1. Time & Confusion
It was a beautiful Monday morning and Caroline Forbes was just locking up her house before heading to school. Over the weekend she had helped her other vampire friends try to kill that bitch Katherine, but of course it didn't work.
Caroline had played her part perfectly, but as always, poor little Elena had gotten mixed up in it all and they had to call off the whole thing. Caroline had a special hatred for the vampire doppelganger that had killed her and the consequence being turning her into a vampire as well and she could not wait until they could finally kill Katherine.
Shrugging her backpack over her shoulder she pulled her phone out of the purse on her arm and decided to send a text to Bonnie about meeting up later after school. Their relationship was still strained and Caroline just wanted her friend back.
Now standing by her car, she fished her keys out of the bottom of her purse and hit send on her phone and then everything went black.
Katherine stood behind Caroline with a satisfied smirk after snapping the neck of the young blonde. Picking up the baby vampire, she threw her in the truck of the car, picked the keys up off the ground and got behind the wheel.
She drove out to an old abandoned plantation house about fifteen miles outside of town where her witch was waiting. Caroline had still not woken up from being attacked, so it was easy to drag the girl into the house.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" The witch asked.
Throwing the limp body down on the worn wide-plank floorboards Katherine answered. "I gave her the best gift, immortality. And she repays my kindness and friendship with trickery and deceit. Well two can play at that game."
The witch just nodded and continued to place candles around the lifeless body of the blonde. She chanted 'Accendo' to light the candles and then 'Continent infra circulum' to confine Caroline within the circle. "I need some of her blood."
Katherine took Caroline's arm and drove a knife into the girl's hand. Deep red blood dripped into a cast iron bowl and the blonde vampire sat up with a gasp at the pain.
"Well good morning sunshine." Katherine sneered.
Caroline looked around her and pulled her hand out of Katherine's grasp. "Where am I?" She still had on her backpack and was now standing in the circle of flaming candles.
"Don't worry little pet, you won't be here for long."
Caroline tried to escape the room, but was blocked by an invisible barrier inside the circle.
"Oh, look at that. I can play with magic too." Katherine stalked around the blonde before the witch called her attention.
With half a dozen bottles of herbs and elixirs set up, the witch was ready to perform the spell. "How far back do you want her to go?" She said mixing together a few potions and then looking up at the vampire with a bottle of black liquid in her hand.
Katherine shrugged with indifference. "Long enough to keep her friends busy while I move forward with my plan."
Nodding the witch poured a few drops in to the bowl and began to chant.
"On second thought, let's teach her a lesson." Katherine grabbed the bottle from the witch and empted the whole contents into the bowl. "How do you feel about playing with dinosaurs?" She asked with a wide smile as the witch picked up her chanting.
Caroline still didn't understand what was going on. She had not fed after waking up so she was weak and the spell was holding her in place. The flames on the candles surrounding her jumped and she knew that a spell was about to be cast.
"Scindo terra et spatio, mittere hoc corpus per portas, reverse tempus et fiat." The witch had her eyes closed and was speaking the spell over and over while the blonde vampire cried out for help.
"Katherine, you can't do this! Just let me go, I will tell everyone to leave you alone."
"It is too late for that I fear. Goodbye sweet Caroline."
It felt like the floor was torn away from under her and that she was falling down the rabbit hole like in Alice in Wonderland. Caroline tried to reach out for something, but there was nothing but blackness and she couldn't hear, feel, or see anything.
Finally the illusion of motion stopped and she found herself crumpled on a forest floor. There were trees around her for as far as she could see, brown leaves and damp earth lay below her and the only sound were birds and the wind blowing through the treetops.
She needed to find something to eat to regain her strength so she picked herself up off the ground and went to flash into the forest, but her speed was gone. "What the…" she said aloud to herself and tried to use vampire speed again.
Nothing.
Next she tried to extend her fangs, but again nothing happened. Caroline placed her hand over her chest and the low steady beat of her heart confirmed her thoughts. She was human again.
"Why would she turn me just to make me human again?" She asked herself.
With that thought still rolling around in her head, she decided to try to find a road or anything that would help pinpoint where she was. Mystic Falls sat alongside a river and if she could find that, then she could fine the town.
Speaking aloud to herself, she tried to decide which direction to start in. "Okay, I was in an old house before the spell and most of those are west of the river. It's not too hot out yet, so it must be morning and the sun is coming from that direction, so that is east." She was thankful for the years of Girl Scouts that her mom put her into.
Finding her course, she set out in the direction of the sun.
She walked for hours. The sun had passed it's apex and was now falling behind her. Caroline had stopped a while back and rummaged though her backpack looking for anything that could help her. She only found schoolbooks, notepads, pencils and a water bottle.
Not knowing the next time she would have fresh water, she only took sips from the bottle when she needed to. She really didn't want to be out in the wood when nightfall came and with that thought, picked up her pace.
With the sun dipping below the treetops she squinted her eyes through the dusk and thought she saw something. Moving in closer she saw the shape of a house and there was smoke coming out of the chimney. Moving from tree to tree, she snuck up on the dwelling, not knowing if friend or foe would be lurking around.
Looking through one of the windows she saw the home was empty. Coming to realize it, her surroundings were very quiet. She walked around the front of the stacked stone hut and saw that she was in a village.
She could see about ten homes in total along this clearing in the woods and there wasn't a soul in sight. It looked like the whole village had just dropped what they were doing and left, but some fires still had glowing embers so they couldn't have left long ago.
Caroline snuck into the hut that was closest to her, thankful now that she wasn't a vampire and needed to be invited in. The dwelling was one large room with a hearth and chimney at one end. There were three cots on the other side and large wooden trunks at the foot of each cot.
Opening the first chest she saw men's shirts and pants. Moving on to the next she found dresses made of linen, cotton, and wool. "Either the Renaissance Festival is back in town or that conniving little bitch sent me back to the freaking stone age!"
Not wanting to stick out to the villagers if they were to return, Caroline picked out a green wool dress. Not knowing if the night would be cold, she slipped the dress on over her tee shirt and jeans. She was glad that she had worn her brown leather riding boots today, while they weren't the most comfortable pair to walk in, they kept her feet dry and warm.
Looking around for something to replace her backpack with she spotted an animal skin satchel hanging by the door. Caroline transferred all of her belonging, grabbed a few apples from a table by the hearth and then walked out of the home.
Making her way down the main path of the village she noticed how dark it had gotten while she was changing and she became glad that the full moon was casting some light on the forest.
Rounding the last house and confirming that no one was around she figured she could stay in one of the huts for the night and then continue on tomorrow.
Somewhere out in the dark of the forest she heard the piecing cry of a wolf. Caroline gasped and started to put it all together. Empty village, full moon, wolves…they had werewolves here.
She had just watched Tyler trigger his curse a few days ago and had been told how dangerous werewolves can be and since there were no other people around she figured they had all found a safe place to hide for the night.
The howls were getting closer and Caroline ran out of the village as fast as her human legs would carry her and away from the beasts.
They were gaining on her and while looking over her shoulder she didn't notice the body of water ahead of her. Tripping on the rocks of the riverbank she sank to her knees in the water before starting to swim across it.
This must be the James River of the future and that means that the future site of Mystic Falls was just on the other side.
Crawling out of the water on the opposite bank, she saw two wolves pacing at the waters edge. Not wanting to wait and see if they would cross, she took off into the forest again. Finding a tree with strong upper branches, she climbed as high as possible and tried to control her breathing.
The two wolves from the river were now circling the tree and Caroline could see that one was jet black and the other sliver like the moon.
Caroline gripped the tree trunk and for hours watched the wolves pace, snarl, and jump at the tree trying to get to her. Fighting off sleep she just thought about to survive tonight and in the morning she could again search for answers.
When the mocking birds started to sing and the smallest bit of light creped into the sky, the wolves retreated and ran off to the west. Caroline breathed a sigh of relief but still waited until the sky was brighter before coming down from the tree.
Once her feet were back on the ground she started walking east again. Pulling an apple from the satchel, it would have to do as her breakfast. She was not going to last long since she had not slept all night so when she found a soft patch of clover under a large oak tree she sat down to rest her feet and eyes.
"Miss."
Caroline felt her leg being moved and with a groan parted her eyelids slowing to adjust to the bright afternoon light.
"Miss. Are you well?"
Looking up she saw a man who seemed to be in the middle of life, with gray touching his temples and a wrinkled and sun worn face. He was dressed in a brown loose fitting shirt and cotton pants that came to his knees. He had kind eyes and was holding a large walking stick.
Quickly getting to her feet Caroline answered. "Yes, I am lost though."
"Were you out all last night" The man asked taking in her ripped and muddy dress.
Caroline noticed he had an accent and tried to channel her best Emma Woodhouse to reply to him. "I was. I took shelter up a tree in the wood."
The man had not made a move, so Caroline stood very still where she had been resting. "Where are you from? Where is your family?" He asked.
Thinking quick, she had to come up with a believable story. From the way the man was dressed, she had to be a few hundred years in the past. "I am from north of here but was traveling with my family when the wolves came. I was able to get away but my mother and father did not fare as well."
"You poor child. Come with me. I will see to it that you get a meal and fresh clothes."
Caroline didn't feel she had any other options but to go with the man. He was her best hope at surviving this place. She picked up her satchel and followed him up a small grassy hill.
She had been resting right on the edge of a meadow and she could see dots of white throughout the plain. The man whistled and called out words in a language she was unfamiliar with and two dogs went running out into the field.
Sheep. The man was a shepherd. The dogs rounded up the flock and Caroline followed behind him as they made their way south and after about a ten minute walk a small farm came into view.
"Your land is beautiful sir." Caroline commented as she saw the crops move in the wind like a ripping pond.
"Edmond. My name is Edmond Turner. And yours?"
She suddenly felt very rude for not introducing her self and blushed. "Caroline Forbes. Thank you for your kindness Mr. Turner."
They had reached the farm now and he opened a gate before the dogs corralled the sheep into the paddock. "My dear wife, Nora, would be very cross with me if I left an unaccompanied young lady out in the woods."
Following him towards the house that looked much like the ones from the other village, she was met with a feminine voice from the doorway.
"Ed. You are late…"
The woman stared at the young blonde girl with her husband and looked between them.
"Who do you have with you?"
Edmond stepped aside so his wife could get a better look at his companion. "Dearest, this is Caroline. I found her in the woods. Her family was lost to the wolves last night and she only just survived."
"Oh you poor dear. Please come in and let us get you something to eat."
Caroline gave the woman a small smile and walked into the home. It was set up much like the other homes she had seen and sat down at the table by the fireplace.
Mrs. Turner shuffled quickly around the small space, getting some bread and pouring hot water in to a tarnished silver cup. Placing the items in front of Caroline, Nora rested her hand on top of the young woman's and looked on with sympathetic eyes.
"Where do you come from, my child?" Nora questioned.
Chewing a large piece of bread with fresh butter on it and then taking a large drink of what she guessed was tea she looked at the woman. Mrs. Turner seemed to be the same age as her husband, a slightly round woman with brown hair that was braided and pinned into a bun.
"I have traveled so much over the past week, could you please tell me where I am now?"
Nora smiled sweetly before patting Caroline's hand and getting up to bring more bread. "You are in the village of Mikaels Falls. We are a small group of pilgrims who left the old world after a horrible plague. This is Tutelo land, but we have a treaty with the natives."
Old world? Natives? How was she ever going to figure out what year she was in without sounding crazy? "My family also left the old world for a better way of life. We were looking for a place to settle before the wolves came."
The older woman smiled again and looked longingly at Caroline. "I am just going to have a word with Ed…forgive me, Mr. Turner."
Caroline wished for her vampire hearing so she could know what the couple was conversing about just outside the door.
Finding her husband tending to their two horses Nora approached him hopeful. "Ed. Can we have a word?"
"Of course. But I think I already know what is on your mind."
She fidgeted with her apron. "She has no family. No connections here. After losing Edward, our home has not been complete."
Their only son, Edward, had died on the long journey across the sea and they were now too late in life to have more children.
"This land has been good to us. She will stay with us for now, but I must ask Lord Mikael permission to take her on as our ward." Edmond said reaching out and stroking his wife's cheek.
He knew how much the death of their son had hurt his wife and she was very lonely when he was out in the fields or tending to their stock, so having Caroline around would be both useful and comforting to his dear wife.
They both walked together back into their dwelling and saw Caroline still seated at the table finishing her cup of tea.
As soon as she saw the couple enter the home, she stood from her seat and addressed them. "Thank you so much mister and misses Turner. Your hospitality has been most appreciated." She was sure they were going to ask her to be on her way shortly.
"Please sit back down." Edmond stated.
Caroline complied and Nora came to sit next to her before speaking. "We have agreed that if you please, you can stay with us until you have other arrangements, or permanently if that is what you wish."
She couldn't help the bright smile that spread across her face and Nora seemed to echo the expression.
"You are too kind and I am thankful. I feared going out into the woods again."
Edmond joined the women at the table and poured what looked like wine out of a clay decanter with a cork stopper. "Tomorrow you will need to be presented to the village leader. He is very protective over his people and must approve of any new comers."
Nodding her head in understanding, Caroline was both worried and excited about this prospect. Worried because she could be cast out from the village and also looking forward to being able to see more of the area and hopefully more clues as to when and where she was.
"I can help you wash and mend your dress and then we can work on getting you more clothes." Nora said looking at the six inches of mud stuck to the hem of the green dress.
"Thank you, but I don't want to be a burden on you. I can find work and get myself clothes." Caroline said not wanting to seem that she was taking advantage.
Nora just gave her a motherly smile. "We provide the textiles for the village, among other goods. I'm sure you noticed the sheep. And as for work, you will find yourself very useful and occupied around here."
Caroline tried to stifle a yawn and covered her mouth with her hand. "I'm sorry." She said slightly embarrassed. "And thank you again. I will help in any way I can for your generosity."
Edmond rose from his seat and placed his hand on his wife's shoulder. "She was asleep when I found her, perhaps she needs to rest today."
"Yes, of course. Come Caroline. I will get you a dressing gown and you can take my bed." Nora rose as well and indicated for Caroline to follow her behind a curtain that was suspended from the ceiling of the home.
The older woman handed her a plain white floor length gown and smiled sweetly. "Just bring me your dress once you have changed and I will have it washed and mended before you go to town tomorrow."
Caroline couldn't help herself as she stepped towards the woman and wrapped her arms around her shoulders before quietly sobbing into the embrace.
"Oh, child." Nora said stroking the girl's blonde hair. "It will all work out for good. Get some rest, you will feel better in the morning."
Stepping back from the woman, Caroline nodded and wiped her tears. "Thank you." She said before starting to loosen the ties at the side of the dress. Nora took her leave and Caroline finished undressing. She took her modern clothes off as well and threw them into the satchel before slipping the dressing gown over her head. It was a few sizes too big but she welcomed clean dry clothes.
Walking out to Nora who was seated at the table with a needle and thread ready, Caroline handed over the dress and again thanked the woman for her help. Back in the sleeping area, she laid down on the cot, turned a few times and tried to fluff the pillow before pulling a thick wool blanket that was folded at the foot of the bed, up her body and it did not take long for sleep to come.
Rich aromas woke her what she guessed was hours later since the sun had gone down and she could only see blackness out of the homes few small windows. Keeping the blanket wrapped around her body, she stepped out from behind the curtain and saw the husband and wife sitting at the table.
Edmond noticed her first and immediately stood from his seat. "Caroline. Please join us for supper." He said and went to pull a chair out for her.
"Thank you." She said as she sat and watched Mr. Turner go back to his chair.
"How was your rest?" Nora asked as she went to get a bowl of stew for their guest.
Being offered bread, Caroline ripped off a large piece before answering. "Much needed. The food smells delicious."
"Don't let our incessant questioning keep you from it." Edmond chuckled and silenced his wife so the poor girl could eat.
Caroline smiled and dipped her bread into the thick stew before placing it in her mouth. She lightly moaned at the rich flavor. "What is this? It is marvelous."
"My famous rabbit stew. I'm glad you like it." Nora smiled and tucked back into her supper.
Releasing a small laugh at her own personal joke, Caroline continued eating her meal. She just found it funny that as a vampire she had been on the 'bunny diet' and now even as a human, she couldn't escape eating the cute fluffy animals.
Finishing supper, Caroline helped Nora clean the dishes in a water trough that sat just outside the front door. Walking back into the home, Edmond had pulled the three chairs closer to the fire and had out his decanter and a pipe.
The women joined him and were handed cups of what Caroline guessed was wine and then Edmond lit his pipe, hollowing his cheeks until the packed tobacco glowed.
Smelling the liquid in the cup, Caroline knew that it wouldn't taste like the wine she was used to, but if it was one of the only drinks here, she would have to get used to it. The drink was slightly bitter but was not horrible.
"So Caroline, how old are you?" Edmond asked puffing away at his pipe.
Holding her cup between her hands in her lap she answered. "Seventeen."
He looked shocked by her answer. "And you are not married yet?"
Now the surprised look was on Caroline's face. "Heavens, no!"
"You say that like it is a bad thing, but you are quite old to not be married already." Nora added with a smirk before bring her cup to her lips.
Caroline had to remember that she was in a different time. Most likely girls were married off before they were fifteen. "Oh, well with all of the troubles back home and then the journey here, there has been little time to find a suitable match."
Edmond nodded once in understanding before Nora giggled. "There are quite a few fine men in the village. Actually, Lord Mikael has four very amiable sons who are of age."
"You speak too freely wife." Edmond reprimanded, as Nora's cheeks became pink.
Deciding to change the subject, Caroline asked. "Do you have any children of your own?"
Nora's rosy face saddened. "We had a son, who died during our travels. So we are now childless."
"I'm so sorry for your loss." Caroline said reaching out her hand and placing it on Nora's.
"You are very kind Miss Caroline." Edmond commented, tapping his used tobacco out into the fireplace. "Now that we are filled with food and good drink, let us now retire. Tomorrow is a going to be a big day for you child."
While Caroline had been asleep, Edmond had put together a pallet type bed for the young girl with hay and some of their nicer blankets. "I will build you a cot in the next few days. Sorry we don't have anything nicer, we hardly receive guests out this way."
Sitting down on the makeshift bed, she just smiled up at the couple that had taken her in. "This is plenty. Thank you again for all of your kindness."
"Sleep well Caroline." Nora said before disappearing behind the curtain divider with Edmond.
Caroline laid back on her bed and folded her hands behind her head after pulling a blanket up over her body. These people were being so nice to her, she felt very fortunate to have been found by them. If she was going to be stuck in this time for a long period, she was glad it was with the Turners and not a band of thugs who would be cruel to her.
She closed her eyes and thought about all of the new things she would encounter tomorrow in town, along with her important meeting with the village leader, Lord Mikael.
AN: Hey all my amazing readers! This is my first crack at a time travel piece and I'm so excited about it.
The Ring In Return is set right after 2x07 and Caroline is sent back about three years before the Mikaelson's are turned. So I'm sure we all know, but at the time of 2x07 no one knew who the Mikaelson's were.
Each chapters title comes from a song on my iTunes, so that should be fun.
Chapter one: Time & Confusion is from Anberlin's Never Take Friendship Personal album.