[Here's the last bit of story, as promised. But I couldn't cram it all into one chapter, so you'll have to excuse me for having yet another second-to-the-last chapter of Jane's Hairy Situation. Plain dancing is plain. Weird fashion descriptions are weird.]

[And LOL narration-interrupting Jane. You will get it when you read it.]

-.-.-

"That's strange," Jane said, as she and the princess stood side by side, clapping at the end of the first song.

"What is, Jane?" Lavinia asked, smoothing out the hem of her dress.

"I haven't seen Jester all evening. Isn't he supposed to be here?" she said, quickly scanning the crowd for signs of the jingle-boy. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen Gunther anywhere, either."

"Hmm," the princess said, also looking around the room, a hand on her hip. "You're right. I haven't seen them, either. Maybe they've got their hands full. The castle staff does have an awful lot of work to do during the ball. Or maybe they're busy entertaining guests; there are quite a few distinguished young ladies here, you know, since father's invited more than a few distinguished young men, and I don't even want to guess why. Perhaps we just haven't spotted them yet."

"Maybe," Jane said, suddenly distracted by the thought that they were off talking to some other girls. What if they ended up talking all night? What if they took a liking to Jester's sense of humor? What if they were entranced by Gunther's raven hair? What if she missed them at the ball and never got the chance to-

"Jane, Jane, look, there's Gunther over there," the princess suddenly called, tugging at her sleeve, and frantically waving her hand in the direction of the knight squire. "He's walking over here!"

Jane froze in place, and it seemed all the thoughts and "what ifs" racing through her head decided to burn up and color her face red as she struggled to compose herself before facing Gunther. She took a deep breath and tried to cool off the color on her face as she turned to face the boy.

Walking through the crowd, he seemed to slow down time in a white shirt with long, puffed sleeves that ended in lace right above his fingertips. An elaborate leather vest covered his sleek trunk, opened slightly at the top to allow the white cravat to show through. Sleek black trousers were covered midway by tall brown dress boots that must be making him a good two inches taller than he usually was. But what probably surprised Jane most of all was his hair, with his bangs combed to one side, and the rest sleeked back into a ponytail high on the side of his head, and hanging down in elegant-

"Curls?" Jane said out loud with disbelief, ending her mental appraisal of his outfit. "You show up to the ball with your hair in curls?"

"Well, you're one to talk. I supposed you're going to claim your red hair's 'straight as a line'?" he said, his face the usual smirking, arrogant Gunther.

"I didn't say that," Jane quickly rebutted. "I only thought, well," she said, stifling a laugh. "Having your hair curled just to out-style me was below you; but apparently I was wrong. You look absolutely gorgeous, Gunther," she said, snickering.

"You can laugh all you want, but my look has got me the admiring looks of several young ladies at this party. I don't have to put up with your company and snide remarks, just so you know," he said, his face suddenly impassive as he coolly looked away, and at a nearby group of girls.

"Oh, okay, okay, fine. So, how do we settle this bet, then?" Jane said, straightening up and holding back her laughter. A silly smile on her face was the only indication of her amusement - among other emotions - at Gunther's appearance.

"Settle? Now? It's not something that can be settled right no-," Gunther said, suddenly confused, remembering the bet that Jester had told him.

"Can't be settled now? Why not? We're both here, aren't we?" Jane said, tilting her head quizzically to one side. "Let's get it over with then."

"You're not going to wait for Jester?"

"Why do we need to wait for Jester?"

"You'll dance with me then?" Gunther suddenly said, a hand to his chest.

"Well, I don't see why not," Jane said, now the one slightly confused, but not disliking Gunther's idea.

"Oh, good. Let's dance, then," he said, holding a hand out towards Jane.

Jane blushed deeply as she took the hand and walked out to the dance floor with Gunther.

-.-.-

"Why'd you get your hair like that, Gunther?" Jane asked, as they spun slowly in a waltz. "I never thought you were the kind to want to look like that," she said, stammering, as she kept avoiding his gaze.

"Thanks, I guess," Gunther said, his grip on her hand tightening. "I knew you had something smart to say about it anyway; it's not like I came unprepared for your sharp tongue."

"I'm not always mean," Jane said, staring up at him, her cheeks puffed. With the passage of years, he had grown to be half a foot taller than her. Even from this angle, she could see his expression darkening.

"Oh, yeah? Well, what about that time you got scolded by Sir Theodore for being 'merciless' in battle?"

"Well, that was-,"

"And all the names you've been calling me?"

"It's not like you haven't been calling me names either-,"

"Not to mention the time you set the princess on me for being the Tooth Fairy,"

"That wasn't my intention then-,"

"And that one ball where you attacked me with a staff because I was bringing flowers to an ex-lady friend."

"That was in the line of duty!"

"And most recently, this accursed hair-business, all because of your girly-girly wishes and wants. Can't a squire have a break for once?"

"It's not like that, Gunther. It's not like that at all," Jane said, suddenly pressing closer to him.

"What is it, then, Jane? If all this silly-ness you've been throwing upon me isn't 'like that,' then what is it?" Gunther asked. "I asked you to the dance sincerely, but all you throw at me is more bets, more competing, and more frustration for me. Why do you keep doing this, Jane?"

Jane felt something pull inside of her, and she suddenly felt a strange lump in her throat. She opened her mouth to answer him, but was distracted by a strange figure walking toward them.

Jester was walking to them through the crowd, and Jane hardly recognized him because of his outfit. The usual blue jigsaw-coat was replaced by, well, another waistcoat, but definitely more elegant. The large collar was folded over, and a frilly white cravat showed through. The long fitted sleeves of the waistcoat were folded over to reveal his gloved hands. The coat extended past his knees elegantly, with plain white pants underneath, tucked into knee-high gray boots, with large buckles. Atop his head was a mini-top hat, perched on the side, but, as with Gunther, what surprised Jane the most was his dirty blonde-

"Long hair?" Jane suddenly said, breaking off from Gunther. "How did you-? When did you-?"

"How and when did I grow this long hair of mine? All the time that you were, of course. All cleverly hidden atop my clever head, underneath my clever hat. And none of you expected a thing," he said, running his hand through the long locks of blond hair, in a low ponytail and hanging over his shoulder. "Tonight I am not a jester, but a proper gentleman of the court, all dressed up and ready to beat little old Gunther."

"Beat Gunther? At what?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Just thought I'd show our sad squire friend how a real gentleman waltzes with a lady," he said, suddenly taking Jane's hand and pulling her back into the music.

She felt as though she was dancing on air; Jester moved so gracefully, and she was led along, hardly aware of her own movements.

"When'd you learn to dance so well, Jester?" Jane asked, when she regained control of her tongue again.

"Well, haven't you been watching me all these years?" he said, feigning a hurt expression. "It's not all silly and tomfoolery, you know. I thought you might have noticed by now, but I can be quite graceful if I wanted to be."

"Then excuse me for not taking you seriously. You're proving yourself quite the gentleman tonight," she said, smiling.

"And you're proving yourself to be quite the lady. I'm impressed in your choice of wardrobe. Are those new shoes? You must tell me who makes your clothes, I will compliment them personally," he said, with a playful expression.

"Oh stop it. Flattery will get you nowhere," she said, looking away to hide the blush on her face.

"Should we stop? Are you getting dizzy?"

"A bit, yes," Jane said, slowing her steps and returning to the solid castle floor. The music also slowed to its end as the guests applauded the musicians.

Pepper suddenly appeared in front of them. She and Rake appeared to be herding the guests towards the banquet table.

"Shall we go eat supper now, noble gentleman?" Jane said, jokingly.

"Er, you go on ahead. I'll catch up to you later," Jester said, looking slightly nervous.

"I'll accompany you to supper, Jane," Gunther said, suddenly appearing on her other side, a hand held out to her. "He's got other business to attend to."

"I'll be with you before you know it, Gunther, Jane," he said with a bow before disappearing into the crowd.

"Alright then," Jane said, warily, taking Gunther's hand.

-.-.-