Bekah and I found a house as far away from New Orleans as we possibly could, choosing one with a beautiful garden and white picket fence in the quietest, safest neighbourhood that we could possibly find. I had cloaked both the house and us, so that no witch could possibly find us and made sure not to go out too often in the first month. We had groceries and necessities delivered, and we spent a hell of a lot of time figuring out how to put together baby cribs and things before we both got the hang of it. I fed Hope myself, seeing as my body had given birth to her, it also produced the milk she needed, so every feeding time I rocked in the rocking chair whilst cradling her in my arm, a shawl wrapped around us both whilst Bekah walked around.
"It's been a month and a half now. Do you think it's safe to start going outside in daylight?" She asked me as she rearranged the nursery books on the shelves which I had painstakingly learned DIY just to have them in the room.
"The cloaking spell is holding and no one has tried to track us yet, which means that our deaths must have been sold to everyone back in New Orleans. If no one is looking for us, then I think it should be safe for us to start going outside. I can always put illusion spells on us both, make us look like different people so that we won't be recognised." I said, still gazing down at Hope in order to admire just how pretty she was. "I've been thinking about contacting my parents somehow. I know you compelled them not to worry about long absences, but I miss them. I haven't seen them in months. Hell, they'd probably freak if they saw me with a baby." Rebekah smiled in understanding and said that if I needed to go for a couple of days, she could handle taking care of Hope so long as I helped her figure out how to make baby formula.
"After all, changing dirty diapers is now second nature to me. Before you know it I'll be baking cookies and doing laundry like your typical stay-at-home mother in no time." This made me grin. It had been a real steep learning curve taking care of a baby. Neither of us had really realised just how much work one infant required just to keep up with. With the diapers, the feeding, the bathing, the changing, the nurturing and everything, neither of us had really known what we were getting ourselves into the first week. We both binge read and studied like crazy to figure out how to take care of Hope so that she didn't starve or freeze to death, constantly panicking over the littlest things every time she made a noise of discomfort.
It took a couple of weeks, but gradually we grew into a routine and with the two of us together, we figured it out between us. Whilst I fed Hope, Bekah would often prepare meals for the both of us, and only went out for blood at night if she really needed it, though she made sure to hunt far away from our home and never left a trace behind her. She'd feed, heal, then erase the person's memory before then coming home, refreshed and vitalised. Whenever I had a few moments to myself, I took to painting or drawing Hope in all her glory, often not straying far from the nursery we had built for her. "Did you ever imagine a thousand years ago that you would be in a situation like this?" I asked her as Hope finished feeding so I gave her to Bekah so that she could help Hope's stomach settle. "Looking after your brother's daughter whilst living with your best friend, who just so happens to be a tree hugging druid."
"Never, not even in a million years. But I am glad that we have this time together. It feels like forever ago we were able to just be us, and now we have this little beauty to keep ourselves busy." Having burped Hope, Bekah cleaned her mouth before she then began to tell Hope a story all about her family, holding her lovingly in her arms. It was the same story every time, and over the course of four months, it never changed. It was part of our promise to one another, that no matter how long we were forced to live under the radar, we would tell Hope every day the story of her family and that we loved her dearly. I'd sit with her and tell her how much her mom and dad adored her, and that one day she would be back with them and nothing would ever take her away from them ever again.
Now that several months had passed, I assumed that Nik and Elijah would soon be making their move against the Guerra wolves and the witches that had tried to sacrifice Hope. Bekah had been all for going back herself and tearing them apart after she learned what they did, especially when I told her that they'd cut my throat in order to kill me as well as killing Hayley. It truly was a miracle that she just so happened to take my blood that day, meaning that she instead transitioned into a hybrid and with the blood of her daughter, was able to complete the transformation. All in all, it was lucky any of us survived.
Our lives continued where we gradually allowed ourselves more and more freedom, talking Hope out for walks, making sure she got her shots after Rebekah compelled the nurses and doctors not to worry about the fact that two women were bringing in a random baby to have her health checks. I mean, my magic easily kept her healthy, but sometimes modern science was just a better option for certain things. It'll keep her strong and help build up immunity to things. She was by no means a difficult baby, crying only when she needed something, and I had a sense that she had a very bright awareness of her surroundings as she was already focusing on us and when she looked at us with her mother's eyes, I felt like she knew exactly who I was. Maybe I was just being silly. Anyway, Bekah took to being a nurturing carer like a fish to water, and I got the feeling that she was made to be part of a family and have kids of her own. She cared so much for Hope, that I had no doubt that if I wasn't there, she would manage just fine on her own.
My whole life had been put on hold, which meant that I wasn't going to go to college anytime soon, but I didn't mind that. In fact I wasn't even sure I wanted to go to college as I had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Maybe I should go into occult studies, become a shaman for the supernatural and cook up cures and recipes for anyone who needs my help, so long as they deserved it. I could make a living out of that, I guess, I mean it's not like there's other druids in the world people could go to for help if they couldn't go to a witch. I could charge quite a hefty bill if I wanted to, especially since vampires can just compel as much money as they needed out of rich people. Soon enough I'd be rolling in it.
Although Bekah and I remained in hiding, that didn't mean that I wasn't still keeping an eye on things back in New Orleans. New tabloids kept me up to date with the general reports of the city, and a couple of times I used magic to either shift my conscience into the flow of the earth's magic currents, or into an animal so that I could see everyone for themselves. So far nothing was going well. Although they'd dealt with the Guerrara wolves, Nik and the others now faced the threat of their own mother and eldest brother newly returned from the dead and possessing the bodies of witches.
It was a difficult situation and since I was supposed to be dead, there was very little I could do to interact or interfere without Esther figuring out what was going on. Being over a thousand years old, she must have known druids like me before, and known the kind of magic we could do, so I kept it to a minimum, and whilst she held Elijah captive, I used my magic to at the very least provide him with a safe haven from the nightmares she had locked him in. I became acquainted with Elijah's Red Door, the place where he hid his most heinous and monstrous actions of his past, but as my magic cloaked him, I closed that door shut and instead used representation magic to create a white door, whereby I guided him through where he could enjoy the better times in his life, the peaceful moments of happiness so that he would not suffer too greatly.
This was about as much as I could do, as well as prompt Nik in the right direction so that he could go and rescue his brother as Hayley worked with another werewolf to rescue Ollie, though I was unfamiliar with this new arrival. Something about him looked familiar, but I couldn't quite put my finger on why as I observed everything happening whilst possessing the body of an owl, watching over the fighting before I pulled back, not wanting to be found out. Bekah thought it was dangerous for me to expose myself like this, but I couldn't just sit back and do nothing whilst worrying about what was happening to everyone over there. I kept it as discreet as possible, my magic helping to keep me cloaked whenever I cast an eye over them.
A while later, I decided to just take another peek to make sure that Nik had managed to get Elijah free, only to find him traipsing around the bayou. I found this curious, and so I followed him whilst possessing another screech owl and flew from branch to branch, watching Nik seemingly search for something until I noticed that a werewolf was following him too. It was the same guy from the other night, the one who helped Hayley rescue Ollie. I watched them both until Nik suddenly charged at the guy and pinned him against a tree. "Stop following me. I have no intention of taking Esther's bargain, and no desire to be remade a mortal being. Now, kindly piss off. I'm in a hurry to help my real family." Real family? Does that mean this guy meant something to Nik?
"You seek the merlock orchid." Immediately recognising the name as well as its magical uses, I recognised that Nik would need the orchid in order to wake Elijah up from the forced sleep he was enduring. So that's why Nik was foraging in the bayou.
"How did you know that?"
"I saw you carry Elijah home last night. Who do you think used to find the orchid for your mother to put Mikael to sleep? Without my help, you could search forever." Ruffling my feathers as I remained perched high above, I observed the interaction between Nik and this strange werewolf, staring at them both until gradually I began to recognise the similiarities in their faces. The slope of their nose and the shape of their jaw, even the slant of their brow was similar and as I continued to look at them, I began to wonder if this was actually someone from Nik's werewolf bloodline.
"My mother brought you back from the dead. My sense of strategy tells me that it wasn't to play a father son game of hide and seek." That little newsflash hit me so hard I almost fell out of my tree. Father son? You're telling me that Esther brought back her thousand year old lover back from the dead in order to throw him at Nik? No freaking way. I could hardly believe it, barely restraining my voice as Nik turned in order to stomp off in clear irritation.
"You can storm off in a fit of stubbornness if you like, but I suggest you do so toward the west." Okay, I think I like Nik's dad. Much better than Michael anyway, who was a real asshole. Continuing to follow the pair, I kept out of sight as I listened to their conversation and since they were both completely focused on each other, though not exactly in a good way on Nik's side, they didn't notice that they were being tailed by an owl. I'll laugh when I tell Nik about this later. "A thousand years estranged, and you choose to walk in silence? Surely you have questions for me."
"Just one…is there a way to cure Elijah without having to listen to the pointless ramblings of an old man?" Come on Nik, this is your real father you're talking to. Don't be such a dick. I'll bet right now that you're getting paranoid that him being here is some kind of trap laid out by your crazy ass mother and that's why you're being all prickly and defensive.
"I'm afraid the price of my expertise is conversation." Patting Nik on the back with a face full of affection, I could only see just how much this guy loved his son. It was clear as day to me, and it warmed my heart to know that Nik might finally know a father's true pride and love.
"You know, I used to tell myself that my real father must have had no idea I existed. Otherwise, he'd never leave me to suffer under Mikael." Nik began, deciding to address the issues that concerned him of the past instead of opting for the silence he wanted and I listened with great intrigue.
"Esther forbade from seeing you. So, I waited, knowing that one day, you would trigger your curse and need your real father." The guy, Ansel as I discovered, was upfront and honest with Nik without hesitation as the two continued walking further west. "When that happened, Mikael found me first. I fought him for you." Despite everything, Nik remained cold and sardonic towards his father, bitter memories stirring him into his usual state of distrust and suspicion.
"Yes, well, your grand declaration is just a few years too late."
"Now, you joke, but I know you've always felt a void in your life. I've watched you from beyond for centuries. You've travelled all corners of the world, seen monuments erected, feasted on the blood of the history's most extraordinary men, but you've never found true peace." His father was clearly a very astute kind of guy, he had Nik pegged right from the start. "The only moments of joy in your life, however fleeting, have been simple pleasures. As you climbed the Himalayas, as you tended to your horses. Quiet days, teaching that boy Shakespeare…" Affected by his father's words, Nik told him to stop but Ansel kept on going. "I watched you paint. I watched you feel your unborn daughter's kick…"
"I said, stop!" Without warning, Nik had his father in a choke hold whilst barely containing his anger and grief. I flew to a nearer branch and considered dropping down to make Nik let the guy go but restrained myself. Perhaps they needed this confrontation, to take out all the grievances and truths before letting them go. "A millennium of observing me…were your eyes closed as I slaughtered whole villages? Fed my way through thousands of innocents? Because, let's face it. I have a tendency to play with my food. Have I made you proud, father?" His mocking tone did not hide the fact that Nik was clearly disappointed and ashamed of himself. I wonder if he had known his real father had been watching him his whole life, how differently he would have acted. I guess we'll never know.
Ansel did not speak again, merely followed after Nik with a look of heavy consideration, as if weighed down by his son's distrust of him, and I had to feel for the guy. I hoped that they could work out their differences and misunderstandings, because if Nik had had a father like him from the very beginning, then I could only imagine the kind of man he would be today. I followed them still, completely hooked on what was happening and did not stray far until they finally located the merlock orchid, surrounded by a field of vervain. I'm guessing that would be Esther's little touch there. If I had touched the merlock orchid before, I could have simply grown a few right in front of Nik's feet, but this was a rare plant that I had yet to get a hold of. Still, now that I knew where it was, I could always come back later to get it.
"Vervain. It's everywhere. My relentless mother has set a trap."
"I'll retrieve the merlock for you." Ansel immediately offered, however Nik being his usual self, demanded to know the price of his help which seemed to tick his father off. The guy flung down his knife to bury it into the ground in order to stride over to him. "Why don't you use your vampire abilities to end your doubts? Search my mind. You'll see I'm not aligned with your mother." At this Nik scoffed, and if an owl could roll its eyes then that would definitely be what I would do in this situation. Would it kill the guy to have a little faith? Jeez. I wonder what kind of paranoia he had about me when we first met.
"I have absolutely no interest in the inner-workings of your brain."
"I'm surprised at your cowardice." This made Nik pause, arching an eyebrow at his father with a questioning sound at the insult. "While you stand here in fear of me, your brother suffers further." Rather effectively hitting the nail on the head, I was further impressed with Nik's dad as Niklaus was forced to reconsider, grinding his teeth for a moment before instructing his father to get the orchids. It was progress. I'll try and be optimistic here and say that Nik very well might accept the fact that Ansel was here for him and no other reason. I couldn't sense any magic on him, nothing to indicate that Esther did still have a hold, so I could only assume that he was telling the truth.
After returning with a handful of orchids, Ansel then led Nik back into the trees where he then built a fire and set about preparing the orchids to help Elijah, using his knife to carefully cut the flowers up. "I've always seen a blade to have a very different use."
"Mikael taught you to kill, Klaus, but you were born to create. Power lies in embracing your true nature." Ansel responded naturally, already talking like a real dad.
"You think I should accept my mother's offer? Sacrifice my vampirism? And then what? Become a florist?" So this was what this was all about. Esther was using everything at her disposal to try and get all her kids to become normal again. Well considering she tried to kill them all the first time around, this was a decent step away from being completely insane, but there was no way that Nik would ever want to sacrifice his strength and power. Rebekah might, though. She's always wanted to live a normal human life, but I was already working on that for her. A cure already existed for vampirism, created by another ancient witch to torture her cheating fiancé so I figure there would be a cure to Esther's spell too. I just need more time to figure out the key ingredients.
"You wouldn't be sacrificing anything. As a wolf, you'll be king to an entire species." Ansel reasoned simply, a concept that clearly appealed to Nik greatly. "You would feel at true peace. And you'll be a better father." Immediately I tensed up, sharpening my focus on their conversation in order to understand what Ansel meant by this as Nik also became incensed.
"I am no longer a father." Nik strode away at that point in order to hide his face, however Ansel remained completely calm and just continued stripping the orchids.
"In our animal form, we feel everything more acutely. When you were a boy, after each full moon, I would wake closer to your village, having been drawn to you in the night. Since I've been back, each month when I turn, I wake further from New Orleans. I know the call of my own blood, Klaus. I know your child is still alive." Oh crap. This was not good. If Ansel knew about Hope, then that made him a potential threat, and potential threats were things that Nik would never allow to live if it meant protecting his daughter. My mind scrambled as I fluttered my feathers, unsettled by the revelation Ansel had revealed and for a long while, Nik was also speechless. Remaining calm and collected, Ansel finished preparing the poultice for Elijah and smeared it into a handkerchief in order to give it to Nik, who was yet to say a word. "This will help Elijah." Making to leave, Nik finally found his voice again and called out to his father.
"Ansel. I'd be lying if I said your offer wasn't appealing. I've never known a parent to be a benevolent force. I think I would have liked to have been your son. But, a different path was chosen for me, and I have, for the past one thousand years, been son of Mikael. Paranoid. Vengeful. And, powerful enough to protect my daughter." Smiling with pure, unconditional love, I watched as Ansel grasped the back of Nik's head in a fatherly clasp, holding him as he spoke his truth.
"I want to help you defend her."
"I believe you. But, love is what Esther twists. She will take the best of your intentions, and she will use them to get to my little girl." Taking his hand from his head, Nik held it securely as I saw his features begin to contort, wrestling with himself. Well I'm pretty sure I can guess what he's about to do next. "You waited too long before you came to rescue me. I won't make the same mistake with Hope." Having already let go of Ansel, Nik now picked up the blade that he had used to cut the orchids and, upon understanding Nik's intention, Ansel's face crippled with sorrow.
"No. No, Klaus. I know you. You are not capable of this." His faith in Nik's better nature was touching, but I knew Nik, knew that he would not allow anything threat to live so long as it would affect Hope which meant that in order to protect her, Nik truly believed that his father had to die. He held the blade in his hand, but before he could move to deliver a killing blow, I flew down with a loud screech and fluttered my wings in front of Nik to throw him off, getting between them as I then pushed my magic out of the owl and into the earth. The screech owl quickly flew away, however my presence remained as the wind lifted and shook the trees, flowers beginning to grow out of nowhere as I pushed my spirit through the earth in order to manifest upon the wind where my voice whispered to Niklaus, hoping that I could keep him from making a mistake that he would regret for the rest of his life.
"Trust me." Ansel was looking around him in surprise and confusion, however before Nik could recover from hearing my voice, I pushed my magic to swarm around Ansel and took him away from that place before Nik could kill him. The flowers that had grown had made a magic circle beneath his feet, creating a symbol that allowed me to transport him from one place to another in an instant, opening the fabric of space by compressing his being into magic particles before reforming them thousands of miles away in an identical circle in a luscious green wood. He landed on his back, gasping from the shock as I watched over him for a moment before placing a boundary spell on the circle, making sure that he would not be able to leave until I could reach him and once I was certain that he was safe, I allowed my spirit and consciousness to melt back into the earth and journey back to where my body awaited.