A/N: Yeah, I'm actually working on this story for a change. This is the epilogue. My very first TP story is coming to an end. I might do a sequel in the distant future about Tobe and Lilla, but I'm not sure on a plot there. I wanted to mention that Numair had a giant "Gandalfy-Merlin" complex going on in the last chapter. He was probably a little OOC, but I wrote that chapter before I read RotG, so I think I can get away with it :D !
Review Returns- (I don't know why I bother. It's been so long that you probably don't remember if you reviewed or what you said, but anyways…)
Nativewildmage: Thank you. x17SkmBdrchiczxx: It was almost the end. :D Thanks for R and R ing. Mage of Dragons: Thanks! TP OBSESSEE: Thank you! Nutz Nina: Thanks for reading. imakeladrygirl: Well it was only eight or nine months. I guess that's not as soon as you would have liked, huh? Sorry about that. I was experiencing Cleon-induced writer's block. Thanks for reading! Kokari: Thanx. Brighid's flame: Thanks for reading. Phoenix Fanatic: Thanks for reading. This is the end of the story. Eclipsa: Thank you for reviewing. This is the epilogue. Enjoy!
Book Two of Keladry, Lady Knight
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Epilogue
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March 5, 461
South of Hamrkeng
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As the ceremony ended, Kel looked at the men standing near her. She hugged Lord Raoul, and he patted her shoulder, relieved to see her safe. Then he went to Numair to see if he would help him with a speech spell so he could talk to Buri. Kel felt a tap on her arm. She greeted Merric by clasping his forearm. Loesia and the other children stood in a group near him, and she greeted them all with warms smiles. And then she saw Tobe.
Kel scooped the boy into her arms, hugging him tight. To her surprise, he was hugging her harder. She felt a warm wetness dampening her sleeve where Tobe had buried his face and realized that he was crying.
"It's okay," Kel whispered, blinking away her own tears. The boy sniffled and didn't answer, but he nodded vaguely. Kel pulled him closer. "You know, Tobe, there's something that I've wanted to do for a while now." Kel's voice was still low so that her words were heard by the boy alone. "Would you like to be my son?"
"You mean like your heir?" Tobe asked, wide-eyed.
"Yes. I'd like to adopt you. I've wanted to for awhile. You'll have a home and a-"
"A mother?" Tobe interrupted. Kel nodded, too choked up to trust her voice. Tobe threw his arms around her again. "I'd love that."
Kel held her boy for a few moments more, then released him. Tobe looked around at the faces that surrounded them. He looked suddenly alarmed.
"Where's Lilla?"
"She's safe," Owen answered. "King Rupent's mother is watching over her."
Owen and Harod rode back to the cabin and brought Tysia and Lilla to the celebration.
After Tobe played mother-hen to Lilla, Kel held her girl in her arms, promising once again to watch over her. She knew full well that Tobe was not the only child she would be adopting.
A few days after Rupent was crowned, he began to survey all the damage that would have to be repaired. A census would have to be prepared, which meant a progress for the new king, which would be difficult with the almost year-long wintry weather.
King Rupent sent the Tortallan Delegation south on a fleet of black horses, taken from Maggur's stables and decorated in the colors of Amrishiakk. With them came a squad of guards who would escort the Princesses Gwenyvere and Lawra back to their family.
When the train rode up to the gates of New Hope, Kel, who was in the lead, jumped down from her horse, leaving Tobe and Lilla still mounted, and ran across the bridge.
The squad of convicts that were on guard on the wall-walk peered down, but they didn't trust their own eyes. What if the Lady Kel that stood below them was just a clever mage-trick?
Temporary Commander Cleon of Kennan took a look, pressing Kel's griffin feather-band to his forehead. As he turned back to the convicts, a grin spread across his face.
"Open the gates, men," he said. "Your commander is home."
When the big gates creaked open, the men, crowded closely with the refugees, saw Kel standing outside. Her hands were crossed over her chest, and she was giving them a mock look of fury. When she spoke her voice was quiet.
"I set aside the whip. I let you patrol freely. I feed and clothe you. And this is the thanks I get. Forgotten in a fortnight."
There was silence. None of New Hope's residents knew what to say.
"Kel!" a voice called. She turned at the familiar voice to see Cleon running down the stairs that led to the wall walk. She started forward, picking up speed until she was in his arms. Cheers went up around camp. The sound was deafening, between the refugees and the soldiers.
Kel hid a blush beneath her Yamani mask. Tobe and Lilla came to her, and she put one arm around them and one around Cleon. He greeted the children enthusiastically.
Kel looked around. She stood surrounded by her family and her friends. She was home.
THE END