Redemption
Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns all of PotS. Everything you recognize is hers; everything you don't recognize is mine. The fabulous John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics to the song 'All You Need Is Love,' which they originally recorded with their group, The Beatles.
A/N: Okay, folks, this really is the last chapter of this adventure with Kel and Joren. It comes with yet another **Fluff Alert** so don't say I didn't warn you. I have enjoyed writing the story and I hope you enjoyed reading it. It's a super-long, epic epilogue - and yes, another 'song-fic' chapter, too! I just couln't resist this song, because it fits so well. Until next time ... Enjoy! ;D
Epilogue: All You Need Is Love
Love, love, love.
When Joren and Kel arrived back at Stone Mountain, the villagers and workers all came out to wave at them as they rode through Stonesedge and they welcomed their Lady to her new home. Aron had been correct; the mountain folk truly were ecstatic over the news of their Lord's elopement with the Lady Knight. Lady Virryn had turned the Midsummer's festival into a celebration of her son's marriage, so they took some time and strolled through the village's colorful booths and market stalls. Everywhere they went, the newlyweds were overwhelmed with the outpouring of goodwill from the people.
"Congratulations Lord Joren! Welcome Lady Keladry!" a man's voice boomed from out of one of the food stalls. Kel recognized the large man as one of the wagon drivers from the caravan.
Joren grinned and clasped arms with the burly, red-haired man, who bowed to him and Kel. After a short moment, the two men dropped all pretense of decorum and gave each other a big back-slapping hug and laughed at some private joke. This was yet another surprise; Kel had never seen Joren display such open affection for anyone, and certainly not for a commoner. After their hug, the man placed his big arm around the waist of a small, dark-haired woman and pulled her forward. The shyly smiling woman held out a woven basket of something that smelled delicious and Joren accepted it graciously.
"Master Keithan Carter, Mistress Lally, this is my new wife Lady Keladry, formerly of Mindelan. Keithan is one of our newest wagon masters and Lally makes the best fruit pasties I've ever tasted." Joren sounded genuinely pleased. "These are our people now, Kel, and I know they'll love you just as much as I do. Well, maybe not that much, but certainly enough."
"Pleased to meet you, m'lady," the couple bowed and curtsied toward Kel.
"It's good to see you again, Keithan. You look well." Joren said. "Are the hens laying lots of eggs, yet?" Both men laughed and Joren saw the confused look on Kel's face. He opened his mouth to explain, but the wagon master beat him to it.
"When Lord Joren was a wee lad," explained Keithan, "He'd come down to th' stables to see th' big workhorses. I was just a stable boy then and he'd tag along after me as I did me work."
Kel looked at Joren and lifted an eyebrow. He smiled mischievously and nodded his head in confirmation.
"I wanted brothers so badly, that I'd sneak down here to Stonesedge whenever I could and try to play with the village boys." Joren said as he chuckled. "My father always found out and I would be in trouble for days, but it was worth the fun while it lasted. Keithan's father would always warn me when I was about to get caught. He was the one who offered his wagon to me as a sleeping shelter during the last caravan. Now that Keithan's earned his mastery, he'll drive his own wagon on the next caravan." "The Carter's always have taken good care of me. They're good people."
"Aye, that was a lot of rain," Keithan said, "But me and me da had already set up camp, so 'twas no problem to let Lord Joren use th' wagon. It must've been dusty in there, but surely better than sleepin' on th' wet ground."
Joren looked at Kel with uncertainty. Yes, it definitely had been better for him that night, but he didn't know how she remembered it. Kel was still smiling, though, and asked the young wagon master about the kinds of things he and Joren did when they were boys. She mentioned that there were many stories of her brother Conal getting into a lot of mischief in their village at Mindelan when he was a boy, too.
"Ah, m'lady, Lord Joren an' me got in all kinds of mischief when we was lads," Keithan laughed. "Sometimes we'd steal eggs to roast out in th' woods. We'd made our own fire pit an' everythin'. That was afore he went off to th' palace an' became proper an' all. When he was in th' Deep Sleep, we all feared th' worst, but then he woke up and came down to th' village. Some folk didn't know what to think, but when Lord Joren gave me an' Lally a set of hens and a rooster for our weddin' gift, I knowed he was alright."
"Congratulations," said Kel to the friendly couple. "How long have you been married?" "I never would have placed you as a child who ran about the village, Joren, but wonders never cease."
"Two years, m'lady," replied the beaming Keithan. "An' we just discovered a while ago that Lally here's with child. We'll have our own wee babe by midwinter for certain." The rugged man circled his radiant wife with his thick arms.
"Many congratulations then," Kel said, "We'll look forward to hearing of your good news." "I'll have to let Aron know that the midwife here may be busy when my time comes."
Joren also congratulated the wagon master and his wife and promised to check on them later. As he and Kel made their way back to the castle, Joren asked if she considered their time in the wagon to be a bad memory for her. Kel thought about it for a moment and then shook her head.
"Joren, there are so many things about that time that I wish were different," Kel began. "But you spoke the truth to me that night - you know, about there being more than one man who could love me. I didn't want to hear that then, but I believe it with all my heart now - because you love me." "And I'm completely yours now." Then she leaned over and kissed him.
The new Lord and Lady of Stone Mountain stabled their horses and entered into their home together, hand-in-hand and with well-kissed lips.
Love, love, love.
Kel and Joren had their first fight over their sleeping arrangements. When Joren settled Kel into their adjoining rooms in the family castle, Kel took one look at the bedroom that was supposed to be hers and declared it to be useful only for when she delivered the babes. Otherwise, she fully intended to stay with Joren in his bed whenever possible.
"Joren, I don't want to sleep alone anymore," Kel insisted. "I like being with you. Don't you like being with me?" "What's the matter? What did I do wrong?"
Joren was somewhat perplexed. "But, Kel ... my parents always kept separate rooms. That's what people do." "I don't understand why this is a problem. I thought you'd like having your own room."
"My parents didn't do that." Kel replied. "So tell me ... whose parents were happier, Joren?" "Although ... with so many children, my parents didn't have enough space to keep separate rooms."
Joren knew the answer to Kel's question, but the fact that she had put it that way really stung and his face showed his dismay. Kel immediately knew that her remark was unfair and apologized. But she also made it clear that the only time she planned to sleep by herself was when she was out on a mission. Even then, she would rather share her bedroll with him - perhaps even a covered wagon, if one should happen to be available. Joren agreed with Kel wholeheartedly and they had a nice time making up - in the bed they now shared - after their fight.
Their second fight also was about sleeping arrangements. Although, there were no 'ghosts' in Joren and Kel's marriage bed anymore, there were animals. In the beginning, Jump - as well as a few sparrows - did sleep in their bed with them. Joren basically lost that battle, but he had a plan and he put it into action right away. Eventually, the sparrows realized that the newlyweds were going to be too active for them to have a peaceful sleep, so they went back to their outdoor nests. Kel promised to build them a suitable shelter for the colder months. Finally, Jump also grew tired of all the moving around and left their bed to pursue his own dog 'wife' down in the village. Joren's strategy had worked and now he really had Kel all to himself.
Love, love, love.
Baron Piers and Lady Ilane of Mindelan had accompanied Kel and Joren to Stone Mountain, and planned to stay with them for a while. There was no rush to return to the Yamani Islands since that country would be dealing with its earthquake clean-up for quite some time. The servants had prepared for them a set of rooms in the opposite wing of the castle's long hall. Kel smiled as she watched her well-traveled parents settle in. She was so happy that they would be here to support her as she figured out how to live her new life as Joren's lady.
Joren observed the way Baron Piers and Lady Ilane treated each other with love and respect during the time they stayed at Stone Mountain. The older couple set a daily example that quietly allowed their son-in-law to learn how to be a different kind of parent than his own. Joren witnessed the way Kel's parents always seemed to be in physical contact with one another in some small way and how they greeted each other when they had been apart for even a short amount of time. He knew that this was how Kel had learned to be so compassionate - and passionate - and he wanted their relationship to mirror what he saw in the Mindelan's marriage. Joren made the most of every opportunity to hold Kel or touch her hand or rub her shoulders. Kel felt much loved, indeed.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
At Fort Stonebridge, there was a bittersweet and belated birthday party/farewell banquet for Kel. She and Joren went to the fort to pack up her things and prepare for Faleron's arrival, but the officers and soldiers surprised them with their own celebration. Aron had made all the arrangements and the dining hall was decorated in the Mindelan colors one final time. Kel reassured Aron that he and Faleron would get along just fine. Aron reassured Kel and Joren that he would always be there for them as both a healer and a friend, no matter what their jobs or titles happened to be.
When Kel finally made it to her old room to clean it out, she noticed a long, thin wrapped bundle in the corner. Her eyes widened as she opened the birthday present Joren had left behind for her when he rode off to catch up with her and Aron.
"I ordered this for you from the Yamani Islands." Joren said as he came into the room behind her. "I thought you might like a new one for your birthday, but you were already gone when I arrived. I hope you ..." "Thank the gods I caught up with you!"
"I love it! It's ... it's ... perfect!" Kel interrupted. "More surprises, Joren? I can't keep up with you!"
Her eyes were shining brightly as she held the new glaive in her hands. It was the most gorgeous weapon, other than her sword, that she had ever held in her hands. Its glossy wood was smooth to her touch and its blue-black steel blade indicated that it came from the finest forge in all of the Yamani Islands. Kel knew she was holding a small fortune in her hand, and she carefully set it aside and thanked Joren with a deeply passionate kiss. Joren closed and locked the door and they did not return to the celebration until quite a bit later.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Kel slept soundly these days. It was as though the twins inside of her pulled from her every extra ounce of energy she possessed. She would suddenly wake up and find herself napping at the table, or drowsing while reading a book. She knew that Joren watched her all the time. She caught him gazing in her direction at the strangest times - when she was reading, when she sucked on her finger after pricking it with an embroidery needle, and when she woke up from her afternoon naps.
Kel knew that Joren continued to hum to their unborn sons when he thought she was sleeping. She looked forward to those times when she woke up and could play with Joren's hair again. He loved it when she did that, and it always led to more happiness for both of them. When the weather began to cool and the leaves began to change color, Kel was both relieved and grateful to receive the dresses Lalasa had made to accommodate her expanding belly. Now it was obvious that she was pregnant and the people of Stone Mountain rejoiced all the more. Kel always heard someone whistling or humming the favored mining song about the silver and stone every time she and Joren visited the village. It made her smile.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.
It's easy.
One autumn morning, Kel's father asked Joren to take a walk with him. As the two men wandered through the garden, Sir Piers talked about a variety of topics and asked a lot of questions about the stone trade. Joren answered the questions as best he could, but he confessed that he really let the merchants handle most of the business. When they were a good distance from the house, Piers stopped and turned to speak directly to Joren.
"I've had this conversation with my other sons-in-law, and a similar talk with my own sons before their wives delivered their first children" Piers began. "However, since your own father is not here to pass on this information to you, I'd like to take the liberty of doing so with you now." His hazel eyes were very bright.
"Of course! Please continue, sir." Joren nodded. He respected Kel's father so much that he would listen to anything the man wanted to say.
"By now you have experienced some of the best ... togetherness you'll ever have with your wife, although I personally think it all gets better and better as the years go by." Piers said and the corners of his mouth twitched in amusement as Joren's face turned pink with embarrassment. "You need to be aware that quite soon, things will change for a while, so ... enjoy all you can ... for as long as you can."
Joren was dumbfounded and couldn't think of anything to say. He knew Sir Piers could be very direct, but he never would have guessed that the man would speak so openly about their private lives.
Piers continued, "A lot of women - my wife and daughters included - become ... irrational ... and ... somewhat irritable or sad after they give birth. That will pass eventually, but you will find your life to be a lot easier if you say as little as possible during that time and encourage your wife as much as you can until she returns to normal. Keladry has always been just a bit different from her sisters, but from what I've observed so far, she seems to be following a pattern that is quite familiar to me. I wish you all the luck the gods are willing to grant you, Joren."
"I ... I ... uh ... thank you, Sir Piers," was all Joren could say. He knew he was blushing from head to toe. "Mithros! I doubt my own father would have said anything like this to me."
Piers had more to say, "I think you and Keladry are off to a very good start, all things considered, but children can be ... challenging. Patience and a good sense of humor will make up for many a tough time, but I believe you know that already. I've seen the way you treat my daughter here and I just wanted to commend you for becoming a man whom she can trust - and love. Thank you."
"I appreciate your confidence in me ... in us ... sir." Joren's face was still pink, but his smile was genuine. "And I thank you for your words of advice. I will do my best to remember all of them." "Oh my gods! I'm going to be a father. Mithros, help me do this right!"
Piers merely patted Joren's shoulder and then they walked back to the castle. Now Joren truly felt like a member of Kel's family, too - welcomed, accepted and loved.
Nothing you can make that can't be made.
One afternoon, late in the day, after the bright autumn leaves began to fall, Joren took Kel to his favorite grassy hilltop for a picnic dinner. Kel immediately recognized the setting of so many of her dreams and became slightly apprehensive about being there. Then Joren achieved his ongoing goal of replacing Kel's bad memories with good ones by presenting Kel with the wedding rings he really wanted them to wear. The shiny silver bands held one of each of the small blue and greenish-brown polished stones that the mountain folk sang about so often. The rings were symbolic on many different levels and Kel cherished hers just because Joren had thought of it.
They finished their meal and stayed to watch the early sunset. Joren hummed to Kel's much larger belly; it had become one of his favorite things to do and it always made Kel smile. Then they stayed there a bit longer, and since they were lying on a blanket anyway, their passion kept them warm as the first stars of the night began to appear. No one mentioned the grass in their hair when they returned to the castle.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Lady Virryn was gracious and kind to Kel and her parents, and begged for their understanding, if not their forgiveness, for her actions. Kel did forgive Joren's mother; however Lady Ilane had a few words with Lady Virryn when they finally had a chance to speak privately.
Kel's mother had on her Yamani calm face, but her voice was tight as she said, "I understand your desperation for heirs, but I don't understand how you could do such a thing to both of our children. What kind of mother are you?"
"Lady Ilane, we are the same; we are dedicated mothers." Lady Virryn defended herself. "We both love our children and we are willing to fight for whatever they need in life. Sometimes, they just need a little ... help."
"Lady Virryn, you and I are not alike," retorted Ilane. "While I do agree that we both love our children, Kel fights for herself. I have always supported whatever my daughter, or any of my other children, desire to do with their lives. But I never have forced my will upon them - and I never will!"
Virryn sighed tiredly and admitted, "Yes, there are differences, as you say. You have many children; I have only Joren. Everything I've done, I've done for him and for the future of Stone Mountain. You cannot understand how difficult this has been for me."
"I don't care how difficult this has been for you." Ilane's voice was furious, even though her face was calm and serene. "If I ever find out that you have continued to meddle with our children's marriage or their parenting, however well-intentioned you proclaim to be, I will make life truly difficult for you."
The two older women understood each other and made a quiet truce. Lady Virryn never did interfere with the way Kel and Joren ran their household. Both she and Ilane helped Kel learn the ways of a proper lady of the manor and prepared her for the birth of the twins, even as Virryn's health began to fail. There was peace at Stone Mountain, though it was filled with both joyful anticipation and sorrowful resignation. Lady Virryn knew she would not be with them for much longer, but she hoped to see the birth of the twins.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.
It's easy.
Alanna had warned Kel to stay in good condition, because it could make her delivery go easier - and because it could be so hard to get back in shape after childbirth. Kel was determined to be both a good mother and a good knight, so she did every physical thing she could get away with under the watchful eyes of her parents, Sir Aron, and, of course, Joren. She and Joren took long walks together - sometimes at a fairly fast pace - until Joren made her slow down because she was breathing too hard. She still did most of her stretching exercises when she got out of bed, but she had to cut back on her glaive work. One morning, while she and her mother were doing a slow pattern dance, Kel doubled over with pain when one of the unborn babes kicked her hard under her ribs. Lady Ilane made Kel hang up her glaive for the remainder of her pregnancy.
All you need is love.
Shortly before midwinter, when the time was close for Kel's delivery, Lady Ilane and Molly, who had become Kel's personal maid, moved Kel to into her own room. Kel despised sleeping in her bed by herself, but the older women assured her that it was for the best. Then something odd happened between Joren and Kel as they slept in their separate beds. Their joyful little 'tadpoles' began to make regular appearances in both of their dreams. Occasionally, they both would dream of the vision the Chamber had shown them of the twins running around and then pulling Joren down into Kel's lap. It made them feel closer, even though they were barely apart.
All you need is love.
There was a heavy, two-day snowstorm in the mountains the week before midwinter. Aron was glad that he had been at Stone Mountain checking on Kel when the storm hit, because the pass was completely blocked with high snow drifts. Kel's water broke the morning after it stopped snowing. Lady Ilane and Molly took turns assisting Aron for the twelve hours that Kel was in labor. Lady Virryn had become very weak, so Joren went back and forth between Kel's bedroom and his mother's bedroom, giving progress reports to the dying matriarch. Virryn was certain that the Dark God was coming for her soon, but she fought hard to hold on until she could see the future of Stone Mountain with her own eyes.
All you need is love, love.
Joren was with Kel when she finally gave birth to the two healthy baby boys. The older twin, Calen, had the Stone Mountain white-blond hair and sky-blue eyes. His younger brother by only two minutes, Jared, had light brown hair and Kel's hazel eyes. Their cute little faces looked exactly like the visions of their 'tadpole' selves and that became their parent's nickname for them throughout their lives. Kel looked down at the twins in her arms and thought they were the most beautiful babies in the world. She did not, however, refer to them as 'beautiful' in front of Joren.
Love is all you need.
Lady Virryn lived long enough to see her grandsons and to hold them briefly in her arms before the Dark God finally escorted her to the Peaceful Realms. Keithan and Lally Carter's son was born the same night as the twins. There was much to celebrate at Stone Mountain that midwinter, even as they mourned the passing of Joren's mother.
All you need is love.
Joren and Kel were not typical noble parents. At first, Kel tried to nurse the twins herself, but she became exhausted with the effort. It seemed that they were always hungry, but never at the same time. Finally, Kel's mother convinced her to follow Alanna's advice and she retained two wet nurses for the twins. After that, Kel's life fell into an easier rhythm of rocking and holding and singing to her precious boys. They both had very easy-going dispositions and enjoyed being held by anyone, but they especially liked it when their father held them and hummed to them. So Joren did his share of holding the twins and humming to them, which always seemed to soothe them and calm them down. The little heirs of Stone Mountain grew strong in the love their parents and grandparents showered upon them.
All you need is love.
Aron was true to his word and invited Kel to come to the fort and get back into fighting shape as soon as it was safe for her to do so. Joren and Faleron also sparred with Kel and Aron, and the four knights built up a solid camaraderie based on mutual respect and lots of good humor. The soldiers enjoyed watching the knights' matches against one another and the wagers flew back and forth whenever the Lord and Lady Knight of Stone Mountain came over the pass to train. One late winter afternoon, everyone witnessed quite a show at the fort's indoor practice yards.
Faleron and Aron had finished their match and were leaning against the practice yard's outer fence, drinking water and watching Joren and Kel spar with swords. Kel definitely was back in good shape. Joren was starting to lose the match and his face clearly showed his frustration. When they locked sword hilts and Joren struggled for an advantage, he could feel the certain defeat. Then, a big mischievous grin spread across his face. Joren winked at Kel, suddenly pivoted around her, hugged her into a nearly unbreakable embrace and kissed her ferociously. Everyone and everything stopped for a heartbeat's moment of time. Then Kel and Joren dropped their swords at their feet and continued their feverish kissing to the sounds of soldiers whistling, hooting and yelling.
Faleron was shocked, but Aron merely shrugged. The healer/knight had seen this moment coming ever since Joren first came over to spar with Kel. Obviously, there was nothing in the Code of Chivalry that covered their behavior. The fact that they were married now - and parents as well - was immaterial. From then on, Joren and Kel only sparred with other people in public. They saved their own sparring for when no one else was watching.
All you need is love, love.
Carrying the twins had not been as punishing to Kel's body as she had feared, and she was somewhat pleased with her recovery. She was quite happy when Joren welcomed her back into his bed, but she still didn't feel 'normal' yet. Joren remembered his father-in-law's advice and wisely said very little. He did however, praise Kel for her quick recovery and the impressive muscle tone in her arms and her abdomen. Kel found it difficult to accept any praise and attributed her swift progress to lifting and carrying around the solidly-built twins. The boys liked for their mother to snuggle them close together in her lap and tickle them. Kel liked to lift them up in the air and swing them around. That really was a good workout for her impressive upper arms.
Love is all you need.
On the evening of Kel's twenty-fourth birthday, as she and Joren were getting dressed for her special dinner, Kel stood in her undergarments and wrinkled her nose at her reflection in the mirror. She was not in a good mood to begin with and what she saw of herself in her reflection did not improve her mood any. Joren noticed her expression and hesitantly asked what was wrong. Kel pointed at the little silvery stretch marks across her sides that she felt continued to mock her efforts.
"These are not impressive," Kel declared and she pointed at her sides. "You know I have been working out diligently, but I can't get rid of these marks." "Ugh! They look like lines on a map!"
Joren was unsure of what to say so he just shrugged. Kel scowled at him and then turned back to her reflection. She noticed how shaggy her hair had become and blew a puff of air to move her bangs out of her eyes. She had been toying with the idea of letting her hair grow longer, so that she might look a little more sophisticated when they attended the midsummer balls at the palace in two weeks. Kel gathered up her short brown locks and piled them on top of her head.
"No, definitely not impressive either," she declared. "Ugh! My hair is so ... so ... blah!"
When Kel turned to Joren again and asked him if he would like for her to grow her hair, he just sighed. Joren didn't like to see Kel putting herself down because he happened to love and cherish every inch of her tall, muscular body. He walked over and made eye contact with her reflection in the mirror as he stood behind her. She was still scowling, with her hands on top of her head, brooding about her post-pregnancy body. He knew her well enough by now to sense that it was beyond the time for Kel to have eaten and that food probably was the only thing that would improve her mood.
"Kel ... if you grew your hair ... then it would hide your neck," Joren started to nuzzle and kiss the exposed nape of Kel's neck. "I don't want to bother with a mouthful of hair when I'm kissing your wonderful neck. So ... no, I really don't wish for you to grow your hair any longer. Let's keep it nice and short." "Hmm, perhaps food isn't the only thing that will improve your mood."
Kel closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensations for a moment, but then she grabbed Joren's hands and made him feel her stretch marks. "See? I've got my muscle tone back, but these lines are not impressive at all. I wonder what will get rid of them." "Stop trying to distract me when I'm in a bad mood!"
Joren looked at Kel's reflection again and then he smiled a wicked smile. He purred into her ear, "I'll tell you what's impressive, my love: these are impressive." And he slid his hands under Kel's breastband and held her there. Pregnancy did have its benefits, even if they were temporary, and Kel had become somewhat well-endowed as a result. Joren was correct; food wasn't the only thing that would improve Kel's mood.
Nothing you can know that isn't known.
Kel decided that it had been an extremely happy birthday, even though dinner was delayed that evening. Several weeks later, after a few successful runs at the tilting quintain, Kel quickly had to dismount her horse so that she could throw up. A quick examination by Aron confirmed what she already knew. She was pregnant again. Kel had completely forgotten about wearing her pregnancy charm after the twins were born and she was angry with herself. It was one thing for Joren's mom to manipulate her into having the twins. It was an altogether different thing for her to become pregnant so soon again due to her own negligence.
Joren was rather pleased by the news, especially once Aron figured out that Kel was carrying another boy, but he knew Kel had worked hard to get back into fighting shape. She was hoping to take on one of the new girl squires during the upcoming year, but now she would have to wait. Joren held Kel while she cried over her stupidity and forgetfulness and he remembered that this weepiness was part of the whole 'pregnancy blues' that she had experienced before. The only thing Joren could do was to wait for the moods to pass. He knew that much better days were coming.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Kel's pregnancy progressed well and she soon discovered that Faleron's wife, her distant cousin Elsa, was expecting their first son within a month of her delivery. She and Elsa had become close since the small, honey-blonde lady had come to live at the fort with her husband. Kel hoped that their boys would become good friends, especially because the twins had a way of excluding others from their own little 'twin-world' as she called it. Kel's parents were visiting her brothers and their families back at Mindelan, but they promised to return to Stone Mountain in time for Kel's next delivery.
Calen and Jared grew quickly and were walking before their first birthday. They could say simple words like 'ma' and 'da' and 'moa' - they liked to eat and always asked for 'moa' food. They still liked to snuggle together in Kel's rapidly disappearing lap and they always wanted Joren to hum to them at bedtime. The 'tadpoles' were quite playful during the day and kept Kel and their nursemaids busy. Their uncle Conal sent them wooden toy swords and they liked to bang them on the floor. Most of all, the boys liked to play with their new white puppies. One of the villagers brought the familiar-looking dogs to the palace as gifts for the twins. It was obvious to both Kel and Joren that Jump had been quite busy, too.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.
One spring afternoon, after they all woke up from their naps, Kel knew she had to take the twins outside. It was such a nice day and they could use the fresh air. Tiny white flowers were blooming in the grass on their favorite hilltop. Kel heard Joren humming as he ambled up the gravel path. The twins had been running around with their toy swords - they always carried them around now - and Kel was sitting cross-legged on a blanket, enjoying the sunshine. When the boys heard their father, they dropped their little swords and ran to him, each one wrapping himself around one of Joren's long legs. Joren continued to walk with his additional 'weights' until he was standing next to Kel. Then he just collapsed into her lap and smiled up at her. Kel leaned over her pregnant belly as best she could and Joren sat up just enough so that she could give him a long, slow kiss.
Suddenly, they both recognized where they were and what they had seen in the Chamber and in their dreams so many times. Joren sky-blue eyes looked into Kel's dreamy hazel eyes for a long moment. Then they burst into wild laughter. Calen and Jared thought it was all a game and tried to wriggle themselves in between their loving parents. Three weeks later, Kel gave birth to their third son, Garrett. After that, Kel got a new pregnancy charm and wore it faithfully for the next five years.
All you need is love.
The Lord and Lady of Stone Mountain were blessed with six sons in all, which greatly pleased Mithros and the Great Goddess. After their first three boys, Kel took on her first girl squire. There was peace in the realm, but Kel trained her squire on a variety of missions, some of which were with the King's Own. They also assisted wherever they were needed, and fought against bandits and the occasional renegade immortal. Once Kel's squire became a full knight, Kel returned to Stone Mountain and removed her pregnancy charm. Joren smiled widely when he saw the delicate chain next to their bed and he wasted no time.
Kel and Joren had another boy each year for three years after that - Brandt, Derek, and Tevin. Mealtimes became loud and fun with all the boys jostling for attention and extra servings of food. Kel had fond memories of the boisterous times around the dinner table at Mindelan, but Joren often was amazed at how much his sons could eat - he had no experience with a large family and had to adjust his way of thinking. Kel loved all of her little men, and she enjoyed teaching them how to do their exercises, how to fight with a glaive and how to calm themselves. When Kel successfully finished training her second girl squire to knighthood, she was almost forty years old and decided she probably didn't need to worry about a pregnancy charm anymore.
Baby Ilane was born the week before Kel's forty-first birthday. Joren and Kel named their only daughter for Kel's mother, who had passed into the Peaceful Realms three months before Kel gave birth to the blond-haired, blue-eyed girl child.
All you need is love.
Joren started wearing his hair quite a bit shorter, in large part because of the twins. When they were squires they began to joke around with each other that Joren's horse tail of hair was sadly old-fashioned. Joren took their good-natured ridicule in stride. Finally, the boys made a wager with him and Joren agreed to let them cut off his long hair on the day that either one of them could beat him in the practice yard. Jared claimed that honor the summer before the twins turned eighteen.
Joren feigned shock and horror at his defeat, but he was very proud of the young men that his sons were becoming. All of the boys made a big ceremony of the haircut and presented the horse tail of hair, still held in its silver clasp, to Kel. She shed a few tears, but she attributed the tears to her lingering post-pregnancy 'blues' since the baby was only a few months old at the time. The new shortness of Joren's hair did not prevent Kel from playing with it, nor did it prevent the usual aftermath of such playing.
All you need is love, love.
Joren sat on the wooden bench in the Chapel of the Ordeal and stared at the cold metal door. So many memories flooded his mind and he knew that Kel, who was sitting right next to him, had many of the same thoughts. They had experienced so much life - most of it good - since they sat on this same bench after the Chamber presented Kel with her choices. Neither of them had any real regrets. The first of their children had become honest, brave and compassionate men of the realm. Proud tears welled up in his eyes as he glanced across the aisle at Jared, who had made it through his Ordeal and had been knighted two days ago, the day after the twins' eighteenth birthday. Now Sir Jared was waiting with Calen's knight master, Sir Faleron of King's Reach. They were ready to catch his twin as soon as the Chamber released him.
Joren looked down the row at his wonderful family. Beyond Kel, there sat sixteen-year-old Garrett, who was in his last year and a half of squiring for Lord Merric of Hollyrose. Brandt was a second-year page, and showed strong evidence of growing taller than anyone in the family. At eleven years of age, he was already five feet and nine inches tall. Derek, aged nine, and Tevin, aged eight, could hardly wait for their turns to come to the palace and they harassed their older brothers all the time to tell them what their training was like. Finally, there was the baby, little Ilane, who looked so much like Joren it was almost eerie. She was snuggled into her father's arms, fast asleep and oblivious to the momentous occasion happening around her.
Love is all you need.
When Calen emerged from the Chamber of the Ordeal, both Joren and Kel breathed a sigh of relief. Their firstborn son looked haggard and pale from whatever the Chamber had done to him, but he was alive and whole and ready to become a knight of the realm. Jared and Faleron caught him as he staggered beyond the Chamber's door. Everyone hugged him and congratulated him and told them how proud they were of him, but Calen really only had eyes for a shy, petite young lady at the back of the chapel.
The dark-haired beauty was Faleron's oldest daughter, Mirta, and she was soon to be betrothed to Calen. Calen always had been fond of Mirta, ever since they were children playing at the fort and watching their parents spar against each other. Joren and Kel were not surprised when their oldest son declared his love for their long-time friend's daughter and asked them to agree to his plans for an early marriage. Everyone was pleased with the match and Faleron planned to announce the betrothal at the Midwinter's ball at the end of the week.
All you need is love (all together, now!)
All you need is love. (everybody!)
All you need is love, love.
There was much to celebrate and they all ate together at the same eating establishment that Joren had been to the night before he first entered the Chamber so many years ago. This, however, was a much happier gathering than that ill-fated dinner. Joren sat at the head of the table with little Ilane sitting quietly on his lap, her wispy white-blond hair tickling his chin. Kel sat next to him and their knees touched under the table. She smiled warmly at him and then turned to observe their gleeful and noisy sons all around the large dining table. Other patrons grinned at the family scene.
Joren suddenly realized that this probably would be one of the last times they would be gathered together like this - just the Stone Mountain clan. Soon, Calen would bring his bride into their friendly mix of jokes and pranks. Soon, Jared would ride off on his assignment to help defend the northern coast with his uncles. The Scanrans had started to band together again and were making threats that Tortall was taking seriously. Soon, in a few short years, the youngest boys would be in training at the palace. There was talk of Kel taking another command, possibly at Fort Mastiff, within the next few years. There was no telling how many of them would be able to get together at any one time in the future.
Ilane shifted around in Joren's lap, watched her big brothers eat and sucked on her fingers. Joren reached out to grasp Kel's hand, brought her hand up to his lips and gently kissed it. Kel gazed into Joren's eyes and whispered, "I love you" to him. Joren leaned over and kissed her soft lips. Their children had long since become accustomed to such public displays of affection, but tonight, they stopped and watched their parents. Then Calen lifted his goblet and led his brothers in a cheer.
"Stone Mountain for Tortall! Stone Mountain for Tortall! Stone Mountain for Tortall!"
Kel and Joren broke off their kiss and smiled at their lovely family. Yes, Stone Mountain was for Tortall, and they would be for a long, long, long time.
Love is all you need (love is all you need).
A/N: I want to take the opportunity to thank all of my super 5-chappie or more, consistent reviewers - xxTunstall Chickxx, Chris Finkle, SarahE7191, devilishduck, jayley, chiilachic, elf princess warrior, Lady Reena, Escalus, Imperfectionist ;D, beastie92, Tierchen, Celestial Torrent, Victoria Taylor, and abyssgirl. You all made this story better than it would have been and I am grateful for your encouragement, your honesty and your ideas. I look forward to seeing your reviews on this and my future work. Thanks again! Ally-Marty :D