Ok, I don't actually know if I got as many reviews as I said it would take to make me write more, but I'm just bored and I have some ideas for another chapter. I really want to do some 'shout-outs' to all my reviewers after this, cuz I love you guys so much!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Except the two thugs that took Cleon back to the castle, they're my slaves.

Previously: "Kel, I love you, I couldn't leave you to die!" He pulled her closer to him, feeling her heart beat wildly against his chest. Gently turning her face to look at him, he placed a hand over her forehead to heal her bruises. Kel in turn placed trembling lips against his own in a sweet kiss.

"Aww, what a sweet reunion," drawled a voice from the clearing entrance, "I'm touched, really."

Neal shot to his feet, holding Kel behind him protectively. "Joren."

"What do you want?" Neal asked icily. Kel tried to step forward, but he laid a firm hand on her shoulder, holding her back. She stared at him for a moment in disbelief and fear. She had never seen him so furious. Neal was positively shaking with rage, his emerald eyes wide and blazing. His hand on Kel's shoulder gripped tighter, promising to leave bruises.

"Neal!" she cried, grabbing his wrist.

He ignored her, lost in a wrathful trance. "What do you want Joren?"

To Kel's surprise, the beautiful boy looked almost amused. "I would have thought it obvious what I want. I wanted to get rid of that damn lump."

"What, you couldn't stand not being the only girl in the palace?"

For a moment, Joren looked as if he wanted to squash Neal. His fists clenched and his cheeks flushed, but he regained control of himself and smiled infuriatingly. Then he laughed.

Kel looked at Neal, perplexed. "What's this all about?" she hissed.

"Kel, it's his fault that you were kidnapped out of your own room and tied in a gods damned tree!" he shouted. "And he's going to pay for it too," he continued more quietly as he slowly advanced on Joren, who hesitated, then rolled up his sleeves, preparing for a fight.

Before either of them could throw a punch, an eager cry floated through the woods, coming closer. "Kel, Kel! Don't worry, I'm coming!" All three of the clearing's occupants stared in bafflement as Cleon bounded in, red-faced and panting. He took one look at Joren before roaring, "YOU!" and promptly tackling the smaller boy, mercilessly pounding him and verbally assaulting him in the most abstract ways possible.

Neal let a small smile creep over his face as he dusted off his hands. "Well then, that saves me some trouble."

Kel gaped at the pair on the ground. "That's certainly a new use for his large vocabulary," she observed.

They were about to pull Cleon off Joren when the two men who had been in charge of Cleon charged in, apologizing profusely for letting Cleon get away.

"Just shut up and help me!" Joren shrilled.

The thugs lost no time in jumping into the fray, and it started to look as if Cleon was fighting a losing battle. Neal and Kel shrugged glumly at each other as they prepared to jump in. Neal and Cleon took on the two thugs as Kel picked her fight with Joren himself. He reached up and grabbed a good-sized chunk of her tousled hair and held on for all he was worth, jerking her head until she saw stars. He's fighting dirty! She fought to escape his hold frenziedly, digging sharp nails in the skin between his fingers and the crescents at the bases of his fingernails, but to no avail. Neal wasn't faring much better. His opponent was a lot stronger than he was, for all that Neal was faster and more agile. Kel flinched as he stumbled and took a forceful blow to the stomach. The man took advantage of his hesitation and grabbed him around the neck, squeezing tighter as Neal gasped frantically for air. Kel completely forgot about her own pain as she struggled away from her captor with only one thought: to get to Neal. Slowly, he turned a faint shade of purple and went limp in his opponent's arms.

Kel heard someone screaming in her ears as she kicked Joren in the stomach and lurched at the man holding her best friend, jumping on his back and beating him wildly with angry fists. It was her screaming. He let go of Neal, who slumped to the ground, unconscious, to swat behind himself at Kel. Just as he got hold of her arms, someone shouted close by, "There they are!"

Everyone except Neal glanced up to see Faleron, Merric, Seaver, and to Kel's great surprise, Prince Roald. They took one look at the mass of fighting bodies and dove in. Roald made his way to Neal, dragged him out of harm's way, and knelt beside him, trying to revive his friend. Merric clobbered Joren while Seaver helped Cleon with his thug. Suddenly the man she was on top of collapsed beneath her as his legs were knocked out from under him. Faleron's face came into view, grinning widely. "Hey Kel!" he chirped merrily as he kicked the fallen man in the groin. Kel could hardly help laughing out loud as he emitted a low groan and doubled over, clutching himself in pain. She quickly found the right spots on his neck and pressed, causing him to slump out of consciousness. Faleron helped her up and she smiled at him, causing him to blush slightly. They looked over at Seaver and Cleon who were standing up and brushing themselves off, having also successfully knocked their foe. Merric had Joren pinned down and was holding the beautiful boy's arm at a very painful angle. Kel walked over to them and lowered her face until it was very close to his, gazing calmly into his shame filled and furious eyes.

"Do you yield?" she asked, her voice low and threatening.

"Never!" he spat, gasping as Merric twisted his arm around.

Kel shrugged. "Your choice." Then she used the same trick that she has used on his henchman. She stood and looked around, spotting the rope Neal had discarded after untying her from him. "Tie them up," she ordered her friends, motioning to it. Then she stumbled over to where Neal lay with Roald crouched beside him.

"Is he all right?"

"He should be," Roald replied, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder as he saw the dread in her eyes. He then smiled knowingly at her before getting up to assist their friends.

Kel sat beside Neal, willing him to wake up again. His face isn't purple anymore, that's a good sign, she thought wryly. She bent her face over his, to test if she could feel his breath on her face. When cold lips came up to graze her cheek, she nearly jumped in surprise. Emitting a small squeak, she jerked away and looked into the beaming face of her best friend. "Neal!" she pretended to scold, "Why do you keep getting yourself hurt like this and scaring me so much!"

He pushed himself up onto one elbow, bringing his other hand up to his chest in mock indignance. "Me? Excuse me, but was I the one who was just recently kidnapped out of my rooms, causing a huge fuss up at the palace? No!"

Extremely embarrassed, Kel frowned and reached over to shove him lightly. Neal caught her wrist and pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm just joking," he murmured into her hair, kissing her lightly on the ear.

Kel smiled against his shoulder as she squeezed back. "I'm glad you're alright."

"Me too!" Neal declared. Kel laughed as pushed away and tweaked his nice gently.

"And you're still as uppity as ever, I see!"

"Hey, watch my nose! Dad says they won't fix it up so well if I get it smashed up again," Neal warned her unhappily.

Kel regarded him carefully, "Then I guess you'll have to learn to manage your tongue so you don't give anyone a reason to smash your nose in," she said.

He sighed. "I have so many sacrifices I have to make. I either give up speaking the truth or my handsome nose," he complained.

Kel shook her head and smiled at his silliness. She slowly stood up, reaching a hand down for Neal. He took it and stood beside her, wrapping a strong arm around her shoulders.

"Aren't you so proud of our boys?" he said.

Roald was directing the other three in trying to tie and lift the three conked out people.

"Of course, but I think they might do better if we helped them," replied Kel as she rushed forward to help Seaver, who was stumbling under the man's weight.

Neal smiled after his friend. She always felt compelled to protect and help those smaller than her. I wish I were as good as she is, he thought, then reconsidered. No I wouldn't, it's not as much fun as being self-centered. Besides, one of us is enough.

Somehow between the six of them, they transported Joren and his thugs back to the palace.

"Well, what in the world are we supposed to do with them?" Seaver wondered.

Faleron looked around. "That's a good question. I have no idea."

They looked at Kel, who smiled mischievously. "I know just the place to stash them."

Stefan, the old hostler had a strange surprise as he entered the pages' stable the next morning to check on the horses' food supply. He snorted with laughter at the sight of Joren of Stone Mountain and two large, fully-grown men tied up and struggling in a particularly large and smelly pile of dung.

Whee! A bit of action in that one, it wasn't too bad, was it? I've never really written any real action before, so that was a first. Hehehe, I love the thought of Joren wallowing in dung! Y'know, I just noticed that Esmond just disappeared after about chapter four. Oops…

All secrets about the kidnapping revealed in next chapter, along w/ more fluff! Review!

Ok, now for my reviewer 'shout-outs':

Heartdamoose: To my most diligent reviewer- Thank you so much! The I Hate Jonathan Fan Club is great, one of my favorites. And you're such a great poet! I'm still in shock that you actually wrote a poem for my story… Wow. You go for your Neal! I'm still looking for mine…

NamirKitten: Thanks again for the great idea, I really like the direction it took and I wouldn't have done it if it weren't for you!

FanFictionFantom: I always enjoy reading your reviews to see what you'll say next. Every time I see the review you sent about Neal realizing he's in love w/ Kel when she's covered in dung, I totally crack up. You're just so cool and funny. I totally agree w/ you about Yuki. Kel and Neal were made for eachother!

Dupdeedub: hehe, your name's funny. Anyway, thanks for making me change my summary, and for the encouragement. You're right, the summary did suck. I hope it's better now.

Pearli: Yes! Phantom was even better than I expected, I simply adore it. It made me so excited when you told me my story was awesome to the zillion squared and I'm your hero, I say that so much to ppl and it drives them crazy-hahaha! Thank you!

Irish Violinist: Yep, you're automatically on my 'Cool List' b/c you're an Irish Violinist. I actually play mandolin too! It's not too hard, except I always drop my pick… Since I updated, how 'bout that four leaf clover? Hahaha… yeah, I need the luck.

Adurere: You made me update quicker, with your reviews telling me how you had to know what happened next, so I had to tell you!

Laurashrub: Wow, how'd you guess about the tree? You're good at this. ;)

Crazylittlekiwifruit: You are crazy. You know, I've actually been putting Faleron in here more for you since I figured you're so fond of him. I just love to get your reviews. Phantom was so cool!

Dooki: Look, more fluff! And yes, I was happy and I did dance.

Talianne: Thanks for the sweet review, I'm glad you like Sir Leighmont. Neal and Cleon fighting was such a great idea!

Dom's Lover: I'm with you on the Kel/Neal thing. Back off Cleon!

ACfan: Thanks for taking the time to review not once but twice!

Kla: hehe I love you, thanks for the extensive title!

Pinky: Thank you for the encouragement!I'm flattered that you think I'm a cute little bunny!

Puppies612: I hope your friends weren't too mad at you haha, glad you enjoyed the story.

zero&spazzysgirl: Thanks, hope you weren't waiting too long!

Vedalynne: I'm happy I helped you w/ your idea, good luck!

Arie: Thank for the reviews!

Darking: Thanks, I love it when ppl tell me to write more, it actually does make me write faster.

The Midnight Line: Thanks for the reviews, sorry I didn't use your idea, I couldn't figure out how to weave it in there.

Wolf-deamon-of-the-north-: I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one w/ infatuations w/ fictional ppl!

DarkAngel: Thanks for the compliment about my portrayal of Neal, it really means a lot to me.

Erendil Elenion: I forgive you for not reading the whole thing. Don't worry, I still love you!

soccerchick-08: I agree w/ you about K/N before Yuki shows up. I bet you really liked Kel getting kidnapped since you like her being helpless. Hehe!

Oh, I wish I could pull Neal outa the books so bad!

Sara: Yes! Darkings are so cool!

Keladry of Queenscove: Thanks, I hope you enjoyed the rest!

Wow, I think that's everyone who's reviewed this story. I'm really sorry if I forgot you, it's getting pretty late. Just tell me (in a review) and I'll give you a special shout-out in the next chappie. This took so long…. Not even kidding. I probly won't do it again, I've learned my lesson. But I think it's worth it so you guys know how much I love and appreciate you all.