Long awaited Friend
DISCLSIMER: I do not own Artemis Fowl, or any characters from the Artemis Fowl books etc.
Enjoy!
MDQ
"And after the Prime Minister gave me the plaque, his wife complimented me on my gown. She was in a hideous one herself, poor thing. Funny, as she was Diana's friend, and Diana was so posh and all."
"Aye." said Butler, not really caring. The girl's chatter was boring him out of his mind. So far, she had given him a detailed description of her gown, a minuet-by-minuet recount of the ceremony, a list of what everybody was wearing, and who was there. It was almost torture. And who knew torture better than Butler. Well, at leas nobody in the cottage did.
"What do you think Artemis would have said if he were there, Butler?" Minerva said it causally enough, but the former manservant could see she was deeply interested in his opinion. After all, he was Artemis's closest friend, who else would now what the young genius would have said if he were at the event? Domovoi Butler, undeniably
"About your dress or your Noble Peace Prize?"
Minerva gave him a mild glare. "It was a gown, not a dress. I would like to know what you believe his opinion on the prize would be."
Butler hesitated. What would Master Fowl have said? Nothing too cliché, but something meaningful. He would be happy for her, of course, and proud, but what would he have said? After a moment's thought, Butler realized he would never be able to say anything near the intelligent words Artemis magically pulled out of thin air.
"He would have been proud. He will be proud."
There. They weren't the exact word Artemis would have said, but certainly the emotions he would have felt.
"And he'd probably say something about the dress too."
Butler didn't doubt that If Master Fowl had been here, Minerva would have asked him to be an escort. And that seemed to be something a date would have said
Minerva brightened. "Really?" She didn't even correct him on his garment confusion.
"Unquestionably." The ex-manservant said sincerely.
The clock on the mantle chimed. Minerva glanced at it and frowned. 5:00 already. Ah, well. She'd see Butler in a matter of weeks, anyhow. Maybe she could ask some more questions about Arty before the bodyguard got too suspicious. Sighing, she stood up from the dark green armchair.
"Well, Butler, Papa's going to be wondering where I am. I'd better go."
"Alright." As much as the smart and cheeky teen annoyed him, he was always sad to see her go. It was a though Artemis was back. Sighing also, Butler got up and walked her to the door. Before he could open it how ever, Minerva turned and asked in a soft voice, "Do you…do you think he'll ever come back?"
The ex-manservant had expected this question years ago, on the first visit the girl had made to his home. She had peppered him with questions during every visit thus far, but had never asked this one.
He was silent for a moment, considering. He already knew the answer, just not quiet how to put it. Finally, he said, "Yes. He will come back. No matter where Artemis is he will find a way to get back, Holly with him. I promise."
He rarely made promises he didn't keep.
Minerva smiled faintly and said. "We shall see. I hope you're right. Thank you for the tea and chat."
She pushed open the door and made her way to the black car waiting at the end of the walk.
It was lightly snowing. Domovoi Butler was not a sentimental (Although he did enjoy a good romance novel every now and then.), but for one moment he stared at the puffy white flakes, wondering, for the millionth time, when Artemis would come back to time. Then he sighed, and closed the door.
A flash of light and a popping sound later, he got his long awaited answer.