I don't own Jane and the Dragon or its characters

Took me a while since Smithy really is a bit hard to write about. This is written as a request for the ever so wonderful SkyeElf, who never ceases to amaze, using the prompt "Make it warm, the heart, of one more soul"

Hope you enjoy!

After putting away the dishes, Smithy wiped his hands dry and began to make his way silently out of the kitchen. He was always busy sharpening blades or tending to the horses, but he always had time to help his friends no matter how busy he was. Listening to the metal clink of his shoes, she looked up from her cauldron, thanking the leather clad blacksmith who was half way up the steps. "Thank you for helping out Smithy"

He stopped in midstep to reply cooly "My pleasure"

The cook hardly had any company, so when the opportunity came up, she desired it ardently. No company in the castle could have been better then the kind Smithy. Hoping to keep the lovely warmth which he seemed to carry with him, the cook thought of an excuse. "Oh, do not go. I have a lovely assortment of pastries. Please, have a few"

Scratching the back if his head, Smithy knew there was one is Sir Ivons weapons that needed a good polish. "I should really get going, a lot of work to do you know"

"Pity, if you leave then all of these lovely treats would go to waste, and I really do wish someone could enjoy them"

"Is that all?"

Running up the steps, she tugged on his arm "Come, you will be the first to taste"

"If you insist"

Taking a seat at the table, she brought plate after plate of pastries, tarts, cakes, and puddings of various shapes and colors. Looking at the table set before him then at Pepper and back at the table, he asked "Pepper, is this a jest or am I getting the kings treatment?"

"Well, the truth is I needed someone to taste all these. Jester told me that the king was tired of the same old desserts, so I thought of some new recipes"

"It is Jesters job is it not?"

"You have not heard?"

Picking up a curious bread stuffed with spinach, he asked "Heard what?"

"Jane and Jester eloped"

Taking a drink of juice, he waved a hand to signal he was listening. Letting out a giggle, she squealed "Is it not wonderful?"

"They will come back right?"

"I hope so, it would not be the same without them"

Trying out the mushroom loaf, he commented "This would go well as a trencher for cooked beef"

Considering whether or not the turnip muffins were worth tasting, he asked "Does the king know?"

"Oh yes, everyone knew the secret"

Bursting Peppers little bubble, he cut in "I did not know"

"What a lucky girl, would you not agree?"

Trying the pepper pudding, the taste danced on his tongue, burning silently. Softly, he asked "Will it make it warm, you know, the hidden places of my heart?"

"What?"

Catching her off guard, he continued eating that spicy, pepper pudding, enjoying the numbing effect it had. It was oddly sweet, almost addicting with every spoonful. He stopped when he noticed Pepper looking unsettled. Putting down the spoon, his lips burned but it did not distract him. "Everyone knows except the person who is supposed to know. With just one more soul, can the silence be given a voice?"

Pepper had not heard him so serious since the time he almost lost pig. It was a bit unsettling how uncomfortable and overly conscious she felt. "Smithy?"

Letting out a small chuckle, he rose from his seat "It is nothing. I may not have a way with words but I think all most these taste good, but the pepper pudding is my favorite. I really must get going, so I will see you later"

"Hey Smithy"

"Yes"

Taking a deep breath, she placed a hand over her heart. "Did you like Jane?"

Eating another spoonful of pepper pudding, he smiled weakly "Everyone, except the person who is supposed to know, has no idea"

His leaving had a profound effect on her, his coolness slowly dissipating. Like a warm soup, that was what he was she thought.

Returning to her stew, she tasted it, expecting it to taste sweet, yet she wondered why it tasted so bitter. Feeling frustrated, she threw her spoon. "I must have added too much pepper"

Looking for the honey to balance the taste, ate asked herself "Am I really that unnoticeable? I guess I tried to hard"

Adding the sweet honey, are took another taste, smiling weakly. "At least I made your favorite"

With one neither confessing, or the other concealing, the two were left with a sweet and bitter taste.

Do you know this is my 99th Jane and the Dragon fanfic? For my 100th Jatd fanfic, what should I write about? Leave a suggestion in the comments and I'll write it and give a shout out