Thank you, so much to everyone who has read, commented, added to favorites, and thrown this story on alert. This next chapter focuses mostly on Eric and how he knew Bonnie's mother. I don't want to give away too much, but her character is based on an actual mythical deity. I borrowed her for this tale. In my mind this also explains Damon and Tyler's devotion to the young Bennett witch. Next chapter – Bonnie finally meets Eric.

I apologize for the delay in posting. I'm finishing up my Big Bang fic for an LJ challenge and that's a top priority. Another update for this one will come before the end of the week. Hope you enjoy.

Friend of the Dead

Ten years after he was first made vampire, Eric Northman found himself alone in Greece. Godric had thought it best that his young prodigy spend some time alone, learning what it meant to survive; overcoming the fear to live as an undead member of an enlightened society. Eric walked the streets once inhabited by gods and goddesses, trading daylight for the glorious light of the moon; romanced by the power granted to emperors by the gods of Olympus. He'd grown up, fed Norse mythology and tales of legend. His own father had been compared to Beowulf and Siegfried alike. They were only stories to the unbeliever, but Eric knew that just as wolves and vampires existed, the retellings of Zeus and Osiris were steeped in fact. He'd felt their presences, experienced their power and when his eyes fell upon the Egyptian beauty he knew that she too was the basis of a myth.

She held her head high, long black tresses pooled around her shoulders, and she walked as if she were gliding on air. He was drawn to her. He followed her through the night time market, intent on seducing, feeding, and compelling her to join him in the land of the undead. Eric noticed the woman's eyes, crystalline green orbs, accentuated by flecks of gold and reminiscent of the finely spun silk of the robes lining her frame. Her skin was kissed by the sun and his thirst threatened to overtake him. Eric's fangs descended and the beauty turned and spoke in voice meant only for him to hear.

"No harm will come to me Viking or you will know Osiris this night."

His incisors retracted and he stepped closer.

"What are you?"

He asked, mesmerized that she looked right through him and uttered a threat that she would surely bring to pass.

"Just call me a friend of death."

Eric had not dreamed of the green eyed goddess in years. He awakened, exiting his sleek black coffin; immediately aware of Pam's stirrings upstairs in the office. He pushed his slumber induced musings aside and journeyed to the main level of Fangtasia.

He strolled through the door to find a befuddled Pam, opening and slamming drawers, "Did I miss a call – visit from the queen – the presence of our resident Edward Cullen; Bill Compton."

"She's coming Eric?"

Eric shooed Pam away and fell into the chair behind his desk.

"Perfection…Ginger is beyond scattered this evening, Evetta, will have to cover her duties."

"Evetta left the day Bill poured concrete all over your perfectly sculpted ass; I'm talking about the child…the witch."

"The child lives…"

"The reincarnation met his end, the chosen one is in search of answers," Pam eased into Eric's personal space and pulled up the obituary on the monitor. "Robbery gone bad."

The words on the screen saddened Eric; Solomon had been a good man. A genuine human unprepared for the talent and power bestowed upon him.

"Pity he never embraced his gifts," Eric nudged Pam away. "I have nothing to tell her, she can come, it will be nice to taste a witch's blood again."

"How'd that work out for you the last time…naked in Bon Temps cemetery?"

"Leave me!" The bass in his voice vibrated the foundation of the building.

"Fine, you were warned."

Eric extended his long legs towards the desk and leaned back in his chair. It was obvious that the girl did not fully know what she was. Clearly, the curse of the Bennett line had been revealed, but had she discovered the reason why the dead were drawn to her? Did she know that the creatures of the moon were attracted not only to her beauty, but the power she held over them. She was responsible for the immortal, a companion to those blessed to live a second life beyond the cessation of their beating hearts. She was lady justice, the constant charged with writing the wrongs done. Water, weather, the wild birds of the air, all answered her commands. Her power was most prevalent when the moon was full, the night sky adorned with stars. And then there was the underworld, her family's kingdom desperately needed an heir.

Bonnie Bennett descended not only from the line of Salem's most powerful witches; she was the daughter of a deity; born to Nebhet, Egyptian goddess, and friend of the dead.

Eric had met Solomon shortly after he married Ebe- the name Nebhet had chosen for her modern life. The reluctant warlock was smitten with the goddess, unaware of what she was, but captivated by the light her eyes held. They'd stepped into the bar, long before it became the sideshow Fangtasia was today.

"Viking."

Immediately he recognized the voice and Eric allowed a rare smile to play at the corners of his mouth. "Friend."

The marriage had been doomed. At six foot six, Solomon reminded her of Auset, her consort, brother god, and friend. Bronze skin held her attention; soft brown eyes warmed her heart, and a power he would never allow his hands to wield humbled the divine being forcing her love to grow all the more.

Sol was the first son born to the Bennett line in fifty years, his coupling with Ebe was foretold long before Emily Bennett walked the Virginia hills. The life growing in the belly of the immortal goddess would be coveted by every supernatural being who knew of its existence.

Eric noticed the sadness enveloped Ebe during their visit.

"Viking she will come to you one day when his mortality ends," Her eyes drifted to the man at the bar. "Help her – protect her – teach her."

He reached for her hand. "I vow to honor your request."

The day had finally come.

Nebhet's daughter was close, his skin burned with the strength of her power so near.

Eric would uphold his promise to Nebhet and enjoy a welcome distraction from Sookie and her overbearing morals.