Well. I think we all know who Tristan is. Phooey. XP So much for an amazing cliffie. lol. Oh well. The story must go on! But before it does, I'd like to thank all my reviewers. Especially, mnmennth, who has been awesome! XD

Jane went to bed that night, her stomach sloshing with wine and butterflies. She had never felt that way about a boy before. Not even Jester. She loved Jester dearly, but the feeling she got when Tristan looked her in the eyes, was indescribable. He was sweet, charming, funny, and adventurous. Just like Dragon.

She sighed. He too, has a soft sweet side, rarely seen by others. He could be rather charming. And even though she hated to admit it, he was very funny. And adventurous did not even begin to cover it. Oh Dragon, why did you have to go? I am sorry. So so sorry. Tears clouded her vision. She slammed them shut, biting her lower lip.

She felt as if the weight of the world came crashing down on her. It suddenly came over her that; he was in fact, gone. And possibly, gone for good. And it was her fault. She had driven him away with her wretched yelling. How dare she yell at him about death? He was in the war, fighting right along side her. He knew what death felt like. How could he not? She deserved this. All of it. She deserved him leaving her without a second glance. She did not stop thinking of herself even for a moment to realize that he was leaving her.

God, how selfish she was. That thought washed over her like a wave. She was selfish. She finally realized it. All throughout their friendship, it was about her. She had promised him from the moment she met him, that she would help him. Did she truly? A few runes, here and there. But never did she spend whole days studying with him, like he had. He was there at every test, reprimand and Gunther beating there was. He was there throughout her ceremony, no matter how much it bored him. He sacrificed so much for her. And when he needed her, she was not there. It was then that she made a silent promise to herself.

If he ever does come back, I will be there for him. Through it all. Even if it kills me. I owe my life and everything I owe to him. I will not abandon you again. Not ever. She let out a small, childlike whimper and let one tear fall.

Jester was sick. He had quite a bit too much wine and too many strawberry tarts. He had to keep his mouth busy during dinner. He had not gotten a word in for even a second. There was no way he could compete with this new guy. It was obvious Jane liked him. Who would not? Every time he said something, she would laugh, whether it was funny or not. She stared at him the whole night, with that loving look. Jane did that with him too, (or so said Pepper), but not to the degree that she did with Tristan. I have no chance. He turned to the wall and brought the covers close to his head.

The last rooster crowed. His shrill cry echoed through the castle. Jane was already up and going, along with the rest of the castle staff, all except Tristan. They had all decided to give Tristan a break. It was his first day after all. But the last rooster crow? That is a bit ridiculous. Jester thought, while his student stumbled over her English lesson.

"Oh Jester! I do not get this at all!" Lavinia whined, throwing her hands up. She fell back in her chair with a look of despair painted on her face.

"It is alright Princess. Why do not we take a break? Then come back to tackle it again with fresh eyes." Lavinia smiled ear to ear. "That is a fantastic idea!" She leapt from her chair and ran out the door. Lavinia had taken a fancy to a boy in the Village, and whenever she had free time, she would be with him.

Jester laughed to himself as he exited Lavinia's study room. He made his way down to the practice yard where Jane was murdering the dummy. He had gotten rather old and worn, slits and cuts all over, stuffing seeping out. Smithy was working hard in his forge, beating a piece of iron. Sweat dripped form both their brows. Jane was getting beaten up badly. She was slow on her feet, and hardly dodged.

"Jane!" Jester called. "Is Tristan up yet?"

"No!" Jane grunted.

"You do not think that is a bit ridiculous?"

"Yes!" She swung her sword and hit the dummy smack in the head. A large rip caused the dummy's head to fall to the ground. "Smithy!" Smithy looked up. "The head fell off again!" Smithy rolled his eyes and started to beat the iron again. Jane laughed and looked back at Jester. He stared at her with his arms crossed.

"What?"

"Are you going to do anything about it?"

"Why me?"

"The King made him your responsibility, did he not? Otherwise I would gladly do it for you."

"Fine!" Jane shouted exasperated. She placed her sword back in its hold and started off towards Tristan's room.

Tristan lazily opened his eyes. Holy… Why is it so bright? He opened his mouth wide to yawn. It is STILL very hot in here. He had put out he fire in the middle of the night because it got so hot. But even then, it was still horribly uncomfortable. So in the night he had taken off his night tunic. Yet, it is still hot. He thought to himself. He pushed the covers down to his waist and felt a breeze flow over his back. He turned over and sat up. He raised his arms up to stretch and…

"Come on sleepy head!" Jane yelled as she burst through the door.

Tristan let out a sharp yell, which surprised Jane making her scream. Jane caught a glimpse of his bare chest and immediately closed her eyes. Jane's face turned as red as her hair. She brought her hand up to her cheek and turned away.

"Oh! Oh, I am sorry. Um…" She coughed awkwardly. "Time to get up." She shut the door behind her and ran down the hall. Jane had never EVER meant for that to happen. But she did not seem to mind either. He was very muscular and hastily walked down the hall, trying to push the image from her mind. But no matter how hard she tried, it would not go. She kept her head low and pushed her long hair out of her face. She was practically running when she made it down to the yard. Smithy was still working and Jester was hovering above the ground in one of the swings.

"Jane!" Smithy called pausing from work. "Is Tristan coming down?"

"I think so!" She called back, her voice cracking. She took her sword out the holding rack and positioned herself for battle.

Jester stared at her. What is her problem? "What do you mean you think?"

"I do not know! Why does it matter to you two so much?"

"He has a job to do Jane. And if he does not get down here, I will have to do it." Smithy reasoned.

"Right. Of course." She began. An attack from below and attack across the stomach. Avoid the sword. Jump now.

"Good morning all!" Tristan said as he strolled out into the yard. Jane missed his greeting while avoiding the blow.

"Morning? You sure about that Tristan?" Smithy joked, but still sounding serious. Jane's heart froze and she stopped thinking for split second. She turned around to say hello. But before she could get the words out, the dummy's mace whipped her in the rear and she went flying to the ground.

Smithy and Jester let out a sympathetic groan. Tristan let out a small bark of laughter before restraining himself.

"Are you all right?" he asked. He offered his hand and hoisted her up. He laughed. He laughed at me… Jane's stomach twisted into a tight knot. But he helped me up… He smiled at her, revealing all his teeth. Jane felt the knot release and turn to mush. Then she realized she still was holding his hand. Jester stared at them. He had seen this before, but it hurt so much more this time. She immediately released it and backed away, acting like it was diseased. Jester smiled, feeling very relieved. She brushed off her skirt and shirt.

"Yes. I am fine." She said looking down, not wanting for their eyes to meet.

"That dummy certainly gave you a beating." He teased, still holding that roguish grin. But Jane took it very literally.

"No!" She snapped. She glared straight into his eyes. "I just… eh- lost my focus." Then she saw his reaction. His eyes softened and his face fell.

"Oh, sorry Jane. I did not mean to, sorry." He rubbed the back of his neck and brought it down to his side before walking over to the forge.

Jane looked over at Smithy and Jester. They looked, frightened. Champion, Jane. Job well done. She dropped her sword, letting it clatter to the ground. She huffed off to her room, her knees practically locked and arms stiff.

Jester hopped off the swing and put away Jane's sword. He took a look at the dummy. He was in a sad, pitiful condition. Jester grabbed the dummy's sword arm. As soon as he touched it, it went falling to the ground.

"I think we need a new dummy." Jester said to Smithy holding the arm in the air.

"I know. And now I will have time to build it, now that Tristan's here." Smithy gave him a manly pat on the back. Tristan gave him a weak smile.

"So, what do you need me to do?"

Keeping his hand on Tristan's back, Smithy led him to the stables. "First, the animals need to know that they can trust you. Now this will take quite a long time, but now is as good as time as ever." He let go of Tristan and brought his hand up to one of the horses. "This is Cleaver. She is my personal favorite. She is the most reliable for any of the knights, very sturdy on her feet. She needs special attention. She expects it." He said while giving her a pat.

Tristan raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you a merchant or a blacksmith?" Smithy shook his head. "Because it sounds like you are trying to sell the horse, instead of introducing it."

Smithy let out a kind of scoff and laugh, at the same time. "I am serious. These are the King's animals, not mine. So if you make a mistake, he will hear of it." Smithy gave Tristan a warning look.

"All right. No joking around here then." Tristan brought his arms up in surrender.

"It is not that,"

"Joke."

"Of course." Smithy forced out a chuckle. "I have work to do. That dummy needs some repairs." Smithy left the stables and went into the practice yard. He hoisted the dummy over his shoulder with a grunt, and carried it to the forge. Jester swung his legs forward and backward, gaining velocity and speed.

Tristan turned toward the large horse. "All right then." He suddenly brought his hand down on Cleaver's neck, giving her a hard slap. Cleaver's eyes flashed white and rolled in the back of her head. She gave a shrill whinny as she reared high. She hit Tristan in the process, knocking him straight to the ground. She thrashed her hooves violently in the air, busting the gate wide open. She took her opportunity to get out and sped through the driveway and out of the castle.

Thudjingle. Thudjingle. Jester and Smithy appeared in the doorway like magic.

"Bloody-" Smithy smacked his forehead with his padded glove.

Jester kneeled on the ground in front of the stable. "Speaking of blood…" Smithy's eyes shifted quickly to Jester. There Tristan was, sprawled out on the ground, bleeding slightly from the head.

"Tristan!" Jester shook him as hard as he could. "Tristan, COME ON!"

Tristan's eyelids fluttered slightly as he woke. With his eyes fully open, he let out an audible groan and reached for his head.

"Can you sit up?"

"Yeah…" He put his hands into the filthy ground and pushed up. Everything was spinning in different directions. He sat up against the stable door and groaned again.

Smithy kneeled down with them, his face burning with anger. He leaned in so close to Tristan's face, he could practically smell the blood seeping out of a small gash.

"What. Happened."

Tristan's eyes flew open and he backed away slightly. Realizing he was cornered, he stopped and his mouth dropped. Closed and dropped again.

"I, uh. The horse, she- er." He gulped loudly. "I gave her a pat, and she freaked."

Smithy shook his head. "You probably scared the daylights out of her, that is why she ran." He sighed angrily. "You need to tell the King. I will not be responsible for this." Smithy stormed out of the barn into the forge.

Jester stood up. "He is right you know. King Caradoc will not be happy."

Tristan tried to stand up and reached for Jester's hand. Jester hoisted him up, nearly landing on the ground in the process.

"You know, Jingle boy, those are the first few words we have really exchanged since I got here." He gave him a small smirk. "Come with me? I do not want to chance falling in front of the King." Jester nodded slowly. They started to walk slowly to the throne room, Tristan far ahead and Jester behind with his head low. Jester thought he was going insane. Jingle boy? Nobody ever calls me that except… Jester looked up at Tristan with wide eyes. It is probably only a coincidence. Oh now I remember. Jane told Tristan about all the silly nicknames Dragon gave us all. I am going insane…

They arrived in the throne room. King Caradoc sat straight up, letting his head fall, then whipping it up again. Then letting it fall, then up.

"Sire…?" Caradoc snorted and coughed.

"Ah, Tristan. My newest subject. What can I do for you my boy?"

"Well, hmph." Tristan froze.

"How are things in the stables? Everything running smoothly?"

Jester stepped in. "See that is our problem Majesty. Not everything is running smoothly." He shrugged and tried to loosen up. "Tristan accidentally spooked one of the horses and she ran off."

"What?" Caradoc jumped from his seat.

"I am sorry, your highness. The fault is all mine."

"I am disappointed in you. Exceedingly so. A careless mistake like that, will not be brushed away with an apology. Especially because it is your first day." He sat back down, looking very intimidating. "You will be punished. One of those being you will track down the missing horse, return it, and properly bathe it. Then, once you are through, you will perform your normal duties as stable boy. "

"Oh yes. You are too gracious Majesty."

"I know. That is why this will not be forgotten. Another mistake like that, and you will be relieved of your duties."

"Yes sir."

"You both may go." Caradoc waved his hand. Jester and Tristan bowed deeply and practically ran out the door.

Tristan heaved a sigh of relief. "That was lucky, huh?" He laughed.

"Yes, well. I need to be going back to my duties." Jester turned and went back to the study hall.

Tristan sat on the edge of the fountain and let his head drop into his hands.

He inhaled sharply as pain shot through his skull. He rubbed the growing lump on his head and looked behind him at Jane's tower.

The things I go through for that girl…

Tristan got in trouble, nah nah nah nah nah nah. "sings in taunting voice" XP Jk. And Jane got a little more than she had planned for. ^_^ As always, I love to hear from you guys.. So fire away. not literally. I don't take flames very well…