Authors Notes:

Hey everyone, so I decided to update a day early this week. I am going to try and do updates on Tuesdays from here on out, but I was to impatient to wait another day. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of there days to review, I also want to thank everyone who has added me to their favorites list, for either the story or me as an author. Much love to you for that. Thanks as always to my Editor/beta Catie, without her fic would be much harder to read. *cough cough* Shameless plug *cough* Okay everyone, I know that some of you are following my other fic The Shadows of Doubt, but I am sure that some of you had no clue I had more than one active fic going at the moment. So… show me some love and go and check it out. As always don't forget to leave a review, be it good, bad, or indifferent. Until next time, enjoy the chapter.

Tons of love,

Lilli

Chapter 5

-Sookie

I walk out of the bedroom and into Eric's library as the smell of old books warms my senses and fills me with comfort. I don't know what it is about the smell of books, but they always bring me a sense of peace that I have never quite been able to find anywhere else in my life. The combination of paper with dust and leather all fills me with a sense of euphoria. That smell combined with the endless possibilities of new worlds just waiting to be discovered behind the seemingly harmless bindings is thrilling. Old favorites and new discoveries lurk behind every corner. For the longest time I wanted to become a librarian, but then I found out you have to go to college to become one and that kind of did it for me. I never really understood why you had to go to college in order to put books in alphabetical order.

I plop myself down in one of Eric's comfy reading chairs and flip open my phone. After a few rings a familiar voice comes over the line. "Edgington Manor this is Betty Joe how can I help you today?"

"Hey there Betty Joe, its Sookie. Is Russell around and able to take my call?"

"Sookie? Sookie Stackhouse?"

"Well how many Sookies do you know Betty Joe? I would imagine that it isn't a very common name."

"No I guess you're right," she laughs. "Is it really important? He is in a meeting but I will get him for you if it is a must."

"Yeah, unfortunately it is important. I am in a bit of a pickle and I need him to come and help me out. Besides, you know that he would just tan your hide if you didn't tell him I was on the phone."

"Too true my little southern belle, you always are so much fun. Will I get to join in on your latest intrigue this time or will you keep it all for yourself?"

"Umm, well, I don't see why you can't join in the fun of watching me get bonded to a Mr. Eric Northman and save my ass from the king of Nevada."

A loud squeal comes over the phone and I can picture little Betty Joe dressed to the nines like Jackie O spinning in place. "Oh, I knew you would be bringing me fun when I answered the phone. Oh Sook I can't wait! This is going to be sooo much fun. Wait, did you say Eric Northman? Ohhhh Sook, that is one hunk of a man you are going to bond yourself to. However did you manage to get Mr. Stoic himself to bond with you?"

"Just lucky I guess. We kind of just clicked and well, now we are going to bond. Well it is kind of a political thing, but even if we could take our time and not rush into it I know that we would still be bonding. I don't know what it is about him but it kind of feels like fate."

"Well you couldn't have picked a better man to protect you and be your partner. He's very old and very powerful, and if I remember right he is one of the oldest in the whole U.S. No one really understands why he hasn't taken a position of power beyond a simple sheriff position. And as far as I know he has never had a bonded either. Actually everything I have ever heard about him tells me he is a very decent man, for a vampire that is. He is tough but fair, and compared to some he is downright compassionate. You are a lucky woman."

"Don't I know it Betty, but if you don't get Russell on this phone I won't be honey." I laugh.

"Oh okay I will go get him. Make sure you ask if I can come to please Sookie. I really want to see you finally let some lucky vamp snap you up."

"Okay okay I will." I hear her little stiletto heels click and clack across his marble foyer, and into what I assume must be Russell's office when the sound of them ceases. Very muted I hear Betty Joe say, "Excuse me your majesty, but Sookie Stackhouse is on the phone with a matter most urgent. Would you like to take the call?"

"Excuse me gentleman I must take this call." I hear the hustle and bustle of people moving around and out of his office, and he must be meeting with humans, because I find that vampires never make that much noise. When everything quieted down I hear the dulcet tones of my dear friend Russell come over the line. If he weren't gay I would have tried to snap him up for myself long ago. What is that saying…the good ones are always gay or taken? In Russell's case both are true. Not only is he as gay as the day is long, but he is also very happily married to king of Missouri. "Sookie my love, what is this urgent matter that you must pull me out of my very important meeting?"

"Oh come off it Russell, I know you too well. You were just dying for an excuse to get out of that meeting love. Humans bore the pants right off of you. That is why you keep so many cute little tidbits around your beautiful home."

Russell laughs his deep honey bear laugh. I don't know why but I always picture him as a jolly bear from an old cartoon. Kind of like Pooh but not quite so dumb, a pooh bear with fangs and a vampire's cunning nature. Scary right? "Too true my dear, but some of them were very fine in their Calvin Kleins."

"Oh please tell me you didn't have them parading around in their underwear Russell."

"Of course not, but the mental images where just priceless. Besides I don't keep nearly as many beaus around now that I am a happily married man."

"And that is how it should be darling. No more afternoon delight with random people for you."

"Yes, yes I know I must be a good little house husband now."

I instantly start laughing. "Oh my god Russell I just had the perfect picture of you in a pink frock with huge pearls making meatloaf. Remind me that I must buy you some very cute pearls the next time I see you. We will go shopping and you can surprise your darling honey with it."

"Ohhhh that sounds like fun, but Sookie what is meatloaf?"

"Well, meatloaf is where you take hamburger, ground up cow, form it in a kind of lump, slather it with some catsup, tomatoes, and bake it in the oven. Don't worry darling I will teach you how to do it. Maybe we can come up with some kind of alternative recipe for you and your honey."

"Oh I can't wait darling. You are the best fag hag I have ever had around."

"If I didn't know you meant that as a compliment I would be insulted darling."

"Oh poo you know I love you. Now, tell me what this urgent matter is. Not that I don't love it when you call but I know you well enough that if it wasn't important you wouldn't have had Betty Joe interrupt my meeting. So spill girl what's going on?"

I sigh deeply. "Well, I guess there is a ton, so do you want the good or the bad first?"

"I don't like the sound of that sigh. What's going on Sookie? Is Nevada trying to get you to come out there again?"

"Not yet, I am trying to prevent that, but its part of the reason that I called you tonight."

"Okay Sook give me the good news first. From the sound of your voice I don't think I want the bad news. Let this old dog have a bit of sunshine before you ruin his whole night."

"I'm in love and I am going to be bonded, like forever permanent never ending bond."

Russell squeals just as loudly as Betty Joe did earlier. "Oh my god, this is wonderful! So who is the lucky Vampire? Please tell me it's not that ass Bill Compton."

"No Russell it is definitely not Bill. That asshole has sunk to a whole new level but that is part of my bad news."

"So who's the lucky vampire then? Any one that I know?"

"I don't know if you know him but, wow, what a man."

"Sookie you're killing me who is it? Please the anticipation is killing me."

"Oh if you must know it's the very gorgeous Viking…" before I can even say Eric's name Russell squeals like a little girl again.

"OH MY GOD SOOKIE STACKHOUSE YOU'RE BONDING WITH ERIC NORTHMAN AREN'T YOU?"

I pull the phone slightly away from my ear, his voice having caused a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in my eardrums. "Yes, I take it that you know who I am talking about then."

"Wow Sook if I didn't already respect you so much I would say that my respect for you just shot up tenfold. He is very … mmmm nummy. I have been trying to get my hooks into him for almost 250 years. Amazing. So when did you meet Mr. Tall, Blonde, and Delicious?"

"You're going to laugh Russell, but I met him today at the Hot Shot wedding I told you about."

"OH MY GOD SOOKIE, no way. You met him tonight and you're already going to do the permanent bond? Wow girl you move fast."

I giggle. "Well when I see something I want I go for it balls to the wall baby."

"I would say so."

"No really though it was so weird, I saw him and it was like lightning. I just knew that he was my perfect match. It was really kind of insane and normally by now, you know me, I would be having all my little inklings of running for the hills. Or I would be doubting all my feelings, and myself, but there isn't one single doubt in my head. If I didn't know that I couldn't be glamoured I would say that I was. I just threw myself at him and already started the bonding process. I know that we are just meant to be. It's like he is the missing piece in my jigsaw puzzle that I didn't know was missing."

"Sookie, it sounds like this guy is your soul mate by the way you are talking about him," Russell says, his tone turning serious.

"Yeah, I guess that is as good a word for it as anything else. Can I tell you something Russell?"

"Anything love," he says sweetly.

"I was ready to pack it in before I saw him. I was ready to just give it all up. I am so tired Russell. I have been fighting everyone else's battles for so long all on my own. I am just tired. Tonight, if Eric hadn't have been there, I would have just gone over to the dark side. I just got to the point where I didn't care anymore. Really, I see so much death. Do the tiny little things that I do make so much difference that it would really matter if I just stopped caring? I'm just tired Russell."

"Sookie," he says softly. I can hear the kindness in his voice. "Honey I know you never asked for this life, but this is the life that you have. You're destined to be the savior of us all, your destiny is to unite the worlds and do great things by leading us all down the path of righteous. If you are not leading the charge my darling we all will lose. Sook, you are unique. Your fairy blood mixed with human has given you great power. Your ability to look at us all for exactly who we are, not just what we are, is unique. You inspire us all, and you bind us all together. I know you're weary darling but there is still much fighting to be done. Soon, hopefully, you will be over the big hill with just small dips in the road ahead of you. It sounds to me like the powers that be knew you were on the verge of giving up and that is why they sent you Eric. I wouldn't put it past those tricky sisters to make it so that you have to live up to your destiny."

"There has just been so much. So many betrayals, so many deaths, so many injuries to myself and others. I was extremely tempted when Quinn told me just to come with him and be Bil's little slave girl. I am tired of seeing all the death."

"Okay, before I get to the last part of that appalling statement, darling you should have just told me what was going on with you. I know that you don't like to let anyone share your burdens because you view that as silly and weak, but that is what friends are for and Sookie, my darling, you are my friend. You just seem to bring back the humanity in every Vampire you meet. I have never seen so many Vampires be so fond of a human. Every one of us that you meet swears that they will lay their lives down for you. It is truly amazing. There is not a single being that knows you that won't move heaven and earth to help you whenever you call. All you have to do is ask."

"I know, you just know how I am, thick headed is one term that I believe has been used for me on many occasions. Don't think for one moment that I don't appreciate it."

"Pisshh I know you do. Now did you say Bill tried to take you tonight and that Quinn came to take you? How did this little mish mash turn out? Is that tiger still alive so that I can play with him and make him pay for trying to take my girl?"

"No, he's dead Russell, I dispatched the traitor myself. With a little help from Eric's beautiful knife no less."

"I knew those sword lessons would pay off. How are you feeling about taking out the tiger?"

"As peachy as I always do after killing someone. I did what had to be done and honestly, for the first time, although I feel some guilt, it isn't nearly as bad because Eric was there to lean on in the aftermath of the battle."

"So what happened love?"

"John showed up with almost 90 weres and shifters to the wedding posing as fellowship members. They drug the fellowship out there as a front. I am not really sure why he would do that, it doesn't really make a ton of sense, but then again I haven't given it much thought. Anyways, he came for me, told me that Bill wants to complete the bonding, and maybe turn me."

"Well that would be a pretty stupid thing for him to do seeing as how Niall has made it known to all of the kings and queens that you are kin, and that if any of us turn you without your consent or harm you in any way, hell will rain down on our heads."

"Great, just great. That is bound to stir up the hornet's nest. Who all knows about this?"

"Only the kings and queens love, that way if any of us hear rumors that someone within our kingdom is getting ready to move against you we can act. I think it is both positive and negative. It adds a little bit of extra protection on you but it won't stop the determined. Not all of us are good and the Brigant family has enemies. So what is the plan to deal with Bill?"

"Right now there is no real plan, we need to find the snake first and at this moment there are only rumors of him being hidden somewhere in Tennessee. Part of the reason for the quick bonding is so that I have some extra protection from Bill. Once Eric is bonded with me Bill can't touch me without getting put to his final death by the tribunal. Not to mention that I feel like the king is too interested in bringing me to Nevada. If I am bound to Eric then he can't take me away."

Russell is silent for a long moment thinking over my words. "Is this the only reason you want to bond with Eric dear heart?"

"OF COURSE NOT! I love him Russell. It is weird for me to say that after such a short time but I do. I love that man. I want to be bonded to him."

"Good, so what is that I can do for you darling?"

"We need you to come out here tomorrow with the ceremonial knife and bind us. It will only be our second exchange but if we do the formal ceremony no one will dare touch me."

"For the bond to be permanent you have to do all three love."

"I know, I know, but we can't do it all in one day. It will just have to wait until the next night."

"Good. After we get off the phone I will make arrangements to be out there first thing tomorrow night. Right after sunset. Are you going to come and get me at the airport?"

"Of course darling I wouldn't miss picking you up for anything. Oh, and if anyone asks you were already scheduled to come out for a trade agreement in progress with Eric's area. Something about wanting to use all your beautiful beau's in his Fangtasia calendar."

"Oh that is a wonderful idea. Maybe I will actually do that. Business and pleasure all in one night. OH OH OH! And Sook? I am going to take you shopping when I get there so we can get you a beautiful dress to wear at the bonding. Eric will be blown away, and I happen to know a thing or two about some of the culture and traditions that your darling bonded comes from. Oh he will be blown away. Hmmm I will have to put some thought into this. One of the things a traditional Viking wedding entails is the exchange of swords and you have yet to receive yours yet. I will get on this right away darling."

"Russell if I didn't know any better I would say you are more excited than I am."

"Well I didn't exactly get to be a bride so now I have you."

"Just what you always wanted, your very own life size Barbie doll," I laugh.

"Of course."

"Oh, you know what, I just thought of something."

"What's that darling?"

"Is there any way you could send out some feelers to see if we can locate Bill? I think that we need to deal with him very soon. Before he gets any of my friends killed, or actually succeeds in kidnapping me."

"Hmmm well you said he might be in Tennessee right?"

"Yes that's what Quinn said anyways."

"I will make a few phone calls and see what I can do. I am also going to call Washington State. I seem to remember that he holed up out there for a while with Lorena. It is possible that he has some property out there that he is hiding out on."

"Thanks Russell."

"You're most welcome my little fairy princess."

"Oh stop it. I will see you tomorrow. Have your day man leave me a message on my voice mail letting me know what time your flight is coming in. I will make sure to be there when you arrive."

"Absolumont."

"Love you darling kiss kiss."

"Kiss kiss."

My body became stiff from sitting in that chair for so long, and I used all of my muscles way too much this evening to not have stretched properly. If my sword master knew I had so abused my body he would whack me with the flat of his blade right across my rump. I stand up and start the familiar routine of stretches that my sword master pushes me through. I can just make out Eric's low rumbling voice on the other side of the door. He must still be talking with Felipe. Gods please let him not try and take me away from Eric. It is good to know that my great-grandfather has put some kind of protection in place for me though. Surely he wouldn't allow me to be whisked away to Vegas and held against my will.

I don't know that much about my great-grandfather and his life. I really am still wary of what being his relation entails. He never gives me all the answers that I ask for and now he has made it known that I am a princess in the fairy line, whatever that means. Does he really expect me to take the throne someday? There is no way I want to take the throne in Faery. I love my life too much, and besides, I don't think they would take too kindly to my husband being a vampire.

A worry for another day. Right now I want to get back to my big gorgeous man. I can hear that he has ended his conversation and I am actually excited about getting to see Russell tomorrow and go shopping with him. He has the best taste. The fact that he is going to help us without a second thought is really exciting as well. I am actually smiling from ear to ear when I come back into the room. Eric is sitting with his head in his hands on our bed. He looks like he just had the worst news in the world. "Eric honey what's wrong?"

"So my little fairy princess I think you have some explaining to do don't you?" I freeze instantly in place. I can't decide what to do. Do I run? I can't tell if he is pissed or threatening me. What the hell am I supposed to do? My heart rate jumps up and I feel like I have just run ten miles. Oh gods please I can't take another heartbreak. What if he won't want me now that he has discovered my origins? My breath comes faster and faster and I can see darkness start to cloud my vision. I want to run away from this pending heartache but I just can't move. My world starts to spin and everything goes black.

"Sookie!" I feel someone shake me slightly, but everything is still black and I notice that almost every muscle in my body hurts. "Sookie please, I didn't mean to scare you love. Please be okay Gods please let her be okay." I feel cool liquid hit my face and with every drop I become more and more conscious of my surroundings. I can tell that I am being partially supported in Eric's arms and the rest of me is sprawled out on the floor of his room. "Mmmm"

"Oh thank you Gods. Sookie, lover, are you okay?"

I slowly crack open one eye, and the bright light of the room makes my head throb. "Eric, the light." He immediately scoops me up and lays me on his bed. I hear him flit about the room turning the lights down or off. When I feel the bed indent next to me I take the chance of slowly cracking open my eyes again. "Better?" he asks.

"Much thank you. What happened?" I look over at Eric and I notice that he has dark streaks down his face. I bolt upright and pull him tight to me. "Oh my God Eric what's happened to you? What's wrong?" I lean back slightly and look in his eyes; he was crying again. I gently wipe away his tears. "Baby what's wrong?"

He chuckles softly. "Did you just call me baby?"

"Well yeah." I can feel my eyebrows pushing together in concern.

"I am over a thousand years old Sookie, I am definitely no baby."

I run my hands threw his hair playing with it idly. "It's a pet name you know. Kind of like darlin' or sweetheart or honey. Is it really that bad?"

He cups my cheek and says, "I don't care what you call me as long as you forgive me for scaring you so badly. I am so sorry my love. I didn't mean to scare you. If anything would have happened to you…"

"Sshh I'm fine, I'm just sorry I didn't tell you. I thought you were angry with me for not being honest with you and, well, I panicked. I thought for sure that you were going to leave me when you found out that I was related to Niall. I just don't think I could handle loosing you Eric, I'm not strong enough." I can feel my traitorous tears pouring down my face. Just the thought of loosing Eric is hurting my heart and I can feel my heart starting to race again and my breathing speed up.

"Sookie calm down you're going to faint again." He pulls me tightly to him and rocks me gently. "I will never leave you. You are Mine and I am Yours. Besides, if everything I found out tonight is true then it is our destiny to be together. I don't think the fates would allow us to be separated from each other. I love you Sookie."

"I love you to Eric." We lay there in each other's arms just enjoying being wrapped up together. Eventually my breathing slows and I fall into a blissful sleep.