Okay, I know it's been a while since I updated but I have been having the most exhausting week. Apart from about half an hour not even each day, I hardly have time to go on Fanfiction, let alone write a chapter. But I'm struggling with it and working on it and have finally come out with another chapter. it is not perfect and I might redo it but I hope you like it. This chapter focuses more on description than of their relationship but i hope you like it all the same.

Disclaimer: I am not Tamora Pierce, if you think so, please visit Neal...

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Kel/Zahir

Submitted by: Myself.. (sigh) SEND IN SOME SITUATIONS PLEASE!

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Not a lot of things had happened since Keladry of Mindelan had become a squire, or so she thought. Peachblossom was the same as ever and Neal was his usual annoying self. Seasons came and went in the same fashion with the sole exception of her and her friend's aging. She had proven many conservators wrong when she became a squire, not only that, but squire to Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak as well. king Jonathan and Queen Thayet still ruled and Roald was still the next in line to the throne.
Duke Baird was still the palace's chief healer and the palace was still its old intimidating self with all its old passageways and ancient archways.
What Kel thought about were her friends, her family, the seasons and the weather, yes, those had all stayet the same. What she didn't realize was the changing of some people not so close to her, changes she had caused.

For one thing, Alanna the Lioness, Nealan of Queenscove's Knight Master had somewhat forgiven King Jonathan, her visits to the palace were still rare but because she was always fighting, not because she was angry.

Lord Wyldon of Cavall had resigned, Lord Padraig HaMinch had taken his place. After a couple of rounds of tilting with Keladry of Mindelan, arranged by her Knight Master Lord Raoul, the latter had eased up a bit on the idea of females trying for knighthood. She hadn't sent him flying, he was still a HaMinch after all but he had felt the force beneath her blows and he had been incapable of unseating her. Not many knights stayed in saddle after one round with Lord Padraig, let alone a squire.

And then there were her old enemies, her first enemies.

Joren had died two months previous in the chamber of Ordeal and Kel had been blamed for his death by his father. Her Knight Master had made it very clear that it was not her fault and yet Kel couldn't shake the feeling that if she had never tried for Knighthood he'd never have died. Not that she was complaining about it, Tortall certainly did better without him as a knight, she often snorted at the idea. Joren protecting Justice?

Garvey had also had his..interesting.. experience in the Chamber of Ordeal. He was currently living in his fief, Runnerspring, hiding in his shame. He had raped some village girls and yet, the law for nobles was a very heavy fine and nothing more. He had scarped up the money with no problem, Runnerspring was a rich fief, and was let free. Kel burned with anger at the mere thought.

And then there was Zahir. Zahir had stopped hazing the first years before they had been taken over by the 'protectors' he had always found it stupid. He was son of a head tribesman and had always wanted to be like Joren. handsome, strong, rich, someone people believed and listened to. That was why he had stayed with Joren so much. But when Zahir had found out what Joren was really like, he didn't like it much. Joren was consumed by his hatred for the girl page. He hated her for being something she couldn't help being. there was no glory, no honor in being a Stonemountain. His fief was rich, but that didn't earn him respect.
Lately, it seemed to Zahir that he was thinking more and more about the Lady Squire.

Now, midsummer, she was coming back to the palace. He was excited to see her and painfully, very painfully, he was forced to admit to himself that he had fallen for Keladry of Mindelan. he had to tell her, before he was consumed with desire. If she didn't like him back, all for the better, less complications. But at least he would tell her and get it off his chest. the constant pressure was starting to suffocate him.

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Kel had been at the palace for a week already and was overjoyed. She had managed to see Neal briefly before he left and she had caught Merric some too. She had spent some of her time with Owen, but he was still a fourth year page and was swamped with work. The prince, Roald was to stay at the palace for the same amount of time as she and his Knight Master, like hes did not need to be waited on much. So Kel would usually be found with Roald, chatting away at something or dueling or looking over maps and strategies on a map in each other's rooms.

Now she walked down the hallway confused. She had found a note on her door that told her to come to a specific room down the hall. The note read:

Hello Keladry, welcome back to the palace.

If you are not busy tonight, I was wondering whether you would like to meet me... I wanted to speak to you about something. please meet me in my room, at the end of the hall, on the right side.

She found herself even more puzzled when she looked at the door she'd been told to come to; door marked with Zahir's name. Zahir? She thought to herself puzzled.

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She knocked politely and the door swung open.

"Keladry you came."

"Hello Zahir." She didn't mind him, he had left Joren's gang a while ago. And he did seem happy to see her, that really mystified her.

"Please come in.' he said politely.

Kel stepped inside the room; "Please call me Kel."

He nodded. Kel looked around the room and gasped. His room was decorated in mostly yellow, probably to remind him of his home, in the desert with his tribe. It was decorated with gold and he had many things hanging on weapon racks that covered the walls of the room. The weapons were all black with hints of gold in them and were all finely made. He had maps of varying sizes that covered all of Tortall, one big one for the desert in the south. He had a map that also conveyed some Tyra, some Carthak and some Tusaine. One giant map covered almost the whole wall on one side of the room, it was a map of all the countries.

She asked him questions about his room and then about the Bazhir desert. She asked about his tribe and his weapons. He chuckled and answered all of her questions. They talked for a couple of hours. Suddenly as if something snapped inside her, she remembered.

"Zahir, what was it you wanted to speak to me about?"

He smiled again, his breathtaking smile that lighted his whole face.

He leaned in.

He was tall and dark. Handsome and held grace and power in his stance yet he was very delicate in pressing his warm lips to mine. His lips where like fire, searing where they touched. My body reacted like it had been burned but found it liked the heat. Everything went light. There was no darkness, there was no up or down. My face was still, savoring the moment of pure happiness. His face was happy and carefree, not guarded as usual. He was alight with some emotion that Kel could only guess looked like love. She saw adoration in his gaze and reveled in the way he handled her, as if she was strong but could easily break. As if she was light as a feather but could hold her own. With his smiling face he looked strikingly handsome. He was the reincarnation of beauty, Kel couldn't drop her gaze away from his. His black eyes swept over her face looking for her reaction.Finding it satisfactory he deepened his kiss. Kel's mind exploded. Everything was so perfect...

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Kel looked into the loving eyes of her husband as she watched him drift slowly to sleep. It was five years after that night. The night they had found love in one another. And it was their first night as husband and wife. Their wedding had been beautiful and their friends had been so happy, everything felt just right. So she laid there, tight in her husband's embrace as she thought back. She quietly and carefully --as not to wake her husband-- slipped her hand under her pillow. She took out a worn out piece of paper. Even if it turned slightly yellow with age and the ink from the quill that had been used were to dry up, she would never forget the words that still made her smile through everything.

--Hello Keladry, welcome back to the palace.

If you are not busy tonight, I was wondering whether you would like to meet me... I wanted to speak to you about something. please meet me in my room, at the end of the hall, on the right side.--

She slipped the note quietly under her pillow again and looked back to her husband. He was still the happy man she had fallen in love with. Still dark and tall though now he had more of an aura of wisdom around him. He was older, of course, and she was too. They had seen so much in those past five years and whenever something go too hard they could always find comfort in each other. She looked into his brown eyes, so dark the seemed black and smiled even more deeply. He closed his eyes and so did she. Life would get better and worse and they'd still be here, by each others side. Ready to face the new day when it came. Ready to face their life as it hurled towards them, ready to face the world, whilst never letting go of each other.

Sort of long I know...

Okay, I am exhausted so this will definitely not be one of my best. I like Kel/Zahir but I can't think of anything better to do... sob. I might remake it later if someone asks me too. I have gotten far too many pairings and not enough situations.. people! I love your ideas! Send them in!

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xxTunstall Chickxx