Hey - guess what today is. It's apple day! Yes, this is the trope-maker chapter for Snow White. You'll see a few head-nods to Disney here, but we're going to go bit darker with it.

Liatria: Juvia is so very lost right now. I think she underappreciated her relationship with Bora. And I loved getting to make that part of the tragedy. As for Lucy, I appreciated getting to give her a moment to take a step back and share some of those insecurities. It's been a while since I've watched the anime, but Lucy seemed to be a very confident and self-assured individual (rightly or wrongly). I always wondered if there was another part of her that was a bit more insecure and rather unsure. (Of course, I wonder the same thing about Erza as well.) But now we have the culmination. We've got dark and light, two opposite personality types (equally obsessed with Gray, albeit in very different ways... one is selfish and the other selfless). Both are determined to stay the course even though neither is quite seeing reality for what it is. Thanks for reviewing!

Irina: If there was anything that would push Juvia to the point of no return, this would be it. As for Lucy, I really feel for her situation with Juvia. I can (cautiously) speak from experience here, as someone I knew ended up being a 'Juvia'... I wasn't super close with this person, but I knew him. My whole community knew him, some for many years. And initially it was hard to believe, a lot of us assumed it was a mistake or a misunderstanding. We all thought he was a nice guy, but I guess we didn't know him as well as we thought. I have friends (perfectly rational people) who were in denial until we saw it on the news had it proved beyond a shadow of a doubt. As for Lucy's take on Gray, you're spot on. She is definitely forcing her views on him, and trying to turn him into a project. The concerns about Gray's sanity are mostly in Lucy's own; you can see that Natsu isn't particularly bothered by Gray's well-being. He doesn't treat him like a tragic figure or some kind of wounded animal. Thanks again :)

Guest: Thanks - glad to be here :)

Golden: It's very kind of you to say and I'll try my best to be worthy of such high praise. :) I appreciate the support!

- K. Chandler

The cold was hard on her joints.

It wasn't that the carriage was small. She and Bora used to share the same amount of space when she was on her way to Magnolia. But there was no room to stand or change positions.

She massaged her knees and rolled her aching back. Her aged body was uncomfortable to begin with, and not getting to move made things worse.

But she had no choice. This was the only way to get to Lucy.

There was a loud crack that jolted the carriage. It jostled to a stop.

Juvia looked out the window. Instead of seeing Isvan Palace, as she expected, all she saw were trees and rocks.

Juvia waited for Gajeel to open the door for her, like Bora would have, but he didn't. After a few minutes, Juvia opened the door herself and stepped outside. It felt so good to be able to unbend her knees!

The frozen air assaulted her like a barrage of knives. She knew that Isvan was cold, and the tattered rags that were part of her disguise didn't do anything to help.

Now that she was out of the carriage, Juvia was able to take a good look around. They were in the middle of a snowy mountain road. And in front of them… Isvan Palace, shining like a beacon, near the top of the mountain.

Gajeel was standing to the side of the carriage, near the rear.

"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Juvia. "Why have we stopped?"

"Wheel's broke. Hit a rock back there."

"You shouldn't have been so careless," Juvia complained.

Gajeel didn't respond to the jab, simply crouching to look at the wheel.

"I'm not going to be able to fix it myself," he said.

"Well, then, what do you propose we do?" asked Juvia.

"Buy another one, of course," said Gajeel impatiently, pointing a ways down the mountain. "Look, there's a town over that way. I'll go down and buy what I need to fix it or at least get it so I can drive it to a wheelwright."

Juvia looked over at the town before glancing back at Isvan Palace. She wasn't going to wait here. And she wasn't about to walk all the way down to the town and back again. And who knew how long it would take to get this fixed. She couldn't wait that long!

"Have the carriage repaired," said Juvia. "Then come back to the palace gates to pick me up. I should be finished by then."

Gajeel arched an eyebrow but didn't question. Instead, he helped Juvia retrieve her basket before carefully easing the carriage to the side of the road.

The he departed, leaving Juvia on her own.

Juvia sank to her knees, hugging her arms around herself. She couldn't help the whimper that escaped her throat. This was the fourth time she had needed to stop, so she knew what to expect.

Her chest clenched like a vise. Her heart pounded, thumping painfully against her ribs. She curled up on her side, her knees tucked into her torso in an effort to stop hurting. It didn't help.

The first time she had felt her heart speed up, Juvia hadn't known what was happening. She had panicked, freezing in place. Her tunneling vision had forced her to sit down in the snow, sucking in deep breaths to try to calm her racing heart, and trying desperately not to faint by the side of the road.

Her health had never been a topic of concern for her, but now even a small amount of exertion was enough to strain her heart. Of course, this was her fourth rest in less than half a day. She was starting to believe that she spent more time recovering than actually traveling.

Her stamina was next to nonexistent. Her chest hurt, and as much as she wanted to blame her lungs, still irritated from her mistake with the kullfruit fumes from a week ago, it was getting harder to ignore the telling signs that it was her weakened heart that was to blame. Juvia hadn't anticipated the toll that this form would take.

Actually, everything hurt, the cold making her arthritic joints achingly tight. She couldn't seem to bend over; she was too stiff. Her back hurt from being hunched, but she couldn't seem to straighten up either.

And for the briefest moment of weakness, Juvia wondered if this were really worth it. What was she really trying to accomplish with any of this?

But then, Juvia remembered the bluest eyes she had ever seen. They were clear and bright, like a sky that she could only imagine when she was living in Fantasma.

Gray.

She did this for Gray.

She could deal with any kind of hardship for Gray. This wasn't pain she was feeling. This was a discomfort hardly worth mentioning. She was fine. Perfectly fine.

Clinging onto that thought, Juvia shut her eyes. She massaged at her chest, waiting for the crushing sensation of heaviness to pass.

Juvia couldn't imagine having to make this journey a second time. But she wouldn't have to. The next time, she wouldn't be arriving on foot, sneaking in like some sort of a thief. No, next time, she'd be conducted to Isvan Palace in a gilded carriage. She'd soon be the new Queen of Isvan. Gray's queen. He'd be here to care for her, holding her gently like he had held Lucy. Whispering words of comfort against her ear when she hurt.

Yes, Gray would be there. It would be fine.

When she had sufficiently recovered, Juvia forced herself to uncurl. She couldn't just lie here in the snow. She had to continue. She eased back onto her hands and feet, pushing up slowly, her abused joints protesting the movement. At least her heartrate had settled.

When she was sure that the latest fit had well and truly passed, Juvia took the basket of apples back into her hands.

The palace was just ahead. Just of reach. Lucy was just out of reach.

But not for long.

Just one more push and she'd be at Isvan Palace.

Lucy was grateful that Natsu had been a good sport about checking down the hallway or patrolling the grounds whenever she asked. He never found anything (except that Gray had set up a new patrol schedule), but he went anyways. He had just stepped out a minute ago, but he would be back soon.

The shouting at the window sent a jolt through Lucy's spine. She knew she wasn't crazy this time.

Creeping to the window, Lucy looked down at the snowy courtyard. An old lady was arguing with what was probably one of Gray's security guards, though it was hard to tell, since she was out of uniform. From this distance, she looked like the lazy female guard who was always drunk and never cared to address people properly.

"Sorry, can't let you in," insisted the guard. "Prince's orders."

"Please, I just need to speak with her. It's very important," insisted the old lady.

"I just said that you're not allowed," said the guard.

"Do you not know who I am?" demanded the old lady.

"Well, no, seeing as you didn't introduce yourself," said the guard.

"I'm the—I mean… I'm just a traveling peddler," said the old lady.

"No solicitations," said the guard.

"I'm an innocent civilian. Why are you treating me with such suspicion?"

"I'm not suspicious," said the guard. "That's just policy. The palace is closed to outsiders, so I'm not allowed to let you in. Plus, solicitors were never allowed to begin with. Keep it up, and I'll have to forcibly remove you."

"I'm not soliciting, exactly. I'm actually here with a delivery. Think of me as a messenger," said the old woman.

"Which is it? A peddler or a messenger? Make up your mind."

"Well, I mean…"

"Nobody's going in or out," said the guard. "And that's final. Now leave."

"Excuse me. What's going on down there?" called Lucy.

"Did we disturb you? Sorry. Just a panhandler," said the guard, grabbing the lady by the arm. "I'll have her removed."

"Lucy!" cried the old woman.

"Yes, that's me," said Lucy. "Who are you? And how do you know my name?"

Had they met before? This wasn't Lucy's first trip to Gray's palace, but she wasn't here often enough for her to have made friends.

But instead of responding, the lady swayed on her feet, going still. She pressed a hand to her forehead.

"Are you okay?" asked Lucy.

"I… I don't…" She trailed off shaking her head. She gasped, clutching at her heaving chest.

"All right," said the guard, clamping down on the poor old lady's shoulders. "That's enough of that. I've seen better acting in the town square plays…"

The old lady went limp, collapsing against the guard as her knees buckled under her.

Panic rose in Lucy's stomach. "Are you okay? Hey. Can you still hear me? What's wrong?" asked Lucy.

"My... my heart," whispered the old lady, her eyes fluttering shut.

The guard released the old woman, letting her drop in a heap in the snow.

"What are you doing?" asked Lucy shrilly, horrified by the female guard's behavior. The sight of the ailing woman being treated so roughly sickened her. "Don't just stand there! Help her," said Lucy.

The guard looked bored. "The prince said—"

"I don't care what Gray said. That poor old lady just collapsed in the cold. I think she's having a heart attack! And you're doing absolutely nothing!"

"She's obviously faking," said the guard, nudging the old lady with her toe. "Can't you tell?"

Lucy sucked in a breath. She hadn't considered that. It would be an awful thing to do.

Just the sort of thing that an assassin or some type of criminal would do. One that was coming to finish what she started.

But what if she was wrong? What if this really was a poor old lady? Lucy didn't think she could live with herself if she just let an innocent person die…

Goodness won out over fear as Lucy made up her mind.

"Bring her inside, right this instant!" demanded Lucy.

"Are you ordering me to?" asked the guard.

"What?! Yes! Now, hurry up. You can put her in the sitting room. I'll be down in a minute."

Lucy rushed down to the sitting room, stopping the first servant she passed to request that the fire be stoked and hot tea and blankets be made available in the sitting room.

Lucy glared when the female guard entered, carrying the old lady.

"Lay her on the sofa," said Lucy.

The guard rolled her eyes, but she did as she was told, though she made no effort to be gentle.

"Odd that she managed to hold on to her basket," said the guard pointedly. "Isn't she supposed to be unconscious?"

Lucy wasn't sure what to make of that observation, but she didn't have time to worry about that. She dismissed the lazy guard, making a note to report her to Gray. Then she hurried to cover the woman with one of the blankets. She was worryingly cold.

Coming into the warmth seemed to be helping, as she didn't seem to have any trouble breathing, like she had outside. Curious, Lucy reached to check on the woman's pulse.

But before she could, the woman grabbed her hand.

Lucy jumped, fighting the urge to recoil. She scolded herself for how silly she was being. Still, she'd feel better once Natsu was back.

Lucy couldn't remember if she had asked the servant to let Natsu know where she was. But that was okay, right? Natsu always had a way of knowing where she was.

The old lady must have been coming around, for she was moving far too quickly for someone who was supposed to be unconscious.

Sure enough, her eyes fluttered opened almost right away.

"Wh-where am I?" the old lady asked weakly, her head turning slightly to look at Lucy.

"You're safe. You're at Isvan Palace," said Lucy, giving the woman's hand a reassuring squeeze. She felt guilty for having doubted her. This poor old woman might have died if Lucy hadn't summoned her courage to bring her inside.

"Isvan Palace…" whispered the woman. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly as she started to sit up.

"Careful!" said Lucy.

The old woman waved her off, accepting the tea that Lucy handed her, wrapping her frozen fingers around the hot ceramic.

"Are you okay? You really had me scared," said Lucy. "I'm sending for Wendy," said Lucy. She should have had the guard do that before she left.

"N-no. J-Juv—I'm… I'm all right now," she said as she straightened, taking a shaky breath. "It's going away. This happens sometimes."

"Still, we should probably get you checked out," said Lucy.

"I said, no," said the woman, her voice steely. Her grip on Lucy's hand was suddenly vise-like, not as strong as Natsu's, but still really scary for an old lady.

"O-okay… if you're sure," said Lucy, frowning.

There was something familiar about this woman. What was it?

"What's wrong?" asked the old woman.

"Do I… know you?" asked Lucy curiously.

"What makes you think that we know each other?" asked the woman.

"Well, earlier, you knew my name…" said Lucy. "And now... I don't know. Just a feeling, I guess. Silly, huh?"

The woman smiled, the expression eerily familiar. "I don't think I know you, though I wish I did," she said. "You seem like such a sweet girl."

"What brings you to the palace?" asked Lucy.

"Just a feeling, I guess," said the old woman mysteriously. "I was actually on my way to the marketplace when I had the sudden urge to stop by the palace. I had a feeling like something was going to happen. I suppose part of me knew that I'd be able to find help here. It sure was lucky that I ran into you. Thank you for your kindness."

"It was the least I could do," said Lucy. "Honestly, that guard made me so mad when she just stood there."

"I'd like to reward you for what you've done," said the old woman.

"Oh, no. You don't have to do that," said Lucy. "That's not necessary."

"It's very necessary," said the old woman. "Now, where's that basket?" She patted the sofa cushion next to her, her eyes widening in panic. "Where's the basket? What happened to the basket!?" she asked frantically.

"It's right here," said Lucy, handing it to her. "We just put it on the floor so nothing would happen to it."

The old woman breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is the basket very important to you?" asked Lucy.

"It's holding the fruit that's to be sold at the marketplace," said the old woman.

"Fruit?" echoed Lucy. Of course, she would panic about losing her basket. It was her livelihood. Judging by the way she dressed, Lucy wouldn't be surprised if it was the only thing of value she owned.

"That's right," said the woman. "Here, look." She lifted the corner of the handkerchief covering her basket. The reddest, shiniest, apples peeked out.

Lucy's mouth watered. It had been a while since she had fresh fruit. Isvan didn't have a lot of options at this time of year.

"You look surprised," said the woman.

"Gray said it was too cold to get much in the way of produce."

"That's why you import it from other kingdoms," said the woman. "Try one," she said, plucking a deep red apple from the top of the pile.

"I couldn't," said Lucy. "That's what you're selling in the market, right?"

"It's all right," said the woman, pressing the apple into her hand. "You must try one. They're to die for."

"At least let me pay you," said Lucy.

"That's not necessary," said the woman. "Consider it a gift. Payback for what you've done."

Lucy accepted the apple, turning it over in her hand. For a second, Lucy had wondered if she should refuse. But this was just an apple. An ordinary piece of fruit, not some mystery concoction. And it wasn't like she refused the food placed in front of her at meal-times. Even Gray's paranoia didn't go that far.

"Something the matter?" asked the woman.

Lucy shook her head, biting into the apple eagerly. The juices hitting her tongue, the flavor horribly wrong. She made a face. "It's bitter…" said Lucy. She smacked her mouth, trying the identify the strange flavor. Her jaw felt tight.

"Impossible," said the woman, frowning. "Are you saying that the fruit's bad?"

"What? Oh, no," said Lucy. "I'm sure it's fine." She took another bite, to prove the point, but the bitterness was unmistakable this time. She swallowed, her tongue feeling too big for her mouth. Her neck was starting to hurt, the muscles pulled tight.

Lucy lowered her hand to her lap, not interested in eating any more. Though the apple had looked delicious, it was anything but.

"Eat some more."

"…I'm not all that hungry right now," said Lucy. "But thank you, though."

"What's wrong?" asked the old woman, her eyes cold as she stared unblinking into Lucy's face. That familiar sharp aspect was returning to her expression.

Lucy inhaled sharply, trying to keep from recoiling as her pulse sped up. There was something unsettling about this old woman. And it was giving her a feeling of apprehension.

"Nothing… It was really good. It's hard to get apples in Isvan this time of year. It was nice of you to share. Ow…" Lucy massaged at a cramp in her leg.

"Some people know how to share," said the old lady. "That's something you should learn, Lucy."

Her muscles were starting to tighten and twitch. Her leg. Her back. Even her face felt impossibly tight. Lucy's arm shot out, spasming uncontrollably. The apple fell from her fingers, falling to the floor with a dull thunk before rolling away.

The woman's worn face became a mask of cruelty as she shoved Lucy to the floor, cackling.

The impact of the floor hurt. But not as much as the way Lucy's own body folded her in half before snapping her back into a tight arch. The spasms ripped through her as the convulsions took hold, leaving Lucy unable to do anything but ride out the waves of pain in a body that was no longer under her control.

The agony was so great that she didn't hear the woman's next incriminating words.

"Now, Juvia has won," the woman said to herself. "Gray, darling. You and Juvia will be together very soon."

Okay, so who wants Natsu to come and rescue his lady love? XD (Because of course, this would happen in the two minutes where Natsu walked out of the room.)

As for Juvia... just keep in mind that this road that she's taking is the same one that Gray and Lucy were on. Y'know, the one where Gray was all like: 'Look at the sky and the beauty of Isvan. I love my kingdom and its people!' Not that a random backroad necessarily proves anything, but it makes me wonder at how good a Queen of Isvan Juvia would have made...

Next time, in Toxic, just imagine what Natsu will walk in on: There was a feeling of anxiety or foreboding that Natsu only got when Lucy was in trouble. Now, that same anxious feeling had taken residence in the pit of Natsu's stomach again. Something wasn't right.

Stop back for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.