A/N: Hey, quick note, I want to express more the relationship that Camilla has with the rest of the family, and so this chapter is also going to be like last chapter and the one before that, more like a filler before we start delving into the plot. So enjoy!
Chapter Three
3rd POV
It was days like these that always filled Ester's heart with warmth; it always reminded her why she chose the small village life instead of attempting to marry some noble like her parents always wanted her to do. No jewels or money in the entire world could compare to moments like these. It was times like these (although rare) that were quite beautiful.
Smiling softly, the older, blonde haired woman watched as her children talked amongst themselves, all getting along with each other, which, once again was mentioned beforehand, was a rare sight to see. Usually it was Elijah attempting to the be the peacemaker, Rebekah and Niklaus staying close to each, Finn staying silent and looking very disinterested in everything, and Kol causing trouble as he egged his siblings on, pushing their buttons. Whilst, Henrik and Camilla would always stand by trying to stay out of the situation for they had seen from a number of times of Elijah trying to calm his siblings, that it was all in vain for they are were quite stubborn.
And even though Kol was currently teasing them, it was softer than usual, meaning he too was in a great mood, something that was quite a blessing to Ester at the moment. He was only ever like that around the youngest of the family, but currently, the maroon haired girl was still curled up in the bed she and Rebekah shared, sleeping wistfully.
Glancing over at the corner of the living room, Ester caught sight her husband sitting silently, and from the relaxed expression on his face (one she had once seen a handful of times, and like with Kol, only ever around sweet, and ever innocent Camilla), she could tell he too was in a good mood. And that was something that made Ester quietly thanks the gods for because she was not sure if she could deal with his testy moods on such a great day as this one.
"Oh? No need to pretend my dear sister. I see the way Josiah looks at you, and the way you stare starry eyed back at him; I must say Rebekah, I could swear you are completely infatuated." Kol teased with a devious smirk marring his lips, his eyes filled with a mischievous gleam as he watched his blonde sister huff with roll of her eyes.
"Yes like I could ever like that simpleton," Rebekah answered sarcastically, crossing her arms over her chest as she gave her trouble-making brother a small glare. "I could never like him; if anything he's disgusting. He stares at me and makes it completely obvious that he is, and through all of that, he never says a word to me like some leering freak. There is no feelings between the two of us, the only thing that I feel for his are disdain and disgust," she defended herself hastily, her eyes throwing even more daggers as Kol merely snickered in response.
"No need to deny the truth-"
"Kol," Ester lightly scolded when she took note of the dark look that started to cross over her eldest daughters face as well as how Rebekah had started to scowl. "Leave your sister alone, if she doesn't like Josiah, then she doesn't like him, alright?"
"Yes, of course mother, you're right as always," Kol answered with fake sincerity with a mock smile curving at the corners of his lips.
"Now, instead of messing with your sister, how about you go over and wake Camilla up. Tell her breakfast is almost ready." The mother continued, giving her son a stern eye that basically said that he shouldn't argue with her. She wanted to keep up the peace aura that seemed to fall onto her household this morning, and she could tell things were about to go downhill with Kol constantly mention Josiah around Rebekah, who was an obvious sore subject for her.
He then rolled his eyes childishly, but did get up from his spot, sending the blonde girl a pointed look before he walked into the girl's room, not even bothering to knock before he walked in.
The second he did, he felt a soft smile curl at his lips, he usually cold, mischievous eyes suddenly softened at the sight of his youngest sister while she slept on her bed. There laid Camilla, wrapped up like a caterpillar inside of cocoon inside multiple thick blankets, with a bear skin blanket lying on the tippy top. And the only thing you could see from the lump of blankets, peaked out a small head covered by a frame of tresses of maroon hair. Her pale eyelids hid away her beautiful bi-colored orbs, her lips lying in a peaceful line, her cheeks slightly flushed from all the heat she was receiving, and all in all, Kol could only find the sight impeccably adorable.
Still smiling, he walked quietly over to Camilla, and sat down on her bed in manner that didn't disrupt her sleeping. Staying cautious, he reached a hand out and softly caressed her head, rubbing his thumb against her temple. "Cami," he purred softly, leaning down next to her pale skinned ear. "Time to wake up darling," he continued to coo, watching as her face scrunched up and her eyelids slowly fluttered open, revealing her exotic eyes as she stared up at her brother. After a couple minutes of Kol just caressing the sides of her face, moving down to her maroon colored locks, the girl finally woke up, sending a brilliant and completely genuine smile over to her brother.
"Breakfast will be done soon love, cant having you going hungry can we Cami," Kol grinned, yet, he didn't once stop his caring touches.
Nodding her head, she slowly peeled herself from her cocoon, flashing her brother another smile before she picked up her doll and hugged it against her chest. Stopping his hand movements (rather reluctantly, though he would never admit it to anyone), he got up from his spot on her bed and headed out of the room, which Camilla following closely, and tiredly, behind. But before he officially left, he quickly rubbed off the softness that had taken over his features only moments before, putting back on the uncaring face he usually put on.
The instant Camilla walked into the room, everyone felt as if the moment finally became perfect. The entire family was here, talking and getting along with one another, the mood very light and cheerful, so much that even the people who rarely flashed a smile in their entire life (that being Mikael and Finn), were softly smiling at the scene. It was nice; it was beautiful and absolutely perfect.
"Thank you Kol," Ester said from her spot in the kitchen, inwardly smiling to herself when all she got in return was an exasperated eye roll.
"Whatever you say mother," he answered with a wave of his hand.
"Good morning Cami," Elijah spoke up softly, smiling kindly when he caught sight of her, adorably, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and obviously still waking up.
She offered him a small smile that was still droopy with sleep right back. The maroon haired girl then walked up to him and gave Elijah a hug, her tiny arms barely wrapping around his torso as she nuzzled her face against his chest, letting out tiny yawn. Chuckling, Elijah ran a hand through her messy hair once, softly hugging her back. He then watched as Camilla pulled away, a large smile taking control of his face at her cute face.
Swiftly, as she made her way to sit down next to her other siblings, Finn picked her up as she passed by his legs, placing her on his lap as well as wrapping his large arms around her small frame, placing his chin on top of her head. "Morning," he greeted the girl shortly, something that didn't bother Camilla in the least. Finn then tightened his hold on her waist, pressing her closer to his chest, though he found there was really no need considering the little girl instantly snuggled up against his body (much like she did with Elijah earlier), and completely accepted her embrace.
"Not fair brother," Rebekah pouted as she crossed her arms across her chest childishly. "Cami was going to sit next to me, not with you," she stated heatedly, glaring slightly at the eldest of the siblings in hopes of getting her way.
"I don't see the point of this conversation," Finn merely stated in a disinterested tone, obviously unfazed by his sisters heated look. "You share a room with her, you see her all the time; I believe that's unfair, don't you agree?"
"Now now, Camilla is not a toy to be fought over," Ester stated sternly, causing the duo to shut their mouth's obediently. "Come to the table, breakfast is ready."
And like that, everyone got up and seated themselves at the table, already digging into the food placed out while lightly conversing with one another. They just didn't know the danger that was lurking in the shadows, soon going to strike the family at its core.
OOO
"Father, are you sure it's smart to hunt today? I mean, almost the entire village is out hunting, wouldn't it be safer to go another day?" Henrik asked Mikael as he watched his father started to bring out their hunting weapons, checking to make sure they were still in good shape to use.
"Tonight is a full moon, Henrik, and you know what we do on full moons," Mikael explained in his usual cold, and distant voice. "We need enough food to last us for tonight as well as for most of the morning, just to be on the safe side, and we right now, we barely have enough to last for tonight, which means we need to head out, alright?" The older man then handed towards Henrik a bow and arrow, raising a stern eyebrow his way.
"Yes sir," the youngest boy nodded, accepting the bow from his father's hand.
"What about the girls? Surely mother, Rebekah, and Camilla are to stay in the village, and aren't expected to go out gathering?" Elijah asked.
"They will stay behind; it will be even more dangerous for them to go out in the wilderness, and hopefully, we will be able to get enough meat to last us during the full moon." The father of the family continued, handing Elijah his own weapon after he had finished handing out weapons to the other males of the family. "Now then, let's get going; we are wasting daylight."
Leading the younger males of the family, he left out of their home, but was suddenly stopped by Ester who was currently standing outside with the females of her family nearby, offering her boys a small smile. "Be safe," she commanded softly yet sternly, leaning up to Mikael to press a small kiss against his cheek, before moving to her sons and giving each and every one of them hugs (much to the dismay of Henrik and Kol, but to the amusement of the others).
"We will try to be careful," Mikael agreed with a grunt.
"Hmm but no promises," Kol stated with a wicked grin, causing Rebekah to slap his arm angrily, giving him a glare when the man just smiled smirked back.
"You will be careful, understand," she demanded, and to anyone else, it would just appear as if Kol had simply annoyed her, but the family could see the obvious worry residing in her orbs.
"Do not fret dear sister," Niklaus spoke up, giving the blonde girl a tight, reassuring hug. "We will be fine, I promise," he then offered her a kind smile, immediately causing one to appear on her own lips, right before he pulled away from her and leaned down the hug the youngest of the family.
He, as well as the others, could see that Camilla was acting the same way as Rebekah, clearly worried for her sibling's safety as she kept her eyes rooted to her ground, and fiddled around the doll in her hands. Nik softly pushed her softly tresses away from her forward, pressing a chaste kiss against her smooth, pale skinned forehead. "And I want a hug for every animal I get back, okay?" he smirked, though not at all maliciously. The blonde man then couldn't help the soft look that entered his eyes when a small smile cracked at her lips, and she nodded rapidly in acceptance, causing her maroon curls to bob.
"I want a hug as well!" Kol exclaimed, feigning a pout at Camilla, who nodded happily.
"Then you must promise me hug back as well." Finn spoke up.
"May I have a hug as well my lady," Elijah asked politely, his words making a light blush dust her cheeks.
"What? I want a hug from Cami," Henrik frowned, scrunching up his eyebrows.
Allowing a large, beaming look of happiness to split at her face, she nodded rapidly once again, waving to them when the group of males headed off into the woods.
She, along with her sister and mother, were no longer concerned about their safety. For all of them knew, what all the boys had said earlier with claiming they wanted a hug, was a secret promise that they would come back safely and alive.
But what none of them knew, that it wasn't the hunting trip they should've been worried about.
To be continued…
A/N: Hey guys another chapter! We're going to finally get into the plot next chapter so I hope everyone is enjoying this little, happy filler before we get into the dark stuff. I just wanted everyone to experience what it was like before any of the bad stuff happens. Thanks for all of the follows and favorites, and please excuse any grammar errors, though if you do find any, please feel free to point them out and I will get them out of there as soon as possible!