Summary: The Hollow tries to strike a deal with Keelin and she learns of the Hollow's plans before she was thrown into a magical world where she is united with Freya.
A/N: Yesh, it's Friday again! TGIF! A few weeks back when I decided to make this a chapter/arc-based fan-fic, I actually compiled a wishlist from the reader's comments and PMs. Then, I plotted the remaining 9 chapters with the aim of ticking off the check boxes to the best of my ability. Hence, do not be surprised when wishes materialize…some of the ideas are from you, and for you, the readers. (; As the scenes in this chapter alternate between dreamland and reality, I hope it's not too confusing. I also hope that you'll like the way I handled their magical moment. Comments and suggestions are welcomed, feel free to guess what the Hollow is up to.
Its déjà vu. She recalled waking from a head concussion years ago while being tied to a chair by Hayley and staring right back into the Viking witch's green eyes. Years later, she woke to find herself tied to a chair and staring right back into the same pair of eyes, except that they are not Freya's eyes now – cold and expressionless.
"It sure took you a while."
Keelin's head was spinning and she struggled against the strips that restrained her to a chair.
"Futile effort, they're spelled with magic and you will never be able to break free no matter what."
"Just what do you want?" Keelin shouted. "What have you done to Freya?"
She gave a wicked grin and took her time, "I'll strike you a deal Keelin. I need a more permanent solution, a powerful magical body, and if you'll get me what I need, I'll leave Freya's body."
Keelin bit her lips as the Hollow continued.
"Bring me the Mikaelson witches and you'll get back Freya."
"I'll also remove this werewolf curse of yours. It's after all my masterpiece and I'd have no difficulty revoking it."
"So what do you say?"
"Hmmm," Keelin pondered. "Why the Mikaelsons? There are many other powerful experienced witches out there. And have you considered other species like vampires instead? They're immortal, you'll live forever, strong and powerful."
The Hollow laughed at Keelin for suggesting, "Only when I'm in a witch's body can I reach my maximum magical potential. As the Mikaelsons is an ancient family and magic runs deep in their veins, a Mikaelson witch body will greatly enhance my powers."
"Erm, but Mikaelson witches...?"
"As much as I desire to possess Hope Mikaelson, she's after all a mortal. A blood sacrifice of another Mikaelson witch will ensure my immortality and everlasting prowess."
"But how? Hope is the only Mikaelson witch left!"
"That is where you and your dear Freya comes into the picture. Your offspring will be one with immense powers."
"What do you mean?" Keelin gave a confused look.
The Hollow made an evil smile and continued.
"I applaud your bravery to rationalize and probe even when you're in such a situation. I always knew that you were one of the smartest amongst the Mikaelson's. I've specially let you live as I've seen the potential in you."
"You're a smart one, so what do you say? Will you bring me Hope?"
"Hmm..." Keelin pondered.
"Hmmmmm…" she repeated, "Neh, not helping."
"That's a pity, what a waste Keelin! After sharing with you my plans, you still do not think too highly of me."
"Since you're all so powerful, why don't you get Hope yourself?" Keelin challenged.
"There's no way I'll help your plan materialize."
"Very well then, it shall be accomplished by force and a stroke of magic."
Keelin gritted her teeth and stared at the Hollow, she already knew too much of the Hollow's plans to be allowed to live. She prepared herself for the worse.
One of the hunch men entered the room and opened a metal casing. In it were two other boxes that held a dozen or two syringes, mostly filled with transparent liquid and a few bottles of red liquid. Her nose twitched and she struggled against the straps harder than before. One of the hooded men held her against the metallic chair while the other figure removed the needle cap.
"No – No…not wolfs bane!" Her mouth went dry.
"Just what are you up to? Torture me slowly to death?" It came out more like a growl and her eyes glowed, and she stared at the Hollow with every killing intent.
The hollow smirked, motioned to the man and he took out a needle and removed the cap.
"Last chance, will you help me?"
Keelin glared and kept mum, and the Hollow gave the go-ahead signal.
The cold needle penetrated her shoulder and she felt her arm burnt, the sensation spread to her shoulder and travelled throughout her body. It was as though someone had put her on fire except that there was no smoke and flames.
The Hollow bent to her eye level and laughed right into her face.
"Like it or not, you'll help me to get Hope and the Mikaelson witch sacrifice is in place."
A menacing laugh filled the air. One so evil that she was sure it wasn't Freya's, and that it couldn't be Freya. The woman she knew would never laugh diabolically like that. She felt as though she was being suck into a vortex, the world spun in circles, her surroundings blurred, and sounds faded in and out.
The last she managed to catch was a blurry vision of a syringe filled with red liquid being slid into the side of her neck.
"Where's Freya and Keelin?" Klaus asked at the breakfast table.
"Now Nik, surely you can have breakfast for once without our sister and her wife?" Rebekah answered calmly.
"They're probably out," Elijah replied casually and took out his phone to dial Freya's number. He tried again when the phone line was disengaged.
"Couldn't get through Freya's line, I'll try calling Keelin."
"Keelin too," he calmly said as he returned the phone to his suit pocket.
"Well, anyway I wouldn't disturb the love birds unlike our Nik here," Rebekah sarcastically added.
"Must I remind everyone that I've kept my end of the deal and gave everyone ample personal space? Is a simple breakfast with the family a little too much to ask for?" Klaus uttered.
There was something in his pockets and Klaus pulled out a magic paper and his face softened. Rebekah quickly sneaked up on Klaus and snatched the magical note away from him.
"Daddy I miss you. -Love, Hope." Rebekah read aloud.
"Hope is such a love! It's not term break yet but I already can't wait to see how much the little angel has grown."
When the world stopped spinning, and when Keelin was conscious once again, she found herself in the middle of the woods. A distance away was a very familiar looking figure. Tall, blonde, slender and with the exact charming smile she remembered. The blonde was in distraught and staggered to her side, as though struggling to regain her balance for she looked lost and disoriented.
"Freya?" she called out to the blonde.
The blonde sprung around and stared at her with suspicion.
"Keelin?"
"Wait, why are you here?"
"What are you doing here?"
"What has that wretched spirit done to you?" Freya asked.
"I don't know," Keelin replied frankly but she went over to grab her arms and was almost in tears. She was overwhelmed with an enormous sense of relief to be able to see Freya again.
"Where are we?"
Freya shook her head. "I was lost in a dark forest for a very long time before I suddenly got pulled to be here. We must be in some magical universe conjured by the Hollow," Freya rationalized. "And you must have been spelled to be trapped here too."
They looked around.
"Well, is there any way to get out of here? Does magic ever wears off?" Keelin jokingly asked.
Freya returned a shrug. "We have to try, there definitely has to be a way out of here!"
Freya took Keelin's hand and they started trekking, staying mostly on paths.
"There has to be a loop hole, every magic has one."
"It can be in any form – a portal in a tree, under a rock, or even an encounter…" Freya recounted. "We need to figure out in order to get out of here."
They explored for what seemed like ages on a sandy path in the forest. Day became night and night became day, and the cycle repeated itself again and they were still trekking. Soon it was another night and they decided to rest for the night by the lake.
The sky was clear and the full moon shone brightly above. The water lilies in the lake were brighter than usual as the light of the moon was reflecting off them. They were by the shimmering lake, and Freya was deep in thoughts on their next course of action. Keelin watched Freya deep in thoughts and pondered whether she had made a right choice to allow Freya to follow her back to New Orleans. All of these would not have happened if it weren't for work, where her directors sent her to New Orleans to attend medical meetings. Freya naturally tagged along being the possessive wife. They were supposed to be in Austin leading a peaceful life, unlike now, trapped in a magical world.
Keelin could barely keep her eyes off Freya. There was a longing of desire ignited within her, a longing especially strong now that Freya is finally right beside her.
Keelin sprinkled some lake droplets onto Freya to catch her attention.
"Hey you're doing this to yourself again, shouldering all the responsibilities and trying to get us out of this magical world."
Freya forced a small comforting smile at Keelin and a few small crinkles around her eyes showed. Keelin smiled back.
"Um, there's something that you need to know," Keelin said and their shoulders brushed as Keelin moved closer.
"I'm listening."
"The Hollow mentioned that there's another Mikaelson witch beside Hope. Does that ring a bell?"
"Not that I'm aware of," Freya shook her head.
"We Mikaelsons are already one of the strongest bloodlines when it comes to magic and ever since I've turned, Hope is the only Mikaelson witch left."
Freya squinted her brows and went back into deep thoughts over the hints the Hollow dropped.
"Um, Freya – " Keelin continued, "There's something else that you need to know too."
Freya turned to look at Keelin.
"During the time when you were not you, I was so worried. I miss you so much Freya Mikaelson."
Freya had expected more hints about the ominous situation that they were in but when she heard love declaration coming from Keelin, her expressions softened and she rolled her head back and smiled.
"What's so funny?" Keelin felt her cheeks and ears burning a bright red.
"It's just…," Freya bit her lower lips, "Me too Keelin, me too."
Freya leaned towards Keelin and the werewolf instantaneously closed her eyes, preparing for the kiss but it didn't come as Freya stopped just an inch away, her lips hovering over.
"Freya –," she called out softly but Freya returned a mischievous smile, her breath hovering across her nose and lips, and their lips were still not touching. Keelin couldn't take the tease anymore and she lifted herself to meet her lips. The kiss was small, slow and gentle, and when Freya tried to draw away she didn't let her.
Her fingers curled around the back of her wife's neck, the other wrapped around her waist, bringing them closer.
Freya pulled away, looked into those brownish eyes and sternly said, "We're lost in the woods, beside a lake and there might be monsters lurking! My dear Keelin, ain't you afraid?"
"Oh…! I'm totally petrified!" Keelin said with a quiver.
They burst into laughter for the first time in days.
"Hahaha. That was totally unexpected, didn't see that coming from you," Keelin struggled to calm herself.
Freya smiled and leaned over to give a peck on the lips but when their lips touched, she was so overwhelmed with emotions that a peek became a deep kiss full of heat and passion. They hastily removed their clothing and Freya's hands and lips were soon all over her. There was an aura surrounding Freya that night and she glowed under the moonlight, her green mesmerizing eyes were more radiant than ever and Keelin fully absorbed that positive energy. Breathes quickened and tongues danced. Keelin happily surrendered to the sweet grinding pleasure and her eyes glowed a warmish yellow when she came undone. Not wanting their magical journey to end, Freya held her tightly in embrace and cradled till sleep crept in.
Keelin woke to find herself back in the middle of the woods and called out to Freya but she wasn't there.
Her head was a spinning wretched, she felt nauseous, her body hurt and she was immobile on the ground.
"Look who I finally found!"
It was a familiar voice and she focused to find Klaus standing above her. Soon enough Rebekah and Elijah appeared. She opened her mouth to speak but before she could, she sipped into unconsciousness and the last she remembered was Rebekah holding onto her hand and Klaus lifting her off the ground.