In hindsight we should have seen it coming. Lucien, The Strix, homicidal aunts and evil dead witches had all fallen before the mighty house of Mikealson. One would think an era of peace would have finally arrived in New Orleans. But, this was not the case. A feeling of unease had descended upon the great city. Everyone felt it, even the humans. Though no one could identify or understand what they were feeling. But the only thing they could be sure of is that they felt it. A feeling of unease, like a cold hand reaching around your neck, a spider crawling up your back or a Stanger watching while you slept.

In hindsight their where signs, the weather had been too cold for too long, unnaturally cold, pigeons had been flying full speed into moving cars and now an intense fog had risen up and wrapped itself around the entire city.

For an immortal these where trivial things, however for Klaus Mikaelson, it was a sign to prepare for battle. Klaus gazed upon his city, searching, hoping to find who or what was responsible for these unnatural acts. He tensed, alert waiting for a sign, waiting for this unseen enemy to make the first move. However his attention was immediately pulled into the direction of a screaming child, who had risen from her slumber. Klaus picked up his daughter and clutched her tightly against his chest; Hope's sadness vanished and was replaced by a mischievous grin. Klaus smiled at his child, he was always secretly pleased when Hope showed her more devilish qualities. It served to relieve the fear that she would be swept up by Elijah and Hayley's insufferable nobility. Klaus cradled his daughter happily

'I see you've got a bit more of the devil in you, littlest wolf'

The baby Hope giggled at her father's words, Klaus allowed himself to laugh and enjoy his daughters company. Though he would never tell Hayley this, should she have ever called Jackson father, Klaus doubted he would be able to restrain himself from ripping out his spine. However now things were at peace, Hayley had been spending more of her time with Elijah. Not that this bothered him much, although occasionally he did allow himself a chuckle at his brother's horrible taste in women. Looking back at Tatia, Katarina, Celeste and now Hayley, it was as if he deliberately chose to love women that would make Klaus's life difficult. Celeste was one thing but the mother of his child, really? Unfortunately it was along this train of thought that an image of Cami, flashed in his mind. A simple image of her smile hurt harder than any magical dagger ever could. Klaus placed his daughter back inside her cot; luckily she had fallen to sleep. Klaus backed away, the memories of Cami were becoming too much to bear. Her smile, her kindness, and the way she had looked at him and seen the good no one else had. He remembered their meeting at the party; she had worn a white dress with angel wings. He should have told her right then, abandoned his plans of conquest and told her he loved her. Maybe then, things would be different. She had told him that there was a light in him, what he hadn't told her was that he only ever felt it around her. Hope was but a child, and though he loved her more than anything, he could not escape the fear that she might cast him away.

'She won't Klaus!'

Klaus turned to see Cami, she smiled at him and he barely held her gaze. Cami walked over and looked at Hope

'She won't leave you Klaus, she'll love you more than anything'

'But what if?'

Klaus replied in a small panic, however he was calmed as she shushed him.

'You're going to be a great father'

Klaus turned and looked at his sleeping daughter.

'She would have liked you'

Klaus had to wipe a tear from his eye; Cami saw this and laughed quietly.

'What's this? The big bad Klaus Mikealson crying over little old me?'

Klaus managed to force out a laugh as the lump in his throat worsened. He turned to face her, his eyes starting to redden.

'I'm sorry I couldn't save you'

'Hey! Hey look at me!'

Cami's hand pressed gently against Nik's face, he felt her warmth, her soothing touch diminishing all thoughts of anger and violence. Cami looked at him, her loving eyes were now filled with sorrow. She embraced him, Klaus wrapped his arms around her tightly, he never wanted to let her go. Ever so slightly Cami pulled back and looked at him, sadness burned in her eyes.

'I'm so sorry Klaus!'

'NO!'

Klaus fought back, not again, he couldn't do it again. Every fiber of his being fought to keep her in his arms.

'I'm so so sorry Klaus'

'No!'

'You need to wake up'

'NOO!'

And then she was gone. Darkness returned, the cold and last but not least the pain. For a moment he was able to open his eyes, not that he could see anything. Marcel had locked him away where the sun could never reach. He could feel the dagger embedded in his chest, the blade's dark magic ripping his soul in twain, over and over again. Locked away in eternal torture barely able to think. The only thing that kept him sane was his daughter, this would not be the end of Klaus Mikaelson. Always and forever. Hayley would not rest until their family was together again. So for now he would endure this pain. Come what may, he will see his daughter again.

Broken and beaten, a shadow of their former selves, the original family had been well and truly beaten. But not killed. Despite everything he had set against them, they remained in the world of the living. He'd manipulated the witches, given Dahlia their location, made up that stupid prophecy, given the pathetic lapdog Lucien the means to end them and yet they still remained alive. Enough was enough. If you want something done right, you have to bloody well do it yourself.

In the bayou, sat a black coffin, surrounded by a seemingly endless number of witches, all draped in black cloaks. They chanted in perfect synchronization, growing louder and faster by the second. Rain had started to fall out of nowhere and was now matching the intensity of a waterfall. Still the witches chanted until finally the coffin door burst open.

A boy, no more than ten years of age exited the coffin. His dark brown hair fell beyond his shoulders. Despite his youthful face he exhibited no signs of any innocence. The boy looked around at the group of witches who were now kneeling before him. Faintly, he gestured for one of the witches to approach him. One witch, a woman arrived and draped his naked body in a cloak. The boy took a deep breath of fresh air, and was repulsed by it. He could taste the stink of pollution; humanity had stained the very air with its poison. Still, a small matter, something to be looked at later perhaps. But one thing at a time. He looked to the woman who stood next to him.

'speak'

The woman paused for a moment, thrown by his childlike voice, reminiscent of her own son. And yet this was the one who will lead them to paradise.

'Yes my lord, we have a safe house all set up per your requests, a car is waiting to take you.'

'no!'

'excuse me my lord?'

The boy looked down at his bare feet, taking a moment to enjoy the way the soft mud felt against his toes.

'it's been centuries since I've felt the ground on my feet. We'll walk.'

The witch hesitated, the considered telling him that walking would take more than a few hours. But then thought better of it. And so they began the long walk back to New Orleans.

The boy looked ahead, a small smile crept up on his face, Henrik Mikaelson had a family reunion to plan.