A Janther first dance for anon
Jane did not remember the exact moment (although her mother probably could) when she began to accept that she could be both a knight and a woman. That her accomplishments in the training yard and on the field would not be diminished if she chose to wear a gown to the ball.
Those who respected her would continue to do so, and those who refused to would not be swayed by any form of attire.
The first year she walked in with her head held high and her palms sweating. She stood stiffly and danced little, a round or two with her father and one with the princess, before escaping to her tower and burrowing into her bed.
The next year she was determined would be different. She would dance, and have fun, and enjoy herself.
She walked in with her head held high, her palms sweating, and her eyes sparkling.
She danced with her father, Sir Theodore, a young lord from a neighbouring kingdom, with Princess Lavinia and then, breathless and surprised, agreed to dance with Gunther Breech.
She stood in place with her head held high, her palms only a little sweaty, and her heart beating loudly.
Jane thought she had never danced with Gunther before. She believed that right until the moment they took their first steps, perfectly effortless and in sync, and realised that of course, of course, they had.
They danced every day, spinning and stepping, twisting and turning until they could read the rhythm of each others' bodies without even knowing it.
Perhaps it was never to music and certainly there were never so many people. It was done in the dirt with weapons in hand but it was dancing, just the same.
Gunther seemed to realise this as Jane did, his smile reflecting her own as they moved so effortlessly through the steps with a skill that ordinary practice might never have granted them.
They danced together two more times that evening, neither seeming to care that the gossips were beginning to get excited.
After dancing with Gunther, dancing with anyone else felt slow and clumsy, as though other partners did not comprehend what dancing truly was.
When the night ended Jane felt a sense of loss. Would dancing ever feel that way again?
She walked wearily to the training yard the following morning and selected a sword, standing opposite Gunther and taking her opening stance.
And then Gunther smiled, as he had the night before, and Jane smiled back.
Perhaps dancing would not feel the way it had the previous night, but in the training yard it could well feel even better.