Chapter 2:
~ Moments ~
Kel settled in to her temporary room that Dom had shown to her, placing all her needed accessories away, and placing water and food dishes out for both Jump and her sparrows. Due to Tobe's protests at being so far from his mistress, he was currently placing his own things where they belonged in an adjoining room.
Kel, having ordered a bath of hot water sent up to her room, was just placing out the outfit she would wear that night, when a knock on her door interrupted her. Opening the door to find two servants, both holding pots of hot water, she let them in, and then they poured the water into the tub in her dressing room. Deciding on using her own private bath, instead of heading to the bathhouse, Kel thanked the servants graciously, and when they left, undressed and settled down to have a proper soak.
After a leisure washing of her hair, and soaking until her fingers and toes had become impossibly pruned, Keladry reluctantly rose from the tub, and dried off. After placing on a pale yellow cotton shift, and a light maroon dress overtop, she wondered if it was cool enough to wear a cloak as well. Deciding that if she was too warm, she could always take it off, she placed a russet cloak over her shoulder, tying it up at the front.
For once in the past few months, she didn't have to worry about problems in the camp. She could have a relaxing evening with friends and nothing to worry about. At least, that's what she hoped.
~*~
In the mess hall, which was now serving as a greeting hall for the people who traveled to witness Raoul and Buri's wedding, it was full of people laughing, and talking, relishing in tales of un-heroic adventures. Neal, made the center of the teasing point by Dom, was shooting death glares at his cousin from his position by Yuki's side.
"- and this one time, we were young, like 5 or so," Dom paused. "Of course, I was older, and more responsible. Well anyways, young Meathead, he was one back then you know, well he decided to play a trick on our cousin. She didn't appreciate it as much, and if I remember correctly, didn't you get a bowl of porridge on your head?"
Kel nudged Dom with her elbow, poking him in the ribs as to say; 'do you really want to get Neal mad at you?' He looked at her, blue eyes laughing.
"Please don't deny me my fun." He protested. Kel smiled, looking back at Neal.
"You can have your fun as long as you don't tease Neal anymore." She told him sternly, but smiling all the same.
He sighed, looking defeated. "Fine, It's not like I can disobey a Lady Knight." He reached for her hand, kissing the top of it softly. "Especially one so pretty as you."
Both Neal and Kel's eyebrows shot up, both in surprise, but Kel's also in delight. The last time Dom had flirted with her, Cleon was the one who had noticed, not her. But this time he was so open about it even she couldn't miss the signals. Feelings that Kel had for Dom that were momentarily hidden came back to her in a rush, swirling around in her stomach.
Dom's eyes locked with her, while he still held her hand, he winked. For a moment, the world around stopped. Her breath caught. Neal broke the moment, by clearing his throat. "So Domitan, where did you receive these manners in gentlemanly etiquette?"
Dom dropped Kel hand as Neal talked, retorting. "Definitely not from you, dear cousin."
Neal laughed, letting it roll off his shoulders. Taking Yuki's hand in his, he led her over to Lady Alanna and her husband George of Pirate's Swoop. There they engaged in a conversation, and left both Dom and Kel to their own devices. Both looking around for someone else they could talk to, the both simultaneously headed to Raoul and Buri. The Raoul that represented a block of wood was long gone, both he and Buri talked quite enthusiastically to anyone who joined them.
Raoul at first question Kel of her jousting. After answering several rapid questions of what she had been up too, Raoul finally looked pleased enough with his past-squire's activities have been.
After a moment of silence Raoul stated; "Do you plan to do something besides commanding New Hope, Kel?"
Keladry sighed, "Well, at the moment, I'm still needed there. I mean, Merric is there right now in charge, but I promised I'd be back in a week at the latest. Neal is staying longer, but then he's coming back for a bit as well."
"But you're not going to stay there forever." He prodded kindly.
"What are you getting at Sir?" Kel asked suspiciously, after spending four years learning from this man, she knew when he was leading up to something.
"I was wondering if when you are relieved of your duties at New Hope, would you like to ride with The Own again, just for a while." He stated, surprising Kel.
Thinking back on to the hard but fun times she had with the own, she gave this suggestion serious thought. Finally, she said. "If it's alright with the king, he may have other plans for me, but if he doesn't, I'd be honored to." She smiled at her old Knight-master.
Dom grinned at Kel, "Now you might be able to see my Lord fall from his horse in hunger, it's quite amusing." He grinned at Raoul, a wicked gleam of mischief in his eyes. "With all respect my Lord."
"Of course, Dom, I wouldn't expect anything less." Raoul's face was stern, but his eyes crinkled with amusement.
After a moment of conversation, both Yuki and Neal followed shortly after with Alanna and George, joined their quartet. Talking of the news in Tyra, which was having trouble due to the fact that their old king had died, and his not as respected son who took his place, time passed quickly. Soon, Kel was having trouble concealing her yawns. An hour or so after the midnight shift had changed; Kel excused herself off to bed. Dom, also coming down with infectious yawns, followed her. Both Neal and Yuki had left an hour ago.
"Kel." Dom called, chasing after her. Surprised, Kel turned.
"Off to bed as well?" She commented.
"Yes, but in a moment." He paused, glancing at the fort around him, the starry sky, and the wooden boards under his feet, anywhere but Kel. "Raoul asked me if I wanted to take a squad with me, up to New Hope with you. I know the need of soldiers isn't as high as it was in the war, but you are still under supplied, and-" Dom paused, realizing that he was babbling on, and making little sense.
Kel smiled at him. "That would be nice." She paused, thinking. Now she sounded all love-struck. This was not the way she was supposed to act towards a friend. "I mean, I need helping keeping Neal in line."
Dom looked puzzled for a moment. Then quickly caught himself. "Yes, of course. Meathead usually needs more then one person looking after him."
"Goodnight Dom." Kel said, hiding a yawn.
Dom smiled, and Kel's heart skipped a beat. " 'Night Kel."
Keladry headed back to her room. Quietly checking on Tobe, and finding a small snoring lump on his bed, she smiled. Banking his fire so it would keep until the morning, she headed back to her room, quietly shutting the door behind her. Changing into a nightdress, and banking her own fire, she opened her window a crack so the sparrows could get in, in the morning. Settling down beneath her covers, and feeling the reassuring weight of Jump at the foot of her bed, she slowly drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
To Be Continued…Valencia22: I plan to make this different then the other stories of Kel and Dom on ff.net, but thank-you for the reassurance. And as I said in my author's note on the previous chapter (or something to this effect) Kel and Dom are the only coupling worth writing about (that include Kel).
Snow*flake: I have one word for you. Wow. Thank you for the tremendously positive review. I thank you a million times over. Oh, and I 'applied' to that group you mentioned (w.groups.msn.com/WeLoveDom) but I haven't received an email back saying that I've been accepted… so I'm still waiting patiently. Thanks for the tip.
A.M.: Continue I will… and thanks for reviewing.
Blaise: Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate it. Thanks for reviewing.
Mist Tiger: Sometimes, when you want to be praised, reliable is… not as exciting? As you'd like to be called. A lot of things are reliable; Kel didn't want to be placed among those things. ( I agree with you on one thing, if I was called anything but crazy, I'd be happy too.)
LadySatine: Yea! Kel and Dom! I agree with you wholeheartedly… perfect couple they are. I'll read your story once I find the chance… and review as well.
