Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Twilight or from the Mercedes Lackey "Heralds of Valdemar" series. I only own Artemis, Apollo and Delphina and any other characters that you don't recognize. So, if you think I'm making any money from this, you are sadly mistaken. :p
AN: Okay. So it's been FOREVER since I've updated, but since my muse has decided to go to Bora Bora and not invite me, it's taken forever to get this done. So, this delves more into the Valdemar part of the equation, so I hope that it made it clear enough for those who have never read the series! If you have any questions, please review and I will answer them! Also, dialogue like this :dialogue: is Telepathic Speech between two people. :p The chapter title comes from the Smashing Pumpkins song "The Beginning is the End is the Beginning" again. :p I just love this song!!! But it's a very good line in this chapter.
Chapter 4
The Pale Princess of the Palace Cracked
The Cullens stared at the raven-haired vampire expectantly as she settled back to continue her story. "So," she began. "The Queen gave her leave to Artemis to allow her to go north to discover what monster was scaring her people. If they'd only known what lay ahead before it was too late."
It had taken a week of hard riding to get to the affected area. Artemis and Leto had traveled from dawn to dusk, choosing at night to stay in the Herald's Waystations so as not to be bombarded with questions of the rumors. Leto kept the other Companions apprised of their progress on a daily basis.
On the seventh day, they finally rode into the affected area. :Leto?: Artemis asked hesitantly as her mood quickly shifted to nervousness.
:Something's not right here,: the Companion responded somberly.
:I know. It's too quiet. Almost like all the animals know there is a powerful predator around,: Artemis responded, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. Reacting to the silence, she took a moment to bring up all her shields, both mental and magical, since she was graced with a touch of the Mage Gift as well. Leto stopped and held still for the seconds that it took Artemis to cement her safeguards into place.
:Chosen?: Leto said hesitantly. :See if you can do a mental probe. Maybe that Animal Mindspeech can do us some good.:
Artemis sent a feeling of agreement before sending her mind searching for a large enough animal that would give her an idea of what was going on. After Searching for a quarter candlemark, she sighed in frustration. :I'm not finding any animals,: she told her Companion in frustration.
:Nothing?: Leto asked in shock.
:Not even a tree hare,: Artemis confirmed as she looked at the quickly darkening sky. :I don't like this. Where is the closest Waystation? I think we need to get indoors, and quickly.:
Leto didn't respond directly. She just took off between the trees, running in a wild zigzag course that left Artemis clenching the saddle horn, until they skidded to a halt in front of a curiously built Waystation.
Artemis climbed out of the saddle and quickly pulled out her saddle bags. Opening her bags, she withdrew the firestarter and lit the end of the piece of lint that would drive out any pests. She opened the door to throw it in and was startled to see another door. So she stepped through the second door then shut it quickly. Once the lint had a chance to work, she gathered the rest of her bags to let herself in. Leto followed her in.
"Leto? This is a very strange Waystation. I've never seen one like it," she mused aloud.
Leto looked around. :Oh. This is the Waystation that Heralds Talia and Kris stayed in when the worst snowstorm hit. I like this. No windows, only one way in and out. This is very defensible.:
Artemis nodded her head. "Good. I'll feel better then," she commented as she began to organize their supplies.
The following day, Artemis cautiously made her way outside. She had spent a restless night, her dreams turning into nightmares of sharp teeth and monsters. Needless to say, she had gotten little sleep. When Leto finally awoke and impressed on her the need to go outside, Artemis cautiously unbarred the doors, the thin light of dawn greeted them and Artemis was surprised by the abrupt change outside. The morning birds were warming up their voices to greet the sun.
Startled, Artemis felt a little of her trepidation melt away. "If the birds feel safe, maybe I can get some information from them," she mused.
:Why don't you try that dearling,: Leto advised.
Artemis nodded and settled on the leaf-strewn ground, her back to the building. Quickly, she sent her mind out, searching for a creature of intelligence and almost immediately found a vorcel hawk. She opened her eyes as she heard it scream. In a few moments a hawk was sitting in front of her. As she looked at it, she realized from its size it was a hawk from the secretive Hawkbrothers of the Pelegirs Forest. A race that was tasked with the duty to clean up the pockets of stagnant magic caused by mage wars. The birds that they had created were more intelligent than a normal raptor. "Hello, what's your name?"
:Huron,: it Mindsent.
"Well, Huron. I was wondering if you've seen a large predator around here."
The bird cocked its head to the side. :All large animals are gone.:
Artemis furrowed her brow. "Do you know why?"
:No.:
She sighed. "Thank you, Huron. If you or any of your fellows see anything, can you please let me or Leto know?"
The bird sent his assent and then flew away. Artemis continued to search with her mind, this time focusing on the ground dwelling creatures and to her surprise came across a kyree. Politely, she asked if she could meet with it and soon the large, intelligent animal that vaguely looked like an overgrown wolf was sitting in front of her. :Welcome,: Artemis sent. :I am Herald Artemis.:
:Greeting, Herald. I am called Sasha. How can I be of assistance to you?:
"I am investigating reports of some sort of monster plaguing this area. Have you noticed anything unusual?" she asked aloud, knowing that the kyree would understand her.
Sasha looked at her. :Yes, Herald. I have come across a strange scent, but have been unable to determine what it causing it.:
Artemis nodded her head. "What about the people that are being killed? Do you know anything about what killed them?"
The kyree nodded its head. :The same scent on them is what I've been tracking in the woods, Herald.: The kyree paused for a moment. :I shall help you in the hunt,: it assured her.
"That would be much appreciated, Sasha. Where do you think we should start?"
"You know," Bella interrupted. "This story is getting more and more like a fairy tale. Talking beasts and such."
Artemis smiled, standing to go look out the window as the first colors of the dawn began to seep into the night sky. "I know, that's the reason that I started the story out like I did. But think of it this way, to the people back in the first century the world today could be a fantastic tale. Be prepared, younglings, everything changes and as humanity grows and moves forward, so must you. It is the vampires who become stagnant that threaten to destroy us all," she cautioned as she picked up the thread of her story again.
Artemis and Sasha had been searching for two days when they finally ran across fresh signs of the unknown creature. Sasha had proceeded her through the woods, on the scent of a fresh trail. Artemis was following quietly, stealthily, only as someone trained by the Hawkebrothers could. Walking through the trees. She was waiting patiently in a fork in a tree when she heard the frantic Mindcall from Sasha.
:Herald! Run!:
Artemis quickly dropped out of the tree onto Leto's saddle. Once she was settled, her Companion took off at top speed, weaving through the trees as Artemis clung to the saddle horn. :What? What is it?: she asked worriedly.
:Something bad. It got Sasha. We need to get under cover,: Leto responded as a hawk screamed overhead.
Artemis risked a glance up and noticed a vorcel hawk flying high above her. :Huron? Is that you?:
:Yes. Three monsters come.:
:Where from?: Artemis Sent as she drew her sword and then leaned over Leto's neck.
:Look! Look!: he said excitedly as he merged his mind with her.
Artemis's grip on the saddle horn tightened as she was disoriented by the vision the bird was sending her. After a few moments, she adjusted to the dizzying effect. "Havens, Leto. They're faster than you. They are gaining on us fast. They look like humans in form and they sparkle."
:Where from?: Leto asked, her Mindvoice reflecting the stress of her exertion as she redoubled her efforts to get to the Waystation.
:Huron! Go get help,: Artemis instructed the hawk.
The bird sent its consent and winged away. As he left the area, Leto skidded to a halt in a clearing. :They've got us surrounded,: Leto told her Herald somberly.
Artemis tightened her grip on her sword as she heard leaves rustling and three figures appeared around her. She squinted as the sunlight bounced off their skin, temporarily blinding her. As her eyes adjusted to the glare, Artemis looked at the creature in front of her directly. "Aros?" she questioned in shock.
"Hello, Artemis," the creature returned. "Surprised to see me?"
Artemis stared in shock until Leto Mindspoke her, :It is Aros,: the Companion said, her mindvoice reflecting her shock. :But, he has been changed, somehow. Keep on guard, Chosen.:
Artemis stared at her brother. "What happened to you, Aro?" she questioned, unconsciously reverting back to her nickname for him.
"I've found my destiny," he replied with a smirk. "I've come to take my rightful place on the throne and no horse is going to stop me."
Before Artemis knew what was happening, the other two creatures with him had moved towards her and Leto. Artemis gasped as she swung her sword instinctively, only to watch her sword bounce off of their skin, inflicting nothing more than scratches that healed almost instantly. Caught off guard, the creatures wrenched her from Leto. She screamed in terror as her Companion, her soul sister went flying across the clearing into a tree.
Aros laughed mockingly as Artemis struggled futilely against their superior strength, her sword falling with a dull thud to her feet. "So, sister, are you going to join us willingly?"
"I would never join you in the destruction of all I believe in," she spat out, contempt lacing her voice.
In a blur, Aros moved in front of her as her mind screamed out, trying to reach Apollo in Haven to let him know what was happening. "Fine, have it your way. Death is much more of a release," he purred as he opened his mouth to show her the sharp teeth that gleamed in the sunlight, before they descended to her neck. Artemis screamed in pain as fire seemed to race through her body and she collapsed.
The Cullens stared at her, caught up in her story until they sensed another vampire putting their senses on high alert. Artemis looked at them as they stared at her, beginning to form a circle around her. She smiled as she held out her hands in peace.
"Who is it?" Edward snarled as he backed her against the window. His mind raced as Alice's warnings reverberated in his head. I keep getting flashes of this female vampire, but when I try to focus on her, I can't. She just pops up randomly. I've seen her on our side and on the side of the Volturi.
"I didn't lead anyone here on purpose," Artemis replied calmly, glad that she really didn't need to breathe since Edward had a death grip on her throat. She knew that she could remove him by force, but didn't want to. She needed to calmly reason with him. "I do know the vampire that is here, but he's of no threat to you. He is not part of the Volturi."
"We'll see," Edward growled as he loosened his grip and let her go.
Alice just shook her head and skipped to the door, opening it just as the other vampire stepped on the porch. Alice looked at him, understanding instantly that this vampire was related to the black haired one in the living room. He had that same black hair and golden eyes, but it was his bone structure that caught her attention the most. Their noses and cheekbones were the same exact shape.
As the two vampires entered the black hair mail looked at Artemis with a twinkle in his eye. "Artemis, you are a hard vampire to track down," he said with a smile.
The rest of the undead in the room looked at each other, comprehension dawning in their eyes. "You're Artemis?" Esme asked.
Artemis nodded. "Yes, and this is Apollo. My twin, in both life and death," she acknowledged.
"But that would make you unbelievably ancient," Nessie said in wonder.
Both of the ancient vampires laughed. "About 11,000 years, give or take millennia," Apollo answered before looking at his sister. "I take it our brother is up to no good?"
"Pretty much. I was just recounting the story of how this all started to them," she answered as she walked back to the couch to settle down. "I had just gotten to where Aros turned me."
Apollo smiled. "Then let's finish this story," he returned as he settled next to her.
Artemis nodded and looked at the group. "So, three days later, I awoke in the Herald's Waystation that I had been staying in. Leto was standing over me, concern evident in her bruised and battered body. I reacted with instinct when I saw the blood pumping through her veins. I almost attacked her."
Jasper looked at her. "What stopped you?" he asked, knowing full well how the blood lust took over the newly turned.
Artemis laughed. "She Mindblasted me. Granted, it was easier at that point since one of the side effects of vampire venom is that if you do have any Gifts, it blasts open the channels to the fullest extent. It burns them open and let me tell you, it hurts."
Carlisle looked like a light had gone on over his head. "That's why when a human that has some sort of ESP becomes stronger when they become vampires."
"Yes, it is. Anyway, after she broke me out of the lust, we went over everything that I was experiencing. She—being the wise being that she was—suggested that I hunt animals. I tried it, it worked and I've never feed off of a human. But Leto had a lot to do with that in the beginning. Again, that is a story for a different time. After the successful discovery, Leto informed me what was happening in Haven." She glanced at Apollo to pick up the story.
He cleared his throat and his deep, rich voice filled the room. "It was chaos in the city. Leto had managed to contact my Companion Zeus and we had some sort of warning. That combined with the faint warnings that I had gotten from Artemis, gave us a chance to best prepare. My heart was broken; the Death Bell had rung and I believed that she and Leto were dead. But our preparations were for naught. We had no clue what a vampire was, much less have a name for it and a way to fight one."
"And they still had no idea to their speed and strength," Artemis interjected.
"Wait," Jacob interrupted. "How was Leto still alive?"
"Companions are magical creatures and have some healing ability, so she was able to basically Heal herself," Apollo explained, nonplussed at the questioning. "That helped us somewhat because with their strength, we were able to hold off Aros and his friends for a couple of days. Still he managed to break down the mage shields that we had erected." His face grew serious. "We lost so many good people that day. So many friends…" he trailed off, lost in thought.
"It took me two days to get to the Palace. Leto had told me what was going on and I knew that I had to go. Even with her enhanced endurance, I knew that I was faster than her so I left her behind. I'll never underestimate her again. She was waiting for me at the gates to the city. You know, she never told me how she managed to do that."
Alice shook her head. "How did people react to seeing you alive?"
"The Palace was in chaos, no one even noticed me for a long time. That was actually a good thing since I looked like Aros. No one noticed until I got to the throne room…" her voice grew soft as the memories overwhelmed her. "Mother and Father were dead, killed by Aros. The guard of twenty Heralds surrounded them in a blood splattered mess. These were people I grew up with, went to school with, fought with. Then I turned to see Apollo to the side with the two vampires that had been with Aros feeding from him."
"We had retreated to the throne room to try to hold them off," Apollo picked up. "The doors blew open and Aros walked in. We were no match for him. The last thing I remember is being thrown across the room and as I lost consciousness seeing Aros kill our parents."
"When I saw them, draining the life out of Apollo, something in me snapped and I saw red," Artemis said.
"Blood lust?" Emmett hazarded.
Artemis shook her head. "No. One of my Gifts is Firestarting and it was now at full strength. I lost control and before I knew what was happening the two vampires were incinerated. Aros realized what I had done before I had and sped out of the room, saving him from my wrath. It took both Leto and Zeus to calm me down enough and by that time, he was gone. I looked around at the destruction left behind. Half of the Heralds were dead, Apollo and Didyme had been turned—it felt like the end of the world. I knew that none of us that survived could rule. I mean, who would listen to a monster, but thankfully, Delphina had been out on circuit when this happened. She assumed the throne.
"What happened to Aros after that?" Jacob queried.
"He disappeared. Once I explained to Apollo and Didyme what had happened, we went hunting him. During the hunt, Didyme took off on her own. It was thousands of years before I discovered that she had found Aros and was making it her own mission to save him. To somehow redeem him for murdering our family. We never found him, but an unfortunate side effect of his assault on the city was that there were many vampires now."
"Arte and I spent many years hunting them and giving them an option. Survive off of animals or be killed."
"So why help us?" Edward asked.
Apollo and Artemis exchanged a look before Apollo answered, "Aro has gotten comfortable in his power. Whilst we had hoped that age would dampen his desire for power, it is obvious that he is trying to revert back to his old ways."
"So why didn't you confront him a long time ago? You could have prevented all of this from happening!" Edward exclaimed belligerently.
"Edward!" Bella scolded. "They are offering to help us, so why are you acting like this?"
Artemis spoke up. "He's uneasy because our minds are shielded from him. He doesn't know if we are telling the truth and that's something that he hasn't had to deal with before." She turned to the uneasy vampire. "Would it ease your concern if I was to unshield my mind and let you read the thoughts there?" she offered.
"Yes, it would," Edward acknowledged.
Artemis nodded as she dropped her shield. "I'm going to reach out a mental hand to you." When Edward nodded she reached out carefully with her mind. :Can you hear me in words, Edward?: she Mindspoke him.
Edward's eyes opened in shock and he then furrowed his brow, trying to respond the same way. :Yes.:
Artemis smiled. :I had suspected as much. You are both a Thoughtsensor and a Mindspeaker. Those gifts are commonly found together. Here, look into my mind.:
Edward did as he was told and soon was breaking his connection from her, his mind overwhelmed with the thoughts of 11,000 years worth of existence. "Wow," he said, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. "I'm sorry I doubted you."
"Don't worry about it," she reassured him. "It is good that you are cautious. It will save you end in the end."
"So how can you help us?" Rosalie asked.
Artemis and Apollo shared another glance before Apollo responded. "The first thing we want to do is to train everyone in the use of their Gift. Aros never went through training, so he doesn't know how to train someone to use their Gift to the fullest. That will give us an edge."
"We also have some old friends, some very old friends that Aro doesn't know about," Artemis said with a grin. "Between Alice and I we should be able to pinpoint a better timeline. Are you planning on confronting them here?"
"No," Carlisle said. "We want to get as close to the Artic Circle as possible."
"Good. Let's part for a bit, so everyone can assimilate what we've told you. We'll reconvene after nightfall to begin our planning," Artemis responded said as she and Apollo left the room quickly and quietly.
AN: Before I forget, thanks so much to Axellia for betaing for me!!!! On to the review responses....Please read and review! My muse loves them and maybe that will tempt her back!!!
Soccer - I think I sent this to you. I hope I did or you can bop me upside the head!!! Geez, I haven't hide nor scale of Lexi in weeks, so maybe she is playing with your muse?? :D How's life been treating you???
IloveTwilight009 - New reviewer!!! Whoo-hoo! Thanks! I'm not abandoning this story, just the opposite, but my muse seems to have dropped all of my stories. Hopefully, after the holiday weekend, I'll be able to convince her to sit down and write! I think this should be around 10 chapters at most (but then of course, I thought my first story ever would be 20 chapters and it ended up being 51, so I may be way off on my estimate!). Thanks so much for the review!!!!