Disclaimer: I do not own TVD or TO. This story is not for gain or monetary reward. It is fiction and my own take on things. This story deviates from cannon.
Astrid Helvig ran as fast as her burning legs would carry her. She knew that this day would come, but she had hoped that she would have more time. Tears burned her eyes as she heard the shouting and loud explosion behind her. Her amma Freya had prepared her for what was to come.
Astrid was now the last Helvig and she was being hunted. Her parents were captured and killed three months prior when suddenly the protections that were over their family suddenly vanished. One by one the Olde families of the Covenant were hunted down and slaughtered.
For one thousand years the Olde families had kept in contact, often living nearby. They were allies and had roots back to their ancestors, the Vikings of old. It was in the New World that a relatively large settlement was established that the Covenant was made. With the help of a great witch, Ayanna, they cast a spell, a sacred vow to protect, honor, guard, and keep one another.
Now one thousand years later that Covenant had almost been broken. Here she was the last of the Helvigs, one of the last families of Olde left. Her amma had taken her in and showed her as much as she could of the olde ways as possible. She tutored her in the family magicks, her family history, of the Covenant, and everything else that she could think of in the months leading up to this moment.
Astrid bit back a sob as she raced down the tunnel towards the secret exit of their family estate. This had been their family's stronghold for centuries and now it lay in ruins. Her amma, her beloved grandmother had held them off long enough for her to flee. Freya had put her talisman over Astrid's head and sealed the magic in the necklace to protect her before she had slammed the passageway shut.
As she saw the end of the tunnel she slowed and listened to see if she could hear anything. It was early morning, and the sun was just beginning to rise on the horizon. She shouldered her large pack and additional duffle bag before creeping out of the tunnel to the car that was hidden under the large oak tree.
Tossing the bags in the vehicle she raced around the hood and hopped in. Glancing around she made sure that there was no one nearby as she started the car and took off into the rising sun. Digging into the console as she drove, she picked up the cell phone that was left there. She hit the only programmed number in the phone and waited. It kept on ringing and ringing until it went to voicemail.
A sob broke her voice, and she left a message to the one person on the planet that she hoped to help her. Elijah Mikaelson had been in her life for as long as she could remember. He had watched over her family for centuries. His family had been part of the original Covenant all those centuries ago.
"Elijah," she tried not to sob, "it's Astrid Helvig. They've come. I don't know what happened or where you are, but there is no one left. Amma helped me escape, but I need your help. I'm alone, Elijah."
She hung up the phone as she drove down the winding roads of the countryside of Norway. Astrid had dual citizenship in Norway and the United States, so she had grown up in both countries. Her family estate outside of Oslo was now a pile of smoking ruins.
The ancient and enchanted necklaces around her neck thrummed with power. She grasped them and sent up a silent prayer that she would make it to Elijah in time. Now more than ever she needed him.
Reaching the airport, she had the valet park her car and brought her bags to her terminal. Her amma had booked her flight just hours ago when their estate was first infiltrated. It was one of their many escape plans. Freya Helvig used the last of her power to protect her beloved granddaughter as she shoved her into the secret passageway. By transferring her magic to her granddaughter, she left herself vulnerable, but kept their family magic and the last member of her family safe.
Astrid boarded her plane with hardly any time to spare and then she was off. Freya had called her friend, one of the ambassadors of their country to let him know that their family home was under attack and that Astrid needed to get out of the country and fast. He had assured her that it would be taken care of and that the way would be smoothed for her. The Helvigs were an Olde family and an Olde name. They had helped to found Oslo and Freya had been good friends with the ambassador. It was well known that Björn and his wife Estelle had been murdered along with several other high-profile families over the past several months. Protecting Astrid was now a priority as was finding the culprits of the crimes.
Clutching her necklaces, Astrid sat back in her seat. She was in first class, looking out the window watching the shores of her homeland grow smaller and smaller. She ached knowing that she would not be there to see her grandmother buried. Most of their valuables had been packed away and stored shortly after her parents' murder.
Priceless antiques were put in the carriage house under a protective spell. Her family weapons were packed and shipped awaiting her arrival to her family home in the States. Her mother had been a New York photographer when she met her father while backpacking. They had instantly fallen in love and married within a year.
Her mother's family had a home in the Hamptons as well as another estate by Lake Champlain. Her father's family still owned land down in Virginia where his ancestors had settled many centuries ago. They had stayed and some of her kin had lived there for a long time, others had returned to the Olde country after the Mikaelsons were turned.
Despite their departure from the living, the Mikaelsons had held their end of the Covenant. For centuries they watched and guarded when they could, all the while fleeing from their vengeful father. Many times, they sought shelter in the homes of the other Covenant members. In return they were the silent guardians of their brethren.
Astrid must have dozed as she was awoken hours later to the announcement that they were beginning their descent towards JFK airport. Sitting up and wiping her stinging eyes, she looked around. Drawing a breath, she watched as they circled the airport and prepared to land.
Once she was cleared to depart, she grabbed her bags and quickly made her way off the plane. Pulling on a pair of sunglasses, she pulled out her phone and tried to call Elijah one more time. She knew that something had to be wrong for him to not answer and dread pooled in her belly.
Elijah though often absent, had been a constant in her life. He would pop in from time to time to help with her training in self-defense as well as her family history and that of the Covenant. He was always kind to her if a bit guarded. She could see the age in his eyes and oftentimes could see the loneliness and sadness that lurked behind the mask he often wore.
Making her way swiftly through the crowds she went to the waiting town car that had been arranged. From there she would be brought to a car dealership where another vehicle would be waiting for her. Her grandmother had contingency plans set up long before now. Astrid just had to keep going and follow through.
Sitting in the back of the car she clutched her family necklace and felt her amma's magick and spirit thrum through it. Blinking back tears, she looked at the quickly passing scenery and watched as they let the city and were heading south. An hour later they pulled into the parking lot of a used car dealership where the driver helped her with her bags. At the front desk the papers and keys for a small SUV were waiting for her.
Though weary, she knew that she could not stop until she reached the protective wards of her family property in Virginia. Mystic Falls, she thought with a snort. What an awful name for a place. She had never personally been there before, but her father often talked of the family home there. It had eventually turned from its humble beginnings to a plantation. Her amma had told her of the significance of the place and what she needed to do should this very scenario occur.
Once behind the protective walls of her family home, she needed to go into the basement and find the passageway to the caverns below. There she would need to perform the ritual to Awaken the Covenant and cast stronger wards around her home. It was here that her family weapons had been shipped and waiting for her. It was here that she needed to summon Elijah and whomever was left of the Covenant to face the Hunters.
For long centuries there had been a rival tribe from the Olde country, the Wulfredsons. Their Wise Men and Women dabbled in Dark Magicks and sought to take the magicks of the Covenant for their own. There was also a long-standing feud with the Wulfredsons and the Helvigs since Björn the First. He had been given Friga as his wife instead of the eldest son of the Wulfredsons, who had taken it as an insult. Thus, the Covenant had banded together to protect themselves for the power was theirs to have and theirs to keep. So long as the members of the Covenant remained true, they would endure.
However, here at last Astrid was the lone survivor of the Covenant. It would seem that she was on her own. Though she had her magicks, she would need more than that to survive what was to come. She had trained from childhood in self-defense and some weaponry, but she was far from an expert. Astrid could defend herself, but she had a hard time considering taking a life. The Hunters would be after her and, on her trail, sooner rather than later.
Even with the seven family Grimoires in her possession she would need more help. She tried to fight off the desolation and devastation that she was feeling and kept driving. She had to keep moving before they caught up with her.
Checking her GPS, she realized that she had four and a half more hours of driving before she would reach Mystic Falls. Rolling her shoulders and turning up the radio, she focused on the road and tried to keep her eyes open for a tail or anything odd in her periphery. Her instincts were screaming at her to go faster and so she did.
She drove through the day, only stopping for gas and to grab food. In hindsight she could have eaten anything because it may as well have been ash in her mouth. There was no taste or enjoyment in eating. Her stomach rolled against it, but she fought it down, knowing that she needed to keep her body nourished to keep going.
Finally, just as the sun was hitting the horizon, she passed the welcome sign for Mystic Falls. She sped along the unfamiliar roads and ignored the hair in the back of her neck standing on end. There was great power here, great power was being gathered nearby. Glancing at the sky she saw a full moon rising in the night sky and quivered in fear.
Parking in the garage, she raced into the house, unlocking the door with fumbling hands. Throwing on the lights, she raced through the house, trying to remember her grandmother's instructions. Finally finding the basement door, she put on the lights and crept down into the dark space.
There was a thrum in the air as she entered the basement and headed towards the bookcase along the far wall. Astrid felt the welcoming swirl of her family magicks embracing her, calling to her as the moon rose in the sky. Carrying her bags along with her she found the latch and entered the dark entrance to the caverns below her family home. Switching on the only light she made her way down the passageway and turned on the flashlight she found beside the switch. Though covered in dust it still worked.
Down the worn steps into the echoing darkness. Finally, she entered what appeared to be a large antechamber, carved within the caverns. In the center of the floor there was a ceremonial circle drawn as well as the charred and soot-stained remnants of fires from ceremonies as well as staying within the caverns during the full moon.
These caverns were their survival when her ancestors settled here. They protected them from the neighboring werewolf tribe. Her family had staked their claim to the land they still owned all those centuries ago and though the times had changed, their draw to these lands and the power they held had not diminished.
Astrid pulled out her athame from her bag as well as the ceremonial salts and other herbs she would need. She recast the circle that had been drawn and lit a small ceremonial fire in the center that grew as she began to chant the words of her ancestors. She was drawing on the power of the full moon as well as the residual magicks of the earth and her ancestral magicks.
"I cast this circle at this hour
From the moon I seek the power
To awaken the Covenant and send a call
I seek the brethren one and all
Foes of the Ancestors Hunt and betray
Awaken the Covenant on this day
With the blood of my blood I call to thee
Allies of Olde harken to me
As the last I call upon the ancient gods
Hear my plea and even the odds
I vow to hold the balance and protect to weak
The powers I do not selfishly seek
Awaken the Covenant and make me whole
Bless me as my ancestors of Olde
I cast this circle and beseech your grace
Help me protect this sacred space
As the last of my kin and last of my line
I ask you to lend your guidance to mine
The balance has been tipped asunder
Darkness has begun to savage and plunder
I seek the blessing to behold
And evoke thee gods of Olde
Heed my call and heed my plea
As I will so mote it be!"
Astrid trembled and winced as her hands bled freely over the flames. The fire crackled and the ground rumbled. She felt and saw sparks of power zipping along her skin. Hissing in pain she felt a marking on the back of her neck and another on her left bicep.
Sobbing in thanks, she knew that her evocation had been heard and answered. The very foundations of the caverns rumbled in answer, and she heard thunder above. Casting the protective wards on the stones, she renewed and strengthened the wards on her home. Closing her circle, she stood on shaky legs.
Astrid gathered her things and stumbled up the passageway and back up to the main level of the house. She finally looked around and smiled softly. Though a plantation, she could clearly see the Norwegian influences throughout the home. In the family room was a tapestry that had been in her family for centuries. With large, exposed beams that had Norse carvings, she felt at home here in this strange place.
Putting her things by the couch she switched on the gas fireplace and went to find a first aid kit or towel to wrap around her still bleeding palm. Finally, she found a powder room off of the kitchen and looked in the mirror, wincing at her reflection. She looked worse than she thought with dark circles under her eyes. She looked tired and devastated. Her clear blue eyes seemed dull, nearly lifeless. Her strawberry blonde hair was in the long messy braid she had put it in when the attack had begun the day before. Her skin seemed paler than usual. The reflection that she was seeing was familiar, yet a stranger.
Turning she looked at the back of her neck and saw a Viking wolf tattoo there. On her bicep was Thor's hammer and a Nordic compass as well as an Olde Norse writing that she was too tired to try to translate at the moment. She recognized the runic lettering for Covenant, but outside of that she didn't know what it meant. Her amma would scold her for not taking the time, but she was weary to her very soul. Her chest ached and she felt an unfamiliar pull.
Sighing she rinsed her hand and wrapped it in a hand towel. She would shower in the morning, for now she would go back into the family room and rest by the fire. Not even taking time to change, Astrid curled up with a blanket on the couch and fell asleep completely unaware of what was going on outside the safety of her home.
While Astrid had been fleeing Elijah Mikaelson awoke in his godforsaken coffin. He gasped in pain and sat up. Looking around he didn't recognize his surroundings. Though dark, his eyesight was perfect, he was a creature of the night after all.
Feeling in the pocket of his jacket he dug out his phone. Turning it on he saw that four months had passed, and he had several voice messages and texts. Sitting up he felt fear and dread as he read the messages. He pulled himself from the coffin and began listening to the urgent messages. Closing his eyes in grief he realized that in his absence and with the deaths of the Martins, many of the families that were part of the Covenant were gone, if not all of them.
He blurred through the woods towards the apartment that he had kept. Entering he put his phone on the charger and turned on his computer and read his email. He quickly realized that there may no longer be a Covenant. Looking at the most recent email from Freya Helvig his gut sunk, and he clenched his fist in rage. However, it was Astrid's voicemail that nearly brought him to his knees in grief and rage. His inner beast was drawing to the surface and out for blood.
The Helvigs were the last, little Astrid, the girl that he had spent countless hours training and mentoring, was the last of the Covenant and would be searching for him. His brother would pay dearly and not just from him. Magic had a way of receiving payment however it saw fit. Because of Niklaus they were nearly Oathbreakers!
Elijah walked to his bathroom and showered, rinsing away the dust and death from his skin. He went to his room and pulled out a fresh suit, his modern version of armor. He sat in a large armchair, deceptively calm as he tried to calm the beast within that was baying for blood. Niklaus had gone too far this time and he would pay.
His thoughts were interrupted when his phone pinged, signaling an incoming text message. It was from Damon Salvatore who had apparently undaggered him. He gritted his teeth at the audacity of the younger vampire trying to make a deal with him to get revenge on Klaus.
Apparently, their plan had backfired, and awakening Mikael had alerted their father to the existence of the doppelganger. The Salvatores were impulsive, reckless, juvenile, and careless at best. He was beginning to think that they had outgrown their usefulness. They now wanted his help once more to protect Elena.
If he were being honest, he no longer cared if the latest doppelganger lived or died. She too had proven that she was untrustworthy and unworthy in general. Like her predecessors, her feelings and morals were fleeting and fickle. She herself had daggered him in the heart after striking a deal with him. With those thoughts, he resolved to leave the doppelganger to her fate, whatever that may be. Fixing his cufflinks, he stood from his chair and tucked his phone into his pocket.
Blurring away into the night he approached the mansion that his brother had apparently been constructing. The land it was situated on was partially on what used to be their home a millennium ago. Entering the home silently he found his brother in his studio painting and slammed him into the nearest wall.
"Hello, brother," Klaus gasped in surprise.
"We have a problem," Elijah gritted out. "Mikael is on his way. He comes to get rid of you and your blood bag."
"Rebeka called and told me he was dead," Klaus replied in shock.
"She lied," Elijah said, showing his brother the texts from Damon. "Once this is taken care of, I am done, Niklaus. I have stood by your side for one thousand years. I'll see this through, but then I leave. I must find the Helvig heiress and protect her."
"What?" Klaus said in confusion, bushing his brother's hands off of him. "I have not heard that name in centuries, brother."
"Tell me you cannot feel it!" Elijah demanded. "The Covenant is demanding our aid even now! You have no idea what you've done! Always daggering whenever something doesn't go your way. It's your fault the Covenant is nearly broken. If she dies, I will never forgive you."
"Elijah," Klaus said carefully, rubbing his chest admitting silently that he too felt the pull.
"Enough!" Elijah barked. "We need a plan to put Mikael down. Once this is done, I need to leave. She is already being Hunted. She is the only one left, Klaus!"
"I'll help you," Klaus said, looking at his brother in concern. It was so unlike his stoic and calm brother to be so agitated. "We can put out our network and find her, protect her."
"It may already be too late," Elijah said, pouring himself a large glass of bourbon. "Her grandmother Freya Helvig emailed me months ago telling me that her son Björn and his wife and extended family had been Hunted and slaughtered except for young Astrid who had been staying in the family stronghold in Oslo with her. This morning an email came through from Freya stating they were under siege, and she was going to get Astrid out, but she was the last. Astrid is the last of the Covenant except for us."
"I had no idea," Klaus said softly, joining his brother.
Both men were lost in their memories from centuries before when the Covenant was made. The original Björn Helvig had been a Viking Berserker in their village and a fierce, but loyal Viking warrior. His wife Friga had been a Wise Woman. They had two children, a son and a daughter. There were thirty different families that had originally settled in what was now called Mystic Falls. Of those thirty families, ten formed the Covenant.
To strengthen their bonds Björn proposed marriage between his family and the Mikaelsons. They had lived in the village in relative peace for many years and though the Covenant was strong among them, he wanted his daughter protected. His son was far too old for Rebeka. Ivan had been a seasoned warrior and already married to Hilda for many years with a family of their own. This left his only daughter and youngest child Brigihd to wed one of the Mikaelson sons. The Mikaelson males were well aware of the impending match and had all taken to watching over the young woman. Regardless of whom she was to wed, she was theirs to protect and would be their family.
However, before the marriage agreement could be finalized Henrik had been attacked and killed by the wolves on the night of the full moon. Niklaus had been devastated as he had taken his brother out that night, not wanting the younger boy to go out on his own. He had been able to scare off the wolves and eventually get them away from his brother, but by then it was too late.
From then the horrendous tale and aftermath went by in a blur. In their grief and fury, the Mikaelson parents concocted their plan to go against Nature and the will of the gods. While many of the Covenant tried to stand by their brethren and friends, they feared the monsters that they had become. They knew at whose feet the blame lay. Ester and Mikael were banished and turned away, while their children were given refuge and often helped.
The village scattered though some stayed and remained. Many fled to the Olde Country trying to escape the fury of Mikael who had lost himself to madness after they had been turned. Only the Mikaelsons knew the real reason for his change. Though a cruel and ruthless man as a human, it was intensified and worse as a vampire.
"We need a witch to locate her," Elijah said. "It must be done immediately."
Klaus nodded, picking up his phone. They each had a vast network of contacts at their disposal. Sending off a few carefully worded messages, he was going to call in a few favors owed to him.
"Will they need something of hers to track her?" Klaus mused. "You've had more contact with the family it would seem."
"It's been nearly five years since I last saw little Astrid in person," Elijah said with a frown. "She was only about thirteen then. I stayed with Freya Helvig and Astrid when she was a child to help her with her training and tutoring her in the Olde Ways. Since then, however, it has been correspondence through email and phone calls."
"Should we wake the others?" Klaus asked seriously.
"It is my understanding, brother, that we will need to face our father in a united front." Elijah replied carefully. "We will need them all to find and protect Astrid."
Klaus called one of his minions to bring the coffins. He then tried calling his sister, but there was no reply. When he mentioned it to Elijah, they both concluded that something had happened.
"I'll approach the elder Salvatore about Rebeka," Elijah said as he headed towards the door. "Let us hope for your sake, Niklaus, that no harm has befallen Astrid."
Klaus was left sitting in his studio to his own thoughts. It had been decades since he had thought about the Covenant. The throbbing pull in his chest was beginning to frustrate and annoy him. Guilt and remorse were not emotions that he allowed himself to feel. He imagined that what he was feeling now was akin to it.
It was not often that he let himself think back to his human days. Today however, it would seem that his human past was coming back to haunt him again. He remembered Brigihd, the soft, shy beauty that was troth plighted to his family. It didn't matter to any of them who she was to wed, they would all honor the troth and take her to wife if asked.
Though Finn had been in love with Illya, he had followed Brigihd back to the Olde country after Illya's death at the hands of Mikael. It was one of the reasons that Finn despised his parents. The other was turning them into what they were. After the death of his love, he pledged to watch over and protect Brigihd. He had become her protector and guardian for her entire life.
His thoughts were interrupted by a truck backing up into the garage. Blurring to the door, he instructed his men to bring the coffins down into the basement. The men left quickly and sped away into the night.
Walking down the basement steps, Klaus approached the coffins and threw the lids open. Undaggering both Kol and Finn he went to the refrigerator chest he pulled out several blood bags and tossed them on his brothers' chest. Taking the daggers, he placed them into the safe that was hidden in the basement. No need to lose his leverage now.
After carefully hiding his mother's coffin in a room behind a false wall he returned to his vigil over his brothers. He lost himself in his thoughts and memories as the time passed. Sitting on the steps nearby he waited and watched. Kol was the first to stir. His little brother sat up gasping before tearing into the blood bags while glaring at him. Finn sat up abruptly before he too began feasting on the provided blood.
"Brothers," Klaus said with a blank expression. "We can get into the family dramatics after we have a bit of a situation or two that need our attention."
"Why would we ever help you?" Kol demanded volatilely.
"Rebeka is missing, Mikael is coming, and the last heiress of the Covenant is in danger and needs our protection." Klaus stated bluntly.
"The Covenant?" Finn questioned hoarsely. "What do you mean the last?"
"I haven't been kept in the loop for decades if not centuries, but Elijah has." Klaus admitted. "Astrid Helvig is being Hunted by the Wulfredsons and their Dark allies. She's been missing for twenty-four hours I believe. Something has happened. Tell me, do you feel the pull?"
At the question both of his brothers rubbed their chests and they let out feral rumbles of fury. Klaus' own snarl was barely contained. The magicks of the Covenant were pushing them to react, but they needed to be cautious and wait until Mikael was dealt with. They weren't sure how Mikael would react to her and did not want her to be in danger of their father as well.
Upstairs there was a crash and a loud shriek. Klaus sighed and rolled his eyes. Apparently, Elijah had gotten their sister back and by the sound of it she was having one of her tantrums. Nodding to his brothers they made their way up the stairs to find Rebeka being scolded by Elijah.
"What is the plan?" Elijah asked Klaus.
"There was supposed to be a party at the Lockwoods," Klaus said with a clenched jaw. "A funeral for our father as a few of my hybrids destroyed the gym allowing for a change in venue. But I'm sure the Salvatores have something planned. I'm not sure the best course of action given that Mikael is most likely here, and the Covenant is pressing for us to find the girl."
"Covenant?" Rebeka asked in confusion.
As the only female member of the Mikaelson family, she was not a warrior, not like her brothers. Female members of the Covenant often would provide other means of protection and assistance when needed. She felt a thrum of magic, but not a driving need to search and protect like her brothers.
"We must deal with Mikael first," Elijah said calmly. "Then we must find young Astrid. I fear she is in grave danger. Any word from the network?" he asked Klaus.
"Nothing concrete." Klaus said standing, staring out the window. "Come, we must dress for the party and then we can begin our search."
"What is so special about a single girl?" Rebeka asked in a childish fit.
"She is the last remaining member of the Covenant," Elijah said carefully. "She is also the last remaining Helvig. We all swore when we were turned that we would look after Björn the First's family. We may not have formalized the alliance, but we are still honor and duty bound to protect her."
"I still don't understand why!" Rebeka demanded.
"Because Brigihd was to be ours!" he roared in reply, scaring her. "Brigihd was ours to have and keep and now the last of her family, a teenage orphan is alone and on the run from the Wulfredsons!"
Rebeka sat back stunned. Elijah rarely raised his voice and certainly never towards her. She felt ashamed of her words. Of course, the young girl would need their help and protection and she would have it.
Elijah's other siblings stared at him in shock. They saw that their calm and composed brother was trembling in rage. Their own inner beasts snarled, begging to be unleashed. Yes, Astrid would be protected, and they would lay waste to any in their way.
They all quickly left to change into suitable attire for the evening. Rebeka had to wear one of the other dresses for the evening as the doppelwhore had stabbed her in the back, quite literally. At least she had her mother's necklace back though.
The Mikaelsons blurred to the Lockwoods and entered the house. Klaus' hybrids had already set up and gotten everything ready for the evening. As they had guessed the Salvatores had unleashed Mikael. Katherine had been posing as Elena and Mikael taunted Klaus, his hateful words and menacing speech looked like it made the hybrid nearly lose his composure.
In the end the ensuing fight that broke out took all of the Originals to pin their father and after taking the stake from Damon's possession and snapping his neck, they staked Mikael ending their flight from him. They stood united against the Salvatores and Katherine. All three of the younger vampires were taken and brought back to Klaus' house where they were brought down into the basement where Klaus had set up a dungeon.
All three had their necks repeatedly snapped and were strung up and chained to the walls with vervain-soaked chains. It was decided that the three would be bled of vervain and compelled. The Mikaelsons did not want to fight on more than one front. With that said they returned upstairs where the long-awaited discussion about the Covenant was about to begin.
The estranged siblings sat in various pieces of furniture around the family room. There was a tense silence in the room as they had not all been in the same room around one another in nearly nine hundred years. Finn seemed understandably overwhelmed and subdued at the same time. He looked down at the empty blood bag in his hands pensively. Things had certainly changed in the time that he had spent in a box.
Klaus and Elijah's phones both pinged, startling the awkward silence in the room. Both men looked down and then stood swiftly. Biting out oaths and curses in Old Norse they met one another's gaze. The Wulfredsons were on the move. It would seem that Astrid had indeed survived the attack on her ancestral home in Oslo and had somehow managed to make it to the United States undetected so far.
"We need to find her," Finn said gruffly.
"Why the sudden change of heart brother?" Kol taunted his eldest sibling.
"I never wanted this life," he said, but cut off the retorts of his younger siblings. "None of us did, I understand that. However, the killing was eating away at me. That I do not need to kill to survive will help. Protecting young Astrid will help. There is honor in doing so. Honoring the oaths of the Covenant gives me purpose beyond just existing."
It was the first time his siblings started to understand their eldest brother. He was right, none of them had wanted to change. Finn lost more than most when he changed. He had been in love with a young woman at the time and had hoped to court her. He wanted a family, they all did.
They had each lost much with their change. They lost their humanity, their plans for the future. They lost hopes of having families. They lost their identity as Vikings over the passing years as the world changed around them. It was a lot to handle. However, the loss of their magic was a blow that each of them had felt keenly.
"It would seem that Miss Helvig is more resourceful than we had thought," Klaus said with a smirk. "Come."
The siblings left their mansion. Klaus instructed his hybrids to guard the house and then the Mikaelsons were on their way. Through the woods, Klaus and his brothers raced, laughing softly as they raced much as they had in their human days. Rebeka ran with them, the wind whipping through her hair as she smiled feeling a small sense of peace seeing her siblings united.
"Navina, one of my witches said that we must follow the pull." Elijah said quietly, so only his siblings would be able to hear. "She is in Virginia and may even be here in Mystic Falls."
They raced through the woods before breaking through the tree line. They stopped abruptly at the edge of the property that they had stumbled on. Kol breathed deeply and his chest rumbled. They could feel the power rolling off of the property.
"She must be here," Finn whispered.
"It's more than that," Kol said reverently. "This is Olde Magicks. If this is indeed her, we must protect her at all costs. Even if it were not because of the Covenant I would guard her from what she is up against. I haven't felt this since I was studying with Ayanna."
The five Mikaelson siblings crept towards the house quietly. The ground beneath them suddenly rumbled and a burst of Ancient Power knocked them back off their feet. They all gasped and clutched at their chests. The Covenant had been Awakened and they had no choice but to heed its call.
"This is just one girl?" Kol asked incredulously.
Finn chuckled deeply, relishing in feeling familiar magic he hadn't felt in so many years. Closing his eyes, he could almost picture his sweet Illya, Ayanna's apprentice and his love. It would seem that Astrid held similar power, but much more potent.
"Should we try to enter?" Rebeka asked with uncertainty.
Elijah stepped forward. "She has never met any of you before," he said carefully. "I'll approach her and check on her."
Klaus nodded and while Rebeka and Kol looked reluctant, Finn stared at Elijah. Though Elijah had often taken the lead over the centuries he was not in fact the eldest. He stared his younger brother down and didn't flinch when neither of them looked away.
"I shall stay," Finn said with finality.
Elijah stared at his brother before nodding. "Come, let us see if little Astrid is alright."
The brothers walked side by side in silence while their younger siblings hung back. They had not done so since Finn had been daggered for decimating an entire village a century after their turning. He had drawn the attention of their father and his siblings had to put him down as he had gone into a rage that had literally bathed the streets in blood.
Elijah looked towards the glass French doors of the house and listened. He could hear someone moving within the house. The room at the back of the house was suddenly illuminated with a warm glow. He could smell that the fireplace had been lit and approached the house with caution.
Finn stood beside his brother, still marveling at the modern structures and way of life. It was overwhelming to be sure, but he liked it as well. It was much better than the hovels that people centuries ago had and lacked the stench of filth. Something that he was immensely grateful for.
They both caught the scent of blood at the same time. Elijah touched the door of the Helvig family room but could not enter. Even with the pull of the Covenant he needed to be invited in. Raising his hand, he knocked firmly on the door calling for Astrid.
Astrid roused from her exhaustion to the sound of knocking. Sitting up shakily, she turned and saw the silhouettes of two men outside. Looking closer she realized that Elijah was standing there watching her in concern.
Stumbling to her feet, she went to the French doors to invite him in. Throwing the doors open she launched herself into his arms with a sob. Though startled, Elijah easily caught her and cradled her trembling frame against his chest. Finn cautiously stepped beside his brother watching.
Astrid pulled back and glanced towards where Finn was standing. While she didn't recognize him, she could see the family resemblance. Grasping Elijah's arm, turned towards Finn and nodded with a shaky smile.
"I'm Astrid Helvig," she said softly.
"Finn Mikaelson," he said with a nod.
"Please," she said softly. "Would you both like to come in? I think that there is a lot that we need to discuss."
"Of course," Elijah replied, resting a hand on her lower back protectively. "Let me call the rest of my siblings to let them know that you are safe. If you so wish it, they will come here as well."
Sitting on the soft leather couch, she nodded while staring into the flames of the fire. "Yes, I think it would be best if I only tell this all at once," she replied tiredly.
Elijah picked up his phone and dialed Klaus. His impatient brother picked up the first ring demanding answers. After a rapid, low conversation Elijah suggested that all of them need to be present for the conversation and introductions with Astrid.
"They will be here momentarily." Elijah said, kneeling in front of the young woman.
The young woman before him was indeed the Astrid that he remembered but grown. She had matured with the passage of time and grown into her own. She was petite, reaching around five foot three inches in height. Her muscles and limbs were lean and beheld a quiet strength to them. Averting his eyes and schooling his features he took in her much more mature body. She was clearly no child, but a curvaceous woman.
Astrid rested her head against the headrest of the couch. Closing her eyes, she fought the fatigue her body was feeling. A quiet knock on the French doors startled her awake and both Finn and Elijah stood protectively.
Astrid stood with Elijah's help and made her way towards the door. There in the dark were three figures, the rest of the Mikaelson family. She looked to Elijah for guidance and at his nod, she invited them in. First stepped in a beautiful blonde woman, Rebeka. She knew the name from the tales passed down through her family's history. Next came the blonder man, who carried himself in a way that screamed danger. This was the infamous Niklaus, or Klaus. Last was Kol, the one often referred to as the wild card of the family. He was thought to be the most volatile of the bunch.
Stepping back and taking a seat on her couch she invited them all to sit. Astrid looked around nervously, not really sure how to even begin. Reaching up she clutched her necklace, seeking the comfort of its warmth.
"Where would you like me to begin and what do you wish to know?" she asked, looking from one to the other.
"Why don't I begin filling them in and perhaps Rebeka can help you upstairs to get cleaned up," Elijah suggested carefully. "You appear tired, dear one."
Astrid nodded, yawning and stood shakily. Rebeka came beside her and looked her over curiously and discerningly. Astrid tried not to let the stares that followed her affect her and she willed herself not to blush. Rebeka ushered her upstairs and into one of the bedrooms.
"Let's get you into the shower and into some fresh clothes," Rebeka suggested.
Astrid allowed her to assist in getting cleaned up and dressed. She was too tired to protest or do so on her own. The Awakening and rituals she had performed had taken a lot out of her. Not to mention all of the traveling and running and fighting that she had done recently. Everything was weighing on her in a way that she hadn't fully comprehended until now. She was beginning to feel claustrophobic in her grief and exhaustion.
Rebeka led the petite young woman back to the family room where her brothers were waiting. She had been able to hear Elijah's explanation and back story of what had happened to lead up to this point. She was shocked to find her brother Niklaus appearing to have a look close to remorse on his face.
"How are you feeling, dear one?" Elijah asked, standing as she entered the room.
"Tired, 'lijah," she mumbled. "I feel better now that I've found you all, but I don't know what to do now. Amma was the one who had the plans and contingencies in place. She tried to keep me from as much of it as she could."
Clearing his throat in slight embarrassment at the nickname, "Freya emailed me with detailed plans and a few instructions to pass on to you. She wants us to continue your training," he said with a smirk.
Groaning, Astrid slid down on the couch. "Lord help me," she muttered. "The last time I trained with you I ended up with more bruises and cuts that I could heal on a regular basis."
"Come now," he said teasingly. "Surely it wasn't that bad."
"Elijah," she began with a good amount of sass. "I was a twelve-year-old girl fencing against an Original. I know you were holding back significantly, but it still hurt at times. I know why it was necessary, but still. I'm much more comfortable with my magic than physically fighting."
Finn smiled softly in reminiscence of both Illya and Brigihd who had similar responses to sword fighting and self-defense. His siblings too were reminded of the women they knew in their human days. Rebeka sat beside the smaller girl and smiled softly at her. Astrid reminded her eerily of Brigihd. They had a similar build and similar magicks, but that was where the similarities ended. One thousand years was a long time and genes tended to evolve over time.
"What else have you trained in, darling?" Kol asked with his eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Besides my formal education," she began. "I've been tutored by my amma in our family magicks and Olde magicks since I was a child. Elijah helped tutor me in self-defense and weapons as well as history. More specifically the history of our people and the Olde ways."
"Interesting," Klaus said, dimpling a smile softly. "Any archery?"
Astrid blushed and ducked her head, shrugging. Elijah chuckled deeply and gave an uncharacteristic grin towards the young woman. His siblings watched the interaction with great interest. Elijah seemed freer, more human with this young woman. They all did if they were being completely honest. The familiarity of her family magicks, the Olde magicks danced along their skin and brought them back to their human days, bringing back memories of better times, simpler times.
"Don't let her fool you," Elijah said with a smile. "She knows archery and could have probably given you a run for your money when you were human, Nik." he said affectionately. "We had many lessons, hopefully you continued them in my absence."
"I continued my training," she replied quietly. "It was not the same, but I continued on. My fader helped and hired tutors when necessary. The rest of the Covenant helped wherever possible."
"You seem troubled," Klaus said suddenly.
"Well, being Hunted and all of my family slaughtered is troubling," she said with a shrug. "There is not much that I can do to change any of that though. I need to keep focused and keep moving forward. No point in dwelling on the past. I just can't let them get me," she whispered almost desperately. "I refuse to let them get me; I'll end myself before I let them get their hands on me"
The Mikaelsons snarled at the thought, startling her from her monolog. She could see that her words had clearly disturbed them. Trembling slightly, she wrapped her arms around herself missing her mother, not for the first time since her death. Her father was always a quiet but fierce defender. His presence alone brought her comfort, but her mother could just wrap her arms around her, and everything seemed better.
"They will never get the chance," Elijah gritted out. "We will protect you, Astrid. You have my word."
"Why don't I get you up to your room," Rebeka said finally. "I'll help you get situated and stay here with you. Our home is nearby, but at least one of us should stay with you."
"I'm not sure that I feel comfortable leaving you here," Klaus said carefully.
"I beg to differ," Astrid said with a smirk. "I'm far safer here than I am at your home. Only you can enter my home, yours I doubt is protected against other vampires. Not to mention the additional wards that have been brought up here. Had you meant harm, the wards would have incapacitated you one foot into the perimeter."
Kol chuckled darkly and nodded at her, "Touché, darling. So, when do we move in?"
"Kol!" Elijah said sharply. "We do not just invite ourselves in."
"But of course, brother." Kol said with a mischievous smile. "We've already been invited in."
"Ignore him." Rebeka said, rolling her eyes.
Astrid laughed tiredly. "If you all want to stay here, I don't mind. I need to stay here though because of the family magicks." she answered carefully. "I feel safe here. Protected by them even though they're no longer here."
"Dear one," Elijah said, taking her hand. "Whatever you are more comfortable with. We are here now, and we will deal with the Wulfredsons once and for all."
Astrid trembled and looked a bit pale at the mention of the Wulfredsons. They had been plaguing her family for centuries. For power and the rejection of a marriage proposal, they had Hunted her family. She was the last of her family and though her father had always done his best to protect her, now she was on her own. Even with the Mikaelsons here, she felt vulnerable. She missed her ancestral home.
Rebeka led her back upstairs to the master bedroom. Astrid tried to let one of them stay there, but it was her home and hers by right. None of them felt comfortable taking that from her. Rebeka helped to settle her in and climbed into the large king-sized bed with the younger girl. She could tell that Astrid did not want to be alone.
Astrid trembled and tossed and turned in her sleep. Rebeka slipped into her mind and realized that they were a mix of memories and nightmares. She watched as Astrid's family was slaughtered and the final moments with her grandmother. She watched the taunting threats of the Wulfredsons. Rebeka struggled to change the dreams, but soon she was able to, giving Astrid peace in her mind.
Rebeka pulled herself to consciousness and silently left the room. She made her way back down the stairs and found her brothers sitting and talking quietly. Seeing her return they looked at her in concern seeing the murderous look on her face.
"They plague her dreams," Rebeka hissed. "One of their witches must be sending them to her, but they plague her dreams and haunt her."
Elijah stood, snarling. His actions regarding Astrid seemed to shock his siblings. Ever the Noble one, Elijah was normally cool, calm, and collected. There was really only one explanation as to why she would affect him so much.
"Brother," Rebeka began with caution. "Is Astrid your mate?"
Tensing, Elijah turned to his siblings with his jaw clenched and his eyes full of more emotion than they had seen since they were human. His entire body seemed taut with tension. Nodding, he turned and went to lean against the mantle looking into the flames of the fireplace.
"Yes," he said quietly. "Imagine my surprise when I realized it when she was barely a teenager. She was too young, and I needed to distance myself from her. It was the hardest thing I've had to do, but it was for the best. She needed to grow up."
"Does she know?" Klaus asked his brother.
"No, she does not know." Elijah replied tightly. "I don't think now is the time to tell her either. She has enough to deal with as it is."
"You need to tell her," Finn said firmly. "She has a right to know. To keep such a thing from her could ruin your chances of her accepting it."
Elijah did not reply, but instead turned back to the fire, watching the flames dance. He knew that his siblings were right. Even now he fought the urge to go to her side and tell her everything before claiming her. His muscles bunched as he fought to control his inner beast.
"I'll head back to the house," Klaus said standing. "Our guests need my attention. Kol, care to join me?"
"Lovely idea, brother." Kol said with a dark grin.
Rebeka sat with Finn and the pair talked quietly. Elijah took off his suit jacket and rolled his sleeves to his elbows before sitting. They sat for a while before a sound upstairs had them all alert. Elijah blurred from the room to Astrid's side before either of his siblings had a chance to react.
Astrid was thrashing in her bed sobbing. The air around her seemed charged with energy. Something was happening and they didn't know what they needed to do in order to help her. Rebeka was immediately on the phone with Kol while Finn sat on the other side of the bed looking unsure.
Staring at the girl, Finn suggested that they burn sage in the room for protection and cleansing. He left the room in search of the needed items. Elijah scooped her up in his arms and held her securely against his chest. She tried to fight from his grasp, whimpering.
Kol and Klaus entered the room looking windswept and Finn blurred in behind them with sage and a ceremonial bowl. He lit the bundle and slowly let the scent permeate the room. Slowly but surely, Astrid was beginning to calm. Her hair was soaked in sweat and her body trembled.
As she came to consciousness, Astrid sobbed into the crook of Elijah's neck. She wound her arms around him and clung to him, pressing closer seeking shelter from him. His arms flexed tightly as he held her to him. There was nothing he wouldn't do for his little mate.
"What happened, Astrid?" Rebeka asked. "When I left your dreams were settled and peaceful."
"The Wulfredsons and their Dark Ones are seeking me," Astrid replied hoarsely. "What they plan to do-" she cut off abruptly, sobbing.
Elijah's chest rumbled as he growled, hugging her closer. "They won't get you. I swear it." he said fiercely. "Try to get more sleep, I'll stay with you."
His siblings excused themselves from the room, leaving to burn sage throughout the house. Elijah toed off his shoes and got more comfortable on the large bed holding his precious mate to his chest. Nothing would ever harm her again, he vowed silently.
Astrid snuggled deeper into his embrace and let herself drift to sleep. Though a vampire, he still had a heartbeat that lulled her to sleep. She breathed in his familiar comforting scent of something woodsy, slightly musky, and all man in combination with whatever cologne or aftershave he was wearing. It was heady as a younger girl and downright mouthwatering now.
Sometime in the night Elijah must have fallen asleep. He felt a warm weight in his arms and breathed in the slightly floral, but sweet and ripe smell that was Astrid. It was nearly overwhelming, and his gums ached to mark her. Fighting down his instincts, he held her to his chest, taking comfort in the fact that she was here and that she was safe.
"Elijah," Niklaus called softly from downstairs. "We've got news and would like your opinion."
Groaning softly, he breathed her in once more and eased her gently from his arms, tucking her in securely. Kissing her brow, he left her side reluctantly. Blurring to the great room, he found his siblings assembled with a series of maps and grimoires scattered around.
"What has happened?" he asked, walking into the room looking slightly rumpled.
"Our networks have worked diligently." Klaus said with a smirk. "Apparently there are a lot of people that want a pardon or a favor from us and are willing to work for us or with us regarding the Wulfredsons."
"If possible, they appear to have made just as many if not more enemies than us!" Kol said darkly. "They made no friends going after the Covenant. Many are reaching out to ensure Astrid's survival."
"Can they be trusted?" Elijah demanded. "I will not have her at more risk than she already is."
"Peace, brother." Finn said sharply. "None of us would suggest anything to harm her. As her ancestor before her, she's ours to protect even if she is your mate. She is family."
"Well, that explains a bit," Astrid said entering the room tiredly.
"Elska," Elijah said, walking towards her. "You should still be asleep."
"Don't deflect, 'Lijah." she said firmly. "I suspected it was something like that, but I would have liked for you to tell me yourself. As a witch I am familiar with the supernatural and what a mate means."
"It goes deeper than that, love." Klaus explained carefully. "When a vampire or werewolf finds their mate, it is incredibly difficult not to claim them and they become increasingly overprotective."
Rolling her eyes, "Again that's not anything that I didn't already know. It, however, would have been nice to know that I was someone's mate." she replied, voice full of sass. "I mean what if I had gotten married?"
Elijah's chest rumbled in a snarl that he was fighting back. She was his! Damn it all he knew that leaving her was a risk, but she had been far too young. She had been a handful then and now it appeared that she had grown into more of one.
"I don't think you want to tease him, darling." Kol said with a smirk. "Elijah, though the Noble one is quite possessive. And his beast is just waiting to come out and play."
"Hmm," she said, murmuring, walking out of the room towards the kitchen. "Still wouldn't change anything if my amma had accepted any of the proposals that were sent to me."
Elijah blurred in front of her and tugged her against his frame. "Make no mistake, Astrid." he rumbled deeply in his chest. "I would have come for you the instant I had word of such a thing. As it was when I recognized you as my mate, you were a child."
Astrid reached up and cupped his cheek. "Easy, Elijah." she said softly "I understand. I apologize for my thoughtless words. I need caffeine in my system before I'm fit for company, and it has been a long few months."
Elijah leaned into her touch and closed his eyes, breathing her in. "It is I that needs to apologize," he murmured into her hair. "I should have told you and kept a closer eye on things. I should have been there for you and for that I will forever be sorry, my love."
"It's not your fault," she whispered.
"No, but it is mine." Klaus said, coming to stand beside the pair. "Had I not daggered him, he would have been there to help you and for that I am sorry, Astrid."
Swallowing thickly, she nodded. "I understand," she said softly. "You had no way of knowing so I cannot blame you."
"No, but I do." Klaus said seriously. "As my brother's mate, you're ours to protect. You're family and I failed you."
"We cannot change the past," Astrid said tiredly. "We can only go forward and move forward working together. Now we all know and can face it."
"I do hope you know, love that I'm not going to let you out of my sight any time soon," Elijah teased.
Rolling her eyes, she pushed lightly against his chest. "Alright Casanova, I need food and coffee." Astrid said with a smile.
Elijah nipped the apex of her shoulder and let her step from his arms, chuckling deeply at her blush and shiver. He followed her into the spacious kitchen and leaned against the counter as he watched her move her way around the room, fully at ease with the task at hand. His siblings entered the room and began helping and talking, getting to know their brother's mate.
Elijah put on a pot of coffee, while his sister and Astrid were putting together a full breakfast for everyone. Klaus and Kol were adding their input and joking with the girls while Finn leaned on the cabinets nearby with a wistful smile on his face. It was almost as if the centuries had melted away and they were human again with Brigihd.
"Brings it all back, does it not?" Finn asked Elijah quietly.
"That it does," Elijah replied, not taking his eyes off Astrid.
As if sensing his heated gaze, she looked up and flushed brightly, causing him to chuckle in reply. Finn grinned at his brother, seeing him so at ease made him feel light. Seeing all of his siblings gave him comfort, knowing that even if it were deep down, the siblings that he had loved and cherished as a human were still there.
"Is there a way to see if Sage has survived?" Finn asked, watching Astrid interact with his sister.
"We can put out our feelers," Elijah answered carefully. "However, I caution you brother. From what I have heard of her over the centuries, she is not the same sweet girl that you knew when she was human. If she has survived, she is much changed."
Swallowing thickly and biting back a furious reply, Finn nodded. "I understand, but I feel that I owe it to her to at least check on her." he said. "She only turned to be with me, and I feel that it is my duty to make sure that she is alright, even if she moved on."
"For what it is worth, brother, I am sorry." Elijah said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I should have done more for all of you. I should have been a better brother."
"Nonsense," Finn said. "None of us wanted this or made it easy for one another. However, you should all know that after a time the effects of the daggers wear off and you're fully aware and in pain. You cannot move and are stuck in the dark listening to the world around you but unable to participate or call out for help. I only ask that you not do so again."
"I'm sorry," Klaus said hoarsely. "With Mikael gone there is no longer the threat of him. I will not dagger you again, I swear it."
His siblings looked at both Finn and Klaus in shock. Finn's revelation made them all sick with guilt and regret. Hearing his words made them each swear to never do such a thing again. Rebeka threw herself at her eldest brother, sobbing and apologizing. Klaus looked remorseful and ill at his brother's words.
"Never again," Elijah breathed. "No more daggers or coffins."
"Agreed," Kol bit out resentfully.
Astrid kept cooking, trying to give them all some semblance of privacy during their conversation. She finished with the pancakes and bacon while they were talking. The eggs were finished and on a warmer. She turned to make some toast as they were whispering to one another.
Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she pulled plates from the cabinets and searched for the cutlery in the drawers. The Mikaelsons helped get everything ready and setting the table and they all sat to eat a large breakfast together. Astrid sipped her coffee and relished in the rich flavor while looking around the large table in the kitchen nook.
"This is good," Finn commented. "Food has come a long way over time."
"Many things have changed over the centuries, brother." Elijah said carefully. "Humans have advanced in so many ways that it may take some time to get yourself acclimated, but we will help you."
"I did notice the distinct lack of offensive smells," Finn joked.
"Aye!" Kol interjected. "Thank the gods for that. Cities were atrocious even a century ago."
"Well, not every city is so fortunate." Astrid replied. "Some areas of the world are still quite behind the times and technology. It's sad to see so many suffering when there are fixes to their problems, but you cannot force change if they do not want it."
Elijah nodded, thinking about her words, but Klaus disagreed. "Of course, you can force change," he interjected. "When a location is ruled by specific parties, they enforce their will on the people of those lands. It is how it has always been."
"True though that may be," Astrid contradicted. "It is politically incorrect to do such a thing anymore. There are still entire tribes and civilizations untouched by the modern world. They're living and surviving just fine with the most basic of needs and wants as their goals."
Elijah smiled into his own cup of coffee hearing Astrid and Klaus get into a debate of civilizations and modernization. He chuckled under his breath seeing his brother's temper rising, but he saw that his brother was taking it all in stride. Little Astrid would certainly mix things up for all of them.
"Pace yourself, brother." Elijah teased. "We don't want you to lose your temper."
Klaus snorted and raised his coffee cup in salute to his brother. He was having fun debating with his brother's little mate. She was fiery and certainly had many of the qualities of her ancestor Brigihd.
"Alright children," Rebeka teased. "No more debating at the breakfast table."
Her brothers chuckled in amusement. Elijah smiled warmly as Astrid blushed and chuckled with the rest of them. They all finished their breakfast and cleaned up. Reconvening in the great room, Elijah left to go change and get some of his things.
Klaus and Kol came and went torturing the Salvatores and Katerina and sorting through the intel at Astrid's house. Rebeka left with Finn to get him a wardrobe and appropriate haircut. They were all settling into a routine and adjusting to being reunited.
The rest of the day passed quickly and the days that followed. The Wulfredsons and their witches and warlocks had gone underground. They did however land stateside not long after Astrid. In the meantime, the Salvatores and Katerina Petrova were fully bled of vervain and compelled to not act against the Mikaelsons and to protect Elena as well as Astrid should the need arise. They were to report any information to the Mikaelsons and to do what they were told.
Astrid would accompany one or all of the Mikaelsons in town. They showed her their home and throughout all of their old haunts when they were human. They told her of her ancestors, Brigihd in particular. She was fascinated in learning about her and her bond with their family.
In their time together, she and Elijah were becoming closer. While she was his mate, they were taking the time to get to know one another. She was also far younger than him and he wanted to take time to get to know her and to let her grow. Though physically they were not too far apart in age, he had been around for a very long time and wanted to afford her the opportunity to grow and mature as he felt she deserved.
However, with the shadow of the Wulfredsons looming Astrid felt as if she was constantly looking over her shoulder. Even with the protection of the Mikaelsons, she felt that she was living on borrowed time. Being Elijah's mate, she knew that her destiny was to eventually turn, but it would mean giving up her magic. The thought thrilled and terrified her at the same time.
Kol spoke to her of what it was like to wake up missing his connection with nature and his magic. It was part of the reason that he was so volatile and wild. The connection to nature was a huge part of his identity and his anchor, without it he was lost and listless.
Astrid found herself in the center of the town square late one afternoon. She was sitting on a bench reading a novel that Elijah had leant to her when a shadow fell over her. Looking up she found herself face to face with a dark haired, blue eyed attractive man who was smirking at her.
"Well, hello there," he grinned. "I don't think that we've met. I'm Damon Salvatore, who might you be?"
"I'm Astrid Helvig," she replied quietly. "I recently moved here to my family home."
"Yes," he smirked knowingly. "You've been in town for a few months now and are always in the company of the Mikaelson family. Funny you're here all alone. Where are they?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she said, gathering her things and putting her book away.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry," he leered. "I'm just trying to be friendly."
"Look, I'm not interested." she replied tightly. "Please leave me alone."
Turning she heard her name called and saw that Kol was approaching with Rebeka. Damon stepped back and gritted his teeth before his eyes took a glazed over appearance and he waited for the Mikaelsons to reach them.
"I have no idea why I'm telling you this," he sneered in confusion. "But there are a few unsavory characters asking around about Astrid."
Kol shared a glance with Rebeka. "Thanks mate," Kol grinned. "Now you'll make sure to help keep Astrid and the doppelganger safe." he compelled the younger vampire.
The trio watched as Damon Salvatore walked away. Kol and Rebeka led Astrid towards their waiting car. She was concerned at the report from the younger vampire. Hopefully the elder Michaelson brothers would have a plan. She felt claustrophobic with her enemies closing in. She hoped that her allies would arrive in time. Many had been on the move once she had been confirmed to be alive and well and with the Michaelson family.
When they arrived at Astrid's home Elijah was already waiting. He bundled her into the house and they sat in the great room. She sat watching the flames in the fireplace and wondered what her grandmother would do. Feeling a rush of power surge through her she nodded.
"I'll need to go to the ritual room," she murmured softly. "I need to consult with my ancestors and prepare."
"While I am unable to practice," Kol said carefully. "I may be able to help find something to help."
"Of course," she smiled gratefully. "I gladly accept and welcome any advice and help from someone so knowledgeable in magic."
Kol nodded with a kind smile and followed Astrid out of the room towards the stairs in the basement. Elijah watched the pair leave the room and smiled softly. Kol, often seen as the wild one, seemed tempered in Astrid's presence. She welcomed his tutelage and any information that he was willing to impart. She treated him with kindness and respect.
"She's good for him," Finn stated, observing his younger siblings. "For all of us really."
"Aye," Elijah nodded. "She is indeed a boone."
"Sage has been located," Klaus began carefully. "She was Damon Salvatore's mentor. I know that you cared for her once, brother. If you want her here, I fear that she may be a danger to Astrid."
Finn nodded, clenching his jaw and looked out the window. He knew that Sage had changed when she became a vampire. While he was full of self loathing, she had become everything that he had despised about what they were. He knew that his younger brother was right, Sage could not come here. If she did, he too feared that Astrid would be in danger. Especially in light of the fact that they had compelled the Salvatores and Katherine Pierce.
"We won't bring her here," Finn said finally. "Astrid has enough to worry about. Sage was never the same after she changed. I should have never changed her to begin with. Perhaps once Astrid is safe we will all be able to find our own mates, though part of me is certain that Illya was mine."
"Oh, Finn." Rebeka said, going to his side.
She gently wrapped her arms around her eldest brother, fighting tears. Her brother had gone mad with grief when their father had slaughtered Illya. In his place she could not say that she wouldn't have done the same. Glancing at Klaus and Elijah, she could see that his words affected both of them deeply.
"Perhaps you are right," she began gently. "But perhaps she will be reborn."
Finn chuckled sadly, "If only that were true, sister. I miss my Illya more than I can put into words. I know that our father would have never agreed to the match, but I would have wed her regardless."
"Which of us do you supposed would have wed Brighid?" Klaus mused.
"It is hard to speculate now after so long," Elijah murmured. "Finn is correct that father would have not allowed his suit of Illya. He would have most likely been set to wed her."
The group fell in silence as they watched the flames in the fireplace. Outside a storm was rolling in, bringing heavy rains and winds. Below them they could feel the thrum of magic building and knew that Kol was assisting Astrid in her perusal of answers. Hopefully her ancestors would be able to give her the answers she sought.