Disclaimer: I do not own Tortall, or any of the Tamora Pierce characters- obviously. Only characters a hard core fan doesn't recognize are mine- IE Aaurie, Branic and Illean.

AN: Chapter goes out to Gaya and Manx- thanks for the reviews and for adding the story to your watch list. Hope it doesn't disappoint you!

Owen walked her to her door, laughing as she finished telling him about the last litter of pups she'd seen before leaving the fort. Aaurie went to open her door then cursed.

"Oh! I forgot to get Thom's book!" Aaurie berated herself, slamming her hand into her forehead. Owen reached up, pulling her hand down but not letting go. She looked at him, breathing quietly

.

"Guess a kiss is going to have to do," Owen said quietly, looking down at her. It occurred to him that he was too close, their bodies almost touching, but he couldn't bring himself to move.

"I don't think anyone would be happy with just a kiss for midwinter," Aaurie replied, swallowing.

"I would, if it was from you," Owen whispered, watching her face. Aaurie looked up at him and bit her lower lip, noting Owen's close proximity to her.

"Well, I am afraid I didn't even think to get anything for you Sir Owen." Owen began to straighten, to move away, taking her words badly. He looked up, surprised to feel her hand on his neck. "So I suppose a kiss would have to do," Aaurie whispered, pulling him back to her.

Owen sighed, letting her pull him against her, wrapping her arms nervously around his neck. Owen put his arms at her waist, tilting her face up and watching her for a moment before pressing his lips to her own.

Owen smiled against her mouth, surprised as she parted her lips allowing his tongue entrance. Owen pulled her closer against him as he massaged her tongue with his own. When they finally pulled apart Owen smiled down at her, noting her blush.

"I do suppose that was the jolliest midwinter gift ever," Owen grinned. Aaurie laughed.

"Um, I should, well I should probably go to bed then," Owen nodded watching her open her door. She turned, looking at him curiously.

"It's not even midwinter yet," she laughed. Owen grinned.

"Night Aaurien," Owen smiled. Aaurie nodded.

"Good night."

---

Aaurie sighed, rolling over in bed. She couldn't sleep, she kept thinking about that kiss. Kissing Thom had been different- it was like a game, he was just showing her and it hadn't meant anything. Half of it she wasn't even sure she remembered, the wine clouding her senses. But Owen, when he got that close to her, he smelled so good and all she wanted to do was to see what kissing him would be like.

It was nice; he was so warm against her, absently stroking her waist as they kissed. Aaurie groaned into her pillow, angry with herself. Owen was wonderful but she had to admit that she hadn't known him very long and she may have acted rashly kissing him like that.

Aaurie shook her head, the men at the fort kissed random, strange women all the time. It wasn't something to make a big fuss over. She was at ease for a moment until more thoughts exploded in her mind. Maybe he'd been kidding about the kiss. Aaurie fell asleep, her mind buzzing with worries.

When she woke in the morning she was surprised to see that one of the servants had already delivered her gifts. A large stack of presents was arranged at the foot of her bed. Aaurie jumped up, smiling to pick up a package from her brothers.

Illean had sent her a winter coat in the new yamani-esque style, red with an obi style belt. Branic had sent boots, dark almost black suede with a slight heel to keep her out of the slush of snow. She smiled, appreciating the time her brother's had taken to find 'girly' gifts without being comical.

Wyldon had sent a small portrait of the men at the fort, Aaurie laughed to see that the latest litter of puppies had been included in the image, one chewing a boot in the foreground, the others being held by the men. Wyldon was smiling, his two dogs flanking him. Included in the same package were two new daggers, one for her boot and the other on her belt loop. The included note said:

Don't want you to forget your family. And we all want you to get through the year in one piece. Don't forget how to use these.

Midwinter wishes,

Wyldon of Cavall

Aaurie smiled, tucking the note into her trunk. The remaining two presents were from Darien and Thom. Darien had gotten her a new bow, having broken hers in the same jostle that had destroyed his arrows. Aaurie admired the bow, laughing that he had remembered the etching on her sword and having the same design carved into the bow. The gift from Thom was a small velvet box, Aaurie eyed it quizzically, opening it and looking inside.

Resting on a cushion within the box was a small, teardrop shaped crystal attached to a chain. She lifted it up, admiring the way it caught the light. At first it looked almost clear, and then reflected purple rays from its center. She smiled, sliding it over her head and letting it rest around her neck.

"You like it?" Aaurie looked up to see Thom standing in the doorway. Aaurie smiled, getting up and hugging him.

"I didn't know what to get you," Aaurie admitted. Thom gave a small smile, pretending to shrug it off. "If you don't mind…?"

Thom nodded, confused. Aaurie stepped forward, placing a kiss lightly on his lips. Thom stared at her gob smacked as she pulled away.

"Midwinter luck," Aaurie smiled, hoping he wouldn't be upset. Thom smiled, his heart racing.

"Thanks for the arrows Aaurie," Darien boomed, stepping past a still gaping Thom and giving Aaurie a tight hug. "Bloody fantastic they are- best I've ever had." Aaurie nodded.

"Thank you for my bow, its beautiful Darien," Aaurie said honestly. Darien nodded.

"What's the matter with you then Thom?" Darien asked, giving his friend a quizzical look.

"Nothing," Thom smiled at Aaurie. Aaurie opened her mouth to say something, but stopped seeing Owen sliding past Thom and Darien.

"Sorry to intrude, I was just- I wanted to see if you might want to come with me for a ride later?" Owen asked, looking at Aaurie hopefully. Thom noticed the light flush that rose on her face, and scowled at the other man's back.

"I'd love to," Aaurie smiled.

"Jolly, I'll meet you at the stables then- after lunch?" Aaurie nodded and Owen grinned, giving a nod of the head to each of the boys as he left.

"What in Mithros name was that?!" Thom growled, motioning to the hall.

'What? He's sweet, I like him," Aaurie admitted. Darien smiled.

"Awww, Aaurie's got a crush!" Darien called. Aaurie glared, laughing.

"He's way older than you are!" Thom protested, jealousy rising in his throat.

"Five years, and so what?" Aaurie asked, bristling at his tone.

"So he only wants to bed you that's what! He can't be stupid, he'll have to have figured its all you're good for," Thom spat angrily. Seeing Aaurie's face he immediately regretted it.

"Get out Thom," Aaurie said, tears forming in her eyes.

"Aaurie-" Thom tried to apologize.

"Get out!" Aaurie yelled, her chest heaving. Thom walked out into the hall, banging his head against the wall for his rash words.

"He didn't mean it Aaurie," Darien whispered, never having seen her cry before. Aaurie shook her head.

"Yes he did, he just didn't mean to say it out loud," Aaurie choked back a sob.

"It's not true though Aaurie," Darien tried. She shook her head.

"Please, can you just leave me alone for a bit?" Darien nodded, giving her shoulder a light squeeze, shutting her door behind him.

Scanning the hall he noticed Thom standing just a few feet away.

"What in the gods' names is wrong with you? Why would you say something like that to her?" Darien yelled, pushing Thom's shoulder. He couldn't believe that after all the foul rumors, it was a comment from Thom- her supposed friend, that finally made her break down.

"I was angry, I wasn't thinking," Thom muttered. Darien growled at him.

"Look, get over yourself. Just because she doesn't fancy you, doesn't mean you can call her a whore!" Darien yelled, slamming Thom into the wall.

Thom growled, pushing back on Darien's shoulders.

"Screw you! What would you know? You two have probably been laughing at me behind my back this whole time!" Thom slammed his fist into Darien's face, and then froze.

Darien stood there for a moment, staring at his friend. After a moment he growled and lunged forward.

Aaurie opened her door, hearing yelling outside her door. Her eyes widened, seeing Darien and Thom wrestling around on the floor, throwing savages punches at one another.

Aaurie ran forward, dragging Thom off of Darien. Thom grunted, throwing his arm back, pushing her away from him and attempting to go after a panting Darien once more. Aaurie grabbed his shirt, pulling him back. Snarling he turned and shoved her back, sending a startled Aaurie sprawling. There was sickening crack as Aaurie's head slammed against the floor.

Thom stared down at her horrified. He hadn't meant to hurt her; he'd just been so worked up. He went to kneel and heal the cut forming above her eye, but Darien pushed past him, glaring at him in disgust.

"Get the hell away from her!" Darien growled, helping Aaurie sit up. She grimaced, her head was pounding and her leg ached from the fall.

"What on earth is going on here?" All three looked up to see Numair Salmalin, robes billowing behind him as he made his way towards them.

Thom paled, seeing his teacher looking at him expectantly.

"We got it a tussle, Darien and I," Thom said quietly. Numair raised an eyebrow in disbelief; the two lads were thick as thieves.

"Do you mind telling me then why Aaurien is on the floor then?" Thom looked down.

"He pushed her, she can't have been expecting it from him and she fell," Darien replied, glaring at Thom.

"That true Thom?" Thom nodded, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Are you alright?" Numair asked, noting the cut on Aaurie's forehead.

"Just my leg sir," Aaurie said through gritted teeth.

"Do you need to see the healer?" Aaurie shook her head.

"No sir, I'm fine." Numair nodded turning to Thom.

"You lads will need to come with me; I need to tell the king about this."