Belated Christmas present for the Jude. I cannot remember whether Wolset is dead or not, I apologise if he is. Please be aware this contains a quasi-canon pairing. It's also a one-shot.
"Morning, Mother."
Kel started and twisted round, catching the sun's light full in her face. She blinked rapidly, her eyes watering slightly as she tried to rid herself of the sunspots on her vision.
A hand was placed gently on her arm. When her eyes cleared, she felt a pleasant fizz in her stomach as she recognised her companion. "Morning, Dom."
"Meathead said you were skulking around up here," he replied, sitting next to her and wrapping his arms around his knees. "Nice view."
Kel barely registered his last comment. "I'm not skulking," she protested. "I'm appreciating."
"Me too," he agreed, leaning back against the stone wall. "Hear that?" She raised an eyebrow, listening, then shook her head. "That is the sound of no one asking you when you think you'll get married, or when you'll be 'next', which amounts to pretty much the same thing. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that."
She smiled, eyes drifting lazily over the landscape, not really taking it in because she too was seeking respite from the endless wedding discussions. "Yes, I heard you almost killed Wolset when he asked if you were next in line."
"I didn't realise he meant for food," Dom said defensively, shooting her a sideways glance. "It's just been non-stop since the wedding. Well, weddings for you, so I've heard."
Kel rolled her eyes, tugging at her earlobe. "Unfortunately, yes. You'd think they'd have better things to do with their time than pester the unmarried."
"I know what I would be-" He stopped abruptly, half-shrugging, and changed tact. "You must be pleased, though; three of your boys off your hands. You've just got a few more of us to worry about now."
"Well, Owen's not exactly married yet," she said awkwardly, looking away from him to the view of the forest. "But yes, I have hopes of not going grey for a little while longer, at least."
Dom raised his eyebrows at her. "Oh, really? You don't think that the rest of us will drive you to despair?"
"But less quickly, I would hope."
Silence passed again between them, and Kel shifted restlessly. She determined that the best thing to do would be to get away from the palace (and more importantly, from all the talk of weddings) for a while. Even complaining about them was too close for comfort.
"I think I'll probably go riding."
"Would you mind some company?"
She grinned at him. "Really? You won't be too busy picking out the cloth for your wedding tables?"
He pulled a face at her. "Not for a long time yet. I can't marry and stay in the Own. Any woman I - wanted to marry would have to understand that."
She nodded, quiet for a second, contemplating. Then, she said, "I know what you mean. Marriage slows you down, children slow you down even more. I don't plan on marriage for a long time yet. Besides, I've got my boys to look after for the moment."
Dom smirked at her. "Don't worry, we'll keep you busy, Mother, dear."
"That's easy enough to believe."