Judith stirred underneath her sheets, the events of yesterday hazy but still present in her mind. With a groan, she rubbed her eyes and sat up from her bed.

'Why must mother be like this?'

Oh well. The peace was pleasant while it lasted. Moving herself over to her wardrobe, she began to dress herself in something a little more fit than a dress. She smiled, deciding that today, she'd visit her three younger brothers.

Finding herself outside their door, she knocked and waited for a response. As she heard the door open with a 'click', one of her brothers stood half asleep in front of her, rubbing his eye.

"Good morning Damion!" she chirped, arms behind her back, concealing something.

"Morning Judy," he replied his voice squeaking. " What are you doing here so early?"

"Well.." she smiled, revealing what was behind her. Now held out in front of the young boy, was a sword. "How would you and your brothers like to practice with me?"

No longer showing any sign of tiredness, he gasped eyes wide. "Oh boy do I!" he exclaimed, jumping in place.

"Great! Quickly then, go get your brothers and get dressed!"

Still wide eyed and excited, he nodded profusely. "Dimitri, Duncan, Judy's gonna take us sword fighting!" he shouted, running back into the room.

"Damion please, voice down!" she hushed, " We don't want mother to find out!"

"Oops" he covered his mouth.

"Oh boy, sword fighting!" the other boy shouted, resorting Judy to slap a hand on her face.

"Just.. just get dressed." She mumbled.

A couple of minutes waiting, and all three boys bolted out of their room past Judy, whooping and shouting all the way down to the courtyard. Judith followed close behind, hoping to the heavens her mother wasn't around to hear.

Out in the courtyard, Judy passed each of the eager boys a sword, small enough for them to handle.

"Do we get to fight now?" Dimitri asked, pointing out the sword complete with his own attacking stance. His brothers giggled.
"Yeah do we get to fight now Judy?"

Smiling, she gripped her own sword. "Now boys, sword fighting isn't all about attacking," she informed.

"Sure it is! It said so in the book you gave me!" shouted Duncan.

"Well it's a story for a reason I guess.. We can't move onto that without learning a few things first."

"Aww fine.." they groaned, and Damion spoke up. "What do we need to learn?"

"Well.." she started "First of all you need to be relaxed and balanced," she said.

"Why do we need that?"

"Yeah that's silly!" the other giggled.

"Oh? Why, so that you don't fall over" she chuckled, pushing a finger on Duncan's forehead softly, causing him to stumble.

"No fair, I wasn't ready!" he complained.

"Then start listening, and get yourself ready!" she replied, " Once you feel you're balanced, we can move onto defence."

Without saying a word, all three boys nodded, realising they should probably listen.

"Sword fighting isn't all about attack. Most of the time, defence is the best strategy to use. That way, you can work on tiring your enemy out and-"

"And then beat them to a pulp!" Dimitri exclaimed, over excitedly.

"I guess you could say that.." she muttered, rubbing the back of her head.

"Woohoo!" he cheered happily.

"Show us Judy! I wanna fight like you do!" Damion announced, pointing his sword toward the sky. Judy couldn't help but smile affectionately.

"Okay well, first is your stance" she said getting into position. "Making sure your feet are apart and your arms levelled, you're ensuring balance."

"Like this Judy?" Duncan asked. Looking at each of them, she giggled at their attempt.

"Damion, feet more apart," she informed. "Dimitri lift your head, oh and Duncan do fix your posture." Once she was content on their progress, she moved on to tell them what to do next.

Or attempted to.

"If that is the best defence stance you can accomplish Princess, I don't believe you're the right one to be teaching these strapping young boys how to handle a sword," a voice teased from behind her. Closing her eyes with a wince, she groaned.

"Prince Wilde." She greeted in annoyance, without turning her head.

"It's the Prince!" her brother's gasped, growing more excited.

"Are you going to teach us too?" Dimitri asked.

" Well, if I must. Your sister isn't doing much to educate you boys," he shrugged, teasing the fuming bunny with a smirk on his face. " How about a demonstration? You can follow us if you like?"

"Yes! We're gonna sword fight!" Damion shouted, turning to his brothers.

"I'd much rather stick to defence tactics.." Judy attempted, trying to settle the boys.

"Oh let them have their fun Judith!" he ushered, grasping his sword that nestled in his hilt, earning him another glare.
"Ready Princess?" he asked, pulling his weapon out and pointed it toward her.

Tightening her grip on her own, she frowned, and returned the gesture. The three boys watched on, ready to copy their big sister.

Nick's attack came fast and caught Judy by surprise. She was hardly able to raise her sword to block his advance. The metal screeched as they connected, and her brothers gasped and grew more excited, eager to attempt it themselves.

"You're quite good," he complimented, grinning.

She replied by moving her sword away, and readying herself for his next attack. A second blow came down on her, but this time, Judy had the chance to block it effectively and further retaliated by swinging down to hit his shin. Quickly lowering his sword to block her attack, she manoeuvred her sword back up, quicker than he could react, and held it upon his throat, her face leaning close to his. Slightly panting, she grinned cockily.

"I do believe I've won this parry, my Prince"

"Touché" he smirked, holding up his arms in surrender.

Suddenly a cry sounded from beside them, breaking Judy out of 'fight mode'. Looking over she noticed her brother Damion's cheek bleeding and Dimitri stood in shock. Judy froze in panic.

"I.. I didn't mean to," Dimitri stammered, close to tears.

Judy ran over and leaned down to cup Damion's cheek.
"Oh no, are you okay?" she asked, heart thumping. Her brother only replied with a nod, a sob escaping.

"Come, let's go get you cleaned up," she calmed, lifting him into her arms.

"Judy I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to do it.." Dimitri tried again.

"Oh it's okay, don't you worry!" she soothed, putting on a smile. The poor boy was already terrified, she did not want to make him feel worse. Judy began to make her way back inside, Nick following behind. "Go back inside boys, I'll come by later! Remember it isn't anybody's fault. It was only an accident!"
The two boys nodded, and ran off in the opposite direction to the entrance close to their quarters.


"You must be more careful," Judy said as she stuck the bandage on his cheek. Damion nodded quietly.

"But you and the Prince were really fighting too!"

Judy looked up to glance at Nicholas, who of course, was stood by the door smirking. She threw him a glare and turned back to her brother.

"Yes well, we knew what we were doing," she replied. " You're still young you know?"

Smiling, she tapped his nose, causing it to twitch and her brother to giggle. "Come you, let's get you back to your-"

"Why in the world would she be in the Infirmary?" she heard her mother screech at the servant leading her to the room.

" Oh no.." Judy whispered, ears down and eyes shutting. Upon seeing her reaction, Nick quickly made his way to stand beside her. He was done with teasing her for the moment.

"One of the guards saw her come this way your Majesty," the servant replied softly, afraid to anger the Queen further.

"Well she better be in here, I've been searching everywhere!" she replied exasperated.

The Queen walked in and her face expression morphed from anger into one of horror.

"Damion! Judith what did you do?!" she shouted, hopping over to the boy, and cradling his face.

"Judy took us sword fighting!" he exclaimed, his injury long forgotten. The young boy was completely unaware of how bad the situation he was putting his sister in was.

"She did what?" she fumed, turning to face her daughter.

"It was just a scratch. A little accident," she assured. "He's fine now.."

"You seem to be full of 'accidents' lately Judith," she scolded. "I'm furious you'd do this! I don't know why you've turned into such a careless, dim-witted girl.. I raised you better than this!"

"Excuse my interruption your Majesty, but the whole thing was my idea."

Judy's face dropped as she glanced over to Nick.

'What are you doing?'

'Saving your fluffy tail.'

"Nicholas.." her mother muttered, appearing somewhat confused. "I must say I'm very disappointed in your actions." She cleared her throat, " Please refrain from doing it again in the future."

"Yes your Majesty," he bowed, respectfully.

"Now excuse me, I have matters to attend to. Damion, run along to your room now," she said turning away. "Judith I'll be speaking to you later."

Leaving Nick and Judy alone, the princess turned to face him. "Why did you do that?" she questioned, rubbing her long ear. The Prince smirked.

"I couldn't very well let an adorable bunny be eaten alive by her own mother now could I? Especially for expressing her passions."
Her ears perked, and she studied his face in interest. A smile crept up on her face.

"Thank you."

He smiled back. "No problem Carrots."

"And moment ruined," she groaned at the use of the degrading name, turning away. Before she could leave, he grabbed her paw. "I must ask though, where did you learn how to use a sword?"

She looked back at him, eyebrow raised, a slight blush on her cheeks. " I taught myself.." she managed.

"I'm sorry?" he questioned, surprise written on his face.

"Well.. yeah.. there wasn't anyone willing to teach a princess."

"But you fight really well! Surely you've parried with someone before?"

"Mm, no not really," she mumbled. The fox couldn't recall a time that he was actually taken by surprise by anyone, let anyone a female, and so he found himself wanting to know more about the Princess. What more could she do?

"Well you've certainly impressed me."

"I wasn't trying to, my Prince," she smirked, folding her arms. "Just merely putting you in your place."

"Oh really?" he smiled, as she hummed in response. Her cocky grin slowly faded, and her arms dropped to her sides.

"I need to go study.." she announced. "I can only assume that you have matters you must attend to also, my Prince?"

He paused and groaned in reply. "Ah, I knew I forgot about something."

"Pardon?" she asked curiously.

"Before out little spar, I came to discuss something with you.." he began, Judy noticing how nervous he had become.

"Okay?"

"Remember that noise out in the fields yesterday? That startled your horse?"

Judy chuckled, "How could I possibly forget Nicholas?."

"Yes well, the noise did not come from any of our defence," he spoke, his tone turning serious.

"What?" she rhetorically asked, and stepped closer. "But that's impossible! We have patrols out around the kingdom constantly!" she exclaimed.

"We're trying to figure that out Princess. I haven't discussed it exactly with him, but I've spoken to the King that we heard.. something. We're sending search parties out to look for the source."

"And then what?" she enquired. Judy only hoped Nick was smart enough to send them south, as she was certain they were the only two to hear the noise. Which of course, could only mean it couldn't have been anywhere near the towns for civilians to hear.

" Well.. I won't lie to you.. I'm sure you know we're the only two that heard it, but to me it sounded like a .." Nick paused, uncomfortable with having to come out with his assumption.

"Like a what? What is it you're not sure of Nicholas?"

"Like a warning shot," he finished, the air deadly serious.

"Oh.." she muttered, disbelief clouding her mind, knowing full well what that implied.

"Meaning we have exactly one week from when it sounded, till attackers invade the kingdom."

"Nick you have to tell my father!" she shouted, closing the distance, forgetting formalities at this point.

He sighed and rubbed his head. "Yes I believe I do.. but it won't be easy to explain why."

"And why not?" she demanded in a huff.

"Because Judith, like I said before, you and I were the only ones who heard it. It's a wreckless assumption to make." Judy stood in silence trying to figure out something they could do.

"Regardless we must warn the King."

"And say what Judith? Please, enlighten me," he questioned aggravated. " We have no proof!"

"We don't inform the public and we get our soldiers ready for a possible attack. Worst case, if we were wrong about it being a warning shot, and no threat approaches, we've only wasted little time to defend ourselves," she explained. "On the other hand, if there is a war, we shall be ready."

Nick stared at the princess with wide eyes, considering her proposal.
'My goodness, what can't this girl do ?'

"Okay Princess, you've caught my interest yet again it seems," he smiled. "I'll inform the King as soon as possible."

Judy smiled back and let out a nervous breath. "Very well. I'll be hearing of his reply I hope?"

"You'll be the first Judith," he smirked, taking hold of her paw. She stood stunned, a stupid grin on her face, till she snapped back to reality at her realisation.

"After you tell Lilith of course." Nick rolled his eyes.

"Fine, so be it," he lied groaning. He had no intention of mentioning this to his wife till the time arose. She held his paw with both of hers.

"Now I must be going" she muttered.

"Farewell Carrots," he teased, earning him a glare, before she ran out of the room. Before he could get up to also leave the Infirmary , Judy popped her head back in with a shy smile.

"Thank you," she mumbled, leaving once more.

The fox chuckled. "You're welcome."