Authors Notes- And here I am with the second last chapter of A Princess And Her Knight. As you can gather by now I only own the plot and Cecilia as well as the White Rose Guild. Everything else belongs to Hiro Mashima. Now that we got that out of the way here is chapter eleven.

Where was she? Erza thought, as she slowly began to rouse. Pain lancing through every inch of her body as she cracked open her eyes. Eyes widening when she found herself not in her room at Fairy Hills. Heart pounding in her chest she as she found herself in a dark, dank dungeon.

"W-what?" she managed to choke out, moving to sit up, when- clink! Blinking again she tried once more to sit up, but upon looking down she saw that she was chained down and her armor was gone leaving her in nothing but a tattered and dirty white dress. What was going on?!

"So, you're finally awake, huh?" A cold, cruel voice spoke, making Erza look towards the door. Anger swelling in her chest when she saw Cecilia leaning against the door frame. A crooked smile on her lips.

Pushing herself off of it as she walked over to where Erza lay. "'Bout time too, I was starting to get bored with all of this waiting." Cecilia said.

"Wh-what am I doing here?" Erza demanded, eyes narrowed.

"You, my dear Erza are our final sacrifice. You are going to die." As those words escaped Cecilia's lips Erza felt a chill run down her spine, as a maniacal grin split Cecilia's face. "But don't you fret, my dear. Your death will help bring forth a new era." Cecilia added gleefully. Letting out a high pitched laugh as she leaned over Erza, a crazed look in her eyes. "But before that you and I will be having so much fun before that time comes though." She added.

Raising a knife to Erza's eye level Cecilia relished the look of fear in Erza's eyes as she brought the blade closer and closer to her face. The blade slicing into the flesh of Erza's right cheek as Erza let out a cry that echoed through the dungeon. Cecilia's laughter following after.

"...cy...Lu..."

Darkness surrounded her.

"Lucy!"

And in this darkness someone was calling out to her. Calling her name...

"LUCY!" Natsu's voice cut through the darkness, her eyes snapping open, her vision filled with the concerned face of Natsu and Happy.

"Wh-what?" she managed to choke out, her throat feeling dry and scratchy and she found herself laying on one of the bed in the guild's medical wing. To her left sat Gray and Juvia as well and Makarov as well as a few others. "Where am I?" she rasped out as Mira handed her a glass of water. Which she took. Uttering a thanks to her before taking a big gulp.

"You're at the guild, you're safe." Gray told her.

Lucy was silent as she looked down at the half empty glass clasped tightly. Brow furrowed as she tried to remember what had happened, when it hit her. "Where's Erza?" Lucy suddenly shouted, eyes wide. Startling the others in the room.

Funny," said Natsu. "We were going to ask you that very same thing."

"Erza is missing." Mira supplied, a grim look on the white haired woman's face.

Upon hearing that it was like time had stopped for Lucy. Erza gone? Blinking she look from Mira to the others, seeing the same grim and worried looks on their faces as she was unable to process this.

"What...how?" she asked.

"Again we were hoping you'd might tell us, you were with her last, Lucy." Natsu said, straightening. "The last time anyone saw either of you is when you took on that big monster... then nothing."

"And after that I contacted you, and you just ran off without a word." Gray added, arms crossed over his bare chest.

That was it, Lucy mused, hand on her chin. It was all coming back to her now. All of it. Shooting up in bed she swung her legs over the side, startling the others. "Lucy," Natsu said, placing a hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.

"Natsu, let me go. I know what happened to Erza." Lucy said, shrugging his hand on her shoulder, and getting to her feet. It was then... Lucy realized how horribly under dressed she was.

In fact she was now stand before several of her guild mates, completely in the nude. Silence permeated in the crowded room, and at that moment all blood seemed to rush to her face, as she raced to cover herself up, all while ignoring the looks the others shot her. As Mira handed her a blanket. So much for looking like a badass there.

"Do you...do you think someone grabbed Erza?" Juvia asked, a hand firmly clamped over the eyes of a red faced Gray.

Nodding Lucy suddenly remembered the lunatic, that Cecilia, that crazed woman she had once encountered just before...before. Lucy growled, she was drawing a blank. Could she had grabbed Erza, and if so what for? Eyes narrowed she looked up at Master Makarov, everything was slowly coming back to her. Holding the covers tightly around her as she spoke once more. Telling them everything until she was done.

Silence fell over the group once more as they absorbed everything Lucy had just told them. Anger shining in they eyes of Natsu and Gray, worry shining in Juvia and Mira's. While Master Makarov had a grim look on his weathered face.

"I know of this guild you speak of." He said after a while. All eyes were on him now as he said this.

"Master?" Lucy asked.

Makarov looked down at his hands. Never in all these years did he ever think he would hear the name White Rose Guild ever again, at least not in his lifetime. He had hoped they would have disappeared to the dregs of time, a guild full of murderous women. Or had hoped that the guild master would have given up on her dreams as she liked to call them.

But it appears that was not the case, if what Lucy told them was true, and now they had Erza in their clutches. God, he needed a drink, or several, after a few more minutes the old master looked up at Lucy once more and sighed. He guessed there was no point in hiding it any longer. Running a hand over the top of his head he swallowed thickly as he told his children everything he knew of this guild. All eyes were on him now.

"Why didn't you tell us this before, Gramps?" Natsu asked.

Makarov looked to Natsu. "I had hoped they would have just given up and disappear, but with all Lucy has told me, that doesn't seem to be the case."

"Yeah, and now they have Erza." Natsu growled, flames flickering at the tips of his fingers. As frost formed on the tips of Gray's fingers, cold eyes narrowed. "And we're going to get her back by any mean necessary." The fire dragon slayer snarled.

Hours had passed since she and the others had joined up with the rest of the guild. Lucy recalled the looks the other guild members had when they heard the news, worry, anger, and dread were on the faces of her guild mates as the news of this new threat and of one of their own in trouble sunk in. And now... she was back home, under the more than forceful urging of Mira when Lucy only wanted to do something she thought only Natsu would do.

And that was to rush head first into the fray. Which was odd even for her, she was never they type to rush into dangerous situations. Perhaps it has something to do with Erza? A voice whispered in the back of her head. Lucy blinked looking up from her clasped hands. Was this what it was like to be in love? Lucy wouldn't know, sure, her father had tried and failed miserably to force her into various arranged marriages strictly for the future of the business.

But Lucy could honestly say she had never really loved anyone...in the romantic way that was. She had always thought she would someday meet her Prince Charming. But instead she met Erza, her knight in shining armor. Boy, she was surprised to find herself falling in love with her. And now... now Erza was in trouble and Lucy could do nothing but sit here and wait. She guessed love did make one irrational. Gnawing at her bottom lip she nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard a knock on her door.

Heart pounding in her chest as she moved towards her door, and was instantly greeted by the sight of Natsu along with Happy. "Guys is something wrong?" she asked.

Shaking his head Natsu moved further into her home, as Lucy closed the door behind her. "No, nothing yet. I, we didn't want you to be alone while everyone else figured things out." Natsu said, gesturing to Happy.

"Guys you didn't have to come all the way here," Lucy said, unable to keep the small smile on her lips as she looked at the two. "I'm fine."

"Okay, fine we get that." Natsu sighed, plopping down on her bed, arms crossed behind his head. "But in all honesty I don't really want to be alone. And I figured you'd want some company given how you seem to be on edge." he added.

"Can you really blame me?" Lucy asked, sitting on the edge of her bed, looking to Natsu, chewing on her perfectly manicured nails. "One of our friends is in trouble. Sure, it's Erza and she can more than easily take care of herself...but..." she stammered, trailing off.

"Doesn't really help that you're in love with her, right?" Natsu finished for her.

Causing Lucy's head to jerk up and meet her friends gaze, shocked.

"What?" Happy chimed in, "you honestly didn't think people wouldn't find out about your little secret, did you?"

Opening her mouth she quickly snapped it shut. How could she be surprised? Despite her best efforts people always seemed to be able to read her like an open book. Running her fingers through her hair she sighed. She hated this, this sitting all while Erza was getting hurt.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised." She said, looking to Natsu. "But surely you couldn't blame me, right?"

At that Natsu shook his head, as he got up from the bed, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Giving it a reassuring squeeze. "And I know how you feel, this sitting here feeling useless..." Natsu shook his head once more.

Lucy could only nod, tears welling in her eyes as Natsu pulled her into a firm hug. As tears spilled freely down her face.

Oh my! Cecilia mused as a high pitched scream ripped from Erza's abused throat. Tears were spilling down the red heads cheeks as Cecilia's blade sliced into her right shoulder. Blood welling in the wound as she pulled away from where Erza lay, tilting her head to the side like an artist admiring ones work. Blood stained the alter which she lay on. She had thought that Erza was beautiful before, but now? She was breath taking even with the various cuts and burns along with various old scars littering her toned body.

"That's enough." A stern voice spoke, jerking her from her thoughts.

Looking over her shoulder Cecilia saw the Mistress standing there, and cool look on her aged face. "M-Mistress?" Cecilia choked out.

"Our sacrifice has endured enough for today." The Mistress said, something that brooked no argument before she turned away from the scene before her.

Nodding Cecilia bit back a disappointed groan as she went through the motions of cleaning her blades, listening to Erza sob quietly to herself as she did so. Cecilia said nothing as she cast one final look to the woman before her, before walking off. A cruel grin on her face as she closed the door behind her, leaving Erza in complete darkness.

Cecilia knew she had to pace herself when it came to Erza. It was, the suffering that she endured that was more important towards their goals. After all it was the only way the Old Goddess would awaken when their sacrifices suffered enough. Cecilia mused as she ascended the stairs and towards her room, ready to call it a night...

She needed to get out of here. Erza thought as her tears dried up, and the pain soon ebbed. Blood, her blood stained the cold, unforgiving stone pressed firmly against her back. She was going to die if she didn't. Biting down on her bottom lip Erza tested the chains on her arms and legs. Her heart fluttering when she tried them once more when-

"What are you doing?" A harsh whispered from the darkness, making her jerk slightly. Looking around Erza could see nothing in the pitch black darkness.

"Who's there?" Erza spoke, trying to keep her voice from wavering, her ears straining to hear the stranger. Holding her breath as she heard faint footsteps followed by the sense of someone standing over her.

"I know you're scared." The voice continued. Erza tensed as she felt fingers brushing through her hair. "I know this is so horrible to endure but I assure you this will all before before you know it."

"If you think I'm going to break down and beg then you and your little friends are going to be sorely disappointed." Erza snarled.

A low chuckle from the unseen figure. "I love your unbreakable fighting spirit, but no, I'm not here to gloat in fact..." the figure seemed to lean over Erza. "I'm going to get you out of here."

Erza blinked at that. It must be a prank, a test. As soon as Erza tried to escape they would be on her again. After all, why would anyone in this god forsaken guild of killers want to help her? It was a trick.

"Why?" Erza croaked out, looking up at the unseen figure.

The figure in question was silent for so long Erza had actually thought that they had left. Until she felt them press something into the palm of her hand, closing her fingers around it. "I'm sure this will be proof enough." And with that there was silence once more.

Erza bit down on her bottom lip she felt around the object in her hand, heart leaping when she could tell that it was a key. Feeling her hopes rise just a little bit she began to work on unlocking the shackles, letting out a little laugh as she managed to unlock one before moving to the other one.

Letting out a sigh as she massaged her aching, bruised wrists. She then moved to her ankles. Wincing slightly as she got to her feet. Now what? She thought as she stumbled around in the dark. Her right hand pressing against the grimy wall as she felt her way around. Until she came across a door. Checking the knob she let out a laugh as she found it to be unlocked. Light spilled into the room where she had been imprisoned. She found herself staring up at a staircase that lead upwards. Casting a glance over her shoulder she then took the stairs two at a time and stopping when she came to a hallway.

Funny, Erza thought as she tiptoed down the hall, stopping every once in a while to listen for any sign of anyone around. Obviously everyone was fast asleep, good that would make things easier for her in the long run. This places seems a lot like my Guild, except Fairytail has less serial killers that is... she thought as she rounded the corner she found herself staring at a large window.

Perhaps she could use it to figure out where she was? Brow furrowed she peered out the window, and... Dread formed in her gut as she saw absolutely nothing she recognized. Where was she?

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" An all too familiar voice spoke.

Nearly jumping out of her skin Erza whirled around, finding herself coming face to face with Cecilia once more. Eyes narrowing Erza felt every muscle in her abused body tense, ready for a fight. "A vermin scurrying around my guild like she owns the place." Cecilia finished. Anger swelled in Erza's chest as she readied for another battle. This time...she was ready...

After what seemed like forever they were finally on the move. Lucy thought as she gripped her whip tightly in her hands. After what seemed like forever they had finally finally pinpointed the White Rose Guilds location. And hopefully Erza would still be alive when they got there. Lucy's heart thundered in her chest as she and the others made their way to the guild. Up ahead she could see the extravagant looking old building that was their destination. What would await them? She mused, she knew for a fact that Cecilia was pretty formidable but what about the others? Lucy swallowed thickly as she placed her free hand on her keys. The feeling reassured her, when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Looking up she saw Loki smiling down at her. "It'll be okay," he whispered to her, giving her shoulder one final squeeze before disappearing.

Lucy turned away from where Loki once stood and watched as they finally reached the guild. A grim smile forming on her lips as Natsu, brash. Impulsive Natsu rushed a head of everyone else. And with a mighty roar Natsu launched himself at the double doors. A thrill racing down her spine as she heard the sound of those intricate double doors was music to her ears. Biting down on her bottom lip as she charged along with the rest of her guild mates.

A loud crash sounded through out the guild, startling the two woman.

"What's going on?!" Cecilia exclaimed, looking over her shoulder towards the noise.

But Erza knew the answer to that, there was only one group of people she knew who could cause such a ruckus. Fairytail. Feeling a grim smile forming on her bloody lips as she took the opportunity to lunge at Cecilia, her fist connecting with Cecilia's jaw. Making her stagger, back brushing against the wall as she turned to glare at Erza, magic crackling at her finger tips as Erza was engulfed in her own magic. And suddenly the once nude wizard was now clad in her armor. Sword clutched tightly in her hands as Cecilia lunged at her with an enraged roar.

The magic blade Cecilia had conjured clanking against her armored chest. A blow that would have no doubt have killed her. Gritting her teeth she sliced her own blade across Cecilia's right cheek. Blood welling in the wound and began to trickle down her face. Letting out another howl Cecilia lunged at her again. Her fist connecting with Erza's jaw, making her stagger backwards.

Blood trickled from Erza's split lip as they continued to fight, as chaos erupted all around them. One way or another. They thought as they glared at each other. Someone was going to die.

Authors Notes- And just like that here concludes chapter 11. And for some odd reason I decided it was a good idea to get this done in one sitting. And now my back is hurting. Also in other news today is this story is now Four years old. I published it Dec 20 2017. Random I know but I figured I'd share it with you. And I'm wiped so I'm calling it a night. I hope you enjoy it and this is Blackjack signing off, have a goodnight.