Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places
Sorry for the long wait!
"Repeat that"
"I'd like to hand in my resignation"
"Repeat that"
"I'd like to hand in my resignation"
"Repeat that"
"Umm...I'd like to hand in my resignation" repeated Dom, unsure that his superior was in his right state of mind.
"I heard that" said Lord Raoul.
"Well... you did ask him to repeat himself several times" said Kel.
Raoul glared at her. "Why?" he asked.
That is when Kel put her hand on his arm. Dom smiled at the sight of the ring on her finger. Raoul wondering why his sergeant, or ex-to-become-sergeant, was smiling glanced down at his arm. That is when he was it. On his ex-squire's ring finger. He looked from Kel to Dom and raised an eyebrow. "When?"
"Well we haven't really gotten that far yet" said Dom. "I proposed yesterday"
"Midsummer" said Kel.
"What? We haven't decided on anything" said Dom.
"Well, Yuki, Shinko, Alanna, Buri, Daine, Lalasaa and the Queen are somewhat taking care of the wedding... sort of" said Kel looking sheepish.
"What do you mean?" asked Dom confused.
"Well, they are organizing it. They already decided on midsummer, the color will be blue, it'll be in a clearing, we'll put bluebells everywhere and lots of other stuff. " said Kel.
"Midsummer it is" said Dom.
While they were arguing they hadn't noticed that Raoul had left. "Where is he?" she asked. Dom shrugged. "Want to go grab lunch?" he asked.
"Sure" she said as they set off in the mess hall direction.
Raoul had left his study, shaking his head at the antics of his sergeant and ex-squire. They were perfect for each other there was no doubt. He remembered Cleon, Kel's first courtship. He hadn't liked the boy, but had let it go because Kel liked him. However he had nothing at all against Dom. Dom was the perfect match for her. She needed him to keep her laughing and keep her from being too serious.
But he couldn't lose Dom. Commanders were rare. Dom was a good one. He couldn't let him go because he had proposed to the woman he loved.
So he was on his way to see Jon when he crossed with Alanna, Yuki, Shinko, Daine, Thayet and Buri. Bending down in half he kissed his wife quickly on the cheek. "What are you guys doing?" he asked.
"Planning Kel's wedding" answered Thayet.
He shook his head "I was informed you guys have it planned down to the bluebells" he said.
They laughed "Well they do go well with Dom's eyes!" said Daine.
"Where were you going?" asked his lovely wife.
"Too see Jon"
"What for?" asked Thayet.
"I'm extremely happy that Kel is marrying the men she loves, however Dom is very valuable to the King's Own, even the best sergeant we have. When Captain Whiteford retires, he will be the captain of the Third Company, well, maybe not now. He can't stay in the Own if he marries. But we will lose a very good and dedicated sergeant. So I'm going to petition to the king. For a change in the law, or, I don't know an exception. However this is not a first. I've lost good men to marriage before. It makes me so sad when those rare good commander leave."
"Wait" said Thayet "We'll come too"
They set off to the King's study. They all walked in as Jon raised his head to greet them. "What is it?" he asked, very well aware there was something on their mind.
"We want you to change a law" said Alanna bluntly.
"What law?" he asked exasperated.
"The one that says men in the King's Own can't marry" said Daine.
"You guys know very well the conservative would murder me" he said carefully.
"The change we are proposing is not very farfetched and it has good argument behind it" said Thayet. "We want you to say that commanding positions, such as capitain and sergeant can marry, not the whole lots of them" she said.
"Why?" he asked.
"The real reason or the one that is politically correct?" asked Raoul.
"Let's start with the politically correct" said Jon.
"I'm losing so many men to marriage. Most of them have spent a long time in the Own and want to start a family. The more senior they get, the more likely they are to leave. I can't have a green warrior as a sergeant; most sergeants are the men who have been in the Own for over 10 years. Those are the valuable men. We need to keep them in the Own. Which mean we should let them marry. And maybe also let anyone who has served for more than 10 years marry too. They know what they are getting into and they won't get distracted by a wife" said Lord Raoul.
"And the real reason?"
"Dom just proposed to Kel" said Shinko.
"Let me think this through" he said to them.
They all left with a good feeling about his decision.
Kel went to go sit with Dom's squad, Neal and Merric, while Dom got them food. "Where is your food?" asked Merric.
"Wait for it. Wait for it. And there" she said has Dom walked over with two trays, one which he set in front of her as he sat on the seat in front of her.
"Why don't you get US food?" asked Wolset.
Neal was grinning at Kel and Dom, happy to be in the secret before anyone else.
"Do you sleep with him?" asked Neal.
'Well we warned him off, didn't we?" asked Fulcher.
"He disobeyed" whispered Kel in a stage whisper.
Everyone was now glaring at Dom. "What?" he asked innocently "I proved to meathead that I wasn't playing with the Lady Knights heart"
They all turned to Neal. "Well..." he said "he's in it for real"
"I find that hard to believe" said Wolset. "What did he say?"
Kel raised her hand and displayed the ring. Merric was the first to catch on. "You guys are getting married?" he asked.
Dom and Kel nodded.
"Mithros! I wasn't expecting that!" said Wolset "For real sergeant?"
"For real" he replied while glancing lovingly at Kel.
"What about us?" said Lofren.
"I talked to Lord Raoul today... to hand in my resignation" he said sadly.
"We'll miss you" said one of his men "You were the best sergeant. Now I'm dreading having Wolset of Fulcher as a sergeant"
"We aren't that bad!" said Wolset. "But anyways, congrats Lady Kel, you broke him into a leash! I didn't think it was possible!"
Everyone laughed at that. Then they were swarmed by well wisher.
After everyone had quiet down Neal asked. "Where is Yuki?"
"Planning our wedding, most likely" said Dom.
"What?" asked Neal.
"Your wife, Shinko, Alanna, Buri and Daine and the Queen are planning our wedding" said Dom.
"Don't forget Lalasaa" said Kel quietly.
"Why?" asked Neal.
"Do I know how the female mind works, Meathead? No. I just go along with it! And personally, I find it easier to let a bunch of lovely ladies plan the wedding" said Dom.
"Who is your best men?" asked Neal.
"I don't know!" he replied "I'm torn between Wolset and Fulcher"
Dom ducked as a piece of bread came flying toward his head. "You know you'll be my best man! Why did you even ask?"
"Just making sure" said Neal.
A few days later found Kel wearing a revealing, puffy, huge, red dress. She liked the dress fine, except for the revealing cleavage and the puffyness. "Shinko stop worrying everything will be fine" she said.
The princess was pacing the room, having pre-marital nerves. "What if he changes his mind and doesn't like me anymore?"
"He won't! He's madly in love with you" said Yuki, the maid of honour.
"What if..." started Shinko again.
"Your highness, do not worry" said Lady Hamane, Shinko's other bridesmaid.
"But..." she started again.
"It's normal to have jitters, I was so worried Neal would regret his decision, but look where we are now, completely in love with little Kely. Do you love him?" said Yuki
"Of course I love him"
"Then everything will be fine" said Kel. Just as she said that Lady Hamane took Faleron's, one of the groomsmen, arm to walk down the aisle. Then, Kel took Neal's arm to walk down the aisle. Neal was a groomsmen. He was upset that Yuki was the maid of honour and had to walk down with Cleon, who was Roald's best man. The aisle was amazingly long. So many people had come to watch the union of the two royals, and inevitably the two nations.
Of course Neal made the most of the walk by commenting on the people and their dresses. When they spotted Alanne, the baron, Raoul and Buri they almost laughed outright. Alanna had been forced to wear a big purple dress that clearly emphasised her eyes. She was also glowering at the dress; and had decided to wear her sword, despite the fact that it looked ridiculous.
The baron was trying to soothe the Lioness. While Buri was wearing a deep russet coloured dress. She looked as bored as Raoul, in the Goldenlake cream and green. They both hated social event.
Daine was also not happy about being forced to wear a pink dress. Then they looked up to find the monarch. Of course they looked radiant. Thayet, often called the peerless, was stunning in a midnight blue ball gown. Standing next to the Queen, Kel felt slightly uglier. The King also looked good in a blue tunic with gold trimming, but once again his smile was lost on her. She was still bitter about her probationary year.
Then Neal and Kel turned to watch Yuki and Cleon walk down the aisle together. Kel clearly saw the adoration on Neal's face. She looked at Yuki. Of course the red dress looked lovely on Yuki. Kel was wondering if she was the only one who managed to look like a cow in a dress, and decided that she was. Of course she was the only lady with large blacksmith shoulders and arms. The plump Yamani Lady was beautiful. She had only eyes for Neal.
That is when she searched the crowd for a special someone. She found him immediately. The King's Own was all in their uniform 'guarding' the wedding. One hundred men were positioned around the chapel. Dom was to one side looking beautiful in his uniform. He winked at her. She tried to wave without anyone noticing.
The ceremony was beautiful. Shinko and Roald were married and they all went to the banquet held in their honour. She was introduced with Neal, with him making squealing and squeaking sound because he was separated from his Yamani blossom.
"Shut up, Meathead!" she whispered to him.
"Yuki is going to be sitting on the other side of the table, and I'll be sitting between Lady Hamane and you! I won't be able to talk to my blossom!" he said exasperated.
"Hush! I'm going to be sitting across the hall from Dom, who will be standing guard, and I'll have to listen to you sigh about Yuki the whole night!" she informed him "and you pinning is just plain bad!"
"You wound me with your words!" said Neal.
"I can wound you more in the practice court, and by the way you owe me a joust!" she informed him.
"Since when?" he asked.
"When you told Dom to not sleep in my room" she said.
"The note clearly said you were not allowed to challenge me to a joust!" he said.
"This is not a challenge, it is practice" she said.
"Same difference!" he said.
Yuki, smart woman that she was, manipulated the seating arrangement so that she could sit beside her husband. Of course that left Kel, on the outside, with no one to talk to. Groaning at the two lovebirds beside her she raised her head when the King approached the dais.
"Mithros and Goddess, we ask for a beautiful marriage between my son and his bride, we seek happiness and love for them"
'So mote it be" answered back his audience. He then glanced at the queen who nodded a fragment before saying:
"I'd also like to take this opportunity to announce a betrothal." Kel knew deep down, whose betrothal they were announcing groaned again. She glanced at the people assembled and saw he sister as well as her sisters-in-law, her grandmother and all the matchmaking mothers.
"Congratulation to Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan and Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle of the King's Own on their recent engagement" said the King.
She saw her grandmothers eyes grow wide, along with Dom's mother. Then both family matriarch turned to one another and began planning.
Her sisters-in-law and all their lady friends were shocked and kept giving her glares. After all, she, the cow, had managed to snatch the handsomest men at court.
Then someone sat in the seat beside hers. She turned her head to see Dom. She raised an eyebrow in question. "My Lord Raoul saw me pinning for your beautiful self and bade me to your side"
"Pinning it is?"
"He couldn't pay attention to anything but you" said the guard behind her, who turned out to be Wolset.
"So Raoul said I could join the festivities." finished Dom.
Suddenly the whole ordeal of the banquet seemed better. She had Dom, her fiancée, to keep her company.
He kept her laughing all through the meal and dessert. He held her hand reassuringly when she made her speech to Shinko and Roald. He kept reminding the page not to give her alcohol. He kept making fun of the sour faced Buri and the even sourer faced Raoul. All in all, it was actually fun.
Then came the dancing. Shinko and Roald were amazing together. She was then led to the dance floor by Neal, because he was her escort. He had decided it was time to remind Kel of his poetic side.
"By one arch of your brow
Would I come to your side
How your hair flow
Is lovely has you ride!
So what do you think of this one?"
"Lovely! She'll love it!" all the while wishing he would shut up.
"Have you ever written a poem about Dom?" he asked her.
"No" she replied curtly.
"Has he ever written a poem about you?"
"Well, if he has, he has been nice enough not to torture my ears with it" she told him.
"My poems are not torture!" He yelped. Just nod and smile she thought to herself.
"Then I shall compose a poem to Dom, for you!" he said. She actually groaned at that.
"The ocean cannot compare
To the cerulean depth of your eyes
Knowing it is love we share
Knowing you would not lie
My hearts belong to you
Because I simply love you
Oh, Dom!" said Neal. Kel was laughing at it antics.
"Meathead! I did not know you liked me this way! But unfortunately for you I do not share that sentiment! I am engaged to another" said Dom, himself.
Neal turned an alarming shade of red. "I was simply composing poems for dear Keladry here, so she could impress you with rhymes!"
Kel, who was now laughing hysterically "I knew it!" she said between breaths "You did not want me to marry Dom! For surely he would leave me if I told him those awful lines!"
"Fear not, beautiful Keladry, I would not leave you, merely question your sanity!" said Dom.
"What?" asked Neal "You question my sanity?"
"No" replied Dom.
Neal let a sigh of relief. "Good" he said.
"I do not question it. I KNOW you are not sane" finished Dom.
"I am misunderstood" yelled Neal. Just then Yuki walked over. "You like my poetry, right my love?"
Yuki looked from the hysterical Kel, to the indignant Neal, to the glint in Dom's eyes and replied diplomatically "It is fairly good, but there is a little bit of room for improvement"
"Finally" said Neal "Someone who appreciate my genius" he then swept his wife unto the dance floor and started to twirl her around. Dom then bowed to Kel, offering her his arm. She gently took it as he led her to dance. Pressed close to his chest she marvelled at how lucky she was. She had loving friends, a wonderful family, and most importantly the man she loved, loved her back.
When they took a break from dancing Lady Drisma and Lady Dominique approached them.
"Uh-Oh" she whispered. He glanced at his mother and wrapped an arm protectively around Kel. They bowed to their matriarch.
"So" said Lady Drisma "When is the wedding?"
"We agreed on midsummer, my lady" said Dom.
"Midsummer?" said Lady Dominique "Why not sooner?"
"Because I wanted a summer wedding" said Kel. She actually didn't mind, but she wasn't going to be pushed around by some old lady.
Lady Dominique pursed her lips. "Fine midsummer" she said.
"It should be a yellow wedding" said Lady Drisma.
"We already agreed on blue" said Kel.
"Why?" said the Lady of Mindelan
"Because Kel loves that colour" said Dom. It was true that Kel had an obsession with blue. He didn't really know why. Her favourite Yamani waving cat was the blue one. She often wore a blue shirt and she was often seen wearing a blue ribbon or hair elastic.
"But yellow would be better!" said Lady Dominique "There would be lovely daisies!"
"No!" said Kel. She liked the idea of blue. "Blue. We will use bluebells for the flowers"
"Why blue?" said Lady Drisma "Yellow is more customary for summer wedding, or gold. Gold would be lovely, don't you think Lady Dominique?"
"Gold would be perfect!" said Lady Dominique "Gold it is!"
"No!" said Kel "Blue! It will be better"
"Why do you want blue so much my dear?" asked Lady Dominique. "Dom tells me you love that colour"
She looked into Dom's eyes "For his eyes" she whispered quietly.
Dom looked at her shocked. Her favourite colour was blue because his eyes were blue? He smiled at her.
"Fine!" said Lady Drisma "Blue!"
"Now you young people better not foil our other plans!" said Lady Dominique.
"Mother" said Dom slowly "The major decision have been made already, it'll be in a clearing outside, the groomsmen are Wolset, Merric and Tobe. The bridesmaids are Shinko, Uline and Adalia. The maid of Honour is Yuki and the best man is Neal. It's going to be around four in the afternoon, then the reception will be in the clearing as well, under a tent. The dresses and outfits have already been ordered by Lalasaa, we are all going for a fitting tomorrow, and tomorrow also we will touch up the guest list"
"But..." said Lady Dominique.
"It's our wedding, mother, let us do it like we want to" said Dom. With that he took hold of Kel's elbow and towed her away.
"Gold would be better" said Lady Drisma.
"Well, that is true, but at least, they will be married"
"How did you manage that?"
"Seriously, he was fine without this!"
"Why did you have to make him give up his bachelorhood?"
Dom had to go see Lord Raoul about something and had left her with Merric. Merric had been pinning for Neal's sister, his fiancée, and she had decided to let him go to his love instead of escorting her. As soon as she was alone they had descended on her. All the single court ladies and even some not single ones.
"You look like a cow!" said Lady Doanna.
'Ladies!" said Lady Uline "Let her breath! Just because you didn't manage to snatch him Lady Doanna doesn't mean you have to be mean to her"
"You don't understand!" said Lady Doanna
"I think we do!" said Adalia, coming to Kel's rescue with Lady Uline. "You refused numerous offers in the hope to snatch sergeant Domitan"
"He is just misguided as to propose to a whore!" she said with venom.
"I'm happy for you!" said Lady Uline "and thank you for choosing me as a bridesmaid!" Kel smiled at the older woman.
"You are a whore!" said Lady Doanna "You have slept with all the page and squires in your time! But of course it wasn't enough for you, you actually to brainwash a most noble men into marrying you! You are so disgusting! You are a whore"
Kel felt arms wrap around her waist. "I'd like it if you would not refer to my fiancée as a whore."
Kel looked up into his blue eyes and shrugged. She had heard it all before.
"Sergeant!" said Lady Doanna "You are misguided! She had most likely slept with so many men she can't even count them"
"Like yourself?" asked Lady Uline.
"No!" yelled Lady Doanna "I have saved myself for the sergeant" she said smiling flirtily to Dom.
"Well, this is not any of your business and I would like it if you left my fiancée alone. I love Kel and there is nothing you can do that can keep me away from her" he informed Lady Doanna.
"But Dom, I have refused so many offer of marriage and lovers for you!"
'Well then, I suggest you accept one of them" he said. "Now if you ladies excuse me I'd like to dance with my beautiful lady knight"
With that he swept Kel away, again.
After the newlywed left the room amid good natured jokes, Kel and Dom retired.
"That was eventful!" said Kel.
"But now everyone knows we will marry!" said Dom excited "And I'm so happy to get Lady Doanna of my back!"
"What do you mean?" asked Kel.
"Every ball, banquet, social gathering or the such she would attach herself to me and compliment me to no end! It was rather annoying. She would bat her eyelashes at me and think herself attractive!"
"What like this?" asked Kel, trying to imitate the way court ladies batted their eyelashes.
Dom just laughed "Let's just say you need a bit of practice in batting your eyelashes!" he said.
She laughed "Well, I am no court lady!" she told him.
"True" he said as he drop to the bed. He settled himself and petted the place next to him. She settled there. "Are you happy about the engagement and everything?" he asked.
She looked at him and said "Yes, I've never been happier"
"Then it's all worth it" He said.
She rested her head on his chest. "I can't wait for it! Midsummer seems so far away!"
He chuckled as she drifted to sleep. Kissing the top of her head he whispered "I love you more than anything"
Tobe and Dom stood in the temple of Mithros. Around them was their family and friends. Sparrows and Jump were also in attendance. Kel was actually beaming proudly, her Yamani mask forgotten.
"Tobeis of Mindelan, Domitan of Masbolle wishes to adopt you. Do you agree to let Domitan be your father and share parental statu with your mother Keladry of Mindelan"
"Yes" whispered the boy.
"Domitan of Masbolle, Tobeis of Mindelan will have you for a father, do you swear to always hold him has your child and to love him like a son and care for him always?"
"Yes" said Dom looking at Tobe.
The priest then lightly cut Dom's arm and then Tobe and pressed their bleeding wrist together. "You are now father and son" said the priest.
Dom and Tobe hugged. Then Kel ran into the circle and wrapped her arms around her lover and her son. She had tears in her eyes. "Mom, you're crying!"
"I'm so happy Tobe! This is the best midwinter gift I could have asked for!" she said. "I love you Tobe, you are my son, my pride and Dom is the man I love and I will marry you! I'm so happy the two of you are close too! It means the world to me!"
Dom and Tobe hugged her. "We love you!" they told her. So far this was the best midwinter holiday she had ever had. On the first day, two of her good friend had gotten married, on the second Dom had become Tobe's father, she didn't what else the holiday held for her, but she was looking forward to it.
Sorry about the long wait. Long story short I didn't have wireless so i wrote this a while ago but couldn't post it. Then i felt bad for Black-Kat-585 so i went and bought a memory stick so I could post. But anyways this is 2 chapters and i hope you liked them! Please give me feedback! Love you all!