Chapter 10 - Wedding

Disclaimer - Tortall and it's characters are the property of Tamora Pierce.

"My lady, welcome back," Lalasa looked up from her sewing to smile at Kel. "You must be tired. Should I run you a bath?"

Kel smiled gratefully. "That would be good. Thank you." As she lay in the tub, she wondered how it was that Lalasa always knew exactly what she needed.

Getting dressed, she found Lalasa sitting by the fire, tending a small pot. "I thought you might like some tea," said Lalasa, offering her a small cup. Accepting the cup, she asked Lalasa about her dressmaking, and in turn, Lalasa asked Kel about the earthquake.

After some time the pair lapsed into a comfortable silence and Kel felt Lalasa's eyes studying her. But as Kel's eyes met Lalasa's, the maid averted her eyes, pretending to be interested in her cup of tea. Slightly confused, Kel took a sip from her own cup, and felt Lalasa's eyes upon her again. "Is something wrong?"

Lalasa blushed. "No, my lady." Her eyes flickered over Kel. "Well, yes," she began tentatively, "but I know I'm wrong, and besides, it isn't any of my business."

"There is no such thing as a silly question. What did you want to ask?"

"My lady, umm…" she faltered. "Are you pregnant?" Lalasa blurted. Kel froze in shock. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, I know it was a silly question," Lalasa, babbled, misunderstanding Kel's reaction.

"No, no, it's not a silly question," Kel said slowly. "But how did you guess?"

"Well, you have gained a little bit of weight. Your shirt isn't sitting quite right, and you have a bit of a glow, like you do after your morning exercises. But I know that doesn't mean you are pregnant. I didn't mean to upset you. I don't know why I asked, seeing as how, you don't even have a suitor."

Kel looked at Lalasa quizzically. "But I am pregnant."

"You are?" Lalasa gaped in shock. "Whose child is it?"

"One of the squires. I don't think you have met him." Any further discussion was cut short by a knock on the door.

Joren knocked on the door impatiently. Kel let him in, but stopped him from closing the door. "Lord Wyldon's rules," she reminded him. He gave a derisive snort, but left the door open.

"I wanted to talk to you," he nodded at her maid. "Alone"

The maid began to rise, but Kel motioned for her to sit down. "Whatever you have to say to me can be told to Lalasa," she said directly.

"She's a maid. Gods know who she'll go running to with such gossip."

"Lalasa has my trust. Lalasa, this is Joren of Stone Mountain, the father of my child." Joren gaped at her.

"The one who bullied the pages?" Lalasa blurted, ducking and blushing when she felt Joren's glare upon her.

Kel grimaced. "Yes."

"How could you tell a common maid such things? But I should have known, you being a jumped up merchant…" he remembered that he was trying to get along with the Lump. "Besides, I wasn't bullying them, it was merely hazing, which is a long-held tradition amongst the pages." Kel's face was blank. "I came to tell you that I have organised everything. The wedding will be in two days' time, two bells after dinner. All you have to do is arrive at the temple. Don't be late."

"I'll be there," Kel said stiffly.

Joren considered her for a moment, then forced an apologetic smile on his face. "I didn't mean to insult you before." Yet, even he heard the hollow ring of insincerity in his words. He had merely taken his frustrations out on her, but he felt neither satisfaction nor remorse for his words. Moving closer to her, he gave her a swift kiss and left.

Lalasa moved to close the door. "You're going to marry him, my lady?"

"Yes. It's what's best for the child. Lord Wyldon won't let me stay once I tell him, so I don't know how often I'll be in Corus. If you like, you could come with me to Stone Mountain, " Kel said carefully, avoiding mention of Joren.

Her maid smiled. "If that is what you wish, my lady. Now if you don't mind, we should start on your dress."

"My dress?" Kel looked at her in confusion.

"Your wedding dress."

"But you have all those other dresses – "

"Don't worry about that, my lady. But it will have to be simple because there is so little time left," she straightened. "Now I want to check your measurements again," Lalasa said firmly. Kel did as her maid bid, the reality of what she was about to do settling in. Fear and uncertainty rose in her, but she pushed it away firmly, resolving to enjoy these last few days as a page with her friends.

A couple of days later, Kel was wearing her wedding gown, which was a simple white dress, perfectly fitted to her. It was nothing stunning, but Kel admired herself in the mirror, deciding that she did look pretty, before donning a brown cloak to hide the dress. They had decided, at Kel's insistence, to wait until after the wedding to tell everyone. She knew it was just another delaying tactic, but she didn't care. Walking down the hallway as she left for the temple, Kel worried about her friend's reactions. Absorbed in her thoughts, she didn't hear the footsteps behind her and her world suddenly went black.

Joren waited impatiently at the temple of Mithros. Kel was supposed to have arrived over half an hour ago. Giving up, he left the temple, furious that Kel had left him waiting at the altar.

A/N - I know it has been a while since I updated, Hopefully the next update won't take too long. Thanks to Tuathail for betaing and to all those who reviewed. Please review, I like to hear your thoughts and I can see what I'm doing wrong/right in the fic as well.