Artolly Oneshots

Surprise Party

Artemis was attempting to distract Holly. It wasn't working.

Holly was trying to get into her bedroom at Fowl Manor, and Artemis was trying to stop her from going in. She suspected that something was up. It was her birthday, June 14, and although it was not Artemis's style to plan surprise parties of any kind, she thought she knew what was behind that door.

Since Holly was up on the surface so much, and made a lot of visits to Fowl Manor, Artemis had surprised her by fixing up one of the guest rooms with some fairy tech for her.

For the third time, Holly attempted to get past Artemis. He blocked her again. "Artemis Fowl, it is my 90th birthday, and I ought to be able to get into my room!" Holly exclaimed, trying to shove past him.

"Holly, don't you want to go explore the grounds some more? Or go practice with your Neutrino? Butler can set up some holograms for you," Artemis said, in a vain attempt to distract Holly.

Being much shorter than Artemis, Holly managed to slip under his outstretched arms. She darted past him and opened the door. Everything seemed normal, but knowing Artemis, there was something hidden somewhere in the room.

"Arty, is there anything in here that is out of the ordinary?" Holly asked.

Artemis immediately put on an innocent face. He was reasonably good at looking innocent, although Holly could almost always see through it. "Out of the ordinary? No, I should think not."

Holly crossed the room. She was looking up, not down, so she didn't see the small arm sticking out from under her bed until it was right in her path. She tripped over it, going sprawling on the rug.

"D'Arvit!" she swore, boosting herself onto her elbows. Artemis walked over to her and helped her up. It wasn't hard, considering she was only about three feet tall. He bent down onto his knees, so he could see under the bed. Hiding under the bed were Artemis's little brothers, Myles and Beckett, the only people in the room who were small enough to fit in the gap beneath Holly's bed. Artemis winked at the boys, who grinned and nodded.

As soon as Holly got to her feet, she fell back over. Because as soon as Artemis had given Myles and Beckett the signal, they had relayed it to everyone else in the room.

Butler, Mulch, Juliet, Myles, Beckett, Angeline Fowl, Artemis Sr., and a holographic Foaly and Caballine  jumped out from their various hiding places. Myles and Beckett had been under the bed, Angeline and Artemis Sr. had been standing behind the door (which Artemis had strategically closed in front of them), Juliet behind a chair, Mulch behind another chair, and Butler, impressively, had managed to squeeze into the closet. Foaly's holographic image projector had been simply concealed on one of Holly's bookshelves. He and Caballine wouldn't have been able to fit anywhere, so they decided that the holograph would be easier.

"Happy birthday, Holly!" they all yelled. Holly screamed, half from shock, half from delight, and fell backwards again. From her spot on the floor, she turned her accusing mismatched eyes to Artemis, who resumed his innocent act.

"Artemis!" Holly yelled. "Seriously?"

Laughing, Artemis walked over to Holly and helped her up yet again. "Happy birthday, Holly," he whispered in her ear. She grabbed his arm and hauled herself up, unbalancing him so he almost fell to the carpet.

"So this is why you didn't want me coming in?" she laughed.

"Yes. I wanted to make sure everyone was in position. I wanted to get as much time as possible to make sure Butler was able to get fully inside the closet."

Holly laughed. "I'm impressed that he was able to fit inside at all! And how on earth was Mulch able to fit behind my chair?"

Mulch grinned, exposing large tombstone teeth. "We dwarfs have many talents, sweetheart."

Holly approached Mulch, planning to give him a quick hug, but as soon as she got within six feet of him, she wrinkled her nose and backed away.

"Ugh, Mulch! Have you been rolling in horse manure or something? No offense, Foaly, Caballine." The centaurs' holograph was still up.

"None taken, Holly," Caballine said gently.

Mulch grinned again. "I love you too, Holly. Happy birthday."

Myles and Beckett ran up to Holly, and each grabbed one of her hands. Holly was surprised to see that she was now about the same height as the little boys.

"Happy birthday, Holly!" Beckett exclaimed, giving Holly an adorable gap-toothed grin.

"Happy birthday," Myles chimed in.

"Thank you guys. This means a lot," Holly smiled.

As Myles and Beckett ran off towards Butler, Angeline and Artemis Sr. came up on both sides of Holly. "Thank you, Holly," Artemis Sr. whispered. "You've really changed Artemis for the better. He spends a lot more time with us, Beckett, and Myles than he used to. And he hasn't made any devious plots for months!"

Holly grinned. "Well, it's not just me."

Angeline squeezed her. "We know, but you were the one who started all this."

Angeline and Artemis Sr. gave Holly a quick hug, and watched as she darted away towards Artemis Jr.

"Who was the one who came up with this, anyway?" Holly asked. "I'd like to thank them."

Butler gave one of his rare smiles, the ones he saved only for Holly. "It was all Juliet and Artemis. They came up with the whole thing."

Holly smiled up at the bodyguard. "Well, Butler, I appreciate you participating. And you too, Mulch. And Foaly as well."

"What am I, chopped liver?" complained the centaur.

Everyone in the room laughed. Holly wrapped one arm around Artemis, and the other around Juliet. "Thanks, guys. This was a really great birthday surprise."

Artemis kissed the elf on the cheek. "You're welcome. Happy birthday, Holly."