I've wanted to write a Jane and the Dragon fanfic for ages and finally convinced my lazy self to do it. This story is for those of us who see the potential in a Jane and Gunther relationship and ship them even after all these years. We're in this together.

Chapter 1

The falcon's cry pierced the silent bailey, the sound echoing off the castle walls. The boy's grip on the bow tightened at the noise and released the arrow. It sped through the air, passed it's intended target, and clattered off the stone wall behind the bull's eye. The boy's shoulders slumped. His head fell, chin almost touching his chest.

"Tis alright, James," Jane encouraged with a smile. "I didn't hit the target the first time I tried my hand at the bow either. Try again."

James' cheeks reddened but he obeyed and knocked the arrow once again. He raised the bow until his arm was parallel with the ground.

"Remember to let your breath out before you release." James gave a small nod, acknowledging he heard.

Jane studied the boy as he took aim. James was a scrawny lad of about eleven. His knobby legs and arms were always getting in the way and the fellow squires often poked fun at them. He didn't mind the light jabbing. What he did mind, however, was failing in front of Jane. She suspected the boy had a childhood crush on her. She didn't understand why; she was no fair maiden. Her flaming orange hair had darkened somewhat over the years and become an alarming, deep red. Although the color had altered as she grew, her curls had not. It was a constant disappointment to Jane. She was almost a knight for Pete's sake! She didn't need a crown of bushy red curls to attract a suitor. Her round, green eyes were much too large for her face, giving her the constant expression of one who is surprised-not at all a favorable look for a stoic knight. The years of training had kept her frame lean and strong, so unlike the soft, curvy women that Jane knew men desired. Not that it bothered her. She had no intention of ever marrying. She was going to be a knight tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

Jane's twentieth birthday was tomorrow, and with it, signaled the completion of her training. She would be knighted on the morrow in front of her mentor Sir Theodore and all her friends and family. It was the best birthday gift she could ever receive. Usually her birthdays promised a tasty fruit tart baked by Pepper, a special ride with Dragon, and a day off from training. The only thing that she was not looking forward to was the dress her mother was forcing her to wear, as well as being subjected to the torture of styling her hair. Her mother would not budge on these two points. If Jane insisted on being a knight, her mother would at least see her properly dressed like a lady once in her lifetime-her mother's words. Her usual attire of knight's tunic and fitted breeches under a pleated, armored skirt was considered too casual for such a prestigious day.

Jane returned her attention to James who let out his breath and released the arrow. It sunk into the target with a satisfying thud. Although it did not land anywhere near the center bull's eye, James did hit the outermost ring.

"See, a fine hit for a beginner," Jane praised.

"I didn't even get close to the center," he mumbled. He was so hard on himself. He never took the small victories into account. Something Jane could relate to...she always wanted to be the best and less than perfection infuriated her as well. As a girl, she wanted to prove that not only could a female be a knight, but she could excel and even best the men...or at least one man.

Gunther.

Jane stiffened. She hated when her thoughts wandered to that bog weevil. For the entirety of their childhood, they had been fierce rivals. The two trained alongside one another by Sir Theodore, Jane's master, and Sir Ivon, Gunther's. Jane was at a disadvantage, being a female with a different physique and different set of strengths...and weaknesses. She had to work twice as hard to keep up with Gunther. Each day they went about their squire duties and practiced sparring with one another.

Gunther's twentieth birthday already came and went and his knighting ceremony along with it. That was over two years ago. It aggravated Jane to no end that Gunther had been knighted before her. They started their training the same year and she was the better knight of the two, and they both knew it. However, King Caradoc was a stickler for tradition and tradition dictated a squire could not be knighted before their twentieth year. No matter how Sir Theodore pleaded her case to the king, he would not be swayed on the issue. It was all so arbitrary and antiquated and silly. Jane still pictured the smug look on Gunther's face when he heard that he would be knighted before her. It was so unfair.

The day after he was knighted, Gunther had been tasked with traveling the ever-growing Kippernium to recruit more squires for the king's service. He also got to settle any disputes or squabbles among the outer villages since the aging Sir Theodore and Sir Ivon were to remain at the castle training the new squires. Jane couldn't help the jealousy that crept up on her when she imagined the freedom and adventure Gunther must experience each day she was stuck in the castle helping train the new squires.

All of that was about to change. Tomorrow she would join Gunther in knighthood and likewise carry out important tasks at the behest of the king.

"Maggots! Not again…" Jane snapped her head to James, disturbed that she had allowed her thoughts to distract her so thoroughly. James kicked the cobblestone at his feet. His arrow lay on the ground a few feet away from the target.

'"A true knight never lets defeat get the best of him," she chided. Sometimes she wondered if she was too soft on the younger boys. They needed encouragement, but also discipline and education.

James muttered something she could not hear and set off to collect the arrows.

"Once you have retrieved the arrows, go to the stable and see Sir Ivon. He has a few tasks for you and the other boys before the evening meal."

Jane left him to it and went to seek out her best friend Dragon. One last patrol before supper would do nicely. Before she could go further than the gate however, she heard her name being called. Turning on her heel, Jane spotted Rake, the castle gardener, jogging to catch up with her.

"Jane," he called again. Upon reaching her, he bent over gasping for air.

"Are you alright Rake? Whatever is the matter?"

He held up a hand for patience. After a moment he had his breathing under control and straightened, but he still grasped his left side as he spoke. "I've been looking all over for you."

"Me? Until a few moments ago I was in the bailey training the others, as I always am."

"Oh…well I guess I thought you'd take today off in preparation for tomorrow's festivities. I checked everywhere but there," he admitted, a slight tinge of pink coloring his cheeks. Poor Rake. He was so easily embarrassed. Ever the shy, quiet one he was.

"Alright then, what is it?"

"Your mother has asked me to fetch you. Something about a final fitting…"

Jane groaned. It seemed that she would not be flying with Dragon after all. "Thank you, Rake. Is she in the castle?"

"Nay, she is awaiting you in your chambers." Jane thanked him and trudged back into the keep, dragging her feet every step of the way. Her mother was exploiting every opportunity to see Jane in the gown. It wasn't enough that she agreed to wear the damned thing for her knighting ceremony, but also took every chance she could to have Jane try it on "to make sure it still fit" or needed "adjusting".

She crossed the bailey where James and a couple other boys were picking up and putting the training equipment away. Sir Ivon barked orders for where to put them. Sir Theodore was nowhere in sight, hopefully a sign that he was inside resting. He fell quite ill this past winter and his body still had not fully recovered. Jane often worried that it never would. He was well up in years, four and seventy to be exact. Perhaps they all would have better luck trying to convince him to retire and live a life of leisure once Jane was knighted and able to take on more responsibilities.

Jane took the steps leading to her small tower chamber. It rested on the outer wall of the keep. As she reached the top of the stairs, she heard the flap of wings. She smiled to herself. Dragon. The flapping grew louder and louder until they were directly overhead. Dragon gave her a lopsided grin and landed on top of her tower's roof.

"Ello Jane! Are you all ready for the big day tomorrow?"

"Unfortunately, no. Mother has just summoned me for one last dress fitting." She crossed her arms and huffed out a breath to show her displeasure.

"Then you won't be able to patrol with me before supper?" His innocent question would not have raised suspicion if it had not sounded so…hopeful. That caught Jane's attention. What was that silly dragon up to? He usually pitched a fit if Jane declined patrolling with him and now here he was almost glad at the prospect. She planned on confronting him then and there but was interrupted. Her bedchamber door blew open and out her mother strode.

"Jane! Where have you been? I sent Rake to fetch you ages ago. How could you keep me waiting so long?"

Jane rolled her eyes. "Mother, Rake only just now found me and I came straight away. Honest truth."

Lady Adeline eyed Jane, eyes squinted. Finally, she sighed and beckoned to Jane. She must have made the decision that this did not merit a battle between them. "Very well then. Let's come inside, though. We need to add the finishing touches to your gown before it gets dark."

"Have fun Jane!" Dragon flicked his tail at her and flew off. Something was definitely up with him, Jane thought. He would never be this chipper about missing patrol. Jane followed her mother inside and closed her door.

Walking to the opposite wall, Jane opened her window and looked out at the sprawling valley and mountains in the distance. She had hoped to catch a glimpse of Dragon as he flew away, but no such luck.

"Jane! Come away from the window and undress!" Her mother was an excellent scolder. "You cannot put on the dress with your squire's clothes on." She changed out of her training clothes, leaving only a shift on. Her mother threw the gown on over her head and instructed her to stand on the small stool she placed in the middle of the room.

The rest of the daylight hours were spent with Jane in this position-standing on the stool as her mother poked and prodded her with needle and stitching. Her mother was finishing the last-minute details on the embroidery. Even though Jane was no expert of fine things, she had to admit that the gown was objectively beautiful. The deep blue of the gown complimented her fair complexion and hugged what little curves she had in a flattering way. The arm fabric extended to her elbows tightly before billowing out into full, voluminous bell sleeves. The gold embroidery her mother was adding traced the sleeves, neckline, and hem. It also circled her waist creating a natural belt effect.

The final rays of the sun disappeared below the mountains. The only light in the room now came from several candles her mother had lit.

"Well, I guess that will have to do," she muttered more to herself than Jane. She stood slowly, grasping her back as she did. It was the first time her mother properly stood up in over two hours. After taking a moment to stretch her arms and back, she collected the sewing tools and put them back in her sewing basket.

Jane carefully took off the garment and draped it over the chair by the fireplace. It was midspring, but the air still held a chill at night. She would have to light a fire before bed tonight if she wanted to be warm and cozy. Changing back into her squire clothes, she escorted her mother to the castle and then joined her friends for supper.

They usually all ate outside in the garden area unless the weather was unfavorable. Then they would all pile into the kitchen and try not to make a mess for Pepper's sake-the castle's cook. Jane found them at the wooden table outside, lanterns already lit and ready for the meal. She took a seat next to Jester who beamed at her.

"So, tomorrow's the big day, eh?" He nudged her with his elbow and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Yes, finally," she laughed.

Pepper stood at the head of the table ladling stew into bowls and passing them to each person seated. Rake sat at her right, as usual. He smelled the stew and praised, "It smells wonderful as usual, darling." Pepper smiled sweetly and continued ladling. She passed bowls to Hazel and Tomkin, her kitchen helpers. Since the growth of the kingdom and squires in training, there were more mouths to feed, and therefore more work. Pepper began training the two a few years prior and together they made a good team. Tomkin divided his time between helping Rake with the garden and chopping and preparing the produce for Pepper in the kitchen. Hazel helped Pepper with the pastries and other baked goods. That left Pepper to focus on the three main meals each day.

Jane glanced at the empty seat where Smithy used to sit. Now that he was married and had a daughter of his own, naturally he ate the supper that his wife cooked and spent the time with his family. Occasionally he would venture out with his family to dine with the rest of them, but those days were far and few between.

The friends sat around the table and chatted about lighthearted things-Jane's birthday mostly. They sat there for what felt like hours, joking and being merry in each other's company. These were her closest friends and she wasn't sure when she would have another night like this with them. Tomorrow would change everything.

At the end of the evening, Jane tried to help Pepper clean up. The glare on her face told her it was unwanted help.

"Go off to bed and get some rest before tomorrow," Pepper told her. "It is going to be a day filled with excitement. You'll need your rest, Petal."

There was no point in arguing. Pepper was one of the most stubborn people she'd ever met. She thanked Pepper for the meal and trotted off to her tower chamber. She thought she heard the sound of hooves approaching the portcullis but knew that couldn't be right. What visitor would be coming to the castle at this late hour? Jane shrugged it off and opened the door to her bedchamber. She remembered to light the fire before going to bed. Tomorrow, she thought. Tomorrow I will officially become a knight.

The rest of her life would begin tomorrow.