Heir to the Throne

A Stone Made By A Fairy

"A book?" Lucy raised one eyebrow as if Igneel had made said the most confusing thing.

"Yes my dear, a book. Your mother had left it to me before she died; she had it delivered to me by the only way suitable for a fairy queen to have it delivered." Igneel smiled, remembering what had happened when Grandeeney had come into his office giving him news about a package that flew into the kitchen and started talking

"How do fairies deliver packages fairy style? Is there a special way?" Lucy was intrigued by the method of delivery. Since when did they have special ways of sending things, FedEx could've worked.

"It was a special way that she sent them to me. She and I were close as you know." Lucy recalled the memories she had when she was with Natsu.

"I believe that she thought you were one of those people she could trust. My mother never really associated with everyone that crossed her path." Lucy sighed remembering the one time that someone had called her mother strange.

She had put that person in their place.

"I'm sure you can understand why now. After the fall of the kingdom, she had no one to turn to or no one to trust." Igneel could never say that he ever felt like that; as a matter of fact, he had been very popular and famous in every circle.

"I'm glad that my mom could trust you, I find you very trustworthy Igneel." Lucy smiled at him, making him feel very much like she was her own father.

"Thank you very much, Lucy. Now for the matter at hand; she sent me this book with information about everything you'd ever need to know. Of course, I don't think she'd ever thought that she'd have me do it and perhaps would've rathered to teach everything herself." Igneel looked at the leather-bound book, still intact and pristine just like the day he had gotten it.

"Igneel, thank you so much. After my mom passed away, I felt like I would've forgotten her and that I would lose a connection

"Just take care of Natsu and make sure he stays on the right path; so many kings have gone astray because of the power but you'll be good to keep him grounded." Igneel put a hand on her shoulder and smiled, walking out to leave Lucy to read in silence. He knew that Lucy would need some alone time to look through the book.

**********

Lucy looked keenly at the book, taking in every mark and color change as if to memorize the book's integrity. Her fingers glided over the book cover and spine, feeling the contours and wear after all the years it had been put away. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as if to prepare herself for the contents of the book. She didn't know what to predict or what to prepare herself for. Her heart beat in her ears as she looked down at the book cover until she gained the courage to open the harmless book.

The book spine squeaked, revealing a very crisp front page. On it was written something that made Lucy's heart jump, forming a lump in her throat.

'To my daughter, Lucy. I know you will miss me and I shall miss you but something must happen for us to grow. I will always be indebted to Igneel for taking care of me and I will always love your father for giving me you. I wished I was able to give this memoir to you myself but I cannot. I love you my dear Lucy and I only wish the best for you and Natsu. Love always, Mom.'

Natsu?

Did her mother hope that she would meet Natsu or did she know they were meant for each other?

But Lucy knew in her heart that what had happened to her mother was not anyone's fault but just natural. Now, she was able to read the last words that her mother had left for her. Her mother mentioned that it was a memoir; so, it wasn't a list of instructions but documentation of her life. Maybe Lucy didn't need spells or potions to connect with her mother but the writings of her life were just enough. She flipped to the next page and started reading.

Her mind slowed down as she read the flawlessly written book. She laughed reading about her mother's adventures through the Kingdoms forest, giggled at the mentions of turning her friends into bushes and trees, and grew sad every time she had been missing her own mother, Lucy's grandmother sounded very like her mother. Layla and her mother sounded very much alike, something that Lucy was never able to do; trying to capture the essence of her mother's grace was near impossible and could only possibly be achieved with years and years of training.

Lucy sat there alone, taking in every page and every handwritten word that was professionally done by her mother. The closer the book got to the end, the more she felt like she was understanding her but closer to losing her thoughts. She stopped for a moment, only to take a breath and savor each moment she had left.

Almost done.

Almost to the end.

Mom, thank you.

On the last page, the very end of her mother's book laid out her instructions.

A stone to be made a fairy.

A clear and concise rundown of what it was like to create something like it.

'Lucy, it's very important that you make your own stone. Its purpose will be to control and use your powers. Traditionally, it's made with your mate and used as a part of the binding ceremonies but I'm sure that knowing the son of Igneel and your headstrong personality, you'll know what to do with it. I love you my darling, more than you know and I know you'll love Natsu the way I loved you father.

The most important thing you need to make your stone is love and I know that you have love, more than enough to make something beautiful and suiting for a queen. With the knowledge that the Dragneels have about jewels, I'm sure you'll get a magnificent stone, a jewel to your heart's content; something that emulates Natsu and you.'

Lucy read every step, memorizing her mother's words; memorizing her instructions, thinking of how she'd sound if it were her talking and giving her her instruction.

Thank you, mom...

Lucy would always treasure this gift from her mother, this exact moment where she would begin learning everything that would make her the woman she was going to be, the woman she was destined to be.

She was sure Natsu would help. He would be keen on figuring out what he wanted it to look like but Lucy was sure he would go along with whatever she wanted or whatever it turned out to be.