The royal guards carefully brought Natsu into the castle and placed him in the prince's bedchamber. Juvia was brought along with him and so was Happy, Gray was reserved about letting an over sized cat into the castle but Happy proved to be as gentle as a lamb once Juvia had quietly assured the feline that these people could be trusted. The royal physician was then called in to examine Natsu's body and properly care for his injuries. With Erza's help, the half dragon was soon in stable condition however he still remained unconscious.

Both Juvia and Happy stayed by his side and refused to leave for any reason. Not even when Gray and the physician confirmed to them that Natsu would be fine. They just sat there and watched over him protectively until he stirred. And when he finally did wake he was greeted by a lick on the cheek from Happy and an embrace from Juvia.

"I'm still alive?" He said in surprise as he tried to sit up. "What a relief. I thought I was a goner back there for sure."

He took a moment to look around and quickly became aware of his surroundings. This sight had him further surprised as he expected to wake up on a dirt road somewhere had he survived, not a bed chamber designed to fit royalty.

"Now how did I get here?" Finally he noticed Juvia's presence. "Juvia! Are you alright? Where have you been? What happened? Were you kidnapped? Did someone hurt you?"

Before Juvia could even begin think of a way to explain everything without the use of words There came a polite knock at the door. She got up from the bedside and opened the door. On the other side stood Gray.

"Pardon the intrusion." He said to her. "I just wanted to see how you and your creature are doing."

"Who are you calling a creature? I have a name you know." Natsu said feeling insulted at that remark.

Gray jumped back a little upon discovering that the half reptilian beast was capable of speech.

"It can speak?!" He gasped.

"I am not it! I'm a he! And he has a name which is Natsu."

"I...I beg your pardon. I meant no offense. I knew dragons were real but it never occurred to me that they could talk."

"First of all I'm only half dragon. Did you not notice that I had human legs and feet? Second would you mind telling me where I am, who you are, and what the heck is going on?"

So Gray told Natsu the whole story. Of how he was the prince of this land, how he found Juvia, invited her to stay in his castle for the evening to escape the upcoming storm, and how he had ordered his servants to help Natsu recover from his attack with the angry mob.

"And you've been unconscious ever since." Gray finished.

Natsu turned to Juvia.

"You went with him willingly right?" He asked her.

She nodded.

"Juvia I told you not to leave the cave until came back." He said.

"With all due respect, had she stayed there she would have most likely been washed away in the storm." Gray said. "That cave was on low ground with clay like soil. God forbid, she could have been caught in a landslide."

"Hmmm...I guess you have a point."

"Now that I have answered your questions, perhaps you could answer some of mine. Starting with who this young lady is." He said referring to her. "She's mute so she can't tell me about herself but you surprisingly can talk and you seem to know her very well. Would please tell me her name?"

"Her name is Juvia."

Gray looked over at the silent bluenette.

"Your name is Juvia?" He asked her and she nodded to confirm. "What a pretty name."

He had said that last part absentmindedly and he didn't realize it until he saw the shy blush that appeared on Juvia's cheeks. Then he too started to blush a little. Natsu on the other hand snorted.

"Ahem! Is that all you want to know?" Natsu asked.

"No. I have a few other questions. How do you two know each other? Why was she living in a cave in the forest?"

Natsu hesitated before answering. He wasn't sure if he should tell Gray the whole story. Not yet anyway. The reason for this was because in the beginning, before the siblings had gone into hiding each time they told someone of their relation and their curse it would end very badly. Angry villagers wanted nothing to do with them, fearing that they would bring bad luck due to being involved with a witch and Juvia herself was even suspected of being a witch on a few occasions just because she was the sister of a "monster."

Natsu didn't know enough about Gray to believe that he wouldn't have them locked up or worse, executed for crimes of witchcraft and devilry so he felt that for now it would be best if their true origins were kept a secret.

"She's a dear friend of mine. We're both just homeless travelers trying to make our way in the world." He finally answered.

"Well I can see how a cave could be a proper home to someone like you but I don't think a cave is any place for a lady."

"She has no other means of shelter. Neither one of us do. Every where we go we're chased away because the people fear my hideous appearance. A cave deep in the forest is the best place for us. I don't like having her live there but we have no other options."

"What if I offered you better options?" Gray suggested. He turned to Juvia again. "I don't think that I could bring myself to send you back there where you could either starve or be devoured by wild animals. Would you mind living here instead?"

She blinked a few times, not sure that she had heard him correctly. Her brother on the other hand was certain of what he heard and it made him suspicious.

"You're asking her to live in your castle? Why?"

"You said so yourself that she is homeless and I don't suppose she has a family out there that's looking for her, does she?"

"No. She doesn't."

"You also said that you don't like the idea of her living in a cave. If she were to live here she would be much more comfortable and I give you my word that she would want for nothing."

"And you're just doing this out of the kindness of your heart?"

"Yes."

But Natsu smelled pheromones.

"Could you leave us alone to discuss this?"

"As you wish."

Without another word Gray left the bed chamber. Once Natsu was sure that the prince wasn't close enough to hear him, he started to speak to his sister.

"What do you think?" He asked her. "Do you want to stay here with him?"

Juvia blushed again and looked away from him, her fingers moved to play with her hair as she tried so hard not to smile at the idea.

"Oh no. Don't tell me that you like him."

She nodded bashfully.

"Juvia I don't know if I like the idea of you, a mute young woman being left alone with a man who reeks of hormonal desire. That's pretty much a limp deer to a starving wolf."

Juvia shook her head and through gestures she managed to explain to him that Gray had been nothing but kind and gentlemanly to her. That she was sure that he would never do her any harm.

"I still don't trust him. Besides what about the scarf? The materials needed to make the thread and fabric can only be found in caves and marshes."

She shook her head again and held up three fingers to remind Natsu that the fire leaves and the water blossoms could be found in three locations. She then directed his attention over to one of the windows which gave them a perfect view of Isvan's cemetery.

"Oh that's right." He said. "You can find them in grave yards too. But still..."

On one hand or in his case on one claw, Juvia would most likely be better taken care of here. Sleeping in a proper bed, getting new clothes, eating suitable meals, it would lighten her burden with making the scarf for him. But on the other claw he didn't feel right about leaving her under the care of someone he didn't know and to be perfectly honest he hadn't of really lived apart from Juvia ever. They had always been living together, ever since he was born. It would be so strange to live without her. Then again she would probably be much happier living with humans instead of creatures and upon taking notice of her gown and jewelry, it appeared that the prince would be true to his word.

"If you really do want to stay here, at least until the scarf is finished then I won't stop you." He said. "You can live here while Happy and I go back to the forest."

She shook her head in protest.

"Juvia I can't stay here. The people wouldn't allow it. Sure they're all calm now but eventually they'll riot. It's best that I go and stay out of sight. I mean, what else can I do?"

She didn't want her brother to continue to live in the wilderness while she stayed in luxury. To her it wouldn't be fair or right. Luckily she was able to think of a solution and when Gray returned to hear her answer, she had Natsu translate for her.

"She says that she'll stay here but only under two conditions."

"Of course. Anything." Gray said.

"Number one that she be allowed to do her needle work without being disturbed. It's very important to her and when she's doing it don't ever ask her to stop."

"Very well."

"And number two, she wants you to arrange for me to have a decent home. I can't stay here because I'll only cause panic to your subjects. I would be perfectly content living in a cave but she believes that it wouldn't be fair if she lived in a luxurious place while I would be living outside."

After hearing these terms Gray gently took her hands and with deep sincerity he said,

"I only want to make you happy. I will do as you wish and I will proclaim an order that no one in Isvan is to harm your friend. I swear to you by my father's name that he will not be harmed and be well provided for.

She knelt down and bowed her head in gratitude. If only he knew how much that meant to her. He had just unknowingly ensured that her little brother, her only remaining family, would be safe and secure.

The next day it was arranged that Natsu would go live in the royal manor house located between a valley and the forest. Gray and his parents would spend their winter holidays there, it was discreet but comfortable and elegant. He also gave Natsu some sheep, hens, and pigs to use as a means for food and money. He would live like a wealthy gentleman and he was welcome to visit his sister in Isvan whenever he pleased .

Before he and Happy left, they both bid farewell to Juvia. Just as it would be strange for the brother to live without her, it would be strange for the sister to live without him as well. So far they loved nothing but each other above all things in this world and did not expect to live separately from one another for so long. But parting from family is apart of life.

"If you ever need me." He told her. "Just whistle. You can't call or scream for me but you can whistle and with my superior ears I will hear you no matter how far away I am."

She nodded, kissed his scaly cheek which still felt soft to her, and waved goodbye to him as she watched him leave on Happy's back with his newly acquired live stock following him.