I do not own Fairy Tail. Unfortunately.
Chapter Four - Out of Hargeon
At that moment, when Lavinia made her realize the precipitous truth, Erza felt really weak. She raised shivering hands at face level and laid her head in them, scared and strayed. Scared of the idea of the baby inside her, terrified by the feeling of helplessness. She muffled a need of crying… Erza appeared to herself so fragile now, so small…
With eyes wide opened, she swiftly grabbed her belly in both hands, what looked like a movement of aggression and almost made Lavinia to start up, but the mage just put her arms there peacefully.
There was a battle inside of Erza between head and heart. What was she supposed to do now? As far as the common sense was trying to tell her, the mission was not a short-term one. It was not a picnic, neither did she not know how many times she would have to use strength or force to survive nor she witted how much the pregnancy will be getting in the way. That reasonable part of her wanted to go back home and – there, less judicially – hide in the furthest part of her room and never go out again. Or just get rid of the problem… But Erza trembled, and shook her head. No, that was the last thing she could have ever done. No. Why had she even thought of that?
On the opposite, her heart was shouting in her chest: go and find him! That baby which was growing in her was a part of him, and bit of Erza believed that it could convince Jellal to change his mind. No, not in the way of blackmailing him, or simply chasing the man to face the consequences of their last moments together. The Reequip mage felt such a pain when she thought of Jellal, not knowing anything, that she nearly screamed. Her heart was sending her some idyllic pictures, but she pushed them away, focusing on the main problem. Sweet Edolas, Erza thought with annoyance, that's what they call a perfect timing.
- Umm, Erza-san? – asked Lavinia, worried her guest went so deeply into her own thoughts.
- Ah, yes… I'm terribly sorry – said Erza, straightening her back up – I let myself think too much… Well, since you asked, that's the fourth week, I think.
- Oh. I understand – the woman froze up for a moment before the next question which she asked in deep whisper, somewhat afraid of the look at the mage's face. The confidence of a lady of the house disappeared – Did he… Ekhm, excuse me, but what are you doing here?
- Huh? What do you mean, Lavinia-san?
- How do I put this… I know it's not really my business – she explained, abash written all over her face – But since you came to our house, looking for an adventure in such a state of body… I feel like I need to ask you.
Erza thought of the answer. Should she tell that woman, in fact a complete stranger her reasons? She gave her an enquiring look before she decided. Suddenly she felt the weight of the load on her heart again and had to force herself to speak up.
- Sorry. I can just reveal that my.. Man left in order to guarantee safety for me, and I am looking for him.
- I understand. Please, don't get me wrong – Lavinia smiled – I never wanted to interfere.
- That's all right – Erza faked a smile – Curiosity is a normal trait of one's character.
But inside she was not fine at all. Not only was her heart racing, but she felt hazy again. Goodness, if that would continue, she would never get to Horima on time. If ever. Erza remembered about the very morning and sighed.
- What do you do with nausea? – she asked with dubiety.
- Well, I believe you will go on your journey anyway, so my first advise: rest as much as you can is completely useless. Secondly, try avoiding strong and acrid scents. Also, do not eat much, every two or three hours small portions. Don't go for fat food, it's gonna make you vomit again. Oh, what's more, drink much, the more, the better – said Lavinia with short pauses, thinking about what would suit Erza's plans and be useful.
- Dear Mavis, thank you very much! – Erza expressed her gratitude vigorously, smiling big at Lavinia.
- No problem, dear. When do you want to leave?
- Tomorrow morning – answered the red-haired at once – I caused you enough trouble.
- Ah, no, no, indeed. It was a nice change, to talk to a woman instead of those two fools – sighed the landlady, and Erza nodded with understanding. She called the picture of Natsu and Gray to her mind.
Oh, yes. She understood the lady.
Lucy Heartfilia was going two meters behind her three companions with a resignation on her face. Her legs hurt, because Natsu had insisted on going to the nearby town afoot – he had dug his heels in and had refused to go by train, ignoring arguments she and Gray had been giving to him. Happy had remained silent, still a little resentful because of his friends' exclusion. At last, because Natsu had not been willing to budge, Gray and Lucy had agreed that they could gather more information while walking. The Stellar Spirits mage was quite angry with the pinkhead. Especially when he had started provoking Gray, and they had fought so many times during those hours of walking by then.
That was precisely why Lucy was keeping her distance from them, just in case somebody came to asked her about something, or a nice boy would look at her direction – she would pretend she doesn't know those idiots. And the flying cat.
Finally – which seemed to her like ages – she saw their aim and gathered speed. Lucy sighed and drew level with her arguing friends.
- … but ya don't have any idea about women, Natsu! You never had one, all you care about is fighting, hot head!
- What'cha know, ice brain?! You never had a woman yourself!
- Oh, yeah? Then what'd ya say 'bout Juvia? She's crazy for me…
- Lucy! – yelled at her Natsu – Who's right?!
- Not my business – said the girl, and showed them the view before them – Look what's there!
- Is this Hargeon? The town south from Magnolia? – asked Gray.
- Aye! – screeched Happy.
- Seem like it – Lucy murmured – You know, we were unbelievably lucky to find out one of the things Erza took with herself and lost, and that we changed the direction of our trip… Imagine what would happen if we had headed North…
- Yeah – agreed Natsu, remotely grumpy after she stopped his argument with the Ice mage.
The summoner sighed and hurried towards the city, happily thinking of nice and cozy restaurant or bar with anything to seat on. Happy observed her changing face, from an expression of anger, to boredom, excitement and right then it was easefulness all over it.
- You know, Lucy – he started with a smile – Do you control your face expressions or it's acting on her own?
- Why do you ask? – she looked at him suspiciously.
- Well, because it was oddly enough.
The rest of the road Lucy spent on teasing Happy and shouting things like 'Stupid cat!', 'I'm gonna rip your wings of!' and 'I'll take a photo of your face, you ungrateful feline!'.
The noisy quartet reached the gates of Hargeon. None of them was here before, and they were looking around with a mild interest. People were staring at them, wondering what they came there for. Lucy finished the argument with Happy and was also scouting around, a little surprised by the hostility of habitants.
- I guess people here are not fond of mages… – said Natsu out loud, placing his arms on the neck.
- Or just idiotic creeps like you, baka! – Gray got annoyed – Maybe try it even louder!
- What's your problem, squint-eyed?!
- Shut the hell up, you idiot!
- Shut up, both of you – said jaded Lucy – I'm going to ask someone about Erza. You stay here and – she glanced at them the way the boys backspaced – behave.
Holding an angry face, she readjusted her hair and approached the nearest man, who was standing in front of them and glaring at them with irritation. Lucy smiled softly and put hands behind her back, hoping to appear as a cute, nice girl.
- Er, excuse me, sir. Good morning – she started, making the smile bigger.
- What do you want, missy? – a habitant gazed at her unfriendly.
- We need your help. Would you mind…
- No! – the man cried, and she stopped. What was that supposed to mean, she thought. That fellow seemed to be crazy, with his eyes wide open and saliva sputtering out of his mouth when he added with a horrible voice – I don't have any money! I cannot help you!
- No! I was not gonna ask about such matters, in fact, you see, we need to… – tried the surprised blonde again, but this time the man also interrupted:
- No, and I don't have any place for you to stay, my wife is really ill…! Over my dead body! Go away, you…
- And maybe you should just let her finish the sentence, you scum – snapped Gray, standing next to Lucy with angry expression.
- I have no money…
- We don't give a shit 'bout your money, freak – he spitted.
- Yes. We are looking for a friend here, and we were wondering… – Lucy leaped at the chance, but the asked man uncrossed his arms and opened his mouth with a silent disbelief – Um, what?
- Wait – the citizen gave them an odd, untrusting look – You don't want my money? Or house?
- Of course not – she got angry and stamped with the leg, then finished rapidly in case that boor would like to interrupt her again – Have you seen a woman with long, scarlet hair, passing by?
- I… - the habitant compressed his lips, visibly confused – Y-yeah, there was a lady…
- Yes! Where did she go? Which way?
- Now that I think 'bout it… Yes. It was around midday – he decided to cooperate, maybe because of the look on Gray's face, who was still standing beside the blonde – and she asked that guy over there where was a ranger bar here.
The man showed them a fat person across the street, who stopped his work and was staring right at them with obscure face, but when he realized he was found out, he returned quickly to sweeping floor.
- A ranger bar – repeated Gray – Well, thank you. See, there was nothing to worry about, was it?
- Just a second – added Lucy, and the man who was nodding stopped his head, seeming frightened – And where is a ranger bar here?
- Ah… Two streets further. You're welcome.
He returned to his normal tribe and the mages went back to Natsu. They looked at each other in silence and begun searching for the bar. Fortunately, it took only several minutes to find a place. Seemed like in Hargeon it was a main point on the track to Magnolia, and farther northern towns.
- Who should go there? – asked Happy.
- Definitely not Natsu – answered Gray with a smirk – And Lucy probably will let them baffle her, so I will…
- Why cannot I do something?! – yelled Natsu, pissed off.
- Because we don't want any more trouble, for example a destroyed ranger bar – sighed the summoner. She caught a glimpse of Gray and sighed again – And, Gray, I'm sorry but maybe I will go there. Firstly, I am a woman, so I can use my convincing power. Secondly, I'm not… Er, involved, you do know what I mean…
- Y-yeah… Well, if ya can handle it… - he gave up. The arguments sounded convincing. What's more, he really doubted that rangers would tell them something concrete about Erza if one of them just had entered the bar and had asked. Especially when they were rangers – people who are naturally secretive and mercenary. Lucy had a chance of succeeding, and he just let her use it. Gray looked as the blonde was walking into the place. He peeked at Natsu, who looked like he was trying to memorize something – What?
- What did she mean… By sayin' 'woman's convincing power'?
- No way – Gray face-palmed himself in disbelief – You gotta be kidding me!
- Tell me – Natsu got angry once again, his hands formed fists.
- Aye! What is it? – chimed in Happy.
- Well, you fools – sighed Gray, but with a half-smile straying on his lips – Boobs, idioooots. Big boobs. And she has plenty of those.
Lucy walked into the bar, holding a good posture, head high in the air, making her hips sway and extending her rose lips in a kind smile. Batman looked at her with interest. She reached the bar and asked for a drink. Then she sat down on a chair in a way that was to tell them she's here only for a brave one. Lucy smiled with content, quite proud of her little spectacle. She needed to find out about Erza. And the fate put her in this full of men, beer-smelling bar, where most of the clients have not seen any woman for ages. Perfect plan.
The blonde heard a usual background noise, and after a while there was one of the chairs which was recoiled with certainty and she heard someone approaching. When the heavy boots stopped next to her, she raised her head and looked at the drunk man standing beside.
- Missy, do you want another drink? This one looks too weak for such a lady – hiccoughed the creep, as Lucy named him in her mind. Trying not to laugh at him for mixing the phrases, she answered:
- No, thank you, but you can sit with me.
The creep smiled with triumph and there was a loud 'ooooh' from behind. He ordered another beer for himself. The girl moaned inside, realizing she was a part of the deal. No. She was the deal.
- Cool. What are ya looking for here, missy? This ain't a place for missies like ya.
- Business – Lucy drank some liquid from her glass – And you?
- Goin' north – he giggled, and hiccoughed again – Got some delivering job to do. Again!
- Oh. So, you are a habitué here?
- Ya could say so – the creep rose his head a little – For I'm a trusted man for those kinds of stuff. I know almost everyone here. They're all habitués. Hargeon people don't like strangers too much.
- Mhm? – Lucy nodded vigorously, hoping to hear something about the rangers from outside the citizens' world when he stopped talking. Suddenly the creep glared at her with double intensity. She shivered but squared her shoulders and smiled a little; it seemed to make him expand a little, particularly after another eyeing her up.
- Sometimes there are strangers comin'… Like you today, missy – he took a huge swig of beer standing in front of him and added – Or the woman from before. I recon ya're the fifth lady ever coming here.
- Oh, today there was another woman here? – Lucy played affably interested, but she braced a little. So Erza really was there.
- Yeah. And the guy form out of the town, Jake, got lucky to take her with him – the creep giggled and ended his beer at once. He hiccoughed once more and laid his head on the bar, right next to the empty mug. There was a loud laugh from behind and she shook her head with disgust. He lost the deal. Well, it did not take him long to lose consciousness, Lucy thought, feeling relieved. He'd had one too many. And she never thought the scouting action through. Oh, how lucky she was right then.
On the second thought, though, she was unconvinced that what the man told her was true. Erza had a mission to complete, of her own choice. It seemed odd to Lucy that she had decided to go somewhere with a stranger so recklessly. Sweet Mavis, what was that Erza doing?! Why would she leave with anybody… Oh, wait. Maybe he had some information she was interested in. But, still, that sounded like nonsense! The Erza Lucy knew would have make him tell her straight away, there, with every detail.
The blonde sighed, paid for her drink and stood up. She looked at the sleeping man and said out loud to be in the clear:
- Apparently, you were not meant to get lucky today. See you.
Next, she left that place as fast as she could. Lucy stopped before the ranger bar and took a look around. Wait… What the…?! The summoner felt her blood boiled in veins. With much effort she held back the scream of fury and a desire to kill everyone around. She took a deep breath.
Where. Did. These. Three. Idiots. Go…?!
Gray was desperate enough to let Lucy go to the bar and take care of the matter. In fact, he was unbelievably grateful for her understanding and help. If it was not for the blonde's cleverness and her sober thinking, the Ice mage would had left every inch of places he had passed through ruined.
Geez. He was still very angry with the redhead.
Unfortunately, Gray was not blessed by being alone that moment and quite rapidly Natsu brutally, but completely ignorantly, made him stop thinking about other stuff than…
- Food! – Natsu was moaning, going in circles around Gray and Happy – I haven't eaten properly today and I'm starving. Let's go for something to eat until Lucy is inside. She won't even notice.
- No. We were told to wait for her – said Happy – You want to turn her mad mode on, Natsu?
- Of course not… Then we will leave something for Lucy, too! She will be happy to eat some fat food, won't she?
- You're dumb – murmured Gray with irritation. But he himself felt hunger.
- You're starving too, right? Let's go until we have time to do so! – Natsu winked at him. Gray wanted to answer him properly, but his stomach rumbled so loudly that there were no words needed.
- Okay, we can go – sighed the Ice mage, standing up – But we'd better hurry. If Lucy goes out and sees we're not here, she will get angry.
- Oi, but she's not Erza – said the pinkhead happily – And that would be worse.
- I don't know, Natsu – smirked Happy – Sometimes I think Lucy is waaaay scarier when she gets angry.
- Can you stop that nonsense? I thought you wanted to eat something. Here's a restaurant – Gray pointed his finger at building in front of them, where was a sleazy signboard with a fancifully written word 'Restaurant'.
They opened the door and went inside. There barely where any people, and Gray found it suspicious. He was about to share his thoughts with Natsu, but suddenly realized his friend was not with him anymore. The pinkhead was standing at the cash and ordering out loud what he wanted to eat.
- Natsu, don't… – the boy wanted to stop the flow but failed miserably. Natsu ordered every little thing which he could and turned to Gray, asking what he wanted – No. Seriously. You're gonna eat everything?
- Like I said, I'm starving. So?
The brunet sighed and made his order. He was not sure how they will pay for everything, but the Fire mage surprised him once again by taking out all the money needed. The checker did not want to risk and asked to be paid at once.
They sat down and Gray was left alone by the annoying mage who was bolting. Again, he could think peacefully for a while. Sadly, it was only a few minutes until she joined them. Or rather she came in like a whirlwind, with her eyes opened to limits, thundering. She looked as one of the Zeref Demons had overtaken her soul, and Gray could have sworn he heard Natsu stopped eating and peeped with unnaturally high voice:
- Mommy!
Erza couldn't sleep almost the whole night. Instead of doing so, she was sitting on a bed she got from Lavinia and stroking her belly. Pregnancy. That was just ridiculous. She was the last person who could ever think of it, and surely she had hardly thought before about the very state she was right then.
When the men came back from the fields, Lavinia asked Hinata to take her to the nearest southern-west town, just the place the redhead was planning to stop at. The woman's husband hadn't asked why, and Erza was even more grateful. Then she had taken off to her room, and had decided to prepare some plan. At first, she had started with the information she'd gathered that day. After some time she had realized how pitiful it was, trying to work on those shreds of facts and complete lack of information, because she couldn't have counted Hinata's words as concretes. Then the mage had attempted to foresee what could that Dark Power mean; people were obviously scared, and they were whispering about Zeref again. Which was clearly unbelievable for her, because she was in that group of mages who defeated him. Finally, she had given up and had started caressing her stomach.
Jellal… Why has everything been always so hard for us?
The Reequip mage did not blink an eye. When the day came, and the sun crawled into her room, she got up and stretched. Then she felt tired and hungry. With a heavy sigh Erza reequipped, gathered up her things and left the room.
Downstairs, there was the landlady waiting, sitting in the kitchen with a paper. She was wearing a big, purple dressing gown. Erza did not want to scare her, so she cleared her throat loudly. Lavinia looked up and smiled.
- Erza-san, you look like you haven't slept at all.
- I haven't – said Erza with a low voice. She sat down in front of the woman and looked at the paper in her hands – Anything important?
- Not really, in fact, it repeats only the rumors from the north – answered Lavinia – Not the ones you'd like to hear, I recon.
- Yes. But, it doesn't matter that much. Now, that, thanks to your husband, Lavinia-san, I have a chance of discovering the place my… Friend hid… I cannot say how grateful I am.
- Hinata only said what he had heard – the landlady stood up – Would you like some tea? Or coffee?
- Coffee, please – nodded Erza and yawned.
- Oi, Erza-chan – Hinata came into the room with a smile, went to kiss his wife and turned to the guest – Are you ready? The horses are waiting and we can go anytime you like.
- Dear, she must at least drink some coffee – said Lavinia with reproof.
- Ah, I thought you already drank something, Erza-chan – he explained and sat down at the table – Lavinia, have you told her yet?
- What? – asked the Reequip mage, the concern and anxiety showed themselves onto her face.
- No, not yet – whispered Lavinia, and turned her back on them, preparing coffee.
- Uh, how to put it… See, the place of those forces I told you 'bout – started Hinata, scratching his neck – They moved south again.
- You mean…
- Even more south. Probably can move out of Fiore if you won't hurry…
- Dear Mavis – sighed Erza – And I thought the worst had already happened… Thank you for the information. And, again, I have no idea how…
- Don't mention it – Lavinia set a big mug of hot coffee in front of them, and took a chair herself – We are really glad we could help you. And we hope you will succeed.
The three people drank at the same time in silence. The mage finished first and brushed her hair from the face. Hinata glared at his wife, who nodded. They all got to their feet.
- Thank you so much for everything, Lavinia-san. I hope we will meet some day again – said Erza, shaking Lavinia's hand.
- Our pleasure – answered the landlady, smiling – Take care of yourself, remember not to overstrain yourself. And good luck at whatever you want to do.
- Yeah. And good luck to you, too – Erza gave a meaningful glance at her belly.
- Erza-chan, let's go – Hinata waved at her, and turned to Lavinia – I'll be back for dinner.
The redhead left the kitchen and scrambled into the carriage. The man sat in the front, and rushed a beautiful, black horse, which jiggled his head and begun to walk. The mage decided to devote the time of journey to sleep and downgrade tiredness. She made a pillow of her bag and fell asleep quickly, rocked by the steady cradling.
When Erza woke up, it was definitely past eleven. She rose and looked around – the carriage was getting closer to the town, where the Lamia Scale guild had its location. The guild's building, fanciful and colorful, was visible from far away. Erza smirked. Jura must have had his share in creating it, and later building – the composition was telling her everything.
The road to the town took only a few minutes, and the carriage stopped under the local hostel. Erza walked down from the buggy and turned to the man sitting at the box. He smiled at her and repeated warnings his wife gave to her.
- Thank you so much, Hinata-san – she bowed down and watched as he was driving away. When he disappeared from her sight, Erza went into the hostel. The receptionist, who looked up above the book, stared at her for a moment, then closed it and smiled. The Reequip mage booked a room for one night and went upstairs to leave her things there. The receptionist wanted to help her with the luggage, but Erza shook her head and carried it herself. All she wanted right then was to find some peace inside the small room, so she curled up on a bed and stayed like that as long as she could have.
Eee, the ending is creepy. And I had so much problem with going through that chapter… Well, I guess it's always like this when you need to write something transitory, right?
Well, sorry, and I promise the next one will be more interesting:) Especially with a little surprise for you in it…
I made a poll on my profile's main site, it's about the style of writing – dashes or apostrophes? Vote:)