We marched on foot directly from the house to the large field in the snow where the trial was to be held. No one dared to say a word, fortunately for me, the only sound being the occasional snapping of a twig under our feet as we glided through the forest.

Even though I was embarrassed that this particular thought was one of the only thoughts going through my mind, my mates looked hot in those battle outfits. Like, they were always breathtakingly gorgeous, but at that point, I thought I would definitely faint if I could. Nice timing with your arousal, Eli.

The closer we got to the clearing away from the trees, the stronger the scents of the Cullens became. I held Marcus' hand tightly, standing between him and Aro. Marcus lightly squeezed my hand in a reassuring gesture and pulled my cloak hood over my head for me before pulling his own on.

The light increased and our path broke away from the line of trees. The guards stood either side in a long, probably intimidating-looking line of black cloaks, while our witnesses gathered mostly behind us, some in line with the guards.

The figures of the Cullens came into clear view, each spaced out with their mates. Identifying who was who, I realised they had the Denalis on their side, as well as a few other covens I didn't know and apparently some nomads.

At the front of the gathering of Cullens were Bella and Edward, those two I would recognise anywhere. Immortality had hit Bella hard, she was gorgeous, and coordinated now, with liquid gold eyes matching Edward's.

Between the newly wedded couple was a small child, no more than 10 years old, holding each of their hands.

Shit.

In continuous, measured strides, Aro, Caius, Marcus, and I all pushed to the front, Aro slightly further forward than us. Aro and I were the only ones not wearing our gloves, Aro so he could use his gift, and me so I could use mine if I needed to.

Just behind us were Felix, Demetri, Jane, Alec, Renata, and Santiago, the remaining guards forming the rest of the line. The Cullens were definitely outnumbered, that I knew for sure.

Aro's gaze darted from left to right, looking for something in particular. I faintly heard Edward murmuring something quietly, something about Alice, but it was too quiet for me to hear.

Bella scanned our people, but her eyes soon settled on me. She seemed shocked, startled, and I noticed her subtly squeezing the child's hand tighter. I kept my expression indifferent. Learnt that trick from Marcus.

Just as we were still approaching the middle of the field, a loud howl came from within the tree line, which became a series of howls. I could feel Caius' subtle anxiety through the bond, although the poor baby was doing a really good job of covering it up. I quickly reassured him as best as I could using our bond and diverted all of my attention on the approaching wolves.

The shape-shifter wolves—or I presumed they were the shape-shifters—gathered between the Cullen witnesses protectively. One of them stood beside Bella, who I assumed to be Jacob.

Aro stopped in his tracks and everyone else immediately followed suit. He unclipped the corner of his cloak and pulled the hood off his head. I did the same with one hand since I was holding onto Marcus still, and each rank took their hood off one by one.

Carlisle strolled forward, still as blonde and gorgeous as I remembered. "Aro, let us discuss things as we used to. In a civilised manner."

"Fair words, Carlisle," Aro said with his smooth, velvet voice. Cue me fainting, "but a little out of place given the battalion you've assembled against us."

"I can promise you, that was never my intent," Carlisle insisted. "No laws have been broken."

Caius looked at him as if he was stupid with his head tilted to the side. "We see the child. Do not treat us as fools."

"She is not an immortal," Carlisle announced to the field. I internally sighed of relief as he continued his speech. "These witnesses can attest to that, or you can look. See the flush of human blood in her cheeks-"

"Artifice!" Caius spat accusingly.

I lightly nudged him in the shin with my foot in a 'let the man finish his speech' kind of gesture. He barely reacted, but I could see that my kick had pissed him off.

Aro held up his hand to silence Caius. "I will collect every facet of the truth, but from someone more central to the story. Edward." His attention moved to the auburn haired vampire at the front. "As the child clings to your newborn mate, I assume you are involved."

Aro took a few steps forward with his hand extended out from his cloak in invitation. Edward stroked the child's hair back and began pacing forwards towards us through the snow. Of course, I didn't miss Bella moving the small girl to stand between her and Jacob.

Warily, Edward slowed down once he was only a few feet away. I ensured to get all of the thoughts I wanted to get to him out of the way now.

'Eddy-boi you son of a bitch, what have you done this time? Huh? Can you do anything right or do you have to be babysat because your immature 17 year old behind can't take care of itself without committing a crime? I have threatened to kick your ass to the moon where it belongs before and I am all too willing to do so now that I'm able to. You absolute moronic idiot with a weird face and slightly misshapen teeth.'

I noticed him very quickly smirk at my internal rant but then he became all serious once more. Aro was all too eager to encase one of his hands in his own, his eyes glazing over as Edward's thoughts flooded his head. His expression became amused temporarily, but then darkened once more.

He let go and Edward let his hand rest back down by his side. Aro's mouth moved, as if attempting to form the right words and failing. My rant left him speechless, I presume.

"I'd like to meet her," Aro requested.

Glancing over his shoulder briefly, Edward nodded his head and Bella started towards us with Jacob and the child in tow. They stopped only a few metres in and turned back, apparently to Emmett. Ignoring the concerned-looking Rose, Emmett joined them in their walk towards us.

Bella had a disapproving scowl plastered on her face, yet still my expression remained indifferent. Instead, I placed my free hand on Marcus' forearm, hoping that his physical presence could serve as some kind of reassurance. Even seeing Emmett so grumpy made me feel uneasy.

The little girl examined my face curiously. I smiled warmly at her, which she lightly reciprocated back.

"Ah," Aro breathed, "young Bella. Immortality becomes you."

He beamed down at the child, but I could tell by her expression that, of course, he was terrifying her. He did that to most people, in fairness. One of his best traits. At least I was lucky enough to be able to witness his soft, genuine smile almost every day.

The girl's heart beat softly but faster than any human. Whatever she was, it was something new entirely.

Aro laughed manically at the sound of it, pointing at that poor child. I could feel his excitement and relief heavily radiating off his end of the bond.

"I hear her strange heart." He smiled in fascination.

The girl took a few small and hesitant steps forward towards us. I could see that she was clearly frightened of Aro, so I thought I might as well make things a little easier and at least try to act friendly towards her.

I took my hand out of Marcus and moved forward beside Aro, crouching down to her eye level and smiling as sweetly as possible. "Hi honey, what's your name?"

"I'm Renesmee," she responded confidently. "Hello, Eliana."

Renesmee reached towards the side of my face. I gazed at her chocolate brown eyes confusedly but didn't stop her, simply out of pure fascination. Her hand made contact with my face, and a blur of images crossed my mind at once.

Bella was on some kind of hospital table, her pale cheeks and eyes sunken in. At the state she was in, she didn't even look like she should be alive or responding in any way. The word "beautiful" escaped her lips in a whisper, before the image was replaced in a blur.

Renesmee wasn't a vampire. She was half mortal, half immortal. A half-breed of some kind. Oh, Edward just can't help but stick his seed where it doesn't belong, can he?

The girl, Renesmee, had been raised by both Bella and Edward, and in such a short space of time as well. She had a very close relationship with Jacob, an…imprint relationship.

Jacob had given her the nickname 'Nessie', which Bella, in true Bella fashion, had a freak out about because it sounded like the Loch Ness Monster. If anything, that's a way edgier name than Renesmee. Who the hell names their child Renesmee?

The next image to fly by was Bella and Renesmee sitting on a child's double bed. Renesmee still looked only 7 or so years old, but I was trying to pay attention to their conversation.

"The Volturi leaders all share one partner, or mate, and she's called Eli," Bella explained.

"Eli?" Renesmee questioned. I thought it was sweet that she wasn't so much bothered by the fact that I was polyamorous, but more so that my name's 'Eli'.

"Her name's Eliana, but she prefers that name," Bella answered.

"Oh, she has a shorter name like me." Renesmee grinned happily. "Do you know Eli?"

Bella nodded. "I grew up with her. I'd…like to think we're still best friends, and I know I can trust her with anything. I think she'd like you, you know. You're both very similar."

"If you're best friends, then why is she coming for us?" Renesmee asked.

"She's made the same mistake as everybody else. Once she sees who you are and gets to know you better, I'm sure she'll love you, but not as much as I already do," Bella assured with a soft smile.

The images blurred out again, and the world suddenly came back into focus. I wasn't exactly sure how long I'd zoned out for, but I assumed it hadn't been long as everyone was exactly how and where I remembered. I glanced around us confusedly. Yep, still in the stupid ass field.

"How did you-?" I couldn't even think of how to finish my question.

Renesmee simply shot me a smug grin and took a step to the side towards Aro. He had his hand stretched out in front of him, but he seemed warier after what happened to me.

I rejoined Marcus and placed my hand in his awaiting one. He raised a questioning eyebrow at me, but I'd have to explain to him what happened later. I leaned into his side comfortably, not that he had any problems with that.

Caius nudged my leg with his foot. I turned around to him and mouthed the word "what?".

"What was that she showed you?" he mouthed to me.

I simply shrugged my shoulders, weakly smiled at him, and turned my attention back to the trial happening in front of us.

"Hello Aro," Renesmee greeted him.

She did the same thing to Aro, placing her small hand on the side of his face. She seemed to be studying him and his reactions curiously. Aro smiled, although his eyes were still glazed over. I wondered what memories he was being shown. Probably more tailored to him, I'd expect.

"Magnifico," he sighed happily, pulling his face away from her hand abruptly.

Aro turned back to address everyone else, and he was noticeably much calmer and more relieved than before. "Half mortal, half immortal. Conceived and carried by this," he turned around to Bella, his gaze fixated on her in fascination, "newborn, while she was still human."

"Impossible," Caius countered stubbornly.

I nudged him a little harder in the shin, and this time he did flinch at least slightly. Marcus and even Edward suppressed a laugh at that single action.

Aro turned his attention to Caius, pacing towards him threateningly. "Do you think they have fooled me, brother?"

Instead of turning around and following after the others straight away, Jacob snarled, that snarl building up into a loud bark which was so loud that it caused Aro's cloak to move slightly.

Not able to take him seriously whatsoever, even if he was trying to threaten and intimidate us, I murmured, "rawr," towards him.

That day, I discovered that wolves can in fact scowl.

Caius didn't take his gaze off Aro and tilted his head back towards the guards stationed behind us. "Bring the informer forward," he commanded.

The left half of the line of guards circled inwards which ushered forward Irina. Her golden eyes stared down at the ground guiltily. I let go of Marcus' hand once more, ready to leap in, in case Caius did anything stupid.

"Is that," Caius pointed at Renesmee across the field, "the child you saw?"

Irina looked over at the happy family and then back at the snow dusting around her feet. "I-I'm not sure."

Caius seemed displeased by that answer. "Jane?"

"She's changed," Irina cut in before Jane had the chance to use her gift on her. "This child is bigger."

"Then your allegations are false."

"The Cullens are innocent. I take full responsibility for my mistake." She glanced over at Tanya and Kate. "I'm sorry," she whispered to them.

As soon as I saw the torch flame up beside us, I launched myself in as quickly as possible. "No," I said firmly.

Caius looked at me in utter horror and disbelief. "No?"

"Irina Denali didn't make the allegation herself," I argued. "She offered her previous thoughts and memories to Aro, who interpreted them himself. This supposed 'allegation' was only an interpretation of what she witnessed all those weeks ago. Therefore, she should not be held accountable for a very simple mistake, one that even you yourself made before we were introduced to little Renesmee."

"But we do not offer second chances," Caius hissed.

"Then I guess we're going to have to execute you and Aro while we're at it, and probably everyone else standing here." I gestured wildly to the crowd in front of us, all watching with a mixture of proud and bemused expressions, and then turned around to Irina. "Irina, as stated previously, the Volturi do not offer second chances. However, you haven't even reached your second chance. You may leave, join your coven, but consider this your very. Final. Warning."

Relief crossed all of her angelic features, and she looked like she wanted to hug me but fought herself to keep her arms down. "Thank you, Eliana."

Irina ran back to her coven, pulled into the arms of her sisters. I smiled fondly at the sight, and then was pulled back by Marcus, who wrapped his arm around my waist with a proud grin.

Edward, who had just crossed over to pat Irina on the back, began to pace back towards Bella. After worryingly not reacting to the stunt I pulled saving Irina's life, Aro turned around to Jane and inclined his head.

"Pain," Jane muttered.

Edward keeled over into the snow, gripping his sides. His face contorted in agony, agony Jane was able to project across an entire field.

I saw Bella step in worriedly, but then a look of concentration spread across her features as her eyes shut tightly and her hands formed fists by her sides. Miraculously, Edward stood back up to his feet with ease and took a few steps back to rejoin Bella.

Jane's gaze darted to the other Cullens one by one, but they all seemed to feel no effect of Jane's gift. Somehow, Bella had developed a shield, a mental shield, a gift more powerful than even little Jane's.

Turning his head confusedly, Aro silently questioned Jane's face. Clearly defeat was a completely new emotion for her, as I could almost feel her anger bubbling up to the surface. Great, I was going to have to deal with her tantrum later.

Bella's smirk did the trick. Jane started forward angrily with her hands tightly fisted by her sides, but fortunately Alec stopped her before she did anything she regretted. Marcus glanced down at me, and we seemed to both have the same astonished expression on our faces aimed at Bella.

I turned my head to the side to see that Alec had his palms open, and his sensory deprivation mist was seeping through the air and swirling in their direction. Before it had the chance to even come close to the Cullens, Aro raised his hand and Alec very quickly rolled his eyes before allowing his mist to recede back into his palms.

"Aro, you see there's no law broken here," Carlisle said.

"Agreed," Aro began, "but does it then follow that there is no danger?"

My expression dropped completely. No, he wouldn't—my Aro wouldn't stoop that low…would he?

Edward perked up suddenly, his eyes moving towards the tree line the wolves had emerged from. Everyone else's gazes followed, and Aro's expression immediately lightened up.

Aro gasped. "Alice," he whispered.

Alice and Jasper strolled through the middle of the field side by side towards us. She glanced over at the Cullens, and then directly at me, before diverting his attention to Aro.

Before she could reach us, Demetri stepped forward with Afton and Adrian, forcing both her and Jasper backwards. Caius moved to stand beside me, placing his right hand over my shoulder protectively.

Aro was absolutely elated. "My dear, dear Alice. We're so glad to see you here after all."

"I have evidence the child won't be a risk to our kind," she informed him, extending her hand out between Demetri and Afton. "Let me show you."

"Brother," Caius warned, not taking his eyes off Alice and Jasper for one moment.

Completely ignoring Caius, Aro motioned her forward with his hand which prompted Demetri to let go of her and allow her to proceed. Nonetheless, Demetri didn't hesitate to slap Jasper painfully around the face.

"Tweedledee, we don't slap our friends," I hissed almost silently.

Jasper smirked at me while Demetri hung his head in some weak form of apology.

Aro leant down to pick up Alice's hand, his hands encasing her much smaller, daintier one. His eyes glazed over as her visions flooded through his head.

Now, we waited.

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

Author's note: Haha battle scene battle scene battle scene! As you can see, this entire arc follows Breaking Dawn pretty closely, but with some minor differences such as Eli saving Irina's clown ass and her becoming oddly fond of Renesmee.

The reason I left out Aro's entire speech was basically because I wanted it to be so that he didn't particularly want any confrontation in the first place, mostly just because Eli doesn't want it and true mates will pretty much always have the same viewpoint and side with each other automatically.

Anyway, thank you so much for reading, be sure to leave some feedback because I love to hear your thoughts, stay safe, and ily lots!