AN: Finally. I went through a huge unmotivated period. I didn't want to finish this story at all, thought it was an overdone plot, and that no one cared much any more. Figured people would be sick of my updating every three months. Sorry for that by the way. Then I realized I was one of the first to try a K/J plot, I began writing Truth be Told as a freshman… and now I'm a junior, and by god this needs to be finished. If no one cares, so be it. Then, my friend and I went to a high school football game on Friday. Like a sign from the fan fic Gods or something, we saw him. He was in the band. He played the drums. I swear he was the real life Joren *sigh*. My friend noticed him first. I don't even remember the majority of the game after we saw him because I was staring too long. So thanks to that hot band guy, here's Chapter 9: Broken Correspondence.

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            Five groups of letter laid spread out on the floor of Kel's normally immaculate room. The first three groups held a good amount of letters, each with about six or so. The fourth one diminished by at least half, and these letters were very short. Kel held an envelope in one hand, and a letter in the other. Her hand released the letter, allowing it to fall slowly to the floor, forming the fifth group. It was almost the end of the fifth month Joren had been away, and he'd only sent one letter. Kel paced around the piles, feeling dumb for worrying so much, and feeling helpless because she couldn't have gone with him. News had been coming in that action had been picking up in Joren's area, and since those first indications had come in, she hadn't gotten any more word from him.

            "Kel I was wondering if you…" Neal paused as the door pushed some papers over. "What in Mithros' name is all this?" He said, eyes wide.

            Kel shrugged as she bent over to collect letters, month by month. "Nothing really. Just reading letters."

            Neal bent down to help her. "Again?" He teased. When she didn't fight back with a witty remark or a whack on the head, Neal looked up to see she held only one letter in her hand. "Is that still the only letter you've gotten this entire month?"

            She nodded. "I know it's pointless to worry, but I feel so useless here in the safety of the palace."

            "No, you're not useless." Neal commented sympathetically. "Lady Alanna tells me writing to her family is the only thing that keeps her sane sometimes."

            "With you around I can see why."

            Neal ruffled her hair. "Now there's the Kel I know and love." He handed the final group of letters to Kel, who stacked them neatly on her desk.

            Kel sighed and fiddled with the ring, now taken off the chain and worn on her left ring finger. She had sent the silver chain back to Joren with her last letter. "I wonder if he even got it."

            "I'm sure he did. Still can't believe you're going to marry him." Neal said. "Are you absolutely sure about all of this? I mean you were always one to talk about never marrying." He began to inch over toward the door. He was hungry, and his intentions were to invite Kel to dinner, not to strike up hours of conversation. Maybe they could continue this at the table.

            To Neal's dismay, Kel crossed to the other side of the room. "I had so long to think about this. And I'm sure this is what I want now." She grinned. "Once I win my shield of course."

            "Uh-huh." Neal said as he felt his stomach growl. "Dinner? We can talk more then." He swung the door open and began to move out.

            "Sure. I'll go wash up." As she walked over to the water basin Neal groaned.

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            At dinner Kel and Neal talked about everything except the ongoing threat on Joren's side of the border. All was going well until…

            "Students." It was Wyldon who spoke. The room fell silent. "There is news of a raid on the Eastern border. We'd like you to keep our knights and fighters in your prayers. May they all come back safe."

            Kel and Neal exchanged looks as the responded, "So mote it be."

            After dinner Kel felt the need to release some tension. She and Neal walked out toward the stables where their horses were waiting. They rode for a long time, both completely silent. Kel was grateful for Neal's presence and for his silence, which gave her time to think. By the time her ride had ended, she was convinced there was nothing to worry about.

            Neal walked to back to her room. "Are you going to get any sleep tonight, or do I have to drug you with that stuff we used on Joren?" He asked.

            Kel smirked, remembering that time. "No, I'll get some sleep." First time in five months, she thought. "Thanks."

            "No problem. See you tomorrow."

            She closed her door and leaned against it, eyes shut tight. Her right hand turned the moonstone ring around and around. Eventually Kel changed clothes and blew out the candles. She crawled into bed and sipped some tea her mother had supplied to help calm her. Kel breathed in the lavender herbs, and was soon asleep.

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            "Kel? Kel!" Raoul leaned over his sleeping squire, trying to get her attention. She rolled over, away from Raoul. "Ugh! Come on Keladry."

            Kel moaned. "Mmmm, what's wrong?" She said in her sleep. Raoul wasn't aware she was probably responding to a dream.

            "I have to go. King Jonathon has summoned me to a meeting. What for I don't know, but it's serious." His voice was quite urgent, but it was likely Kel didn't notice.

            "Uh- huh," Was her only reply. Raoul figured it was better than nothing and left, leaving the door slightly ajar in his rush. Kel rolled over on her back and continued to sleep, unaware of the urgency that surrounded the entire palace.

            About an hour later there was a loud pounding at her door. Kel opened her eyes as the door opened.  "Kel you have to wake up now!" Who was that? She squinted her eyes. Oh, it was Neal.

            "Neal?" She sat up just as he threw a shirt and breeches at her. "What's going on here?"

            Neal turned his back on her. "Get dressed, I won't look." Kel could hear, and sense, that something big was happening, and so she complied. "Didn't Raoul tell you?"

            "He did say something to me about a meeting with the King, I think, but I didn't really pay attention. I was half asleep." She pulled the shirt over her head. "Neal, tell me what's going on."

            He breathed in deeply and exhaled. "Kel, about two hours ago Joren's camp returned, but only about a third of them. They were caught by surprise. Most are in the infirmary." Kel jumped out of bed, and hopped into her breeches as she did so. Neal yelled after her down the hallway. "One or two are talking to Jonathon and some of his most trusted knights, Alanna and Raoul included. Kel wait up! " Neal ran as fast as he could, but he couldn't catch up with her. Thankfully he knew where she'd be headed so he took a shortcut to the infirmary. Halfway there he caught up with her.

            "I have to find Joren." Kel said. "I know he's not dead, he can't be… I'd know." Kel said between pants for air.

            Neal placed a hand on her shoulder. "Then let's go."

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            Chapter ten: The silver chain, will be posted sometime this week. I'm aiming for Tuesday, but I have chemistry and algebra tests to take, so we'll see. I give you my word that I shall never take three months to post again. ^_^0

Laterz!