A/N: SURPRISE, another chapter up because things are really picking up and I'm real excited for you guys to see this!
Summary: Klaus was not the only one affected by the hybrid curse, denying him his werewolf side. The curse had a second victim, his wife Caroline, who for a 1000 years he thought was dead. Only days before he is meant to break his hybrid curse, he learns she is alive and closer than he ever imagined. Klaroline!Time travel story.
Chapter Twenty
Caroline had always been an early riser. Soon as she was awake, she would get ready for the day and get to work without a problem. However having been married to Niklaus for a few weeks now had resulted in her mornings being very delayed as Niklaus was not early riser when he didn't have to be and all the nights they spent up late. Two things working against Caroline which caused her to miss the sunrise on several occasions.
As she lay there now in her husband's arms, watching as the sunlight poked through the curtains she found she was content to stay here in this place. She glanced to the side to see the gifts that Niklaus had given her over the course of her time here, the wooden charm bracelet which had more carvings added, the bird, some paper with notes from him on it and a dagger. However she looked past his gifts to look at the small tally marks she had hidden there.
Ever since Lexi's departure, something that still hurt more than she thought it should, she had been counting down to when she would have to leave this place. Initially she had wanted to put it in her planner, but she feared that when she left, they might look through it and the last thing she wanted was for them to know. Would they be angry, betrayed if they knew what she did? Caroline couldn't say for certain and it was something she didn't want to find out.
"Something on your mind love," Niklaus asked sleepily, "I can almost hear you pondering."
Caroline rolled her eyes. She turned onto her right side to face Niklaus, his eyes were closed, his smile wide and full of mischief.
"I'm thinking of all the ways to sabotage your clothes without ruining mine when I take them down to the creek," Caroline said teasingly.
Niklaus sighed, "All because I suggested we move things around."
"Because you nearly burned the house down," Caroline corrected.
"I was trying to be romantic," Niklaus defended, his gaze alight.
Caroline kissed his forehead, "I know and the idea was very sweet."
Caroline had been worried that when they moved into this house that they would do through the period where married couples get on each other's nerves because adjustments. However she realized that since the two had been living together before, it wouldn't be much of a difference. Aside from the fact that it was only the two of them and they were in charge of the house completely. Though they went over to his siblings and parents fairly often, dinner every few days along with helping them with hunting and getting supplies.
Caroline spent a bit more time with Esther during this visits, mostly to ensure she would be able to run the house without an issues. Especially with hints of little ones joining someday. While Caroline did want children, she knew it couldn't happen. Even though she was human now, when she returned to her time she would be a vampire again and couldn't get pregnant.
After Lexi's departure, that was one of two messages her ancestors told her she wouldn't have to worry about now. The now part should have stuck out to her more, but she didn't want to get her hopes up and brushed it aside. When it came to Esther, Caroline would just smile and try her best not to show her sadness that the discussion brought.
"We should start packing," Caroline said resting her head on his chest, "Full moon tomorrow."
Niklaus released a heavy sigh, "Almost forgot. Got to hideaway."
Caroline frowned at his bitter tone, "Disappointed?"
Niklaus glanced at her, "No. Let's make sure we have everything we need."
Caroline wanted to question him further, but decided now wasn't the time. It had been two moons since Caroline spotted Niklaus trying to leave the caves with Henrik and Kol. For whatever reason, he wanted to get out there and see the wolves for himself. Once before he had seen them when he was younger, but he wanted to get a closer look and really see them and Caroline couldn't understand it.
Sure she could understand that the idea of people turning into wolves, but without any means of protection against them made the idea less than appealing in her opinion. The wolves, although by no means were evil, would attack anything around them. In her time she knew they tended to avoid attacking humans and would hunt vampires, but without vampires, humans were their prey. Caroline watched Niklaus a bit warily as she packed her bag, a bad feeling formed in her stomach as she watched him.
"We have these extra senses if you will," Lexi explained sitting criss cross in front of her.
Caroline looked at the sky, "Extra senses huh. What do they sense?"
Lexi replied, "Danger is a common one, being able to tell that something bad or wrong is going to happen."
"How does it work," Caroline asked, she lowered her gaze back to her cousin.
It had been four days since Lexi arrived to stay with her and her host family, this was their first magic lesson and though Caroline was excited, she was also uneasy about it. Their ancestors were supposed to send her some kind of message, to talk to her and give her something as to what she was meant to do here, but they had been silent.
The most Caroline got from them was a feeling of being watched every so often that went much deeper than simply thinking someone's eyes were on you. It was more like they were looking through her. Lexi knew it could be frustrating, she seemed to understand that and did her best to help Caroline through it. By starting the magic lessons with sensing, Caroline felt a bit confident that maybe she would eventually be able to pick up on what their ancestors wanted and maybe gain better awareness of her surroundings.
Lexi spoke with a slight frown, "You know when your friend looks upset or has a slightly different tone that you can 'see' something's wrong?"
Caroline nodded.
"It's very similar to that, only much stronger and the warnings are about things more sinister than boy trouble," Lexi continued with a knowing look.
Caroline scoffed, "Boy trouble is very sinister. Now, tell me more."
The lesson had purely focused on getting readings, following them when they appeared and even trying to pick up on some when they weren't so obvious. Overtime Caroline had been able to follow some minor ones and even pick up on things she hadn't noticed before. Based on the feelings she got from Niklaus, she knew something unpleasant was going on or would happen tonight. She still recalled the night she caught them sneaking around, she hoped he wouldn't try it again and before she could even bring up the subject to him, he was out the door being summoned by Elijah. Caroline did her best to smile at Elijah from her space inside, but as she watched her husband's retreating form, her worry only grew.
Niklaus returned some hours later, Caroline watched as he made his way to their home. The way he carried himself was the same as always, but the unease she felt had yet to leave her and she was uncertain on how to approach it to him. He stopped before her, the sound of the night echoing in their ears as the two just stood there looking at each other. All their shared nights, hidden secrets, sweet laughs and bitter tears.
"Niklaus," Caroline whispered softly.
Niklaus leaned in and kissed her forehead before whispering, "I love you so much, I hope you never forget that or doubt the truth in those words."
Caroline closed her eyes, "I don't doubt it. I love you too, I just want you safe and happy."
Niklaus pulled away to look into her eyes, "I promise you, I'll always return to your side no matter what stands in my way. It will never be enough to stop me."
"This will be the third moon we hide under the village instead of up the hills," Caroline ssaid turning away, "Why did your father change the place?"
Niklaus frowned, "I am uncertain, but we are safe. They cannot get to us in the hills or from under the village. Is that what has you worried? That we no longer go away from the town?"
Caroline met his eyes, "You don't find it weird- strange?"
"No, I know we will be fine," Niklaus told her confidently, "Come on love, let's eat some dinner and we will get to the caves below tomorrow night. Everything will work out just fine."
Caroline knew she should have felt comforted, but that feeling didn't leave her. Her family may not have actually been taken by wolves, she felt as if soon she was going to lose someone and her warnings would fall on deaf ears. So long as everyone stayed in their places, so long as they were not out at night, they would be just fine. She would just keep a closer eye on her husband, to ensure his safety.
Perhaps she could place a spell on the caves… the thought gave Caroline comfort because it lead to a realization. Why exactly Mikael would bring them closer to the beasts was beyond her, but perhaps it had to do with Esther who had been cooking up protection spells and magic. With that thought in mind, she gave Niklaus a smile before lightly kissing his lips. They would be fine, the unease she felt would fade out and she would be just fine.
The Day After The Full Moon
Leaving the caves beneath the town always seemed to jar Caroline, since she was used to being further away from the town when the wolves howled and expected a hike when she left them. As she stepped out after Rebekah, she glanced behind her with a frown and anxious feeling. Niklaus and Henrik were nowhere to be found, though Finn said that they got an early start.
Since it came from Finn, the least trouble of the family, everyone took his word for it and did not question their disappearance, but Caroline couldn't fight the ache in her stomach. She was worried, she was incredibly worried. Rebekah took Caroline's hand into her own causing her sister to jump, then relax. Rebekah had noticed that Caroline had been on edge since the other day, saying she had a bad feeling that refused to leave her. Since her husband was not around to offer her any words, which annoyed Rebekah, she had done her best to assure her sister that everything would be just fine.
"Here, we should go see Ayana," Rebekah said grinning, "I'm certain that Henrik and Niklaus are just fine. They likely went to stir trouble in the early hours or be responsible for once."
Caroline didn't look convinced, "I hope so. Perhaps I'm just overreacting."
Rebekah offered her a reassuring smile, "It happens to the best of us. Now let's see Ayana, she might have some new goods for us."
Caroline didn't reply, she let Rebekah pull her through the town towards Ayana's shop and home. Ayana was a witch, similar to Esther, but Caroline could tell that her connection to magic was much weaker than Esther and her own. Another useful thing Lexi had first taught Caroline, how to sense others magic and how strong it was. When Caroline had first met Ayana some months back with Kol, she had gotten uncomfortable vibes from the woman, yet was not afraid of her. As the two girls made their way to her shop, Caroline kept glancing around in search of Henrik or her husband, hoping they would appear laughing like they often did.
The shop was fairly small, but the crafts inside were very nice and Caroline enjoyed them. Rebekah entered the shop, calling a greeting to Ayana who offered a small nod and smile to her in return. The younger girl went to the window to look at the newest necklaces that Ayana had made. Caroline glanced at Rebekah to see that one of those necklaces looked very familiar, as if she had seen it once before. The feeling of deja vu hit Caroline lightly as she made her way over to get a better look at the pendant with swirls and dots on it hanging on the window. "Lovely," Rebekah whispered to herself.
She reached out to the pendant, intrigued by it's design. However as her skin got closer to touching it, Caroline felt the tingle of magic coming from Ayana which meant the woman was doing a silent spell. Caroline snapped her gaze to Ayana right before Rebekah gasped and pulled her hand sharply away from the pendant. A spark of anger filled Caroline at that.
"Ayana, you burned me," Rebekah said surprised.
Ayana spoke evenly, "That is not yours to touch."
"You can use your words and say don't touch," Caroline remarked bitterly, a sharp breeze blew behind her causing the necklaces to move.
The woman narrowed her gaze at Caroline, but before she could reply all there attention was turned to the screams of Niklaus. Caroline and Rebekah faced each other at the sound, something must be wrong for him to call out like that. Not wasting a moment more, Caroline raced outside of the hut while Rebekah stood paralyzed in the window. There she saw her older brother carrying her younger brother. Henrik had dark blood along his shirt, Rebekah barely held back a sorrowful gasp as she turned away to run outside, calling her brother's name.
Niklaus called out to his mother once more as he fell onto his knees, setting his baby brother down onto the dirt floor as sobs rose in his throat. This was all his fault, he was too blame. He had never wanted this to happened, he never expected such a thing to occur and now Henrik had paid the price for his mistakes. The arms of his wife wrapped around him as he muttered his apologies, watching as his mother fell to her knees before her youngest child with pained eyes.
"What happened," Esther asked Niklaus, her tone shaking in fear.
Niklaus leaned back against Caroline, tears in his eyes as he said one word, "Wolves."
Esther's lips trembled, she looked to Ayana, "Please, we must save him. There must be a way."
Ayana closed her eyes and after a moment, she spoke, "The spirits will not give us a way Esther. I'm sorry… your boy is gone."
Caroline felt tears slip down her cheeks as she pulled Niklaus closer to her, she rested her chin on his shoulder and whispered words to him. She had to let him know that she was here, that he was no alone, that this was not his fault. While her heart broke at the sight of Henrik, she needed to be there for Niklaus who was not doubt drowning in guilt and pain over what has transpired. As she held him close to her, she could feel him trembling with the sorrow he refused to let out into the open, with the pain of what has happened here.
Caroline couldn't begin to imagine how painful this was for Niklaus, for Rebekah, for Elijah who just joined them or Esther, who was now having to come to terms with the death of her baby. Esther cried out, only the word "no" as she buried her face on her son's chest. Elijah was beside her, trying to comfort his mother as best he could knowing there was nothing he could say or do that would make her feel better. There was nothing any of them could do. Rebekah fell to her knees beside Caroline and Niklaus.
Shakily, she put her hand on Henrik's leg as tears of her fell onto the dirt ground and a hole in her chest began to appear. With her left hand, Caroline reached out for her sister and pulled her into a side hug until Rebekah's head rested on her shoulder. Caroline shut her eyes, she held Niklaus and Rebekah tighter as she struggled to keep her own tears at bay. The bad feeling Caroline had felt before turned to dull ache, but as she held two of the people she loved, she could feel this was only the beginning.
The death of Henrik had brought something terrible forward. Caroline couldn't be certain exactly what it was, but in the days after the funeral, she could see and feel a dark shift in Esther and Mikael. The two spoke in hushed tones, away from their children and though she could never hear the full extent of what they discussed, she knew it was something unpleasant.
Caroline lay awake now next to Rebekah, who had fallen asleep after crying for hours on end it seemed. The loss was still too fresh, still too painful. Niklaus was further away from her, if she stretched out her arm she could reach him, but she held back. She had done all she could to comfort him and the rest of his siblings, for now everyone needed some time on their own and in their own minds. This gave Caroline the opportunity to think on what Esther and Mikael were up to.
With the loss of Henrik to the wolves, it had created a rift between this family and the towns people. The villagers had tried to make reparations, had offered up their hands to help and apologize, but Mikael cast them aside. It was not just Mikael either, Finn and Kol had taken to being colder and harsher to the ones of the village who they were once friends. Niklaus had closed himself off and Rebekah had tried to keep up a friendly appearance to those she knew, but it was hard for her. Elijah was the only one able to keep some semblance peace amongst everyone, Caroline aided him as best she could.
"Caroline, come quickly," whispered Esther through the door.
Caroline jerked slightly at the suddeness of it, but she said nothing in return. Slowly, she rose from her spot and made her out of the room. Esther stood just outside the room, a pained look on her face mixed with a quiet determination. There was no telling the amount of pain she was in given the loss, but that tinge of darkness made Caroline uneasy. However she couldn't blame her for it.
"We are going to see Ayana for help," Esther said quietly as she moved into the main area of the home.
Caroline glanced at Mikael, "Why? Help with what?"
"For protection," Esther answered, her eyes shimmered, "I need you join us."
"We don't need her to come," Mikael said sharply, his gaze focused on his wife.
Esther took a breath, she spoke to him, "Caroline is powerful, she has barely touched the surface of the magic she possesses. If we are to give the best chance of protection to this family, we must have every asset at our disposal. Caroline will help me while there should things take a less than favorable turn."
"What do you intend to do," Caroline asked softly, not wanting to ask about less than favorable turns.
Mikael answered her, "Keep you all alive. If you are to come with us, you will keep your head down and not say a word."
Caroline opened her mouth to object, but decided it wasn't worth it. Whatever was going on, whatever Esther and Mikael intended to do, she needed to be there to ensure that their plan didn't end up backfiring too harshly. Wordlessly, Caroline nodded to show she understood. With a look Caroline couldn't quite decipher, Esther took her hand into her own and stared at her with torn brown eyes. It was heartbreaking if Caroline was being honest, but she had no words to offer.
With that, the three of them left to meet with the witch Ayana. Caroline did as asked, she didn't speak while there and observed the home of the woman called Ayana. However as per Esther's request, she cast a silent spell to ensure no one could hear what they discussed, not even the spirits would hear this conversation. The meeting was not long and the woman turned them away, she would not help them. That what they desired was against nature and the spirits would turn on them.
The way Mikael and Esther spoke of what they wanted, the warning Ayana was giving them, it sounded painfully familiar and horrifying. As they left the woman's home, Caroline made the connection as to why she recognized it so much. Vampirism. Vampires didn't exist in this time, what if this was when it happened? Is that why her ancestors sent here to this time, because of the vampires?
Caroline walked behind Esther and Mikael, who were both silent. This would be the start of vampires, she would learn how vampires were created or where they came from. Would she help in their creation? The wind whistled in her ear as she kept pace with her in-laws, her heart pounding away in her ears. Her ancestors weren't warning her exactly, but she could feel that they wanted her to be cautious and Caroline would take that to heart.
The next day, Esther had sent everyone out of the house and would not allow anyone to come inside while she went to work. However at one point Caroline snuck a peak inside to see Esther working on some spell, Caroline could practically feel the power this spell had and the power it would bring out. It made her understand why her ancestors wanted her to be wary. Even though Caroline was not perfect in her magical abilities, she could feel all the darkness this spell would bring and knowing what she did, she could not fight her unease.
When everyone was finally allowed back into the home, Esther had sent Caroline back out to get some more water to which did not argue. The night came and Caroline glanced towards the stars, a pit in her stomach as she filled the bucket. When it was full, she walked back towards the house and felt the spirits seething with anger. And when she walked into the home she dropped the water and couldn't fight a scream at the sight of her husband and all his siblings covered in blood dead on the main room floor.
