The Eyes of My Beholder

Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce, that queen of fantasy, owns Tortall and everyone in it. The song is not mine either, I'm not sure who it belongs to, but I do know Lucy Kaplansky sang it on her album Tide, I highly recommend it.

Note: This is dedicated to my friend Nolee of Stone Mountain who told me I had to write a Kel story so, Nolee, here it is. Sorry it's not K/J but I wrote you a Kel story.

Chapter 1


Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan sat the window of her room in the knight's barracks staring out at the rain washed courtyard. A certain blue-eyed sergeant was haunting her thoughts. She had to keep her thoughts on the report she was writing but Dom was always there in the back of her mind.

He had said at the last banquet that he always loved watching his knight practice.

She was a knight, but his knight? Kel sighed, she would never be more than a friend to Dom. Why she had fallen for Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle and not someone like Merric of Hollyrose or even Nealan of Queenscove, even though that was a very frightening thought, was beyond her.

Some one knocked on her door, breaking her out of her thoughts. "Come in!" She called. The door opened and boots walked over to her. "Kel? Are you alright?" She turned to see Neal, her best friend, standing at her shoulder. "Kel, what is that?" Neal asked pointing to a small bit of parchment on Kel's desk.

Kel had been scribbling words, so far there was only two lines:
I was your knight in shining armour

I was honour, I was rage

Neal looked sick, "Kel, tell me, who is this supposed to 1. be about and 2. who's it to?" Kel blushed, "It's sort of about me and for your cousin." She said it in a rush. "It's about you and to who?" Neal hissed. Kel stood, "Just so you know, Neal, I didn't even write the song!" she grabbed the parchment and stormed out the door.

Neal shook his head; someone has been spending too much time with Sir Alanna!

Kel leaned against the closed door, breathing heavily, it had be a long time since she'd blown up at Neal like that.

"Kel?"

Startled she looked up. "Hello Dom!" she said, a false grin plastered on her face. Why now? she thought, alarmed, why does he have to show up now!

"What's got you in a rage?" Dom asked with a grin. "Meathead," Kel grunted. Dom nodded understandingly, "Now you know how I feel, he's my cousin and all!" Suddenly, Dom noticed Kel's one clenched fist, "Kel, what's that?" he whispered. "Nothing," Kel said offhandedly, she did not need Dom to see the paper!

Kel's door opened and Neal walked out, seeing Dom, Neal's eyebrows rose. "I see shouldn't be here," he muttered. Looking at Kel knowingly, he walked down the hall to his own room. Kel made a rude gesture at Neal's back.

"What was he doing in your room?" Dom asked, glaring after Neal. "He was visiting me. It was odd, I was just thinking of him, and there he was!" "Why were you thinking of him?" Dom asked, trying to cover the jealousy in his voice. "Just wondering why I didn't fall for him," Kel said nonchalantly.

"Oh, whom did you fall for?" Dom whispered. Kel slipped on he mask and shook her head, "Someone who will never fell the same way about me." Dom cocked his head, "And who would that be? Because if it's me, you're wrong."

Kel choked on nothing. He did not just say that! She forced a smile and muttered, "I'm hungry, didn't have breakfast. Raoul needs some reports done and I have to do them—" Dom silenced her by putting a hand over her mouth. "You're gibbering," he observed. She blushed and mumbled, "Sorry."

Dom shrugged and threw an arm around her shoulders, "Come on, Kel. Let's get some food." Kel nodded, her face burning, he had forgotten his hand was still over her mouth. She looked at him, meeting his eyes and pointedly crossed her eyes. Dom grinned sheepishly and removed his hand. "Thank you," Kel said, nudging Dom in the ribs. He glowered at her; she was teasing him!

When they got to the cafeteria and gather everything they would need to eat, they got their food. Dom glared daggers at Kel when she reminded him to get his vegetables, and when her didn't, gave him a big scoop of steamed carrots, broccoli and beets. "What!" Kel squeaked when she saw the way Dom was looking at her. "It's good for you. And they taste better than cauliflower!"

Dom snorted, "Oh look, it's Meathead!" Kel spun and caught Neal's arm as he tried to sneak past her. She glared at Neal and grabbed his tray filling it with vegetables. "Kel!" Neal moaned. Shoving the tray back into his hands and hissed, "Eat it all, Nealan!" "Yes Mother," Neal, Dom, Merric and their friend Owen said together.

Kel rolled her eyes and sat down at her usual table. Dom set his tray down next to her with Owen on the other side. Neal and Merric sat down opposite them. "Kel, did you hear who's coming to Corus!" Merric said suddenly. Kel cocked her head, "Who?"

Neal, Owen and Merric looked at each other and said as one, "Cleon of Kennan." Kel and Dom stiffened. "I'm going to arrange to not be here then," Kel mumbled. "When won't you be here?" said an uncomfortably familiar voice behind Kel. "Hello Cleon," Kel said through gritted teeth. "What's wrong Kel? Isn't it jolly to see Cleon again?" Owen asked.

Kel winced; she was convinced Owen was having love affairs with the word 'jolly', the Goddess knew he said it enough! "Yes," Dom muttered so softly, only Kel could hear. "It's bloody jolly good to see him." Kel snorted, very loudly.

"What's up with you?" Merric asked, eyebrows threatening to climb off his face. Kel wiped all emotion off her face and said, "Nothing! Neal, I'm going to get Peachblossom and practice jousting." Neal nodded, understanding that what Kel really was trying to say was, I need to get away from Cleon!

She rushed out of the cafeteria, her breathing harsh. She walked to the stables and saddled Peachblossom and grabbed her led weighted lance. She nudged Peachblossom to a trot and trotted into the practice yards. "Charge!" she whispered. Peachblossom launched himself forward with a slight whinny. Kel focused on the target dummy and hit it, right in the centre of the shield.

Peachblossom didn't stop until they were well out of range of the swinging dummy. "Very good, Mindelan!" someone said from the sidelines. Kel and Peachblossom whirled to face Lord Wyldon of Cavall, former page and squire training master. "Hello Lord Wyldon!" Kel said cheerfully, or as cheerfully as she could after seeing whom Wyldon brought with him.

"You're right, Wyldon, she does rival the Lioness!" King Jonathan said slowly. Kel squeaked and hastily dismounted Peachblossom and bowed. Wyldon cleared his throat and Kel glared at him. He of all people should know she didn't curtsy!

"Keladry, will you show us that again?" the king asked. Kel nodded and re-mounted her horse. She got in position and muttered, "Charge!" again. Peachblossom took off again and Kel hurled the lance. It was an experiment to see if she could throw with the same force and she could hit. It worked perfectly, the lance hit the dummy in the centre and the dummy flew up in the air as the lance bounced back to Kel. "Wow!" she muttered.

Dimly, she heard clapping, a lot of clapping. Slowly she turned to see Dom, Neal, Owen, Merric, Cleon and several others, nobles mostly gathered around Wyldon and King Jonathan. Why does everyone always flock to my practices? Kel thought bitterly. A big hand engulfed her shoulder. She turned to see Sir Raoul, her former Knight master grinning at her.

"Kel, what ever you just did was amazing!" Raoul informed her bluntly. "Erm, thanks?" Kel asked hesitantly. Dom and Neal rushed toward her, huge grins plastered on their faces. "Kel, did you see their faces?!" Dom exclaimed as he literally pulled Kel from her saddle. "No," she said blank faced. "Cleon for one thought the lance was going to come back at you and knock you out or something!" Neal said, laughing. Kel nodded slowly and led Peachblossom back to the stables. As she groomed him, Kel thought about the one person who hadn't gotten on her nerves today, Dom.

Why did he always have to be so...reasonable? And so bloody gorgeous! No, Kel, he's Neal's cousin! You can't have feelings for him! Kel yelled out loud in frustration. "What's wrong, Kel?" "Nothing, Dom!" Kel snarled. She instantly wished she could take back her words. "I'm sorry, Dom, I shouldn't have snapped. She turned to the door and saw not Dom, but Cleon standing there.

Kel swore silently, he had her trapped. "Cleon," she squeaked, "what are you doing here?" Cleon smiled; he obviously saw he had her trapped. "Can't I enjoy time with an old friend?" He drawled. Kel shook her head, stepping behind Peachblossom so the horse was between Cleon and her. She looked around wildly, Stefan was out training horses and the only other person to help was Dom or Neal.

Dom! The thought hit her suddenly; she concentrated on Dom, wishing that he would come help her. Cleon advanced, "Why did you think I was that bloody oaf Dom?" "What makes you think that?" Kel asked shrilly. Cleon smirked and mimicked Kel's voice, "'I'm sorry, Dom, I shouldn't have snapped.'"

Oh Mother, please help me! Kel thought franticly. As if the Goddess had heard her plea and decided to help, Dom came hurtling in the stable door. "Oh, thank you Mother!" Kel sighed. Cleon whirled around and face Dom.

"Stay away from her, Kennan!" Dom yelled. "Don't tell me what to do, Masbolle!" Cleon spat back. "Get out!" Dom shrieked. "Aw, sticking up for Kel? How sweet. News flash, Masbolle, SHE'S A KNIGHT, SHE CAN FIGHT HER OWN BATTLES!!" Cleon howled.

Kel slid down the wall, fingers in her ears. Horses started prancing nervously in their stalls, frightened by the noise. Dom and Cleon were now yelling as loud as they could, and within moments Stefan was in the stables, positively purple with fury. "WILL YE JUS' SHUT UP?" Stefan exploded. Dom and Cleon stopped yelling, looking guiltily around, Stefan was far older than them and could get very touchy when his horses were concerned.

"What'd ye think yer doin'? Stefan asked through clenched teeth. Dom pointed at Cleon, "He was cornering Kel!" Stefan looked at him oddly and said, "Where be the Lady Knight?" "I'm right here," Kel squeaked from the floor. Dom rushed over and helped her up. "Are you alright?" he murmured. Kel nodded, "A little shaken up, but I'm fine." "Come on," he said softly, "I'm getting you out of here." Dom escorted her out, keeping a safe distance from Cleo, who was glaring daggers at Dom.

They walked back to the castle in silence, both pondering what just happened, and how it would affect them. At Kel's door, they spoke. "Thanks for helping me back there," Kel whispered, "it ment a lot to me." Dom shrugged, "Any time. It was odd, it felt like someone was pulling me to the stables."

Kel smiled, so the Goddess had listened after all. They talked for a few more minutes before Kel swiftly kissed Dom on the cheek and, blushing furiously hurried into her room and closed the door, leaving a thoroughly befuddled and happy Dom in the hallway.

1,974 words in chapter 1! So happy am I! Took forever to figure out what I wanted in this story! More reviews faster I update!!! (Hint, hint)

The Weaving Wheel