Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, I merely play in the sandbox. I lay claim to my original characters only and the vague inclusion of the Fey world.

AN: I have had the worst writers block on this story! I might still have it, we'll see. This story is not abandoned. I'm just having trouble tying up all the loose ends ~Hannah

Chapter Ninety-One – The Kings Kidnap Ella

The last thing I remembered was packing up in my London hotel room with Edward by my side. Disorientated, I woke feeling woozy and panicked as I tried to work out where I was. I felt fear, then panic, then annoyance and finally relief as I realised where I was, but I had no clue as to why I was suddenly in Volterra and why I had been bought to the Volturi in such a manner. Deciding that I wasn't going to get answers if I stayed in bed, I got up, had a shower, put clothes on and was out the door in record time.

The hallways were as dark as I remembered them but had a lightness to them that came with intimately knowing the Castle and its inhabitants. I walked with no destination in mind, I just walked hoping that I would find the person with all the answers. I arrived, quicker than I had thought, at the Throne room and with the doors wide open, I entered knowing I wasn't disturbing anything.

The three Kings sat upon their thrones and grinned mischievously at me.

The anxiety left me upon seeing them and realising they weren't angry at me, but I was still bemused as to why I was here. It seemed that I was going to have to make the first move. I walked slowly down the middle of the Throne Room until I was just steps away from the dais they sat upon. I folded my arms across my chest and stared at them, arching my brow, and demanding they talk. Only me, I'm sure, would treat them in such a manner but I knew they had a softer side and wouldn't punish me without reason.

"Dear Ella, why are you looking at us like that?" asked Aro.

"Aro, why am I here? Why did you take me from London in such a manner?"

"I'm afraid that was Caius, he was…impatient."

"Explain please."

"We wanted to spend some time with you, in light of your engagement…Perhaps we didn't go about it in the correct way but no matter because you're here now."

As explanations went, it was a terrible one but as I gazed into the eyes of the three Kings I realised that they had acted purely on instinct. I knew them so well as their softer sides that I sometimes forgot that they were feared for a reason. The three Kings had wanted something and had done what they needed to get it, my opinion wasn't included because they just didn't think it was necessary. I could have argued more about them kidnapping me from London, but I knew that it would help no one. I wasn't harmed and to my knowledge, neither had Edward, and I was sure to learn why the Kings had decided this was the best course of action.

Looking into their faces I could see how they were feeling clear as day. I never thought that the Kings would be disappointed that I hadn't included them in the knowledge of my engagement – or rather, that they would throw a tantrum at not being the first to know – but it really shouldn't have surprised me. I'd seen the Kings in all manner of moods and couldn't help but liken them to toddlers, going from one extreme emotion to the next. I suppose I should have chastised them or at least tried to curb their moods, but I had learnt that it was easier to just go along with what they wanted than to argue endlessly about an opinion you know you couldn't change.

Going along with things was how I made it from standing in the Throne room to being whisked away by Aro and taken to the depths of the Castle to what I presumed was his own personal study. It became clear to me then that my 'punishment' was to endure the three Kings individually, because, as Aro moaned, 'they hadn't seen me in forever!'

I always found Aro to be the most human-like of the three Kings, I suppose that comes from his ability to read every thought a person had but beyond that, I always felt like he was open to everything and not so against everything like Caius was. Aro liked to spoil people, he expressed himself more with presents than words and always bought the most extravagant things when he was sorry.

Being spoilt by Aro was an interesting experience and I often found myself struggling to find the right words in response. The last thing I wanted to do was offend such an old ruling vampire. Aro could be terrifying at times and serious at others but he was also very mischievous and likely to prank you with a whoopie cushion if he so fancied. It seemed that Alice wasn't the only one who liked to play 'dress up the human', for Aro spun and twirled around the room holding various clothes that he held up against my face and then tossed away accordingly. The few times I had tried to talk, he'd hushed me and even went as far as to place his finger upon my lips. Reduced to silence, I had nothing to do except watch as Aro floated around the room, muttering to himself and slowly setting a pile of garments at my feet. I was confused to say the least.

Aro stood before me expectantly, his arms crossed over his chest and his foot tapping impatiently on the floor. I took the hint and dashed behind the conveniently placed curtain to change. I was surprised to discover that Aro had handed me some medieval style clothing. Well, not medieval but not current. The gown was floor length, long sleeved and overly modest. It was light yet warm and an off-white colour. I looked like a debutant about to attend my first ball and like a virgin waiting to flower. I was surprised I hadn't been given a corset to wear to really make this an experience worth remembering.

I came out from behind the curtain with a bemused expression and wondering about why I'd been put in these clothes.

"Beautiful, beautiful, I knew it would suit you."

"Why have you dressed me up so?"

"Patience, all in good time."

"I think I have been very accommodating so far Aro. Don't make me wait any longer."

"Oh, but I will, and you will not hate me for it eventually."

Aro spun me out of the room and walked me down corridors as he flitted around me like a bee to a flower. He spouted off poetry and smirked like a crazed man. He made comments about the dress and secretly whispered too low for me to hear. Things were getting curiouser and curiouser. I felt like Alice in Wonderland though I knew I hadn't fallen down any rabbit hole and wasn't chasing after the White Rabbit.

Aro deposited me in front of another door and with a flourish of his hand, knocked upon the hard-oak door. With a twirl of his robes that was very reminiscent of Severus Snape, Aro left me before the door had opened. Waiting patiently, nervously, and curiously, I was no further from working out what was happening than when I woke in Volterra. It was suspicious to me that the Castle seemed empty of all its inhabitants. I had been thinking that this was a last-minute decision by the three Kings but now I was thinking that they had planned this out.

The dress was beautiful but not functional. I felt out of sorts within it. Knowing there was a reason for what I was wearing but not knowing what that reason was.

The door before me opened and I was pulled inside. I found myself in an opulent room filled with pillows and crushed velvet hangings. It was dark in here, the air felt heavy and riches adorned every surface I could see. I was spun around to find Caius before me. He too had a mischievous grin upon his face, but it was less a Fatherly grin and more a sibling grin. I watched him take in what I was wearing from head to toe and was unsure about the embarrassment I felt. I felt like I was being judged but I couldn't tell whether I was had passed the invisible test or not.

"You look lovely Ella."

I narrowed my eyes at him but refused to fold my hands over my chest, for I knew it would just push my breasts up and give them more attention. From the smirk Caius gave me, it was as if he knew that.

"What are you going to do to me? Torture me some more?"

"Whatever do you mean Ella? Torture? I'm not like that."

"Yeah right! Aro's already dressed me up like a clown, what's next?"

"A clown? I see no clown, just a beautiful young lady about to embark on the next chapter of her life."

"Caius, why am I here."

"Did you know that its customary for a big brother to tease his sister daily. I can think of no better day to make up for the years of not being able to tease you."

"You want to tease me…like a brother?"

"We are family are we not?"

"Of course."

"Aro, sees himself as an extension of a Father and Marcus views you as his favourite niece, while I see you as my little sister. We are not creatures of emotion, we have long since buried all emotion we have felt but you have ignited something within us that makes us want to behave like humans again."

"Should I be apologising for that?"

"You are part of Volterra, you are part of the Volturi and you are our family. You should know that we are very territorial of our family."

"Have you done something to Edward?"

"Edward will be rewarded, should he find you."

"You aren't making a lot of sense Caius and I am becoming angry with the lack of information. I am all for spending time with the three of you but not at the expense of another."

"You worry too much. Everything is fine. Now, tell me what Aro did."

"He dressed me up, obviously. He was going for the 'young and innocent' look I believe. Fortunately, he didn't make me wear a corset, but he said my clothes were proper for what was to come. What is to come Caius?"

"Tis' a question you will have to ask Marcus my dear."

"I shall go see him then."

"No, you will come sit here and let me wield my magic."

I momentarily refused to sit between Caius's legs, feeling oddly embarrassed by the turn of events, but I calmed myself down in the knowledge that Caius had no romantic feelings for me, only family feelings, that and he had a brush in his hands. I sat down and clasped my hands in my lap. The soft feeling of the brush through my hair lulled me into a stupor. I felt warm and safe and lost myself to the ministrations of Caius's hands in my hair. I could feel his hands working miracles on my tangled hair and weaving an intricate pattern to no doubt go with my outfit.

It wasn't often that I saw quiet Caius, he was, out of the three Kings, the most childlike and easiest to have a toddler tantrum. He was usually such a big personality whether he was sneering or talking that I sometimes forgot that there were other sides to his personality. I felt privileged that I had been allowed access to see the Kings how there were and not as the persona they imprinted onto everyone else. It was calming to see that they still have areas of humanity despite being so old.

"No touching!" reprimanded Caius as I tried to feel what he was doing to my hair.

Chastised, I let my eyes wander around the room to distract myself. I'd never seen this room before, which wasn't concerning as there were many rooms in the Castle that I hadn't seen. However, this room was like seeing Caius's inner sanctum. I always knew that Caius was a snob, that was further amplified here by all the riches that adorned every surface. Pearls, chalices, strings of emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds. They seemed more special than the ones I'd seen out on display, these were part of Caius's personal collection or pieces that held a special connection to him personally. Some were beautiful, and others were ghastly. The room reminded me of a yurt or a smoking room, it was cosy to the level of being over warm, heavy to the point that I started imagining the smell of smoke, but it was undeniably Caius's room and I was thankful to have been given entry into it.

The hands finished their work and fell away from my hair. I felt Caius relax behind me and chanced another feel of my hair. This time I was not reprimanded away, and felt in wonder, the complicated flower design Caius had woven into my hair.

"It feels beautiful Caius."

"Flowers for a beautiful woman. You look complete now."

"Thank you, Caius."

"You're welcome sister."

We sat in comfortable silences for a few minutes and I leaned back against Caius. I tried to imagine what his heart would sound like if it were beating and wondered what he'd been like as a human. I wondered if he had any siblings before he had been turned but I didn't want to ask in case I set off something inside him.

"Come, we must get you to Marcus."

"Already?"

"Afraid so, and I didn't even get to tease you properly."

"I'm sure there will always be time for you to tease me Caius."

"I shall do whatever I can to earn the title of 'teasing brother'."

"You already do me such honour as being my brother."

Caius went still for a moment, his features etched in stone and unmoving as a thousand emotions crossed behind his eyes.

"You honour me in calling me brother, my sister."

I was as intimate as saying 'I love you', and a moment I'd cherish forever. I had gotten quite good at recognising the feelings of others. Caius found it more difficult to be emotional, I just gave him the helping hand to express himself. I wasn't lying in anything I said. I did see Caius as a brother of mine and valued him just as he was.

"We have arrived at Marcus's door my sister. I shall leave you here, knock three times and he will grant you entry."

"Thank you, Caius."

Caius kissed my forehead before leaving and I wondered what had happened to the surely sneering Caius that had now been replaced. I realised that I was experiencing something special here. It was not lost on me the behaviour I was receiving from the three Kings. I understood how rare and special this was, it made me completely forget my curiosity. Caius left, and I remained frozen in front of the door for a couple of minutes before I worked up the courage to knock three times.

The door was opened quickly, and I was engulfed in a crushing hug from Marcus. I had always felt that Marcus was the forgotten third King because he wasn't as outgoing or talkative as his brothers, but Marcus was a sensitive man with a wealth of knowledge under his belt. He loved reading and discovering new things, he didn't necessarily like humans, but he appreciated the length of discovery and evolution they'd gone through.

"Hello sister, I was beginning to think I wouldn't see you, those brothers of mine were hogging all your attention. Let me look at you…beautiful. Aro dressed you I'm sure and Caius tackled your hair. Come, we have much to talk about."

Marcus led me inside gently, giving me time to get my bearings walk with my own two feet instead of being whisked inside like I had been with Aro and Caius. It came as no surprise to me that the room Marcus led me into was his own private library. Floor to ceiling bookcases held a variety of books from rare first editions to Harry Potter, to current best sellers. It was with awe that I looked around the room, drinking in as much as I could and reminding myself that I wasn't here to pursue the shelves but to have some one-on-one time with Marcus.

"Marcus, what is going on? The real version please, not the vague reasons your brothers have been giving me."

"We have been dragging you in circles have we not? Very well. You have uncorked parts of us that we thought were lost forever. It's infection this power you have over us, but you don't even realise you have it and would never use it to your advantage like others would."

"I'm here because I'm friendly?"

"No sister, you're here because we have not forgotten the traditions of old. There is a tradition that is very old and almost forgotten by all those that walk the earth. When a young couple declared their intentions towards one another they were separated for 'the hunt'. The woman would be taken away, dressed to represent innocence, and kept by those who would call her family. The man would be taken away during this process. As the sun begins to set, the woman and her family guards would be placed somewhere deep in the woods and the man would be set loose at the beginning of the trail. The idea was that the man would have to find his woman and prove to the family that he could overcome everything and find his love before the sun rose again. He would meet many challenges along the way and would have to use all available to him to pass those challenges. We wanted to give some of our tradition to you. Granted, we should have probably pre-warned you before snatching you unexpectedly, but now you know, will you let us act out this tradition with you?"

"I would be honoured to bring this tradition alive with you but Marcus, there is no wood near us."

"Why do you think the Castle has been so empty sister? They have been transforming the gardens and several parts of the Castle into a would-be forest. Everyone has wanted to be involved and I fear Edward will have to go through more challenges than the average man. You, my sister, have many family members that hold you in high regard. We all want to be assured that you will be properly taken care of."

"Marcus I am speechless that this is what you have all wanted to happen. I admit I was curious as to why you had snatched me so and separated me from Edward, but I never imagined that this would be the reason. Now I know that nothing nefarious is going on, I can relax. I would be honour to take part in this tradition."

I could see the relief on Marcus's face and it seemed odd to me that the three Kings were anxious about my response or at least my actions regarding what they had done.

"What will we be doing while Edward is fighting his way towards me?"

"I am tasked with taking you deep into the would-be forest where your guard are waiting for you. You will be pampered and fed and protected until Edward has proven himself."

"That doesn't sound too bad."

"Of course not, you are to be celebrated, the innocent is blessed. We wouldn't leave you to fend for yourself or treat you badly, it would contradict the ancient tradition."

As it turned out, being pampered by the three 3,000-year-old vampires had its perks. For all the teasing Marcus did to try and embarrass me, I took it all in my stride and loved the attention that was being showered upon me. It was hard to be embarrassed by family, hard but not impossible but I honestly didn't feel hurt or angry from the embarrassment that was being dished out to me.

It was Marcus who walked me out into the arena so to speak and led me to a throne I was to sit in with the three Kings perched around me and several lower guards on hand for the continual pampering that I was to endure while Edward was battling to get to me. It was of no surprise that the elite guard had been chosen to be the obstacles in his way. I only hoped they weren't too hard on him for I dearly wanted to marry Edward and would be sorry if we had to delay plans because someone had ripped his arm off in excitement.

I felt a little like a woodland nymph and knew that I would never gain this level of perfection again in my life. If it wasn't for the constant narration between Aro, Marcus and Caius about what was going on, I would have been content to stay in my spa bubble as my shoulders were massaged and I was fed grapes. The Kings had told me to stay alert but really, how could I stay alert when having a massage and also when there was nothing to watch. All I could see was darkness and smoke. Whatever Edward's starting point had been, it wasn't close to me and regardless of what the three Kings could see or hear, I remained clueless as to what was happening.

It was, with a grumpy heart that I opened my eyes to the world again once I felt incessant prodding on my shoulder. The shoulder massage I'd been enjoying had sent me into a slumber that I was reluctant to wake up from and yet it turns out that being prodded by a vampire is actually rather painful.

"What?"

I was prodded again in an exasperated manner and opened my eyes to gaze into the nothingness that came with waiting, again! Only to be completely embarrassed to discover that I was no longer staring at darkness and smoke but Edward and the three lines of vampires that separate him from me.

"Oh."

With a wave of Aro's hand, the battle continued, and the only difference was that I was more interested in what was happening. I was pleased something was finally happening that I could enjoy because the three Kings has beefed this experience up so much that I was starting to feel disappointed by it.

Of course, it was still hard to see exactly what was going on because I had human eyes that weren't able to move fast enough to see the vampire speed that was being used. However, I managed to see the general gist of things. Edward weaved, ducked and threw himself at the elite guard before me. I felt the clash of powers and the determination of will through every single participant involved. The final battle if you will, seemed never-ending, as neither Edward or the elite guard seemed to want to end things. If I had to guess, I think they were enjoying themselves too much, but someone had to reach me in the end.

Even I, with human eyes, was able to see the turning of the tide, or the slight waver in Jane and Alec's power, which allowed a break in the final line of elite guards and gave Edward the chance to reach me. He reached me not in a traditional manner, in fact the first I'd realised he'd got me was when an arm sneaked around me from behind and he placed a kiss upon my cheek.

"I have come to claim my prize."

"Are you worthy of her hand?" asked Aro.

"I have overcome every obstacle in my way to reach this fair maiden."

"What can you provide for her?" asked Caius.

"A home to lay her weary head, a body to keep her protected and the funds to fulfil her life in full."

"And what of your heart?" asked Marcus.

"My heart is strong."

"Does it beat only for her?"

"My heart will beat only for her for the rest of my existence. I would lay everything at her feet for a chance to see her smile."

"Do we think him worthy?" asked the three Kings.

There was a pause, where I honestly couldn't breath from anticipation.

"We think him worthy," responded the crowd.