Hey there.
Just like the last story, I find myself unable to decide something, so I'm leaving it up to you. I've put a poll on my profile to help determine Alice's and Esme's babies. I've made it a multi-vote poll so you can vote on Alice and Esme, but it's going to be a blind poll. You won't see the result until I post the chapter that goes along with it.
Just to keep you all in suspense. lol.
XII
(Edward POV)
"You're planning on declaring war?" Emmett asked.
"Yes," I answered, "It's the one way we can save the children and end this forever."
"Leo has an army Edward," Jasper argued, "All we have is a rabble of knights."
"Not all the Lords are loyal to Leo. There are some who are against his tyranny and a few others we can sway with careful planning."
"They do have large forces," Emmett said softly.
"If we convince them that Leo is no longer fit to rule, we can cause a uprising."
"The people have no love for the King," Jasper agreed slowly, "but, Edward, how can we do this without the King knowing. You know he watches us like a hawk does to a mouse."
"Carefully. We'll need to mask our visits to the other Lords as simple pleasantry. Some Lords move about and visit other cities to see how well off they are. But, in doing so, we'll also need to make the visits one at a time."
"One at a time?" Emmett asked.
"It's the only way to go without the King growing any more suspicious than he usually is."
"...This sounds like it's going to take a while..." Jasper said.
I sighed, "A long while. I've been fighting to come up with something else but nothing that wouldn't put our children into immediate danger."
"This may put them in danger as well," Emmett argued.
"Yes but the danger won't be right away. They can grow stronger and learn to defend themselves."
We sat in silence for a while. The barking continued deep in the city and the crickets answered near the bench.
"Do you think Rose can last that long?" Emmett asked quietly.
I looked at him, "Bella and Alice will make sure of it. Don't you worry Emmett."
Jasper offered a smile, "He's right Emmett. We'll all make sure Rosalie stays with us, so she can see her daughter again."
He smiled a little, "Thank you."
(Bella POV) Morning...
I woke up to find Edward missing. The area next to me was cold. He had been gone for a while. I slipped out of the bed and journeyed to find him.
I met Alice in the hallway, "Good morning Alice."
"Good morning Bella," she smiled, "Have you seen Jasper?"
"No. Is he missing?"
"The bed was cold when I woke up."
"Edward wasn't with me either."
"Let's look for them."
We searched the left wing of the castle until we found our men and Emmett in Edward's map room.
"What are you gentlemen doing in here so early?" I asked.
They looked up.
"I may have stumbled on a plan to get our children back," Edward said.
"What's the plan?" Alice asked quickly.
"In a single word," Jasper said, "War."
"War?" I asked, shocked.
"Civil war," Edward nodded, "We can get the children back this way with minimal threat of danger."
"Minimal?" Alice asked, doubtfully.
"There's less risk in the way we've planned it than anything else." He sighed, "However, it will also take the most amount of time."
"How long?"
"...A good couple of years or so..."
I sighed.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize Edward. I'd rather have my children back safely than rashly."
He nodded with a soft smile.
Later...
"This sounds like a solid plan, son," Edward Sr. said.
We had gathered everyone in one room so Edward could relay his plan.
"Yes," Carlisle agreed, "I just wish there was a faster way."
"We can pull this off if we are careful," Jasper said, "Very careful."
"That's the dangerous part," Edward said, "One mistake and it could be all over."
"How will this be carried out then?" Edward Sr. asked.
"I'll go with Jasper and Emmett to the different Lords that I know are against Leo. I befriended a few of them but I'll still have to stay at least a month. Two months for the Lords that are unsure of which side to be on."
"What of the ones solidly with the King? There could be spies."
"I know. That's another factor we need to be careful of. If any word reaches the Leo, he could act in a number of ways."
"There's a lot of risks in this plan," Rosalie said quietly.
We looked at her, surprised at the first words she had said in days.
"I know Rosalie," Edward said quietly, "but this is the only way. Leo's city is too heavily guarded to siege and he, more than likely, has the children guarded at all times of the day."
"This will work," Carlisle said confidently, "We just have to work hard and stay on our toes."
Edward nodded, "I want my children back as soon as possible. I trust everyone feels the same?"
We nodded.
He turned to Jasper and Emmett, "Then we need to carry this out now."
"Who are we visiting first?" Jasper asked.
"I want to see Lord Luneth first. He's always been a close friend of mine. His city is in the northern reaches of the kingdom. It will take us about a month to get there and we should stay for about a week or more. To make it seem realistic."
"You're sure he will join us?"
"Absolutely. He was one of my trainers. He shared his views on Leo with me. He does not like him very much."
"Will you hit every other Lord along the way back?"
"To avoid Leo, we can't. We'll have to come back, wait a bit, and then send a messenger to the next Lord to ask for a meeting."
"This will take a while..." Esme said softly.
"It's the only way to avoid detection. You know how suspicious Leo is."
"So, we have a plan then," Edward Sr. said.
"And we're going to act it out immediately. I'll gather some volunteers from the city to be my escort and leave you and Carlisle in charge again. The city will be in safe hands while I'm gone then."
We nodded. Something in my gut said something was going to go bad, but this was all we had. I looked at Edward. He was glaring at the map, his distant eyes showing he was still in thought.
I took a slow breath to calm myself. I trusted him. I knew he could get the children back safe. I just hoped that he wouldn't get hurt in the process.
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