The Originals
Long ago, in Eastern Europe... The warm glow of early sunset bathed the rolling hillside in a warm, golden glow. On the crest of the valley, a boy of fourteen sat, dark head of hair in his hands, thinking. Behind him, a girl of about sixteen ran towards him, her delicate footfalls silent and dark brown hair trailing behind her in ribbons. Both were wearing shapeless white shifts and were barefoot. The girl pounced on the boy, knocking him down.
"Evine! Stop it! Get off me!" the boy cried, pushing her off.
"Oh, come now, Tomakai. Where is your sense of joy? Our eldest brother is to be married and you are sitting her glumly on a hill..." she said in a sing-song voice.
He grabbed her by the shoulders and looked sternly in her eyes. "Where do you get this information from?"
She shook him off, unfazed. "I have just come from outside father's chambers. Rebekka's dowry has been negotiated. She and Elijah will wed by the coming of the next new moon."
"So, it is final then?" he asked, puffing his chest out like a man.
"Yes... Anya and Myra declare Elijah to be smitten..." she replied, twirling a blade of grass between her fingers.
"And the bride?" Tomakai asked.
"Rebekka is beautiful! An man with eyes could only say as much," Evine replied.
"Does she love him?"
Suddenly, a young man in his late teens, appeared behind them. "It is not her place to love or to not love. She is the gem of her rather strange little family and by the might and power of ours, father has acquired her as Elijah's bride," the new arrival explained with an air of authority.
"Klaus!" Evine shouted, clasping her arms tightly around his neck. "Tomakai is being no fun whatsoever!" she complained.
Klaus bowed in response. "How might I be of service then, my noble little sister? You know how dearly I love to serve your constant desire for amusement."
"My good, mirthful, mischievous brother... Race me," she challenged.
"You wish to be beaten in a challenge...? That is your desire for amusement?" he joked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, I daresay I'm lighter on my toes and far swifter that you, dear Klaus," she replied, eyes glowing.
"I'd like to see this," Klaus replied. "Where shall we race to?"
"That free tree," Tomakai suggested to them.
Evine and Klaus nodded in agreement and before anyone could declare the race begun, Evine was off like a shot, sprinting toward the tree. Klaus ran, gaining on her. He was stronger, had more power in his legs, but she was as stated, lighter on her feet so that it seemed like she was just skimming the ground as she flew past. She reached the tree first, springing up on her feet and propelling herself onto a branch. She reached to pluck a ripe piece of fruit. Klaus wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to the ground hard. They tumbled over one another, playfully wrestling. Klaus pinned her shoulders and playfully she did not resist, but raised her piece of fruit to her mouth and took a large bite. Klaus snatched the fruit from her and ate it up before she could protest.
Just then, Tomakai spotted to figures on the horizon, heading towards them. He waved his arms at them in a beckoning gesture.
"Elijah! Jerusha!" he shouted.
The men rushed towards them then.
"I was not aware that we had called a family gathering," the one called Jerusha, the younger and more stern-looking of the two, remarked.
"Evine, what are you doing rolling around in the dirt like a pig with Klaus? Shouldn't you be with our sisters, preparing the bridal suite?" Elijah asked, barely concealing his smile.
"Oh! To hear it from your lips! I'm overjoyed! Are you overjoyed?" she asked, brushing the dirt from her clothes and hugging Elijah tightly.
She did not wait for him to respond. She took off towards their home at top speed. The watched her go, long tangles of hair trailing behind her and her shift shipping up around her knees.
"Sweet little angel..." Klaus remarked.
"With the spirit of the devil..." Jerusha completed, quoting their father's famous line about Evine.
"It appears many congratulations are in order," Klaus intoned, bowing mockingly at his brother.
"I've just now come from my meeting with father. All is in place. It is finalized," Elijah replied.
"Provided she proves chaste upon inspection," Jerusha added.
"Have you reason to believe she will not pass?" Tomakai asked.
"Merely procedural," Elijah replied confidently.
"They say her people are peddlers of magiks," Jerusha stated.
"Idle gossip, I'm sure. Father would never negotiate a betrothal to a woman even a hair less that reputable and a treasure for his favourite son," Klaus stated.
"Is she beautiful?" Tomakai asked.
"I have but seen her once, and she was veiled. The fabric was thin though, and purple, and I could make out the edges and forms of her face. A fine face from the plains of it that I saw..." Elijah said.
"I doubt it was the forms of her face you were gazing upon and admiring..." Klaus leered.
"Have you no concept of honour?" Jerusha chided.
"Have you no original thoughts other than the prejudices father places in your head?" Klaus retorted.
Elijah stepped between them with his hands peacefully raised. "Now, now brothers. It is not the time for squabbling and posturing one another like boys. I am to be wed... there are feasts being prepared in my name! All father's bounty shall be on display. Let us make good use of it and fatten ourselves!"