A/n: I am glad you guys are enjoying this fic. As of recent I've revisted two fics, one is Jane x Gunther and the other is Jane x Smithy so if you guys would love to check those out feel free; its thanks to readers comments that I was encouraged to add to them. Feel free to comment what you might like to happen, ;D or if you'd like a continuance of any events. As always, I would like to thank everyone for comments that encourage me to post faster and for all who are still following this story. Please enjoy!

Chapter 31: Two Maidens

"You ever wonder if someone will try to charge through here?" Inquired the raven-haired knight; bored with the lack of action.

"It would be pretty bold if they did, but I highly doubt that could happen. Unless they flew over the walls of course." Answered Jane.

After this morning's revelations, discussions with her father, and the odd conversation with Pepper, the lady knight found herself wearier of mind rather than the body, but it was a relief that her fellow knight could be relied upon to lighten the mood at the oddest of times. It had been a quiet afternoon, and other than the noise and bustle of town, there was nothing else to gauge their attention other than their duty. "No one would be foolish enough to do that unless they had wings." He suggested.

Except for Dragon, but she kept that remark to herself. From time to time the lady knight wondered what she would do if she had wings. Of course, to fly would be wonderful, but to go wherever she wanted, and to see whatever she wished would be a dream. Jane did occasionally see far-off lands when she had messages to carry to the King's allies or to attend celebrations such as dinners or balls when both the Queen and King had to travel, but in itself, she was still at the mercy of whom she served. "What does that say about the pigeons?" Jane mentioned after spotting one land on a nearby statue.

"The next time I hold one captive," Came Gunther's sarcastic remark, "I will be sure to ask it."

She had expected Gunther to be a bit sore about losing yesterday, but so far he had not mentioned it. Rather, he appeared distracted, but then so was she. Ugh, she should not have overdone it with all the chopping, but that was the least of her problems. What Jane wished, yearned for with violence of feeling was for someone whose guidance she could seek on the matter of making peace with the men in her life. And she knew there was, but she could not go to him for he was the cause of a few of her concerns.

If her mother could be relied upon not to panic at the least of inconveniences, or to go into grand speeches about societal expectations, Jane might have asked what she did when she considered her father. However, no matter how much her parents cared for each other, and maintained appearances, it was clear that it was not the happiest of matches; she did not want to suffer such a fate. Compared to the task of being a knight, life decisions, as well as their consequences, seemed almost too heavy to bear. In the meantime, she should be focusing on her duty instead of dwelling on these matters.

Be that as it may, why could she not stop thinking about it? Had there been truth to all of Pepper's teasing? To consider the men around her as great beauties, was an understatement. Gunther had always been handsome, and while she did not care for him the way he seemed to care for her, there had been times in the past that he had managed to be charming albeit vexing and her best human friend Jester had been one of her oldest and dearest friends; who was more of the aesthetic beauty in manners, talent, and disposition. To be sure, Jane had wanted to dispel the insinuation, the outrageous suggestion of the cooks teasing, but it was true.

Oh, how had the lady knight remained calm around the near-perfection of the blacksmith? To reflect on all those times they had shared an embrace, or sat next to each other, or that she had watched him work, how had she borne it? Yet, it had been different before. Denying her sensibilities had allowed her to be indifferent enough, but little by little the lady knight became more conscious of him; moved and excited by the subtlest expression. Suppose she managed to work past the idea of beauty, of love, and all that came with it, but where did he fit along with her dream? It was hard to say.

Jester had played a crucial part in her dream as far as providing her first set of armor and being supportive; the only one who had not laughed at her desire to honor and protect. Gunther, her fellow knight had pushed her to work harder and encouraged her to be more determined to be the best, but she did not remember when it was that the fool became almost possessive in his attentions or when Gunther went from being her comrade to wanting to be more, let alone did she remember when Jethro started to win in her eyes; if she drew comparisons to them all, it would be that they were some of her closest friends. And yet, in her attempts at keeping their affections away, she had compromised friendship or of what used to be like friendship; the agreeable, wonderful, joyful gift it used to be. Gunther had been a step above the rest as far as keeping duties and their issues separate, but Jester did as he pleased and enjoyed making a show as well as sulking whenever it was convenient for him. Jethro, she would have to exclude from all this; no matter what she asked of him, even if it had been at his expense, he would do; by no means did she care for him because it was convenient, but out of every one of her acquaintance, he had proven the most adaptable, caring, and capable; he did not acquiesce, or shrink under her remarks, or try to prove that he was right, but instead tried to guide her, and gave her the respect and space to decide on what she wanted to do. The blacksmith gave her the freedom to be who she was, as she was, and she did not have to change.

However, as they were, could that amount to much? At times, it felt as though it could. The day they danced together, he seemed almost playful and teasing, as though he held slight regard, but he was still the same man she always knew. Oh, why was she thinking of this now? All it did was succeed in persuading herself that she ought to pursue him. Maggots! She was supposed to be focused on her duty.

A furtive glance at his fellow knight informed Gunther of what he needed to know. Although she was here, doing her duty, her mind and heart were faraway. Few matters would consume her concentration in this way and if he knew her well, which he did, it was over the delicacies and particulars concerning a certain man's attention. No matter, with a few well-placed words, he could alter her mood. Yes, he had promised his mentor some years ago to try to be civil with his comrade, but every once in a while, goading Jane did cause the expected response. "So frog rider," He smirked, remembering how much she disliked it, "what did that blacksmith of yours request?"

"That is none of your business Gunther." She retorted.

"Come now, I have seen the way you two carry on, and do not get me started on how he helped you cheat."

"Helped me cheat? And how, pray tell, did he do that?"

Remembering the glances the blacksmith had taken, how attentive he had been to ensure that she did not injure herself when she began to tire, and how he looked at no other woman but Jane, almost persuaded Gunther to be angry, but an annoyance, as well as his disappointment at not being as capable as him, added to his grief. Yet he had a role to play, and the raven-haired knight was great at pretending. "He gave you his hatchet while I was stuck with my dull and dare I add crooked one."

"You exaggerate Gunther, but it does not matter considering that neither of us won."

In one respect, he was glad that he knew that Smithy would never be unkind to her, but that did not make it any less humiliating. "I bet he did not request anything uncourteous except to wish you well or whatever his sedate manners allow. Perhaps to assist him to shoe a horse or to count the number of hay bales in the storage room."

The lady knight wanted to remain annoyed at her comrade, but she burst out laughing at the increasingly ridiculous suppositions. "Next you are going to suggest that I helped birth a cow or polished Pigs hooves, but no I did nothing of the sort. Not that I would have minded," She smiled, "but no he only gave me a kindly suggestion."

That was good. "Brilliant. So that is his strategy. I dare say I have a great deal to learn from the man if that is what it takes to swoon the hearts of innocent maidens. Not that you would know," Gunther sniffed, "considering how much time you have spent around rugged, brash, and tough men like myself."

"Swoon the hearts of innocent maidens? You do not need any assistance in that regard."

"Was that a compliment?" He wondered.

"No, I was only stating the truth. A good deal of those chambermaids were cheering for you Gunther. What else is there to say?"

"Jane, I know you cannot be so daft as not to see it."

"What do you mean?"

Studying his comrade, he saw every bit of the girl he had always cared for, that wisp, stick thin, twig of a girl, who had matured and persuaded them all that a lady could be a knight, without slaying a dragon, or needing to be saved. However, who would save him the day this woman married? Gunther knew that he had lost his chance so long ago and accepted his fate. "A majority of those ladies were not there to see me," He confessed, "but to see Smithy."

Now that he had mentioned it, many chambermaids referred to him either by title or by names they had given him. Be that as it may, why would Gunther mention it? It was strange. "And why would that matter?"

If she had not figured it out for herself, she would eventually. "Never mind it frog rider, just be careful. Please."

From that point until they were relieved from duty, there was silence as they focused on the task.

Once the lady knight had finished her sentry duty the thought of going to the kitchen to eat whatever was left over seemed promising, but as she passed through the grand entrance of the castle, and rounded the corner, there stood the fool, juggling a few stones. "Jester, I did not expect to see you here."

Easing into that smile he reserved for her, he wondered, "Oh, and were you expecting someone?"

"Not in particular."

"Then I have the pleasure of being that particular."

At this time of day, he would either be accompanying the King or assisting the others with their duties. However, unlike the other castle staff, the fool had a bit more freedom considering he needed to come up with new songs and stories all the time. Like now, when he should have been in his room working on a melody, but so far had only thought of the lyrics. "How was sentry duty?" He inquired.

"It went well. Nothing exciting for now, which is good for the kingdom but a little boring for me. How about you?"

"As always I aim to please, but I could say much of the same. I am working on a new ballad, but it is not finished yet. I cannot think of a melody, which is why I decided to put my lute on time out."

"I see. Well, I hope you will let me hear it when it is finished."

"And where are you off to now fair maiden?"

"I am heading down to the kitchen. Care to join me?"

Quirking a brow, he wondered, "Is it not a bit early for the evening meal?"

"Yes," She confessed; flashing him that bewitching, friendly smile. "but I am starving. I thought there might be some bread Pepper could spare."

This was a surprise. For one, she had been avoiding his company, and two, she was smiling at him just like she used to. This warmed the fool's heart, and he was all happiness and giddiness, but it was too late to go back on what he intended to do. Be that as it may, he was not sorry. "Of course Jane. Though, do you mind if we pass by the throne room? I believe I might have left my lute there."

"Sure, but how did you manage to forget your lute? I thought it was your most prized possession."

"It is, but as I said earlier I put my lute on time out, and well I was requested to help with the lady in waiting with the prince's studies, and I could not turn down the privilege to please your mother could I?"

"Jester," She laughed, "I do not know what you could do to garner her favor unless you brought her helpful gossip or a handful of nuts."

They chatted on various silly ideas that the fool had thought of while bored, and for her part, she had mostly listened, but all words were forgotten as they entered the throne room. The sight of the blacksmith holding a pretty chambermaid in his arms with his face etched with concern froze her in place. With alarm, Jester ran forward, feigning worry. "What has happened?"

"I do not know," The blacksmith explained, "she was alright a few moments ago, but now she is like this."

Her pale, limp body disturbed Jane, as well as the anger that wanted to rise in her at the sight of this scene, as well as the urge to flee, but before all else, she had a duty. Jealousy could wait. "Jethro, I fear the servant's quarters are a bit far, so why not leave her in my care as you retrieve a little wine. Jester," She instructed, "go fetch either mother or Pepper."

Easing the girl into Jane's arms, the blacksmith flashed the lady knight a look of concern but also that of apology, and what Smithy hoped appeared to be trust in her abilities. Then both men ran, leaving Jane with the young girl. The chambermaid seemed so small and petite in the lady knight's arms and much younger than her 16 years, but she was as beautiful as any man could wish for. What had occurred to cause her to lose consciousness? Had she enough to eat in between duties? Jane hoped so.

The chambermaid appeared well enough the day before, as she watched them for a short time as they chopped wood. However, the lady knight had heard of girls with weak bodies and hearts fainting from overexertion or excitement but had never witnessed it before now. In that respect, Jane could understand. Who would not be thrilled being around Jethro? Oh, let that not be this young woman's demise.

Patting her cheek, and calling out Mary's name still did not cause her to stir. And laying her down carefully, and allowing her head to rest on her lap, Jane realized that the chambermaid became what she would never be; a damsel in distress.