All at Sea

Embry gulped slightly as Freja led him up the stairs to the deck of the house, feeling somewhat nervous about meeting her grandparents officially. He knew they were protective of her. And were apparently full merpeople. No, Havsfru. He still wasn't completely following what exactly they were and could do.

So instead, he studied the home's exterior to distract himself. The house was bigger than he originally thought. Nearly the entire back of the cabin-like structure was windows with an expansive view of the beach and ocean, while the front was buried in the forest.

"It'll be okay… at least I think it will be," Freja said. Embry looked down at her, taking in her reassuring smile as she squeezed his hand.

"They won't kill me or anything?" he asked, thinking back to what she had said.

"No, they won't. I promise," she said with a chuckle. "And I'm sure once we get passed the… this… they'll love you." Embry hoped she was right.

They continued across the deck and Freja pushed the door open, walking into a large, open kitchen, the both of them trailing in sand and dripping water onto the pristine white tile floor.

"Papa! MorMor!" she shouted as they stopped. Embry turned and shut the door behind them.

"Freja, what on earth ha-"

Embry turned, seeing her grandmother frozen in shock with her mouth dropped open. It only lasted a moment before a furious look came over her face, aimed straight at him. Okay, he was expecting confusion, but not exactly outright anger.

"I thought we had discussed this," she said coldly.

"I know, but… there's something you should know," Freja said, stepping towards her.

"No, Freja. I thought you understood," her grandmother said, her gaze shifting over to Freja. "You know what you are doing to him."

"Would you just listen to me?! I'm trying to explain!" Freja nearly shouted as her grandfather joined them, appearing markedly calmer than her grandmother. Embry stayed behind Freja, feeling that was probably the best option. And safest.

"He's… Embry's not human. Not completely," Freja explained.

Both of her grandparents were silent, the two now studying Embry.

"I'm a-"

"Wolf," Freja's grandmother said, cutting him off. "I had suspected."

"Wait, you knew?" Freja asked, the tables turning as an angry expression came over her face. "This whole time you knew and you didn't me!?"

"I knew they existed - about the stories they tell about La Push. Had suspected since the day he came into the shop that he was one of them, but I was not sure. Until now," her grandmother said, now looking to Freja. "They are dangerous, Freja. I told you to stay away from him for your safety as much as his."

"It's not like our stories," Freja said immediately.

"And with all due respect, I'm not any danger to Freja," Embry said seriously, stepping up to Freja's side. He figured it was about time that he said something, though he didn't want to outright insult them. "I would never hurt her."

"And well," Freja stopped as she looked up at him, smiling slightly. "I think I was wrong. About everything. I don't think it was me affecting him… it was him affecting me."

"What are you talking about?" her grandmother said, the exasperation clear in her voice. "You said he heard your music! That is what draws him to you, we all know this. It's not real."

"Hush, Astrid. Let them speak," her grandfather said, squeezing her grandmother's shoulder. Astrid shot him a dark look but then turned back to the couple and motioned for them to continue.

"The wolves, we imprint," Embry said after he cleared his throat. "The first time we see the person that we're meant to be with after we begin phasing, we form this instant, lasting connection with them. They become our world. I…" he stopped a moment and looked to the ground, taking a deep breath.

Now was not the time to falter or chicken out. Embry looked back up, feeling determination coursing through him. He would be respectful, but he and Freja were now a part of each other's lives, whether her grandparents liked it or not.

"I imprinted on Freja. Before I heard her play the piano or sing," he stated. "So yea, there is a connection between us, but it's because of me… not anything that Freja did. And it is real."

Freja's grandfather's eyebrows rose, though a small smile appeared, while Astrid appeared dumbstruck. She looked at her husband and then back at the couple. Feeling a bit bolder, Embry reached over and took Freja's hand. He then smiled down at her, finding that a giddy grin had come over her face as her cheeks filled with color.

"I don't think I affect him," she said. "He hasn't had any of the reactions that you explained to me… not really. I misunderstood… everything..." She looked back at her grandparents. "Do you know anything about this?"

"I know that it is foolish!" her grandmother shouted, causing Freja to hop back in surprise. Astrid turned her glare to Embry. "How do you know that it's not like our stories?! He could kill you, Freja! Just as much as you could kill him! I will not allow this!"

"Astrid-"

"No, Oscar! You must see sense! This is too dangerous! I will not lose Freja too!" Astrid shouted, turning to him.

"We should-"

"No!" Astrid shouted. She looked back at Freja and Embry again, tears filling her eyes as she lingered on Freja. "I cannot lose you too…"

"You may lose me regardless… even if I hadn't met Embry," Freja replied, her voice strong as she scowled. "But I know that he isn't dangerous. He would never hurt me. This… why won't you listen?!"

Astrid just stared at Freja a few moments before storming passed them and out of the house. Embry watched her go a few moments before turning back to Freja. What did she mean by losing her anyway? He started to ask, but was kept silent when he heard Freja's grandfather clear his throat. Embry looked over at him.

"Please, let's sit and discuss this over a nice cup of tea. I find that always helps. Do not worry about Astrid. She will calm down and be able to discuss this sensibly in time," Oscar said, smiling warmly at the two and motioning them towards the table. "She… she has not been the same since our Ingrid died… And well, we do not have so many good stories about wolves among our kind. Please, try to understand her."

Freja led Embry over and they sat down as Oscar moved over to the stove where he grabbed a kettle and walked it over to the sink to fill it with water.

"This… imprint… it is common?" he asked, looking at Embry.

"Yes, sir. Everyone in my pack save myself and one other imprinted years ago," he replied, relaxing slightly. At least her grandfather seemed open to hearing them out.

"And it is permanent?" Oscar then asked.

"Yes… it is," Embry replied. "Though… it doesn't always start out… romantic." Embry looked down at his hands, slightly embarrassed about discussing this with Freja's grandfather. "We're willing to be whatever our imprintee needs… A few were older brother-types at first. Just friends, but then…"

"They became romantic," Oscar finished. Embry looked up at him and nodded. "And just what is it you feel for my Freja, Mr. Call?"

Embry gulped, sure he looked slightly terrified, but he fought to keep his expression strong.

"I care for her. Deeply. More than I've ever cared for anyone before," he said, the conviction clear in his voice. "I want to protect her, keep her safe. Be at her side for as long as she'll have me."

Oscar turned away, walking over to the stove and putting the kettle on. He then turned back to the two, a slight twinkle in his eyes.

"I would ask you, mitt hjärta, but it is clearly written on your face," Oscar said with a chuckle. Embry looked over, seeing Freja shooting a frown at her grandfather, before smiling sheepishly at Embry as her cheeks filled with color. Rolling her eyes, she turned her attention back to her grandfather.

"So you both knew that the wolves existed. Do you know more about how I can affect him?" Freja asked. Embry turned back to her grandfather, eager to hear what he had to say.

Oscar was silent for a while, obviously thinking over his answer. He then sighed and shook his head.

"I honestly do not know," he replied. Embry felt his stomach drop. "Yes, we knew there were other creatures here. The wolves. The vampires. But we do not know exactly how our abilities would affect them because we never saw any of them. Or how this imprint comes into play, obviously."

"But… Embry's been completely fine," Freja said. "No dizziness or chunks of time missing, or… anything like that."

Oscar studied Embry a bit.

"Maybe it is not as strong or not at all and you are perfectly safe together. Or… maybe not," he finally said with a sigh. "Though thankfully, it will not matter in three weeks once the Change is complete… You will have full control over it then. You will be able to choose whether you want it to affect him or not."

"And what exactly does this change include?" Embry asked, genuinely curious. He glanced over at Freja, noticing that she was now looking down at her hands. Ah, so there was more to it.

"To be honest, Freja is the first halfling that I and my wife have seen with our own eyes, though stories have been passed down in our clan for generations. It is said in their 21st year, they will go through the Change where they fully come into their abilities as Havsfru," Oscar explained. "There was not much information about before that, so her grandmother and I took precautions… to make sure that Freja did not accidentally hurt someone as a child."

His eyes trailed over to Freja again as a worried look came into his eyes. Embry swallowed, wondering just what it was that they weren't telling him. He glanced over at Freja, finding her picking at her nails.

"I don't know the exact details, but it is painful. Their entire body is changing… and some… some do not survive it," Oscar finally said.

Embry felt his stomach sink as he looked back at Freja. He had just found her and now she might die in a few short weeks. No, he couldn't think like that. It was only a chance. And if he knew anything about her, she was strong. She would survive this.

"But once they change, they will be able to take on their Havsfru form at will. And they will hear the call," her grandfather continued.

"The call?" Embry asked, frowning in confusion. Oscar looked at him.

"The call of the ocean," he said simply. "It is only natural that they will seek out more of their kind. To be with them."

"But Freja has you," Embry said, wondering why Freja remained quiet. "And the imprint…" Oscar sighed again.

"Again, we have never had a situation like Freja before. With this… imprint… I don't know what will happen. And her grandmother and I… we have been on land too long. We cannot use our true forms as we once did," he said.

Embry looked back at Freja. She was staring at her hands, her brow furrowed. She then looked up, first at her grandfather and then at Embry.

"I will survive this," she said, her voice full of resolution. She then reached across the table and grabbed Embry's hands. "And I have you here… I'm sure I won't feel the need to leave."

She then gave him a hopeful smile. Embry found himself returning it. If she believed it, then he would too.

OOO

They spoke with Papa for a bit longer and then Embry mentioned that he should probably get back to Quil and Jacob - to let them know he was okay - as well as get home before the storm blew in.

Freja walked him out and gave him a fierce hug on the beach.

"This… we'll be okay," she said, hoping with all her heart that it would be. She wasn't completely sure, but she wasn't about to make Embry worry more than he probably already was.

Embry chuckled as he stepped back, but kept his hands on her waist.

"At least now I know your birthday… and age," he replied, still smiling. "Not exactly how I planned to find out…"

"I promise, we'll figure this out," Freja said, smiling up at him. He nodded and then bent down, leaving a warm kiss on her lips.

"See you tomorrow?" he asked. Freja nodded as she stepped back, letting go of him.

As she watched him start to jog down the beach, she couldn't help as hope began flooding through her. She could be with Embry. Yes, her grandfather had warned her that she could still affect him, but she believed firmly now that Embry was protected from her - whether it was because of what he was or the imprint didn't matter. He had heard her sing and hadn't faced any side effects. She didn't have to run away from him. There was still a lot to figure out, but she felt like they would.

Freja looked around, finding her grandmother down the beach aways, sitting on the sand and watching the wild waves roll in. Sighing, Freja started down towards her, knowing they needed to talk.

She didn't say anything as she sat down next to her and looked out at the ocean.

"Your mother… she loved storms," Astrid finally said after some time. "She would always come up to the surface to watch, saying it was more intense… more beautiful… up here. I didn't believe her until I saw it myself…"

Astrid looked over at Freja.

"You are so much like her," she said, her brow furrowed. "And that's what worries me…"

"Aren't you always saying that I will survive this?" Freja asked, looking over at her with a frown.

"It's not that… Freja… we just don't know-"

"It's not like the stories," Freja said, interrupting her. "And I believe that the imprint, it protects us. I am meant to be with him, MorMor… I feel it in my bones…"

"Your mother said the same thing about your father," her grandmother replied grimly. Freja's frown deepened.

"But… wasn't it a good thing? You always said they were so in love… happy," she replied.

Astrid sighed and looked back out at the ocean.

"There are things that we have not told you," she said. Neither said anything a few moments before she continued. "We did not come here by choice to be with your mother… our clan leader. He found out about your mother and your father. He banished us here. Stripped us of who we were. That is why your grandfather and I cannot go to sea. But we still feel it's call… it's pull…"

Freja's eyes widened. No one had ever mentioned this.

"Your mother was not so upset. She wanted to be here with your father. And though she could control herself before that with him, she was glad to be rid of the ability to potentially hurt him or others," her grandmother continued. "But… sometimes… I could feel it… I knew that she still had something…"

Freja felt her blood run cold.

"MorMor… how did my father really die?" she whispered. Astrid blinked a few times, her eyes tearing up.

"I am not sure, but… I always wondered… I woke up that morning and I knew that something was wrong. I went to their room and found your father in their bed… gone, but he was still damp. As though he had been in the water," she said, her voice cracking. "Your mother was not there. She had left a note, saying goodbye. And that she was sorry for everything… I didn't want to believe that she would do something like that… but surely it was an accident… Ingrid loved him too much. Loved you… she would never… But then… I supposed that is why she left… she could not live with herself after what she did..."

Freja looked out to the ocean, now feeling like a storm was raging through her. Her mother had killed her father. It was likely an accident, but still, she had killed him all the same.

What did this mean for her and Embry?

"I want to believe that this imprint changes things, but we just don't know…"

Freja looked over, finding her grandmother looking at her with eyes full of sorrow.

"I want nothing for you but to be happy. To find love. To have a good life, Freja. But I also do not want you to experience such pain," Astrid said, her voice barely a whisper. "Everything we have done, we have done to protect you from that… And yes, perhaps there was some selfishness as well. We lost your mother and father - I did come to love him like a son - we did not want to lose you too."

Freja gulped slightly, unsure of what to say. How did she respond to this revelation?

Her grandmother then reached over, taking her face in her hands.

"I want to believe that you are protected," she said firmly. "But… I just don't know…"

"Papa said that you've never seen anything like this. Maybe it will be different. I feel like it's different," Freja replied, feeling her own tears welling up in her eyes. "I am strong enough. I won't hurt him. I can't explain how I know, but… I just feel it. Can you… can you at least try to trust me?"

Astrid was silent a few moments before a small smile appeared. She then nodded.

"I can try. But forgive me if I have my moments," she said. Freja smiled and wrapped her arms around her grandmother.

"I think that you will really like him, MorMor… he's… wonderful," Freja said. Astrid chuckled.

"I suppose that we will see," she said, sniffling slightly. She then let go of Freja and stood, Freja following. "But to be safe… no more singing… not until we are sure you can control it."

"I promise," Freja replied.

They then linked arms and started back to the house, the sky now rather dark and the wind whipping around them.

"We used to say that when it stormed like this, Njǫrd must be in a mood," her grandmother said, looking up to the sky. Freja chuckled in reply.

"I used to think it was all just stories, but now I wonder… just what else is out there," she said, looking to the sea.

"A great many things, mitt hjärta… a great many things…"

OOO

Of course I had a few more reveals up my sleeve... and more drama to come.

Thanks for reading and following!