Early next morning, the rooster called out. Waking Gunther up.
He was confused as to where he was, he looked around then next to him.
There curled up next to him, her hand clinging onto his, was Sofia.
He smiled softly. That's the second time we've practically slept together. He blushed. He shook her hand from his. I need to get to my quarters before everyone gets up and finds us here. Together.
He got up and flitted down the ladders then ran to his quarters, shutting the door behind him. Hand on heart. You're killing me, pretty lady knight. He sighed and collapsed onto his bed. He stared at the hand that she held so tightly that night.
"Gunther?!" Jane's voice rang out from the other side of his door.
He groaned. "Yes, Jane?" He called back.
"We need to help with preparations. Where's Sofia?"
"How should I know? I've been in bed."
"Oh yes."
"Try the stables, she was working on her dress in there."
"Thank you."
Once he was sure she was gone, he picked up the box that held the necklace. "I will give it to her tonight... see what happens." He decided. He got ready and headed out.
He arrived at the ball room.
Sofia was already there, laughing with Jester and Smithy. She was wearing her one armed black shirt again, it worked well with her figure. Her hair was tied into a high pony tail.
He stifled a growl when Smithy petted her head and she smiled at him fondly.
"So, we need to hang this banner up there?" Sofia asked the boys.
"Yes, Jane has gone to get a ladder." Jester replied.
Sofia looked up to where the banner had to go. "Smithy, can you lift me on your shoulders? I think I'll be able to reach fine like that."
Smithy blushed, but nodded. "Sure." He ducked between her legs and stood straight, successfully lifting the girl up and bringing her close to the wall.
"Jester hand me the end of the banner along with nails and hammer." She asked, reaching down to him.
He handed them over.
She put the nails between her teeth. "Tell me where, Jester?"
Jester stepped back and looked. "A little to your left and up a little more if you can?"
Sofia kicked off her boots. "Hold still, I'll stand upon your shoulders, if I'm too heavy just say so."
He nodded.
She used the wall to brace herself and brought her legs up then stood firmly on his shoulders. "Is that okay?"
"Sofia, you're lighter than a feather. Just focus on balancing. Jester stand behind her in case she falls." He added.
Jester's bells rang as he nodded. "Sofia a little left... that's it, right there." He confirmed. He looked over his shoulder to see Gunther coming over.
He didn't look happy at all.
"Good morning Gunther." He said politely.
Gunther nodded his head in reply. "Why the heck is Sofia up there?" He asked.
Jester resisted the urge to smirk. "She's putting up the banner. It was her idea."
"Okay, Smithy. Move to the other side." She dropped into a seating position again.
He did as he was told.
"Jester pass me the other end of the banner?" She called.
Jester nodded and went over, lifting the banner to her. He stepped back, trying to line the two sides up. "Um... down a bit, Sofia." He said as she stood up again.
She nodded and lowered the banner. "Here?"
He looked a little longer, then looked to Gunther. "What do you think?"
Gunther took a proper look. "Down a little more, Sofia... There!" He confirmed.
She took a nail from her lips and hammered the banner up. She put her hands on her hips. "All done. You can put me down now, Smithy." She added.
He carefully crouched so she had a lower level to step off. "That was nerve racking." He sighed.
She smiled. "Thank you." She slipped her boots on again.
He waved it away. "Just save me a dance tonight, then we're even." He blushed.
"You've got a deal." She giggled.
Gunther had had enough. He walked up to them, purposely standing slightly between the two. "So, what can I help with?" He asked.
Jester suppressed a snort. Gunther, you are more obvious than me. He looked around and found Jane standing with the ladders, staring at the banner that they were meant to be for getting up, to get it put up. He swallowed and thought about Sofia's words, then he went over to the red-head. "Jane!" He skipped up to her.
She blushed. "Jester, what's up?"
He grinned. "Nothing... I was wondering if I could escort you to the ball? It might have to be earlier than everyone else but I still want the honour."
Jane looked past him and met Sofia's eyes.
Sofia gave her the thumbs up.
Jane met Jester's eyes. "I would love that Jester." She smiled.
His heart skipped. Thank you, lady knight! "Thank you." He took her hand and kissed it. "I'll meet you outside your tower at seven o'clock." He winked then went away to help everyone out again.
"So..?" Sofia appeared over her shoulder, out of nowhere.
Jane turned around, red in the face. "I can't believe he had the courage to ask."
Sofia grinned. "You're welcome, Squire Jane." She pinched Jane's cheek lightly.
Jane giggled. "What about you and beef brain?" She whispered, glancing over to her fellow squire.
Now it was Sofia's turn to go scarlet. "He's escorting me and I promised him a dance."
Jane smiled. "You're good for him." She glanced around the room, her eyes landed on her blacksmith friend, who was staring at Sofia. "Although, our Smithy seems interested too. I hope it doesn't get difficult."
Sofia shrugged. "I see him as a big brother really. I promised I'll dance with him, but I want nothing more than friendship from him. And Gunther." She added.
Jane took Sofia's hand and dragged her out of the ballroom and into a deserted corridor, making sure she wasn't followed.
She rounded Sofia. "Why won't you admit to yourself that you and Gunther are fated?! I know it's only been a few days but he has really fallen head over heels for you. He doesn't just see the beauty on the outside, but on the inside too. Have you seriously not noticed that you have him smitten? He stayed with you the other night when he could've just come back home."
Sofia looked to the ground. "I have noticed the signs... but I'm..." She cut off, not being able to speak anymore, tears threatened to spill out.
"What?"
"I'm scared to fall in love again!" She exclaimed.
Jane stepped back. "Oh..."
"He will grow old and turn to dust, where as I will be stuck in this never ageing body for eternity. Unless I find a dragon or a slayer willing to put an end to my life too, I'd rather live without anyone. Then I'm not going to get hurt. The man I fell in love with, the dragon-slayer, I would've given him the flame that the sorcerer took from me. To let him spend centuries with me. But I lost the flame... I can't produce another eternal flame in this form." She cried.
Jane pulled the girl into an embrace. "I'm sorry, I didn't think." She sighed. "But you have to let Gunther know... or we can work together to find that flame. Whether you use it to get your dragon form back or make him able to be with you forever. I will help you."
"That's another thing. What if I give him the flame, then after a few decades he gets bored of me and leaves me behind?"
"Gunther is a total toad, but he would never leave the one who gave him happiness behind. You are the light to his darkness, Sofia. Anyone can tell that." Jane whispered, checking the corridors.
Sofia pulled away and looked at her friend. "Thank you, Jane. I'm so sorry for being a cry baby lately." She wiped her tears.
Jane laughed. "Hey, we girls need to stick together."
Sofia giggled in between sniffs. She finally stopped crying and dried her face. "Come on, let's go back in."
"Yes, because a certain Squire will be missing his pretty Lady Knight." Jane winked, lightening the mood.
"Possibly." Sofia smiled back.
