(Hey guys, I'm back with a new string of chapters! I uploaded this one especially for my first fan's birthday. Happy Birthday WolfSkin323! Thank you my dear friend for the words of encouragement to continue updating this fanfic. As always, if you like my work; Fave, Follow and Review!)
Gunther walked to the kitchen, trying to slow his racing heart.
"Hello Gunther! You seem to be in a good mood." Pepper smiled as he approached her.
Gunther bowed his head slightly in greeting. "It's a nice day, why wouldn't I be enjoying it." He stated.
Pepper went back into the kitchen and stirred the pot that was above the hearth. "Are you sure it's not a certain Lady Knight that has brightened your day?"
Gunther sighed. "She may have contributed to it." He took a cup and filled it with water, drinking deeply.
"Well, I wouldn't blame any man with half a brain. She is lovely, kind hearted and strong too. Jane likes her a lot and everyone else seems to also. Especially Smithy. They seem to have a connection; don't you think so?" She looked over to see him gripping the cup hard. "Gunther?"
He looked at her. "Yes?"
"You seem to have a connection with her too... I'd say stronger than Smithy." She smiled.
His eyes widened. "I've only known her for barely two days." He reasoned.
She nodded and turned back to the pot. "But it only takes moments for the heart to fall in love. Even if the person who has that heart takes time to realise it."
Gunther swallowed thickly. Yes, he thought her beautiful, she was the first one to truly try to be kind to him. She was smart and funny and made him say and do things without thinking. She was like none of the other maidens he had come across.
But she was technically a dragon...
When he passes, and turns to dust, she would continue living on for centuries, forever alone and looking beautiful. She already lost one love... if there was anything between him and her, she'd inevitably lose him too.
Could he put her through that?
"Gunther?" Pepper looked at him with concern.
He snapped out of his thoughts. "Nothing, I'm going to take a cup for Sofia too, if that's alright?" He asked, refilling the cup with water and heading out quickly.
The joker was standing on the ladder looking at Sofia. "Is that a ballad to match the story that Gunter was on about?"
Sofia shrugged. "It's a bunch of words that don't even rhyme."
Jester pulled himself upon the rafters and sat near her. "They're beautiful words though. Can I use them for my ballad? I'll tweak them a little." He grinned.
Sofia nodded. "I was actually thinking about helping you when I was making it up. You seem really worried."
He chuckled, bells jingling. "Thank you, lady knight."
A small smirk crept across her lips. "I could also help you with your girl problem."
He blushed. "W-what girl problem?"
She put on a mocking thoughtful expression. "Oh... you know... red hair, rides a green dragon... argues with her fellow squire."
He covered his ears. "Alright!"
She giggled.
He peeked at her. "How do you suppose you can help?"
She sighed. "I've seen many relationships develop in my time to tell the signs. She likes you, but I think she's confused between like and love. You, on the other hand are so obvious that I think she's the only one blinded by the idea that you are like siblings to notice that you want more."
He groaned and flopped back into the hay. "She's just so innocent eh?" He chuckled.
"Aren't most girls at her age?" She asked.
"Are you?" He cocked a brow. "You're about the same age as her."
Sofia shrugged. "I knew when I liked someone, and I've experienced a broken heart. But you have to remember I have seduced men to get what I want."
"Like that man who was trading girls?"
Sofia nodded. "A few like him."
"You're a mysterious one, Lady Sofia." He smiled.
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "I think there is mystery in everyone."
"Sofia! I'm back..." Gunther stopped at the top of the ladders and stared at Jester. "Jester?"
"Gunther?"
Sofia gave a casual wave. "You took so long." She smiled.
Gunther was still eyeing Jester. "Sorry, I got stuck talking to Pepper, nothing important." He replied.
Jester was feeling uncomfortable, he got up. "Thanks for the talk, Sofia. Can we work on the ballad together then?"
Sofia nodded. "Of course."
He smiled slightly then pushed past Gunther, going down the ladder.
Gunther sat next to Sofia again.
"What was that all about?" She demanded.
Gunther looked at her. "Nothing." He cleared his throat and handed her the cup of water. "For you."
She smiled and took a grateful gulp of water.
"Will you be at the ball this weekend?" He asked randomly.
She looked at his face, it was pink again. "I suppose if I am invited." She replied.
He smiled slightly. "All the knights and apprentices are. I would feel good if you would attend. I don't think I could stand another ball talking to my father's associates."
"So, you want me to be your saviour? I'll be your knight and save Princess Gunther from the associates' evil clutches." She giggled.
"Hey!" He pouted, then started to laugh with her.
"Sorry! Of course, I'll go with you, if that's what you're implying, Squire Gunther." She winked.
He blushed and looked away. "It's not like I'm asking you to go as a man would ask a woman..."
She ruffled his hair. "I know that, silly. I'll accompany you regardless. What are friends for?"
He felt his heart swell up. "Thank you."
She grinned and lay down again.
He did so too. "You found a nice hiding place." He muttered, closing his eyes.
She snorted. "It was meant to be mine alone."
He opened one eye. "I could leave..."
She shook her head.
He smiled and closed his eyes. "So... your magic... what else can you do?" He asked. "Apart from being really strong, fast, sensing danger... I know you sensed the princess, that's why you ran out of my room, right?"
"Yes, I can sense danger, but I also heard her. I heard her calling my name." She explained. "I have enhanced senses, quick reflexes, I have healing powers, and I can read memories through tasting someone's tears... I can produce fire, breathe it. I am immune to burns. To be honest the list goes on."
"Does our dragon have these powers?" He asked.
"I don't know; all dragons are different." She stated, she closed her eyes too. It's so peaceful... even with Gunther here, I could sleep easily...
Gunther heard her breathing slow down into soft deep breaths. He opened an eye again and peeked over at her. She's asleep?He turned on his side and watched her. I've never known someone so beautiful, I mean, Jane is pretty in her own way, but Sofia is something else entirely... He closed his eyes again, drifting off too.
An hour or so later, Jane got back and was looking for Sofia so they could get lunch together.
"Sofia?!" She called in the courtyard.
She went into the stables and heard snoring. It wasn't loud but it definitely was there. She recognised this snore. "Gunther?" She climbed up the ladders to the rafters full of hay.
What she saw put a smirk on her face.
Gunther was curled up and in a deep sleep, Sofia wasn't far away from him, arms behind her head, sleeping too.
With a sigh, Jane stepped up onto the rafters and went to wake Gunther, prodding him in the ribs. "Wake up beef brain!" She hissed.
He mumbled and turned onto his back.
"Gunther!" She said louder.
His eyes snapped open. "Jane?!" He yelped, jumping back.
"Are you alright?" She asked, a knowing smile on her face, she glanced over to Sofia.
He glared. "It's not what it looks like! We were talking and we fell asleep." He defended.
She giggled. "Alright. Did you find out her secret yet?"
Gunther swallowed. "No, and even if I did I wouldn't tell you." He snapped back.
Jane sighed. "Well, we don't want her going hungry. Pepper said that lunch was ready, we need to wake sleeping beauty." She looked to said beauty.
Gunther crawled over to Sofia. "Hey!" He said quietly, prodding her cheek. "Wake up."
Jane watched. Since when has he been so well mannered and kind?!
Sofia woke up to see a pair of stormy eyes staring back at her. "You have pretty eyes..." She mumbled.
Jane nearly squealed.
Gunther turned rosy. "Come on, time for lunch, Jane found our hiding place." He chuckled, standing up.
Sofia sat up and shook her head, to wake up more. "Hello, Jane." She flashed a smile in the red-headed squire's direction.
"Hello sleepy head." Jane giggled.
Sofia snorted softly. "Sorry." She stood up to and followed Jane and Gunther down the ladders.
Sat at the outside picnic table,
Sofia finished her lunch, fish today.
"So, Sofia, will you be at the ball?" Jane asked.
"I believe so." She replied, shooting Gunther a look.
"Great! I won't be the only one under my mother's watch whilst choosing a dress!" She grinned.
"Your mother? Oh! The lady in waiting?" Sofia recalled.
Jane nodded. "Yes, she wants me to look like a proper lady. So, she'll probably choose the most impractical dress she can find. No doubt she'll take you under her wing too."
Sofia propped her elbow on the table and tapped her chin with her index finger. "I was thinking of just going to the village and buying a simple dress and doing it up myself." She stated. "I guess I'll have time to do the same for you."
Jane's eyes sparkled. "Could you?!"
"Why not? I've made plenty of dresses before." Sofia flashed a brilliant smile.
Jane hugged her. "Thank you!"
"Speaking of the Lady in Waiting..." Gunther tapped Sofia's shoulder and gestured behind him.
Jane and Sofia turned in their seats to see Lady Turnkey looking after the children in the garden.
Jane got up and went over to her. "Mother!"
Lady Turnkey looked up and smiled. "Yes, Jane?" She asked.
Jane looked at her hands. "About the dress for the ball... could Sofia and I go into the village by ourselves and choose our own?" She peeked up at her mother.
"Well, I'm very busy anyway, so I suppose if it isn't a bother to Lady Sofia, you may go with her tomorrow, I'll clear things with the king." She added.
Jane smiled. "Thank you, mother."
"Jane! Is Sofia here?!" Lavinia ran to her.
"Yes, she's over there, your highness." Jane directed her to the picnic table where Sofia was laughing at Jester's jokes.
"Thank you, Jane." Lavinia smiled and ran over to the lady knight.
Twelve-year-old Prince Cuthbert snorted. "What's so special about her anyway?" He muttered, looking over to the girl who Lavinia was currently obsessed with.
"Sofia!" Lavinia sat in Jane's seat next to the said girl, who turned to look at her.
"Yes, Princess?"
"Can you tell me that story again?" She asked with a big smile.
Sofia petted the little girl's head. "Maybe some time." She said softly.
"Do you know any more stories about the dragon queen? Like any adventures, she went on whilst she was a dragon."
Sofia sighed. "I heard that she has the magic to make everyone smile, the power to heal and the strength to take on whole armies." She said.
Lavinia stared at her wide eyed.
Gunther listened to the girl beside him.
"What about the dragons who tried to harm her?" Lavinia asked.
Sofia smiled. "She had her own army of dragons and dragon-slayers to fight for her, but with one hit from her lightning like fire, the bad dragons didn't have a chance."
"Sofia, is this a real story?" Jester asked. "It sounds like it's a memory or something."
"Of course, it is!" Lavinia shot at him.
Sofia shook her head. "I don't know, it's just what I have heard on my travels."
"The way you talk about it makes it sound so real, it gives me goose bumps!" Pepper shuddered.
"It is true; I know because Sofia is the dragon queen from the story!"
Smithy and Gunther's eyes met. What?!
