DISCLAIMER: I don't own Jane and the Dragon.

WARNING: Contains blood and violence, possibly some bad language.

Note: This is basically a fanfiction of Krya4's fanfictions. I love the way she brings the story into adulthood and thought I'd have a go at something similar. As a result this story is practically hers, only with the roles of Jane and Gunther reversed. Krya4 - you're awesome, please keep writing!

When she awoke, her head was resting on his chest and his hand was tangled pleasantly in her hair. She lay still for a while, breathless, wondering if she had instigated the contact or he. She could not remember, but she did not care. She felt as if she had come home. His arm around her shoulders was warm and she could hear the steady, distant beat of his heart in her ear. She listened to it for a few long minutes before stirring, sorry to lose the comforting sound. He did not wake when she manoeuvred herself clear of him – his eyes were smudged with purpled rings and his skin was still unhealthily pale. She stayed a little longer, hanging on to the moment. But she could hear the castle coming to life around them, and if she stayed much longer she would find herself having to explain just why and how she had come to spend the night in his room. On his bed, no less.

Her mother would be furious.

That thought alone made her smile and almost made her stay, just to see what would follow, but she was in need of washing, changing, emerging fully from battle-state. She climbed off the bed slowly, not wishing to disturb him. She pulled on her boots and her jerkin, raked a hand through her hair, hesitated as she stood in the cool morning light. A problem had occurred to her – she could not simply walk out. If their places had been reversed and she had awoken to find herself alone… she would not know what to think. She frowned, considering and then rejecting the idea of waking him up, and then crossed to the desk. After a few minutes of searching she found a drawer of scraps of paper and a stub of a pencil. Tearing off a small corner of parchment, she drew a poorly shaped dragon and folded it into a small square. She returned to tuck the note into his loosely closed hand and then left without looking back, steeling herself not to take it back and rip it up. It seemed childish, silly, but it would do as a sign that she had not left in ill spirits.

She slipped out of his room and closed the door quietly behind her. Luckily it was early enough that castle life was only just beginning to stir. She hurried down the corridor and down the stairs into the courtyard, made her way over to her room. Her room was silent and still – someone had deposited her trunk and armour beside her door. Her belongings crowded round her and she breathed a sigh of contentment. Home. And in one piece, for the most part.

Buy the time she had washed and dressed, her damp hair weighed down by water droplets, the sun was high in the sky and she could hear movement and voices from below. She had to remind herself to replace her sword on the bedside table before she left – she had become so used to carrying it around with her that it took some effort to remind herself that there was no need for it now. Her step was light as she made her way downstairs and emerged into the courtyard. The vegetable patch and kitchen looked just as they had been before, as if the whole battle had simply been a long dream. She caught sight of long, dark hair moving in the kitchen window and quickened her pace, her heart leaping.

"Pepper!"

She heard a muffled crash, footsteps, and then finally saw Pepper herself as the other woman appeared at the kitchen door. Her face lit up and she ran forwards, stretching out her arms. Jane embraced her tightly, grinning widely.

"Jane! Where have you been we missed you at the feast!"

Jane released her, still unable to hide her joy. Pepper was looking her up and down, clearly examining her well-being. Satisfied, she met Jane's gaze and reached out to grasp her hands tightly.

"Where were you?" she repeated earnestly. "The King wanted to congratulate you and the Princess was positively desperate to see you."

"Sorry, Pepper," Jane said guiltily. "I was… distracted. Gunther was in need of help, and afterwards… I was very tired."

She knew how inadequate her response was, but Pepper's face flooded instantly with understanding and she nodded, pulling Jane with her into the kitchen. The comforting roar of the fire filled Jane's ears as Pepper ushered her over to one of the low wooden tables to sit down. The kitchen girl hurried over to her pot over the fire, drawing a bowl of hot porridge to set before Jane.

"Of course, of course. Rake told me what happened. Is he very sick? Rake said that he lost more blood than he had ever seen, although he is only a gardener and perhaps not as well versed in battle…"

"It was bad," Jane replied grimly, seizing a spoon as Pepper's voice trailed off. "He was unwell for some time, he still is. The journey back was very difficult. I was worried that he would-"

She broke off, noting the smile on Pepper's face and realising that she may have said too much. She felt her cheeks growing hot and quickly bent her head to her porridge as the other girl sat down across the table from her.

"Jester said you had… been distressed."

There was little point in arguing. Jane lowered her spoon, giving up on her feigned interest in her food. Pepper did not look at all smug – instead she seemed sympathetic, concerned.

"I could not help it," she replied heavily, keeping her voice quiet should they be interrupted. "You did not see him, Pepper. He looked like… like death. And he was different… somehow."

She gave up, unable to make sense of what she was getting at. Pepper pushed a cup of hot tea across the table towards her.

"How?"

"I don't know," Jane said helplessly, meeting her soft gaze. "I cannot explain it. It is as if I saw something in him that I had always known was there, but never…"

Again, she could not finish. Pepper smiled ruefully at her, pushing back a stray lock of her fine, dark hair. There was a sort of knowing in her face that caught at Jane's attention and made her lift her eyebrow questioningly.

"What do you know?"

Pepper let out a short laugh. "Who does not know, Jane? Apart from you, apparently."

"What are you talking about?"

"Petal, we have all seen how he is with you."

"How he 'is'?"

"The way he looks at you when he thinks that no one is watching? Do you not even know that he has taken to watching for your safe return if you ever miss dinner due to patrolling with Dragon? Smithy always catches him waiting in the courtyard, making up excuses..."

"That is hardly-"

"...and just the other month, after that incident-"

"Incident?" Jane interrupted, frowning. "What incident, what are you talking about?"

Pepper hesitated. "We were not going to tell you, but… Smithy and Jester were out in town one night, and one of the knights was… well, being rather foul-mouthed about your high status, being a female Knight."

Jane cast her eyes skywards. "Most likely drunk. I do not care what they say about me, Pepper, you must not feel that you have to protect me from these fools."

"Yes, well… Gunther was also there and he… well, over-reacted. According to Smithy and Jester."

Over-reacted? Jane had a sudden rush of memory of the Merchant's ugly words and her own blinding fury, and felt that she had some idea of what Smithy and Jester had witnessed at the tavern. Only Gunther had not been in a medical environment, and subsequently would have had no reason to hold back… Her eyebrows jumped far up her forehead as she suddenly remembered him turning up in the courtyard some time ago with a darkening bruise on his jaw and bruised knuckles.

"Get in a fight with that stranger in your room again, Gunther?" she had teased as he retrieved his bow and arrow. "I will explain again – it is a mirror, you see, that ugly creature you keep seeing is simply you."

"So, you do know of mirrors, then," he had retorted, slinging his bow onto his back. "Perhaps you should get yourself one – maybe then you can address that monster on your head you call hair."

And that had been all either of them had said on the topic. Now, she felt like squirming with shame. Why, why had someone not told her that he had been defending her honour the very night before? Not that he needed to – she was perfectly fine to fight her own battles, although it would be just like him to storm in and take the bull by the horns, just as he had during their negotiations just before the battle a few days ago… She realised that Pepper was watching her, waiting for an answer.

"I… Well, if you suspected he… he… felt like that, why did you not say?" Jane demanded.

"Would you have listened?"

Jane shook her head, relenting. She would have laughed until her sides hurt, just as she had when they were children. And yet, here she was. She spooned the rest of her porridge into her mouth, putting the subject to rest, and Pepper let it drop.

"How is Rake?" she asked, pushing her empty bowl away and reaching for her tea.

"Much better now that he is back in his garden," Pepper replied, smiling widely. "He was almost up all night chattering away to his herbs and his vegetables. I think they missed him."

As Jane laughed a cry broke out in the courtyard, and she recognised Sir Ivon's voice. Muttering a quick thanks to Pepper for the breakfast, she rose from the table and hurried up the steps and out into the morning sun. The large knight was just emerging from the courtyard, his voice lowering as he caught sight of her.

"There you are, lass. The King must see you, immediately."

She nodded and fell into step beside him, heading for the throne room. She did not like his tone – he sounded grim, unhappy, and his face was lined with concern. Her heart sank. Surely things had not gone wrong already; they had only just returned from battle! She quickened her step, climbing the stairs to the great all two at a time, and pushed her way through the great doors to find King Caradoc, the Queen, Sir Theodore and her own father gathered around a map that was stretched on the table, all with distinctly sombre attitudes. She greeted her father warmly, having not seen him the night before, and inclined her head respectfully to the King and Queen, glancing at the map.

"What is wrong, your Highness?"

"Lady Jane," the King gestured to the table, his countenance serious. "We have received a message from one of our scouts at the border. He claims that what is left of the enemy army is re-grouping, possibly intending to attack some smaller settlements on the outskirts of our lands."

Jane looked in horror at Sir Theodore, who nodded gravely. She stared down at the point indicated on the map.

"But so soon! How can they…"

"They must be desperate," Sir Theodore explained. "If they had any sense, they would return to their own lands. There are only a few of their numbers left, but they will still pose a threat to our farmers and citizens who live nearer to the border."

"Then it is just senseless violence?" Jane asked, looking from her mentor to the King and back again. "It is barbaric."

"Perhaps a retaliation," Sir Ivon said darkly. "We should have pursued them and eliminated them when we had the chance."

"Let it not be said that we do not show mercy when we can," the King spoke out sharply, frowning. "If we had not let the survivors escape we would be no better than them."

"But Dragon chased them as far as he could," Jane said, still absorbing the shock of the information. "Why would they return, only to face him again?"

"Perhaps that is exactly what they wish," Sir Theodore murmured. "Perhaps they want another chance to best the beast that defeated them."

Jane remained silent. She could not imagine how they hoped to beat Dragon – the only thing that could break his skin was weaponry forged in Dragon flame, which she doubted they could have sourced in the few days it had been since the battle. But perhaps they did not have as much knowledge of Dragons as Kippernia – perhaps they thought they could overwhelm him with sheer numbers. She looked up, realising that the group was watching her, and suddenly understood why they had called her in.

"You want us to go after them," she said, directing her question at the King. "You want Dragon and I to finish them."

The King gave a slow, regal nod. Jane glanced at her father, who looked distinctly unhappy – his lips were pursed tightly together, his old face tense. Sir Theodore cleared his throat, drawing her attention to himself.

"We considered sending our knights out once more, but many of them were wounded in battle and those that were not are weary from travelling. No doubt you are, too, but Dragon… he appeared in high spirits yesterday and last night. We believe that their numbers will be no more than fifty or so."

"I understand."

Their plan made sense. The numbers of trained knights who were still able to fight were small, and they could not recruit villagers again to track down and chase a large group of angry soldiers. She and Dragon would be able to move fast, discovering them from the air and driving them further away from the Kingdom, this time with the hopes that they would not return. If all went well, she could be home again within a couple of weeks.

"You need not dispatch them all," the King was saying. "If you could chase them beyond the mountains, they surely would not return."

"I believe it would work, Sire," she said. "I will put the plan to Dragon, but I am confident that we can fulfil your orders."

She sensed an air of relief descend upon the group, as if they had expected her to refuse. Only her father was disappointed, his mouth turning firmly downwards.

"But you will be alone, Jane," he broke in, unable to remain silent any longer. "Surely, Sire, there must be someone who could accompany her-"

"Dragon would not fly as well with two people. And besides, he is more than enough company for me." She lifted her chin, returning her father's worried gaze. "I will be extremely careful, father, I promise."

She turned to Sir Theodore, whose face showed a strange mixture of sadness and pride. She offered him a slight bow, her mind set, aware of the seriousness of her task.

"With your leave, I will contact Dragon immediately to consult him."

Her mentor nodded, dismissing her, and she turned on her heel and strode out into the open air. Her steps carried her swiftly up to her tower, where she snatched up her sword and climbed the stairs to her rooftop. As she sent out the call, she felt an icy resolve settling into her veins. She had hoped to have been done with warfare for now, for ever, but her sense of duty trumped her distaste for violence. She would fulfil her duty and protect the Kingdom, even if it meant riding out to battle alone.

A green speck appeared high above her, and she smiled despite herself. After all, she would not be alone at all.

They decided to set off after dinner, giving Dragon a few hours to graze and build his energy and her time to pack her things and consult Sir Theodore on the best course of action. At least this time she would be able to wear her full armour – there would be no one else to protect aside from Dragon. She packed lightly, bringing only essentials, aware that any extra weight would only mean more work for Dragon. The rest of the day was spent in Sir Theodore's rooms, examining the terrain and discussing tactics. By the time she descended to the kitchens for dinner, her mind was buzzing as if filled with bees.

The others were sitting round at the lantern-lit table in the gardens when she arrived, and she was glad to see them. She was all too aware that she had neglected them over the past few days, and was grateful that she would have the opportunity to wish them well before departing again. She hooked her legs over the bench and settled down next to Jester as Rake helped Pepper lay out the dishes, happy at last to engage in small talk and chatter.

It was with a great shock and surge of heat in her cheeks that she saw Gunther turn the corner, Smithy walking close beside him.

She jerked up to her feet, tangling one leg over the bench in her haste. She had not expected to see him on his feet so soon, particularly after the journey the day before. And indeed, he did not look much healthier than he had done that morning, despite smiling at Pepper as she rushed to fetch another plate. He was struggling with movement, still holding his side, and he muttered a quiet 'thank you' when she hurried to fetch him a chair. She hovered for a while before sitting back down at the table, finding herself unable to speak. Everything she wanted to ask him seemed suddenly more difficult in front of the others. She tried to assess him visually instead – the way he leaned on the table suggested he was still in a good deal of pain; his face was still drawn and lined with exhaustion from the day before; but his gaze was alert, and it moved now to meet hers, as if feeling her probing his appearance. She held it for a few moments, trying to communicate her questions silently. A small smile quirked at his lips.

"I grew tired of looking at my ceiling," he explained, his voice still quieter and tenser than usual. "And the castle physician advised me to eat. So."

She tore her gaze away from him, reaching instead to fiddle with her knife. "I am glad you are feeling better."

"I am glad you came, Sir Knight," Jester put in, rescuing her from her sudden rush of awkwardness. "I have not yet had the chance to thank you for rescuing me on the battlefield. Without you, I would surely be a very dead damsel in distress."

Gunther simply looked at him for a moment, blinking, as if uncertain of how to respond. He cleared his throat, shooting a brief glance at Jane, who had once again found herself staring at him despite her best efforts.

"No need, Jester, seeing as you saved my life in return. We will call it square."

"No, not square! Circular, if anything!" Jester cried out, rising from his seat. "None of you realise, you did not see. I was surrounded, on all sides, by monstrous enemies armed with axes and swords and mace – and just as I was saying my prayers, I find myself swept out of the way of death and in springs Gunther…" He had one foot on the table now, dragging Smithy forwards out of his seat to play the assailant, raising an imaginary sword. He pretended to parry, to slice Smithy's head from his shoulders. "And then, as he beats foe after foe, he tells me – look lively, Jester, your enemy is not so polite to introduce himself to you before he slits your neck!"

The others laughed obediently as Jester feigned shaking someone's hand and then getting stabbed violently. Pepper, returning to the table with her hands full of food, shot him a warning look.

"Jester, please! Nobody wants to think about fighting now!"

Jane swallowed back an agreement, moving mechanically to reach for a piece of bread. Jester's story had entertained the others, but all it had done for her was remind her of all that blood she had seen spilling out of Gunther and onto the floor, of the way he had slowly retreated from her as she scrabbled to stop the bleeding, to get him to look at her, just to say anything to show that he had not died in her very hands. A quick glance at Gunther told her that he did not seem to feel the same; he was wearing a bemused smile, his eyebrow quirked, shaking his head at Jester's exaggerated story.

She ate quietly, happy to listen to the chatter of the others, acutely aware of Gunther's hand resting on the table near to hers. She felt strangely attuned to his body – when he shifted forwards to rest his elbow on the table, she understood that it was because sitting up would be paining his side. When he only smiled rather than laughing at Jester's stories or jokes, she knew that it would be to avoid jerking his stitches. When he skated a hand briefly over his face as Pepper began to collect the plates, she wondered if it was because his head was beginning to hurt, or if he was tired… She had to continually force herself to stop second-guessing his every move. She was turning into her mother, fussing over every detail possible…

"What did Sir Ivon want with you today, Jane?" Pepper said, pulling her back into the group's conversation as she set out a pot of tea. "He looked very serious."

Jane hesitated. She had tried to leave it as long as she could before disclosing the fact that she would be leaving that night – she knew it would worry them all. Before Gunther had turned up she had even considered leaving him a note instead of explaining the matter to him, terrified of his reaction. She knew how she would feel if their places had been reversed. They were all looking at her, waiting, and Pepper's smile was fading with her prolonged silence.

"Jane?" Jester prompted, frowning. "Not bad news, I hope?"

She took a deep breath. "I'm afraid so. Some of the enemy fled from the battlefield and have regrouped some distance away. One of our scouts sent word today that they plan to lay siege to farms and homes near to the border."

She sensed Gunther stiffen beside her, and did not dare look at him. Smithy, Jester, Rake and Pepper were exchanging alarmed glances – Pepper had placed a protective hand on Rake's shoulder, as if to pull him into hiding should Jane announce that their armies were recruiting once more.

"What does Sir Theodore say?" Smithy asked. "What has the King decided?"

Jane returned his gaze steadily. "Dragon and I are to seek out the remaining enemy and either drive them away for good or ensure they are unable to return. We leave tonight, in fact."

They stared at her as if she had just announced that she was planning to sell one of her arms to the Merchant. She sighed and reached for some tea, shrugging slowly.

"It is our only option, after all. I am sorry I did not mention it earlier – truthfully, I wanted to enjoy some time with you all before dampening your spirits."

"You are to go alone."

Gunther's voice sounded like a quiet fire, about to flare up into an explosion. She looked at him. His face was stony, his eyes flickering with blatant anger. His hand had balled into a fist on the table. She kept her voice equally as stern, narrowing her gaze.

"With Dragon. Yes."

"No."

"What?"

He was almost trembling with fury. He swept his ferocious gaze across the others before returning it to her, as if demanding support. They stayed silent, although their disapproval of the plan was tangible.

"You cannot be serious. They plan to send you out there to fight them, with no back-up, with no-one to send word should you need aid-"

"They are not throwing a baby into a wolf-pit, Gunther, I am a fully trained Knight with a fire-breathing Dragon at my side!"

"I am not disputing your abilities, I am pointing out that you will be far outnumbered! How is Dragon supposed to protect you if you get separated? How can he protect you from being surrounded if you are forced to attack on foot?"

"We will plan our attacks carefully. We will work as a team. I am not scared."

"You should be!" Gunther's face was contorted with fury, his eyes searing burning holes in her heart. "Jane, do you have any idea what they will do to you if they catch you? They are most likely attempting to lure you out – Jane, you are a novelty to them, a prize to be won and ruined."

She could feel her temper twitching over the edge. He was voicing every concern she had held from the moment she had left the throne room, but all of them were meaningless. What was the point of discussing what may or may not happen if things went wrong? She had no choice – she had been asked to defend her home by her King, and she would not decline. To her relief, she could hear the soft wh-whump that signalled Dragon's approach – it must be nearly time to depart. She pushed herself up to her feet, turning her gaze on the others. Pepper was staring at her with wide eyes, her lower lip trembling slightly. Jane shot her a smile that she did not quite believe in.

"I will be alright. I will be back before you know it."

"No."

She stepped over the bench and strode towards the courtyard, aware of Gunther rising to his feet behind her. He shoved his chair away with surprising force, storming after her as fast as he could.

"Jane, Jane. I am speaking with Sir Theodore about this, he will never allow it-"

"He has allowed it, Gunther, and he will be here soon to see me off."

Her pack was waiting for her in the courtyard along with her armour – she had carried it all down earlier to avoid prolonging the goodbyes. She had planned it because she had assumed it would be difficult to leave her friends so soon after returning, because she had hoped to wait until the last possible minute to go. Now she was glad of the quick escape. She began to pull her armour on over her tunic, glancing up as Dragon alighted on the battlements. He looked at her, his eyes narrowing at Gunther's raised voice. She realised that Sir Theodore must have arrived – Gunther was directing his torrent of anger at somebody else.

"No romantic goodbyes then?" Dragon murmured.

She ignored him, focussing on adjusting her armour. When she was set she slung her pack over her shoulder and turned to face the scene behind her. Pepper, Jester and Rake were hovering awkwardly near the vegetable patch. Closer to her, Gunther was locked in a heated debate with Sir Theodore, Smithy hovering just behind him as if about to try to calm him. His face looked even paler than before, his frame shaking slightly as he tried to pull himself up to his full height. Dragon crawled down into the courtyard behind her, sniffing slightly.

"Ready, Jane?"

"Almost."

She stepped towards her mentor. Sir Theodore turned to meet her, held out his hand in farewell. She took it.

"… cannot make her do this!" Gunther was shouting, refusing to give in. "How can you ask it of her? It is too dangerous, do you not understand what they will do to her? Sir Theodore!"

Her mentor turned to him, resigned, quiet. "Jane is extremely capable, Sir Gunther, I have no doubt that we will soon see her safely returning to the castle."

Gunther turned towards her desperately, snatching at her hand as she turned to go. His grip was so tight that it hurt. She looked back at him, found him breathing heavily, sweat standing out on his brow. He was exerting too much energy and panic – she tried to return his gaze steadily, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Gunther, stop," she said, lowering her voice. "You will hurt yourself. I will come back, I will-"

"Jane, no. No. I cannot let you go."

"You have no say in the matter."

"Jane!" he was almost wild with despair, pulling her back towards him, his jaw working desperately. He suddenly reached for her with his other hand, his fingers diving into her hair and coming to rest against her cheek. It was like the final clutch of a drowning man. His eyes tore at her like physical claws and she found herself hesitating, aware that he was becoming more unsteady on his feet with every moment.

"Please," he said, his voice suddenly quiet. "Do not do this to me. Do not ask me to live and then throw yourself away."

And for a moment, she really thought she was going to stay. She thought she was going to melt into him and remain within his chest forever. But she could almost feel Dragon's eyes on her, and she knew she could not. She reached for his hand and pulled it gently down, loathing the loss of it.

"I'm sorry," she said, and she meant it, more than anything she had ever said before.

She turned away before she could feel her heart break, strode rapidly to Dragon's side. She stepped onto his leg and he lifted her up onto his back. Gunther's screams reached her ears – he was howling her name like a wounded animal. Smithy had come forwards to restrain him. From the corner of her eye, as Dragon lifted his great wings, she saw him crumble as his body betrayed him – Smithy kept him upright as he sank to his knees, still shouting for her rawly, still trying… And then she was shooting up into the cold air, and Dragon's scales were warm beneath her, and the thick clouds peppered her face with water droplets that felt like flecks of ice.

Thanks for reading.

SUPRNTRAL LVR.