Thank you to everyone who has left a message about the New Moon review.  We appreciate the support to keep the lexicon spoiler free.  I know that sounds off given the amount of information we host here that isn’t in the books, but we really do want to keep the plot a secret. 

We have a few new bits of information for you to catch up on.  First off, the Chapter Four summary is posted and I will work on discussion questions for the message boards.

Next we have the information up on the Cullen House.  Some really cool bits are in there,  Take a look!

And we have added information to PC8 as we have been asking Stephenie several questions along the way. 

Alphie

Chapter Number: Four

Chapter Name: Invitations

Page Numbers: 68-84 (Hardcover)

Date of Chapter: January 25 – March 3 2005

Summary: The chapter starts with Bella dreaming of Edward for the first time. She dreams of his skin glowing slightly in the dark as he walks away from her. No matter how loud Bella calls to him in her dream, he never turns round. She has the same dream every night.

Back at school, much to Bella’s horror, she has become the center of attention because of the accident. Tyler Crowley now appears to be far too interested in her, making it three boys in her year who are now in pursuit of her affections.

Despite Bella’s best attempts, no-one else seems interested in Edward’s role as hero of the accident, they hadn’t even realised he had been involved until they saw him once the van had been removed. Bella realizes that she is more aware of Edward and what he is doing than anyone else.

Although at the hospital Bella and Edward had been angry with each other, Bella now feels more gratitude than anything else. The day after the accident she tries to make conversation in biology, however, Edward merely nods to her before turning away from her again.

Edward now ignores Bella. She comes to the conclusion that he must regret having saved her life, however, there are times when she wonders whether he is as oblivious to her as he makes out as there are occasions when his fists tense up again when she sits next to him, suggesting he his aware of her.

This silence makes Bella miserable. She continues to watch Edward from a distance, noticing his eyes growing darker again, however, in lessons when they are in closer contact she behaves as though he does not exist.

Bella is unable to disguise how miserable she is feeling, prompting her mother to call concerned about the tone of Bella’s emails.

As the silence between Bella and Edward continues, Mike becomes more confident, pleased that there does not seem to be any friendship between them. He starts sitting on Bella’s desk before biology and talking to her more again.

On the first Tuesday in March, Jessica calls Bella to ask her permission to invite Mike to the girls’ choice dance. Jessica seems to think that Bella would be intending to ask Mike herself, however, Bella has no intentions of doing this as she is not interested in Mike in this way and is not a dancer – due to her clumsy nature.

The reluctant way Jessica tries to persuade Bella to go to the dance leads Bella to suspect that Jessica prefers Bella’s popularity rather than her actual company. Bella sees this popularity as ‘inexplicable’; she has no idea why she is so popular in this school.

Jessica asks Mike to the dance but he tells her he has to think about it. He discusses this with Bella, hoping she was going to ask him but she tells him to say yes to Jessica. Mike thinks Bella has asked Edward as he looks in Edward’s direction when he asks Bella if she has asked anyone else. Bella comes up with an excuse to get her out of attending the dance and explains that she will be in Seattle.

While Mike and Bella are discussing the dance, Bella notices that Edward appears to be listening as his head tilts in their direction when Mike asked her if she had asked anyone else. After Mike leaves her table, Bella finds Edward staring at her so intensely she fails to hear the teacher asking a question. The moment is only broken when Edward, somewhat reluctantly, turns away to answer Mr. Banner’s question.

At the end of the lesson, Edward speaks to Bella for the first time in a long time. While he apologises for not speaking to her, Edward also confuses Bella with his rather cryptic comments about how it would be best if they were not friends. Bella gets annoyed, accusing Edward of regretting having saved her life. This in turn angers Edward and the conversation ends with Bella trying to storm out of the room, unfortunately she stumbles and drops her books; Edward is quickly there, picking up the books and handing them to her.

Bella’s next lesson was Gym, which Bella dreaded as they were playing basketball. She played worse than usual, distracted by thoughts of Edward, Bella falls over repeatedly, sometimes taking others with her.

On escaping Gym, Bella heads for her truck. Eric was waiting for her there and he asks her to the dance, surprising Bella. Bella turns him down, using the Seattle excuse again. Eric suggests that they could go to another dance together and Bella thoughtlessly agrees with him before regretting giving him any encouragement.

As Eric leaves her, Bella is irritated to hear Edward chuckle as he walks past her to his car. As she pulls out in her truck Edward cuts her off with his car, stopping to wait for his family and preventing Bella from going anywhere.

While waiting for Edward to move, a queue forms behind Bella. Tyler uses the delay to get out of his car to talk to her. Like Eric and Mike before him, he wants Bella to go to the dance with him. Having heard that she had turned down Eric and Mike, Tyler feels confident of success, not believing Bella’s Seattle excuse. She lets him down as firmly as possible, irritated by his confidence and presumptions of her motives. He too presumes there is still the prom for them to go to together.

As Tyler returns to his car, Bella notices Edward watching her in his mirror. He is laughing as if he had just heard her conversation.

Back home, Jessica rings to tell Bella that Mike has agreed to go to the dance with her. Demonstrating concern for the happiness of others, Bella suggests partners for both Eric and Tyler.

Bella is still preoccupied by Edward and his strange behaviour. Coming to the conclusion that he is aware she feels more strongly about him than he can about her, Bella decides to leave him alone, believing herself strong enough to carry her decision through.

Before going to bed that night, Bella tells Charlie of her plans to go to Seattle the night of the Dance. He worries that she will get lost in the big city and suggests that he goes with her to prevent her being alone, however, Bella puts him off by saying she will be in dressing rooms all day.

The following day at school, Bella parks as far away from Edward as she can to try to stick to her resolve. She is prevented from carrying out her decision by the sudden appearance of Edward when she drops her keys. He explains that he had caused the traffic jam the previous day deliberately so that Tyler could ask Bella to the dance. This winds Bella up, almost irrationally, as she feels he is deliberately irritating her.

Edward continues to shock Bella by asking her to go to Seattle with him on the day of the dance. Bella is confused, being under the impression he did not want to be her friend. Edward explains that he does want to be her friend he just does not think it is a good idea.

Looking at Edward, Bella finds it difficult to concentrate and has to answer him with a nod. Before heading to lessons, Edward warns Bella to stay away from him.

Characters involved: Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, Tyler Crowley, Mike Newton, Jessica Stanley, Eric Yorkie, Charlie Swan, Mr. Banner

Characters Mentioned: Angela Weber, Lauren Mallory, Carlisle Cullen, Alice Cullen, Esme Cullen, Emmett Cullen, Jasper Hale, Rosalie Hale

Places visited: Forks High School, The Swan residence

Memorable quotes:
His golden eyes grew perceptibly darker day by day.
~ Bella observing Edward.

It was easier to talk to him coherently that way. 
~  Bella explaining why she felt the need to keep her eyes closed when speaking to Edward.

"Appear out of thin air." 
~ Bella describing how quickly Edward seems to appear by her side.

"It would be more…prudent for you not to be my friend."
~ Edward advising Bella on their relationship.

Important Information Learned:
Edward reacts to a conversation he couldn’t possibly have heard as if he had heard it.

When looking into Edward’s eyes, Bella gets completely tongue-tied.

Edward thinks that it is dangerous for Bella to be friends with him.

This section is a little different to most of the others I’ve written up, simply because I’ve got an “unofficial”  source. Stephenie Meyer drew me plans of the inside of the Cullen house, which aren’t for posting. You’ll have to take my word for the contents of some of this, although some of her answer is archived in PC8.

The location of the Cullen house is out beyond Forks itself, over “the bridge at the Calawah River,” from which point the road winds northwards. There is an “unpaved road. It was unmarked, barely visible amongst the ferns,” (TW15) that Edward takes to get to the house, and he drives through thick forest for “a few miles” (TW15) before the house becomes visible.

From the outside, there is a lawn or meadow, with “six primordial cedars that shaded an entire acre with their vast sweep of branches” (TW15) that ensure that shade stretches right up to the house.

The house itself is “painted a soft, faded white, three stories tall, rectangular and well proportioned” and it has a “deep porch that wrapped around the first story.” (TW15) Bella estimates it at around a hundred years old and describes it as “timeless, graceful.” (TW15) We are also told in the same chapter that the river can be heard close by.

The front door of the house opens onto a huge space which “must have originally been several rooms,” before walls were removed to make it all one large room. The south-facing wall is “entirely replaced with glass” (TW15), from which you can see down to the river. This also accounts for the bright airiness of the room, as does the colour of the decoration: “The walls, the high beamed ceiling, the wooden floors and the thick carpets were all varying shades of white.” (TW15) However, as a security measure, there is an “inconspicuous keypad on the wall” that activates “huge metal shutters” (TW19) to seal up the glass wall.

Just to the left of the door is “a raised portion of the floor” with “a spectacular grand piano” (TW15) on it. Behind the platform with the piano on it is the door into the kitchen, which in turn opens onto the dining room. The dining room actually isn’t a separate room: it is separated from the living room by a long wall that curves around it, a little like a screen. On this wall are a large flat-screen television and a couple of computers nearby. A seating area is grouped near the television (as you walk in through the door, you can see this diagonally to your left rather than the piano which is immediately to your left). Other groups of chairs fill the rest of the enormous space in the living room.

Also on this floor are the C.E.E. Inc. Offices, and a bathroom. These are both to the right of the front door, and behind the sweep of the staircase.

On the west of the room, there is a “massive curving staircase” which is also described elsewhere as “wide.” (TW15) The banister is a “satin smooth rail” (TW15). From the living area below, it is possible to see people at the top of this staircase, as Alice and Jasper appear there shortly after Bella has arrived at the Cullens’ house for the first time.

Upstairs, there is a “long hall” paneled with a honey-colored wood, the same as the floorboards (TW15) with a cross at the very far end. Edward explains that on this floor are Rosalie and Emmett’s room, Alice’s room and Carlisle’s office.

It’s actually a little more complicated than that! Carlisle has two rooms on this floor: his office (which is immediately above the dining room on the west side of the house), and his library, which adjoins to his office, on the north-west corner of the house. Esme has a small study as well, which is accessed through Carlisle’s office. His study is described as a: “high-ceilinged room with tall, west-facing windows. The walls were paneled again, in a darker wood…where they were visible. Most of the wall space was taken up by towering bookshelves that reached high above my head and held more books than I’d ever seen outside a library.” (TW16) and there is also a “huge mahogany desk” a leather chair”. The wall by the door into the hallway is covered with pictures, some of which tell the tale of Carlisle’s younger days.

Rosalie and Emmett share a large “white” (SMW) “L” shaped room, with a bathroom at one end, and a similarly enormous closet at the other. They are above the living room, and share the glass wall, which runs up the entire south side of the house.

Alice’s room is shared with Jasper, but Stephenie Meyer explains that: “since Alice’s personality is stamped all over that room, and Jasper has his study, everyone thinks of it as Alice’s” (PC8) “ especially as they don’t physically sleep anyway. Jasper has an adjoining office of his own, but the two of them share the connected space. His office also backs on to Rosalie and Emmet’s closet, but there is no connecting door. Their room is above the front door and the piano part of the living room, with their bathroom and closet space being above the kitchen. In the Extended Prom Remix, Alice’s bathroom is described as “bedroom-sized.” (SMW)

On the very top floor, there is another “paneled hallway,” (TW16) just like the floor below. The bulk of the space on this floor is taken up with what they refer to as “the library”. Stephenie Meyer explains this as: “This is where they do things that are technically illegal–like document forgery and computer hackery and all kinds of other shady stuff.” (PC8)

Edward’s room is the “last door in the hall” (TW16) and is facing south, directly above Rosalie and Emmett’s room, but his space is rectangular. Again, he has “a wall-sized window like the great room below,” with a fantastic view: “down on the winding Sol Duc River, across the untouched forest to the Olympic Mountain range.” (TW16) His closet and bathroom are at the furthest end of his room to the door. The west wall of his bedroom is “completely covered with shelf after shelf of cds,” with a “sophisticated-looking sound system” in the corner. (TW16) Unlike the rest of the house, Edward’s room isn’t decorated in shades of white. There is no bed but a “black leather sofa” (TW16), a “thick golden carpet, and the walls were hung with heavy fabric in a slightly darker shade.” (TW16)

Nearer to the stairs is Carlisle’s and Esme’s bedroom. This is partially above Rosalie and Emmett’s closet, and also over Jasper’s office. This room also has a closet and a bathroom at the furthest end from the door.

In addition, “there’s also a basement where they keep illicit things. It’s hard to get to, if you’re not a vampire.” (PC8)

For the movies, the Hoke House served as the Cullen house. The home is beautiful, but does not resemble the house described in the book at all. Below are images of the Hoke House.

 

With all the hype surrounding the release of New Moon, many of the fans here at the lexicon have learned about the existence of galley copies.  I’ve also seen a few questions about how a person actually gets their hands on one of these copies.  Well, there are several ways.  If your are a book buyer or you work for a book company or a library or something along these lines, you may be fortunate to receive a copy for you to examine and determine if you would like to order the book for your store or library.  The other way to get a copy is to know someone from the publishing company, or the author, and be in good enough standing with them that they will want to give you copy as a gift. 

When we created the lexicon, we did it out of pure necessity to keep the facts straight.  We did it because we love this book and we wanted to create a place for fans to gather to have easy access to information.  We did it because we wanted to, not because someone asked us to, and we had no intention of getting a “reward” for our efforts.  However, Stephenie Meyer thought other wise, and as a gift for organizing her notes, so to speak, she was kind enough to give both Imogen and I gallies of New Moon.

Yes, you read that correctly, we have read New Moon.

We’ve had the book for about a week now, which gave us plenty of time to read it and think about it and even talk to Stephenie about it.  I’ve actually read the book twice, as there was SO much new information I simply didn’t get it all in the first read through. 

I don’t want to spoil the book for any of the fans here, but I will tell you that the book is just amazing.  First of all, it’s HUGE!  That’s always a plus, in my opinion.  Second of all, it’s very similar to Twilight in the way that it has a great deal of character development and exploration and growth at the beginning and through the middle, followed by a knock out, drag them through the mud action/adventure sequence at the end that is bound to send chills down your spine.  It’s got enough of the romance to satisfy those cravings most of us have, while at the same time it will most likely cause you to feel every emotion possible: from love to hate to friendship to loss to confusion to bewilderment to disbelief to terror and all over again.  New Moon is a wild ride that sets up the possibilities and hopes of the third book just beautifully. 

Let me assure you, fans will not be disappointed.  I can’t say that this is the book everyone thought it would be.  However, I personally think it’s better than the speculations.  There is SO much we learn about Bella and the other characters surrounding her in life that she really comes alive for me as the heroine of the story.  More than just the girl who falls in love with the vampire, but as a young woman taking some control over her destiny.  Bella learns and grows so much in the book that I found myself becoming even more attached to her. 

So whatever your doubts and fears are for the book, don’t jump to conclusions until you have read it.  And on a more personal note, please don’t swamp my e-mails with question about the plot above and beyond what I have posted here.  I simply will not give anything away.  I was thrilled to have the chance to read it early, and I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth by spilling the beans here in the lexicon and ruin the good, friendly relationship I have with Stephenie. 

Lastly, I need to comment on the status of my fan fiction The Lion and the Lamb.  Having read New Moon, there are one or two bits of information I have learned that could potentially change the way I would have written a few up coming scenes.  However, I promised Stephenie that I could continue writing my fic without incorporating the “spoilers” so long as my readers understood that point as well.  What this means is that I will continue to write my story so long as everyone understands I am keeping to my original course and NOTHING I write will be a spoiler.  NOTHING.  I will not be including any new information that any fan should consider true to fact.  The Lion and the Lamb has been and will continue to be MY personal take on the events of Twilight separate and apart from anything I have learned while reading New Moon.  If I start getting reviews that make me think otherwise, or if too many people have a problem with that, then I will be forced to abandon the fic.  I don’t want to have to give it up, but I will if there is too great an interest in spoilers.  I hope everyone can understand where I am coming from, both as a fan who doesn’t want to spoil the fun and as an author who wants to finish her plot. 

Again, allow me to reiterate that I loved New Moon.  Imogen loved New Moon.  I have no doubt that all the fans who visit the lexicon will love New Moon.  And because of this, I am on the edge of my seat for Eclipse!   

No one can say the staff here at the lexicon is lazy!  We have so much for you today I’m not even sure where to start.

First of all, the section of vampire mythology has been finshed off…for now.  The final section is titled Additional Information.  We will probably add to the sections once we have New Moon. 

Now that we have one section finished, we have started in on the Places section of the lexicon, beginning with Charlie’s House. 

The gang over at MySpace has been VERY inquisitive and have asked dozens of interesting questions of Stephenie.  I have compliled another bunch of them and have placed them in PC9 for all to see.  Many, many thanks to the group over there for granting me permission to share this information with all of you.

We’ve added several bios to the bio section.  In no particular order, they are:

Billy Black

Angela Webber

Lauren Mallory

Caius

Aro

Marcus

And last, but certainly not least, Stephenie has been so wonderful to send the lexicon an exclusive out take from one of the many cut scenes of Twilight.  I’ve placed it in the personal correspondence section, but will provide a link to it here for easy access.

Alphie

Full Name: Angela Weber (PC4)

Status: Human

Date of Birth: 1988

Originally from: Forks

Hair color: Light brown (PC4)

Eye color: Light brown (PC4)

Height: 6’0″ (PC4)

Physical description:

Occupation: Student

Family members: Mother, Father = a Lutheran minister, two younger brothers, 9-year-old twins named Isaac and Joshua. (PC4)

Nick Names:

Hobbies: anything not involving the outdoors

Personal history:

Bella’s first impression of Angela Weber was that she was considerate and shy. She was in Bella’s biology class in their junior year at Forks High School (TW1). Angela attended the La Push beach party (TW6) and asked Eric to the girls-choice spring dance. Angela, Jessica and Bella went shopping for dresses for the dance in Port Angeles. (TW8)  During the shopping trip, Bella grew to like Angela as a friend even more and the contrast between Jessica and Angela became more pronounced. Angela was a quiet and truly nice girl. (SMW)  At the end of that school year, Ben Cheney asked Angela to Prom and Bella saw them together happily at the dance. (TWEp)

Angela and Ben’s relationship was one of the few that lasted through the summer of 2005. (NM6)  Ben adored Angela and even picked her up for school every morning despite the fact that she lived close enough to walk. (PC11). Angela and Ben’s encounter with the “monster in the woods” was the first conversation that Bella directly participated in of her own accord after her “zombie era”. Angela was happy to see Bella recovered from her semi-catatonic state and thanked her for defending her during the conversation when Jessica and Lauren mocked the truth of her story (NM6). She continued to be Bella’s friend (NM7, EC1) and grew to enjoy Alice and Edward’s company as well.

Angela’s calm demeanor was severely tested with the onset of graduation; her mother wanted her to hand-address graduation invitations to all of her large extended family (EC2). Bella volunteered to help and Angela was grateful for the assistance and for the excuse not to watch a kung-fu movie Ben was eager to see (EC6). Angela was perceptive and noticed that Bella had things on her mind and Bella confided in her as much as she could without divulging vampire and werewolf secrets. Angela planned on attending the University of Washington with Ben in the fall and hoped to continue corresponding with Bella. Bella gave Angela concert tickets to keep her out of Forks on the day of the big newborn vampire battle (EC18, EC20).

Angela’s father was the presiding minister at Bella and Edward’s 3:00 p.m. wedding (BD3) and Angela was the one to catch Bella’s tossed bouquet at the reception (BD3).

Portrayed in the films by: Christian Serratos

Prepared by: Lady Di

Full Name: Lauren Mallory (PC4)

Status: Human

Date of Birth: 1988

Originally from: Forks

Hair color: Cornsilk (TW6)

Eye color: Green (PC4) “pale, fishy eyes” (TW6)

Height: 5’6″ (PC4)

Physical description:

Occupation: Student

Family members:

Nick Names:

Hobbies:

Personal history: Lauren was very “stand-offish” (TW4) and possessed an “unpleasant, nasal voice”. Lauren regularly ignored Bella at the lunch table but after Bella’s fainting spell during biology, Lauren muttered about Bella’s presence there and at the La Push get-together, she made snide comments and shot dirty looks in Bella’s direction (TW6). Lauren was intensely jealous of Bella and the attention she received. (PC9). Jessica attributed Lauren’s dislike of Bella to Tyler’s keen interest in her (TW8). Lauren tried her best at every opportunity to put down or provoke Bella, even when she deliberately mentioned Edward’s absence at the La Push party, knowing that Bella and Edward were seeing each other. (TW6 / TW9).

After Bella’s “zombie” months, Bella noticed that Lauren had cut her hair into an extremely short pixie cut and did not know the reason for the change (NM6). It turned out that Lauren met a modeling agent who convinced her to do something “edgy” with her hair and pay for high quality headshots. He promised that her career would take off like a rocket but it never happened. (SMW) Lauren was not just unpleasant to Bella – she openly mocked Angela when she described her encounter with the oversized bear and Bella speculated “all the people she was habitually nasty to caught her behind the gym and scalped her” (NM6). Lauren continued her vindictive behavior centered on Bella by torpedoing the group movie night Bella tried to arrange (NM9) and Bella described Lauren as “the evil core of the them side” with an “anti-Bella agenda”(EC1).

Lauren never had a steady boyfriend. She went to the spring dance in her junior year with Tyler Crowley (TW4), attended prom with Conner (TWEp) and went to the beach on a date with Mike Newton in her senior year (EC3). She was a good friend of Jessica Stanley, especially once Jessica no longer remained chummy with Bella. Lauren’s intense dislike of Bella did not stop her from attending Alice’s graduation party (EC17)

Prepared by: Lady Di

Full Name: Caius

Status: Vampire

Date of Birth: Sometime before 1300 B.C. (OIL)

Originally from: Greece

Hair color: Snow white that “brushed against his shoulders” (NM21)

Eye color: Vampire burgundy but “clouded, milky” (NM21)

Height: 5’9″

Physical description: Perfect facial features with skin that is “translucently white, like onionskin [and] looked just as delicate” and appears to be floating when he moves (NM21)

Occupation:

Family members: Volturi Coven with Aro, Sulpicia, Athenodora, and Marcus – Athenodora is his mate (BD Vampire Index)

Personal history: The Volturi are Aro, Caius, Marcus, and two females [Sulpicia and Athenodora] who never go out.  (PC1)  Caius was in his late forties when he became a vampire.  Early on he developed a deep hatred for the Romanian coven.  He met Athenodora, who was already a vampire, and the pair started traveling together as a mated pair.  He met Aro and Marcus and was drawn to Aro’s plan of creating a dominating force in the Vampire world.  Even though he isn’t as patient as Aro, he supported Aro’s cause and eventually was able to help bring down the Romanian coven.  Caius has taken on several crusades over the centuries.  He tracked down The Children of the Moon to near extinction as well as the immortal children.  He always leads any punishing expeditions, leaving Aro for more important projects.  (OIL)

The guard is not technically the Volturi though the name loosely applies.  (PC10)  The Volturi choose members of their guard for their special talents.  They rarely leave their city unless duty calls.  “Over the millennia, they have assumed the position of enforcing [the] rules” — keep the existence of vampires secret.  Volterra has been their city “since the time of the Etruscans.”  Since the Volturi do not allow hunting, they bring their food in.  (NM19)  Edward describes them as a “very old, very powerful family of [vampires]…the closest thing…to a royal family.”  (NM1)  Aro, Caius, and Marcus are also known as the “nighttime patrons of the arts.”  Solimena “often painted them as gods.”  (TW16)  Aro, Caius, and Marcus think of themselves as brothers.  (NM21)

Carlisle meets Aro, Caius, and Marcus while studying in Italy.  He admires “their civility, their refinement.”  However, they try to cure Carlisle of his “vegetarian” ways, and he tries to persuade them to give up their “natural food source” with no luck.  Carlisle leaves after a few decades.  (TW16)

Alice and Bella race to Volterra to save Edward when he wants to die because he thinks Bella is dead.  The Volturi are very protective of their city and would stop Edward if he were to “upset the peace.”  Alice warns Bella that they may not survive.  (NM18)  She sees that the Volturi decide not to destroy Edward and will ask him to join them because of this talent.  Aro thinks it is “wasteful” to destroy Edward.  (NM19)

After Edward, Bella, and Alice enter the turret room, Aro asks Felix to bring Caius and Marcus who arrive in long black robes.  Caius has a sour look on his face.  When Aro asks Bella to join the Volturi, Caius questions him.  Aro explains that Bella will have a lot of potential when she becomes a vampire.  Caius says that the law claims Edward, Alice, and Bella since Bella knows that vampires exist.  Edward quickly replies that the Volturi also have some humans that know their secret.  Caius agrees and tells Edward that the humans will sustain them when they are no longer useful.  Since he senses that Edward will not destroy Bella or change her, Caius says that Bella is “a vulnerability” and that “her life is forfeit.”  Aro intervenes and tells Edward that they would be allowed to leave if they intend to change Bella into a vampire.  Based on Alice’s vision, Aro is convinced.  When Caius complains, Aro tells him that there is hope that Edward, Bella, or Alice will join them in the future.  Caius promises that they will visit in the future to ensure that Bella becomes immortal.  (NM21)

Caius believed that the immortal children were not capable of keeping the existence of vampires secret so they were destroyed.  The Denali sisters did not know their mother [Sasha] created an immortal child until they saw him burning in their mother’s arms.  Caius wanted them to burn by association.  However, Aro knew the sisters were innocent so the Volturi pardoned them. (BD2)

Alice sees Caius sending a hunting party that includes Jane and Alec to see if Bella is human.  She sends a wedding announcement to delay them.  (BD27)

Alice has a vision that all the Volturi are coming –- Aro, Caius, Marcus, the guard, and the wives.  She says that the decision was made but they are waiting for Irina.  Aro will see the proof in Irina’s thoughts that Renesmee is an immortal child.  Edward says that they will “come to destroy, not to be reasoned with.” (BD28)

The Volturi arrive at the cleaning “with pageantry.”  They are in a “rigid, formal formation” that seemed to flow in “perfect synchronicity” — “it was the pace of the invincible.”  The entire guard, the wives, and their witnesses are also present.  Edward confirms that Alistair’s theories were right about Aro and Caius’ goal to “destroy and acquire” and tells the others that they have “many layers of strategy” in place.  After the Volturi stop, Aro and Caius touch hands as they evaluate the scene.  Marcus is touching Aro’s other hand but does not seem to be part of the conversation.  Caius joins Aro in accusing Carlisle of creating his own rules.  He sees Renesmee and knows that the Cullens broke the law.  Carlisle tries to explain, but Caius accuses him of assembling “a battalion to protect her.”  Carlisle tries to convince Caius that there is human blood in Renesmee’s cheeks.  Then Caius calls for Irina and slaps her.  He questions her about Renesmee, and Irina says that she has grown.  Aro intervenes and takes Irina’s hand.  Caius scowls when Edward offers his hand to Aro.  After their wordless exchange, Aro asks to meet Renesmee.  When Caius asks what is going on, Aro tells him “the justice we intended to deliver no longer applies.”  Caius hisses in surprise.  Aro greets Renesmee and tells Caius that she is “half mortal, half immortal.”  (BD36)

Caius starts to argue with Aro immediately.  Aro responds calmly that it is true and mentions Carlisle’s witnesses.  This prompts Caius to look at the Volturi witnesses who are confused about the situation.  Then Caius asks about the wolves and their alliance with the Cullens.  Edward responds that they are shape-shifters and not the “Children of the Moon.”  As if embarrassed, Aro tells Caius that he would have warned him about this if he shared his thoughts with him.  Caius continues to press that the wolves know about vampires, but Aro quickly tells them that they are also a part of the supernatural world and have their secret to keep.  He encourages Caius to move on.  It appears that maintaining their pristine reputation is more important to Aro than Caius.  Caius then questions Irina.  She says that she has no complaint with the Cullens or the wolves and that they should go since there is no immortal child.  Caius then signals the Volturi guard to destroy Irina for her false accusation.  He wants Irina’s defiance to start the battle.  However, Carlisle and Garrett are able to stop Tanya and Kate in time.  The Volturi guard prepares to fight while their witnesses become suspicious.  When Aro decides to question some of Carlisle’s witnesses, Caius’ “tiny cruel smile” returns.  Aro rallies the support of the guard and then goes to counsel with Caius and Marcus.  They join hands “to form a black-shrouded triangle.”  (BD37)

Chelsea tries to break the ties between the Cullens and their witnesses, and Jane tries to attack, but Bella’s shield is protecting them.  Edward tells Tanya that it is normal procedure for the Volturi to incapacitate those on trial so they can’t escape.  Aro, Caius, and Marcus break formation in time to see Alec’s “strange clear haze” hit Bella’s shield.  Caius votes to destroy Renesmee since she is an unknown risk and all those that protect her.  Edward calls to Alice to bring her witnesses.  After Huilen tells her story, Aro asks Nahuel questions and is surprised to hear that his sisters are also half-vampires.  Nahuel tells the story about his father Joham creating a “new super-race.”  When Caius and Aro consider talking with Joham, Nahuel asks them to leave his sisters alone since they are innocent.  Caius is furious but resigned.  Aro turns to the Volturi guard and tells them that they will not fight today.  The guard resumes their formation and departs along with the wives and their witnesses.  (BD38)

Edward says that Caius almost lost a fight with a werewolf and has been terrified ever since.  He had the “Children of the Moon” hunted to near extinction.  (BD39)

Portrayed in the films by: Jaime Campbell Bower

Prepared by: Anny

 

Full Name: Marcus

Status: Vampire

Date of Birth: Around 1300 B.C. (OIL)

Originally from: Greece

Hair color: Long “flowing black hair” (NM21)

Eye color: Vampire burgundy but “clouded, milky” (NM21)

Height: 6’0″

Physical description: Perfect facial features with skin that is “translucently white, like onionskin [and] looked just as delicate” and appears to be floating when he moves (NM21)

Special Talents: Can see relationships (NM21) (PC10)

Occupation:

Family members: Volturi Coven with Aro, Sulpicia, Caius, and Athenodora – Didyme was his mate (BD Vampire Index)

Personal history: The Volturi are Aro, Caius, Marcus, and two females [Sulpicia and Athenodora] who never go out.  (PC1)  Marcus sees the ties between people.  He can see how to destroy resistance with an enemy, help in a diplomatic situation, and determine the depth of love, loyalty, or devotion of a relationship.  His talent is quite valuable in the hands of someone who knows how to use it.  (PC10) He is physically the youngest of the Volturi, having been changed before he was even twenty years old.  He lived as a nomad for several years but joined with Aro when the two meet.  (OIL)

Hoping that his sister would have a special talent, Aro changes Didyme to a vampire.  Marcus, Aro’s most trusted partner, and Didyme fall in love and are “tremendously happy.”  Marcus is so happy that he is no longer interested in “Aro’s plans for domination.”  After a few centuries, Marcus and Didyme consider leaving the Volturi.  Aro pretends to be happy and gives his blessing.  However, he does not want to lose Marcus’ talent.  When he knows that he cannot be discovered, Aro murders his sister.  Marcus becomes an “empty man” with Didyme’s death.  Aro uses Chelsea’s talent to keep Marcus loyal even though he has no interest in his quest for power.  Marcus does not find out that Aro is responsible for Didyme’s death (SMW) since it happened in battle (PC10).

The guard is not technically the Volturi though the name loosely applies.  (PC10)  The Volturi choose members of their guard for their special talents.  They rarely leave their city unless duty calls.  “Over the millennia, they have assumed the position of enforcing [the] rules” — keep the existence of vampires secret.  Volterra has been their city “since the time of the Etruscans.”  Since the Volturi do not allow hunting, they bring their food in.  (NM19)  Edward describes the Volturi as a “very old, very powerful family of [vampires]…the closest thing…to a royal family.”  (NM1)  Aro, Caius, and Marcus are also known as the “nighttime patrons of the arts.”  Solimena “often painted them as gods.”  (TW16)  Aro, Caius, and Marcus think of themselves as brothers.  (NM21)

Carlisle meets Aro, Caius, and Marcus while studying in Italy.  He admires “their civility, their refinement.”  However, they try to cure Carlisle of his “vegetarian” ways, and he tries to persuade them to give up their “natural food source” with no luck.  Carlisle leaves after a few decades.  (TW16)

Alice and Bella race to Volterra to save Edward when he wants to die because he thinks Bella is dead.  The Volturi are very protective of their city and would stop Edward if he were to “upset the peace.”  Alice warns Bella that they may not survive.  (NM18)  She sees that the Volturi decide not to destroy Edward and will ask him to join them because of this talent.  (NM19)

Alice tells Bella the story behind “Saint Marcus Day.”  According to legend, Father Marcus, a Christian missionary, drove out all the vampires from Volterra 1500 years ago and was “martyred in Romania still trying to drive away the vampire scourge.”  However, Marcus never left since he is part of the Volturi.  (NM19)

After Edward, Bella, and Alice enter the turret room, Aro asks Felix to bring Caius and Marcus who arrive in long black robes.  Marcus appears “utterly bored” as if he has been around Aro’s enthusiasm for too long.  He touches Aro’s palm briefly to tell him his thoughts.  Marcus is surprised by the intensity of Edward, Bella, and Alice’s relationship.  He joins Caius who is seated in one of the wooden thrones.  Aro lets Edward, Alice, or Bella go in hope that they will join the Volturi in the future.  (NM21)

Alice has a vision that all the Volturi are coming –- Aro, Caius, Marcus, the guard, and the wives.  She says that the decision was made but they are waiting for Irina.  Aro will see that Renesmee is an immortal child through Irina’s thoughts.  Edward says that they will “come to destroy, not to be reasoned with.” (BD28)

The Volturi arrive at the clearing “with pageantry.”  They are in a “rigid, formal formation” that seemed to flow in “perfect synchronicity” — “it was the pace of the invincible.”  The entire guard, the wives, and their witnesses are also present.  After the Volturi stop, Aro and Caius touch hands as they evaluate the scene.  Marcus is touching Aro’s other hand but does not seem to be part of the conversation.  Edward says that Marcus is assessing the strength of their ties and if there are any weak points.  (BD36)

 

Aro rallies the support of the guard and then goes to counsel with Caius and Marcus.  They join hands “to form a black-shrouded triangle.”  (BD37)  Chelsea tries to break the ties between the Cullens and their witnesses, and Jane tries to attack, but Bella’s shield is protecting them.  Edward tells Tanya that it is normal procedure for the Volturi to incapacitate those on trial so they can’t escape.  Aro, Caius, and Marcus break formation in time to see Alec’s “strange clear haze” hit Bella’s shield.  Marcus does not see any danger with Renesmee and votes to leave in peace.  With the arrival of Alice and her witnesses, Aro casts the deciding vote and announces that he sees no threat from the “half-vampire children.”  He turns to the Volturi guard and tells them that they will not fight today.  The guard resumes their formation and departs along with the wives and their witnesses.  (BD38)

Portrayed in the films by: Christopher Heyerdahl

Prepared by: Anny

Full Name: Aro

Status: Vampire

Date of Birth: Around 1300 BC (OIL)

Originally from: Greece (OIL)

Hair color:  “Long, jet black hair” (NM21)

Eye color: Vampire burgundy but “clouded, milky” (NM21)

Height: 5’10” (OIL)

Physical description: Perfect facial features with skin that is “translucently white, like onionskin [and] looked just as delicate” and appears to be floating when he moves (NM21)

Special Talents: Potent mind-reading gift (SMW) — “hears every thought that your mind has ever had” via physical contact (NM21)

Occupation: One of the three leaders of the Volturi – often acts as the spokes person

Family members: Volturi Coven with Sulpicia, Caius, Athenodora, and Marcus – Sulpicia is his mate, and Didyme was his biological sister (BD Vampire Index/SMW)

Personal history: The Volturi are Aro, Caius, Marcus, and two females [Sulpicia and Athenodora] who never go out.  (PC1)  Aro is freakishly curious.  He keeps the histories, and new stories are one of his favorite things. (PC10)  Aro always wants power.  (SMW)  He can honestly love someone and still kill them if it gets in his way.  Aro is very controlling.  He is the pinnacle and has all the power so he calls the shots.  (From Stephenie Meyer Fan Junket The Villainous Volturi on TwilightSeriesTheories.com)

Born in Greece in the 1300’s, Aro has always been ambitious and power hungry. He was transformed in his mid-twenties and formed a coven with Marcus and Caius by the 1400’s. Even though they agreed to rule jointly, Aro took over much of the decision making based on his ability to read minds. He was the last of the coven members to form a romantic attachment, opting to find a human and turn her rather than mate with an already existing vampire. He found what he was looking for in an young orphan named Sulpicia, who remains devoted to Aro to this day. (OIL)

Hoping that his sister would have a special talent, Aro changed Didyme to a vampire.  However, her talent wass not what he had hoped for.  Marcus, Aro’s most trusted partner, and Didyme fell in love.  Marcus was so happy that he was no longer interested in “Aro’s plans for domination.”  After a few centuries, Marcus and Didyme considered leaving the Volturi.  Aro pretended to be happy and gave his blessing.  However, he did not want to lose Marcus’ talent.  When he knew that he could not be discovered, Aro murdered his sister.  Marcus did not find out that Aro was responsible for Didyme’s death (SMW) since it happened in battle (PC10).  Aro used Chelsea’s talent to keep Marcus loyal even though he had no interest in his quest for power.  (SMW) Because the loss of Didyme left Marcus nearly debilitated, Aro has taken supreme precaution with his own wife and with Caius’ wife to insure their safety, lest one of the wives die and leave Aro and Caius in a similar state. (OIL)

The guard is not technically the Volturi, though the name loosely applies.  (PC10)  The Volturi choose members of their guard for their special talents.  They rarely leave their city unless duty calls.  “Over the millennia, they have assumed the position of enforcing [the] rules” — keep the existence of vampires secret.  Volterra has been their city “since the time of the Etruscans.”  Since the Volturi do not allow hunting, they bring their food in.  (NM19)  Edward describes them as a “very old, very powerful family of [vampires]…the closest thing…to a royal family.”  (NM1)  Aro, Caius, and Marcus are also known as the “nighttime patrons of the arts.”  Solimena “often painted them as gods.”  (TW16)  Aro, Caius, and Marcus think of themselves as brothers.  (NM21)

Carlisle met Aro, Caius, and Marcus while studying in Italy.  He admired “their civility, their refinement.”  However, they try to cure Carlisle of his “vegetarian” ways, and he tries to persuade them to give up their “natural food source” with no luck.  Aro even went so far as to have a profusely bleeding body delivered to Carlisle just to see what Carlisle would do.  (OIL)  Carlisle left after a few decades.  (TW16)

Alice and Bella raced to Volterra to save Edward when he wanted to die because he thought Bella was dead.  The Volturi are very protective of their city and would stop Edward if he were to “upset the peace.”  Alice warned Bella that they might not survive.  (NM18)  She saw that the Volturi decided not to destroy Edward and asked him to join them because of this talent.  Aro thought it was “wasteful” to destroy Edward.  (NM19)

Aro was wearing a long, black robe when Bella saw him in the turret room.  He was pleased that Jane brought back Edward and was ecstatic to see Bella and Alice, too.  He was curious about the story behind Edward and Bella’s “happy ending.”  Aro asked Felix to bring Caius and Marcus.  Aro was envious of Edward’s ability to read thoughts from a distance.  When Marcus arrived, he touched Aro’s palm briefly to tell him his thoughts.  Aro was amazed that Marcus was surprised by the intensity of Edward, Bella, and Alice’s relationship.  He couldn’t believe how Edward can resist the call of Bella’s blood.  Aro said that Edward reminds him of Carlisle and was pleased that he has succeeded with the “unorthodox path he’s chosen.”  When Aro found out that Bella was immune to his talent, he asked Jane to try her talent on her, too.  Edward lunged towards Jane to protect Bella.  Even though no one touched him, Edward was on the ground in agony as Jane smiled at him.  When Aro called to Jane, she looked away, and Edward relaxed.  Aro then motioned to Bella, and Jane smiled at her with no reaction.  Jane was so frustrated that she prepared to spring, but Aro calmed her down.  Aro told Edward that he was brave to endure Jane’s torture in silence.  He understood since he was curious and asked Jane to test her talent on him.  In turn, Aro asked Edward then Alice if they would join the Volturi.  Both politely refused.  When Aro asked Bella, Caius questioned him.  He explained that Bella has a lot of potential when she becomes a vampire.  Bella also refused Aro’s offer.  After Caius claimed that Bella needs to be destroyed, Aro intervened.  He told Edward that they would be allowed to leave if they intend to change Bella into a vampire.  Alice steped forward so Aro can touch her hand and read her thoughts.  Alice’s vision of Bella’s future convinced Aro.  He was amazed with Alice’s talent.  When Caius complained, Aro told him that there is hope that Edward, Bella, or Alice will join them in the future.  Aro took Felix’s cloak and gave it to Edward so they could safely leave.  (NM21)

Edward tolds the Cullens and Bella that Aro wants him and Alice – the power of the present and future.   He also told them that Aro is jealous of Carlisle since he has the things that he wants and wouldn’t mind “rooting out the competition.”  (EC13)

Because of Alice’s talent, Aro deviated from the pattern and let Jane make the decisions [about how to deal with the newborns in Seattle].  ( The Villainous Volturi)  Jane passed on Aro’s regards to Carlisle when she arrived after the fight with the newborn army.  (EC25)

Aro studied the immortal children to see if they could be tamed.  He came to the same conclusion as Caius and agreed that they could not exist.  The Denali sisters did not know their mother [Sasha] created an immortal child until they saw him burning in their mother’s arms.  Because Aro knew the sisters were innocent, the Volturi pardoned them.  (BD2)

Alice sees a vision that Caius sends a hunting party that includes Jane and Alec to see if Bella is human.  She sends a wedding announcement to delay them.  In response, Aro sends an ornate box with a diamond necklace inside along with a note that said he was looking forward to seeing Bella.  Bella believes Aro is a collector and his prized possessions are his “living pieces” since they are extraordinarily talented and rare.  She is worried about what would happen if Aro saw Renesmee.  (BD27)

Alice has a vision that all the Volturi are coming –- Aro, Caius, Marcus, the guard, and the wives.  She says that the decision was made but they are waiting for Irina.  Aro will see the proof in Irina’s thoughts that Renesmee is an immortal child.  Edward says that they will “come to destroy, not to be reasoned with.”  (BD28)

Eleazar is able to tell Aro if any vampires had special talents that could give the Volturi trouble in battle or could be useful to them.  Aro would have Eleazar test humans that wanted to join the Volturi to see if they had potential talents.  (BD30)

Renata is Aro’s personal bodyguard.  However, she will also protect Caius and Marcus when needed.  Aro sent Eleazar all over the world to find rare talents.  Edward says that Aro wants Alice and her talent.  (BD31)

The Volturi arrive at the clearing “with pageantry.”  They are in a “rigid, formal formation” that seemed to flow in “perfect synchronicity” – “it was the pace of the invincible.”  The entire guard, the wives, and their witnesses are also present.  Edward confirms that Alistair’s theories were right about Aro and Caius’ goal to “destroy and acquire” and tells the others that they have “many layers of strategy” in place.  After the Volturi stop, Aro and Caius touch hands as they evaluate the scene.  Marcus is touching Aro’s other hand but does not seem to be part of the conversation.  Aro searches and is disappointed when he does not see Alice.  Carlisle greets Aro who steps out of formation with Renata following close by.  Aro accuses Carlisle of assembling an army to kill them.  Carlisle encourages Aro to touch his hand to know that “no one has broken the law.”  Caius joins Aro in accusing Carlisle of creating his own rules.  Caius questions Irina about Renesmee, and Irina says that she has grown.  Aro intervenes and takes Irina’s hand.  He admits that there is a mystery, and Carlisle again offers to explain.  However, Aro wants to “have the evidence directly from” Edward.  He is “delighted” with Edward’s attitude.  Aro takes Edward’s hand and learns about everything over the past month.  He asks to meet Renesmee.  When Caius asks what is going on, Aro tells him “the justice we intended to deliver no longer applies.”  Edward suggests that Aro bring a few others to make the guard more comfortable.  Aro has Felix and Demetri accompany him along with Renata.  Aro compliments Bella on her immortality and sees that she is wearing the necklace that he gave her.  Bella thanks him for his generosity.  Aro greets Renesmee and tells Caius that she is “half mortal, half immortal.”  Renesmee touches Aro to give her explanation then asks “please.”  Aro tells her that he will not harm her loved ones.  Maggie hisses at Aro’s lie.  Aro thinks about having the wolves as guard dogs, but Edward tells him that it would never work since the wolves protect human life.  When the wolves snarl, Aro says that it is clear which side they have picked.  (BD36)

Aro then waves the guard forward.  Caius starts to argue with Aro immediately.  Aro responds calmly that it is true and mentions Carlisle’s witnesses.  This prompts Caius to look at the Volturi witnesses who are confused about the situation.  Then Caius asks about the wolves and the alliance with the Cullens.  Edward responds that they are shape-shifters and not the “Children of the Moon.”  As if embarrassed, Aro tells Caius that he would have warned him about this if he shared his thoughts with him.  Caius continues to press that the wolves know about vampires, but Aro quickly tells them that they are also a part of the supernatural world and have their secret to keep.  He encourages Caius to move on.  It appears that maintaining their pristine reputation is more important to Aro than Caius.  Caius then questions Irina.  Based on her response, Caius signals the Volturi guard to destroy Irina for her false accusation.  Carlisle and Garrett are able to stop Tanya and Kate in time.  The guard prepares to fight while their witnesses become suspicious.  Aro’s need for an audience is backfiring.  To be thorough, Aro decides to question some of Carlisle’s witnesses.  He talks with Amun who gives his witness and then asks if Renesmee “should be allowed to live.”  Amun says that he does not see any danger and requests to leave.  Aro agrees but with a veiled threat to see him soon.  He then moves on to Siobhan.  She believes that Renesmee blends well with other humans and will not expose the vampire world.  However, Aro responds that Renesmee is still a danger since “only the known is safe…the unknown is a vulnerability.”  He compliments Garrett for his impassioned speech about how the Volturi are determined to destroy the Cullens and Denali clan.  Aro then asks some of their witnesses what they think.  Makenna and Charles agree with Garrett that the Cullens are innocent.  Aro rallies the support of the guard and then goes to counsel with Caius and Marcus.  They join hands “to form a black-shrouded triangle.”  (BD37)

Chelsea tries to break the ties between the Cullens and their witnesses, and Jane tries to attack, but Bella’s shield is protecting them.  Edward tells Tanya that it is normal procedure for the Volturi to incapacitate those on trial so they can’t escape.  Aro, Caius, and Marcus break formation in time to see Alec’s “strange clear haze” hit Bella’s shield.  Aro then offers Edward, Bella, Benjamin, Zafrina, and Kate a chance to join them, but there is no response.  Before Aro can cast the deciding vote, Edward clarifies the issue -– there would be no need to counsel if it can be certain that Renesmee could keep the existence of vampires secret as she grows.  Aro agrees if they could be “absolutely sure.”  Edward calls to Alice to bring her witnesses.  After Huilen tells her story, Aro asks Nahuel questions about when he reached maturity, what he eats, and about creating an immortal.  He is surprised to hear that Nahuel’s sisters are also half-vampires.  Nahuel tells the story about his father Joham creating a “new super-race.”  Aro stares at Bella then announces that he sees no threat from these “half-vampire children.”  When Caius and Aro consider talking with Joham, Nahuel asks them to leave his sisters alone since they are innocent.  Aro turns to the Volturi guard and tells them that they will not fight today.  The guard resumes their formation and departs along with the wives and their witnesses.  Aro tells Carlisle that he is glad that there was a peaceful solution and hopes that he will forgive him in time.  Carlisle replies if he can prove to be a friend again in time.  Aro bows his head in remorse then disappears.  (BD38)

Edward says that Alice gave Aro the excuse to avoid a fight since he was terrified of Bella’s shield.  Aro knew that there was a possibility that the Volturi could lose.  (BD39)

Portrayed in the films by: Michael Sheen

Prepared by: Anny