Hey all. Sorry I haven't updated any of my stories. I've been too busy. Here's a little Midwinter gift for you all, although it's definitely not my best. Be nice, I don't have time to send it to my beta before Christmas.

Dom raced after Kel as she left the practice courts. "Kel!"

She turned as he reached her. "Yes?"

Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a group of men from the Own entered the previously empty courts, and one of them called him over. He changed what he was about to say. "Go riding with me tomorrow?"

Those wide hazel eyes examined him without a trace of suspicion. "Sure."

"Great!" He turned and fled back to the safety of the practice courts. Kel shook her head as she watched him go. That was a strange conversation. She turned and continued up the hill to the palace. Whatever was up with Dom, she'd find out tomorrow.

Kel came flying into the barn and ran into something very solid. "Unh."

Dom's hands reached out to steady her. "Whoa there."

"Oh, I'm so sorry I'm late. I was in a meeting with Raoul and it ran late, and I had to much to do before I could get here to be on time."

"Hey. Relax. There's no hurry. Hoshi's saddled and ready. All you have to do is ride and have fun."

"Oh, thank you. You're an angel." She hugged him impulsively before mounting.

They rode in the Royal Forest for hours, wandering aimlessly. Dom watched as something he said made her throw back her head and laugh. This was the most relaxed she'd been in weeks. It began to snow and the flakes stuck to her hair and eyelashes, making her look softer, almost angelic.

At last darkness fell, and they turned toward home. The pair curried and fed the horses, then Dom walked Kel up to her room. They stopped at the door. "Thank you for a wonderful evening."

"You're welcome." Dom blushed and looked down at his boots, then said all at once, "Will you let me court you, Kel?"

She stared at him for what seemed like forever. "Of course." Then something over his shoulder caught her attention, and her brow furrowed.

"What is it?"

"Someone decided to decorate." She pointed. A lone branch of mistletoe hung over her doorway.

A mischievous look entered Dom's eyes. "Well, then. I guess there's only one thing we can do about that." He wrapped his arms around Kel and kissed her deeply.

Hidden in the shadows, Tobe smiled. Mission accomplished.

Sorry, I just couldn't help adding that last bit. Gotta love Tobe. Read and Review!

Midwinter Luck,

~Dragon Eyes Baraboo