Author's Note: I am so sorry for the longest hiatus ever. Life has been extremely hectic and I promise I didn't forget this story. This ending is bittersweet for me. This has definitely been one of my favorite stories I have written and it's hard to say goodbye to it. I will be editing this story and adding a few more scenes early on, so definitely check back for updates!
I really hope this epilogue wraps the story up nicely and does the characters justice. As always, please let me know what you think. Thank-you for your support!

Lucy stretched her arms above her, enjoying the mountain air carried by the late summer breeze through the bedroom window. She reached to pull her braid over her shoulder before slipping her legs out from under the blankets. The warm aroma of cinnamon brushed her nose and she smiled. Natsu must have returned. She hurried out of the bedroom, tip-toeing into the open kitchen. All the windows were open, the sunlight beaming on the dragonslayer stationed at the griddle. Lucy paused a few centimeters behind his back before whispering into his salmon hair.

"How was Fairy Tail?" Natsu tensed, but only for a moment. He spun around, a wide grin on his face.

"You're getting better at sneaking around. Maybe you should come with me next time. Gray and Levy would definitely fight to have you on their teams." A round chuckle escaped his lips before he dropped the spatula and pulled Lucy into his arms. She rested her head against his chest and smiled. Though her heart ached to return to Fairy Tail, she couldn't leave their lovely mountain home quite yet. They had settled up in the mountains, outside the town they once called home. There was a small village nearby and Lucy took to reading to the children there every afternoon. She even began teaching them how to read and write on their own. They were showing such amazing progress that she couldn't even think of taking time off during the week.

"Go on the weekend next time, and I'll come with you." She kissed his nose before snagging a plate of french toast off the counter.

"You know the place is nearly abandoned on the weekend. They all are doing well and there's a never-ending flow of job requests. Mira can hardly keep up with the request board in the bar. Even if we can't take a quest just yet, I'm sure we can convince Levy and Metal Face to take us scouting with them soon." Lucy would really love that. Levy and Gajeel had ventured the world, recruiting wizards to join and strengthen Fairy Tail, now that it was actually an official guild.

"Let's do it. Maybe we can grab a quest with Gray too. Plus we have to visit the new queen." Lucy smirked and Natsu nodded.

"Just say when and we can go. The locals are understanding." He assured her and she nodded in agreement. Natsu was helping train the villagers, letting them control and strengthen their magic. It was a cozy and calm life they lived, despite being a dragonslayer fugitive and a celestial wizard on the run from her past. It was all thanks to Grace, actually. Lucy thought back to the day they overthrew the kingdom. It was a few weeks after they had defeated Zeref and resealed the gates of hell with Jayce and Opal's help. Once they fully recovered, Grace had asked for their help. The group didn't hesitate, following their friend into the kingdom that had banned magic across the land. They had surrounded the kingdom, taking down the guards one by one, binding them to trees and poles throughout the kingdom. Lucy lost herself in the memory, letting the images slip through her mind.

Natsu kicked the door down, flames erupting from his foot, licking the walls of the throne room. He swiftly lit each doorway aflame, preventing the king and his royal guard from escaping.

"What is the meaning of this?" The king spat, shoving himself up from his chair. He hadn't aged well and could hardly hold himself up straight.

"Hello father. I've come to claim what's rightfully mine. You've surpassed the allowed ruling age of this country. I ask that you step down." Grace stood tall at the center of the room. The slayers had scattered to restrain the royal guard. Lucy even had one held to a pillar by one of her scissor swords. She warned the guard she would cut deep if he dared move a centimeter.

"Foolish child. You think you can storm my castle with these monsters and just take the throne? You are a traitor! The people will never accept you." The king scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"They will in time. You have kept them in the dark for too long. You blinded them with your paranoia and misjudgment! Magic will flow through this world again, whether you are king or not. You can't stop it now." Grace stepped forward and freed her daggers from her belt.

"If you want the throne, you must fight me for it and if you die, so be it." He pulled a sword off the wall and stepped forward to challenge his daughter. Lucy glanced at her friend, her cloak tattered and soaked in the blood of the guards that had betrayed her people. This was her choice, her fight. Lucy would only intervene if necessary. Grace sprinted forward, meeting every swipe of her father's sword. She stayed on the defensive, despite her clear advantage in terms of speed, skill, and stamina.

"Stop it Roland!" A man shouted and the king faltered. He stepped back, his sword clattering on the ground.

"Brother? I thought I sentenced you years ago…"

"First me and now your own daughter? End this madness! You've gone too far!" It was Grace's uncle. It had to be. Grace shot forward, ready to strike with her father distracted. Cobra surprised them all though when he stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. She glanced up at him, eyes wild.

"This isn't how it ends. You're not this person Grace." He spoke softly and she faltered, the dagger slipping through her fingers. She reached her hand up and entwined their fingers before standing taller.

"Roland. You are no longer king. Step down from the throne or be banished to the dungeon for the rest of your life." Grace and her uncle spoke in unison and the king fell to his knees. He grabbed his head with his curved fingers, shouting in confusion. "Guards. I am giving you the option to stand with me or give up your position and return to the kingdom as a commoner. If you choose to stand with me, please escort my father to the dungeon." She ordered, her voice strong and unwavering. She was no longer the confused and sheltered princess on the run from her kingdom. She was the rightful queen and she would rule her kingdom with honesty and wisdom. A few guards slipped out of the castle, turning their backs on the new ruler. Despite this, the majority stayed, falling into line in front of her. Two grabbed the previous king's arms, ready to move him to the dungeon. "Thank-you all. I look forward to working with each and every one of you. For now, I'd like to introduce you to the new captain of the royal guard. This is Erik. He will be leading you all to protect this kingdom. He will accompany you to the dungeon to ensure the proper treatment of my father." Grace stepped aside, gesturing for Cobra to step forward. He bowed to the guards, a smirk on his lips.

"My queen, are you sure about this? That's the poison dragon slayer…" One guard spoke up, the others quietly staring with wide eyes.

"Oh, I'm completely certain. He's my right hand man and my best friend. He is strong and will lead you with the expertise necessary to overhaul the old system and employ a new system to protect this kingdom. In fact, my first declaration as queen is to lift the restriction on magic. Magic will flow freely through this land once again and we will celebrate it, not hide from it in fear." Grace picked up her daggers, returning them to the belt on her hips. Cobra squeezed her shoulder before standing in front of the guards.

"Let's go. You can all introduce yourselves as we bring this oaf to his new home." Cobra squared his shoulders and the guards all fell to their knees, bowing their heads.

"Yes sir!" They spoke in unison before following Cobra out of the room. As soon as the last guard left, Grace's uncle vanished and Grace wiped the sweat from her brow. She turned to look at Lucy, Natsu, Wendy, Erza, Jellal, Gajeel, and Levy.

"Thank-you all so much. I will forever be in your debt. I plan on reinstating Fairy Tail as the first official wizarding guild as soon as word spreads of my new title." Grace assured them and Lucy sprinted forward, wrapping her arms around her friend.

"You're going to be the best ruler of this kingdom. Bring magic back to this land. That's all we want." Lucy spoke softly before returning to Natsu's side.

"I will. I promise." Grace smiled widely.

Lucy jolted, her memory slipping away. After that, Grace and Cobra took over the kingdom, working to change the misconception about magic forced upon their people. Levy and Gajeel had joined their scouting force, working to spread the word about the lift on the magic ban. They worked to free those wrongly convicted and also recruit those who wished to join a guild. Wendy wandered the various kingdoms with Jayce and Opal, healing those in need. Erza and Jellal also traveled the world, helping villages and kingdoms lead their own rebellions to return magic to the land. Heck, even Laxus found happiness. He stayed in hell, ruling over his own kingdom to maintain the balance between the two realms. Lucy couldn't help, but smile. After everything they had been through, it truly would all be okay. Her mind slowly drifted back to the present. She had finished her french toast in her haze and savored the last bite of sweet cinnamon and tart strawberry.

"Catch me if you can, suckers!" The little ball of blue fur snagged Lucy's keys off her belt, the familiar white scarf already flying behind him as he flew across the kitchen. Happy burst through the front door and escaped out into the mountain forest.

"Get back here!" Natsu shouted, effortlessly shifting into his demon form. His wings expanded and he was off, chasing down his best friend. Lucy smiled fondly, already well-acquainted to their antics.

"Miss. Lucy? Are you ready?" A young girl from the village peaked in through the now cracked door.

"Yes, just give me a moment!" She hurried to clean up the mess Natsu left in the kitchen before changing and stepping out the door. The young girl reminded Lucy of Wendy and she smiled softly. She even had healing magic, similar to that of the sky dragon slayer. Lucy was hopeful that Wendy could take the girl with her next time she visited. She was spending her days as the resident healer at the village that once took her in years prior. She achieved her dream and all her friends supported her.

"Head on down. I'll be there soon." Lucy gently squeezed her shoulder before stepping to the edge of the forest. "NATSU!" She shouted for her beloved and waited only a moment before his toes brushed her own. He shifted again, his human smile matching the vibrancy of her own.

"Have a good day in the village Luce. I'll be down with lunch in the afternoon before training." He kissed her sweetly, pulling her closer to him.

"Don't be too rough on Happy. See you at lunchtime." She pecked his cheek before running off down the hill. Her soul finally felt free, her magic flowing through her veins, no longer bound by the law and judgement of the naive. She didn't have to worry about her father either, knowing he would never think to look for her in a place like this. Even if he did, she had a dragon slayer watching over her every moment. She'd never look to her past or live in fear ever again. She was finally free, they all were.