Chapter 35

The next day snow fell heavily outside the farm. Those inside went about their usual tasks, relieved they didn't have to shovel snow or use up more of their wood supply just to keep warm. No one came to see the strange wall or talk to the mysterious people inside. This included John and Sarah.

"I wish Sarah had come to look through and see me…us," Kol said late in the dark afternoon. He scratched at his chin. Like Elijah, he had not grown any beard since their arrival. He wasn't surprised and he was alright with it.

"I'm sure they'll be back tomorrow," Rebekah said, hopefully.

"Perhaps Sarah will bring a new book. Or a newspaper," Elijah said. Since neither could be passed through the barrier, Sarah or John had to read them aloud. Elijah enjoyed that, both hearing what was read, but also watching the young lady. Did he imagine being with her? Yes, he did.

Did he know Kol lusted after her? Yes, he did. If Sarah were to appear inside the barrier, what would happen to her? he wondered. Probably nothing nice. There were three blood-hungry vampires, two of them lusty males, who would love to get their hands on her. He didn't like to think these things, but he knew it was true.

Although darkness was falling, the animals had not been taken care of yet. "I'll milk the cow," Rebekah insisted. "Freya, you rest."

The older sister was leaning against the tall back of a kitchen chair, trying to get up the energy to see to the chores. Despite Elijah's insistence she do no spell, she had done one and she was paying the price with exhaustion.

"I'll feed the other animals," Kol said, needing something to do.

"I'll get supper started," Freya insisted. "Elijah can help me."

"You will sit. I shall do the work under your direction," Elijah said. "Freya, please sit down. You are pale and I can hear your heartbeat. It is tripping along like a sparrow's."

"I never imagined it would be like this," she admitted, sitting down.

"None of us did. It's not your fault. Wherever we had landed, the situation would not have turned out as we might have imagined. In fact, I do not even know what I imagined. I was sick, as I'm sure you recall."

"I know. All of you were in a bad situation. Still are. I'm tired, Elijah. Not just physically. I'm mentally and emotionally exhausted."

"Yes, you are. That's why we do not want you to do any more spells." He saw tears start to run down Freya's cheeks. The candlelight glinted off them.

"We need to start supper," she said, shaking her head and brushing away the tears.

"Not yet. Would you like to sit in the parlor? I can start a small fire in the fireplace for you."

"That sounds nice. I'm chilled." The kitchen was warm, but not as much as it would be once they started cooking. Still, Freya could did not feel enough heat at the table.

Elijah helped his sister walk into the dark parlor, lit now by the candle he carried. When she was seated with a knitted afghan over her, he started the fire, which was ready to be lit. They had not used it much in order to save firewood. In a couple of minutes, warm flames licked at the few logs. The two chairs were near the fireplace and Elijah sat down in the second.

"Better?"

"Yes. Nice." She tried to stifle a sob, but she failed.

Elijah sat quietly until she got control of herself. He always managed to carry a handkerchief and he handed it to her to blot her face and blow her nose.

"Do you ever cry, Elijah?" she asked as she stared at the flickering flames.

After a moment's hesitation he answered. "I have, although rarely. Tears for the death of a loved one or good friend."

"You are so reserved and private. So strong. I'm surprised you would shed a tear at all. You have never cried in despair or pain or frustration?"

"That is mostly a woman's prerogative. Our father reared us to be stoic and manly. Curse and smash things if one must, but do not cry. Once each of us was older than eight year of age, only Niklaus shed tears in front of him, and for that Mikael ridiculed him cruelly. When it comes to severe pain, I can, however, scream rather loudly."

"Screaming is okay then?" She looked at him and hoped she never saw him like that.

"With sufficient pain, yes. Both of our parents could inflict serious pain on us."

"I don't remember them being like that. They were both loving to Finn and me."

"Well, I'm glad of that. You both were quite young." He did not intend to mention the very few times he had cried out of despair, but in over a thousand years, he had done so.

"There's so much I need to do," Freya murmured.

"There is, but the need can wait. All that we need is here now."

"I want to try to duplicate some of our clothing. We each have our own toothbrush and a comb. One each duplicate set of clothing. More food. I can duplicate many things."

"You already have done so, sister. As I just said, we have all we need right now. Please do nothing more until you are stronger. And I do not mean tomorrow or the day after."

"So, what am I going to do? I can't lie around all day. That's just not me." Still, Freya sagged in her chair and stared at the fire again.

"You can learn to bide your time. You can resist trying to fix everything." Elijah's voice was low and calm as he tried to lull her into a nap. "We are fine."

Freya closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and opened them again. "I'm sorry about the incident yesterday."

"What one?"

"Carl."

"Oh. Think nothing of it. You were hallucinating." He didn't want to discuss it and he thought she did not either. Still, she had more to say about it.

"Rebekah told me I put you in a terrible spot. Very awkward for you. That's what I'm apologizing for. And thank you for not pretending to be Carl and doing what I asked of you."

"You're welcome." After a pause, he made himself say, "Freya, I have to admit that I was sorely tempted."

"So Rebekah said. You are a man of strong principles, but I can't blame you for being tempted. I guess I was acting …anyway, let's put that behind us."

"Yes." He was relieved she ended that conversation subject. "Rest now. Close your eyes. Feel the warmth of the fire. Concentrate on the sounds of it and relax." He used a mesmerizing voice and she did not resist it.

She would have fallen asleep if Rebekah and Kol had not noisily returned to the kitchen. Their raised voices snapped Freya awake and brought a scowl to Elijah's face. He stood up. "Rest. We'll call you when the meal is ready."

"I'd rather be with you all in the kitchen." She started to push the afghan aside.

"Freya. No. Sit right here and stare at the flames. It's very relaxing." His voice was firm and she slumped back again.

As he moved past her, she reached out and touched his hand. "Thank you."

He laid his other hand over hers just for a second and then he moved toward the door to the kitchen. On the one hand he was pleased they had talked, but on the other, he was relieved they had not dug deeper into the Carl incident. He could not forget seeing her exposed on her bed.

In the kitchen he said, "Freya's in the parlor. I lit the fire in there. Hold your voices down and let her rest."

"Is she alright?"

"Exhausted. Let us keep an eye on her so she does not try to cast more duplication spells."

The other two agreed.

"Now, let's make dinner," Kol urged with a hungry grin.

A/N Obviously blood, food and sex are high on Kol's list of priorities. The responsibility for providing for her family is high on Freya's list. I suppose age makes the difference in their attitudes. Or maybe it's their gender. Thanks for reading, guys.