OK folks, this is it. The final chapter. I hope you think it's been worth the wait.

First, some thanks.

Thanks to the fabulous Charlaine Harris who created and owns these wonderful characters. She is the Goddess of the Sookieverse, and I merely worship at her altar.

Thanks to Peter for his helpful suggestions when I'd stupidly written myself into a corner.

Thanks to you all for your interest, and for staying with me on this rollercoaster – it's been a hell of a journey for me as an author, I don't know about you as readers.

Thanks to all those of you who took the time and trouble to send a review. Your input is what kept me chained to the keyboard.

Also, thank you for your patience in waiting – this chapter has been a total b**** to write, trying to make sure all the loose ends are tied up. If I've missed anything or failed to answer your questions, please drop me a line and I will try and resolve any remaining queries.

That's it for the thanks; now a heartfelt plea.

Please, Please, PLEASE review. Review the chapter or the whole story or both, even if you've never done so before – tell me what you thought of my Eric or my Sookie, or the plot, or the style or the structure or the lemons or…whatever!

I really would appreciate it – it makes all the effort worthwhile, it improves my writing and if enough people like what I've done, it might encourage me to try a new story.

(incidentally, if anyone has any good ideas for a plot, drop me a PM ) :)

OK. 'Nuff said. Now read on…

Edward! The English vampire had made it, after all, but what did he mean? I gaped at him in astonishment, but my reaction was nothing compared to Victor's. He spun round at the sound of Edward's voice, his jaw dropping, his eyes staring in disbelief. Edward continued,

"You will kneel, child," and Victor's knees hit the floor as though someone had kicked his feet out from under him.

Child? Child? My mind reeled. Edward was Victor's maker? I couldn't believe it, but that was the only possible explanation for what I was seeing. And the more I looked at them, the more I could see it. No wonder I had unaccountably thought of Victor when I first met Lord Eskham! All Victor's attempts at gracious manners and elegant behaviour were an attempt to copy what came so naturally to his maker, but he could only achieve a pale imitation of the original. Edward walked forward now, the focus of all eyes. He was dressed as a Roman emperor, in a white tunic and purple toga, and with a gold laurel-wreath on his dark hair. He ignored his kneeling child, and bowed to the king.

"Your majesty, please forgive my tardy arrival this evening, but my flight was unavoidably delayed. I had heard from the Northman here about my erring child's activities, and I came to Nevada to see for myself, and now that I am here, I find that it is even worse than I had feared. Victor's greed and ambition appear to have grown quite out of control. With your permission, I shall deal with him immediately." He bowed again, and Felipe had no option but to incline his head in gracious assent. Although Lord Eskham had requested permission, it was only a courtesy. No-one could deny a maker the right to discipline his child. When Ocella had turned up in Shreveport, Eric had explained to me that vampires belonged entirely to the one who turned them, and that no-one could interfere between them – not even the king. Edward could torture or kill Victor, and no-one would say a word.

Edward finally turned and looked down at Victor who lowered his eyes to the floor and licked his lips nervously.

"Master…I…" his voice tailed away in the face of Edward's stern silence. Finally Edward spoke, but it was to me.

"Madam, I cannot tell you how deeply ashamed I am that any child of mine should sink so low as to raise his hand to a woman. I beg you to believe that he did not learn such behaviour from me. It is apparent that he has forgotten everything I taught him, and I shall have to consider his re-education very carefully. But first, he will apologise to you. Will you not, Victor?" This wasn't really a question.

Madden looked at his maker, and then at me, but he couldn't resist the compulsion to obey. "Yes, master," he said, and began to rise to his feet.

"You will beg the lady's forgiveness on your knees, Victor." Eskham's voice was gentle, but Victor sank back to his knees immediately. He looked at me again, and nearly choked with the effort but he started to mutter something.

"I cannot hear you, Victor." Again the quiet voice prodded him, and he cleared his throat and continued in a louder voice.

"Madam, I…I deeply regret that I so forgot myself as to strike you, and I beg that you will forgive me for my…ungentlemanly behaviour. I swear to you that it will not happen again." There was a suggestion of gritted teeth about it, but I nodded graciously; I was still a lady, whatever he was.

Lord Eskham bowed to me and said, "I thank you, my dear Mrs Northman, for forgiving him. It is more than he deserves, but you are as generous as you are brave and beautiful. And now, my child," turning back to Victor, "You will tell the truth regarding the fabrication of evidence against Mr Northman. You will tell all of us, and you will do so now." The last word was like the crack of a whip, and Victor jumped. Immediately, he said, "I faked all the evidence against Eric Northman. I glamoured the witnesses and later had them killed." He stopped, but Edward was not stupid. He looked at Felipe, whose face was a frozen mask, while his hands gripped the arms of his throne, his fangs fully extended. He knew he was trapped, but he could not stop what was happening. It was too public. All he could do was wait for the words, and here they came.

"And did you do this on your own authority?"

"No, master. The king commanded it." The words were torn from him, but were clearly audible, and there was a shocked murmur from the crowd.

"Why did his majesty do this?"

"He wished to acquire the telepath and Northman was in the way." Victor's eyes were closed in mental agony as he tried to withstand his maker's influence, but he was completely powerless. He saw his career and future prosperity (and possibly his life) going out the window and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Thank you, Victor. Go and wait for me over by the wall. You will not speak without permission." Victor rose to his feet, bowed shakily to the king, not daring to meet his eyes, bowed deeply to his maker, and made his way slowly in the direction Edward had indicated. The guests moved back, making a lane for him to pass through, until he was standing with his back to the wall, eyes closed, not daring to move.

Attention then shifted from him back to the king. Mr Cataliades stepped forward and said simply, "it seems that there are grounds for Mr Northman's challenge, your majesty."

The king was silent for a few minutes, and then said, " Bring me the statute book. I wish to see this law for myself." Mr C bowed and left the room, and the king gestured to his guards to release Eric, who had been pinned to the ground by three vampires during this entire scene. They stepped back and he rose to his feet, dusting his knees as he did so. Then he looked across at me, and I ran to him and he folded me in his embrace, looking down at me with that dear smile that I so loved to see. His clothes now fit him perfectly, and boy, he looked good enough to eat. I'd never seen him dressed as a Viking before but I just loved it. It was so him!

"Are you sure you're alright, min älskade?" he murmured, running the back of his hand across my cheek where Victor had hit me.

"I'm fine, baby; how's your head?" I stroked his hair, feeling the dampness where his blood had matted at the back of his skull, but there was no trace of an injury.

"It is of no consequence. It will not hamper me at all in the challenge." His eyes glowed and his fangs extended slightly. Eric loved a fight, and I could tell he was really psyched up for this one.

"Are you sure you don't want to feed, even a little bit? You know my blood might help," I whispered.

"That is an offer I would never refuse, Sookie," he said, and he brought my hand to his lips, kissing my fingers and then planting a kiss in the palm before gently placing his fangs on my wrist. I barely felt it as they pierced, and he drank briefly, his blue eyes all the while on mine. When he had finished, he slowly licked my wrist, but the marks were already healing thanks to the blood that I'd had from him only a few minutes before.

He kissed my fingers again, then he looked up as Mr C came back into the ballroom carrying a leather-bound volume. Eric drew me back away from the king, to the side of the room, and stood with his arm protectively around me. I put my arm around his waist, holding on as tightly as I could. I wasn't going to leave him for a second, if I didn't have to.

The lawyer handed the book to the king and pointed out the relevant passage to him. The king studied it for a few minutes, and quietly asked one or two questions of the lawyer and Sandy, his lieutenant. Mr C hesitated and then answered him equally quietly and the three of them had a brief discussion. Although I strained to hear, I couldn't make out what he was saying, and from the look on Eric's face, he couldn't either.

At last the king nodded and handed the book back to Mr Cataliades, who bowed and descended the steps. Felipe then stood up, and said,

"It seems I have no choice but to accept the challenge issued by Eric Northman, former Sheriff of Area Five. There will be a combat. But…" he held up his hand for silence as an excited murmur ran round the assembled guests. "I claim my right to name a champion or champions to fight for me."

Eric tensed, and looked over at the lawyer, who looked regretful, but said, "In such a case both parties may appoint others to fight on their behalf, if they so wish. The provision was historically intended to ensure that weaker vampires still had an opportunity for redress, by nominating other, stronger vampires as their champions. Mr Northman, I must ask you formally, do you wish to name a champion or champions to fight on your behalf?"

Eric's chin went up. "No. I have no need of a champion."

Mr C turned to Felipe. "Your majesty, do you wish to name a champion or champions to fight on your behalf?"

The king sat back on his throne, a wolfish smile on his face.

"Yes. I name…my bodyguard."

"Which one, your majesty?"

"All of them."

Wwwhhhaaattt? All twelve? Surely he couldn't do that!

Startled, Eric looked across at the lawyer, who appeared equally surprised, and rapidly turned up the law again in his book. He studied it for some minutes, before saying,

"It would appear his majesty has chosen an unusual but valid interpretation of the law. The spirit of the law would be for numbers to be equal on both sides, each champion to come forward in turn, but there is no clause expressly forbidding many champions to engage one opponent simultaneously. I am sorry, Mr Northman, but he is within the letter of the law."

The cunning s-o-b. I looked at the lawyer reproachfully. "Mr Cataliades, I thought you were on our side."

At that he drew himself up. "No, Mrs Northman; I am on the side of the law. The king is within his rights and, while I may not approve his conduct, I am sworn to interpret and apply the law impartially. Mr Northman has formally waived his right to a champion, and so he must either fight the king's champions or withdraw the challenge. There is nothing more I can do." He closed the book and stepped back.

I looked at Eric, as he gazed stony-faced at Felipe who was smiling sardonically.

"Eric…" I whispered, desperately.

He didn't look at me.

"I will fight," he said.

"Eric! !" this time it was more of a wail than a whisper and now he looked down at me. His eyes were glowing and his fangs were extended and he seized me to him, bending me backwards as though we were still dancing, and ravished my lips with a Viking's kiss. Oh, wow! Mr Testosterone or what? ! ? I felt giddy, and staggered slightly as he returned me to the vertical, and he steadied me, and smiled. But this was not a tender, loving smile. This was the smile he wore in battle. I'd seen it before, and it was bad news for someone.

"Don't worry, min lilla fru. I can do this." Then he turned away from me, bowed his head to the king and walked to the middle of the floor, where he removed his tunic and long leather boots, tossing them to one side. Everyone in the room moved back as far as they possibly could, leaving the floor clear, and Eric stood there, alone, his arms folded across his broad chest, waiting. Oh man, he was gorgeous! Now he was wearing nothing but black pants, you could see every muscle on his sculpted torso. He just should not be allowed to walk around without a shirt on; he was a danger to traffic. I wanted to hurl myself across the room and rub myself against him, but instead I crossed the floor to the dais, to stand near Felipe's throne. If anything went wrong, I had my own plans.

Eric watched me go and nodded in approval. He obviously didn't want me anywhere near the combat zone. The king gestured, and the six bodyguards who had been standing motionless behind the throne all this time filed down the stairs onto the ballroom floor, and they were joined by the three who had held Eric and the other three who had been scoping the room throughout the evening. They formed a circle around Eric, and for the first time I realised that they were going to use their swords! I thought this was hand-to-hand stuff!

"But that's not fair! Eric doesn't even have a weapon!" All eyes turned to me as I spoke, and Mr Cataliades said, "the rules of combat state that anything in the room at the time of the challenge may be used as a weapon. Mr Northman has not yet chosen whatever he wishes to use."

I looked over at Eric, who looked at me with an unreadable expression. "Eric?" I couldn't believe he wasn't going to grab something, anything! "There's Victor's cane over there. Why not take that?"

He shook his head. "Trust me, Sookie. I have no need a weapon."

Dammit, and he called me stubborn! He was going to die because of his stupid vampire pride!

The twelve vampires brought their swords to the attack position, and Eric was surrounded by a ring of steel. They were all going to attack him at once! I could hardly bear to watch, but my eyes were glued to the spectacle in horror.

Felipe leaned forward and said one word;

"kill."

The twelve vampires instantly surged forward, but Eric launched himself upwards into flight at blinding speed, somersaulted in the air and landed behind one of his attackers. He broke the man's neck with a quick twist, snatched the sword from the suddenly limp grasp and took the head off with one blow, catching the neck of the man next to him on the backswing before his first victim's corpse had even hit the floor. From then on, it was like watching a dance; a dance of death. I'd seen Eric practise with his swords, and it had been beautiful to see him as he moved; I had been amazed at how a guy as big as he was could be so graceful and light on his feet, but that had been practice. This was the real thing, and Eric was a blur of fluid speed and strength, his sword catching the light as it swung in graceful, deadly curves, blood fountaining in its wake. He spun and twisted, ducked and leaped; the air was full of screams, war-cries and the hiss of steel, plus more sickening sounds as his sword found its targets one by one, but Eric was completely silent, focussed. His face was almost serene, his eyes sky-filled, his mouth smiling. He was doing what he was born to do, and in less than five minutes there was only one guard left, standing still with his sword at the ready, shaking, knowing that blond, blue-eyed death was stalking him.

Eric showed his fangs as he moved towards his last enemy with feral grace. The young vampire tried very hard. He parried Eric's first thrust, and then gaining a little in confidence initiated an attack of his own. He forced the Viking back one pace and grinned, but Eric had only taken the step back in order to pick up another sword, and then he advanced again, moving both of them hypnotically in front of him in a shining blur of steel. The guard stepped back a pace, drew desperate courage from somewhere and letting out a loud cry hurled himself at Eric, his sword raised. Eric's swords moved at blinding speed and in a double-handed arc he sliced through the young man's neck the body continuing in its forward motion for half a step before it fell, as though it hadn't realised what had happened, the head bouncing towards the crowd like some hideous football. The guests shrank back as it came to rest under one of the tables, and Eric turned towards us, an expression of calm triumph on his face. He was surrounded by rapidly decomposing bodies, he was streaked with blood from head to foot and his arms were reddened to the elbows. His nostrils flared at the scent and he began to advance on the king, but suddenly Felipe was on his feet, behind me, holding both my arms through the borrowed cloak in a grip of steel. Oh shit, I couldn't reach my purse! He was holding me too tightly!

"Surrender, Northman, or I will snap her in half." I struggled and he shook me viciously, saying, "I mean it. Drop the swords or she dies." He was standing behind me so that Eric would have to come through me to get to him.

Eric looked at me, and I shook my head silently. He paused for a long moment, and then opened his hands, allowing the blades to fall to the floor.

Felipe sneered, "I was wrong my dear. Apparently there are vampires stupid enough to voluntarily sacrifice themselves for the sake of another. I thought only humans were weak enough to do that." His voice sharpened. "Now surrender."

"Eric, don't," I whispered, but he was no longer looking at me. He was looking straight at Felipe. I looked round, desperately. The courtiers and Sandy were all staring at the king, in shock. I don't think they could believe that he was so doing this so publicly. I was pretty damn sure they were used to him intriguing and plotting behind the scenes, but to show his hand so openly I think he must have been desperate. I guess seeing your entire bodyguard wiped out would do that.

Mr Cataliades spoke up. "Your majesty, I must protest. Mr Northman has defeated your champions and…"

"But he has not defeated me!" Felipe snarled. "Any weapons in the room are acceptable in the combat, yes?"

"That is correct," the lawyer conceded.

"Well, this is my weapon of choice!" He shook me again, his grip tightening painfully. I was going to have some incredible bruises in the morning. If I survived till morning.

Eric came to a decision. "Release her and I will submit," he said.

Felipe laughed shortly. "Don't think me as big a fool as yourself, Northman. You will submit before I release her."

Eric hesitated for a moment and then stepped over the decaying bodies and walked slowly, wearily to the foot of the dais, where he dropped to his knees and bowed his golden head. I couldn't believe he was going to do this for me, but he was.

Felipe released me and seated himself again. He looked down at Eric. "It's over, Northman," he said. Then he called to the Were guards, "Chain him, and then take him to the Custody Suite." The Were head of security sent two of his men quickly from the room to pick up a set of vampire-proof chains. Felipe stared round the room, defying anyone to raise an objection. He spoke again, his words holding a world of threat. "I think I shall create a new Level Nine programme, specially for those who challenge their king." A shudder passed through Eric at these words, but he did not raise his head. Felipe knew that his announcement would send a very clear message to the assembled sheriffs; any attempt to oppose his authority, no matter how justified, would be punished mercilessly. Eric's fate would be a hideous example for them all. Through the bond I felt his despair as he anticipated the agony awaiting him, and I couldn't stand it any longer. I couldn't let him go back there. I had to do something, and this was my last chance, before the guards came back and he was chained with silver. I decided to risk everything on one last throw of the dice. If it didn't work, we were no worse off.

"Your majesty, please may I say goodbye to him? Please?"

"I think not, my dear."

I took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eyes. "Sire, you said you preferred willing bed-mates. If you give me just two minutes with Eric, I swear will do anything you want, willingly. Absolutely anything."

"Sookie, no!" Eric's voice was full of anguish as he heard my words, but I didn't look at him. I was focussed on Felipe. He was considering my offer. I was hoping he would decide that a co-operative lover was certainly more enjoyable than one who fought you tooth and nail (unless you were a pervert like Victor, of course). Then he decided.

"Two minutes, then, but he may not touch you."

"Pardon me?" I had no idea what he meant.

"You are no longer his. You are mine, and I will not have my pets handled by another. If he touches you, you will suffer for it." He smiled cruelly and I stared at him, looking for some hint of compassion in his eyes. I should have known better, and my own eyes filled with tears. Then I pulled myself together.

"The clock is ticking, my dear," he reminded me, and I quickly opened my purse and got my handkerchief out, mopping my eyes. I descended the steps to where Eric knelt.

"Sookie, don't do this!" The pain in his eyes cut me to the heart, but I was determined.

"Trust me, Eric." I put all the significance I could into those words. Then I said, "There's blood on your face, honey. Here, use this." And I gave him my handkerchief, damp with my tears. He looked at me in puzzlement, and my eyelid flickered just a fraction. I was sending reassurance through the bond as hard as I could, and he glanced down at the lacy scrap of fabric in his hand before looking back up at me. Something flared in his eyes just for a second and then he slowly raised the handkerchief and passed it across his face before crumpling it up in his large hand. Then I took his face in my hands and kissed him for all I was worth. This was not Eric touching me, this was me touching Eric. Felipe hadn't said anything about that. Eric raised his hands as though to put his arms around me, but remembered Felipe's words and they dropped back to his sides. While my lips were on his, I breathed a short sentence into his mouth, knowing he would hear it. We had communicated like this once before, in Bon Temps, when I had needed to tell him something I didn't want anyone else to hear.

Then Felipe said, "Your two minutes are up, my dear," and I pulled away. There was no point prolonging this. We had to make our move before the Weres came back. Once he was chained, we were done for. I said, "We have to say goodbye, baby and this is our only chance." Again, I loaded the words with meaning, gazing into his eyes, and he nodded his understanding. I stepped back and went back up the steps to where Felipe had resumed his throne. This time, I stood well to the side.

Eric clasped his hands in front of him, and I saw him shift his bare feet slightly. He was seeking a good grip for his toes. He was ready. I turned to the king, and said,

"Excuse me, your majesty, I have a question."

"What is it, my dear?" Felipe turned his head to look at me and in that instant there was a blur of speed and motion as Eric hurled himself forward up the steps, his right hand connecting with Felipe's bare chest, his left hand on the kings shoulder, yanking him forward as hard as he could, holding him in place for a second, and then releasing him.

Felipe let out a bellow of agony, before looking down in utter astonishment at his ribcage. There was a wound immediately over the heart, but there was nothing visible protruding from it. That didn't surprise me. The obnoxious human guard who'd frisked me earlier this evening had been quite right; four inches in the right place was enough. And a wooden popsicle stick that had been carefully sharpened using the nail-file from the manicure kit in the ladies' room was just over four inches long. I had passed it to Eric wrapped in my handkerchief; as a warrior he knew exactly where to place it so it slid between the ribs, and with the full force of his arm behind it, it had disappeared right into Felipe's chest cavity, reaching and piercing his black heart. Felipe lifted his head, staring at Eric. "How…?" he managed to say and then as we watched, blood started to pour out of his mouth, and his eyes dulled, before his face kind of caved in and his body collapsed sideways, falling from the black and gold throne. Eric thrust it to the side with his foot, so that it slid down the steps and lay there turning into goo. Then he drew himself to his full height, mounted the steps and, standing in front of the throne, raised his bloodstained arms to the ceiling, put his head back and let out a great war-cry of triumph that echoed round the room and was probably heard in Vegas.

Then he lowered his arms and looked slowly round the room, waiting to see if anyone would say or do anything. Not a muscle moved. Not a breath stirred. Power and authority just poured off him. In a ringing voice he said,

"Hear me! I am Eric Northman, and I claim this throne by right of arms! Are there any here who would challenge me?" Not surprisingly, the silence was unbroken. Then he said, "I hereby assume the kingship of Louisiana. I have no interest in the kingdoms of Nevada and Arkansas. You may divide them as you wish." There was a faint murmur from the guests, and I had to admire my honey's statecraft. He knew he could not hold three kingdoms together right now, and he also knew that the power-struggle he'd just ignited amongst the vamps of Nevada and Arkansas would keep them off his back for decades while he consolidated his position in Louisiana and learned his new job. By the time a viable king or queen had emerged, he would have restored his own kingdom to full strength and would be able to fight off any potential takeovers in the future. Unless he decided he wanted the two other kingdoms back, of course, in which case I'd put money on him getting them.

Then, he turned to the shocked chamberlains, whose duty had kept them on the dais all evening in case the king needed anything. "You." He pointed to one of them, who started shaking uncontrollably at being singled out. "Fetch me water. And then fetch my cloak and boots."

"Yes, your…your majesty," said the unfortunate vampire and at vampire speed he brought Eric two crystal water-jugs from the tables and then went back for the boots and the huge wolfskin cloak, which he'd discarded before dancing with me as Martin. Everyone watched in complete silence as Eric poured the water over his chest, arms and hands, and tore down the black and gold banner that had hung over Felipe's throne to dry himself off. Then he pulled his boots on and carefully spread his own cloak over the throne. While he was doing that, I removed my cloak and dropped it over what had been Felipe (I'm not sure the real owner was gonna want it back now, come to think of it). Then I bent and picked up the Celtic gold and amber circlet which had fallen from Felipe's head as he died and which had landed on one of the steps. Eric then seated himself on the wolf-skin draped throne and I moved to stand in front of him on the bottom step. I curtseyed low (a real beauty - I was so glad I'd learned how to do this properly; there were a lot of folks watching) and held up the circlet to him in both hands. He took it from me, and slowly and solemnly set it on his golden hair, where it gleamed richly. He looked every inch a king, and my heart swelled with pride as I resumed my place next to his throne.

He looked round the room again, and said, "Louisiana vampires who wish to live, will offer me fealty." No question of a year to make up your mind when there was a new king; it was swear loyalty or die. Eric had learned that lesson in Felipe's takeover of Louisiana over a year ago. There was a blur of movement, and Pam was kneeling at his feet, first in line as you'd expect. She bowed her head. "Master," she said. Eric leaned forward and extended his right hand to her. She took it in hers, kissed it and raised it to her forehead. Holding it there she said in a clear voice, "I, Pamela Ravenscroft, hereby pledge loyalty and obedience to you as my king, until final death." Then she kissed his hand once more and released it. Eric smiled, and said, "I accept your pledge and accept you as my subject. Know that I will repay obedience with favour, loyalty with good and fair governance and oath-breaking with vengeance. And as my first act of kingship, and in thanks for your assistance, I hereby appoint you the new Sheriff of Area Five." Pam looked up in pleased astonishment, and bowed her head again in thanks before moving to one side to allow Bill to kneel and offer his pledge. Eric thanked Bill too for his help, and it turned out that Bill had been more use than I had thought; He hadn't just helped with the encrypted documents, he'd also been responsible for tracing Victor's maker through his database, at Eric's request. I'd always thought Bill's little project was more of a gimmick than anything, but I guess I was wrong about that!

By now, quite a line of Louisiana vamps and other well-wishers had formed in front of the dais, and Eric received all their pledges and congratulations, while down on the dance-floor teams from Domestic Services had been summoned to clear away the remains of the late king and his bodyguards. They'd almost completely disintegrated by now, so it didn't take too long. There were crowds of people in the doorways, as word had spread of what had happened, and people from all over the complex were coming to see the new king, jostling each other in their efforts to get a good look.

At last, the line ended and Eric beckoned to someone in the crowd, "Cummings, bring me the box I gave you earlier." To my surprise, Matt Cummings stepped forward from his place by the wall. He was carrying a beautiful jewelled casket and he brought it to the bottom of the steps, before bowing and handing it to Eric. He bowed again and was about to back away, when Eric stopped him.

"I have to thank you for your assistance to Sookie in Mexico, Cummings. You have proved brave and faithful. Would you be willing to become my new head of security in Louisiana? I need a man I can trust." Matt stared in surprise, and said, "I don't know your majesty, uh, my wife…"

Eric nodded. "Naturally, you will need to consult with her before making such a decision. Take your time and let me know when you have decided. Your family will, of course, be welcome." He dismissed Matt and then, at last, he turned to me. I had stayed quiet and in the background while he was doing important vamp stuff, but I had started to wonder when he was going to acknowledge me. It had been a hell of an evening, and I was beginning to feel the need of a chair.

Eric took my hand, and led me to stand at the top of the steps, speaking to everyone there. "I stand before you as king of Louisiana, and I acknowledge that I could not have done this without a great many people's help," he said. "Some I have thanked, and some I have yet to thank, but this human woman deserves far more than my thanks. She has proven herself loyal, courageous, resourceful and selfless. She has endured hardship, fear, loneliness, grief and great pain. She has sacrificed herself and risked her life over and over again for the sake of the great love she bears me. Is there anyone here who believes she is not worthy to be my Queen?" No-one said a word. I couldn't speak.

He turned to me, and said, "My dearest, more than a year ago, I tricked you into pledging yourself to me with a ceremonial knife. I did it for your protection, but I here acknowledge that I was wrong to trick you, and I ask your pardon for it. I should have told you what I intended to do. My deception led to misunderstandings between us, which I bitterly regret, and it took many months and the threat of separation before you could bring yourself to fully acknowledge our relationship." I started to protest, but he continued, "this was my fault, not yours, and it is my heart's desire to put that right." Here he opened the box, and unfolded the black velvet that was inside. He drew out the ceremonial jewelled knife that I had last seen on that night in his office in Fangtasia, when he had tricked me. Giving it to Matt must have been the only way to get it through the weapons ban.

Setting the box aside, he went down on one knee. My eyes opened wide in astonishment. This was Eric Northman, kneeling to a human! In public! "Sookie," he said, his vivid blue eyes intent on mine, his face completely serious. "many people have pledged their loyalty to me this evening. Now it is my turn to pledge my loyalty, my love and my life to you. If you will do me the honour of accepting them, I swear you will never have cause to regret it." And he bowed his golden head, offering the knife to me in both hands, waiting for me to take it, which would be the sign of a formal pledge. I could feel his love and sincerity pouring through the bond, and just a hint of anxiety. He wasn't a hundred per cent sure of my response, but he needn't have worried. I reached out and took the knife and slowly raised it to my lips, kissing the blade before giving it back to him. We were pledged again. We were one again. I watched the smile grow on his face and it was like watching the sun rise. He carefully placed the knife back in its box before rising to his full magnificent height, and then the bond exploded with love and joy and I was in his arms and my arms were round his neck and he lifted me clean off the floor and his mouth was on mine. He was my Eric and I was his Sookie and we were together and we would never be separated again.

Our kiss seemed to go on for ever, as we were lost in each other, and it was only very gradually that I became aware of a rising sound. It got louder and louder and at last I identified it. It was the sound of clapping and cheering. Vampires clapping and cheering! That was just so weird - it wasn't something vampires did, but I guess the human guests started it and the vamps just got carried away. At last Eric pulled away, and I could see a distinct glow in his eyes. I got the feeling he wasn't going to prolong the business of the evening much further.

He put me down and released me, before saying, "bring a chair for the Queen." He turned back to me and said, "we will have a suitable throne brought in for you tomorrow, my love."

"Eric, that is really not necessary," I hissed. You can really hiss the word necessary – lots of esses. He got that stubborn look.

"You are my Queen. You will be seated at my side, and my subjects will offer you their fealty as they offered it to me." I looked at him and I could tell I was not going to win this one. And besides, I wasn't about to make him look bad in front of his subjects – not on his first night as king.

"Yes, your majesty," I said, and he cocked an eyebrow at me suspiciously. He didn't trust me when I was docile. "Seriously, Eric. If you think it's necessary, then I'll go along with it. My Gran always said that a little give and take is a good thing in any relationship, as long as it's not all giving on one side and all taking on the other."

He smiled. "Your Grandmother was a very wise woman. I wish I could have met her."

"She would have loved you."

"Really?" he was surprised.

"Yup – she was real big on anything historical or antique."

"Sookie, are you calling me an antique?" His lips quirked up in a lop-sided smile, but just then the chamberlains arrived with my chair, which they set next to his throne, and that distracted him. We both sat down ( I was never more glad to do so) and he moved on to the next item of business.

I had noticed the Were guards who had been sent to fetch the chains arriving back some little time ago. They hadn't expected a change of government while they were out of the room, and when they saw Eric on the throne, receiving fealty, they had looked at each other, discreetly disposed of the chains and slid unobtrusively into their places along the wall, hoping the new king wouldn't notice them. Some hope. He now looked over at them, and beckoned. They came forward, very slowly.

"Where are the chains you were sent to fetch?" said Eric. His voice had lost all trace of humour.

"Uh, just outside the door, sire," said one of them.

"Bring them."

He waited in silence while they did so.

"Now, bring me Madden."

Ah. This was not going to be pretty.

They took his meaning at once, hurried over to where Victor was still standing against the wall, and locked the leather-covered silver around his wrists and ankles. He was almost ready to faint as it was, and they had to put their hands under his arms and half-carry him to where Eric awaited him, frowningly.

When they released him, he fell to his knees, not daring to look up. Eric looked around until he saw the person he was seeking.

"Lord Eskham." He beckoned to the English vampire, who stepped forward and bowed courteously.

"It is a pleasure to meet you in the flesh at last, Eskham, and I must thank you for your assistance earlier this evening." said Eric.

Edward smiled. "The pleasure is mine, your majesty, and may I be the first vampire from the English kingdoms to congratulate both your majesties on your accession."

Wow – majesties. That meant me! That was gonna take some getting used to for an all-American girl.

Eric said, "the Queen has told me of your recent injuries, and I am glad to see you fully recovered from them."

"I trust the Queen also told you that it is thanks to her bravery that I was able to be here to help you this evening. I am also delighted to observe that she is now healed in full." He smiled at me and I blushed.

"It was nothing, really. I just happened to be there."

"A great many other people were also there, your majesty, but you were the only one prepared to risk her life for another, and again I thank you. Please be assured that you may command me, or my services, at any time."

Thinking back to the night I'd first met him, something occurred to me. If he had come to Nevada to deal with Victor, why hadn't he done it then, when I'd met him and he'd told me he'd been staying with Bill? Well, only one way to find out, so I asked him straight out. Edward looked a little startled at my direct approach, and Eric smiled behind his hand; He would have gone about getting the same information in a very different way, I guess, but if he'd wanted subtle, he shouldn't have married me. I don't do subtle. Anyway, it worked, so what's the problem?

Edward said, "I am in America on business for my own king, your majesty, and his affairs had to take precedence over mine. It was while I was in Peru that his majesty (indicating Eric) contacted me through Mr Compton, and gave me some very disturbing information about Victor. I took the opportunity to stop off in Louisiana and Nevada, and found the situation to be as the king had described it, but I could not stay long enough to deal with it. However, as soon as I had completed my king's commissions, and was at liberty to do so, I hurried back. I am just grateful that I arrived in time."

He turned back to Eric, "And now, may I ask how your majesty proposes to deal with my child?"

Eric considered, while Victor shook with terror. The next few seconds would seal his fate and he knew it. At last Eric spoke. "His offences against me and mine are many, and grave, but he is your child, to do with as you choose. I will leave his fate to you."

Lord Eskham bowed again. "He is, as you say, mine to do with as I choose. And I choose…to give him to you. He is yours." Vampire makers had the right to pass their children on to other people if they wished, and Edward's words meant that Eric was now regarded as Victor's maker, with everything that implied.

"NO!" This was a cry from Victor, as he realised what Edward had just done. He threw himself at Edward's feet, clutching at his shoes, "Please master, no, don't give me to him, please, I'll do anything, I'll come back to England with you, anything, please master, please don't…" his voice trailed off into sobs. I looked away. He really was pathetic.

"Victor, I wish I could believe you, but I am not sure that there is anything I can do to correct your behaviour. I suspect my ideas are too old-fashioned." I wondered just how old Edward was. It was impossible to tell. "However, his majesty may have more success than I – he is a vampire of great experience and…imagination, and I am sure he will be able to devise some fitting and effective means of discipline. You are his. Goodbye, Victor." He bowed again to Eric and then me, and withdrew, leaving Victor kneeling in terror before his new master.

Eric leaned forward, his fangs extended, his eyes burning.

"Do you have anything to say, Madden?" his voice was cold.

"I was only obeying orders – Felipe made me do it…" it wasn't much of a defence, but I guess he didn't have a better one. It didn't wash with Eric.

"Only obeying orders…Hmmm. I seem to remember hearing that phrase somewhere before," mused Eric. "Now where was it…? Oh yes, the Nuremberg trials. As I recall, it was not considered an adequate defence then, and it certainly isn't an adequate defence now. No, I have just the thing for you, Madden. I believe the late unlamented king was planning an entirely new level of 'rehabilitation' in the Custody Suite – level nine, I think he said. You shall have the honour of being the first to experience it, and as you said to me, I shall spend many happy hours on the catwalk above, observing your education. Now, get him out of my sight. Cell Eighteen." The Were guards hauled Victor to his feet and hustled him out of the room. We could hear his terrified sobbing getting fainter and fainter until at last everything was silent again, and Eric sat back, satisfied.

"I believe that concludes all business for the evening," he announced. "Ladies, and gentlemen, please continue to enjoy yourselves, but her majesty and I are going to retire. It has been a long night, and we need some time to ourselves." He gestured to the orchestra to start playing again, and then he stood up, and all the vamps in the room knelt to him. He looked pleased. I think he quite enjoyed all this ceremony. He turned to me, and held out his hand. I placed mine in his and he led me from the dais and out through the doors, waiting until they were closed behind us before picking me up and hugging me.

"And now, min älskade, we have some unfinished business of our own. Where are your rooms?"

I pointed. "Down that way. But Eric…"

He was carrying me in the direction I had indicated. "Yes, my heart?"

"We have to go outside first."

"Outside? Why?"

"We have to go and thank Niall. He said he'd be waiting for us in the garden."

"In the garden? How can he…?"

"It's not really him, it's a, a projection, I think he called it. He saw me there earlier this evening and gave me the idea for the popsicle stick."

"I see." He was thoughtful. "Then I suppose we do owe him our thanks. What is the quickest way to the garden from here?"

"Put me down and I'll show you." He simply tightened his grip.

"If you think I am letting you out of my arms for one second for the rest of the night, you are very much mistaken. Just tell me the way."

"Eric, put me down, this is not dignified. You're the king; You can't be seen carrying the queen around the residence like a…like a…" I couldn't think of a comparison, so I just repeated, "put me down, Eric!" I wriggled to get free, but I might just as well have saved my strength.

"Mmmm. Keep wriggling, Sookie, that feels wonderful."

"Ohhh, you…you bad vampire, you!" He grinned and I gave up and pointed out the quickest route to the elevators which avoided the ballroom. He chose the stairs instead, using my keycard to open the security gates that normally locked them shut, and going up all five flights at vampire speed, through the foyer and out into the grounds, where he finally stopped, but still wouldn't put me down.

We both looked up at the stars for a few minutes and then at each other, and shared a kiss, before he carried me to my favourite spot by the pool. He did agree to put me down when we got there, but insisted on holding onto my hand. It felt like he didn't want to let me out of his sight, and I knew exactly how he felt. It was hard to believe it was all over and that we were together again. Somehow, the physical contact was reassuring to both of us.

We stood on the grass by the pool, and then I felt pretty stupid, because I didn't know what to do next. How do you summon a fairy prince?

"Well," said Eric, "where is he?"

"I don't know, he said he'd be here." I looked into the water, but nothing moved, and I shrugged. Then I felt Eric's big hands on my shoulders and he turned me round to face him. His voice was husky and he was smiling as I looked up into his face, which was glowing faintly, as all vamps do in the dark.

"Well, I do not intend to waste time while we are waiting for him to show up. I have much better things to do." And he drew me to him and lowered his head until his lips met mine softly.

Oh boy. Mmmmm.

"I see you took my advice, Sookie."

Oh, shoot. Niall. I drew back from Eric and he looked a little surprised, and then I realised he hadn't heard the voice – it was in my head. I answered out loud as I turned around. Eric released me from his embrace, but he still wouldn't let go my hand as we moved to the edge of the water.

"Niall, can you speak so Eric can hear you, please?"

"Of course, my child." His image was clearly visible in the water again as he nodded to Eric in greeting. "Eric." Eric nodded back.

"Niall." This was a change. They'd always been very distant in the past, using surnames only, or more often "fairy" and "vampire". I guess it reflected my honey's new status as king. I was pleased about that, but I wondered for a second how Niall had picked up on it, and then I realised; the diadem. Eric was still wearing it.

"Grandfather, we came to thank you. Your plan worked; Felipe's dead and Eric's the new king of Louisiana."

"I trust he intends to make you his Queen?" It was difficult to tell with a reflection that kept shifting, but it seemed to me that Niall's gaze became more piercing as he looked at Eric.

"I have already done so." Eric squeezed my hand gently.

"I am glad to hear it. See that you treat her as she deserves, or I will require a reckoning."

Eric's head went up. His pride had been offended.

"I do not need you to tell me how to care for Sookie," he said.

"And yet it was not you who cared for her when she was so badly burned."

Eric's fangs came out. "Had I been here I would have healed her instantly! As I have done in the past, more times than you know!"

Ah oh. This was not good. Niall's image in the water grew larger, frowning.

"I know more about Sookie than you may think, vampire. I have watched over her since I first met her. Night and day, which is more than you can say."

"And yet you had to come to me for an introduction to her!"

"She is my great-granddaughter!"

"She is my wife!"

Oh hell. The last thing I needed right now was some sort of supernatural Sookie-related pissing-contest.

"Excuse me! !"

They both stopped and looked at me.

"When you two have quite finished your alpha-male posturing, can I remind you that we are on the same side here? Eric, you need to remember you owe Niall big-time for the Were magic and the popsicle thing. You would not be here now if it weren't for him." Eric had the grace to look slightly ashamed. Niall looked smug, but I wasn't going to let him off easy either.

"Grandfather, you owe Eric an apology; you have absolutely no right to question his desire or ability to care for me. He and I were pledged again tonight – we're married. He is my man and I am his woman, and I'm sorry if you don't like it but that's the way it is."

Niall was startled at this attack. He looked from one to the other of us and we drew closer to each other. He seemed to consider. Then he made up his mind.

"Very well. Northman…Eric…I see I was wrong to doubt your commitment to my grand-daughter. I am sure you will care for her, and I am pleased for you, Sookie, that you have found such an honourable man. I am sorry to have missed the wedding, but I trust you will enjoy your honeymoon, and I will hope to see you when you return. And now I must go. Goodbye King Eric, Queen Sookie." There was a real note of satisfaction in his voice as he said this last sentence, and then the image faded and there was just the night and us.

We looked at each other. Eric's fangs had retracted.

"Honeymoon?" I said.

"I think that is a wonderful idea," said Eric. "We didn't have one the last time we were pledged." We turned and began to stroll back towards the main building, still hand in hand.

"Can we take time off now you're the king?"

"I think we can allow ourselves a few days. In fact, this may be the last opportunity we have for some time, so I think we should make the most of it before I have to throw myself into the business of running a kingdom. Where would you like to go?"

"Well…" I considered for a moment. "There is a little place I've heard of which is supposed to be real romantic."

"Name it."

"Well, I don't know its name, but it's about an hour's drive west of Uddevalla; there's a little cabin on a headland, looking out across the…" that's as far as I got before he swept me into his arms again. "Seriously, Sookie? You want to go back? Back to my home?"

"Yup. I have real fond memories of the last time I was there."

"I shall have them book tickets immediately. But before we go on our honeymoon, there is a little matter of the wedding night." His eyebrows waggled suggestively, and I giggled, which wasn't very queen-like, but hey, I was still getting used to the whole royalty thing.

In the reception area, there were quite a lot of staff hanging around, most of whom hurriedly backed up against the wall and bowed or curtseyed when Eric entered. They looked pretty scared, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I pointed out the popsicle machine and he laughed when I told him my reaction to Niall's suggestion that I should buy one. We took the elevator down this time, Eric dismissing the Were guard, and while we were in there I raised a subject that had been troubling me.

"Eric, you're not really going to torture Victor, are you?" He looked at me, puzzled.

"After what he did to us? To you? Of course I am. He is lucky I don't chain him outside and leave him for the sun!"

"I know, honey, it's just…I'm not real comfortable with torture. It just doesn't feel like us, somehow." I wasn't quite sure how I felt, because part of me so wanted to see Victor suffer but another part of me felt that I didn't want to be like him; I wanted to be better than him.

"It may not feel like you, my treasure, but it feels absolutely right to me."

"Are you sure you want your new rule to begin with an act of vengeance, Eric?"

He looked at me very seriously.

"Sookie, in all the time I have known you, I have always accepted you for who you are. I have never asked you to change, and I would not. Can you not accept me in the same way?" Damn, this was harder than I'd thought it would be.

"I do, Eric, really I do. I love you, you know that."

"Then please do not ask me to be less than I am."

"I'm not, baby; I think I'm asking you to be more than you are."

He leaned on the elevator Stop button, holding it where it was while he looked at me unblinkingly, processing what I'd just said. I didn't interrupt, almost holding my breath. At last he said, "What would you do to him?" I breathed out again. He was prepared to compromise.

"How about exiling him somewhere horrible, like the South Pole?"

He considered, then he took my hand and kissed it, releasing the button as he did so.

"Sookie, you are my queen in this, as in all things." I was so relieved.

"Thank you so much, honey. I'm really grateful."

His voice changed. "How grateful are you, Sookie?"

I giggled again, because this reminded me of a conversation we'd had years ago, when he'd been trying to seduce me into sleeping with him because he'd just given me his blood when I'd been badly injured. I said the same thing now as I'd said then.

"Eric, you should not want me to have sex with you just because I owe you." He picked up the cue, and replied as he had in Jackson, "Sookie, I don't care why you have sex with me, just as long as you do it."

I was just about to respond when the elevator doors slid open. Just like last time, when we'd also been interrupted, we looked at each other and sighed. When we exited the elevator Eric summoned a chamberlain and gave orders for our travel arrangements to be put in place at once. I loved to see him doing this sort of stuff. It just came so naturally to him, that everyone around him just fell over themselves to please him and do his bidding; he was made to be a king. I was only amazed he'd never done it before, and I asked him if he'd ever thought about it as we passed through the corridors towards my suite.

"I have thought about it, but most vampires become rulers through the violent death of the previous king or queen. I liked Sophie-Ann, and had no wish to overthrow her. She was my friend as well as my queen, and I was quite content with my little corner of Louisiana under her, but lately… if Felipe had been a good king I would have served him loyally, but he was not. He could not have been allowed to remain in power, even if he had never come between us, but once he became a danger to you his fate was sealed. I would not have rested until I knew the threat was removed. And now that I am king, I will have the resources of an entire kingdom with which to protect you. Are these your quarters?"

We had stopped at my suite door.

"Yes. I guess you could have the royal apartments if you want them, but I'm pretty certain they're bugged, and I know for a fact that my rooms aren't; Niall put a privacy charm on them."

"Then we will use your rooms for tonight." He came in and looked around him, instantly identifying the Swedish scene which was still running on my picture window projector. He was touched at the thought, and hugged me before heading for the shower at vampire speed. I could only be grateful; although he'd sluiced himself down in the ballroom, it had been a makeshift job, and he'd missed quite large areas.

While he was in the shower I slipped off my shoes and started taking off my necklace and ear-rings and putting them away. I'd have to remember to thank him for them. I decided to keep my bracelet on. I'd worn it for so long it was like a part of me now, along with my sunset watch.

Then I took my hair down and stepped out of my dress. I was just down to my bra and panties when the shower-room door opened and there was a naked vampire in front of me. As he looked at me his fangs fully extended, and so did another area of his anatomy. Jeez Louise.

"I have something to show you, my lover," he said in his sexiest voice. I swallowed hard and wondered what he could possibly have to show me that would interest me more than what I was looking at right now.

Slowly he turned his back to me and posed like a model, with his left hand high on the shower-room door frame and his right hand on his hip, his weight on his right leg and his left leg bent slightly, his head turned over his left shoulder smouldering sexily at me, his mouth open so I could see his fangs; I know bosoms are only supposed to heave in romance novels, but believe me my bosom was doing its very best to heave as I took in every inch of his fabulous body, and then I noticed it. The tattoo. Of course; he'd promised to have it made permanent, and it was still there on the left cheek of the most perfect butt on the planet, but I could see something else on the right cheek.

"What does that say, Eric." My voice sounded strangely hoarse.

"Come and see," he purred.

I made my way across the room and bent down to have a look. I had a hard time not sinking my teeth into the luscious curve of his ass, but I shut my eyes for a second and recovered a tiny hint of control. Then I opened them again. The tattoo now said Sookie's on the left cheek and on the right cheek it said Forever. I gulped. Then I reached out and stroked it gently. A shiver ran through him at my touch, and he turned and took me in his arms. His eyes were glowing and the expression on his face caught at my heart. I could feel his love pouring through the bond, and I returned it, every last drop of it, as he whispered,

"I am yours for ever, my little wife."

The End.

Well, that's all folks. Hope it was good for you. Please review :)