I just graduated from college, so I'm going to finish this beastie of a story!

~Soprana

Her hands tangled in the leather reins as her mount began to climb the final hill, the constant clatter of iron horseshoes the only thing keeping her mind grounded at this point. The scabbard bounced at her hip with every stride, clanking against the stirrups and reminding her she was safe with the sword at her side.

The ride from Cedar was uneventful, the images that she remembered from the first trip null and void. Farms and fields smoldered, not a single bird chirp reaching her ears. The forests were stripped, the only branches remaining at the very top of the pines and oaks. It had taken days, days where Lucy dared not dismount and slept on horseback. Mostly, they kept to the woods, the roads far to dangerous and open.

A few bodies littered the road too, unlucky travelers ad bandits alike. The stench was unfathomable and she had to take a few detours deeper into the forests before her horse spooked at the fog of flies that lingered.

Now, as the crest of the hill came into sight, Lucy held her breath at the sight of smoke spirals beyond, her thoughts concluding that Magnolia had endured a visit from the army and still burned days later. Igneel had mentioned about them not responding.

Her horse nickered, tossing its head and tugging at the bit in annoyance. That was when Lucy realized she was pulling back on the reins, hard.

"Oh, sorry." she breathed pointlessly, relaxing and patting the mare's neck in apology. "I just do not know what to expect. Or, I do-but I am not ready. Never will be." A tiny sigh escaped her lips. "Maybe I should just take the long road to Hargeon."

The mare stomped her front hoof and snorted, making a point to trot lightly before continuing up the hill, ears pointed ahead in interest. Lucy almost assumed the animal wanted to make her suffer after the trip they just had...until she heard a far away whinny.

Her horse answered with enthusiasm, picking up the pace despite her gentle tugs on the reins, marching right to the crest of the hill outside of Magnolia and the farms.

She expected near Armageddon, a flattened city that continued to burn with death all over the land. She expected beggars and survivors to litter the outside road, waiting for aid that would never come. She expected to see nothing of the home she had left so long ago.

What Lucy saw was completely different.

The walls still stood despite the many breaches and crumpled towers, small fires burning within the limits. Some buildings still stood in the slums, damaged, but still livable. The middle circle was worse for wear, many holes printed into the stone and concrete. Roofs had holes a plenty, many arrows still embedded in the shingles.

The Atria still stood in the center, walls broken and crumbled. But, where there was once a flag of arms for Fiore...now rested a bloody canvas with the Fairy Tail symbol stitched on. It flapped proudly in the wind, boldly declaring to the world just who defended this city.

What really took Lucy's breath away however was the sight of people moving outside and within the city, cleaning or working to repair the damage. Survivors taking back what was left of their home with working hands.

Magnolia was alive.

Her heels squeezed the mare's side, spurring the horse to take off at a gallop down the hill, her heart in her throat. The flag beckoned her with every flap, bringing her closer to home than she had been in a long time. Everything flew from her mind as they both flew on winged hooves over the land, everything blurring to her eyes except the tattered gates.

They flew through the gates, past the burning pyres of broken wood and bodies. Her and her horse flew by a crowd lined up for bread, hearing the startled shouts and cries of her name. They flew by the slums, now purposed as healer huts.

Into the Commoner's Circle they rode, witnessing the fires now burning in the forges, the sounds of metal clashing and creating inside. Broken swords and shields piled up on one side of doors, newly forged and fashioned weapons on the other.

Then, her mare carried her into the Aristocratic District, giving her home a passing glance of contempt. It was still standing strong, a reminder of what she left behind so long ago. Only, a few bricks and roof shingles missing. Her father must have been out of his mind trying to hire a competent contractor to repair his 'castle'.

She rode on, deeper and deeper until she tore into the Atria, her horse finally slowing to prance between the fallen pigeon posts, as well as the demolished benches and gardens up to the Grand Meeting Hall. It was shabby now, painted in red spatters along the stairs and base.

Somehow, she knew it was not paint.

Still, atop the building flew the Fairy Tail flag, hastily tied to the top with more rope than necessary. It would not fall or blow away until a brave enemy clambered to the top and forcefully removed it: as if any of them would let that happen.

A few people watched her, mostly the crowd of hundreds of civilians between her and the hall, but the people she had eyes for were frozen at the top of the stairs.

Even after being gone months, Lucy could identify them.

Even after a hard battle they lived through, their faces were still recognizable. Mira and Laxus.

Apparently they recognized her too, for they were pelting down the stairs—two at a time—calling out her name.

Everything fell away once more, and for the first time since leaving Cedar, Lucy allowed the tears to fall as she slid off her horse and ran to greet them. The people parted for her like wheat in a field, letting her pass with only hands reaching to touch her: to make sure she was real. Whispers of her name hissed in her ear, a few familiar faces in the dirty mass.

Survivors, she thought, breaking through and reaching the base of the stairs.

She collided with Mira first, wincing at her brutal squeeze.

"Mercy, Lucy! What the Hell are you doing back here? Where are the others?" Mira hissed as Laxus reached them, looking ready to envelop them both in an embrace but thought better of it. Instead he stared, slack jawed at her armor and weapons.

"You have been trained." he murmured carefully, eyeing her with almost an approving stare. "But you still should be back with Igneel and the others."

At this, Lucy's face shuttered, the memories jabbing at her once more. Alas, she could not out run them for long.

"Cedar has fallen. Igneel...Metalicana...they are dead."

At this, Laxus and Mira paled, shooting a glance between them before soft eyes fell back to her. Silently asking. Silently digging.

Behind, a few people closest to her had heard, and where whispering the news to others.

It was only a matter of time. Members of the Order were missing. Someone besides her had to know.

"Gray's gone. Juvia too. They disappeared during the attack. I...I did not find bodies."

Laxus' eyes got stony, his face hardening even as Mira covered her mouth with her hands.

"Gajeel and Levy evacuated with the civilians. I do not know if they are alright."

Her voice clogged, catching her mute.

Nobody spoke. Until Lucy swallowed thickly, eyes burning with renewed sorrow. "A-After Igneel-" her cracking voice shaky. "Happy and...N-Natsu left. Chasing Acnologia-"

"Acnologia?" Laxus barked, now tense as a bow string. "That idiot is after Acnologia?!" At his side, his fists were white, knuckles creaking. He looked like he had when he met her, only adding a raged face.

"It was he who killed Igneel...right in front of Natsu." Lucy answered quietly, ignoring Mira's gentle hand on her shoulder. Still, she appreciated the gesture.

At that, Laxus lost his color, his eyes flickering with an emotion she could only describe as pity, a rare thing for the Dragon Assassin before her. "I see."

Silence stretched between them again, comfortable and somber. Behind her, the murmurs were steady like the rivers.

"Lucy...Magnolia has been ravaged and cleansed of Templar's while it happened. In the carnage, we lost some men as well-" Mira began, but cut off suddenly, eyes wide at something behind Lucy. Laxus, too, looked wary.

Curiosity growing, Lucy turned her head over her shoulder and froze.

The hundreds of people, the people of Magnolia, pressed forward. Bare feet were quiet on the stone, the silence of their breaths unnerving. They were like the wind, silent and scared.

Lucy's heart ached, especially when she saw the hope glimmering in their eyes. Hands were pointing, lips were smiling, whispers began to dance among them as she stared.

'Lady Lucy' echoed through the Atria, getting louder and louder. It grew like the fires outside the city, burning brighter and hotter than the sun. Lucy wanted to look away, to turn her face down for she did not deserve their praise. In danger, she had run and hid.

"I am truly sorry." she said, echoing over the crowd before she could stop herself. Mira's hand tightened on her arm, but Lucy was beyond stopping. She had to apologize. She had abandoned them all in an hour of need.

The hundreds of souls silenced, all watching her now. The smiles were starting to waver now, more concerned and curious.

"I abandoned you. I abandoned Magnolia. I was fighting in Cedar, but I was not here to defend you...to help you."

Acid ate at her throat, her body trembling.

While she was off having picnics and spending time with Natsu...her home was being destroyed. Who knew how many had died. How many deaths she could have stopped?

"But you are here now." Someone shouted from the mass. A chorus of cheers answered it.

You came back to us." Another bellowed. More cheers followed.

"You came home." It became a roar. There was a man without an arm. A woman with a bandaged leg. A child with a patched eye. They were there, smiling.

"Welcome home, Lady Lucy!"

Applause started, first one, then ten, then all. Cheering and applauding roared louder than any battle cry Lucy could recall.

"Well, that was a welcome I did not expect!" Laxus said over the noise. "When I made my speech about rebuilding, I told them you were away helping other cities and you would devote time to them when you returned. I expected to see you in years, not months."

Lucy jolted. "You told them I was fighting?"

Laxus grinned. "We got a few progress updates."

She blinked.

The Dragon Assassin rose a brow. "What? You think we would just forget you? May I remind you that you are a member of our Order now. Gramps would—we take care of our own."

If Lucy noticed the tone he used, she said nothing. Instead, she smiled and turned to address the city now.

"Forgive me for not fighting your enemies when they were here." she spoke clearly, her voice carrying as if she were back on the stage. "I am here now for my home...my people...my family and friends. For Magnolia. For peace. For healing." She says louder, drawing her sword and pointing it upwards to the sky. "I believe in humans, in our choices and our ways. We are not to be controlled by fear."

"I am sorry I ran away, hiding rather than fighting for you all. I beg your forgiveness, and these hands are for getting Magnolia back on her feet! I am with you all...if you let me."

The crowd answered her with cheers of her name, and at last Lucy felt like she was home.

Behind her, Mira shot Laxus a stern look.

He dutifully ignored her, opting to watch Lucy move to greet the crowd and clasp a few outstretched hands. Of course, she had to know. He had the responsibility.

For now, he let her have hope and give hope.

He was the last person that wanted to give her more bad news: like her father's passing...and Master's. So, he would wait until they were alone, so the hopeful people freshly bitten by war would not see their idol shed a sorrowful tear.

What she wouldn't give for a hot bath and a foot rub.

Still, Juvia kept silent and just followed. Every time Gray stopped, she fluttered to his side to nurse his wounds; pulling out stolen supplies and ointments to rub all over his ailing body. For his thoughts, however, she had nothing but silent understanding.

Gray stopped fighting her after the fifth time, just sighing and letting her tend to him.

Juvia pretended she did not witness his silent tears.

Around the eleventh time they stopped, it was her that fell to her knees and needed a breather. To Gray, it was as if she had been fatally shot. He was upon her in an instant, cradling her to him as his hands roamed her body for outstanding injuries, his eyes wide and almost blind in panic.

"No. No, no, no-" he hissed, his voice breaking.

She managed to silence him with a gentle hand cupping his cheek, her eyes watering at the pure emotion in his gaze. "Juvia is fine. Just tired, love." she eased, smiling with more cheer than she actually felt. "Juvia is fine."

He did not relax, but he did press his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. Juvia supposed that was the best she was going to get at the moment.

"Are we almost there?" she found herself breathing, thumb brushing his long eyelashes.

Gray did not answer for a moment before he nodded and pulled away, ignoring her whine of disappointment.

"Almost. She has always been pretty hard to reach. Not far now."

Juvia stiffened. Another woman?

If Gray noticed, he said nothing. He helped her stand, grabbed the weapon bag he had dropped in his haste, and started walking again.

Scorned, Juvia made a great point to march up to his side and grasp his free hand. He flashed her one concerned look, saw her defiant glare, and gave a weak smile. He did not let go, not until they clambered over the closest hill and looked down into the gully.

The air was fresh, crisp. Juvia felt the chill on her skin and the renewal of her lungs. The trees were tall and aged, draping down in canopies as if wise mentors to the small and weak. She could hear the rush of running water, a waterfall, she supposed.

This had to be the birth place of the first tree, the first bird, the first human. This had to be the place where the universe began, so serene and gentle.

The Garden of Adam and Eve, possibly.

"Here we are. She is home. I see the smoke." Gray murmured, releasing her hand much to her dismay, and starting down the hill at a jog.

Juvia, bitter acid in her throat, followed. How dare this other woman hide in this paradise, waiting for Gray.

When Gray reached the door, he finally hesitated with his hand on the knob. He flashed her a careful smirk, using his free hand to extract a dagger from his belt. "You best...uh, wait here."

Oh Hell no. Juvia bristled, boiling rage bubbling at her rib cage like lava. "Juvia said she will follow you so that is what Juvia is going to do!" she hissed, teeth bared like a wolf.

Gray, taken aback, blinked and then nodded, looking more frightened of her now. His hand twisted, and the door creaked open.

Curious and still stoking her fire of love, Juvia peeked over Gray's shoulder, bitterly wishing he would move aside and let her in first. She never liked not seeing where an attack was coming from.

Righteously so, because from within the dark cottage, a screech burst forth. Gray took a step in and, from the depths, a cleaver whizzed. Juvia had a scream in her throat but Gray brandished the dagger, catching the cleaver with practiced ease and knocking it to the floor.

"Meredy! Stop! It is me!" Gray called, raising his hands. "Gray!"

The silence and darkness blended seamlessly. Then...

"Gray Fullbuster?" A small voice said.

Light blasted into the cottage, curtains pulling away to let the sun finally enter. The hearth gates opened too, revealing the crackling fire and a woman rising from behind a counter. Or, a girl on the cusp of womanhood.

Juvia curled her lip in distaste. Puppy love, then.

A grin so bright flashed across her face, and in a whirl of pink hair and dress, the girl bounded from behind the counter. "Gray!"

Gray laughed, stepping in and opening his arms. Opening himself like he never had to Juvia until recently. She felt sick, her heart stone heavy.

They embraced with such familiarity that Juvia's eyes felt prickled. So, that was how it was? She had been his side girl, this younger and prettier woman his true love.

"And who is she?" Meredy asked, curiously, short enough to peer at Juvia from under Gray's armpit. Though her tone held no malice, Juvia bristled anyway.

Gray turned, a radiant smile on his face for the first time since after Cedar. Something foul and hateful festered inside Juvia's chest. Perhaps she was never meant to have his affections. She was never meant to have anyone's affections.

"Meredy, this is Juvia." No added title like 'my lover' or 'my future wife'.

"Juvia, this is Meredy."

It came from her throat before she could stop herself. "And she is, what, to you?"

Gray blinked in confusion at her bitter snap. Never had he heard such hostility from her. At least, not outside battle.

Meredy, however, blinked and understanding dawned faster than a hummingbirds wing beat. She laughed, loud and deeply.

Juvia felt nothing but offense, until Meredy thumbed a tear from her own eye.

"Oh no, nothing like that. You see, my adopted mother...is his late sister. He is my uncle."

Oh. Oh.

Realization dawned on Gray as Juvia had the mind to look ashamed of herself.

"Oh. Juvia. No. No, she is my niece, although I should have mentioned as such-"

"Then what is Juvia?" she asked, now desperate to know.

Gray flushed scarlet, obviously unprepared for such a question and Meredy coughed into her hand.

"I guess we will need tea. Come inside."

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