Thank you for all your comments. As you can tell I'm not a historian so I'm sorry about all of the historical inaccuracies.

Chapter 4

Kol immersed his face in cold water. Nothing helped a man to sober up better than making a complete fool out of himself. His father was right, he was a disgrace. Going to Frederik's house had seemed like a good idea when he had been in a tavern. He had planned to march in there and cancel the agreement his father had made. He has had no intention of marrying Frederik's daughter.

That had been before he had seen the girl. It had been dark but that hadn't hid her beauty. He couldn't believe that she wasn't spoken for already. She had no dowry. That must be the reason. Well, that didn't matter. His family had plenty of wealth. And that sweet little creature belonged to him. He would have to thank his father. A marriage didn't sound so bad now.

It wasn't like he would have to do things differently after that. His father would be pleased and he would be free to do what he wanted. And he would have a beautiful girl waiting for him in his bed. Everyone would be happy. Kol sneaked in as silently as possible. He didn't want to wake up Mikael. But he did wake up Niklaus.

"Well, he returns", Niklaus murmured. He didn't bother to open his eyes.

Kol removed his boots and lied down onto his bed.

"I suppose I do not have to ask you where you have been."

"I went to Frederik's house", Kol replied.

Niklaus sighed.

"Oh no. You know father will be furious…"

"I want to marry Frederik's daughter."

Kol heard Niklaus rolling on his side. He could barely see his brother.

"How much did you drink? Have you not always kept saying…"

"Yes, I know", Kol interrupted him. "But this girl is beautiful. And her touch felt delightful."

"What, you claimed your rights already?"

"No, she… she washed my feet."

"Oh. You do know that seals your engagement?"

Kol hadn't really thought about it. He wasn't very familiar with all the marriage traditions. Then he remembered something. He should have given her some kind of gift. He must have made a great first impression.

"You do not deserve her", Henrik's voice suddenly said.

Kol had forgotten him completely. And he had forgotten that this was the same girl who Henrik thought he was in love with.

"Henrik…"

"Do not speak to me", his little brother hissed.

Kol bit his lip. Henrik was lying on his bed with his back turned.

"What is going on?" Niklaus asked.

"Nothing", Kol murmured. "Henrik, you are a child…"

"I am not a child!" Henrik yelled. "You only want Sonja now because of her appearance, you know nothing about her! I do and I love her!"

There was a long silence. Surprisingly no one came to see why Henrik was yelling. Kol took a deep breath and tried to choose his words carefully.

"I am sorry, you are not a child. What I meant was that you are still young, too young to get married. She on the other hand needs a husband, like you said yourself. I did not ask for this but it had already been arranged."

Henrik didn't say anything. Niklaus cleared his throat.

"Alright…perhaps we should try to get some sleep."

Kol didn't have any problem with that. He was sure that Henrik would get over this. What would a young boy know about love? It was merely some kind of crush. Henrik would surely find someone else.


"Catch me, Aunt Sonja!"

Danica was running around me holding her little wooden horse that Roland had whittled for her.

"Calm down, sweetheart", I said. We were walking across the village. Few women had gathered around the well that was in the centre of the village. They looked at me and whispered something to each other. I tried to give them a polite smile. Danica tried to play with sheep that a young shepherd called Gero was leading to a field.

"No Danica, come here."

She laughed and tried to pet one of the sheep. I saw that Gero was about to hit her with his crook so I quickly yanked her away.

"No, sweetheart", I said and took her hand.

Papa had sent me to pick up his sword from the blacksmith. It was the most valuable object that he owned so he wanted to place it on sight when Mikael and his son would arrive. I tried not to think about that. I didn't expect a happy marriage after last night. He had just left me on the floor. I hadn't expected him to bring me any gift, as a groom was supposed to do, but he could have at least spared me from humiliation and help me up. Obviously it made no difference to him. I truly hoped that I could have married Henrik. I had always seen him like my brother but I was sure that we could have been happy together. He was kind and sweet and together we could have learned everything we needed to know about marriage. But that wasn't going to happen. I felt quite down. I kneeled next to Danica when we reached the blacksmith's shop.

"Remember, do not touch anything."

She looked at me innocently and nodded. I smiled and touched her cheek before we stepped inside. The blacksmith Balian was forging a large piece of iron. I curtsied when he looked up.

"Good morning. My father sent me to get his sword."

Balian looked at me emotionlessly. He had dark hair that reached over his shoulders and piercing dark eyes.

"You can tell your father to pay what he owes me first."

I was confused. Papa hadn't said anything about that. I couldn't go back without his sword.

"I…I am sure he will take care of it. I will tell him as soon as I see him. Could you be so kind and give me his sword?"

Balian snorted and crossed his arms.

"Send the child out", he commanded.

I couldn't understand why. Maybe he wanted to say something Danica shouldn't hear.

"Sweetheart, I need you to go outside and wait for me there", I said as calmly as I could. "Play with your horse but do not go far."

"Yes, Aunt Sonja", she said and walked out.

I turned to look at Balian waiting for him to speak. There was no expression on his face when he looked at me from head to toes.

"Undress", he said coldly.

I looked at him disbelievingly. I must have misunderstood him.

"What are you waiting for? If you want the sword, undress. I will give your father some time to pay his debt."

I tried desperately to think.

"No, I…I can not…"

He looked annoyed.

"Do you wish me to tell everyone that your father do not pay his debts? I would imagine not many families want to give their daughters to the sons of a man like that."

I was horrified. I couldn't let him do that to my brothers.

"Please, my father will pay what he owes you…"

"Yes, I know. But unless I will get the payment right now…"

"You will get it now", a man's voice said.

I turned and saw Mikael's oldest son. He was holding Danica in his arms. I looked at him insecurely. He placed Danica on the ground.

"Perhaps it is best that you will wait outside", he said to me.

I nodded and took Danica's hand. I was very nervous. We waited in front of the blacksmith's shop until Elijah came out. He was carrying papa's sword.

"I believe you need this", he said.

I bowed my head.

"Thank you…I…I do not know how I can ever repay you…"

"We are almost a family", he said and smiled. "There is no need to thank me."

"But the debt…"

"It has been taken care of; you can tell that to your father."

I curtsied.

"Thank you. I am sure he will pay you back."

Elijah shook his head.

"No need. I believe I will visit your father soon. There is something I must ask him."

I understood immediately what he meant. Tatia's hand in marriage. I looked up and gave him a coy smile.

"I am sure he is looking forward to your visit."

"I hope so. Please give your family my best."

"Of course. Thank you."

He smiled and touched Danica's head.

"Take care of your mother, little one. I shall bring you some more of those toys soon."

Danica's eyes brightened.

"Thank you, papa."

I gasped. Elijah looked surprised.

"I am sorry…" I started.

Elijah shook his head.

"I hope to be a husband and a father soon. Please tell that to your sister."

I nodded and bowed my head before taking Danica's hand. She smiled and waved at Elijah when we headed home. He seemed like a good man. I couldn't imagine him to hurt Tatia or Danica. I truly hoped that I wasn't mistaken. My sister deserved her happiness.