CHAPTER VIII
Author's note:
Early update, guys! Enjoy it! Another one friday!
Stefan left early for work, and the girls stayed home to do their chores. They had to get water from the well, to feed the chickens (and get the eggs without being pecked by them) and Fluffy (Stefan and Elena couldn't believe Caroline had gotten herself a pet...), to water the vegetables, picking the ones good to eat, to cook all the meals, of course, to do the laundry (when they'd meet Rebekah and chat), among other stuff.
Late in the afternoon, when the sun was preparing to set, Caroline heard a knock at the door, knowing it'd be the future Mr. Almighty Hybrid. She had already told Elena she'd have a date with him, so the other one agreed she'd do supper that day.
When she opened the door, she saw a tall handsome blonde man grinning at her. The teenager felt butterflies in her stomach.
- Good afternoon, my love. I'm sorry for my lateness, but some chores took a little longer to be executed today. To make it up, I brought you a present.
- You didn't have to, I was busy with my chores as well, Nik. - she tried to seem cool, but she was anxious to know what he had for her.
- It's nothing, sweetheart, just something I made thinking about you.
The Original showed her a rabbit beautifully carved in wood, the size of his hand.
- It's a little smaller than the original, but I thought it'd be better for you to keep it.
The blonde screamed "Fluffy!" in a pitchy tone, and got the miniature made by Klaus. It was so detailed the girl stared for a long minute before thanking him.
- It's wonderful, Nik! Thank you! - she then put her arms around him, giving him a kiss on the cheek right after.
- If I get a warm embrace and a sweet kiss every time I give you such a simple present, I shall bring presents to you everyday, love!
- You don't have to do that to get hugs and kisses, Nik! Just ask, and I'll give them to you, silly! Unless you prefer buying my affection... But I must warn you that's not for sale. - she said in a playful tone.
- I would never dream of buying your affection, love, especially not with such simple present, but I'll earn it fair and square! - the man promised, meaning every word - There was another reason for my tardiness, sweetheart. - the blonde looked at him curiously, wondering what that might be - I talked to Tatia, and I'm no longer courting her. I explained how unfair she was being, stringing me and my brother along like that, and said I had no interest in keeping up the competition with my own brother. Now I'm all yours, love!
"Wow, how fast!", the teenager thought. She didn't know what to tell him. The girl liked him, really, but didn't want to commit to marriage without getting to know him a little better, no matter how enchanting he was being with her.
- I have no intention of stringing you along like she did, Nik, seriously. So, my proposal is that we get to know each other a little better before taking such serious step. When you ask a girl to accept your court, that's basically like saying you wish to marry her in a not so distant future. There's no need for us to hurry! And don't worry, I don't intend to accept anyone's court in the moment. If there's a court I'll accept, that will be yours, if we truly get along.
That was not what he wanted to hear, but he had to take it anyway. At least, according to what she had said, they were in a pre-courting stage, which was good. Not ideal, of course, but enough for the moment. And he was Niklaus Mikaelson, he wouldn't give it up on her easily like that.
- I accept the deal, love. But soon I'll be asking to court you again...
- As I said, when we get to know each other a little better, we can talk again about courting. And I promise to give you a final answer, because the last thing I want is to make a fool out of you. I have no respect for women who do that to men.
Klaus enjoyed her very much, and was learning she was much more than a pretty face. That angel would never play him like Tatia had done to him and his brother. Caroline was beautiful inside and out.
On the very next day, Elena was out with Elijah to help him. He'd meet his suitor, and she'd stay on guard, watching. Mikael could never know about their little arrangement.
The man introduced her to the Original Petrova, making sure to say how thankful they should be to "Miss Salvatore", since his father had forbidden him to court her. The girl didn't seem to like the admiration Elijah had for the other one.
- I heard some people saying we look alike. I beg to differ, though. - she didn't say it out loud, but it was implied she thought she was prettier than Elena.
- I don't think we look alike either, Tatia. - the brunette agreed in a bitter tone.
- Elijah, dear, - the girl called, kissing him - how about we go over there to have some more privacy? We don't want to make Elena uncomfortable...
He nodded, thanked the "Salvatore girl" once more, and left with his suitor. The brunette just knew Tatia had only kissed Elijah to provoke her...
She didn't want to eavesdrop, but ended up hearing the strumpet (that's how Kol called her during supper) claiming she had broken up with Klaus to be with Elijah, and only Elijah. She rolled her eyes at that, knowing Klaus was the one who broke up with her to court Caroline, her friend had said it herself the day before after her stroll with the future Almighty Hybrid.
"I'm sure Katherine and this one would get along just fine...", she thought sarcastically, "A couple wenches like those two would kill each other over Elijah". She went back to watching, reminding herself all the time that she was doing it for the Original, who was a good friend of hers.
Mikael heard from Mr. Thompson Stefan was an intelligent man, and was in charge of his numbers, a huge responsibility. It didn't escape the Original father how well Mr. Thompson was paying the Salvatore boy as well. Now he was more than sure he had made the right decision to get Elijah to court the eldest Salvatore sister. To make it even better, he only had to get Stefan to court Rebekah, and, of course, keep up with his plan of getting Kol to court the youngest Salvatore.
He only hoped his least favorite son, and greatest disappointment, Niklaus, didn't ruin everything by trying to win Caroline's affection. He already had the wench, who was good enough for him, he should get away from the blonde Salvatore...
If he was being completely honest with himself, he couldn't figure out how he had such weak and pathetic boy for a son. Since he was little, the boy couldn't do a thing right. He had no natural ability for hunting or none of the chores Mikael put him to do, though he learnt and got better with time and age.
The only things he was a natural at were useless ones like carving stupidities in wood, sketching (even he made sure to make it almost impossible for the boy to acquire material for that), and riding. At least, about the last one, that served for him to take care of the horses. But even at that, he wasn't that good. The stupid boy would get attached to the horses! For the love of God, to develop a relationship with animals! He would name them and pet them, and that only showed Mikael even more how weak and pathetic he was. That son of his would be an eternal shame for him!
The time of the month the villagers feared the most had come, the full moon. Barely had Caroline, Elena, and Stefan gotten there, they had to pack their cloths and furs (which the girls couldn't stand to sleep in) and head to the caves to protect themselves from the "beasts", how the wolves were called on those times.
Elijah, as Elena's suitor, remained by her side, but kept glancing at Tatia all the time. The brunette simply rolled her eyes, wondering in which situation she had put herself into.
- Maybe, after everyone's sleeping, you can go talk to her. - suggested the girl.
- Perhaps. You're too kind for caring this much about a man you hardly know, Elena. I'll be forever in your debt.
- You have to stop thanking me all the time, Elijah!
- My apologies, then.
- I didn't mean to scold you, I just want you to know I'm doing this because you seem to be a nice decent man, and I want to help you.
Her kindness was impressive. "The man who owns her heart is a very lucky man, indeed", the Original thought. The man wondered if he'd have the chance to have a moment with Tatia later, when all others were asleep. Though the howls were really loud, the villagers were used to, and didn't mind them that much, they knew the beasts didn't get into the caves.
Everyone fell asleep fast, and the Original started to get up to go over his suitor. Then he spotted poor Elena, trembling every time a howl resounded, obviously awaken.
- Hey, Elena, are you alright? – he sat down next to her, and she lift her head to look at him.
- I'm fine, Elijah. You can go talk to Tatia, everyone's asleep now.
- I could stay with you for a while, until you fall asleep. – how nice of him to offer, but the girl didn't want to be on his way to meet his beloved wench…
- I'm okay, really. You can go. – the words had just left her mouth when another howl was heard and she shivered and shut her eyes closed. Damn, those wolves were loud!
- If you don't mind, I will stay with you. I believe we have become quite good friends, and friends help one another. – he stated grinning, and the brunette feared she'd fall for him faster than anticipated.
Earlier that night, Mikael noticed Klaus walking over to Caroline and called the boy out. Then, he instructed the boy to watch over Henrik, even though the little one was eleven and hardly required a babysitter.
The hybrid-to-be knew what his father was trying to do, he wanted to get him away from the Salvatore girl. His suspicious were confirmed when he heard the patriarch order Kol to inquire if the "youngest Salvatore sister" wasn't in the need of anything. He'd never understand why his father disliked him so much!
- Greetings, Miss Caroline. - Klaus heard his brother, jealousy and frustration taking over him - I was wondering if you didn't need anything. Perhaps some aid to make a small fire?
The blonde was caught by surprise. Why was Kol worrying about her? He was a nice guy and all, but didn't seem much interested in being anything other than a friend to her when she met him at the Mikaelson's. Unless...
- Your father put you up to this, right?
The boy opened his mouth, but no sound was heard. He was dumbstruck.
- I can tell you don't want to get married. I heard you talking about half a dozen girls the other night. You want to remain a free man to fool around, at least for now. I understand it, and can respect that. I don't want to get married right away myself, and certainly not to a ladies man like yourself. - the girl finished her statement with a smile, trying to show him she wasn't judging him or anything.
- I guess I understood, miss.
- You can call me 'Caroline'.
- Very well. So, I see your point, it's just... What 'fool around' and 'ladies' man' mean? - the boy inquired a little confused.
The blonde chuckled, amused.
- To 'fool around' is like to 'court around', but without actually being committed, without actually asking the girl to court her. So you do that with more than one girl. To be a 'ladies' man' is to be a man who love to be around ladies, and whom ladies usually enjoy being with.
She noted a smugly smile appear on his face. He had just acknowledged himself in what she had exposed.
Kol took her hand and kissed it, bidding her goodnight and thanking her not only for the chat but for getting him out of the impending court. The girl grinned, declaring the right to decide when he wanted to get married was his, not his father's.
Klaus listened to the whole conversation, very glad to hear his Caroline refusing Kol's advances, getting even more pleased when he noticed she did that in a caring and friendly way. She was sensitive enough to express her disinterest politely and to note the boy wasn't, in the least, prepared to commit to a woman. He couldn't help himself and walked over to her. Henrik was asleep anyway, his duty as a nanny was done for the evening.
- Hello, love. First full moon experience for you? - he inquired, helping her stretch her 'bed'.
- Yes, there was none of this back in our old village.
- No beasts during full moon? You were lucky, then. I won't lie I'm curious about them, but they force us to leave our homes every full moon night and make us fear for our lives. I heard they are men who turn into beasts when the full moon rises in the sky, but never actually saw it happening. Maybe one day... - he started to wonder, and Caroline remembered with a pang in her chest that that was how he'd lose his little brother, the poor Henrik.
- I don't think it's that interesting anyway... - she stated for she had seen Tyler turn into a wolf, and it wasn't interesting in the least, it was more like terrifying...
- How can you say that, sweetheart? A man turning into a beast! I'd definitely like to see it, if it wasn't so dangerous...
"Boys and their thing for monsters, violence and such...", the blonde rolled her eyes.
A loud howl was heard, and the girl panicked a little. It was like the wolves were right there beside them!
- Calm down, love. It's only the beasts, and they don't come in here.
- I'm fine, they're no worse than Stefan snoring... - she joked to get her own fear out of her head. Poor Stefan, and he didn't even snore that loud...
Klaus chuckled, enjoying her sense of humor.
- That's because you haven't heard Father. I think the hut trembles with his snoring...
That was Caroline's time to laugh. God, she liked human Klaus a lot!
- And what about you, Nik? - she inquired with raised eyebrows.
- I don't know, love. I'm asleep, so I don't hear myself, but no one has ever complained. You could find out tonight, if you want to know it before accepting my court. Are you asking this because you fear for your ears when we're married?
The blonde blushed furiously for she wasn't expecting that question.
- I think it's time we go to sleep. - she said rapidly, still embarrassed.
They were about to bid their goodnights when another loud howl resounded through the cave. She shivered. It was like the wolves were in the cave.
- How can everyone sleep so soundly?
- They're used to, love. But your sister is not, I guess. - he then pointed to Elena, curled in a ball with Elijah beside her, trying to calm her down.
All others were asleep, though. Even Stefan, but that's probably because he had been doing hard labor work and was worn out.
Another loud howl. The blonde held Klaus' arm tight.
- Would you like me to stay with you until you fall asleep, sweetheart?
How sweet of him to offer, she thought, getting even more enchanted by him. She then nodded, and they sat on her cloths and furs. The hybrid-to-be put his arm around her shoulder, and she laid on his upper chest. He kissed her head, and the girl snuggled even more into him. The man was loving that embrace, for he could smell her and feel her warmth. And what a lovely scent did she have!
After a while they fell asleep. Though they spent the entire night like that, Klaus woke up early and laid her down gently, tucking her in, before he went to his spot. He didn't want to risk getting his father mad at him, he'd beat him to death, he was sure. When the Original left her, she had a sweet smile on her lips, and he hoped she was dreaming of him.
Author's note:
Hey, guys! So, Caroline didn't accept Klaus' court, but they barely know each other yet, it's understandable. And Tatia seems a wench, doesn't she? Tell me what you think!
To everyone who said they have been enjoying the fic so far, there's still a lot to come! Things are only going to get better, guys!
They are staying in the past for a while (long while, have to say). So sit back and relax, enjoying "Stone Age", 'cause Caroline, Elena, and Stefan will certainly have to learn to enjoy it there...
When they return to the present, hell's gonna go loose, for they'll still have to face the crisis they left with Klaus trying to kill everyone to get his coffins back! They time traveled in the middle a very delicate situation, and that delicate situation is still gonna be there waiting for them when they get back!
Thanks to everyone who's following and faving! And everyone that left a comment: a big THANK YOU!
# To bulldozed88:
Elena is breaking up with Elijah, but not right away. They both know Mikael wouldn't allow Elijah to court Tatia, so they're pretending they're together for a while, during which Elijah will meet with Tatia in secret. Then, some time later, Elena would claim she doesn't want to marry Elijah, hoping Mikael would get so pissed he'd even let Elijah be with Tatia. Of course, that's their plan for now... But it doesn't mean it won't change, especially because Tatia seems to be a 1st class wench!
Thanks for the comment and for all the support you've been giving me!
# To Guest:
I haven't noticed how much space Elejah has taken in my fic. After you pointed (and considering I have lots of plans for them), I thought it was accurate to change it into a Klaroline and Elejah fic.
Thanks for the suggestion!
# To Jessnicole:
If you loved the Klaroline scene, well, know I have many more cute scenes planned for them! And some so sweet they might even give you guys a toothache!
Thanks for commenting!
# To Nath W. Malfoy:
Klaroline was really cute, right? And who said Elijah and Elena are breaking up? That's the plan, but plans change...
Thanks for commenting!
# To Skyeward MusicLover:
Thank you! And here's an early update! More friday!
Thans for the comment!
# To Anne:
Elena really didn't want to force Elijah into a court he didn't want. Elijah is a man of his word, and the fact he had asked to be Tatia's suitor and is now courting Elena because of his father's pressure is eating him alive. You know Elijah and his morals, right? So Elena just tried to do the right thing to help him out.
Klaus is different from Elijah on that aspect. Since he doesn't feel so bounded by his word, he's able to see Tatia's true colors much better than his brother. Therefore, he doesn't feel bad about leaving her and pursuing Caroline, a girl he's been infatuated by since he laid eyes on her.
Thanks for the comment and I hope you keep enjoying the fic!
I think that's all for now, guys! Keep commenting, and faving, and following! Your opinion is very importante to me, okay? It encourages me to keep writing and it gives me an idea of what I should change (or maintain) in my story!
XOXO