"I could prepare her favorite meal." Cami said.

Gisele raised a dark eyebrow. "Your cooking has come along that well, eh?"

Cami pinched her playfully. Under Naomi's tutelage, her skills in the kitchen were improving, but not fast enough for such a feat.

"What about prose?" said Olga to her right.

"Do I strike you as a poet?"

Olga shrugged. "You never know."

As the trio made their daily trek to the fields, they continued brainstorming ways for Cami to earn Rebekah's forgiveness.

"You could kill Tatia." Olga joked.

Cami rolled her eyes. "And have half the men in the village strike me down in vengeance?"

"Rebekah will forgive you in the meantime."

"I do hope she forgives you soon," Gisele groaned. "I miss the four of us being friends."

Cami did too. She had not realized how much she had come to rely on their friendship. Rebekah had not even checked on her after her trial which was a week ago.

"Has she mentioned me at all?" Her heart sank when Olga and Gisele shook their heads. "This is ridiculous! I overheard her laughing with Elijah and Nik the other day, I am the only one still shut out."

"Maybe Kol has an idea," Olga smiled slyly. "You ought to pick his mind Gisele."

"Hush!"

"What is it with you two?" Cami asked.

"There is no 'it'!" Gisele nervously touched her thick coils of hair.

"Are you courting?"

Olga snorted. "I cannot imagine Kol courting anyone, I wonder if he understands the definition of the word."

"He is young—"

"Age has nothing to do with it!" Gisele exclaimed. "Kol would still be wild and unruly if he were as old as the earth itself. There are times I see glimpses of the man he could become—"

"Which is more than any of us can say." Olga muttered.

Gisele threw her hands in the air. "He is restless! Nothing and no one can hold his attention for long."

"Except you, you mean." Cami put in.

"That means nothing, Cami. Kol has taken interest in damn near every woman of age."

Olga wagged a finger. "That is untrue. Kol is a flirt, yes, but it is never remotely serious unless it is one dark skinned beauty I know."

"Really?" Gisele tried to hide her smile. "Nonetheless, I will not wait around for him to make up his mind. I have other prospects."

"Oh, undoubtedly." Cami put an arm around her shoulders. "But do they excite you as much as Kol does?" Gisele shrugged her off while Cami and Olga laughed.

Cami rapped her knuckles against the door. She tried not to glare at the woman who opened it. "Esther."

"Camille, we have finished supper but I am sure we have something left."

"Gratitude, I already ate." Cami fought the urge to hit her, reminding herself that the woman before her was not the Esther she would become. "I came to visit Rebekah."

Esther remained rooted in the doorway. "At this hour?"

"I know it is late, however it is important. I won't be any trouble, I promise."

"You certainly made a strong impression on everyone, successfully securing a place in our village twice. Ayanna says Naomi speaks highly of you, as does Haldor, even my husband was swayed by you." Her blue eyes travelled over Cami's frame.

Cami's tone was tight. "They all honor me."

"As did my daughter who has kept to herself since certain events have transpired…perhaps you can bring her out of that."

Did? Esther finally moved. "I'll fetch her for you."

"Who is that?" Kol and Henrik replaced their mother in the doorway. "Ah Camille."

Henrik smirked. "Have you come to beg for Rebekah's forgiveness, at last?"

"At last?"

"With no gifts?" the youngest Mikaelson tutted. "This will be a poor conversation had indeed."

"Good thing it will not be with you."

Kol laughed. "Your stinging wit is impeccable as always, Cami."

"You know who looked impeccable today? Gis—"

Rebekah pushed through her two brothers. "Enough with all of the racket!" she shooed them away before crossing her arms and appraising Cami. "The sun is setting, you ought to make it quick."

"Can we talk out back?"

Rebekah silently led her to the back of their home.

"I came to apologize."

"You've done that already."

Cami drew herself up. "And to accept yours."

"Mine?!"

"Yes, yours. I am sorry Rebekah, you warned me about Tatia, you did. But I never wanted to place my friendship with hers above ours. You did that."

"Because she—"

"I understand the sordid history, I witnessed part of it weeks ago. Hell, I played a part in it. But I was not the only one! You've forgiven your own brothers but not me!"

"Because Cami to a certain extent I accept their idiocy, I did not expect yours! You threw away our friendship!"

"I did not! You did by placing conditions on it—conditions of which I was not fully aware of the extent you'd carry out punishment!"

"And I came to apologize!"

"Just as I am now! But I will not be the sole target of your frustration of Tatia, Elijah, and Nik. I won't bear sole blame!" Rebekah was silent but her chest rose and fell with fury. "I care about our friendship, that is why I am here fighting for it. I miss you Rebekah."

Rebekah drew in a breath. "You do?"

"Why else come here at this hour to beg your forgiveness?" Cami held out her ams. "When I considered the possibility of my banishment, I kept thinking how regretful I would be knowing I never got to reconcile with you. You were my first real friend here."

Rebekah sniffed. "Me, not Kol?"

"You took me under your wing, you introduced me to Olga and Gisele. You and Naomi were the first to let me in your hearts. Please let me in again."

Rebekah crushed Cami in a hug. They both laughed as tears fell. "I missed you too, immensely, I was just so furious—"

"I know. Just so you know, I am no longer friends with Tatia—But before you say I told you so, you still do not get to decide who I am friends with."

"Agreed. So long as you do not keep any more secrets from me, especially ones that harm my family."

"Agreed." Cami smiled. "I did not know she was with Elijah or that Nik was coming that evening."

"I know, Nik told me."

"He did?"

Rebekah nodded. "I believed him but then I was angry you never made another effort of reconciliation."

"You told me to stay away! We were both locked away by our families, not to mention my impending trial."

"Understood." Rebekah sighed. "Still, it is nice to know you're willing to fight for me."

"You are worth fighting for."

They smiled, embracing again. Both feeling lighter than they had in weeks.

There were many things Cami had to adapt to in the village, but one change she didn't mind was the ability to be in nature. Minimally touched by man, Cami was able to hear and experience nature in a way she hadn't before. Not to mention she could think, and ruminate on her past in the future, recall fond memories, and just be present with herself. She sometimes she brought paper and pen to journal.

Cami would spend hours alone in the woods on the outskirts of the village, if only she didn't have such an awful sense of direction. There were trees marked, of course, but she found herself easily swept up in the beauty of the forest, and by the time she realized she had no idea where she was, it was too late. Naomi had begrudgingly retrieved her multiple times.

"One would think you were attempting to run away." She grumbled.

So Cami regulated her walks to day time, and only for a short period time to tamp down on the levels of danger. Today she stayed within the bounds of the marked trees and was under a tree reading a scroll lent to her by Haldor. Cami's stomach began churning, and she knew she should make her way back to home to steal some treats from Naomi. She would have left immediately too, if she hadn't heard the loud crunching of leaves. Footsteps too heavy to be human, and if that didn't give it away the growling did.

Cami slowly perused her surroundings and opened her mouth in shock at the sight of a bear cub, climbing a tree not a hundred feet away. If he smelled her, he didn't care as much as getting to his target. Moving behind another tree, Cami watched him with more delight than fear, that is until she heard a loud growl. Mother bear Cami barely processed the words before seeing the lumbering parent crash through the trees. She grunted at her cub, who cooed, but eventually retreated to the ground after another harsh grunt.

Cami was frozen in place, however that didn't stop her scent. The next time she peaked around the tree she saw two pairs of black eyes trained on her. Could bears smell fear? Or was that only a wolf thing? Cami quickly averted her eyes, not wanting to give off any signs of aggression. Her heartbeat loudly as she waited, not daring to look back at the bears. After what seemed to be a lifetime, she heard both animals retreating. Cami remained frozen until she felt they were far enough away before running back to the village.

When she recalled it all to Naomi at dinner, the old woman was unamused. "I told you it was not safe for a young woman to be in the woods alone!"

"It was daytime, and I was within the proper limits!" Cami defended.

"Yet you did not hear a bear until it was too late." Naomi's brown eyes scrutinized her young charge. "You do not pay enough attention to your surroundings and it will cause you harm in the future. From now on you'll need to have a companion."

Cami twirled her spoon in her stew. "I prefer my own company."

"This is not a discussion."

"Fine, next time I'll ask Rebekah—"

"A male companion, Camille. Someone who will keep you safe."

"I carried my knife!"

Naomi levelled Cami with a look because they both knew she was damn near incapable with that thing. She didn't have a sword, or a spear, or a bow and arrow because frankly she thought they were a hassle to carry around. Although… "Perhaps Vashti could train me?" Cami offered, referring to the strongest swordswoman in the clan.

"Perhaps." Naomi agreed, "and you will also have a man with you." Cami groaned. "You should be courting. I told you to catch the eye of one of the young men and you have not heeded me."

"How is it my fault none of them show interest in me?"

"Are we forgetting your past scandalous actions?" Naomi countered, raising an eyebrow. "However, you do show hints of courage, although your cooking needs work—"

"I'll just ask Haldor to accompany me."

"You will do no such thing! He has other priorities in the village not to mention he already dotes on you trading his fish for your services."

"As a favor to you." It was Cami's turn to raise in eyebrow. For all of Naomi's conjecture about her lack of love life, she willingly ignored her own.

As expected, Naomi ignored that quip. "The only other men you're familiar with are Mikael's sons so until another man sets his sights on you—"

"I'll be babysat by Rebekah's brothers? I'm not their responsibility!"

Naomi frowned. "Babysat?"

"I'm not—"

"Yes I heard you the first time, Camille. You may always ask another man to accompany you, however he will need my permission."

Cami threw her hands in the air in defeat. She loved Naomi, but after being estranged from her parents, and the death of her Uncle Kieran, having an active parental figure was a difficult adjustment. Especially since she had no rights as a woman and an outsider.

"What if I choose not to marry?"

"Camille, do not be foolish. You must marry. It will further legitimize your place, and apart from that, I cannot always protect you. I am an old woman. Bears are the least of your worries, I fear. There are murmurings about raiders coming from the north."

Yes, there were. Stories travelled of how ruthlessly they attacked and plundered villages along the way.

"Not to mention those beasts to the east." Naomi scowled, referring to the neighboring village of werewolves. "Look at it from another perspective: if you have someone with you, you can further explore."

It was less about exploration and more about a peace of mind, but Cami kept it to herself. At the end of the day, Cami knew Naomi's commands were out of concern.

"And so naturally you selected me as your companion." Kol crooned. "I cannot say I am surprised."

They ambled through the forest, Kol pushing branches out of Cami's way when needed.

"You are my savior." Cami said sarcastically. "You know, I never asked you how you rescued me."

"Ah." Kol became uncharacteristically sheepish. "I was out that morning—"

"Getting into mischief, no doubt."

"I will have you know I was searching for herbs!"

"In addition to what, exactly?" Cami retorted knowing nothing Kol ever did was simple.

Kol blew at a fake exasperated sigh. "Would you like to hear the story?"

"Fine." Cami chuckled.

"I was on the riverbank when I saw you floating by."

"In the night?"

Kol's lips twisted into a smile. "I carried a torch."

"Even still, to notice, then jump into the river—"

"Hush."

Kol's command was so sudden Cami stopped in her tracks. Kol also remained still. His eyes narrowed before abruptly pushing Cami to the side before drawing the bow on his back and firing back-to-back arrows. Cami scrambled back, keeping her eyes on Kol. After a few moments passed he gestured for her to rise.

Dusting herself off, Cami went back to his side. "What was that?"

Cami followed his gaze but couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. Kol's eyes finally snapped back to Cami's and his lips held that familiar smirk. "Nothing you should worry your pretty little head over."

Pretty little head? "This pretty little head has some pretty little words that can come out of it."

"I'd love to hear them." Kol chuckled.

That night, Cami opted not to inform Naomi about that event when she arrived home. She didn't care to hear an "I told you so". Although Kol protected her from whatever threat he sensed, she still preferred having that time to herself. Cami admitted she could have worse company, and Kol was the man she was the most comfortable with in the village.

At the next village meeting, Cami decided to discreetly survey her other options. She had to admit, the village did have its fair share of attractive men. Hard labor, hunting, fighting, and a limited diet contributed to their nice physiques. Not to mention the long hair, yeah it would be a total lie to say Vikings didn't do it for her flaws and all. But marriage?

"What are you thinking about?" Rebekah asked as she slid next to Cami. Olga and Gisele were right behind her.

"Nothing."

The meeting went on uneventfully but as usual everyone hung around afterward to socialize. Cami chose to walk home alone, again, but happened upon an scene. Kol and Gisele hidden between two houses in an intimate moment. While she was curious, Cami intended to move on, giving them their privacy until Gisele's hand moved faster than Cami thought possible to slap Kol across the face.

Cami's mouth dropped in shock and she moved further into the shadows.

Tears were in Gisele's eyes. "How could you?"

Kol moved towards her, "Gisele—"

"DO NOT TOUCH ME! By the gods Kol son of Mikael I never wish to have your eyes, much less your hands upon me again! I curse the day I ever met you!" She stormed away leaving Kol looking like a lost puppy, heartbreak clear upon his face.

Cami remained where she was until he decided to leave. She had no idea what to make of that spectacle and she couldn't tell Rebekah, so she elected to keep it to herself. While Kol was hurt, Cami didn't believe it counted as a harmful secret towards the family since it was by his own actions. Besides, both Kol and Gisele were private about each other.

Despite Gisele's claims that Kol had no feelings for her Cami knew the opposite to be true. It was further solidified when Kol was nowhere to be seen the following days, which meant Cami couldn't venture into the woods. Then it rained locking everyone inside. After that it was back to business was usual but still no Kol. Gisele never mentioned their fight to the girls so Cami kept her mouth shut. She didn't want to be selfish but she definitely missed her strolls. Naomi must have voiced her concerns to Haldor because now when Cami visited he kept a close eye on her when she took her breaks, never allowing her to wander off alone as she used to. Cami decided to give up the idea entirely until it was deemed a safer or Kol patched things up with Gisele.

When there was a knock on their door both Naomi and Cami were surprised to find Nik on the other side. "Hello Naomi. Camille."

"Young Niklaus, is your family well?"

"Yes, thank the gods. I…ah…am here to see Camille."

"Camille, you have a visitor." Naomi returned to folding laundry.

Cami left her improved, yet far from good, needlework on the table and met the young man in the doorway. "Do you have a message from Rebekah?"

"No." Nik clasped his hands behind his back. "Kol informed me of your desire to go into the woods and that you needed an escort."

"I do." Cami's voice went up at the end making it like a question.

Nik waited a moment. When Cami kept staring, he spoke slowly as if to a child. "Would you still like to go?"

"...Yes...oh!" Cami felt like an idiot. "Absolutely! Naomi?" she called.

Naomi regarded Nik long enough for Cami to feel him to nervously shift behind her. Cami allowed the desperation on her face to do the pleading for her. Finally, the old woman sighed. "You have my permission, go on."

Cami grinned at Nik. "I just need grab my cloak."