Chapter 11 - Bound

The Young boy in Lopra had been found safe and well, so the wolf pack stood down their search for him. They also found no trace of fresh newborn activity. The scents the Cullen's had caught were old. The area, for now remained safe.

Their priority returned to the search for Mari. Heading into the deeper denser, and further afield areas of the forest, they still hoped to catch a whiff of her scent. They secretly hoped she would think they wouldn't follow or stray that far in their search for her.

How far would she go?

They were all now looking as far as the Garmut Woodlands; high up in the rocky, mountainous terrain that overlooked the tops of the tall, spindly trees that cast a permanent shadow over everything in its path.

Surely something would turn up soon?

The family needed her now more than ever as Edward was gradually getting weaker with each passing day. He had refused blood for a human fortnight now and Carlisle was doing his best to convince his son to drink. But even Renesmee's pleading now came to no avail. Edward couldn't stop blaming himself. He just couldn't see how he could go on without Mari.

"Please Dad, you have to drink something. Just a sip, for me?" Renesmee pleaded with her father for the fifth time that day. It tore at her heart seeing him fading away, in front of her eyes and perilous to stop it.

"I'm not thirsty." he mumbled weakly, shaking his head once more.

"Please Dad, you are killing yourself! Can't you see that?" she begged with wet sodden eyes. "Why do you want to leave us so much? We love you."

"It's all that I deserve. I did this, I ruined it again. Please don't worry about me." His voice reflected a mere shadow of his former self. Solemnly his gaze returned back to the window and the world outside. His eyes followed the birds that flew through the sky with no care at all.

Why couldn't that be them again? Soaring into the skies above? No worries; no fears, just happy to be together.

"Dad, please stop talking like that; I don't want to lose you. I've lost my Mother and now my best friend. I can't… I can't lose my Father too!" Salty tears trickled aimlessly down her rosy cheeks. The thought of first losing her mother, then father and Mari was truly heartbreaking.

"You will be fine Princess." He spoke without facing her. He couldn't bring himself to see the sorrow in her eyes. "Grandma and Grandpa will be there for you. I'm sorry for letting you down. I can't fight what needs to be done anymore. I failed your mother, I failed Mari and now I've failed you. I don't deserve my existence." The painful silence was only broken by Renesmee's sobbing. If he'd have had the strength inside him, he would have travelled to the Volturi again and ask to be damned. This time he'd have no one to stop his mission of damnation.

Why hadn't he done that sooner?

He had just given up caring. He no longer believed his outcome would be anything other than eternal emptiness.

"I'm never giving up on you Dad. I will force-feed you if that's what it takes." Renesmee made a vow that she fully intended on keeping. The time would come when he would be too weak to fight them. Then she would get any nutrition inside him that she could, for as long as it took for him to see this wasn't his fault. He would see that he had a family who cared.

Four more days passed. Edward drifted in and out of his conscious mind, not knowing which time he was in.

Was he gone? Was he finally free from life? Was this hell?

It all now had phased into one long nightmare. There, laid on that exact same medical table Bella had moons ago; he too was fading away. But it wasn't a child draining his life. It was him.
Renesmee upheld her promise to him and helped the whole family care for him. She helped changing IV drips and only left his side for small breaks or to catch a few hours restless sleep.
Esme comforted Renesmee as she sat by his bedside stoking his once vibrant copper hair which now felt brittle and had dulled in colour. Except for the two women, the entire familywas out searching; searching for signs, smells, tracks, for anything.

Standing behind Renesmee, Esme placed a supportive hand gently on her shoulder. "All we can do is pray, Princess."

Pray? What god would allow this to happen?

"The fluids are doing their best. Why don't you go get some rest?" Esme's soft tone was endearing and comforting of both a mother whose son was ill and grandmother's whose grandchild was growing up far faster than she should.

"I don't want to leave him." Renesmee moved her head from side to side slowly. "I have bad dreams that the moment I leave his side, he slips away." She placed a hand over her grandmother's ice cold fingers.

"Just try a few hours. I will come and get you if there is any change, I promise. You've been sitting here for hours. You need to rest in order to be strong for when he wakes." Esme was increasingly losing hope of him recovering now, but she would never let on to Renesmee of the fact she was giving up on him. She couldn't.

"Dad, Please? Please don't leave me..." Renesmee's attention turned back to her father. She pleaded for the 1000th time that day, whilst still holding his hand. Rising from her seat she leaned over his bed and kissed his frozen; cold, stone cheek. Even that felt cooler than normal now. It made her shiver. Instinctively she pulled up the blanket that covered his lower body all the way up to his chest, in an attempt to thaw him. Placing a hand on top briefly, she turned to Esme with pain filled eyes "I'm not going for long."

"I promise I will come and get you if there's any change. Go get some rest sweetheart." Esme placed a hand tenderly on the young girl's cheek and kissed her forehead. This was extremely hard on them all. She knew how much watching her father's decline was breaking Renesmee's heart. But she also knew Edward's stubbornness would probably result in the inevitable. He wanted to die.

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They all ran, in different directions, desperate for any sign, any signs at all. The family and wolf pack were already five hours into the hunt that day; darkness would be soon upon them. They were losing light along with their hope.

Suddenly Alice stopped, frozen by her vision. Immediately Jasper sensed it and rushed back to catch her as she sank to her knees in the damp darkness of the Garmut Valley, miles from anywhere. Each of the family returned to Alice's side within seconds. The wolf pack followed shortly after realizing the family had stopped and were all gathered in one spot.

"Alice?" Jasper's words were soft and questioning. "What have you seen? Where is she?"
All now waited with baited breath to hear what Alice had seen. Slowly she reached forward and moved her hands to the cold damp moss that covered woodland floor staring into the distance. They searched each other's faces for clues as to what she was seeing, hoping this was the news they wanted and not the news they had dreaded could be reality.

"Alice?" Rosalie grew impatient, moving from one foot to the other.

"Give her time!" Jasper spat holding on tight to Alice's arm. After a few moments she spoke.

"I see her. She's been here, recently. I see a cave, by a stream. She's alone. She's crying." Alice blinked a few times resetting the vision.

"Where Alice? Where?" Emmett shouted a little rudely, lifting his nose to the air to try to make out her scent.

"Give her chance Emmett!" Carlisle ordered. She had to be right about this, badgering her wasn't going to help.

"I, I can't..." Alice shook her head annoyed, trying to focus on the image they all desperately needed.

"It's O.K Alice. Take your time." Jasper shot a worried glance at the rest of the group, they hadn't come this far to give up now. Jacob let out a frustrated growl.

Alice refocused and it came to her. "South westerly, six miles!" Scrambling to her feet, she held Jasper's hand and the entire group fled. Heading south-west as fast as they could, the family spread out to cover more ground. This was their best lead yet. After sprinting two miles, they finally caught her scent. The wolves barked as they pounded the ground. The hunt for Mari was on.

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Back in Grangefield, Esme froze. She had heard it too. She rushed through the house and up to Renesmee, who was still sleeping in Edwards's bed. "Renesmee!" Esme propped on the edge of the bed, trying her best not to startle her.

Rousing from her slumber, Renesmee rubbed the sleep from her eyes like a small child and turned to face her grandmother. Realizing she had been woken which must mean news, she sat bolt upright. "What? Dad? Please don't say..."

"Shh!" Esme put her mind at ease straight away. "He's fine. There's no change. It's Mari" A grin beamed across her mouth. "Have they found her?"

"They have found where she's been staying!" Esme said a little louder now that Renesmee had come round.

"What? Where?" Renesmee scrambled to get out of bed while Esme rose to her feet.

"Alice has seen a cave. They are looking for her now."

"Oh My God! Does Dad know?" The fragile younger female stood now. Excitement in her eyes.

"Not yet. But Princess, I don't think he will hear you if you did!" Esme's eyes returned to stone.

"We have to at least try to get Dad to hear us." Renesmee found some inner hope that she thought had all but faded away. "Wait! This means good news right?"

"Like I said he may not hear you." Esme didn't want to raise her granddaughter's hopes too high.

"No! I mean, Alice has seen good things. You would have seen if it was bad news too right?" Renesmee blinked hard making sense of this revelation.

"I would have seen if she had seen bad news yes. So, indeed this is good news. I just hope it's not too late for your father." Esme also blinked away her tear filled eyes, determined not to crumble in front of Renesmee.

With that Renesmee fled to her father's side. Esme joined her and did some checks on Edwards's stats while Renesmee relayed the news to his lifeless body.

"Dad! Dad! Alice has seen her! Dad, please hold on!" Renesmee held his face in her hands pleading with him to hear her. "Dad! Please hear me? They are going to bring Mari home Dad!"
Renesmee looked to Esme hoping for some change in his vitals. A small blip in his venom pressure gave Esme back the hope she thought she'd lost also.

"Edward." She now spoke to her eldest son in sheer desperation. Placing a hand on his frozen chest she spoke softly. "We hope you can hear us. They have located Mari. They are going to bring her home Edward."

"Is there anything you can do Grandma? Please help him!" Renesmee begged while gripping tightly to his blanket.

"We've done all we can. We have to hope he can hear us. Mari can help more when she returns. We just need him to hold on till then." Esme returned her stare to Edward. "You hear me Edward? Mari is coming home. You need to hold on for her."

"How can Mari help him more than us?" Renesmee needed all the details. Esme took a deep unneeded breath to explain more of how vampires pair and how important Mari really was.

"Once you chose a mate, your venom changes to accommodate for a partner in existence. A bit like the when humans fall in love, nothing else matters but the person you love."

"Like when Jacob imprinted on me?" Renesmee understood.

"Yes. Exactly like that. Once your venom has gone through these changes, only your mate can save their immortal state." Esme tried to make it easier for Renesmee to understand. "He needs her venom to revive his, they need to mix. Once the mate has been chosen, they are the only ones who can help. Your father chose Mari."

"Oh my god! He's going to make it. She can revive him." Inner hope spread wildly over the smaller female's face.

"Renesmee, you need to understand. There is one thing no venom, not even the mates can revive." Esme needed to make it clear her father was far from out of the woods yet.

"No! He is not going to die Grandma!" Renesmee refused to lose the hope that was blossoming within.

"If we don't get the venom into him in time, it will not work Princess. Death is final." Now fully aware of his need to hang on Renesmee turned her attention back to Edward.

"Dad! Listen to mean, you hear!? You have to hear me. She's coming Dad! Mari is coming. You have to hang on Dad!"

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"That's it!" Called Alice, pointing to a small river up ahead. "That's the river!" Within seconds everyone was there. Wolves and vampires combined. They scoured the area sniffing her scent.

"Mari!" Alice called out. "Mari!" they all began to call as the wolves barked. A small crack of a branch whipped their heads to their right. There she stood...Alone. They had found her at the furthest point they had searched yet. The forest was so dense and pungent; it was drowning out most of her scent. "Oh Thank-God!" Alice sighed.

"Mari! Please?" Rosalie approached her friend cautiously. "You have to come...Edward needs you!"

"Mari, we aren't angry. But we need to get you to Edward straight away!" Carlisle insisted.

"Edward? But I thought..." Mari's face recoiled in horror as she saw the first few images flooding from their minds.

"Please, there is no time." Alice begged. "We need to go. Now!"

"Read our minds as we run. We need to get you to home. Please Mari?" Emmett beckoned eagerly while the wolves' howls echoed through the darkness of the valley. Jacob whined at Mari's feet, nudging at her leg with desperation. Looking around to the faces around her, Mari could only nod.

With no time to spare they ran, ran for home. Mari soon realized the course of her actions had put Edward in grave, grave danger thanks to the other's thoughts. She in no way meant for the events of her leaving to cause this much trouble. When she left, she didn't fully understand how deeply he'd felt for her. Everyone's thoughts told her though and she knew that only she could save him now. That's if it wasn't already too late.

As the group ran, they filled her in on what life was like with Edward since her departure. Even using their vampire and wolf speed it took a good human hour to get home. It did give them plenty of time though to prepare her for what was waiting at home.

Once they found out the others had located Mari, Renesmee never left her father's side, Esme greeted them as they arrived home. Each were weakened having used up a lot of energy to run so fast. But adrenalin was like a drug and had taken hold to push them home. It pushed and guided Mari directly to Edward.

Carlisle rushed straight through to Edward and Renesmee. Preparing things for the transfusion. Esme pulled Mari into a hug. "Oh Thank You. We are truly grateful to you for returning! Edward needs you. I trust you understand the urgency?"

Shyly Mari nodded and was suddenly aware of the pressure that now lay on her shoulders and on her shoulders alone. "Carlisle explained what state Edward is in. I'm so sorry for causing him to result to this." Esme shook her head eagerly.

"Irrelevant now Mari. You're here and he needs you now more than ever." Esme gently placed a hand on her shoulder and gestured through to Carlisle's back office.

"How is he?" Alice walked towards the office with them, eager of news of her brother. Esme opened the door wide for Mari and beckoned her through. Closing the door again after Mari had gone inside, Esme turned to the rest of her children who had now gathered outside the office awaiting news.

"You are all my children, and I made a promise to never to lie to any of you. So I won't." Esme took another deep, unnecessary breath to steady her nerve. This wasn't going to be easy, but they needed to know the true position of their brother's state. "Edward is not in a good place. We don't even know if it's going to be possible to revive him. He's gravely weak and he has little venom left in his cavity. Your father has only heard of this happening in folk lore and even then it was not stated as to when, would be too late." A painful silence fell on the young group. They had understood.

Esme continued. "All we know is Edward needs Mari's venom. Once you chose a mate, your venom gradually changes consistency to compensate for your mates venom traces during sexual activities, kissing, any fluid transfer etc. So your venom doesn't attack your partner, effectively killing them. As Edward chose Mari, his venom changed to tolerate Mari's. She is the only one who can save him. If at all, that is possible. I have to prepare you all for the worst."

"Poor Edward." Rosalie bowed her head.

"Dude! He's got to be Ok! He's got to!" Emmett made a fist, as if to give Edward some of his strength.

"Damn!" Jasper felt angry. "We should have got her here sooner!"

"Can we see him?" Alice asks softly.

Esme shook her head. "It's better you don't see him right now. Your brother's priority is the transfusion. Maybe afterwards you can as Renesmee will need you all. She cannot grasp the fact her father may not make it. Remember it's nobody's fault. We are all doing the best we can for Edward." They each nodded in agreement.

"Renesmee will be coming out soon. Keep her occupied while the transfusion is taking place. Under no circumstance does she come in till we say it's safe. Do I make myself clear? She doesn't need to see Mari and her father go through the process. It's not at all pretty." They all nod again and Esme returns inside the office, closing the door quietly behind her.

Mari stands at Edwards's bedside, terrified. At first she had seen Renesmee clutching Edward's hand. As Renesmee had turned to see her, she saw the pain in the young girl's eyes. Mari then saw Edward. Grey and deathly gaunt. Painfully thin, he didn't look like her Edward at all. Looking back to Renesmee, the now obvious childlike female pleaded with her. "He needs your venom. Please save him Mari?" Renesmee held out her warm hand beckoning her closer. Tears streamed down her face.

Mari approached the medical type bed slowly. As Edward's soulless cavity came more in view, tears now stung in her eyes. The sight in front of her nearly blocked out everything else in the room, including Esme's arrival.

Reaching his side, Mari reached out her shaking hand to touch his face. This wasn't the Edward she knew. All that was left was white beaten skin covering steel bone. A shell. He'd given up and accepted death forgoing on existence, for her.

"Please Mari! Please?" Renesmee screamed. Trying to re-iterate the importance of what she had to do, and now! Mari raised her head gravely to look between Renesmee, Carlisle and Esme.

"I..." she didn't know what to do.

"Esme. Take Renesmee out of the room!" Carlisle ordered pointing at the office door.

"No! I'm not leaving him!" she protested, shaking her head with anger in her eyes. To the two older vampires, the words sounded just like Bella for a moment.

"Trust me Princess; you don't need to see this. Your father would never allow it and neither will I. Esme! Take her out!" Carlisle ordered again. Esme picked her up by her waist and carried her kicking and screaming from the room.

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This left just Carlisle and Mari standing each side of Edwards's bed.

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A/N: A thousand Thank you's for all your patience. Still reasons unbeknown to me I lost my Beta. I reiterate and thank her for all her help up to this point.

After some begging, some kind hearted souls stepped forward from the shadows and offered to help me.

So my Thanks now go to CaptainClaire3 a wonderful friend who I dragged here from my Take That fandom. She is now my prereader. She says she's only in it for the sweeties. XX

My other prereader is the beautiful Kelly McAllister. She crosses both my fandoms. (RobPattinson+TakeThat) It seems my writing sends her to sleep. After just two chapters. Glad to be of help hunny XX

This brings me to my new BETA. DodgerMcClure This wonderful soul, was the only one to reply from my many *cough* PM's I sent asking for help.

I am eternally grateful hun. I hope we have many happy stories to share with these wonderful readers. Without you this story could not conclude. Love Oo. :o)

Keep your reviews coming in. It may just help finish the story.

Thanks Again to everyone who has helped me x

DeathToBeReborn