Enjoy! I will be posting a sketch of Ziva's dress on my tumblr.
-owl

Ziva had been running around the castle for the last three hours since she had gotten up, in preparation for the journey to McGee Manor. Servants had to be given instructions, the door to the siege tunnels shut and locked, among various other things.

As it was, when Ziva returned to her room to get her cloak to go outside and get things ready out there, she found a wrapped parcel on her and Tony's bed. There was no note on the outside of it, other than a label that said 'Ziva.'

With caution, Ziva opened it, after all one had to be careful when an unmarked parcel appeared on their bed. The butcher paper that was holding whatever it was together came off of it easily, and revealed a beautiful dress.

The dress was one that Ziva would like, though not one she ever would have asked for. And the only person who knew her that well in DiNozzo, who wouldn't be there to see her open it, would be Abby. More than likely it was intended for Ziva to wear at Christmas.

Putting it on, Ziva had to wonder if Abby knew her measurements off the top of her head, or if she had somehow figured out how to get them. It fit perfectly, and wasn't too long.

The dress had sleeves that went halfway to her elbows, and the skirt almost brushed the floor. The bodice and skirt were one piece, made of a pale blue silk. Layers of tulle were sewn in a way that it looked like ice dripping from her. Sapphires stitched into the tulle helped with that effect.

Green was her favorite color, but this dress would match with the crown and bracelet that they had found for her to wear. Abby truly knew her well. Then she took it back off and placed it in the trunk beside the other things she was bringing with to McGee Manor.

Then she grabbed her cloak, which was what she had been meaning to do in the first place, and began to make her way out to the courtyard.

Ziva, once outside, bee-lined to the training grounds to find Sir Torres. He was in the middle of leading an exercise, critiquing the other knights and soldiers. He was wearing not the cloak of DiNozzo, but his family cloak, colored pale blue with the crest of the owl in flight.

"Sir Torres!" Ziva called, and the man turned around to watch her approach.

He bowed to her. "Your Majesty. How may I be of service today?"

She inclined her head to draw him away from the group. When he had joined her further away from prying ears, she spoke. "As I am sure you know, Tony and I will be leaving tomorrow for McGee Manor. We are expecting to be back by the twenty-eighth."

Torres nodded. "Yes, King Tony had mentioned that when I met with him yesterday."

"Good. I wanted to talk to you about preparations we are putting in place for the time we are gone. I have sealed off the siege tunnels for the duration of our absence. No one has ever gotten through them without the map Abby and myself have made, and I do not expect that to be an issue, but I wish to be certain.

"The people know that during the holiday season, the days we see petitioners are more limited, but there will be at least one day, the twenty-sixth, when you, as acting regent while we are away, will need to see them."

Torres' eyes grew wide. "I knew that you guys were going to have me be acting regent, but do you really want me to see petitioners?"

Ziva nodded. "Yes, that is how we have things organized. If there is something that you are not sure about, either tell them to return on a day when Tony or I are here, or if it is something really bad, make use of the dungeons."

That seemed to placate him, because he nodded and took a step away. "If that is all, though, Your Majesty, I should get back to working with the knights."

"Of course."

When they were done talking, Ziva went to check that the carriage was ready. Indeed it was, and some of the stable boys were polishing it until it shone. There would be a team of four horses that were to pull it, and they would be harnessed as soon as the next day dawned.

"Did I see a new dress in our trunk?" Tony asked as he folded some of his clothing to put in the trunk for the trip.

They had long since finished supper and were getting the last of everything ready so they could leave basically as soon as they woke up.

Ziva, who was sitting at the desk writing a letter for Kate, looked over to him. "Yes. It arrived today, I think that Abby ordered it for me to wear for Christmas."

"I'm sure you are going to look beautiful in it," Tony said, grinning at her. "Do you have everything packed that you are going to need while we are gone?"

Ziva nodded. "Yes. I got my packing done this afternoon, after checking in with Sir Torres."

"What were you talking to him about?"

She shrugged. "Just things for while we are gone. On the twenty-sixth he will need to see the petitioners, then various things, like that I have sealed off the siege tunnels, in case anyone were to try to get in through them."

"Do you really think that is going to be a risk?" Tony asked, confusion in his voice.

"I doubt it, but if anything happens, I do not want anyone who does not know their way around down there to risk getting lost."

Tony sighed. "I suppose that is a fair point. Was there anything else that needed to be done before we leave tomorrow?"

"Not as far as I know. I think we just need to get everything packed."