Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Part I Second in a series of movie inspired Klaroline one-shots. First part in the 7bfor7b series (I'm sorry, this was too long, I had to split it up). AU/AH. This one is based off of the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. I would like to state this as a disclaimer: the only ships in this story that I support, support are Klaroline, Raughn, and Kennett. All others are just here because I needed them to be for the story. The sections will be divided by the song names in the movie, but I promise there will be no actual singing. I recommend listening to the songs if at all possible.
He was looking for a bride. Not just any bride, a specific kind of bride. Out here in the wilderness, there was no time for romantic notions and courting. He only got down to town every once in awhile, and he needed a wife. A strong woman who could work alongside of him, who could survive up in the mountains, but was still feminine, someone who could put up with him, who would help take care of his home. Someone who would provide him with children to carry on his family name.
Anywhere else in the world he would have done things right. Niklaus wasn't from around here, hell he wasn't even from the country. His family had moved from England when he was a teen in hopes of striking it rich out here. They didn't like many of the other people who had flocked to the gold country. Still, they never left, instead settling here in the states; but Niklaus retained the beliefs he had gained in their old home. Notions of courting, having an escort, and eventually after a couple of years marrying.
His father and mother had both died a few years prior, he was left to provide and take care of his siblings. He wasn't the oldest, but the land and everything on it had been left to him. It wasn't a terrible burden, but something in him felt missing. He had woken up three days before realizing what it was; he needed a wife, a woman to come along side of him.
The cart he was driving rolled up to his destination and he stopped the horses, jumping down and tying them up to the hitching post. He walked into the mercantile, having to duck down in the doorway, wanting to get this business out of the way first before he turned to his real goal for going into town on that day.
"Hello." The shopkeeper greeted. "How can I help you today?"
Niklaus returned the greeting, giving the man his list, and once he was finished he decided he might as well try one more thing before striking out on his own. "And I'm looking for a wife, you wouldn't happen to have one of those, would you?"
A confused expression crossed the shopkeeper's face; Niklaus was almost positive the man had never been asked such a question before in his life. "A wife?"
"Yes, you see, I'm looking for a wife, and I was wondering if you had any."
"What do you think, that we just carry brides for your taking behind the counter?" The man's wife appeared from the storage room in a flurry of anger, her face quickly turning red.
He sought to sooth, not wanting to offend anyone, lest they know the woman he was going to marry and dissuade her from marrying him. "Oh no, ma'am, just checking everywhere I can. I need a wife to help take care of me and my six brothers."
The woman's mouth dropped open, and her husband's eyes got wider. "Six brothers! What you want isn't a wife, it's a slave!" The woman spit out at him, but he laughed at her ire.
"Oh no ma'am, I'm pretty positive I want a wife. I'm going to have a look around town while you get my order ready if that's alright?"
The man shushed his wife from insulting a paying customer, and nodded his head. "Oh yes fine sire, good luck."
So he strolled the streets looking for a bride. It was about time too. He was twenty six years old, and a man had needs. One could only leave with six men for so long, far away from town, in need of relief and a womanly touch.
No.
No.
No.
No!
None of the women he passed by were right though. They weren't what he was looking for at all. He wasn't quite sure what that was, but he knew when he found her, and he would find her, he would know that she was the one. If he stopped to think about it, he would realize that his thoughts were a little romantic, but Niklaus prided himself on being a man of business, a man of action, he did not have time for love, though he would surely have some affection for the woman he made his bride.
He turned many a corner in the town that day, ruled out many a potential girl for one reason or another (one was engaged, another married with children, and more still did not have the look of the wife that he wanted), and was just about ready to head home and try again some other time- which did not count as giving up- when more women had traveled out to the territories.
Then, he saw her, hair cascading in blond waves down her back, a trim waist. She was beautiful from behind, and he longed to catch a glimpse of the face to match. His wish was soon granted when her face turned towards his piercing gaze and he was struck by the blue pools that looked back at him. She was stunning. She radiated a light that he had never seen before.
"Caroline!" A man's voice called her-Caroline, his mind committed it to memory, and something about the name seemed to suit her; it was elegant and feminine, but also strong- and his heart sunk. Was she engaged? She could be, there was one woman for every five men out here, and many of them were already engaged when they came, coming to join their man. But no, he realized he was standing next to the only restaurant in town, and looked in the window just in time to see her slam a ceramic bowl over a man's head when he tried to grab her arm and pull her to him. Niklaus smirked, letting out a small chuckle; sassy too. She was exactly the type of girl he had always dreamed of, and from the looks of it she would be able to handle his brothers just fine.
He entered the place; she was serving food, and she was probably the one who had cooked it. He sat at the table with the other men, watching in amusement as she dropped the spoon full of hot food into a man''s lap when her gaze caught his yet again. It was good that he affected her so. "I'm sorry Tyler!" Even her voice was heavenly, but he had to fight back the urge to pummel this Tyler character when she touched his shoulder, trying to help him clean the mess she had made up.
"It's fine Caroline don't worry about it. When are you going to marry me?"
"Ask me again on Tuesday." His mind was eased by the teasing tone in her voice; she seemed to have no emotional connection to the man.
Caroline finally got to his place, "See something you like?"
"I see a lot I like, love." His comment was met with a blush from her, and the angry stares of the other men, who were all probably half in love with her already. "But I'd like to sample some of your cooking first, just to make sure." She filled his plate, holding his gaze as she did so, and he wished she had spoken again. "Do you have any ketchup?" He asked, looking around the table and finding, to his surprise, none.
"My cooking can stand on it's own." She responded defensively, and he decided to at least take her word for it.
He took a tentative bite, and she was right; her food needed nothing extra to make it taste good. He had lived with food covered in ketchup for the past five years; his brother couldn't cook to save his life. This food was delicious, and was quite possibly the best food that had entered his mouth since his mother had died. "So?" She asked, waiting for his verdict.
"It's good." He answered before shoveling the food into his mouth. He could get used to this cooking, and with any luck he would be soon.
She walked away then, down the line, and he missed her presence, yearning for her to return to his side and speak with him some more. Oh, yes, she was most definitely the girl for him.
After lunch was over, he found her again outside, milking the cow, back facing him. "You know, I came to town for a reason."
She stilled momentarily, before continuing on with her chores. "Oh?"
Niklaus smiled; he was certain that he would never tire of hearing her voice. "I was looking for a bride. I'm almost certain that I've found her. The problem is, I don't know if she'll have me."
"It's a little quick. She doesn't even know you're name."
Well, he could fix that problem now couldn't he? And that hadn't been a no either. "Niklaus Mikaelson. I own a farm up in the mountains. It's hard living, I admit, but a man needs a wife."
"That's true Niklaus. I'm sure if you ask, the girl would be more than happy to marry you."
He approached her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder and turning her to face him. "Caroline-"
"Forbes." She supplied quickly, and he gave her a grateful smile.
"Caroline Forbes, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" At her slight hesitance he continued. "Take a chance Caroline. I dare you."
A sudden twinkle came into her eye. "Yes."
He hadn't thought one word would ever have the power to make him so happy. "I'll go find the parson, we'll be married and up at my house before nightfall." He left her after placing a quick, and even that could be considered unacceptable, kiss on her cheek. Well, they were getting married soon anyway.
He quickly found the barber shop, figuring the least he could was shave a little, and cut his hair. He had had no reason to before then, but he wanted his wife to be happy with his appearance. When he had done and paid the owner, he asked for directions to the parson's, whistling as he walked along.
"Caroline, I don't feel happy about this marriage. You've been like a daughter to us, and we hardly know this man!"
"Reverand Pierce, I know. But sometimes you have to take a chance. I'm a young, unmarried woman, and how long can I remain as such? I want to marry Niklaus. I've tried with the men in town, again and again I've tried, but something was always missing, and I never understood what. Well I do now; Niklaus is the right man for me, and that is why none of the other men interested me."
"Very well. Elena, Katherine, will you serve as witnesses?"
"Yes father." The nearly identical twins responded, stepping closer to the couple as Mrs. Pierce handed him his book and reading glasses.
"Do you Niklaus Mikaelson take Caroline Forbes to be your wife?"
He smiled as he turned to face her; she would be his, and only his, and he couldn't wait to make her his. "I do."
"And do you Caroline Forbes take Niklaus Mikaelson to be your husband?"
She returned the smile, blushing a little, and it endeared her all the more to him. "I do."
"I pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss your bride."
He did, pulling her small body against his, lowering his head and gently pressing his lips against her own. Caroline responded shyly, and he realized that he just might be her first everything. Niklaus pulled away, not wanting to embarrass her in front of her friends and the parson, btu vowing to himself to help teach her more later on.
He was no inexperienced school boy. He had frequented the saloons in town before, seeking the company of women and alcohol. His mother wouldn't have approved he knew, and he doubted his young bride would approve either, but he would never do it again. It was a part of his past, but Caroline was his future.
Wonderful, Wonderful Day
Niklaus knew it was probably no way to start a marriage with a secret, but in his excitement he had forgotten about his brothers. How did one tell their new bride that she would not only be taking care of him, but six other men? And she seemed so excited, going on and on about how happy she was to only have to take care of one man instead of a whole bunch of them. He was not looking forward to the fallout from this.
"I feel so happy, I could yell." She said, all smiles, and the beautiful glow of a wonderful day settled on her features.
"Go ahead, there's no one out here for miles." If there had been snow on the mountains they were driving through, he would have told her not to, but as it stood, he was glad there was at least one thing he could do before she found out the news. She did, her voice echoing in the valley, and they shared another smile.
Before he knew it they were pulling up onto his property, and he still had not found a way to tell her about his slew of brothers. He cursed under his breath when Kol, the youngest, approached the wagon. "Nik?"
He slowed the horses, jumping down and giving his hand to Caroline, reaching into the back of the cart as she stared on at him in confusion before he turned to Kol. "This is Caroline, Kol, my wife. Caroline, I'd like for you to meet my brother."
"It's nice to meet you Kol, Niklaus didn't tell me that he had any siblings." He flinched at the anger in her voice as he unloaded the cart.
"Oh, you're in for a surprise then darling."
"What-" She was cut off when the rest of them, having heard the tell-tale sound of the wagon's wheels, flocked over to greet their brother.
"Niklaus!"
"Nik!"
"Who's the girl, Nik?"
He cleared his throat nervously. "Caroline, I'd like for you to meet my other brothers. Elijah, Galen, Finn, Damon, Stefan, and Jeremy. Brothers, this is Caroline, my wife."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all." Niklaus sensed she was flustered, and cringed, knowing he should have found a way to tell her before this happened.
"It's nice to meet you as well, Caroline." Elijah, ever the gentleman, even after ten years out here in the wilderness, greeted with a kiss to her hand.
"Do you all live around here?"
"Not around, blondie, here." Oh, he could pummel Damon. Did the man have no tact at all?
"Oh. Niklaus, won't you show me the house?"
"Hmm? Oh of course. You six, take care of the wagon and the goods."
He led her into the cabin, wishing he had thought to clean up a little bit before leaving that morning. "So, um, here's the living room. And the kitchen's through there. We haven't had much chance, or time, to keep the place clean, but now that you're here..." He trailed off awkwardly, cursing himself for saying that.
"When were you planning on telling me that you had six brothers that lived with you? Ever? No, you just let me make a fool of myself talking about how I was so excited, having only to take care of you, when you were hiding six brothers! Six! What did you think that I wouldn't marry you if I knew? If I had known you were a liar, I wouldn't have, but not for having brothers."
"Caroline-"
She cut him off angrily. "No. Go, I'll clean up this mess and have dinner ready shortly."
"Caroline," he tried again, reaching out and placing a hand on her shoulder, but she brushed it off. He sighed, deciding to try again later. Caroline obviously needed some time to sort through her thoughts.
He found his brothers in the barn. "So you did it Nik, did you? You got yourself a bride, and by not telling her about all of us."
He pushed the boy away, walking past him to check on the horses. "Shut up Kol."
"You didn't tell her about us? Niklaus."
"What Elijah?" He ground out at his brother's condescending tone, clenching his fists in annoyance.
"You cannot start a relationship out on dishonesty."
What was with everyone calling him dishonest? He had never lied. "I wasn't dishonest! I got caught up in the moment, and then I didn't know how to tell her that you lot existed."
"She's going to think you married her to have a live in servant."
And there was that again! If he had wanted a servant, he would have hired one instead of marrying someone. Was it really so hard to believe that he wanted a wife? "Well she's not, and I would never think of her as such."
"You'd better make sure she knows that."
The men went about their chores, and Niklaus tried to ignore his brother's jeering words. So he had gotten married, it didn't change who he was. There was no reason to tell him that he had gone soft, because he hadn't.
The dinner bell soon rang out, and they rushed to the house, eager to have cooking that wasn't Kol's. They rushed in, sitting down, grabbing food, and shoving it into their mouths. "What's the matter with you? Do you have no manners?" Caroline had rushed in, gazing on in apparent anger at his brother's actions.
"Manners? What are those?" Jeremy asked, and it seemed to be the tipping point for Caroline, as she grabbed the table and flipped it over, spilling Jeremy, Kol, and Stefan onto the floor, food covering them, as the rest laughed on, and Caroline stormed out of the room and up the stairs, a door slamming in her wake.
"Some wife you got Nik." And Niklaus promptly smacked the back of Damon's head. Oh, she would be a handful alright, but she was worth it.
When You're In Love
Later, they having salvaged what food they could, washing the dishes themselves in hopes of making Caroline less angry, the sun long since set, the brother's sat around smoking their pipes, talking about the day, and what they were going to do the next. After a long silence, Niklaus spoke up "Well, it's getting late. Shouldn't you all head up to bed?"
"I think it's you who should worry about going to bed Nik." Stefan responded laughingly; none of them believed that Niklaus was going to have a good wedding night, and they were eager to see if his little spitfire would let him into her bed for the night. He wasn't about to be embarrassed by his brothers, so with a sigh, he headed for the stairs.
He opened the door gingerly, finding Caroline sitting, still in her dress, in the chair by the window. He closed the door behind him, approaching her slowly. "So-"
"I'll not sleep with you. Even a servant has right's to her own bed."
He quickly, hoping that was her only issue- and found it wasn't about the sleeping with her part, but that he genuinely didn't want her to think that of herself-, responded. "Caroline, you're not a servant."
Her icy blue eyes flashed to him. "You could have fooled me! You bring me to your home, and the first things you say to me are that now that I'm here, the rooms will be clean, and you'll have good cooking. No, you didn't want a wife, and I will not engage in that with you."
He stormed out of the room, ignoring the curious, and mocking, looks of his brothers. "She's thirsty." He grabbed the water pitching, marched back up the stairs, and into his, because it was his room, and she was his wife, to find her in her under things already. He didn't give himself the satisfaction of looking at her though, knowing she was already angry with him, and walked over to the window, swinging his body out and into the tree. Caroline rushed over, looking at him curiously.
"What are you doing?" She asked, brow furrowed, and he was confused about her confusion. She was the one who had told him he was not welcome in his own bed
"Well, you said you wouldn't sleep with me love, but you understand I have my pride to keep. I can't have my brother's thinking that I wasn't able to perform my duties though."
"I'm sorry Niklaus-"
He interrupted, wanting more intimacy between them than that. "You can call me Nik if you like. Only Elijah calls me Niklaus really."
"Alright Nik. I'm sorry. I let my anger get the better of me. It's just, I had so many ideas about marriage, and I didn't expect any of it to end up like this. You caught me by surprise is all. When you're in love, truly in love, though, sometimes these things happen. If you promise never to lie to me like that again, you can come to my bed." The last part was marked by a soft blush staining her cheeks, and the tops of her breasts that were exposed. He smiled, leaning back into the room.
"I promise. Would you still be adverse to doing that?" He had to admit, seeing her there, looking like she did, and she wasn't even fully undressed yet, stirred a fire in him, and he wanted her. Badly.
"Is that really how you're planning on seducing me Mr. Mikaelson?" He laughed at her; she was definitely the girl for him.
He approached her, running his hands slowly down her arms as he leaned down, kissing her neck, before whispering in her ear, "Would you like for me to seduce you, Mrs. Mikaelson?"
"I'm too smart to be seduced by you." He might have believed her had her voice come out steady and had her hands not moved to grip his arms.
"Umm." He murmured, moving his lips, grazing her cheek before kissing the corner of her mouth. "Are you sure about that sweetheart?"
"Oh just kiss me already Nik!"
He obliged, moving his lips over hers, slowly as he had at the parson's house, but at her eager response, he deepened the kiss, holding her tighter against him. His tongue moved out slowly, tracing her lips, nearly pulling away when she jumped, but continuing on when she relaxed in his arms once more. He carefully, slowly, lowered her petticoat off of her waist, before moving his hands to remove his own shirt.
They soon found themselves undressed on the bed, and he moved slowly with her. It was her first time, after all, and he knew there would be some pain for her. Niklaus wanted to make the experience as pleasurable for her as he could though, so he was intent on taking it slow, easy, this first time.
Their bodies danced together, kissing touching, and he was amazed by her beauty, enthralled by the blush that wasn't going away from her skin, and all he knew was he wanted more. He wanted her forever.
They played and teased some more before their bodies finally joined as one. So that was a good place to leave off I hope. Look for the next part soon!
