Sookie POV
We stood to meet our fate.
"While this council's goal has always been the protection, cooperation and unification of all supernatural species; we only hoped a pair such as your selves would come to us. You are the culmination of our work. We honor you with the position of King and Queen of Louisiana. We wish you to rule side by side as equals. We hope a crown that represents more than vampire interests will make other races feel comfortable with your leadership and rule. If more unions were formed of blind love such as yours there would be little need of a council; all supernaturals could be confident their interests were a concern to their monarchs. Can you do this for us? Can you do this for all of supernatural kind? Can you be a model from which we can learn and copy?" The AP asked in all seriousness.
How does one respond to such a request? Tears fell silently from my eyes as I stepped from the carpet that held my nearest and dearest. Eric's confidence, pride, and resolve in the bond informed me how he felt. I looked to the council with grace and poise and spoke while my silent tears fell. "I am honored to have the trust and faith of this wise council. I never aspired to such a position but the moment your words reached my ears, hope resonated within my heart at the compassion and fairness I might be able to impart. I am overjoyed this is a 'couples' position because I do not think I could do this with out my other half at my side. We accept your graciousness and will endeavor to deserve the crowns you have bestowed." I bowed low to them as did my family, then I returned to Eric's side.
Merrick looked to us but her words were more for Eric and Pam. "Viking, I am proud of you. So many of our kind see emotion and attachment as weakness, they see cooperation as defeat, they see the other races as beneath them, and so few ever realize where one would be without the other. I have watched you for a long time and have always been pleased with your aplomb. I have never known you to be cruel for sport but your impartiality and firmness are honored by many. You will need these skills in the years ahead. You are not alone, though you are once again a pioneer for your kind; you have my blessing and the backing of this council. You have our full cooperation and influence at your disposal to ensure a smoother transition. An edict will be declared post haste as to you and your wife's new monarchy, our stance on your rule, and our low threshold for interference. You are leading us into a new era, take us somewhere great." I could feel how moved Eric was by her words. He bowed low to her as did the rest of us, and then thanked her.
Builrix the Only Other cleared his throat deeply and addressed me. I have been curious about him since arriving and learning his name and title. "A very long time ago it was realized that our numbers were depleting very rapidly as more of us met our demise in this realm. Our kind is tough as steel in many ways but so soft in others. Our rulers decided that we must return to our own realm. The few that remained in this realm all perished. Several years passed when our Queen looked upon this realm again. Her heart broke. This realm was so full of hatred, violence, and anger. She dreamt it was the others fault. The absence of our insight, compassion, tolerance, and love allowed the negative aspects of humanity to spread rampant. She wished us to try and reclaim the balance of this world, to sow the seeds of goodness and to spread compassion. She wished us to return here but our numbers looked hardly better than they had before we had left. In her infinite wisdom she decided that one of us would go forth and one would always be in this realm, their endeavors not complete until another Other arrives. She believed that one Other could make a vast difference; that one Other could balance all the wrong in this world. I have done many things with my time in this realm to carry forth her wishes, now it is time for you to carry them forth. My queen passed some years ago the last of our monarchy; I was told you would be the next Other to arrive. A single flame shines like a beacon in the dark, bringing hope to many. Never forget this, one Other is enough." He stood and bowed low to me. "My queen." His words were no sooner spoken and he disappeared in a flash of light.
The Ancient Pythoness did not have the decency to look saddened even and turned to me once again. "It seems we have an opening on the council as well. I'll see you the third Monday of every month. I'll have one of my handmaidens e-mail you the specifics." One of her handmaidens helped her from her chair and she left the room cackling like a mad woman. Hmpf, I don't think it is that funny!