A/N: So, this is ALMOST the end, but not quite. The story is beginning to wrap up. Stay tuned for the very dramatic ending! READ AND REVIEW!

We'll try to update as soon as possible... though this fic has taken us four years already...

Kel padded silently through the trees, careful not to make a sound. She looked back to see the men of her riding party seated around a fire at the center of their camp, contentedly relaxing after a long day of riding. Kel had grabbed only the essentials; her weapons and a short supply of food. She was determined to reach Daine and Kaddar before they were in danger. She had made a commitment to protect them and she would see it through.

Dom scanned the campsite. Someone's missing, he thought. Quietly, without announcing his exit, he got up and surveyed the perimeter. He headed north, guessing that Kel would have followed the direction leading to Daine and Kaddar. He glanced back, noting with satisfaction that the men around the fire were consumed in conversation and hadn't noticed his sudden absence.

Kel was beginning to despair, finding no sign of the missing Emperor and Wildmage. Kel stopped a moment, and looked around. She took a step back and stepped into an indent in the damp soil. She crouched down, and rejoiced at finding a hoofprint. She suddenly felt a sharp pain in her side and heard a loud "oomph!" and something thudded on the ground next to her. Startled, she quickly stood up, unsheathed her sword, and aimed it at the interloper.

"If this is how you treat your friends, I wouldn't want to be one of your enemies," Dom said cheekily, rubbing his side gingerly.

"Dom! What are you doing here?" Kel asked, lowering her weapon.

"I came to rescue you, fair maiden," Dom replied, smiling and bowing. Kel glared at him. "I see we're not in the mood for joking," Dom continued.

"Dom," Kel said tiredly, "go back to the camp."

Dom's face grew serious, and he gazed at Kel intently, causing her to fidget with the handle of her sword. "Kel, don't you think, as two mature adults, we should be able to talk about this?"

Kel looked down at her shoes. "This? What do you mean?"

Dom took a step closer to her. She could feel the warmth emanating from his body and could clearly smell the scent of pine. "Us."

Kel looked up, and cursed herself inwardly. His blue eyes held her gaze, but she forced herself to say, "I don't know what you mean."

"You can't deny that there's been tension between us for a long time. I've always cared for you, and I'm starting to think–"

Kel couldn't believe this was really happening. "Dom, you deserve a proper lady," she said, trying to convince him as well as herself. "I'm a knight, I have a duty to the Realm. We can't..." she trailed off.

To her surprise, Dom smiled. "Kel, to me, you put the 'lady' in lady knight." Despite herself, Kel giggled, but was cut off as Dom leaned in, cupping her cheek with his hand, and kissed her sweetly.

A moment later, Kel pulled away, smiling. "I do believe we still have a quarry on our hands. We'll talk about this later," she said jokingly.

Dom grinned at her. "Lead the way, Mother."