I was happy. I was so happy… I remember it, it was beautiful. The sun gazing down as strong warm arms cocoon my frail form, I can feel his lips against my curls and smile, closing my eyes, bringing my hands to embrace the arms around me "do you trust me?"

Leaning back I look up, into those beautiful eyes and without hesitation answer "with my life…"

Looking out the window I smile to myself, it was beautiful "Verity?"

Turning I smile to Elijah, my doting brother "still no word?"

"Not yet, but he will come… mother only sent the message yesterday after all and it has been three hundred years, he could be anywhere" I sigh, reassuring myself more so than him, fiddling with the hem of my pajama top

Looking to my brother's face I find him in thoughtful daze "Elijah, what troubles you?"

An instant smile comes to his handsome face then "I'm merely pondering, I have something I must do"

With that he leaves me and goes towards mothers study, I shake my head and venture forward only to find Kol sitting with his feet on the arm of the leather bound chair reading some sort of magazine "did you know this generation are completely obsessed with looking like ants, I mean look at this woman… I could flick her and she'd shatter!"

I don't respond; merely go to leave the room as he stands, blocking my path "oh are you still bitter about the boy? Come on Verity… it was just a bit of fun"

I move around him then only for the persistent boy to follow "you are such a people pleaser! So one person doesn't like you as a result of your dashing little brother, get over it!"

I continue to march on, ignoring him, he hated this, being screamed at and violent he could handle, even enjoyed to a point for me to disregard him… well he knew I was indignant, and what he had to do

I hear a heavy sigh, the footsteps halting and then the finally "Verity wait … I'm sorry"

I turn then; meeting my brother's stare and ask "for?"

"For getting caught…" he smiles cheekily

With a roll of my eyes I turn from him, only for his grip to be on my arm as he comes to face me "wait, just… I'm sorry I ruined mother's party, for, for injuring the quarterback…"

His head falls then, a hint of shame as he finishes "for disappointing you" looking up to me then with the biggest puppy dog eyes he pouts playfully "forgive me, Sister?"

I smile brightly, cupping his cheek "that wasn't so hard was it?"

Now it was his turn to roll his eyes, his arm rounding my shoulder as we walk "excruciating!"

You see Kol and I have always been close, they say families don't have favorites, but anyone with siblings knows that's a lie. We all have favorites, people we would rather have at our side than others. As children Kol and I didn't get along, but as time passed things changed, his want for a comforting affectionate figure grew; mother was always with Rebekah or Finn, sometimes even Henrick, even though father never raised a hand to us, not literally anyway, he did scare us at times, his pride and ambition were his undoing, and mother? Well, it's a wife's duty to stand by her husband is it not …

Once I get back into my room I quickly change into the green point collar smock dress, sitting at my dresser, comb gliding through my chestnut locks as my gaze turns to the jewelry box before me. Lifting the lid I find a small silver bangle, a lion crest, which I clasp around my wrist. I look to the hand holding the bangle and sigh, on my right hand was a ring, a ring I'd never dream take from my finger, holding my hand out I examine its splendor, the rough cut diamond centered on a white metal with lapis lazuli on each side. My heart clenching in my throat

A loud knock pulls me from my daze, dropping my hand I call "Come in!"

The door opens a slither and their stands the blonde scoundrel I call brother "Verity… Kol and I are going for a drink; would you like to come keep an eye on us?"

I look at his refection and instantly go to decline, however my mind wonders to the night before, the girl whom seemed to captivate him. I may never forgive him for what he did, but I could perhaps return my true brother to our siblings.

"Yes, I would" I can see his face line with delighted shock

I stand then, slipping into my pumps I say "don't over analyze this brother… and I expect some of those fresh fries"

He laughs as we walk out the room "its French fries love"

Meanwhile in a small hotel across town my mother walks into a tea room, her faithful son at her side. She bears a grim smile as she takes a seat beside a man sipping his tea "Ester… we meet at last"

"Hello Drewden, I thought I made it clear you were to stay away…" she states in a calm manner while poring herself a cup

The dark haired boy looks over her shoulder at the chaperone "yes, your lapdog was less than pleased when we spoke last night, but frankly your lucky I didn't ambush the place and rip their hearts out"

With a shake of her head my mother groans "your putting yourself in danger"

With a shrug he smirks, blue eyes sparkling with rage fuelled delight "and that should matter because… listen, you contacted me remember?"

"And without me you would be exactly where I found you… just remember Drewden, this is for the greater good" she sips at her tea

A bitter laugh escapes the stranger as he speaks "I don't care about your self-righteous excuses old woman, just keep your end of the deal and we won't have a problem"

She looks over him, a far off look in her eye as she reaches to touch the black stone hanging around his lean neck "she really is sorry you know…"

Standing he towers over her, Finn coming to his mother's side as the man snarls "I don't care!" and with that leaves the room.

With a deep breath Ester collects herself, a sad smile at her near triumph.

Despite the awkward tension between Niklaus and me the day is pleasant; we walk into the Grill and up to the bar, all of us hearing about some killer I had no awareness of.

"Oh come on now. Let's not go blaming the new families in town just because you lot have got yourselves a killer at large. Don't mind us. My siblings and I are just here to let off some steam, right Kol?" Klaus smirks to those strangers

Looking to my brothers with a frowned brow I question "Killer? Would someone care to explain?"

"Someone's been knocking off the council members, quite sloppily I might add" Klaus chimes

My hand connects to his arm, the slap making him groan in pain "excuse my brothers; their crass nature makes their tongues unstable. I'm Verity"

The pair shakes my hand, neither seeming to care much for me… I frown at that as they leave and nod to my brothers, encouraging a smile as I look past them "Order me something delicious"

I walk past them and over to the blonde haired boy clearing out a table, carful of his battered bandaged hand "Matthew?"

He turns to me with a sigh and looks over at the men behind me "may I have a moment?"

"I'm working, and I have bills to pay" he says, carrying on with his task

I follow him, tenderly placing my hand on his good arm "please…"

His gaze meets my own then as he laments "fine, you have one minute"

"Firstly I wish to apologize for my brother; Kol can be erratic and unstable… I like you Matthew, you're a good man, anyone can see that and I do hope that despite my brother's actions we could be friends" I offer a timid smile

I see his face fall then, giving me a sorrowful expression "look Verity, your sweet and cool, but I have enough to deal with, all my friends have these drama induced lives, hell, the only one even remotely normal moved to Denver just to get away from it. I don't want that. I'm sorry"

I nod, lump in my throat "I understand… I appreciate your honesty"

I turn and walk back to the bar; disregarding the colorful cocktail my brothers have ordered to snatch the shot from Klaus's hand, feeling the burn as I throw it to the back of my throat "would you like us to dismember him, sister?"

I look to Kol and shake my head "no, just get me more alcohol"

They laugh, as I shudder turning to look over the room, I could feel someone's gaze on me… my heart skipping a beat as I turn back to drink with my brothers

A few dozen drinks later we sit with laughter as Kol turns "I remember her from last night. She looks like a tasty little thing."

I find the girl Niklaus has centered on; I see his face at Kol's words "Say another word and I'll tear out your liver. Caroline!"

I watch their interaction; how she brushes him off without batting an eye, his smile as he follows her "it would seem our brother has gotten a crush"

I pick up my cocktail and nod "so it would seem"

Kol looks at me and raises a brow "you look upset, come on, reveal all your girly feels"

I laugh and lean into him "it's just… my god…"

My attentions are no longer upon my brother; he turns to find a lean man with dark hair and piercing blue orbs "Drewden…"

"Did you miss me?" he smiles with arms wide, I quickly run into his arms

I squeeze him as tight as I can as he twirls me around placing me to the ground he nods to Kol, offering his hand "it's been a long time mate"

Turning back to me he smiles "could we talk, we have so much to catch up on…"

I smile over to my brother and shrug "be a dear and entertain yourself for a bit"

Lifting his glass her smirks "not a problem darling"

Drewden and I sit at a booth, I take his hand in mine, fighting back my tears of joy "words cannot describe how much I have missed you. So, three hundred years…tell me everything"

As he speaks I don't notice the hate in his eyes, the rage lingering, I'm just so happy to see him, to have him close to me once more… I didn't know; how could I?

As we sit I look at him with a wondering feeling "you seem different… and what is that on your face, I leave you alone for a few centuries and you turn into a slob"

I expect a laugh, a smile, but he just stares at me "Drew sweetheart, are you alright?"

My eyes widen as a pain comes to my chest, but there's nothing there, I see his eyes widen in confusion as my body greys and I fall against the table.

During my unconsciousness he stands, lifting my head to see my dead form only to look around and find the doctor and teacher escorting a daggered Kol through the back "interfering mortals"

He picks up my lame body, seeming to be helping a drunken girl and guides me to my mother; she looks at my body as Drewden mercilessly drops me against the green pasture

"What happened?" she asks, kneeling beside my body

In a monotone voice the dark haired boy shrugs "humans"

I feel my fingers twitch, Finn awakening moments before me as he stands looking down to me "why did you bring her here?"

With a smirk on his lips, the man I had so much joy in seeing "so she would know you're going to kill her and everyone she loves, I thought it would be entertaining"

"They're coming, Mother!" are the first words I hear as the fog clears

"No, it's too soon; the moon is not high enough. Go! Quickly!" I rise to see two women escape into the hoary house

I stand to find all my brothers in view "My sons come forward."

"Stay beside me, Mother." I look around in shock and bewilderment, Drewden stepping back into the pentagram as ester speaks "it's okay, They can't enter."

"That's lovely. We're stuck out here, while the favorite son plays sacrificial lamb. How pathetic you are, Finn." Kol snarls as I look to them, what on earth was happening

"Be quiet, Kol. Your brother knows virtue you cannot even imagine." Our mother states with a shameful pride

Finally voicing my thoughts I question "what is all this? What's happening?"

"She has deceived us Verity, using a binding spell she wishes to kill us all, isn't that right mother? However whatever you think of us, killing your own children will be an atrocity." Elijah answers in his soothing tone, my eyes wide and heart sunken

Anger fills my bones as this woman claims "My only regret is that I did not let you die a thousand years ago."

Reaching out my hand I quickly beg "Drewden, come away from her… come to me"

He shakes his head "now why would I do that? Ester's right, you deserve to die!"

My legs crumble then, tears no longer hidden with rage as they scratch down my pale cheeks, a whisper escaping me "Drewden…"

"Enough. All this talk is boring me. End this now, Mother, or I'll send you back to Hell." Klaus calls and for the first time, I agree with him

Our mother only shakes her head as she tries to reason "For a thousand years, I've been forced to watch you. Felt the pain of every victim, suffered while you shed blood. Even you, Elijah, with your claim to nobility, and you Verity whom vows a love for humanity, you're no better. All of you. You're a curse on this Earth. Stretched out over generations. If you've come to plead for your life, I'm sorry; you've wasted your time."

My eyes never leave him, not for a moment until I scream "what have you done to him? What have you done?"

"you did this Verity, you allowed yourself to become a monster. You don't deserve him." she explains with her head held high

My tears are rivers as I scream "You evil slattern! I don't deserve him? You don't deserve us! I always knew you hated me but this… I will destroy you for this!"

She goes to speak then but holts, feeling the power of the Bennet's drain from her, only for Finn to carry her fallen body to safety "So much for that plan…"

I look to him, my darling and plead "Drewden she has poisoned you, please, come home… I love you"

He looks at me for a moment before vanishing, I can't stop it then… I crumble, heartbroken as my as my brothers come to my aid. The stars have never seemed as dismal as my world shattered

Once we get back to the house my body is numb, sat by the window with tears I can't fight them, not now "Verity?"

"Leave me alone Kol" I speak barely above a whisper

He comes to my side, kneels beside me and takes my shaking hand "I just wanted to say goodbye"

This tears me to him as I sob harder "No, Kol please, please don't leave me"

"Hush, it's alright" he pulls me into his arms and I cling to him like a lifeline "I'm not leaving you, I just need to get away for a while… some me time, here"

He hands me a phone and says "my number in in there, Nik helped me with it. Whenever you need me, just call… I'll always be here for you, sister"

I nod and hold him close, before he leaves… Elijah doesn't say goodbye, just leaves a small note on my pillow, he knows he couldn't leave if I asked, he never did have the strength to deny me.

Looking down to my hand I find my ring and swallow hard, wiping at my eyes as I walk down to hear Klaus and Rebekah "look at the markings that precede it. That's the native calendar."

"This can't be right." At my brothers distressed voice I walk into the room, the cool wood against my bare feet

I watch as she holds the phone out showing him something as she confirms "A White Oak tree, 300 years after we fled back to the Old World. There must have been a sapling, a new tree to replace the old. That tree could kill us. It's not over, Nik."

"Well, looks like we have work to do" they turn to me then, seeming confused

Klaus steps forward and questions "Verity, I thought you would have fled with the others"

Shaking my head I walk to them "I'm not going anywhere, not while our family is at risk… we are going to find that tree and burn it to ash, break this bond"

At my leading voice they look at me, Rebekah nods and asks "so, where do we start?"

Looking into the fire, the same fire that now boils in my blood "we find Drewden… we save my son!"

Bet you didn't see that one comeing! Thanks so much for the reviews, please please keep them comeing for more.