More Nonsensical Talk

The two old friends stood in the courtyard for a long moment, nothing but silence and their breathing. Kel finally glanced at her big gelding and then looked at Neal.

"So what were you doing here Neal? Gods, what are you doing here?"

"I was in town, my father got sick of me up at the castle so he sent me off to Lady Alanna… and you know her, she was so fed up with me that she threatened to feed me to the Kraken they'd had in the bay years ago. Said she'd call in Daine and there wouldn't be a thing left of me… I swear that lady night was glowing with rage." He chuckled nervously. They hadn't really talked in such along time and Kel felt a deep ache in her chest – she'd really missed him being around.

More awkward silence.

"Yeah… I, um, I did learn some healing though…" he muttered looking at the star studded sky.

"That's great Neal." Kel looked around, no one had woken up. "So why-" she nodded to her gelding.

"Oh! Mithros I forgot! Well I was around right, after Alanna kicked me out... and I thought I'd come by to see you… thought it might be fun to surprise you, yeah know? Get him some new shoes... fix up his tack…" he ran a hand through dark hair.

"It's a nice thought Neal, but I'm sure Peachblossom would have a hard time getting along with other people – and especially you." Kel grinned at him. "Last time Daine had to be there when we got him new shoes. "Do you want to come in?"

"Um sure… I might as well while I'm here."

Kel led him quietly up to her rooms where she made green tea and set out some snacks. Neal looked at Kel and Kel looked at Neal. They had both changed so much in their time away. Neal was a man Kel realised. She had never thought of him like that, but it was true – he was older and bigger but still held the boyish looks and mischievous eyes.

"Keladry you've changed a lot…" He murmered. He never called her by her full name.

"We all have." She said neutrally. He laughed and it wasn't entirely a happy laugh, like something dark was hiding in there.

"Yes I suppose so. But you know what I mean, you look really beautiful in a dress… but you don't need it to be pretty."

Kel shifted her weight and handed him a cup of tea, sitting down at the little Yamani table. "I've never been very pretty, maybe that's one of the reasons I became a knight." The moment she said it she regretted it. She didn't want him to think that she had become a knight for that reason – she didn't want herself to think it either. "No I mean-"

"Kel you're wrong and you know it. You could have had a wonderful marriage and grown up a proper young lady, you would have been more too… a proper lady that was brave and kind. You're the type of person that makes the world a better place, you give hope to the weak and the weary. Where would I be without you?" He smiled at her and there was a depth of friendship there that made her smile too.

"I'm glad you came tonight Neal, I really missed having you around."

"I missed you too Kel. Eating vegetables was never so – easy to escape, without you around."

His eyebrows knitted together and he appeared to be staring at her chest. Kel, somewhat embarassed reached up a hand.

"where did you get that charm?" he asked quietly. "is it…?"

Kel felt flustered and knew that her cheeks were burning crimson now.

"It's a charm… I got it. It's nothing important. For health." That wasn't entirely a lie, the charm kept her healthily not pregnant. He leaned back and looked at her, green eyes unreadable.

"I'm a healer Kel, not the best… but it looks like a ward against unwanted pregnancy. You and Cleon gone that far? I didn't think…" now it was his turn to blush, there was something close to anger in his eyes. "It's none of my business, I apologise."

"You're right. It is none of your business." Kel said firmly her face going Yamani black. She felt hurt that he had assumed so much of her. It wasn't as if he remained chaste was it? Of course she didn't know that…

AN: oiiii I did another ch… eh… weird stuff nii.. well um.. I'm only writing this as it comes to me… ^^;; soo umm I think I'll write more soonish…. ^_~