Chapter Three – Foresight

Bella cradled Renesme close to her chest as the baby girl slept peacefully. She smiled as she watched her sleep. Like so many mother's before her, she looked at her children and saw perfection. A loud giggle made her look up and she laughed as she watched her boy on top of his Aunt Alice, tickling her as she pretended he was too strong for her to free herself.

"I won Mama I won!" he yelled excitedly in victory.

Happy that her infant was a sound sleeper, she laughed and said in a quieter tone. "Yes you have my brave boy."

Edward, named after his father, was two years old and wanted to be at least twenty. He'd inherited his father's protective nature and sense of duty. It was apparent even at such a young age but Bella was very stubborn that her children be allowed to be children as long as possible. She took a lot of care looking after her children, relying less on their servants than other royals and she spent most of her time with them. Even her husband took care to play with his children when he was home.

Alice growled playfully making her son squeal with excitement and she pushed him off her body to tickle him to the ground. "If the King's Council could see their prophet now," Bella commented quietly after a disheveled Alice moved into a seated position on the grass while Edward ran to fetch a toy from his bedroom.

Alice ran a hand through her long black hair. "They resent and fear my gift, and hate the authority it gives me yet they are constantly looking to me for answers."

"And mock and disrespect you when you cannot provide them," Bella added sympathetically.

"Exactly," Alice commented with a sigh. "When my brothers suggested going to Sparta to sign our peace treaty, they wanted me to foresee what would happen but I could not." She looked disappointed. "I hated that I could not foresee whether or not it would be dangerous, but I only see what the gods permit me to see."

"Which is a gift nonetheless," Bella reminded Alice, rocketing Reneesme as she stirred.

Alice's eyes became unfocused as she froze and Bella stiffened in her chair, immediately recognizing Alice's reaction to a vision. Alice would never "disappear" for long, the longest being a minute. But Bella was always nervous when she saw it because Alice's foresight could be anything and was normally a warning of something bad. She continued to rock Reneesme for ten seconds watching Alice intently until her eyes refocused and she gasped, her eyes immediately turning to fear and shock.

"Are you alright?" Bella asked immediately. "Angela," she called out, summoning one of her personal maids. The timid dark haired girl appeared and Bella stood. "Take Reneesme please then bring a pitcher of water."

Bella turned back to Alice who had stood and was looking at Bella anxiously. "It's Emmett," she exclaimed her voice shaken.

"Is he alright? Is he hurt?" Bella asked quickly but Alice shook her head.

"No he's not hurt, but what he's doing…oh Emmett," Alice looked conflicted. Bella looked at Alice in confusion and Alice elaborated. "There's a woman, she's my age…blonde, beautiful no… more than that, no other woman could ever compare to this woman. The Spartans think she has to be a product of the gods themselves. She's wanted by them all; they would easily fight for her. But Emmett doesn't see that… he loves her."

"Emmett in love?" Bella repeated uncertain. Emmett was a loving brother in law but he had more carnal interests in women, unlike Edward who'd courted only Bella before they wed. "What is he going to do?"

Alice looked at Bella painfully. "He stopped her killing herself after she was…taken by the Spartan Prince," she whispered in horror. "It was so horrible what the Prince did to her, no woman should ever go through such a thing."

Bella felt ill, she knew the Spartans were cold and warmongering but there is obviously no limit to what they are capable of. "Does Emmett know what happened? Oh heavens he didn't kill the Spartan Prince did he?" Emmett was not an angry man but would fight for what he believed in.

"No he didn't, his priority is getting the woman out. Bella, he's going to kidnap her and hide her on the ships. His plan is to make it look like she killed herself but it doesn't work and they will discover he's taken her," Alice's eyes brimmed with tears. "The last thing I saw were hundreds of shipping sailing to Troy. The Spartans are going to come back for her…with their army."

For a moment the two young women stared at each other as they came to the same realization. "Alice, We have to tell your father."

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Edward walked with his brother through the crowd of villagers into the grand stadium. They followed King Agamemnon and Prince Royce into the high balcony reserved for the Spartan royals.

"Troy does not have gladiators am I right?" Agamemnon said as they took their seats and the fighting between young men began.

"No we don't," answered Edward easily. "We prefer the Olympic tournaments, young men have ample opportunity to show their strength in more sporting events."

Royce made a snort of disapproval and Emmett looked the man with hatred Edward didn't know his younger brother possess. He subtly kicked his brother before anyone had a chance to see Emmett expression.

The gladiator tournament went on for a couple of hours; the tournament took several days of different rounds but royals only attended the final competition between the very best fighters. One fighter had really stood out from the others. He was tall, blonde and although not as well built as some of his opponents, was agile and quick with his movements and defeated his opponents very soon into the fight.

"He's an outsider," Royce replied when Edward asked if he knew who he was. "From the north. He's a good fighter but he's not a very good show piece. We want good long fights that are suspenseful."

"He'll make an excellent warrior though, if he lives through the tournament we should recruit him," Agamemnon replied clapping his son on the shoulder.

Not only did the young gladiator survive the tournament he won it. The crowd cheered for him but he was humble in his victory, he attempted to leave the stadium but the King demanded an audience. When he was brought to the royal stand he bowed respectfully as he was presented congratulated by the royals for his success.

"Do you have a name solider?" Agamemnon said after presenting him with his reward, a new shield.

"Jasper, your majesty," he replied with a bow.

"I've never seen fighting like your style before," Emmett commented with admiration. "Very quick and effective."

"And you didn't take a single life," Edward observed and met the young man's eye who was surprised.

"I don't take a life unless it's necessary for my own survival," he answered carefully.

"And you thought he would make a good soldier," Royce scoffed looking away from the man with boredom.

"You're smart," Agamemnon observed. "That much is clear; I take it you've led an army before. Where is your allegiance?"

Jasper looked angry and uncomfortable and replied formally, "I have no allegiance your majesty."

"Would you fight for Sparta?" King Agamemnon asked. Jasper smiled politely and bowed to the King. "Excellent, I'm sure you will be very valuable to our forces." The King was very happy and led them back to the palace for yet another feast.

That evening, Jasper was invited to attend the feast. Edward was interested in getting to know the warrior and took the chance to approach him when he saw Jasper was alone. He walked over to him as Jasper was, from a distance, performers acting out a play for the royals.

"I don't think you are a native to Sparta, am I right?" Edward enquired curiously.

"I was born in Thebes, Prince Edward," Jasper answered. "But I have lived for most of my adulthood in Delphi."

"How old are you?" Edward asked curiously, finding it hard to age men who were hardened by battle.

"Twenty eight," he answered. "And you are from Troy your highness; I've heard that is a beautiful country."

"Certainly more peaceful," Edward agreed. "But I do miss it when I'm away, my wife in particular. Are you married?"

"No," Jasper replied shortly, looking pained for a moment. "I've never been married. It isn't appropriate with a soldier's life."

They were interrupted by applause for the performers and they were replaced by musicians and a young woman singing. The drinking was fierce and the noise loud. Edward missed his Bella so much, he wanted to be home.

Edward took Bella's hand and led her through the hall of the palace to the living quarters. She looked around nervously, only the royal family was permitted in the private areas of the Trojan palace. He squeezed her hand and she smiled at him shyly.

"You're so beautiful," he said pausing for a moment to admire her.

Her deep brown eyes looked back at him. "When you say that I want to turn around to see who you are talking to," she said with a laugh.

"Come," he said with a smile and took her down to the end of the hall to his room.

He opened the door for her and she walked inside, he followed her and closed the door behind them. She was looking around the room in awe. He had the doors to the balcony opened. The room was airy and bright, the azure blue ocean visible even from the door. The room had a large bed against the wall to the left of the door and the room was decorated with a couple of wooden dressers and potted palms.

"Do you like it?" he asked as she looked back at him in amazement.

"It's beautiful, is this going to be my room?" she asked and he walked over to her, taking both her hands in his.

"That is why I wanted you to see it," he began. "This is actually my room."

His betrothed looked at him and he continued. "Before we are married we want all our arrangements to be sorted. Do you want your own room or are you happy to share with me, this is completely your choice Bella. I don't want you to feel pressured to do anything."

"Edward," Bella sighed and rubbed her thumbs over his hands. "You are going to be my husband; I want to share my life with you. If you want me here I would love to spend every night beside you." She blushed at her boldness and looked away.

"Since you said you would marry me I can think of little else," he said slowly guiding his hands up her bare arms. Both their breathing increased and she looked back into his eyes.

Edward put one of his arms around her back and pulled her to him, kissing her slowly but passionately. She sighed into the kissed and returned it, her arms going around his neck. They kissed like this until breathing became compulsory and he pulled away to catch his breath.

"Our wedding will not come soon enough," she said breathlessly.

"Neither will our wedding night," he whispered back and kissed her again. She moaned and he pulled away. "Soon, my love."

"Your highness?" Jasper repeated looking at him curiously.

"Forgive me what did you say?" he asked now drawn away from his thoughts.

"I said when are you leaving for Troy?" Jasper repeated before taking a sip of wine.

"Tomorrow morning," Edward answered, "This is a farewell feast. Our only business is to sign a treaty of peace then return home. "

"It is a long journey," Jasper commented. "It's nearly a week to sail from Sparta to Troy. Your brother said he wanted to discuss strategy with me but I have not seen him." Edward looked around the room with Jasper. "Perhaps he has retired early."

Edward answered trying to mask his disapproval. "My brother might have found some pleasurable company," he said and Jasper nodded with a slight smile.

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"Rosalie," Emmett called out softly, carefully placing his hand on her waist. "Wake up."

She woke with a start throwing herself away from his touch, fear etched on her beautiful features. "It's okay, it's me," he whispered hastily and she calmed down.

"I'm sorry," she said blushing.

Emmett took a moment to stare at her as she adjusted her torn dress. Her bruised cheek was almost black. As were the bruises on her arms and legs that stood out on her porcelain skin. He put his hand on her knee and leaned in close to her. "It's time to go," he said quietly.

Her eyes widened. "Now?" she repeated quietly.

He knew she was afraid and he took her hand. "Do you still want to come with me?"

She looked hesitant and didn't speak. "Don't be afraid," he pleaded softly.

"Why are you helping me?" she demanded suddenly in a defensive manner. "What do you want from me?"

"Want from you?" Emmett repeated frowning at her.

"How can I trust you?" she repeated, trying to mask her fear with aggression. "You only seek what every other man does from me, what Royce took from me. You're just better at disguising it."

"Rosalie," she said softly moving closer to her only causing her to back away from him to the edge of the bed. He sighed and said, "I spent a night with you in my bed. Two if you include the hours I've lied beside you tonight." He reached out to take her hand slowly. "If my motives were so sinister wouldn't I have taken advantage?"

"Once I'm at Troy there is no escape," she whispered, her aggression disappearing as she looked at their joined hands.

"If you want me to go confront Royce now and fight for you I will," Emmett answered fiercely. "I'll show the world what you mean to me."

"No," she interrupted. "You'll be killed."

"I'll fight for you however I need to, please let me Rosalie, let me get you away from her and somewhere safe." Emmett pleaded and wiped a tear that fell from her eye.

"I don't want you to risk your life for me," she admitted. "I'm afraid of what I feel for you. I don't want to feel anything anymore." Rosalie looked up at him. "But the instant I saw you, you took that away, you make me feel everything but all I have is pain."

"You have love," he whispered cupping her cheek softly.

"No," she repeated in a stronger voice. "I can't…"

Emmett hushed her with his finger and slowly leaned in, taking his time if she wanted him to stop. He kissed her gently, placing his lips on hers and finding them immediately responsive. He made contact for barely two seconds then pulled away, concerned that he would frighten her.

"Don't leave me," she whispered.

"Never."

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