Disclaimer: I only own my OCs and the general plot.

Frog: And for the millionth time over the course of this story, I apologise for not updating sooner. At least it didn't take me two weeks this time... I've just been terribly buisy with school lately. I've been finding time to write, just not to type. I hope you all like this chapter though. I think it turned out pretty well.

Winter Solstuce had arrived, and everyone had been buisy getting ready for the festivities that evening. In fact, Danica hadn't gotten any time to herself until after the party had already started.

People were dancing, and laughing as they celebrated. The Avian Princess was standing silently near the door, a fake smile on her face. But so far, no one had noticed. She waited for a chance to slip out the door when no one was looking. Tonight, she would be leaving, no matter what it may cost her.

She spotted Evalyn sitting against one of the walls. Ailbhe was seated next to her, his arm around the small girl's shoulders. Danica couldn't help but smile sadly at the scene. Her best friend wouldn't be comming with her. She wasn't even going to offer, knowing that Evalyn would follow her princess wherever she went. But Danica wanted the girl to be happy, even though she, herself, wouldn't be.

Her eyes scanned over the party again. Zane was talking to his mother. He looked upset about something, though she wasn't sure. Charis just nodded in understanding as she listened. Admittedly, he looked quite handsom in the silky black clothes he was wearing tonight.

She shook her head, clearing these thoughts from it as best she could. Danica had been attempting to avoid him as best she could over the last few days. Not that it did much good. He would follow her around anyways. She was in love with him, and he seemed to know it too. She also was having alot of trouble pretending she wasn't. Curse her emmotions. That's why she had to leave, before she fell too far. Although it might be too late for that...

When at last no one was paying attention, she snuck out the door. The Avian Princess hurried down the halls, untile she arrived at the entry room. She was surprised to find Aviran there, sitting at his table, with Vespera nestled on his lap, sleeping by the looks of things.

He looked up at her, and smirked at the startled expression on her face. He then gently shook Vespera awake. The red-haired girl groaned softly, and rubbed her eyes.

"Oh, you're finally here," she smiled tiredly at Danica. And rightfully so, as she had worked harder than most people today it seemed.

"You knew I was comming?" Danica asked suspiciously.

"Call it a lucky guess," Aviran sighed. Vespera crawled off him, and he stood up, stretching. he then grabbed a stick by the wall, and tossed it to her, before taking one for himself. She caught it, trying hard not to look as flustered as she felt.

"Whenever you're ready," Aviran nodded, taking his stance in front of the door.

"And...how do I defeat you?" Danica asked hesitantly, postioning herself across from him.

"Disarm me, or knock me unconscious. Either one will do," he stated simply. She studied him for a moment, before charging. He blocked her easily and the battle began.

It quickly became obvious early on tat Aviran was at least as good as Zane, if not better. And he was barely trying. But she didn't give up, so the battle continued for close to twenty minutes. Plenty of time for someone to realize she was gone, the Avian Princess realized. Danica was sweating and breathing heavily by now. She took a few steps back from him. His face remained completely emmotionless. Then she charged him agian, hitting his stick as hard as she could. She collasped next to him, hearing the clatter of his staff hitting the floor.

"He let you win," came a voice in her head.

Aviran looked down at her, and grinned, "Well, a deal's a deal. You are free to go if you wish," he bowed a little, and returned to his chair. Vespera ran over, and helped her get to her feet again.

"You're going to need this," she offered her a heavy cloak. Danica took it thankfully, put it on, and went to the door. She paused just before opening it.

"May I know your purpose for helping me?" she asked skeptically.

"So you would learn something," Aviran smirked, opening a book.

"And that would be..."

His eyes sparkled with mischief, "That you are freer than you think."

As she walked out the door, his words continued to ring through her mind. She was freer than she thought? What did that mean? She shook her head, and pulled the cloak tighter around herself. It was already dark outside, but th enight was clear, and the moon gave her enough light to see her way through the snowy landscape.

She ran as fast as her legs would carry her, which wasn't much since her body was already exausted from the battle. She made it to the edge of the clearing the fortress was built in, and continued on into the darker forest.

She stopped once she had gone a little ways, and leaned against a tree to catch her breath. Her sides were aching horribly, and she was beginning to realize that she wasn't even sure where she was going. She had never seen a map of the area, and for all she knew the nearest town was many miles away.

The Avian Princess snapped back to reality when she heard a snapping sound. She gasped in surprise, and began to back away from where she thought it had come from. She hoped that whatever it was, was friendly, or would just leave her alone. Suddenly a pair of hands grabbed her arms from behind. She shrieked and struggled desperatly. Whoever it was, spun her around and pressed her firmly against a nearby tree.

"What do you think you're doing?!" they asked harshly. It took her a moment to calm down enough and realize it was Zane.

Danica opened her mouth several times as she tried to speak, before actually doing so, "I-I-I have to go home," she whispered finally.

"Danica," he sighed, shaking his head, "I already told you, you will be going home once the ransom is paid."

"And I told you that Avia can't afford it!" she snapped, just wishing he would understand.

"They'll be able to raise it eventually," he stated gently, "Are you really so eager to leave as to try something like this? Think about it Danica, this isn't smart."

"I...have to," she repeated, "I can't let my people pay my ransom. I have to think of them first..."

"But is that what you want?" Zane asked, locking her in his crimson gaze.

"Wh-what do you mean?" she asked, confusion plain in her voice.

"Going back now, and under such circumstances. Is that what you want, or is it something you have decided, no one else, is your duty as a princess?"

Danica was silent. She didn't know how to respond. What she had wanted had never really mattered before. Her country was her first priority. As she thought about it, she concluded that while she did want to go home, she also had found a life here that she had never dreamed possible. She wasn't sure if she wanted to give it up...just yet...

You're freer than you think

Is this what Aviran meant? That she could make her own choises, based on what was in her heart? He must have known that someone would realize she was gone, and come looking for her. She almost hated that blasted man. Couldn't he just say things flat out, instead of making her go through this? Then again, lessons are more effectivly learned, when expierienced.

She was silent for so long, that Zane finally sighed, and looked away. When he looked back at her, his eyes were solumn, but compassionate.

"If you really want to go home...I won't stop you..." he murmered gently, "Just give me a few days to set everything up."

Danica was shocked. He would actually let her go!?! Not that she was planning to leave by now, but she was curious.

"Wh-why?"

The next thing she was aware of were his lips on hers. She gasped in surprise, but didn't pull away from him. She actually found that she was enjoying it. He continued to kiss her passionatly for awhile longer, before pulling away, and looking her in the eye.

"Does that answer your question?" he asked lightly. She blushed brightly, and averted her eyes. A smirk came to his face and he continued, brushing his hand against her cheek, "Of course...that's also why I would very much like you to stay..."

Danica looked back at him, trying to calm herself, and stated dismissivly as though she really didn't care, "Fine."

Zane chuckled at the mask she attempted to put on, and caughter her hand, "Shall we go back then?"

She nodded, and he kissed her hand gently, before gently picking the still quite exausted girl up, and carrying her back to the fortress. When they got inside, the enty hall was empty.

"He was supposed to be guarding the door. You could have frozen to death," Zane muttered more to himself than her, as he set her down on the stone floor.

They returned to the gathering room, which was very warm by now, and still full of people. He had her sit on a pillow near the wall, and went to get her something hot to drink. Evalyn spotted her, and hurried over. Ailbhe followed her, and watched them, concern present in his eyes.

"What happened?" she asked quietly, kneeling by her princesses side, "You were there one minute, and the next you were gone."

Danica could easily here the pain in her friend's voice. Evalyn felt hurt that her liege would leave like this, without telling her.

"How did you know I left?" Danica asked, avoiding the girl's question as she didn't want to possibly hurt her feelings more.

Ailbhe shrugged, "Vespera ran in here saying she thought she saw you outside when she went upstairs."

"Vespera..." Danica frowned. It was very obvious now that they hadn't meant for her to get very far. Which was probably for the best. She had no idea where she was going, and it was only going to get colder as the night drew on. But she would have to talk to those two later just the same.

"Here," Zane came back, handing her a steaming mug, "It's still a little hot. But we wouldn't want you to get sick from your little...walk..."

"Thank you," she murmered, blowing on it gently to cool it off. He sat next to her, watching her silently.

"Please don't ever do that again," he after a long pause.

She turned to him, startled. His gaze remained steady and serious, and she found she couldn't look away. And she couldn't say no either. She cared too much. Curse her hear. This couldn't end well in the long run. But right now...she didn't care.

"I-I won't," she nodded her head a little.

"Promise?" he asked, but was starting to smirk playfully now.

"If you insist. I promise," she smiled at him sweetly. He grinned, and kissed her. And this time, she kissed him back.

Frog: Yay! They're together! For now... The next chapter is going to be mostly just fluffy stuff. I hope you all liked this one! Please review. I'll listen to constructive critisism, and take to heart what I can. Bye!