Jane's mother died the year before this all happened. I am just too lazy to go into detail. ^_^ BTW thank you to the people that have been reviewing; it really makes me want to continue. If it seems a little spaced, I just felt it was crowded and I wanted it to be easy to read.

The crowd moved inside to receive lodging from the chamberlain and King. The only people that were left were a shocked Jane and a tired Dragon.

"But, what? That is impossible!" Jane could not believe what she had just heard.

"No it is not. They are short-lives." He let out a small chuckle.

"Dragon!" She lashed out. "At least have a little compassion!"

"I am!"

"No Dragon, you are not. Just because you are still going to live longer than everyone else, does not mean you have the right to poke fun. I watched good soldiers die-" Jane's voice cracked, "Why am I talking to you? What would you understand about death?"

Jane's face was on fire. Tears brimmed on her eyes, but she would not let them fall. She already did her crying at Adeline's funeral and she would not cry again in front of Dragon. She would not.

"Jane," He had to say something, he felt awful. He reached out a claw to wipe away her tears.

"Do NOT touch me!" She shoved his appendage away with a great amount of force. Jane did not even want to look at him. She ran off to her tower, slamming the door for the whole kingdom to hear.

Jane flopped on her bed. She twisted on to her back and stared at the ceiling. Jane wished she had been better to her mother. She knew that Adeline only did those things to help her. Now that she was gone, Jane felt an extreme regret. Jester and Dragon had been there for her, through the whole thing. They had never stopped comforting her. But when it was Dragons turn to comfort Jester, where was he? After checking her face in the mirror, looking for signs of puffy eyes and red blotches, she ran to Jester.

She was about to knock on his door, but from inside she heard a strange sound. She burst through the door. And there Jester was, sobbing on the edge of his bed. His blonde head was hung low, covered with his long slender hands. His hat was thrown close to the fire, about to be burned. He looked up shocked and ashamed. His face was wet and red. His eyes were blood shot and wide. Jane felt very awkward. She had never seen Jester cry before. Ever. Not even when he broke his arm last summer, or when she had gone to war.

"Oh sorry. I was just- sorry." She fumbled over the right words. Instead of making more of a fool of herself, she reached for the door.

"No Jane. Please stay." Jester croaked.

"Are you sure?"

"I would never deny an offer to sit by you, Lady Jane." He patted on the spot next to him on the bed.

Jane blushed and nodded. But before she took her seat, she reached by the fire. She pinched the hat by the end. Acting like it was almost sacred. She sat down on the soft bed, now clutching the hat in her lap. She ran her fingers through his surprisingly silky hair.

"I almost forgot what you looked like with it off." She giggled.

Jester choked. "Jane. Why did they have to die?" He stared deep into her eyes, almost touching Jane's soul with the amount of passion flooding from them.

"I do not know."

"They did not deserve it."

"Nobody deserves death Jester. It just happens. Then when it does, we grieve and continue to live our lives. No one ever truly gets over the death of someone close. But if you let it affect your life too much, that is no way to honor the life of the person who died."

Jesters jaw dropped slightly. "Where did you get these words of wisdom?"

"From you!"

"Oh yes. I knew that." Jester chuckled a little but then turned back to stone. "I feel awful. I never really knew my family, and now I never will."

"I hate to see you like this." Jane leaned over and hugged him. As she slowly pulled away, he moved his face a little closer to hers. Instead of accepting, she shoved his hat back on to Jesters head. She abruptly got up from the bed.

"I must go." She pulled on the handle and slinked out the door. She shut it quietly and let it support her body. I love him… then why do I have this feeling that I am betraying someone?

Dragon twisted and turned. He flopped onto his back, then his side and then his belly. He was deep in thought. He had this pit of regret burning a hole deep inside. He did not mean for this all to happen. And now he was slowly losing the person closest to him.

"I have to change this." He said aloud to Squeaky. He stroked the wall beside him and sketched a heart beside one of his many drawings of a knight in shining armor. He lumbered out into the bright sunlight, looking over his ledge he spread his wings and took off. Instead of taking his usual route to the castle, he stopped on the edge of the forest. There, the caravans stood. Esme emerged from the brush carrying a bundle of sticks. She stopped suddenly when her eyes met with Dragons. She let the sticks fall to the ground.

"Dragon! Hello. Did you want to talk now?"

"Yes. Is this a good spot?"

"No, come with me." She led him to the small clearing where Jane had discovered Dragons golden throat.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Dragon asked clearing his throat.

"Nothing. You came to me."

"Oh. Yes. Do you know anyway I could be turned human?"

Esme's eyes widened. "Why on earth would you want to do that?"

"I made a huge mistake. I turned the person closest to me against me."

"What happened?" Dragon recalled the events of the morning to her.

"And you think turning yourself human will fix that?"

Dragon nodded. "I cannot be with her when I am a Dragon. It just would not work."

"Ah. This is not just a matter of change. It is a matter of love. You love her."

"Yes. I always have."

"And how do you know her heart does not belong to another?"

"I do not. But I shall try." Dragon stammered. Esme gave him a loving grin.

She reached up to his snout and gave it a pat. "Dragon, I know someone that has the power to grant your wish, but she will demand payment."

"Anything."

"Are you sure? Absolutely anything. Because she might demand something awful, and I do not want you in the same position that you were in with my great grandmother."

"Anything. I would die for her." Esme opened her mouth to speak again, but was stopped.

A young woman stepped into the clearing. "Esme, are you trying to persuade him otherwise?" The woman gave her a devilish smile. Esme glared back. "It seems he cannot be stopped." She reached out her hand for Dragon. Dragon offered her his claw. She shook it vigorously.

"I am Vanessa. It will be a pleasure doing business with you."

Dragon was nervous. And he does not fly well when he is nervous. He knocked against air currents and clouds. What was he going to say? Vanessa had told him exactly what to do, but not what to say. How do you say good-bye to your best friend that will not even look at you? He landed awkwardly on the battlements outside Jane's windeye. He decided to do it fast and blunt. That was the only way. He tapped on her shutters.

"What?" She called from inside.

"Um, I just wanted to say I was sorry. And good-bye. The Brethren awaits." He turned away and took off.

"Wait, what?" Jane could the flap of his wings. She burst open her shutters. All she saw was dragons silhouette growing smaller in the distance.

"DRAGON!" She felt weak, cold and empty. "No…" She hit her shutters and let the tears flow.

Well, there you are. Who is Vanessa? What does she want from Dragon? Did Dragon really leave, for good? Questions, comments, reviews are all beautiful. And you will receive a cookie for your efforts. ^_^