A/N: And the plot thickens. Sorry, it did take me longer than I thought to post this, but I did have to do some research. The next chapter will be up soon, I promise, since it is half written. I love you, as always. You guys send me to the moon with the shit you come up with in your comments. Don't forget to go vote for your favorite AU fanfic, of which I am honored to be a nominee, for The Fangies! You can look at all the awards and contenders here: http(colon forward slash forward slash) (forward slash)fangiegdocs And vote here: http(colon forward slash forward slash)eSurv. org?u=Fangies2013

Love and kisses and armpit sniffs. I have no Beta, I own no characters, except for mine.

There were several sets of stunned eyes staring at the three of us: Niall, Claude, Celighn, Dr. Ludwig, even Kvelin. There was another person there I did not know-looked to be Demon to me, judging by the blue colored skin. We must have looked like a circus-Claudine's eyes bugging out of her head, screaming at Eric; and me, jumping around like a spider monkey- ripping a tapestry from the wall, then launching myself at him to cover up his body. Then there was Eric, who half sat, half lay on the floor, looking unfazed and, of course, smug. Until I attempted to smother him with the tapestry and my body, to shield him from the light. Then he began laughing. Uncontrollably. And didn't stop.

Celighn was the first to speak, in her thick brogue, "Always one to make an entrance, eh, Sookie?"

"Bah, hush! What in the holy hell is going on, here?!" I looked in each set of eyes, shooting daggers at them and demanding an answer.

"It looks to me like you're mounted atop a wiggly pack of puppies." She referenced Eric who was giggling so hard it was shaking me as I struggled to stay atop him with the fabric covering him.

I thought out loud, "I am taking him somewhere dark, somewhere safe. I can take him to my old room, right? The closet, maybe? Yes. I will be-"

"There is no need for that, Granddaughter. He is safe."

"How so? How do you know that?"

He smiled gently at me, "I have it on very good authority."

"Okaaaay. Well why is he giggling like a school boy?"

"He is under the effects of euphoria right now. It is an overload of fairy magic he has never felt in such high potency before."

"So, if I pull this fabric off of him, he will not burn? Despite it being full daytime and windows streaming with sunlight?" I stared hard at my grandfather, hoping he knew just how seriously I took Eric's health. Bond or no bond, he was mine. I didn't care what higher up, assuming the Demon stranger was someone of import, we offended by me popping us out of here. I was not letting him burn up. He took notice of the gravity in my eyes and smiled at me, almost proudly, which was puzzling.

He leaned to say something I didn't hear to Dr. Ludwig and she nodded and replied, "Yes, she has grown nicely possessive of him." I guess she didn't feel the need to whisper.

I heard Eric's muffled voice, still trembling with laughter, but calming some. "Sookie, I am fine. If I were going to burn, I would have already felt it on my feet and I do not." I looked down to see I had not done a good job of covering all of him. I rolled over to my side, next to him on the floor, still disbelieving he was completely safe. I kept him covered, but turned his face to me. His face was streaming with tears.

"You're sure?"

He laughed a bit more, "I am quite sure."

I grabbed his hand and slowly exposed it to the light and waited. Nothing. No screams, no bubbling or blackened flesh. Before I could test out more of his arm, he ripped the tapestry off, grabbed me up and flew us closer to the window. I gasped and pawed at him, trying to cover his chest up-it was too close to the fire for my comfort, but he grabbed my arms and held them to my sides. "See, Sookie, ssshhh, it's fine. I am fine." He held me and patted my hair, while I examined him closely for any signs of damage. He watched while I took his hand and put it in a beam of sunlight and nothing happened.

We were broken from our reverie by someone clearing their throat and we both turned.

My grandfather came forward and held his arms out to embrace me, though I had yet to peel myself from Eric. "Sookie, I swear to you, no harm will come to him. Now hug me, child. I have missed you." I tentatively let go of my Viking and stepped into his arms, and he held me to him tightly. I tersely hugged him back, unsure of what our presence here meant and quite frankly I was a little pissed at him. And he knew it. He pulled back and looked at me a little sadly, "We will talk and clear the air between us, I promise." He kissed my forehead and my anger melted. Addressing Eric, "Northman. Unusual circumstances, you being here, but you are welcome, as long as you refrain from killing anyone."

He shrugged. "I did not like Sookie being taken from me without warning. I sought to protect her, as I have been prophesied to do, as you must know by now. And rest assured, Your Highness, I feel no inclination whatsoever to drain anyone."

"Yes, Dr. Ludwig here has informed us of the unique circumstances surrounding your...relationship. Interesting, though it's the first of it's kind we know of, so there is much to be learned."

Celighn and Claude greeted me from afar, obviously hesitant to come close to Eric.

Kvelin had no reservations and came right up to us. I had never seen him armed to the hilt as he was now. The famous Britlingen armor, body forming, soft and black, covered him. He sported swords and daggers, bow and quiver on every available inch of his body. He would have hugged me, if I had not stepped back and grasped Eric's arm to my chest. I heard Eric's low growl and I can't say I blamed him. Another Supe that damn well knew the rules of propriety when it came to other Supe couples. It wasn't difficult; hands off. He cocked an eyebrow at me and I was taken with just how much he looked like Eric. How was it I could have practiced with him for years and never so much as been tempted, yet when I took one look at Eric, my panties ran for the hills?

"Kvelin. Nice to see you. This is Eric Northman, my soon-to-be-bonded." They both curtly nodded at each other, though judging by Kvelin's face, Eric must have given him a less than polite glare.

Not looking at me, but over my head to Eric, "Nice to see you safe, Sookie." He stepped back, to my grandfather's side, but never turned his back to us or tore his eyes from my vampire. Oh brother, here we go, like I had time for territorial pissing.

"Grandfather, how is Eric not burning up, right now?"

"I would prefer to answer that in a bit, Sookie. There are a few other things to talk about first."

I nodded. "Okay, so can I find out why we are here? What has happened? Is everything alright?"

My great-grandfather walked around to sit at his desk and everyone else sat as well. This reminded me when we were last here and he told me I would be leaving to infiltrate the jurisdiction of the Vampire whose arm I now protectively clung to. I stifled a laugh at that, sobering when I saw how much more tired my grandfather looked than he had only a few mere days ago. Did he have those furrows in his brow before?

"For the time, everything is quiet. Which is concerning in itself. As you know, we have been infiltrated on many levels, the most personally upsetting being Preston's betrayal. But, when Dr. Ludwig came to tell me about Phaedra, that set a much more dangerous tone to what had previously been a manageable bout of infighting among our own. Sookie, I summoned you here tonight to have you ask your vampire for help."

Eric snorted and I jumped up.

"Ah, there it is. A favor by force."

"I would not force either of you in to anything."

Pacing the room in an eerily similar fashion to the last time I was in his offices, it was my turn to snort. "Force, no. Mislead and smokescreen, yes." I stopped right in front of where he was seated behind his desk and looked down my nose at him.

He rose to his full height, which was many inches taller than me and got so close, I had to bend back some to look up at him. In a very steely tone and with a clenched jaw, "I have told you we will speak of our issues later. You will not throw one of your tantrums now. You will drop your smart talk. Immediately."

Gulp. I wasn't sure I had ever heard him take that tone with me before. It dawned on me and I almost facepalmed. We weren't just our little family here in this room. We had an outsider present and I was sassing him pretty good in front of them. Time to recover. "I am sorry, Your Highness, Grandfather. I meant you no disrespect. My emotions got away from me." I bowed my head in a contrite gesture. When I looked back up at him he had the slightest twinkle in his eye. He knew it was out of character for me to be so kowtowed, but at least I had some small amount of grace to make up for it quickly.

He patted my hand. "My goal was to merely tell you just how much trouble this Phaedra fool is, then ask you to implore Eric for his assistance."

I sat back down. "I am sorry Grandfather, continue on, before I interrupted you."

"Yes, well as you know, Dr. Ludwig informed The Council of Phaedra's interference immediately after your visit this evening. In turn, They sent Their representative, Gideon to me" the Demon gave a slight bow to me, "to discuss our options. The best idea we came up with was to see if Eric would get involved."

"Niall, what is it you think I can do, that you cannot?" Eric diplomatically asked, neither offering nor declining his help. "And with all due respect to Them, why doesn't The Council just summon her before Them?"

Gideon answered first. "We have summoned her. It is Our opinion she will not heed. She is too mad and feels she is under no higher authority. You are our backup plan."

"It is likely Phaedra has an interest in you. She kidnapped your brother, a vampire she would have no tie to or interest in, otherwise. She most likely has no interest in the Water Fairy, other than using them as a means to end. Her interest in us, unfortunately, stems from an encounter she had with our kind eons ago. We were fighting a faction of Dionysus' followers, maenads, for encroaching on our area. They destroyed hectares of our lands with a wave of their collective hands-scorching trees and earth for their huge bonfires, destroying sacred forests and meadows, contaminating rivers and brooks with waste and alcohol. In those times, we were guardians of the smaller woodland creatures-the elves, pixies, trolls and gnomes. With their debauchery and mistreatment of our land, they killed or injured hundreds of them. While Phaedra was not a maenad, she followed them, took part in their orgies, in a desperate attempt to associate herself with them. A few of the women snuck into our midst while the elders were distracted with battle and preyed upon the youngest of our flock. They were boys that were mere days into manhood, prime fairy men for fighting, protecting and breeding. They were there only to apprentice with the elders-clean and sharpen the weapons, care for our armor. We couldn't risk losing them in battle but we wanted them to see it. Two favorites, Kheelen and Nix were lured away with talk of sex, drunken orgies, wine and parties. They slaughtered them then displayed their disemboweled bodies on pikes, on the edges of our own land! Needless to say, retribution was swift and final. We did away with the group of them quickly. Only Phaedra survived because she turned into a snake and escaped. Fitting for her, I think. Now she wants her retribution."

"If she can change shape, what exactly is she?" Celighn asked what we were all thinking.

"She is a demi-god, though how strong her powers are is anyone's guess. It is believed, however, that to strengthen her magic, she practices witchcraft and calls upon the elements and old gods-Hecate, Dionysus, Astarte for increased power. She also has been known to keep Supernaturals as prisoners, for the purpose of drinking their blood; in her mind, absorbing their powers. Or, working some type of sorcery to take on their form-almost like necromancy. She has killed many a Demon, Fairy, Vampire, Were in this manner." Gideon answered.

Great-grandfather continued, "To answer your question, Eric, I feel she will listen to you, since she has a desire for you on whatever level. Whether it be romantically, or as a pawn to use against us, she obviously went through steps to find out who was important enough to you, to use as leverage. Knowing her thought process, she most likely thought, if Breandan could blackmail you into fighting with them, she could either woo you with false promises of ruling all of Faery or simply cast a spell over you, keeping you as a prisoner."

"This is not winning me over in your favor."

I got very anxious at my grandfather's words, but Eric, ever calm, rubbed my hands between his.

"This is where the bond comes in," Dr. Ludwig piped up. "Once you two bond, she will not be able to overtake your mind, your spirit, your anything, really. The magic involved infusing you two together will prevent it."

"Yes, but I imagine she could still kill him." I stated the obvious. No one challenged my theory. "So, I have a few questions. Why has The Council, with all respect, done nothing to stop Phaedra's madness? She sounds like a threat to everyone." I directed my question to the Demon.

"We try not to get involved in common problems we deem as minor. As you know, interfering can greatly alter the future against Fate's overall plan. Prior to now, she has threatened only small numbers or individual Supes. After the Maenad-Fairy War, she stuck with creating havoc with human religious groups and mostly stayed away from Our world. Now, she is involving both colonies of Fairies and in doing so has involved Vampires. And if the Vampires felt like it, would be justified in some type of retaliation. If it weren't for your involvement Sookie, we may not have known that this was a ploy on her part, and it may have started a three tier war."

Eric and my grandfather beamed at me with pride. Changing the subject, "How did you find this out so quickly, or did you already know and not tell us earlier? About the bond I mean, Dr. Ludwig, when you just found out about Phaedra?"

She looked offended. "Don't let the fancy title throw you off, girly. I do actually work, you know. When I alerted The Council, the Ancient Pythoness was brought in, to see the best path. She gave me the answers. Well, technically she gave me a riddle to solve, but I looked through a few ancient texts, did some quick research, and found out what I needed. I found a few other things that you need to know as well, and consulted with your great-grandfather. Same for you, Northman."

"Yes, we will get to that in a moment." Niall interrupted.

Cripes, what was so secretive he kept changing the subject or banning us from speaking of it, until later?

"So, if our bond is so important, why did you not let us bond, then tell us all of this?"

"Another question I will answer soon, I promise." Grrr, so he brought me, us here just to tell me he was going to answer all my questions later? Seems productive. I clenched my jaw and counted backwards from ten.

Eric, sweet, intuitive man he is, vocalized that question for me. "So, in order to answer our questions, which are important, yet private in nature, you want to know if I will help, correct?"

Gideon spoke up again, "Mr. Northman, I believe it is my presence that is postponing your personal business. You are right. I only need an answer to our proposal and I will be gone in a flash." He smiled at me, with his multiple rows of pointy teeth, at his own humor. Demons are very, very quick. "Will you be helping us with Phaedra, if the need arises?"

"Yes. I will help."

"Excellent, I will tell The Council and They will be very pleased at the news. We will be indebted to you, as will the Fairies, I presume." Hmm, that was a powerful statement. "Your Highness" he bowed fully now to Niall, and all of us fairies in the room, "Doctor, Britlingen, Sheriff, again-many thanks." With that, he was gone, with nothing but a brisk breeze from his zippy departure.

Claudine finally spoke quietly, from across the room. "Yes, Eric, we will be indebted to you."

Eric nodded. "You understand my decision was based solely on how this affects Sookie?"

My grandfather flashed a sly smile at him, "Of course. Frankly, I don't care why you are helping, though it makes me happy you are willing to take such risk for the family of your Bonded. Very honorable. I have always thought you to be so. Especially for a vampire."

Eric smirked at him, unruffled by his words.

"It is fair to ask that you answer our questions, now? I have offered my assistance and we have waited long enough."

Niall cocked an eyebrow at him, "You know her so well, already." He turned to me, "You have done well with your patience my dear, I am sure the wait was eating you up."

Hahaha, laugh it up. Just get to the point.

"If you all would excuse us please, except for Dr. Ludwig. I would like to tell Sookie and her vampire what we know in private. If they elect to tell you what they learn, it is their choice." All the cousins filed out of the room. Claudine rubbed my shoulder on the way out, on the side opposite Eric. Kvelin stayed put and I shot him a look.

"I am here to protect The Prince. I won't be leaving. I assure you, Princess Sookie" Grrr. I saw Eric smirk, "Though we previously know each other in a more casual respect," now Eric was the one growling "I have been contracted to protect His Highness, so I am bound to complete secrecy." He had a look I had never seen from him-guess I had never seen his work face before.

Niall nodded his agreeance. "I will start from the beginning. You have been told you are fated, yes?" We both nodded dumbly, in anticipation. "Well, Dr. Ludwig has found family trees, lineage and manuscripts that give us a more detailed description of both of your bloodlines. None of which I was aware of. I knew of The Brigant family line, of course, as it relates back to the Early Days, but I could not even suspect that you two had ties as old as mine."

"Oh, hells bells, Your Highness, spit it out." He shot Dr. Ludwig daggers with his eyes, but she carried on anyway. "Sookie, you are descended from the Tuatha de Danann, the original deities of Ireland, specifically Danu. Eric, you are a Lochlann, a sworn protector of The Tuatha, specifically Danu and indirectly to Eriu and Brigid, all of whom have ties, generations later, to Sookie and The Brigants. Your ancestors protected Sookie's ancestors and it is why you are immune to the Sun here and why you two have been Fated."