A/N: It's been forever since I posted a story here. My computer crashed a couple months ago and took with it all the things I'd been working on. But inspiration came again recently, and I've been spending an unfortunate amount of time ignoring homework and doing working on this instead.

The plan is to make this a series of one-shots following Gunther and Jane through their relations with each other, starting from their first meeting. They will mostly, if not all, be centered around Gunther's thoughts and feelings. So here we go. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or settings mentioned in the following works of fiction. I would appreciate not being sued.

He first saw her when he was seven years old. He remembers it even now, though nothing life altering occurred at their first meeting. His father was traveling into the castle to make a sales pitch on a new type of sword. He tagged along at his young age, both to be supervised by his father and to watch the sparring knights. He loved sitting in the yard, staring at a red faced Sir Ivon and his usual sparring partner, the young Sir Gillward. While is father wheedled and persuaded the king into purchasing the new swords, he sat cross-legged, mesmerized by the flying weapons and the knights dancing around the yard on their toes. That is what I am going to do, he promised himself. I am going to be the greatest knight there ever was.

"Gunther!" yelled his father, the merchant, storming out into the yard. His face was red with anger and his small eyes bulged. His beefy arm grabbed Gunther's thin one and yanked him from his sitting position. "Come along. We are going home."

Gunther massaged his arm as he trotted behind his father heated steps. They were about to leave the yard when a voice called out, "Merchant! Wait!" His father swung around with such force that Gunther smacked right into his stomach. His father pushed him aside and hurried back to the man that had yelled. Gunther followed slowly, watching the two knights that had moved on to practicing their archery.

He stopped by his father and glanced at the man with whom his father was now conversing. The man was tall and lanky, with tired brown eyes and red hair.

"Reconsidering the offer," the man was saying. Gunther saw his father's eyes light up at the prospect of a potential deal. "If you will just step back inside..."

His father nodded and walked back towards the castle. "I will be out soon, boy! Go wait by the cart outside the city walls," he commanded as he hurried inside.

The tall man gave Gunther a pitying smile, then turned and called, "Come along, Jane. Leave the kind knights alone."

Gunther followed his gaze to a young girl sitting by the targets, watching the men shoot. She must have been younger than he. She had strikingly red hair tied in a bow behind her head and was wearing a green dress with, strangely enough, brown pants underneath.

"Lil' Jane here is no problem, Chamberlain," said Sir Gillward with a smile to the red headed girl. She giggled but stood up nevertheless and ran to her father.

"Oh, but Daddy, I do not want to go inside with you. The sales are oh so boring and the merchant is just a big greedy man," she whined, ignoring Gunther.

Gunther scoffed in indignation. "Sweetheart, this is the merchant's son. Gulliver, is it?" the Chamberlain pointed to Gunther.

"Gunther, actually," he corrected, then stuck out his hand to the girl, Jane. "Pleased to make your acquaintance." Gunther had learned his manners from watching the knights interact. If he was to be the greatest knight there ever was, he would have to be courteous and polite, even to the rude girl who had insulted his father.

She gingerly took his hand and shook it. "Jane," she said hesitantly. "Jane Turnkey."

"Boy! What are you doing out here? I told you to wait by the cart," the merchant came back outside, glaring at Gunther.

"Sorry, Father," he lowered his eyes as the merchant strode over and grabbed his arm roughly.

"Well, come on then. We have seven shipments of swords we must bring here by midday tomorrow. Now time for chatting or foolery," he pulled Gunther away.

Glancing back at the girl and her father, he met the young girl's confused and pitying eyes. Pity, he thought angrily, always pity. I can take care of myself. They will not pity me when I am the greatest knight. No one will pity me then.

A/N: That lovely review button is just waiting for you... :]

Constructive criticism is always welcomed. Also, if you have any Jane/Gunther growing up scenes you'd like to see, post them in the reviews. I'll read all of them and consider putting your scene in, if it fits with the chronological order (no suggesting birth of Gunther/Jane scenes, now!) and I don't already have a plan to make a chapter out of it.

Thank you for reading, and I'll see you with the next chapter!