Title: I Thought I Saw You Today
Author: Sierra
Rated: G
Disclaimer: I don't own True Blood, or any of the characters :(
Summary: A Viking woman catches a glimpse of her past early one morning . . .
A/N: Got this plot bunny hopping around in my head, and decided to see what I could make of it; so it's just a little drabble, I hope you enjoy. Please, please, please review! And thanks for reading :)
xxx
I thought I saw you today . . .
The sun hadn't risen yet. I carried a basket full of wet clothes outside, about to hang them up to dry in what I hoped would be a warm spring day; the weather was unpredictable though, so for all I knew the clouds could part and rain would drench them all over again. I tightened my grip on the basket to make it the last couple steps, then placed it on the cool ground, taking just a moment to stretch my aching back before grabbing the first shirt.
From inside I could hear the noises of my oldest child beginning to move around, getting dressed, waking up his brothers and sisters . . . he looked more and more like his father every day, it was both comforting and painful. His golden hair was long, and his eyes a familiar ice blue, he didn't speak often but when he did it was a quiet and deep sound; I closed my eyes for a second, listening, fighting back the tears that I was so often threatened by.
Then I opened my eyes, and I saw him.
I caught a glimpse of a man standing just outside the forest, draped in animals furs, shoulder-length blond hair streaked in dirt but somehow still shining. He was tall, even from a distance I could see that, and his posture was unmistakeable . . . I dropped the clean shirt onto the ground, my throat tightening and heart pounding as I turned to face him. He stood perfectly still, unnaturally so, his hands hanging loosely at his sides, his head tilted curiously to one side. He was like a statue.
A beautiful, welcome statue.
I shouted his name. I didn't recognize the sound of my own voice. It was broken and pitiful, unbecoming of a strong Viking woman, but I didn't care. I was no longer in control of myself, my mouth was parched dry, my vision blurred so much I could barely see, but somehow I kept focused on him . . . he moved, just a little, raising one hand, reaching toward me. I smiled, feeling like a little girl again, like the way he'd made me feel when we were growing up together and he used to wink at me or flash me a smile when he saw me in town.
He let his hand fall back to his side, and for a second I was confused, but then:
"Mother?" my eldest called, and I heard his footsteps getting closer just before the door opened.
"Son!" I whirled around, unable to contain my joy. "Your father- " my voice broke off suddenly as I turned back around to point him out. The treeline was deserted. There was no sign that anyone had ever stood there.
Without thinking, I took off running. My feet carried me faster than ever before, and in just seconds I was right where he'd just been; but there was nothing there to reassure me, no footprints, no lingering scent of him. Nothing. I choked back a sob, sinking to my knees as the clouds above began to break apart and the first raindrop fell, landing on my cheek, camouflauged by my own tears falling freely from my eyes.
Where was he? Why hadn't he ever come home?
Questions that had plagued my mind for the past three years once again assaulted me, and I feared they would never go away. I covered my face with my trembling hands and sobbed openly, shuddering as a thunderclap rolled over the land and lightning flashed, briefly brightening the still dark sky.
Whether I was speaking aloud or crying within, I don't know.
Eric . . .
I miss you.
~ END.
