976 A.D.
It was an odd feeling dying. She could no longer feel her limbs from where she lay on the rocky bank, the waters edge only feet away from her outstretched fingers that she had used every last ounce of strength trying to crawl towards. The sound of water lapping at the bank that once called to her now only taunted her in her last moments. She wondered if the agony in her chest was caused by fear or lack of oxygen, though decided that either way it didn't really matter in the end. If she had any tears left they would be falling as her vision wavered the waters glimmer becoming dull as darkness crept at the edges of her vision.
She wondered if this was what drowning felt like being physically unable to experience the actual sensation. She was ice cold; her limbs weak and immovable, her lungs ached but for more than just air. She could feel her magic that anchored her to both realms start to break both trying desperately to sustain her life force. She had been foolish for staying topside for so long and her curious nature had been her downfall. If she had the energy she would have cried out as she felt her anchors snap and break flaring out desperately trying to find something to anchor herself to once again.
It was the pain alone that coursed through her that kept her conscious as she fisted her palm into the earth wanting something to hold onto as her muscles contracted and twitched convulsively. She ached her eyes burning as she stared unblinking at the water the taunting call dwindling as her bonds broke, she wondered if it was physically possible to die of heartbreak before she even succumb to her magic killing her.
'No!' Her mind screamed as she felt her last bond break her magical core now no longer anchored to either realm 'Please! Don't leave me!'
The last glimmer of the water dulled leaving behind the image that any other moral would see if they set their gaze upon the lake. So lost in her anguish and agony she did not hear the sound of hurried footsteps in the distance or the voices that called to her.
Her magic flared once again trying desperately to find something strong enough to solely anchor itself to, the land not strong enough without the water that was now no longer calling to her.
"Miss!" The voice did not reach her and only registered as the faintest mumbling in the back of her mind "Miss are you alright?"
The surprisingly strong urgent grip on her bare arms however did register and her magic lunged at the contact. She almost screamed as the dull blue of the water was ripped from her vision as the owner of the hands gripping her turned her over onto her back but just as she was about to scream at the intruder with energy she didn't realise she even still contained she faltered.
His eyes reminded her of the deepest oceans swirling with the brightest shades of blues and greens that she had ever seen. His voice still did not register but she could see his lips moving, those lustrous eyes wide with worry and fear as he stared down at her.
"Rebekah run ahead and warn mother I will follow"
It was when he turned from her however and dared take the depths of those eyes away from her that she mustered the little strength she had left gasping as her fingers desperately searched for his.
"Don't," She stammered her voice so weak it took him a moment to realise she had spoken "Don't leave me" her grip tightened as he turned back to face her and that was when she felt it.
Her magic flared for what she hoped would be the last time and frantically reached out to him. She could feel her broken bonds mending as they twisted and anchored her to this man. She knew he could feel the bond forming as his eyes widened further, she could feel a faint burning sensation on the inside of her wrist where her magic was branding her new bonds but it was nothing compared to the agony she had felt previously that was now disappearing the longer she stared into those beautiful orbs.
Her senses were slowly returning to her and with them her hearing. She could hear the lapping of the water once again however she ignored it as she concentrated on studying every feature before her as he bent closer, her heart now beating with renewed purpose.
"What is your name?" Her mind easily registered his angelic voice this time as her magic delightedly warmed her at the very sound of his deep husky tone.
"Ondine" Her weak voice sounded almost like a whisper as she began to feel her body waver from exhaustion. It wouldn't be long before she lost consciousness she knew and she desperately tried to hold on longer wanting a name to put to those eyes "Your name?"
"Niklaus" She couldn't keep the smile off her lips as her vision blurred and arched towards the warmth of his hand that came to settle on her cheek.
"Please" She whispered as black spots started to cloud her vision "Please don't leave me"
"Never" His eyes were the last thing she saw and his voice the last thing she heard before she was sucked into oblivion.
