Hi there! Welcome to the third installment of Cupid's Arrival! I'm sure the title of this chapter seems unusual. It won't be after you stop reading my ramblings and get to the damn chapter already :D I'm warning you know, this chapter's long. I went at it like a mad woman.

Disclaimer: Mistrelia of the Ice does not own JATD and if you think I do then you're out of your mind. Who the hell ends this series with only 26 episodes and isn't seriously drunk or high as my kite that's been stuck in a tree in the park for four weeks because the fire department keeps saying 'they'll get to it' and...nevermind. Just read.

"…right, Smithy? Smithy"

A hand jostled Smithy, snapping him out of his stupor, "Yes?"

"You almost fell into your porridge," said Rake.

"Is something the matter?" asked Jane.

He looked around, his friends all staring at him, he stirred his porridge before taking a bite, "I am fine, just tired."

"Speaking of tired, has Nadya slept in again?" asked Jester.

Jane frowned curiously, "Actually, I went to see her this morning and she didn't answer."

"Are you talking about Nadya?" questioned Pepper as she ladled more porridge into their bowls, "She said she was up all night and asked me to look after Petya," sure enough, sitting on her shoulder was the little green lizard eating some form of vegetable, "She wanted to sleep before her performance for the King and Queen but didn't want the poor dear cooped up in her room."

Petya snuggled into the crook of Pepper's neck, causing her to giggle as she walked.

Rake looked after her and sighed. Jester grinned, "Ah, to be jealous of a reptile. What has the world come to, eh Rake?"

Rake blushed, "W-what?"

Jane punched Jester in the arm, "Ow! Why is everyone hurting me?"

She crossed her arms, "Be a little considerate. Rake really cares about Pepper."

"I um…"

"Well yes, but that doesn't mean you have to hit me," he said rubbing his arm, "I didn't tease him about the flower he gave her yesterday, after all."

"Y-you saw that?!"

"Well, at least you're making progress," Jane shrugged, "But I still think you should be nicer to Rake about it. He can't help his shyness."

"Well I-"

"Oh, he can take a jest, Right Rake?"

They both turned to see Rake lying his very red face on the table, "Smithy, do you have a sword or blunt object I could borrow?"

"Speaking of swords, I finished yours last night Jane," said Smithy.

"I guess I have become invisible and mute," he muttered to himself.

Jane observed him, "Is that why you are so tired? You did not have to finish it so quickly."

"It's alright; after all you need a sword."

"Oh, since you were up so late did you get to meet Nadya? She seems to be more of a night person," said Jester.

Smithy felt the nerves he tried to ignore flare up again, "Oh, well yes I did."

"She certainly is unusual," said Pepper as she returned to refill their cups with milk, "but in a good way," she noticed Rake lying on the table, "Rake, are you alright? You look a little red."

"No, I'm fine down here," he said quietly. He then spotted a repaired cut on one of Smithy's gloves, "Did something happen?" he asked looking at the blacksmith.

"It's fine," said Smithy quickly busying himself with his food.

Once they had all returned to their stations, Smithy had observed the cut again.

"Be careful!" said Nadya watching him pour the hot liquid metal into the stone mold.

"It's alright," he had said, his nerves abating him. Working at his trade always made him feel at ease. Nadya was an interesting person and he noticed it wasn't as hard as he thought to talk to her, "My gloves are made of special material that protects me from the heat."

After the metal cooled and formed he began to pound it into shape. One of the sides of the blade had formed a little quickly and sliced the skin on one of his fingers. He quickly pulled off his glove, "Get me one of the clean cloths, please."

Nadya took his hand into hers and examined the cut, "I think I can fix this."

To his amazement and shock Nadya had begun to suck the side of his finger. His blood filled his face and roared in his ears as he felt her soft tongue lick the cut. She then took his finger from her mouth and wiped it with her sleeve, "All better!"

He looked at his finger. The skin was repaired leaving a white scar, "How did you do that?" his curiosity keeping the embarrassment from his voice.

She shrugged, "A long time ago a friend of mine had been bitten by a snake. I had sucked the poison out of his arm and by then I was practicing healing spells. I've found I could mix the spell into my saliva and repair the torn skin. I can only do it for small cuts though. It takes a lot of power to heal any big injuries and I can only make potions for those."

He flexed his hand, "Well, thank you. This will allow me to work efficiently."

She smiled, "You're welcome."

A light blush formed as he remembered. He had made progress until the moment she…repaired his finger. Then he found himself mute again until they parted ways when the first rays of dawn began to show.

He sighed and shook his fist, "Pig, what has happened to me?"

Pig snorted, eyeing the turnips in Rake's wheelbarrow as he strode by.

He shook his head, "You are of no help when you have turnips on the mind."

Jane swung her wooden sword, the edges slamming into the side of the practice dummy.

"How fitting. A play sword becomes you, Jane."

She gritted her teeth, "That is because someone broke my real sword, and you have a wooden sword too Gunther."

Gunther approached her holding his wooden sword, "Yes, but I am fit to hold a real sword. You should leave the fighting to men."

She turned to face him, "Seven years since I started my training and I have completed every one of my assigned tasks. Can you admit the same?"

He frowned and quickly parried her blow, "I am a much stronger knight than you."

She swung again, "And I am much braver."

They continued to fight as the sun's rays began to set.

"Feeling tired yet?" he smirked.

Jane quickly used a move Jester had taught her. It was a dance move but he had accidentally used it too close to her, thus giving her a new fighting move. She ducked and swung one leg under both of his feet, making him land painfully on the ground. She then spun around, stood, and pointed her sword tip to Gunther's throat, "Feeling tired yet?" she mimicked.

Gunther pushed her sword out of the way and stood, "You got lucky."

"Actually, Jester showed me that move, so you were bested by a fool as well."

Gunther opened his mouth to retort but a feminine voice yelled, "Jane?"

Jane raised an eyebrow, "Gunther?" she said confused.

He frowned, "That wasn't me. Do I sound girly to you?"

Jane chose not to answer and listened, "Jane!" She saw Nadya walk through one of the stone arches. Nadya then spotted her and ran towards her quickly, "I have been looking for you."

"I thought you could always find me?" said Jane.

Nadya shook her head, "I can tell when someone is looking for me but I do not know where you are when you are not."

"Oh."

"Well, well, what do we have here?" said Gunther as he eyed Nadya, "Who might you be?"

Nadya felt her eyes narrow. Suddenly they developed into a coy smile and she gave a discreet wink to Jane, "I am Lady Nadya, the new Sorceress of The Court. Who are you, Sir Knight?"

Gunther puffed his chest, "I am Sir Gunther," he took her hand and raised it to his lips, "but you, Fair Maiden, may call me the man of your dreams."

Jane felt herself about to dry heave as Nadya fluttered her eyelashes, "Why, aren't you a wonderful gentleman," she said putting her hand to her forehead for added measure.

He grinned, feeling very pleased with himself. However, for him the next minute was a blur. In one fluid motion she performed Jane's previous move sending Gunther to the ground. She quickly turned and grabbed Jane's wooden sword, putting the tip to his throat as she had, "Fool you once, shame on us. Fool you twice, shame on you."

Jane smiled, "Now you were bested by two women and a fool."

Gunther shoved the sword and stood, grumbling to himself as he walked away.

Nadya grinned, "Hope your pride isn't as bruised as your ass!"

Jane raised an eyebrow at her but began to smile, "I think you two are going to get along swimmingly."

Nadya pretended to swoon, "I just couldn't help myself. He is such a wonderful gentleman."

They both laughed unaware that they were being watched. Smithy had begun to walk to the forge when he saw Nadya. He hesitated, feeling surprisingly self-conscious. It was then he noticed Nadya talking to Jane and Gunther. Before he took another step, however, Gunther had kissed her hand. He was shocked to see Nadya smiling and enjoying his company. For a moment he felt a surge of anger, which confused him. In the next moment she had Gunther on his back, sword in hand. As Gunther walked away he had hear her call out, "Hope your pride isn't as bruised as your ass!"

He found himself laughing and smiling. He made his way to the forge and noticed the sword he made for Jane was gone. He quickly looked around but it was nowhere. He got on his hands and knees to see if it dropped onto the ground.

"Jethro?"

He attempted to lift his head but slammed it on the table. He rolled back attempting to sit but had gotten his backside too close to the fire. One of the sparks landed on a washcloth in his back pocket.

"Smithy, your pants!" said Jane.

Smithy quickly stood and began to pat himself down, "Shit!" he yelled involuntarily. He was against swearing in front of women but felt he had to make an exception.

Nadya grabbed a bucket full of water by Pig's wheel and threw its contents at Smithy.

They had caused enough commotion to gain Jester's attention. He had run over to them the moment he saw the fire and heard Smithy yell, "What happened?"

Jane turned her head, "Um…Smithy?"

Jester leaned around her, "You might want to find a new set of trousers…preferably an intact pair."

Smithy turned, "I-I…" for once he was at a loss.

Nadya began to giggle, furthering his shame, "I'm sorry Jethro. I just wanted to tell you I am doing my performance in the throne room and the King invited everyone to see."

Smithy felt as if his face were engulfed in flames, "I shall…try to make it."

She attempted to stifle her giggles but failed, "T-take your time,"

Jester turned to the girls, "You ladies go on ahead. We'll be there shortly."

Jane hurried Nadya away, understanding Smithy's embarrassment.

"So," Jester said turning around, "What happened?"

Smithy was careful to keep his leather apron in front of him as he pulled off his pants, "They surprised me."

"Oh come now," he said, "Every All Fool's Day Jane and I have never been able to surprise you once and you expect me to believe they did by accident?"

He pulled on his second pair, "Well, Nadya walks quietly."

Jester looked at him momentarily confused before a grin split his face in two, "Ohhh, I understand now."

Smithy finished putting his shoes back on, "Understand what?"

Jester continued to grin, "I never thought I'd see the day but it finally happened. I was actually beginning to worry about you for a while there."

"Worry about what? What are you talking about?" he said folding up his burnt pants.

He shook his head, "Good Lord, another Rake in the making. Let me say this slowly. You. Adore. Nadya. I've never seen you behave that way before. In fact, I actually told Jane I could see you on fire and you'd be perfectly okay about it. Guess I was wrong…"

"I do not adore her, I just met her. Now let's get to the throne room before she begins."

Jester shook his head, "Am I the only one who- wait a minute, did she call you Jethro? Smithy!" he yelled following the blacksmith.

The castle staff was assembled in the throne room, as well as the visiting nobles. The staff stayed to the edges of the room as the nobles sat at the long tables. Princess Lavinia looked excited and was beautifully dressed in a long blue gown. Prince Cuthbert was dressed in green clothing similar to his father, his eyes on the sorceress.

Nadya bowed in front of the Royal Family and suddenly threw off her cloak repeating the first performance but instead was wearing a white dress with see-through lace around her stomach and covering her arms. The dress was high enough to reveal her small white slippers. Nadya twirled and threw nine thin objects in the air which vanished in a puff of smoke. Colorful ashes piled into one of her hands and burned, worrying everyone. Suddenly her hands let off a multitude of colors of smoke. She spoke in a beautiful, sensuous voice, "I thought I could start off with a story."

She began to sway, her hands moving in perfect motions, the smoke forming into shapes before their eyes, "Once upon a time, in a land far away, the barrier between this world and the magickal world was very thin. A village lay close to this barrier," the smoke began to form a simple village in a beautiful valley. Near the village was a lush green forest where the light of the sun was unable to reach the ground.

Nadya began to dance, "The people did not require much but were very superstitious of the forest. However, the land was perfect for farming and always produced a rich harvest."

Some of the nobles and staff closed their eyes, believing they could smell the earth and vegetables while others dared not blink, for fear of missing the images.

She continued, her voice slow and peaceful, "To their horror, a child went missing. After years of peace between their people, they suspected the beasts of the forests were the only ones capable of the crime," the scene shifted, the village was gone and the shape of a man appeared, a few trees surrounding him, "Hoping to catch the creature, a kind and brave man set a trap in the woods. Instead, he had caught a lovely water nymph that had developed a curiosity about the strange people," the shape of a beautiful woman appeared, her leg caught.

She twirled and leapt, "Her beauty was so great that he had proclaimed his love to her on the spot. He had taken her to live with him and to nurse her leg, injured due to his trap. Over time, the maiden renounced her immortality and chose to stay with him," her voice began to speed up; "It seemed they would live happily together, but not all was peaceful. As her belly grew round with child, one of the maidens of the village discovered his love and grew jealous, for the man was very handsome but claimed to stay a hermit forever. She ran to tell his secret to the people and they all rose against the couple. That night, the people gathered their weapons to storm the house of the lovers whose baby had been born as well. The mother had given the baby to her husband, telling him to return her to the forest where she belonged. He ran and placed the baby by the very tree where they met. He knew others like her would take care of their child, so he returned to accept his fate with a light heart. He and his love were burned together, hands clasped and hearts as one."

As her tale ended she threw the last of the ashes into the air, smoke billowing around them to reveal the outline of a maiden running, "Their child was never found, but she is believed to be still living, roaming the world and bringing the hearts of true love together and protecting love already bloomed. She is ever waiting in the forest, helping to prevent the very fate her parents suffered, so when you see the leaves rustle or feel a comforting breeze caress your face, know she will always be there to protect your love and heart."

Nadya finished her story with a deep curtsy. The crowd began to clap, some with tears in their eyes.

She finished the rest of her show with a few tricks and dances, as well as wrapping Petya in a cloth from which she brandished a sword that Smithy thought looked very familiar.

Nadya rested her elbow on the table and her head heavily on her hand. She had changed back into her black gypsy attire.

"Your show was fantastic!" said Pepper as she passed out the plates for their meal of fish.

Nadya raised her head, "Thank you Pepper."

"How were you able to make those shapes out of smoke?" asked Rake.

"More interestingly, how were your hands not on fire?" Jane said excitedly.

"The real question is how did you even burn those cards?" Jester questioned, "I know a few tricks but nothing that elaborate."

Pepper put her hands together, "I loved the story. It would be wonderful to believe there is a savior of love out there, helping all those who needed her."

Smithy was about to bring up the sword in her routine but noticed she seemed to have difficulty staying awake, let alone answer everyone's questions. He kept silent and waited to question her later.

Once they had eaten and everyone said their 'goodnights' Smithy had stayed behind to talk to Nadya. Before he could say anything she quickly asked Jane to stay behind.

"What is it?"

She pulled the sword from her cloak, "Smithy finished making this for you. I borrowed it for my routine."

"Oh, it's lovely!"

Smithy wondered how since the sword was no different than any other he made but noticed the detail. Engraved into the side of the blade was a dragon with flames coming from its mouth and weaving to the tip.

Nadya bowed, "I shall keep you from your bed no longer. That is all I wanted to tell you."

Jane nodded, "Thank you, and thank you as well Smithy."

After Jane had left Nadya turned to Smithy, "I'm sorry about…earlier today. I should have told you I'd taken the blade. "

Smithy rubbed his neck, "It is alright. Besides, you managed to turn it into a beautiful piece of art."

Her smile grew, "It was already beautiful, I simply added detail."

He felt himself blush and Jester's words rang in his head, "I guess I'll let you rest. You seemed tired after your performance."

She shook her head, "I'm not so tired anymore. If you are not tired I could teach you how to engrave swords and shields."

"You did not do that by magic?"

She laughed, "Any skill I do by magic I make sure I learn by hand first. I never know what will happen so I make sure my skills are always with me, even if my abilities are not."

"That is a good philosophy," said Smithy, "I would be honored for you to teach me."

"See?" said Jester lying in the shadows of the bushes, "I told you! She was also calling him Jethro earlier."

Jane, lying next to him, rolled her eyes, "That is his name. 'Smithy' is just a nickname after all."

"I'm telling you, there is something going on, and I intend to find out what it is!" he quietly exclaimed.

Jane smiled and whispered, "Since when do you know so much about love?"

"Well, since I…" he trailed off. He looked down and spoke quietly, "Since I have been studying poetry."

Jane raised her eyebrows, "Saw some pretty thing in the village?"

Jester shook his head, "N-no, I just-"

"Is that her?"

Jane quickly scooted closer to Jester and put her hand over his mouth. Through the bushes they could see two pairs of feet, "Yes, she is the one. Her abilities are outstanding and I must have the best of everything."

"She is rather beautiful and will make a fine prize."

"I shall pay you half tonight and full price when she is delivered."

"You had better pay me double. She is the new favorite and delivering her will be no easy task."

The two parted ways and Jane knit her brows together, 'A fine prize delivered? Who were those two?"

She felt a warm pair of lips press against her hand and quickly withdrew it, "Sorry Jester."

He blushed, "It's alright. I figured it was better than licking your hand."

Jane gave him a smile then frowned, "We have to figure out whom that was. Did you recognize their voices?"

Jester shook his head, "They were speaking too low. I don't like this Jane, someone is after Nadya."

Jane pulled herself up and surveyed the grounds. She saw no one except Nadya and Smithy, tracing patterns in a new shield. She helped Jester up and whispered, "I think one of them went towards the gardens. I'm going to follow."

"Shouldn't we alert the castle?"

She shook her head, "No, the staff and the other knights are exhausted due to merchant week. We'll just have to solve this problem ourselves."

"Well, what about warning Nadya?"

She turned as the sound of the sorceress' laugh echoed softy, "Let's wait till tomorrow. I saw how worn out her performance made her and she needs a good few laughs."

Jester grinned, "I never thought I would hear the day where Smithy is the go-to for laughs."

Jane smiled, "I have to go check the gardens and you should check the main gate."

He saluted, "Leave it to me, Fair Beanstalk."

Uh, oh. Seems like everything isn't all fun and games anymore. Who were the two mystery people and what's happening with the various couples? More importantly, why is there a moth in my bedroom?

Stay tuned for the answers in the next chapter.

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