Artemis sat down on the bottom of the stairs, his fingers tangled in his hair.

A quiet voice came from behind him, "What is the matter, Master Fowl?"

He glanced over his shoulder at Butler, "Nothing that would concern you at the moment. It was expected, sooner or later."

Butler crouched beside him, "You know, Artemis, I was sworn to protect you for always, even if it meant sacrificing my own life."

Artemis sighed, a hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach, "It was Mulch Diggums here tonight."

Butler nodded, as though he knew this.

"He warned me that the fairies have come very close to deciding that I am too much of a threat to let live."

Butler straightened up, "We have dealt with the fairies before and came out all right." He reminded his employer.

"Yes, but, that was on my turf then. I knew and expected almost every move they made. Now, only time will tell what will happen next."

He looked out the window, gazing at the quiet stars that twinkled even when it seemed as though the world was tearing itself apart.

Butler hesitated, then laid a hand on his charge's shoulder, "They will have to come through me first." He decided grimly.

Artemis almost smiled, "Yes. They always do. Come. The night is young. Let us sleep while we have the chance."

Artemis fell asleep even faster, sleeping the sleep of the dead. He awoke the next morning to the now familiar smell of bacon, eggs, and pancakes.

He dressed quickly and walked downstairs.

Eva was trying to force eggs onto Butler who was having a hard time resisting Artemis's emphatic aunt.

"No, I'm fine, really."

She kept trying to force a plate overflowing with food into his protesting hands, "I don't care what protocol is over in Ireland. You're in America now and I insist that you eat with the rest of us!"

Butler caught Artemis's eye helplessly.

The situation was so comical that Artemis had to restrain himself from breaking out into laughter. He nodded at Butler to take the food. Butler unwillingly accepted the plate and ate silently.

Pfeiffer watched this exchange curiously, then burst out, "Don't giants need to eat, too?"

Butler raised his eyebrows ad nodded solemnly, "This giant just isn't very hungry, right now."

Pfeiffer nodded, accepting it as common sense, "When can Artis take me to the beach like you promised?"

Danny's eyes brightened and she jumped in before anyone else spoke up, "Right after lunch, bro! And he will stay there with you for as long as you want."

Pfeiffer grinned and giggled, anticipating quality time with cousin 'Artis'.