Song featured: Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion

The Princess and the Sheriff

We're taught unconditional love
That blood is thicker than water
That a parent's world would revolve
Always around their son or their daughter

Honor They Father by Dream Theater

Chapter 6: A Dance with My Father

Dallas, Texas

Later the same night...

Godric's compound was rocking; music echoed into the night. All the lights were on, including the in-ground lights, spotlighting the trees and statues. There was a true sense of party in the air. Lennie could hear the music and chattering as she drove up the access road. Cars were parked everywhere on the street that wasn't gated. The gates to his home were open; cars lined either side of the driveway. There had to be a hundred or more people here tonight.

Lennie parked near the front of the house; her parking blocked two cars from leaving, but she didn't care. Carrying Eric's coat over her shoulder she walked toward the house. She was positively giddy as she went up the steps. The door was closed; but all the patio doors were open. She moved along the front porch. Conversation came to her ears; she kept walking. Most of the party seemed gathered in the main floor living room. As she passed another set of open doors; she saw Eric. He stood over Godric like had the first night they had met. She paused, studying her Maker. He sat in a chair, dark gray sweater, black pants and simple black shoes; his shoulders hunched. Hands in his lap; his face was pleasant, but she saw the truth in his eyes. He was tired; not the body kind either, his soul was tired.

There was a line up of people gathered before him. Like a king receiving tribute. He nodded in polite thanks; at the words spoke to him. Lennie narrowed her eyes at those who stood before Godric. Some of them were sincere in their words of welcome; their thanks that he was safe. Others, though, were simply not and it mad her sick. The scene was oddly patronizing.

Eric looked over at her, a moment of silent communication. She looked back to Godric; she wanted to cross to him; to put her arms around him. But his orders still stood; he had not rescinded his command for her to leave him. She could join the line and kneel at his feet. But she had no place to hug him; any more then Stan Davis did at this moment.

She looked away and continued to the back of the house. As she walked, she caught a look at her reflection in the windows. Her pale skin was coated in black soot; her hair was ratted in a tangled mass of black. Her clothes were filthy and ripped in some places. She couldn't remember getting so dirty. She made her way to the back of the house. There were people scattered through out the gardens. Laughter and chatter competed with the music. She stepped around people, not pausing to talk to anyone. Threading her way through the clusters of party-goers, she ignored the stares and whispers.

In her room she stared at herself in the mirror. The shower she'd just finished had washed her clean. She tipped her head from one side to another. There was a new sadness to her eyes; they looked like Godric's eyes. Shadowed with too many long years of violence and unending time.

Lennie turned away from herself; she dressed in black jeans; pulling on a black t-shirt. Her bitch-boots were trashed; she replaced them with simple black sneakers. Not exactly party-wear. Others in the house were gowns and suits; but her Maker was in simple clothes; so she did the same.

She left her room; making her way down the stairs to the main area. The party was still in full swing. Joining the crowds she could not avoid conversation any further. She was simply pulled into small groups and chatted at.

"I can't believe you missed it all," A human gushed to her; Lennie did her best to look interested. "I mean the whole thing was insane. Stan stormed the church and saved Godric."

Lennie arched a brow, but nodded. She stopped listening; her focus turning to the room. She caught sight of Godric as he stepped out of the room; she followed. They ended up standing before the fireplace in his office. Flames danced to their own song; along the logs that fed them. She closed the door and silently crossed to him.

Godric didn't look away from the flames as she joined him. The two of them watched the brilliant dance of colors. Orange was the primary; but there was red, gold, and blue as well. The sound was sharp, crackling as the wood popped. Somewhere in the distance; perhaps across the gap of time, a song reached her. From her memories it rose like an invisible ghost. Floating softly around the room; drowning out all the noise around them.

"Good to see those gymnastic classes paid off," Godric muttered, "It was impressive to say the least. I knew you'd make me proud."

Lennie looked over at him; smiling gently. She held back tears; by pulling in a deep breath. "I simply could not walk away from you."

He answered by taking her left hand in his. His fingers wrapped around hers; gently squeezing her fingers. "I never doubted you, Lovisa."

The gentle chords of the guitar melded with the piano; as words filled the air:

"For all the times you stood by me; for all the truth you made me see. For all the joy you brought to my life. For all the wrongs you made right. For every dream you made come true. For all the love I found in you. I'll be forever thankful. You're the one who held me up, never let me fall. You're the one who saw me through, through it all.

They stood silently for a long time. He took a step back from the fireplace; pulling her with him. Without a word; he pulled her into his arms. He held her close; his head resting on her shoulder; arms around her. She held him, and they danced slowly.

In the distance the music grew louder; the piano and guitar were clear as the song filled the room:

You were my strength when I was weak. You were my voice when I couldn't speak. You were my eyes when I couldn't see. You saw the best there was in me. Lifted me up when I couldn't reach. You gave me faith because you believed. I am everything I am because you loved me. You gave me wings and made me fly. You touched my hand and I could touch the sky. I lost my faith and you gave it back to me. You said no star was out of reach. You stood by me and I stood tall…I am grateful for each day you gave me...You were always there for me; the tender wind that carried me. Light in the dark...my world is a better place because of you…

The dance continued for a long time; the music eventually faded into the past, but they continued to dance.

**

The fire had died down in the hearth by the time Godric and Lennie stepped out of the office. He took on the usual posture; hands in his pockets, as they walked down the hall. Lennie kept her hands folded behind her; comfortable in the military-like stance. The din of the party grew louder as they approached. Neither one of them rushed. They walked slowly, neither one care if they were gone too long.

He spoke quietly, "The Fellowship will be rebuilt, this you know. Tonight has only slowed them down; not stopped them."

"So be it," Lennie replied gently, "I love a good bonfire; having more of them would be good, I think."

Godric smiled, it was a slight movement of lips. "I expect to see you around the house more often in the future."

Lennie nodded as joy burst through her. He held out a hand to her. She smiled at him, grasping his hand. Godric met her gaze; and for the first time in decades she saw them twinkle with real happiness. Those were the eyes she had first seen. They were still weighted with is age; but it wasn't a burden now, it simply was there. He stood tall and no longer hunched over. The person before her was the man who had made her what she was today. He was the reason there was good in her and joy in her heart. He was her Maker, her father. And she loved him more then Death or Life could ever comprehend.

Godric squeezed her hand once before letting go. He turned away and headed into the main group. She blinked back tears, not following him, the tears fell anyway. Eric's presence tingled around her; his pale hand held out a black cloth. His hand settled on her shoulder as she wiped the blood from her cheeks. He silently left her and returned to the party.

Too bad good things never lasted long in their world.

**