Hi, I've been reading Sookie and Eric fan fiction on here for a while now, and this story has been nagging at me so I thought I'd be brave, and give it a go after working on the plot till I thought I had something I could work with. This is a slow burner with a background that unfolds as the story goes on so I hope you'll give it a chance. Any feedback is welcome whether it be reviews, comments or anything that could help my writing and this story.

*None of the characters are mine, they all belong to the wonderful Charlaine Harris and I'm just borrowing them to play with!*

Run Free

Chapter 1

Part 1

Fintan watched his granddaughter move about the training room as if she was dancing, the sword made especially for her hands a silent partner under her complete control. Each step, twist, leap, and spin done with a grace so mesmerizing it was possible to forget you were watching her mid fight. To lose yourself in the beauty of it all until being brought back to reality by the almost blinding blue light that suddenly surrounded her. Sookie seemed to direct it with her sword aiming it at one of her two opponents. Hit squarely in the chest, it lifted one from his feet, flinging him away from Sookie with a bang.

A smile broke through Fintan's frown at her yell of triumph. A reminder of the times she had struggled with controlling the power tied so tightly with her emotions. He had taught her himself all he knew in how to harness, and use her given magic, but it had taken her years of learning self-control to separate, and over ride her emotions, and instincts for her to master this art. There were still moments when it burst from her in uncontrollable strikes but they were becoming rarer and being able to wield it so well against an attacker even in practice was a feat to celebrate. This evidence of her strength and skill was something he should be able to rely on to ease his worries for her future, however just lately he had realised it was not enough.

Sookie was his blood, his pride and joy, and more than he had ever hoped to find. His granddaughter, the best parts of the two very different worlds from which she had been born. The unmistakeable beauty and allure of the Fae, coupled with the strength and ability of a true warrior all soothed by the warmth, gentleness and kindness that came from a very human heart. There was so much of her grandmother in her the human woman he had loved so deeply, yet the essential spark that marked their race had possessed her as strongly as it had skipped her own father and brother.

"There are other ways my child I see how the idea of separation pains you, let me help."

"She deserves more than that father, she deserves freedom we can no longer offer, and to know that she has more choices than a life here."

"You cannot regret bringing her here surely?"

Niall demanded and Fintan shook his head. Never would he regret the time bringing her to Faery had allowed him to share with her. Even the idea of not having her close was like tearing off a limb but he had made a promise. He had sworn to Adele that Sookie would be safe, that no harm would come to her as it did her parents and brother. Then there was the fact that as she grew older Fintan had found himself wondering whether a life in this realm was really the best place for Sookie.

"I regret that I cannot protect her as I wish, as I promised Adele I would. But most of all that the time has come when I have to face losing her from my side, if I wasn't sure this was for her own good it would be unbearable."

Fintan followed Niall's gaze back to Sookie who had finally noticed that they had joined her; they were met with a wide smile, father, and son bathing in the warmth of her greeting. Fintan doing his best to commit it to memory knowing once she knew what was happening tonight he would be met with nothing but hurt and despair. He had first presented the idea to her a year ago when trouble had first started to stir up; Sookie had vetoed it immediately using Niall's reluctance to her own advantage.

"This is not what she wants, we are her kin she is happy here, accepted by us more than she has ever felt there."

"Not by everyone she isn't. Your enemies are growing louder father; I will not have Sookie used to draw you into a war because of a heritage I gave to her."

He himself shared Sookie's hybrid status but where as he could not stay in the human realm for long Sookie was able. She had spent much time there whilst Adele was alive, making a life for herself so different to the one she lead with them, forging human friendships and bonds, and using the time there to practise the skills he had taught her to control her telepathy. He wanted her to do what he found too difficult, to move among humans, to belong somewhere other than in a world where their mixed heritage meant they were never truly accepted.

"Is it any safer for her there? Some would see her as a valuable asset to possess especially in these times."

"If she needs protection it will be there as it always has been otherwise she will live as she wishes."

Ever since he had insisted on her spending time with Adele he had made sure that were guards in place should the need ever arise. Trusted wares under his fathers employ watched her during the day, and when night fell, she had the protection if needed of the Sheriff of Area 5.

"You trust him still when he has proved himself all too happy to use her for his own business dealings?".

Niall asked and he nodded without hesitation knowing deep down within him that Sookie would face no harm at the hands of Eric Northman. Not just because of his own history with Eric but the relationship, his granddaughter had been forging with the Viking ever since her seventh year.

"Sookie trusts him as do I. He is honourable, and keeps her existence from all but his own child. If ever she was in danger she would have no fear of going to them for help, and Eric will give it without question."

Fintan lowered his voice as his arms raised to greet and pull his grandchild to him. Pressing a kiss to the blonde curls, bringing comfort to them both in the nearness before she turned into his father's arms. He knew his father loved Sookie but there was a selfishness that tainted everything Niall did, and he would not let their own instinctual desire to keep their kin close put Sookie at any more risk or rob her of her own free will. Smiling down into the blue eyes that glowed with warmth up at him Fintan raised a hand to stroke her face, his palm pressing against her cheek.

"You are a sight to behold my child, if your beauty doesn't kill your opponents then your sword most definitely will,"

He complimented as Sookie grabbed his hand and began to lead him back towards the centre of the room where his brother was waiting.

"Can you stay? We can fight, Preston is no match compared to you, and Dermot will never risk hurting me?"

"And my twin does?"

Dermot asked his Great Niece with a wry smile. All in the room knew that nothing came above Sookie in his brothers list of priorities or his heart yet his smile quickly faded, there was tension between his twin and father it was easy to read his father's displeasure and Fintan's distraction in their strained expressions. Dermot could easily guess their topic of contention was the owner of the blue eyes that were currently looking up at him with a teasing glint unaware of the strain around her.

"He lets me push my limits you insist on caution at all times. No Sookie, be careful Sookie, that's enough Sookie..."

"No my love not today, I shall come later to your rooms we will have our time together then, I need to talk to you."

There was an edge to her Grandfathers voice as he interrupted her that suddenly had Sookie on full alert, a quick glance up into the sea green depths of his eyes had her stepping back from him.

"Its happening?"

Sookie demanded looking between the two men, panic etched into her face as she spun around to face her Great Uncle before returning to Niall.

"No I'm not ready, Great Grandfather please...?"

"It has been decided my dear, my sons think it for the best."

"Don't I have a say?"

"Won't you trust me my child, have I ever let harm come to you, have I not done what is best for you in the past?"

Fintan had turned her to face him, holding on to both her hands, his eyes begging her to understand, to not hate him for the decisions he was making. Sookie unable to look away nodded slowly.

"Always but Grandfather I..."

Sookie's voice dropped away as Fintan looked down at her with the love she had always seen in his eyes, mixed with a determination she knew she could not match. She had already spent months trying to do that, exhausting every power of persuasion she possessed in the process to convince Fintan to allow her to stay here in Faery. Her only ally had been Niall, but even he was overwhelmed at the demands of his twin sons, but she had wrongly assumed that she would have more time.

It was not that she didn't love the life in Bon Temps; the old farmhouse held treasured memories of her grandmother, her brother, and parents, and the happy times that she had spent there with Fintan as well when he had visited. There were also the friendship she had built over the years with Tara, the job she would always find with Sam that helped keep her mental shields in place. However, here at Fintan's side she felt she belonged especially now when the peace they had enjoyed since her parents and brother's death was so fragile.

"You will return before you begin to miss us,"

Niall murmured with a last kiss to her cheek before he turned to the fourth Fae in the room who had so far stood back respectfully quiet in the wake of the Prince's approach.

"Come Preston, you will accompy Fintan tonight,"

"I will join you for dinner my child, please don't worry, you know you will be happy there if you let yourself. Go with Dermot now Claudine is waiting for you in your rooms."

Fintan's warm lips brushed her other cheek and Sookie watched them leave, silent until they were out of sight before turning to her Great Uncle doing her best to hold back the tears.

"I don't want this, I want to stay, my place is here to defend my prince, my kin from his enemies."

Dermot winced at her words, they sounded as if they came straight from Nail's mouth and reaching out for her he pulled her underneath his guiding arm as he lead her towards the door.

"This is no life for you my dear; your grandfather like me wants your freedom not for you to be used as a pawn in our politics."

"Then why train me at all?"

They had trained her for the past fourteen years, since Fintan had first brought her to Niall's home. She had always thought she had understood the reasoning behind it, but what was the point when she could not use it to protect what she loved most. Instead, she would be sent away and expected to live her life whilst everyone she loved and the only family she had left faced danger.

"So you can protect yourself not us, it was always about you my child, Fintan cares only for your safety as do I."