This is just a random one shot for now.

"Look at them," Edda sighed. "Are they not gorgeous?"

"To die for," Ingrid added. "Kol could escort me home anytime."

"I do not think it is right to spy on them like this…" I started, but gave up after my friends sent an annoyed glare towards me. I felt completely ridiculous hiding behind the bushes on top of a hill, watching Mikael's sons washing themselves down by the river. They were all shirtless, but they still had their pants on. Thank goodness for that, I was already embarrassed enough. Maybe I was a little curious, but I still tried to look the other way.

"Come on, Lana," Edda snorted. "Think of this as a useful lesson, surely you want to know what to expect on your wedding night."

"I am not even engaged yet," I pointed out.

"Not yet, but surely you will be soon, unless there is something wrong with you."

I knew that Edda didn't mean any harm, she just said exactly what she was thinking; subtlety had never been one of her virtues.

"Not to my knowledge," I muttered. It was true that I was almost 17 and I wasn't wed yet, but I didn't think that there was anything wrong with me; I simply hadn't found the right man. Alright, that sounded stupid even in my own ears, like I would have so many choices. I would most likely end up marrying Bernt, the son of a miller. I knew that his father had already approached mine, but since they were both stubborn men, the negotiations were coming along very slowly. My father was known to be a very stingy man and he had no intention spending much on my dowry. I had met Bernt few times and he hadn't seemed so bad, just very quiet and serious, he had barely said a word to me.

"Look, look," Ingrid said. "I think Kol is taking his pants off!"

"Let me see!" Edda demanded, shoving me aside.

"Alright, fine," I huffed. "Let me just moveeee…"

Oh no… It only took a second when I was rolling down the hill like a snowball, screaming at the same time. Ow, ow, ow, pointy rocks! Finally the rolling stopped and I fell on my stomach. I felt dizzy and nauseous, where was I?

"Are you alright?" a calm male voice asked.

Oh no… Slowly I looked up and saw all three Mikaelson brothers standing in front of me, still shirtless. Elijah was probably the one who had asked the question, Kol was smirking and Niklaus looked at me curiously. I honestly wanted to disappear, this was so embarrassing.

"Well, well," Kol said. "Did you like what you saw?"

"No!" I blurted out. "I mean…I did not see anything, I swear."

My face was probably bright red by now; Kol seemed more and more amused.

"There is no reason to be embarrassed, darling; you can wash my back if you like…"

"Knock it off, Kol," Niklaus said. "Valana, right? Haldor's daughter?"

I nodded, still hoping to disappear.

"Are you hurt?"

Just my pride…

"I…I do not think so."

"Alright, can you stand?"

I tried to, but that didn't quite work out, I was probably even redder when Niklaus and Elijah helped me to my feet.

"Some of these cuts look deep," Elijah said after examining my arms. "Do you have more of them?"

Judging by the pain on my legs, I did. Instinctively I touched my legs under my skirt, I felt some blood.

"May I have your permission to take a look?" Elijah asked calmly.

Couldn't I honestly just disappear already?

"I…"

"Don't be shy, darling," Kol said cheerfully. "Lift your skirt and let us look."

Niklaus glared at him and slapped him on the back of his head.

"Manners, Kol."

"I apologize for my brother," Elijah said. "Turn around, both of you."

Niklaus obeyed immediately, Kol followed his example after rolling his eyes.

"I will not touch you," Elijah explained calmly. "I will merely take a look in order to see if you need a healer."

Could this possibly be any more embarrassing? The only reason why I agreed was that Elijah was known to be an honorable man. I swallowed what was left of my dignity and lifted my skirt.

"I believe cleaning the wounds will be enough," he said after taking a look.

"Thank you," I muttered.

He smiled and nodded.

"You are welcome. Perhaps I should escort you home, are you here by yourself?"

"No, I am with…" I started and instinctively looked up, although Edda and Ingrid were probably long gone by now. I couldn't drag them into this as well, although I was a little mad at them right now. "Yes, I am here alone."

"Well, more for you, darling," Kol said and winked.

"Listen," I muttered. "Could you perhaps consider…not to mention this to anyone?"

"That depends," Kol replied smiling charmingly. "How about a kiss…"

"We won't say anything," Niklaus assured. "May I escort you home?"

I was surprised, but I nodded.

"If you like."

According to my knowledge he was an honorable man as well, even though he spent time in the tavern with Kol.

"May she borrow your horse, brother?" Niklaus asked looking at Elijah.

"Sure," he replied. "But hurry back, we must be home before dusk."

Niklaus nodded and led me to their horses.

"Bye, bye, darling!" Kol said. "Feel free to drop by any time!"

"You wish," I muttered, earning a smile from Niklaus.

"I apologize…" he started, but I waved my hand.

"There is no need, thank you for being so…understanding."

He seemed amused.

"You do not seem like the kind of girl who would peek on men."

I wondered if he meant that as a bad thing or a good thing. I was just about to ask that when we were next to the horses.

"May I…" he started, but I was already mounting.

"Thank you, but I can manage."

"So it seems," he stated and mounted his own horse. We both rode silently for a while, my horse seemed quite calm.

"What is her name?" I asked while stoking the horse's mane.

"How did you know that it is a mare?"

I shrugged.

"Lucky guess."

"Oh. Her name is Hildegard."

I smiled.

"Hello, Hildegard, you have a nice name."

"My sister named her," Niklaus explained. "You know my sister?"

I nodded.

"Yes."

Rebekah and I weren't really friends, but of course I knew her, just like I knew everyone in the village.

"And you have two brothers, yes?" he asked.

"Yes, older and younger, I am the middle child."

"Me too. It is not so bad."

"No, I suppose not," I replied.

We were quiet again when we approached my home cottage.

"Thank you for escorting me," I said. "That was very kind."

He cleared his throat and dismounted in order to help me down. I could have done that myself, but I didn't want to be rude. His hand felt warm on mine and I felt how muscular his arms were when he helped me down. For some reason his touch almost made me blush, as foolish as that was.

"Thank you," I muttered and tried to smile.

"My pleasure," he replied and touched my hand softly with his lips. "Perhaps I can see you again sometimes?"

"I…"

I really wanted to say yes, but I doubted that would be appropriate, I was almost engaged and…

"I would like that."

What? Had I suddenly lost my mind? I had to say no and…he was smiling at me. Oh no…

"Good night, Valana," he said.

"Most people just call me Lana," I muttered.

He nodded thoughtfully.

"I like it. Lana then."

He waved his hand before riding away, I stood there for a while staring after him. I had no idea what had just happened, but I wasn't sure at all if I liked it.