Author's Note: I may or may not have promised the next chapter by Christmas. Well, since I'm not quite done yet, I was convinced to write up a small Xmas special, just for fun. It's not an actual part of the story, so don't read too much into it. Just enjoy. :P


Guiding Light – Xmas Special

Riven hovered uncertainly in front of the trinkets aligned before her, the noise of the crowd distracting her from her thoughts, and the cold air reminding her she should have worn something warmer. She shivered slightly and shifted her footing in the shallow snow, getting impatient. The tinkling sounds, as the small pieces of jewelry shifted in the chill breeze, taunted her, daring her to buy them and make the smallest mistake. Nothing stood out to her, and the anxiety kept eating away at her. She was nearly out of time. It was only one more day until the Snowdown festival...

Growling in frustration, Riven brushed a hand through her hair roughly.

"Having trouble there, Riven?" Came a soothing voice, with a very familiar slurring accent.

Riven looked over to Lee Sin, The Blind Monk, not bothering to correct her annoyed-looking visage; it wasn't like he would see it. She sighed, wondering if she should even bother telling him her problem. He always seemed to pop up when she needed him, like he just somehow knew and wanted to help, but it felt awkward to rely on him so much.

He cocked his head to the side, "Perhaps doing some Snowdown shopping for a particular someone?"

'Bingo,' Riven thought, closing her eyes for a moment. She felt defeated by this most simple thing. Finally, she felt herself give up. She really was no good at this.

"Do you think..." She began, trying to sound somewhere between apologetic and polite, "You could help?"

"Of course, Riven," Lee Sin said happily, as though it was his entire purpose for being here, "Follow me."

The monk set off down the road, and Riven followed, feeling somewhat hopeful now. Lee Sin had never failed to look out for her, and was one of the reasons she had made it to this point in the first place. She always kept his advice close to heart. It was just a little weird how much effort he put towards her, like she was a pet project of his.

Lee Sin turned down an unlit alleyway, and Riven hesitated before following. A shortcut perhaps?

After some time, and a few more twists and turns, they ended up in the middle of a small courtyard, where Lee Sin stopped and tapped his foot, holding his chin between two fingers. Riven stepped beside him, looking around at the dark windows of the buildings around them. She was beginning to doubt they were in the right place.

"That's strange," Lee Sin muttered, "I could've sworn this was the right way."

Riven's shoulders drooped in defeat and she sighed heavily. She couldn't remember the way to get out, and was beginning to feel seriously cold. She clenched her teeth in order to keep them from chattering.

"You know, Lee... Never mind. I'll do this myself. Thank you for the offer." Riven said defeatedly. She began to walk off, feeling the stress rising again.

"Wait, Riven."

Riven turned around to see Lee Sin glowing gently with a light blue aura that illuminated the small area around them, casting strange shadows. It took her a moment to realize it was coming from her as well.

"At least allow me to get you out of this mess," Lee Sin smiled.

"But-" Riven started, but it was too late. In a near-instant, she was back in the League, standing in one of the summoning chambers across from Lee Sin.

"You didn't-!"

"No no no," Lee Sin laughed, "I know I told you I do not summon any longer. I had some help," He motioned towards the centre platform, where Nigel stood in his regular summoner's garb. The red-haired boy lowered his hands as the blue orb in front of him faded away and the lights of the room returned to their regular glow.

When the process was finished, he looked up and smiled at Riven. "Welcome back. Find what you needed?"

Riven gave him an unimpressed frown, "No. And I won't find it here, either."

Nigel's smile faded, "Huh... Sorry. I thought you and Lee Sin might've found something and just wanted a trip back. I know those stairs can be dangerous during the winter."

"Ah, I have an idea," Lee Sin spoke up again. Riven turned to look at him, and had to remind herself to speak to let him know he had her attention.

"What is it, Lee?"

"Why don't you ask some of the champions around the League? They might be able to help you out?"

Riven hesitated. She still hadn't taken the time to really talk to many of the other champions. "Like... who?"

"Why don't you start with Leona? She might have the best idea of Lux."

Riven frowned, remembering their first meeting in the mess hall. That had been a rather uncomfortable conversation, and she didn't look forward to continuing it. But, she had to admit it was probably the best option she had right now. "Where can I find her?"

Nigel grinned, "I've already arranged for you to meet her in the north courtyard."


Riven sat in the courtyard, which was unusually warm considering the weather outside of the League. It was strange how much magic the League could afford to use, and had only heard vague information about how much of it was allowed before it got to be too much.

She didn't have to wait long before the woman called the Avatar of the Sun arrived, smiling broadly.

"Riven, it's been a while. How have you been?" Leona said in a friendly, proud voice.

Riven shrugged, not feeling entirely open with the other woman.

"Still quiet, I see," Leona responded, "That's alright. What do you need?"

Riven looked downwards, suddenly embarrassed. There was no way she could tell her it was about Lux. "I... I'm looking for something... Preferably small, shiny, eye-catching..."

"Like... jewelry?" Leona asked, confused.

Riven nodded, "That's all I've thought of so far."

Leona pondered about it seriously, not questioning further, which Riven silently thanked her for.

"You know, I'm not sure why you came to me then. You should go see Taric instead. He's a bit of an expert in that area."

"Taric?"

"The Gem Knight."

"Oh," Riven remembered the name. She had almost forgotten about him. Of course he would know about it, and for some reason she felt it would be easier to speak with him than Leona. "Where can I find him?"

"He spends most of his time here at the League. His room is in the West Wing," Leona explained, pointing in the direction, "You can't miss it."

"Thanks," Riven said hurriedly, and left for the wing before Leona could pry any info out of her.

As she left, she didn't see Leona grinning devilishly, or hear her mutter "Good to see you two are just fine."


Riven stood at the entrance to Taric's doorway, and Leona was right about not being able to miss it. The entire door was encrusted with gems of varying colours and sizes, all intricately carved and altogether quite beautiful. She held off from judging the man's choice of decoration, to some degree of difficulty. In the centre of all the gems was a knocker made of yet another gem, and Riven reached out to use it. She gave it one firm hit against the door, and with a strange cracking sound, the gem it slammed against shattered and crumbled into dust.

Riven felt the panic run through her in an instant. She hadn't hit it that hard, had she? She didn't know what to do as the pieces of the gem fell to the floor in front of her. And before she could react properly, the door swung open and a well-built, well-groomed man stood before her, dressed in a bathrobe. He immediately gave Riven a once-over, glanced at the floor, and stared as the shock run down his face.

"Oh my," He stated in a deep, soothing voice.

"I-" Riven stuttered, clenching her fists in stress, "I just-"

"Oh my. Oh my oh my," He continued, crouching down to the floor and picking up the fragments of the stone. Riven stepped back, trying to stammer out an apology.

"I'm sorry," She finally managed.

But the man didn't answer. He collected a handful of the dust and leaned over, slowly letting the dust flow from his hand back onto the floor. "Gorgeous," He murmured.

He stayed like that for a long moment, and Riven stood nearby, wondering what was going on.

Finally, he turned his attention back to her, "You are Riven, correct?" He stated simply, seemingly forgetting the crushed gem.

Riven nodded unsurely.

He stood up suddenly, and stepped closer to examine her, much to Riven's discomfort. "Excellent. Truly marvellous. I love your hair, but your outfit just does it no good. No good at all. I could help with that, you know."

Riven grimaced, and held her hands up timidly, "Umm, I didn't..."

"Ah! Of course! I'm forgetting my manners, aren't I? I am Taric, the Gem Knight," He introduced himself, waving it off like an afterthought.

Riven nodded. He was definitely a bit of an eccentric.

"Now," Taric continued, "What can I do for you, Riven?"

Riven took a deep breath, taking comfort in the fact that he probably didn't know the history she shared with Lux, "I'm looking for a present for someone. I thought you might be able to help me."

"A present? Of course! Of course I can help you! There is no better gift than a glittering gem, full of feelings and emotion, and sometimes magic!" He responded enthusiastically, beckoning for her to step inside, "Please! Come in!"

Riven did as he asked, being careful not to step on the shards of stone in the hallway, and wondering what would become of them.

The inner realm of Taric's room was just as flashy as the door, full of strange formations of shining stones jutting out from the floor and walls, as if she had entered into a deep, wondrous cave. She stood in the centre of it all and slowly gazed around. She had never seen anything like it, and was actually impressed by the sheer variety of crystals glistening in the few lights around the room. She was so distracted by it that she didn't notice Taric come up beside her.

"Take a look," He said smoothly into her ear, causing Riven to jump a little. She shifted away from him slightly with an awkward half-smile, trying not to appear ungrateful. In his hands he held a variety of small gemstones, all different colours and shapes. Riven stared at them in admiration, noticing they seemed to glow slightly more than normal. She picked up a red one hesitantly.

"Ruby, for vigour," Taric stated, nodding.

Riven glanced up at him, then back at the stone, and slowly placed it back. It didn't really seem right for Lux. In fact, just the stones themselves seemed like an odd gift.

"Do you... have any sort of jewelry?" Riven asked shyly.

Taric's brow furrowed, and his mouth upturned into a frown, "Jewelry? Jewelry?!" He withdrew his hand and tossed the stones behind him angrily. "Outrageous! Truly outrageous! Gems are not jewelry! They are far more valuable than any trinket!"

Riven took a few steps back, "But..."

"No! You don't understand! I cannot give my gems to someone who does not understand their worth! Leave!" The man cried, his long brown hair becoming more dishevelled by the moment.

Riven grimaced and backed out of the room, carefully keeping an eye on the enraged man. As she stepped into the hallway, Taric stepped to the door and slammed it in her face. Riven scowled, suddenly feeling the urge to smash all the gems on his door. But... that would probably be the worst thing to do at this point, and so she left the place, largely annoyed.


Riven sat in the Mess Hall, which was largely vacant at this hour, feeling largely defeated. The weakness she felt at not being able to accomplish such a simple thing, and the guilt of thinking she should just give up were only making her more depressed.

She heard the scrape of a chair beside her, and looked over in surprise. What surprised her even more was what she saw.

"Good evening, Riven," Said Irelia, The Will of the Blades, as she sat down.

Riven nodded, feeling a little dumbfounded at Irelia's sudden presence.

"I cannot stay long. But I was informed that you were troubled, and thought I might help," Irelia stated calmly.

"But-" Riven began, concerned with the subject of the problem. But Irelia waved a hand to signal she wasn't bothered.

"You are over-complicating things, Riven. What is important about this holiday is not a material gift." Irelia smiled, and cupped a hand over Riven's ear, leaning in closer. She whispered something so only Riven could hear, even though there was likely no one else around.

Riven blushed a little at the words, but eventually nodded. This was something she could manage, and was significantly easier than shopping.


The next night, Riven stood in front of the door to Lux's room in the League, her heart beating faster than usual. Hesitantly, she rapped on the door with her knuckle, and the response from inside was almost instantaneous. Before Riven finished lowering her hand, Lux was in front of hear, beaming widely.

"Happy Snowdown, Riven!" She exclaimed with disregard to anyone else who might be around. Riven wished she'd keep it down, with all the other Demacian rooms nearby.

"Happy... Snowdown," Riven replied, averting her eyes momentarily. She normally felt fine around the other girl, but with what Irelia told her... it was a little more embarrassing.

"Is something wrong?" Lux asked, catching on to the change already.

Riven took a deep breath and waited a moment to relax. "Do you think... you could close your eyes for a moment?"

A curious smile crept onto Lux's face. "Alright," She agreed readily.

As soon as her eyes were closed, Riven stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around the blonde's waist. She quickly glanced down the hallway in both directions, before giving Lux a quick peck on the lips.

Lux opened her eyes halfway with a devious expression on her face. "Hm? Is that all?" She asked slyly.

Riven stared her in the eyes, and after a small debate in her mind, she leaned forward again, holding the kiss for a few seconds.

"Mm," Lux hummed as they finished, "That's a bit better."

Riven let out a deep breath, hoping Lux got the message.

"You know," Lux continued, "We don't have to go to the festival..."

"I know," Riven replied, smiling. She got it.

Lux grinned, "Was that your plan all along?"

"I think... it would be difficult to give you your gift out there," Riven answered, feeling a little more confident now that Lux was aware of it.

"Hmm, you make a tempting offer, Riven," Lux said, "I think I might have to accept your gift here and now."

Riven let Lux take her by the hand, leading her inside to the warmth of the room. It was Riven who closed the door behind them.


Second Author's Note: Next chapter shouldn't be too long of a wait (hopefully). I'll be working on it a little less until after New Year's, but I'm not too far from finishing (I think). Hope you enjoyed this little side-show. :D