Hey'o everyone! I have been slaving away at this not to worry. I didn't like wehre it was going and redid it several times. this chapter is super important and will be split into 3, count it, 3 parts. It's like turning the page into a new chapter, and i don't want to leave anything out, but i don't want 100 page chapters also. this is a tad shorter, but it's part of 3! to come!
Thank you everyone for waiting so patiently! ENJOY!
Chapter 4: And the Thunder Rolls
Some days later Levy was summoned to the Kings chambers to talk of her marriage once more. She dragged her feet, dreading the conversation. What more could they possibly talk about? There was no one left for her that would be adequate for both King of Fiore and her husband. Rounding the final corner to the hallway of the King's chambers she let out a long sigh. After knocking she entered, only just hearing the feeble acknowledgment to enter. The Kings health was still bad and seemed to be worsening by the day. He had developed a cough that wracked his small frame and sounded like death. Making the matter of her marriage even more strenuous. After letting the door close behind her she curtsied before going to his side and placing her lips on the wrinkled hand offered pathetically to her.
"Sire, how are you feeling? Any better?"
The King smiled weakly and sat a little straighter in bed, "Not as bad as yesterday my child, I can feel the strength returning to my bones-" he was cut off by a fit of hacking coughs. Levy moved to help him but he raised a shaky hand to prevent her and simply waited the fit out. "Ah, ah, well, now that's out of the way…" He offered her a sad smile which she returned.
"I'm sure you are aware that we are under a bit of a conundrum by dear," she nodded wistfully, "I have sent messengers to all those who've participated in the games for your and have received no confirmation from a single city, I intend to send some to our farthest cities in hopes of keeping this internal and not going internationally." He paused again for another few coughs, "Ah, Gods… As – As I was saying… I want to make sure that we find you a suitable man, and a suitable King! Something that Laxus is not."
The King let out a long sigh before continuing. At his next words Levy folded her hands in her lap and looked at her feet in humble submission, "He approached me earlier and explained his wish to take your hand… I flat out refused him." Levy looked up at the King's sudden chuckle, "Hahaah, the look on his face… I don't know what he was expecting, but he should have known that I wouldn't allow it." Levy allowed a small smile but remained somewhat somber. The King once again became serious,
"I've sworn I would never allow Laxus to be king, he has not the mind nor heart for it. Something I blame myself for. His father was a failure which also is my fault as a father to him. But I have the chance to make it all up with you my dear Levy. We will find a way that does not put Laxus in the picture. I care not if we have to rewrite the law, we will find a way." He took one of her hands in his and gave it a strong squeeze. Meeting his eyes Levy gave a smile, "Aye Sire we shall."
And so they delved in depth into finding her a new suitor. They ran through all the eligible bachelors in the capitol. Natsu is engaged to Lucy, Gray was much too close of a friend and was courting Lady Juvia, Jellal cannot be King and a royal advisor, Freed had graciously declined, both Lord Macco and Lord Wakaba were much too old, Reedus, the court artist hadn't the status, nor did Nab the cook. Max and Warren were simple pages not even worthy of Knighthood much less Kingship, Elfman hadn't the brains to run a country, while Lyon hadn't the experience… They talked some of outsiders as well. There was Duke Jose Porla of the Phantom Lords. Porla ruled a small keep west of the Black Forest and was, in Levy's mind, a total creep. She had the most unpleasant experience of meeting the man on a few occasions and did not like him one bit. The thought of marrying him was not one she liked to entertain. Then again, neither was the one about marrying Laxus.
Hours later they had arrived at a conclusion, and it wasn't one they liked. There was not another man. No one of the right characteristics, there was no other choice. The only other option was to rewrite the laws to make it so that a Princess could rule without being married. There was much work to be done, the council would have to meet, something that only happened in times of great decision making or in times of war. Well, this was one of those times. The problem was assembling all the Lords and Ladies, as they lived all over the capitol city, the process would take several days. Not only, but the King would have to attend, obviously, and with his current health condition that was a grim chance. Even if the council was assembled and the King was able to attend, the decision process could take months, something they did not have.
Distraught at the slowly dawning resolution, Levy excused herself from the King's presence and raced to her own chambers. The Castle was a blur as hot tears stung her eyes, as she ran. She did not try to withhold her tears and let them flow. Thankfully she met no one in the halls, a miracle in itself, and was able to reach her rooms without incident. Bursting through the door she didn't even care if the door closed or not, she flung herself at her bed and curled into the soft blankets, crying for the world to hear.
It wasn't fair! It just wasn't fair, or right for that matter. Was there really no other choice than to marry her half-brother? It wasn't biologically right! Nor morally. Even if Laxus was a half-decent person, it would still be wrong. Levy couldn't take it. She needed someone to talk too, someone who would understand. Gajeel was the first to pop into her mind, but he wouldn't quite understand nor would he be able to comfort her properly as he was terrible as that sort of thing. No, not the Dragon, she needed someone who could understand the situation and provide her with the comfort and advice she needed. She needed Lucy.
But Lucy was out with Natsu in the city for the day and wouldn't be back for hours still. Levy would have to suffer alone for a while longer. Letting the tears flow she allowed all the pent up frustration out through the wetness of her eyes, frustration at having to possibly marry either Laxus or that creep Jose in order to save not only herself but her people and kingdom that she loved too much to abandon, frustration at not being able to follow her heart and choose someone to marry that loved her for her and not her title, frustration that Lucy wasn't there to provide a shoulder for her to cry on, that Lucy and Gray and even Lady Erza all had special some's to turn too and that she was alone, frustration that her special someone was hidden from the world in a cave on the mountain side, if he even could or would be her special someone. And she cried harder at the thought that maybe, just maybe he didn't return her feelings, at least not to the extent that she felt. Which was saying something since she really had no clue how she felt about the Dragon, nor his true feelings for her. Which lead to more tears of frustration.
Levy spend the afternoon in her chambers keeping to herself and allowing herself to feel all the things that a Princess wasn't. Fear, Sadness, Frustration, Imperfection, Worry, and to be everything that a Princess wasn't, Weak, Pathetic, Depressed, Worried and Alone. She was to be Strong and Independent and Capable of handling crisis. This was to be a no brainer for her, she may not like the things she had to do as a Princess of Fiore, but it was her Responsibility to her people and kingdom to maintain order and power in the ranks of nobles, and that meant taking a husband that would be good for the Kingdom. But there were no such men available, not Laxus with his history, and Jose was a cruel and sorry excuse for a Duke much less a noble, who put the title to shame. It was all too much for one person to handle at that moment and Levy let it all out that afternoon in her chambers, alone and curled into her soft bedding.
The only interaction she had with anyone was to her maid Lissana and only to instruct her to tell Lucy to come see the Princess as soon as she returned to the castle. And when Lucy did return from her day in the city Levy sat anxiously on her bed waiting for her friend to come to her side.
There was barely a knock at the door when Lucy entered, and she had only just stepped through the doorway when Levy threw herself at her friend with a new set of tears fresh on her lashes, "Lucy! Oh Lucy! Waaahhhh!"
"There, there, Levy, what so ever is the matter!? Lissana said you were in quite a mood and told me to come here straight away; and so I did and now you though yourself at me and cry like a spoiled child? Levy, oh Levy dear what's wrong?" Lucy hugged her friend and stroked her wavy and disheveled blue locks while she supported her friend who had quite literally thrown herself at Lucy. Patting her back affectionately Lucy eventually guided Levy to one of the sitting couches and set her down where she could cry in her lap as she wished, all while playing with the messy blue locks.
"Oh Lucy! I don't know what's going to happen! I can't marry Laxus, I just can't! There is so much wrong with that fact. And there is no one else, and changing the law might not even work in time! Oh Lucy, what am I going to do!?" And so Levy told Lucy all that had transpired that morning between her and the King about Laxus and the laws and her marriage.
"Oh… I see, well, that is an issue I know… umm well let me think here…"
Her words were not convincing and sent the Princess into new waves of despair.
"What we need is…" She glanced about the room looking for some sort of inspiration when her eyes landed on a vase of lilac flowers someone had placed on the table before them, "…flowers…!"
Levy looked up from Lucy's lap, wiping a tear from her cheek, "Flowers?"
"Yes! Flowers! Oh Levy! I don't believe you've forgotten!?" Lucy was suddenly very excited, and Levy was confused, how could flowers help? "Lucy, what?-" "Oh come on Levy! It's only one of your favorite times of the whole year! Remember?" Looking at her blue-haired friend with glee and expectation she sighed and rolled her eyes when a blank stare was all she received in response, "The Festival of Flowers silly!"
The Festival of Flowers was Levy's favorite of all the festivals that were held in Magnolia throughout the year. It was a celebration of spring and summer and the riches in produce that come with the harvest at the end of the warmth before the winter chill set in again. Merchants from all over the Kingdom would gather in the capitol for the festival and sell the widest assortment of items anyone ever set their eyes on. Of course it was tradition that each stand have a wreath or vase of flowers arranged just so, that they would catch the eyes of passers-by and entice them to take a closer look, allowing the Merchant to cast his net of sales pitches and convince a person or two to look at what he had for sale. The whole city was decorated in bright, colorful flowers, from baby pink's and blue's, too royal reds and yellows, vibrant blues and violets and all the colors in-between. Ribbons and flower chains draped from rooftop to rooftop and around all doorways and windows. Woman in brilliantly colored dresses and men in their finest coats frolicked and paraded about everywhere in the streets, humoring vendors, chasing children running about, dining from one of the countless restaurants and food stands that popped up everywhere this time of year, or simple enjoying the festivities.
Another tradition was for a man and wife, or faience's to get each other matching flower wreaths and pins, a wreath for the woman to wear on her head and a pin for the man on his breast pocket. Roses were the most popular for the married folks while carnations were for the engaged couples, irises for those over 10 years of marriages and tulips for those new brides and grooms. Everywhere one looked there were flowers and blossoming people, it was one of the liveliest times of the year besides harvest. All the people and color and sights and smells always had Levy in high spirits. It was a chance for her to interact with the people that she loved and that loved her in return.
And of course, anyone's favorite part of the festival was the blooming of the great Magnolia tree in the center of the city for which it was named. Each year the Festival was held around the blooming of the massive tree whose blossoms burst with rich color and vibrant smells. Levy could almost smell it now, the rich scent of the Magnolia tree mixed with all those other smells of the festival. Yes. Lucy was right, flowers were exactly what they needed.
The festival wasn't for a week still and it didn't solve the problem of Levy's marriage situation, but it cheered the Princess up and gave her some event to look forward to which gave her hope. Brushing her tears aside Levy once again took on the role of Princess with new found energy. She knew she could always count on Lucy when in times of need.
There was still one other thing that troubled the two girls, but was rectified quickly. A simple plea to the King and the issue was solved. It was so, that Levy was still under confinement to the castle grounds and thus was not able to travel to the city, but one look at her tear streaked face and Lucy's big brown pleading eyes and the King allowed the venture, granted they bring a guard of course and go as Princess and Lady of the Royal Court and not just two maidens of the Court. The difference was that as a Princess, Levy and Lucy were to take the Royal carriage and Guard to escort them wherever they went in the city. Where as if they had gone on their own, Levy and Lucy could have simply grabbed Natsu and ventured out on foot throughout the city.
Be it as it was, they paraded through the city for the first few days of the festival in horse and carriage, admiring the views from the confines of the carriage. It was only with a special guard that the two girls were finally let out of their wheeled cage and to venture among the many stalls, booths, tents, stages and platforms of performers and dancers. Levy was immediately taken with the many colors, smells and activities all around. There were hundreds of people gathered for the festival in the city each with flowers adorning their person, flowers in every window and doorway, flowers here and there and everywhere. It was always a marvelous sight and smell to behold. Each day held something new and exciting, different performances and musicians, new things for sale in the markets, and an endless supply of flowers and flower themed trinkets and gifts, flower silks and fabrics, vases and plates painted in the most colorful of fashions, bracelets and necklaces, rings and belts, everything and anything was for sale or on display. It was no wonder it was the Princesses favorite time of the year or favorite festival nor. There was so much action it was easy to get lost in it all. Each day left them wanting more, and happy that the day was done so that they may rest for the next.
Each night, during the festival, when the Dragon would come to see the Princess, they would sit together on the small bench that her balcony adorn, the Dragon with his back to the wall, Princess with her back to the Dragon's chest in-between his legs, telling of the things they did that day and the things she saw. Describing her world to him through her encounters. They would sit in the cool spring night air, cuddled up to keep warm, and just talk about their day. Well Levy talked about her day, Gajeel did most of the listening. Which was fine with him. He liked watching the shrimp get all excited and start babbling on about one thing or another and just loose herself in her own little world. She was so at peace and blissful, it almost made the Dragon jealous, that she could slip off into bliss and forget the world around her. Parts of it seemed in her conscious mind for she would pull his arm tighter about her body when the wind blew a little too hard, or her fingers would find the fraying ends on his shorts and play with the hem there. Or how she would absently start drawing patterns on his flesh. Little things that made his skin crawl with delight.
For she made the Dragon happy, very happy. To just sit with the little girl in his lap and listen to her gush about the things that made her happy. To have her in his arms, to smell that intoxicating aroma that affected him so much, only the Gods knew why. It had become something of routine for Gajeel to visit at night, since the night he stayed a little too long and was almost caught in the sun. He would come and visit her in the night, after the castle would go to sleep, and the two would sit and talk and talk. He about the history of Dragons and of whatever she wanted to know, and she of questions or revelations from what she learned from the Dragon. They would visit well into the night until the Princess fell asleep listening to Gajeels deep voice rumble in his chest as she lay against him, or the skies would streak light with the coming dawn and the Dragon would have to leave her. Many times it was the first that occurred, as the princess was not used to only having a few hours of sleep she would tire quickly and rest her head against her companion's massive arm and eventually drift off listing to him talk. Each and every morn she would awake in her bed, being placed there by the Dragon when he would realize she was no longer paying attention and was in fact sleeping.
And so it also became the norm for him to throw an arm around her and pull her to his side, or to sit her in his lap so that he was more aware of when she would drift off. Not that the Princess complained, in fact he got the impression that she rather liked being so close to him, though her red face would say she wouldn't fess up to it. And he would tease her about it, and poke at her until her cheeks puffed up and she pouted at him in annoyance. It was fast becoming his favorite thing to do. He would take a claw from each finger and poke her cheeks so that the air there was expelled violently from her lips in the sound of a raspberry. Which would get them both laughing and left Levy hiding her face in the Gajeel's chest from embarrassment. He would simply laugh at her and somehow his fingers always found her hair and pulled through it in a tender sort of way.
There were times even when they would be very close and suddenly it was like the air had left his lungs and the only way to get it back would be to steal hers. So he would take her tenderly and take that what he wanted, making her short of breath and more than a bit flustered at first. Yet each time he took her breath she became a little less embarrassed and at times even seemed to give it willingly to him. The Dragon's kisses were sweet, something she hadn't expected form him, something she very much liked. She found herself enjoying the times when his lips found hers and prolonged the warmth of the kiss for as long as possible. They were more than just friends as it had started out, yet it had always been this way from the beginning, always something more.
It was one of the last days of the festival that something happened that would haunt the Princesses mind for sometime to come. There was one vender stall that caught Levy's attention at the end of a row during one late afternoon. It was set a little way from rest of the venders, a lavish purple tent adorned with golden strands and colorful beads stood alone against the stark grey of the building at its back. There were no flowers to guide the visitor to the entrance of the tent flaps, but the colors of the tapestries that made up the tent were vibrant enough to rival any flower arrangement. Struck by the colors and allure of something new, as she had no memory of the tent at any previous festival, Levy broke from the group and made her way through the throng of people to the little tent. Glancing over her shoulder at the people she had left behind, she moved to the front of the tent.
Using the back of her hand to move the opening flap out of her way, Levy entered the small dwelling. The area was dimly lit with paper lanterns and a small hole in the roof that let light filter thought the smoke that rose from the small open burning fire in the middle of the tent space. All around the fire were pillows and cushions, it was obviously set up for people to sit around. How odd, Levy thought, for what reason would someone need to sit around a fire in the warmth of this day? I wonder… Her curiosity set in and Levy stepped further into the tent and too the pillows.
As she stepped forward cautiously, she called out softly, "Hello? Hello? Is anyone there?"
She glanced around the tent, taking in all that was there to offer. Herbs and dried flowers hung from frame work of the tent, colorful birds in small cages flitted about and chirped, animal furs hung from the rafters and lay in piles here and there and a few animal skulls sat on a shelf towards the back of the tent as well as some feathers and bottled items she was slightly unnerved to think were of animals or parts of carcasses.
Having reached the center of the tent she sank to her knees on one of the pillows, still gazing around the dim tent, captured by all that was concealed within. From outside the warm spring breeze whispered soft words to the Princess as it snuck into the dwelling fingering through her skirts and hair, making the birds hush in their twittering, and flickering the fires flames that licked skyward. The wind danced about in the tent and found itself under the foot of a figure Levy had not noticed in the background. She gasped as the figure stepped forward and out of the shadows from whence they hid. She was taken aback at the beauty of the woman who stepped forward. She had tanned skin and long wavy red brown hair that reflected the oranges and reds of the firelight in its strands. Her eyes were coal black and glittered like the darkest of stones in a river. There was a warm smile upon her ruby lips and when she smiled at the Princess, Levy saw a golden tooth flicker in the dancing light. Gold that matched the over-sized hoops that hung from the woman's ears. She was dressed in what would be considered a scandals outfit, with a white blouse that showed her collar bones and stomach, and long baggy navy blue pants that looked as if they were made for a man, they ended at her ankles where there was a patch of tanned skin before her black slippers. Despite her appearance, her face was warm, her smile welcoming and her eyes enchanting. Levy was caught in the enchantress's web.
"Welcome Child, to the place where dreams become reality and questions are answered. Tell me, what brings you here?" Her voice was rough like sandpaper, but soft and motherly. It put Levy at ease instantly. She was about to respond to the question when the woman raised a hand, golden rings and bracelets glinting in the light cast from the fire, "Speak not, for I know. I only ask for humors' sake." She smiled again and the golden tooth glinted, "You, my dear, are the Princess of this land, a wonder they let you roam so freely… ah, but I See you are not free but shackled, and have simply slipped your keepers for the time being." Her black eyes flitted to the opening of the tent momentarily before resting once again on the girl before her.
Closing her mouth, Levy simply nodded, dumbfounded that the woman, who Levy knew not, knew so much about herself already, "Who are you?" She managed to ask in wonderment, "And how do you know so much?"
The woman chuckled darkly and "tut tut'd" her tongue shaking her head with an amused glint to her black eyes, "I see that you have many questions, some that you might not think to ask here. But let me see, My name is Cana, I am a Gypsy Mage with the Gift of Sight. I see things that will come to pass. I have Seen much about you and your adventures my Princess."
Adventures? Levy thought. "Really? I didn't know there were other Mages like Jellal, that's fascinating!" Levy suddenly gasped, "I do have many questions that I would like to ask you now! How did you know!? And what 'adventures' are you referring to?"
Again those black eyes glittered and the Gypsy Mage smiled, "Adventures involving a Dragon. I have Seen you with him many a time, and I have foreseen you with him many a time still more, and in many…. Situations. Hmmm, yes." The fire between them crackled suddenly, making levy jump and drawing her attention as the gypsy raised here hand to the flames and a light drifted from her finger tips and down into the flames.
And Levy swore she saw pictures in the flames before her. Pictures that couldn't be real. They were of her and Gajeel, in a meadow with Unicorns cantering around them, them flying through the night air, her in the Dragon's arms as the wind wiped their hair round their faces in the rain, her and Gajeel in his cave, smiling and laughing, in her room's, poring over books and scrolls lost in thought, and so many more pictures of her and the Dragon together.
She gasped and looked to the Gypsy across from her, "How?" But the Gypsy only smiled and waved a hand over the flame, changing the pictures before them. They were replaced with pictures Levy recognized. Pictures of her and the Dragon on her balcony, sitting and talking, laughing, kissing… and as quickly as they had come the pictures vanished. Looking frantically at the flickering flames Levy was disappointed that the pictures were gone and looked up, confused, to the woman across from her.
"As I have said, you have many questions. But ask them not, the fire will ask them for you. Come child let me reed your hand. Place your dominant hand in the fire, it will not burn you," At her words Levy hesitated, put her hand in the fire? Sensing her nervousness the gypsy smiled that gold tinted smile, "I swear it shall not bur you, come do as I say. Look," and she placed her own hand in the flames, palm up fingers becoming Levy. At her urging Levy slowly placed her right hand in the flames and the gypsy's hand, "That's it child. Now, hold still and let the fire show me your thoughts." The fire was warm to the touch but did not burn her, just as the gypsy said it would. It was a strange sort of warmth, not burning nor soft, but a prickling sensation, like dry skin over a wool blanket, catching in places and a rough sort of texture that flowed and molded to its surroundings. She was captured by the fire around her digits.
The humming of the gypsy across from her brought her back from her musing, "Hmm yes, I see. I see there is one thing that takes priority of your mind child. I see a great beast… no, a man… a man-beast… I see a Dragon!" And suddenly the woman's eyes rolled back into her head and her fingers snapped closed around Levy's wrist. The fire roared to life in the same instant and Levy let out a small scream which was swallowed by the sudden gale force winds that ripped through the tent making birds screech, metal clang and wood groan, with the force of it. And above it all Cana's voice reached her, high pitched and strained.
"I see that fate would have you and the Dragon be together, but fate would also have you torn apart… I see that you have been fated to meet the Dragon Gajeel for some time, I have seen it before… but be warned young Princess, there are those who wish you two apart."
Pictures once again shone in the fire as it blazed high above their heads. Pictures of Gajeel and Levy and then they changed, "I see a great evil from one close to you. They are a powerful foe with hidden secrets."
A man appeared before her eyes, someone she had never seen before. He had dark red hair, like the color of dried blood, and a long scar over his closed right eye. There was and evil glint to the man's other eye and something in his sneer sent a shiver down her spine, "I see a power close to you, a great and ancient power… I see great love, from you and for you from many a different person. You are well loved Princess."
Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Jellal, The King and her hand maiden Lissana, and lastly, Gajeel, they all flashed before her in rapid succession, "With that you are hated too. I see a great force that will come for you, I see many a hardships for the ones you love ahead."
There was a flash of bright light and Levy cried out in fear once more as the wind picked up speed. When the gypsy spoke again her voice was echoed by something deeper and hoarser and she spoke rapidly, "There is to be a battle, one that is already started that will grow and consume you, your loved ones, and this land. There will come a time for Good and Evil to clash though you may not know which is which nor who is who, and you may not like the ending to that battle, but know this… You are special, Dragon's Mate, very special. Keep close to your Dragon when the time comes…!"
And her voice rose again with pitch and volume "I see-!"
"LEVY!"
Gajeel?
And suddenly Levy was jerked backward, away from the ragging fire and possessed woman. Strong arms encircled her and yanked her back farther, there was a flash of silver and red and black from her right and she was on her feet wobbling. There was the ring of sword on sword and the sound of men shouting. Levy could not see the Dragon, nor the weapon he held, she could not see much of anything but the blazing fire that was quickly engulfing the tent. It was out of control and burning everything in its path. Gajeel! It was going to burn Gajeel! She heard the sound of swords again and she called out to the Dragon in panic,
"Gajeel! Gajeel Help! The fire, Gajeel!"
And from behind her arms once again grabbed her and drug her back away from the flames that licked dangerously close. Then above the raging wind and flames came the sound of a mighty roar that shook the very ground. Clutching to the arms that held her she pulled herself closer, the Dragon scooping her up in his arms and bounding away from the flames and smoke that had engulfed them. In a few short strides they burst from the smoke and fire of the tent and into the bright light of the afternoon sun. Levy had never been so happy to see the sun and bright blue sky in her life, and she gripped the Dragons arm tightly turning her head into his metal and cloth covered chest.
"Gajeel!" she sighed.
They were still moving as Levy's mind slowly recognized the fact that Gajeel wore no clothes save for a pair of ripped shorts covering his groin. Her mind flashed an image of the Dragon from the chest down and how low those shorts hung on his hips and how short the legs were over his massive thighs that rippled with taught muscles… No, this is not the time to be imaging that! There is never an appropriate time for that! Regardless, the point stood that the Dragon did not wear clothes and the person carrying her now was most certainly wearing clothes.
Looking up to the man's face she recognized the sharp chin and spiky pink hair that could only belong to one person.
Natsu.
It was Natsu.
Natsu that pulled her from the fire.
Natsu that had saved her, not the Dragon. It was only Natsu.
Something in Levy's heart twinged and cracked.
How badly she had wanted it to be the Dragon that came and saved her. Was she that desperate?
Noticing that his cargo was looking at him, Natsu flashed her his brilliant goofy smile, "Hey there Levy! So tell me, who's this Gajeel person you keep going on about?"
Levy returned to the castle shaken and a little smoky, but otherwise none the worse for wear. He mind buzzed with Cana's words and the pictures she had seen. What could they all mean? Who was the man she had seen in the fire? The one with the scar over his eye. How was he related to this. "A great evil" she had said, "from one close to you" but I don't know that man…or at least I have no memory of him. Oh what could all of this mean, and how is Gajeel stuck in this too? Is it because he's close to me? Am I putting him in danger? Stuck in her thoughts as she walked along the palace corridors to her chambers, she was blissfully unaware of the presence looming before her, one she was stepping closer and closer too.
"Princess…"
Startled she stopped in her tracks and looked up, blinking several times to clear her mine. Who she saw was not one of her favorite people.
"Laxus. What do you want?"
"A word if you please, and I think you will."
"And if I refuse?"
His hand snapped out to her wrist and clenched it forcefully. Startled once again she drew back against his grip, but his fingers merely tightened more on her. "I insist." It was a hiss. Before she could protest further, he was dragging her behind him as he walked. Not that it was a great feat for him given their size difference, he could be a giant pulling along a fairy for all that they were. It was not a long ways that they went, and he pulled her into an inset window in the wall of the corridor. Her back to the stained glass he cornered her and pined her in place both physically and with his eyes. Stuck, Levy frowned. There was an amused glint in the cold blue eyes that wer staring her down, and his voice held some sickening sweetness to it when he spoke.
"What a day at the festival, so many performers and sights and smells. Did you happen to try that Nabb fellow's tarts? They were good I say… I-"
What? What's with this? There's no way he dragged me here to talk of the festival! What's his game? Levy interrupted him after a moment of his nonsense babble about the festival, "What are you playing at Laxus?"
Taken aback, he feigned hurt "Me? Oh I was just wondering if you enjoyed your day at the festival, I know how much you like this one in particular. Did you, by chance, get your fortune told by some Gypsy's that were wondering though?"
"Gypsy's? Her heart thudded in her chest, "Yes princess, Gypsy's." he was becoming short with her now, "What does it matter to you if I did or did not?" He chuckled, "Oh it matters a great deal, see little girl, you should be more careful when wondering off on your own to make sure you are not followed. You are a Princess after all and there are many a man willing to off you for a pretty penny." She gasped, "Is that a threat!?" He looked stunned, though she could see through his bravado, "Me? Never! I was simply making you aware of some common knowledge, things you hear through the vine one might say; Ah, speaking of hearing, I heard something that might be interesting to you my dear."
Levy's frown deepened, "And what might that be?"
Laxus grinned and "tut'ed" a few times, "You really are childish still Princess. Tent walls are not as thick as our castle, sound travels to those passing by."
Levy suddenly understood what he was saying in not so many words, "And what did you hear, pray tell?"
And his voice dropped its sickly pleasantness, to something more ominous, "I heard everything, I heard wat the Gypsy woman said about you and the Dragon Gajeel, I knew you two had a connection. What power was she referring to? And what battle is there to be? The Gypsy said there would be one herself! And why, Gods know, did she call you the 'Dragon's mate'?"
All the color drained from Levy's face No! He cannot know anything! She felt her heart clench. What am I to do? I don't know anything, but he would never believe that if I told him. What can I say that he will believe? Laxus grinned at the look of panic that flashed in her face as she thought of some cover story.
"Spill little princess, what do you know of the Dragon, you forget that you've mentioned him to me before!" He leaned closer to her, their faces mere inches apart, "I want to know everything."
Levy gritted her teeth and gave him her best look of defiance, it was this or nothing, "I don't know what you're talking about. So what if I had my fortune told by some Gypsy?"
"You know very well what I'm talking about! I want to know what power she was talking about and how that related to the Dragon, and don't you dare tell me that she never said anything about a Dragon, it was practically every other word out of her Damned mouth!"
Levy shrunk back as far as she could onto the window ledge, her back forced painfully against the glass of the window. And closer came the mad Prince, "She called you the Dragon's Mate! What does that mean Princess? Are you sneaking around with that Dragon? You are aren't you!? That would be correct for your previous statement about wanting to marry a Dragon rather than me. Is it possible that you are in love with him?! You and the Dragon?" Levy was shaking ith fear and nervousness. Laxus was hitting the nail right on the head and he knew it. She was trapped with nowhere to turn. If only someone would come down the hallway and rescue her!
"Tell me everything and I'll make a deal with you. Levy stared into his frozen blue eyes as he spoke his next words very carefully, "Tell me about the Dragon, tell me everything about him, and I will make sure no one knows of your interactions with him, about anything the Gypsy said, that he even existed, that you ever loved him."
It was a deal with the devil and they knew it. But she hadn't the choice to bargain. Laxus was just to smart for his own good. She was trapped and had nothing but the ugly truth to save her. She closed her eyes as he leaned ever closer to her, his mouth a hairs breath from her ear. She shuddered at the next words that fell from his sinful lips, "Tell me where the Dragon lives and I'll keep your secrete safe."
That's all for now folks! I should be updating sometime this week if everything goes as planned... UNTIL NEXT TIME!
