The Return of Grace
Author: TUCfan.
Pairing: Gregor/Luxa.
Rating: T, because it's The Underland Chronicles.
Description: When Grace returned after the war, it was a pivotal moment for the family. However, one was left out. What if that didn't happen, this time? Part of my Ares is Alive timeline, and companion piece to A Different Way.
Disclaimer: I do not and will not ever own the Underland Chronicles, including any and all words borrowed from the fifth installment of the series, Gregor and the Code of Claw, which will be in italics. They belong to the wonderful author Suzanne Collins. If I did own them, I wouldn't be writing FanFiction, now would I?
Author's Note: Hello all, welcome to my fifth story. I read this part in Code of Claw and immediately wish the opposite had happened. What do you think? Leave your thoughts in a review.
Song: Written while listening to Make You Mine by PUBLIC.
The night before the surrender, Luxa was eating dinner with his family in his room, when Gregor's mom walked in. She was way too skinny and unsteady on her feet, but she walked in and opened her arms without a word. They all ran to her and wound up in one big embrace. Boots, who was too little to get in on the main action, began to squawk, "Me! Me! Kiss me!" and his dad scooped her up and everyone covered her in kisses, which only made her giggle and call for more.
After a minute, Gregor noticed Luxa, standing alone by the door, watching his family reunite. He couldn't help thinking of how once she'd had so many people to love her who were no longer here. He reached out a hand for her to join his family.
She gazed at him for a moment, not showing any reaction to his offer. "Come on, Luxa. Take the step," he mentally urged.
Hesitantly, she walked forward and clasped her hand in his. Then, she gazed up at him. He could almost see the fearful apprehension in her eyes. He smiled at her reassuringly, almost as if to say, "Everything will be okay. I promise."
With a deep breath, she allowed Gregor to pull her into the fold. Immediately, Lizzie and Boots reached to hug her. Gregor's dad took his time, wary of the girl, but accepting her nonetheless. Grace was the last to make any move. Gregor held his breath in anticipation.
A moment passed, with Grace sizing Luxa up, and Luxa standing her ground. A silent conversation seemed to pass between the two. Grace questioned their joined hands, and Luxa explained wordlessly. Grace seemed to challenge her, but ultimately, it ended when Luxa gave a resolute nod, and Grace smiled. The matriarch of the family then drew the younger girl in, fully accepting her into the group.
With a wide smile, Gregor wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Believe me, Luxa. If she's accepted you, you belong here," Gregor whispered to her. She closed her eyes for a moment, nodded, and rested her head on his shoulder.
A bit later that evening, Gregor and Luxa sat by themselves on the couch. Neither spoke, but rather sat in companionable silence, wrapped in each other's arms.
It was these moments, where they didn't have to be Queen and Warrior, where there were no burdens upon their shoulders, that they cherished the most. Where they could simply sit together in comfort, letting the world deal with its problems on its own.
Gregor wondered how much longer it would last. Would the plan Lizzie made work? Would they be able to stay, now that there was peace?
"Life has become strange," murmured Luxa. "I have had no use of a weapon for many weeks. After so much fighting, it feels unusual."
"I know what you mean," said Gregor. "I've done nothing but kill for so long. Now, there is no more need of it. What will I do now?"
"I do not know. Perhaps, if you are permitted to stay, you could become my champion. The protector of my people," said Luxa.
"I wonder how that would go. Surely I wouldn't have to fight all of the time, right?" asked Gregor.
"No, you would not. More often then not, I believe you would simply be a representation of the strength of Regalia," said Luxa. "You would probably only have to be present for meetings with races outsite of our allies."
Gregor was quiet for a moment. Present for meetings? It was so... boring. Delightfully so. There would likely be no fighting at all.
"I think I'm good with that. I've had enough fighting to last me a lifetime. A job of nothing but peace sounds pretty good to me," he said, smiling down at her. "Besides, that leaves me with free time to be with Ares. You know that the only time I ever got to spend with him outside of wars and quests was during that period where my mom was in the hospital?"
Luxa rolled her eyes fondly. "You two will get into all kinds of shenanigans, will you not?" she said, a slight smile on her lips.
Gregor feigned innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Ares and I are a perfectly respectable duo," he said.
She raised her eyebrow at him. Then, wearily, she rested her head upon his shoulder.
"We have achieved peace. It seems unreal," she murmured.
"But it is. We made it all the way through that war alive, and now we pick up the pieces and move on. I'll be back, as your champion, and Regalia will be all the better for it," said Gregor.
"Are you certain you will be able to return?" asked Luxa.
"I am. If my mom has accepted you the way she has, it means she considers you family now. I doubt she would simply pick us up and leave now," said Gregor. "Besides, I can't leave my bond, and Lizzie can't leave hers either."
Luxa smiled at that. "I am glad she will be able to go through with her plan. It seems like a fool-proof way to ensure the survival of peace," she said.
"I'm really proud of her. It's a genius idea," said Gregor. "I could never have come up with such a plan myself."
"Yes, well, it is a good thing that there are other qualities about you that I love," said Luxa, pressing a kiss to his cheek. He rolled his eyes.
Not everything was perfect for them, they knew that much. It would still be a long time before Regailia fully recovered from the war. But they didn't lose hope. There was peace on the horizon. Gregor and his family would be visiting again, not for quests, not for war, but simply for the family they had found in the Underlanders. Luxa, of course, first and foremost among them.
It made Gregor smile, knowing that. "Things are finally looking up."
Well, there you have it. Yet another piece of the story I plan to tell. I admit, this kind of got away from where I planned for it to go. I wanted there to be much more with Grace and Luxa, but I want my work to be pure, and forcing it to be the way I first envisioned wouldn't suit it.
This fic goes along with the story A Different Way, so if some of this didn't make sense, you should go read that. If you don't mind, leave a review with your thoughts. I very much appreciate any and all feedback you can give. Happy reading!