Jane sat and watched over Gunther hoping he would wake up soon. His head was wrapped tightly with bandages. The gash was just above and behind his left temple. It wasn't a large wound, but bled a lot. The other Knight's met with the King and a warrant was put out for the Merchants arrest, and Jane was put in charge of watching Gunther when they returned yesterday.

Slowing Gunther's eyes cracked open, he saw red hair and green eyes watching over him. "Jane? What are you doing here?" He asked trying to set up. "Ugh, why do I have such an awful headache?"

"Sir Ivan and I came to find you. You had been missing for a couple days." Jane continued, "you are at the castle now, stay lying down! You have broken ribs, a broken arm and a gash on your head."

"Where is my Father?" Gunther asked while looking down at his plastered right arm and touched his head bandage.

"He ran off when we found you. There are people looking for him." Jane paused, then asked, "What happened Gunther?"

Gunther turned his head away from her and stared out the window.

"Please, Gunther. Tell me. I was so worried about you. Why does your father do these things to you?"

"Why do you care all of a sudden Jane? Just the other day it was 'another bar fight aye?' and 'you are just like your father'. Why Jane?" Gunther snapped.

"I apologized for that Gunther."

"You didn't mean it. And just so you know, I have never been to a bar let alone in a bar fight." Gunther said sternly. "As I have grown, I realized I didn't want to be like Magnus. I want to be myself and honest. Make the Breech name good again. He didn't like that I defied him. Refused to do his dirty work. So he decided to take his anger out on me. Especially after he'd been drinking."

"Oh Gunther, I did not know." Jane said in just above a whisper through tears that started to form and fall for the boy she herself tormented for so many years. "I am so very sorry for the way I have treated you. You are not your father. I have failed you as a friend and fellow knight and I understand if you hate me forever."

"I don't hate you Jane. I could never hate you. And you could not have known because I have never told anyone." Gunther replied looking Jane straight in the eyes.

They had each others gaze in silence for what seemed like an eternity. Jane was the first to look away when she heard Pepper and Adeline walk into the room.

"Gunther! You're awake! Thank the heavens! I brought you some lunch, you better eat it!" Pepper exclaimed seemingly without pause.

"After you eat, I need to make sure you wound is healing properly and change the bandage. And also check the bruises on your ribs." Adeline added.

"Thank you Pepper. Thank you Milady." Gunther answered them both.

"Jane, Sir Theodore needs you." Adeline said looking at her daughter. "He is in the throne room with the King."

"Yes Mother." Jane replied, and gave Gunther a nod before leaving to find her mentor.

O~O~O~O~O~O~O

"Your Majesty. Sir Theodore." Jane addressed them as she bowed. "You wished to speak with me Sir Theodore?"

"Yes, Jane." Sir Theodore replied. "It is about Gunther."

"He is awake. Just a few minutes ago. He is eating lunch now. I have done what you asked. I have watched over him since we brought him back to the castle." Jane confessed.

"Yes. I am glad to hear that." Sir Theodore paused and looked at King Caradoc before speaking again. The King gave him a nod to continue.

"Gunther will no longer reside at his father's house. From now on, he will live here at the castle. For his own safety. As you know, we are still looking for Magnus."

"Yes Sir Theodore. I understand, but why the almost secret meeting about it? And why tell me before you tell Gunther?" Jane asked, confused as to why this concerned her so much.

"You are to be the one to tell him." Sir Theodore replied. "You are dismissed now."

"But, Sir Theodore," Jane started.

"Jane. You have your orders."

"Yes Sir."

As Jane left the Throne Room she saw Jester waiting for her. "Haven't seen you since yesterday at breakfast Jane." Jester said to his friend.

"I am sorry Jester. I have been busy."

"I know. You have been watching over Gunther nonstop." Jester replied jealousy and hurt in his voice.

"He is my fellow knight. I must care for his safety and health."

"I know Jane. But…." Jester's voice trailed off.

"But what?" Jane demanded.

"You talk bad about him all the time, and now you are by his side caring for him!" Jester paused and sighed, "I just hope he treats you well Jane. You deserve the best." Jane watched the broken hearted young man in blue walk away.

He thinks Gunther and I are courting…again? Jane thought back to four years ago when everyone thought they were courting the first time. After everything was sorted out she started to wonder what her feelings were towards Gunther. Perhaps that's where it started. Jane thought to herself. She shook the thoughts from her head and headed to the sick quarters where Gunther was being looked after by Lady Adeline and Pepper.

O~O~O~O~O~O

A week passed and finally Gunther was allowed to leave his bed and walk around. Though his head wound was almost completely healed, the Lady in Waiting made him keep a small patch over it to keep dirt out. But his ribs still hurt when he moved wrong or breathed to deep.

Gunther headed to the practice yard and found Jane working with Sir Theodore on advanced battle tactics. He sat on one of the swings and watched them. Watched Jane. Since him regained consciousness, Jane was in his room less often, since Sir Theodore thought it best that at least one Squire keep training. She come by everyday though. She told him he would be living at the castle now. He felt relieved and nervous at the same time when she told him.

Sir Theodore told Jane to take a break when he saw Gunther on the swings. "I have some other things to take care of with Sir Ivan."

"You are out of bed finally you lazy sod!" Jane joked as she sat on the opposite swing.

"Have a good practice?" Gunther asked, ignoring her comment.

"Yes. But I'd much rather be whipping your butt." Jane smiled. "You are a much better opponent, I mean. You don't take it easy on me because I'm a girl."

"Don't worry, I will be ready to fight you soon enough and it will be ME whipping YOUR butt!"

They chuckled in unison.

There were a few moments of silence and they listened to the sounds of the castle.

Gunther broke the silence first, "Jane."

Jane looked at Gunther. He continued, "would you like to take a walk with me?"

Surprised by the question all Jane could do was nod. They walked towards the gardens where they were alone. Rake was helping Pepper in the Kitchens, Dragon was most likely off with some cows. Smithy was in his forge. And who knows where Jester was.

They walked in silence for a while and Gunther picked a rose from a bush they passed and was twirling it in his fingers.

"You are going to prick yourself with that." Jane warned as she watched him from the corner of her eye.

Gunther just grinned and sat on the edge of the fountain and stared at the water falling. Jane stood facing him wondering what he was thinking about.

"Jane, I am sorry for the way I have treated you over the years. We were just children then. I hope you don't hate me for it. Can you ever forgive me?" Gunther finally confessed turning his gaze from the water to his fellow knight.

"Of course I don't hate you Gunther. I was just as cruel to you. It is you that should hate me."

"I told you I don't, won't and could never hate you Jane." Gunther paused wondering if he should ask the next question. He decided to and asked "May I ask you a question?"

"What kind of question?"

"Probably one that is none of my business, but I am curious. Why did you refuse to court Jester?"

"You are right, it isn't your business." Jane snapped.

Gunther looked away towards the water again, looking hurt. Jane sighed and sat down beside him. "Sorry. I am just so tired of being asked about it." Jane continued. "I just don't share the same feelings for him that he does for me."

Gunther nodded and looked at Jane. "I did not mean what I said four years ago about not being able to stand to look at you. In fact it's quite the opposite, I have never been able to stop looking at you."

Jane looked him in the eyes as he continued "I have cared about you ever since I met you Jane. You are the reason why I am the way I am. If it weren't for you I probably would be just like my father. You are so determined and loyal to everyone. You bring it out in me. Albeit, you also bring out the competitiveness in me."

"Gunther, I'm flattered but I am sure you would be better than your father even if you hadn't met me. You have a conscious. He doesn't." Jane replied, her face turning as red as her hair.

"Jane I-" Before Gunther could finish, Sir Ivan came up interrupting them. "Lad, the King would like a word with you."

"Yes, Sir Ivan." Gunther replied standing to follow his mentor.