(Update 3/30/11) I was never quite satisfied with Jane's conversation with Dragon in this chapter. Then the fabulous Raven Zero reminded me that Jester gave her that first set of armour. Thank you, my friend, for that one little nugget helped everything else fall right into place. :)

Chapter 4 – Sweet Talkin'

The morning of day three, Jester woke late. Sleep had not come easily the night before. He had tried everything he could think of…quietly sung himself a lullaby, gotten a drink of water, and counted sheep until he reached a hundred and two. Nothing helped. No matter how he tried to lay still and relax, that little doubt kept gnawing at his mind.

Jane had begun to act differently, but was she really beginning to like-like him or was it just the potion? What would happen when the little red bottle ran out? He needed to speak with the wizard again. That was the only way he could know for certain. Round and round, worried thoughts continued to circle through his mind. Only after determining to pay the older man a visit first thing in the morning, had Jester finally been able to fall asleep.

Rubbing the late morning sun out of his eyes groggily, the minstrel grabbed the potion and instruction book off his desk, stuffed them deep into his pockets, and marched off towards the wizard's turret. He pounded on the thick oak door several times, with no response, and the darkened windows showed no indication of life. Dejectedly, the boy turned and leaned back against the cold stone wall. Heaving a sigh, Jester did his best to push his worries to the back corner of his mind. After all, he reasoned, what harm could it do to keep using the potion a few more days… just until he got to speak with the wizard. Slipping a hand into his pocket, the minstrel pulled out the instructions and flipped to the next page.

Day Three: Compliments, like sweets, can go a long way towards winning someone's affection. Too many too often, though, can make one sick. Try to compliment your dear one's character, not just appearance or accomplishments.

As Jester returned the booklet to his room, the familiar sound of wood on metal drifted through his open window. Peeking out, the boy's suspicions were confirmed. His favorite squire was out in the yard, hacking away at the practice dummy. He deftly shut the window's shutters and headed into the practice arena. The red-head had her back to him, swinging away with all her might. Leaning against the stone archway in what he hoped would appear a suave manner, the court fool watched her. It was like a dance, all those smooth, well-timed motions. He could not stay quiet for long.

"Well struck, Jane!" he called out after a particularly strong blow.

She turned at the sound to flash a smile in Jester's direction, then spun back just in time to duck under the wooden sword flying towards her head.

"Keep count for me!" she yelled back towards him.

"Alright!" Clang. "one…" Thud. "two…" Thump. "three…" Twang. "fourteen…" Crack. "twenty-five…" Whack. "fifty-six…"

"Hey!" Jane wheeled about, laughing so hard she snorted. "That is not fair. Now I am completely off count."

"What?" The boy did his best to present an innocent face, but a guilty smirk kept breaking through. Jane punched him lightly on the arm. He immediately flinched and rubbed at the spot with his other hand.

The squire rolled her eyes and wiped her brow. "I am parched. Come on."

The pair headed to the kitchen in a slow companionable silence. The squire cast a sideways glance at her friend then spoke quietly. "You did not come to breakfast today."

"No. I…" He hesitated, briefly wondering if he should just tell Jane about the potion. Then they rounded a corner to see that Pepper had already set out the mugs and water jug for the midday meal. The boy immediately glanced up at the sun. "…I did not realize how late it had become," he mumbled mostly to himself.

All thoughts of telling Jane were completely forgotten as Jester peeked in the kitchen window, desperately trying to think of a plan. The day was nearly half gone and he had yet to slip her a drop of the wizard's concoction. From below, Rake's quiet voice was followed by Pepper's high pitched laughter, but the minstrel was not really listening.

"I poured you a cup as well," Jane called from the picnic table.

He turned and smiled his thanks, but as he reached for the glass she offered it slipped out of his hands and fell to the ground below… just as he intended. With a hurried apology, he picked it up and in one fluid motion the glass was refilled with water and a drip of potion. Jane attempted to start a conversation, but Jester held up a hand to stop her.

"I believe I hear the princess calling your name, Jane." He leaned sideways in an effort to get a better view of the steps to the royal gardens. The squire turned around, following his gaze.

Clink. Clank. This was becoming much too easy.

Perhaps if he had not been so busy inwardly congratulating himself the minstrel would have noticed the sly look on his companion's face when she first turned around.

"Hmm… I thought I heard something too. Maybe that is her up in the window. Jester, can you see?"

Eyes wide, he swiftly turned towards the upper walkway, afraid he had been caught in the act.

Clink. Clank.

A mischievous smile played at the corners of his mouth as Jester turned back around to face an innocent looking Jane.

"I do not see anyone."

"Really? It must have been a trick of the light then. I was certain I saw someone." She managed to keep a straight face, but only by staring down at her glass.

Jester smiled to himself. Jane was smart. One of the many things he loved about her, but his reputation as a trickster was now at stake. Raising a hand in greeting, he called loudly, "Good day, Smithy!"

Jane twisted around to add her welcome…to an empty courtyard.

Clink. Clank.

Jester picked up and set down the cups, without switching them, leaving the potion in front of himself. Knowing his friend's competitive nature, it would not be staying there long. Jane swung around quickly, almost catching him. Her eyes flashed in challenge.

"Hullo, Pepper!" the squire called, "You need any help with lunch?"

Jester turned towards the kitchen door slowly, a devious smirk emerging once he heard the familiar clink, clank from behind that told him Jane had indeed switched the cups again. Suddenly Pepper appeared at the kitchen entrance, startling both friends.

"Jane, did you call?"

"Oh! Ah…yes. I …I wondered if you needed any help."

The cook shook her head. "No. Thank you, Petal. Lunch should be ready soon. The soup just needs to simmer a little longer."

As Jester swung around to face Jane, the squire raised her glass with a victorious smile. Hiding a grin of his own, the blue-clad boy took a sip and watched as she made a face at the strange taste in her cup.

"You were fantastic this morning, Jane," he spoke up quickly, distracting her. "Those jabs and parries were brilliant! That dummy will be nursing wounds for days to come."

She laughed lightly. "Thank you. I think your encouragement yesterday made all the difference. You know, I beat Gunther at archery practice yesterday afternoon."

"Did you? Congratulations. I am sorry I missed that, but not at all surprised. Gunther may be strong, but he lacks many other qualities that you have in abundance."

"Oh… such as?" One eyebrow arched expectantly.

"Well… your wit… your agility…your determination…your …beauty…"

Jane's head flew up, eyes wide, mouth slightly ajar. Jester had to resist the urge to duck his head to hide his reddening ears and instead met her shocked gaze straight on, his own face a mixture of uncertainty and hope. The squire swallowed and blinked. Her lips began to move silently, but no response came forth. Then with a sudden downward gust of wind, Dragon landed in the garden behind them, breaking their locked gaze.

"Time to patrol!" Jane yelled perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. She jumped from her seat and ran to her scaly friend, hoping on his neck in one smooth motion.

"What about lunch?" Jester stood and stepped out from behind the table.

She stared at the top of Dragon's head, refusing to make eye contact. "I will just grab a couple apples. Come on, Dragon. Time to go."

With that, she was gone. The court fool stood and watched until they were nothing but a little green dot against the sky. A sad frown stole across his face as the boy headed towards his room to double check the day's instructions. Perhaps he had done something wrong.

Dragon's wings flapped lazily in the breeze as they made their way towards his mountain home.

"Not that I am complaining about spending extra time together, but why exactly did we leave to patrol an hour early?"

"Well… um… "

"Was it Gunther? Next time I see that – "

"No, Dragon! It has nothing to do with Gunther."

"What then?"

"You will only tease me about it."

"ME? Tease you? Never!"

Jane rolled her eyes. "Right."

"Come ooooon, Jane. Tell me, pleeeease!" The great beast whined as they landed with a thud on the ledge outside his cave. Jane hopped down and moved to face him.

"Do I have your oath that you will not laugh?"

A large green claw immediately rose towards the ceiling. "Dragon's honor."

Closing her eyes, the squire took a deep breath and tried to come up with a good way to begin. "Dragon, have you noticed Jester acting funny lately?"

"Floppy hat? I thought that was his job."

"No, no. Funny as in differently. He has been …sitting near me all the time… giving me funny looks. He made up some secret new game with our cups. I think I won today, but then again… he never explained the rules. Then, right before you showed up he … he called me beautiful!"

Dragon raised a scaly eyebrow at her.

"What?"

"Jingle boy has called you pretty before. Why should that bother you? You know, you have been acting awful strange of late as well…" Dragon's eyes suddenly brightened in realization. "I bet I know what it is! You like him, and not like blueberries. You like-like him."

"What? I do not. I mean I like Jester. We have been friends for almost as long as I can remember, but me like-liking him? That…" Jane's voice grew quiet. "…that could not be it. Could it? I know he cares for me a great deal, but the way he has been acting recently is different. More purposeful I suppose. It makes me feel …special."

Dragon snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Butterflies in your tummy, weak at the knees. Jester sings about all that stuff in his ballads. It seems rather silly to me, though. No matter how much you like someone, why would you ever want to eat an insect?"

"No, it is nothing like that. I do care for Jester, but I…I do not know. He is a wonderful friend and the cleverest person I have ever met. He would stick by me no matter what… and always knows how to cheer me up. Why, he knows me so well he can practically read my mind…"

"This one time Jester and I -" Dragon's eyes slipped closed, only half-listening as Jane continued to recall stories involving master floppy hat for the next quarter hour.

Jane smiled fondly as she finished the tale of when they had both been young and Jester had gone to the trouble of fixing her favorite toy after it had been accidentally smashed. She had been so excited that she hardly noticed that the toy was missing a few pieces. Even after she had outgrown such toys, Jane had kept it, tucked away safely at the bottom of her trunk.

"He is so good to me…" the squire trailed off, her head tilted down thoughtfully. "Do you… do you suppose he really meant that 'beautiful' comment? It could have just been a joke." Her eyes grew darkened and sad. "Yet he seemed so sincere… and the look on his face… What do you think?"

The red-head turned to face the green lump that had been unusually quiet these past several minutes. Dragon opened a droopy eyelid at her.

"Hmm? I am sorry. Were you saying something?" She scowled at him. "Oh alright. I think that all this like-like stuff is getting boring. You just keep going on and on about blue boy. We should discuss something more interesting… like me!" Jane rolled her eyes, but Dragon took no notice. "On my way to the castle this morning I did a five twisted backward double loop! Oh Jane, you should have seen it! I was absolutely brilliant!"

The squire merely shook her head good-naturedly. "I am sure it was brilliant."

"You know, Dragon, if it were not for Jester, you and I might never have met. He was the first one to support me in becoming a knight. When everyone else laughed at my dream, he believed in me. He even gave me my first suit of armor."

"You mean that scrap metal I almost destroyed the day we met?"

"It is not scrap metal! It is just old… and very special." She smiled to herself, then looked up at Dragon. "Without Jester's 'scrap metal', we would never have become friends."

Dragon lowered his head to look her in the eye. "Defending him, are we? You must really like him."

"You promised not to tease," she glared at him.

"No, I promised not to laugh."

Jane humphed in defeat.

"So…" he winked slyly, "Has bell boy started bringing you flowers yet?" with a snort the beast drew himself up to his full height and laughed uproariously. Jane's eyes opened wide in disbelief. "I – ha ha ha – I am sorry Jane. I just could not hold it in any longer."

She shook her head knowingly, a smile slowly breaking through. Then in sudden remebrance she tilted her head towards her large friend and asked, "Dragon, can you smell the castle rose bushes from here?"

"Of course," he grinned. "My sense of scent is unparalleled. Why?"

"I have been smelling roses when no one else can and I do not know why."

"You can smell them from here?"

"No, no. It mostly happens at meal time."

"Maybe my abilities are rubbing off on you." The two chuckled at the absurd idea.

"Maybe," she winked at him. "Come on. We should finish our patrol before my sparing practice."

oOo

Jester sat on the low stone bench of the royal gardens watching as princess Lavinia twirled around the fountain. Suddenly she stopped and sped past him.

"Jane!" She cried, grabbing the squire's knees in a fierce hug. "Jester has been teaching me to count. I can get all the way to twenty- eleven all by myself!" She said proudly.

"Thirty-one, your highness," called her tutor, but she continued on heedless.

"Jane, you must come on my picnic. Mother said I could go as long as one of the knights came with me."

The squire knelt down to better see the girl's face. "Of course I will come, little highness. What day is your picnic to be?"

"In just three days." The girl clapped her hands joyfully and spun in a circle. "I am so excited, Jane. You, me, and Jester. This will be the most perfectest picnic ever!"

The squire looked up and met the court fool's gaze. He offered an uncertain smile and nodded slightly.

"Princess Lavinia," the Lady-in-Waiting's voice rang out across the garden, "Time to wash up for dinner."

As the princess ran off, Jane stood and faced her friend. She asked where the princess had gotten the idea for this picnic and Jester hurriedly assured her that the Queen had suggested it as a reward. If Lavinia learned to count to one hundred she could go on a picnic and invite whoever she desired, as long as a knight accompanied them.

"She can reach twenty- nine without any help already. I am sure that with a little more practice she will get the rest." He grinned pleasantly.

Jane returned his smile. "With your tutoring, Jester, I am certain she will reach her goal." The squire's eyes trailed off to the great hall where the royal family was probably just sitting down to some of Pepper's fine cooking. "A picnic will make a fine prize. Dragon could come too, and then I could take the princess on a ride. She would love that."

She turned back just in time to see the crestfallen expression on her friend's face before he hid it behind a false grin. "I bet she would."

Jane looked down and bit her lip. The tip of her shoe dug into the cracks between the stones.

"Jester… about what happened earlier, at lunchtime – "

The rattle of the wheelbarrow cut her off as Rake came by with a pile of weeds. "Time for supper, you two," he called out obliviously. Jane let out a small sigh as they turned to follow, but whether she was more relieved or upset, Jester could not tell.

Dinner that night was filled with laughter and good conversation. It had become almost second nature for the two friends to sit across from each other and so neither took any notice that their spots had been left open for them.

When Jane rose to return to her room, Jester was quick to join her. The silence between them hung thick with unsaid words. The minstrel's earlier doubts had returned in full force. He ought to tell her about the potion. Now was the perfect time, too. No one was around to hear her angry replies or, ultimately, her refusal of him. Dragging up every last bit of courage he could muster, Jester drew a deep breath.

"Jester," Jane spoke suddenly, cutting him off, "About what happened at lunch time…I am sorry for running off like I did."

"No problem," He flashed a smile at her, but it did not reach his eyes. "You had to patrol."

Jane's voice grew quiet. "Did you really mean all those things you said about me?"

The uncertainty in her eyes made his heart melt. "Of course," he answered sincerely.

A slight smile danced across her lips. "Thank you."

They had reached her door and Jester was just turning to walk back the way he had come, when she whispered, "You really do say the sweetest things sometimes." He whirled around, but the door was already closed. Jester was never quite sure how he reached his room that night, but he was certain that his feet never hit the ground.

End Note: It took me longer than normal to finish. So to make up for it, this chapter is extra long. For now the conflict is all internal, but that'll change a little next chapter.

Thank you for all the lovely reviews!

(Update 2/1/10) I guess the cup switching scene was not as clear as I had thought so it has been updated. Let me know if you're still left unsure about whether or not Jane drank the potion.