Hello everyone! This is a re-upload (and rewriting) of a story that I've uploaded on other accounts. I do have a tumblr for this story, but you'll have to message me if you're interested. I hope you all enjoy this, and remember to review so that I know how it's going. :) Thank you for reading, and I'll see you in the comments! The prologue will be in a few different parts, just to get through it quickly. :)

. Prologue; Part One .

Comfort

998 AD

Niklaus stalked angrily through the woods. He had lost his temper earlier, after Tatia told him to leave her be; that she was choosing Elijah. She was supposed to be meeting Niklaus for a quick romp in the woods, as they had done so many times before, but she had obviously changed her mind. As Niklaus thought about it, he began to wonder why he thought she wouldn't choose Elijah. He had everything Tatia could want. He loved her – almost more than Niklaus himself – and he had Mikael's favor. He wasn't impulsive and needy; he could put her first in everything, and he would make a good husband. Plus, she loved him more than she loved Niklaus. He knew all the reasons why Tatia chose his brother, but Niklaus couldn't bring himself to be okay with it. Once more he was the second-best brother.

Niklaus was upset enough that he was putting off his chores. He would answer for it later, when Mikael found out, but right now he didn't care. He made his way to the river and sat down next to it, letting his head fall into his hands. He just needed some time to be alone right now, and find a way to make himself okay with everything that had happened. He was so wrapped up in his own little world that he didn't notice the person only a few feet away from him, washing clothes in the river. He only noticed they were there when they cleared their throat.

The small noise startled him, but he immediately relaxed when he saw that it was a familiar face, before becoming annoyed when he saw that it was Tatia's sister; Anastasia. Anastasia was only a few years younger than he and Tatia, and she was a lovely young woman. She had always had eyes for Niklaus; she followed him around constantly when she first arrived here with her sister. It was only when she became acquaintances with girls her own age that she stopped. She paled in comparison to her sister, but then again, so did everyone in Niklaus' mind. However, now that Niklaus was upset with Tatia (but still thoroughly frustrated from missing the romp in the woods he was expecting), he was able to clearly see what he had missed so many times before.

Anastasia didn't have Tatia's dark complexion. She was fair – as pale as he and his siblings were – but her hair was just as dark as her sister's. Her eyes weren't as dark as Tatia's, but they weren't green like some of the others in the village. They were somewhat of a mix between the two. They were caring eyes; eyes that looked older than they should in someone so young. Niklaus found himself thinking that she should be married off by now. She should have suitors knocking down her door, but living in Tatia's shadow must have prevented that sort of reaction from the men in the village. Another reason she is so easily overlooked could be the fact that she is so painfully shy. She hardly speaks unless spoken to, and in the presence of others, she must find the ground to be the most interesting thing in the world, because she hardly looks up.

As Niklaus was thinking – lost inside his own mind – Anastasia made her way to him, and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Niklaus," she said, "are you alright?"

"Not completely, no," he replied. He hadn't meant to give her an honest answer, but it slipped out.

She frowned, and worry overcame her features as she began trying to look him over. "Was it your father again? Are you injured?" she asked.

"No, it wasn't my father," he said, pulling away from her.

"Then what happened?" she asked.

Niklaus sighed. "Your sister happened," he replied. She looked confused, so he said; "She has finally chosen between Elijah and myself, and she chose Elijah. Although, that's not completely surprising."

Anastasia sighed and wrapped an arm around Niklaus. "Tatia cannot help what she feels, Niklaus. Besides, no matter which of you she chose, who is to say your father would support a marriage with her? She already has a child."

Niklaus sighed and ran a hand over his face. "Let us not speak of Tatia anymore. It only makes me angrier," he said.

Anastasia paused for a moment, an expression of sadness washing over her face, before she put on a smile and said; "Okay, we won't speak of her anymore. What would you like to talk about instead?"

"I would prefer some time alone," he said.

"You're sad," she replied. "People shouldn't leave their friends alone when they're sad."

Niklaus looked at her in confusion before turning his attention back to the river. Since when were they friends? Yes, she had been infatuated with him in the beginning, but after she got over it, she had pretty much ignored him unless he spoke to her directly. Did she really think of him as her friend? Maybe she didn't truly understand what friendship was. Still, she sat with him, in an effort to relieve him of his sadness. Honestly, he didn't need relief from his sadness at the moment. What he needed was relief from the physical urges he'd been having all morning; physical urges that he thought Tatia would have helped him with.

Perhaps, if Tatia was putting Niklaus out of her mind and choosing his brother, Niklaus could put Tatia out of his mind and choose her sister. Anastasia would certainly be willing, and it's not as if Tatia would care at all, right? He could do it. It would be the easiest thing in the world to just lean over and kiss her.

"Niklaus," she said, interrupting his thoughts.

He realized that he was leaning in towards her, and she was leaning backwards, her eyes wide. "Yes?" he asked, pulling away.

"Were you just about to kiss me?" she asked.

He cleared his throat. "Well, I was going to. I apologize, Anastasia," he said.

As he was beginning to berate himself on his behavior – and the extra punishment he'd receive if Mikael found out how he'd acted – he was shocked when Anastasia's lips were suddenly on his. The kisses got more and more heated. Lost in their lust, their clothes began to come off, and they were together until finally his frustration with Tatia was gone, and both he and Anastasia were satisfied.

-x-

–x-

Anastasia was about to fall over as she carried the basket of clothing into the house. She had been feeling tired for over two moons now, and it was stressing her out so much that she hadn't bled at all. Tatia often talked about it happening to her when she was stressed, so Anastasia didn't think anything of it. She was too busy trying to make sure things didn't turn awkward between her and Niklaus. It had been two moons, right down to the day, since their affair in the woods.

Anastasia entered the kitchen to find Tatia cooking some sort of meat with a lot of fat. It was sizzling in the pan, and the smell was filling the entire house. Usually, Anastasia loved the smell of Tatia's cooking. Today, however, the smell made her stomach twist and heave, and she barely made it to a bucket before she was emptying the contents of her stomach.

"Stasia, what's wrong?" Tatia asked, concern filling her voice.

Anastasia shook her head. "I don't know," she said, her eyes filling with tears.

Tatia helped her clean up and sat her on a stool in the bedroom, where she wouldn't smell the meat frying in the kitchen. "Let me just look you over and make sure you're okay," she said.

"Okay," Anastasia replied. Tatia placed her hands on Anastasia's head and closed her eyes. Anastasia knew she was asking for help from the spirits, and – as if on their own free will – Tatia's hands moved to Anastasia's stomach. Tatia's eyes snapped open, and widened.

"No, this can't be true…" she muttered. She tried again, with the same results. She tried at least three more times, until her eyes looked tired. "It is true. Anastasia, when was the last time you bled?"

"Two moons ago," she replied.

"Two moons ago! Anastasia, why did you not tell me?" she asked.

Anastasia felt a shot of fear go through her. "Tatia, what's wrong?"

Tatia shook her head. "Anastasia, you're with child," she replied.