A/N- hi everybody

It took a few minutes but Gwen was able to get Milena and Mason to leave so that she could study the painting on her own. She was shocked, the painting was…not quite accurate. First, Gwen's dress never cut that low and second it didn't come up that high. Her legs hadn't been crossed like that. Her hair was pulled up on top of her head with pieces falling down on either side instead of in the braid it had been in. She blushed and looked around to make sure she was alone. In the painting she looked like a bar maid and NOT the queen of Camelot.

There was no way she could present the painting in front of everyone at the ball. They would get the wrong idea. She wasn't even sure she could give it to Arthur, what would he think? Well there wasn't any time to worry about it at the moment. She had a perfect Christmas to host.

She had been sitting with the young queen Amber talking about- well she wasn't sure. She had been so worried about the painting that she had totally missed what Amber had last said. She glanced up to see Amber staring at her inquiringly. "Gwen?"

She blinked, "sorry I was…distracted."

Amber smiled, "I can see that. What's the matter?"

Gwen sighed, "It's nothing, just this gift that I wanted to get for Arthur."

"What about it?" She asked her blue eyes bright as she scooted closer.

"Well I had a portrait done of me, only the painting is…."

"Yes," Amber prodded.

"It's scandalous," she replied blushing again at the thought.

"Really, can I see it?" she asked grinning.

"Alright, follow me." Standing she led her dressing room.

In the dressing room Amber circled the painting a few times, studying it. "Wow, this is amazing it looks just like you." She wondered.

Gwen made a face, "well yes except I did NOT ask him to paint me like that." She franticly gestured to the painting. "What am I going to do, I can't present this to him in front of everyone."

"Then you won't," she replied simply. "We'll find a way for you two, to exchange gifts somewhere else."

"It's not that simple," she practically shrieked. "This is a tradition, we can't just change it!"

"Who says," Amber shot back grinning her catlike grin.

A/N- Let me just tell you that I have had a lot of fun writing Amber into this story. Once again, if you haven't read The Tournament then you should! Also thank you for all of the reviews you rock!