Wishing You Were Here

Letter Three:

Of Wolset and Mothers

Fort Steadfast

Third Company Mess

21st September, 462 H.E.

-

Dearest Keladry,

My dear girl, I assure you that I was not in slightest way attempting to trifle with your maiden's heart. Probably.

It would prove rather difficult, you see, as you deny possessing one.

My words were not an attempt at your romantic side (if you even possess one). They were merely a compliment, if you can take it. And not a flirtatious one. A friendly compliment. I think.

And it will do no good to tell the men of my squad to stuff it. They do not listen to me most of the time. Except in battle. But that's only because they don't want to have their heads blown off by somebody's ball of blaze-balm. Beyond that, I seem to exist merely for them to alternately tease and irritate me. Ah, the joys of command.

Also, have I mentioned to you that Peachblossom is probably one of the smartest horses who had ever lived? Except for that horse who supposedly saved his master's life by dragging him fifty miles through the desert to the nearest town with a well where the villagers cured the master of his appendicitis, but I'm not sure I actually believe that story. After all, how did the horse know which direction the town was? And how did the horse manage to tell the villagers exactly what was wrong with his owner?

Where was I? Oh yes, Peachblossom. Any horse smart enough to recognise Neal as a hazard to civilisation and then attend to this hazard by using it as his chew toy is certainly a brilliant animal.

Oh, and tell Peachblossom to bite Neal an extra time for me, would you?

So, Neal has taken to sniffing Lady Yukimi's letters, has he? Would you like me to perfume my letters to you so that you will have something to sniff as well?

Also, why do you insist on continuing to bring up the topic of my family?

Really, they should not be considered an appropriate topic for civilized conversation. You should know that by now, after everything I've told you. And I haven't even mentioned my cousin who decided that the best way to make a statement about how animals should be treated equally by humans was to climb to the top of Balor's Needle and proclaim it at the top of his voice during the Beltane festival. And then when that didn't work (apparently no one could hear him because he was so high up) he decided to sneak up behind people and then ask them how they felt about animal rights. He frightened several maidens who were looking in ponds and thought his face would be that of their true love.

Let me see, what else to say? Yesterday, I felt rather sick. It might have been because of the rotten cheese I ate…but I'm pretty sure it's because of having to look at Wolset for so long (we had midnight look-out duty together).

Furthermore, I was dreadfully hurt when I noticed how much shorter your letter was when compared to mine. Not that I was comparing them or anything…actually it was Wolset who pointed this out. I happened to be re-reading the letter when we were on duty together – simply because reading the letter gave me a break from having to look at Wolset, and not because I have a love-struck fascination with your hand-writing, of course.

Now, we have promised each other – haven't we? – to at least be great friends. I only ask you not to change your mind! After all, what would I do with my Great Protector of the Small to help me fight off spidrens? Or to keep Neal in check? Or to use as an excuse the next time my mother asks me when I plan on finding a wife and settling down and raising a slew of children?

Oh yes, while we're on the subject, I should mention to you that the last time my mother asked my when I planned on settling down, I might have vaguely mentioned your name, just to get her to stop bringing the topic up. I reasoned that you wouldn't mind, and since you're not as flighty as other maidens, you wouldn't go all…well, feminine on me either. Anyhow, I just thought I'd warn you; you might be getting some sudden and rather exuberant letter from her.

And as to your other question, what would you do if you were here, I expect that if you came to Steadfast, you could get a job of sleeping with Lerant, since I believe he's had to sleep by himself ever since Raoul married Buri…

And of course, Devon would be most pleased.

Fondly yours,

Dom

Author's Note –

Ah, the holidays. Snow, presents, and all the extra time in which to sleep late and update.

Alright, my duckies, enjoy my Chrissie present to you all, and have a Happy New Year.

Fantasizing-Fluff, Actually, the war-mage thing is something Numair says himself in one of the Daine books (pity, I can't remember which one, perhaps the first). And I think he says something in "Wolf Speaker" about that Tristan fellow having been the best war-mage in his class.

the eternity, ::pouts back:: How'm I supposed to have Dom when the letter's from Kel, eh? Hehe, Neal. Mmm, Neal. Oh dear, what was I saying?

Starlit Niphredil, I can't help bringing Neal into everything, I'm obsessed! And Rapid Hope Loss is not an A/J! It ends on an A/G note!!!!!1

dreamerdoll,::blushes:: That's not true – "wrote it as it would've been in the book". Not true at all, but thanks so-so much for saying it, m'dear. You made me go all red and blushy.

talia, Oh gods, Kel was worse than hard, she was ghastly. Horrid. Beastly. I don't know how Tammy did it for four books. And the stupid computer cut off your review! What were you going to say? The curiosity is killing me.

Malinear, Thank you. I had become rather tired of reading similar plots in every Kel/Dom, so I swore to myself that should I ever write this pairing, it would be different.

Atlanta Enchanted, Teehee, yes, Devon is quite a laugh.

Naruke, Oh, you really must read the first two. The scene where Kel first meets Neal is one of my very favourites.

And thanks so much to everyone else who reviewed. I was really surprised at how much attention I got for the last two chapter – and all the review make me feel warm and fuzzy. I'm sorry I don't have time to reply to everyone (I'll do better best time) – I'm about to go see a movie. Does anyone know if Ocean's 12 is as good as the first one? Ah well, it doesn't really matter – either way I get to see Brad Pitt. And with George Clooney as a side-dish.

And Merry Christmas!