And continuation of the last chapter, of course.

You shall see be surprised to find I wrote the last three chapters and am starting this one all on the same day.

Later that Day: I THINK I'M HAVING THE WORST WRITERS BLOCK OF MY LIFE!

Chapter 10
"Proclamations"

Ireland, Fowl Manor Garden

Alex froze, resulting with Ethryn turning to look at him curiously. He stared at her in disbelief, rewinding the last few seconds to make sure he'd hear her right and trying to think of all the possibilities of what else she could have said. Because it was simply impossible she'd said something like that so plainly and out of the blue.

"You . . . what?" Alex asked, when he could form words.

Ethryn was seemed unfazed. "I like you, Alex. You're the best friend I've ever had."

His thundering heart calmed.

"You're a very kind and considerate person. You're also very brave and accept me for what I am without treating me differently." By now she had moved away from him, running her hands through her hair as she continued. "And like you've said before, we know a lot about each other, even if we've only known each other for a week."

Thoughts raced through Alex's head and he looked up at the sky to try and clear his head to decide his next move.

She leaned forward, peering at him, "Are you alright, Alex?"

This immediately snapped him out of it and he stared at her in surprise, "Yeah, fine."

Ethryn appeared hesitant to believe him, but appeared to respect his space and sat back down, still looking on with slight concern. "Alright . . . I want to thank you, Alex. Not a lot of people would have taken that time to listen to me."

Alex smiled at her, "That's what friends are for."

Giggling, she stood. "We should get back before anyone comes looking for us. We've been gone for a while now."

Surprised, Alex stood as well. He honestly hadn't noticed the passing time.

Ireland, Fowl Manor

A few hours passed.

"Have you seen Ethryn?" Artemis asked Butler.

The manservant shook his head. "I thought I saw her heading outside with Alex again, but I haven't seem them in about an hour."

Holly noticed Artemis's disapproving scowl. She nudged him. "They probably just went out to get some fresh air, Artemis. Ethryn never likes to be alone when she's running around outside. You know that."

The genius simply scowled and said nothing.

She rolled her eyes. "You're such a whiner, Artemis."

Artemis stared at her in shock, disagreement clear in his face. "That is preposterous. I most certainly am not!"

Holly began to laugh, "You are only proving my point by arguing with me."

He scowled, "It seems you have put me in a 'no-win situation', so to speak. Although the grammatical errors in that sentence alone-!"

"Ahem, Artemis?"

Thus interrupted he turned to see Ethryn, standing a few feet in front of Alex. She had her hands folded in her lap with some form of uncertainty, nervously biting her lip and looking up at him from under her eyelashes. Artemis's brow rose in surprise at her timidness and shot a questioning gaze at Alex when her eyes diverted to the floor. The teenager seemed concerned and sick for Ethryn's well-being. Upon seeing the confusion in Artemis's gaze, the Irish genius was glad once more for his skill in lip-reading.

'She was crying,' Alex mouthed, emphasizing this by first pointing at Ethryn and then making crying gestures.

Artemis's eyes widened in surprise. He replied back, silently, 'Why?'

Alex just shook his head and jerked her chin. He took it as a 'She needs to tell you herself' sort of move. So with a resigned look he then put on a more caring expression and took a step toward Ethryn.

"Are you alright, Ethryn?" Holly asked before he could.

Ethryn looked up between the two, glancing over her shoulder at Alex. Her friend gave an encouraging smile and nod before she turned back to Artemis after taking a deep breath and approaching him. "I need to talk to you, Artemis," she said quietly.

Nodding and placing an affectionate hand on her shoulder, he replied as kindly as possible, "Of course, Ethryn. Shall we talk in the study, then?"

"Sure," she muttered, delicately.

As the two left with themselves, Holly looked to Alex for information, once they were out of earshot. Artemis wasn't the only one to have understood what Alex had mouthed. "What's eating her?"

Alex sighed, "It's a long story."

"Sit, please," Artemis offered.

Ethryn sat in the chair opposite him, and then Artemis sat.

"Now," he began, folding his hands in his lap and looking up at her with concern. "What is it you wish to speak to me about?"

She bit her lip, "I . . . I heard you talking about me, Artemis."

His eyes widened in surprise. Out of the list of possibilities he had deduced, this was not one of them. "What did I say to upset you, Ethryn?"

Her eyes roamed anywhere but him as her hand clutched the side of her arm. Now Ethryn was feeling far more vulnerable and alone then she liked. As open as the young Angel was she couldn't function when something was truly bothering her. Artemis began to figure this out as he read the emotions flashing across her face as she, most likely unknowingly, began to dig her fingernails into her arm. His concern simply grew and guilty fear began to appear in himself as well. What had he done to make her react so violently against her better knowledge?

When she continued to not answer him, Artemis tried again. "I apologize for whatever I said to have made you so nervous, Ethryn, but please, tell me what it is."

Finally she looked up at him, "You said something similar to what . . . Tristan said."

Artemis Fowl the Second had never looked so startled.

"You," she squeezed her eyes shut. Regaining her bravery she sighed and looked up at him, "Artemis, Tristan is a part of my life that will affect me. It's just something I'm still learning to deal with. You're my big brother, Artemis, so I appreciate your concern and help in getting me where I am, successfully passing me off as a human, and even allowing me to join your family. But Artemis . . . I still have my own opinions about myself."

Artemis, having regained some composure, now looked on in genuine curiosity. This had now become a learning experience. Except rather then science or arithmetic, this time he was learning about how his cousin thought. Up until now he realized he had never really thought of her as anything but co-dependent, a beautiful girl but just that. A girl not yet capable of being a woman or having mature thoughts.

It was that moment he realized that whilst you could be a genius, you could also overlook much, apparently. Rarely did he ever feel like an ignoramus. Only once with Holly and that was when telling her that he had tricked her into helping him cure his mother. He could've smacked himself in the forehead then and now.

"I heard your concern about myself and Alex possibly starting a relationship. I couldn't assure you that we will or won't, since I don't really have that ability to see into the future." Ethryn smiled at her attempt at dry humor, gaining courage that was no longer needed to continue. She felt like Artemis's peer once again. Like a younger sister reassuring her big brother he was always going to be the big brother. It was sort of . . . touching. "But Artemis, that isn't really your choice. It's my decision to make, whenever the time comes. Of course I'll ask your input on it if I am unsure of myself but other then that Artemis, it really isn't any of your business."

Artemis took a moment to contemplate before looking at Ethryn with such sincere regret she immediately felt silly for being such a nervous wreck at the start of the conversation. Her small smile grew warmer.

"I completely agree with you," He replied. Then he scowled, more at himself then anything else. "I feel like such a controlling imbecile. Forgive me, Ethryn."

She stood, as did Artemis, and she hugged him tightly. "It's okay, Artemis. So long as you remember to keep your space in the relationship area, you're welcome to but into almost every other aspect of my life."

He snorted, "Almost every other aspect?"

"I highly doubt you'll want to know about my feminine things," She said, with a smirk as she released him from her hug. Ethryn began to giggle at Artemis's slight cringe. "Which reminds me. There was something I've been meaning to ask you. Something I do want your input on."

"Which is?" Artemis asked, his brow rising, glad of the distraction from Ethryn's previously mentioned 'feminine problems'.

"I've been thinking about getting a pet."

Artemis scowled a bit. "What kind of pet?"

"They've been in there a while," Holly pointed out, jerking her chin in the general direction of the door where Artemis and Ethryn had been in for almost an hour now.

Alex made an unsure face, watching the door and inwardly debating whether he should check up on things or not. This thought trail went on for a few minutes more until he heard Holly laugh.

He turned to look at her in surprise. "What?"

She shook her head, "Artemis wouldn't hurt Ethryn. You don't need to check on them."

His eyes widened considerably. "How did you know what I was thinking?" He asked, somewhat suspiciously.

Holly smiled in understanding, "Not a Fairy thing. Just a people-reading kind of thing."

Alex nodded, relaxing a bit. "Holly?"

"Hmm?"

"If you don't mind my asking," He bit his lip, hesitating, before continuing. "Do you find it uncomfortable? You know, being a Fairy with all these humans around who are, well, taller then you and look different then you."

Holly considered this. Eventually, she shook her head, "Not really. Fairies live underground, actually. Any chance we get to go topside we take. Humans are just something you get used to, or at least a tolerance for. Artemis, Butler, and a few others relating to them are the only humans I've built a friendship with, though. We don't make it a habit to be seen by them and avoid it as much as possible."

Alex was intrigued. "And if you're spotted anyways?"

She tapped the side of her head, next to her eyes, with a smirk. "Most creatures have an ability to mesmer people, meaning, use their magic to hypnotize anyone into forgetting anything they saw or heard. All we have to have is eye contact and some spark of magic left."

"You mean you run out?" Alex then became a bit embarrassed. "Sorry for asking all these questions."

"No, it's fine, really. Well, actually, I'm sure the Fairy People wouldn't be all too pleased, but I'm on vacation. I can do what I like," She said, with a smile. "And to answer your question, yes, we can run out of magic. Healing is an ability we have. We can heal ourselves or others but it takes a lot of magic out of us. To replenish it once we're out, we've got to do this ceremony during a full moon. To put it simply, we go out, pick an acorn, and plant it elsewhere."

"Like planting magic," Alex joked, with a smile. "Cool."

Holly laughed when the door to the study (connecting to the one Ethryn and Artemis were in) opened. Ethryn seemed pleased and Artemis as neutral as ever, but with a small smile on his face. Immediately though, his attention was on Alex. But he quickly looked away, as Ethryn was talking animatedly in her excitement.

"So then when is it going to be here?" She asked, eyes sparkling slightly.

Artemis had a feeling she was going to pester him about this for some time to come. "Whenever you pick one out."

"Well how do I do that?"

"You have one of two options," Artemis began, hoping he wouldn't have to explain this again. "Either go online, or find a shelter somewhere and meet them in person. I think it would be more advisable to meet them in person, as the internet can be deceiving. Not to mention you'll build a better bond that way."

Alex looked back and forth between the two, "I see things went well."

Ethryn smiled at him appreciatively. "Yes. I'm getting a dog."

"Is that what you were so worried about?" Holly then demanded, clearly still bothered in being left out of the loop. "You didn't think Artemis would let you have a pet?"

Artemis shook his head, "Actually, my dear cousin has told me ever so politely that she overheard our conversation and that I should keep my nose out of her personal business. Also, if she wants my opinion, she'll ask for it."

Holly took one look at a slightly smirking Ethryn (who was looking at Alex) before bursting out laughing. Ethryn too began to giggle a bit. Artemis scowled. Through her laughter, Holly managed out, "Serves you right, Artemis! I told you that you should stay out of things that weren't your concern!"

The genius was laughed at for a short moment before Alex cut in, with a smile. "So what kind of dog are you getting?"

She seemed pleased he'd asked, "I want a medium sized dog. Not a big one of a little yappy one."

"Like . . . a Labrador?" Alex suggested.

Ethryn's face lit up. "That's a perfect dog!"

"Are you getting a puppy or a grown dog or what?" Holly asked. "There's a lot more into getting a pet then just picking a type. You have to know how to train it and get the right care-taking things for it. Stuff like that."

Ethryn smiled. "One step at a time, Holly."

"Baby steps," Artemis agreed.

London, Elsewhere

"But, Miss Opal," The young woman said shakily. "How am I supposed to get her out of the house?"

"Artemis trusts you," Opal replied, with a sneer of a smile. "He might not trust you to take care of her, after almost getting yourself killed and Ethryn kidnapped, but doubtless the most we'll have to worry about it extra security. All you have to do is convince Artemis you've been in intensive care with a slight memory drawback. I've checked his systems. He's made no move to attempt to find you, as he assumed we disposed of you."

"Miss Koboi, I don't think you understand," The woman disagreed, in disbelief. This Opal person was unnerving, but through experience, she found Artemis Fowl to have accomplished a degree of terrifying that shouldn't be possible for a boy his age. It was the first day of the job and he had made it very clear that should anything about her prove unprofessional, it would prove most consequential to her career. She took his advice and did the best job she could, asking no questions, like a true professional. So far, it had only gotten her put into a dark and claustrophobic room for who knew how long until she was brought into the light and told by this petite woman she was going to be used in a plan against him.

She had to be kidding, right?

Opal slowly turned her head away from the mirror to face her, "No, Miss, I don't think you understand."

And suddenly her voice was hypnotic, and all of the woman's fear dripped away. A voice like this could do her no wrong, it would never wish any harm upon her. It was such a soothing thing to hear, she felt complete trust and loyalty.

She'd do anything the owner of such a voice could ask.

"You've forgotten your memories since anyone saw you last. You've been staying at the local hospital until you remembered what had happened, spoke nothing of it, and assured the hospital you had someone at home to take care of you. The whole time you were frightened of what had happened to Ethryn. As soon as you return home, the first thing you will do is contact your employer and tell him what happened to you. You will apologize profusely, because you were unable to protect his cousin and do anything, by all means, to keep your job and return Ethryn to London. If that is not possible, remind him that in the public's view, you are still her legal guardian and caretaker and admit you're not quite positive how to handle the situation then. When Artemis ships you to Ireland, take her or that other blond boy she's staying with into the forest Saturday at around 3:00 in the evening and hand whoever you can get over to us. And you've never met me before then if Artemis or anyone else asks. Do you understand?"

The mesmerized victim nodded helplessly. "Yes, I understand."

"Good." Opal replied, the mesmer in her voice disappearing. "Now, my guards will be calling a cab for you. Until Saturday, Madame."

The woman suddenly found herself hoisted up by the arm and dragged out of the room.

Opal gave a peal of laughter as soon as the door shut, turning to herself in the vanity she was fixating herself in. Her recent irritation was long over, as she had by now remembered that everyone else was incompetent except herself. The hopeless fools couldn't be blamed for their stupidity and lack of success. It was unfair to expect so much from misfits. But now she had a plan that was full proof. She wasn't as ignorant as Artemis was. Long ago had she seen the potential that led to this back-up plan. It wasn't by mere chance she'd shoved Alex and Ethryn together. Originally, when she'd heard of the Scorpia informant, she would've thought nothing of it and let him be. But upon seeing how reasonably good-looking he was, she knew at once that he would be the perfect back-up plan.

How glad she was that she hadn't killed Miss Harrison and kept her locked up, just in case anything went wrong.

"You've made a mistake, Artemis Fowl," She sneered, smiling viciously at herself in the mirror as she prepared her expression for when she actually saw him next. "And I intend to exploit it so carefully, you won't even realize what's happened until it's too late."

Ireland, Fowl Manor

The phone rang.

Ethryn was on the computer, looking up what exactly a Labrador was. Artemis was talking about training techniques with her while Holly would cut in every now and then about how training wouldn't be too hard for Ethryn because of her Fairy genes. Animals were naturally drawn to their kind and responded well to them. This had led to a whole new conversation sprouted from Alex's curiosity, which was currently what they were speaking of. Artemis was even in the conversation, with Butler standing quietly in the corner on alert, until the ringing had interrupted them.

It was Artemis's cell phone.

"Excuse me," he said, apologetically, pulling the sleek phone from his pocket and examining the caller ID. His eyes widened in surprise and then he let out an audible groan. The boy genius was clearly not happy. "Of course she'd be calling at a time like this."

"Who is it, Artemis?" Holly asked, obviously a bit unnerved. Ethryn and Alex glanced at one another, also appearing a bit unsure of themselves.

He didn't answer, as he'd already flipped open the phone. His most polite tone was suddenly thickly layered in his tone of voice, disguising completely how distressed he was at whoever was calling. "Well, I have to say, I wasn't expecting a call from you today."

Holly's eyes narrowed and she vaguely wondered if Artemis was refusing to say their name on purpose, just to be irritating and keep everyone else in suspense and out of the loop. As he shot a smug look at her and a wink unnoticed by everyone else, her eyes narrowed further and she knew she was right. But he sneered off her irritated expression and turned away from her to continue the conversation.

Some things never changed.

Artemis waited for the other person to stop speaking before he responded. "I wonder about your concern. You've never even met her." After a moment he flinched at the loud response and everyone was informed of the feminine gender of the other speaker. "Unfortunately, now isn't the best time . . . That's my problem, not- . . . Yes, I know your assistance is invaluable at times, but it's just not necessary at the moment . . . You really don't have too . . . No, I'm not saying I don't want you to come out, it's just that, as I said before, it's not a good time to be visiting . . . Yes, but- . . ." Artemis sighed. "Very well. If you insist. Although I have to say, it's awfully rude to just invite yourself to people's houses. I hope you don't make a habit of that." He chuckled at the reply. "Yes then. See you soon." And he clicked the phone shut.

"Who was that, Artemis?" Ethryn asked, intrigued. "And whose coming down?"

"You remember that friend I told you about, Ethryn?" Artemis replied. "The one Butler often refers to as 'my female version' behind my back?"

Butler smirked a bit and Ethryn nodded, "Oh, yes, uh, what's her name again?"

Holly's eyes widened in surprise. "You can't be serious, Artemis. She's coming down here? Of all the inconvenient-!"

"Wait, I'm sorry," Alex interrupted, obviously still confused and left out in the dark. "Who are we talking about, exactly?"

"Eh," Ethryn was biting her lip, trying to remember the name.

Artemis answered for them. "An old friend of mine, Minerva Paradizo. It seems we're going to be having an unexpected visit from her."

And yes, I couldn't leave out poor Minerva. She had like, three sentences mentioned in my last story, and Ethryn hasn't actually ever met her yet. I can't remember if Minerva was mind-wiped or not, but in my story, she wasn't! So deal with it! She will be in the next chapter.

Also, Opal's plan will be taking course. And what will the ever beautiful Minerva stir up when she arrives? Will some type of jealousy form? And from who, Ethryn, or Holly? Will Opal succeed? How will Minerva act, as a nuisance, or a grateful Ally?

Till the next chapter or so.