Chapter 9

Lucy was less than a month away from giving birth. The healers insisted that she remain in bed as much as possible so as not to induce early labor. To say the least Lucy was not exactly happy about the situation, Levy of course was there to keep her company but at most she was only allowed to leave her bed for two short walks a day.

"This is so boring," Lucy whined as she ran her hands over her belly which was very large, "I just wish the baby would come already." She grumbled. Levy was sitting next to her reading, she felt sympathetic for Lucy. Being cooped up was doing nothing to improve the fire princesses mood.

"Well I think we can go for a walk if you would like." Levy suggested, setting her book down. Lucy sighed,

"I guess." She pushed herself up out of the bed. Levy and Lucy made their way down the halls and into the gardens. It was early fall and the leaves were turning to orange and red. They walked slowly through the gardens enjoying the crisp fall air.

"Do you think its a boy or a girl?" Levy asked as they came to the fire tree. It glowed bright it's flames dancing in the air and bathed the woman in warmth. Lucy took a deep breath,

"I think it's a boy. From how much he kicks and moves around, but its a guess." Lucy said.

"How is my beautiful daughter doing today?" The women looked over to see King Igneel and Prince Natsu. Levy curtised to her king and prince. Igneel was a strong proud man with graying fire red hair, a scar that ran across his right eye and cheek but he had kind smiling eyes.

"Alright, the baby isn't kicking as bad today." Lucy said with a smile. Natsu kissed her softly and placed a hand on her belly. He chuckled as he felt the baby kicking at his hand.

"Father feel your grandchild." King Igneel, placed his hand against Lucy's belly smiling.

"The child is strong. I remember when Ugne was pregnant with Natsu, he used to kick like this." Igneel said smiling brighter. Levy could see the pride shining in the soon to be grandfathers eyes.

"I think it's time for you to go rest." Igneel said with a soft nudge in his voice. Lucy looked at him with a sullen expression but didn't protest.

"I'll take her back." Levy said softly.

"Lady McGarden." A voice called out to them from the gardens. The group looked in the direction of the voice to see a man dressed in a Feroustine guard uniform walking swiftly towards them.

"What's going on?" Igneel said stepping forward to intercept the man.

"I have a letter for the Lady McGarden from King Gajeel." The man said bowing to Igneel.

"Give it to me." Igneel commanded holding out his hand.

"I'm sorry, your highness. My instructions were clear I am to give this letter to Lady McGarden alone." The guard said firmly. Levy stepped forward hoping to diffuse the situation,

"I'm Lady McGarden." She said and the man handed her a letter sealed with the royal crest pressed into red wax. The guard didn't leave like she had expected, Levy was worried. She cracked the seal and began to read.

"What's wrong, Levy?" Lucy asked seeing the look on her friends face.

"Wendy was attacked but she's alright. Threats have been made against me." Levy said flatley in shock. "Gajeel wants me to return to Feroustine immediately."

"I'm to take you back with me, my lady." The guard said formally. Levy had made up her mind.

"I'm not going. My place is with, my lady." Levy said firmly. "Tell King Gajeel I will return to Feroustine only after the child is born."

"But, my lady, the king gave me orders." The guard protested.

"You heard the lady." Igneel growled. "She will remain in my Kingdom under my protection. Inform King Gajeel of this." The guard backed down, bowing. "You will have a fresh horse, return to your master at once." Igneel ordered, the guard quickly left the garden. Levy's hand went to the iron locket she never took off clutching it tightly.

"I'll take Lucy back to her room." Natsu said keeping his arm around Lucy.

"I'll go with you." Levy said, moving to join them.

"Levy wait." Igneel said. She stopped turning back to her king.

"Yes, your majesty?" She said surprised.

"Gajeel is not a rash man." Igneel said solemnly. "If he wants you to return to his side then he believes you are in genuine danger." Levy nodded her head. "I will have two guards with you at all times from now on. Lota!" A small man came shuffling from garden path.

"Yes, sire." He said.

"I want two guards to be with Lady McGarden at all times and increase the security around Princess Lucy and the castle itself." Lota bowed and left.

"Come, my lady." Igneel said. "My daughter will need you."

The guard Gajeel had sent had been gone for nearly a month. He was starting to worry he knew it would take time to reach Findrum and return but he was still impatient. Gajeel sat in his solar reading over some reports, when there was a nock on his door.

"Enter." He said shortly. The guard he had sent out, Malkin, entered.

"Your highness." Gajeel stood up smiling, Levy was finally back. Gajeel faltered, Malkin looked apprehensive.

"Where is she?" Gajeel asked, a growl in his voice.

"She would not come. I gave her your letter but she said her place was with her lady and I have these for you." He removed two letters from his pocket. Gajeel took them quickly, anger seething in him.

"Go." He growled. Malkin left bowing. The first letter was from Igneel and second from Levy. He opened the letter from Igneel first. It was short and to the point the Fire King promised that Levy would be under his protection and that her safety was guaranteed. He crushed the letter in his fist, it wasn't that Gajeel didn't believe that Igneel couldn't protect Levy it was that he wanted her to be with him. He opened Levy's letter, her flowing handwriting greated him along with a fresh wave of her scent.

Gajeel,

I know you are worried about me, but trust that Igneel will keep me safe. It won't be long until Lucy has the baby then I'll be free to return to you. Please be patient and trust I will return soon.

Forever yours,

Levy McGarden

It was short and gave Gajeel no comfort. He stored the letter safely in his desk and headed down to the training yard to try and work off the anxiety that was gripping him.

Levy held Lucy's hand, she had been in labor for over half a day. Her hair was wild with sweat her face pale as the midwives buzzed around her. There was a loud banging on the door. Levy knew it was Natsu, men were traditionally not allowed in the birthing room but that hadn't stopped him from trying to break down the door.

"Just let him in." Lucy growled. Natsu had been,on patrol when Lucy had gone into labor. As soon as the Fire Prince had returned he had made it his personal mission to break down the door.

"But, my lady he…" the midwife started but the look of pure death Lucy gave her forced her to shut her mouth. Another one went to open the door, it was barely open before Natsu came bursting in. Levy stood up and held him back for a moment. Natsu's eyes were locked on Lucy the only thought in his head was to get to,his mate and baby.

"Natsu, please." She said getting his attention with her calm voice. "You need to stay calm. Go and hold Lucy's hand say encouraging things and do nothing else. Do you understand me?" Levy said commanding her prince. He nodded only half paying attention and went to Lucy's side taking her hand in his, Levy returned to place holding Lucy's other hand.

"You're doing great Lucy." Natsu said softly. Her death glare was turned on him.

"You did this to me." A wave of pain made her grit her teeth. "This is all your fault." She growled at her husband.

"Now my lady you need to push." The midwife said from between Lucy's thighs. "On the count of three. One, Two, Three, push!" Lucy's grip tightened as she pushed with all her might. Levy held her friends hand tightly. Lucy screamed with each push, Levy felt helpless but her fear looked like nothing compared to Natsu who was sheet white. Finally after two hours, they were greeted with the cry's of a baby. It was a healthy baby boy. Lucy cried when she saw her son and it was all Levy could do to hold back her own tears. He was beautiful with Lucy's eyes and Natsu's hair. Levy left to give the new family a few minutes alone together. Out in the hall King Igneel stood waiting, she smiled at him.

"Lucy did beautifully, both mother and child are doing well, and it's a healthy baby boy." She said smiling, the wave of relief she wash across her king was almost heartbreaking. He had lost his own wife to childbirth and didn't want his son to suffer the same heartbreak.

"Good, a new prince." He smiled, "I take it this now means you'll be returning to Feroustine." Levy nodded.

"Yes I need to return home first to settle some things but then I will return."

"I will send an honor guard with you to see you safely back to Gajeel." Igneel said, Levy bowed to him.
"Thank you for your kindness, your majesty." Levy said formally. Levy walked away from her king. She opened her locket to look at the portrait within. 'Soon, Gajeel. I'll be by your side soon.'

A rider from Findrum had arrived three weeks before barring news that the Princess Lucy had given birth to a healthy baby boy. The Prince Ryuu was health and strong and his mother was doing well too. Gajeel was glad for Natsu and Lucy and relieved that finally Levy would be returning to him. He knew it would be soon, three weeks was more than enough time to make the journey. Gajeel was walking back from a council meeting mulling over the details they had given him. He pushed open the door to his solar and was hit with a wave of Levy's scent. His eyes opened wider as he looked around and saw her standing next to his desk. Her hair was longer than the last time he had seen her. She was wearing a dress of bright orange silk and he could see the pendant he had given her hanging around her neck.

"Hello, Gajeel." She said with a smile. His heart all but exploded out of his chest. Five months five long months away from her. He slammed the door shut and bounded across the room. He pulled Levy into his arms and kissed her forcefully trying to convey how much he had missed her. His hands roamed down her back feeling her. Her hands twisted into his hair bringing him closer. Gajeel nipped at her low lip asking for entrance which she gave with a breathy sigh and parted her lips. He couldn't control himself he lifted Levy on to his desk with ease. She gasped as he moved between her legs pressing himself against her. Levy blushed as Gajeel grabbed her hips grinding himself slow against her. Levy moaned as she broke the kiss gasping for air. Gajeel didn't stop as he kissed her neck, he softly bit down at the junction of her neck and shoulder earning him another moan. God he had missed her.

"Gajeel." His name tumbled from her lips in a sigh of pleasure. Gajeel pulled away panting heavily, he cupped Levy's face in his hands forcing her to look at him. Her cheeks were flushed and she was breathing as hard as he was. This wasn't how he wanted to ask but he wasn't going to wait one more second.

"Marry me, Levy." He said bluntly. His eyes were locked on her's. Levy felt like she couldn't breath. The look in his eyes was so raw and real he was offering himself to her completely and wholly.

"Yes." She breathed. Gajeel smirked then crushed his lips to hers. Levy couldn't stop smiling as she kissed him.

"Your highness." A voice called from behind them. Levy felt herself go red at the intrusion. Gajeel looked like he was going to kill who ever it was.

"Get out." He turned to see Lily standing in the doorway.

"I will tell the council we need to make wedding preparations." He said and vanished back out the door. Levy burst out laughing and buried her face in Gajeel's shoulder.

"I'm going to skin that cat." He growled, Levy was still laughing like mad. "Hey what's so funny."

"We're getting married." Levy said with tears in her eyes smiling at Gajeel. He grinned back at her and then pressed his forehead to hers.

"My queen, my wife, my mate." Gajeel purred to her. He reached into his pocket. "I have another gift for you." Levy blinked at him as he took her left hand and slipped a ring onto her ring finger. It was black steel, the center stone was a ruby and set on either side of it was a smaller sapphire.

"Oh it's beautiful, Gajeel." She said not taking her eyes off of her ring.

"I made it for you myself." Gajeel said not hiding the pride in his voice. She smiled up at him

"I love you." Levy said, it was without a doubt in her heart that she said the words.

"And I love you." Gajeel said pressing his forehead to hers. 'I don't know where you are,' Gajeel prayed to his mother and father, 'but I hope you can see this. See the beautiful brilliant woman I found to be my mate.'