Salamander sat silently on the second floor of a large chamber, reading an elvish text. He was very thankful that they had gotten to Rivendell before it was too late for Happy and he was certainly glad that he was clean, but he couldn't find it in him to go to sleep; too much involving the newcomers plagued his mind.
The room he was in was filled with painting depicting battles of long ago. Salamander had seen them all at a young age. He always admired the heroes in them, despite being so young.
He drew his eyes away from his book when he heard the footsteps of another person. Walking along the wall of paintings was another man. He wore the crest of Gondor on his chest and had blonde hair. His light blue eyes scanned the various paintings along the wall, but one specific one caught his eyes.
It was a painting of the final battle with Zeref. The painting depicted Igneel, holding up his father's broken sword as the dark lord turned into oblivion. The man stared at Zeref with a strange expression. At first glance, he didn't look like a villain with his small frame and simple dress, but you could see the evil and hate in his eyes.
He soon became aware of Salamander's presence and turned to face the man. He raised an eyebrow quizzically at the pink haired ranger.
"You're not an elf," he stated. Salamander's eyelids dropped at the blonde man's obvious comment.
"Men of the North are welcome here." The blonde nodded, "and who are you?"
"A friend of Makarov the Gray," Salamander replied simply. The blonde man smirked, placing his hands on his hips.
"Then we are here for the same purpose, friend." Salamander didn't respond, he just went back to reading his book. The blonde haired man was confused by his behavior, but soon lost interest as his eyes landed on another object. Not far from the two men stood a statue of a woman. In her arms were the broken shards of a sword. The blonde strolled over to the blade, picking up the handle. He held in firmly in both of his hands as if it was not destroyed.
"Igneel's sword," he said in awe, "the weapon that cut the Ring from Zeref's hand." He shifted the sword, running a hand lightly up the remainder of it's blade. When his finger touched the top of the broken blade, he cut the tip of his finger. He pulled his hand back as a small droplet of blood formed on the tip.
"It's still sharp," he laughed humorously. He looks back at Salamander who is once again staring at him. The blonde scoffed.
"But it's nothing more than broken heirloom." He put the sword back in its place, walking away. However, the blade fell from its place and clanked onto the floor. The man stopped in his place, casting the hilt a glance. Instead of going to pick it up, he continued on his way.
Salamander sighed. He didn't blame him. Igneel had brought shame and disgrace to Gondor and the race of men in general. Even Salamander felt humiliated, but for different reasons. He stood from his seat and placed his book on the ledge. Salamander strolled up to the statue and picked up the discarded hilt. He stared at the object for a few moments before placing it back on its respected stand.
"I know you're there," he muttered. At first there was nothing, but a few seconds later, Lucy came walking out from the shadows. She wore a white nightdress and her long hair was let down. She looked at Salamander sadly while he continued to look at Igneel's sword.
"Why do you fear the past?" she questioned.
"You know exactly why Lucy." He said quietly, still turned away from her. Lucy strolled closer to him, placing a delicate hand on his shoulder.
"You are Igneel's heir, not Igneel himself."
Salamander smiled solemnly. " His blood flows through my veins," he said, casting her a glance over his shoulder, "so does his weakness."
The two stood in silence for a small while. Then, Lucy leaned toward the man, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"You are stronger then him," she said softly but still strong with emotion, "The time will come when you see that and defeat what he could not, Natsu."
Natsu took one of his free hands and held onto Lucy's. He could feel her smile against his shoulder blade.
"Do you remember when we first met?" she whispered.
Natsu nodded, smiling a bit to himself, "I thought I was dreaming."
"You weren't so worried about your future then as you are now." The she-elf muttered, " Do you remember what I said to you?"
Natsu sighed. He took his other hand and reached for the chain around his neck. He pulled it from his shirt and stared at the object in the palm of his hand. It was a golden key. The handle was shaped almost like an urn and in the center of the handle was the symbol of Aquarius, the Water Bearer.
"You said you would bind yourself to me. Relinquishing the immortal life of the elves."
"And I still hold to that," Lucy pulled away from Natsu as he turned around to face her, the key still in hand, "I would rather live one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone. I choose a mortal life."
"You shouldn't have given this to me Lucy," he said, referring to the key in his hand. Lucy released his hold on the key and admired it herself. Her dark brown eyes found their way to Natsu's onyx ones.
"The key will protect you when I cannot. It is mine to give to whom I want," Lucy and Natsu began to draw closer to one another. Lucy's eyelids dropped slightly, "Just like my heart."
Natsu and Lucy's eyes closed as their lips touched. Natsu held her hands in his, rubbing her soft skin. They stood together, alone in the chamber, oblivious to all that surrounded them. All that mattered was them, and the love they held for each other.
FAIRY TAIL
Happy looked around the large congregation. They were at the foot of Jude's throne; extra chairs had been set up for the representatives of the different nations. The only people the young hobbit recognized were Makarov, Jude, and surprisingly Salamander. Happy sat beside Makarov who studied the others in the group carefully. There were men, elves, and dwarves from all different parts of Middle-earth, all there for one reason.
"Let us begin," Jude said, taking his seat, "I have summoned you all here because a threat has arisen in Mordor." At this, many members of the council murmured. Jude continued, "We stand on the brink of destruction, and we need each other in order to succeed. We are all bound to this topic we are about to discuss. Master Happy." Happy's eyes shot up and to Jude. He tried to ignore the eyes of the rest of the council. "The Ring, if you please."
Reluctantly, Happy stood from his chair and walked toward a small pedestal in the middle of the circle. He reached out his hand and lightly placed the Ring in the center. As soon as he was done, he swiftly went back to his chair. Everyone in the council stared at the object in shock and desire. The blonde haired man rubbed his chin.
"So, it's true." The raven haired elf looked at the blonde questionably, as did the large dwarf. The man slowly stood from his chair
"In a dream, I saw the Eastern sky grow dark. In the West a pale light lingered, a voice was crying, your doom is near at hand. Igneel's bane is found. Igneel's bane…"
"Sting!" Jude called, but Sting did not respond.
The man began to reach out for the Ring. Happy looked at Salamander concernedly. Just before the blonde could touch it, Makarov shot up from his seat, yelling some form of dark language. It was only words, but Happy felt foulness coming from them as Makarov spoke. The sky grew dark and the world around them felt cold. The blonde pulled his hand away in fear, sitting back in his seat. As Makarov recollected himself, the sky grew light again and the heat returned. Jude watched him wearily.
"I would prefer if you did not speak that language in my court."
"I do not ask for your forgiveness," Makarov panted after his powerful display, " I was just making a point." He lifted a finger towards the object in question, "That Ring is beyond evil."
"But it is a gift!" Sting argued as he stood back up, "Why not use it to fight back? My father, the Stewart of Gondor, has been trying to keep Mordor at bay. Give Gondor the Ring, and we will stop the enemy once and for all."
"You can't use it." All eyes fell on the pink haired ranger who most had forgotten about, "Only Zeref can control it."
"And what do you know of this matter ranger?" Sting mocked. Sting was surprised when the raven-haired elf shot up from his seat.
"Do not speak to him like that! You know not who he is."
"And who is he?" Sting taunted. The rest of the council murmured in agreement. They too wondered why a simple ranger from the north was allowed to be apart of such an important meeting. The elf glared at Sting.
"This is Natsu Dragneel, son of Igneel."
The entire room grew silent, all eyes shifting to Salamander, or Natsu as they now knew. Happy gaped at the pink haired man who looked indifferent to all the attention. All this time, he had been traveling with Igneel's heir.
"He is the true king of Gondor," stated the elf. Sting looked at him in disbelief.
"That's not possible," he exclaimed, "Igneel died four hundred years ago. There is no way this man could be his son."
"Unless… he was an etherious," Happy muttered. Everyone looked at Happy in shock, and one by one they realized that what he said was true. The line of kings was known to be filled with etherious'; it was very possible that this "Natsu" was in fact Igneel's son. Natsu shook his head.
"Take a seat, Gray," Natsu spoke to the raven-haired elf. Gray did as he said, and took his seat reluctantly. Sting turned his attention back to Natsu. Many emotions were running through his mind right now, the main one being betrayal. All this time, the heir of Igneel had been alive and hiding while his kingdom suffered. Sting glared at Natsu with disdain.
"Gondor has no king, and it will never need one." He stalked back to his chair.
"Natsu is right, we cannot keep it," said Makarov.
"We have but one option," stated Jude, eyeing the group, "we must destroy it."
"Then what are we waiting for," asked the large dwarf with metal piercings. Before anyone could stop him, the dwarf rose from his seat, taking one of his axes, and bringing it down on the Ring. To everyone's surprise, once the axe made contact with the object, a large shock-wave sent the dwarf onto the floor. His axe shattered on contact, leaving the Ring undamaged.
"It cannot be destroyed by any of our weapons, Gajeel Redfox, son of Metalicana," said Jude to the dwarf who looked at the Ring in shock. Jude's face grew more and more serious as he stared at the trinket on the pedestal, "The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be destroyed. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you... must do this," he finished, eyes shifting back and forth between all the people in the group. The council members stared at each other in silence. None of them knew what to say to Jude's proposal. What he was suggesting was suicide.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor," said Sting, rubbing his temple, "Its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep and Zeref's great eye is always watching. It's a barren wasteland, filled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It's a death wish."
"Have you not been listening?" Gray asked, jumping to his feet, "Lord Heartfilia said we must destroy it." By now, Gajeel had risen to his feet and was glaring at the elf not far from him.
"And I suppose you think you should be the one to do it!" he accused Gray.
"What if we fail?" Sting yelled, standing as well, "What will we do if Zeref gets the Ring back?"
"I would rather die, than let the Ring fall into the hands of an elf!" yelled Gajeel.
At that time, everyone in the council stood from their seats, yelling accusations and profanities to one another. Jude, Natsu, Happy were the only ones who were not arguing.
" You think you can handle it, elf!" Gajeel yelled at Gray, towering over him.
"OH, and I'm so sure you can. Men like you are the reason the Ring still exists."
"I AM A DWARF!" he howled.
"We cannot bicker amongst ourselves!" yelled Makarov powerfully, despite his size, "Zeref's power continues to grow, and we must act before he destroys us all!"
Happy watched as all the council members continued to yell at one another. As the fighting went on, Happy found his attention falling back onto the Ring. He stared at the shiny surface that reflected all the people there; His eyes grew as he saw a ring of fire engulf the crowd. Happy understood what it was trying to say. This Ring, this small trinket, was consuming them, and it would be their downfall if it was not destroyed. Happy knew what had to be done, and he knew he was going to regret it.
Happy hoped off his chair, staring at the crowd with determination. With the loudest voice he could muster, Happy shouted over the crowd.
"I WILL TAKE IT!" the people around him continued to shout amongst themselves. Happy tried again, "I WILL TAKE THE RING!"
Makarov silenced himself and replayed Happy's sentence in his mind. He closed his eyes, grief and sorrow evident. He never meant for Happy to get caught up in all of this, but it looked like he had other plans. By now, the noise had died down and all attention was on the lone hobbit.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor." He glanced over at Lord Jude for approval. Though hesitant, Jude nodded. Happy had been able to withstand the Ring's power this long, maybe he could go a little longer. Happy's eyes fell on the floor before him
"However, I do not know the way."
Makarov walked up to Happy, smiling sadly, "I placed this burden upon you, so I will help you see it through." Makarov stood close behind Happy, waiting to see if anyone else would speak up. It was no surprise to Makarov or Happy when Natsu stood from his seat, having not been involved in the argument, and walked up to the duo.
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." Natsu kneeled in front of Happy, offering a kind smile, "You have my sword."
Gray pushed through the crowd to Natsu's side, "and my bow."
Despite himself, Gajeel smirked, walking up to join the others, "and my axe." Gajeel and Gray glanced at each other before grimacing, dreading the idea of having to work as a team. Sting strolled up the the small party, letting a small sigh fly passed his lips, "You carry the fate of us all little one. If it is the council's will, then I will represent Gondor, and see that it is done."
"Wait!" all eyes fell on a small group of bushes. Many people gawked as a white haired hobbit forced herself from the thorny trap. She rushed over to Happy's side, folding her arms.
"Happy is not going anywhere without me," she said determinedly.
"I can see that," stated Jude in slight frustration, "considering he was invite to this meeting and you were not."
"Well if that's the case, we're coming too!" said an excited voice. Jude turned around swiftly to find Lector and Frosch running out from behind two pillars. He watched them astounded as they stood beside Happy.
"You'd have to force us back home if you refuse to let us come," stated Lector smugly. Frosch nodded.
"Yeah, besides, you need smart people on this kind of mission… quest… thing."
"Well, that rules you out," Lector muttered from next to Frosch who didn't hear him. Jude shook his head, finding no point in arguing. He scanned the small party that held the fate of Middle-earth in their hands: A wizard, two men, an elf, a dwarf, and four hobbits. Not what he was hoping for, but it was the best he was going to get.
"Nine comrades… so be it," he called firmly, "You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
"Great!" Frosch cheered, clapping his hands together, "Where are we going?"
As some of you could probably tell, I changed the scene between Natsu and Lucy up a bit. I was having trouble transferring it into a flashback. Well, now our hero's are about to embark on their three movie quest, YAY! Spread the love! Review!
