Hiro Mashima owns FAIRY TAIL, I in no way owns it.
And I also sadly do not own DRAGON AGE II… All rights go to EA Games and BioWare.
_ AngeL .. † 100312 †
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Chapter 10
FICTION
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"It just felt so right…"
Master Makarov watched as the first rays of dawn crept ever so slowly at the horizon. It was only during these moments when the old man could get a taste of pure serenity that if only he has the power, he would make this wonderful moment last maybe forever. He took a deep breath and chuckled; he must really be getting old – he could no longer think straight. But that's just how Fairy Tail has always been: always fighting for what they believe is right without giving a thought to the consequence it may lead to…
Just like him. Just like everyone else. That's why even though their minds are telling them that it is wrong to unleash a dangerous mage, they still fought for his freedom. Because that moment, it just felt so right.
Mavis followed with her gaze a lonely cloud lazily passing by. "Is it not?" She whispered.
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"Lu… Lucy?" Zeref gently rocked the sleeping blonde as they were already near land. For a week they had been traveling sometimes on a train and most times on foot until they reached the port that will take them away from Fiore, and they spent another week traveling in this ship.
At first, they knew not where to go because wherever they went they always had this fear that someone might recognize Zeref and report him and that's when they concluded that they will never be safe as long as they are in Fiore, so Lucy decided to go to the country of Ferelden where Mrs. Spetto is staying at a village called Lothering. But as they reached the port and ask for a ship that will take them to the said village, the ship captain told them that it has already fallen to ashes thanks to the monsters known as "darkspawns" and that most of the refugees had fled to the city of Kirkwall. The captain also doesn't fail to mention how rare it is for those from Fiore to travel to the "opposite world" as he called it.
Lucy, being a bookworm, knew that in Kirkwall all mages are feared and locked up in the Gallows – no wonder it's called 'opposite world' – and those who resist are either made "Tranquil" or killed. So does in Ferelden and Orlais and Starkhaven – well, all cities in the Free Marches are locking up mages. The only places where mages are free are in Fiore and Tevinter, but the latter is too far they had not enough money to go there.
"We're… err…almost in Kirkwall now," Zeref told the celestial mage as she opened her eyes; uncertain if it's alright to wake her. He was still against her decision for fear that the order known as the "Templars" – as the blonde told him – might learn that Lucy's a mage and lock her up too but he was also scared that Lucy might get mad at him if he disagrees.
The couple watched in awe and horror as they sailed past the two massive bronze statues – known as the Twins of Kirkwall – flanking the channel that is carved into the cliffs towards a black tower. "That's the Gallows," Lucy whispered to Zeref.
"We should be careful while we're here," Zeref whispered back. The dark wizard knew that the very first thing they should do is look for Mrs. Spetto and find a way for them to move to Tevinter as soon as possible. It's funny how they fled Fiore for his safety only to go where Lucy will be in danger… but at the same time, he have this strange feeling of excitement knowing that they'd live as normal people.
As they stumbled off the ship at the docks, they went straight to a city guardsman to ask where the Ferelden refugees are staying. "Southeast of this docks is the Lowtown where the refugees are stacked. You'd want to check there first," the guard answered apathetically.
"Lowtown it is," Lucy marched excitedly, totally forgetting the creepy statues; while Zeref followed, smiling.
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"Most refugees have never been as lucky as her. While dear Mrs. Spetto is enjoying her life in the Viscountess' Keep, most refugees are cramped in Darktown," a kind and humorous dwarf explained at the young mages while they walk the streets of Hightown where the noble people of Kirkwall are located. Just moments ago, Lucy and Zeref could be seen at Lowtown going from one merchant to another asking about Mrs. Spetto when finally they were pointed to the Hanged Man tavern where, as the merchant explained, most commoners gathered. There, they met the dwarf named Varric Tethras who showed a great interest after learning that they came from Fiore. Surprisingly, the said dwarf knows almost every soul in Kirkwall, and in return, everyone knows him too.
"Well…uh…Varric-san… If Mrs. Spetto is working at the Viscountess' Keep… Don't you think we should, you know, ask for permission or something like that?" Lucy twitched but instead Varric laughed with confidence. "Well sunshine, what do you know?" he chuckled. "I just happen to be close friends with the Viscountess herself!"
"Err… R-really now?" The blonde sweat. And the name's Lucy not Sunshine… Despite meeting the dwarf for the first time, Lucy already knew that he was a story teller and therefore tends to exaggerate everything. But if he could bring them to Mrs. Spetto then listening to his exaggerated stories would be bearable.
"You know the Champion of Kirkwall? She's one hell of a woman! Would you believe that she defeated the Arishok in a duel and therefore saved this city from their invasion? And she also slain a high dragon just outside this city and killed this gigantic pride demon that was hidden under Darktown! And you know the Deep Roads where the darkspawns originated? Well, we ventured deep into those tunnels and- oh! Here we are," Varric announced as they stopped in front of great stairs leading to a grand castle, with guards and nobles everywhere. Lucy gulped. What if this little man is lying? What if the Viscountess is a suspicious evil queen? What if the guards ask them strange questions? What if- "Good day Ser Varric!" Lucy's thoughts were interrupted when a guard greeted the dwarf. "Good day!" Varric greeted back. The celestial mage took a sigh of relief… Okay maybe he's not lying…
As they arrived in front of massive gilded doors, the guards didn't hesitate to open the door. Lucy felt excited to see old Mrs. Spetto again, and nervous in case they met the Viscountess. "What are you up to now, hmm Varric?" A woman's voice caught their attention.
"Oh Aveline!" Varric greeted a woman in a heavy armor that looks the same as those of the guards only heavier. "Too suspicious are we? I'm just escorting my friends here, see…"
Lucy and Zeref jerked up at the sudden introduction, "h-hello!" The blonde shook with nervousness, is she the viscountess? "I-I'm Lucy and he's Z-Zeref…"
Aveline eyed them curiously making the young mages uncomfortable until finally she smiled and extended her hand, "Aveline Vallen. Captain of the Guards."
"C-captain?" Lucy awed. She never thought a woman can also be a captain… But most importantly, she seemed friendly and if she could manage to be close to her she might feel safer. Meeting Varric turned out to be a fortunate turn of fate. The guard captain, just like Varric, was still suspicious at first that she started asking questions after questions but Lucy answered all of them honestly except when asked about their occupation. Good thing though, Aveline and Varric knew very little about Fiore that they don't seem to see through Lucy's lies and it also appears that Mrs. Spetto is their good friend since Aveline was addressing her as 'dear old Mrs. Spetto'. Finally, both escorted the young mages to the grand kitchen where they reunited with Mrs. Spetto who instantly broke into tears at the sight of her beloved "Lady L".
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"It's been years since I left Fiore," Mrs. Spetto explained. "You know it right Lady L? This country, the Free Marches, and Ferelden are separated from Fiore. While most people in Fiore didn't even know that these countries exist, most people in these countries also didn't know anything about Fiore. Because of that, no news about Fiore would come here… So if Zeref here is hiding from his kin who don't want you to be together, then you chose the perfect place to be."
Lucy and Zeref stared at each other and smiled. Though the blonde doesn't want to lie to Mrs. Spetto, she has no choice. They had already risked too much because of her recklessness…
"So where will you stay, Lady L? There are no apartments here."
"Well, yeah, about that…uh…Mrs. Spetto, maybe we could… at your place? …for a while?" Lucy mumbled shyly in a barely audible voice. "B-but don't worry, we'll, uh, work and pay our rent."
Mrs. Spetto shook her head slowly and sadly. God knows how glad she is to see her Lady L again but then, she's just another refugee in this city and is lucky enough to be able to work for the Viscountess. And since she's a refugee with no relative, she's staying at the Viscountess' Keep and therefore there's no room for Lucy and Zeref. Words need not be uttered for the blonde to understand what Mrs. Spetto can't say and she can't help but be sad and disappointed. "Then… maybe we should just… go back," Lucy sighed. Though the question now is 'how?', since they'd already spent all their money in coming here. Just then, the good dwarf Varric came up with an idea. "Hawke just might be happy to have you, sunshine." He offered. "You can work for her at her estate. While you junior can work as one of the guards, right, Aveline?"
Aveline rolled her eyes at Varric. "About that guard offer, I can give him that. As long as he knew how to carry a sword and shield – and swing them. But Lucy working for Hawke? Are you out of your mind, Varric?"
"Why not? Besides, you're not the one that'll talk to Hawke, I will."
"Just don't come running to me when Hawke aimed one of her daggers at you," Aveline shook her head disbelievingly then turned her gaze at the dark wizard. "Okay Zeref, what do you say? Would you take up on that offer?" The dark wizard slightly shook his head, "I-I never used a sword before…" The guard-captain smiled sympathetically then grabbed the dark wizard by the wrist, "there are some duties that don't require expert swordsmanship anyway."
"Well that sounds final," Varric laughed. Zeref stared at Lucy as if he was scared to get separated but the blonde just give him an assuring smile. True, Zeref is afraid to be separated from Lucy, but at the same time, this is the first time he's been offered a normal work among normal people… He doesn't know what to do. But as he thought about how Lucy risked everything, then he too must give his best for her.
As Zeref and Aveline were already out of sight, Lucy turned to Mrs. Spetto. "Don't worry Lady L, the viscountess is a fine lady. You'll like her."
"The viscountess? But I thought I'm staying with this… Hawke?" Lucy twitched. The name itself, 'Hawke', already sounded scary.
Varric laughed, "Hawke is the viscountess. Aside from that, she's also the mighty Champion of Kirkwall – and – the queen of Starkhaven. With all that title, you could say she's a very busy lady so she's mostly out of the estate."
"Now that's a relief," Lucy sweat. "I… think? I just hope the queen will accept me."
"Don't worry sunshine, you'll be fine." Varric winked as they walked out the Keep towards the viscountess' estate.
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Zeref stared at the blonde walking beside him under the crescent moon. In the morning, Kirkwall is a busy city but during the evening it's quiet… Too quiet. Earlier, when he entered the barracks he suddenly got scared. Though he knew he no longer has his power, he was still uneasy having too many people near him, and without Lucy around. He felt like running away, but when Lucy's sacrifices flashed in his memories he continued walking beside the captain. Luckily for him, Aveline is a kind woman. She told him that she's also a Fereldan refugee who worked as a city guardswoman here at Kirkwall and through dedication, and with the help of the Champion, earned her rank as guard-captain within a year.
"Dear old Mrs. Spetto is like a grandmother to me," Zeref remembered Aveline told him. "We were neighbors in Lothering and she got no relatives. That's why when I saw how happy she was when she saw Lucy, I also became happy. She talked a great deal about Lucy when we were still in Lothering and when I saw her cry at the sight of Lucy and called her 'Lady L' I was utterly glad to be able to see this 'Lady L' in person. I know, I should have realized sooner that Lucy and Lady L are one!"
Because of these circumstances, Aveline unquestionably agreed to recruit Zeref and even assigned him at Hightown where he could see Lucy.
"A-Aveline is… kind," the dark wizard tried to engage Lucy in a conversation. "And… Being a guardsman seemed… just fine… though this heavy armor is wearing me off… and these sword and shield are heavier than I expected…"
Lucy laughed at Zeref's observation. "Too kind actually. I mean, she accepted you even though you didn't know how to swing a sword and carry a shield."
"But I'm happy…" The dark wizard whispered. "Everything is new to me… Even this feeling of happiness… is new to me… I'm even surprised that… That I know this is called happiness…"
"I know…" Lucy nodded. Like a flash of lightning, she suddenly missed Fairy Tail… When she ran away from home, she knew that she can still go back whenever she wished, but this time, when she ran away for the second time, it seemed like there is no turning back. But despite that, she was still happy. When her father died, it's like everything in her childhood had been buried along with him that when she saw Zeref at the island, it felt like a piece of her childhood returned. It's a weird feeling actually – as if she's a fictitious character in a weird story written by a weird author… But amidst this absurdity, is a child living a dream – a fairy tale – for when she was a little kid, she would always listen to these fairy tales and imagine herself as the princess and Zeref her prince… If this was indeed a dream, Lucy doesn't know if she wanted to wake up… For if she wakes up, she'll be with her guild again, but Zeref will evanesce into a bittersweet memory. Yet if she continues this slumber…
Lucy turned her gaze to the handsome man beside her and a smile formed on her lips.
"T-thank you… Lucy…" Zeref smiled.
"Everything's gonna be okay." The blonde whispered mostly to herself.
And they both walked in silence.
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To be continued…
So I was playing Dragon Age II for the nth time when this story made its way into my brain that I had to minimize my game and hurriedly write this while I'm still in the mood.
Now since this becomes a crossover, I need your opinions… _ Good or bad I'll accept.
Merci beaucoup!