17. Years Later
Crocus
"Is it true what they say? That the golden maiden have a dragon?" Princess Wendy looked at the kings advisor from where they all sat in the throneroom, beside her was her older brother and heir to the throne Natsu Dragneel. Beside him was the queen, Grandine and beside her as well was her husband and king, Igneel.
"Exscuse me your Grace but I don't under-"
"The small village outside Hargeon, there is a maiden that lives there. They says that she has a dragon, is it true?" The princess knew that this weren't what they were talking about but when she heard her fathers advisor talking about a trip to Hargeon she couldn't help but ask. She had heard of a golden maiden that were blessed by the stars themself of one of the maids in the library when she was reading.
"Tell me more Wen" Her brother leaned over her and looked her in her eyes, curiosity clouded his eyes. She giggled at her brother, she knew that if she just said the word dragon he would be all excited, after all, their ancestors were dragons that roamed in the sky. They all had dragon blood in their veins in her family, herself and her mother had Caelum the sky dragons blood while her father and brother had Ignis the fire dragons blood in them.
She smiled at her brother and looked at her father to see that he was interested in this story as well, she saw that everyone was interested in this story. She giggled again and straigthened her back and cleared her throat. She looked at her brother dead in the eyes and said in a serious voice; "This story is real, it isn't from an ancient time or is a story from a book. I heard it from one of the new maids. Apparently her cousins lives in that village and she would visit the village every summer, I'm telling you what she told me, word for word."
Her parents nodded and her brother encouraged her into start telling the story, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath and exhaled. Her voice was soft and low, but she made sure that everyone in the room heard her, she concentrating on remembering what the maid said.
"They say that the stars have been with us since ancient times, looking at us with their soft glow. Time to time they would visit us through their contellations. One day many years ago, a woman gave birth to a child, a daughter. No one knows why, but the star warriors and their king came and gave her each a blessing. Someone thinks that they came because of her pure heart, someone because of her beauty. No one knows except the stars themself that were watching.
The king gave her 12 golden keys, that allows the star warriors to come visit her in person and help her in any need. They bid goodbye to her parents and they didn't see any one of them again."
The princess sighed and felt something brush over her forhead. When she opened her eyes she saw her brother brushing her bangs to the side. She smiled and closed her eyes again. The maids voice echoed in her head and she smiled a little.
"The young girls parents didn't hear or see any of the stars until the day their daughter turned 1. The king and his warriors, the Zodiac came to their home early in the morning. The king had a little birthday present to the young girl. It was a small box, and inside it was a silver key with a little dog symbol on. The king said that it was Canis Major the dog. And when he said that, a little white dog came from thin air. He explained to the little girls parents that when she grow older, she will learn how to call forth the stars spirits. And every birthday he will come and give her a new key!
And he did. Every birthday he came and gave her a new silver key. When the young girl was three he said that it was time for her to learn to control her magic. Each of her spirits helped her train and grow stronger. The young girl saw the spirits like her family and the spirits saw her as their family. For the star king, the little girl he first saw as a newborn became like a granddaughter of his in such a short time.
At the age of 10, the star king gave the little girl a new key, but this key wasn't gold or silver...it was a bronze colour, with a little gold and silver melted in it. On the handle of the key was a dragon head. When she opened the gate to the dragon, a small creature came in a golden light. A red scaled dragon with golden claws sat on her shoulder. The dragon was blood red on his back and sides and under, on his stomache was he brown/red. The horns on his head was gold near his head and turned white at the ends. (He looks like Draco from the movie 'Dragonheart' just a smaller version.)
The young girl turned to a beautifull woman as older she got and many suitors asked for her hand in marriage but they all got the same answers, the answer was no to all men who asked
It is said that she will only wed the one who earns the dragons trust. Until the dragon bows his head for a man, she will be without a man."
Princess Wendy opened her eyes she saw that all eyes were on her the whole time, she blushed a little and turned to see her father and brother in deep thought.
"What maid told you this my dear?" The queen asked her daughter. The story was fascinating, she could see the story itself, the pictures formed in her head like a movie.
"huh?" The young princess was confused, why should they need that maid? She didn't do anything wrong telling her this story...did she? "Danya, her name was Danya." Grandindine nodded before telling one of her handmaidens to go fetch the maid.
"This sounds like the story Makarov told you in that letter he sent you many years ago dear" Grandine looked at her husband. Igneel nodded while resting his right hand on his cheek while his left scratched his head "hmm I think your right, but he didn't call her the golden maiden." His family looked at him in question.
He can't remember everything that the letter contained, the king thought that it was just one of his stories he would send to Igneel when he was bored, of course he sometimes would get one or two stories back when Igneel found the time to write one so he didn't think of it so much. But as he recalls, he did have a similar story but an other name, he called her the celestial maiden.
He and Makarov was childhood friends, granted Makarov is 10 years older than Igneel but that didn't matter so much. Last time Igneel saw of him was 20 years ago, when Makarov moved to a village south for Hargeon with his grandson after his own son got in prison for murdering his own wife. His grandson must be what? 24-25 years old now?
The royal family looked at up where the queens handmaiden walked to, where her handmaiden came back with a young maid in her late teens. The handmaiden came to step behind the queen again with the 4 other handmaidens while the maiden she brought with her was standing infront of the family.
Danya bowed down infront of the family, before standing up at the kings demands. She smiled a small smile at Wendy before she blushed furiously when she saw the Prince sitting at his throne lazily, he restet his head on his left hand while his right hand was deep in his pockets. His white pants hanged low on his hips while his red dress-shirt was unbuttoned so that the whole world could see his rock hard chest. His scarf hang loose on his shoulders. While his salmon hair was spiked but at the same time dampened, it looked like he came straight from the shower. His captivating onyx eyes that could lure any girl looked at her sleepy before he yawned so wide so that white sharp fangs showed.
Danya looked uneasy at the royal family, did she do anything wrong? She calmed a little when she saw the queen give her a calm and warm smile. "You must be Danya." The queen sent her another warm smile and the maid returned it with one of her own with a shaky smile. The queen let out a soft chuckle at the young girl.
The girl was very pretty, with her forest green eyes to her orange hair. Her skin was pale and some freckles showed at her red cheeks. Yes, she was very pretty. "No need to be worried my dear, I brought you here to tell me some more of your stories." The young maid instantly relaxed as she heard those words, but got confused. Sensing the confusing the young princess interfered. "The story about the golden maiden, I told my family and they seem interested in it." Danya nodded before looking at the royal couple again. The king smiled at her. "Young girl" "yes your Grace?""Tell me more about this maiden" The maid nodded and clasped her hands behind her back. "I don't know about all the stories myself but if I get the honor, I can tell you my own personal experience from all the years I have been in that village." The King leaned forward in his throne while the queen smiled. The princess giggled and the prince had a thoughtful look. The princess nodded at Danya, encouraging her to tell.
"I was born and raised in Hargeon, my father was a fisherman while my mother owned a bakery." The girl smiled at the memory from her childhood and possessed a faraway look. "Every summer me and my sister would spend it with our aunt outside Hargeon in a little village. One summer there was a girl on the marketplace, she was...strange if I could say. I remember she had a bandana wrapped around her neck, it was different symbols in it. Later I learned that it was contellations on it. With her was a man, he looked like to be in his mid twenties. His hair looked like a lions mane, he was also dressed formally while the strange girl was dressed in a simple long skirt and blouse."
"I asked her if she was a travellere, but she was not. She were born in this village but that shouldn't do, because me and my sister knew every children there." Danya sighed and closed her eyes while she replayed the day they met. "She said that she lived on the outskirts of the village, near the woods. She then asked me if I was born in the village, I said no. I was visiting my aunt and cousins with my sister."
"I asked if they needed any help, the man she was with said no but the girl said that she would like to get to know me more. The man went home again while the girl stayed with me, I remember that we walked around the marketplace and talked about the world outside the village. I was 7 years old, while she had recently turned 6."
"We played with the other children to dinner was ready, the girl said that she had to go home but said that we could play again the day after. She then asked me for my name. When I had given her my name I remember she smiled so big that I was afraid her face would hurt, she said 'Nice to meet you Danya, i'm Lucy and today and to the rest of our lives, we are best friends.'" Danya giggled quietly while she could hear herself agreeing.
"Every summer we would play with eachother, then one day she came to visit me and on her back was a little dragon. It was so big for our eyes but small for the adults. She said that this was Draco, the celestial dragon. Every day Draco would join us to play and do small pranks on the adults or just fishing and hunting."
"When Lucy turned 14, the first man came and asked for her hand in marriage. I remember Draco was sitting on her shoulder and stared at the man, just stared. When she declined the man asked why; She said that she said no for three reasons.
One: She was far to young to marry.
Two: She didn't even know the man, and certainly didn't love him!
Three: The dragon didn't bow for him."
"Many suitors came and went and before I knew it, I was spending my last summer before I would move to the capital."
When Danya was finished the whole room was quiet, even the forgotten advisor that were pissed to be interrupted listened. "Why?" The prince asked before clearing his throat. All eyes were on him but the prince only looked at the maid, who blushed at the intense stare he gave her. "Why shouldn't the girl marry someone the dragon didn't bow for?" Igneel stared at his son in surprise, his son has never taken a interest for any girl before and the King was afraid that his son would never love someone and that he had to be a King without a queen when the time came, maybe he is taken an interest now? "I mean from what I heard and read about my ancesstors, dragons bow down for no one." Of course his son would only take interest of the dragon thought Igneel grimly before a tense silent took over the room. It was quiet before Wendy broke it;
"It is a saying isn't it Danya?" The girl asked the maid who were standing infront of them. The girl nodded before she directed her eyes to stare at her feet. "Lucy is the only one who can hear Dracos voice because she is his master, If Draco see you as a suitable husband for his master, he will whisper in your ear. Only trust can make a dragon speak, thats why they say Draco will only bow down for a man if he trusts him."
The queen rose from her throne and walked to the young girl that kept looking at the ground. When Grandine was infront of the girl the queen lifted her hand and stroked it against her cheek. "How old are you Danya?" The girl looked wide eyed at the queen "N-nineteen your Grace" The older women smiled at her warmly. "You like telling stories don't you?" Danya nodded her head as a yes. The queen took her hand gently and walked towards Wendy "My daughter loves stories and I quess that she will love yours. Therefor I will make you her new handmaiden, she's never had one before and at the same time you could help her with her lessons?" Both girl stared wide eyed at the queen while she giggled "Only if you want though, du you?" Furiously the girl nodded and smiled while the young princess hugged her mother and thanked her before she hugged Danya.
It was at that time the king rose from his seat and looked at Danya witha serious look. "Young girl, did a man with name Makarov Dreyar live in your village?" The girl nodded and stepped forward a small step while clasping her hand behind her back. "He became the mayor last spring my king...he is also Lucy's grandfather" The king nodded before he turned to his advisor. "Send a letter to Stella Village, say that the royal family comes for a visit. It is time for me to meet my old friend Makarov" The advisor nodded while he went to write the letter and send it before the king turned to his family, a wide grin across his face. "What? aren't you gonna pack? come on!" Wendy cheered before she dragged Danya to her bedchambers to pack for the trip while her mother went to the kings and queens shared bedchambers to pack with her five handmaidens. The King saw that his son went back to his own chambers before the king followed his wife.
(~.~)
Natsu stretched his arms above his head before digging them in his pants. "A dragon hmm?" he mumbled he contionued to go to his chambers to pack for the long journey that awaited him, maybe he would bring the ice bastard so he can have something to do if the village seems boring. "keh, like I would bring the ice princess?" While he was thinking of how an idiot Gray was, he didn't hear the voice of a white haired girl running towards him, not before she laid a hand on his shoulder. When he turned around he saw Lisanna Strauss, his childhood friend and one of his mothers handmaidens along with her sister Mirajane. "Hey Lis, I thought that you were packing for the trip, you know that handmaidens have to come along your masters don't you?" The white haired girl smiled at him and hugged his arm. "I'm already finished and the queen wanted to pack her things herself so I was free to go" She giggled at him and tightened her hold on him. When they came to his door Natsu freed himself from the hold Lisanna had on him and said goodbye to her before he slammed the door in her face. He knew she liked him but he wasn't interested, he only saw her as a sister but did she listen to him? no! Natsu sighed before leaning his back against the door and closed his eyes...only to snap open when he heard chuckling from his right side where he saw his bestfriend (he would rather die than say those words out loud) leaning against his wall beside the fireplace Natsu had in his room.
"What the fuck are you doing here ice dick?" The prince asked the raven haired man. Gray chuckled and smirked at the salmon haired prince. "Your father invited me to join you guys on your trip to...what was it again? Outside Hargeon?" "Stella village?" Gray nodded "Yeah, Stella village. Hoping to meet some pretty ladies y'know?" The raven head smirked while the young prince only rolled his eyes. The Dragneel and Fullbuster family have been close family for centuries, the Dragneel the royal family and the Fullbuster, the knights. Lord Gray Fullbuster is the youngest in their sibling pack where Ultear is their oldest daughter and Lyon their oldest son. Both Lyon and Gray are trained knights, training ever since they were five.
The young lord also had a reputation as a ladies man, drinking wine and enjoy a woman or two wherever he goes.
"I just hope you get kicked in the balls again" Snickered the salmon haired prince, dodging a punch from the raven head, before someone even knew it, a fights started between the two.
(~.~)
"Did you get a good night sleep my dear?" The queen asked her daughter. They were currently in their cart that were pulled by two horses. The queen and her handmaidens and the princess and Danya was inside the cart while the king and prince were riding on their horses. Wendy turned away from the window where she saw the landscape to look at her mother, she smiled at her before nodding. "hmm I slept well...for only some hours" Grandinde giggled along with the other women in the cart "You must be excited your Grace, to see the kingdom your father rules and you brother will rule after him" Lisanna commented the princess. Wendy smiled before looking outside the window again, her next words made Lisanna frown. "I only hope he gets a wife that not only love him but also balance him. I want my brother to marry by love, and that he and his future wife will rule this kingdom well."
"Your Grace?" "Yes, Lord Gray?" Gray sighed and yawned from where he sat on his gray dappled mare that were walking alongside the prince...the prince that were literally snoring on his chestnut mare. The young lord shoved the salmon haired's shoulder and he would have fallen of, if it hadn't been that he jerked awake the moment he nearly lost his balance. The young prince glared at the raven head. "What the fuck Gray? You wanna fight?" Natsu raised his fist and were about to strike, but got stopped at his fathers booming voice infront of them. "I don't want you two girls to fight on this trip! We are meeting a old and close friend of mine so behave! Gray, you were asking something?" Breaking from the stare competition Gray had with his frienemy, he turned to his king that were like an uncle to him. "You said this morning that the celestial maiden or the golden maiden or whatever they call her...is she as beautifull as they say?" Igneel stared at his son's bestfriend from where he sat on his dark bay stallion. He turned to look infront of him again, where some soldiers where walking to lead the way. "I don't know boy, I never met her before so I can't tell." Gray frowned but nodded anyway.
They had been travelling for a week, riding through the woods to not bring attention. They had been lucky and didn't encounter any thieves yet and the king hoped they wouldn't meet any.
Stella village was only half a day now, they had gotten a crow from Makarov 2 days into their journey and said that he had available rooms in his small mansion. Soon my friend, after 20 years we'll meet again.
"Is it pretty there? In the village?" Wendy asked Danya, while the maid smiled kindly at her and looked out the window. "It is the prettiest place i've ever seen especially in the summer. When you walks in marketplace on a really warm summer afternoon you can practically feel the air around you, the people the food and animals...everything. To me it is like it came straight from a fairy tale.
Wendy looked wide eyed at her handmaiden before looking outside the window where she saw a big lake with small island in it, small but big enough that you could bouild a small cottage on it. Danya pointed on one of the biggest islands, where small boys were standing on and waving towards them. "Do you see that island that the three boys are at?" When she saw the young princess nodd in the courner of her eye she smiled before looking at the island again, recognizing the three boys as the sons of a butcher from the village. "When me and my sister where eleven, I dared Lucy to live on that tiny island for a whole week. She had to live by fish and sleep right under the sky, and if she loses she would kiss a boy with name Tayum on the cheek." Every woman stared at Danya but she paid no heed for them, she looked at the island where she imagened the red face of the boy named Tayum that were the doctor's only son, she could also remember the furious blush her best friend had before she said yes and woved to win. "She came back three days later, dirty, wet and cold but she didn't stop when she had swam back no...she came up to Tayum took his face in her hands and kissed him straight on his lips before she turned to me and said 'Danya, I want you to remind me every day for the rest of our lives...remind me of that fish stinks, that not all mushrooms are eatible and that even if summer days are warm, summer nights are piss cold' Before she went home. When Lucy came home again she was met with furious and worried parents that grounded her for three weeks, but that didn't matter because she had gotten a nasty cold because of walking in wet chlothes for three days." The girls in the cart giggled at the story while Lisanna smiled at her "You have many good memories of her haven't you?" The young girl stared at the white haired beauty before she smiled "Yeah, she is like a sister to me"
Wendy turned to Danya again "Do you think that we will meet Lucy and her spirits?" Danya thought for a while before shrugging "Lucy is a member of the wizard guild Fairy Tail there and she often goes on a job or two with her team to get away from everyone or everyhting...especially her cousin Laxus who keeps teasing he. But I think her grandfather would make her stay in the village for your arrival your highness." The young princess smiled before she resumed to talk to her mother.
The girls continued to chatter for awhile before they got interrupted by a gate opening. Danya looked excitedly out the window "we're here..."
(~.~)
And that was chapter one you guys :3
I know that this seems confusing for you guys with the Prologue be in "I remember..." and shit like that and this chapter doesn't...I don't even know why I wrote it like that..It just felt like I should write it like that sooo I wrote it like that xD
I love the reviews I got, I was a little surprised to see that you that reviewed liked it instead of saying that this story was confusing or that it sucks xD Thanks to all of you who also favorited and followed this story and my other story-TA&TJ :)
This is probably the longest chapte I have written...I think...XD I worked for 2 days on it and I can pretty much say that I am pretty proud of how it came to turn out in the story *.*
Few of you wondered of when i'm gonna update TA&TJ, I say this...don't worry I am working on it right now and I hope that I can update it this or next week!
School is starting for me in two weeks :'( that means that I will not have so much time writing or updating beacuse when school starts...my job also starts :'( sucks...Anyway, I will work on the stories as much as I can and if you wonder anything, just PM me or send me a message at my Tumblr. My IRL is on my profile :)
I don't own Fairy Tail or the characters, Hiro Mashima owns it except my own character Danya.
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See'ya :*
Alexis
