The New World - Middle Ages - ca. 1012
"Paget, it's time."
This was the day most of the villagers despised. The one time where they had to be afraid. The wolves were coming.
The wolves and the humans had made a pact that they could live in harmony so long as the human's were out of sight when the moon reached it's fullest. So they hid in places where the wolves would not reach them. Most of the villagers joined the Mikaelson's in the caves not too far from the woods which occupied the north of the village. Others would board up their homes or find shelter up high, these people rarely survived the night.
It is the year 1012, Paget is 12 years of age. Esther bore had two more children since she had given life to the twins. These children were known as Rebekah who is 10 and then Henrik who is 3. Paget spends most of her days caring for her younger siblings and trying her best to keep her older ones out of trouble, especially from the ladies. Esther had of late boarded herself up in her room, sometimes Paget and her siblings could hear her practicing her magic, but they would not dare disturb her. As for Elijah, Finn and Niklaus they were too busy being 'men' as Paget called them. Mikael often had them off into the woods doing heavy lifting for others in the village or receiving lessons from Mikael on how to court women and provide for your family.
"Come on. We must hurry."
The Mikaelson's rushed to gather what supplies they needed and to make sure the house was boarded up as much as possible to prevent any large amount of damage coming to their cabin. Mikael was the one doing most of the commanding, he was pushing Elijah into one room, demanding whatever he needed and then pushing Finn into another.
Mikael was a simple man. He did not need much to survive for he was born of the old world where everything that once mattered to him now mattered not. He was however a strict father and did not allow his children to be foolish for they would suffer the wrath of his hand. One that Paget had suffered at once or twice due to not being home in time for dinner. This was something Mikael was incredibly anal about as he wanted his children to learn the value of food and how nothing should go to waste, which for the Mikaelson children was incredibly hard to follow because as far as children go they found it difficult to eat food that had gone cold.
Rebekah was helping Esther gather some apples from the store cupboard when Paget approached them with an empty flour sack. Rebekah threw the apples into the sack and Paget tied them. Not before long Niklaus came along and took the sack from Paget and gave her a reassuring smile.
Paget took Rebekah's hand and walked out the cabin door with Esther closely behind. The boys were already outside with matching flour sacks thrown over their shoulder's. Mikael hushes Esther out of the cabin and motioned towards the woods. They all started to walk in the direction Mikael indicated, they all knew which way to go for they had done it once a month for every year of their lives but they still let Mikael do his duty to his family and show them the way.
Walking through the forest everything was quiet. The family stuck close together with Mikael continuing to lead the way, the torch in his hand blazing bright against the gloomy dark trees. The children were talking among themselves, Elijah walks over to Paget and gives her shoulder a tight squeeze against him.
"You look like you might freeze walking the way you are." Elijah signs to her.
He was right. Paget was walking, looking at the ground while rubbing her shoulders trying to warm herself.
"Paget, what's wrong? You look like a ghost." Rebekah says outloud.
Rebekah holds her hand and rubs it between her fingers, trying to keep her hand warm.
"I'm quite alright. I just stupidly forgot my overcoat." Paget signs.
Elijah rolls his eyes and laughs.
"Only my sister would forget her coat in the middle of such a cold night." Elijah signs.
Paget gives him a guilty smile.
"We're here." Mikael declares.
"Let's get you nice and warm in the caves, shall we?" Elijah signs to Paget.
The Mikaelson's walk into the caves and settles down in a spot near the entrance.
"There doesn't seem to be as many here as last time." Finn says, taking a good look around.
Elijah tosses a rock out of the cave. "They'll be here. There are much bigger families then ours out there."
Kol scoffs "If they're not dead already."
"Kol! That's an awful thing to say! I'm sure they'll be here soon, right Nik?" Rebekah says
"But of course, little sister. If the nasty wolves haven't got them all...READY!" Niklaus starts to tickle Rebekah, growling, pretending to be a wolf.
"Stop. You're embarrassing your father. You will not behave like animals." Esther says narrowing her eyes at her children.
"Oh but mother we are bored! There's never anything to do in the caves." Kol states, sitting down on a rather large boulder with a 'huff'.
"Fine, Kol. Since you lack entertainment you may watch over Henrik." Esther says with a smirk.
"N-No-No. That's not what-" Esther forces Henrik into Kol's arms. "I meant..." Kol looks to Paget and Rebekah who laugh at his embarrassment and helplessness and then shoots daggers at Elijah, Niklaus and Finn who are falling over themselves laughing.
"Have fun with the baby. Try to avoid upsetting our poor brother." Niklaus whispers to Kol before sitting down.
"What am I meant to do with you, huh? Kol says while bouncing Henrik on his knee.
The bouncing however is too much for Henrik and he throws up on Kol's tunic.
"Perfect."
The New World - Middle Ages - ca. 1018
The market was busy today. The fruit was fresh, the sun was shining and the day was perfect. Paget had been sent to fetch some fresh fruit for the dinner. She quickly scanned over the stalls she passed, there were ones with different types of silverware which weren't actually silver, ones with all sorts of garments and rather revealing clothing and even ones which live animals that were for sale.
Two of Paget's brother's were nearby for they had been told to accompany her however a rather exotic looking lady had caught both of her brother's eyes so she found herself alone. Her and her brother's did not spend as much time together as she would have liked anymore for they had grown into men. Men with stubble and voices that she assumed would sound deep if she could hear them. They had also developed what all boys do when they come of a certain age. A delight in partaking in not-so-innocent acts of pleasure. This puzzled Paget for she did not yet understand the minds of men or more specifically her brother. She may have been a twin but she was nothing like Kol nor her other brothers when it came to finding love.
Now, Kol. He was rather different himself as he preferred to be the practical joker of the family. The trouble maker, and much trouble he did cause.
Mikael was forever telling him to keep out of the way when it came to delicate matters for he would always find a way to either intentionally or unintentionally cause us bother. He was known as the confident, quick-witted Mikaelson however Paget just knew him as the sweet boy who would try to pin her hair back up so she would not get into trouble when it would fall after Paget would wrestle with him. He was her brother and she loved him, no matter what faults he had. It was the same with all of her siblings. She loved them unconditionally, they did make it hard a lot of the time but she tried her best.
As Paget reached the end of the market she realised she had not picked up the items that her mother had asked for. She quickly located the correct stalls and fetched the items, counting them in her head. It was harder then most people realised, pointing at the items she wanted as no one knew how to use her language. She had wanted to teach others the language her and her siblings had created but she doubted anyone would be willing to learn which brought her great sadness as she did want to communicate but she didn't know any other way then to just stand there and point.
She then realised that she had forgotten the parsnip her mother had wanted. She might have put it out of her mind deliberately as she knew exactly what purpose the parsnips served, soup. Ugh how she hated soup. The day her mother, Rebekah and herself would cook soup was never a day Paget enjoyed so she knew that this day was going to be particularly long especially since she could no longer spot her brothers and their current harlot that they were chasing.
Author's Note: I wrote this chapter half in college and half at home. I'm not entirely sure if I'm happy with it but I hope it's alright! As usual please read and review if you don't mind? I'd really appreciate it if you'd take the time to tell me if the story is any good? I'll continue regardless because I have had this in my head way too long. Also a quick question for you all; Would it be easier or just simply better if I put the things that were being signed in italics? or is it okay as it is? Oh and that little excerpt of Paget when she's now 18 well I'll be continuing in that year for a while as she is 19 when DUN DUN DUHHH happens ;)
- SnowBurden