Disclaimer: It's all Tammy's so go blame her if you don't like it... no jk I guess the plot is mine kinda sorta?
Chapter 3- Confessions
Kel had spent much of the reception sitting among her friends and chatting, they believed that she had come out of her recent slump, but o they were wrong. Ever since news had come that they were all to leave New Hope she had been a wreck, Merric had even caught a glimpse of her crying while conducting her last staff practice with the little ones. Everyone knew about it and that didn't mean just her friends, but also a majority of the court and many of them knew it had to do with Neal and Dom, the two people who knew nothing of what was happening.
Of course everyone had been too polite to bring it up, that is what court is all about, a noble smile with completely different thoughts beneath. What could her friends do, Kel had a temper even if others didn't see it they had. Not a Lioness temper that Alanna was famous for, but a silent and deadly one.
Owen of Jesslaw, recently made Sir Owen, was part one of Kel's closest friends, but now she hardly gave him the time of day, surprisingly that was a good thing because most people hadn't gotten her to say a word. He was in awe that anything could do this to such a wonderful knight, he had looked up to Kel as someone who wouldn't give up, but apparently the circumstances where larger than even he could imagine.
Silently Neal left their table of friends, he needed to find someone, but Kel shouldn't see what he was doing. He had chosen the opportune moment, everyone had just erupted laughing over one of Merric's jokes, clearly they had had too much to drink because everyone had heard that one about a dozen times.
"Hello my dear cousin," Neal said as he tapped Dom's shoulder. "I do believe that that you owe me some explaining."
"Meathead," Dom said enthusiastically as he drew him into a strong hug. Neal noted that his breath smelled of liquor, it would be best if he visited everyone tomorrow with his antidote.
"What do you think of Kel?"
"Kel? Well she is my friend, but you know that. I did ride with her in the Own while she was a squire."
"You seemed quite smitten with her when I walked in on the two of you kissing. Dom she better not be another to check off your list, I know you are going for a record."
"No! I care for Kel I really do! It actually scares me, I mean the thoughts I have while I am with her."
With that Dom swayed and threw up on Neal's tunic, before he could utter any protests he found Dom blacked out on the floor. His cousin was too large for him to do anything with by himself so he went off to find help.
"Kel, our dear sergeant of the Own has just passed out would you care to help me take him to his room?" Neal asked, but seeing the look on her face told him that it wouldn't be easy to convince her.
Before Kel could say a word Owen interrupted with his words slurred, "Why her? Not because she's a girl is it? What's wrong with taking one of us?"
"First off because Kel is my friend and I wanted to ask her, but also because the lot of you are stark drunk. Well except for Kel, she didn't drink, the smart choice if you ask me. Don't worry boys I'll be by in the morning."
"Fine Neal lead me to Dom so we can get this over with. By the way what is that on your tunic?" Kel gave in.
He refused to let her know what was on his tunic altogether it was something he would rather not relive. Grimacing Neal led her to Dom passed out on the floor. They carried him slung over his shoulders out of the ball.
"You know he likes you Kel," Neal said breaking the silence. Why would he say that? He wanted Kel for himself, but a smaller part reminded him that she had the right to know all her options.
Confused Kel only asked, "What?"
"Dom, I was talking to him before he blanked out and he said he really cared for you. He never told me why he has to visit all those girls, but it wasn't because he hates you."
"Thanks Neal," Kel said. But really she was wondering why Neal had told her this, had she been right in thinking that she was only a rebound?
Finally they had reached Dom's room where they placed him on his bed, in an odd way he looked quite peaceful. His hair was positioned perfectly framing his face with only a stay hair that covered his face. Kel bent down as close as possible and brushed it back lightly with her finger. But she knew that Dom's peaceful state would be gone as soon as he woke in the morning with a fierce headache.
As they closed the door behind them Kel broke the peaceful silence, "Neal why did you tell me that about Dom?"
"Because I want you to be happy," he replied simply.
"So I was right then?"
"That depends about what? If it's about books then probably not, but if it's about your glaive or jousting then you probably were right."
With a slight laugh and a playful punch she said, "No, right after you broke up with Yuki and you kissed me. I said—"
"Ahh yes I remember quite well what you said. But no you weren't right, I tore it off with her because I loved you. I still do you know and anytime you would like to take up my offer I'd be glad to help."
"Then why do you want me to be with Dom?" Kel said, with her emotions so mixed she had become confused quickly.
"Because love I want you to be happy even if that means you ending up without me."
"Thank you." With that she hugged him tightly, it felt so good to finally know the truth.
"Anything for the Protector of the Small," Neal whispered to her.
Finally they found themselves at Kel's door, it was obvious that the two were both sorry the night had to end here. Before she shut the door and left Neal for the day he said, "Would you mind if I kissed you? I just don't want to be killed."
She giggled at his question and reached up softly brushing her lips against his. As she pulled away surprise was drowning Neal's face, clearly he hadn't expected that.
"No need to take anything to fast. Goodnight Sir Nealan," Kel said as she closed the door behind her.
A grin spread from Neal's ear to ear, he hadn't expected the truth to be quite so rewarding. His friend never ceased to amaze him, which was quite odd considering the five years age difference. He met a few people on the way to his chambers and he was sure that they could all read through his happy movements. It would be known in all of court by tomorrow, but it no longer mattered.
Next morning: Kel-
Kel was one to rise before dawn, but this morning she felt that she deserved a break. Disregarding how late she had been up the day before and the likelihood that this would become a regular tradition she had slept a few bells past dawn. Last night had been eventful and chances would have been that she could have slept far later, but Neal had other ideas.
Her eyes still filled to the brim with sleep she groggily rose out of bed and yelled that Neal should be quite while she changed. Finally she deemed her self-presentable and let the irritable Neal in.
"Why are you sleeping late again?" Neal reprimanded.
"I felt I deserved a break. Why?" Kel responded, still very weary.
"I was worried," He admitted reluctantly as he looked down at his shoes with blush smothering his cheeks.
"O my Meathead was worried about me, what a good boy."
Without a response Kel continued, "So why were you up so early? I would have deemed you sleeping off last night."
"I wish, but my duty was foremost to our friends. I knew they would all need something in the morning."
"And how did this lead you to me?"
"Well I wanted to make sure you were alright after last night."
"Now that you have found me and probably deemed me perfectly healthy although possibly a little tired what will you do with me?"
Neal's eyebrows raised questioningly at Kel's suggestion and said, "M' Lady I do think you should rethink that. However I do know what I should do to you."
"Neal! You know I didn't mean that."
"I am appalled that you think my mind to be so low in the gutters, but what is yours doing down there? I was merely going to do this."
He leaned over and gave her a passionate kiss, and she returned it. Last night had not been a dream. Breaking apart for air Kel smiled and started walking.
"Where are you going? Is this just a hit and run type of thing?"
At this Kel laughed, Neal could be impossible sometimes, "No but I am starved, you wouldn't want my to faint into your arms because I was so famished."
Seriously considering it Neal finally decided to follow her to the Mess, but first he grabbed her hand. Kel's first instinct had been resistance, but then she thought of how good it felt and she didn't care who saw. She wasn't a squire anymore, she didn't have to hide her feelings anymore.
At the mess they found a few friends left, most had already eaten or were still sleeping. As she ate she felt Neal's eyes watching her like a hawk as if she would fly away at any moment. Many other people noticed the happiness that was surrounding from the two and the whole palace seemed to have changed their attitude in a manner of moments.
The day had continued normally, unfortunately that meant much time spent apart from each other. Kel practiced furiously with her glaive and other weapons in order to make up for practiced lost in the past few days, she had even found time to joust with Lord Raoul. Neal on the other hand was busy doing tasks for Lady Alanna, although she was no longer his knight- master she would easily get him in trouble with father if he didn't obey.
"Nice shot," Someone said. This surprised Kel because she had assumed herself alone at the shooting range that was probably why she had taken her old Yamani bow. Out of practice she hadn't wanted to embarrass herself in front of others when she could hardly even shot the long bow. She had never actually been good at the weapon and possibly that was why she kept trying at it, she had always hated anything she couldn't quite conquer.
Turning around she saw a small boy about Tobe's age, he was clearly a palace servant in his traditional white garb. But what was he doing out here? She patiently waited for him to speak, but when that didn't come she said, "What may I deem the honor of meeting you? I am Lady Knight Keladry of Mindalen, but please call me Kel."
"Oh sorry I forgot myself, you see I'm new, well My Lady the King requests to see you immediately. He says not to tarry. My name is Kerstin just Kerstin," The small boy replied.
She pressed a coin into his hand and thanked him before running off to the palace. Only stopping to put her weapons in her rooms Kel arrived at the large oak doors to the King's Study out of breath and panting.
When she had herself under control she entered, inside she saw the King at his desk with Neal in a chair across from him.
Quickly she said, "Forgive me your Highness, I should have knocked. I will return at a more convenient time."
"Don't fret Keladry, we were only waiting for you. Where have you been? You look as if you have just ran a marathon?" King Jonathon said in attempts to make her more at ease.
"The practice courts sir."
"Ahh then it is likely that you did run a marathon. I hear you work yourself far too hard Keladry, isn't that right Neal?"
"O yes, but I wouldn't waste your breath she doesn't listen to anyone," Neal sighed, The King laughed at his frank nature.
"O no Your Highness I must protest Neal is just far too much in love with complaints."
"Well Keladry if you are to be my knight I must ask that you call me Jon or Jonathon. As you may have guessed formality is not my boat."
"You are to kind Jonathon, but you must call me Kel. No one calls me Keladry."
"Terribly sorry for the mistake, but now I believe you are both wondering what calls you here."
Without waiting for their consent he divulged, "I am afraid we need the two of you desperately. I hope that if you agree you will realize how dangerous this is and we cannot afford to lose either of you. Things have come out of hand with-"
End Chapter
So what did you think? I hope you liked it? Well I don't care but please review and tell me. This is all kinda odd so I don't kno it just doesn't seem like my best work it feels very awkward so please help me out.
REVIEW- I wont update until I get 15 more reviews... well I don't kno if people don't review then obviously it will be lower