*I don't own jane and the Dragon or its characters. Neither do I own the lines Borrowed from Atticus, lord Byron

Just like last time, I cried for Gunthers sake. By no means does the game end after this, since Lareepqg has a fic to follow right after this. There is still the takedown of Algernon to do, but it's not happening yet. So yeah, had to clear that up, so no one feels like that's it. Yup, we still have plenty to cover. Anyway, I hope this is worthy, because I'm not the leading expert of Gunther, but I try. Thanks to everyone in the story game, this has certainly been a challenge.

Soon he would have to face the Turnkey. Like a man mulling over his life, the days and years passed over him as he climbed those welcoming steps. How would he face the judgement? What would be his last thought? Perhaps it would just all go black, and he would forget everything.

Soon, cold would settle into his bones. The weakness, the infection, had overtaken him. Gunther wondered if he would regret it. Then again, after they were finished with him what would be left but an empty shell? There would be nothing to lose if no one wanted him, there would be nothing else.

How had it come to this? Gunther let her into his head, and once there, he could not remove her. It was a madness which sent him through the waves of distress. To ameliorate his feelings, he had to purge his thoughts on paper. He thought he would never have to do such a thing again, but his hands had a mind of their own, and again he lost himself in the words as they bleed upon parchment.

A man possessed, his thoughts were about to be given to someone else. Everything would be given to someone else. Life had served him destruction, and he would continue to be cursed by it. Again he found himself, one hand caressing the stones, stealing his warmth, the other hand with his final gift. No one would come to comfort him.

If he had been born of stone, he could have served with fortitude, and watched her for all his days. Lips touched upon the stone, his inferior blessing bestowed upon it for its kindness for standing as it always had. Soon it would all be a memory. The wretched ache began again, ready to send him over the edge once more, but she would not like it, that he was sure. Jane could not see him this way, not ever, not ever.

No one would spot him, they were busy eating dinner. No one would miss him, in time they would forget him. Under her door, the letter went, and he fell to his knees. Furiously, his fists rubbed away the liquid weakness. Only the sun, the moon, the stone, and soon Jane would know, only they would know what kind of man he was.

There would be nothing to regret if there was nothing to lose. And when she returned, Jane would sadly know it too.

How have we come to this moment?

When thoughts are like minded, but stubbornness refuses to believe?

I know you, but you refuse to know it

My heart has grown sick, yet your memory lingers

When expectations tarnish dreams, would you trade me for a foolish companion?

No, not you, never, not really

Would you?

Could you?

I remember when I was toiling in dust,

Running, like a thief from the turnkey

I could not hide, scared witless

My blood boiled at the sight of you

I would not stop, it was instinct which spoke, which misdirected

Yet, there you were, breathing upon my head

Or shall I say beating?

Running, like a thief from the turnkey,

I could not escape, and collapsed from exhaustion

Judgment was waiting

In the welts you left behind, small seeds had taken root

Gnarled branches of black and white sat beneath walls,

Unwatered, unloved, unmoved by the world, and its air; it sat alone in the dark silence

It would not die, oh how it tried, it withered day by day

Then the color of creation touched upon thy branches, the hurtful thistle, bright pink, sharp thorns

I was no longer alone

On wings, your seed must have traveled, by flame you were born anew

I could not resist you, I was hungry for your company

I longed to touch you, but you injure

Irritated, bruised, you never relented

Hardy creature, I grew, yet you remained the impetuous brilliancy

I could not resist you, believe me, I tried

Neither could the air, the wind, or birds of heaven not see you; you charmed the lot of them

When the colorful fire bird caught sight of you, he took you, and you discovered the heavens

You loved the air, as though you were born of it

You flew into a star, and became the sun

Brilliant, warm, and bright

We were mismatched

The friendly flower, the Thistle you were, I had not forgotten

I had never forgotten

Fiery sun, I feel you, I welcome you into my garden

Brilliant sun, alight a flame

Burn me to a crisp

The world was black and white, but you were in color

I grew, and tried to reach you,

Everytime a little harder, I could almost reach the sky

Your heat, it would destroy me

Yet, I burned, and blackened, until I was dust

The wind carried me

I colored the sky, and become its darkness

Everyday, we fought for equality, but you won, you always would

And for a little while, everyday, I could see, feel you, know you, love you

We call it the sunset, where light can almost touch darkness

In the sunset, when the light and darkness are about to embrace, we are ripped apart

Once afraid, once confused

Whoever dare try to dampen your flame, lend me your strength

Allow us to fight together

With your borrowed kindness, you made me who I am, I became the moon,

Because I am a little bit of you, and we are connected,

ignore me as you will, but I am bound to you

Icandescecently,

Sparkle in me hope

Now with clarity I bask in love

All the light you bring

Dear heart, how I almost feel you

Yet, locked in this curse, I dance around you

Our steps mismatched

Girl of my youth

Woman of my lifetime

Let us be equals

Release me from your entrapment

No longer will I hide from you, you are in everything, and I am in you, or so I hope to believe

Allow me to slip from your grasp

Deliver me

And I will thank you with the sacrifice

Hand in hand, heal me, correct my steps

You can be so cruel,

Beloved captor, your rope binds me

Raw are my wrists, bloodied are thy lips

In frustration, I carve you into my skin

For I have seen ugliness and beauty, and have been burdened by them both

Do not delay, welcome me, and I will be your comfort, if you wish it

If your light began to dim, I will give you my everything

I would prefer you live, for I cannot live if in this world you did not exist in it

Savage man I have been, what ugliness have you not seen in me?

Sanity, what little it knows of redemption

For your light had reached me in the darkness, and I burn for you

Cleanse me in your eternity, light up my life

If I shall remain but a knave in your eyes, then I shall be there to clean up the mess

Join me fire girl

I know you as I know myself

Create in me in me an understanding

I hate your worried gaze, the sting of your touch against my cheek,

and your breathing, it drives me to madness

I did not want this, and yet, I am stolen

Trembling, I sat, lips, though silent, breathing

For I had wanted what was never mine, but I wish, and painfully linger

I have sinned, wretched, I had blamed

If by miracle, would you, if you could, would you just see me?

I could pay the consequence, for nothing so good would be free

You are the justice,

you are the freedom,

deliver me,

Soothe me,

lose me in untamed, luscious, red, lavender smelling sweetness

Test me, if you dare, to glance upon this bastard child

Destroy me, point an arrow to my breast, see if I would flinch from your judgement

Yet,

just kiss me,

even in dying breath, I would not miss your beguiling lips

No, I am more likely to kiss thine thistles

Bloodied, my body twists,

Oh, even thorns could not deter my tender affection

Honey maiden, burning flame

What had I not done for you?

I wait for the eclipse

Even losing myself, I relinquish to your power

Welcome me into your light, let us embrace till I disappear

No, I could only wish of what could be

Could we, could we?

Thine bristle brushes against me

I cannot move, I am stuck, and will adore you

Bloodied, my body twists, I sigh

In tears, I may die

If I am pricked until I am to be bled dry, then I make a blood oath

Only I can call you frog rider,

And only you can call me beef brain

I wait for the eclipse, and nectar of forgiving lips which touch upon mine

My sword has been blunted, and so has yours

May we sharpen, may we continue

But I will wait for you, only for you

Take me, need me, I am yours

Dearest, sweetest Jane