A/N:

Heigh ho!

This is the second last part of the opening! We're almost to Brigadoon. I can't wait!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading!

(Also, thank you so much for my very first 2 reviews! I hope it doesn't sound silly but I wanted to acknowledge it because it made me smile!)

The Girl and the Guardian

The sea was rough and wild as Levy approached the island on the rickety little boat she had hired. Though the small blunette remained in the cabin and was kept out of the wind and the crashing waves, she was thrown about mercilessly as the boat rocked back and forth. She had to hush her yelps of pain as she collided with the walls and furniture – she didn't want to distract the captain again. He'd actually left his wheel twice to check on her and they'd nearly lost their way. He wasn't the sharpest gentlemen she'd met. Just as she picked herself off the ground, rubbing her head where it had slammed into a side board the boat came to a dramatic halt and knocked her off her feet again. With comically terrific timing it seemed she had arrived at her destination.

When she emerged from the little cabin and leaned against the doorway her eyes had to adjust to darkness. The captain, with his silly little hat and pot belly, smiled vacantly at her and nodded towards the edge of the boat where he appeared to have crashed into the pier. This seemed to be marked as success by him as he whistled a merry tune and tied the boat up to one of the boards that stuck up jaggedly in the air. Levy sighed, letting her tired and heavy eyes trailed along the dark wood planks and then up a cobbled pathway cut into the side of a grassy hill. The chill in the air made the hairs on her arms stand on end. She felt alone. And when she finally saw the giant building reaching past the clouds in the sky, she felt small. What the hell had she gotten herself into?

"That's Northern Phoenix Miss McGarden, can you see it?" Came the cheery squeak of the old captain.

"It's hard to miss Mr Hakoshi. I wasn't expecting…" She trailed off and took in the sight of the grey bricks. There were no windows that she could see. And no door. Just bricks and more bricks that formed a huge square based fortress.

"It is big. But Master Falcon needs the space. There's a lot of books you see." His eye's creased at the corners as he laughed heartily. Levy breathed out a small laugh in return.

"I guess I'm just worried, I've never been on my own before. Or not for a long time anyway. It's not a nice feeling you know?" The little man nodded bouncing about the deck, being busy.

"I do youngster, there's many a time I've felt lonely at sea. But knowing I've got my husband Phillip back home, that's what keeps me going." Levy tilted her head to the side and smiled sweetly at him.

"That's good." She giggled when he stumbled over some rope and he joined her laughter after he steadied himself, glancing sideways to where Levy begun to stare off into the distance.

"Doesn't a nice girl like you have someone to go home to?" His thick grey eyebrows were raised good naturedly but she didn't look. Her mind drifted back to this morning at the train station instead.

The dawn was breaking over Magnolia as a cold night became a warm morning. Light crept slowly through the city streets as people in town milled around preparing for the day ahead. Shop doors were flung open and stalls were beginning to be set up but the residents paused to take note of a band of Fairies, all gathered around a little blunette who was headed in the direction of the train station. Some were yelling, some were sobbing, some remained stern but they all surrounded her when she made it to the platform, her heavy looking satchel slung over her shoulder and her worn leather suitcase in her hand which she set down beside her. The crowd that had gathered flustered he, she hadn't anticipated a reaction such as this. It's seemed most of her fellow guild mates had something to say about her leaving.

"Guys, I told you to stay at the Guild! Haven't you all got jobs to get on with?" Levy yelled over the chaos of her guild mates.

"Levy! Why didn't you tell me?" Jet had sunk down to his knees in front of her and Droy followed suit, grasping at her ankles and weeping.

"D-don't do that!" Her eyes shifted back and forth and she clutched her skirt, embarrassed by their behaviour. "Please!"

"But why can't we come with you Levy?"

"You just can't!" She was becoming exasperated and the train was probably only 15 minutes away. She needed a moment. How could she deal with herself going away if they all needed coached through it as well.

"Juvia does not understand why you must go so far away." Said the water mage solemnly with tears falling gently from her eyes. Levy felt terrible, she hadn't realised Juvia even thought of her as a friend worth crying over.

She knew that her guild mates liked her right enough, but they looked so distraught, each in their own way of course.

She took stock of all who had showed up to see her off and looked upon them all in wonder.

There was obviously her beloved Jet and Droy, still at her feet, wrapped up in their sorrow.

She could see Erza standing, stiff upper lip, beside Wendy who clutched her small white exceed to her chest near edge of the crowd. Wendy was much like Juvia in that she was crying but the small girl kept quiet, trying not to bombard Levy. Erza had wrapped a free arm around the girls shoulder and held her sword in the other. When she saw the blunette looking over, the red head nodded to her. And it said everything she needed to know. Be good, be safe and be brave.

To her left side: The Stauss siblings simply waited serenely, the word 'man' wasn't muttered once. Romeo, Wakaba and Macao stood together as well with the two older mages yelling at one another over who would peel Jet and Droy from the girl's feet. This made her giggle but she burst out laughing when Asuka-chan piped up, much to Bisca and Alzacks horror:

"Mommy! Daddy! Jet and Droy are kissing Levy's feet!" The youngster danced spun once and made a run to join in, but luckily Alzack caught her by the back of the dress and hauled her back. Levy paused. She looked for him but he was nowhere.

Pantherlily, in battle form, stood to her right along with Lulu, Natsu, Happy, Grey, Juvia, Max, Warren, Laki and Reedus. This side were all shouting at her.

"I want you to stay Levy!"

"Yeah Lev, it won't be the same without you around."

"Who'll keep the big guy from murdering everyone?"

"Will we be able to call you, or write?"

"Remember what I told you, go for the Jugular. Or the eye. They always work!"

"Will you bring back Fish?"

"What's going on? Why are we at the train station?"

"Levy?"

"Levy!"

"LEVY!"

"Settle, brats!" Silence fell over the crowd of Fairy Tail Wizards who stood gaping at their Master, who appeared in front of the girl and kicked away Jet and Droy who were now in the clutches of demon-Mira.

"Are you well, my dear?" Said Master Makarov with the kind of calmness that could chase away a headache. Levy's eyes went wide and she looked around once more. Her lip began to tremble as she took in the scene in front of her. When the crowd of erupted again, Levy began to stumble backwards, tears spilling over. She wasn't supposed to be sad. This was supposed to be a great adventure. But now, seeing all this, feeling all this love and affection from her guild members – she wanted to stay.

But she couldn't. She would get strong, no matter the cost. She would follow the path she felt was right both in spite of her fear and for her fear. She would heal herself. But it would be so damned hard to leave now!

She was sure she would be nearing the edge of the platform soon, falling on to the rails would not be funny at this particular time, but instead of falling she backed into something and spun round wildly, her tears flowing freely from her eyes. She looked up and saw red eyes.

"Hey Shrimp." He had come to see her.

"Gajeel." She breathed in. "I didn't think…"

"Me either short stuff." He looked beyond her to the rest of the group who were watching them in bewildered silence, although Mira looked like she was about to explode with happiness, and he raised his pierced eyebrows. "Quite the turn out, eh?"

"It is! I just didn't realise…" She spun back towards everyone, her eyes shining. "I didn't realise you all cared so much. It really means the world to me that you're all here…" She clasped her hands together and a chorus of awe's almost drowned out the sound of the train nearing the platform.

Panic quickly gripped her, there wasn't enough time! She rushed forward and started grabbing everyone for a hug. She gave especially long ones to Lucy, Wendy, Juvia, Erza, Asuka (who was adamant about not letting go), Pantherlily, Jet and Droy. She even managed to grab the master who merely guaffed good naturedly and tilted his head towards her leather case that she had set down earlier.

"Now Levy," began the Master, "The rest of your belongings will be there when you arrive." The girl nodded and glanced over her shoulder as she picked up her case. She still had a large trunk and 2 boxes of books to receive, but the master had arranged for them to be collected and brought to the library for her. Why did it have to be now that they all decided to be so kind to her?

"Thank you, Master. For everything." Levy turned once more to Gajeel, the train doors were open now, but she wanted to say something to him. She bit her lip and he studied her for a moment before launching towards her and making as if he were going to hug her again. But he caught himself quickly and stopped in his tracks just inches away from her - conscious of the guilds watching eyes. He patted her head and she laughed.

"I'll be seeing you Shrimp." He chuckled and crossed his arms over his chest which he puffed out. "Now get going."

"Yeah well, don't you even think about following me Redfox..." He growled and she stuck her tongue out whilst she moved away from everyone, hopping up onto the train and standing in the doorway. "Erza, make sure he doesn't!" She laughed heartily as Erza lifted her sword in a sort of salute and the rest of the guild joined in - save for Gajeel who just smirked and shook his head.

Once again, Levy looked upon the people who had kindly gathered to see her off. They all looked so happy, standing in the sunlight. They looked like a proper family. She could see that Natsu had wrapped his arms around Lucy, much to her delight as the blonde waved manically. They looked a picture as he held her close to him, the moron probably didn't even understand his feelings. But time would help with that. Perhaps even Grey would come round to his feeling for the delight that was dear Juvia. Although, judging by the way he grasped her hand to ease her crying, it appeared that this was already coming to fruition.

She couldn't help but drift back to Gajeel, he was standing on his own close to the train. That look was in his eyes again and it made her heart race. She could look into those eyes forever.

The train door jolted closed with a thud which served to shock her. Too quickly she was whisked away from such a wonderful moment. She took a seat by the window, placed her leather case on her knee and looked around noting that she was the only one in this carriage. The countryside rushed by her in silence. She had yet to reach the library and she already wanted to get off and go back. She didn't want to be alone.

The words of the Captain had been wise indeed. Now that Levy had gained perspective, she was able to confidently march towards the humongous stone tower lacking any sort of entrance swinging her leather case by her side. She must have been a quite a sight after a full days travelling.

As she drew closer to the wall she noticed something. A slight shimmer running through the air indicated to her that there was magic her. Rune magic. And if it was a wall around a place such as this it would surely be dangerous. She looked about her, back to the destroyed bridge where Captain Hakoshi's ship was disappearing and up to the sky where the top of library seemed to disappear also. The island she stood on was tiny, it was only slightly bigger than the base area of the building she couldn't seem to get near. She just stood around helplessly. This didn't seem like it was a good start.

"I'll just have to rewrite these then…" She huffed and got down onto her knees on the damp grass.

It took a long time, at least an hour, but she managed to rewrite the rune's and allow herself passage past the barrier. The scary thing was, had she not rewritten it, all her hair would have fallen out had she tried to pass through. It seemed unnecessary and somewhat childish. It made her wonder who had put the trap in place.

The night time brought the cold with it and though the girl had bundled up with what she had brought with her on the train and boat, it was not enough to keep the chill away. She had even walked right around the building and still could not see any doors or windows. How miserable, she thought, her entire body shaking. Her teeth chattered so much that even if she had someone to talk to it would be difficult, she was also sure that her face must be as blue as her hair. Sighing deeply, her mind conjured up and image of Levy's friends on the platform today. How they'd all looked waving goodbye. She smiled to herself and picked at the grass. If Gajeel was here then - what? She stopped herself from continuing that one. She should try to avoid weak thoughts, she'd deal with this on her own.

With that in mind she stood up and decided that she could perhaps 'feel around' for some sort of secret door. Or perhaps she should just call out into the darkness for someone to come and get her. She ran her hands against the grey brickwork, caressing it like one of the spines on her books. Nothing. She let her head hang and braced herself against the wall with two hands.

"Please let me in?" She whispered to the wall politely, laughing inwardly.

Just as she began to wonder how she would get herself home, a great rumbling that shook the ground began and without warning Levy felt herself being sucked through the brickwork. She pulled backwards, trying to escape, but the wall wouldn't stop absorbing her. With a yelp, she closed her eyes and let herself be taken.

The blunette could actually feel herself moving through the thick stone of the wall, it was imbued with something magical as well. It was as if she had become a body of water, passing through the sand. It was quite an experience, almost freeing but finally she seemed to break through, or leak through…

Her arms formed first, she held them out in front of her. Then the top of her head and her body broke through and she gasped, barely able to take in the sight of the room before her legs were freed and she fell over. What was with today and not being able to stay on her feet?

"Eugh!" Her face was squished against the floor.

"Finally my dear!" Came a squawk like voice from high above her. Levy struggled to her feet and looked around.

She was in an absolutely huge room, covered wall to wall in shelves of books. It was nothing like shed ever seen before. She gasped as she spun around.

"Oh my, Mavis!" In front of Levy there were two staffs that stretched above her head. She followed them up with her eyes and finally landed on a tiny looking man who was using them as stilts. He was all the way up through a large hole in the ceiling which was far away to begin with.

"Welcome, welcome!" He called downwards and then in a puff of smoke he and his stilts had disappeared. Levy glanced around in awe to see where he had gone. She felt a tap on the back of her shoulder and turned quickly. A little man with kind eyes and a beak like nose smiled at her. "Levy McGarden I presume." His voice kept its bird like quality.

"Yes, um… I'm Levy. Nice to meet you." She smiled brightly, slightly confused. The little bird man all but sprinted past her.

"Good, good! Shall we get you settled in? If you are to protect my library then we must get your blood right away." Levy's eyes widened. Blood? She turned again to chase after him when she heard a swooshing sound from above her head. Looking up she saw a woman speeding towards the ground which would have been a worry, had she not the largest and most beautiful wings attached to her body that Levy had ever seen.

She glided to the opening in the wall the little man had been running towards and let her wings fall, Levy could only gaze in awe at the beautiful woman. The wings looked to be copper in colour and the soft feathers touched the floor where she stood. She donned a dress the same colour as her feathers that complimented her dark, almost completely black skin and her inky hair cascaded down to her waist. She looked flawless, unearthly. But it was her eyes that made Levy go weak at the knees. They were pure red.

"Grandfather. Calm yourself, you're scaring the girl." Unlike her grandfather, the woman's voice was soothing and low but the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled at him made her look just as kind. "I apologise, Levy. Would you please follow me?"

The blunette nodded almost vacantly, caught up in the consuming presence of the winged woman, and rushed after her when she disappeared through the large archway. It was the only space that was not covered in books in this huge room. The grandfather nodded as she walked past him and winked at her knowingly.

The room she had just walked into, from what she could see, was like an office. There was a grand looking desk with a large ornate chair behind it and more shelves of books as well as a fireplace with the flames roaring and crackling. The floor bothered levy although. It was clear and looking down she thought she could see… The room she had just come from. She could tell because the Grandfather was waving up at her. She turned round to look back through the doorway, but it was gone. Now she could see no doorways or arches. Just wall to wall books.

"What's going on?" Cried Levy, she was tired and confused. And this was getting too much. She looked towards the woman, who had taken a seat behind the desk, and saw that she was smiling brightly in amusement.

"Won't you first sit down, dear girl. You've travelled long and far today." She motioned to one of the chairs that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Levy listened to her and sat down. The comfort was welcome and she sank into the soft fabric, breathing deeply.

"Thank you, um, what's your name?" She hoped that wasn't rude. The woman's eyes sparkled with an almost mischevious humour.

"I am Hebe. Guardian of the Great Library of the Northern Phoenix." Her eyes shifted to Levys right. "And this is my Grandfather, Master Falcon."

"Hello again!" Levy's head shot right and sure enough there he was, beaky nose and all. She looked down once more. The glass floor was gone replaced with a rich looking carpet.

"I don't mean to sound idiotic, but why is everything so…"

"Confusing?" Finished Hebe, her mouth curled upwards. "It's my fault dear Levy. As guardian of the Library the very building, everything in it, bends to my will." She locked eyes with the blunette who had a look of understanding on her face.

"You can manipulate the building… Spacial magic?" Levy queried excitedly. She looked around again and found herself, now standing, in a different room with Hebe and Master Falcon.

"You're exactly right." Hebe nodded and smiled at her grandfather. "Didn't I tell you she'd be the one?"

"Silly child. I do believe I told you." He chortled as the girl rolled her ruby eyes. "I told you that the –"

"You did not, Bird Brain…" Her breathy laugh, along with the red eyes made Levy's head spin. What the hell was going on?

"How DARE you insult your grandfather in such a manner young lady!" He screeched, clearly 'bird brain' was a sore spot for the tiny man. His stilts appeared again as he made himself taller and began to shake his finger at the girl.

"See you later, Grandfather!" Hebe laughed joyously and just as it appeared he was about to launch into telling her off, the room shifted again. Except this time where they moved to was dark. It seemed like they were back in the office area, but the lack of light and the absence of the flames of the fire obscured everything. The only light Levy could see came from below her, where the glass floor allowed her do look down for seemingly miles and miles and miles – instead of just into one room. Every floor that stretched downwards she could see into due to the fact that their floors had either turned to glass or disappeared altogether. How could a place like this exist? And how could Levy, tiny and wingless ever hope to be able to protect it. She could only imagine the number of books that resided here.

"How?" Breathed Levy, she was at a loss for questions. She didn't know where to begin. Hebe laughed.

"Magic. Just plain old magic. You'll understand soon enough…" The girl reached out and took Levy's hand. "I just wanted to show you everything first. Before I went into any details. You see my Grandfather and I have been searching for the right fit…"

"And that's me?" Levy glanced down at their clasped hands and then back up to her face and those red eyes.

"I think so… I mean you beat the rune barrier, you managed to sweet talk me into letting you in." Hebe giggled. "And I can sense that your heart and mind will allow you to serve the library well in my absence."

"Why? You're not dying are you?" Levy rushed out and then gasped at her idiocy. The woman merely smiled.

"No dear girl, I'm just leaving for a while. It's been so long since I last spent time away from this place… I just need a break. A chance to travel and wander freely. To open my wings and soar in the open sky. But before I go I must ensure that my library will be safe." She led Levy over to the fireplace and pulled her into a kneeling position. "You do not know how many wizards have come before you, I posted that job request in many guild halls… But even with the many who came none were suitable."

"Why not?" Levy asked the girl who had picked up the ashes in the fireplace with her freehand.

"Their minds were not strong enough. They would have been unable to handle the transfer of power. But I can sense you are more than capable. You will excel in this place!"

"Again, I don't mean to sound like an idiot… But excel at what?" Hebe had turned Levy's palm up and using the ashes, drew a curving symbol with her delicate finger.

"I will transfer my binding with the Library to you Levy. You will receive all of my powers and become the temporary Guardian. As long as you are alive, the library will be protected. No one may enter or leave without your say so and you will be connected to every page and brick, even the very air inside the building." Hebe's eyes burned brightly in the darkness as Levy took it all in. All she needed to do was stay alive and decide who had a good enough reason to get inside. She imagined, with all the knowledge that lived within these walls that there must be danger involved, but she could not find it within herself to care. This was a dream come true.

"I just can't believe you would trust me with this… What about your grandfather?" Hebe giggled at the idea.

"I love him, but his power is not great enough to protect this place. And his mind is certainly not strong enough for the transfer. I call him bird brain for a reason you know." Levy eyed the symbol on her hand that the dark haired beauty had let go of. "Will you do it then, dear girl? I would leave as soon as the sun rose tomorrow and would be back in exactly 365 days' time. No more, but no less." Levy almost blurted out a 'hell yeah' but it caught in her throat. She thought back to her friends. Could she really stand to be away from them for so long?

"I'm sorry, this is just a lot to take in… Of course I will look after the library for you. You deserve to fly free." Tears welled up in the girls eyes.

"Thank you! Thank you so much dear girl, you have no idea how much this means to me." With that, she leaned forward and kissed Levy softly and sweetly on the forehead. The symbol on her hand burned and disappeared.

The solid script mages body felt completely electrified. She could feel every part of herself, from the tips of her toes to the ends of her spiky blue hair and that feeling grew. Instead of just conscious awareness of her body she began to fell more. She felt where Master Falcon, who was on his stilts 7 floors down, walked around as clearly as if he were stepping on her back. She could feel where Hebe knelt beside her. Every little shape of the girl in the room. She could even feel the shapes of the titles on the books. All of them. And she could feel exactly what Hebe meant about deciding who to let in or out. It was if the Library had possessed her as well. Only the true and just should be able to pass through these walls. Only those who deserved to use this knowledge should be allowed to pass through her. The electricity buzzed to a climax and then released her in a rush.

Levy jumped up and gasped, the shock faded and now she just felt calmness and serenity.

"I feel it. I feel everything…"

"Amazing, isn't it?" The girl's wings rose up off the ground and she grinned at Levy whose face was red from the intensity of the feeling. Hebe looked the same, although suddenly her eyes rolled back in her head. Levy was about to panic. "You must know, Levy, the time will pass quickly. You will barely have time to miss your friends. Feel free to use this place to heal yourself in the time being." Levy's brows shot up in surprise.

"How did you do that?" She asked.

"It's a side effect of the transfer, I get a glimpse into your mind. You are a very good person, Levy McGarden. You have no idea how truly cared for you are. How you are desired" Levy blushed slightly and was aware that Hebes' tone was huskier than before, she took a step towards the small blunette.

"D- desires?" She squeaked and looked up towards the woman whose eyes darted about, as if she was seeing something else in front of her.

"Whilst your innocence is overpowering, some of those memories are just undeniably delicious. My oh my, you can be such a temptation." Hebes eyes were still now, and had visibly darkened, they looked just like Gajeels had that night in the pool room. Now she understood however. With her new power she could feel what Hebe felt was feeling. Pure, unadulterated lust.

"Hebe." Levy said simply, standing deadly still. She must have been seeing Levy's memory of her encounter with the iron dragon slayer.

"Sorry Levy!" Like that she shook her head and shifted again into her sweet self. She hopped backwards to give Levy some room, although she was visibly affected. "Would you like to go to your room and rest?"

"I think I will, Hebe. It was nice to meet you." The winged woman nodded and Levy consciously made sure the library knew that she could pass freely, wherever she wanted. "You won't be here when I wake up will you?" The girl shook her head.

"I won't be… And I just want to say thank you. And also, please make sure Grandfather doesn't get into too much trouble." With that the girl took off, soaring downwards through the library. Levy nodded and smiled. She could feel where Hebe flew and she still couldn't believe it. So much power and the winged woman had just given it away.

Levy allowed herself to move to the room. She did not need to be shown as with her new connection to the library she just seemed to know how to get there.

It was quite a small room containing a simple bed, fireplace, wardrobe and all of her luggage, including the leather case and bag she thought she'd left outside. It filled her with warmth to know that as of tomorrow, she would be able to start her campaign of strength with everything she needed at her fingertips. And that she would then be a day closer to going home.

She was also for some reason stuck upon her new knowledge that Gajeel had not simply been cruel to her that night in the pool room for no reason. It had been because he was attracted to her. That was definitely something she could use against him in the future!

She lay down on the bed, fully clothed and drifted off from pure exhaustion. She would explore her future tomorrow but tonight she would dream of her past.

(Disclaimer: I haven't edited this one properly, so forgive me for the mistakes there surely must be! I'll go back and edit later. Right now I'm trying to balance exams, essays and this! So sacrifices have to be made!)

Thank you for reading!