A/N: I finally finished 'Protector of the Small'! YAY! Ok, I WAS NOT happy with the whole break up of Cleon and Kel, so I'm re writing it!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Cleon, Kel, Neal, Merric, Owen, Wyldon, Allana, and…oh you know Tamora Pierce's characters, so I'm not listing EVERY SINGLE ONE! Ha ha. But ya, I own nothing…just like for 'Lord of the Rings'…How depressing…

Chapter One: Midwinter Luck and More Ordeals

The war against Scanra had been won. With Blayce killed and the killing devices gone, Tortall had torn the Scanran armies to shreds. Kel, Neal, Merric, Owen, and the rest of the armies had returned to Corus for Midwinter. Owen was scared to death. The order of the Ordeal had been drawn. Owen was first.

The group sat in the library, their old haunt from their page years. Kel sighed. "Owen, calm down. It'll be fine!"

Owen sat chewing his finger nails to shreds. He had picked up the habit several days before. "No it won't…"

Neal smacked Owen upside the head. "Don't make yourself sick about it! We all lived, didn't we?" An evil grin was plastered on his lips. "Even Merric."

He and Merric wrestled on the floor when a cloaked figured appeared in the doorway. He must have gone straight into the library for he was covered in snow. He walked over and sat next to Kel. "My sunshine."

Kel's jaw dropped. "Cleon?" she gasped.

He pulled back his hood. By that time, the men were all staring at him. He smiled. "The very same."

Kel shook her head. "But…You were betrothed. You were on your way to your wedding…"

Cleon dropped his head. "She's dead."

The group made the sign against evil across their chest. Kel put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Cleon…I'm so sorry."

Cleon looked up. "Kel, I've talked to my mother. She…she's given me permission to marry whomever I want."

The lady knight looked into his eyes. Then she looked around. Neal, Merric, and Owen had all left. She met his eyes again. "Cleon…"

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. "I always have, and still, love you Kel." He pulled her into another kiss. Being in his arms again made her fall right back into love.

He pulled away. "Midwinter luck, Kel."

Owen was sitting in his room with Neal and Merric. 'What if it says I can't be a knight? What if it says I'm not good enough? What if I DIE!"

Neal threw a pillow at his friend. "I told you to stop making yourself sick over this! I'm wondering what Cleon and Kel are talking about…"

Merric smiled. "Who said they're talking?"

Neal and Owen threw pillows at him. "Merric! We KNOW that you've been spending time with us for nine years, but you don't have to- Hello Kel. Cleon."

Kel and Cleon had walked into the room and sat on the bed. "What did we miss?" Cleon asked.

Owen, Neal, and Merric laughed. Merric straightened up. "Oh, just telling Owen to stop fussing about the Ordeal."

Cleon rolled his eyes. Turning to Merric he asked, "So when do the tournaments start up here again?"

Merric sighed. "Cleon, you've been a knight long enough! You know they start after Midwinter."

Kel elbowed Cleon. She knew exactly why he wanted to see the lists.

A knock came to the door. "Owen?" It was Lord Wyldon. "It's time."

Kel and Cleon sat in her room. Neal and Merric had wanted to 'read' some more. Cleon stroked her hair. He looked distant, but not sad. Kel looked up, "How did she die?"

Cleon sighed. "In the flood. She tried to save some of the horses. The flood pushed her over the cliffs."

Kel hugged him. "I'm sorry…"

Cleon kissed her. "My sunrise…"

Kel elbowed him. "Not so fast. I know you've talked your mother around, but still…"

Cleon eyed her. "You got rid of that pendant?"

Kel laughed. "No, but we need to see the lists first."

Cleon kissed her so warmly she almost forgot that they hadn't seen the lists. She smiled. The grey of dawn was coming. She sighed. "Let's go support Owen."

Several hours later, Owen emerged. He was pale and sweaty, but very much alive and in one piece. He smiled. Kel and Cleon gave him the thumbs up. Owen was knighted at nightfall.