Emmy: So sorry to my one lone reviewer! I kinda forgot about this fic…sorry. But here is your chapter, on a silver platter. It's all for you.
Chapter 11: Home Again
When Kel awoke she didn't open her eyes. She was on a soft bed, the first real bed she had slept on in a couple nights. She smelled flowers and tea. She didn't want to get up. Kel hadn't really relaxed in a long time. She could rest a few more minutes.
Then she realized she was hungry and thirsty. She also wanted to see her friends. Resting could wait a little while longer. Slowly Kel opened her eyes. For a moment she stared at the stone ceiling. Was everything back to normal? Where her friends ok? She looked around the room and with great relief realized it was her own room. Everything was back the way it had been. The room was full of an assortment of different colors. The window was open, letting in a warm spring breeze and the scent of wildflowers.
"Kel?" a voice asked. Kel turned to see Dom sitting in a chair next to her bed.
"Dom? Your ok?" Kel asked.
"Oh Kel, I'm fine. I was worried about you. Kel, you saved us all. I-we-are in your dept," he said, grasping her hand. Kel sat up and smiled.
"You're my friends, I would do anything to help you guys," Kel replied. Kel wasn't sure but it looked like Dom might have been crying or was about to cry. "Is everyone ok?" she asked.
"Fine," he replied. "Everyone is fine. Some people are a bit singed but no lives were lost." Kel's smile faded.
"Except for Peachblossom, Jump and the sparrows," Kel replied.
" Not exactly. We did find Peachblossom and Jump." As Dom said this Jump jumped up onto Kel's bed, wagging his tail excitedly.
"Oh Jump!" Kel cried, taking him in he arms.
Kel looked back up to Dom. "What happened? I was stuck, then I passed out."
"We made it out but since you weren't coming Lord Raoul and I went in to see if you were alright. Everyone wanted to go but we wouldn't let them," Dom explained.
"Thank you Dom," Kel replied. "I was so worried that I would never see you again. I couldn't imagine life without you, or anyone else." Dom smiled.
"Be neither," he said.
"I'll go get you some food and tea if you like. Also, your friends have been waiting for you to wake up. I just came in here about thirty minutes ago, after Tobe. You can see them if you're feeling up to it." Kel pushed back the covers.
"I feel fine and fit thank you very much," she replied. Dom chuckled.
"Oh excuse me lady knight, what was I thinking? You not able to handle something?" Kel laughed too. When they stopped Dom said "I'll send for your food and get everyone."
As he left Kel saw something on her leg. She examined it more thoroughly and discovered it was a splint.
"I broke my foot?" she said aloud.
"Yes, my dear cousin fixed it up but you should leave the splint on a little longer," Dom replied as he walked out the door.
Kel took a deep breath as she waited for her friends. A long adventure had come to its end. Now she could relax at the palace some more, just wait for the next one to come her way.
Not a ten seconds later did Tobe walk in.
"Lady, you're alright!" he cried, giving her a hug. "I was getting worried you wouldn't come," he said.
"What! Leave you in that wretched place? Never," Kel replied.
"It was scary," Tobe went on. "Them evil people had your family cleaning hallways with me. The place still never looked good, even if it was clean." Kel giggled.
"You're laughing like a girl," Tobe said in astonishment.
"Yes I am. That's because I am a girl," Kel replied, laughing some more. Tobe smiled.
"I'm glad we're back," he said.
"Me too," said Kel, nodding her head.
"I'll go now, almost everybody wants to talk to you and they're afraid they'll overwhelm you if they all come in a once," he said, getting off the bed. Kel nodded a goodbye.
There was a soft creek as the door opened. The visitor was Razz. Razz hadn't seen her at all that day.
"Hello Kel!" she cried, bounding over to Kel's bedside. "Glad to see your better!"
"I'm glad to see your alright too," Kel replied. Razz smiled and hugged Kel tightly.
"Oh Kel, I knew you could do it! I knew you would triumph! You saved us all! You are a true hero and a true friend," Razz said. Kel hugged her back and they stayed like that for a moment. Then Razz pulled away. "You are my hero Kel, not just because you defeated Saria but because you taught me to believe in myself. You were kind to me from the first day I met you and you never treated me like a servant or like a child." Kel saw tears in the corners of Razziel's eyes. "You never stopped believing in me and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you." Kel hadn't realized till that moment that she was crying as well. Razz wiped away her tears and bowed to Kel. Kel smiled.
"Thank you." They were silent for a moment.
"I'll see you later," Razz said, quickly running out the door.
Next to come in was Neal. He smiled as soon as he saw her. "The famous Keldary of Mindelan, Lady Knight, saves the world from an all powerful mage after facing dangers traps and escapes with nothing but a broken foot and ankle. If all knights were as good as you we wouldn't have to train new lads, just keep the same fifty or so for ten years." Kel laughed at his joke.
"You forgot something," Kel said.
"What is that?" Neal asked.
"I had help all along the way." Neal grinned.
"Which means I mean to say ' The famous Keldary of Mindelan, Lady Knight, most modest person on the planet, saves the world'-,"
"Oh very funny," Kel replied, although she was laughing herself.
Just then a servant with a food tray entered the room. "You must eat and drink, healer's orders," Neal said, handing her a mug of tea. A bowl of stew was set on her bedside table.
"I'm starving," she replied. "Also, I can handle more then one person in here at a time, I'm feeling perfect." Neal grinned.
"As you say," he replied. With that he went to open the door.
Kel spent the rest of the day talking to her friends. Owen practically suffocated her with his hug. All of her friends wanted to thank Kel and see if she was ok. They commented on her courage and thanked her for coming.
"We would have fought to Kel! If we had had any weapon we would have sliced him into!" Owen had said.
"I knew you would come," Lalasa had said quietly.
Even Lady Alanna-the real Lady Alanna-was there. She had been trapped in Saria's blue orb, which Kel had identified as the Orb of the Gods.
"Couldn't have done it better myself," Lady Alanna had said. The King had also visited Kel. He was going to hold a banquet in honor of her! She would see her family then. "It's the least we can do. You saved all our lives," the King replied. So Kel and all her friends began to get ready for the banquet. Kel would not attend in the dirty, smelly, blood stained cloths she had worn for the past few days. Before she changed she went down to visit her horse, bringing him some apples as a special treat. She even rode him a while, feeling the wind run through her hair and warm her face.
That night Dom escorted Kel down to a special dinning area where the King and Queen could dine with their children. It was quite a beautiful room with a glass chandelier handing above the very long oak table. Everything was polished and shiny but Dom said not to worry about having to act proper. They were using the room so they wouldn't be bothered by all the pages and squires in the main dinning hall.
Kel was most pleased to see were her parents, brothers, and sisters. It had been so long since she'd seen any of them. Her mother seemed older. She had wrinkles beginning to develop on her face, plus her whit hair made her look older then she really was but she still looked as beautiful as ever. Her short father also looked a bit older but his warm smile hadn't changed a bit. Her brothers and sisters all wore a look of pride on their faces. Even her brother Conal seemed pleased. Conal and her had never been too close. Once he had dangled her out the tower window, causing her fear of heights.
"Kel dear it's so good to see you!" her mother said, as the two shared a hug.
"It's great to see you too, all of you!" she replied happily.
"This is the first time I've seen you and you haven't grown an inch taller," her mother replied. Kel smiled sheepishly. "I am so proud of you," her mother continued.
"Thank you Mama," Kel replied. It felt so good to have her mother's praise and to see her mothers face, knowing she was safe. "I've missed you so much!" Kel said, leaning over to hug her father.
The conversation continued with more hugs and more praise. Kel was just happy to be with her family, she hadn't seen them in such a long time and the thought of losing them made her want to cry.
Everyone else was there as well. The king, the queen, all of her friends she had rescued, Razz, and the real Lady Alanna took their places around the table. Everyone was dressed simply, even the royal family. It was one of the most fantastic dinners Kel had ever had. Kel tasted the spicy pork and the juicy fruits and vegetables, savoring their splendor.
"I'm the laughing stock of the realm. Saved by a knight half my age," Lord Raoul said. Everyone was happily making jokes and stuffing their faces. Kel thought it was too good to be true but everything was as it should be. There was laughter, life, and color. Saria's voice never whispered in Kel's ear and things didn't disappear.
When everyone had stuffed themselves to the brig King Jonathan sat up and cleared his throat.
"I have an announcement," he declared. "Kel your famous tale of saving the world had passed through the entire realm. Everyone knows you are the cause they are free today. Hundreds of people are journeying from across the world to come and see you. I will have to through a ball of some sort so that you might meet these people." Kel sighed.
That would not be fun. The king saw this.
"I know you probably have much better things to do but these people will brake down the walls if I do not let them in. So we must have a ball or two. It will be soon but you will have time to rest a few more days before it happens. Of course everyone else here is invited as well."
"Yes your highness," they all replied.
"The price of fame," Dom muttered, nudging her with his elbow.
As the night ended Dom walked Kel back to her room.
"That was quite a feast," he said rubbing his stomach. Kel smiled.
"I'm glad it's all over," Kel replied.
"What, the feast? I must admit the corn was a bit waterlogged but-,"
"Not the feast," Kel said, punching his shoulder playfully. "I mean the journey, the battle. I'm glad to be done with it all. I'm perfectly happy right here."
"I'm glad we're back to," Dom replied. "Kel, I know you've probably heard this to much today but you were amazing back at that castle. You risked your life to save everybody. King Jonathan should give you an award or at least a new set of armor." Kel leaned against Dom's shoulder.
"Thank you," she replied.
They walked in silence the rest of the way, holding on to each other. When they reached Kel's door Dom was about to bid goodnight but Kel stopped him.
"Dom?" she asked, not wanted to let go of his arm.
"What?" he asked, turning back around to face her. Kel leaned up and kissed him. It was not a gentle brush of the lips it was a real kiss. It was the kind of kiss Kel had experienced with her first love. Dom kissed her back. Then Kel pulled away, opening her door. She still held Dom's arm.
"Come in," she said. "Quick." Dom and Kel quickly stepped into the dark room, locking the door behind her. She held him close and they kissed again. Dom ran his fingers through her hair.
"Kel are you-?"
"Yes," Kel replied, taking a charm on a string from the table and draping in across her neck. "I love you Dom," she said. The words felt like sweet honey in her mouth. She had wanted to say them so long.
"I love you too Kel," Dom replied, and they kissed once more.
Razziel's P.O.V
Razz happily walked down the hall, Tobe at her side.
"I haven't ever felt this full," Tobe said.
"Me neither," Razz replied. Soon they reached Kel's room.
"I'll see you tomorrow, tell Kel I said 'hi'," Razz began to walk off.
"Wait a minute," Tobe called.
"What?" Razz asked, coming back.
"The door's locked," Tobe said. "Kel never locks her door." Razz tried to turn the knob of the door. It was locked. She pressed her ear against the wood and Tobe waited. "What do you hear?" he whispered.
Razz's face seemed confused for a moment then suddenly she began to smile. Then she covered her mouth so she wouldn't giggle.
"What?" Tobe asked again.
"Come on," Razz said, pulling Tobe's arm.
"Why?" he asked.
"Your sleeping where all the other servants sleep tonight," Razz replied.
"Why?" Tobe asked again.
"Kel is busy right now and she needs to have some privacy," Razz said.
"What do you mean?" Tobe questioned.
"I mean what I say," Razz replied simply. "Now I'm sure if you go to the servant's wing they will get you a pallet to sleep on tonight."
"But I've never slept in there before," Tobe complained.
"You'll be fine," Razz said. Tobe gulped.
"If it really worries you, I'll get a pallet too," Razz offered. Tobe frowned.
"I'm not worried," he replied crossly. Razz rolled her eyes. She would get a pallet anyway, she knew Tobe was worried about sleeping with strangers.
When the two were settled down in their pallets the lights went off. Razz had made sure hers was close to Tobe's. She could tell he was asleep already. Everyone in the room was asleep but her. She could hear them breathing evenly. Razz tried to go to sleep but she couldn't. The thought of going to a ball or even two flashed through her mind. She hadn't been to a ball in quite a while. She also thought of Kel. She would never tell anyone what Kel was doing at that very moment. Just the thought of it made Razz giggle. She heard Tobe stir in his sleep so she stuffed her hand into her mouth to stop herself. Then Razz drifted to sleep with the happy thought of meeting her own prince charming one day.