Hello my Dear Readers! Here is the next chapter. I hope you like it and please do review. I would love to hear all your opinions. Also, please pardon me for the Swedish, I do not know even the least bit of Swedish. I used google translator for help. I hope you enjoy it. Happy Reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own True Blood...

Finding Her

Chapter Ten

Eric watched and waited impatiently for the sniggering of the two teenagers in his bars to cease. Every time there was even the slightest chance of them stopping, the two would exchange a look, or the other would say the word 'clown' or merely snort, and the laughter spilled all over again.

When he couldn't take anymore, he rolled his eyes and left the room entirely, to see to the arrangements for the night. On the way to his office he met Pam briefly who sent a smirk his way that was entirely too sassy. He huffed, but a very small smile rested on his lips.

After ten or twenty minutes later, he went back to his master and kitten. He decided that they were much, much more entertaining than some silly paperwork for the bar. Besides how many times did Godric ever visit him?

He found the two whispering and talking softly as if they were very old friends. There was a smile plastered permanently on Godric's lips and Eric knew that that smile was one hundred percent genuine and to his delight Godric's blue-gray eyes glowed with warmth. His master approved of his little kitten. Also his kitten looked so very animated. Moving her hands to explain things and blinking in that odd way of hers, smiling, smirking, sniggering; she was quiet happy with her new friend.

Eric watched them and found that merely watching them was a pleasure in itself. His favorite person and his favorite pet together interacting in a mild platonic moment, how nice a scene that was. A part of him once again sneered at Pam internally; there was no way in hell that his little kitten was infatuated with Godric. It was so evident that things were platonic between them.

Suddenly, Arya nodded at Godric and smiled brilliantly and got up to go about and gather her things. Eric realized with slight disappointment that it was time for her to go home. He knew Benjamin Fisher was waiting for her outside. To his surprise, his master flitted to right in front of him and looked at him with content eyes. Eric returned his smile with a huge smile.

He did not even anticipate the huge shocking surprise that Godric was just about to deal him with. Godric looked at him with a warm smile and stated, "I will be leaving with Arya, Eric. She has invited me to dinner at her home."

Pam missed taking a picture of Eric's epic moment of flabbergas-m. His mouth literally dropped open and he did a little double take and imitated a goldfish and then asked in a voice that had a little stutter in it, "You…where…what? With her? Why?"

Godric smiled wider and his eyes twinkled mischievously and he replied happily, "Yes, my childe. I would like to spend more time with my new friend. I had never imagined that such a day would come where I would be friends with such a delightful child like her."

Eric nodded confusedly and said, "Yes, Godric. But why would she invite you over for dinner?"

Godric shrugged nonchalantly, although the twinkling eyes suggested otherwise as he replied, "She also wants to talk more and as the latest lingo goes, she and I will hang, I think. Such strange language. Why would humans refer to spending time together as to hanging, I cannot comprehend."

Eric couldn't even laugh at that, he was still too stunned. Why in hell's name would his kitten invite his master to her house? She did not even invite him yet. Also, was she stark raving mad to invite a vampire over for dinner, it was like serving herself on a golden platter! Why wasn't Ginger stopping her? In fact, Eric himself was not entirely too sure if he would or could stop his maker from going to her house. Godric would not harm her, but Eric still felt uneasy about her being around another vampire.

Eric tried once more, in a polite tone, "I had thought that you would be spending the night here, in Fangtasia with Pam and me."

Godric gave him an encouraging smile and replied, "Do not fret, Eric. I will be back to spend the late hours with Pam and yourself. I wish to spend time with her as I wish to spend time with you, but as she is a human child and needs to sleep at night, I must accommodate my time to her needs."

Eric nodded, but his eyes were still a bit bewildered at the strange situation that presented itself before him. Before he could do anything else, Arya came in with her bag and a bright smile. All set to leave with her new best friend.

Godric returned her smile with his own brilliant smile, Eric just watched a bit uneasily. His kitten skipped to his side and said brightly, "Well, Mr. Northman, I'll take my leave for tonight and I will be back early tomorrow, at noon. School's out tomorrow. Also, I will be sure to send Godric back here safe and sound and way before sunrise."

Eric nodded sharply but felt a little irritated on the inside. He asked with a raised eyebrow and a neutral voice, "What are your plans for tonight then, little kitten?"

Arya giggled and explained with so much excitement that Eric couldn't help but smile at her, "Well, we will talk more of course and then I can show Godric my home and my books. Also maybe we will watch a movie after we make dinner together. Godric tells me he does not know much about cooking at all. So tonight he can be my assistant. Godric here, will watch and help me make lasagna."

Eric narrowed his eyes at the eagerness of both the teenagers before him. His little kitten even had her arm looped with Godric's and they were smiling like little pranksters preparing to raise havoc on an unsuspecting sleepy town. Eric sneered to himself, the mighty Godric wished to spend his night talking with a little girl and cooking something called lasagna, instead of spending the night enjoying the delights of his fine club. Still, a small part of Eric was sulking at the fact that his Arya cared for him and thought the world of him, but still did not ask him to spend time and as she said hang out with him at her home. She should have asked Eric to cook with her, after all he did ask about her favorite food once. Eric was willing to bet that he knew more about human food than Godric.

Eric drawled out, looking and sounding deceptively bored, "Oh, how fun! Do whatever is that you little people do, kitten, just make sure that my guest is always entertained. I wish to hear no complaints. Now off you go."

Arya huffed, but still nodded. She briefly let go of Godric's arm, before looking at Eric attentively. Then she spoke, "I am sorry, Mr. Northman."

Again, like always, she wrapped her thin arms around Eric's waist in a quick hug, filling him with utter contentment and warmth. While her fragile arms were giving his waist a slight squeeze, he was busy inhaling her unique and utterly soothing scent; taking in lungs-full of her scent to keep his mood calm and sated throughout the night. Quickly she let go and grabbed onto Godric's arm and almost dragged him away. Eric blinked once, somewhat like his little kitten always did. He pouted, the hug was entirely too short, but the fact that she hugged only him would have to sooth his mood. He looked at her dragging a two thousand year old vampire and calling out cheerily, "Good night, Mr. Northman."

Eric watched them go with solemn eyes. Although the odd twinkle in Godric's eyes and that smirk on his lips before he left did make Eric feel a little out of sorts. At least Mr. Fisher would be with them and he would keep him reported. There was no harm in having someone extra stay and serve his master and his little kitten. There was nothing wrong with extra protection.

Godric smiled and nodded once towards his progeny as he let the small girl drag him by the arm. He wondered idly, how perfectly these two meshed with each other. He looked forward to how Arya would affect his childe's life. Even though he wouldn't say it but he had seen the look that spread over the face of the formidable Viking's face when the little girl surprised him with a hug. The look could only be best described as elated contentment, Godric couldn't even blame him; being on the receiving end of such affection from the little girl would affect even the coldest of people. Godric considered Eric very fortunate to be receiving her affections. He hoped someday this little girl would bless him with her love as well; of course, not the same kind of love that Eric would receive or Pam for that matter. But he too wanted to be one of her loved ones.

Godric was eager to go home with Arya, to know more about this delightful creature. Also he was excited to see her cook; she told him she would teach him to cook as well. Godric in all his vampire years and even when he was a human never had anything to do with cooking. This would be a new experience for him. There just was something about her, this unexplainable affection and joy that she only shared with only a few and Godric was lucky to be one of those few. Her good mood seemed to rub off on him.

Godric, even when he was a human, never had a little sister. Yes his mother did give birth to a baby girl once, but it was a still birth. When he looked at Arya, he felt this urge to raise her like he would if she was his little sister. Godric adored her. The little girl might be one of the most observant humans he had met, and in some ways even more observant than most vampires he knew, but Godric too was observant. He had found out more about her life in spending an hour with her than anyone else would.

She was an orphan, but she was not needy nor was she weak. She was independent; she could raise her own family on her own if she had a family. She pushed everyone out; she did not like keeping people close. But there were exceptions, she kept her aunt close and loved her fiercely because her aunt was her family, her only family. The thing about her wanting Godric as a friend, well, he might be her first friend, but Godric would bet his entire fortune on the sole fact that before Arya met him, Arya never wanted a friend. That was why she had no friend and why Godric was her first friend. Arya did not trust anybody. She only trusted facts. Facts she confirmed and observed.

She found out everything she could about Pam and vampires, everything she learned by observing and then she decided to let Pam in. Mostly because she learned that Pam liked her more than she liked other humans. Now Eric, Godric knew that Arya felt something indescribable for him. She should feel so strongly for Eric considering the bond those two shared. But she did not know that yet. She just knew that she felt something she couldn't exactly explain, but she was trusting her instincts when it came to that feeling and Eric. Also, she was probably keeping all sorts of facts in her head about Eric and backing her instincts up with them. She also believed that Eric cared for her and would protect her. To her Eric was safety and in some ways home.

Now Godric also knew that Arya actually wanted to learn everything she could from her new friend. She wanted to learn, trust, talk and laugh. She wanted a confidant. Godric was honored that she would choose him to be that. Also, Godric could once again bet every penny he had on the fact that she knew already that he was Eric's maker. She must have deduced that fact out already being the clever little human that she was. She chose a powerful friend. Devious little thing she was. Godric had to smile at that, he felt proud of her.

Then again there was little fact that little Arya didn't yet know, just like the fact that she did not know about Eric and herself. Arya would always feel strongly for Godric and Pam with or without cause simply because Eric felt tremendously for his maker and childe. But that was a mystery for another time that Godric would take the utmost pleasure to unfold one day. For now he wanted to enjoy this little girl's childhood. She wasn't much of a child intellectually, but Godric wanted to give her a childhood. At least a friend for now. He immensely enjoyed her company as it was.

Godric walked out the back door of Fangtasia walking right beside Arya; for someone who acted so much like a grown up, when it came to him and Eric, she sometimes let out her inner child in the littlest of ways. She was skipping a little beside him, smiling at him every now and then. Suddenly she stopped and exclaimed, "Godric, I shall go and fetch Benny. He is the daytime security personnel for Mr. Northman. Mr. Northman asked me to always leave with him and make him stay at my home until Auntie Jeannie comes home."

Godric barely hid his amused smirk. His childe was already overly protective and possessive about his little kitten as he should be, but tonight Arya would not need the extra protection. She had a two thousand year old vampire at her disposal. He looked back at Arya and suggested, "Let me handle that, Arya. We had wanted to take a walk till your home after all."

With that, Godric flittered to where he found a man waiting patiently beside a black car. With one look he could figure out that this was the human his childe chose to keep an eye on his little kitten. Eric chose well. He spoke briefly with this Benny, nice man, and then at his fastest speed returned to Arya and together they walked slowly home. Godric enjoyed the stroll with his new friend; she would point here and there every now and then, tell him things, show him things, make a few more of those funny jokes and walked along his side with a bright smile on her face. Godric observed that to every other human who looked at them, they looked like that happiest pair of siblings or two teenagers in a courting process even. Godric liked this brief image of normalcy he shared with her.

Eric on the other hand returned to his paperwork after he told Pam in his most no-nonsense tone that Godric would not be with them that evening and all the plans that they had to present him to the vermins of at the club as the other vampire to seat at the throne and be worshipped, to be cancelled. Pam nodded back and dealt with things accordingly. She suppressed her excited smirk though, it only meant that the beautiful and buxom blonde that they had hired to perform on the pole right in front of Godric's seat especially was free and that meant Pam could just sneak away a little moment with her right then. Little blossom always did things to please her readily, but sometimes she also did things to please her Miss Pam without even trying. That girl was slowly becoming more and more her favorite. Especially the way she was unknowingly giving her so many materials to tease Eric with. Harmless teasing of course.

Eric was busy with his paperwork in his office, trying his best not to grumble about a certain little curly-haired brat who had disappeared with his master when a tall brown-haired man knocked on his door and replied in a monotonous manner, "Sir, Mr. Godric has left with Mary and has instructed me to inform you that the extra security for Mary would not be needed tonight as he will be providing it for her himself."

With simply that Benjamin Fisher stood there, still glamored and waiting for Eric's next instruction. Eric on the other hand, felt like punching something hard, he would punch Mr. Fisher for his incompetence, but really what chance did her have with his maker. Also, he needed Mr. Fisher in the future, so he left him be. Next Eric did what he only could do in this situation, he brooded. He brooded over what his little kitten and his master must be doing and with him having no way of knowing.

Suddenly his phone rang. A new message received.

Mr. Northman, Godric has asked Benny to leave so that we could walk home alone. I was just informing you to check if you had anything to add to that. I can come back this very minute if it suited you.-AH

Well, that took care of the irritation he felt at his little kitten for abandoning her security and going against his word. She might not have had the opportunity to ask for his permission or tell Godric differently but she did send him word immediately. She was smart; he had to give her that. She was smart enough to not argue with a much older vampire and despite her newly developed friendship with said vampire she took her security in mind and sent him word. He sent back a quick reply.

Text me when you reach home, little kitten.-EN

I will, Mr. Northman and I am sorry for not telling you personally about Benny not escorting me home tonight.-AH

Eric hesitated for a bit, stewing in his irritation and slight anger again over how he had not gotten his way. But something made him stop; he reached for that slight soothing humming he now almost felt always with or without his little kitten around. It calmed him and without thinking he sent her a text.

Stay safe and enjoy your walk, little kitten.-EN

About half an hour later, a half an hour that Eric spent stressing and sulking over how fucking long did it take for them to walk to her home. It wasn't that far away and they just were talking too long. What the hell were they doing or was it that she forgot to text. He wanted to fly over and check for himself, but no he couldn't do that. He just couldn't. It was that half an hour later that his phone rang, a new text received.

Mr. Northman, I am home, safe and sound. We had fun on the walk. I think I entertained Godric well. I showed him all sorts of things on the way home and made him laugh too. We shall be making dinner in a little while. Lasagna, yum!-AH

Well that was that. They were at her home, safe and sound. He was back to brooding and to everyone's displeasure that night Eric Northman was in a bad mood.

It was around ten at night that he received another message.

Dinner was great. The lasagna turned out really well, Godric actually is a great helper. We are watching a movie right now. Finding Nemo. Godric is enjoying it.-AH

Eric frowned and grumbled. So they hadn't forgotten all about him. What was finding nemo? What was this nemo? He quickly googled it on his phone. He blinked and blinked again. No fucking way. She was watching a children's cartoon movie about fishes with his maker? Gods, her taste in movies was just as bad as her sense of humor. His disgusted expression suddenly blanched. Godric found her humor very entertaining, maybe he found this movie interesting as well. What crap could these humans think of, what on earth made them make a movie about fishes? He briefly wondered if he should get this nemo DVD and watch it later on. Then he looked back at his phone and scowled. He wouldn't degrade himself into watching stupid movies, cartoon movies at that about fishes. Godric might humor her strange human tastes but he wouldn't. After all he wasn't her friend. His scowl deepened.

Another text received.

Godric is laughing so much. He likes Dory. He also says you remind him a little of Nemo. I think Godric is a lot like Marlin though.-AH

Now she was making references to the stupid movie, even Godric was referring to it. Eric huffed; he was nothing like whatever this Nemo was. Who the hell was Marlin? What was Dory? He grumbled and flittered to his office and started downloading this Finding Nemo cartoon. He had no intention of watching and enjoying it. Gods, no. He just needed to know exactly what his little kitten and his master were talking about. They were talking about him and he intended to find out what they meant.

He returned back to his throne, watching all those disgusting vermin beg at his feet. He was annoyed. He summoned a particularly fetching looking mocha-skinned curvaceous beauty for a snack and later dismissed her after being sated and bored with her. He gloomed for the entire night and at one point Pam came to his side and asked, "Allt går bra ikväll?" (Everything going well tonight?)

He grumbled, "Ja." (Yes.)

Pam asked in her most bored voice, "Jag undrar det lilla blomma och den allsmäktige Godric är upp till just nu?" (I wonder what little blossom and the almighty Godric are up to right now?)

Eric drawled a little annoyed, "Min lilla kattunge gick hem med Godric senare gjorde några livsmedel som kallas lasagne och tittar på en film med honom." (My little kitten walked home with Godric, later made some human food called lasagna and are watching a movie with him.)

Pam suddenly was smiling wide at him and asked him interestedly, "Verkligen, en film? Vilken?" (Really, a movie? Which one?)

Eric scowled but answered happily knowing that at least his childe would agree with him about the movie being crap, "Några ohyggliga humant tecknad kallas Finding Nemo." (Some atrocious human cartoon called Finding Nemo.)

Pam blinked once and murmured, "Wow. En oväntad val. Men hon har god smak, är det en bra animation film jämfört med de flesta andra animerade filmer. Jag gillade Bruce, Gill och Dory." (Wow. An unexpected choice. But she has good taste, it is a good animation movie compared to most other animation movies. I liked Bruce, Gill and Dory.)

Eric turned to look at his childe so quickly that had he been human he would have had whiplash. He asked somewhat stunned, "Du vad?" (You what?)

Pam rolled her eyes and replied in a matter of fact voice, "Var inte förvånad. Jag tittar alla typer av filmer, underhåller det mig, så mycket att lära och se. Finding Nemo är en bra film. Inte en stor en, men en bra en. Det var också den näst mest inkomstbringande film från 2003, precis bakom Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Det var en bra film också." (Don't be all surprised. I watch all kinds of movies, it entertains me; so much to learn and see. Finding Nemo is a good movie. Not a great one, but a good one. It was also the second highest-grossing film of 2003, right behind The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. That was a good movie as well.)

Eric watched her still a bit flabbergasted. Pam maintained her look of aloofness but she was a bit embarrassed and the slightest bit affronted at her master's picking on watching human movies, animation movies at that. Eric muttered, "Vem fan är Dory, Bruce och Gill?" (Who the hell are Dory, Bruce and Gill?)

Pam replied instantly, "Dory är en Regal Tang med kort sikt minnesförlust. Bruce är en stor vit haj som också är en av de självutnämnda vegetariska hajar. Gill är en morisk idol som är mycket listig." (Dory is a Regal Tang with short-term memory loss. Bruce is a great white shark who is also one of the self-declared vegetarian sharks. Gill is a Moorish idol who is very crafty.)

Eric if it was possible looked even more confused and irritated. What hell was Pam talking about? Pam commented, "Tillsammans med filmen att ha en bra historia och manus, är det också mycket exakt om alla typer av undervattenskablar varelser och detaljer. Det är mycket lärorikt. Det påminde mig om den tid du och jag gick till den resan i Karibiska havet." (Along with the movie having a good story and script, it also is very accurate about all sorts of undersea creatures and details. It is very educational. It reminded me of the time you and I went to that trip in the Caribbean Sea.)

Eric grumbled. Now he had to watch that stupid cartoon. Everyone had seen it and liked it except him. He had to see it just to criticize it. He was once again brooding. After a while Pam's wondering voice took hold of his attention once again, "En promenad, middag och sedan en film. Om jag inte visste bättre skulle jag säga att detta låter alldeles för mycket som en människa datum." (A walk, dinner and then a movie. If I didn't know any better I would say that this sounds entirely too much like a human date.)

Eric snapped back instantly, "Du vet bättre och som inte är ett datum. De hänger ut. Vänner äta middag tillsammans och titta på film, speciellt skrämmande film filmer om fiskar." (You do know better and that is not a date. They are hanging out. Friends have dinner together and watch movies, especially appalling cartoon movies about fishes.)

Pam nodded with a humoring smile on her beautiful red lips. Eric returned to glowering at the desperate floozy of a fang-banger at his feet. It was almost midnight, yet there was no text from his kitten. Godric hadn't arrived either. Eric wouldn't say he was worried but he was getting impatient.

Almost at two at night he received a text. He was more than annoyed.

Godric says he wishes to stay here for a little while longer, at least until Auntie Jeannie comes home in an hour or so. I am off to bed though. It was great fun tonight. Goodnight Mr. Northman.-AH

Eric glowered at the message. It was logical for Godric to want to wait till her aunt came home. He would he probably exploring her home and learning more about her. Or probably watch the little girl sleep. He would keep her safe. But it rubbed Eric the wrong way that he hadn't yet been to his little kitten's home. His master already knew so much more about her than he did. She was his human, he needed to remedy the situation at the soonest opportunity. He would be visiting her home soon. He replied.

Good thing you do not have school tomorrow, little kitten. Little girls should not stay up, so early into the morning as it is.-EN

Her reply was quick.

I always stay up till my aunt comes home, Mr. Northman. I am used to staying up till odd hours. Although it is good that I do not have school in about four hours or so. I will sleep in till noon.-AH

Eric smiled a little. His little kitten was almost nocturnal. He answered back with short message.

Sleep well then, little kitten.-EN

I will and I hope you will rest well in the daytime too. Thank for tonight, Mr. Northman.-AH

Eric smiled; he had a feeling his little kitten thanked him for getting her a friend. He hadn't intended on it at all. She probably knew it too, but still thanked him for it. Well, he was content with the idea that his master seemed to approve of his kitten and when he got back Eric was sure to poke him for a few more answers.

Suddenly another text received.

Why was the scientist's head all wet?-AH

Not another one. But he couldn't help but smile at her urge to still send him an awful joke even though she was tired and ready to sleep. He came first and she hadn't forgotten. Despite that nice little sentiment, the punch line of the joke still made him groan. She really had an awful sense of humor, but he couldn't help but smile.

Because he had a brainstorm.-AH

Again, another awful attempt, little kitten. Do not tax that humorless brain of yours and sleep.-EN

Now all he had to do was, wait for Godric to get home. So he went home, back to the house he had bought that no one except Pam and Godric knew about. He told Pam to handle the bar and close up. Also to let Ginger go home immediately. He arrived in his luxurious home, took a bath and waited seemingly patiently for his master to arrive for a talk.

It was about an hour later that his master came home. His master looked disgustingly cheerful and he was humming something. Something that sounded awfully out of tune and ran along the lines of 'Just keep swimming'. What the hell was that?

Godric came to sit in front of him with a smile. He greeted happily, "Thank you for waiting for me, Eric."

Eric nodded and asked politely, "So how was your night?"

Godric laughed and eagerly replied, "It was one of the most memorable nights of my life, my childe. I had a lot of fun."

Eric nodded a bit hesitantly and asked curiously, "Really? Do tell."

Godric smiled and started recollecting, "Arya and I walked to her home, and she observes the littlest of things about people. A very clever thing she is, I must say. Her home is a small apartment for two, very cozy and full of things that her just her. Her home very much reflects on her. Did you know her favorite color is purple? The dark shades of purple, her bedroom is in various shades of purple. She showed me many of her books and had numerous suggestions for me to read. I saw many of her photographs and she told me of her mother. We cooked later. I must admit, cooking is a very interesting activity. So much to do and there are endless kinds of human food to cook. It smells a bit awful sometimes, but still interesting. She has a very healthy appetite too. She ate with such enthusiasm. She loves sweets as well. Then we watched this great movie. It was an animation movie, Eric. So beautiful, with so many colors. Humans really come up with the most fascinating things, my childe. It was called Finding Nemo and it was such a warming story really. It was about fishes and I admit I was a bit skeptical about it in the beginning, but as I watched on, I liked it very much. Also the details were very accurate from what I could tell. I had a lot of fun tonight."

All Eric could say to all of that was just a quiet and surprised, "Oh!"

Godric nodded enthusiastically and replied, "Yes, Eric. She is simply a very delightful little girl."

Eric sat quietly and contemplated everything and Godric patiently waited on him. Eric thought about it for a while. Godric seemed to adore her. He finally asked bluntly, "Godric, why is she so important?"

Godric looked at him in his patent enigmatic look and asked, "Why do you feel she is important?"

Eric leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees and replied a bit frustrated, "I do not know. But somehow she has wormed her way into Pam's affections. Pam wants to turn her when she grows up. Pam has never before shown any interest in taking a childe, but has made this huge exception quite readily when it comes to her."

Godric answered noncommittally, "Arya would make a great vampire when she grows up and has lived her human life a little bit more. She would make Pam a great childe. She already admires Pam a lot and holds Pam in the highest regard from what she has told me."

Eric looked at Godric with intense eyes and continued, "Then there you are. How has she gotten to you so much? How has she earned so much of your emotions? You care for her, master. You did not even react when she picked your human life apart merely by your tattoos."

Godric smiled wide and replied in his mellifluous voice, "She is a unique child and I hold great affections for her. She feels as if she were a baby sister of mine. I wish to see her grow up and be a part of her life. Now tell me Eric, what do you feel for her?"

Eric looked really frustrated and then he thought about it for a while and replied, "She is mine. Mine to look after and protect. I have some affection for her too. You are right, she is unique and fascinating. She is also very smart and strong and self-reliant. If she were a child in my time, I would have been proud to call her my child. She looks up to me. She never has had a male parental figure in her life. I suppose I feel like her father or an older brother."

To Eric's utter astonishment and anger, his maker started laughing. He laughed for a while making Eric grow frustrated and angrier by the second. Finally he stopped and replied gleefully, "Oh my childe, min modiga (my brave) Viking! Vilken fröjd att du är, efter alla dessa år! (What a delight you are, even after all these years!) Eric, förvånar du mig alltid. (Eric, you surprise me always.) Lilla Arya är en perfekt passar dig verkar det som. (Little Arya is perfectly suited for you it seems.)"

Eric whispered with much confusion, "Jag förstår fortfarande ingenting, herre. (I still do not undestand anything, master.)"

Godric explained patiently, "My childe, what you feel for her is not the affection of a brother or a father. You feel like her protector, her guardian, her mentor and you might deny it, but you too wish to be her friend. You wish to see her happy and cared for now. What the future brings, it brings. For now enjoy watching your lilla kattungen (little kitten). Be happy with her. Everything else will unfold in due time."

Eric nodded, still a bit confused, but more calm about it. He would do exactly as his master told him to. He also liked how his master called her his lilla kattungen. His little kitten. He was smiling and thinking about that when Godric started chuckling once more.

Eric asked curiously, "What is it, Godric?"

Godric laughed and replied warmly, "Something that little Arya told me."

Eric nodded curiously, wanting to know more. As soon as the question popped out of Godric's mouth Eric groaned and wished he had never asked.

Godric asked gleefully, "What did one fish say to the other fish?"

Godric completely blocked out Eric's groan and replied cheerfully, "If you keep your mouth shut, you will not get caught."

With that Godric was sniggering uncontrollably and Eric was barely restraining the urge to pull out his hair. A few hours later when the maker and childe had spent some time together and were happily retiring to rest for the day, Godric suddenly stopped Eric and said, "Eric, I need one of those high-tech phones like Arya's. She is teaching me how to text with them and she and I shall stay in contact. Also, I need a laptop and learn more about computers and internet. It has been about a year or more since I last had anything to do with a computer. I have so much to learn."

Eric nodded dutifully, but wondered in slight awe and fascination. What had his little kitten done to his master?