The Dranex a tribe as old as nature, resided in a coastal haven, nestled at the meeting point of the lush forest and the vast expanse of the sea. The village is dotted with wooden houses, their vibrant colours blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings. The architecture reflects the tribe's close connection with nature, with roofs that mimic the graceful curves of waves and walls adorned with intricate carvings depicting animals, plants and their sea life. Adorned with colourful banners and ribbons, exuded an atmosphere of joy and liveliness. Festive decorations adorned the houses and communal gathering spaces, reflecting the tribe's love for celebration. Music filled the air, with the sounds of drums, flutes, and melodic chants intertwining to create an enchanting symphony that echoed through the forest.
Today was another day of celebration, as they were expecting the return of one of the exploring parties that left almost twenty moons ago.
The ship gently swayed on the calm sea, its sails billowing against the breeze. Natsu stood by the ship's railing, a mixture of excitement and nostalgia coursing through his veins. Beside him, his mother, Grandeen, watched the approaching shoreline with a serene smile on her face.
After exploring unknown and dangerous planes over the sea, they were ready to settle back into their routine. Their clan was known for their love for the sea. They knew when the sea wanted to give and when she would take. It was the end and the beginning of many clansmen. The start and end of legacies.
The clansmen also adored their lands. During times of exhibitions, any who stayed behind cared for the village. They cultivated the land, harvested its riches and fed from the animals. They were lucky to have settled at a rich port, with hot summers and calm winters. Anywhere else, like the north, they wouldn't have prospered as much. Although, they were clans coming from the mountains. Living on the harsh white plains behind the hills. They weren't friends or enemies. Both clans knew to respect each other's boundaries.
Natsu was born to the loving land, by a mother tied to the sea and a father leader of all who stayed behind. He was eight when his mother, Grandeen, first took him aboard a ship. A journey not far away, yet it had stirred his fantasy enough to never want to part from that course. His father, Igneel, taught him to cultivate the land, care for the animals, and harvest at the right time of the season. He taught him the traditions of his clan and how to care for the people he would one day lead.
Natsu turned to Grandeen, his eyes filled with anticipation. "We're almost home," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of longing.
Grandeen placed a comforting hand on Natsu's arm, her touch a silent reassurance. "Yes, my dear," she replied, her voice carrying a gentle warmth. "Our family awaits us."
Natsu nodded, his gaze fixed on the coastline that was growing ever closer. Memories of their adventures at sea flooded his mind, but now, as their journey neared its end, thoughts of home and family tugged at his heart. Happy, Natsu's faithful feline companion, perched on his shoulder, shared in his excitement. The cat purred contentedly, its tail swaying in rhythm with the gentle sway of the ship.
As the ship glided into the port, Natsu could see figures waiting on the shore. Among them stood his father, Igneel, a towering presence exuding strength and wisdom. And there, beside him, was his little sister, Wendy, her face beaming with joy.
A surge of excitement coursed through Natsu as he caught sight of his family. With a burst of energy, he hurriedly made his way down the gangplank, Grandeen following closely behind. The welcoming cheers of the villagers filled the air, their heartfelt applause a testament to the relief of their safe return.
His little sister, Wendy, rushed towards him, her steps quick and full of excitement. Natsu braced himself as she collided with him, sending them both tumbling onto the dirt. Laughter bubbled up from deep within him as he wrapped his arms around her, the time spent apart melting away as they embraced. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too, Wendy," Natsu replied, his voice filled with genuine warmth and affection. How much she had grown in his absence? His heart swelled with pride for his little sister, knowing that she had flourished under the care of the village. Taking his father's offered hand, he was pulled into a half hug. He had missed his father and sister dearly, but the adrenaline of a new adventure always pulled him far away.
"Let's go home. Both of you need rest." Motioning with his head Igneel led them back up the hill, to the largest house of the village. The familiar red and gold drawings on the door pulled his lips into a smile. The women left them alone, mother and daughter in need of so much-needed bonding time.
"How come Ignia wasn't on the port with you?" Natsu's question hung in the air for a moment, as he observed the familiar surroundings of the house. The walls were adorned with tribal art, the scent of the forest lingering in the air—it all felt like a comforting embrace. His gaze returned to Igneel, waiting for an explanation.
"You know how he is, always managing to cause a bit of trouble. He should come by later." Igneel had an older son with another woman before he married Grandeen. Since he never married Ignia's mother he was considered illegitimate and thus not his heir. Natsu was the one to take on that role upon his birth. "Before you go and take care of your things, I want to discuss something with you."
"What is it?" Natsu followed his father at the large cushions at the centre of the hut, by the lit fire. The air felt a bit heavy, especially as Igneel lit a long pipe. Smoke soon filled the room, the scent of the slow-burning herds making him happy to be finally home.
"Silver, the new leader of the mountain tribe, expressed his desire for a union between our clans," Igneel began, his voice steady and measured. "A union between our tribes would mean an expansion of our community, Natsu. It would bring us closer to the mountain tribe, allowing us to share resources, and knowledge, and forge stronger bonds. We would become one family, united in purpose and growth."
Natsu's apprehension mingled with a sense of excitement. The prospect of a union held the potential for new alliances and a brighter future for their tribe. Yet, the unknown and the prospect of change tugged at his heart. "They offered a marriage proposal!"
The room fell into an uneasy silence as Natsu processed his father's words. The weight of the situation pressed heavily upon his young shoulders, and he struggled to find a way to reconcile his desires with the responsibilities of leadership thrust upon him.
"I'm not the one getting married," Natsu stated firmly, his voice tinged with defiance. He couldn't fathom the idea of an arranged marriage, especially with a stranger from a tribe they barely knew.
Igneel sighed heavily, "Then who? Wendy? She's not of marrying age," he replied, hoping to steer the conversation towards a more rational path. "Although Silver has two strong sons, we didn't agree for Wendy to marry them."
A tense pause hung in the air before Natsu's voice broke the silence once more, his tone laced with apprehension. "Then who?" he demanded; his voice slightly strained.
Igneel met his son's gaze, the weight of his decision bearing down upon him. "Who else?" he replied, his voice filled with a mix of resignation and determination. "You."
Natsu's eyes widened in disbelief and shock. "No," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Yes," Igneel asserted firmly, his tone brooking no further argument. "It's the only logical solution, Natsu. We need to forge this union to ensure the peace and prosperity of our tribe."
The young warrior's fists clenched at his sides, his emotions warring within him. "For me to marry Silver's son?" he questioned, his voice filled with a mix of anger and confusion.
Igneel shook his head, offering a glimmer of hope. "No, not his son. Silver suggested you marry a priestess of their tribe," he clarified, hoping to ease the burden on his son's shoulders.
"Why?" Natsu's voice held a note of desperation. The idea of being bound to someone he barely knew, solely for the sake of tradition and alliance, felt suffocating.
"She's the religious leader of their tribe," Igneel explained, his voice tinged with respect. "She's well respected and comes from a powerful family. Every woman from that family inherits the role of the priestess. It is their tradition."
Natsu's brows furrowed in frustration. "But it's so easy for them to marry her off?" he questioned; his voice tinged with bitterness.
"No, but Silver believes it will be easier for the people to accept. Your heir will share a part of each of our tribes," Igneel reasoned, attempting to present the potential benefits of the union.
Anxiety and resistance coursed through Natsu's veins as he considered the implications of such a marriage. "And where will we stay?" he asked, searching for some semblance of control amidst the upheaval of his world.
Igneel hesitated for a moment, his gaze falling to the floor as he weighed his words carefully. "Silver proposes that winters be spent at their village and summers here, at least until we find common ground," he revealed, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Natsu's frustration reached its peak as he vehemently objected, "But she'll be going back and forth alone. Most of the year, I'll be at sea!"
Igneel's expression hardened, his resolve unwavering. "That... that we will discuss further," he conceded, recognizing the validity of his son's concern.
"Why? I'm not giving up the sea," Natsu declared, his voice tinged with defiance and determination. The sea was his sanctuary, his source of freedom and discovery.
"Until you produce an heir, it's required," Igneel stated firmly, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.
Natsu's eyes blazed with defiance as he vehemently protested, "No!"
"We did the same with you." Igneel countered, his voice tinged with a mix of reminiscence and authority. "I understand that you favour the sea a bit more, as your mother does." The red-haired man took a long puff of his pipe, before continuing much more reserved. "I also know how it is to see your partner leave leaving you behind with your child." It was true that Grandeen favoured the sea much more than the land. "Your happiness and well-being have always been my priority. And now, as your leader, I must make difficult choices for the greater good of our tribe."
Frustration welled up within Natsu as he locked eyes with his father, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and hurt. "And my happiness? Is that less important than anything else?"
Igneel's expression softened, and he reached out to clasp Natsu's hands in his own, his voice filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. "Sometimes, my son, the weight of leadership requires sacrifices. But know that your happiness and well-being will always be at the forefront of my decisions."
"I don't want to get married, especially to a stranger. It's not fair!" Natsu stood up in a hurry, the room almost suffocating him, seeing that his father spoke with such conviction.
Igneel sighed heavily, his eyes reflecting a mixture of sympathy and understanding. "I know this may come as a surprise, son," he began, his voice gentle yet firm. "But it is a decision that goes beyond personal desires. It is for the sake of our clan and the harmony between our tribes."
"How will I marry someone I've never met?" Natsu's brows furrowed in frustration as he struggled to comprehend his father's reasoning.
Igneel's gaze softened, filled with paternal concern. "Many successful marriages have started as arranged unions."
"But father, listen to me!" Natsu pleaded, his voice tinged with frustration. "Ignia should marry her. He's older than me, and it's his duty to unite our tribes through this marriage."
Igneel's gaze hardened. "Natsu, Ignia is my illegitimate son. The bloodline of a leader cannot be compromised by such circumstances."
Natsu's fists clenched at his sides, his gaze locking with his father's. "You taught me not to care if we are half-brothers! We grew up under the same roof, yet you prefer me, by your words your legitimate son to carry this burden!" Those were his last words as he rushed out of his home.
Igneel sighed, his gaze fixed on the shattered vase that lay scattered across the floor from his son's hurried exit. "Not half a day passed, and you two are already fighting?" Grandeen's soothing voice was like music to his ears. His wife was gentle and patient and importantly the voice of reason in their household.
"It wasn't a fight," Igneel responded, his tone tinged with frustration. He knew his wife could see through his attempts to downplay the situation.
Surveying the scene with a mixture of concern and disappointment. "Seeing as now I have one less vase, I'll believe it was," she remarked, her voice carrying a hint of mirth. "You chose for him a wife, overlooking all of our tribe's traditions and your son's needs," she said gently, her words carrying a weight of disappointment.
Igneel's expression softened, a flicker of tiredness in his eyes. "I won't have you against me in this, will I?"
She met his gaze, her love for him evident in her eyes. "I love you, and I'll always be by your side," she assured him. "But I will make your life a bit difficult since you just saddened one of my kids."
Igneel nodded, understanding washing over him. He knew his wife's determination matched his own, and her unwavering support came with a steadfast resolve to protect their children's happiness. "That's something I can accept," he conceded, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. It was a reminder that even in their roles as leaders, their family bond remained the foundation of their strength.
Rushing out of his family's home, Natsu stormed into the bustling village courtyard. The scorching sun beat down relentlessly, intensifying the heated air around him. Shadows stretched long and distorted on the ground as he darted through the maze-like pathways. Ignoring the usual warm greetings from his fellow villagers, Natsu's focus was solely on getting away from the responsibility of this arranged marriage.
The sounds of laughter and conversation blurred into a chaotic symphony, matching the turmoil within him. Time seemed to accelerate, compressing the space around him as he hurriedly navigated the courtyard.
Suddenly he found himself bumping into a solid figure. Stumbling backwards, he quickly regained his balance and looked up to find himself face-to-face with his older half-brother, Ignia. His piercing gaze met Natsu's, mirroring the tension and conflict that simmered beneath the surface. The air between them crackled with unspoken words as they stood there, momentarily frozen in the chaotic commotion of the village. The bustling sounds seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the palpable tension between the two brothers, each waiting to see who would break the silence first.
"So, little brother," A mischievous smirk formed on Ignia's lips. "I hear you're getting hitched to a stranger. A lovely arrangement, isn't it?"
Natsu gritted his teeth, his fists clenching at his sides. He had grown accustomed to his teasing and provocative nature, but this time, the subject hit too close to home. "Shut up, Brother!"
Ignia let out a boisterous laugh, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, come on, Natsu. It's not that bad." Falling into place behind his brother who was walking away, he couldn't help but want to mess with Natsu. "The village will have a new face."
"Leave me alone." Natsu had neither the patience nor the energy to deal with his brother.
"Must be fun marrying out of the tribe." Ignia bumped into Natsu purposely making him stumble. It was his delight ticking all of his nerves. "Breaking two traditions at once too! Didn't know you had it in you!"
Natsu stopped in his tracks hearing that. "What?"
"You know arranged marriages mean that no one will compete for her hand." When someone inside their tribe wanted to marry, he challenged every eligible man that wanted to fight. By defeating his opponents, it showed he could keep her safe.
Natsu groaned upon hearing that. It wasn't like he defined his life by the traditions of his village, yet when thinking of his marriage he always imagined every single tradition he experienced as a kid will be upheld.
"Maybe we can break another tradition." Ignia kept following his little brother, everything to piss him off. Maybe earn a good fight in the end.
"Can't you leave me alone in my misery?" Natsu's voice dripped with exasperation as he attempted to shake off the weight of his recent argument with his father. The constant presence of his older brother grated on his already frayed nerves, fuelling his frustration.
"Maybe we can spice things up a bit?" Ignia's lips curled into a mischievous smile, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and mischief. "Imagine the thrill of sharing a bride. It would be a true adventure!" His voice held a hint of mockery as he teased Natsu, relishing in the discomfort he caused.
Natsu clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. Ignia's nonchalant attitude only served to ignite the fire within him, " Enough, Ignia!"
Ignia's grin widened, fuelled by Natsu's irritation. He took a step back, crossing his arms arrogantly, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Oh, little brother, always so uptight. Can't handle a bit of fun, can you? I bet this priestess is as serious as you are. Maybe she needs a bit of excitement in her life."
Natsu's face reddened with anger as he stepped forward, his voice seething with barely contained fury. "Just stop!" On reflex, he sent a punch towards his brother trying to shut him up. Expecting the move Ignia blocked with his arm and pushed him back with a kick.
"I can show her a trick or two before the marriage if you want." He took a step back, crossing his arms arrogantly.
Natsu's jaw tightened as he struggled to keep his composure. Ignia's disrespect grated on his nerves, but he refused to stoop to his level. "At least have some respect for a stranger. You don't even know her." He was finding it hard not to defend the woman, even if he wasn't thrilled by the prospect of marrying her.
Ignia's eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and defiance as he responded, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "How noble of you, little brother" Putting his hands over his heart he faked swooning at the words of his brother. "I'm sure your bride would appreciate a man of my expertise." His suggestive wink earned him a punch in the eye, yet he kept laughing. Having succeeded in his initial plan he made his exit, not before voicing his thoughts. "Have fun with your arranged marriage." Sarcasm was evident in his tone. "If you ever want to spice things up, you know where to find me."
Natsu felt his nails digging into his palms as his fist tightened, his gaze burning with anger. He watched as Ignia walked away, his laughter lingering in the air. A mix of frustration and disappointment surged through Natsu, but he refused to let Ignia's words affect him more.
Taking a deep breath, Natsu tried to calm his racing thoughts. The weight of the impending arrangement hung heavy on his shoulders, but he couldn't let himself be consumed by it. With a touch of resignation, he acknowledged that some things were beyond his control. Perhaps fate had a role to play in this union, and he would have to trust in the higher powers to guide him on the right path.
A/N: Thank you for taking the time to check out this story!
It's been a while since I made an appearance, so any constructive criticism and review is very welcome.
This will be the first story already completed before posting, so look out for updates in the upcoming week.
Love,
Melpomene