three's a crowd

the battle

A/N: Ophelia is ready to fight to protect the ones she loves, but the outcome will surprise everyone.

Tension hung thickly in the air. They were here. I could feel it in the air, in the way the vampires tensed up, how the wolves began to growl behind us, still hidden in the forest. Blindly, I reach for Vladimir and Stefan's hands on either side of me, the two quick to grab my hand, squeezing comfortingly.

"Everything alright, Princess?" I'm not even sure which one of them is asking.

"I'm scared." I whisper, my heart beating like mad, nerves wrecking through my body.

"Don't be. We're right here with you."

The ground begins to rumble underneath my feet, not really helping. It's then that I see the hooded figures coming into view, out of the forest and onto the field, opposite us. The Volturi. There were so many of them. I'm scared shitless now, my two friends holding me the only thing that convinces me I'm still standing up, legs weak. At their approach, the wolves begin to howl, appearing from behind us, revealing themselves. I only feel slightly better when they walk past us, dividing themselves amongst our group. The Volturi come to a halt, three figures a little in front of the others. I can feel Vladimir and Stefan tense up, the moment they had been waiting an eternity for finally here. Their chance at revenge.

"Aro. Let's discuss things as we used to. In a civilised manner." Carlisle speaks up, stepping forwards.

"Fair words, Carlisle. But a little out of place, given the little battalion you've assembled against us." A man, Aro I'm assuming, answers. My view of him is slightly blocked, so I don't see anything but the cloak they all wore, but his voice sounds mesmerising, maybe even... familiar? I frown slightly at that.

"I can promise you, that was never my intent. No laws have been broken." Carlisle argues, sounding very calm to me, almost like our lives weren't being endangered.

"We see the child. Do not treat us as fools!" Another snaps, this one sounding angry. My stomach stirs at the sound of him. Edward glances back at me shortly, a weird look on his face. What did he hear?

"She is not an immortal!" Carlisle says, raising his voice.

"These witnesses can attest to that.", He adds, looking back at all of us. "Or you can look. See the flush of human blood in her cheeks."

"Artifice!" The second voice snaps angrily. I can see how Aro raises his hand, making the other stop immediately. I raise an eyebrow at that. Perhaps I could introduce the movement to Vladimir and Stefan. It sure would be incredibly convenient. Speaking of, my two friends were growing more impatient with the second that passed. The murderous looks on their faces told me they would be happy to slaughter all of them right now.

"I will collect every facet of the truth." Aro says. "But from someone more central to the story."

"Edward. As the child clings to your new-born mate, I assume you are involved." Aro steps forwards, raising his hand for Edward to go and take. Slowly, Edward walks over to their side of the field. When he reaches Aro, he offers his hand to him. Aro takes Edwards hand and I can see the awe appear in Aro's eyes as he sees Edward's thoughts.

"I'd like to meet her." Aro says when he lets go of Edward, surprise in his voice. Edward turns to look back at Bella and Renesme, nodding at them. As they begin to advance forwards, Jacob starts to growl, following them. Bella glances backwards at Emmett, making him walk over to join them. When she meets my eyes, silently asking me to join them as well, I give her a surprised look, but let go of Vladimir and Stefan, despite their protests. I knew she had asked me if I would be prepared to step forward to compare Renesme to me, but her effectively doing so took me by surprise.