciated.

Chapter Seven: "Family"

                Joren looked ahead of him, watching as Kel rode Peachblossom with great ease. He sighed heavily, wondering how long it had been since his butt had gone numb. Probably since the last time Kel had spoken to him. That must have been over two hours ago. Joren didn't mind much; he assumed she was thinking about seeing her family again. How long had it been? Six years since she saw them last?

                She must miss them all very much, he thought. But then at least she has family to miss. He hadn't realized it until recently, whenever Kel would talk about her brothers or her parents, but Joren began feeling emptiness inside of him. Like something was missing. As they rode on Joren grew frustrated with himself. Why was he feeling like this; wasn't Kel all he needed now?

                The sky grew dark, and nightfall was soon upon them. Kel stopped Peachblossom and waited for Joren to catch up. "The fief's not far from here. I'm sure we can make it within an hour, but if you want to stop we can." Her voice began cheerfully, but as she ended the sentence Kel's voice trailed off. Clearly she didn't want to wait much longer.

                Joren shook his head. "Might as well continue. I can tell you're anxious to see them."

                Kel thanked him with a grateful smile. "If you want to dismount and walk around for a while, that's fine by me."

                "I don't know that I can walk. I think collapsing at your home would be better than collapsing on this road at night." Joren said with a laugh. Kel chuckled and they pressed onward. Soon Joren found he didn't want to spend anymore time thinking to himself, so he began talking. "So, who will I meet in Mindelan?"

                Kel simply replied, "Everyone."

                "But who?" Joren sighed.

                "Well, there's my mother and father. Anders, Inness, and Conal are my brothers. My nieces and nephews, of which there are many." Joren could tell she was smiling, even in the dark. "And I'm sure my two older sisters are spending the holidays with their husbands' families, so you won't have to bother with them."

                "Is that all?" Joren teased.

                "Just about."

                "Well, wait. Don't you have sisters-in-law?" Joren asked.

                Kel paused, her thoughts returning to when she still lived with them. "Yes, but I'm not particularly fond of them, and vice versa. It's a long story."

                Joren didn't bother asking because in the distance he could see Mindelan. Kel could obviously see it as well, because Peachblossom began trotting faster. Joren shook his head and endured a faster trot on his horse so he could catch up with Kel. Finally he and Kel came to a stop in front of a stone house, which, like her family, was rather large. Kel dismounted quickly, but Joren wasn't as lucky. He stood by his black horse, using it as a support.

                "You look pathetic." Kel said mockingly.

                Joren groaned, taking a small step away from his support. "You'd look pathetic too if you had this horse instead of Peachblossom there."

                "Poor thing." Kel said sympathetically. "I'm sure Anders has a little something to rub on those sore legs of yours. Come now, they've probably finished eating dinner all ready, but Mother will surly have leftovers."

                Joren followed her into the house, motivated by the word "dinner." He was rather tired of breads and cheeses, which was their meal on the road. As they walked further into the house, Joren heard voices echoing through the hallways.

                "Those voices would be my nieces and nephews. I think they heard the horses coming." Kel's eyes were focused forward, down the long hall. Suddenly three children came running down the hall toward them.

                "Aunt Keladry!" One of two boys called. He looked to be about nine. "Father's been waiting for you. Grandpa and Grandma, too"

                "We were waiting outside for you, but then nightfall came and Mother told us you were probably stopping somewhere for the night." The only girl said. She must have been a year or two younger.

                Kel shook her head. "No, I just couldn't wait another night to see you all." She turned to the third boy. "Is this Tobias?" The little boy, no older than seven, smiled and nodded.

                "He's grown hasn't he aunt?" The other boy said.

                Kel took the youngest, Tobias, into her arms. "He certainly has! Last I saw you, you were but a baby just learning to walk." The other children wouldn't let her hug just one of them, and soon she was swarmed by three kids.

                Joren stood against the wall, smiling at Kel. Seeing her with the children warmed his heart like nothing else. Joren's hand gripped his bag, his mind thinking of the ring. If she were to accept, they could have all of this. He could have a family again, with her. Yes, that was the answer he was looking for. She was all he needed; his friend, his only love, his family. Never would he be so sure about asking her to marry him as he was just then.

                "Aunt Kel, who is that?" The little girl asked, pointing at Joren.

                Kel pulled away from the children. "This is my very good friend, Sir Joren."

                The oldest boy's eyes widened. "You're a knight?" Joren nodded, and a smile spread across the boy's face. "I'm Lachran. Next year, in the fall, I'll be training to be a knight as well."

                "Pleasure to meet you Lachran. You'll make a fine knight, I'm sure." Joren said. He looked at Kel, who was smiling at him.

                Lachran took on an aura of leadership. "Sir Joren, this is my sister Kateri and my brother Tobias." He said, formally introducing them. Joren nodded to each of them and said hello. "Father should be in the sitting room with Grandpa. Shall I take you to him, Aunt Kel?"

                "Would you Lachran?" Kel turned to Kateri and Tobias. "As for you two, I'm pretty sure it's past your bedtime. Don't want your mother upset now." They nodded and Kateri excused herself and Tobias.

                Lachran walked ahead of Kel and Joren, giving them a chance to speak amongst themselves. "Lachran's impressed by you. I can see it in the way he became authoritative over his siblings." Kel said quietly.

                "I'd be the same way in his shoes. Who's children are they again?" Joren asked, wondering who they were about to meet in the sitting room.

                "Anders'. You'll like him, I think. In case you're wondering, my father will be there too." Kel said, as if she had read Joren's mind.

                "Great." Joren said as they came to a well lit room. Inside were two men sitting by a fireplace, talking. As Lachran came in, they ceased.

                "Father, I'm sorry for interrupting, but Aunt Keladry and her friend have arrived." Lachran said.

                Anders and Piers of Mindelan stood and came over to where Kel, Joren, and Lachran stood. Kel took a step forward and hugged her father. Piers chuckled happily. "Oh, my daughter! How wonderful to see you again."

                "And you as well." She answered.

                Piers looked over at Joren, his eyes quickly scrutinizing him. "And this must be Sir Joren." He offered a hand, which Joren shook in polite greeting. "Pleasure to meet you. My wife tells me Kel is quite fond of you." Joren looked over at Kel, who was turning an attractive shade of red.

                "Father, don't embarrass Kel yet. She's hardly been here an hour." Anders said. He too offered a hand to Joren. "Nice to finally meet you."

                "And you, too. Kel speaks very highly of you." Joren said, much to the content of Anders, who hugged his little sister.

                "I can't help it if Kel loves her big brother."

                Kel worked her way around Anders' arms and into a chair. She motioned for everyone to sit with her as well. "Speaking of big brothers, where are Conal and Inness?"

                Piers passed her a tea kettle, from which she poured herself and Joren a cup. "They've been sent out. To the Tortall-Scanra border."

                Joren sipped his tea, immediately recognizing it as the wonderful Yamani tea he so loved. "Border Patrol? Isn't that normally reserved for the newer knights?"

                "Yes, but things are becoming worse on the Eastern border. They're taking as many men as possible." Anders said gravely. Silence filled the sitting room as Kel and Joren took in what Anders and Piers already knew.

                The silence was soon broken when Kel's mother walked in. "Keladry! I had no idea you were home!" The middle aged woman crossed over to her daughter and hugged her tightly.

                "Mother, this is Joren." Kel said, introducing him. Joren stood and offered his hand, but was hugged instead.

                "So this is the young man you write to me about, Kel." Her mother said happily. Kel blushed again, and Joren chuckled.

                "Nice to meet you too, Baroness." Joren said, still being extremely polite.

                "Oh, quit with the formality. Call me Ilane." She looked at Kel and shook her head. "You two look famished. Why your father hasn't offered you something to eat is beyond me."

                Piers placed an arm around his wife. "We were busy talking about the threat on the Eastern border, Ilane."

                Ilane walked out of the room, motioning Kel and Joren to follow her. "Come with me and I'll get some warm food in you. Then Kel can show you to your room, Joren." They both followed her into the kitchen. There they received plates, most likely left over from the evening's dinner. Either way Kel and Joren were happy to have a good meal. After they ate, Ilane sent them both to bed.

                "Your family is wonderful, Kel." Joren said as she showed him to his room. "You seem very close to them all."

                "I am. They all seem fond of you as well, Sir Joren." Kel said. She stopped in front of a wooden door. Opening it she said, "This is yours. Mother said there'll be a fire going, and the bed's turned down."

                Joren looked in the room and nodded. "And where will you sleep?"

                "The room next to yours, on the right." Kel said. "So if you need anything, knock on the wall." She yawned.

                Joren brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "You best be off to bed, my love."

                Kel nodded. "I will. Good night, Joren."

                "Night." He waited until she entered her room, and the proceeded into his own. It was very comfortable, and Joren immediately fell onto the bed. Thinking about what Kel said, he got up and tapped quietly on the wall between his and her room.

                "Joren?" Kel said outside his room. He came outside and smiled. She was wearing a nightshirt; and it reminded him of the previous night, when she had comforted him after his nightmare. "What did you need?" She asked.

                "Nothing." He replied. Joren closed the gap between them and kissed her sweetly good night. "I love you."

                Kel smiled. "I love you, Joren. Now go to sleep." She replied, and disappeared into her room again. Joren, now content, retreated to his room as well. That night he had no trouble sleeping at all.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

                Four days passed by, and Kel had never been happier than she was with her nieces and nephews. Joren, too, had acquired some admirers. They came in the form of Lachran and Tobias. Joren was more than happy to answer Lachran's questions about the Palace and about being a page. Tobias, on the other hand, enjoyed telling stories - and he was eager to hear Joren's as well.

                Anders watched his oldest sons took up all of Joren's time. "You found a good lad, Kel." He said as they sat outside.

                Kel grinned. "I thought so too. Glad to know you approve of him."

                "I do." Anders said with a smile. "As do Father and Mother. Kel?"

                "Hmm?"

                "What are your views of marriage now? Are they still the same?" He asked.

                Kel sat up straight, her attention on Anders' question. "You know? I have no idea. I mean, I always said marriage was something I didn't want… but then."

                "But then you found him. Love changes a lot of things doesn't it, my dear?"

                Kel nodded. "Yes. Yes it does. But that still doesn't change the fact that I want my shield. I want to be a knight, not a wife to one."

                Anders sighed. "He won't stop you from earning your shield, Kel. I'm sorry if I confused you, but it had to be said."

                "Why?"

                "Oh," He began. "I just wanted you to think about it." Anders left Kel absolutely confused, but she shrugged it off when Kateri ran over to her.

                "Kel, come with me! I want to pick flowers to make crowns." Kateri pulled Kel by the hand, giving her no choice but to follow the little girl.

                Meanwhile Joren was sitting with Lachran in his room. Lachran had begun following Joren everywhere, asking questions and demanding answers. Lachran's questions hadn't been very personal until now. "Sir Joren? Are you going to marry my aunt?"

                Joren's eyes widened. "What makes you ask that?"

                Lachran held his hand up level to Joren's eyes. In his hand Joren saw the ring box, open. "It fell out of your bag a couple days ago. Tobias found it." Joren cringed at his carelessness. "Plus, I heard you talking to Grandpa."

                Joren smiled. "Nosy kid. Didn't your mother tell you not to eavesdrop?" Joren took the box from Lachran's hand. "I was asking your grandfather's permission."

                "And? Did you get it?" Lachran asked, eager for an answer.

                Joren nodded. "I did."

                Lachran hugged Joren excitedly. "You're going to be my uncle!"

                Joren laughed. "She has to say yes first, Lachran."

                The young boy nodded. "Of course she will, Joren. I know she will!"

                "I wish I had the confidence you have."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

                At dinner the entire family ate together for the first time. Joren met Kel's sisters-in-law, who seemed to have been avoiding Kel her entire visit. When Joren asked why she didn't like her sisters-in-law, Kel told him the story from when she was ten.

                "A cow? How can those women compare the most beautiful girl I know to a cow?!" Joren exclaimed after they left the dining hall.

                Kel shook her head. Joren looked at her, dressed in a loose blue gown, her hair adorned with a crown of flowers. She looked absolutely beautiful. "They said any man would be crazy to want me."

                "Well," Joren began, taking her into his arms, "I'd rather be crazy than be without you." Looking at her smiling up at him, Joren's hand touched his pocket, where the ring was. It was the perfect time, and he knew it.

                "Joren? What is it?" She asked.

                "Uh… Kel? I need to ask you something." Joren began.

                "O-okay." Kel said, a little hesitant. She could sense the nervousness in Joren's eyes, and she wondered what was causing it."

                "Kel, I…" Joren stopped, but not because he was nervous, but because he heard Tobias running down the hallway towards them.

                "Hallo Joren!" He called from across the hall. His little feet ran the distance between them and caught up to Joren, grabbing his arm in the process.

                "No 'hello' for me?" Kel said.

                Tobias let go of Joren and latched on to Kel for a few seconds. "Sorry, auntie."

                Joren sighed heavily. That was just great!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

                The next morning Kel and her mother engaged in glaive practice. Kel, of course, had improved quite a bit since her mother last saw her, but Ilane still beat her. Kel enjoyed the time alone with her mother. They were able to catch up on a lot of things in the short time they practiced, and one of those things was Joren. Ilane's questions were quite normal, except for the last one.

                "So Kel, are your ideas of marriage the same as they were six years ago?" Ilane asked nonchalantly.

                Kel's reaction to this question was to stand in place, staring at her mother. "I don't know, mother. I always said I didn't want to marry, but then I never thought I'd meet someone like Joren."

                Ilane walked over to place a hand on Kel's shoulder. "My dear, marriage won't keep you from your goals. In fact, it gives you someone to encourage your efforts."

                Kel looked into her mother's eyes. "Mother, tell me. Anders asked me the same thing yesterday. What's going on?"

                "I told him not to say anything to you until I did!" Ilane snapped. "Kel, I know traditionally it's supposed to be a surprise, but I want you to think this through before you answer so quickly."

                "What's traditionally a surprise? Mother?"

                Ilane laughed. "Oh, Kel, you look so serious! It's not life or death. You and Joren love each other, am I right?"

                Kel answered. "Yes, very much."

                "Well, have you thought about a future with him?"

                Kel shrugged. "We've never talked about it, and I've never considered marriage to anyone before."

                Ilane smiled. "When you decided to become a page, you stepped out of noble…" Ilane searched for a word. "Guidelines. You can marry whomever you desire. Kel, two nights ago Joren came to your father and I. He asked permission to marry you." Kel stood, eyes wide and breathing heavily. "I see you have a lot to think about."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

                Kel and Joren saddled up to leave Mindelan after their weeklong stay. He hadn't said anything to Kel regarding marriage, although it came to her attention that he might have been attempting to ask her that night after dinner. The only thing that had prevented him was Tobias running at them.

                "Bye Aunt Kel!" Kateri called.                    

                Kel waved to Kateri, Tobias, and Lachran from the road. The three had run after Kel and Joren as far as Anders would allow. Kel smiled and turned to the road ahead of her. "Thank you so much for coming." She said to Joren.

                His eyes met hers. "I enjoyed it. Your family is great, just like you." He always had a way to make her smile, didn't he?

She thought about her training, and her goal. She wanted to be a knight. She wanted to travel the kingdom serving her people. If they married wouldn't Joren want children? Kel didn't want to miss out on her adventures because she had children to care for. She couldn't imagine watching as Joren went off to war, leaving her behind like all the other women.

At the same time Kel realized Joren was everything she never knew she wanted. Through him everything seemed complete. If anything were to happen to him – if she was left without him… Kel couldn't think of what would happen. Before she met him, Kel never even considered marriage. But now, now she had someone to love. And someone to love her in return.

Looking at the road ahead, Kel heard Anders' words, "Love changes a lot of things, doesn't it?" How right he was.