Chosen

Chapter 1

Seated in the VIP box in the stadium that Eric has constructed, Sookie watched her seventeen year old son, Sigurd, with pride and measureless love. It felt like only yesterday that he had taken his first wobbling steps into her arms. Had a dozen years really passed since she had patched his skinned knees and wiped his tear stained face after his fist tumble off of his first bike? Now he was seventeen and over a foot taller than she was. How in hell had that happened?

Eric bit his lip and shook his head when the referee threw down a penalty flag and the announcer commented "There's some yellow laundry on the field."

"That Stephens kid," he growled, "if he'd just hold back as Sigurd instructed. The game could go either way now."

Sookie patted his arm, "There's still time to turn this around."

The Mauraders' undefeated season, as well as Sigurd's gifts as a quarterback and athlete had led to these last tense minutes of the state championship.

Both teams' coaches paced on the sidelines. A dozen pretty Mauraders' cheerleaders who had formed a human pyramid and launched their "flyers" into the air at halftime–exhorted Mauraders fans:

"Who Are You Yelling For? - Who are, you yelling for?
Mauraders! Stand up, and yell once more,
Mauraders!
Louder now, let's hear it for...
Mauraders! "

The Berserker's mascot cavorted and threw his over sized blue-foam "battle-ax" into the air.

Eric shook his head, "It is an insult to real berserkers, but the humans love it."

Sookie scanned the crowd and noticed two dozen enthusiastic Supes of various persuasions. Eric's eyes were focused only upon his son as if no one else mattered.

She grinned, "So do the Supes. When it comes to what we love and who we love—are we really all that different?"

As Sigurd pointed out when Eric's praise went a bit overboard, there were eleven young men on offense. He patiently contended that, The Mauraders' success was built around every team member bonding, both physically and emotionally.

But Eric would always respond that Sigurd was the leader. He commanded respect and lead by example-trying harder, being honest, encouraging each team member, addressing problems, and finding solutions.

Sookie loved her son as only a mother can, but Eric adored his first born son. Sigurd had Adele's calm center and Kristen's fire. He was smart and strong. He had to be. Like the girls he was a Royal—the blood of three races and great magic flowed in his veins.

He must be a warrior, a worker of magic, and a leader. Those who loved them, called their children and grandchildren, The Chosen and Daughters and Sons of the Blood; their enemies considered them unnatural freaks—a threat to the established order.

Eric taught his son the ways of the leader and the warrior. Niall taught him the ways of magic. And she taught Sigurd to fearlessly be himself despite the forces that sought to mold and manipulate. She would protect him better than she had protected Kirsten and especially Adele. She was older, wiser, and much, much stronger in her magic and in herself. She had learned from her mistakes. Never again would she meekly stand aside and trust even those she loved with her child's fate.

The circumstances into which Sigurd had been born, his orlog, had been laid out while he was still in Sookie's's womb. But like all beings on every plane, he wove his wyrd from his choices and actions, and from the choices and actions of those around him. Eric had made sure that Sigurd was aware of the world into which he had been born and of his "obligations." Sookie had made sure that Sigurd understood that this was his life—that he had the right to choose his own path.

But in this moment, he was a teenage boy enjoying a beautiful afternoon with his friends and teammates. She would fight to give him this time—just as she had fought for the girls to have this time—but this time she had fought harder.

His teammate delivered a perfect pass.

Now Eric leapt to his feet and she joined in the frenzied chant, "Go, go, go!"

Sigurd collected the ball with ease, and sprinted forward toward the end zone dodging the opposing players who tried to tackle him. His confidence and the way he moved on the field remained her so much of Jason at Sigurd's age. His Uncle Jason would have been so proud of him. Then he was there. In the end zone!

The announcer's voice bellowed, ""Touchdowwwnnnnnnnn!"

Eric went wild, "Yes! Yes! "

The victory celebration at Northman's Resort and Casino would be the most lavish in Minnesota's history.

The crowd roared and the pop-eyed Berserker Mascot tossed his ax and did a handspring.

Eric engulfed her in a bear hug while, Sigurd did his version of a victory war dance in the end zone.

Sigurd's line had done their job and given him the time needed to make the touchdown . His teammates lifted him to their shoulders. The Marauders had won the championship.

Each young man had contributed to that victory, but their leader was the golden haired boy lifted to his team mate's shoulders. Sigurd removed his silver and black helmet; tossed back his sweaty golden blond mane; and shook his hair like his big golden Labrador retriever after a bath.

The eyes of - hundred girls followed every movement. Sigurd had his father's magnetism and powerful masculine beauty. But he was compassionate. He had the hands of a healer as well as an athlete and a warrior.

He hadn't told his father yet, but he had told her that he wanted to go to medical school—he wanted to learn to treat humans and also train with the Fae and learn to treat other Supernaturals. And why not? He had centuries to learn the medical arts.

Of course, Eric would have his own opinions—he always did! She was pondering how to pave the road for that conversation, when Eric kissed her with an enthusiasm that sent tingles to the tips of her toes. To Sookie's horror and Eric's satisfaction, the kiss was featured on the stadium's game board screen,

When he completed his task, she gasped, "The whole stadium saw that! You squeezed my ass in front of a stadium packed with families!"

Eric grinned, "Why would they care?"

Sookie sputtered and he kissed her again, leaving her breathless—which was his preferred way to shut her up. "See? No one cares! Besides, everyone is watching Sigurd."

"And his teammates!"

"No, my lover, they watch Sigurd. He is the leader. It is his wyrd to be the center of attention. Even this game of football trains him to be a great leader—He is learning to work hard for success. Together we will weave a strong, successful wyrd for our family." His eyes blazed. " Let our enemies try to stop us!"

Sookie hugged her husband and waved at Sigurd. "Give him time- success is all about growing yourself first. He has time—all the time in the worlds."

AN: Stay tuned for Chosen. I'll put up chapters as time allows. I have two novels in the works right now and I hope that you'll want to read them too.

There's also a beautifully illustrated children's book—Solstice Moon Solstice Sun published by Brigid's Hearth Press—there's a link on my profile page.