"Not long ago many clans fled their homeland to stay away from a terrible plague that took many valued lives. They arrived at the shores of a promised, untouched land that we now call our home. The clans learned to live hand in hand with the native inhabitants and accepted natures gifts. Those with the gift of magic could practice freely, they are considered respected members of the clans.
One of the greatest clans the world has ever seen came along with the other settlers. Their king Sigmund was the first to set foot on the land. Together with his with his wife, a beautiful queen that every man had wanted when she was still unspoken for, they built a home and helped every clan, little or bigger, to make a living. Sigmund vowed to protect every clans member and in return, the clans agreed to bow in front of their king. Until today he reigns in the biggest settlement of this new world. He is a very fair king, he treats every one equally, even the native inhabitants with whom he created a network of trade.
It wasn't long until the king and queen, who was called Bryn, received the gift of fertility. Thinking that this would mean their greatest joy, it was the end of a once shining king. Bryn had an uncomplicated pregnancy but when she gave birth to her child, she died gruesomely. It was told Bryn's cries could be heard to the sea, where the waves swallowed the sound before it could wake Helheim's creatures.
Sigmund was angry. He was raging and he blamed his newborn daughter. The little girl inherited all of her mother's beauty. She had white, silky hair and green eyes that resembled the woods when they started spreading out their first messengers of spring. It made her father even more angry and he called in for a very old law. He named his daughter Hela, after the goddess of death that reigns Helheim. Then, he send her to a trial that could forgave her sins. He brought the baby deep into the woods and left her there unprotected in the dangers of the cold wilderness. The law said that if the infant was still alive the next day, she would be free of any sin and could return home. If it was dead, it was wicked and infected by Hela's darkness. The father was suppose to leave a well forged sword with the child and if it would pass the trial, the sword would be enchanted to win every battle the soon to be warrior fought.
When Sigmund came back in the morning to see if his daughter survived, she was gone. For the kind it was a clear case. The wolves had taken the baby and killed it for their pleasure. He had freed himself from his sins and was ready to take another bride.
But what made everyone wonder is that the sword was gone with the child. Until today people whisper about the princess Hela that was raised by wolves or whatever lived in those woods. They say that she waits for the day to get revenge, that she eats raw flesh to get stronger and that she trains mercilessly every day to be able to kill her father and his offsprings. Rumor also spread that the king is haunted every night by the thought of his firstborn still being alive. Since then, his reign has changed. The native inhabitants are declared savages and high taxes and hard punishments are make life for the clans more difficult. Still the clans members stay with their king and protect him from eery threat, because the harvests and the cattle are still productive enough to feed any one.
Just be sure, little Henrik, to always follow your king at first, your father at second and your heart at third. Their unison will cause you a healthy life, little boy."
Esther stroked the hair out of her youngest son's face. He fell asleep during her story, but the mother didn't mind, as the boy had heard it often before. Her husband Mikael started telling it when Henrik was still in her belly.
"Quite dark for a bedtime story, isn't it, mother?"
Her second oldest son smiled down to her and Esther returned it. She was so gifted with her six healthy children. Her oldest boys already had grown into proper and strong men. Whenever she looked into Elijah's or Finn's face she couldn't help but let the pride swell her heart. But then her heart would be clouded when she thought about her own firstborn. Never had she gotten over loosing her.
"Believe me, Elijah, your father had told you more horrible stories when you were younger. And here you are, still grown into a proper man."
Elijah chuckled and his gaze wandered to his sleeping youngest brother. It reminded him of his younger brothers and even of his sister. He had watched them sleep so often when they were still children. Sometimes he wished he could go back to the times when they were still so small. Far away from the harm this world offered and, especially for Rebekah, far away from marriage.
"I came here to tell you that father, Niklaus and I will go for a longer hunt. We plan to be gone for the next three days."
Esther's expression darkened and she turned her gaze away from her oldest son. Her hands clenched into fists.
"Does it have to be Niklaus? Why can't Finn go?"
She feared for Mikael's rage towards Niklaus. When they went for hunting, her boy would always come back bruised and with at least one new scar on his slim body. He was different from her other sons. Niklaus wasn't the strongest, but he fought the most clever. His strength wasn't in hunting, but he created exquisite bows. Fighting wasn't something that brought him joy, but Esther had seen the beautiful art he painted when he sneaked away from home. That all wasn't enough for Mikael. For him, he was a disappointment and when they went hunting, Esther couldn't protect him.
Elijah was the complete opposite and always had been Mikael's favorite son. But the feeling wasn't mutual. He hated his father for what he did to the brother he was closest to. Esther had noticed that sometimes also Elijah carried unusual wounds, not that he would tell anyone, but Esther was a good observer, which meant that he tried to protect Niklaus from his father. That wasn't a wise choice, as Mikael's violent behavior grew with his rage. Even Esther had been a victim of his brutality, which brought her to the greatest secret she carried.
"Mother, you know that we don't have a choice. Father wants his oldest son to stay and protect his family, while Niklaus and I will hunt to feed us. Those were his words."
Elijah sighed and looked away ashamed. He loathed himself for not having the bravery to stand up to his father. Mikael was wrong, he wasn't his strongest son, he was the weakest. A coward, that couldn't protect his siblings.
The mother stood up, walked towards Elijah and cupped his cheek with her hand.
"Be careful, my lovely son. I'm so proud of you."
He lightly grabbed her wrists and took her hand from his face. Elijah thought that he didn't deserve his mother's pride. Still he had to prove himself before the gods. Turning around, he wanted to leave the hut to go to his own which he shared with Niklaus, but Esther stopped him.
"Elijah...I know you don't want to hear it...but next week, thirty springs will have passed since your birth. For Finn it's even thirty two. Our neighbors started talking about why you haven't chosen a bride for years."
Shaking his head, he looked at his mother determined and slightly annoyed. They had this topic for over ten years now.
"Our families' bonds are strong, there are enough children in the clans. We don't need to marry, mother. You know that."
Esther threw her son a pleading gaze. She wished for nothing more than for her children to find happiness and to welcome more daughters and children to her home. The witch wanted to share her gifts with her grandchildren, as most of her own weren't interested in theirs.
"But it's tradition, Elijah. Fjelda and Sigrid from our neighboring clan caught an eye on you at our last feast. And what about the widow from our village, Tatia?"
Elijah chuckled quite amused and shook his head before he turned around to leave.
"Give me another month to find my chosen bride on my own. If I won't, I will meet every one of the girls you find worthy."
His mother seemed to be satisfied with his answer and she let her son go, still being worried about their hunting plans. Esther took one last glance at Henrik before she went to care about her herbs and distract herself from her worry.