A/N: Now, to plunge into the third chapter… But first, let me take the time to thank my most faithful reviewers. You guys are the greatest!
Disclaimer: I own only the plot. Characters and other elements are compliments of Tamora Pierce.
The next few weeks were a flurry of activity. Kel fed and groomed Peachblossom and Hoshi in the morning. Then, despite the freezing air and snow on the ground, she would go out onto the practice courts to keep in shape and prepared for battle. In the afternoon, she was usually bogged down by paperwork for Raoul, Wyldon, and the king. Most days, she did not even have time to go down to the mess three times a day and ate snacks in her room. She still had not seen Dom since the little incident around the camp fire.
As the balls approached, Kel realized that she needed dresses. The largest of the Midwinter First Night parties, held in the magnificent crystal room, was only five days away. She invited Yuki to head to Lalasa's shop. Lalasa was Kel's former maid and Kel had helped the seamstress go into business. Now, Lalasa made all the noble's dresses, even the queen's.
"I'm sorry but you need an appointment," a woman at the front of the shop said. At that moment, Lalasa bustled out of a small fitting room with two women following.
"Kel! I wondered when I'd see you." She reached over and gave Kel a hug. "I've missed you, my lady. And, you, Yuki, look as pretty as ever. I assume you need dresses?"
"If you're too busy…" Kel started to say. But, Lalasa quickly cut her off.
"I'm never too busy for you. Come on back." She beckoned them to follow her to a fitting room. Expertly, she stripped down both Kel and Yuki and took their measurements with a knotted cord. Then, she brought out a few samples for them to choose from. Yuki picked a lavender, kimono-style dress embroidered with delicate pink and silver flowers. Kel was baffled and let Yuki and Lalasa decide for her. They picked a dark green dress made of raw silk. It laced snugly up the front, with a very low neckline and silky gold trim. Kel was skeptical about the flowing skirt, which required many under layers, but was reassured by her friends. Kel and Yuki made a few other selections for the more minor balls and said there goodbyes to Lalasa.
"I don't know," Kel said to Yuki as they left, "I've never worn anything like that before."
"You will look beautiful. Besides, you have to dress to impress, correct?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't think I have not noticed you looking at a certain cousin of Neal's. I was born on the islands, too, remember? I can see right past your smooth face. Your eyes give you away." She laughed as Kel blushed.
"I'm that obvious?"
"Oh, no. No one else has noticed, to my knowledge and I won't tell."
"Thank you Yuki. Thank you so much."
"I think you should tell him though." Kel shook her head. "Well, you should come to my rooms if you need help with your hair and make-up, which you do. Let us see, the ball at seven, so come at one."
"Six hours, Yuki? Do we really need that much time?"
"I have to get myself ready to. And I will do everything to you, so be ready to sit."
Kel sighed. "Thanks, Yuki. I think."
Yuki giggled. "My thanks will be seeing you in a dress, Lady Knight. Don't get your hair cut. I know you were planning it. Come on, we have to get back to the palace."
When the future Princess Shinkokami heard that Yuki had planned to "make Kel up" for the ball, she invited the two girls to her bedchamber so they could all get ready together. Her attendant Lady Haname joined them. After the first hour, Kel was bored stiff. Servants fussed over Shinko. The prince's fiancée wore a dark blue northern-style dress trimmed with pearls and lace. It was made of plush velvet and had a large hoop skirt. Yuki and Haname fussed over each other. Lady Haname was dressed in a cream kimono patterned with rich brown butterflies. Finally, everyone in the room turned their attention to Kel, completely overwhelming her. Her hair, usually cut above her earlobes, had grown slightly past her shoulders in the months she had spent away. Haname and Shinko's other attendants formed tight curls with a hot iron and pinned them to the top of her head. Then, they insisted on gluing emeralds to the ringlets to match her dress. Meanwhile, Yuki applied rouge to her lips and cheeks, darkened her eye lashes, and put green shadow on her eyelids. Everyone explained what they were doing, knowing that Kel had never been taught these things and might want to try them herself.
Kel gasped when she looked in the mirror. "Wow" was all she could manage to say for a few minutes. When she finally got over the shock of seeing herself, she thanked all the people who helped at least twice. Kel had to admit, she looked like a different person; she looked beautiful.
'I can't wait to see Dom. He's never seen me in a dress,' she thought. 'Wait, what am I thinking? Oh dear, these clothes are making me as giddy as any court lady.'
"Only a couple more minutes now," Yuki commented. "I wonder who you will be sitting with, Kel? Hopefully someone handsome who will dance with you all night and…"
"Probably some stuffy old conservative who will tell me how horrible it is to allow women to earn their shield," Kel interrupted glumly.
"You never know," was all Yuki said before Shinko announced that they would go.
The crystal room, where the ball was held, reflected all the splendor of Tortall that evening. Vines with huge, white flowers delicately snaked their way around chandeliers and across walls. Two fires crackled in their brick hearths at opposite ends of the room. At one end, Queen Thayet, often called The Peerless because of her refined beauty, sat next to her husband, King Jonathan IV. She wore a deep crimson, silk dress trimmed with diamonds. Her delicate gold crown was embedded with teardrop shaped garnets that reflected the fire. King Jonathon wore a black, silk hose with a white shirt and a white tunic edged with blue. The room bedecked with color as more and more people filled in.
A squire led Kel to her seat at a round table. Yuki and Neal were seated beside her. Kel tried not to show her relief when Merric was led to the seat beside her. At least she had someone she could talk to.
"Oh, thank the gods it's you, Kel," Merric said. "I thought I would have to sit next to someone old and stingy."
"So did I. I guess we are just lucky," Kel replied.
Merric finally took a good look at her. It was very unnerving to have someone size her up. "You look really great. The lady knight sure cleans up nice."
Kel smiled at the compliment. "Why thank you Merric. I have Yuki to thank for that."
A young woman had just sat down across from Kel. She sniffed when she saw Kel and lifted her head high. "You are the lady knight, are you not?" she said in a high nasal voice.
"Yes," Kel said calmly, "I am." The woman just "hmphed" and kept her nose up in the air. She was rather pretty, with dark brown hair and chestnut eyes, but her attitude annoyed Kel. She had met people like her before, but she knew it would be a long dinner, especially when the woman began to gossip with neighbor about those at surrounding tables. Seeing the seat beside the woman still vacant, Kel nudged Merric with her foot. "Pity the poor fool who ends up there." She pointed to the empty seat.
Merric glanced at the woman with disgust. "She must be Sylvia of Elmsway. I hear she's one of the very stuck up nobles, you know the type."
"I can tell," Kel whispered. Out of the corner of her eye, Kel caught sight of Dom coming through the main door. He was striking in his navy breeches, white shirt, and light blue tunic. A squire led him to there table and gestured to the seat next to Sylvia.
"Why hello," Sylvia purred. "You must be Domitan of Masbolle. I've heard about you, but no one ever told me how handsome you were." Kel felt sick to her stomach. She saw Dom smile and sit down. Afterward, she tried as best as she could to ignore the two and talk with Merric. Luckily, the food came, taking Kel's thoughts away from the couple across the table.
In truth, Dom was not at all pleased at where he was put. He too had heard of Sylvia. Five minutes after he sat down, he was bored to tears. This girl was downright annoying and her shameless flirting gave him a headache. He kept glancing at Kel across the table, but she seemed to be engrossed in conversation with Merric. 'She looks spectacular tonight. The green really brings out her eyes. It is not fair that Merric gets her all to herself while I am stuck next to this harpy,' he thought. 'She doesn't even know I like her. I'll tell her tonight; I have to.'
After they had eaten, couples began to drift out onto the dance floor. Kel and Yuki were the first of their table to go, followed by several other couples. Sylvia literally dragged Dom away by the collar of his shirt. Soon, only Kel and Merric were left.
"Hey Kel, would you do the honor of dancing with me?" Merric asked, trying to sound formal.
"Of course, kind sir," she laughed. Merric led Kel to the floor and began to dance. Dom, clutched in Sylvia's death grip, could not take his eyes off Kel as she swept across the floor. He suddenly felt insanely, irrationally jealous as he watched Merric hold her. "Umm, Sylvia," he said, "I am going to get something to drink. I'll be right back." He left without looking back or waiting for an answer. Instead of getting a drink, he walked up to Kel and Merric and tapped Merric on the shoulder. "May I cut in?" he asked, looking directly at Kel.
"Be my guest." Merric walked back to the table.
"Hello Dom," Kel said, avoiding his gaze.
"Hello Kel. Care to dance?" He held out his hand.
"Of course," Kel replied, smiling. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest. "So, did you enjoy your dinner?"
"Not in the least bit. I can't believe they sat me next to that monster. Ugh!" He smiled down at Kel.
For some reason, this made Kel feel very good. Kel was not quite sure how long they had been dancing when the music slowed. She relaxed in Dom's arms and leaned a little against his chest. "You look very beautiful, tonight," he said quietly. Kel made the mistake of looking up into Dom's deep blue eyes. They paralyzed her. If her feet were still moving, she didn't notice. All she could think about were those eyes.
A nasal voice exclaimed from right behind her, "Dom? Is that you? I thought you were getting a drink." Kel saw Dom cringe visibly as Sylvia sauntered up to them. "What are you doing over hear."
"Just dancing with Kel." Dom was trying to slowly back away.
"Oh," Sylvia replied disdainfully. "Have you danced with her long enough? It's my turn again," she whined.
"Well..." Dom started
"No, it's okay." Kel flashed Dom a quick grin. "Merric looks lonely over there. I think I'll go give him some company." Kel started to walk toward the table, but changed her mind and headed outside. She needed some fresh air. Her feet carried her to the palace gardens. She walked around the rosebushes, taking in their beautiful scents.
Dom had watched Kel leave and broken away from Sylvia as soon as the song ended. 'This could be my chance to tell her how I feel,' he thought. Merric had also seen Kel leave and followed her outside.
Kel heard footsteps and turned around. Merric was walking toward her, looking slightly unsteady on his feet. Now that she thought about it, he did have a bit much to drink during dinner. "Hello Merric."
"Hello Kel. Wonderful evening isn't it?" he hiccupped, slurring his words slightly.
"Yes. Are you feeling all right? Do you want some help up to bed?"
"Why of course not, Kel. I just came out to wish you Midwinter luck." Without warning he grabbed her and kissed her.
Only a few seconds before, Dom had spotted Kel and was about to yell out to her. Then he saw Merric beside her and decided to wait a moment. Suddenly, Kel and Merric were kissing. Kel's back was to him, or he would have seen the horrified expression on her face and her hands trying to push Merric away. Dom did not stay to watch what happened next. He dropped the rose he was carrying and walked away with his head hung low, heartbroken and knowing he had missed his chance.
When Kel had finally pushed Merric away, she felt like screaming at him. How dare he? She did not want that to happen. Then she looked at him, realizing how drunk he actually was. "Merric," she said, "Sit on this bench. I'm going to get Neal so we can get you up to your rooms." These last words were lost on him, for Merric had already blacked out.
Kel rushed back to the crystal room. She found Neal dancing with Yuki and tapped him on the shoulder. "Merric had a bit too much to drink," she whispered in his ear. "I need help carrying him to his rooms."
"I'll be right back," Neal promised Yuki. "What happened?" he asked as he and Kel left the room.
"Well, I guess he followed me out to the gardens. I could tell he was drunk, and then he kissed me."
"He what?"
Kel ignored Neal and continued, "I told him to wait on a bench so I could get you and he blacked out."
"That is going to be one bad hangover," Neal said as they reached Merric's prostrate body.
"Just help me." Kel fished around in Merric's pockets until she found his room key. They carried him upstairs and laid him in be. Kel decided to go straight to her bedchamber and Neal promised to check on Merric in the morning.
Kel arrived at the mess hall the next morning to find Neal already eating. "Merric is up," he announced as she sat down. He grinned impishly. "It took a few dunkings in a cold wash basin to convince him of that, though. I told him what happened," he said seriously.
"Oh, Great Goddess, Neal! Why?"
"He asked," Neal replied. Kel smacked him on the back of the head.
"Oww! I don't see my dearest cousin this morning. It looks like hang-overs are contagious."
Kel thought back to the previous night and sighed. It was nice dancing, him holding her in his arms. She snapped back to reality and caught Neal looking at her funny. "What?" she asked.
Just then, Merric walked in looking a little worse for the wear. He walked right up to Kel. "Kel, will you take a walk with me. We need to talk."
"Sure." Kel through out the food she did not eat, turned in her tray, and followed Merric out the door.
"Look," he said when they were out of earshot, "Neal told me what happened last night. I don't remember it. I just wanted to apologize for taking advantage of you. I was drunk and I didn't mean anything by it." He looked at her pleadingly. "I hope you did not get the wrong idea. I mean, we are friends, but…
"Stop. I know. You weren't taking advantage of me; you caught me unaware, that is all. I understand."
"Oh thank you." It seemed like he had been holding his breath.
"Why don't you go get some food before the mess closes?" Kel said.
"Good idea. I will see you around, Kel. And again, I am so sorry." With that, he walked back to the mess.
Kel decided that Hoshi needed some exercise. It was not too cold out, so she headed down to the stable where the King's Own kept their horses. She passed Dom saddling one of his mounts as she walked to get her tack. "Hello Dom," Kel said, stopping outside the stall. Dom ignored her. "Dom? Hello?"
"Hello," he said. He sounded angry.
"Is there something wrong?" Kel asked. "You sound upset."
"Wrong? Why would anything be wrong? Life is perfect," Dom replied with raw bitterness. Kel was confused.
"Did I do something wrong last night," she asked, perplexed.
"I don't think there is anything wrong with being happy." Dom sounded really angry now. Kel just stared at him. "I hope you and Sir Merric are very happy together." Dom jumped on his horse and trotted away.
A/N: Yey! Finally finished! I think that is my best chapter yet. Thank you reviewers and I hope you liked it. Updates soon! Looking forward to reviews.
Disclaimer: I own only the plot. Characters and other elements are compliments of Tamora Pierce.
The next few weeks were a flurry of activity. Kel fed and groomed Peachblossom and Hoshi in the morning. Then, despite the freezing air and snow on the ground, she would go out onto the practice courts to keep in shape and prepared for battle. In the afternoon, she was usually bogged down by paperwork for Raoul, Wyldon, and the king. Most days, she did not even have time to go down to the mess three times a day and ate snacks in her room. She still had not seen Dom since the little incident around the camp fire.
As the balls approached, Kel realized that she needed dresses. The largest of the Midwinter First Night parties, held in the magnificent crystal room, was only five days away. She invited Yuki to head to Lalasa's shop. Lalasa was Kel's former maid and Kel had helped the seamstress go into business. Now, Lalasa made all the noble's dresses, even the queen's.
"I'm sorry but you need an appointment," a woman at the front of the shop said. At that moment, Lalasa bustled out of a small fitting room with two women following.
"Kel! I wondered when I'd see you." She reached over and gave Kel a hug. "I've missed you, my lady. And, you, Yuki, look as pretty as ever. I assume you need dresses?"
"If you're too busy…" Kel started to say. But, Lalasa quickly cut her off.
"I'm never too busy for you. Come on back." She beckoned them to follow her to a fitting room. Expertly, she stripped down both Kel and Yuki and took their measurements with a knotted cord. Then, she brought out a few samples for them to choose from. Yuki picked a lavender, kimono-style dress embroidered with delicate pink and silver flowers. Kel was baffled and let Yuki and Lalasa decide for her. They picked a dark green dress made of raw silk. It laced snugly up the front, with a very low neckline and silky gold trim. Kel was skeptical about the flowing skirt, which required many under layers, but was reassured by her friends. Kel and Yuki made a few other selections for the more minor balls and said there goodbyes to Lalasa.
"I don't know," Kel said to Yuki as they left, "I've never worn anything like that before."
"You will look beautiful. Besides, you have to dress to impress, correct?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't think I have not noticed you looking at a certain cousin of Neal's. I was born on the islands, too, remember? I can see right past your smooth face. Your eyes give you away." She laughed as Kel blushed.
"I'm that obvious?"
"Oh, no. No one else has noticed, to my knowledge and I won't tell."
"Thank you Yuki. Thank you so much."
"I think you should tell him though." Kel shook her head. "Well, you should come to my rooms if you need help with your hair and make-up, which you do. Let us see, the ball at seven, so come at one."
"Six hours, Yuki? Do we really need that much time?"
"I have to get myself ready to. And I will do everything to you, so be ready to sit."
Kel sighed. "Thanks, Yuki. I think."
Yuki giggled. "My thanks will be seeing you in a dress, Lady Knight. Don't get your hair cut. I know you were planning it. Come on, we have to get back to the palace."
When the future Princess Shinkokami heard that Yuki had planned to "make Kel up" for the ball, she invited the two girls to her bedchamber so they could all get ready together. Her attendant Lady Haname joined them. After the first hour, Kel was bored stiff. Servants fussed over Shinko. The prince's fiancée wore a dark blue northern-style dress trimmed with pearls and lace. It was made of plush velvet and had a large hoop skirt. Yuki and Haname fussed over each other. Lady Haname was dressed in a cream kimono patterned with rich brown butterflies. Finally, everyone in the room turned their attention to Kel, completely overwhelming her. Her hair, usually cut above her earlobes, had grown slightly past her shoulders in the months she had spent away. Haname and Shinko's other attendants formed tight curls with a hot iron and pinned them to the top of her head. Then, they insisted on gluing emeralds to the ringlets to match her dress. Meanwhile, Yuki applied rouge to her lips and cheeks, darkened her eye lashes, and put green shadow on her eyelids. Everyone explained what they were doing, knowing that Kel had never been taught these things and might want to try them herself.
Kel gasped when she looked in the mirror. "Wow" was all she could manage to say for a few minutes. When she finally got over the shock of seeing herself, she thanked all the people who helped at least twice. Kel had to admit, she looked like a different person; she looked beautiful.
'I can't wait to see Dom. He's never seen me in a dress,' she thought. 'Wait, what am I thinking? Oh dear, these clothes are making me as giddy as any court lady.'
"Only a couple more minutes now," Yuki commented. "I wonder who you will be sitting with, Kel? Hopefully someone handsome who will dance with you all night and…"
"Probably some stuffy old conservative who will tell me how horrible it is to allow women to earn their shield," Kel interrupted glumly.
"You never know," was all Yuki said before Shinko announced that they would go.
The crystal room, where the ball was held, reflected all the splendor of Tortall that evening. Vines with huge, white flowers delicately snaked their way around chandeliers and across walls. Two fires crackled in their brick hearths at opposite ends of the room. At one end, Queen Thayet, often called The Peerless because of her refined beauty, sat next to her husband, King Jonathan IV. She wore a deep crimson, silk dress trimmed with diamonds. Her delicate gold crown was embedded with teardrop shaped garnets that reflected the fire. King Jonathon wore a black, silk hose with a white shirt and a white tunic edged with blue. The room bedecked with color as more and more people filled in.
A squire led Kel to her seat at a round table. Yuki and Neal were seated beside her. Kel tried not to show her relief when Merric was led to the seat beside her. At least she had someone she could talk to.
"Oh, thank the gods it's you, Kel," Merric said. "I thought I would have to sit next to someone old and stingy."
"So did I. I guess we are just lucky," Kel replied.
Merric finally took a good look at her. It was very unnerving to have someone size her up. "You look really great. The lady knight sure cleans up nice."
Kel smiled at the compliment. "Why thank you Merric. I have Yuki to thank for that."
A young woman had just sat down across from Kel. She sniffed when she saw Kel and lifted her head high. "You are the lady knight, are you not?" she said in a high nasal voice.
"Yes," Kel said calmly, "I am." The woman just "hmphed" and kept her nose up in the air. She was rather pretty, with dark brown hair and chestnut eyes, but her attitude annoyed Kel. She had met people like her before, but she knew it would be a long dinner, especially when the woman began to gossip with neighbor about those at surrounding tables. Seeing the seat beside the woman still vacant, Kel nudged Merric with her foot. "Pity the poor fool who ends up there." She pointed to the empty seat.
Merric glanced at the woman with disgust. "She must be Sylvia of Elmsway. I hear she's one of the very stuck up nobles, you know the type."
"I can tell," Kel whispered. Out of the corner of her eye, Kel caught sight of Dom coming through the main door. He was striking in his navy breeches, white shirt, and light blue tunic. A squire led him to there table and gestured to the seat next to Sylvia.
"Why hello," Sylvia purred. "You must be Domitan of Masbolle. I've heard about you, but no one ever told me how handsome you were." Kel felt sick to her stomach. She saw Dom smile and sit down. Afterward, she tried as best as she could to ignore the two and talk with Merric. Luckily, the food came, taking Kel's thoughts away from the couple across the table.
In truth, Dom was not at all pleased at where he was put. He too had heard of Sylvia. Five minutes after he sat down, he was bored to tears. This girl was downright annoying and her shameless flirting gave him a headache. He kept glancing at Kel across the table, but she seemed to be engrossed in conversation with Merric. 'She looks spectacular tonight. The green really brings out her eyes. It is not fair that Merric gets her all to herself while I am stuck next to this harpy,' he thought. 'She doesn't even know I like her. I'll tell her tonight; I have to.'
After they had eaten, couples began to drift out onto the dance floor. Kel and Yuki were the first of their table to go, followed by several other couples. Sylvia literally dragged Dom away by the collar of his shirt. Soon, only Kel and Merric were left.
"Hey Kel, would you do the honor of dancing with me?" Merric asked, trying to sound formal.
"Of course, kind sir," she laughed. Merric led Kel to the floor and began to dance. Dom, clutched in Sylvia's death grip, could not take his eyes off Kel as she swept across the floor. He suddenly felt insanely, irrationally jealous as he watched Merric hold her. "Umm, Sylvia," he said, "I am going to get something to drink. I'll be right back." He left without looking back or waiting for an answer. Instead of getting a drink, he walked up to Kel and Merric and tapped Merric on the shoulder. "May I cut in?" he asked, looking directly at Kel.
"Be my guest." Merric walked back to the table.
"Hello Dom," Kel said, avoiding his gaze.
"Hello Kel. Care to dance?" He held out his hand.
"Of course," Kel replied, smiling. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest. "So, did you enjoy your dinner?"
"Not in the least bit. I can't believe they sat me next to that monster. Ugh!" He smiled down at Kel.
For some reason, this made Kel feel very good. Kel was not quite sure how long they had been dancing when the music slowed. She relaxed in Dom's arms and leaned a little against his chest. "You look very beautiful, tonight," he said quietly. Kel made the mistake of looking up into Dom's deep blue eyes. They paralyzed her. If her feet were still moving, she didn't notice. All she could think about were those eyes.
A nasal voice exclaimed from right behind her, "Dom? Is that you? I thought you were getting a drink." Kel saw Dom cringe visibly as Sylvia sauntered up to them. "What are you doing over hear."
"Just dancing with Kel." Dom was trying to slowly back away.
"Oh," Sylvia replied disdainfully. "Have you danced with her long enough? It's my turn again," she whined.
"Well..." Dom started
"No, it's okay." Kel flashed Dom a quick grin. "Merric looks lonely over there. I think I'll go give him some company." Kel started to walk toward the table, but changed her mind and headed outside. She needed some fresh air. Her feet carried her to the palace gardens. She walked around the rosebushes, taking in their beautiful scents.
Dom had watched Kel leave and broken away from Sylvia as soon as the song ended. 'This could be my chance to tell her how I feel,' he thought. Merric had also seen Kel leave and followed her outside.
Kel heard footsteps and turned around. Merric was walking toward her, looking slightly unsteady on his feet. Now that she thought about it, he did have a bit much to drink during dinner. "Hello Merric."
"Hello Kel. Wonderful evening isn't it?" he hiccupped, slurring his words slightly.
"Yes. Are you feeling all right? Do you want some help up to bed?"
"Why of course not, Kel. I just came out to wish you Midwinter luck." Without warning he grabbed her and kissed her.
Only a few seconds before, Dom had spotted Kel and was about to yell out to her. Then he saw Merric beside her and decided to wait a moment. Suddenly, Kel and Merric were kissing. Kel's back was to him, or he would have seen the horrified expression on her face and her hands trying to push Merric away. Dom did not stay to watch what happened next. He dropped the rose he was carrying and walked away with his head hung low, heartbroken and knowing he had missed his chance.
When Kel had finally pushed Merric away, she felt like screaming at him. How dare he? She did not want that to happen. Then she looked at him, realizing how drunk he actually was. "Merric," she said, "Sit on this bench. I'm going to get Neal so we can get you up to your rooms." These last words were lost on him, for Merric had already blacked out.
Kel rushed back to the crystal room. She found Neal dancing with Yuki and tapped him on the shoulder. "Merric had a bit too much to drink," she whispered in his ear. "I need help carrying him to his rooms."
"I'll be right back," Neal promised Yuki. "What happened?" he asked as he and Kel left the room.
"Well, I guess he followed me out to the gardens. I could tell he was drunk, and then he kissed me."
"He what?"
Kel ignored Neal and continued, "I told him to wait on a bench so I could get you and he blacked out."
"That is going to be one bad hangover," Neal said as they reached Merric's prostrate body.
"Just help me." Kel fished around in Merric's pockets until she found his room key. They carried him upstairs and laid him in be. Kel decided to go straight to her bedchamber and Neal promised to check on Merric in the morning.
Kel arrived at the mess hall the next morning to find Neal already eating. "Merric is up," he announced as she sat down. He grinned impishly. "It took a few dunkings in a cold wash basin to convince him of that, though. I told him what happened," he said seriously.
"Oh, Great Goddess, Neal! Why?"
"He asked," Neal replied. Kel smacked him on the back of the head.
"Oww! I don't see my dearest cousin this morning. It looks like hang-overs are contagious."
Kel thought back to the previous night and sighed. It was nice dancing, him holding her in his arms. She snapped back to reality and caught Neal looking at her funny. "What?" she asked.
Just then, Merric walked in looking a little worse for the wear. He walked right up to Kel. "Kel, will you take a walk with me. We need to talk."
"Sure." Kel through out the food she did not eat, turned in her tray, and followed Merric out the door.
"Look," he said when they were out of earshot, "Neal told me what happened last night. I don't remember it. I just wanted to apologize for taking advantage of you. I was drunk and I didn't mean anything by it." He looked at her pleadingly. "I hope you did not get the wrong idea. I mean, we are friends, but…
"Stop. I know. You weren't taking advantage of me; you caught me unaware, that is all. I understand."
"Oh thank you." It seemed like he had been holding his breath.
"Why don't you go get some food before the mess closes?" Kel said.
"Good idea. I will see you around, Kel. And again, I am so sorry." With that, he walked back to the mess.
Kel decided that Hoshi needed some exercise. It was not too cold out, so she headed down to the stable where the King's Own kept their horses. She passed Dom saddling one of his mounts as she walked to get her tack. "Hello Dom," Kel said, stopping outside the stall. Dom ignored her. "Dom? Hello?"
"Hello," he said. He sounded angry.
"Is there something wrong?" Kel asked. "You sound upset."
"Wrong? Why would anything be wrong? Life is perfect," Dom replied with raw bitterness. Kel was confused.
"Did I do something wrong last night," she asked, perplexed.
"I don't think there is anything wrong with being happy." Dom sounded really angry now. Kel just stared at him. "I hope you and Sir Merric are very happy together." Dom jumped on his horse and trotted away.
A/N: Yey! Finally finished! I think that is my best chapter yet. Thank you reviewers and I hope you liked it. Updates soon! Looking forward to reviews.