A/n: Anyway, I would like to thank Fluffymarshmallows and awes0mesaucer for comments that encourage me to post faster and for all who are still following this story. To awes0mesaucer, it was thanks to your comment on the last chapter that inspired me to continue on with the events from the last chapter. So I hope you will not be dissapointed. Also, if this update seems very wordy, just know that I've been rereading Jane Austens books as of late. Any, I hope you all will enjoy.

Chapter 23: A Truth Among Lies

No one could outmatch the fool in his vigor for dancing. True, he had the advantage of a lifetime of study and practice of it, but no one faulted him for it. Why he did not even need a partner; he could sing, strum a tune on his lute, dance, and jump up on stools. Jane could not imagine where he drew that energy from, though she thought it might in part come from a captive audience; brought forth by their joy and applause. Pepper and Rake had shared in a few more lovely dances; in a world all their own as they whispered endearments; careful not to step on any of the vegetables. Though, what was even more delightful was when Dragon danced upon the battlements, keeping his eyes towards the skies; moving along to the steps in all his magnificence as his scales reflected the soft light of the moon.

And when everyone was tired of dancing, the fool once again took his place as the main source of entertainment; telling dramatic, exciting stories with such flourish and violence of feeling that it attracted and held Dragon's attention; who had often commented that he did not care for the drama among short-lives, but was curious all the same. Jane, having heard these stories before, did not delight in the subtle way Jester tried to capture her attention and instead used the time to study her quiet friend. Like the others, Smithy seemed to be listening, though when their eyes met, the corners of his mouth lifted, and he winked; as though to signal that he knew she was paying extra attention to him. No one around them seemed to have taken notice, though his gaze did not shift from hers; his coolness of manner made it difficult to know what he was thinking, and she could not help but question what he saw when he looked at her. Did he understand how sorry she was? The lady knight hoped so.

However, the more Jane studied him, the more convinced she was that in those eyes she saw not annoyance or displeasure, but a soft, forgiving understanding. It was strange how it gave her a marked comfort knowing she could rely on him. There was little to no doubt that he would not allow her to humiliate herself, but peculiar still how natural and pleasant it had been that she had allowed him to lead the dance; his silent amusement and gentle smiles made her feel warm and light but not like how she did with her other friends; it was different. With Jester, as they danced there scarcely was a moment when he did not jest or try to play, as they had since their youth and there were extra steps and flourish to his moves while with Gunther, it was a fight for control, but not altogether unpleasant. Yet, if the lady knight could have, she would have danced with the blacksmith again, or at least she would have chosen a closer seat to him, so they could converse.

As confusing as these recent thoughts of hers had been, the lady knight was not inclined to dissuade them. Though the study of one's character could not be completed during the span of one evening, and before she could make a fool of herself, she returned her focus to the fool's story; distracted by her guilt.

Smithy thought he had been mistaken at first, and that the sight of her furtive glances was a mere curiosity, but they had continued, and it made him uneasy. Jane had been paying him extra attention, but why? There was nothing on his face, and his clothes were clean. Jester was giving one of his best performances, and yet she was not staring at the fool but him; searching him, studying him as if she was trying to communicate silent feelings, which could otherwise be unspoken. Guilt lined her brow, and she appeared to be in want of forgiveness; a few dances under a pretense could not have been enough to distract her or upset her. Though, if the blacksmith had made himself obvious by expressing more affection than he ought to, then perhaps it led to minor confusion.

Despite the conflict that formed in their minds, and the consequences of it, he shared a wink and a soft look and her widened eyes almost made him chuckle; she had been caught. If Jane had assumed he would be cross, then it could not be further from the truth. It had come as a surprise, but not an unwelcome one; although his indifference added a level of uncertainty. Having gotten what he wanted, the rest of the evening could not compare.

The food, his friend's joy, and a simple dance had reassured him that happier days were coming in the foreseeable future. Yet, what was Rake and Pepper planning? His assumption, if correct, was that the cook and gardener had conspired to draw them together; whether they were fully aware of the other's feelings. Either way, he could not let his guard down, or else he might lose what he had worked hard to maintain; the peace.

When Gunther had said his goodbyes, everyone took notice of how late it had gotten. In a few hours, Smithy would have a list of duties to do. Yet, he felt an obligation to clean up. The cook and gardener offered their help but knowing how much work they would have in the morning, Smithy offered to move the furniture on his own; they had protested, but he assured them it would be the most efficient. Jester left as well, making his excuses for stories and ballads not yet written. So, the blacksmith anticipated an hour or so of work by himself when he spotted Jane at the other end of the wooden dining table. "Jane? I thought you had gone to bed."

She had thought to do so, but as the lady knight had watched as one by one, everyone left, she realized that he would take responsibility for cleaning up a party that had been intended for him, and it saddened her. Jane did not want to be another person who took advantage of his kindness. Yet, she had, and hopefully, he could forgive her. "I did not want to leave you alone with all this work."

"I can handle this. Besides, you have patrol in the morning do you not?"

She did, but her heart went out to self-sacrificing people like him, who held no ill will towards anyone in particular. "That may be true," she answered; her head lifted in slight defiance. "but I am going to help whether you want me to or not. And I will start by assisting you with this table."

Normally, he would have insisted otherwise, for he was perfectly capable of doing this by himself, but there was a part of him that wanted to be with her a little longer and who could disagree with that tone of voice that left little room for argument and demanded attention? Certainly not him. "In that case," he started, "get a firm hold at that end, and follow my lead."

With a nod, they lifted the table, and he backed up towards the beginning of the garden and stopped a little before the kitchen. "One piece down. Only a couple more to go."

Without much pause, Jane went for the stools that she recognized were from his workshop. On their legs were carvings of horses, pigs, and boars; an example of his craftsmanship. And glanced back at him and watched as he lifted a barrel; a feat not easily done by most. This particular barrel he set next to the stone wall, near Rakes tools. The next one, he carried back towards his forge while she stared in awe at the magnificence of his strength.

A task that would have taken an hour was halved with the lady knight's assistance. However, that did not mean it was not as tiring. "Having fun sure is hard work."

"But I loved every bit of it. Well, except for the fib. Why did you not say anything to the others? You saw how surprised they all were. It was shameful of me, and I would not have faulted you for denying my claim. Please do not get me wrong," She added. "if you had asked me, I would have agreed."

"It is alright Jane. No harm is done. If I had denied your claim, it would have posed an opportunity for Gunther to mock or for Jester to jest. And I cannot be so indifferent to the silent plea of a friend."

"But that does not make it right. I should not have done that."

"And so you acknowledge it and are repentant in this matter. Believe me, Jane, I do not feel wronged, but let me say this, how do you know I did it for you?"

"What?"

This did not feel wise, but he felt it should be said; at least if they were going to build trust in another. "The dancing I mean, I could have done it for myself, for personal reasons."

With a raised brow, he noticed how easily Jane's temper could shift; arms crossed, and almost withdrawing as she stood away from him; positioned to flee if need be. As he thought, it distressed her, albeit not to the degree that he had previously thought. Yet, her reluctance spoke for itself as she inquired, "And…. pray tell, what reason would that be?"

"To get an upper hand in the annual dance competition?" he teased. "Or perhaps I wanted to dance with an old friend. Your footwork has greatly improved, though no doubt through your practice with the practice dummy."

With that, she relaxed and smiled that beguiling smile; the one which will linger in the recesses of the mind, and brighten the dark shadows there. "It has been too long. I cannot remember the last time we had danced together."

Neither could he, but he hoped it would not be the last. With that smile he seemed to reserve for her, he confessed. "It was worth the wait."

The way he regarded her, with the easy way of his, it did funny things to her girlish heart. Yet, was it not a trick of the eyes that persuaded the mind and a youthful heart of there being more than there was, although sensibilities demanded otherwise? Her goals and future depended on her being without romantic attachment or any sort of attachment that would refrain her from continuing in her duties which relied on her being independent. However, her constant reminder of suitable persons like the blacksmith made her hopeful in the respect that not all men were as possessive or controlling, but that was left to be seen. "Either way, thank you for having my back."

"It was my pleasure."

The companionable silence which followed reminded her of the thoughts she had earlier in the evening. Taking in his appearance, she commented. "Without your blacksmiths uniform, you seem different."

Scratching the back of his neck, he answered. "How so Jane?"

She did not want to tell him that he appeared handsome. Though, what else should she tell him? How embarrassing it would be to agree with the sentiments of the chambermaids who likened him to a prince. And although she had disagreed with it in the past, realized there was some truth in the storybook ideal. "It is not so much in manner, but you seem almost regal. I daresay, if you were to put on royal garments, the Princess might mistake you for a prince."

"Like Cuthbert?"

At this, they both broke out in laughter and smiles; knowing that actual princes were not as pleasing as the ones romanticized in ballads. "No," she answered in between her laughs. "not a bog weevil like his little majesty. You are too kind, and I cannot picture you stuck indoors, without occupation and or trusted animal by your side."

"In that respect," he commented, "we are both similar. Though, while I am replaceable, what would this kingdom be without its fair lady knight and her Dragon? Not a place I would want to live in."

"Thank you, Jethro. However, you do not give yourself enough credit. These stools here, for example, you made these did you not? I recognize this style of carving on the legs. They are champion, but why does the kingdom not know of your talents?"

"And what good would that do for me, Jane? I do not desire recognition. I have what I need here in this castle."

"And you do not want more?" She wondered; curious to know if there were any ambitions he might possess in which she could assist.

He might have been in want of affection, but it would not be wise to voice as much. "I suppose," He confessed; becoming more conscious of those emotions he often repressed. "there is always a want for more. Though, wishing does not make it so. Hard work has gotten me to where I am, and I cannot complain about that. I have a roof over my head, a forge, and occupation which allows me the freedom to invent from time to time, as well as craft as you had stated."

The clothes he wore or in whatever state of cleanliness he was in did not alter his sensible character. With lack of exaggeration, he continued to prove to be as he was; a warm, but sincere old friend who she found easier and easier to trust. Wrapping her arms around him, she commented. "Your abilities and forbearance speak for themselves. Again, thank you for the dance. If I can help you as you had helped me, be sure to let me know."

Feeling that marked leniency towards her, he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a light squeeze before letting go. "It is always a pleasure to be at your service, but I will keep what you said in mind."

The difference which had surfaced while they had danced had been brought to the forefront of her mind once more, and Jane could not deny how much she enjoyed the nearness of him; the strength which had enveloped her in their embrace. For his part, it pained him to be tempted; to stand so close, and be conscious of the sweetness of scent of whatever bath things had been used to wash her hair, or of the freckles that lined themselves like stars on her pretty neck. If Smithy was not mistaken, there was a flush in her cheeks and a brightness of her eyes that had been evident earlier in the evening, during their dances, and once more was present. Though, his coolness of manner would not allow him to display how affected he was, although his eyes expressed a flicker of tenderness that the lady knight might have been able to decipher had she not been as conflicted in her feelings as she was. So, with another quick smile, Jane was gone, while he placed a hand over his heart; wondering when it would ever calm when he was around her.