A/N: LisKatKaram-It is the second one I have written, but the first one posted. I will put the actual first one written up here in the next few days..
Miss Pookamonga-I like the softer side of Gunther also. I learned a lot more about him and his father after watching the episode Toothfairy.
Thanks for the reviews everyone!
Disclaimer-I only own Penny. The rest of the cast goes to what's his name..
After everyone finished breakfast, Pepper started clearing the table and Jane jumped up to help her. "Jane, you do not need to help me. You have your own duties to attend."
"I insist, Pepper." Jane said following the cook into the kitchen carrying an armful of dirty dishes.
"Thank you, Jane. Rake has been so busy lately planting new herbs and vegetables in the garden, that he hasn't been able to say more than hi, never mind help like he normally does." Pepper sighed. The pair starting courting openly the year prior.
Jane nodded and dried the dishes as Pepper washed them. They worked in silence for a while, Pepper put the dishes away and started on the lunch meal, and Jane, who had just finished sweeping, finally asked "Pepper, could you pack a picnic lunch for me today?"
"Of course. What is the occasion?" Pepper asked.
"No occasion. Just an assignment outside the castle is all." Jane answered trying to be as vague as possible, and prevent more questions at the same time. "Also, Pepper, I will require enough food for three people."
"Three?"
"Yes. Thank you Pepper." Jane replied while walking out of the kitchens to avoid further questions.
OOOOOO
Jane entered the practice yard and saw Gunther holding a pugil stick in each hand. "You're late." Gunther said sharply.
"I was helping Pepper. And besides, it's not like you are always on time." Jane retorted and caught one of the sticks that Gunther tossed to her.
They practiced form, technique and name calling until their mentors called them for one on one lessons.
OOOOOO
Jester, Rake, Smithy and Pepper were eating lunch at the table outside when Jane came running up. "I was beginning to think you had left without your food!" Pepper exclaimed when Jane stopped beside the table. She continued, "The basket is in the kitchen."
"Thank you Pepper!" Jane replied and ran down the stairs that led into the kitchens.
Jester looked at Pepper quizzically. "What's all that about?"
Pepper shrugged. "Jane said she has a mission outside the castle this afternoon and required lunch for three to go. That's all I know about it."
Jester nodded slightly and looked down at his food. She would have told me if she was leaving the castle. Even for just an afternoon. His thoughts then went to the conversation he heard, but couldn't make out the night before. Jester shook the thoughts from his head as he watched the red head he loved run by again heading towards the castle gate.
OOOOOO
Gunther was leaning against the wall just outside the gate with arms crossed and eyes closed enjoying the warm spring sun on his face when he heard someone running up beside him panting. Opening his eyes, he saw Jane bent over, her hands on her knees catching her breath.
"You ready to go?" Gunther asked pulling away from the wall.
Jane nodded, straightened her posture and held up a picnic basket, "I brought lunch."
"Did Pepper ask any questions?" Gunther asked looking at his fellow knight.
"Of course she did. Pepper wouldn't be Pepper if she didn't pry into other people's lives." Jane answered.
Gunther stopped walking and grabbed Jane's arm to make her face him. "What did you tell her Jane?" He demanded.
"That I have a mission outside the castle this afternoon. I left right after so she couldn't ask any more questions." Jane answered, pulled her arm out of Gunther's grip. "Relax. I made her assume it's for knight training."
"Does the Merchant know she is here?" Jane asked after a few minutes.
"No. And I intend to keep it that way. We never talk about him and I dare not mention her whereabouts to Magnus."
Gunther stopped at the door to the cottage. "Look Jane, I tell my sister all kinds of stories to make her as happy as possible."
Jane looked at him confused.
"Just go along with what she says. Don't be mad or anything, not in front of her at least."
Jane raised an eyebrow at him and wondered what kind of stories he had told his sister, but answered with, "I promise, Gunther."
Gunther held the door open for Jane and followed her into the cottage. "Good day Penelope. I want you to meet someone."
"Jane!" The girl exclaimed sitting up in her bed. "It is so excellent to finally meet you! Gunther has told me so much about you!"
"It is an honor to meet you as well Penelope. How are you feeling today? I hope you are hungry, I brought lunch and the castle cook makes the most delicious food in the kingdom." Jane replied sitting the basket of food on the table and walked over to the bed.
"Oh do call me Penny! And I am quite hungry, I have heard about Pepper's cooking, I can't wait to try it!" Penny excited herself into a coughing fit.
"Here, drink this." Gunther handed his sister a glass of water, and sat on the edge of the bed. "You know you shouldn't get so excited, you are too weak for it."
Jane stood back and watched in awe as a nurturing Gunther dabbed at the sweat on Penny's face with a wet cloth. This was a side of Gunther Jane didn't believe existed until now.
"May we eat lunch now?" Penny asked once she calmed down.
"Of course." Gunther answered smiling and shaking his head. "You are just like Jane, always thinking about food!"
"Well we need it to survive! Right Penny?" Jane exclaimed.
"Very right indeed!" Penny agreed.
Jane unpacked the basket and Gunther fixed a plate of fish and vegetables for each of them. Even though there were two chairs in the little cottage, Jane and Gunther sat on the foot of the bed, facing Penny.
Penny insisted Jane tell her stories about Dragon while they ate lunch.
Jane told her of their most exciting adventures, how marvelous it is to fly, about the dragon runes and how Dragon may be the last of his kind.
"You must come back and visit me Jane!" Penny said while she watched Jane and Gunther clean up from lunch.
"Of course I will come back and visit you, unless Gunther says otherwise." Jane replied looking at Gunther.
"Why would he not allow it? I demand that Jane come see me all the time."
Gunther looked at his sister then at Jane, who shrugged her shoulders at him and said just above a whisper, "I can help you care for her. You shouldn't bear this alone."
"Jane can come see me when you cannot." Added Penny.
A defeated Gunther finally agreed, "I suppose it won't hurt, and you can come check on her when my…other duties keep me away."
"Good then. Jane I will see you often, yes?" Penny asked just to be sure.
"Yes, you will see me often." Jane answered. Looking at Gunther she continued, "We must be getting back to the castle now."
"Right. Sir Theodore and Sir Ivan will have a fit! I will see you tonight Penelope."
"Till next time Jane!" Penny called to Jane.
"Till next time."