The legend of the child

They had followed the track of the wolf for quite some time, but they needed to get back. There was no way Edward was going to let Bella anywhere near the Denali's without him around.

'We should split up. I need to go back home.' He said to Carlisle and Emmett.

'No, we know enough and I want us all to be there when they arrive.'

Edward wanted to argue, but stopped himself. He wanted to get back, so what right did he have to order the others. If he wanted the wolf tracked, he had to do it himself and he wasn't going to do that. They turned around and ran back, just in time to be there before the visit.

The first thing he saw when he arrived home were her sparkling eyes. She jumped in his embrace.

'Hi Edward.' She laughed. 'I have missed you.'

He laughed with her even though he was anxious for what was going to happen.

'Hey, little miss, what about me? Didn't you miss me? Why is Edward always getting all the love?' Emmett pretended to be hurt and it worked marvellously.

She quickly stretched her arms out to him and he took her from Edward. He saw that Alice and Rosalie had done her hair and wardrobe in preparation of their company. She looked absolutely cute.

'What did you discover about the wolf?' Rosalie asked impatient.

Just like all of them, she didn't like anything that could threaten Bella.

'It was most definitely a werewolf.' Carlisle answered.

'Quileute?' Esme asked.

'Most likely.'

'Why would they suddenly be interested in us again? They left us alone for many years now.'

'We can only guess their reasons, but it means that we have to be more careful.'

Jasper went to stand beside Emmett and Bella. He had never met the werewolves and he didn't like this uncertainty. His practical mind liked to be prepared.

Alice was busy watching visions and he saw the arrival of the Denali's only minutes away. He pulled Bella back from Emmett's arms and stood behind his family with her, standing ready. Carlisle and Esme went outside to greet their guests.

We prepared her for the visit, Edward. She understands and there is no danger. You can relax.

He knew he should heed Alice's advice, but he still felt his muscles tense when Carlisle's voice reached him through his enhanced hearing.

'It is good to see you again, Eleazar.'

They embraced and Esme embraced the others.

'I hope we come at a convenient time?'

'For you, our house is always open.' Esme answered. 'You are all welcome.'

'Where is Irina?'

Alice had seen that they came without her, but she didn't know why.

'She is held up on one of her travels.' Tanya answered.

I wish we knew. Irina isn't really on our radar lately. She has grown distant.

Tanya cut off her thoughts.

I know you heard that, Edward and I would appreciate it if you would not reveal it to the others.

'I trust that everything is alright with your family?' Carmen asked politely.

Esme hesitated and Carlisle took the lead.

'There has been a change in our family.' He said seriously.

'I hope it is a good change?' Eleazar asked.

'You might be surprised, Eleazar. We share this with you in the greatest confidence.'

'You know you can trust us, Carlisle. We consider you part of our family.'

Edward braced himself. They were coming inside the house now. He guarded Bella completely.

'If that is so then I suppose your family has a new member.'

Edward heard four strong intakes of breaths when the Denali's entered the room. They all stared at Bella.

A human child? With a very strange scent? Tanya.

Aww, she is so cute. Kate

Only Carlisle could find the compassion to care for a lost child. Carmen

The strongest of thoughts came from Eleazar, who had stopped in his tracks and had his mouth open in a silent gasp. Edward focussed on him.

This can't be! Is she the child? Has she finally arrived? This really can't be!

'Eleazar! What do you mean?' Edward almost snarled at him.

'I don't know.' Eleazar responded, trying to calm himself.

Bella's eyes were on Eleazar and she captured his stare, as she had done with so many before him. His mind went blank and it took him some time to recover. Everybody was looking from Eleazar to Bella and back to Eleazar again. They didn't understand what was wrong. Eleazar used his gift on her. Edward could hear it in his mind.

She is blocking me. This is unbelievable. She is gifted already and she is so young. Edward, can you hear her thoughts?

'No and I have never been able to do that.'

Just as I expected. She is blocking both of us. Oh my, she is the child. I have been looking for her all my life and here I just stumble upon her.

'Care to explain?' Edward said agitated.

'Yes, we all like to hear what the hell is going on here.' Emmett said very agitated.

Eleazar shook his head sadly.

'I am afraid I don't know much myself. The only one who knows exactly the legend of the child is Aro.'

'The legend of the child?' Edward asked, but Jasper and Carlisle both gasped. They had heard about this legend.

'For many years Aro was completely obsessed with finding the child. This child.'

Eleazar pointed to Bella and Edward growled. He didn't like this one bit.

'Aro was very secret about the legend even towards his brothers. The only reason he told me what I know is because of my gift of locating vampires with latent talents and because of the fact I spend many centuries at his side.'

'What do you know?' Carlisle asked concerned.

'Not much, I have no idea how the legend came into existence, but my guess is that Aro used his gift on a vampire with a similar gift as Alice's. Although rare, there have been some vampires with the power to see the future. Aro sought her intensely, using every resource in his command. His obsession grew with each century he couldn't find a trace of her. His brothers neither cared nor found his quest interesting, so he kept most of it to himself. What I do know is the reason why Aro wants her so much. Controlling the child means controlling power. You know how much Aro enjoys power, Carlisle.'

Carlisle nodded.

'If you know so little, how can you be sure this is the child?'

'When Aro send me to look for her, he told me I was looking for a little girl with inhuman beauty and a scent different from both human and vampire. She fits the description.'

I have not a doubt it is her. He concluded in his mind.

His thoughts turned darker.

'It is very honourable you took her in, Carlisle, but I am afraid that with this action you have put your entire family in danger. If Aro finds out you have her, he will not hesitate to eliminate your entire family to get his hands on her. He thinks of the child as the ultimate price in his collection. He will risk all to get her and even with everything you have, Carlisle, you can in no way win. Maybe you should consider letting her go.'

Edward growled again. That was never going to happen. It was too late. Carlisle voiced his thoughts.

'It is too late for that, Eleazar. Bella is as much a part of this family as any of us, maybe even more. You know better than anyone that if Aro gains control over her, he will corrupt her soul. We cannot abandon her. We will protect her with our lives.'

'You bet we will!' Emmett half growled.

'Aro will never touch a hair on her head.' Rosalie said with certainty.

The rest of his family followed these statements with similar ones, but Edward was surprised by Jasper's reaction. He had pulled Bella from Edward and jumped away with her to the back of the room, similar to what Edward had once done in reaction to Jasper's thoughts. He knew his brother was protective of Bella, but he never was over-protective like he was. Something had changed Jasper, but Edward could not get a grasp on his thoughts. He let it go for now.

Eleazar watched their determined faces.

'Then I will pray that Aro will never find out.' He said it with truth, but Edward could hear that he thought it was unlikely.

'You can trust that he will not hear it from any of us.' Carmen added softly.

Tanya and Kate nodded determined.

'Of course,' Eleazar said, 'I swear I will never tell him.'

'We all swear.' Kate said.

'I thank you for that and for your support. You are welcome to stay with us for as long as you like.' Esme answered.

Edward heard that they were happy to stay. They all were very curious about Bella. They settled down and Edward relaxed somewhat, although he had a lot to think about. They had known from the beginning Bella was special, but none of them had expected this to happen. It complicated things in a way that scared Edward. He agreed with Eleazar on one point. It was unlikely that Aro would never discover they had Bella and when he did, how were they going to protect her? He pondered over it while the others talked. He wasn't the only one.