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Dawn was approaching, which meant it was at last time to rest for the High King and Queen, yet Jude was no where to be found.
Leaving their chambers, he went immediately to the grounds he knew was where her and the ghost would spar routinely every night, except by this time, Jude should have returned.
Cardan found not a single soul and was beginning to worry when he heard his wife's voice speaking softly from such a distant that if he was a mortal he would have never heard it.
Walking quickly he came upon his wife from behind and saw the strangest thing.
Jude was barefoot in a light gown the color of dewy morning grass threaded with gold so she looked as if she was shined upon by the sun, but his wife's unmistakable beauty was not the strange thing, it was the fact that she appeared to be talking to herself.
Walking without a sound made, Cardan got so close without notice that he was now merely two steps away from Jude when he saw that she was not talking to herself but to the tiniest of pixies sitting on her pointer finger, who was talking animatedly and furiously, waving what looked to be a pin in every which direction.
At that point, the pixie had noticed the High King and dropped her pin before falling into a deep bow, Jude looked quickly behind her and finally saw him, hiding her surprise with a glare, most likely for catching her off guard which he so rarely did.
Jude spoke first. "Hello, you're late." Cardans eyebrows furrowed before he caught on to the glint of mischief in his wife's eyes and smiled widely.
"Apologies dearest, I had not realized my presence was in demand." He took a seat beside her where she sat on a low tree branch, still holding the pixie who was know looking down at the ground below searching for her pin.
Cardan reached down for the spot of light he saw in the ground and handed the pixie back, what he know realized, was her sword. "Your majesty, you're too kind." The pixie bowed again.
Cardan waved his hand absently making Jude smirk before speaking. "It is no problem at all. What is your name and your reason for stealing my wife away at the hour I most require her."
Jude smacked his arm as the pixie blanched and hurriedly sputtered out the problem she must have been telling Jude just a moment before.
"Of course, your majesty, my name is Sir Zelle. The problem is my village! It is under attack by a ferocious beast who knows no mercy! I had gathered my whole army against the feral thing but it had batted us away as if we were nothing." Zelle's shoulder straightened at that, obviously deeply offended by not being taken serious by this monster.
"That does seem to be a problem of great importance and I understand why you would choose your High Queen of all rescuers to come to aid, for she is the bravest of them all." The pixie nodded vigorously while Jude simply rolled her eyes at the two of them before standing.
"Let us not tarry any longer while this beast runs ramped, lead on Sir Zelle."
The pixie dutifully held to Jude's finger while Jude held to Cardans hand and led them to a large willow tree completely hollowed out but filled with flowers and plants of all kinds. Flowers and plants that were being destroyed and getting worse for wear as the cat (or feral beast) ran tirelessly through the patch of greenery, tearing and tossing anything the animal could find.
Jude made a soft humming sound of understanding before carefully stepping through the garden and lifting the cat gently into her arms.
At the sight of the High Queen coming to their rescue so quickly several pixies poked their heads from their various hiding places and cheered victoriously, kissing Jude anywhere they could reach and offering several acorns up for her graciousness.
Cardan watched as his wife smiled softly, holding the cat, who looked like nothing more than a fluff of black fur, in her arms and smiled at the pixies who showed their love for her so easily.
But then he watched as her eyes fell back to the hollowed out tree and saw how destroyed the pixies homes were. Before he could even speak he felt her shove the fluff of black into his arms and watched as she knelt near the opening of the tree, picking up ruined flowers and injured pixies.
"All your little homes, how long will it take for you to repair all this?" Jude's eyebrows were furrowed and her mouth was tilted downwards, her scheming face.
Sir Zelle stepped forward, bowing once more. "Perhaps a few months, but fret not our wondrous High Queen, we must return your bravery with-" But Jude held up her hand before the pixie could finish.
"I have one more thing I would like to gift you."
Cardan watched as his wife, the High Queen of Elfhame, dug her hands into the dirt and flowers sprouted from every direction.
Daisy's, tulips, daffodils, flowers of every kind grew from the dirt and filled the base of the willow as well as grew from the trunk and the inside of the bark, drifting down as though a chandelier of sorts. Then, as a last touch, Jude brought her hands to the base of the trunk and ivy grew as barricade for the tree, leaving a small door, perfect for the pixies to enter and leave as they wish.
"There. Now you may never fear another beast running wildly through your village again."
The pixies cheered once again and Sir Zelle spoke up over the commotion. "How ever will we repay you for this!"
Jude smiled and held the pixie in her hand. "Come visit me often, tell me tales of your knighthood." The pixie nodded happily and was about to enter into the newly decorated hollowed tree when she asked. "What of the beast?"
This time, Cardan answered. "We will take him back to the castle, teach him some manners." The cat was now perched on Cardans shoulders as though it was a parrot, nuzzling his head against Cardans.
Jude smiled softly at him, bade her fairwells, then took Cardans hand and led him away and back towards the palace.
"I am surprised, I did not think you would bother yourself with such a small matter." He said.
Jude turned to him, "We must help with all matters of the kingdom, no matter how big," she glanced back at the willow tree in the far distance. "And no matter how small."
Cardan smiled, setting the black cat down where he started to prance around before resting on Jude's toes. Cardan took her hands gently and she held back, bringing their clasped hands behind her so that Cardan had no choice but to lean towards her, resting his forehead against hers.
"You have been practicing." He whispered.
"I have." She whispered back, as though they were the only ones allowed to hear their words for each other even though no one was around to listen.
"Elfhame looks beautiful on you, Jude." She smiled up at him so beautiful and bright he could not have stopped himself from kissing her, as if he could hold her smile in his mind forever if he pressed his lips hard enough against hers.
Jude pulled away and pulled him towards the palace once more, the black cat chasing after them as they ran, laughter growing in the petals in their wake.