I totally want to thank my super awesome fabulous beta, treewitch703. She has been an enormous help with this chapter which has been far harder to write than lemons. Quotes aren't really my thing and she has been a great help with that. I also want to thank my readers out there for their patience. I'm a busy girl and it makes it difficult to sit down and write at times and then there's those bouts of writer's block. Anyway, I appreciate the reviews and feedback I've been getting. I know this is not the typical Eric and Sookie story and to be honest that is not what I strive for although somewhere along the story a pretty blond telepath will show her face along with a certain Civil War vet. Keep in mind this is set before the vampires come out and Eric is getting the groundwork laid for Fangtasia. Thanks again for the love! -VikingGirl-
Esmeralda made some herbal tea and shooed me and the kids to her living room. She sat down next to me and took my hand. "If you need anything, please tell me," Esmeralda said warmly. I'm sure Esmeralda has lost a lot of people close to her in her very long lifetime.
Andy and Izzy sat on the other side of me. Andy kept his arm around his sister while Izzy hid her face in Andy's chest. Izzy wasn't crying so much as trying to disappear; Izzy retreated into her shell whenever something bad happened. Plus Andy was like a warm familiar blanket to her. Andy's howls and whimpers wound down to very human cries. Not only did Andy love that old man but he had no real experience with grieving, so of course he was going to take it the hardest.
Auggie and Mag entered. Auggie was carrying a small garment bag while Mag carried two other larger bags. He'd managed to find the time to put on a black suit with a light blue dress shirt that brought out the blue in his eyes. Black leather shoes polished to a high gloss shine completed his sombre Sunday outfit. Auggie was dressed in something that seemed to make her look older than her usual teenage persona. A plain black sheath that demonstrated Auggie's tiny frame truly had feminine curves, relieved by a simple red jacket and sling back heels. Her hair was just its usual dandelion puff white, without its usual colored streaks, held in place by a simple black headband. They both looked dressed for a funeral.
"I brought something for you and the kids to change into but don't put your good shoes on until we get to the bayou," Auggie said. I wanted to question why she and Mag were both dressed to the nines but I didn't. I assume their supernatural skill will keep their perfectly polished shoes clean. I know, I'm being dense and picky or maybe just being a grieving, insignificant, scatterbrained human, right?
"You can dress on the way there. It'll be sunset pretty soon, I left a message on Northman's voice mail," Auggie said to me with a sad smile.
"Let me drive so you can help your friend Aunt Astir," Mag said as he held up a keychain that screamed Jareth. I don't know what would tell me that. Was it the fuzzy, red, miniature dice and the silver VW logo or the picture of David Bowie dressed as the goblin king? Guess we're taking Jareth's ride.
"Be gentle with her Magni. She's old," Jareth said as we left Esmeralda's apartment. The store was empty and all the employees of Karma's Backbone sat on the bench outside Esmeralda's office. Carrie was whispering something to Samantha who gave me a sad look. The twin witches Tabitha and Samantha really were polar opposites in their coloring. Samantha had naturally dark brown hair and eyes unlike her twin sister who was a natural blond with blue eyes but oddly enough, both sisters had the same bone structure and looked alike. Ruby was leaning against the wall listening to her iPod but gave me the same sad look Samantha had given me. I could tell that the witches wanted to surround me in a group hug but held back since they didn't know how I would react.
Harvey came out of Esmeralda's office and propped the tall, thick wooden door open. He gave me a somber smile as he approached Andy. Had Andy befriended the made Were? I wasn't sure.
Harvey knelt down in front of Andy, crouching lower than my son. I realized that Harvey was acknowledging Andy's alpha status. Years of working in a werewolf bar had given me a working knowledge of the lupine world. Andy gave me an unsure look as he wasn't used to being deferred to or thought of as superior. I gave Andy the only guidance I could.
"Offer him your hand, sweetie . You're his alpha. I don't know if you've been introduced to Harvey but he's a bitten Were," I whispered into Andy's ear. I know Harvey and the other supes had to have heard me but they would've never let on.
Andy held out his hand to the older Were. Harvey sniffed his hand before licking it like a dog. Andy gave me another unsure look.
"Tell him he can get up," I whispered. "Treat him kindly and tell him he doesn't have to do that every time he sees you." Andy nodded and did just exactly what I suggested. Mag gave me a small but understanding smile. He understood too well about unwanted worship, whether it be from a Viking vampire or the throngs of women and gay men that were very attracted to the demigod. Andy has a long road ahead of him; maybe Mag can give him some advice on how to handle being a king.
Harvey stood up and gave Andy a slight bow. Andy acknowledged Harvey with a nod as the made Were went back on into the office. "That was weird," Andy mumbled. Yes, my son is going to have a very long road ahead of him.
"You did well young freki. Perhaps I can help you?" Mag offered as he patted Andy on the shoulder. Andy looked up at the well-dressed giant with the gentle smile. "Believe it or not but it happens to me all the time," Mag then said and despite Andy's sadness, he managed to return Mag's smile.
If anyone told me that I would be going to a friend's funeral in a goblin green, nineteen sixty-two, VW mini bus that was also being driven by a giant, I would've asked about the punch line. Here I was doing just that. Andy managed to wiggle into his suit while Auggie worked her magic on me. Andy dressed Izzy in her simple, brown corduroy jumper with a cream colored turtleneck. He even helped her slip on the cream colored tights to match. Instead of putting her Mary Jane's on, Andy helped her poke her feet into her sneakers.
Auggie zipped up the back of my black dress and worked on my hair while I sat at the tiny kitchenette. Jareth had himself a little apartment on wheels. Out loud I wondered how Esmeralda managed to fit into this space. Auggie told me that Jareth had rigged the seats so that they were removable but even then it was a tight squeeze for the halfling frost giant.
"We broke down and purchased a delivery truck. The back is getting customized by a werewolf who lives out by Bon Temps. It'll make it easier for all of us. Jareth can be a prick when it comes to The Green Goblin as he likes to call her. It would be a compliment to call it a jalopy" Auggie said, trying to make small talk as I dealt with my own sorrow.
"Tell me about it, Aunt Astir. This thing is a piece of crap," Mag agreed while keeping his eyes on the road.
"We got the boat delivered earlier, while you were with Esmeralda. Daryl is preparing it for a hero's send off. It'll be worthy of him," Auggie said as she patted my shoulder.
We pulled into the reserve and Mag drove the mini bus as far as he could into the dense foliage. It was dark out and someone had the blessed forethought to line the trail with tiki torches. Must have been Daryl, I thought to myself. He worked hard setting this up. Mag parked near Remy's and Daryl's cars and next to Alcide's truck. I didn't realize Andy's father would be there. Mag held my hand while Izzy took Auggie's. Andy didn't need supernatural guidance but I kept my arm around his shoulders anyway as we filed through the dense woods. It was a good thing Auggie didn't want us wearing our good shoes, a bayou was no place for patent leather, although Mag and Auggie did manage to keep their shoes immaculate.
Mag helped me sit down on a log alongside Izzy and Andy. Auggie handed me my flats and then helped Izzy with her Mary Jane's. "I thought flats would be better than heels," Auggie said, justifying her practical selection.
Mag pulled Andy aside after he had his shoes on. The conversation looked to be a serious one. Mag patted Andy on the shoulder giving him his gentle signature smile of his. Whatever it was, it didn't appear to ease my son's tears any.
Mag offered his hand to me once again. I had to tip my head back pretty far to see his face. Daryl and Remy must have got the shock of their lives when they first laid eyes on Magni Frost. I'm sure Auggie had a hell of a time explaining her nephew to the two men. Mag smiled at me as though he could read the thoughts flickering across my face. I took his hand without a word.
Daryl went above and beyond with the preparations. Tiki torches lit the clearing fronting the bayou. We were probably screaming gator bait but I think any gator would regret tangling with this crowd. Daryl had laid Daddy Joe on a bed of roses. The roses were so red that they looked black in the dark. In his hands he held a rosary and three yellow roses along with his fob of werewolf and vampire teeth. His silver St. Christopher metal gleamed under the torchlight as well as silver weapons. Swords, daggers and a few silver tipped arrows all arranged tidily around Daddy Joe's well dressed and neatly groomed body. The only thing missing was the tooth of the Blood Countess that had been ever present on a chain around his neck. Daddy Joe looked as peaceful as he had this morning. I began to cry all over again.
Strong arms held me close as a pale hand offered me a handkerchief with an embroidered E on it. I manage to look up and through the fog of my glasses to see the owner of the fine silk handkerchief. Those sapphire eyes looked sympathetically down at me. He never said a word but just let me cry. My boss, Eric Northman.
Eric was dressed in a black designer suit with a simple white shirt and black tie. His golden hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. As always Izzy gravitated towards the vampire. She looked up at Eric with tears in her eyes. Eric pulled out another handkerchief and crouched down to dab the tears away. Eric scooped her up into his long strong arms.
"Sorry is not an appropriate word for this occasion. A great warrior has fallen and I give you my condolences for that but never an apology," Eric said to me. "I never could understand why breathers would apologize for events beyond their control."
From the mouths of walking corpses, I thought to myself but the vampire had a point. There really is nothing to be sorry about. Daddy Joe passed on in the peaceful way he deserved. He lived his life in the best way he could, protecting the innocent from the feral creatures of the night. That in my book is a wonderful thing.
Alcide engulfed me in his embrace. The smell of the wild clung to him and filled my nose. For the first time since meeting back up with him, I didn't think about that wild night between the sheets instead I thought of Alcide as a friend. "I know I didn't know him very well but I'm sorry Belinda," Alcide muttered. "If you ever need anything, you have my number." God bless the werewolf.
I was so wrapped in my own sorrow that I nearly forgot about another soul that missed Daddy Joe more than I or Andy ever could. It was Daddy Joe's flesh and blood son, Remy. Remy looked out at the bayou like it was his home. Tears filled those beautiful eyes of his as he stood alone. I went over to offer my condolences to the hunter.
"I couldn't believe my eyes this afternoon, P'tit Rouge. You sure hang out with an interesting crowd. The werewolf and the vampire I can understand but that giant over there. I'd never seen a big man that looked like him before and I've seen it all. He carried that boat all by himself like it was a stick or somethin'," Remy said, trying to make small talk. "What is he?"
"My friend," I answered simply. There was no way I was going to tell Remy that he is in the presence of a living and breathing demigod.
"Good thing he's a friend because I wouldn't want to be his enemy. He sure did a fine job of helping Daryl out this afternoon. Seems like a nice fellow too," Remy said. I could tell that Remy was trying his best to talk his tears back. I wasn't a hundred percent sure of the kind of relationship Remy had with his dad but judging from the tears, it was a good one.
"The North Man doesn't seem like a bad guy for a deader and neither does Mr. Furry over there," Remy said as he nodded his head in Alcide's direction. "Seems you got yourself in with a good group of supes there."
"Thanks," I answered, Remy looked at me, his eyes brimming over again. I didn't know what else to say so I hugged him. That familiar scent of woods and swamp filled my nose; it brought me to tears as I embraced the hunter's son.
"Belinda and Remy, it's time," Daryl said in a somber tone. I watched as Mag handed my son a bow and an arrow with a cloth wrapped head. Auggie held a small torch while Mag got everybody's attention.
Daryl held an old bible in his hand with ribbons for bookmarks and started singing Shall We Gather at the River .
…... Ere we reach the shining river,
…... lay we every burden down;
…...…...grace our spirits will deliver...
Daryl opened up his bible as everyone gathered in a semi circle around Daryl, Remy and I. Eric put his hand on my shoulder as he still cradled Izzy who was curled up into his chest with tears in her eyes. Alcide stood behind Andy focusing his attention on his son who stood near the boat with Auggie. Our little group was flanked by Mag on one side and Eric on the other quietly chanting Old Norse in unison. The ancient echo was little spooky, they knew the words so well... Daryl read 1 Corinthians 13 from the old bible as I clutched Remy's hand. He squeezed it in return.
... the tongues of men and of angels, but have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal...
There was really no need for a eulogy. Everyone here knew how much Daddy Joe meant to us.
... though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not charity, ...
Auggie pushed the boat out into the swamp. Andy made sure there was some distance between the land and the boat when Auggie lit the tip of his arrow. Alcide joined in with Daryl as he watched Andy shoot the arrow with the precision of a seasoned marksman despite tear blurred eyes. The arrow hit the boat and flames began to engulf the vessel. The smell of the roses must've hid the scent of gasoline as the flames began to spread.
...; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
...For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; …...; but the greatest of these is charity
The flames licked at the boat.
By the time the pirogue had moved out into the bayou it was completely wrapped in fire. Daryl and Alcide started in on a chorus of Blessed Be the Tie That Binds …...
….When for a while we part
…...This thought will soothe our pain
…...That we shall still be joined in heart
…...And hope to meet again.
All while the two Vikings continued their soft chant. Andy threw down the bow and came to my side as I held him close; he pulled away moving towards his father to howl. Alcide stopped his singing and joined in with Andy's howls while they both faced the rising moon. The Viking/Christian funeral was one of the most beautiful affairs I have ever witnessed. It was well worthy of a warrior fallen.