Author's Note-I wanted to redo the first part of this story as I thought I could do better…thanks for reading!

Chapter 1

"So…what exactly is this big surprise you have planned? You know I am not exactly a big fan of those." Eric asked Pam for the millionth time as they sat on the plane, as the rest of their family sat nearby. Willa, Nora, Tara, Godric and Sookie were playing a game of scrabble and trying not to listen in on the conversation so close, as they were all in on the surprised Pam had planned. It was a unique one, to be sure and even Sookie was take aback when she had heard it. They were not just going to Minneapolis for this mystery gift, but also for a vampire trade show in which Pam had hoped to spend a pretty penny on things for the bar, as well as on herself. There was not only to be things for vampire businesses and the like to buy, but there was to be clothing, jewelry, and the best way Pam could describe it to the others was it being a kind of flea market atmosphere, not that she was one for such things.

And wanting to include the rest of the family on the gist in store for her beloved maker, Pam had asked the rest of their family to come. It was the dead of winter and though he would never admit it, Sookie had seen the glimmer of excitement in Eric's eyes at the thought of seeing snow. "Maybe we can build snowmen?" she had asked teasingly. "Or snow-Vikings? Or have a snowball fight?" in response, he had given her a stern look but knew she had tempted him. This was three days ago, when Pam had sprung the trip on them all and she would tell no one what she had up her sleeves.

Back in the present, Sookie was beating everyone at Scrabble, save for Godric. "You have two thousand years of knowledge over me, of course he would end up winning." Sookie feigned a pout as the others replaced their pieces in the box, not wanting to get a final point total. Not that any of them were unintelligent but it had simply been as Sookie had said. Godric had been around longer and had amassed much more knowledge than them, including vocabulary.

"I Haven't enjoyed a board game in decades. Perhaps later at the hotel, we can all play?" Godric looked straight at Pam and Eric, still in a impasse with Pam adamantly refusing to reveal her secret surprise. With a frustrated sigh from the Viking, Pam knew she had worn him down.

"This had better be worth it." Eric said with a amused smile. "You are so damn stubborn."

"It clearly runs in the family." interjected Sookie as she approached and sat beside her husband. "You knew what you were getting into when you made her and when you married me…..and I am certain you knew something of the rest when they came into the family." Sookie giggled as she waved her hand at Nora, Willa and Tara. "Perhaps you like stubborn women more than you would admit?"

"I admit nothing, and that included my enjoyment of a winter climate." he replied as the plane began its decent. "Pamela, if this surprise is not worth it, I will not let you hear the end of it."

Pam knew it was an empty threat. "Whatever."

Chapter 2

The Hotel Moondust was a vampire only hotel and as such, the rooms were all light tight and the designs of the suites were familiar. Sookie would come to learn that this hotel was a branch of the Dallas located Hotel Carmilla. That all the vamp hotels were owned by one corporation but that they mostly had differing names. So there was a air of familiarity about these surroundings that made Sookie feel a bit better about being so far from home. It was nice having the whole family together , as odd, as powerful and as legendary as their bloodline was. It was that sudden realization that made her really appreciate where she was in life all the more. "So. We unpack and then do some shopping. Then at midnight, I will reveal the surprise to you. In the meantime, try to be patient." Pam directed the others to their rooms. She had even gone so far as the rent out the whole wing as to give them privacy. Pam and Tara took one suite, Willa and Nora a second, Godric had preferred to have his own lodgings and then Sookie and Eric would have their own room.

As they scattered to their rooms that were side by side, Sookie and Eric entered theirs using a keycard. Stepping into the room, Sookie felt like déjà vu had taken hold, the suite was exactly like the one in Dallas. Save for some color differences, instead of the grays and blacks, there was a sky blue and butter yellow scheme to it, giving the room a kind of daytime appearance. As she unpacked her single, but large suitcase, Eric noticed she had packed winter gloves and a hat.

"We are only here for a couple days….and we hadn't planned on doing much outside…." he commented as he took in the smirk crossing her face.

"Before we go home, I will have beaten you in a snowball fight. I have never had the chance to be out in the snow, living in Bon Temps makes such a thing a little hard. I mean, Jason once scraped some of the ice in the freezer and threw it at me…but that's it for me. I want to play in the snow. Are you gonna tell me you never did when you were little?"

"I was never….little….." he replied with a cocky grin, which soon faded. "But when I was young, I did….enjoy the snow and ice. And a good hunt with a few fellows who eventually served under my command." as he spoke, he took on a wistfulness. "I wound up being the last one." he muttered to himself.

"What do you mean?" Sookie took his hands as he led her to the couch that was set before a fireplace that, with the push of a button, roared to life.

"I am the last Viking. I never really gave it much thought before….I mean things got insane for me after Godric made me and with all the bloodshed, all the history I have lived through, it never really hit me until now. There will never be any more of my people. It's…..humbling." he said this last name as if it tasted something foul.

Sookie ached for him, never thinking herself that it was true, that he was the last of his clan, or whatever he had been a part of. A prince that had come upon his parents being murdered by wolves, even his baby sister. "Well, at least you have all of us with you. I mean, I know nothing cam make up for losing part of your heritage, your past. But you have gained a lot over the years too."

He nodded as he met her gaze. "It's never been easy, but I do feel like that hole is filled….mostly. But you're right, I can't regain that which is lost in time. And if you behave, I promise for some time in the snow, though it may not be what you had in mind.' he arched a eyebrow mischievously and she laughed, slapping him on the chest.

"You are something else." she said shaking her head. Looking at the clock on the wall, she shot up. "Pam said we have a hour before we head to the show….."

"Then perhaps, " he said, scooping her up in his arms. "we had better check the bed and make certain it is adequate for us, shall we?"

She giggled as he sped them into the cushy bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

Chapter 3

They had met in the atrium of the hotel at 8 that evening, after a brief room service Pam had arranged for Sookie. The hotel did offer a few rooms for humans and so had a limited human menu and so after getting Sookie fed with a salad, bread and a slice of apple pie, they entered the large hall that housed the trade show. Splintering off from the others, Sookie and Eric wandered the aisles of booths, eyes constantly doing a double take on the famous Viking. After his involvement with New Blood, coupled with the surge in business at Fangtasia, he had certainly become famous and as such, Sookie would often remind him fearfully, a target. He had told her he wasn't afraid, that after all they had gone through over the years, he had come to almost embrace the attacks that would likely happen in the future. "Living in fear is no way to live" he had once told her. Still, Sookie hated that he had become as famous as he had. Though she also knew he was also greatly feared too. And being attached to Eric, Sookie and the rest of the family had gained some fame of their own.

Stopping at a booth that had pewter jewelry and artwork on display, Sookie dragged a less then enthusiastic Eric closer to peruse the wares. The sales vamp, a woman appearing no older than her twenties but was likely far older than that, greeted them with a smile. Then her face paled, if that were possible, as she realized who she was waiting on. "Oh….please…..it's a honor to meet you. And I insist, your wife can take whatever she wants. No charge. After all, you are the one that helped obliterate Hep-v, aren't you?" the girl asked Eric.

He nodded stiffly and Sookie spoke up. "Neither of us want special treatment and will pay you should we see anything we like. Its only fair. Vamps have to make a living too."

The vamp smiled. "My name is Kara. And yes, we do have to make a living and I have made a damn good one with my pewter carvings and jewelry. Carved from my memories of the past. I have been well traveled and it's nice not to look a day over 400. Though my age isn't anything compared to his, now is it? Oh, god! I didn't mean it to come out like that, when I get nervous, I get blabbering and I-"

Coming slightly out of his thoughts, Eric managed to smile at Kara. "Think nothing of it. I personally don't feel a day over two hundred." his eyes caught a leather think with a little sword pendant attached, fingering the cold metal, Sookie watched him as he went back to his past in his mind.. She couldn't read his thoughts, but knew that was where they were going. "I'll take that for him."

"Actually, there is a match to that." Kara went to the other side of her booth and from a rack in which more pendants hung, she produced what looked like a shield. "A his and hers kind of thing and it may seem corny, but, well, I am guilty of being corny. I can engrave a little something into it of you want. As you can see, the pendants are inspired by Vikings-you, specifically after that you did to help save our kind." Kara looked up at Eric who was unsure of what to say. "Do you two wish me to engrave anything on these? Not much room but…."

"Yes." Eric interrupted. He leaned over and whispered softly into her ear and with the bustling crowds all around, even Sookie's enhanced hearing couldn't catch what he said. And so she too, whispered into the woman's ear, unsure of he could hear. Most likely, yes, considering his strength but she didn't care. Stepping to a table in the rear of her booth, Kara set to work personalizing the jewelry as Sookie stared at the crystals set into some of the pendants and the pewter sculptures. There was a awkward silence that was between them before she spoke.

"I know this place isn't your favorite, but knowing Pam, the surprise has just got to be worth the wait. Though I like seeing you flustered by her. I should have taken a picture of you."

"I had her with me for a hundred years and should have known her secret wouldn't be revealed. And on the off chance this surprise is a bust….at leas the trip has not been. I…enjoy having our family here. are you certain that brother of yours wouldn't want to be turned? Then he truly would be family and I know he is just itching for another pleasant dream about me." Eric said with a sly grin. Jason had told Sookie about a dream he had had about the Viking after Eric had healed him once. Sookie reckoned that that was a image she would not soon get out of her mind.

"He's perfectly happy as he is, thank you very much." Sookie as going to say something else but Kara returned with the necklaces. The shield, for Sookie, simply read. "Until the end of time, I am yours."

"It was all I could think of that wouldn't require a full size pendant to write on." he shrugged as Kara handed him his pendant, the sword shaped one. His read simply "Family."

"I wanted to just put one word on it that meant the world to you and I know that this is what you value most, regardless of the wealth you possess. It's simple, I know but…."

He fingered the pendant and hung the thong around his neck. "It is perfect." he nodded his approval. "Thank you."

Sookie pulled out a wad of cash-cash earned from many shifts at Bellefleur's, not from Eric. She had no designs on being a kept woman and so paid for their pendants with her hard earned cash. Together, they strolled the rest of the booths, sampling new designer bloods-which Eric has said none held a candle to New Blood, which was saying something since he hated synthetic blood-, Sookie trying on some dresses and Eric perusing some replica weapons he thought would look good at Fangtasia. And then, it was time.

Chapter 4

A few minutes before midnight, the family reunited in the hotel atrium again, Pam ordering some bellboys to deliver the many, many bags of her and the others' purchases to their rooms. Having told Eric boldly what she had spent, the Viking could only roll his eyes, though he was admiring the daggers that Godric had bought to decorate his home back in Louisiana.

"Let's head down this way." Pam instructed as they followed her to a quiet hallway that was cordoned off by a velvet rope. "I made sure this area would remain private and anyone that should come down here will regret it."

"I would bet they would." agreed Nora.

They reached a door that led into a ballroom. "Tell me it's not a dance. I hated dances in my dad's mansion when he had those political parties and….well, I don't dance." Willa said nervously.

"I ain't a dancer either." Tara replied.

Pam said nothing but pushed the door open and let the others through. There was but one round table in the room, covered with goblets of what could only be blood. And there, seated at the table and in deep conversation, three heavily bearded men sat, all dressed in the leather armor of…..the Vikings. They looked up from their blood and met the gaze of the one they had been itching to meet for the first time in a thousand years. "Look, everyone, Eric's speechless. That's rare." Pam said to the others at her side who were almost as transfixed as he was.

"Ebbe….Mattias….Ailnar? It can not be you…..the last time I saw you three was-'

"In that battle in which you were gravelly injured. And so were we. There was death all around and we came to hear of your new life. After we met the same fate, by one not nearly as strong as he was." the blondest of the Vikings, Ebbe, nodded at Godric. "The one that turned us, we came to learn, was the very one who led the attack on your family."

"We have waited a long time, not knowing if we should reveal ourselves. We have learned a great deal about you over the years and when we heard of Pam, we got in touch with her, telling her our story. That we once fought side by side with you. I sense she still has her doubts…..tell her, Eric, do you know us?"

Eric looked the three men up and down, appraisingly, for several minutes. "Pamela, it couldn't possible be anyone else. I know their scents. Even today, I know them. But why dress like-"

"We have always prided ourselves for being what we were-are. Vikings. We have lived here in Minneapolis now for decades, forging ourselves a life and some wealth. But all under the cover of night, doing what we must to survive. And now, we have finally reunited with our friend…our family. Though we are not related, we are certainly connected by our past. The battles we fought in together…come out with us tonight. Just us men. We can reminisce and reconnect." Ailnar said, his shoulder length dirty blonde hair shining subtly in the light of the lamps overhead.

Mattias nodded in agreement. "Your family has certainly grown. I mean, we have heard things about it but that you came to marry? You? And a faerie, no less." he and the other two Vikings came up to Sookie and kissed her on the hand one at a time. "It is a treat to see the one woman who could get him to settle down, to be tamed."

"Oh, he is far from being tamed." Sookie replied pointedly. "But he has made me happy and I hope he can say the same about me." she turned to look at him and he nodded.

"the icing on the proverbial cake that is my family." Eric said as he took her hand and gestured to his bloodline surrounding him. "Life has turned out….better than I could have dreamed."

The three nodded approvingly. "So what do you say, come out with us tonight? Reminisce? We know you are only in town a few days but-"

"I no longer pillage and if you think I will return to the old style of dress….." Eric gestured to his leather jacket, black pants and boots. "I have taken to wearing a new style of armor."

The three laughed. "No worries. But if we are to go out, there is only 6 hours till dawn. We can give you a tour so you, in turn can show the rest of the family tomorrow." Ailmar suggested.

Sookie felt a pang of worry overcome her. These men, they clearly knew Eric and he them and surely, Pam wouldn't do anything that would endanger him. That they were turned by Russell Edgington, however…

"If you are worried about is, rest assured, we tried to find Edgington and kill him but he was too fast and strong for us. The only thing he did for us was to turn us and then abandoned us. He turned us for the fun of it. At least you, Eric, had a maker who cared about you. We were pleased to hear also that you were the one to end Edgington. Poetic justice." Mattias said with a proud smile.

He looked at his family, as of asking for their permission to go. "I will be fine. I will return before dawn and if something happens, our bond will alert Sookie to it." Eric looked at Sookie, sounding reasonable, rational. "But I knew these men since we were children. Since we played in the snow….they are good men."

Sookie nodded and as he hugged her tightly, she pulled herself back in order to look up at him. "Please be careful. I am happy for you but I always worry."

"And I would worry for you if you were not with our kin." he replied as he headed to the window with the other three. "Enjoy the hotel and try to behave. Pam." Eric said before they all leapt out the open window, flying into the night.

"What a surprise that was,." Nora said. "To think there were any Vikings left….."

"Those four," Pam said. "are the last in existence and only one of them I give a damn about. I just hope I don't come to regret this"

"It was the greatest gift you could have given him." Godric said, patting her shoulder. "He has needed something like this for a long time. He loves us all unconditionally but to have a piece of his past, his human life brought back to him….it is priceless. You went above and beyond."

"I hope so." Pam muttered

Chapter 5

They settled in a tree in a park, hidden only by the dark and the thick branches. Quietly, they waited for the group of drunk teens to get closer. "Like old times, eh?" Ebbe has remarked as they took their positions for their hunt. "Except this time, its human hunting and not deer hunting."

He nodded and strangely at ease being with men that he hadn't seen in a thousand years. They had vowed they only ever drank from their victims, that after a quick healing and a glamour, none of their victims were left in any distress. "Vikings always have honor." Ailnar had said with a serious look on his face. And then, it was time. The four dropped from the tree and surrounded the group of six teens, the oldest being no more than 17. It happened in a blur, a bloody, blur. And true to their words, the four Vikings healed and glamoured the six teens and sent them off on their way, all four Viking feeling quite exhilarated and ready for more. They remained in the park for more victims and as they talked about the old days, the good times of drunken flings with some of the women of their village, it made Eric feel all the more at home again.

It was a couple hours later when he had decided that he had had enough for the evening. "It has certainly been…fun. But I don't want to keep the family waiting. A worrying Sookie is an unhappy Sookie and a worried Pam is a pissed off Pam. One would be a fool to want to risk either of those."

He made to take to the skies but heard a commotion of voices and felt the familiar sting of silver pressing against him, yet there was something else in that pain, something unpleasant and unfamiliar and it was taking a faster toll on him than any other encounter with silver he had had in his life. And it was after a few moments of this pain that he blacked out, his last vision flashing in his mind was a distraught Sookie back in the hotel.

TO BE CONTINUED