Chapter Five:

This chapter is dedicated to Lilianna-Rose. I spelled your name right, ha!

"I refuse to stay here while my best friend is out there." She stated, voice cold. She placed her fists on his desk, leaning on it for support.

He quirked a brow. "You refuse, lady knight?"

She said nothing, just watched him, expression showing nothing.

"And what if I say no? Will you go off like last time, disobeying orders, trying to kill yourself?" His voice was strangely mocking, a thing she had never heard from the king.

"Yes, I will." She met his blue eyes with her own calm, though icy, hazel ones. He didn't look away.

"Very well. I grant you permission to go find your friend. You may take Third Company of the Own with you, just like last time. I believe the sergeant is Sir Nealan's cousin, so he will most likely want to go. Be back before your leave is up." King Jonathan informed her.

She just nodded her head silently, figuring out how many days that was. Eighteen. Two weeks, four days. How could she find him in that little amount of time? She couldn't. Damn everything to the Black God's realms and back! Well, she would try.

"You will need to need to inform Lord Raoul. Good luck, lady knight. And remember to return on time." He said, and she knew that the meeting was over.

Standing up, she bowed to the king and headed for the door with a sigh. Now she would have to get the company together and get ready. Not to mention explaining to her friends where she was going and informing Lord Wyldon that she would be absent for the rest of her leave.

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"Lord Raoul!" She called, banging on his door.

After a moment, it swung open, and the older knight was standing in front of her, a large smile crossing his face. "Ah, Kel, nice to see you." He said with a smile as he moved to admit her. She nodded her head, not smiling in return.

"I'm guessing this isn't a social visit?" He asked as he poured them both a thing of cider.

"No, sir." She shook her head and accepted the glass being pushed into her hands.

"Well, sit down and tell me what's going on." He ordered as he sank down into a chair himself.

Kel followed the movement and began to explain. "Dom received a letter recently. It said that pirates overtook the ship Neal had been on. They have him captive."

He shook his head sympathetically. "Is that what he wanted to talk to you about yesterday?"

She nodded her head and continued. "I had an audience with the king today. He said," she took a deep breath, "he said that I could take Third Company and find him."

He stood up and hugged her. "Okay, Kel. Good luck, and have a safe journey."

She was glad of his support. It was one thing she was always guaranteed. Her old knight-master, more like a father to her, was someone who was always behind her. Just as Neal was always beside her. Or was. She swallowed.

"We leave in the morning, at dawn. I have to go tell Dom."

Raoul didn't say anything, just watched as his old squire walked out of his rooms, a sad expression on her face.

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"Dom, I got permission from the king. We're going after him." She said, voice empty.

Dom, who wanted to ask several questions, finally chose the most important, or at least for the moment. "We?" He repeated, questioning.

"You, me, and the rest of Third Company."

"Ah." He said nothing else, thinking to save the rest for the ride. It would be long, he guessed, and the better time to discuss her emotions. She should get the chance to think about everything herself first.

"At dawn?" He quirked an eyebrow.

She nodded her head and turned towards the door. "I have to go pack. Would you get tell everyone else, please?"

He nodded his head, but she was already gone. With a sigh, Dom headed for the Own's practice courts, hoping to find his men.

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Kel moved out to the knight's stables, hoping that her horses would bring her the peace she needed. She stroked her war horse, tangling fingers in his short hair.

All she could think of was the past. Of the sound Neal had made when Peachblossom had bitten him. Of the outraged cry the knight had made when seeing the ripped cloth of his tunic. Of the loud guffaws (hers) and curses shouted at the horse (Neal).

She shook herself from the memory. This would give her no help now. If anything, it would make everything worse. Memories from the pastâ€she shuddered. She hoped she could go this whole escapade without those kind of thoughts. Though unlikely, she prayed for it. For if she did have those memories, she would loose herself in themâ€in him. And she couldn't do that. She was only finding him. She didn't get to keep him, or at least, not in the ways that mattered.

Gods. That last bit depressed me a little. Humph. Poor Kel. Neal's a bloody idiot, I have to say. Ah, well. Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers!

Terriah- no, don't do that! If you cry, I'll cry, and then we'll have a nice ball fest.

PsychoLioness13- I know, I know...Thanx, and your spelling wasn't that bad.

pinky- I know.hmmm....you'll see....hahahahahahaha....I thought that it would be nice to add a little bit of humor, after all the depression...I quite enjoyed that part too...is that pathetic or what?Glad you liked the songfics...they're fun to do, and you can really get the characters emotions out better some times....

Glaivr Girl- I know, I do too...Neal's so amazing, and wonderful, and funny, and cute...goes off into a little dreamland before noticing people staring at her oddly... ahem...no, there isnt enough good ones. Thanx! Glad to hear it affected you...I cry when people die to...like this one that I cant remember the name or the author, it was soo sad...i wrote a very nasty review and complained for like five minutes....i love both Neal and Legolas, but I dont read LOTR fanfiction...no one can measure up to JRR Tolkien. Of course, Tammy, in my opinion, is wonderful, but her stories are more reachable I guess...and yes, I am quite aware that I am blabbering, and am now shutting up so you can review

Megster- Thanx! I try to update as often as possible, but sometimes I get sidetracked so I end up having more than one thing to update. lol. If only I had remembered this review...that wouldve been great...NO!! NO DOM LOVING KEL!!! while i luv luv luv dom, i cant do that to neal! i did that to him in my other one, you see. neal feels guilty because dom loves kel too...while its fun, it leaves me depressed, and i want to change my mind about who shes with, and if i did that, i would have some people after me that had pitchforks and torches...Anyway, thanks for the review, and good idea! maybe you should write one!

Wake-Robin- I know...hahahahahaha! im gonna leave you guessing!!!

LillianNa-Rose- See, i spelled it write this time!!! HAHAHAHAHA! I even capitalized it so you'd notice! lol. Thanx a bunch, and hope you liked this chapter!

Oceanspike-Thanks, Kit. Hope you liked this one!