Doubt Thou the stars are fire,

Doubt that the sun doth move.

Doubt the truth be a liar, but never

Doubt I love. - William Shakespeare.

Ok lets lets stars with a disclaimer: Hiro Mashima owns everything but Haku and Dina, those babies are mine, especially Haku ?.

Hey guys it's time for another fanfiction. Part 2 will be uploaded in a week. This story consists of three parts because it's so damn long, I want it to be a few chapters, but the characters just write themselves, and I felt there was more of a story to tell.

Faster, running through the underbrush. Bare feet scraping over the damp earth. Faster, trees whipping past skin, scratching the surface unnoticed. Faster still, small breaths fighting of the morning chill.

The dense wooded forest thinned, morning sun shone through in thick pockets of light bathing the little girls face. Squinting through tiny fingers as she entered the clearing. She knew she'd seen it. Heart thudding in her chest. Be brave she told herself, that's what momma would do. The creature sat magnificently a top a large outcrop of rock, his body curdled in on itself, head pointed in a northernly direction almost as if in confusion. His red scales shone to a polished brilliance. He held a fierce beauty, the little girl was drawn to his glittering scales. Slowly as if not to spook him, she made her way through the remaining 100 yards of clearing. Stopping 10 feet away from the outcrop she sat, bum soaking in the damp grass beneath her pleated dress. There she waited, eyes burning with curiosity, head filled with the dramatic story she would tell mother. Her mother had told the little girl about the dragons, fierce powerful creatures, independent of laws or magic. Protectors and friends of the humans. She had been playing with the servants when she had seen it. First the sharp gust of wind hit her with each flap of its sinewy wings. Second came the mighty roar, the sound like thunder. servants scattered in fear. Some running for her father, forgotten in the aftermath, the little girl saw her chance. She followed the beast, she wanted to see if her mothers stories were true.

So patiently she waited, fidgeting nervous on her crossed legs, she was only trembling a little, but in excitement the 5 year old told herself firmly. The dragon, sat there snout turned up in the air, nostrils flared as if sampling the scents on the wind. After what felt like hours, he turned his head a fraction. Shrewd Amber eyes assessing her briefly. The little girl straightened her spine, meeting his gaze proudly. He snorted dismissive of the slip of mortal in front of him. Her golden hair burned as bright as a flame, much like her life, so easily extinguished. He thought for a moment, adjusting to the human tongue, forming a question in his mind, debating the intelligence of the girl. Judging by the fact she had so easily followed danger, his hopes weren't high.

'Human, have you seen any dragons in these parts? Im looking for one in particular, his scales are red like mine' the dragon gestured to himself using his front paw. The little girl cocked her head to the side, eyes screwed up in thought. The dragon sighed impatiently to himself, 'goes by the name-'

'Igneel?' She interrupted like an eager student. The dragons Amber eyes widened, the cat like pupils slitting with triumph. He let out an exalted roar after his long journey, twin jets of fire erupted from his nostrils. The little girl shuffled back in terror.

'Yesssss' he hissed, unwinding his long body from the rock, he descended the stone rock face in 3 easy leaps, his wings partially open allowing him to glide down to the grassy embankment. Lucy swallowed the last of her courage, her body stiffened debating the likelihood of outrunning this creature.

The creature ignored, the look of fear in her eyes, demanding her attention. 'Take me to him' he commanded imperiously. Staring down at her, smoke escaped his mouth in warning he licked a sharp canine menacingly. It had the desired affect. The little girl gasped, backing away slowly shaking her head.

'I only know about him because of the stories momma told me' The dragon sighed again.

'Then take me to your mother, child'

He waited expectantly. She thought his words over then nodded.

'Only if you promise not to harm her' she warned, her little head raised in mutiny. The dragon almost chuckled, naive humans nothing could not stop him from turning these lands to ash if he so desired. He couldn't understand Igneels love for them, they were so weak.

'I give you my word' he said patiently, 'now take me to her human' he nudged her forward with his paw, the girl staggered and stared at him in irritation, hands planted firmly on hips.

'My names not Girl, it's Lucy! And where are your manners? Tell me your name first'

The dragon hesitated wondering if she would realise the connection. 'My name is Haku' she stared at him blankly then smiled a toothy smile, there was no recognition in her eyes.

'Pleasure to meet you Haku' she bowed into a deep curtsy. Haku just stared at the creature in confusion, now what was she doing? 'Now we are friends il show you the way to heartfilia estate' Young Lucy prattled on.

'We are not friends, I do not associate with humans' he dismissed her silly idea, his spiked tail twitching with irritation as they headed back through the dense forest.

'But we will be, I'm adorable after all, at least that's what Momma says' she offered him an impish smile and reached out to stroke one of the hardened red scales near his belly. Haku cut her of with a fierce growl, swinging his large head (easily as large as her body) to meet her.

Lucy's lip wobbled and she began to cry hiccuping little sobs. 'Im s-s-️sorry' her large chocolate orbs shone with terror. Haku felt a migraine forming, with another heavy sigh he kneeled on the ground his long head resting on the grassy bank.

'Climb on' he muttered. Lucy looked at him in shock, wiping the tears on the back of her sleeve. 'We haven't got all day, we'll get to your mother quicker if I carry you' . He nudged her legs with his tail gently, Lucy ran forward in delight tears forgotten. Using his foreleg and gripping onto the spike on his back she heaved herself into position relaxing on the soft part of skin between his neck and shoulders, his hide felt warm under her touch chasing away the icy chill in the morning air. Lucy hummed quietly to herself in contentment. Haku shot her suspicious looks occasionally, expecting another meltdown, but she just smiled, face turned up to the sun. Hair shining like gold webs caught in the breeze. It was strangely peaceful. Haku felt his muscles relaxing, his frantic pace slowed to an amble. When they reached the heartfilia estate, Haku's eyes widened taking in the huge mansion. Humans buried in greed, why did they need such luxuries, when a simple cave or a hut would suffice?

'Miss Lucy?! Dammit all, Marie have you seen her?' Haku and Lucy edged closer peering through the sparse trees. The servant shook her head frantically, and the search resumed. Lucy felt a knot of guilt form in her stomach, they must have been terribly worried.

'Wait here' Lucy ordered struggling of his back. She stumbled a little her feet sleepy from the ride. Haku steadied her with his head. His feet shuffling In impatience.

'It will take to long I will wait in the courtyard' Haku started to move forward, eager now the little girl almost forgotten.

'Wait' Lucy commanded again, being dragged along as she uselessly tried to pull his leg. 'If the servants see you they will be terrified' she patted his leg him consolingly 'I know your my friend but all they will see is a terrifying dragon'. Haku paused, considering. He took some pleasure in the thought at least regular humans found his form intimidating. Obviously the girl was odd among her kind, it didn't surprise him. Who tries to befriend a dragon?

'I have a better solution, tell not a soul' He turned back towards the forest

'Cross my heart and hope to die' Lucy said saluting him. Haku rolled his eyes 'bring me some clothes' he ordered 'leave them by that stream' he gestured with a claw to a smooth looking Boulder. Lucy nodded seriously, slipping stealthily up the garden path, until she found the washing line. She was just trying to reach for a set of her fathers brown trousers when, one of the servants named Ada spotted her.

'Oh miss Lucy thank goodness! The master has been looking for you everywhere' she said trying to reach for Lucy's hand as she skipped out of Her reach.

'I need some of fathers clothes' Ada stared at her in confusion, wringing her hands nervously on her apron.

'Lucy I don't think now is the time, the young master wishes to speak to-'

'Please, Ada it's urgent. It'll only take a moment. We have a guest his clothes are dirty from traveling' Lucy improvised wildly.

Ada whirled around in confusion 'well goodness! We'll call Marie, your father didn't tell us he was expecting guests. We'll take him to the parlour and wash his clothes.'

'No...he er he sent me on ahead. I met him travelling along the road. Please he's shy and he's here to see Mama anyway' Ada stared at Lucy in confusion. It wasn't like young Miss Heartfilia to play silly games, she was usually a very serious child. She stared at Lucys innocent expression and sighed.

'These country folk get stranger and stranger, he must be from your mothers side of the family. They always were an odd lot' She grabbed a faded white shirt, brown hide vest and dark green trousers from the pile of neatly folded clothes from a nearby table, and handed them to Lucy. You could just about see the top of her head over the pile.

'And Er boots...?' Lucy asked Ada who eyed her suspiciously. 'It was a very long journey...' She began Ada rolled her eyes.

Five minutes later Lucy made her way to the stream dropping the clothes in a messy heap. She tried to find her dragon friend through the dense patch of forest. Odd, she should have been able to at least see a glimpse of his tail. He wasn't very big by dragon standards, but certainly large enough that a patch of forest would have difficulty hiding him. Lucy wondered if that was because of his age, mama said some of the ancient dragons were the size of hills.

For a moment Lucy's heart lurched. Maybe he's gotten bored and left? She hoped he would at least say goodbye, despite his grumpy attitude Lucy was sure he liked her. He was just gruff like father.

'Turn around' came a disembodied voice amongst the trees. Lucy giggled but did as she was told. Two minutes later, she heard his voice a lot closer though his footsteps were silent. ' ok you can turn around now'

Lucy whirled in surprise. Staring at her was a human in her fathers ill fitting clothes that hid a muscly frame, a wild mane of blonde hair fell down his back. And Amber eyes watched her in amusement. He had slightly pointed canines,when he smiled. Lucy felt herself blushing, he looked like a wilder version of one of her Fairytail princes, the books mama used to read to her at bed.

'Haku-?' Lucy asked dazed. He stood there arms crossed, a brow raised arrogantly giving her time to adjust. 'But your a dragon!' She shouted fairly stating the obvious. 'Dragons can't turn into humans!'

'My mother was a dragon slayer. People who trained with magic of dragons were able to transform into them. My father was a dragon, my mother his human apprentice. I am...half.' He finished the last sentence with revulsion.

'So unlike full dragons, you can turn into a human at will?' She asked still blushing prettily.

'I am able' he nodded. Uncrossing his arms and offering her his arm in a gentlemanly fashion. Lucy eyed him wearily. Haku huffed incredulous.

'Your not afraid of the dragon but you are of the human. You really are a strange child' he said impatiently grabbing her hand. Lucy felt her tiny fingers curl around his. His hands were warm.