"Mithros bless them, these people did an amazing job," Merric said as they sat down in Kel's office for their morning meeting. "I feel like I barely did anything."

Neal grinned. "We're going to be obsolete soon, Sir Merric."

Merric scoffed. "Please, Sir Nealan, you're already obsolete."

Neal glared at his friend but said nothing. Kel, on the other hand, barely heard a word either of them said. This being the first major attack since that fateful afternoon in October, Kel couldn't help but think about Cleon. She missed him desperately. She shook the thoughts out of her head and got on with her meeting, but afterward, she took out Hoshi and made her way down to the graveyard. She realized that she had come down with nothing to give, and she was ashamed. She picked some wildflowers from near the graveyard and placed them over the slight bulge in the ground where she knew Cleon lay. There was a crude gravestone over his head. It was small, and not very well made, but it was there. It said his name. That was it. But it was enough.

A message had been sent to his parents a few days after his death. Kel knew her duty, she had to write it, she had to offer her condolences, tell them that he had been a good knight, that he had died honourably. It had been one of the hardest things she had ever done, writing this when she didn't believe any of it anyway. Then a letter had come from his family asking for his body back. Kel had been forced to refuse. He was already buried.

And now, now Kel was standing over that place where he was buried, wondering how it was possible that she had been the one to bury him. But she had. She had buried him. She had mourned him. She had now come to visit his grave, not five months after his death. And now, standing over his grave, she wanted to be held by Dom.

Tired and confused and angry with herself, Kel left the graveyard and rode back to the camp. When she got there, Raoul, his men, and Daine were gone.

"I saw you leave," Dom said, taking her aside when she came around to check his squad's work an hour or so later. "how was it?"

Kel sighed. "I think it was okay." She said. "It's been five months, Dom. I miss him, I really do."

"But…"

Kel shook her head. "I feel almost… I don't know. I feel almost glad. Oh god, that sounds so horrible!"

Dom shushed her and took her hands. "Maybe you've just figured it out that you need to get on with your life."

"Or maybe I've just figured out that this is really where I belong."

-----

New Hope was deep into spring now. It was April, and spring planting was almost over. Kel was busy taking as many reports as possible to send back to Corus. When reviewed, these reports would tell her whether or not she and her friends could go back home again. She and Eurgain were writing rapidly in Kel's office one beautiful spring day when there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Kel said.

"Excuse me, Lady Kel," Perrin said quietly.

Kel looked up. "Good morning, Perrin. What can I do for you?"

"You're planning on closing the camp, aren't you."

Kel frowned. "What gave you that idea?"

"You're writing lots of reports. You want to go home."

Kel smiled. "Everyone wants to go home, Perrin. And you're right, I am writing reports."

Perrin looked up at her with terrified eyes. "What's going to happen to me?"

Kel sighed. "Please, sit down, Perrin. I don't know what is going to happen to you, honestly. I haven't the clearance yet to let you go on your way, though I believe you were telling the truth when you told me you were going there to look for work."

"I was!" Perrin protested, but Kel held up her hand.

"New Hope will not close. Many people here have no home, no family to go back to. The camp will stay open for any who wish to live here. The people who wish to rebuild their old lives and old homes will be allowed. I am putting in a request that you join us in Corus, where you will be safe if your uncle does rally these forces you spoke of. My feeling is that now that Maggur knows this camp is here, he would prefer to go around it than through it. Thus, I believe that the people here are safe."

"So why do you think it isn't safe for me here?"

Kel smiled. "I'm glad you figured it out. Your uncle has certainly noticed that you are gone, and he probably knows where you went. It is likely that he will attempt to come to you. If you are here, you can't be protected, and you will put the refugees in danger. Maggur wouldn't dare try to walk into Corus and take you back. And if he tries to get there, we can easily stop him. Corus is very far away. Does that answer your question?"

Perrin nodded. "Thank you, Lady Kel." She said. She bowed and left.

"She is more important than the gods are leading us to believe." Kel said, staring at the door. "I can feel it."

Eurgain sighed and closed her book. They were both tired and ready to go home. The winter hadn't been too hard, but it was still long enough to dampen their spirits about the coming year. Eurgain didn't know it, but Kel could tell that everything would turn out well for her after the war. "I'm sure she is. Your feelings usually tend to turn out all right."

Kel smiled. She certainly hoped that Eurgain was right.

The reports went in at the end of the week. Kel crossed her fingers. She wanted to go home. She needed a break more than even she knew. So when, at the end of May, they received a message from Corus, Kel called her commanders into her office for an emergency meeting.

"We've been here at New Hope for a long time now," she said. "We've all been through a lot. We all want to go home." She looked around at her audience. They were all sitting at the edge of their seats, wondering what she was going to say. They wanted to go home as much as she did. "And we will all be home for Midwinter."

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, it's short, but it's not too short. A nice, reasonable length, I think.

Atlanta Enchanted: Thank you! I'm glad you like it!

Wake-Robin: yes, short and sweet. It's a good think.

Caremel: I'm glad you liked it. I've been working on adding more detail into those things, so I'm glad they're working.

Me Me MeE: now you're just being silly. First of all, I've never read your story. As far as I can tell, you haven't even written one. I'd really appreciate it if you didn't swear at me, please. If you don't like my story, please tell me. I like to know if I need to improve. But there is no reason to be nasty. Man, I could just keep going for hours, but I'll leave you with the smidge of pride you left behind when you went to the effort to swear at me, falsely accuse me of 'stealing' your story, and write your entire 'review' in alternating capitals and lower case letters. Just go and find a quiet corner and think about your actions next time before you go and act like an idiot, because when you don't, it's certainly not me who looks pathetic.

Dancer4eva: That's a good point. On the other hand, it's much more helpful when it allows an author to improve on that specific story, rather than finding out afterwards everything he or she has done wrong. Does that make sense? Now, I don't quite understand what you mean about 'putting Cleon back into the tragedy that he caused.' Do you mean, include him in the story more? Because that's what I assumed you meant, and I hope I am fulfilling it well for you! And I will definitely take a look at your story, if I haven't already.

FanFictionFantom: I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Absolutely hilarious movie, I completely recommend it, especially if you are a fan of Hamlet. There are way more jokes like that. Wow, I feel like a movie salesman.

Seyyada: true. I always rate a bit higher than I have to, though, just in case. It's not like anyone really pays any attention to them, is it?

The Crazy Pineapple Lady: interesting name. And I totally agree with you: why do you think I killed him off?

Nativewildmage: Ah, cliffhangers. What would we do without them? I am a great fan of them. No one is going to want to read your story again if you don't give them something to look forward to.

Mage Light: That's cool. I had to do that, seeing as it's been two months since I've even looked at this story. Whatever, it's a good way to spend a few hours!

"I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar." "What does that mean, anyway?"

If you do not understand this quote, go and see Serenity RIGHT NOW. Then you will understand this quote, and you will have seen an absolutely spectacular movie. I recommend it to anyone and everyone. More shameless advertising. But I can't help it. That was one of the best movies I have ever seen, ever. Please notice the repeated use of the word 'ever.' That's how good it is.

Now I'll shut up and post this silly story!

-unolimbo