Disclaimer: Welcome back, readers! I appreciate that you all took the time to read and review Chronicles, it really helps me out a lot and encourages me to do more. In fact I just have so many stories that are in my head that are just begging to come out.

But first, I would like to treat you all with this next chapter. Happy reading to you all and check the author's note at the end of this chapter for a special announcement.

NOTICE: These drabbles stories contain Lightis and some other couples depending on the story, and are in no particular order, nor do they tell a specific tale of just one story. Some of the drabbles might have a second part in later chapters, and if readers become fond of a certain drabble story, that drabble might have the chance to become a new full story.

CHRONICLES

Chapter XXV: Companion

Rating: T

Genre: Friendship

Characters: Noctis, Lightning

Pair: Lightis (Developing Friendship)

Notes: His stay was anything but boring, despite her unawareness of who he really was; she treated him as a guest nonetheless. To a beast, such kindness needed to be repaid.

CAUTION: Part of the Lonely Queen arc.

The large green forest-like surroundings of the royal gardens made Noctis Lucis Caelum feel right at home. As a man who had turned into a large horse-sized wolf out of despair from betrayal of a former lover, the wolf loved being out here in the wild, even if it were actually a gigantic garden of Bodhum's young queen. He sniffed around, nose to the ground, wondering what else he may be able to find in this lush forest-like garden.

So far he had found an array of flowers, most he remembered from his mother's garden when he was a young boy. His mother loved flowers; she would have adored Queen Farron's garden.
Noctis looked up at the sky and felt his tail wag excitedly. He turned around and ran to the edge of the garden where the walls of the palace awaited him.
The black wolf sat down below a high window and stared. In a few moments, the queen of Bodhum sat at the window sill, reading a book.

This had become a new routine for Noctis, and even Queen Farron herself; day after day Noctis would sit and watch Lightning read a book, waiting for her to notice him. When she did, she would go down and greet him then take him with her somewhere.
Her steed Odin still seemed to envy the black wolf's presence but he bared it for the sake of his queen. Noctis had no idea such a young and talented queen was so in tune with the world around her; it was good to know ones of her status can care about nature as he did when he turned into the wolf.

As he expected, Lightning glanced out of the window and took note of him. Noctis barked invitingly and the queen closed her book before disappearing from sight.
The wolf waiting for a moment until the young queen appeared in the gardens and greeted him. "You seem happy today." She commented while stroking the fur on his neck. Noctis wagged his tail and the queen understood. "Come on then." She led him inside the palace and once again the servants jumped up in fright. Noctis felt like a little boy again, playing pranks on the servants and frightening them off, even it were unintentionally.
The black wolf followed Lightning to the library eagerly and watched as the queen picked up the book he presumed she had abandoned a minute ago when she went to greet him.
Lightning returned herself to the window sill and the wolf trotted over and sat beside the sill, his form towering over her slightly as he read over her shoulder.

Noctis smiled on the inside when his eyes, for the first time in years, saw the sight of pages and words written on them. How he missed reading books during his free time when he was still living as a prince in his kingdom of Nifleheim.
Suddenly, Lightning turned to the next page. Noctis huffed then carefully bit the tip of the page she was on and turned it back to the previous page. Lightning blinked then looked at the wolf. "What? Are you reading?" He barked and stared at the page.

The queen shook her head and waited for him to finish.

The wolf made a satisfied sound. "Finished?" Lightning asked, her eyebrow raised. The black wolf barked and she turned to the next page. Noctis read along with her; his large body shook with excitement as he read the story.
Lightning glanced at the wolf to see he was done reading before she turned the page. The wolf panted happily and she took it as a sign to move to the next part. It was strange, the wolf was actually reading with her. Since when did wolves enjoy books or even understand them; large and abnormal or not.

"… Since when did wolves read?" She could not help but ask the beast himself. In response, the wolf barked at her as if teasing her for doubting the mentality of animals.

For a couple of more hours, the pair just sat there, reading book after book. To Noctis it was good to gain knowledge and entertainment from reading once again. He wondered what else he would be allowed to do in the kingdom of Bodhum with the queen.
Lightning closed the book she was reading and looked out of the window at the sky. It was nearly time for lunch. She turned to the wolf; he tilted his head a bit, wondering why she had stopped reading. She got up and placed the book back in its shelf. "It's almost time for lunch; you better go back to the gardens now." She said, leading him back outside.
Noctis whined reluctantly and followed her back out into the garden he now resides in temporarily. Lightning ruffled the fur on his head before she returned inside to have her own lunch.

The black wolf sniffed the air and caught the whiff of deer.

His mouth watered as he tracked down the wild deer that the guards had released into the garden. The scent grew more tantalizing, signaling that the prey was near. Noctis could feel his stomach grumble with hunger as he carefully stalked his quarry.
Sure enough, a full-grown buck stood there, grazing the sweet green grass of the royal gardens. He held still for a moment, allowing the buck into a false sense of security before he stalked forward, making sure to avoid making any unwanted sounds. Once the buck seemed to toss its caution to the wind, Noctis pounced.

The animal shrieked and ran, hoping to escape the jaws of the large predator.

Noctis quickened his pace and soon caught up with the buck. He snapped his jaws at its backside, scraping the buck's behind. The prey shrieked again and started panicking. Noctis growled and leapt onto it, crushing the buck under his weight and clamping his fangs down into its neck, ending the buck's life. He howled in victory then started to eat, loving the taste and feel of deer meat in his belly. He stared up at the sky and laid his body down on the grass, relaxing. His wounds were starting to get better, slowly but surely, and the animals the queen ordered to bring to the garden for him to hunt were helping him regain his strength.
He never thought he would be able to find comfort in the human world again, thank Etro he was proven wrong.

"Highness?"

Lightning glanced up from the papers in front of her and noticed a guard standing at the doorway of her study? "What is it?" She asked patiently. The guard seemed reluctant to speak. "I…Majesty…there is…someone who wishes to speak with…you."
Lightning raised an eyebrow at the guard's behavior. "Who is it?" The man rubbed the back of his neck. "Permission to speak freely, my Queen." Lightning nodded and he sighed. "I don't think you will be happy to see who it is, Majesty. But he would not leave and insists he speaks with you."

The young queen stood up from her desk. "I'll handle it then. Dismissed."

The soldier bowed and left the study. Lightning frowned; who was waiting for her? She arranged her papers before leaving the study and walked down the halls to see whoever it was. It had better be worth her time. She passed by several servants and asked them of the guest who insisted he speak to her. They frowned and shook their head, telling their queen how the man just rudely left the sitting room to wander the halls.
Lightning groaned and headed for the gardens, hoping to clear her mind and perhaps this guest would show himself later in the sitting room where he was supposed to be.

As predicted, the green scenery calmed her nerves.

She worked nearly endlessly in her study; her healer kept advising her to get some rest but it was easier said than done with Lightning. It had become a habit for her to work tirelessly throughout the day since her sudden coronation at a young age.
She pushed back those events to the back of her mind and sighed to herself, rubbing her temples to remove her stress. It did not help much.

"Ah, there you are…" A voice said from behind her.

The young queen rolled her eyes and glanced over her shoulder. "Count Gligamesh. What a surprise…" Her tone was almost sarcastic. The count grinned and puffed his burly chest out proudly. "I see you remember me! Of course you would, after all I Count Gilgamesh, am a memorable man." Queen Farron's expression was a complete blank. "Yes… I am sure." She said drawled, clearly uninterested in this petty chitchat.
"Was there anything you wanted, Count?" She asked, hoping to be rid of him as soon as possible. Count Gilgamesh chuckled. "Yes, there is actually. I came here to woo you, my Queen. I am here to ask for your hand." Lightning's expression remained the same. "… Anything else?"
The count's expression stayed cheery. "That is about it! Just to let you know, I am a rather capable husband. I am sure both of us can find peace with each other…"

"I doubt that. Highly." Lightning said, crossing her arms. "If there is nothing else, then please leave. I am very busy at the moment and you caught me at a bad time. A very bad time."

Count Gilgamesh pouted childishly. "Come now! You have to acknowledge that such a great and rather handsome man as I wish to have your hand!" "I like having my hands attached to the rest of my body, thank you very much." Lightning said dully.
The count frowned at her lack of response. "Why can't you see that I am the perfect match for you? I'm sure no other man out there can be a better husband than me! After all, I am a perfect swordsman as well as a count."

"Then count your blessings that I do not throw you out myself." Queen Farron said.

Count Gilgamesh was appalled. "What? You would refuse the greatest count and swordsman in the world?" Once again, the young queen was not impressed by his pompous act. "If your brain were as big as your head and ego, then I might consider having a civilized conversation.
The count's face as completely red. How could anyone refuse him? Count Gilgamesh?

The black wolf trotted past the trees and bushes, intending to spend some time with the colorful flowers that surrounded the palace. It would be nice to smell the heavenly scents of the different flowers once again; he had never had the chance to merely stop and sniff flowers before on his travels. His mind had always been heavy with other thoughts.

Noctis whined to himself and his ears lowered at the memory; he thought it had all been real, the love she had… His love for her had been real, so why had she not changed her mind? Why did she still intend on just betraying him after she saw he clearly loved her? Why did she have to leave him with no choice but to kill her in battle? Why didn't she learn to truly love him?
He could not let go, he still couldn't. He continued walking over to where the flowers awaited but froze at the sound of a foreign voice. He trotted towards the source and stopped dead in his tracks at the sight before him.

A large bulky man stood a few paces away from Queen Farron. He was talking so loudly and rudely, even bragging about himself. Noctis looked at Queen Lightning and saw her bored and nonchalant expression; however he also noted a hint of exhaustion in her eyes. She looked like she would rather be anywhere than where she currently was.
The man kept harassing her and the black wolf could take no more of such rudeness towards a queen. He trotted over to them and noticed how the big man did not notice his presence yet. Noctis bared his fangs in warning at the man's back.

"You should know I am a one of a kind, Queen Farron! With me as your husband, Bodhum would become even better than it was before! So I think it would be best if you actually agreed with me taking your hand in marriage." The big oaf was no giving up and Lightning was close to actually knocking the count out in order to silence this windbag.
A snarl caught her attention and she focused on what was behind the count. She saw the black wolf snarling and glaring at Count Gilgamesh's back but she said nothing. The wolf's snarls grew louder and the count finally stopped talking.
He turned around slowly only to come face to face with a gigantic black beast with white, razor-sharp fangs bore at him. At once, the man jumped back in fright and started shaking.

"Wh-what is this? A foul beast in the royal gardens?" He said loudly, attempting to look heroic and brave in front of the queen.

The wolf snorted at the pathetic display and took a step towards the man. Count Gilgamesh took a step back in response. The black wolf bared his fangs threateningly and his hackles rose, making him look much bigger than before.
"Queen Farron…! Y-you never said anything about being under threat of a…monster!" The count attempted to be brave again and tried to reach for the sword attached to his hip, but his hand shook badly. Lightning crossed her arms. "You'll have to forgive my guest; he is still new here in Bodhum." She said while walking over to the black wolf and standing beside him calmly.

Noctis snarled and snapped his jaws. Count Gilgamesh whimpered and ran off out of the gardens, flailing his arms around like a madman.

Once the man was gone, Noctis turned his attention to the young queen and tilted his head. "Sorry. I had bad company arrive." She said, rubbing her temples tiredly.
The wolf nudged at her free hand with his muzzle as if asking if she was feeling well. Lightning stroked his head. "It's nothing. I'm just tired; I have a lot of work to finish first before anything." She turned to leave then stopped. She looked at the wolf. "Thank you. For helping me with the count." She walked back into the palace.

Noctis sat on his haunches and thought of the man he scared away. Ah yes, Count Gilgamesh. He knew the man; he was a large muscled count who loved to boast about himself and tell stories of his many perilous travels, but in truth he is a nothing but a blowhard, a windbag, and a coward.
Many times the count had visited the Caelum palace during dinner parties and brag of his new adventures, which of course never happened. Perhaps in his dreams.

To think Noctis would encounter the man here in Bodhum trying to court the queen.

Thinking back, he remembered during one of the dinners he had been invited to, Count Gilgamesh had boasted about wooing a queen for her hand in marriage and how she would one day give in to his charms. So, it was Queen Lightning he had been talking about?
Such a small world, Noctis had to admit. In fact, Queen Farron had been invited to that same dinner party that night but was unable to make it due to a small fever she caught while working endlessly during the evenings. However, she did send presents to the palace; a shining crystal sphere with sharp edges—it was said that it was a small statue of the fabled world of Cocoon that had been crystallized when it fell from its cradle in the sky. The other presents were sweet delicacies from Bodhum; Noctis had enjoyed them immensely, wondering how Bodhum was able to make such delicious dark chocolates and sweet delights.

His father, King Giovanni had commented on how noble and courteous the young queen was in sending them such gifts as compensation for not being able to attend their dinner.

At the time, Noctis cared about nothing except his time with Stella. But now as he sat here in the royal garden of Bodhum's queen, he came to realize that Lightning was indeed a noble person; hardworking and polite if she needed be. And also a bit intimidating at times.
At the back of his mind, Noctis wondered if the queen had any of those sweets he had before in her palace. It would be nice if he could have a taste of them again. He hadn't had them in years now. Perhaps later during dinner hours… His tail wagged at the thought of consuming Bodhum's sweet delicacies.

That evening, Lightning came down into the gardens with two plates in her hands. Her eyes scanned the surroundings for the black wolf.

She walked deeper into the garden until her eyes caught sight of a much darker shade and shape. She approached and placed the plate down beside it.

Noctis turned his head, surprised at Lightning's sudden appearance. He looked down at the plate and saw what appeared to be a liver dish. He looked at the queen and she nodded, understanding his silent question. He ate the liver in one gulp and licked his chops in satisfaction while Lightning started eating hers slowly while watching the sky.
The wolf laid beside her and joined her in staring at the night sky. Lightning finished her dinner after several minutes then put her plate down on top of his before digging into her tunic's pocket. She fished something out and Noctis' nose caught a whiff of something sweet.

Lightning showed it to him. "Not sure if wolves like sweet things but…it's all I could find."

Noctis' eyes widened in delight at what she held; colorful sweet delights just like the ones he had years ago. The tough sugar-coated gelatins were a pleasant sight to him. His tail wagged and his large long tongue rolled out of the side of his mouth.
The young queen seemed amused and placed a piece into his waiting mouth, on his tongue. Immediately he closed his jaws and enjoyed the taste of sweet sugar in on his tongue for the first time in years since he turned into a wild beast.

Lightning had a few pieces for herself and shared the other half with him.

They remained there for a while until the moon appeared from behind the clouds, shining on the both go them. Noctis felt like a little boy again, spending time with a new friend and camping outside. He missed feeling so human, but at the same time, he just could not forget or let go of what had happened. He was not sure he even wanted to let go.

He glanced at Lightning and noticed her leaning against the tree, her eyes closed. Noctis nudged her gently; she was asleep. He watched her for a moment before carefully placing his huge head on her lap and closing his eyes. It was nice to have a friend and companion by his side again; he missed Ignis, Prompto, and Gladiolus terribly. And he did not doubt they missed him as well.
He planned on visiting his kingdom again one day, but for now he had to focus on recovering, and thanks to Lightning, he was sure he would make it in no time.

I have a special announcement to make.

First of all, Chronicles now has about 100+ comments. Thank you so much for reading Chronicles, I enjoyed making it. I will continue these stories and I have so many that I also have in mind. Once again I thank all of you for supporting and reading. Lightis FTW!

Also, I had the votes counted based on the comments I got. And so far there are three story arcs that had the most likes and comments on them. They are:

Forbidden Temptations Arc (Chapter X)

Obsession Arc (Chapters XVI and XIX)

Lonely Queen Arc (Chapter XVIII)

Remember, the story arc that is liked the most will be the next full story I write. Also, you can like more than one, actually. Because I plan to do it by number. Meaning the most liked will be the next story I make, then the second most like will be what comes after I finish the first, and then followed by the third most liked and so on.

That is all for today, stay awesome, stay Lightis and enjoy reading! Hope to see you guys again soon in the next chapter I write! Vote away and just have fun!

Until then…