HELLO DEAR READERS! IT IS I THE GREAT AND WONDERFUL BlackThunder1221! I HAVE RISEN FROM THE DEAD TO BRING YOU AN CHAPTER UPDATE! Ahem. sorry bout that. needed a little introduction. its been what 4 months? how about a new chapter!? I would appologize for the wait, but i'm not because lets be honest, it'll happen again.

ENJOY!


Chapter 6: Tears


Now, a fortnight later, as she sat on her window seat leaning against the glass, her eyes focused on the skies waiting for her lover to come to her once more, she allowed herself the small flicker of hope to blossom in her heart. Hope that maybe, just maybe, they could be together forever.

"Let's run away, Levy"

His words echoed in her head as a shape came into focus out of the darkness. With a smile she scrambled to the balcony throwing the doors open with gusto just as her Dragon's feet hit the wall of her balcony.

"Come away with me Shorty"

Bounding across the short distance she sprang into Gajeel's open arms with a squeal, grabbing his face and crashing her lips onto his, muffling his unique and characteristic laughter. He pulled her tight to him and deepened the kiss, hissing when her teeth nipped at his lower lip.

"Go out on our own somewhere, anywhere"

Pulling back she gazed deeply into his burning eyes, her total demeanor changing from excitement to lust in an instant. Gajeel swallowed at the suddenness of the change in atmosphere. He could feel her hot breath on his wet lips as she took in air, he was hyper aware of her nails digging into his scalp, he could hear the steady, quickened pace of her heart, he could feel the lust and longing growing inside of her.

"Let's go to the mountain tonight…" her voice barely a whisper, but it sent shivers down his spine. Without another word he kicked off and dove into the night, her face barred in the crook of his neck, her arms around him, and his around her warm little body pressed against his. Where she belonged. As they sped through the darkness of the August night, Levy got lost in her fantasy once more.

Come away with me, on this night

Come away with me, and, I will sing you a song

Come away with me, it's only us

Come away with me where they can't, keep us apart

At that moment she wanted nothing more than for her and Gajeel to disappear, to go somewhere where they could be together without hiding their love, sneaking kisses in the dark, having to separate in such little time as for her to catch some sleep or risk the questions of why she looked so tired, to know what it was like to wake up with your lover still there in your bed, to be away from people and duties and responsibilities, rules and laws, fear of being caught, having to be always on edge, always ready to bolt. Like a rabbit running from a hound.

She wanted him to fly them far, far away where they could be happy together, where they could make love and laugh and just be together and happy. Where she could curl up next to his large warm body and have him sing her to sleep with his deep gravelly voice that eased her soul and helped her stress ebb away. She wanted to stay in his arms, and snuggle into his chest as he slept, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, listening to the strong and rhythmic beat of his heart. She would slip her fingers into his long midnight black hair, stroking it to her hearts content before gliding to his face and over the metal studs there. She would be so intent on the piercings that she wouldn't notice his smirk as her fingers tickled his cheeks and woke him. Then he would smile and the flash off his white teeth would draw her attention and a smile of her own across her face as she looked up to him and he down to her through slightly bleary eyes. Her giggle would bring him down to her and they would kiss, mouths moving with the other passionately but softly as they expressed their love for the other.

Levy gripped his shoulders a little tighter as she planted a kiss on the nape of his neck, then another and another, slowly making her way up his muscular throat, smirking when he growled his pleasure and murmured deeply, "Wait…" Within a few moments they were landing and Gajeel was striding quickly to the mass of furs. They were inside and at the bed within seconds, before he tossed her onto the bed.

Levy squealed and laughed as she landed on the soft furs, holding her sides for a moment while enjoying the hungry look the Dragon was giving her. Reaching for the laces of her night dress while she eyed the Dragon as his eyes burning brighter than the fire at his back, burning with desire and lust for the woman slowly undressing before him. Levy watched as Gajeel opened and closed his fists, she knew he wanted to rip her dress from her to gain much easier access to her body, but that would be a problem later on. She didn't want to think about later though, she was focused on the here and now. Which just happened to be a growling mass of red-eyed, high off testosterone, Dragon launching its way towards her.

Screaming in mirth she managed to scramble away some before he landed on top of her, but true to his Dragon nature he landed on all fours and was quickly able to launch himself again towards her. Levy's voice rose once more as his arms circled around her waist and she was yanked backwards into the Dragons bare chest. He then proceeded to flip over and fall gracefully into the middle of the fur bed. Levy had tears of mirth and amusement in her eyes when Gajeel burred his face into the nape of her neck. Wiping at the wetness, her laughter changed to strangled moans as wet, sweet, sucking kisses were placed on her flesh, kisses that instantly changed the mood from play time to pleasure time.

An I want to lay with you, on a sunny day

An I want to wake with you by my side

So won't you come, with me

Arching her neck to the side Levy gave her Dragon more access, letting out a sigh as he moved up her neck. While he worked on her neck his hands were busy taking the folds of fabric from her slim frame. Finally the stubborn material was yanked from her body and tossed carelessly away. Flipping her over Gajeel caught her lips instantly as her hands gripped at the furs on either side of his head, legs settling on either side of the tightly muscled body beneath her so that she was straddling him.

The Dragon's hands slid over the bare body of his princess above him, loving the way she shivered in pleasure as his claw-like nails ghosted over her flesh. Softly his lips left hers and started working their way across her jaw to her ear, nibbling on the lobe. Gasping, Levy took ahold of his shoulders as his hands supported her weight, she slid her fingers down his arms leaving angry red marks in their wake. He growled in her ear and latched onto her neck just below, letting his teeth prick her skin enough to draw a little blood and to leave a mark. His mark. The mark that let the world know who she belonged too. She was his, and no one else's. He wouldn't have it any other way and Levy was just fine with that. In these moments they threw caution to the wind and let their passion take the lead.

They twisted themselves together, as they had done for many nights now, hands traveling to all parts of the others naked body, mouths following, taking in as much of the other as was possible. Often times they would simply lay together, drawing little patters on the others skin absently. They could stay that way for hours, drifting in and out of sleep, whispering sweet words in between long passionate kisses. All too soon the skies would begin to lighten, and they were slowly pulling their clothes back on, stealing kisses whenever they could, then they were flying back to the castle, Levy dozing in Gajeel's arms until he would lay her in her bed and with one last kiss goodbye, take off again.

Come away with me, and we'll kiss

On my mountain home

Come away with me, an I'll never stop, lovin' you

But the next night was different. Then they were light with a new fire. Maybe it was the early-August heat, or the excitement of the beginning of the harvest, or simply because both knew that the summer was turning to fall, and Levy's birthday later that month, was just at that week's end. Tonight, Gajeel came for her and took her in his arms, flying off to some unknown destination.

"Gajeel, where are we going?" Levy finally asked when the Dragon flew right past the mountain and continued on, "Gihi, just wait Princess, you'll find out soon enough." Rolling her eyes she settled back into his arms and left a long kiss on the side of his neck.

Finally after what felt like a very long time, Levy realized they were descending, and rather quickly at that. Levy could see rather well that night as the moon was nearly full, and she watched as Gajeel set down into a little clearing in the middle of the Black Forest. To the best of her knowledge, no one had been to the far side of the Forest – at least no one that lived to tell the tale. As he set her down she looked around in awe. The trees and plants and even the mist had a strong purple tint to them, just like the other side of the Black Forest, but much more vivid. Gajeel let her look around a little, watching her as she went up to a tree and fingered the bark and leaves.

"Levy…" She turned and looked up at him, with a smirk he extended a hand as he bowed playfully to her. Grinning from ear to ear she stepped to him and daintily placed her hand in his. His smirk growing wider, Gajeel took her hand as a nobleman would and escorted her through the forest. They hadn't gone far when he drew her close and whispered in her ear, "Now be real quiet, ya' don't wanna' spook them. They're shy. Shh." He kissed her ear with a grin and pulled away before she could swat at him. Pouting halfheartedly she shot him a look before he pointed her to a clearing in the undergrowth. Making their way to the opening Levy peaked around one of the larger tree trunks at the clearing in the trees.

There, where the trees thinned and opened onto a wide yet shallow stream, where lavender hew grasses swayed in the breeze, standing all around – grazing or drinking from the stream, was a small heard of Unicorns.

Levy took in her breath quickly, and one of the horned horses lifted it's head from drinking, a few droplets of water dripping from his muzzle, and turned her direction, his large deer-like ears alert to any noise, his wide crystal blue eyes catching any movement. Levy and Gajeel, who was crouching down next to her, remained still as the horse seemed to sigh and return to the water. The Unicorns were all the exact shade of brilliant, sparkling white, with white manes and tufted tails, their horns shinning silver or gold. They looked almost as if they were ghosts or had white halos around their outlines the way they shone in the dark.

Levy covered her mouth and turned to Gajeel, her eyes wide with wonderment and glittering with excitement, "Oh, Gajeel…!" she sighed, "They're… they're, beautiful!"

He grinned at her and touched his nose to her temple, "Yeah, but yer' still the most beautiful creature I've seen, ghihi." He kissed her lightly as she hugged him.

Slowly taking a seat at the base of the tree, Gajeel pulled her into his lap like a child and the two watched the small heard for quite some time. There were a few foals in the heard who weren't interested in the grass nor the water – well not for drinking anyway. They splashed around and cantered to and fro around the adults almost as if they were playing tag. Then one of the larger foals with a golden horn, took off at a dead gallop tearing his way around the heard then suddenly turned with a leap and a buck and dashed right towards where Levy and Gajeel were sitting. As he galloped their direction, his oval ears pricked forward, his deep blue eyes caught them and he slid to a stop not five feet from them.

No one moved for about five seconds, then the colt took a step forward, his ears pressed as far forward as possible, eyes wide, sniffing the air as he took another brave step. Levy was grinning from ear to ear as she slowly extended her hand towards the brilliant white colt. He took another step, then another, and another; finally he stretched out a sniffed her hand. His hot breath and long whiskers tickled her hand and a giggle slipped out. The colt jumped back at the noise, standing with his head up high and all four legs stiff as tree trunks. He puffed for a few moments, and Levy could see his little chest rising and falling as he sucked in air.

"Come on little one… I'm not gonna hurt'cha…" Levy cooed to the colt, her voice soft as silk, relaxing and alluring. The colt took a stiff step. Then another, "That's it, come on now!" Slowly he picked his way back to her and once again sniffed her hand.

Tentatively, he nibbled on her open palm with is muscular upper lip. She giggled as she felt his hot tongue slide over her hand. The colt took a few more steps closer and lifted his muzzle to her face sniffing all around her face and hair, nibbling and twitching his upper lip as he investigated this new creature. Giggling still, she slowly reached up and touched the colt on the neck. He stopped fussing with her hair as she stroked his coat.

"Gajeel… Ohhh Gajeeeel, it's – it's soooo soft!" Levy moaned stroking the colt with her other hand as he slowly got used to it and continued snuffling her hair.

"Gihihihi! I think he likes ya'! Gihihi!" Levy's giggles and coos mixed with the Dragon's laughter and the snuffling of the Unicorn colt.

Levy couldn't believe what was happening. Here she was in the most dangerous place in her world, with her kind's natural enemy, stroking and playing with a creature that was thought to be extinct for hundreds of years in a Forest of purple tinted trees and green waters, where the sky was bright with billions of stars and a full round shining moon that lit the world as if it were day.

An I want to wake up with the sun shining on down

While I lay with you in your arms

An all I want from you

Is to come away with me in the night

Levy sighed as she leaned back against her Dragon's chest, watching as he lifted a clawed hand and allowed the colt to sniff him as well, eventually getting to scratch him behind the ears. Levy was happy, so happy, she was relaxed and carefree. She felt as light as a feather floating in a pool of warmth and coziness. Then the colt turned his head and his ocean blue eyes caught and held hers. The depths of the ocean that she was suddenly looking into was unfathomable.

Unable to look away or move, a sudden sense of dread filled her stomach and rose up to her throat. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped as she watched the ocean blue eyes turn jet black. Everything around her turned black and she felt as if she was falling, falling down, down, down. She wanted to scream, but she didn't have a voice. Fear and panic over came her as again and again she tried to scream, and then suddenly there was sound all around her.

The Unicorn screeched and she gasped.

In the next instant images burst before her eyes, in her eyes, as if projected on the back of her eyes, she could only see the pictures before, and blackness around that, and the images were moving. Levy, on the other hand, still couldn't, as the sense of falling stopped and she was frozen in place. The images flashed and moved and focused, she couldn't believe what she was seeing…

~ The king was laying in his bed face up as if sleeping. But he was not. People were gathered all around in black clothes and veils. There were hushed sobs and sniffles and quiet talking. She could see Elfman holding a shaking Mira as he tried to keep his 'manliness' and not cry, Erza was sitting in the corner with Jellal at her back as he stroked her head quietly, and Gray was holding Juvia while talking with Lyon and Natsu. The picture moved and Levy now saw herself at the King's side staring down at his face with blank emotionless eyes while Lucy cried on her shoulder. It was clear. The King was dead.

The picture changed.

The curtains we open in her chambers, showing the barren winter landscape outside. Levy could almost feel the cold winter wind as she watched a few flakes drift by. Movement from the corner of her eye brought her attention back to the bed. This time she was looking at herself lying in bed. The blankets were all bunched around her, as if she had been struggling against them. She was panting and there was sweat on her brow. Slowly her eyes opened and Levy saw the pain and concern in her own amber gaze. Struggling the Levy in front of her rose to a sitting position and the blankets fell away from her frame. Levy gasped as she watched herself place a hand over her swollen belly and rub little circles there, as if soothing the being inside her. She was pregnant. Dumbfounded Levy could only gawk at herself as she struggled out of bed. Her dress was torn over a shoulder and there were dark marks forming around her neck. It was only when she stood that Levy could see how pregnant she really was. She was huge! Nearly about to pop! She stared as herself walked, no waddled, to the full length mirror just opposite her door and she gazed at herself there, still holding her belly and rubbing circles. Concern still riddled her face as she gazed at her reflection. Slowly she opened her mouth and spoke a single word… "Laxus"…

The Picture faded and was replaced by another.

It was spring, she could tell by the crocuses that bloomed at her feet. Before her the Fairy Tail Castle was in shambles. She was standing at what once had been a lavish blooming courtyard – that now was a wasteland of rubble, smoking bushes, blood splatters, bodies clad in Royal Guard uniforms…. She saw Lyon, his own saber erect in his ribcage… She looked from his body to the Castle above; something massive had destroyed the entire east side. There was smoke and the flicker of fire from a few towers still as a handful of people dashed here and there – some carrying water buckets, some with wounded guardsmen, some with bodies, some with rubble – and she was walking, no floating. But not towards the Castle, away from it, to the town of Magnolia, and there she saw that the castle was not the only thing that had been half demolished. As she floated in the air above the city she watched smoke and fires raging in every direction, people scrambling to put them out and to find belongings and loved ones, animals running in the streets – some burned, some still burning – she could hear the screams of people from all around her, from the castle and from the town.

As she was just about to open her own mouth and scream with them, the picture changed once again, and she choked at what she saw.

Gajeel was kneeling amongst the rubble of the Castle, he was battered and bloodied, his long black hair dull and tangled, sticky in places with drying blood. He was nude and was covered head to toe in dirt, ash, blood and sweat. There were several large gashes across his back, down his arms and one over an eye – it was jagged and wide taking up nearly half of his face – he was breathing hard and he looked tired, so very tired. Something moved and Levy tore her gaze from the beaten Dragon to watch in horror, as Laxus stalked towards him through the smoke. He was grinning, there was a mad glint in his cold blue eyes, the blood dribbling from his mouth only making his nightmarish appearance uglier. In his one hand he held a shield with the Fairy Tail Crest on it, the other gripped the bloodied handle of his broad sword. He walked up to Gajeel and stopped before him. Gajeel slowly lifted his head, faded red eyes staring back at him. Levy couldn't breathe, couldn't move, she knew what was about to happen but she couldn't do anything to stop it, she wanted to cry out for Gajeel to get away, to run, she wanted to kill Laxus as he dropped his shield with a clatter and gripped his sword in both hands, raising it high over his head. She watched as Laxus laughed sadistically and brought the blade down with incredible force, cutting the beaten Dragon down with a single blow.

Suddenly there was screaming. It filled the air, the skies, every little dip and nook and crack in the earth of Fiore. It was filling her head, her body, in her heart. It was such a terrible sound, so emotional and filled with fear and anguish, she could feel hot tears streaming down her face as she listened to the screaming and wondered where it was coming from, who was making it, and why it was hurting her so much, why was someone screaming like that!?

Levy could feel herself being shook violently, someone was shouting her name and the scene before her was vanishing while another was blooming. It was fuzzy and slightly distorted due to her shaking, but she could see well enough. The screaming was still as loud as ever, almost louder now.

The scene appearing and yet disappearing at the same time, was that of Laxus. He was dressed in lavish violet and gold robes and clothing as he sat on the Throne. On top of his head was a blood stained crown she recognized as the King's crown, and there… at his slipper clad feet… Was the severed head of her Dragon. ~

In that instant, the pictures vanished as quickly as they had appeared. The screaming died as her eyes rolled back in her head and she realized that the screaming was coming from her and the person shouting and shaking her was Gajeel. She shuddered violently and Gajeel pulled her into a tight embrace, burying her face into his chest. Slowly she quieted. There was a moment of silence before she started sobbing into his chest. Gajeel scooped her up and once again pulled her into his lap balling up so that he was all around her.

He held her as she cried, he kissed her face and hair sweetly, he rocked her, and he whispered softly in her ear that everything was alright, she was safe, he was there… but she cried on, so he comforted her. It was quite a while before she had was reduced to sniffles and the occasional hiccup. Gajeel continued to rock her, his chin resting on her head as he hummed softly to her. Levy pressed her cheek into his chest and listened and felt the vibrations from his humming. It helped her calm herself.

"…Gajeel…?"

"Yeah, Shrimp? What is it?" he lifted his head and looked down at her. She was looking at her hands intently.

"W-what happened…?" He frowned, "Well, the Unicorn colt and ya' kinda locked eyes and ya' froze and he did too and ya' both just looked at each other for a long time…an' then ya' started screaming bloody murder soppkin' the Unicorns who took off, but that little one just kept looking at ya'… like, like he was possessed or something… an' then… well… ehh, err… I – I started shakin' ya' ta' wake you up or snap ya' out of it or something! But ya' just kept looking at him and he at ya' and, Fuck, you scream like a banshee Shrimp…" As if emphasizing his point, he shuddered from head to toe and shook his head as if clearing it.

Levy sat quiet for a moment longer the spoke up again, "…Gajeel… what happened to the colt…? You said the others ran off, but you didn't say what happened to him?"

Gajeel's frown deepened and he gave her a hard look as if contemplating if he should tell her or not. The silence stretched between them for a long time before she lifted her eyes to his and held his gaze. He knew that his one weakness was her and her alone, but those eyes, those large, honey-brown doe eyes that sparkled and shone, those were his weakness of weaknesses. He cracked.

"… Over there…" it was a whisper and he gestured with his chin. Levy turned her gaze and looked for the bright white of the little Unicorn. Scanning the ground she finally caught sight of a light colored mound and her breath caught in her throat.

There, laying in the lavender grass, his coat no longer shining brightly, his horn turned black and cracked, lay the colt. His eyes were wide open and a pale gray-blue color, his mouth was ajar and there was a streak of blood across his chin. He didn't move. He never would again.

So won't you

come away

with me.


Once again Levy sat at her window, thinking of the Dragon and their latest adventure to visit the Unicorns. It was a few days after the tragic event and she was waiting for her Dragon to come rescue her as always. He was late. The lights had been out for an hour now, but she didn't really mind, she was too lost in her own thoughts. She remembered everything the Unicorn had shown her about her future. It didn't look happy at all nor anything like she had wanted. Sure she knew she would be a little miserable having to be wed to some nobleman, or cast out of the Royal family and live in the streets. At least there she would have been taken care of by the people who would still loved her as a Princess of Fiore. But that was not what the Unicorn had shown her. She had seen pain and death and destruction. Mayhem was her future, not merriment. It was a depressing thought.

She had not told Lucy, who was the first to ask what was wrong when Levy appeared depressed the morning after the night in the lavender fields, about her trip to visit the Unicorns, nor what she had seen. She wasn't sure she wanted to tell Lucy, not the things she had seen. While nothing depicted Lucy specifically, Levy was sure that her future was just as bleak and that only depressed Levy more. To think that she would be bringing her friend into the same horrible fate. And not just Lucy, but Natsu, Erza, Gray, the people of Fiore as well. Everyone was to be affected by her future, and she was bringing them all down with her. If she burned, so did they. Gajeel too. She had seen Laxus defeat him and then kill him! Gajeel had asked her what the Unicorn had shown her and she had steadfastly refused to tell him a word of it. It was something that she had decided she would never tell anyone. She could be hopeful, optimistic, and positive, that she could maybe change her future. But the things she had seen wouldn't leave her memory, some were more vivid than others. A pregnant Levy flashed in her minds' eye, Gajeel's severed head at Laxus' feet, the dead King… All things she wanted to forget but couldn't.

Clenching her fists she looked away from the world outside her window and to her bed as it sat in the moonlight from the open window. Visions or memories, she wasn't sure which, floated above the bed; her and the Dragon making love, her reading to him in his arms, him playing with her hair as she braided his, their little moments that made everything worthwhile. How could such sweet things like that turn into something so vastly different and destroy the peace that had settled in her heart ever since the Dragon had come into her life. Things were always better with Gajeel around.

"Shrimp?"

Speak, or think as it were, and you shall be rewarded.

"Oh, Gajeel, I didn't know you were here now." She was pulled from her train of thought, but didn't look at him, simply accepting that he was now at her side.

He gave her a searching look over. She hadn't been right to him since the incident with the Unicorns, and something was definitely off now. Levy had a faraway look to her eyes, and she was absentmindedly rubbing her stomach. Maybe she wasn't feeling well? Maybe she was getting sick like the King. The King who had grown weaker every day and had to be fed by another due to his lack of strength to lift his own spoon. Gajeel had known about the King's illness, about how the Royal Healers knew nothing as to why he was so weak and sick, and that there was magic afoot. He had told Levy this one night in the Castle when she had told him she was worried about the King. She hadn't believed him and he reminded her that she didn't believe in Dragons until she met one. It was true and he knew it. There was a dark magic around the King, and he was sure that's where the sickness was coming from. But she had brushed him off saying the King was old and weak, though she wasn't convinced herself and her eyes showed it. They held a similar look now, one that was lost and a little frightened.

Quietly he moved to her side, where she instantly leaned against him and fisted her hand into the material of his shorts. He minded not as he stroked her hair and watch the wheels turn in her mind. As sure as he was about there being magic at hand in the King illness, he was sure that she was thinking about whatever the colt had showed her. Her future no doubt, and by her reactions it wasn't hopeful.

They stayed like that for a while, in silence and solace in the others physical company, before he sighed and spoke once again to her, "Come to bed, we can take your mind off things for the while. I'll tell you some stories, of adventures that I've been on, of things I've done, of anything really." He was desperate to get her mind off whatever she was thinking about now.

She looked up at him finally her expression lost, but her eyes slowly softened and she took his offered hand and rose. It was once she was on her feet that the wave a nausea hit her like horse hooves on a cobble stone street. Doubling over she grabbed her stomach with one hand, the other covering her mouth, "Shrimp?" Ignoring the surprised Dragon, Levy pushed past him to the wash room. The Dragon rounded when his highly attune ears told him she was retching, and violently. Sickness seemed to fill the Dragons' own stomach. She really was falling ill like the King.

When several minutes passed and Levy didn't return the Dragon went to her. Laying on the floor was the Princess, looking miserable and pathetic, her hair and skirts tossed all about her. He knelt at her side and brushed some hair from her pale face. Her brown eyes rolled until they caught his concerned look.

"That's the third time in two days." Her voice was quiet and weak.

He stroked her cheek and scooped her into his arms pulling her close. Rounding and leaving the wash room, he was at her balcony in a few strides and jumping into the night. Wings snapping open and gliding them through the night air he held her tight to his chest. Concern and slight panic sat in the Dragon's stomach as they fled though the night towards his home. What if she was becoming sick like the King? Was the same Magic at foot? Looking down at the bundle in his arms he saw the pain etched in her white face in the moonlight. Something was really wrong.

It was a longer flight than usual it seemed to Levy as she clutched at the Dragons scaled and muscular neck. The wind was loud in her ears and its voices spoke things to her. Closing her eyes and letting her head loll she listened to the voices of the wind. They whispered of changes, screamed of sorrows and pain and called for action. The voices told her things that were to come, things she had wished for and hoped would happen, but had been told were not to be. The wind murmured sweet things in her ears as they flew through the night, the Dragon's silent wings pulling them at a steady rhythm and beat. Like her heart in her ears that thudded in time with the whispering. She was told of happier things. Of sweet meadows filled with wild flowers, great forests with towering trees whose trunks were wider than any gate she had knowledge of. The birds chirped in her mind and water flowed over rocks somewhere in the distance. The murmuring changed and she heard of her and her Dragon sleeping under a tree in the shade, little flecks of sunlight filtering through the leaves to reflect on the Dragon's scales and make him shimmer as he rested with his head on hers.

There was an updraft and the Dragon rose in the air as the gust talked and babbled in the Princesses ears more, telling of adventures and far off lands, things and places only imaginable from the fairy tales she so dearly loved to read. Never imagining that her life might become one. Nor that she could experience such things as foreign markets and cuisine, see things others had only dreamed of, experience things that no person had before. Like the Snow Lions, or flying.

All while she listened to the wind in her ears as she and the Dragon flew, her mind seemed cleared and she knew what she wanted to do. She was going to run away with the Dragon. Her duties be damned. Her city could fall. Laxus could be King even. As long as she was free to do as she wanted with Gajeel at her side, she had not a care in this world at all, or any other for that matter. Together they were freedom. They were the things she had wanted, he was the man of her dreams and the knight of her fantasies. Forget Fiore, together they were going to rule the world.

She greatly wished to reach out and touch the wind and its intoxicating stories and tales. But they were landing and going inside and the wind was left at the cave entrance, still whispering and calling enticing things to the Princess as the Dragon stole her into his layer. With ease the Dragon lay his bundle onto his nest of furs and whipped around. He strode out of the cave only to return a few moments later with some plants and berries. Levy watched through bleary eyes as he seemingly produced a metal cup from the palm of his hand and set it aside while fixing some sort of tea or rue from the plants he had gathered. Blending them with water from the waterfall at the far end of the cave and heating it in the fire.

She also watched as the Dragon lifted the cup to her lips and told her to drink. She did and instantly regretted the decision to do so as the warm liquid was foul in taste and smell. But the cup was forced to her lips and held there as the Dragon commanded her to drink. Struggling against him was no use as he was far superior in any physical standard, eventually letting the tart and nasty liquid slide down her throat until the cup was empty.

The affect was instantaneous. Her mind cleared of a fog she hadn't realized was there and she could suddenly breathe clearly, her lungs filling rapidly with fresh Forest air. Her eyes fluttering and with the Dragon's help she sat up. A mistake as her head immediately started to throb dully. Clutching at her temples she groaned, "W-what? What h-happened?"

"Ya' was under a spell." Relief filled him, he had been right to make up that potion. He had known something was amiss when he had sensed traces of Dark Magic around her, the same Magic that he feared was killing the King.

"A spell? What?"

She heard a sigh then, "Fer' the past few days I think, nah, I know ya' were under the same magic that's makin' the King sick. I know it Levy."

"Magic?"

"Yes, Magic. Dark magic. The kind that takes the life from someone slowly like, and leaves 'em dry as a bone and dead. Yer' was under a Death Spell Levy, the same thing the King's under now. It's a good thing I recognized it or I might've lost'ya. It was fast acting see."

His arm around her tightened and he lay his forehead on her shoulder as she looked dully at her hands, "'Tis why ya've been throwing up and feeling down. It was the Magic."

"How-who?"

He shook his head slowly, "'M not sure. Would have to be someone powerful and well versed in the Dark Arts."

"The only people that I know of that can use magic are that Gypsy from the festival and Jellal. Both have different kinds of Sight Magic though. Nothing that could do this I think."

"Would this Jellal person have any reason to want the King and ya' dead?"

"Jellal? No, no he's been trustworthy for decades. My grandfather only has his most trusted close to his side and Jellal is on the top of that list. No it has to be someone else. But who? And Why?"

"I don't know, but I know yer' safe now. That potion I gave ya' 'tis a counter magic potion, ya' won't be affected by magic fer' some time now."

"Thnak you Gajeel, you really take care of me…"

"'Course Shrimp" He kissed her temple, "'S'what I'm 'spoused ta' do."

Levy hugged him tightly, "You're always there for me when I need you."

Pulling her to him his voice dropped an octave as it did when they were intimate, "I'll always be here Levy…"

Taws a promise he'd made before and would make again and again even without her asking. He was a Dragon and she was his Princess. He would love and protect her for the remainder of his days. She would love and worship him for the remainder of hers. They were one in the same and more connected than either of them knew.


Levy sighed as Lucy chatted on. It was a few days after her night with the brush with Black Magic and her Dragon saving her once amore. She and Lucy were sitting in the Castle's main garden at the back of the building where the grounds flowed into the rolling hills of the northern fields. Here they sat under a large oak tree at a table for two with tea and treats, discussing Levy's upcoming birthday party. Lucy was yacking on about the festivities and what not and Levy was only half listening, smiling or nodding when appropriate. The midsummer breeze kicked up and ruffled the blonds baby pink skirts and the lavender of the blunete. It sent parchment and quills fluttering and both girls grabbing at the pieces of paper and tools giggling as they did so. With the sudden fun over, Lucy was back on track with the evening's affairs, with Levy still only half listening. Her mind was on something more pressing.

It had been three days since Gajeel had given her the potion to ward off magic. He had said it would ware off eventually but she would know when the Magic was taking effect of her again. However, her sickness had returned, but it wasn't the same as before. When she had told Gajeel of this, he had made her the potion again, but this time it did nothing for her stomach. In fact she had set it back up that very night ruining the mood between the two that had been developing.

"Levy!"

"Huh, What? Oh, sorry Lu, I wasn't paying attention." She flushed at being caught.

"What's the matter Levy? It's not like you to zone out."

"Oh, it's nothing really! I was just thinking what dress I should wear? Or if I should have a new one made up." Levy knew just the thing to say to get Lucy back on a tangent and forgetting all about Levy's lack of attention. However, it was then that her stomach made her aware of it's intentions to rid itself of what little she had eaten that day. Wincing in pain, she grabbed at her stomach. This did not go unnoticed by Lucy.

"Ok,Lev, whats wrong, you haven't hardly touched these pastries or your tea at all. I know these are your favorites!"

"Oh, I'm just not hungry."

"Levy… something's not right! Please tell me!"

"I- really, oh no…"

It was her famous last words as her stomach churned and jumped. Standing quickly she made it in time to some nearby bushes before emptying her stomach into them.

Worriedly Lucy was at her side in an instant, helping to hold the other girls hair back as she retched. The horrid event lasted a few agonizing moments, before finally stopping. Wiping her mouth Levy straightened shakily and tried her best to offer Lucy a reassuring smile. It turned into more of a grimace that had the blond even more worried.

"Now I know something is wrong Levy! Something is really wrong! I hope you're not getting sick like the king? It would be dreadful."

With a sigh Levy shock her head and the two made their way back to the table and sat, "That's what Gajeel asked," she started off slowly, "But he thought there was magic- an ancient dark magic all about me. As if someone was casting a 'death spell' as he called it… to make me sick. He thinks it's the same spell that's being used on the King just a faster acting one."

Lucy put a hand to her mouth in horror, "Dark Magic? But who would do such a thing?"

Levy went on, "Gajeel gave me something to ward off the magic but I think it's worn off, but to be honest I'm not sure its magic anymore."

"So the Magic is affecting you again? That's why you're sick?

"No, I don't think so." The Princess sighed at the confused look her Lady gave her, obviously not understanding. Levy fiddled with the lavender skirts about her, trying to find the right words to say what was on her mind, and had been for some time. Finally, Levy reached across the table and took Lucy's hands in hers, her eyes solemn and hard set. Lucy nervously looked at her friend.

"Levy?"

"Lucy, please Lucy, don't freak out…"

"I won't I promise!"

"No Lucy this is serious, I don't want to worry you!"

"Levy I can take it! What is it!?"

"Lucy, I…I think… I think I'm… pregnant."

There was a moment where Levy wasn't sure Lucy had hear her as the other just stared at her in return, and was about to repeat herself when Lucy reacted.

"W-WHAT!? PREGNANT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN PREGNANT!?"

"Lucy! Hush, not so loud! Someone might hear you!"

"People are going to find out soon enough!"

"Please Lucy!"

"How could you be Pregnant?... That means you'd have had to… had to… too…OH! LEVY! NO! YOU DIDN'T!"

"Lu-!"

"LEVY! It's a Cardinal sin! You didn't! Please tell me you didn't do what I think you did!

"No I-"

"Oh thank GOODNESS! Then there's no way! You're just becoming ill like the King, that's all, not that it's any better, but it is better, I mean, that means you'd have had to, well you know… But you didn't did you? Please tell me you didn't!"

"LUCY! Lucy, please! Calm yourself!" Trying to regain some composure into her friend as she was in hysterics at best, Levy flailed her arms about and pouted, waiting for Lucy to calm down and regain herself. It took a few moments for Lucy to catch her breath but she did eventually. Looking to her Princess with large, worried brown eyes. Levy could sympathize with her, this must be hard news to hear.

Finally, in a low voice barely above a whisper, "How many times?"

Levy fidgeted in her seat, guilt raising in her stomach for the first time as she thought about he answer, "Maybe… a handful"

"Levy, it takes but one!"

"I know I know!"

"Ohh, when the King finds out-! You're going to be the death of him you know! If that magic doesn't get to him first-! What with you sneaking around and doing such things! Oh, Levy!"

"NO! No, he won't find out!

"Does Gajeel know?"

"Ummm…."

"You haven't told him yet…?"

"No… Should I?"

"OF COURSE! You two are going to be parents! You have to tell him at some point! Preferably before he finds out for himself. Oh I cannot believe you've done this! Of all things Levy, of all things! It's the one rule no one is to break, it's the golden rule, you of all people should know that!" Levy opened her mouth to defend herself but Lucy went on, "No but's! It's the law! Oh, and he's not even a prince or some rich noble. I didn't even think that humans and Dragons could interbreed!" Again Levy tired to interject but was brushed aside, "OoooH what if you have a Dragon baby? With wings and claws and all that nonsense – I wonder what it's going to look like – what will the King say? No! The court! Ohh Levy!"

Levy had enough and barked, "Nothing! No one will know!"

Defensively Lucy shot back, "But how are you going to hide THAT-?" The blond pointed at the blunette across from her.

"Lucy!" Levy gasped when she realized Lucy was pointing not at her, but at her stomach, "I'm not showing!"

"Oh-ho, but you will be! Mark my words, Levy, you will be. With your slight of frame it could be any day now and nothing will fit you right anymore. What will you do then? What hmm? How are you going to hide the fact that you're pregnant from the world when you cannot even hide the fact that you stuffed yourself at a feast?"

"LUCY!" Tears pricked the Princess's eyes as she gaped in horror at her friend, "I thought, I thought that you – of all people as you said – would be able to support me!"

"But Levy this is something else! Gajeel, yes, though I don't like it, you have to have your fun I suppose, but not this. This is too much and too far! You were supposed to find out about Dragons and write a book about them, not fall in love and have Dragon-human babies!"

"Lucy please!"

There was a moment where the two girls looked at each other, one with worry and distane, the other with shock and hurt. Finally Lucy sighed and took a sip of her tea. When she looked up again there was a soft smile on her lips.

"Oh my dear Levy. You are so easily worked up. You know that I would never rat you out for anything. Of course I support you! In whatever you decide. I made that oath when we were babies still. Some of the first words out of my mouth were my oath of servitude. You get to worked up sometimes, have a little more faith in me!"

"You- you… OH YOU JERK! I honestly believed- oh Lucy you play dirty!" Tears were replaced with horror and then frustration then mirth as she realized her friend was working her up just for this moment. The two shared a good giggle before calming down once again.

Taking another sip of her tea Lucy sobered up, "How can you even be sure that you're pregnant?"

"Well, Erza has been feeling sick lately, now that she and Jellal are expecting. The healers said its normal and to expect it for the first few months. In the mornings is when it's the worst for Erza and for me too."

"Theres more to pregnancy than sickness."

"But I've had the other symptoms also, and I don't know, we don't know if it's ever happened before, much less been documented? Besides he is much more a man than a beast. He can shape shift Lucy, all Dragons can. The human form is the easiest for him to take and maintain."

"You know, I've never met this Dragon-man of yours. I have no idea what he looks like besides what you've told me. We'll have to change the picture I have of him someday."

"Yes we will, but I'll have to tell him that someone else know about us. I haven't yet." Lucy nodded in agreement.

"Anyway, you said you've had other symptoms?"

"I've been having the most random food cravings or a lack there of for quite some time now. Yes, these are my favorites treats, but I couldn't bare stomach them at the moment. There are times at night when I just get so angry or depressed or apathetic and for no reason. Gajeel will be in them midle of some fascinating story and, I don't know, I just get upset with him for no reason and just go off!

"Have you had your cycle this month? That would be a sure sign."

"Oh Lucy! You're a genius I don't know what I would do without you! Let me think… no no I haven't. Its, its been - almost six weeks now. Oh Gods, maybe I am showing!"

"Well let me see!" And the Blond practically upset the table in her sudden rise and closing the distance between the two of them. Pulling Levy from her seat and knocking her chair over in the process, Lucy made a grab for the Princesses stomach.

"Lucy!" Levy sharply smacked the other girl's hand away, protectively covering her stomach, "There's another way to know for sure!"

"How's that then?"

"We need to find someone, someone I've met before. Once. Do you remember the Festival of Flowers?…"


Levy walked through the Castle halls with a mission, her stride purposeful. This was a delicate journey she was on and a scandalous request she was about to make of someone. She was good for doing things that had never been done before, for taking risks and trying new things when others would rather things be as they were, she was a forward thinker and accepted change with open arms. This change, however, would be highly suspicious.

The Kingdom had been fighting a war for decades. The land that Fiore was built on had once belonged to a group of natives that had been up rooted some hundreds of years ago to roam the land as Gypsy travelers looking for a new place to rest their tired feet. They had never found such a place, for their way of life frightened many a person and they were cast out or chased away by the new conquers of the land. The war had started when King Makarov started his escapade to unite the city states of Fiore. It was not a war of axe and spear, but of politics. For the native Gypsies were a peaceful folk who did not fight with sward if they didn't have too. They were skilled fighters none the less, but preferred games of wits and words than knife and mace.

After the states were united into the great Kingdom that Fiore was, the King turned to the leader of the Gypsy tribes and proposed a peace, wishing to be rid of all war in his new Kingdom. The King of the Gypsies however, was in no mood and sent Makarov away, saying that he would not be satisfied until his ancestral lands were returned to him. Seeing how that was not possible, Makarov did the next best thing and declared that there would be peace between the Fiorians and Gypsies weather the Gypsies wanted it or not. There was a new law passed, one of the Kings first, that no man shall cause harm, abuse or neglect to any of the Gypsy folk or their kin and must provide food and shelter in times of need or when asked of by the Gypsies. Not that they ever would as their pride as a people forbid them to do so, but at least the offer was there come the needed time. The Firoians were none too pleased with this law, as they had spent the better part of several centuries trying to eradicate the nomad Gypsies from their new lands.

And so Levy was about to ask a great thing to be done, something that had never been done before, and she was not sure of how the results would affect the nation if the truth were to ever be leaked. It was so that she had picked the particular person for her special job that she did, as he was the most trust worthy man in the Kingdom as far as the King was concerned.

Her footsteps changed as she entered the great throne room, echoing off the walls and high ceilings. There she headed to the great golden Throne. Tracing her fingers over the golden stone material, she made her way to the back of the seat to the tapestried wall at its back a few paces from it. There was a hidden door in the wall that only a few knew about and even less used. It was behind this door that a new thrilling quest waited the Princess.

Entering through the fake door she let the light of the great room at her back illuminate the dark passage within. Her skin prickled as the Magic of the place hit her senses. This was Jellal's territory and the place was overflowing with his Magic. But another also worked here and in the tunnels within. It was that individual the Princess was after.

"Mest." She called softly into the blackness, "Mest!" her voice echoed in the chamber but not the one at her back but the one cloaked in black before her. There was a noise and she hurriedly stepped back into the great room.

A young man strode forward, he was tall and fare with darker skin than the average Fiorian, his jet black hair rivaled only by Gajeels. His eyes were sharp and the blackest of crystals that glimmered with questions in his head. As he stepped into the light of the great room a single golden hoop glimmered in the sudden light. A fare telling of who the man was. For he was dressed in the royal colors, but he was not of the Royals. The man bowed gracefully to the woman before him before rising and allowing a delicate brow to raise in a silent question. Levy gulped the sudden lump in her throat. This man always made her nervous.

"Mest, I need a favor from you?" The black brow raised a little higher. It was not many who asked a favor from him, "Will you find someone for me?" the other brow raised.

"Who are you looking for my Princess?" She repressed a shiver at his deep voice, "One of your kind, sir."

"My kind? What would you need with the likes of us?"

"Information."

"Information…?"

"Yes."

"Why are you looking for information from a Gypsy?"

Here she paused. Mest was one that could be trusted with the most delicate of information yes, but he was also sworn to the King as his personal Servants. But Mest was someone more than a servent. The scars on his cheek were tales of great battles he had faught, some for the King himself, others for another King.

"Are you perhaps looking for information that only my kind can tell? Pray, what might that be?

Oh he was good. Too damn good.

"The information… it's for a book I'm wirting – on perspectives of other cultures and people." It was a poor lie and they both knew it, she just hoped he wouldn't call her bluff.

He gave her a hard searching look and she stiffened under the hard gaze. A moment passed, then another before he sighed slightly and nodded once. Levy let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"I'm specifically looking for a Gypsy woman named Cana, she has the Gift of Sight. I plan to use that in the book I'm working on."

Again she hoped he wouldn't call her bluff and for a moment he looked as if he was going to. But he let it slide. With another node he bowed again and turned back into the hidden chamber that lead to the remainder of the Castle and eventually the outside walls. He was a master of the shadows, and being a Gypsy himself, it was no wonder.


It wasn't long before Mest returned. Levy was surprised at the speed at which he had found Cana. It was a matter of afternoons and she found herself face to face with the Gypsy servant. But he was more than a servant, a confidant, an advisor, a trustee. A servant none the less. Levy was in the gardens once more with Lucy at her side. Levy had been scribbling furiously in her notes about Dragons, recanting the latest story she could recall from Gajeel, when Lucy had exclaimed at her side and made her look up. There he stood, Mest, all six foot of him and he bowed low when her eyes met his.

"I have done as you have asked M'lady."

"Oh, good. That was quick." She hushed Lucy with a raise of her hand as the blond began to ask a question. Mest smiled slightly, "Shall I bring her here, or…"

"Yes, this is fine, if you could."

"My Lady." And with that he bowed again and turned round, striding off in a long lope. At her side, Lucy made a noise getting Levy's attention. With a curious look and a tilt of her head Lucy asked the question on her lips, "What was all that about!?"

"I asked Mest to find someone for me."

"Who?"

"The Gypsy I met at the festival of flowers."

"A Gypsy? Here in the Castle? Are you mad!? No, don't answer that." Lucy covered her eyes with a fare hand, the lace around her wrist tickling her nose. Levy smiled lightly at her friends antics. They had been on too many adventures in the past months for anything to surprise Lucy now. True since the war with the Gypsies started not one before Mest had set foot in the Fairy Tail Castle. Mest was the only exception. And now more Gypsies were to be in the Castle, at the princess's request. It was still strange to have more than Mest in the Castle. The feud between the Gypsies and the Fiorians was a cold silent war. It was a bold move to bring a Gypsy onto Castle grounds, much less the Castle itself. And to have an audience with the Princess, at her bidding none the less. Strange indeede. But with Levy Lucy knew now to expect the unexpected.

It was a moment later that the ladies were aware of footsteps sharp and clear on the cobble stone path that lead to their nook under the white oak in the back of the gardens. Turning in her seat Levy watched as Mest returned with two cloaked figures.

Mest bowed again to the Princess when he came to stop before her. Straightening he raised a hand and gestured to the two figures who then drew their hoods. One was the Gypsy woman Cana, her hair falling in warm waves around her face and over her shoulders, held back with a brilliant blue and green speckled bandana, showing off the large hoops in her ears. Her black eyes danced and sparkled like the first time Levy had met her. A warm smile spread over her mouth when her gaze met Levy's,

"Princess, we meet again, I knew it would be so. Our last meeting was too short." Levy returned the smile with the same warmth before her eyes then traveled to the other individual.

He was tall and muscular with bright orange-red hair and beard. He had the same ear pierced as Mest did but his were studs and he had three piercings not the one that Mest did. The piercings adorn both ears and there was a band of gold around the man's head with a single droplet in the center of his forehead. Levy understood immediately who the man was, even if she had never met him before. This was the great King of the Gypsies. Levy stood and curtsied with lowered eyes in respect as the King of the Gypsy's regarded her.

"My lord. I'm honored at your presence." Behind her Lucy too rose and followed Levy's lead, confused as to what was going on.

The man looked the princess and her maiden over before speaking in a gravely deep voice, "What would the Princess of this land need with my Daughter's Gift? You have talented wizard yourself at your disposal."

"My Lord the Gift that Jellal has is different than the Gift Cana possess. It is her specific Sight that I require."

"What for?"

Turning to the Princess of the Gypsies Levy bit her lip. It was a hard question to ask, especially with two extra people, males none the less, around. Lucy, sensing her hesitation, grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Even if she may not know what all was transpiring, she was still there to support her. Levy smiled at her friend and took a breath, "Cana, can you tell me if I'm pregnant?"

There was silence for a moment before the King of the Gypsies spoke, "Why would the princess be pregnant?" there was doubt and something like disgust in his voice.

It was Lucy who answered, her tongue sharp and her tone a little harsh, "That is not the matter at hand, please just do as you're asked."

"Why should she, maiden? Why should we do anything you ask of us? It is a great nuisance that you have even called us here. Have you not forgotten that we are technically still at war with the other? My people have been persecuted, outcast and tormented by your people, there is nothing we have to do for you! If anything there is much you should do for us!"

"Father please, I have had many visions about this child, I am not unwilling to help her. I am sure, with her love of books, she has read and understands our history. There is nothing we can punish her for nor should we. You once told me that my magic is a gift that is a treasure among jewels and to cherish it and use it to help others, let me do as you asked."

Silenced by his daughter's words, the Gypsy King flushed and looked away.

Cana smiled softly and took Levy's free hand, "Child I cannot tell you if you are pregnant or not. I am not capable of Seeing on command, I can only see what the future presents itself to me."

Taking a deep breath Levy delved into something she hadn't told a soul before,

"I…I visited a heard of Unicorns, and one showed a vision to me well many visions in one, and in part of that experience I witnessed myself as pregnant, it was in the winter which is sooner upon us that not, making me believe it was this winter. The visions were in succession and built off the ones before it. Could that be something you might be able to validate?"

Cana's smile slipped and the King turned at looked in slight awe at her. Mest was gaping at the Princess and his expression was mirrored on Lucy's face behind her as well. Levy hadn't told Lucy about that adventure and she would have some explaining to do shortly, if the Gypsy's demanded an explanation. It wasn't every-day that someone visited a heard of mythical beasts thought to be well gone from recent history. Thankfully Cana didn't press the information and mumbled on.

"If a Unicorn showed you a vision then you are not only lucky to have seen one of those beasts - much less be deemed worthy enough to be so close that its magic would affect you - and even still luckier to have lived through the encounter… they are very powerful creatures with ancient and powerful magic… Unicorns are not wrong in their predictions, unless something drastic happens to change the future. If the Unicorn showed it to you, then it shall come to pass if it has not begun already…" The Gypsy stared in wonderment and confusion at the Princess before her.

Levy stood in silence, oblivious to the world around her as Cana's words set in. Could the Unicorn be true in its prediction? Was she really pregnant? All the signs seemed to be pointing that way. The cravings, mood swings with Gajeel, missing her monthly cycle, and now conformation that the vision she'd had was indeed true… it was too much. The answer was there before her.

Levy fell back into her seat. Lucy and Cana letting go of her hands as she moved. Lucy moved to the Princess's side, a concerned look on her face as she looked over the strange expression on Levy's face. It was something mixed between wonderment and fear. "Levy?" No answer to her but, "Thank you. Mest. For bringing these two here. I have had my question answered. I'm sure I need not say but I will anyway. You are not to tell anyone what has transpired here today nor that I sent you to fetch these people. Please take them away now."

She was vaguely aware of the Gypsy King grumbling something about "outrageous rudeness" and "bastard children" as Mest escorted them away from the two ladies, but she paid no mind. She was too focused on the truth staring her right in the face. There was no other reason, no other option, it was the truth!

A moment passed where the sounds of the three departing could be heard. Finally Levy spoke, "Then, I'm pregnant." It was a whisper, "I'm pregnant with a Dragon's baby!" Lucy simply gazed at the bewildered girl before her. Helpless to do anything.

They remained in silence for a moment longer before Lucy asked the much needed question, "Are you going to tell Gajeel?"

"How?" Her response was dead and hoarse, as if she was fighting back tears, which she most likely was.

"Well he visits you nightly doesn't he? Why not tell him then?" Lucy took her chair at the other end of the table from the princess.

Levy shook her head, "He's going to be gone for a few days, something about a hunting trip. Dragons and their treasure you know. He said there were some important things he needed to get and would be gone a while getting them."

Lucy put her chin in her hand thinking, "When was he going to leave do you know?"

"No I don't. I wonder if he's still around?"

"Well, why not go and find out?" She made it sound so easy.

"Lucy? What do you mean?"

Sitting up Lucy folded her hands before her looking around a she spoke, "Well, I mean. Why not go to him, say tonight or this afternoon, while it's still light I think would be better… hmm yes while it's light out. We could go to his cave and tell him before he leaves. I think it would be best if he knew sooner rather than later."

Levy stared at her friend, who was distinctly not looking at her, in wonderment and awe, "Lucy? Are… are you suggesting that we ride into the Black Forest and up to a Dragon's cave and tell him that the Princess of this land is going to bare his child?"

"Um, something like that, yes. I wouldn't use those exact words but yes."

Incredulously, Levy gaped openly at her friend sitting across from her. Was this the same person as she thought? Lucy, who was so lady like and reserved when it came to matters of following the rules. Was she really suggesting something so dangerous and outrageous? Then again, it was the truth. Gajeel needed to know, and the sooner the better, so that they might decide what to do from there. Crazy as it might be, Lucy was right.

"Okay… But let's brig Natsu, just for safety's sake. And if anyone askes we're going for a gallop."

"Oh yes, lets!" the two shared a giggle before gathering up Levy's things before them.


It wasn't hard to get Natsu to agree on a ride. He loved getting out of the castle and messing about on an adventure. The young knight had much to learn before becoming a man, but his playful and childish antics were welcomed by the two ladies on this not so childish adventure. They had almost made it to the gates when a shout had them turning round in their saddles. A blue roan gelding was cantering up to them. Natsu's chestnut stallion gave a whinny that had the Ladies mares turning round to look at the approaching horse and rider as well. Recognizing the blue tick roan as the Commanders horse the ladies waved as Gray pulled up beside them, announcing that it took more than one knight to accompany two ladies on an adventure, even if it was only a "gallop." Little did the poor men know their true fate that the ladies had instore.

Once freed from the castle grounds the four kicked their horses into a canter and set off to the north towards the hunting fields and inevitably the Black Forest. Reaching the fields, Levy flashed a mischievous grin to her companions and allowed Moonlight to stretch into a gallop and broke away from the others. They soon followed at equal pace but Moonlight stayed in the fore as the quad galloped over the fields. Ladies giggles and the men's hollers could be herd as they enjoyed their romp. Gaily they frolicked about dashing their mounts here and there in a game of tag and chase. Finally coming to a stream that bordered both the edges of the hunting fields and that of the Black Forest. There they rested and watered their horses and chatted amongst themselves.

The light-heartedness and freedom of the moment was ended by the sudden sound of hoof beats approaching. The group looked up to see a great gray and black stallion barreling down upon them at great speed. His rider was clad in lightweight armor and shouldered an emerald green cape that belonged to only one person.

Laxus reined his mount to a hard stop just before the group, bringing the horse to rear with the sudden loss of momentum. When his steed quieted under his rider Laxus dismounted and faced the people before him with a sneer. At the suddenness of his approach both Gray and Natsu hand risen to their feet and taken a defensive stance between the ladies and the supposed threat. Hands on the hilts of their swords they did not remove them when they recognized the dethroned Prince. Instead, their grip seemed to tighten on their weapons. Seemingly unperturbed by this Laxus still advanced on the party.

"Hold on Laxus, what business do'ya have here?" It was Gray that spoke, his voice ringing loud and clear. There came no response as the knight stopped a few feet from the other, much shorter, two. Instead he looked at them before brushing past with a "humph!" and a twitch of his scar.

"OI!" Natsu shouted rounding and grabbing a handful of the Prince's cape, the black Fairy Tail emblem bending with the twisting of the fabric, "We're talkin' to you!" finally a response,

"I have no business with you two, now let me go!" and with that he wrenched his cape from the pink haired knights grip and stalked towards the two ladies as they sat on the banks on the river watching the interaction. Both stood as Laxus approached, weary of the Princes advances. He stopped shortly before them and extended his hand to Levy, "You are to come with-"

"No." the word was out of her mouth before he had finished his sentence, but Laxus paid her no mind. Instead he brushed past Lucy knocking her to the ground and grabbed the Princess by the wrist, "You have no choice in the matter. Now come!"

"No! Let me go!" She struggled and was able to free her arm from his grip. Once loose she picked up her skirts and bolted for Moonlight hiding behind the mare's stout body.

With a growl Laxus stormed after her but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder pulling him back throwing him off balance. Falling backwards Laxus turned just in time for his face to come in contact with Natsu's fist as he punched Laxus squarely in his strong jaw. Already off balance the larger Knight lost his footing on the bank's edge and with a splash, landed face first into the water.

Spluttering the wet knight came to all fours and turned, shocked to Natsu who was shaking his fist at the blond, "If you EVER touch Lucy again, I swear to the Gods I'll cut your hand off! You have no right to lay a finger on her or Levy!" Behind him Gray was helping Lucy to her feet as Natsu bellowed at the still shocked blond before him in the water.

Sure that Laxus was too surprised and embarrassed to do anything but splutter and splash about in the stream, Natsu turned to Lucy and took her hands, making sure she was alright. Lucy smiled softly at him and reassured the knight she was fine. Their attention was distracted from each other to Levy as she had mounted Moonlight and grabbed the reins of Laxus' steed.

"Here Laxus, try getting home with no horse!" and with that she took Laxus' riding whip from its place on his saddle and whacked the stallion on the rump, sending him into ta full gallop Back towards the Castle. Gray and Natsu erupted into laughter as the Prince pulled himself out of the water in time to see his mount gallop off and over a hill out of sight. Rounding on Levy, Laxus gave her his worst glare, blue eyes flashing with rage. But before he could get a word out she spoke for him,

"Come on, let's leave this drowned rat to walk home!" and with that she spun Moonlight around and cantered off.

The others, having thus mounted their horses as well, turned and made to follow the Princess, leaving the Prince in their dust. They were soon out of sight as they rounded the bend in the stream and were gone.

Flustered and angry Laxus whipped his sopping hair from his eyes and made towards the Castle. Little did the Princess and her groupies know that his horse was trained to return on command. He stalked off to the hill in which his horse and disappeared behind and found him grazing not too far off. With a whistle, the horse looked up, gave a nicker, and trotted over to the still wet knight. Mounting, he kicked his horse into a canter and took off after the party. This was not the last they would see of him.


Having flown enough times over the Black Forest, Levy knew her way around rather well. Whistle flying over and riding through were not the same thing, she had planned for such an occasion, just in case. They were at the edge of the forest still and she was looking for something as they trotted along.

"Levy! Don't you think we ought not to go into the Black Forest? We should go a different way." The Princess didn't answer, intent on the ground looking for that right thing.

"Hey, Levy! Are you listening to me?"

"Oh, please Natsu, let her be. We actually wanted to come this way anyway."

"What? Why?"

"We have some business to take care of…"

"… In the Black Forest?" it was Gray who responded this time.

All came to a sudden halt as they bumped into Moonlight's hind end. Levy had stopped short, and with a triumphant "HA!" turned and trotted the golden mare away. Unperturbed, Lucy turned her white mare to follow, Gray and then Natsu in hoof.

"Does someone what to explain what's going on here?" Gray drawled a few minutes later as another excited noise met their ears from Levy who was a few lengths away from the other three. They were moving deeper into the Black Forest now, and had turned back as if they were returning to the Castle.

"There are other ways of avoiding Laxus than to tramps through the Black Forest. Safer ways." Gray continued to complain as they moved along, looking over his shoulder at the Black Forest closing in around them as they walked on.

"Like I told you," Lucy started turning round in her saddle, "We have business here."

"What business!?" It was Natsu who piped up from the rear, "We're in the most dangerous place in all of the Kingdom, what business could we possibly have here!?" They were farther into the Forest now, and Levy turned once again with a small noise of triumph, deeper still into the Forest. With a sigh Lucy turned to Levy who seemed intent on keeping their male companions in the dark about their true purpose for being here.

"Come off it, Lucy! What are we doing here!?" Gray was getting agitated as the ground beneath the horses hooves began to slope upwards and was slowly getting more rocky.

"I-ooph! – Levy?"

"Darn, I lost it."

"Levy? Lost what?"

"The trail!"

"What trail?"

"Gajeel's trail."

"There's that name again! You never did tell me who this Gajal person was…"

"Ga-jeel. Not ga-jal Natsu."

"Whatever. Who is he?"

"Ah! There it is!"

"There what is?"

"Levy?"

But she was off again, at an even harder slope upwards, as if, they were… almost as if they were climbing, a mountain. With realization dawning in his mind and with sudden speed, Gray charged past Lucy and grabbed a hold of Moonlight's reins bringing the golden mare to a sudden halt.

"Ok that's it! We're not going anywhere until you explain what's going on here!"

Pouting at the Commander, Levy turned away, her cheeks a blaze.

"Please Princess." There was a long moment of silence before Levy hung her head in shame.

Speaking quietly she confessed, "We're on the trail of a Dragon – no The Dragon. The Dragon Gajeel."

"Wait…Black Steal?" Natsu took in a sharp breath.

"Yes."

"Why are we hunting a Dragon Levy?" Gray's eyes were sharp and his tongue harsh. Levy flinched before continuing,

"Because. I'm pregnant."

"You're what?"

"…"

"Did you say-

"PREGNANT!?"

"Natsu! Hush!" Lucy scolded her soon to be husband for his outburst.

Gray lowered the mares' reins as he reached for Levy's face and tilted her chin up so that their eyes met, "Did you say you were pregnant?"

A single tear trickled down the Princesses cheek as she nodded and pulled her head away once more, "What does the Black Steal Dragon Gajeel have to… to… Oh Gods."

Again she nodded.

"What? What does Black Steal have to do with this?"

"Natsu! Do I really have to explain it?"

"Explain what? I don't get it!"

"Levy's pregnant with Gajeel's baby."

"WHAT!?"

"HUSH NATSU!"

Gray lifted Levy's face once more, eyes meeting for the second time, "Are you sure?" She nodded, "And we're on our way to tell him the news I'm assuming?" She nodded, "So he doesn't know. Yet." She nodded, "Oh Gods…"

"I'm sorry!" she wailed, "I didn't want to get you involved! I really didn't want anyone involved," She turned to Lucy over her shoulder and offered her a sad smile before turning back to Gray, "Natsu we could confuse and loose if we needed, but not you Gray! You're too smart-" "HEY!" "- obviously – and I needed to tell Gajeel. I needed him to know before he leaves for a while. I only just confirmed it today that I was indeed pregnant, and I needed him to know. I just needed it. I fear it's been a while, to long of a while that a healer couldn't, couldn't, oh! I just need to see him!" She was crying now.

There was a moment when no one said anything while she sobbed into her hands. Finally Gray lightly patted her on the shoulder in an awkward way. With a sigh he rubbed the back of his head, "Well, I guess there's nothing doin'. Let us go see this Dragon."

Levy looked up and her tears ceased flowing a moment looking at Gray. There was a pause where his words set in. A moment longer and she dried her tears with the back of her hand. With a simple nod and a small smile she gave Moonlight the cue, the quad moved off with the Princess in the lead. She was following the small trail that the Dragon took when hunting. He had told her before that he most always walked when hunting as the trees made it hard to fly about with his massive form. He had walked the same path numerous times and left a small trail. Even if he took the same path twice in a month, there were definite signs of wear on the hardly trodden earth that the horses now left distinctive prints on as they slowly climbed the mountain side.

Eventually the terrain became to rocky and steep for the horses to travel and the group had to continue the last bit on foot. It was not long before the trail opened up and became discernable to even the most novice of trackers. It was an even shorter time that they reached the cliff ledge that lead to the entrance of the Dragon's cave. The group paused at the mouth before Levy took the bold first step into the darkness.

"Gajeel. Gajeel!" No response from the blackness as she rounded the first of the corners of the hairpin turns that lead to the main body of the cavern, "Gajeel!" After rounding the last curve she motioned for the others to wait there while she stepped into the dim light of the low burning fire, "Gajeel! Please, if you're here I need you!" she waited and was about to call out again when the Dragon appeared from the blackness of the far tunnel that lead to his treasure and metal hordes in the larger back caverns. Levy made to speak to him but the words died in her throat as she took in the look on the Dragons' face.

He was glaring at her, teeth bared. A growl low in his chest the likes of which she hadn't heard since her encounter with the wolf the last time she ventured into the Black Forest alone. Gajeel arched his neck and lowered his head in a threatening manner. His fists were clenched at his sides and shaking slightly. He looked scary. Very scary. Like she had never seen before. The fire played tricks with his eyes as they flashed and glinted. The shadows that it cast over the Dragons massive body gave an eerie tint to the black scales that adorn his flesh.

"Ga-gajeel?" her voice was quiet and scared.

He growled at her again, "What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" She couldn't answer, "Levy, have you any idea how dangerous it is for you to be in the Forest? How did you even find this place!?" He took a few steps closer to her so that he was staring her down, his red eyes boring into hers.

"I-I..I have some-something to t-tell you." Even after all their time together, he still made her nervous sometimes, especially when he was looking like this.

"Wha-"

"Levy?"

The Dragon's head shot up at the second female's voice, pupils dilating and jaw going slack.

"Lucy!?" She whirled around at stared at her friend though the darkness, "Lucy!"

"Levy, is everything ok? We heard growling."

"Yeah sounds like a dog or something" Natsu strode out from behind Lucy and, catching sight of the massive Dragon-man behind his Princess, stopped short. Gaining a look that matched the Dragon's perfectly. He pointed and something like a few squeaks popped out as he floundered at the sight before him.

With the appearance of a second person, Gajeel too made sounds like he was being strangled, eyes bulging out of his skull as he took in the two new comers.

"What are you floundering about now Natsu?" It was Gray's turn to make an appearance on Lucy's other side. He too, when his eyes landed on the Dragon gawking at them, turned and pointed mouth agape.

They all stood that way for a moment or two, mouths opening and closing like fish fresh out of the water. If the circumstances weren't what they were, it would have been a rather comical sight. Finally it was the Dragon the broke the awkward silence that had filled the cavern,

"People. You brought other people here!?"

"I- well… Yes. Lucy's known for a while…" Her voice was small, but steady now, "…and Gray and Natsu just found out today…

"Natsu? Did you Say Natsu?" He turned to Gray with a glare who drew back slightly, "The Red Dragon Natsu?" He accused,

"What's it to ya?" Natsu piped up taking a step forward and Gajeel's eyes snapped to him.

"Ya'? Yer' Natsu?"

"I am."

Gajeels eyes narrowed and there was a growl on his tongue as he spoke, "You, yer're the one that killed Igneel! Ya' killed my father's friend! I ought ta' skin ya' alive and hang yer' hide on the wall. Igneel and my father were like brothers! Ya' Bastard!" He too took a step forward, causing Levy to turn back around and place her hands on his chest.

"Gajeel please, we can deal with that later."

"What!?" He rounded on her like a dog to a rabbit.

"I have to tell you something important!" She was insistent, the moment of awkwardness had allowed her to gain some of her composure back.

"Like what!?" He snarled in her face.

Suddenly unsure she faltered, "Um, well… I… Um…"

"Spit it out Shrimp! Ya' came all the way out 'ere for a reason, what could be so importan'?" He barked.

Startled she shouted, "I'm Pregnant!" It was so loud that it echoed around the cavern several times. There was a gasp from someone, but it was silenced quickly. Other than that there was silence. Gajeel stared a her for a long moment.

"What?"

Levy slowly removed her hands from her mouth and said shakily, "I'm pregnant…"


Outside the cave the late afternoon wind picked up and danced its way through locks of golden blond hair.

Laxus slowly removed the hand that had clamped over his mouth at his exclamation and ran it through his locks. Pregnant? How? But that would mean… No. Yes. Yes. He was right! He had been right all along! The Princess and the Dragon were in a relationship! And he had the proof he needed now. He had heard it with his own ears. Now all he needed was a way for that proof to be believable, since no one would believe him if he told that the princess was pregnant with a Dragon's baby. They would call him crazy and he would lose even more face than he had already with his little over throw a few years back. He would have to get her to confess it. But how?

A plan slowly formed in the man's twisted mind and a crooked grin overcame his face. Yes. Yes. That would work, that would work nicely. Idea stuck to the back of his brain, he slowly descended down the trail he had followed the group up on.


Gajeel blinked at Levy for a moment longer. Had he heard right? "Pregnant? What? How?"

Levy flushed at the question and she flustered a bout for a moment, hands fluttering here and there trying to find words before she gave up with a sound of exasperation and settled for glaring at the Dragon, "Really Gajeel? How do you think?"

"I- oh…OH! Wait… WHAT!?" Realization dawned visibly on his face as he exclaimed. Levy simply sighed, "I wanted to tell you before you left on that trip you were telling me about. I'm glad I caught you before you left." Her fingers dug into his flesh slightly as they balled into fists on his chest. Looking up she wondered if the Dragon had heard her. For he was staring off into the wall behind her, a glazed look in his eyes and his face emotionless.

"Gajeel?"

"Let's run away."

"What?"

"Let's run away."

"Run away? What are you talking about?"

He reached out and pulled her close to him ignoring the squeak from Natsu and the growl from Gray as he did so. Levy looked up to his face and say the seriousness there.

"Let's run away. Ya' and me." His voice dropped to whisper so that only she might hear, "Like we'd wanted ta'. Come'n Shrimp, we was talkin' 'bout it."

"Gajeel…"

"Come'n Levy, Ya' n' me. We can find a little place somewhere far away, build a Castle all our own, raise a family. Be 'appy and not 'ave ta' hide about like we do now. We can be free."

"Gajeel. What are you saying?"

"I'm sayin' that tonight ya' and me take off and never come back."

She stared at him for a long moment, then looked at the trio standing a few paces away, then back to the Dragon. Pulling herself from his grip she took a step back. But Gajeel didn't let go of her hand and she took advantage of that, dragging him to the back of the cave by the mass of furs that they had fraternized in a few times. Pushing the thoughts that popped into her mind at the memories of things they had done in the very same place, she sat down on the furs and pulled her favorite Snow Lion pelt to her lap. Dropping her hand Gajeel took her face instead. Opening his wings slightly so that the trio at the other end of the cavern couldn't see them as well, he pressed his forehead to hers and cupped her cheeks in his large hands.

"Levy. There is nothing I want more than ta' be with ya'. Ya' know that. 'N I want ta' be with ya' always. So let's get outta' here and live a life only ya' an' me can decide. Where we can be lovers in the open, where we don' 'ave ta' 'ide our feelings. I wanna' 'ave a life with ya', a family. Be 'appy with ya' for as long as we live. This is our chance Shrimp! We can go live the life we've wanted for a spell now. Ya' can 'ave yer' freedom, an' I can 'ave ya'."

His words touched her heart. Never before had such sweet things come from the Dragon's mouth all at once like that. It was true, all of it. This was an opportunity that she hadn't seen. Where she had been convinced this was the end of her world as she had known, he had looked at it and in seconds decided that it was the best thing that could have happened to them. It was a chance at freedom. The freedom that she had always wanted, the freedom that he gave her. It was a chance at the life he had wanted all of his. To have younglings of his own. To have a family to protect and provide for. He had told her once that was his life's ambition to raise a family of his own. And how here was the chance he had been waiting his life for. How could she take that away from him?

But it would come at a cost. She would gain her freedom yes, but she would lose so much in the process, much that she cared about. Her people, her lifestyle, her friends, Moonlight, Lucy and other luxuries that she couldn't even think of. It would be a completely different life and she wasn't sure she was ready. She wasn't sure she was ready for children either. She had come to Gajeel for advice and his opinion. She had thought that he would make things better, like he always seemed to do. She had been foolish to think that by coming here Gajeel would make the pregnancy go away, that her problems would disappear. But this was something that couldn't be fixed with some spell or a magic drink. Even if it could, he probably wouldn't make it for her. There was much to consider and she was starting to feel overwhelmed.

"I, I don't know Gajeel… It's so sudden, there so much to do. How do I just up and leave?"

"It's a once in a life time opportunity Shrimp."

"Yes, but… I don't know if I'm ready." She looked away from the burning eyes of her lover.

"What's a better time than now?" he turned her face back towards him.

"When I'm not pregnant." She offered a small smile.

"But that's the point. This is happening because ya' are." He returned it.

It was welcoming to know that he wasn't upset at her pregnancy or that he thought it a burden, "Yes I get that…"

"Don't you want a family with me?"

"Yes I do, and I want to be with you always. But I don't know if now's the time for that."

"Why not?" He was becoming agitated now.

"I don't know, it doesn't feel right. I'm not ready?" and it made her uncomfortable.

"When will ya' be."

"I don't know Gajeel."

"Well shit Shrimp, what's the point then?" He let her face go and let his hands fall to his side. She looked up at his irritated tone.

"What?

"What's the point? If ya' aint ready than kill the thing!" he barked.

"Gajeel!"Her hands defensively flew to her stomach covering the life that was inside, "How could you say such a thing?"

"Easy. If ya' aint ready then get rid'o it."

Appalled she recoiled from him. Was he serious? By the look on his face he was. There was no joking around this. Was he really having her pick between the life he wanted and the life she had now? It seemed that way.

"Well that's not happening Gajeel." Her voice showed her determination, "I cannot take a life, no matter how small."

"Gah!" he tossed up his hands and took a few strides from her, then began to pace before her, his wings snapping shut at his back, not caring if the other three saw or apparently heard them. He paced for several seconds before throwing up his hands and coming to stop before her.

"Let's not do this now." His voice was soft again, caring and kind, the Gajeel she knew, "Go home. We can talk about this later, I'll visit ya' tonight before I leave That way we have some time ta' think about what we want."

"Gajeel…"

"Levy." He kissed her hard for a moment then broke away, as if sealing the deal and closing the conversation all in one.

He took her hand and helped her too her feet and over to her friends who were looking on worriedly and with impatience. He stopped a few strides from them and let her return to them. There were no more words that needed to pass between them, he had made that clear. He needed time to think, and so did she. They would come to a conclusion together, later. When they were both more calm and collected.

Giving Gajeel one last look, to which he offered her a small smile, she turned to her friends anxiously waiting, "Lets go." She said a little sadly.

"Go? But we just got here!"

"Natsu! Let's go!"

"But Lucy!"

"Now!"

With an amused look on the part of the Dragon, and looks of defeat from Gray and Levy, Lucy grabbed Natsu by the arm and all but dragged him from the cave. Gray took a look at the Dragon before following suit. But Levy didn't move. With the others gone Gajeel stood behind her and wrapped his arms tightly around her small body, one hand resting on her stomach, hugging her close.

"We'll get through this."

"Yeah."


Levy shut the door to her room and fell against it with a soft sound. It had been a long ride back. Gajeel had accompanied them to the Forest's edge just to make sure that they were safe. By the time they reached the fields, it was nearing dark out and they made their way to the Castle with haste. As it was the sun had just finished setting and there were long shadows in her chambers from the last rays of the sun.

Resting against the door she thought about what she wanted to do. Gajeel's words rang in her mind "Get rid of it!" But how could I do that? I've never taken a life before and I won't start now. I couldn't just get rid of it. Even if I wanted to I'm too far along for any healer to do anything, not even magic like Jellal's could get rid of the baby now. Her hands moved to her stomach and she caressed the fabric there softly, gracefully, as if holding something small and precious. She wasn't far along, not even showing yet, but already she felt a strong attachment to the baby inside her. What life would that child have? One lived out in the Fairy Tail Castle, or somewhere far away with her and Gajeel to take care of and provide for him or her? What if she did have the baby here in the castle? Would she have to hide it form the world? Pretend that she found it? Raise the child under the lie that he or she was abandoned by a mother that did not want him or her when the truth was she really was their mother? What would the baby even look like? Images of a half human half Dragon baby the likes of Gajeel floated around in her mind. The thought made her smile. She would have to come out to the world who the father was eventually. The poor king would die of a heart attack! Would the court accept the baby as an heir to the thrown? A Bastard child that it was, and only half human?

A sudden thought struck her, something that she hadn't thought of before. Oh, what if they take the baby away from me? Or worse, have it killed!? Taws the fait of all bastard children, she had only been saved due to Makarov's love for her when he first saw her. Would the same thing happen to this baby that she now carried? Would she even be allowed to keep it? If people thought it a monster then they would want it destroyed for sure. But she couldn't do that! Not her child. Be it monster or human it was her and Gajeel's love child and she would love and take care of it no matter what. If she was allowed to keep the baby that is.

"Oh it's just not fair!" she exclaimed into the darkness of her room throwing her fists into the air.

"No Princess, it isn't."

The velveteen voice emitting from the blackness of a far corner in her room startled her and she let out a gasp. She would know that voice anywhere!

"Life's not fair. I of all people should know that."

Laxus stepped from the shadows and into the last little light from outside. Grinning evilly in the dim light the shadows pulled at the scar on his face twisting it in a gruesome manor. Levy flattened her back against the door as he advanced on her coming to a halt inches from her and pinning her to the door with a hand on either side of her face. He leaned in close and murmured in her ear,

"I've had everything stripped from me, my thrown my honor all but my life. And now, dear Princess, you are going to make it right for me. You of all people, who have had everything that I haven't, who've had everything handed to you, you don't have the right to throw it all away with your little love child." He sneered

She gasped again, "How did you know?"

"I heard you shout it to the Gods just this afternoon!" there was a laugh behind his teeth.

"You followed us!"

"Yes Princess I did, and I know everything now. I KNOW of your little relationship and soon the whole world will know. I know that your little groupies know too and I know where the Dragon lives. If you really love your Dragon then you are going to do exactly as I tell you." he leaned away from her to look down his sharp nose at her.

"I'd never listen to you! Gajeel is stronger than you!" she stated boldly.

His expression twisted into something evil and pulled back from her growling, "That may be so, but you are not stronger than me!" With a sudden swing he smacked her with the back of his hand, the force of which causing her to fall to the ground with a small cry. The hit stung and she touched the spot on her cheek where he had made contact. Looking up at him she squealed as he reached for her and forced her to her feet once again. A hand on either one of her shoulders he shook her violently.

"You WILL listen to what I tell you to do, and listen to me well Princess. I will only say this once. Leave your Dragon behind or the whole world will know of your little secret. You will be dethroned, just as I was – I'll make sure of it! The world will know your sin, and who it was with-" "No one will believe you!" she interjected hotly, but he just grinned and continued, "-but they will with time! I am a patient man Levy and you haven't much time before the world will know anyway that you carry a child. Then what will you do? Nothing. You will be cast out of the family, out of the castle, into the streets where every weed will have his way with you and force you to take his seed, as you loved to take it from the Dragon. You whore. You precious flower, coddled and loved and taken tender care of, you will be under the feet of swine and filth of the streets. You will be lower than the lowest worm, for you have committed the ultimate sin and must pay for your adultery!"

Levy was crying now, the truth of his words getting under her skin and striking fear into her very core. He grabbed her face with his massive hand that all but masked it completely, squeezing it so that his nails dug into her flesh. She whimpered in pain but he paid her no mind and snarled in her face, forcing her to look at him,

"But you can still be saved. You can still live your happy little life. It won't be the same but you can remain in the castle still in your silken gowns and with your servants and peace. But you will not be at peace Princess, but you will be able to live as you do now."

Her tear stained face asked how even if her voice did not.

"Marry me Levy. Make me your King. And all this misery can be avoided. You might not enjoy it, I am not your Dragon, but you will be able to live and not be spoiled by the weeds of the wild world. You will be my flower and I will provide for you, I will tend to your care and see that you bloom still. But only with me can you survive, for without me you will be trampled into the mud!"

Her eyes widened, "Never!"

"Make your choice Princess, Me or misery."

"You are misery!" She spat in his face.

Wiping the wetness from his cheek his voice dropped an octave, "You have no idea how miserable I can make your life!" Drawing his hand back again he let her have another smack, to the same cheek and spot as before, breaking the skin there and causing her to bleed. She cried out at the action but held strong, her eyes only leaving his for a second before returning with a defiant look.

"Let me make your choice a little easier. I know that the Dragon visits you. And he will tonight I'm sure. If you don't make me your king then The Dragon will get a nasty surprise. I'll kill your lover. Take me as king or your Dragon dies.

She faltered but stated anyway, "Gajeel would never let that happen!" but Laxus was strong.

"You are in no place to talk so big!" Grabbing her by the arm he threw her across the room. Her head mad contact with the hard wooden floor with a "Crack!" and stars burst behind her eyes. It was only seconds later that Laxus was at her side and picking her up by the throat. Head spinning now from the impact and lack of oxygen she grabbed at his hands in vein, her legs hanging limply below her.

"You will make me King, say it. SAY IT!" he shook her and her eyes popped in her skull.

"I-I"

"Yes! Say it! Make me King Princess!"

"I-I will." The pain was too much, there wasn't enough oxygen to her brain for her to think clearly. All she wanted was to be able to breath. There was darkness closing in around her and the only light was that which reflected evilly on the face of the man before her. She needed breathe, air. She needed air. In her half conscious state the only thing she cared about at that moment was air, and her body told her to say the things that would make the air come back to her lungs.

Laxus' grip loosened a little and she gasped, yes air! "I-will, I *cough* make you *cough* King! But please *cough* leave Gajeel alone!"

"Yes." It was a whisper like a snake's tongue sliding in and out of his mouth, "YES!" with that he dropped her choking and wheezing to the floor, "YES!" he seemed to roar, "Finally!" he gazed longingly down his nose at her his head twisted to the side as he grinned manically at her. It was all she could do but to look up at him with one eye, the other closed in pain as she hacked up a lung at his feet.

"So long I've waited for this! Yes, you will announce you decision to the counsel tomorrow! Make it official, or the Dragon dies!"

It was his final threat. It was for Gajeel. She had to protect Gajeel. Even if it meant marrying Laxus, she would to keep him safe. Of all the times he had protected her, for all the things he had shared with her, for all the little joys and the happiness he brought her. It was the least she could do. She had to protect him this time around. He was always the one to save her, now she must be the strong one. It meant doing the thing she hated most and with the person she despised the most, but it was for Gajeel's sake and so she must.

Laxus was staring at her on the ground, gasping for breath. He advanced on her suddenly and she tried to scamper back but her body was to focused on getting oxygen to her muscles to move much and she only seemed to twitch a little. With one of his large long fingered hands he grabbed her face and drug it close to his. There he kissed her with sickening sweetness that was completely the opposite of his character. With the last of her strength she pulled away and made to slap him, but he deflected her pathetic attempt with a chuckle and he rose from where he had bent to kiss her. Still giggling in the back of his throat he strode to ther chamber door and yanked it open. A final look at her over his shoulder and he spoke a final warning.

"Make me King or the Dragon dies. Remember that, Princess."


DID YA LIKE IT?! Send me some loven' if you did!
Yes really long, the longest chapter update yet! but i figured it was only fair! I even cut some parts out to make it shorter but you see how well that turned out...

ANYWAY, Laxus is such an evil bastard no? I'm so terrible. but that's why you all love me!

We're getting into the meat and potatoes of the story now, as you read SO MUCH HAPPENED in this update. I debated splitting it up like the past chapters but i just couldn't find a good point. like i said SO. MUCH. HAPPENED.

song is taken from Nora Jones - come away with me. my adaptation for the story though.

R&R as always! Love reading your thoughts and comments! Longer the better haha! I'm such a hamm.