"Of course, little one. I'll be your bride." I ruffled his short golden hair, smiling into his innocent salt ocean water eyes. "When you grow up to understand that choice."

The wind was so cool against my cheek, wrapping myself deeper in my furs, looking towards the sea. It's always a hobby of mine, enjoying the fullness of nature and her loving grace. My sunshine hair swayed in its tight braid, just making me love the feeling of today more. I walked down the shore line, as Little One followed on my heels, just as he would do every day after his training.

"I do understand. I want no other woman as my bride." Little One tugged on my furs, he had just turned 12, and made a man by the village; but in my eyes, he was still the same babe I promised to teach my wisdom to. "I want you, Sonja."

I sighed, looking down to him. He was two feet shorter than I was; it was hard to not call him my Little One. Little One was nearly 4 feet, as I was 6'1. "You are too young to want anyone, the men in this village are idiots against you. I taught you respect for women, but I still doubt the disgusting Viking inside of you learned. I will not take a child as my husband, you are still young."

His eyes grew angry, I sensed his pain and it hurt me more than he'd ever know. Little One turned and ran off back to the village.

I groaned. I shouldn't have been so hard, but he must learn. Just as a dog with a chain collar, more he tugs the pain increases. Little Erik, your collar is on you now, will you learn or break from it as every other disappointing male has.

I walked along the line, thinking of all that happened to this point in my life.

I had been born across the sea I so was accustomed to now, my home burned and ravaged, family killed and I was taken away as the savages destroyed all I ever knew. The King knew I was the daughter of the Priestess of Emar, one of the most powerful known in the world. He took me, taking all my mothers' books and scriptures, locking me away for ten years to learn everything; I was 8 years old. After I learned everything, I learned about myself, the abilities I acquired since my family's demise. I learned from my long time of solitude, that I wasn't human anymore. My guides in my dreams told me, taught me, and created me for what would help me on in my centuries to come. I was no longer Sonja Dermira, child of Yana Dermira and Hankor Wiyan, I was now Sonja, High Priestess of Oland.

The day the door opened, the King stared at all the ashes that were left from the fire, destroying all of my mother's work. My skin was pale and brittle, my hair touching my knees, eyes barren of most emotion, his stared dominantly into mine. He told me, You will watch over my heir, make him wise or you will regret me saving you. I nodded, as he led me to his wife, in labor. I watched as she gave birth to the most beautiful child. The King held the boy, smiling, walking towards me; he wanted me to bless the child. I did, but differently than others, I kissed the boys head, speaking Emarian. Young child giggled at my words, gripping my dirty hair and his eyes shining with such promise. The King moved to his Queen, giving the child, she smiled to me, then looking to the child. I shall name you Erik.

That was the day I'd never forget, when he was brought into this world. He was what kept me in this horrible place I now call my home, his sweet innocence, the chance to change the world with one young Prince. I became the King's confidant , advice and logic, I helped to keep the village prosperous and alive. Each passing day, I watch the little Prince grow, and I promised to protect him and teach him of better ways than the Vikings taught.

I am now 30 years old, though I still look as I did after I came out of my containment, and watch that young prince run off because of a silly ritual. He doesn't need to marry at such an age, he needs to become a man of himself before he becomes a man tied to another. I hope he will not change so much when I'm off on my journey in three months' time.

I smiled. I know you will be just fine, my Little One.

-9 years later-

I sit down at the table, pulling my gown underneath me, with Queen Astrid and King Ulfrik, awaiting the arrival of the Prince.

I hadn't seen his face since my journey to find more substantial information about myself, the King agreed it was time for Erik to have time apart from his teacher. I went leaving a crying young boy, hoping my words did some good and kept the evil around him at bay. I prayed every night, while I was gone that he would be the same as he was. The innocent blue eyes, his golden short locks, and his loving smile. The time that passed, made me hope his choice for a bride had not changed, now that I had been learned so much and been gone too long. I knew he would be a man I'd be proud to call husband.

The doors slammed open, as a man of 21, with dirty hair and fur and leather clothing walked in, a weapon strapped to his side and a beard forming just slightly.

"Erik, you're late." Astrid stood up, as I felt my heart crack with each step she took near him. That can't be my Little One, not my- "It is rude."

"I was out hunting with my men, there is no harm."

The King got up walking over to him. I just sat, speechless, in my seat. "You smell of whores."

"A man can have his pleasures while he has the chance can't he?" Erik smiled, I gasped. The smile was empty, his eyes tainted, his hair as dark as he had become.

"You are a Prince, you are to find a wife befitting our blood. Not play with the barn sluts and whores of our village."

I abruptly stood from my seat, as his parents stared at me. "I shall dismiss myself, being as my presence is not needed. Good night, your Majesty and your Ladyship." I fixed my gown, the gown I made to look good for you. It was purple, as fur lined my waist, and hung tightly against my body. It matured during the journey, but it was nothing against the poison that took over my young student. I walked to the door, as I heard a hand slam against the table.

"Stop, woman." Erik's voice echoed a sick sound in my head, it made my powers cringe. I felt him, as he walked to me. He gripped my chin, forcing me to stare into the dark void his eyes were. "I know you."

I slapped his hand, then grabbed it twisting it around, making him fall to my knees. "You should, you pompous devil child. I taught you manners and wisdom, but seems you ignored both. I'm sickened by what you've become, a Viking bastard like all the men here!"

Erik groaned, as Astrid looked at me with terror and Ulfrik with anger. "Let go of me."

"You didn't listen to me at all those years I taught and cared for you. You were a bright star in this place, and I knew you could be more. Why did you not listen? Why?"

He looked down. "Let me go now, woman!"

"Little one, you say you know me then say my name! And I'll let you go!"

Erik grinned at me, it made my stomach turn. "Bitch."

Breaking and cracking filled my chest, my heart was nothing but pieces, as I let go of Erik and stumbled back. Tears started to pour from my eyes, as I looked to the parents whom tainted the one chance of change, progress in their feeble and short lives, both looked horrified and sad of what came from his mouth. I stared at Erik, as he stood up dusted himself, and not once looked away from me, making it hurt all the worse.

"Get out before I have you hung for hurting a prince." His tone was soulless, he was gone, I could not save him. I sobbed, running as far away as I could. I got to the shore line, seeing my home only a few feet away. I fell to my knees, All I knew, all I had left to treasure is gone. I have nothing but my powers, and even that can't take the pain away. I gasped between painful sobs, I gave my heart to the chance the Little Prince turned into a Knight of Pure that would save everyone and even me, from the pain of the past. I was wrong, so wrong that I wish I could die.

-5 years later-

I finished the funeral of the King, Queen and little Princess, as I noticed Erik not at the ritual. He was the last one to see them alive, before the wolf attack. It must have cracked open his stone heart, I hope it did, you soulless bastard. I watched as everyone left to their homes, leaving myself to my thoughts.

After that night, so long ago, I blocked my heart from love. All marriage proposals were declined, year after year. I stayed by the King's side, watching Erik get worse and worse. I didn't care anymore; he was no longer my problem. Erik was a Viking solider and Prince, I was the High Priestess and Confidant of the King; we were two different people, with two lives that will never interweave.

I took care of the villagers, guided the children with my teachings and decided to never leave a child alone to this place again. I will always regret the choice I took, I should have never left and I should have stayed by my Little One, marrying him.

A tear fell down my pale cheek, my body had not changed one bit, I was now 44 years old. All the villagers believe that my powers keep me young, which keeps them to come to me for help; it's a cycle that I enjoy.

I walked down the hill to get to the shore. I stopped just before my sandals hit the sand, my breath was hitched in my throat. Erik stood towards the water, just as he would do with me, Forget silly dreams and past tidings. I walked passed him in the direction of my hut, but I felt a tug on my fur coat.

I turned around, to see Erik, holding tightly to my sash. I gasped, having a flash of him when he was just a little baby. He would hold onto my sash to learn to walk, it was so precious. I blinked furiously, to get back to the grown man in front of me. Out of hateful instinct, I pulled my sash out of his hands and glared at him. "What is it, my King?"

"Don't call me that." Eric turned away, again towards the sea. "I don't deserve my father's title."

"You got that right." I scoffed, fixing my winter dress. I stared at him, as it became an awkward silence. "If there is nothing you want from me, I shall be going for the night." I started away again, as I heard him sniffle behind me, I sighed. I walked towards him, reaching for his arm, he pulled back, shooting disgust from his poison blues. "Fine, freeze to death and cry. See if I care. Was trying to be nice." I went back on my way, as I heard his footsteps. I grinned a little, Still stubborn as ever, Little One.

I opened the door of my home, as the fireplace still roared and warmed it so nicely. I motioned him inside, as he passed me and walked to the chair closest to the fire. I closed the door, putting my coat on the hanger. I went to the kitchen to grab him some ale, to warm himself and make him feel a little better. I pour a cup, walking back to him, he was holding a plate that was on the mantel, I smiled. "Do you remember that?"

"I painted this plate for you, when I was 8. Every child was making crafts for their parents, but neither of mine would have wanted it. So, I gave it to you." Erik took the cup, taking a sip, putting the plate back on the mantel and sitting down. "You said you'd treasure it."

"And you see, I did keep my promise. I've kept it safe as with anything else you ever gave me." I sat across from him, sensing that his sorrow broke his heart and anger for revenge made his aura dark. It's better than the sickening black hole he was. "How are you feeling, Prince?"

"Erik, just call me Erik." He took another sip. "Even Little One, if that will make you happy."

I felt he was serious, it made my heart a little happier. "Ok, Little One. What can I do?"

"I need you to do something for me."

I felt a bit uneasy, his aura become nerve wreaking. "Depends, Little One"

"Take over the village. Be Queen." Erik stared deep in my eyes, they were filled with the once pure feeling I enjoyed so, but for only a flicker. "I must leave."

"To avenge your family? Erik, they would want you to stay and make this village prosper, not waste your life finding someone who you could never find."

Erik threw his glass, breaking against the floor, I cringed in my seat. "I have to try! I promised Father, while he die in my arms, that I would kill whoever did this to them. Please take my offer."

I sighed. "No."

"They will need someone strong to provide for them, to help the-"

"I will not be Queen, not without you here!" I jolted from my seat, glaring at him. How could you ask that of me? Try to lead, when all I wished was to keep you by me, make you a proper king and maybe a loving husband.

"What do you mean?"

I groaned, he really is a Viking dumbass. "I will not ruin the rules of linage for your petty things, you will rule or the village will join with the Lons across the forest." Nice save. "Understood?"

Erik stood up, as he walked towards me. I was expecting a slap in the face, closing my eyes to the upcoming pain. I felt a tight grip around me, as I opened my eyes. Erik held me tight against his chest, his arms like walls, my head leaning against his shoulder, he's gotten taller than me, I never noticed.

"Erik." I never took the time to notice all the things that were still beautiful. His eyes still had a glint in them time to time, his laugh would be infectious and as much as I hated to say, his muscled figure was awfully compelling.

Erik caressed my hair, as he moved close to my ear. "I hope you will be here when I get back, you must fulfill your promise, Sonja."

I gasped, as tears started to fall. I gripped him tight, as I took a deep breath of his scent, the scent of the man I loved. He pulled away before I could get a good remembrance of it all, as he went out the door.

I sobbed as I watch the next hours fill, with men following him into the forest to his journey. He stopped, looking back at me, his eyes were as bright as they were when he was 12. I waved, he smiled, leaving into the darkness. I'll wait. I'll be your queen. Just come back alive.

Years passed, I slowly lost confidence as I waited, and lost touch with my powers, all I cared for was Erik coming home. There were story after story of several of the men that left with him had needed up dead, but nothing about Erik. It was 90 years, till I finally gave up hope of his return.

I traveled Sweden, in the hopes for his soul to be reborn, but no luck. I looked for every way to be with Erik again, but no one that would bring him to me as he was. It was all useless.

Centuries passed, and I grew tired and weary. I returned to my old withered and broken home, as an wretched old woman without love and without a reason to continue. Maybe in another life, you'll be there asking me again. I'll answer right next time. I closed my eyes, as I took my last breath as, Sonja Dermira, High Priestess and betrothed to King Erik.

Author Note

Hello Readers! I know this is the longest freaking chapter I've ever written! I'm proud. I know I've totally just sidetracked, but if you noticed I kept it on track, just the track goes to the past to see a side of Ava, well one of her past lives. It shows Erics relationship with Sonja, how caused Eric to cry like a baby. I hope this makes you feel more understanding towards poor Sonja, and we will see next week what Ava does considering the sitch Eric's put her in. Cross our fingers for the best! Review and Alert! Love yah!

P.S. The contest is open again, because the person who replied correctly seems not interested. So, once again, I'm awaiting the correct answer to the question "What type of supernatural is Ava?". If correct, I'll send a PM and ask for their character profile that they want to be added to my story. Hope to hear some replies. :-)