Chapter 14

Levy had spent the rest of the afternoon locked up in Jura study going over different routes and strategies they could take. Crafting up several plans and backup plans with the knowledge she and he had. Later in the afternoon she had managed to talk to Mest and get the most current situation in the East. Erza was still on her trail and she would be arriving in PuertMont tomorrow. She had a day or two head start, hopefully that would be enough, she thought.

Jude had proceeded to strengthen the position of about 15 towns in the border between Minstrel and Desierto, and Bosco and Stella. They had been wise choices. The border towns of Minstrel and Desierto were lightly populated due to the harsh, dry conditions. However, Desierto was a huge state and if prepared ahead of time the king could send numerous men to those 8 border towns within a number of days. Equip and ready to fight if need be.

Meanwhile, the towns of Bosco although not as lightly populated, were equally unprepared. Bosco was a small state that armies in Stella could compete with easily if Jude sent enough supplies, men, and resources for a battle.

And then there was tiny, tiny detail of magic, Levy considered. The higher-ranking officials of Pergrande's army like the sergeants, captains, and commanders all counted with the ability to practice magic, albeit dark magic. Should the need arise Jude would unleash all the dark mages he had "collected" after the war from the dark guilds that existed before. It would be a massacre.

Jura and Levy had worked out several methods to begin supplying resources to those border towns and more importantly men. They had to move discreetly, which was the harder part. If not, Jude would realize they were prepared for them and attack elsewhere.

A long sigh escaped. She felt that in the last week all Levy did was sigh. There was so much to do still and without the full approval of the council there would be very limited mobilization of weapons, food supplies and raw materials. Time wasn't on their side and all this travel and bureaucracy was going to cost them dearly.

She had eaten a light dinner in her room and staring out her window she decided it was time to get fresh air. They would be traveling tomorrow and who knows if she would ever get another chance to walk Jura's grounds. She had draped a light ivory shawl over her shoulders. Once the sun set the night was still cold especially here in the valley of Joya. After being inside all day Levy welcomed the crispness and numbing of the cold.

As she made her way around a section of the gardens she hadn't seen before, she found some of the most beautiful roses she had ever seen. The moon was still shining bright; it's soft silver light and the blood red roses created particular scene before her. Both colors clashing in their intensity in the pale light and yet illuminating every detail to its utmost perfection. All the roses looked as if frozen in time, apart from her and everything. Gajeel's eyes flashed in her mind. They were almost the same color, she thought.

Levy could almost image how terribly soft the petals could be. A cool velvet even more luxurious than her dress. She reached out but stopped, she recognized a sensation inside her as fear. Levy was afraid of something but couldn't place where the fear was coming from. Maybe she was afraid she would ruin the beautiful moment, that once she touched it the rose would lose its glow. Or maybe she was afraid of something even deeper.

Possible death? Her mind wondered. Levy had done all she could to not dwell on it, but here looking at this beautiful rose her mind couldn't help but draw some sort of parallel and in paralyzed her. She had to be overacting, of course there was the possibility of her died, it had always loomed over her head. Ever since she found out about her parents, the concept of a most assured death had been lurking. So why was she dwelling so much on it now? Because, she felt alone, desperate, and as if something was closing in on her, cornering her, hunting her.

"What are you doing here?" a gruff voice came from behind making her shout.

"Eep! Oh god, you scared me Gajeel!" she clutched her heart.

"Sorry," he offered.

"No, you're fine. I was just taking a walk before going to bed," she was still trying to catch her breath.

"Alright well I'll let you finish your walk. I heard something and wanted to check it out," he said turning.

Suddenly a strong breeze shook and swayed the trees and flowers around them. The noise made almost hid her voice asking him to wait. He turned to face her as tendrils of her cerulean hair stopped dancing across her face.

"I'm sorry," she said looking at the grass.

"For what?" he asked walking closer.

"For the way I spoke to you last night. I still think you acted like a jerk but what I said was a low blow. I am sorry," the pale light the moon cast made her eyes look more green than brown. She looked guilty and sincere, only making Gajeel feel equally guilty for his own actions, known and unknown to her.

"It's fine. I guess I am sorry for being an ass," he looked towards the roses. Juvia was fastidious with the roses but her work had paid off, even Gajeel had to recognize their beauty.

"You guess?" she asked her voice raising an octave.

"Yeah, I guess," he pushed back.

"Gajeel, you're unbelievable. I'm apologizing for being rude and you find a way to apologize while being rude."

"Well, that's all your gonna get shrimp. Besides I'm not here to try and charm you or please you. You've got your boy Mest to do that," he smirked.

"Oh you're almost, almost as frustrating as he is. Shrimp? Really? And I'm glad you clarified that, I was worried you were actually trying." His grin was different from Laxus'. It had the same tone but Gajeel's was more feral, devious. Impulsively Levy smiled.

"He? You mean your boyfriend Laxus?"

"Boyfriend? What the hell is up with everyone thinking someone is my boyfriend?! No, he's not," she exclaimed.

"Then I'm glad we clarified that because I hope you realize there is still a lot we don't trust about you Levy," Gajeel accused.

"Yeah, yeah I know Gajeel," her voiced softened. She didn't have a right to demand her trust, not when she was still lying. Gajeel's piercings rose towards his forehead. This was his chance at probing about the conversation he had overhead, but how?

"Is there something I should know?" She looked at him and laughed. This time the waterfalls weren't there.

"Yes there is but it is apparently not my place to say," she turned towards a rose and gently touched it. A dark red petal made it's way to the ground with a soft thunk. "I think I might die Gajeel."

He felt she wasn't speaking to him despite saying his name. Someone was targeting her then, that's what he had overheard. "Why?"

"I guess because things only last so long," her fingers still lingering on the rose. He didn't say anything because he knew it was true. Just like his father had proved to him seven years ago. The truth was never comforting.

"You strive so hard to raise and grow them despite the cold and tough soil and then, just like that the petals dry up and fall," silence surrounded them. "Sorry, I'm pathetically projecting myself onto these roses it seems," she smiled at him. "I guess I just hope that the culmination of my life and plans are as beautiful as they are."

"It will be," he looked at her. "You are pretty fierce shorty." Where had that come from, he asked himself. Fierce? You will be? He almost groaned but she smiled again but this time it reached her eyes.

"I am not who I say I am Gajeel," she said before walking away leaving him wondering why it was that despite her shocking declaration, he no longer felt he cared what her identity was.

Gajeel looked back to the rose she had been touching. The moonlight made it seem as if it was frozen in time, he thought.

So, I guess I was feeling a little melancholy as I was finishing up this chapter. Not sure how I like it but well, at least let me know if you do! Up next, the trip towards Minstrel begins! Thanks so much for reading and please review!

Also, I found it so so cool that we are seeing the country across the see in the manga. If you haven't read it, check it out!