After Martha's passing Alistair was really depressed, he knew she had seen him all those years ago. But he'd never expected her to remember and be waiting on him to arrive before she passed away! He was reminded of all the other beds he'd sat beside so a family member wouldn't die alone. That happened quite frequently in the past, due to war, famine, persecution all these things they had struggled through. It was so amazing that some humans were still in touch with their old superstitious side. What do they call it nowadays? ESP, how clinical and scientific for something that is anything but! As the centuries passed fewer and fewer humans listened to that inner voice and it was to their detriment he was sure. Funnily it was mostly the Celtic peoples of the United Kingdom that still held some respect for the past.
Alistair headed over to Aberdeen, on the east coast as his next stop. Running across the Cairngorms was one of his pleasures, the beauty, the majesty were beyond compare. He really liked the Granite City of Aberdeen, the people and their strength of self, like every major city they had a distinctiveness all of their own. Normally he wouldn't have zigzagged across Scotland like this, but the event on Skye had thrown a spanner in his routine and route. Glasgow would be next now, Glasgow was also quite unique, and Alistair liked the grid pattern of the original city centre. Basically, you just kept turning left and you were back where you started and less likely to get lost. But like everywhere else he saw the changes, some slower than others, but changes all the same.
He was happy that everyone else was good in his Scottish family members and he'd nothing to do other than watch the occasional school sports day or a theatrical production. As he was heading east again towards Sunderland over the border back in England, he thought he might visit the *bridges over the Forth. He had been there for each of their inceptions, spanning three different centuries. Hell, he even worked on the first, the rail bridge. Sometimes he just felt the need to be there, help out or just leave his mark throughout history. He always left his initials hidden somewhere with the date, as nobody would know but him. If in the distant future anyone found them and made the connection that would be a conundrum he'd have a good laugh at.
Sunderland is a port city on the northeast coast of England; it seemed much of his family had headed to port towns and cities. Then his next visit was to Hartlepool, barely twenty miles down the road. It was another seaside town and port. His last stop before heading for London was Manchester, now in the Metropolitan Greater Manchester area, Alistair remembers when it was in the county of Lancashire. He never understood the need to keep changing the boundaries and names all the time. Alistair was really looking forward to his time in London, he'd pop out to South Norwood, then he was going to get some new clothes and take in a show. For all the fools who thought him uncultured and hermit-like they were so very wrong.
Alistair just didn't care for his fellow vampires, or like many their need for constant affirmation! He has never agreed with the idea of too many living together, it breeds contempt and causes too much strife. He would be happy to live forever with just a mate and occasional interactions with others. There were very few he liked enough to spend time with and they were spread out across the world. Conrad in Greenland, the beautiful Bente from Denmark, Boris Sweden's vampire leader, Peter Whitlock from America in very small doses, although his mate Charlotte was really nice. The Irish coven of course and Tobias from London itself was okay, but his incessant need to check up on Carlisle Cullen was annoying. He was the unfortunate fool who had turned him.
Thus as his sire felt duty-bound to keep tabs on him and he did it through Alistair. Yes, he supposed they were as close to being friends as he was prepared to get. Then the ones he saw only as acquaintances, Carlisle Cullen, Amun from Egypt, Luca from Malta and the Norwegians from the Shetlands and a few other nomads, like Garrett that Peter had introduced him to. Quite a few for someone who was universally thought of as a recluse. But Alistair was happy to keep it that way He really kept the other British vampires at arm's length, especially the females! He had no intention of dying because of some bored vampiress trying to get a reaction from her mate or coven mates. Things aren't as bad as they used to be, but it still happens now and then.
This was one time the Volturi did step in and lay down the law, citing that the troublemaking females would be terminated! No matter if they were mated or who they were mated to, it worked because no vampire male likes being made to look weak. It was proof they had no control over their mates or maybe even that the bond was not strong enough! If she was unmated it made the coven leader look bad, as if unable to control their coven. Things calmed down for a while but, there will always be one ready to push the limits of everyone, it's the price, or maybe curse of so many who live for so long, the tedium! The watery sun was slowly sinking as Alistair finished his shopping and was beset with a feeling he would be happier anyplace but here.
That was when he sensed them, smelt them and finally saw them! Carlisle Cullen and who Alistair guessed was his mate, thankfully they were alone without that insufferable child vampire Edward. Alistair concluded long ago, well, roughly eighty years ago, that boy would be nothing but trouble for everyone. Why? He was greedy, small-minded and petty, not a good mix of traits for a vampire. He was also a coward, thus dangerous to those around him. Because he would discard them like a used wrapper, to further his own agenda. He was surprised to see Carlisle without him because Edward made everything about Edward! Ever the gentleman he was, although he gave Carlisle a small bow from the waist. Alistair took Esme's hand on their introduction and he was bombarded by her losses.
Her children, both human and vampire. A priceless gift from Carlisle and how odd, a human girl! The bracelet was easy and he whispered its location wedged behind the bed here in London, where it lodged on their last visit that Alistair had thankfully missed. The loss of her son was alas, a tragedy he could do nothing about. The splitting of their coven was unsurprising, as it came at the hands of Edward. But the Major, being one of them was! Peter had mentioned his sire several times, never as the golden-eyed man, Alistair saw from Esme's touch. He knew then he was with Peter and Charlotte, now whilst Emmett was in Seattle, Washington no, he was in Forks! Esme's mind had no interest, not even fleetingly for the other three, although Alistair still managed to register their locations and they were not together.
As for the human girl whose image made his stomach clench, he saw nothing! He could not sense her anywhere and thus he sadly concluded she was gone from this world.
"I'm sorry Esme, but I cannot see her, perhaps she has passed away!" Alistair started to explain,
"No she is alive; Peter and Jasper got her away from Edward. All he wanted was her blood, the blood of his singer! But we don't know where" she replied sadly.
Causing many more pictures of the girl to pass through their linked hands. Some were so full of life and happiness, some sad and miserable and several of her hurt, hurt by a nomad. How could they let someone in their care get hurt, what were they thinking, what were they doing? Alistair couldn't make heads or tails of it, this girl was Edward's singer and Carlisle let them date! Did he want her to die, was she an experiment? The disgust was leaking into his face and Carlisle was shifting uneasily.
"Nobody is ever going to understand, are they? All you see from Esme's memories is us letting Edward play with his food and then we abandoned her! I rue the day we ever met Isabella Swan! Not because of her, but because of what we did to her and ourselves. If you don't understand, Aro never will!" Carlisle muttered,
Swan! A Swan he can't find! Is she what Alistair thinks she is, a shield? Because if she is, where would be better to hide one shield? Than on an island of them, Luca's home, Malta. A dark Swan, Martha said, but only dark to those looking for her or trying to get into her mind, like she isn't even there. No, she's a beautiful dark Swan, going by her name. Alistair prayed he was right in the meaning and not that she would become dark with that had befallen her at the Cullen's hands. Why did he feel so drawn to the image of a human girl? What did she mean to him, the girl he'd never met? As he pondered the facts a voice was heard,
"I hope I'm not interrupting? I came to ask Alistair about you, Carlisle and here you are with your lovely mate!"
HLMWAINS
Emmett made short work of and quick time running all the way to Forks, he saw no point in hiring a vehicle to get him to his jeep. What did surprise him was the young girl wandering around the outside of the house, his old house. She was maybe the same age as Bella give or take a few months, but that's not where the resemblance ended. Same hair colour, and same eyes colour, but where Bella was as pale as him, this girl had a tan, but it looked natural and even. He could see the depth of it and he knew she had been born with it and not in America. It's funny the things a vampire could see without really realising it. Like the depth of skin colour, its luminosity or the harsh damage from the sun or lack of it, things like that. Her tan was softer, with a glow to the skin and a subtle olive hue, she was Mediterranean in origin!
"Hello, can I help you? Are you lost?" Emmett asked coming through the trees,
"Indanna, hi se toqtolni!" (Damn it, she's going to kill me!) Was her startled reply,
"Għaliex? X'għamilt ħażin?" (Why? What have you done wrong?) Emmett asked back in Maltese,
"You speak Maltese? Oh my God, are you Edward?" she asked frantically backing up away from him,
By this girl's reaction, she knew exactly what he was, so must be one of Luca's descendants. Luca was one of the nicest vampires he'd ever met, kind, outgoing and fair. While Rose had fixed his sports car Luca had taught Emmett Maltese to pass the time.
"No, I'm Emmett, Emmett Cullen; I once was his brother, but not anymore! Also yes I speak Maltese, Luca himself taught me sixty years ago, I think!" Emmett said smiling to himself,
"Thank goodness, I thought I was in real trouble there. Didn't need him reading my mind and finding things out. Our shields don't normally kick in until we're turned, that's if we want to be. Sorry, I'm Alessia and my aunt Orsel is the one who'll kill me for coming here!" she said shaking her head,
Emmett was just about to say something, anything when another car came up the driveway. A small, obviously Maltese whirlwind leapt from the car and stood in front of Alessia. Talking in Maltese at high speed. The girl couldn't get a word in to tell her aunt that Emmett understood every word. He was mesmerised by her flowing jet-black hair and her fire in her defence of her niece. He was obviously a vampire but she was willing to stand against him, she lived up to the definition of her name 'Little female bear'. Emmett as we all know loves bears, but this one he doesn't want to kill unless it's with kindness and love!
"Kien ilu li xi ħadd sejjaħli xitan sabiħ. Mhux ċert li inti fisser bħala kumpliment għalkemm!" (It's been a long time since anyone called me a handsome devil. Not sure you meant it as a compliment though!) Emmett was trying not to laugh as her beautiful face flushed crimson,
"Zija (Auntie) Orsel, this is Emmett Cullen. He's here too; I don't know why he's here actually!" Alessia said also trying not to laugh,
"Ah, came to pick up my jeep and some clothes. Would you like to see the inside, Esme, my mom has a flair for interior design" Emmett replied to her but never took his eyes off of Orsel,
Emmett couldn't believe it, this was like a movie. Coming home to Forks and finding the woman to complete his existence right there. Now he knew why Peter was smirking at him, Peter so this must have been his plan. Exchange student maybe, her here, Bella in Malta. She'll be safe from Eddie-boy and the Italians there! Plus bringing her aunt meant he too got his happy ever after, he would have to do something big to thank him.
"You think of her as your mother, not coven-mate? She was your leader's mate, yes?" Orsel asks confused,
"We were a family, well some of us were! The others who knows, but Jasper and I saw Esme as a mother figure and Carlisle as our leader and my dad of sorts, some would find it strange but it worked for us" Emmett explained as they entered the house,
"We too are a family, Luca's family. He is father to us all and even our newest member" Orsel said smiling at him,
"Bella! She's like my little sister and I hate them all for making me leave her behind, but thank God for Jasper and Peter!" Emmett sighed and Orsel automatically reached out a hand to comfort him,
Her hand hovered in front of her and she realised what she was about to do, her face was a cross between elated and scared.
"I really hope you want to be changed 'little bear' because I'll want to keep you forever," Emmett said catching her hand and they both felt the energy flowing between them,
Alessia just stared at them with tears in her eyes, tears of happiness for her aunt who had given up hope of meeting her mate.
HLMWAINS
"Tobias! I have as usual nothing to say to you" Carlisle said a little pompously,
"Carlisle that's rude! Please introduce me" Esme stated firmly,
"Esme, this is Tobias, he was my sire!" Carlisle said looking down,
"Your sire! You knew who he was all this time and never once told me? I presume Edward knew of course? How's life looking from that hole you keep digging for yourself, Carlisle?" Esme spat before turning to Tobias,
"I'd like to say I knew all about you, but I'm not a liar!" she growled whilst staring at her mate,
Then shook his hand before storming off on her own. Carlisle dropped his head; he knew he should have told her. But Edward had convinced him that they would never meet, so there was no need. Carlisle guessed that Edward liked the fact he knew a secret no one else did. Or was it more that he enjoyed having control over Carlisle, either way, he had once more come between Carlisle and Esme and Carlisle had let him as he had on many occasions!
"Still being sparing with the facts Carlisle and you wonder how Edward turned out that way, looks like a learned behaviour to me!" Alistair said shaking his head and leaving Carlisle with Tobias,
He felt sorry for Esme, Carlisle was normally a good man, but he just couldn't seem to get to grips with the fact that sometimes you have to say no to someone. But he tried to make everyone happy, constantly giving in to their demands until nobody was happy! Catching up to her Alistair offered his arm and explained he was on his way to the theatre and would she care to join him. That would give Carlisle time to finally get his head out of his arse and maybe mends some fences too. Tobias wasn't an evil vampire, just in the wrong place at the wrong time when Carlisle Cullen came along. He suffers from the same problems though and just let him leave because he wanted Carlisle to be happy, even if he, himself were sad. But unlike Carlisle, Tobias was not the leader of a coven, because he knew his own strengths and weaknesses!
Now that Alistair had seen Isabella in Esme's head he was like a man possessed, he need to know more about her so he let Esme tell him all the gory details and he knew if ever he met Edward again he would kill him without thought or concern. The boy was a waste of space and the only thing he ever did right in Alistair's eyes was not killing her! As the hours slipped by Alistair now knew this Isabella Swan was his, his mate and all he needed to do was wait. Well, wait, and talk things over with Luca, as he was now her guardian. Alistair knew he would move to Malta if he had to! It would make his vigil harder but for his mate, he would do anything. He couldn't wait to meet her, not changing her himself wasn't a problem. The venom bond of shields was very important; he knew this from talking to Luca in the past.
But all of that would come to nought if she did not recognise him as her mate, so he would win her heart if it took the rest of eternity to do it. He was very good at bidding his time; he only had to wait one more year and then see how the land lay. He would also make his connection to Bella known to Peter Whitlock and therefore the Major because he didn't want any new enemies. But for now, he would return Esme to her mate and hope Carlisle was beginning to see his way wasn't always the right way. Maybe no longer having a coven was a good thing for them, with only Esme's wants to fulfil, maybe he'd manage that. Let's hope he mended some fences with Tobias too. As he thought before, Carlisle wasn't a bad vampire, just not a wise one and definitely not leader material.
Alistair was happy now to return to his home and his falcons, knowing that he did have a future to plan for and he had learned something vital about his Dark Swan, she loved to read. But more than that she loved what they called the classics, Alistair remembered when those books were written and knew things about the authors that had been lost to the vagrancies of time. He also had many first editions, but he had gleaned from Esme that money didn't curry favour with her either, something Edward could never grasp. Well if she like handmade she'd love it here. In his restorations, Alistair found it was easier to do it himself and finding wood and stone was easier for him than most. If it came from the top of a mountain or the deepest cavern he could procure it with relative ease.
He had wanted to have as much of his mother's home as original as possible. Well, as original as could be achieved in modern times. It was sometimes the species that caused the problem, but here on his land, there were many rare ones planted in days gone by long-dead ancestors. Alistair kept them safe over all the centuries and was very cautious about harvesting only what was needed each time. Refusing to chop down more than he wanted. Conservation at its finest, long before it was a cause for humans to take up. Meanwhile, Alistair decided to review his library and make sure he had everything his Swan might want. Just the thought put a little pep in his step. He left London and all its troubles behind, these troubles were amazingly all Carlisle based.
Alistair's head was filled with thoughts of the future and Isabella. He was sure she would be a magnificent vampire because she already had a strong presence as a human. It was a gentle strength and resilience that only some would see, vampires like the Major and Luca. He doubted any other Cullen had the ability to see it for what it was. They would see her as meek and pliable, but she was strong and unbreakable, because she could bend against the onslaught! She was perfect already in his eyes and it could only get better. With a fully functioning shield she would be invincible, no invulnerable and for that he thanked any deity that would listen. That was the strength that kept her alive and able to keep pushing forward to her fate and her fate was him!
*The Forth Bridges between both Fife and Edinburgh in Scotland cross the Firth of Forth from North Queensferry to South Queensferry. The three bridges also span three centuries in time. The first of the three bridges built was the Forth Bridge in 1890 (Rail) opened by the future Edward VII. Next came the Forth Road Bridge in 1964, followed by the Queensferry Crossing in 2017 both opened by Elizabeth II, 53 years apart, to the day.