Alright, this is my first fanfic so dont bash me too much!!

Enjoy : )

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Dawn rose clear but cold. Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan lay beneath her covers far longer than usual, savoring the warmth. It was midwinter after the Scanran War and the last of the soldiers and knights were still arriving at the palace for the festivities. There was no real worry for an attack on Tortall from the Scanrans, with the downfall of Maggur all hostilities were once again turned to strictly between clans. King Jonathon and his queen planned to make this midwinter the break of harsh war talks and grieving lovers and parents. This was to be the most joyous midwinter festival ever held. The week long schedule ranged from fighting and archery competitions to balls and banquets almost every night. Friends reuniting, joking, teasing, laughing...Kel sighed, she needed a bit of cheer. She had literally been ordered home from New Hope until further notice and Fanche had been put as head woman. She would have stayed in the refugee camp had she not been forced to do otherwise, but Raoul knew her too well and gave her strict orders from the King (which he no doubt was responsible for) for her to travel home to Corus. Neal had been allowed to return to Corus after his wedding with Yuki, but only after he trained a healer to replace himself. He had tutored a woman named Rhoslyn and she had proved herself a great healer for the people of New Hope. Though she had nothing to worry about, Kel still missed her friends at the camp. Kel herself had arrived only 2 days ago with Tobe but with all the hustle and bustle she had mostly stuck to the indoor practice courts, the library or her room.

Today, she resolved, I'll go be sociable. And with that she threw back the blankets and stepped onto the cold floor. She yelped as the cold air hit her and shivering, she changed out of her nightgown into a cotton shirt and breeches.

Grabbing her glaive she moved to the center of her room and began a pattern dance. With slow first, then lightening speed movements, her muscles finally warmed up. She finished the dance and hung her glaive back up.

Washing her face and hands, Kel walked down to the mess hall hoping to meet up with friends she hadn't seen in a while. She forgot one important factor though...it was just past dawn, no one in the right mind would be up at that hour. Except me, she thought grumpily as she grabbed a tray of food.

A little while later while she was finishing up her breakfast, the rest of the palace all seemed to rush in at the same time.

The tables filled up quickly and soon, seated at her table was Neal, Merric, Seaver, Wolset, Dom, Owen and Faleron. Besides Owen, who was his normal cheerful self, the boys looked rather sleepy and grumpy.

Looking at the miserable group in front of her Kel couldn't help it, she laughed.

Six pairs of eyes stared up at her coldly as if daring her to laugh some more. So she did.

"I haven't seen you guys in months and all I get is a glare?" she questioned, "I'm happy to see you too!"

"Well mother, maybe if you didn't laugh at poor misfortunate souls trying to make it through the morning, you'd be better off with greetings." Neal said with a pout.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Meathead, speak for yourself! I see no misfortunate souls here but the one sitting next to me." Dom said with a smirk.

"Yes, I agree, Wolset is rather misfortunate." Neal remarked casually.

Dom rolled his eyes, "Not Wolset Meathead, YOU!"

"Me!?" Neal asked with mock hurt. "How dare you-"

The table erupted in laughter, interrupting him.

"I've missed you guys." Kel said with a grin.

Dom looked at them, "By 'you guys' she really just means me, you know that right?"

All at once there were shouts of "You wish!" and "Yeah right!" and Dom ducked as Neal's toast came flying at him.

Dom frowned, "I can hardly help it if the ladies love me!"

Fighting back a smile, Kel stood up and shrugged, "Well Domitan, I do believe that you've confused me with some empty headed court lady who has no more sense than to think you attractive." With that Kel smiled sweetly at him, turned on her heel and left those bright blue eyes staring at her back as she walked away.

"Oooo, that was cold." Neal said approvingly.

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A few hours later found Kel in Neal and Yuki's rooms having a chat with the latter.

"So Kel, what are you wearing to the banquet tonight?"

"Banquet?" Kel asked confused, but then she remembered. There was to be a party held that night to announce to official beginning of the midwinter celebrations. "Oh right, the banquet. Ummm, probably just some breeches and my best shirt."

Yuki nearly choked. "Breeches? You've gotta be kidding me! What are you going to do if someone asks you to dance?"

"Oh don't worry, no one will. I don't even have a date."

Yuki's eyes bulged. "But don't you want one? Don't you want to impress everyone with your beauty and show off your grace and femininity? Don't you want men to swoon over you? Kel, you can't stay single forever!"

Kel shrugged, the idea wasn't completely repulsing, but she was sure that if she attempted anything of the sort then she would end up looking like a complete fool. "I'm not sure I have any of those normal female qualities Yuki, and men would certainly never swoon over me."

Yuki sighed, "Kel, when was the last time you looked in the mirror?"

Kel shrugged again, she honestly couldn't remember. "Why would I? It's not like looking at yourself makes you any more beautiful, so what's the point?"

"Never mind," Yuki mumbled, struggling to keep patient. "Just call me when some charming man captures your heart and you feel like embracing your womanhood."

Kel smiled, "Whatever Yuki, I'll see you later." Like that will ever happen. But unbidden a pair of sparkling blue eyes and the handsome face of a certain sergeant came to mind. Walking out the door she shook her head to clear it and mentally scolded herself for even thinking such things.

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Though Kel was not exactly your typical party animal, she did enjoy a party every once in a while. This one however, she was not. Standing against a wall by the drinks she waited for the introductions to end. She had sneaked in the side door as to avoid the embarrassment of her arrival being announced. As she watched, innumerable courtiers and their guests were introduced, every lady more beautiful than the last. None of the dresses were very fancy as it was just a banquet so she wasn't as out of place it had first appeared, but still, something didn't feel right. It seemed to her that everyone around her was twirling their sweethearts around and for the first time in a long time she felt, dare she say, lonely.

Yuki's words came back to her 'Kel, you can't stay single forever...' Frowning she wondered, Why am I having these thoughts now? It's never really bothered me before.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice Dom sneak beside her and jumped a mile when he whispered in her ear.

"Boo." He breathed, laughing heartily when she was caught off guard.

Kel frowned, "Shouldn't you be up there waiting to be announced so all the married women can drool over you?" Where did that come from? She wondered.

Dom took a step back. "Such harsh words my fair lady." he said looking hurt. "For your information, I slipped in the side door to avoid that fate."

"I'm sorry Dom, I shouldn't have said that." Kel said looking down.

Catching the frown on her face he put his finger under her chin and lifted her head until he could see into her eyes. "What's the matter? Not having a good time at this wonderful party my dear Keladry?"

Kel raised her eyebrows, "No, it's just that I umm...I ahh, I'm not feeling well." she lied.

"Surely nothing a few dances couldn't fix?" Dom asked flirtatiously.

Kel laughed out loud. "Dom don't you see all these beautiful women dieing to dance with you? None wearing breeches either, I mean that's only if you don't want it to look like you're dancing with another man."

Dom stared at her (something he seemed to be doing a lot of lately). "Kel, i'm pretty sure no one would think you were a man."

Kel rolled her eyes. "Dom, i'm flattered, but you really don't have to say that."

"But-" He began but was interrupted by the pounding of the door man's staff.

"And the final guest of the night, Lady Adarra of Havelock."

As she walked through the giant doors, all eyes were on the noble. Lady Adarra descended the stairs gracefully as the men gaped and the women glared jealously.

Curly pale gold locks were pinned up into a loose bun at the top of her head with a violet ribbon weaving in between strands, matching the dark purple of her glamorous but simple banquet dress. A dazzling smile lit her flawless face, but that still didn't take the attention of most men from her too-low cut dress. The essence of courtly seductiveness, she drifted through the crowd as if no one at all were staring at her.

Soon the music began but even as couples began to waltz, Lady Adarra was not forgotten. She flitted about on the dance floor, flirting, smiling, and batting long eyelashes at her many partners.

Dom excused himself from Kel soon after and asking a pretty redhead to dance, joined the mass of couples on the floor.

Kel looked down and scuffed her boots, trying to decide whether she would be happier in her current position, or twirling around in all that frippery. An hour ago she would have thought definitely where she stood, but now, she wasn't so sure. Oh well, it's too late now, I'm not going to dance in breeches and boots.
Grabbing a drink of what looked like punch; she walked to an empty table and sat down.

For a while she closed her eyes and hummed to the music, trying to picture herself sweeping across the dance floor gracefully. She snorted. That's a joke, more like Lady Keladry the cow.

Kel broke from her reverie when the music stopped and King Jonathon held up his hand. "If you could all take a seat please." He asked politely.

Spotting her at the table, Yuki and Neal came to join her, followed soon by Raoul and Buri, Owen with Lord Wyldon's daughter Nadia, Faleron, Merric and Dom.

Taking their seats, they all smiled greetings, wondering what the king had to say. Their unasked question was soon answered.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Tonight we are gathered here for a very special occasion. This day we announce the official beginning of our mid-winter festival! Here he paused for the shouts and applause to diminish. "This joyous time of year, Tortall is void of threats and the war is finally over. Thanks to the courage and fierce determination of our knights and soldiers, our country has prevailed, and it is now time to celebrate! So raise your glasses high, rejoice in our good fortune, and let love, happiness and friendship be plentiful this midwinter!"

After a slight pause to wait out the cheering, Queen Thayet stepped forward. "This dance, this special dance, is dedicated to all the ladies here tonight. I want every woman in this room to find the dance partner of their choice and lead him onto the floor. Ladies, this is your dance."

In a sudden flurry of excitement all the women in the hall rushed about trying to find the man of their choice. Immediately Yuki asked Neal, Nadia asked Owen, and Buri asked Raoul and they set out for the dance floor, leaving just Faleron, Merric, Dom and Kel.

A petite blonde asked Merric, and her dark haired friend asked Faleron. Kel looked over at Dom, who was the only one left at the table. He was looking at her, as if expecting her to ask him but she knew she couldn't do it. She opened her mouth to say something, anything to break the awkward silence, but nothing came to mind. She closed her mouth, then opened it again, and just as she was about to excuse herself, a familiar looking blonde beauty walked over to the table.

Lady Adarra shot Kel a cold look from her grey eyes and raised one perfectly arched brow before turning towards Dom and bending over slightly for him to get a better view.

"Excuse me, Sergeant Domitan? Would you care to dance?" She asked in an impossibly fake voice.

It would have been impolite for Dom to refuse. Not that he would. Kel thought, so he allowed himself to be led onto the dance floor.

Watching Dom dance with such an obviously vain and heartless flirt made Kel sick. What's wrong with me? She wondered, Why can I not even stand to look at her? Even though she knew of it deep in her heart, she refused to acknowledge her jealously of such a gorgeous, but cruel woman. How can you purposely ensnare men just by looking at them? Only capable of watching the first minute of the dance before feeling sick to her stomach, Kel stood and walking back over to the side door, slipped quietly out into the corridor.

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Dom normally had no problem dancing with all the flirtatious court beauties, but tonight, he was not in the mood. Ahh well, I guess this wont be that bad, I mean she is rather pretty. He thought as he walked out onto the dance floor with Lady Adarra, trying to cheer himself up. Maybe this will help me to stop thinking about Kel.

He quickly changed his mind.

"So who was that...girl?" Adarra asked as they faced each other and began the dance.

"Who, Kel?"

"The one wearing the men's breeches and boots." Adarra said giggling. "What kind of lady wears men's attire to a party?"

Dom immediately disliked the woman. "Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan," he stressed her title, "wears what she is comfortable in, not what she thinks will falsely impress the people around her." Though were she to wear what you are, her beauty would far surpass yours.

"I see. An admirable quality in a ah...lady." Adarra answered, obviously not impressed.

You have no idea, Dom thought. "Yes, she is rather unique."

"Doesn't it bother you to have a mere woman fighting amongst such a gallant group of men such as yourselves?" Adarra asked, she couldn't imagine any sort of woman wielding weapons.

Dom almost exploded. "Amere woman?! You must be mistaken, Kel is a better fighter and commander than most men." he said, wishing more than anything that he could 'accidentally' step on her dainty little slippered feet as they waltzed.

Adarra giggled again. "Surely that's an exaggeration."

"Not in the slightest."

Sensing his seriousness, Adarra tried to lighten the mood. "So, are you enjoying yourself tonight?"

"Mostly." Dom answered curtly. Except for this obnoxious noble from Havelock that I'm being forced to dance with at the moment. He could hardly believe his own bitterness.

"Tell me Domitan, who do you think the loveliest here?" Adarra asked, fluttering her lashes.

Not you. "I'm sorry, my lady, but I'm really not fit to make that selection." Dom answered politely.

"And why is that?"

"Well, you see, my judgment is kind of slanted." He said looking over her shoulder just in time to see Kel slip out the side door. He tried to keep the wave of disappointment from showing on his face. When will I ever figure her out? he thought frustrated. Knowing that he probably never would, he let out a sigh.

Adarra frowned, that was not the answer she had expected. "Slanted? Toward whom?"

Dom's azure eyes danced, he was toying with a perfectly intolerable court lady. "Oh, no one you would be interested in."

Thoroughly frustrated, Lady Adarra gave up and changed the subject. "So what was it like, fighting those terrible, barbarian Scanrans? You must be awful brave to do that."

No braver than any man who dares to dance with you twice. Dom thought wryly. "War is always terrible, and always will be, we just do our best to protect the innocent."

Adarra pressed close to him and whispered in his ear. "That's a mighty noble statement."

The dance ended and stepping out of her arms, Dom turned on his heel walked quickly the other way, losing her in the mass of people.

"Whew, that was close." Dom murmured. I think its time I take my leave.
With that Dom quietly left the party and walked towards his rooms.

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YAYYYYYY!!! The first chapter is done!! Tell me what you think!! And im sorry if Dom seems kind of mean, it's just that he's not having a very good time at the banquet. :( But yeahh, I dont really know how long this is gonna be yet, could be 2 chapters, could be 12, i'm basically just like goin with the flo...