Author's note: This chapter came blasting out in less than a day. It's mostly fluff, but I felt bad for leaving you somewhat hanging at the end of last chapter. I've reread it several times, so hopefully there aren't many glaring grammar or spelling mistakes. There will be at least two more chapters to come, but it may take me a while to get them on paper.

updated 10-12-08

As Smithy and Lily entered the courtyard they heard none of the happy conversation or joyful laughter that always accompanied the evening meal. Exchanging worried glances, they hurried over to the picnic table where they found only Rake and Pepper sitting close together discussing something in hushed, anxious tones.

Pepper was the first to see them. "Oh Lily, Smithy, something terrible has happened."

"Something most terrible," agreed Rake.

"Jane came down to dinner in an awful mood," began Pepper.

Rake jumped in, "So Jester tried to cheer her up with a joke."

Pepper cut him off, "But Jane just glared at him and said angrily, 'I do not find you very FUNNY tonight, JESTER!' Can you believe that! I have never, ever heard Jane speak a cross word to Jester."

"Yes, and then Jane got up and stormed off to her tower," finished Rake. "You can still hear her stomping around and slamming drawers. We simply did not know what to do!"

"Oh no," breathed Lily. "What did Jester do?"

"He sat in shocked silence for several minutes then abruptly got up, took his lute, and headed for the royal gardens," answered Pepper. "Oh Lily, what are we to do? This is just terrible." Rake nodded in agreement.

Looking back and forth between them she answered, "I think I know what is wrong, but we will have to act quickly to put things to right. Smithy and I will go and talk with Jester. The two of you stay here, we will be back to explain everything, just keep our meals warm."

Smithy grabbed her hand and together they hurried off to the royal gardens. The sad sounds of the lute led them to Jester. He sat behind one of the shrubberies playing the most mournful music they had ever heard.

"Let me speak to him first," said Smithy. "Come join us in a few minutes."

Jester looked up to see Smithy approaching. He called out in a troubled tone, "She yelled at me, Smithy… me, her best friend. She was so angry and I have no idea what I did."

Smithy sat down next to his friend. "I know." He said sadly.

"I mean I would rather face Ivon in a real sword battle than to ever upset her." Jester turned his head back to his lute and continued his sad song.

Waving Lily over Smithy said, "I think that Lily and I can help explain what is wrong with Jane."

"Really?" Jester stopped playing and looked up at them in hope.

"Yes Jester. You see this afternoon," began Lily, "when you took my hand to pull me toward the castle, it hurt Jane's feelings terribly as well as Smithy's."

Jester looked at them both in shock. Turning to Lily he said, "But you and I have been nothing more than friends!"

Smithy was quick to reassure him. "Lily and I have already talked and she explained everything to me, but Jane still does not understand. You must go and apologize to her. That is the only way to make things right."

"But you must be careful," added Lily. "The fact that she was angry enough to yell at you shows how deeply she was hurt… and how deeply she feels for you." Jester looked up at her in surprise. "I do not think she knows it though, so tread lightly."

A bit of Jester's spirit returned and said with a twinkle in his eye, "Then I am off to win back the favor of a lady fair!"

"Remember. Be careful," said Lily.

"Good luck." Smithy called as he took the hand of his own lady and walked her back down to the anxiously waiting Rake and Pepper.

Jester walked over to Jane's tower and found her window open. As he drew nearer he could hear her banging around inside, talking to herself in angry muted tones. Taking a seat beneath her window, he began to play his sad melody again. Soon the noise coming from Jane's room quieted as she heard him outside. She walked over to the window and looked down at him. He sounds so sad. I wish I had not been so harsh at dinner. He has always been my dearest friend, ready to help me at a moment's notice, always able to cheer me up. I feel so confused… and the one person I want most to talk with I have driven away. As angry as he made me, I wish we were friends again.

Frustrated that he would not look up at her, she reached down and in one swift movement pulled off his cap and threw it onto her bed. Jester still did not look up. His hair looked like silk in the moonlight. She had to fight the urge to reach down and run her fingers through it. Gently, Jester finished his song, laid aside his lute and stood to face her.

"Jane," he started, "I have been more of a fool than normal today. I have hurt your feelings, something I would never wish to do. I mean, I would rather have Dragon burn me to a crisp then displease you." She laughed a little at that. With the intensity of truth in his eyes, he continued on, "I would do anything to keep you from being hurt, Jane...anything. Lily and I see each other as brother and sister. We laugh and sing and play together, but that is all the deeper our feelings go. I grabbed her hand in order to pull her to the castle faster. It meant nothing more to either of us. I could kick myself for being such a fool. Jane, can you ever forgive me?"

With a sad smile she replied, "Of course I can forgive you, Jester, but only if you also forgive me. As angry as I was, I should never said what I did. I hurt you terribly with those words and have felt awful about it. So Jester, can you also forgive me?"

"With pleasure," he smiled at her. The joy bubbling up inside him gave him courage he had never known before. "Now, Lady Jane, what shall I do to make it up to you? I know, perhaps I shall take your hand .." He gently laid his hand over hers where it lay on the windowsill. "…and we can run off somewhere together. Where shall we go, my lady? The world lies open before us. London? Paris? Rome? Or perhaps just around the royal garden?"

Laughing at his silliness, Jane reached up with her free hand and pushed him away. Unfortunately neither of them realized how close the edge of the walkway was. Suddenly Jester felt himself falling. He swung his arms around, attempting to regain his balance. Jane leaned far out her window, caught hold of one of his flailing arms, and pulled him back to safety. They looked at one another, both breathing hard from the excitement.

"Oh Jester, my heart is up in my throat. Can you feel it?" She took his hand and held it on her neck.

His eyes opened wide in surprise. "Why it is beating as fast as mine. Here, feel." Thus saying, he grabbed her free hand and held it over his own racing heart.

"Why, they beat at the same rhythm," breathed Jane, looking deep into his eyes.

"They always have," replied Jester with a small smile.

Being this near to Jane gave him the courage to try more than he had ever dared. Jester gently moved his hand up from her neck to behind her head. Jane closed her eyes as he allowed his finger to trace her ear. He caressed her cheek with his thumb then released her. He knew if he had held her for much longer he would have been unable to stop himself from pulling her forward for a kiss.

"Goodnight, my Jane," he said quietly.

"Goodnight," she whispered back.

As Jester walked down the stairs he knew he would never sleep this night. Seeing a light still on at the forge, he decided that a talk with Smithy might be just what he needed.

Jane's stomach felt the way it did only after one of Dragon's triple-decker backwards loop-de-loops. She felt even more confused than before, but at the same time light as a cloud and warm all over. As she got into bed, she found Jester's forgotten hat. Holding it to her heart she fell into a fitful sleep, filled with memories of a sad song and Jester's warm hands.