The small boat brushed against the shore of the island where Castle Volkihar stood. He climbed out and proffered his hand to Serana. She took it and he held her hand as she stepped out of the boat. He looked up at the imposing castle. The last time he had been here, he had been with the Dawn-guard. He and Serana had killed her father. It wasn't place that he much enjoyed returning to. It was also the place where Serana had suffered her lonely childhood and her horrific ordeal from Molag Bol. Serana could sense that something was bothering him because she took his hand and squeezed it softly.

"We won't be here long," she said reassuringly. Still holding his hand she led him up the stone walkway towards the main doors of the castle. The gargoyles, despite being inanimate were imposing and incredibly life-like. He shuddered as they walked past them. He clutched the hilt of his sword. Serana felt him shudder and gripped his hand tighter. She looked up at him and smiled reassuringly. They walked up the path in silence. The sea choppy sea lapped against the rocks and the air was thick was salt. He could taste it in his mouth. It was also unusually dark and gloomy, compared the mainland they had just left behind. The fog sat heavily around the castle as the approached it.

They reached the front door. Serana lifted one of the metal rings and turned it. The ancient locks lifted and the door creaked open. Serana lead him into the semi-dark hallway and closed the door behind them throwing them into darker, semi-darkness. The fire on the torches flickered in the breeze created by the movement of the door. The fire was only just adequate to illuminate the room. Serana lead him along the corridor towards the great hall.

Valerica sat at the end of the long table with her back to the fire. She looked up as she saw the twosome standing at the balcony overlooking the hall.

"Mother!" called Serana beaming.

She darted down the stairs and ran towards her mother.

"Serana!" replied Valerica in a tone of complete surprise. She stood up as her daughter approached her. They embraced tightly. Valerica spotted Stefan coming down the stairs. She greeted him with a smile.

"Stefan," she said. "This is a pleasant surprise."

"It's good to see you again Valerica," he said as Valerica released her daughter. He took her hand and kissed it politely.

"What brings you here Serana?" asked Valerica looking at them both curiously.

Serana took Stefan's arm.

"We have something to tell you mother,"began Serana. She looked up at Stefan. He smiled encouragingly.

"Me and Stefan are engaged," she said confidently. "Engaged to be married."

Whatever Valerica was expecting, It certainly wasn't this. She sat down slowly and looked at her daughter.

"Engaged..?" she began.

"..To be married," finished Serana.

Valerica was silent for a moment. Serana didn't say anything, giving her mother time to process the information.

Serana looked up at Stefan again. She took a seat next to her mother at the table. Stefan hesitated and sat next to Serana.

"Am I being truthful in saying that your mind is set?"asked Valerica at last.

"Yes," said Serana defiantly. "Nothing you say can change it."

Valerica looked at her daughter. She then looked at Stefan.

"He's a mortal," said Valerica. "And you are a daughter of Coldharbour. A pure blooded vampire."

"Yes," said Serana. She knew this already.

"Does he truly know you Serana?" asked Valerica. "Truly."

"Stefan has spent more time getting to know me then you and father," she replied fiercely. Her red eyes began glowing with anger.

"Serana," said Valerica in a scandalised tone. "I..."

"I don't want to hear your sermon mother," cut in Serana. "So save your words. You can't talk me out of this. I have made my decision."

Valerica looked at her daughter. Her expression blank.

"Serana," she said. "I would like to talk to you in private."

"No mother," replied Serana. "Anything you have to say you can say it to us both."

Valerica looked at them both. She sighed.

"Serana," she said quietly. "He is a mortal. He won't live forever like us. One day Sovengarde is going to take him."

Serana looked at Stefan.

"I don't care," she said. She took his hand and squeezed it lovingly. "The limited years we will have together are certainly going to be better than those immortal ones I've lived so far."

Her mother gave her a pitied look.

"What about blood Serana?" she asked. "You can't ignore your needs."

"Stefan gives me his blood,"said Serana proudly. "Everyday."

Valerica looked at her.

"Everyday?"she asked.

"Yes," said Stefan. He showed her the day old wound on his hand. He kept his hand like this as Serana had requested him to.

Valerica looked at his cut hand. She took it and observed it carefully.

"Valerica," he said quietly. "I understand your reticence. I'm not one of you. I understand Serana is a vampire."

He turned to look at Serana. Her eyes were illuminated with anger. He continued,

"You must understand that in all the time we have been together I have never hurt her or allowed any harm to come to her. I love Serana with all my heart, just the way she is."

Valerica looked at him. She then looked at her daughter, whose anger was abating to make way for a sweet smile.

"Truly?" asked Valerica.

Stefan nodded.

"Yes," he repeated. "Truly."

Valerica was silent for a moment. She looked at them both and gave them a small nod.

"Very well," she said.

She looked at them both.

"I can see that you make my daughter very happy," said Valerica. "I'm not going to stand in the way of your happiness. You have my blessing."

Serana looked at Valerica.

"Really?"she asked.

"Really," repeated Valerica.

Serana hugged her mother tightly.

"Thank you," she said gratefully.

Valerica nodded. She then turned her attention to Stefan.

"Please take care of my daughter,"she pleaded. "Keep her safe and please, don't break her heart. I can't see her suffer any more."

"You have my word Valerica," he said.

She nodded and turned her attention to Serana, who was still hugging her.