Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, I just play in the sandbox. I do however lay claim to my OC's; Ella, Adrian etc. & the inclusion of the Fey World.

AN: Hello, I'm back! All recovered from my surgery now, so updates - in theory - should return to some sense of normalcy ~Hannah

Chapter Sixty-Six – Evil Cannot Win Where There is Hope

Spending time relaxing with Edward was something I was becoming to cherish. The Italian weather was doing us proud with cloudy days of warm heat. Walking hand in hand with Edward down the crowded street, sightseeing and tasting new foods were just the relaxing activities I needed. Leaning on Edward for comfort I felt stronger than I had in weeks. Had someone told me months ago that I would feel this much peace I would have assumed them crazy but as it was, I was grateful for the peace.

"What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?" asked Edward.

"Just thinking about how blessed I am."

"You're blessed? I think you have things round the wrong way."

"Let's not start that argument. Perhaps we're equally blessed that the fates decided to allow us to meet. For all our ups and downs, our arguments and fights, our passion and our love, we have remained strong and united. I owe much of my happiness to you. I feel like I keep jumping from one extreme to the next, and I can't stop repeating the same thoughts I have. I don't want to get overly mushy because I feel like I've been that way for too long but Edward, what we have here is something special and I'm going to fight for it until my last breath."

"Don't say that."

"Don't pout, it's a figure of speech. Don't you think we're worth fighting for?"

"Of course, but not at the expense of your death."

"I won't die Edward because you'll save me first. Besides, talking about death definitely falls into the 'mushy stuff'. I have hope, now I need everyone around me to have the same hope."

"I have hope in you."

"Too much of this visit has been war strategizing. What do you say to a bit of fun?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"A picnic perhaps? Outside in the Volturi Garden?"

"Why do I get the feeling that that's not all you're thinking of?"

"Why Edward? Are you calling me a liar?"

"Most definitely."

"Well, I'm not going to tell you my plan then."

"I'll make you tell me."

"You'll have to get through Bella first."

"Wait, what?"

"See you later Edward, make sure you get a good picnic."

I ran from the room before he could comprehend my words. Of course, I knew he could catch me within seconds if he wanted but from his laughter I knew he wasn't going to follow me. He would make good and gather a picnic together while I went in search of Bella. In all honesty, I did start with just the idea of a picnic between Edward and I. That was still the plan, kind of. I also wanted to bring a little bit of joy to the people who had housed us in Italy. Theoretically this could go two ways: good or bad. I was hoping for the former to occur, although I couldn't be quite sure what Caius's response would be. He was a pickle and in the past few days had taken the responsibility of being by honorary brother very seriously.

"Bella, there you are. Have you seen Lauren?"

"Here."

"Wow, that was fast. I haven't seen much of you lately, Alec keeping you on a tight leech?"

"Sarcasm will only make me tickle you. I'll have my revenge you know and for your information Alec has been nothing but sweet and loving. He's been teaching me all about the Volturi and showing me around Volterra when it's cloudy. I don't know how you do it Ella, it's all so overwhelming. I can't believe you kept the secret for so long, well I can understand why you did it, but still, it's eye opening."

"I suppose it is difficult in a way but we all make sacrifices for the ones we love."

Lauren blushed and I knew I had the scope of her feelings. I wasn't going to oust her. She was entitled to keep that information hidden if she wished. I did wonder if Alec's behaviour would change once she admitted her feelings or if he would become a protective worse version of himself.

"What did you need us for?"

"Oh, I'm going to have a picnic with Edward."

"Ew, TMI."

"If you'd have let me finish, I thought of a fun way to liven things up around here."

"It's not going to get us in trouble, is it?" asked Bella.

"Nope."

"It's not going to hurt anyone is it?"

"Nope."

"Alright, I'm in," said Lauren.

"Me too."

Leaning in close to them, I told them of the plan I had formulated just moments ago. It was fun to see them get so excited and rush off to set the plan in motion. I felt alive, buzzing with the secret of my plan coming into play. A smile tugged at my lips and I tried to push it away as I went back to meet Edward. I didn't want to give the game away too soon.

I walked as slow as I could towards where I knew Edward would be in the gardens. Trying to draw out the time so that my plan would be successful. Lauren passed me in the corridor, shoving something into my hands. I quickly hid it down the back of my trousers, not the best place to hide something but it would do for now.

I took a moment to take in Edward as I saw him in the garden, the sun was just peeking out behind a cloud, causing his skin to glitter. His eyes were closed and his head was turned towards the sun. He looked peaceful, relaxed. His head turned as he heard my approach but he didn't open his eyes. Kneeling next to him on the blanket he'd thoughtfully put out, I was caught in a passion spiral that left me not knowing what was up or down. The urge to kiss Edward was just too strong. Anchoring myself to Edward and leaning in for a kiss made my blood boil, the kiss was slow at first but became heated as we continued. The fact that the fire was still in our relationship warmed me to no end. We were still in the 'honeymoon' period despite all that had set us back.

Edward broke the kiss first to let me breath and I welcomed the break even though I wished to continue. Edward looked at me with such love it was almost blinding. I felt so connected to Edward in this moment that I never wanted it to end. He completed me, he was the other half of my soul. What he was didn't matter to me, it was who he was that I admired, that I loved.

"I love you," I murmured with all the sincerity I could muster.

"I love you more."

There was his crooked grin, pulling butterflies into my stomach once more.

"Hungry?"

"Always."

Edward took his time to feed me and I relished the close contact. The independence I'd once held close to my chest in my loneliness had taken a back seat as I'd opened my soul to another. I had realised along my journey that being an independent wolf wasn't the path I was destined to take, nor was it the path that made me happy or kept me safe.

I noticed that Edward had chosen only finger foods, not a sandwich in sight. It made me smile that he wanted to feed me my food. He had anticipated my needs and I was willing for everything he gave me.

"You're so beautiful."

I blushed, the heat flowing into my cheeks. I saw Edward's eyes darken. He always did say he liked my blush. It was the only thing, I think he'd miss when I was no longer human but if I had my way, that wouldn't happen for a long while yet.

I wanted to say something in return but didn't want to risk sounding too mushy, nor did I want to spoil the moment with what I knew was coming. I settled instead on softly kissing him and relishing in the emotions that came with that. Edward purred into our kiss, a sound he only made when he was utterly and completely happy. I was smug to know that I could get him to make that sound.

Our kiss broke once more when I saw a flash of brown hair out of the corner of my eye. I'd know that hair anywhere.

"What's wrong?" asked Edward.

"Nothing, just thought I saw something."

"Nothing bad will get into the Volturi Castle, you have nothing to fear."

"No, but you do!"

I said my words as I pulled what I was hiding out from behind my back and hit Edward in the face with a squirt of my water gun.

"WATER FIGHT," screamed Lauren who appeared, Alec in tow and with Bella by her side. Jane appeared on the opposite side of the garden, a smile on her face and a sense of knowing what was to come.

Edward was still spluttering from the water I'd splashed in his face but his reflexes were quick enough for him to catch another water gun that was thrown at him by Alec.

Then, the game was on. I'd tried to get Edward on my side but he seemed certain that it was boys against girls, or perhaps he was just smarting from me getting him when he least expected it. Water was flying every which way, those with extra strength knowing just how to hit us mere humans without causing any pain. We weren't keeping score, if we had, I knew we would be losing badly. The game changed when Alice came charging in, the rest of the Cullen family following her lead. We were greatly outnumbered but with Alice on our side, we could at least use her gift to cheat a little. The coup of the whole ordeal came from me. Shouting commands to the girls and firing water as I went, I rounded a corner, saw people and fired my water without thinking.

The silence caused in the wake of my actions caused everyone to lower their water guns. Looking up from the floor to gaze into the faces of those I'd soaked, I met the gaze of Aro first, the Marcus and finally Caius.

"Oops."

"Oops indeed," said Aro.

I think everyone held their breath in that very moment. I had just attacked the Kings of the Volturi with a water gun, was this the moment that I died?

"Someone hand me a water gun," said Aro in a menacing voice.

I gulped as soon as I saw him armed. I tried to run but it was in vain. I was gunned down in water before I could take a second breath. There was no hope for any of us once the Kings were in play. I tried, believe me but I knew when it was time to admit defeat and wave my white flag.

[x]

"Oh, hey Lauren, what's up?"

"Well, I finally got my hair dry after that water fight."

"It was good fun, right?"

"Absolutely but Ella, I'm worried."

"Worried about what?"

"We don't have long left here and what's going to happen to Alec and me? I'm not sure what's going to happen or what should happen."

"Why don't we go and ask him?"

"Will you come with me?"

"Of course."

Lauren and I walked arm in arm to find Alec, who coincidentally, was in the throne room with the Kings and Alice. From Alice's face, I could almost see that she had predicted this outcome.

"What's wrong? Lauren, are you hurt? Can I help?"

I detangled myself from Lauren as Alec raced over and over-protectively patted her down like she was made of glass. He even went as far as to sniff her to make sure she was alright. Through it all, Lauren stayed perfectly still and let Alec make his own conclusions to her health. It seemed that she had learnt well in the short time she'd known her Mate, what ways calmed him down.

"I'm fine Alec but I'm worried."

"What are you worried about child?" asked Aro, who referred to all of us as children.

"We go back to Forks in a couple of days but every time I think of leaving I get this pain in my stomach."

"You have not completed the mating?" asked Aro.

"No, she is not ready," replied Alec.

"I'm not sure I can sanction you leaving Alec, for where you go Jane follows and without the two of you we lose part of our defence. Alice my dear, what can you see of this outcome?"

"It would be unwise to separate the two of them, I see only destruction if that were to happen. It would be unwise for her to leave here."

"But what does that leave? I may not get on with my parents but I cannot just vanish from their lives, nor do I want to vanish from yours."

"You would not vanish from my life even if we lived miles apart Lauren. We're friends now and I keep my friend's close to my heart," I replied.

"So, I stay here, with Alec?"

"Are you alright with that?"

"I didn't mean it in a bad way Alec, I would love to remain close to you but this is a complication that cannot be overlooked. It must be thought out properly."

"I will think of it, we have a couple of days before your party departs for Forks. I'm sure I can come up with something between now and then," said Aro.

As Aro finished speaking, Edward appeared in the room closely followed by his family, Bella and Adrian. I could only assume that Alice had called them here. For what, I would have to wait.

"Ella."

"Yes Marcus?"

"I believe I have made a breakthrough with the Ethereal Beings that have influenced you."

"You have?"

"Indeed. I did not think I would find them but luckily we have a rather extensive library here and all it took was a serious search and many hours of digging through different historical books."

"So, what did you find?"

"I believe the Ethereal Beings that have sought you out are the 'Great Five'."

"The 'Great Five'? What does that mean?"

"The 'Great Five' are five beings known for their connection to the elements. They have also been called the 'Five A's' on account of all their names beginning with an A. First there is Anahita, who possesses the element of water. Next there is Aella and Azar, who possess the elements of wind and fire. Lastly there are the two men of the group, Adaih and Amara who possess the elements of earth and void."

"Brother are you sure? All of those names come from different cultures."

"They do?" I asked Aro.

"Yes. Anahita is Persian for 'water or river goddess', Aella is Greek, Azar is Iranian, Adaih is Gaelic and Amara is an immortal blessed with eternal life that has no end or death."

"Perhaps that is what the names mean now but when they were created I doubt they were anything other than names they chose."

"What makes them so special? Why are they targeting me?"

"They are the real deal believe me. Nowadays people would say the five elements are: water, earth, fire, wind and spirit or soul. The need of void has been completely eradicated but in truth you cannot have the other four without the fifth, the void."

"What does the void mean?"

"It has many terms, immortal is one, death is another. It can also refer to fate or destiny. As to why they have chosen to target you, my theory is that you remain in the eye of the storm. You are the most influential, the one with the skills to complete what they wish to happen. Do not take this as a bad thing, for the Ethereal's to have selected you at all speaks in great volumes. They have become such a myth in the last 600 years or so. Even I had almost forgotten all about them."

"Why now, why not when things started to get out of control?"

"That is a question I cannot answer, you'll have to ask them yourself."

"Fantastic."