The garden was quiet save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the cheerful hum of Isabella's voice as she sat perched in a tree. The warm sun bathed the lush greenery of Volterra's secluded gardens, and the light glinted off the dark waves of her hair. Aro and Sulpicia sat nearby, enjoying this rare moment of peace. Isabella had recently developed a fascination with bedtime stories, and her latest obsession involved a tale of woodland adventures and fruit-picking.
"Careful, my love," Sulpicia called out gently, her voice tinged with maternal concern. Isabella was balancing precariously on a branch, reaching for a ripe, golden fruit just out of her grasp.
"I got it, Mama!" Isabella chirped, her tiny fingers brushing the fruit.
But in her excitement, she leaned too far. Her footing slipped, and before Sulpicia could rise or Aro could blur to her side, Isabella plummeted.
Aro surged forward, his hand outstretched, when something extraordinary happened. A faint, shimmering bubble-like barrier materialized around Isabella, slowing her descent. She landed softly on the ground, unharmed, the bubble vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.
Sulpicia gasped, her hand flying to her chest. She was halfway to her daughter when Isabella, unbothered, stood and held up her prize with a triumphant grin. "I got the fruit!"
"Are you hurt, darling?" Sulpicia asked, kneeling before Isabella and gently inspecting her for injuries.
"No, Mama! I'm strong!" Isabella declared proudly, holding out the fruit for Sulpicia to see.
Aro's crimson eyes narrowed slightly, his mind racing. Sulpicia was too relieved to notice the barrier, but he had seen it clearly—a shimmering, translucent shield that had protected Isabella from harm. This was no ordinary child; this was their Isabella.
He crouched next to them, brushing a strand of hair from Isabella's face. "Indeed, you are very strong, my sweet," he murmured, his voice laced with curiosity and pride.
The next morning, Aro's curiosity burned. He entered Isabella's room, where Gianna was helping her finish breakfast. A plate of eggs and toast sat half-eaten, and Isabella's legs swung happily beneath the table.
"Good morning, my treasure," Aro greeted, his tone as smooth as silk.
"Papa!" Isabella cried, bounding from her chair and into his arms.
Aro hugged her tightly, his expression softening as he held her close. "Would you like to accompany me to see your uncles today?"
Isabella pulled back, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yes! I show Uncle Marcus my picture!" She held up a crumpled drawing of what appeared to be the three of them holding hands, her artistic skills still a work in progress.
Gianna smiled from the corner, though her expression held a hint of concern. Aro's visits to the council chamber were never frivolous, and she wondered what he had planned.
The grand council chamber was an imposing space, with high, vaulted ceilings and rows of stone columns. Isabella's tiny footsteps echoed as she ran across the polished floor, her laughter ringing out like music.
"Uncle Marcus!" she cried, holding up her picture.
Marcus, who had been seated in his usual chair, allowed a rare smile to touch his lips as he leaned down to accept her offering. "What have you brought me, little one?"
"It's us!" Isabella explained proudly, pointing at the stick figures she had drawn.
Marcus's ancient features softened as he studied the picture. "It's beautiful, Isabella. Thank you."
Meanwhile, Aro had gathered Marcus, Caius, and Alec. He recounted the events in the garden, his voice calm yet tinged with excitement.
"She exhibited a gift," Aro said, his hands clasped in front of him. "A protective barrier. I saw it clearly when she fell. It saved her from harm."
Marcus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you propose we do about it?"
"Test it," Aro replied simply.
Alec, standing at the edge of the group, stiffened. "You mean with my gift, Master?"
"Yes," Aro said, his tone firm. "Your ability will not harm her permanently. It will simply suppress her senses for a moment. If she is truly a shield, her gift will protect her."
Marcus's expression darkened, his protective instincts flaring. "Have you lost your mind, Aro? She is a child!"
"I would never endanger her," Aro countered, his voice sharp but composed. "You know how much she means to me. But we must understand what she is capable of."
Caius, who had been observing silently, let out a low chuckle. "This should be interesting," he remarked, though his eyes gleamed with caution.
Aro called Isabella over, his expression softening as she approached. "Bella, darling, would you stand right here for Papa?"
She nodded, her trust in him absolute. "Okay, Papa."
Alec hesitated, glancing at Marcus, whose jaw was clenched tightly, before stepping forward. "I'll make it quick," he said, more to himself than anyone else.
Isabella tilted her head curiously as Alec raised his hand. The air around them seemed to shimmer as his gift activated, but before it could reach her, a translucent bubble formed around Isabella, rippling with energy. Alec's gift dissipated against the barrier, unable to penetrate it.
Isabella blinked, unaffected. "What's that, Uncle Alec?" she asked innocently.
Alec's eyes widened, and he took a step back. "It didn't work," he muttered, disbelief coloring his tone.
Aro's lips curved into a triumphant smile. "Remarkable," he murmured, stepping forward to examine the shimmering shield.
Marcus exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. "It seems your faith in her was not misplaced, brother."
Caius, though still skeptical, couldn't hide his fascination. "A shield," he mused. "She could become a powerful asset."
Aro crouched before Isabella, his eyes meeting hers. "You are extraordinary, my little one," he said softly. "Do you know how special you are?"
Isabella giggled, her shield dissolving as she reached out to touch his face. "I love you, Papa."
Aro's expression softened further, and he pulled her into his arms. "And I love you, Isabella. More than you can ever imagine."
The council chamber, usually a place of cold calculation, felt warmer that day—a testament to the little girl
I love Bella's power as a shield, and I truly believe that, in canon, she can manipulate and strengthen it, eventually turning it into a physical shield as years go by and with the right amount of practice.
Aro is now super fascinated.