Chapter 7

"Hunger"

I awoke to the smell of food.

Soon after Gunther had given me water, I was drifting to sleep. I was not aware of anything. I had no idea that Gunther had, somewhat awkwardly, taken off the small skirt I wore to please my mother. He placed it under my head as a pillow, so I would not have to lie on his lap, and there was no possible way of infection from the earth's floor. He laid his sword beside me, and went off nearby to find food.

But after all that, I really did fall asleep.

When I woke up, hours later, it was evening. I saw a fire, and overtop, Gunther had devised a way to roast a herring over the fire by sticks. He himself sat beside the blaze.

"Gunther," I whispered. He turned his head towards me.

"Good," He smirked, "You are finally up. Just a few more moments, and dinner will be ready."

I will be honest and say that I never really cared for fish. But the aroma of the herring was too much. I licked my lips hungrily. Although my body was screaming at me to fall back to sleep, I made myself stay awake until the fish were fully prepared.

Gunther helped me sit up, and I felt pain rush to my head. I shut my eyes, trying to discount it. I leaned against an oak for support. He handed me my super, and then began eating. He had placed the fish on a large woodchip, like bark he tore from a log. It looked burnt, like he had put it over the fire.

The fish looked so good. I brought my hand to it.

My hand would not stop shaking.

I looked up at Gunther to see if he had noticed, but he was eating ('Pig,' I thought, although I was actually glad he was at that moment). I placed the chip of bark level on my lap. With my left hand, I tried to keep the fish steady as, with my right hand, I tried to tear.

My hand just would not stop shaking.

"Oh, no," I whispered. I could not even eat food! I closed my eyes tightly, trying hard not to curse myself.

"Open."

I opened my eyes to see Gunther had moved next to me. He had taken a small piece of fish and was holding it up, towards my mouth.

He wanted to feed me!

Resentment and pride arose. I kept my mouth closed tight, biting down on my tongue to keep from yelling.

"Blast it, Jane!" He said, throwing the piece of herring. "I am trying to be nice and help you, and you are too stubborn to allow it!"

I felt guilty, really, I did. Gunther was being so kind to me, so patient. Still, I hate to admit, but I am as stubborn as a mule.

I hate to be babied. I am a knight apprentice, for goodness' sake! Why should I need help eating? Why, of all people, should Gunther be the one to help me?

But I was so hungry. I whispered, "Sorry."

Gunther's anger died down a little, and he said, "You should be. Now, shall we try again?"

"Yes," I said softly.

He took a piece from my bark plate, and lifted it up to my mouth. I resentfully opened my mouth, and was fed. Fish never tasted so good before.

Gunther continued to feed me until the fish was all gone. I was still so hungry. As if he read my thoughts, he brought over some berries he had collect earlier. I have always loved berries. Any type, all kinds. But somehow, these tasted even sweeter.

When those were all gone, he held the cup of water to my lips as I drank.

"Good thing you ate all that," Gunther said, pouring me another cup of water from his canteen, "That, along with tonight's sleep, should help your condition immensely."

I gulped down the water, and then Gunther helped me back down onto my back. He moved back to the fire to finish his own dinner.

"Gunther?" I said softly.

"Yes, Jane?"

"I…" I took a deep breath. I swallowed, as if that action would swallow my own pride, "Thank you."

I can never be sure, but I had the feeling that he was smiling at me. "Your welcome, Jane."

Disclaimer: Me = not own Jane! ):

Author's Notes: Hopefully another chapter shall help you forgive me? Yes? No...? All right then. XD

Please review and correct me on my grammar! :)