Timeline
10th century - 1001 - Human Kol meets Nora for the very first time. She is roughly a hundred years old. She stays with him for four years and dies trying to save Henrik.
1033 (Kievan Rus) - Kol meets a younger Nora. She has been time-travelling for six months. She stays with Kol a few months The witch Kamil is trying to find what Nora is.
1033-1114 - Nora appears in China. For her, 1001 is a bit more than one week ago. She travels around the world with Kol.
1114 - Kol gets a message from his siblings. He goes to Italy with Nora.
October 1409 - Nora meets for the very first time Kol.
1789 (France) - Nora dies alone while Kol is daggered. She has been time-travelling for four months.
October 21, 2010 (USA) - 20 years old Nora died and time-travelled for the first time.
Chapter 21
Sófi's home sweet home was warm in a way that had nothing to do with the temperature. Golden suns, bright blue skies, trees and flowers were painted on the walls and the main room was bathed in warm light thanks to openings overlooking a beautiful garden. The fragrance of flowers was strong, tickling delightfully Kol's nose from the very moment he crossed the threshold of the house.
As he walked over to a large wooden table with Nora by his sides, a young vampire appeared in the room and sat next to Finn. Fair skin, clear green eyes and long wavy bright red hair, she smiled at them tentatively and said, "Do all Mikaelsons have a soft spot for redheads or is it just the two of you?"
At the head of the table, Sófi snorted as Kol responded with a chuckle, "Nice opening gambit. Sage, is it? I approve."
"Good to know, even though I don't actually need your approval to be with Finn. Still, I have to admit, it does feel nice to hear that one of his siblings doesn't want me dead for daring to look at him."
"Yes, I can imagine." He paused for a moment before adding with a smirk, "To be fair, I am pretty sure they just don't like you. Whether or not you and Finn are making eyes at each other doesn't really matter at this point."
Someone else might have been offended by his words but Sage simply shrugged with a helpless smile. On her left, Finn briefly glanced at Sage before his eyes went back to Nora and Kol, looking at the two of them like rare animals. "You have changed, Kol."
In a way, Kol understood what Finn meant. Over the past decades, he was always alone for his visits to his siblings and never stayed long. He drank happily with Bekah, Nik and Elijah - which never failed to arise Finn's utter disgust - and boasted about his greatest slaughters. The reasons behind those were never brought into light though. His current behavior with Nora must be quite odd to see for his brother.
With a mirthless grin, Kol retorted, "Have I?"
Nora turned her head towards him with a slightly uneasy look and squeezed his knee under the table, the warmth of her hand comforting. They shared a glance at one another as Finn nodded and said, "You look less…"
His voice trailed off and he looked away.
"Crazy Finn," Sage teased him. "Crazy is the word you are looking for if what you told me about your brother is true. Mad and unhinged also work."
Under normal circumstances - meaning when Kol was far, far away from his brother's precious lover -, Sage's words might have made Finn laugh. Unfortunately for his future sister-in-law, Kol was there and Finn looked rather wary and ready to attack him. As if Kol would kill his future sister-in-law over a poor choice of words - or a good one, to be honest.
Sófi on the other hand merely raised her eyebrows before pouring herself a cup of wine, completely relaxed.
"Forgive her Kol," Finn pleaded, "that is not what I meant to say."
Nora snickered, her fingernails tapping the table, "That's only because you have never seen him when it's his turn to do the laundry. Crazy is then a perfect word to describe him."
A fond smile immediately reached across Kol's face as he reached out to play with Nora's hair, his hand running up and down the long locks. That woman, seriously… She always knew what to say, didn't she?
He watched as the tension slowly left his brother's body. Oh, it was still there, hidden behind an awkward smile and tense shoulders as Finn decided to follow Sófi's example and grabbed the wine jar to pour himself a cup. Once it was done, he began to fill the other cups and asked Kol, "Doing the laundry? This isn't like you. Actually, I can't even imagine you doing a single household chore."
"Me too brother, me too," he said carelessly before continuing with a smirk, "but it is what happens when you live with a woman who refuses to have her undergarments washed by strangers."
The effect was immediate and Sófi and Sage turned red. As for Finn, he had to put his cup down to cough, a blush spreading all over his face down to his neck.
Sometimes, Kol felt like he was out of step with his times. All thanks to Nora, of course. A man speaking of female undergarments was frowned upon and yet here he was, doing exactly that. Although, Finn's embarrassment truly bordered on the ridiculous. He couldn't help but wonder whether his brother closed his eyes every time Sage undress before him just so he wouldn't have to see the terrible lingerie.
Picturing such a scene in his mind made him snort in amusement and Nora gave him a knowing glance before she brought a cup to her lips to hide her growing smile.
"Right," Sófi said after clearing her throat, "I know you are Kol Mikaelson but maybe you could introduce the young woman by your sides. It would be nice to know something other than her preference regarding the washing of her…undergarments."
"Sweetheart?" he glanced at Nora, only to see her still fighting a laugh. She didn't even bother to reply as she was busy biting into her lips and pinching her thigh. He leaned in to peck her on the cheek before he said, all humor forgotten, "I hope no information about her is going to reach Niklaus, Elijah and Rebekah."
In the silence that followed, he trailed the fingers of his finally healed hand over the rim of his cup as he let his words sank in. After a moment or two, he added in a dark voice, "should they ever know about her, I assure you… the consequences would be unbearable."
Understanding passed through Finn' eyes but Kol made a point to make eye contact with Sófi and Sage too. Only then did he continue to speak, "My Darling's name is Nora Caldwell. She is…"
For the first time since… well ever, really, he hesitated over the words he should use. It was the first time Nora was introduced to a member of his family. Love of his life was a good choice of words and was enough to show how much she meant to him. Yet… his heart shook as his gaze fell on Nora, still grinning silly behind her cup.
He wanted to call her his wife.
"… the love of my life," he still ended up saying, his face softening as inwardly he made his decision.
Once he was done with this visit to his siblings, he would bring her to the East and its cold area. To Kievan Rus where she had confessed her feelings for him. After so many decades, his memories of the East weren't bitter anymore. Quite the contrary, actually. The East was where he had first found her in his vampiric life. It was the perfect place to ask her to marry him.
"How long have you been together?" Sage asked in curiosity, the same feeling displayed on Finn's face.
Before he could reply, Sófi said confidently, "At least eighty years, isn't it?"
Nora tensed, eyes narrowed, "And how do you know that?"
"No need to get defensive, I would never try to hurt Kol Mikaelson. Early, the spell wasn't meant for him in particular, it was merely a protection against the creatures of the night. I owe him my life. Eighty years ago in Bulgary he saved me and brought me back to my parents even though he could have left me to my fate. Of course, my family wanted to repay the debt but he left before we could do so, only saying there was someone waiting for him. I guess it was you."
"You remember quite well events from so long ago," Nora insisted unconvinced.
"Kol Mikaelson protects my people," Sófi responded with a firm voice. "Even today, witches lead a peaceful life in the East. No witches there would ever desire to hurt in any way Kol Mikaelson."
The more she spoke, the more Kol could recall a scared little girl. What should have only been one face among many became clearer as it was closely-related to another memory, one he cherished deeply - the younger Nora's arrival, Kievan Rus, 1033.
"Why come in Italy then?" he wondered out loud. "Sure it is sunnier and warmer, but who know what the people here would do to a witch?"
Sófi smirked, "I am not a defenseless child anymore. I believe you saw it with your own eyes… and arm, didn't you?" She chugged down her drink before wiping her lips off. She then turned to Nora. "Now, my apologies if this is sounding impolite, but what are you? Not a witch, because even the best spell wouldn't stop you from aging a bit. Unless Kol snatched you out of a cradle? Not a blood drinker either as you walk under the sun without a ring on your finger… So, what are you, Nora Caldwell?"
Casting a quick glance at the two vampires and the witch, Kol draped one arm over Nora's shoulder and shamelessly lied, "Oh, I assure you. My Darling is definitely a creature of the night." His fingers ran up and down her neck. "And a magnificent one. There is nothing more wonderful for me than seeing her with her teeth ripping someone's throat."
Inwardly, he wondered whether or not Finn would believe him if he were to admit he had never bitten Nora. Once, she had the clever idea to hurt herself to spice up their adventures between the sheets. Silly woman, really. He had brought her bloody hand to his mouth and only felt disgust. To him, Nora's blood was as bland as his and he hated seeing her hurt. However, seeing and feeling her lick his blood to heal her quicker never failed to arouse him.
Finn stared at them for a moment before making a face. Why? Kol wasn't sure. Maybe it was the wicked smile on his face or the idea of Nora going on a killing spree. After all, Finn had always been delicate.
Strangely, Sófi and Sage didn't show any disgust, or any reaction for the former. However, hope shone in Sage's eyes as she asked them, "Where is her lapis lazuli stone then?"
"Oh, a ring is so easy to lose," Nora shrugged and lied coyly. She then turned her head towards him, a bashful expression on her face and laughter barely concealed in her eyes. "I have chosen another piece of jewelry…somewhere only Kol can see."
That woman was just perfect.
"Well, it is a pretty lovely place Darling," he purred.
She pressed her face into his neck. "Especially when you are there."
Feeling her body shaking, he pinched her side discreetly to stop her from laughing. They were so good at fooling people, he wasn't going to let her ruin the moment.
Sófi almost choked to death on her own saliva while Finn and Sage turned crimson red, all the blood in their body rushing up to their faces. After several awkward minutes - for the three of them at least - Sage spoke again, "Then, you must know how to create a Daylight Amulet, don't you?"
"Of course I do" Kol replied with a shrug. "Finn and Sófi don't?"
The witch sighed and rested her elbows on the table as she admitted, "I have yet to find a good spell. I am not used to help blood drinkers, or vampires as people are calling you nowadays. I agreed to help Finn and Sage because Finn was your brother. Well, that, and Finn bribed me with new paints."
"Mother's grimoire is still in your hands Kol," Finn added. "As far as I know, you are the only one who knows the spell Mother used to protect us from the sun. Would you be willing to help us?"
"No offence, Sófi, but there is no way I let you lay a finger on the grimoire of my dear and very dead mother."
There were too many dangerous spell written in that. By the end of her life, Esther had been pretty wacky.
"But," he continued to say, "I guess I could dictate the spell to you."
"It will have to wait though," Nora interrupted. "Finn and you are meant to meet your siblings today. Somehow, I doubt Psycho Niklaus and Saintly Doll Elijah will take kindly to the both of you being late. And I know you have missed Rebekah. Besides, one more day away from the sun won't kill Sage, right?"
Nora wasn't wrong and the look on Finn's face told him his brother knew this as well. It didn't mean Finn liked it but well, there wasn't anything he could do at this point. All the cards were in Kol's hands and Finn was bound to not do anything that could offend him and change his mind. Not that he would but Finn didn't know that.
"I was hoping to find a place to live before," he said, shaking his head as irritation swept over his features. "The initial plan to let you here with Sófi has to be cancelled."
"I know we don't know each other but I can swear on my magic to never hurt Nora," Sófi said calmly. "I told you before, I owe you. Sage already lives here during the day and I have a free room for you. All I am asking is to not bring your… meals here."
Nora let out a chuckle. "Oh dear, Kol didn't mean to question your good faith. Originally, we planned to ask you to allow us to stay in your home for a few weeks. Now though, several people have seen Kol bleeding with a missing arm. Last I knew, human arms don't grow back. How do you think they will react to a Kol with two good arms?"
"Well, Sófi does have a very sharp knife if you want," Finn chimed in.
"Thanks Finn, I love you too," Kol deadpanned. "You might try as well. Sharing is caring."
"No thank you Kol, I think I'll pass."
"What about compelling the village?" Sage suggested.
Now, that was a pretty good idea. It wasn't like he had never done it before. "What do you think Darling?"
Nora peered at him with her bright blue eyes for a moment before she nodded. "It might be for the best."
"Alright, let's do that tomorrow then," Sófi concluded. After that, she showed them their room, one also filled with paintings of skies and suns and the scent of flowers.
He wrapped his arms around Nora holding her close to him and kissed her forehead before leaving the house with Finn and heading to the stable.
"A horse?" Kol asked dubiously. "Why don't we run?"
Just the thought of running at full speed left his legs twitching. Sadly, Finn shook his head as his hand went to stroke the mane of a mare. "Surely you have heard the rumors on your way here? They call us vampires, but the name didn't come out of nowhere. There are hunters in the town we live. A group of five brothers. Once they get their hands on a vampire, they torture and burn them in front of people as an attraction."
"And none of you have tried to stop them?" Kol asked seriously. "A little blow in the neck, and problem solved."
"This is a bit more complicated Kol," Finn denied. After a sigh, he got on the horse and Kol hopped on the back of a grey stallion. "They are not aware our family can walk under the sun and believe us to be human. As such, they are not a real problem."
"Right. And of course nobody is asking why they keep finding people with bites on their neck during the day," Kol said sarcastically. "Unless you lot have decided to stop drinking blood and to spend your time grazing on grass instead."
"We only feed outside the town during the night."
Finn couldn't be serious, right? He had better things to do than spend his nights looking for some foolish people to feed on.
"And doing it during the day without killing anyone never crossed your minds?" he deadpanned, finding it hard to believe he was the one saying this. "A little drop of blood and the little human is walking the streets without a scratch. "
"Our days are rather busy…" Finn's voice trailed off, as if he was trying to admit something but wasn't sure how to say it.
Finally, just as the town appeared on the horizon and the first sounds of the town reached them, Finn said, "Rebekah is in love…and betrothed to one of the hunter."
"WHAT?!" he squeaked and choked.
Maybe Nora was right. Maybe he had been adopted.
End of chapter 21
I hope the timeline is well-done and helpful. I will put it every time we reach a new time. The chapter was a bit hard to write as I find it quite difficult to write a scene with more than two characters. It is a good exercise though.
For the oneshots, no 1 wins (Kol and Nora meeting future and original Klaus/Elijah/Kol/Rebekah in TVD). It will be online the same day as the next chapter :)
Stay home and healthy in these difficult times. See you next time !
