**I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL**

A/N: Many thanks to the wonderful fanficlove2014 who is working with me to bring this story to you wonderful readers! Hope you enjoy and please remember to read and review! It's what helps keep me going to continue the story!

It was a tale as old as time, the truth hiding behind castle walls. Wanting love, and wanting possibly more than just what her home of Magnolia could offer, Levy spent her times going on adventures lost in the pages of her beloved books. Little did she know that soon enough her own adventure would begin.

Prologue

"Mama! Papa!" A little dark haired boy called as he dashed down the hall of his home. At the age of six, he knew the place he called home was a mansion. More times than not, however, he imagined it as a castle with all of the secret passages and hidden rooms that only a child with such an open imagination was able to find. Most of the time by pure accident. Sliding to a stop in front of one set of doors, he quickly slipped in to glance around the room he loved above the rest.

The library.

Easily the largest room in the mansion at three stories high that running the length of the home, the little boy spent as much time there as he could, getting lost in the adventures held between leather bound covers. Right across from the doors stood a large fireplace flanked by a deep armchair, long couch, and a chaise, giving ample seating for those who wished it. Already he had endless memories to draw from of sitting in his mothers lap, smelling his fathers pipe, and reading to or being read to until he often fell asleep with the fires glow washing over him.

Already he could feel his fingers itching to trace over the spines of the books that filled the endless shelves stretching out before him. Shaking his head, he stepped back quickly, closing the door quietly before continuing his dash down the hall. He and his parents were due to visit some friends today and he didn't want to disappoint anyone by being late.

"Mama!" The little boy called again, reaching the steps leading to the first floor where sitting rooms, the kitchen, dining room, and ball room were located. Rather than taking the time to hurry down the steps, he hopped onto the banister and slid his way to the bottom floor, landing lightly on his feet after so many years of practice. Without hesitation he hurried through the kitchen, darting around the staff before bounding into the dining room and almost falling on his face as he tried to stop at the threshold. Curses, gasps and chuckles were heard behind him as the staff just managed to keep from dropping food or tripping over him as he ran past them.

Tripping slightly over the threshold, the little boy stumbled into the dining room to find his mother and father sitting there talking quietly while sipping on their own beverages. He knew from experience of the times they shared with him that his father preferred hot coffee with a side of apple juice while his mother had a fondness for hot chocolate and orange juice. At the sound of his entrance they looked over at him with warm, indulgent smiles.

"Well look who finally decided to join us. Did you almost get stuck in the library again?" His mother asked. He couldn't help but grin back at her with a shrug of his shoulders. He knew he would never tire of hearing his mother speak. He was almost positive that angels sounded like her.

Shaking his head in amusement, his father gestured to the chair beside him. "Come eat your breakfast, we're going to be leaving soon."

Without further prompting the little boy hurried to the table and climbed into the chair, immediately digging into his own food.

"Are you looking forward to seeing your cousins today Gajeel?" His mother asked smiling behind her cup of cocoa.

Nodding happily, Gajeel finished his food, bouncing slightly in his chair with the energy of a six year old. This was yet another wonderful memory for him as he felt at peace and safe with the smiles of his parents directed at him. He knew this feeling would never end.

Staring out at the grounds outside of his bedroom window, Gajeel rested his forehead against the cool glass, watching as the rain trailed down it in streaks. He had had that dream again, and he was no closer to any answers. Glaring at his reflection in the glass, he took in the red eyes, the long black hair, the iron studs he had placed himself that curved over his eyes, down the sides of his nose, and centered on his chin. Growling, he stepped away before putting his fist through that same glass, and turned to go further into his room.

After a few quick strides he looked down an enclosed stand, glaring at the book that was kept safe from age by the glass dome that covered it. He hated that book with a passion. He didn't know how, but he knew that that book held the answers for him.

He didn't know what pissed him off more.

The fact that night after night it sat there taunting him, or the fact that he was taunting himself with it because he didn't know how to read. There was only one thing he knew from what he felt.

He was running out of time.