Chapter 5

"Rescued"

I awoke when I heard my name called.

I was still in the tree, my arms hugging the trunk. I looked around, the rain had stopped. I looked at the sun to find it setting.

Or was it rising?

'Bog weevil!' I insulted myself. 'You have been here for hours!'

I felt so foolish. I wanted to dig a hole and stay there for the rest of my life. The Castle had to be worried about me. I climbed down the tree and walked. It was then that I remembered I had not the slightest clue as to where I was.

I groaned, insulting myself, and looked for the log I tripped over earlier. When I found it, I decided to head in that direction. It was my best bet.

I had only taken a few steps, when I heard my name called. I could not tell who it was calling, but I replied, "Here! Here I am!"

I took a few more steps. My knee was no longer bleeding, but I still had a small limp. I heard hoof beats.

It was Gunther who found me.

He sat on his silver horse, looking me over. "Jane! You look hideous!"

I knew he had not meant it to be an insult. I did look hideous, with mud caked all over me, especially my face and hair. My hands had blood stains on them from checking on my knee. I later found out I had a gash right above my left eyebrow.

All the same, the words he said cut me like a knife.

"Not more than usual, then?" I said bitterly.

"Yes," He said warily. He was confused as to why I would say something like that, but his pride would not let him refuse an insult. He quickly changed the subject, "Where have you been? We have been searching for you for hours."

"How long have I been gone?" I asked. His sharp laugh made me feel stupid to ask that.

"Since breakfast. And we have been searching for you since then! I blame you for not letting me eat."

"We?"

"Yes, Sir Theodor, Sir Ivon, and me."

"Oh," I said, feeling horrid. How could I do something like that as to send all of the knights in search of me?

"Looks like I arrived just in time," He continued, "you look like you have been attacked by a pack of wolves!"

"Well, not to worry," I said, sarcastically, "no wolves attacked. I am fine."

"Then what happened to you?"

"What does it matter to you?!" I did not mean for it to sound so bitter. But it had, and he looked shocked for a moment, before regaining his prideful pose.

"Fine, but we must go to the castle now." He looked back at me, and held out his hand.

And like a fool, I stared. I was confused as to why he stuck his hand out. Did he want me to grab it? Was it a trick?

He must have noticed, for his cruel laugh sounded out. "No tricks. Just get on the horse."

The stubborn part of me wanted to ignore his hand and get on the horse without his help. I almost did so. But, it was difficult enough to get on the horse with his big feet in the stirrups, and my knee, which I did not want him to know about.

I grabbed his hand. I squeezed hard, trying to send him pain and dug my fingernails into his skin. He grimaced, but then pretended not to notice the sting I was sending him.

I finally made my way up behind him on the horse. We were so close to one another. I began to blush, against my will.

He urged on his horse, and she began to trot. My knee's stinging made it hard for me to cling on with my thighs. As long as we did not go any faster, I would be fine.

"How far out are we?" I asked.

"At least three hours." He answered, shaking his head at me.

I bit my lip to keep myself from retorting back.

***

"Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" I asked. I had not heard anything, for my thoughts had preoccupied me. Gunther and I had not spoken for most of the trip, and I was surprised when he addressed me.

"I could have sworn I just heard thunder."

I looked up at the sky to see big, dark rain clouds above us. "Do you think it will rain?"

As if to answer my question, the sky suddenly flashed. Moments later, we heard a thunderclap. I groaned.

"We will not make it before the rainfall," I sighed.

"No," He turned back to me, grinning, "But we can try."

He heeled his mare, and she took off cantering. My thighs would not hold on, and my arms shot around Gunther's waste as reflex. I loosed my grip, blushing, but I still held on. The horse's faster speed did nothing, for moments later it began to rain. First lightly, then hard.

Then the horse halted suddenly.

My head hit hard against Gunther's, and I groaned. With no time to react, the horse began bucking.

"Easy," Gunther said, trying to calm her down, "Easy now!"

"What has happened?!" I asked. It was hard to hear with the roar of the rain.

"Something has frightened her!"

I had sudden strike with fear. What had frightened her? Could it be wolves?

Gunther continued to try and calm her, but she kept on neighing and rearing on her hind legs.

"Gunther," I said, my stomach suddenly growing sick, "I am slipping!"

"Hold on!" He said. He was no longer trying to calm her, and was now just trying to stay on.

My right leg was growing weak because of my gash. My fingers were slipping from around his waste because of the rain.

"Gunther!" I screamed. I was going to fall.

The horse reared again, and I slipped off. I screamed before I hit the ground.

Everything went black.

Disclaimer: I do not own Jane. She and the others belong to Sir Bayton and Weta. I only own this plot (Everytime I'm forced to write this, I get depressed.)

Author's Notes: CLIFFHANGER! MUAHAHAAA!~

Don't forget to tell me if I made any spelling or grammar mistakes! *obsessed*

Please reply. Thank you! :)