Disclaimer: If you recognize something here – it's not mine. I only sorted the ideas and wrote them down ^^

The Ice Court

Chapter One – A gloomy day

It was nearly noon but no-one would've guessed it, seeing as the clouds were dark with rain and looming menacingly in the horizon, covering the light that managed to filter through it.

The somber forest was brimming with life, along the road, and it was noticeable through the dark foliage that was pearled with rain drops. The sounds of the wildlife were there, countering the eternal and solemn murmur of the trees but soon they were overpowered by the sudden noise that came from the road.

A dark wooden carriage cut through the natural noises, as wood creaked, the horses whinnied and the wheels did squelching noises because of the muddy ground.

Inside, a young man with spiky pink hair sat, bored, with his parents. He was looking through the window, absentmindedly, eyes not seeing the gloomy outside. But, all in all, he was trying to keep the excited chatter from entering his thoughts.

Opposite to the young man, a man and a woman were discussing something – the woman could barely contain her excitement and she was getting amused replies from her husband.

Black eyes moved from the outside to the inside of the lush compartment. Deep red satin covered the seats of the comfy seats. The curtains were pushed to the side but the hazy light still bounced from it to deliver a red glow to the inside of the carriage.

"Sit up straight, Natsu. If you keep those manners things aren't going to be completely sorted out today." The woman leaned forward to lift her son's chin. Setting back she patted her revealing purple dress to look composed, her right hand lifting to the lock of pink hair that fell over her shoulder.

"I am sitting straight-" was the reply, as the young man leaned heavily on the armrest.

"No, you're not. This wasn't what we had planned. Didn't Igneel explain you anything? That's why he-" she closed her mouth at the reproachful glance her husband threw at her. "Don't mind that, just… don't forget that you're going there to cement our position. You mustn't forget that you're representing the fire mages and that this is a very important event…"

"Listen to your mother, son. We all know that much is at stake here." The muscled red headed man added, his left hand coming to rest on his wife's knee.

"But I…"

"No buts. That's how things are going to go and that's final. I doubt that Igneel forgot to tell you about the war…"

"He didn't but-"

"And he also showed you the meaning of what's going to happen and the reason for our family to be the ones to do it. Our power hasn't been forgotten and now we must use it to our fullest advantage." The earrings, portraying a dragon, which were a symbol of her status, jingled slightly.

"He told me all about it-" Natsu wasn't about to let his mentor look bad, "-but the question still remains. What do they win with a marriage – and why me?"

The pink haired woman pursed her lips and straightened in a haughty pose, voice coming cold.

"You're getting married because it is for the best. We all knew of your… misadventures… and neither your father nor I got impressed. You must take your responsibilities more seriously."

"And your mother and I thought that having a family would help you with that… Maybe then you can envision the importance of your duties at the Guild of Hunters. You've let us down, son. The last time you were there… We thought that your handle on your power was better." He shook his head slightly.

"I do have good control on my power, father." The youth clenched his teeth and closed his hands in fists. "They were the ones who cheated. Igneel taught me how to-"

"Enough of that. What's gone, is gone. And we're on a new stage now. This family is quite well known and, apparently, they have close connections to the Diamond Throne. We're not going to jeopardize anything." The red head threw a hard glare at his son.

"So you better be in your best behaviour, okay?" the woman asked, steely.

"Yes mother." Natsu leaned back in his chair and turned his attention back to the outside. At least there he could pretend he was free…

They arrived to an imposing manor precisely when a drizzle of rain started falling. The dark green of the forest that immediately grew beyond the well kept lawns creating a small melody that managed to reach them. The moment their carriage stopped in front of the heavy doors, they flew open and a tall, thin, full of himself man stood in front of them, waiting.

Natsu's parents quickly descended the carriage and ran up the large five stone stairs that led to the door, cursing the rain that fell. The pink haired boy also exited the carriage and stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at his parents and, what seemed to be a butler, being outlined by the yellow light that came from the inside.

With a sigh he climbed the stairs calmly. He was in no hurry to get inside, so it didn't matter to him that the rain was soaking his clothes.

As he got to the door, he noticed that the man was eyeing them analytically. Well, they were kind of wet but still presentable enough. His mother standing tall in her purple fitted dress, with a silk silver shawl thrown over her shoulders. Her hair had been twisted in a complicated way and was held up, showing silver beads peeking here and there, only one long lock of hair was falling on her shoulder artistically. Earrings, necklace and the ring in her finger portrayed her high position more than words could. Beside her, stood his father, serious and daring the thin man to say anything. He had his second best tunic, the light grey one with the rune of the Guild on the top of it, a small set of pins showing his position; he had his black pants and boots. Over there was the dark grey overcoat. He looked as if he could go hunting the following moment – only he had more class than the one that would be necessary in a hunt.

Natsu was also well dressed, similar to his father, only in brown and without all the symbols and stuff. To him things hadn't been all that easy, in matters or the Guild.

"The Lord and the Lady are waiting for you. Please, do follow…" the thin man stepped to the side, closed the door and led them to the bowels of the manor. The decoration of the corridors was dark, to say the least.

Chandeliers on the walls gave light every now and then, and nearby them was possible to see paintings and some gruesome works of art. Natsu took his eyes from the walls quickly and just stared to the front. His magic was running right under his skin, begging for release and to warm him up, as this place was so cold. The group finally got to an ornate door and was ushered in. Natsu and his parents had entered a huge room – a ball room probably – with a large table in the middle and a row of judging ancestors. At least here two large fireplaces had huge fires singing happily. Natsu was comforted slightly to have his element happily and ready to rise at his beckon, if the need arose.

But, suspicion was lodged on his mind; how come that a family that was of – they were it, right? – water mages was feeling at ease with the fire roaring in the same room? At least fire to that extent… It didn't exactly make sense, unless they wanted to show off their superiority… Natsu gulped. He wasn't feeling too well now. His attention shifted from the fire to the pair that had just entered the room. Quickly he glanced to the tall windows, noticing that the rain had already stopped falling and that it was already possible to differentiate the green of the grass from the lawns from the ominous green from the forest that seemed to be ready to take over the boarder.

"So, you've finally arrived," said the woman – who was around his mother's size, dressed in a plum dress, pale blonde hair caught high, with jewelry that seemed black as coal. The man on her side was dressed smartly in a black suit, his dark blue hair being more accentuated.

"We have, as we said." Natsu's father confirmed gravely.

"Welcome to our humble estate, shall we sit to discuss the conditions? There's no reason for us to beat around the bush." The man motioned to the table.

"We didn't expect less from the Lockser family…"

"And don't expect less from the Dragneel family either."

They all sat down, Natsu standing behind his parents' chairs.

"It's time to call her, don't you think dear?"

Lady Locklear looked at her husband and gave a small nod to the servant that was waiting, on the side. Said servant exited the room through one of the doors on the far wall and, soon enough, opened it, giving way to Natsu's fiancée.

The girl that stood before them was dressed in a pale blue dress, which accentuated her darker blue hair and eyes. Big curls framed her face and the rest of the hair fell freely down her back. A single silver necklace was adorning her neck.

She stood there, prettily, looking pale and cold.

Natsu couldn't help thinking that she looked extremely cold, as if there were something that didn't… he couldn't even qualify it.

"This is our daughter, Juvia." She did a little curtsey.

"And you've already met Natsu, our son." With a look from his mother, Natsu stiffly walked towards Juvia and held her hand, his lips barely touching her cold skin.

"Alright. Now we can get to the things that matter. With this marriage we will formally twine two opposite lines and that will…" Natsu started tuning them out, by then. He had already heard this conversation over and over again on the last few weeks. He couldn't hear it anymore.

Besides, he was starting to feel a little strange. The faces of the ancestors all around them were looking haughtily at him, as if tracking his very movement and deeming him unworthy of their noble lineage. Those noses stuck in the air… the darkness that emanated from every corner but the fireplaces and the few candleholders that lined the walls, it was all starting to press in on Natsu.

Then there was the conversation, of which he could hear some bits here and there - it was getting too much for him. A thought got to him, how was it possible that these strangers – yes, even his parents were strangers to him, with all their hunts and stays at the Guild and whatnot – were deciding and sealing his fate?

His breath started coming faster, a claustrophobic feeling spreading through him and it really got too much. So, Natsu did the first thing that came to mind.

He started running.

The young man didn't have any place in mind, just the need to get the hell out of there. And, going in a straight line, the first thing he did was finding some solace in the dark forest.

The moment he set foot on the dark place he felt something different happening, the air was sharper and cleaner, breezing through him and taking away the wisps of stifling gloom that still clung to his body. As he ran through the green foliage, disturbing it, drops of water ran down his clothes and hair and distracted him.

He was so distracted that he got to a small clearing and his control over his magic finally slipped. An orange glow appeared, the trees, grass and bushes nearby all lit up around him.

Gasping, Natsu tried to get his breath back – and also his grasp on his magic. Something had hit him harder than he thought… never had he reacted like this…

The fire mage gave one step. And another.

Despite the light of the flames he stumbled over something and fell over something. That something was cold and hard. And grunted…?

"Ugh! Warm… Could you please get off of me?" asked a voice.

Natsu caught himself on his hands and knees and hoisted himself up, eyes coming to meet another set of dark eyes staring at him, annoyed.

It was another person?

"Who-what are you?"

A snort and a roll of eyes were his only answer.

A/N: This is a quick fic. I don't think that this will be over 5 chapters (plus one extra, maybe) but I know that I'm not going to develop this as much as I should but, there's not time. *shrugs*

You might've noticed that this story begins as a well-known story (guess which :P) but I think that it gets a bit different. And those differences will be more noticeable in the following chapters.

I dedicate this story to all the readers who have supported me so far. Thank you. I hope that you enjoy this story.

And also to my friend K, her support has been flawless and very important for me to continue writing. ^^

So far, this isn't beta-ed, so pardon the awkward phrasing.

Feedback is appreciated, as usual.