A/N: Jane and the Dragon does not belong to me.
Lunch that day was a quiet affair. After the shock that morning, they were still in something of a daze. They hadn't seen Jane since then, but they hoped when she came for lunch all would be explained. Pepper was busy with the sheer amount of food needed for the visiting nobles and such, and requested their help. Gunther had, of-course, declined and Smithy wasn't exactly cook-material and as such, was sent out.
Another hour and they were exhausted, managing to make some simple sandwiches for their meal. Soup was left over from last night's dinner, so they were able to have some of that as well. Pepper practically collapsed in her chair, managing only to take a few bites before resting her head down on the table. "Excuse me, but I'm just so very tired…" They ate in silence, Pepper's light snores accompanying their spoons hitting the sides of the bowls. Steps on the stairs and no one paid them any mind.
"Hey guys. Oh, you're eating without me? I guess you were really hungry!" They turned quickly to see Jane, their normal Jane, with curly orange hair and her normal clothes, not a dress. "What?"
"Jane! You're you!" Pepper shot awake as the others rushed towards the girl.
"What are you going on about? Of-course I'm me." Pepper pushed the boys aside, hugging the red head tightly. "Pepper, is something the matter? You all are confusing me!"
"Why, Jane, we were so worried! When the Princess came and introduced you as her lady-in-waiting, we were afraid you would leave with her for King Randolph's court when this was over!" Pepper was close to tears. Jane pulled back, confusion etched across her features.
"The Princess? The Princess Janine? She met with you? How strange… And what's this about me being a lady-in-waiting? I am Kippernium's Lady Knight! I would not give that up to be a silly lady-in-waiting!" Jane frowned at them all. "What are you going on about? Gunther, did you do something?" The Knight shifted his gaze to her, not surprised that she was somehow her normal self.
"Why, Jane, where's your nice dress?" He smiled at the irritated look she sent him.
"You're still going on about that, Gunther? I already told you, I haven't worn a dress in years!" She caught the looks that her friends sent each other. "What?" She looked back at Gunther briefly. "Don't tell me you believe him!"
"Jane," Jester rested a hand on her shoulder, gazing down at her. "Stop fooling. We all saw you with the Princess Janine. You don't have to pretend just to look strong to us." She looked at the hand on her shoulder before brushing it off.
"Who's pretending? I am no lady-in-waiting, I am a knight of King Caradoc's guard! And I shall prove it to you!" She turned on her heel, storming up the stairs.
"No, Jane, wait!" Pepper hurried after her, forsaking dinner to go after her friend. Rake followed Pepper and Jester let out a sigh, following after the gardener. Smithy looked back at Gunther still seated at the table.
"Well, Sir Knight? Are you coming?" Gunther waved him off, rising from his seat.
"I'm coming, Blacksmith, make no mistake. I do love seeing Jane make a fool of herself."
Up in the yard, Jane was stomping toward the castle walls, Pepper attempting to calm her with Rake's assistance. Sadly, their words only fueled her frustration. "I am telling you, I am no lady-in-waiting! I will clear this mess up and all will be normal and the idiot will think twice about saying false about me!" Jester followed calmly after them, hands clasped behind his back.
"My dear Jane, could it be possible you have an identical twin sister?" She continued walking, shooting him a look over her shoulder. "It is possible."
"And my parents just failed to mention that fact? No, Jester. And besides, to have a twin sister would suggest my mother sent her away somewhere, so, my question would be where?" Pepper skipped forward, her shorter stature a disadvantage for her friend's longer strides.
"Perhaps we could slow down, just a bit please?" She breathed out. Working in the kitchens all day, this sudden exercise was somewhat difficult for her. "And, Jane dear, didn't you say you have an aunt, a Lady Turnkey?" Jester raised a brow.
"An aunt, you say? Aha, Jane, perhaps your mother sent your sister to your aunt and she has suddenly appeared here?"
"But, Jester, why would the Lady-in-Waiting send a daughter to her sister?" Rake spoke up, bringing about a good point. Jester tapped his chin.
"Yes, a good point… Jane?" Jane rushed away from them.
"Princess!" Pepper hurried after her, her breathing heavy.
"Jane dear, please slow down!" The boys followed after her as Jane reached the dark haired princess, Randolph's daughter.
Janine looked surprised at their sudden appearance. "Why, Jane! How wonderful to see you again!" the Princess hugged the Lady Knight tightly, giggling and smiling. "I was just asking Father if I could bring you back home with me! You're such a joy and I would so love your company! It gets so lonely there sometimes with just Markus. He's such a bore, you know." The Princess let go of her to cross her arms and pout. "He picks on me all the time and it's all I can do to make sure I do nothing he could tease me for!" She was silent and pouted for a moment longer before perking up. "Are these your friends?" Gunther and Smithy joined their group and Janine's cheeks gained a pink hue. "I-introduce me?"
Jane nodded. "Sure, Princess. These are my friends, Pepper," the cook gave a quick curtsy, not making eye contact, "Jester," the royal fool gave a rather elegant bow, "Rake," The gardener bowed, averting his eyes from hers, "Smithy," the black smith gave a nod, "And Gunther." The Knight bowed to the royal and she gave a curtsy of her own, casting her eyes down. Jane blinked at her behavior, but thought no more of it.
"A pleasure to meet you all."
"Princess, I'd like to ask you about—"
"Yoo-hoo, short lives~!" A strong wind as something big and green landed a short distance from them, leaning his face down to their level. "What's all this noise going about the castle, hmm? What's this? A new short life friend?" Dragon gazed at the Princess. "Well, you humans all look alike. Go on then, who are you?" Janine stared up at Dragon, her eyes wide and filling up with tears. Her hands turned to fists and she raised them up to her chest, screaming for all her worth.
Dragon stumbled back at the high pitched shriek, but it didn't simply stop with one. She simply took breath and kept it going.
"No, Princess! This is Dragon! He's my friend! Please, stop screaming!" Jane held onto her shoulders, trying to snap her out of it. "Princess! Everything is alright! Please calm down!"
"I say now, what's with all her screeching? Hasn't she ever seen a Dragon before? Really! Such rude behavior for one of your short life royals!" Dragon was offended, to say the least. He rose up on his hunches, crossing his arms.
"Hey, Janie, everything alright?" A distinctly male voice was heard from around the corner. "Janie?" A young man, older than Smithy, appeared. Dark hair and eyes, like Janine, he was handsome. "Jani- Stay away from her!" He reached for the sword on his belt and Jane rushed forward, spreading her arms wide.
"No! He's not doing anything!" The man frowned, his eyes not straying from Dragon.
"Good lady, stand down and move aside!" Dragon pulled back, gazing down at them.
"Jane, are all your short life friends this strange? I've never gotten such a greeting from Jingle-boy here." Dragon looked down at Jester, who rolled his eyes.
"It can talk?" Janine rushed toward him, hugging him tightly.
"M-markus, I'm afraid!" Markus, her brother, gazed up at the giant green lizard for a moment longer before sheathing his sword, the silver glinting in the light before being sealed away. Janine looked up, fear in her eyes. "Markus?"
"You are… its Mistress?" Markus looked at Jane quizzically.
"I beg your pardon, short life, but I am no one's pet!" Dragon was becoming irritated. Jane dropped her arms, moving to her friend.
"No, Dragon is my best friend and my partner. He is not fierce and he will not attack you, Princess. He's very nice. Oh, Your Highness, I am Jane." She gave a bow to the Prince Markus. "I assure you, on my honor as a knight, Dragon will not harm you." Janine looked up at the towering creature in fear. "Dragon, perhaps you could come to our level?"
"Very well." And he dropped to the ground, blowing out a sigh. "I don't see the point, Jane." Jane gave a strained smile.
"Princess, he will not hurt you, I promise." Jane smiled at the somewhat younger girl. "Else he will have me to deal with." Janine gulped, stepping forward bravely. Markus watched as she moved closer to the lizard. Janine gave a curtsy.
"Hello, D-dragon. I am Princess J-Janine." Dragon leaned down close to her, peering at her silently.
"Hm-mm…" He sniffed at her and pulled back. "Blak, like those funny flowers with thorns!" He shook his head quickly, ridding him of her scent. "Can't stand your short life perfumes…" Janine rushed back to her brother, hiding her face in his shirt. He laughed at her, smiling at Dragon.
"Well then! Someone shares my hatred of them!" He calmed himself, looking at Jane. "Lady Jane, could it be possible you are related to a Lady Turnkey of our court? The similarities are quite substantial." Jane wrinkled her nose at the title.
"It's just Jane, Prince Markus. And yes. She is my aunt. She married my father's elder brother." He looked at her questioningly. "Is something the matter?"
"Your aunt?" He was silent for a long moment before gave a little laugh. "I see. That would explain it then. If you don't mind my asking, how old are you, precisely?" Jane blinked at the odd request.
"15. Can I ask why?" He waved her off.
"Come, Janine. Someone's bound to think you've been kidnapped. We must ease their minds." Janine frowned at her brother. "Don't look at me like that."
"Similarities, Markus? The Countess is a brunette with blue eyes. What are you playing at?" He smiled, waved to Jane and her friends, and took his sister by the hand, leading her away.
And so, after some time, the 3rd chapter. I hope it's to everyone's liking!
