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Hello everybody! Before you get into the story I did want to first state that this story is set in Earthland, however instead of the countries like Fiore, Bosco, Seven, etc. being separate independent entities they actually represent states. Pergrande is where the king and queen that rule over Earthland and it's states lives.
The details about the role that the dragon-slayers play will slowly pan out and you will learn about them. One note is: all the seven dragon-slayers were raised by dragons and that includes Laxus and Cobra in this story.
Chapter 1
The news of her kidnapping had sent shockwaves through the palace. The morning Mest told her she had been taking a walk through the garden, a light frost still visible on the grass and the rosebushes she loved. All the planning, the years of worrying and anger now seemed all in vain because of the resistance's rash actions. After Mest left her with the news, she recalls the last time they spoke. Lucy was always so bright despite the battles, the war, and the relentless oppression from her father.
Despite Lucy's position as heiress to the kingdom of Pergrande and all it's constituencies, she always seemed so unattached from the worries, so positive that once she begun her rule, all would change. Lucy kidnapped, she thought forcing the tears back.
Her kidnapping pushed the agenda and forced Jude's hand to act. The thought of all the planning she and all those opposed to him ruined left her with a knot in her throat and a burning in her chest. Her cousin had been a light in all the webs of manipulations and darkness, a slice of normalcy, fun and warmth. However she wasn't sure if she was angrier at her being gone or the clean up she would have to do to fix all their plans.
Now she again caught playing the pawn to her uncle's wishes. Iceberg… Did he really need her here at the front of the line? She was sure the suspicions of a coup were running their way around her uncle's council and the palace. Did he think she was somehow involved? If he had any sort of inkling that she had anything to do with the rumors of a coup that could explain why she had been sent to Iceberg by order of King Jude. It was only natural to have those kinds of suspicions. Her blood boiled at the thought that the West's resistance risky move could be the drop that spills the cup, the tipping point of this tension in Earthland.
During the War of the Dragons 20 years ago, the whole of Earthland changed for the worse. Those loyal to the Heartfilia family had grown and feared the dragons and the dragon-slayers. It was during this war that her whole life had changed. The results of the war had been the split of the kingdom between East and West, the outlawing of magic by all common folk, the rise of dark magic in the East, so many devastating results but the one that hurt her the most was the death of her parents.
They were labeled traitors for opposing the death of the dragons and the dragon-slayers. Her uncle took pity on her and allowed her to live in the palace with her cousin. Boosting up his image in some form by taking in the poor child of his half-brother, the traitor. Her involvement in the coup was obvious, but she had been discreet.
"They've escaped? How is that possible?!" she heard the guards outside her room say.
"Escaped?" she repeated. There was a knock at her door.
"Come in," Mest entered and closed the door behind him.
"Lady McGarden," he walked to the table where Levy had several maps of Earthland and its several states. "Apparently the two prisoners that were caught during Lucy's kidnapping have escaped Bellum castle about two days ago, the news was kept for as long as possible in hopes of a silent recapture. But I'm sure you are more concerned about news from the palace. You were right, Jude sent you here to test you. He suspects you but he has no proof and no real leads. Just whispers from Jose and Zeref but you know the influence they have."
"Yes, I know. Thank you Mest. So they escaped? I wonder how they managed that."
"There was talk in your uncle's council that they were possibly dragon-slayers…" he lowered his voice.
"What? That's impossible! They all died during the war, them and the dragons," she whispered. Dragon-slayers? The dark guilds had made sure to kill all the dragons and the dragon-slayer from each state. Their fear, greed and lust for power ensured that anything that could threaten their hold was eliminated.
"That's what the council thought but during the kidnapping operation the resistance carried out in Bellum they exhibited magic abilities that resembled dragon-slayer magic. They were being held and from what I understand they were tortured for information," Mest shared.
"Did they say anything?"
"Not from what I know. They were… resilient," he said.
A cold shivered ran down Levy's spine. Tortured? If they escaped the possibilities of them crossing over to the Western lands looked slim. No matter, even if they did survive the resistance's move to kidnap Lucy put them in a precarious spot. That was what she had to focus on, even if she was in Iceberg. Levy had to reign in her supporters, tighten up her plans and lay in wait until this shock rode out.
"Mest, have you talked to the lords in East? Told them what our plans were?" she asked.
"Yes, they all know we are laying low. I know this is frustrating but I believe it was the best choice," he tried to reassure her. Ever since Lucy's kidnapping the thought of having to take countless steps back in their planning pained her and feared the repercussions. The change of plans, the setbacks could cost her the trust and loyalty of the Eastern lords, they worked so hard to gather.
"Thanks Mest. I think I need to go for a walk," she smiled tiredly. "Working for my uncle has been exhausting. Do you know how unprepared they were before I got here? If all the help I have given him with the positioning of resources, troops and negotiation with the local lords of Iceberg doesn't convince him I'm on his side, nothing will."
They began walking out to the camp. They were staying in the Lord Milkovich's chateau in southeast Iceberg. The estate was grand and the grounds expansive. Jude's men, members of several dark guilds, and Jude's strategic committee were all given housing in the far wing of the estate. The grounds were beautiful, Iceberg was best known for their frigid winters, however few realized that Iceberg had beautiful springs with soft green rolling hills and conifer forests. The Milkovich estate was situated high on a hill with amazing views of these misty-topped woods.
There were several men walking the grounds stopping to greet her and Mest. After being taken in by her uncle, she had not known the truth of the death of her parents, only that they were traitors. With that knowledge looming over her head she tried so hard to please her uncle. To see favor in her, she studied political strategy, languages, proper etiquette, everything she could get her hands on to please him. She did, eventually gain his respect somewhat, but never his acceptance. Three years ago, with the help of Mest Gryder, she learned why she never would.
As the years passed her uncle's court began confiding in Levy's knowledge and seeking her advice for certain political situations and eventually even war strategies. She was seen as a respectable lady of the court and just when a normal life away from the shadow of the word traitor seemed so close, she had learned the truth about her parent's death, her uncle's deceit, her rightful claim and any chance of a regular life at court died. Due to their work and the time they spent together because of it, many now thought Mest was courting her and would-be suitors kept their distance. For that and many other reasons she was grateful to him.
"Milady McGarden, Lord Gryder," they greeted as she walked by.
"It's a beautiful day, Iceberg has magnificent weather in spring," he observed.
"Yes, so different from the harshness of Pergrande. I hate that he took me from the castle at such a vulnerable time but the trip is appreciated. Thank you for all your help, I know you've been traveling quite a bit because of it," she smiled.
"It's my pleasure. You know the reasons why I am willing to do what is needed Princess," he said.
"Oh hush, we're out in public and you know I hate it when you address me with that title," she giggled.
He laughed, "no one is close enough to hear. Relax and enjoy the fresh mountain air. From the looks of things, you shouldn't be here too much longer. They seem to have a lead on where they took Princess Lucy."
"Where? Why haven't I heard of this?"
"Joya. At least that's as far as they got. Whoever took her did a good job at hiding their tracks," he said.
"Do you think it could have been the Western council?" she lowered her voice as more men walked way.
"Possibly. Before the kidnapping we were trying to establish some form of contact them but they are so secretive we had not had any luck," he said.
"Yes, and now I'm not so sure I would have wanted to cooperate with them seeing their rashness. When are you leaving?" she asked as they stopped under a gazebo looking out over the cliff to the valley below with a roaring river right at the foot of the cliff.
"In a couple of hours, I have to leave before nightfall. I have to return to Bellum to deal with some tedious diplomacy on behalf of Jude," whenever they were together they never called him king.
"I see, I feel as if I see less and less of you," she smiled wistfully. "People might start whispering that we're broken off our courtship."
He laughed again, "No sane man would ever dream of breaking off any sort of commitment to you. Anyway, I have a few messages from Jude to deliver to Zachariah and Mello before I leave. I'll send you a message and an update as soon as I can, Princess." She mocked glared as he left her allow on under the gazebo.
The day was truly splendid. The sun was warm and the sky had a few puffed up clouds. The air was still chilled from the snow a few weeks back and the river below the cliff was probably still incredibly cold but spring was around the corner as evidenced from the warmth of the sun. Here underneath the gazebo, on this beautiful day she suddenly felt the urge to chat with Lucy. She would have loved this "vacation", she thought smiling ruefully.
She made her way to the strategy room. She had so much left to plan. Despite the beautiful day here, there was a shadow cast that reached as far as Caelum that she had to deal with.
The first few chapters are going to be LaxusxLevy centered (what?!) yes, but the only reason is because my two favorite FT boys are Gajeel and Laxus (in that order) so it's more for self-indulgence.
BUT! The Levy & Laxus relationship is not truly romantic it's more a subtle flirtatious friendship. I promise the Gajevy moments will come, the LevyxLaxus ordeal is in order to set up future Gajevy scenes. I'm just giving Gajeel a run for his money! Also, I've loved Mest for a while so he's featured prominently but only as a friend (sorry but he's sort of replacing Jet and Droy).