AN: OMG. I don't think anyone is going to believe this, but this is the last chapter. I'm actually finishing a story for once! I can't believe it myself. I have more coming soon, including a story about Thom of Pirate's Swoop in which he and Prince Liam go exploring new worlds and find a group of natives on the other side of the world. There is a preview of it in Thom's chapter of my story called "Drabbles." Oh- and I forgot the alternate KD ending to this story. I'm also liking the character of Kyli, and I think she is demanding a sequel to HCFW. She is a KelNeal child, after all. Stubbornness and determination run in her blood.

To everyone who's been with me from the beginning, thank you for reading my story. It means a lot to me. Without further gilding the lily, and with no more ado, (Cyber-cookies to anyone who knows where that quote came from!) here it is: the last chapter.

Review Replies:

Clouds of Sapphire: Here it finally is. Sorry about the wait! a: Thanks for reading! I've really appreciated your reviews. xxTunstall Chickxx: It is a big family- but it's mostly Neal's doing. He's stubborn. Thanks for reading! SarahE7191: I'm taking my computer to be fixed this week. The guy on the phone said he might be able to get my files off. I don't like "mights." Anyways, thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you've enjoyed the story. 4-eyedDragon: Like I said in the AN, Kyli is nagging at me to do her story. It would be set when she's a squire, so fourteen to sixteenish. I'm glad you've enjoyed it. Thanks for reading. abyssgirl: Thanks for R and R ing. Juliannaphelia: Thank you. X17SkmBdrchiczxx: The boys are definitely confusing. I had a spreadsheet I used to keep track of their ages, but unfortunately it is still on my non-working laptop. I'm so glad you liked the story, and I'm sorry you always had to wait for updates. But thanks for reading and reviewing. Lady Grace of Masbolle: Because I am a bit of a dunce, it took me awhile to get the snow white thing, but you are absolutely right. They're all going to take care of their baby sister. JaBoyYa: Thanks for reading! CopperIslander: I think this chapter kindof answered your questions. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciated it. An-Jelly-Ca: Thanx for reading. I'm glad you liked it. Lady Zarobiti: I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for r & r-ing.

Hope Comes From Within

Chapter 23
Ordeal

Kel sat cross-legged on the bed in a meditation-like state. It was the second night of Midwinter, and the night of Domi's Ordeal of Knighthood. Kel had never been so nervous before, not even for her own Ordeal.

Clarion of Kennan had been the first squire of the year to face the Chamber. Cleon had been mercifully spared from a night of worrying about one daughter by the birth another. He and his wife named their new daughter Amelya.

When the king knighted her, Ree wore a spicy green gown that set off her gray eyes. Cleon grinned happily. "Tomorrow night, you'll be as proud as I am," he told Kel.

She hoped that he was right. Domi's Ordeal began just after Ree's party. Lords Raoul and Wyldon instructed him in the bath, and then came to the Queenscove suite in the palace to wait out his vigil. Kel's parents were there, as were Owen, Seaver, and Merric. Neal, Kylani and the boys provided food and entertainment.

Kel, longing for more quiet than the group was providing, had retreated to her bedroom. She pondered the last few years and the changes they had brought for her blended family.

Berk and Keikai were both squires, the former to Merric of Hollyrose, and the latter to a young knight from Fief Greenhowe. Garrett, now fifteen, was a fulltime student at the University, and one of Thom of Pirate Swoop's favorite pupils. Eleven-year-old Caedmon seemed intent on joining the Queen's Riders. The twins, Baird and Emry, were still committed to enjoying their childhood. That meant hunting and fishing in the forests near New Hope and Queenscove, inventing games for their little sister, and pulling pranks on whichever brother happened to be closest.

Then there was Kylani. Kel found the experience of having a daughter vastly different from having a son. Kyli was much more outgoing, energetic, and curious. Since she had learned to talk she had asked a million questions. None of her brothers ever had the heart to refuse her an answer, or a piggy-back ride.

Aside from her inquisitive nature, she had also inherited the Gift from Neal. Kel loved watching them practice magic. Neal would hoist his daughter onto his shoulders and cart her off. They could then be found sitting together under a tree, doing small works of magic.

Kel smiled, but then she felt bad for being happy while Domi was waiting for his Ordeal. She forced herself to review his childhood and assess her job at raising him. Kel was so deep in thought that she had not noticed a small body slip into the dimly lit room. She jumped at the sound of a tiny voice.

"Mama, are you sad?" Kyli asked, standing at the end of the bed. Kel gave a soft smile and patted the pillow beside her. Kyli grinned, and Kel was once again struck by her likeness to Neal. Kyli had her father's nose, and her wavy hair was the same deep chestnut color as his.

Kyli crawled across the bed and sat down next to her mother, peering up at her with dreamy hazel eyes.

"I'm not sad, Sweetie," Kel explained as her daughter settled her head in her lap. Kel stroked her hair gently. "I'm just worried about Domi."

"But Uncle Raoul said that Domi is as good as you, and you are a knight. And Berk said that if Da could do it, so could a monkey." Kel chuckled softly.

"They're right. Domi comes from brave stock. He'll be alright," Kel said, thinking of her son's father. Despite the little Queenscove girl who lay in her arms, Kel wished for the thousandth time that Dom was alive to see his son. He would be so proud of the young man Domi was becoming.

"Mama?" Kyli asked, disrupting Kel's thoughts.

"Mmm?"

"Are there going to be tasty sweets at Domi's party tomorrow night?"

"I'm sure there will. We're going to an eating house in town. Uncle Raoul says they have the best cake in the city," she said with a smile.

"Good." Kyli yawned. "Do I have to stay awake, Mama?"

"No, go to sleep. I'll wake you up when it's time to go see Domi," Kel promised.

"Okay," Kyli whispered, putting her thumb in her mouth. She was beginning to drift off to sleep. "I love you, Mama," she mumbled.

Kel smiled softly, kissing her daughter's forehead. Once Kyli's breathing drew slow and even, Kel leaned back into her pillows and resumed her thinking.

Kel stood on a tall wall that surrounded a fort. She looked out over the horizon. The landscape was familiar. It was the area surrounding New Hope, but the land was as it looked when Kel was the fort was first built.

Suddenly two large arms wrapped around her shoulders. Kel, staying in the man's embrace, turned to look up into Dom's beautiful blue eyes. She let her head fall onto his shoulder. Like always when she had these dreams, Kel was aware that she was not awake, but she was beyond caring.

"You're still doing a great job," he said. "Domi is the most amazing young man. He's so vibrant and full of life- you did that Kel."

"Half of it was Raoul," she said into his shirt collar. Dom chuckled.

"He had a part, but you made more impact in Domi's life than anyone else."

"Domi has so much of you in him. It amazes me every day."

"He's the best of both of us," Dom said, lifting her chin with a finger. "And I am so proud of him, and you."

"I still miss you, Dom," she whispered. Dom lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.

When he let her go, Kel turned away, leaning against the wall. The moonlight caught the stone in her wedding ring. Dom leaned beside her, their arms touching.

"Meathead has been taking good care of you," Dom said. Kel smiled. "Thank him for me."

"Kel?"

Kel felt her shoulder being shook. Lips brushed her forehead. She opened her eyes groggily. Neal stood over her. She blinked a few times to clear the sleep from her eyes.

"It's nearly dawn," Neal said, gathering up Kyli.

"I guess I'm too old to sit vigil," Kel said, massaging the arm that her daughter had been laying on. It tingled as circulation returned.

"You're not old," he said. "The Stump is old. Did you know he has snoring issues?"

"Is everyone still here?" Kel asked.

"They headed down to the chapel after we woke Wyldon and Merric," Neal told her. "Let's go. I'll carry the munchkin."

Kel didn't respond. Despite her dream, she felt fear and anticipation growing in her belly. She knew that the only way to make it stop was to get to Domi's Ordeal and see him come out fine.

She followed Neal and Kyli through the palace corridors and stairwells until they reached the chapel which housed the Chamber of Ordeal.

Kel's heart wrenched when she realized that her son was behind that unfriendly stone door. Neal turned to see why she hesitated.

"It's okay," he whispered, shifting a no fully awake Kyli so that he could take his wife's hand.

"I know," Kel breathed back.

"I want Mama," Kyli told her father. Kel held out her arms to take their little girl, and then let Neal lead her to the first cold bench in the room. She sunk down beside Raoul, sighing softly to steady her nerves.

"He's the best of both of us."

The chapel rumbled slightly as the door began to open. Raoul jumped to his feet. Kel's eyes fixed on the Chamber. The door opened the rest of the way and then . . . silence.

Raoul turned to Kel. She stood slowly, letting Kyli slip onto her father's lap. She stopped forward once, twice, then three times, chills creeping down her back.

Suddenly a shape appeared in the mist. Domi stumbled out, caught by his knightmaster's large arms. Kel let out a huge gulp of air; she hadn't even noticed that she was holding her breath. In an instant her arms were around her son. He struggled to regain a regular breathing pattern.

"I did it, Ma," he said hoarsely. Kel grinned, wiping her eyes on her sleeve.

"We are both so proud of you." Kel didn't need to specify the "both." Domi knew she meant his father. After one more hug, Kel allowed Raoul to lead her son away. He deserved his rest. She was feeling rather sleepy herself.

"Is Domi okay, Mama?" Kylani asked, tugging on Kel's sleeve.

"He's perfect," Kel responded. She hoisted her daughter into her arms. Kyli laid her head on Kel's shoulder, yawning widely, and then stuck her thumb in her mouth.

"I think we all need a nap," Neal said, slipping an arm around Kel. She looked up into her husband's face. His eyes were underscored by dark circles, but he smiled wearily at her.

Kel kissed his cheek.

"I think that's a good idea."

…..

Supper that evening was a fine affair. Everyone had caught up on their sleep, and therefore spirits were high.

Kyli sat on Neal's lap. She was enjoying a piece of chocolate cake which she had proclaimed "very tasty."

Kel looked around, realizing that her son had disappeared from his own party.

After waiting a few moments to see if he would return from the facilities, she decided to look around. She went to check the tavern that was below the restaurant, and see if she could find him.

Rounding the second landing of the stairs, Kel saw her son holding the hands of a very young woman. He brushed a tear off of the girl's cheek. She turned slightly, and Kel noticed the distinct profile of Clarion of Kennan.

Quickly, Kel ducked back around the corner.

"I was scared when you didn't come out," Ree whispered.

"I was scared too," Domi admitted. "Last night- I was afraid I'd die without you knowing- I love you Ree." Clarion's voice was heavy with tears.

"I love you too, Domi."

Kel could only assume that the silence that followed was filled with passionate kisses. Ashamed of her eavesdropping, accidental or not, Kel went back to the party.

When Domi and Ree returned some time later, they were holding hands. Cleon met Kel's eyes, his face lit with a grin and a raised eyebrow.

Kel realized at that moment that her son didn't need her anymore. He was all grown up. She looked forward to watching him continue to mature as a man and a knight.

Kel also realized that her life had a theme: no matter what happened, or how deserted she felt, she was never alone.