A/N: Ok I know most of you hate the Ash/Dom pairing but please stick with me. The end is near people!!! lol. Well read and review.

Chapter 9- Presents Midwinter 461

The next night, the night of the night of the third day of midwinter, Dom walked purposefully towards Ash's room. He wore a blue tunic and trousers trimmed with silver which highlighted his bright blue eyes. He reached her door and knocked only twice before it was opened. Ash stood in front of him smiling a little self consciously. Dom stared at her and fully appreciated the trouble she'd gone to, to look like this. She wore a white strapless gown trimmed with gold, which showed off her perfectly shaped shoulders and long neck. Her hair was piled elegantly on top of her head and she wore only the barest touch of face paint. Smiling Dom offered her his arm and they made their way towards the ball.

Upon entering they received many whistles from the men of the Own causing Ash to flush crimson and Dom to grin even wider. They spent the night dancing and talking with their friends. Ash and Yuki became almost instant friends and spent most of the night comparing Yamani battle techniques and weapons to Tortallan ones. During one of these discussions while the women were busy Neal glanced at Dom and raised an eyebrow to which Dom replied by smiling and raising his own eyebrow in response. Gradually people started to leave and Ash and Dom decided to be among them. Dom walked Ash back to her room and paused outside the door. He bent down and kissed her until lack of air forced them apart.

"Well I guess I should be going now, goodnight" Dom said regretfully

"You could always come in" Ash said, her voice catching slightly

"Are you sure?" Dom asked concerned, but a little hopeful at the same time.

"Positive" Ash stepped back into her room allowing him in then shut the door behind them

Sunlight was streaming in through the window when Dom woke the next morning. He looked at Ash lying peacefully next to him and brushed a piece of hair out of her face.

"Morning" she said without opening her eyes

"Actually I think it's closer to afternoon" Dom teased kissing her on the forehead

"Mmm, I don't care. I'm too comfortable to move" Ash declared snuggling closer to him.

They remained like that for a while longer, Dom gently tracing the scar that ran from just below Ash's right breast down towards her left hip. He would have stayed like that all day if it wasn't for his treacherous stomach which began to demand food. Letting out a sigh Dom began to get up.

"Do you think we're to late for breakfast?" asked Ash obviously having the same thoughts

"I think so. It probably wont be long until lunch is served though" Dom told her

Dom was just beginning to get dressed when Ash sat bolt upright clutching the blankets around her.

"Oh no" she moaned

"What's wrong?" asked Dom

"Presents!" cried Ash "We forgot about the presents"

An hour later, after hastily rushing around giving out their midwinter presents, Ash and Dom met in the mess hall for lunch. They took one look at each other and started laughing. Just at that moment Neal walked towards them and joined them at their table

"Dom where were you this morning? I looked everywhere for you to give you your present. I ended up just having to leave it inside your room. You have a small pile in there" Neal drawled

"Thanks Meathead. I haven't been back to my room yet to look at my presents. We had early training this morning for the Own, a gift from my Lord Raoul" Dom lied

"Well I did manage to find some of the men of the Own while looking fro you and they were all talking about a gift from Raoul but they didn't seem annoyed about it. In fact they were almost skipping" Neal informed him

"That's the Own for you" Dom told him "We're all so dedicated that early morning training is a joy for us" Dom flashed Neal a broad grin but inside he frowned to himself. What could Raoul's present have been? Now he was curious.

"Well Meathead, it's been such a pleasure talking with you" Dom declared as he finished shoving the last of his lunch into his mouth "but I really must return to my room and open all the lovely gifts I've received. By the way I left yours with Yuki" Dom got up along with Ash and walked out of the mess hall leaving Neal sitting by himself staring after them.

Opening his door and walking inside Dom could see that Neal was right, a small stack of presents sat at the foot of his bed. Ash followed him in and sat down on his bed while he examined the pile. Sitting on top was an envelope addressed to him, sealed with the stamp of the Kings Own. This had to be from Raoul. Dom cracked open the seal and pulled out the letter. He carefully unfolded it and began to read.

(A/N: I can't be bothered to put the letter in but I think you know what it says and if not...well sorry but you're really thick)

Dom stared open mouthed at the letter, not believing what he had just read.

"Dom what is it?" Ash asked worriedly

"We can marry. Raoul has convinced the King to change the rules. The Own is allowed to marry!" Dom said in a tone of disbelief

Striding forward he picked Ash up and twirled her around.

Eight months later Start of Autumn 462 HE

It was an hour before dawn and everything was washed in the bluey grey pre-dawn light as Ash, Dom, and Neal swung onto their horses and rode silently out of the castle. After a spring and summer spent defending the boarder they were back at the castle for a well earned break as peace talks with Scanra continued and fighting was reduced to small scuffles where the Tortallans were always triumphant.

Ash loved the early mornings like this. To the east the sun was just beginning to rise and hung like a fine golden mist on the horizon. In the trees the birds chattered cheerfully in the crisp morning air and droplets of dew sparkled on the leaves. Suddenly the sun burst over the horizon bathing everything in a golden glow. The sight was spectacular and enough to drive the war from their minds.

The gently clip-clop of the horses hooves was soothing as they rode on along the winding track. Red and gold leaves swirled around them as a gentle breeze blew stirring their hair and ruffling their clothes. The saddle bags which were filled with food jingled slightly was the horses danced over there swirling leaves beneath their feet. Their riders laughing and telling jokes, enjoying the beautiful day where they could forget about the war and all of the hardships brought upon them because of it.

"So Neal how's Yuki has she trained you yet?" joked Dom

"She's scary. Who knew being pregnant could turn someone so sweet into someone so evil? She blames me for the fact that she is fast approaching the size of a house and is barely able to move" cried Neal "I have taken to hiding from her just so I can survive until the baby is born"

"Oh poor Neal, well at lest you'll only have to hide for another two months and just think how pleasant she will be then when she will be even bigger and in even more discomfort" teased Ash

At this Neal actually looked depressed

"Cheer up Neal, she can't be that bad" Dom soothed

"Oh but she is" Neal sighed

"Ash are you ok?" asked Dom noticing for the first time that she had turned extremely pale

"Yeah I'm fine, just a little dizzy" she said swaying slightly in the saddle

"Maybe you should stop for a minute and rest" suggested Neal "or I could have a look at you"

Before she could answer Ash slumped forward in the saddle then slid to the side and hit the ground with a thump. Dom and Neal were at her side in a flash. Dom lifted her head up off the ground and cradled it in his lap as green flames flickered at Neal's fingertips and washed over Ash's body. The worried frown left Neal's face

"Ahhhh..." drawled Neal

A/N: Hope you liked that chapter. Sorry about the cliff hanger. All will be revealed in the next chapter which will probably be my last. I depends how long it is, I may break it into two. Anyway the point is it's almost over so please, please, please review.