Letters from Home

Chapter Five

see!!!!! ANOTHER CHAPTER!!!! go me!!!!!


Kel backed, almost hesitantly, away from the letter in front of her.

Yuki had called off the wedding?!

What had persuaded her to do that? More to the point, how could she think of hurting Neal, whom she absolutely adored, like that? Kel herself could never have done that to him.

She glanced back over it. There seemed to be something he wasn't telling her. He was, she could see, keeping things from her, and the lady knight most certainly didn't like things being kept from her. Especially by her best friend.

'Friend,' that little voice in her head said. 'Best friend.' Somehow, the words didn't sound right, even inside her head. Most likely because she didn't want them to. She wanted him to be something more…something much more. She had wanted that, she realized, for some time. Probably since before she left the fort.

Trying to ignore the thoughts in her head, Kel turned back to her letter, slightly disturbed with her feelings.

How could she love her best friend?

Neal was doing sentry duty on the keep's gate when he noticed a trail of dust in the air, heading their way. He didn't worry, however, for today more letters were supposed to be delivered from the palace. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation, anxiously awaiting a letter from his best friend.

The party was soon here. There were four soldiers, to make sure nothing happened along the road, and a large cart filled with letters. Neal instantly went down to collect those which belonged to him.

The first thing handed to him was one from Owen. He looked at it for a moment, somewhat surprised, before looking back up at the man to see if he had anything else. Two more letters were handed to him-one from Cleon of Kennan, the last, of course, from Kel.

He rushed back to his room to open them. Well, hers, at least. He couldn't care less about the other two, when he had something from her in his hands.

Once the door was firmly closed behind him, he sat down at his desk, not bothering to light a candle; the rays seeping in through the window provided ample light. Besides, he didn't want to bother with it.

Quickly, he opened it, only to be greeted by her familiar handwriting.

Dear Neal,

I'm impressed, and extremely shocked. I had doubted that you would, as I said. How could I have doubted? I'm not going to even bother with this one, I don't think. It would take a long and detailed explanation, something that you can, no doubt, not sit through.

What did I tell you about your language, Nealan? The way you talk sometimes…Oh, I guess it can't be changed. It seems as if the bad habit is yours for life, unfortunately. No matter how much I yell at you about it, you never seem to get it through your thick skull. You and your inability to grasp things.

Of course it was no trouble getting those things for you. It was, in fact, just the opposite. I enjoyed doing it. Besides, you're my best friend. Even if it had been a trouble (which, as I said, it wasn't) I would have done it anyway, as long as you would've enjoyed it. Anything to make my little Nealan-poo happy.

Trust me, I know your ways. After all, I've had to put up with you for thirteen years. I know how you pass things off. Well, as long as someone eats it, I guess its okay. I just don't know anyone who would, with the exception of you. And the only reason you would do it was because "mother" made you. Kind and considerate? Yeah, right.

Ah, don't give me that look. You are, sometimes. Quite often, actually. You think about everyone, as much as you try to deny it, especially your best friend.

Creepy? How is it creepy for you that I know you so well? For me it is maybe, but for you, I don't know how it could be.

HEY! Nothing is wrong with being related to me! Go ask one of my brothers, if you doubt me! Just…avoid my sisters on that, if you please. While I love them dearly, I don't think I want to know what they would say on that one.

Torture? Yeah, right. I would just get you to work, as is your duty, being a knight of the realm. But, as I am quite sure that you know what your duties are, Nealan, I will leave this subject alone.

What was wrong with that part of the letter? Of course I love Dom. He is, after all, charming, funny, and extremely intelligent.

Don't give me that look. I'm only joking, Meathead. But yes, I love your cousin, just as I love you, and Owen, and Seaver, and Merric. Do you have a problem with that? How could I love anything about him? He is a lot like you, in some ways, Neal. So, how could I not?

Now that I have left you feeling bad, I believe I will change subjects once more.

Okay, I apologize for doubting your abilities. When I get back, you can prove to me how much better you've gotten with a small, friendly duel out on the courts.

Keep on believing that. Impossible? I'm sure it is. Not.

Okay, no need to try and make me feel guilty…no that its working or anything. As your best friend, I have the right to harass you mercilessly about, well, everything!

As I recall, I seem to have been called both. One by you, and one by your charming cousin (don't give me that look). What am I going to do about it? Let me think…I'm sure I will give you my answer when I get back…and trust me, it won't be very fun.

HEY! I was NOT fickle! That was you! You couldn't decide who you loved! First it was Daine, Uline, and countless other people that I can't even begin to name! Yet I'm the fickle one. Of course, that makes sense.

Aww…I love you too, Meathead. And it is most certainly not "screwing around" as you so politely put it. It's me not getting rusty. So shove it. I will, of course, do all the things you suggested…I'll go down to the shop tomorrow morning.

Oh, get off it. My purse isn't that much bigger than yours. So quit making out like it is, you buffoon.

I know I will, but that doesn't make them taste any better, does it? And even adding something sweet to it doesn't work, because it wont work after that! Which is so not fair, by the way. They should figure out a way to make it taste better and work. It shouldn't be one way or the other. And they call themselves great mages. Humph.

I always thought yours were disgusting; I don't believe I'll be complaining about them again. I'm glad you consider others safety when making your medicines…trust me, it is much appreciated.

I know…but this proved it, more than anything, truthfully. To bloody like having border duty…I really worry about him.

Oh, gods Neal. I'm so sorry! I can't believe she would do something like that! That's awful! Are you okay? I hope so…I'll try to come back soon. The king returned, so I believe I'll go talk to him today and get permission. I feel so awful about Yuki. That was awful of her. If you want to talk about anything, you can, of course, talk to me.

Now, what aren't you telling me? I know its something…I really wish you wouldn't keep secrets from me. Do you think someone who knows you as well as I wouldn't notice that you were keeping something from me?

Why does everyone always say that? I don't always look on the bright side of things. And what's so bloody awful about doing so, anyway, for Mithros' sake? I don't know…with the 'most wonderful self' comments, and things like that, I have to wonder. It might be better for my sanity. I wonder if the fort is an asylum for the insane? It's likely. After all, I was sent away. Not only that, the Stump is there. Not to mention you. But that, of course, was a given.

I'm sorry that I don't find the time in the middle of a bloody war to catch up on my bloody reading. Oh, great gods, Nealan! Just because it's a fact of life most certainly doesn't mean I want to bloody hear about it! And how do you know it hasn't happened to me, hmm? Why would I tell you something like that? And you're right; I am going to slap you for that comment. It was…vile. Not something you should say to a lady, never mind a lady knight. I thought we had established the "I'm the better hand with the sword" thing? If so, why do you continue to make comments that will get you on the practice courts? And I am not prim and proper! I just don't…ugh, never mind. I'm again not going to bother explaining this one to you. You would turn it into something sick, no doubt.

Yes, you, get cocky. It has happened a time or two, if you don't recall. One, I can get it for myself if I want to. And its sad that you cant think of anything to get your best friend for thirteen years besides a book that she said she wanted! That's very pathetic, Nealan.

I do not only want weapons, as I have proved by saying I was going to buy the bloody book! And I am not that difficult to buy for, if you must know. Actually, I'm quite the opposite. Dom always seems to know just what to get me. I don't know, maybe it was just that intelligence skipped a generation with you. Not to mention charm.

And weapons are not boring!

As I said, as best friend, I can harass you about whatever I want. That includes being friendly. So I expect you to do it! Why do I doubt your sincerity about this one? Maybe because you don't have a sincere bone in your body? I don't know. Angel, my arse, as you would put it.

I don't think I have to ask Wyldon how you behaved to know the truth. Just this statement says it all. He doesn't like you, as you say, because you were always being rude. Why do I think you haven't changed that habit, hmm?

Oh, that's a wonderful thought. I think I'll stay a little longer, if it means going back to your most esteemed self. Most esteemed. Humph. I find that one hard to believe.

How would you know what kind of weight I've gained? Maybe I'm extremely fat, and just hide it with all the thick clothing I wear!

Okay, Neal, I believe you. I'm sure you never complain.

I have the urge to hug you for the compliment, laugh at your idiocy, and slap you for being rude. Which one will I go with? I'll consider it. Meanwhile, this just proves the fact that you haven't been polite, now doesn't it. Oh, yes, blame it on me that I'm such a wonderful person…how is it my fault that I'm perfect?

Well, you should, shouldn't you? Most of the time, my way is better. I promise that I will get my 'sorry arse' back there as soon as possible, okay?

For the moment, I love you, and miss you! I'll see you soon,

Love always,

Kel

XOXOXO


Wow, this is pretty long. The letter itself is 1560 words. I had decided not to put his thoughts in this portion, and instead will show you in his response. Also, the next chapter is Owen's and Cleon's letters…which are quite interesting, if I do say so myself.