Question: would you like May's POV on the last chapter? If two or more say yes, I'll put it in a M-rated one-shot.

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Music:

Vox Populi – 30 seconds to Mars

Count on me – Bruno Mars

Friends will be friends – Queen

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Chapter 32: Nessie – (Unexpected) Allies

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Time seems to fly by. My third birthday is coming up. Grandpa Charlie always talks about how fast I'm growing. I look like a ten to twelve year old physically, mentally I'm a few years older. My vampire family is glad about it. They can see my development is slowing down actually. Mum, dad and aunt Rose always plead with me to enjoy being a kid for as long as I can and want to. I tell them not to worry, because I will.

Even with the threat of the Volturi I feel safe enough to play and have fun. Though I've been training a bit too. To ride on Jake's wolf with ease. Jumping off into a tree; no problem. We've been thinking about making a harness for him for me to hold on to. Makes it possible for me to hang underneath Jake if needed, like a baby monkey. May started to teach me Tai-Chi.

And after the Amazons, Huilen and Nahuel arrived, I've also been working on my endurance. To know I can gain muscle mass is interesting. Grandpa Carlisle certainly took it upon him to examine Nahuel right away. He's a nice man, though a little strange. Of course, what could you expect from someone who's lived in the jungle most of the time. It's funny how he doesn't know much about food. Cheese for example was totally unfamiliar to him.

Like me though, he didn't care for it, we thought it smelled quite disgusting. All dairy products did. Seth laughed at our faces. He loved it, never went a day without. May encouraged him to try all different kinds. Gouda and goats-cheese now had a prominent place in the fridge. Ugh! We often ran out however, every time those two went out somewhere. Wonder what that's about. The rest of the family seemed to know.

Argh, being the only kid around can be frustrating!

Hmm, maybe it's something in their relationship. They really love each other, that's so obvious. Everything screams it. The way they look at one another and touch and kiss. May and Seth are just a bit worse than mom and dad or aunt Rose and uncle Emmet. This thought brings a smile to my face. I know when mom and dad share some loving between them. Vampires kissing, not so quiet. They try though. (giggle)

Not sure what else is happening behind closed doors, but, no, I don't want to imagine it. That's just not done about your parents. Or any family member. I decide to think about somebody else. Zafrina for example. I like her a lot. Our gifts are similar in a way, only hers is stronger. She tried to explain how it works; focussing on someone for a second while also picking a subject to project.

Blinding people is easy for her, letting the colour black fill their minds. When I copied her, my hand on her cheek, she was shocked and intrigued.

"You know, she said, this will be your weapon, your means of defence and attack." I smiled as she elaborated. There were many possibilities. Besides blinding someone, I could also make them see something terrifying. Like a huge fire about to consume them. Or Jacob ripping them apart. Grin. That last one was an excellent idea actually. I would distract them so Jake could attack.

Of course he wouldn't like that, because I'd need to be touching an enemy for it to work. Hmm, well, I won't seek someone out myself then, but if they managed to come near me …. Kachiri overheard and took us outside to practise immediately. She also wanted to know if my bite could pierce vampire-skin. Nahuel had done it, his venom was his main weapon.

The tallest of these warrior-women offered to be my sparring partner. I gawked at her at first, but quickly I got exited. Jumping on her back, I decided to go for the neck. She ran and made a small attempt to shake me off. Hanging on tight I felt my teeth sinking in her marble flesh. It was the strangest sensation, nothing I put in my mouth had tasted like this. Biting off a chunk however was not so easy, so I stopped.

Kachiri reached around and pulled me into her arms. She wasn't phased at all. "Well done, little paisuan, she started, maybe you'll be able to do more damage when you're older …" Her talk was interrupted by dad bursting onto the scene, mum close behind. He stared at us, a frown on his face. "You can't let her do things like that, he sneered at Kachiri, she'll think we'll let her fight." I was stunned, he talked like I wasn't here. Hello?! I'm not a baby anymore.

Using the silence I flashed my hand to his face and showed him I was fine. And of course I would take their lead during the fight. Still I could learn as much as possible. He turned to me and leaned into my hand a bit. A sigh passed his lips. "I know you'll be sensible sweetheart, he responded, but you're also fierce like your mother." The corners of his mouth curled up.

"And as your father, I'll always worry, he added, you're my unique little girl." Reaching out he lifted me from Kachiri's arms into his own. We hugged tight.

Mom was calmer and next to hold me. "I love you," was all she said, before wiping the hair out of my face and kissing me on my forehead. She put me down just as Jake arrived in his wolf-form. He was running and as he passed I jumped on his back. I pressed my face into his fur and whispered: "Let's hunt." He let out a small bark in agreement, his tongue lolling out. Yeah, I could always count on him.

When we returned home, some new guests had arrived. Amun and Kebi stood in the livingroom, talking to grandpa and grandma. Yes, both were speaking, though I could barely hear Kebi. They complimented our family with the new house. Benjamin and Tia didn't seem to be with them.

After a few seconds they acknowledged me. Amun's face softened as looked at me. I walked over to greet them. "Hello Renesmee, Amun said, you're looking well and becoming quite the young lady." I nodded in return. This sounded friendly enough, but I sensed some tension underneath. Understandable, we were once again going to face the Volturi and this time we would fight. Kebi whispered a soft hello, her gentle eyes scanning me.

I wondered how she would handle herself in an attack. Hopefully this silent, subdued woman would be able to surprise us. Later dad told me that Benjamin and Tia were travelling on their own, ever since our first meeting. They would come this way soon, but decided to stay in Denali, to avoid arguments with Amun. This saddened me a bit. I like that young couple a lot, with their bright spirit.

At the end of the week the Irish coven made it over. They had added a new member, Patrick, Maggie's boyfriend. He matched her with his red curly hair, springing around his head wildly. A light stubble on his chin made him look older, though he was only 17. Maggie was turned at age 15. Patrick's body was lean and slim, topped off with a cheeky smile. He had no special ability, other than being really fast.

Faster than a normal vampire, it almost seemed if he could teleport himself. In less than a second he retrieved a book from our cottage. Blink one time to often and you wouldn't know he moved. In his human days he'd been a star runner on the athletic field. Maggie beamed with pride over him. Rooms were running out. May & Seth took one in the converted stables.

Some friends opted for Alaska, to help us and out of curiosity. Stephan and Vladimir were the first after Benjamin & Tia. Followed by Randall. And Allistair, who was as weary as ever. Aunt Alice saw him up north staying with our family a day or two before leaving for a time and returning again. An so on. Would he really be able to stand beside us when the moment came?

On Sunday we all gathered in the big central area of the house. The fireplace lit, we created a cosy atmosphere. Story swapping time. Patrick's life was at the top of the list. I asked about his change. "Ay, lassy, he started with thick accent, it's all because of a beast." I would've been in the books as a famous runner, if it wasn't for him." A thoughtful look came upon his face.

"Me and my family were visiting a fair…, beautiful day." Until a bull broke free to have some fun." Melancholy laced his voice. "He took me on his horns and tossed me around like a ragdoll," he continued, gauging me in the stomach." A scrawny lad like me, I never stood a chance." He paused and everyone was silent. "A vampire named Simon was hanging around the morgue and saw my potential, so he changed me."

I asked where he was now. "Ah, Patrick explained, I was quite wild in my newborn days, so the Volturi got him and his mate Louise." They couldn't catch me however." He grinned. "I learned to behave fast, after that experience."

His tale sparked others to reveal more interesting facts. I was surprised to learn that Demetri once belonged to Amun's coven, before the Volturi took him away with Chelsea's gift. And that he was over a 1000 years old. Also, Amun himself, was even older than Aro! Same as Kebi. I had stared at him with my mouth open, which caused him to smile. A rare occurrence.

Next up to talk was Liam, who we knew was turned during the Irish rebellion. Vampires used the battlefield to feed unnoticed, but sometimes they didn't fully drain their victims. So, that's how he was changed at age 36. Siobhan found him six months later. Maggie was found by them in 1847, starved and homeless by the side of the road. She was weak and dying.

Liam disagreed with her change by Siobhan, but grew to love her and see the benefits of her gift. They're always honest with each other, hiding nothing, so Maggie is comfortable.

Of course the impressive coven leader could not stay silent. Yes, Siobhan wasn't one you could miss, with her strong, curved, six foot two body. It fitted her then, to have been a blacksmith, because her father died when she was 17. Though she was attractive with her black hair and long eyelashes, men seemed to be too intimidated by her physic to approach her. Siobhan wasn't bothered by it, she didn't feel the need to find a husband.

However, word spread about the tall female blacksmith and a Turkish vampire named Sancar sought her out. He wanted someone like her to add to his harem. He violently abducted her from her home one night when she was 20, abusing her before he bit her. Siobhan killed him at the end of her newborn year, freeing four other women from his clutches.

Retuning home to Ireland she met one of the Volturi and became intrigued with vampires having special gifts. She transformed Maggie after the girl told her and Liam she knew they weren't human.

Wow, the evening had flown by. Soon, all who needed sleep retreated to their beds. I loved my room, my room, for a big girl. My favourite colour had become green, followed closely by reddish-brown. Grandma had used that and now it felt like I was in a garden. The walls were decorated with trees, grass and flowers. I had a miniature fountain on my desk. The sound often lulled me to sleep when I was tired. Soft lights that could change colour gave everything a warm touch.

Sighing and closing my eyes I realised my birthday was only a week away and I'd have more guests than ever. Would they all get me presents? They didn't have to, it was already hard for me to think of something I wanted. What was there to wish for? I have everything I desire. The only thing which came to mind was us all surviving the coming war and living happily ever after.

I let every face I knew pass through my mind. Hmm, even a few I haven't met in real life came up. Wonder why? I was too exhausted to find the answer.

During the remaining days, the whole family acted very secretive. Jake disappeared for hours to work on something. It was boring. I felt like pouting like a toddler. Huh, guess if you thought about it, I should be still just that. Shaking my head I wandered into the kitchen. Grandma was there and she turned towards me. "Hay sweetie, she said, I was just thinking about what kind of food you want for your birthday." And a cake maybe?"

She gave me a pleading look. I rolled my eyes, before launching off. Meat was at the top of my list of course, red meat and pork, chicken and other kinds like that were too bland. She smiled wide when I brought that up, told me she'd surprise me with something new. "Awh, grandma, I begged, no surprises, tell me, please …." She shook her head and mumbled something about me being like my mother.

I let it go and asked for a dark chocolate cake, as dark as possible, no cream or anything. She nodded and checked the cabinets for ingredients.

When my big day finally arrived, I woke up early and noticed that the house seemed quite empty. Walking up to my parents they saw my confused face. "All our vampire guests have left to do other things for a while," dad said. "Grandpa Charlie and Sue are coming over soon," mom added. I understood. "And don't forget Billy, squirt! Quil quipped, walking in, happy birthday!"

I scowled at him and said thanks. I hated his nickname for me. Four foot nine is not small! Right now I wanted to be able to eat his chocolate wolf! Dad chuckled at the image in my head. Mom gave me a puzzling look. I showed her Quil with his ear chewed off, he was hollow inside like a Santa-treat (figurine). And the tip of his tail was melting.

How weird I came up with these things. A few hours later the house was full with family and close friends. I got hugged and kissed a lot, my cheeks were glowing. I got a lot of the usual things like clothes and jewellery. But I liked my new camera the most and the photo-albums from Charlie and Sue. Mom had beamed a smile at me, saying she got those too, for her eighteenth birthday.

Jake's present came in a sizable box he wrapped himself. I opened it and stared at the wooden statues inside. He had carved them by hand and they were amazing. A wolf, a mountain lion, a bear, a deer and a seal. They were made of different kinds of wood and around eight inches tall. "For your room, he said, they fit in well with the theme." I felt choked up and flung my arms around his neck to hug him.

"These are all so wonderful, I managed to say, thank you Jake." He hugged me back gently and replied; "You're welcome, glad you like them." I leaned back to see his smile and moved one hand to his cheek. 'You did these all in a week?' I asked. "No, he answered, only the deer and seal, the others I've been working on since I first saw your room." 'Still, it's amazing, I told him, you've got skills.'

He smiled wider, showing all his bright teeth. I couldn't help giving a similar one back to him myself. How did he know me so well? Better than anyone. I'd ask him someday.

The last surprise was really big; I was going to school! I jumped up and down, I was so happy! Sure there were conditions, rules, but I didn't care. This was the best! Next was a big meal and the cake for dessert. Grandma put a plate in front of me with some kind of red meat. It's smell wasn't anything I recognized. I gave her a puzzling look. "Just eat it, she said, and I'll tell you what it is afterwards."

So taking the first bite gingerly I analyzed the flavour. It was rich and spicy, the structure suggested an animal with long muscles. No, this couldn't be from a native species. The taste was good however, definitely something special. Grandma was very pleased. "It's from a bird," she told me. I gave her an incredulous arch of my eyebrow.

"No really, she said, it's an ostrich." The sincerity of her voice made me believe her. She explained their meat was red because they didn't fly and did a lot of running. They were distant relatives of raptors, dinosaurs. Hah, guess you can learn something new at any time.

Late evening it was only vampire guests again. They had brought gifts too, typical of their homeland. Amun & Kebi gave me a shawl of the finest silk. The Irish clan came with a Galway crystal photo frame. Both were beautiful and I thanked them for thinking of me. Maggie had winked at me and whispered; "A certain pixie tipped us off a bit." I grinned. Of course my aunt was involved.

May found me in my room just before I went to bed. She offered to take me seal-hunting in a few days and also told me swimming was good for endurance. I said 'yes' to that and yawned, it had been an intense day. The following weeks more allies came. Peter & Charlotte we knew would come, same as Mary.

Charles & Makenna were a bit of surprise. But two others left our wolf-girl in shock. They just appeared in front of the house while we were, believe it or not, washing our cars. Aunt Alice knew though, her face betrayed her.

May flashed towards them, but kept a bit of a distance. The man had short, blonde, curly hair and golden eyes. The tall, gracious woman had her hair up in a perfect bun, just as I was shown in memory. Her eyes were red. "Hay Timmain, Nick said hesitantly, good to see you again, you look well." May stayed silent and just stared. "Anoushka gave her a warm smile. "We met accidently, she said, and found out we both knew you."

Nick took over again; "We heard rumours about war and a coven named Cullen." So, we wondered if you found them and were curious." "Yes, Anoushka went on, and of course we'd choose stand with the ones opposing the Volturi." That last statement broke the tension. May greeted them with a handshake and quick hug. Everybody else introduced themselves and invited them in.

In Denali they also got an unexpected guest. A vampire named Fred showed up, he had orange eyes and a strange ability. Aunt Alice saw him talk about his past and told us about it. Fred had once been part of Victoria's newborn army. Mom, dad and Jake had shared a version of that story with me at several occasions.

However, Fred had left them before they travelled to Forks. His 'gift' was to make people around him feeling so repulsed, they couldn't look at him or even think of him for a time. He'd been 20 when he was changed and a sophomore in marine biology. This is why his eyes were that colour, he was experimenting with feeding off of animals living in the sea. Well, he was in the right place to learn more about the 'vegetarian diet'. Eleazar was quite intrigued.

What we didn't know was that these allies would blanch at sight of who would come too. They came two days before the fight was due (according to a vision). May knew one of the three special ones. They checked each other out for the longest time.

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Well, well, who could those unexpected and special allies be? And what are they? Not vampires, though they are accompanied by two.

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Note:

Most of the background information on Amun and the Irish coven came from The Official Illustrated Guide. Same goes for Fred, though his diet-thing is from me.

I made up Patrick on a whim, just felt there should be someone with that name.

Nick, well I had an vague image of what he would look like. He's a bit of a cross between Simon Baker (The Mentalist) and the man in the Paco Rabanne – Invictus commercial.

Oh, Kachiri's term 'little paisuan' is one of endearment. It means something like 'little sheeps tail'. I borrowed it from the story To Tame A Wild Heart, where Bella grew up with the Amazon coven, before being turned at 16.