HELLO TO ALL OF YOU LOVELY VIEWERS!

Update on time, finally! I know what you might be thinking, "there's actually a schedule?" and yes there is; I'm just horrible at keeping to it. I cannot express how grateful I am that you all have been so understanding and patient about the updates. I'm really thankful for those who are reviewing and it really makes me happy when I hear such positive feedback. It's really a huge boost to my confidence, because I'll post something and think 'ok, this is good' but then I'll look back and feel like weak human trash for writing it because I'll have found some way to do it better. If you have any questions, comments, or ways on how I can make the story better, then by all means, REVIEW! I also am wondering if you all would prefer shorter chapters and quicker updates (like 2,000 words), or longer chapters and less frequent updates (about 4,000 words), so if you guys could tell me your opinion that would be great!

Please enjoy!

Levy soon discovered that out of every book in the massive library, there was only one topic that the countless books offered.

Dragons.

The history of dragons, dragons and their mates, dragon nests, even a particularly grotesque and graphic one about the wars between dragons and humans that had Levy queasy after looking at the first page. Apparently the sight of a man's intestines spilling out of him while a dragon stood over him and ate his heart just didn't sit well with her stomach.

Levy had heard stories about dragons before. How they were giant, fire breathing beasts covered in scales that hoarded treasures and could only be defeated by gallant knights in shining armor, but she never thought there could be so much to learn about the greedy lizards.

She had found that, of the vast majority of books in the room, her favorite was an old fairy tale about a princess and her dragon. When a young princess came of age she was forced to choose a prince to marry. After turning down every suitor that presented himself, her austere parents, whom were fed up with their daughter's rebellious behavior, had her hidden away in a tower and declared that the first prince to find her would have her hand in marriage.

The princess wept for days on end, alone and in despair. She prayed on every star that dotted the night sky that someone, somewhere, would find and help her. A majestic green dragon answered her prayers, promising to protect her from the princes with all his mighty strength, if she would become his princess.

She agreed and after seeing the dragon continuously risk his life battling the countless, and remarkably persistent, suitors, she realized she had fallen for her fire breathing protector. Levy stroked the illustration on the last page, her fingers caressing the soft underbelly of the dragon were the princess safely slept.

What she wouldn't give to have a dragon of her own.

Unfortunately, though, the only place dragons could ever truly exist was in her stories. If she did have a dragon, it would have saved her and her village. It would have killed those Phantom Lord soldiers. It would have kept her safe and happy.

"Is Levy enjoying herself?"

Levy looked up and smiled at Juvia. "Very much, thank you." She pushed herself off of her stomach to sit up so Juvia could join her on the sofa.

"Looks like Levy has made herself at home here." Juvia gestured around the room, which Levy responded to with a sheepish smile. Books covered up every surface and couch, stacked in piles ranging from two to six. Several more were scattered along the floor near pillows for Levy to rest on while she read.

"Um, I'm sorry about the mess; I'll definitely clean up later."

"Levy doesn't need to trouble herself, this is nothing compared to the messes those two have conjured up." As if on cue, a loud crash followed by a yelp and "YOU IDIOT!" echoed through the library. The deep baritone voice was clearly Prince Gajeel, and Levy immediately assumed that the squeal was Natsu.

"Those two don't get along really well, do they? Why does Natsu live here and not with his father?"

Juvia shrugged. "Although the rest of Metalicana's siblings all own their own cities around Kurogane, Lord Igneel hardly left his brother's side. They were far closer than most siblings; never seemed to argue, always their for each other." Juvia explained to her.

"So, basically the opposite of Prince Gajeel and Natsu." Levy joked.

Juvia cracked a smile. "It's true those two quarrel a ridiculous amount, but even those two have their moments where they behave just like their fathers. It's really quite a sight." Although she was smiling, Levy could tell by the sincerity in her eyes that none of those words were untrue. It was a strange thought of Natsu and Prince Gajeel actually sharing a conversation that didn't involve insults and fists, but it did sound rather intriguing to see.

"Oh, Levy should probably stop referring to Gajeel as Prince Gajeel."

Levy cocked her head to one side. "Shouldn't I, though? After all, he is a prince."

Juvia shrugged again. "That may be true, but Gajeel just doesn't like titles. It doesn't fit his personality."

"Oh, I-I see."

Juvia stood up and motioned for Levy to do the same with her hand. "Come on, Levy shouldn't be stuck inside all day."

Levy smiled and stood up, the neckline of her dress fell of her shoulder and Juvia frowned at it. "We need to get Levy some clothes that it properly."

Levy shook her head, pulling the fabric back into place. "No, this is fine. Besides, I don't think I'll be staying much longer."

Juvia continued to frown. "Until then, Juvia will go speak to one of the nurses about getting a seamstress," she smiled and took Levy's hand in her own. "Let's go for a walk, Levy."

She'd grown used to the heat and light from the library's roaring fireplace, so it took awhile to get used to the damp cold and dimness of the corridors. Juvia gave her a cloak she claimed to be one of hers to wear for going outside. It was a deep, navy blue like the ocean with a slightly darker fur collar; and it nearly brushed the floor as she walked. She gazed at the pendant in the center of the cloak that held the garment together: a golden circle with swirls that bared a resemblance to waves traveling towards the center. Juvia wore an identical one, the only difference being that her's was slightly larger.

They went up a flight of stone stairs and Juvia explained her that they were going to walk along the walls and look down into the courtyard.

It was really a reversed experience when they got outside. Instead of having to adjust to the murky darkness of the corridors she had to adjust her eyes to the brilliance of the sun reflecting off the snow. The only way she could do this was squinting her eyes and slowly open them over a period of minutes. The frozen air sneaked into the exposed parts of her skin, prompting her to press even deeper inside the cloak. Stone walls nearly came up to Levy's chest on either side of them, preventing them from tumbling over the side if they tripped. She gazed over it and into the courtyard: snow cloaked the flat ground, and a fleet of bare trees encircled the whole area. A large, bare oak tree stood at the very center, it's shadow casting an ocean of claws against the ground.

Guards are scattered around, sparring with each other with longswords and throwing javelins at bales of straw that rested on the frozen ground in piles of three directly underneath Levy and Juvia. Levy winced at the sounds of metal meeting metal, a cold reminder of what had happened to her village.

Juvia seemed to notice her anxiousness and tried to distract her with conversation. "You know, they say that Kurogane has the best armed forces in any of the Fiore kingdoms. Metalicana has them all handpicked, there isn't a soldier who hasn't proven himself ten times over to His Majesty."

Levy nodded and stared off towards the courtyard. She inhaled deeply before releasing, sending a fog of breath into the air. Big, fat flakes started to drift lazily from the sky, and Levy had to blink them away as they landed on her eyelashes. She glanced over at Juvia and almost laughed when she saw the older girl stick out her tongue in hopes of capturing a flake or two.

Soon, she copied the action; the flakes immediately softening into moisture on the pink surface of her tongue. A particularly large flake ended up on the tip of Juvia's nose, and she laughed as she struggled to lap it off.

She looked back into the courtyard just in time to see one of the javelin throwers slip on the fresh powder, the javelin in his hand launching much higher than meant. Levy froze when she realized the destination the javelin was headed to: her.

"Levy!" Juvia gasped, but she made no attempt to move. She only stood there, frozen as the cruel metal point of the javelin came closer, and closer.

She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the feeling of metal embedding itself into her. Instead, she felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her and yank her to the ground to find shelter against the wall. She felt her rescuer's back rest against the stone, and her cheek stung when it pressed against the freezing armor of a breastplate, but she was in too much shock to care. She could hear heavy breathing in front of her, but the grip was so strong she couldn't glance up to see who it was.

"Shit," a husky voice rumbled in her ear, his hands readjusted themselves around her.

"You alright, Shorty?"