Sorry it took me so long to post this chapter. I'm really lazy, it's not like it wasn't already written. But I have also been quite busy.

I've been thinking about it. Sorry for thinking this is a crap story I wrote ages ago but never finished. I acually don't think that. What I mean to say was that if I wrote it now, it would be very different. And, I only have about 3 more pre-written chapters left so that means I can start writting again I guess.

I just want to give special thanks to Blue Velvet, red rose of love, HappeeGoLuckee and Dances With Waves for reviewing chapter 4.

And extra special thanks to TheGirlScholar. You're the the reason I acually got round to posting this chapter. So thanks.

Wind eased itself through the overhanging trees. Kel shivered slightly. She was sure they were going to be attacked any minute. Merric had insisted that all the soldiers would stay behind to avoid their people being taken again. Although they had numerous animals with them, Kel wasn't sure she liked the idea of travelling all the way to Steadfast with only Merric. Who was to say they would be able to defend themselves if they were attacked?

"Almost there, don't worry." Merric seemed to sense that she was anxious. "So, um, we'll be seeing Dom again."

Kel looked sharply at him. "I know that!" she inwardly fumed.

"Sorry," he looked away, "I just want you to know that I'm here for you, Kel."

Kel relaxed slightly. Merric was a good person. She knew he wanted more then a friendship with her but right now she wasn't sure she was ready. It would take something pretty drastic to get her to think about Merric like that. She still loved Dom. "Ahhhh," she thought, "Did I just think I loved Dom?" She couldn't possibly after all. How could she love someone she'd never been with? Someone who didn't love her….

"There it is." Merric was pointing at the fort towering above them as she rode out of the trees.

OoOoOoOo

Merric walked aimlessly around Steadfast. Lord Wyldon wanted to talk to Kel first and would see him first thing tomorrow. Letting his feet do the walking, he let his mind drift to Kel. She was wonderful. He loved the way she just cared about everyone, no matter who they were. He loved her determination, her strength of will, her, well, everything about her was just wonderful to him.

Looking up, he found he was in the stables. Perching on the rails was Dom and a beautiful woman he didn't know. Dom was gently kissing her. Wish I could do that to Kel…

"Merric!" Dom had spotted him. "How are you? I would like to introduce you to my fiancée, Naraki."

"Fiancée?" So this must be the one whom Kel desperately hates. "A pleasure to meet you," he said, kissing her hand. "Good to see you again, Sergeant Domitan."

"And you too, Sir Merric," he replied. "Where's Kel?"

"She's with the Stump, why?" Merric looked suspiciously at Dom.

"Have to tell her the great news."

Dom was positively beaming at his wife-to-be. She was a catch, Merric had to admit, but Kel wasn't going to be happy that Dom was now engaged. That cut her chance off with him completely. "And opens doors for me…" he thought happily.

Kel had finished reporting to Wyldon and was now in the process of getting changed for the evening meal. Suddenly there was a knock at her door.

"Come on." She had finished dressing and was running a comb through her hair.

Merric came in. "There's something you need to know before you see Dom."

"Do I have to know?" She wasn't sure she wanted to hear anything right now.

"Yes, Kel, Dom's gone and got engaged to Naraki."

"What?" she breathed.

Merric gently pulled her into a hug. She pushed him away.

"How do you know?" She turned to look out of the window, hiding her tears.

"Kel, shhhh." He pulled her back. "It's ok to cry."

"Not crying," she mumbled into his tunic.

"I saw him in the stables. Dom introduced me to her. I think you should go out there and try and act happy for him though. He was really excited. Dom seems to want your approval."

"Well I don't approve!" she snapped. "You must be happy though, right? Now that I have no choice but to get over him..."

"Kel, you know how I feel about you!" he said, pulling away. "But I'm not going to be second best, not your 'other' choice, the leftover. Right now I'm upset because I know you're hurt, and I'm happy to wait as long as need be for my feelings to be returned, if they ever are."

"You're such a good friend, Merric. Let's go down to dinner."

"Kel, Kel!" She looked around to see Neal rushing towards her.

"Neal." Her eyes filled with tears as he swept her up into a bear hug. "I've missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, Kel, but guess what?" he grinned. "Yuki's pregnant, Yuki's pregnant!" sang Neal as he did a little dance.

"What, already?" Kel laughed. "It's been four months since you got married!"

"I know and I get to go back to the castle and do work around there until she has it."

"That means we won't be seeing each other for a while I guess," she said sadly.

"That's true but if the war keeps dying down as it has, well sort of been, it won't be long before you, too, get to come back."

Kel could see he was so happy, and that made her happy. "I look forward to it."

Dom sat quietly next to Naraki, occasionally nodding his head to whatever it was she was saying. Kel had been acting weird. Every time he started towards her, she moved away. He had absolutely no idea as to what her problem was. "She must have heard by now that I'm engaged," he thought, "so why hasn't she congratulated me?" Deciding to find out, he excused himself and quickly walked over to her.

"Kel, hi." He tapped her on the shoulder.

Kel jumped. "D-Dom!" she stuttered. "Hello, how are you, I heard you got engaged, congratulations." She said this all rather fast.

"Thank you," he replied slowly. "So I haven't seen much of you tonight."

"Um yeah, well I've been catching up with everyone. Say, what about the King's Own? You can't be married and be in the King's Own."

Dom shrugged his shoulders, "We're not planning on getting married for a few years, so we'll see."

The doors of the hall banged open. Owen rushed over.

"Kel, good to see you," he said, giving her a quick hug. "Wyldon wants you and Merric, Neal and Dom in his rooms now, we have some bad news."

R&R :)

Until next time
CC