CHAPTER 75 - REUNIONS

We made it.

Later that night, after surviving the insane descent down the mountainside, Natsu was still in disbelief of what truly happened. They had made it down unscatched, but the moments of freefall still frightened him. Even when his feet were solidly on the snowy ground again, he still felt like he was falling, falling, and falling, ever down at accelerating speed. They made their camp into the woods, set a fire, and soon headed to sleep without being able to eat anything. His stomach was still spinning.

As he lay in his bedroll with Lucy by his side, he still felt like falling, hard through the rock into the core of earth, somewhere deep and dark. Lucy was fast asleep, but Natsu simply couldn't – each time he found himself at the border of sleep, he was spun around, as if looping in an eternal limbo and never really hitting the ground. He closed his eyes, the world around him went quiet, until there was nothing but the sound of rapid wind in his ears.

But then, amongst the darkness, was fire. It lighted in the void, a familiar spirit of rage. Natsu knew clearly what it was, even though his reason screamed that it could not be true. Rahgot was dead, he could not be here, but he was, in the fire, that relighted from nothingness, breathed back to life by something far more sinister than he had ever faced.

"Natsu," the void spoke to him in the voice of his long-lost brother. "Soon, we will meet again."

Lucy had missed this.

Though it had felt wistful to leave the monastery behind, when she'd crawled to sleep in Natsu's arms, she realised she felt at home, in a way she hadn't felt in High Hrothgar. There, they had slept in separate stone beds, for so long she had almost forgotten how much she'd needed this comfort. This was their tent, their own bedrolls, their own safe space, and her very own Natsu.

Cold winter winds bled through the conjured tent, but couldn't invade the safety under the pelts of fur and leather. Even in her sleep, Lucy wondered if the fire within Natsu's heart burned brighter and warmer, of if she was closer to him than ever before. Either way, she slumbered comfortably until the early morning hours, when Natsu woke her up before the sunrise.

As Lucy crawled from the tent into the crispy night air, she could see the silhouette of Whiterun on the blue horizon. It was no longer burning as it had been the last time she saw the city, but the memory remained ingrained in her mind. Quietly, she sat by the fire Natsu had made and kept gazing into the horizon, strange feeling building up in her chest. Anxiety and anticipation with a faint hint of fading nostalgy – and from the silence of the companion sitting next to her, she knew Natsu felt the same.

Instead of the distant city, Natsu kept staring into the flames. Lucy turned her eyes to him, the lights of the campfire dancing on his features. He'd knitted his brows in the way he always did when lost deep in thought. Or when he had a nightmare, Lucy remembered, and when he doesn't want to talk about it.

"What are you thinking?" Lucy asked quietly while looking for the bread in her backpack.

It took a moment before Natsu answered. "The last time we were here."

"When I was in agony, having broken my ankles?" she chuckled. "At least this time we managed to descend without breaking any bones."

A brief, shy smile flashed on Natsu's lips before his expression returned to its grim and gloomy state. It wasn't about her ankles, no.

"That, actually, was on the first time we were here," Natsu said then. "I'm talking about the last. After Whiterun's siege, we camped here as well. I'm not sure how much you remember about that. It was when I…"

"You told me about Jellal," Lucy replied. "I remember that. I just… confused things. The memories are still slightly all over the place, but at least I remember more things now." She reached her hand to him, gently placing her gloved fingers on top of his. "I remember what you told me about Jellal as well… in some detail, not perfectly. I can only recall how I felt then. And I was not angry at you, not at the slightest. And I still won't be. You're thinking about encountering him in the truce, are you?"

Natsu sighed. "I'm just thinking how to not kill that man the moment I see him."

Lucy fell silent then.

Truth was, she didn't think about Erza and her assassin lover very often. On a rational level it hurt her to know they had both lied to her face, how their wicked lies had put Natsu between a rock and a hard place – with a literal knife at his throat – but compared to everything else that had happened to her, those two mattered very little. She struggled to show her nonchalance to Natsu, who was still simmering with fury just at the mention of the assanssins name.

"I understand you're still angry," Lucy said, "but killing him won't solve anything. We're stronger than them. They cannot hurt us anymore."

"I know. But if we're stronger, should we use this strength to punish them for what they did, or to pardon them? That's what I'm thinking. And it's hard not to see any other end to this than burning him alive." Then Natsu raised his eyes from the fire into her. "Will you stop me if I try?"

"I think incenerating a scholar during a peace council would turn ugly on us," Lucy sighed. But what else could I expect from you, dear? "This truce isn't just between the Imperials and Stormcloaks. It's between everyone. Us, too. We all need to fight as one against the dragons, all the people of Skyrim. Even if it means we'll have to side with our former enemies."

"Ugh. Yeah, I know this, but I… I just can't let this pass. Maybe with Erza. She's almost innocent – as innocent as someone being controlled and mindfucked by their insane lover can ever be – but that motherfucker can go –"

"Truth is, we don't even know if they are alive," Lucy said, looking to the field ahead of them. Now the once-bloodied fields were covered in pure white snow, but she could still faintly remember the victims of war spread out almost as far as the eye could see. It was a miracle that Whiterun was still standing after all that bloodletting. "Before we know for sure, we shouldn't waste much thought about it. They could as well be dead."

The nonchalant tone in her voice made Natsu shudder. What for exactly, Lucy wasn't sure.

"Well, you're right about that," Natsu sighed and began to gather his things. "There's one way to find out."

"Aren't you going to eat anything?"

"Not hungry."

Natsu dispelled the tent, and their shelter and belongings disappeared into a swirling purple void. The sun wouldn't rise in hours, but they still had to hurry forward. Following his lead, Lucy stood up, still eating the piece of bread as they began heading towards Whiterun on the surface of the snowbank.

"The Greybeards asked me to do my best for the process of achieving a lasting peace in Skyrim, but honestly, I don't know what I can do," Lucy said, even though she knew Natsu wasn't up for much of a conversation now. "From what I know, of those attending the council, Ulfric Stromcloak is the only one who knows my identity as a Dragonborn. What worth do I have if nobody believes who I am?"

"If they don't believe you, just Shout at them. They'll believe you then."

"Wish it was that easy to convince a bunch of rock-headed Nords into believing a woman who claims to be the hero of Skyrim."

"I mean it. You can tear your opposers apart with your voice alone. Just use it." Natsu sighed. "Look, I don't know horse shit about politics, but this isn't a time for being kind and diplomatic, Lucy. Nobody else will be either. To unite the people of Skyrim, you must use power to do it, and your power is divine. Force them into unity, as Talos did. Make them bow to your will."

"Like an empress of Tamriel, you say? Gods."

"Yes. In the new dragon war, only you can lead men to victory. You give the orders, and those who question you will die." Natsu looked up to the sky, fading starlight descending on his eyes. "No matter what, you have the gods on your side. Even the rock-headed Nords should respect that. Perhaps especially them."

Lucy smiled softly. "I just feels so out of my nature, but I guess I have no choice. I'm glad Gildarts is the one who arranged this all. I'm sure he's going to speak for us, too."

"I know he will."

The closer they made it to the city gates, the more crowded the roads became, and so they both fell into silence. A lot of people were arriving to Whiterun this morning. Where had once been farms and fields were now encampments and graves, broken armament and siege weaponry. Distant chatter began to fill the air, smoke rose from the tents and horses drew their carriages around. They were now on the southern side of Whiterun, and here the banners of Stormcloak army swung in the faint wind.

As the sun began to climb higher on the sky, Natsu pulled his hood over his head. The soft sunsets weren't harsh on his eyes, but the bright noon light still caused agony. Then, Lucy reached for his hand, and he replied to the gesture by clenching her fingers tight. The soldiers on the sides of the road looked at her in a way that Natsu did not approve.

At the gates, the chatter slowly grew into shouting from both sides of the wall. Natsu and Lucy slowed their pace, knowing it was better not to get involved in this.

"We are just as welcome here as you are! We are here for the treaty!" a Stormcloak soldier yelled.

"Get your assess to Oblivion where you belong!" replied an Imperial soldier who stood atop the city wall. "You slaughtered our people once, we won't let you do it again!"

"We fought for the justice of Skyrim! And we have lost our brothers and sisters as well!"

"There's no way we'll ever let you pass these gates!"

"Ulfric Stormcloak is in there! He will let us in!"

"He's being supervised by the Thalmor! If they decide to execute him for murdering the king, as they rightfully should, then you are the next ones to go!"

Here we go again, Lucy thought as Natsu led her to the side of the crowd. Somehow, they'd have to make their way through the crowd to the gates, which no one would open. How unfortunate would it be if the Dragonborn missed the council meeting for a reason like this?

"Mages? In peace treaty?" said one soldier near them as he stole a glance at their robes. "What in Kyne's name are you doing here? Gods. What next? Khajiits? Orcs? Argonians? Daedra lords?"

"I'll show you a daedra lord if you don't shut your mouth," Natsu growled.

"A conjurer then, huh?" said another, laughing. "Summon me a warm bed and a bottle of mead!"

Before Natsu could rush into a brawl, Lucy tugged his sleeve and pulled him away from the group of soldiers, who now jested loudly about what they'd want to have summoned for them. The fire mage's green eyes simmered with rage – today, he had been oddly on the edge, and this didn't make it any easier.

"Any ideas on how to get to the city?" Lucy whispered to him.

"Could you just Fus Ro Dah at them?"

Lucy chuckled. "That's one way to solve the problem."

Then, someone opened the gates, but instead of walking in, the crowd dispersed. A tall Nord man rushed through the mass of soldiers, screaming bloody murder as he swung his fists.

"DEFILERS! TRAITORS! MURDERERS! I WILL TEAR YOU APART! LIMB FROM LIMB!"

"FARKAS, FOR GODS' SAKE, STOP IT!"

"YOU CAN'T STOP ME NOW BROTHER! I'LL KILL THEM! I'LL KILL THEM ALL!"

"WHO LET THE COMPANION THROUGH THE GATES!? SOMEBODY STOP HIM!"

Some screamed, some laughed. Natsu started at them, confusion in his eyes turning to glimmering joy. He was burning to join the brawl that commenced at the gatehouse, but Lucy caught him from the cloak and pulled him back.

"Natsu, wait," she told firmly. "It's the Companions. They'll recognise us, and let us enter the city."

"I kinda have a feeling they are in trouble for this as well…"

From the distance, Lucy saw how Farkas punched a defenceless Stromcloak soldier to the face so hard that blood burst from his nose, splattering on another soldier's cuirass. This man got offended, swinging his fists at the giant-like Companion too. More and more fists joined the battle until only chaos reigned before the city gates.

Then, a familiar voice roared above all others, commanding the chaos to a halt.

"FARKAS, SON OF JERGEN! STOP. THAT. RIGHT. NOW."

It was Erza, stepping from behind the soldiers with her scarlet hair swaying in the air. She grabbed Farkas by the neck as if he was only a dog's puppy, lifted him and shook off all the soldiers that clung to his feet. Farkas yelped.

"Go back home. Now. We'll talk about this later," Erza said, then threw him past the gates and turned to face the crowd. "I apologize for the commotion. Jarl's guards will soon allow you into the city. Please wait patiently until they arrive."

Erza's gaze travelled across the soldiers, as if she sensed someone more important than the common rabble were there. Then, her eyes found Lucy's

"You there, mages!" she shouted, not a hint of hospitality in her voice. "After the magic disaster at the gates during the battle of Whiterun, your presence isn't permitted here. Follow me, by the order of the Jarl, you are under arrest."

The joy died in Natsu's eyes. "What the fuck –"

"She's bluffing, Natsu," Lucy whispered. "Play along. Just. Play. Along."

Now, the crowd made room and allowed them to pass to the gates. Dozens of furious eyes were on their backs as they walked. Something had happened here, indeed. The wooden gates weren't the same as before, and the new makeshift doors were made from bare planks. Magic had scorched the walls of the gatehouse black.

"Move along, mages," Erza commanded them forward, and they obeyed. When they were in, she raised her hand to the guards. The guards nodded, two of them staying outside to keep the Stormcloaks under control, while the rest began to shut the gates.

And the moment the gates were closed, Erza suddenly pulled them both into a tight embrace.

"Bless Kynareth you are both safe!" Erza exclaimed, her rough mask falling off to reveal the softness in her voice. "I was so incredibly worried about you two ever since I heard about Riften's destruction. I cannot thank the gods enough!"

"You are... crushing... my neck..." Natsu muttered, causing Erza to squeeze him even tighter. A panicked wheeze escaped from his lungs. "Lucy... help!"

"It's good to see you too, Erza," Lucy mumbled against Erza's chestplate. "But don't strangle us here, please! We have a lot to talk about..."

Somehow reluctantly, Erza released her hold around them. Natsu gasped for breath, red pressure marks from the carvings on Erza's armour imprinted on his cheek. He began to rub them off awkwardly, as if he was blushing. Lucy giggled softly at the sight.

"Actually, I have been expecting you. There's still some time before the council starts, but let's head to the Bannered Mare first," Erza said, turning both of them to face the street before moving her hands off their backs. She glanced at Farkas, who was sitting grudgingly on the gatehouse's ground. "I told you to go home, Farkas. I will speak to you later. Vilkas, take him off and make sure he doesn't cause any more trouble."

Lucy waved at the wolf brothers, but only Vilkas seemed to remember her. He waved back with a joyless expression on his face, then turned towards his sulking brother. Neither of the Companions seemed happy to see them again – well, they didn't seem happy about anything.

"You knew we were coming?" Natsu wondered, keeping his voice low.

"Yes," Erza replied with a mysterious smile. "And you'll soon know why."

Countless people strolled across the main street of Whiterun. Carpenters carried wood to the building sites, soldiers patrolled on the parchment, and some children ran into hiding places. Lucy remembered how the city used to be. It wasn't like this. Here and there, ruins of burnt houses lay amongst the snow. Further up the hill were more buildings left standing than down here, in the lowest district, that suffered the most during the siege.

Erza led them through the crowded streets towards the Bannered Mare. As they arrived, the guards on the inn's doorstep made way for Erza. Natsu and Lucy followed right at her trail, warmth surging into their freezing bones as Erza opened the wooden doors. Lucy shuddered at the feeling, like shaking off the ice that had seeped so deep into her. After spending almost a month in the monastery's coldness, the warm inn felt like a summer dream.

The inn was almost full, but Lucy could sense the presence of someone familiar in there. Her eyes travelled to the distant corner, where two hooded men were sitting, the older one having an indistinguishable auburn beard. Like sensing their arrival too, Gildarts raised his head, sudden joy sparkling in his eyes as he found them. Quickly, they walked through the smoky hall.

"Naaaatsu, my boy!" roared Gildarts, laughing as he captured the fire mage into a tight bear hug. This time, Natsu didn't fight back, allowing Gildarts to squeeze the air out of his lungs. "You made it here in one piece, and in time!"

Next to them stood a tall man in mage's robes, a large hood covering his raven black hair. Lucy looked at him long, searching for the memory that would match a name, but failed. As if he knew her, he stepped forward and hugged her, shyly and briefly.

"Good to see you, Lucy," he said in a familiar voice, then released her, as if hugging her any longer would be somehow dangerous. "How are you feeling?"

When she looked at him again, the memory finally came to her. An embarrassed blush spread on her cheeks. "Gray! I almost couldn't recognise you," she exclaimed. "It's good to see you too... uhm... dressed..."

Gray rubbed the back of his neck. "Uhm, well… yeah."

As Gildarts released Natsu from his hug, the fire mage turned towards Gray, staring at him for a while – like trying to decide if he should punch or hug the man. Then he grinned, and spread out his arms, and Gray did the same

"Motherfucking dickhead!" Natsu laughed. "You are alive!"

"You too, you little cunt. Wouldn't have guessed!"

"Well, it was a bit close I wouldn't be, but here I am, seeing your ugly face again."

"Go suck Sheogorath's balls, man. You too look like you've seen better days."

"Boys, boys, we didn't gather here to argue which one has sucked more Daedra's cock in front of these fine ladies, so shut your shit," Gildarts said, slamming his hands on their shoulders. "We have much to talk about in my chambers. Upstairs, all of you."

Lucy wanted to bury her face into her hands – it had been so long since this vulgar side of Natsu had shown up. All it took was to see this certain ice mage, and he began behaving like an idiot again. But well, at least they no longer seem to hate each other. Maybe that's progress, Lucy thought. Then, from the corner of her eye, Lucy saw Erza leaving the scene.

"I will see you again before the meeting, okay?" Erza said. "Your teacher has more important news for you."

"You could come too."

"I don't think –"

"Whatever happened," Lucy started quietly, "we need good warriors on our side. Your bravery in Labyrinthian isn't forgotten." Then she turned at Gildarts. "Will you trust this information to her as well?"

"It's yours to decide, my lady."

Lucy nodded, then smiled at Erza and reached out her hand. "Come. We are all friends here."

An immeasurable wave of relief washed over the warrior's face. From Lucy's side, there was no reason to doubt her trust any longer – the worry and joy of finding them alive in Erza's voice had been sincere. It spoke measures. Like staggered by surprise, she stared at Lucy's extended hand for a while.

Then she took it.

Since last night, a mysterious unease had been simmering in Natsu's guts.

In that strange state of half-awakeness, he had drifted somewhere deep and dark – and in that place, he had felt Rahgot's presence. It must've been a nightmare, he kept telling himself. Just a nightmare, but what in the Oblivion was my brother doing in there? He had been thinking that all day, finding no answers.

At least finding Gildarts and Gray alive brought him some comfort. Well, he wasn't upset to see that Erza had survived the battle as well. Now that they were all seated around the same table in the upstairs bedchamber, Natsu felt almost hopeful. He and Lucy were no longer alone, but surrounded by friends. At times like these, it was a great privilege.

A candle stood in the middle, giving light to the many papers and maps Gildarts had laid out in a carefully thought order. When everything was ready, Gildarts summoned a soundproofing spell to the chamber's walls and began his speech. Natsu tried his best to pay attention and listen.

"So, first things first, me and Gray found a solid clue about the Elder Scroll's location," he started, noticing how Erza lifted her brow in wonder. "Ah, yes. You probably didn't know that we are searching for an Elder Scroll, so that Lucy can learn Dragonrend – a shout that can bring an immortal dragon into mortality's reach."

"I see," Erza answered, rubbing her chin. "I'll admit, I don't know much of the Scrolls. I've only heard that the Dragonborn's prophecy has been written into an Elder Scroll, but that's all."

"That is true. But the Elder Scrolls are much more than just prophecies. They are the most ancient artefacts, far out of our understanding. Even the College of Winterhold hasn't studied them in any great depth. Perhaps only the Moth Priests in Cyrodil know what they truly are, but it's been said that studying them comes at the cost of losing one's sanity," Gildarts said and sighed. "As we found had happened to Septimus Signus."

"So you found Septimus?" Natsu asked. He remembered how Gildarts had told him that the man had been lost without a trace for years. It hadn't brought much hope to Natsu back then, but nothing seemed to be impossible for Gildarts. "That's impressive."

"His mental state was all but impressive," Gildarts answered. "He had been living in a frozen cave for the past few decades, speaking to a mysterious… orb. It's some sort of a Dwemer lockbox, and he believes the heart of Lorkhan is sealed within it. Honestly, it could be anything, but he's so obsessed about it that he's completely lost his mind. How it all comes to Elder Scrolls, you might ask, but listen. Septimus knows that an Elder Scroll is needed to open this box – and it's most likely the same Scroll we are looking for."

"But Septimus didn't have the Scroll with him, did he?" Lucy wondered.

"He didn't, but he seems to know where it is. It's all connected to the Dwemer. According to him, the Dwemer had researched a way to read the Elder Scrolls without damaging their minds. The Scroll we're looking for, and the ways to read it, aren't any further away than in Blackreach."

"Blackreach?"

"It's a legendary Dwemer city, long-forgotten, long-lost. Its very existence seems to have been lost to the ages, but I've heard myths of it. Treasure seekers in the passing of the centuries have tried to find it in vain," Gildarts said and smiled mysteriously. "But we have the keys to Blackreach."

Then, Gildarts reached into his pockets and placed two metallic objects on the table. One round, one edged, both resonating strange ancient magic, something forbidden. Lucy flinched at the sight of them, her gaze fixating on them for a long time.

"How… how did you get them?" she whispered.

"Septimus had obtained them somehow, in a way he refused to tell us. But with these, we can open the sealed way to the Blackreach," Gildarts said, apparently not noticing Lucy's discomfort. "Blackreach stretches so far deep in the underground that it connects many Dwemer ruins across Skyrim. The closest entrance would be in Ralbthdar, a two-day journey to the west from here. In the bottom of Ralbthdar, you should find the entrance, and with this sphere, you can open the gates no one has opened ever since the Dwemer disappeared from the face of Nirn."

Lucy closed her eyes and turned her head away. Natsu placed his hand on top of hers, feeling how her fingers trembled.

"What is it, Lucy?" he asked quietly.

"There's something about the keys that just sets me off," she answered with a shaky breath. "I can't tell what it is."

"If you want, I can carry them for you."

"Thank you, Natsu. I appreciate it."

"Take good care of them," Gildarts said and gave the sphere and lexicon to Natsu. Their weight caused his cupped hands to plummet down as if they'd sink right through his palms. Shocked, Natsu stared at the small artefacts. How could something so tiny be so damned heavy? "The round one is for opening the gate to Blackreach. The cube, on the other hand, is for transcribing the melody of the Elder Scroll. How exactly it's done, I have no idea, but you will figure it out."

Natsu raised his gaze to Gildarts as he secured the keys to his backpack. "Sounds like you're not coming with us."

Gildarts scoffed. "Of course not. While you delve into the depths of Nirn, someone must make sure everything goes smoothly up here. I was coming to that, but you figured my intentions out early." He sighed then, glancing at Erza and Gray, who were seated on the opposite side of the table. "But do you want them to come with you, Lucy?"

A soft smile wiped away the worry on Lucy's face. "I would be glad if you'd accompany us. It's going to be a dangerous journey, but I know I can trust in your strength."

"I'm in," Gray said straight ahead, to which Lucy replied with an appreciating nod.

But Erza was quiet. It must've been the word trust that had set her off. Natsu heard no insincerity in Lucy's voice – how could it be, since she had been very specific on how Erza had broken their trust? And from the way Erza's silence lingered on, Natsu was sure that Erza knew that Lucy knew, but that wasn't all. Something remained unspoken, and there was only one thing it could be, only one name.

"Erza," Natsu started, looking at her, even though she couldn't raise her gaze from the table. "I think there's something you should tell us all if you wish to come with us."

Gildarts turned his eyes to him. "Is there –"

"Just let her speak."

Erza sighed, exhaling a breath she had been holding on for long.

"It's about Mystogan, the scholar currently residing in Dragonsreach," she started, then fell silent again. What she'd say next would define who she'd betray – her assassin lover, or those she once called friends. Natsu hoped she'd choose wisely. "He's… he's not who he seems."

Gildarts lifted a brow. "I met that blue-haired scholar yesterday, didn't I? The one whose dragon investigation I read about?"

"Yes, him," Erza whispered. "His real name is Jellal, and he's an assassin from the Dark Brotherhood."

Then, no one at the table dared to say anything in a while.

Erza's head fell, her eyes fixating on her own trembling hands. In a certain way, Natsu could understand her pain. He had been there too, when he'd told Lucy about this – at a point where the secret becomes too great a burden to bear, where you don't even care about absolution or forgiveness. He had just wanted the silence to stop killing him. Right now, Erza had to feel the same.

"Well, hail Sithis I guess," Gildarts chuckled dryly. "And you're in bed with him?"

Erza nodded. "We grew up together in Rorikstead. He was always… somewhat eccentric, but when he chose to become an assassin, I just… I just always let it slip. That's just who he was," she said quietly. "We don't get to choose who we love, but I know the deceiving has to stop."

"We don't, indeed. But from the mood here I can read that your lover has caused some… problems."

Erza nodded again. "He was a secret I'd never told to anyone. He'd made it rather clear what would happen to both of us if he got caught. Especially the Emperor's Spectres are after the Dark Brotherhood. But somehow, years ago, when I and Natsu first met, I told him about Jellal."

Gildarts turned towards Natsu. "Boy, what kind of a meeting that was?"

"She came to rough me up for whatever shit I had done. We drank together before she broke my ribs," Natsu said, knowing fairly well what Gildarts had first thought. "Igneel poured her some Dunmer sujamma until she spilt some secrets."

"Ah, good ol' Dunmer sujamma. Makes its drinker as strong as a vampire, but dulls their mind at the same," Gildarts laughed, but his laughter withered as he realised what the problem was. "Ah, shit. I can see where this is going."

Natsu nodded. "Fast forward a few years, I'm at Jorrvaskr, and that said assassin holds a knife at my throat and threatens to sell me and Lucy to the Dragon Cult if I spill his secret. He claimed to have some contact with them, but after actually facing the cultists themselves, I know he was lying. Just trying to scare me into silence."

"That was the worst thing he could do? Quite pathetic," Gildarts said. "That's the thing with assassins. They cling to shade and deception to hide the fact that they don't have any true power. Especially Dark Brotherhood. The miserable band has drifted further and further from their ancient days of glory. I doubt Jellal is a real threat to be afraid of."

"I'm not afraid of him either. Not anymore," Natsu answered, slowly turning his eyes to Erza. "But I'm struggling to find a good reason to let him live after what he's done."

"I know you want to kill him," Erza said. "I understand that perfectly. He's rotten to the very core. But –"

"If we kill him, we are only proving that we do consider him as a threat," Lucy spoke for the first time since Jellal's name was mentioned. Her voice was calm and steady, her words carefully considered. "Besides, his research about the dragons and the dragon cult – though he doesn't know them – could still be useful to us. I suggest that we let him live."

Surprised, Gray looked at Lucy. "Are you serious?" he asked. "Look, what you've said here is the only thing I know about this situation, but I'll have to admit that I'll side with Natsu here. That assassin threatened to give you to the cult. And the cult –"

"When the Order captured me, it had nothing to do with Jellal," Lucy cut him off firmly. "The mistake was mine, and mine alone. But what happened at Riften is now behind us, and we must look into the future." She glanced at Gildarts. "What exactly includes to your 'making sure that things run smoothly up here' list?"

"After the council is over, I shall continue eradicating the Order," Gildarts said. "Sky Haven Temple can wait. Rahgot had sent his men out of Forelhost into other outposts, possibly to awaken other dragon priests from their slumber. Labyrinthian, Valthume, Ragnvald. Someone has to stop them before they gather more power." He chuckled then. "I was even thinking of rebuilding the Blades for this very purpose."

Lucy thought for a while. "Employ Jellal to the new Blades, then."

"Are you… really sure?" Natsu asked in shock. "I can't believe you'd –"

"It's not up to you to decide, Natsu," Gildarts said. "We do as Lucy says. The assassin is welcome to my new Blades, if he's willing to cooperate. I've been in worse company."

Looking down, Erza sighed. "He doesn't deserve a chance at life, but… thank you. Thank you for –"

"If he won't cooperate, Natsu can kill him," Lucy said sharply. "That's how far my mercy reaches."

Erza fell silent then. Natsu looked at Lucy, unable to say anything as he barely understood what she'd said. Would she really send Jellal to kill dragon cultists with Gildarts? As an assassin, he'd probably be good at that, but did Lucy understand who they were dealing with? Did she remember how Jellal had twisted reality, and made her believe in his lies? Jellal was too far gone. There was no way to harness his skills for good purpose, but Lucy was still giving him a chance Natsu knew he would not take.

Especially now that Erza had sold him off, and he would have nothing left to lose.

I promised to turn you into a pile of ashes, didn't I, Jellal? Natsu though, almost smiling. Seems like today's the day you burn.

"When it comes to you, Erza," Lucy started, "I know the role you played in this, but you've shown repentance. I can see it in your eyes – you never wanted to cause us any harm. Be sure to know that whatever happened to me was due to my own mistakes, not yours. I am willing to give us a fresh start, if you want to accompany us to Blackreach."

Erza crossed her hands and bowed. "It would be my greatest honour."

Lucy smiled. "It's good to have the team back together."

Gildarts looked at them with quiet pride shimmering in his eyes. "Journey to Blackreach is going to be the easy part. The true challenge starts after you've passed the gates. There isn't much I can say or do to help you, for no one truly knows what waits for you there," Gildarts said. "But together, you can overcome it."

"I know," Lucy answered. "We've got this."

Gildarts chuckled. "Well, now that we know what to do after this gods-forsaken council meeting, we can discuss the problem that we'll face in an hour – the gods-forsaken council meeting." He let out a long, weary sigh. "The Thalmor are there. The Imperials are there. The Stromcloaks are there. And this isn't about the dragons, this is about the wicked soup of politics that's been brewing since the Great War. They all need to unify their strength, but how do we make it happen?"

"Only if their fear of the dragons grows larger than their hatred for each other," Lucy said. "There won't be Skyrim to liberate or an Empire to rule if the dragons burn it all to the ground. Riften was the last warning. The aftershock should be enough to give them a solid reason for burying the hatched, even for a while."

"I'm afraid you're being optimistic."

"Do you have any ideas, then? How to unify the bloodthirsty nations into one?"

Gildarts rubbed his beard, unable to say anything.

"I think it's a miracle they even admitted sitting down to discuss the treaty," Lucy said. "It means they're both suffering from war. We can see what happened here in Whiterun. Half of the city lies in ruin, and both sides lost many men. I'm sure there is a way to achieve peace."

"Maybe. Maybe the only thing we can do is to pressure them to see the real threat. If they won't see it, if they decide to continue fighting… maybe the peace shall come when all of them die in dragonfire," Gildarts said grimly. "We can keep up the fight, and hope they choose wisely enough to join us."

"Indeed."

After that, they all knew there wasn't anything left to say. The course of fate should be determined soon enough. They sat in silence for a moment, until Gildarts gathered all his papers from the table and told them what each one would do during the council. As Kodlak Whitemane would represent the Companions and Gildarts the College of Winterhold, Erza and Gray didn't need to be present in the meeting. They could wait in Jorrvaskr during that time, and wait for the news until the night.

As the Dragonborn, Lucy would take the leading role in gaining a common understanding between both sides of the war. Gildarts promised to do his best to support her in that. Natsu, on the other hand, was left with one important task.

Dealing with a certain assassin.

A/N: Hi guys!

This chapter came out surprisingly fast, but I guess I managed to erase some sort of creative blockage. As an author I can only say that I'm happy that the team is finally back together. The last time was in 2021! This chapter was also supposed to have part of the council meeting included, but I decided to make the council its very own chapter. I hope I can maintain this writing drive for now ^^

Next up: Season Unending