AN: This chapter comes with an epic trigger warning. There will be details of abuse, the memories written in Italics should be avoided if they are likely to hurt you. Good luck readers.
S Meyer owns twilight
CHAPTER 14
Rose POV
We were led into the throne room. There was a wide bench to the side of the room that would sit Esme, Emmett and I comfortably, it faced the thrones. On the other side of the room was a small stage with chairs for each member of the 'jury.' The guard took their place along the walls of the throne room. The Horsemen entered, standing in front of the guard on our side of the room. They were close to us, about ten feet away. They stood still and kept their eyes straight.
There was an audience of twenty people, they stood behind us. They whispered when the Horsemen entered. Some of them had come across the Horsemen on their mission to clean up the Second Vampire War. Many tried to guess who the Horsemen were behind their masks and cloaks.
The Masters entered and stood in front of their thrones. The room quieted and Aro stepped forward, his face was neutral, there was a clarity to his eyes the audience and jury hadn't seen before. I saw a few of the Jury's mouths drop open as they saw Aro's true demeanor. Few people knew that Aro was one of the sanest, most well balanced Vampires around.
Aro's addressed the room. "Welcome, everyone. Today is a sad occasion, one which must be taken seriously. Lies have been told and many vampires and humans have suffered because of it. Our trial today is a little different. Out of respect for the Accused and his mate we have offered those in the defense to make a judgment call, they will decide on the guilt or innocence of the Accused. With everything we have discovered we know there will be many shocking facts revealed. Should any one present at the moment feel the need for a break please raise your hand. You will not be punished for needing time to collect yourselves."
The eyes of the jury landed on Esme, I could see their confusion. Aro had said Carlisle and his mate were on trial, many had thought Esme was his mate. "Before we begin, are there any concerns or questions?" Aro asked. The vampire who spoke was thin, thinner than any vampire I'd ever seen. His skin was tightly wrapped against his bones. His cheeks were hollow, his eyes sunken. He stood, determined to find answers. "How will we know our judgment has been taken seriously?"
"Alistair, whatever your ruling is, we will abide it. Should you wish him freed and an official apology issued we will do that immediately. Should you rule him guilty the sentence will be carried out as soon as possible, you will be able to witness it if you choose." Aro promised.
Alistair nodded, but didn't look any less suspicious "how will we know you're not tricking us?" He asked. "Maggie of the Irish Coven has the power to see deception, she sits with you and any lies will be revealed instantly. Our aim today is to bring out the truth." Alistair looked to Maggie who nodded. Alistair looked confused, but didn't ask any more questions.
Aro waited a full minute and continued when no one asked any more questions. "Alec, Jane. Please bring out the Accused." The door opened and Carlisle and Edward walked in, they were neatly dressed and stared at the floor as they stood next to the jury. Aro continued "this is the trial of Carlisle Cullen and his mate, Edward Cullen." There was a gasp amongst the jury and audience, Maggie's eyes widened comically and she announced "he's telling the truth, Carlisle and Edward are mates." Edward's eyes blackened and he started screaming "no! It's not true! It's a sin!" Maggie was shocked, she confirmed Edward was lying. Alistair's eyes shot to Maggie, he stared at her, searching for the lie in the vampire lie detector. His eyes widened when he found no hint of deception. He turned and looked at the screaming Edward.
Edward saw the looks of distaste on the faces around the room and stopped screaming. He pinched the bridge of his nose and ground out "they must have got Chelsea to alter our bonds." Aro immediately responded "we have not altered the bonds of you or your former coven members."
"Truth" Maggie announced. "Chelsea must have altered them on a whim" Edward spat. Aro sighed and turned to his guard "Chelsea, dear. Could you step forward?" She stepped forward, her eyes angry. "I have not altered any bonds of the current and former members of the Cullen coven." She announced clearly. "Truth" Maggie confirmed. Carlisle shot Edward a glare, Edward had just confirmed they were mates by accusing Chelsea.
Aro kept his face neutral and started asking the questions. "Carlisle, you are aware of our most sacred laws, as is Edward. Please, confirm for us; what are our two most sacred laws?"
"Never tell human what we are and never interfere with mates." Carlisle said. Aro nodded sharply. "You are lucky, both of you. We were aware of the human, Ms. Swan, and others monitored the situation leading up to her death. She learned of our kind through your actions and you left her with two nomads seeking to murder her. You left her unprotected and with knowledge of our world." He said.
He turned to Edward "I saw in your memories how you lead the human girl on, telling her she was your mate when you had knowledge that she was the mate to another."
"She was made for me!" Edward growled "her blood called to me and her mind was blissfully quiet."
"Yet, you refused to turn her." Aro said. "Of course! I loved her-"
"Lie" Maggie announced. Her eyes were darkening with anger. "I needed her!" Edward yelled.
"True" Maggie said.
"You needed her blood? Or did you need her because you wanted to hide your sexual orientation?" Aro asked, Edward looked horrified "what? No!"
"Lie." I felt bad for Bella, I had suspected he used her as a beard, a tasty beard. I pushed my sympathy and love to J hoping he would pass it on.
Carlisle had paled as he heard the motivation behind Edward's relationship with Bella. Peter's words floated through my mind Apocalypse really means 'lifting the veil.' Was Carlisle's world ending? Aro directed his attention to Carlisle "I thought you a learned and compassionate man. Tell me, what qualifications do you hold?" Aro asked. He was toying with him now, "I've been dedicated to healing for a few hundred years Aro, you know that."
"And you've returned to study repeatedly?" Aro asked. Carlisle voice was full of pride as he answered. "Of course, there is always new information. I have several degrees in medicine and psychology."
"In your years of study was there anything you took from the phrase 'do no harm?'" Aro's voice was neutral, Carlisle was starting to look offended.
"I live by it-"
"Lie" Maggie gasped. Many jaws dropped. Carlisle's eyes darkened in anger and he glared at Maggie. "Medicine is a discipline that can cause pain to heal. I learnt the best methods and put them into practice. I'm a respected doctor in the human community."
"Lie" Maggie spat. Aro interrupted their exchange, "we have far to go, Carlisle, in exposing your fraudulence and cruelty. You know all our laws even the ones that limit the cruelty caused by our survival.
"Carlisle, can you please explain how is it that when a member of your coven had a PTSD induced episode you attempted to utilize clear triggers to see what would happen?"
"I was trying to snap him out of it!" Carlisle growled. I put my hand up, J would need a minute to clear his mind. Aro caught my movement and nodded "we will take a short break. Please return to your positions in five minutes." The Masters, Horsemen and Guard exited the room, Jane and Alec lead Carlisle and Edward to the waiting room.
Jane returned to the room, walking quietly towards us. "Are you okay?" She whispered to me "I'm fine, Janey. I figured War and Death could use a break, it would look suspicious if they asked for a recess." I whispered, barely audible. "Death told me she could kiss you. Aro is also very glad, he said he was a second away from losing his shit." She said. I smiled "are they okay?"
"They will be, we're lucky the head healer isn't here." I nodded, Charlie would have attacked.
Esme leaned over "how are you doing, honey?" Jane smiled at her "I'm well, the trial is going well despite how awfully it affects you guys." Esme patted her hand "don't worry about us honey, we're made of stronger stuff." She winked at Jane. "Do you want me to pass on any messages?" Jane asked. I nodded and said "just tell them; 'you're safe, we're safe. It's going to be okay.'" Emmett smiled, the tension releasing from his shoulders. Jane nodded and left the room.
The room filled up again, the guard followed by the Horsemen. They stood facing the opposite wall like before. Their posture straight and stiff. I felt a beam of gratitude from J and squeezed Emmett and Esme's hands. The audience returned and the Masters filed in.
Jane and Alec lead Carlisle and Edward back in. Aro continued exactly where he left off, interrogating Carlisle. "You admit to using triggers against a coven member you called a son, to break him out of his flashback?" Carlisle nodded stiffly. "Did you ever talk to him? Learn about his abuse? Did you ask or support him to gain the information necessary to make a sound judgment call?"
"There was no time, he just became catatonic."
"How long exactly had he been in your coven before he had this episode?"
"Two years, but-"
"Exactly, you invited him into your coven but made no attempt to get him settled. The accolades you received from working with humans took priority over the people you called a family."
Aro shook his head "that is only one example of your incompetence, both as a healer and a coven leader. When did you first study psychology?"
"1914"
"Did you treat many war veterans?"
"Yes"
"Did you use triggering stimuli to treat their shell shock?"
"Yes, I sedated them afterwards. It was successful." I found that hard to believe. "Lie." Maggie said.
Aro continued, cutting off Carlisle's response to Maggie. "How long did you work with war veterans?"
"One month."
"Why did you change employment?"
"Some humans got suspicious."
"Lie" Maggie said. Aro repeated the question. "Why did you change employment, Carlisle?"
"We had to move, we'd lived there too long."
"Lie" Carlisle's eyes turned black and he snarled "they asked me to leave, they didn't appreciate my efforts!"
Aro turned to the Jury and spoke, "If it please the Jury I wish to share Ms. Hale's memories with you." I was glad he was able to control what memories made it to the others. "You may decline to offer of her testimony if you wish." Aro said softly. "How do we know you won't take our memories?" Amun asked. "I promise I won't. My gift is switched to pass memories through, not pull memories in." Eleazar spoke from behind us "his gift is indeed switched from receive to send."
"Eleazar and Aro speak the truth." Maggie announced.
"You are welcome to decline seeing Ms. Hale's testimony, you aren't required to give a reason." Aro reiterated to the Jury. They nodded. He held out his hand and they each touched an index finger to his palm. I took his other hand, and felt the sensation of my memories falling through a funnel.
Jasper, Emmett and I were out hunting. I finished my deer and returned to the guys. Emmett was waving a hand frantically in front of Jasper's face. Jasper was frozen, his eyes black and his face contorted in agony. We carried him home and took him to our room, I'd recognized the signs and knew he was stuck in a memory, unable to sense the world around him.
Carlisle rushed in "is he okay?" He asked, checking Jasper over. He took Jasper's shirt off, saw the scars and I saw recognition in Carlisle's eyes. I was shocked by my brother's scars, but vowed never to mention them. He'd been through hell. I would keep his secrets.
"He's having and episode, bring him to my office." Carlisle ordered. We lay him down on the sofa in Carlisle's study, he didn't move. Carlisle left the room and returned with a bag of blood. I yelled at him "what the hell are you doing Carlisle? He's trying to stay vegetarian!" Carlisle rips the bag open and waves it under his nose. "Damnit, that should have worked!" He muttered.
Carlisle was panicking. "You'll make it worse! Stop it!" I was screaming at him and Emmett was growling, standing in front of Jasper, shielding him. Edward walked in looking terrified and announced "he has similar experiences to Rosalie" I looked at him in anger, that wasn't his secret to tell. I growled at Edward and Carlisle yelled for Alice. She walked in confused "what's wrong with Jazzy?"
"He's caught in a memory. Alice, tell Carlisle to leave him alone, it'll make him worse!" I begged her. Alice looked at Carlisle in shock. "What are you thinking Carlisle?!"
"If you stimulate his genitals it'll shock him out of it. It worked in the past."
"If I do what you're suggesting he'll rip my head off, then he'll kill you."
"It'll work! I know it will Alice." Carlisle pleaded. "No Carlisle, it won't." Alice stood her ground.
The memory stopped and the draining sensation disappeared. I looked at the Jury, they looked like they were going to be sick. They looked to the floor, considering what they'd just learnt. I walked back to my seat.
Aro took a few steps back and started questioning him about me. "It was a couple of decades after Edward was turned that you came by Rosalie Hale." Carlisle nodded in confirmation. "What were the circumstances you found her in?" Aro asked. "She was attacked and dying."
"You turned her?" Aro asked lightly. Carlisle nodded. "Why did you decide to turn her?"
"She was beautiful, I thought Edward would like a girlfriend."
"True" Maggie confirmed.
"Did you treat her mental trauma before you set them up?"
"No." Carlisle spat. Aro didn't miss a beat. "You came across a woman who had been brutally assaulted, changed her and set up a date with Edward?" He nodded. "Why wasn't she treated for the trauma she suffered?"
"She didn't need it, she was fine. She was the kind of girl Edward would appreciate."
"How were the other women of her time different?"
"They were loose, frivolous. Rosalie woke up and was quiet and conservative, I didn't notice any trauma." I was dumbfounded by Carlisle's words. Was he some sort of fucking psychopath?
Aro turned to Edward. "Edward, did you pursue Ms. Hale?" He shook his head. "Why?" Aro asked. "Her thoughts were too willful, she didn't listen to me. I couldn't get past her attack, I wanted something clean." He sneered. Carlisle buried his head in his hands. Did Carlisle have the audacity to feel ashamed of his mate? How the fuck was his treatment of me and Esme any fucking different? I felt like I would be sick, but locked my eyes with Edward's. I squeezed Em's hand in comfort. He had locked his joints and froze so he wouldn't lose control of his temper. Edward dropped his gaze first. Weak. Pathetic.
Aro turned and addressed the Jury "once again, Ms. Hale has agreed to testify. The memories she is willing to show you are horrific. It is your choice if you wish to hear it, again, you need not provide a reason to decline." Siobhan stood and walked up to me, she towered over us. Leaning forward she searched my eyes. There was a flash of something, then recognition colored her eyes "I will not need to see the testimony. I have a history of my own and I know the look of one who has suffered." She said. Aro nodded and held out his hand, one by one the other Jury members placed their index finger in his palm. I touched his other hand and felt the sensation of my memories falling through a funnel once more.
Flashes of memories passed my mind's eye;
cold, terrified, dying, cobble stones on the street press into my back, pain, I've been ripped in half. I'm exposed to the world, I want to die. Carlisle's face appears before me. He looks me over, bites me and carries me. I shudder. Another memory flashes through I'm lying on a table, burning in agony. I can hear Carlisle and Edward talk 'Carlisle, she will not be my mate. Her thoughts are horrible. Why not just kill her? She was going to die anyway.' Carlisle shook his head 'she has a right to live, her life was taken by others." I hated them so much.
Images flashed quicker and quicker, glimpses of Carlisle's attempts of matchmaking, my pain as emotions caught up and drowned me, trying to claw my face off to escape the beauty. Finally the sensation stopped and the memories fell back into the past where they belonged.
Aro let go of my hand and waved for Emmett to come to me. My mate's eyes were black and his muscles strained against his skin, but he picked me up gently and carried me out of the room. I caught sight of my reflection in a window we passed. My cheeks had hollowed, eyes were blank, skin paled. I looked like a corpse.
Emmett cradled me, kissing my forehead and rocking gently. "I'm okay Em" I breathed. "I know Rosie, you're strong and brave and nothing ever gets in your way. I'm so proud of you."
"The trial?" I asked. "Recess." He said. I nodded. Jasper and Bella ran into the room. They kept their distance, J sent me pride and warmth, trying to counteract the shame and cold that permeated my bones, I always felt this way when I got caught up in memories.
"I'm okay, really guys. It just takes a little while for my body to relax." I said, my voice was growing stronger. J nodded and asked; "Charlie healed you, didn't he?" I nodded and explained. "The memories hurt, but they don't overcome me like they used to."
"I can feel that, I can also see your eyes brighten and the color return to your face." J observed. Em's muscles relaxed and he sighed in relief. "I love you, Rosie." I leaned up and kissed him "thanks for helping me Em. Love you too."
There was a knock on the door, Bella opened it. Aro was standing there looking guilty "Come on in Aro, I'm fine. I promise."
"I still wish to apologize Rosalie. I'm so sorry I forced you to relive it."
"You didn't, I offered to relive it. They needed to know." My voice grew stronger. "This is my Armageddon, Aro. I will fight. We must all do our part to lift the veil of bullshit. This is a trial by fire and the good can only succeed by exposing the darkness." Aro shook his head "perhaps we should finish for the day?" He offered. I stood up and shook my head "no, Aro. I'm just getting started." I walked out of the room and headed towards the throne room. I heard J chuckle "that, Aro, is Rosalie Fucking Hale."
Footsteps echoed behind me. I threw open the doors and marched to my seat. Head up. Back straight. Tits out. Edward and Carlisle were going to see the real me and they would tremble before me. Emmett ran to me and picked me up, hugging me tightly against him. "We're getting married, again, after this is finished." He said smoothly, I smiled "damn straight."
JPOV
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. The women I loved had all been scorned and I couldn't lie; they terrified me. Rosalie's emotions invigorated me, she stood up and testified for me. She was amazing. Bella blinked away the venom in her eyes and breathed out "if I was a guy I'd be so hard right now. Fuck, I'm glad she's on our side." She sniffed and took a few deep breaths to compose herself. Rose's words had uplifted everyone, Aro was still with shock. His emotions were in turmoil; disbelief, amazement, familial love and protectiveness. I'm going to have to ask Marcus about their bond later. Finally, others saw Rosalie Hale the way Em and I did.