Right Kind Of Wrong

By: Midnight Maiden



Kel looked at Joren with sheer disgust. Just why did he think he could get away with being the way he was? He was mean, cruel, disrespectful, manipulative, egotistical, annoying, and rude. With a list that long it was a wonder he ever made it to knighthood. She had thought for sure the chamber would have taken care of him. But then, maybe there was a reason he was still around. As much as it made her cringe to think scum had a purpose, maybe, just maybe he did. She just hoped and prayed everyday that purpose had nothing to do with her. She would curse the gods for all her life if it did.

"Kel?" Some one tapped her shoulder and she came back to reality. It was Neal. He looked at her curiously and looked over at Joren. "He isn't bothering you anymore, is he?"

"No, I just don't understand why he's still with us that's all. I mean, I can't understand why the chamber didn't stop him, when I'm sure it knew that he was a very bad person and not deserving of a shield. What good could he possibly do for Tortall? Or anyone for that matter." She looked over at her enemy again, still perplexed, and not for the first time, that he had passed his ordeal.

"Don't worry about it so much. You know that most everyone becomes a knight, even sour cold-hearted people like Joren. If they really aren't worth it something else will get them in the end. Trust me, it's not worth your time to worry about. All you need to worry about is who you are going to the ball with tomorrow night."

"I'm not going, so I really don't have to worry about that." She smiled at him, knowing that he was fully expecting her to go. "It's nice to have one less thing on my mine, don't you think?"

"No," he scowled. "Why is it that every time you have a choice to come dance and have fun, or stay in your room you choose to be in your room? You really should come tonight and just have a good time. It will give you something to do besides worry. You've been really restless lately. This could be good for you."

"Sorry Neal. I would rather spend an entire evening with Joren than go flaunt myself and wear a dress." With that she got up and dumped her tray. It wasn't that she didn't like having fun, it's just that that wasn't her kind of fun. She could see it now; her in a beautiful gown, all the men in Tortall staring at her with their tongues hanging out. Against her all the other court beauties seemed faded, boring, but she was shining. She danced the night away being admired by the most handsome young men in the realm. Yeah right.

She sighed heavily. This was not a good thing. She needed to get away from the palace and all the pressures that came with it. She wanted to be fighting, protecting her country. Not sitting around talking to ladies with too much face paint on. This was not the life for her. If this was the way she had wanted it to be she would have gone to convent.

Passing through a garden she noticed a couple sitting on a bench, watching the stars and enjoying each other's company. Unconciously her mind wandered back to Cleon. She really hoped he was happy with his heiress. She had known all along that they really had no chance, but letting go had been hard for her. Not that anyone knew it. She had put on a brave face and convinced everyone that she was fine. She really had been, for the most part, but times likes these made the memories come back. Quickly she pushed it out of her mind and kept walking, not looking for a specific destination.

She ended up at the stables and Peachblossom nickered at her. She smiled and pulled a carrot from a bucket by his stall. "Here you go." Gosh, sometimes she wished she were a horse. Nothing to worry about but how many carrots she could get in one day.

The big roan gobbled up the treat and nuzzled her for more. She shrugged. "Sorry, I don't have anymore." He was convinced. He proceeded to muzzle through her pockets and nibble at her hands. She giggled and shook her head at him. "Silly horse."

Being stuck at the palace was depressing. She wasn't sure why, but just something about sitting for too long without something to do made her uneasy. Sitting on a trunk she closed her eyes and replayed battle scenes she had witnesses. It wasn't anything like being there, but it was as close as she would get.

"Down in the dumps?" A familiar voice commented behind her.

"Just a little," she whispered, already knowing who was talking to her and not needing to turn around.

A/N: Just a little cliffhanger. I know Kel is a little out of character, but as you all know she's never had to sit for very long and she's been at the palace for months now. Not to mention obviously her and Cleon aren't together anymore and that has her a little down. Please leave a review! Thanks, Peach.