#either plants have it out for me or my fingers are cursed. no inbetween

[ineed-to-sleep]

I was cursed by a witch at birth so that as an adult, every plant I touch fucking dies

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Into the Woods

The path to its depths is deep and dark and dangerous.

This is part 14. We’re almost three quarters of the way through this long and winding story.

The Tale of the Cursed Raven:

Part 1 I Part 2 I Part 3 I Part 4 I Part 5 I Part 6 I Part 7 I Part 8 I Part 9 I Part 10 I Part 11 I Part 12 I Part 13

Dire,

When this letter finds you, time will have started ticking for me again. I will be gone, and the girl will be at your doorstep.

As per our arrangement many moons ago, I am entrusting you with the care of my apprentice. She is a mild-mannered little thing. She will work well and work efficiently if left to her own devices. All you need do is provide her with the basic necessities—food, water, clothing, shelter, and, of course, paper, quill, and ink.  

But I am not writing to you out of kindness, nor as a courtesy. I am writing to you to give a warning: there is something unsettling about that girl.

Her stare wakes me in the dead of night. She’s sleeping by then, but I feel her gaze piercing me all the same. Those big, curious eyes, always wondering, and always wanting to know more. When she looks at me, I feel as though she is scraping talons across my mind, seeking a way in to steal away my thoughts.

She watches for fun. People, animals. When I take her into the town, she observes and asks questions. Too many of them.

Strange things started happening.

Rats infested our pantry, nibbling only at the pumpkins. The neighbors would mysteriously vanish. My eyes would spontaneously water.

I do not cry, Dire.

I thought her to be a child favored by misfortune.

Then I read her stories, and I knew it was no coincidence, nor a string of bad luck.

When she told of vermin seeking out a pumpkin carriage, she summoned the rats to her. When she wrote of people dying of heartbreak, they did. When she wished for sadness or anger or happiness, they would manifest and lead others down her desired path.

The weather, the world—they would not bend to her, no matter how often she described dark and stormy nights. Time and space are not hers to wield—but minds? Of that, I am uncertain.

She plants seeds that take root in the heart, then fester in the head. Drives people mad.

That girl has the capacity to be dangerous, Dire. The stories she spins can will people into serving as mere playthings.

I do not understand how it works myself. I believe she doesn’t yet know the full extent of her powers, either. She is too young, too naive. Perhaps that is for the better. For her, for us, and for all of Twisted Wonderland.

But even a storyteller cannot stop the hands of time.

One day, she will cultivate those powers. Whether they are used for good, for evil, or for something inbetween...

That is in your hands now.

Farewell.

I shouldn’t have let her out of my sight, Crowley worriedly fumes, chiding himself. He flies down a corridor, harshly raking fingers through his hair. It was foolish of me to think she would not act rashly.

He should have noticed the warning signs sooner. The loneliness, the mounting frustrations, the constant push to pursue higher heights, the blot.

What had happened that night? And what had been the missing piece that had fallen into place, the part required to make her magic work? What had stopped it all those times she had practiced?

He recalls the color of Nostalgia—a pleasant pink, rosy like the fondest memories. It had been fuzzy, but tingly and warm, if only for a few seconds before it escaped him and burst like firecrackers into the world. She could never quite get it to concentrate, to collect, and to stay that way.

But if she did… there’s no telling what she could drive a man or a monster to do.

Crowley shivers, batting the thought away as he descends upon the Mirror Chamber.

As usual, it is dim, darkness illuminated faintly by the flames set in sconces and crystalline lights. Floating coffins in a circle around the perimeter, and a grand mirror in the center. The Mirror of Darkness.

Crowley steps before it, bowing his head in reverence.

Please don’t come looking for me, Raven had pleaded in her note. This is something I have to do alone, and by my own hand.

Her voice had permeated in every letter, in each stroke of her pen. He could almost feel her leaping off of the page, could almost see her peering into him, silently pleading. Curious eyes, the sort that stared into his heart and soul.

Seeking something.

Please, Uncle.

A ghoulishly green face emerges from the depths of the mirror. Its features are carved from marble, eyes adorned in an intricate, swirling black lattice.

“Speak,” the Mirror of Darkness booms.

Please.

Crowley shakes his head.

… Forgive me.

“Show me Raven. Tell me where she has run off to.”

The face in the mirror pauses, silently searching for the answer. Moments later, his lips move, the reply falling from them heavy as stones. “... Impossible.

“What?”

“It is impossible to ascertain her location at this time,” the Mirror clarifies.

“Well, try again. Try harder!!”

“I have reached, and I have found nothing. Her presence is unknown to me.”

Everything in Crowley goes cold. His heart and his blood slow to a stop, his limbs turning limp and frigid. Goosebumps prick up on his flesh.

“Th-That... That cannot be. If her presence is unable to be detected, then that means she is...”

No longer a part of this world.

“... Alive. The raven is still alive.”

The headmaster jolts, jump-started again by sparks of hope. He practically seizes the Mirror by its frame, but—miraculously—restrains himself.

“The presence is faint, but I feel her,” it continues. “There is a great wall of magic, a force preventing interference. I know not how it was deployed, or by whom. It does not belong to Night Raven College. But she has fled beyond that barrier, beyond the boundary.”

“Beyond!”

The word carries in the cold quiet of the chambers, rattling the crystals on the grand chandelier hanging overhead. The dancing flames flicker, shuddering at the suggestion.

“Beyond,” the mirror confirmed. “Where exactly, I cannot say.”

“If that is all the information that you can provide…” Crowley doesn’t finish, letting the hopeful lilt in his voice speak for him. To his dismay, the mirror offers no more clues. The green faces fades into oblivion, leaving the headmaster alone.

Gears in his head turn. Spinning and spiraling as fast as they can.

It’s far too large of an area to scope out by my lonesome, he muses. I need more bodies to cover such an expensive swathe of land, but to endanger the students is… No, there’s no time to waste. A small elite team will do.

Crowley twirls his walking stick��an elongated, sleek ebony key, with a golden head and teeth. Magic spills out from it, emitting a faint glow.

Speakers all across campus come to life.

Crowley clears his throat, bringing his mouth close to the head of his walking stick—to his microphone.

“Ah-HEM!! Good morning, all. This is your oh-so-very kind headmaster, Dire Crowley, speaking.” He can already feel the collective, unanimous groans shared by his students and staff through the intercoms, but he presses on regardless. “I am here today with an important announcement.

“All classes are cancelled. This is a not a drill; this is a campus-wide lockdown. Students, please return to your dorms until further notice.

“Dorm leaders and staff, assist students to their rooms and ensure that the grounds are free of loiterers. Report to the Mirror Chamber when all your students have been filed away and safely accounted for.”

We’ll be going on a bird hunt.

Deep in the heart of the woods, someone rests by a great lake. The lake’s face shimmers and reflects the sky, a giant mirror throwing light and colors and shapes back from whence they came.

“Breakfast for you, my pretties,” they croon, their trill filling the forest.

Crouching, hand outstretched, they set bits of bread into the grass and bobbing upon the water. Wild birds collect around them, taking turns pecking at the morsels. Blue jays, robins, ducks.

Swans and doves.

Fragile and pristine little things, creatures yet to be soiled by the cruel world.

They chuckle, tossing their final chunk of bread into the lake.

“... Have you heard the Tale of the Cursed Raven?”

They whisper the question, which skips across the waters. The swan and the dove closest to her perk their heads up, keen on listening.

“Long ago, a loveless king was cursed to storytelling. That man would pass his burden unto another. Now a bird bears his legacy, making his story into her own.” They looked across the lake at something that none of their bird companions could see. “... It has yet to be finished, but I believe I know how it will end.”

Stories are set to repeat themselves, after all. And if that cowardly man failed to redeem himself, then...

“What do you think will become of her?” They weave their fingers through the water. It ripples, rings overlapping in the lake. The swan and the dove stare back at their visitor with curious eyes. “Straying from the path as she has...”

Defy the story, and the story will snap back, baring its teeth and claws to correct itself.

To put you back on its path.

“Do you think her deserving of a happily ever after?”

Rook had seen this scene play out before; countless renditions of it, in fact: Raven, a basket in hand, delving deep, deep into the woods.

So why is there such dread collecting in his stomach this time? Things writhing and twisting into chaotic knots. His huntsman’s intuitive is on overdrive, screaming danger, danger at him.

Yet as far as he can tell, this is nothing more than her usual stroll for ingredients for a new batch of enchanted inks. As quaint and as mundane as a sleepy Monday, a return to the norm.

He tenses from his hiding place, letting the cool shadows swathe his skin and conceal him from view. His heart stills in spite of his racing thoughts and the accumulating worry.

Rook waits.

From not far off comes faint rustling, then a whoop.

“Found some!” Broad-capped mushrooms, colored a startling shade of blue, are tossed into a basket.

Raven looks worse for wear.

Her feather shawl and impossibly black clothes are stained with dirt and smears of chlorophyll. Hair either clings to her face, which is damp with sweat, or sticks up, frizzing in the humidity. She’s dusty and haggard--but a single drop of joy lights up her entire face.

Raven leans against a tree trunk, producing a quill and a small booklet from within her shawl. The gemstone inlaid in her writing implement is still foggy with remnants of last night.

“Inky milk caps... check,” she murmurs, crossing it off of her list. The bird glances into her basket, taking quiet inventory of her collection.

A scattering of navy berries, a few cerulean wildflowers, a single stone that was tainted the faintest periwinkle, and then the mushrooms. Some vials of crystal clear water, not blue but a base in which to suspend it. Altogether, not a lot of ingredients to pick and choose from.

Raven bites her lower lip, nervously dragging her tongue along the back of her teeth.

There weren’t many natural sources of blue in nature. It was as though the sky had claimed most of the pigment for itself, leaving the rest of the world to scrounge for its scraps.

Think, think. Where else can I find this color?

Raven scrunches her brows, delving deeper and deeper into her brain to pull at budding suggestions. Alas, she comes away empty-handed, the residual frustration gnawing at her, and discarded ideas laying at her feet.

“.. Tch.”

She casts a forlorn look out upon the glistening lake. At first glance, it looks as blue as the sky—but she knows that it is only a trick of the light.

You just had to pick the hardest color, didn’t you? she scolds herself.

But nothing else would have been appropriate. Nothing else could encapsulate all the sorrow and the joy, could adequately tell her tale.

Maybe there’s something deeper in these woods.

Raven tucks her book and quill away, looping her basket of ink ingredients on her arm. She begins her shuffle around the perimeter of the lake. Her reflection in the water follows perfectly.

Every wobbly, uncertain movement.

This is where I was, once upon a dream.

Picking flowers with Rook. Floating in a boat with Jade. Flying freely, doing as she pleased and going wherever the wind took her. A dream so wonderful she never wanted to wake from it, and wished to chase it when she did.

She sets her jaw, determined.

“I can do this.”

She says it out loud, willing the dream to become reality.

“I can.”

Raven takes another step, and the forest exploded with shrill shriek. She yelps, slapping hands over her ears to block out the noise. It comes to her muffled, but stays just as desperate.

That’s…

She slowly lowers her hands—and sound slips through her fingers.

“… lp………………..”

Words spoken in bird tongue. High-pitched and frightened, young and confused.

“… elp….! Help me!!”

Raven’s spine stiffens, her head snapping in the direction of the call. The opposite way of the path she had been treading on.

Ignore it.

She bites her lip and wrenches away, guiltily shrinking into her shawl.

“… hurts… I-It hurts…”

Her foot crashes down on the spot.

“Mommy…! Daddy…! Where… where are you?”

She spins around, her ears straining to pick up more, her pupils pinpricks.

“Someone… A-Anyone…!!”

Raven is flying before she even knows it. There are no thoughts in her head, no hesitation in her gait, as she tromps through the forest, drawn by the cry.

“I’m coming…!! I’m coming for you!!” she shouts back. Raven is just as frantic and as lost as they are, voice warbling unnaturally. “Keep calling, keep singing—I’ll find you!”

The bird’s call is weak, but it grows in volume as she approaches. A vague murmur becomes a whisper, and the whisper, a sob in an empty room.

Distinctly there.

A feeble coo weaves through the thickets. So small that it would shatter from a sigh, fragile like a glass slipper.

With voice as her guide, she stubbornly presses on, fueled by foolish wish. To cradle and to mend, to restore what was lost.

“Here. I’m here.”

She pushes aside the last of the shrubs in her way. “I hear y—”

Raven stops when she finally sees it. Her stomach tightens into a knot.

“Oh… Oh no…”

Raven crumples to her knees.

A handsome baby robin small enough to fit in her palm lies in the grass. Its belly is a deep orange, bright against the dark feathers on the rest of its body. The bird watches Raven with wide eyes—round and dark, lit by a faint spark.

Its wings are askew. Twitching and tender, set at unnatural angles.

“They’re broken.”

“It hurts, it hurts,” the robin babbles, fighting back tears.

A million feelings seize her at once. She blurts out a hastily cobbled response, held together by pins and tape and patchwork.

But it is a binding promise, a vow.

“I-It’s okay!! Leave it to me, I’ll figure something out!”

Raven slams down her basket and hurriedly digs through it. Her mind is suddenly blank, as though all of her thoughts were notes torn out and crumpled into a ball, then discarded.

Plants, a rock, some water. All useless. No medicine, no first aid kit.

Think, think. What else is there? What else can I do?

She grits her teeth.

Gripping her skirt and anchoring it in one hand, she tears with as much force as she can muster with the other. A loud RIIIIIIIP resounds as a piece of cloth comes loose, then a second one.

“I’m going to reorient your wings, then bandage them. Please bear with me, it might be… uncomfortable.”

The robin flails against her as Raven scoops it up, her finger firmly holding the bird down. Fear and distrust flash through its eyes, spiking when she comes upon a wing. She holds her break and snaps it flush to the robin’s body.

A bloodchilling scream tears through the forest.

Raven winces, but wills herself to work quickly, while the robin is still stunned by pain. She weaves a cloth of her skirt fabric in a criss-cross on the wing, securing it with a bow at the end.

The same was done for the other wing—and by the time both sides were done, the baby robin was in shambles, more tearful than it had been to begin with. Pain barks through its small body, plunging talons into what remained of its calm.

“My wings,” it chokes out, “I can’t fly…!! I can’t go home!! I’m… I’m going to be left behind!!”

“No. No, that’s not true! Your wings… They’ll heal over time. You’ll be back in the sky in no time! Your family will come looking for you…!”

She reaches for the robin, laying a hand on its head, smoothing the feathers back. It kicks and screeches and bites, snapping at the air until its beak cut clean through her glove.

“My wings, my wings…! It hurts, it’s over, it’s over…”

The robin is delirious, speaking nonsensically and in circles.

Raven’s hopes sink, and she pulls her hand away, gently setting the robin back on the forest floor. It continues to wail, staring up at the sky through the crevices in the tree leaves.

A sky so blue and so beautiful.

You’ve done what you could, a part of her reasons. Leave it. You can’t afford to exert yourself any more than you already have.

Raven’s chest aches, pushing back against the thought. He’ll be easy target for the predators. And… this is no way for him to live, either.

A little bird that knew nothing of the world. Dazed, afraid, and lonely. Longing for something now far out of reach.

Hadn’t this been her own position not too long ago? Wasn’t it still where she stood now?

Bird and bird, soul to soul.

Herself reflected back in the face of a mirror.

… No. That’s not me, not anymore.

Raven harshly balls her hands, creasing her skirt. Dirty, disheveled, and distressed, she’s the pauper in any fairy tale—but the sweat upon her brow sparkles like a tiara, and she wears the muck like proud armor.

Her spirit shines as brightly as her eyes.

She draws her magical quill. Its gemstone lacks clarity, the color shrouded by black blotches.

“I won’t go,” Raven declares. “I won’t give up on you.”

“I don’t believe this.” Riddle angrily swats at a low hanging branch with his staff. It flings away from him before recoiling, almost claiming his head on the rebound.

“For classes to be cancelled,” the redhead grumbles as he stomps over a log, “and the dorm leaders to be sentenced to busy work…!! The headmaster’s priorities are all out of line. A tardy student should be located and disciplined, but surely it isn’t necessary to deploy this many…”

“Riddle-san.”

A little ways ahead of him, Azul has craned his head over his shoulder. His mouth is twisted into a wry smile.

I don’t like that look.

Riddle bristles, but allows his tirade die down into an inquisitive quiet. “… You seem oddly unperturbed by this turn of events. This is wouldn’t possibly be Octavinelle’s doing, would it?”

“Perish the thought. What could I possibly hope to gain from forcing a campus wide lockdown? The Mostro Lounge will receive no customers in these circumstances.” The sunlight catches on his lenses as he pushes them up, but obscuring his eyes.

“I understand how to keep calm in stressful situations. Why, you saw it for yourself. The headmaster was simply beside himself with worry at the emergency meeting.”

“This matter is hardly urgent,” Riddle scoffs. “Even if Raven is the headmaster’s relative, a single missing student does not make or break Night Raven College.”

“That was not the case for your Overblot, now was it? Nor mine.”

He twitches, riled by rage. “That is a different matter entirely. That was Overblot. We were… out of control. Out of our minds.”

“… Permit me to ask you this, then.” Azul makes a full turn to face his fellow dorm leader. “Do you believe there is a unique magic that is capable of controlling the world?”

“What sort of a silly question is that? Of course there is no such thing.”

Azul laughs airily. “Impossible, yes? No one, not even Malleus-san, has such power. But… what of the living beings that inhabit the world? Then it would be an entirely different story.”

“That would be in the realm of possibility.” Riddle pauses, narrowing his eyes. “… Where are you going with this?”

“You recall Jamil-san’s unique magic, don’t you? It can seize the mind of another person, turning them into little less than a puppet.”

“I am aware.” Riddle grimaces at the grim reminder. “How does this relate to our mission?”

“What if I were to tell you that Raven-san’s unique magic is just as dangerous? Through it, forcing one’s will is possible—for if one speaks to the heart, the mind will follow shortly after.

“Thoughts don’t always disappear. They will linger and influence us well after the magic has faded.

“Unending rage that reduces all to ashes. Sorrow so deep it floods the earth and drowns its people. Joy strong enough to lift the sun and the moon on its shoulders. It would be a rewritten world with us set upon paths predetermined, for emotion is the impetus which compels us to act.”

“You don’t mean…”

“That’s right.”

Hers is a unique magic that rewrites one’s emotions.

[sunflowerheartwriting]

Dragonic 15

A/N:  I'M BACK!!! Took me a while but I'm back!! Lol! Thanks for the wait guys and loved your thoughts on Karma one-shot (if you haven't read it, it's under Levy Day on FF.net and AO3)!! It really made my week! :D 

You can read previous parts on FF.net or AO3!! 

Rolling up the sleeves of his white shirt, Gajeel made his way outside to the gardens, relishing in the suns warmth. Being stuck in meetings most of the morning, desperately made him want to get out and stretch his legs. And especially see the small blue haired woman that’s been distracting him all morning.

He planned to ditch one of his appearances just to have lunch with her, but Wendy reprimanded him, saying she’ll take the woman food herself. He couldn’t help but agree, especially with Erza backing her up. There’s no way he was going to argue with them both. A cold chill ran down his spine, causing him to involuntary shiver at the thought of Erza’s stern face.

The sound of her soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts, as he got closer to where Lily and her where. He stopped, an amused smirk curling his lips as he observed her. She was laying on her back, knees bent occasionally rocking them sideways or raising her foot to wiggle her toes in the air. Her boots sat beside the silver platter that she stole fruit from, dropping them into her mouth almost comically. Inbetween chews, she talked animatedly to Lily waving her hands around, the feline responding with his own deep grumbles and meows causing the girl to release a string of giggles.

Gajeel approached the two, leaning over the girl with a triumphant smile as she squealed at his sudden presence. She abruptly sat up, clutching her hands to her chest. “Gajeel! You scared me,” she frowned turning around to face him.

He apologized with his unique laugh, watching as the girl rolled her eyes at him. “How was lunch with the baby dragon and the red head?” Sitting with his legs crossed, he watched as her cheeks tinted a pretty pink. He wanted so desperately to reach out and touch her, but knew better. It wasn’t time for that yet, no he wouldn’t ruin his surprise. He has better self-control over himself, at least, he hope so.

“It was fine. I’m sad they’re leaving though.” She pouted with a lowered head, playing with her fingers. Lily noticed the woman’s change in mood and immediately crawled closer to her, rubbing his head on her thigh.

Smiling down at the panther, she rubbed underneath his chin earning a hearty hum from the animal. Gajeel had to stop himself from being jealous of Lily. He was internally screaming, wishing that Lily and he were in different positions. Curse him, for wanting to lay his head in Levy’s lap and have her run her fingers through his hair. His heart warmed at the thought of something so simple. Oh Mavis, please give him the strength to plan this confession out properly, instead of being a selfish bastard and letting his jealousy get the best of him.

Her voice pulled him out of his trance, “yea, you’re right Lily. It won’t be too soon before they’ll be back again.”

Gajeel watched her golden brown eyes looked up to him expectantly, and instead of him agreeing, his breath was stolen from his lungs. Maybe it was the sun hitting her just right, her disheveled hair from laying in the grass, those big brown eyes and bright smile or her being the reincarnation of an actual fairy. She tilted her head to the side and scrunched her eyebrows, a look of concern coloring her features as she asked him if he was ok. He couldn’t imagine how he looked from her eyes, but he could guess he looked either startled or upset. Who knows with his face.

“I’m ok, shorty.” He smiled, patting her head. He really was using any excuse possible just to touch her, now. “Just gonna miss them as much as you.”

Her startled gasp and hands clasped over her mouth, confused him. “Here I am, feeling down, when it’s your family.”

“No need to worry shrimp. You’re here with me, so you’re part of the family too.”

He didn’t understand the weight of his words, the way he said it or the way he looked at her. “Oi! Levy!” He yelled in a panic grabbing her shoulders, as stray tears ran down her cheeks.

Apologizing rapidly, she wiped her face with the back of her hands and fingertips as she sniffled. “I-I’m just happy right now. Thank you, Gajeel.”

A selfish bastard, a really big selfish bastard, that’s what he was. He tried to hold himself back, but he had to do something. Anything to show how happy she made him. Moving his hands up to the sides of her face, he leaned their foreheads together, a feeling of relief washing over him as she relaxed into his touch. His heart soared as their warmth seeped into each other, filling their hearts with love as they sat there in a comfortable silence. With closed eyes, Gajeel was too afraid to open them fearing Lily’s shocked and knowing gaze. Of course, she didn’t know the true meaning of this, at least that’s what he hoped. This was a true act of love and trust for his family, as if he was officially welcoming her into the family.

Pulling away reluctantly, he shot her fanged smirk admiring the redness that spread across her cheeks as she smiled back. “I better go help Elfman before he comes looking for me,” he spoke softly stroking her cheek with his thumb. “What are you gonna do until dinner?”

“Probably help Ms. Carrie.”

“Walk with me?” He asked, earning a nod, helping the small woman as he stood to his full height. He took the silver platter, while Levy carried the basket as they made their way back into their home, a comfortable silence falling over them.

As soon as they entered the kitchen Ms. Carrie shooed Gajeel away, saying Elfman was waiting for him to get to work. Levy’s face was still beet red as she watched him steal some rolls. Stuffing one into his mouth and holding three close to his chest, Ms. Carrie tried swatting his hand away before he could get more. A smile spread across her lips as he winked at her before running away with his treats.

Turning to look at the older woman, Levy was confused to see her smiling at her with raised brows. “What?” Levy asked, earning a chuckle as the woman turned back to the counter kneading dough.

“Must’ve been really hot outside for your face to be as red as a tomato.”

Lowering her head in embarrassment, Levy quickly went to work separating the herbs that were in the basket. “It-It was a little warm out.”

The cook let out an amused hum, eyeing the girl as she busied herself, Levy trying her best to avoid eye contact. Levy took a few deep breaths, attempting to calm her rabidly beating heart and clear her mind. The stillness of the kitchen with the only sound of flour being spread across the counter and dough flopping onto it seemed to irritate Levy’s ears as her mind and heart refused to slow down.

Tying the last batch of plants together, Levy placed them back into the basket sighing heavily. “Something happened,” she whispered, hearing the older woman stop her movements waiting for Levy to continue. “Something I’m not sure how to feel about.”

Looking up, Levy caught the older woman eyes urging her to continue talking. “He did the headbutt thing,” Levy touched her forehead lightly, a blush reappearing on her face.

Her hand was snatched away from her head, grasped tightly in the older woman’s. When did she get over to her? And how did she move so fast? Was all Levy could think about as Ms. Carrie searched Levy’s eyes with an urgency she couldn’t comprehend.

“Levy,” she whispered, “do you know what that means?” Levy nodded her head. “Does he know, you know?”

Shaking her head no, she slowly took in a breath. “I doubt it and the only reason I know is because he gave me full access to his library.”

Over the time she has been there, Levy found a few books on the mysterious Dragon Slayers. There were only the two that she found, but they were detailed enough for her to learn a lot. Their traditions and stories that were passed down from generations and generations. One of them being how they show affection to the people they loved.  

Ms. Carrie’s laugh caused Levy to look up at her bright smile. “Leave it to you to find some old family secrets in books. So, what are you going to do?”

“I-I don’t know, I have a lot to think about.” She sighed, running a shaky hand through her tangled locks. What were she going to do? Should she tell him that she know or should she confess her own feelings? Was that technically a confession or was it a way for him to welcome her into the family? Everything was starting to get complicated and she didn’t know if it was for the best or not.

“It’s not easy being in love,” the old woman spoke softly, squeezing Levy’s hands reassuringly before letting them go. “But you know what they say; sometimes the heart needs time to accept what the brain already knows.”

Levy shot her a weak smile, nodding her head in agreement. “Want to help me make dinner? It’ll help clear your mind a bit.” Ms. Carrie offered, Levy not hesitating to take her offer.

__________________

The next morning Gajeel and Levy were standing outside, wishing Wendy and her crew goodbye. Wendy hugged Lily goodbye before bouncing over to Levy and Gajeel. They each hugged the little girl, sad smiles curling their lips. Erza and Elfman said their goodbyes as well, before ushering the small queen into her carriage.

“It’s going to be quiet without them.” Levy sighed, waving as they watched the white horses pull them away.

“Yea.” She felt his arm drop on her head causing her to look up. “Maybe one day we can visit them.”

“Really?” Levy beamed at the thought of visiting the baby dragon’s kingdom. “We’ll have to be sure to bundle up though.”

Remembering one of the books she read a long time ago about where the different kingdoms where, she pictured the mountain ranges and snow caps that the Sky Kingdom was located. It sounded like a very beautiful place, almost like a winter getaway.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’ll be a warm shrimp.” She pushed him away rolling her eyes, as he laughed at her.

“So, what now?” She asked, trying to change the subject as they walked back into the castle.

“I have some paperwork to do, wanna keep me company?” She nodded her head, enjoying the way his mouth quirked into a wider smile. She still haven’t figured out what she wanted to do, but she settled on enjoying his presence before possibly ruining their relationship.

[anotherlifefic]

Chapter 18: A Declaration of War

I took a deep breath as we entered our home. It felt so strange that I had spent more time in the castle than I had here. Once the door was closed behind us, Link took me into his arms and kissed me. „I'm so sorry for leaving you alone for so long“, he whispered softly. „It's okay“, I replied, resting my head on his shoulder and deeply inhaling his scent. It felt good to be in his arms again. We remained like that for a while, before Link began to carefully guide me up the stairs to our bedroom. „It's high time that I get to sleep in a real bed again. Or get some sleep at all. I hardly got any while I was on my mission.“ „You should take better care of yourself“, I replied dryly as we sank onto the bed together. „Should I fetch you a healing potion? Or maybe something to eat?“ „Food sounds lovely right now“, he said. „I've been on the run from Ganondorf's goons for the past three days. I think they lost my trail somewhere near the spot where we rested on our way to Kokiri Forest, but I wanted to be absolutely sure of that, so I just kept going, only taking very short breaks when I absolutely had to, until I had reached Hyrule City. I fear that the trip really did a number on poor Epona. Remind me to take some apples and carrots along when we go to the stables tomorrow. I need to buy my way back into Epona's good graces, and I'm sure Glory has already been missing you.“ The image of my beloved mare popped into my head, and I felt my heart ache. I had been so occupied with worrying about Link that I had barely spared a thought for her during the past months. „Of course.“ I looked at Navi, who was hovering over the bedpost next to Link. „Should I bring you something to eat, too?“ „Oh, yes, thank you. I would like some honey, if you have any.“ „I'm sure that there is some honey down in the pantry.“ I got up and walked out of the room to get the food.

When I came back with some dried meat for Link and a small cup of honey for Navi a few minutes later, Link was laying on our bed, motionlessly except for the steady up and down of his chest. At first, I thought that he had fallen asleep, but when I approached the bed, he opened his eyes and smiled at me. „Ah... A sight for sore eyes.“ „Me or the food?“, I asked jokingly and placed the items I held on his nightstand. He grabbed the meat and tore into it, eating so fast that I was afraid he might choke. While he was eating, I gently rubbed his back, mindful not to put any pressure on places where I knew he was injured. His muscles felt stiff underneath my fingers as I worked the knots out of his back. He gradually began to relax, and once he was done eating, he just let himself drop backwards until his head rested on my chest. It was probably a small comfort to him, but I wanted to ease his burden as much as I could. Navi had flown over to the nightstand, enveloping the cup with the honey in her bright aura. When she hovered away from the cup a few minutes later, it was empty.

In the middle of the night, I was again woken by Link tossing and turning, mumbling to himself. I was already used to Link having a lot of nightmares. And after all he had been through, who could blame him? I wrapped my arms around him after waking him up. „Another nightmare?“ „Yes“, he replied breathlessly. „They have been getting worse ever since Ganondorf's seal broke. Another reason why I avoided sleep as much as I could during my mission.“ I kissed him. „Anything I can do to help?“ „I don't think so.“ He sank back into his pillow, still breathing heavily. „Except... please be careful if you go out without me. Even if you're just going to the market. If you feel like something is off about someone, just go home as soon as possible and lock all of the doors and windows until I come home.“ „Okay“, I said softly. Satisfied, he closed his eyes, and a few minutes later, he was asleep again.

Link and I got up bright and early, wanting to visit our horses at the stable before he would head to the castle to train. „And you're absolutely sure that just drinking a potion is enough?“, I asked sceptically as I watched him drink the red liquid during breakfast. „Of course. These things are what kept my alive during my travels“, he replied inbetween gulps of the potion. „Don't be such a worrywart, Rebecca. I'll be fine.“ Yes, I saw how fine you were when you came home yesterday, I thought. But I didn't say anything. Now was really not the time to argue with him, so I just sighed. „Alright then.“ Once he was finished, he got up, grabbing a pouch with apples and carrots. „Come, it's time to visit Epona and Glory.“

The familiar scent of horse greeted us as we entered the stable. It smelled good... like home. Countless muzzles poked out from their boxes, curious to see who had come to visit. We walked past them until we got to our horses. Glory barely acknowledged my presence, and Epona seemed to be pretty cross with Link as well. I grabbed and apple from the pouch Link had brought, and held it up to Glory. „Hey there, sweetheart. I'm so sorry that I couldn't come to visit you for so long. Things really have been crazy.“ The apple was graciously accepted, and Glory bumped her head into my shoulder. „Yes, I know. I am a terrible owner, and I should be very ashamed of myself.“ I giggled as I stroked her mane. „I hope you weren't too bored while I was gone.“ „We took them out to the pasture right outside of the city at least once a day“, a nearby stablehand informed me. I smiled at the boy and grabbed my purse, taking out a red rupee and handing it to him. „Thank you so much.“ His eyes lit up. „No, I need to thank you. You are the most generous customers we have.“ As the boy walked off, I turned to Link. „So I take it that giving gratuities to stablehands isn't common practice here?“ „It is, but a lot of people are terribly stingy“, he said as he fed another carrot to Epona, who also seemed to be in a much better mood now. I was about to blame it on a lack of money, but then I remembered that those who were well off enough to own a horse and rent a place in the stable could probably spare a few rupees for the stablehands. I planted a soft kiss on Glory's muzzle before Link and I left, promising to come visit her again as soon as possible. As we walked towards the exit, a horse I hadn't seen in the stable before caught my attention. It was dark brown, with a black mane and tail. It was still saddled, and the saddle was fashioned in a way I had never quite seen before. It seemed to consist mostly of furs and a coarse kind of fabric. I pointed it out to Link, and he shrugged. „Well, if the horse likes the saddle and the rider finds it comfortable, why not.“

Link and I parted ways on the marketplace, where he headed towards the castle with Navi and I went home to clean up the pantry. The food I had brought Link that morning had been the last bit of food that hadn't spoiled during our two-month absence, so I would have to dispose of that and scrub the shelves in the pantry before I could buy any fresh food. Our house, like a lot of the houses, had a small backyard, where we could dig a hole for the rotten food. But I was not quite sure if I would be able to do that while pregnant. Either way, Link would be hungry when he returned home, so I had no choice but to get digging.

The air was crisp and cold, and I pulled my shawl tighter around me as I drove the shovel into the ground. I did not get very far, as a twinge of pain in my back reminded me of my condition. I muttered curses under my breath while taking a break, hoping that the pain would go away quickly so I could continue. It did, but as soon as I put any kind of strain on my back, it returned, this time spreading into my abdomen. Panicked, I dropped the shovel and put my hands on my stomach, fearing for my child's health. Tears were burning in my eyes. I felt so useless and weak, and the thought of the probably impending war scared me, and now I couldn't even distract myself with work. And what would Link say if he came home and none of the chores were done? „I'm such a useless wife“, I mumbled to myself, rubbing my eyes as I drowned in self-pity. Then, I faintly heard someone knock on my front door. I went inside and opened up, finding my father on the other side. „Hello, Rebecca, I heard that you were at home again and I just wanted to check-“ He stopped mid-sentence and quickly wrapped his arms around me. „Hush, dear. What's wrong?“ I had to take several deep breaths before I could tell him what was going on. He was ecstatic at the news that I was expecting, and then he hugged me tighter. „Oh sweetheart. It's okay. I'll help you.“ I breathed a sigh of relief as I led him to our backyard. „Don't worry, I got this. Why don't you go inside and make tea for us?“, he said kindly. I gave him a peck on the cheek and went inside.

While I was placing the kettle on the stove and lit the fire underneath, I took some time to reminisce about my relationship with my father. It wasn't nearly as strained as my relationship with my mother, and my prior resentment towards him mostly came from feeling neglected, since he had spent the majority of each day at work for the entirety of my childhood, and feeling like he never protected me from my mother's harshness. Maybe he's trying to make up for that now, I thought. Just then, my father came back inside. „I think the hole is deep enough now“, he informed me. „Thank you so much, papa“, I said affectionately and handed him a cup of tea. We sat down at the table, drinking our tea. „So how did your husband react to the news?“, he asked, still a little giddy. I avoided his gaze. „He was happy, of course, even though the timing is not exactly stellar.“ „What do you mean?“ I licked my lips, trying to find the right words. „He is really busy right now, so he won't really be able to be there for me the way he normally would.“ I did not know how else to say it. Outright telling my father that my husband was preparing for war was completely out of the question. My father sighed in grim understanding. „I see. Will you pass on a message to your husband for me, dear?“ „Uhm... that depends on the message.“ „Tell him 'Finding a good balance between homelife and work is difficult. Do not make the same mistake I did.'.“ „He would not know what that means, papa.“ „Then explain it to him.“ My father drained his cup and then rose from his seat. „Is there anything else I can help you with?“ I shook my head. „Not right now. Thank you, papa.“

After I carried all of the rotten food outside and closed the pit, I prepared a bucket with soapy water and a rag and went into the pantry. Scrubbing the shelves as exhausing enough, but not quite as backbreaking as digging the cesspit was. And when I was done, I still had a good three hours to go shopping, so I changed into a clean dress, took my basket and went out.

As I was browsing the stands, a group of soldiers came riding down the road from the castle. One of them, who, judging by his elaborate armor and the fancy plume on his helmet must have been of quite a high rank, unrolled a scroll and cleared his throat. „Citizens of Hyrule City! By order of Princess Zelda, future queen of Hyrule through the grace of the Goddesses, starting tomorrow, every citizen between the ages of 18 and 40 must report at the military wing of the castle. Exempt from this are pregnant women, mothers with children under the age of 14, the sick and the disabled. In light of the approaching war, we urge every citizen to make preparations for the likely case that the city will be besieged. Gather as much non-perishable food as you can. Arm yourselves. And may the Goddesses protect all of us.“ With that, he rolled up the scroll and turned around to leave. I was clutching my basket to my chest, fearing that the crowd around me would panic. But they didn't. I heard fearful whispers, and some people were whimpering. But now panic. After a few minutes of standing in one spot like I was frozen solid, I finally dared to move again. My hands were shaking, and I almost dropped my basket a few times as I got the last few things I needed. Then I returned home, still shaken from what I heard.

Link was already there when I arrived. He sat at the table, his arms crossed on the tabletop and his head resting on his arms. He didn't even look up when I entered. I sat down at the table with him, placing the basket with the food on another chair. „Do you remember the horse with the odd saddle you pointed out to me this morning?“, he suddenly asked. „I do.“ „It belonged to a messenger sent by Ganondorf. Appearantly there are actually Hylians who side with him.“ Link laughed bitterly. „Ganondorf wanted to set an ultimatum. Either we surrender our fragments of the Triforce to him or he would attack us with all of the forces he has gathered. We let the messenger live, but told him to get lost and never show his treacherous mug in Hyrule again. If Ganondorf doesn't just kill him once he outlived his usefulness, of course.“ He took my hand. „I will have to go to war as well.“ „Yes, I figured“, I replied shakily. „When?“ „Zelda estimates that gathering our forces and preparing them to set out would take at least a month and a half.“ Navi floated up to me. „Don't worry. Fairies like me can fly very fast. I can pass messages between the two of you.“ „Won't Link need your help on the battlefield?“, I asked. „Link fought most of the monsters Ganondorf has gathered a thousand times already. He knows their weaknesses.“ „I'm more worried about you than I am about me, to be honest“, Link told me. „I have no idea how long this war will last. So I will not be there to help you when you need it.“ His eyes wandered to my stomach. „It's alright“, I told him. „I can ask my father to help me. He's already two years above the age-limit for the draft.“ Link sighed, relieved that I wouldn't be all alone. „That's good.“ I got up. „Well, I guess it's time to make supper, then.“ And while I was cutting vegetables, I tried to push the thoughts about the war as far away from me as possible.