Chapter 3

Days past faster then Caroline thought they could. She and Rebekah were never far from each other, though that was to be expected when she watched over the blond original with her new boy, Edmund. Whom looked intimidating, yet was one of the sweetest men she had ever met, he reminded her of Matt.

Henrik seemed to always be at her side, while Finn seemed to avoid her. Elijah had spoken to her often over supper, though they spoke mostly of books. Klaus was around, though he just watched her from afar, talking to her every now and again, but he seemed to avoid her if it were just the two of them.

It was the morning of the third day, the women were all sitting in the kitchen, waiting for the breakfast biscuits to be finished, when Caroline rolled her shoulder. Ester had taken the wrappings off of it a few hours prier. "The wound has healed a lot faster then I thought it would."

Rebekah looked away from the window, snapping out of her daydream. "That is because mother used her herb. They have high healing properties."

Caroline smiled at them. "Thank you."

Ester waved her words away. "It was the least I could do."

They were silent another moment, though strangely enough Caroline felt no need to fill it. She liked the silents. "So, do you think I am ready for a duel?"

Rebekah's head snapped in her direction. "The duel! I had forgotten! Mother, do you believe she is ready?"

Ester looked between the girls before shaking her head with a sigh. "Yes, I suppose she could. If you are comfortable, I would not stop you."

Caroline smiled again. "It looks like we shall have a duel today."

Rebekah clapped her hands together as she laughed and jumped. "Yes! I cannot wait to see the look of Finn's face when you beat him. I can already imagine it." she looked off past Carolines head, apparently imagining Finn's defeated expression. "It will be glorious."

Caroline laughed, and was slightly surprised when Ester joined her. When they all settled, Caroline had an idea on how to speed up the time. With a distraction. "Rebekah?" the teen looked to her, raising a brows in question. "Have you ever thrown a punch?"

Rebekah looked amused by the question. "No, I have not had reason to. Why?"

Caroline shrugged. "Just in case. If your brother deserves it or if you ever find yourself alone with someone you don't like. If you ever feel threatened. So I'm going to teach you something basic." Rebekah jumped up from her slouched position, eager to learn. "Curl your hands into fists. Good, yes, just like that. Now, when you go to punch, being as small as you are, your going to want to put all your body weight into it. Do you understand?"

Rebekah nodded. "Yes, I understand." she followed what Caroline was saying, throwing her weight into her hit on the imaginary target.

Caroline elaborated further. "Keep your arms up, protect your face, at all times. Don't let your guard down for even a moment, for it will only take one for it to be over." Bekah nodded, her joy replaced with the reality of what Caroline was saying. It was not about hurting your opponent, it was about surviving your enemy. "Good, your a fast learner. Soon I'll teach you to wield a dagger."

Bekah nodded, though her brows furrowed. "But, where would I put it? A dagger?"

Caroline shrugged. "There are several places you can hide it. It all depends of the size of your weapon. Here, I'll show you." Caroline ran up to her room, retrieving her knapsack, which Bekah returned to her the day before. She dug through it, pulling out a small hair decoration, which was thinner then her smallest finger, yet as tall as her hand.

"A hair pin? I don't understand." Bekah shook her head, confused as to what Caroline was trying to prove.

Caroline smiled slyly as she pull at the pin, it made a small ringing sound as it unsheathed. The blade was thin but deathly sharp, the light reflected off of it and around the room. "This is a beautiful hair accessory, and a concealed weapon. Here, hold it."

Rebekah stared at it in amazement. Never had she seen something so delicate that could be so deadly. "This is beautiful." Ester watched from beside the brick oven, nodding in agreement with her daughter. Caroline smiled and took it back, before sheathing it and placing it gently back inside her sack. "Do you have any knives on you right now?" Bekah looked excited as she looked her over.

Caroline looked around them, keeping at eye out for the boys before lifting her forest green gown to her thighs, ignoring the squawking of Ester and Rebekah about being immodest. She pulled a small four inch dagger from the hidden sheath on her upper thigh. "Another way to hide a dagger." both women looked like they could not believe she had hidden a dagger under the clothes. "You could also get a hip sheath, of a sheath to hide in your boot. The possibility are only limited to what you set your mind to."

"Elijah was right." Ester spoke looking both a little disturbed and impressed. "You are wise beyond your years. Now, breakfast is done, Caroline, if you would fetch the boys?"

Caroline nodded, though she felt a little strange doing so, she climbed up the stairs and knocked on every door, running to wait by the top of the stairs as the boys, one-by-one, opened their doors. Forcing herself not to gush at the cuteness of Henrik rubbing at his eyes, or the shirtless Klaus. Finn looked annoyed, Elijah seemed to have been up for awhile and Kol looked like he had just rolled out of bed. "Time for breakfast, hurry up." she spoke loudly, making sure they all heard, before turning and walking back down the stairs. Reaching the dining room table when she heard the loud footsteps trampling after her.

"How did you get down here before them?" Rebekah asked, watching as her brothers pushed past each other, though Elijah only participated to please Henrik, Finn followed in behind them, his nose in the air, labeling their antics childish.

Caroline shrugged with a smile. "I am a master of many things." she quieted down once everyone was seated. All waiting for Mikael, though they seemed to have adapted to his new attitude, she could see Klaus, Elijah and Finn were waiting for the other shoe to drop, for something to make him snap and break the fragile peace they had.

They waited only a moment before Papa original entered, sitting and smiling at his family. "This smells delicious, ladies, thank you." he took what he wanted, though waited for the others to fill their own plates before digging in.

Everyone was silent, again, as they ate. Caroline was unsurprised when Rebekah spoke halfway through. "Are you ready for a duel, dear brother?" she turned her piercing blue eyes to Finn, clearing enjoying the way he shifted under her gaze.

"I am ready. Are you?" he turned his blue eyes on Caroline, who smiled sweetly at him.

"Oh, yes. We are both very ready for this duel." Bekah smiled as she spoke, sharing a secret look with Caroline. "You won't know what hit you."

They finished breakfast, allowing Rebekah and Caroline to clean the dishes. The chattering of the boys in the dining room grew louder, laughing and talking about the duel. They were more excited for the fight then Caroline was. Though she knew she was good, having been trained by both -a thousand year old- Elijah and Klaus, but she didn't know Finn's fighting style or any moves that he had been taught. She didn't want to be cocky but she felt confident.

Finn stood from his chair when Bekah and Caroline joined them once more in the dining room. She could tell just by looking at him that he thought very little of her and her ability to defend herself against him. She sent Bekah a look. "Could you bring it to me?" Bekah smiled brightly, nodding as she ran up the stairs and into Carolines room, as she followed him out of the house and into their back yard, a small clearing before the woods. Ester herb garden was on either side of the clearing.

Finn drew his sword from its sheath at his hip. He twirled it around in a circle, walking past her to stand opposite. Rebekah ran from the house and stopped beside her, a sheath in her hands. Caroline carefully took it, thanking Bekah with a smile, she pulled on the black and silver woven metal hilt. She admired future Klaus's taste in weapons for the hundredth time as the metal sang.

She handed the black sheath to Rebekah, taking a step forward she copied Finn's movement and twisted her wrist, her sliver blade reflected the sunlight as it followed her move, slicing through the air, the blade hummed. Caroline could feel the stares of the Mikaelson's, all were bewitched by the beauty of such a blade, which was as long as her arm, from shoulder to finger tips, an extension of her arm.

Mikael stepped forward. "This duel ends when one cannot continue, or one concedes. Try not to draw blood and no cheap tricks."

Caroline walked towards Finn, entering the invisible arena. It didn't take long for Finn to charge at her, swinging his sword down with no tact, simply brute force. Caroline dodged to the side, throwing her elbow back to clip his unprotected side.

Finn staggered, looking startled as he straightened and stared back at her. Caroline smirked, twisting her wrist around in a circle, the sword following her move, singing into the air as she waited for his next move. Caroline could hear Rebekah and Henrik cheering her on from behind Finn as Caroline faced the house. Caroline waited only a moment before she dodged another attack, ducking under, side stepping, jumping over. Caroline caught his sword, putting them shoulder-to-shoulder, as she started to push him away, she was taken by surprise when her head was suddenly thrown back, her cheekbone throbbed. It took Caroline a moment to understand what had happened, she glanced up when Rebekah gasped, screaming about unfairness. Finn had headbutted her.

Caroline stared at Finn a second longer before attacking, using her small stature to give her the advantage of speed. Ducking, turning, striking and deflecting. Not only using her sword, but her elbows and fists. Finn was forced on the defense as Caroline struck rapidly, repeatedly. Her anger at being hit, in the face, with such an easy shot, annoyed her.

Taking notice of her destruction, Finn changed the direction of his move, cutting into the meat of her shoulder. She hissed and threw her fist out, putting her body weight behind it, striking him in the face. She could hear his curses as his nose started to bleed. Caroline didn't give him a chance to recover, she dropped down, swiping his legs out from under him. Her sword rested against his shoulder, close to his throat. "Do you concede?"

Finn's breath was shallow as he looked at the blade beside him. He clenched his jaw, looking more angry then humiliated. "Yes." he growled out, though his snarl whipped from his face when Caroline moved her sword and reached for his hand, which he took slowly, allowing Caroline to pull him up. "Not bad," he muttered to her. "for a woman." he said no more as he turned and left the clearing. Sulking back into the house, though not before sending a look towards his little sister.

Ester and Mikael followed after him. Rebekah smiled brightly as she ran to Caroline with Elijah and Henrik following after her. She handed over her sword to Bekah, who was more then happy to take the blade, look it over and sheath it. "That was amazing, Caroline!" she gushed, looking over her shoulder to her brothers. "Was that not amazing? You beat Finn! In a duel! Oh, you simply must teach me to fight like you, Caroline."

Elijah smiled at his sister before looking back to Caroline. "That was very impressive indeed. I am pleased to have witnessed such a fine duel. Now, if you will excuse me. Good day, Caroline, sister." he nodded to them, backing away a few steps before turning and walking away.

"Caroline!" turning, she was almost bulled over by he youngest Mikaelson. "That was truly a spectacular sight! I have never witnessed such beauty before. You won too, against my brother. Can you believe it?"

Caroline smiled as she ruffled his hair. "I'm glad you enjoyed the duel." Henrik smiled up at her before running off back into the house, yelling about meeting up with some of his friends and needing to tell them what had happened.

Rebekah watched him go before turning to look at her. "Can you teach me something now? Please?" her hands clasped in front of her face, eye wide and pleading.

"Fetch my knapsack." Caroline watch Rebekah's smile widen, which she didn't know was possible, before she turned and ran back into the house. Only after another moment did she realize Klaus was still in the clearing, standing just a few feet from her, he had been hidden behind Rebekah.

"Your duel was impressive and one of the most graceful fights I have ever witnessed. Where did you learn?" he didn't move form his spot as he spoke to her.

She shrugged. "In my travels I met a pair of brothers. Both, very talented fighters, they took pity on me and taught me everything they knew. I owe them everything."

"What happened to the brothers?"

"After a year, we just parted ways. They went one way, I went back." Caroline was almost proud in her ability to weave the truth and a lie into her life. "And, here I am."

Klaus nodded slowly, looking to the ground before glancing into her eyes. "You fight well and I am honored to have witnessed such a elegant dance of blades. Perhaps, one day, you shall teach me to move as you do?"

Caroline looked up from the ground, which her eyes had taken refuge from Klaus's intense gaze. Surprised that he would openly ask for her assistance to teach him. "Perhaps, one day."

Klaus's lips tilted up at the corners, his beloved dimples making an appearance from where they have been hidden from her. "I've got it!" Caroline could almost curse Rebekah's bad timing. She had just gotten Klaus to smirk, when she came running to them like a mad-woman. "I have it, Caroline. Oh, hello, Nik. Are you going to learn too?"

Klaus looked away from Caroline, meeting his little sisters gaze. "No, Bekah. I was just congratulating, Caroline on her win." he smiled one last time to the blondes before turning on his heels and walking off.

Rebekah shrugged, looking less then interested. "What are you going to teach me?"

Caroline smiled at the girl, despite her bad timing, she was to happy for Caroline to be annoyed with her. She took her knapsack, searching through it before pulling out a small set of three, simple, silver throwing knives. "You are going to learn to throw."

Rebekah squealed, looking more the a little pleased. "Where do we begin?" and their 'master-student' training began.

OoOoOoO

Caroline kept her distance, the next morning, when Edmund called upon Rebekah for a stroll through the village. She kept within a few feet back from them. Close enough to watch them, yet far enough to be considered respectful and approving of their union, just as Rebekah once told her. She could hear them speaking on unimportant matters, such as the crops and the weather, Caroline rolling her eyes, quickly becoming bored of their 'going-nowhere' conversation.

"Caroline? Are you alright?" looking up, she caught the look Bekah was sending her, a silent plead for help, and if Caroline assumed correctly, she wanted help with the conversation.

"Yes, I am fine." looking between the two of them, she continued. "I was just thinking of how fast a learner you are."

Edmund looked between them, clearly intrigued, Caroline smiled slightly, ignoring the widening gaze of Rebekah's. "What is your new area of study?"

"I am teaching her to wield a dagger and throw a blade." Caroline looked proud as she gazed over to Rebekah, who's face had turned a fine shade of red.

Edmund followed her gaze, a gentle smile touched his scarred face. "Is that so?" Rebekah nodded shyly, her eyes rarely left the ground. "I find it commendable, a woman fighting for her family." he and Rebekah shared a warm smile as they walked past market shops, for the sixth time that morning.

As they circled again, Caroline heard her naming being called from somewhere behind her. Turning, she watched as Klaus jogged towards her. "How many times have you walked this path?"

Caroline tore her gaze from his penetrating blue stare, watching Rebekah and Edmund's back ahead of them. "Seven, I think. Why do you ask?"

He shrugged, clasping his hands behind his back, a posture she was familiar with and found comfort in. "I sell wood carvings, just over there." he pointed back to the small stall, next to on of the best jewelry stands. "I have seen them walking around several times, you trailing behind them each time."

She smiled over at him, noticing the way his shoulder length dirty blond hair fluttered in the breeze. "Wood carvings you say?" she watched as his face took on a pink shade. "Then I must stop by the look through them soon."

Klaus scratched at the back of his neck, pretending not to be as embarrassed as the color of his face said he was. He cleared his throat after another moment of silents. "So, Caroline."

"So, Klaus." she imitated, smiling when she caught his smirk from the corner of her eye.

"Do you like horses?" his question was quick and direct, and gave Caroline pause.

Her eyes found his in a speed that was startling. She remembered, vividly, the last time he had asked her that question. At the Mikaelson's ball. In the blue gown he had gotten for her. The drawing, which she had stuffed into the bottom of her knapsack. I fancy you. She felt a sudden want to hug him and had to force herself not to, knowing it would end badly. Her snappy reply, to his every advance or off handed comment. Falling in love with him in New Orleans.

"Caroline?" Klaus looked concerned as he took in her wide eyes and parted lips, just staring blankly at him, though her eyes told of her inner turmoil, though he was unsure of what had caused it. "So, you do not like horses then?"

Carolines smile was blinding, finding the more insecure Klaus adorable. "No, its not that. And, yes, I like horses." she nodded, walking a bit faster to catch up to Rebekah and Edmund, Klaus not far behind.

"Good, then I shall see you later. Stop by my stand once Rebekah is at home." he left her no time to respond before running off, returning to his small stand, smiling lightly to a mid-age woman that looked over his carvings.

Caroline smiled and shook her head, catching up to Rebekah easily. A smile seemed to want to stay in place, despite Carolines attempts to keep her expression even. As she walked around the market for the eighth time, Edmund had to return to the forge, placing a kiss on Rebekah's knuckles before walking away from them.

"Isn't he just charming?" Rebekah, like her brother, didn't wait for her to speak before sighing and walking away, towards her home.

Shaking her head, Caroline turned and walked back the way she had just come. Finding Klaus's stall easily enough, noticing the pictures burned into the wood. Elegant flower peddles that faded and morphed into a doe. He was sitting on a stool, a piece of wood in front of him and a sharp knife in his hand. His hands were steady as they traveled down in an arch, with graceful movement. She watched him work for another few moment, almost afraid to disturb him while he worked. "You're very good at that," he didn't jump like she feared he would. "very steady hands."

Klaus glanced up, smiling slightly. "Years of practice."

She returned his gesture as she looked over his work. She wasn't disappointed when she realized he carved like he painted, with nothing but perfection. "These are beautiful."

Klaus took a deep breath, his chest filling before he let it out, smiling up at her though he was still being reserved. "Thank you, Caroline. Your complement is much appreciated. Anyway, this is not why I asked you here." he took in her raised brow with a smile. "Follow me."

Caroline watched as Klaus moved all his carvings into the underbelly of the stall and closing the swinging doors. She was once again reminded how different their times were. Here: his property was respected and left alone. In the 21st century: it would have been stole the moment his back was turned. As Klaus walked away from the market and into the forest, she hesitated though soon caught up to him. "Where are you taking me?"

He didn't slow or look back. "Consider this my 'thank you', for saving Henrik and myself. I knew it was a bad idea, watching the wolves, but I just wanted to see. I didn't know Henrik had followed me until last minute while the moon rose."

Caroline grabbed a hold of Klaus's swinging wrist, catching him off guard, stopping them in the woods. "Little siblings do what they want to do, with or without your consent. He would have found a way to watch the men turn to wolves, even had you not been there."

"How do you know so much about siblings if you have none?" his eyebrows rose, almost daring her to answer with a lie.

"I had a friends who've had siblings, and friends who've lost siblings. I know quite a lot about a little of everything."

Klaus smirked and shook his head. "You are a strange one, Caroline." they remained silent the rest of the walk through the woods. Caroline felt comfort with him, she felt like she had done the right thing by going back, despite the lies and guilt she felt for the months she was living with him in the future. "We're here."

Caroline followed him out of the tree line and into a massive clearing, the trees on the opposite side were barely visible from their distance. She looked around them in stunned silents, over whelmed by the sheer beauty around her. She hadn't noticed when she started walking ahead of Klaus, the blue sky and green grass filled her vision. Vaguely she wondered why he had asked if she liked horses, though the question died of her lips once she caught sight of his reasoning.

A herd of at least twenty stallions, wild and free were running around the clearing. Uncaring of who watched as they galloped and nickered to each other. Though one in particular stopped its galloping once it caught sight of them, the largest of them all, the leader of the herd. He walked slowly towards them, and judging by the sureness of its steps, it was familiar with it.

Caroline looked over her shoulder to Klaus, who looked more relaxed and at peace then she had ever seen him. "Is he a friend of yours?"

His smile became brilliant. "We have met on a few occasions." once the horse was close enough, Klaus walked towards him, slowly running his rough hands down the horses hide. "Caroline, meet Karr. At least that is what I have been calling him. Karr, this is Caroline."

She watched Klaus interact with the great horse, feeling like she was witnessing a moment that was purely, innocently, Klaus. When he turned and held a hand out to her, she took it. She kept herself calm, though on the inside she was more then a little giddy. Klaus pulled her beside him, closer and closer the horse became, until she stood in front of it. Karr stood tall and strong, her head just barely reached his great, wide shoulders. She felt Klaus take her wrist and guide her hand forward.

The moment was peaceful and tranquil as her fingertips brushed the hide of the great horse. A feeling of ease settled into her soul, one she had never felt before, though she didn't know whether it was from the horse or the man standing just beside her.

After half an hour, Karr huffed and turned back to his grazing herd. He let out a loud nickering before galloping away. Caroline watched them all perk up before following after him, soon the trembling of the ground subsided as the horses left their sight.

Caroline was smiling happily, turning to look at Klaus only to find his eyes already roaming over her person, memorizing. She cleared her throat. "Thank you. That was incredible."

He nodded, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "It was my pleasure, Caroline." he waited until she turned back to the woods to follow after her, leading when necessary, though allowed her to find their way back to the village, all the while sharing random facts about themselves.

Klaus painted. Which Caroline knew.

Caroline had never really had a mother or father to raise her. Future Klaus knew.

Klaus loved his mother more then his father. Caroline knew that too.

Caroline only ever had five real friends: Elena, Bonnie, Stefan, Rebekah and Klaus.

Klaus would do anything to protect his family. Caroline love that about him.

Caroline almost died, several times. Future Klaus had helped in some of those attempts.

Klaus had once faced a bear on his own, his brothers had arrived just in time to save him.

Soon they were broke through the trees and into the village. The sun sat low in the sky, neither of them realized how long they had been away until the sky turned a lovely shade of orange. Klaus walked them to the house, no longer speaking. As they entered, Caroline walked into the kitchen while Klaus walked up the stairs and into his room.

Rebekah and Ester were already preparing the evening meal. "Where were you?" Rebekah asked once she entered, slipping an apron over her dress.

Looking over the ingredients, she determined they were cooking pork and potatoes with a side of carrots. Caroline took a small knife from wooden block, briefly Caroline wondered if Klaus was the one to burn the swirl pattern into the side of it, though she shrugged the thought away as she started to cut the carrots into thin slices. "I was in the market, Klaus was showing me his carvings. I didn't know he could do that."

"Oh, I must have forgotten to mention it, sorry." Rebekah smiled shyly at her as she poked holes into the potatoes before placing them in their oven, followed by the meat Ester had prepared, which was put on a level lower, closer to the fire. "But, that was it? He showed you his work? Did Nik talk to you at all?"

Caroline shrugged, she could see the spark of matchmaking in her blue eyes, a look Caroline had seen in her own gaze on many occasions. "Yes, but only for a moment. He told me a little about his life, so I spoke a little of mine."

Rebekah beamed at her, sharing a look with Ester. "Really? He spoke of his art, with you."

Caroline looked between the Mikaelson women. "Should I been offended with the way you said that?"

Ester smiled lightly and shook her head at her daughters antics. "Take no offense, Caroline. She is just surprised Niklaus told you. We had not known of his talent until two seasons ago, when he opened his own stall. Did you notice the images burned into his stalls sides?" when Caroline nodded, she turned and pointed out the swirls on the knife block. "That was the first time we ever suspected his skill. Now, can support himself."

Rebekah nodded with her mothers words. "And he told you, when we had to wait two seasons to find out. He likes you."

Caroline felt her face turn warm, the heat spread up her neck, coloring her face and into her ears. "I am sure that is not it. He said he was thanking me saving Henrik."

Rebekah smirked, glancing once more at her mother. "If you say so. But, just know I had better have a niece named after me."

"Rebekah!" Caroline felt her face darken, while a smile crept across Esters lips. From the look she was giving Caroline, mama original had been thinking about the same thing. Another though suddenly hit her, Ester had never had grand-babies before the vampire incident, and in the viking era, she was a normal mother, wanting her children to grow and have families of their own. Ester was not opposed to having grandchildren, judging by the sparkle in her wise eyes. "I am not having this discussion."

Rebekah threw her head back as she laughed. Though the conversation was dropped, Caroline couldn't help the warmth that filled her at the possibility of having Klaus like she had in the 21st century.

OoOoOoO

Days turned to a week, then two. Rebekah became a great knife thrower, her swordsmanship needed work and her archery was atrocious, but she was a fast learner. Henrik seemed to acknowledge that Caroline was going to stay with them for awhile, after Ester brought the matter to Mikael, he pulled her aside and asked her to stay with them. She shared a room with Bekah.

In return for training, Bekah had purchased several lovely fabrics for her to make dresses from. Though Caroline did make several gowns with some future flare to them, which Rebekah swore were the most beautiful gowns she had ever seen, Caroline sold them to the ladies in the village. Making a larger profit then Rebekah though she could. Caroline was well known throughout the village as the finest seamstress. Women came to her, paid her to make them a gown, and pick it up two to three days later. Never once did she have a negative comment.

Kol had became an annoying brother of sorts, bugging her about her skill, only to run away from her swatting hands. Elijah smiled at her often, whenever he was not with Laura, a shy, sweet village woman, who's father owned the only pub in the village. Finn avoided her, though he did nod at her if he ever caught her gaze.

Then there was Klaus. He didn't shut down or avoid her, though he didn't look for her either. He spoke to her if ever they had a chance, he smiled and laughed with her. He acted normal with her, and she was loving it.

Time moved quick for Caroline and soon enough their meat supply was running low, meaning it was time to make a hunting trip, much to Carolines joy. She hadn't gotten to go hunting since she went back in time. She had only ever gotten to shoot her bow while teaching Bekah, which was close to impossible with her aim.

Caroline woke before the sun the morning of the hunt, eager to leave for a full day of hunting. She dressed quickly in a pair of dark brown trousers she had purchased with the coin she got for the gowns shes sold. She tucked her trousers into her heavy, leather boots. Pulling on a small dark green mans tunic, followed by her leather bracers and waist guard.

"Where are you going?" Rebekah mumbled quietly, face still half buried in her goose feather pillow.

Caroline smiled down at her, feeling much like an older sister as she pulled the peach color quilt up over Bekah's shoulders. "Hunting. Mikael gave me permission to join him, Finn, Elijah and Klaus."

Bekah nodded, eyes falling shut. "Have fun." she whispered into the darkness as it fell over her, stealing her conciseness as it went.

Caroline picked up a small satchel, which held her breakfast, lunch and other necessary supplies within the confines of the leather, she attached it to her belt, along with her dagger and quiver of arrows. She rook hold of her bow as she exited the room with one last glance back at Bekah.

Walking down the stairs, she noticed only Mikael and Finn were sitting, waiting, in the room. Fire place roaring with life. They acknowledged each other with a nod of their heads as they all sat in silents. Elijah soon joined them, surprised that Caroline had already been waiting with his father and older brother. Klaus followed a few moments later.

No one spoke as they left the house and out the back, disappearing into the woods beyond. They walked for a solid hour before Mikael stopped them, looking around before speaking. "We will meet up here. Find your game, and bring it back here. We shall return to the village an hour before sun down."

Caroline waited until all the others had scattered, before choosing a direction the others hadn't. She crept on the balls of her feet until she spotted deer tracks. She followed them with grace and stealth of a trained hunter, which at one point she had been. She followed the trail for another half hour before she found her prize. A buck stood beside a small stream, drinking the fresh water, unaware of the danger he was in.

Reaching for her hip, she pulled an arrow from her quiver, stringing it on her bow as she drew it back. Her thumb brushed the back of her jaw. Breath in, hold, breath out, release. She watched as the buck jolted before crumpling to the ground. She felt guilty, despite the months she had hunted with the future Mikaelson's, she still felt bad for taking the innocent life of an animal. Kill a human? No problem, they had probably done something to deserve it, but animals were one of her soft spots.

Caroline advanced of the still form of the large deer, pulling the arrow from it eye socket was disgusting, but had to be done. She set her bow aside, pulling her dagger from the back of her belt, holding her breath as she carefully cut into the stags belly. She had to remove the internal organs, most importantly, the bladder. She needed to keep the meat good, and if the bladder where to pop, nothing could be saved and she killed the large animal for nothing.

She gutted the animal quickly, having done it several times before. Washing her hands and knife in the shallow stream, she took rope from her bag, she peeled a tall and wide strip of bark from a near by tree, she used her blooded arrow to create holes in the edges, which she weaved her rope through. Rolling the stag onto her make shift sled, she pulled on a pair of heavy leather gloves to help her grip the rope before making her way back towards the small clearing they were all meeting at.

She was fist there. Mikael was second, followed by Klaus, Elijah and finally Finn. "That is an impressive kill, Caroline." papa original complemented her.

She smirked over to Mikael. "Thank you."

Mikael shook her head before looking them over then to the sky. Midday had past without thought. "We shall be heading home early today. Come." he stood, pulling his own large stag behind him.

Finn killed a wild boar. Elijah hunted wild turkey, goose and small critters. Klaus took the wild sheep and goats. The meat was going to last them a long while. Everyone bantered back and forth as they made their way back home from the hunt, all seemed to be in a jolly mood. All were pleased with their kills.

It was when they came within a twenty minute walk did she hear it. Caroline stopped moving, she stopped talking and laughing, she just stopped.

"Caroline? Are you alright?" Klaus asked once he looked towards her, only to find her further back.

Everyone stopped and waited for her reply. "Do you hear that?" she looked around them, looking for the cause of the noises she had heard.

"I didn't hear anything. What is it, Caroline?" Klaus stood in front of her, hands on her shoulders.

Caroline closed her eyes and listened, they all listened. Though only once the breeze ruffled their hair did they hear it. Screams. Lots of screams. Women screams. Coming from ahead of them. Coming from the village. Then came the small of smoke.

OoOoOoO

CLIFF HANGER! I'm evil!

Anyway, I want to thank all of you, from the very top of my heart (never understood why people say bottom) for all the FAVORITES and FOLLOWINGS and the few COMENTS! You people are awesome and I NEED to thank you for liking my writing. Seriously, it fills me with such love and warmth, it makes me smile and giggle like a weird-o!

Thank you all! I love you so much!

Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Until next time: Sam.