A/N: Merry Christmas, Everyone!!
When wrapped, the little box might have seemed a mere trifle, but for Domitan of Masbolle, this small gift had been the object of several months' effort, not to mention considerable blackmailing, wheedling, and charm.
Looking back, this might not have been the smartest Midwinter gift ever given. Surely he could have gotten something much better for the same amount of gold and effort. Still, he hoped that it would be worth it. It had to be.
He never could have imagined what he would have had to do for Meathead to get this one simple gift. Nevertheless, he had put up with all of the mindless and menial tasks, the chores, and the insults. Neal had constantly driven up the bargain, knowing that he would have no one else to turn to. What other mage could he trust (he couldn't really trust Meathead, either, but at least he still had a stockpile of blackmail on him) with so intimate a thing?
It would have to be perfect. He had been planning this ever since his return from Scanra. He had beaten around the bush, avoided her, made some lame excuses, but finally promised himself that he would do something by Midwinter.
Now, all he had to do was leave the little box on Kel's doorstep. Simple, one would think. However, his nerves (since when did he, Domitan of Masbolle, have nerves?) complicated the matter a hundredfold. His knees jangled nervously as he walked down towards her quarters. He hoped that she was not awake. All he needed was to have her hear and confront him.
However, luck, if nothing else, was on his side. The little present, wrapped in a red silk handkerchief, sat on the floor like a tiny button. He had considered writing To Kel on the front, but had not, for fear his handwriting might give the present away before the time was right.
Now, all he had to do was wait until morning. It turned out to be much more difficult than he expected.
Even though it was Midwinter, a holiday, Kel awoke at dawn. She did a quick pattern dance—she didn't want to waste energy when she knew that she would be up all night, participating in the festivities with her friends.
She had washed and dressed, when Tobe burst into her room.
"Happy Midwinter, Kel!" he shouted. "Thank you for the gloves, and the boots, and the books, and the sweets!"
She chuckled. "You're welcome, Tobe."
"I brought you this," he shoved a paper-wrapped package into her hands. "And these were outside," More presents were shoved into her arms. Tobe, still retaining some of his shyness, had already fled outside, not even waiting for her to open the gift in front of him. She placed the gifts on the bed, and sat down to open them. First, from Tobe, was a watercolor of a horse. It was beautiful.
She opened all of the other gifts, one by one, until she came to a small one, wrapped daintily in a russet red handkerchief. My favorite color, she thought. But who hadn't she received a gift from?
Someone sprang to mind, but she daren't get her hopes up. Inside the handkerchief she found a leather and metal box, the kind of jeweler's case that rings were purchased in.
She opened the box. There was nothing inside. The black velvet pad was the only thing that she saw in the morning sunlight.
"What?" Was this a prank? She was hardly a page, to be harassed by her peers. Suddenly, a voice appeared, as if out of nowhere. It was soft, almost a whisper, but pleasantly warm. She knew it immediately.
"Hi, Kel. Midwinter Luck," It was Dom. Suddenly, she felt phantom lips touch her cheeks in a kiss. "I love you."
By the time she could reach up with an incredulous hand and touch her cheek, Dom's voice was gone. She smiled, feeling warm all over. It was the best Midwinter gift she had ever received.