Arrival in Forks

After a seemingly endless journey, the vampires arrived in Forks. After so long on a ship, the overcast town seemed like paradise. Identities and jobs had already been set up and Aro assured them they'd be rich and be able to hunt beyond their dreams here.

Most of them were just glad to get off the ship and set foot on dry land after so much time.

Alice was perkier than ever as she babbled to Rosalie about their shopping plans and other girl junk, and still wouldn't tell Edward about the vision she'd had.

Before Edward left, Aro had called him and Carlisle in for a private meeting.

"Edward, Carlisle, as you know, the humans shouldn't be too much of a probably when we settle down," said Aro. "However, I just received word of a lycanthrope pack living somewhere in the woods of our new home."

"Lycanthrope?" Edward asked, puzzled.

"Werewolves," Carlisle explained.

"Ah," said Edward. "Why would they bother us?"

"Because we're what they call, 'bloodsuckers,'" said Aro, with disgust. "Anyway, those mutts are bound to cause trouble for us, if they think we're a threat. And it's possible they may be holding out on the things I've come looking for."

"Why tell us?" Carlisle asked. "Not that I mind, but why not tell Marcus or Caius?"

"Because you have a greater understanding of non-vampires and Edward is the fastest, I'm counting on the two of you to make sure those flea-bitten dogs don't bother us."

Edward and Carlisle didn't look pleased, but nodded.

"We'll do what we can, Aro," said Carlisle. "If it means keeping my family safe, I'll do all I can."

"Good, now get out," said Aro. "I have business to attend to."

Edward and Carlisle left Aro's office.

"I'm going exploring," said Edward. "See you later."

He couldn't explain it, but he felt drawn to this place.

Something seemed to be calling him and he couldn't ignore it.

XXX

Bella and Jacob watched from high above a tree. Bella was on Jacob's back and holding tight.

"What are they?" she asked.

"Vampires," said Jacob. "The legend's been passed down for centuries. Our people called them the 'Cold Ones' because their skin is ice cold. Those vampires are extremely fast, agile, strong and have sharp senses. There are three ways a vampire can die—a werewolf, fire, or another vampire. They feed off blood of a human or an animal's. They're dangerous, Bells."

"And beautiful," said Bella, gazing at one of them.

One of the vampires was tall, dressed in a blue shirt and black pants with golden brown hair, topaz eyes, pale skin and perfect features.

She was completely mesmerized by him.

"Should we tell Charlie?" she asked.

"He and my dad will probably know by now," said Jacob. Noticing her gaze on the vampire, he said, "Do you want to keep watching them?"

"Yeah," she said. "You don't have to stay if you don't want to."

Jacob shook his head. "I'll let you go ahead, but I'm staying within a distance of you."

Bella smiled and tightened her grip on Jacob to hug him. "Thanks, Jake."

XXX

Meanwhile, Aro was making plans for hunting and the riches they would exploit. He sent several out to get prey for both the animal and the human drinkers and sent others to start getting jewels and other such treasures before they would stop at dark.

"Who cares about the money? I'm thirsty. Where's all the prey you promised?" one vampire protested.

Aro grinned a wicked grin. "Oh, you'll get your prey."

Aro
The food of a butcher's
The jewels of Pizarro
Will seem like mere trinkets
By this time tomorrow
The gold and prey we find here
Will dwarf them by far
Oh, with all ya got in ya, boys
Hunt for vampires, boys

Mine, boys, mine every scrap
And hunt, boys, hunt 'til ya drop
Start hunting, boys
Search for treasures, girls
Quick as you can,
Uncover those lovely
Pebbles that sparkle and shine
It's gold and prey and it's mine, mine, mine


Vampires
Hunt and hunt and hunt and huntey…
Hunt and hunt and hunt and huntey…


Little Lackey
Hey nonny nonny
Ho nonny nonny


Aro
Oh, how I love it!
Prey for quick!


Little lackey
There'll be heaps of it…


Aro
And I'll be on top of the heap!
My rivals back home
It's not that I'm bitter
But think how they'll squirm
When they see how I glitter!
The ladies at Rome
Will be all a-twitter
No one will dare mock me
They'll praise me, no, king me

It's mine, mine, mind
For the taking
It's mine, boys
Mine me that gold and prey!
With that prey hunted

It's glory they'll gimme
My dear friends in the Coven
Will probably build me a shrine
When all of the prey and gold is mine

Vampires

Hunt and hunt and hunt and huntey…
Hunt and hunt and hunt and huntey!


Edward
All of my life, I have searched for a land
Like this one
A wilder, more challenging country
I couldn't design
Hundreds of dangers await
And I don't plan to miss one
In a land I can claim
A land I can tame
The greatest adventure is mine!

[Aro and Vampires together]

Aro
Keep on working, lands
Don't be shirking, lands
Mine, boys, mind
Mine me that gold
Beautiful gold


Vampires
Mine
Find a mother lode
Then find another load!
Hunt! Hunt! Huntey!
Hunt! Hunt! Huntey!


All
Make this island
My land!


Aro
Make the mounds big, boys
I'd help you to hunt, boys
But I've got this crick in me spine


Edward
This land we behold…


Aro
This beauty untold ...


Edward
Someone can be bold!

Aro
It all can be sold!

[Aro and Vampires together]

Aro
And the gold
Is…
Mine!
Mine!
Mine!
Mine!


Aro
So go for the gold
We know which is here
All the riches here
From this minute
This land and what's in it is
Mine!


Aro and Vampires
Dig and dig and diggety-dig!
Hey nonny nonny nonny it's mine!

XXX

Edward stopped running as he knelt by a waterfall and washed his face with the water. He felt so at home here, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something or someone was watching him. The wind blew and he caught a strong, powerful scent.

He froze as he smelled the air. It was like freesias mixed with a forest scent. It was strong and almost undeniable. Realizing the dangers, he hid himself for a few moments until he was sure whoever had been following him was out in the open. He leapt out of his hiding place, prepared to confront or attack, but what he saw made him stop.

It was a girl.

She had been crouching on the rock before slowly standing up and looking into his eyes. She was wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and black high-heeled boots. She was so beautiful with curly mahogany locks, rosy skin and chocolate brown eyes that seemed to see right through him. Her heartbeat and breathing were steady, meaning she was not afraid, but she also seemed frozen in place as the two gazed at each other.

Edward had never seen anyone quite like her. He wouldn't, he couldn't attack her. He tried reading her mind, but found he could not. It was as though she was blocking him.

He lowered his defenses and slowly walked over to her, only to have her leap off the rock she'd been standing on and run.

"Hey, wait!" he yelled.

He ran as fast as he could, but found he had trouble keeping up. What was this girl and how was she able to run so fast that he had trouble keeping up? Eventually, he caught up with her as she got into a canoe with a Hispanic boy about her age, who was growling.

"Wait, please," said Edward, softly, making them stop. "Don't go. I swear, I won't hurt you."

The boy looked skeptical and the girl hesitated as she said something in a different language.

"I can't understand you," said Edward. He held out his hand. "Please, I know I'm dangerous, but I will not hurt either of you."

The girl sighed and handed him her hand as he helped her out of the canoe. She closed her eyes as the wind blew around them and she opened them again.

"What's your name?" he asked.

Que que na-to-ra
You will understand

Listen with your heart
You will understand

Let it break upon you
Like a wave upon the sand

Listen with your heart
You will understand

Voice of the Wind
You will understand…

"Bella Swan," she said, softly.

"What?" said Edward.

"My name is Bella Swan," she repeated. "This is my friend, Jacob Black."

"Edward Cullen," said Edward. "What are you?"