Author note. Well, this is it. ::sniff:: the end. the end of my first ever fic! hope you like it! I've finished another story and will post it soon.
Kel looked at herself in the mirror. Her emerald dress rally seemed to bring out the green in her hazel eyes. She really thought she had done a good job on her face makeup. Salma had even tried to help but she didn't know much about applying the little paints Kel's mother had sent her. It made her wish Lalasa was there. She made a face at her reflection. ' I'll probably never understand why women went through all this stuff just to look pretty'. Then she thought of whom she was getting all fixed up for. 'Neal likes all those court beauties so I guess I should try and make myself as beautiful as possible.' Her mother had also sent her the dress and a beautiful emerald necklace. "Think of it as your midwinter gift" said the included note.
She began to think about what Cleon had said to her. 'He's always loved me. He thinks so much of me. I don't understand how anyone could love me the way he does. It's funny how Neal can never seem to love girl for at least a week at a time.' Then she made a horrible realization. 'What if I'm just a phase too…what if he isn't really in love with me and it's just some little crush. Neal is older than Cleon, but he doesn't really know what he wants. And Cleon does…'
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A while later…
Neal straightened his tunic for the thousandth time. He wished he had Kel to fix all the little mistakes but this was all for Kel in the first place. He began to smooth a wrinkle when he heard a knock at the door. He opened the door to see Cleon. He looked very handsome and incredibly sharp. It looked as if he had visited Kel.
"Hi Neal."
"Uh…hi Cleon."
"Listen Neal, I really wanted to wish you and Kel luck. You have my blessing so to speak."
Neal looked at Cleon blankly.
"Look, you know I'll always love Kel and no one can ever change that. But, I know when the battle is lost. And, honestly Neal, I don't think I could have lost to a better guy."
"Thanks Cleon. I'm really grateful for what you did. You didn't lose any battle. You just gave me the best gift anyone's ever given me. You gave me Kel, and I'll never ever forget that."
Neal surprised them both by pulling Cleon into a hug and giving him a few good slaps on the back. He released him abruptly. Cleon smiled and walked down the hall in the direction of the ball.
Neal heaved a nervous sigh. Closing the door behind him, he walked over to Kel's room. He wiped his now sweaty palms on his pants and straightened his tunic one last time. He looked up at the very intimidating door.
'Neal, this is just Kel. You shouldn't be anywhere near this nervous,' He told himself.
He gathered up his courage and knocked on the door. After a moment the door opened.
She was breathtaking. Her emerald green dress flowed like water when she moved. It really showed of some feminine curves he never knew she had. She had put on some makeup that made her hazel eyes seem to shine at him with innocence. Her emerald necklace could not even match her beauty.
Neal gapes at her for quite a while. She gave him a huge smile that made her seem twice as gorgeous.
"Are you trying to catch flies or is that a compliment?"
Neal closed his mouth. "You look…" he said at a loss for words.
"I'll save you the trouble and just say thank you, ok?" She giggled.
Neal laughed. He put out his arm and she slipped her arm around it.
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They walked into the ballroom where many squires and maidens were already on the dance floor. The beautiful chandeliers that hung from high ceilings and the tapestries that draped the walls awed Kel. Mage lights created a romantic mood while musicians played.
She spotted Roald coming towards them.
"Neal!" He shouted.
"Hi Roald" Neal said as he came closer.
Suddenly Roald bowed deeply in Kel's direction. "Neal, you're date disowns all the other maidens here tonight. How did you manage to find such a…" Roald stopped short once he got a good look at Kel. She smiled and winked at him.
"What was that you were going to say, your highness?" She asked in an innocent voice.
Roald's mouth fell open. "Wow, Kel…you look…wow!"
She laughed, "The prince is actually at a loss for words! Roald it's just me! Do I really look that different?"
"Uh yeah! Kel, you look very…uh…nice! I gotta go." He rushed off quickly.
"I'd say he thought a little more of you than 'you look nice'" Neal chuckled.
"You think so?!" Kel said sarcastically.
"well I know I do." He whispered into her ear. He took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.
The musicians began to play a slow sweet melody. He pulled her close to him. She laid her head on his chest and sighed softly. They swayed to the music, Neal holding Kel like he'd never let her go.
'I can't believe I'm here in Neal's arms. I'm being held by my best friend and now lover. And it's all because of Cleon.'
She felt Neal's lips on her head.
'if I'm in love with Neal why can't I stop thinking about Cleon?'
Kel suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. Neal, however seemed quite comfortable and content. He didn't notice her sudden uneasiness. Kel looked over Neal's shoulder and into the crowd. Her eyes caught a glimpse of Cleon.
'What!? Is he smiling?! Is he over me already? I guess no one really loves me the way I do Cl…Neal.'
She felt her stomach cave in and tears sting her eyes. She shut her eyes and did her best to stay calm. The Yamani face wasn't working this time.
The song ended and Neal released Kel just enough so that he could look at her. He had a dreamy expression on his face. She made the mistake of staring into his hazel green eyes. He leaned in slowly. She closed her eyes as her lips met his. He kissed her softly and gently. She kissed him back convincing herself it was what she wanted. They pulled apart. Neal smiled at her.
"I love you Kel." He whispered.
A new song began to play. Cleon appeared behind Kel. Kel turned to see him smiling at her.
"May I have this dance dewdrop?
Kel looked at Neal questioningly. Neal gave the tiniest frown.
"Sure." He said reluctantly letting her go.
She turned to face Cleon. He held out his hand and gave her a warm smile. A shiver ran up her spine as she placed her hand in his.
He held her but didn't dare pull her close like Neal had.
She found herself wishing he would.
She closed her eyes. Everything just felt…right. She found herself moving closer to him. The rest of the world fell away from the two of them. They had a world unto themselves. She took in everything about him the way he smelled, the feel of her hand in his, the warmth of his body, his steady breathing. She opened her eyes and looked at his handsome face. Her eyes caught his. They stared into each other's eyes never wanting the song to end. The forever they wanted never came.
The song ended and they hastily broke apart. Cleon's hand came away from around her waist. He took her hand and kissed it, his eyes never leaving hers. As his hand left hers she felt a piece of parchment in her hand. He smiled and disappeared into the crowd. She opened her hand and unfolded the parchment he had given her.
It read…
Kel, these are the words I couldn't tell you. They are what have been on my mind ever since the moment I told you I'd wait for you.
I don't have much to offer but my life,
I can't give you anything but forever.
There's so much I want to tell you
Yet there never seems to be enough time in a day.
I want to show you all my love
Yet eternity doesn't seem enough.
If you ask for the stars
I'd spell your name across the sky.
If every step I take would lead me closer to you
I'd walk this path forever.
If every melody I make would bring a smile upon your lips
I'd play the melody forever.
No amount of words can even begin to tell the tale of this newfound love.
No amount of songs can ever be made to describe how much I love you.
When we first met I couldn't think with my head.
My heart just took over.
If I ever lose you I know you will return to me.
Everyone must return home.
And your home is with me.
Just remember that m heart will be searching for yours
Until forever.
Kel read the poem her heart filling with love.
'I love him'
"what's that?" said a voice behind her.
Kel jumped and quickly folded up the poem.
"oh Neal! You scarred me. Uh…it's just a note from Cleon."
"hmmm…should I be jealous?" he said smiling. His eyes were twinkling. He leaned in with the intent of a kiss.
Kel backed away. "Maybe you should be."
Neal looked at her in surprise and confusion.
"What!" he croaked.
"Neal, I love Cleon." Neal's face paled.
"I don't know how it happened but I can't love you anymore. Neal, you don't know what you want. Neither did I until just now. I want to be with Cleon. Please try to understand."
Neal gazed into her eyes sadly. "Maybe I was just in love with being in love. You're right, Kel. I don't now what I want. I want you but…I'm not hurting like I would if I loved you. Not the way Cleon hurt. Cleon loves you for real. He's the one you were meant for."
Neal kissed her lightly. The last time he would ever kiss her. When he pulled away he gave her one last smile and disappeared into the crowd.
Kel looked around her and began to search for Cleon. Her heart cried out for him. She walked around the ballroom…looking…searching. The endless crowd enveloped her. It seemed like she spent forever in that crowd. But she found him.
She ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck. "Have you waited long enough?"
She eagerly kissed him. Cleon was so overwhelmed that it took him a moment to react. But react he did. He kissed her back with all the passion and love that was built up inside of him. Kel felt shivers run up her spine and her body fill with fire. She ran her hands through his hair and he cupped her face in his hands. His touch was soft and caressing.
Kel broke away from him; a huge smile lit her face.
"I love you, Cleon." She said.
"As do I my rose. But you already knew that didn't you."
She laughed and kissed him again. Her knees felt weak. It was a good thing he was holding her up or she light fall over.
A new song began as they pulled apart. Cleon led her onto the dance floor. She settled her head against his chest and he rested his head on hers.
"So what made you change your mind? Was it the poem?" he asked as he absently stroked her cheek.
"It helped but no."
"Really? Wasn't good enough huh?" he said jokingly.
Kel sighed. "It was the most beautiful thing I had ever read."
"Then what was it if it wasn't the poem?"
"It was how you were willing to do anything to make me happy. Even give me up to Neal."
Cleon blushed. "You knew about that? Did Neal tell you?"
"No, I was there when it happened."
Cleon paled. "Then that means you saw me crying!"
Kel leaned back to look into his eyes. "Yes I did. Cleon, it just helped me realize that it's you that I love. It showed me that you really love me. That it's not just some crush. Neal doesn't love me. He just has a crush on me. The kind he gets on every other girl. I got scarred that Neal didn't really love me the way you did. Then I got even more scarred when I thought you just had a crush on me and that you were over me already. Cleon, I am really truly in love with you. And I know we'll be in love
Until Forever
That's it! The End! R/R please!