Chapter 1-Homecoming

A month had passed since the events in Faery had led Sookie to taking the throne over from her deceased grandfather. Having had to get to work setting up a new system of protection and governing for the times when she would be in Bon Temps, Sookie had finally gotten the chance to return to Bon Temps to explain her absence to her friends. Gathering them all at Bellefleur's she spilled her guts over where she had been for the past weeks, explaining that she didn't dare just up and come home after the crown hadn't even had a chance to warm atop her head. She had, however, been able to send a letter to Arlene promising her she was safe and ok Still, gathering of those involved in this information session had grown to more people than Sookie had expected. And it was clear that Arlene had still fretted about the safety of Sookie. But she also didn't want people worrying about her going missing from time to time and besides, she felt all her friends deserved to know the truth. There could be no good gained from keeping things from people. And so here she was, holding court, as it were, with the employees of the bar-Arlene, Willa, Holly, Lafayette and Keith-and the rest of the important people in her life-Andy, Jason, Jessica and Hoyt. As she saw the rather small gathering, she thought again of those lost over the years, some because of their hate towards vamps. Certainly, the population of Bon Temps had shrunk over the years

Arlene was, of course, the most excitable about the whole Sookie ruling Faery business. But she was also sympathetic to the fact that she had taken the throne with a heavy heart. Having finished telling her tale to her friends and family, a impressed Arlene whistled with respect. "Queen Sookie. Ain't that got a ring to it!"

Sookie smiled. Arlene had certainly been happy with Keith these past few years-the recent wedding band showed as much. Her kids had all taken a liking to him and though there would never be any replacing or forgetting Terry, Sookie was pleased to see Arlene on her feet again, with a successful bar and family life. Even Jason seemed happy with his new life with Bridget, their two young kids keeping them busy, even when he wasn't working the police beat. The twins were four now and were named Tara and Terry. It hadn't been hard to convince Bridget of the names, of his reasoning and she liked the idea as well. Obviously, those who knew the meaning behind the names were as touched as well. As much as she missed their namesakes, Sookie loved being an aunt. According to Jason, thus far they had yet to reveal any faerie abilities.

"Sook's a queen…..dang impressive." Jason shook his head in wonder but a sadness washed over his face after she recounted her and Eric's adventure in Faery. "I mean, its good that he can go there and all….but Niall's gone…..and you had to move up taking over….that's a lot to handle."

"Nothing that she can't handle." A voice chimed in from the doorway. Leaning against the doorframe, Pam was dressed to the nines in a dark red skirt and blouse with matching pumps. "I thought we'd join in on the fun here as someone has been impatient to see you again. Even though you two were apart for three years, the damn Viking can't wait a week…"

"That would be enough of your sass. Be glad I closed the bar down for the night so we could be here. So I could regal everyone with our adventures. I won't ask you, Sookie, why you haven't answered my texts or why I haven't been able to see you either here or at the palace."

Not wanting to make a big thing in front of her friends, Sookie excused herself from the buffet that was now being opened up to the partygoers and she was touched to see that Arlene had planned for the needs of the vamps as well, bottles and cans of New Blood. Curious gazes as well as a concerned one from Jason followed the two out the door of the bar, past Pam and out to the small pond that was adjacent to the bar. "You all ain't back soon, I'm gonna go crazy hangin out with all these rednecks.!" she shouted after them as she grudgingly entered the bar, hoping that this party wasn't going to be as lame as she feared it would.

Meanwhile, the two stood feet away from the bubbling water and she knew this conversation had been some time coming. But she had good reason for having gone incommunicado for since the night after the coronation. "Look, I didn't know they were going to have you leave Faery….I didn't know they were going to put me through such training. I mean, I knew I was going to eventually need to train with those weapons….with my magic. But that they would separate us….I didn't want that. And they wouldn't let me leave until they were certain I could defend myself with faerie weapons and magic and-"

"I didn't come to give you a hard time. I actually came to see that you had come through it ok and wanted to know you were ok. I did not want your friends to see that I'd gotten too….sentimental."

"And to think you don't want my friends and family to think there is more to you than looks and muscle.. Too late, they've already seen streaks of decency in you over the years so ha ha!" Sookie teased. "Not that they aren't still scared of you too."

"As long as I command fear and respect, that's all I ask." He grinned before going stoic again. "But really, are you alright? All I got from you was a rushed note saying you had to be left alone and as often as I tried to see you-"

"It was not my idea and it is what all rulers have to go through. Some took longer than others to be trained. Sundra said I was the quickest learner and I told her I have had to learn to fight over the years…..I suppose the experience helped speed up things. We have set up a governing council to tend to things when I am here….so I shouldn't need to worry too much about the goings on there…..not that I wont ever, not after that creep betrayed my grandfather…the fact is, I am so confused…..about where my home is now. I feel like I can't have my life anymore, that its everyone else I have to think of. The council put together by Sundra…its only the best and the brightest. And we purged several other traitors from the ranks of the guards…..leaving only the most loyal. I am not gonna fool myself thinking that there aren't still those out there in the kingdom that wouldn't still want me out of the picture. They wanted me to take guards with me whenever I left Faery…I refused and let the council know I can handle myself. I've survived so much…but my life, I feel so…..overwhelmed…."

Hw pulled her close and hugged her tight. "If anyone can handle the responsibilities, it's certainly you. You are clearly the most unique ruler they will ever have, what with you taking on your grandfather's powers as well as some vamp powers…a force to be reckoned with."

She felt little reassurance by his words. "I am going to have to let you go again…..I have a terrible feeling….I don't want you to have to be put aside when I have my duties to attend to. It isn't fair to you. I have seen my schedule for the next year. A year! Meetings, ceremonies and so much else. Maybe I should never have come back into your life." she pulled away and wanted to just run. No one could possibly relate to what she had gone through in the past month, the things she had learned, done and studied. At first, she had embraced her ascension to the throne, wanting to do her grandfather and ancestors proud. And then, she stopped, a thought crossing her mind. "The Glades….he said something about the Glades…..maybe….I should go there."

"Correction. WE should go there. But perhaps after you spend some time with the people here. I know you've missed them and they you….

She was touched. "You sure you don't mind mingling with the…rednecks, as Pam was kind enough to call them?" Sookie grinned .

"She won't admit it but after everything over the years, she has kind of taken to caring somewhat about your friends. Not that she'd ever want to make a weekend trip with any of them….but she's changed. don't tell her I told you that." he shook his head. "I would never heard the end if it if she knew I said that…"

Arlene had promised Sookie that she would always have a job at the bar and that she had nothing to fear. Seeing her friends and family all doing well, from Andy and Holly's happy marriage to Jason and Bridget's family. Every one seemed to be thriving and Sookie was thankful, grateful for that. after spending several hours at the get together, she had bade a good evening to everyone and had thought Pam and Eric were instead going to return to their neck of the woods. Instead, she found herself joined with both of them as she journeyed to the cemetery where the passage to Faery was hidden. The thing was, Pam didn't have the requirements to enter Faery safely, not having had her body altered so slightly with fairy influence as her maker had willingly gone through so as to come and go visit Sookie whenever he pleased.

"I don't; care about visiting Fairyville." Pam snapped as she stopped with the others as they reached the spot in the cemetery. "I don't like the idea of you going back so soon after there was a all out war. You both could have been killed and who's to say you are gonna be safe there? I just don't get it. This coming and going….I don't like it at all." Pam was nothing if not blunt as she stood there with her hands on her hips, glaring at her friends.

"Actually….." Sookie as shifting on her feet uncomfortably. "I was thinking maybe I should go alone, this is….a personal thing I need to do, I learned what the Glades are and….look, I won't be long, ok?" she didn't want to damage the still fragile relationship she had begun with him again, but felt that this was something too personal for her to share with even Eric. He looked less than pleased. "I will seal the passages shut behind me so you can't follow me if that's what I have to do….." she didn't like adding this threat. "Look, you two go on and find a snack or something." Sookie said nervously as she opened the passageway and ran through it, the passage sealing behind her. Stubbornly, the Viking tried to open the way himself but sure enough, she had decided to seal it shut on him.

"Look, she isn't helpless…..she's got fangs and that light of hers to defend herself and didn't you say she had cleared house and gotten rid of the creeps that lingered? Sookie is not the damsel in distress. Well, not like she used to be."

He stood glaring at the spot where she had vanished. Things were, it seemed, not going to be any easier for the two of them. Yet again.