A/N: Hi I am back with a new chapter. I hope you guys like it.

A Love Returned

Hurt was a huge ball constricting her throat and her chest. Something was grievously wrong or perhaps Caroline was merely imagining Niklaus's sudden alteration in behaviour. He was not being rude in his actions or words just distant and aloof. No more did he playfully tease or smirk at her, no more did he call her min skat, it was always lady or maiden, she was thoroughly beginning to abhor the word lady.

Even just now he had left their tent, without so much as a backward glance or a greeting. Perhaps he had lost interest. Maybe there was some other woman who had caught his fancy. Misery turned to fury for that nameless and faceless woman who had stolen Niklaus from her, he was hers. The realization struck and she found herself feeling even more miserable.

Love was dangerous territory. She could not... or maybe she could. She had been persevering, surviving hoping her family will come looking for her, maybe they would and what then? Her heart was here with him, with a man who did not want her anymore. Self pity embroiled her in its embrace and it was far from comforting.

Silently she wrote the words but her tears smeared them. She put the journal down intending to go for a walk to clear her head. She stood and turned, a pair of stormy blue eyes stared back at her. His eyes, filled with concern and rage..?

"What happened?" concern snapped out.

"Nothing." She attempted to bypass but he grasped her arms, finally he was touching her again, gentle in touch but crude in voice.

"Nothing? Then why the tears Lady?" there was that foul word again.

"My eyes, my tears it is no business of yours." She was riled up enough and she shall fight this out today.

"My tent, my rules. Tell me what happened?"

"And what if I choose to say it not? What then?" She closed the gap between them, anger propelling her.

Her scent wafted, her nearness tormented him, Klaus moved back in an effort to escape the temptation she was. It was rather funny, the most feared warrior himself afraid of a weapon-less woman, oh but she had the mightiest weapon, his heart in her hands.

His spies had gathered that she had been among the royalty from the court of Althed and that survivors of war had sought safety in his cousin King Alfred's estate in Bettlehelm.

He had tried with all the strength he could muster to return her to her home, but he was not that strong. He needed her light. Him keep his distance from her was the last straw and she was pushing it or rather him.

"Lady you shall do better to remember you are here at my mercy." He threatened but she was not having it.

"Or what? You shall teach me a lesson, take me against my will?" Caroline could not believe the words she was uttering. Tension was mounting between them, he was close yet so far. She needed him, wanted him and most importantly loved him with all her heart and he was being a pig-headed mule for not realizing it.

She shoved him, he didn't budge but grasped her hands on his chest. It was the sweetest torture, fire crackled beneath his skin.

"You know I gave you my word. I shall never..."

"Who is she?" Caroline interrupted his reply. His back was now against a wooden beam of the tent, her hands on his chest and his on hers.

"What are you talking about?"

"I know there must be someone else. You talk to me not. Avoid me like some sickness. What am I to gather from that?" Caroline's ire channelled in her voice. She shoved him again but this time Klaus grasped her in his arms. He was getting real tired of her pushing and accusations. He clasped both of her hands with one of his. Her soft form flush against his.

Caroline's heart thumped and her breath hitched. Her body pressed against his hard one brought an onslaught of alien yet pleasing emotions.

Klaus tried to tame his body's response to hers. He had broken his vow to claim her and took another oath to stay away from the untouched angel in his arms, but the said angel was testing his limits.

"Do not fight me min skat. I have my own battles. There is no one." His eyes spellbinding. He brushed one lose lock of hair from her face. Letting go if her hands he cupped her face. Inadvertently Caroline leaned in his touch. "Let me do the right thing."

"What?" Caroline bunched her hands on her sides.

"I know the whereabouts of your family. You are to leave for Bettlehelm with Dagfin. He shall keep you safe." His own words landed blows on his heart.

Caroline felt her body go numb, an invisible fist kept crushing her heart. It was good news, she was going home, then why did she feel a sense of foreboding. It felt wrong.

Caroline retreated. The sadness on her expressive face was his undoing, yet he steeled himself to do the right thing. He lifted a hand to touch, caress? Then dropped it and with one last glance at her back he left the tent.

He did not have the heart to bid farewell. Dagfin helped her mount the horse and then left. Klaus's sudden decision to let her go arose from his love for her for love could never be forced. Helplessness thrashed inside him, he had the urge to bring her back but he reigned himself, contented himself with a small amulet that belonged to her.

The horses hoofs clipped clopped on the chary ground. Someone had burnt the trees in the clearing they were passing through. Dagfin stayed silent with the occasional command announcing directions.

"You must be happy." She remarked.

"About what Lady?" Dagfin questioned as he steered both their horses to the North.

"Me leaving. A Saxon woman, finally out of your commander's life."

"My happiness matters not Lady. And my opinion holds no value in your regard. Though the commander might miss you. He has taken to you." Dagfin's confession had her jerk her head immediately to see if he was jesting. "He thinks he is doing right by you. Returning you to your family, it is a rare act of mercy on his part."

"I know not what to say." Caroline replied. "Only that I value him as much as he values me by your admission or perhaps maybe more. More than my own life." Caroline now understood his motive. Foolishly she had surmised that Niklaus was trying to rid himself of her but he was being unselfish and generous. She now knew what she wanted to do. She clucked her tongue and the horse halted.

"Dagfin take me back."

"Lady I can..." his words interrupted by the ambush. Ten men probably Danes then attacked them.

"Lady run." Dagfin yelled and Caroline instantly propelled her horse.

Dagfin was outnumbered. Five circled him and the other five went after Caroline.

Klaus found Dagfin with a knife in his abdomen and another in his shoulder. He was bleeding some fierce.

"Dagfin, brother. What happened?"

"A band of ten rogue Danes attacked. Five ambushed me. I slugged three and the rest went after your Lady."

Klaus felt more frightened then he ever had. No! She must be fine. She was his heart and soul, no harm should come to her. The urgency to find her gripped his drowning heart.

"She rode North on that path." He pointed. "Bjorn. Take him home to the healer. Send men North." Then he rode on his horse.

The wild man dragged her on the ground and she yelled for help. She kicked and clawed but he was too heavy for her. He growled and laughed. "Your turn shall come brothers." He had taken her into a tent. The rest of the men cheered outside.

"No! Please." She begged amid tears even as he hurriedly began tearing off her frock.

"It is more fun when they kick while humping." He declared and tore of her right shoulder, exposing half of her breast.

"Let me go. No." She kept screaming but he had her pinned beneath him.

The shouts and noises outside alerted him. He slightly eased off her to see the what was the ruckus about when a large sword slashed his chest. Klaus stood with a blood stained face. The man stumbled back, Caroline scooted away and before he landed on the ground Klaus's sword once more pierced his flesh, this time his neck.

Rage was a red haze in Klaus's gaze, which cleared when she let out a scream as she saw the man's neck being slashed. Blood splatters stained her as well.

Momentarily she froze when Klaus took a step towards her she tumbled in his arms with sobs and chokes raking her body. Klaus instantly covered her up with his cape and lifted her in his arms.

"Take me home pagan." She mumbled and then passed out.

Self loathing rose until it consumed him. How could he let her get hurt. How could he have thought she shall be safe in these parts of the woods. Her beautiful porcelain skin marked with a bruise on her temple and gash on her lip as she lay asleep under the effect of the tonic Tilda had given her.

Klaus clenched his teeth, he needed to pummel something. He needed to kill that bastard again who had tried to defile her. He thumped the stone table doling out his frustration.

He glanced at her again and sat beside her. He was to blame for her injured condition and what that animal had tried to do to her. "I'm sorry min skat." He mumbled and her eyes fluttered open.

He tried to distance himself as he was a stark reminder of what the monster had done to her. She waylayed him, "I..." then she broke down, tears spilling from her cerulean blue eyes.

"Please..." she didn't know what she was asking but felt at peace when he lifted her in his lap and tucked her in his warm and solid embrace.

He rocked her until her sobs faded and her tears were spent. Each tear was a stone on his already burdened heart but he welcomed it as a penance.

Klaus woke up and saw she was wrapped in his arms. Her softness was a torture and a boon at the same time. His baser urges surfaced and he felt disgusted with himself. He was no better than that animal who had assaulted her. She had been traumatised and he was indulging in fantasies of claiming her.

And she wasn't doing him any favours either. She sighed and bundled into him closer. Her breasts deliciously pressed against his naked chest and her leg between his crotch.

He had taken off his vest last night and now he was paying the price. He muttered an oath and then found himself staring in her magnificent eyes.

His arms her haven. She caressed his cheek and he groaned. "Min skat. You're playing with fire."

"I want to." Her whisper slithered across his skin.

"I... Are you sure?" he asked.

She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. A feathery small kiss, fire shot straight to his loins. "I will stop if you ask me to." He took her mouth once, "I shall not do anything that displeases you. If it does tell me."

She nodded and then he kissed her, coaxing and invoking passion. Caroline responded, a heady feeling coursed through her body, need surfaced. She needed him to touch her just the way he was. His tongue slid in and she moaned. Tenderly he cupped her face, peppered small kisses over it. She arched into him, lost in the tumultuous feelings he instilled. He palmed her breast and she jerked back.

He halted himself from snatching her into his arms. She sat up. "I am sorry..." she felt a number of emotions all at once.

"Do not be sorry. Min skat." He titled her face towards his own. Klaus saw her hesitancy and pulled back. He knew if he pressed she will give in but he did not want to take advantage of her vulnerability.

"I am the one who is sorry." He stood up and put on his shirt. "For everything that happened to you." Fury and frustration churned his gut.

Caroline saw how it was torturing him. Perhaps it was painful for him as it had been for her. She now knew he felt something for her. She went to him, nervously she placed one hand on his shoulder. "It was not your fault."

Klaus twisted around. "It will always be my burden." He grasped her hands and gently kissed them one by one on her wrist and her pulse danced beneath his lips. "I'll send something to eat. Rest awhile."

With the exception of that one morning Klaus had not advanced towards her nor he had shown any indication or inclination. Tilda had said that the mating business between a man and woman was rather painful for the first time. Mayhaps he had decided that she wasn't worth the pain or maybe he was afraid of the pain, which sounded utterly stupid since he was a warrior who had taken many severe wounds in countless battles.

Nonetheless it irked her that he was maintaining his distance. His kiss had seared her body and soul. She loved him with all her heart and desired to belong to him and him only. Hence she decided she shall confront him tonight when he returned.

Caroline had been patiently waiting for him before exhaustion had took over and she had fallen asleep. She was half lying on her pelt with the quill and journal in her hand and her beautiful lashes fanning over her face.

Candle light accentuated her ravishing features, that is how he found her. He crouched down to her level and gathered her in her arms and lay her on his pelt and fur.

She stirred awake as he took off his armor.

"You're home." She sighed and he glanced at her with a smile. Indeed he had come home to her. "Do you wish to eat?"

"No." His broad chiselled chest stole her breath as he changed his shirt. She remembered the feel of being in arms and her cheeks heated.

Without a single word he walked over, lay by her side and pulled her in his arms. He brushed a kiss on her forehead and closed his eyes.

"Are you sleeping?" she asked.

"I am trying."

"Is something amiss?"

"No that I know of."

"It is not your burden." She remarked and he then opened his eyes. "It was that evil man's sin. Not yours."

"I should have protected you." His voice hoarse.

"No. I should have protected myself but you should not have sent me away like that." She ran one careless finger down her arm unaware of the havoc she was wreaking on him.

"Are we going to talk or not?" Agitated she bit out.

"We are talking min skat."

"No I am talking, you are brushing me off, Lord. Perhaps I should stop and let you go to sleep." A little annoyed she got up and he pulled her back. She landed on his chest.

"Your anger is the least attractive thing about you." He teased as he caged her.

"Your cautiousness is the most hideous thing about you." She bit out and he laughed. She smiled when she heard him laugh. She liked that she made him laugh.

"You do not want me to be careful with you?

"No and I do not want you to stay away from."

"Anything else min skat." He asked sarcastically to which she scrunched her nose and replied, "Yes and tell me what it means?"

"What, what means?" He wanted to kiss her pert scrunched up nose.

"Min skat."

"It means my rat." The offended expression on her face had him burst out laughing. Gods this woman would be the cause of his death with laughter. She tried to wiggle out of his arms but he restrained her.

"What do you call a wild bull in Danish?" she remarked and he laughed again.

"Min Elske."

"So shall it be fine if I called Dagfin Min Elske as he fought like a stubborn bull to protect me?" she asked much too sweetly.

The arrogant smirk on his handsome face went flat. The scowl that took it's place had her laugh. "You win. Min skat." He grumpily announced and she gave him a peck on his pouty lips as she was laughing.

"What do I get?"

"What?"

"I win so what do I get." She proudly asked and he forgot about being annoyed.

"What do you want?" He ran his hand through her hair.

She blushed gorgeously, it was absolutely endearing. "I want you to take me." She quickly put a hand on his mouth stopping his protest. "Let me say it. If you feel guilt don't it's not yours. If you do not want me that way then I shall understand. And if you are worried I shall hurt you... I mean hurt you down there I promise I shall be really gentle."

It was all very sweet until she started mumbling about hurting him down there. He burst out laughing and gave her a loud smacking kiss. "Oh min skat. Who told you it would hurt me down there?" He continued laughing for a few seconds then stopped himself.

"I heard Tilda telling the smiths new wife."

"Is it not a sin to spy?" he poked fun and smoothed the frown on her forehead with his fingers.

"I merely happened upon them and heard. I did not spy. Besides God forgive me I have lost count of my sins since I met you." She titled her chin and he brought her mouth close and kissed her lightly.

"Min skat. It is I who is worried about hurting you there. I can not breathe for wanting you."

The intensity of his gaze made her breathless. "I am scared I will hurt you. My hands are rough. My passion for you knows no bounds."

She took his hand and kissed his palm. "You won't. I know it." She then kissed him the way he had kissed her, her tongue mating with his. She went wild with desire when his hands found her naked flesh. It was a fire sizzling, a burn scorching her and it was a pleasure beyond anything else.

Klaus touched her reverently but his ardent desire for her made him impatient. His hands kneaded, his mouth tasted and the unquenchable thirst grew. She untied her robe shyly and he covered her with his body. Her pleasure came before his own. She insulated beneath him, spurring him to take more and give more. His hands combed hers and just when she was ensorcelled with ecstasy he slipped inside her.

The pain came first and he halted murmuring loving endearments and heartfelt promises.

A tear escaped and he kissed it. "Call me Min Skat." She sighed and he complied. Even as he kissed her he began moving slowly the intense pleasure it imparted had her raking her nails on his back.

His need for her turned violent as he rode them both to the pinnacle of the fiery pleasure.

She traced lazy patterns on his back as he slept peacefully. Caroline was too wound up to sleep. He looked so dashing. She leaned forward to kiss his lips and he kissed her back.

"You're not sleeping." She laughed lightly.

"With you in my arms I will be a fool to."

Suddenly growing serious she put on her robe and sat beside him. "I have to tell you something." After a small pause she began, "My name is Caroline. I am King Althed's daughter. They hid me in the nunnery when the Danes attacked. I was betrothed to King Matthew of Wintensire. My King and the church had given me to King Matthew to strengthen the church and kingdom. But how can I be with him when my heart belongs to another. Belongs to you."

Klaus followed suit and kissed her palm, " You are mine."

His arrogant possessiveness made her smile. " Then make me yours pagan." She demanded. "Lawfully in the eyes of God. I do not want to be someone else's.Those Danes might go to King Matthew they knew who I was."

Klaus knew she was right. King Matthew could come and claim her but not if she was his by law.

To lighten the mood he added, "Are you proposing me? Min skat you are the most peculiar woman. Is not that a man's duty?"

Belatedly realizing she had not considered if he wanted to marry her. Maybe he just wanted her in his bed. She had been high on bliss and had ratted out the first thing that had been plaguing her since he had sent her to Bettlehelm. She grew quite, with worry in her eyes.

"Tell me." He urged.

"I did not mean to coerce you...I..."

"You are mine. Will always be mine. You are mine to touch, to kiss and to love." He cupped her face then, "Mine to love. A love more deep than the oceans and bigger than this world. And mine to call wife, Caroline daughter of King Althed and Queen Elizabeth..."

"You knew who I was?"

"Only one day before I sent you away."

"I am a princess you could have bargained for silver with my life." She was astounded by his words and actions. He chose to send her away even though he knew who she was.

"There is not enough silver in this world."

"Pagan I love you." She confessed tearfully. He kissed her tears away and just when he was kissing her she mumbled with a cheeky smile, "Now tell me what it means?"

It was the first time he had laughed heartily when he was kissing a woman, his woman but he knew it wouldn't be the last.

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