It was the tenth century back when we all humans. My brothers Niklaus, Kol, Elijah, Finn and my littlest brother Henrik. I was seventeen and it was just a normal human life for me. I would watch my older brothers sword fight with Henrik by my side. As i was watching another one of their sword fights, Niklaus and Elijah this time, it was hard not to laugh. The way they fought with swords made it all funny.
"Funny isnt it Henrik?" i asked, amused by their fighting. We watched as Niklaus cut off Elijah's belt and Elijah having an amused shocked facial expression upon his face.
"Really is. But i think anyone could beat Elijah." Henrik stated in a challenging, teasing tone.
I shook my head when he spoke of that.
"Is that so, little brother? Get to training and we shall see." Elijah teased back, picking up his belt that had been cut off and checking to see if it was fixable. Elijah never held grudges against his family which i thought was very noble.
Niklaus looked over at me with a faint smirk on his lips, locking his eyes with mine. Was it wrong that i found him attractive? My own brother? I had often thought about asking him if he had thought the same but perhaps i might have judged wrongly. Before our eye lock could last, the voice of our father Mikael had approached us with mother by his side.
"Sword fighting? Again?!" Mikael spat out as he laid down the firewood he was carrying in is hands and approached Elijah and Niklaus but he had his eyes locked with Niklaus. The hatred our father had to Niklaus frightened me to my wits end. I loved Niklaus, more than my brother but not that i would make it so obvious. "You think this is a game, BOY?!" Mikael shouted, stopping in front of Niklaus.
"No, father." Niklaus said innocently and hesitantly, flickering his eyes at Esther before back at Mikael. It wasnt hard to miss the fear in Niklaus's eyes. It made my chin tremble lightly.
Mikael then took his sword by force and pointed it at Niklaus as we all stood around. "I thought so, boy. We fight with swords for protection, not a petty game." he snarled.
Esther held the basket of clean clothes that needed hanging before parting her lips to speak. "Mikael...he means well. Calm down." she spoke.
"Thats the PROBLEM." Mikael snapped back before kicking Niklaus to the ground and pointed the sword at him, only to come to an abrupt halt at my action.
"Father, leave him alone!" I shouted bravely yet still frightened.
Mikael turned his head towards me with an expression of disgust. "You defend him...this burden, pathetic boy...you choose him over me, Rebekah?!" he asked in astonishment before shooting a glare at Niklaus and walking off.
Kol walked over, shouting. "Whats going on?" he asked.
"Take the firewood inside, boy." Mikael told Kol as he passed by, leaving towards the woods. Kol went to take the firewood inside.
I stood there frozen but with no guilt whatsoever. Mikael had no right to bully Niklaus and i wasnt putting up with it any longer. I watched as Niklaus got up back onto his feet. "Are you okay, Nik?" i asked concernedly before watching mother leave to hang up our laundry.
"Yeah, im fine. Thank you, sister." Niklaus stated, flashing a soft smile in my direction.
I walked over to him, now standing in front of Niklaus as i place my hand gently on his cheek. "I will always stand up for you." i smiled back, my dimples slightly showing on my cheeks. We had locked eyes for a brief minute or two before we were interrupted by Elijah.
"Mother says dinner is about to be set. Better get inside, or you two are out of luck." Elijah teased gently before heading inside.
I then walk passed Niklaus, my hand lightly brushing beside his and went to sit at the table for dinner. Dinner was quiet since father hadnt shown up until a half hour had passed. Niklaus had always sat beside me at dinner.
Mikael finally walked in, slamming the door and took his seat at the table. He seemed slightly drunk which wasnt every any good.
"Your dinner is almost cold, Mikael." Esther reminded him before she glanced over at Niklaus and i. I had figured she knew Mikael would end up saying something about Niklaus, it was a matter of time.
"Cannot believe that my own daughter would defend THAT thing." Mikael spoke of Nikaus. I bit my cheek to hide any tears that would only give him benefit.
"Father, you are not well." Elijah spoke of Mikael being drunk, trying to defuse the tension.
"I didnt say that you could speak did i, Elijah?"" Mikael stated harshly.
Elijah shook his head gently. "No sir." he stated before remaining silent.
The rest of the dinner was ate in silence and glares from across table between Mikael and Niklaus. It had also made sense that Niklaus sat beside me, knowing whenever i was with Niklaus, Mikael sure as hell wouldnt be touching him. After the table was cleared, i looked over at mother as i set the remaining cleaned dishes to the side.
"Im going to bed, im fairly tired, mother." I told her. Esther nodded before pressing a kiss to my forehead and excused me. I walked into my bedroom and began to brush my long blond hair in my night gown. Thoughts ran through my head about how i cared for Niklaus more than just a brother, it was hard for me to deny it but if Mikael ever found out - no, he couldnt find out. Never will. I set the brush onto the table beside my bed and went to lie in my bed on my side, my back facing the door of my room in the hut. I shut my eyes to get lost in my thoughts before i felt a hand placed on the side of my hip.
I jumped at first before turning to look at Niklaus. "Nik? What on earth are you doing?" i whispered.
"Wanted to see you is all, Rebekah." Niklaus formed a smile onto his lips. "I needed to speak to you." he confessed.
I press my eyebrows together before lying flat on my back, looking directly at him. "About what?" i asked.
"I wanted to see if you were okay. I know father...being mean as he is." Niklaus told me sincerely.
I sighed. "I'm alright. It is you that im worried about, Nik. He's always at you and i dont like it. Now, get to bed before he catches us." i smirk.
Niklaus forms a sly smirk on his lips before letting out a soft chuckle. "Perhaps. But, i dont want to love." he comments before climbing into bed with me like old times as kids and lies on his side as i face him with a smile.
"Be careful." i remind him.
"Ill go before morning." Niklaus spoke before placing a kiss on my forehead. He had hesitated before then. "Goodnight, Rebekah." he said.
"Goodnight, Nik." he smiled. Having him in my bed felt so comforting.
We both fell asleep soundlessly throughout the night and i wasnt aware what was bound to come next.