He focused so intently on them both. Perhaps it was the fact that he was a hybrid, both a werewolf and a vampire, that made him think he could focus on them both and make a connection to both of them. But he knew there was an off chance of one connection being stronger than the other. How was he expected to choose? They were both the loves of his life, in all actuality. He could not live without either. And having one without the other, now that he had both in his life, seemed like an utterly painful existence to endure. Never would he have anticipated this, as he stood at a crossroads.
"Niklaus" Esther called to him. "There's one more thing, son."
He looked at her expectantly.
"There are no three magic sources to be found" she said.
Klaus frowned, sharing a look with Elijah.
"The three amulets, are the magic sources. You've had the opportunity to make the three wishes, all along" Esther explained. "Use them wisely" she warned, before her voice faded in the distance.
Shaking his head, "why am I not entirely surprised" Klaus said, giving Elijah a fleeting glance, before choosing a path. Though Rebekah had explained what to expect, this alternate world was entirely too daunting for Klaus' taste. It felt like death... he could almost taste it on his tongue. The air was thick and oppressing, stifling him, dimming his hybrid senses. The Bennett witch, doppelgängers and Salvatores were no where in sight. Truthfully, Klaus expected Bonnie at least to make a connection to Caroline, but the witch had been previously severely weakened, so she had a genuine excuse. It came to no surprise that Caroline's other supposed friends, weren't here.
Elijah chuckled, following closely. "Did you honestly expect me to allow you to venture alone?" he asked, seriously, one brow arched.
"I'd like to think you'd be more worried about your niece, than about me" Klaus stated, matter of factly.
"Ivantika is apparently entirely invincible, and noting the fact that only you would have any intention of searching for Caroline, both Rebekah, Kol and Darius must be in search of Ivantika at this very moment" Elijah explained.
"Your faith in Ivantika's ability is slightly worrying" Klaus muttered. "Your lack of faith in me, more so."
Elijah scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous Niklaus" Elijah said, sounding a bit disappointed. "I'm not following you out of wicked amusement, but out of genuine concern" he answered honestly. "Mikael is holding the woman you love at ransom... what kind of big brother would I be if I allowed you to face that situation alone?"
Klaus frowned. He paused momentarily, stopping to look at Elijah curiously.
Elijah sighed. His expression softened. He tentatively placed a hand on Klaus' shoulder, ignoring when Klaus stiffened. "We are a family brother... in all these years, I've never known you to care for anyone quite like you care for Caroline. I wish only for your unadulterated happiness, and as such... Caroline is a part of our family now" Elijah explained, his voice sounding so utterly sincere. "There was no matter of choosing whom to save... we will save them both" Elijah stated fiercely, it sounded like a promise.
After a moment, Klaus gave Elijah a small smile, which Elijah easily returned. Klaus nodded in gratitude, for once allowing his big brother to comfort him.
"Mom" Ivantika called out, but it sounded more like a question, surprise evident in her voice, with just a hint of hope. She turned to look at Demetri who was watching her curiously. "What are you doing?" Ivantika asked him. "If this is a trick..." she said, her voice wavering slightly, so full of emotion, but the threat was clear in her tone.
"This isn't a trick" Demetri said, shaking his head, reassuring her.
Hayley was looking at her daughter with a sweet smile on her face. As she approached, Ivantika backed away. Hayley stopped, frowning, genuinely hurt by Ivantika's reaction to seeing her again. She shared a curious glance with Demetri who was frowning as well.
"Hey princess" he tentatively grabbed Ivantika's hand, holding her in place. Ivantika wore a panicked expression, as though she was ready to flee at any moment. But upon actually feeling Demetri touching her, she looked absolutely taken aback. He looked surprised as well. He was just a ghost. He hadn't been able to touch her before. So why could he touch her now? Never had he seen her act so vulnerable and honest, and he genuinely wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be okay. Perhaps his intentions played in a role. "Why don't you go say hi to your mom?" he broached, tugging her forward lightly.
Ivantika shook her head roughly. "She can't... she's dead. I saw her die" Ivantika said, her voice pained. Her eyes filing to the brim with tears, but she wiped them away with the back of her hand before they could fall. Her eye lashes were wet, and her full bottom lip was quivering slightly. Ivantika looked the picture of distraught and heartbroken, and Demetri felt such a need to comfort her, in that moment. He cared for her, he realised. How strange. When had never care at all, for so long.
"Hayley is dead" Demetri said softly. "But she's here... in death... wanting to see you" he explained. "She can't stay very long... so why don't you go say hi to her?" he tried again, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. As if of their own accord, his fingers interwove with hers, and he pulled her forward. And by some miracle, Ivantika didn't pull away. She allowed herself to be led by him.
"How" she mumbled, taking a few very necessary breaths to calm herself.
"I got a chance to say hello to my mother" Demetri said, his voice void of any emotion. Then he chuckled amused. "She's not very pleased with how I've treated my brother's mate... so my mother helped me get into contact with yours, and..."
"Thank you" Ivantika said with such sincerity. And as Ivantika practically flung herself into her mother's embrace, and bright smile on her face, Demetri once again found himself regretting the way he acted towards her. If dying at the hands of his brother didn't show Demetri how much he had failed over the centuries, then being reacquainted with his mother had. He should have been standing by Darius' side all along. Ivantika would have been like a sister... a sweet baby sister he had always wanted. Perhaps he would never get the chance... perhaps he would go straight into the fiery pits of hell when this was all over with, and never see either of them again. But whilst he was still here, he would do what needed to be done to protect them. The Guardians be damned. Demetri would not let them have her.
"Let go of me" Caroline said, trying to wretch her arm out of Mikael's tight grip. But he was practically dragging her along, paying no attention to her heedless efforts. "Why don't you just give up already" she ground out angrily. "Klaus already killed you... twice. Don't you think it's time you realise that he's won... that he'll always win. His siblings stand by his side... your own children hate you. You're all alone, old man" Caroline said, pouring as much contempt and disdain as she could into those words. It had the desired effect, as Mikael's eyes flashed and he shoved her roughly on the ground. But as Caroline took the chance to flee, Mikael was upon her yet again, grabbing a fistful of her hair and turning her face to him. She screamed, both in surprise and in pain. He was too fast, too strong.
"Listen here, you insignificant little girl" Mikael said, his voice even, but Caroline could feel the anger radiating off him in waves. He wanted to strike her down, hurt her. But he didn't. Mikael was in perfect control of himself. He gave Caroline a malicious smile that sent a shiver down her spine. "Do not allow Niklaus' affections for you, to make you so brave. Though he pledges love and calls you queen... those sentiments will fade over time, and you will become nothing but a vague memory. One more notch on his belt so to speak" Mikael explained, chuckling at Caroline's pained expression. "There will come one prettier than you, smarter, far more amusing... to attract his attention. Or did you honestly believe that you're the only one he's pledged to spend forever with?" Mikael asked sardonically, lifting a brow curious. "Come now, Caroline" he said, with a self satisfied smirk, as Caroline's eyes filled to the brim with tears. She sniffed, willing them not to fall. "You're a smart girl, aren't you? Prepare yourself child, for when another comes along. When Niklaus becomes bored with you, and tosses you aside, as though you are worth nothing. Forever is a long time..." he warned.
Mikael let go of her hair, and walked ahead. And Caroline felt so defeated, that she didn't even bother to escape again. She simply followed behind. Mikael would catch her anyway. A few tears streamed down her face and Caroline sniffed, trying to get control over her emotions. What Mikael said was true. This was all just a... No.
No.
No.
Shaking her head to rid herself of her wayward thoughts. She couldn't believe him. If Caroline believed Mikael, then he would win. And she couldn't have him win. This was Mikael's game... to get inside her head, to use all her insecurities against her, and to break her down. But how dare he make her question what she and Klaus shared. Caroline loved Klaus, dammit. And Klaus loved her. Caroline was sure of it. Klaus had spared her friends. Let Tyler come back to town. Spared Katherine's life.
But beyond what Klaus had done for her... it was the way he was, with her. Klaus' laughter. The way his face would brighten as a genuine smile graced those full raspberry lips. The way his eyes would shown so honest and innocent. Klaus would listen to her... really listen. To her rambling, complaints, much too human, trivial conversations. He really did want to get to know her... all her hopes and dreams. Before that fated day in the woods, they had been friends. Real friends. Whereas others would receive a snapped neck, or their heart pulled right of their chest, Klaus valued Caroline's honesty. In fact, he yearned for it. And in all truth, though Caroline proved to be a distraction time and time again, she had never lied to him. She had never truly deceived him, because they all knew that he enjoyed having her play the distraction. He enjoyed being distracted by her. He enjoyed her company. And Caroline found herself enjoying his.
One morning Caroline woke up, with the reality that Tyler still hadn't come home because Klaus had killed Tyler's mother, and home was no longer home for Tyler. Stefan was broken beyond repair, having Klaus force the Ripper to come out to play, then being locked in vault, spending the summer dying over and over again. Bonnie still damaged and depressed, by Jeremy's death and the lure of expression. Elena and Damon having their sordid love affair, that was more poisonous and damnifying than anything else, which could be traced back to Klaus' involvement as well. In fact their whole perfect little world, got shot to hell when Klaus came to town. But Caroline woke up that morning, feeling no ill will against him. She forgave Klaus... so easily. Too easily. The guilt tore her apart. And everyday that went by... until that day in the woods... Caroline had to force herself to pretend to hate him.
But now... Caroline and Klaus had come so far. They had survived Mystic Falls. Hell, they had survived New Orleans, Hayley, Klaus' daughter. They had been through so much together. Caroline refused to believe that what she had with Klaus could ever be compared to his love affairs over the centuries. No. Klaus loved her. Only her. And Caroline was his now. Klaus would never toss her aside, because she would never let him get rid of her. Klaus belonged to her. Forever.
"I know" Caroline said, causing Mikael to pause momentarily. He turned around, looking at her curiously. Caroline looked him straight in the eye. "I know that forever's a long time" she said, nodding, and she knew Mikael misunderstood when his eyes brightened, and he looked entirely too pleased. "And maybe I'm too young to understand what forever means" Caroline continued. "But I loved Klaus yesterday. I love him today. And I'll love him tomorrow." Mikael's eyes flashed, as his anger returned, his smug smile wiped off his face. "It doesn't matter if he loves me forever, because either way... I'm going to love him forever. I would lie for him. Die for him. Kill for him" Caroline stated, her voice determined and resolute. "I will stand by him forever..." she pledged. And the moment Caroline said those words out loud, she knew they were true. Klaus had been alone for far too long... he deserved to be happy. And she would spend everyday of her immortal existence trying to make him happy. Mikael's fists clenched, no longer the perfect picture of control. As he strode towards her, Caroline didn't even bother to back away. She knew she would have to face his wrath. She knew he would try to make her swallow her words. But Caroline would never deny Klaus... not even if it killed her.
"You stupid bitch" Mikael snarled. Mikael lifted his hand, and Caroline shut her eyes tight, anticipating his assault. But it never came.
After a moment, she opened her eyes, only to see Elijah standing protectively infront of her. She caught a blur... then there was Klaus, holding the amulet in his hand. He lifted a brow, challenging Mikael. But Mikael looked on, panic seeping into his expression.
"Elijah" Caroline mumbled, unsure of what was happening. For what was probably the first time ever, Mikael looked genuinely scared of Klaus. But Mikael was faster and stronger than Klaus. It must have something to do with the amulet that was now in Klaus possession... "Elijah" Caroline said again, tugging on the sleeve of his jacket lightly. "What's going..." Her question was cut short by the sound of Klaus' voice.
"Father" Klaus said sardonically. He regarded the man coolly, obviously revelling in the man's panic. "Mikael Mikaelson" Klaus announced.
Mikael tensed. "You know not what you're about to do boy" Mikael threatened. "They will condemn you for this... you will be punished" he shouted. But Klaus merely chuckled amusedly. "Niklaus" Mikael said forcibly, but he looked absolutely terrified.
Klaus spared a moment, to glance at Elijah. Elijah nodded, as if in consent. Before turning back to look at Mikael critically. "I wish you..." Klaus said softly, "no longer exist." And as the words were spoken, the amulet shone bright as a star. Caroline gasped. The wind picked up, so much so, that Elijah grabbed onto Caroline's hand, reassuring her that everything was going to be okay. She held on to his arm with her other hand. Caroline could hardly see Klaus, even with her vampire sight, the bright light that was radiating off the amulet seemed to enclose both Klaus and Mikael. But upon focusing, she saw him.
Klaus was standing tall, the amulet held tight in the hand. But it was disintegrating, as Mikael was being torn apart. It was not just the man's flesh and bones being torn, but it appeared as though his very soul was being ripped to shreds. Mikael's mouth was wipe open, and his eyes held a tortured look, but there was no sound. Mikael suspended in the air, as the magic of the amulet assaulted him with full force, until he disappeared, bit by bit.
Until... he no longer existed. Caroline realised, that was Klaus' wish. Klaus used the amulet to make the wish. And as Mikael faded, so too did the amulet, the bright light slowly dimming, until it was gone. Klaus sagged... but it wasn't in defeat. It was as though a heavy burden had been lifted and he was finally free.
Caroline let go of Elijah and vamp speed, catapulting herself into Klaus' open arms. She laughed, a loud carefree laugh, finally being in his arms after what seemed to be such a long time. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his chest. Whist he buried his face in her curls and breathed her in. His arms wound tightly around her waist. "I love you" he said, kissing her hair. "I love you... I love you..." he kept chanting, his voice barely a whisper. Caroline lifted her head to look into his eyes, and she was surprised to see what she found there. Klaus was so utterly sincere, looking at her in absolute awe. "I heard what you said" Klaus said, placing a chaste kiss on Caroline's forehead. Looking at her, he swallowed back emotion that was thick in his throat. Shaking his head, "I heard what you said to Mikael... you brave, beautiful girl... I love Caroline. I will always love you. You, only you. You must know that" Klaus said, his voice almost pleading her to believe him.
"I know" Caroline said, giggling. A bright smile formed on Klaus' face, as he leant in to capture her lips. Pulling away, Caroline placed both hands on his cheeks, gently cradling his face. "I am yours and you are mine."
"Forever" Klaus said, resting his forehead against hers, before kissing her again.
"Forever" she mumbled against his lips.
A clearing of a throat, snapped them out of their little bubble, as Elijah commanded their attention. "We must be going now" he said, sounding somewhat apologetic for interrupting their reunion. But in his eyes, Caroline saw something that she had never really seen before. Elijah looked... happy. He looked so happy that Klaus was happy, that Caroline's heart clenched. She blushed, looking down and snuggling against Klaus.
Caroline nodded, her happiness slowly becoming tainted by the reminder of the situation they were still in. "Ivantika went the other way" Caroline said, pointing in the direction from which she had been led by Mikael. "Come on... let's go get your daughter back" she said. Taking Klaus' hand in hers, Caroline led the way.
Elena groaned in frustration, kicking the dirt. She ran her fingers through her hair, tugging on it. Damon frowned, but knew better than to say anything.
"What do you mean you can't make a connection?" Rebekah's asked once again, irritation colouring her tone.
"Are you honestly that daft?" Kol said angrily. "Bonnie can't make a connection... it's a simple concept really."
"She's not even trying" Rebekah practically screeched, glaring murderously at the witch in question.
Bonnie looked utterly exhausted... entirely too human. Trying the spell again, having taken a toll on her. After Klaus, Elijah and Darius had been sucked into the alternate world, leaving everyone else behind, Bonnie did try to make another connection. But it was to no avail.
"Perhaps the Guardians are preventing Bonnie from making a connection" Esther provided helpfully, from where she leant on a tree trunk.
"If you know something of importance then it would be in your best interest to confess now" Rebekah practically snarled. "Otherwise, I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself."
"She's only trying to help" Finn defended.
"She's insinuating that this was all some ploy to get Nik and Elijah over there... trapped in that alternate world. With no way for us to get into contact with them... or help them if they get into trouble" Rebekah said, irritated. "That is not helping" she spat angrily.
"Rebekah... this is not of my doing" Esther replied calmly. "You cannot possible blame me for..."
"Do you honestly expect us to believe that you're not revelling in Nik being in this predicament?" Kol asked honestly, shaking his head. Kol scoffed. "You're so intent on helping us... yet you haven't actually done anything but spoken in riddles since you've gotten here" he said. "I know that you know more than you're letting on, but you have only your best interests in mind, as usual."
"Kol I would not be here if I were only concerned with myself" Esther sighed.
"You're here because you think the Guardians would be able to convince Ivantika to join with them... power, authority, dominion over all... a mere promise of being queen of the supernatural world is all it would take" Kol said, nodding in understanding. "But you're wrong" he said. "I've known her for only a few short weeks, and as much as she is so like Nik, and Bekah and Elijah, and even myself. Family above all, mother. A concept you could never fathom" Kol said, a bit sadly. "A promise of the whole world in the palm of her hands would not be enough for her to turn against us."
"And what of Niklaus?" Esther asked seriously. "What promise would be given for him to turn his back on you?"
Kol frowned perplexed, before realisation dawned on him. He shared a look with Rebekah, and saw understanding on her face as well. "Nik would never..." Rebekah started.
"If he were to make a choice... what choice would he make?" Esther asked, and although she tried her best of remain stoic, her cynicism and maliciousness peeked through. "With the three amulets in the palm of his hand... power, loyalty, everything he's ever wanted, within his reach."
Rebekah snarled, rounding on Esther angrily. Esther took a step back, as Finn stood protectively in front of her. "How little you must think of us" Rebekah said, her voice full of emotion. "We are stronger together, than divided. And even though apart, we stand together, always" Rebekah pledged. "There's no choice to be made... Caroline is a part of our family now. And when Nik brings them both back... I want to see the look on your face, before he condemns you to oblivion. When we stand together, whole... you, Mikael and Finn would be reduced to nothingness."
"How pathetic you are" Kol said, glaring daggers at Finn. "She is nothing but deceit, maliciousness, and ill intentions... and you stand by her side." Shaking his head, "pity myself ever calling you brother... go. Go now. Both of you" Kol commanded. "This is family business... you have no place here."
Esther looked severely taken aback, while Finn looked genuinely wounded.
"We take care of our own" Rebekah agreed.
After a moment, Esther turned and walked away. After only a moment's indecision, Finn followed.