Disclaimer: Even though I've been forgetting to remind you for the last chapter or two, hopefully the more intelligent among you managed to remember that all this belongs to a wonderful woman by the name of Mercedes Lackey, NOT a writer by the penname of Herald Kelsin. If you didn't remember, please take the time to remember now.
Chapter 8, here we go. It's hard to believe I made it this far without any flames. Of course, don't feel the need to break the record. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks to my faithful reviewers. Every chapter, without fail, I see your names in my inbox. You guys know who you are. You rock! Anyway, that's enough of the mushiness.
Wizard: Thanks again! Heh. That Fetching scene was good, I think.
Tenshi: Thanks. I'm not too sure what's up with that formatting thing. When I save as HTML it comes out fine, but I seem to lose half the italics when I upload it to FanFic.
Fireblade K'Chona: Yeah, there is that, but I couldn't find a way to make that into a nice little amusing scene, so I made a variation. Hope nobody minds too much.
Hmm. I think I may end this story sooner than I thought. I think I messed something up somewhere. I'll try again with my next fic. Two or three more chapters will wrap up the whole relationship thing, and after that, it would just be plotless mush anyway. Reviewers, give me your opinion on the ending thing, please.
Anyway, moving on again, past this long A.N, to give you Chapter 8.
{A.N.} There will be at least one PoV switch in this chapter, fair warning.
Chapter 8: Longings
Kel was walking alone down the hallway towards her room. It had been a long and boring math class, she could tell, even though she had been totally spaced for most of it. It was mostly a review for her. Because of her parents being involved in trade as a result of their Guild affiliations, her math skills were fairly good, and, while everyone else was 'catching up,' as the Herald teaching the class put it, Kel was pretty much free to zone out.
Meral was in her math class, which made it easy to just stare at the back of his blue hairdo and drool until the ending bell.
She had nearly gone into shock when Meral had come up behind her and offered to walk her to her next class. He put his arm around her waist and said "Since we're Yearmates and all, we should get to know each other. Risa and I are having a little party in my room after dinner tonight. Just the three of us if you come. Want to?"
Kel's heart was beating so fast that she was surprised it didn't fly out of her chest. Her tongue appeared to have tied itself into little knots. She willed it to untie and, slowly and carefully, replied "Sure! I'd love to."
"That's settled, then!" Meral said enthusiastically. "I'll see you tonight."
Kel flopped onto her bed, made a half-hearted attempt at studying, then gave up and sank into more daydreams of Meral.
That night, after dinner, she made her way back to her rooms, ran a brush through her hair and put on a clean set of Grays. Her things had come from home yesterday, so she had her own brush and comb to use, which cheered her up considerably.
She knocked hesitantly on the door of Meral's rooms. He opened the door, smiling warmly and banishing the last of Kel's fears as he saw her waiting outside.
She entered his room, looking around. "Where's Risa?"
"Not here yet."
"Oh." Kel felt mildly nervous at the thought of being alone with Meral.
Meral leaned forward, brushing a strand of Kel's hair behind her ear. :You look beautiful tonight, you know.:
:Are you MindSpeaking me?:
:Yup!: Meral's speech was permanently dyed the color of his hair, with little yellow lights of amusement currently threaded through it.
:Oh. Well, thanks.:
:Anytime, pretty one.: He Sent. By this time, they were so close that they were almost touching noses.
At that moment, there was a brisk knock on the door. Kel was obscurely disappointed, for some reason, but as Risa entered, laughing, she gave herself up to getting to know her new friends.
It was hours before Risa said that she had to leave to go and do some studying. Reluctantly, Kel decided the same a few minutes after Risa left.
:Want me to walk you back to your room?: Meral asked.
:Sure.: Kel replied, ignoring the disapproval that was emanating from Lan in waves.
Meral casually linked arms with her, and, as they got to her room, just as she opened her mouth to say goodbye, Meral turned and kissed her sweetly on the lips, then almost ran away down the hallway.
Kel stood there with her mouth open for several minutes, until Lan finally Spoke, acidly :Happy now?:
Strangely enough, Kel wasn't, but she had no intentions of telling Lan that, so she said defiantly, unable to lie Mind-to-Mind, but knowing that he would hear the echo of the words in her mind. "Yes. I am."
Lan was miserable. He no longer even bothered to fight it, although he was careful to block it off from his Chosen. No good would come from her knowing the truth, Lan knew. He was so wrapped in his own misery that he didn't even look up when he heard the sound of hoof beats making their way through the deserted stable, obviously headed for him.
When they stopped, he looked up and groaned. Who could it be but Rolan, the Groveborn, who had an unholy knack, one could almost say a Gift, for picking up the things that you would really rather he didn't. He wouldn't QUITE say 'I told you so' but it was incredibly easy to tell when he was thinking it, and he was probably thinking it now.
:Laran, what's wrong?: Rolan asked, layering his Sending with sympathy and understanding. Rolan knew, of course, exactly what was wrong, but maybe letting Lan talk it through would allow him to let it go and stop tormenting his Chosen.
:Oh Rolan, I know that she can't know that we're Lifebonded, but can't she FEEL it? How can she kiss that blue haired guy like I am nothing to her, like I mean nothing to her. She doesn't even know what she's doing to me! We're LIFEBONDED, for Haven's sake! I know everything she does! We're never out of each other's heads!: Lan wailed.
:I think it was more that he kissed her, Lan.: Rolan said, utterly serious. :And I think she liked it less that she admitted. But what was she supposed to say, with you going older brotherly on her? I know it's hard, Laran, but you are going to make it harder for yourself if you keep pushing her away. She isn't going to feel the double bond until she stops thinking it isn't there, and when admittedly good looking Herald Trainees keep showing up and throwing themselves on her, well what is she expected to do?:
:I know that, Rolan, and I know it's perfectly natural, but I can't bear it! What if she never figures it out?:
:She will, eventually, Laran.: Rolan said, the only one in the stables who persisted in calling Lan by his given name, much to Lan's dismay. :If she were stupid, she would not be a Trainee. When she starts to compare notes with the other Trainees about her Bond with you, she will probably start to get it. You just have to hold on.: Rolan said. :Just keep watching her mind. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when she sees Meral tomorrow.:
:I'll try.: Lan said.
Without waiting for further reply, Rolan turned and paced from the stables. Lan figured he'd hang around and wallow in his misery for a while. He might have to wait, but he didn't have to like it.
Lan was just settling himself down for a good mope when suddenly, he felt a familiar presence drawing closer. Kel! He could practically feel the sadness and confusion rolling off of her in waves.
She rounded the door of the stables at a run. :Lan?: She asked, far too calmly and restrainedly for what he could feel of her emotions. :Do you think we could take a ride? I need to go somewhere quiet.:
:Of course, Chosen.: He remembered his promise to Rolan, and besides, how could he be angry with her. It would be like being angry with himself, only worse, because it would hurt her worse than anything he could say to himself could hurt himself…
'Whoa, I'm going in circles here. That was confusing.' Lan thought to himself.
Kel sniffled a little, and Lan was brought back to the present. He was already lying down, an ideal position for wallowing in misery, so all Kel had to do was clamor on.
Lan thought he knew the perfect place for the two of them. A nice little Grove just beyond the Field.
On the way there, Lan was silent, allowing Kel to gather her thoughts, and, if she leaked a tear or two into his mane, he was inclined to let it slip. Just as long as she was with him, he would probably excuse her anything.
When they stopped in the Grove, Lan lay down on the soft green grass, and Kel dismounted, laying back against Lan's flank.
Kel lay there, lost in her thoughts, for a quarter Candlemark, at least.
:Lan? You know, I never kissed anyone before that. Well, he kissed me, but still. I wasn't exactly marriage bait back at home. Shouldn't it have been, well, better? I picked up a bit from Meral's mind, but I wasn't feeling what he was feeling. I'm confused, Lan.: She Sent plaintively.
Lan wasn't confused at all, just terribly uncomfortable. If Companions could blush, he would be cherry colored. Playing the romantic advisor wasn't exactly his strong point. :Well, how do you feel about Meral, Chosen?:
:We're friends for sure. He's great, and he explains everything so well. I never thought anyone with blue hair could be so good at those fancy court manners. Plus, he's really good looking, but, maybe I'm just being romantic, but he just feels like a friend. Not like you feel to me, and that is the kind of bond I would want in a relationship.: She smiled at Lan, sadness fading. :I think Meral and I are better off friends, and at least I have you.:
:You will ALWAYS have me, Chosen. I love you, and I will NEVER leave you.: