DISCLAIMER: Don't own it. Don't like it? Don't read it.
This is just sort of a filler chapter, because I want to do something before i actually keep going with the main plot.
Still looking for good stories to read.
Song of the Chapter: Where Are You Now, by the Michelle Branch (still made in Canada)
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After dinner, Kel found herself in one of the smaller libraries of the Palace. She was researching the conquers of King Jasson III, King Jonathan's grandfather. She was so absorbed in a book that she didn't even notice when a handful of squires and knights entered.
"Hey Kel." A voice interrupted her thoughts. Looking up, she recognized her friends, including Prince Roald, who she hadn't seen yet. Standing up, she curtsied to the Crown Prince, who nodded to her.
"What are you reading?" Merric glanced over at her book.
Neal grinned, "I never thought I'd see the day when Kel would voluntarily research history." Kel hid a smile and a blush.
Kel, significantly lighter hearted since Yuki's announcement, enjoyed the next half an hour, chattering with her friends. Neal, Merric, Owen and Cleon would all be leaving the next day for the Scanran border.
Cleon suddenly interrupted her thoughts with a question. "Kel, why didn't you write? In your note, you told us you would."
Kel's face fell. "I did write. I wrote to you all at least once a month. I just never sent the letters. Come with me." She led her friends to her rooms. They waited outside while she fished in her trunk.
She emerged from her room with a large canvas bag. "These are all the letters I wrote to you."
Reaching in, she pulled out a small stack of about eighty letters tied with cord. The top letter had 'Merric of Hollyrose' written on it. She handed the bundle to the squire in question. There were piles for Esmond, Seaver, Faleron, Cleon, and Prince Roald. Finally, Kel pulled out the largest one. It must have contained at least three hundred, maybe four hundred letters. The boys all stared at Kel's work.
"I wrote to Neal once a week for six years." She handed the heavy stack to her best friend. He staggered for a minute, not expecting the weight of them.
The boys all smiled, viewing their bundles.
"Well we must be getting along. I for one have to wake up early. Goodnight." Kel sighed and returned to her rooms, closing the door softly behind her. She fell asleep the minute her head hit the pillow.
Each of the boys went their separate ways to read their letters.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Dear Neal,
I don't know where to start. I am so sorry about what happened. I want to apologize for what I said. I was completely out of line. I hope you forgive me. I am truly sorry.
Kel
Dear Neal,
I didn't send the last letter, because when I read it, it really sounded stupid. I probably won't send this one either. I am really sorry for what I said. I know that I had no place criticizing you. It has been bothering me. I can't sleep, knowing that I left my best friend on those terms. I hope that when I come back, we can still be friends, if not best friends.
Kel
Dear Cleon,
I'm sorry for failing. I know that you are probably all disappointed in me. I'm disappointed in myself. I failed at what I tried so hard to achieve. Please forgive me.
Kel
Dear Neal,
I really do miss you. I know that it sounds odd. I shouldn't be missing a sarcastic smart mouth who doesn't know when to shut up or respect his elders. But I do. I miss having you around to talk to.
Kel
Dear Merric,
I haven't written in a while. I've really been busy. I am planning an escape. I might even come down to Corus to see you, disguised of course. I miss you. it would be nice to have anyone with a temper. It would keep the Daughters on their toes, after all of the meek ladies.
Kel
Dear Neal,
I have written quite a few letters to you, even if none of them have been sent. I was looking at the stack, and after three years in this gods forsaken prison, you still seem to be my only comfort, even if you're not here. I miss hearing your sarcasm, though I would never admit that aloud. I'm still feeling terrible about what I had said to you before I left. I truly hope that when I return to Corus, and I will return, you can forgive me for what I said. i need a best friend who is not mad at me.
Kel
Dear Seaver,
I'm sorry that I haven't written to you any. I'm even more sorry that I haven't sent the letters that I did write. I hope that you keep yourself out of trouble, especially with immortals that can kill you with one swipe. I'm not there to save you anymore.
Kel
Dear Faleron,
I have something that I need to tell you. I couldn't bring myself to tell Neal, after how we left each other, but you were always the calm, level headed one. I was the one who saved you all from the bandit attacks. I didn't recognize you until it was over. That was during my first escape attempt. I found you there, and I had made myself a vow never to turn down anyone in need. I'm sorry for not telling you before.
Kel
Dear Neal,
I have to tell you something. I wrote to Faleron, but I couldn't bring myself to send it, because he would probably think that I was lying, because I failed as a page. I was the one that helped you when you were cornered by bandits in your second year. It was during my first escape. I had made a vow to always help those in need. I'm so sorry for not telling you sooner.
Kel
Dear Esmond,
I know that we were never as close as I was with Neal, but I felt that I should tell you something. I tried writing to Faleron and Neal, but I couldn't bring myself to send the letters. Four years ago, when I had escaped, I was wandering in hill country, and I came across bandits. I helped you guys, disguised as a boy, and I didn't tell you who I was. I am so sorry for not saying anything, but I felt that I had to tell someone.
Kel
Dear Merric,
Right about now, I could really go for one of your outbursts, like when I tried to help you with bullies. Everyone here is so... proper, and quiet, and reserved. I miss you guys, even Neal, who i didn't exactly leave on the best of terms. I hope to see you soon.
Kel
Dear Neal,
If I could be anywhere in the world right now, it would be at the palace, with all of my friends. It's been five years since I left you, and I still hate myself for what I said to you. I tries to run away again, three years ago. Neal, I hate to admit it, it kills me to say this, but I feel broken. I have nothing left for me. i haven't spoken to anyone in over two weeks, I haven't spoken at all. Every time I have to respond to a Daughter, it sounds odd to hear my own voice, I'm not used to hearing it. I think I'm going mad in here, but I just don't have what it takes to leave again. I have to get out. No one talks to me, I would even welcome Joren's bullying. I mean, with him, it was direct and open, and I could fight back. With the girls, all of the bullying is behind my back, where I can't fight back. I have no friends, and it's more painful than anything Joren could ever give me. I shouldn't be telling you this. You have your own concerns to deal with, and I probably won't even send this.
Kel
Prince Roald,
Your Highness. I am terribly sorry that I have not written to you or to my friends. I wish to inform you that I will be returning to Corus, and to the Palace to be formally presented at court in early spring. The Daughters of the Convent feel that we will have a long time to accustom ourselves to the city before the social season begins again next fall.
Keladry of Mindelan
Dear Neal,
I'm coming back.
Kel
Dear Cleon,
I'm coming back.
Kel
Dear Merric,
I'm coming back.
Kel
Dear Esmond,
I'm coming back.
Kel
Dear Seaver,
I'm coming back.
Kel
Dear Faleron,
I'm coming back.
Kel
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TO ALL MY REVIEWERS:
How was that? The letters were an idea that I had had a while before. it was sort of one of the last flashback bits of the story. For the record, this part of the story, 'A Lady From Kel' is coming to a close. I would tell you the title of the next part, but then it would give away the 'climax' if you will. I already know what I want to do.
On a different note, I may have to end this story here. It seems that my level of writing is slipping. When I started, I had most reviewers telling me how much they loved my story, and how well it was written. Now it seems that a number of people dislike my story line, and think that my writing skills are poor.
I need to clarify. Is this worth continuing? Yes or No. Do you really like this story?
Anyways... That's it for now.
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