hey everyone sorry to be so late! i haven't been on the computer all week, well almost so yeah it took a little longer in coming!

disclaimer: not mine

Last Time:

"Kel? Is that you that just rode in?" it was Yuki. Kel spun out of Dom's grip and began to unsaddle Hoshi her face a beet red. She avoided looking Dom in the eye and he set about working on March. "Kel?" Yuki was standing in the entrance to the stables. "Ah there you are. I've been looking for you all day! I need to talk to you about dresses." Yuki's interruption had released the tension Kel had felt between her and Dom. She smiled at him as she excused herself to leave with Yuki. He gave her a bright grin back although his eyes were full of confusion.

The Yamanis and a Fall

A few weeks after Raoul and Buri arrived the wedding guests began to as well. The new barracks had been finished just in time for the arrivals. Yuki's family came first. The Yamani's rode into the fort on matching black horses, a train of about twenty of them. Dom was at the gate along with the rest of the fort to meet them. He hadn't met many Yamani's, well he knew Yuki and Kel was practically Yamani, but he'd never met so many at once. It was a little shocking.

They all had such blank faces and spoke a language that was strange to his ears. Everything about them was different and to Dom they seemed closed and a little cold. He watched as Kel greeted them in the traditional Yamani manner, bending from the waist with her hands flat on her thighs. The Yamanis dismounted and did the same. One of them stepped forward and talked to Kel in rapid Yaman. Kel nodded and replied. Then she stepped aside allowing Yuki to talk to the Yamani as she greeted the rest of their party. Once the personal greetings had been made Kel stepped forward facing the waiting crowds who had been almost silent the entire time.

"These people are the friends and family of Lady Yukimi. They have arrived for the wedding. I hope you will all make them feel welcome." She then proceeded to introduce them name by name. As she spoke they bowed. After the introductions their horses were led away and Kel and Yuki along with Neal and Merric took the newcomers on a tour of the camp, showing them the mess hall, the latrines and their sleeping quarters.

Dom watched Kel as she led the strangers around. She didn't seem taken aback by their lack of facial expression, their clothing or their speech, but then again she had lived in the Yamani Isles for most of her childhood. She would be used to that sort of thing. He saw her chatting with some of the women, who they had been told were Yuki's sisters and good friends. Yuki herself seemed to be introducing Neal to her parents. Dom nearly laughed out loud at the look on Neal's face. He was nervous and you could tell; his face had taken on a white pallor and his hands couldn't stay still. Dom knew Yuki had been teaching him Yaman but this was the first time Neal had been tested.

"Dom!" Fulcher's voice called out, "Dom come on, we're on patrol now. Dom!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" He wrenched his eyes away from Kel and made his way to the stables to collect March.

When they returned from the patrol it was almost time for lunch. Dom and his squad entered the hall and saw that the Yamanis were spaced evenly throughout the hall in groups, each with Kel or Yuki or Neal nearby. Dom was wondering why until Kel saw his puzzled look and came over to explain to the puzzled men.

"I know it might seem strange at first but I want everyone to get to know the Yamanis and the best time to do it is during meals. Each Yamani group has an interpreter so you can ask them questions and they can do the same, if they want to. Remember they are very private people so don't inquire too much about them. And be polite to them. This is a quality they admire greatly and though you may not be able to see if they are offended they get so quite easily. It may seem daunting but after a while they will seem to be just like everyone else."

Dom could see some of his men shuffling nervously, obviously dreading talking to the reserved Yamanis. Dom took the initiative to take the first step, hoping they would follow his lead. He sat down near Kel's group and beckoned for her to join him. The rest of the men followed suit, sitting with Neal or Yuki or with Kel. Dom asked a few questions and was amazed at the warmth that some of the Yamanis had behind their masks. Seeing how well Dom was getting on prompted the rest of the men and refugees into action and soon the Yamanis were overwhelmed by questions.

The Tortallans however were not the only ones to ask questions. The more adventurous Yamanis had inquiries of their own. They younger ones especially seemed very curious about the way people lived in Tortall and by the end of the meal some friendships were forming between the two groups.

After lunch Kel spent her time with the Yamani group catching up on news of people and events. Dom sighed. He still hadn't spoken to Kel privately since that day in the stables. He was confused. He'd never felt anything quite like he'd felt then and he'd nearly kissed Kel! That was a shock. Of course she was a good friend, a great one actually, and she was an amazing person. He often wondered why she wasn't being courted by anyone. You'd have to be blind not to see how wonderful she was.

Dom hit himself on the head to clear his thoughts. He didn't want to get caught up in this cycle again. He'd had this conversation in his head a thousand times. Every time he allowed his mind free will to think it returned to Kel. Images of her flashing before his eyes, her voice haunting his ears and longing filling his heart. He knew if he didn't keep his mind busy this love would kill him. Love? He'd never admitted that to himself before, but it made sense when he thought about it. He sighed again and set about writing some more reports, anything to distract his mind from the thought of the Lady Knight and his new revelation.

The day after the Yamani arrival Kel was talking with Yuki.

"So this mystery person? They haven't arrived yet I assume? I knew you were inviting everyone who came yesterday." She made herself sound casual though she was anxious to figure out who was coming.

"No, I was talking with my sisters and they said he was called to do some emergency work just as they were about to leave. He'll be here in a few days though." Yuki allowed a smile onto her face. "In the meantime I need you to be fitted for the dress. As you know my sister Jiname is my maid of honour, but only because my mother said she had to be. She is wearing a dark green kimono and I was thinking that the other ladies should wear a paler version of hers."

"That sounds nice Yuki, but how are you going to get all these done in time?"

"I called in some backup from Corus."

"Who?"

"Lalasa! She said that she wouldn't give up the opportunity to make a dress for you, and I wanted to have the very best seamstress in Tortall."

"She's coming here then? That's great! I haven't seen her for such a long time, it must be months and months since she last tortured me with a fitting, or scolded me for having such dirty, badly fitted clothes." She let out a chuckle, as did Yuki who had all but lost her mask in the company of Kel and Neal and a few other close friends.

"Well I'm going to enjoy my time outside while I can, before I get stuck inside having fittings, discussing flowers, getting hair and face-paint on. I shudder just to think about it!" She stood, gave Yuki a slight Yamani bow and left. She thought about what she'd just said as she climbed the walls of New Hope. She didn't really mind dresses and face-paint and hair styling. She'd never truly enjoy it but she did find it interesting just how much effort it took to look like a court lady. She thanked her lucky stars she'd become a knight and didn't have to deal with that every day.

From the top of the wall she could see everything that went on in the camp. The children were playing hide and seek, a group of women were sitting in the sun sewing, and men were taking care of horses, working in the vegetable patch, building things. They all seemed busy and the camp was never still.

"What's this? Our commander lazing the day away! Tut tut Kel, that's not good form." Dom had joined her. She smiled knowing he was just teasing her.

"Actually I was taking a break from fixing all the problems that you and your men seem to cause. Goddess! If I'd known how much trouble you'd be I'd never have agreed to have you up here!"

"Of course you would have Kel, you can't live without us." Dom smiled and took up a position next to her, leaning on a post. "So what brings you up here?"

"I was trying to get some peace and quiet." She replied with a mock glare. "No, I just needed some space. This place can be so intense sometimes; it's easy to lose sight of what you want and who you are. I come here to put it all back in perspective."

Dom whistled lowly and spoke almost sarcastically, "That's deep. And here I was thinking you were shirking your duties. Hmm, I guess I'll never make that mistake again." This caused a smile to break out on Kel's face. Dom always seemed to be able to make her smile. It was nice, she realized, to have someone around who could always make her laugh or smile, and lighten her spirits.

"Thanks Dom." She said.

"What for?" he asked puzzled, surely not for mocking her?

"For always being there. Always making me happy," she turned to face him directly, "always making me feel good." She gave him another smile and didn't notice him blush. "It's nice to know that there is someone who I can trust to make me feel just right and who always knows the right thing to say." She wondered why she was saying all this. Thoughts that were usually confined to her head were pouring out her mouth. Maybe it was something to do with the isolation of being up on the wall away from the bustle of the camp, maybe it was the way Dom was looking at her, maybe it was just a mood she was in, maybe it was because it had been bottled up inside her for too long.

"Kel." Said Dom moving close to her. She could feel the heat of his body, but all she could see were his eyes. They grew bigger as he moved closer and she couldn't look away. Neither, it seemed could he. He was so caught up in her eyes that he didn't even notice the bucket until he was flat on his back. Kel shook herself out of her daze and began to giggle. Dom looked so funny laying on his back a stunned look on his face. She stood over him so that he was looking directly up into her face. She held out a hand to help him to his feet. He took it but instead of helping himself up he pulled her down. She landed with a thump on her bottom, surprised that she had been so off guard as to not prevent it.

"Dom! That wasn't very nice," she scolded, "here I was being very kind trying to help you and instead you turn my kindness against me! How rude." She let out a humph and waited for his answer. She could feel him shaking at her side and knew it was all he could do to stop himself laughing out loud.

"It was just payback," he said as soon as he was under control, "you laughed at me so I made you look silly so I could laugh at you." His reasoning was like a five year-old's but she let it pass. She was glad that the atmosphere from before had melted away. It was the same kind of tension that she had felt that day in the stables. Why did it seem that every time she and Dom were left alone they became like that?

But now was not the time to figure it out. She stood up and this time did not lend Dom a helping hand. Instead he struggled to his feet with a lot of groaning and moaning and wincing, most of which Kel thought was made up.

"Oh Dom, if it's really that bad maybe I should take you to see Meathead. I'm sure he could fix you one of those…delicious potions to relieve your suffering. Do you want me to take you to him?" She grinned when she saw the look of horror in Dom's eyes.

"No Kel, I'm fine. I definitely don't need to see the Meathead. I'll just be going I think I'm on patrol soon." He left. Kel was alone again on the wall. She let out a large breath. Time to get back to reality, in other words, work.

okay, here we are again. okay i know how many people are reading this so really there should be some more reviews! now i'm gonna make you feel bad so that you review: shame on you all, do you know how much effort it takes to sit down and write these? and if you do then you know how much a review can boost enthusiasm, so really more reviews less time to wait for the next chapter! oh how logical! anyway maybe this has persuaded some of you to review, review, review. or i could use reverse pyschology: fine then don't review, i guess you won't mind if every chapter comes only once a month. haha just messing with your minds! HAHAHAHA, anyway enough evil laughing/giggling and or cackling (i really like the phrase 'and or' how cool is it?) but yes back to this it would be great if you could review and tell me what you think! you know that weird blue button right down there (points to bottom left of screen) press it, press it, press it. lol anyway hope you had a nice week, i did!

enough strangeness,

until next time,

bye bye,

cya,

kate xoxo