Hello there! This is a co-written fanfic done by myself, Kioa, and by Sunrise19. Anything original within is property of us.
The beautiful cast of Jane and the Dragon, however, belongs to their creators. We're just like everyone else and borrowing them for a bit…
Chapter 1: An Adventure to the Ocean
Jane gave a sigh, greeting the warm summer morning as she walked through the court yard. Surprisingly, Sir Ivon and Sir Theodore had given her and Gunther the day off from all knightly training. However, while heading towards the kitchen in order to get her breakfast from Pepper, her green eyes picked up movement in the practice yard. Figuring that breakfast could wait for a time, she made her way over towards the yard.
To her chagrin, she saw Gunther sparring with the practice dummy in the enclosure. Leaning against the wall, the sixteen-year-old watched him as he pivoted and hit the dummy as it bounced back. Figuring that exercise would do her some good, even on a day off, she entered the yard and picked up her sword despite a glare from Gunther.
"Do you mind? I am practicing."
"Well then," Jane started as she lunged for him, "practice!"
He blocked her blow as she sidestepped the upcoming swing from Gunther's blade.
"Where is the lizard?" The man inquired as they fought.
"Why do you care?!" Jane shot back as a shadow loomed in the background, signaling that Dragon had indeed arrived.
"Oh look, just in time to save you," Gunther smirked as Jane thrust her sword, jabbing Gunther hard in the ribs.
"Nice one Jane!" Dragon shouted as the red-head teen sent him a glare, to which the man took advantage of, clanging his sword against her own causing it to slip from her hand. Growling to herself, Jane bent to pick it up as Gunther wore a smug look upon his face, "I may have wanted to practice today, however it is you that needs to."
Placing the sword in its proper place, Gunther walked out of the sparring area. Frowning heavily, the squire turned to Dragon.
"What?" the huge reptile asked as he looked at his only friend with a raised eyebrow.
"I was leading that you know," Jane snapped.
"You were? I mean, yes you were."
Placing her own weapon down, Jane leaned against the wall. "So, how about after breakfast we go for a flight?"
"Why not now?"
"I have to eat, Dragon," Jane stated as she headed towards the kitchen.
"Aha, I see how it is. You will spar with that short life but will not fly around with me."
Jane stopped and turned, "he came along first and I was bored."
Dragon smirked and shook his head, "I see…" The beast paused, eyes turned to the sky for a moment before looking back down at Jane, "no, I don't."
Jane rolled her eyes as she quickly walked towards the kitchen, greeting Pepper as the cook handed her the morning's food.
"Good morning Jane," Jester called out as she walked over, sitting down next to her friend and starting to eat.
"Good morning Jester," Jane replied after swallowing. "What are your plans for the day?"
The young man smiled, "the Queen has asked me to compose a song about the princess, for her ninth birthday is coming up."
"Oh, that's great," Jane said after her second bite of food was finished. They chatted about small things, the two laughing and carrying on as Dragon watched over his young friend. Jane had indeed grown over the years. She kept her red hair above her shoulders and she had grown in height; the years of training had sculpted her body very nicely. The squire would often complain to Dragon about the whispers that she would overhear from both sexes, especially from a certain someone, and despite her complaints she still never spoke the word 'charcoal'.
"Squire Gunther, Squire Jane, both come to the practicing area!" Sir Theodore's voice rang out and as Jane stood after saying goodbye to Jester. She could see Gunther move away from the wall that he had been leaning against. Attempts to include him in conversation had been useless over the years, so now no one really bothered. She wondered why he kept to himself, then pushed the thought out of her mind as she swallowed the last bite of her breakfast and left the bowl on the table.
"I wonder what rusty legs wants?" Dragon called as Jane rolled her eyes.
"Dragon please, you know that is my ment-"
"I know, your mentor," Dragon replied as he lifted himself off the wall, landing with a thud on the ground below.
"Sorry short life," Dragon said as dirt flew onto Gunther's shoes. Gunther's reply was only a withering glare. Hurrying over to the practice yard with Gunther just shortly ahead, the two took their places before their mentors. Both looked up expectantly at Sir Theodore and Sir Ivon.
"Yes, sirs?" They said in unison
"As usual, the two of you need to learn how to work together," Sir Theodore began, giving the two a stern look. "I will admit over the years it has improved-"
"As much as Cuthbert's lost weight."
"Dragon!" Jane indignantly shouted to him. The elder knight coughed, giving the dragon a glare. Dragon merely looked to the sky innocently.
"As I was saying," Sir Theodore resumed, "the two of you need to work more on your teamwork. Thus, both of you will spend time traveling to the northern ocean coast, about a day's journey."
As usual, Gunther smiled to him, "what an excellent idea, Sir Theodore! Your wisdom knows no bounds!"
Jane rolled her eyes before looking to the knight, "so this is why you had given us the day off, is it?"
Theodore gave a slow nod, "yes, Jane."
"So to the ocean then? Great, 'cause I've had a whale of an appetite for fish. Ah ha ha!" Dragon busted out laughing, holding his great belly with both front claws.
Sir Ivon frowned at the inappropriate behavior of the dragon while Sir Theodore took a few steps towards the large beast.
"Without you, Dragon." The large monster immediately stopped laughing as he put down his two front paws and narrowed his eyes to Sir Theodore.
"Dragon…" Jane groaned, placing a hand to her temple.
"I think that for your benefit, you won't tell me that I can't follow Jane," Dragon growled, bringing his large snout very close to the impassive figure of Sir Theodore.
The knight stood still, hands folded behind his back, "we've had this talk before, Dragon. If you are her friend and if you support her training, then you will leave her alone when her training is involved." The man narrowed his eyes. Dragon snarled, bearing his teeth and a crack remark but Jane immediately came over, placing a hand on her friend's snout.
"Now, now Dragon." She gave him a smile, "it's just to the ocean with dungwad over there. I can take care of myself. Besides, this is for my training." She stared into his eyes, pleading. Dragon looked to her before huffing, immediately pulling his head away from her touch.
"You're lucky, rust bucket…" Dragon muttered. Sir Theodore chose to ignore the comment as he looked to Jane and Gunther.
"I want the two of you to go to Pepper. She'll make you sturdy lunches for your journey."
"And what is it that we are to do once we go to the ocean?" Jane inquired. Sir Ivon took a few steps towards them, grinning.
"The two of you need to gather a specific kind of rock. I need it for my newest weaponry," he spoke with his robust accent. "The rock's called Rocklust. It's a light red color and it's round, much like the wheels on that cart." The man pointed to a cart on the wayward side of the courtyard, where Smithy was unloading sheets of metal off of it to probably make new armor out of. Dragon's ears perked up as he realized that Smithy might have a bit of leftover iron that wasn't a horseshoe.
"Ah, well then! Jane, don't get carried away and kill off Gunther without me," he said, starting over to Smithy.
Jane laughed, "I'll be sure to call you!" Gunther glared at the sixteen-year-old, who smiled to him smugly.
Sir Theodore nodded to the two teenagers, also beginning to walk away. "You two collect as much Rocklust as you can. I'll see you when you return." Sir Ivon gave a nod to them as well before following his friend.
"Thank you, Sir Theodore, Sir Ivon!" Gunther called after him while Jane waved to their retreating figures. Gunther's beaming smile turned into a scowl as he glared at Jane.
"Wonderful, a day brimming of adventure with the likes of you."
Jane gave him a look as she headed towards Pepper's kitchen, "and you think I'm looking forward to looking at your greasy hair all day?" Gunther followed her, frowning. Over the years, the eighteen-year-old had let his hair grow. It now hung slightly past his shoulders, always tied up in a loose hold.
Gunther reached back to tighten his hair tie, "is not greasy… At least I wash it."
"Hmph! And I don't?" Jane retorted. Before Gunther could make a snarky reply back, the two had entered the kitchen and Pepper greeted them promptly.
"Hello Jane! Gunther!" She was as peppy as ever as she moved over to them. "So Sir Theodore told me about your journey today!" She had a romantic gleam in her eye as Jane gave a chuckle.
"It's not a journey, it's simply a task for us to accomplish," Jane lamented.
Gunther gave a nod before he spoke, "Sir Theodore told us to come to you for our lunches."
"Oh yes," Pepper smiled as she disappeared in to the kitchen, coming out a moment later with two bundles.
"Thank you Pepper," Jane smiled as she took one of them, "I am sure these will do."
Gunther gave a nod, taking the other. "Yes, thank you. Jane, we should start off now. It will take about a day to reach the seashore." The red-head looked to her fellow squire with a look that clearly read 'Yes, I know'.
"Those also have a breakfast meal in them," Pepper said as Jane thanked her once again before following Gunther, who had already left the kitchen.
"You are supposed to wait for me," Jane called as she easily caught up. Gunther just smirked as they headed towards the stable to get horses for themselves. Upon entering, Jane couldn't help but laugh as she spotted Dragon. Her friend was surrounded by sheets of metal, and dragon had specks of metal pieces on his face.
"You have not left yet?" Smithy quietly questioned to himself, glancing to Dragon as he came out from behind a door.
"I can hear you," Dragon muttered as he looked at Jane, "can I not just take you to the ocean and then fly back?"
Jane gave a soft chuckle, "no Dragon, I should be back some time tomorrow or the next day. Without you, it will take a day to reach the ocean." Deep down, Jane wished Dragon could take her, for on Dragon the trip was only a few minutes.
"That is because I am so awesome," he said as Gunther gave an impatient sigh.
"Smithy, could you please saddle two horses for us?"
"Of course," Smithy said, turning to go to the stables. The two squires knew that Smithy would pick the two best steeds for the long journey and were thankful for his expertise. Dragon went back to eating the sheets of metal that Smithy allotted him.
"I do not think I want to see that," Gunther mumbled, staring at Dragon. Jane shot him a dirty look.
"Better than looking at your hair," she stated as Dragon snorted, causing metal shards to come out of his snout.
"Oww! That's not like when water comes out of your nose."
Jane gave a laugh, "Dragon, you may want to try swallowing before snorting." Another laugh followed as Smithy walked out with the two horses.
"I quite agree with Jane," he said as Jane tied the bundle Pepper had given her to the saddle. She took the reign, giving Smithy a smile.
"Thank you Smithy," she said as she began to get on.
"Need help Jane?" Gunther mockingly questioned, having also tied his bundle to the saddle. "I always do not mind helping a lady- Oh, wait. You are not one." Gunther smirked as he easily swung onto his horse, giving a nod to Smithy before riding out of the stable. Jane looked thoughtfully at Dragon.
"Just say the word Jane," Dragon growled as he glared after Gunther.
The teen gave a sigh, "do not worry Dragon, I am fine."
Dragon gave his friend a semi-serious look. "Are you sure you don't want me to follow you?"
Jane gave a gentle smile as she reached up, patting Dragon's head, "no, it is alright. I will be back before you know it." Getting onto her own horse, Jane sped out of the stable in order to catch up with Gunther. Not much had changed over the years concerning Gunther's constant teasing and belittling of her. After a while, the teenager got tired of his insults. Of course, Jane was well aware that she gave back as much as she took; however, it still bothered her at times.
Regardless, Gunther was a good friend. He was there when needed be, and he provided a strong adversary to practice with. Perhaps if only he was a bit nicer (though the same could be said about her)…
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Gunther gave a sigh as he kept his horse at a fast pace, knowing that Jane would catch up very soon. There was something that annoyed him about the teen, however something inside also found her fascinating and interesting. Although the young man would never admit that to save his life, in a way he admired Jane. She wasn't like most if not all the frilly, materialistic women at court. Instead, her idea of a fun time was riding around on dragon and being with friends. She also gave pretty good insults, another fact he would never admit to.
"Gunther!"
Whipping his head to the right, he saw Jane on her horse beside him.
"What is it?" he demanded, torn from his thoughts.
"You looked dazed," Jane simply said.
"It is called concentration Jane," he replied as he faced forward again, putting on a grumpy look. He hated it when he was interrupted in thinking. His thoughts were one of the few sanctuaries that he had. No one could bother him in them.
But now that Jane had spoken, Gunther couldn't quite return to his sanctuary so easily. The black-haired man glanced at the red-head beside him. She was staring straight forward, seeming to be lost in thought. He frowned at this.
'So she can be lost in thought while I must be driven out of my own? Hardly fair!' The man opened his mouth to interrupt Jane's thoughts, but she suddenly turned her head to him. Startled, Gunther's jaw snapped closed as Jane spoke.
"Gunther, why do you think Sir Theodore did not tell us to bring our swords?"
The man huffed, shaking his head. "I am not sure, but I brought mine anyway. I guess you will have to settle for a stick to defend yourself." He gave Jane a smug smirk. The teen rolled her eyes, pointing to her saddle where her sword was securely strapped.
"No thanks. But if I hear you cry out for help, I will be sure to come to your aid," her smirk was just as smug.
Gunther leaned back in his saddle, giving out a loud sigh, "oh, we have only begun this journey, and already I am tired of you." When Jane didn't reply, the man looked over to her, wondering what was stopping her from making a snide remark. Jane was staring at the back of her horse's head, a frown on her face.
"You know… Sir Theodore only put us two on this journey so as we would work together more," she spoke softly, glancing to Gunther. He felt his heart quicken a bit. She sounded so vulnerable. It was a new side of Jane that he had never seen before. Gunther quickly looked away, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"I know…" They were the only words that came to his mind.
Jane persisted, "then if you do know, then perhaps you could show a bit of kindness every now and then. All of us at the castle do, and at times you as well…" Gunther gave a small nod as he replied back.
"I'll… try. I-I can't guarantee anything though!" he looked to her, giving her a coy smirk to try to lighten her mood. Seeing her vulnerable was something new and different, but something he wasn't too sure he liked. Jane looked to him, and returned the coy smirk.
"The only guarantee that you can offer is being a royal jerk," she said and Gunther's smirk quickly disappeared.
"What was that?!"
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The cabin was dark, save for the fire burning in the two lanterns. They illuminated a long table, covered with many, many papers. A creaky old bed rested in a corner, an old man laying in it.
"I have heard news, Dehio." The old voice spoke up, crackled like a fire. There was a person sitting at the table, looking at the papers strewn about him. He sighed shortly, a small hint of annoyance in his voice. It was he who had given his grandfather the news in the first place.
He gave a nod to the old man, "yes, Grandfather."
"You must accomplish our plan in order to fulfill my destiny," the speaker was excited, too excited, as he began to cough violently. The person stood up, picking up two papers and comparing them. He emotionlessly tossed one of them onto the ground.
"Yes, Grandfather."
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