Enjoy ;)

Disclaimer: The Vampire Diaries do not belong to me, sadly.

ALSO there is a huge possibility that this will be rated M for later chapters.

Mystic Falls, 1700

Half a day's worth of travel southeast of London was a little village that held happy, healthy people. The Man that cared for them was true and honest, giving them all they needed. He lived near the shore that harbored his many ships. He sells these ships in return attaining food and wealth. Lord Forbes was a good man. His fortress stood tall, proud and beautiful. Neighboring it were a few high hills ideal for picnics and festivals. As of the moment two good friends occupied the highest.

"Caroline!" Her friend shrieked at her, "do you wish to blind me?!"
Matthew looked at her incredulously. Caroline smiled at him charmingly.
"You wouldn't be in this position had you been a lot stronger than I." she chimed.
"Ah, you believe I am the weakling here."
"I'm afraid I do."

Matthew gave her a stern look, she was about to pop out his eye with the stick she held. It was actually very impressive the way she was winning the stick fight with little effort. She was a true fighter at heart. Matthew's expression softened a bit as his stern look turned into a mischievous smile. The young lady stopped giggling and eyed her childhood friend. She opened her mouth about to say something, when he caught her off guard, grabbed her stick and threw it to the side.

She gasped, looking at where it landed, near a flower. The two locked gazes, frozen.
Very quickly, Caroline threw herself at the stick at the same time Matthew lunged for her. She grabbed it and playfully beat him with it.

"Caroline, you wench!"
She gasped, "Matthew, I am a lady."
"My buttocks you are."

The two laughed and fought like little children, rolling around in the dirt and beating each other with harmless sticks.

They heard a loud gasp by their side and turned to see who watched. It was Elena.

"You two!"

Caroline and Matthew gave each other guilty looks before rising up from the grass. Elena was furious her face turning pale at Caroline's disheveled look.

"Oh no! Lady Forbes will absolutely murder me!" The beautiful brunette cried out.

Both Caroline and Matthew doubted that. Elizabeth Forbes loved Elena as if she were her own child. Elena's mother was lady in waiting to Elizabeth. After her mother's death Elena and her brother were taken in welcomingly. This also caused her to be lady in waiting, chaperone and a dear friend to Caroline. The two were inseparable alongside Matthew. They were all well around the same age, but at the moment Elena took upon her role as if a grown up. She strode over to Caroline and dropped down to study her ruined dress. She grabbed the hem of the skirt. It was muddy and torn, permanently damaged.

"Caroline" Elena moaned, "This is fifth dress you have ruined this month. You only purchased it a fortnight ago!"

"I'm sorry." Caroline wailed, looking less like a lady and more like a child. Matthew snorted with laughter behind Elena, watching the two girls bicker. He loved them both as if they were his sisters. They all lived together in the same fortress for he was the son of the chef. He had the talents to become one when he grew, too.

Elena threw him a dirty look, "I know you had a part in this."
Matthew's eyes widened, "She's the one who attacked me!"
"Oh don't play innocent; I know you encouraged her!" Elena scoffed.

Matthew looked down, blushing. Elena straightened up, took out her handkerchief and wiped the mud off her fingers. She gave the two a disappointed look, but it didn't stay for long. She leaned into Caroline, whispering in her ear, "Did you win again?"
"Like always." Caroline giggled.

The two girls laughed while Matthew stared daggers at them.

"Daughter."
The three turned to find Lady Forbes. Lady Forbes was a beautiful woman it wasn't hard to realize where Caroline got her looks from. Both women turned heads wherever they went. Blonde curls, blue eyes and full pink lips, who could ever resist them? Not only did they attract men but women wanted to befriend them, talk to them. Whenever the two window-shopped the whole town watched, mesmerized by such beauty. It was agreed upon by the townspeople that the women of London had no chances of finding husbands while Caroline stood near them.

Elizabeth Forbes walked towards them. She had a warm smile that made her eyes twinkle. Caroline groaned. She really did not want her mother to see her and her fifth dress ruined. Elizabeth looked at the muddy skirt but her smile didn't waver, instead she laughed.

"Matthew did you win this time?"
He gave the two girls an accusing look before looking down with a blush, "No M'lady." Elena burst into laughter.
Elizabeth smiled widely before nodding, "Maybe next time."
Matthew couldn't help but smile back.

"Mother, is there any reason you came calling?" Caroline said, she had a feeling she must speak up before her friends bowed down to her mother in awe.
"Yes dear, your father requires you in his office."

Caroline froze. She knew this day would come. Her childhood had to end somehow. She gave a scared look at her friends before catching her mother's eyes. The twinkle was gone. She straightened her back, set her shoulders and began to walk to her mother. She was going to take it as a lady. She shall not yell at him, she shall not accuse him of ruining her life, she shall not allow him to make her cry, more importantly she shall make him proud.

"Wait!" Elena screeched. Caroline gave her back to her mother as she looked worriedly at Elena. The brunette caught up with them. Her friend knew she was dreading this. With one look a million messages were sent between them. Elena smiled compassionately, taking Caroline's hand.

"I'll help you get into another dress."
the three women looked down at the damage.
"You can't possibly go to him like that." Elena continued with a weak voice.
Caroline could only nod.

She was dressed in lavender, a color that wasn't too childish and wasn't too daring. A good message to send to her father that she was ready to take up responsibility and that she will not rebel. Her corset had lace and a few blue flowers as embroidery. The sleeves were long, once reaching her elbows they opened up flowing her to wrist. She liked them that way, they were less constricting. She glanced at the looking glass before her. Her heart beat rang through her ears. She tried to calm down. Breathe in, breathe out. She concentrated on Elena instead, who was braiding her long wavy hair into a quick up do. The whole process was only taking a few minutes but to her they felt like hours. Her eyes took a far off gaze, not noticing Elena's lips move in the reflection. After a while She noticed Elena's arms as she waved about, trying to catch her attention.

"Oh." Caroline stood up straight with wide eyes. She rotated to face her friend. Elena was done with her hair.

"Caroline, you mustn't daydream while your with Lord Forbes."
"I won't." Caroline said with a roll of her eyes.
"You should also know that this isn't the end of the world. Many women would love to be in your position."
"I am aware."
"Matthew and I wish you the best of luck, and Caroline you should be thankful."

"Elena! Enough please!" Caroline cried out, she hid her face into her hands; her breathing was starting to become short and shallow. Elena stared at her friend, surprised. They both remained like this for a while until Caroline looked up meeting her friend's worried gaze. Elena laid a hand on her shoulder, reassuring her, "It's going to be all right."

Caroline didn't answer. She just stood up, hugged her friend tightly then walked out the room leaving Elena to wonder whether or not she went too far.

"Nik!"

Klaus turned to his sister with a start. He had been gazing at the sea, watching the blue water sparkle, reflecting the sun's light. They were very close to reaching the land before them. He had missed England, but not so much that it would send him coming back this early. It was his sister that insisted, for trivial reasons if he might add.

"What, Bekah?" he said exasperatedly, he turned his back against the ship's rail, leaning against it with his head tilted up at the sky. His sister gave him a dirty look.
"Nik look at me!"
Klaus snapped his head at her in annoyance. "What?!"

"We are going." She said for the nth time. She crossed her arms, and leaned her weight on one leg.
"Bekah…"
"I am not asking."

That caused them to lock eyes, each trying to beat the other with the intensity of their gaze. Niklaus looked away first making Rebekah smile. She walked away smugly. Not only did he agree on returning back to England but he had just reluctantly affirmed he would show up at the ball. He found balls tiring to say the least. The same thing occurred each time he attended one. During the welcoming ceremony, the mention of the Mikaelsons always caught everyone's attention making them stare at the five of them. He didn't like unwanted attention, especially from hundreds of guests. The other thing that annoyed him to the core was the women. Not the beautiful ones with much experience or the quiet ones with quick heated gazes, mind you. He loved them. It was the Loud, high pitched, eligible girls that infuriated him. Them and their needy mothers! He banged his fist on the rail, recalling old mothers promoting their daughters to him, chasing him wherever he went. He remembered one white haired lady entering the men's room for him, and only him. The embarrassment could not be overstated as he watched the woman break out into conversation about how wonderful her daughter was while the other gentlemen watched.

"Thinking about tonight, brother?"
Klaus sighed, "Dreading it, actually."
Elijah laughed, "I don't see why. You are always the highlight of many women's evenings. Surely that peeks your interest."
Klaus stared daggers at him. "You know very well they aren't my type."
Klaus might have done ungentlemanly things but deflowering a virgin was something he'd rather avoid.
"I am not suggesting you ruin one of the ladies, I am merely telling you to play along with them." Elijah replied innocently. Klaus knew better than to believe his brother was serious. They knew each other more than anyone else. Ignoring the last comment Klaus broke into a wide smirk and patted his brother's shoulder roughly.

"Is that what you do with your women?"

Elijah's playful smile disappeared. Not only did Klaus have the issue with women following him everywhere he went but so did Elijah. In fact all the Mikaelsons had crazed admirers.

"NIK!"

Both brothers turned to find Kol running towards them. He stopped, with one hand grabbing the railing for support while the other went to his chest trying to steady his breathing. Elijah and Klaus raised their eyebrows, amused with their usually down toned, cocky brother.

"Please tell me you didn't agree to Rebekah's request!" Kol said with a pained expression.
"As a matter of fact I did." Klaus replied.
"No, no, no, no, no."

Kol curled up on the floor with his hands on his face. Elijah chuckled before asking, "The women?"
"No! I don't mind them it's the mothers!" Kol looked up. Klaus was surprised he didn't throw himself over the rail into the sea.
"We will all suffer at Rebekah's expense. Let us try to enjoy the ball at the very least." Elijah calmed them down.
"The only one who would be enjoying this apart from her would be Finn." Kol spat out.
Everyone nodded in agreement. It was funny how a group of women and their chaperones could scare a bunch of strong men.

Caroline Knocked on her father's office door.

"Come in." she heard his faint voice.
She timidly walked into the room with her head up high and her back straight. She wanted to look sophisticated and elegant. Ever since she was a child she had always wanted to please her father, afraid of rejection. Her father barely looked up to acknowledge her presence. He kept his eyes on the paper work before him. His feather pen working away at the parchment. She stood awkwardly before him for 5 minutes without saying a word. She was measuring up how bad the situation would end up being if she went up to him, grabbed the papers, and threw it into the fireplace, when he looked up at her with a smile. It didn't reach his eyes.
"Sit down, child."
She obeyed.
"You are now 18 and of age."
Caroline grabbed the arms of her chair. She hated this. Elena's words rang through her head, reminding her that many women would be lucky to have this opportunity, but she couldn't help but wonder why. She would gladly switch positions with any one of those so called ladies. Then a sudden thought appeared in her head. She remembered Elena in a distant memory, they were having a picnic on one of the hills.

"I wish to rule the world." Caroline said.
Elena laughed at her friend. They were playing one of their games. She turned sober when it was her turn.
"I wish to be married and with child."

Elena herself wanted to be in this position. Caroline felt heartache for her friend. It would be hard for Elena to find a husband; she had no dowry as her parents were poor when they died. And a poor, orphan wife was very undesirable now matter how beautiful she was.

"Caroline! Are you paying attention?"
She looked up at her father with a start. Oh dear, she thought to herself. Elena wouldn't be happy with her.
"Sorry, father. Would you so kindly as to repeat?"
Her father looked at her sternly.
"I was implying you pack your belongings for London tonight."
"Tonight?!"
He gave her another stern look at her outburst before continuing, "There is a ball tomorrow evening that I'd like you to attend."
"A ball." She whispered.
"Lady Lockwood is holding it in favor of all the maidens who wish to find a bachelor to marry, that includes you if you aren't already aware. It is a great honor, Caroline. All her balls were successes. Many women have found their husbands there. It is necessary that you find one too."
And just like that the meeting was over. Caroline sighed as she left his office. At that moment, she wouldn't mind switching places with Elena.

"Halt!"

Caroline woke up with a start. She looked around her frantically, relaxing once she found Elena and her mother, both sleeping safe and sound. They were in a carriage heading towards London. Her ears caught the faint sound of bustling traffic. Excited, she stuck her head out the window to look at the sight. They were in London! They arrived. Caroline grinned widely as she let the wind caress her hair. Looking around she found dozens of shops and probably hundreds of people, shopping, laughing, dining, and chatting. It was a feast to the eyes. A few gentlemen stopped as her carriage rode by them, they stared at Caroline with wonder, but she didn't notice them. She was too busy taking in the beauty if the city before her, drinking it in till she was laughing giddily. She loved it here.

A little child caught her eye.
"Mommy, look! A princess!" The little girl cried out, pulling at her mother's long sleeves. Caroline grinned and waved at the little girl. The mother looked up, but Caroline didn't get the chance to see her expression for something else caught her eye and made her stare.

The mansion was huge. A prince could live there. The gardens that surrounded it were beautiful and equally stunning. So many flowers, and trees and bushes and birds. The scent of roses hit her then, making her feel lightheaded. She couldn't wait to run along the fields, twirling and jumping to her heart's content.

"Caroline!"
Someone grabbed her skirt and pulled her back into the carriage. Caroline looked around wild eyed. Her mother and Elena stared at her, shocked.

"What on earth are you doing? Trying to take your own life? You could have fallen out!"
Caroline rolled her eyes, "Mother I'm not a child any longer."
"Well then act like an adult, for here comes Lady Lockwood's welcoming committee. You must remember, Caroline that Lady Forbes has graciously accepted us to spend the night in her guest chambers." Caroline looked out the window, without extending her head.
Oh my… she began to feel nervous; half a dozen carriages were before the entrance to the mansion. Each held a lady and her chaperones. Caroline watched as a beautiful young woman with fiery red hair emerged from her carriage. One of the man servants dressed in a tux held out his hand for her. Her dress was a beautiful emerald that made her hair blaze. How on earth was she going to compete with all these beautiful women?!
"Mother why are the guests so early! It is only morn and the ball is tonight!" Caroline asked her mother in panic.
"Well, you didn't think you were the only one who travelled from afar to attend it, did you? These girls are also going to get ready and spend the night here. I believe that one is Spanish." Elizabeth said nodding her head at the red haired girl.
Caroline went back to staring at the carriages. There were probably 30 of them! 30 girls, all eligible and competitive under one roof for the night? There could be murders! However, Elena and her mother had no doubt in their hearts that Caroline could beat them all. If only she would keep her energetic, wild self in check. Elena smiled at her friend; she knew she would do well.

When her turn came, Caroline took a deep breath and held the man servants hands. She caught his eyes widening. She wondered why, she wasn't exactly at her best looks. She had been in a carriage on the road for half a day and more. She was absolutely disheveled and her hair was in a mess from the wind. She looked back at the trail of carriages that waited their turn. Girls had their heads out the window staring at Caroline. Many had the look of a bear ready to attack. Caroline gulped, walking into the mansion with Elena and her mother trailing along.

"Are they here? Have they arrived?" she heard a woman's voice echo through the hall. She looked up to find a great big glittering chandelier; the ceiling was so high up that Caroline felt dizzy staring at it. It was covered in paintings after paintings.

"Lady Forbes!"
Caroline's head snapped at the woman at the top of the huge stair ways. There were two of them one trailing along the left wall, the other to the right. A beautiful woman with a kind face stood atop the left. She floated down the flight of steps until she stopped before Caroline's mother.

"Oh I am so glad you made it, Elizabeth. Tell me how is darling Bill?"
Lady Forbes was about to answer when the woman turned to Caroline. Caroline raised her eyebrows at the sudden attention, freezing at her spot. The woman's eyes practically bulged as she took her into her arms and gave her a tight hug.

"Oh you are absolutely gorgeous!"
Caroline choked.

"Oh silly me almost forgot, I am Lady Lockwood, but you could call me Carol." She winked at the uncomfortable Caroline. She began pulling her up the stairs and into a big corridor with many doors to the left and the right. Some doors were opened to reveal girls her age. Many were still in their chemises while others had curling tools driven into their hairs, but one thing remained the same with all of them. They all stared at her. Caroline wanted to give them all dirty looks, but she knew better. So she remained quiet while she followed Lady Lockwood, her wrist in the woman's hand.

They stopped before a room. The crazed woman opened the door and beckoned the three women into it.

Caroline's breathing hitched. The room was beautiful; the closet in particular was huge! She didn't know if she deserved something as grand as this, but she gladly accepted it.

Lady Lockwood closed the door as she entered the chamber with them.
"I apologize if it isn't large enough. I'm afraid this will have to do."
The three women stared.

"Well I will leave you ladies to get ready for the ball. There is still plenty of time! 4 more hours I believe."

Caroline nodded, feeling nauseous. Once the woman left, she turned to her mother with the same panicked expression she had before. Elizabeth smiled, walking towards her daughter and taking her face into her warm hands.
"Don't worry, dear. Just be yourself and you will do wonderfully."
Caroline tried to smile, but the attempt completely disappeared once she heard screaming outside.

Elena beat Caroline to the door opening it wide enough so that they could see many girls looking half ready. Caroline jumped trying to see over the many colorful heads. What on earth was everyone crazy about?

"The Mikaelsons!"
"They're here!"
"Oh god, I think I can see Lord Kol's head."
"I am going to try and get him alone!"
"Shh quiet!"
"They're conversing."

Everyone suddenly went very still, none saying a single word. Elena, Caroline and Lady Forbes looked at one another with surprise.

"Who are the Mikaelsons?" Caroline dared to ask over the hushed silence. She was quickly met by angry faces. All the girls turned to her with fingers at their lips. "Shhh." They said in unison.
Caroline was about say unladylike retorts to one of the girls at her side, who accidently spat at her whilst shushing her when she heard,

"Thank you Lady Lockwood for welcoming us to your lovely home." A musical voice echoed. It belonged to a girl. Caroline imagined the voice to come out of a stunning young woman. Whoever it was, she was talking to Lady Lockwood in the hall.
"It is truly a pleasure." A male voice said with an equally charming voice.

The girls back in the corridor all swooned. "Finn." One of them said dreamily.

"The pleasure is all mine, dears!" Lady Lockwood squealed, "The men's guest room happens to be in the other wing, I shall bring one of my servants to direct you four gentlemen there. Rebekah, allow me to personally show you to the Women's."
"Oh carol, I remember it very well from the last time I visited, thank you, love."
Lady Lockwood giggled at the endearment.

Suddenly all the girls around Caroline started to move around frantically.
"She's coming!" a pale girl screamed, she was obviously in tears. Caroline and Elena laughed at her, before Lady Forbes grabbed them, lead them back to the room and quickly shut the door at the fiasco outside.

"Mother do you know who they speak of?"
Lady Forbes nodded vigorously, still looking at the door nervously.

"Well?" Caroline asked again, "Who are they and why is everyone so smitten with them?" she rarely saw her mother this nervous, so whatever made her like this was obviously something big.
"Mother?" Caroline asked when her mother didn't answer.
"SShhh" she mimicked the girls in the corridor. Elena and Caroline gave each other bewildered looks. Elizabeth Forbes walked over to the door and peaked out, Caroline and Elena followed suit. The corridor was completely empty now; all the girls were peeking over each other's heads through doorways.

"Your room is this way." They all heard Carol Lockwood say.
"Thank you." Said the girl. She then came into vision.

Everyone giggled.

"Rebekah!"
"Hello, Rebekah, dear!"
"Do you remember me?"
"You promised you would introduce me to Elijah."

Rebekah kept her head high, her hair was golden, her dress a beautiful red (a color than no maiden dared to wear.) and her skin a tad sun kissed, a characteristic unheard of among the pale Englanders. Her lips were as red as blood. She was magnificent, Caroline thought to herself. Rebekah greeted the other girls with a nod and a smile, keeping herself poised. When she reached Caroline she broke out into a wide smile. Caroline couldn't smile back. She was too busy staring.

Rebekah looked upon the beautiful blonde before her; she was the only maiden who wasn't hyperventilating around her. It pleased her. She gave her a nod, before continuing her way to her room.

Caroline sighed with a roll of her eyes. Crazy girls, mysterious women, tight dresses that made Caroline ache. This ball was going to be the death of her. She closed the door, leaving the other girls panting and giggling. What arse kissers, she thought very unlady-like.

Author's Note:

This is my first Human AU, so I hope I didn't disappoint. Also keep in mind I am not an expert in history, so if there are any mistakes about the timeline, I apologize :) Klaroline will happen next chapter!

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