Author's Note: So sorry I haven't updated in a while. I just had so many ideas for my other fic that I had to get them all down before I forgot them.

Title: Daja and Kirel

Rating: G

Spoilers: Not really. Maybe.

Summary: Daja and Kirel start to figure out their feelings for each other.

Disclaimer: I don't own Daja, Kirel, or any of the other characters in Circle of Magic.

Setting: This story is set after Briar's Book.

*** = setting change

italics = thoughts

underline = mind-to-mind speech

~The Truth Comes Out~

The next afternoon, Lark gave Sandry permission to go out before Daja could get to Frostpine's forge. Sandry hurried along the spiral road. She had to speak to Frostpine and soon, before Kirel could get to the forge as well.

As she entered the building, she looked around for Frostpine. He was shaping some metal. "Excuse me?" Sandry said.

"Oh, hello, Sandry," Frostpine said when he noticed her. "What brings you here?"

"It's about Daja and Kirel."

"Why? Has something happened to them?"

"No! Nothing like that. I was wondering, have you noticed anything about them? Have they been acting differently around each other?"

"I don't know. Maybe. It's hard to tell. I think so."

"Well, I have a plan to get them to tell each other their feelings."

"Really?"

"Yes, and I need your help to make it work."

Frostpine chuckled. "What can I do?"

Sandry produced two pieces of parchment. "One of these is for Daja, and the other is for Kirel. The messages say to meet the other behind Discipline, at the well. Now hopefully, they will start talking and then tell each other their feelings. It probably won't work, but I want to see my friend happy. I might as well try."

"All right. So what exactly do I have to do?"

"Give this one to Daja." She handed him the parchment in her left hand. "And this one's for Kirel. Give them their letters when they come in, but make sure that they don't see each other's letters."

"Very well. I would like to see if your plan is successful, though."

"Oh. Well, meet us in Rosethorn's garden on Sunsday after midday. A little bit before the end of lunch, if possible. We'll be hiding in a bush."

"Ah."

"I'd better get going. I don't want Daja to see me here."

"Goodbye."

"Bye."

***

Sandry, Tris, and Briar finished their chores early on Sunsday and ran out of the house to meet Frostpine. Daja didn't notice. She was too busy thinking about the letter she had gotten a few days ago. What if it's a trick? Oh, I don't know. I guess it wouldn't hurt to go.

***

"Ow!"

"Get your elbow out of my eye!"

"We should have picked a bigger bush."

Three young people and one adult in a red habit were in a bush, trying to get sorted out. When they had finally settled down into tolerable positions, they stopped talking and quieted down. Daja walked out of the house toward the well. She sat on the edge of it, hanging onto one of the supports so as not to fall in.

"Shh," Sandry whispered. Briar used his magic to try to get the bushes to conceal them better. Kirel suddenly appeared on the scene, looking nervous. He spotted Daja and went over to talk to her. Tris snatched a rope of wind and used it so they could hear the conversation.

"Hello," he said.

"Hey, Kirel," Daja answered, smiling.

"I got a letter saying to meet here."

"Me too."

"I don't know what's going on, but I'm glad you're here. I need to talk to you."

"All right."

"We've known each other for a while now, and I think that you're very special."

"Thank you."

"Look, I might as well just say it. I like you a lot, Daja."

She blushed, making her dark skin darker. "I like you too."

"I know I'm a little old for you, but I can't help it. I can't stop thinking about you. I mean, ever since that day that Frostpine was gone for the day..."

"I know what you mean."

"So... What do we do now?"

"I don't know. I guess we just wait and see what happens."

Daja thought she saw a flash of silver in a nearby bush. What...? She ignored it as Kirel put his hand under her chin and tilted her face up to meet his. He leaned in closer... closer...

***

Ah! Sandry squealed. Only Tris and Briar heard, since Frostpine's magic was not connected to theirs. Briar put his hand on Frostpine's arm to include him in the conversation. It was safer to talk like this, so that the two by the well didn't hear.

I can't believe it! Tris exclaimed. He kissed her!

Girls, Briar grumbled. He was happy for his friend, but he was a boy, after all, and didn't respond to things like this the way girls did.

Things will certainly be different around my forge from now on, Frostpine said with a magical chuckle.

***

"Wow." That was all Daja could say. Kirel smiled. He put an arm around her and they just sat there together for a while. They just sat there without saying anything, enjoying each other's company. They didn't realize they had an audience. An audience that was cheering silently for them.

TO BE CONTINUED... (due to popular demand and the fact that this ending is really bad)

Author's Note: Hey! This is a weird ending, but it's the only thing I could think of. If you want me to continue, please tell me. Thanks! Bye!

P.S. Read my next fanfic, Isas and Niva. It's about Rosethorn and Crane. If you liked this story, you'll probably like this next one.