I finally got some time to update. Thanks again for all the awesome reviews. It helps whilst writing, knowing that people like what I'm writing. :) I hope it hasnt been to long and that people are still interested. I'll try to do better in the future.
Chapter 7
The old man smiled warmly at Sookie. His eyes crinkled showing his laugh lines. His eyes were so kind.
"I am Niall." He told her simply.
"Okay, Niall what are you?" She asked.
"Full blooded fae. In fact a relative of yours. Do you mind if I sit with you? I have many things to discuss with you if you could find the time."
"Of course." Sookie smiled back at the old man, patting the patch of grass beside her. She felt a wave of calm wash over her. He dropped to the grass beside her pulling his legs beneath him.
"I am happy to finally meet you Sookie; Claudine has told me much about you."
"You know Claudine?"
"Yes, she is my great-granddaughter. As are you." Sookie's heart stopped for a moment. She had a great-grandfather?
"Well, then it's a pleasure to meet you then." What else could she say? He laughed heartily, it sounded like music.
"I see your manners are still intact. Your grandmother certainly raised you well."
"You knew Gran?" She asked surprised.
"Of course, I have watched over you ever since my son died. Your grandfather." Sookie suddenly remembered her grandfather, her human grandfather anyway. He died when Sookie was four or five she didn't have many memories of him. Though the ones she did have were good ones. Him and Gran taking her to the park, him pushing her in a swing always smiling at Gran with love in his eyes.
"Wait. How is it that I have a human grandfather and a faery grandfather?" Sookie was confused.
"You did not have a human grandfather at all. You never did." Sookie felt anger bubble up inside her.
"I did so. I remember him."
"You misunderstand Sookie. Adele had a husband yes, he raised your father even though he was not his. I do not want to undermine his legacy within this family. He was a good man. Many others would not have done the same in his position."
"Are you saying that my Gran cheated on her husband? Gran wasn't like that." Sookie could still feel her anger boiling beneath the surface. Gran would never do something like that. Gran was nothing but loyal. Niall reached forward, putting his hand on Sookie's shoulder giving it an affectionate squeeze.
"It's not like it sounds. Your grandfather could not give your grandmother any children something that they both wanted badly. My son Fintan had watched your grandmother from afar for many months. She was beautiful, almost as beautiful as a fae. She looked a lot like you, you know?" Sookie smiled at the compliment. There were only one or two pictures of Gran when she was her age. They didn't have the money for a camera so the only pictures around were one of Gran at her wedding and with her dad and Aunt Linda when they were babies. "He approached her several times, offering to take her with him back to the land of the fae. He was falling deeply in love with her, and wanted nothing more than to have her for his own. She however spurned his advances. Always politely of course." He smiled at Sookie. "She was in love with her mortal husband, and would never leave him. This is quite rare, for a creature to deny a faery. We are a very beautiful species."
"But obviously he wore her down." Sookie whispered.
"Again child it was not like that." Niall began again. "He continued to meet with her, even after she made it clear that their relationship would progress no further. He loved her and wanted to be near her in any capacity. She told him of your grandfather's condition. He knew how badly she wanted children and offered his services. She refused at first. He continued to see her and reminded her of the gift he could give her. One day when he went to visit he saw your grandmother and grandfather sitting together on the porch awaiting him. Adele had told your grandfather about Fintan. He was reluctant to believe her of course, but once Fintan popped into existence as we tend to do, there was no denying. Your mortal grandfather was a special man Sookie. He knew that he could not give his wife what she wanted so desperately, so he let someone else." Sookie wasn't sure what to think of that. Part of her found it romantic while the other part of her was repulsed at the idea. At least Gran never snuck around behind her husband's back like some jezebel. She reasoned.
"Why didn't she tell us?" Sookie began to feel her anger boil over towards her Gran. Something she was not used too.
"She could not. Fintan trusted her with the secret of his children's origins. This however was not a smart move on his part." He sighed at the memory, and if possible looked even older to Sookie's eyes. "Things were not then as they are now, but the idea of sharing our blood with mortals was still frowned upon. When my son told me of my grandchildren I was joyed and scared at the same time. There were many that thought hybrids should be put to death, unworthy of sharing our magic blood. I went to see your father, and then your aunt on many occasions. Your grandmother and grandfather welcomed me into their home and into their lives. They were very good people. I could tell that none of our fae traits had passed on to the children and for this I was thankful. Because things turned from bad to worse in the faery realm soon after. The ones that sought to destroy the hybrids were gaining support. Fintan and I came to the difficult conclusion to wipe the memories of your grandparents. We told them of the dangers posed to their children and they heartedly agreed with the plan. My heart broke that day." He took a slow breath his mind in a different time. Sookie put her hand on her great-grandfathers knee. He looked to her face and smiled at his great-granddaughter. "Fintan still kept watch on them, and would update me regularly. It was not hard to keep their existence a secret being as they had no characteristics of the fae. Until you were born."
"The telepathy?" She asked softly.
"Yes and the beauty." She blushed at the compliment.
"What about Jason?" Niall laughed.
"He got only the beauty I'm afraid. Anyway Fintan told me of your powers I came to visit you once, you must have been two or three. You were exceptionally bright. I found you in your room playing with your dolls. You asked me if I wanted to play. I did. It warmed my heart to see you, it was so hard for me to leave, but I had too." Sookie gathered him into her arms and hugged him for all it was worth. It felt good to know that people had cared about her then. She always felt so alone, even with Jason, her parents and grandparents. She knew she was different even then. He pulled out of their embrace bringing his hand to her face placing a kiss on her forehead. Leaning back he sighed again, his face turning serious. "This brings me to the point of the story. Of why I am here now. My nephew Breandan found out about you. He was a leader in the group intending to wipe the world of the faery hybrids. Do you know how your parents died Sookie?" He asked her.
"Flashflood."
"No, water spirits. Under the direction of Breandan. They thought they had killed the entire line. Fortunately they were wrong. Finding out about the attack Fintan confronted Breandan, and he was soon killed." Sookie could see the tears in Niall's eyes. "It was then that I closed the portal from our world to this one. If he found out that you still lived he would have returned to try again. It was a hard decision, to know that I would not be able to see you again, but it was for your safety."
"You have the power to close portals? Wow." He chuckled at her comment.
"I am a prince of the Fae; I have a lot of power." Wait...
"If you're a prince does that make me...?"
"Yes Sookie, a princess."
"Holy shit!" She exclaimed throwing her hands over her mouth, her face blushing. "Sorry for the language, but I'm a fairy princess?" He laughed throwing his arm around her shoulder.
"I know how that must sound to you, but yes you are. Even more reason to protect you."
"But, if you closed the portal how did you get here? Why now?"
"As I said I am very powerful. I am the only one that can come to this realm. It is something that I don't do regularly. I do not want to be seen missing. People would grow curious, and seek me out. And could unfortunately find you, something that I don't want to happen. So my visits will not be many. We will have to communicate between Claudine. She can pull you into a safe part of the realm; she cannot come to this side." Sookie nodded trying to take it all in.
"But, why now?"
"You are becoming quite the talk in the supernatural community Sookie. Since the vampire. It will not take long before the stories travel to Breandan and his cohorts. You need a protector. You need your vampire."
"But Bill and I are no longer together, I don't think I can stand to be around him right now."
"No child I do not speak of William. Eric is to be your protector."
"What! Have you met Eric? Protector he is not." She argued with him. Niall laughed. Why was she so against the Northman?
"Yes we have met, many years ago. He saved me actually. I do not know why, but he did during the first vampire/faery war. In fact I am still indebted to him." What was with supes and debts anyway? "I know of the times he has also saved you." He raised his eyebrow at Sookie.
"Did you see him trick me into taking his blood? Did you see him let the King of Mississippi take a bite outta me?" Sookie's voice grew louder.
"Yes child, but what do you expect? He is vampire. Or was anyway." He stood from the ground and offered his hand to Sookie. Pulling her from the ground he began walking to the house his hand on her arm. "I am going to repay my debt. I will find this Hallow and he can get back to being the protector that you need." Sookie's mind was going ninety to nothing trying to process all that she had been told tonight.
"Why can I hear him when he's a vampire? And only sometimes when he's human?" She asked.
"It was destined for him to be your protector. You hear all thoughts that will grow you closer to him. You hear his most human thoughts. In mortal and vampire state."
"Can I tell him?"
"Yes, I was hoping that you would. I want him to know that I am repaying the debt I owe. Also he needs to know about your bloodline, to enforce the importance of your safety. Though I do not think he needs it. He cares for you, you know?"
"I need more than caring." She said softly.
"Give him time. He has spent a thousand years turning himself into what he is now. Can you not give him a bit of time to try and change?"
"I don't have a thousand years." She said rolling her eyes. He laughed. She did not know about her lifespan just yet. It was something Niall would tell her later. She had enough for one night. They came to the back porch. He pulled Sookie into a hug.
"I love you great-granddaughter. Never doubt it." She was about to tell him the same but her arms only held air.
~POP~
He was gone.
