Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

They were on their way back from Ratthausak, the miles stretching behind them like scars on the land. The closer they drew to Tortall’s borders, the happier the children became. The adults though, had much more to think about than simply that they were getting back home.

Kel was unusually quiet, her gaze distant, locked on the worn path or the fading light, but never really seeing either. Her steps slowed, her breaths shallow. Dom noticed, though he said nothing for a while. He knew she wasn't just in pain, although with her injury that was an ongoing issue. No, this was deeper than that. He was dealing with his own muddled thoughts after all. They both had to put all thoughts besides survival aside for most of the day, as they were in charge of so many innocent lives, in enemy territory. It was rare to have enough time to even think.

Eventually, it was time to stop. After setting the watch, and organizing the villagers and children, they found a small clearing by the banks of the Vassa, the river whispering cold and steady beside them. They settled on rough stones, letting their mounts graze and catching their breath.

After a few moments, Dom broke the silence. His voice was low, careful.

“You can tell me anything, Kel. You know that right?”

Kel swallowed, then met his eyes.

“It's Tobe,” she said, voice tight. “I worry… if they’ll send me off to Traitor’s Hill once they see what I’ve done. What will happen to Tobe? Will you and the Own take care of him? After all, Neal also .. ” she sighed. "How will Yuki take it ... " she shook her head.

Dom’s hand found hers, warm and steady despite the grime and wear of battle.

“They won’t send you off to Traitor's Hill.” His tone was steady, with that infuriating calm that could talk a storm down. She started to protest, and he cut her off. “I know that for sure, actually. Raoul wouldn’t let that happen. You’re like a daughter to him—his best squire, his impossible success story. He’s proud of you, Kel, and loves you, even if he doesn’t say it outright.”

She looked away, watching the light break on the water.

“Wyldon, too,” Dom went on. “He wouldn’t have handed you command of the refugees if he didn’t think highly of you. You didn’t abandon your post—you took action when no one else dared. You ran off to save lives. You turned the tide of a war. Without the killing machines, there's no way Maggot will continue to rule.”

Kel shook her head. “That’s not how it will sound in the reports.”

“Then let the reports choke on their ink. And remember, Wyldon is the one writing the reports..,” Dom said softly. “Alanna wouldn’t let them hang you either. To her, you’re the girl hero of the people. You gave the realm something to believe in again.”

He paused, tossing another pebble into the water.

“And Duke Baird—well, you’re practically family. Neal’s his only son left, and you’re the reason Neal hasn’t been half-killed a dozen times over. Plus, Baird patched you up often enough during your page years that you’re special to him too, for your own sake.”

Kel gave a small, reluctant smile.

“You make it sound so simple. What about Neal? Owen?”

Dom shook his head. "Don't forget, all of you went to save civilians. Punishing any of you would result in civil war. Do you think any commoner would ever follow the King again?" "Also, no matter what, you don't have to worry about Tobe. You have my word. He will be one of us. The whole Own will adopt him." Dom looked at her then, and paused. His hands were scraped, his uniform torn, his jaw dark with exhaustion. They were both filthy, bruised, and more alive than they’d thought possible a few days ago.

Kel thought about it. Her left shoulder ached beneath its bandages, the wound pulling when she breathed too deeply. Neal had said it would knit well enough, if she didn’t strain it. Which was a laugh. Strain was all she’d done since. Still, at least she was alive.

Dom took a deep breath, then reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently in his own.

“And… you’re special to me also, Kel.”

Her gaze flickered with surprise.

He smiled gently, voice dropping.

“I wasn’t going to tell you. Too scared, really. But after Ratthausak—after coming that close to death—well, priorities change. My feelings for you—they go beyond just special.”

Kel’s chest tightened, the weight of the moment settling around them like dusk.

Dom kept his eyes on their joined hands, his fingers warm and sure against hers.

The wind off the Vassa stirred her hair, tugged at the edges of her cloak.

Dom squeezed her hand again.

“You don’t need to respond now. Mithros knows you’ve been through enough without having any pressure to say anything back. I just wanted you to know.”

He paused, then added with a tired but genuine smile, “It’s time we got back anyway.”

Dom rose, offering her his hand. She looked at him for a moment, let him help her get up, then returned the smile and squeezed his hand back just a bit.

He took a deep breath, and they both just looked at each other, smiling quietly and silently.

“Come on, Commander. Tortall’s waiting.”

Together, they stood and turned toward home—wounded, weary, but not broken.

Chapter Text

The night watch had been set, and the camp had gone quiet save for the soft crackle of the fire and the occasional snort of a horse.

Tobe sat near the horses, mending a strap with his small knife. Peachblossom stood nearby, looming and judgmental as ever. Dom’s mare, Moonlight, grazed just within the firelight, her silver-gray coat glimmering faintly in the dusk.

After a while, Moonlight lifted her head and flicked an ear toward the boy. “Well, since Ratthausak, the brooding has gotten worse.” she said in her crisp, knowing tone. “I suppose you’ve noticed?”

Peachblossom snorted. “If you mean your fool of a rider, yes. He’s been sighing like a love-struck page. It’s embarrassing.”

Tobe grinned without looking up. “If you’re talking about Dom, then yes, I’ve noticed. Everyone’s noticed. Even the mules probably know.”

Moonlight gave a ladylike sniff. “He’s in love. Poor thing. It’s rather sweet, in a tragic sort of way.”

Peachblossom pawed the ground. “Sweet? It’s foolish. My lady has no time for that. She’s still healing, and she’s got a kingdom to hold together.”

Tobe chuckled softly. “You say that like she doesn’t care for him at all.”

Peachblossom blew through his nose. “She cares for everyone. That’s her problem.”

Moonlight’s eyes glimmered in the firelight. “Not quite everyone. She watches him differently. At Owlshollow, when she thought he’d been hurt—she nearly ran herself sick looking for him. And her mask isn't nearly as good with him as with everyone else.”

Peachblossom’s ears flicked forward. “Hmph. I remember that. And at Ratthausak…” He hesitated, a grudging note creeping into his voice. “Your Dom took care of her. Carried her right out of that horrible building, looked terrified, stayed by the squeaker until he was forced out. Did a good job organizing when my Lady couldn't too. I can’t fault him for that.”

Moonlight arched her neck proudly. “He’d have carried her all the way back to Corus if he thought it would help.”

Peachblossom grunted. “He’d better not have tried.”

Tobe laughed, wiping his hands on a cloth. “He wouldn’t dare. But he would take care of her. He always has. She told me once that he gave her something to eat on her very first day as a squire as she had forgotten. Though I think at that time he was just being nice. Now it's more than that.”

Moonlight made a pleased sound. “See? That’s devotion. He’s loyal, brave, kind, and sensible too.”

Peachblossom fixed her with a long stare. “Horses are sensible. Humans are not. They say too much, or not enough. Still…” He looked toward Kel’s tent, the canvas dimly lit by a small lamp within. “…he’s done right by her.”

Tobe tilted his head, thoughtful. “You know, it’s not such a bad thing. Someday you and I might not be around, Peachblossom. She’ll still need someone who looks out for her. Someone who makes her eat and sleep when she forgets to.”

Peachblossom gave a heavy, resigned sigh that stirred dust from the ground. “You have a point, boy. I am getting older. I cannot follow her forever.”

Moonlight nodded sagely. “Dom could. He would, if she let him.”

Peachblossom considered that in silence for a moment, then said, “Well. There are worse men.”

Tobe grinned. “That’s high praise coming from you.”

The warhorse flicked an ear, unimpressed. “Don’t get used to it.”

Moonlight stretched her neck, pleased. “But what about that Neal fellow? He seems fond of her too.”

Peachblossom gave a derisive snort. “The squeaker isn't for her.”

Tobe nearly choked laughing. “Are you ever going to call him Neal?!”

“No,” Peachblossom said firmly. “Whenever there’s blood, or spiders, or his father nearby he squeaks. I do not respect a man who squeaks.”

Moonlight laughed quietly, a soft huff through her nostrils.

Tobe nodded, still grinning. “He's also dramatic. Too dramatic for Kel. Plus he has Yuki and is madly over the top in love with her.”

Moonlight tilted her head thoughtfully. “What about the other one—Owen?”

Peachblossom made a noise halfway between a sigh and a snort. “The puppy?”

Moonlight gave a soft, indulgent laugh. “That’s exactly what he is. All eagerness and bounding and good intentions, tripping over his own hooves every other step. He means well.”

Tobe chuckled. “He is like a puppy. Always running ahead, smiling at everyone.”

Peachblossom huffed. “Little common sense. But brave, I’ll grant him that. He came charging in after her without hesitation more than once.”

Moonlight nodded. “He loves her too, in his way—but like a little brother does. He wants her to be proud of him. He’ll grow up someday, but she needs more than a cheerful shadow.”

Tobe grinned. “And Dom’s more than that.”

Peachblossom flicked his tail. “Dom’s the one who’ll walk beside her. Not ahead, not behind. That’s the difference.”

Moonlight hummed approvingly. “Exactly so.”

Peachblossom swished his tail, as if ending the matter. “Then that settles it. The squeaker has Yuki. The puppy can fetch sticks elsewhere. Dom has Kel—if she ever decides to notice and if he ever says something.”

Moonlight flicked her mane. “She notices. She’s just pretending she doesn’t.”

“Stubborn woman,” Peachblossom muttered fondly.

“Stubbornest woman in Tortall,” Tobe said with pride. He looked toward Kel’s tent, where the light had just gone out. “But she’s ours. And she’s got all of us watching out for her.”

Moonlight nodded once. “And one man who’d do it gladly for the rest of his life. He'll say something when it's time.”

Peachblossom gave a final, heavy sigh. “Okay. But if he hurts her—”

“You’ll bite him,” Tobe and Moonlight said in unison.

The old warhorse blinked, surprised. “Of course I will.”

Tobe laughed, shaking his head as he rose. The two horses stood shoulder to shoulder in the moonlight—an old grump and a silver mare—guarding their riders and, perhaps, the beginnings of something quietly hopeful.

Chapter Text

The night along the Vassa was cool and quiet, the sort of quiet that came only after horror. The wind carried the smell of smoke, wet grass, and poultices. Somewhere down the slope, the river whispered, a low steady sound that reminded everyone they were, at last, heading home.

Tobe sat by the horses, combing out Peachblossom’s mane. The big gelding stood solid as ever, his coat dull with dust but his eyes bright again. Moonlight grazed nearby, graceful even in weariness.

“She slept better last night,” Tobe said softly, glancing toward the line of tents. “Didn’t wake from the dreams once, far as I heard.”

Peachblossom stamped a hoof. “That’s because he was close.”

Moonlight lifted her head, ears twitching. “You noticed too.”

Tobe blinked. “You mean Dom? His bedroll was near hers, sure—but you think that’s what made the difference?”

Peachblossom snorted. “He’s steady. Doesn’t talk her ear off like the puppy, doesn’t hover like the squeaker. Just there. She trusts that.”

Moonlight’s voice was low and sure. “He heard her cry out when the dream took her. Reached across and spoke—quietly. She settled after that.”

Tobe’s brows rose. “She let him? Must have been quick since I didn't wake up.”

“She's smart enough not to question his help. She knows he settles her. ” Peachblossom said.

Moonlight nickered softly, almost a laugh. “She won’t admit she needs anyone, but her body knows better. That shoulder’s still giving her pain. He helped her roll onto the good side, they talked quietly for a bit and then she slept straight through till dawn.”

Tobe’s grin was quick and crooked. “You two have been paying far too much attention.”

“Someone has to,” Peachblossom said. “She takes care of everyone but herself.”

Moonlight stepped closer, her silver coat catching the faint firelight. “He’s helping her remember she doesn’t have to do it all alone. That’s how it starts—with small mercies.”

Tobe tilted his head, thoughtful. “You think Dom'll tell her how he feels? Properly, I mean.”

Peachblossom huffed. “He’s waiting for her to heal first. Foolish, but honorable.”

“She’s healing because of him,” Moonlight said. “He doesn’t need to speak yet. She already knows.”

Tobe chuckled. “You’re certain of that, are you?”

The mare gave him a long, level look. “She didn’t move his bedroll away.”

Peachblossom flicked his tail in agreement. “And she laughed at breakfast.”

“She did,” Tobe admitted. “First time since Rathhausak. And .. they have been putting their bedrolls together for a few nights now actually. ”

Moonlight’s eyes softened. “Then she cares, even if she won’t say it out loud.”

Tobe brushed Peachblossom’s neck absently, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “So it’s just a matter of time, then? Before one of them says something?”

The gelding’s ears twitched. “He might have already said something gently. There has been a change.. He’ll speak again when she’s ready to hear it.”

“And if he waits too long? What if Kel is assigned somewhere else before he says anything?”

“Then I’ll bite him,” Peachblossom said flatly.

Tobe snorted a laugh. “That’d get Dom's attention.”

Moonlight whickered in amusement. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. They’ve both earned their peace.”

The boy smiled, small and fond. “Aye. Maybe they have.”

He was still smiling when a faint gasp reached them.

Tobe froze.

Kel stood just beyond the picket line, hair loose from its braid, her face calm and unreadable—the look that could make grown knights forget their names.

“Tobe,” she said calmly, “am I to understand that you, my horse and Domitan’s mare have been… discussing our personal life?”

Tobe turned scarlet. “Ah—well, my lady—only in the most respectful terms.”

Kel folded her arms. “Respectful.”

“Yes, my lady. And logical. They’ve, um, well, we've um, reached certain conclusions about the Sergeant.”

“Conclusions,” Kel repeated, voice dangerously even.

Peachblossom shifted his weight but didn’t back down. “We’ve decided he’s acceptable.” said Tobe.

Kel’s mouth twitched, the corners betraying her composure. She looked at the horses. “Acceptable, is he?” Moonlight nodded regally.

Tobe cocked his head and then said, “ Peachblossom says don't be silly. He's dependable. Kind. Moonlight says he treats everyone well and would follow you to the ends of the realm."
Tobe wisely left out the rest - both horses had mentioned that he makes her smile. He didn't want her being self-conscious.

Kel said.. “Well. I .. really don't know what to say."

She turned as if to leave, then paused in the doorway of the makeshift corral. “But for the record—my personal life is not a committee matter.”

“Yes, my lady,” Tobe said meekly. She left, murmuring to herself that thank Mithros no one else overheard them. When she was gone, Moonlight gave a soft whicker. “She wasn’t angry.”

Peachblossom huffed. “She was amused. And flustered. That tells us for sure that of course we were correct. She likes him.”

Tobe grinned at them both. “If you ask me, she was flattered.”

The two horses exchanged a long look—something proud and satisfied and just a bit smug.

Outside the campfire crackled, and Kel’s voice drifted faintly through the twilight as she spoke to Dom about supply lists. When she laughed—a quiet, genuine sound—Tobe couldn’t help smiling to himself.

“See?” he whispered. “Told you we were right.” Peachblossom snorted approvingly. “Naturally.” Moonlight nibbled at a patch of grass and murmured, “Tortall will be in good hands.”

And for once, even the great warhorse didn’t argue.

Chapter Text

The road to the Vassa stretched before them, dark with low-hanging clouds and the distant rumble of an impending storm. Every step of their hooves seemed heavier than the last. Tobe flicked her tail and glanced sideways at Peachblossom and Moonlight, who had been whispering in low tones since morning.

“Okay you two. Tell me what's going on. I know something’s off,” Tobe said finally. “Everyone’s…tense. Especially Kel, Neal, Owen and Dom. The Own too. Everyone. You feel it?”

Moonlight snorted, her breath steaming. “It’s about Kel and the knights. And…well, it’s complicated.”

Tobe said. “Complicated? Tell me.”

“Technically,” Peachblossom said slowly, “Kel is a traitor. That’s the word. And usually—punishment is…well…” His voice dropped, swallowed by the wind.

Moonlight’s eyes widened, and she stomped a forehoof sharply. “Wait you never told me before - what is the punishment?”

Peachblossom met Tobe's eyes slowly, then turned to Moonlight. "Both of you haven't seen much of Corus. There's a place called Traitor's Hill. That's where they usually behead traitors."

“What?” Tobe replied. “They can't behead our Lady, not for helping save so many people!"

Moonlight said, "Actually Tobe .. that's what they are all worried about. I heard the Own talking about it on their way to find Kel. They are safe because Granite Man sent them here and told them what to do. But if you remember, Old Man Cavall did not tell Kel to come. She did it on her own."

Tobe exclaimed. "Yes but they can't possibly punish so many of us right? Kel and Neal and Merric and everyone? Neal is smart. He knows that the more knights he convinced to come along, the harder it would be for any of them to be punished. He was telling the others that Tortall needs knights and can't afford to lose any. And .. you may laugh at his squeakiness but he's the smartest person I know."

Peachblossom said, "well, yeah, he usually does have a point. But, I don't trust that king at all. After all, he put Kel on probation without any need for it!"

Moonlight said "Oh I remember how Fire-top's mare said that she was sooo angry at the king for doing that. He had also told her she can't even meet Kel or help her at all, even though she was the only other female knight! The mare said Fire-top gets angry easily always, but that she had never seen her quite this angry."

Peachblossom interjected, "Well that's a good thing. Maybe Fire-top would speak, and by speak I mean threaten the King and force him not to behead Kel."

Tobe said, "Yes and Lord Raoul would never let that happen either. He loves Kel."

Moonlight snorted. "Yes Granite Man loves her and still thinks of her as being 16. I have a feeling he knows Kel and Dom like each other, because he always watches them even more carefully than he does everyone else. When Kel first became a squire he gave all the men a general warning not to mess with her. But over time, he stopped saying that generally, and yet would just happen to stop beside us and mention that 'if I ever find any of you in the Own involved with Kel, no one would ever find you again." Dom's ears would always turn red when he heard that!" she guffawed.

Peachblossom neighed, her version of a laugh. "Ha I can see him doing that. But when will he realize that she is fully grown up now and needs someone?"

Tobe tsked. "Both of you, stop going into tangents and focus. We aren't discussing Kel and Dom now. We were talking about beheading! That's a much bigger deal than romance."

Moonlight came over and rubbed her mane against him. "Don't worry Tobe. None of us are going to let anything happen to her. That's a promise."

Peachblossom whinnied in agreement. "We won't even really need Fire-top and Granite Man. There's no way that Old Man Cavall would turn her in. He may look strict, but he respects strength and loyalty above all. And of course Kel has that in spades. He loves her in his own way, just differently than Granite Man or Dom."

Tobe murmured, "Hmm.. I overheard Owen saying that Old Man - I mean Lord Wyldon gave her the refugee assignment because it was the hardest job, not because he was protecting her. She is the youngest to be commander too, and she's even commanding other classmates of hers!"

"Well she's the only one who could be trusted to keep the squeaker out of trouble!" laughed Peachblossom.

Moonlight pawed the ground. "Oh aren't we silly. Without us, the horses, Tortall would be nothing. Their armies on foot would fall to Scanra in a second. And none of us horses would ever carry a Tortallan again if they hurt our Kel."

Tobe smiled. "You're right. And Daine loves Kel also, so she would certainly tell the other animals also to not behave. The King won't know what to do!"

Peachblossom added, "So that's Fire-top, Granite Man, Old Man Cavall, and all of us. Now, isn't the squeaker's father someone important too?"

Tobe snapped his fingers. "Yes! He's the chief healer. He has the same healing talent Sir Neal does. He wouldn't support the King either!"

Moonlight said "okay so .. as usual, all the humans are being silly to be so worried. Kel did the right thing and if anything she and the others should be rewarded for it, not punished. I wish they had horse sense." she sighed.

Peachblossom agreed, "If only they had horse sense then none of these problems would be happening. Do we horses try and kill each other just for land?" he shook his head in disgust.

Tobe hugged both of them. "I know. I wish we humans had horse sense too. I also wish Kel and the others could talk to you and get reassured. "

Both horses stared at him. They seemed to be waiting for something. Finally, Peachblossom raised an eyebrow. "Well? what are you waiting for? You are the one who needs to reassure Kel, obviously."

Tobe shivered, the wind cutting through him. “Yes.. I'll do my best to say that we're on her side, she isn't alone.... and that for sure Sir Alanna, Old Man - I mean Lord Wyldon, and Lord Raoul would all be against the King too."

Moonlight huffed. "Not just them - all of us People too."

Just then, Fanche gestured to Tobe from across the campsite. She was clearly needing him to go over there asap.

Peachblossom snickered. "Plus, that lady and the others would organize a civilian revolt faster than the king could blink."

Tobe felt the weight on his shoulders drop down, and his eyes were steady. “You're right. I'll reassure Kel. She shouldn't be worried even for a second."

The horses shifted, forming a tight circle around him. They each laid a head on his shoulder. "We trust you." Moonlight said. Tobe hugged them hard, grateful for their horse sense and support.

The horses nodded, their tails brushing together, eyes fierce with loyalty. Somewhere ahead, the Vassa waited, dark and foreboding, but for the first time since the journey began, Tobe felt a glimmer of hope beneath the tension, before hurrying over to Fanche. He didn't dare keep her waiting!