Author's note: still based on the actual episode at that point, so this is Martin Baynton and his team's work, not mine. Any mistake is on my behalf. Bold means original lines.
8
That morning, the squires had been practicing for their stealth exam. Each one had to turn around one of their mentors without being heard. Jane had her turn earlier… and failed. She had insisted to try again after the practise. Since it wasn't a busy day at the castle, Sir Ivon accepted.
« Ha! Ha! There! » said Sir Ivon, pointing right where Jane was. « Reveal! »
« Maggots! » said Jane. « I was so quite that time! »
« Not quiet enough for this knight! You have the stealth of a donkey! »
« Once more, Sir Ivon! I can be quiet, I swear it! »
« Enough practise today, Jane. The King is having a day of rest and I intend to do the same! This is officially a day off! »
« Could you hear me? » Jane asked Dragon.
« With these dragon's ears? Ha! » said Dragon.
« Of course! » said Jane. « You could hear compliment at a thousand paces! »
A ball rolled up to Jane's feet.
« Bandy ball? » she said.
« That is the general idea. » said Smithy.
« And Jester makes three! » said Jester.
« We need one more player! » said Jane. « Rake! »
« Bandy ball! Yes! » he exclaimed. « No… Sorry. I have to tend to my turnips. »
« Ha. Turnip tending tends to take time! » said Jester.
« How about Pepper? » said Jane.
« Pepper outside that long? No way! » said Jester.
« And everyone eats. » remarked Smithy. « No rest day for the kitchens. »
« The prince? Gunther? » asked Jane.
« Hum… » said the boys, unsure.
Jane called to her fellow squire, on the balustrade.
« Gunther? Want to play with us? »
« Do I look like a child to you? » he replied with a haughty tone.
Jester raised his hand, jumping up and down.
« Oh! I can answer that one! »
« Come now, Gunther! It is the King's rest day! » said Jane.
« As you were, childrens! » said Gunther.
« So… » said Jester. « Without the charming, delightful and ever diplomatic Gunther, we are still one short for a game. »
« Alright! » said Dragon, landing next to them. « You talked me into it! »
« Dragon? Really? » said Jane.
« Oh, I can bandy the ball you shorth-lifes with a claw tied with my tail! » said Dragon.
« Say you, bandyballers? » said Jane.
« Hum… » answered the boys. « Well… »
This would be interesting…
« Let me help you make up your mind. » said Dragon, taking the ball in his mouth before taking off. « No dragon, no ball! »
« Hey! » protested everyone.
They run after him up to the gardens.
« Dragon, you can play. » said Jane.
« Yes! » said Dragon. « Great decision. Such wisdom from such small heads. How they do it? »
Jester got distracted by a fancy chair next to the fountain.
« What is this doing here? » he asked.
« It's waiting on the King's pleasure. » said Sir Ivon, walking in the gardens, precede by his boss. « The King is taking the sun. »
« Taking it where? » whispered Jester.
« If everyone would kindly vacant my garden... » said King as he took place in his seat. « Only Sir Ivon needs to stay and attend. »
« Yes, your majesty. » said Jane.
They all left as Sir Ivon took his post by King Caradoc's side.
« Look at this garden! » said the King. « I must remember to thank my gardener sometimes. Roke? Rak? »
« Rake! » snaped Sir Ivon. « Hum… your Highness. »
« No crown! No duties! » said the King, relaxing.
« No day off for me! » mumbled the knight.
8
Back in the yard, Jane explained the rules to Dragon.
« You and Smithy hit that target. Jester and I hit the other. And no more then two steps carrying the ball. »
« What about flying? » asked Dragon.
Everyone gave him a look.
8
The game got in full motion
« Jester! » said Jane.
« Go long! Go long! » said Jester.
She throws him the ball, but Smithy intersected.
« Dragon! Go wide! » said Smithy.
Dragon rushed to the other side but tripped on his own claws and felt.
« Maybe not that wide! » said Smithy.
« Yes! » said Jane.
Sheused the commotion to steal the ball back. She made a pass to Jester, who hit the target.
« One to us! Sweet nothing for you! » bragged Jester.
« Oh Dragon! Green with envy now? » added Jane.
« Sorry. » Dragon said to Smithy, as their adversary laughed.
« They are the ones who are going to be sorry! » said Smithy, picking up the ball.
« Smithy, I like you! » said Dragon.
Smithy launched the ball.
« Come on! Bandyball! » said Jane.
Smithy bounced the ball on the floor and on Dragon, before hitting their target.
« Ha! In your face! » yelled Dragon.
« Enjoy it while you can, green lips! » said Jane.
In the next turn, Smithy caught the ball before Jane and made a pass at Dragon. Jester tried to intercept with his stick, but the pass was too high. Dragon managed to catch it. He made his two (huge) steps and throw it. The ball bounced around wildly, hitting both targets (and a tower!).
« Wo-o! » said Dragon. « Dragon's strength! »
« One each… » said Jester. « Usually fair. »
They went on with the game. This time, Smithy caught the ball. Dragon tried to get as far as possible, running wildly.
« Pass it! Pass it! » said Dragon.
Caught up in the game, he did not see Jane, who jump out of the way. Jester was less lucky. Distracted by his mistake, Dragon almost smashed the poor boy into the castle wall.
« Oh no! » said Jester, bracing himself for the impact.
« Dragon! » said Smithy and Jane.
Fortunately, Dragon managed to stop his sliding before the worst happed.
« Jiggles! » said a distress Jester. « That was not funny! »
« The ball! » said Dragon. « Come on, come on! Where is the ball? »
Dragon turned on himself, hitting everyone with his tail in the process.
« You are standing on it. » said an angry Jane.
« Oh right. » said Dragon, looking at the ball and the other players. « Oh dear. Everyone alright? Nobody's broken, are they? »
« No. Just fine. » said Smithy as he massaged his back. « I think. »
« Never felt better. » said Jester as he massaged his shoulder.
« Ah, ouf! » said Dragon. « You had me worried. »
« Tougher than we look, Dragon. » said Jane.
A laugher emerged from the balustrade.
« Hitting a wall, have we? » said Gunther.
« You come down and play, Gunther, and then we will see who is laughing! » replied Jane.
« No one is dull-witted enough to play bandy ball with a dragon! » said Gunther. « Oh, wait! My mistake! »
He laughed again.
« Hey! » said Jane.
« Well, it is definitely time for a break. » said Jester.
Jane looked at Smithy, who seems to agree. Dragon was looking guilty. It sounds like a good call. The humans migrated to the picnic table.
« Look, I know Dragon can, well, be a like bit… » started Jane.
« Enthusiastic? » offered Smithy.
« Ready when you are! » yelled Dragon. « Come on! Let's go! »
« Not yet! » replied Smithy.
« I am. » said Rake. « Turnips all tended. »
« You can play on Smithy's team. » said Jane. « They need a little help. »
« Sound fair to me. » said Rake.
« One dragon ready to play. A more gentle, more considerate dragon who will try to… » interrupted Dragon.Dragon stopped talking after he stepped on the ball and deflated it. « Oups. Sorry. »
« First, we get smashed and now the ball does. » said Jester.
« No problem. I have one more, I think. » said. Smithy.
« Champion. » said Jane. « Shall we play now? »
« Yes! » yelled a very enthusiastic Dragon, jumping up and down before flying to the yard.
Jane was almost at the door when she realised the boys did not follow.
« Is something wrong? » she asked.
« Well… » started Jester.
« I am ready! » yelled Dragon.
« It is not that we do not want Dragon to play. » added Jester. « But… »
« But? » said Jane.
« Jane… » said Jester. « We tried. We really did try. He just… so… so big! »
« And clumsy. » added Smithy.
« Dangerously clumsy. » said Jester.
« Not that he can help it. » added Smithy.
« So, Dragon cannot play bandy ball with us, is that it? » said an angry Jane.
« Well… yes. » said Jester.
« Sorry. » said Smithy.
« You play with them, Jane. » said Dragon, who overheard everything. « You all carry on. I have… things to do. »
« Dragon! » said Jane as her lizard friend left. « How could you do that to him? »
« Jane, no one want to hurt Dragon. » said Rake.
« But you have! Very much! » said Jane. « You have to let him play! »
« Jane, please! » said Smithy.
« We tried! » said Jester. « It hurt. A lot! »
« If Dragon is left out, I will go with him! » said Jane. She paused, but no one tried to stop her. « Fine! »
« Jane! » said Jester. « I hate it when she does that! »
She rejoined Dragon in the yard.
« It's time to go! »
« Go where? » asked Dragon. « What about your game? »
« Bandy ball is for ball-heads! » replied Jane. « We have a patrol to do! »
« Right… And the rest of the day? »
« Do enemies of the court take a rest? No! So, we patrol now! »
They took off. Dragon waited until they were high enough before starting the conversation over.
« So… this is fun… »
« Yes! »
« More fun than bandy ball with ball-heads? »
« Yes! Maybe… Why did they do that? That was so unfair! »
« Maybe it was the bruises? The scratches? My awesome abilities? »
« Maybe. Anyway, it is nice to have a day off, just the two of us. »
« A knight and her completely awesome dragon. »
« Compliment only works if someone else says them, Dragon. »
« Well, you say it to me, then. Dragon you are… Come on! You can say it! Completely handsome! »
« You are a complete handful! »
8
In the gardens, the king was snoring when a few berries landed in his face.
« Who dares to wake the King? »
His outburst woke Sir Ivon. He took his sword out but stopped when he heard laughter from the bushes. The prince and princess got out and threw some more berries.
« We thought you might be hungry. » said the prince.
« Hungry papa! Like a big hungry bear! » said the princess.
« Yes, yes. Very humorous. » said the king. « But your father needs to relax now. »
« My apologies, your majesty. » said Lady Adeline. « Come now, children. We have our day to begun on with. »
« My daddy is a messy eater. » said the princess as the lady in waiting took them away.
« And you were a dreadful shot. » said the lady in waiting.
« Your majesty… » began Sir Ivon.
« At ease, Sir Ivon. » said the king. « There go two subjects even I cannot control. »
8
The royal children were on road to their room.
« In this lesson, young master will learn to be a king of wisdom and stature. » said Lady Adeline.
« Fear me as I rule the land! » declare the prince.
« Being feared isn't really something to aspire to. » replied his nannie.
After making sure no one would enter the throne room, Gunther step out of his hidden place. It was time for his rest day entertainment.
« Shall I be… queen? » he asked himself out loud sitting down at her place. « No! I should take my place as king! »
He sat down on the comfy chair, smiling.
8
Dragon and Jane were lazing in the sun on top on a hill. Which would had been perfect, under different circumstances.
« I hate arguing. » she complained. « Especially with friends. »
« But you do it so well! And with the entire court. » replied Dragon before burning an annoying fly. « Now if you want my opinion… (changing his voice toimitate his friend) Yes, mighty awesome Dragon, what is your opinion? So glad you asked, Jane. Because I side with your friends. I am ten times their size. »
« Yes… Well… That's not the point! »
« A dragon is, by his awesome nature, hard to handle. »
« Go on. Say it. »
« Thank for standing up for me, but… »
« But I overreacted. »
« You overreacted. »
« Why do I always do that? » asked Jane, hitting herself on the head.
« I blame the hair! »
« Well, now, what do I do? »
« Alright. Here is a plan. I am going to pay a visit to some cows. »
« Some cows? »
« Mooo is nature finest sound! It starts with a Mmmm and it ends with a ouuuu! Oh genious! »
« Right… »
« And while I am with the cows, you are to go back and play bandy ball! »
« No way, I… »
« Mooo! » interrupted Dragon.
« But… »
« Mooo! »
« Dragon! »
« Moooooooo! »
« Alright, you win! » she conceded with a smile. « I am hoping on. »
« Champion! »
And on that note, he took off.
8
Jane decided to start at the forge. Smithy was equalizing a wood plank.
« Back to working on King's rest day? »
« Yes. » he answered without looking up.
« No bandy ball, then? » she asked hopefully as she took the ball from the table.
« No. »
« Oh… »
« We… » intervened Jester. « that is, Smithy and I, apologies for hurting Dragon's feelings. »
« That was just our bruises talking. » said Smithy.
« I know. » said Jane. « I overreacted. When it comes to Dragon, I get a bit too protective. »
« Like with me and the pig! » said Smithy.
« I guess. » said Jane, after exchanging a look with Jester.
« And if anyone, even, have a go with my bells or my juggling balls, I would rain down foolish rage! » added the fool, getting a good laugher. « Now, Jane, you are going to handle that bandy ball all day or do we have to wrestle it from you? »
8
The new game now opposed the two boys to Jane and Rake.
« Now, Jane! » said Rake.
« Hey! » yelled Jane as Jester intercepted and reached for the goal.
« Yes! With bells on! All right! » said Jester, as he and his teammate celebrate.
« We can still take them! » said Jane to Rake. « They only lead by two. »
« Which is more then you have! » boosted Smithy.
« Well said, Smithy! » complimented Jester. « Just stick with the facts. They are on our side! »
« Well, I have you know that we will proud that lead away faster then… say.. a... » said Rake, as Jester pretended to be listening with his hand behind his ear. « Quick to leave, you come to grieve. Slow to shot, you bear a fruit! »
Rake stood proudly as his friends wonder how to react to his awkward insult.
« So there! » said Jane, before noticing her other friend on the battlement. « Dragon? What happen to the cows? »
« Hum… » said an embarrassed Dragon. « Oddest thing. They seemed a little bit unnerved by me hanging around. »
« Surprise! » replied an amused Jane.
« So, if nobody minds, I will just sit and watch my little short-live kick a pig bladder all around the yard. You will not even know I'm here! » said Dragon.
The game resumed. Jester juggled to get the ball around Jane's stick and made a pass to Smithy.Dragon through insults and comments at them like a drunken football fan in a pub.
« Tough crowd! » commented Jester.
« I thought you said we would not even known you're there! » said Jane.
« What do you mean? » added Dragon.
« Dragon! » said Jane.
8
Back in the throne room, Gunther was still playing king.
« My decision is always final! » he declared. « You will obey your souverain. »
8
In the gardens, Dragon's yells woke the king from his nap.
« Ivon! » he yells, waking up the lazy knight.
« Yes, my lord! »
« Move it! » yelled Dragon, from away.
« I could not had put it better myself. » added the King.
When Sir Ivon reach the yard, Dragon had come down from the wall to get near the action.
« Come on! At least, try to make this entertaining! »
« Dragon! » said Jane. « Would you please be… »
« Quiet! » interrupted loudly Sir Ivon. « The king orders you to keep your peace. You may continue to play your game, but the next one to make him up will wish they had not! »
On that note, he went back to his post.
« Should we still play? » asked Smithy.
« Maybe it would be saver to stop. » said Jester.
« No. » whispered Jane. « Rake and I are still just one goal down. »
« Yes. » approved her teammate. « We can still win and be quiet. »
« But you two must not cry to loudly when you loose! » said Jane.
« What about Dragon? » wondered Jester.
« I can hear you; you know. » whispered Dragon.
« I know Dragon is too rough to play but, what say we make him referee. » proposed Jane.
« Will it quiet him down? » murmured Jester.
« Well, it might. » said Jane.
« I can be quiet. » said Dragon. « And as referee… what is a referee? »
8
The game resumed after a short explanation.
« Rake! » said Jane softly.
« Jane! » said Rake, passing at her.
Jane and Jester both gripped the ball and wrestle for it.
« Give it! » said Jane.
« Jane! » said Jester.
« Jester! » said Jane.
The battle got interrupted by Dragon's hand.
« Dead ball. To me, please. Ready? Bandy ball! »
He served. Jane's stick collided with the ball and… send it on Rake's head, on the practise dummy and out the yard. After hushing the dummy, Dragon flied up to see in the gardens.
« Snoozing. No change. The king is still asleep. Can we all be a little bit more careful? Please? »
They all gave him a look.
« Bandy ballers are you ready? » he called.
He threw the ball… which bounce over the wall.
« Royal garden. » he confirmed. « What are the chances of that happening? Back in a bat's bling. »
« No! » said Jane. « Stop. The king must not be woken. »
« I will land as softly as a moth on a raindrop. » said Dragon.
« Yes, a very big, very loud moth! Leave this to me. » said Jane.
8
In the throne room, Gunther was getting tired.
« Back to the real world. »
He stopped as he noticed the crown the King left. « Or maybe… No! I broke the castle protocol enough already. Gunther! You cannot! »
He tried to convince himself to leave… but failed.
« Just for a royal moment. »
He adjusted it and took a pose.
« Bow down before your ruler! »
« Can we make icing as well? » asked the princess from the corridor.
« We will look at what Pepper has. » said Lady Adeline.
The kids cheered. Gunther came out from behind the throne as soon as they were gone. It had been too close of a call; he knew he had to stop fooling around. He tried to put the crown back.
« Oh no! No! No! This cannot be happening! »
But it was: the crown was indeed stuck.
8
Jane approached the gardens carefully while making up a plan. First, distract Sir Ivon. Then, quickly and silently retrieved the ball. She threw a rock and tried to hurry, but she hit another problem.
« Where is that ball? » she mumbled.
She sneaked out behind Sir Ivon's back for a little while before she located it. It was on the King's lap! It was already a miracle he had not wake up, taking it back would be a challenge!
As she made a move for it, she stepped on a branch. Both Sir Ivon and Dragon heard the noise. Dragon was almost biting his claws! But Jane managed to hide in the bushes, hidden from her mentor. He noticed the ball and picked up without waking the King.
He played around a bit before dropping it. By the time he checked on his boss, Jane had left with the ball. Sir Ivon let out a sound of surprise.
« I warn you, Ivon. If you wake me up again, you will suffer. » said the king.
8
Gunther was entering in the yard when he steps on the ball.
« Gunther, earlier when I asked you to stop acting like royalty… » said Jane.
« I need help! » he interrupted. « The King's crown! It is stuck! »
« I will ask why later. We need to bring it back before his majesty notices. » said Jane. « Smithy? »
« Come on, Gunther. » said Smithy, dragging him to the forge. « A few blows with my hammer should do it. »
« Use your horse cot's mallet. » joked Jester.
« You are jesting, right? » asker Gunther, a bit worried.
Smithy choose not to answer.
8
Later that night, they were all hanging outside after dinner.
« So, Gunther, how did it feel to be king today? » asked Jane.
« Did you declare war on other kingdoms? » added Jester.
« Did you made any law? » added Smithy.
« Find yourself a queen? » added Pepper.
« Name you proudest achievement! » said Jane.
Gunther decided to play along. He raised from his seat.
« I, King Gunther the first, will announce the last act of my reign! »
« What is it, your majestic majesty? » said Jane.
« I thereby ban myself for ever being king again! » said Gunther.
« Here here! » said everyone.
« Good night! » said Gunther.
« Good night, Gunther! » said Jane.
In a corner, Rake and Dragon were playing a game.
« I win! » said Rake.
« Gardener luck! » replied Dragon.
« One, two, three, go. » they said.
This time, Dragon won. The other boys decided to join in.
« Is that parchment, sword and rock? » asked Smithy.
« Hum, hum! » said Dragon.
« I love this game! » said Jester. « I will play the winner. »
« And will next! » said Rake.
« Come on, Rake! My turn to play Dragon! » said Jester.
« Who say Dragon will win? » said Rake.
« Sword beat parchment. » said Smithy.
Jane and Dragon exchanged an accomplice look. This was a way better idea than bandy ball with a dragon.