A/N: You'll have noticed this chapter is like three times as long as the average one. Instead of me splitting it in threes and making you guys wait, my friend convinced me to do one big finale. Go out with a bang. This the finale guys. There's a long A/N at the end of this, but didn't want to keep you from reading too long. On with the show.
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 Four
Klaus was enjoying himself, maybe a bit too much if he was being honest. The wolf and vampire had been killed for the sacrifice, all that remained was the doppelganger and some of his wife's blood. Given how much time he had spent tormenting the doppelganger, Elena, he had planned to put on more of a show tonight. However the only thing that prevented him from doing such a thing was the fact this girl happened to be close with Caroline, for that he knew he shouldn't antagonize her too greatly.
Having her aunt Jenna tied to a tree nearby and Stefan squirming on the ground trying to get the stake out of his back made for an interesting sight. So long as Elena behaved herself, neither of them needed to suffer. Elijah would soon be here with the 'dead' witch Bonnie and the older Salvatore. Not that it mattered much, there was nothing they could really do stop this.
The witch continued her chants, now it was time for Caroline to make an appearance. Not to far in the distance he spotted Rebekah half carrying Caroline who appeared out of sorts from what he could tell, though he knew that was due to the witches. When his eyes met Rebekah's, he nodded once to show that he could set her down there and he would retrieve her himself.
Klaus made Caroline a silent promise her friend would live, but considering the planning and scheming she had set in motion meant punishment. On the one who knew Caroline would not pleased with it, on the other this was how he operated and she would learn to accept it. Klaus walked to stand beside the fire ring that held Elena in place, she was on her knees with tears in her eyes.
"Don't fret, your time is almost here," he remarked.
The defiant stare he received almost made him grin. He continued to walk on, he glanced at Stefan still trying to get the stake out of his back and wondered what he ought to do with his former friend. Originally he planned to take the Stefan he remembered on a joy ride, but with Caroline in the picture that plan changed. It was likely he would have to leave the Ripper behind. It was unfortunate to be sure. He shook the thoughts away, for now, he needed to get Caroline.
Propped against a tree with a clouded mind, knot in her stomach and ache in her chest, Caroline was trying to get herself together. She had woken up to see her mother beside her in her room, feeling awful and she couldn't remember why. Matt had shown up as well to see her, memories of their break up had replayed in her mind. Even if they still went to the dance together, it was more to save face and there had been more pressing matters to attend to at the time, Klaus had been at that dance to.
Apparently she had been missing for two days, she was going to be the vampire that Klaus needed to perform the ritual, her, Tyler and Elena were meant to die out here. Then something happened, Bonnie had gotten them out in time, but as Caroline struggled to get back to her senses she knew the ritual was happening now. She could feel it and she heard Elena out there. At least her friend was still alive.
How Caroline had ended up here, she didn't know. Her head was too clouded, she couldn't see straight let alone get a clear thought to process in her mind. Using whatever reserves of strength she had left, she focused her sight to see Elena surrounded by fire, Stefan on the ground and walking over to her was someone she didn't recognize, but guessed must be Klaus. Was she about to be the vampire he sacrificed anyway? Did that mean Tyler had been sacrificed?
Her arms wrapped around her stomach, she was aching all over and couldn't breathe clearly as she tried to get her senses to work with her. They refused to. Helplessly she leaned back against the tree, how had this happened, how could she have still ended up captured after she had been freed from his hold? There had to be something, anything she could do to fight back, to run away, to stop this. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she clenched her jaw and scrunched her eyes, trying to block out the knot in her stomach and the pain that flared up around her neck, as if vervain had been there.
"Almost over love," she heard a muffled voice say.
It was then she noticed she was no longer propped against a tree and was being carried bridal style in someone's arms, someone she recognized yet didn't know. Fear gripped her heart, she had to move, she had to run. Whoever held her was liking carrying her to be sacrificed. Even as she strained to move, the most she could manage was her head lullying back slightly and whoever held her was kind enough to adjust their hold so that her head rested on their shoulder.
The scent reached her, it stood out more than anything else. The forest, the pine, mixed with spice. She'd smelled it before, recently too and it reminded her of home, safe. Caroline forced her eyes to look up to see a man she didn't know, who must be the one called Klaus. Her neck flared up, the burning grew worse along with an ache in her right wrist causing her to cry out.
Klaus held her tighter, "It will be okay. I promise, you'll be just fine."
Klaus hated to see Caroline this way. The last he had seen her she had been in a comatose state and now, while more responsive, in more pain. The witch, he relearned her name was Greta, had explained that she would be exhausted and out of it due to her soul returning to her body and now dealing with this ritual. Part of Klaus had been prepared to call off this ritual, he had everything he needed and would be fine to wait until the next full moon if it meant his wife would be with him again.
However Elijah had convinced him that regardless of when he did it, the affect would be poor on Caroline and that it was best to do it now, Rebekah had hesitantly agreed. And so here he was, holding Caroline close to him as he walked to the alter. He passed the doppelganger and ripper who were both shocked to see that he had their friends in his arms.
"No, Caroline," Elena shouted at the top of her lungs, "No, no, please don't take her! Let her go!"
Caroline wasn't supposed to be here. She had been spelled inside her house with her mother, Tyler and Matt to keep them safe. Bonnie had done it herself, there was no possible way that Klaus could have gotten any of them. And why was she here at all, a vampire had already been sacrificed, did he need more? Was he doing it because of their defiance? Because of their plans? Elena shook her head fearfully, this all had to be some truly horrible dream and she begged and pleaded with all her might that this nightmare would end.
Stefan had gasped out, "No, not Caroline. "
Klaus ignored them as he marched to the witch. He held her carefully and watched with disdain as the witch cut open the wrist Mikael had bitten all those years ago. Caroline hissed against him at the cut, he whispered some assurances that she was safe and that this would be the worst of it. Though part of him knew that was not case.
When the curse on the two of them broke, he would turn into a wolf and all of her magic will fill her once again. The first time it had been on her birthday, he learned it hadn't been overwhelming and he hoped the same could be true for tonight. Once the witch had enough blood, she moved Caroline's wrist from where it hovered over the flames. The fire glowed brighter and larger than before.
When the fire settled Caroline's skin began to take on a golden glow, similar to what he saw her do during one of their escapades in the woods behind their home. Caroline released a pained cry at the feeling of her magic entering her once again, though she didn't recognize the feeling, only that it was a lot. Considering she had been stripped of all her magic hours ago only for it to be shoved back, combined with her journey to the present, it was a miracle she could even make a sound.
"Caroline," Elena screamed once more, tears in her eyes.
When the light faded from Caroline, Rebekah appeared behind Klaus with an expectant look on her face. Without a word, Klaus handed Caroline over to Rebekah carefully. Soon enough the curse over Caroline would be broken, it would take a little time, likely until Klaus' own curse was lifted. It didn't matter so much, only that by the end of the night he would have his wife back.
"Straight home," Klaus said holding his sister's gaze.
"Of course," Rebekah said with a grin, "See you then."
In the blink of an eye Rebekah disappeared leaving Klaus to stand at the fire. He turned his gaze towards Elena and Stefan below to see not much had changed. Elena was still in tears and Stefan was still squirming about, now all that was left was for Elijah to arrive with the two party crashers.
After The Ritual
When Caroline opened her eyes, the headache came and that caused black spots to swarm her vision and the ground moved beneath her. A cry escaped her as the memories of another life flooded her senses, washing over her eyes without mercy. How hours ago she had blacked out and no one could find her because she had been truly gone. Not dead, but not in this time, as if she had just vanished.
Caroline forced herself to sit up, an onslaught of images hit her once again. The Originals, the oldest vampires in history had been tormenting people for centuries, were responsible for unspeakable horrors that made Caroline want to throw up. Yet it was these same vampires who let her into their home, who welcomed her with open arms as humans. She was married to one, to Niklaus, her Niklaus. He was the one who had sent Katherine Pierce on the run, the one who had been trying to sacrifice her friends, yet he was the one who made her beautiful carvings, he held her when she was frightened.
A sob wracked her body and was torn from her throat, the horrors that they had committed, the damage that had been left in their wake. The image of her family in the past, dressed in soft colors with innocence in their eyes overshadowed by the family now dressed in dark clothes drenched in blood, pain and vengeance in their gaze. A choked scream escaped her as she shut her eyes tight, trying to block out the sweet memories with the bitter present.
Her stomach rolled, she felt the cool touch and warm embrace of her magic pulse in her veins. The memory of Mikael practically tearing out her throat hit her next, followed by the feeling of Esther draining the magic from her body. It had only been hours ago to her, forgotten in that time and yet it had really happened a thousand years ago. It was overwhelming, it was too much and she couldn't control it.
Strong arms wrapped her trembling frame, arms she immediately recognized. It was Klaus, the big bad. Nik, her sweet lover. Niklaus Mikaelson, her husband. Caroline could smell him, the aroma of the forest floor, pine straw and a hint of spice. She inhaled sharply, she released a gasp. Every breath she took felt like fire, as if the air was coated in vervain. She could see them all, dancing around a fire and laughing sweetly.
"Caroline, breathe," he whispered into her ear, "Listen to me love, focus on me."
"You, you're here, you." Caroline stumbled over her words, "You're alive. You're actually here."
"So are you," Klaus said grinning at her, one hand cupping her cheek.
A thousand years he thought he would never see her face again. For some lifetimes he even considered loving another, but none like her, never like her. And then he abandoned that love in favor of other means. Yet as Klaus stood there taking in every aspect of her face, how she looked the same as the night he lost her. He couldn't stop the choked up feeling in his throat, the ache in his chest.
That deep love and happiness he had pushed aside for so many years came rushing back to him, consuming him in this moment. Her smile was sweet, filled with the joy neither of them could speak. With a shaking hand she rested her hand to his cheek, trying to take in the sight of him. He looked strong, his hair was cut short, his eyes still shining like she remembered, but she couldn't deny the haunted look they held.
"I thought I would never see you again," Klaus said, his voice strained.
Caroline pressed her forehead to his, "That makes two of us."
Klaus brought his hand into her hair as her hands slipped around his neck. In a second their lips connected, it was filled with joy, longing and sorrow. All the time apart, all the happiness of finding each other once more. For these few moments Caroline could forget everything that had happened to her recently, forget the curse, forget her death, forget the last sight she had of him. How he held her as she lost her life, tears fell down her cheeks as she kissed him harder, afraid to stop, afraid it wasn't real. What broke them apart was a wave of Caroline's magic and the cracking of his bones. Their curses were still breaking, the transition wasn't done with them yet.
"We were both cursed, but it's broken now," Caroline said softly, a question in her eyes.
Klaus nodded, "Yes. The transition shouldn't last much longer."
Caroline visibly swallowed, she shut her eyes, "A doppelganger, you needed a doppelganger to dra- please tell me she's alive."
"For you she is," Klaus replied quietly, "However I cannot say I am through with her. Her blood is rare and I will need more of it."
Caroline wanted to ask him about that, she wanted to question him for what else he could possibly need Elena for, but no words left her. The warm and cool brush of her magic hit her sharply, it took her attention. Silently she wrapped her arms around his neck and took his scent, trying to steady her nerves. The world around them shook momentarily, as if an earthquake were starting only for it to leave. All the magic she had was being pushed back into her, she knew she could perform a spell, though the possibility of it going haywire was high. The feeling of the magic was there; but she felt unstable and on the edge of losing what little control she might have. She felt Klaus jerk, causing her to pull back.
"Are you alright," Caroline asked as a painful wave of the magic hit her.
Klaus tightened his grip around her, "I should be asking you that love."
Caroline took an uneasy breath, "Have you, have you turned into a wolf yet?"
"I have, though I returned to this form quickly to come to you," Klaus informed her, holding their gaze.
Caroline frowned, "I'm sorry."
"I'd endure any pain if it meant I could see you," Klaus told her, the intensity of his gaze surprising her, "You have no reason to apologize."
Caroline offered him a weak smile, "You were always a romantic."
Klaus' grin was blinding, "Only for you."
Caroline shut her eyes, burning sensation went through veins as if she had been injected with vervain. Whispers echoed in her ears, her ancestors were telling her to stop fighting it, but she hadn't even realized she was fighting it. Klaus held her face in his hands, his eyes stared into her own as the tears continued to slide down. The witches told him that there was a chance her curse breaking would as painful as his own, that while he felt the pain of turning into a true wolf, Caroline would feel the pain of magic fighting her vampirism.
Her eyes turned red, veins by bulging under her eyes and her fangs showing themselves, he then felt her magic wash over him for a moment. However as her face changed, he noticed golden specks in her red eyes. When a witch turned to a vampire, their connection to magic was severed. Since Caroline's magic had been hidden by this curse, her magical connection had never been severed and just needed to be accessed. Witches magic, melding with vampirism. Her face returned to normal, but she looked even more pained than before.
"It should be over soon," Klaus said, he sounded reassuring.
Caroline didn't seem to believe his words, "I don't think so. Ah!"
A sharp pain went through head, she brought her hands to her temples and took a deep breath.
Klaus hugged her closer to his chest and she didn't resist. Memories of the past seemed to push themselves through everything else, she felt Mikael tear into her throat and hugged Klaus closed to her. Her chest tightened, a burst of magic rushed out of her startling Klaus, but he did not let her go. Caroline's breathing started to pick up in speed, she couldn't get enough air in her lungs. Something was wrong.
"Come on sweetheart," Klaus said to her softly, "We have to move."
She shook her head, stuttering she said, "No, no, Niklaus, I can't, I can't breathe. I feel, I can see M-"
Caroline's hands flew to her neck with a panicked gaze and Klaus immediately understood what she meant. The memory of that night, of Mikael killing her seemed to be at the forefront of her mind now. Being killed by Mikael and losing her magic was still fresh, then the traveling from the past to the future had practically drained her of any remaining energy only for all her magic to be returned and pushed into her once again. It was all so much.
Her face shifted to look like a vampires ready to strike, red eyes, the grey veins and fangs bared themselves. She couldn't stop the hissing sound from leaving her. Perhaps this was just meant to be her transition from vampire to witch vampire, if such a thing really could exist. One could not be both.
Klaus hugged her tightly, "It's alright, I've got you. He cannot ever hurt you again. You're safe."
Caroline released a shuddering breath, "It's so fresh… Wait, Niklaus or I guess Klaus…"
"You can still me call me Niklaus," he said pulling back, his eyes seemed to smile at her, "It's been so long since I last heard my name on your tongue."
Caroline smiled at him, it was gentle. She was married, that seemed to shock her for a moment. She was married to the most powerful vampire in all of vampire history, he was responsible for so many horrors that she didn't even want to think of or consider. Yet she still loved him, it didn't matter as much as it maybe should have mattered to her. All she knew was that she still loved him and she doubted there was anything he could do to change that.
"Things are really messed up right now aren't they," Caroline remarked dryly.
Klaus didn't fight a laugh, "Things are in the more interesting side of things. Not to worry though. It's all under control."
Caroline leaned heavily against him, her energy fading fast as another wave of magic rushed out of her and she heard Klaus' bones break and heal. The memories of the past, the realization of the present, they sent an ache through her chest. The love she felt for the man holding her, the terror she felt for the deeds he had done. The sorrow she felt for the loss of a family, the joy at knowing they were alive.
The two sat in silence for the next few minutes, Caroline was unsure of what she could say and Klaus felt similarly. When he first spotted Caroline in this time he feared her feelings that existed centuries ago and may not exist anymore. But now those worries left him. For the first time in ages, he felt as if things could be put back together and no longer remain as broken as they were.
When his bones did not break again and no more magic waves hit her, he decided now was as good as any to get moving. Klaus maneuvered Caroline gently in his embrace until he was able to securely hold her and stand. As he did so, her arms weakly wrapped around his neck. A feeling of deja vu hit Klaus, the first time he met her.
"You have nothing to worry about love, I won't let you fall," Klaus told her sincerely.
Caroline's eyes flashed with recognition, "Good, because then I wouldn't be happy with you."
Klaus smiled, pleased that she remembered and said it back to him. That hope flared to life in his chest once more. Yes, he was very different than the man she had known in the past, but he was confident that it wouldn't be a problem. The connection they shared couldn't be broken, they were like the sun and moon, he knew it. Slowly, he leaned in and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. Caroline closed her eyes at the feeling, he had done it often when they were in their home, it had always reminded her that she was safe, that he cared about her, that he wasn't going anywhere.
"I need to get home," Caroline said softly.
Klaus nodded, "As you wish."
Elijah thought it would be best to wait outside, choosing to allow his brother and sister in law a moment to be together. Rebekah stood beside him, though she wanted to see Caroline and comfort her, she knew it was better not to overwhelm her friend. They looked in the direction of the house to see Klaus carrying her outside towards them with a pained look on his face. Although it could never be denied that he was a horrible man, it could also never be denied how much he loved her.
"How is she," Rebekah asked when Klaus stood before them in the garden.
Klaus looked at his wife as he said, "A bit overwhelmed with some pain, but that is to be expected. The magic hits in waves rushing in and out, I cannot day how else it will react."
"Then we cannot delay," Elijah said to them. If they did not get Caroline somewhere safe, she would be sure to hurt herself and others in the state she was in.
"He's right," Rebekah agreed, "We need to get moving soon, get her to safety."
Caroline stared at the two new faces. The memories rushed through her, she could not hide a wince, but she knew them. Whatever they had been about to say died on their lips as they looked at Caroline with her memories for the first time. Her usually bright eyes were bloodshot and slightly haunted, her exposed skin coated in a thin layer of sweat as she shook slightly in their brother's arms. Klaus was not fairing much better, he had a thin layer of sweat over his skin and his eyes seemed hollow.
Caroline looked at Rebekah first, "Reba?"
Rebekah smiled at the ridiculous name, it had been so long since she heard it, "Yes Carol?"
Caroline released a laugh though it was so soft. "Hi." Her gaze shifted to her left, she grinned gently, "Elijah."
"At your service," Elijah told her with a little smile.
Caroline tried to smile back, but it broke as her cries returned pitifully, "I can't believe you're here."
Rebekah moved to her side and put their foreheads together, "You're going to make me cry Caroline. I have missed you so. You have nothing to worry about anymore. Okay?"
"It's good to see you, each of you," Caroline said honestly with shimmering eyes that meant each of their gazes.
That wasn't a lie. Even though her mind was struggling to put all the pieces together, she could not deny the happiness in her at having them all around her. The energy it was taking for her to remain alert was fading fast. Her head rested on Klaus' shoulder, her arms relaxed further and luckily her breathing had finally evened out enough so that her body no longer shook. Though tears still fell from her eyes, she knew she couldn't stop them if she tried.
"Caroline," Rebekah said standing closer to her brother and sister in law, she looked down at Caroline, "We need to get moving, get out of here."
"Out of Mystic Falls," Caroline asked in a whisper.
Rebekah could only nod once. Now that they had their Caroline back, how could they possibly leave her behind? This family had not been the same since that fateful night when she was killed, it had already been breaking with the loss of Henrik. Though Rebekah was still wary of Klaus, she had a feeling that if anyone could keep him in line it would be Caroline. Elijah had been trying to get their family to be together for decades and decades, this would be one of many steps to get that back. Would taking Caroline with them be the best option? Klaus believed so, Rebekah for the most part did too, but Elijah had turned hesitant.
"I have to get home," was all Caroline could say.
She couldn't leave with them, her friends were still out there and could be looking for her. Plus her mom, she needed to get to her mom, she had to get to her mom. Despite her mental protests, she rested her head on Klaus' shoulder. A slight wave of magic rushed out of her for all the Originals to feel. It felt similar to a warm breeze. Caroline's eyes closed, she couldn't fight it.
"We get her home first," Klaus stated, "Then we have much to discuss."
The three sped to the Forbes house where her mother was waiting. When Rebekah took Caroline away to complete the ritual, she had told Liz Forbes that she along with her brothers and Caroline would return here. The human, Matt, was unconscious in the Forbes home, but he would be just fine. As the three siblings arrived at the home, the sheriff was there to greet them at the door with a strained expression that turned to worry and relief at the sight of her daughter in the arms of an Original vampire, her husband no less.
"Caroline," Liz said, concerned.
"She's alive, but exhausted and overwhelmed," Klaus said softly, "Her curse is broken."
Liz nodded, she had been made aware of the curse and everything thanks to a distant relative by the name of Lexi. This relative was currently in her guest room, making sure that Matt and Tyler remained unconscious. In the meantime Liz could focus on Caroline and the three vampires before her. She did not want to invite them in, but she knew that she couldn't leave them out there. Not when they were technically family and were proving to care more about her daughter than anything else.
Besides, her ancestors had informed her that everything which had transpired had been their goal all along. Quietly, Liz invited Elijah and Klaus inside the home, which they both offered her a grateful smile. Once they were all in, Liz lead Klaus to Caroline's room where he laid her down gently and placed a soft kiss to her forehead before turning to face Liz.
"I understand that you do not know me. That the stories you must have heard paint me in a bad light," Klaus started hesitantly, "But just know that there is nothing I wouldn't do for her. I love her, dearly."
Liz only nodded in acknowledgement, presently she had nothing to say to her son-in-law. All her energy and attention needed to fall on Caroline. Silently, Lexi appeared in the doorway with a comforting expression on her face for Liz. It was not everyday that one of your ancestors shows up in the flesh or your daughter getting turned into a witch vampire hybrid, the first one. When Klaus turned away from the sheriff, he was surprised to see Lexi standing there in the doorway. Her grin was blinding.
"It's been a long time," Lexi drawled.
Klaus nodded, his tone was cross, "Indeed. These days are filled with many surprises and familiar faces."
Lexi raised an eyebrow, "No kidding. Come on wolf hybrid, let's leave my cousins to rest. I'll be back soon Cousin Liz."
Liz replied, "See you in a bit."
Lexi flashed her a charming grin, though Klaus noticed there was something strained in her eyes. Without another word spoken, Lexi walked out towards the living room with Klaus behind her. The next order of business would be to determine what happens now. Even though Caroline had her memories and could access her witch abilities, not all was right with the world.
Lexi could tell that Klaus had this delusion of grandeur that once Caroline had her memories and magic, they could run off and see the world. A thousand years ago that would have worked, but Caroline was home now, everything changed. Elijah stood by the fireplace with one arm the mantelpiece while Rebekah was sitting on the couch. At the sight of Lexi, Rebekah jumped to her feet in surprise.
"Are you both from this time," Rebekah asked, walking over to her.
"I'm from the 17th century, Caroline is from this time though," Lexi replied simply.
Rebekah pulled her into a hug, "Today is turning out to be a very good day. Though I have to wonder how ever did either of you get to our time?"
Lexi returned her embrace, "A story for another day. Now we have some business to discuss."
"Quite so," Klaus stated, his tone serious, "We were set to leave this town soon as the curse was broken. I suggest leaving by dawn."
"You can't take Caroline with you," Lexi said, shaking her head.
Klaus narrowed his eyes, he held back a growl, "And why is that Alexia?"
"Easy Niklaus, she has a reason for saying so and I want to hear it," Elijah spoke in an almost bored tone.
The response made Lexi grin. It had been ages since she had least seen them. After Caroline's wedding, Lexi had been returned to this time about a decade before her untimely death. Much to her joy and gratefulness, her ancestors allowed her to keep her memories in order to watch over Caroline and help whenever necessary.
Lexi had changed a good number of things, all for the benefit of helping her cousin. The choices she made allowed her to protect Caroline and keep her life which had been a pleasant thing. For a moment she looked at each of the siblings wondering how best she could put this, Elijah she knew would be calm and agree with her, Klaus would go off the handle and she didn't know about Rebekah. Guess she'd find out.
"Caroline's life is here, her friends and mother, everything," Lexi started and gestured around the room, "You can't just whisk her away from it. Especially when to her she's only just gotten it back."
"What do you mean," Rebekah asked, she crossed her arms over her chest.
Lexi glanced at her, "Caroline was brought to your time two days ago and returned today. In her mind she has been gone a year. Not to mention her mind is a little screwed up right now with the fact that she died, she had known that Klaus was coming after her friends and now realizes that he's also her husband. Oh! And how could I forget that all the magic she had access to was drained out of her hours ago and then pushed right back in."
When none of the siblings spoke, Lexi continued,"To y'all it was a thousand years ago, for Caroline it's barely been twelve hours."
Klaus clenched his jaw, Elijah spoke before he could, "Because of this ordeal you think it would be unwise to have Caroline with us?"
Lexi nodded, "I think it'd be a terrible to uproot her again. She needs to stay here. Besides, Klaus intends to cause issues for her friends and I highly doubt she'd be able to stand in that fight."
Rebekah thought for a moment, that hadn't been something they considered. In the excitement of having her alive, they hadn't been thinking of anything besides keeping her with them. If the decision fell to them then it wouldn't be a problem, but there was a chance that Caroline wouldn't choose to run off with them, let alone fight beside them. The thought stung a good deal as far as Rebekah was concerned.
Elijah had more less expected this would come up. While he believed that Caroline needed to be with them for a number of reasons, he also knew that ripping her from the only true home she had ever known would be cruel. It was a cruel thing they could not do to her. However it begged the question of what were they supposed to do now?
It wasn't as if they could just walk away from her now that she had been brought back to them, calling it a miracle was an understatement. Caroline couldn't leave, did that mean they could all stay? Not exactly considering her friends wanted them run out of town. Technically that didn't matter, since their family was not always welcomed in a number of places, but the strain it would place om Caroline seemed unfair. Their presence here combined with her memories would lead to a number of problems where she would be torn between loyalties.
"So what do you suggest we do," Elijah questioned with his head tilted down.
Lexi looked at Klaus when she answered, "Leave her here in Mystic Falls. Whether or not her memories of y'all remain is up for debate."
"What," Klaus ground out at those words, his fangs poked out, "Her memory is certainly not going anywhere."
"I'm inclined to agree with my brother for once. Why would we remove her memories of us," Rebekah questioned sharply.
Lexi ran her fingers through her hair unimpressed, "Likely Klaus will be back to cause trouble which means Caroline's friends get in the way. You expect her to have an easy time fighting you or fighting them? It'll tear her up to see this war."
Klaus sped to Lexi, standing right in front of her with fury in his eyes, "Caroline belongs with our family. Her little rag tag friends will have to adjust to life without her."
"I'm not talking about her friends adjusting, I'm talking about Caroline," Lexi hissed at him, her fangs baring.
"Taking her memories is the dumbest idea I've ever heard, and you have no right to suggest it," Rebekah snapped, her eyes red.
"She will be fine with us," Klaus growled, his eyes turned golden.
"Or miserable," Lexi bit back, "You plan to force her away from the people she loves? For her to be held hostage by the people who look like the ones she knew only for her to discover first hand just how twisted you've become?"
"We are not leaving her behind," Klaus roared.
Elijah separated the two before things could get out of hand, "That is quite enough. Surely we can discuss without turning barbaric."
Klaus stepped back, a scowl set on his face as this conversation floated around in his mind. After believing the woman he loved had been killed as part of this curse and discovering her to be alive, he had a new goal in mind and that was bringing her home. Damn the consequences, she was his wife and she belonged at his side where he could protect her, give her everything her heart desired. The two of them as hybrids would be the strongests being on this planet, nothing could ever harm them and no one could stand in their way. Now it seemed that his visions were not meant to stand which he could not allow.
"A millennia has passed since her demise. Now that she lives, I refuse to allow anything to keep me from her any longer," Klaus stated coldly, he gestured to them, "Are you going to stand in my way?"
Lexi made an exasperated expression, "For her sake yes. You love her, then let her go. Let her adjust to her magic, stick by her friends without any of you to make her life more complicated than it already is."
"Caroline deserves to know the truth," Klaus practically barked at her.
"I'm not saying she'd never remember you," Lexi said sharply, "But for the time being, it'd be in her best interest that she not have anything to do with you."
Elijah narrowed his gaze. Something about this didn't add up, it was clear Lexi wanted to help and protect Caroline, but the memory removal seemed like the worst possible way to accomplish the goal. Without her memories she would still be in the battles to come, just believing that the other side were nothing, but strangers. Hardly seemed right.
Rebekah didn't say anything, but she was not happy with that. Of course she wanted to take her sister with them on whatever adventure was ahead, but how could she knowing that Caroline had already been ripped away from her family here before? How was Caroline supposed to handle the warring sides of her friends and in-laws?
Klaus was not done with Mystic Falls, her friends would fight him and try to get rid of him. Caroline would be caught in the middle and having her choose between them seemed brutally unfair. However that left them with a question of how were they supposed to make it fair? Rebekah glanced to her left to see Caroline's mother watching them, absorbing the conversation.
"Sheriff Forbes," Elijah greeted with a nod, "Would you care to tell us what you feel is best for Caroline?"
The Sheriff took a moment to respond, "Truth be told I don't want her involved with any of you knowing who you are, but I can't make her decisions for her and neither can any of you."
Without making a sound, the subject of the conversation appeared behind her mother. Soon as Lexi and Klaus left her bedroom, Caroline sat up to talk to her mother before she started listening in on the conversation happening below. She was a witch and vampire, married to the big bad Klaus Mikaelson. On the one she was thrilled to have her husband back, but the problem came in wondering just how much of her husband was there considering there were a thousand years of change he had gone through. The same was said for Elijah and Rebekah, how different were they?
It didn't matter that much to Caroline, she still loved them, she knew she still loved them, she could feel it. However this contrasted to her present day memories of them, of Klaus being their enemy and the rumors of all the bad things he had done over the course of his life. It was those doubts that brought her ancestors to whisper in her ears, to tell her what they planned to do.
Her ancestors were not the biggest fans of Klaus and his family, yet Caroline questioned why they let her spend so long with them in the first place. Not that they gave her answer. The only thing they gave her was a little insight to their plan, to get of the Mikaelsons from her mind. It was something she couldn't let happen and she just barely found a loophole.
Caroline stepped past her mom to look at everyone in this room with a conflicted expression, her eyes fell on Klaus last and she really felt her heart crack at the sight of him. He looked strong, he looked really good. She wanted to go wherever he was, but she couldn't leave her friends.
"Caroline," Klaus whispered looking into her eyes.
Caroline glanced away from him, "Even if it hurts, I'd rather keep my memories. I want you to know that I don't want to forget you, forget us… but Lexi's right. I can't remember you now."
Klaus appeared in front of her, she jumped not expecting him to do that. With those blue eyes that could see through her. It was gaze she had seen hours ago, but it did truly feel like it was lifetimes ago. In reality that was true.
Klaus cupped her cheek in his hand as he told her, "That's not true. Even with the issues arising with your friends, we'd do our best to keep it… contained. As long as we stand together, nothing could ever keep us apart."
"It's not so much about my friends that are an issue," Caroline said softly, "That was Lexi's poor ass excuse."
"It is still something to think about," Lexi remarked dryly.
Caroline didn't acknowledge that, "It's more to do with my ancestors. They want to take my memories of you, your family, all of it away by dawn."
A heavy silence entered the room, surprise on everyone's faces except for Liz and Lexi who merely exchanged strained expressions. It was something they had known from the beginning, but were not at liberty to say. As soon as Caroline had been taken away, Liz heard her ancestors whispering in her ears that she would be safe and upon her return, she wouldn't remember where they brought her. When Liz went to see Caroline get married, she knew that her daughter wouldn't stand the loss of her time there.
Elijah broke the silence, "Why do they wish to take your memory away?"
"And how do we stop it," Rebekah added, her stance defensive.
Caroline looked at them, her eyes shined, "They only sent me back to your time for Niklaus' curse. I was turned into a vampire before my magic could be unlocked and they can't undo that, they tried and it failed because there was no path for me not as a vampire. Lexi could only play around with some changes in time because it didn't interfere with fate." Caroline turned her gaze to Klaus. "We weren't in their plans. Not like this."
"Surely there's a way for you to keep your memories," Klaus said, his shoulders sagged slightly.
"Either way my memories will be gone which sucks like hell," Caroline said, her mouth drawn to a frown and voice annoyed, "But, if you take my memory away, if you lock it, then they can't touch it. Lock my memories away, lock my magic away with it."
Her ancestors intended to take her memory of what happened a thousand years ago away from her and not return them. If they took the memory, she may never get it back and that was not something she could risk. There wasn't a counter spell for it, not one that she knew of anyway and they wouldn't tell her if she asked. It still didn't make any sense to Caroline why they would do it, but she knew she couldn't let them. However after spending the past several minutes running through this plan, she was almost certain it could work. That she had a loophole.
"I don't know all the specifics of how this magic works, it's not like Bonnie's or ancestral or normal. But if they get into my head to take our time together away, there's no guarantee I could get them back," Caroline said with shimmering eyes.
Klaus gripped her hands tighter, "How would this work?"
Caroline glanced at her mom before looking back at him, "Before my ancestors sent me away, they undid the compulsion on my mom. My compulsion. There's a chance they could undo a regular vampires compulsion, but not an Originals and certainly not the hybrids. You can compel me to forget."
"Caroline, how would that solve anything," Rebekah protested in anger, "You still wouldn't know who we are!"
Caroline turned to face Rebekah, "I wouldn't remember for a little while, but I'd have a chance to get the memories back."
"And once your memories are back then your psycho ancestors could just remove them again," Rebekah argued, her eyes alight with anger at the situation.
"They wouldn't be able to after," Caroline said with a shake of her head.
"Please explain how that makes a lick of sense," Rebekah said crossing her arms over her chest.
Caroline looked to Lexi, a faint smile on her face, "You told me a week after your arrival that our ancestors could mess with our heads. They almost had me forget my friends and the danger they were in."
"I remember, but what's your idea with compulsion," Lexi asked, not quite following.
"If I locked my own memories, or get them locked I should say and have only one key, then the memories become tainted," Caroline explained, she looked around the room, "It's like firing clay. You can't mold the clay after it's been heated up and solid. Memories are a bit like that. Once he marks the memory, they can't do anything with it without breaking something. They won't risk that."
"How can you be certain of this," Elijah questioned next.
Caroline didn't answer right away. There was a chance she was wrong, there was a chance that it wouldn't work. The only thing she had to go off of was the reactions her ancestors couldn't hide. Her plan was ticking them off, some of them were afraid, some of them defeated and others proud.
"Our magic is weird, okay it's crazy, but it's not invincible. All magic has loopholes, this has to be one of them," Caroline said softly.
"It's a bit out there, but it could work. What do you think Cousin Liz," Lexi said, her eyes fell to the Sheriff.
Liz glanced around the room. She was never great with all this magic stuff, she truthfully didn't know if it would work. However she knew it was the best option that Caroline could take.
Clearly, Liz spoke, "I'm no expert with magic and I can't say it will work. But, based on how annoyed most of them feel I imagine Caroline's close enough to the loophole they didn't want her to find."
Caroline grinned, "It's our best chance guys, my best chance to remember you and my time with you one day."
"Is there truly no option where you get to remember us the whole time," Rebekah asked, not hiding her disappointment.
"I'm sorry Reba, but this is the best way," Caroline said, slowly her eyes found Klaus', "Lock my magic and memory away. Tie it to yourself, make yourself become the key."
"Tie it to myself, how do you mean," Klaus asked searching her eyes, wondering what her plan was.
Caroline grinned a sweet smile, "Try to wow me with your charms, get to know me here. I won't admit that I like you. I can tell that I'll fight it without these memories. Tell me that my memory, my magic, can return when I admit to myself that I want you. Or one day when you think I'm ready, compel me to remember. Either way, you would be my key."
"You'd give me that much power," Klaus whispered to her in surprise.
Caroline nodded, "I know you may not be exactly who you once were, but I still trust you. If you lock it and one day unlock it, then I have full access, it's a loophole in my ancestors ways around magic. It has to be you."
Klaus frowned at his wife with deep sorrow in his eyes. Having spent so much time away from her, he didn't want to spend another minute without her by his side. However, he could not risk the chance that she never come back when he had already experienced so much life without her with him. That chance of it happening again, he could not take.
Anger with her ancestors for this rushed through him, he could feel it bubbling inside him and it threatened to escape into the open. The only thing keeping this from happening was Caroline's close proximity. The rest of the family members in this room exchanged glances, uncertain of what they should say or anything should be said during their intimate moment.
Lexi had to admit that Caroline's plan could work, she could tell that their ancestors would be annoyed, but they would get over it later. With this plan Caroline wouldn't be torn between two warring sides, she would get to stay here where she was safer and she would show their family how much of a pawn she wasn't. It had her vote of approval.
Liz was apprehensive about her daughter's involvement with the Original family, even more so knowing that her magic would still be locked away until she got her way to be with said family. However there was some pride there. Their ancestors were not the worst ones out there, they tended to try and play around with their descendants, but Caroline was about to show them how it wouldn't work on her. That was enough for Liz right now, though she wondered just what would happen after. If their ancestors would try to stop her or get her magic back or watch and let Caroline handle this.
"Okay," Klaus whispered to her, "Okay, I will."
Caroline leaned forward and pressed her lips against his own, light and gentle as their first shared kiss. It was far too short for either of them, but time was running out. Reluctantly, Caroline pulled away. They had an audience and she had some goodbyes to say. Her mother and Lexi, she would be seeing them again, but Elijah and Rebekah, she needed to tell them goodbye since she never had the chance in the past. Caroline stepped away from Klaus and walked over to her siblings in law with a pained smile.
"This is only goodbye for now. And it certainly won't last a thousand years either," Caroline said with a quick laugh. "We all have things to do. I imagine you'll be back here with whatever scheme and we will be on opposite sides… but I am confident it won't be long before we are all on the same side again."
Rebekah pulled Caroline into a hug, she spoke sadly, "We won't be on opposite sides, we'll always be there for you. This is so unfair."
Caroline hugged her back tightly, "It is, but it won't last forever."
When Caroline let go of Rebekah, she turned to hug Elijah who was waiting for her. It would be difficult for him to have to stand on the opposite side, but he was confident they would be able to work through it. This entire situation appeared more complicated than it should have been, or maybe it was just the right amount of complex. Either which way, Elijah was sad to have only had his sister-in-law back for some moments only to lose her once again. For when they returned to Mystic Falls, Caroline would see them as adversaries and strangers. There was hope though, a chance that it would not always be this way.
"I'll see you again," Caroline said pulling away, "Keep them out of trouble for me?"
Elijah smiled, "I always do."
Caroline nodded. She turned around and walked over to her husband. His hands rested on her waist as her hands rested on his shoulders, a pain look came alive on both of their faces. This should have been their proper hello instead of goodbye, even if the goodbye would not last forever, there was no way to know how long it would last for.
Klaus leaned down and kissed Caroline slowly, taking in the moment as he knew such a moment would not be his for some time now. When the two broke apart, she nodded once to show him that she was ready. No part of her wanted to forget, but she knew this was the best way to do it. Her ancestors wanted her to have magic and she got it, but they wanted to take her away from him permanently. That couldn't stand, she wouldn't let it.
"Tie it to you," Caroline said as a stray tear fell down her cheek, "Be my key."
Klaus held her gaze, he called on his compulsion and spoke softly, "You will forget your time in the past with myself and my family. You will not access your magic so long as your memories are forgotten. The for these for . When you confess what I know to be true."
Caroline nodded with hazed look. Klaus kissed her forehead once more before disappearing with his siblings right behind him. Across the street, the Mikaelsons watched with expressions of sorrow, regret and pain at the loss of someone they had only gained back. In the window Caroline began to move around, she was talking to Lexi who was likely explaining what had happened at the ritual and the days she was gone. What story it would be was beyond them, but it was a lesser worry.
Klaus released an uneasy breath as he watched Caroline disappear from his sight. She would not know him now, but he would pursue her and bring her home, make her a better home than she could ever imagine. A silent vow was made as he stood there a moment longer. He would not give up on her, he would ensure that they find their way back to one another. Their connection could not be broken by this, he knew that to be true. It would kill him to let her go off without him, to continue to be the villain of her story, but he was a patient man. At some point in time, they would be together again and would build that life they spoke of.
"I think we could be like the sun and moon," Niklaus said absently with Caroline in his arms.
Caroline tilted her head to look up at him, "Why is that?"
Niklaus looked down at her, "Well you are clearly the sun with your bright smile, golden personality and shinning light. I would be the moon, as I am constantly surrounded by dakrness, but you make me glow."
"Aw," Caroline said with a smile, "That's sweet. But you have your own light to."
Niklaus shook his head, "It pales in comparison to yours."
Caroline untangled herself from Niklaus and rose to her feet, "Let's dance."
Niklaus chuckled as he sat up from the grassy floor, "You want to dance? Here?"
"We haven't danced since the fire and I quite enjoyed dancing with you," Caroline said with her winning smile, "Besides, the sun and moon are caught in an immortal dance. If we are to embody them, we should dance for a snippet of time."
"As you wish," Niklaus said standing before her.
His hands rested on her waist and her hands on his shoulders. Slowly, the two swayed with each other under the setting sun, their eyes only focused on each other. For minutes they danced with each other, spinning in circles the way the sun and moon did. Niklaus held her close, Caroline rested her head against his shoulder.
"I'll be back Caroline," Klaus said softly into the night, "I promise."
With no other words to speak, Klaus took on his wolf form and raced into the night with siblings not far behind.
A/N: Guys that's it, that's the end of Sun and Moon. I'm literally tearing up having to say this story is over. I hate the ending of stories, they always bother me cause I just want them to continue forever and ever and ever. But this one is over.
I am so beyond grateful for every follow, favorite and review that has come up on this story. It has truly meant a lot to. And now that this story is over, it is time for the second arc which I am really excited for. I'll explain more about the sequel in an announcement chapter when it's posted which should be in a matter of days :) Below is some explanations and news on the sequel story. The big chunk just below is a ramble, so you can skip if you want.
This is a side note slash ramble and explanation, but you've made it through all my other notes, so here you go. Now I kind of feel like I should justify taking Caroline's memory away, just because I've re-written why and how it happens at least 12 times and most of them still were not satisfying and if I the writer still feels unsatisfied, then that definitely can translate to the reader. The biggest reason is because I knew I didn't want to write Caroline knowing Klaus was her husband when the hybrids and Silas were all around, I just really didn't want that or to write it all. Originally this story was only going to take place in the past and nothing else, but I didn't like that either so the solution? Skipping that. But I very well knew I could not just write "imagine TVD with Caroline knowing she's Klaus' wife" like come on, if someone wrote that to me, I'd be like "I think I need to see that." So, that didn't happen. In one version both Klaus and Caroline forget for a big reason I'll say in the post when I announce the sequel, but I really hated them both forgetting and said only one is going to forget and it sure wasn't going to be Klaus. So virtually Seasons 3 and 4 with the first parts 5 in TVD happen the same without any issues, there are a few things that do change, but they'll be touched on and mildly explained in the sequel.
Now, the news on the sequel story. It will be posted as an Originals FF because it will be my take on Caroline in New Orleans. And it will be titled... *drum roll* French Quarter Royals. In a separate post I will explain some important things about the sequel as well as the prologue here first. Then some minutes later that prologue will be on the actual story.
Whew, that was a lot to get through. For those who read all that mess, thank you very much I greatly appreciate it. I hope each of you is doing well during these uncertain times. I look forward to seeing each and everyone of you reading the sequel *wink wink*