She was in a forest. The moss-covered ground was dappled with sunlight that escaped the clutches of the huge trees surrounding her. The forest was quiet around her, but once she heard the faint sound of a bird. Her feet were carrying her ever forward, when she walked into a clearing. It was a perfect circle of sunlight in the middle of the woods. She looked around and she saw him. Her footsteps were silent as she ran and she hugged him around the middle from behind. She was swept into strong arms and kissed ferociously; she moaned his name.

Arms shook her awake. Kel gazed sleepily into smiling green eyes.
You called, m'Lady?
Confused, she sat up.
You said my name.
Remembering the dream, she blushed.
Yes, I was having a rather nice dream. Why'd you wake me? And furthermore, what the Goddess are you doing in my room?
And I always thought you were a morning person, Neal teased. HIs face grew serious.
Kel, I have to go. I'm called away. There's trouble in the south and they need me for healing. I wanted to see you before I left.
Kel's heart did a huge flip-flop as he gazed into her eyes with more love than she'd ever hoped to imagine. She threw off her blankets and stood up, hugging him round the middle. He kissed her cheek and she pulled back. Eyes moist, she cupped his face in her hands and drew it towards her. She kissed him softly on the lips, thanking the gods that brought them together. He deepened the kiss and her mouth opened to his. Kel gasped as their tongues thrust and parried, as if dueling.
This is turning out to be a good morning, she thought.
Neal murmured, his voice full of desire. His hands moved from her shoulders down her arms...
No. Neal, I'm sorry, but you have to go soon. I don't want to get, er, carried away.
I know. Dearest. Kiss me once more and then I'll go. She kissed him.
I love you, he murmured in her ear.
And I love you. Now go. If you're late they'll kill you.
They won't kill me. I'm to valuable to be killed.
Kel punched his shoulder.
Go, before I get my glaive out and do it for them, she teased.
He left the room with one longing glance backwards. Kel didn't notice it, as she was at her glaive rack. That was fun. Every morning should start like that.
***

Later that afternoon Kel sat in Raoul's chambers alternately listening to Buri talk and filling out a supply list. Buri was saying something about trouble in some part of the kingdom when a phrase caught her ear.
The King sent a few lone knights down there to deal with pirates AND bandits, not to mention smugglers. I don't know what he was thinking!
Sent who where to do what? Kel asked very carefully.
A few lone knights south to deal with pirates, bandits and smugglers. Buri said, putting a quill down. She had been writing a letter.
The blood rushed out of Kel's head. She clenched her hands to her sides as a wave of anger poured over her.
Kel? You're shaking!
Neal. That fool of a king sent Neal and two other knights to deal with pirates, bandits and smugglers? Her voice rose after each word until she was practically screaming. What in the gods' green earth was he thinking? Three knights, all alone on the southern coast. You know what the odds are, don't you?
Buri looked closely at her. There's more to this than meets the eye, isn't there? she asked.
You have no idea, Kel whispered, stood up and started to pace around the room. You have no idea.

A/N: Well, here's chapter 4. Hope you enjoyed it. I might have to up the rating, to put in some getting scared together with Neal and Kel. Reviews are welcome, as always. Thanks.
Random quote of the day: See Spot. See Spot run. Run Spot, Run.