Wow... It's been awhile since I last updated... MY BAD! MY BAD! Jane's POV chapters just kinda slipped into the story without me really planning on it, but I think it's better now that I've decided to add them into the storyline. That way you will get to know how she is actually doing, and not what she's telling Jester. :P

Let me know wht you think in your reviews. :) (You don't have to, but it's greatly appreciated.)

But I'll stop my yaking...

I don't own Jane and the Dragon... I think we know the rest, it hasn't changed.

Chapter Seven

The First Good-Byes

Dear Jane,

I do hope that you will not be too upset with me. It was a surprise to me as well. My parents explained it last night to me. They had everything planned out, and organized it right down to a kidnapping if it was needed. Ah, my parents, they do like to make sure that things get done.

We left before dawn so we didn't have a chance to say good-bye. I did come up to your room to see if you were awake, but you were not. I knocked on the door, and when you didn't answer I cracked the door open to see if you were okay. You were fast asleep. I didn't wake you because you looked so peaceful, so I decided I would write a small letter to tell you that I will see you soon. I promise.

Just make me one promise Jane. Be happy. Do anything that makes you happy. Work your butt off on your knights training. Kick Gunther's butt many, many times. Become the first female knight. And most important of all... Find love. It's the greatest gift in the world to find love, and have love find you. Find that gift, and keep it close.

Be happy, and be safe.

Your Best Friend

Jester.

Slowly, and quietly he opened the door, stopping at the sound of it creaking. Some light spilled in, and the gentle curve of her body was viable in the shadow. She was still asleep.

"Maggots" he whispered under his breath and closed the door, the creaking still audible in the spring air.

Jane turned and looked at the door, debating if she should rise or not. Her eyes still heavy and sore from sleep and kept threatening to close. There was no way she was going to lose at this battle, not if it was who she thought it was opening the door. She could hear whispering behind the door, a heated argument by the sounds of it, one the whispers of a boy, the other a girl.

Finally there was silence.

"He must have left." Jane mused to herself, rolling back over and making herself comfortable again. "I know I have the wrong person. Jester would have at least said good-bye" The hot tears rolled down her face, the traitors.

Just before drifting off the sleep again, Jane heard her door creak open again, and the gentle breeze from the outdoor air drift across her body. Somebody was coming in. Too tired to move, or open her eyes, Jane stayed completely still hoping that it was just her mother checking in on her. Until she felt the soft touch of somebody placing there hand on her shoulder.

There was a crinkle, and a small amount of pressure on her pillow beside her head. Then the soft touch of lips upon her right cheek.

"I'll see you later, and I'll miss you dearly." whispered his voice in her ear.

Just as quickly as he was there, he was gone.

Jane awoke with a start, flying up into the sitting position like she had a nightmare. Within an instant, her hand reached up and touched the place on her cheek where it was still tingly from the touch of his lips. Looking around, she found the note laying on her pillow, just where her head had rested, her name printed on the top in his clean printing.

Without any hesitation, Jane grabbed it and gently opened the folded paper revealing the note inside. The more she read of the letter, the more her eyes watered with the salty traitors. When she was done reading, Jane wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, and set the letter into the bottom of her trunk on the end of the bed where she kept all her knightly wears.

Placing her feet on the floor, Jane lifted herself into standing position, tears starting to roll freely. She had to be sure.

After the slow process of walking over to her window, she placed her hands on the cover and pushed it open, just to look out and see an empty yard. The caravans where gone, only the tracks of where they rested for the night still visible.

She barely made it back to her bed before the tears started flowing heavier, blurring her vision. It was barely dawn, and Jester was already gone.

"Jane? Are you alright?" Dragon had pushed open her window, and stuck his head into the the room, his face contorted into worry as he looked upon his friend who's tears where still rolling freely down her face. She had been crying for awhile, her red eyes and swollen face proved that, plus the fact that she was now just sitting there looking into the abyss. There were no shaking sobs, no sniffling, nothing. Just the steady movement of her breathing, and a small sway to stay balanced.

Dragon exhaled and pressed it farther, "Jane? If there is one thing I rarely see... It's you crying. What happened?"

"Nothing." Jane snapped, moving her head to the side and began to admire her shoes the tears starting up in a fresh stream.

"Nothing?" Dragon quoted, tilting his head to the side. "So your not upset that Jingle boy left?"

Jane's head popped up at the sound of Jester's nickname, a gasp escaping her lips.

"That's what I thought." Dragon smirked letting out a breath of smoke from his nostrils. "He stopped by the caves before they left to talk to me. I've been given a task."

"What task is that?" Jane sniffled looking back at the floor.

"Keep you safe."

Jane stifled a laugh, "you do that already green lips."

"Im supposed to make sure you don't take them leaving too hard... Or something." Dragon looked around and hummed to himself "Or maybe something to do with a gift... with love..."

"The greatest thing you will ever find is love."

"That's it!" Dragon grinned I'm supposed to help you find this gift."

Jane laughed "You help me? I don't need that gift. What I need is to wise n up. Jesters gone, and he's probably not going to be coming back."

"I know that's its strange for me to be giving advice, but take it from a very handsome 300 year old Dragon." Dragon paused a looked at Jane "Sometimes, when one looses their hope, its hard for them to accept that fact that there is a silver lining in the clouds. Find that silver lining again, and soon hope will return."

"Hope? Where did you find this crazy saying from? I haven t lost hope."

"But you have short life. 'He's gone and he won't return.' That's what you said."

"Forget it, I have lessons" Jane stood up and rubbed her eyes, and storming out of her room.

Find the silver lining. Where did he come up with that? That's the worst thing that I've ever heard.

Jane was in a bitter mood. It's not like it was everyday that your best friend just leaves with only a note to say good-bye. "It's not his fault I guess... But at the same time... He could have woken me up."

"Jane!" Sir Theodore sternly commanded "The Ox is a move that you should have perfected when we first started training. Yet, your stance is wrong... I thought it was your favourite?"

"It's one of my favourites sir." Jane responded, giving Gunther a side glance as he started snickering beside her.

"Then fix it." She did as she was told.

"You seem a little distracted. Is it because your boyfriend left?" Gunther taunted, Jane fell for it.

"He's not my boyfriend! And it doesn't matter if he can't be bothered to stay under the service of the King! I'm not the one who is being a traitor!" Jane yelled throwing her wooden sword onto the ground looking toward Gunther with a fiery rage.

"Jane!" Sir Theodore commanded "Control your emotions. Jester is not a traitor, he has taken a leave."

"A leave?"

"Yes Jane, a leave. His parents had requested that their son spend some time with them, and the King agreed as long as they gave him a replacement Jester." Theodore bowed his head down. "Don't loose hope, it's the biggest mistake a knight can make. It could cost their life."

After a very uneventful lunch, Jane found herself in her room once more, this time seated at her bed with a pen, some ink, and a piece of parchment. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, as she was supposed to write down all the names of famous knights that she could, instead, Jane sighed and began to write:

'Jester,

I'm not sure what to do...'

It's done! Its on the shorter side but it's done!

I'm so sorry that it took so long to update, but I got it! :)

I also got chapter 8 done so I've uploaded that one too. :) Don't hate me too much.

(and my English has gone down the drain... can't think straight, as I am that tired... :P)