Chapter 10 – Tribal preparations and Volturi's approach.

The Tribal Compound

As time drew by the tension grew amongst Edward, Bella and Jacob. Kaure and the others seemed remarkably more relaxed.

"Please stop worrying" begged Kaure.

Bella looked to Edward and dropped her shield.

"They seem so confident, but I can't help but be worried."

Edward hugged his wife's shoulders.

"Knowing Aro and the others, they will be punctual so we have very little time left before they are due to arrive. If you don't mind Bella, Jacob and i would like to spend some time with Renesmee, before she has to go into hiding with Tawémake" he spoke directly to Kaure.

Kaure just nodded her head and watched as Edward, Bella and Jacob went to spend time with Renesmee.

She turned to her fellow tribeswomen and shook her head.

"They really do not realise how easy this will be for us" she commented.

Her sisters nodded their head in agreement and sighed.

"Kaure, you have to realise that Edward has spent many many years fearing the Volturi. They have ruled their kind through fear and unfair power. It is not surprising that he can't comprehend them being defeated, especially with the great ease that you have promised" Athena said gently.

Kaure knew Athena was right. She has no doubt in her mind that the Volturi would be no match for them, but wished she could erase the doubt that filled Edward, Bella and Jacobs minds. She smiled as she thought fondly of Renesmee, her trust had been so easy and she loved how Tawémake and Renesmee had bonded so well.

Kaure, Athena and the others spent time discussing strategies and contingency plans and prepared themselves for the upcoming battle.

It was decided that Renesmee and Tawémake would be protected by 3 of the tribeswomen and would be kept in the background, but not too far away so that they could be seen. The risk of part of the Volturi sneaking away from the battle and grabbing them, was too real.

Kaure left it as long as she could, but eventually she had to seek out Edward, Bella and Jacob and fill them in on the battle plans.

When she found then she observed from afar the scene before her. Renesmee was sat on Bella's knee and Edward was sat beside them with his arm on Bella's shoulder and his other hand stroking Renesmee's cheek. Jacob stayed close but allowed Bella and Edward their moment.

Kaure made her way to Tawémake who was sat nearby and knelt down beside her.

"Everything will be fine" she assured Tawémake

"I know" she replied and flung her arms around Kaure.

Edward, Bella and Jacob noticed Kaure's presence and shared a worried glance between each other.

"Is it time?" they asked in unison

Kaure nodded her head in affirmation. She explained the plans for where Renesmee and Tawémake would be. Bella was initially hesitant, but on closer discussion agreed that having them close enough to see would be better in the long run.

Edward and Bella showered Renesmee with kisses.

Bella knelt down in front of her daughter and lightly cupped her face.

"You know that no matter what happens Daddy and I love you, don't you baby" she asked in a strained voice.

Renesmee nodded her head and put her hand out for Edward to take.

"I know that momma, but nothing will happen. Kaure and her tribe are going to protect us and stop the Volturi from ever hurting us again" Renesmee said with clear conviction in her voice.

Edward and Bella shared a strained look, but quickly turned back to Renesmee and just nodded.

After Renesmee shared a big hug from Jacob she went with Kaure and Tawémake to their hiding place.

Bella turned to Jacob as soon as Renesmee was out of sight.

"Remember the plan Jacob, if things get to a point where all hope is lost, make sure that you take Renesmee and run."

Bella turned to Edward who pulled an envelope from his back pocket.

"This has all the documentation you would need" he said.

Edward placed it in Jacob's hand and stared into Jacob's eyes. He could hear the many emotions running through Jacob's mind and wanted to comfort him somehow, but didn't know what to say.

He tapped Jacob on the shoulder and nodded. "I know.." was all he could say.

He held out his hand for Bella to take and the three of them made their way to the others.

As they reached the others Edward turned back to Jacob.

"Make sure you put that envelope somewhere that is safe and easy to reach" he demanded.

Jacob just nodded and felt his heart sink at the thought of having to use it. Jacob was not the praying kind, but he took a moment to pray to whatever God would listen to keep Renesmee and his friends safe.

The Volturi

Once it became apparent that Edward, Bella and Renesmee were not going to come willingly Aro became increasingly enraged.

"How dare they defy us?" he snarled to his brothers.

Caius agreed with his brother.

"They are fools dear brother, fools, but we'll show them won't we" he added.

Marus sighed with an air of indifference, but nodded in agreement with his brothers.

"Very well let us get on with it then" he snapped.

Within minutes Aro, his brothers and the guard made their way to the boat and set off to the mainland.

As the mainland closed in Aro was beyond riled up. He had genuinely believed that Edward and Bella would know better than to cross him. They should have come willingly, now he'll have to punish them by killing all those trying to protect them and this would delay their happy union to his family.

They docked at the mainland and began their journey to the tribal compound.

"We must teach Edward and Bella a lesson in doing as they are told" Aro demanded.

Marcus flashed his brother a look and shook his head, but Caius agreed wholeheartedly.

"If Jane and the others are accurate then the compound is quite closed off and secluded. I am sure Edward and Bella will think twice of refusing your future requests if we kill some or all of those that are trying to protect them. Perhaps if we target that shape shifting wolf they seem so keen on then we'll not need to harm any others" Caius mused.

Aro stroked his chin and thought hard.

"Hmmm I think we will start with the wolf and make his death painful, but i think a true lesson will be seeing everyone who is with them massacred. They'll surely avoid questioning my authority then. We must also make sure that the child Renesmee sees everything too, so she knows from an early age who is in charge of her"

The brothers were all in agreement as they neared the entrance to the compound.

Aro clapped his hands and addressed his brothers and the rest of the guard.

"Let's get this over and done with. Our first target is the shape shifting wolf, he'll most likely be close to Edward and Bella. Once we've dispatched with him, Edward, Bella and the child, Renesmee are sure to surrender. Once we have them in our grasps then I give you a free pass to feast on everyone within this compound"

Once Aro finished there was a hubbub of voices as the guard became excited with the unexpected chance to feast.

"I trust I do not need to remind you all that we must be quick." he warned.

Aro more than wanted these inconsequential humans to die for trying to stop him from getting to what he wanted, but he also wanted to minimise their exposure.

After others responded in a chorus of agreement Aro smiled and put his arms up.

"Very well then, lets go"

Within moments he and the others were all within the compound. He ordered two of the guard to man the exit to prevent anyone escaping and then led the way to find Edward, Bella and Renesmee. He grinned inwardly at the possibilities once they joined his guard.

Cullens and Pack members

The Cullens and the Pack had been travelling for many hours. They were now on a speedboat making their way to Isle Esme as quick as they could. Most of the pack were having a nap, but Sam, Seth and Embry were still wide awake and sat talking to Alice, Jasper and Emmett.

All of a sudden Alice's eyes glazed over and she gasped. Jasper immediately placed a reassuring arm over his wife's shoulders.

"What is it? What did you see" he asked gently.

Alice took a few breaths to steady herself.

"It's Aro and his brothers. They have made the decision to go after Edward and Bella" Alice began.

She closed her eyes and concentrated further on the vision.

"It seems that they gave Edward and Bella time to return to the island with Renesmee, but it seems that the time is running out. Aro is very angry at their refusal to do as they are told and he had given the command to return to the mainland and get them by force"

Sam interrupted...

"Any mention of Jacob" he asked

Alice shook her head and Jasper raised his hand.

"Please let her finish" he asked

Sam nodded his head..

"Go on darling" Jasper said in a reassuring tone.

Alice gripped his hand that was on her shoulder.

"Aro and the others didn't waste anytime returning to the mainland, they'll be there long before we are" she said dejectedly.

Alice growled as she got more flashes in her vision.

"It seems that Edward, Bella, Jacob and Renesmee are with Kaure and her tribe. Aro has decided to teach them a lesson. He has given orders for his guard to target Jacob first, he wants to make an example of him and ensure that Edward and Bella know that they mean business"

Alice paused to take in the disgusted looks from Sam, Seth and Embry.

"He has then given the rest of the guard free rein on Kaure and her tribe. Once he has Edward, Bella and Renesmee they can feast as long as they don't take too long" she said feeling disgusted.

The room fell silent.

"Damn it!" Roared Emmett and slammed his right fist into his left palm..

"I give Edward and Bella top marks for going to the mainland, Aro's need for secrecy means he wouldn't want to draw any attention to them, but it seems it's back fired and there's now a lot of people in danger" he sighed.

Sam was not happy, not happy at all.

"Can you see anything else" he asked

Alice shook her head.

"Aro and the others must be with them right now. Everything has gone blank." she replied dejectedly.

Sam ran his hand through his hair.

"How long before we get there" he asked.

Jasper wasn't sure so went to check with Carlisle. He returned and slumped to a seat

"Carlisle has changed course for the mainland, he is sure that Kaure's tribal compound has a dedicated dock, which we'll head to, but it'll take us up to an hour to get there, depending on how fast we can get this rust bucket to go" Jasper explained.

Everyone in the room felt tense and useless.

Emmett hated the thought of his siblings and niece being in danger.

"Look, perhaps Edward and the others can stall Aro long enough till we get there. The one thing we know for certain is Aro wants Edward, Bella and Renesmee to join them, so he will be in no rush to kill them. Let's not get too dejected here people" Emmett roared.

Everyone reluctantly agreed to try and remain optimistic. Sam set about gathering the pack to fill them in and discuss strategies, whilst Jasper and Emmett headed to see Carlisle to discuss strategies.

Alice meanwhile stayed where she was and tried in vain to get a new vision. Every time she closed her eyes she saw nothing and she hoped against hope that this was just the usual block she got from Jacob and Renesmee and nothing more final.