Chapter 3 of the First Meeting

None of these characters are mine... they belong to Stephenie Meyer and Charlaine Harris.

This story is a spin-off of Times are Changing. It takes place in 1066 before Bella turned Stefan and Damon and before she came across the witch who made her the necklace for her to walk in the day.

The Dance

Eric, Isabella and Godric travelled in silence until they reached an inn that sat on the water's edge. It was the only one made of stone in the several buildings near it. As they travelled Eric noticed that Isabella's scent slightly faded, but what clung to her was still difficult to resist. Only Godric's order stayed his attack. Isabella looked around at the people briefly as they walked through the tavern area. She ignored their long stares at the three of them moved to go upstairs. The room that Godric had gotten was one of the inner rooms with now windows. Godric closed the door behind them as Eric and Isabella entered the room.

"I shell return shortly," Godric told them as he stepped from the room.

Isabella sighed, and then poured some water into a small bowl. She totally ignored Eric as she washed most of the muck from her skin and hair. He was watching her carefully with interest, gritting his teeth as her scent only got stronger the more of her skin he saw. When her clothing fell to the floor, he growled loudly and turned away from her.

Soon after the door opened and Godric had returned with a long blue gown folded over his arm.

"You should not tease him like this, my lady," Godric told Isabella, his hand on Eric's shoulder.

She turned to face the two, "Tease?" When she noticed the expression on Eric's face, she turned away, "That was not my intent. I am a custom to being unclothed in front of others. Eric's growling puzzled me."

Isabella's eyes softened when she saw the dress draped over Godric's arm.

"For you, my lady," he handed her the gown.

"It has such a rich color, but perfect for the evening. You have my thanks."

They dressed quietly after that. Isabella quickly turned away as soon as Eric was shirtless. Godric only smirked at the two. Eric carefully watched her reactions to Godric and compared them to her reactions to him; an idea started to form in his mind.

"Are we ready?" Godric asked, checking himself over.

Isabella was standing with the back of her dress open to them, "Almost, Godric dear," her hands were busy with the pins in her hair. She looked over one shoulder to Eric, "Would you, Eric?"

With a nod, Eric stepped up to her and took the strings of her dress, tying each one. If his fingers lingered a bit or she shivered they both pretended not to notice. When he was done, she turned to him.

"Thank you," she whispered breathlessly.

Godric grinned, pulling a bottle out of his pocket, "Here… this should mask most of your scent. It is a mixture from my original tribe. It should help with mortals and immortals alike."

"If it works on me will you teach me how it is made?" Isabella asked him as she spread it on her neck and arms.

"Of course I will," he answered, offering his arm to her as soon as she was done.

Eric watched as she spread the strange liquid on her skin. Though it did not completely mask her scent, it did make it much easier to be close to her. Godric's manners towards her amazed Eric, but he followed Godric's example.

As Isabella took his arm with hers Eric bowed awkwardly and also offered his arm to her.

"I hate hiding that… intoxicating scent, but right now you smell so good you test even my limits,"' Godric rubbed some of the mixture into her wrist gently as they walked through the door.

They walked towards their destination slowly, taking in everything on their way. As they walked Eric took note of how Isabella's scent had indeed been masked, but she could still smell her human half faintly. It made her seem more real. The building they entered was one of the largest in town. The gentleman at the door greeted them and asked them to come in.

"I will leave you two for now, enjoy," Godric kissed Isabella's hand and left them.

"Eric would you like to dance?" without waiting for a reply she dragged him out onto the main floor. He only stood before her looking irritated.

Isabella pouted, "I will teach you quickly and quietly."

Eric only growled and turned away, but Isabella's hand only tightened.

"I insist, Eric," she growled.

Eric turned back to her silently; when she said his name like that something in him nearly snapped.

Godric watched from the balcony above the two fencing below. He knew that eventually Isabella would win; she always did. She would be the perfect one to teach Eric how to adjust and hide in this new world. As the two slowly began to dance he admired her skill in teaching Eric, although he remained stiff in his movements. Eric responded well to her in ways he stubbornly refused Godric himself. Godric imagined with the three of them there was nothing in this world they could not do.

Below, Eric held Isabella close to him softly; almost afraid he'd break her. Her bearing was one of a fierce warrior, but her body seemed breakable in the most fragile way. As he followed her steps, his body gradually loosened up and he began to enjoy the close feeling of her. With flair, he spun her around; the sound of her laughter filled the air, causing many heads to turn towards her. As the song ended, the two pulled very close together. Nose to nose now, Eric watched her eyes glittering in the faint light around the room. With a quick breath he pulled her closer with the hand on her back and kissed her softly. Isabella's arms gently wrapped around his neck, softly running her fingers through his hair her body responded to this kiss. Since neither of them really needed to breathe the kiss lasted for a very long time.

When the door near them banged open, the two vampires broke apart; both of them looked towards the door as the doorway filled. In the shadows of the door, two figures appeared in black robes, their faces hidden. Godric was by their side instantly, his hand on Isabella's shoulder.

"Stay with her, Eric, and do not let her out of your site," he muttered quickly, pushing them towards the other side of the room.

Godric knew that the three of them could handle the problem, but much preferred to avoid humans as he did. The three headed quickly towards the outside door and swiftly down the steps. Outside, once they were away from all human activity the black robed figures appeared again.

"Good evening, gentleman," Isabella told them calmly, pulling her cloak about her shoulders.

One of the figures pulled back his hood, "Isabella, my dear, my eyes have not seen thine eyes in many turns."

"Demetri," she replied coldly.

Demetri stepped back, nodding quietly, "I see. Let us get this over with then," he drew back as the figures surrounded the three vampires.

Throwing off her cloak as the circle of vampires converged on them and attacked. The battle was like poetry in the movements of the three. They worked in sync perfectly standing back to back as each of the robed figures fell before them. Godric growled, tearing into one of the vampires, throwing him across the road as another jumped on him. Eric, being the Viking warrior he was, made very short work of the men that were attacking him. To both Eric and Godric's surprise, Isabella held her ground, hissing and tearing into the vampires without mercy or hesitation. They all fell to the trio.

When all was quiet, Demetri simply stood before them, quite alone, "You understand, I had to try, my lady; until we meet again."

He simply vanished.

Covered in blood, Isabella straightened out, no longer sensing any danger around them. The vampire bodies that fell around them quickly began disintegrating, leaving only their robes behind.

More to come…