Consequences

Disclaimer - All the characters, etc. belong to Tammy.

Hours later, Kel smiled to herself sleepily, feeling quite contented. Of course, her feelings had nothing to do with her dream earlier that night. Although she doubted that that sort of thing was that pleasurable in reality, but it had still been a nice dream. Opening her eyes, she saw Joren's face looking at her. Remembering her dream, she looked away, hiding a blush. As she turned away she realized that neither she nor Joren were wearing anything. Shocked, she looked back at Joren. "What…why aren't you wearing anything?"

Joren smiled mockingly and kissed her. "You've forgotten already? Maybe I should remind you." He kissed her again, pulling her to him.

"No… we didn't." Surely it had been a dream. It wasn't real.

"But we did, Kel," he murmured, kissing her neck, "and I wouldn't mind repeating the experiment."

"No, we can't."

"Why not?" Kel desperately tried to find a reason.

"I, uh…" A thought struck her and she froze. "I don't have a pregnancy charm," she whispered, genuinely afraid.

Joren froze. "You didn't tell me that before," he said slowly.

"I didn't realize. I…" Kel faltered. "I thought it was a dream."

"A dream." Joren's voice was incredulous. "Tell me, do you have many such dreams?"

Kel blushed. "No. I must have been half asleep and…"

"Kel!" Neal cut off her explanations. "I'm back!"

"As if we hadn't guessed." Joren muttered as he stood. "Hurry up and get us out." He started to dress.

Kel rose and dressed. "The rubble above the door is being cleared. They'll open it in a minute." It was only then Kel realized that Neal's voice was coming from above them. Impulsively, and rather stupidly, she thought afterwards, she kissed Joren. She stepped away just as the trapdoor was opened and light poured through.

Joren was lost in thought as, first Kel, then he was pulled up out of the tunnel. How could he have bedded the Lump, of all people? Then to find she was a virgin, too late, as well as being fool enough to forget to check if she had a pregnancy charm. Not to mention that this morning, she had claimed she thought it was a dream. Had it been that forgettable or was it the truth? He suspected it was the truth, which then led him to wonder if she would have slept with him if she had been awake. After all, she had refused him this morning, although that was because of the charm. Suddenly it hit him that Kel might fall pregnant. What would they do if that happened? Thinking over it, he realised he did not know what to do if that happened.

The next few weeks passed rather uneventfully, as the Own and the pages helped rebuild the parts of Cavall ruined by the earthquake. Joren seemed to keep his distance from her, saying hello occasionally and kissing her only twice. Most of their work had been completed and as winter was about to set in, the pages headed back to Corus. After lunch on the first day of travelling, Kel felt a little ill. Dismounting, she found a bush and vomited, feeling even worse afterwards.

Neal came up behind her. "Are you alright?" he asked, concerned.

"Yes, I'm fine." But for the rest of the day, she threw up everything she ate.

Even Lord Wyldon had noticed. "Why don't you go see Duke Baird? I don't want the other pages getting ill too."

Taking her leave, she went to find Duke Baird, telling him what had been happening to her all day. Duke Baird frowned. "That is rather odd, Kel. It could be some sort of sickness, but nobody else is similarly ill, and my Gift says you are in perfect health."

Kel nodded. "Then what is wrong with me, Your Grace?"

"If I may, Kel?" Kel nodded and the Duke inspected her more closely with his Gift. He frowned. "It isn't really my place to discuss such matters Kel, but, have you had a physical relationship with anyone?"

Kel looked at him. "Just once. I'm not…" Kel faltered, hoping it wasn't true.

"Pregnant? I'm afraid so Kel." She nodded dumbly, ashamed to meet the Duke's eyes. "You will have to tell Lord Wyldon and whoever the father is."

"I won't be a knight." Kel fought to appear calm.

"I'm afraid not. Lord Wyldon won't let you stay once he finds out."

Kel nodded. "I have to tell the others too."

"It would help if your friends knew. They'll help you get through this. Especially Neal."

She smiled weakly. "Neal will kill me."

"It will be alright," said Duke Baird, putting his hand on her shoulder. "I know it's hard and it will change your life dramatically, but a child can also bring a lot of joy."

Rising, Kel smoothed her tunic. "Thank you, Your Grace. If I may ask, may I tell my Lord Wyldon after I reach Corus?"

"Of course. I will check on you in a few days, just to make sure you are fine. But I will not tell anyone about it. Not even Neal."

"Thank you, Your Grace." Bowing, she left the healer's tent. She waited until she reached her own tent before collapsing on the bedroll, crying.

Kel meditated by the lake. She had avoided Joren for the last few days, not knowing how to tell him. He'll kill me, she thought, remembering his look of horror as he had realized the possibility that morning. Lost in thought, she didn't hear the person behind her. Too late, she heard the footsteps and turned, to face Joren. "What are you doing here?"

"I haven't seen you in a while." He sat next to her and put his arm around her. 'I was hoping to renew our acquaintance." He kissed her.

Kel froze. She couldn't do this yet, but she had to tell him. "Joren."

"What?" he asked impatiently. "You've been avoiding me the last few days and now you're being all…Lump-ish, again. Why?"

Kel blinked. She hadn't thought he'd noticed. "You remember what happened in the tunnels?"

"Yes, I do. But maybe you can remind me," Joren replied with a smirk.

Sighing, Kel told him, "I'm pregnant."

Joren recoiled and gasped at her in shock. "Are you sure?"

"Duke Baird told me the day we left Cavall and confirmed it yesterday," Kel replied.

"So that's why you've been avoiding me." Kel nodded. Joren put his arms around her and drew her close. "It's okay. We can get married and…have you told Lord Wyldon yet?"

"No I haven't told Lord Wyldon yet. I'm waiting until after we get back to Corus. And we can't get married."

"Why not? I'm not going to have a bastard child, Kel. I have some honour, and I would hope you had at least that much self-respect," Joren growled, slightly annoyed.

"Nobody will believe it and I don't want to be trapped in a loveless marriage."

"We can put on an act for everyone else. At least we're friends so if we went a few steps further…and think of the child, Kel. Marrying you wasn't exactly part of my plans either." Kel grimaced. She didn't like the idea of lying to her friends. "Come on, we're probably being missed." Standing, he helped Kel up and they went back to their tents, Kel feeling even more confused than before.

A/N - Thank you for reviewing and special thanks to Rosie eisoR and Tuathail for betaing, I'm still looking for a beta, so email me or tell me in your review if you want to beta. Please review. I like reviews.