Eric woke up feeling Sookie tucked in beside him. Her heartbeat was even, giving away her slumbering state, as he allowed his mind to drift back…..
**FLASHBACK**
"Eric, I think I should warn you-" Fintan was interrupted by Dr. Ludwig opening the door to the bedroom.
"Northman," she demanded, drawing Eric's gaze off of Fintan. "We need to talk," she stated, stepping out of the room. Eric used his Vampire speed to return to Sookie's side. She was sleeping on the bed under the covers, her shirt lying on the floor beside the bed.
"Northman!" Dr Ludwig called from the living room. Eric returned to the living room.
"Why is she sleeping?" he demanded loudly.
"I gave her a sedative; she was very distraught," Dr Ludwig informed him. She turned to Fintan. "Have you prepared him?" she demanded.
"No I was just about to," he replied.
"Well no need, I'm about to do it now. Northman, your bonded she is well. The shock of the news about Felipe just sent her stress level too high and she hyperventilated. No harm done….this time. You cannot let this happen again though!" she commanded. "It is detrimental."
"What are you not telling me? I am tired of all these secrets!" Eric demanded, scowling menacingly between Dr Ludwig and Fintan.
"Your bonded, you know she is not merely a human correct?" Dr Ludwig asked; at his nod she continued. "You know of her Fae heritage?" He nodded again, motioning for her to get on with it. "She is pregnant Viking; she is carrying your child. And before you rip the room to shreds, I assure you, it is your child," Dr Ludwig said, a smirk taking over her features.
Eric stared at the doctor, his mouth open slightly.
Pam, standing in the corner, started chuckling and ended with blatant laughter as she held her sides, bloody tears falling from her eyes.
"That's not possible; I am a Vampire!" he said. "You must be mistaken in your diagnosis."
Dr Ludwig giggled, an odd sound on everyone's ears. "I'm not wrong Viking; she is pregnant. Bet you didn't think fertility was an issue did you?" She paused, and getting no answer she continued. "She is part Fae, and part human, as well as a direct descendant of the Ancient Pythoness, on her Mother's side I believe, Fintan am I correct there?" she asked.
"Yes, her Mother's side," Fintan agreed quietly.
"My bonded is related to the Ancient One?" he asked quietly. "And you didn't think I would want to know this?" Eric asked Fintan.
"Northman, you can drain him after I leave. First I need to go over things with you. Sookie will need to eat, frequently. No more skipping meals. She needs lots of protein, and folic acid for the first few weeks. Give her all of your blood you want or as much as she asks for, it will help her and the baby. You can still feed from her, but try not to take a lot at a time; she will replace what you take if you take small but frequent draws off of her. Keep her stress limited; it's a danger to the baby. Keep her off her feet for long periods, and sex is fine, the more orgasms you give her the easier the birth will be." Seeing Eric smile at this part, she commented "I didn't think that would be a problem. The dreams she has, she has been having quite a few, they are visions, encourage her, support her. Do NOT tease her. I'll stop by and check on her in a couple of weeks, call me if you have any problems"
She nodded to him, and popped from the room.
Pam was wiping the blood off of her blouse, having gotten her laughs controlled to giggles. "Oh master, now we will have mini-me's running around, I have Austin Powers and Mini-me" she said, setting herself off on a laugh attack again.
Eric rolled his eyes, not understanding the joke, turning back to Fintan. "Ready to start explaining?"
"There is a prophecy. It was given by the Pythoness, just before she was turned." Fintan said hesitating as Eric's eyebrow arched.
"Go on" Eric prompted.
"O O O O pick me pick me Master pick me, I know I know" Pam said from the corner, still chuckling over her joke about mini-me. Eric rolled his eyes ignoring her, "Fintan, continue"
"It was foretold, that a girl would come forth, with great power, and she would mate with a nightwalker. From that union, would come one child at least, a child that would be the rightful owner of the blood sword" Fintan said, picking his words carefully.
"At least?" Eric said, blinking, pinching the bridge of his nose between his finger and thumb.
"We can start a line of Vampire condoms Eric, just think about it" Pam said, her face serious.
"Go to your room!" Eric ordered, finally losing patience with is child.
"Now you sound like a real Father" Pam said, making it to her doorway before she turned around "Abby says Fathers should be checked for colon cancer frequently, should I schedule your first appointment Daddy?" Pam asked, shutting the door quickly to dodge the plate that was flying towards her head. Hearing his growl and the plate shatter, she opened it again, "You know temper tantrums are not a good message for children Master" shutting the door quickly when the fork was thrown, hearing it land in the door, she laughed loudly.
***END FLASHBACK**
Taking an unnecessary deep breath, Eric felt his body swell with pride, immediately followed by worry. How would he take control of the state and keep Sookie and the baby safe?
'In less than 2 weeks, I've bonded/married, started a war, and fathered a child' he thought to himself, 'I wonder what a month will bring?'
Smiling, he pressed his hand against Sookie's belly, enjoying the feel of her warmth under his fingertips.
"Daughter – you are straying – I cannot help you if you keep this up, this path, it is not the correct one" Nial said to the woman kneeling at his feet.
"But I am bound" she replied, a single blood tear falling from gray eyes. "Father, I can do nothing"
Nial laid a gentle hand on her head, her black hair soft like silk under his hand. "Let me help Maigrey, let me take care of the Vampire. He cannot control you this way, you are a Princess, you are my daughter, I can make sure he never summons you again"
"Father, I cannot, he is my maker, I must protect him, what would you do if he ordered me to kill you?" Maigrey pleaded, her gaze still on the floor.
"I would rather be dead, than to have you this way. I cannot take this anymore Maigrey. You took Sookie to Felipe. You put us all in danger. You cannot be allowed to make this mistake again. What would you have me do?"
Pythoness spoke then "I can take her Nial, I can make her my handmaiden, he will be unable to refuse me and he will not be allowed to call her again"
"You would do this for me?" Maigrey looked up then, her gaze moving from her father to the Ancient One.
"No I will do this for your Father. He cannot be put into this position again. He will have to order your execution if it happens. I feel it unfair for him to continue to pay for your choices child" Pythoness answered coldly "I will make sure you are placed above the call of your Maker, and I can make sure you are not allowed to interfere again."
"Thank you" Maigrey said softly
"Lilliana, take Maigrey, began her fasting." Pythoness called, a blonde woman in robes stepped forward taking Maigrey away.
Once they were alone Pythoness touched Nial's hand "I will make sure she is not subject to him again"
"Thank you friend" Nial said
"Alexander" Pythoness called, a guard appearing from behind them. Falling to one knee before her he spoke "I am here"
"I command you, to find the High Queen. She will be in need of your guard soon enough. She is with her Vampire, I release you from your bond to me so that you may swear fealty to her. You will guard her the same as me Alexander, protect her, she is our future. Do NOT speak of the prophecy"
Alexander rose, in shock "I will do as you ask"
"You have honored me Alexander, always you have been there, but you must keep her safe, the son she carries, he is the future. She must bring him forth and she must nurture him."
"I understand" he bowed and left the room.
"He will help her?" Nial asked quietly after the guard left the room
"He has been my guard for 900 years. He will help her, she will be safe and her son will be safe."
"And the Viking?"
Answering with a chuckle "He is a Viking" she replied.
AN: For those of you who don't know, FFN has been having issues, so I'm posting only small chapters for now. Hope you enjoy! And if you are looking for some lemons...and I mean serious lemons...step on over to Blood Slave by Wylis...I'm alternating between showers from the heat, and ripping tissues to shreds cause of the plot...its a good flic!