4. Reconciliation

I had put this project on the backburner for quite some time now so I'd like to apologize to you guys, especially to Crystal-Voices, for not doing this sooner. I'd like to remind you guys that reviews are Ether Nano, to an author's magic.

Meredy opened her eyes to sunlight. She supposed that the after-life was a pleasant place after all. She had to change her assumption after she found out that she couldn't move.

She was bound to the trunk of a tree inside a clearing on the island. Surprised by this sight she mumbled "Ultear".

She was shocked to hear Gildarts Clive's response "Kid, ya gave us quite some trouble, ya know, what with the fighting and the drowning"

She turned her face toward her enemy and was even more surprised to see most of the Fairy Tail members lounging around tents and eating meat roast over a fire, towards the centre of the encampment. She could also see a larger tent right next to the fire, filled to the brim with the injured.

Gildarts looked mildly concerned as he strode over to her "Yep, all of us Fairies are alive, but ain't sure about the woman you were with. Now, don't start trying to break those cords 'cause you're all out of magic for now.

Meredy felt like she was bearing the weight of the world. Ultear was gone; she was all alone in this world. She started letting loose her pent up tears in an uncontrollable stream.

Gildarts seemed uncomfortable and called somebody out from the group. Meredy was oblivious to her surroundings, until somebody strangling her brought her back to the present.

A pink haired, canine- teethed young man was her assailant. She recalled him from her list with ease, Natsu Dragneel .

He roared "Why, I didn't think you were a crybaby, having a beat-down against Old Man Gildarts and challenging us. Well that just shows us how pathetic Grimoire Heart is "

The guild master Makarov moved toward her slowly, his body covered with bandages. Meredy looked into his eyes with apprehension,

Before he could say a word, she said "Ultear is dead, so kill me as well. I want to be with her "

By then Natsu had taken his hands of her neck. It seemed that he was trying to attract her attention, not try to kill her after all.

Makarov scanned her from teeth to toe , then said in a measured tone " Well , we don't kill people , child. You have to accept that your friend has left this world and move on as she would like you to "

Meredy replied in desperation," I don't know what I should do anymore. I've spent my life aiding , Ultear , the person I consider to be the closest I have to my mother " She sniffed, unable to complete her sentence.

Makarov finished it for her "and she admitted to killing your birth parents, right? Yet you can't even bring yourself to hate her?"

Meredy nodded in assent, fear of her enemies melting like glaciers into the river of her sorrow.

Makarov gave her a sweet smile " Well , Meredy , I'm quite an old geezer and one of the perks of being old include getting to know people much better. I don't know many things about Ultear's past but the one thing I'm sure of, is that she loved you, so much that she was ready to die to set you free from the bondage of her sins"

She swallowed her tears "But why did she kill herself before I could respond?" she managed.

Makarov gestured to Natsu to loosen her ropes, which he did gladly, before responding "Ultear spent her life trying to bring back her happy childhood as well as her mother Ur. Unable to do either of that, she sunk into hatred and resentment. Human beings react to pain in different ways. Some open their hearts to love while others despise others as much as they do themselves. Ultear did both , wherein her love for you was her saving grace and her crimes against humanity the anchor that weighed her down into damnation. Her fight with Gray opened her eyes to the truth, that her mother had always been with her and opened her eyes to her sins. In a final act of filial love she decided that her cursed life which had poisoned your childhood would have to end and hence the result." He grimaced.

Meredy rubbed her hands, trying to bring back some heat into her body. She wanted to run away and disappear into the ocean, but her heart told her to stay. If Ultear wanted her to live, dying was an insult to her memory. But what was she to do with her life?

She reluctantly looked into Makarov's eyes before asking him, "Why did you save me, knowing that Sensory Link was broken the moment Ultear stabbed herself? Why spare the life of a criminal and an enemy? "

Natsu beat Makarov to it, replying "You were our enemy, since Grimoire Heart's beaten up. We can't let somebody who put paid to both Gray and Juvia, jump into some lousy water and die , could we ? Besides you did what a Fairy Tail member would do for a comrade, so Gildarts couldn't help not saving you."

Makarov shrugged "Natsu is right of course. While I can't forgive you for hurting Gray, I can understand you have a good heart, something which I didn't want lost in this accursed water. In my book you are no longer an enemy unless you so choose to be "Makarov intensified his gaze.

Meredy bowed "I apologize for the injuries I caused you. "she said before standing up straight.

She then asked him "I've decided to defect from Grimoire Heart and follow Ultear's wishes. What should I do?"

Makarov's face darkened and he replied "You are still a wanted dark mage hunted by the Council. You have two choices: either flee from Fiore and restart your life elsewhere "

Meredy could sense his apprehension as he described the second path "Or you could give yourselves up to the Magic Council. You will be arrested, tried and convicted on serious charges including attempted murder, assault and any sundry charges related to your membership in Grimoire Heart. In short, you will go to prison. I won't promise that you will be released soon, but your age and voluntary surrender could mitigate your charges. But the only thing you can be sure of is that upon eventual release you will never have to fear the authorities ever again."

She let Makarov's words sink in. Like any girl, she was afraid of imprisonment, in spite of her magical powers but running away throughout the rest of her life wasn't to her liking. She wanted a way out, from both running and from prison, yet Makarov seemed to offer her just these two damned paths.

Natsu who was silent all the while, shouted out "Enough of all this thinkin' , I can smell some awesome food Mirajane's cooking up for us. We can think about prison and escaping later." The guy dragged Meredy along with him toward the fire.

So I hope you get the reason I chose the particular name. Should Meredy escape from her sins or should she go to prison? Your opinions are valuable