Niklaus stood by their meeting spot, the old white tree that stood just a little ways of from the main clearing. The sun burned overhead, and the leaves shown like dazzling emeralds under its light. Bright purple flowers swayed around the great tree in a light breeze that held the last bits of spring. They were called vervain, if he recalled correctly. Not a very pretty name, but suitable since the flowers weren't all that pretty themselves. Despite their dullness, Niklaus picked up a few for Caroline and anxiously awaited her arrival. She could make anything and everything seem less dull.
Yet time ticked by and the blonde still hadn't arrived. He was becoming more and more desperate. There wasn't a lot of time, honestly. Elijah was covering for him, doing his work, a favor he was surprised his brother accepted so quickly. But that was Elijah. If he were to be found out, well, it wouldn't end happily. And Niklaus didn't want that, not after all the trouble he was putting Elijah through to begin with. It was a lot of work keeping things from Mikael. Really, he didn't want his father's wrath on himself either. The beating he'd received last time had been more than enough. He could still feel the traces of the lashes struck and his fathers scorn burn into him as he shuffled his feet wearily.
Eventually, he gave up on standing around, annoyed by the stares he was getting from random strangers walking by. He probably did look somewhat foolish standing there, clearly stood up by whoever he held the purple flowers for. He sat down, his head lazily resting against white oak as he waited still. But not for very much longer. Caroline was wonderfully beautiful but his reasons for only spending a few minutes more were beyond that, he hated to admit. Niklaus sighed. Just a few minutes longer he told himself, watching as shadows flickered across the ground with the suns slow decent, and shifting trees.
It was unclear how much time passed before he heard soft footsteps nearby, but he guessed likely not long. The sun hadn't moved, and the air was still warm. It could have been another person strolling by, but Niklaus' eyelids flung open without thought, only to squeeze tightly shut a second after. The sudden flash of light had made his fiery blue eyes burn and water. Niklaus blinked a few times before he could focus. Greatly to his pleasure, he found a lovely blonde lady stepping into the clearly, a beamish smile on her face and with glittering sapphire eyes. She was just as beautiful as before, of course. Maybe more so. It seemed like every time he saw her and heard that cheerful ring in her voice... He couldn't really explain it, but it made his heart pound in his chest.
"Hi, sorry I'm late, and sorry for waking you up, I guess. Was waiting for me really that boring? You really didn't have to, Niklaus." Caroline sat beside him. "Now, I might have been upset but I would've understood."
"Theres no need to apologize, love. I'm certain you had your reasons." He didn't bother explaining that he hadn't fallen asleep, that he was only resting his eyes. Nor did he bother asking where she'd been. As he said, she had her reasons and they were of no concern. She was here now and thats all that really mattered. "So... Have any interests, hobbies perhaps?"
"No, not really," she replied, "Not unless you count being a control freak. By that, I mean organizing events and whatever else, nothing special. I enjoy it though. I've seen you sword fighting with your brothers. Is that something you enjoy? You're really good at it."
Niklaus nearly lost his smile at the response. Those sword fights often took place when his parents weren't around. For good reason. The one time they got caught was not too long ago. Despite his victory over his brother, he was the one that ended up lying pathetically in the dirt and dust, defeated. He could only hope Caroline hadn't been around to see that spectacle. He didn't dare ask. "I draw, actually. Paint on occasion, but its not something I care to bring up when I'm trying to think of redeeming qualities. You could say I'm less than good at it."
"What do you draw?" She watched him with bright blue eyes, seemingly genuinely curious, leaving him wishing he had brought some to show her. However, keeping them secret and hardly ever working on them was hard enough without him trying to sneak some out. Most of the time, they remained in an old drawer collecting dust and becoming rugged and stained.
"Many different things; Ordinary things such as this tree, or wild animals that roam the forest, wolves in particular. The sky on a clear summer night, with the moon full and bright. What I imagine our previous home to look like. I wouldn't know exactly since I wasn't born at the time, but I've heard stories." His voice trailed off near the end as he let his thought drift back. But he quickly snapped out of it at the sound of Caroline's voice.
"Wolves, huh. Where is it you are from? Whats it like?"
"Why do you wish to know, might I ask?" He wasn't being defensive, he just wanted to know why exactly she was so curious. Niklaus wasn't exactly the most interesting person in the village, and certainly not the most when it came to his family. Though he'd like to think himself more put together compared to some of his siblings. He wanted to know- why out of everyone- why this girl was fascinated by the little things he had to say. And why he was equally fascinated by her.
"Honestly, I've always wished to see what lies beyond this place. Granted, most of it is likely famine, war, strife and pestilence, like my parents... My mother says. So, I've never had much desire to leave. I don't know if I could leave her. But I've always been really curious too."
This brought a smile to Niklaus' face, and an interesting proposition to mind. He himself thought more than twice about leaving this land, but he never found it in himself to do so. While he'd heard many great things of places beyond, lights, music, civilizations growing into greatness, the art, which intrigued him more than the others put together, he'd heard of the wars, the famine, empires rising and crumbling just as she said. But, he had a certain curiosity as well. Enough that... He might have just offered, or at least, brought up the idea of seeing the world together.
"I've thought about it over the years, once or twice. Perhaps one day, you'll be able to see what the world has to offer." But, he really only could give her hope. There was very little for himself. His family would never allow it, and he highly doubted he could ever escape his father, even if he managed to convince his mother. Niklaus had obligations. He could never simply leave them behind. As it was; Family above all.
"Yes, maybe one day." She responded idly. "So, change of topic. Wherever you're from, do they all speak the way you do? I know we haven't known each other very long, but you do know my name is Caroline." Her voice was light and teasing as she spoke, and her shoulders shook lightly with a silent chuckle. "''Is 'love' some sort of nickname?"
"It isn't really a nickname, love. Its something we call those whom we fancy, are fond of. Usually, that is. Definitely, in this case. If you don't like it, perhaps you have preferences? How does sweetheart sound? I'll admit, its a habit I've picked up. One of the pleasantries of living with my family." By 'pleasantries', he really did not mean it was a pleasantry. Living with his family could be great occasionally, but whenever someone looks at you strangely for talking different, you could grow slightly self conscious. Not that he wasn't use to it, he and his family. The villagers became use to it as well, but there would always be the occasional stampede of questions. Niklaus didn't particularly mind Caroline asking though.
"No, no, 'love' is fine, it sounds... sweet." A mischievous spark sprang into her eyes as she looked to the purple flowers then back to him. Her hand idly stirred the dull things as she seemed to consider what she clearly had in mind. "I really like it. But, to make it fair, I get to pick a so called 'not a nickname' for you. As the saying goes, all is fair in love and war."
"Is this love or war?" Niklaus asked, his own mischievous smirk lighting his features. Unfortunately, the girl handed him no response other than that same spark and a click of her tongue. Despite this, he hoped, and was betting on love. War was an aspect he didn't need right now, preferably not ever. Certain things in this world could drive come one to complete and utter madness, truly. He'd seen it. Those could stay his fathers ventures. Besides, what could there be between he and Caroline if not love?
"My family usually calls me by name, but my brother Kol, and dear sister Rebekah call me 'Nik'. Mostly. There have been a few times I've caught one of them off guard. They tend to be over dramatic."
"No, no... I like... Klaus. Yes, Klaus." She pushed her hair behind her ear, clearly pleased by her choice. "Whether you like it or not, its fair, and you're stuck with it."
Klaus. The whole idea of the name intrigued him. It was more than just the way it sounded brushing past Caroline's soft lips, more than the prospect of having a new, less degrading name, to go by. Not that anything was particularly wrong with his name, just-It brought bad memories, and would likely continue in victory. The word, the name the blonde had spoken so fondly meant leader in victory. And while he'd never won anything, let alone been a leader, or victorious, the prospect was still there. It had its own ring, its own... How could it be explained. It was new. New and untainted. A name his family, his father did not give him. Couldn't own...A name someone very dear, caring and loving entrusted to him. It might have sounded silly, but at that moment, each syllable seemed to spell out hope.
"Its a good thing I like it, then, isn't it." He smiled, his eyes glittering like bright jewels as he did so, and her, beloved Caroline's, did as well - "Care to go for a walk, love?"
"Yes, sure, why not."
'Klaus' stood and grabbed his 'love's' hand seeing as a gentleman should always help his lady up, escort her, watch out for her. But it was just as much a pleasure to him as it was to her. Her hand soft as it had been the night they danced, he reminisced the memory fondly. It fit perfectly in his, it truly did. Then and now, and he didn't want that to change, but Caroline let go. He knew she would, but he hadn't expected her to instead put her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder. It wasn't the best positioning for walking, of course, but neither had any complaints to make in the matter. No, nothing needed to change at that very moment.
After some time of walking he noticed her eyes beginning to droop sullenly. "Tired? We could have done this another day if you had preferred." He murmured quietly to her. She didn't respond to this immediately, making him think maybe he should see her home, it, after all, had been a long night and likely a long day for the both of them, but then she pulled quickly away like a fierce gust of wind tugging away, leaving Klaus a bit surprised.
"I was just thinking," she replied idly. "Besides, it cant be helped if this has been a bore so far. It simply can't be helped. Such a bore for a first date."There was a great deal of teasing behind her serious words, as there had always been, so he merely chuckled lightly.
"Have I been really so dull? Miss my 'charming' side as it were already? What shall we do, then. We can't have you bored on our very first date, after all." Niklaus looked around his surroundings. There wasn't much they could do on such short notice, especially with the chances of his family lurking about. But people started staring nearly about the moment they left the old Oak tree. Looking at the 'sweet' couple with that beaming, gawking expression, which could drive the least self conscious person to annoyance. Attention was all well and fine until it affected his time, he wanted it to just be him and Caroline, no audience, no spectators or critics, or maybe that was asking too much. He ended up suggesting they venture deeper into the looming, dying forest. It was dark and mysterious, but perhaps that would add a little excitement and, of course, get them away from their adoring public. As if people didn't have enough to do on their own time. All the while they chatter a bit, continuing the conversation.
"I regret ever calling you charming." The blonde declared. "You apparently have a big enough ego already, and I just added to it."
He laughed at this. He? Have a big ego? "You should have met my brother Kol. I'm nothing compared to what hes capable of, love. Believe me when I say- you were lucky I was the one to offer that dance. Like I said before, I don't care for petty trickery, nor do I have so much an ego. Cunning, on the other hand, perhaps." He didn't usually take to being cunning, or deceptive. It couldn't be risked. The few times he had been willing to do something about where he stood, hadn't ended well, not for anybody. Those had been frontal assaults, but nevertheless, some force always held him back. Maybe it was fate, maybe it was the very fabric of his existence. He did not know, but it greatly frustrated him. fortunately, Klaus only dared imagine where treachery would get him with the Fates involved.
"I'm not sure I want to now, especially if hes anything like you. Despite what you say, how could he possibly be worse. She placed her arm back through his. "I have to admit I'm enjoying this- this time together, though. Last night, too..."
Klaus noticed her eyes dart to the side- only a moment before she turned her attention back to him, her eyes still shining like jewels in that brilliant way that made her special. He smiled warmly in return. But he also noticed her shoulders tense and he began to wonder himself what was making her so uneasy. His blue eyes flashed warningly as he scanned quickly, yet intensely enough to not miss anything that stood out, through the thick green underbrush and towering brusque, now seemingly unwelcome trees. Nothing stood out though, nothing at all except for maybe a few stray birds struggling to find anything among the dead to quench their hunger.
"Maybe you are right and I was lucky." she finished, her gaze still flickering on something, somewhere, he could not see or tell. Then she spoke up again, breaking the tension ahead of a wary Klaus. "I have to go..."
Lovely Caroline turned from him and began to tread lightly along the path from which they had came. He watched her, confused by her abruptness. What was it, what caused her to leave so soon, before the first signs of night had even a chance to glimmer in the sky. Not a fluttering star shone, nor a crescent moon lighted along the black, not a piece of that lustrious blend of blue, nor that purple-deeper and eerier than the darkest waters, yet just as mystifying .In all actuality, the sun had not yet set and was beginning to send the first few waves of pink and orange against a turquoise blue, bringing with it, the falling decent of darkness the trees brought. It was far more pleasant and lovely than it was discomforting, so why, why now.
"I'll... see you soon, I promise. Or I'll send a letter or whatever." Her eyes narrowed to a glare as she looked a little less over her shoulder to somewhere he could not tell, exactly as she was earlier. "Unfortunately my family seems to have a way of being- getting into things they shouldn't- They're snoops. So don't feel all that bad your family has some issues, mine probably has more."
That melodious voice came out more of a growl than anything else, and was quite different from what he was use to, but if anyone could understand how intrusive and downright vexing family could be, he could, likely significantly better than most. And he doubted her family could have more issues. But they could also be a helpful, comforting, there for you when you needed him, and Klaus understood that better than most he thought. He was only here because of his brother after all, he never could have made it without Elijah, and in fact, he might not have met Caroline at all if it hadn't been for his siblings trying to drag him along to that frosty night affair. He hoped Elijah faired without him alright, that his father hadn't caught on. Night was slowly descending upon them. Perhaps Caroline's departure was a blessing in the circumstances, it would seem, he'd left his brother to fend for himself long enough, and almost stupidly forgotten. He would be sure to repay his brother in gratitude.
"Alright, love. I'll see you soon." He could only really hope as her figure disappeared into the growing crimson and black.
Very, very sorry for taking so long to update! Been kind of busy, lacking inspiration, the usual stuff... But I have a new chapter finally! And I made Caroline a little more open minded ;) There may be a few mistakes, so I'll apologize for that too. I didn't get a lot of time to edit/check over. Hopefully its okay for the most part. On the brighter side, it is a little longer. I'll try to update quicker, but its a lot of work and I have other stories that need updating. We'll see how it all works out. Hope you guys all enjoyed it, hope it was worth the wait.
Thanks for the support and please review!