Daisy: Hi this is the seventh section of Artemis Fowl and the Tigers' Den!

Marz: Make yourselves at home just don't eat the pizza!

Daisy: Sorry it took so long to update, there were trips to Canada and Crete in the holiday and school decided to have end of term exams.

Marz: Chapter 8 should be out much sooner than this one was, that much we can promise! (We Think)

Artemis: Thank god for that. I can't believe I was actually made to help decorate!

Holly: Artemis, stop complaining. They made me help too. It wasn't even that bad!

Daisy: Yes, well you two didn't help much. Who was it that started that paint fight?

Marz: Let's not worry about that right now. All you lovely readers, keep your eyes open for Socks 2: Butlers' revenge! :D

Daisy: On with the story after a notice from Marz.

Marz: Nope still don't own Artemis or Holly, or even Sool, but I'll keep checking. We can still hope.

Artemis Fowl and the Tigers Den

Chapter 14

Early the next morning Artemis and Holly awoke to the sound of birds twittering joyously in the trees. They changed into clothes similar to those that they wore the previous day and headed to breakfast. Hannah, Marz, Lily and Ginnie were all seated at the head table, eating quietly. Daisy, however, was no-where to be found, her chair so obviously vacant. Artemis and Holly didn't worry about this, assuming it wasn't very important but still inquired as to why she was missing.

"Lily." Holly began. "Where is Daisy? It isn't normal for her to miss breakfast is it?"

Lily looked to the other higher queens before replying, they shook their heads and Lily sighed before turning to Holly once more.

"I am afraid Daisy is feeling a bit ill." She lied. "It isn't anything deadly, she will recover, she just needed to stay in bed for a while."

Artemis and Holly ate their fill. They knew that the Higher Queens were lying to them, but they were not sure why they would need to. They wondered off to the library and browsed the millions of book that were to be read. Once they saw Lily stroll in and pick up a book, she waved at them and left, she seemed much happier than this morning. At around lunch time Sool arrived, he was carrying a tray laden with food. He seemed to have accepted his new job well and even managed a small smile to Artemis before leaving.

That evening Artemis and Holly went to explore the grounds around the castle. At the back there was a dazzling waterfall, the pool at the bottom was crystal clear with the odd fish darting across. After passing through the tunnel under the waterfall and back into open air they came across a sign. It read:

"NO ENTRY!"

"Death will almost certainly occur on violation."

No matter what the sign said both elves and humans are incredibly curious creatures and the forest of vines ahead of them were just too tempting to resist, who knew what was beyond them? The two adventurers set off , they forced their way through the vines and were astonished at what they found on the other side. Artemis heard Holly gasp, and he didn't blame her for doing so. There were blades everywhere, so much danger and potential death it would be stunning to anyone. The one thing the two were lucky about was that the blades weren't moving, yet. Artemis turned around to leave, quickly, only to see their exit barred by blades which had risen up from the caves' stone floor. Gulping gently Artemis turned round once more to survey the trials he and Holly were soon to face. He took a step forwards and cringed as everything began to move. He had just stepped on a pressure pad.

The blades sang as they cut their way through the air, getting closer and closer to the two travellers every second. Holly grabbed Artemis' hand and pulled him out of the way mere moments before a shiny piece of metal shot across the space that his head had previously occupied. (A/N: Ooh! Shiny!)

"We have a big problem." Artemis stated the obvious and Holly shot him a look.

"Let's get moving before another of those blades decides to take another swing at your head!" She replied.

He nodded. He planned to live for at least another 90 years and staying here was making those 90 years less and less likely.

Careful to avoid the paths of the blades they sprinted to the other side, and temporary safety. When they arrived at their destination however the floor shook and there was a booming from stone making contact with stone. The walls ahead were slamming together violently, daring those seeking escape from this tomb of death to pass through them. As Artemis and Holly approached this next obstacle they realised it wasn't as bad as it looked; there was hardly any distance to travel from where they stood to the exit of the clashing sides. To make it easier for themselves they walked right to where the stone began and just as it began to open dashed through, easily making it to the other side before the stones let off another boom.

Back at the ranch Hannah, Ginny, Marz and Lily smiled to one another, the two visitors were doing very well. Most who trespassed never even got this far let alone past the next trap. Perhaps the Den needed its security features improving, one thing for sure it wasn't going to put Daisy in the best of moods.

Daisy growled darkly, they had intruded in her den and to make matters worse they had passed the first two traps. She wasn't going to let them die but they at least deserved to be terrified a little. She padded silently over to a stone console and placed her paws on the pads. Everything that was not previously active whirred to life and she allowed herself a small smirk, she so had to see this.

Holly smiled as she caught her breath, it had been a long time since she last did something as entertaining yet as dangerous as this. She glanced at Artemis and winked. She took in her surroundings, there was a small alcove and a few rocks, and there was even a stream of light coming from the roof of the cave. Full of confidence she decided to say something that isn't a good idea at the best of times.

"Bring it on!" She said.

It was that moment that they heard it. They glanced behind them to see a large boulder beginning to roll towards them. They both cursed and set off at full speed for the alcove that Holly had spotted earlier, trying desperately not to trip on the rocks. The boulder behind them was also picking up speed and soon there were only a couple of metres to the alcove. They both dived for it and felt the air reacting to the large rock as it sped harmlessly by. Holly slid to the floor, completely exhausted and Artemis, who was if possible worse off, joined her.

"We sure seem to have gotten ourselves into a spot of bother." Holly said as she rested her head on Artemis' shoulder.

"That sure is a change from earlier Holly." Artemis smirked at what Holly said previously.

Holly poked him gently and sat up; she planned to say something funny but stopped when she saw the look in Artemis' eyes. She loved those beautiful blue orbs and could probably drown in them if she stared long enough. The light in the cave was slowly dwindling as the sun set outside and Holly leant in slowly. Artemis met her and the kiss that followed told them that this was right, that all they would ever need is each other.

After they broke the kiss for air Holly returned to her previous position, her head resting on Artemis' shoulder, her breath tickling his neck.

"Holly." Artemis began quietly. "I love you."

Holly smiled and replied. "I love you too Artemis. It's amazing how much you've changed since we met; now you're kind and friendly, well to me at least."

"You're the reason I changed Holly. If I never met you I would probably still be cold and heartless." He said honestly. "You saved me."

Holly kissed him lightly and cuddled up against him. She soon fell asleep in the arms of her love, Artemis also drifted off eventually and the cave was silent apart from the soft breathing coming from a small alcove.

Thanks for reading! I hope the romance wasn't too… weird, I'd love to know where to improve on it, and sorry for the OOCness, but hey it wouldn't be our story without it! Big thanks to all those who have reviewed so far, it's great to know people appreciate the story. Everyone else R&R NOW, remember reviews buy carrots for the plot bunnies:D

White Tiger123 and Marz0