"For the last time, I'm alright. You have not hurt me or my daughter." Amilia grabbed his hands and placed them on her stomach. Kol was surprised at how big her stomach actually was, when you usually did not notice that she was pregnant. At that moment he felt a nudge against his hand, he was not even sure he would have caught it if his senses weren't sharpened. He suddenly remembered how his mother had often led him to touch her stomach when she was carrying Rebekah. Again, it felt as if his heart would burst, and he immediately took away his hands. "Are you sure she's alright?" He asked, mostly so she would not notice his aching heart.
"Yes, she's alright." Kol looked at her and took her arm to look at the bite mark he had given her the night before. "And I'm also okay." She said as she pulled her arm away and began to tie a small bandage on the wound. "Let me do it." Insisted Kol while he took it out of her hands and carefully bandaged her wrist.
He hated that he had given into her offer. It was seriously the last thing he wanted to do, and he had done it anyway.
Although Finn and Sage had made it clear that they did not do Niklaus' dirty work, Kol felt that it was best if they moved on as quickly as possible. So when he had become convinced that Amilia and her stomach was alright, he had gone out to procure a horse and a carriage. Amilia had of course protested, but he had made it clear that it was important to him, so she had accepted.
The following days they had been on the road almost constantly. They had only kept small breaks during the day, however, they had spent the night at inns they had come by. On the second day Amilia had thanked him for insisting that she should not be sitting on a horse.
"Kol, we have been traveling for 7 days, can we please make a stop in the next village, and then stay there for some days? It''s hard to just sit here, bumping in the carriage."
Kol looked searchingly at her. "Are you okay? Shall we take a break now?"
Amilia smiled lovingly at him. "I just knew that deep inside you, you were hiding the most caring young man. I'm fine, if we just stop at the next village and stay some days.
Hours later Kol pulled up the horse and the carriage in front of an inn. He jumped agile down from the horse and then he helped Amilia down. Then he grabbed a passerby and said" here, take the reins and watch the carriage until I come out again", as he stared into his eyes. The stranger nodded and took automatically the reins.
Then he accompanied Amilia inside, where he installed her at a table. He called the innkeeper. "My sister's husband has passed away, just as she is expecting their first child. And I am bringing her home to our Father's house. We have traveled for many days and needs a rest. We plan to stay here a few days, so we must have ... " Kol looked down at Amilia who now looked deeply unhappy before he again took eye contact with the keeper. "... A room, if there is only one large bed, I rather lie on the floor than leave her alone in her condition. We also need some food. Server for her what she wants. I need to fix the horse and carriage " The innkeeper nodded and when Kol went out to the horse, he heard Amilia place an order with an unusually weak voice. It almost sounded as if she was in tears.
Out by the horse he thanked the stranger who immediately asked if there were anything else he could do for him.
Kol who was rather thirsty looked at the man and smiled. "Actually, there is. You can help me with the horse and carriage."
The man came willingly with him into the barn and helped Kol fix the horse and check the carriage. When the work was finished the man asked again if there were anything else he could do to help.
Kol looked around the barn while he intently listened to if there were anyone around. When he thought the coast was clear, he grabbed the man again and asked about his whereabouts while he stared into his eyes. The man replied that he had been on his way home from work and he lived alone.
"Excellent! You will not remember anything about our meeting. You went straight home and to bed because you did not feel well. You are going to cover the wound that you do not remember how you've got and you will not show it to anyone. And, you will not scream or otherwise attract attention."
The man nodded benevolently, but with a puzzled expression on his face. "What wound?"
A cocky smile played on Kol lips. "This ..." And just then his face changed and his fangs came out. He grabbed the man's head and bent it to the side to expose the man's neck.
A plaintive sound escaped the man as Kol pierced the thin skin on his neck, but otherwise he withheld himself completely quiet.
Kol groaned with pleasure as the warm blood flowed into his mouth and down his throat.
Too soon after he pulled his fangs out of the neck and smiled proudly. He grabbed a cloth. "Here, it stops quickly to bleed. Now make sure that no one sees it and forget about me." And with that Kol disappeared.
"Well, there you are!" It sounded rather accusingly from Amilia as he sat down across from her.
"Forgive me sister. There were some things needed to be done." He sent her a broad smile.
Amilia scowled at him. "Just admit it, you met a stable girl, and we both very well know what happened. Just answer me one thing. Was she able to walk afterwards."
Kol tried to suppress a gurgling. "Sister, a real man does not tell about his lady acquaintances. But now that you ask, she is in this moment on her way home."
"You are simply too much. And you are entirely wrong. A real man marries A woman, instead of ... "She waved dramatically with her hand. "... That."
They continued to bicker, though Kol found it hard to hide how much it amused him. Of course he knew very well that it was only for fun, though it was also her way to find out if he had drained anyone again.
Suddenly Kol got aware of a voice. He recognized it although it was so weak that not even Amilia had perceived it. "Kol, can we talk, it's important."
Kol signaled to Amilia that she should be quiet.
"You can come in here, Sage." He muttered, just loud enough so Amilia could pick it up.
In the same Sage came in the door and a moment later she sat down by their table with a chair she had just grabbed.
"Forgive me for interrupting your argument, but I've been looking for you for days." Sage looked restlessly around the room.
"What's the matter?" Asked Kol.
"It's your father. He's gone mad ... more than usually."
"What do you mean?"
"He has killed your mother." Again she looked around nervously as if she feared that Michael would show up here.
Kol jumped up. "What do you mean, how do you know that? Answer me!"
"Sit down, you attract attention towards us."
Kol sat back down and looked encouragingly at Sage.
"The day after we had left you, Niklaus found us. He told us that he with his own eyes had seen Mikael kill your mother. He explained that he had heard them arguing, but before he could do anything, it had been too late, and Mikael had killed her.
So now Niklaus will gather all of you and have you to come with him to the Old World."
Kol stood up abruptly and looked around. "Then we'll leave, immediately." He said addressing to Amilia.
Just the thought of Niklaus knowing about Amilia, got shivers to run down his spine.
"Kol, no matter what you do, he'll find you, or Mikael willl find you."
Kol looked appraisingly at Sage. "What are you actually doing here?"
"Niklaus would not let me come along. He said that it was only for the family and that he could not have all kinds of people to come with them. When it became clear to Finn and I that there was nothing to do, we agreed that I should take another boat across the big ocean. But first he asked me to find you and warn you." Sage looked by turns at Kol and Amilia before she continued. "I honestly believe that Niklaus will not allow any humans to come along, except perhaps if he can eat her. I've seen how you are constantly aware of her, so I doubt that you will let Niklaus eat her."
Kol growled angrily, while he clenched his hands so much that his knuckles were all white.
"But I have a proposal. She can travel with me. I promise to protect her and the baby if it should come before you get reunited."
Kol stared shocked at Sage. How could she know?
"It is not difficult to pick up the extra beating heart which beats faster than anyone else, and certainly not when it is right next to me. I promise that they will come to no harm." Sage smiled reassuringly to both of them.
"It is is out of the question. I am not leaving her." He could easily hear how desperate he sounded and he continued to look around nervously.
At that moment Amilia cleared her throat. "Sage, can I speak to Kol alone?" Sage nodded and Amilia stood up. "Kol, will you please follow me to our room?"
Up in the room Amilia closed the door behind them. "I understand why you will not go along with this. But actually, I think it sounds like a good plan."
"It is out of the question. I won't leave you .. any of you. I have sworn to protect you."
"I know, but this is also a way to protect us. We are also at risk, partly from my family, but what do you think happens if your father or Niklaus finds us together with you? I would like to go the Old World."
The horror welled up in Kol at the thought of what could happen to them if Mikael or Niklaus found them with him. He could see that it was probably very sensible if they split up. But then another realization crossed his mind. If he travelled to the Old World, he would see Rebekah again. Kol swollowed heavily to remove the lump that was already in his neck. His heartbeat began to race and his palms were sweaty.
"I can't." He sighed with a desperate look in his eyes.
Amilia studied him very carefully before she quietly said something. "It is your sister you are afraid of meeting, right?" She continued without waiting for an answer. "I know that she is your big love and that it was her that broke your heart." She said it without even sounding judgmental.
Kol just stood and gaped, unable to say anything. Cause, what do you say, when you are confronted with the fact that you love your sister, the way he loves his sister?
"How?" He stammered nervously, afraid that everything they had together would now end. Cause it had to end.. How could she look at him again, knowing this?
"I put two and two together. I've seen how you react when someone mentions her or when you are talking about her. Not that you ever have suggested that she was the one that broke your heart." She put her calming hand on his shoulder. "Kol, it does not matter who you love. You mean the same to me." She smiled quietly to him. "I love you and only want the best for you. That is also why I think you should go with your brother to the Old World and let me go with Sage. I am sure that she will keep her word. Moreover, I also have a few tricks to defend myself with."
"Are you sure?" Asked Kol.
"Yes, you go down and get Sage. I will stay here." She pushed him quietly toward the door.
Kol went down to pick up Sage while he tried to sort out his thoughts.
Back in the room, they told Sage that they would go with her offer.
They agreed that Amilia should travel with Sage immediately. And then Kol would travel in the direction that they suspected that Niklaus would come from.
Before they left, Kol grabbed Sage and stared into her eyes as he compelled her. "You will make sure she's safe on your journey. You will protect her with your life until we are reunited. The idea of drinking her blood will repel you. And you will not tell anyone about her."
Sage nodded and repeated monotonously what Kol had just said to her.
Finally he grabbed Amilia and hugged her close. "I can not stand the idea that I am not with you." He muttered into her hair.
Amilia hugged him back. "We will be alright. And we'll meet again care of yourself, Kol. You are not the only one who fear that something will happen with the other."
"What a farewell between two lovers. But we have to leave now." Did it come from Sage.
Kol followed them down to the horse and carriage, which he had insisted that they should take. He had also given them some instructions so they had a chance of finding each other again.
Kol sighed when he saw them drive off. He was not sure he did the right thing, and then he feared the meeting with his family. Especially the meeting with Rebekah, but also the meeting with Niklaus. How would he be reacting since Kol had been so difficult to find and that he several years ago had refused to go with Elijah home?
Kol sighed again and went back inside. He steered directly towards the bar where he ordered a bottle of the strongest that the house offered.
Unfortunately, the innkeeper asked him, where his sister was.
Once again Kol sighed, before he looked the innkeeper in the eye. "You have confused me with someone else. I travel alone. But now that you're here. I am expecting a visit from a gentleman. He looks a little like me, but his is older. He will ask for Kol. But only if he presents himself as my brother or Niklaus you must let him know that I'm here. But no matter what, I should be notified if someone asks for me.
The innkeeper nodded and repeated Kols message.
"Excellent. Here's some money for your trouble." Kol let some coins drop into the hands of the innkeeper.
The host thanked and returned to his work while Kol took the bottle to his lips.
It took a couple of days before something finally happened. Kol had used the wait to empty one bottle after another. Still, he noted the stranger who came into the bar and asked for him. Before the innkeeper could answer, Kol turned towards the newcomer. "Niklaus, what a surprise." He nodded briefly to the innkeeper before he again turned his attention to his brother.
"I knew I could find you sitting at the bar with a bottle in front of you. The only question was just what bar I'd find you in."
"What do you want, Niklaus. I thought I had made it clear that I want to live for myself. But Elijah has obviously not been very good to convey my message." Replied Kol contrary.
"I have bad news, brother." Kol noticed that Niklaus looked guilty.
"It does not interest me." Kol did his best to hide that he already knew what it was Niklaus would tell him and what he wanted.
"Father has killed our mother."
Kol jumped up. "It is a lie. Much would father do. But killing our mother, I do not believe it." Kol hoped desperately that he seemed convincing.
"It pains me, but it's true. I saw it with my own eyes. First I heard them arguing. Actually, I have many times the last few years heard them arguing in a way that I have never heard before. It was as if father could not forgive her for her mistakes." Niklaus looked away and swallowed before he continued. "Just before he killed her, he swore that he would kill me and all those who stood in his way."
Kol who did not know the circumstances behind the murder of their mother, was deeply shocked and very upset. "How dare he kill our mother because of that. He who has pleasured himself with all the women he could get to. He who even tried with his own daughter in law. Ugh, I am disgusted that I am the son of that man." Kol spat contemptuously. "Let's find him and kill him!" He said as he stood up.
Niklaus grabbed Kol's arm. "No, have you forgotten how strong he was in the past. Have you forgotten that he practically beat you to death? And he is even stronger now, even stronger than us."
Kol growled angrily at the realization. "Then what do you suggest that we do?"
"We leave. We travel to the Old World and hope that father does not follow us."
"So you want us to flee?"
"You can call it what you want. I do not want to expose us all to danger. And therefore, are we also leaving immediately. Pack your things!" Niklaus' voice changed suddenly to a very authoritative voice.
Kol scowled hatefully at Niklaus. No matter what, he hated when other dictated what he should do and he also knew that Niklaus would be suspicious if he did not make a scene out of it. "Forget it. I'll stay here . No one tells me what to do and father is not going to chase me to the Old World. I am staying here and I intend to kill him!"
Niklaus shook his head. "You are well aware that we can not be killed and the same goes for father."
"Why are you running then? If he can not kill you, you have nothing to fear."
"Because he will still be able to torture me." He looked away with a bitter expression. And then Kol remember what their father had done to Niklaus when he found out that Niklaus was not his son. He had beaten him, worse than he had beaten Kol when they were humans, and he would certainly have killed him if it had been possible.
Suddenly Kol felt sorry for his brother. He put his arm around him. "I'll go with you voluntarily and I'll help you if father comes after you. No matter who your father is, you will always be my brother." He got up to go and collect his things, when Niklaus grabbed his arm and looked at him with a sad expression. "Mikael beat my father to death. I did not even got to know him." There came a quiet sobs from him before he let go of Kol. "Go up and pack your stuff, I'll stay here in the meantime."
Kol looked hesitantly at his brother. He considered giving him a hug, but was interrupted by Niklaus' usual commanding voice. "Go now!"
Kol sighed and went up to the room. He did not have many things with him and they were already packed, so he was back shortly after. Nevertheless, Niklaus had already managed to order a bottle of the strongest that the house offered.
"It went fast." Noted he as Kol sat down beside him.
"There is not that much and I rarely take the time to unpack." Replied Kol while he took the bottle and put it to his mouth. "Should we get going?" He asked when he had put the bottle down again.
"Yes, we'd better." Replied Niklaus, he took the bottle and walked towards the door.