Dislcaimer: I do not own any of the character or places.

Neal and Kel were to report back to Steadfast, within the week. When they come back, Neal had announced, his betrothed would come live with him. Then he gleefully announced that they were going to marry soon. All the important people where going to come to New Hope, such as Lord Raoul, Buri, Lady Alanna, Lord Wyldon and Owen. She was also informed that Lalasaa had already done the dresses and her maid of honour dress was done.

They took Jancut's squad to go to Steadfast. Surprisingly no raid was done on their party. Once they arrived at Steadfast, Neal jumped off his horse and ran towards his room where Yuki was waiting. She followed at a more seemly pace. She gave her report to Lord Raoul and Lord Wyldon. Everything was in order. She reported that they had lost 14 men so far. They decided to not give her more men for the moment but they probably would in a month or so.

Their stay was short. Kel was worrying the whole time. She had asked a few sparrow to come chirping right away if something happened and she hadn't seen them yet. However she still worried. "Stop worrying mother, they will be fine!" exclaimed Neal.

They finally headed back with Yuki, Lady Alanna and Raoul in tow. Lord Wyldon and Duke Baird were going to come in a week for the wedding. Kel hadn't realized it was so soon.

Kel entered the fort. Sever, Faleron and Esmond were standing on the wall. They watched in amazement has the refugee who did not want pity or help from nobles converge toward her. Giving her well wishes, asking her advice or help. When they had offered to help them they had refused. Kel picked up the little seer Irnai and carried her inside with Tobe trailing after her. The sparrow were chirping around her head and Jump was following her closely.

Suddenly the gloomy atmosphere that had surrounded the camp during the past week was lifted. Now everyone was smiling and laughing. They then realized what Kel meant to them.

"She's really something?" asked Faleron

"I didn't expect the people to love her so much" replied Esmond

"Remember when we were page?" asked an unexpected voice from beside them "at first you hated her, she did the stuff man were suppose to do, but after you gave her a chance you loved her. We all followed her, when she said something nice or praise to us, it meant almost as much as if the stump had praised you. Of course they love her. She risked her life, her shield, her dream for them. She risked having to repeat all four years for her maid. No wonder they adore her."

"You're right Neal, I just wasn't expecting it" said Seaver

"Well my dear fellow knights, it is time I introduce you to my Yamani Blossom, my delicate flower, my..." he was interrupted by a fan hitting his head. "Fine" he said with the dignity of a wounded lion "my betrothed, Lady Yukimi"

They bowed to her. "It is obvious he hasn't read poetry to you My Lady, or else you would not be marrying him" said Esmond with a grin.

Yuki snapped her shukusen open and hid her smile behind it "Come, my love, they do not enjoy my more complex mind" replied Neal dragging a laughing Yuki away.

Dom had also watched Kel arrive from the southern wall. She is so beautiful and so adored. He kept thinking. He watched her pick up Irnai, and felt yearning. He saw her smile with such tenderness and love to her refugee. He knew what people saw in her, they saw the strong leader, who would risk it all for her people, they saw the woman who would work day and night with them. How could anyone not love her?

She was also very beautiful. He wondered how he could've missed that at first. He shook his head those were nothing but fantasy. She would not return his feeling. He looked around into the eyes of Neal. He was speaking with his fellow knights and Lady Yuki. Neal gave him and inquiring look. Dom just shrugged. Then Neal dragged Yuki away.

This was a new development thought Neal. He had never imagined that his cousin would like Kel. But did Kel like him back? Well, he would find out.

The sound of the horn signalling a scaran attack sounded. Kel rushed outside. Tobe was preparing Peachblossom. She looked on. It was a fairly small raiding party. She took Dom's squad out. They were fighting in the mist of the enemy, swinging her glaive while ordering her men to not loose formation. When an arrow sliced through the air. It nearly hit Kel. She avoided it neatly. Then she heard Dom gasp. The arrow was firmly planted in his shoulder. Cursing to herself, Kel took her bow from her back and aimed at the men in the trees and shot him down. "Arrow, go fetch a new squad, Wolset stand cover over Dom, he's still breathing"

A few moments later Hevlor squad reached them. "Lofren take Dom to Neal now" yelled Kel. The bettle ranged on for a while. When it was over, Kel visited the infirmary. Dom was sleeping in a cot. She saw him shiver. She took the blanket at the base of his cot and tucked it around him. "He'll be fine" said Neal. "He'll be back to normal for my wedding. The arrow didn't hit anything vital."

Kel smiled up at him "Thanks Neal".

That night instead of going on the wall to her little niche she went to the infirmary and sat beside Dom. She fell asleep holding his hand her head on the side of his bed. Wolset found her there "Lady Kel" she woke up with a start.

"You are like a mother hen! But come it is close to midnight, you should sleep in a real bed"

"Thank you" she replied has she left for bed.

The next day Dom woke up and three days later he was completely fine.

Wolset took Dom aside on that third day "You know the night you were wounded?" he asked, when Dom nodded he continued "At midnight or so I found Lady Kel beside your bed asleep, holding your hand"

When Wolset saw the gleam in Dom's eye, he finally got confirmation of what he had been thinking. His sergeant was in love. But being Wolset he couldn't let it go without some teasing "Dom's in love with the Lady Knight. O beautiful Keladry, thy beauty..."

"Practice court. NOW!" yelled Dom.

Wolset left chuckling to himself.

Sorry this is a small chapter, and not that good I think :S

Thanks to soccachix101 for all the support :)

thanks for the review pestiset, and I try to catch everything but English is not my first langage... I'll try a little more now, If you catch something let me know and i'll fix it! thanks!