It was midwinter and the squires were back with their knight-masters after a long year away from the palace.

Thankfully, of all the squires returning early, Joren wasn't one of them. Though Kel knew that he was coming, it was nice that they would spend less time in his presence.

Cleon greeted her in his colorful way with a longing in his eyes that Kel didn't even notice. If she noticed any boy romantically, it'd be Neal. But sadly, he didn't seem to notice her just like the way she didn't notice Cleon.

It's a big loop, she thought once as Neal rambled on about Queen Thayet. I love Neal and he turns the other cheek to look at someone else who is hardly aware of his existence. It's a good thing I know I'm not hurting anyone. No one would like me, the Yamani-lump who is built on the lines of a cow...

She popped back to reality noticing Neal had stopped talking to stare at her. It was very rare that her head went up in the clouds. "Are you all right, Kel?" he asked, worried.

"I'm fine. I promise." she said, keeping her Yamani mask on. It wouldn't do good to show sadness or longing in front of her best friend. He'd just worry. He asked once more to make sure. "I'm absolutely fine, Nealan. No need to worry," she reassured him. Knowing that his friend was alright, Neal continued to rant on about Queen Thayet as he did with Daine the Wildmage and probably many other court beauties before her.

When will he stop chasing unattainable beauties and notice that I'm right here, she thought to herself. It was the last thought like that of the evening. She told her mind to stop that so she didn't look dreamy-eyed or possessed by some girlish spirit.

Two days before the midwinter celebration, Joren and his Knight-master came to the Palace as the last to arrive that midwinter.
The next day, a terrible storm stranded all the guests at the palace from leaving and making all the people stay indoors which meant no more citizens could travel to the capital 'til it cleared. Kel didn't actually notice his arrival until he knocked on her door the day after he arrived.

Kel was simply looking out of the window in her Tunic an breeches, no footwear, as she thought of the year to come. Kel hardly ever took time for herself to think and with it being midwinter, she thought that she might deserve a night of silence.
The hearth was ablaze and the animals were asleep in her bed when Kel jerked at the knock on the door. "I apologize for my disturbance but I wish to speak with page Keladry as soon as possible," the person at the door said. It was obviously male but she hardly recognized it. Lalasa went to open the door to see squire Joren stepping nervously from side to side.

"May I help you, master Joren?" Lalasa asked in a nothing tone. It was a polite question that Lalasa used with many people. However, she did not say it politely to Joren. In his presence, Lalasa felt like he had brought the winter snow in with him.

"Good evening. May I speak with page Keladry?" Joren had already set his icy blue eyes on Kel who was watching them intently.

He looks different, Kel thought. But what could be different about him now? Kel looked him over thoroughly. His hair had grown out and could be put into a pony tail but that wasn't it. He was still very pretty with long eyelashes and beautiful lips. He was still a boy. What had changed?

Lalasa turned to look at Kel for approval. If Kel didn't want visitors, she would politely tell him to come another time even if he had already seen that she wasn't busy nor was she in a bad condition. Kel nodded to let him in and Lalasa made way. He came inside shyly, taking slow steps.

"Take a seat," Kel said in an even tone. Joren took a chair that was by the wall and sat down. "What brings you here, this winter evening?" Kel asked with her Yamani mask on. Inside, she was thinking, Why did I let him in? What came over me? This man is a bully.
She got her answer immediately: Because I'm the better person and I give people second chances just as I gave that Bazhir squire a second chance.

"Lalasa," she said in a kind voice. "Would you be so kind to brew me and my guest tea?"

"Of course, miss," Lalasa said, leaving to make tea. Silence took over them as Kel waited for his answer and it seemed like he didn't hear the question. "What brings you here, this winter evening, squire Joren," she prompted.

"I apologize for disturbing you, page Keladry, but I believe we got off on the wrong foot," Joren answered, looking down.

What was this? Kel thought. Is this real or is this just something to make me trust him?

"If that's how you'd like to put it," Kel retorted.

Joren smiled sheepishly which made Kel more confused. "I truly am sorry for all we did as a page to the first years and to you and your study group." He was still looking down.

"Would you mind saying that while looking into my eyes?" Kel inquired. If he could, that would mean he wasn't lying.

He held Kel's eyes with his. "I seek your forgiveness for the pain we cause when we were younger. I am a changed man. I promise. My knight-master made sure of it- and other things..." He trailed off and looked outside, pondering something.

"I'm afraid it'll take time for me to see that you are forgiveable," Kel said sharply. She still hadn't forgotten all Joren and his Cronies did to the younger pages, changed man or not.

"Of course," Joren said, nodding his head. "I'd be a fool to believe you would forgive me so quickly. You are a very clever woman."

That startled Kel. Did someone give him a potion to be nice? Did those exist? She'd have to ask Neal. Neal knew everything.

"Thank you? Or does your definition of clever mean deceiving?" Kel said with caution and the tiniest smile to show she was half-joking.

Joren chuckled a little and immediately corrected himself. "You are the most intelligent woman I know. Is that better?" he also had a small smile on.

"Yes. Thank you," Kel said with a full smile. "Very much," she added since that was the first complement she had ever gotten from him.

"You're beautiful, too," he said looking into her dreamy hazel eyes.
Kel blushed slightly, taking her eyes of his.

"I'm starting to believe that you're just flattering me to get to something. What do you want? Lessons with a glaive?" What made her comfortable to joke with her enemy? Was he still an enemy? Kel decided that time would answer that question.

"No,no." He still seemed to be mesmerized. "I mean it with all my heart. Honest. Even ask a mage to bewitch me to see the truth. You are very beautiful, page Keladry. Especially since you have no face paint on like other women at court."

Taking her eyes off his once more, she realized that there was tea by the fire. "Oh, please. Enough of these untrue complements. The tea is getting cold." Kel got up from her seat and took up a chair by the table and poured them both a cup. Why hadn't she noticed Lalasa come in and out?
Lalasa must be a rogue, Kel thought. To be so stealthy that neither of us noticed that she brought tea in.

"If you insist,"He took a sip from his cup. "But I still believe you're being modest.

"You know what? You have no more business here anymore. If all you're going to do here is throw compliments at me, then you don't deserve Lalasa's delicious tea." Kel looked up at the squire as she took a sip from her cup to hide a smile. She could put her Yamani mask on, but she figured that you could only joke with your enemy so many times. She took the opportunity.

"Why then, you are hideous. If insults are what it takes to taste some of Lalasa's delicious tea, then I will do it. You are a stupid Yamani who waves her glaive like you own the place," Joren counter-attacked. The words were harsh but venom didn't drip off his tongue as it had before. And Kel was surprised that although she knew it wasn't true and that he didn't truly mean it, the words bit into her flesh and dug deep. Kel looked at the floor and let a bit of hurt seep through her mask. If he really did feel sorry for what he did then, then he'd feel sorry now.

"See? You may tell a woman that she's beautiful a million times and won't believe it, but if you tell a woman she's ugly once, she won't forget it." He put down his cup and looked at Kel. "I said those for the tea," he joked. "Please don't take it personally. I don't want to see you sad." He tilted her chin up to make her look at him. The smile that welcomed her met his eyes and she knew that he had meant it. He wanted to make amends with no strings attached. Still, she was wary of him. But for tonight, she would enjoy his company and getting to know him.

Only right before she slept did she find out what was different about her enemy: His eyes were no longer cold and heartless. They were welcoming and held a fire that burned in his eyes and soul. What got them that way was the mystery. And Kel was determined to find out what.

A/N I hope that was okay. It's my very first fanfic and I know my writing needs work but I'd love reviews! They really encourage me to write more whether I have time to write or not. ^_^ Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy the story.

P.S. I looked back on this chapter a month or so after I posted it and I see that it has a few missing details like their conversation not to mention that I wish to add what happened before Kel decided to go and have a night off. Alas, I must go to sleep for my eyelids are pulling themselves down, putting them into the way of my vision. Lol. Basically, my eyes are drooping. Btw, any critique is welcome and, in fact, encouraged by moi. I know this seems like a very 'nothing' chapter but I'll get to it. In my opinion, I believe that I have improved a bit since I've started writing. Looking back at my works from grade four, I also want to rewrite them. Lol. I want to write and rewrite everything in my mind! Haha. I'll get to it... eventually... I hope. But then again, only time will tell. But now, I see that I'm rambling. That's what the night does to me. It's like whenever it's night time, my mind and my mouth decides to become loquacious, which is why I should always be the first to sleep. So that I don't keep the others up all night. But then my sister... Anyways. Have a wonderful life! Valentines is coming soon and I promise to update by then. :)