Sir Neal - Chapter 2
Title: Sir Nealan, Knight of the Realm - Chapter Two: Yuki's Discovery
Fandom: Tamora Pierce
Pairing: Neal/Yuki, Kel/Dom
Summary: Neal has a brilliant idea
Rating: PG-13
Warning(s): Meathead teasing, fan hitting, raving scholars, extreme paranoia...you get the idea
A/N: The first installment of this epic tale *snort*
~Sir Nealan, Knight of the Realm~
Chapter 2: Yuki's Discovery
Neal paced the floor of his room. It was late - very late, after midnight at the least.
He had returned home with his beloved Yuki quite a while ago, prepared to sleep. But found his mind would not let him rest. It was his plan, he knew, that was preventing him from dozing off. Once he got a hold of an idea, he couldn’t rest until he had seen it through to the completion.
This whole book business was by no means the first time this had happened to him. But why did he have to find a project now, of all times? He had hoped to spend a nice, quiet Midwinter; kissing Yuki, teasing Dom, and avoiding practicing with Kel. But there was no chance of peace now, he realized wistfully.
But though he felt the loss of his former plans, he couldn’t deny he was getting more and more excited about the task at hand. The book would be amazing!
He briefly considered the fact that he’d never written anything substantial aside from the odd medical dissertation, but quickly discarded the thought. It couldn’t be that much harder, and if anyone was more qualified to write a history of his best friend, he’d kiss Peachblossom! His work would be outstanding! Kel would love it; Dom, for once in his life, would be speechless; and Yuki would shower him with praise and adoration! It would be perfect. And to think of the scholarly challenge!
He should start with Kel’s birth…no, with him meeting her…yes, then flashback to her parents’ marriage…yes that was it! He was going to need so many sources: birth certificates, family histories, books on Yamani culture, firsthand accounts from her family, information on her childhood, the letter to the King informing him that she wished to try for knighthood (Neal briefly considered how he was going to get this, then moved on -there was always bribery of servants), opinions from her friends; the list was endless!
The enormity of the project hit him as he considered how much research this would entail. It would be the book of the decade at the very least! Kel was already a hero and this would serve to immortalize her forever. It was the greatest honor he could do for his long time friend. If anyone deserved it, she did. Quiet, steady, but fierce, Kel had done, seen, and dealt with more than any sane person.
Then again, Neal wouldn’t exactly classify her as sane. Anyone who rode into Scanra alone during a war was justifiably touched in the head.
And in addition to the boost in Kel’s fame, the whole affair would also demonstrate his scholarly prowess to all of Tortall! He would be renowned for his accomplishment! He would have respect from all the academic types! He would…actually have to write it first.
Moving animatedly towards his desk, Neal whipped out a fresh sheet of parchment, his favorite quill, and a container of ink. Bending over his work, he began to scribble furiously, creating a long-winded outline and a very lengthy list of materials simultaneously.
Perhaps he could include some of his poetry about Kel! His faced darkened as he considered Dom’s earlier comments - on second thought, better to leave them out. But, he realized, his face brightening, he could include some of the songs he had heard about Kel…it would be a fitting epigraph he supposed…perhaps he could visit some of the minstrels in the lower city and…
Lost in his thoughts, he failed to note the rising of the sun and the ring of the morning bell. In fact, he did not lift his head from his work until he heard an incessant knocking on his door.
“Come in,” he called irritably, not even looking up from his lists.
Yuki entered the room to find her husband-to-be sitting amid several massive piles of paper. He was a mess, sitting there with his hands and clothes covered in ink spots, his hair wild and sticking out in all directions, striped with ink where he had run his stained hands through it.
Needless to say, he looked terrible.
Neal glanced up from his work to find his lovely Yamani blossom regarding him with no small amount of apprehension. He smiled, oblivious to his current state. “Hello dear. You look as glorious as the moonrise. What brings you here at this hour?”
“Nealan, it’s after midday,” she replied, quite worried.
“Oh.” Neal said as he glanced out the window. “So it is.”
“Neal, I was worried when you didn’t come to any of your meals. I didn’t know if something had happened to you,” Yuki said anxiously.
Neal smiled ruefully. “I’m afraid I got a bit caught up in my work. I’m sorry to have worried you. Nothing happened to me except my academic instincts.” He said as he waved her over.
Wondering if she was about to marry a mad man, she approached him tentatively. Neal pulled her down to whisper conspiratorially in her ear, “I’m embarking on the greatest literary work of the decade!”
Yuki pulled back to observe him. She noticed the dark circles and red eyes that showed he had not slept. Still, he seemed to be filled with a strange sort of exuberance. She had heard before that scholars were very strange when in the midst of great projects, but had never really believed it before now.
“What are you writing about then?” she asked, mildly interested in what was making her betrothed act so strangely. Perhaps she should ask Dom what to do about it. He must have had plenty of experience in dealing with his cousin’s peculiarities.
“Hmm…” he replied, studying something he had crossed out earlier. “What? Oh! I can’t say. It’s a surprise.”
Sighing she told him, “At least come and get some food. You need to eat.”
“Right” he replied, clearly not listening.
Seeing that he was not heeding her words, Yuki’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Nealan,” She said, her voice dangerously low, “you are going to get cleaned up and changed while I wait outside. Then we are going to the mess. If you are not out in five minutes, I’m going to get my glaive.”
Neal gulped and looked up, his attention now completely on her. “Yes, my lady! Right away, my lady!” He jumped up to do as he was bid.
Yuki gave him a regal nod and left the room. She stood out in the hall and waited…and waited… and waited. But no trace of Neal emerged.
At first she thought maybe it was taking a long time for him to scrub off all the ink, but after nearly half an hour, she was getting more than a bit impatient. She knocked sharply on the door…no answer. Again she knocked, this time calling his name…still no answer. Finally she had exhausted all of her patience and threw open the door in exasperation, preparing to give Nealan a scathing lecture.
Instead, she found her betrothed sound asleep on his bed. Hiding a smile, she padded softly over to him and drew a blanket over his prone form. He didn’t even stir. Gently she touched his face, and for a moment, time was suspended as she admired his handsome features. Then she left, silently shaking her head.
Being married to a scholar was certainly going to be…interesting.
Fandom: Tamora Pierce
Pairing: Neal/Yuki, Kel/Dom
Summary: Neal has a brilliant idea
Rating: PG-13
Warning(s): Meathead teasing, fan hitting, raving scholars, extreme paranoia...you get the idea
A/N: The first installment of this epic tale *snort*
~Sir Nealan, Knight of the Realm~
Chapter 2: Yuki's Discovery
Neal paced the floor of his room. It was late - very late, after midnight at the least.
He had returned home with his beloved Yuki quite a while ago, prepared to sleep. But found his mind would not let him rest. It was his plan, he knew, that was preventing him from dozing off. Once he got a hold of an idea, he couldn’t rest until he had seen it through to the completion.
This whole book business was by no means the first time this had happened to him. But why did he have to find a project now, of all times? He had hoped to spend a nice, quiet Midwinter; kissing Yuki, teasing Dom, and avoiding practicing with Kel. But there was no chance of peace now, he realized wistfully.
But though he felt the loss of his former plans, he couldn’t deny he was getting more and more excited about the task at hand. The book would be amazing!
He briefly considered the fact that he’d never written anything substantial aside from the odd medical dissertation, but quickly discarded the thought. It couldn’t be that much harder, and if anyone was more qualified to write a history of his best friend, he’d kiss Peachblossom! His work would be outstanding! Kel would love it; Dom, for once in his life, would be speechless; and Yuki would shower him with praise and adoration! It would be perfect. And to think of the scholarly challenge!
He should start with Kel’s birth…no, with him meeting her…yes, then flashback to her parents’ marriage…yes that was it! He was going to need so many sources: birth certificates, family histories, books on Yamani culture, firsthand accounts from her family, information on her childhood, the letter to the King informing him that she wished to try for knighthood (Neal briefly considered how he was going to get this, then moved on -there was always bribery of servants), opinions from her friends; the list was endless!
The enormity of the project hit him as he considered how much research this would entail. It would be the book of the decade at the very least! Kel was already a hero and this would serve to immortalize her forever. It was the greatest honor he could do for his long time friend. If anyone deserved it, she did. Quiet, steady, but fierce, Kel had done, seen, and dealt with more than any sane person.
Then again, Neal wouldn’t exactly classify her as sane. Anyone who rode into Scanra alone during a war was justifiably touched in the head.
And in addition to the boost in Kel’s fame, the whole affair would also demonstrate his scholarly prowess to all of Tortall! He would be renowned for his accomplishment! He would have respect from all the academic types! He would…actually have to write it first.
Moving animatedly towards his desk, Neal whipped out a fresh sheet of parchment, his favorite quill, and a container of ink. Bending over his work, he began to scribble furiously, creating a long-winded outline and a very lengthy list of materials simultaneously.
Perhaps he could include some of his poetry about Kel! His faced darkened as he considered Dom’s earlier comments - on second thought, better to leave them out. But, he realized, his face brightening, he could include some of the songs he had heard about Kel…it would be a fitting epigraph he supposed…perhaps he could visit some of the minstrels in the lower city and…
Lost in his thoughts, he failed to note the rising of the sun and the ring of the morning bell. In fact, he did not lift his head from his work until he heard an incessant knocking on his door.
“Come in,” he called irritably, not even looking up from his lists.
Yuki entered the room to find her husband-to-be sitting amid several massive piles of paper. He was a mess, sitting there with his hands and clothes covered in ink spots, his hair wild and sticking out in all directions, striped with ink where he had run his stained hands through it.
Needless to say, he looked terrible.
Neal glanced up from his work to find his lovely Yamani blossom regarding him with no small amount of apprehension. He smiled, oblivious to his current state. “Hello dear. You look as glorious as the moonrise. What brings you here at this hour?”
“Nealan, it’s after midday,” she replied, quite worried.
“Oh.” Neal said as he glanced out the window. “So it is.”
“Neal, I was worried when you didn’t come to any of your meals. I didn’t know if something had happened to you,” Yuki said anxiously.
Neal smiled ruefully. “I’m afraid I got a bit caught up in my work. I’m sorry to have worried you. Nothing happened to me except my academic instincts.” He said as he waved her over.
Wondering if she was about to marry a mad man, she approached him tentatively. Neal pulled her down to whisper conspiratorially in her ear, “I’m embarking on the greatest literary work of the decade!”
Yuki pulled back to observe him. She noticed the dark circles and red eyes that showed he had not slept. Still, he seemed to be filled with a strange sort of exuberance. She had heard before that scholars were very strange when in the midst of great projects, but had never really believed it before now.
“What are you writing about then?” she asked, mildly interested in what was making her betrothed act so strangely. Perhaps she should ask Dom what to do about it. He must have had plenty of experience in dealing with his cousin’s peculiarities.
“Hmm…” he replied, studying something he had crossed out earlier. “What? Oh! I can’t say. It’s a surprise.”
Sighing she told him, “At least come and get some food. You need to eat.”
“Right” he replied, clearly not listening.
Seeing that he was not heeding her words, Yuki’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Nealan,” She said, her voice dangerously low, “you are going to get cleaned up and changed while I wait outside. Then we are going to the mess. If you are not out in five minutes, I’m going to get my glaive.”
Neal gulped and looked up, his attention now completely on her. “Yes, my lady! Right away, my lady!” He jumped up to do as he was bid.
Yuki gave him a regal nod and left the room. She stood out in the hall and waited…and waited… and waited. But no trace of Neal emerged.
At first she thought maybe it was taking a long time for him to scrub off all the ink, but after nearly half an hour, she was getting more than a bit impatient. She knocked sharply on the door…no answer. Again she knocked, this time calling his name…still no answer. Finally she had exhausted all of her patience and threw open the door in exasperation, preparing to give Nealan a scathing lecture.
Instead, she found her betrothed sound asleep on his bed. Hiding a smile, she padded softly over to him and drew a blanket over his prone form. He didn’t even stir. Gently she touched his face, and for a moment, time was suspended as she admired his handsome features. Then she left, silently shaking her head.
Being married to a scholar was certainly going to be…interesting.