Hello ladies and germs! It has been such a long time and I send my sincerest apologies for that. I started school, had two computer crashes, and have had hardly any time to breathe. I don't really get to do anything I really love anymore. I used to read, all the time. I used to write for myself and not to please stupid horrible teachers, but I don't really get to anymore.

But that WILL change. Updates will be more timely and regular. Hopefully. Thank you to all my readers and reviewers for their patience! I love you all!

Especially to mnmennth (my constructive criticizer and avid advice giver), Stor-E-Phool (my mushroom sister and for making me feel missed) Pickyfreakinteenagers1111 (for our lovely cartoon debates) and Wolfchild87 (for her sneaky humor). :D

"Smithy!" Tristan called as he staggered into the yard. He placed his hands on the counter of the forge and leaned forward. "I need a horse, to track down the other horse." He gave Smithy a lopsided grin. Smithy prodded at the fire one final time, before bringing a new piece of steel to the anvil.

Smithy lifted his head at him. "I am not the one to come to, am I? Stable boy." He started to beat the steel flat, but not too flat, just flat enough for a new sword.

"Ah ha. See, you are learning to joke." He widened his grin. Smithy stopped.

"Why cannot you get it?" He crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Uh, well. I do not know which one would be the one for the job. You never did finish introducing them to me." Tristan winked.

Smithy sighed. "Come on." He went into the barn and led Tristan to a stable. A thick muscled coal black horse nickered in a friendly greeting. "This is Smoke." Smithy held his hand up cautiously. Smoke gave him a sniff. Smithy lightly stroked his muzzle.

"See? That is the proper way to greet a horse."

"Right. I knew that, it is just I thought Cleaver knew I was there. She could have expected the pat."

"Just do not pat, stroke or touch them until they acknowledge that you are there."

"All right."

"Now Smoke here,"

"Smoke?" Tristan let out a low snicker.

"What about it?"

"It is just, kind of…"

"Simple? Yes, we know. Dragon named him when we first got him. He was the only horse that was not terrified by the presence of a dragon." Smithy chuckled slightly. "When he arrived, Dragon landed right beside us. He stayed calm, he did not rear, snort or anything. He stood still. Dragon told us he looked like smoke and it kind of caught on."

"So this Dragon fellow… do you miss him?" One can only be curious..

"Yeah. Actually I do. Sure it was a pain in the neck cleaning up after him. He was so reckless" He chuckled softly to himself. "But he was good friend." Smithy sighed and gave Smoke a final pat. "Now, about the other horses."

Smithy introduced them one by one and memories flooded Tristan's mind of each one. That one was always scared, that one is named Chesty for a reason…

"The tack and saddles are in the closet, along with the cleaning supplies." Smithy had his hands on his hips. "I guess that is it." He started to walk away.

Tristan lifted up a finger timidly. "Uh, Smithy?"

Smithy turned around. "What?"

"Er- Um." Quick think of a reason he would need to show you how to saddle a horse. Ah. "The tack and saddles are different from the ones we used on our horses in Dulcemia. Could you show me how yours works?"

"Right." Smithy was starting to get annoyed. Tristan was supposed to be giving him less work. Not more.

After the lesson on saddling, Smithy went back to the forge. Tristan turned to the saddled horse.

"Been a while, huh Smoke?" He chuckled before lifting a leg up, and gripping the saddle. He pushed down, and fell to the ground with a thud. "All right. Let us try this again." After falling many, many times. Tristan was on the horse. Then he overheard Jane's voice.

"Smithy, can you saddle Cleaver for me? I need to go on patrol."

"I am actually really busy right now, why do not you go see what Tristan is doing?"

"Oh yes. Forgot. Sorry Smithy." Jane marched into the barn. Then she saw something rather unusual. Tristan was facing towards her, while the horse was turned the opposite direction.

"Tristan?"

Tristan tried to look as regal as possible, keeping his dignity high. "*Cough* Yes, Jane?"

"Are you not supposed to be facing the other way?" Jane stifled a laugh, but snorted instead.

Tristan looked down, pretending to be completely oblivious to the situation. "I suppose." He jumped off the horse. He lifted his leg up and tried to mount again.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting on the horse." He acted like it was very obvious.

"You are doing it wrong."

"Am I? Well, how do you do it?"

Jane snorted again. "Saddle Cleaver for me, and I will show you."

Tristan coughed again. "Yes well. See that might be a problem, seeing as though Cleaver is not here."

"All right, well how about Hazel?"

"Of course." Tristan properly tacked and saddled Hazel, feeling very pleased with himself.

"Pay attention, Tristan." Jane motioned for him to join her.

Jane placed her foot in the stirrup, pushed down while lifting her other leg above and around to the other side.

"That, is how you get on a horse."

Tristan did exactly as he saw Jane. He was on the Smoke, in the correct direction, on the first try.

"Bravo! Now, where are you off to Jane?"

"I have to go on patrol."

"Oh. Well, I was actually hoping you could help me find Cleaver. You would be roaming the forests and around town. It would be like patrol."

"I would like that very much Tristan."

He smiled, eyes glowing. His day was turning around.

They approached the border of the forest, an awkward silence hovered in the air between them.

"So..." Tristan started, looking for any words.

"So."

"So, your Dragon friend, when you say he left? Do you mean he left, or that he left left?"

"He left left. For good."

"Any particular reason?"

"I yelled at him."

Tristan scoffed. Oh bat bladders. She blames herself... I never wanted that. "You think that is why?" He laughed a little.

Jane gave him a look.

Oh right. "That is one sensitive Dragon."

"You have no idea." She smiled softly, then stared into nothingness before looking away from him in case he should see her eyes mist over.

"So tell me more. You were close yes?"

"Closer than anyone. He was more than my best friend, he was like a part of me."

"That is terribly sweet." He batted his eyes.

She pressed her lips together and pouted.

"We did everything together. I just do not know if I can live life without him."

"You seem to be living pretty well." You want to know why Jane dear? It is because he is right next to you. God it burns how much I want to tell her I am here. Here for her, for her to love.

"It hurts so much..."

"You look alright. No blood." He grabbed her arm, pretending to be looking for injuries.

She giggled but solemnly shook her head. "I-"

"I understand. It is not the kind of hurt you can see. It is the kind that hurts even more. The kind we cannot see, unless we look hard."

"You are starting to sound like Jester." She nudged Hazel to go faster. Tristan did the same, keeping pace.

"Jingle boy? He is much too serious. Needs to learn to joke."

Jane looked away, trying to avoid eye contact. He would not let him see her cry. She looked down at the ground. She stopped suddenly and leaped off of Hazel. She crouched near the ground, examining it closely.

It took Tristan a moment to realize that she was gone. "Jane!" His voice slightly on the edge of panic.

"Over here! I found tracks! She went that way!" She cried pointing deeper into the forest.

"Well then! Tally ho!" He went off on a gallop. Jane smiled broadly and jumped back onto her horse. The tracks led to a clear meadow. In the center was Cleaver grazing away. Jane and Tristan came to a screeching halt. Tristan leaned over, close to Jane's ear.

"Shhh."

Jane pursed her lips at him. He grinned and nudged Smoke forward.

"Tristan! No! Allow me." She half screamed, half whispered. He stopped, right on the edge. She reached into her saddle bag and pulled out a tangle of rope. She turned to him with a crooked head. She gave him a grin, and fixed eyes with him. He returned the gaze. He wanted this gaze to last forever. He wanted to stare into her eyes forever. She winked, and then let out a loud, "Yah!" Good things never last...

Hazel took off on a gallop. Jane lowered herself against his body, gaining speed. Cleaver heard her cry, and was already running, but Jane had the head start. Jane was close behind, right where she wanted. Jane had previously looped the end, and was now twirling it high in the air above her head. She flicked her wrist and sent it flying right around Cleaver's neck. She tightened it, slowing Cleaver's speed to a halt. Jane of course, had done this many times before, and had become quite the expert. She welcomed the opportunity to show of her skills, especially in front of Tristan. She got off of Hazel, and cautiously walked over to Cleaver. Jane looked away from Cleaver and held out a hand. The wayward mare sniffed at it cautiously, then relaxed and snorted a greeting at Jane who rewarded her with a stroke on the muzzle.

Tristan trotted over to them and fumbled off of Smoke. "Well, that was truly amazing." He stood beside her, observing her work. He placed a congratulatory hand on her shoulder.

"It was simple really." Jane blushed.

"Simple? Maybe for an extraordinary knight, but for a simpleton like myself, that is an amazing feat."

"Simpleton? You are no simpleton. Far from it." She turned her face towards his, placing her hand on his. Tristan felt a sudden warmth spread through his body. That touch made him feel at peace. He wanted to pull her close and kiss her forever. He wanted to so badly it hurt. But his fears he suppressed to the back of his mind sprang forth. What would she do? Would she kiss him back or would she entirely reject him? He was so afraid of the latter.
Jane never felt her heart do what it was doing now. She felt a lump in her throat and a knot in her belly. What was going on? Was he about to kiss her? Should she kiss him back? Oh she desperately wanted to. But would that be appropriate? What about Jester? Or was she entirely over-thinking it?

Tristan made up his mind. He could see the hesitance in her eyes. She would say something when she was ready. He knew Jane. She was presumptuous, and she would give away her heart too easily. But if she wanted something, she would let it be known. He wanted her to love him. He wanted her to love him so much that there would be no doubt. He backed away with an awkward cough.

"Um, we should er- be getting back now do not you think?" He climbed atop Smoke.

"Oh." Jane let out a sigh of relief. "I suppose we should. Pepper should have evening meal ready by now."

Tristan nodded solemnly. He still had hope. He would win her heart. Hopefully...

Sorry about the abrupt ending there darling people. I kept trying to find a clever/suspenseful way to end it, but I just couldn't do it. It didn't fit the sappy, cheesy, romantic (if you can even call it that) mood of the chapter. So you are left with this. But don't worry it shouldn't be such a long wait between this one and the next one. It is Christmas break after all, and I have time to write. But as always, don't hold it against me if you do wait. Life is life.

So. I love you guys and hope you review. And I hope this year has been a great one! :D