I'm sorry for the late update! Do you know how tricky it is to write while your entire family is on vacation with you and keeps asking you questions why you type? Oh well... that's the mom life I guess lol :D Please enjoy!

Eleven Pipers Piping

Levy wobbled up the stairs and into her room. With a heaving sigh, she dumped her packages next to her hammock and collapsed into her swaying bed.

"I'm finally done," she groaned into the empty room.

It was already the day before Christmas Eve. The town had been packed with shoppers, all bustling to and fro to find the final items on their lists. Levy was shocked that she got home as early as she did but she wasn't going to complain. Now she had plenty of time to wrap everyone's gifts in the safety of her own room.

She quickly went to work. The small bookmarks she purchased for everyone went into individual bags while the bigger presents took more time to wrap. She carefully folded and pinched the bright paper and tied off each bow with a flourish. Once a present had its designated name clearly written on the front, it was carefully put into the steadily growing pile underneath her hammock. A warmth grew on her cheeks when Levy noticed just how many gifts had Gajeel's name written on them.

His new throw blanket was the biggest present by far; it had taken nearly half a roll of paper to wrap the entire thing! She tucked his wrapped package of socks next to the blanket and used his new scarf as a make-shift bow to tie everything together. The socks had been a last minute purchase, but she hoped the thick wool would make it so he never had to worry about the cold again. On top of the small pile rested two wrapped books tied together with a bow. She hoped Beasts and Other Strange Animals of Fiore would be an interesting read for her dragon and she just had to purchase Iron: The Blacksmith's Best Friend when she saw it sitting on the shelf.

Levy tapped her chin and stared at the presents, wondering how she was going to explain her purchases to her friends. They all seemed to understand how close she and Gajeel had become, so maybe they wouldn't notice the amount of gifts she bought him.

"Well, at least I didn't write his name with hearts all over the letters," she said with a sniff, deciding to forget about the fact that she had to rewrap one of his presents for that exact same reason.

Her hands paused and the paper for Lucy's present slid through her fingers. She looked at the wrapped presents, her eyes hovering over his name.

I wonder how he's been doing.

She hadn't seen Gajeel for several days now. He had retreated to his room and she begged Grey and Natsu to check up on him for her. She had even dragged Max and Elfman into assisting her and while each Fairy reassured her that Gajeel was doing fine, she still wondered just the same.

When the last gift had been wrapped and ribboned, Levy stood and stretched her arms wide. Her wings fluttered behind her and she twisted her tail to relieve a cramp. She would have a difficult time sleeping with all the gifts piled around her hammock, but she was excited for her family to open their gifts.

With her mission finally completed, Levy fluttered her wings and twirled down the stairs. Their mystery person had yet to deliver any gifts or goodies for the day and she hoped something tasty had arrived while she was busy wrapping presents. She loved the different treats and desserts that had been brought to the guild hall, but couldn't think of anything that could match the song.

Once she reached the bottom of the stairs, seeing several Fairies relaxing in the common room, she fluttered over to the back counter in search of snacks. A low, methodical thump echoed through the building.

Head tilted, she frowned and spun in a small circle, looking for the source of the noise. She and the other dozen Fairies resting in the room stared at one another. Wendy snatched her white cat from the counter and hurried to the window.

"There's something coming down the road!"

Chairs scrapped and the front doors pushed open as everyone shoved their way outside. Levy turned big and hurried to the front of the group, eager to see what was happening.

The noise steadily grew louder and she bounced on her toes, certain that it must be the daily surprise. Red and green shapes came into view and the sound of horn blasts echoed across the snow. The guild moved closer to the building and watched the group of men and women come closer to their home.

Each one carried a musical instrument; pipes and small drums, cymbals and flutes, and one even carried what looked like a miniature piano. The group halted in a semi-circle around the door and the man with the miniature piano stepped forward.

"Good afternoon! We are the Pied Piper Caroling Group and we travel all around Magnolia to bring a little holiday cheer to everyone. We were told…" he pulled out a paper tucked into the back of his piano, "that today is the 11th day of your festivities, so we have prepared something special for you. We hope that you will enjoy our performance."

The Fairies murmured excitedly and Levy grinned widely. She clasped her hands under her chin and watched the group of singers shuffle into position. A woman with a bright, silver flute stepped away from the group, another woman with a recorder following close behind. They waited until two men joined them, each holding a strange bagged instrument under their arms. Long sticks stuck out from the top and a mouthpiece was firmly planted between their lips.

They looked at one another, nodded, and began to play. A hauntingly beautiful tone came from the bagged pipes. Levy's eyes prick with unshed tears and she sighed. She had never heard Christmas carols played in such a way! Even the 12 Days of Christmas song, which seemed to be stuck in her head every night, had never sounded so beautiful.

Levy closed her eyes and swayed to the music, letting the song's beautiful melody wash over her. Their mystery person had better get ready; when Levy discovered who they were, she was going to give them a giant hug!

Gajeel held the metal piece up to the light and studied it closely. Mr. Darren leaned against the counter where all of Gajeel's other finished pieces were resting and picked one up in his meaty hand.

"Are ya sure this is your first time smithing?" The large man asked, his greying brow lifting.

Gajeel cleared his throat and set the piece back with the rest. "Yep. Thought I should try it at least once, cause of…" his voice trailed off and he simply gestured to his face and the silver scales around his eyes.

The blacksmith chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't you worry none. I ain't one to go spreading stuff that ain't my business to spread. On a side note, I think the guild is gonna like these an awful lot. Ya did a great job with them!"

"Thank you, sir," Gajeel scratched his head, moving to help the blacksmith set all the pieces in a box filled with wood shavings.

"No need to 'sir' me. S'been a pleasure working with ya. Oh, I've been meanin' to ask ya," he nailed the lid down and slapped the box with a smile, "ever think about findin' some real work?"

"Huh?" Gajeel reached out for the crate, but his hands paused midair.

The blacksmith waved a hand. "Not that what you guys do ain't honorable work, but if ya ever think about settlin' down in one place, say...startin' a family or something like that," Gajeel's face flamed at the man's wink, "I've been lookin' for someone to train and I think you'd fit the role just right."

Gajeel blinked. "You're...you're offerin' me a job?"

"Not a job," Mr. Darren set the crate in his limp hands, "an apprenticeship. And who knows, if ya take to it like I have a feelin' you will, then one day I might even leave my shop to ya. Whaddya say?"

"I'm...th-thank you, I mean..." he tried to scratch his head, but his hands were full. "I'll definitely think about it."

Mr. Darren slapped him on the shoulder again. "Take yer time. It's a big decision after all and I ain't gonna go easy on ya if you accept. I'll be teachin' you everything I know, all the secrets of the trade. But anyway, get on back to yer Fairies. Tell them Merry Christmas fer me!"

The older man grinned broadly and practically pushed Gajeel toward the door. The door closed tightly behind him to ward off the winter chill, but for once Gajeel couldn't even feel the cold air. He shook his head and began to head home, a strange smile on his face that he couldn't seem to make disappear.