The Ancient Lands

A desert that stretches before Fiore meets the country of Bosco. It is filled with many creatures, most unknown and dangerous, and the heat is blazing. There is not many who reside here. However, it was the Draconians that made it their home - thriving amongst the many uncertainties it holds.


It had taken them hours to reach the end of the forest.

As the sun rose higher Wendy had kept stopping them frequently so her dark eyes could check on the spider web veins that stretched further up Lucy's leg. The young girl's face was constantly pinched in worry, her eyes never leaving Lucy as Gray now carried her on his back - the archer too weak to even stand.

She was a healer yet without supplies; she was practically useless. Her salve's and bandages that were neatly tucked into a small leathery bag had been ditched at camp when the Goblins had attacked them. Her teacher would throttle her for losing such precious medicine, but that was not what caused the fear to rise up in Wendy's chest.

Lucy had collapsed at Gray's side after a few hours of walking, her legs giving out as her body began to shake as she burned a terrible fever. The diplomat had tried to bleed out the poison when the blonde started convulsing - using nimble fingers to quickly grab the blade strapped to her thigh and slice up along the flesh.

When the knife had cut through her skin she had screamed, her arms thrashing as her mind was blinded by the pain she was feeling. Gray had to pin her down, his strong arms coming around her as Wendy pushed at the wound. An inky liquid mixed with crimson beginning to pour from the cut as it was prodded.

The young girl was worried. Bleeding her out had stopped Lucy's body from violently shuddering, but the black veins remained. They barely even retreated an inch and the older woman's deathly pale face was even clearer sign that it hasn't made her any better. It needed treating with a healer, an experienced healer, with proper ingredients to make an antidote.

Wendy looked to the west where the sun was now dipping dangerously close to the horizon. They had passed the red capped mushrooms hours ago and the forest had finally begun to wither away. Few trees littered the space and most of ground begin to turn into a dark, rusty red as it collided with the desert that wrapped around the Draconian Kingdom.

"We'll have to stop here for the night."

Gray stopped abruptly and a small whine left Lucy's throat as her face twisted in pain. "We don't have time, Wendy," Gray nearly shouted. "Lucy needs help immediately!" His dark blue eyes pierced into her as his worry flared.

"I know what Lucy needs…" Wendy mumbled, her arms coming up to wrap around herself under Gray's gaze. "We just- There's only the two of us. How are we going to defend ourselves in the dark?" Her eyes flickered towards the ground. "and protect Lucy?"

Gray huffed as he cooled down his anger. This wasn't the time to let his emotions to get the better of him, especially towards Wendy. Their chances of surviving as they crossed the desert were low even without adding the factor that they'd be travelling during the night. He readjusted the archer on his back as he tried to lower himself to the ground; Wendy quickly coming to his aid to grab hold of the unsteady girl on his back as they lowered her down.

"I guess you're right." The winter sprite offered a small smile as he watched Wendy place her coat under Lucy's head. "We'll leave at first light… and pray that we make it in time."

The diplomat gave a small hum in response as she tended to the blonde the best she could. Her small hands coming up to push the bangs from Lucy's eyes and wiping off mud and blood from the blonde's face. It would be hard crossing the desert in the morning, it was ancient land. The young woman could only pray, as Gray said, that they would make it in time… and that they'd survive.

Wendy worried her lower lip, her hands idly smoothing the pain from Lucy's face as she let her rest. They had made it so far and she knew it was because of the blonde. They were lucky that nothing had happened as they reached the end of the forest, the flora staying quiet as they walked. It was only the rustle of the wind disrupting the silence. They had to make it through the land surrounding Draconia. If not for the sake of making an ally to help in the war, then for Lucy.

Her dark eyes shifted to the glinting bow that she laid at her side - the scales burning bright in the light of the setting sun, flickering much like a fire. That was if the people in the Draconian Kingdom would let them pass their gates and into the city walls. Her fists clenched at her side. If they didn't let them through-

Gray's hand landed on the blue haired girl's shoulder. "I've got the fire started," Gray stated and Wendy peered past him to see a small pile of burning dried foliage. She had been so lost in her thought she hadn't heard the cackling start of the flames.

"Here." Gray handed her the last of their rations, a small slither of dried meat. "Try to get as much rest as you can. It's gonna be a hard day tomorrow."

The winter sprite crouched beside her, the setting sun making stark and long shadows behind them. Gray tore into the meat, his eyes locking with the fire, but Wendy couldn't bring herself to eat. The diplomats hand fell to her side and touched the scroll that she had carefully strapped to her leg. It had been the one thing she had kept close, yet the piece of paper seemed so trivial in this moment. Her lower lip quivered as her doubts set in.

"Gray," Wendy whispered, "Do you think this mission was hopeless?" A tear rolled down her face, but the young girl fiercely wiped it away.

Gray remained quiet for a few moments and then he turned his gaze to something behind her, to Lucy.

"Lucy believed this was our best chance," he stated firmly, determination lighting up his eyes and something else, "If Lucy thought so then I do as well."

Faith.

Wendy nodded, rubbing her sleeve across her face as she calmed down. Lucy was determined this was their best shot so she couldn't be crying, couldn't be doubting. She would believe in her friend just as Gray had. She would have faith.

She sniffled, a large smile pulling at her lips as her eyes shined at Gray. "Thank you."

"Get some rest." He smiled. "I'm going to make sure the area's safe." With that Gray stood, ruffling her hair before he walked away from the small camp.

Wendy nibbled at her rations as she settled into being alone. The breeze was soft, the sky a dark burnt orange as the night begun to take over the sky with the stars beginning to peek through. The fire burnt softly close to her and chased off the many shadows that crept into their small clearing. It had been exactly like their first night, however, she was at peace now. She didn't have the fear clinging to the back of her mind anymore.

Her gaze turned to Lucy, her worry making her eyebrows narrow as she looked at the inky veins. Her fingers feathered over where she had been bitten, the wound closing as she would expected of it. Gray's ice working as the perfect bandage for the large punctures in her thigh.

"Don't worry, Lucy. We'll get you to Draconia as soon as we can." She pushed back the blonde hair from the archer's face again and sighed.

"I'll make sure of it myself."

An unfamiliar voice reverberated in the area and Wendy looked up, startled, before she immediately shot up. Gray stood there but he wasn't alone as he returned.

"Draconians," she breathed.

A spear was pressed to the winter sprite's throat as a man stood behind him, two other men at his side, yet you could barely call them so - their forms looking more beastly than man. There were horns that stuck out from their hair, giant leathery wings spanning out behind them and their faces had scales poking from their cheeks - they looked like dragons.

The one who kept Gray in a hold grinned, his sharp canines dangerously gleaming with his red scales in the firelight. They looked familiar, yet she couldn't place from where. Wendy sucked in a breath as he stepped forward, pushing Gray to the side before he pushed his pink hair back with clawed hands. His eyes shot towards where Lucy and her bow laid.

"I believe you have something of mine." His smile grew even wider and Wendy could only freeze in place, her eyes blown wide as she looked at Gray. He shook his head at her and they could only stand in place as the man bent down to their friend, a low whine bubbling in his throat as he caressed the wound on Lucy's leg. His smile had disappeared.

He gently picked her up, his nose burying itself in her hair. A soft sigh left Lucy's lips as he cradled her to his chest and she instinctively cuddled closer to him. He purred low in his throat before he flapped out his wings.

"Take the extras. We're going to be flying home." His wings lifted him into the air as the picked up speed. " Let the people know their Queen has returned."


A big thank you to thebowtifullady! She fixed all of my mistakes that you guys usually see so thank her and follow her on tumblr if you will ;-;

This chapter was a little slow going, but I'm happy to switch perceptions and I wanted to build more of a personal relationship between them all and so I think this helped. Also Natsu is finally here! I hope you all liked this and please review!

~Doginshoe