Artemis Fowl: Held Captive

Prologue

Prologue

Kicking leaves as they walked through them, Artemis and Annmarie strolled along the manor grounds, hand in hand. The past two years had been the least expected thing that could have happened to either of them, but none the less they were exceptionally happy.

Fall was upon Ireland. The beautiful old trees had their leaves turning radiant colours and falling to the ground. The air was cool with the scent of autumn riding it as it gently maneuvered around everything in its path, including the two heading towards the stable.

Artemis and Annmarie often rode together. It was an activity they had in common, and it was relaxing as well as entertaining.

They reached the barn and went up to the stalls where their horses were content munching on hay. Annmarie opened the stall door and entered, securing a halter to the happy-to-see-her Molotov, her sixteen hand, solid black gelding. She led him out of the stall and hitched him to a post to tack up. Artemis led his mare to a post nearby.

They walked into the tack room and grabbed some things. They exited back to the horses and tacked up, putting blankets on the horses backs, then saddles, securing the girth. They put the bridles on over the halters, and one those were properly positioned slid the halter off underneath, hanging their leads over the stall doors.

They mounted the horses and set off into the pasture at a canter, out to their usual spot. The horses whinnied in joy. It was like playtime for a five year old. All fun and games.

They slowed to a trot and rode along side one another. Annmarie's hair whipped in the now stronger breeze both from the speed and the fact that now there was nothing the shield them in the open.

As the hill approached they broke into a wild run, letting the reins loose and allowing the horses to unleash their energy. Atop the hill it seemed as if the equine animals were almost laughing. They loved to run, which was why winter was probably one of their least favourite seasons, though to them the snow was fun to roll around In when it was still light and fluffy.

Artemis and Annmarie slid out of their saddles and let the horses graze as they stood, looking into the green acres. Trees were shedding leaves, and the leaves they shed were spinning around in the breeze, colouring the surrounding area with vivid yellows, oranges and reds. They leant against each other, overlooking the scenery.

"Is something wrong?" Annmarie asked Artemis. "You've been acting off lately."

"No, nothing's wrong." Artemis replied. "But, I did want to talk to you about something."

"What?" Artemis turned to face Annmarie, picking up her hands. "What?" She chuckled, smiling. Artemis drew a breath. "Well?" She said. Still grinning she raised an eyebrow.

Artemis looked up at her. "Marry me."

Annmarie's expression fell, and her jaw dropped slightly. "What?"

"Marry me." Artemis said again. He was anxious. "Me. Marry me."

Annmarie was stunned. She just looked at him, stared him in the eyes. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but quickly closed it again at a loss for words. "Oh." She finally stammered out. "Oh, my god." Her voice was quivering with her hands. She drew away her hand, wiping her face before the tears leaking from her eyes could show. "I'm sorry I," she laughed. "I want to speak but I'm, at a loss for words, I, I mean yes! Oh my god I'm a mess! Ah, ahem, um." Her face was damp, she was still trying to wipe away the tears with her wet hands. She began using her wrists, trying to dry her face. She hated to let people see her cry, no matter what tears they were. "Oh my god I'm just ruining this I-" she was cut off when Artemis pressed his lips to hers, tired of blabbering.

"You didn't ruin it." He said when he pulled off.

Annmarie smiled and looked down. "I'm just, crying all of the place and your waiting for me to stop and the horses are who knows where!" Annmarie laughed, wiping away the last of the water. "I love you."

"I love you too." Artemis said, as they kissed once more. "I don't want this to end, but the farther they wander the less they'll want to leave."

Annmarie laughed. "Yeah let's, let's find them." She said. They interlocked fingers again as they began tracking down the hill in the direction the horses had ran. "Wait, though, what about the ring?"

Artemis patted his pocket, and the little colour that was in his face drained. "I left it in the room." He said.

Annmarie laughed and kissed his cheek. "That's alright, it was perfect anyways."

"Not how I planned it at all." Artemis chuckled, smiling.

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Even is my reaction was a bit more salty than anticipated." Annmarie laughed.

"I still love you."

"Good, because the feeling it mutual."