A/N: Thank you all so much for your reviews.
(LOB takes stage, cameras and lights trained on her face as she gives her acceptance speech.) "I'd like to thank all the little people who reviewed. I couldn't have done it without you!" … sunkissed guacamole: That has to be, like, the best review I ever got! Thank you SO much! And yes, you spelled 'epilogue' right. (I didn't, the spell-checker just fixed it!) And don't worry. I DO type fast. (Speedy Gonzales!) I worked on the Mavis Beacon program for 2 years, and I got to, like, 70 words per minute. Thanks again for reading. Nutz Nina: Aww… Thanks for your review. nativewildmage: I'm sorry that u r sick. (offers over a bowl of chicken soup) Feel better soon! I'm glad that my last chap. Could make you feel a little better. Thanks for R and Ring. The Hobbit Lass: Thanks for your review. And don't worry, I have a brand new story coming soon! i-love-vash: Thank you. Dancer4eva: Thanks! My sister and I called our story 'There's No Place Like Home.' I'm not sure I like the title. We may change it, but for now, it stays. Numair uses one of those magic words of power and Kel, Neal, Owen, and Tobe are transported to our time! It's SO not boring! It'd be great if you would read. x17SkmBdrchicczxx: Here's the epilogue! I hope you like it! queen-of-sapphires: I didn't think that Kel would hold a grudge either. Thanks for r and r ing. firesangel21: Thanks for reading! Jamie Lynn: Thanks for your review. Confusedknight: Thank you kindly for the complement. Please keep readin' my work. Pinky: Sorry, Neal's taken! Thanks for reading.
To All: I have a new story that is on the way, called "Redeeming Raoul." It's an (semi) original idea, with lots of great flashbacks(original, not text from the books). (Just pretend that that was another billboard!)
Now, about this story: I have a scene in here that I pictured from LOTR: the Two Towers. When Aragorn walks into the King's Keep at Helm's Deep… But it's very different here… I'm babling. This makes NO sense. Oh well. Please review, and read "Redeeming Raoul".
Without further ado, please enjoy, the epilogue of "Terms of Devotion."
(Sniffles. This is so sad. I'm almost crying. This is one of the few stories I've started that I actually finished. I think I need a tissue…)
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Terms of Devotion
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Epilogue
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March
462
Queenscove
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Kel opened the double doors of Neal's study with both arms. Three months of marriage had taught Kel that her husband could usually be found in this small library. The room was filled with books and papers. It was just one of the many rooms of the Queenscove manor. Kel was happy there; the climate was nice, and as Owen had commented during the first of his visits "It's ginormous!"
As Kel stood, holding the doors open, the dark wood framed her. Kel was wearing a dark green robe, open over her nightgown. She mock-glared at her husband.
At the desk, Neal stood, smiling at her.
"Good morning, my love," he said, though it was already well past noon. Kel didn't say anything, only walked steadily towards him. She didn't stop until her arms were around his neck in a passionate embrace.
As his hand brushed Kel's stomach, some of his gift leaped from his fingers. Neal pulled away suddenly. Kel grinned.
"I have news for you, Dear Man," she said.
"I felt it, Kel. I know."
"I'm pregnant," she whispered. Neal kissed her again. Then he took her hands and led her back to his chair, pulling her onto his lap.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Kel said, kissing Neal back.
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Six Months Later…
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"Push, Kel," Neal coached from her side. The young couple had spent six long months planning and preparing, but now, when the baby was coming, they still didn't feel ready.
"I am!" Kel said through gritted teeth.
"You can do this," Neal said, readjusting his grip on Kel's hand.
"I've got an idea," Kel said between rhythmic breaths. "Why don't you have the baby, and I'll sit there making obnoxious comments." Neal's father smiled at the argument. He remembered one much the same when his own son was born.
Before Kel could brace herself, another contraction rushed through her body. Within minutes, a cry was heard, quiet at first, but growing steadily louder.
"Congratulations. You have a daughter," Baird said. Neal shouted, and Kel laughed in joy, her breathing slowly returning to normal. The healer set about getting Kel and her baby cleaned up, then quietly left the room, to tell his wife thehappy news.
Kel down at the baby girl in her arms. Neal scooted up beside her and kissed her forehead. Then he gazed down at his daughter.
"She's so beautiful," Kel breathed. She looked up at Neal, as he wrapped his arm around her and stroked the baby's face with his finger. "What should we name her?"
"Ilane?" he offered. Tears welled up in Kel's eyes.
"Ilane of Queenscove. It's perfect, Neal," Kel said. "Thank you."
"No, thank you. You didn't have to have a baby, you know," Neal said.
"So now you tell me," Kel returned, a weary smile on her face. Lane's tiny digits curled around Kel's fingers. She kissed her daughter softly. "I'm so tired."
"Rest, Kel. Just rest. You've earned it."
Neal took the baby from his wife, and carried her over to a chair near the window. Even though she was less than an hour old, Ilane was the most beautiful thing Neal had ever seen. She had tiny blue eyes, with hints of green hiding in them, and a soft, brown fuzz on her head. As she yawned, Neal saw Kel's nose, and his chin. Finally, as the baby fell into a sleep, Neal saw Kel's Yamani mask face.
He grinned and looked up at his wife. Judging from the rise and fall of her chest, Kel was fast asleep. He rocked Ilane slowly. Just as he was about to doze off himself, Neal heard Kel's voice murmuring. She was talking in her sleep.
"I hope…Irnai was right…. Ilane…daughter…be a knight." Whatever sleepiness Neal had felt vanished with his realization of what Kel meant. The child-seer had said that Ilane would be a knight? Neal looked at his baby, resisting the urge to shake Kel awake and make her explain.
He thought of everything Kel had been through, all the trials of her probation and page years, and the rumors told during her time as a squire. He stood and paced the room. How could his sweet, beautiful baby want that kind of a life?
Neal returned to her side at the cradle. As he gazed at his daughter, Ilane smiled in her sleep. He realized that whatever her decision was, he wanted her to be happy. Besides, he had ten years to worry about whether or not she wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps.
"And I'll enjoy every minute of it," he said, returning to Kel's side. She stirred long enough to smile at him, then fell back into a deep dreamless sleep. Neal kissed her cheek and settled his head beside hers.
"Sweet-sleep, my loves," he whispered, joining them in slumber.
THE END