Author's Note: A hearty thank you to my reviewers - Nattie414, FireShifter & Mermaidnerd456! I'm glad you liked the last chapter! This one is going to be another chapter loaded with important intros - I'm trying to setup as many new characters as well as flesh them out a little in this world's context in the first part of this story. Hope you like it!
"Whyyyyyyyyyyy?"
Natsu couldn't help his whiny tone. It was so unfair!
Queen Grandine fixed her recalcitrant offspring with a glare.
"Because you are the Prince of Alagesia, and you will do your duty as an honorable host."
"But icicle breeches is a jerk! Why do I have to 'entertain' him?! We only end up fighting anyways…"
"This time will be different, Natsu." His mother said gently. "The poor boy lost his mother a year ago in a demon attack. And barely a month ago, he lost his teacher in the same manner. According to his father, it has made him even more withdrawn than usual. He has also become rather aggressive and reckless at times. He is in pain, and the only way he has been able to express it is by acting out. King Silver will be sending him here as a form of punishment, but he hopes that in our care perhaps he will make friends, open up a little more and… be himself again." Grandine smiled, reaching out a hand to tousle her son's salmon locks.
Natsu pouted, muttering under his breath. "I still don't see what that has to do with me."
Grandine's gaze sharpened and she folded her arms, her expression becoming stern once again.
"Natsu, you will treat him as your friend and make him feel welcome here. Do you understand?"
Natsu sighed, bowing formally to his mother. He recognized that tone. It was the rare one she used when she brooked no argument - any commands she issued in that tone were to be obeyed without question.
"Yes, mother."
"Good. Now run along, I will send word to you when he arrives."
Natsu shot out of his mother's chambers without a backward glance.
Grandine sighed, shaking her head. Despite his promise, she could not be sure how her headstrong son would treat the little boy who was soon to be her ward for a year. Ever since they were tiny hatchlings, the pair had always been extremely competitive and combative. She hoped they would be able to set aside their differences this time and actually be friends. Or at least call a truce. And not try to kill each other on sight.
"Well," Grandine mused under her breath, "Whatever may happen, things are certainly going to be more exciting once you arrive, Prince Gray."
Lucy sighed, shifting uncomfortably in her rigid wooden chair. Her strict governess had insisted she wear the dress she currently adorned - a white, frilly monstrosity that made her itch in places she could never hope to reach. She sighed again, gazing longingly out of the majestic windows gracing the walls of the antechamber she had been unceremoniously relegated to. She had been instructed to wait patiently until he was ready to meet her. A frisson of excitement bubbled up in her as she remembered the purpose of all the torturous primping she had been subjected too. Her Grandfather was back in town! She still distinctly remembered the last time he had visited, although it had been more than two years ago. The affable and kind man had taken her for her first carriage ride in the nearby town, even stopping to buy her a sweet treat at one of the local shops! When she expressed a desire to see the street performers, he immediately escorted her to their venue, even encouraging her to participate in their act! She couldn't remember ever laughing as much or being as giddy with joy as she had felt on that day. Well, before she had met Natsu and the rest of her magical friends, of course.
The glowing grin that had crept on her face at the memory abruptly fell from her lips as she recalled the aftermath of that glorious day. Her father had been furious when he had heard of their adventure, warning his Uncle never to take such liberties again. She had been forbidden from ever venturing outside the palace walls, and her already rigorous schedule was made even more stringent. The worst repercussion had been the rumors of how the street performers who had dared to entertain her had mysteriously disappeared the very next day…
She sighed yet again, fidgeting in place, nervous yet excited. She knew her Grandfather could not risk upsetting her father - her Grandfather was a Colonel in the Pergrande army after all, and had to obey his King's commands - but Lucy suspected her sly and clever elder would still find a way to make his visit memorable.
The door creaked open, and Lord Capricorn peeked into the antechamber, his gaze immediately falling on Lucy.
"Your Grandfather will see you now, your highness."
With an exclamation of delight, Lucy hopped off the uncomfortable chair and daintily made her way into the main chamber.
Beside the elegant table in the corner of the room, stood a little man with a luxurious white mustache and no hair to speak of on his head. His lips were turned down in a frown as he studied the parchment in his hands, but a spark of good-humour still danced in his eyes, betraying his inner jovial nature. As Lucy stepped into the room, his head snapped up. His shining eyes fixed on hers, a brilliant smile lighting up his face and deepening the laugh wrinkles adorning it.
"Grandpapa Makarov!"
"Lucy, my favorite, most precious granddaughter! Come here and give your old grandpapa a hug!"
Lucy giggled, skipping forward to wrap her arms around the man who was not very much taller than herself.
"Grandpapa, I am your only granddaughter!"
"Then doesn't that make you all the more precious?"
Lucy giggled, clutching her grandfather even tighter.
"I missed you so much Grandpapa…"
Makarov sighed, gently extricating himself from Lucy's embrace.
"I truly am sorry my dear, for taking so long to visit you again. My troops were ordered to quell an ambush up north, and I have only just returned from that grueling expedition." He patted her head affectionately. "How have you been, my dear?"
"I am faring well, Grandpapa."
"Hmmm… You certainly look well. You are starting to bloom into a young woman, I see."
Lucy glanced at herself and blushed. Her Grandfather was right, she had been maturing much faster than most of the other maidens her age. Although she had not yet developed the curves that Cana possessed, her newest friend had taken one long look at her and had proclaimed that she would easily surpass the buxomest of lasses in Pergrande someday. A fact that Happy and Natsu had mercilessly teased her about, much to her embarrassment and chagrin.
Her Grandfather interrupted her musings with a question.
"Has the palace weapons master begun your training?"
"Not yet, Grandpapa. But I shall no doubt begin very soon."
"Hmmm… and how has Sir Taurus planned to conduct your mock bouts? Has he found a suitable sparring partner for you?"
Lucy frowned. "Errr… I believe he intends to spar with me himself, since it may be near impossible to find someone suitable after Father's latest edict. I am not allowed to associate with any person of lesser station than a knight, and there are none amongst our nobleman's progeny who have been interested in equipping themselves in the art of warfare. None in Pergrande, at any rate."
"Well… How about a child knight?"
"What?! But Grandpapa, I have never heard of one such! The youngest knight in Pergrande is Sir Princeton, and even he is one-and-twenty!"
"Ahhh… But she is not of Pergrande - not yet at least. And she could be an accomplished knight despite her young age." Makarov grinned at Lucy, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "In fact I would wager good gold on the fact that, once trained, she could defeat most of our nation's warriors with ease."
"She sounds… fascinating. Just who is this girl, Grandpapa?"
Her grandfather's grin widened as he turned to the door of the chamber, calling upon Lord Capricorn again. The door opened, and in strode a beautiful young maiden, a few years older than Lucy, as well developed as Cana, but with quite a different presence. She walked with an air of quiet dignity, an aura of majesty and danger surrounding her. Her long scarlet locks tumbled down her back, and she was attired in the loveliest set of armor Lucy had ever seen. She reached Makarov and Lucy, bowing low to both of them, before sinking on one knee in front of the latter.
"Milady. It would be my greatest honor to be allowed to serve as your sparring partner and companion in learning the arts of warfare. With your gracious permission."
Lucy smiled softly, taking in the girl's stoic and dignified demeanor. The young maiden betrayed an underlying strain of nerves despite her outward regal and confident mien.
"Arise, Lady Knight. The honor of having you as my friend-in-arms would be mine, noble soul. How must I address you?"
"I am called Lady Scarlett."
"And your given name?"
Lady Scarlett blinked in surprise. None of the nobles she had interacted with had ever bothered to ask her so personal a question. A genuine smile appeared on her face.
"My given name is Erza, your highness."
"And mine is Lucy. From this day forth, please feel free to address me by this name." she hesitated, her lips falling into a grimace, "Except when we are in the company of any of the nobles of the Pergrande Courts. Those stuffy shirted buffoons have made my life hellish for my occasional lack of propriety, and I will not have you be a victim of their machinations as well."
Makarov chuckled, fondly tweaking his granddaughter's nose.
"You called the Duke Everlue a corpulent tyrant and snuck horse dung into his afternoon tea. I hardly think Erza would ever display such a lapse in etiquette."
"I stand by what I said! How could calling him that be considered improper - I was merely stating a well known fact! And the latter was simply a gift from my horse Buttercup that he had dared to insult. And besides… It was never proven to be I!"
Makarov let out a long and loud laugh upon hearing her indignant response. Erza allowed herself a smile, glancing between the two royals. The apprehension she had been feeling since Lord Makarov announced that she was to be the princess's battle companion melted away. Her highness - or Lucy, she mentally corrected herself - seemed to be of the same disposition as her grandfather. Regal and noble but not arrogant or pretentious. They both possessed a jovial spirit and an air of kindness.
Still wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, Makarov addressed Erza. "As you can see, my granddaughter is quite a handful." He threw Lucy another mischievous smile as she pouted in ire. "I know well of your strict self discipline, Erza, and I know you will endeavor to impart that to this rapscallion. I wish you all the best! However…" Makarov's smile faded, his brows furrowing and a slight frown replacing it, "Despite her spirited approach to the courtiers, Lucy is no novice in navigating this complex and even dangerous world of the palace. Whilst you are undoubtedly a prodigy in battle, she is undoubtedly one in politics. If you wish to survive in the courts of Pergrande, I would request you to heed her advice well."
Makarov fixed Erza with a long and meaningful look. Erza returned his look steadily, nodding slowly in acquiescence. Satisfied, Makarov turned to Lucy.
"Now you, my little imp. As well as you have balanced your play with your duties till now, things will change drastically once you debut at three and ten. It is far too young an age to bear such responsibility, as I have expressed numerous times to your father…" Makarov grit his teeth, his eyes flashing with displeasure, "But for reasons I am unable to fathom, he wishes you introduced as a full member of the high court as soon as possible. Once that happens, I will have little to no ability to protect you, and mark my words - you will need it! It is for this purpose that I wished you to have an intelligent, loyal and trustworthy companion who would be capable of protecting your person…" Makarov paused for a moment, a chuckle breaking the gravity of his speech, "As well as tempering your more extravagant schemes. Erza is undoubtedly one such, and I would request you to trust her and confide in her."
Lucy glanced at Erza, a shy smile on her face.
"Certainly Grandpapa."
"As you command, my Lord."
Makarov gave both young girls his widest grin.
"Well, now that that's settled, let's see what we can do about finding a scrumptious repast in this god-forsaken hovel!"
Gray gazed out of the window before him, tugging restlessly at the collar of his shirt. Behind him, through the thick curtains veiling the chamber, he could hear the indiscernible murmur of voices as the fiery fool argued vehemently with his parents.
"But whyyyyyyyyyyy?"
"Natsu, it would be nice for Gray to spend time with others, especially those of his own kind!"
"But he's already met lots of humans in Fairy Tail, why the hell do I have to introduce him to Lucy too?"
"Natsu…" Igneel growled, growing impatient with his stubborn lad. "If you aren't willing to take him, then I'll call Wendy in here this instant to do so instead!"
Natsu glared at his father, a triumphant look in his eye. "You can try! She won't do it, I made her swear on the dragon code not to talk about Lucy to anyone in Alagesia who hasn't met her! She can't break her promise!" Natsu dropped his voice an octave, continuing his tirade under his breath, "I should've made that metal moron and that traitorous uncle of mine promise as well…"
Igneel and Grandine sighed, glancing at each other out of the corner of their eyes. Grandine hesitantly placed a hand on her son's shoulder.
"We truly admire your drive to protect your friend, my dear. But both your father and I have assured you that she will never be harmed by any dragons or friends of dragons. Please trust us when we say we care for your friend as well. We felt that introducing her and Gray to each other might be beneficial for both." Grandine hesitated, her eyes darting to the veil beyond which she knew the boy in question patiently waited. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Gray has been here for well past a month now, and yet your father and I can see little positive progress in his emotional state. He still seems so cold and distant… Surely you've noticed this as well, my son?"
Natsu opened his mouth to vehemently deny the fact, but paused before he could form the words. If he were being entirely honest with himself, he had noticed a difference in the ice princess. The jerk hardly initiated fights anymore, and talked even less than he used too. Whenever he heckled or taunted Natsu, there was an underlying strain of misery in his voice that made the insult seem listless and lifeless. His perpetual state of gloom had incited Natsu to pick even more fights with him than usual, and it seemed the only time the snow cone showed some spark of his old self was when he was battling it out against his frenemy. Probably not a healthy sign.
Grandine interrupted his musings with a gentle cough. "I know how much you enjoy spending time with Lucy and I suppose having to share her with yet another friend may not be to your liking," Grandine suppressed a smile, "But think how happy Lucy would be to meet a human like herself, especially one who can perform magic? And just imagine how happy Gray would be to meet a kind, friendly human girl - perhaps it would coax him out of his shell?" Grandine patted Natsu's head affectionately. "You hide it well son, but you quite obviously care about Gray too."
Natsu let out a scandalized yelp. "I do not!"
Igneel chuckled. "Right, and yet you've spent the better part of your time for the past month and a half poking and prodding that poor boy into opening up to you. Admit it Natsu, with Gajeel up in the Northern Kingdom, Gray is your only close friend in Alagesia."
"Is not! I've got Happy! And Romeo? And Atlas…"
Igneel smirked. "I'm not including your fan club. But all this is besides the point, will you take Gray to the clearing with you today or not?"
Natsu frowned, his eyes locked on his own shuffling feet. His parents waited patiently while he seemed to think long and hard.
"... Alright, but Gray cannot introduce himself as the Prince of Icegard."
His parents looked taken aback. "That's a rather strange condition, Natsu, why can't he claim his heritage?"
Natsu looked up at both his parents, a solemn expression on his face. "Because Lucy hates royals. She seems frightened of them as well…"
Igneel's brow furrowed. "What?! That can't be Natsu, after all she's…" He was suddenly halted by his wife's hand squeezing his bicep.
"We understand, Natsu." Grandine said gently. "We trust your judgment. Go ahead and introduce them to each other as you see fit."
Natsu beamed at his mother. With a quick bow to his parents, he ducked under the heavy curtain covering the door, greeting the waiting human outside with a battle cry. A loud 'Come, you pathetic popsicle! We're going to visit Lucy!' drifted back into the chamber Natsu had just left.
Igneel turned to his wife, a question on his tongue, but was hushed by her slim finger laid gently against his lips. The moment the clamor of the two children had faded off into the distance, she spoke.
"I know what you were going to say. Lucy is the Princess, why would she hate the royals?" Grandine hesitated. "From what Metalicana has told me, and what I have gathered from our son and daughter, I believe Lucy is hiding her parentage and true station from the others. She is probably ashamed… of Jude."
Igneel stared at his wife, a deep sigh escaping him. "I cannot fault her. I am not proud of what he has become either. Especially when I know just how good he could be."
"That was a long time ago, dear. He has changed, and we must accept that."
"I know, I know. From the sound of it, Lucy has taken a great deal more after Layla."
Grandine smiled. "Yes, in looks and certain mannerisms. But her determination and courage could only be from Jude. We may have lost him in a fashion, and Layla as well, but we have Lucy now…"
Igneel nodded gravely, his eyes meeting his wife's in a silent promise. They had Lucy to protect and nurture from a distance. And they would do everything in their power to save her from her parent's fates. For Layla's sake. And Jude's.