The Princess And The Dragon

Chapter 5: Sacrifice

Natsu and Lucy spent months remodeling their new home. The sides were carved to their liking, Natsu made furniture. Lucy cooked, thanks to him flying back to his old home and grabbing all he could.
Life was satisfactory. Natsu even built her a room for star gazing, some minerals would even light up at night.
Lucy's P.O.V
"Come on Natsu, I'm tired." She said hazily.
"Alright, I'm coming." Lucy heard his wings cut through the air.
Diving through the entrance, he landed in front of their bed with a light thud.
Crawling next to her, he engulfed her. Her giggles were muffled by his fresh kisses.
"Sleep well, Luce." He pressed his lips once more to hers, before settling down on.
"Night, Natsu." She relaxed against his chest and fluttered her eyes closed.
Natsu's P.O.V
He snuggled in as close to Lucy as possible, feeling his mind begin to rest, he fell into a blissful sleep.
His dreams came to a halt, he sensed a disturbance outside. He could smell hundreds upon hundreds of different scents.
'Why must they always come at night.' He cursed, gently unwrapping Lucy from his embrace.
He laid her down, quietly planning his attack.
Just as he was about to leave his home;
"N...Natsu..?" Lucy whispered to him as she wiped her sleep worn eyes.
"Go back to sleep, I'll be right back." He smiled, kissing her forehead.
"They are here aren't they." She looked down.
"I'll take care of them."
"I'll help you." She was starting to get up.
"No, stay here, Lucy." Natsu held her shoulders.
"We are a team Natsu, I will protect you." Sadness began to show in her eyes as she pleaded with him.
"Please, Lucy. I'm begging you. Stay here, remember our promise." His voice strained with desperately.
"Natsu..." She held his face.
"I'll be right back, ok?" He kissed her temple, then flew out of the entrance.
Lucy's P.O.V
"Wait-!" She was cut off by his disappearance.
Rushing to the entrance, she watched as he ripped through the forces of the Heartfilia castle.
There was twice as many men as last time, he was alone as well.
'I have to go.' She contemplated.
I'm begging you.
She stopped mid step. His voice echoed in her head.
'Please hurry.' She held her heart, holding herself back from charging.
Natsu's P.O.V
Easily he cut them down. But the more he killed, the more they surrounded him. They were closing in, trying to trap him. Whips and chains found their way around his body, his wings. The men were overwhelming him, he could barely move.
"Hold him down for the king." His breath caught when one guard barked orders.
Natsu opened his mouth to spit fire, but each time he moved, a metal plated fist collided with his face, making his vision degrade.
The Heartfilia army slowly made way for Jude as he neared closer. Making a path straight for the defenseless dragon.
Natsu could hear the metal scraping on the floor, as Jude taunted his sword.
Jude was close, he was raising his sword, they held Natsu to then floor, neck exposed.
He turned ever so slightly to see his love running towards him.
"L-u-" his words were cut off with a swift kick to the face.
Jude, to self absorbed in his own actions ignored Natsu's whimpers and rejected protests, her father wouldn't even listen to his own men's calls as she was nearing him.
"Luc-" he tried again, tears threatening his eyes as they kicked him again, blood spilled from his mouth.
The sword was raised above Jude's head, his eyes were filled with blood lust.
Natsu watched the sword come down in slow motion, he closed his eyes, bracing himself for the pain.
"I love you Lucy." He mouthed to her.
But the pain never came, instead, he heard a gasp from above him.
Opening his eyes, Lucy stared down at him.
"L..lu..cy." His words slurred.
"I-I...told you, I owed you.. From last time-I would p-protect...you." Her breath was hitched, he could smell her blood.
"N...o." His tears spilled, he couldn't hold her, he was still chained to the ground, he couldn't touch his love.
"I...still...haven't broken our...promise, I-it didn't hurt." She smiled at him, falling to her knees.
"Lucy...?" Natsu heard her father behind her.
"Let him go.." She pushed herself off the ground and stumbled into the guards holding him down.
Not wanting to touch her, they moved, Natsu was able to catch her as she fell.
"Luce- your...back." His words were caught in his throat.
"Just- a scratch." She lied, her hand moved shakily up to his cheek.
"Don't leave- me." He begged.
"I won't...leave you alone." She cupped his face.
"Why did you..." Jude muttered still in shock.
"I love you...Natsu." She said proudly, ignoring her father.
"I don't care...what you do to me, but please...save her." Natsu cried towards Jude, holding his daughter.
"Take him in, put him in the dungeon, his end will soon come." Jude order as he picked up Lucy.
"I...will never...f-forgive you." Lucy whispered weakly to her father, before passing out in his arms.
"Take her to the medical tent immediately." He handed her to another man.
Jude turned to Natsu, with pure bewilderment and anger.
He held his hand up, stopping his men from taking him away.
"Take him to the torture chamber." He changed his mind, his eyes glinted with jealousy and hate.
Natsu's head hung, his mind never leaving the thought of his only love. He cooperated, letting them take him to this torture chamber, for he didn't mind the pain he was going feel. For nothing was more painful than seeing Lucy lay motionless and bloody in another man's arms besides his own.