Letters from Home

Chapter 8

See, I told you that I'd update soon!!!! Hah. Anyway, thank all my most wonderful reviewers. You guys rock.

Now, onto the story…hey, I've been thinking about what's gonna happen, and I came up with a wonderful new idea. You people wont like it much at first, most likely…but it'll be good at the end, so don't get mad. It'll be probably in chapter ten or eleven, which will be posting sometime in the next two weeks. Now, onto the story…with no more delays, I swear.

Okay, I take it back. The things in italics is the letter, and the things written normally, is the normal story. I'll interrupt the letter sometimes for the person to comment, so be ware.

Oh yeah…the letter, without the little notes in it, is 1459 words. So its all in all, a pretty long chapter…arent you proud?

This is dedicated, by the way, to Elf Warrior Princess, because she seems to be looking for the same thing in this story as I am…fluff! Lol. By the way, I love your name! Its bloody awesome! Oh yeah, and because she used one of my all-time favorite word. Hope you like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kel let out a sigh and started walking towards the palace. The city, where she had decided to go to take her mind of things, had been boring, and had done her no good, unfortunately. It had only reminded her of how much she missed Neal…which was something that she really didn't need to think about. All it did was get her closer to realizing what was obvious, something she really didn't want to do. Not that she didn't already know what was wrong with her; she just didn't want to think about it.

Once back in the palace, she went to her room, where she was surprised to find a servant waiting for her.

"This arrived in the mail cart today, my lady." The young man-boy, really, she noticed- said nervously. He bowed low, as he would to a lady, then seemed to realize his mistake. "I'm sorry, lady knight. I didn't mean-" he stuttered. (AN: I figure there has to be two different bows for each, since they are two different social statuses. Does that make sense?)

She smiled easily at him. "Apology accepted. Thank you for delivering my mail." She pulled a few coins out of her purse and put them in his hands.

"Thank you, milady," he said, smiling up at her, then turned around and began to jog down the hall.

"Wait!" she called after him.

The boy turned around, slightly confused. "Yes?"

She tried to keep a laugh escaping her throat-it wasn't an easy feat. "My letters," she reminded, a small smile etched on her face.

He blushed, embarrassed, and brought them back to her, and she went into her room, wondering who they were from.

The first was from Neal-her heart fluttered at the thought, but she ignored it, and flipped onto the next letter. This one was from Owen.

She turned back to Neal's, too anxious to open Owen's first.

Dearest Kel,

Humph. No need to insult me.

What did I tell you about me being an adult, and being able to use whatever language I want? Besides, Miss "You shouldn't curse", I heard something very interesting from Owen. Bloody, pain in the arse palace, huh? You should know better than to say things like that to Owen. You know he can't keep secrets.


Bad habit for life. As if. I can stop cursing any bloody time I want, and don't you forget it. THICK SKULL? INABILITY TO GRASP THINGS? I am offended. My best friend, saying things like this about me. I don't know what to do.

Okay, okay. I can tell that you'll never let me thank you for it, so I can quit. I guess. Oh wait, I have a thick skull and cant grasp things, so I guess I wont. So thank you, and it obviously WAS trouble for you! Nealy-poo. I am so offended. I am not some sort of common dog, Kel.

You could not make me eat something I didn't want to eat, just so you know! And I wouldn't eat something only because you wanted me to! Humph.

I am kind and considerate. I didn't kill Cleon- that is kind of me, because I let him escape for the most part unscathed, and considerate because his wife isn't a widow. See? Kind and considerate.

'What was he talking about, didn't kill Cleon?' she wondered, somewhat astounded. What was wrong with the two of them?

Humph. I'll admit that I think about you. But I'm not admitting to anything else, so don't you dare try to make me.

Kel got all tingly inside, reading that comment. She reread it several times, grinning like a fool all the while, before continuing.

It just is! To know that someone knows my mind more than I do sometimes is just freaky! You wouldn't like it either!

'No, I don't think I would like it if he knew some things I thought of. Things about him.'

Yeah. That's what you think. Upon several occasions, your brothers have told me quite interesting things about you. Great stories, some of them. Well, maybe not great for you that I know…hmm.…And avoid your sisters? Who would want to avoid such lovely ladies.

She felt a surge of jealousy run through her, though she knew he was teasing.

I'm only kidding, love. No need to get jealous.

The lady knight shook her head. Sometimes her best friend knew her too well, even if he was only kidding.

Yes, torture. No, you wouldn't 'just get me to work'. You would keep me out there for hours, banging a sword into me. And of course I know what my duties are; my main one is my favorite, though-torturing your most wonderful self.

Humph. Don't be an annoying twit. How could you love Dom is the better question. I could understand a how could you not love me, but you could you not love DOM? Please. I could think of all these reasons.

Lets start with one:
1: he flirts with
everyone

2. He plays lots of not-nice tricks on me.

3. he plays a lot of not-nice tricks on you

4. he's in the Own, which means he cant marry

5. he's a grouch in the morning.

6. he has bad breath

7. he can be really obnoxious.

8. he doesn't eat his vegetables.

9. he is always making fun of everyone

10. Most importantly, he is not my most wonderful self. That's the top reason you cant love him. So hah.

Yes, that was the most important reason why she couldn't love Sergeant Dom. The most important reason he would be a friend to her, and nothing more-though he himself had wanted it to be more. Because he wasn't Neal.

Feeling bad? Yeah, you did. I feel bad that you have such bad taste. It's tragic, really.

I don't see why I should have to prove myself to you. Humph. You just doubt my abilities.

I just might. What do you think about that, huh?

Not that its not working or anything. Yeah. I believe you. Not. AND NO, YOU DO NOT HAVE THAT RIGHT!!!!!! But, since its you, I'll let you get away with it.

Humph. Charming cousin. Yeah, right. I'm the charming one in my family, trust me. That's not very nice, to threaten your best friends.

Yeah, that was true; he was the charming one. Though his cousin was very nice looking, and charming also, Neal was even more so.

Uh, I repeat, YOU were the fickle one. You liked Cleon (I don't see how that happened), and Owen informed me that you had a huge crush on my cousin. You probably liked me, too!

Again, how did he know things like that? It was starting to unnerve her, though she knew he was only kidding.

Just kidding, love. I'm sure you didn't.


Though it would be quite funny if you had….I had the biggest crush on you in second year.

Her heart pace quickened (if that were possible) at the thought; he had liked her?

Okay, you may not make fun of me about that one. It just slipped out.

You should. Who couldn't, after all, love my most beautiful and wonderful self?

'No one,' Kel thought moodily. 'Which is a problem within itself, really.'

It is too screwing around, so don't try to deny it. Well, I hope the remedies I suggested are working. I figured the healers there wouldn't…father is working out on the field, and so is his second in command. The healers still there are new for the most part. Well, young and inexperienced. They wouldn't think of something like that.

Yes, it is. I am just the heir, so it makes it look like mine is bigger. Okay, just so you know, NOT A BUFFOON!

No, he definitely wasn't a buffoon.

No, I suppose it doesn't. I agree, they should try to do something about making them taste better, but in the mean time, suck it up.

Well, that'll show you. And I'm glad you won't complain about them anymore. But I don't really believe you. You always complain.

So do I. Especially now that he's at Kennan with the bloody oaf and his bloody moron of a wife.

'What was his bloody problem with Cleon?!'

It doesn't really matter-I haven't seen her for two years, haven't talked to her for a year and a half. I don't really love her anymore; I think I stopped loving her a long time ago.

I know you will…you're worried about your favorite Meathead. It wasn't your fault. Yes, it wasn't very good of her, but it doesn't matter. I know that I can talk to you. I talk to you more than anyone else anyway, silly. If there was something else I wanted to talk about with you, I'm sure I would.

She smiled, thoroughly pleased that he thought that. Glad that he didn't care about Yuki, too, she admitted.

Damn you and your strange ability to read my mind. Yes, there was something else. She's marrying someone else; some lord or something. I can't remember. Don't go into your apologies again; you didn't do anything, and it's not really important to me.

She stared at the paper, not believing what she said. How could Yuki do something so horrible to Neal?! He had waited for her for two years, only to have her say she loved someone else! That was awful!

Yes, you do. Always, always, always. Nothings awful about doing so. It's just abnormal to always look on the bright side of things. Most of us (take me for example) don't have an optimistic bone in our bodies.

Oh, grow up. I am wonderful, am I not? Don't try denying it; I know how you feel.

Well, that was true. He was wonderful. Too wonderful for his own good, sometimes. Of course she couldn't deny it. Again she got that strange feeling that he knew more about how she felt than he should have.

Anyway, it is not an asylum! And if it is, you'll soon be coming back, wont you? So HAH!

Oh, damn. She had never thought of that one.

I AM NOT INSANE!

Well, maybe you should from now on! Oh, great gods. I'm not gonna get into this one; it'll end up embarrassing us both. I figured you would. Slap me, I mean.

And I thought we had established the "I've been practicing thing"!

I would not turn it into something sick! I do not have a sick mind! You were the one that thought I would turn it into something sick, meaning you thought of that sick thing, meaning YOU have the sick mind! So there!

No I don't. It has not. I have never been cocky in my life. In fact, I am as un-cocky as possible. Well, it depends on how-umm, never mind.

UGH! Did he have to say things like that to her? That was disturbing on so many different levels!

Anyway, it is not pathetic, because all you ever want is weapons, as I said! Why get you something you don't want, hmm?

Okay, you don't want anything besides weapons and a bloody book-a bloody book which I am getting for you. So there. Yes you are.

Do you have to bring my cousin into everything? If I didn't know better, I'd say you were obsessed with him. Except for the fact that you're obsessed with me, of course.

Obsessed with him…she turned the thought over in her mind. No, she finally concluded, she wasn't obsessed with him. She loved him. There was a difference. One was stalker-ish and weird. The other one was…well, still weird, for her to feel that way for him, but not stalker-ish.

Humph. Intelligence? That lack wit? As if. I'm not even going to mention the charm thing.

Okay, maybe I will…all of his charm (which does not amount to anything) he got from me!

Yes, weapons are boring.

Humph. No, I don't have to be friendly if I don't want to be!

And I don't have a clue why you doubt my sincerity. And I most certainly can be sincere. I'm quite sincere when I say I love my most wonderful self, am I not? And you, of course.

She felt a blush stain her cheeks and smiled.

I would not say something so vile. Remember, I'm not allowed to curse! And I am too an angel.

You are so mean to me. That statement doesn't say it all! And I was never rude! NEVER!

You're so mean to me.

Extremely fat, my arse. Now I will say it. I can tell, because your breeches are rather tight. You are not even close to fat, my dear.

'Okay, since when does he pay attention to how my breeches fit me?' She thought, amused and slightly embarrassed.

Nope. I absolutely never complain; you should believe me.

HEY! I am so offended. Slap me. Laugh at my idiocy. I was complimenting you, and you call me a rude idiot and think about slapping me!

She truly hadn't even thought of slapping him for that one. She had just said it to tease him.

I hate to say it, but no one is perfect. However, you are so damned close sometimes, it's not even funny.

She blushed again. Why did it seem that was all she ever did when around him, or reading something from him, or thinking of him?

Your way is better? Yeah, you wish.

Well, I'm glad that we agree on something-your arse is ­sorry. Only teasing love. But I do hope that you get back here soon.

Love you much

Neal

XOXOXO

She smiled as she finished it, a large grin that stretched across her face. She was about to reply when a knock sounded on her door.

With a weary sigh, she moved to go open the door. "Yes?" The lady knight raised a questioning eyebrow at the servant that now stood at her door.

"Healer Matthew would like to speak with you in his office, milady," he murmured, then scuttled away.

She stared after him for a moment, then began sprinting down the hall towards the healer's room, anxious to hear what he had to say.

Three days later, Neal received her reply.

Neal,

I'm not going to write a long answer to your letter, for I have good news. Well, great news, truthfully. I had finished reading your letter, and was about to reply, when a knock sounded on my door. Healer Matthew requested I meet him in his office. GUESS WHAT HE TOLD ME????? I could return in four days!!! So I will be about three days behind this letter!! I can't wait. I have quite a few things to talk about with you, young man. But I will save that for when I return.

At the moment, I am doing a jig around my room, anxiously counting down the hours until I leave.

I'll see you soon-only in three days!!! I'll arrive with the next mail cart. See you then!!!

I love you!

A very anxious and excited

Kel

Neal stared dumbly down at the letter in front of them. His chair, which he had been leaning on two legs, fell down flat. Then, realization of what had been said suddenly hit him.

"She's coming home!" he shouted. "She's coming back!"

He thanked all the gods for their mercy towards him. To return his best friend in his time of need-for he dearly needed her, with the newest arrival at the fort.

There came a knock on the door, then a tall, red-headed knight came in. Neal glared at him, but soon swiped it away; he wouldn't let this oaf ruin his day.

"What was that you were shouting about, Neal?" The other knight question, brow raised. Owen, who had followed him into the room, also looked curious. "Is Yuki coming back, or something? It has been an awful long time."

Neal waved a hand around. "No, no. She's not coming back. It's Kel! She'll be here in three days!" He shoved the letter into their faces, but before they actually had a chance to read it, the ecstatic knight pulled it back and began to dance around the room joyfully.

"He's not the only one too attached," Owen mumbled under his breath.

Cleon, standing next to him, heard, and frowned. "What do you mean?"

The young knight looked up, startled. "Well, when I write Kel, she seems about as anxious to get back here with Neal as he is to get her back. They seem a little too attached. Of course, you wouldn't know that, seeing as you never bother to write her."

The other man frowned harder. Taking the letter away from Neal, he asked, somewhat tersely-in the other two's opinion at least, "Do you have feelings for Kel?"

Neal's jaw dropped. "What?"

He sighed. "Do. You. Love. Kel?"

"Yes."

Cleon sunk down onto the bed, moaning. "Oh, why did this have to happen? This bloody well sucks."

Neal grinned. "Why does it suck? You shouldn't care-you're happily married. Besides, Kel and I both deserve to be happy." He grinned again, showing teeth. "It's not like you still have feelings for her, right?"

Cleon paled. "No, of course not."

"Good."

---

Kel stared anxiously at the road before her. She was less than an hours ride from the fort. If only the bloody mail cart would hurry up.

She looked back, to where the soldiers sat surrounding it. "I'm going to ride ahead, up to the fort!" she informed them, and without waiting for their reply, raced up ahead.

At last, she arrived at the gate. "Who goes there?" called someone from on the wall.

"Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, Protector of the Small," the woman answered, impatient.

There was silence for a moment or two, during which she shifted eagerly on her mount, then the gate creaked open. "Welcome back, lady knight!" the soldier said before turning back to his duty. She smiled in return, but didn't stop.

Kel wasn't very far past the gate in the gate before she saw him; he was running towards her, looking like a child on Christmas. Her grin widened and she pulled on the reins, then slid off Peachblossom, just as strong arms were wrapped around her.

She buried her head in his shoulder, and she breathed deeply into his shirt; there was the strong smell of soap-that clean, peaceful smell that had always been his. She felt tears prick her eyes, relieved as she was to be back with him.

"I missed you so much," his hoarse voice whispered in her ear, and she realized that he too was crying. She hugged him tighter, wrapping her arms around his neck. He buried his face in her hair.

(for those of you that don't know, she was at the castle for about three months…I'm betting most of you didn't know, since I just figured it out myself. And yes, I realize it's a long time to be on leave, and no, I don't really give a flip.)

A cough sounded from somewhere behind the two. She hesitantly released his neck and backed up a pace or two. Neal wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into himself. "I don't want to let go of you yet," he whispered to her, voice clearing up. She just smiled up at him, then grabbed his other hand and squeezed it. She didn't let it go.

Though the position they were in was slightly uncomfortable, neither noticed it, as wrapped up in each other as they were.

"Hello, earth to Kel and Neal!" the pair heard Owen say, sounding rather sarcastic, yet as cheerful as he ever was.

They both looked up, blushing, only to see the young knight grinning happily. The red-head beside him, however, did not look nearly as thrilled.


Okay, this chapter is 3236 words long…I think it's the longest chapter I've ever written-except in my Ella of the Ashes story. Arent you proud? I am…I like the chapter, too…I liked what happened. By the way, this is by no means the end, which you probably guessed. But I just figured I'd make sure you knew…anyway, I'm most likely gonna bring in a few new characters, do something fun with Cleon and Owen (maybe even Ermy…who knows). And, of course, I still have to get Kel and Neal together! Though its so close to happening as it is right now. Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter!!! And I told you it would be up soon, didn't I?! I'm so good. rolls eyes