The Deal

"How was Earth?" Daniel asked as Haldir sat down at the long wooden table beside Damien.

"Quite a fucking mess," Haldir said.

"I guess things don't very change much," said Daniel as he tapped his fingers on the table.

"How are Gretchen's parents? Are they getting along alright?" asked Rosemary.

"No...no, they're...well, you can imagine," said Haldir as he ran his fingers back and forth across the wooden table. "Gretchen was her father's little princess. He's just devastated and he's burning the whole supernatural world down with him."

"Won't they consider coming here?" she asked.

"I hope so, they're busy settling things with the people who assassinated Gretchen. There's not enough blood in the world to satisfy Teddy right now," said Haldir. "But anyway...let's talk."

"Gretchen needs to move here, Haldir," said Daniel. "This is never going to work unless they spend time together."

Haldir pulled on his beard and sighed then he said, "She'll never agree to it, Daniel."

"Convince her," said Daniel as he leaned over the table.

Haldir leaned back in his seat then licked his lips and said, "Can I have permission to just speak freely?"

"Of course," said Daniel. "We've known each other too long to start sparing feelings now."

"Gretchen's made it very clear she doesn't want to see Damien ever again," said Haldir.

Daniel shook his head and said, "Gretchen needs to know the truth about Damien being her mate. Only he can help her through this,she needs him. She won't ever be right until they're together. I'm speaking from experience here," Daniel said as he took Rosemary's hand.

Haldir said, "The three of you need to understand something. You and Rosemary were already in love, but ,Gretchen, she doesn't trust Damien. I may be able to get her here, but the first time these kids get into an argument she'll be gone just like that," Haldir said as he snapped his finger. "Unless you really are planning on locking her in that dungeon, Damien."

Rosemary sighed and said, "Haldir, of course not. We want her to be happy here."

"I think you all need to be prepared to accept that she won't ever be happy here. She may warm up to Damien some day, that bond will make sure of it, but..." Haldir sighed, "she's just not going to want to be separated from her family again and she's definitely not going to want to be locked up in a castle like a fairy tale princess. That kind of life just isn't who she is."

"What if all her family came here?" asked Rosemary. "It's not like we don't have the room."

"You seriously want Tessa and her whole menagerie in your castle Rosemary?" Haldir said as Daniel chuckled at the thought of it.

"I'm going to ask Gretchen to come here with me for a week or two," said Haldir. "And for the love of Christ, don't throw around the mate word. She'll run for the goddamn hills if she thinks she has no way out. These Earth born's now, they aren't like the realm folk, they don't wait around forever for their mates to show up. The old traditions just don't mean the same for them. If you want her to love you, Damien, then you need to prove to her that you're worthy of it."

"I will Haldir," said Damien. "Just give me the chance."

Haldir blew out through his mouth and said, "I can't make you any promises. She's a stubborn one. I'll send a Raven when I know for sure."


When Haldir misted into the city in the woods, he went straight to Tessa's little cottage. When Jacob answered the door, he put his finger up to his lips and then motioned for Haldir to come in. Logan sat in a rocking chair in the corner rocking their newest baby, Meghan.

Haldir walked to Logan's side and looked her over. "What a beauty! Congrats you three. She looks just like you, Jacob."

"Thanks," said Jacob as he sat down beside Tessa and put his arm around her.

"How's Teddy? He's not communicating with me anymore," said Tessa as she rubbed Jacob's knee.

"Jesus, Tess, you don't want to know. That warlock inside him, he's just never satisfied, you know?" he said. "He just couldn't be reasoned with."

Tessa's eyes teared and she curled her lips under then said, "I can't even fucking imagine."

"Yeah," said Haldir softly as he wiped his hand along his thigh. "So, I just came from Daniel and Rosemary's," he said.

"Oh shit," Logan said while he patted Meghan's back gently.

"Right," said Haldir. "I'm going to try to talk Gretchen into spending some time at the castle, maybe a week or two."

"That sounds like the stupidest thing I've ever heard of," said Tessa. "She doesn't want to see him. Why can't everyone get that through their heads?"

"Yeah, well, I don't have a lot of great choices," said Haldir. "Unless you want the Darke's popping in every goddamn day here."

Gretchen opened the door to the cottage then quietly closed it behind her when she came through. She crept into the living room and put her arm around Haldir.

"How you hanging in there kiddo?" he asked as she leaned over and kissed his temple.

"I'm ok. Did you give them my letter?" she asked.

"I did, Gretch. They're...they were so happy to hear that you're ok," he said. "Do you mind going for a walk with me? I got some things to talk to you about."

"Sure," said Gretchen.


As they left the cottage, Haldir led Gretchen along the cobblestone road to the harbor with Agamori following close behind.

"What's on your mind, Pap?" she asked.

"How about you coming on a trip with me for a week or two?" he asked.

"A trip? That sounds fun. Where to?" she asked.

Haldir sighed and said, "The Darke."

Gretchen stopped walking then turned to Haldir and asked, "You can't be serious?"

"I am serious," he said.

"Ugh!" Gretchen groaned as she rolled her eyes and started walking again. "I'd rather kick my own ass Haldir," she said.

"I know, but they've invited us. Insisted upon it. It's rude to decline an invitation from a king, especially when that king is Daniel Darke," said Haldir.

She shook her head and said, "I honestly don't give a shit who he is Pap. Why do they want me there so goddamn bad?"

"They want to make up for the misunderstanding between you and Damien. He just wants a chance to prove to you that he's not a total douchebag."

Gretchen sighed as she stopped and looked at the sun setting into the water then said, "They won't stop until I accept, will they?"

"No, they won't," he said. "I wouldn't ask you to do this if they weren't breathing down my neck. Let's just knock this out and be done with it."

"I swear to God, if he pisses me off, I'm out of there. I don't give a damn whose son he is," she said. "Two weeks and not a day more."

"Thanks, Gretch," Haldir said then kissed Gretchen's forehead.