No One's POV
Alexis wanted to burst from her own skin, scream to the heavens, or possibly go on a small murdering rampage (not that she had killed or even fed on any humans since turning, but that was a story for another time), she wasn't sure which at the moment; it had been two weeks since Alexis had sent her children off to be with Rebekah and Lucas, and every moment had been pure hell.
Alexis had never known that she could love someone so deep, so unfathomably, and unconditionally as she loved her children, it was deeper and greater than anything she had ever known; probably even more than she loved her mates, or at least it was different that loving Finn, Elijah, Niklaus, and Kol (she loved them just as sure, deep and constant as the oceans and tides, but it was different than her children, just as she was sure it was the same for them with her and the kids).
She was restless, anxious, constantly on edge, and her inner animal paced nearly relentlessly inside her, wanting desperately to do something, but there was nothing to do, nothing she could do.
The day was pleasant, a cool spring day with sun filtering through the budding and leafing trees, and Niklaus encouraged her to go for a short ride around their property, to stretch her legs and get out of the house instead of sulking, depressed and despondent.
Winter trotted briskly along the well-worn path around the Mikaelson plantation, ears flicking back and forth alertly to his surroundings, listening to birds chirp and Alexis' occasional commands.
The melody started softly, barely distinguished from the chirps and whispers from the wind brushing through the trees.
Are you, are you,
Coming to the tree.
They strung up a man,
They say who murdered three.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be.
If we met at midnight,
In the hanging tree.
Winter reared suddenly, even as an experienced rider, Alexis was caught off guard, Winter rearing high and throwing her off balance, making her fall, Winter galloping off back towards the barns.
Are you, are you,
Coming to the tree.
Where dead man called out,
For his love to flee.
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met at midnight.
In the hanging tree.
"Show yourself." Alexis demands, pushing herself up from the ground, an eerie tone sweeping through the grounds, set by the haunting melody.
One of Niklaus' hybrids steps out from the tree line, Alexis slightly ashamed to admit she didn't know his name; she knew most, but he had so many
"Wha-" Alexis tilts her head confused.
"Did you believe I was gone forever? That I would not find away? Eventually." The hybrid speaks.
"The Hollow." Alexis growls, watching the hybrid's eyes flash, by now, a familiar blue.
"Hello again." The Hollow grins, her grin cold and threatening.
"You won't win. You won't get my children. I won't let you." Alexis growls, her eyes darkening.
The Hollow flashed towards Alexis, Alexis immediately taking a defensive stance, waiting for the barreling weight of the hybrid to slam into her, Alexis flipping the hybrid over and pushing hard against the nearest tree, impaling the hybrid on a short stub of a branch.
The Hollow roared in pure fury, the sound of the scream nearly deafening to Alexis' ears as the hybrid pushed off the tree, blood pouring from the open wound where Alexis had injured the Hollow.
"Enough." The Hollow growls, eyes flashing cold blue, Alexis feeling herself be thrown backwards towards the ground. "You've become too meddlesome. And my patience has grown thin."
"You won't win." Alexis hisses out, teeth gritting as she struggles vainly under the Hollow's powers. "My children are safe… You've already lost."
Alexis feels the Hollow's powers let up, only for a brief moment, perhaps for the Hollow to toss her around more or for the Hollow to gloat and horde over her, but either way, it was the brief reprieve Alexis needed; Alexis lunged, tackling the Hollow to the ground, a momentary scuffle ensuring before Alexis snapped the hybrid's neck to the side.
Alexis was sure the only reason she had gotten the upper hand was due to the hybrid's lesser status in training to her own, being that she trained with her Original mates, or the Hollow's arrogance and anger at Alexis' earlier words; perhaps it was both, she didn't wish to question her good fortune.
Another rustle diverted Alexis' attention, Alexis flashing into a standing position, arm already swinging at her attacker.
"Elskan." Elijah breathes, voice smooth and calming, like water over a trickling stream or brook.
"Elijah." Alexis breathes, voice breathless and holding a tremor of both terror and relief at hearing his voice.
"Forgive me for startling you. I thought you were in danger." Elijah offers, then looking to the temporarily unconscious hybrid. "It appears I was mistaken." Elijah amends, tucking away the stake he had grabbed on his way out of the stables, having seen Winter gallop back from where he had been sitting inside his study working and becoming immediately worried for Alexis' safety.
"It was- the Hollow, she came back. She was- here… Again." Alexis trembles a little, turning into Elijah's chest for comfort. "She wanted the children."
"I see." Elijah frowns, tucking Alexis into his chest and smoothing circles down her spine. "We will see what we can do for him… This cannot happen again. It will not happen again, Alexis. I promise."
So... *crickets chirping*
Reviews anyone? Anyone still out there?
Thank you to NicoleR85 & marleemiller5769 who reviewed last chapter! And review consistently. Your encouragement is much appreciated! You're awesome!
Also, Fanficqueen306 because your my fanfic soulmate!
Polkadottedgiraffe11
P.S. This story is actually... Dare I utter these words... ALMOST COMPLETE! *gasps*
Hanging Tree ~ Hunger Games Soundtrack
