Chapter 13: Stories and Surprises

"Henrik!" Finn managed to say through his shock. Seeing his younger brother - his dead younger brother - was the last thing he expected.

Henrik smiled at Finn's reaction. "It's good to see you Finn. It's been so long," he said as he approached his still shocked brother.

Finn couldn't believe it. Henrik. His youngest brother, who was supposed to be dead, was standing in front of him. It was safe to say he was in shock. "How?"

Henrik expression turned dark. Finn was shocked to see such a look on his Henrik's face. Henrik had always been the relaxed and fun brother. He was serious when needed but most of the time he was always goofing off and playing pranks. Seeing such a look on Henrik's face only added to Finn's shock.

"It's a long story but it will be good for you to know. Shall we make ourselves comfortable in the study?"

"Yes," Finn said as he turned to Katherine. He took her hand and pulled her to him before turning back to his brother. "Henrik, there is someone I want you to meet. This is Katerina Petrova, or more commonly known as Katherine Pierce."

Henrik smiled at his brother's girlfriend. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Pierce. I have heard many things about you and it is good to finally be able to put a face to the name," he said as he took her hand and kissed her knuckles. It was one habit he picked up from long ago that he couldn't seem to get rid of, though he didn't really want to.

Katherine wasn't surprised. She had made quite a name for herself in the vampire world. "I see my reputation has preceded me. I do hope you're opinion of me will change once you know me better."

Henrik laughed. "I have no ill thoughts of you Miss Pierce. I know why you ran and why did what you did and I admire you for it. Not many people would be able to survive long running from my brothers."

"Please call me Katherine or Kat."

"Very well, as long as you call me Henrik or Rik."

Finn watched the interaction between his girlfriend and his brother and knew they would get along well. Both had a mischievous side that liked to cause trouble and he could only imagine what they would get up to together.

"Shall we head to the study so we can hear Henrik's tale of the last thousand years?" Finn asked the two. Both nodded and the trio headed through the house to the room adjacent to the library.

~WTDCK~

Mikaelson House

Caroline was in her room packing the last few things before the group headed to Ireland. The whole thing was still sort of surreal. She never thought she'd be in the position she currently found herself in. She was living at the Mikaelson house and on more than friendly terms with Klaus. She actually wasn't sure what they were but she was sure it was more than friends.

The events that led her here sill shocked her but she got through it and was stronger because of it. Her mother had finally accepted her as a vampire so didn't have to worry about an attack every time she walked through the door; however, just because Liz accepted it didn't mean she liked it. Caroline sighed as she remembered all the fights that had happened between her and her mother. It hadn't been pretty. The fact that Caroline was rarely home only made the fights worst. It wasn't her fault Elena's life was going to hell in a hand basket but she was going to be there for her friend no matter what. Liz, however, didn't like that at all. In the end Caroline had to choose between living at home and following her mother's rules or moving out and being there to support Elena. It wasn't an easy decision but after thinking about it Caroline knew that no matter what she did, Liz was always going to have that bit of hatred towards her for what she was and they were always going to fight about something. So she packed her stuff and accepted Klaus' offer of a room at his house. Once she found out Elena had moved in and why, any and all doubt about her decision went out the window. Elena needed her. She was where she was supposed to be.

A knock on her door brought her back to the present. "Come in," she called.

The door opened and in walked the man she was slowly but surely falling for. "Hello, Love. How's the packing coming? Are you almost finished," Klaus asked as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Mhmm. I just finished actually."

"We'll be leaving soon, within the hour. We're waiting on Elijah and Jenna. They went out to fetch something a couple of hours ago. As soon as they return we'll be on our way." Caroline nodded.

"Have you ever been to Ireland?" Caroline asked.

"Yes, though it has been a couple of centuries since I was last there. I'm looking forward to going back," Klaus answered softly.

"What's it like?"

"You'll love it there. The country is green, the people are friendly, and the weather is perfect."

"It sounds nice."

Klaus hmmed in response and they were silent, content to be with each other. A few moments had passed before they heard the sound of a car making its way down the drive.

"That must be Elijah and Jenna," Klaus said.

"Hmm. I still can't believe Jenna and Elijah are together. I never would have thought those two would end up together. They're so different," she said as she turned in Klaus' arms and wrapped her own around his waist.

"Since he met her, Elijah has had a fondness of sorts for Jenna, but his determination to kill me prevented him from doing anything," Klaus responded.

"I had no idea."

Before Klaus could respond Kol's voice interrupted them, "Hey you lovebirds! It's time to go so detach yourselves from each other's faces and get a move on it!"

Both of them heard Elena smack Kol for his words and they laughed at his pain, but he did have a point. Jenna and Elijah were home and it was time to leave. They grabbed Caroline's bags and headed downstairs to meet the others.

"Finally! I was beginning to wonder if was going to have to brave Caroline's room to fetch you."

"Kol, if you don't shut up I'm going to smack you again," Elena said as she glared at her boyfriend.

"Alright, alright. I'll shut up," Kol said as he wrapped his arms around Elena from behind.

Klaus couldn't help but laugh at his brother. "You are so whipped, Brother."

"You can't talk. Both you and Elijah are just as bad if not worse than me," Kol said with a smirk as he looked between his two elder brothers. Klaus and Elijah looked at each other before shrugging. It was true. The Mikaelson men were whipped.

"If you lot are finished we have to be going or else we'll be late," Rebekah said.

"And that would be such a bad thing," Kol said sarcastically. He knew his sister had a schedule all set down to the very last second and being late would drive her insane.

"YES!" she said as she stomped outside. The others merely rolled their eyes as they grabbed their bags and followed.

~WTDCK~

Ireland

"So let me get this straight. Esther kept you alive and turned you like she did the rest of us but she kept your existence a secret from us," Finn said. Listening to Henrik's story had put him in what he was sure was a permanent state of shock, disbelief, and anger.

"Correct. She kept me barely alive then forced me to drink the blood just as Mikael forced all of you," Henrik confirmed.

"Why didn't she tell us you were alive?" Finn asked as he leaned back into the couch.

"I do not know. Once we were turned I was still weak so she kept me away from everyone. Then, when she realized exactly what she created, she turned Mikael into a super-vampire of sorts to kill us. By then it didn't matter that I was weak for Mikael was going to kill me anyway. When Klaus killed Esther Mikael became enraged and went after him and I was forgotten. It took centuries before I was alright again."

"Why didn't you find us? We were so upset when we thought you died," Finn said with a bit of sadness and hurt in his voice as he remembered how sad he and his siblings were when they believed Henrik to be dead. Henrik hated seeing any of his siblings hurt and was quick to explain.

"I wanted to but I had heard about what Niklaus had done and feared what he would do to me if he found I was still alive. I knew everything, what he did to you and Kol, about the curse, everything, but I kept my distance. None of you ever knew this but I can talk to the spirits. None of us inherited Esther's powers but I am able to speak with the spirits like she is. Though generally they do not like vampires they have taken a liking to me and guided me. There is a time for everything which is why I have sought you out now."

"Why now?" Katherine asked from her spot next to Finn on the couch.

"Esther seeks to restore balance; however, what she wants to accomplish will only disrupt the balance more. She seeks to rid the world of vampires but the balance of nature has adjusted to having vampires on Earth. Eliminating the entire race would be disastrous; however, Niklaus' hybrids need to be destroyed. Having a hybrid creature throws off the balance and to set it right they need to go."

Finn nodded. "That sounds right. What about Niklaus? He is a hybrid."

Henrik sighted as he leaned back into the armchair he was sitting in. "I am not sure. The spirits are divided on him. Some claim that he is allowed to live for he was a vampire first but others claim that he should die with his creations for he is just like them. A decision hasn't been agreed upon," Henrik answered.

Before anyone could say anything there was a commotion outside. They glanced at each other before running outside to see what was happening. What they found surprised them. Standing side by side were Klaus, Caroline, Kol, Elena, Jenna, Elijah, and Rebekah.

"What are you all doing here?" Finn asked.

"We have a surprise for you, Brother," Rebekah said.

"Surprise, indeed," Henrik said with a smirk. He knew how shocked his older siblings would be to see him and couldn't wait to see their reactions. As one they all turned to him, and boy was he right. Their reactions were priceless.

"Henrik!"

A/N: I'm so sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. It is entirely my fault. It was the end of the semester and I had final exams and projects to do. I apologize!

Please review and tell me what you think! Thank you for sticking with me.