Hello my darlings! Me again (twice in a week, Armageddon is coming!) no really it's just that I appear to be back on the saddle inspiration-wise and I decided to put that to profit by writing some more. Plus I know you were probably all dying to know if Niall was forcing Eric into this, what Sookie would answer and such. So here we go, chapter 39.

Just a few stats because I find this absolutely crazy: this story is so far more than 300 pages long on Word (without all the AN! which are quite substantial hahaah) and over 145 000 words (without AN again). I can't believe I've written this much especially since I think it's the first time I write a story this long apart from another fic I wrote a while back for Pirates of the Caribbean which I never published on this website. I'm a big, big HUGE fan of Jack Sparrow and the Caribbean galore :) Anxiously awaiting May 20th to see if Penelope Cruz can indeed kick some tanned pirate ass in the next instalment :)

On a different note, I would like to note that Alan Ball said in a recent interview that he was very excited about the Eric story-line in True Blood Season 4 which is coming in 119 damned days (yes, you read right, 119 days before we can feast our eyes on our favourite Viking... he better be on the nude at least once in the first episode :)!)

So I really hope you enjoy this chapter. The next one will most probably be some sort of a filler and then we embark on part 3 of this story, Rhodes. I warn you in advance, the next few chapters will probably be the last ones where everything is pink and pretty for Eric and Sookie. Heartache will follow and trouble with the fairies, the Magister, Victor Madden and Felipe de Castro, Quinn, the Summit itself (those of you who have read the book know a bit what to expect, but I will drift off the original story line and go a different path though some elements will remain the same...). I know most of you will be pissed with my Sookie for some of her reactions because as readers, you all know that deep down Eric does what he does for her own good, but walk a mile in her shoes and you'll understand that the poor girl is being thrown back and forth and pulled in all different directions life-wise. So please bear with her, I'm telling you this fic will not end on a sad note (I would probably drown my computer in tears if I were to end this fic on a sad note loll!)

So yeah, ye be warned :)

Hope you enjoy the chapter and please pretty please give me a review :) makes me giddy and all happy and it does inspire me a great lot to write some more and post faster :)

Some music to listen to :)

Masters of War - Bob Dylan (love it to bits)

Honey Babe Blues - Gee Gee Kettel and Soluna Samay (love the short excerpt we got of Emily Anne Reed's version on American Idol :)! she's my favourite contestant so far! hopefully she makes it to the actual competition!)

Baby Now - Nichole Alden

Moth - People in Planes (love it to bits to! such a great vibe)

and the song that helped me write this chapter (I think I've posted it before but hell, it's amazing!)

Wolf & I - Oh Land !

Enjoy and review.

xoxo

'I told you she was not ready for this.' Eric muttered whilst Niall chuckled. 'It is not funny, Brigant. She could have hurt her head on a tombstone falling.' Eric growled.

'You know as well as me that the only reason you haven't asked her before is that you were afraid she'd refuse you…' Niall said.

I kept my eyes resolutely closed at his words, knowing full well that what Eric was going to say would be crucial in some sense. A maelstrom of emotions went through me. His wife? Eric wanted me to be his wife? I had imagined many ways the man of my life would ask for my hand but at midnight in a cemetery had never been at the top of my list as a child. Of course, considering the company I now kept (vampires, weres and fairies), the odds of it happening in a cemetery in the middle of the night skyrocketed, but I had not been expecting that at all. I loved Eric, God did I love him. I loved him so much it sometimes scared me to no end: the extent of what I felt for him could not be normal, the blood had to be for something in it and if he ever happened to tire of me, it would hurt too much for it to be tolerable. I loved him that much. But to become his wife was an entirely different pair of sleeves. Especially if he did not want it and was forced into it by my great-grand father.

'I was not afraid.' Eric growled. 'Why on earth would I be afraid of her refusing me? Why would she?' Eric replied, his voice stronger.

'Yes you were, and still are. Northman, she loves you and you know it. Have more faith in her and her feelings.' Niall retorted, his tone patronizing. I felt a wave of anger course through Eric but her calmed down.

I had been lying there for a while now, too long for it to seem normal. My lids must have fluttered because suddenly I felt his hands on my cheeks and when I finally opened my eyes, he was there, his face an inch from mine, starring at me with an amused grin on his mouth.

'Well there lover, had I known I'd have so much effect on you I'd have proposed someplace more… comfortable.' He said, studying me.

'Eric.' I murmured.

'Will you be my wife, Sookie?' He repeated, his eyes boring into mine, filled with an emotion I couldn't decipher even with the bond flowing between us. I glanced briefly at Niall and then back at Eric.

'…I… Eric, what the fuck?' I exclaimed. 'I mean it's one thing to ask for my hand but to do it because he's forcing you isn't exactly a good way to win me over…' I said, realizing just then that it actually hurt for him to propose under such bizarre circumstances: a proposal was one thing you expected to be perfect, after a romantic dinner or during a sunset on a beach. Not in the middle of the freaking cemetery in Bon Temps, Louisiana. He was silent and closed his eyes sighing. Through the bond, I could feel his uncertainty and his frustration, though the subject of which I could only imagine. My bottom lip was trembling and I was about to get up to storm back to my home but he stopped me.

'Sookie, please. Just listen to me a minute and then you can make a decision.' Eric said, still on his knees in front of where I'd been lying unconscious just a second before.

'I'm listening.' I replied, my brow furrowed in confusion. I felt as if we were in the Twilight Zone.

'I was going to ask you before we left for Rhodes where the ceremony would be held if you accepted. Not tonight but soon. I wanted it to be a surprise and I did not want to do it in the middle of a cemetery. You deserve better than that.' Eric said, glaring over his shoulder at Niall who was rolling his eyes – which might I add is quite the sight considering he's a fairy and all.

'So he's not forcing you to do something you don't want to? Cause you know I would understand if you did not wish to…' I started blabbering but Eric silenced me with a kiss. The kind of toe-curling spine tingling kiss he alone could give me. I moaned softly against his mouth, suddenly completely oblivious to the fact my great-grand father – my sparkling fairy prince great-grand father – was a few steps away, watching us like we were his favourite soap opera. My hands treacherously tangled into Eric's hair and pulled him closer to me, surprised when he suddenly wrapped my legs around his hips (I hadn't even felt him stand and shift our positions). Niall's loud throat clearing reminded us of our surroundings and I reluctantly pulled away form Eric's mouth to glance at Niall, my cheeks burning in embarrassment.

'Hush now.' Eric said as I opened my mouth to speak again. Putting me down on the ground, he took both my hands in his and caught my eyes with his before speaking.

'Sookie, I wish nothing more than for you to be my wife so I can finally claim unequivocally to each and every creature of all realms that you are mine and I am yours. Your – annoying magic Podunk of a (he thought) – great-grand father only precipitated my proposal. So will you take me as yours for as long as I live?' he said. I realized then that I was crying like a baby when his thumb brushed a tear off my cheek.

'You're already mine you foolish big Viking.' I murmured before kissing him with all I had. I was flooded with such a strong emotion of happiness and fulfilment that I could hardly tell where my emotions ended and his began. We were soon entangled in one another like horny teenagers, a situation that could have gotten might I say sticky – because let's face it, kissing Eric never ended in just kissing – but Niall caught our attention again by clapping his hands and chuckling.

Turning to him, Eric let go of my ass – which he was groping quite… graphically – and resumed to holding my hand.

'Perhaps you two should seal the deal with the ring?' Niall laughed, whole-heartedly. I didn't know what he found so amusing but when I thought about it, it was pretty damn hilarious. I started giggling with tears still rolling down my cheeks, tears of joy of course. Eric turned to me and slipped the ring out of the tiny silver pouch he'd been holding this whole time. The ring was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

'This was my mother's.' Eric said. 'It was lost centuries ago but I've asked the Faes to help me locate it – there's a tad bit of magic around it. And I've had a sapphire set on it. To match your eyes.' Eric added, grinning widely before he slipped the ring on my finger. The fit was perfect and the stone was magnificent.

'It's beautiful.' I breathed. There was a silence between us whilst I contemplated the ring I was now wearing that had travelled across time and continents and the mere idea of Eric thinking it'd be important for me to wear his mother's ring made my heart swell. He was perfect and he was mine, mine alone. I was about to tell him just that but then I felt the familiar magical tendrils caress my skin and a voice sounded behind Niall.

'So those are the two lovebirds then… Well, I must say, Brigant, your great-grand daughter is one tasty bite of a fairy.' The man – or should I say fairy – drawled with a heavy Irish accent. I glanced away from Eric and in the direction the voice had come from, my eyebrows shooting up in surprise, surprise that soon turned into fear. Who was that fairy and most importantly, was he here to hurt us?

'Preston, what a timing.' Niall said, a small smile on his lips as he looked from me to the man he called Preston and then back at me. Apparently I had been starring because Eric's grip tightened around my wrist.

To say Preston was good looking would be the understatement of the century, heck of the freaking history. He was almost as tall as Eric and equally as blond though his hair was longer and braided into intricate patterns with shimmery threads braided through. What struck me as the most surprising thing was his face: if I hadn't known Eric as well as I did, I'd have asked if he'd hidden the fact he had a twin brother. Preston was almost equally as handsome as Eric with the same strong jaw, dark stunningly blue eyes and devilishly sexy grin. He was topless and wearing some sort of tight tan leather pants that disappeared into equally tight and high rider boots. The only major difference with Eric was the fact that his skin glowed differently than that of a vampire (he was fae after all) and he had on a dark tan, darker than mine.

'Preston Pardloe, meet my great-granddaughter, Sookie Stackhouse, and her future husband…'

'Eric Northman. We've met.' Preston sneered. 'Pleasure to see you again.' Preston chuckled sarcastically.

'Pleasure is all mine.' Eric retorted, his voice icy cold. If sarcasm could kill, Preston would have dropped dead right there and then. Apparently, he and Eric shared some sort of history of the likes that did not create friendly bonds.

Fucking Pardloe. Isn't that just fucking great... Eric thought. I glanced at him out the corner of my eyes and swallowed carefully, waiting for what was to follow.

You are the most ravishing part-fae I've ever met, Miss Stackhouse. I must say Niall's description did not render you any justice… Preston thought at me and I blushed, knowing full well that Niall had caught that. My blush wasn't lost on Eric and he tensed next to me.

'Sookie, Preston Pardloe is one of my best fae guards and he happens to be one of the few fairies who are able to hide their smell from… vampires. Much like I do it myself. He will be spending some time with you in Rhodes during the day time when your Vampire is in his day rest.'

'That won't be necessary, I've already arranged for heavy security for Sookie.' Eric said dryly.

'Oh but I wasn't asking. This is another condition to Sookie accompanying you there, Mr Northman. I want a Fairy watching over her and I trust no one more than Pardloe to do the deed at the best of his competence. He will travel between our realms often and will not be there at all times, but I expect you to not offer any resistance were he to make decisions regarding your safety during the day, Sookie. Are we clear?'

'Excuse me, Niall, but I must…' Eric started to say but Niall held up his hand to signify for him to shut it. My eyebrows ran up and I clasped my hand around Eric's forearm, warningly. Starting a conflict now with the Fairies would be a very bad strategic move just two weeks before the biggest Supes' summit in North America.

'Northman, as much as I respect you, I think you must understand this: Sookie is not just your bonded, she is also the great-granddaughter of Fae royalty and a very gifted telepath.'

'I understand that perfectly. But I don't see what you are trying to achieve by putting her under the surveillance of the most womanizing of the Faes you keep in your surroundings.' Eric snarled.

'Says the most womanizing Vampire in the Northern hemisphere…' Preston chuckled. I shot him a pissed off look and he winked at me. The freaking man – fairy – winked at me. I blushed all shades of red and tensed when I felt Eric's anger washing through me like a strong tide.

'Preston, hush. Do not pour oil on the fire. I know you and Northman have some sort of history… but I expect you to be professional and not attempt anything at all that might anger the Viking.' Niall said, turning to look at Preston.

'May I bed Miss Stackhouse? Just so she knows the pleasures of the Faes before she marries her cold husband?' Preston teased waggling his eyebrows suggestively at me. Eric was probably just about to rip his head off his shoulders – a pity really since the man was so beautiful, but I was faster to react. In three steps I was on Preston and I slapped him square in the face, the sound of flesh upon flesh resounding in the night air.

'You will not talk to me that way, Mister. I'm a lady and you will treat me like it. Maybe you Fairies don't learn manners when you're young, but I sure as hell won't tolerate you making such insinuations in front of my betrothed.' I snapped, earning myself a chuckle from Niall and a purr of pleasure from Eric. Preston just starred at me, his cheek turning red from my slap, an almost amused grin on his face. Which was extremely infuriating. I was about to slap him again but Niall defused the little situation we had on our hands.

'Preston, I think it's time for you to go back to Fae whilst I finish out here with my business.' Niall said. Preston grabbed my hand and pressed a kiss to it and, before I could utter a protest, he was gone in a flash of light. Well that sure was pretty impressive.

'Please do forgive Preston for his ways. He's… quite popular with the Fae ladies.' Niall said, earning himself a growl from Eric.

'I know everything there is to know about Mr Pardloe and I do not think he is the best choice for a security escort for Sookie.' Eric said, squaring his shoulders.

'He is the only fae I'd trust with Sookie's protection right now, Mr Northman, seeing as neither Claude nor Claudine have the capacity to fully mask their smell the way Pardloe and I do.'

'He's not completely fae is he?' I asked, cocking my head to the side. Niall smiled, genuinely surprised I'd picked up this much from Pardloe.

'He is indeed not completely fae. Thought he was born and raised in Fae. His father was half Fae anf half werewolf, a rare mix.'

'A distasteful one.' Eric muttered. 'Tainting fairy blood with were blood is almost sinful…' he added, for my ears only. I repressed a chuckle.

'So now, did you have any questions for me regarding the gathering?' Niall said, his hands entwined on the round tip of his cane.

Ask about your… visions

'Great-grand father… I was wondering if there were other powers I would develop as a fairy other than the light buzzing and the telepathy.' I said, deciding to approach the subject like this.

Niall froze and starred at me, mumbling something in another dead language. Apparently, Eric picked up on his words because he tensed next to me, a whirl of emotions flooding the bond.

'You've had visions, haven't you?' Niall asked, taking a step forward to study me.

'Sort of. I don't know if we could call them visions… I just… I sensed something before it happened.' I felt silly describing it.

'Dear child, I shall be honest; this is not typical of faes. Telepathy yes, but visions, absolutely not. I do not know what to tell you as I had not expected this to happen.' Niall said, his gaze locked on mine.

He's lying. Eric thought at me, which, thank god, did not cause me to make such a noticeable face because Niall continued speaking. I'd have to ask Eric for more details later.

'We will have to monitor this closely and I shall tell you more about this in Rhodes. I'll go through the usual channels for information regarding this little condition of yours and then we can perhaps act on it. Did you want to know anything else?' Niall said, cocking his head to the side as he studied my hand entwined with Eric's.

'I had another question.' Eric said. 'What individuals should we be most weary of during our stay in Rhodes, faes I mean?'

'Legitimate question though I'm not sure I can answer quite clearly. You see there are numerous factions of fairies that do not approve of human-fairy hybrids…' Niall started.

'But they approve of Mr Pardloe?' I chirped in, annoyed.

'They do not know that he is partly werewolf. In fact very few fairies have ever noticed he wasn't exactly like them. We've always found convenient ways to hide his condition on the full moon by sending him off on various errands around Fae and in this realm.' Niall replied.

'Sounds fair. But how am I to know which fairies are dangerous and which aren't?' I asked.

'Most of the air fairies are no danger to you, I say most because there is a branch that is pretty conservative, but they simply don't approve of you. They'd never attempt to end your life whilst the fire and water fairies are more aggressive. The earth fairies are pretty neutral in this whole war and so far have not sided with anyone. That does not mean you shouldn't fear them. As for particular individuals, I must say there is one you should be weary of, my son Dermot.'

'Fintan's brother?' Eric asked.

'Precisely. We haven't seen or heard from him since the Fae wars started and I fear he will try to harm her if he comes in contact with her. I am sure he is by now privy to the truce in Rhodes, but that does not mean he will not try to fool her into following him to the Fae realm.'

'How could he fool me into following him?' I asked, curious.

'You see, Dermot ressembles your brother Jason to an extent it is almost hard to tell the difference between the two. I've observed Jason many times myself and was almost convinced he was Dermot once of twice.'

'So basically, if I see someone that looks like my brother I should run for my life…' I said, sarcastically.

'I do not know his intentions towards you, Sookie, which is why I do not wish for you to approach him unless you're with Eric or another vampire that might defend you. Dermot is able to mask his smell to a certain extent, which allows him to pass as human to many.'

'He'll still glow.' I muttered. Niall raised his eyebrows and glanced at Eric for an explanation.

'Sookie seems to be able to tell which creatures are supes because we glow. All of us.' Eric said, earning himself a surprised look from Niall.

'You see our auras?' Niall asked me.

'I don't know if that's how you call it, but vampires have a certain glow, a pale one. Fairies too but it's different. Same goes for werewolves though it's mostly their thoughts that identify them as weres to me.' I tried to explain. Niall started rubbing his jaw with his index and thumb thoughtfully.

'That's… curious. I'll try to get information on this too. I should be going now, your progeny is on her way here and I do not want to be seen by too many of your kind.' Niall explained to Eric before hugging me tight and dropping a chaste kiss on my forehead. He then disappeared in thin smoke.

I barely had time to breathe before I was literally tackled on the ground by a very excited Pam.

'She said yes, didn't she? Show me the damn ring, he wouldn't allow me to see it! He had your relatives keep it to make sure I wouldn't try and peek at it.' Pam explained, grabbing my hand and putting it under her nose to study the ring.I giggled as she glanced at the ring and then at Eric who stood towering over us, an amused grin on his face.

'It is beautiful. I didn't know you Vikings made such nice jewellery… Love the sapphire. Three carats at least…' Pam mused, glancing up at my eyes before she turned to Eric and smirked.

'I'll have to change the whole colour scheme of the ceremony, Eric. We can't have the ring clashing with the dress now can we…'

I chuckled once more and Eric helped me to my feet whilst Pam strolled around us excitedly, sniffing the air.

'My, my your family smells decadent…' She purred. Turning to me, she sniffed my hair and then my neck, moaning softly. 'Can I…' she was about to ask to have a bite of me but Eric pulled her off me and growled.

'No, Pamela. Your great-grandfather always leaves you smelling like a vampire gourmet buffet…' Eric explained, an amused grin on his lips. 'Sadly Pamela cannot behave herself when she's around good-smelling humans.' He growled softly, though I could tell he wasn't exactly angry at her. Pam grabbed my hand and gave me a look that almost had me giggling all over again.

'I forgive you Pam.' I said, giving her a small kiss on the cheek. I liked her more and more everyday and realized that she and Eric were the closest thing I had to a family apart from Niall, Jason, Tara and Sam.

'Now off we go to your place, we have so much details to arrange for the wedding…' Pam started to say excitedly. But Eric cut her off.

'Pam, would you please go back to Shreveport and make arrangments there? I will be spending the night here with Sookie. I'll be busy for the next two weeks and I wish to spend this last night here with her.' Eric said, giving me a heated gaze before turning to Pam.

'Aye, Master.' Pam growled reluctantly. 'I guess it's fair since I'll get to shop with her and hang out with her the next two weeks before we get to Rhodes…' Pam thought aloud. Eric chuckled and gestured for her to shoo whilst he wrapped his arms around my waist.

'G'night Pam.' I said, beaming at her as disappeared in the darkness.

'Come here you.' Eric murmured heatedly as he pulled me to him, pressing me against his chest whilst one of his hands cupped my chin and tilted it up so that our eyes were locked.

'You've made me a very happy vampire tonight by accepting me, love.' He purred, brushing a strand of my hair off my face.

'And you've made me a very happy telepath.' I retorted, smiling. 'Can we go home yet and rest?' I asked.

'Home sure, but who said anything about resting? I had other plans for you and that sumptuous body of yours…' Eric breathed in my ear before nibbling on my earlobe. I gasped loudly and wrapped my arms around his neck, our hips locked together.

'Yeah, I guess I can rest some other time…' I moaned when his lips trailed towards my neck and finally up my jaw towards my awaiting mouth.

This was going to be a long, long night. But a delicious one.