Authors Notes:
I wanted everyone to know that this last week has not been a good week for me. First I hurt my back, I have an old injury that I just happened to reinjure. It isn't healing as fast as I would like and it has been hard to sit in my computer chair for any length of time to get some writing done. Heck, I could barely sit in my chair long enough to read Ericizmine's new chapters for Dead Tired and Bored to Death. Then to top it all off I have been having to deal with this funky illness that keeps popping up. No one is really sure what it is, but it wipes me out every time I come down with it. So I am warning all of you right now, I am unsure if I will have next week's chapters out on time. I do have SoD written up, but have not received the edited version back yet. And I have only gotten about a third of the way through the next chapter of The Dance. We will just have to wait and see how I progress during the week. Right now I have zero energy. Just sitting here trying to think how to express myself in my Authors notes is a HUGE challenge for me.
Now, just so everyone knows there are a few poems in this chapter. I had intended to list the sources but because of everything that has been occurring I haven't had the energy. Two of the poems I pulled from the internet years ago because I enjoyed them, but for some odd reason I didn't keep who they were by. I will try and remember to post my sources with my next chapter so that ya'll know where I got them.
As always, I loved everyone's reviews of the last chapter and I always look forward to hearing what ya'll think. Thank you for taking the time to review.
Tons of love from the west coast,
Lilli
Chapter 10
-Sookie
Eric lifts me up and swings me around lightly; everything is so perfect and I couldn't ask for more. Our wedding went off without a hitch, my grandfather had blessed us with fae magic, and now my favorite person in the whole world is going to sing at our reception. I hear a tap tap tap of someone hitting a microphone and Eric and I both turn towards the raised platform we had previously been standing on. I look around quickly and notice that all of the chairs have been removed and replaced by a huge dance floor. On the edges of the dance floor are tables, each lit with beautiful candles and flowers.
"Excuse me everyone, if I can have your attention please." The whole crowd stops their various chatter and turns towards Russell. "It meant a lot to me that my dear friend Sookie called me yesterday and asked me to officiate at her bonding and wedding. Those of us that are in the supernatural community know how much this woman has done for us all. She has proven herself a true friend to all of us, she never judges us for what we are, simply for whom we are and how we live our lives. She even knows that most of us had to do unspeakable things in our pasts and yet she still does not judge us, she simply asks that we try and live better now. She is truly a friend to us all and no matter what she always comes to our aid when she is called, and even when she isn't. She saved many of you here tonight from the bombing at Rhodes, or she helped save you during the war of your packs. She always puts everyone else before herself, which has cost her dearly on many occasions. So tonight I have arranged several special treats for our girl Sookie, but first let us raise our glasses to Sookie and Eric. May they always be blessed."
"May they always be blessed," the entire crowd chanted chants.
"Now as I understand it, a few of you have asked that you could say a few special words. The first I believe is one of Eric's brother's Stephan. Stephan come up here and say your peace friend."
I watch as an almost photocopy of Eric progresses towards the stage. He takes the mic, and I feel Eric pull me in front of him and cuddle me firmly to his chest, as if I were a large Sookie shaped teddy bear. "Sookie and Eric, first I would just like to say that on behalf of all of our brothers we wish you all the happiness in the world." Stephan gestures slightly to three other men standing off to the side of the stage. They too were almost photocopies of Eric but they had a few different aspects about their features, like hair color or eye color, but for the most part they were identical. Damn. They sure knew how to make them in Scandinavia.
"Sookie, when I was turned to this life I was a scholar and a poet, not a warrior like my brothers. Eric looked out for me because I was soft. He helped to teach me the ways of the sword and helped me survive. The gift that I wish to bestow on you is three poems from our culture. The first is what I and everyone else, including your beloved, sees when we look at you. It is about the God Frey and his beloved Gerda. One day Frey, being young and mischievous, snuck up and sat on the mighty Odin's throne where you can see the whole wide world. Looking towards the frozen north, he saw a beautiful young maiden enter the home of a frost giant. As she raised her hand to lift the latch her radiant beauty illuminated sea and sky.
"A moment later, this lovely creature, whom to this day is considered the personification of the Northern lights, vanished within her father's home. Frey pensively wondered his way back to Alfheim, his heart oppressed with longing to make this fair maiden his wife. He knew though that there may never be a way for him to join with this beautiful maiden, as she was the relative of a giant murdered by the Gods. Frey confessed all of this to his father and eventually the two were joined in blissful marriage, but this is what he said when her first laid eyes upon his soon to be bride.
'In Gymer's court I saw her move,
The maid who fires my breast with love;
Her snow-white arms and bosom fair
Shone lovely, kindling sea and air.
Dear is she to my wishes, more
Than e'er was maid to youth before.'"
A small round of applause ignites around me and I bush deeply at Stephan's poem. Stephan just compared me to one of the most beautiful occurrences in all of nature. Eric kisses my neck softly and says, "It's really true my love you are more beautiful than even the great Northern lights." I blush again and he just laughs lightly at my self imposed embarrassment.
Stephan waits for everyone to quiet down and begins again. "The next is about a beautiful river nymph, Lorelei. She was an immortal, during the day she hid in the depths of her cool riverbed only to emerge late at night. She would appear in the moonlight, sitting on top of a large rock so that all that passed up and down her stream could admire her beauty. On some nights when the wind blew she would sing to the passing travelers on her river, the men would become so entranced with her beauty and song that they would crash into the rocks and drown."
I gasp lightly fully taken up in the story. "But one man, a brave young fisherman from a nearby town approached her on the banks of her river every night to admire her beauty and listen to her song. Every night before they parted Lorelei would tell the young man where to cast his nets on the next day so that his fishing would be bountiful. Every day he listened to her and he would bring home the most fish to his village. Months went by and Lorelei fell in love with the man. One morning the young man did not return to his village and immediately they searched for him trying to discover what had become of their country man. When they approached Lorelei's river she softly explained to them that she could no longer live without her beloved and that she had made him like her and they lived together in the depths of her river for all of eternity."
Eric squeezes my waist gently and kisses the top of head. "Here is the song that the men of the village wrote about the beautiful Lorelei.
'Above the maiden sitteth,
A wondrous form, and fair;
With jewels bright she plaiteth
Her shining golden hair;
The task with song beguiled;
A fitful burden bear it-
That melody so wild.'"
There is a small round of applause from the crowd and Stephan bows slightly to them. "The final poem is about the perfect love of the Goddess Freya and the God Odur." There is a small bit of chuckling from the brothers, apparently they all knew this story well. "Freya, the golden-haired blue eyed Goddess was at times to be considered the Goddess of the earth, as well as many other things, but in this story just the Goddess of the earth. Because of this she married the fair-haired Odur, a personification of the summer sun. Freya loved her husband dearly and they lived together happily for many years. After a time Odur grew weary of his wife's attention and wandered away for a time.
"Freya was so heartbroken with her husband's absence that she began to cry. She cried and cried; she cried so much that her tears hit the earth, and everywhere her precious tears soaked into the earth they turned the hard rock into precious gold, and every time her tears hit the water of the rivers, streams, and oceans her tears turned into beautiful amber. Freya, swearing to return to her love, wandered from town to town spreading the precious metal and jewels throughout the land in search of her husband.
"After a time she found her beloved husband under the bows of a myrtle tree sleeping soundly. After that day the two lived together in perfect harmony never to be parted from the other's side again. When their lips kissed together for the first time the barren winter that had seemed never ending was melted into the beautiful spring. Their love had inspired such warmth that it radiated around them and sprung flowers from the ground and brought prosperity back to the land. The myrtle leaf is to this day used as a blessing for young brides in their traditional wedding crowns, like the one you wear on your head. It is a symbol that all love will bring forth the precious spring.
'Out of the morning land,
Over the snowdrifts,
Beautiful Freya came
Tripping to Scoring.
White were the moorlands,
And frozen before her;
Green were the moorlands,
And blooming behind her.
Out of her gold locks
Shaking the spring flowers,
Out of her garments
Shaking the south wind,
Around the birches
Awaking the throstles,
And making chaste housewives all
Long for their heroes home,
Loving and love-giving,
Came she to Scoring.'
"With that let us all raise our glasses to the beautiful Sookie and to the eternal love that her and my brother share. To Eric and Sookie." He raises his glass high and everyone echoes, "To Eric and Sookie."
Russell retakes the stage and says, "Thank you Stephan for your beautiful words. Next I believe we have Sam Merlotte speaking for the bride's friends and family, so Sam why don't you come on up here." I look back and forth until I spot Sam making his way through the crowd. It is so funny how awkward he is moving, when earlier he had been so graceful as the beautiful red-gold lion. He takes the stage and runs his hand nervously through his mane of strawberry blonde hair and clears his throat nervously.
"Geez, trying to follow Stephen is killing me," he laughs awkwardly and I join him. He looks down at me and smiles, a smile that not only reached his eyes but radiates warmth and love from his very soul. "So I guess first I would like to say to Eric how lucky you are to have gotten this woman as your wife. God knows that quite a few of us have loved Sook in one way or another but none of us have quite fit the bill for her. Today though, for the first time, I know that we all see a Sookie that is whole, happy, and very much in love with her chosen life partner. Eric, all of us who know you or of you know that you will be up for the challenge that is Sookie Stackhouse." A laugh rolls through the crowd and I swear I even heard a snort or two. Jeez, I am not that difficult.
"Now Sook, don't go getting yourself all in a huff about it. You seem to have a special panache for having to be the savior of everyone. Even if you don't know them you will throw yourself in front of bullet like your friggin Superman. NO, wait I see you as more a Wonder Woman kind of a girl." Eric chuckles behind me and I can't help but let out a little giggle myself. What is it with comparing me to friggin' Linda Carter?
"Anyways, it is good that now you will not have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone anymore. You're not Atlas sweetie, you need the extra support and I know that Eric will be the one who gives you that. So all that being said I must admit that I do have a little poem that I think is most fitting for the occasion, by the Great Bard himself, William Shakespeare.
'Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind,
And therefore is cupid painted blind.
Nor hath love of any judgment taste,
Wings, and no eyes, figure unheedy haste.
Therefore is love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft' beguiled.'
"With that, all there is left to say is good luck Eric and Sookie. May you always be blessed." Sam blushes a little, comes off the large stage, kisses my cheek softly, and shakes Eric's hand, then melts back into the crowd. Poor Sam, he really isn't one to be the center of attention. I appreciate his kind words though and I am thankful that Russell got Sam to say something instead of God forbid Jason. Knowing him he would have gotten up on stage and launched into, 'There once was a lady from Nantucket.'
Russell takes the stage again and says, "I believe the groom has a few words he would like to say to his lovely bride. So without a bunch of pomp and frill Eric you have the floor." Eric turns me towards him and caresses my cheek softly.
"Beloved, it really amazes me that we have only known each other for just under twenty four hours. To me it feels like we have been together for years. You my darling are my angel, and my heart swells with love that you are now mine. My wife, my beloved, my friend, my companion, I am honored that you have chosen to be with me." He kisses my lips softly and lingers there for just a moment. I can feel my joy welling up inside and I think it might burst out of my chest and scorch everyone who is standing too close.
"I do have a little poem that I would like to share with you. I have read it many times, but until today, until this moment, I never really understood its meaning.
'The lover sleeps and amid his dreams
His angel comes on sunlit beams.
To waken him with kisses sweet,
For her love for him is oh so deep.
She wakes him with her caresses light
Upon his skin and smiles so bright.
And in her eyes, he sees the love
She feels for him neath stars above.
He comes to her to gently place,
Kisses upon her neck and face.
To caress her body and touch her soul.
For together two become a whole.
The love they make is deep and true
And in this embrace their love renew.
When all is done and all's been said,
Upon her breasts he rests his head.
And hears her heart beat for him alone.
A greater love, he's never known.'"
When the last word left his lips he leans forward and gives me a deep kiss. It is not rushed or hurried with the oppression of the surrounding crowd that gawked on. No, it is loving and gentle and sweet, and I can almost feel every drop of this man's love for me coming through with each probe of his tongue and small nip of his teeth. We finally break apart and a roar of hoots, hollers, and applause rolls through the crowd. Amazing. I have never before had someone clap for me when I kissed someone and I have had it happen twice in one day today.
A small tapping on the microphone draws our attention back to the stage and Russell says, "Sookie do you have anything you would like to say?"
"Oh, ummm well shoot, I don't really have anything prepared so I can't be near as eloquent as ya'll." I look up into Eric's beautiful eyes, filled with nothing but pure happiness and love. I knew know that he doesn't really care if I say anything at all. Just being here, with him, in this moment is enough for him. Just then the perfect little poem pops into my head. "So, like you Eric, I read this poem many times and never really could grasp the magnitude of what the author was saying here. For I had never felt such a thing before, but standing here in front of you, wearing your ring and calling you my husband, I finally get it.
'It's impossible to describe how it feels.
How when I'm away from him
everything around me seems gray and lifeless,
then when I step into his presence
all of life abounds once more.
It becomes splendid, and meaningful.
And when he speaks,
his voice is more than just vocal intonations.
It's a refrain.
And when he touches me
I know why I was born;
and when he laughs
I am happier than when I laugh myself;
and when we part
it is the November of my heart.'"
One tear is rolling down Eric's cheek and I kiss it away. "I love you," I whisper to him softly, and although I am sure half the people surrounding us can hear me, it feels like a very private moment that only the two of us should have.
He smiles at me softly and says, "JAG älska du alltför liten en. JAG älska du alltför." (I love you too little one. I love you too.)
"Ladies and gentleman I believe that is the last of the speeches for the evening, so now let's really get this party started. I have some wonderful entertainment lined up for you this evening. As a special gift from the man from Memphis he has agreed to sing for our beloved Miss Stackhouse. So without further ado I give you, the King of Rock and Roll, ELVIS presley!" Russell waves his arm enthusiastically to the left and on came Bubba, in a gorgeous leather suit all in black. It looks exactly like the one he wore once before and he looks very dashing in it, with his hair perfectly quaffed and his smile lighting up his face.
"Thank you, thank you very much." The crowd goes wild with applause at that very famous line and all the chipies rush the stage jumping up and down enthusiastically at the arrival of the much loved King. "You know Miss Sookie and me we are real close and have been through a whole lot together. She means a whole lot to me and I couldn't think of a better gift to give to her and Mr. Eric than to sing for them on their wedding day. Ya'll know I am just a big ol' teddy bear at heart. So, Miss Sookie, Mr. Eric will you please do me the honor of dancing your first dance as husband and wife to one of my songs?"
We both nod enthusiastically and make our way to the middle of the large dance floor. A hush falls over the crowd and people look truly torn between watching us and watching Bubba. That was all right with me; let him have his moment in the sun, so to speak. He always did love a good performance and it has been a really long time since he has gotten to do what he once truly loved. Eric's hand rests gently on my waist while his other grasps my hand firmly and we wait for the music to begin.
As the first notes of the song fill the night air I know it is perfect for this moment. It truly describes Eric and I, and the craziness of all of this. Just over twenty four hours ago I thought I was going to die miserable and alone with no one to love and no one who truly cared for me. Now though, I have the perfect man, and what looks to be a perfect life, as long as I have this man by my side.
"Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you
Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you"
Eric spins and twirls and whirls me across the floor as Bubba's dulcet tones float magically over us all, entwining us in the spell of love and happiness. As the song slowly comes to a close Eric dips me low just like the night before and places the softest kiss upon my lips. Eric's kisses always leave me breathless and this one was no exception, but my smile is so large from my happiness that he pulls back slightly and just laughs lightly. It is perfect, everything is perfect, and the night is only just starting.
Immediately after we right ourselves, Bubba launches into A Little Less Conversation and we shimmy and shake our way across the floor right along with everyone else, a few times Eric even flings me in the air so high that I feel like I am truly going to be able to touch the moon and stars. Bubba pulls out all the stops singing every hit he ever had and some that I had no clue he had ever even done. When he starts Jail House Rock he jumps off the stage and we dance around singing the song at the top of our lungs. I have always loved this song, ever since I was a little girl. It is the first song that made me truly fall in love with the King.
After what feels like hours of dancing Russell comes back on stage causing the crowd to hush. "Sookie, Eric can you come and join me for the final surprise of the evening." Eric and I look at each other confused, but we just shrug and walk slowly up onto the stage.
Standing up there, even with all of the bright lights shining on us, I notice something missing amongst my party guests, mainly the humans. I look over at Russell confused as to what is going on and he just smiles at me softly. "So Sookie my dear, now that you are one of us, we are going to let you in on one of our kind's largest secrets. As you can see this is for vampire ears only, which is why all of your human and shifter friends have departed. You can never tell anyone about this secret, do you understand?"
"Of course," I say, confused, but more than willing to agree. I look over at Eric and I can tell he is starting to become excited and bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. It seems like such an out of character gesture for him.
"Where?" Eric asks Russell softly and Russell shoots Eric a glare.
"Stop, you better not ruin this." Russell turns to me and smiles. "So, Sook my love, let's speak in hypothetical's alright?"
I nod my head in agreement. "I can do that."
"Sookie, who is the one singer that has passed into the great beyond that you have always told me you wanted to meet?"
"Without hesitation Jim Morrison, of course with Jimmy Hendrix and Janis Joplin would also be fantastic, but there was always something about Jim. I would have loved to be able to sit down with him and pick his brain for days about the depths of his poetry."
I feel a small tap on my shoulder and turn around to see who is standing behind me, and I almost faint. Eric places his hand at the small of my back to help steady me. Because there in front of me stands a very much alive, well sort of seeing how he was clearly a vampire, Jim Morrison. "No freaking way!" I exclaim.
He smiles at me lightly and says, "There isn't much I can do about Janis or Jimmy but you think I would do, for at least a little while?"
Without even thinking, the inner groupie in me comes bubbling to the surface and I launch myself at him, grappling him in a huge bear hug. I quickly release him and jump up and down about to piss my panties with excitement. "You're fricking Jim Morison, oh my God!" I squeal. The entire crowd bubbles with laughter and I feel the sharp burn of embarrassment color my cheeks.
"Don't blush darling, you are the sweetest little peach I ever did see." He winks at me and I feel a blush of a whole different kind color my face. Okay, I admit it, I kind of, sort of, okay, completely have always had a thing for him. He smiles a crocked smile at me that reminds me of Eric. He turns to Eric and pulls him tightly into a very manly hug and says, "Father, long time no see."
"Too long my boy." My mouth drops in astonishment.
"Wait… what… you… Eric oh my God did you turn him?" Eric just nods his head and laughs lightly.
"So Sookie," Jim says pulling me from my thoughts that are trying to wrap themselves around the idea that not only was Jim Morison still alive, well not dead technically, but that Eric had been the one to bring my all time favorite singer over to the dark side. It is just too crazy for words. "I hear you are having a party to celebrate getting yourself hitched to the old man here. Do you mind if I sing a few songs? I know the king is a hard act to follow, but I think I can give it a shot. I so rarely get the opportunity to sing for anyone, got to keep everything so hush hush." He winks at me.
"Oh my Lord, of course you can sing, I mean, I would love too, I mean I would be honored if you would."
Jim places a small kiss on my cheek and swats my ass, laughing merrily at the shock on my face, and says, "Get your pretty little behind out on that dance floor sugar, and shake what your mama gave ya." I laughed loudly, but I also felt a bright blush burn across my cheeks.
Eric pulls me down on the dance floor and we dance happily to all of Jim's greatest hits. As he is singing Crystal Ship, Eric pulls me to his chest tightly and kisses me softly on the crown of my head. I sigh in contentment and whisper to him, "I couldn't have pictured a better day."
I look up into his big blue eyes and see a smug smile on his face. "Of course it was a perfect day, you got married to me." I laugh lightly at his quip and he brushes his lips against mine. "You know what I just realized Mrs. Northman?" he asks pulling away from me slightly and smiling.
"What's that my love?"
"I forgot to ask you a very important question before tonight's ceremony?"
I furrow my brow slightly, trying to figure out what he can possibly have to ask me. "And that would be?" I ask after it becomes apparent to me that I am not going to be able to figure out what this question is.
"Sookie Stackhouse," he says, stepping away from me and getting down on one knee. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and spending the rest of your days with me?"
I laugh loudly, a bark of laughter that is an odd combination of hysteria, amusement, and surprise. "I think we are doing this in the wrong order Eric."
He smiles at me and shakes his head. "I know it is quick, I know we just met each other, but I know we were meant to spend the rest of our days together. So, will you marry me?" I shake my head at him, wondering if he was seriously seeking an answer to his question, and the absurdity of the whole thing. "Come on now Sookie," he says smiling at me. "You are making me a bit nervous here."
I slap his broad shoulders lightly and laugh. "Of course I will marry you, you big oaf. I wouldn't have said I do less than two hours ago if I didn't want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Eric springs effortlessly to his feet and chuckles lightly. "Good, for a minute there I thought you were going to say no." He winks at me. "Now my wife," he says sweeping me up into his arms bridal style. "I am in need of attending to my husbandly duties. It is our wedding night after all and there are certain expectations to be met. What do you think? Can we sneak away without anyone noticing?" He looks down at me, a fire burning behind his eyes, telling me very plainly exactly what he intends to do to me.
"I could care less if they notice or not, I say we just go and make excuses later."
"I couldn't agree more." He laughs that sexy laugh that only men are capable of right before they do wicked things to your body, and make you scream to the heavens swearing that they are God.
He leans his head forward and crushes my lips beneath him, bruising my lips and swallowing my tongue. A small moan of excitement vibrates up my throat, down my tongue and into his mouth, and he eats up every last miniscule of sound as if it is candy. He pulls away, and I am left feeling dazed and very unsatisfied. "I love you," I whisper huskily, "but if you don't move your ass down to our room, I will stake you myself. There is no way I am going to be molesting you in front of one hundred other people and you have me teetering dangerously close to doing just that."
"As you wish." He smiles and lightly kisses my forehead, zipping us quickly down the stairs and into our bedroom, where he fulfilled the lustful promises of that kiss tenfold.