Dawn of Adventure {Book One of The Paths We've Traveled}

Chapter Sixty-Four: Bells are Chiming

"Are you ready?" Lucy turned, heart in her throat as she smiled weakly at Erza. The scarlet warrior grinned in return, stretching her hands out to hold Lucy's. Erza searched Lucy's face, her smile growing and eyes glistening. "Oh. You're so beautiful."

Lucy sniffed, biting her lip to keep the tears in her eyes from falling. She and Mira spent too long on her makeup to ruin it before anything actually started. She squeezed Erza's hands, words unable to make it past her lips.

In just an hour or so, Cancer worked his magic. Simple silver and gold branches of metal and diamonds stood against a backdrop of blonde hair which curled and twisted and turned, pins and magic locking every strand in its place at the back of her neck. A single lock fell against the side of her face, curling against her chin and ending against the golden necklace she loved. And her sheer veil was pinned into place by her hairpiece, the translucent material falling into place around her nervous frame.

Lucy pulled her hands away from Erza's, sniffing hard again and dabbing a finger against the bottom of her eye. Her other hand came to rest on her waist where her keys lay, silver and gold perfectly matched by the piece in her hair. Erza laughed, her hair long and curled against her back. "Only a few more minutes."

"Yeah," Lucy breathed, turning back to the mirror, hands shaking as she smoothed out the minuscule wrinkles in her veil. Wendy came up from her other side, smiling at their reflections and straightening out Lucy's train.

Although she had left behind the life of Lucky Lucy Heartfilia many years ago, she looked like a princess. The sleeveless dress clung to her figure, the sweetheart dipping down two inches past where her pendant lay. Simple white tulle wrapped around the bodice of white satin in overlapping layers before spreading out over the ballgown skirt, the gown simple yet elegant and cinched at the waist by a liquid strand of gold holding her keys at her hip. The train, however, was a different story. A sea of blooming white flowers covered several inches on the front of the skirt before draping out and falling down the sides until it hit the ground. The back trailed on the ground behind her, a few petals already scattered by her feet. That had been Droy's gift to her, these beautiful flowers that would remain fresh and alive for the rest of the day. With that simple gesture, her dress had gone from stunning to absolutely perfect.

"You're so pretty," Wendy gushed. Lucy took her hand and reached back with her other one for Erza. The three women stood before the mirror, dark purple behind pure white. Erza's clung to her form and left plenty of her skin on display, beautiful and deadly like the scarlet warrior. The fabric flowed loosely around Wendy, a flower drifting in the wind.

"I still can't believe you cut your hair again," Lucy managed, nerves still pulsing through her veins and combating the exhaustion that had prevailed for the past couple weeks. Wendy laughed, her free hand running through the blue strands brushing against her shoulders. "It looks great, don't get me wrong. I just can't believe it."

"Thought it was time for a change." Wendy shrugged before leaning forward to press a soft kiss against Lucy's cheek. "Now, come on. Evergreen's on her way."

Lucy took a deep breath and one last look at herself in the mirror. Her hair, her veil, her dress. Everything was set. Everything was ready. All that was missing was that second ring on her finger. Well, that and her fiancé.

Linking arms, the three left the small room, the hallway stretching out before them until it joined the double doors at the end. Evergreen stood there grinning, emerald gown low and tight until it ended by her knees. In the small part of her mind that wasn't extremely anxious, she wondered where Elwin was. Likely between Lisanna and Elfman, if she had to wager a guess.

"Well, don't you look just marvelous." Ever clapped her hands together, beaming at the young woman. Lucy blushed, eyes drifting past Evergreen to catch on Levy. The short blue-haired woman pressed her hands to her chest, heat burning in her eyes.