Hi, back with chapter 6, i'm starting on some artwork soon, so look out for that info in future chapters as I'm not sure what platform they will be displayed on. Thank you guys again for the support with this story and I appologise for gramatical errors, I know I need a beta reader! I really appreciate contructive comments as it helps my writing improve, I was ok in english class but not amazing! Anyhoo hope you enjoy this next installment and don't forget to review!

Dragon Souls Chapter six – The Council of Elders

The news that she was being summoned by the Council of Elders in just two short days, had left Lucy with a feeling of uttermost dread in her stomach. She was ill prepared to stand before a group of officials and plead her case to them, or her father.

She had expected a quick response, perhaps a week or two, at most.

Not barely more than forty-eight hours...

Igneel had passed her an officially written letter, looping writing in black ink complete with a coat of arms, two dragons facing back to back with a shield in the centre; over a sumptuous banquet of dinner the evening before, her delicious meal of pork sausages, creamy and buttery soft mashed potato and roasted vegetables, with real gravy...forgotten as she shakily took the letter.

The entire Lords table had remained silent as she had read the summons.

Igneel's kind eyes showed concern and care, which left her feeling warm, despite her insides feeling as though a bucket of ice cold water had been poured down her back, as she learned she would be questioned by the Council to test the validity of her claim.

Despite Igneel's scoff that anyone would be a fool to refuse that she wasn't the spitting image of his old friend and his lover, the quiet blonde hadn't spoken much through dinner that night. Her new friends desperately trying to cheer her up, Happy had curled up on her lap; purring gently and kneading against her thighs, trying to comfort her.

Natsu had even tried a few things to get her to smile, flicking peas at Loke and Gajeel, juggling bread rolls, nothing seemed to work. A frown hadn't left his handsome face all evening, distracted from wolfing down his food as he kept glancing across at her.

While she appreciated his efforts, a single thought was taking over her mind.

She was really going to be meeting her father tomorrow...after twenty four years...and from the looks of the letter, he wasn't going to welcome her with open arms.

The Dragon Lord had told her he had arranged to take her himself, in Dragon-Form, flanked on either side by his own bodyguards. Lucy would be riding in his hands, or claws; Igneel had asked if she would prefer riding on his back, but Lucy wasn't thrilled with the prospect. The flight would take three hours, the journey would otherwise take a week on horseback, and even then; Era was apparently impossible to get to from the ground.

After a fitful sleep, Lucy had woken as though on autopilot, stripped bare and bathed in the thermal pool in her bathroom for over half an hour, she had dried her trembling body and moisturised; changing into a practical outfit that had been left for her on the bed while she had been in the bath.

There was a beautiful white peplum off the shoulder corset top, gold threading details across the bodice, elbow length sleeves flared out a few inches in a pretty ruffle, the back flared out in a matching ruffle that fell into a V shape around her derriere, a pair of thick black leggings made of wool that were the cosiest things she had ever worn; finally, a pair of low heel knee high, dark brown boots completed the look.

Everything, to her surprise, had fit her like a glove; give her a weapon to hold and maybe she would resemble a heroine of an adventure novella, about to journey to a dangerous land to slay a vicious beast.

This outfit was much more comfortable than the dresses she had been wearing, as pretty as they were, she found herself tripping over the hem more than once.

It was hard to be graceful when you could trip over your own feet!

Securing her hair in a simple braid down her back, Lucy gave herself the once over, before she smiled and left her bedroom; making the way through the corridors, down the main castle staircase and into the ballroom for breakfast. She wasn't very hungry, given her nervousness; but a good meal would help energise her for what she was sure to be a very trying day.

Igneel had told her they would be leaving promptly for Era, wherever that was, after they had eaten.

Lucy bowed to Lord Igneel, before she quietly walked towards her place at the table; next to Natsu, as always.

She nodded at the various greetings of good morning and the like, then her eyes met those of deep amber, a little thrill shot through her when she saw those amber eyes roving down her body, Natsu had just brought his glass to his lips to take a drink, when there was a sudden movement of his hand, and, in two seconds; his water glass had tipped over, unending its contents all over his lap and the floor.

Lucy tilted her head in confusion as he began swearing and heated his body up, the water evaporating within a second. She found herself giggling, even though no one else had seen his clumsiness; their eyes met once again and Lucy shook her head at him teasingly.

"I think you might be clumsier than me." Lucy chuckled as she sat down, the warmth roving off of him left her feeling a little hot under the collar.

He'd tried to form an insult to throw back at her, but seeing her in that outfit had made his brain shut down and all of his motor functions seemed to stop working; his anger dissipating when he had heard her small giggle.

The white top she wore clung to her torso like a second skin, enough cleavage on display to get his dragon all worked up again, those leggings were extremely flattering on her shapely legs and the knee high boots left his mouth dry, coupled with the pretty plait hung over one shoulder; holy fucking hell...

"You're a weirdo." Natsu grinned cheekily at her, her eyes blinked several times at the fact he wasn't arguing with her.

Had he sustained a head injury? Was he sick? Was she in another alternate universe?

"What, no insults today?" Lucy shot back with a raised eyebrow, piling sausage, some bacon, a fried egg, toasted bread and some butter onto her plate.

"Weirdo wasn't an insult?" The Prince raised an eyebrow mockingly at the blonde.

"No...actually I take it as a comp –"

"When you two have quite finished flirting, Lucy my dear; we must make haste." Igneel spoke with an air of amusement in his voice.

The two in question pulled away from each other, not realising their faces were so close to one another, Lucy turned beet red when she saw the rest of the table giving them various smiles, waggling eyebrows and a mock look of heartbreak from Loke; Natsu clearing his throat while Lucy busied herself with buttering her bread and fried egg. Her hands moving jerkily and slowly.

Natsu turned his gaze on what she was doing, both confused and intrigued as he watched her cutting the sausages in half, placing them on one slice of the bread with the egg and the bacon. She then cut the odd sandwich in half and looked up, noticing with a start that several people were looking at her.

"What?" Lucy asked in confusion, worried she had done something wrong.

"You eat breakfast on toast?" Natsu asked.

"What, you've never had a breakfast sandwich?" Lucy smiled incredulously. "It's amazing! The runny egg coats the bacon and sausages and makes it delicious."

Lucy was surprised when several people, starting with Natsu, began to copy her. Levy, Wendy and Igneel all tried her version, Loke added extra bacon while Gajeel, Lucy shuddered; slathered a healthy coating of mustard in his own toasted sandwich.

Natsu had never done this with breakfast before, sure, he'd had all of these elements separately; but as he and his friends constructed their own creations, and bit into the toasted bread, several surprised murmurs rang out round the table and Natsu himself moaned happily.

"Wow, this is great!" Levy laughed, slightly muffled from holding her hand over her mouth as she spoke.

"Isn't it!" Wendy agreed, making Lucy smile.

"Where the hell have you been all my life?" Natsu mumbled in between mouthfuls, shovelling the rest of his new favourite thing ever into his mouth, with enthusiastic gusto.

"W-What?!" Lucy squeaked, looking at the pinkette Prince with a extremely red face, he realised what he had just said, with his throat going dry as he tried to think of a comeback.

"I was talking about the sandwich."

It earned him an annoyed kick under the table, but the situation was defused as the beautiful blonde went back to her breakfast. Igneel gave his son a wry look, while Lucy wasn't looking, but Natsu rolled his eyes.

That was a close one...thought Natsu.

Lucy was surprised to find dozens of people standing in the courtyard outside of the castle, including staff, and everyone who had been at breakfast. A ginormous circle had been left clear in the centre.

She had turned to ask what was going on when Natsu had simply whispered to her that this was the first time his father, their Dragon Lord had transformed in years.

"Dad hasn't shifted since Mom died, he couldn't bring himself to. The entire castle has been buzzing about this since yesterday." Natsu smiled sadly, causing Lucy to soften her eyes at him. "His inner dragon loved her just as much, he was grieving too, I guess."

"I'd love to have met her." Lucy whispered back, Natsu returned a small grin before looking towards his father. "She must have been a wonderful woman."

"Thanks."

It was an important spectacle to watch, Igneel's subjects, some who had never seen his Dragon-Form; were tittering excitably to themselves as their ruler took his place in the centre of the large square. Lucy herself found her eyes captivated as brilliant red and orange flames began to flow around Igneel.

His eyes closed, seeming to have a little trouble in summoning his inner beast, for a few moments nothing happened. He simply stood there, the picture of quiet concentration; sparks and flashes of fire darting around him.

Then the flames began to come together, forming a whirling vortex around the Dragon Lord, people gasped as a great guttural roar pierced the morning sky, the heat making the wind pick up, swirling dust and debris into the air. Several people took steps back as two humongous wings unfolded, red and black scales with a taupe membrane littered with scars and wounds. If Lucy thought Natsu's Dragon-Form was impressive, Igneel was doubly so.

A fully grown red and black dragon emerged from the fire, eyes of slitted amber like Natsu's, but different in shape. His powerful and hulking body was easily thirty meters from snout to tail and as he stood on his muscular legs, with dagger like claws. His underbelly was the same colour as his wing membrane, twin horns sat either side of his head, black diamonds dotted his forehead, fingers and toes. Tail was forked at the tip, just like Natsu's, it was easy to see, even in Dragon-Form, that they were father and son.

Igneel, it was easy to see why he was the Alpha dragon, as it were. This ginormous powerhouse was tasked with protecting and defending these lands, he has to be the strongest. His people looked to him for peace and prosperity in difficult times.

Lucy gasped as the second Prince suddenly walked forwards, Zeref doing so too from his spot nearby with Mavis. Natsu erupted into red and orange flames, his older brother into blue and white flames, two more roars rung out into the courtyard as they too Shifted.

Lucy, having seen Natsu's form once before, concentrated her attention on his brother.

Zeref was a little larger, being older, his dragon a sleek black, with a contrasting white underbelly; his twin horns matched Igneel's and he had the same diamond pattern, but in white, as his father. Zeref was muscled, thin but toned but built for speed and silence, not brute strength and power.

The two Princes bowed heads to their father, who let out a rumbling purr to his boys, a soft noise that Lucy suspected was dragon for 'I love you, my children.'.

Dozens of heads bowed to their Lord. It was a beautiful thing to watch, their respect and love for Igneel showed in their happy smiles and pride. While his dragon was huge and utterly terrifying, his expression was that of kindness and just a hint of mischief that Lucy recognised in Natsu's inner beast.

The Princes shifted back in a blase of red and blue flame, stepping aside, Natsu motioned for Lucy to come forwards.

"Dad will lower his claw for you to climb on, there might be a jolt as you take off but when you get up there it makes it all worthwhile. You aren't afraid of heights are ya?" Natsu teased.

"Shouldn't you have asked me that before now?" Lucy replied haughtily, yes she had flown in a plane, not that Natsu would know what that was, but she enjoyed staring out of the windows as they sped along high in the air. "No, I've flown before."

She had suspected it would be very windy, but nothing too different.

Natsu nodded and turned as the dragon Igneel lowered his right claw, opening it for Lucy to step on. She reached out to hold onto one of Igneel's reptilian fingers, which was nearly as tall as her; she sat down in the centre of his hand and Igneel's claws closed around her like a warm cage, she felt secure and comfortable in his grip and she spoke loudly.

"Okay, I'm ready!"

With a humongous roar, Igneel flapped his wings, sending a huge gust of wind through the courtyard, then jumped into the air, Lucy gasped as she looked down at the city as they ascended, thousands of people were crammed into the city streets, all cheering, shouting and waving; word must have spread about Igneel's first transformation in years, it made Lucy smile and wave back, even though she knew no one could see her in his clutches. There were even children yelling excitedly and pointing at the large red dragon floating high above the city.

'I'd almost forgotten what it felt like to soar into the air after all these years.' Lucy heard Igneel's amused voice in her head.

"It's wonderful!" Lucy yelled excitedly, her wide brown eyes taking in the view, she squeaked and gripped on to the Dragon Lord's claw as he hovered in the air, watching as a different light red dragon and a grey metallic looking dragon flew their way towards them.

'Don't be alarmed, they are my bodyguards, Atlas and Metalicana, the latter is actually Gajeel's father.'

Despite knowing the scary bodyguard Gajeel, she had never seen his Dragon-Form, she suspected it looked similar to his fathers.

With a few words spoken between the three Dragon Shifters, they set off, flying north towards the mountains surrounding some large lakes, Lucy spent her time eagerly taking in the landscapes; fields gave way to rivers, mountains gave way to flat plains.

Everything whizzed by at great speed and once or twice Lucy got a glimpse or two of wild dragons, a pretty blue serpent diving in and out of a vast lake that made her smile, and a fat and well fed green dragon curled up asleep in a cluster of tall redwood trees in the middle of a grand forest.

Igneel announced to her whenever they passed over the boarder into another land, so far they had skirted the outside of the Ice Realm, a land of glaciers and snow, ruled by a Dragon Lord called Silver Fullbuster. The kind and wise ruler of the Fire Lands had never been particularly keen on the brash and stubborn Silver; but held no animosity towards him.

In his own words, he thought Silver was a bull-headed stubborn barbarian.

The Thunder Plains had eventually come into view, tumultuous skies filled with rolling clouds of grey and black, storms swirling in a hurricane a hundred miles wide. Lucy gasped as they flew above it, her brown eyes had never seen anything like it, spiralling clouds covered the sky, and in the centre, sat an eye, easily twenty miles wide.

'The storm never moves, only surrounds Era, where the capital stands. It is impossible to get to unless by air, the Council is situated in a fortress atop a rocky mountain.' Igneel explained in her mind.

Lucy nodded, her eyes still raking over the capital city, where sat a walled city, much larger than Ignis; in the very centre sat a hexagonal fortress with six towers at each corner. There were no entrances from the ground, it seemed, a way in could only be seen from the air. Large iron windows sat around the top of the tower, where, she had been told; sat the Council chamber.

'Our stories and legends say the storm once roamed the land, conjured by a descendent of the Dreyar Clan eons ago, until it was tamed by Councilman Makarov and used as a natural defence for the city. No human or dragon can fly through the storm, they would be killed if they even tried.'

"Wow...that's so cool." Lucy smiled, even the littlest details she discovered about this mysterious world absolutely fascinated her, no more words were exchanged as they landed on the stone courtyard on top of the fortress; there were some uniformed guards waiting for them and Lucy couldn't help but feel nervous again as she hopped off of Igneel's claw.

She was allowed time to hop down and steady her legs from three hours of no use, while Igneel Shifted back. Flames and heat encased the large red and black dragon, before the Fire Land's leader returned back into human form.

"State your business." One of the guards called.

"Dragon Lord Igneel of the Fire Lands here to escort this young woman to her summons with the Council of Elders." Igneel called back, gesturing to her.

Lucy watched as a circle glowed a bright blue around them, before they appeared to be standing on a circular platform in the centre, a spiral stone staircase descended around the circle.

"You may enter."

Igneel nodded and he and Lucy began to walk down the stairs, the roof disappeared above them as they spiralled around the column, Lucy covered her eyes as a bright white light blinded her; when she opened her eyes again; Lucy found herself in a circular chamber, six arched windows showed the storm beyond.

Twelve grand looking chairs filled with men and women sat facing the circle and the staircase was nowhere in sight. Made entirely of stone, banners in a vibrant green hung from the walls, a flagstone floor with a wooden platform stood in the middle. Eyes were staring at her curiously, her own glanced over every one of them, a pair of eyes to her left caught hers, they widened at her gaze, before falling to the floor. There was a tiny man sitting in the grandest chair, who was gazing directly into her eyes, as though gazing into her very soul.

Igneel was stood to her left and he bowed his head to the small old man as the two of them stood on the platform.

"Welcome, Lord Igneel. You have arrived perfectly on time." Spoke a tiny man at their center of vision.

"Elder Makarov, it is a pleasure to see you again. Here is Lucy, just as asked." Igneel spoke kindly, to which Makarov twirled his beard and turned his attention to a man two chairs to his right, the one who had refused to look further at her.

"We were fully prepared to question the girl, at the request of Jude, however if you still don't believe the girl, is your youngling, then you are an even bigger fool than I thought." Makarov spoke sternly. "This beautiful young thing is the damn near spitting image of you."

Lucy turned to look at the man who it seemed was her father.

His silvery blond hair was back in a low ponytail, wrinkles and a stern expression marred his face, he wore thin rectangular spectacles and had the same eyes as Lucy.

"I-Is Layla?" Jude spoke shakily.

"She passed on when I was younger, yes...father." Lucy spoke sadly, confirming her mothers death.

"I have no daughter, my Layla would have told me!" Jude refuted loudly, his eyes finally rising to glare at Lucy. Her sadness rose suddenly at the words she was hearing, along with unbearable anger.

"My mother didn't know she was pregnant when you banished her!" Lucy hissed, clenching her fists by her side. "She was alone and expecting in a world she had never been to before! I never knew you!"

"Do not berate me girl, I had no idea!" Jude yelled, his face turning red. "You should have just stayed where you damn well belong."

"There is no need to speak to her like that!" Makarov bellowed and frowned at Lucy as tears fell from her eyes, Igneel gave his old friend a stern look.

"Layla raised this girl by herself in Edolas, despite all of the hardships they faced, your daughter is a kind, caring woman with a strong mind and she is, despite your reluctance to accept her, half Dragon-born." Igneel spoke loudly and with an edge to his voice. "Lucy has no idea how she got here...she wishes to remain here and learn about our world...there is nothing tying her to Edolas anymore."

"I shall not accept her, I will not sponsor her stay here." Jude snapped.

"Very well...if that is your decision then I will accept it, I can't believe my wonderful mother loved such a coward." Lucy's voice turned deathly quiet, Jude responded by rising to his feet and storming from the room, the door slamming loudly made Lucy wince as her heart broke.

So...that was that then? Lucy had expected this outcome, but it still hurt like hell.

Makarov shook his tiny head and turned to the remaining Council persons.

"Is there anyone else who wishes to stomp from the chamber like a petulant child?"

Several murmurs of disproval rung out around the room, some giving looks of pity to Lucy as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I thought I had nothing to loose in meeting the man who sired me, but I don't understand why he refuses to accept me." Lucy spoke sadly, looking up at Igneel with watery eyes.

"My brother has always been stubborn, give him time."

Lucy looked over to find a beautiful woman with a long blond ponytail, standing from her chair, walking towards her and gazing down at her kindly, there was an obvious resemblance to her father, and Lucy felt her mouth drop open...she had another relative?

"Anna..." Igneel murmured in surprise. "I thought you were..."

"Dead? So did I, actually." Anna murmured in amusement, she gave Igneel a pat on the head and Lucy giggled as he grumbled. "How are you, Iggy?"

"Fine if you forget that silly nickname..."

"Anna returned to us a few days ago, her wounds were grave and she had no idea how she got here, but with Healer Porlyusica's help are trying to piece together what happened to her these last ten years." Makarov smiled kindly, his eyes turning to regard Lucy with a curious expression.

"It would seem you're appearance is connected with Anna's...we shall be looking into it." Makarov chuckled. "So...you wish to remain here young lady?"

Lucy blushed and nodded. There was something she liked very much about the head of the Council, he was mysterious, yes, but she suspected he was just as kind and forthcoming as Igneel.

"Yes, if I am allowed to, I understand that Edolas humans aren't welcome here...but I have nothing really to go back to. Igneel and his family have been most kind to me –"

"What a polite girl you are, under normal circumstances, Edolas humans would be sent back, but your connection to our world means you are welcome to stay and learn of our ways. I just hope your father sees some sense or I may have to Shift into my old dragon and beat some sense into him." Makarov chuckled.

"My youngest boy is quite taken with her..." Igneel piped up with a sly grin to Makarov. "Well...his dragon definitely is...Natsu is being stubborn about getting too close to her."

Lucy blushed and shook her head as the remainder of the council began to laugh.

"Don't start that again...that bonehead might be ridiculously attractive but he is rude, childish...and...well" Lucy bit her lip when she suddenly couldn't think of more things she didn't like about him...did that mean she was starting to feel differently about Natsu?

Oh no...when had that happened?

"That boy is the reason my hair has fallen out." Makarov sighed, his hand rubbing the bald spot on his head fondly, as though reminiscing. 'But underneath the hot headed, overpowered toddler, that Natsu is a loyal, passionate and cheerful boy who would do anything to help those he loves."

"Never thought this day would come!" laughed a male Council member who looked eerily like a vampire. "We've been trying to match Natsu for years."

"Natsu refuses to accept settling down...he has already told me he has no interest in taking the throne." Igneel sighed.

"Natsu is a free spirit, perhaps he does not wish for a noble, delicate flower who will obey his every command and be nothing more than a trophy wife. He longs for someone to share his adventures." Makarov smiled at the Dragon Lord of the Fire Lands.

"In that case...with your permission Igneel, I shall sponsor her stay." Anna spoke kindly, smiling at Lucy as she gazed up at the woman. "If you are happy to keep her with you Igneel, then I shall claim her as my niece..."

Lucy felt a jolt of affection for the older woman, a wide smile broke through her frown at the sadness of being rejected by her so called father, she was ecstatic to have another relative to gladly accept her with open arms. She longed for a new motherly figure and Anna seemed just as wonderful as her mother.

"Thank you, Aunt Anna." Lucy beamed.

"I don't think I ever met your mother, Lucy; but if she was anything like you then we would have been great friends." Anna hugged Lucy to her chest briefly and rested her cheek on Lucy's head.

"Very well then, Lucy of Edolas...do you denounce your old name and hereby be known as Lady Lucy Heartfilia, noble woman of the Royal Court of Ignis?" Makarov asked, getting to his feet.

"I do, Councilman Makarov." Lucy spoke proudly, finally feeling the joy of having somewhere to belong; and a new family member to get to know.

"Are you aware of what, exactly that entails?" Makarov added, a sneaky look to his face.

"Not exactly..." Lucy confessed.

"As you are no longer eligible to take the throne of the Celestial Kingdom, because of your father passing down the duty to someone not of his blood, accepting your title enables your selection as a Chosen in the Phoenix Tournament, you may be matched with a Prince and be selected to compete to become Empress...you may then claim your right to rule with your Lord."

Lucy squeaked and shook her head.

"I'm not sure I want to rule anything..."

"You do not have to accept becoming a Chosen, most Ladies of the Court, however do."

A sigh of relief left her lips and she smiled down at Makarov, she nodded.

"I still wish to accept my title."

"Very well, it is done. I must warn you, Lady Lucy, you may be on the receiving end of dozens of offers based on looks alone." Makarov chuckled, several other of the Council murmuring in agreement.

"Huh?" Lucy blushed, confused.

"We Heartfilia women know how to take care of ourselves." Anna chuckled, holding a hand around Lucy's shoulder.

"Don't I know it...the Dragon Lands seem to be in a healthy supply of terrifying women..." Makarov grumbled, his face going white.

It hadn't been long before it was time to return to Ignis, Anna had accompanied her niece and Igneel for the rest of the afternoon, talking about what was to be expected of Lucy, as Anna's charge.

Lucy would be required a trainer, as she was half Dragon-born, it was revealed she would be able to use magic, the element based on which land her parents had hailed from; in this case, magic using the stars. Anna had told her that it might be difficult to learn, given her heritage of a non noble mother, but she was eager to try anyway. Lucy would be given and trained in weapon usage, depending on which magical weapon chose her, she was surprised to learn this.

Her...a weapon user? She really couldn't imagine herself holding a sword aloft, or a spear. Maybe something simple like a dagger, or staff?

They had then spent nearly an hour talking about how the tournaments worked and the process of becoming a Chosen.

The Council of Elders chose those most suited to the Prince, personality and values wise, almost like a job interview. if there were more than six Chosen, the Dragon Lord then narrowed the selection down further for his son, and then the Phoenix Tournament would begin. Chosen would then get to know their potential Lord in waiting, but the Prince would be dissuaded from favouritism as to show respect to the others. Chosen were forbidden from battling one another outside of the Tournament stages, harm to another candidate would result in expulsion. Many a jealous Lady had been stripped of her title in her obsession to win the throne, for the most part, however; the Phoenix Tournament was an exciting realm wide event that drew huge crowds. After the war, people had needed something to look forwards to, so the tournaments had been made public; and the citizens and noble alike had relished in the spectacle.

Igneel had told her that her new status would allow her to roam the Dragon Lands freely, no fear of hatred or retaliation from those who hated her human side, she would be able to claim favour or requests from the Council, should she require help and, the one that made her laugh...

Natsu would be forbidden from displaying any animosity towards her...she would love to see his face when Igneel told him that!

Igneel had told her briefly that Anna was another of his childhood friends, she had disappeared after a battle with a group of bandits, who had robbed her carriage while she was on a diplomatic mission to the Ice Realm. While she wasn't a Dragon-Shifter, she was very adept in the use of magic; and while she hadn't time to train her niece herself, Anna had provided her with several tomes to learn the basics from.

Anna was a mediator of peace and prosperity, touring the Realms and helping to keep the lands from another war.

With fond farewells and a promise to visit Ignis soon, Lucy had settled down in the cocoon of Igneel's claw in order to read from her new books. Her eyes barely left the pages, eagerly soaking in the first steps of how to tap into her inner energy reserves and conjure her magic; if she was able to of course.

Lucy barely noticed the hours whizzing by as quickly as the countryside, towns and cities below her.

She didn't notice they were nearly home, until Igneel and his bodyguards begin to descend...

Natsu had spent much of the day pacing the castle, worried about what was taking his dad so long...

Had they been attacked mid flight? Was Lucy arrested as soon as they got to Era? Had they a way to send her home again? Was his dragon ever going to recover if he never got to see her again?

As much as his head wanted desperately to keep her at arms length, not allow himself to feel anything other than an odd sort of friendship they had seemed to settle into over the last few days, her sassiness made him smile when she wasn't looking; her dangerous curves made him want to take her to bed for entirely different reasons other than comfort, and her smile and kind brown eyes made him feel wanted and appreciated.

His heart was telling him to trust his dragon, the beast inside was a warm, loyal and playful spirit who loved to explore the world, go on new adventures and just lately; had been pining for a certain blond beauty to share that with. Natsu knew she had an inquisitive mind, in her funniest moments he could see the same playful sparkle in her chocolate eyes, the wonder he saw whenever the simplest things in this world brought her joy and happiness.

His head was beginning to agree with his heart, the longer he spent in her company; and the thought no longer terrified him...and the thought that it no longer terrified him...terrified him even more!

Maybe he didn't have to give up his freedom if he settled down, Zeref and Mavis were to take the throne of the Fire Lands when Igneel was ready to retire as Dragon Lord and become an Elder. Maybe he could still live a free life?

Lucy was the one his dragon wanted to share his life with...would it really be so terrible to let her in?

The only thing holding him back was the thought of Lucy not being eligible for a title, if her dad refused to claim her then what option did she have for staying here? Would the Council of Elders be kind to her, as an Edolas human, she was an anomaly in this world.

After an afternoon of beating out his frustrations via a spar with Gajeel in the sandlot of the rear gardens, Natsu had caught sight of a familiar red and black dragon in the distance, flanked on either side by Uncle Atlas and Lug-nut's father.

With a shout of surprise from his sparring partner, Natsu pushed his bodyguard aside and bolted back into the castle, the maze of corridors whizzing by as he made his way to the courtyard at the front of the castle to greet his father, and, hopefully Lucy.

The dust kicked up a little as the magnificent beast that was Igneel's dragon form landed late that afternoon, Natsu felt his dragon purring happily within him as a familiar blond jumped from Igneel's claws, dusting off her knees and sneezing at the dust. The second Prince smiled at her secretly, as her eyes landed on him with a smile.

"Well...the castle is still standing...guess that's something." Igneel piped up, now back in Human form, he gave his son a pat on the head.

"How'd it go?" Natsu asked, eyes still on Lucy for some reason, she wasn't sure why, but it made her feel warm. He seemed genuinely interested in her wellbeing.

"Well...my dad is an asshole who won't accept that he has a daughter." Lucy rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "I expected as much, but his rejection still hurts."

A jolt of sorrow passed through him as his dragon roared angrily at this information, did that mean she was to be sent home? Makarov was normally a nice guy, surely he would have let Lucy stay, she wasn't any threat to the Dragon Lands.

"So...are you...going home?"

To Natsu's surprise, Lucy then giggled and shot him an apologetic look.

"Sorry, Pinkie...but my Aunt Anna has claimed me as her niece...so looks like I'm gonna be sticking around a while." Lucy giggled as he over exaggerated rolling his eyes and complained. He had a brief memory of a kind and funny blonde woman, he had a crush on her in his childhood; visiting the castle, but he shook it from his head.

"So I gotta put up with your clumsiness, smart mouth and weirdo ways for even longer?" Natsu huffed mockingly.

Igneel grinned at the pair of them...animosity had quickly turned to an odd friendship of insults, teasing and the like between them...who knew how long it would be before their feelings deepened even further.

At this rate his youngest boy looked to be slowly coming round to the idea of a mate, maybe not settling down; but even just the thought of Natsu having a partner to go on adventures with, made him smile in pride.

"Careful with your words my boy, Lady Lucy must be shown the courtesy and respect a Lady of the Royal Court deserves..." Igneel grinned as his son went as white as a sheet and his mouth dropped open comically, Lucy too bent over at the knee's and howled with laughter as he gaped at his father.

"WHAT?!" Natsu shouted unbelievably, his inner dragon roaring in triumph at the words just spoken to him, the revelation of her new title making hope flare inside him.

Because that meant his dragon had a right to claim her, should she choose to become Chosen, her next words however, left him feeling a little deflated.

"Yup...I'm now a charge of Anna Heartfilia...I've no interest in becoming a Chosen or entering the Tournament, but it means I am safe from any harm...it also means you have to be nice to me, Pinkie." Lucy tittered, her eyes full of mirth at the look on the second Princes face.

"Aww man..."

Igneel then walked towards the front doors of the castle, giving his son a pat on the head.

"As our honoured guest, why don't you escort Lady Lucy on a tour of your mother's lovely garden? I'm sure she would enjoy it."

Knowing what his father was up to, and, knowing he couldn't refuse; Natsu sighed and offered his arm towards Lucy.

Damn these stupid rules...teasing Lucy was far too much fun.

"S-Shall we, milady?"

Lucy looked extremely unimpressed and gazed back at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I can explore by myself, thank you."

Igneel roared with laughter as Lucy gave Natsu a cheeky grin, the Dragon Lord strode off into the castle, no doubt to inform the Royal Court of the happenings that afternoon. When his dad had gone however, Natsu reached out to grab Lucy's wrist, pulling her into his arms.

Lucy felt her breath stutter as she found her face inches from the handsome pinkette's own, her eyes dropped to his lips where she found a teasing smile greeting her.

"Wanna come see the gardens with me?" Natsu whispered.

Lucy found herself captivated by his warm expression, no teasing, no ulterior motive, just him. She nodded with a blush on her face, feeling helplessly caught like a moth to a flame at his sudden charm.

"If you push me into a fountain or pond I'm going to kill you." Lucy whispered.

"Nah...wouldn't dream of it, Luce." Natsu whispered back.

The gardens, Lucy had seen at a glimpse from her bedroom window, she had not gotten the chance to explore them yet; even though she had a guide, she was enjoying her tour.

Natsu had led her through a pair of doors down one of the corridors she had not explored yet, her mouth had dropped open to find a lush green oasis existed in this land of fire and dryness. Exotic plants of which she had never seen the likes of before surrounded them.

A grass path meandered through the gardens, ferns, grasses and oddly shaped flowers on either side of her as they walked in relative silence. Natsu led them over an arched bridge, some fowl were swimming happily down the stream underneath.

"I can see why your dad thought I might enjoy this, it's beautiful!" Lucy smiled as she stopped to smell a collection of pretty red flowers very similar to orchids, but with longer leaves. "He's been acting pretty strangely around us, have you noticed?"

"He's trying to play match-maker that's what...I dunno what part of 'I don't want to take an Empress' he doesn't get but –" Natsu sighed, brushing his fingertips along a fern leaf to his right.

"Surely with Zeref and Mavis taking the throne, he would lay off you a bit?" Lucy asked, looking over at him. "You should be free to make up your own mind."

"You'd think so...but he thinks we have...chemistry."

"O-Oh."

"What do you think?" Natsu focused the heat of his eyes on the blonde. Lucy felt a blush bloom over her face but she didn't run. The more she thought about it, the more her heart told her she liked him.

"Well...he might have told me that your dragon is fond of me...but while I don't hate you...I have no interest in becoming a Chosen...I want to explore this world and learn everything I can about it." Lucy giggled nervously, as Natsu looked at her with a surprised look on his face. "I know you don't think too highly of me, so as much as Igneel probably means well..."

"I don't hate you either..." Natsu mumbled, looking away with redness to his cheeks. "You're different from the noble women of the Royal Court."

Lucy giggled and held her hand out to poke Natsu in the chest.

"What, is the big bad dragon blushing?"

Natsu turned his eyes on her and stepped into her personal space, his warm hands on her waist and he pulled her into his arms. Lucy felt her heart speed up in her chest and she lifted her arms to rest on his shoulders to steady her wobbly legs. His next words made her mouth drop open.

"What if I am, Luigi?"

"I-I'd say it was misguided..." Lucy stammered, willing her nervousness to calm down.

"I' wouldn't say the same." With that, Natsu moved away from her and walked away, turning to beckon her to follow him. "Come on, my mom's favourite place isn't far."

Lucy followed with a frown, confusion beat in her chest.

She was getting tired of all of his mixed messages...

Well, thats it for chapter six, seven will be up within a week as I'm already working on it, btw this isn't the last we will see of Jude! See you soon.