Redemption

Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns all of PotS. Everything you recognize is hers; everything you don't recognize is mine.

A/N: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. I know your comments are making a difference in my writing. Anyway, here's some more plot and character development stuff. I hope you like it!

One March Sunday, Kel climbed the curtain wall. She wasn't sure how long she had been sketching the ground between the palace's Least Gate and Corus when she realized she had company. Joren was draped on a merlon beside her, very much at his ease.

"I thought you were afraid of heights," he remarked when she looked at him.

Kel let no hint of her uncertainty, confusion, and irritation with him show through her Yamani facade. "I am," she replied at last, and went back to her mapping.

"You don't look it."

-- Tamora Pierce, Squire

On the Curtain Wall

"Oof! Phew! Oof! Aagh! Oof! Phew! Oof! Aagh!"

Kel woke up to the sounds of Joren's grunting and panting. She was quite disappointed to discover that Joren wasn't wrapped around her when she awoke. Despite her mother's warnings, Kel had hoped that this morning would be a repeat of the previous morning. She slept in Joren's bed again, but he was adamant that they get their rest. And since both of them were still so tired, they fell asleep in each other's arms and slept all the way through until morning again. Kel sat up in the bed and watched Joren, who was on the floor, doing what looked like the exercises she normally did every morning - almost, but not quite right.

"What are you doing?" Kel asked. "You're going to hurt yourself if you keep doing it that way."

"I'm exercising." Joren replied through his gritted teeth. "Just like you do. I learned these moves from you when the Chamber forced me to 'visit' you." Then he continued curling up his body from the floor and trying to reach his toes. "There was no way was I going to give in to you this morning or any other morning - or night. I can wait until you love me, Kel. That's something else the Chamber forced me to learn. I can wait a long, long time."

"I don't think so." Kel said as she observed Joren do a few more repetitions of the unfamiliar exercise and shook her head. "That's not like any of the exercises I do." "I'd better get up and show you how to do them the right way."

"What do you mean?" Joren slowed his pace. "I had to endure morning after morning of you doing this exercise. It was torture then and it's torture now." "Don't try to tell me what I experienced - I know what it felt like."

Kel threw back the covers and got out of bed. She did a few warm-up stretches and when she felt limber enough, she sat down next to the bed. Then she positioned her feet so that her toes were held in place by the wooden slats of the bed frame, and began to do a series of abdominal crunch sit-ups. She was able to keep a good pace and barely broke a sweat. When Kel had completed fifty or so quick repetitions, she rested for a moment and then began a new set of alternating crossover crunches.

Joren stopped what he was doing and watched Kel. Now that he saw her method, he realized that what he had been doing all this time was completely inefficient in comparison. Joren sat down next to Kel and copied exactly what she was doing. He couldn't believe the difference a little support made. When Kel switched to push-ups, Joren copied those, too. Kel went through her entire series of exercises - minus the glaive work - with Joren shadowing her every move. When she finished, Joren just looked at her strangely.

"Kel, that was ... amazing! No wonder you're so ... so ... fit!" Joren's voice revealed his admiration. "I thought I did the exercises right, but my 'visits' must not have shown me the complete picture. "Mithros! I knew you were strong, Kel, but now I see the reason why. You're not even breathing hard!"

"I still have to do my pattern dances, but you should know that the Shang warriors do far more than what we just did." Kel replied, looking around for some water to quench her thirst. "I learned those moves from Eda Bell a long time ago." "That's right - while you boys were sleeping in, I was working my behind off."

Joren noticed Kel looking around and guessed that she wanted some water. He knew that's what he wanted, too. When he opened the door to call for a servant, he saw something that made him chuckle. Aron had placed a tray of fruit and rolls and a pitcher of water outside of Joren's bedroom door before he went back to Fort Stonebridge. The healer/knight left them a note saying he figured it might slip their minds to bring up a tray when they went to bed, so this was his parting gift to them. His note also reminded Kel to eat slowly, and not to hurry back to the fort. Joren was still smiling when he brought the tray into the room and watched Kel's face light up with surprise and gratitude. Then he suggested that she skip her glaive work because they had so much to do to get ready for the day. Today, they were going to the palace.

News of Kel and Joren's elopement swept through the palace like wildfire. The King's Council was having its summer session, so a lot of very important people were in town, including Alanna the Lioness and Kel's boss, General Vanget. The palace also was full of other nobles and their ladies who had arrived in Corus for the following week's midsummer festival. There was a large stack of messages waiting for Kel and Joren when they had returned from their dinner with Kel's parents the previous night. Most of them were notes of congratulations from friends and well-wishers, but a few of them - from Raoul, Neal, and Faleron - were urgent pleas for Kel to come to the palace and explain what was going on. Joren and Kel decided that it would be best if they just went to the palace and let people see them together. Almost everyone they wanted or needed to talk to was there anyway.

Joren and Kel slipped in through the Least Gate of the palace during the time of the midday meal. The newlywed couple had planned their arrival to coincide with the part of the day when the fewest number of people would be out and about. They immediately stabled their horses and were relieved to discover that both Stefan and Tobe were having their lunch at the servants' hall. When Joren saw the stairs that led up to the walkway of the curtain wall, he grabbed Kel's hand and quickly led her up to the more private space so that they could catch their breath and figure out where to go next. He guessed that she still didn't like heights, so they sat down on a stone bench that hid the view from them.

"I feel like we're sneaking in after curfew," Kel giggled. "Hoping that Lord Wyldon won't catch us and give us detention." "If I had ever done that, he probably would have thrown me out."

Joren looked at her quizzically. "Did you ever do that? Sneak back in after curfew?" "I know I did that quite a bit. But you? Was this back when Cleon was courting you?"

"Gods, no! But I know plenty of pages who did." Kel replied. "I got more than enough detention for committing other ... infractions." "Such as brawling with you."

Joren watched Kel's face turned thoughtful. She stood up, walked over to the wall and looked out at the view. Living in the mountains had changed Kel's perspective on being up in high places. Joren watched her move and he thought of that song he heard at the inn about there being no one to 'protect the Protector.' He stood up and wrapped his arms around her from behind where she was standing. Kel closed her eyes and leaned back into Joren's embrace. This was becoming his favorite way to hold Kel - he felt that he was protecting her and giving her someplace to rest.

Joren spoke softly into Kel's ear. "You know, there was a day ... back when you were still a page. I followed you here ... to this very same place. You were making yourself look over the wall to conquer your fear of heights and you were sketching or something." "I could hold you like this forever."

"I remember," Kel interrupted, still enjoying being wrapped in Joren's comfortable, safe hug. "I remember you told me I didn't have to become a knight. You said I should marry someone like Cleon or Lord Raoul and raise young giants." "And I hoped you would get your head out of your behind."

"I almost ... I really wanted to ... to kiss you that day." Joren confessed, his low voice sending thrills up and down Kel's spine. "There you were, all alone ... with me. I fought with myself over it because ... I hated the part of me that wanted ... wanted to know what you tasted like and ... and how your lips would feel against mine. You always had smiles for your friends, but for me ... there was only your Yamani Lump face." "We were ... still enemies then."

Kel didn't say anything. She just let her memories of that strange episode swirl around in her head and wondered what would have happened if Joren had acted on his impulses back then. Would she have fought him? Or would she have kissed him back? Would that have changed the course of their vengeful history? Would Joren have left Lalasa alone? Kel knew there were no answers to her questions. The past was the past. Joren had become a different person - he loved her now. There was no point in dwelling on their violent experiences together. She realized that she just wanted to let go of all the bad memories of Joren and make new, happy ones with him.

Kel stayed in Joren's embrace and looked out at the horizon. They stood there on the curtain wall for a long time, letting the strong breeze cool them, until suddenly Kel got the urge to turn around and kiss Joren. She acted on her impulse this time and kissed him gently on his lips. He was somewhat taken by surprise, but he kissed her back and soon their kissing became deeper and more passionate. Kel was glad that Joren was holding her because her knees felt very wobbly at that moment. Joren was elated that Kel had initiated such a kiss. The rest of their thoughts were chased away by the heat and desire that threatened to push them beyond their kissing.

"Ahem!" The couple jumped apart as someone close by cleared his voice.

"Neal!" Kel exclaimed and her old friend strolled closer to them. "Oh gods! Here we go! Please be your charming self, Joren."

"So ... it's really true," Neal drawled and gazed at the shiny bands on their ring fingers. "You two are ... married. Congratulations to you ... Lord Joren. Kel, may the gods all bless and keep you. I wish you both all the happiness in the world." And he bowed toward them.

"Thank you," Joren just nodded politely. Neal was being rather stiff, but Joren was not expecting a warm welcome from any of Kel's friends. He just hoped to make it out of the palace alive at the end of the day.

"How did you know where to find us?" asked Kel. "We were trying to be ... discreet." "If you've found us, then the others can't be far behind you."

"If you wanted to be discreet, then you should not have been standing in a place where everyone can see you," Neal gestured for them to look down over the wall. "Tobe spotted you from the stables and ran to get me. I couldn't believe it, but here you are - on a high ledge ... with your ... your new husband. Will wonders never cease?"

Kel and Joren peered over the wall and saw a small crowd of people standing there - looking up at them. Kel gave them a tiny smile and a tiny wave of her hand and them went back to the stone bench to sit down. Her face was bright pink. Joren sat down next to her and held her hand. Kel looked up as Neal began to speak to them.

"I'm trying to be polite here," Neal began, "Especially because Yuki will skin me alive if she finds out I was rude, but I have to admit that this is ... very shocking. A lot of people are in shock over this. How ... why ... what happened?"

Joren did not move, but he squeezed Kel's hand a bit tighter and smoothly said, "Queenscove, I was in shock myself when I fell in love with Kel. I'm sure you must have experienced some level of shock when you fell in love with your wife. Love can be shocking - that's part of the fun of it." And then he lifted Kel's hand up to his lips and lovingly kissed it. "Alright, I guess I'll just have to be a bit of a Player and really show off my love for you today, Kel. People only believe what they can see."

Neal's voice became hard and cold. "What's shocking, Lord Joren is that it took you so long to do it, but you finally achieved your goal of ruining Kel's career."

"Neal! Getting married won't ruin my career!" Kel protested. "Sir Alanna is married and she's always been the King's Champion. And General Vanget ..."

Neal interrupted Kel. "General Vanget is meeting with the council right now to determine who will replace you as the commander of Fort Stonebridge!"

Kel was dumbfounded. She let go of Joren's hand and stood up. Her fists were in tight balls and the color drained from her face as she looked Neal in the eyes.

"What are you talking about, Neal?" Kel's voice was quiet, but filled with anger. "This had better not be some kind of joke, because it's not funny at all."

Neal replied coldly. "Ask your husband about his ancestor's incident with the king's mines at Stonebridge."

Now Joren's face went pale and he stood up next to Kel. Neal was referring to a mostly forgotten time when his great-great-great-grandfather, Lord Kieran of Stone Mountain decided that the Stonebridge mines should belong to Stone Mountain, as they had in ancient times. There was a bit of a skirmish, but the king's troops repelled Lord Kieran's soldiers and the realm retained control of the mines. Stone Mountain was punished with heavy fines for the next fifty years and the fief was no longer allowed to have more than a small number of men-at-arms. That's why they depended on Stonebridge's regular army garrison of soldiers for protection for their caravans. The mountain folk didn't care to dwell on that part of their past and people rarely mentioned the incident because everyone thought Lord Kieran had been a little crazy anyway. Joren hung his head and pinched the bridge of his nose while Kel waited for him to speak.

Joren turned to Kel and began to explain, "Kel ... Neal is referring to ...there was a time when ..." "Mithros! Now my family's past is coming back to haunt me and it's going to hurt you. I'm so sorry, Kel."

"Don't ... don't bother telling me. I remember now." Kel stopped Joren with her stony voice. "I know the history of the fort. I read everything I could get my hands on before I took command of Stonebridge. Neal, if you are referring to Lord Kieran's attempted - and unsuccessful - takeover, that's practically ancient history. Why would that matter today?"

"Bad blood, Kel. Joren's father was not well-liked and he made a number of enemies on the council." Neal voice softened as he started to explain. "Even if Joren became the most generous and kind lord of the realm, some men will never trust him. Some of these same men have raised a fuss about the wife of the Lord of Stone Mountain commanding the fort at the long-ago contested silver mines. Time does not erase what is written on the scrolls of history. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you that ... that they're going to ask you to ... step down. It's not fair to you, but you're going to have to relinquish your command, Kel."

Kel's eyes were now filled with tears she was fighting to hold back. She sat back down on the bench and her face went blank. Kel's voice was barely a whisper, "But I would never ... I've served the king with honor ... this is ..." "Goddess help me! Neal is right ... they won't trust me now that I'm married to you, Joren."

"This is wrong!" Joren stepped closer to Neal. "Kel is the epitome of a loyal and trustworthy knight. We both know that she has done nothing wrong." "This is very bad! I'm so sorry, Kel!"

"Yes, well, your elopement so soon after the discovery of new silver veins in the mines has caused some suspicion." Neal looked at Joren through narrowed eyes and continued, "A takeover doesn't have to involve violence. A well-placed marriage might prove quite convenient to the House of Stone Mountain."

"This is completely ridiculous! I swear by Mithros- I did not marry Kel in order to take over the mines!" Joren could barely control his rage over Neal's insinuations about his motives for marrying Kel. "I don't care about the mines! I make more money than the realm does with my family's trade in stone."

Neal fired back, "Alright, Joren, why did you marry Kel?"

"I love Kel!" Joren exclaimed. "I love her with all my heart! She's going to have my -" Joren stopped himself before the word got out of his mouth, but Neal was too perceptive and his eyes widened with surprise. "No! This just keeps getting worse and worse! Now Neal's going to know. I'm so very sorry, Kel!

Neal's head whipped around and he asked her the dreaded question, "Kel, are you ... are you pregnant?"

They all heard a gasp and turned their heads toward the top of the stairway. Lord Raoul had been waiting for his chance to interrupt the discussion. The council had made their decision and had sent him to find the new Lord and Lady of Stone Mountain. Alanna received permission to speak privately with Kel before she had to report to the Council, so Raoul promised to bring the couple to her as soon as possible. Kel made eye contact with her former knight master and she knew that he had heard everything. Raoul knew. Then Kel dropped her head into her hands on her lap and began to cry.

A/N: Comedy! Fluff! Drama! What more could you ask for? Let me know. Thanks! ;D