Raoul and Buri have always been a bit of an enigma as their relationship develops 'off screen'. So I thought I'd try and fill in some of the gaps. Note that some of the dialogue is lifted right out of Squire as are details of some descriptions. It all starts a year before they get together at the Midwinter when the Yamani delegation arrives. I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: It all belongs to Tamora Pierce, not me.

Chapter One: Midwinter Matchmaking

Midwinter 458, Royal Palace, Corus

Buri smoothed her crimson skirts as she entered the Crystal Room. How many years had she been doing this now? she wondered. More than twenty and she still didn't feel quite herself at such occasions. Still, the midwinter garlands of flowers and ivy were beautiful lit up by the candles that burned on every surface and the warm scent of the pine logs on the fire was comforting.

Across the room she caught sight of Keladry of Mindelan chatting to Nealan of Queenscove. She smiled. Out of the two squires, the chestnut haired Kel definitely had the better deal. Her knight master Raoul was a gentle giant. Neal's knight mistress, Alanna, liked nothing better than to sharpen her tongue on the spirited young healer. A small part of her wondered if Kel thought of Neal as more than just a friend. Buri laughed at herself. Matchmaking? She really had spent too much time with Thayet.

Thinking of her best friend, Buri glanced at the queen. She looked stunning dressed in black with fine sleeveless surcoat of silver gauze. Thayet giggled gently at something one of the nobles crowded around her had said.

Kel walked past Buri, obviously headed for a fresh tray of delicacies but the squire didn't notice her until she spoke. "Squire Keladry, how are you?"

Kel turned, her trained face showing none of the surprise that most people would. "Commander, you look wonderful."

"I feel tormented." Buri smiled at Kel. "And I wish you'd call me Buri. You know the riders don't hold with titles." She had seen more of Kel since she had become a squire and they were fast becoming friends. Seeing the girl decked out in the green and gold of her knight-master's colours reminded Buri that she hadn't yet see Raoul himself this evening. She looked around the room for him. "I haven't see Raoul about. I suppose he defied their majesties and is hiding in his rooms."

"Actually, he is here," replied Kel, a small smile playing on her lips "Not in this room though. Or we'd have seen a big lump behind the hangings."

Buri grinned broadly. The image of a Raoul shaped bulged behind the tapestry of King Jasson's victory at Legann was hysterical and yet so true. "Yes, that's where I'd look for him too," she said fighting the urge to laugh loudly. "Can't say I blame him." She glanced over at the royal, remembering that she had yet to check in with them. "Looks like the crowd around Thayet is thinning. I'd best say hello, or she might think I didn't show up as per my orders."

Kel smiled at her and Buri gave her a rider's salute, before they went their separate ways.

"Buri!" exclaimed Thayet as she approached the mêlée around her and Jonathan. "I am glad you could join us."

"It is my pleasure," Buri replied, flashing her friend a look to remind her that it wasn't exactly where she wanted to be spending her evening.

Thayet ignored her. "May I introduce Lord Birchill of Danshame. Lord Birchill, Lady Buriam Tourakim."

Buri looked at the man who sat near by. He was tall and heavy set with dark reddish hair and green eyes. Inwardly, she sighed. Thayet was nearly as bad as Raoul's myriad of great aunts when it came to matchmaking. "Pleased to meet you," she said offering her hand. Lord Birchill kissed it.

"And I you. Thayet speaks most highly of you."

Buri shot another irritated look at Thayet, who once again ignored her. "Indeed?"

She smiled and answered politely as Lord Birchill asked her about her work with the riders. Thayet could be repaid later. She was not too old or important for Buri to put a frog in her bed!

In the book room, Raoul was surprised to find he was not entirely detesting the whole evening. As luck would have it, Sir Gareth the younger and his wife Lady Cythera had also retreated away for the crowd. He didn't get much time to talk to Gary these days, since their work often kept them apart for months on end.

He was disappointed when Lady Cythera tugged on Gary's sleeve and said "I hate to interrupt, but Prince Eitaro wants my husband to meet Lady Eitaro."

Gary sighed. "I'm sorry, Raoul. Duty calls."

Raoul shook his head. "Don't worry about it. We'll talk again soon. Perhaps we can take a long ride."

"The sooner the better," replied Gary, standing up.

"Come along, Gary," said Cythera firmly.

Raoul raised his eyebrows at Gary as he left the room. It was times like this that he was very glad that he had not married. He did not envy his year-mates having wives to drag them around.

Kel left her own companions and looked around the Crystal room, quickly spotting Buri seated near the royals. She looked decidedly like she needed rescuing from the fusty knight she was talking to. Kel smiled. It was wrong of her to be glad that Buri was not enjoying the company, but equally, Kel was pleased that she would be able to offer the commander a way out.

Kel bowed and spoke. "Lady Buriam, Lord Raoul has requested your presence in the book room."

Buri smiled thankfully at Kel and then turned to Lord Birchill. "I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all." Lord Birchill wore a funny look on his face and with some surprise, Buri realised why. He must think that she was sweet on Raoul. Buri was happy to let him think that if it meant that he wouldn't go following her around the palace like a puppy.

"Thank you, Lord Birchill. Perhaps we can continue our conversation at another time." Buri turned to Thayet who gave her an understanding smile.

Buri followed Kel, and once they were far enough away from Lord Birchill and the queen she said "So what does Raoul want?"

Kel grinned. "Nothing."

"Then what is this about?"

"Prince Roald and Princess Shinkokami have barely said a word to each other all evening. Some of us, well, Neal, Cleon and I, thought that perhaps we should help them along a little."

Buri was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Lady Yukimi said that Shinkokami wanted to hear about our fight with the bandits in our second year, but Roald would never tell her, thinking that she wouldn't be interested in fighting."

"And how can I help?"

"I thought it would be good to ask you and Raoul to help us out because you two are so good at helping people to relax," answered Kel sheepishly.

Buri laughed softly. It was so like the young squire to think of doing something like this. "I'd be happy to help, Kel.," she replied and followed Kel into the neighbouring book room.

Raoul stood up as Buri entered the room. It was always a pleasant surprise to see his long standing friend dressed in her finest gowns. The crimson she wore tonight made her skin glow beautiful and the line of the cloth cut by Kel's former maid Lalasa perfectly accentuated her shape.

Raoul could remember the very first time he had seen Buri in a formal gown like it was yesterday. It had been a few weeks after his return to Corus after months at sea travelling with Alanna the Lioness and the entourage she had accumulated on her journey to the roof of the world. He had first met Buri in Port Udayapur when Alanna had introduced her and Thayet, but Buri had chosen to wear a shirt and breeches for the long voyage home where she had pitched in with the crew as well as any man.

On that warm summer night many years ago in the great hall, Buri had glided through the door with all of Thayet's elegance combined with the presence of her warrior's power. She wore a dress in a rich forest green dress topped with a cream surcoat. Raoul could only stare at this beautiful woman who he had thought of as no more than a comrade in arms before that night. For a long moment, he had not been able to take his eyes from her. Then Thayet had entered on Jonathan's arm and his gaze was captured by the woman he knew was likely the queen-to-be.

Back in the book room, he smiled at Buri and she responded, moving over to take a seat across the table from him. Raoul pushed aside the tingle that had spread over his skin and returned to the conversation about the differences between the Tortallian and Yamani styles of fighting.

Buri also turned to the discussion at hand, pondering the strange look in Raoul's eyes when he smiled. She had seen men look at he like that before, but they were not men like Raoul. With a soft sigh, she too, pushed the idea aside.

From her position standing beside the table, Kel noted carefully what she had seen and grinned inwardly.

So that's it so far... What do you think? Review me and I'll write some more. Suggestions welcome.