A/N Thank you all for reviewing!

Southern France—1002 A.D

"Kol, are you quite done?"

Kol, who was hungrily on a man on the ground a few feet away, let out a groan of annoyance before he ignored Elijah and continued draining his victim. Behind him were Elijah Klaus, and Finn, who had just finished feeding on their own victims and were dragging bodies over to the cart.

While Kol ravenously fed on his victim, next to him sat Rebekah and Ella. The older female sat cross-legged with their own victim laying in between herself and her niece. Ella, who was still hesitant in slicing the flesh with her fangs, peered over at her aunt who gave her a warm smile.

"It's all new, I know."The blonde's face fell at Ella's anxiety."Come here."

Rebekah patted her lap, and Ella quickly crawled over the half-dead man and sat down on Rebekah's lap. Her aunt, who had been more of a mother to her than her own grandmother had, stroked her hair lovingly before handing her the victim's hand.

"It's all right. It's quite similar to the animals we had to put down to eat, yes?"Rebekah waited until Ella nodded before she gestured down to the man."This is the same. We are hungry, so we feed."

Ella nodded at the reminder, nervousness fading.

Rebekah bit first, free hand squeezing Ella's before the six-year-old followed. Elijah watched them with a tight smile, pleased that Ella wasn't suffering from recent events, but it didn't make watching her or his family drinking blood to survive less troublesome.

It was no good for any of them, let alone a child, but they had to make it work.

Elijah's attention was brought back to his youngest brother who was still feeding.

"Kol!"

"Oh, brother, Elijah!"Kol groused as he got to his feet, rolling his eyes as he let the body drop to the ground."Is all of this truly necessary?"

"Brother, the road is a major thoroughfare—if the bodies are found, word of our presence will spread to Mikael."

Elijah glared at his brother as Rebekah used her sleeve to wipe the blood from Ella's chin before she stood. She took hold of Ella's hand and led her over to their family, standing beside Klaus who took her other hand.

"Come look."

Her uncle led her over to the horse that was still strapped to the carriage and Ella's face lit up as she stroked it. As her brother tended to their niece, Rebekah turned to her elder brothers, mainly Elijah and began to voice her thoughts.

"We have run through autumn and winter, through sleet and snow."Rebekah whined as she walked over to her brother, standing by Kol."Are we cursed to forever live in fear of our father?"

Finn nodded, leaning against the cart."I should say yes, sadly."

Elijah pointed at Finn in annoyance."Finn, please. Niklaus?"

Elijah looked over at Klaus, who was petting the carriage driver's horse, for backup in their argument. As Klaus turned to get involved, Elijah instantly sensed Ella's discomfort. The child looked over her family in worry and Elijah immediately flashed over his daughter, taking her into his arms.

"Are you all right, dear?"Elijah asked, clearly concerned as he saw the glassy look in Ella's eyes."What is it? Are you cold?"

Elijah turned to take fur from the carriage, only stopping when Ella shook her head.

"She fears Mikael."Klaus placed a comforting hand on Ella's shoulder, whispering."It's all right. He scares us all."

Kol's playful expression faded, it being replaced with a fond look he only gave to his niece and sister. He ambled over to the child, wiping the blood from his hands on his tunic. Rebekah's face fell at the child's expression, her eyes glassing over as Ella clung to her father.

"Don't worry, precious; we won't let him hurt you."Kol promised as he knelt in front of the youngest Original, giving her a sincere smile before he looked up at his family."Isn't that right?"

The Mikaelson's all made sounds of agreement, each nodding to establish the vow.

"We'll take care of each-other."Elijah whispered to her, tickling her sides, an expected giggle being his response."Yes?"

Ella's smile returned, and her family stared at her fondly. Elijah smiled at his daughter before he stood once more, Klaus remaining by his side. Elijah was the head of the family, despite Finn's presence, and he saw it as his duty to keep them together.

"Do we have any idea where we're running to next?"Rebekah asked softly, hands on her hips.

Kol's reply was swift and demanding."Why not just do what we've all thought of doing? Split up!"

Klaus shook his head firmly, determined not to make Kol's thought reality."No! We swore a vow!"

"Your vows haunt me more than Father himself!"Kol hissed back at Klaus, lowering his voice so that Ella wouldn't feel frightened."At least he can't chase us all. It's a pity, but if we keep travelling in a pack, there's more chance of him finding us."

"Finding Ella."Kol's tone softened as he gestured to the child who was petting the horse, mumbling so that she wouldn't hear."I say we take our chances and regroup whenever it's safe."

Klaus glared at Kol, not liking the idea of them being separated. Finn, looking torn between the pair, hesitated before speaking.

"Perhaps Kol is right."

"Thank you, Finn!"Kol said to his eldest brother, gesturing to him with a lopsided smirk."You know, I've always said, 'Eldest is the most intelligent-'"

"Stop talking!"Finn demanded.

Kol held up his hands in a mocking fashion, making a show of rolling his eyes. Finn turned to Elijah with an exasperated expression before carrying on.

"I take no joy in our assent, but I do wish to sleep in a bed. To bathe in a bath, to feed of proper food. If we divide-"

Ella piped up with a sound of disapproval, and they turned to see her clutching and Klaus' arm. She hugged his arm comfortingly, her newfound sharp senses noticing his distress.

"No, no, Uncle Finn."Ella yawned, shaking her head with a saddened look."You'll make Uncle Nik upset. We promised, and we don't break promises."

The Mikaelson's angry expressions faded at her words, sharing contrite faces at the fear in Ella's voice. The six-year-old moseyed over to her father with an upset expression that made even Finn look down at his feet with a slightly ashamed look.

Elijah nodded in agreement with his daughter, looking at Kol and Finn for a moment.

He met Ella halfway, leaning down and brushing her hair from her eyes, mumbling a praise.

"Daddy, i'm sleepy."

He took his daughter into his arms, humming soothingly as she yawned once more.

"Ella and Niklaus are right. We made a vow. Family above all."

Elijah turned so that he was facing Klaus, an exhausted Ella on his hip, nodding to his brother fondly. Elijah and Klaus smiled at one another before the elder Original turned to face Kol, Finn and Rebekah.

He held up his hand, clearly stating and vowing once more."Always and forever."

The rest of the Mikaelson siblings shared a meaningful look, glancing at Ella before they all raised their hands in agreement, Klaus smiling as he did so.

"Always and forever."

Thank you for reading!

I'M SORRY THIS IS SO LATE.

Apart from that I really suck as a writer and a person there isn't any reason for this being so late. I hope some are still interested in this; I hope you are.

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