Falling for the Town Bard (Eddie & Jonathan)

Chapter One

Jonathan realized that the anniversary of his father's death was coming up in the next few months. This also made Jonathan remember that he needs to find someone who plays music because without this person, the village and castle are in great danger. Each year on that day, a dragon awakens and wreaks havoc on the town. He thought about asking his mother, the queen, if he could take a walk, just to see if he could find someone who can play music. He also knows that's not going to happen unless he brings his bodyguard, Billy, with him. But he and Billy really don't get along. At best, they are acquaintances who get along for his mother's sake. Jonathan also didn't know his best friend was standing there the entire time in the doorway, watching him pace the room, until he heard the voice.

"Hey, Jonathan, why do you look so deep in thought?" asked Steve as he looked at his best friend, a small, concerned smile on his face.

Jonathan's head shot up to look at his friend. "Jesus, Steve! You nearly gave me a heart attack! Next time, make yourself more known," he replied, a little upset about being scared.

Steve looked over at his friend with a sad look on his face. "Sorry, Jonathan. I didn't think I would scare you, I figured you heard me walk in."

"It's okay, Steve. No need to look sad like that. It's not that serious, buddy," Jonathan said while he got up off his bed to give his friend a hug.

After their greeting and chatting a bit, they decided to make their way down both the hall and the long stairwell, to the kitchen to find something to eat. Once they got there, they found Joyce at the stove, making something that smelled so delicious, that the boys looked at each other and walked over to her to see what she's making.

"Mom, that smells amazing! What is it?" Jonathan asked his mother, standing over her as he watched her cook.

Joyce jumped, not knowing that Jonathan and Steve were there because she was so focused on cooking. "Jesus, Jonathan! A warning next time! You can't be making me jump while I'm cooking," she said while laughing a little, turning to look at the boys on her side.

Steve looked at Joyce with a smile. "Sorry, Mrs. Byers. We didn't mean to startle you while you're cooking. We just wanted to know what it is because it smelled so delicious," he said with a smile that could make anyone forgive him.

Joyce looked at the food, then back at the boys. "Oh, dear. It's just some homemade pasta with some chicken. It's Will's favorite. He didn't have a good day with his lessons today, so I thought it would cheer him up," she said to Steve, before going back to cooking.

The two boys just decided to wait to eat when she was done cooking. They went back up to Jonathan's room to hang out and talk. Once they got to his room, he was thinking about how to bring it up, about going to town to look for that one person he needs to get rid of the dragon for good to his mother. He thought maybe if he could get Steve on board with it, then maybe he could help convince his mother to let him go.

Jonathan looked at Steve and debated about asking him, figuring there was nothing to lose in asking. "Hey, Steve. What do you think about going to town with me for a little bit one day this week?" he asked, looking at him with hope in his eyes.

Steve looked shocked, not thinking he would ever hear this from his friend. "Jon, I don't think it's a good idea. Plus, I don't think your mother would let you after what happened last time." They just looked at each other, knowing Steve was right, well, without someone there to protect them.

Jonathan looked at Steve once more with hope in his eyes. "Yes, but what if you ask her? She never says no to you, Steve. Plus, at this point, I'm willing to go with a guard. We should ask her at dinner," he replied, hoping Steve would agree.

Steve noticed Jonathan was looking at him with hopes he would agree. "Fine, we will ask her at dinner. Just stop looking at me like that. Also, I will only go with you if I can pick which guard comes with us. Deal?" Steve said as he held his hand out, waiting for his friend to agree.

Jonathan looked at Steve's hand, then into his eyes, knowing exactly who he was going to pick to go with them. Even so, he brought his hand to Steve's and shook it. With that, Steve was looking forward to his possible trip with his best friend and the guard he fancied.

An hour or so passed before they heard a soft knock on the bedroom door. It was his little brother, Will, telling them dinner was done. After Will walked away, both Jonathan and Steve made their way down the long stairs to the dining room, where the whole family was seated. They took their respective seats and began to eat. Jonathan and Steve looked at each other, wondering how and when to bring up what they talked about upstairs.

Joyce looked at both boys, wondering what was going on with them. "Um, boys? What seems to be on your minds? Even though I'm a queen, I'm still a mother too. You can talk to me if you have problems," she said, looking at them with a smile.

Jonathan and Steve looked at each other one last time. He then figured he would just ask and get it over with. "Mother, I was wondering if I could go out on the town with Steve one day this week. We can even bring my personal guard with us. Steve said it will help you in letting us go, knowing Billy will be there to protect us, mom," he said as both him and Steve looked at her with big eyes, hoping she would say yes.

Joyce looked at both of the boys, going over all her options, but also for once, her son was willing to take his guard and not go alone with just Steve. "Okay, boys. I will let Jonathan go into town under one condition," she spoke.

Both boys looked at each other with excitement in their eyes,then back at the queen. "What condition?" asked Jonathan as he looked at her.

Joyce looked at Jonathan, then Steve. "You are not to leave Billy's sight. Do I make myself clear, boys? Steve, I know you're not my son, but I love and care about you like you are. So please make sure you and Jonathan don't leave Billy's sight," she said as she looked over at Steve with a worried smile on her face.

Steve gave her a wholehearted smile and nodded at Mrs. Byers. Dinner was coming to an end as the boys helped the maids clean the table, even though they didn't have to. After they were done with that, they made their way back up to Jonathan's bedroom where they decided Steve was just going to spend the night in Jonathan's room. Steve told Jonathan that they should go to town tomorrow because it would be less crowded due to people being in work or school. Jonathan agreed with Steve about that. They decided to get ready for bed because tomorrow is going to be a big day for both boys. Jonathan is finally going into town for the first time since the incident and Steve was just as excited.