AU, Sookie isn't a faerie in this fic and they don't play a big part in this either. No Bill for now. No Nora and possibly no Lorena. They're just unnecessary characters in this fic. The focus will be on Sookie and Eric.

I do not own SVM or True Blood.

Conversations in a language other than English will be distinguished in bold.

For example:

"Eric is hot." -English

"Eric is hot." -Old Norse, Swedish, Italian, French, etc.

930 AD Somewhere in Scandinavia

The vampire known as Godric gently placed the dead body in the grave he had dug. After a thousand years, he finally found someone worthy of becoming his progeny. He had finally found a companion he deemed worthy. Having no regard for human life, he never believed he could find someone he respected or desired enough. However, the Viking he had seen on the battlefield was ruthless and almost savage. He held his sword as if it were an extension of his body and commanded respect even from his foes.

He was just about to join the Viking in the earth when a bolt of lightning crashed down right next to him. However, it didn't singe the earth, nor were there any clouds in the sky. When he looked down, Godric's fangs lengthened and he hissed at the female figure now next to him. She was on one knee, clad in armor that shone even in the dim moonlight. Her hair was fair, and when she rose, she was a head taller than him. Her eyes surveyed the scene in utter calm, but he waited, not knowing what sort of creature she was.

Her first words sounded harsh and like an order but it was in a language he didn't understand. Godric in turn spoke in the Norse the Viking had, all the while trying to figure out what she was.

"What are you?"

She looked down into the grave, and he swore there was a look of anger on her beautiful features before she turned her gaze on him.

"That is of no consequence to you, blood drinker."

She stepped into the grave and knelt to turn the Viking's head. "What has happened to you Eiríkr?" She glared at him from the grave, looking like a shield maiden before a battle. "You've turned him into one of you. He was mine to collect. You've denied him access to our great hall." With more care than Godric, she turned the Viking's head back and brushed some of his long hair from his face.

His shock and unease turned to rage in an instant and he pounced atop the female warrior as soon as she stepped out of the grave, a hand tight around her throat, he sent her to the ground. Instead of fear, her features were devoid of emotion, only angering him further. "HE IS MINE. What are you?!"

Faster than even his eyes could see, she had him on his back with the tip of a sword pointed at his jugular. "Valkyrja. Some respect, blood drinker. You are speaking to the child of gods."

Godric's eyes widened. The lighting, the armor, and her words 'our great hall', this ethereal creature was a Valkyrie, a chooser of the slain, and he had prevented a warrior from entering Valhalla. Then as quickly as she threatened him, she was off of him, and standing. Her scent was unlike any he had ever encountered before and simply indescribable, so pleasurable his eyes briefly fluttered shut and he forgot all of the bloodshed and slaughter.

"Our great hall will be empty without you." She appeared almost…saddened. "It seems fate has taken you from us Eiríkr…from me." With a heavy sigh, she gestured for him to get up and enter the grave and he realized the human's name was Eiríkr. He had missed it the first time she had said it. Seeing that she wanted to pour the dirt on top of them and realizing that dawn was fast approaching, he complied, not fully understanding what she was. Godric hadn't been around the Vikings long enough to hear of their religious beliefs but he did know that the Valkyrie were indeed the female children of Woden and Freya. They took the fiercest and most deserving warriors into Valhalla, where they served them with mead, food, and company.

Once the last of the dirt was poured on top of Godric and Eiríkr, he fell asleep although questions ran through his mind.

The sunrise momentarily caught Sanngriðr's eye. It had once been breathtaking to her as Valhalla had no dusk or dawn. Now, she looked upon the sun as if it were a curse. The Viking king she respected above all others was now a blood drinker. As the youngest Valkyrie, she wasn't used to the bloodshed of war and battle but even in her inexperience she had seen Eiríkr as a skilled warrior. His bravery and honor in battle called to her Valkyrie sensibilities and his looks had called to her as a maiden. Though her sisters had warned her against it, she had become obsessed with him, giving him strength in battle over all others and watching over him as best as she could.

Obviously, she had failed. In the first battle she had missed, he had been grievously injured and though she didn't know how he came across a blood drinker, he was now one of them. He was now part of the supernatural world, one she could not meddle in. After ten years by his side, both awaiting and dreading his death, Sanngriðr now found him far out of her reach.

Soon it was noon and Sanngriðr realized she didn't want to leave his grave or rather couldn't bring herself to leave. If her Viking didn't rise, it would mean he was truly dead and she could take him with her to Valhalla. She prayed to Freya he did not rise. There were other things she had to do, other battles to oversee and other men to lead to Valhalla but this one was too important to her. She had broken a rule simply by showing herself to another creature, even if he was technically dead.

Finally the sun started to dip below the horizon and she could feel the air cooling around her. Five minutes after sun set and the blood drinker rose. She could tell that he was much older than he looked but doubted he could match her 250 years. The violent ones always died the fastest; it was the same in the human world. It was unsettling to see a body rise from a grave but she merely cringed on the inside. When he was fully out, he made no move to dust himself off.

She didn't mind; however, when he moved to stand beside her, she tensed. Sanngriðr had never met a blood drinker before and had never imagined she would. Her sisters would often tell her tales about blood orgies and the senseless slaughter of children and villages. She hadn't believed them, instead believing they only wanted to frighten her. Now, she wasn't sure. It didn't matter if her Viking died as a warrior, as long as he was a blood drinker, he would be denied access to Valhalla. All supernatural beings were because they didn't pray to the gods.

Carefully, she turned to the young boy. "What is your name, blood drinker?"

He turned his head to her as well, covered in dirt and blood. It was uncomfortable to see a face so young, tainted. "Godric."

"Please, look after him." It was unbecoming but with every second that passed, the dread multiplied and the severity of the situation hit her. She had fallen for the Viking who so ruthlessly and single-mindedly sought to avenge his family and she would never be able to see him again. Eiríkr. The first male she had ever wanted or loved now stirred in his makeshift grave. He was rising and as a hand reached out of the grave, a tear trailed down her porcelain cheek.

While she was on her rule breaking trend, she might as well add one more. As she spoke, she handed Godric a pendent. "If he needs my help, one of you need only say my name. Sanngriðr." In another flash of lightning, she was safely back in Valhalla. However, the joyful music and laughter did nothing to raise her spirits. The thought of watching a battle for gold, power, or women left her feeling empty.

Longing to sleep, she retired for the night, ignoring the odd looks her sisters gave as she passed by the fallen warriors in paradise.

About One Thousand Years Later: Bon Temps

The body she now had felt…softer, more feminine than she was used to. But above all, it felt mortal. The witches she had contacted had altered the memories of the inhabitants and created a new identity for her. Sanngriðr, who had changed her name to Susanna just a few hundred years ago now went by Sookie. After Christianity moved to her father's lands, there were less and less prayers in his name which meant he had grown weaker in the following centuries.

Just 500 years ago, Woden and Freya chose to sleep in order to conserve their energy, leaving the Valkyrie and Valhalla empty. While many of her sisters chose to stay in Valhalla to look after their parents and the warriors there, she had been one of the few to choose a different life. After nearly 1,500 years, she grew tired and lonely. Instead of a comfortable immortal life, she chose to descend to earth and live as a mortal.

It wasn't easy to adapt to the new environment and her human friends and family simply thought she was being weird for a week or two but she got into the hang of things, even working as a waitress. She had lost most of her powers, including her enhanced speed, sight, and hearing. However, her ability to hear human thoughts stayed with her though she didn't know why. As a Valkyrie, her sixth sense was important in determining which warriors were truly fearless and who was most deserving of a seat in Valhalla. Now, her ability was a nuisance that couldn't be revealed.

She had been on earth just a few months when she was informed about the Great Revelation on the news. Blood drinkers, or as they were more commonly known now as vampires decided to reveal themselves to humans. They were foolish of course. There was a reason why supernatural beings chose to hide themselves from humans. The times had changed; the humans outnumbered them and outgunned them. Not only that but they were extremely prejudiced and rash, more so than any supernatural being. The vampires, in their arrogance not only endangered humans and themselves but the entire supernatural community by coming forward.

Freya and Woden would have struck them all down with lightning to prevent the coming out. She was just about to serve her first table of the night when the wind was knocked out of her. Her stomach clenched painfully. Sam, her boss rushed out from behind the bar as she doubled over in pain.

"What is it?! What's wrong Sookie?"

She gasped, unable to comprehend what was happening. She had never felt so much pain, so much anguish and it wasn't hers. As a Valkyrie, she realized this pain would have felt like a tickle. Finally, it dawned on her. Someone was calling her name and there was only one person who had that privilege. Rushing out of the restaurant, Sookie tore off her apron and went with her gut, leaving Sam yelling after her. Unable to use lightning to travel, she was forced to get in her car and drive, not knowing how far she had to go. However, she sensed that Godric was calling her from somewhere close.

For the first time, she discovered how inconvenient being a human was.

She was at her home in almost record time. It was a little before midnight. The pull to the house was so strong, she wasn't even aware she left the car door open. "Godric?!"

He appeared to her in a flash, too quickly for her human eyes. Her hands on his shoulders, she searched him for injuries. "You're—you're okay. Thank Freya."

"Sanngriðr." His eyes were softer than she remembered. They switched to old Norse as they always did. "You're…human."

She smiled. "Yes. Why have you called me? You had me worried."

"I felt you when you arrived on this plane but you never came to me. I was worried and when I felt our bond fading, I called to you." Their bond. Of course. Though it was centuries old, she never had the need to eat as a Valkyrie so his blood had stayed in her throughout her life. Now that she was mortal, their weak bond would only get weaker if she didn't take more of his blood.

"I apologize. I have been short sighted. Where is…" She trailed off, not able to bring herself to ask the question even as she futilely searched the area for another figure. She was aware they parted ways a little over 50 years ago but she assumed they still kept in touch. The two were closer than most vampires and she was grateful Godric had been such a good and caring maker to Eric.

"Eric is well." Sookie released a breath of relief and nodded. The house was dark, with no one inside so she invited him in for a chat.

"It's been a while Godric. Nearly 50 years if I recall."

"Yes." He took a seat on her sofa as she sat next to him. "So you finally became mortal."

He was so polite now. A stark contrast to how he was in the beginning. "Yes, my sisters and I contacted witches to help me create a place for me here and even gave me a human body."

Her words shocked him, which was difficult for a vampire his age. Immortality wasn't like what they advertised. It was filled with good moments but it was also rife with the bad. An eternity of guilt and regret. Godric understood her pain better than most. "Have you seen Eric?"

She simply shook her head. "I don't even know where he is."

"You didn't choose Bon Temps to be close to him?" Another surprise.

"Eric is in Bon Temps?" Her eyes wide, it appeared she really had no clue where his child was. Godric was certain she still felt something for his child. Had known it from the moment she brushed the hair from his face but he didn't know her feelings could last more than a thousand years.

"He's the sheriff of Area 5. He owns a bar in Shreveport called Fangtasia with his child."

"I-I wasn't aware." If it wasn't for his superior sense of hearing he wouldn't have heard her utter the word fate under her breath.

"After all this time, you're still in love with him?"

She looked at him, shocked that he would ask such a thing and in truth, he didn't know why he asked. Only that the question had been burning inside him for quite some time. "When I first saw him in battle, I was infatuated. My sisters often had favorites; they would place bets on whether or not they would fall. I could never do such a thing. Not with him. His thoughts were not only focused, they were…so calculating, so unlike the other humans. He was special. I couldn't wait to see his next fight and never imagined he would fall in battle like so many did. I felt something for him. Sympathy perhaps since I was so young and he was so…sad. I'd never been sad before I heard his thoughts. Others can't wait to go to Valhalla, to see a Valkyrie take them to paradise. He dared any to take him before he completed his revenge."

"You didn't answer my question."

"I admire him. I admire him as the Viking king who cheated death and a Valkyrie for vengeance but never got it. I admire his fortitude and his devotion to his family. But no, I do not love him."

She was wrong, Godric thought. There was no one Sanngriðr looked at quite in the same way as Eric, even during the over one thousand years Godric knew her. She might think it was just infatuation or admiration but the truth was the girl loved Eric. Eric had gained her respect while he was human and not even his deeds as a vampire lessened her feelings of awe.

"How are you enjoying your human life?"

"It's different. I enjoy it. After being surrounded by death and bull headed warriors, I welcome the mundane life." Godric smiled at her explanation. "Has it been hard since the Great Revelation?"

"A different set of problems but manageable all the same." She simply nodded at his answer. "Sanngriðr, are you planning on meeting him now that he's close by?"

"I go by Sookie now." Her smile pulled at the corners of his own lips. "And maybe when the time is right, I'll check in on our Viking."

Though she appeared slightly different, she was still the same person he met a millennia ago. Sanngriðr…Sookie always made excuses and chose not to see eric. The fact that she was now considering it proved she truly did seek the true death. Unconsciously, as if to keep her with him, his hand found hers on her knee. He felt her jump at the unexpected touch but she turned her palm upwards and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

One of his oldest friends. Mortal. Godric didn't know how to deal with the idea of losing her. Sookie had helped him through his hard times, when he was so bloodthirsty he nearly killed all humans in sight. She had helped him evade the vampires who hunted him for killing his own maker. She had even saved Godric and Eric when they were close to death and silvered by a human vampire hunter. The next time he called her name, she might not appear. The thought weighed heavily on his mind. His existence would be dimmer from the loss of her.

"What about you, Godric? How are you these days?"

"I'm…tired. Is this what you felt when you chose to become human?" She simply nodded and gave his hand another squeeze.

"I can't even begin to imagine what it's like for you. You're older than I am and you've…seen more things in your life. But there are those who care for you Godric."

"There are those who care for you as well little one." She laughed, probably because in stature he was smaller than her but most likely because she was used to being called young or little. In terms of Valkyrie, Sookie was a lightweight. In her new, human form, she was even daintier.

"None of my sisters have contacted me. They do not understand even though they are older." They have never wanted or lost anything, he thought to himself.

"I'm sure if Eric knew you looked out for him all these years, he would miss you if you left."

"You've trained him and taught him better than I could have ever hoped. He's still alive. Well, undead because of your guidance." This time Godric laughed.

"See him at least once, Sanngriðr. I know he would love to meet you."

After a pause, seeming to think about his advice, she answered. "I will take your advice under consideration."

"So much fear little one. What will you do when the day comes that that fear turns to regret?" He kissed her cheek and left without another word.

Godric's last words echoed in her ear. She wasn't afraid of anything, she was a Valkyrie. Except, she was no longer a Valkyrie. At least not fully. Eric was in Shreveport? So close, it had to have been fate's hand. Out of the many places she could have relocated to, Scotland, Sweden, Canada, even anywhere in the United States, she had been sent here. Bon Temps wasn't a large city by any definition but she had been drawn here, had enjoyed the quaintness of a small town. But if fate had wanted this for her, wouldn't it have been easier for Eric to have never met Godric?

Eric would be in Valhalla right now, beside her and her sisters…drinking and sleeping with anyone. Not that he was chaste in his thousand years as a vampire. As a Valkyrie, she believed in fate wholeheartedly. Fate was the work of the gods and therefore the work of her parents. Sookie suspected this was her punishment. For giving too many of her favors to one man. For falling for him and giving him more strength in combat. It had to have been the reason they called on her the day Eric lost.

Eric was a sheriff now and for some reason that filled her with a sense of pride. He was in a position of power, fitting because he had a commanding presence. She only wondered why he was not King of Louisiana. In fact, it was also odd that Godric wasn't King yet. She would have to ask him the next time she saw him. Realizing Sam deserved a call since she left her cell phone at Merlotte's, she moved to the kitchen.

After apologizing and giving him an awkward talk about cramps, she could practically hear Sam blush and stutter his way out. Humans, so easily flustered over something as natural as childbirth. Despite her better judgment, her talk with Godric rekindled her desire to see Eric. She wanted to see for herself what sort of vampire he became. The last time she had gazed at him was nearly 300 years ago, when she saved Godric and Eric with her blood. The only two vampires in existence who could say they had tasted Valkyrie blood.

It had gone against everything she had been taught but there was no way around it. Godric had called to her, near death and with only an hour until sunrise. Eric had been unconscious during that time so she had tended to him first and had left before he regained consciousness.

This had to have been Godric's plan. She knew he saw her as a child and even more so as a friend. Now, the two thousand year old vampire was playing matchmaker it seemed. With a defeated sigh and a chuckle at how easily she was manipulated, she left her house and prepared herself for a drive to Shreveport.

Just a glimpse of him, she decided would be enough. Sookie wanted to see him, reassure herself that he was doing well.

The drive went by faster than she had thought and soon anticipation swelled within her. The Viking she remembered was fearsome, quick, and a fighter, his strength had drawn her to him. After a thousand years, she wondered if he was still the same.

She was carded at the door by a six foot tall bouncer. He would have intimidated any human, but unfortunately it was difficult to scare her. Scanning the area, she ignored the humans and many of the vampires, who were dressed as though they were in an S&M club rather than a vampire bar. She was about to head to the bar when a female stepped in front of her.

"You're new." She had a lazy drawl and blonde hair and was definitely a vampire.

"Yes, I'm Sookie Stackhouse."

"I'm Pamela. We don't usually get new people, especially when they're by themselves." The vampire's gazed over Sookie's form slowly and she had to suppress the desire to forcibly move her eyes back to her face.

"It's not every day I hear about a vampire bar not an hour away from my house. Curiosity got the better of me."

"Ah, then you are welcome to look around, Miss. Stackhouse and if you wish to offer yourself to me, I would gladly show you to the back room."

"I'm sorry Pamela, but I don't give my blood to anyone."

"A shame then."

"Do you know where I might find Eric?" Pamela had been about to saunter away when Sookie's question stopped her.

"I'm afraid the owner is not in right now. He's a very busy man."

She couldn't stop the dejected look from showing on her face as she replied with a quiet, "I see".

"Well, thank you for your time Pamela." This time Pamela's words stopped her.

"And might I ask what you wanted with Mr. Northman?" The challenging look she sent her didn't go unnoticed by Sookie. Neither did the fact that Pam wanted her to call Eric by his last name.

"Eric and I go way back. I simply wanted to see how he was doing." Sookie made the show of looking around. "It seems business is booming."

"Way back, with a human?" The look of distain also didn't go unnoticed. Vampires were so arrogant, no matter what their age was. Sookie believed it to be the human side of them or at least the side that remembered they were once human. Overcompensation was never a good thing.

"Yes, all the way back to my prenatal days. He was my mother's OBGYN." She could see how it would be funny only to her. Mostly because she wasn't born in the human sense and she was older than Eric by almost 300 years. Having had the last word, Sookie turned to leave but a figure caught her eye, entering the bar from what appeared to be the back door.

"Ah it appears Eric has returned. If you would just wait a moment, I'll inform him an acquaintance is here."

Sookie whirled around, startled. "No! I mean. There's no need to take up his time. He is a busy man, after all." Walking briskly away from the vampire and back to her car, she distinctly heard a laugh. Pam no doubt thought she took one look at Eric and was now running away. She tried to get her head back on straight. It had only been a glimpse of him and though it hadn't nearly been enough, it would have to be. She was human now, breakable, fragile, and killable. While she ultimately did want the peace of death, she also didn't want to go looking for it unnecessarily. Getting into the world of vampires, especially when they had just revealed themselves to humans was entirely unwise.

When she finally got to her car, she bent forward and rested her head on the steering wheel. Godric was right, Sookie was afraid. The daughter of gods, a Valkyrie who was nearly 1,500 years old was afraid to be in the presence of a thousand year old vampire Viking. Her sisters would laugh. Worse, her parents would be ashamed. But even as she accepted the fact that Godric was right, a blush reached her cheeks as though she were a young maiden with a crush. Freya help her, she had a crush on a vampire.

This infatuation was unhealthy and she needed to forget this. But no matter what she did, her thoughts always drifted to the warrior on the battlefield with no thought but survival and revenge. Who felt a duty to his family so deep, he chose a life in the darkness and hunted for a thousand years. Valkyries revered strength and family above all else.

With a curse in the old language, she started her car and drove herself home.

Eric entered Fangtasia in anger but also confusion. Godric had been in the vicinity, he had felt his maker for a few moments and as soon as he had, Eric rushed to meet him. The last place Eric felt him was in the middle of the road and as soon as he got there, he felt relieved. It didn't appear as though anything was wrong.

"Godric." Eric knelt in front of his maker and looked up at him questioningly. "What brings you to Louisiana?"

"I was just visiting an old friend and I wanted to return something to you." Godric's words had shocked him. His maker didn't take words lightly and he didn't have many who he considered to be a friend. The fact that Godric was in his area meeting a friend sat ill with Eric. All in white, Godric appeared almost angelic as he took out a necklace from his pocket.

Eric recognized it immediately. It was the pendent Godric and given him when he had first awoken as a vampire. Godric had told him to keep it with him but never explained why it was important. But being a Viking, Eric knew the raven in flight was a symbol of Woden. He was just one of many gods who didn't answer him while his family was being butchered by weres. Eric had given it back to Godric about 200 years later, when he threw the gods away and cursed them for being unhelpful in his search for the man who killed his family. Eric didn't think his maker would keep the trinket for this long and he was more surprised that it had survived so long and still appeared the same as it did a thousand years ago.

Godric slipped the necklace over his head. "Why are you giving this back to me? Godric, is something wrong." Eric's earlier relief dissipated. He knew Godric had changed a lot, had become more religious in his old age and Eric was afraid his maker would do something rash. The Great Revelation didn't help matters either and Eric felt it was giving him unneeded stress.

"It was given to you by someone else; I simply held it for you. But this pendent is important. I need to go, but keep the necklace with you at all times."

Eric rose to his feet, towering over his maker but feeling inferior. Though he didn't understand the significance of a millennia old necklace, he wouldn't question an order from Godric.

So, don't forget to review. I just had this idea, especially because I've been reading Immortals After Dark by Kresley Cole, which is an amazing paranormal romance series. The idea of the Valkyrie is loosely based on her depiction but in key ways, it's a lot simpler. I'm sorry if Sookie is appearing wishy washy at the moment but I have this idea of her being innocent in terms of sexual relations and men but being anything but in terms of blood, death, and violence. So while she is in some ways naive, she is still a person who understands pain and suffering. Eric does a lot of things without telling people or including people in his plans so I wanted someone who sort of understood that Eric isn't evil and wouldn't go out of his way to hurt other people. A valkyrie seems perfect in that sense, where she's used to death and doesn't cringe from what he is but at the same time understands that not all things necessarily include her in his plans, that there is something he wants beyond the surface.