First of all- let's just get this over with---stands with her arms out as she is hit repeatedly with tomatoes and squash and other various produce that go 'squish'--...better?
Okay- now for some explanations. (Y'all should read this- it's entertaining and overly-dramatic!) I realize that it has been two weeks since my last confession- I mean update…oops, sorry. I've been watching Zorro (y'know- with Antonio Banderes …erm…yes, well...anyway). Like I was saying, I had this family reunion thing around July 4th, then I went to this rodeo and spent a day watching the trainer rope calves off of my horse (my horse is being trained for roping), and then I had a few days free and I was completely stuck. I couldn't think of how to get into what I wanted to write. Then comes my day of inspiration. I was doing a carwash fundraiser for our school's color guard (which I am in) and as I was walking through the grass to get a bucket of water and soapy suds…my mother's (and therefore, my) bad luck lashed out. Hidden in the grass, nestled in between the weeds, lay a large and thick plastic pipe. All would have been well…if it wasn't broken off and jagged on the top. I, unaware of the pain that was to befall upon me, walked over the pipe and the front of my foot slipped into the hole. My foot slipped off of my lilac-colored flip-flop, and onto an ever pointy jagged edge. You know that sound Jello makes when it's in its little tub and you take you spoon and pry said Jello away from said tub? (If you don't go try it, and find out.) Well, that disgusting sound was the sound that my foot made as it was cut into and gouged by the intruder called sharp jagged edge. Now, I- ever the drama queen- acted uncharacteristically of me by putting a bucket over it so that no one would befall the same fate as me…before yelling, "Mom!!" Ladies, and the unlikely few gents that are reading this, my mom thought I was over-reacting like normal and asks if it was gushing blood…which it was. After waiting till the carwash was over, procrastinating on my part. I had to get a tetanus shot. (I am scared of needles, BTW). So I got my shot and now- not only does my foot hurt- but also now my arm feels like it's going to fall off because of that shot. Yet- this experience and the song "Disease" by matchbox twenty- have strangely gotten me out of my writer's block. So here is an average size chapter, but the next chapter is almost done. It will be posted later today or tomorrow. I recommend listening to "By the Way" by Red Hot Chili Peppers while reading this chapter because- well- just because I like that song. Hopefully this chapter is good, since it [6] is my favorite number.
You're Not a Little Girl Anymore- Chapter 6
Keladry sat up quickly in her bed. She was struggling to catch her breath, confused as to why she was at a shortage of it. Then she recalled her strange and slightly disturbing dream.
Right- as if that would really happen- Kel thought.
She stood up beside the bed and stretched her arms above her head. As she heard a miniscule sound to her right, she looked upon her blanket and saw that Jump had taken her sleeping position. Kel grinned at her lovable dog before wondering how long she had slept and how much time she had before dinner. As if answering her silent questions, the bell rang out- indicating that it was a mere fifteen minutes before the seventh hour.
Kel rushed over to her clothes trunk and pulled out her finest breeches, shirt, and tunic. She quickly slipped into her light blue breeches that had a soft shimmer to them. A silk shirt of the same material was tucked into the top of her breeches. A crisp, cream tunic with the Mindelan coat of arms and silver bordering completed the ensemble. Kel brushed her hair back before pulling it all into a braid. She then pulled on her polished boots prior to leaving her room. As she walked out of her door she was surprised to see a small group of men standing there. She started grinning as she recognized Neal, Seaver, Cleon, and Merric standing in front of her at attention.
"Ready for inspection, General!" The four male knights stood still for a moment before grinning.
"We thought that you might like a flashback to your ever-painful-for-us-because-of-you childhood," Neal explained. Kel looked them over in mock seriousness.
"Well," Kel replied, " I don't see any problems that are in my power to remedy. After all, I am a female- not a god." She then walked past them toward the dining hall. "Are you boys coming anytime soon?" They all ran to catch up with the female knight.
"Kel! Honestly, I'm hurt. First you suggest that we are unhandsome, and now you call us 'boys'! We are men- strong and fearless," Seaver proclaimed. He flinched when she shot him a glare that had the power to make Mithros cringe.
"Seaver- just be glad that after your extremely loud and unwarranted comment this morning, you can still be considered a male. Actually, I'm still considering my course of action," Keladry remarked with an unnervingly calm tone. Cleon jumped to Kel's side as the crowd continued walking on the way to dinner.
" My blossom; my pearl; my dove- Please remember that I had absolutely nothing to do with this," Cleon implored. A snort escaped as Merric tried to contain his laughter at the redhead's antics. Kel finally began to laugh with the rest of the group when Cleon continued to shower her with the flowery names from their younger years. They all stopped laughing, however, when a pretty noble woman with light brown hair and bright blue eyes confronted them.
" Cleon dear, I heard the most outrageous rumor about you today," the woman glanced at Kel. "Then again, maybe it wasn't as outrageous as I thought…" Kel looked confused as Cleon scampered over to the lady with a some-what nervous smile on his face.
"Neal, Merric, Seaver, Kel- this is Ermelian of Arminar…my wife," Cleon continued, "My love, this is Sir Nealan of Queenscove, Sir Merric of Hollyrose, Sir Seaver of Tasride, and Sir Keladry of Mindelan." Each knight bowed as they were introduced. "Now, dear- what was this rumor about me that you were speaking of?" Cleon questioned to Ermelian. The lady shot Kel a withering glare before turning to her husband.
" One of the other lady's maid was in the kitchen during lunch today and overheard a rumor about Sir Keladry of Mindelan being with child." Cleon and Kel turned to glare at a quivering Seaver. "I brushed it off, of course. There is always gossip concerning the female fighters of our realm, no matter how chaste they may be," with that comment Keladry's opinion of the upset woman raised a fraction, "But…later today I heard something unsettling. One of my close friends, who hates spreading rumors as much as I do, heard Sir Keladry muttering to herself about you being the father," at this Cleon turned to Kel in shock as Ermelian continued, " Now, Cleon- I'm trying to be reasonable; Really, I am. So, just tell me that there isn't now, and there never was, anything between you two- and I'll take your word." Cleon's wife was now looking at him with despair as he hesitated. Kel knew that she his silence was making the situation worse. Even if it wasn't her fault that Ermelian believed a rumor, Kel felt guilty for possibly ruining the marriage; Kel spoke up.
"My lady, please don't take your husband's silence as admittance to him being guilty for the numerous things that you are probably thinking right now." Ermelian looked at Kel with doubt, but the lady knight continued, "He is unable to answer you without making the situation worse. It's true that when we were younger, before he married you, we were in love. We were not lovers, though."
"Forgive me, but I'm afraid I am a bit confused as to what you're saying…" Cleon's wife said.
"I loved him, or at least thought I did, but I never…I never… went to bed with him," Kel shot a frown at Seaver, "Or anyone else, while we're on the matter."
"I would believe you in full, but I'm afraid that doesn't explain what my friend told me. Don't put it off as idle gossip, either. She wouldn't say such a thing just to upset me," Ermelian prodded Kel for an explanation. At this, Kel grinned sheepishly.
"No- she said what she heard. But I was merely in a sarcastic mood and completely frustrated with the rumors spreading around. I was…talking to myself and didn't realize that there were others around to hear my ranting," Kel sighed. " I'm sorry that you were, uncharacteristically it seems, pulled into court gossip and that my mutterings made the situation worse." Ermelian was silent for a second before smiling at Kel.
" Thank you. I'm just glad that my image of you is completely ruined Lady Knight." Kel looked confused, so the lady explained. "I've always admired you bravery and the way you stand up for what you believe in. I would have hated to hold a grudge with you over my husband."
" Don't worry, she's got her eye set on someone else- don't you Kel?" Neal grinned.
Actually, I've got my eye set on two people- not that I'd ever tell you, Neal. Kel shook her head to clear her thoughts and turned to Ermelian. "Boys- no matter how old they get, they never grow up." The two females grinned and began walking to dinner. The men all looked at each other before Merric made a comment.
" Did Kel just have a connecting moment with a female?"
Neal responded, " Oh, no! We've lost her- she'll never be the same again." The males then strode to catch up with Kel and Ermelian. When they reached the doors to the dining hall, Cleon offered his wife his arm and they walked through. Neal, Merric, and Seaver all mockingly offered Kel their arms.
"I'm sorry," Kel said with a dramatic air, "but you are all beneath me." She walked through the doors and followed in Cleon's wake to a table where they all sat down. All of the tables were laden with roasted goose, baked ham, and venison; fresh biscuits and rolls; and a variety of vegetables and fruits. Yuki, Neal's betrothed and soon-to-be wife, came over to the table and sat next to Neal while granting Kel a small smile. Although she was beginning to become less rigid in her Yamani habits, she was still somewhat reserved with her expressiveness. Kel smiled as Neal quietly expressed his undying love to the giggling Yuki.
While Kel was looking around the hall for a certain green-eyed sergeant, she saw a man come through the doorway with a petite blonde on his arm. Kel did a double-take and noticed that the man was…
Now for my thanks to my ever-faithful reviewers whom I love:
Nolee of Stone Mountain- Sorry I'm so slow...I'm glad you liked the cheese man, though.
Mango Sam- lol! You're just full of questions. I'm glad that my dream complicated some things.
Skittle Princess09-heh! That read like one of my reviews. Sorry, though- my family is without a doubt scarier than yours.
Alianne Cooper- Erm...guilty! I confess, I am the reason that law was invinted. I just couldn't leave my giraffe at home all alone! jk. I feel so honored that you used my saying!! Yay! I have corrupted someone's mind!! cough,..right...moving on.
The Final Stillness of Saturn- Oh, good. I helped you feel a little less weird about your dreams. LOL- I actually have dreams about mystery guys all the time- they're pretty much the extent of my love not-life.
LadyA- Yay! I love minor characters and ever since he was mentioned in The Immortals series as a year old- I've been wanting to give him a character. I'm glad you're starting to like him too.
VampiricEternity- Woo-hoo! You're review made me so happy,you have no idea! If I got atleast one person to laugh like a maniac...It is success!! Mwua-HAHAHA.
calemra- Who doesn't love cheese? Honestly -haunting voice-"The power of cheese!"
oceanspike- If you didn't guess- I'm not gonna te-e-ell....hehe.
Lillianna-Rose- I will never forget to reply to you..ever...I don't think my eardrums could take it.
Squirrel Maiden of Green- Scary; Amusing; Bizarre...the best compliments a maniac like me could ever ask for! -tear-
Lynsi- lol- I read you're profile and I am still pissed about BtVS being canceled, too! Did you notice there was another BtVS reference in this chapter? There'll be one in the next one, too. hehe-
Fugitive- I'll keep updating, it just takes a while sometimes.
SeaStar- There will be more romance to come- fear ye not!
Jowa- Thank you! Again- I love using minor characters, and Thom just sounds like he'd be hot.
Mr. MooMoo's Unnamed Minion- Do I know you? I swear you sound like my best friend/ "twin" who is obsessed with cows and we both have an imaginary friend named Bob who makes fun of us...what does "BYESLES" mean? -suspicious, very suspicious-
LadyJenofNewYork- Thank you bunches! I'm just freaky, like that.
escawing- Sorry it took so long.
ProwlingKitKat- A girl after my own heart...-turns to stare at James Marsters shrine (that she actually does have!) on her wall...Yes- the cheese thing was correct. I love that episode. There's a small BtVS reference in this chapter, too. Clue: Poor William!
pinky- I love that you love this story!! yay!
that1girl- George is the man! Too bad he's taken...damn that Alanna! heh
Kore Yan- Lol- it was a dream. The "annoying you" part was a clue as to who it was.The cheese man was nobody- just a random part of a strange dream, the mysterious man is for you to figure out, nobody is Carthaki, and Kel doesn't have a son..yet, atleast.
sYaOrAnRoXmiSoX- Thank you for you sympathy towards Kel. I'm glad you like the fighting between the "un-fathers".
dragon shadows- I don't make you beg for chapters on purpose, I'm just slow. btw- Thom definitely stays.
dreamerdoll- thank you for finding my dream scene interesting.
Psycholioness13- Sorry, I didn't get the hint! You pretty much have to tell me everything straight up.
elements-of-the-soul- Kel and Thom! Woo-hooo! I have a follower!! And you only had to wait 2 days.
Local Tree Sprite- No complaints? None? Well...that's much better than the person I'm about to respond to ...-evil grin-.
Dear uncertain-- Do you understand the meaning of a DREAM? Things that aren't are. Things are confusing, random, un-called for because- It was a DREAM. The Raoul and Cleon part....? It was a DREAM. Kel's inability to make everyone leave...? It was a DREAM. Cleon never sleeping with Kel and, even if he had, him not confessing to it because he's married...? It was a DREAM. So class...Let's all repeat together...IT WAS A DREAM. Got it? Good. No? Well, then- no one's making you read this fanfic.
To my ever-faithfully-lazy readers and non-reviewers. I still love you....you sloths, you!! = )
And- aymay ethay umorsay eadsray uicklyquay oughthray allwayshay ofhay ouryay ifelay.
So mote it be.