Part Three

"Susanna!" shouted King Niall. "Tell me you are not influencing my guards!"

Sookie stood and faced the king, bowing slightly. She hid her smile as thoughts of her beloved Eiríkr entered her mind.

"You dare smile as if this is a game!" the king raged. Past her open doorway Sookie could see Lorena followed closely by William and she had no doubt who brought her actions to the attention of the king. Sookie knew that Lorena would reward her son for his news with sickening favor just as the king would reward Lorena.

"No, sire. Forgive me. I was eager for the slave's company. I have found him to be one of the best and did not want his body marred by Andre. You know how Andre is. He is unrelenting in his wickedness."

"Susanna," said the king, softening slightly, "your desires do not trump my orders. That slave cannot be shown mercy. He is already arrogant enough. He defies orders whenever he wishes and no man has yet broken even a whimper from his lips—though not for lack of trying."

Sookie winced as she thought of all Eiríkr had withstood. She had wrought many a whimper from his mouth by being kind to him. She lamented her king and his evil ways. Eiríkr would be the perfect ally if King Niall had only gained his loyalty through honor.

"Forgive me, Grandfather." She bowed and kept her eyes on the floor to show submission. Calling him grandfather would hopefully soften him further toward her.

"Perhaps if you are so desirous, it is time to have a husband…Yes," he mused, "Yes, it is time. That should keep you out of trouble and out of my camps. A wedding will keep you busy. I fear you have too much idle time, child."

"Grandfather, I am only 19. I would not be idle if you sent me a tutor as I have requested. I do not wish to get married. The slaves satisfy me. I do not yet need a husband."

"You must not get attached to these savages. They are meant to serve us, that is all. Use his body, take your pleasure, but do not treat him as an equal. Do not take his seed into your body. Has Lorena not taught you well this lesson? He is beneath you."

"Yes, sire."

"You have inherited your father's gentle heart, but do not let it rule you. The slave, Eric, does not need anymore reason to be defiant. The only reason he has not been killed is because he does the work of many men and he wins fights and money for us."

"He wins fights?" Sookie tried to keep her voice level at this news but her fists were clenched as she learned of just one more horrid thing in Eiríkr's life.

"You know of Appius and Victor. Friendly wagers between neighbors is all."

"And you wager for whose slave will beat the other into submission?"

"Ah," said the king, his eyes shining with wicked glee. "To the death."

"To the death?" Sookie tried hard to make her face appear impassive. She looked down at the book still in her hands so that she could work to calm herself.

"Though next time, the wager might be different. It seems Appius is rather fond of Eric and may be willing to pay good coin for him. I have to admit, he is rather beautiful." Sookie blanched at these words, knowing what had happened in Eiríkr's past when he was called beautiful. "I may let him take him if he offers me enough. Oh come now, Susanna, if you are to be married you will have no more need of that irksome slave."

Sookie had not intended to let her grandfather see the panic in her eyes at the prospect of Eiríkr being sold to another monarch. "Of course, I care not if he is sold. He is a good bed partner, however. It would be a shame not to have the use of his body."

"Yes, well, you know Appius and his appetites. He will pay an excellent price for the use of that slave's body."

Sookie was on the verge of being sick all over her chamber floor at the thought of it. "When is the next fight?" she asked, hoping that her voice sounded nonchalant.

"Ah, it should coincide with the feast of Maenad- the coming of the new season. It will be a two day affair this year—festivities and merriment on one day and a day full of fighting on the other!" The king's eyes sparkled with evil mischief and Sookie could barely disguise the revulsion on her face.

"I see," she said, turning and sitting in her chair. At least she hoped to have Eiríkr gone by then.

"In any case, you will leave Eric alone. We shall choose a husband among the eligible and you shall be made busy with wedding planning. Should you find you need companionship before your wedding, you may have William. Lorena!" he called.

She appeared instantly. "Yes, Your Majesty," she purred, bowing deeply so that her cleavage was on display to the room. She was one of the only ones who called him that.

"Tell William that should the princess desire company in the next weeks, he is to be available to her whenever she wishes."

Lorena's smile was lascivious. This was what she and her son had been waiting for. If William could spill inside the princess and give her a child, she was sure she could get the king to allow him to marry her. Lorena had planted little seeds about William's sexual abilities and his availability to the princess so she did not need to take a slave from his work, and now those seeds were coming to fruition. "Of course, sire."

"I am sure I can manage without company for a few months until the wedding," said Sookie. She suppressed the shudder as she thought of taking William to her bed. She would make sure that would never happen.

"Well, no matter. I do not care what you do as long as you leave my slaves alone. I do not want to hear of you influencing any more guards. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sire." Sookie stood as the king opened his arms to her. She hated these small displays of insincere affection. She hugged him briefly and backed away with a small bow. "Good day, Grandfather."

Sookie threw herself onto her bed as soon as the king had left and the door was closed behind him. She fought tears for a few minutes but she could not hold them back at the thought that she was no longer allowed to see Eiríkr and that he might be killed fighting or sold in three weeks' time. There was also the fact of the king wanting her married sooner rather than later. The day had started out so promising and now things seemed bleak and hopeless.

Sookie allowed herself to wallow for a few minutes before she wiped her tears, sat up, and decided to be brave like her love. He dealt with much harder circumstances in his life and he faced them all with brave stoicism. She could do the same to be worthy of such a man.

Sookie's mind began to churn with plans. She was not allowed to ask for the company of a slave in her quarters but she had to speak with Eiríkr. Did he know of the king's plan for his fight after the feast? Was he aware of Appius' interest in him? Had Appius already shown Eiríkr his wicked desires? The thought turned her stomach and made her heart ache for him. His beauty had been his biggest curse.

Determined to find her way to him, Sookie began to plan for a night in the close future when she could go to him in his camp. She would have to be careful, but given her gifts, she was fairly certain she could go safely. The only thing she would have to worry about was making sure that the little rat, William, did not spy on her and make known her whereabouts. She might have to employ Jessica to help her.

But the first thing Sookie needed to do was secure Godric in the kitchens so that he was no longer forced to work in the quarry under the hot sun. She decided she would need to be discreet about this endeavor lest the king or William figure out that she had placed him there. Once in the kitchens, nobody would know where he came from and he would be safe. If word made it to the king that Eiríkr had made a friend, Sookie feared that Godric would be used against him. King Brigant would love to have something to hold over his indomitable slave in hopes of making him more compliant. She needed to find out where Godric was moved—if he was moved already—and get him into the palace with haste.

Sookie looked toward her doorway when she heard a light knock on the door through which Eiríkr had departed.

"My lady?" she heard spoken softly.

She walked quickly to the door and opened it. "Jessica. He is returned safely?"

"Yes, my lady. Though he wears palace clothing. I helped him to rub dirt into his pants so they are less noticeably clean. He is…well-built." Jessica blushed and smiled quickly.

Sookie smiled as well. "He is. Please come in." She ushered Jessica into her chamber and quickly closed the door, beckoning the girl over to the fire. "Thank you for the warning, Jessica, and for helping Eiríkr to get back safely. I am in your debt."

"It is my pleasure as your loyal servant, my lady. You owe me nothing in return." Jessica cast her eyes down in deference to her princess.

"Jessica, I thought that maybe you could be…my friend?" Sookie knew Jessica to be two or three years younger than her, having grown up in the palace as well. She came from a poor family who sold her to the kingdom at a young age and she had been working for the king ever since.

Jessica looked with surprise at the princess. "Your friend? I am honored, Princess. I will do everything I can to be worthy of your friendship—"

"You are already worthy. You need not do a thing. I have been missing friendship in my life for many years and it was not until I realized all you do for me that I recognized that I have a friend in you if I so desire. I am honored to be your friend, Jessica."

"Thank you, my lady."

"Please call me Sookie. Perhaps you will be better at it than Eiríkr." Sookie smiled at the thought of him.

Jessica's eyes twinkled. "He is a rare man, that one. On the last occasion when the king invited the guards to dine with him, I served them. The heads of the camps were boasting of their wicked deeds. It was truly awful. But one such man in charge remained silent. He was the head of Eiríkr's camp and he had nothing to say. The other men started to poke fun at him, saying he had a slave who was in charge of the camp instead of him. They called him the slave to a slave. They said that Eiríkr does what he wants—he is beaten for it, but it does not deter him. He simply takes his punishment and continues to do the same as had gotten him caned or whipped in the first place. His camp's leader was angry but I could see a begrudging respect in his eyes. Eiríkr is truly a good man, Sookie. He protects the children in his camp…I can see why you love him."

"Can you tell that I love him? Is it obvious?"

"Only to those who know love. Fear not. The king will not know."

Sookie sighed. "I do so love him. I only hope he might someday love me, too."

"Oh, he does, my la—Sookie. You were the only thing he talked of on his way back to his camp. He spared no thought for his own safety, only asking me repeatedly if the king would not harm you. He almost ran back, when I could not reassure him quickly enough. Even if he may not have the words to tell you, he does love you." Jessica smiled as Sookie took her hand.

"Thank you. Your words are like a bird's wings to my soul, lifting it so that it may soar into the heavens."

Jessica smiled at the happiness in Sookie's eyes and they were silent for a moment. "What did the king want, if I may ask? Is Eiríkr in danger?" Jessica finally asked.

"He was angry with me for taking Eiríkr when Andre wanted to punish him. 'Your desires do not trump my orders, silly girl,'" she mimicked, using the king's deep voice.

Both girls laughed. "And will you see Eiríkr again? Surely your heart will not let you be parted for long…"

At Jessica's faraway look, Sookie spoke up. "Is there a companion of your heart, my friend? Do you have someone to miss?"

She sighed and looked at her clasped hands, rubbing one thumb along the other. "There is a boy," she whispered. "He is good and kind. He makes deliveries to the palace and is often here only once or twice in a week's time. His name is James."

"Oh yes! He is the son of the dressmaker. James was a friend to me when my parents were alive to allow such frivolities. We used to play together as his mother measured the women for dresses. You love him?"

"I do…but we have but a few fleeting moments after he makes his delivery. He talks of a time when the king would let me out of my servitude so that we may marry and live away from the palace…but I fear I shall never be able to leave this place!"

The despair on Jessica's face drove Sookie to divulge her plans of helping the slaves gain their freedom and offer Jessica the same chance at a life free of King Brigant.

"Would you really help me in that way, my lady?"

"Of course! And since grandfather wishes me to be wed as soon as he procures the filthy groom, I may just leave with you!"

"I think you might have to," replied Jessica, "for I do not believe that Eiríkr would ever leave you behind."

The two girls spent a moment giggling as girls of their age are wont to do when speaking of the opposite sex. Happy, carefree moments such as these were a rare occurrence for both young ladies.

Before Jessica left to attend to her duties, Sookie shared with her, her desire to see Godric moved into the kitchen. Jessica informed her that the guard that Eiríkr had injured was being attended to by the king's personal doctor, and was still at the palace. He would know where Godric was relocated.

Jessica said all this with a sparkle to her eyes that made Sookie wonder how much knowledge she possessed about her background. She had been at the palace a long time, it was possible she knew more about the royal family than she let on.

~~—~~—~~

Determined to right the wrong of Godric's enslavement in the quarry as soon as she could, Sookie made her way quickly to the room where the injured guard was recuperating. She made sure no one followed her and then swiftly slipped into the door. The light in the room was dim and it took her eyes a few seconds to adjust. When they did so, she looked upon Bertram, whose leg was badly bruised and swollen. She was secretly glad for his misfortune and hid the smile on her lips at his poor state.

Bertram blinked at her, wondering why Princess Brigant had come to see him. Perhaps to offer her condolences and to thank him for his service to the kingdom. He puffed out his chest as best he could lying down and tried to forget the pain in his leg.

"Princess Brigant," he began in as strong a voice as he could muster. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, my lady?"

His voice was snakelike and the princess recoiled before she realized she would have to cross the room to him for her plan to work.

"I wish to see how you fare, brave guard," she said. She had to keep from curling her lip at the sight of his preening. No matter how pleasant he was now, she knew him to be a man of evil. A man who had hurt her Eiríkr.

"I will not walk for weeks. That wretched slave kicked me!" he said, before he calmed himself. His anger would not do in the face of the princess.

Sookie held back her snort. Eiríkr had no weapons, he wore nothing more than leather sandals! This man was whining about being kicked by an unarmed man when he carried a sword and whip, and wore boots!

"It is a pity," she said as she approached his bed, "that none of you could subdue one weaponless slave."

"He—he is a savage! He will not submit—not ever!" he stammered, trying pathetically to defend himself.

The princess put up her hand to silence him. She reached out and touched his bare shoulder and his eyes immediately looked at her fingers on his skin.

"I need to ask you some questions, Bertram. You want to answer me because your princess requires your help," she said, slowly nodding her head.

Bertram nodded along with her, looking into her eyes as he waited for her questions.

It was in this way that Sookie found out where Godric was placed and had Bertram call for him to be brought to the princess.

"My lady," Godric said reverently, bowing as deeply as his old back would permit.

Sookie took his arm and helped him stand upright, leading him over to her fire. "Please call me Sookie, Godric. Eiríkr has told me about your friendship, how you helped him when he was young, and how much he wishes you were not made to work the quarry. I trust he has told you of our plans?"

"Yes, Sookie. Is this why you wish to see me? I will help, of course. I do not know how much help I will be, however." At her gesture, he sat on a chair by the hearth, and took a thick piece of bread with butter from the platter on the table between them.

"No, Godric. I wish to help you. Eiríkr told me you were a baker before you were brought here?"

Godric looked confused at Sookie. "Yes…though I have made nothing in years besides flat breads with the rancid flours we are given." He took a large bite of his bread and closed his eyes in contentment.

Sookie smiled at him and passed him a plate piled with fruit and meat. "I would like to send you to work in the kitchens. Do you think you could do that work? I could possibly find something more suitable if—"

"No, my lady. Sookie. I would be most appreciative to work in the kitchens again, thank you for your kindness." He ate a small round fruit that popped in his mouth and almost laughed like a boy at its flavor.

"Grapes," she said, nodding to the bunch of them on the table.

"Grapes…delicious!" he mused. "Eiríkr told me of your kindness. He spoke of you like a boy speaks the stories of his people—with great awe and excitement."

Sookie blushed and placed her hands over her heated cheeks to cool them.

"Ah, you love him."

Sookie looked into his kind sparkling eyes. She could tell his heart was pure like Eiríkr's and was glad the two found their way to each other. "I love him," she whispered. "Is it that obvious?"

Godric smiled. "To those that know the feeling, that look on your face is easily recognizable."

Sookie sighed. "I have been told not to see him again."

"But you will not listen, will you?" he asked, his eyes sparkling again.

Sookie grinned. "I never listen. Will you help me to go to him?"

"Will you be safe? I can tell you of the quarry, draw a map to his camp. But you must be safe. If he learned that I led you to harm, I fear not even our long friendship will save me from his wrath."

"I will be safe, I assure you. Please, draw me a map and I shall follow it."

Sookie provided parchment and a quill and watched as Godric drew and explained how to get to Eiríkr.

Sookie thanked him for his help and then the two made their way to the kitchens, where she asked to see the head cook.

"Yes, my lady," he said, bowing as he dusted off his hands. "What can I do for you?"

The cook, Samuel, was a kind man. Sookie remembered fondly that he used to bake her favorite treats in an effort to cheer her after the death of her parents.

She smiled warmly at him and asked for a more private place to talk. He brought them to the small storeroom where the meats were kept.

"This is Godric," said Sookie, introducing the men. The cook eyed Godric's dirty clothes and disheveled appearance. "He is a baker from the North. He knows many new recipes that I am sure you would be happy to learn." She leaned in and placed a hand on his wrist. "Please treat Godric with the respect that he deserves, Samuel."

"Yes, of course he will be treated with respect." He turned toward Godric with a nod. "We must first get you cleaned up and into some proper kitchen attire. Come! I will see to your needs."

Godric smiled and clasped Sookie's hand. "Thank you, my lady! Thank you!" There were tears in his eyes as he looked into hers.

Sookie smiled kindly at him. "I cannot wait for a treat from your homeland," she said with a wink. She left the men to carry on, confident that Godric would be well treated by Samuel.

~~—~~—~~

Two nights later, Sookie was finally out from under the watchful eye of the dastardly William, who seemed to be watching her even more closely since the king's visit to her chambers. Each time she saw him lurking about in the shadows, a shudder ran through her body at the thought that he was waiting to be invited into her bed. He was nowhere to be seen this night, however, so her plans could be carried out at last.

She quickly donned her darkest cape—a deep blue—and lit a lamp to take her out into the darkness of the moonlit night. She used her lamp to follow Godric's map and soon recognized the outcropping of stone that signaled her proximity to Eiríkr's camp.

As she crunched along the gravel, she looked out at the vast amount of tents split into four camps. Each camp had about ten tents, which Godric had told her slept two to three men or several children. So many men taken by her grandfather. So many men stripped of their rights as humans because her grandfather saw himself as superior. Sookie felt sick as she looked at the meager fires—most of them almost snuffed out—that the men were made to use for warmth and safety. The guards had large hot fires high above, on the tops of the rocks, well away from the fetid campsites.

Sookie stopped suddenly and crouched low, placing her lamp under her cloak to hide it. She waited breathlessly for a guard to pass her by. He did not see her and kept walking, moving along the path to the town. At this time of night, he was likely on his way to find a woman to satisfy him.

As soon as he was safely away, Sookie stood and walked quietly to Eiríkr's camp, recognizing his tent by its position near the fire pit. Godric had told her what to look for.

Eiríkr had a tent to himself, as he insisted, much to the guard's disapproval. He did not share his tent except with a frightened child if there was one who could not be soothed to sleep with a story.

Sookie stood next to his tent, her nerves causing her heart to race and her hands to shake. She took deep breaths to calm herself. She peeled back the flap and stood in the entrance, unsure of her next actions. She remembered when she woke him before, how his eyes were wild and fierce. She knew that being in his camp would be worse, for this is where the worst things happened to him. She was afraid to venture further, to touch him, and startle him awake, so she simply stood and whispered his name.

"Eiríkr," she called softly. She saw him smile in the candlelight of her raised lamp though he did not wake. He was beautiful, so serene in his sleep. So much like a child, that her heart ached for the innocence that was lost too soon. She stood and watched his face for some time but the fires in his camp had been long since burned away and the air was cold. Sookie shivered out of fear and chill, and called his name again. This time his eyes blinked open and he was still as a statue, listening. She called to him yet again. "Eiríkr, it's me, Sookie," she whispered.

He sat up quickly and looked at her, his eyes boyishly wide in the dim light. He blinked, shook his head and looked again. He put his hand out and she went to him, falling to her knees as he enveloped her in his strong arms.

"You are real," he whispered into her hair.

She laughed and then hurriedly covered her mouth. "I am, my love, I am here."

"My love," he repeated breathlessly. When she kissed him, he pulled back. "I am filthy," he said with a regretful smile.

"I do not care," she said, pulling him by the neck. She tenderly took his mouth, letting him lead the kiss when he felt ready. She could tell he was uncomfortable by his uncleanly appearance but she really did not mind it. She pulled back and smiled at him but his eyes were hard.

"You should not have come here," he said firmly.

"I needed to see you."

"This was foolish! If someone saw you—if one of these vile men wanted…it will not matter that you are the Princess. You will be hurt!" His voice rose with his turmoil over what might have happened.

She shushed him, trying to place her fingers over his lips but he threw off her attentions, his muscles twitching as he imagined all kinds of atrocities befalling the woman who had shown him nothing but kindness. He could not bear it if she were hurt because of him.

"Eiríkr!" she pleaded, "you must listen to me." With her hands on his cheeks, she brought his face close to hers." She waited until the darkness crept from his eyes and he was seeing her, whole and unharmed, in front of him again. "You must listen."

He nodded, unable to speak or move, lest he pull her down to lie with him and never let her go again. She was his, she was for him—and he wanted her all to himself. Surprised by what he considered the disgusting behavior of men—claiming a person as if they were property—Eiríkr lowered his eyes from her face as shame flooded his heart and burned his cheeks.

"My love," she whispered, hoping he would come out of whatever dark part of his mind in which his thoughts were currently residing.

"No," he whispered. "You must not call me that. I am not worthy of this title."

Princess Brigant got angry then. Not at Eiríkr, though her incensed words were directed at him. "It is my love I bestow! If I love you then I shall be allowed to call you my love and you must let me!"

Eiríkr smiled in spite of himself. What fire she possessed, what strength of mind and character she displayed. If it were possible to love her more, he would have at that very moment. Without a notion of what to say to the exasperated princess in his arms, he simply kissed her. She melted into his embrace and he pulled back, smiling. "I love you, Sookie," he whispered, giving name to the feeling he had been marveling over for the past week. She was beautiful in the flickering candlelight. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and as he watched her face light from within because of his words, he was awed at how much more beautiful she could be.

"Oh, Eiríkr! Eiríkr!" she whispered passionately. "I love you!" She tilted her head and pulled him until their lips met. She still let him lead the kiss—because she never wanted to force something on him that he did not want—but this time, she licked his bottom lip in hopes that he would deepen the kiss.

Her actions stirred him and he opened his mouth, letting his tongue seek hers. He remembered when, as a boy, he would notice his parents kissing and think that the activity he witnessed could not be as pleasurable as they had made it sound. Now he knew the truth. Kissing was far better than he had ever imagined and he wanted to do it all the time. The only problem he could see was that when he kissed the princess, it made his body harden and his mind desire to move into further gratifications. He would not do so outside on the cold ground, however. That was how greedy men took their pleasure, without care for their partner. Eiríkr would not let her first time be in a slave's tent.

He pulled back, brushing his dirty fingers over her pale cheek. He winced as he sullied her perfect complexion and tried unsuccessfully to wipe her off.

Sookie placed two gentle fingers over his rosy lips as she notice him readying an apology. She pulled up the hood of her cloak and easily wiped the dirt away, smiling at the relief in Eiríkr's eyes.

"Now," she said, her eyes twinkling, "will you listen to me?"

"Yes, my lady," he answered, dipping his head slightly.

"Sookie!" she whispered fiercely.

Eric grinned. "Sookie," he murmured, dipping further to nuzzle her neck like a baby animal.

Sookie placed a hand on the back of his head and realized he still wore the braid she had done for him days ago. Of course, by now it was falling out and disheveled, but she secretly liked that he did not take it out. He still wore the linen pants as well, though now they were torn and muddied.

"I should have brought you some more clothing," she whispered sadly. "Next time."

He lifted his head. "You must not be caught here. Nobody must know of your visit and you must not come again!" He was working himself up in fear for her safety again and she knew she needed to get on with telling him why she knew she would be safe.

Sookie took a deep breath and then had an idea. "Turn around, please. Let me see to your hair at least."

"But you have no brush."

"I will use my fingers. Your hair is like reeled silk, my fingers will work well enough." Sookie had never revealed her nature to another who did not already know of her and she was anxious to know how his feelings would change toward her once he knew everything. Talking to his back would be easier. She would not have to see the fear and rejection in his eyes should it be there.

Eiríkr slowly turned his body and sighed once she had removed the tie and weaved her fingers into his golden hair. Sookie smiled as his head fell forward. She reached around and tilted his chin up with her fingers; she needed his neck straight for the braid.

As she gently detangled his hair, she spoke softly to him. "I am sure you wish to know why I was not afraid to walk among the camps tonight to find you." She felt Eiríkr's body tense as his fear resurfaced and she thought she would use her power on him just this once to calm him down so he could listen. She told herself it was not for selfish reasons although the truth lay somewhere in the middle. She let herself flow into him as she lightly stroked his shoulders. "Everything is well, Eiríkr," she said sweetly into his ear.

He sighed. "Everything is well," he repeated, feeling remarkably better. Everything was well. His Sookie was sitting behind him, unharmed, with her warm hands on his body. His shoulders relaxed as worry fell from them, to be replaced by quiet peace.

Sookie kissed his shoulder blade, not caring that his skin was dirty, and then sat up to resume her explanation.

"I am not human," she said, figuring that getting right to the heart of the matter was the best way to tell him. Still at peace from her earlier actions, Eiríkr simply turned his face to look at her.

"Not human?" he questioned with a furrow to his brow. Not being able to resist his adorably confused expression, Sookie kissed his forehead. He sighed and blinked slowly, enjoying anytime her lips were on his skin.

"Well, not entirely. Some would call us God touched, others would call us witches—but we are neither."

"What are you then?" he whispered as if he were a boy listening to a bedtime story.

"I am Fae," she admitted.

"Fae," he repeated softly. Then his brow furrowed again. "I do not know this word."

"Some people call us enchanted spirits or sprites. The Good People, though from what I know, that is a lie."

Eiríkr sat up straight and twisted his shoulders to look at her. "In my homeland, we know the stories of the skogsrå—forest spirits. They are said to be very beautiful women who lure men away. They can be very kind but they can also be very evil. Is this what you are telling me?"

"I have never heard that word but it is possible. I assure you, though," she hurried to say as she watched his expression change rapidly to anger, "I am nothing like the legends state. I do not lure anyone, I am not evil—"

"But you compel people!" he said, cutting her off. "I have seen it! And…you have done this to me? Have you done this to me?" He shot upright and scrambled away from her, crouching against the low ceiling at his tent wall. "Before! When I was unfixed and then I felt only peace…that was you! You did that to me!"

Sookie was alarmed, her eyes wide at the fear and furious anger on his face. It was then that she realized her error. She had forced herself on him, violated his trust and betrayed his friendship. She had pressed her will upon him and coerced his feelings, imposing herself on his body as the men did before. He had every right to feel outraged and assaulted. Hot tears streamed down her face as she reached out to him. "I am so terribly sorry, my love! I only meant to make you feel better."

"I do not want to be made to do anything! I trusted you! You do not understand what that means for me. I do not—I can not—trust anyone. Do you think that I turn my back easily? That I let just anyone sit where I cannot see them? I have learned not to trust. All I know is deceit," he whispered brokenly. "I see now that it is all I will ever know."

Sookie sobbed, a wretched sound that left her mouth and nearly tore Eiríkr's heart in two. He stood his ground, though he had to look away from her anguished face. She started toward him and he put his hands out. Her heart sunk as she recognized his want to protect himself—from her.

"Go now, Princess Brigant. Go and do not come back. I will follow your plan; I will fight for our freedom but you must leave and release me from your hold."

Sookie nodded as tears fell into the dirt at her feet. "I love you, Eiríkr. I am sorry," she whispered. She left his tent and stood outside in the cold, aimlessly walking the dirt surrounding his long dead campfire. She felt not the cold nor the night wind that relentlessly whipped her hair into her eyes. She felt only the deep grief, the aching tightness in her chest that her actions had caused. She could not breathe, could only gasp meager amounts of air into her anguished lungs. Maybe I am evil like the Fae, she thought. This idea brought on a fresh wave of tears and she could barely contain her sobs as she recounted the cold and injured eyes of her love.

Once Sookie left his tent, Eiríkr nearly collapsed onto his cot. He cursed himself for ever letting himself hope in something as good as love. Love! He would never have it again and to hope for it, left him only pain. He cursed his infantile stupidity. That a princess could love him—what a foolish thought! That there would ever be someone who would not harm, who would not force! What a witless child he had been! He had been abused and defiled for seemingly his entire life. His body had been broken again and again but never had anything hurt like this. Eiríkr laid his arms over his face to shield his eyes from the light which he could not bear. He retreated, back within the safety of his walls. He felt nothing inside the fortress he had built within himself. In here he was cool and calm and nothing touched him.

As he lay in silence, blocking the candlelight with his arms so that the darkness he felt was also surrounding him, he realized the reason why he was not truly in the dark. Sookie had not taken her lamp! Was she stumbling around outside in pitch blackness? Had she gotten lost? Was she in danger of being discovered?

Eiríkr was up, lamp in hand, and outside his tent before he realized what he had planned. His eyes searched wildly for any sign of the princess. He could not let her get hurt. He had to find her!

"Sookie," he called softly. He walked along the path leading toward the palace, hopeful that she had been able to recognize it even in the dark. "Sookie," he said again. His heart nearly fell from his chest when he spotted a small figure huddled on the ground a short distance away. She made no move as he approached and he wondered if she had heard him call for her. He crouched in front of her, reached for the hood of her cloak and drew it back. "Sookie," he whispered as she looked up at him. If he had felt the pang of her betrayal like a knife through his chest, as he looked into her eyes and saw the tender grief and yearning on her face, he was hit with more pain than that of a thousand knotted whips against his skin.

His heart seized and fell into pieces in his chest, and he pressed his fist over it to staunch the agony. His effort to soothe the affliction was for naught and so he reached out his hands, grabbed Sookie's cloak and pulled her small body up against his massive chest. He pressed her cheek to his heart, dipped his face into her fragrant hair, and only by breathing her sweet scent did he finally feel at ease. Only her soft weight in his arms, her damp cheek against his skin caused his heart to mend itself and beat again.

Sookie clutched at his back, pressed further into his gentle body, and finally breathed once more. "Forgive me. You must forgive me," she mumbled into his chest. She pulled herself out of his arms, which was a struggle since he was loathe to let her go. She looked up into his eyes and brought a slow hand to his cheek, which he allowed. "I know what I did to you was a violation of your trust. It was not my intention but I did not think about how it would be perceived by you. You have to believe I will never do something such as that again. Never to you, my love."

Eiríkr looked into her eyes and kissed the tears from her cheeks. His hands were much too dirty to do the job. "You must not cry, Sookie. I cannot bear it. I forgive you. I love you. Please forgive my foolish belief that I cannot trust in you. I know I can…It is not easy and you will most likely forgive my foolishness many times again…But I do trust you, Prin—" At her look of censure, he quickly changed the name he called her. "Sookie," he said with a small smile.

Sookie smiled then and felt her lungs ease even more. She kissed his kind mouth, softly caressing his lips with her own. When she pulled back, he smiled down at her.

"Come," he said, standing to his feet and helping her up. "Come and tell me everything there is to know about you."

Still with me? I almost left them upset but I just couldn't do that to them! How do you like it so far? Thanks so much for reading! :)