Sorry it's been so long since I updated this story. I have been working more on another story, plus life has been not so fun. BUT, here is Chapter 2! Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Jane fingered a bone in her hand as she lounged lazily against Dragon's side, having just consumed two rabbits her large friend had roasted for her with his fiery breath. They had traveled half the day and were drawing close to the river, but Jane's stomach had been growling quite loudly for the last couple hours, till finally she relented to Dragon's insistence that they find her something to eat. She had quickly found tracks of rabbits, then made quick work of chasing them to within reach of Dragon's flame. He didn't like killing other creatures, but Jane's famished expression had drawn out a compassion that overruled his conscience, so he had made an exception for her. He however was content to wait to find his own meal until she was fed, so while she ate, he napped.

The young woman's eyes and ears had been on high alert since they left Kippernia, not knowing what sort of strange or dangerous things might await them in this foreign land. So even though she sat leaning against Dragon, her emerald eyes were continuously flicking here and there, taking in every movement, while her ears caught every sound of the surrounding forest. She could hear small rodents rustling in the underbrush, birds flitting from tree to tree, the wind blowing through the branches. Every now and then she thought she heard the sound of deer stepping carefully through the woods, the lithe creatures out of sight but the cruch of twigs and leaves underhoof reached the former squire's ears. Nothing sounded of danger though, so she could at least relax her body and let it rest from all their walking. Her head slowly nodded towards her chest...

"Jane, it's time to wake up."

Maggots.

Jane took a deep breath before rising, stretching her aching legs out.

"I don't suppose ten more minutes would suffice?" She asked dryly, half-hoping he would grant her that, but her friend only shook his head.

"No, we need to get you to the river. Can't have you falling over from drying up, and I'm here to take care of you!"

"Thank you, Dragon. That is so sweet."

"Sweet?! Puppies are sweet! I am a DRAGON!"

Jane couldn't help but laugh at his animated response, flailing his arms and claws everywhere to make his point. It must have been all the stress from the last few days building up, for suddenly she was laughing so hard she fell over onto the ground, gasping in between laughs and snorts, the sound echoing against trees and through the surrounding area. Dragon sat back on his heels and lowered his wings, looking half embarassed, half concerned for his small human friend's behavior, which only made Jane laugh more.

Finally her outbursts subsided into quieter giggles that shook her body, before finally she flopped over onto her back and heaved a great big breath of relief. She had not felt so free of worry and sorrow in many days, and she knew it would be short-lived, so she closed her eyes to soak it in. Dragon move up next to her, close enough to feel his breath on her face. She opened one eye to see his broad nose, and amber eyes above it looking quite concerned.

"I am fine, Dragon. I guess I just... needed a release."

"A... release?" He frowned.

"Yes. These past few days have been very difficult, and I didn't realize just how much it was affecting me until I started laughing. It was like a great weight left my shoulders! A weight of sorrow and hurt."

"Well, then, I'm glad. You had me worried though, I thought you might be going into convulsions and I didn't know what to do!"

Jane sat up.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Dragon! I did not mean to worry you."

"I know," he replied. "So, do you feel lighter now, then?"

She lowered her eyes to ponder a moment, and her face fell.

"I'm afraid I was only lighter for a moment, Dragon. It will take some time before I fully adjust to our new situation."

"Well, while you work on adjusting, I shall go in search of a dragon-sized meal."

"We can search together!" She protested, but he held up a claw to contradict her.

"No, you must rest! You're exhausted, don't deny it, and I shall be back soon. Stay right here and I'll know where to find you. Deal?"

"Alright. As you wish." She conceded, realizing that she was indeed still very tired.

She watched as Dragon made a running hop into the air and flew away above the treetops, leaving the quiet sounds of the forest to envelope her once again. She sighed heavily, then moved to sit against a nearby rock when a different sound reached her ears: a voice in the distance. She could tell the voice was singing, but not too loudly. Immediately her guard was up, all sense of tiredness replaced with sharp suspicion. Had someone seen her and Dragon, and laid a trap to lure her in? She unsheathed her sword and began creeping through the woods towards the voice, her trained feet avoiding any twigs or dry leaves as she simultaneously scanned the terrain around her.

She determined the voice was coming from over a small hill up ahead. It was more discernable now, a man's voice singing softly while he plucked an instrument. He came into view as Jane crept up the rise and peered over the edge, seeing a young man in plain linen clothes, casually leaning against a fallen log while playing a lute. Something was familiar about his voice, but the song was not. She stared curiously at him, unable to see his bowed face clearly. He appeared to be alone in the clearing, and Jane's sense of danger began fading.

As the song ended a minute later, the man sighed and stood up to sling the lute over his shoulder, exposing his face. His tanned skin was contrasted by the whisps of dirty blonde hair that peeked out from under the hat brim, but it was his eyes she was immediately drawn to. Blue-gray like the sea after a storm...

"Jester?"

Jane called out to the man, who jerked his head up in surprise. His mouth gaped open in fear, then flashed into a wide smile, and then she KNEW it was Jester. Her sword dropped with a thud onto the ground and the lute fell from his shoulder as they rushed to each other. The surge of happiness that coursed through them both struck like lightning as they gripped each other tightly, and Jane felt his shirt dampening from the tears pouring out of her eyes against his shoulder. It felt strange to be hugging Jester and not feeling his familiar blue jester's outfit underneath her hands, and instead the coarser fabric of linen. But in that moment she was simply overcome with the joy that he was there, with her...

Pulling away, but still clinging to each other, she stared up at her best human friend, still unbelieving he was really there.

"How is it you are here?! What did you tell the king? How could you have left?! You promised me, Jester!"

A mix of emotions flooded Jane: anger, relief, and homesickness. She felt embarassed and vulnerable by her outburst, but Jester's steady gaze calmed her some. He shook his head.

"No, I did not tell of what we found. I kept my promise, Jane."

She sighed in relief, then frowned at him.

"But why are you here? And where is your court outfit?"

Jester swallowed hard, then released her and took a step back before answering. On his face was an expression of determination, and Jane could tell he must have rehearsed his next words.

"When you left, my heart was torn in two. I could not bear to never see you again, especially since you did nothing wrong. No one knew where you had gone, not even your own parents, for the knights were sworn to secrecy. When Dragon showed up later that day he was frantic to find you. He flew far and wide but found no trace. It was then that Dragon decided to leave Kippernia to search farther for you. Something broke within me, Jane, and... I requested an audience with the king, and... gave my resignation."

"Jester! How could you?! That is your life!" Jane was shocked.

Jester shrugged simply, his eyes boring into hers, almost... desperate.

"You are also my life, Jane," he said softly, then cleared his throat and continued before she could interrupt him. "I told the king that I believed you would never harm him or any of his subjects, and that I had decided to search for you and accompany you, no matter how long it might take to find you. The king took pity on me, and supplied me with some food, a sleeping roll, and a shortsword, plus my lute as a parting gift."

"But... how did you find me?"

"I saw Dragon after a day's journey, sitting on a far hill looking despaired. Suddenly he perked up and shot into the air like an arrow, flying straight in one direction. I knew he must have detected you, so after that I only traveled in the direction I had last seen Dragon fly. I have barely stopped except to nap, for I was desperate to find you. Although, I am ashamed to admit that when you found me I had realized I was lost and was consoling myself with a ballad..."

Jane didn't know how to feel. She was overjoyed to see him, but also angry that he had left just so she wouldn't be alone. Did he think she needed protection? Surely he could not supply that! She picked up her fallen sword, angrily sheathing it before turning to face him, her eyes ablaze and fiery curls straying over them.

"What were you thinking?! Did you think you had to come to keep me safe? I am a knight, not a damsel in distress! How did you plan to survive in the wilderness if you didn't find me right away? You have no training! You - you - FOOL!"

She paced rapidly to try and channel her fury, while she berated her friend, who stood silently in uncertaintly until she finished. Jane finally ended and turned away from him, her anger having run its course. She couldn't bear to look at him, for she knew she shouldn't have blown up at him like she did. If her pride weren't so strong, she knew she would be flying into his arms again, sobbing like a lost child who had been found. A catterpiller moving slowly along a fallen leaf caught her eye, and she glared hard at it, as if blaming it for her temper.

Jester waited a moment, then cautiously stepped up behind her.

"I'm... sorry, Jane. I know that you are more than capable of surviving on your own. I came because I cannot bear to lose you, my best friend. Please forgive me?"

He waited, watching the back of her hair float slightly in the calm breeze, and thought he heard a very quiet sniffle come from the red-headed maiden. She turned around, and he could tell she was trying very hard to not cry, a sight quite rare for even him to see. She bit her lip, then suddenly broke her resolve and almost fell into Jester's arms, sobbing unashamedly onto his shirt. He was surprised but quickly wrapped his arms around her and rested his head against her mass of curls, murmering to her.

"It's okay, Jane. Let it all out. I'm here. I'll always be here for you, whatever you need."

Jane cried the heartache of the last few days all out in tears against her dear friend, allowing the warmth of him against her and his steady breath in her hair to slowly calm her sobs. One of his hands stayed still high up on her back, while the other trailed through her curls, catching tangles here and there. Finally she quieted, but stayed pressed against him, not wanting to break free and face the world again yet, reveling in the rare physical contact they were sharing. She knew they were hugging far too long for friends, and tight enough for sweethearts, but found herself unable to break away.

The moment suddenly ended as the sound of something heavy crashing through the tree branches above them forced them to look up. Loose branches fell about them as a large shadow passed over, then Dragon appeared, landing with a great roar beside them.

"Un-hand her, short-life, or you'll be charcoal!"

He looked quite intimidating with his wings arched menacingly, and nostrils glowing with fire, lighting up furious eyes above them. Jester let out a yelp and shrunk his lanky frame behind Jane, who flung out her hands towards Dragon in protest.

"Dragon, no! I am not in danger! See? It is Jester!"

"Floppy-Hat?" Dragon slithered closer, pushing his nose around her and giving the boy a good sniff. "Your clothes smell funny, like a musty old barn. But I suppose..."

Dragon nudged Jester's head, causing his hat to fall off so he could sniff him better.

"... Ah, yes! There it is: the smell of an underwashed short-life Jingle-Boy. I knew it was you!"

Jester rolled his eyes.

"Of course you did..."

He stooped to retrieve his hat and placed it back over his blonde hair, while Jane quickly swiped at her eyes to hide the fact that she had been crying, but Dragon caught the motion.

"Did he make you cry, Jane? I can make him leave!"

"No, Dragon," she sighed. "I cried because I was happy to see him."

The green beast sat up and crossed his arms in a huff.

"You didn't cry when you saw ME. I only flew far and wide to find you! Not so much as a sniffle!"

The redhead could tell that through Dragon's best attempt to look angry at her, he was really just being sarcastic. The gleam in his eyes gave him away. She laughed out loud.

"You big, jealous green newt!"

"I am NOT jealous." He pouted, lifing his face loftily away from her in defiance, which only made her laugh louder with a snort.

"Oh, bother." Her hand flew to cover her mouth, then she cleared her throat and turned to Jester who had watched the whole scene in amusement.

"Jester, I am grateful to see you, and I appreciate all you have done to get to me but... I am afraid I must insist you return home. Dragon and I can escort you as far as Kippernia's borders, but no further."

The words left her mouth with a bitter taste, as she forced herself to say what she knew was best for him. A court fool in a potentially dangerous foreign land was not a good situation, and she had to deny her own desires for the safety of the one she loved, no matter the cost. Jester's eyes widened, then he shook his head vehemently, putting a hand over his heart.

"No, no - I will not leave you, Jane. I knew what I was doing when I resigned from my position. But what I did not tell you yet was that King Caradoc informed me that I too would be banished, since I was seeking out the company of - I believe you were referred to as 'a threat to the crown'?"

Jane felt her heart flop. He had given up everything... for her.

"So you see, I cannot return," he continued, slinging his fallen lute onto his back. "But I made this choice and I intend to see it through and accompany you wherever you go, my fair beanstalk. After all, we are the best of friends are we not?"

Friends. Just friends. Jane swallowed the lump in her throat and did her best to smile at him.

"Yes, that's what friends do. Thank you, Jester. I feel I owe you a debt which I can never fully repay. You gave up everything for me."

The soft look Jester returned almost had a tenderness in it that quickened Jane's heart, but it was cut short by a giant dragon snout shoved in between them.

"- Um, I hate to interrupt this very sentimental mush you have going," Dragon interjected, "but we really do need to be going if we want to reach the river before dark. Jane needs water and we shouldn't wait any longer."

"Jester needs water too, Dragon! Come on, Jester!"

She turned and quickly began walking away in the direction of the river, and Jester skipped to catch up with her while Dragon simply followed at his normal pace. Jane sighed heavily, too deep in thought to notice Jester's own exhale, and he too occupied to acknowledge hers.