The night was cold, bitter, it could have chilled a person to the bone. It was like being run through by knives dipped in the coldest waters with the added winds that swept by rampant. They sent their whispers through the trees, bushes, fields, which seemed to cause these normally quite beings to shriek in fear. specters roamed as shadows through the horrid blackness that engulfed the forests and dimly lit homes alike. They seemed to block any light from entering despite the great beams that shined brightly above. Sometimes the terrified whispers sounded like screams, which could send even the bravest of men howling for an end to their miseries.
Lucky for the people here, they were use to it. Though not that use to it, mind you. This sort of thing almost never happened, especially this time of year on a night like this. There was hardly ever cold weather like this in early winter, let alone practically a full-blown hurricane. Well minus the rain and whatever else, but the wind could still cause some damage, little, but some. So it wasn't a problem as long as the people stayed inside. Usually bad weather around here meant snow storms, not gusty winds. It was the icy snow storms that could truly be disastrous. Illness often spread and the cold was none too welcome. But they had learned, most built proper homes to keep themselves away from the weathers deadly joke. Most were happy, thankful and comfortable as they ought to all year round. What more could they ask for in times like these. Especially one family who was thriving in this now bitter new world.
Niklaus Mikaelson sat in an old chair by a ferocious fire staring into it dully. It snapped, seared and crackled in protest to the boys lack of enjoyment, its flames rising higher as if to try to change his mind, maybe bring a bit of light to where none could be found. However failing miserably, they began to die down as Niklaus' attention turned to a scrap piece of paper. It was a little dirty with a yellowish hue from old age but it would work. He would likely have to burn it later anyway. His father always hated him drawing, considered it a waste of time, didn't really show he could survive, he guessed. Whatever the real reason was, Niklaus wasn't sure and he didn't care. All he really needed to know was his father was cruel, the end. Yet for that reason and another, Niklaus let out a contempt sigh as he lazily swept an equally old pencil against the old parchment. Unlike the rest of his family, he would love freedom from the disappointed fire, the cozy house, the warm cotton blanket draped over his shoulders. He would rather be seeing one of lives greatest wonders and it showed in the work of art slowly being created.
Wolves. Or rather men transforming into wolves. That could be considered a wonder right? Well, whatever the case, it greatly interested Niklaus. He'd heard of ghosts, witches, among other things. In fact his mother was one of the supernatural, a witch with spells, potions and all. He'd only heard of werewolves, or lycanthrope as some of them preferred, before. He'd seen the actual wolves from a distance when very young if he could recall correctly, but had never been privileged enough as to see them actually change from being a normal looking human to running on all fours, howling into the night. Majestic, beautiful creatures they were, he was certain.
His family didn't share his idea of course, except his younger brother who was, well, far to young to understand the danger. Those wolves were not normal; they were stronger, faster, and far more deadly. Those wolves, however beautiful, could tear them all to shreds, so it was only reasonable. The wolves were feared by all who weren't affected by the moonlight's illuminations, so much so he and his family locked themselves away during the full moons reign. Nik guessed they were right to do this, but he really wanted to see them. They were dangerous sure, but he could be careful, he could avoid getting killed, he knew.
He stretched as a loud yawn escaped ignoring the fact his drawing had fallen to the floor, it was crap anyway. It was clear he exhaustion weighed down on him, but he had to stay awake. He wanted to hear the wolves calls/ No, scratch that. He had to hear them. The majestic creatures calls were beyond a song created by any instrument. More beautiful than the stars glow, the winds whispering, just as the wolves themselves were. He felt one with them when he could hear them howl into the blackness. Running free and wild, roaming without a care, the prey instead of the predator. But most of all, free. So when he heard them, Niklaus felt free. He could only imagine what it would be like to see them. However this was closest he would ever be to one, he knew sadly.
"Niklaus, please!" His young brothers voice sounded in his ear like a birds upbeat tweet.
"Go away, Henrik." Niklaus groaned sleep weighing down on him. He'd fallen asleep of course. He was rarely ever able to stay up. In a way it was a good thing, sleep would have lingered with him through the day after all. By actually getting a night's rest, He would be able to get up and go about his everyday chores, without any fear he'd be punished for his sluggishness. Yet, that wasn't what he wanted. Niklaus wanted to stay up through the moons reign and hear the nights song as it rang through the wilderness. It was worth it, it was worth the harsh lash morning would bring, the gashes his father would surely inflict upon him. The insults of his siblings, their downcast looks of disappointment and the eventual teasing were all worth it.
"Come on, please! You know you want to see them too! I mean, you never stop talking about them. Seriously, Elijah can barely contain his anger, most of the time. He's patient, sure, but I can tell. I don't see why you can't. You always interrupt him when he's reading. Why do-"
"Enough, Henrik, you're right. I would love nothing more. But its dangerous,and father would... kill us if he ever found out. That's if the wolves didn't have their way with us first." Niklaus whispered rubbing a lazy blue eye as he glared at his younger brother. The blankets shifted around him sending a chill down his spine, yet he remained still and firm in his decision. "Besides, it isn't as though you really wish to see them. You just want to cause trouble. Honestly, you spend too much time around Kol."
"Please!" The unrelenting young one begged again, this time with big brown, watery eyes. He had these puppy eyes that were so hard to refuse, even their parents had a difficult time saying no to. It was a trick that served him all too well. And thanks to Kol, he'd perfected it. Perhaps he would have to have a little chat with the most obnoxious Mikaelson when morning come.
"You are obviously too young to understand the severity of the situation if we get caught by anything or anyone. I said no, brother. Go back to bed and get some rest."
"I am not so young that I do not understand! I understand perfectly. Perhaps father was right about you, Nik. Take a chance, unless you're really that afraid." Henrik's voice was cool, calm,and hinted a dare, one that Niklaus would not be able to back down from easily, he knew.
"I am not afraid and I am not weak!" His brother snapped inches from the younger Mikaelson's startled face, blue eyes blazing in fury in a soft candle light. Mikael, their father, always tried to tear him down, make him feel weak in any way he could. Held him in contempt since the day he was born. He didn't have a choice when it came to his father, but his little brother be damned if he got away with calling him weak, for he was not weak. Niklaus refused to believe he was a nothing, a failure or afraid, let alone weak as everyone claimed. He knew himself better than they ever could. It was a belief he could barely stick to, but he tried his best to stay hopeful, even as anger swelled inside towards the 'lies' everyone told.
The anger Nik felt seemed unquenchable until brown eyes started to glisten with unshed tears, after a low growl had passed his lips without him even realizing. His brother whimpered softly before turning away from the torn chair on which Niklaus still lied and walked back towards his room, the direction where the rest of the family slept. Henrik had his back turned as he walked down the dark, dreary hallway into unending darkness, that seemed to run on forever just as the days did for Niklaus. Despite the dark shadows that lingered across his brothers face when he turned his head slightly, Nik could tell as his brother's hand rose that he was wiping away strayed tears. The distance between them couldn't hide that or the soft sniffle that drowned the silence in the old home.
"Why do you wish to go now of all times? If not to cause trouble, then, what?" The elder whispered softly.
His brother turned to face coming away from the blackness into a dim candle light. As expected his big brown eyes were slightly red, especially the right one, making Niklaus more guilty for snapping the way he had. "Father has been increasingly cruel towards you lately and our mother has all but abandoned you. I thought it would make you happy...You always say you would never go alone so I thought maybe, if I went with you, actually offered, then you would accept and we could see the wolves together. Its true, I've never had much interest as you... I can assure you I'm not trying to cause any trouble. For once." A small smirk crept across Henrik's face at his last comment.
He wasn't sure what to say at first. His mouth hung open slightly in shock. Never had his brother been anything more than a pain or cause problems for the family. Which he blamed Kol for by the way. The little dimwit always looked up to Kol for some unknown and incomprehensible reason. So it was difficult to believe. In any circumstance it would be, especially now. Not just because of Henrik's likeness to Kol but because, for one thing, why now. Why would his little brother try to show he cares through any means in the first place, let alone now and in such a way. It was something Niklaus had always wanted, but if his brother was serious he didn't want to risk his life or his brothers. It was dangerous to say the least, so it made no sense despite his fathers increased cruelty.
Yet when blue eyes searched brown watery eyes for any trace of deceit, Niklaus saw none, he saw nothing except traces of leftover tears and small bits of hope. Still, The little brat could have easily made up that little sob story. He had learned from the best after all. He was a trickster just as Kol was. Luckily not as egotistical, but still, this could all be some sick joke.
Sighing he looked towards a window half covered in purple cloth. The blackness of the night was something unimaginable. He could see the stars like rainbow droplets of dew on dusk grass and the moon bright orange and red, like a great leviathans eye among crystals. The trees swayed in the song of the wind, dark, beautiful green brushed in red. Clouds created shadows along them like dark specters seeking refuge. To the ordinaries eye it would seem eerie, dark, maybe a bit creepy. But Niklaus thought it looked intricate and simply beautiful. The hope and wonder reflected in the depths of his blue eyes swam like small, red, wispy fish in crystal water, flitting and twisting about like rushing leaves. The blackness of the night didn't seem like a trap, but freedom as the wind pleaded for him to accept his brothers untimely offer. It was a good offer, it appeared genuine from what he could tell. But there was still that glimmer of doubt.
The temptation was just to great to withstand, so after a few moments a small smile made its way to his lips. Niklaus spoke softly looking directly into his brothers wide brown eyes, the words as genuine as his brothers appeared. "Alright, fine. But if we're caught, father will have you to blame. I will not suffer for your transgression, understand. And no one can know!" But he knew he would. If they got caught, that is. But they were probably going to. What could he say, he was a bit of a pessimist, hopeful still for a better life, but a pessimist when it came to things like this.
Henrik nodded so rapidly Niklaus thought he would snap his neck before the wolves or his parents would get the chance. "Yes, Nik, I get it, I understand. Now let's go!"
"Be quiet! Mother or father may hear!" Niklaus hissed in response to his brothers loud, obnoxious, way too loud for comfort tone. Though he was glad his brother was content it did raise his suspicions.
"Like you weren't just yelling." Henrik said in a sing-song voice teasing him. Then he ran off before his elder brother could respond.
A low hiss escaped Niklaus' lip just before a sigh did. His brother was right, he did yell, but that didn't give him any right to, not really. He knew if they got caught for his brothers shouting , he would get the blame. According to his father, he was always to blame. He could accept punishment if it were his doing, if he'd been the one to wake them. But he hated accepting the punishment and his parents brutality when he was not to blame, when it most definitely wasn't his fault. Niklaus was sick and tired of always being the one treated the worst while his siblings got treated somewhat favorably. They were equals, not someones punching bag. He wasn't angry towards them though, he just didn't want punishment for what they did. So if Henrik awoke their parents or does while off on their escapade, he will do more than growl, sigh or snap.
In any case, this was not a good idea...
So, I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter though its more of a prologue but it will get more interesting as time goes on. Sorry for any mistakes, spelling or otherwise. If the characters seem a bit out of character, well, its a bit difficult to imagine them a thousand years ago so I will try my best. Any questions feel free to ask or if you have any ideas on whats going to happen let me know because I would love to answer/hear them. With that, please review its very appreciated.