Lessons of Life
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the True Blood characters (unfortunately). I only own my original stories and characters.
Chapter 10
…..approximately 350 AD in Denmark…..
"What took you so long?..." I closed my eyes, almost afraid to look around. How I had missed Godric's voice. I had only been in the town a night. "How did you find me so quickly" I asked, turning around. He was as beautiful as I remembered, although a little wilder looking. He vamped forward, dropping to his knees, leaning into me. I grabbed at him greedily, taking in his scent. "I couldn't wait to see you again. I've been in the area for ten years or so. I didn't want to miss you. I was afraid you wouldn't come" he mumbled. I smiled to myself, so happy at his eagerness to see me. He looked up at me then, his eyes dark, and fangs down. "100 years is too long Sean" and his picked me up and raced off into the surrounding forest with me. I giggled and held onto him tightly; overjoyed at my welcome home. He set me on my feet outside a small stone dwelling. "I got it ready for you" he said proudly. I walked inside. There was a table, chairs, shelves with little pots and trinkets. "In here" he grabbed my hand excited and led me into another room with a bed, covered in animal furs and I spotted stacks of clothes. "I hope the fit you" he said "you look at little taller". That was the best thing he could have said, I leaned up on my tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips. He pulled my up to him; into his arms. I had gotten taller. Time in the sunshine, playing human and making my heart beat again and shifting on and off had helped me grow a little. I had got a little taller, physically looking maybe 9 or 10, 11 at a push. Godric picked me up and lay me on the bed and climbed on the bed beside me, propped up on his elbow "Do you like it" he asked. "I love it Godric. It's perfect". His face lit up, he was so proud. He moved his hand, brushing it along my cheek and I leaned into his touch, my fangs dropping. I pushed him on his back and climbed on top of him and kissed him deeply, letting my hands roam down his body. He body responded, his back arching. He looked into my eyes and tilted his head, offering his neck. I slid my fangs into his neck and drank, sucking in his sweet blood, listening to him moan; his arousal obvious. Pulling away from his neck I bit my wrist and offered it to him. He drank greedily while I explore his body with the other hand.
I couldn't have asked for a better reunion. We were whole again and I easily got pulled into Godric's childlike fascination for death and carnage. We stayed together for another few centuries. I indulged Godric's love for war and battle, something he was fascinated with since he was first brought to Rome as a child. We indulged in the battle of Attila the Hun, the battle of Adrianople, we watched the Germans invade Rome, amongst many others. Godric was magnificent on the battle field, a true predator. I enjoyed watching more than participating. Godric was like a cat with his owner, dropping human snacks at my feet much like a cat would leave a mouse on a doorstep. Godric's enthusiasm for death and war never wavered but I felt the pull to be in the sun and learn again. "It's time for me to go again for a little while Godric. You follow the battles north and I'll spend some time with Val. We need to be apart a little longer Godric. I'll find you when I'm ready". Godric threw a little tantrum but eventually gave in. He could see that I was right even he didn't want to admit it.
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… present day…
I was on a plane to Sweden, stuffing my face with crisps and chocolate on the place watching a cheesy in flight movie. My trip was beginning to take an emotional toll on me. Reliving my time with Godric brought me happy memories but deepened the pain even more because of the fact that I lost him.
Arriving at the airport I got my rental car and packed in my bags. I thought getting a rental was best. I would be heading up far north and didn't quite like the idea of sleeping in a cave. I was past that now and liked my comforts too much. I could trek into the wilderness and return to the car to sleep in it. I was an off road jeep and the back of the car would be good enough to sleep in once I let the seat down. I booked into a hotel to rest for a night or two and get any supplies I'd need. I bought a sleeping bag and pillow, again for comfort and some water, petrol and comfort junk food.
Now I was ready to head to the fields where I watched jealous and broken hearted as Godric made Eric vampire…..
I parked the car and began my hike. I could have vamped there in a few seconds but I took my time; taking in the familiar scent of the Scandinavian woodlands and surroundings. There it was; that field that I watched my Godric choose Eric to be his progeny…..
…..approximately 1000 AD…
I had missed Godric more than I imagined I ever would. It took so much self control to keep away but Godric and I were different and I had to admit that to myself. He was a magnificent specimen of vampire; skilled, graceful and deadly. I had the skill too but killing and hunting wasn't enough for me; I wanted more out of life and I knew that if I stayed with Godric I would get sucked into his killing games, I didn't have the heart to refuse him his fun. Still, I found myself gravitating to the northern parts of Europe where I knew Godric had left for. I didn't know if he was still there but I found myself wanting to see him again, even just to be near him for a few weeks, to catch up and make sure he was ok. I was in Sweden and I caught Godric's scent. Looking from the trees I caught sight of Godric …
"Are you death?" "I am" Godric answered and I smiled. He was death, death to humans in every way. "You're just a little boy" the human said, and I smiled harder still. My little boy, I thought. It was unusual to see Godric talk in this way to his food but as I listened I realised what he was doing.
"Could you be a companion of death? Could you walk with me through the world…..through the Dark? I'll teach you all I know. I'll be your father, your brother, your child". No. Godric had found a new companion. I'd left him too long. How stupid was I? I wanted to run up, and stop him; tell him I was there and he didn't need to do this. Then I stopped myself, just barely. How could I be so selfish? I wanted my own space yet I would deny Godric his happiness. I turned and left, heading south again. I would return to him in a few years. Godric needed time to teach his new progeny and I would be in the way. Instead, I headed towards Italy, seeking solace and companionship in Val once more.
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The next time I would see Godric was when he was teaching Eric to feed without killing. I could see how proud Godric was of Eric but I felt jealous nonetheless and equally I could see how jealous Eric was of me. He was just an infant vampire after all. He hated how I took Godric's attention away from him much like a toddler didn't like his daddy stopping a game of catch to talk to another adult. Eric idolised Godric and hated me. I hated Eric and loved Godric. Godric idolised me. I played this to my advantage much of the time.
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"Why is she here again" Eric spat. "ERIC" Godric reprimanded and turned to me; his smile made me forget to reply to Eric. "Godric" I squealed, running and jumping into his arms. He pulled me close and kissed me hard. I could practically feel the waves of jealously rolling off Eric. "My Godric" I whispered, leaning my face beside his, my hands finding tufts of hair. I dropped my fangs, slicing my lips and stared into Godric's eyes. I could see the darkness, the lust….he leaned in to kiss me but I pulled on his hair, stopping him just short. I opened my mouth and licked my fangs slowly, pulling him a little further away. I turned, searching out the bed. He knew what I was thinking and in a flash he vamped to the bed, kneeling beside me. He was just about to lean in for a kiss when I remembered Eric. "Tell the infant to go out" I breathed deeply. "Why the fuck should I leave my own place. Godric, tell her to go to hell" he roared. I could feel Godric tensing, his hands grabbing the bed covers into fists. "NEVER speak to me about her like that again Eric. Now GO" he seethed, never taking his eyes away from mine. I heard the door slam. "I'm sorry Godric" I whispered; thinking it was better to play victim rather than the complete bitch. His eyes softened. "No one speaks about you like that, especially not Eric. He has to learn his place". I bit my lip again, not wanting to talk about Eric any longer than necessary and it had the desired effect. Godric completely lost sense and kissed me, lapping up the blood.
"Look…." I said, a few hours later, holding up my hand to his. Godric smiled, "You've grown a little more" he said, and I smiled leaning into him. I hadn't grown that much, maybe a centimetre or so; I'd not spent much time away from being vampire in a good while. As long as I stopped my heart and only drank human blood it stopped me growing. It's then we sensed Eric approaching the cottage. "He's like naughty child skulking home" he whispered, low enough that only he and I would here. Eric tentatively opened the door and didn't as much as look at either of us. He went over and sat at the table.
"Are you going to apologise for your behaviour Eric?" Godric asked. I could see Eric balling his fists up tight. "Why should I?" Godric pounced at Eric, grabbing him by the back of the neck, pushing him towards the floor. "Apologise NOW Eric" "I will not apologise to her". I could see Eric was about to lose it and if he really hurt Eric I knew he'd be wracked with guilt. After all, when I left, they still needed to get along with each other. "Godric" I pleaded, putting on my best worried face "He's just a child". I could see Eric blanch at this. "You're calling me a child. Just look at you" Eric said looking up at me. Godric rose he hand to strike Eric but I was too quick, speeding over and catching it before he could. Eric wasn't fast enough to see it but as he looked up he saw me restraining Godric's hand and realised what almost happened. With my other hand I touched Godric lightly on the cheek. This brought him down from his rage. He let go of Eric neck and Eric scooted away on along the floor, as far away from Godric that he could. Still holding Godric's hand I let him over to sit on the bed. "Godric be calm and listen to me" I said, pulling his face towards me. "Eric's attitude isn't acceptable but striking him to hurt him in anger will not make him respect you, it will make him fear you. You made him as a companion and you will live with him for years to come. Don't get me wrong, he needs discipline but he needs to respect you; not be afraid of you". Godric's face softened. I hoped he understood what I was saying. I didn't want Godric to turn into the kind of maker that might remind him of his own maker. "Please, come with me for a walk to calm down" I pleaded. "You….Stay here" he said to Eric. Eric shuddered under the direct command; his eyes never leaving the floor.