Artemis Fowl and the Hazard of Haven

Chapter 1

Chapter 1- The Beginning of the End

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Grey clouds were cast over the sky and heavy drops of water fell to the ground, adding perhaps the slightest bit of grief that was missing in the funeral of Artemis Fowl Senior. Artemis Fowl the second stood by the coffin, his face incomprehensible, quite in contrast to his mother who was hysterically babbling to her dead husband.

The twins had been abruptly sent for, from le Rosey in Switzerland, in the middle of their term. They stood formally with their hands by their side, their faces distorted and tear-streaked.

A train of thoughts sped through Artemis' head as he stared down at his father's calm but now stone cold face. He now, for the second time, was the head of the Fowl Empire, an empire that had once been renowned for its criminal activities but of recent had taken to more humanitarian deeds. At least his father had died a struggling hero rather than a notorious criminal. But now, he was responsible for two people, three, if his mother never recovered from her present state of depression like she had the previous time. Only that time Artemis Fowl I returned in time to set things right. Now even that possibility was lost. He was gone.

Artemis did not react too adversely to his father's death. It was a natural death, expected at this age, he kept telling himself; but the thought of his father leaving him forever created some internal turmoil.

When Artemis Fowl Senior was lost at sea, presumed dead, Artemis always emphasized on the word presumed. However, his father lay dead and peaceful in front of him, and it was hard to accept that he was now truly gone.

Next to him a slight shimmer was visible, which of course may have been a trick of the rain, but Artemis had seen it one too many times and immediately recognized it as Holly Short. He didn't even acknowledge her presence until they were safely back inside the manor. He continued his wait until he knew his mother was upstairs in her room and had sobbed herself to sleep. He even managed to ignore the sharp nudges she gave him indicating she needed to speak to him.

He finally said "We're alone, you can stop the shield now." Gradually out of thin air, a well built, child sized figure appeared.

"I'm sorry about your father Artemis," it said. Artemis recognized the person, no elf rather, immediately as Commander Trouble Kelp.

The People are taking too much advantage of the trespassing hex No. 1 lifted, thought Artemis as he pondered upon the situations which would drag a Commander above ground. Experience told him it was some sort of big upcoming catastrophe, which needed his help to be prevented.

As if he read Artemis' mind Commander Kelp said, "I've got good news for a change for you Artemis."

This got the Irish boy's attention.

"I have been transferred to Atlantis because their Commander died of Gastroplastopy!" he said excitedly. Artemis couldn't see how or why this was good news and subconsciously a step back. Realizing what he had said, he exclaimed, "That is not what the good news, Mud Boy! Major Holly Short is next in line to fill my spot. Wonderful decision by the council I must say, a perfect choice, she's patriotic and experienced and so commendably skillful and..." and Commander Kelp was caught in a daze. Recovering his composure he continued, "A little inauguration has been held and..." his voice showed the slightest bit of distaste "and she would obviously like you to attend this."

Artemis registered all this for a moment then asked the obvious question, "When is it?"

"Why it's tomorrow at 1500 hours GMT," replied Kelp. Artemis knew he couldn't leave his mother alone, not in her present state of mind and Myles and Beckett needed to be escorted back to their boarding school. He figured he needed to arrange for someone to take care of his mother and brothers, just for a few hours, surely it wouldn't take longer than that. He knew just the man for the job. Domovoi Butler and of course, Mrs. Juliet Tawney.