A/N: yeah no idea what made me write this, it has a tragic beginning (Go figure!) happy end. I tried looking up how a 5 year old would act w/ mental disorder but I couldn't find anything that said what, so I made the symptoms up. DON'T FLAME ME! Oh yeah, Jane and Gunther are married and have a five year old girl named Minerva (I love that name!) Who has mental disorder. Set when Gunther's 27 and Jane's 25.
Disclaimer: The usual except that I own Minerva.
"She's probably a late bloomer," Gunther said soothing to me while I was looking tear-dropped pity on our child.
Our child's name was Minerva, and it was clear as the sky was blue that something was wrong with her. She would never play outside with the other children, talk, and she would always have that piece of fabric my mother gave her when she was a baby with her. "Maybe, just maybe, I don't think so though. Look at her Gunther - look. Minerva looks off into the distance blankly like that often. I honestly do not think that she is a late bloomer." My voice was filled with concern and sadness.
Minerva oh my poor child! Her orange-straight hair falling over her shoulders so gently, her green eyes sparkle like emeralds', her skin tone as dark as Gunther's, her lips pulled up in a beautiful smile like a rose, but she is lost. Lost somewhere I know not. Minerva's eyes are lost, she smiles when she hears her name even when we scold her, and when we ask her a question she nods or shakes her head. She becomes confused easily now and doesn't know what is going on around her. It is such a pitiful sight.
I cry sometimes in my bed for her. I weep so heavily tears have become a bottomless pit. But I can't stop, I can't. No matter how hard I try I can not seem to stop. If I cry just looking at my confused Minerva, she rushes to my side hugging me. Just knowing I was sad, and I needed a hug. But that is the only thing she isn't confused about – feelings of others.
"Jane, listen. Take her up to the castle tomorrow and go and talk to your mother. We can walk together," Gunther said.
I looked up at him with hope. "What about the staff? How will they react? I haven't been up there for 6 years now, ever since I quit knighthood. And how will Jester react? He and I are not on good terms right now and –" I trailed the rest in my mind.
"Do not worry about Jester. He is taking a holiday in Italy with the Gypsies."
I smiled weakly at Gunther. Then I looked down at Minerva and said softly, "Minerva love," she stopped playing with her doll and looked up at me and smiled so I continued, "How would you like to go where Father works?"
Minerva's smile was so broad it looked like her face would split in half, and then she nodded enthusiastically with joy, dropping the doll. She stood up and gave Gunther and me a hug.
-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-
"Jane, Jane." Someone whispered softly in my ear.
I woke up with a start, then realizing it was Gunther I relaxed.
"Time to get up sleepy-head. C'mon it's nearly daylight outside, and if you want to get there early in the morning I suggest that you should wake up Minerva." He teased.
Groggily I replied, "Fine, fine. I will get up and dressed. Can you make the morning meal for us?"
"Yes I will and I'll also wake up Minerva, now get dressed!"
I shot him a glare while standing up, which he couldn't see for it was dark. But I think he saw it because he gave a laugh then left the room.
-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-
We are walking now up the road which leads to the castle, Minerva skipping merrily in front of us with her piece of fabric in hand. Her hair flew behind her ears as she made her way through the narrow road brimmed with trees. I could only imagine the pure smile that was on her face then. She probably was excited to see her Grand-parents again. As for me, I was completely nervous and afraid of what would lay ahead. Gunther kept telling me it was going to be okay and that they would be happy to see me – I didn't believe him. The only reason I quit knighthood was because of Dragon, who died.
I remember that day so well. It was a beautiful day, just like today, and then out of no where something hit Dragon. Hit him in the heart. Dragon's eyes rolled back, he lost consciousness and we plummeted to the ground. I screamed, "Dragon! Dragon! Wake up! Dragon we're falling! DRAGON!" he couldn't hear me while we plummeted still. The wind was so strong it whipped at my ears and eyes. I was blinded for a second then we crashed. Crashed onto the ground, I quickly regained consciousness and headed for Dragon. "Dragon, Dragon, wake up." I sobbed.
One yellow eye fluttered open, looked at me and said, "Jane, my fire has lost its flame. Jane, I'm going to die."
I shook my head begging, "No Dragon no you mustn't die! Please!"
"Moo." He imitated a cow before leaving the plane.
I shook away the flash back disgusted.
-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-
We were approaching the gates now. My how they changed! They used to be rusty when I left, and no they were polished as I have never seen! There were vines covering the wall in a spectacular way, and flowers bloomed before them!
Minerva looked at us unsure of what to do. Gunther kneeled down and motioned for Minerva to come, she did.
"Listen sweet, can you be on your best behavior please?" asked he.
Minerva nodded, and Gunther gave her a hug.
We entered…