"We did this. We turned the world against us. There's no one left to protect us."

―Nora

Nora Gainesborough is a recurring character in the fifth and sixth seasons. She is a vampire who was made by Godric centuries ago. She is a former chancellor of the Vampire Authority, the only surviving member of the original council, as well as a defected member of the Sanguinistas. She is also the vampire "sister" of Eric Northman.

Contents 1 Personality 2 History 2.1 Background 2.2 Season 5 2.3 Season 6 3 Powers & Abilities 4 Physical appearance 5 Behind the scenes 6 Appearances 7 References

PersonalityEdit

Nora is irreverent, intelligent, intimidating, cool under pressure and a very good liar. Like many siblings, she and her "brother" enjoy a fiery love/hate relationship. Though she cares for him deeply, and looks up to him, she has dedicated her life to a higher purpose. Like Godric, Eric and Pam, Nora speaks Swedish. Nora is a devout religious vampire and when she was captured by the Authority and placed in her cell, the only thing she did is pray to Lilith. When Lilith mercilessly destroys Godric, Nora finally realizes that Lilith is evil and cowers in fear of her.

HistoryEdit

BackgroundEdit

"And as we say in Surrey sod the fuck off you cunting twat!"

―Nora^[src]

Nora was born in Surrey, England and was turned by Godric during the Plantagenet era. She was chosen based on her abilities as "a political genius" and quickly set about moving up the ranks of the Vampire Authority. She dreamed of one day becoming the Guardian. Eventually, Authority Chancellor Salome Agrippa took Nora under her wing and sponsored her Chancellorship.

At some stage, Salome brought Nora to the sacred chamber where the blood of Lilith was kept. She had her taste it and cause her to become a religious fanatic devoted to the Sanguinista ideology. Together they secretly led the movement against Guardian Roman Zimojic, whilst pretending to be amongst the most loyal of Chancellors.

Season 5Edit

Nora plays a ruse on Roman and drives to Bill Compton's house with Hayes. They capture Bill and Eric using silver nets. Hayes places them in the trunk of their car. Nora later explains another car was waiting to ambush theirs and save Bill and Eric. However the explosion (or stunt) they pulled, changed plans. Hayes approaches Bill and Eric and attempts to stake them. Nora saves them by stakingHayes. Eric approaches Nora and passionately kisses her. He explains to Bill that she is his sister.

When they go to ground for the night, Eric and Nora have sex in a shipping container on the dock. They are loud, causing Bill outside to tell them they should be more quiet. New Orleans is only 60 miles away. Finishing, Eric's cell goes off. At first Nora is upset that Eric could have a traceable phone, but he quickly tells her it isn't. He reminds Bill that, "We fight like siblings...but fuck like champions." Nora makes her own phone call to Roman, lying that Eric and Bill have been taken care of.

She tells them the life they knew is over now and that if they return, it would be the end of her. They get new identities from a vampire named Cat Ingerslev. While Nora embraces Eric, the vampires around them are shot and killed by The Authority("Turn! Turn! Turn!")

Nora, Eric and Bill are being dragged out of an armored van by the V-Police. They are brought before Salome. Nora excuses fall on deaf ears and only earn her a slap in the face from Salome. She is put in a cell next to Bill, Eric and Nigel Beckford. They are all tortured with UV lamps. Nora again attempts to explain why she did what she did but no one believes her. During Bill's interrogation, Dieter hints that Nora is a member of the Sanguinista movement. She is brought before her fellow chancellors alongside Bill & Eric and is accused of treason. Roman especially laments Nora's choice to act against the Authority. She is taken away kicking and screaming.{{Crossref|5x02})

Nora is tortured by Rosalyn regarding her relationship with Bill and Eric. Nora says nothing and Rosalyn threatens to kill them both. Nora then claims that she is a Sanguinista and that mainstreaming with humans is an abomination. Nora asserts that Lilith will rise from the blood and kill all the members of the Authority. Rosalyn is satisfied but sadistically continues torturing Nora. ("Whatever I Am, You Made Me")

Nora is seen fervently praying to Lillith for protection via Dieter Braun's laptop. She is mocked for her fanaticism by Dieter and then tortured with UV lights again.

In her cell Nora is visited by Roman & Salome, and insists that she is prepared to meet the True Death. Salome isn't ready to kill her friend though and pleads Nora to reveal who turned her against The Authority. Nora remains silent however until Roman threatens to kill Bill and Eric. After Salome swears a bloodoath that Bill and Eric will not be harmed she admits that Alexander Drew is another traitor to the council. ("We’ll Meet Again")

Nora is still in her cell praying to Lilith. After Nigel Beckford tells her about Alexander Drew's death, she says to the camera in her cell that the warriors of Lilith are coming for the authority. This is immediately punished with UV light by Dieter Braun. While burning, Nora screams that Roman's end will be there soon. ("Let's Boot and Rally")

As Eric visits Nora in her cell, Salome informs her that Russell Edgington will be executed that night. Stunned by this fact, Nora starts saying that "it" is happening and she thanks Lilith. Being asked if she knew where Russell was or if she released him, she only denies and says it's a part of "her" plan. Right after Roman is killed by Russell, Nora makes a gesture towards the sky saying "praise her".("Hopeless")

Bill and Eric realize they were being used to bring Russell to the Authority so he could kill Roman. They're trying to find out why Russell's restraints didn't work saying if silver was injected into him there was no way he could've killed Roman so fast. They also wonder why the i-stakes didn't work. Molly who is in charge of the iStakes doesn't know why either and is in the process of trying to find out. They then are called to meet with Salome and Nora. While standing in Salome's room Nora tries to talk to Eric, but feeling betrayed Eric tells her to "shut the fuck up." Suddenly, Russell makes an appearance and tells them he has been reborn. Nora tells Eric she tried to save him because she knew about Russell, but again Eric ignores her and tells her to shut up. Salome admits to digging up Russell because he was the only vampire powerful enough to get rid of Roman. She says they're interested in sharing their power with everyone and want Eric, Nora and Bill to join them. Neither Eric nor Bill are interested. Salome tells them of a ceremony taking place the following night, and gives them the option to attend.

Russell tells those at the ceremony he disavows himself of his previous statements and says he loves Lilith. Nora talks about their feeling vampires have evolved from humans and says that at the ceremony everybody will drink from Lilith's blood. Chancellor Dieter speaks up saying that this is blasphemy. He has been part of the Authority since Roman first started it and he will not go along with any of this. Before the chancellor can finish, Russell decapitates him. After that, Russell apologizes to Lilith and everyone is silent. Bill asks Eric if they're really going along with it and Eric agrees saying they'll go with the flow. Everybody who drank from Lilith wanders around town in a drunk-like state, intimidating humans in what appears to be the French Quarter. During a private karaoke party, Russell appears and everyone freaks out. Suddenly everyone else zooms in and the vampires begin to kill everyone. The vampires look towards the stage and see a drop of blood hit the ground. A nude, blood-drenched woman appears. It is Lilith. The apparition of Lilith walks over to Nora and expels a red mist from her mouth. The mist hits Nora and Nora smiles at Lilith. She then continues to feed form the human. At this point Godric's spirit appears to Eric. Godric tells Eric he knows what he's doing is wrong, but his sister does not. He asks Eric to save her. ("In the Beginning")

The vampires crazy night comes to an end. They return to the headquarters the majority of them still high and reveling in drinking Lilith's blood. Eric tries to convince Nora that her mind is clouded and mentions seeing Godric. She nonchalantly says "Fuck Godric!" A furious Eric considers killing her, but stops himself. Utterly heartbroken, Eric leaves. Nora says that she thinks Lilith will be able to show Eric the way.

At a meeting of the new vampire hierarchy they decide how to start flexing their muscles. It is suggested they simply start killing mainstreaming vampires, but Bill thinks a better move would be destroying the True Blood factories. ("Somebody That I Used to Know")

Salome is leading the chancellors in a prayer in Aramaic over a human male who is tied to a table. They then begin to feed on the man.

Under false pretenses, Eric takes Nora to the main room with the elevator and joins Molly. He drugs Nora. Bill appears shortly thereafter. The elevator opens to reveal Salome and her guards waiting. Eric is arrested and a guard takes an unconscious Nora away.("Everybody Wants to Rule the World")

Bill forces Eric to side with the Authority With the help of Nora, heforce-feeds Eric a drop of Lilith's blood. Shortly after, Nora and Eric see Godric's spirit manifest. Godric pleads with her to see Lilith for what she really is: a godless-god. Nora initially denies the truth about Lilith and lashes out at Godric for abandoning her. Lilith suddenly manifests behind Godric and seizes him from behind. Nora pleads for Lilith to spare Godric while Eric pleads for Godric to fight back. When he refuses to fight back, Lilith tears off his head. Nora immediately realizes the truth as she and Eric mourn their loss and cower in horror before the blood-soaked Lilith. ("Gone, Gone, Gone")

Nora is in the main chambers of the Authority sanctum reflecting on her visions of Godric and Lilith. Salome walks in and informs her of General Cavanaugh's impending visit but notices that Nora is troubled. Nora expresses her concern over Russell's escape but Salome reassures her.

Later, Nora makes her way to Eric's room. They both look at each other with a mutual understanding. They begin to have sex and while they are having sex Nora begs Eric to forgive her. Eric then tells Nora that he will find a way for them to escape.

During Cavanaugh's visit Nora is with the other Chancellors explaining that the Sangunistas are now in control. Eric kills Cavanaugh and thus creates an opportunity for him and Nora to leave the Authority sanctum on the basis that they are starting a glamouring campaign. On Bill's orders they are accompanied by two vampire guards.

Nora and Eric are in a car with two guards. Eric stakes the guards and the car comes to a stop. Eric and Nora exit the car and look at each other and Nora tells Eric that the Authority will come for them. Before they fly away, Nora rips off her Lilith pendant necklace and throws it to the ground. ("Sunset")

As Russell is about to infiltrate the faerie nightclub, Eric and Nora appear just in time to stake him. Nora, just newly defected from the Sanguinistas, is enthralled by the sweet essence of Sookie's blood. Eric forbids Nora to feed from her. She, Eric, and Tara later seek the aid of both Sookie and vampire-hating Jason to storm the Authority headquarters and destroy the remaining Sanguinistas. As the Vampire Feds storm the meeting-hall, Nora and Eric both destroy them effortlessly. After Jessica and Pam are freed from their cells, Nora goes with them and Jason to the surface while Eric and Sookie confront Bill. ("Save Yourself")

Season 6Edit

Nora knows who M. Warlow is. She expresses surprise when Jason mentions him, and demands to know what Jason knows.^[1]

Powers & AbilitiesEdit

Nora has the common powers of a vampire.

• Superhuman Strength - Due to her age, she is stronger than younger vampires such as Pam Swynford De Beaufort, but weaker than older vampires such as Nan Flanagan and Eric Northman.

• Flight - As with Eric, she possesses the rare ability to fly. ("Sunset")

With the deaths of her fellow Authority members (Salome and Nan) Nora is currently the oldest surviving female vampire on the show. Nora has also shown herself to be a fast and stealthy fighter in several instances. 

Physical appearanceEdit

Nora has medium length brown hair, pale skin, blue eyes, and is of average height. She was turned during the reign of Henry VI, of the House of Lancaster, in Surrey, England.

Behind the scenes Edit

Nora may have appeared in the Season 3 episode "Everything Is Broken". The only female member of the Authority is seen during Eric's interrogation. After Eric expresses his desire for revenge against Russell Edgington she leans over to her colleague and whispers something in his ear. The fact that Eric is subsequently cleared of all charges and given permission to execute Russell may be related to this.(Everything Is Broken) Also Bill mentions that Eric has 'friends in high places' he may have been referring to Nora. In "And When I Die" Nan tries to enlist both Bill and Eric by telling them there are factions within the AVL against the Authority too, saying then to Eric that he knows what she is talking about. She may have been talking about Nora here as well.

AppearancesEdit

Season five appearances
"Turn! Turn! Turn!"	"Authority Always Wins"	"Whatever I Am, You Made Me"	"We’ll Meet Again"
"Let's Boot and Rally"	"Hopeless"	"In the Beginning"	"Somebody That I Used to Know"
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World"	"Gone, Gone, Gone"	"Sunset"	"Save Yourself"

ReferencesEdit