As Yuki left the room, Neal leaned in closer to his friends, unusually serious, and whispered, "I don't know what people are thinking when they say they have 'cold feet' before they get married. I couldn't be more ready."

"Ready enough not to have a bachelor party, Nealan?" Kel asked teasingly, though she knew how in love her two best friends were.

"And are you ready for the wedding night?" Cleon asked mischievously, feeling more lighthearted than he had all day.

Neal coughed, blushing as he tried to hide a smile. "Well, you know, that's an, err, very personal matter." Cleon and Kel laughed at their friend's discomfiture, and Kel couldn't help but realize that she and Cleon had not laughed together in so long. Everything these days seemed to have a shadow of seriousness.

After their laughter died down, there was a short silence, broken by Yuki's reentry with a tray holding cups and a pitcher of juice. Yuki looked around the room, realizing that the three friends would not accomplish anything without her taking charge. She turned to Neal and smiled slightly, her eyes a little more reproachful. "Remember, you promised me we'd get some wedding arrangements finished today."

Neal flushed a little, and replied, "Right. Kel, do you know how Lalasa is coming along with all the dresses?" Kel sighed. She secretly hoped that she would never have to see the finished dresses, much less herself wearing one.

"I popped in yesterday, she said she's just about finished, but I didn't check on the status myself. But you know Lalasa, the dresses will be fit for the Queen." Yuki's eyes crinkled as she noted the tone in Kel's voice; Kel was clearly unhappy about wearing a dress, which made Yuki all the more adamant about the issue.

"Well when I see them, I hope you'll model them for me," Yuki suggested teasingly, and then turned towards Cleon. Just as Yuki was about to speak, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Neal called, and the door swung open to reveal none other than the Lioness. She raised her eyebrows as she surveyed the group of young people seated in the room.

"I wasn't expecting such a party. I hope I'm not interrupting." Neal jumped up and hugged his former knightmaster, who clearly wasn't ready for such an exuberant welcome. "Calm down!" she scolded him, as if her were still her squire. "You need to be more careful with an old lady like me."

Neal snorted. "We were just planning my wedding, O Lioness. And hopefully you're not too old for the party that will come afterward," he said, knowing full well how Alanna hated parties of any sort.

"Bah," she said, disregarding Neal's teasing and turned to greet Keladry. "And how are you, Keladry? It can't be easy, putting up with this one, especially when he's even more excited than he usually is."

Kel smiled at her former role model, and agreed, "he can certainly be a handful, especially when he refuses to eat his vegetables." Neal muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "mother."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kel took a sip of her drink and watched Cleon as he ate, seated across the table from her. As she swallowed, she realized that both of them were being childish, and if she were to be honest with herself, she missed talking to Cleon, and wanted his friendship back.

"How are things at your home?" she asked, deciding that they could not avoid serious topics forever. Cleon looked startled by the question, but nevertheless answered, "Not too badly. Managing a fief is hard work, but Ermelian and I are learning quickly."

"So you've repaired the damage from the flooding?" she asked, concern in her eyes. Cleon's face visibly sagged, and he sighed.

"The physical damage, yes. But so many families were torn apart. It's so hard, Kel." She nodded, feeling overwhelmed with sympathy for him. Cleon had lived through a difficult time while she had been managing New Hope. Cleon cleared his throat, and Kel looked at him. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but didn't know how. Instead he smiled, and said, "It seems you've had a busy year. Overseeing an entire camp of refugees and still managing to rid Maggur of his killing devices."

Kel couldn't help but feel that they were so close to breaking through the ice, but had just missed their chance. But, she put on a smile and answered, "It has been busy, and I barely saw you, Owen, Dom, Raoul... I missed you all."

Cleon met her eyes with his. "I missed you too, Kel." He reached across the table, and clasped Kel's shoulder. Although neither said anything, Kel knew that they had broken down a barrier. They continued to talk lightheartedly through dinner, feeling as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders.


A/N: Woo! So Lady Swathi and I are writing this fic every other sentence online and it's really fun! Cause we have NO idea what's going to happen next! Wahoo!! So, let us know what you think of the result! *hint hint* REVIEW!!!! Thanks, y'all.


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