Hearts At War

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Winter 1864

Winter had started early that year, the snow heavy upon the ground before Autumn was even truly gone.

This was also when the soldier returned from war in the South. Dark, bitter war.

He walked through the snow, boot clad feet almost dragging, bag over his shoulder.

No one else would be back yet. But then, no one else in their regiment had been thrown out.

The snow was more than grey from where it had been trodden on, rolled over. Everything.

Mystic Falls was a picture of beauty, the young soldier had to admit, but through the silence, he was still half hearing the screams echo through his mind.

He let out a sigh now as he stood before the long drive, heart racing against his chest-

No other man had been thrown out of the army for being the one who enjoyed taking life so much. It had become such a part of him, killing on the battlefield...

He'd been sent home to try and gain some sense.

To stop the killing.

His house was magnificent, as were all the houses around here. But his own was the biggest, for they had been the first family to live in the place that was called Mystic Falls. Generations ago now, but still the same.

They were the Original Family.

The Mikaelson Family

As the young soldier reached the door, he dropped his bag to the floor and paused a second before knocking twice.

A moment later, it was opened, and the maids eyes widened, going. "Master Niklaus-! We were not expecting you to... oh, the Master and Mistress are out at the moment. Only-"

"It is fine. The fire is roaring?"

"Yes."

"Then that is all I require." Niklaus sighed, picking up his bag and walking inside, the maid wondering why the young man was back. Masters Elijah, Finn and Kol were still out in the field of battle... And Niklaus was back already.

What had he done now-?

The footsteps running down the stairs made Niklaus look up, then spy his little sister, smiling as she ran down and threw herself into his arms, going. "Nik! Oh you are alive!"

"Of course I am alive Bekah." He chuckled, holding her tightly, thankful for the letters she had sent next to everyday for him, telling him he wasn't alone.

Rebekah stepped back now, then frowned, blonde hair quivering a little. "Why are you back Brother? Elijah and the others are still fighting."

Niklaus fell silent, then sighed. "They said I could come home."

He couldn't do it. See that crestfallen look upon her face when she found out about him being a cold blooded killer so well and truly. It would destroy her.

"Oh! That is brilliant." She smiled, then her face fell. "Then why is our brothers still out there-? Nik?"

"I have no idea my dear. Write to them."

"I shall..." Now Rebekah looked to his clothes and went. "You look starved to death. Covered in blood and mud. Get out them now while I fetch you some more clothes."

Niklaus watched her bustle off, her soft cream dress fanning behind her-

She was such a good little girl.

-x-

Caroline knew that she was pregnant... and was more than terrified.

Who the father was... she didn't know. She couldn't remember... some soldier she had met a month ago.

She sat there outside her home, still feeling utterly numb as she folded her arms over her stomach, almost hoping that if she ignored the problem, it would go away.

But it never would. She knew it well.

Knew she was an outcast from now on.

"Caroline?"

She jumped a little at that, then turned around to see her mother, smiling a little. "Yes Mother?"

"Are you feeling well? Every morning this past week you have been sick." Her mother asked, going to put a hand to her daughters paler than usual forehead, but she made a disparaged sound, batting her away, hastily going.

"I am fine Mother. Really and truly."

Elizabeth Forbes sighed lightly, then nodded. "Good. That is what I would like to hear, my beautiful, perfect little girl."

Caroline felt utterly awkward at that, knowing full well that she wasn't perfect.

She was pregnant... an illegitimate child that would shame her and her family.

Her mother smiled, then went. "Well, back to the wedding plans, yes? We must find you a husband.

"But-"

"No buts Caroline. After your father left us... it's up to you. We need a man in the family, a new link and bloodline. The money is failing and running out my dear... it really is up to you."

"Why do I have to have all these responsibilities-? It's not up to me to save our family-! It is not my fault that Daddy left us!"

Mrs Forbes was silent, then went. "Do not disappoint me."

She then left, and Caroline shook her head a little-

Life was dragging her further and further into the ground... what if... she failed-? She didn't want to marry, really didn't.

And that was how she found herself running down the snowy road towards the quarry, not caring if she fell over a few times along the way.

The tears streamed down her face as she stopped before the ice covered lake, hands and arms shaking from the cold-

Was this really the only way out-?

To her, it was.

Caroline kicked off her shoes, gasping quietly as the snow and ice burned her feet from how cold it was. She rubbed the tears from her eyes, then closed them tightly, letting herself fall forwards into the lightly iced over lake...

The young man heard the splash as he rode his horse along the slightly thawed path, then frowned. His eyes widened, then he urged his horse into a full run, climbing down in a second as he came to the quarry, seeing the pale blue fabric under the ice.

Niklaus ran forwards, no time to even take his shoes off as he dived into the water, internally gasping as he felt the heart stopping coldness eat at him. But he still managed to grab the woman that wasn't moving under the water, yanking her to the surface with a loud gasp of pain from the icy slush.

He dragged her to the side, turning her onto her back, hardly able to get the words- "W-wake u-u-up. Come-e on-n" out from how bad he was shivering.

He remembered his training in the war and turned her onto her side, checking for a pulse. It was very weak.

"Come on-!" he snarled now, then she gasped, the water getting coughed up from her lungs. Niklaus sighed in relief as she whimpered a little, then picked her up into his arms, just about able to carry her to the horse that was watching intently. He climbed up behind so he could keep a tight hold of her, galloping back into the town where he yelled for help.

The effect was immediate, and he soon heard a scream of. "Caroline!"

He felt himself slide off the side of the horse now, collapsing onto the ground with a light grunt of pain, the cold making him next to nod off if it wasn't for the young man picking him up onto his feet, going.

"Come on-"

Niklaus suspected it was Damon Salvatore. They'd never really gotten on, but he knew Damon had gotten out the army earlier.

Lucky bastard.

Rebekah was annoyed when her brother had to change his clothes yet again.

Bloody hell... this was getting beyond the joke.

Niklaus had no idea who he had saved...

Only that the pretty little blonde damsel in distress' name was Caroline.

Well, since there's not many AU/AH Klaroline fics out there, I thought I'd give it a try:) my first attempt at a Klaroline, so be niceXD all the characters will be in this, so yay:) Gonna be hot as well when it gets going, and Klaus is one screwed up guy, so expect some dark stuff;) Pregnant Caroline too! How's that gonna affect the story and their relationship?;D Hope you like and review! I'll continue if enough are interested:) x Nic