Here is the next chapter, hope you all enjoy it. I've enjoyed writing this one the most.

Disclaimer: The True Blood Characters in this belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Please critique and review. I am here to learn :)


"SILENCE"

Chapter Eight

There was silence. A comfortable silence however, while everyone patiently mused with their own thoughts. Elliane looked down at her hands; thoughtful and yet aware that they were waiting for her to speak. She laughed; a nervous, yet husky laugh that seemed to place a strain on the silence somehow. She looked up at Sookie and smiled. A soft genuine smile that lit up the atmosphere with it's radiance.

"My gift - is not at all like your ability Sookie," she stated quietly before she lowered her gaze in thought. The silence continued again and this time Sookie broke it.

"What is it like then?" she asked.

"I can't just do it whenever I want. I have to be relaxed."

Sookie nodded encouragingly and Elliane saw that she held a captive audience. Eric, Godric, Bill and Sookie were all waiting for her to continue. She felt strangely exposed, uncomfortable with discussing such a personal aspect of her life. And at the same time, she was relieved to be finally able to share it.

"I first discovered this ability after my parents died. My mother's jewellery was divided between my sister and myself. A silver charm bracelet that my mother had worn when she was young, was handed down to me. That night while I slept with it on, I dreamt of her. I dreamt of her youth and teenage years – the years she had worn the bracelet."

"What did you see?" Sookie asked.

"Everything," she gestured with her palms. "Everything she did while she wore the bracelet. Her personal and private moments included. I could see her behind the science block at a school with her friends - smoking her first cigarette. I saw her first kiss with a boy a year older than her. I saw her skipping classes and I saw her cry when her dog was hit down by a car. She removed the bracelet when she was about seventeen, the catch had broken and it was nearly lost. Years later, after the catch was fixed, she wore it again. She was a few years older and she took it off soon afterwards and never wore it again."

"Wow, that is amazing," said Sookie and she leaned forward waiting for Elliane to continue.

"After this dream, I was very tired and felt kind of ill for a couple of days. Unfortunately – this happens each time. It's like I become semi-delirious for a while as my mind deals with the overload of information and the dreams re-hash themselves at me. The dreams are much like any dream in that I remembered most of it when I first awake, but then it fades and becomes patchy."

"Do you write it all down then, when you first awake?" asked Sookie.

"I do. At least I write down what is important."

"Does the Psychometry work with any object?" Bill perked up curiously.

"It seems to work best with jewellery and metals. The objects must be either worn or touched by a person. In essence, I read the object's memories through the emotions and events of the person who held or wore them. It does not work on plastic or materials that are greatly evolved from their natural state."

"So if I gave you my Gran's pearls to wear, you would see what she did and felt while she wore the pearls." Sookie questioned.

Elliane nodded. "Yes, I would get initial impressions from the pearls, just by touching them. And, if I wear them while I was sleeping I would essentially relive the events of the person and as the person who wore the pearls."

Sookie raised her brow. "So you see everything that happens. Even a trip to the bathroom?"

Elliane smiled in response. "Yes, and though you might imagine how awkward I should feel at some of the things I see, I become so emotionally connected to the person in the dream that it doesn't feel intrusive at the time."

Eric smirked broadly. "This sounds like a very interesting ability."

Elliane laughed lightly. "Indeed it is."

His eyes narrowed and became thoughtful. "It is also a very, very powerful ability."

Elliane shrugged her shoulders. "Yes it is I suppose, though I don't use it so much anymore unless I really need to."

"So, your gift would definitely be an asset to your work?" Sookie beamed at her.

"Yes. But I've kept it hidden for various reasons. Firstly, I wasn't all that sure that it worked accurately or if I was just - really dreaming. Only with time and a few experiments have I discovered how effective it is. Secondly, it fatigues me greatly. I could see myself being completely exploited for this ability - never escaping the exhaustive work that would be required of me. And finally... it puts me in a position similar to what I am already in. People want the past to remain hidden. I would be targeted by those who my ability threatens."

Bill gestured to Sookie quietly, indicating to the time and she stood with another smile.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go now," Sookie directed the comment to Elliane. "I have to fill in for someone at work. It was sure nice to meet you. You would be welcome to come visit me should you get the chance and I will be pleased to help you get out of this fix of I can."

Elliane and the rest of the group also rose.

"It was nice to meet you both," Elliane replied. Sookie smiled and Bill nodded at her and as Elliane went to follow them towards the doorway, Godric's cool hand caught at her wrist.

"I must speak with you," he said quietly. Elliane nodded and seconds later she found he had shifted her with rapid speed into the room upstairs. Her laptop was still beside the bed, the driver installation complete. Godric placed her beside the bed and he stood by the fireplace facing her. Elliane took a gasp at the sudden change in her surroundings as Godric spoke.

"I wanted to talk to you privately. I was wondering what options you foresee now." The accent in his voice was audible though he kept his tone low.

Elliane gathered her thoughts. "Well, Sookie is right. Should I prove that I can be an asset, I could continue the work I do and my name would be removed from the blacklist." She furrowed her brow. "I would be doing a different type of work of course. I would be removed from undercover and I would possibly do some retrieval or surveillance work, but I would most likely stay out of the public eye."

"Would this make you happy?" he asked.

"Well it's better than being dead if that's what you mean," she shrugged. "I don't want to be stuck doing nothing else but using my Psychometry though, which I can imagine will be the focus of my future work."

Godric nodded.

"I could still leave the country and set up a new life elsewhere. I've always had an inclination to be a florist" Elliane grinned offhandedly as though the thought wasn't serious, but Godric could sense given the choice, this was in fact, the option she would choose. She was prevaricating.

"I have another alternative for you," he stated coolly. Elliane's heart started to hammer and met his cold gaze with a calm that she was far from feeling.

Godric continued. "I can arrange things so that you don't have to leave. Although, you would have to leave your friends."

"I don't have any friends," she interrupted.

Godric gave her a mild smirk of disbelief.

"It's true," she answered. "I have associates, not friends."

"Well in any case. You could remain in this country where you would be comfortable in familiar surroundings. The people you work for and those associates would be completely ignorant to your existence. You would be safe."

Elliane was silent while her mind puzzled together the possibilities.

"Completely ignorant?" she asked curiously.

"Absolutely. To them, it would be as though you never existed."

"Hmm." Elliane wasn't too sure if that was a good thing. Was that the catch? Leaving behind everything and everyone that she knew in life.

"Can you tell me more? There would have to be another catch to this."

Godric nodded solemnly. "It would take a lot to organization to pull it off successfully. I am in communication with agents, who work within your work organisations, and they are willing to assist. But there is a price." He moved to the chair and sat down indicating that Elliane should sit on the bed. Her mind was awhirl. Why hadn't he said something sooner? He waited for her to sit before he continued.

"You would have to remove yourself from the mortal-human world and enter ours."

It was a moment before she answered. "Become a vampire?" her voice was breathless, and she felt panic rise in her throat. She couldn't do that. She just couldn't. Drinking blood! The very idea made her feel ill. No wonder he suggested she sit down.

"No… not that," his eyes darkened.

"You can become a part our world without becoming a vampire."

Elliane looked curious.

"In such cases, one of our species takes responsibility for you. You become a part of their entourage and you are protected by them."

Elliane was sure there was more to it than that. What were they called? Fangbangers, slaves, pets? The lines of differentiation blurred to her. They were all the same. They all usually ended up dead somewhere. Drained... like her sister.

"I don't think that is a suitable option for me," she said. She attempted to keep the acid tone from her voice but wasn't all that sure she had succeeded and she avoided looking at him.

"You should think about it," Godric answered mildly. "What are your options again? One, is being a slave to your home of employment, exploiting your gift so that you don't fall back into the liability status. Two, is to attempt an escape. To remove yourself completely from all that you have known and start over, although you will be always paranoid I would think, looking over your shoulder and wondering if you had been caught. Option three, is to enter our world. You would be safe. During the day you could do whatever you wanted, as long as you quit the world of espionage. Actually, you wouldn't have to work at all."

Godric paused, "You could study if you choose to." He could sense her swaying favourably to the thought and he changed the topic of conversation.

"You never heard the rest of my story," he said.

"About Tyr?" she looked up surprised.

A ghost of a smile crossed his lips and he moved, sitting beside her on the bed so that he could talk to her comfortably.

"Yes, do you recall what I told you last night?"

"I do," she answered. "You were telling me how Tyr had lost his hand in a fight with a large wolf."

"Fenris."

"And that Tyr would die at the end of time fighting a creature in Helheim."

"Yes, but since that time is a long way off, he decided in the mean-time to travel the realms...my story continues from there."

Elliane smiled.

"When Tyr travelled and left the higher realms, he came to Midgard. It was here that he found that he was once again whole. For it was only in Asgard and the Vanaheim that had he no hand."

"So he could fight again with his sword arm." Elliane stated.

Godric nodded. "He travelled with a group of ancients that left the cold northern lands and settled somewhere warmer. They were called the Fomorians. They came to Eire where they moved into the coastal islands. They were a frightening race. Described as being dark giants, many scholars have thought they were the offspring of demons, or fallen angels. Some were half beasts and they were possessed of great magical power."

"I have never heard of this race." Elliane said simply. She made herself more comfortable; grabbing two pillows she propped them up behind her, sitting crossed legged on the bed.

"They went to war occasionally with the existing race, although they mostly occupied the isles. The main-lands were hotspot of contention. Despite being a misshapen and ugly race, there was one amongst them that was considered beautiful. He was one of their Kings. A tall and powerful being with golden hair. He was called Elathan."

"Was this Tyr, who had travelled with them?" she asked.

Godric nodded and continued. "After many years another race arrived. The Tuatha Dé Danann, and this race in contrast to the Fomori was very attractive. The two races engaged in many battles fighting over the land. Tyr wanted to find a way to bring peace to the Island of Eire. So one night, Elathan (Tyr) arrived from beneath the sea on a silver ship to the main Isle of Eire. He seduced Eiru, a princess of the Danann, causing her to fall with child, but when he went to leave, she cried and begged him to stay. Eiru had fallen in love with him. He gave her a ring which he told her to give only to the man that it would fit. The child that Eiru bore from their union was called Bres."

Godric glanced at Elliane to find her listening intently.

"As Bres grew he was favoured by the Fomorians. Though the races had intermixed, they still battled, fighting over parcels of land. In a particularly large battle, King Nuada of the Tuatha Dé Danann was injured and lost his arm. Because of this he was no longer able to be King. In his place Bres, the half Fomorian, was named king and he married Brigid. Through this, the Tuatha Dé Danann hoped that they could bring peace to Eire."

Godric took a pause. "Bres was a bad king however. He taxed the Tuatha Dé Danann heavily and made them slaves to the Fomorians. He ruled this way for seven years until they found a way to make the old King Nuada whole again, and they restored him to his throne. Bres was then exiled."

Elliane shrugged. "It sounds like he got what he deserved."

"Well, his father certainly thought so," he answered.

"Tyr?"

Godric nodded. "Bres approached his mother to help him get back the Kingdom he had lost. Being a Danann herself, so she wasn't all that impressed on how he had ruled. She pulled out the ring that Elathan (Tyr) had given her and the ring fitted Bres. She then told him how she met her father and he went off to find him, hoping since his father was a Fomorian, he would have an ally."

"But he didn't, right?"

"No. Elathan recognised him from the ring and was pleased to meet his son. He asked how he had lost the kingdom and Bres admitted that he had treated the Tuatha Dé Danann poorly. His father was disappointed. Tyr was a God of Justice and he refused to help Bres."

"So what happened to Bres?"

"He still tried to get back his Kingdom. He spent years raising an army and eventually he lost everything he loved. He and his wife Brigid had a single child together, a son who was called Rúadan. Bres had rallied and assembled a mighty army to attack the Tuatha Dé Danann and the two races went to war. However, the Tuatha Dé Danann had great magic on their side. A powerful druid had created a well, the water from which would heal the wounds of their warriors after each day of battle. Bres was angry. He had learnt his lesson from his earlier poor leadership and he felt that he was fighting the battle of Dynasty in true fairness and warfare."

"He sent his son Rúadan to spy on the encampment of Tuatha Dé Danann. Rúadan had such innocent face that the Tuatha Dé Danann didn't suspect him of spying. He discovered that their blacksmith Gofannon made enchanted weapons. Rúadan tried to steal one of the spears so that it could be examined, but he was caught red-handed by Gofannon. In defense, he thrust the spear into Gofannon who instantly healed himself as he fell against the enchanted well. Gofannon pulled the spear out and in return slew Rúadan with it."

Godric paused and he noticed that Elliane was looking thoughtful.

"The name Rúadan is very familiar to me," she said.

Godric grinned. "It should be. For the Celts especially, Rúadan is the patron Saint of Spies, or the God of Espionage."

"So Rúadan had an innocent and young face?" she said musingly. "He sounds a bit like you?"

Godric laughed softly. "You know the irony of that – Is that I've been told the same thing before. In fact, the only reason I know of this story so well, was because I reminded the tale bearer of the very same thing."

"Really?" she was bemused.

"Yes. However, I am certainly not Rúadan if that is what you are thinking. All this takes place some five millennia or more, before I was born."

"Fair enough," she shrugged.

"So what do you think of my offer?" He quickly changed the subject back to what he first discussed with her.

Elliane paused, stalling on her answer. Godric could feel the anxiety within her as she spoke cautiously. "So is it you that is offering to be the err.. guardian of me?"

"Yes, that is deal I've arranged."

"What exactly is required of me?"

"You must give up your current line of work for humans," he said.

"Do I sign a contract?"

"No. As you will be under my protection, it is I that declares that you are mine."

Elliane nodded.

"There needs to be evidence of that though. Otherwise, your human status is in limbo and you would be viewed as prey by other vampires."

Prey? Elliane didn't like the sound of that. "What evidence is required?"

"Your scent needs to be tainted with mine?"

Elliane's eyes hardened suspiciously and she crossed her arms in front her chest.

"And how is that achieved exactly?" the acid tone had returned to her voice.

"I would feed from you," he answered calmly and he instantly felt her rising panic "It would not be often - A small amount maybe once a week. At my age I require very little blood."

He could sense she was torn with the idea. Her thoughts ticking over inside.

"Is there no other way?" she asked.

"Well – you could sleep with me instead."

Her face suddenly became like stone and her silver eyes flashed at him with contempt. "There is no way in hell I am doing that!"

"Why not?" His tone was placid.

There was a sudden rush of movement; he had tackled her and flung her across the bed, pinning her prone beneath him as he laid over her. His head dipped and his cool lips brushed across her own. "You wanted it last night," he stated in a husky whisper.

Elliane froze, her skin, her lips tingle with awareness of him. He gazed at her with strange fathomless eyes. She forced a light laugh.

"Yes, but that was when I thought you were some lonely, umm.. exchange-student from Europe."

He didn't answer. She expected him to say something in response but instead he placed another cool kiss against the line of her jaw. His hand slid beneath her top and stroked slowly over her ribcage and abdomen. Her breath caught in her throat.

"I'm not sleeping with you," she reiterated.

"Why not," he murmured against her neck, his other hand now traced itself up and down her thighs, making slow circles with his fingertips through the fabric of her jeans.

"You must have had twenty thousand women before at least."

"Really..? How do you figure that?" she could hear the amusement in his voice and he continue to place gentle kisses down her throat to her collarbone.

"Math." She replied. Though her voice came as a soft gasp.. Her blood started to heat as he continued the subtle assault on her body. "If in two thousand years you've had only ten women a year, that would be twenty thousand."

He had somehow managed to unclip her bra and as his hand came to rest against the silky flesh of her breast, she hissed sharply.

"I will not be compared to twenty-thousand women!" she attempted to struggle from his grasp as she felt her skin flush, hotly responding to his touch. He kissed her fully then - a slow sensual kiss against the mouth which left her trembling.

"Godric!" she uttered when he drew away. "I won't do this. I would rather you feed from me."

"As you wish," he responded. She met his eyes and saw them flash with a familiar golden glow as his fangs extended.

He raised himself quickly so that he knelt back on his shins and knees and was upright on the bed. He lifted her to fit against him and positioned her legs to straddle his hips. She was pulled close, her body completely pressed against his as he sunk his fangs into the vein in her neck.

"Oh …Dear.. God," she murmured, her voice thick with desire. She had expected the agonizing pain of a bite, but instead her blood had instantly ignited, sending waves of sensual heat searing through her body. Her hips bucked against him and she clutched the shirt on his back into frantic fists. He felt her struggle again and she softly growled in protest to the surge of lust.

He drew back, relaxing his hold upon her so that she was no longer locked against his body. It was suddenly over. He had taken only a little of her blood and he placed a pillow below her head and lent over to let her body fall gently against the mattress.

"That wasn't so bad was it?" he smiled. He stretched out beside her on the bed, laying on his side so that he could look at her. Elliane was still shaking. Her eyes wide in bewildered shock.