Disclaimer: I don't own anything, everything belongs to those who created 'The Vampire Diaries.'
Bonnie sat on the floor of her room and stared tiredly at the array of grimoire's spread across her floor. She'd searched every one of them and found nothing that could help her. Whatever spell that Esther had used required a great deal of power, something Bonnie did not have at the moment. Mystic Falls was in chaos. Stefan was spending his days on the hunt for the cure while Damon watched over Elena. Jeremy was out trying to kill every vampire he meets and Matt was spending his time trying to keep Jeremy from killing every vampire he meets. Caroline was missing, which was the problem at hand that Bonnie was currently working on. Caroline's Mom was demanding answers, wanting to know where her daughter was and Bonnie couldn't give her a straight answer.
Bonnie didn't know.
Bonnie had no idea where Esther had sent her, only that she'd displaced Caroline in time somewhere. As she recalled the events of that night which was several months ago, she thought of Esther's surprised, if not shocked face upon seeing Caroline. It struck Bonnie as suspicious that the older witch would be so unsettled by Caroline's appearance. Esther had all but fled the scene the moment she sent Caroline away, realizing that the full moon was lost to her until another opportunity arose. She had been surrounded by vampires and hybrids alike, and didn't stand a chance against them by herself.
Her phone rang from atop her bedside table and she glanced back at it with a sigh. She knew who would be calling her too. Tyler had been calling her for months now for news, to find out if Bonnie had figured anything out yet. She hated to hear the disappointment in his voice when she had nothing to tell him. He'd gone so far as to confront Klaus and ask for help, despite his hatred of his former sire. Klaus didn't know anything either unfortunately, but offered up a witch he knew to help them instead. That witch hadn't been much help either much to Bonnie's dismay. She had been vague and it was clear to Bonnie that the witch was giving all of them the run around.
Bonnie reached over and picked up the phone, tapping the answer button on the screen before speaking, "Hey Ty."
"Hey Bonnie," Tyler's voice sounded rough and tired over the phone.
"How are you?" Bonnie asked tiredly, running hand through her hair.
"I've been alright," Tyler said quietly, the sound of glass clanging against a wooden table could be heard on the other end. He must be drinking bourbon again, Bonnie thought sadly.
"That's good," Bonnie replied softly, "How's Hayley?"
"Bonnie," Tyler cut her off roughly though his voice was calm and even, "Let's just skip the pleasantries ok? Did you find anything?"
"No," Bonnie said solemnly and felt her heart drop at the sound of silence on the other end.
"Where never going to find her are we?" Tyler said quietly, sorrow in his voice.
"Ty," Bonnie said gently, knowing that he was close to his breaking point, "I'm doing everything I can."
"I know," he replied, "It's just been months Bonnie….months and we haven't found anything. Not a trace….we have no idea where she is at all."
"Don't give up on her Ty," Bonnie said softly, "We have to keep trying."
"I would never give up on her," he scowled darkly into the phone, "never."
"That's what I want to hear," Bonnie smiled, "hope."
"I gotta go," Tyler replied, "Hayley's back."
"Alright," Bonnie said and then added, "Goodnight Tyler."
He'd already hung up.
Bonnie let out a long sigh and stood up, stretching out her stiff muscles and decided to go make something to eat, and then maybe take a shower and watch TV. She needed to relax a little bit before she started searching again.
Miles away in the cellar of the Lockwood house where Klaus kept a secret room, which was actually his room to be honest, he sat by the fireplace and stared thoughtfully into the flames. He heard the conversation that took place between the Bennett witch and his unruly hybrid. The young man upstairs was desperate to find his lost love, desperate enough to forget his plight against his sire. Klaus had not been surprised when the young man showed up on his door step asking for help. Yet again he was put into a position to save the damsel in distress, who always seemed to be Caroline. He could have helped Tyler, but he didn't.
He wouldn't allow anyone to take from him the days that he had with her, the days when he was human and the world was bright and shining. He could remember the first time he saw her as a human, her golden hair shining in the sun and her blue eyes bright like sapphires. He'd been intrigued by her of course, her beauty was remarkable, though his mind was held captive by another beauty, one with long dark hair and bright brown eyes. Tatia had been the epitome of everything a man could have wanted in a wife. She was smart and beautiful, with the elegance and grace of a woman of the noble class.
In truth, he had wanted her once.
Caroline went against everything that he knew. She was stubborn and unruly, and she said and did things that completely baffled him. He'd never met a woman who acted as she did, so determined to be a man's equal. Caroline was wild like him, her penchant for breaking rules was as bad as his was. She drew him away from Tatia with her smile, and the way her eyes would flash in anger when he said something she didn't like. He was drawn like a moth to the flame, and as a young man he didn't know how to speak to her. She baffled him into silence with her brave words, the way she was so determined to wield a sword or ride a horse like the men do. The more he was around her the more he couldn't seem to shake her from his thoughts. As a young man he hadn't the experience that he did now, and if he knew then what he knows now, he would have been wiser with his actions towards her.
He let out a soft sigh as old memories resurfaced, the days when he'd watch her from afar as she walked through their village with his sister. He'd admire the way her golden hair was accented with flowers and ribbon, framing her beautiful face. He had decided long ago that blue was her color, that she should always wear blue. When he had decided he would court her he thought she understood, but then at the time he had no idea where she'd come from. He began his courtship slowly; giving her gifts that he knew would bring a smile to her face. Then it seemed as if she didn't understand so he made it clearer, and the way that he did that was rather forward he must admit. He couldn't help himself though; he'd spent too many nights lying awake in bed longing for the scent of her hair and the feel of her sweet lips against his.
During that time it wasn't appropriate for a man to kiss a woman, let alone touch them unless they were married. He was careful about keeping his distance; he didn't dare get too close to her least he do something that would make her turn him away. He had finally come up with the idea of his drawing the night he'd allowed his hands to wander thoughtfully towards the laces of her dress, letting his fingers slide over the soft material. He imagined how her breath would catch if he were to pull them loose, and then let his fingers slide over the bare skin of her shoulders and down her back. The fur blanket that was on her bed gave him pause when he'd left that night, a new idea forming in his mind. He waited until she left the next morning to bring her his gift, stealing a piece of her ribbon to tie it closed.
She had been such a vexing creature to woo, because he had no idea half the time what he was doing when it came to her. How many nights had he spent in the woods trying to get her out of his thoughts when he couldn't sleep? She kept him awake at night, her smile haunting his memories. There had been moments when he had longed to reach out and touch her, pull her close to him and let his lips press against hers so that she would know without a doubt that he wanted her. Instead he had to do everything the hard way, following the rules of courtship.
He really hated rules sometimes.
He thought of the her behavior towards him here in Mystic Falls and how many times he'd almost laughed in her face at her harsh words. He'd nearly called her a liar so many times, because he knew her too well not to know when she was lying to him. She enjoyed being with him and looking at his artwork, he saw that in her eyes. She may have been angry and rude with him about his control over Tyler, but he didn't want that unruly hybrid touching what belonged to him.
He simply couldn't tell her that.
She had no idea, but she belonged to him. She was his and she always would be. He let her harsh words roll off his shoulders because she had no idea what she was saying to him. She didn't know him yet, so he couldn't hold it against her. He couldn't pretend though that they didn't hurt from time to time, especially after what he told her at the decade dance. She'd all but laughed in his face but he'd been right though.
She did show up on his doorstep.
A Thousand Years into the Past…..
"I don't see the point of this," Caroline said dryly as she watched Rebekah climb the tree.
"I just want to see what my brothers are doing," Rebekah told her as she peered through the branches down at her brothers who were all gathered down by the creek.
"You're spying on them," Caroline hissed under her breath, fearful that they would hear them.
"Oh don't be dull," Rebekah said with a scowl, "My brothers are always teasing me, it's time I had a little revenge."
"Like what?" Caroline asked skeptically.
"Hand me a snowball," Rebekah said as she kept her eyes on her brothers down below.
"What?" Caroline asked incredulously.
"Make a snowball and hand it to me," Rebekah demanded, looking at her expectantly.
"Bossy," Caroline muttered with irritation and made a snowball, her bare hands burning from the cold of the ice as she handed it up to Rebekah.
"Just a little closer brother dearest," Rebekah sang under her breath as she waited for Elijah to take another step backwards. When he was in range she threw the snowball with all her strength, hitting Elijah square on the back. She giggled and ducked down, keeping out of sight when Elijah whirled around and turned his offended gaze on his other brother Kol. Kol was looking at him with wide eyes, and the frowned at the accusing glare Elijah was giving him, "What? I didn't do it."
"Stop fooling around Kol," Elijah said darkly, "Father will be cross."
"I haven't done anything," he retorted smartly, "Although it was an excellent idea."
"How about the both of you stop fooling about and help me carry this wood?" Klaus suggested as he looked at his two brothers.
Both Kol and Elijah made a face and proceeded to help Klaus. Rebekah watched it all take place from her hiding spot up above and snickered at the interaction. "Make me another," Rebekah whispered to Caroline. Caroline shook her head and did as she asked, and when she finished she handed it up to Rebekah.
"I don't think this is a good idea," Caroline muttered though she couldn't keep the grin from curving her lips at the look of outrage that Elijah had on his face.
Rebekah waited until Kol had his back turned and threw the snowball, hitting him on the shoulder. He wheeled around and glared darkly towards his unknown assailant and frowned when he spotted Elijah just behind him. "Now who's fooling around?"
"I've got this," Klaus whispered with a smirk as he motioned with his eyes towards the tree's overhead. Kol kept his face neutral but glanced up towards the trees and then turned away, a smirk on his lips.
Klaus lifted a few logs of wood up into his arms and trudged up the hill, feigning ignorance as he passed the tree that Rebekah was hiding in. Caroline ducked down into the overgrowth around the tree, hoping that Klaus hadn't seen her. She couldn't help but stare at him; he was handsome even when he was sweaty and tired. She realized this would be the first time she'd seen him sense she found his drawing, and became nervous when she thought of talking to him. She had no idea whether she should say anything at all, or if she should wait for him to say something instead.
It was then that she realized Klaus was gone and Caroline stood up, failing to hear Rebekah's whispered cry of warning as she did so. It was too late however to duck back down as the snowball flew out of nowhere and hit her on the shoulder.
"Oh!" Caroline said as she blinked away her surprise. Klaus peered at her from behind a tree and smirked at her, "Nobody could possibly hide in such muted surroundings."
"Oh I don't know," Caroline said with a smile, "Some people are quite capable."
"Clearly not you," he replied as he approached her, "or my sister."
"Oh how did you know I was up here?" Rebekah said with a pout as she climbed down out of the tree.
"Only you would seek to make us bicker amongst ourselves for amusement." Klaus chuckled lightly.
"I'm not so very cruel as all that Nik," Rebekah huffed.
"You must be bored sister dear," he commented lightly, "perhaps you would like to come and help us then?"
"A lady doesn't do such manual labor," Rebekah said airily with her chin in the air.
"You don't seem to protest when handling a blade," Klaus reminded her smartly.
"A woman can handle a blade if she wishes too," Rebekah told him.
"As for you," Klaus said as he turned is gaze towards Caroline, the tone of his voice not giving away the slightest bit of anything. "Her accomplice,"
"I was only making sure she didn't fall out of the tree," Caroline told him frankly.
"I wonder how what I should do with you both," he mused aloud and smirked at the look of outrage on Rebekah's face.
"Make them do chores Nik!" Kol called from down below near the creek.
"Oh shut it will you!" Rebekah called down to her other brother.
"You can't make me do anything I don't want too," Caroline said frankly as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"You think so?" he said with a grin, his eyes glittering with something she tried not to think too much about. He was looking at her intently, his blue eyes fixed on her face.
"Yep," Caroline said bravely and turned away from him to head back towards the huts. She yelped when another snowball hit her back. "Nik!" she snarled and wheeled about to look at him, only to be greeted by another snowball across her other shoulder. She bent down and made a snowball and then threw it at him, pleased to see the look of surprise on his face when it him on the arm.
From there it turned into frenzy of snow and laughter, most of the snow being from Rebekah who was determined to get her revenge on her brothers. Caroline had run half way down the hill as she kept turning her gaze behind her to make sure she wasn't being followed. She gasped when two strong arms caught her by her shoulders and pressed her back into a tree, blinking up in surprise at the smug face of Klaus.
"Got you," he murmured with a smile.
"So you think," she replied cheekily.
"I don't see how you could escape me," he told her honestly as he gazed down at his hands which held her shoulders firmly against the tree.
Caroline tried not to notice how close he was to her, his body inches from hers. She could feel the heat of his skin so close to hers, his breath fanning her face. They stood there for a few moments like that, as if he were deliberating something before releasing her and taking a step back. "You should probably get back to the village."
"Probably," Caroline agreed with a nod.
Awkward.
Caroline stared at him as he stared right back at her and the two of them seemed to be at a loss for words. Caroline was the first to break the silence but flashing him a polite smile and then turning to head back up the hill. He watched her go with hooded eyes and she couldn't help but feel slightly nervous because of it, Sometimes the way he looked at her unnerved her, because it was a look of hunger and need, and she feared at times he would give into such desires and she would be consumed by him. He reminded her of his future self in these moments, when he watched her like a wolf watches its prey, as if waiting for the right moment to pounce. He confused her sometimes too, because it seemed as if he wanted her and then he'd pull away from her like she'd burned him.
Back in the village she met up with Rebekah who had a solemn look on her face.
"What's up?" Caroline asked curiously.
"Mother wants me to go and fetch her some wolfs bane." Rebekah replied quietly.
"Why?" Caroline asked with a frown.
"I don't know," she told Caroline as she started towards the forest with a basket slung over one arm, "Come with me? I don't want to go alone."
"Alright," Caroline agreed and followed along beside her.
They walked for what seemed like miles into the forest before they found the small patch of wolfs bane nestled in the overgrowth. There wasn't much left because of the snow, and both Rebekah and Caroline had to dig into the snow to find more. Caroline glanced up while she worked, catching sight of the smoke rising from the other village nearby. "I wonder what's over there," Caroline mused lightly as they filled Rebekah's basket with the withering plants that they found.
"We aren't to go over there," Rebekah told her with a shake of her head as they both stood up and wiped their hands off.
"I just want to look," Caroline told her quietly as she walked through the trees towards the smoke.
"Caroline," Rebekah hissed under her breath, "It is forbidden!"
"I'll be quick," Caroline replied softly, "You stay here and wait for me."
"You can't honestly think I'll just stay here and wait for you," Rebekah said dryly as she hurried after her friend.
"Then come with me," Caroline whispered softly as the two hurried through the trees.
"If my Father finds out that we were out here will both be whipped," Rebekah warned her seriously.
"Who is your Father anyways?" Caroline asked irritably, "The lord of the village or something?"
"He's the wealthiest man in the village," Rebekah told her, "He's owns the most land. People respect him for it."
"Well that shouldn't mean he gets to tell everyone what to do," Caroline said with a frown.
"He helps anyone who is struggling with their harvest Caroline," Rebekah told her quietly, "He takes care of everyone."
There was a noise to their left, the rustling of leaves in the distance and both girls jumped at the sound. "We shouldn't be here," Rebekah hissed worriedly.
"No you shouldn't," said a voice from the trees above their head.
A man dropped down out of the trees and looked at them both curiously, his gaze shifting between the two women. "You are not allowed to be here," he told them frankly.
"Were sorry," Rebekah said hurriedly, "We'll leave right away."
"No need," the man chuckled lightly, "I will not harm either of you."
"You're from the village over there?" Caroline asked curiously as she nodded her head towards the smoke that was rising above the trees in the distance.
"I am," he smiled with a polite nod of his head, "I am called Deren," he said, his eyes full of amusement.
"I'm Caroline," she replied politely with a smile and then added, "and this is Rebekah."
"Hello," Rebekah said warily, watching the man intently.
"Well then," he asked said casually as he looked at them curiously, "What brings you two all the way out here?"
"We were just fetching some herbs for my mother," Rebekah said vaguely.
"Wolf's bane," he commented lightly with a deep inhale of breath, "If I'm not mistaken."
"Mother uses it for her remedies," Rebekah explained quickly, worrying that the man would take offense.
"No need to explain," he chuckled as the noted the worried look on Rebekah's face.
"Who's up there Deren?" called another voice from farther away.
"Just two lost little geese wandering in the woods," Deren replied with a smirk.
"I see," said an older man who walked up beside Deren and gazed at both Caroline and Rebekah. Caroline suppressed the urge to gasp as she looked at the man. He held a startling resemblance to Klaus, which meant that this man could possibly be Klaus's Father.
"You two shouldn't be out this far into the woods alone," the man told them carefully with a serious look on his face, "There are other dangers out here aside from us."
"Real wolves, for example," Deren added as he shifted his gaze between the two women.
"Were going home right now," Rebekah told them both quickly.
Caroline was surprised by Rebekah's demure behavior. Rebekah had never been one to follow orders as she did just then. She must truly be frightened, Caroline thought as she gazed at the other woman.
"Good thing too," the man said with a nod, "It'll be dark soon."
"Good day to you both," Rebekah said politely and grabbed Caroline's hand, pulling her along behind her as she headed back towards their village.
"Mind the path," Deren called as he watched them go, "I've seen a few bears out in the woods lately."
"As if we weren't frightened enough," Caroline muttered under her breath and grimaced at the sound of Deren's laughter at her words.
"This is all your fault," Rebekah hissed as they reached the clearing where they'd found the wolfs bane. "If you'd only have listened to me we would never have been caught."
"We didn't even get in trouble," Caroline told her as she yanked her hand from Rebekah's grasp and fell into step beside the other woman. "You're being dramatic."
"I am not," Rebekah said with a huff, "I'm being smart."
"You're being paranoid," Caroline told her frankly.
"They could have kidnapped us Caroline," she hissed angrily, "They could have taken us back to their village and kept us there."
"I doubt that," Caroline said dryly.
"These woods are dangerous," Rebekah told her seriously, "There are robbers and werewolves and bears and wolves…" Rebekah babbled on angrily.
"So why didn't you bring one of your brothers with us? Why would your Mother send you alone?" Caroline asked skeptically.
"Well," Rebekah began with a frown and then fell silent when she didn't have an answer.
"Because your Mother knew that you'd be perfectly safe," Caroline told her with a smile.
"She didn't know we'd be going off into the wolves' territory Caroline," Rebekah muttered darkly.
"It's not like we went to their village or anything Rebekah," Caroline told her warily as they entered their village.
"You really don't get it do you?" Rebekah snapped angrily, "If they'd been upset about us being there it could have ended the peaceful agreement we have with them. They could have driven us all out of our village and made us leave."
Caroline frowned at her words, not having thought of that beforehand. She could have caused a lot of problems had the wolves been angry that they were there and it would have been all Caroline's fault. "I'm sorry," Caroline said quietly after a long pause, "I wasn't thinking."
"No you weren't," Rebekah said quietly, "and apology accepted."
After a moment of silence between them Rebekah added, "Deren was quite handsome wasn't he?"
Caroline laughed at her words and shook her head, amused by Rebekah's ability to shift her moods so quickly. "Yes, I suppose he was."
"Who was?" Klaus asked as he approached them. He looked tired as he stood before them, his hands caked in dirt and his hair plastered against his neck and forehead with the sweat that beaded across his skin. Caroline stared at him for a moment, the dark look on his face telling her that he'd heard their conversation or at least part of it.
"Nobody," Rebekah said cheerfully and smiled up at her brother, "I was just admiring one of the men here in the village."
Caroline was grateful for Rebekah's quick words, though she could tell that Klaus wasn't completely fooled just yet. He shifted his gaze between them suspiciously and then fixed his intense stare upon Caroline's face. "Where did you two go?"
"We went to get some wolfs bane for your Mother," Caroline explained with a smile that she tried desperately to make believable.
He frowned at her and then turned his gaze away and nodded without saying anything. "Mother's expecting you," he told Rebekah quietly, "Go."
Rebekah frowned up at him and opened her mouth to protest against his overbearing behavior but thought better of it and walked off. The moment she was gone Klaus rounded on Caroline, a his eyes dark with anger. "You're lying to me."
"Nik," Caroline said gently but fell silent at the look on his face. He knew she was lying to him and there wasn't any point in trying to hide it anymore.
"I told you I wouldn't hide from you anymore," he said quietly, though Caroline knew that when he was this calm it was because he was furious, "and yet you hide things from me now."
"We went to look at the wolves' village," Caroline hissed under her breath, "It's my fault so don't get mad at Rebekah. She didn't want to go."
"Are you mad?" he growled angrily at her, "You could have both been killed."
"We didn't even make it to the village," Caroline said quietly, "They caught us before we could see it."
"They caught you?" Klaus echoed with wide eyes.
"I'm sorry," Caroline said softly, flinching away him his burning gaze, "It was stupid of me."
"What happened?" he demanded in a soft whisper.
"Nothing, they just told us to leave and that we shouldn't be out so far into the woods," Caroline replied quietly.
He gritted his teeth for a moment in anger, struggling to remain calm despite his rage. "You could have both been killed."
"But were ok," Caroline told him plainly, "and I can take care of myself just fine thank you."
"Oh really?" he said, his blue eyes stormy as he gazed at her. "You think so?"
"I do," Caroline said with a nod of her head.
He stared her down for a few moments, his jaw set and his eyes dark and angry. Then without warning he scooped her up in his arms and threw her over his shoulder, Caroline squealing in surprise as he did so. He then proceeded to walk back towards his family's hut with Caroline over his shoulder, his left arm wrapped around her legs that dangled down in front of his chest.
"Put me down you big jerk!" she shrieked angrily.
"I thought you said you could take care of yourself?" He asked sarcastically.
"Arg!" Caroline growled angrily, trying to kick him in the stomach but failing to do so because of the tight grip on her legs.
"Niklaus," Esther said in surprise as she watched them approach, "What are you doing?"
"I'm sorry Mother," he said apologetically, "but she was being obstinate, I had no choice."
"Put me down!" Caroline howled in rage.
"Put her down Niklaus," Esther said sternly.
"Oh let him be Esther," Mikael said as he came out of the hut to observe the situation, "Aiyanna is lucky to have Niklaus's help, seeing as she has no men in her household to help control the girl."
Great, the one time and only time that Mikael actually sides with Klaus.
"Put me down!" Caroline growled into Klaus's back as he entered his families hut.
He casually flipped her back over and dropped her down onto her feet before him with a smug look on his face as he stared down at her.
"You can't make me do anything! I'm not part of your household!" Caroline snapped furiously, her blue eyes flashing with anger.
"Yet," he said as he leaned in towards her, a smug grin on his face. Caroline's mouth dropped open at his audacity, and his smug grin grew even wider at her shocked expression. She glared up at him and then tried to step around him, only to have him block her path. The smug grin remained on his face as he repeatedly hindered her egression.
"Move!" she snarled at him and he laughed, the anger in his eyes turning to amusement, "Did you just snarl at me?"
"Get out of my way! I'm leaving!" she snapped, trying to shove him out of her way but he easily caught her by the waist and pulled her back, settling her down in front of him again.
"You're not going anywhere until I say you can," he told her frankly.
"You can't make me stay here," she said with a frown.
"Yes he can," Rebekah said idly from her room at the other end of the hut.
"I can do as I please," Caroline said, her voice low and calm as she met Klaus's amused gaze.
"You will do as I say," he replied easily, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Alright," Esther cut in as she entered the hut, "Caroline, come…" she said, motioning with her hand for Caroline to follow her.
Caroline glowered at Klaus who chuckled at her expression and then turned to follow Esther. Esther glanced up at Caroline as she approached and then turned towards the steel pot that hung over the fire pit and scooped out something that looked suspiciously like soup and poured it into a bowl. "Sit," Esther said, motioning towards the table and then set the bowl on the table where she had motioned for Caroline to sit, "Eat."
Caroline shifted her gaze between the bowl and Esther before sitting down and peering cautiously into the bowl. It smelt delicious, like chicken and vegetables.
"Niklaus," Esther said casually without looking at him, "Go and fetch me some more fire wood please."
"But Mother," he said with a frown as he glanced at Caroline and then back at Esther.
"Now Niklaus," Esther said firmly and watched her son sulk for a moment and then turn and leave. When he was gone Esther looked up at Caroline with a serious expression on her face. "I understand you and my son have become quite close recently."
"Um…"Caroline began, unsure of where Esther was going with this. She held her hand up for silence and Caroline did as she requested, listening intently to what Esther had to say.
"Although I am pleased that my son would chose such a lovely and bright young lady such as yourself, I am concerned." Esther said gently, "You are not from this time, and you have nothing to your name. You have no title or land, no cattle or means to buy any. You have no dowry to give my son."
"Dowry?" Caroline said with wide eyes as the implications of Esther's words sunk in, "You think that I'm going to marry your son?"
"He seems intent upon it," Esther said mildly surprised by Caroline's reaction, "I would have thought you would be aware of it."
"I…he…courting," Caroline said with a look of confusion on her face.
"Yes, he's been courting you for some months now I believe," Esther said with a nod, "You two are a good match and the only logical next step is a hand fasting ceremony."
"I don't have a dowry," Caroline said quietly though still very confused as to why everyone was insistent upon her marrying him.
"Did you bring anything with you? Jewelry…perhaps your clothing might fetch a price at the market." Esther suggested lightly.
She still owed her a new pair of boots.
Caroline made a face at the thought and turned her gaze away from Esther as she stared thoughtfully into the fire pit. "My grandmother's ring," she said softly, "It's made of gold."
"You and Niklaus will need money if you intend to start your own household," Esther told her as she prepared dinner, "He will have to build you a home for the both of you to live in as well."
"Wait a minute," Caroline said in a huff, holding her hands up to stop the conversation at hand, "I never said I was going to marry him."
"You accepted his gifts, you spent time with him. He was courting you Caroline." Esther replied seriously.
"She's right you know," Rebekah said as she walked out into the main room, "Niklaus means for you to be his wife."
"This is crazy," Caroline moaned aloud as she put her face in her hands.
"Some marriages start out with friendship," Esther began gently, "and they slowly develop into love over time. If you do not love my son now, you will perhaps come to do so eventually."
"I'd say she's got a fairly good chance of that," Rebekah said knowingly.
"Rebekah," Caroline said with a frown as she glanced at her.
This was all too much, Caroline thought quietly. How could she give up her life in Mystic Falls, give up Tyler to stay here and marry Klaus?
Tyler.
It burned her to think that she hadn't spared him a thought in months, so distracted by Klaus that she barely felt the pain of his absence. She had thought she'd loved him, that he was her true love. Tyler would be missing her right now, Caroline thought sadly. He would probably be going out of his mind with worry too. Caroline felt shame as she thought of this, knowing that while he was frantically searching for her she hardly thought of him at all. It made her feel like a bad person and a terrible girlfriend.
"Caroline?" Esther said with a frown as she noticed the other girl's look of sorrow, "Is something wrong?"
"I'm sorry," Caroline said quietly, "I need to go think for a while."
"Of course," Esther said as she watched Caroline get up and leave.
Outside the fading sunlight flickered over the many huts scattered through the village. Caroline walked quickly with her eyes on the ground thoughtfully, unable to deal with any more drama. She heard Klaus calling to her, his voice carrying across the distance as he said her name. She couldn't look at him, let alone talk to him right now.
She could only dwell on her life back in Mystic Falls and everything that she was giving up if she chose to stay here. They had no way to get her home but that didn't mean she couldn't find another witch to help her. She liked Klaus, she truly did care for him but did she care enough about him to marry him? These people lived their lives so differently than she did back in Mystic Falls. People got married and had kids when they were barely in their twenties, and a woman's life goal in seemed like during this time was to make a good match and have a family. Caroline had nothing to give Klaus other than her grandmother's ring which she knew she would be sad to give up. Her grandmother had once told her though that the ring was meant to bring her hope when she had none. Selling the ring so that she had money to survive on in this time would definitely meet those requirements.
Tyler was another problem entirely. She had no way to explain any of this to him and no way to say goodbye. He would spend the rest of his life wondering what had happened to her. Caroline frowned deeply, the idea of him spending his life wondering about her was sad. She wished she could give him some kind of comfort but she had no way of doing that. Why had Esther sent her here at all? Was it because Caroline was supposed to be here to marry her son? Was it because she meant for Caroline to change history and save Esther's children? It won't be easy living in this time, Caroline knew. She'd spent ten months here already and it wasn't easy. People had to fight to survive here, and honestly Caroline had never realized how wonderful electricity was. It was so cold out in the woods and even inside by the fire she was still cold. She sorely missed having a heater and a hot shower.
She knew she would have to let Tyler go in order to be with Klaus. It had always seemed to come down to this; that she would be like Elena one day, caught between two men that cared for her deeply. She would not be like Elena though in that matter, she would choose one and her decision would be final. She wouldn't string them along like Tatia did to Elijah and Klaus for so long. She had more respect for Tyler and Klaus then that. If she was going to stay here with Klaus then it would be upon her own terms and nobody was going to force her into something she didn't want to do.
She had so many plans before Esther had sent her here.
She was going to go to college and then when she graduated she'd marry Tyler and everything would be alright. Unfortunately those plans changed thanks to the crazy witch with the finger of doom. Now she was trapped a thousand years into the past with no friends or family.
She had to start over, begin a new life here.
Klaus could be part of that life too, she thought quietly. He could make her happy, she knew it. He was always looking out for her and she knew he would be determined to keep her safe and happy if she agreed to be his wife. She imagined what it would be like to stay here and live with him and his family. She figured once Esther turned her children that she could teach Klaus to turn her as well. That thought of course made her wince, because she now realized she would be the reason the siblings even knew how to create more vampires.
Caroline returned to the village just as the sun disappeared behind the mountains. The villagers were already lighting the torches that lined the pathway between the huts as she walked past them, staring thoughtfully ahead of her. She returned to her hut and went to lie down on her bed, ignoring Aiyanna's concerned look as Caroline curled up under the blankets on her bed and closed her eyes. She needed to sleep on it, and maybe in the morning when she woke up she'd feel better.
Morning came, the light filtering through the gaps in the roof above her bed. Caroline groaned aloud and rolled out of bed and stumbled out into the main room sleepily where Aiyanna was already up and making breakfast. "You slept in late," Aiyanna pointed out casually.
"Long night," she muttered quietly.
"I can imagine," Aiyanna said as she watched her, a thoughtful look on her face.
"What?" Caroline asked with a frown.
"Nothing," Aiyanna said and shook her head, shifting her gaze away from Caroline's face and back to her work.
"You know that Esther spoke to me, didn't you?" Caroline said quietly.
"I do," Aiyanna admitted.
"You could have warned me that she planned on ambushing me like that," Caroline said grumpily.
"Esther has every right to be concerned about the welfare of her son and the woman he chooses to be his bride." Aiyanna told her frankly.
"Ok, I wish everybody would just stop talking like I'm agreeing to marrying him already," Caroline said irritably, "Where I'm from, this is not how it's done."
"Well this isn't your time, it's ours," Aiyanna said seriously, "We do things differently here, and we take marriage seriously. I don't know what it's like in your time, but here, a man doesn't so much as touch a woman without her permission."
"Another rule broken," Caroline muttered quietly as she thought of the way Klaus had carried her back to his family's hut.
"He did what he had too," Aiyanna said as if reading her mind, "He was protecting you."
"He was being an overbearing ass," Caroline growled darkly.
"Nevertheless," Aiyanna told her with a pointed look, "He meant well."
"I need to find him," Caroline said thoughtfully.
"Yes, you do, he needs an answer. He's already asked permission from me and I gave him my blessing as long as you consent." Aiyanna told her honestly, "Caroline if we cannot find a way home for you, Niklaus is your best chance at a new life here."
"I don't know what to say," Caroline said with a frown.
"Do what you believe is right." Aiyanna told her frankly and turned to leave the hut. Caroline watched her go and let out a long sigh, before fixing herself some breakfast. She would have to make a decision at some point. She wondered if she agreed to it could she prolong their engagement until she felt comfortable enough to marry him. This whole thing made her feel sick and confused. The sickness she imagined was from the nerves and her confusion rested upon the fact that she was even considering any of this.
What about Tyler?
Her mind kept screaming that question over and over. How could she do this to Tyler? Should she torture herself with such thoughts? Would Tyler want her to be happy and try and start a new life?
Of course he would.
He'd want her to be happy even if it meant being with someone else. He would understand that she had no way of getting home. That the only witch that could send her home had no idea why she even sent her here and doesn't know the spell to send her back. Caroline had been kidding herself when she thought she could find another witch to send her home. She knew better than to rely on such fool hardy thoughts. Bonnie had once told her that a spell as powerful as the one Esther used must be reversed by the same witch that cast it. Only Esther could send her home and Esther had idea of how to do that.
Caroline pondered all of this while she finished her breakfast and got dressed. Once she did her hair she set out into the village in search of Klaus.
What would she tell him?
Caroline wandered down to the creek side where she knew he'd be chopping wood. It was his turn to do that this morning, while Kol went hunting with Elijah and Finn. She found him there just as she thought she would, and watched him silently for a few minutes while he worked.
"It's rude to stare," he told her quietly.
"I was just…" Caroline began but cut off at the hard look on his face.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly, a frown curving her lips.
"Why are you here?" he asked darkly.
"I just came to see you," Caroline said softly.
"I don't want to see you," he spat coldly.
"What's wrong with you?" Caroline asked, hurt his words. "Why are you acting like this?"
"You don't need to explain," he told her quietly, "I understand."
"No," Caroline said with a shake of her head, "I don't think that you do."
"My Mother spoke to you about an arrangement and you all but ran from my family's hut, I don't think an explanation is required Caroline."
"I was overwhelmed," Caroline said quietly, "I'm not accustomed to the ways of your people."
"What other way is there?" he snarled angrily as he dropped the axe and rounded on her.
"I…" Caroline stammered, unable to bear the hurt in his eyes as he stared at her.
It was rejection in his eyes.
"Nik," she said gently as she walked towards him, "Nik, I wasn't saying no…"
"You really didn't have too," he spat bitterly.
"It's not what you think," she told him gently.
"Then what is it then?" he growled, a frown on his face.
"I'm just….I can't just…." Caroline took a deep breath, calming her nerves before continuing, "I'm not sure if I'm ready to be…hand fasted to you."
"I see," he said with a frown.
"Where I came from…." Caroline began quietly, "I had this whole life planned out for myself. I would go to school and then I'd get married…" she trailed off quietly and then after a long pause she added, "And then I met you and everything changed."
"Your family must have been wealthy if they could afford schooling," he commented lightly, "So you had another suitor? Is this why you refuse me? You still feel for him?"
"I…" Caroline said and frowned, her mind searching for the answer. "Tyler was….I thought he was my true love. Like how you loved Tatia…" she said as she met his gaze, "I thought I loved Tyler…and now I don't know."
"You would go back to him then?" he asked without meeting her gaze.
"I can't…." Caroline said sadly.
"So your heart still belongs to this…Tyler…and you cannot bring yourself to be mine?" Klaus said confusion in his eyes.
"Where I'm from….hand fasting…doesn't happen like this. It takes years…" Caroline tried to explain but stopped at the look of confusion on Klaus's face.
"You come from a strange land then," he said quietly, "To have such a freedom."
"I'm not refusing you," she said gently, "I just don't want to jump into this so quickly."
"I want what I want," he told her quietly, "I want you."
Caroline couldn't help the smile that curved her lips at his words, taking his hand in hers as she stepped closer. "I want to be yours," she whispered softly, "I want to try…but I'm just…." Caroline said with a frown, searching for the words. "I want to take it slow."
"Then let us make a deal," he said quietly as he met her gaze and stepped closer to her, "Be mine…be hand fasted to me. I will give you all that you need….I will wait for as long as you desire so long as you promise to be mine."
"Nik," she whispered softly, trying desperately to find the right words, "Nik I…" Caroline began but was cut off by the sudden way he bent close and brushed his lips against hers, the gentlest of touches that sent shivers down her spine. "Belong to me Caroline," he whispered against her lips, "Be mine and I will give you whatever you desire."
"Alright," she said softly with a nod of her head as she met his intense gaze. He seemed to pause for a moment, as if surprised by her answer. Then while keeping his burning gaze on her face he bent close and pressed his lips against hers again. This time it wasn't soft gentle, it was filled with passion and desire. Caroline's heart was racing as she brought a hand up to rest at the nap of his neck and let herself melt against him, marveling at the feel of his hands on her waist as he pulled her against him. After a moment the broke the kiss and Caroline leaned against him, breathing heavily. "I thought this sort of thing was against the rules?" Caroline asked quietly.
"Not if you're my intended," he murmured into her hair, "I can do as I please now."
Caroline chuckled against his shoulder, amused by the smug way he spoke. "You're so arrogant sometimes Nik."
"You love it," he replied quietly, his hand following the curve of her body so that it came to rest just above her thigh. Caroline was trying very hard not to be distracted by his hand, closing her eyes against the sensations that he was causing in her.
"I should get back to work," he said softly after a long pause.
"Yeah," Caroline agreed with a nod, "I probably should go back and get the water buckets. Rebekah's going to be upset with me if I don't get back to the village and help her."
"True," he agreed quietly though he hadn't moved his hand yet. He used his free hand to tilt her chin up so that he could press another kiss against her lips, biting down on her lower lip gently. Caroline let out a low moan as he did so, spurring him on even more as he pulled her even closer. Finally he broke the kiss and released her, turning away so that he could pick up the axe again and get back to work. "You should go before I'm tempted to do that again," he said with a chuckle.
"Yep," Caroline said breathlessly with a nod and turned to leave, hurrying back up the hill towards the village.
She had to get away from him before she was tempted to do more than just kiss him. She understood what she'd agreed too with him. The Klaus in the future must have had a lot of patience with her, she mused thoughtfully as she walked.
"There you are," Rebekah said brightly as Caroline entered the village.
"I was just down by the creek," Caroline tried to say.
"I know," Rebekah said with a dismissive wave of her wand and smiled at the other woman, "So?"
"What?" Caroline asked with a frown.
"Oh don't play coy with me….are you going to be my sister or not?" Rebekah asked excitedly.
"I am," Caroline admitted and grinned at the bright look of joy on Rebekah's face, "Eventually."
"What?" Rebekah asked with a confused look on her face.
"I can't just jump into a marriage like this…I'm not used to doing things this way." Caroline explained easily.
"So…were not making your bridal gown yet?" Rebekah said with a frown.
"No," Caroline laughed, "We can make one if you want too."
"Oh yes!" Rebekah said excitedly, "You will be the most beautiful bride in the village. I will personally see to it."
"Thank you," Caroline laughed as Rebekah pulled her along towards her family's hut, "You must come and tell Mother the good news."
"I imagine she probably already knows…along with half the village considering how loud you were talking." Caroline said with a grin.
"Oh don't run my fun," Rebekah scowled and pulled her into the hut so they could talk to Esther.
This was going to be a long day.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. So let me know what you think. Did you like it, or hate it? Should I keep going? Let me know.
Thanks to all those who reviewed!