Disclaimer: I own nothing of this it is all Tamora's!

You guys rock, reviewing wise, though I may have scared you somewhat! Anyway it was great motivation so here I am…

Oh by the way, I know you guys have been asking for romance, and it will be coming very soon. I prefer to do it slow because it seems more in character but yes it will be very soon. (Not this chappie, it just didn't feel quite right!!! But I promise soon!)

Last Time:

"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.

A Trick and an Arrival

Kel woke early the next morning and sighed. This was the day when the wedding decorations began to be put up. That meant that anyone not on a roster for a particular job was to report to Yuki who would be supervising. That meant people would be running around the camp all day, fetching things, making things, delivering things. New Hope would be even busier than normal and there would be no peace at all. Still it would be exciting seeing the finished product of Yuki's work.

Kel at least didn't have to help. She already had her own work to do commanding the camp and writing more reports. And she was pretty sure it was a good thing for Yuki that Kel wasn't the one hanging flowers, setting tables and decorating!

Hours later she was still at her desk sorting through pages of requests from the kitchen staff, the healers, carpenters, blacksmiths, hostlers, and what seemed like hundreds of people. They all wanted something, something to be bought, fixed, or taken away. And most of what they needed was expensive. Kel had spent hours trying to figure out which things she could buy on the camp's budget and which things could wait. She had to make sure people weren't kept waiting for too long and that anything urgent was found quickly and not left waiting.

Massaging her temples she pushed the pile of papers away. She hadn't had anything to eat since the morning meal and she was starved. Standing up she left her study to try and beg some food from the kitchen staff.

When she reached the kitchens she was greeted by the smell of something delicious. Inhaling deeply she asked one of the cooks' helpers to find her some bread and cheese. When the girl returned she thanked her and sat at one of the many benches that ran around the large room. She gazed around as she did so wondering where the delicious and faintly familiar smell was coming from.

She heard her name coming from the other end of the kitchen in a mist of steam. From the mist emerged Yuki's younger sister Yokami, called Yoko. She was known in the islands for her amazing abilities as a chef and it seemed that she had established herself in the kitchens of New Hope as well. She was a fast learner and could, after only a few days in Tortall, speak Common well.

"Lady Kel! How nice to see you here. I have been making some Yamani style treats for tonight and Yuki has asked me to cook for her wedding. I was just trying out some new dishes. I like the food here! I have just made a mix of traditional Tortallan and Yamani food. Here, you try some!"

So that's where the smell had come from and why it smelt so familiar. Yoko placed a small dish in front of Kel and a set of chopsticks in her hand. Kel hadn't used chopsticks in years and at first she struggled to pick up the food. When she did manage to transfer some to her mouth she was blown away by the taste.

"Yoko! This is great. And I think even the Tortallans will enjoy it!" Yoko blushed and turned her face away as she didn't have her fan with her.

"I thank you. It will be my opening dish for the wedding feast!" Yoko returned to the back of the kitchen with the excuse of keeping an eye on her other meals. Kel marveled at the woman. Never was she boastful of her gift with food even though hers was the best Kel had ever tasted, Yamani or Tortallan. She finished off Yoko's dish, and put the untouched bread and cheese back, not needing or wanting it anymore.

She left the kitchen, glad she had not been accosted by one of the cooks asking about new equipment. It was one of the items she had to postpone and she didn't want to have to explain that.

On her way back to the study to finish the budget and reports she saw Dom leaning against a wall in the sun, fast asleep. It was quite a comical scene, his mouth was slightly open and his head had lolled to the side. He looked very peaceful and somewhat naïve and Kel couldn't keep her eyes off him. She did wonder though why he was asleep in the middle of the camp; surely it wasn't the quietest or most comfortable place to catch up on rest.

An idea entered her mind, something that would pay him back for all the times he had played tricks on her as a squire. She looked around quickly for what she needed. Ah! There by the flagpole was a bucket and luckily it was already full. Kel picked it up careful not to spill any of the water. Tiptoeing over to Dom she couldn't stop an evil grin from spreading on her face. She waited until she had the bucket positioned right above his head before tipping the water onto him.

As soon as it touched his head he woke and Kel had to run away fast while he was still in a daze so that he didn't see her. She hid behind a wall and watched him as he wiped the water from his face and wrung it from his clothes. Then he peered around the yard until he saw the bucket. There was no one else in sight at that moment and Kel could tell how puzzled he was.

Deciding to have some more fun she strolled casually out from her hiding place and over to him. He had his back to her and didn't seem to notice her approach. Reaching up she tapped him on the shoulder. He spun and when he saw her his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Hi Dom."

"Hello Kel."

"You know Dom, last thing I heard bathing happened in those rooms over there, and people usually do so with soap and without clothes." The thought of Dom without clothes made her blush but she hid it and smiled innocently at him.

"I'm not having a shower Kel. I was just sitting there having a little rest, I was up all night on sentry duty, when suddenly I felt cold water being poured over me and I woke up! Did you see anything?" Once again his suspicious gaze was trained on her eyes.

"Nope" she said lightly before skipping out of reach. "I didn't see anything, but that doesn't mean I didn't do anything!" she gave him a small wave before running off.

Dom let out a mock growl of rage and ran after her. She was quick but he was quicker, like Neal people said he had horse blood in him. Soon he'd caught up and she stopped. She was panting a little and her hair was frazzled. She felt like a child playing chasey. She turned to see Dom standing behind her a few metres away. He advanced unsmiling. Kel just grinned at him and gave him a cheeky wave.

"Just think of it as payback."

He didn't stop though now he was smiling too. He was getting close when all of a sudden sparrows darted at him from all over the place. They swooped around his head obscuring his view of Kel and hers of him. She took the opportunity to run away.

"Bye Dom!"

She could hear him laughing as she ran off and was glad the sparrows had interrupted. She didn't want a repeat of the stables or of the other morning on the wall to happen in the middle of New Hope where anyone could walk by and see them.

Finally reaching her study she sat down again to finish the paperwork. It took her a long time and by the time she was done it was nearing dark and the dinner bell had just rung. Making her way down to the eating hall she saw a group of the refugees talking with a group of Yamanis. Kel was glad the two cultures were getting along so well together, she knew of people who hated the Yamanis and all foreigners. She couldn't understand why. But she was glad there was no one like that at New Hope. She didn't think she could have stood them at all.

When she entered the hall she saw Dom chatting to one of the Yamani girls who already knew Common. They seemed to be getting on well and this should have made her glad. It didn't. Instead she felt angry at the girl although she'd done nothing wrong. And there was something wrong with her stomach, it kept fluttering. Still, she thought, it was nothing to do with her. But after she had collected her food she went to sit next to Dom and the Yamani who she now recognized as one of Yuki's friends.

"I see you've changed." She remarked to Dom as she sat. He turned from the girl to give her a grin.

"Yes I have, but don't think I've forgotten what you did."

"That's not fair! I was just getting you in return for all those times before. I still owe you some pranks, not the other way around!"

"All's fair in love and war."

"And what's this?"

He seemed to consider it for a minute and she thought he'd never answer. She was startled when he did speak. "This is whatever you want it to be." Kel blushed and was glad when she realized that the Yamani had left during their banter and they were alone.

"I guess its war then." She whispered. He just grinned at her and changed the subject. The meal was interrupted as a sentry asked to speak to her.

"What is it?"

"Milady," he said with a bow and a blush, "we've spotted a solitary rider. They seem to be approaching New Hope. We were wondering what to do."

Kel thought. Who would come this late at night? It was dark now or nearly so.

"I'll come and have a look. Maybe we can identify them as they get closer."

She excused herself but Dom said he'd come with her. They climbed up the steps to the top of the wall where Kel was presented with the telescope. In the fading light she could just see the rider. Kel let out a laugh and a sigh of relief when she saw who it was.

"Don't worry men; open the gates so we can let her in." The men looked at each other puzzled. Why was a woman riding here, alone, so late in the day? But they trusted Kel and opened the gate. The rider, definitely woman they could see now as she was riding side saddle, entered the gate and dismounted swiftly. She let out a yelp and ran towards Kel giving her a swift but friendly hug.

"Milady! You look so well! And your hair, it's grown a little!"

"Lalasa, Yuki told me you were coming. And I didn't mean for it to get this long I just haven't had time to cut it."

"Well don't, it looks very nice. I can't say as much for your clothes though. They look like they've been run over by a column of horsemen! How can you let them get so dirty and torn? Oh well, I'm here now; I'll have them looking brand new in a day. I've also brought you some new ones. Made in the latest style of course. And of course I'll be seeing a lot of you for the fittings. No don't make that face. You are going to look beautiful. No don't say that's impossible. Now show me to my room and then I'll have a look at the rest of your wardrobe. I bet it's all the same. Breeches and tunics, no hint of femininity; no dresses, skirts! Honestly Lady Kel! Yes come on, thank you Tobe for seeing to Bella. I'll check on her later."

Kel smiled throughout the speech of her former maid. Before she would never have had the guts to speak to her like that and now she didn't seem skittish around men at all. The shop had done her some real good and now Lalasa had lost her shyness and had turned into a confident, happy young woman.

She saw Dom wink at her as she was dragged off and the men laughed a little at her. She had to admit it would be amusing to see someone of her height and strength being towed along by a diminutive woman in skirts. She'd also seen smirks as she had been lectured. Kel the commander being told off by her former maid for not having enough decent clothes! But Kel didn't mind. She was glad at Lalasa's transformation and thought it might be nice to finally have some clothes that fit and that weren't torn and stained.

woohoo, another chappie done! thanks for your overwhelming (if slightly pressured) response last time! i love it when you all tell me what you think. anyway be cool if you could do it again, only a few seconds of your time and i get to be happy (and slightly high) i have an obsession with the word 'slightly' today, been using all the time, woot, anyway hope you have a great week and i'll try and get something done soon.

bye bye

kate xoxo