It's Monday!
And today we head into the Changeling Swamp.
Irina: I'll confess, these two don't normally make my top ships list either, but this was an interesting diversion. As for Gray and Silver, one day I'll have to write a story where they actually interact. We got a little bit of that in the anime, but it would be a fun AU topic. Thanks again!
- K. Chandler
Laxus reined in his horse just as they crested the hill. They were getting closer. Once he caught up with Lucy, the sooner they could put an end to this charade.
"Look there," said Freed, pointing.
"Some sort of altercation," observed Laxus. "Two people. One much smaller than the other."
"With respect, my liege," said Freed. "Do you really see the princess as being a fighter?"
"She did grow up on a farm," he said.
"But all the same, Sire. I don't think—"
"Two people," repeated Laxus. "Some sort of confrontation here. And both of them tumble down this hill."
Laxus jerked his head in the direction of the ravine before urging his horse forward. The stubborn beast didn't want to move, so Laxus yanked on the bridle hard to force the animal to do his bidding. They made their way to the bottom of the ravine. He took in the trampled grass and the displaced rocks.
"They were definitely here," said Laxus.
"Where are they now?" asked Freed. "Where would they have gone?"
Laxus paused to consider it. "An assassin from Sabertooth is probably heading back towards their homeland."
"The border then?"
"I'd bet my crown on it," said Laxus. "Let's head back to the top of the ridge. We can cut them off at the Changeling Swamp."
The sky was growing dusky when they made their way out of the ravine. Lucy could see the Changeling Swamp before them.
"We made it!" she cheered.
"I'm surprised that he hasn't caught up with us yet," said Gray, looking over his shoulder.
"Really, Gray? Can't you be positive, for once?"
"Just sayin'," said Gray.
"Don't say that, Gray. Don't say anything. You're going to jinx us," she said. "We've got a head start. Maybe we won't run into him at all."
"He's on horseback," said Gray.
"How do you know that?" countered Lucy. "You've never met the guy."
"It's in the manual," said Gray. "Princes are always on horseback. Besides, do you think he'd come looking for you on foot?"
"He's got the carriage," Lucy pointed out.
"For roads and stuff. We're out here in the middle of nowhere. The carriage wouldn't be a good choice. He'll just bend an axle or something."
The sound of hoofbeats overhead drew Lucy's attention. Her heart sank.
"Look up there!" said Lucy.
Laxus and Freed were on the cliff above them, on horseback, as Gray had predicted.
Without a word, Gray snatched Lucy's hand as he started running toward the Changeling Swamp.
"Do you think they saw us?" she asked.
"Of course, they did!" said Gray. "That's in the manual too. The good guy barely manages to get away."
"Stop right there! You'll never get away, Sabertooth scum!" Laxus shouted.
"See, called it," said Gray.
"You mean you jinxed us!" said Lucy, scampering to keep up.
"After them! Quickly now!" declared Laxus.
"Hurry," said Lucy. "Let's head for the swamp!"
As they entered the dense growth of the swamp, they slowed, catching their breath. Lucy hadn't run like that since her days at the farm.
"I think we're in the clear," said Gray. "It'll be harder for them to follow on horseback," agreed Gray. "I'd actually like to see him try it."
"No, you wouldn't," said Lucy. "Don't jinx us."
Gray just smirked, making Lucy roll her eyes.
"So… this is the infamous Changeling Swamp," said Lucy. "You know why they call it that, right? The old stories say that people who enter the swamp end up changing. Men enter, but when they leave, they're more beast than man," she whispered.
Gray chuckled.
"What's so funny?" she demanded.
"What is it with you and wives' tales? First the legend of Silver, now werewolves? Lucy, those are just stories!"
"You don't believe in werewolves?" she asked.
"Nope," said Gray with a flippant wave of his hand. "At this point, I'm not about to believe just any story or legend. I am one, myself, aren't I?" he asked, thumping his chest.
"Yeah, but… Okay, if you're so smart. Why do you think it happened? How did this place get to be called the Changeling Swamp?" she challenged.
"What do I think?" Gray paused, as if pondering the idea. "I think there are changelings in the swamp," he said.
"What?"
"Horrible swamp creatures. Slimy and oozing," Gray's voice dipped, low and unpleasant. He raised his hands in a facsimile of claws as he grinned. "They creep through the night. Hideously disfigured. Come to snatch people away!" he shouted, lunging at her.
Lucy shrieked.
Gray snickered, lowering his hands. "Oh, you should see your face!" he laughed.
"You jerk!" cried Lucy, shoving him with her palms.
"Whoa. Are you trying to kill me again?"
"Don't give me that," she retorted. "Clearly, you can't be killed."
"Nice thing to say to your boyfriend after he comes back from the dead," protested Gray.
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Gosh, this place gives me the creeps," she complained, hugging her arms around herself.
"We'll be fine," said Gray. "Whatever it is, we just have to stick together."
Lucy felt Gray's fingers lace with hers as they wandered further into the swamp.
After a while, the swamp grew thick around them and swampy water reached halfway to her knees.
Lucy froze when an eerie croak reached her ears. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
"Gray, stop it," she snapped, suppressing a shiver.
"Stop what?"
"That noise."
"What noise?" he asked.
"You're trying to scare me again."
"It's not me."
Lucy heard the croaking noise again.
"Seriously, stop."
"I told you, it's not me!" said Gray.
Lucy gave a growl of frustration, shoving him again.
"Wha—Hey!" Gray windmilled, trying to keep his balance. He landed in the murky water with a resounding splash.
From beside him rose a large, bulbous creature with two googly eyes atop its head, like a frog. With a startled yell, Gray scuttled back on his hands and feet, sloshing through the swampy water.
"W-who's trespassing in my s-swamp?" asked the creature, its voice warbling.
"Oh, my God, it's a hideous creature!" shrieked Lucy.
"Where? Where?!" cried the frog-creature, in genuine panic.
"And it talks!"
"Oh, you mean me… I'm not a hideous creature, silly!" cried the frog indignantly. "I'm Lisanna."
"Lisanna, huh?" asked Gray, standing up. "What exactly are you, Lisanna? Some kind of a frog?"
Lisanna shook her froggy head. "I'm a changeling," she said.
"A changeling?" repeated Lucy.
"Well, this is the Changeling Swamp. Duh," said Lisanna.
"Were you always a changeling?" asked Lucy. "Or did you used to be, y'know…"
"What?" asked Lisanna.
"… human," whispered Lucy.
"Oh, that. I'm not cursed or anything. Nope, I've been like this for as long as I can remember. I'm not always a frog, though," she supplied. "I can look human sometimes."
"Really?" asked Gray.
"Yeah, wanna see?" she asked.
Gray and Lucy exchanged glances.
"Oh, come on. It's fun!" coaxed Lisanna, waving a webbed hand at them.
"Go for it," said Gray.
The frog crunched her brow and puffed out her cheeks. She gave a little ribbit of exertion. Then with a golden glow and a puff of smoke, Lisanna the frog was gone. In her place stood a teenage girl with ash-blonde hair.
"Ta-da," she sang out, bowing.
"Wow," said Lucy. "You're really pretty."
"Excuse me?" squawked Lisanna, her features shifting in irritation.
"You're really pretty as a human," offered Lucy. "You should transform more often."
"I was prettier the other way!" cried Lisanna. "Humans are so gross. Pale and knobby and fragile." Lisanna shuddered, sticking her tongue out. "Ugh. Why would anybody want to look like this all the time?" She glared down at her humanoid body.
Lisanna reverted in a puff of smoke, looking a lot more at home half-submerged in swamp water.
"Oh, sorry! No offense or anything," amended Lisanna. "I pretty much just described you, didn't I? Well, don't worry about it. I'm sure you're pretty by human standards. Just because I think it's ugly doesn't mean that you actually are."
Lucy blinked in surprise. Did the frog-girl just insult her?
Gray laughed.
"Not funny," pouted Lucy, elbowing him in the side.
"Sorry, sorry. It's just… Do you realize how ridiculous this is? We're running from your fiancé and hiding out in this swamp. You're getting worked up because some frog-girl called you ugly."
"I didn't mean that, I promise," said Lisanna. "I mean, I bet your boyfriend here doesn't think you're ugly, right?"
"Stop while you're ahead," growled Lucy. "You're just making it worse."
"Fine, fine," said Lisanna. "Just for that, I'll have to let you pass."
"Let us pass? Was this a test?" asked Gray.
"Oh, no. Not like that kind of pass," said Lisanna. "Like pass through. I'm one of the swamp's guardians, see. Didn't I say that earlier?"
"I don't think you mentioned it, no," said Gray.
"Too busy insulting me," muttered Lucy.
"I said I was sorry, didn't I?" said Lisanna. "I'm one of the three changeling guardians who protects the swamp from trespassers. When intruders—that would be you—get lost in the swamp, I'm supposed to challenge them and possibly scare them off."
[Look out! Beware the cute little frog!]
"You mean, fight them?" asked Gray.
"That's not really my style," said Lisanna. "There are other ways to challenge people, you know."
"Like what?" asked Lucy.
"Riddles, feats of daring, who can hold their breath under water the longest, that sort of thing," shrugged Lisanna.
"That's got to be a huge responsibility," said Gray.
"Well, I think this whole thing is kinda stupid," said Lisanna. "Who wants to spend the whole day guarding a dumb old swamp anyways? It's not like anybody actually wants to stay in our swamp. They're just passing through. Normally, I just make them dance a jig or something and send them on their way."
Gray gave her a leery look. "…you're not going to…?"
"Oh, no. Like I said, I already gave you a pass. Besides, if they have a problem with it, one of the other guardians will stop you. Just don't tell them that I let you off easy."
"Who are the other guardians?" asked Lucy.
"My brother and sister," said Lisanna.
"Are they frogs, like you?"
Lisanna shook her head. "No, they have their own changeling forms. Elf's really cool. And there's Mira. She's impressive."
"They sound scary," said Gray carefully.
"They're not scary!" sang Lisanna. "At least, I don't think so. Big brother Elf is the nicest person! You'll probably meet him next."
"Well, I guess we should go look for your brother, then," said Gray. "It was good meeting you, Lisanna."
"Good luck!" called Lisanna cheerfully.
Okay, you got me... I traded the swamp obstacles for the Strauss siblings. ;P No, they're not all as easy-going as Lisanna.
Next time, in As You Wish, Elfman: "I think you should stop talking and take your beating like a real man." The beast swiped, it's powerful arm nearly detaching Gray's head. Gray ducked just in time.
Stop back next Monday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.