Summary
High in a tower, a princess resided in a castle guarded by a dragon. She spent every day with him, and slowly began to grow fond of the beast protecting her. She stopped dreaming of a young knight to sweep her off her feet, and instead, of the fearless dragon. He loved her, and coveted her fiercely, as she became the most precious treasure he guarded. And she loved him in return, residing happily in her tall tower, out of the reach of heartbreak and grief.
One day, her dragon disappeared, chasing away a knight who had tracked down the princess and proclaimed she would be his. She sought out to find him, adorning armor from his shed scales and stepped into the world outside the castle; determined, this time, to be the one to save him.
High in a Tower
Prelude: Lucy Heartfilia used to be afraid of him. She had run away from her father's castle, where he had locked her away until she was to be wed, taking refuge in the crumbled ruins of a castle on the outskirts of the kingdom. At the time however, the princess didn't know that the castle was home to a fierce fire dragon, who was rumored to be covered in bright red scales and could level stone castles with a single breath. Nor did she know, she would soon grow fond of him…
Chapter One
Lucy could feel her lungs burning as the Royal Horse she had stolen galloped far away from the place she used to call home. Although, it wasn't home anymore since the queen died of illness. The princess was left alone with her unloving father, the king of Fiore, who locked her away in her room when she spoke against marrying a prince from another kingdom. Outraged at her father's apathetic statement, "You are my daughter and you will do as you are told!", Lucy Heartfilia donned a black coat and snuck out into the night, determined to run far away from her father. The blonde princess had been riding all night, and could feel her eyelids growing heavy, and it wasn't long until she had fallen asleep on the steed's back.
The princess was awoken with a jolt as the horse reared, knocking her to the ground and galloping off in the direction from whence it came.
"Wait!" She called desperately. But it was too late. The horse had disappeared into the darkened woods surrounding the clearing she had fallen in. Lucy rubbed her head, her golden hair a-tangle from the long ride, and from being ejected unexpectedly from the animal. The girl sat up, looking around. In the distance, she spotted an old, crumbling castle not far from her, the light from the rising sun giving it a romantic glow. Lucy decided it would be a good place to hide, as her father's Royal Guard was no doubt searching for her at that very moment.
She set off toward the castle, her long pink dress snagging on several weeds. But she paid no mind, walking up the disheveled steps, and pushing open the large wooden door. She shut it hastily behind her, taking a moment to look around. The ceiling was high, the rising sun showing softly through the small cracks in the stone walls. There was a large fireplace to her right, and Lucy was surprised to see dying coals in the hearth.
Is someone else taking residency in this ancient castle? She thought to herself.
"Hello?" She called politely, "I don't mean to intrude, but I need a place to hide! I hope you don't mind!" When there was no answer, Lucy decided it was safe to explore the space. She wandered up the steps, taking note of the lack of a railing. As she ventured further however, the princess began to grow weary of where she had unwittingly ventured. There was a skeleton adorned in charred armor, laying in the hall opposite her. Lucy sidestepped it wearily, and despite her growing fear, continued to explore the castle.
She walked up a spiral staircase to a well lit room. It was round and roomy, with a bed next to a desk facing a small balcony.
This is quite nice. Lucy thought to herself. Perhaps I could stay here until I can find a nearby village.
"Who are you?"
Lucy nearly jumped out of her skin, whirling around to see a large shadow in the doorway. She squeaked.
"Who are you?" The voice demanded again.
"L-L-Lucy…" The girl stammered.
"What are you doing here?" Another, smaller voice asked.
"I-I needed a place to hide…" Lucy trembled as the figure came closer, stepping into the daylight.
The figure, with the stature of a man, was covered in shining red scales everywhere on his skin except his face and chest. Large horns grew from the sides of his head, which was covered in a messy tangle of salmon-pink hair (an attribute Lucy would have found adorable if she wasn't so terrified). He had glowing yellow eyes and large wings sprouting from his back. Lucy noticed a large tail swishing back and forth threateningly, and the creature bared razor sharp teeth.
Lucy took several steps back, pressing herself firmly against the wall. "I...I…" She stammered, tears welling in her eyes. What a miserable fate.. Escaping imprisonment only to be killed by a dragon.
The beast looked her up and down, his expression no less menacing.
"Why do you hide?" He asked.
"M-My father… He-He's after me…" Lucy squeaked out.
The dragon seemed to think for a moment, still staring her down, when a small blue creature flew to land on his shoulder. The small blue cat, the source of the smaller voice, looked at her curiously.
"Natsu, do you think we should keep her?" The cat asked and Lucy gulped. The slave of a dragon?! That's worse than arranged marriage!
The dragon stepped forward, looming over the princess threateningly. He leaned down, sniffing her gently as Lucy squeezed her eyes shut.
"I don't see why not. She needs a place to hide and we could use the company."
"Aye!"
Lucy's eyes shot open. "Y-You're… You're not going to eat me?" She whimpered.
The dragon seemed surprised. "Of course not. What would make you think that?"
"Natsu," The cat chimed, "Your scales…"
The dragon looked down, laughing to himself. "Oh right! Sorry!"
Lucy watched with wide eyes as his red scales seemed to retract back into his skin, as did his tail, horns, and wings. Before the princess stood a young man, with messy pink hair, onyx eyes, and baggy white pants.
"Hi there. I'm Natsu."
"E-Eh?!"
Just a small idea I had. Hope you enjoy! Please feel free to write suggestions in the reviews section.
~Cas
