A/N: Finally, some answers about the behaviour of the fairies, and the apple. But is Niall telling them everything...? Does he ever?

I was a bundle of excitable nerves as I changed into the flattering, halter-neck dress that Pam had picked out for me. "Calm down, you're making me hungry," she griped.

I sat down in Eric's chair, and applied light makeup, my mirror propped up against his computer screen. "Sorry, I can't help it," I apologised.

She muttered something under her breath, but I knew it was just for show; actually, she'd been thrilled when Eric had told her we were getting married, and touched when I'd asked her to be on hand to help me get ready. She'd thrown herself into the whirlwind preparations like some possessed mother of the bride, not leaving even the tiniest of details to chance. She'd organised Eric to distraction (I'm not sure how or why he put up with it), insisting on every decision going through her first.

I have to admit, she was good at it – efficient and tasteful.

"Let me do your hair," she said suddenly.

"Sure." I handed her my brush, and let her play; I remembered what Eric had said about her telling him she'd wanted a sister to play with. Perhaps I was as close to that as she'd ever get.

Finally, she spun Eric's desk chair round to inspect her handiwork, and gave an approving nod. "Yes, he will like that," she said softly. She handed me my mirror, and I smiled; she'd left some of my hair loose, flowing over my shoulders, and the rest was done in the intricate braids I'd so admired.

There was a gentle knock on the door, and Indira's head popped in. "We're about ready to start." She smiled at me. "Sookie, you look stunning."

"Thanks," I smiled. "All Pam's doing."

Pam tried to look modest, and failed. "Ready?" She handed me the ritual knife, wrapped in velvet.

I nodded, and took a deep breath, before following Indira out of Eric's office and into the club to take my place beside Eric, Pam bringing up the rear. It was all I could do not to throw myself at him; he'd dressed up for the occasion, too, and though I generally preferred his normal, casual look (he could wear jeans like they were Armani), he looked damned fine in his tux, his dark red shirt matching my own dress.

Sophie-Anne gave me a regal smile, and I nodded to her in greeting. In many ways, I was pleased to see her; she scared me a little (well, okay, quite a lot), but she'd genuinely cared about my cousin Hadley, and she herself had been pretty decent to me once I'd got to know her. In a cautious way, I quite liked her.

The opening ceremony was much like any other – cutting of a ribbon, speeches, photographs for the media. Thankfully, there was extra security due to the Queen's presence, so it was by invitation only, and we had no trouble with the Fellowship to mar the evening. I was pleased to see my great-grandfather there; he gave me a gentle nod and a smile; I grinned back.

Finally, the time had come. Eric was sitting on his throne, with Sophie-Anne in the throne that would normally be Pam's. Indira rang a bell for silence, and Pam gave me a little shove forwards. "Now."

I took a deep breath, and walked slowly towards the stage with the velvet-wrapped knife held out in front of me; the crowds parted around me, not knowing what was happening. Pam followed behind me, to make sure I didn't get jostled and lose my footing or drop the knife.

I took the couple of steps up onto the stage, and went down on one knee in front of Eric, the wine-dark satin of my full skirt pooling around me like a lake of blood, presenting the bundle to him. "My lord."

He looked startled momentarily that I'd used the correct title and protocol, and shot a quick grin at Pam, realising she must have coached me. With reverence, he unwrapped the knife, and held it up for everyone to see, before kissing it. "My lady," he said gravely, using his free hand to help me rise to my feet. I heard the soft hiss of intaken breaths around the room, and glanced to Pam, who was now at my side.

"Explain later," she mouthed, her eyes wide. I realised that, whatever Eric had done, it was unusual.

I glanced at Sophie-Anne, who, to my surprise, had risen from her seat, a soft look on her face. "Congratulations, my dear," she said, and motioned me to take her place. "I hope you will both be very happy." She took my hand, kissed my cheek, and placed my hand in Eric's. She turned to the crowd. "You have witnessed tonight the marriage of Eric the Northman and Sookie Stackhouse. The Kingdom of Louisiana recognises their marriage under vampire law, and none shall break it." She motioned for a large leather-bound book to be brought forward; Pam took it to her, and held it as Sophie-Anne wrote in it. "This marriage is lawful and binding," she said finally. "Unusually, Eric has foregone the usual clause of binding for one hundred years, and binds himself to his wife for whatever years are allotted to them."

I turned my head to him, surprised; he hadn't discussed that with me. He leant forward, and just before kissing me, murmured, "I want no one but you. I will stay with you till the end, whenever or whatever it is." Well, if that wasn't a commitment, I'm not sure what would be.

There was an uproarious round of applause from the gathered crowds – I guess everyone likes a good party – and people started making their way forwards in ones and twos, or small groups, to give us their congratulations. After Sophie-Anne, who left soon afterwards to return to New Orleans, came Pam.

"Congratulations, my maker," she said softly. "I'm glad to see you so happy." She turned to me, and hugged me, startling me a little. "And to you, also, my friend."

"Thank you, for everything," I said. "What was that about earlier?" I added in a whisper.

"He acknowledged you as his equal, not his minion or pet. As far as I know, no vampire has done that before."

My eyes widened, and I remembered the words he'd spoken to me as an amnesiac. I will bring you to my side… All those who owe me fealty shall honour you. He'd only gone and made good on his promise. I turned to look at him again, as Pam went to see to more arrangements; his look was intense. My mouth went dry, and I squeezed his hand gently. He laced his fingers with mine, and squeezed back. "You are mine," he said softly. "And I am also yours." I swallowed down the lump in my throat, and turned back to greet our well-wishers.

Finally, the very last to come, was Niall. He was carrying another apple, and I could sense Eric's surprise as keenly as my own. "Congratulations, Viking," he said, in his ethereal way. "I am pleased with the choice of my kinswoman, Sookie, to take you as her mate. As she has pledged to you under vampire law, let her do so also under Fae tradition."

I was startled, to say the least. "I'm only part Fae," I whispered to him, but he just smiled.

"Your eternal spark has been fully charged," he said serenely. "And now that I am the unchallenged Prince of the Fae, I acknowledge you here tonight openly as my kinswoman, and one of the Fae." He presented the apple to us with a flourish. "Viking, before you cut the apple, prick Sookie's skin with the knife enough to draw blood, then your own, so that your blood mingles."

Eric took up the knife, and held it gently to a fingertip, piercing enough to release a single drop of blood. He licked my finger to heal it, then pricked his own finger. "Now the apple?"

"Yes," smiled Niall, a fond look on his face as Eric cut the apple in half. "Give half to Sookie. Sookie, feed Eric your half of the apple; Eric, feed Sookie yours." It was messy, to say the least, but as I licked the juice from Eric's fingers, and he sucked mine clean gently, I felt a sense of peace and completeness wash over me. "You are Fae-bound, now," he said softly. "It is our most sacred ritual, one rarely used. May your lives be happy along the centuries you have with each other."

Eric looked up at him with hope. "Centuries?"

Niall gave a winsome smile. "We have charged her eternal spark, my kin and I, since your eating of the last apple. Your blood was charged with its magic when you ate it, Viking, so each time she took it, it strengthened her more. The second apple has stabilised it, and her own spark; your blood will continue to keep her spark charged, just as her blood will keep you nourished and strong."

I gaped at him. "That was why Claudine kept coming by? And Claude?"

"Oh, yes," he smiled. "They have done well."

"I thought I was in some sort of danger," I said, with relief.

"Oh, you were," he said, as if surprised that he'd forgotten to mention it. "But Breandan and his henchmen have been defeated, so now you are safe." He bent and kissed my forehead with a fatherly air. "Congratulations to you both," he said, and promptly disappeared. As usual, I was left with more questions. Who the hell was Breandan, and what had been going on in the realm of the Fae, and why on earth had I been in danger? And recharging my eternal spark – what was all that about? We really had centuries together?

Eric looked as shocked as I was. "I think, my lover," he said softly, "we've been played."

"Mm. Looks like you're stuck with me," I replied, a little nervously.

He buried one hand in my hair, and kissed me over and over again. "I have never been so happy about anything in all my existence," he said with a smile.

If I was honest, neither had I.

A/N: No, this is not the end - it's the beginning of the end! There's a little more to find out about what Niall and Kin have been up to ;-)