I only own the plot. TP owns the characters.
Meanwhile
Owen was hyper. Wyldon had given him the evening off because he was having dinner with Kel. Owen wanted to talk to Kel, but she was with his knight-master. Instead, he was spending time with his idiotic cousins, Iden and Warric. They were in the library. Iden and Warric were doing research for their knight-masters. Owen was pacing around the library, muttering to himself. He flopped down in a chair at the table where his cousins were studying. They glared at him as he sighed. He ignored them and started doodling on the edge of Iden's paper. To his surprise, he found himself drawing Kel's name over and over again. He wrote Kel of Jesslaw. Keladry of Jesslaw. Lady Keladry of Jesslaw. Lady Knight Keladry of Jesslaw. Iden saw what Owen was doing and nudged Warric. They chuckled and started making goofy faces. Owen glared at them. They laughed and started making rude noises. Owen angrily stormed out of the room. Immature brats. The brats looked at the paper Owen had left. Grins spread their way across their faces. They picked up their things and left the library. Owen wandered through halls until he found himself at Neal's door. What am I doing? He thought to himself as he knocked. Neal answered immediately. He mutely held the door open wider to let Owen enter. Owen came in and sat on Neal's bed. He changed his mind and went to the desk. He changed his mind again and stood. Neal watched all this with amusement. Owen finally sat on the bed and looked at Neal who was fit to burst.
"What's so jolly?" Owen exclaimed.
"You are! Cleon acted the same way when he came to me for advice about Kel. To answer the questions you haven't asked yet, yes, yes, no, no, no."
"What were the questions?"
"You little imp. Yes, I think she likes you. Yes, you should tell her. No, she probably won't be upset if you kiss her. No, you don't need to wait out of respect for Cleon. No, I don't know where she is." Owen waved his hand in thanks and left Neal's room, whistling. He had no idea where he was going. He somehow ended up at Kel's room. Even though he knew she wasn't there, he knocked. No one answered. Owen went to his room. This was a good idea. He thought, pleased with himself. When my lord comes back, I'll know Kel's back. He lay down on his bed and waited. He heard Wyldon come in a little after ten. He silently got up and went to Kel's room. Why was he so nervous all of a sudden? It's not that hard, Owen, just knock. Make a fist with your hand and hit the door with your knuckles. Owen stood there, ordering his hand to obey for a good five minutes before it obeyed him.
Kel looked up at the knock on her door.
"Who is it?" she called.
"Owen," replied Owen.
"Just a minute," Kel was in the middle of getting ready for bed. She pulled the nightdress over her head and opened the door. Owen stood in shock for a moment.
"Can I come in?" he asked when he regained the use of his voice. Kel opened the door wider. She shut it behind Owen. He gave her a look.
"Lord Wyldon can't punish me for it anymore, and I have to get ready for bed." Owen watched as she washed her face and cleaned her teeth. She took down her glaive and looked at Owen.
"You can talk, you know. I'm listening." Owen shook his head.
"I'd prefer it if you sat down." She sat on the bed next to Owen and turned to him.
"Now, what can I help you with?" she asked. My, we're sitting awful close. I wonder if I should move away. Wow, he smells good.
"See Kel, it's like this," Owen refused to look at her. "You've always been a jolly friend to me. You always helped with homework and stuff and I never realized what you were to me until you and Cleon got together. I was jealous, but Merric convinced me that you were jolly and that meant a lot to me. I also knew that you saw me as a little brother and if I couldn't make you jolly, at least he could. I put my feelings away and managed pretty well for a while. The past few days have been," Owen searched for the right word.
"wonderful," Kel finished for him. She made him look at her.
"You're trying to say that you like me," Owen nodded. "In a more than friendly way," Owen nodded again. "Cleon died only a month ago. And I didn't hear about it until two days ago." It was hard to tell if she was serious or laughing at him. Either one wasn't good.
"Kel, I know this is sudden and all, but I just wanted you to know how I feel before Neal…" he stopped, horrified.
"Before Neal what?" asked Kel, narrowing her eyes. Owen shook his head. "Owen." He had heard that voice before that was the 'I'm going to kick your butt if you don't tell me what's up' voice.
"He'll kill me." Owen muttered.
"No he won't. I'll stop him. You know I can." Owen looked doubtful. She prodded him with a finger, an all too innocent look on her face.
"Okay, I'll tell you just promise that you won't tell Neal. He likes you a lot. I wanted to tell how I felt before he did because you'll go to him. I know it."
"What makes you think I'd prefer Neal over you?" Owen was too scared to realize what she was saying.
"You used to have a crush on him." Owen whimpered. Kel's eyes got even narrower.
"Who says that?" she demanded. "No Owen, forget I asked. I don't want to know. Anyway, the key word there is used. Neal is just my friend. Besides, he has Yuki now. You don't need to worry about Neal becoming competition, Owen. The thought never entered my mind." Owen gained courage from her words.
"I'm about to do the bravest thing in my life." He said, leaning closer to Kel.
"What's that?" she whispered. His lips met hers. Kel thought no one could kiss her like Cleon did. Owen was showing more love then Cleon ever had. They separated.
"That. Was. Jolly." Said Owen. They looked at each other and laughed. Comrades, friends, and lovers, all in one.