To Speak One Word

4. Iceland

Another couple weeks had passed, and I didn't listen to any advice Carlisle (or my own subconscious) had given me. I felt I was possibly starving myself by accident or strictly on purpose. There was nothing I was sure about anymore. The only thing was, being alone for this long after falling in love, was painful. Every time the sunlight came into my bedroom reminded me of how Bella called me beautiful after she found out what I was. Every time the moonlight came, it reminded me of her sleeping, holding gently onto my shirt.
"Edward?" Alice answered the phone in less than one ring, "How are you doing? Are you still in Rio?"
Again, my voice was cracking underneath the pressure of no longer using it, "Yes."
"I'm with Jasper, he-"
I cut her off, "Can you put him on the phone?"
She paused for a moment, and I heard a quiet shuffle of the phone passing.
"Edward." Jasper was being cautious.
"I need to ask you something, and please just answer honestly."
He paused, "Sure thing."
I sighed, "Did Carlisle come visit me a couple weeks ago?"
"Not - not that I'm aware of, Edward. But I can ask." His tone immediately switched to concern.
"No, don't bother. I think that was a fine answer."
"Why don't you come spend a week with Alice and me, you'd like the area."
I didn't even think about it, I knew Alice would just spend the time observing me, "That's okay, I was thinking about traveling again anyway."
His voice lightened up, "Well that's a good idea. I'm sure Rio is erm, keeping you held up a little bit."
I nodded to myself, still playing with the gentle sunlight on my hand.
"Will you call if you need anything from us?" Alice took back the phone.
"How- is she?" I shut my eyes so tightly, my skin almost cracked.
After a moment of silence, she began, "I think you should focus on relocating, Edward. Just for a week or two. Take a breath of fresh air!"
I smiled, knowing I didn't really breathe much to begin with, "Thank you."
I hung up, knowing she remembered my warning about the Bella updates, and her concern was truly on me only.
I was happy that the call log in my phone did prove this interaction. And Jasper's absolute concern about my 'visit' with Carlisle, may have indicated that it never happened, but made me well aware of my connection to this family.
Once the sun set, I decided to listen. I did miss the sight and feeling of snow. And a solid hunt or two. Iceland it was.
•
The next day, I was walking about a small town in Iceland. No one paid much attention to me, so I assumed I was maintaining my human facade with talent still. This was a country of beauty and stillness, Bella would appreciate it just as much as me.
In almost constant overcast of darkness here, I decided a trip through some mountains would distract me. Luckily I hunted in Rio before I left, these snow covered mountains were a little dry of game. But as I stood still staring at the ground, I was finding prints of some kind. The kind that put me on an utter edge. They were human, but they were barefoot. I kept my movement to a bare minimum. Carlisle's 'visit' did tell me he had friends here, so I truly counted on that being true.
I saw another set of the same tracks. Maybe it was time to return to the humans. I turned slowly to head back, but before I reached that point, I finally saw the two figures standing on top of the mountain, facing directly toward me. They were wearing large dark jackets. One had very long hair, the other's was similar to mine. They weren't moving, and I began to actually feel something for the first time in a while, and it was discomfort and fear.
"We are peaceful, traveling nomads." The male stated loud enough for me to hear. He had a smooth British accent. Nomads of our kind weren't so much peaceful with humans, but possibly with other vampires. Especially if they knew them.
I thought carefully of what to do next. I decided to play the card of using Carlisle's name. It was like the equivalent of a human knowing the chief of police in their town.
After I noticed the two figures weren't leaving, I had to continue letting them know what my intentions were as well.
"I am Edward, the son of Carlisle Cullen."
I blinked quickly as they both appeared in front of me. I had never seen or met them in my 100 plus years. The female had very long dark hair with tones of red. Her face was very symmetrical and like stone. She had tattoos on her hands. The male was tall, a bit older with a well managed short beard.
"I am Arthur Grange. This is my wife, Flora."
The last name at least rang a small bell in my memory. Carlisle had mentioned the name, but I couldn't recall his history with them.
The male, Arthur, continued, "I met your father a few times, he is a good civilized man. How is he?"
I nodded, "I couldn't agree more, I learned everything I know from him. Carlisle is fine, our family is taking holiday from our permanent residence in Washington."
"And Esme?" The female asked.
"Esme is still her graceful, close to perfect self."
She smiled.
"Where is your family then?" Arthur asked.
This was starting to get tricky now, "Carlisle and Esme are still in Washington, but much further north than where we live. And," I couldn't help but pause, "I'm not exactly sure where my siblings are, but they are well."
He tilted his head to the side, "Have you gone off on your own, my son?"
"Not officially, no. I have no intention of leaving my family. But quite frankly, I did decide to travel alone."
"Are you in need of help, Edward?" Flora asked in a soft British accent as well.
"I am passing through, Carlisle always told me about the beauty of Iceland, I'd never been."
"Then what caused the need to travel by yourself in unknown territory?" She asked blankly.
I was concerned my presence was overstepping at this point, "I mean no harm or intrusion during my stay here. Carlisle did not mention territories here. I apologize deeply if I caused any inconvenience."
"Nonsense," Arthur put his hand up, "we just very seldom run into others of our kind. We have a small home here in which we permanently reside. Would you like to sit with us?"
His tone was genuine and inviting, "Thank you. I haven't had much company."
He nodded, "Follow us. Like I said, your father is a great man, and I will provide hospitality. We have nutrition at our home."
"It may not be fresh anymore, but you look like you could use some food." Flora smiled, and took off running next to her husband. I cautiously followed, and now well aware they probably meant human blood, which I was practicing how to politely decline.
•
We arrived at a small cabin still in sight distance of the mountains. I sat with them at a table beside their kitchen area, which was exactly like ours - untouched.
"So, son. What caused the separation from your family, especially since it's not permanent?" Arthur asked.
I sighed. I didn't have anything to lose with telling him, and I thought maybe they could offer advice.
"I fell in love with a human. And I escaped to protect her from this world we live in."
Arthur and Flora looked at each other, and immediately I regretted my openness. I continued, retracting from it, "I appreciate your kindness and hospitality. And I apologize for my honesty here."
Flora shook her head, "Edward," she started, "I was changed 257 years ago, when I was 23. I met Arthur 57 years ago, he was the same age. And he was human."
I looked up at her, unable to speak. She continued, "I wasn't sure where it would led me, but I loved him. He was starting to age, and of course, that's when he noticed I wasn't."
I looked at Arthur now, and realized he did look close to 15 years older than her.
"You changed him?" I asked.
She shrugged, putting her hand on Arthur's, "It was a long and hard decision and discussion, but when it came down to it, he was my mate."
Arthur started, "She didn't want to, but if she didn't, not only would she loose me, but if I stayed human, I would end up loosing her, too. To my own age and the eyes of society. At a certain point, being married to a 23 year old as I got older and she didn't, problems would start arising."
I ran my hands through my hair, and kept a grasp onto it.
"Son, I'm not telling you to change this woman if you don't want to," Arthur lightened his voice, "but you will end up on the run for longer than you think in order to try to forget her, and losing a partner, and losing her completely to aging."
Flora added, "And if you do stay on the run, you have a beautiful and strong family you could possibly lose."
We sat in silence for what seemed like hours. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I saw Arthur nod at Flora out of my peripheral, and she moved quickly to another room and then back. She had part of a human body piece in her hand.
"You look like you need it, son." Arthur explained.
I shook my head, "Carlisle raised us strictly on animal blood. While I appreciate the offer with all of my heart, I have to respectfully decline."
Arthur smiled, "Carlisle is still on his vegetarian diet, I see?"
"He enjoys living amongst humans, and adores his work at hospitals. It is his only rule to living under his roof."
They both smiled, "Carlisle is an amazing man, Edward. Maybe consider going back to him."
I nodded, "I have." I stood up with my hand out, "Arthur and Flora Grange, it was an honor meeting you two, and I appreciate everything you've done from your hospitality to honesty," Arthur shook my hand then Flora, "In just a short meeting, you both have given me a lot to think about and again, I thank you for sharing your story."
Arthur bowed his head, "You are turning out to be just like your father, keep him close. We would also love to hear from him."
I got myself to the door, "Carlisle is one of the closest people to me, he always will be. And yes, I will tell him my tale of meeting you two, I'm sure he'll be pleased."
•
I ran through and through mountains again here, angry with myself, because everything that was happening to me, seemed so bizarre and I wasn't able to prove it happened. The fact that my mind made up a visit from Carlisle, made me concerned that Arthur and Flora Grange didn't even exist. If I told Carlisle about my visit with them, and I end up finding out in fact they don't exist? He was going to go to Rio and evict me.
I stayed another 2 nights in Iceland, in a small motel that was placed next to a small road that led into town. How could I, myself, prove that these two vampires existed without involving my family?
It was almost time to hunt again, and through a snow covered forest behind my motel, I found a small Arctic fox, and made that meal last until my return to Rio.
As the plane flew gracefully back to Rio, I finally decided to ask Carlisle about his friends in Iceland, without providing the information that I went there. Also, not providing the information that I literally hallucinated him in my small Rio home a few weeks ago. That alone, would cause an eviction as well.
•
"Hello, Edward." Carlisle answered the phone with a tone of peace in his voice.
"How are you and Esme?" I asked, truthfully wondering about Esme. She was always the most hurt about one of us leaving for any reason.
"She's doing great. She's restoring an old home we purchased out here, and gardening as well. She does miss you a great deal, though."
I smiled at the image of her passionately painting old chairs and decorating a kitchen. I missed her, as well. She was a very hard person to leave.
"I wanted to ask if you had any old friends in Iceland. I was considering traveling out there for a little while." I made sure my voice was as casual as possible.
"Ah," he gave out a small chuckle, "were we afraid of hallucinating, Edward?"
My eyes widened, and I couldn't speak. They were real, and they already called Carlisle.
He continued, "Arthur and Flora Grange are very respected nomads. I've known them a while. They seemed to be very concerned about you, Edward, and called me as soon as you left their home," he sighed, "You have nothing to worry about, they are honest vampires with good hearts, for what it's worth. They had a very strong fondness of you."
I let out a long hard breath, "Okay, well I'm happy to hear all of that. I was afraid I over shared with them a little bit. They both seemed to adore you, as well. Nothing but compliments."
He laughed, "Yes, it has been probably 30 years since I've seen them. May I ask what you mean when you say over sharing?"
"I was vague, very vague. But I did shed light onto why exactly I was traveling alone. Clearing, or trying to clear my mind of a human I fell in love with."
Carlisle didn't respond right away.
I continued, "If I over stepped, Carlisle, I can send out an apology and make this right."
"No no, son," I could hear the smile in his voice, "If anyone would have good advice about something like this, it would be them, Edward. I'm sure they told you? Flora was in the same exact position as you, some decades ago."
I nodded to myself, "They did actually tell me almost the entire story."
"Very good," he sighed, "I'm just happy to hear your voice. And it sounds like getting outside a little bit benefited you."
"Seeing snow again was nice."
He laughed, "Please call again soon, my son."
Hearing his voice too, was relaxing. Knowing Esme was holding up okay was relaxing. Knowing I had not gone insane was very relaxing. The crack in my mind was still there, but at least it wasn't growing.