(A/N) This first chapter has been sitting here for weeks now, but I held off publishing it because I'm super nervous about what you guys might think. This is really different to the normal 'light and humour' fics that I write, because this story is dark and it's complex. But I'm really quite proud and excited for it, and I hope you guys will enjoy it too.

This is an AU fic, and I tried my best to stick to the facts from TVD/TO, but there are some supernatural rules that I've bent for the sake of the story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot

978 A.D.

She bit her lips nervously as she climbed out his bed, her blonde waves cascading over her bare back.

"What bothers you, my love, you seem restless. I hope you're not having second thoughts," she could feel his arms wrapped around her waist, and his smile on her shoulder.

"Merely jittery for the full moon tonight. The beasts in the forest lie waiting for prey," she lied.

Despite a rudimental upbringing in this small village, Caroline was a lady, and there were certain expectations that came from that. She knew that if the secret in her womb were made known, she would be looked down upon and called a loose woman. Just like Tatia.

Though it was improper to lie with a man unmarried, she would not have to keep her secret for long, for she and her intended, Niklaus, were to marry in a fortnight. She prayed that the full moon would pass quickly and uneventfully.

In the outskirts of the village lived men who shape shifted into wolves under the full moon. She did not know if this was common in other places, for she had never travelled further than the next village herself, yet she knew that these beasts were dangerous and killed mercilessly. Her father, William, was a huntsman in his youth, protecting their people from the likes of those beasts, but he, like many others, perished under the claws of the wolf-men many moons ago.

Tonight, they would go into hiding, as they did every full moon, and would only re-emerge when the sun rises from the east.

"Caroline, the wolves have not attacked one of us in a long while," he whispered into her hair, his mother's necklace dangling from his neck, "I only ask that you pack our belongings for the night and head on to the cave with Rebekah"

"Will you not come with us, Niklaus?"

"I promised Henrik that I will take him for a trip to the next town," he purposefully kept himself behind her, so she did not have to see the lies in his eyes, "we will stay in the caves there tonight"

"Must you leave today? It is dangerous, for you and for young Henrik"

"The boy is persistent, and he turns ten today," his brother had asked to see the wolves, and he knew he couldn't deny him, especially when he, too, was curious. It was reckless, but he would do anything to ensure his little brother's safety. He always felt drawn to the full moon, as if it was a source of power, and it gave him a sense of security. Besides, he's a survivor, he's survived Mikael his whole life, there wasn't much that could break him anymore.

Knowing better than to argue, she turned to face him to return the embrace.

"Then I shall pray for your safety," she rubbed her head against his chest, she knew he was more than capable of defending himself, "I love you"

"And I, you," he hummed, "Always and Forever"

The birds began to chirp, signifying the beginning of their day, but if one were to listen beyond the realms of the human world, they may just hear the spirits stir in their sleep.

Tonight will mark the beginning of a whole new era.

"Help, HELP! Please, anyone," a voice broke out beyond the caves.

"I should imagine it is another one of those foolish men who had forgotten to come into hiding on a full moon. I say we ignore him," one of the villagers said.

The voice got louder and louder, as it approached the entrance of the cave.

"Please help, my little brother," he choked, carrying the limp body in his arms.

Recognising his voice, she jumped up, "Niklaus… NIKLAUS, is that you?" She shouted beyond the boulder that guarded the cave.

Rushing past the boulders, wolves be damned, she saw his figure, barely visible in the morning sun. Even at dawn, she could see his ripped clothes and bloodied body, but none of that could compare to the body he held tightly against his chest.

Soon, the rest of the Mikaelsons appeared beside her and apprehension came upon them.

Henrik, a boy, mutilated by the wolves. Henrik, the light of the family, mangled beyond recognition. Henrik, the innocent, taken away much too soon.

The cries and screams echoed through the forest as the moon took one last look at the destruction it had caused, before it, too, disappeared behind the mountains.

Screams of sadness turned into screams of panic as the village was set ablaze.

Red.

Everything was red.

That was his first thought when he regained consciousness. Confused, he stumbled outside, hoping to find his love.

The last thing he could recall was the memory of his father stabbing him through the heart with a sword. Perhaps Mikael had finally lost it, he had finally gone too far. He should be dead, or was this Hell. From the sound of chaos outside, he would imagine so.

"Caroline," he called out, praying that he would somehow find her.

"Niklaus," he heard a faint voice behind him.

He had never known hunger until he laid eyes on her. He could faintly recognise his siblings in his periphery, running around the village, chasing and latching on to villagers, but he was too focused on the sound of her heartbeat in front of him.

With inhuman speed, he blurred towards her in the blink of an eye.

"What is happening?" She panicked, "Nik, what is happening? Please, answer me," She held onto the fabric of his vest.

Ba bump, ba bump.

Before she could utter another word, fangs grew from his mouth and sunk down into her neck.

"NO!" She screamed, "Nik, stop"

His urges were too strong, even though every thought in his mind told him to stop.

Nothing had hurt him more than this moment. Hearing her cries of pain, his tears began to mix with the redness of her blood.

"I forgive you, Nik. Always and forever," she whispered as she stilled in his arms.

He had just killed the only woman he had ever loved.

(A/N) DUN DUN DUN! Don't worry, this is going to be a multi-chap story, so this is not some tragic tale. Everything will be explained in the next chapter.

Please help me get over my commitment phobia by leaving a review if you liked it and would like to see more.

And in case some of you are angry over Klaus killing Caroline, remember that he has no idea what's going on, and he doesn't know what he's become. All he knows is that he has an uncontrollable urge to kill and drink blood in order to complete his transition, and the first person that he sought after was Caroline because he loves her and wanted to see that she was safe. Remember that control takes years to harness and next chapter, we'll see more of Klaus' POV.

And also, I'm a sucker for a Klaroline baby, but now that Caroline is dead, what's going to happen to it?