This is a flashback chapter. I'll probably have more of these unless everyone hates this one. Let me know!

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Chapter Two

Fowl Manor

Summer

Artemis sat back in his expensive computer chair, rubbing his temples. The fairy People were proving to be quite elusive, despite the extensive information he had gathered from various myths and local legends over the past year.

Apparently, each fairy had its own personal cache of gold. Artemis was slightly dubious about the rainbows and pots of gold coins, but he had recently discovered a way to get the accurate information he needed. Each fairy also had a sort of handbook; a manual which contained thorough information about fairy culture as well as rules which could not be broken. If Artemis could obtain such a book, he would have the advantage he needed to capture a fairy and hold it for ransom. Separating a fairy from its gold would be no easy feat, but would be a relatively quick and secretive way to restore the Fowls' lost status.

Artemis was awake several hours earlier than usual. He wanted to cross-reference his best leads regarding the People with his available contacts and resources. He hoped that this would give him an idea of which way to proceed with his investigations. Some of his contacts were in different time zones, however, which necessitated waking rather early in order to have them available if Artemis had questions for them.

This required that Butler wake early, as well, but he didn't mind. He was already out on the grounds, performing a general security assessment. As a graduate of Madame Ko's Academy, Butler was quite adept at encountering any circumstance calmly, from a 'peaceful place' inside him. Juliet was not so skilled.

"Juliet, would you close that window? The breeze is somewhat distracting," Artemis asked pointedly.

"The wind's the only thing keeping me awake! I'm tired, and it's pretty boring just sitting here watching you type," Juliet mused.

Artemis regretted that Butler had woken Juliet. He turned slowly to face the teenage girl. "My goal is not to entertain you. My goal is to complete my duty as heir to the Fowl family. Your diverting breeze is a hindrance to my goal. Kindly close the window." Artemis's voice was as cold as his icy blue eyes.

"Okay," Juliet chirped nervously. "Consider the window closed."

Artemis turned back to the computer and was about to pick up where he had left off when Juliet gasped. What now? Had she broken a nail on the hinge?

"You need to come here!" Juliet called to Artemis. He turned around, and was about to criticize her for interrupting him when he saw what she was pointing at.

The sun had not yet risen, so it was difficult to see, but there seemed to be something flying toward Fowl Manor. Either the object was very small, or it was still very far off. Artemis began planning for the worst.

"Juliet, alert Butler immediately. I'll meet both of you downstairs-" Artemis was cut off when Butler sprinted through the door.

"Master Artemis, there's something small headed for this window. I noticed it about three minutes ago and thought I should be here. I think it's an owl, but I can't be sure." Butler had closed the window and was tracking the object's progress through his binoculars. "My advice is to leave, now."

"Let me see." Artemis took the binoculars and looked at the flying object carefully. "It is most certainly an owl. A very small one, too. Most likely Micrathene whitneyi;the Elf Owl."

Butler did not look convinced. "Owls don't usually live near populated areas, do they?"

"No, and I don't want this one getting any closer." Artemis assumed that Butler had not gone out on the grounds unprepared. "Do you have a tranquilizer dart gun?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure I can hit it at this distance." Butler looked uncertainly at the small bird.

"Wait until you have a clear shot, then. Elf Owls are not indigenous to this part of Ireland. It is here for a reason. I want an opportunity to examine it."

"Master Artemis, these darts contain Xylazine." Butler looked uncertainly at his young charge. "They're only for use on livestock, officially. Used on such a small target-"

Artemis glared at Butler in annoyance. "I know what the darts contain and about the risks involved. Whether the owl is rendered unconscious or dies of heart failure makes no difference. Surely you have a clear shot by now."

Butler nodded, then carefully loaded his dart gun with a tranquilizer syringe. He opened the window a crack and took aim, staring intently at his unfortunate target. Juliet looked on uncomfortably as her brother pulled the trigger, and couldn't suppress a little squeal when the bird fell from the air. Artemis ignored her.

"Butler, please check the bird for possible security threats. If you decide that it is safe, bring it back to the study."

Butler left quickly to retrieve the bird, leaving his sister and his young employer to watch from the window. Butler stopped several meters from the bird's fallen form, scanning the area for anomalies. Then he walked slowly over to it, and bent down, still obviously on high alert. Butler placed the owl carefully in a sterilized container, closed the lid, and turned back to the manor.

When Butler returned to the study, he did not have the owl with him. Artemis assumed that it was dead, and that Butler did not want to upset Juliet. Ah, well. A dead owl was that much easier to examine. Still, Artemis had asked Butler to bring it back to the study.

"Butler, was I not clear in my instructions? Whether the owl was alive or not, you were to bring it here." Then Artemis noticed the look in his bodyguard's eyes. Had the bird actually presented a security risk?

"Master Artemis, I think we should forget the bird for now. Look at what it was carrying!" Butler handed Artemis an envelope.

Artemis was surprised that an Elf Owl could carry something like this. That surprise was immediately overshadowed by the utter astonishment he felt when he read who the envelope was addressed to:

Artemis Fowl II

Second Floor Study

Fowl Manor, Dublin