Which One?
Chapter three:
The Ball
Disclaimer: I do not possess The Protector of the Small series, written by Tamora Pierce. I disclaim all ownership of characters and/or materiel belonging to the series in question. Thank you.
'...' -thoughts "..." -dialogue
Lalasa Isram had just left after helping Kel get ready for the ball. Lalasa was Kel's maid during her page years. When Kel became a squire, Lalasa opened up her own dress shop. Even though Lalasa had many clients, she was always will to put them on told in order to assist Kel. Lalasa had insisted that Kel wear face paint as well as a real dress, rather than her usual kimono. Kel was exceedingly reluctant, but subsequently she relented and allowed Lalasa to do as she wished. Once Lalasa had gone, Kel decided to look at herself in the mirror. She gasped at the reflecting image for she did not recognize the young woman staring back at her. Kel's curves were perfectly revealed by her forest green dress and corset. Kel thought she looked rather pretty, even if she could not thoroughly breath. Her shoulder length mouse brown hair was up in a messy bunch, with a few strains shaping her face, while the green from the dress brought out her hazel eyes magnificently. 'I wonder what my friends, especially Neal, will think of this new look? They will probably think I want to turn into one of those silly palace girls. Boy, do they have it wrong!' Kel contemplated, 'What if Neal.' a knock from the door ripped her out of her thoughts. "Just a moment," Kel called as she strolled to the door. Opening it slightly, she stuck her head out and encountered the heart- stopping smile of Nealan o Queenscove. "Hello Lady Keladry, may I escort you to the ball?" Neal requested.
"Why thank you, Sir Nealan," Kel answered, stepping out from behind the door.
"Don't call me that, Kel!" He said while throwing up his hands in a fit. When he calmed down again and looked at her, Neal was shocked to see a real lady standing before him. He gaped at her, un able to do anything but stare. "Do I really look that bad?" Kel asked, looking down at her dress. Neal opened and closed his mouth a few times, not able to make it work. "Stop staring, it's rude!" Kel scolded.
"Sorry Kel, I... I... and you... well, you look..." Neal said, though he could not fine the right words. "You look... breathtaking." He whispered.
"Queenscove, don't make fun of me! If I look that bad, than I will just go change." Said Kel tartly as she turned back to her room.
"Don't do that," Neal said, grabbing her arm and pulling her up against him. Kel felt butterflies rush into her stomached and turned bright pink.
"Fine, let's go then." She said while pushing Neal away from her and making her way towards the ballroom.
As they entered Cleon, Roald, Owen, and Thom came to greet them. Thom of Pirate's Swoop was Alanna's son and Roald's squire, while Owen of Jesslaw was Cleon of Kennan's squire. All four of them were close friends to Neal and Kel. "Ah... Neal, I see you've found yourself another attractive lady to court. Commented Thom, while the other's hid snickers behind their hands.
"Now Thomas, I truly believe you mother would be gravely disappointed of you manners around women." Kel retorted as they other's, including Neal, doubled over laughing.
"K...Kel?" Roald asked through his laughter.
"Of course, it's not Kel. First of all, Kel would never wear a ball gown and face paint and seconds of all, Kel hates social functions." Owen said matter-of-factly. This brought an end to the laughing from Cleon, Roald, Owen, and Thom, Kel and Neal however took up where the others left off. Once Neal and Kel had regained there normal breathing rate, Kel gave Owen a hard kick in the shins, which wasn't all that hard since Kel was wearing slippers but it would leave a burse none the less. "Then again, maybe you are Kel." Owen said as he patted his sore leg.
"Yes, I just might be." Kel responded, while rolling her eyes.
"Wow, Kel, you look amazing." Remarked Roald, "I can hardly believe it's you." Kel gave a quick glare, before smiling and thanking him for the complement. Cleon, however, still gawked at her, along with various other men. Thom and Owen had left to get the group drinks. "Dewdrop, you sincerely appear stunning this evening. Would you care to..." started Cleon, but he was interrupted.
"Kel, come dance with me. You are, after all, mine for the night." Neal told her, more than requested.
"Umm... ok, I'll speak with you later, Cleon." Kel exclaimed as Neal hauled her away. "Queenscove! That was not polite at all!"
"I'm sorry, I just wanted you to myself." Neal informed her and drew her into a dance position. He pulled Kel close as the music began.
"Owe! So, umm.... What... how...you" Kel tried to find something to say.
"Shh... just enjoy this, alright, Kel?" Neal asked her. She nodded and rested her head upon Neal's chest. His warm breath raced across Kel's right ear, sending shivers up and down her spine. By the time the song ended, she could barely stand on her own and Neal's eyes were glazed over as he floated up into the heavens. "Would you like something to drink?" Neal wanted to know.
"Yes, thank you," replied Kel. They got their drinks; Kel had mead and Neal wine, and sauntered to one of the balconies. "Well, I ought to praise you for not leaving me. I'm fairly surprised that you haven't." Kel mentioned.
"Why, Kel? I love spending time with you. I would much rather spend time... my life with you, instead of a court 'sissy'. Was that not what you called them?" Neal inquired.
"Yes, it was. Neal?" Kel looked at him inquisitively.
"What?"
"Why are you doing this? Treating me like I am another one of your women? I don't understand." Kel told him, completely confused. She only ever dreamed of Neal speaking to her in such a way.
"Kel, you will never be like them, you're special. Umm...there's something I need to tell you. Don't say anything until I'm finished, alright?" Kel motioned him to carry on, as he nervously continued. "Well, you see... since we were pages I have uh... had.....have...I...crush on. I mean, I have a crush on you. Kel, I think I am in love with you." Neal stopped and took a deep breath, while looking down. "Please, say something!"
"I don't know what to tell you. I'm shocked, Neal I...Mother Goddess...you...I need to clear my head. I will be back in a moment. I just need to let this sink in, it seems too dream like."
"I assure you, it's not a dream." Neal bent down and kissed her softly as Kel tensed up and Neal broke the kiss.
"I really have to go. You understand, right?" Kel said, trying to look into his eyes. She was uncertain about Neal's sudden declaration of love.
"Yes, I understand. Go and take your time. I will be sitting here when you return." Neal told her as Kel turned around and headed back inside. Once there, Kel noticed her friends were standing in a circle. She briefly wondered why none of them were dance, before she decided to investigate. As she drew closer, their eyes all turned to her and Roald stepped forward as if to approach her. Before Roald could make another move, Cleon veered around him and made his move on Kel. "My dear sunshine!" He exclaimed brightly, "May I speak with you? After all, you did promise to talk with me once you had gotten rid of Neal."
"I didn't get rid of anyone!" Kel said glaring at the older man. "I did, nevertheless, promise to speak with you, so speak!" She snapped.
"I was only going to ask you for a dance, apple of my eye." Cleon explained. "I will wait until you are less irritated. Sorry to bother you, my sweet Kel."
"I'm only confused. Are you sure you don't want to even try asking me?"
"No, I certainly am not. Come dance with me, sunrise." He whispered. After the dance, Cleon invited Kel on a walk. Having temporarily forgotten Neal, Kel agree. They walked down the corridors until Cleon pushed Kel up against a wall and kissed her passionately. Kel was stunned and tried to push him away, but Cleon was much bigger and easily stood against her loosing battle. Finally coming up for air, Cleon released her and Kel bolted way. Though the kiss was nice, Kel was scared of all the emotions and actions of her friends. Coming into the ballroom, Kel ran into someone. She looked up into the eyes of Roald. He held her gaze for a instant, before realizing the look of fear and confusing on her face. "Are you alright?"
Kel was swooning by the intense look he gave her. She fell into his arms. "Yes, Roald, I... I'm fine.
"Kel, you not fine. You nearly fainted." The realization of the position they were in struck home as the two jumped apart, blushing furiously.
"I have to...go, yes, now...go. Goodbye," she said and made her way towards the balcony. Leaving a stunned Roald behind her.
Thank you for read and please feel free to review. I will have chapter four up in the next couple of days. Tell me which pair you like the best (Kel and Neal, Kel and Roald, or Kel and Cleon) because I'm not sure which one I'm going to end with. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you again.
Chapter three:
The Ball
Disclaimer: I do not possess The Protector of the Small series, written by Tamora Pierce. I disclaim all ownership of characters and/or materiel belonging to the series in question. Thank you.
'...' -thoughts "..." -dialogue
Lalasa Isram had just left after helping Kel get ready for the ball. Lalasa was Kel's maid during her page years. When Kel became a squire, Lalasa opened up her own dress shop. Even though Lalasa had many clients, she was always will to put them on told in order to assist Kel. Lalasa had insisted that Kel wear face paint as well as a real dress, rather than her usual kimono. Kel was exceedingly reluctant, but subsequently she relented and allowed Lalasa to do as she wished. Once Lalasa had gone, Kel decided to look at herself in the mirror. She gasped at the reflecting image for she did not recognize the young woman staring back at her. Kel's curves were perfectly revealed by her forest green dress and corset. Kel thought she looked rather pretty, even if she could not thoroughly breath. Her shoulder length mouse brown hair was up in a messy bunch, with a few strains shaping her face, while the green from the dress brought out her hazel eyes magnificently. 'I wonder what my friends, especially Neal, will think of this new look? They will probably think I want to turn into one of those silly palace girls. Boy, do they have it wrong!' Kel contemplated, 'What if Neal.' a knock from the door ripped her out of her thoughts. "Just a moment," Kel called as she strolled to the door. Opening it slightly, she stuck her head out and encountered the heart- stopping smile of Nealan o Queenscove. "Hello Lady Keladry, may I escort you to the ball?" Neal requested.
"Why thank you, Sir Nealan," Kel answered, stepping out from behind the door.
"Don't call me that, Kel!" He said while throwing up his hands in a fit. When he calmed down again and looked at her, Neal was shocked to see a real lady standing before him. He gaped at her, un able to do anything but stare. "Do I really look that bad?" Kel asked, looking down at her dress. Neal opened and closed his mouth a few times, not able to make it work. "Stop staring, it's rude!" Kel scolded.
"Sorry Kel, I... I... and you... well, you look..." Neal said, though he could not fine the right words. "You look... breathtaking." He whispered.
"Queenscove, don't make fun of me! If I look that bad, than I will just go change." Said Kel tartly as she turned back to her room.
"Don't do that," Neal said, grabbing her arm and pulling her up against him. Kel felt butterflies rush into her stomached and turned bright pink.
"Fine, let's go then." She said while pushing Neal away from her and making her way towards the ballroom.
As they entered Cleon, Roald, Owen, and Thom came to greet them. Thom of Pirate's Swoop was Alanna's son and Roald's squire, while Owen of Jesslaw was Cleon of Kennan's squire. All four of them were close friends to Neal and Kel. "Ah... Neal, I see you've found yourself another attractive lady to court. Commented Thom, while the other's hid snickers behind their hands.
"Now Thomas, I truly believe you mother would be gravely disappointed of you manners around women." Kel retorted as they other's, including Neal, doubled over laughing.
"K...Kel?" Roald asked through his laughter.
"Of course, it's not Kel. First of all, Kel would never wear a ball gown and face paint and seconds of all, Kel hates social functions." Owen said matter-of-factly. This brought an end to the laughing from Cleon, Roald, Owen, and Thom, Kel and Neal however took up where the others left off. Once Neal and Kel had regained there normal breathing rate, Kel gave Owen a hard kick in the shins, which wasn't all that hard since Kel was wearing slippers but it would leave a burse none the less. "Then again, maybe you are Kel." Owen said as he patted his sore leg.
"Yes, I just might be." Kel responded, while rolling her eyes.
"Wow, Kel, you look amazing." Remarked Roald, "I can hardly believe it's you." Kel gave a quick glare, before smiling and thanking him for the complement. Cleon, however, still gawked at her, along with various other men. Thom and Owen had left to get the group drinks. "Dewdrop, you sincerely appear stunning this evening. Would you care to..." started Cleon, but he was interrupted.
"Kel, come dance with me. You are, after all, mine for the night." Neal told her, more than requested.
"Umm... ok, I'll speak with you later, Cleon." Kel exclaimed as Neal hauled her away. "Queenscove! That was not polite at all!"
"I'm sorry, I just wanted you to myself." Neal informed her and drew her into a dance position. He pulled Kel close as the music began.
"Owe! So, umm.... What... how...you" Kel tried to find something to say.
"Shh... just enjoy this, alright, Kel?" Neal asked her. She nodded and rested her head upon Neal's chest. His warm breath raced across Kel's right ear, sending shivers up and down her spine. By the time the song ended, she could barely stand on her own and Neal's eyes were glazed over as he floated up into the heavens. "Would you like something to drink?" Neal wanted to know.
"Yes, thank you," replied Kel. They got their drinks; Kel had mead and Neal wine, and sauntered to one of the balconies. "Well, I ought to praise you for not leaving me. I'm fairly surprised that you haven't." Kel mentioned.
"Why, Kel? I love spending time with you. I would much rather spend time... my life with you, instead of a court 'sissy'. Was that not what you called them?" Neal inquired.
"Yes, it was. Neal?" Kel looked at him inquisitively.
"What?"
"Why are you doing this? Treating me like I am another one of your women? I don't understand." Kel told him, completely confused. She only ever dreamed of Neal speaking to her in such a way.
"Kel, you will never be like them, you're special. Umm...there's something I need to tell you. Don't say anything until I'm finished, alright?" Kel motioned him to carry on, as he nervously continued. "Well, you see... since we were pages I have uh... had.....have...I...crush on. I mean, I have a crush on you. Kel, I think I am in love with you." Neal stopped and took a deep breath, while looking down. "Please, say something!"
"I don't know what to tell you. I'm shocked, Neal I...Mother Goddess...you...I need to clear my head. I will be back in a moment. I just need to let this sink in, it seems too dream like."
"I assure you, it's not a dream." Neal bent down and kissed her softly as Kel tensed up and Neal broke the kiss.
"I really have to go. You understand, right?" Kel said, trying to look into his eyes. She was uncertain about Neal's sudden declaration of love.
"Yes, I understand. Go and take your time. I will be sitting here when you return." Neal told her as Kel turned around and headed back inside. Once there, Kel noticed her friends were standing in a circle. She briefly wondered why none of them were dance, before she decided to investigate. As she drew closer, their eyes all turned to her and Roald stepped forward as if to approach her. Before Roald could make another move, Cleon veered around him and made his move on Kel. "My dear sunshine!" He exclaimed brightly, "May I speak with you? After all, you did promise to talk with me once you had gotten rid of Neal."
"I didn't get rid of anyone!" Kel said glaring at the older man. "I did, nevertheless, promise to speak with you, so speak!" She snapped.
"I was only going to ask you for a dance, apple of my eye." Cleon explained. "I will wait until you are less irritated. Sorry to bother you, my sweet Kel."
"I'm only confused. Are you sure you don't want to even try asking me?"
"No, I certainly am not. Come dance with me, sunrise." He whispered. After the dance, Cleon invited Kel on a walk. Having temporarily forgotten Neal, Kel agree. They walked down the corridors until Cleon pushed Kel up against a wall and kissed her passionately. Kel was stunned and tried to push him away, but Cleon was much bigger and easily stood against her loosing battle. Finally coming up for air, Cleon released her and Kel bolted way. Though the kiss was nice, Kel was scared of all the emotions and actions of her friends. Coming into the ballroom, Kel ran into someone. She looked up into the eyes of Roald. He held her gaze for a instant, before realizing the look of fear and confusing on her face. "Are you alright?"
Kel was swooning by the intense look he gave her. She fell into his arms. "Yes, Roald, I... I'm fine.
"Kel, you not fine. You nearly fainted." The realization of the position they were in struck home as the two jumped apart, blushing furiously.
"I have to...go, yes, now...go. Goodbye," she said and made her way towards the balcony. Leaving a stunned Roald behind her.
Thank you for read and please feel free to review. I will have chapter four up in the next couple of days. Tell me which pair you like the best (Kel and Neal, Kel and Roald, or Kel and Cleon) because I'm not sure which one I'm going to end with. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you again.