A/N : Hello guys I am back with a new chapter. This one took me longer to post but life happens so.

I really appreciate all the reviews, thank you for your continued support.

A Wronged Heart

If someone were to ask Niklaus what was more painful, death or parting from the one you loved, he would without qualms say parting, though he hadn't known death but living without Caroline was death even as he breathed.

He breathed, but not lived, his heart beat but as if it was a mere oscillation and nothing more. He carried the heart rending pain of living without his heartbeat, his Caroline, inside him like a penance for deciding to leave her with her malicious uncle.

It had been six months and five days to be exact when he had last seen her and held her in his arms. His time bound agreement with Alfred almost reaching it's conclusion this week.

He had been an absolute fool agreeing with Alfred when Alfred had kept the condition that Caroline was to stay at Bettlehelm for six months and during that time Niklaus was to pay with food and grain for one of Alfred's village in addition to securing more land for Alfred.

So Niklaus had been fighting Alfred's battles relentlessly. However no cost was too big, except him living without her.

Six months ago Niklaus had been desperate enough to agree to any terms Alfred deemed fit and now he regretted it immensely.

Klaus washed his face, and the water in his hands was red from the blood running down his face. The last battle had really took its toll. He had new scars to prove it, but no amount of physical pain was more unendurable that living without the light of his life. He washed his body and changed clothes.

His men had fought beside him with courage and loyalty, only to hand over the lands to Alfred. Surprisingly they did not oppose or rebel rather claimed they shall do all and anything necessary to bring their lady back. Caroline was truly magnificent inside and out as she had not only won his heart but also his mens' loyalty.

He lay awake yet another night. His days gruelling and his nights fitful. To say that he missed Caroline was a gross understatement. It was as if he was a body without soul and a heart without its rhythm. He often wore himself out so he may sleep and even in dreams he couldn't escape the agony.

Questions and doubts plagued him. What if they had harmed her or worse? To curb his concern about her he often sent a spy to gather her whereabouts and each time the spy brought news of her wellness. It was some relief, although he sometimes was still tormented by other queries of his love struck heart.

What if she had forgotten him? What if she had found someone more suited and worthy of herself? She was a princess, she was kindness and beauty, she was generosity and piety. He had known since the beginning he was unworthy. He did not doubt her faithfulness just the fact that perhaps she hated him for not returning soon as the war was over. Such troubling thoughts kept him awake more often then not.

He palmed her amulet which he now wore around his neck and kissed it but it was a pale substitute of her. In fact no woman would ever come close. He closed his eyes hoping to sleep.

"Nik. Nik." Caroline called out a little breathless, worry etching her sweet voice. "Nik. Oh Lord." She shook him wanting to wake him up.

He had been chasing her in the fields after one of their study sessions and had suddenly fallen down. She inspected him to see for any signs of injury but saw none and realized he was probably faking being injured.

Klaus could hear her concern in her voice. They had been playing what she liked to call a game of run and catch. Where either one of them was to chase the other and who ever won got whatever they wanted. He did not complain because more often he won and well he obviously reaped the benefits but today she had tricked him with the hint of a kiss and then had evaded being caught, hence he pretended to be hurt.

Caroline after realizing his cunning remarked, "It is entirely too hot out here. Perhaps I shall take off my shirt."

As soon as she said those words she saw him open his eyes and literally jumped on him, her legs on either side she sat on him as he lay. "And here I thought you were injured My Lord?"

"And I thought you were saying something about taking off your shirt." He gently tugged at the material that was carefully tucked into her long skirt. A charming smile on her alluring face, would there ever come a day when he would get enough of her.

"It is rather scandalous and deceitful of you. Pretending to lay sick to win and then opening your eyes only to steal a peek." She remarked tracing one finger in his dimple, unaware of the desire she was awakening.

"And yet you lie on top of me fully clothed." A childlike pout on his face made her laugh and then kiss it.

"My poor unfortunate Pagan."

"Well my very fortunate Min Skat I think you can remedy that." He winked suggestively only to be pinched by her. "Oww." He sighed.

"No. What is wrong with you always trying to get me in bed?"

"Me? I am merely caring for you." He traced one finger down her thigh, Caroline felt the heat penetrate through her clothes but swatted his hand away. "Really?"

"Yes. You demanded I make love to you every day."

"When? I remember no such thing."

"Last night. You were mumbling in your sleep." He said with a rather angelic smile and tugged at her shirt, when she did not push his hand away he loosened her shirt.

"Oh no. What else did I say?" her widened she asked now curious.

Klaus improvised, "You also asked me to remind you always love and cherish me as I am your husband." Caroline was earnestly listening to him and hence did not pay attention when he loosened her shirt. He began untying the knots one by one.

"Hmm."

"You also said it was your duty as a wife to obey every command of your very loving husband." He undid another knot with a smile. He was loving this game.

"Really?" Caroline was beginning to see that he was making it up.

She suddenly leaned down and took his mouth in a long arousing kiss, then moved back, "Oh now I remember I also asked you to remind me to teach you to write ." He stopped untying the knots in her shirt, something resembling a frown appeared on his face and she chuckled.

Caught in his own lie he merely nodded. "And then I asked you to teach me combat." He wasn't opposed to her learning sword skill but he wasn't much enthusiastic about it either because he didn't want her to come to any harm. At her last remark he made an annoyed face and it was her turn to smile.

As she was gazing at his mildly upset face she kissed him again, "You make me happy, Pagan. I love you so much. I do not know what I shall do without you." A tear fell and he sat up straight.

"I love you. You shall never have to do without me, Min Skat." He kissed her then. She pulled him closer all of a sudden impatient, Klaus obliged her. Hurriedly she untied the remaining knots. "You know what Pagan. I think I also asked you to remind me to never sew this many knots in a shirt." She remarked with a smile and he chuckled helping her.

"No you merely asked me to tear it off of you." Even as he said it the shirt came apart in his hands and the ripping sound of the cloth had them both laughing as they kissed each other.

Klaus woke up to the sound her laughter still resounding in his ears. Torment and anguish quickly replaced serenity and tranquillity he felt when he had reminisced about their time in his dream.

He washed and left his room.

He found Dagfin training new warriors. Soon as Dagfin saw him he headed over to Niklaus.

"We need to head for King Alfred's estate. Today marks the day when the agreement is over."

"Yes Lord Commander." Ever since he had moved his clan to Albert's Castle, his people had begun calling him Lord and people belonging to other clans called him King. It had taken him some time to get used to it. He was revered for winning an insurmountable battle against Albert.

Alfred's open shocked mouth would have been hilarious under any other circumstance. His utter astonishment however did not take Niklaus by surprise.

"Our agreement is over. Ask one of your men to fetch my wife." Klaus's flat tone conveyed that he wasn't one to be trifled with.

"Niklaus it is rather surprising to see you."

"King. I am sure you've heard. I answer to King. King Alfred I do not appreciate your attempt to delay. Send for Queen Caroline immediately."

Alfred bristled at the underlying threat. "Right. King Niklaus you are more than welcome to take my niece back that is if she wants to leave with you of her own volition."

The last part gave Niklaus a start, something was clearly was amiss. "Well in that case I expect to be shown to her rooms."

Alfred's smug expression faltered but he knew he could not deny the most feared and might Danish warrior.

Her child mirrored her own restlessness. She ran soothing hands over her abdomen in an unconscious bid to calm down her babe. These past few days had been especially aggravating, her babe might come anytime soon. Aside from the worries of childbirth, she had been plagued with tormenting thoughts about Niklaus even more so than before, it was as if she knew something were to happen.

Caroline sat down on the bed, her swollen feet ached, her back felt stiff all the time and it her certainly did not help her with her thoughts in a turmoil.

A knock sounded on her door then gently opened as she answered, "Come in. Elsie you..." her words forgotten at the site of the one who entered.

Her heartbeat a loud drumming noise and her breathing a constant echo in her ears just as her body went numb. Seeing his handsome face after such a long time shocked her to her core. He entered the room and closed the door. A beat then another. His face seemed hardened, he looked tired and worn out. His eyes the same deep blue and but a new scar running from his left eye to his left cheek, it should have made him look threatening rather he looked he even more winsome.

Then as if she instantly regained her strength she stood and walked towards him even as he stood rooted beside the door. Emotions which once she identified as his love for her swirled in his eyes, but she now knew he did not love her, for if he did he would have honoured his promises.

She stopped just a few feet away. She trembled and through tears saw him come close.

Words failed her and so did him. Klaus drank in the sight of his love. As beautiful as the day he first saw her. He yearned to hold her close but felt unworthy and disloyal. Her beauty unparalleled, every feature, her angelic face and aqua eyes. Still so ravishing and truly mesmerising.

She walked towards him, granting him hope and then halted and took it away. Those entrancing blue eyes filled and killed him. He always waited for her to reach for him first but he couldn't now as he rushed and in two quick steps had her in his embrace.

Silent tears now loud gut wrenching sobs and her body quaked with anger and hurt. "You lied." "You lied." "You didn't come back." "I hate you." "I hate you."

Every spoken word a rock on his heavy heart.

"Shhh." He consoled as she twisted in his arms, hitting his chest with fisted hands in protest. He held her awhile then unable to bear her tears he soothed and kissed her head. It boiled her anger to the surface. She pushed him away forcefully and furiously wiped away her tears. Sudden loss of her from his arms made him feel empty and hollow.

"Leave. Now." She commanded much like the princess she always was.

"Min skat..."

"Do not call me that! Leave or else I shall call my guard."

"Do it. I shall bear any consequence as long as you return with me."

Oh the cruelty of fate. He stood there requesting her to return, a few months ago what she wouldn't have given to return to him, and now she did not have anything to give him.

"No." She said and twisted away unable to bear the torment of glancing at him. Too much swirled inside her.

Such a small word, he hadn't known had the power to upend his world. Agony and pure agony thrashed within him as she turned away from him.

Begging was far beneath him but beg he shall. She wouldn't look at him still even as he came to stand in front of her.

"Caroline love, berate me, yell at me, fight me, hit me but come home with me. Your uncle..."

"I want not to hear any of this." She exclaimed and a mild pain shot through her. "Ahh." She gripped her abdomen and Klaus instantly picked her up.

"What is it? Caroline." His concern reflected in his eyes and voice. Her hands gripped his arms for support. The pain in her abdomen receded even as it rose in her heart. His eyes found hers, a sweet ache spread through both their hearts.

He gently placed her on the bed. A little out of his element he inquired, "Is it starting? Ah..." he gestured with his finger at her abdomen. "Is the babe coming?"

Caroline wanted to smile, the big brute looked utterly adorable and a bit terrified. And just because her heart leapt towards him and wanted to melt she bit out. "What if it is?"

He noted the bile in her tone. "I was ahem... merely inquiring it out of concern."

She scoffed. "Right. What else?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean men do their business of getting a woman with child and then leave her to fend for herself. Even in childbirth they have not the guts to stay at her side. If I were to give birth here right now you would surely be running for the hills, Mighty Danish warrior." Caroline said sternly. The pains had now settled. The mid wife had told her that Caroline may have false pains near the end of her term, and she was almost at term.

"Right now?" he asked nervously then added when she pointedly narrowed her alluring eyes, " I give you my word to not run for the hills though I may run for the nearby fields." Klaus replied seemingly still somewhat uneasy and dazed, hoping to lighten the mood.

The dazed expression on his face was rather humorous. Caroline smothered her smile yet again gaining a little comfort from his discomfort. This was what they had always had, the comfort, the bantering and love. It was so easy to give into it and that is why it wounded her even more.

Klaus saw her stifle a smile and it lended his melancholy heart some tranquil. And just like that it was gone when the smile in her eyes was replaced by a fog of grief.

All of a sudden sombre, "I do not wish to fight but I refuse to go back with you. I have no home."

He would have pleaded and even begged on his knees but he saw her run a massaging hand her abdomen and decided against it. He had no desire to hurt her especially when she was unwell.

"I am to stay here for a few more hours." Then pausing a beat he added, "I love you and our child with all I am and I know this min skat not only these hours but I shall wait for you for however long it takes and for as long as I shall live." The intensity and sincerity in his eyes touched her and she fisted a hand in her frock, her emotions in a turmoil.

With a parting glance at her he left her room.

Another knock on her door a few minutes later had her sit up in anticipation. She had expected Niklaus but was deflated against her will to see King Matthew.

"King Matthew. My Lord." She was about to curtsy but he halted her from doing so.

"Do not labor yourself in such a condition, Lady Caroline. I am here merely to have a conversation although you may take slight to my suggestions." He stood at the place where Klaus had stood earlier.

"Lady Caroline I am aware I speak out of turn but may I suggest that you return with King Niklaus." Caroline was taken aback at his suggestion.

"I certainly do not mean to imply that you are a burden here on me but as your future King I believe your rightful place is with your husband."

"And you believe him to be a legitimate one? You consider this union lawful?" She asked incredulously.

"I was not a witness to your union My Lady but I certainly have been one to your sorrow. I can see you are here not happy. Whatever were his reasons for not returning to you, at least give him a chance to say his piece." King Matthew remarked again shocking her.

"Why are you doing this?" Caroline could only ask this of King Matthew.

He came closer then and did something she had never expected him to by holding her face in his hands.

"You only find true love once and letting it go without a fight is utterly foolish in my opinion." He kissed her forehead. Caroline was speechless. He then crossed the few steps to the door and turned around and sighed with a smile, "And if you find him too loathsome you can always return to me for I shall always love and honor you."

The door closed with a loud thud but the thudding noise of her heart continued many minutes even after he left.

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