Kel was surprised when she stepped into the large hall. Neal had done well. He had moved all the tables around, put place cards for every person, and he had the children make paper decorations for him. The room looked beautiful and festive.

Neal and Dom had organized it all wonderfully. They showed her and let her review all of their plans, except for the gift circles. Only Dom and Neal knew who every person was giving a gift to.

When Kel got to the table Neal had directed her to, she looked for her place card. It was at the head of the table, the proper place for a commander. Neal's card was on her right. Kel knew, of course, that her gift was for Neal, and that his gift was for Eurgain, who had a carefully written card beside Neal's. She looked to the left of her seat, and saw that the card had Dom's name. She smiled. She was getting a gift from Dom. It never even occurred to her that he had organized it that way.

The meal was delicious. They had real meat for dinner, large birds and beasts with vegetables and potatoes. When everyone had eaten their fill and had brought their dishes into the kitchen, Neal stood up on a crate that he had set next to his bench.

"Good evening! I hope you all enjoyed your meal," he said. Everyone cheered as he spoke. Kel smiled, glad that his dinner had been such a success. "if you look to your right, you will see the person you have brought a gift for. If you look to your left, you will see the lucky soul who gets to give you a midwinter's gift!" Everyone laughed, and Neal continued. "Let the gift giving commence!" He threw his arms up in the air dramatically, almost losing his balance and falling off the crate. He sat down beside Kel and she presented her gift to him.

"It's not much, I'm sorry, but I just didn't know what to give you," Kel said guiltily.

Neal shook his head as he opened it. "No, it's perfect!" He held up a small leather sheath for a dagger.

"I know it's good to keep a dagger in your boot, and I thought, 'Neal would end up stabbing himself.' So I had the tanner make me this to go around either you leg or your waist. I'm sorry there's no new knife in it, though. The blacksmith wasn't good enough to make one better than the one you already have."

Neal grinned. "Thanks, Kel!"

Kel then turned around to face Dom, who was waiting patiently for her. He handed her a small box with a piece of ribbon tied around it. Kel slowly pulled the ribbon off and opened the small box. It contained a silver necklace with a fine chain and a small horseshoe pendant hanging from it. There were four tiny diamonds where the nails would be.

Kel gasped. "Dom, it's beautiful!"

Dom shrugged. "My father gave it to my sister, but she said it reminded her too much of the barn. She always hated riding, and didn't quite know why father gave it to her. She gave it to me, and told me to give it to whoever I was courting." He said with a chuckle. "I thought you might like it."

Kel smiled. "Thank you," she said, holding it up for him. "Will you help me?"

He took the necklace from her as she turned around. He passed the strand over her head until it sat against her chest. She could feel his breath on her neck as he leaned in to see the necklace, she could feel his fingers brushing against her back as he tied it. "Thank you," she said as he placed the necklace down on her neck. She could feel the pressure of his fingers and the warmth of his breath no more. It was an odd sensation. The world was rushing in around her, but she had not noticed that it had left. Kel felt herself long for his touch…

Kel jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around quickly. "Let's see how it looks," Dom said with a smile. Flushed, Kel sat up taller. "Beautiful." Dom said.

Before Kel could say anything, Neal stood up again. "Ladies and gentlemen!" He said loudly. "If you would all be so kind as to step outside for a few moments, put your gift away, perhaps, while we prepare for the second part of our lovely Midwinter celebration: the ball!"

Kel groaned. "He was serious about that?" She asked.

Dom nodded his head. "Completely."

"Well," Kel said with a dramatic sigh, "I'm glad I agreed to take the second shift on watch." She stood up. "Do you need me for anything, Neal?"

Neal glanced at Dom quickly, but then shook his head. "Go ahead, Kel."

Kel took a deep breath of the cool night air when she got outside. It was cool and refreshing, like a gulp of icy water after a long ride. She jogged quickly to her room to pick up a heavier coat, as she would be standing out in the cold air for a long time.

Kel gripped the railing as she slowly ascended the steep stairs to the top of the wall. She calmed considerably when she reached the top. "You are dismissed," she said to the guard who was standing there. "I can take over now."

The look of relief on the man's face was incredible. "I didn't think anyone would come, I was afraid I'd be here all night!" He stood up straight. "Sir." He bowed sharply to her, and Kel bowed in return. He then marched quickly down the stairs and out of sight.

Kel stood on the wall, looking out at the serene landscape below her. She heard footsteps on the stairs and turned. Dom was standing there. Kel sighed. "Evening," she said, bowing her head to him. Dom bowed his head in return.

"Thought I'd come and join you. Meathead said he'd be by later."

Kel nodded. Dom stepped closer to her, but she shrugged it off. It was just to see over the wall.

"Kel, I-" Dom paused to collect his thoughts. "I – there's a second part to your gift." He kissed her. Quickly and softly, but he kissed her. Kel had not expected it. "Midwinter luck."

Cleon leaned down and pressed his lips gently to hers. "Midwinter luck, Kel," he whispered. He turned crimson, and strode down the hall.

Kel stood there for some time, completely poleaxed.

Kel nodded, quickly putting her hands back on the edge of the wall. "Yes, Midwinter luck to you too." She said nothing else, holding her body completely rigid. Dom didn't say anything, and after a moment, he turned away and walked slowly down the stairs.

As soon as he was gone, Kel let out a sob. She had broken his heart. They would never look at each other the same way again, and it was all because Kel had promised herself that she would mourn her fiancé properly. But that wasn't all of it. It wasn't that she wouldn't let herself have a romance, it was that she didn't want it. She did not love Dom, not like that. what did he expect from her? Love? Sex? All she expected from him was friendship, and now even that was lost.

Tobe appeared at Kel's side as she held back another sob. "Alright, lady?" He asked.

Kel nodded, waving him away.

"Sure don't look like it." He said.

Kel sighed. "Tobe, I don't wish to speak of it. Now do as you're told and go back to the ball."

Tobe looked at her for a moment, then shrugged. He agreed to go water and feed the horses before returning to the party. Kel smiled weakly. "Thank you, Tobe. That is what I was hoping for." She said.

-----

They tried to speak to each other. Not about anything in particular, they just tried to strike conversations when they saw each other. But they had trouble. When one tried, the other would not reciprocate.

Kel was civil with Dom most of the time, but frightened. She did not want to be hurt again, nor did she wish to hurt him.

Neal noticed the change. He tried to call Kel and Dom on it, but to no avail. He soon gave up. Kel receded into her shell of loneliness, and no one tried to get her out again.

Kel tried to get back to a normal life, but now she had a friendship to mourn as well as a love. She did all of her duties as commander and then some, never giving herself a second to pause and reflect upon her life in the hopes that she would never have to. Still, months after Cleon's death, Kel was not completely healed.

Spring was upon New Hope, with new sparrows and new leaves appearing soon. Kel and Eurgain were working quietly, going over the new seasons planting schedule. The ground would be thawed in a matter of days, and they had to be ready for planting.

A knock on the door stopped their conversing. "Come in," Kel said.

Neal opened the door. "Morning, ladies." Kel smiled. "Kel, could I speak to you a moment?"

Kel nodded. "Of course, Neal, come in."

Eurgain smiled at him. "Should I leave, then?" She asked.

Neal smiled in return. "Thank you kindly, Eurgain." Eurgain then picked up her board and quill and walked out of the room.

Kel looked at Neal. "What can I do for you?" She asked.

Neal sat down in the chair that had held Eurgain. "Well, firstly, I need some new supplies. Ingredients for various charms, potions, things like that."

Kel frowned at him. "Neal, why did you send my clerk out for that?"

"Other things," Neal said with a sigh. "Everyone notices it, Kel. I tried to let it go, but I can't. you and Dom have been anything but civil with each other. I know he kissed you, but is it really that big of a deal?"

Kel frowned yet again. "How do you know that?"

Neal shrugged innocently. "I know everything, Kel. Just tell me, why is it such a big deal?"

Kel looked at Neal. His eyes held worry. His soft features made him look like some innocent youth, not a man hardened by war and disease, like he was progressively becoming. It hurt Kel to know that the worry in his eyes was partly for her. "Kel?"

Finally, Kel spoke. "He kissed me and offered me Midwinter luck." She watched as Neal shrugged at the normalcy of the situation. "That's what Cleon said the first time he kissed me."

She stood up and walked to the window, leaning on it. She felt the cold glass against her cheek and the palm of her hand. "Besides," she said, looking out the window, "I don't love him."

"Then why are you still wearing his necklace, even though you are so angry at each other?" Kel instinctively put her hand to the strand around her neck and fingered it. "Don't think I haven't noticed, Kel." Neal said.

Kel looked at him, then turned away again. Did she love Dom? No, she couldn't. she had had a crush on him when she was a squire, but not any more. That had been when she was but a fickle youth. But then, she had no reason not to love him. Dom was kind and generous and beautiful and he loved her. He had never been anything but loving towards her, never been even the slightest bit rude or condescending, even when he was angry with her, until the past few weeks. So why didn't Kel love him? Why had she not fallen in love with him the instant she met him? She was young and foolish back then. She had taken him for granted as a friend, and now she had probably hurt him more than she could imagine. Maybe it was too late for her too learn to love him.

But maybe it wasn't.

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Well… this chapter turned out pretty well. The story is moving a bit faster than I would have hoped, but I had nothing to put in between, so it will stay as a fairly short story. Oh well.

Wake-Robin: Thanks! And of course!

Dreamerdoll: thanks!

PsychoLioness13: too true! That is sort of what this chapter is…

Lady of Masbolle: thanks! (actually, I stole that idea from you… I never even thought of it… so I must acknowledge your brilliance…)

Alenor: thanks!

Laelai: duh! Come on, I am the most predictable person ever. Of course!

BigBigStarr: I agree. If something is well written or expands on the characters, there is no reason for action. I find it is the same with plays. People will go and say 'that play was boring, there was too much talking.' And I'm just like, 'you're stupid! Just listen, its brilliant!' Anyway… back on topic…

Crystaltambaia: I go between. Sometimes I think he's a jerk, sometimes I love him. it depends.

alannalovingwriterL thanks! I actually do my best to make them 2000 words, unless I have a kickass ending…

Smiles28: yes, it is indeed different. It started a lot slower with the whole love thing, and though that is what all of my stories are about, there is a lot less chivalry in this one. A lot less heroics.

Atlanta Enchanted: ah, I hate it when I do that. That is exactly what I was hoping people would notice! Good job! Haha… and Kel still hasn't really gotten over Cleon, I don't expect she ever really will, and that could cause difficulties with Dom… bom bom bom… but who knows? It could turn out beautifully, it could turn out as a terror.

Well, tis all for now. I'm really sorry I took so long posting, I've been uber busy, and have way too many stories to think about now (I'm ending Aftermath… tear!) Well, please read and review, I shall try to update more often, though I must announce:

I AM TAKING A BREAK. EXAMS ARE IN TWO WEEKS, I REALLY NEED TO STUDY. I WILL NOT BE POSTING AT ALL UNTIL AFTERWARDS. I MIGHT POST THIS WEEKEND, BUT IT IS NOT LIKELY! If I do post, please yell at me and tell me to go back to my studying. Thanks!

I know people are going to be bugging me for new chapters, and I haven't updated some of these stories in a really long time, but I can't really help it.

Love you all!

-unolimbo