Chapter Text
A crisp Autumn breeze plays with the ends of Jude’s hair as she walks the short distance to Vivi’s apartment. It’s different from the one Jude came to know in her exile. This one is slightly larger, the appliances are newer, the paint not as chipped. Perhaps most importantly, this apartment has Heather. Vivi was able to fulfil her end of the bargain the pair made in Elfhame, and now that Heather’s memories have returned they are living in a newer apartment closer to Madoc, Oriana, and Oak. Jude is thankful for Heather’s warm and relaxed demeanor as she steps inside and greets Vivi, Oak, Taryn and Taryn’s infant daughter.
After all greetings are exchanged, Heather shows Jude to the room she’ll be sharing with Taryn for the night. She sets her bag down on the narrow bed and sits.
Jude hadn’t expected to feel so...off kilter without Cardan. Solitude is a friend Jude knows very well. Growing up there weren’t many she could rely on and as seneschal she spent the better part of a year with no one but herself. She grew used to the sting of loneliness, to the point that oftentimes it was almost a comfort to her. Time had passed since then and as High Queen of Elfhame, Jude was hardly ever truly alone. She hadn’t realized how comfortable she’d become relying on others and allowing herself to be cared for. Yes, the High Queen was no stranger to solitude, but she had grown used to her husband’s steady presence and without him she simply felt a lack.
Reaching for the small bag next to her she rummages around for some of her mortal clothing. Her fingers brush a stiff sheet of paper tied with string that had not been there when she’d packed her things. Puzzled, she pulls it out to find her own name written across a brown paper envelope in Cardan’s neat script. A laugh bubbles out of her at the ridiculous coincidence. Just that very morning she left a letter for Cardan with the Bomb, instructing her to leave it in Cardan’s closet or on their bed where he was most likely to see it.
Jude tears open the envelope and unfolds the crisp paper within.
The letter is simple, merely a few questions regarding Jude’s day. She won’t answer. By the time he receives her reply she will already be back in Elfhame, but his teasing humor and easy charisma make her feel as if a part of him is there with her.
She reads the letter twice. Surprised by how much simple words on paper help to lessen the distance between them. Jude hopes that Cardan has found his letter and that it provides him a small comfort as well. Folding the paper carefully she slips the missive into her bag and joins her family once again.
A world away in Elfhame, the High King climbs into bed surprised to find a neatly folded envelope lying in the space usually occupied by his wife. Written across the paper in Jude’s scrawling script it reads; for when you miss me - J. Cardan smiles to himself thinking of his own letter tucked away amongst Jude’s clothes and numerous weapons, before opening the letter without hesitation.
“I already do my love,” he murmurs into the empty, dark of their chambers.
“I already do”.