"We need a plan," Sookie said to the vampires the next night. She had spent the whole day trying to plan what they should do, but then remembered that Eric would probably just dismiss what she had to say. He would want to go in guns blazing.

Eric looked at Sookie, taking her in. When she was in this mode, she turned him on like he couldn't believe. She looked so powerful—just her presence had the ability to command a room. He may have looked more intimidating, but anyone who knew anything knew that she was the one to be feared. She had been known to be vicious in her long life. Appearances be damned. Before Eric had even been made, Sookie and Godric had been instigating wars.

"Eric? Are you even listening?" Sookie asked, irritated.

"Yeah, sorry. My honest opinion is that everyone in the Fellowship should die," Eric said, earning a few grins, and a few frowns. "They are all mindless sheep. Even if they are innocent by actions, they are guilty by thought. They have done nothing to try to stop the Newlin's, or report any of their actions. Just rid the world of their presence."

Sookie frowned. She couldn't deny that Eric had a point. The members of the Fellowship were brain washed. At the same time, though, she wasn't the same blood thirsty being she was before. She didn't want to kill just for the sake of killing.

"I think we should be...selective. Kill those directly involved. Glamour the rest of the church. There are enough of you that it shouldn't take that long to do. I will go tomorrow and infiltrate the Fellowship, and find out where they are keeping Godric hostage. There's no point storming in, and not knowing where to go."

"Will you be okay to go alone?" Eric asked, looking at Sookie with concern. He knew she could handle herself, but he still worried.

"I think I'll be fine on my own. They may not trust most lone women, but I can craft a story to make them sympathize, I'm sure."

When everyone in the room nodded their agreement to the plan, Stan caught Sookie's attention before she left the room.

"Your—I'm sorry, Susannah, would you mind if I picked your brain a bit?" Stan asked politely, smiling widely.

"Of course you may," she said, gesturing for them to sit.

"I just...you have experienced so much in your long life. After I was created, I followed the story of your family, and it was always a dream of mine to get to meet some day. You are an idol of mine," Stan said, grinning from ear to ear.

"I am happy to hear that," Sookie said, as gracious as ever.

"I...I was wondering if I could find out about your life...before the war," Stan said nervously.

Sookie tensed at that. She never talked about that life, except with Godric and Eric. Deciding to make an exception, she took a deep breath. "You might want to get comfortable..."

In Faery, 2000 Years Ago

Sookie stood in front of her wardrobe, huffing at the thought of having to put on one of her fancy gowns. She was only a young girl, barely even a teenager, but already knew her place in her family. She wasn't the heir apparent—she was the first and only child of the youngest heir. Her grandfather Niall Brigant had two sons, Fintan and Brendean. She was Fintan's daughter. The Brigant's seemed to have a habit of birthing girls, for that was what all of the grandchildren were, except for Claude, Brendean's youngest child. He was the heir apparent.

At a young age, Sookie had shown promise with the sword, and fighting in general. She understood the way she was supposed to move, and understood the ways of strategy. It was unusual for a princess to be a warrior, but there were plenty of other princesses in her family.

That night, her grandfather was hosting the king of the Water Clan, and the whole family was to be present. She chose the simplest gown in the wardrobe, and threw it on, braiding her hair. She walked down the stairs, and saw the Water Clan leader, looking as smug as ever. He had been at war with her people for as long as anyone could remember, but Niall was growing weary of the constant fighting, and wished to negotiate peace.

The dinner went about as smoothly as anyone could have expected—they were cordial, and no one was killed, which was a definite plus. When the meal was over, she quickly stripped out of her dress, and put on her pants and tunic, so she could practice with her sword. One day, she wanted to fight in the war, and wipe the proud Water Fae off the plane.

Sookie laughed lightly, thinking about her younger self. "I was a wild child. I always loved to sword fight. I loved the power I felt while fighting, and the accomplishment when I won. It was—and still is—exhilarating."

Stan nodded, deep in though about the woman sitting in front of him. "So you had cousins, all of which held high claim than you?
"Gods, yes. Claudine, Claudette, and Claude. They were higher than me on the proverbial food chain. Claudine was the oldest, though as a female, the most she could hope for was to marry a rich nobleman. Claude was the true heir. He was a frail boy though—he never enjoyed the art of war the way a king must," Sookie said, shaking her head. "I loved my cousin Claude, but he would have made a terrible king. He was vain, lustful, and a coward."

Faery (Full Grown Sookie)

"Grandfather, I want to fight. I want to join the war!" Sookie said adamantly, leaning over his desk in his office.

"My dear Sookie, I know you do. But you must marry, and extend the bloodline. That is your duty to your house!"

"I'm tired of going along with duty. I want to do what I wish, for once," Sookie said, shaking her head.

"I will let you pick the man. That is your choice. If you say no, you will still marry, though I will choose for you. I am being generous in this offer, and you know it. Claudine won't get this opportunity," Niall said, not understanding why his granddaughter was so upset by this.

"Yes, because she is the true princess. Face it, I'm just the outsider. I don't ever have a chance at the throne."

Niall rubbed the bridge of his nose, motioning for Sookie to leave him.

"Fine. I'll choose the man I marry. This isn't the end of this though."

Sookie already knew who she would choose. His name was Aedan, and they had been friends for as long as she could remember. They practiced fighting in the woods together, and even practiced some other, more taboo things while they were at it. She knew that he wanted her, and she figured that if she had to choose anybody, he was the best option. He didn't have a lot of money, but she did—and even if they didn't have money, she'd be fine with that. She had never wished to live extravagantly anyways.

Sookie and Aedan were married in a meadow during spring, with the wildflowers blooming around them. Sookie was surprised that she felt as happy as she did, although she had grown to love Aedan while they were courting—their love had slowly shifted from friends to romantic, and she was one of the lucky few who fell in love.

Their first children were born quickly after that. Faeries usually had multiples, and Sookie birthed triplets—Luciana, who had the most beautiful thick black hair, and brightest, bluest eyes she had ever seen. Riona, who had long blonde hair, and the same blue eyes as her sister. And finally Gita, who had thick black hair, and green eyes—they were triplets, yet they were different in so many ways. Luciana was a romantic, even as a child. Riona loved her books, opting for logic and reason to guide her through life. Gita had been a spitfire, even by today's standards. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind, and like her mother, had a warrior's spirit. Sookie never knew that her time would be so limited with her children.

"They were the apple of our eye," Sookie said, thinking about the children. She found for the first time in hundreds of years, she was recalling the faces of her children with perfect clarity. They were so beautiful.

"They sound like they were magnificent," Stan said, holding back his own bloody tears. He knew where this story was going.

"I just wish I had spent a little more time with them."

In Faery

The problem with the Water Fae was escalating at an alarming rate. The palace had already found 10 Water spies, and uncovered multiple assassination attempts. They had to be stopped.

"Grandfather, you must let me help. I want to fight, and now is the time. My children are almost grown. I have married like you asked. Let me defend my family. Aedan and I wish to fight," Sookie said, slamming her fist on his desk.

"Fine! Have as you wish. When you and your husband die, it will be me who has to comfort you children," Niall said, watching the color drain from his granddaughter's face. He didn't wish to be cruel, but he didn't want his Sookie in any more danger than she needed to be.

"You've seen me with a sword. And Aedan too. We will be fine," she said, gathering up her dress and walking out of the office. She knew her grandfather cared, she just wished she could be what he wanted her to be.

Sookie told her children what was being planned, and they all begrudgingly gave her their blessing. They knew their mother wanted to make the family safe. They never thought, though, that the war would be brought to their doorstep.

"Sookie, wake up," Aedan said, frantically shaking his wife awake.

"What is it?"

"They're here. Take the children to the mortal plane. Hide them. Defend them," he said quickly, handing Sookie her most valued sword. "Go. NOW ."

Sookie rushed into the room where her daughters were sleeping, and roused them, having them all connect hands. They popped into the highlands of modern day Scotland, and Sookie had them hide behind a large boulder.

Of course, the Water Fae followed them. Sookie fought them off, killing 20 warriors, before she felt it. She felt the tear in her heart, where her husband had been killed. She tried to fight through the pain, but was blinded. When Fae married, they joined their light together—and she just felt part of her light die. She continued to fight for what felt like hours, defending her daughters, but didn't expect the pop that came from behind her, and couldn't stop the male Water warrior who then ended her daughters.

She cried out, swinging her sword, cutting down another 20 warriors, and continued to do this until the ache in her chest was just a dull throb. By the time she was done, she knew they were all dead. Her entire family. She felt it in her soul. She dropped to her knees, and howled in pain and anger.

Sookie didn't know how she made it through the story without breaking down. Maybe she was still too numb.

"I'm so sorry, Susannah," Stan said, not knowing what else to say.

"Please, call me Sookie. You know enough about me now," she said, offering a small smile.

"I'm so sorry, Sookie."

"Now you know why I can't just let them take Godric. I'm sure he told you how we met. I owe him my life, and I refuse to lose anybody else that I love," Sookie said, rising from her chair. "If you'll excuse me, I should probably get some rest for tomorrow's plan to work."

The next day, Sookie dressed in a simple white sundress, white wedge heels, and curled her hair. She hoped she looked the epitome of innocence. When she was ready to leave, she practiced her cover story out loud one more time, before hopping in her car and driving towards the Fellowship.

When she arrived, she parked the car, and climbed out, only to be greeted by none other than Sarah Newlin herself. Sookie forced a smile as she took in the overly sweet woman in front of her, dipping into the woman's thoughts.

Lock in tonight

Holy bonfire to praise his light!

Before Sookie could get anymore though, Sarah was leading her into the reception area of the church.

"If you'll follow me, we can grab Steve, and have a proper tour."

When they reached Steve Newlin's office, he was seated at his desk, looking out the window.

"Steve, honey, this is Sookie Brigant, and she wants to become a member of the church," Sarah said beaming.

"That's wonderful! If you don't mind me asking, what's a single girl like you doing out all by yourself?" Steve asked, patronizingly.

Sookie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. If only this man knew she could rip him apart with her bare hands. She tried to get a read on him, but all he was thinking about was the steak dinner he couldn't wait to get when he got home.

"I was engaged not too long ago, but I found out my fiance...my fiance was cheating on me with a vampire," Sookie said, willing the fake tears to make an appearance. "She was giving him her blood and having sex with him, and he eventually left me for her. I had no idea what was going on until it was too late. I just want to be around like-minded people. People who hate vampires as much as I do."

Steve nodded as though he understood her pain, and stood up from behind his desk. He took her on the tour, but when they reached the door leading to the basement, Sarah got antsy. Before Sookie even had a chance to read her thoughts, Sookie was being thrown down the stairs into the basement. When she tried to pop away, she realized that she must have been surrounded by iron. All these new buildings were made of iron.

"You deserve to rot in hell, you fangbaning whore," Steve spat in her face, before locking her in a storage room.

Sookie sat down, and realized if she didn't get out—and soon—she was going to die.