Smithy's Confession

After Jester said he had to speak to Gunther, I left to see if Dragon would enjoy my company. As I was walking toward Dragon, Smithy said "Jane, would to like to talk for a while?"

I hardly talk to Smithy

"Alright"

"Jane how are you feeling?

"I'm alright, what about you?"

"I never thought I would go from sharpening blades to actually holding one"

"It's quite admirable actually"

"You really think so? Thank you Jane. So what do you think about possibly marrying someone like me?"

"I don't think it would be unpleasant, I think you would treat me well. However you might always be too busy for me"

Scratching the back of his head, he curiously asked "How so Jane?"

"Your always sharpening something, or fixing something, or hammering something. All day you're in your forge or in the stables, busy."

"Well that is quite easy to explain, I keep myself busy, because I feel the most relaxed when I'm watching you beating up Gunther, or when you strike dummy. It's like you're an emerald shining in the midday sun, you move so gracefully as you strike dummy, like a dancer. You are tantalizing, and since you and Jester liked each other, I never had any further thoughts. But when this opportunity came up, I thought, I thought that being with you would be nice. And I want you to live your life the want you to, however we might be frustrated with each other in time. The way we live would keep us apart, and I know that I could not stop you, but I would try to stop you, and that would make you miserable. That's why I don't think we could be together."

"Smithy, if I become your bride, as my husband you would have the right to tell me how to live my life."

Placing his hand on my shoulder, he said "even if I did have the right, that would be wrong. You wouldn't be Jane anymore, I love the spirited, feisty, brave Jane. I don't want to do that to you. I love the way you are, I...love...I love you Jane."

You love me? I don't know what to say? I didn't know I was so popular. I don't love you the same way you love me. But I'll treat you well.

"Smithy, thank you. If you become my husband, I'll treat you well, and your right it would be hard for me, but I would make time for you, and like now, you would probably accompany me on battles. I would make sure to make a place for you in my life. So if it should occur, that you become my husband, let us get along."

"Indeed, Jane don't turn now but, I believe we have spies. Gunther, Dragon and Jester are looking at me intently. Should we play a trick?"

"Why not? I think this would be funny"

"Ok now, just listen to what I'm about to tell you, come closer"

"Alright"

"Now stare straight into my eyes"

"Alright, any reaction yet?"

Smiling, he said "Yes, they now look like they want to kill me. Now come closer, I'm going to hug you, so don't be alarmed"

Smithy comes closer, and as he embraced me, I could smell smoke, and a bit of earthiness.

Smithy even as a joke, this is a bit much, I didn't realize you were manly

"Smithy, I feel a but embarrassed

Getting closer he said "It means, that it will look more realistic. Now come close enough for a kiss."

"OK, but this is a bit..."

"Don't you want to know if Jester gets jealous"

"Alright then"

So I got my face close enough for a kiss, as I did I noticed that Smithy is actually handsome, his blue eyes sparkled and he said "Jane, now I'm going to kiss you but not on the lips but close to them. Are you ready?"

"I uh... This is a bit.. I'm nervous"

Smirking he said "Why, do you find me attractive Jane?"

"I don't know...ok .. I'm ready"

As he was about to kiss me, we were interrupted by "Get away from my future wife horse boy"

Gunther had just tackled Smithy.

"Gunther, what are you..."

Then Jester scooped me up and said sincerely "Are you alright, did he defile you?"

Then Dragon is flying over Smithy and said "Jane, just give me the signal, and he will be charcoal."

"Everyone stop, Smithy had done nothing, it was a joke"

Still mad Gunther said "Woman, are you mad"

Confused, Jester said "It's a joke that he was going to kiss you?"

"Well, yes, I wanted to know if you get jealous"

With a serious face, he said "Jane, in my heart, I never felt at peace when you were with other men. It's like a beast awakened in me and made me a madman. So I try not to let myself become overcome with anger, but if you want me to, I'll lash out at Smithy."

Walking up to me, Gunther asked "Your saying that you did this to make me jealous. Well it worked, now do you want me to beat up Smithy for you?"

"No thank you Gunther, just help Smithy up, and don't hurt him."

Sulking Gunther said "Alright, but what do I get?"

Asking Jester that I need to tell him something in secret, he lowers his head and in his ear I said "Do I have your permission?"

Unsure he said in my ear "As long as I don't feel like beating him up"

Still whispering in his ear, I said "is a kiss on the cheek alright? I need to keep Gunther under my influence. So is it alright?"

Moving his head away he said "Alright but make it quick"

"Gunther, I'll give you a kiss on the cheek. So please pick Smithy up "

In a hurry, Gunther helped him up and was ready for the kiss. Jester gently put me down. I slowly approached Gunther, as I got closer, he began to shake. Standing in front him I asked " Are you alright? "

Irritated he said "I'm fine, give me my kiss now!"

Quickly, I gave him a peck on the cheek. I backed away right away, and looked at Gunther. He touched his cheek where I kissed him with his hand, his face was red and he was breathing heavily, and he grabbed his chest. Worried I asked "Are you alright?"

Looking away, Gunther smiled and said "Jane, I told you those eyes are dangerous"

Without thinking I touched his arm "Gunther?"

"Don't... Ah..."

He fainted.

Gunther you are I'll. I'm sorry

"Smithy, can you pick up Gunther and lay him down near the fire."

Scratching the back of his head, Smithy said "Sorry Jane, that it became this way. I'll take care of Gunther, you, Jester, and Dragon can talk."

Walking away, Jester turned toward me, and mischievously said "Jane, I think you will be the death of Gunther."

I'm going to kill Gunther?

Anxiously I asked "Am I really going to kill him?"

Dragonwalkedaway, leaving me and Jester to talk. Smiling, Jester said "I now know the reason for Gunther's illness"

Relieved I asked "What is it?"

Grabbing hold of my hand he said "Gunther has love sickness"

"Love sickness? What is that?"

"As the name implies, because of his love for you, his heart will beat unnaturally fast, he body may shake, his breathing will be fast, and shallow, And because his body won't be able to handle the extra work, he will lose consciousness. He will be alright as long as you don't excite him, he will be alright."

"That is good, so don't get near Gunther?"

"No, just don't do anything that will excite him."

"Like what?"

Pulling me close he said "No close contact, don't look straight into his eyes, no kissing not even a peck on the cheek, no holding hands, no whispering in his ears, no hugging, no fighting, just talk to him calmly."

Letting go of my hands he said "You should go and rest, Dragon and I will keep watch, you sleep for a while."

"Alright, I am a bit tired"

I waked away and went to sleep, covered with my coat. I don't know how much time passed but it was unpleasant.

In my dreams, there is a man in the distance, he looks at me and runs away. As I chase after him he tells me I don't love him, that I only cause him pain. As I tackle him, he disappeared. I would call for him, but he would not show himself. As I cried another man would sing the song that I loved so much, Red Mare. I turned to face the direction of the singing, but he disappeared. So I got up and walked around and in the sky there was a bird... No... It was... A... Dragon. So I called for Dragon, and he appeared, so I called for Jester, and he appeared, and I called for Gunther, and he appeared. They stared at me, and I asked them what do they want, and they said that they wanted an answer.. An answer... For what?

I would have known if I wasn't woken by Sir Theodore "Jane, the soldiers are almost here, Jester alerted us that they will be here shortly, now prepare your sword."

I hurriedly got up, grabbed my sword, and mounted my horse. I'm now ready now ready to fight.