They didn't drag their feet on purpose, but it still took them a full ten days to cover the distance from border to border, cutting very close to the dragon's preferred time-limit. Both were relieved when the dense forest began to thin out, evergreen trees giving way to rolling hills and meadows that was just slightly too green and even to be a result of natural conditions. When they came across the first herd of cattle it served as a call for renewed caution, because they still had no idea whether the news of Lucy's disappearance had reached these parts yet.

Farmsteads began to crop up in the distance, small log-houses with thatched roofs and front porches that seemed both foreign and unsafe to Lucy, who was used to neat, lime-plastered buildings made of stone. Keeping their distance from the houses and fields Natsu and Lucy kept to the ground from now on, walking along the forest edge to avoid drawing attention to themselves. When a small gathering of houses suddenly appeared among the trees they were both surprised. Despite being no more than a cluster of maybe ten or fifteen buildings, it was nevertheless the first village they had come across in two weeks.

Natsu pulled the runaway princess along as he immediately spun around and retreated further back into the woods, not stopping until they could barely make out the buildings anymore. The way he frowned as he eyed the settlement showed quite clearly how much he disliked the thought of going there, but when he quietly suggested that they went around Lucy placed fisted hands on her hips and shook her head determinedly.

"No, Natsu. I know we have to be careful, but we can't just keep on sneaking around like this! Sooner or later we have to start entering towns again - how do you suggest we find information without going into villages?"

"There are ways" he mumbled shiftily as he hunched down, elbows on knees as he leered in the direction of the small dirt road that lead northwards from the village. "Sooner or later they have to come outside..."

There was a dark gleam in his eyes that she didn't like at all. Lucy had tried her hardest to forget about that first night on the hill and for the most part she had succeeded, but now the memory of his cold, callous actions returned with horrible clarity. She didn't like it, not at all - it was a side of the dragon she had not come to terms with, so far opting to close her eyes and look away.

"And what will happen when you've 'talked' to them? Natsu you promised..." Her voice was quiet, almost pleading. He looked up and the girl swallowed thickly, nervous despite herself beneath the weight of those eyes. It was as though a different person entirely was gazing out, not at all related to the boisterous and sometimes downright goofy man.

"I did" he admitted after a while, sighing as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I still don't like the thought of waltzing in without a care. Even if they don't know anything yet, two strangers in a remote place like this will be remembered."

Lucy leaned back against a tree as she looked down over herself, then eyed the dragon critically. "We'll stand out even more if we wait until we reach more well-traveled areas" she pointed out, grimacing slightly after a closer look at her own hands. "Look at us - dirty hair, unwashed, burn marks on the clothes... We could as well hang signs around our necks that says 'hey, we don't want to travel on the main roads'. If we want to blend in we need baths and clothes and a plan on where to go, and we don't get any of that in the woods."

Natsu grimaced impatiently, recognizing the truth in what she said but still reluctant.

"What if we go around and enter from another direction?" Lucy suggested, carefully keeping herself from rolling her eyes. "Say we need to leave the country, do they have any idea what's going on in other places...?"

A muscle worked in his jaw as the rosy-haired man considered it, finally nodding as he stood up. "Better than nothing" he admitted. "But we're not staying long, just for news, food and clothes!"

The girl agreed quite readily and followed as Natsu led the way through the forest, barely able to contain her excitement. Her heart seemed to skip every other beat as they stepped in between the crummy little houses, cheerfully ignoring her own acknowledgment that this place really wasn't much to look at. There was only one street that wound like a brown streak of hard-packed earth through the clearing, until it ended abruptly in a grass-covered square at the very center of the village. The houses were the same as every other she had seen so far, rough structures consisting of logs that had been stacked on top of one another. The roofs were made of either thatch or wooden shingles and sloped almost all the way down to the ground, suggesting that the winters this close to the mountains were harsh and came with plenty of snow. Not many people were around at this time of day, either off working the fields or tending to animals. Those that did move about inescapably turned their heads at the sight of strangers, and it didn't take long before a small crowd had gathered on the square, curious murmurs rising like a sigh of wind under the bright daylight.

"It is unusual indeed to receive guests at this time of year" a voice creaked from somewhere in the group of people. Lucy and Natsu turned as one to regard a thin, hunch-backed elder that came wobbling towards them. "Might I ask what your purpose here may be?" Bleary eyes clipped curiously at the pair, focusing on the dragon as Natsu stepped up to reply.

Lucy only listened with half an ear to the conversation and passed the time looking around the square and the people that stood gawking at her. It had been so long since she had last endured this kind of attention that it felt very uncomfortable at first. Awareness of her exposed legs, the grease in her hair and the dirty half-moons beneath cracked and splintered nails made her shift from foot to foot, sneaking envious peeks at the womens long, heavy skirts and blindingly white head-cloths. When a flock of children came tumbling by she was grateful for the distraction, smiling happily at the curious boys and girls that kept looking back over their shoulders despite sharp admonitions from their parents.

Hearing footsteps in the grass the blonde tucked a strand of hair behind an ear as she turned her attention back to Natsu, a silent query kindling in the gentle brown eyes when she noticed a slight frown.

"Bad news?"

"No news at all apparently" he answered quietly, stopping very close so he could speak without being overheard by the villagers. "They don't have clothes to spare either, but at least we'll get food to bring along..."

"What's bothering you then?" She waved a little at a teenage girl that stared a little too blatantly, her face impassive and lips barely moving as she spoke. T to think that tricks like that still could come in handy, she had thought she would never need to say anything without drawing attention to herself again. Lucy didn't even have to look at her friend to know that something was wrong - it was all in his tone, in the way he shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his pants.

"Can't really put my finger on it. That old man... I don't think he's lying, but I'm not sure he's telling me everything he knows either."

Following the flight of a dove as it rose from somewhere between the houses, she tried to imagine what might make a person be dishonest to strangers. Then she had to sigh at herself and turned to give her friend a small smile, shoulders dropping as tension suddenly dissipated, replaced by a desire to laugh.

"You don't think he's just wary because we're strange people in a village full of people that know each other? Maybe he is simply scared."

Natsu regarded her quietly for a moment, then sighed and nodded. "Maybe. I hope that's all - damn I hate being this paranoid!"

He grimaced so wildly that she really had to laugh this time, quietly agreeing. She longed for a day when they would be able to walk through a town without looking over their shoulders, simply going about their business with nothing to worry about.

After handing over some coins in return for a satchel filled with bread, cheese and dried meats the friends left the village, carefully returning the way they had come until the village was out of sight and they were sure no one was following them. Once they felt safe they slipped south and then east again, giving the houses a wide berth as they continued further into the country.

As the day progressed the air grew steadily warmer. Summer had arrived for real in these parts and the landscape was lush and green, the swaying grasses littered with flowers in every color, shape and size. When the evergreen trees gave way to tall, breezy birches and the fenced off fields grew more numerous they finally stepped onto the road, Lucy amusing herself with tying wreaths of flowers and admiring the passing scenery. It was peaceful and idyllic, a pastoral picture painted by rolling hills and well-tended fields, yet there was a hap-hazard willfulness to the farms and houses they passed that suited her far more than the strict order that ruled in Firoe. This really was a place where the people did more or less as they pleased, settling their own disputes regardless of what the outcome would do to appearances. A perpetual smile had settled over her lips, teeth flashing white and happy whenever Natsu said something that made her laugh.

The sun was already sinking behind the tall mountains by the time they reached the second village. Yellow light poured out into the blue dusk from a multitude of windows, the sheer number suggesting that this place was far bigger than the previous one. This time they didn't take the time to go around and enter from the other side and simply followed the road in between houses. They too were bigger here, some rising two or even three stories off the ground with walls rapped with mud and straw. The street was broader and appeared better maintained, and when they reached the square Lucy found that the grassy field had been surrounded by cobbled sidewalks and a low stone wall that kept grazing geese and chickens from running off.

"There's an inn" Natsu noted as he too looked around, nudging a chin towards a building across the square that had more windows than the others. A wooden sign swayed in the slight breeze, colorful paint depicting a simple snow-capped mountain that had to represent the name of the place.

"Think we can get the things we need there?" she asked, eying the building longingly. What she wouldn't do for a bath, to sleep in a real bed again...

"Too late for any shops to be open anyway, so we might as well" Natsu responded, draping an arm around her shoulders while smirking amusedly. "If you're to stop being a lady then I'll have to work on this paranoia of mine... I'll start now."

"About bloody time!"

Laughter followed in their wake as they stepped into the inn, greeted by a rush of warm air and the scent of firewood, tobacco and food. Blinking against the bright light Lucy gazed about the room and found it smaller than she had expected, little more than a tavern with a few tables and a bar off to the right while a steep, dark staircase took up most of the space to the left. A corridor right up ahead led further into the building, no doubt towards storage rooms and the kitchen. The room was about half full and several heads turned in growing curiosity as the door closed behind them, men and women eying the strangers with mingled wariness and delight. A big, burly man with receding brown hair and a stained apron tied around the waist got up from one of the tables and hurried over, a businesslike smile settling on his angled face even as bleary green eyes assessed them.

"Welcome to Mountain Cap!" he greeted jovially with deep and booming voice - Lucy had been right about the sign and felt rather smug when her theory was confirmed. "It's rare to see travelers in these parts, rare indeed! What can I do for you?"

"Food and lodging - and baths" Natsu said, adding to his words with a slight grimace when Lucy pointedly stepped on his foot. He gave her a sour glance, then rolled his eyes at the wistful sigh she made. "If possible we could use a change of clothes too..."

"Right, right, that'll be about two small silvers, is that alright? Good. Baths first perhaps? Yes. Follow me, this way."

He accepted the coins from Natsu and led the way down the corridor and into a large room with stone floors and paneled walls, empty except for the big wooden barrels that stood before a fireplace, a huge kettle set over the crackling flames filled with steaming water and several smaller buckets with cold water. Several folding screens stood leaned against a wall that offered privacy once they had been set up, and after filling the tubs and digging in a big wooden chest the inn-keeper produced simple yet fully functional clothes for the both of them.

Scrubbing off layers of sweat and grime and sinking into the steaming water was pure bliss, almost as delightful as the thick stew and the creamy cheese and bread they were served for dinner. After spending the better part of a month on the run with few chances to wash and eat her fill, the simple pleasures of being clean and eat until she couldn't swallow more felt like pure luxury. It was impossible to stay tense and on guard when the crackling fire behind her spread its warmth across her back, a complete waste not to smile and laugh along with the dragon as the murmur of voices filled the room with noise, drafts of cool evening air wafting in through the door as people came and went. Leaning against the wall with a tankard of golden ale between her hands Lucy sighed contentedly as she sipped the brew, happier than she could remember being in days, weeks - even years.

Safe and far away from home, the girl wondered why she hadn't ever appreciated the ordinary pleasure of a clean blouse and a decent skirt, of having clean hair that fell in golden streams down her neck, tied back with a simple string. The world was a funny place indeed if it took a month in wilderness for her to appreciate things she had taken for granted before, only to frown at the memory of her beautiful dresses, glittering jewels and grand rooms.

"You look happy." The ruddy-haired man looked quite content as well where he sat, arms draped lazily over the back of his chair. A slow, languid smile teased over his mouth and Lucy returned it with ease, nodding eagerly as she lowered her cup.

"I am. This place, this feeling I have... it's everything I used to dream about. I keep pinching myself, it almost feels too good to be true."

"What, a small village inn at the edge of nowhere? Not exactly a grand dream, shouldn't you be wishing for the world instead?"

She chuckled softly at his teasing tone and turned the head from side to side, firelight making the long hair shimmer and gleam. "I could have had it if I wanted to - or at least a good portion of it. It might not be as big as others, but... Natsu, I don't want to own the world, just live in it like everyone else. That's all I ever dreamed of."

"Well, not everything, right? I remember something about adventures and fairies and dragons too..."

"Yes well I don't want to be bored, now do I?" The girl trailed her gaze across the room, eyes lingering briefly on a tall man with messy dark hair and sharp eyes that stepped inside the inn before returning to her friend. "If I'm going to live I'm going to do it properly!"

"Mh, that's the spirit! To dragons, fairies and more adventures!" Natsu raised his cup with a wide grin and clanked it against her own, both drinking deeply to the toast. Together they bursting into laughter as the buzz of the drink chased away the last of their worries, enveloping Lucy in a warm, golden glow that lingered long after they retreated to their rooms on the second floor to get some sleep.


Lucy woke with a start and bolted up in the bed, blankets crumpling in a heap over her knees as she stared around the room.

Something had disturbed her in her sleep, but as she stared around the dark room with heart pounding madly in her chest the girl couldn't remember what. Not a dream, her rest had been deep and peaceful. Nor did anything seem out of place, the walls around her just as barren and plain as they had been before. There were no strange shadows in the corners, no branches tapping on the window, and the night outside was just as cloudy and quiet as it had been when she went to bed.

Yet... for some reason a deep feeling of unease kept her from relaxing.

Quietly the girl got up and dressed, pulling on pants and the clean blouse, tunic and boots as quietly as she could before she stole across the floor and cracked the door open, just enough that she could peer out into the corridor beyond. It was even darker than her room, a red glow from the dying hearth in the main hall the only source of light available, indicating the direction of the stairs. Lucy moistened her lips nervously as she listened with bated breath, pushing the door open a bit more when nothing moved outside. Eyes moved up and down the corridor, examining every inch of space from floor to ceiling - nothing.

Was she imagining things? Natsu's paranoia must be contagious, Lucy could have sworn she heard something, but there was clearly nothing to see. Teeth teased her lower lip in silent thought as she pondered what to do, cogs whirring rapidly in her head.

It was probably nothing at all, maybe a cat thumping after some rodent - definitely not something she should be worried about. But even as she thought that the gold-haired woman slipped back inside her room and gathered up her belongings, creating a small bundle of skirt and spare shirt that she shoved down into the bag. Slipping the strap over her shoulder she tripped out into the corridor on silent feet, closing the door behind her before making her way towards Natsu's room - why did he have to be placed so far away, surely the inn couldn't have this many guests at the same time?

Her hand was already reaching out to tap at the wooden door when a sound of something scraping against the floor-boards made her turn on the spot. A high-pitched squeal tore from her throat as a figure leaped towards her in the dark while hard, rough fingers clasped painfully around her upper arm and dragged her off down the corridor.

"What are you...!? Stop it, let me go!"

Lucy dropped her bag and fought the shadow with increasing frenzy, fear rising like bile in her throat as she fought to free herself, the free hand clawing at the dark fingers that dragged her off. This was not Natsu, it was not a sick joke or a prank gone awry. Whoever it was stood much too tall to be her friend, the strides too different. There was a sound of movement from the room behind as her loud protests echoed against the walls, but she was already being hoisted down the steps and out from the inn despite her struggles.

"Are you deaf, I said let go! Get your hands off of me..!"

"Don't be so fucking loud, I can hear you just fine!" a male voice grunted impatiently, as dark and rough as the blow that struck her across the face just as the hand on her arm let go.

Pain flared up in her cheek and made Lucy gasp, the force of the strike enough to send her tumbling to the ground. Air rushed from her lungs and made lights flare before her eyes, but she didn't give herself time to pause. Wheezing and panicked she scrambled to get away, propelled onto hands and knees by reeling dread. More pain exploded through her when a heavy boot was brought down into her back, halfway between kick and stomp. She screamed.

"Hey hey hey, be a bit careful will ya!" someone said when the girl let out a breathless sob from the pain. This voice different from the first - smoother, colder and with a lilting tone of amusement that was more terrifying than the foot that ground her into the cobbled street. "Precious goods that is, the boss won't be happy if it arrives in pieces."

"As if I care" the first man snapped, raising the foot a smidgen before driving it back down so hard that that she couldn't even scream, just grunt as air was driven from her lungs in a painful wheeze. "I'm sick and tired of boring jobs like these. They don't pay enough, it's a fucking pain in the ass and all this fucking screaming make my ears bleed."

"Natsu... NATSU..! Agh!" The name was a pained whimper ripped from her lips, a shouting plea for help cut short when a heel digging into the spine made her cry out.

"That guy ain't coming" the mocking voice cackled.

Boots scraped against stone as a shape moved in the night, shadows taking form as it hunched down in front of her, turning into a big, bearish man with narrow face, hard eyes and a mane of dark hair that tumbled down the back. Metal hoops glistened across his face, and there was a nasty grin around the mouth as he grasped a handful of hair and pulled her head off the ground. Lucy recognized him, he had entered the inn earlier that night. But why...?

"Had the inn-keep add some 'spice' to his drink, see, so he's aaaall out by now. Strong stuff that, could kill a dragon if you're not careful." There was a nasty gleam of satisfaction in his eyes that made her go cold.

"Who are you?! What do you want?!" Despair threatened to take over but Lucy made her voice hard and angry instead. She didn't want to show these men her tears, didn't want to believe that Natsu wouldn't hear her - there was no way he would be taken out by something like poison. Right?

"Hey hey, for being a noble chick you're quite dumb, aren't you?" A cold dread enveloped her, realization dawning on her face even as the black-haired brute threw the head back in a cackle. "Oh yes, just what you're suspecting. We're here to bring back the runaway bitch of a princess who gave our Firoe colleagues so much trouble. A lucrative business if I ever saw one."

"Enough blabbing, you tryin ta wake the whole village?" Her tormentor reached down and hoisted Lucy up on her feet by an arm, shaking her hard when she immediately opened her mouth to scream. Ropes dug into her wrists as her hands were forced behind the back, coils so tight that her fingers lost their warmth almost right away.

Perfectly willing to ignore the rough handling Lucy still tried to scream but could only manage a loud squawk before a thick, coarse bundle of cloth was forced into her mouth and stifled the sound.

Their work was so quick, so horribly efficient that she thought they must have done this a hundred times before. She did her utmost to fight back but they were too strong - within moments she was hoisted up and thrown sideways over the back of a horse she hadn't even noticed before, the poor animal shying and nervous under her wriggling weight. Lucy kicked and screamed through the gag, tears finally escaping to roll down her cheeks in hot, furious, terrified streaks.

This wasn't supposed to happen, they had been so careful!

How could they have caught up, why did these men know where she was - and how had they managed to drug Natsu without him noticing? There were so many things that just didn't make sense, but the questions all faded in the face of the plain, simple, merciless fact; she had been caught, and only the stars knew what kind of treatment she would suffer before she was back in Firoe.

"Alright, we're done here. Let's get moving..."

Saddles creaked and reins jingled in the dark night as they sat up, the dark-haired man on another horse while the stomper sank into the saddle behind her. Hard fingers kept her in place as they urged the animals forward, shod hooves ringing like bells as they started towards the road that led out of the village.

A final, desperate scream reached through the cloth and echoed wordlessly between the houses before a blow to the back of her head made her go limp.

Only one word remained in her thoughts as darkness rose up to claim her, her single flickering candle of hope that Lucy refused to let go of.

"Nat..su..."