Aravis was still quietly, carefully not thinking about the letter she'd addressed to Seely and mailed moments prior as she saddled Trenor, affixing her small satchel of food and gifts before easily swinging up into the saddle herself and adjusting her cloak. It had been the right thing to do, she was sure, and she was positive that if there was anything she'd have in abundance whilst on her break in Archenland, it would be time to reflect.

As she gently urged Trenor into a trot towards the woods, she wished she had thought to pack more chocolate just for herself, rather than to bring to the men of the court. At this rate she'd be through her stash by the time she was halfway through the woods.

[establishyyyyyyyyy.]

It was not Christmas in Archenland, as Aravis had predicted. It was several months later here, in the flat-out dead of winter. Snow blanketed the ground outside, icicles hung from the castle's eaves, and Aravis had begged, borrowed and pled to ensure that she and Seely both had more than enough blankets on their respective beds, not to mention working fireplaces in their rooms.

Because yes, of course he had been shown to separate quarters, which Aravis had insisted upon inspecting. That was the last time she had been in his room, though she'd devised a few plans to amend that, in between checking in on his Christmas gift.

Now, however, she was asleep, and thoroughly oblivious to the date it would be, were they in Fandom.