This had to be the hardest chapter to write for this story so far. So much emotion ran through me at writing it, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! YOU ALL KEEP ME WRITING!
Please remember to review at the end! :)
Caroline slowly opened her eyes as she felt someone watching her as she slept. As she blinked a few times, the fuzzy blurriness of her eyes began to focus on the subject beside her, silently watching her. She smiled and turned on her side as she nuzzled against his bare neck.
"Mmm, I could get used to this." She whispered, breathing in his scent.
Klaus chuckled and held her close. "So could I." He whispered, kissing the top of her head.
She giggled as she pulled back to look into his eyes. "I can't believe I spent the night in your arms." She whispered, moving her right hand up to touch his face.
He sighed and gave a weak smile. "Neither can I." He returned, searching her eyes. "I don't want to let you go." He whispered, sadly.
Caroline took a deep breath and sighed, trying to keep the tears from coming, and failing miserably. "I don't want to go either." She whispered, her voice shaking. "How can I leave the man I love?" She whispered, brokenly.
Klaus felt his heart break at her words. He couldn't say a word. He couldn't. Tears filled his eyes, and pain entered his soul. His light was leaving him.
Caroline closed her eyes as the tears fell down her face. "There must be a way for me to stay with you." She whispered, clutching his shirt.
Klaus looked away from her, only to turn back to caress her chin softly. "What about your duties, Caroline?" He asked, softly.
She searched his eyes as he continued. "You have to go back to tend to your duties." He whispered, in a broken tone. "I was wrong to take you away from the world above. I shouldn't have been so selfish." He added, mainly to himself, as he turned away from her.
Caroline shook her head. "No, Klaus," She stated, making him look at her once more. "If you didn't, I would be alone for the rest of my life, and so would you." She replied, sternly.
"Caroline, you're leaving." He stated, trying to get her to see the truth.
She sat up quickly, and grasped his face between her hands. "Yes, I am, but you will always be with me. You're in my heart, Klaus, and you are not leaving it." She stated, moving her hands from his face to grasp his hands and placed them on her chest. "I am never going to be alone again, not when I have you in my heart." She added with a drawn smile.
Klaus lowered his eyes to her chest, and moved his eyes back to hers. "I suppose you're going to say the same goes for me?" He asked, in a broken tone.
She smiled genuinely. "I am." She returned with a nod. "My heart belongs to you, Klaus. It doesn't belong to anyone else, only you." She whispered, in declaration.
Klaus moved his hands from her chest up to her face, and caressed it softly. "As does mine, love." He whispered, softly.
The tears broke through the barriers behind her eyes as she let them fall down her face to have him wipe them away.
"Hold me, Klaus." She whispered, brokenly, reaching for him.
Klaus nodded as he gathered her up in his arms. His eyes filled with tears, and he didn't care if they fell down. He was losing her.
"How long 'til I have to leave?" She asked, with a quiet sob.
Klaus inhaled deeply. "You have to leave by this afternoon." He answered, tenderly.
She nodded against his neck, and held onto him tight. "Can we walk around the realm once more?" She asked, though she would prefer to remain here. She bit her bottom lip at the thought. She wanted stay in his arms, but she knew it wouldn't be a wise decision. Not the way they were feeling.
He smiled at her request, and nodded as he pulled back. "Anything you want, love." He whispered, searching her eyes.
She nodded, and wiped her eyes with her left hand. "I just want to spend it with you." She whispered with conviction.
He nodded and placed his forehead on hers. "As do I." He whispered, in return.
She smiled as she closed the distance between them, and kissed his lips softly with her heart breaking in two.
They spent the rest of the day walking through the realm, just enjoying the time spent together. While they walked, Klaus never let go Caroline's hand, nor did he want to, and the same went for her.
Caroline smiled as she leaned into his right side. Her smile brightened when they made it to the garden she tended just the day before.
"I'm going to miss this place." She whispered, her eyes roaming over the garden.
Klaus smiled and nodded. "It's going to miss you as well." He returned, glancing at her.
She bowed her head, and moved to stand in front of him. "Will you?" She asked, hesitantly.
Klaus breathed out, lifting his left hand to touch her face. He searched her eyes as he brought her face up. "I'll miss you every second of every day. It'll seem like an eternity." He whispered, watching her eyes fill with tears.
Caroline nodded, as she leaned forward. Wrapping her arms around him, she held him tight wanting to never let go.
"I guess it's time. Isn't it?" She asked, after a moment.
Klaus inhaled sharply, and nodded. "Yes."
Caroline nodded, and pulled back. "Will you escort me?" She asked with a teary smile.
Klaus' face remained stoic as he nodded.
They walked in silence down the dark pathway with only the sound of their footsteps echoing through the corridors, loneliness creeping into their hearts with each sound step.
Caroline turned her head to see a wolf walking a few feet away from them. She smiled as she recognized him as the one who she had saved.
She clutched Klaus' hand as they approached the portal. She bit back a sob as she turned to face him.
He tilted his head to the side, as he wiped away a few tears. "Don't cry, Goddess. You're going home." He whispered, watching her smile faintly.
"I am, but I'm leaving you." She cried out, lowering her eyes.
"Your mother is waiting for you on the other side. I hope you have a safe journey." He whispered, watching her lift his hand.
She nodded as her lips touched the back of his knuckles. She lifted her head defiantly. "I will return, Niklaus." She whispered, with a nod of her head.
He shook his head. "No, Caroline, as much as I would love to have you." He began, deciding for the first time not to be selfish. He had to let her go. He had to. "You are needed above." He added, sternly.
She glared at him. "I can't bear the thought of never seeing you again, Klaus." She stated, shaking her head.
He smiled. "We will." He whispered, kissing her cheek softly. "In our dreams."
Caroline smiled. She turned her head when she heard a whine from beside them. She let go of Klaus' hands, and walked over to the wolf, and knelt down. Gently petting his head, she smiled as he leaned into her hand.
"You watch over Klaus for me, okay?" She asked in a whisper.
The wolf nodded, and bowed his head. She smiled and placed her forehead on his head. "I'll miss you, big fella." She added, petting him once more before standing up and facing Klaus.
Throwing her arms around him, she hugged him until she felt her heart break. Pulling back, she searched his eyes.
"I love you, Niklaus." She whispered, tears falling down her face.
Klaus smiled at his name on her lips for the second time. He could get used to that, but she was leaving, probably forever. He caressed her cheek, and leaned forward. "And I love you." He whispered in return before kissing her passionately.
She moaned against his lips, and held him tightly. She was going to miss this. She was going to miss him. As his lips roamed over hers, she made a silent vow to herself. She was going to return.
As they pulled apart, she smiled sadly. Touching his scruffy face, she stepped back and headed for the portal. She glanced back to see him with tears falling down his face, and she fought the urge to return to him. Lifting her hand, she waved to him in a sad fashion, and smiled.
Klaus felt his heart break as she turned and disappeared into the portal. Bowing his head, he turned on his heel, and walked back to his palace, alone.
He should have known he would never have the happiness he saw in so many others. He was the Lord of the Underworld, keeper of the dead, destined to be alone. The one bright spot in his life had just been taken from him.
Entering his bedroom, he fell to his knees and let out a loud cry. It wasn't a normal cry of pain. It was an agony filled cry. As he cried out, the palace shook and was felt throughout the entire realm.
The wolves howled into the darkness and the spirits moaned and cried. The three points of light in the underworld dimmed ever so slightly, and all knew the reason.
The Light had left their Lord.
~X~
Caroline felt the pain in her chest spread as she stepped out of the portal. The tears in her eyes had dried, but had left her eyes red and puffy.
She smiled slightly as she caught sight of her mother a few feet away. She picked up her dress skirts and practically ran to her mother.
"Mom!" She shouted, as her arms enveloped her mother.
Elizabeth sighed as she felt her daughter in her arms. "Oh, my darling." She whispered, kissing her temple. She pulled back to look into her daughter's eyes. She sighed as she saw the sadness mixed with slight joy.
She had been right. Her daughter had returned, but her heart had stayed behind.
"Come let's get some tea." She whispered, wrapping her arms around her daughter.
Caroline nodded, and laid her head on her mother's shoulder as they walked.
They entered the cottage, and Liz sat her down gently, before turning to the tea pot.
Caroline's eyes drifted around the cottage she had longed to see after she had been taken, but now, it was not the same. It didn't feel like home.
Liz smiled softly as she set a cup on the table in front of her daughter. "It's good to have you back, Care, but…" She trailed off when her daughter sipped her tea. "You don't seem as thrilled." She added, watching her daughter carefully.
Caroline smiled and lowered the cup. "I am happy to be home, mom, but…" She trailed off, looking down at her cup.
"But you miss him." Liz concluded, softly.
Caroline nodded. "It's sounds crazy doesn't it?" She asked, looking up at her mom.
Liz shook her head. "No, it doesn't." She replied, glancing out the window.
Caroline sighed. "I love him, mother." She replied, in a soft tone.
Liz smiled and nodded. "I know, and so do the Bennetts." She remarked, leaning forward to grasp her daughter's hand.
Caroline glared at her mother. "Then why did they take me away from him?" She asked, in a demanding tone.
Liz shrugged. "I don't know." She whispered.
Caroline jerked her hands from her mother's grasp and stood up. "I'm going for a walk." She stated, needing to get out of there.
Liz nodded in understanding, as Caroline walked out of the cottage. "Why did you make her leave?" She asked when she felt a presence in the room.
Ayanna walked over to Liz and sat down in the chair. "Because the only way for the light to defeat the darkness is with unconditional love." She whispered, in a stern tone.
Liz shook her head. "She already loves him." She stated, pointing out the window.
Ayanna nodded. "Yes, but is it unconditional?" She asked, searching Liz's eyes.
"What do you mean?" She asked, with a shrug.
"Would she give up her life here to spend eternity in the underworld?" Ayanna asked, in a kind tone.
Liz opened her mouth, but no words would come out. Would her daughter do that? She had seen her daughter's distraught over leaving the man behind, but would she give up her life here?
Ayanna smiled. "That is why we said she had to leave. She did not choose to go down there. She was taken. When she chooses to return, her love will be unconditional. It is the only way both halves will be complete." She replied, tenderly.
"Both halves?" Liz asked her brow furrowing.
"Two halves of the whole." Ayanna replied with a smile.
Liz's eyes widened at the thought. "Soul mates." She whispered, in disbelief.
Ayanna nodded. "We foresaw their joining long before Caroline was born. She is the only one to bring an end to the darkness, but she can't do it alone."
"Klaus." Liz whispered, lowering her eyes.
Again Ayanna nodded. "Once they give each other their unconditional love, they will be able to defeat the darkness that is rising." She explained in a stern tone.
Liz nodded in understanding and lowered her face. "What is this darkness?" She asked, lifting her eyes to Ayanna.
Ayanna's eyes darkened and a frown appeared on her face. "The greatest evil ever created." She stated in a dark tone. "The First One."
Liz's eyes widened. "No." She whispered, breathless.
Ayanna nodded. "Yes."
Liz shook her head as she stood up from the table, and ran her fingers through her hair. "And my daughter is supposed to stop him?!" She shouted, turning back to Ayanna.
Ayanna nodded. "She won't do it alone. Klaus will help her." She stood up and walked over to Liz. "You have to believe that." She added with a tender smile.
Liz sighed, and closed her eyes. She was in emotional turmoil. Her motherly instincts were telling her to protect her daughter, but how could she when this was destiny.
Placing her hands over mouth, Liz opened her eyes. She dropped her hands, and sighed. "Should we tell her?" She asked, glancing out the window.
Ayanna shook her head. "No, she has to discover this by herself." She answered, glancing out the window. "They both will." She added, glancing back at Liz.
Liz nodded, but her eyes conveyed so much, and Ayanna knew that look all too well. It was the look of a worried mother.
~X~
Caroline walked to the middle of the meadow, and sighed while running her hands through her hair. She smiled lightly at the feeling of happiness from her plants running through her soul.
"Yeah, I'm back." She whispered, softly. She felt the pain from the plants, and she knew why. They felt her pain.
She lowered her head, and watched the flowers bend over as if to comfort her. Bending down she touched them, and smiled when she felt their comforting presence enter her.
"I hope you don't think I betrayed you." She whispered, sadly.
Suddenly the wind blew, and she smiled. They understood.
"I don't think they would hold it against you for following your heart, young one."
Caroline straightened and whirled around to find an elderly woman with long brown hair and a flowing beige and gold gown standing a few feet away from her.
Her eyes widened as she realized who it was. Bowing her head, she swallowed nervously. "Your Majesty." She whispered, nervously.
Esther laughed, softly, and stepped forward. "My dear, you don't need to do that." She replied, stopping in front of Caroline.
Caroline's eyes were a little wary. "What may I do for you?" She asked, finally looking at her.
Esther smiled and tilted her head, while folding her hands in front of her. "I came to see the woman my son is infatuated with." She replied, kindly.
Caroline blushed, and dipped her head. "I would say more than infatuated." She whispered with a small smile.
Esther smiled and nodded. "He loves you." She concluded.
Caroline smiled and nodded.
Esther studied the woman in front of her. She was young, but there was a certain…light about her. She had heard of the young one's light, but had never witnessed it for herself. Now, standing in front of the little one, she could see it, and understood. "Hmm, I never thought the day would come when my son would find love." She replied, kindly.
Caroline tilted her head. "Don't you love him?" She asked, with respect in her tone.
Esther smiled, and clasped her hands together. "Yes, I do. He's my son, but I was talking about the other form of love." She stated, softly.
Caroline nodded and lowered her gaze. She knew exactly what Esther was talking about. She was meaning the kind of love she felt towards him.
"Do you love my son?" Esther asked, as if reading Caroline's thoughts.
Caroline lifted her gaze, and Esther had her answer. She smiled tenderly and reached forward to grasp Caroline's hands in hers.
"Remember this, Caroline," Esther began with a tender tone. "When all hope seems lost, love will shine through and become stronger than it ever was." She concluded with a smile.
Caroline's brow furrowed in confusion. "What?" She asked in a whisper.
Esther smiled and backed away. "The answer will reveal itself soon. Don't lose hope, my dear." She answered, as she slowly disappeared.
Caroline lowered her gaze. What did she mean? Did she mean there was a chance for her to return to Klaus? Caroline sighed sadly as she turned to return back to the cottage.
She entered the cottage with Esther's words still ringing in her mind. She lifted her gaze to her mother, who sent her a tender smile.
"A gift came for you while you were gone." Liz replied, pointing to Caroline's room with a smile.
Caroline tilted her head, and walked towards her room. She quickly covered her mouth with her hands as a gasp left her.
Leaning against the foot of her bed was the painting.
The painting Klaus had given her.
What did you think? PLEASE NO HARSH COMMENTS!
I hope you enjoyed it, as much as you could. No worries though, I will not keep them apart for too long, maybe one more chapter or two more chapters with them apart, then a reunion.
I have a question for all of my readers: For their reunion, I am planning something, and I want to know if you want this story to be turned to a M rating or would you rather it remain in this rating? I ask because I can write it either way. I just want your opinion. I assure you if you say M, I don't go into the disgusting type of smut. If you want an example, you may read a few of my M stories to decide. You will have at least two chapters to let me know!
Oh, I was asked this question in a review about the roles of the characters. Yes, it is based on Greek Mythology, with a little bit of Roman, but I do delve into other mythologies. As for the role of Esther, she is like Hera, but a nicer version. If you all remember in Greek myths, Hera and Zeus hated each other, so I've adapted that into this story. I hope that explains it.
Coming Soon: What did Esther mean about hope? How will Caroline return to Klaus? What is the darkness planning? And who is it?
Until Next Time...