Post by kuno on Jul 18, 2013 14:03:41 GMT 10
Title: Dancing Mindelan
Summary: Kel goes to a ball.
Rating: PG
Author's Notes: This is on Deviantart as well. So, I hear that KelDom doesn't have a very good rep on Glake when it comes to fic. Since I love that couple I'd like to help redeem them some.
This is the first part of my KelDom "Mindelan" series. I do try to keep them as in character as possible. I hope you all like it. If I had to rewrite this I would defintely tweak some things, but I wrote this in early 2011 (and the next installment too). So, please forgive anything that may seem grammatically (or non-grammatically) strange. That said, I appreciate any critique or feedback <3
~~
I'll never understand my sisters, Keladry of Mindelan told herself. I can't even be around them without having to fight off a complete lesson in "damsel-like" court dress. Kel shook her head. After eight long years and a shield to prove it she figured they would have remembered that she was a knight. Not a doll.
Despite Kel's solid build, broad shoulders and tall stature, she didn't feel at all self-conscious in a dress. Why should she? Not only had she worn them all through her page years during supper, but she was a grown woman. Unfortunately, that didn't mean she was used to it anymore. It had been a long time since she wore a proper dress and she just felt somewhat naked without her breeches.
It wasn't that she didn't like dresses or anything; dresses just weren't practical for an active knight. It would be hard to slay centaurs, hurroks and spidrens in a dress. The only thing that made her agree to wearing a dress to the royal ball was just how outnumbered she was. Three of her four sisters plus her mother all decided to suddenly corner her and Kel decided that if it would finally get them off her back after years of poking and prodding, she could wear the thing for a single night.
"Kel?" Her eyes closed. She knew that husky voice. "Mithros, bless me. I think I'm seeing things."
Kel turned around to face her best friend with her best Yamani-calm mask "Good evening to you to, Neal."
Nealan of Queenscove stood before her, his signature wicked grin plastered wide on his face. Neal was still Neal. Brown hair that swept back from a widow's peak, deep green eyes and a tongue that should have been tied up by numerous lords and ladies years ago, Lord Wyldon, their former training master, especially. "My sincerest apologies, Lady Keladry."
"Neal--"
His eyes danced with wicked humor. "Relax, Kel. It's just been years since I've seen you in a dress."
Beside him stood Yukimi of Queenscove, his wife. Her eyes crinkled with mirth against her pale, Yamani-smooth face. Yuki's eyes smiled at Kel "In the Yamani islands you only ever wore kimonos. This is quite new to me."
Kel sighed and explained to them that the dress was her family's idea. The three of them walked into the ball room together as she made them understand her situation. Once she finished, Neal grinned from ear to ear. "Tortall's famous Protector of the Small bested into a dress by a few damsels. Why Kel, I'm disappointed."
Kel fought the urge to punch him in the shoulder. Having known Kel long enough, Neal cheerfully decided to make his escape. He bowed and held his hand out to Yuki. "Would you like to dance, my dear?"
Yuki performed a slow curtsy as a he bowed, took his hand and let him lead her away. He sent one last cheerful look to Kel before leading his wife out onto the dance floor. Kel, who promised to do something unpleasant to him later, scanned the room for anymore familiar faces. She noticed Owen of Jesslaw dancing with his wife, Margarry, Lord Wyldon's youngest daughter. Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak, her former knight master, stood at the sidelines. Despite marrying Buriram Tourakom a few years ago, he still hated social functions and was happy to remain a wallflower during such occasions. She shook her head with a smile. At least he was no longer pestered by mothers and their marriageable daughters.
Also present, she found, were Merric of Hollyrose and Seaver of Tasride, both her year mates during their knight's training and both attempting to woo a couple of unmarried court ladies. Master Oakridge observing his work of arrangements, Myles of Olau with his wife, Eleni. Even Alanna the Lioness, who was also known for her dislike of social functions, was present with her husband, Baron George of Pirate's Swoop. Kel let out a breath of relief. Even though they remained friends it was uncomfortable at times to be around Cleon of Kennan, her former sweetheart, after they broke it off due to his arranged marriage to Ermelian of Aminar. She was somewhat glad he wasn't in attendance.
Suddenly, someone interrupted her thoughts, "Why my dear Keladry, you look lovely."
Kel's heart shamelessly fluttered when she realized who it was. Domitan of Masbolle, a sergeant of the Third Company of the King's Own. She had met him during her years as a squire under Lord Raoul. "Dom. It's nice to see you."
Dom grinned down at her. He was one of the only men that were truly taller than she was. "And you. Why Kel, I don't think I've ever seen this side of you before. I must say you look enchanting."
Enchanting? She wondered. The word was so foreign to her it took her a moment to reply. "…Thank you. It was my sisters' idea."
Perhaps it wasn't such a bad idea, she pondered. Adalia told her that dark colors were bound to look better on her than lighter colors. She donned a purple gown, a blue velvet surcoat with purple silk trim and lavender eardrops to set them off.
"Well, how do you feel?" Dom asked.
Kel shrugged, "It's been quite a while, but it doesn't feel uncomfortable or anything."
He nodded in understanding and for a moment stood still. Suddenly, he turned an eye to her and winked. "I haven't seen you for months. Would you like to make the most out of the night?"
Kel's eyes widened "Dom, I…"
Her eyes returned to their normal size and she blinked when he held out a hand to her, "Would you do me the honor of a dance, Lady Keladry?"
She nodded and hesitated, but curtsied to his bow before taking his hand took his hand. I don't want to be rude, a small voice in her head reasoned. He's a friend after all. A warm sensation fell over her like a veil. It was all too foreign for her to be dancing with a man. Even during her time with Cleon they never danced due to the circumstances. Was this even acceptable? Thoughts raced through her head and she fought to keep her face from going all sorts rosy shades.
It wasn't that Kel didn't know how to dance. The problem was just how little in her life exactly had she danced. She wasn't used to being twirled all over the place. At least, not when it wasn't the dance of battle.
The musicians started on a waltz as Kel cursed their timing. Smoothly, Dom lead her onto the dance floor and began whirling her around the room. The imaginary veil she wore got thicker as they continued. She could feel a few eyes on her and Dom as they danced across the floor. Her feelings felt strange and she knew the sight must have been strange to the select few onlookers.
Dom smiled warmly down at her, "Aren't used to it?"
She shook her head. "No."
"That's alright." He shrugged, "Neither is my lord."
Kel couldn't keep a chuckle from escaping her lips, "He'll never get used to it."
Dom let out a small laugh, "Too true, too true."
As they continued to chat, Kel found that the dance became more comfortable. The awkwardness and strange sensations faded away as they talked about this and that, from weapons to the business of the realm and each other's families. Kel talked about how her home of Mindelan was fairing and Dom chattered about how business in the Own was doing. Among other things, they talked about their friends in the Own and at the palace, general new things that had happened to them recently and even shared some funny stories with each other. She was surprised to discover that she actually enjoyed the dance and she could tell he had too.
After the dance ended, Kel and Dom removed themselves to the sidelines. He bowed to her with a wink on the way down "It seems as if you enjoyed yourself Lady Keladry."
Kel couldn't help but grin at him. She chuckled, "Cut the formalities, you goofball."
"But am I wrong?" He inquired.
"No." She answered with a smile.
He straightened up. "That's good." After a glance around he smiled back at her, "The way to the balcony is just across the room." He jerked his head to the balcony doorway. "It's just a tad stuffy in here, don't you think?"
She nodded "It is. Some fresh air is in order I think."
He suddenly grinned and held out his arm to her confusion. Realizing her bewilderment, he chuckled "You're supposed to take it, Kel."
"I know that." She retorted and let him lead her outside, "I just thought you'd only ever offer an arm like that to a real lady."
Dom shook his head with a long-mouthed smile on his lips. "Oh, Kel." He sighed dramatically, "It's just like you not to realize you're probably one of the realest ladies."
"Don't be dramatic." She couldn't keep a grin off her face, "That's Meathead's job. He wouldn't appreciate being upstaged."
Dom let out a hearty laugh. "It's real hard not to miss you, Kel."
Summary: Kel goes to a ball.
Rating: PG
Author's Notes: This is on Deviantart as well. So, I hear that KelDom doesn't have a very good rep on Glake when it comes to fic. Since I love that couple I'd like to help redeem them some.
This is the first part of my KelDom "Mindelan" series. I do try to keep them as in character as possible. I hope you all like it. If I had to rewrite this I would defintely tweak some things, but I wrote this in early 2011 (and the next installment too). So, please forgive anything that may seem grammatically (or non-grammatically) strange. That said, I appreciate any critique or feedback <3
~~
I'll never understand my sisters, Keladry of Mindelan told herself. I can't even be around them without having to fight off a complete lesson in "damsel-like" court dress. Kel shook her head. After eight long years and a shield to prove it she figured they would have remembered that she was a knight. Not a doll.
Despite Kel's solid build, broad shoulders and tall stature, she didn't feel at all self-conscious in a dress. Why should she? Not only had she worn them all through her page years during supper, but she was a grown woman. Unfortunately, that didn't mean she was used to it anymore. It had been a long time since she wore a proper dress and she just felt somewhat naked without her breeches.
It wasn't that she didn't like dresses or anything; dresses just weren't practical for an active knight. It would be hard to slay centaurs, hurroks and spidrens in a dress. The only thing that made her agree to wearing a dress to the royal ball was just how outnumbered she was. Three of her four sisters plus her mother all decided to suddenly corner her and Kel decided that if it would finally get them off her back after years of poking and prodding, she could wear the thing for a single night.
"Kel?" Her eyes closed. She knew that husky voice. "Mithros, bless me. I think I'm seeing things."
Kel turned around to face her best friend with her best Yamani-calm mask "Good evening to you to, Neal."
Nealan of Queenscove stood before her, his signature wicked grin plastered wide on his face. Neal was still Neal. Brown hair that swept back from a widow's peak, deep green eyes and a tongue that should have been tied up by numerous lords and ladies years ago, Lord Wyldon, their former training master, especially. "My sincerest apologies, Lady Keladry."
"Neal--"
His eyes danced with wicked humor. "Relax, Kel. It's just been years since I've seen you in a dress."
Beside him stood Yukimi of Queenscove, his wife. Her eyes crinkled with mirth against her pale, Yamani-smooth face. Yuki's eyes smiled at Kel "In the Yamani islands you only ever wore kimonos. This is quite new to me."
Kel sighed and explained to them that the dress was her family's idea. The three of them walked into the ball room together as she made them understand her situation. Once she finished, Neal grinned from ear to ear. "Tortall's famous Protector of the Small bested into a dress by a few damsels. Why Kel, I'm disappointed."
Kel fought the urge to punch him in the shoulder. Having known Kel long enough, Neal cheerfully decided to make his escape. He bowed and held his hand out to Yuki. "Would you like to dance, my dear?"
Yuki performed a slow curtsy as a he bowed, took his hand and let him lead her away. He sent one last cheerful look to Kel before leading his wife out onto the dance floor. Kel, who promised to do something unpleasant to him later, scanned the room for anymore familiar faces. She noticed Owen of Jesslaw dancing with his wife, Margarry, Lord Wyldon's youngest daughter. Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak, her former knight master, stood at the sidelines. Despite marrying Buriram Tourakom a few years ago, he still hated social functions and was happy to remain a wallflower during such occasions. She shook her head with a smile. At least he was no longer pestered by mothers and their marriageable daughters.
Also present, she found, were Merric of Hollyrose and Seaver of Tasride, both her year mates during their knight's training and both attempting to woo a couple of unmarried court ladies. Master Oakridge observing his work of arrangements, Myles of Olau with his wife, Eleni. Even Alanna the Lioness, who was also known for her dislike of social functions, was present with her husband, Baron George of Pirate's Swoop. Kel let out a breath of relief. Even though they remained friends it was uncomfortable at times to be around Cleon of Kennan, her former sweetheart, after they broke it off due to his arranged marriage to Ermelian of Aminar. She was somewhat glad he wasn't in attendance.
Suddenly, someone interrupted her thoughts, "Why my dear Keladry, you look lovely."
Kel's heart shamelessly fluttered when she realized who it was. Domitan of Masbolle, a sergeant of the Third Company of the King's Own. She had met him during her years as a squire under Lord Raoul. "Dom. It's nice to see you."
Dom grinned down at her. He was one of the only men that were truly taller than she was. "And you. Why Kel, I don't think I've ever seen this side of you before. I must say you look enchanting."
Enchanting? She wondered. The word was so foreign to her it took her a moment to reply. "…Thank you. It was my sisters' idea."
Perhaps it wasn't such a bad idea, she pondered. Adalia told her that dark colors were bound to look better on her than lighter colors. She donned a purple gown, a blue velvet surcoat with purple silk trim and lavender eardrops to set them off.
"Well, how do you feel?" Dom asked.
Kel shrugged, "It's been quite a while, but it doesn't feel uncomfortable or anything."
He nodded in understanding and for a moment stood still. Suddenly, he turned an eye to her and winked. "I haven't seen you for months. Would you like to make the most out of the night?"
Kel's eyes widened "Dom, I…"
Her eyes returned to their normal size and she blinked when he held out a hand to her, "Would you do me the honor of a dance, Lady Keladry?"
She nodded and hesitated, but curtsied to his bow before taking his hand took his hand. I don't want to be rude, a small voice in her head reasoned. He's a friend after all. A warm sensation fell over her like a veil. It was all too foreign for her to be dancing with a man. Even during her time with Cleon they never danced due to the circumstances. Was this even acceptable? Thoughts raced through her head and she fought to keep her face from going all sorts rosy shades.
It wasn't that Kel didn't know how to dance. The problem was just how little in her life exactly had she danced. She wasn't used to being twirled all over the place. At least, not when it wasn't the dance of battle.
The musicians started on a waltz as Kel cursed their timing. Smoothly, Dom lead her onto the dance floor and began whirling her around the room. The imaginary veil she wore got thicker as they continued. She could feel a few eyes on her and Dom as they danced across the floor. Her feelings felt strange and she knew the sight must have been strange to the select few onlookers.
Dom smiled warmly down at her, "Aren't used to it?"
She shook her head. "No."
"That's alright." He shrugged, "Neither is my lord."
Kel couldn't keep a chuckle from escaping her lips, "He'll never get used to it."
Dom let out a small laugh, "Too true, too true."
As they continued to chat, Kel found that the dance became more comfortable. The awkwardness and strange sensations faded away as they talked about this and that, from weapons to the business of the realm and each other's families. Kel talked about how her home of Mindelan was fairing and Dom chattered about how business in the Own was doing. Among other things, they talked about their friends in the Own and at the palace, general new things that had happened to them recently and even shared some funny stories with each other. She was surprised to discover that she actually enjoyed the dance and she could tell he had too.
After the dance ended, Kel and Dom removed themselves to the sidelines. He bowed to her with a wink on the way down "It seems as if you enjoyed yourself Lady Keladry."
Kel couldn't help but grin at him. She chuckled, "Cut the formalities, you goofball."
"But am I wrong?" He inquired.
"No." She answered with a smile.
He straightened up. "That's good." After a glance around he smiled back at her, "The way to the balcony is just across the room." He jerked his head to the balcony doorway. "It's just a tad stuffy in here, don't you think?"
She nodded "It is. Some fresh air is in order I think."
He suddenly grinned and held out his arm to her confusion. Realizing her bewilderment, he chuckled "You're supposed to take it, Kel."
"I know that." She retorted and let him lead her outside, "I just thought you'd only ever offer an arm like that to a real lady."
Dom shook his head with a long-mouthed smile on his lips. "Oh, Kel." He sighed dramatically, "It's just like you not to realize you're probably one of the realest ladies."
"Don't be dramatic." She couldn't keep a grin off her face, "That's Meathead's job. He wouldn't appreciate being upstaged."
Dom let out a hearty laugh. "It's real hard not to miss you, Kel."
Maybe once we'd have seen it during Smackdown!