(A/N: lots of reviews saying Kel is too fast. Don't worry. I've got a BIG plan, and her..um.."speed" will

lead to a bit of a breakdown because I'm cruel. lol. read on!)

Kel was following Merric when she suddenly felt as though she were hit with a ton of bricks.

"Merric, we can't," she said.

He grabbed her hand, kissing her fingertips. "Come on, Kel." He gazed at her, blue eyes filled with love.

"No, I promised Tobe I'd be back...," Kel's voice trailed off to a whisper. It wasn't really a lie, she HAD

promised to be back. Merric laughed ruefully.

"Is he your keeper?" he asked, voice light, but it upset Kel.

"No, he isn't. But I am CHOOSING to go into my room and keep my promise. I'm CHOOSING not

to bed you, as I'm sure many court ladies have...," she started when Merric interrupted.

"Kel, I treat women with respect!" Merric told her, the love in his eyes dissolving into anger. "I

don't play with people's hearts, like some people!"

"Oh, you don't 'play with people's hearts', huh?" Kel asked, voice low so not to cause more of a scene.

"Here's a letter from Dom, Kel. Kiss me, Kel. Bed me, Kel. I'm tired of you, Kel. Go AWAY, Kel. Well,

I WILL go away," she said, and with that, she opened her door and slammed it.

"I NEVER told you to 'go away'!" Merric shouted, before stomping off.

"Lady, what happened?" Tobe asked, innocently perched on his bed.

"Nothing. Sir Merric and I just have...different opinions on things," she told him, quickly brushing

tears away. She sniffed loudly.

"Diff'rent opinions?" Tobe asked. "Are you gonna joust him?"

"No," Kel said firmly. "Jousting won't solve this. I'm off to bed. You should be asleep by now," she

said.

The next morning, Kel woke up at eight. She had told Tobe not to wake her at dawn, she didn't

have the heart to practice the glaive. She sighed, and rubbed her eyes. She noticed a piece of

paper under the door. She picked it up. It was a letter from Merric.

"'Dear Kel,

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said a lot of the things I did. I'm an idiot, and I'm willing to admit. I just

thought you wanted to come with me. I'm sorry for pressuring you, in any way. I love you, and I

certainly don't want to hurt you. Will you forgive me? Please?

Love,

Merric.'"

Kel looked at the note. She sat down at her desk and quickly wrote a reply. She quickly ran down

the corridor of the palace to Merric's room, still in a nightdress, and slipped it under his door.

When he returned, he opened it.

"'Dear Merric,

I suppose I forgive you. You'll have to work hard to win my love back. Prove your alleged 'love' and

write me a poem.

Love always (I suppose),

Kel.'"

Merric smiled, sat down, and began to write.