Disclaimer: Unbeta'd, so all mistakes are my own. All copyrights belong to Ms. Harris and Mr. Ball

The Beginning of Eternity

Chapter 8

AN:First real chapter in like 4 years. Please bare with me while I get back in the swing of things. And now we have come to the pledging ceremony. This was what had me caught up 4 years ago, because I was ready to just gloss over it and be like 'They Pledged' and move on, but I knew you guys deserved more than that. This will be mostly a summary chapter, with some dialoge, but not really any specific POV.

****Some new characters will be making appearances in this chapter, some of which are descendants of characters from when Sookie was in Louisianna.

While the occupants of Belle Rive slept, occupants of the Stackhouse Homestead were busy getting things set up for the Pledging Ceremony. A middle aged man, with violet eyes was directing florist and caterers where to set up, as well as making sure his crew from EE(E) was finishing up with tables and chairs.

The alter had been finished before dawn, due to the fact it needed to see the rising sun and setting sun before it could be used. Some Magics you just don't want to screw with.

Meanwhile, Dermot was setting up the master bedroom for his neice and reminiscing about when her mother had lived in the house and helped him adjust to life being uncursed.

On the other side of town, the Fae Empress had finally woke up, showered, ate 'breakfast', and was double checking to make sure she had everything before heading to her Mothers old house.

A FEW HOURS LATER(After the sun has set)

"You would think after all the ceremonies we've done, I wouldn't be nervous anymore. Remind me again why we didn't just do ONE ceremony and include everything, instead of individual ceremonies?" asked Addie.

"Because a Fae mating has to be done in Faerun, so only Lex was able to attend. You're bonding...I'm not even going to mention. And you two were at the courthouse as soon as the Swedish Government opened up 'Supe Marriage' as an option. Plus, you wanted a specific pledging, with specific magics at play." responds Kat, Lex's Vampire child.

"How do I look? Is anything missing?" the nervous hybrid asked.

She is wearing a floor length purple satin halter ball gown, with jewels embellishing the waist and straps. On her head sits her Fae crown, which is a platinum band with Amethyst and Diamonds spread through out. It has celtic knots decorating it as well. Her slightly pointed ears were decorated with tear drop diamond earrings, around her neck was a simple white gold chain with a Faery Star pendant hanging from it.

On her left hand sat a claddaugh ring, with a sapphire as the heart, with the heart facing inward, symbolising that she was married. As for shoes, she had none. She would be going bare foot.

"Come in" Addie says after hearing a knock on the door.

"Your Highness, everything is prepared. We are ready whenever you are. Just give me a 5 minute heads up and I will make sure that everyone is in place." says Tyler, the event planner. (also the Grandson of Quinn, the were tiger)

"I'm ready," replies Addie.

"I'll see you soon Mistress." Kat says before leaving the room.

Very Slight Time Skip

There were about 20 people seated in front of the alter. Some of the more note worthy were Dermot, a Prince of the Fae. Desmond Cataliades, the Demon Laywer and Addie's Great Godfather, along with his nieces. The Ancient Pythoness was at the alter, wearing a purple robe, with her back turned to the were panthers from the Hot Shot pack and three Weres from the Long Tooth Pack, all five weres being sent as representatives from their respective packs.

But the most surprising was a Vampire who previously lived across the cemetary from where they all were currently set up. William Compton, previous boyfriend and first love of Sookie, but also the God Father of Adeline.

There were other Vampires, some Weres, and Faeries. But aside from the representatives from the Hot Shot and Long Tooth packs, everyone there were close friends and family to the pair getting pledged.

With only the Moon and Stars lighting the sky, a fire pit at the back of the alter, and candles lighting the scene, the ceremony begins. Alexander walks up to the alter, followed by his Blood Brothers Godric and Simon, all three of which were dressed in white linen with swords strapped to their backs and bare foot. Once they reach the stage, a bell is rang and everyone stands, signaling Addie to join them.

Adeline is led to the stage by her Grandfather Niall, Prince of the Fae, who has a sword strapped to his back. Addie has a leather sheath on her upper left arm, which holds a bejewled dagger nestled in it. Behind her is her newfound sister, Pam.

Once Addie, Niall, and Pam reach the alter, the AP turns around and motions for everyone else to sit. Pam, Godric and Simon all step back, but stay at the alter. Addie keeps her arm around Niall's elbow.

Without any words being said, Lex reaches his hand out for Addie's. But instead of Niall handing him Addie's hand, he lets go of her arm and draws his sword, pointing it at Lex's throat.

"Patriarch of the Brigant Family, I humbly ask your permission to pledge my Life to your Kin." Alexander states calmly and respectfully.

"Do you promise to protect her body, heart, and soul for all eternity?" Niall responds.

"I pledge my body, blood, and sword to protect your treasure!" Alexander states boldly.

With Lex's response, Niall lowers his sword, awaiting his next move. Proof.

Alexander draws his sword, slices open his hand, allows the blood to freely flow onto the stone floor that makes up the bottom of the alter, then plunges his sword into one of the flat stones. Keeping his hand wrapped around the hilt of the sword, kneeling down onto one knee, bowing his head.

"Will all those willing to protect this bonded pair please show your support." The AP asked of the crowd.

Godric, Simon, and Pam all mimic Lex minus the blood spilling and their swords pierce the dirt. Niall 'Stands Guard' over Addie. Those is the front row of chairs also mimic Lex.

The rest of the crowd dropped to one knee, with their right fist over their hearts and heads bowed.

After a moment, the AP nods to Niall and he places Addies hand on top of Lex's sword hilt.

"The pledging pair, please rise. Everyone else may be seated."

Once Addie and Lex have risen and are facing the AP, she addresses them again.

"Do both enter this Pledge willingly?"

"We do", they both respond.

"Prove your willingness" the AP requests.

Adeline unsheathes the dagger from her arm, kisses the blade, lays it flat against both of her palms, then presents it to Alexander while maintaining eye contact with him.

Lex accepts the dagger from Addie, inspects it, then kisses it as well, before handing it to the AP. Once the Ancient Pythoness has the dagger, she motions for their hands, then slices both palms, before joining Addie's right hand to Lex's left hand. She then allows their conjoined blood to flow into the goblet she is holding underneath their hands. Once the blood stops flowing, the AP starts stirring the goblet of blood with the dagger and addresses the crowd.

"A Blood Bond is a very serious committment that should never be taken lightly. A pledging is even more serious. It is not only the joining of blood, but the joining of blade as well. A pledging of love is the most serious committment in the Vampire World. Stronger than a bond between Maker and Child even. A pledge made out of love can never be severed, not even by the True Death. The two will be forever joined, just as their blood is joined together. Forever changed, never the same. No one may come between a pledged pair, without the punishment of death."

Once she is done speaking, she stops stirring the goblet. Sitting the goblet on a pedestal, she takes a white cloth and meticulously wipes the dagger clean before handing it to Lex, who tucks it into his belt. The cloth then goes into the fire pit.

"If you are entering this pledge honestly and openly, please drink."

Lex picks up the goblet, holds it to Addie's mouth, allowing her to drink half. Once she is done, Lex drinks the rest. Going so far as to lick part of the goblet, before handing it back to the AP. Who then gives it the same treatment as the dagger. Once she is done, it is placed back on the pedestal.

"What once was two, is now one. Use the dagger and goblet every year to renew your committment to each other. Everyone please rise, while they seal this pledge with a kiss."

Once everyone has risen, Lex gently pulls Addie to him, cups her cheeks with his hands, and tenderly kisses his wife, mate, bonded, and pledged.

Note: I wanted to get this chapter done and posted before Easter weekend. I'm sorry if it feels rushed. The after party will be next chapter with some more details on certain people, like Bill. I may go back later and change thiss chapter slightly, but I have no immediate plans to do so. Please let me know what you think. Also, do you guys prefer these posted here on Fanfiction or would you prefer for me to post on Archive of Our Own?