Worth Is Measured In Love

Chapter 11

Enticing aromas hung in the air and the sounds of horns and drums were vibrating in everyone's heads. Festive games and shops selling tasty treats or little trinkets were being set up all around. Wild dancing could be seen everywhere you look on the street. Yes, nothing like a fair to get someone in a bright and cheerful mood. Unless of course you happen to be Judge Mard Geer.

He hated these type of events and he hated that he had to always attend them to ensure that things wouldn't get out of hand. Add that to the very long list of reasons for why he wanted to be king. So he wouldn't have to constantly keep the peace at these type of functions where he was forced to be around what he considered to be "The parasites of London."

But to Lucy it was all a dream come true. New sights, new sounds, new colors, new music, and new people. A surprise around every corner. It was as if London had been turned upside down today. A beggar could be a king and a king could be a clown. Dross could be gold and weeds could be a bouquet. Pomp and circumstance was just thrown away, and everything was turned topsy-turvy.

"So what do you think?" Natsu asked her. "Very different from what goes on in the castle, huh?"

"Yes it is." She smiled. "And I love it!"

"You do?"

"Yes! Everyone here can just act crazy and there's nothing wrong with that! No wonder you always loved coming here so much!"

"Yep." He said. "When I was a boy, I had two sanctuaries. The church and this place."

"A funny location for sanctuary but I have no complaints." She giggled.

"Oh and I hope you don't mind but I've invited someone to come along with us. For extra protection."

"Natsu not you too." She complained. "I don't need two bodyguards. I'm not even that important. Technically Erza would need more protection than me. She's the queen."

"Yeah but she's a queen who can hold her own, and as for your second bodyguard, I'm sorry but he insisted on being here. He wouldn't dream of missing an opportunity to attend the fair with you."

"Huh?"

Natsu then whistled and that huge cat of his came running toward them. Lucy's face instantly lit up when she saw him.

"Happy!" She bent down and threw her arms around his big, furry, neck, letting him nuzzle and purr up against her. "Oh it's so good to see you. How's the sweetest, smartest, cutest kitty-cat in the whole world?"

He licked her cheek.

"I still can't believe how big cats like you can get. I mean look at you, you're almost the size of a lion."

"He definitely has the appetite of one." Natsu said. "You know he can eat a whole pound of fish in just ten seconds."

"And you can eat a whole pound roast beef in five seconds." Happy thought. "So who's the bigger glutton?"

"Well come on." Natsu said. "Days like these are short so we better make the most of it. Let's go play some games."

"Alright. What kind of games do they have?"

"Oh lots. There's the ring toss, balloon darts, knock-down, and my personal favorite the test of strength."

"You mean that one where you have to ring the bell with a hammer?"

"Uh-huh."

"Didn't you break your arm the last time you tried that?"

Happy snickered, Natsu looked embarrassed.

"I was twelve. I hadn't developed muscles yet. But I'll get it this time."

"Just don't hurt yourself, please."