A/N: OK then. Well, this is the second last chapter I think, so let's just get straight into it. This chapter is longer than normal, so, yeah.
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.
Special Mention: A very special mention is awarded to my good friend Jeweled Rose for her aid in the writing of this chapter.
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Previously
Kel punched me in the arm. "So, do I know her?"
Frowning, I asked, "Who?"
"The woman you're taken with."
I shook my head. "What?"
"Neal, you wouldn't be asking for advice concerning your love life unless you had a lady on your mind."
"You see right through me, don't you?"
She smiled, slightly wickedly. "Always."
"Well, yes you do. Other than that, I'll tell you no more."
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My Greatest Fear
Chapter 9: In the Rose Garden
After my father's arrival, I was booted out of the infirmary so Kel could be re-examined and so I could finally change my shirt. Father said I could return after lunch.
Feeling slightly left out, I made my way up to my room where I found not only hot water awaiting my bath, but also Jump and some of Kel's sparrows.
Crouching, I scratched Jump around the ears and reassured all the animals as Kel would, explaining the circumstances. "Don't any of you worry. Kel's going to recover to perfect health. Sure, she was wounded pretty badly but she's already way up on healing time."
When the animals had accepted and fully understood my words, I picked up the water and took it into my washroom, carefully pouring it into the bath.
Turning to my mirror, I was shocked at the appearance of the man staring back at me. My face was pale, hollow-eyed and gaunt. My hair was in major disarray. The look in my eyes was that of an old man who'd seen it all and was tired. I seemed to have aged years in just half a day.
Rubbing my palms across the stubble that covered my jaw, I sighed. I wanted nothing more than to wash off the blood on my skin and get into bed. Still, I couldn't. Not only did I have to exchange news of Kel for news of Seaver, but I also had to eat. I hadn't eaten since lunch the day before and that seemed like an eternity ago.
Stripping off my clothes, I threw my barely scrunchable shirt into a corner and stepped into the warm water, sinking down until it reached my chin.
I watched as the water turned slightly pink from the blood on my skin. I sat unmoving until I lifted a hand and looked on as the water fell through my fingers.
I sat there for a long while, just thinking about everything that had happened in the last few days. I only woke up to myself when I noticed the water had reached that lukewarm stage that I hated.
I scrubbed hurriedly, the water turning more pink by the minute, and hopped out of the bath before it could cool any further.
I dried myself off and dressed in a dark green shirt with black breeches. Then, I shaved and impatiently finger combed my hair.
I left my rooms with Jump close on my heels, intending to find my friends. Instead, as I walked past a small library, they found me.
"Neal!" Merric called out and I turned to find them all waiting, with the exception of Seaver and Cleon.
I smiled. "I take it Seaver did alright then?"
"Yes, he did just fine, like you said he would," Faleron replied. "How's Kel?"
Everyone's face took on a worried expression.
"She's a lot better. Better than expected, considering she was wounded so badly. I got to speak to her this morning before Father arrived and sent me packing. I'm going to go back after lunch."
Everyone, myself included, breathed a sigh of relief at hearing this, then we began making our way down to the mess hall for breakfast.
"Soooooooo," I asked slowly, "where's Cleon?"
Esmond shrugged. "No idea. He made an appearance at the Chapel at dawn to see how Seaver fared then disappeared. He's not very happy with you Neal."
"Is he ever?" I scoffed.
"I don't understand," Owen said as we continued on our way. "Why doesn't Cleon like you Neal? Haven't you always been friends?"
"Cleon thinks he's in love with Kel," I responded shortly.
The looks on their faces told me I had just confirmed their suspicions.
"Is that bad?" Owen asked innocently.
"It is if Cleon's getting married, which, I might add, he is! Besides, even if he weren't betrothed, he's all wrong for her."
"Why Neal," Faleron laughed, "if I didn't know better, I'd say you were in love with Kel yourself!"
I blanched at this and was thankful I was leading the group down the corridors. As a result of this though, I didn't see the looks they exchanged when I said, "Don't be ridiculous."
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As hard as I tried not to rush through my lunch, it was gone in seconds. To make up for this, I walked extra slow on my way to the infirmary.
When I eventually got there, I sought out my father who gladly answered all the questions that had been running around my head since I'd been removed from my friend's presence that morning.
"She's been fine. Kel's made a great deal of progress with just a few minor touch ups from me. Her family came back this morning and then Third Company stopped by. She's slept since they left but she appears to be waking now. Why don't you take her out into the gardens? Some fresh air would work wonders, just don't overdo it."
I nodded and went to sit on the edge of Kel's bed as she fully woke.
She was sweet waking, like a child. Her mouth moved from side to side and her nose twitched. Her eyelids fluttered and she stretched her arms before finally opening her eyes. When she did, Kel blinked drowsily and smiled when she noticed me.
"Hello again," I said softly.
Kel's smile spread. "Hello Neal. Come to oversee the healing process?"
I grinned. "Of course but you can heal just as well outside as you can in this bed, perhaps even better. What do you think of a leisurely stroll through the rose gardens?"
"They're not in bloom!"
I shrugged. "So?"
Kel thought for a moment. "Does your father think it's alright?"
I took on an offended look. "Don't you trust my judgement?"
In reply, she gave me her don't-be-stupid-or-I'll-whack-you-one look.
I sighed. "You're no fun but yes, he's the one who suggested it, so don't fret."
"Well, I suppose it'll be alright then but you might have to help me get up."
"Right," I said, rising.
"Neal," she said, "could you pass me a clean shirt?"
I frowned in confusion. "What?"
She sighed and rolled her eyes slightly. "My shirt Neal. Mama brought in a clean one this morning. I can't wear my old one and I don't think people would appreciate me going around shirtless."
I blushed at the thought of Kel without a shirt, and turned to pick up the clean, pale blue garment that had been neatly placed over the back of a chair. The shirt she'd been wearing yesterday was nowhere in sight and had probably already been disposed of.
I passed Kel the shirt and watched in fascination as she hitched the blanket higher and donned the shirt under the sheets.
She laughed when she saw my expression. "What? Never seen a girl dress before?"
"No!" I said indignantly.
Kel giggled then turned serious. "I'm sorry Neal. I didn't mean that the way it sounded."
I smiled. "Don't worry about it. Come on now, or we'll still be here come supper."
I drew back the blankets that were heavier than they looked as Kel pushed herself up, supporting herself on her elbows.
Swinging herself around, Kel sat on the edge of her bed. Thankfully, the wound was high enough up that she could sit upright without any pain. Bending was another matter entirely.
"You'll have to do up my boot laces Neal."
"No problem. Anything for so fair a lady as yourself," I said.
Kel either didn't hear the serious tone of my voice or she ignored it.
When her laces were tied tightly, I stood and held out my hands to pull her up.
Once Kel was on her feet, I took her left hand and tucked it under my right elbow, as lovers normally did. With my eyes, I dared her to break away. She didn't. Instead, Kel rested her other hand on my arm and smiled sweetly.
Gods, I thought, does she have any idea what she does to me?
As we left the infirmary, I pondered. Today was the day I told Kel the truth about how I felt about her. I was finally going to admit it. I nodded firmly but Kel caught the action.
"What was that for?" she asked quietly as we walked down a flight of stairs.
"Why are you talking so quietly?"
"I don't know. You tell me."
I gave her a bewildered look and shook my head. "Are you sure that Stormwing didn't get your head too?"
She laughed. "Are you going to tell me why you nodded or not?"
"I just finally convinced myself to do something."
"Which is…?"
"None of your business!"
Kel scrunched up her nose. "Fine."
We left the palace and turned on to the path to the gardens in silence. It was then that something occurred to me.
"Kel, what are you going to do about the Ordeal?"
She looked up at me, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you're going into the Chamber tomorrow night but you're wounded."
"Oh that. Well, I have to go in. You know how the Chamber is. Lady Alanna explained it to me. You go in at your appointed time or not at all."
"What!"
"Well, you know, you go in a year late."
"Oh. So you'll do it?"
"Of course. Your father says I'll be fine with it."
"He's never been in the Chamber."
Kel sighed. "Neal, I'm doing so much better than expected. I'm feeling great, apart from the occasional twinge. I'm sure everything will be alright."
I looked away, not so sure. The Chamber was merciless. It wouldn't care if Kel had sustained a wound that could have proved fatal or not.
She must have noticed my worried silence because Kel's fingers tightened on my arm. "You shouldn't worry about me so much Neal. Don't you have any faith in me?"
I turned my head back to her sincere, hazel eyes. Pulling my mouth to one side I said, "I'm sorry Kel but you mean a great deal to me. Yesterday, I thought you'd died. I didn't know what to do. I have faith in you Kel, but losing isn't part of my list of things to do."
Kel smiled gently and was about to reply when she touched her stomach and winced.
"Kel? Are you alright? Maybe we should go back."
She shook her head. "No, I'm fine. I just need to sit."
"And you say you can go into the Chamber?" I asked as I seated her on a secluded stone bench in the gardens.
I sat beside her and clutched her hands.
"Drop it Neal. Nothing is going to stop me from entering the Chamber tomorrow night, not even you."
You'll just waste you breath arguing. Give it up. Now is the perfect time to tell her how you feel.
At the thought of this, my stomach flipped. Could I really do it?
"Neal?"
I shook my head. "Yes my dear?"
She bit the inside of her lower lip. "Ummm… well, the thing is… you know you're my best friend, don't you?"
Oh no, I thought, this is it. She's about to tell me she loves Dom or someone!
I swallowed hard. "Yes, of course. And you're mine."
"Well good because… uh…"
Kel fell silent and I frowned in confusion. I was trying to think of something worthwhile to say when she moved quite suddenly.
It took me a moment to realise the split second pressure I'd felt on my lips was a kiss.
When this was settled in my mind, I looked down at the top of Kel's head. She was staring fixedly at the ground and muttering to herself.
I leaned closer to hear her words.
"Stupid! So stupid! He must think I'm an idiot!"
"On the contrary my dear, I don't think you're anything of the sort."
Kel's head shot up and I just managed to get my head out of the way of hers.
"Oh Neal, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
"Kel, don't be sorry," I replied, shaking my head. "I love you."
Kel did a very cute double-take but remained silent, staring again at the ground.
"Do you love me, you know, in that way? Please say you do. You can't go getting my hopes up like that and then deny any feeling for me."
I knew I was babbling, so I shut my mouth.
"Neal… I don't know what to say."
I put my hand to her jaw, turning her head so she was looking at me. "Say you love me."
Kel's eyes darted from my face then back again so she could look me in the eyes.
"Oh Neal. I love you. I don't know how and I don't know why. All I know… is that I do."
The grin that split my face was so wide it hurt. I hugged her enthusiastically for a moment before remembering her stomach and letting her go.
"That's good enough for me. I'm so glad you kissed me. I might have been hopping around the truth for years. I probably would only have spoken up at your wedding."
Kel giggled and leaned into me. "In true Meathead fashion."
I laughed loudly and said, "Kel?"
"Yes?" she asked, looking up.
I looked her full in the face and suddenly had no words left.
I shook my head. "Nothing."
And I gathered her in my arms and thoroughly kissed her.
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A/N: YES! It finally happened. I know you're all in shock. You've all been like 'When's Neal going to tell her?" Mwhahahahaha! From the beginning, I had it planned that Kel would make the first move. I feel so deliciously evil!
So… hate it… or love it? A review would be a great way to let me know.
