Hello everyone! I have a new chapter ready to go! Enjoy!
A Song of Fairies
Part 1: A Game of Thrones
Natsu
Dany never returned that evening. And she wasn't the one waiting beside him when he awoke the next morning. As Natsu's heavy eyes slowly cracked open, he could see a woman in a crimson dress sitting in a padded chair beside the soft bed he was lying in. Despite his body starting to awaken, his mind was still fast asleep. He blearily blinked several times before opening his mouth into a gaping yawn.
He blinked again, the fog slowly lifting from his eyes. He could see the newcomer more clearly. The woman was as pale as milk. Dark eyes stared at him. Hair as red as blood fell in thick locks from her head down over her shoulders and over her chest. As she stared at Natsu, her hands occasionally drifted up to a thin necklace with a ruby pendant attached to it.
Natsu's hands went up to his eyes, briefly rubbing them before he yawned again.
"Sleep well?" The woman finally spoke up, her voice carrying both a gentle tone, like that of a concerned parent, and a strength that could make even the mightiest of men give their undivided attention to her.
Natsu's head jerked upright, "Eh?" He looked at the woman and gave her a sheepish smile, "Sorry," He scratched the back of his neck, "I was still waking up there."
The woman's full lips curled into a small smirk, "I can see that. That's why I asked if you slept well?"
Natsu glanced down at the bed, then at his legs that were covered by thin sheets of silk. He shrugged.
"I suppose." His hand patted the mattress, "It's one of the softest beds I've ever slept in."
"I would hope so." The woman in red replied, "Illyrio Mopatis is known for his indulgences into luxury. I am certain he would spare no expense on the guest rooms of this palace. But then again, I could not be so sure. I have never stayed here overnight."
Natsu smiled, "Well… other than that one guy with the really white hair being at total jerk," The woman nodded, "I'd say this place is very nice."
"I assume you mean Viserys Targaryen?"
"Yeah! Him! Vinny Tagman!" Natsu replied, oblivious to the fact that he mispronounced the man's name. Natsu scowled then pounded a fist into his open palm, "Oh when I see him again, I'll give him what for!" He swung his fist into the air.
The red woman chuckled, "As much as I would like to see that myself, I would have to advise against such a course of action." She leaned forward, "After all, it appears your magic is not working properly, correct?"
"Well yeah but-" Natsu cut himself off. The gears turned in his mind and his dark eyes narrowed at the woman, "How did you know that?"
The woman smirked, "I know many things, Natsu Dragneel. Son of Igneel the Fire Dragon." She smirked again, as if she knew so much more that she did not want to divulge to the the now wary Dragon Slayer, "I know that you are a man of great power. A man who commands fire. Summons it to his hands whenever he desires to." Natsu's jaw tightened, "I also know that you and your companion, Lucy Heartfilia, are not of this world."
Natsu's eyes widened, "Not of this world?" He jerked upright from his pillows, "What do ya mean not of this world!?"
The red woman raised an eyebrow, "You have not figured it out yet? Lucy was able to deduce the situation in a matter of minutes when I spoke to her." She paused, "Then again…" She folded her hands, "She did mention that you were… how did she put it… a blockhead?"
Natsu gripped the sheets tightly, "I'm not a blockhead." he muttered. He sniffed and caught a familiar scent on the other side of the door, "YA HEAR ME LUCY!" A loud, startled cry came from beyond the door, "MY HEAD IS NICE A ROUND! JUST LIKE YOURS!"
The red woman's eyes widened.
She had come to see this boy at Illyrio's request. Taking a rather costly detour from her intended destination in order to help the Magister investigate a pair of curiosities that appeared in his home, wrapped in fire. He told her of how the boy had a defiance in him. She was expecting Natsu Dragneel to be rather unhelpful as she attempted to draw information out of him. WHat she was not expecting, and what she was not informed of until she spoke to his blonde companion, was that Natsu Dragneel's defiance could be attributed to one thing.
Ignorance.
That or stupidity. The red woman had yet to decide which it could be. Although, judging from how he butchered the Beggar King's name and failed to understand the figure of speech his friend used to describe him, the red woman had a feeling he was most likely the latter.
And that was disappointing. Before coming to Pentos, she had decided to gaze into the flames of her campfire. The flames held many secrets. They spoke in whispers. Crackles were sentences. Bursts of embers images. And when the flames danced in the night, they provided clues to the answers she needed or desired. And when she gazed into the flames the previous night, she had much revealed to her by the Lord of Light.
Beyond the ancient seat of Dragonstone, she saw two other images in the flames. That of a blonde woman with golden keys and a pink haired boy who commanded the power of fire itself.
When she saw this in the flames, she was confused. Such powers had never existed in the world before. For all of her knowledge, she did not know of golden keys like the ones possessed by the blonde she saw. And the only people who could wield the Lord's fire were the Red Preists of Asshai, an order to which she belonged. At least, that is what she had assumed.
Then she received the message from Magister Mopatis. Immediately, she extinguished her flames and rode for Pentos, arriving by mid morning while Natsu Dragneel slept.
Her original discussion was with Lucy Heartifilia. What the girl revealed was rather… informative. Though rather incredible. But the red woman had no reason to doubt the girl. After all, the Lord of Light revealed her in the flames. She had importance in the lord's plans. Great importance.
As did this boy, although the woman could not figure out why. He appeared to be strong. Lean, corded muscles rippled along his exposed skin. Yet, he did not have the appearance of a warrior. In fact, the boy was rather thin.
And that's all he appeared to be. A naive boy. Yet, the Lord of Light revelaed him as well. The red woman furrowed her brow. Perhaps there was more here than meets the eye?
"Natsu," The red woman leaned forward, "Before I continue with this conversation, I want to know if you can really do the feats Illyrio claims you can."
"Well of course I can!" Natsu snapped back, folding his arms over his chest, "I just can't without my magic! I can tell it's not really working right!" He still could not feel that familiar, comforting warmth that his body had grown used to. That had been with him for almost his entire life.
The woman nodded and rose from her seat. She then moved towards the fireplace. Her body practically gliding over the smooth tile floors. Inside of the fireplace were several fresh logs. She stooped beside it, her head gazing down at the dark pit. She then looked over at Natsu.
"Come here Dragonslayer." She waved at him.
He felt compelled to move. Gestured forward by an invisible hand. It nudged him from the bed's embrace and out onto the lukewarm tile. His bare feet padding along until he stood alongside the red woman.
"Put your hand out." She commanded.
Natsu grit his teeth, arm twitching in resistance. Something wasn't right about all of this. He knew he wasn't the smartest person in Fairy Tail. But he was someone who followed his instincts. It was how he was raised. Instincts were everything to him. He relied on them just as much as an actual dragon did. And his instincts screamed at him to keep his hand by his side. Do not reach out, do not listen to the woman in red.
"Natsu. " The woman purred his name, her voice somehow shifting in tone from commanding, to seductive. It slipped into his ears and into his mind. The sweetness made his entire body relax.
And his hand moved out.
The ruby on the woman's necklace began to shimmer. Then Natsu felt power surge through his body. A violent burst of white hot fire burst from his open palm into the stone fireplace. And as the flames consumed the wood, then the stone itself, the red woman's lips curled into a smile.
"You may put your hand down now." She said softly.
Natsu gasped as he lowered his hand. All of the power he felt vanished from his body. Siphoned away from him. But unlike when he punched the Unsullied guard, he did not feel drained. Far from it, he actually felt healthier. His arms felt stronger, legs more sturdy, senses sharper.
He felt like his old self again.
"What did you-"
"Tell me Natsu," The red woman continued, "Did you gaze into the flames?"
Natsu frowned, "Whaddya mean by that?"
She nodded, "I thought not. Fire speaks to those who are able to hear its voice. You are more than capable of this. After all," She gestured to the fireplace. The stone that once adorned it now molten slag slowly cooling in the summer air, "You are fire."
Natsu gulped and looked at his open palms, "I felt my magic." he looked stunned at the red woman, "I felt it. It was…" He shook his head in disbelief, "It was so powerful I couldn't-"
"Believe it." The red woman finished for him, "Most choose to disregard what they do not wish to understand. Your power is tremendous, Natsu Dragneel. But… you are not in Earthland anymore. That was not your fire that came pouring out of your hand. At least, not entirely." The woman moved back towards her chair, "The Lord of Light revealed you to me in the flames, and now he has blessed you with a momentary wisp of his own fire." Natsu's eyes widened, "And it did not consume you. It did not… cleanse you. It followed your command." She nodded at the fireplace, "It melted stone."
Natsu glanced back and forth from the fireplace to the red woman, "I don't get it."
"The Lord of Light has plans for you Natsu Dragneel." The woman replied cryptically, "What they are, he has not shown… yet. Although, he did show one thing to me now, in your own flames." She moved behind the chair, "You have a darkness in you Natsu Dragneel," Natsu remained silent, "A darkness that the Lord of Light does not find pleasing. And yet, he granted you his power for a brief moment. What this means, I do not know. But his plans for you no doubt involve you standing in opposition to the Long Night, which is now almost upon us. And I hope you will be prepared for when it comes."
"Prepared?"
"Yes, prepared." The red woman folded her hands, "I saw you standing alongside Daenerys Targaryen. The Lord of Light intends for you to stay by her side for now. I cannot see the end of that road, only the beginning. And it all starts here." She looked at the door, "As for your friend Lucy, her road takes her down a different path. One that starts in Westeros."
"West-a-what?"
"I'm taking her with me, Natsu Dragneel."
Natsu's eyes narrowed dangerously, "Like hell you are!" He growled, taking a powerful step towards the red woman, "I may not exactly know what is going on right now. But my gut tells me that the last person Lucy should be around is you."
"And the last place Lucy should stay is here, near Viserys Targaryen." The red woman countered, "For now, you and her are protected by his sister, Daenerys Stormborn. But Daenerys holds very little sway over her brother. And he tends to like violence. Without your magic, how will you protect her?"
Natsu was about to reply when the red woman cut him off.
"Your fists will not help you against men with steel." She warned, "You are not all powerful here as you were in Earthland. And until your magic returns, you and Lucy will be in constant danger. With me, she will at least have some form of protection. Meanwhile, Viserys will be less likely to try and harm you. After all, a man is much more difficult prey for a weak dragon than a woman."
Natsu felt his fist tightening by his sides.
"You know I am right, Natsu Dragneel. You are just letting your instincts get in the way of your judgement." Her words continued to slips through his mind, knifing through every argument he had. And to his surprise, she was making sense, "You cannot allow carnal feelings for Lucy Heartfilia get in the way. Lucy has a great part in all of this. And I intend to keep her safe for as long as I can. In order to do that, she needs to stay by my side. Viserys Targaryen would never come near here as long as I am by her. Do you understand?"
Natsu grit his teeth. Why was this woman starting to make so much sense? Why was he starting to agree with her even though he didn't want to!? His mind felt like mush, like he couldn't think properly.
"You…" Natsu took a deep breath, trying to refocus himself. The haze was so strong, he felt like he was riding a train back home, "You are sure he will try to kill her?"
The red woman nodded, her hand briefly brushing her necklace.
Natsu gulped and bowed his head. The war in his mind was over. His instincts could go to hell for all he cared. Lucy's safety was his priority. She was his friend and guild mate. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her.
"You will keep her safe?"
"I swear I will." The woman replied.
Natsu nodded, "Fine." He reluctantly relented, "But… what is your name?"
"My name?" The red woman paused at the door, her hand around the knob, "Why would you want to know that?"
"So I can find you if you break your promise." Natsu growled, his voice filled with dangerous intent that made her shudder for a moment.
"Very well," She replied, "Melisandre. That is my name."
….
"YOU INVITED A RED PRIESTESS TO EXAMINE THEM!" Viserys roared at Illyrio as he paced to and fro in the solar. His feet moving rapidly as he nervously rubbed his chin while swirling a full glass of wine in the other hand.
Illyrio calmly sat in a plush chair, hands gently resting on the armrests, legs crossed. Beside him, his Unsullied guards stood at the ready. For even though their master was relaxed, they knew that the Targaryen king was not. And any threat of violence towards their master would be met with a swift and immediate death.
"I figured that someone from their order would be the best choice to examine someone of a magical disposition."
Viserys flung his glass of wine across the room. The silver goblet clattered loudly against the floor as she turned towards Illyrio and stormed towards him, "You mean a cult a lunatics who worship fire! A religion for savages and idiots! And now, they know I am here! They hold no loyalty and don't care who sits on the Iron Throne! What is to stop this Red Priestess from telling the Usurper what my intentions are!?"
The two Unsullied guards moved to block Viserys' path, but their master raised a hand, causing both to remain where they were.
"She will not do such a thing, Viserys." Illyrio replied calmly.
"And how do you know that!?" Viserys demanded.
"Because that is not what the Lord of Light requires of me, Beggar King."
Viserys stiffened. The hairs on his neck rose on end as he felt the presence of Melisandre slowly glide into the room. His rigid body twisted to face her.
"What. Did. You. Call. Me?" He snarled lowly.
"Viserys…" Illyrio warned.
"May I remind you, your grace." Melisandre continued, "That the Seven are viewed as a cult of lunatics and a religion for savages here, in Essos." Viserys clenched his jaw, "There are two sides to every story. Sometimes more. And each side views the other with the same amount of disdain and ignorance. Focus your energy elsewhere, Viserys Targaryen. Your quest to reclaim your father's iron chair is none of my concern."
Before the young king could reply, Melisandre turned to Illyrio.
"I leave tonight with Lucy Heartfilia."
"Where will you be going?" He asked.
Melisandre glanced at Viserys and smirked, "Westeros." The Targaryen king paled, "The Lord of Light is not well known there. I intend to do one of my sworn duties to him." She looked at the visibly shaken Beggar King, "That being to preach, your grace. Not tell Robert Baratheon to kill you immediately."
Viserys replied with a shaky nod.
"And what of Natsu Dragneel?" Illyrio asked.
"The boy is… intriguing. The Lord of Light is using him for a grand purpose." Melisandre replied.
"And his claims of magic?"
"Oh… they are entirely true." Melisandre replied, as if such a detail were merely an afterthought compared to what the flames told her.
"They are!?" Viserys gasped in disbelief.
"Indeed they are. I'd be careful around him. If he indeed wields fire then he will have the unpredictability to match it. Fire can heal or burn, depending on how it is handled." She looked at Viserys, "I suggest handling him with great care." She folded her hands into the sleeves of her dress, "Now then… I need to gather supplies for the rest of my journey. As well as charter passage across the Narrow Sea. I will return for Lucy tonight."
"So you will be joining us for dinner?" Illyrio asked as she began to walk away, "We do have a very important guest coming so-"
"I am aware of the imminent arrival of Khal Drogo." She glanced back at the two men, "He is going to be late."
Without another word, she left.
And chapter! I gotta say, this storyline is proving really challenging. I have to do a lot more planning for it before I pen another Natsu chapter. So we may have a bit of wait before we return to him again. However… Levy, Lucy, Erza, and Wendy… oh boy do I have their stories ready to go! And it is going to be so much fun to write! As for Cana and Mira, they will be coming into the picture soon. Anyways, let me know what you guys think. As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!