JurdanCatcher

Indications:

<> - Alternate Universe ~ Set in Elfhame >< - Alternate Universe ~ Set somewhere else @ - Angst X - Explanation of things ? - No tags * - Trigger warning/Probably really sad <3 - Fluff / - Oneshot & - Series ____________________________________________________

FANFICS

Out of a Faerie Tale (&, <>)

Jude is resentful of being born a Faerie. She hates how they look at her and how they speak of her. For all that, she can’t seem to let go of the land that makes her livid.

Chapter 1: A Mortal Fae (X)

Of spilt wine and flowers (/, *, @)

Cardan was a good King and Husband. Cardan WAS a good King and Husband. Well, times change. Or -- In which Cardan doesn't get the ending he wants

Felicitous Ruination (&, <>, *, @)

Loving her would always end in his destruction. He knew that. Not taking risks though, would mean his giving her up. An act he doesn’t dare do.

Felicitous Ruination: A tale of Love and Hate.

Chapter 1: Lucidity of the King (@)

More Drops of Poison for His Wine (&, <3)

Jude Duarte thinks she is poisoned. She feels sick? It must be the poison. She eats more? It must be because the poison made her weak. She missed her period? Yeah, must have been the poison.

Was she poisoned? You guessed it! No!

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3: End

HEADCANONS

Busy Tranquility (<3)

Sulking Cardan + Busy Jude = ???

A stab wound (?)

Jude? Wha- What's that? Cardan discovers about the curse on mortal women.

OTHER POSTS

Two months ago, my dad noticed I've been reading. He asked what the book was about, I told him it was about 'Fairies' that existed with the human world kinda like Harry Potter or Peter Pan. He asked if there were villains, I said no, there aren't any, they just fight amongst themselves (I really didn't think about our dear I hate you = I love you couple) But did I lie???

When the physician took his leave, Vivi, Heather, and Taryn took Cardan over to the corner of the room. "If anything happens to her or the baby, I will be the one fighting you alright?" Vivi received a slightly painful nudge from her wife of five years. "You should bring her to a mortal doctor so we could see if it's a girl or a boy." Heather told him. "She's going to have a lot of changes. She's going to be more vulnerable, her mood would change time and again, she'll need to be taken care of, a lot." Taryn fills him on the struggles of human pregnancy, putting great emphasis on the last part. On the other hand, Jude was left with Oak and Amelia. "Why are you crying auntie? Do you not like the baby?" Amelia asks the currently very emotional Jude. Oak had stopped with his device instead giving his older sister a listening ear. "You know Lia, sometimes when people are really happy they cry." Oak explains, giving Jude a tissue. He had matured quite a bit after breaking up with his 'girlfriend'. He said he wanted to become a better 'man' for her. "Oh, so auntie is really happy?" She averts her gaze to Oak. "Yes, Lia. Hug me?" Jude finally says. She was propped onto the headboard of the bed. she opened her arms and invited Lia to come over. Her niece in turn, crawled on top of the bed and went into her embrace. "You're so warm!" What Amelia said was more comforting than it would have been in any other context. To Jude, the giggles she got from Amelia sounded sugary. She wonders if her child would say that about her voice too, if their giggles would sound just as sweet or if it would sound sweeter. Seeing Oak looking at them, she removes a hand from Amelia's back, also inviting him. "No. I'm not a kid anymore." Oak crosses his arms, looking away. "If you won't hug me as a kid, what about as my brother?" Jude asks. "Fine. but only because it would make you happy." Trudging over to the side of the bed, Oak made it look like a walk of shame. Still he crawls onto the bed to give Jude the hug she asked for. If it is because she is soon to be a mother or because she likes Oak and Amelia that she feels this moment gratifying she doesn't really know. After a few moments, Vivi, Heather, and Taryn decided to give Cardan and Jude some time to talk to themselves. Taking Oak and Amelia with them. Cardan walks to Jude. He could immediately spy the doubt in her eyes. "We will do great Jude. You will do great." But, even the supposedly solacing kiss that Cardan gave his wife, didn't help in the nine months of pregnancy. 1 Month The Queen has been tossing and turning in her sleep. She tossed and turned so much it woke the King. "Jude..?" Was the first thing the King muttered The Queen turns to look at him in the eyes. "Cardan… I'm famished…" The words paired with a deadpan look was rather ironic. The King couldn't quite stop his laughter at such a chucklesome moment. "What are you laughing at?" The Queen scowled. "Well-" The King removed his hand from his eyes to look at his Queen but then the Queen looked too adorable for him, he couldn't help his laugh yet again. This time though, it was of affection rather than amusement. Wiping away the tears, he asks his Queen. "Well then, what does the High Queen of Elfhame crave at 12 noon when many are asleep?" The King sits up on the bed. "Veal. I want veal paired with potatoes and cheese. Do we still have ice cream? Did we get ice cream? And maybe bread too. And after that something sweet but also a little salty… Do we have something like that?" The Queen rests her head on her palms while looking up at the King. "I doubt we'll be able to get any of what you want here in Faerie. Come, let's head to the mortal realm." To that the Queen's face lit up.

2 Months The High Queen and King of Elfhame was invited to a revel. They accepted, it would be careless of them not to when it had been planned for them. They shouldn't have. They should have just been careless. The Queen had one hand at Nightfell's hilt while the other sub-consciously positions itself on her stomach. The King, regardless of not knowing how to use a sword, had put himself in front of his wife. "We'll get a higher pay if they discover the woman has --" Cardan needed not to hear the rest of what the slaughterers had to say. With an outstretched hand, Cardan made the tree roots come alive. Grabbing those who was sent to harm the High Queen and dragging them into the soil. When he turns after hearing the clang of metal, he sees the Queen fighting two different Fae. He would have left her to fight them, she could finish them, he knows. But he couldn't do that. Especially not when another folk joins in. Still, before he could do anything, the other two the Queen had been fighting is on the ground, their necks slit. He sees Jude mutter something but not quite hear it then just like that, the third folk had been cornered in a bush, slowly being swallowed by the land. He was about to say something to lighten the atmosphere, if it was possible, however, his wife had collapsed. Lucky were they that he caught her. If not, he might declare war on the rulers of the court. It had tired him to call on the land even as a Faerie, how much more spent is she, carrying a child, holding a sword and commanding the land? It took all his might and every bit of his responsibility to not yell a declaration of treason.

3 Months Taryn had introduce her twin to the term 'Baby proof'. Hence, why when a new item is being brought in the palace, The Queen would appear from thin air to ask "Is that baby proof?" A new shelf is getting installed? The Queen would stalk in and tell them, "Make sure that's strong enough for a kid. oh, and add those soft corner things Taryn gave." Was it heart warming? Yes. Was it irritating? No. But then the Queen started to look at anything and think of it as bad for the future child. When she saw anything sharp, her eyes would grow big and she'd say "Cardan! That's not baby proofed!" She saw a book -- "That could fall on their head. Make sure to lock the room." The only thing she wasn't baby proofing now were the swords. But Cardan could see the 'baby-proof-that-thing' glint in her eyes. If it was not for the training, those swords would have been stoppered right away. No questions asked. Just orders. Was it heart warming? No. Was it irritating? Yes. The King smiles.

4 Months The King and Queen are taking a bath together. Normally, it would be the King between the legs of the Queen, leaning into her chest with his eyes closed. With the Queen feeling the vulnerability of a pregnant woman though, their positions were reversed. "Do you feel better?" Cardan asked his wife. Planting a chaste kiss on her temple while stroking her stomach, which is progressively increasing in size a day at a time. "Hmm?" Jude looks back, eyes ending on his lips. She pecks it before continuing with what she had to say. "Very much." "Right. Then, would you like to head to the mortal world now?" The Queen nods. The King get's up and helps the Queen stand up. After that, everything went fast for the Queen. They get clothed, got everything ready for their travel, and arrive at the mortal world. Only when they are at the doctors office did time run normally for Jude. Gliding a device on her stomach, the doctor give her a happy smile. "It seems you will be having twins Mrs. Greenbriar." She announces. "Twins?" Cardan jolts upward from his seat beside Jude's bed. "Yes sir." She nods happily. Jude and Cardan could only look at each other in horror. It was mostly joy, yes. Still, Cardan couldn't believe he would be having two children at once and Jude doesn't believe she'd be able to care for so many.

5 Months The King woke to rustling. From his bed he sees his Queen slumped over the table, face in her hands. When he had processed the situation, he stands up immediately. Feeling the sudden movement, Jude looks up. She wipes her tears and walks over to her husband. When their paths meet, Cardan was fast to cup Jude's face. "What happened? Do you feel anything wrong? Does anything hurt?" He asked her immediately. "Do you think I'll be a good mother?" Jude says, voice hoarse. "Of course." Cardan answers. "How? How could I give anything I didn't experience? I grew taught by Madoc. What if our children end up the way I did?" She looks up to meet his sincere gaze. "Jude, you gave me many things you yourself lacked. I doubt you'd be a bad mother, look how I turned out. I believe a mostly drunken, irresponsible Fae would be harder to manage than a child. You'd do great. And when you can't do it, I'll help you. You won't even need to ask for it." Jude cries. Cries so hard Cardan wonders where all her tears come from. Still, he strokes her back comfortingly and until she falls back asleep, he tells her all the things he knew could assure her.

6 Months The High Queen was stroking her stomach when the High King entered their chamber. "Jude... You'd do absolutely fine as a mother. Had we not talked about this?" The King hastened his steps, immediately cupping the cheeks of his wife. The Queen chuckled, "I know. I believe what you had told me was enough to give me confidence in my future motherhood..." "Then?" He wondered what else she was worried about if not how she would do as a mother. They had enough riches to provide for the children, they had established their rule, what else was there to worry about? "Names." She says "We haven't thought of names." The King was overcome with relief. He had thought it had something to do with the child being human or Fae or maybe she wished the children to be introduced to the mortal realm. "What type of name would you like?" The King sat down beside the Queen. "Something significant." She leaned on his shoulder. "Such as?" "Alice..." She looked at the King in the eyes. The King smiled. He was about to say something but the Queen beat him to it. "Or something meaning river..." "River?" The High King wondered what it meant... "Oh." The King realized. "Oh." The realization sunk in.

7 Months By this time the King had refused the Queen to do anything in connection to the work he had dubbed 'fatigue-inducing'. Which means the King stressing, pushing himself to his limits and the Queen getting angered at him treating her 'like a child'. "I am no doll, Cardan!" The Queen shouts when the King, yet again, snatches the report she had in her hands. "I have been with you for long enough to know that Jude." The King tries to keep his voice steady. "Then let me do what I have to!" The King felt his patience coming to an end. "Look at yourself, Jude. You can't even walk properly! You waddle! You shouldn't strain yourself with anything more. Carrying one child is strenuous enough but you are carrying two!" The King raises his voice. Arms flailing about. "I was kidnapped, almost torn in half Cardan! I could do this! My using the thing in my head won't tire me so much!" She crosses her arms. "Stop being so witlessly dense Jude!" Jude held her stomach. Oh. He didn't mean those words to come out so forcefully... "Jude... I didn't-" He was about to explain but Jude had snatched the paper from his hands. "You didn't mean it? Then let me finish my responsibilities." She says, smug. Still, Cardan knows. She's hurt. He hurt her. She had always found sword fights better than words and raised voices. She'd be more sensitive to them now. He opens his arms. Cardan knew forcing a hug on her would only make her try to break free more. Asking for her voluntary gesture would be best. If she refuses, it would be fine. He'd just have to woo her. Jude accepts. She cries. "I'm sorry..." She says in between her sobs. "I just-- I don't like it... Doing nothing makes me feel weak... Useless..." She cries on his chest, words mostly choked out. "I was in the wrong... I shouldn't have shouted. I should have understood better. I'm sorry." He says in her hair. Leaving a few kisses. He lifts her head up. "I love you. Alright? I'll let you do it, under the condition that you force to finish nothing." "...Fine." She answers weakly. He guides her to their bed. Sitting her on his lap, lightly rocking her, he repeats his pleads for her forgiveness.

8 Months "Jude! What are you doing!?" The King's voice echoed through the halls of the palace. "It's fine! The doctor said I should exercise. Do you want my delivery to be difficult? Does my agony please you to such a point?" The Queen shouts back. At times like these, the attendants know to step back. They would not be able to do anything and they would only be punished for their meddling with the royal couple. "My dearest, even now as we are speaking you are holding a sword!" The King stomps his feet. Glaring at the Fae who dares look their way. "It's made of wood. It won't do any such to me!" By the time the Queen finishes her statement, the King is in front of her. The King tries to snatch the sword from her hands, he struggles quite a bit but only until the Queen lets go, by which he stumbles back. "It could hit you or worse hit your stomach." The King says heaving in air after the struggle for the wooden sword. "You could exercise but only with those mortal devices that Vivi brought. Swords are far too dangerous for you and our children." 9 Months The High King and Queen had gotten invited to a revel. Again. The revel would be held in the Court of Termites, an allied court. Still, the High King feels the need to be wary. The Queen's sisters had given him a generous amount of sources, all of which said that the last month of pregnancy would be most straining on the body of the woman. He wished not to add any more. She was the High Queen and he was the High King. He could ask for her to be excused from the event. But, Jude even when supposed to be weak and delicate remain obstinate as ever. "The land was able to protect me. You were able to protect me. I trust, shall anything happen, you'd protect us again." The Queen assures the King. Even without it though, they would still be going. Could he still refuse when they are already getting ready? Cardan had been guarded the whole time while heading to the revel. Making sure he could feel the Bomb and the Roach's presence. When they got to the venue, Lord Roiben and his consort greeted them. Talking to Lord Roiben, The King looked at Jude and her swelling stomach. "I had told you." He said. "I understand." The head of the Court of Termites nodded his head. "I offer my late congratulations to Your Majesties." He bows his head, this time to the Queen's direction. "We'll head in first." Kaye told the men. When she and the Queen are alone she asks if she minds meeting new Fae. Of course, Jude said she didn't mind. The Fae Jude had expected to meet were closer to an ally rather than a friend.

The female Fae's she was met with however, had asked her so many questions, so many words, she had protectively wrapped her hand around her stomach. The action had somehow become her defensive instinct. Something that, when done, makes her feel safe and assured that the teensy creatures inside her hadn't slipped out. "How does it feel to carry twins? Is it heavier?" One asked. "Does it feel different, human pregnancy?" Another leaned in. "I heard mortals glow when with child. True it seems." The other said, crossing her arms around her chest, eyes slitting. Another tried to rub her stomach, she backed away. It was an innocent gesture she knew, the Fae did look rather young. "Sorry." The young Fae looked very apologetic. "Had I truly forgotten to tell? Mortal pregnancy, is much more vulnerable than that of Fae. Mortal mothers are more caring of their children as they have as much a chance of losing their child as conceiving them." Kaye explained in Jude's place. "It's alright." Jude smiles, removing one hand from her stomach, only letting one on top. She guides the hand of the little Fae onto her stomach. After the scene, the atmosphere had turned a warmer, friendlier one. With Jude answering their questions and them giving her advice on motherhood And yes, Jude knew better, but to see the creatures she had expected to abhor her give counsel for the caring of her child warmed her heart tremendously. ~~~~~ A mix of sugar and spice, those nine months. Still, those times couldn't quite compare to the birthing of the royal children. Giving birth went quite fast or maybe it was because of the great commotion that ensued. When the Queen's water broke nobody was beside her. She panicked. Panicked real bad. "Cardan..?" She asked the empty room. She had peed her pants, she was about to give birth, and yet she didn't know which was more absurd. "Cardan!" She screamed. Heavy foot falls could be made out from outside the room and then BOOM! the door flew off its hinges -- quite literally. It had landed beside the table actually -- "What. Happened!?" The Queen finally looked up. The King was in the place of the door, legs apart, arms spread wide. "I peed my pants." She looked, still very pretty, but her expression had been ghastly. Eyes big as saucers, mouth hanging open, body frozen, trousers wet, hands holding-- or rather -- grasping and forcibly squeezing at the poor parchment in them. "Huh? I thought you were -" "I'm giving birth, you knuckle head!" With that the King carried the Queen in his arms, shouting orders for Tatterfell and the Bomb, for towels, warm water, and anything that could help childbirth. The Queen had finally been set down onto a bed, peaceful but not really. The attendants outside were running around like stormed mice, shouting "THE HIGH QUEEN IS GIVING BIRTH!! THE ROYAL CHILDREN ARE COMING!!" like an alert signal. In no time, the whole palace had been bombarded with the news. Cooks thinking of food to give a mortal who just gave birth. Attendants cleaning the floors, making sure not a spec of dust was in the palace. Others locking the doors to libraries and sword storehouses. With a lot of struggle the women were able to get the King out the room. When he heard Jude scream, he screamed. When another scream came, he held his hands over his ears, also screaming. "Can I really do nothing? She sounds as though she is getting butchered. Do mortal children crawl their way out of their birth giver?" Cardan looks back at Taryn, hysteria obvious in his eyes. "Cardan! Get Cardan in here!" Before Taryn could answer, Jude's voice came muffled from inside the room.

Cardan didn't think another second before dashing into the room. When he came in, he sees Jude holding onto two cloths coming from the ceiling, legs parted, Tatterfell between them. "Just a bit more!" The imp raises her voice to overlap the screaming. Cardan get's shaken awake and continues his walk to Jude and with a towel he wipes the beads of sweat on her forehead, swiping away the baby hairs. With a bit more screaming and a few more tugs, the prince was out into the world. Brown locks and eyes from his mother. Pale skin and tail from his father. With another set of screams and tugs, the princess was reunited with her parents and sibling. Raven hair, ebony eyes, and tail from her father. Rich tan skin from her mother.

~~~~~ Now, a week after their birth, it was time for the twins to rightfully receive their names. The High King and Queen headed to the throne room one child in each of their arms.

In front of the throne, a mat of grass was set. On that mat, they laid the future heirs to the crown.

Just like nuptials, giving names to Fae children was kept only to the child and parents. Names, after all, are the weakness of the Folk. The Queen raised her open arms. Tilting her head heavenward, eyes closed. "Sobriquet 'Alina'- " She speaks only for the ears of the infant. Putting her hands down, eyes opened, she bends at her knees to put her hands on the marble tiled floor. "Answer only to 'Alice Catalina Greenbriar'. One besides the name given to you shan't weaken, sway, nor hold authority over you." She whispers into the air, letting her words turn into crystalline mist. From underneath the little princess, grass grew greener, flowers budded. A branch of the throne circled protectively around the child; acceptance. The land accepted the princess. The Queen kneeled, bowing her head; a show of gratitude toward the land. Once the Queen had stood up, it was the King's turn to bless his child with a name. He opens his arms and just like the Queen, tilts his head upward after closing his eyes. "Sobriquet 'Veride'- " He sets forth a worthy name for his son. Repeating the gestures, words, and actions of the Queen, he lets his words turn into a warm glimmer of moonlight. "Answer only to 'Everild Wade Greenbriar'. One besides the name given to you shan't weaken, sway, nor hold authority over you." The same way it did to the princess, the grass around the little prince turned a vigorous shade, vibrant flowers sprouting from it. Forming a similar cot, the throne wrapped a branch around the prince. The King and Queen could only smile. Any words they could use was probably an understatement to the burning in their chests. ~~~~~ The Queen, King, and the royal children came out into the revelry.

Jude's foster father, former Grand General Madoc was the first to greet them. Looking intently at the boy he says "He looks very much like you, Your Majesty." he puts his gaze to Jude. "I believe so." Cardan answers in Jude's stead. "Would you like to hold them?" Jude wasn't going to ask such a thing but seeing the glint in Madoc's eyes, she felt it would be fine. "Would that be fine?" His time in the mortal world has rather calmed his want for bloodshed. It had given him time to think of what he had done, time to ease into the position of father. Holding the little prince and princess, he feels ready to embrace another position. "They're very precious." He looks alternately at the infants in his arms. More than ever, he feels he had missed so much of Elfhame. Of his foster daughter Jude. "I'm not so forgiving but, if the children are at ease with you… I'll learn." Jude tells her foster father, taking one of the infants from his arms. "You should enjoy the revelry." The King says taking the other. "I'm appreciative of the consideration your Majesties." The former General bows before blending into the crowd.

There was no wine in this celebration. All attendees were told to wear an unsparing amount of clothes. The songs sung were restrained. Still, the celebration felt just as merry as any other. ~~~~~

The King is starting to think the food he ate in the revel had some type of drug in it because even now, with sleepless nights haunting him. Cardan could not think of any better instance in his life. Having his daughter flailing her arms in his embrace, his son in his wife's arms, grabbing at her hair -- Yes, in this rather chaotic moment -- he feels as though he is walking through a grass field on a balmy summer day. And even the cold night air seeping in through the window could not overwhelm the warmth he had in his chest.

Now, poison only adds sweetness to his once bitter wine and the more he has, the more willing he is to drink.

Jude, after being costumed into a silk maroon robe, promptly excused Tatterfell. Indisposition almost instantly returned to her system after she left the water. Too many had seen her weakness and she wished for no more to see her in such a state.

She not so elegantly plopped onto the bed. The soft mattress and the cotton sheets quickly soothing her to sleep. "My beloved wife, must you really lay like that?" But, weak are the cushions against the voice of her inamorato. "Cardan..." Jude pushes herself up onto her elbows. Seeing her betrothed, she immediately feels heat crawl into her cheeks. How late he noticed my abandon of the revel. The red went back to wherever it had come. "The night is young. I doubt you had concluded that bacchanal celebration. I am fine, you should get back to the revel and perform your duties as the host." Her appearance she could keep inoffensive, her tone, however, did not have the same guise. "Have you become a terrible liar or have I become so great at discerning your lies to your truths?" Cardan laughs, striding nimbly over to his better half. Jude frowns, "Think what you will." "With pleasure, my lovely Mrs." Cardan greets Jude with a peck to her lips with which she answered with an unkind moue. "Where did you learn that term?" Jude asks as her husband tries to kiss away the crease of her brows. "I heard Vivi call Heather Mrs. Duarte, I figured it is what a married pair calls each other. You, are my Mrs. Greenbriar -- that is if you'd allow it." Jude rolls her eyes in an attempt to stop a grin. Cardan had sat down on the side of the bed, putting his hands beside her hips trapping her between them. "Go back, I truly am fine. You should enjoy the leisure." Now, Jude had faced Cardan. Planting a few pecks on his lips and cheek. "Answer me first. Do you accept my calling you Mrs. Greenbriar? My Mrs. Greenbriar?" He asks, keeping up the feverish gaze he had fixated on Jude. "We had been married beyond a decade. You had always had the right to call me your Mrs." She mentions in a matter-of-factly way. "I speak not of my right but of whether you find being Mrs. Greenbriar agreeable or not." He clears, letting the feverish gaze become more fierce. Jude is felt her qualms leaving her. "Yes. I find it agreeable." She leans over but pauses and cuts the contact. "Go back now. Our subjects are waiting." "Lies. You want me to stay." He says almost comically deadpan, smirk spreading over his lips. Silence. " Mrs. Greenbriar, Fine? Enjoy the leisure? You say that to me when, while trying to stand you had fallen back? Should I really enjoy ease and relief when my dearest, most cloying poison sat on the throne, eyes closed, face growing paler?" After a few moments of looking in each other eyes, he finally decides to hold his wife in tight hug. Rolling the two of them over so they lay on their sides. Jude could smell him. Packed soil and a lingering scent of wine. She found it most comforting. "I assure you, oh, esteemed High Queen of Elfhame. I left our dear subjects after announcing they could enjoy the 'debauch' by themselves as I would be heading to my wifey." He utters in her hair. Letting himself get a whiff of the lavender fragrance mixing with an earthy scent and another he couldn't quite place. "Wifey? Did you also hear that from Vivi and Heather?" Jude looks up to meet his eyes. "Indirectly, yes." "Indirectly?" "Through a mortal film." "Really..." Slowly their conversation becomes more and more hush until only Cardan was wakeful. After participating in all the frolicking, he presumes he smells corrupt. However, he wishes not to wake his wife. Looking at her, he realizes her calm might be his most unpleasant venom. It could drive him mad, how still very pernicious she looks even in her slumber. Admiration filled his head, spilling from his thoughts and eyes, rocking him to sleep. ~~~~~ Nausea.

Pushing the weight away from her body, she bolted to the lavatory. "Jude…" Her husband called to her, voice muffled. She tried to reply but it only made the her body convulse in a more violent manner. "Jude…" Cardan's voice got closer, added concern evident. He rubbed her back in comforting circles, pulling her hair back the way he saw in the film Vivi had shown him. "I'll be calling physician. This is not the first time and I worry that you have caught a mortal disease." Jude wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. Standing up and heading to the tub of water that is always prepared for the use of the King and Queen. "No." She declared, looking back at her spouse when she felt as fit to be seen as she can be after hurling bile into the toilet, certainty evident in her voice. "Jude." Cardan's voice came out forceful. "You are strong, to that I could personally attest to. However, I long to have my Queen for as long as I live. If you won't take care of her, let me." "Cardan. I'm fine." She wears the scowl she knows he turns hesitant toward. Opposed to the effect she wanted though, he only got more provoked. "Stop. Lying." He steps closer toward her, grabbing her arms. "If you are not comfortable with a different fae, I will call Liliver. If you don't wish for her, I will call on Taryn, Vivi or a mortal doctor if you want. I will call for help whether you want it or not." To that Jude didn't reply to. She knew it would be futile anyway and vomiting when she hadn't had anything for the past ten hours, had exhausted her. "Fine." She admits defeat That's too easy. Cardan thought. "However." There it is. He straightens himself. "However?" "I need to talk to Fand. If I don't get her report, I won't be seeing anybody." The Queen sets her conditions, The King obeys. ~~~~~ "My Queen." The knight greets the woman she serves. "Tell me. What of the girl? The cup? Did you find anything suspicious?" The Queen asks, making sure to be cautious with her words. She would rather deal with the King bringing in people to bustle about her than have him disturbing the peace of the palace for a sudden interrogation. She glances beside her, to the King; a silent warning to not mention anything of poison. "Ah.. The girl is fine. The cup had not been tampered with either." She hesitates before speaking. The King's eyes narrow with suspicion. Still, he asks none of his questions. Whatever it is, he trusts his Queen. "Very well. Go back to what you had been doing." The Queen tells her personal knight. Fand bows and leaves the room. Jude had many queries. Before she could process all of them though, the King had already made a fuss about getting a physician, writing letters to the Queen's sister and shouting orders to bring more cushions and blankets. ~~~~~

A physician, Vivi, Heather, Oak, Taryn, Taryn's daughter, Amelia, and the King are surrounding the Queen. Really, it was quite a sight. A comical one. "Auntie Jude… Are you alright?" Amelia asked Jude who was currently laying down on the bed, blankets and cushions around her body. She was fine until they decided wrapping her in a blanket and laying her down was a good idea. It was far too hot but since she could lie, why tell the truth? "Yes, I feel alright Lia. If there's anything wrong, the doctor would tell me about it." Jude smiled at Amelia. Even she herself didn't know she could give such a smile. How she was able to give something she didn't have, she didn't know. "It's just morning sickness." The physician finally said. "Morning sickness? Is it an Ailment that develops in the morning?" Vivi's mouth gaped open, Heather squealed, Oak looked up from the device he had in his hands, and Taryn held her youngest sister's hand, muttering congratulations repeatedly. Amelia copied her mother. Jude and Cardan? Well, they didn't understand what all of that meant. The physician understood the regard with which the King and Queen gave him and explained that the Queen is likely with child.

Jude looked at her husband. Cardan looked at his wife. Everything around them stopped. the way it would in films.

If it was possible for happiness to overfill a creature, that was how Cardan felt. He had always envied people who had children, wondered how it would be to take care of a child of his own. Fantasize about how him and Jude together would look like. And now, now he would see the mini them. He could take care of his own child. He was going to be a father.

Tears welled up in Jude's eyes. It was happy tears, she was sure. Afterall, every so often, when her day was rather somber, she wonders if she was barren. She had always envied Taryn for having Amelia. But now, now she was going to have her Amelia. She had a life inside her. She was going to be a mother.

POST TQN || Set 9 years after TQN (Jude and Cardan should be around 27/28 and 28/29 respectively) (From what I got, the things that happened in TWK and TQN were 2 years long? The story started with Jude being 17 so if it was 2 years then she'd be 19 by the end of TQN. Cardan is supposed to be a year and a half older so he should be around 20 yrs old.)

Description: This is me saying sorry for this fanfic ;) Synopsis: Jude Duarte thinks she is poisoned. She feels sick? It must be the poison. She eats more? It must be because the poison made her weak. She missed her period? Yeah, must have been the poison. Was she poisoned? You guessed it! No! Word count: 1, 172

Currently, the High King of Elfhame is showing his generosity. Honeysuckle wine is being unsparingly distributed through the revel. The floral-honey smell of the wine was pleasant that said, the Queen found the aroma too sweet for her liking. From afar Jude Duarte sees her husband talking to Lord Roiben of the Court of Termites. Their expressions leaving no hint of the matter they are talking about. "Sir Fand." She calls to the blue skinned pixie. "Yes, my Queen?" The pixie answered, not a second wasted. "Check on the girl who tasted my wine. If she's unharmed, inspect my glass. Do your best not to disturb the revel." The female knight immediately left to do as she is told. Suspicion plagued Jude's mind. Fae are still trying their luck at killing her. Going at her neck when they can. The High Queen starts to feel nauseated. She put her elbow onto the handrest of the throne, resting her head on her palms she closed her eyes. Jude Duarte dislikes feeling weak in any way. She especially detests it when she does not know why she feels like such. Why did she even stop mithridatism? If she hadn't, she would feel normal now. Notice nothing of the poison. Good as new. As comfortable as an infant in a cot. "Jude? Are you alright? You don't look well." She heard a voice say from behind the throne. She does not recognize it but assumes it is Liliver. "I am well. It just seems to me that the revel is a bit... Spirited." The Queen remarked, keeping her eyes closed, brows furrowing. The creatures in the festivity became too talkative for the Queens approval. She'd like to make merry some more, with the ache of her body and the noisiness however, she found it hard to do. Letting their subjects see their Queen sitting down on the throne with a scowl would ruin the entertainment they are having. Though it might as well be an excuse the Queen tells herself, to avoid disclosing the fact that she finds warming the throne tiring. "I'm heading to our chambers." She stood up, almost falling from the sudden movement. Reflexes acting fast, she catches herself by leaning onto a firm object behind her. "Let me offer some help, Your Majesty." The current Grand General, Grima Mog, supports her Queen by her arms. Thank you. Even after many years spent in Elfhame, the Queen can't seem to let go of the mortal habit she had picked up. Luckily, she felt too sick to even move her mouth more than a small crack. Only managing a nod in reply to the redcap. How surprising... Cardan hasn't noticed..? ~~~~~

"I hope you don't mind my dishonoring the title of High Queen." Jude says as she gets helped onto the mattress. "I do not min-" "It wouldn't please me for word to reach the ears of the Fae." She says now looking in the eyes of the green skinned Folk in front of her. It isn't that the Queen does not trust her General. It is only that in the world of Faeries, such words are more powerful than any intimidation. It reminds her of that phrase she saw on Heather's shirt once... 'Sorry not sorry' was it? Grima Mog shows a teethy grin to the mortal she serves. Jude Duarte smiles at the redcap who aids her. "Do call Tatterfell for me." "Yes my Queen." The General bows to Jude before heading out. Jude relaxes into the cushions, laying down and closing her eyes again. She tries to recall what made her tired -- She hadn't done much today -- She woke up, got ready, ate, attended a few meetings, prepared for the revel, ate, drank wine, and now she's back in their chambers. She was only seventeen hours through her day... But then again she hasn't been able to get an adequate amount of sleep for the last couple of days. Did I ingest the poison a few days ago? She thinks. I did miss my period... But that might be caused by my meager amount of slumber. "Lassie. What do you think you're doing, being in such a scandalous position?" Jude opens her eyes, immediately seeing the elder imp. Her debt to Madoc had ended yet she stays with Jude. It makes the High Queen smile. But then she notices the position she is in; legs wide open, golden skirt gathered on her thighs, arms splayed. Suddenly, she feels not so great of a Queen. Warmth rushing to her cheeks she stands up, slowly making her way to the vanity.

Tatterfell brushes the Queen's hair, removing the horns, and brushing her cascading, currently, very curly hair.

"Would you like to bathe?" The imp makes eye contact with Jude through the mirror. Jude nods. Tatterfell frowns. "You should've said so earlier then. You might be the High Queen but you have to learn to consider the work other have to do." The imp walks over to the door calling for somebody to prepare the bath for the Queen, quickly. Jude chuckles. The Fae had become closer to her than she had expected. She presumes maybe the imp also started to feel attached to her, being more talkative and all.

When Tatterfell comes back she helps the Queen out her golden dress. Feeling the roughness of the imps hand became a very familiar sensation for Jude. Almost as familiar as Cardan's.

Cardan... Has Cardan not noticed my withdrawing from the revel? It displeased her to think such thoughts. Why? Why has he not noticed? Has being married for so long caused him to tire of her? Had she kissed him too many times?

...Wow... The High Queen of Elfhame saw her naked form on the mirror. She shone like a star, literally. Her skin glowed and even now as she felt tired, her eyes gleamed. She felt beautiful, looked beautiful. "Your Majesty, the bath is ready." An attendant announced from behind the door. Tatterfell and Jude headed to the bath. When she sunk into the pleasantly temperate water she instantly felt her limbs relax. Being in the same position she once was as Madoc's mortal bastard, she felt nostalgic. "You smell different, child." Had Tatterfell not commented such, maybe now the Queen would be crying from sentimentality. "How so?" Jude asked the imp, holding her legs closer to her chest. She felt sudden shyness washing over her. Was she foul-smelling? She bathed pretty often though... "Oh, don't act like that." Tatterfell removed her hands from the Queen's hair. "You smell very much of life was what I supposed." The imp continued applying fragrant oils to her hair. Relief glided through Jude's body. ... Huh? "Life? What do you mean?" She turns back to face the imp. Confusion evident in her features. "I meant what I said. Think of it as you will." Subsequently, the Queen does just that. Pondering about what smelling of life implies for the last few minutes she spends in the bath.

A Jurdan playlist because why not

Ya'll, listen to skin by Donna Missal and tell me it doesn't describe Jude in exile.

Sometime in TWK || Word count: (I don't think I was able to explain what I think would happen properly but you get the idea right? XD)

Jude is sick

but like always

she didn't care.

Why should she?

She has a whole Kingdom to rule over and an alcoholic teenager to take care of.

So, she continued with her day. Attending meetings, getting disrespected, doing paper works, getting irritated, seeing said alcoholic teenager set fire to a room, getting baffled.

Ya' know?

Normal 18-year-old girl stuck in a horror wonderland thing.

Then it came to the nth meeting of the day

And no, ten hours haven't passed yet.

Cardan,

who was the aforementioned alcoholic teenager-adult abnormality.

is attending the meeting.

How lucky?

No.

No she isn't lucky.

That drunk is only attending because he wants to see irritate Jude.

Anyway, after an irritating hour, the meeting ends.

She hasn't committed treason. (Now, this is what we could call lucky)

So she stands up to leave.

"Is this why you had no reaction to my so called tomfoolery?"

she turns around.

"What do you mean?"

He stands up

"Who did it?"

By now she's really just confused.

Then he says

"Who stabbed you?"

and then the Bomb comes in

She's behind Jude

"Uhhh... Jude? You have something on your trousers..."

Only then did she realize that her cycle started earlier than she had expected.

"It's not a stab."

"Then what is it? An open wound? Who wounded you? The Ghost? Or was it because you were being stupid again?"

"No. It's a thing women from the mortal realm experience. Since you know not about it, you must be the moronic one between the two of us."

And then they just stare at each other until Jude leaves or when the Bomb or Cardan says something.

To Love or To Be Loved

@fantasyfox10123

Description: Revised version of 'Of spilt wine and flowers'. This one will be a series but it would *probably* be less than 10 chapters. I have always wanted to give Cardan a 'Good King' fanfic, this request gave me the chance. BTW, I also think that Cardan is a dork but in terms of Kingly duties, I believe he only denies it because he was forced to do it but from the start, if he had wanted to I think he would do great, like really great. So, here from the start(? You be the judge whether I made Cardan a great king from the start or not), Cardan is already a great King it just came out more because of the ✨things✨ that happen. Also, kinda realized the land became more like a big Casita that only Jurdan could talk to rather than Jurdan being able to control the weather XD. Synopsis: Loving her would always end in his destruction. He knew that. Not taking risks though, would mean his giving her up. An act he doesn't dare do. Felicitous Ruination: A tale of Love and Hate. Word count: 1, 457

Ch. #1: Lucidity of the King (Next ch. ->)

The High King is moping again. His body is in the meeting with the court officials. It's drinking wine, actually. The officials were not sure, though, whether it was consciously or out of habit. His head? Well, it is high in the clouds. So high, even his title couldn't compare. Really, he's been like that since he exiled his seneschal. Why? The High Court presumes he hates the meetings —He's always disliked going to them, even before the banishment, and the officials believe that having no one to go in his place made him miserable —They're starting to have a harder time trying to understand how such a princeling became the High King... Must have been a miracle- "Jude..." The sounds of the letters were garbled but were nonetheless understood. Fala, the court jester, guffawed when the not-so-mighty High King of Elfhame started pecking at the goblet in his hands. The King looked up. His glower silenced the room. "Let the meeting end here." He declares while gracefully but abruptly rising from his seat. The officials will have yet another hard time figuring out how he manages to be drunk, abnormal, and graceful simultaneously. ~~~~~ The King had tears in his eyes, rummaging through his drawers for a piece of parchment and a pen. He's become unsure whether the items vaporized or if it was his tears blurring his vision and disabling him from seeing properly. Both, he didn't care about. A mere few hours was all he had to call the woman he had married his wife. He had wanted to give her what she deserved, to profess his love, and, yes, he knew better, but he also wanted to defend her from anybody who would behave the way he had. In spite of his desire, she was ripped away from him the next day. He himself was forced to do so. Because if it had not been him, it would have been them humiliating her. He had planned only to punish her lightly, but the eyes that had watched him had expressed the want to do away with her. Giving her a penalty with a loophole was the only thing he could have done. Jude Duarte had always been an astute woman. So, why now, of all times, has she not figured it out? Why is she not back? The King's tears fell. He found what he was looking for. He looked out the window. He feels sorry for his subjects who suffer the occurrences of storms. He desires for them to not experience such harshness. If the elements depend on him and his Queen, though, he'll just have to think of ways to atone for his fault. A cold wind swayed the trees... He had begged for her, degraded himself, brought out all the words he knew to coax her into coming back, and now he was at his wit's end. Now, the only thing filling his head was her name. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. He wrote a line of her name, cursing when the pen broke. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. He wrote another line, saying it as he committed the name so fatally beautiful on paper. If it meant her coming back, he would be more than willing to take over all the fatigue-inducing work. Rain fell as hard as the King's tears... The High King of Elfhame looked the mess he was, hunched over his desk, black tracks running down his face, hand grasping his temples as if the action would keep him sane. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE.JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE.JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE.JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE.JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. He wrote as many lines of her name as the paper could fit. He feels the land quake. It could be his heartache, maybe her anger... Or maybe something has happened to her. Cardan's repugnance toward the notion grew the more he tried not to think of it. JUDE. PLEASE. JUDE. He had thoughtlessly scribbled the words on the paper. He runs a hand through his hair, wipes the kohl from his cheeks, clearing his throat before he calls for a servant to deliver the letter to the mortal realm. Regaining his proudness in a span of seconds.

Even with red eyes, Cardan had an air of regality. Talking even in a broken voice, he intimidates whoever dares look his way.

~~~~~

"Read the star charts." He commands the Royal astrologer, who was still scrambling to his feet to greet the King. "None of that." The King tells him. "Look at what the stars have to say." he repeats.

Baphen opens his mouth to speak. The King raises a brow. Baphen closes his mouth.

Description: I'm really going a bit crazy with the 'Jurdan can control the weather' thingy...

Synopsis: Cardan was a good King and Husband. Cardan WAS a good King and Husband. Well, times change. Or -- In which Cardan doesn't get the ending that he wanted.

Tags: Major character death || Alternate Universe - I created it but I hope it never exists || It doesn't end well || I warned you.

Word count: 3, 767

Dark clouds had been coming and going in the Kingdom of Elfhame. Almost every day it looked as though rain was threatening to fall. It never did, at least for the first two months. Today was the end of those two months.

Everybody has their eyes on the High King. Well, their eyes had always been on him. Perhaps to look for a weakness, an opening to slay him. Maybe a way to charm him, to climb up into a high rank. Currently, however, they are looking at him to see if he feels dissatisfaction.

The storm must be caused by the King's displeasure. His subjects thought as one.

Still, when they looked at him. He showed no sign of irritation. He looked the way he did as a princeling. Only more powerful, intimidating, and a tad more regal.

Thunder shook the ground. Women and children at the revel exclaimed.

"My King!" The doors to the throne room opened, revealing a royal astrologer whose face was blanketed in horror. Horror that was not at all there, even as he prophesied an ill-starred prince. Whatever news he carries, it most probably is not a good one. Seeing such a sight made the boy King, as some refer to him, sit up straight in his seat. An action he jumps to do only when his wife is the one barging-- no, entering the room.

The royal astrologer takes long strides, not of pride but rather of urgency. He stops just in front of the dais. "My King, please forgive my impertinence. I --" He tries to apologize, only to be cut off. "Get to the point." The High King demanded. Baphen glanced behind him. He needed not to talk about his concern; his King understood. He was, after all, a good leader. "I am saddened to end our revel so early in the night, but alas, it seems to me that something urgent has come to happen in my leisure. If you will, my dear subjects, Will you allow me to postpone our revel at a later date?" Cardan asks his people. For a bit of time, there were only murmurs. Cardan kept his eyes on his people. It was soft, really, the way he looked at them. It was only with time that his gaze hardened. One of the Fae seems rational enough to want to keep his body and head intact. He bows, and as if willed by the action, the others follow. In no time, only Cardan, Baphen, and the King's knights remained in the throne room.

Cardan sat back down on his throne. "Now tell me," He said, "What urgent news you wanted to tell me so badly that you interrupted my revel."

"I truly apologize, Your Majesty." Thunder shook the walls and the bright lightning illuminated the knights' armors. "I'm afraid this storm is no ordinary one." The royal astrologer stated, peeling his eyes from the King, instead looking out the window, into the murky view outside of the palace.

"Hmm... It seems so." Cardan told the astrologer with a mocking tone.

"It is, Your Majesty. I had read the stars just tonight, out of curiosity about what is happening to our beautiful land." Baphen looked at his King again.

"I see you have also heard about the dying lands." Cardan tries to mask his worry. He is alright. He is doing fine. He longs for her, sure. Yet, even though the words' long for 'is an understatement of what he feels, it is not enough to turn the lands into this. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. JUDE. He repeats her name in his head like a mantra or a prayer. As if doing so would alter what he worries about.  Jude got hurt. The land had already chosen her as its Queen the second he put the ring on her finger. When they lay in their bed, sharing chaste kisses, things they hadn't known about the other. His Faerie sight showed him red flowers blooming once, twice, thrice, many times on the bedpost. A sign of passion, excitement, and love. When he exiled Jude the next day, they were replaced by thick vines that had thorns. Hatred. He angered Jude. Jude hated him. Jude even when banished, had affected the land. If it is not him causing this, then it is her.

Baphen only nodded. "A clock ticks for three fortnights. Separated, the land rots in preparation for mourning. The stars had told me so." Baphen tells his King.

"There is a third part that stated;  a new High Queen of royal blood shall be gifted to Elfhame shall we persevere." Baphen continues. Despite delivering good news, he does not appear to be happy.

Cardan's heart dropped. He didn't feel joyous at the news either. Had there not been anybody besides him in his rule, it would have been better news than it is now. It won't be good news then, but it would make for a better instance than now when he still has a Queen who was chosen by the land itself. A Queen who vowed to be beside him until life ends.

"I'm heading to the mortal realm." He had stood up so fast that the knights and Baphen had no chance to stop him.

The storm was at its strongest. Traveling now would mean risking his life. Unfortunately, love made him blind.

~~~~~

As he arrived at Vivi's apartment. Even far away, he could hear an ear-piercing sound that went up and down and up and down. Red and blue tinted almost everything.

He went closer to the crowd surrounding a metal box that seemed to be used for transportation.

He was taller than the mortals that surrounded him, so he saw. He saw, with nothing blocking his view, that terrifying scene in front of him; Jude. His Queen, one chosen by the land. His wife. A woman obstinate as a bull, persistent as a sword. Lying on a bed of some type, bleeding from her side. Gashes and bruises all over her body. Seeing her bleed is nothing new. Seeing her covered in blood isn't new either. Seeing her covered in her blood is.

Red starts to overpower blue.

He spots Vivi talking to a man. She had tear stains on her cheeks, some more in her eyes threatening to fall. Oak held onto her, shoulders shaking, face buried in his step-sisters' stomach. He comes closer. "V- Vivi... What happened--- What happened to Jude?" The High King seldom stutters. Right now, however, he feels not ready to hear what happened to his wife, even so, still wants to know. The Faerie raised her head at the familiar voice. Her expression instantly turned into one of wrath. "You, it was because of you!" The tears in Vivi's eyes finally fell. Oak looked up. When he saw Cardan, his face lit up. Hearing what Vivi says next makes Oak look at him with almost the same amount of anger as Vivi had. "You crowned her only to humiliate her, you piece of shit!" "Why did you do that, uncle Cardan?" Oak didn't have too close of a relationship with Jude. Saying that he didn't love Jude however, would be a big lie. "Is that why Jude always cried? Because you hurt her?" Oak continued. Hearing that Cardan almost stepped back. He was not ready. Not ready at all... "Jude went on suicide missions every day to forget you and your selfishness. If anything happens to her now, I will not hesitate to kill you." Vivi looked ready to do that now but it seems Cardan could do so by himself. Had he not exiled her this would not have happened. Had he at least explained, this wouldn't have happened. "We're heading to the hospital." a man in a white coat told them. "May I go with you?" Had the Fae in Elfhame heard that they would not believe it is the same King that had made another island rise from the sea. The Faerie holding onto her brother's hand only stared at the King with tears running down his face. She just turned to the metal box where Jude was getting put in. Cardan tried to follow, waiting for a reaction, but nothing came. He continued into the transportation. He was thankful that the Faerie let him go with them. Vivi, on the other hand, didn't feel pity, it was so that if Jude died she could kill him too.

~~~~~

The three waited outside until they were called into a room.

Cardan hated to see Jude connected to those machines. Cardan hated that Jude's hair was not as shiny, that she had lost so much weight, and that it was him that caused her to look like this. Cardan hated what he did to Jude. Cardan hated himself.

Oak didn't like to see Jude like this. To Oak, Jude is strong. She was never in pain and even if she was, Oak never felt it because even when she cried, she was strong. Even as she came home with bruises, she was strong. Now, Jude seemed vulnerable. Not weak, just very, very, incredibly vulnerable. He didn't like that. If such a strong person looks like that, it can only mean they are in great pain. Then for it to be the creature he favored that caused it, he didn't like either. Oak felt no more affinity toward Cardan.

Vivi saw Cardan clasping Jude's hands. She had never seen Cardan bawl his eyes out that much, but nonetheless, it did not change her desire to do away with him. She liked Cardan, at least a bit. But she cares about Jude. She didn't know that Cardan had climbed over the walls of her sister's heart. Walls that block even her and Taryn at times. When she did discover, however, it had already been too late because Jude, who showed up at her apartment, eyes puffy and visibly worn, had almost no emotion in her eyes. After a few days, she started going out, coming home with bruises if not injuries.  When she doesn't do that, she's holed up in her room. The Jude Vivi saw was unrecognizable. The ambitious Jude became desperate simply because a wit-less, dry-brained, over-grown boy like Cardan broke her walls down to shatter her next. Vivi, more than ever, felt the blood of a redcap running in her veins.

~~~~~

Jude saw a glimpse of black beside her, two figures on a sofa beneath her; one sitting up with their heads bowed and the other laying down on their lap. Jude felt weak and very tired. Her whole body was aching. She had just been kidnapped by the undersea, only taking a few days to heal, before she started to brawl with degenerated Fae in the mortal realm. She shouldn't have done that. She still wanted to see Oak grow. To protect Taryn from Locke. To see Vivi and Heather. To tell Cardan she loved him. Really, she should've taken the chance to tell him about that... She didn't like the tightening in her chest. She didn't like feeling dizzy and short of breath either.

I don't want to... Not yet...

~~~~~

The three Fae were woken up by the continuous beeping of the heart rate monitor.

The lines started to take more likeness to waves rather than the jagged edges of a cliff. Cardan panicked, Oak cried, and Vivi called for a doctor. The waves started to become smaller, smaller, and smaller. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. JUDE. JUDE. JUDE. PLEASE. JUDE. PLEASE. NO. JUDE. His wife's name came out of his mouth like a wish for his fear to not happen. But then only Oak and Cardan's sobs filled the room. When Cardan looked up at the machine, all he saw was a straight line. He heard Vivi tell Oak that the green strand that was like an unevenly serrated edge of a knife was Jude's heartbeat...  If it did not look like such, what would that line mean? Doctors came in. Cardan swears he saw a tinge of pity glide over their faces. Vivi told Oak and Cardan to get away from Jude. Though she also had tears in her eyes and that she might even be the one sobbing the loudest. Everything goes fast. They use a needle to inject some type of liquid into Jude. Another doctor pushes her chest down. When the panic goes down, Cardan can't process anything. Only that Vivi was on top of him shouting inaudible things at him, the doctors were trying to stop her, and Oak had gone to Jude's side, shaking, crying, sobbing more than ever.

Jude died.

His dearest undoing won't be there anymore. Gone, she seeped through his hands like fine sand.

~~~~~

Jude, oh, Jude, The precious High Queen of the Fae. -The wind blew. The poison to High King Cardan's wine. -The land shook. Life to the corroded lands of Elfhame.  -The sea grew wild. Has perished. - The wind, land, and sea chorused, showing respect to their befallen queen.

Blowing, bringing clouds of storm; You showed no adherence to your Queen. The wind raged. Rotting, a plague taking over; You jest of your Queen. The land split. Flooding, drowning all life in its way; You have shown disregard to your Queen. The sea spilled You killed your Queen. The wind, land, and sea chorused, showing their anger in the stead of their befallen queen.

The subjects of Elfhame suffer the consequences of their negligence.

~~~~~

Cardan didn't know how he escaped the wrath of a redcap but in a matter of hours, he is back in Elfhame. Back in their Kingdom. Now, only his Kingdom.

The King feels numb.

His shoulders heavy, his chest constricting, his feet leaden, his recollection blurry.

It must be a dream. Right, it is but a dream. A bad dream to help me realize the value of my Queen.

And so the King heads to his chambers. Ignoring the cries for help coming from his 'dear' subjects. He notices not the difference in the Kingdom he rules over. ~~~~~ The King wakes up, cold sweat lining his limbs. He had dreamed that Jude had been alive and that she woke him up from a nightmare terrorized slumber. He almost rejoiced but even in his dreams, Jude bled to her demise. The undersea. Invite the undersea for a revel. A voice in his head told him. It was a warm voice, the voice he heard when his Queen said her vows. Charming. Cardan's shaking lips formed a lopsided smile.

~~~~~ "My respected Queen of the undersea, Rejoice we must. The..." He winces as if writing the words hurt him physically. The traitor has died at the hands of a mortal disease. He had wished to write. He couldn't. It hurt. It was his wife he was writing about. She was his demise sure, still, the fact just made her so much better. So much more lovely. He crumples the paper and throws it in the fire. How dare he. Jude Duarte shan't ever be spoken about in that way. Not even by him. He sighs, tears falling down his cheeks. Cheeks that once upon a time, felt Jude's warm lips... Cold it is now. He wants to joke and laugh. The thought, however, only made his sorrow burrow deeper into him. His sobs start to fill the room. Even as he covered his face with his hands the sobs were ever so stubborn -- Like Jude -- Oh, oh, how he hated it. "Your Majesty? Are you alright? You have been screaming and striking at things since a while ago." Only when The Ghost asked him did he feel the soreness of his throat, the pain of his fist, the sting of his neck, and the damage to the table and handrest of his seat. "I feel as good as a tree in winter." He wanted to say he was fine, since it won't leave his though, it must be a lie. The Ghost says nothing more. The High King of Elfhame goes to the mirror. He sees himself more worn out than paper filled with words front and back. His eyes rimmed with red rather than gold, black tracks running down his face, scratch marks on his neck, blood and ink mixing on his right hand. Behind his reflection, he saw what has happened to their formerly green land. He turned and walked over to the window. It had not been raining anymore yet the scene he sees before him seems gloomier than when he left. The land was devoid of color, soil full of cracks, trees only twigs. What has he done? To himself, his Queen, and their land? Why did he exile her? Why did he have to ruin what they had? Invite the undersea for a revel. The voice told him again. This time it pushed him to finish. "My respected Queen of the undersea, Rejoice we must. The former Seneschal of mine, Jude Duarte. Has reached the end of her mortal life in the mortal realm..." It hurt him, those words. Still, he had to continue. "My respected Queen of the undersea, Rejoice we must. The former Seneschal of mine, Jude Duarte. Has reached the end of her mortal life in the mortal realm. I invite you to celebrate with me. I would also like to accept the precious princess Nicasia of the Undersea as my Queen to show my gratitude toward you and your people.

With all due respect to the venerable Queen of the Undersea, Cardan Greenbriar, High King of the land" He expects not the sea Folk to accept his invitation. Just the same, he had everything prepared. While what he asked for was getting readied he talked to his people, calming them down and reassuring them. He attended more meetings than ever, listened to all the problems of those underneath him and started calming the mourning land. ~~~~~ The day of the revel quickly approached. In no time, the King is already preparing to face his subjects. ~~~~~ "I greet the Folk of the Undersea. Welcome back to the magnanimous lands of Elfhame. I believe our last meeting has not been pleasant and so I wish to correct my mistake. Let us all celebrate the acceptance of a new High Queen." He gestures over to Nicasia. "And the..." He pauses, "The death of my traitorous former Seneschal. Let us drink in commemoration to such a special day." He raises his glass, the folk following. The revel went on. Nicasia went to the High King's side. "It was smart of you to dispose of that mortal refuse." Her voice proud as ever. It took Cardan all his might not to slam his goblet of wine onto Nicasia's head. "Truthfully." His voice came out more guttural than he anticipated. He is talking to the woman who hit Jude. The shrew who bruised his wife. The traitor who harmed the High Queen's body. He peeled his gaze from Nicasia. Instead focusing in front of him. His eyes landed on the Queen of the Undersea. Their eyes met, He smiled at her. She's the Fae who brought Jude back, thin, pale, and unhealthy... Cardan tries his best not to scowl. ....... The..... He.... No murderer...

He is no murderer... But what exactly counts as murder? The sea will only be receiving the punishment for causing the loss of his wife, their Queen. It is not murder. It is merely an execution. There was a sudden gust of air to his right, then the smell of iron filled his nose, liquid falling down his cheeks. He hasn't moved yet? "THE PRINCESS!" He looks beside him. Oh. A thick vine from the ground pierced the princess of the Undersea. He didn't do that. The land must've heard his thoughts. "It seems the Undersea angered the land." Cardan stood up. "Harming it's chosen Queen doesn't seem to be such a great idea now does it?" Orlagh opens her mouth. A branch from a tree outside broke the window, stabbed her right in the heart, and went back out. The Queen of the Undersea falls. Her blood spilling on the soil. The Sea Folk try to rush out of the room but a thick bush covered the door. It was the only thing Cardan commanded the land to do. He sat back down onto the throne as he watched the ground break in half to ingurgitate the Folk. Amidst all the screams, some tried to get to him, as retaliation. The knight's tried to slayed them. "At ease!" The King commanded. He is no murderer. He is only executing the antagonists who went between him and his Queen, personally. He took a sword from one of his knights, swinging it rather recklessly towards his foe, but nevertheless, killing them. He felt unlike himself. He felt that all he wanted to do was slay those in front of him. To spill their blood the way they did to his Queen. He swung and spiked rashly at his opponent, sight going black with rage. By the end of his spectacle, even his knights, he had done to death.

POST TQN || Word count: 655

Last night the High King and Queen had a really cute moment.

They were having the conversations they needed.

Being all sweet and stuff.

So, Cardan, obviously, he expected to wake up with Jude giving him kisses or Jude smiling up at him while they cuddled.

You know? A fluffy morning for a fluffy night.

But when he woke up, his queen wasn't there anymore.

Sure, she was just at the table.

Sure, the table was just a few meters away.

Sure, he didn't even need to lift his head from their pillows to see her.

BUT WHY WAS SHE NOT BESIDE HIM???

Why was she doing those --- those political whatchamacallits, first thing in the morning instead of big spoonin-- SNUGGLING. Snuggling with him???

He was just thinking but he was still stuttering cuz it was just THAT absurd.

"Cardan, why do you look at me as though I'm committing treason?"

He scoffed at her.

SHE DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT HIM! SHE WAS RIGHT! TREASON! IT WAS TREASON. (he won't be punishing her though)

He turned away from her.

"We have a revel to attend. It would do us good to start getting ready. Now."

He turned to face her again.

Still pouting and frowning at her though.

But then their eyes met.

She wore the same expression as she had last night.

The King thinks he fell in love again.

"Together?"

He wanted to say so many things but it was the only thought that verbalized itself.

He sat himself up, feet on the floor, hands on the bed beside his thighs.

"Bathing, getting clothed, face and hair. We could do it by ourselves, without Tatterfell, if you want. We could do all of it together." She smiled at him.

He didn't know when she got so close to him.

Next thing he knows he had his hands on her waist, while she cupped and planted kisses everywhere on his face.

Kissing him then pausing to look at him in the eyes then kissing him again.

Cardan wasn't used to this kind of Jude.

Still, he won't complain.

"Good morning, you boneheaded asshat." ah... The King's Jude is back.

Cardan smiled.

The High queen called for the bath to be prepared.

While waiting... Let's just say the High King and Queen's eyes landed on each other and they ended up in a position where the High Queen is propped up on the table, the High King's waist between her legs, hand on his shoulders and another around his neck. Both eating at each others lips.

The servant informs them that their bath is ready

and because the Queen can lie, she tells herself that it's fine.

The High King? Yeah, he's trying his best not to banish that servant.

As the High Queen washed her Kings hair, she couldn't help but look at his eyes. Eyes she'd never forget even after her mortal life ends.

As the High King helped his Queen into her dress, he couldn't help but smile at how lethal she looked. So lethal he could look at her a thousand times and he'd fall just as many times if not more.

As Jude applied gold powder on her husbands cheekbones and as Cardan fixed his wife's hair, they couldn't stop thinking about how much their relationship changed.

As the spy and the cruel prince put crowns on each others heads, they couldn't help but say words they never thought they'd direct at each other. I love you.

Now words they can't go a day without telling each other.

They headed to the revel with hands intertwined.

Their names were announced, the doors were opened, and their people showed respect.

As my Queen deserves. Cardan looks over to his wife.

The High Queen of Elfhame smiles

She felt respected. Appreciated. Loved.

His morning didn't turn out the way he had expected.

Still.

The High King of Elfhame couldn't be happier.

Or Maybe he could be...

“Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It's disgusting, and I can't stop.” - Cardan Greenbriar to Jude Duarte

“I hate you so much that sometimes I can’t think of anything else.” - Jude Duarte to Cardan Greenbriar

DESCRIPTION:

I got the idea from my last post. Jude and Cardan being able to control the weather with their mood. I kind of went a little crazy with my imagination and somehow altered (almost) everything about the original story… I also kinda made this because the fact that if Jude stays in Faerie for maybe a few hundred years and somebody drags her to the mortal world she would turn to dust right away because time would run for her again. I doubt Cardan would let that happen or that she would let that happen but I just need reassurance 😔😖🤧

Faerie!Jude (Might turn into a series or maybe just a compilation of scenes in an alternate universe where Jude is born almost fully Fae.)

P.S. If you could tell me what you think/places where you think I could improve in -- maybe it's my grammar, my use of words, or anything at all -- I'd really appreciate it :)

P.S.S. Tell me if you spotted a YOUR THRONE reference ;>

SYNOPSIS:

Jude is resentful of being born a Faerie. She hates how they look at her and how they speak of her. For all that, she can’t seem to let go of the land that makes her livid.

TAGS:

Alternate universe - Jude is born only 1/4 human and the rest is Fae || Scenario || High  Queen Jude || Jude’s mom is half Fae || Romance || Maybe fluff in the future

Word count: 3, 272

Can also be read here (Canva) (Docs)

Ch. #1: A Mortal Fae (Next Ch. ->)

JUDE is staring at a reflection in the Lake of Masks. It’s another of ‘those’ days. Again, I hate myself. I hate my father for killing my mother and my mother for being stupid enough to anger a redcap. I hate that they were careless enough to let the situation get so out of hand that even as his anger has gone, as she was six feet under, their children are still affected by the phantom of what they did. Even now, fifteen years after, rumors still go around about a half-fae, half-human wife of a red cap trying to run away with a mortal man for the second time only to get slain.  But of course, it would be talked about. The scene took place at a revel. A mortal man, holding the hand of a five-year-old Faerie, the well-known wife of the High General, carrying a pair of twin two-year-old toddlers. Only a few Fae had seen the actual thing happen. Still, who lied to you and said that Fae were private creatures? They have mouths after all, why not put it to good use? Thus, word spread.

JUDE stood up and headed home. I took my time walking through the trees. I breathed in the early morning scent. Faeries are nocturnal creatures. Most of them are asleep. I should be asleep. I’m one of them, after all. No, Fae is in my blood, but other than my horns, all of me looks human. The curves in my body could probably attest to that. Round breast, a curve in my waist and hip, thick legs, and full arms. Faes have flat bodies. I have features that are seemingly appropriate in both worlds, yet I’m still just a piece of a puzzle that fits perfectly but makes the whole image abnormal. I look human, but without glamour, people would be sure to give me a look. I could pretend my horns are part of a costume, but humans are curious creatures. Even as part of a costume they would take interest in my horns. In Elfhame, my head is the only thing Fae. In either, I would be found to be bizarre, strange, peculiar, an unnatural oddball.

JUDE reached her destination. I headed straight to my room. Careful not to wake anyone. When I reach my room, I jump into bed without changing my clothes. I would have to wake up later anyway. I could just wash up then. Right, I’ll sleep now to relieve myself of the things that tire me, to wake up again later to face the things I wanted to relieve myself of.

JUDE was woken up by Tatterfell. I woke up just as the sun was saying farewell. The sky was tinted with shades of yellow, red, and orange. It looked like fire. Fire, I hope to feel before I sleep again later. "You should wash your face before the water goes cold." Tatterfell’s voice broke my train of thought.  I look at the small silver tub with a gold rim before dipping my hand in to test the water. The warm water felt nice. I must be really tired. I never thought that bathing or washing myself was a good thing. It felt more like a chore, time wasted. Had it not been for hygiene, I don’t think I would have done it. My mouth formed a small smile by itself at the thought. How amusing; I find my own thoughts laughable. I cup my hands to scoop the water and lean in closer to the small tub so as not to wet my dress. I dry my face and head to the bath that Tatterfell prepared. When I’m done, I get into a pleated rose beige-colored dress. It has a V-neck that, fortunately, shows little of my cleavage. It had bell-type sleeves. It was a simple dress. "Can you wrap my horns in some hair?" I asked Taterfell, who was currently hooking a pointed cincher around my waist. "So you assume that I can refuse?" Silence "Of course." I say, more steadily than I heard the voice in my head say it. "I can't, child. I have a debt to pay. " She says, finishing up the cinchers. Contrary to her tone, she ushered me softly toward the vanity and did as I had requested. 

JUDE and Taryn headed to Noggle’s class. Breakfast was good. The cook did a great job today. "The dress… It looks really good on you. You look fresh…" Taryn told me in a hushed voice. I looked over to her and saw that she was already looking at me. Our eyes met, and we burst into a fit of giggles. Really, it’s nice to have a person who can give such compliments. 

JUDE and Taryn arrived. Though we gained a few stares from the other Fae, we were lucky enough to not be faced by Cardan and his lackeys when we arrived. Anyway, getting watched like that was a normal thing for us. I saw a free place to lay our blanket. I pointed it to Taryn, then we started to fix our place to make it comfortable enough. "You two make even the dustiest corner seem extravagant with how unpleasantly basic you are." A proud voice carried through the air. Taryn put her hand over mine. "You're wrinkling the blanket." she whispered. My hand relaxed and my jaw felt lighter. I must have tensed up. I turn to face Cardan. I want to punch that smirk off his face. "Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment. " I can’t help the smile that crawls over my face when I see their expressions turn into scowls. Valerian looked especially bitter. I felt the need to keep talking. "Our being basic, differing from the place must mean we look unique. You must be really forgettable if you can’t stand out in plain surroundings." I tease, fake pity evident in my voice. THUMP. I felt pain in my back, pressure on my wrists, and weight on my torso that wasn’t mine. Valerian tackled me and is currently on top of me. I saw a glimpse of the Fae around us. Most were smiling and leering. Some didn’t care. Cardan’s face is unreadable, Locke looked worried, Nicasia looked satisfied. Valerian… He was seething. "Valerian, Jude didn’t mean it!" Taryn said, urgency in her tone. "Cardan! Please stop him! Please, we’re sorry! " Taryn sounds like she isn’t breathing when she says that. Meanwhile, Valerian tries to land punches. I avoided the first, and by the second time, I was able to free myself. I pushed him off me with the left hand he let go of. "You dare consider yourself better than us!" He yelled, lips thinning with every word. My first blow landed straight on his nose. When my fist left his face, blood was dripping down. Before I could land another, Taryn had pulled me back with my arm. Cardan looked at me and said, "Valerian, stop that… '' He pauses, keeping his eyes on mine “Don’t dirty your hands. Let filth stay on the ground where it belongs." He didn’t smile when he said that; instead I heard the grit of his teeth. He must be displeased with my being able to make one of his minions bleed. I’m pleased. Only, since I have a talent for getting under their skin, I can’t help but fire back. "Filth? Dirt? I hope you remember most of me is Fae. Are you implying that you are dirt yourself Cardan? " He only looked at me longer, smiled, then told his group not to waste time on us anymore. Nicasia helped Valerian stand. “Mortal filth.” She scowled at us after Cardan turned his back. “Jude, you scraped your elbow.” She took out a piece of cloth from the basket and tore it into half. Using the smallest bit, she rubbed the blood off with light fingers. When there wasn't any more blood she used the other piece to wrap my right elbow. She said that it should do for a temporary fix. 

JUDE’s class took a break. They make their warped view of us too obvious. I sometimes wonder how much worse it would be if we had been fully human. If we had been able to get glamoured, needed salt for our food, or were unable to stop ourselves from dancing at revels… I could only imagine what they would do. From the corner of my eye, I could see Cardan standing up. Nicasia tries to follow him but he says something that makes her look at him with pleading eyes, which Vivi and most mortals might refer to as cute. I personally wouldn’t. She looks like she’s choking on a whole orange. She sits back down and Cardan turns. Our eyes met. He smiles. I suddenly have the urge to use the hand sign Vivi had taught me. She said it meant something very offending that many mortals fight when somebody shows it to them but I doubt he’d know what it means. “Here.” Taryn caught my attention again. I moved my body to face her. While I had been looking around us, letting my mind wander, my twin was setting up the food on the blanket. The pens, inkpots, and parchment are now replaced with the sandwiches, jars of water, and meat that had been packed for us. I smile at Taryn; our silent thank you to each other. I let my skin feel the coldness of the air but it might as well be his lingering gaze. Burning through my nape only to leave a cold crack.

CARDAN headed to the Lake of Masks. Hatred. Cardan felt hatred. Whether it was for Valerian or Jude, he didn’t know. Whom he referred to as dirt and filth he didn’t know either. All he knows is that it’s probably not Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. Jude. He hated that name as much as he couldn't get it out of his head. It repeats itself like a spell or a catchy song. He disliked that. He stops his pacing, kneeling in front of the lake instead. When he looked at the lake, rather than his face or any other Fae reflection, he saw her face. Her hazel eyes, her flowing brown hair. The face with the unnervingly dazzling features that appear in both his dreams and nightmares. Except he’d never seen this expression. She had tears in her eyes. Tears that, no matter what he did, he couldn’t prize out. Paired with a look of anger. Angrier than he had ever seen her. After just a few moments, she took a deep breath then as if they had been sea foam, her tears were gone, though they didn’t even fall, her anger left no trace, as though she had never felt it. Next thing he knew, she stood up and left. Just like that. Suddenly, his clothes felt too taut against his skin. Even after he wet his face with the water from the lake, the air still felt hot. He didn’t think he could go back to the lesson. It bored him stupid anyway. Besides, maybe, just maybe, he might not be able to stop himself if he sees her. And so, the cruel prince left the lake, looking agitated.

JUDE and Taryn’s class finished. Surprisingly, Valerian didn’t do anything more. He didn’t even so much as glare in our direction. He just left with Nicasia and Locke. If I hadn’t known better, I would be relieved. However, only a dunce-like creature would assume sudden quietness from an enemy is good. After all, silence weighs heavier than a thousand words. We walked through the woods in silence. Glancing at each other occasionally.  We’re identical only in our faces. Taryn was more similar to a Faerie with pointed ears and a body only slightly curved at her bust and bum. While the only thing Faerie that I have are my horns. Horns that even without, Taryn still looks a full Fae. Really. Taryn was meant to be born a folk. 

TARYN wondered what her twin was thinking. Jude had always been the rebellious twin. Taryn thought. Still, she hoped that Jude would stop putting her neck on the line. Jude was strong, of course she was. She took their father’s training more seriously than Taryn ever did. Except, even Faeries die if they clash with knives or fists. What more a mortal Fae? Looking at Jude, Taryn took notice of the differences that they had; her round ears and full body. Jude, more akin to humans, still felt more like a Faerie than she did. Sure, Taryn fit in, but only with her features and because she did what the Faeries who hated them told her to. Taryn knew that even if Jude had been fully mortal, she could still turn herself into something that fit into Elfhame. Jude didn’t need to be Fae to fit in because Jude could be poisoned and she’d come back to life, she could be dipped in heat and only come back stronger, she could be tossed into an unfamiliar place and she’d just make that place hers. Taryn’s mind was filled with compliments and astonishment for Jude. She felt small beside Jude. She didn’t like that. What was so different about them? They had the same face. They were both trained by Madoc. Sure, Taryn didn’t pay much attention, but it was because she was a woman. She could just marry a great man. Taryn was strong by herself too. After all, she was able to pull Jude by her arm a while ago. Taryn stopped looking at Jude. She looked straight in front of her instead. She worried if she looked for longer, the disgusting feeling eating at her would take over.

JUDE and Taryn arrived at Madocs estate. When we arrived, an imp told us that Madoc had called us to dine in a few hours. I told Taryn that I would be getting ready in my room. She nodded my way without looking at me. I decided not to take much notice of this. She might have something on her mind that she doesn’t want to share. That’s all right. I headed to my room and opened the windows to let the cold night air in. I felt it in my face and on my now bare arms. When I entered the room, I hesitated not for one second to remove my stuffy clothes. This is also when I notice that the neckline has ripped, that the center gore of my mortal underwear has been visible. It must have torn when Valerian launched himself on me. "The bath is ready." Tatterfell informed me while I removed the pinned hair from my horns. I smile at her through the vanity mirror, she only grunts in return. She turns back to tell me to hurry and get to the bath, then I’m alone again. As I sink into the water, I think back to why I felt hate towards my parents again. I remember a mortal film that Vivi showed us when we visited the mortal realm when we were fifteen and she was eighteen. The girl whom the story focuses on saw parents spending time with their child. Parents. It was something she didn’t have. Seeing something she lacked get enjoyed by another made her feel jealous. I closed my eyes and dipped my head in the water. I never thought I’d feel or even think the same. I kept my head underwater for as long as my lungs could go without air. I figured it wasn’t a long time, despite it not being a brief one either. I breathe in deeply a few times before relaxing against the bath. I hear a rustling just outside the door. I soon realized that I had left the window open. I curse myself while putting my clothes on. I grab the dagger on top of the small table. I creep to the door, making sure my footfalls stay as silent as possible. I push the door open, seizing the first figure that comes into view. Without thinking, I stabbed the opponent. My heart drops. It’s a stand-in. The real opponent is still in my room. I feel a kick at my side, toppling over to the ground, back first. I feel a familiar pain, the familiar pressure on my wrists, and the familiar weight on my torso. I see the moonlight reflecting on blonde strands; Valerian. He landed a punch on my face as I was processing the details. I try to move my arms only to find I can’t move my body. "You turn Elfhame into a dirty place. I’d like to kill you, but that would mean burying you somewhere in Elfhame." He looks up. I keep my expression as nonchalant as I can, though feeling the beating of my heart throughout my body. I’m afraid it would give away my facade. He stands up, a revolting smile plastered on his features. I’m able to move again. I push myself up onto my elbows. "Burn, you hideous mortal. Bring your vile ashes to your rotten world." I look at where his voice comes from right when he throws the candle in the stack of books. He smiles at me. He gives me a despicable look while walking over. The burning fire illuminating his face made his expression look something out of a nightmare. I almost froze yet again, but I was able to stand up just before he could grab me. "Still putting up a fight?" He says through gritted teeth. We go against each other for some time; throwing punches and trying to grab at each other. I land multiple punches to his face though it’s my kick that sends him toppling down. He scowls at me before pulling my leg. I feel the heat creep up my arms, I look to see my sleeves burning. I had landed just a few inches from the fire and my sleeves were caught. I tore them off and stomped on them. I look for Valerian and see him heading for the window. I go at him, ripping his grip from the windowsill. When I hear a thud I close the window. He’s going to be alright.

I look back into my room. It’s a mess; things scattered everywhere, broken pens that he swung my way, torn books, and fire burning through the wooden planks of the floor. I go to the door and yell for somebody to clean my room. While waiting, I took some soil from the ceramic urn vase on both sides of my bed. I put it over the fire to stop it from burning further. A bit of soil smudged on my wrist, only then did I realize that I had burned myself. I tear my other sleeve, it would look far too grotesque to have only one sleeve, to wrap it around my wrist. I don’t want to risk the burn getting worse. 

When the small imp, who told us about Madoc wanting us to dine, came into the room. I told her to tidy it up and left for Vivi’s deserted chambers with my change of clothes.