AN: Sorry for the long wait. My beta reader took a while to look through this due to some personal RL issues. Then, when she finally sent it back, I somehow missed seeing it and didn't notice it for a few weeks. So once again, I am sorry it took so long. Anyway, here's chapter 2. Enjoy.
The moment the creature came into view, it let out a bellowing roar and swung the tree branch down at Jacob and the Cullens. It was only their heightened speed that saved them from being struck by the improvised club. However, when they turned to run, they found the fog had completely dissipated, and everything around them had completely changed. Even though they had been in a mountain valley moments before, they were now in the middle of a large woodland. The shock of seeing the unfamiliar surroundings momentarily froze them all where they stood.
With a deep grunt, the hulking creature turned towards them. As if sizing them up, its small black eyes swiveled over each of their faces. After a few moments, however, it finally seemed to focus on Renesmee. Noticing this at the same time, Edward and Bella lunged forward with dual growls to shield her while Jacob simultaneously phased within seconds. Showing no indication that it even noticed Jacob's change, the creature lumbered forward, lifting its club to strike.
At that very moment, a distinct swishing sound was heard, and a small arrow embedded itself into the creature's wrist. With a growl of surprised pain, the creature turned to glance in the direction the arrow had come from, just as a young man stepped into view from behind a tree. The man, who looked to be in his mid-twenties, was aiming a crossbow at the creature.
"Nobody move," the young man instructed, not taking his eyes off the creature. "I mean it. All of you stay where you are."
"What's he doing?" Carlisle exclaimed. "He can't possibly expect to stop something that big with only a crossbow."
"No." Edward frowned, staring at the young human in confusion. "He… he's not planning to take him down with the crossbow."
"Wait," Bella whispered. "Do you smell that?" It was only then that they all noticed a new scent. Even though they didn't recognize it, there was no mistaking the scent of a vampire. It was obvious from the strength of the smell that the unfamiliar vampire was very close by, but keeping out of sight.
Before anyone could begin to decide what to do about the unseen vampire, the club-wielding creature took a few threatening steps towards the human. Noticing that it was starting to lift the club once again, Jacob tensed up, preparing to lunge forward in order to protect the young man. However, before he could do so, the human called out to someone.
"Do it, Vermundr!" he yelled. No sooner was this said, the vampire they had all smelled burst out from the underbrush. With one leap, he latched on to the creature's shoulder, biting down into its skin. With a bellowing roar, the creature stumbled back a few steps before reaching up with its club-free hand, tearing the new vampire off him and throwing him at a nearby tree, which broke in two from the impact. When the creature started moving towards the broken tree, no doubt going for the vampire, the human fired the crossbow once again. This time, the crossbow bolt embedded itself in the creature's ankle. Because of this, the creature's attention went back to the human and he lumbered over, lifting the club for a final time.
In unison, Jacob and Edward prepared to charge forward to help the human, but before they could move, the other vampire was back. Moving at vampire speed, he stepped in between the human and the creature, wrapping his arms around the creature's club arm. Without a moment's hesitation, the vampire twisted the arm around, completely ripping it right off the creature's body and drenching the ground with thick black blood that smelled strongly of swamp water and mud. The creature's agonized roar of pain echoed through the air as it stumbled backward and crashed down. Not giving the fallen creature a chance to get up again, the vampire was standing over the monster's head in a flash, unsheathing a sword that had been strapped to his back.
Edward, undoubtedly hearing what the vampire was planning to do, stiffened in shock and lurched forward. He quickly covered Renesmee's eyes and blocked Bella's view as well, just in time to keep them from seeing the vampire plunging the sword into the creature's skull, piercing the brain in the process.
The aftermath of the killing was marked with a deafening silence as everyone watched the vampire carelessly wipe the creature's onyx blood off the sword's blade. Not a hint of remorse was visible in his expression. It was Bella who spoke first.
"You… you killed him," she whispered in stunned horror. In response, the vampire snapped his head towards her, his serious expression remaining.
"And what would you have suggested I do?" he challenged in a deep, rumbling voice that was not unlike thunder.
"More importantly," the human demanded sternly, now training his crossbow in the general direction of the Cullens. "What is your business in these woods?"
"I do not believe that is necessary, Abraham," the vampire announced, continuing to look at the Cullens. "Just take a good look at their eye color and you'll see what I mean." The human momentarily glanced over at the vampire before turning back to the Cullens, studying each of their faces. After a few seconds, he lowered the crossbow.
"My apologies, friends," he said, smiling kindly. "I did not realize you were Gold Eyes."
"Gold Eyes?" Carlisle repeated the unfamiliar term.
"That is what you are, is it not?" the human asked. "Judging by your eyes, what else can we conclude but that you also refuse to feed on humans?"
"Unless the gold coloring is simply a clever farce," the vampire spoke up, making eye contact with Carlisle. It was only then that the Cullens had the chance to see that the new vampire's eyes were also a light topaz.
"You're a vegetarian, too," Alice stated. The vampire didn't reply right away, but continued to study Carlisle. Finally, he turned to face Alice.
"I have to admit, I never thought of using that particular term for it," he consented. "In any event, I gather you lot have an interesting story to tell."
"I could say the same about you," Edward pointed out, looking down at the dead creature as he spoke. "To start with, what exactly was that thing? None of us have ever seen something like it."
"I don't suppose you have," the vampire replied, now smiling openly.
"First thing is first," the human stated. "My name is Abraham. My partner here is Vermundr. Once again, I am sorry for being defensive when we first met. However, you can never be too careful when meeting new vampires. I'm sure you can understand why."
After the Cullens had introduced themselves to Abraham and Vermundr, Abraham continued to explain their story.
"To answer Edward's earlier question, that creature was a troll. A very nasty one, too," Abraham announced. "It attacked a nearby town and abducted a man who lived there. Vermundr and I were tracking it down to try and see if we could find him."
"And did you?" Bella asked. "Find the man the troll took, I mean."
"Only the parts it didn't like," Vermundr replied grimly. "What else could we do but make sure the man's family knew the creature responsible was dealt with?"
"Speaking of that family," Abraham continued sadly. "I suppose I should go and inform them that we were too late."
"Perhaps we should also take them back to the estate with us," Vermundr suggested. "After all, with their patriarch gone, they might not have anywhere else to go."
"I think that is a good idea," Abraham agreed. "I'm sure Cassie will be able to help them. Although, it might be best if you go by foot, Vermundr; people around here might be able to tolerate your presence because they're used to you, but I don't think they'll be as… understanding if a group of strange vampires accompanied us back." As he said this, Abraham turned to face the Cullens. "That is, if you lot want to come along. We will always welcome other Gold Eyes as guests in our home, but we will not force you to come along."
"Abraham," Vermundr spoke before anyone could respond to Abraham's invitation. A strong note of uncertainty was detectable in his voice. "Do… do you really think it's wise to have them all come back with us?" When everyone glanced over at Vermundr, they noticed he was staring at Jacob, who was still in his wolf form, with a wary expression on his face.
"Vermundr," Carlisle responded, coming to the conclusion that Vermundr was mistaking Jacob's identity. "I can understand how it might look, but I promise you Jacob isn't what you think he is."
"Believe it or not, Carlisle," Vermundr replied. "I understand more than you might think. But… that's not quite what I'm talking about. I was more worried about…" Vermundr trailed off with a frown. "Never mind. Could he perhaps change back to his human form first?" In response, Jacob huffed through his nose, looking back at the remnants of his clothing which lay in tattered shreds nearby.
"Hmmm." Edward was barely able to hold back a chuckle. "I don't suppose you have some spare clothes for Jacob on you, do you?"
"As a matter of fact," Abraham answered. "We do have some spare clothing back in the wagon. Vermundr and I always bring along extra pairs in case the things we're wearing when we're doing our job get damaged. If you'd like, Vermundr could fetch some for you. That is, if you're agreeable, my friend?"
"Of course," Vermundr agreed with a quick nod.
"I think I'd better go with him," Alice whispered to her family.
"Are you sure?" Carlisle asked.
"Well, for starters, someone will need to help pick out something that will fit Jacob," Alice pointed out. "I don't think Vermundr will know his sizes. But apart from that, I'd like to try and see if there might be any danger if we go back with them. I can't do that with Jacob and Nessie nearby."
"But what if Vermundr tries to attack you when you're alone?" Bella pointed out.
"I don't think he will," Edward reassured. "He's not planning on deceiving us. As far as he and Abraham are concerned, the fact that we're vegetarians automatically means that we're their friends."
As Vermundr slipped away to fetch clothes for Jacob with Alice following closely behind, Bella turned to Abraham, suddenly thinking of a new question.
"What did you mean by doing your job?"
"That's what they do," Edward explained before Abraham could open his mouth. "They're what you could call monster hunters. As in this case, humans hire them to go after various monsters."
"You make it sound as if we are simply in it for the profit," Abraham noted. "If that was the only thing we cared about, do you really think we would have done anything when that poor woman came to us after the troll took away her husband? After all, there was no guarantee that we'd be able to bring him back alive, and it would be cruel to demand payment if that was the case.
"Now, I have to ask you to accept our apologies once again, but I do have a responsibility to the victim's widow at the moment. I suppose I should get that over with. So, only if you're willing, once Vermundr and Alice come back with the clothes for Jacob, Vermundr will show you the way back to our estate. As I've said before, Gold Eyes are always welcome in our home."
After a brief pause, Renesmee tugged Bella's arm, holding up her hand. Realizing what she wanted, Bella crouched down, allowing her daughter to place her hand against her cheek.
"Abraham?" Bella asked, voicing Renesmee's thoughts. "Could you please tell us where we are, first?" Instantly, Abraham fixed her with a questioning look.
"Well, you're in the middle of Epping Forest, of course."
"Epping Forest?" Carlisle spoke in shock. "How is that possible?"
"Where's Epping Forest?" Renesmee asked, speaking for the first time.
"It's a woodland in south-east England," Carlisle explained.
"England?" Bella repeated in confusion. "How can we be in England? We were in Washington State a few minutes ago!"
"I think it might be worse than that, love," Edward announced, suddenly turning to face the woods. "Alice found something in the wagon." No sooner had this been said, Alice dashed into view, her eyes wide in shock. In her hand she held what looked like a sheet of paper. Very slowly, she held it up for everyone to see, revealing it as a newspaper with the words The London Gazette written across the top. Then she silently pointed to the date on the newspaper.
March 21st 1687
AN: So, how do you like the story so far? Please let me know. As an insentive, I deceided to send a short teaser for chapter 3 to everyone who reviews.