Ok so this is my first fanfiction so please tell me what you think. If it is good bad or whatever. Also i couldnt think of any names for the griffin so if you have any suggestions please tell me and i will add a name. Also this will probablly be a one shot. I hope you like it. Also this story is dedicated to Kari of Mindelan for helping to get started. THANKS!

Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me the characters and setting belong to the wonderful Tamora Pierce.

Kel rode into the forest on Peachblossom and went towards a clearing she knew about that was deep in the forest. Once she got there she picketed Peachblossom and went to sit by the stream. It's a nice day out she thought. It's good to get away from all of the stiffness of court. Away from the conservatives and all of the stuck up ladies.

She decided to go for a swim to cool off on the hot summer day. She laid her tunic, shirt, and breeches on a rock. She got in the water and just relaxed but she made sure her glaive and bow were within easy reach. She didn't want any surprises.

A few minutes later Kel saw a shadow cross over the water. But when she looked up she didn't see anything. Still, she wasn't going to take any chances so she got out of the water and put her clothes back on. She went to go pick up her glaive and bow when she saw the shadow again.

She looked up sharply and saw a griffin flying overhead. Kel relaxed a little bit when she saw it because she knew that griffins were peaceful and didn't attack without reason. She was just happy it wasn't a hurrok.

Looking at the sun she realized that a couple of candlemarks must have passed and that she should be getting back to the palace before anyone started to worry.

As she rode she saw the griffin twice more. When she got back to the palace she groomed Peachblossom and then started up for the mess hall for dinner. On her way up she spotted a familiar person with black hair. She ran up to catch up with him. "Hey Dom," she said when she was beside of him.

"Hey Kel. Where have you been all day?" He asked.

"Oh, I was in the forest."

"How come?"

"I didn't want to stay at the palace. I just needed to get away for awhile."

"Oh. Well next time you do please invite me. I don't like just hanging around the palace all day. Especially with Meathead around."Dom laughed. Kel thought about inviting him and how she had gone swimming and almost blushed. Thankfully her mask hid it. Though it did make her sad that her 6 year crush didn't return her feelings. She grinned at him.

"What did he do today then?"

"Well, first he came over to my rooms to recite poetry about his beloved blossom to me. Then at lunch he gave me a lecture on how I should act more mature. Just because I threw a roll at him because he was sitting there sighing about Yuki. So I've been hiding from him all day. Then I went looking for you to see if I could hide out in your rooms or if you would challenge him to a joust. Then I couldn't find you and I thought that something had happened to you and that you needed a big strong sergeant like me to help you."

"It sounds like you had a fun day today," she said with a laugh, "And I'm sorry, but I don't need saving. However I will gladly challenge our beloved Meathead to a joust. I need the practice anyway."

"Great! You just made my day. Now I get to see him get pounded by a lovely lady."

"Dom, I am no lady. Why do you call me that?"

"Oh, but you are to me, O Great Protector."

"Dom! Quit calling me that silly name."

"Fine, my dear Keladry."

"Domitian! Stop it right now or I will challenge you too."

"Yes Kel."He said, fear written all over his face. By now they had reached the mess hall, so they went over to get their food. When they saw Neal sitting at a table with Owen they went to join them.

Once they sat down Neal said, "Kel, where have you been all day? I couldn't find you anywhere."

"I was in the forest."

"Oh."

"Neal, eat your vegetables."

"Yes Mother." Neal looked at his vegetables with disgust. Reluctantly he stabbed at a few and reluctantly put them in his mouth. Dom and Owen laughed at him.

"You two, too. Eat them." Kel ordered. "Oh and Neal."

"Yes."

"You are going to joust me after dinner. No excuses, no exceptions."

"But... what...why?"He finally got out. "I didn't do anything."

"Yes you did, you recited your horrible poetry to Dom and then you gave him a lecture on how he should act more mature when you were thinking about Yuki. You shouldn't be talking about actiong mature. That is why you are jousting with me." She stated.

Neal grumbled something that sounded like 'stupid complaining cousin who doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut. Had to go tell his crush.' Luckily Kel didn't hear the last part as she had gotten up to throw her food away. But Dom had heard him.

"Meathead, she is not my crush!" he hissed. "Besides, even if she was she wouldn't like me that way."

Kel came back and sat down. "Don't worry Neal," said Owen. "It will be a jolly joust."

"That is unless Kel beats you to a pulp." Dom muttered (thanks Rowena for sugggesting I add this. I love it!)

Kel saw someone walking over to their table but she couldn't make out who it was. When she got closer she saw that is was Daine. "Kel," the wild mage said, "Please come with me."

Kel looked at her in confusion and got up to follow her. "Neal don't forget about our joust." She reminded him and followed Daine out the door."

Daine and Kel walked down to the practice courts where Kel was shocked to see a griffin. "Wait, why is there a griffin down there? One has been following me all day." She told Daine

"Do you not recognize him?" Daine asked.

"Do you meant to say that that this griffin is the one I took care of when I was a squire."

"Yes," Daine replied. "I saw him the other day and he recognized wanted to thank you for taking care of him."

They had reached the practice courts now and stood near the griffinA crowd had begun to gather around him but he didn't seem to mind. The griffin chose that moment to look up wand when he spotted Kel he flew over and landed right in front of her. He looked her straight in the eyes.

"He says, 'thank you for saving me from the centaur and taking care of me. You may pet me if you like. I don't mind-it felt good when I was young.'" Daine relayed to Kel.

Kel smiled at him and reached out a hand to stroke his head. "You didn't seem to like it with all the noise you made."

Daine concentrated, telling the griffin Kel's message. "He says, 'I didn't like to be handled, but I am grateful for what you did and I was wondering it I coukd take you for a ride." She translated for Kel.

"I would love to but I don't like heights at all." Kel told him.

"He says 'I know, but I won't fly high so hop on'"With that he bent down 'til he was kneeling in front of heron his front legs. Kel gingerly on and he too off. There was a loud gasp that came from the crowd below. Kel looked down ans saw Dom, Neal, and Owen coming out of the mess hall. They looked up and when they saw her their mouths dropped open. She smiled at then and waved. The griffin flewover them and and up over the castle.

Please Review and make my day! :)

A/N I edited this story with the help of my beta, Rowena of Naxen. I would like to thank all who have reviewed so far and for suggeting that I get a beta. Also thank you Rowena for catching my mistakes.