She was flying. The wind tousled her hair and the smell of the forest covered her skin. She raised her arms high above her head, laughing into the clouds. A roar answered her, rumbling through her entire body, but she wasn't afraid.
It was twilight, when the fire was bright and the laughter even brighter. Gajeel and Natsu were wrestling again, fire and smoke surrounding them as they tried to blast their opponent into the air. They snarled and bit and clawed, but she wasn't afraid of their rough play. She laughed and yelled encouragement to both dragons, which earned her a betrayed growl from the dragon she called her own.
Nighttime fell and the moon rose high above the castle ruins. It was winter now, but she wasn't cold. Warm scales were her pillow and a wing was her blanket. Wolves howled in the distance, but her heart never raced. Her dragon was her defender and she knew nothing would harm her while he was there. She looked up at the dragon, melting into his red gaze that burned with an intense fire as he stared back at her. She raised a hand, stroking the smooth, silver scales of his snout, finally voicing the three little words hidden in her heart for so long. I love…
"Princess Levy!"
The shout startled her awake and Levy blinked to bring her surroundings back into focus. She scrambled to the edge of the willow branches that carefully hid her and peered out from between the leaves. Her two guards prowled the gardens, looking under benches and around the trees. It was just a matter of time before they found her hiding spot.
With a huff she dropped the branches and moved to the other side of the tree. A quick glance showed that the gardens were still empty. She crept out of the safety of the branches, put her hand on the leaves to settle them back into their normal position, and darted across the path. She stayed low to the ground, using the bushes to cover her mad dash.
Her bare feet padded gently against the stone path and she winced when she stepped on a loose rock. Tears smarted her eyes and she bit back a growl of frustration. Her feet had never failed her before, but they had grown soft after two years of court life she had found herself thrust into.
She ran deeper into the gardens, looking for a new spot to hide. Near the maze wall she spotted a large, grass statue of a rearing stallion with tall bushes surrounding the base.
Perfect.
She jumped over the shrubs and huddled at the base of the topography, breathing deeply through her nose and out through her mouth. She wished she could cover her bright hair, but at least her dress was green and would hopefully blend into the leaves. Her breathing returned to it's normal rhythm and she smiled when she didn't hear the sounds of pursuit.
It was a routine game they played. She would sneak out of the castle for some peace and quiet and her father would send the guards to go and find her. If she were careful, she could avoid them for a few hours. But they had discovered her missing much quicker than usual, most likely due to her required presence at the ceremony that afternoon. She had been hoping to miss the knighting ceremony all together, but her father apparently thought differently.
She had just gotten comfortable when she heard the sound of footsteps on the path nearby. She buried deeper into the bushes, hardly daring to breathe. They shouldn't find her, not for a while at least. She had only been gone for an hour at most, not nearly long enough to satisfy her need for solitude. She raised her knees and rested her head against her arms, surprised at the tears that burned in her eyes. She blinked rapidly. The last thing she needed was for her sniffles to alert the guards.
Two years. That was how long it had been since she was ripped from her home and the last time she saw Gajeel. Had he been looking for her? Was he even alive? No one would answer her questions. Her father, she had begun to call the king after he tried so hard to befriend her, claimed to not have any information for her and she blatantly refused to speak to Laxus unless absolutely necessary, usually opting to openly glare at her brother instead if they were ever forced into the same room together. She would never harbor any love for him, not even when he helped her during their magic practice or when he taught her how to ride a horse. His magic was deadly and riding on horseback paled in comparison to a dragon's flight.
More footsteps joined the first. Why couldn't they just leave her alone? All day long it was rules, rules and more rules. "A princess does this" and "a princess should never," the walls closing in on her until she felt stifled and couldn't even breathe. She wanted to be free again, to feel the earth beneath her feet and to see the stars above her head when she slept. Fire red eyes, warm scales and playful growls. She just wanted to go home.
The bushes above her head rustled and a voice triumphantly shouted "found her!" A hand snaked in and grabbed her arm, gently pulling her to her feet and out of the leaves. She yelped in surprise and Droy dropped his hold. Levy turned to bolt the opposite direction, but the captain of the guard stood in her path, Jet standing sheepishly next to her. Erza stood proud, arms crossed against her metal armor and her stance wide. She quirked an eyebrow and Levy sighed, hanging her head in defeat.
"If you are finished traipsing about the gardens, I believe your father is looking for you." She turned on her booted heel, leaving Levy no choice but to follow her. She might have been able to outrun Jet and Droy, especially if she ran into the large maze, but Erza was the captain of the Mage Knights: there was little chance of escaping once the woman spotted her prey.
Erza led her through the gardens and back inside the castle. She slapped her feet on the stone floor, evoking a raised brow from the captain. A thrill of victory passed through Levy at her success in getting a reaction, albeit a small one, from the steadfastly stoic woman. They stopped at the king's office door, Erza giving two sharp raps to the wood before opening it widely. She stepped aside, bowing her head for Levy to pass.
"You know what today is, daughter, and yet you return looking like that?" Makarov frowned at her and Levy followed his gaze, appraising her appearance.
Bare, dirty feet, mud covered legs, torn dress. She shrugged, looking back at her father. It was her most common attire, to which her father was well aware. In her defense, she had requested a simple tunic and pants for her wardrobe, but was adamantly, vehemently and immediately refused.
Makarov sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I know you don't like ceremonies, but please endure it. For me. I promise that afterwards you can borrow as many books as you want from the library and have a week in the gardens without guards chasing you about. Now Lucy, please...do something, anything, to make the princess more presentable."
"Yes, Master."
Levy hadn't even heard Lucy come in, but the usually boisterous girl did have a knack for stealth when she put her mind to it. Lucy ushered her out of the king's office and pushed her down the hall toward her room.
"You got yourself into quite a mess, didn't you? I'm going to have to ask Cancer and Virgo for their help if we want to make it in time. Probably even Aquarius so she can give you a bath."
They passed by a hanging mirror and Levy smiled at her dirt-streaked face. "Please don't put yourself out like that. If it takes too long, we can just tell the king that I won't be able to make it." She smiled sweetly and Lucy rolled her eyes.
"No, thank you. I happen to value my position, thank you very much." Lucy pinched her arm and Levy gave a small squeak.
She knew her father wasn't trying to be difficult and she usually found the man to be quite entertaining to be around. But she had a hard time being truly happy when confined by the regulations of the castle. She just wanted to wear clothes that were comfortable and to explore the gardens until she was a muddy, unrecognizable mess.
They reached her upper floor room and Lily lifted his head the moment they entered the room. He jumped off her bed and padded to them, rubbing his large body against her legs and purring loudly. She understood his frustration at being confined, but he brought the maids into a tizzy whenever they saw the large cat roaming the halls.
"Ok, stop cuddling and come on. We don't have much time." Lucy shoved her into a tub in the corner, summoned her mermaid spirit, and the two of them made quick work on removing all traces of mud from Levy's body.
Once she was dried and wrapped in a soft towel, she was placed in a chair positioned in front of a large mirror. Her friend grabbed two keys and Levy blinked against the bright light that filled the room. Two figures emerged from the light, ignoring the warning growls from the cat laying at her feet.
"Cancer, hair. Virgo, help me find something for her to wear."
"Ebi" While the crab-like man tackled her hair, Lucy and Virgo busied themselves in her large wardrobe.
"How was your time in the gardens?" Lucy called out from among the clothes.
Levy shrugged, which earned her a small whack on the head by Cancer's scissors. "It was fine," she answered, keeping a close eye on the scissors to make sure the Spirit didn't actually cut any of her hair, "I would have liked to have more time outside, though."
"I thought you were going to read in the library."
"I was, but then the walls started talking to me and I thought it best if I left before I went completely insane."
She heard Lucy hum at her comment, but thankfully her friend refrained from saying anything, knowing that there was nothing she could do to help. The blonde's bubbly personality had quickly made Levy at ease during her first few weeks at the castle and they had become fast friends, bonding over a shared love of books and their fondness of the castle library.
Others called Levy the "Quiet Dragon Princess," but she knew she could share her innermost thoughts with Lucy. The Celestial Mage was the one who had helped her adjust to court life, the one who finally got Levy to admit how important Gajeel was to her. She was the only one who truly understood Levy and the only one that she could count as a friend in the entire castle.
"Except for you, Lily," she smiled, stroking the panther's head laying in her lap.
"I am finished...ebi."
Lucy ran out of the wardrobe, Virgo right on her heels with a dress draped over her arm. "Perfect, Cancer! That bandana is just the right color for her dress!"
"Ebi," he said, disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
"Now let's get you dressed, Lev!"
She sighed and gently pushed Lily's head off her lap.
"I will help you get dressed, Princess." Virgo said, coming toward her menacingly.
"N-no thanks!" Levy squeaked, hiding behind Lucy.
"Let's just...get going, ok?" Lucy helped her take off her ruined dress, which Virgo took with a look of disgust.
They slipped a clean dress over her shoulders and her mouth quirked as she rubbed the soft material. It was one of her favorites. The bright yellow fabric hung down to her knees and yellow sleeves covered her arms. A white sash accented the collar and tied around her neck, creating a bow at her neckline. Cancer had indeed done a wonderful job with her hair: the yellow sash matched the dress perfectly and he even sewed a small, pink flower onto the fabric.
It might not be as fancy as what the other court ladies wore, but it suited her just fine.
"Here are your shoes, Princess." Virgo held a pair of red sandals against her chest. Levy smiled her thanks and let the Celestial Spirit help her put them on. The straps tied around her ankles and up her calves. It was almost like walking barefoot. Almost, but not quite.
"There, you're ready. We need to hurry!"
Lucy thanked Virgo for her help and the maid nodded before disappearing. The two girls hurried out of the room, Lily's claws clacking on the stone floor behind them. They were out of breath by the time they reached the front hall where her father and brother were waiting. Laxus, as always, stood rigid at the king's side and Levy idly wondered if the prince ever relaxed. She took a good look at his midnight blue shirt, red pants and a black, fur-lined cloak. She might not enjoy seeing her brother, but she was grateful that she wasn't the only one dressed casually.
Makarov looked her up and down and nodded his approval, but Laxus frowned. He jutted his chin at Lily standing by her side. "Do you have to bring that thing with you?" At the sound of his voice, the panther growled and moved protectively in front of her.
Levy tisked at her brother and rubbed the sides of Lily's head in both her hands, making kissing noises at him. "Why yes I do, don't I, boy? How come everyone is so afraid of you, anyway?" Lily stopped his growling and licked her nose. She giggled, giving him a small kiss.
Laxus groaned and gagged, and Makarov sighed. "Can we leave now, children, or do we need to tell everyone we're late because you keep bickering?"
"We're ready," Levy straightened and walked with the king, Lily keeping pace next to her. She looked between her cat and the prince, still boggled why everyone was so afraid of Lily.
Sure, he growled at everyone that came close to her and yes, his head reached past her waist, but he was harmless. An overgrown kitten that just happened to have fangs and jaws strong enough to snap a bone in half. Just an average house cat.
Guards followed them as they made their way outside. She walked behind her father down a garden path and to the training grounds, where a shaded pavilion was set up in the middle of the field. Rows of flags, stitched with the Fairy Tail crest, waved in the breeze and spectators filled the area, eager to see the newest members joining the Mage Knights.
They walked down the center path, Levy keeping her eyes on the ground in front of her feet and not at the hundreds of people, and followed her father to the three chairs waiting for them in the shade. Makarov stepped back to allow her to climb the stairs. She sat in the smaller one to the left, the king in the middle and largest chair, and Laxus to the king's right hand side. She tucked her skirt under her legs and crossed her ankles, knowing that her father expected her to act like a lady during special events. Lily sat on his haunches next to her, ears swiveling and eyes bright.
A group of Mage Knights materialized from the shadows and stood at attention next to the pavilion. Captain Erza stepped out to the center aisle and banged a fist against her chest, bowing deeply to the king. Her red hair glinted brightly in the sun and her polished armor gleamed.
Makarov smiled widely. "Ah, my dear Titania! I trust you have a fine group of new recruits this year?"
"Of course, Master. Allow me to present to you your newest Mage Knights."
Cheers rose up from the crowd and Levy barely managed to resist rolling her eyes, already dreading the rest of the ceremony. Every year it was the same; the new knights would step forward, sometimes with their mentor if they trained outside the Fairy Tail barracks, and would swear allegiance to their king and prince. It was a huge honor to be chosen as a Mage Knight. The king would only accept the most talented or those with exceedingly strong magical abilities. Men and women could train for a decade and still not make it into the royal guard.
Captain Erza stepped to the side and a line of knights walked the flag-lined path. Their Fairy Tail insignias, if on a visible part of their body, were red around the edges, proof of their newly appointed status. Levy leaned back in her chair and rubbed Lily's ears, only half paying attention to the proceedings around her. Many knights pledged their loyalty, but only a few stood out to her.
A man with bright blue hair and a strange tattoo under his right eye approached the pavilion and saluted her father, his hand shaking slightly as he raised it into the air in the traditional Fairy Tail salute. "Jellal Fernandes, pledging allegiance to Fiore, Magnolia, and the royal family."
"I welcome you into my family. Serve us well." Makarov inclined his head and the knight breathed an audible sigh of relief.
He moved to stand next to the captain and Levy was surprised to see a grimace pass over his face. Erza elbowed him in the side and the knight straightened back to his full height.
Levy frowned when the next newly appointed knight practically bounced to the pavilion. Despite the heat, she was dressed in a long-sleeved blue dress and tall, black boots. A tall hat rested on her head and her blue hair curled on the ends. "Juvia Lockser, pledging allegiance to Fiore, Magnolia, and the royal family."
Makarov barely returned her greeting with the woman turned and waved to the group of knights. "Gray! Juvia has also become a Mage Knight! Now Gray and Juvia can always be together!"
"Juvia, focus please," a dark hair man grumbled from within the group of knights.
More knights stood in line. A trio of siblings, judging by their identical white-blond hair, a green-haired man, and a tall man dressed in a long jacket who had his insignia stamped onto his tongue. Levy prepared herself to endure another half hour or more of the knights swearing loyalty to her father and busied herself with tracing Lily's wing-like patch on his back.
"Isn't that Gildarts?"
"I think so, but who's that standing with him?"
"I didn't know he was presenting anyone this year."
The whispered voices drifted through her boredom and Levy's curiosity piqued. The line of knights shifted and gave her a clear view of two men standing at the back of the line. She had heard of the former general but had yet to see him in person. His scruffy appearance gave off the impression of a hermit who lived in the mountains, not someone who was one of most feared mages in all of Magnolia. Standing next to him was a man that certainly fit the description more accurately.
He stood straight and tall next to his mentor, standing a good several inches above the older man's head. His tanned arms were crossed over his strong chest and a black mane of hair hung down to his waist. While the other knights presented themselves in their best clothing, he was dressed in simple tan pants, a black sleeveless tunic that fell past his knees in tatters, and tall black boots. Sunlight glinted off his arms and Levy noticed that the man had small pieces of metal embedded in his forearms. He moved forward in line, his gaze not lifting from the ground even when his mentor nudged his arm right below his black Fairy Tail insignia.
There was something about him...a ring of familiarity as he walked forward with a confidence she knew she had seen before. Her heart pounded in her chest and her hand grew clammy where it rested on Lily's head. She couldn't take her eyes off the tall knight, not even when he reached the front of the line and moved not to the king, but in front of her chair instead. The king sputtered and the crowd grew silent, but the pounding of her heart thundered in her ears.
The knight placed a hand over his heart. "Sir Redfox, pledging allegiance to Princess Levy."
His deep voice washed over her and brought back memories of flying and iron and steel. She rose from her seat and crossed to the front of the pavilion, willing her legs not to shake.
"L-look at me," she rasped, the strength leaving her voice.
The knight slowly lifted his head. She saw the metal piercings on his chin, his nose and above his eyes. Bright red eyes that blazed with a fire she could never forget for as long as she lived.
"Ga-Gajeel?"
He smirked and gave a low chuckle. "Gihee, miss me, Shrimp?"
With a cry she launched herself at him, tears streaming down her face. She clung to his shoulders and pounded his back with her fist, laughing through her tears. "You dummy, you dummy, you dummy!"
She would recognize her dragon anywhere.